Estate agents are notorious for talking up their properties in order make a sale. We break ranks by publishing the true meaning of their jargon.
“The property has excellent transport links”, for example, means “there’s a motorway or railway next to it”.
Here are some of the fibs told by estate agents, and their translations:
“The property has excellent transport links”
There’s a motorway and or busy railway line right next to it
“In need of modernisation”
This property hasn’t been updated since the 1970's and needs a complete refit
“An ideal purchase as your first three-bedroom home”
You can barely fit a bed into the third bedroom
“Set within a purpose-built residential development”
This property is in the middle of a large housing estate
“A cosy property in a rural location”
This property is small and the nearest shop is 20 minutes’ drive away
“Easy-to-maintain living space”
It’s really incredibly small
“Conveniently located”
Next door to a busy main road and above a take away
“Unexpectedly re-available”
The previous buyer pulled out at the last minute due to major problems or the surveyor revealed that the property was vastly overpriced
“Reduced”
Desperate
“Within easy reach of local schools”
Kids will congregate outside your house at lunchtime and drop litter all over your driveway.
“Ideal for the first-time buyer or as a buy-to-let investment”
The property’s small and in a terrible area
“Tremendous scope for improvement. A real blank canvas”
Derelict
“In need of some updating and offered with no onward chain”
An old lady has recently died in the house and it hasn’t been decorated since she originally moved in 50 years ago
“A garden flat”
A dark and most probably damp basement flat
“Bordering the sought-after area of North Clapham”
The property is actually in Stockwell
“The property has many character features”
The ceilings are extremely low
“Low maintenance rear garden”
The garden is concrete
“Situated in a stamp duty exempt area”
Situated in a deprived part of town
“New price!”
This property was massively overpriced in the first place
“ Character….”
Dilapidated
Why not visit our website and see some of the best homes for sale in the UK www.britainsbesthome.eu
Wednesday 26 November 2014
Wednesday 12 November 2014
Does advertising on Rightmove Work?
According to Rightmove themselves, the average Rightmove visitor spends 27 seconds on each Search Results page when looking for property on Rightmove. With 10 properties shown on each search results page, on average you’ve only got 2.7 seconds to grab your buyers attention. (Rightmove site stats: Average Time on Search Results page. Jan – June 2012).
Apparently, a Rightmove Premium Listings generate 30% + more views on their website than properties that don’t have a Premium Listing. Of course, you’d expect this to result in more actual viewings of the property itself but there’s no conclusive data that confirms this is the case. When you’re selling your property you want to give yourself every advantage, so on the face of it, it makes sense to have your property featured and seen.
So, do they really make a difference?
We can believe Rightmove when they say Premium Listings increase the number of click throughs to such properties. Even allowing for the fact that some of the more cynical of us might assume there was something wrong with the property if it needed a premium listing, the overall effect is almost certainly positive.
So if these listings are likely to help generate interest in your property, they’re worth having – aren’t they?
Our view is that if your property is well presented and correctly priced, it should sell regardless of whether or not it stands out on a property portal. When someone is making what is one of the biggest decisions of their life, they’re going to scrutinise a vast amount of property details, floorplans and make a lot of phone calls to arrange viewings. Is whether the property has a rosette or a few extra photos on the portals really likely to influence such a decision?
One of our clients was had their property on the market and advertised through Rightmove. He had over 35,000 page views within a month and in the past 10 months that figure has risen to over 120,000 page views. From this there have been only 3 viewings and 22 people have requested a copy of the property details. The property was a premium listing for several months and is well priced and presented.
This is indicative of a number of our clients, they are at the mid-upper range of the market and so buyers are rare and already using the service of an established and reputable agent, such as Maurice Kilbride Independant Estate Agents.
Apparently, a Rightmove Premium Listings generate 30% + more views on their website than properties that don’t have a Premium Listing. Of course, you’d expect this to result in more actual viewings of the property itself but there’s no conclusive data that confirms this is the case. When you’re selling your property you want to give yourself every advantage, so on the face of it, it makes sense to have your property featured and seen.
So, do they really make a difference?
We can believe Rightmove when they say Premium Listings increase the number of click throughs to such properties. Even allowing for the fact that some of the more cynical of us might assume there was something wrong with the property if it needed a premium listing, the overall effect is almost certainly positive.
So if these listings are likely to help generate interest in your property, they’re worth having – aren’t they?
Our view is that if your property is well presented and correctly priced, it should sell regardless of whether or not it stands out on a property portal. When someone is making what is one of the biggest decisions of their life, they’re going to scrutinise a vast amount of property details, floorplans and make a lot of phone calls to arrange viewings. Is whether the property has a rosette or a few extra photos on the portals really likely to influence such a decision?
One of our clients was had their property on the market and advertised through Rightmove. He had over 35,000 page views within a month and in the past 10 months that figure has risen to over 120,000 page views. From this there have been only 3 viewings and 22 people have requested a copy of the property details. The property was a premium listing for several months and is well priced and presented.
This is indicative of a number of our clients, they are at the mid-upper range of the market and so buyers are rare and already using the service of an established and reputable agent, such as Maurice Kilbride Independant Estate Agents.
Thursday 6 November 2014
Estate Agents Collaborate To Revolutionise The Luxury Home Marketplace
Maurice Kilbride Residential Sales Limited, one of South Manchester's leading and most innovative Estate and Letting agents, has joined forces with Britain’s Best Home who are a fast growing luxury property portal.
This new partnership will create one of the premier estate agency and luxury property marketing companies initially in South Manchester but plan to scale the model up for the rest of the UK.
Britain’s Best Home is a luxury property portal that showcases and markets some of the most sought-after properties in the UK that are for sale with a starting price of over £1 million. The new association with Cheadle based Maurice Kilbride Estate Agents sees two of the most forward thinking businesses within the property marketplace combining to offer a totally unique product and level of service unseen in the property industry.
Britain’s Best Home’s CEO, Des Williams, said: “We’ve been searching for an innovative and forward thinking working partner for some time and when we met Maurice Kilbride we knew instantly we’d met a kindred spirit and someone that we want to work alongside”.
“This collaboration further strengthens our brand and position as one of the premier luxury property portals in the UK and gives our property portfolio unrivalled international exposure” added Williams.
Maurice Kilbride, owner and Managing Director at Maurice Kilbride Residential Sales Limited, added: “We are well established in the South Manchester area and are now looking to move into the luxury home sector. Our partnership with the BBH group now means that not only can we break into that marketplace, but also deliver something quite unique in luxury property marketing”
So what will this collaboration do that’s different from everyone else?
As standard practice all properties will be showcased using HD video, aerial drones, celebrity voiceovers, social media targeting as well as utilising the database of subscribers to Britain’s Best Home and their current client base and Maurice Kilbride’s own database.
Upon instruction the company produces a colour brochure with professional photography and written by a specialist copywriter. Floor plans & EPC are standard as is a video presentation shot by a member of the Guild of Television Cameramen with a celebrity voiceover detailing the property, a dedicated website showcasing the home, a unique “For Sale” Board that will make the property stand out.
Properties will also receive extensive social media coverage and marketing through major portals, email & newsletter marketing campaigns to potential and identified markets as well as a listing on the Britain's Best Home website, which is currently exceeding all expectations on visitor numbers.
Fee packages will include almost everything! Including conveyancing fees on certain prime UK properties. We also provide assistance with finding the right removal company and access to our art collection storage specialists.
As standard, we will also provide a dedicated relocation & concierge expert to assist with all aspects of organising the move to your new property. From accompanying viewings, arranging a database of schools, location research, organising travel through to chasing all aspects of the relocation. This will remove the hassle and stresses of moving home.
Britain’s Best Home and Maurice Kilbride Estate Agents aim to be the premier estate agency and property marketers in the UK luxury home market.
Maurice Kilbride is an owner led company, headed up by Maurice Kilbride himself and supported by a superb team of experienced property professionals. What makes them different is their passion and enthusiasm for selling and letting homes, regardless of size and cost.
The key to their success is their approachability and willingness to listen, understand and respond to their client’s needs.
They also feature in the Top 10 of both the Estate Agents UK networking Top 1000 and the Mondinion.com social media top list in both the UK and internationally.
Maurice is a well respected industry blogger and campaigner for higher standards within the profession to ensure a better public perception of estate agents.
The company is well known for its authority on the local market and straight talking good advice, which clients appreciate. Experience has enabled them to develop a unique empathy with their clients and they always apply discretion, humour and integrity as any situation dictates which can be particularly important when dealing with high net worth clients who value their anonymity and privacy.
Established in Leicestershire in 2006, Britain’s Best Home is a web portal built and designed to uniquely showcase the finest properties available for sale in the UK. Britain’s Best Home is part of privately owned BBH Group which includes USA’s Best Homes, Spain’s Best Homes and Dubai’s Best Homes amongst other small businesses.
Until 2013, the company worked mainly within the “off market” property sector and was unheard of outside of the sports marketing arena. The Directors have a passion for luxury properties and felt that the way they are sold needed changing and so embarked on this innovative and market leading approach which is now set to shake up the luxury home selling market.
To find out more please telephone Maurice Kilbride on 0161 428 3663.
This new partnership will create one of the premier estate agency and luxury property marketing companies initially in South Manchester but plan to scale the model up for the rest of the UK.
Britain’s Best Home is a luxury property portal that showcases and markets some of the most sought-after properties in the UK that are for sale with a starting price of over £1 million. The new association with Cheadle based Maurice Kilbride Estate Agents sees two of the most forward thinking businesses within the property marketplace combining to offer a totally unique product and level of service unseen in the property industry.
Britain’s Best Home’s CEO, Des Williams, said: “We’ve been searching for an innovative and forward thinking working partner for some time and when we met Maurice Kilbride we knew instantly we’d met a kindred spirit and someone that we want to work alongside”.
“This collaboration further strengthens our brand and position as one of the premier luxury property portals in the UK and gives our property portfolio unrivalled international exposure” added Williams.
Maurice Kilbride, owner and Managing Director at Maurice Kilbride Residential Sales Limited, added: “We are well established in the South Manchester area and are now looking to move into the luxury home sector. Our partnership with the BBH group now means that not only can we break into that marketplace, but also deliver something quite unique in luxury property marketing”
So what will this collaboration do that’s different from everyone else?
As standard practice all properties will be showcased using HD video, aerial drones, celebrity voiceovers, social media targeting as well as utilising the database of subscribers to Britain’s Best Home and their current client base and Maurice Kilbride’s own database.
Upon instruction the company produces a colour brochure with professional photography and written by a specialist copywriter. Floor plans & EPC are standard as is a video presentation shot by a member of the Guild of Television Cameramen with a celebrity voiceover detailing the property, a dedicated website showcasing the home, a unique “For Sale” Board that will make the property stand out.
Properties will also receive extensive social media coverage and marketing through major portals, email & newsletter marketing campaigns to potential and identified markets as well as a listing on the Britain's Best Home website, which is currently exceeding all expectations on visitor numbers.
Fee packages will include almost everything! Including conveyancing fees on certain prime UK properties. We also provide assistance with finding the right removal company and access to our art collection storage specialists.
As standard, we will also provide a dedicated relocation & concierge expert to assist with all aspects of organising the move to your new property. From accompanying viewings, arranging a database of schools, location research, organising travel through to chasing all aspects of the relocation. This will remove the hassle and stresses of moving home.
Britain’s Best Home and Maurice Kilbride Estate Agents aim to be the premier estate agency and property marketers in the UK luxury home market.
Maurice Kilbride is an owner led company, headed up by Maurice Kilbride himself and supported by a superb team of experienced property professionals. What makes them different is their passion and enthusiasm for selling and letting homes, regardless of size and cost.
The key to their success is their approachability and willingness to listen, understand and respond to their client’s needs.
They also feature in the Top 10 of both the Estate Agents UK networking Top 1000 and the Mondinion.com social media top list in both the UK and internationally.
Maurice is a well respected industry blogger and campaigner for higher standards within the profession to ensure a better public perception of estate agents.
The company is well known for its authority on the local market and straight talking good advice, which clients appreciate. Experience has enabled them to develop a unique empathy with their clients and they always apply discretion, humour and integrity as any situation dictates which can be particularly important when dealing with high net worth clients who value their anonymity and privacy.
Established in Leicestershire in 2006, Britain’s Best Home is a web portal built and designed to uniquely showcase the finest properties available for sale in the UK. Britain’s Best Home is part of privately owned BBH Group which includes USA’s Best Homes, Spain’s Best Homes and Dubai’s Best Homes amongst other small businesses.
Until 2013, the company worked mainly within the “off market” property sector and was unheard of outside of the sports marketing arena. The Directors have a passion for luxury properties and felt that the way they are sold needed changing and so embarked on this innovative and market leading approach which is now set to shake up the luxury home selling market.
To find out more please telephone Maurice Kilbride on 0161 428 3663.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
How much should I pay the estate agent?
How much should I pay the estate agent?
Estate Agent’ fees vary enormously, and add thousands of pounds to the cost of selling a home. It is difficult to avoid estate agent fees, but understanding them can help you haggle successfully and save you serious money
The basics
Estate Agents charge a percentage fee, which can be anywhere between 0.75% and 3.5% of the price you sell your home. A survey for Which? found the national average was 1.8%
Occasionally, particularly for cheaper properties, estate agents charge a set fee, which can end up as a high percentage of the total property cost. Fees usually exclude VAT, which is currently 20%. So a 1% fee is 1.2% inc VAT, or £10,200 on a £1million home or £5,100 on a £500,000 home.
An estate agent is required by law to tell you what is included in the fee. Such as does it include preparing the property details, advertising costs and For Sale boards. Ideally, you should not face any added costs.
More expensive estate agents are not necessarily better. There are regional variations, with estate agent fees higher usually in London than elsewhere (even though properties are also far more expensive).
It isn’t very British to haggle, but in a market where sellers are in short supply, you will probably find estate agent surprisingly willing to cut their fees to get properties on their books. If you are going for sole agency, you should aim for a fee of 1%.
Estate agents often ask for 2% or 2.5% for being sole agent, since they know that most sellers won’t try to haggle. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t open to negotiation. Go back to the more expensive agents, and tell them the others are offering lower fees. Tell them that you are expecting to pay only 1% for your £1million luxury home.
Small estate agents are often more flexible on negotiating commission downwards than large chains, which often operate nationwide policies. Estate agents who are trying to win business to increase their market share in an area will probably be more open to negotiation than the leading estate agent.
If you insist on putting the property on at an unrealistically high price, the estate agent is likely to be less willing to accept a lower fee because it will be harder to sell. If you achieve 1% you can be pleased with yourself, you might have to settle for higher fees.
Sometimes estate agents agree to a sliding scale of commission, to give them a big incentive to sell the property at a higher price. This more closely aligns their interests with yours, getting around the problem that agents are often just keen to get the sale, even at a low price, so they can move on to selling the next property to earn another commission.
You will probably have to offer the estate agent a sliding scale, as they are unlikely to suggest it themselves.
For example, if you think your home is worth about £300,000, you could suggest:
1% fee if they sell your home for under £275,000
1.25% if they sell it between £275,000 and £299,999
1.5% if they sell it between £300,000 and £325,000
1.75% if they sell it for over £325,000
You could suggest the sliding scale if you think an agent is insisting on too high fees. In the example above, if an agent is insisting on 1.75%, you could agree to that but only if they sell it above £325,000
When should I pay the estate agent?
Sales commissions normally become due when contracts are exchanged. Fees for marketing materials etc are payable in advance and are non-refundable in many cases. Be careful that you’re not paying an over inflated price for marketing brochures, premium listings etc. You’ll be amazed what it does to the final sales commission percentage.
Estate Agent’ fees vary enormously, and add thousands of pounds to the cost of selling a home. It is difficult to avoid estate agent fees, but understanding them can help you haggle successfully and save you serious money
The basics
Estate Agents charge a percentage fee, which can be anywhere between 0.75% and 3.5% of the price you sell your home. A survey for Which? found the national average was 1.8%
Occasionally, particularly for cheaper properties, estate agents charge a set fee, which can end up as a high percentage of the total property cost. Fees usually exclude VAT, which is currently 20%. So a 1% fee is 1.2% inc VAT, or £10,200 on a £1million home or £5,100 on a £500,000 home.
An estate agent is required by law to tell you what is included in the fee. Such as does it include preparing the property details, advertising costs and For Sale boards. Ideally, you should not face any added costs.
More expensive estate agents are not necessarily better. There are regional variations, with estate agent fees higher usually in London than elsewhere (even though properties are also far more expensive).
It isn’t very British to haggle, but in a market where sellers are in short supply, you will probably find estate agent surprisingly willing to cut their fees to get properties on their books. If you are going for sole agency, you should aim for a fee of 1%.
Estate agents often ask for 2% or 2.5% for being sole agent, since they know that most sellers won’t try to haggle. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t open to negotiation. Go back to the more expensive agents, and tell them the others are offering lower fees. Tell them that you are expecting to pay only 1% for your £1million luxury home.
Small estate agents are often more flexible on negotiating commission downwards than large chains, which often operate nationwide policies. Estate agents who are trying to win business to increase their market share in an area will probably be more open to negotiation than the leading estate agent.
If you insist on putting the property on at an unrealistically high price, the estate agent is likely to be less willing to accept a lower fee because it will be harder to sell. If you achieve 1% you can be pleased with yourself, you might have to settle for higher fees.
Sometimes estate agents agree to a sliding scale of commission, to give them a big incentive to sell the property at a higher price. This more closely aligns their interests with yours, getting around the problem that agents are often just keen to get the sale, even at a low price, so they can move on to selling the next property to earn another commission.
You will probably have to offer the estate agent a sliding scale, as they are unlikely to suggest it themselves.
For example, if you think your home is worth about £300,000, you could suggest:
1% fee if they sell your home for under £275,000
1.25% if they sell it between £275,000 and £299,999
1.5% if they sell it between £300,000 and £325,000
1.75% if they sell it for over £325,000
You could suggest the sliding scale if you think an agent is insisting on too high fees. In the example above, if an agent is insisting on 1.75%, you could agree to that but only if they sell it above £325,000
When should I pay the estate agent?
Sales commissions normally become due when contracts are exchanged. Fees for marketing materials etc are payable in advance and are non-refundable in many cases. Be careful that you’re not paying an over inflated price for marketing brochures, premium listings etc. You’ll be amazed what it does to the final sales commission percentage.
What defines a luxury home?
Many estate agents firmly believe that they know what defines a luxury home and will bombard the public with adverts that promote us to indulge in opulence and promise that the property will make you feel pampered and living the life of luxury. While the glossy brochures and virtual tours may impress many, you often find that the features offered don’t justify the exorbitant price tag of a luxury home.
In our opinion, there six key and essential features that define luxury.
Living space
Generous living space is the primary requirement of any well-designed home. Luxury homes must offer spacious living rooms as well as four or more bedrooms with an open floor plan. Each room would ideally have under floor heating, air-conditioning, premium branded fittings and the obligatory in-home entertainment system. The number of bedrooms in a project should equal the number of available car parking spaces on the driveway.
A grand entrance hall and a well designed lobby is a must. The ceiling is also equally important, as height adds to the overall spaciousness. Some interior designers will focus on one or two pieces of furniture or spaces that make a statement. Often the entrance is the focal point of the home along with the kitchen. Some designers also state that the “luxury feel” is severely compromised if the floor-to-ceiling height is less than 12 feet. Also, homes with a low ceiling do not lend themselves optimally for interior design choices.
Attention to detail in every aspect is a must. From the door knobs, the electric switches, the paint or the kind of lighting are key components to setting your home apart from the rest.
Add-ons
The location is the second, and some would say important, consideration. Local amenities available in the complex are important too. Limitations in the size of the driveway, the number of parking spaces, a narrow road outside the home, heavy traffic congestion when heading home every day, don’t add up to luxury.
Unless you’re looking for solitude and are willing to compromise ease of entry etc for security and a quiet life, you must look for something with easy access to major routes and airports etc.
Add ons such as a state-of-the-art gymnasium, temperature-controlled swimming pool with body jets, saunas, home offices etc are all on the wane. Luxury home owners are more than likely to look for a hot tub, orangery, in-home cinema, games room, wine cellar and extra garage space than a swimming pool that they’ll rarely use.
Exclusivity
One key must-have in a luxury home above all is exclusivity. Luxury is an individual and highly subjective matter, but when it comes to owning a luxury home, no one wants to have the same home as the next door neighbours. Luxury projects typically have a limited inventory so that the elitist factor is maintained. We found a small number of developers in the UK that offer homes that are for sale by invitation only and each property is designed by potential purchasers.
Unique value
More utilitarian home owners may see technology as a value-add on. High-speed internet connectivity with fibre optics, home automation systems and smart homes are now firmly on the menu. This includes wi-fi enabled homes with one-touch control of ambient light, climate control and security with video phones. A luxury home remains pristine if well maintained and so finding the right home cleaning service and or house keeper is also essential.
Security
Another consideration that’s over looked often is home security. High value homes attract attention from those that see them as an easy target. Over the past few years high profile sports people have been robbed at home or burgled and it makes you question their security arrangements. More and more luxury home owners are moving away from panic buttons and safe rooms and into close protection officers and the ultimate deterrent the K9 bodyguard.
Your style
The luxury home reflects its owners style. Designer features that do not match your personality and definition of lifestyle will make you feel out of place. So you may want to check on the customisation that can be done to suit your lifestyles. Every room should reflect you and your family, be useful and not just a piece to fill a space.
Rich pickings
Price is often seen as the biggest luxury but does a home costing £5 million automatically become a luxury home. Certainly not in London but maybe in that safe haven for footballers, Alderley Edge in Cheshire. A home of that price would be the height of luxury and good taste.
There is no magic price that is a threshold for luxury homes. Just watching Grand Design or The Renovation Man will bear testament to that.
At the moment a prime location for luxury homes is Surrey. Is it because of the close proximity of Chelsea FC’s training ground or the ease of transport into London? Unlike in the past luxury is now extending to suburbs and weekend homes away from the city. Holiday homes by the beach or a river, with views of back-water or hills are popular choices for luxury property. Apartment complexes are increasingly viewed as luxury too. They offer open space, living space and the privacy of an independent home with a host of other amenities.
For us a luxury property is one that has been custom built. From the initial design of the floor plan, the discussion over materials, key features, amenities all designed exclusively for you. But often, luxury homes follow certain common design features that are appreciated by the buyers in the segment and customised to suit your unique tastes and needs.
In our opinion, there six key and essential features that define luxury.
Living space
Generous living space is the primary requirement of any well-designed home. Luxury homes must offer spacious living rooms as well as four or more bedrooms with an open floor plan. Each room would ideally have under floor heating, air-conditioning, premium branded fittings and the obligatory in-home entertainment system. The number of bedrooms in a project should equal the number of available car parking spaces on the driveway.
A grand entrance hall and a well designed lobby is a must. The ceiling is also equally important, as height adds to the overall spaciousness. Some interior designers will focus on one or two pieces of furniture or spaces that make a statement. Often the entrance is the focal point of the home along with the kitchen. Some designers also state that the “luxury feel” is severely compromised if the floor-to-ceiling height is less than 12 feet. Also, homes with a low ceiling do not lend themselves optimally for interior design choices.
Attention to detail in every aspect is a must. From the door knobs, the electric switches, the paint or the kind of lighting are key components to setting your home apart from the rest.
Add-ons
The location is the second, and some would say important, consideration. Local amenities available in the complex are important too. Limitations in the size of the driveway, the number of parking spaces, a narrow road outside the home, heavy traffic congestion when heading home every day, don’t add up to luxury.
Unless you’re looking for solitude and are willing to compromise ease of entry etc for security and a quiet life, you must look for something with easy access to major routes and airports etc.
Add ons such as a state-of-the-art gymnasium, temperature-controlled swimming pool with body jets, saunas, home offices etc are all on the wane. Luxury home owners are more than likely to look for a hot tub, orangery, in-home cinema, games room, wine cellar and extra garage space than a swimming pool that they’ll rarely use.
Exclusivity
One key must-have in a luxury home above all is exclusivity. Luxury is an individual and highly subjective matter, but when it comes to owning a luxury home, no one wants to have the same home as the next door neighbours. Luxury projects typically have a limited inventory so that the elitist factor is maintained. We found a small number of developers in the UK that offer homes that are for sale by invitation only and each property is designed by potential purchasers.
Unique value
More utilitarian home owners may see technology as a value-add on. High-speed internet connectivity with fibre optics, home automation systems and smart homes are now firmly on the menu. This includes wi-fi enabled homes with one-touch control of ambient light, climate control and security with video phones. A luxury home remains pristine if well maintained and so finding the right home cleaning service and or house keeper is also essential.
Security
Another consideration that’s over looked often is home security. High value homes attract attention from those that see them as an easy target. Over the past few years high profile sports people have been robbed at home or burgled and it makes you question their security arrangements. More and more luxury home owners are moving away from panic buttons and safe rooms and into close protection officers and the ultimate deterrent the K9 bodyguard.
Your style
The luxury home reflects its owners style. Designer features that do not match your personality and definition of lifestyle will make you feel out of place. So you may want to check on the customisation that can be done to suit your lifestyles. Every room should reflect you and your family, be useful and not just a piece to fill a space.
Rich pickings
Price is often seen as the biggest luxury but does a home costing £5 million automatically become a luxury home. Certainly not in London but maybe in that safe haven for footballers, Alderley Edge in Cheshire. A home of that price would be the height of luxury and good taste.
There is no magic price that is a threshold for luxury homes. Just watching Grand Design or The Renovation Man will bear testament to that.
At the moment a prime location for luxury homes is Surrey. Is it because of the close proximity of Chelsea FC’s training ground or the ease of transport into London? Unlike in the past luxury is now extending to suburbs and weekend homes away from the city. Holiday homes by the beach or a river, with views of back-water or hills are popular choices for luxury property. Apartment complexes are increasingly viewed as luxury too. They offer open space, living space and the privacy of an independent home with a host of other amenities.
For us a luxury property is one that has been custom built. From the initial design of the floor plan, the discussion over materials, key features, amenities all designed exclusively for you. But often, luxury homes follow certain common design features that are appreciated by the buyers in the segment and customised to suit your unique tastes and needs.
Do I really need an interior designer?
As a landlord your first priority will always be to get the best return on your investment. That means that any money you spend on your property will need to be returned to you in terms of increased rent yield and this makes perfect sense. However it is this factor which may put you off deciding to hire an interior designer to improve your property. You probably think you can carry out the work yourself and save a fortune. This might be true but there are any reasons why having a designer at your beck and call is not only a good idea, it is a great one.
An interior designer will take away all of the decision making, hassle and time involved when dealing with builders, shopping for supplies and working out what to buy. A designer will take over and leave you to shop for your next investment property.
An interior designer will be able to look at your needs and interpret them into a style which will exactly match your budget to those needs. This is a difficult thing to achieve without being a professional with plenty of experience.
Interior designers are full of interesting ideas which may be very different to what you might have thought of on your own. They will be able to advise on the best ways to make the most of awkward spaces, design tricks and tips and new products on the market which will fit your needs.
Interior designers have contacts which you probably don’t – they will know the best builders, the most reliable plumbers and the trendiest garden designers. They have the ability and the means to make your house look amazing.
An interior designer is a professional – in the same way that you would hire a solicitor to sort out your mortgage, a lettings agent to find your tenants and a financial advisor to take care of your investments, an interior designer is yet another person in your arsenal to help you reach your goals. Let the professionals do their job while you do yours.
Never underestimate how much an interior designer can add to your property and the amounts people will be willing to pay to live in an environment which has been designed with them in mind.
An interior designer will take away all of the decision making, hassle and time involved when dealing with builders, shopping for supplies and working out what to buy. A designer will take over and leave you to shop for your next investment property.
An interior designer will be able to look at your needs and interpret them into a style which will exactly match your budget to those needs. This is a difficult thing to achieve without being a professional with plenty of experience.
Interior designers are full of interesting ideas which may be very different to what you might have thought of on your own. They will be able to advise on the best ways to make the most of awkward spaces, design tricks and tips and new products on the market which will fit your needs.
Interior designers have contacts which you probably don’t – they will know the best builders, the most reliable plumbers and the trendiest garden designers. They have the ability and the means to make your house look amazing.
An interior designer is a professional – in the same way that you would hire a solicitor to sort out your mortgage, a lettings agent to find your tenants and a financial advisor to take care of your investments, an interior designer is yet another person in your arsenal to help you reach your goals. Let the professionals do their job while you do yours.
Never underestimate how much an interior designer can add to your property and the amounts people will be willing to pay to live in an environment which has been designed with them in mind.
Why buying a wreck can reap rewards
Why buying a wreck can reap rewards
Landlords have demands on their time which most of us simply do not appreciate. If you own several properties it can be difficult to juggle the finding of new tenants, keeping up with maintenance and cleaning while also keeping on top of your finances and tax. Even for those landlords with a single property, finding the time to look after it while working at another job can be draining on your time and resources.
Even a house wreck can be a great investment.
So, if you have considered buying a run down property, you may have been put off by the inevitable time, money and effort it will take to turn that wreck into the perfect rental vehicle. However there are plenty of ways you can turn someone else’s DIY disaster into your dream investment. All it takes is being clever about the choices you make.
Try to buy your new property at auction and get it for the lowest possible price. You will need some left over money to carry out the required renovation work.
Check the property first and try to find one which needs mainly cosmetic work rather than huge changes – unless you are looking to rent your property out at the luxury end of the market and are willing to invest a little more.
Get in touch with estate agents in your desired area and tell them what you are looking for. They will contact you before anyone else so you can get in quick with a decent offer.
Once acquired, do not waste any time in getting your new house up to scratch. The longer it takes to get the work done, the more money this investment will be draining before tenants can move in.
Get some help from property experts. An interior designer will be able to help you make the right choices for your property in terms of how it looks. Britain's Best Home can provide the right people to take this workload off your hands and provide the right builders, architects, designers and contractors to make it all go smoothly.
Take advantage of companies like Britain's Best Home to help you find the best possible tenants for your property. They will secure the best price so that your investment will be more than worthwhile.
Using your time wisely is so important as a business owner, which is why taking advantage of professionals should always be your number one priority.
Remember that the key to being successful in property is buying cheap, renovating once and getting in the best tenants.
Home Security Systems: A Must-Have These Days
Most of us have alarms on our cars out of fear that it will get stolen when we are not using it. But we often leave our homes empty for hours every day and yet many of us do not have Home Security Systems to prevent intruders. The repercussions of having your home burgled are far worse than that of losing your car – the fear of the person returning, the mess and damage caused, the loss of treasured possessions and the difficulty of getting a conviction or finding your stolen items. It is clear that a home alarm or Home Security Systems is essential for peace of mind and your tenants will welcome the extra touch and will even pay more for a CCTV and alarm system especially if it can be used remotely.
There are a number of different types of burglar alarms and many are very simple, cheap and effective. However, if you wish you can certainly choose the higher end of the market and get improved security and service.
A simple alarm
This will cost just a few hundred pounds and will sound an alarm should someone enter your property. This method relies on your neighbours hearing the alarm and calling the tenant or you and also calling the police. This doesn’t always happen although the noise may scare the burglar off.
Monitored alarms
This will alert your security company should the alarm go off. They will then call the key holder to see if they require assistance and will call the emergency services if required. This will cost an extra few hundred per year plus a maintenance contract to keep the alarm working correctly.
Police response alarm
The alarm can be linked to the police who will attend if they are able. Unfortunately paying the extra fee required for this service will not guarantee that they will attend your property as they will prioritise their calls. The call handler with the police will decide if the call is urgent or not. False alarms will also cause the home-owner to be struck off the police register and they will no longer attend.
Phone alert alarm
It is possible to have an alarm system which will call the key holder should it go off. This can happen for a one-off fee of around £200 and will allow the tenants to call a neighbour who can investigate before the police are called.
Other security systems
For better peace of mind your property could have CCTV cameras installed which will record when they detect movement or the alarm is triggered. These systems can also be monitored via a computer anywhere in the world, allowing the tenant to watch what is happening and call the appropriate emergency services. Outdoor lighting is also an important security feature along with an entry phone perhaps with a camera for those in apartments.
There are a number of different types of burglar alarms and many are very simple, cheap and effective. However, if you wish you can certainly choose the higher end of the market and get improved security and service.
A simple alarm
This will cost just a few hundred pounds and will sound an alarm should someone enter your property. This method relies on your neighbours hearing the alarm and calling the tenant or you and also calling the police. This doesn’t always happen although the noise may scare the burglar off.
Monitored alarms
This will alert your security company should the alarm go off. They will then call the key holder to see if they require assistance and will call the emergency services if required. This will cost an extra few hundred per year plus a maintenance contract to keep the alarm working correctly.
Police response alarm
The alarm can be linked to the police who will attend if they are able. Unfortunately paying the extra fee required for this service will not guarantee that they will attend your property as they will prioritise their calls. The call handler with the police will decide if the call is urgent or not. False alarms will also cause the home-owner to be struck off the police register and they will no longer attend.
Phone alert alarm
It is possible to have an alarm system which will call the key holder should it go off. This can happen for a one-off fee of around £200 and will allow the tenants to call a neighbour who can investigate before the police are called.
Other security systems
For better peace of mind your property could have CCTV cameras installed which will record when they detect movement or the alarm is triggered. These systems can also be monitored via a computer anywhere in the world, allowing the tenant to watch what is happening and call the appropriate emergency services. Outdoor lighting is also an important security feature along with an entry phone perhaps with a camera for those in apartments.
Luxury Home in Cheshire
If you are looking for a luxury home in Cheshire then take a look at what we have for you.
Our properties stretch from the Golden Triangle of Prestbury, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow to lovely Mottram St Andrew.
A luxury home in Cheshire is not so hard to find, it is just the small details that will make a luxury home in Cheshire right for you. When searching for your luxury home in Cheshire it is probably best to employ an estate agent’s services.
Here at Britain's Best Home we will happily discuss the requirements for your luxury home in Cheshire to ensure we get the best luxury home in Cheshire for you. You may be searching for grandeur or imposing features in your luxury home in Cheshire, it may be personal touches like a swimming pool or triple garage or games room that make it perfect for you.
If you are looking for a little bit of land with your luxury home then we can surely accommodate most if not all of what you are looking for. Many luxury homes in Cheshire are inhabited by stars of the sporting and business world that understand a luxury home in Cheshire places them perfectly for commuting around the country.
Liverpool and Manchester airports are nearby and London is only 2 hours by train. It is a beautiful part of the country in which to have a luxury home in Cheshire. If you are looking for a second home, a luxury home in Cheshire is perfect.
Should you already reside in London a luxury home in Cheshire would be perfect for spending long summers and great family weekends as it features some fantastic local scenery and wildlife. There is plenty to do up in the North West and it is a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of London.
Why not visit our website www.britainsbesthome.com and find your dream luxury home.
Thursday 17 July 2014
Video Presentations
I recently did a blog regarding how effective video presentation had been for our company. As I sat talking to clients in Monaco the other week, I realised that the blog needed updating.
The Internet has moved on at a pace and will continue to do so for the forthcoming generations. Information is power but unfortunately there are a number of marketers that get it completely wrong and pass this onto their clients.
As I sat in a restaurant overlooking the harbour, I realised that our client was fully briefed and ready to move forward all because of a short 90 second video we sent. The meeting was a success and we sealed the deal over a wonderful lunch before heading back to cold Wilmlsow. On the plane back I decided that we need to conduct more business with our potential clients in this manner. We send emails, flyers and make hundreds of phone calls a week but a simple video will convey our message faster and more effectively.
The written word is being superseded by images and video tutorials. YouTube recently stated that it uploads one hour of video every single second. That’s a frightening statistic when you consider that amount of people that access that site every day.
A few years ago we uploaded a video landing page and were over the moon at the end result of 25,000 visits per week. We changed of strategy to fall in line with the public’s need for more information and uploaded video’s with voiceovers, music and even introduced a “webinar”. The traffic the site generated rose from 25,000 to 225,000 a week and is still rising.
If you’re looking for an innovative and measurable approach to marketing your company, its products and services a video voiceover is the way forward. We highly recommend Voice Takeaway and the services they offer. Video presentations work for us and so why couldn’t it work for you?
The Internet has moved on at a pace and will continue to do so for the forthcoming generations. Information is power but unfortunately there are a number of marketers that get it completely wrong and pass this onto their clients.
As I sat in a restaurant overlooking the harbour, I realised that our client was fully briefed and ready to move forward all because of a short 90 second video we sent. The meeting was a success and we sealed the deal over a wonderful lunch before heading back to cold Wilmlsow. On the plane back I decided that we need to conduct more business with our potential clients in this manner. We send emails, flyers and make hundreds of phone calls a week but a simple video will convey our message faster and more effectively.
The written word is being superseded by images and video tutorials. YouTube recently stated that it uploads one hour of video every single second. That’s a frightening statistic when you consider that amount of people that access that site every day.
A few years ago we uploaded a video landing page and were over the moon at the end result of 25,000 visits per week. We changed of strategy to fall in line with the public’s need for more information and uploaded video’s with voiceovers, music and even introduced a “webinar”. The traffic the site generated rose from 25,000 to 225,000 a week and is still rising.
If you’re looking for an innovative and measurable approach to marketing your company, its products and services a video voiceover is the way forward. We highly recommend Voice Takeaway and the services they offer. Video presentations work for us and so why couldn’t it work for you?
Online estate agents
Online estate agents have been getting a bad press recently from the high street estate agent.
Some of them thoroughly deserve it while the more professional among us feel a little embittered by it all. At times, my Twitter feed is deluged with comments from some high street estate agent complaining about something or other. Some of it makes for interesting reading but most of it is just inane drivel worthy of being written by a poorly informed office boy who’s been told to raise the profile of the brand via Twitter and Facebook.
The PR machine clicks into overdrive as soon as you mention the online estate agent charges an upfront fee and then we apparently “sit back and do nothing now they’re paid".
This is where my blood starts to boil.
When we were looking for a property for a client, I was truly appalled at the level of customer service we received at the hands of a few local high street estate agents. We contacted a number of “local” online agents and they were even worse, if that was possible. We weren't looking to split commission or take a vendor away. We simply needed property details to pass on to a client. Finally, we used an estate agency from Nottinghamshire to assist us with renting the home in Cheshire for the client..!!!
Some of the very people on my list of Twitter followers, who have made dreadful remarks about online estate agents, were guilty of a level of customer service that was outstandingly poor and breathtakingly inept. In my experience, some of these “experts” in the sale of luxury homes have absolutely no idea when it comes to the marketing of luxury homes.
Recently, I walked into an agency in Wilmslow and the agent, who was sat at their desk eating lunch, couldn’t be bothered to take my details and or provide me with a property brochure. I was told to visit the website and download the details. So, in a fit of pique I went to their local rival and got the details and the client then took on a long term rental.
Another estate agent within the “Golden Triangle” was more concerned in finding out the current address of our well known client and gaining an autograph than sending us any details. When pushed they stated that “they were just being drafted” despite the property having being on their website for over three months. When we finally got the details it contained five photographs, on three pieces of 90gsm paper and a written description worthy of blind person's attempt at describing the property. It bore absolutely no resemblance to the actual property and missed crucial details. The property was listed at £8,000 pcm and we've since installed a client into it via another agency, again no commission payable to us.
However, there are a lot of high quality high street estate agents in Cheshire that are moving with the times. They are slick, professional, organised and treat every potential client as though they are long lost friends. These “New Age” high street estate agents know the Internet, their client base and the client base they are trying to reach. They understand that online estate agents are here to stay and rather than fight them, they work with them. Long gone are the days of newspaper advertising being the way to reach potential buyers. Working together in cyberspace is the way forward.
The savvy high street agent now works with online estate agents whom have an enormous audience reach, our reach is over four million and we’re small fry compared to the likes of Hatched and Rightmove etc. They also know that there's more than enough room for both types of estate agent and more than enough stock to go around.
When we relaunched Britain's Best Home, we decided that we’d do it differently. We’re going straight for the customer rather than wasting time with the old style high street estate agent. Can you imagine the tagline “Do You Own One of Britain’s Best Homes For Sale?”.
We want to work with estate agents that are pro-active, professional and offer a level of service akin to our own. Therefore, we’re starting our own estate agency, Benedict & Black, and we’re marketing homes valued at over £800,000 and “well appointed”. Benedict & Black will be about high-tech video production, photography and a level of customer service unrivalled in our local area. Any and all working collaborations with other agents are done at 0.5% and any direct instructions at a maximum of 1% of sold price. We’re so confident in our ability that we’ll even give a full refund and money back guarantee if we don’t do exactly what we say we will or the property isn’t sold within a specific time frame.
However, it’s not our main focus because we enjoy marketing luxury homes to the masses and it’s what we’re very good at. Britain’s Best Home is our love, passion and desire.
When we start our property management side, we’ll interview potential clients in their current home. A great idea thrown out by Chris Watkin, one of the best informed Twitter followers a letting agent could have. We won't take any old references from potential tenants, we'll go and take the reference face to face. A great deal of work I agree but in the long run taking on a select number of properties and marketing them well at 12% is better than having 300 properties and scraping 7%.
How can an online estate agent do this?
The answer is simple; working with professional high street estate agents makes life easy. We’ve stayed true to our online roots and, yes, we will have a shop front in major areas as it forms part of our marketing strategy. “You’re not an online estate agent if you have a shop front” someone will type. Have you seen the amount of paperwork a successful estate agency creates..!! Any shop front will be closed to the general public with visits by appointment only.
Every day I read comments from high street estate agents decrying our online services. They make claims that are designed to “scare” the public, painting us to be money grabbing charlatans. Please, look in the mirror before your next blog or comment. All this politicking does our industry, as a whole, no good whatsoever. It just serves to prove to the public right in their perception that we’re all a bunch of money grabbing charlatans, which most of us aren’t.
Tom Benedict has over 30 years experience of the property market with the past 10 years living and breathing the luxury and high end property sector. As Senior Partner of The BBH Group, which incorporates Benedict & Black Online Estate Agents, Britain’s Best Home, Spain’s Best Home and several other businesses, he is passionate about the luxury homes industry and its place in the world of marketing.
@BritainBestHome
Google+
Facebook
Some of them thoroughly deserve it while the more professional among us feel a little embittered by it all. At times, my Twitter feed is deluged with comments from some high street estate agent complaining about something or other. Some of it makes for interesting reading but most of it is just inane drivel worthy of being written by a poorly informed office boy who’s been told to raise the profile of the brand via Twitter and Facebook.
The PR machine clicks into overdrive as soon as you mention the online estate agent charges an upfront fee and then we apparently “sit back and do nothing now they’re paid".
This is where my blood starts to boil.
When we were looking for a property for a client, I was truly appalled at the level of customer service we received at the hands of a few local high street estate agents. We contacted a number of “local” online agents and they were even worse, if that was possible. We weren't looking to split commission or take a vendor away. We simply needed property details to pass on to a client. Finally, we used an estate agency from Nottinghamshire to assist us with renting the home in Cheshire for the client..!!!
Some of the very people on my list of Twitter followers, who have made dreadful remarks about online estate agents, were guilty of a level of customer service that was outstandingly poor and breathtakingly inept. In my experience, some of these “experts” in the sale of luxury homes have absolutely no idea when it comes to the marketing of luxury homes.
Recently, I walked into an agency in Wilmslow and the agent, who was sat at their desk eating lunch, couldn’t be bothered to take my details and or provide me with a property brochure. I was told to visit the website and download the details. So, in a fit of pique I went to their local rival and got the details and the client then took on a long term rental.
Another estate agent within the “Golden Triangle” was more concerned in finding out the current address of our well known client and gaining an autograph than sending us any details. When pushed they stated that “they were just being drafted” despite the property having being on their website for over three months. When we finally got the details it contained five photographs, on three pieces of 90gsm paper and a written description worthy of blind person's attempt at describing the property. It bore absolutely no resemblance to the actual property and missed crucial details. The property was listed at £8,000 pcm and we've since installed a client into it via another agency, again no commission payable to us.
However, there are a lot of high quality high street estate agents in Cheshire that are moving with the times. They are slick, professional, organised and treat every potential client as though they are long lost friends. These “New Age” high street estate agents know the Internet, their client base and the client base they are trying to reach. They understand that online estate agents are here to stay and rather than fight them, they work with them. Long gone are the days of newspaper advertising being the way to reach potential buyers. Working together in cyberspace is the way forward.
The savvy high street agent now works with online estate agents whom have an enormous audience reach, our reach is over four million and we’re small fry compared to the likes of Hatched and Rightmove etc. They also know that there's more than enough room for both types of estate agent and more than enough stock to go around.
When we relaunched Britain's Best Home, we decided that we’d do it differently. We’re going straight for the customer rather than wasting time with the old style high street estate agent. Can you imagine the tagline “Do You Own One of Britain’s Best Homes For Sale?”.
We want to work with estate agents that are pro-active, professional and offer a level of service akin to our own. Therefore, we’re starting our own estate agency, Benedict & Black, and we’re marketing homes valued at over £800,000 and “well appointed”. Benedict & Black will be about high-tech video production, photography and a level of customer service unrivalled in our local area. Any and all working collaborations with other agents are done at 0.5% and any direct instructions at a maximum of 1% of sold price. We’re so confident in our ability that we’ll even give a full refund and money back guarantee if we don’t do exactly what we say we will or the property isn’t sold within a specific time frame.
However, it’s not our main focus because we enjoy marketing luxury homes to the masses and it’s what we’re very good at. Britain’s Best Home is our love, passion and desire.
When we start our property management side, we’ll interview potential clients in their current home. A great idea thrown out by Chris Watkin, one of the best informed Twitter followers a letting agent could have. We won't take any old references from potential tenants, we'll go and take the reference face to face. A great deal of work I agree but in the long run taking on a select number of properties and marketing them well at 12% is better than having 300 properties and scraping 7%.
How can an online estate agent do this?
The answer is simple; working with professional high street estate agents makes life easy. We’ve stayed true to our online roots and, yes, we will have a shop front in major areas as it forms part of our marketing strategy. “You’re not an online estate agent if you have a shop front” someone will type. Have you seen the amount of paperwork a successful estate agency creates..!! Any shop front will be closed to the general public with visits by appointment only.
Every day I read comments from high street estate agents decrying our online services. They make claims that are designed to “scare” the public, painting us to be money grabbing charlatans. Please, look in the mirror before your next blog or comment. All this politicking does our industry, as a whole, no good whatsoever. It just serves to prove to the public right in their perception that we’re all a bunch of money grabbing charlatans, which most of us aren’t.
Tom Benedict has over 30 years experience of the property market with the past 10 years living and breathing the luxury and high end property sector. As Senior Partner of The BBH Group, which incorporates Benedict & Black Online Estate Agents, Britain’s Best Home, Spain’s Best Home and several other businesses, he is passionate about the luxury homes industry and its place in the world of marketing.
@BritainBestHome
Google+
Art with Attitude - Serenity Designs
Quigley’s, a small and very cosy wine bar in Congleton, was the setting for the Serenity Designs “Art with Attitude” showcase of British artist JJ Adams.
Armed with an exquisite gin and orange courtesy of Hunters Gin, we walked among the assembled crowd and took in what can only be described as an outstanding collection of modern fine art. Serenity Designs showcased the pieces in a manner that invited you to indulge your creative curiosity and challenge yourself with the intellectualism of JJ Adams and his modern artwork.
Among the art pieces, the invited guests could see the intricate use of different materials up close in a way that could do these pieces justice.
Moving on through the exhibit there were two works, Rock n’ Roll Reunion and Eddystone Lighthouse, that took our breath away. The detail, finish, idea and execution had a number of the guests commenting and they appeared to be a talking point.
“Twiggy” and “Diana” were the centrepieces of the exhibition and it’s not until you stand up close that you can see the detail and thought that went into the pictures. Stand close to the picture of Diana that you’ll notice the very subtle and amusing details JJ Adams has placed on her.
The small number of works in this pleasantly brief exhibit truly allowed visitors to fully study and contemplate each piece, and simply to appreciate the dynamic creations on a purely aesthetic level. Guests were not intimidated by the modernist artworks on display. Instead, “Art with Attitude” presented the often under appreciated artistic side of this fine artist, offering visitors a stimulating experience as well as whetting our appetites for their next anticipated exhibition.
Serenity Designs showed the invited audience why they are one of the premier galleries in Cheshire or even the North West.
@BritainBestHome
Google+
Facebook
Armed with an exquisite gin and orange courtesy of Hunters Gin, we walked among the assembled crowd and took in what can only be described as an outstanding collection of modern fine art. Serenity Designs showcased the pieces in a manner that invited you to indulge your creative curiosity and challenge yourself with the intellectualism of JJ Adams and his modern artwork.
Among the art pieces, the invited guests could see the intricate use of different materials up close in a way that could do these pieces justice.
Moving on through the exhibit there were two works, Rock n’ Roll Reunion and Eddystone Lighthouse, that took our breath away. The detail, finish, idea and execution had a number of the guests commenting and they appeared to be a talking point.
“Twiggy” and “Diana” were the centrepieces of the exhibition and it’s not until you stand up close that you can see the detail and thought that went into the pictures. Stand close to the picture of Diana that you’ll notice the very subtle and amusing details JJ Adams has placed on her.
The small number of works in this pleasantly brief exhibit truly allowed visitors to fully study and contemplate each piece, and simply to appreciate the dynamic creations on a purely aesthetic level. Guests were not intimidated by the modernist artworks on display. Instead, “Art with Attitude” presented the often under appreciated artistic side of this fine artist, offering visitors a stimulating experience as well as whetting our appetites for their next anticipated exhibition.
Serenity Designs showed the invited audience why they are one of the premier galleries in Cheshire or even the North West.
@BritainBestHome
Google+
Using Video To Sell Homes
A few years ago, Marketing your property online was a new area. My business partner and I were wondering what would be the next “Big Thing” in online property marketing. We’d done everything known to mankind but were looking for something really different, something that would take us ahead of the crowd.
We decided to try a video landing page and experimented with a number of designs before deciding on a page design with interactive links. To save on costs, mine was the voice that guided you through the website. We utilised our own video production equipment and the total cost of the experiment was £42.
At the same time, we were asked to design and host a website for a PR & Marketing company in Northamptonshire, who also specialised in property marketing, and we added this “new” concept. The client loved it and once the SEO was completed, the traffic hitting the site was beyond all expectations. We’d hit on a magic formula.
A couple of years later, I decided to incorporate the same property marketing idea into the world of estate agency. The results were outstanding with a traffic flow that exceeded 25,000 unique visits per week. As an experiment we then took out the voice over and video’s and as a subsequence the online traffic fell by 75%. We knew video and voice was the way forward. From that moment on, we have never changed our thoughts regarding voice over and video production to market products online.
Done right, voice overs are one of the best ways of communicating with potential customers. We have worked with some of the largest TV production companies in the UK and incorporated our idea to great effect.
We highly recommend Voice Takeaway and the services they offer, it works for us and so why couldn’t it work for you?
@britainbesthome
Google+
www.britainsbesthome.com
We decided to try a video landing page and experimented with a number of designs before deciding on a page design with interactive links. To save on costs, mine was the voice that guided you through the website. We utilised our own video production equipment and the total cost of the experiment was £42.
At the same time, we were asked to design and host a website for a PR & Marketing company in Northamptonshire, who also specialised in property marketing, and we added this “new” concept. The client loved it and once the SEO was completed, the traffic hitting the site was beyond all expectations. We’d hit on a magic formula.
A couple of years later, I decided to incorporate the same property marketing idea into the world of estate agency. The results were outstanding with a traffic flow that exceeded 25,000 unique visits per week. As an experiment we then took out the voice over and video’s and as a subsequence the online traffic fell by 75%. We knew video and voice was the way forward. From that moment on, we have never changed our thoughts regarding voice over and video production to market products online.
Done right, voice overs are one of the best ways of communicating with potential customers. We have worked with some of the largest TV production companies in the UK and incorporated our idea to great effect.
We highly recommend Voice Takeaway and the services they offer, it works for us and so why couldn’t it work for you?
@britainbesthome
Google+
www.britainsbesthome.com
Wednesday 4 June 2014
Britain's Best Home Launching in July!
We are pleased to announce that Britain's Best Home is undergoing final testing and will be relaunching in July. Thanks to all of you who have registered, the level of interest has been phenomenal and apologies for keeping you waiting!
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