Tag Archives: Houses

July’s Newsletter

July 22, 2019 Editor

Community

We sponsored the race shirts for the runners from the Paul Popham Running Club in 2019 Swansea half marathon and not only helped Underhill Park, Mumbles Community Council to get their Aviva grant in order to update their playground, we also got our very own picnic bench in the playground too!

Industry News

After winning gold in lettings and silver in sales at the 2019 EA Masters, we have now been assured that we are already in the top 3% of England & Wales for the 2020 awards. We won’t find out if we are medal winners, but our clients can be assured our service is of the highest standard in the industry according to Rightmove & The Property Academy.

Formed in 1991, with 5 lettings and 8 sales branches along with our commercial, auction, land and new homes departments, as well as our Mumbles branch housing Fine & Country, we are now experts in all thing’s property. As our branches are based within our local communities throughout Swansea and Llanelli, we are the approved RAN agent for our area, ensuring each branch can offer the best possible customer service.

Financial Advice

If you are looking to buy your first property or your fifth one, there is one thing that you must do. Check your finances. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a cereal mover you should always you’re your finances in place before you start your search. We here at Dawsons offer a free consultation with financial experts that have access to around 95 different lenders. Considerably more than our competitors. Our advisers can help you increase your budget, have cheaper monthly payments and help you manage investments. Don’t delay speak to one of our offices and get your finances sorted today.

Auction News

At the time of writing, we have a total of 14 properties ready for our next auction on the 14th of August. The properties are diverse and very popular: 4 bedroom detached in Llanelli, 2 bedroom mid terrace in mumbles, 3 bedroom semi in Ystralyfera and a 1 bedroom flat in Sketty. If you are thinking of investing your money, do it, why leave it in the bank at 0.7% interest. Invest in buy to let with a 9% return, buy a property with a view to getting a £20,000 return on investment.

There is money to be made in the auction room strike before the deals are Going Going GONE.

Fine & Country Property Focus

The Fort, Port Eynon

Offers Over £650,000

The Fort has been a family home for past 40 years for the current owner, has been a wonderful, joyful home with incredible views and proximity to Port Eynon beach, they will be extremely sad to move on.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a home in a truly incredible private position, nestled in generous immaculate grounds of just over an acre. The Fort sits proudly in an elevated, private position commanding beautiful sea views, ocean sounds and is perfect for those that enjoy the outdoor lifestyle.

Business Link

Exall & Jones

Builders and timber merchants based in the heart of Swansea City centre and in Killay with easy access to and from all the surrounding districts and the M4 motorway. 25,000 square feet of undercover storage area, a large heavy goods yard and car park.

Dealing with everyone from the occasional DIY’er to professional housing developers & a healthy business relationship with numerous major contractors across South Wales.

If you hold a Dawson’s reward card you automatically get a special price list – please call ☎︎ 01792 473748 for more information.

WE ARE HIRING

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

Current Vacancies

Reward Card

Spotlight on Rees Little Removals

An added bonus of being Dawson’s customer for sales or lettings means that you get to use the Dawson’s Reward Card.

Rees Little Removals a professional business helping the people of Swansea & the surrounding areas to move home and with your Dawson’s Reward Card you get a whopping 20% discount!

Rees Little Removals work on the basis of giving their customers exactly what they want in a removal firm:

Offering 100% confidence that the removal men turn up on time, on the right day!
Competitive quotations
Smart & well presentable young & fit team where uniform is compulsory
A happy can-do attitude
An upbeat positive workforce of “yes” men
Fully insured
Treat your items with the utmost care
Packing service
Catering for anything, they are just a question away.

Ask a member of our team for information on how to get one of our exclusive Reward cards providing you with discounts and offers in many local companies throughout Swansea & Llanelli

Relocation Agent Network

10,000 items of food campaign

Last month 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. The goal was to collect 10,000 items of food across the UK. The target was reached with the final total being 10,600 items with Dawsons collecting a HUGE 2,661 items! Over a quarter of all items raised came from us.

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

Dawsons Mortgage Advice Bureau

Mortgage Success story

Mr W. and Miss S. offered on a property with our Gorseinon branch however, after visiting their bank, they were not able to borrow the amount they needed and therefore their offer was unsuccessful.

Then after accepting advice from Dawsons Gorseinon Matthew Jones, the clients agreed to meet and speak with Dawsons financial advisors – Mortgage Advice Bureau. Upon delving deeper into their financial situation, the advisor was able to identify a lender from an extensive panel which would allow them to borrow in excess of £200,000…..some £100,000 more than their Bank would allow! Our clients then went on to purchase a home via a new build developer, at a much higher price than they ever thought possible… What could we be doing for you?

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

Auctions

Top tips on what to do before bidding at Auction

February 25, 2019 Editor

It is so important to do your due diligence before you take the plunge and bid at an auction, so here are some top tips from our Auction Company EIG:

When considering purchasing a particular property at auction it is essential that you prepare by doing your due diligence research in advance. It is your responsibility to be completely satisfied with the property before the auction so you can make an educated decision whether to bid for the property or not and what your maximum bid would be.

Doing your due diligence includes:

Viewing the property
Ascertaining the likely sale price
Reading the legal pack

Then, if it is a property you wish to pursue it is prudent to:

Instruct a property survey
Ask your solicitor to review the legal pack
Viewing a property

It is important to view every property you are interested in prior to the auction. Contact the auctioneer to arrange the viewing which may be arranged as fixed time slots for group viewings (open house viewings) or individually arranged.

It may be useful at this point to bring an experienced builder or knowledgeable friend with you to the property who can spot any potential problems that would need to be included in your financial calculations or may mean the property is no longer of interest to you.

When looking at buying any property it is advisable to view it at least twice, during the daytime and at night which may be just a ‘drive by’ viewing. The plans and photographs published in the catalogue are there to aid identification of the property only, the plans may not be to scale so you need to verify them.

What to take to a property viewing:

Camera
Tape measure (preferably a laser as much quicker especially if viewing is busy)
Notepad or iPad
Torch
Binoculars (to check roof, gutter and chimney)
Portable ladder (to access loft space)
Suitable footwear (you may need to climb!)
Contact details of the auctioneer and research notes for further investigation in the area e.g. an unidentified building(Important #: Don’t forget to follow up and ask questions that arise from the viewing)

Points to evaluate:

Leasehold or freehold property, any additional ground rent or service charges?
Parking, garden, access and property boundaries?
Neighbours, traffic and noise?
Nearest shops and public transport?
Heating, insulation, plumbing, electrics?
Council tax band, energy efficiency rating?
Any structural issues or recent extensions?
Vacant or tenanted and history of the property?

Viewing in an unfamiliar area?

If an area is new to you, speak to the auctioneer and ask as many questions as you can. It is also advisable to look online at crime sites, google the address and street, using some of the best online platforms, for example:

www.checkmystreet.co.uk – average rentals
www.streetcheck.co.uk – nearest schools
www.checkmyarea.com – area profile
www.police.uk – crime rate
www.rightmove.co.uk – for rental and sales prices
www.gov.uk/find-government-property – find government owned property
www.gov.uk/private-renting – private renting

Still interested?

If you decide that you are still interested in the property after viewing it, then now is the time to contact your solicitor and arrange a property survey in advance of the auction.

Article Written By Beth Fox

See what is coming up for sale in this week’s Swansea Auction by clicking here

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

The Marriott Hotel, Swansea Marina
Wednesday 27th February 2019
Start time – 3pm

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.

Dawsons, Relocation, Sales, Staff

Natalie celebrating after becoming a Relocation Agent Specialist

May 10, 2018 Editor

Natalie Dare from Dawsons’ branch in Sketty is celebrating after becoming an accredited Relocation Agent Specialist.

The accreditation was awarded by Relocation Agent Network (RAN) and is achieved by completing a comprehensive online training programme, The Importance of Service.

A national network of independent estate agents (of which Dawsons is a member), RAN introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.

Dawsons’ Senor Partner, Chris Hope said: “We take staff development very seriously and Natalie’s Relocation Agent Network accreditation is a great example of what can be achieved when staff are supported properly to improve their skill set.

“Of course, having a Relocation Agent Specialist in the team is also great for our relocating customers.”

To be successfully accredited, participants must complete three phases of learning, which begins with four training sessions on the importance of customer service. This is followed by three online seminars covering the Relocation Agent Network Referral Process and how best to help customers who are relocating around the UK. Finally, participants must convert their theoretical learning into a practical skill set by delivering assistance to three relocating customers.

By working with fellow members across England, Scotland and Wales, Relocation Agent Network members provide an exclusive relocation referral service to customers. For those relocating to Sketty, Dawsons guides their customers through the daunting task of moving to an unfamiliar location. This includes local area information on schools and amenities, popular neighbourhoods and (of course) finding the right property for them. The introduction of a Relocation Agent Specialist to the Dawsons team, ensures that this process is made even smoother.

Relocation Agent Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker said: “Selected by us as the best independent estate agent to represent the Network in Sketty, Dawsons have proved themselves as the area’s Local Expert. So with the addition of an in-house Relocation Agent Specialist, they have gone one step further to provide relocating buyers and sellers with the very best customer service.”

Dawsons, Gorseinon, Qualifications, Qualified, Relocation, Relocation Agent Network, Staff

Dawsons office manager receives annual assessment by Estate Agency Network

April 13, 2018 Editor

June Williams, from Dawsons branch in Gorseinon, has been assessed as their company’s Relocation Agent Specialist.

The 2018 assessment was awarded by Relocation Agent Network (RAN) following completion of its training programme and is achieved by individuals who continue to provide good quality service to relocating families moving either from or to the Gorseinon area.

June first qualified as a Relocation Agent Specialist in May 2016 by completing Relocation Agent Network’s a comprehensive online training programme, The Importance of Service.

A national network of leading estate agents (of which Dawsons is a member), RAN introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.

Dawsons’ Senior Partner, Chris Hope said: “Having a Relocation Agent Specialist in the team offers our relocating customers the added assurance that they’ll be working with someone who understands the relocation process, someone who can offer help and guidance along the way.

“We’re so proud that June’s performance has been assessed this year and it’s a great example of the continual development we invest in, here at Dawsons.”

By working with fellow members across England, Scotland and Wales, RAN members provide an exclusive relocation referral service to customers. For those relocating to Gorseinon, Dawsons guides their customers through the daunting task of moving to an unfamiliar location. This includes local area information on schools and amenities, popular neighbourhoods and (of course) finding the right property for them. As a Relocation Agent Specialist, June ensures that this process is made even smoother.

RAN’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker said: “To be recognised for their performance this year as a Relocation Agent Specialist is a great achievement. Well done to June. Selected by us to represent the Network in Gorseinon, Dawsons has proved themselves to be the area’s Local Expert. So with the addition of an in-house Relocation Agent Specialist, they have gone one step further to provide relocating buyers and sellers with the very best customer service.”

James Smale, Dawsons branch on Morriston

Dawsons, Morriston, Relocation, Sales

DAWSONS DELIGHT AS JAMES RECEIVES ANNUAL RELOCATION NETWORK ASSESSMENT

April 9, 2018 Editor

James Smale, from Dawsons’ Morriston branch, has been assessed as their company’s Relocation Agent Specialist.

James first qualified as a RAN Specialist in September 2017 by completing Relocation Agent Network’s a comprehensive online training programme, The Importance of Service. A national network of leading estate agents (of which Dawsons is a member), RAN introduced the training programme to ensure each of their members provides the very highest customer service to those relocating around the UK.

“We’re so proud that James’s performance has been assessed this year and it’s a great example of the continual development we invest in, here at Dawsons.”

By working with fellow members across England, Scotland and Wales, Relocation Agent Network members provide an exclusive relocation referral service to customers. For those relocating to Morriston, Dawsons guides their customers through the daunting task of moving to an unfamiliar location. This includes local area information on schools and amenities, popular neighbourhoods and (of course) finding the right property for them. As a Relocation Agent Specialist, James ensures that this process is made even smoother.

Relocation Agent Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker said: “To be recognised for their performance this year as a Relocation Agent Specialist is a great achievement. Well done to James. Selected by us to represent the Network in Morriston, Dawsons has proved themselves to be the area’s Local Expert. So with the addition of an in-house Relocation Agent Specialist, they have gone one step further to provide relocating buyers and sellers with the very best customer service.”

Dawsons, Mortgages, Sales

Dawsons ready to sell your property for free – it’s on the house!

March 20, 2018 Editor

With winter behind us Dawsons is ready to spring into action with their biggest and best competition ever – ‘Sell your Home for Free’.

If you have a property you want to put on the market contact Dawsons before the end of June, put it up for sale with the leading South Wales estate agent and you will be entered in the competition with the winner paying no agent fees! It’s on the house!

Jo Summerfield-Talbot, Dawsons’ Director of Sales said: “It is all about the close-knit communities we work within. We decided it would be a great idea to try and give something back to the lucky winner by selling their home for free.

“We have been in business for more than 25 years ago and have forged many great relationships during this time, not just with business associates but more importantly with our clients who have remained loyal throughout the years.

“Our success is not only attributed to the them but also the many recommendations we receive for which we are immensely grateful and proud, equally the outstanding work our teams put in to make it as seamless as possible, by always going the extra mile.”

So, to enter call your local branch of Dawsons, book a valuation, place your property on the market before the end of June and you will be entered into our prize draw. It really is as simple as that.

Properties will have to be valued by Dawsons between Tuesday, March 20th and Thursday, May 24th to be eligible for the competition, and properties will need to be placed on the open market within four weeks of the closing date of the competition.

You can see the full competition T&C’s on the Dawsons website www.dawsonsproperty.co.uk.

Dawsons, Sales

Sales progression costing more for high street agents as online firms fall down on the job

March 5, 2018 Editor

Dawsons Property has backed the findings of a report which claims that traditional agents are being forced increasingly to step in and pick up the pieces left by online firms.

The report, from regional solicitors Rix & Kay reported by Property Eye, suggests there is a lack of support from online agents which is driving up the cost of sales progression for high street agents.

Traditional estate agents are finding that they are having to come in and ensure chains do not collapse because sellers have chosen online firms. It means that in a lot of cases agents are having to take the hit on higher costs of sales progression.

Jo Summerfield-Talbot, Dawsons’ Sales Director, has warned vendors to beware.

“What most vendors don’t realise when using an online ‘DIY’ agent to sell, that they are at an immediate disadvantage when buying on,” said Jo.

“It is becoming more and more apparent some of these ‘agents’ do not fully check the chain details when recommending and accepting an offer on behalf of their client, which is completely beyond me and certainly not in the interest of their client.

“It is a huge frustration to our dedicated sales chasers when we find ourselves in a chain with some of these ‘agents’ to find they are completely ignorant to the circumstances surrounding the sale/purchase and any subsequent parties in the chain.

“We invariably find ourselves doing the work for them, just to ensure both our vendors and purchasers are kept fully in the loop, avoiding any unnecessary stress and progressing matters to a swift completion.”

Rix & Kay, which covers Sussex and Kent, said that 98% of traditional estate agents agreed that the home buying process is more likely to collapse in the absence of experienced professionals.

The firm said that the most skilled and critical phase of the home buying and selling process was sales progression but that online agents who are paid upfront and not reliant on a sale completing to get paid had little motivation or incentive to support their clients.

It also found that the public has little awareness of how critical sales progression is and that traditional agents needed to do “far more” to differentiate their services from online rivals if they want to avoid being selected on cost alone.

In the estimation of the agents Rix & Kay spoke to, a total of 84% thought that the public don’t truly understand the role of the traditional estate agent.

Meanwhile, 76% felt they were not doing enough to ensure the public is aware of the differences in service traditional businesses can offer.

The report also recommended that traditional agents consider alternative business models if they wanted to remain profitable.

It found that 70% of traditional estate agents agreed with this idea, whereas only 8% disagreed (with 22% neither agreeing nor disagreeing).

Rix & Kay added that better regulation of the home buying and selling process was “fundamental” to improve service quality, as well as the reputation and credibility of the industry.

Of the agents surveyed, 66% strongly agreed this was the case, with a further 28% simply agreeing.

Not a single agent disagreed with the idea.

And it urged agents to embrace technology to improve their service, and to learn from their online rivals in this respect.