Ask the Expert - Gemma Dawe, Property Relocation Advisor

Are you considering relocating to the Lakes, perhaps looking for your forever home in a location that’s perfect for you and your family? Or are you looking to buy a holiday home and not sure where to start? Perhaps you can’t get up here in time for the all-important viewings and to get that quick sale?

If you’re looking to buy right now, whether to live in the house yourself or let it part-time as a holiday home, it can be frustrating the speed of which property sells here. Great news for the sellers but challenging for the buyers.

Gemma Dawe is a local expert who can be your ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground, when looking to navigate the market. She can deliver the fast actions which may be the difference between viewing a property or not. Being physically here, she can act quickly should the right property become available.

Gemma’s Services include:

1. Property Finding Service A relocation can feel quite overwhelming, whether to choose a small village, rural hamlet or market town? As a property finder, Gemma can help with both on-and off-market property searches. Using her knowledge and experience gained as a local estate agent, she will provide insight and an honest opinion.

2. Property Viewing Service Gemma will view properties on your behalf if you can’t be here, making property suggestions that you may not have considered, looking at the bigger picture and potential of a property to suit your family requirements. She will also help understand any local quirks and challenges that need to be navigated, such as rights of way, septic tanks or flood drainage for example.

3. Putting in your offer Gemma will work with you along all the steps making sure everything is in order to present you in the best possible light to estate agents, sellers and solicitors. By instructing a property finder, you are showing you are serious about buying. In these fast-moving times this will give you a head start on other potential buyers.

4. After Sales After a sale is agreed, Gemma can assist with organising a survey, arranging local trades quotes, obtaining legal advice and keeping all communication channels open within the chain. She can recommend architects, removals firms, builders and anything else you need for a successful relocation, and be on hand to discuss any issues that arise during the process.

New benches at Orrest Head

Gemma tells us:

‘Once I’ve taken a brief from a client, I’m able to offer honest advice firstly about their property search or holiday let investment potential. I’m here to help the buyer in a sometimes-fierce market, where quick actions are the difference between a chance to view and offer on a property. Because I am physically in the area it means I can act quickly should the right property become available’.

Why should a potential buyer work with you?

I am very well connected locally, and can recommend trusted local trades people, solicitors, surveyors estate agents, and lettings agents, pointing you in the right direction.

I hold various professional qualifications relating to both property and marketing. These include the Award in Sales of Residential Property from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).

I’m also a member of the UK’s largest property ombudsman scheme, operating under The Property Ombudsman (TPO). This means you have an independent and trusted approach but most importantly, I genuinely care about the outcome. I previously trained in interior design and have always been able to see past what is in front of me and assess the potential within a home. Fees

• Property Finder Services– Orientation advice, viewing multiple properties in order to select the correct one for you, negotiation, survey support, relocation advice and support, accompanied viewings, key collection and assistance relocating to the area. 1% of your buying price eg £800,000 would be £8,000. • Orientation Visits– 1 Day traveling around The Lake District guiding you around the areas best suited to you and your property search. £500 • One off Viewings– If you are unable to visit the area and need a video property walk through and an opinion on the property. £500 additional viewings can be added at an extra cost. • Empty Property Insurance check– If your insurance specifies that your property needs to be checked once a month. £50 per check. Note all prices are subject to VAT.

Reviews

‘The support and guidance we have had from Gemma has been invaluable. We learnt so much from her while deciding what type of property to invest in and she was the first to find properties that matched our budget/needs. She then steered us through making offers and the negotiation process and was available for advice throughout the entire sale.’ Mr & Mrs T

Read more about Gemma here.

The Vicarage Rosthwaite near Keswick | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | Sleeps 8

Settled in the idyllic Lakeland valley of Borrowdale in Cumbria, surrounded by mountain peaks, sits the detached holiday home; the Vicarage. A fine Victorian rectory, used by the local church since its build in 1842 and now lovingly restored to a warm, welcoming home with wood burning stoves, classic décor and all the modern conveniences that you may require for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday. Your drive from Keswick will take you past the shores of Derwent Water overlooked by Cat Bells Fell and Dale Head, the famous Bowder Stone and the Lodore Falls.