Tag Archives: Estate Agent

August Newsletter

August 14, 2019 Editor

Community:

Wales Air Show 2019

On the weekend of the 6th & 7th July the Dawsons Property team of volunteers headed down to Swansea Bay to work at the Wales Airshow for the 2nd year running.

“Tag your Tots” was the theme, and positioned at the entrance, the staff were on hand to get all of the children wristbands with their parent’s emergency contact details secured on their arms, so that, heaven forbid, they wandered off during the excitement, their parents or guardians could easily be contacted and traced….. especially with all eyes raised up to the sky for the aerobatic entertainment.

On top of this, there was lots of face painting, aeroplane stencils and glitter at the ready, plus selfie frames for photos and lots of advice about the events happening over the 2 days.

We took so much pride in being a part of the anniversary celebrations for Swansea City’s 50^th birthday.

Industry News

Whether you’re over the moon or underwhelmed, Boris Johnson is now Prime Minister of the UK.

He’s got form in the housing sector including his relatively unsuccessful attempt to introduce a minimum ‘rental standard’ in London when he was mayor, but now takes charge of a government that has several flagship housing market measures underway.

Will Bojo keep his housing team as it is? Will he alter James Brokenshire’s plans to reform Section 21 evictions, reform leasehold ownership, regulate estate agency and set up a publicly-available database of rogue landlords and agents? And will he follow through on his promise to reform Stamp duty? It will be an interesting few weeks. Effectively we here in Swansea have Rent Smart Wales (RSW) which already has in place a number of the suggested processes – in simply terms policing the PRS and looking at continued ways to improve standards across the board without the unexpected and detrimental financial consequences.

(The Negotiator, Nigel Lewis)

August Top Tip:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOLICITOR

Your agent can advise you on the best local solicitors. They speak to them daily and understand which will work the best with you. The last thing you want is a lengthy conveyance.

AUCTION NEWS:

The auction department has grown from strength to strength over the last six months. With the average number of properties going to each auction rising from 19 to 22.

We have found that more and more vendors are preferring the auction method of sale. The transparent, no-nonsense approach is becoming all the more common amongst sellers and purchasers alike.

If you have a surplus property, a property with issues e.g. short lease, knotweed, structural issues, neighbour disputes or need to sell due to legal reasons, an auction can be a great tool. From the beginning of marketing to completion the auction process is roughly 8 weeks.

Please give us a call on 01792 478903.

Dawsons Auction Going Going Gone.

F & C Property Focus:

Lindsey Harrison, Client Relationship Executive

Lindsey joined our Fine and Country department after working as a visual merchandiser for Debenhams. Graduating with a BA (Hons) in fashion construction and design, Lindsey’s artistic eye and creativeness is the reason why she is a perfect fit for our marketing team and the source of some of the most impactful brochures you will see. She has the ability to highlight features and create a visual lifestyle for prospective buyers to aspire to. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her two horses and competing in local show jumping competitions.

Business Link:

The Optimist Bar and Kitchen, 59 Uplands Crescent SA2 0EZ Swansea

The ever-popular, uplands bar and kitchen The Optimist has been a part of the Dawsons reward card scheme from the very beginning. With quality food and drink, excellent service and upbeat vibes The Optimist has established itself as one of Swansea best venues, whether it’s for mid-week brunch or weekend drinks, The Optimist is the place to be.

RAN:

Summer is upon us and the buyers are out and about, so it seemed a good time to introduce another RAN Focus Day to help not just local buyers with a property to sell but those from out of the area as well.

It took place on Wednesday 17^th July. All of our sales offices worked frantically, helping clients with their relocation to new areas. We managed to assist 13 different clients to relocate and find their dream homes both in and outside of Swansea.

These focus days are a great opportunity to build relationships between agents and let everyone know how the Network helps customers relocate across the UK, whilst delivering great service.

Dawsons helped 13 clients relocate both in and out of Swansea, we are extremely pleased with that figure. Remember if you are thinking of relocating please call us.

Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) update:

Our Mortgage Advisers all pride themselves on speed and service when it comes to arranging your mortgage. Last week Shaun Sturgess submitted 5 Applications, 7 days later the happy customers now all have full Mortgage Offers and are speeding along the road to owning their dream home! All this after negotiating with local estate agents and achieving the best price for the customer.

To see if Shaun or our other advisers can help you with the same level of service please get in touch.

Careers @ Dawsons:

WE ARE HIRING

Are you considering a career in Estate Agency, Property Management or Surveying? Click HERE.

Awards

Dawsons in top 3% of Estate Agents in England & Wales

August 9, 2019 Editor

Whole of Market

Annually over 25,000 estate agents are assessed to create a useful tool designed to help customers choose an estate agent for the sale or let of their most valuable asset. The Best Estate Agency Guide is compiled by independent industry experts the Property Academy with the support of the UK’s largest property portal, Rightmove. They compare performance at a hyper-local level and rate estate agency branches in order to recognise differences in service standards and any disparities in regional property markets.

Rigorous

To choose which agents are listed in the Best Estate Agent Guide, each branch is scored against a unique set of performance and customer service criteria, using a combination of data analysis and mystery shopping.

Over a 6-month period, this involves analysis of:

Over 25,000 branches
1 million properties listed at any point in time
1.5 million transactions
25 million leads
1.5 billion property views
50,000 mystery shops

Estate agent branches that display a Best Estate Agent Guide rating are among the best in the country. The marks provide a useful indication of the quality of the agent, which can help when choosing an agent to value your property and when choosing which agent to instruct.

Dawsons are in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2020 — Our invitation arrived to attend the 2019 EA Masters Ceremony as one of the top 3% of Estate Agents in the UK

Last year the Dawsons team were named in the Guide and this year are the only agents in the local catchment with both Sales & Lettings branches in the Guide. We are delighted to be within the top 3% (750 agents nationally) out of all 25,000 branches assessed and will be heading to London to find out if we have hit the jackpot by being a GOLD winner as THE BEST in our region.

Sales Director Jo Summerfield-Talbot said of the announcement “Being confirmed as a winner in the Best Agent Guide 2019 is a proud moment for Dawsons, and a great achievement that follows on from our successes in 2018”. Lettings Director Ricky Purdy added, “Knowing the criteria involved in the process this year and that measuring performance and service was set even higher than in 2018, makes the hard work and dedication of our staff an even greater reassurance and recognition of their continued service on behalf of our clients.”

So if you are thinking about selling or renting your home in the Swansea, Llanelli, Mumbles, Sketty, Killay, Morriston or Gorseinon areas, why not give us an opportunity to showcase our services?

https://www.dawsonsproperty.co.uk/contact.php

Dawsons food drive 2019 for the Trussell Trust

Charity, Dawsons

RAN Foodbank 10,000 items to the Trussell Trust

June 24, 2019 Editor

Last week all of the Dawsons offices became collection points for a special estate agency incentive across the UK, headed by our agency charity Agents Giving and the national Relocation Agent Network.

This annual event is incredibly important because Foodbanks across the UK are being used more than ever before. During the week, at Dawsons, we collected for Trussell Trust foodbanks in Swansea, Llanelli & Lifepointe.

The Trussell Trust charity supports a nationwide network of food banks and provides emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, along with campaigning for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. The Trussell Trust supports more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis, as well as supporting people to try and resolve the crises they face.

Between April 2018 and March 2019, food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided a record 1.6 million food supplies to people in crisis, a 19% increase on the previous year.

It takes more than food to end hunger but helping with food donations is a start and that is why this annual campaign is of huge importance to use at Dawsons.

Collection Day

Firstly we head to Morriston sales, to pick up 341 items, including a cheeky monkey.

Next to Morriston lettings, to pick up 189 items

2661 items for Dawsons Food Drive 2019 — Sarah hopped into the collection bucket but just couldn’t give her away!

and then to Gorseinon office to collect 105 Items.

Matt & George trying to get taken away from Gorseinon office

635 items delivered to Lifepointe.

Next, we headed to:

Sketty office to collect 107 items

Killay office to collect 43 items

Llanelli office to collect 174 items

Deliver to Llanelli Foodbank 324 Items (Met with Claire & Colin who were so incredibly grateful)

Final trip:

Mumbles office to pick up a whopping 798 items

Marina office to collect 158 items

Swansea sales office to collect 450 items

Swansea lettings office to collect 269 Items

And with a hugely packed van

Our final delivery was made to Swansea foodbank of 1675 items

We’d like to say a massive thank you to our board man Adrian from who drove from branch to branch last Friday along with our amazing food drive co-ordinator Gemma. Plus, of course, a huge well-done to all of our friends and local contacts who got involved and helped to achieve the amazing total of:

Continue reading →

Why you should sell your home at Auction by Dawsons

Auctions

The benefit of choosing to sell by Traditional Auction

April 29, 2019 Editor

Here is an example of why Auction can be the best method of sale if you are looking for fast, secure results.

21 Brookville Road was brought to the market in March 2019 in readiness for our last auction on April 17th.

The vendors chose auction as they wanted a quick sale, it was a rental property for themselves and the property had deteriorated over the last couple of years. Instead of spending a lot of money on a revamp of the house, they made the decision to sell it in a pretty run-down condition.

We began marketing the property and within 3-weeks we received an offer, at first the offer wasn’t quite what the vendors were looking for, however, thanks to our awesome auction negotiators a deal was agreed and both purchaser and vendor were really happy.

Even though the vendors accepted a pre-auction offer, it remained under auction conditions of an immediate exchange and completion to happen in 28 days. The property completed on the 18th of April a day after it was meant to go to the auction room, the whole process took 8 weeks from start to finish.

If you have a surplus property that is playing on your mind please let our Auction Department take your stress away give a call on 01792 478904 for your free valuation.

Dawsons Auction Going Going GONE!

Our Auction Listings are here

Spoilt for choice, check the Dawsons relocation service

Relocation Agent Network

Spoilt for choice? You can’t beat a good recommendation!

April 18, 2019 Editor

Nowadays we have more choices than ever before. From the half-fat, decaf, double froth cappuccino at your local coffee shop to the fifty shades of white available at your local DIY store (Chapel Porth or Dover Skies anyone?).

So when it comes to selling your home, selecting an estate agent it is no different, except this time it’s not a £3.60 coffee you’re choosing, it’s finding someone you trust to help guide you through the biggest investment you’ll ever make.

With so many estate agents in the high street and online these days, it can be daunting trying to work out which agent is right for you.

So how do you even begin to choose?

Like most choices we make, it’s always more reassuring to make one based on a recommendation. And for us, there’s no better recommendation than from “Relocation Agent Network”. They chose us to be Swansea’s ‘Local Expert’ which means they not only
recommend Dawsons to every seller in the area, but also to the market leader in relocation services, Cartus, who relocates employees for their corporate customers.

Who Are Relocation Agent Network?

Relocation Agent Network is a national network of estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales and a division of Cartus. They search the UK for the very top estate agents to represent them as Local Experts and only invite one company from each area to join. So in the Swansea area, Dawsons are the only estate agent to be selected.

Why Did Relocation Agent Network Choose Us?
The team at Relocation Agent Network has a list of strict criteria they look for in any of their member agents:

In-depth local knowledge
Quality customer service
Proven experience in the marketplace
Innovation in business
Professionalism

… and as it turns out, we tick all the boxes.

So if Relocation Agent Network – experts in estate agency excellence – chose us, why wouldn’t you?

Thinking of selling this Spring / Summer?

Through our Relocation Agent Network membership, we are able to offer sellers a completely unique channel of buyer that no other estate agent in Swansea can provide.

Visit our Relocation Page to find out more, or contact us on ☎︎ 01792 646060

Competition

Valentines Day Competition

February 3, 2019 Editor

The team at Dawsons are offering 2 FREE meals for 2 people, just in time for this year’s Valentines Day!

Two MEALS at two VENUES in The Uplands, Swansea are on offer and to enter you just need to LIKE & FOLLOW our

Dawsons Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/DawsonsPropertySwansea/

AND / OR

FINE & COUNTRY, SWANSEA FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/fineandcountryswansea/

(If you like & follow both pages, you will get 2 entries)

and

please SHARE the Valentine’s Day Competition Post, pinned to the top of our newsfeed on both pages.

So PRIZE ONE:

2 MAIN COURSES (to the cost of £35) plus gin and tonic for 2 with the meal at

Maisies Gin Bar & Restaurant, 39 Uplands Crescent, Swansea SA2 0NP

T&C’s for Maisie’s Voucher

Voucher must be used within one month of purchase.
If the meal exceeds the price of £35, the additional spend must be settled.
If less than £35 is spent there is no change given.
The voucher can only be redeemed against the cost of 2 main meals plus 2 gin & tonics.
Reservations are subject to availability. Please call the
restaurant as per the contact details. Purchase of the voucher is
not a guarantee of a reservation at the time of your choice.
Vouchers are not transferable, refundable in cash or
replaceable if lost, destroyed or stolen.
Voucher queries relating to the menus, restaurants or bookings
please call 01792 518768 or contact Maisies Gin Bar & Restaurant, 39 Uplands Crescent, Swansea, SA2 0NP

So PRIZE TWO:

2 MAIN COURSES (to the cost of £30) at

The Bookshop Cocktail Bar, 27 Uplands Crescent, Swansea SA2 0NX

T&C’s for The Bookshop Voucher

The BookShop voucher is valid for two people to order off the
main menu – 2 guests will dine from 1 course each for a total
of £30. Starters and Desserts not included.
The validity period of The BookShop voucher cannot, under any
circumstances, be extended or altered to a different period.
Must be used within 3 months after purchase.
Please note that The BookShop vouchers are not valid on any
Bank Holidays or any evenings where events are being held.
To redeem your BookShop voucher, a booking must be made in
advance, directly with the restaurant.
Reservations are subject to availability. Please call the
restaurant as per the contact details. Purchase of the voucher is
not a guarantee of a reservation at the time of your choice.
The voucher must be presented (printed or smartphone) by the
bearer on arrival.
Vouchers can be used as full or part payment on goods and
services The BookShop Bar.
Vouchers are not transferable, refundable in cash or
replaceable if lost, destroyed or stolen.
Vouchers can only be used for a single transaction; any
of the remaining amount is not exchangeable for cash or another
voucher and will be automatically forfeited.
Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
The company reserves the right to amend these terms and
conditions without prior notice.
Voucher queries relating to the menus, restaurants or bookings
please call 01792 463445 or email; info@bookshopbar.com

Sales

High Street versus Online Estate Agents

Image September 21, 2018 Editor

We’ve been looking into the reasons why using High Street Estate Agents offers property sellers a lot more to consider when selecting the right agent.

Catchy Window Display

Richard Tucker, Managing Director of Relocation Agent Network, says:

“High street presence means you can see how an agent presents properties for sale in their window. What is it about the display that catches your eye? How involved is the agent in the local community? And of course, you have a place to meet with your agent.

Local Area Information

Local knowledge is a must for someone looking to move into a new area. The agent will be able to share key information about the neighbourhood with potential buyers.

Realistic Outlook

A can-do attitude provides the assurance that your sale is in a safe pair of hands. The agent is realistic and will explain to you the challenges that may occur and the solutions available to overcome them; the key point is that you are in the hands of a professional who is proactive and knows how to help their customers make a successful move. If you are choosing a pay-upfront option to sell your home, what is the incentive for the agency to get the price right in the first instance and keep you informed of anything?.”

Reviews and Recommendations

Going on, Richard explains:

“Client testimonials tell you about the quality of the service and the impressions left on both buyers and sellers who have used the agent previously. Selling a home is not only a financial transaction, but an exchange between real people.

Friendly Face

Face-to-face support brings us back to the people aspect; seeing a familiar face, someone you can trust when you need advice can really help reduce the stress associated with certain elements of selling and buying a property.

Sales Progression

By taking personal ownership of your sale and purchase it means that the agent is dedicated to finding you the best buyer for your property and the right property for you to move to. The agent is willing to invest their time and resources to be your advocate and to give you the support you need to make a successful move.”

In conclusion

Having a real person to talk to, a friendly face, a true connection with your agent, rather than dealing with a “person” online (or doing it all yourself) can make the sales process a lot easier to handle and keeps you in the loop. That way you are more likely to have a smooth and speedy transaction, and there is always someone available to answer your questions or ease a tricky situation.

Thinking of selling?

Dawsons is a selected member of Relocation Agent Network, who has chosen us as Swansea’ s Local Expert, based on our customer service and a variety of other criteria. Not only does this prove our credentials as one of the area’s leading estate agents, but through our network membership, we are able to offer sellers a completely unique channel of buyer that no other estate agent in the Swansea area can provide.

Visit http://www.dawsonsproperty.co.uk/relocation.php for more information about the Relocation process.

Dawsons' Safe As Houses campaign to keep children safe during the Airshow

Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons, Staff

Estate agent sponsors special ‘Safe as Houses’ scheme to keep children safe at Wales Airshow 2018

June 25, 2018 Editor

Dawsons estate agents are sponsoring special wristbands to keep children safe at this year’s Airshow based on the Swansea sea front.

In a campaign named ‘Safe as Houses’, Dawsons’ wristbands will be handed out by Swansea Council officials to 1,000s of children attending the event over the weekend.

With more than 250,000 visitors expected to gather on Swansea’s promenade and waterfront for the action-packed weekend of June 30 and July 1, Dawsons felt it important to support the wristband campaign.

“We are delighted to be sponsoring a campaign that will help to keep safe all those children who will be visiting the Airshow on the Saturday and Sunday,” said Dawsons’ Senior Partner Chris Hope.

“The weekend is a fun-filled, family affair and anything we can do to keep children safe and eliminate any worries for parents then all the better.”

On entering the event a wristband will be given to each child can be collected from various information points, the park and ride drop off location or our car parks staff. The parents’ mobile number will be written on the back of the wristband before being put on the child’s wrist.

Losing a child, even for a few moments, can be very distressing and the Tag Your Tots scheme can help reassure and get help fast. Parents are being advised it they lose a child or need to report an incident to look for the nearest steward who will talk directly to the security and events team via radio.

Added Chris: “The Airshow just gets bigger and better and showcases Swansea at its best and we are delighted to be associated with it especially as this year the even takes on extra significance as it is celebrating both the RAF’s 100^th anniversary and the Army commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the end of World War One.”

Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration & Tourism, said: “We are delighted that a Company with such local recognition and familiarity as Dawsons Estate Agents have decided to become a sponsoring partner for the Wales Airshow 2018. The Wales Airshow is Wales’ largest, free event for the public to enjoy.

“The show attracts record numbers of visitors to the area, with children’s safety being of paramount importance throughout the weekend. With Dawsons’ contribution, we can effectively manage the number of families with children at the event, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy this fantastic two-day spectacle.”

The Airshow has grown in popularity from 75,000 visitors in 2009 to an audience of 250,000 last year and even more people are expected this year.

Full details about the event, road closures and other information is available at walesairshow.co.uk.

PICTURE: Swansea Uplands RFC Under 7s interrupted their training session on the beach to show off the bright orange wristbands that will be used during the Airshow

Charitable Events, Charity, Community, Dawsons, Football Academy Foundation appeal, Lettings, Llanelli, RNLI, Sales, Sponsorship

Dawsons to sponsor Burry Port Raft Race again

June 6, 2018 Editor

Dawsons is delighted to be the principal sponsor of the Burry Port Raft Race for a second year.

The event this year takes place on Saturday, August 11.

“We sponsored the event last year and we had no hesitation in doing it again this year, especially as it raises valuable funds for both Burry Port RNLI and Afia Children’s Football Academy Foundation in Africa,” said Dawsons’ Senior Partner Chris Hope.

“We have an office in Llanelli and many of our staff are from the Burry Port area and again we will be entering our very own Dawsons raft. We are just hoping that, despite great efforts by our crew, they go a bit better that they did last year!”

There are plenty of prizes for those involved including best dressed raft, first raft to sink, best dressed crew, last raft over the line and worst dressed raft.

If you need any further details or an entry form you can email burryportraftrace@yahoo.com

Mark Matthews - the winner of Dawsons' Sell your House for Free competition

Competition, Dawsons, Gorseinon, Sales

Nurse Mark named as Dawsons’ winner of ‘sell your home for free’ competition

June 4, 2018 Editor

Dawsons Property is delighted to announce Mark Matthews as the winner of their ‘Sell Your Home for Free’ competition.

Mark, who has put his house on the market with Dawsons in Heol Islwyn, Penyrheol, for £120,000, will get his fees for free from the leading south Wales estate agent.

A nurse at Neath Port Talbot hospital Mark was the lucky winner who was randomly picked out ahead of scores of eligible Dawsons clients. Anyone who put their property up for sale were entered in to the competition with the winner paying no agent fees.

“I was absolutely delighted to find out I had won this competition especially as I have just had a bad experience with an online agent. It’s a win-win situation for me,” said Mark.

Mark Matthews' home in Heol Islwyn — Mark Matthews’ home in Heol Islwyn

“Dawsons sold a house for me a few years ago but this time I decided to go with the online agent after being seduced by their claims of low fees, which I now massively regret, as has left me ‘out of pocket’ and my property not sold.

“Dawsons are especially pro-active with that personal touch and I think that goes a long way when you are selling a property.”

Jo Summerfield-Talbot, Dawsons’ Director of Sales, said: “We are delighted Mark has emerged as winner of our competition especially as he has had such a bad experience previously.

“Being a Hight Street agent it is all about the close-knit communities we work within, so we decided it would be a great idea to try and give something back to the lucky winner by selling their home for free. It has been a great success and congratulations to Mark.”

MAIN CAPTION: L-R Competition winner Mark Matthews with Nicola Fulford, Dawsons’ BranchManager at the Gorseinon branch, and Simon McClaren, Dawsons’ Senior Sales Negotiator at Dawsons’ Gorseinon branch.