Category Archives: Dawsons

Dawsons impressive connections ease the worries of UK-wide relocation

November 2, 2016 Editor

Relocating can be a challenge, but for Claire and Steven Morris of Penclawdd, the process will be made easy because their estate agent Dawsons is part of the Relocation Agent Network.

With spectacular views and a pristine interior, 74 Gowerton Road, Penclawdd is a special find. It’s been cherished by owners Claire and Steven Morris for 10 years, but now they are looking to fulfil their dream of moving to Scotland.

Relocation can be a challenge unless you know the area well, but Claire and Steven are confident it will go smoothly because they are planning their move with the help of Dawsons Estate Agent, which is an appointed agent for Relocation Agent Network (RAN).

Claire Morris outside her house in Penclawdd

Dawsons is the only RAN member in the area. RAN carefully selects its agents based on a detailed analysis of what they have to offer, including sending out secret shoppers, so that they are sure they have the best people for the job. They then train each agent’s staff so that they are fully equipped to help customers relocate with ease.

RAN aims to offer customers the inside knowledge and expertise that will help them make the best choice of new home. From choosing the right catchment area to picking a home close to the right shops and amenities, they can help you make your choice like a local, not a newcomer. Better still, the service is free, so having placed their house for sale with Dawsons, Claire and Steven get the full benefit of RAN at no extra cost.

For Claire, an important factor is to stay close to the sea, having loved her current coastal location.

“Ideally we want somewhere very quiet, and near water – either with a loch view or a sea view. There is the possibility of looking for land and building a house on it, but that’s very difficult to do from such a distance, so we’re using RAN to help us find a place to rent in the first instance,” she says.

She’s being assisted by Dawsons sales negotiator David Parton, who is delighted to be able to help with the relocation process as well as the house sale.

“RAN offers the complete package for anyone relocating, and has agents working across the globe, including 700 around Britain,” he says. “Once we’ve had permission from the client we can get them in touch with an agent in area they are looking for and likewise, we help people looking to relocate to Swansea.

“When you’re looking to relocate, it makes a massive difference to have someone on the ground looking on your behalf. We have been able to help hundreds of people a year moving in and out of the area.”

Now Claire and Steven are eagerly waiting to begin their new life in Scotland, confident that when they find a buyer, the guesswork will be taken out of finding their new home.

“We’ve loved living here and I’m sure the new owner will love it as much,” says Claire. “We decided to buy this house as soon as we stepped inside and looked out at the view. We hope we’ll find something as special in Scotland.”

Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Brilliant Halloween fundraising day by Dawsons branches

November 1, 2016 Editor

It was the final day of fundraising on Monday for our chosen charity, the Wallich, who do great work with homelessness in the local area.

Staff at all Dawsons branches had a dress-down/fancy dress day with competitions for the best looking branch and the best dressed individual.

The branch winner was Llanelli.

The standard of some of the individual costumes was so amazing but the three best dressed were Leon Atolagbe from Marina Lettings, Danielle Thomas from Mumbles Sales
and Lorraine Evans from Swansea.

However, the overall winner of the best dressed prize was Kirstie Morgan from Llanelli Lettings with her terrifying corpse bride robot baby concoction!

Marcia Williams, Private Rental Sector Manager at The Wallich, Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, Jan Balsdon, Director of Fundraising and Participation at The Wallich, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales

Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Dawsons delighted after raising £2,675 for homeless charity

October 26, 2016 Editor

Dawsons Property has helped to raise £2,675 for a housing charity with a special fundraiser at the Rose Indienne in Swansea.

The leading estate agent has been involved in a Clash of the Corporates event over the past month with 20 companies across South Wales raising money for homeless charity The Wallich.

More than 100 people sat down for a top-class Indian buffet at the Rose Indienne followed by a raffle and auction.

Master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the night Ricky Pudy

“It was a fantastic occasion and to raise £2,675 on the night was a brilliant effort by everyone involved. A big thank you has to go out to everyone who came along to support,” said Jo Summerfield-Talbot, Dawsons Director of Residential Sales.

“Everyone gave generously to both the raffle and the auction and our director of Residential Lettings, Ricky Purdy was the perfect auctioneer.”

Among the lots in the auction were a signed Swansea City shirt and Lukasz Fabianski’s signed goalkeeping gloves.

“It is hugely important that we get this corporate support and it’s huge thanks to Dawsons for all their efforts in raising all this money,” said Jan Balsdon, Director of Fundraising and Participation at The Wallich.

“The money raised will support people directly in the city particularly in getting access to the private rental sector.”

The Clash of the Corporates event continues until October 31^st when all Dawsons branches will be involved in a Halloween fundraiser.

CAPTION: L-R Marcia Williams, Private Rental Sector Manager at The Wallich, Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, Jan Balsdon, Director of Fundraising and Participation at The Wallich, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales.

Dawsons

Leading estate agent delighted with new PR company collaboration

October 10, 2016 Editor

Estate agent Dawsons has joined forces with south Wales public relations company, Channel Communications to spread the word about the company’s achievements and services.

Channel Communications, run by experienced former journalists Richard Thomas and Jenny White, specialises in all aspects of PR, from social media to press releases, events and website design and management.

Senior Partner at Dawsons, Chris Hope, said the collaboration is ideal for Dawsons, a leading independently owned estate agents with eight sales branches and five rental offices throughout south Wales.

“We have worked with Richard before so he and Jenny taking over our PR was not a leap in the dark at all,” said Chris.

“This is an important year for Dawsons, being our 25^th anniversary, and Richard and Jenny have already been doing an impressive job promoting various projects we have in the Swansea and Llanelli areas.”

Channel Communications look after all Dawsons’ PR needs including press releases and the handling their social media accounts and the content which goes on their website.

“We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with such a high profile company,” said Jenny. “They are a great team to work with and there is so much interesting news to share about their work.”

And Richard added: “Dawsons recognise the value of good PR and are very forward-thinking in this respect. From videos and blog posts to print and social media, we are working with them to raise their already very high profile in the region.”

CAPTION: L-R Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, Jenny White, Partner at Channel Communications, Chris Hope, Senior Partner at Dawsons, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales, and Richard Thomas, Partner at Channel Communications.

Dawsons

A glimpse inside our latest property auction

October 7, 2016 Editor

Curious about buying or selling at auction? Here’s a glimpse inside our most recent property auction, plus some tips for buyers.

Auctions, Dawsons

Property auctions bidding to be as popular as conventional house sales

September 29, 2016 Editor

Just ask Dawsons: the increase in the popularity of the property auction is there for all to see.

With TV programmes like the BBC’s Homes Under the Hammer increasing its profile, the property auction provides an interesting and exciting environment for buyers and sellers.

And on Wednesday afternoon (October 5th) at the Marriott Hotel in Swansea Dawsons are expecting plenty of interest in their latest auction, especially as they have a variety of lots on offer.

Property auctions are in vogue and are becoming an increasingly popular avenue for buyers and sellers, and are fast catching up with the more conventional ‘for sale’ route for homeowners.

Dawsons Senior Partner Chris Hope insists: “Nowadays it’s a successful way of selling properties and getting the full price the market will pay. It is now not all about a property which is battered and bruised, which no-one wants to buy.

“Not only that but a property auction provides a rich variety of property types.”

That is reflected in some of the lots up for offer in Wednesday’s auction, which includes both houses, flats and commercial property.

Here is a selection of the lots going up for auction:

74a + 74b Port Tenant Road: Mid-terrace property comprising of two self-contained flats, one with a sitting tenant. The ground floor flat is a one bed while the first floor flat is a two bed. Other benefits include gas central heating, double glazing and a single garage. Current rental income of £395pcm for the ground floor flat and £400pcm for the first floor flat, with potential to increase. Ideal investment opportunity.

Mayals Road: three-bedroom traditional semi-detached property located on the gateway to the Gower. Ideally situated to take advantage of all local amenities of Mumbles. The property briefly comprises of hallway, lounge, extended dining room, kitchen/breakfast room to the ground floor with three well-proportioned bedrooms and family bathroom to first floor. The property also benefits from large front and rear gardens, a single garage and a driveway providing off road parking.

Imperial House: offered for sale this large investment opportunity on Neath Road, Plasmarl. The property comprises 14 self-contained flats all varying in size which have been recently renovated to an extremely high standard. We have been advised there are parking facilities for each flat and the potential for additional development. All 14 flats are currently occupied under Assures Shorthold Tenancy Agreements, all varying in lengths and rents. There is currently an income of £75,000 per annum exclusive with the potential to achieve based on the current guide price, a Gross Initial Yield of 11.54%.

Glanmor Road: semi-detached three-storey property offering versatile accommodation. Currently utilised as two flats, the ground floor flat comprises of entrance hall, two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and a bathroom. The first floor flat comprises of three bedrooms, lounge, bathroom, w.c and kitchen. Ideal investment opportunity.

The Grange: This two-storey mixed use building has recently been renovated to a high standard and is occupied by local covenants. The ground floor is predominantly occupied by a café and restaurant, and a child day care centre. The first floor is used as office space. There is currently an income of £126,000 per annum exclusive with the potential to achieve based on the current guide price, a Gross Initial Yield of 18%. This large investment opportunity is situated on Vauxhall Road, Llanelli approximately two minutes from Llanelli town centre.

Here are a couple of useful auction tips:

There are a number of builders and developers who attend auctions looking for properties that is in need of refurbishment. Therefore, if your property falls into this category, you might well achieve a higher price at auction than by way of a private sale.
Auctions are useful for selling properties which are difficult to value. From a realistic reserve price, the auction process allows bidders to compete with each other based on their own impressions of the property’s value. This generally results in the property achieving its market price.

Joanne Roberts, Charlotte Waddell, Lauren Peschmann, Kimberley Jones, Katie Scott, and Angelique Deias

Dawsons, Recruitment, Staff

Dawsons announces recruitment of six new staff members

September 20, 2016 Editor

Dawsons has announced the appointment of six experienced members of staff as the leading South Wales estate agency shows continued expansion.

The growth in the business has seen the need for the recruitment of Joanne Roberts, Kimberley Jones, Lauren Peschmann, Charlotte Waddell, Angelique Deias and Katie Scott in their Marina, Mumbles and Llanelli branches.

“These six appointments highlight our continued expansion and the continued appointment of experienced staff at all levels as we continue the high customer service standards we set ourselves,” said Ricky Purdy, Dawsons Director of Residential Lettings.

“New staff like this will help us in what is expected to be another busy 12 months for us.”

Joanne joins Dawsons’ Llanelli office as a residential lettings administrator having had previous experience within the industry, while Kimberley joins the Marina office also as a residential letting negotiator. This is a new role created as a result of recent success within our department and the need to expand our team.

Lauren, who hails from South Africa and previously worked on various roles on cruise ships, has been appointed our Mumbles branch as residential negotiator, to support an already and well established and strong team.

Charlotte joins the company as a property inspector, working out of both the Llanelli and Mumbles offices. Charlotte’s role requires a high standard in both administrative and customer services levels. Angelique will be working out of Mumbles as a property maintenance coordinator for both Mumbles and Llanelli offices. Angelique comes with several years’ experience within the industry, while Katie has been recruited as an administrator within the Mumbles branch.

Kimberley said: “It’s such a great opportunity for me and it’s great to join such an established firm as Dawsons.”

Lauren said: “I am so glad to have got this role at Dawsons. The people are very friendly and the work is different from day to day.”

Katie said: “The Mumbles branch is such a lovely office and a really friendly atmosphere. I definitely made the right move in joining Dawsons.

Angelique said: “I used to work for Dawsons a couple of years ago and I’m just so glad to be rejoining them. It’s great to be back!”

Charlotte said: “I am very impressed how professional and organized Dawsons are and just delighted to joined a company with so many friendly people.”

Joanne said: “I am absolutely loving working for Dawsons – the people are so friendly and I’m really enjoying my new role.”

CAPTION: L-R Joanne Roberts, Charlotte Waddell, Lauren Peschmann, Kimberley Jones, Katie Scott, and Angelique Deias

Charitable Events, Dawsons

Dawsons staff bid to win The Wallich’s charity fundraising challenge

September 15, 2016 Editor

Dawsons Estate Agents has just 50 days to turn £50 into a small fortune.

The challenge – known as Clash of the Corporates – is a competition run by homeless charity The Wallich.

Twenty businesses across Wales are competing to see who can turn a £50 loan from The Wallich into the most money in 50 days.

Dawsons has hit the ground running with a programme of money-raising events that includes a cake sale, a curry night, an auction and Halloween fundraising activities.

“We’ve got lots of other ideas in the pipeline,” Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings, Dawsons. “Suggestions have included car washing and pop up shops – it’s going to be a lot of fun and visitors to our branches should find it amusing.”

The £50 to start the competition was presented to Ricky by Zoe Westerman, corporate strategic relationships manager for The Wallich.

“Clash of the Corporates is a great way to bring the local business community together through some healthy competition,” said Zoe. “We’re looking forward to seeing what innovative and creative fundraising ideas the Dawsons team will come up with to help raise vital funds for our charity.”

Any money raised will boost the £1,300 Dawsons has already raised for the Wallich, which is its chosen charity of the year.

“Our staff selected The Wallich as the company’s charity of choice for the year because it has a number of shelters in Swansea,” said Ricky.

“The staff have really thrown themselves into it, and the Clash of the Corporates will be their biggest challenge yet. It’s going to be a really interesting 50 days! We just want to get the staff involved to have as much fun as they have in recent months and raise money for a good cause along the way.”

(CAPTION: L-R Zoe Westerman, corporate strategic relationships manager for The Wallich with Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawson)

Lisa Davies with husband Matthew and daughters, Tegen and Seren

Community, Dawsons

Dawsons negotiator has a family of lifeguards

September 12, 2016 Editor

Lisa Davies, Senior Negotiator and Valuer for Dawsons’ marina branch, has just gained her National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification from Rest Bay Surf Life Saving Club in Porthcawl, as has her husband Matthew.

Their two daughters, Tegan, age 12, and Seren, eight, are following hot on their heels as members of Rest Bay Nippers Lifeguard Club.

The family, who live in Margam, decided to join Rest Bay Life Saving Club to ensure that they could enjoy the sea safely.

“Living near the coast, I wanted to make sure that we were all safe in the sea. Matthew and myself also help out with coaching, and represent the Rest Bay Masters in competitions,” said Lisa.

“The most challenging part of the training was the practical rescues – consisting of four simulated rescues out at sea. The most enjoyable part was learning all about first aid, and learning about the different sea conditions.”

Matthew, a Director of Development for a Housing Association, previously held a Lifeguard qualification, and renewed his at the same time as Lisa gained her qualification. Their daughters hope to become qualified lifeguards too.

“It’s useful and enjoyable and we’d encourage other people to get involved,” said Lisa.

“Rest Bay Surf Life Saving Club is a friendly club that welcomes all ages from seven upwards.”

CAPTION: Lisa Davies with husband Matthew and daughters Tegen and Seren

Dawsons Director of Residential Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot with Zoe Westerman, Corporate Strategic Relationships Manager at The Wallich

Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Dawsons presents cheque to homeless charity The Wallich

September 6, 2016 Editor

Dawsons Estate Agent has presented a cheque for £677.05 to The Wallich, a homeless charity with several shelters in Swansea.

This brings the total amount Dawsons has raised since March for The Wallich to more £1,300. Dawsons’ staff selected The Wallich as the company’s charity of choice for 2016, which sees the estate agency celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

“We are absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised so far by the team at Dawsons. Their fundraising activities have been varied and fun and it’s been wonderful to see each branch get so involved,” said Zoe Westerman, Corporate Strategic Relationships Manager at The Wallich, who received the cheque on behalf of the charity.

The cheque was presented by Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales.

“The money was raised as a result of our Wimbledon Day and our Euro Sweepstake,” said Joanne.

“The staff really threw themselves into it, and we are delighted to have raised so much money.”

Dawsons’ fundraising efforts for The Wallich will continue until March 2017.

Caption: Dawsons Director of Residential Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot with Zoe Westerman, Corporate Strategic Relationships Manager at The Wallich

Swansea & south Wales estate agents blog