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MAY NEWSLETTER


Welcome to the May edition of our intelligent newsletter! We aim to keep you up to date with our latest news, give you top tips from industry professionals and provide interesting and helpful articles relating to the property industry and much more. You are able to update your preferences so you only receive articles which are relevant to you. If you like what you see, please be social and share our newsletter via social media. To ensure you don't miss out, just add this email address to your Safe Senders list.

Carver Overseas

An estimated 30,000 Brits bought a foreign property in 2014. Therefore through popular demand we have recently launched our overseas department. We are currently marketing over 90 luxury apartments in Barbados and in Europe we have a three bed townhouse in Mallorca. It can be a daunting experience when buying and selling abroad and that is why we are here to assist in giving you valuable advice, allowing you to deal with a UK agent you feel comfortable with.


Click here to read Carver Overseas.



Featured Property - A large detached bungalow in Ingleridge, Ingleton

A large detached bungalow completely refurbished in 2015 to an extremely high specification. Situated on a large plot within private grounds, surrounded by countryside on three boundaries with extensive south-facing views. The property was purchased as a 3/4 bedroomed bungalow in 2014 and has been significantly altered and redesigned to create two large double bedrooms with excellent walk-in fitted wardrobes. Plans have been submitted to extend to the ground floor, into the roof space and to construct a detached triple garage, in all providing an additional two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and study. Ingleridge is situated on the edge of the attractive, traditional village of Ingleton. It is well placed for commuting to nearby Darlington, Barnard Castle and Richmond.

 

 

The principal rooms of the property face south and afford extensive views across countryside. The living room features a double-glazed window along one wall extending to the height of the ceiling. There is a contemporary-style multi-fuel stove. The living kitchen/dining room has a magnificent light and airy ambience with a 3.30m wide bi-folding door opening to the south, together with further windows providing views to the countryside at the north of the property. Further light is provided from two large Velux roof windows. The kitchen area is fitted with a comprehensive range of high gloss finish floor and wall-mounted units with soft-closing drawers and doors, with extensive granite work surfaces and a large central island incorporating a wine cooler, induction hob and retractable extractor canopy. The remaining units incorporate a double electric oven, microwave oven, dishwasher and American-style plumbed-in fridge/freezer. The utility room, accessed directly from the kitchen, is plumbed for an automatic washing machine and fitted with a range of units, with a door opening to the rear of the property. The inner hall incorporates a storage cupboard and access to the family bathroom which is refitted with an excellent suite including a corner shower unit, panelled bath, wash bowl in vanity unit and WC. The two large double bedrooms are fitted with excellent walk-in fitted wardrobes with lighting.

A private driveway suitable for parking a number of motor vehicles provides access to the garage, which is attached to the side of the property, with a remote-control roller shutter door, two personal exit doors, power supply and lighting. The largest area of the garden faces south and is predominantly laid to lawn with a wide patio area adjoining the kitchen. The views from the garden are extensive across surrounding countryside. 

To view the full details please click here.



Meet The Carver Team - You can now put a face to a name by viewing our website!

A family firm, the company prides itself on its outstanding members of staff, many of whom have a wealth of experience totalling over 350 years
Click here to read Meet The Carver Team - You can now put a face to a name by viewing our website!.



What prevents your home from selling? Here are six tips that may help!

While your home might be flawless in your own eyes, there are certain things that can instantly put buyers off. We aren’t talking furniture or dodgy décor (although, try to modernise if possible), but aspects of the house that can turn a nose up in a second. With this in mind, we have put together our tips- six things to look out for, before the buyers descend.

Lighting


Even if your rooms are tidied to each corner and crevice, if they’re dark and unlit, they can be a turnoff and give the wrong impression of the room. Remove heavy curtains that prevent light getting into your rooms, and turn on lamps that give the room a homely feel. If a room has dark wallpaper or paint, consider giving it a repaint to make it feel fresh; white works wonders.

By making such small simple steps, you will be presenting your potential buyers with a home that will delight them from start to finish. Look at your home before any viewings begin, and see what you can change; it will be worth it when a new family are signing on the dotted line.

Bad Smells

Even if your home resembles something from Good Housekeeping’s most desirable homes pages, if there’s a whiff in the air, the buyers are going to care. House smells are top of the list when it comes to putting buyers off. Smells range from cigarette smoke and pets, to mould and mildew lingering in the air. Unfortunately, noses become accustomed to certain smells over time, so ask someone who doesn’t live in your home to smell the air. Don’t be offended if you don’t like the answer; they’re helping you out. Get rid of any bed smells so potential buyers come in to a fresh and clean atmosphere, not one that is filled with spray to cover the smells.

Unclean Bathrooms

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms that people like to keep clean. A bathroom can make people dislike your home immediately if it isn’t spotless; if the bathroom is grubby and has mildew, they will wonder what other dirt lurks beneath the surface of your property. Extra cleaning is a must if you want to sell your home. Scrub your bathroom to perfection, paint the chipped walls, put in a new rug and fresh towels, and buy a clean shower curtain. Open the windows when buyers are looking around to let in some fresh air.

Damp Rooms

If you have a basement and don’t use it as a functioning room, you may experience some damp issues. Often it is caused by rainwater seeping into the foundations, and doesn’t necessarily mean you have a fault within the grounds. However, buyers won’t see it like this. If they smell damp, they think cost, or a delay in moving in while the damp is removed. Or even worse, recurring damp problems. This is a red light. To remove damp smells, determine where any water from outside is going. The smell could be caused by the drains being clogged, or rain gutters full of leaves. Investigate and resolve, or lose a sale.

Kerb Appeal

 
Your house needs to look good from the outside. The front needs to be edging on picture-perfect; not only does it paint a good impression of the owners, it puts potential buyers in positive spirits before they have stepped in the door.


The Stalker Seller

When people come to have a good look around your home, they often prefer to have a good old mosey around without you following them. Yes, it makes sense to be at least a few rooms away in case they have questions, but leave them be while they wander. They need personal space to chat things through with their partner or agent, and if you’re there, they might not feel comfortable. Let them nit-pick at details with you out of the room. If you hear them talking about changing ‘this, that and the other’, this means they like your home and are already considering how to add their stamp.

Source; Samantha Ashdown, www.home-truths.co.uk



UK-wide property to outperform London, analysts forecast

House prices predicted to rise 1.5% nationwide but dip 3.6% in London in 2015
Click here to read UK-wide property to outperform London, analysts forecast .



Amazing celebrity homes for sale around the world!

 The multi-million-pound pads of the rich and famous that are now up for sale! Have a sneaky look here
Click here to read Amazing celebrity homes for sale around the world!.



Spotlight on two members of our team...David and Sally!

Find out a little about 2 members of our team each month!

David - Darlington Branch Manager

 

What is your favourite food? Seafood

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Maldives

Who would you most like to meet?
Jenson Button because I have a keen interest in F1

Favourite band or artist? Oasis and all 80’s and 90’s music

Favourite drink?
Coke with ice

Favourite film star? Tim Roth, love all the films he's been in!

Hobbies/sport? Playing Tennis and Graffiti Art

Favourite quote? “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”

Sally - Administrator


What is your favourite food? Too many to choose from, love my food!!

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere warm and relaxing - I like trying new places

Who would you most like to meet? Jimi Hendrix

Favourite band or artist? Again, too many to choose from very varied!

Favourite drink? Vodka, prosecco, wine, green tea, it goes on and on, how many can I list?

Favourite film star? Leonardo Dicaprio

Hobbies/sport? Time with family and dog, rugby, football, regular gym classes to combat stress!

Favourite quote? "Go ahead, make my day"