Bradleys Estate Agents - Newspaper

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• 30th Mar 2012

  Free vendor selling fees!

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  The South-West’s “Best in Class” independent estate agents, Bradleys, have been at the forefront of innovation and providing value for money services to property buyers and sellers in the region. With the expansion of services, Bradleys now offer clients an online property auction service via the Modern Method of Auction.
  
  Powered by iam-sold, The Modern Method of Auction is a revolutionary new property online auction system which allows its vendors to sell their properties quickly, for the maximum market price and without having to pay any agency fees. Vendors are able to set a minimum reserve price which allows them to be in complete control of the process and they can log onto the site and see how many watchers and bids their property is receiving, making the sales process completely transparent. This ebay-style property auction service is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  
  Bradleys Corporate Director, Chris Baxter stated that “We are absolutely delighted to be able to offer this new auction service to our clients. This offers a quick and cost free option for vendors to sell their property in a fixed timescale, offering an effective alternative solution and we firmly believe that our clients will benefit from using the Modern Method of Auction.”
  
  The Modern Method of Auction provides greater flexibility than Traditional Auction by allowing the buyer 28 days to exchange contracts and a further 28 days to complete the transaction while still maintaining the security of Traditional Auction through the payment of at non-refundable reservation fee or deposit by the buyer. As a result of this, the Modern Method of Auction opens the auction market, once reserved for the professional investor or cash rich buyer to normal residential buyers, creating a larger market place, more interest and higher prices than Traditional Auction.
  
  For more information on this vendor free selling service please contact your local office .

• 15th Mar 2012

  Bradleys Celebrating 20 YEARS

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  This year, at Bradleys Estate Agents, we celebrate our 20th anniversary.
  
  It all began on the 1st June 1992 with our first office opening in Exmouth. The second office opened in Exeter on the 13th June.and just eight days later office number three opened in Sidmouth, the fourth office in Honiton opening on the 25th September and we didnt stop there!
  
  In the years that have followed, offices opened across Devon, Cornwall & Somerset, the total now standing a 33. Bradleys are "The West Country`s largest independent Estate Agent".
  
  The Bradleys Group are committed to providing the Complete Property Service and during the time that the residential offices have been opening, the Group has successfully diversified into complimentary areas of the property market offering Rentals, Chartered Surveyors, Mortgage Services, Independent Financial Services, Auctions, Land & New Homes, Conveyancing and Insurance Services along with Commercial sales and lettings and a very strong Marine & Country Department.
  
  Group Chairman Brian Bradley "I am very proud of the company and all of our staff. A high percentage of whom have been here for well over ten years. I thank them all for their committment and loyalty. They all fully support the Bradleys aim to offer a high customer service standard throughout The Complete Property Service and echoes the Bradleys’ motto of ‘People Serving People’.”

• 28th Feb 2012

  The newest addition to the Bradleys empire

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  The West Country’s Largest Independent Estate Agents are pleased to announce the opening of their prestigious Marine & Country office in Southernhay, Exeter.
  
  Bradleys marine and country offers the widest selection of coastal and country property across the West Country.
  
  With 33 offices across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset and a strong London link, we are able to offer access to probably the largest regional and international database.
  
  To learn more how we can help sell your property across our 33 office network please call Richard Greetham, Marine & Country Director: 01392 272111

• 2nd Feb 2012

  2012 Auction Season Begins

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  During 2011 Bradleys converted in excess of 80% of the 137 lots that were offered including a diverse range of land and property including investment, refurbishment, commercial and development opportunities.
  
  We welcome you to our early 2012 auction with another 8 auctions arranged for the rest of the year. As always our heavily marketed auctions will gain a great deal of attention with over 1000 registered buyers looking to buy at auction and internet enquiries from all over the world.
  
  If you would like to either register for all electronic auction catalogue updates in 2012 or to arrange a free auction valuation on your asset then please contact us on 01395 223336 or email: auctions@beagroup.co.uk For various auction publications and downloadable catalogues visit us on www.bradley-auctions.co.uk.

• 23rd Sep 2011

  MAKE SURE THE PRICE IS RIGHT

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  There has been a lot of scrambling going on recently, scrambling for university places and scrambling to handle trading, employment, banking and international currency difficulties.
  Francis Marshall, Managing Director of Bradleys Estate Agents reports “On the surface there is no such scramble in the property market. But don’t be deceived, under the surface there is a great deal going on. Sellers are scrambling to sell and buyers are scrambling to buy. For buyers the pendulum seems once again to have swung in their favour. It is another good time to buy. Yet some sellers are just not scrambling enough for their own good. They still believe that market conditions are a lot better than they are - this illusion is fuelled by press reports that the central London market is thriving. But this has a great deal to do with foreign buyers moving international currency”.
  Francis continues “In the West Country there are some really warm property spots. But in the main those anxious to sell, for whatever reason, should accept that they will only find a buyer quickly through competitive pricing. Location, location, location is no longer enough. Today it is location, location, location, price and presentation that separate the movers from the stayers”.
  So sellers should scramble to get their houses in order and buyers should scramble for a great opportunity. We are all entering a new age with a shifting economic axis . But what is very certain, despite these difficult times, is that we all need somewhere to live and we always will.
  If you are considering selling and would like to book a free valuation, please contact your local Bradleys Estate Agents or visit www.bradleys-estate-agents.co.uk

• 15th Sep 2011

  Bradleys’ Managing Director Half Ton Campaign at Cowes

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  Looe’s Francis Marshall and his crew finished third at the fifth Half Ton Classic Cup held at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes.
  
  The event attracted 38 yachts from 7 countries, the biggest gathering of Half-Tonners ever. Hampshire’s Michael Kershaw and the crew of Chimp were the overall winners; defending champion Philippe Pilate’s French team aboard General Tapioca, a 1978 Berret, were second and Concorde, the 1989 Andrieu designed owned by Francis Marshall came third.
  
  Marshall’s crew included Looe Sailing Club’s Peter Greenwood, the Jaycock brothers, Ivan and Matt, the Vaseys, Richard and Tina, and Robert Libby from Liskeard.
  
  A boat is considered a ‘Half-Tonner’ if she has been designed and built as a prototype one-off in the period between January 1967 and December 1994; has been once eligible to participate at an edition of an IOR Half Ton Cup and has had no alterations made to her hull, except keel and rudder.
  
  Marshall, the Managing Director of Bradleys Estate Agents, has a logbook full of sailing successes but his own participation almost came by chance.
  
  The former National Redwing Champion – and still the youngest helm to ever win that title – stumbled on Concorde almost by accident.
  
  ‘I wanted a new challenge but didn’t have anything specific in mind,’ he recalled. ‘I was just looking on the computer as a way of keeping out of the way when the family were watching ‘Dancing on Ice’ really…’
  
  Well, the skates have been on ever since for it was almost two years ago that he found the famous French racing yacht rotting away in deepest Southern Spain. He made a trailer and transported her back to his home in Kellow, near Looe, where Liskeard’s Robert Libby and other long standing sailing associates helped restore and refit her to original specifications.
  
  Marshall & Co blew out an old set of sails during Plymouth Sailing Week earlier this summer; looked impressive in a low entry Plymouth Regatta Week and then decided to sail to Cowes for the Half Ton Regatta.
  
  ‘We didn’t really know how we would do, but a ninth from the first race really buoyed us and we kept improving after that,’ said Marshall.
  
  They might even have had a win in the ‘Round The Island’ race when they were well out in front, only to be undone by the mischievous Solent tides when they were in sight of the finishing line.
  
  Quite what Marshall’s next sailing adventures will be is currently uncertain. He has a fast Enterprise in the garage and now an ex-Figaro and Half Ton Classic on the driveway. But expect him to be flying again with Concorde in France in two years’ time when the next Half Ton regatta is staged as a venue yet to be announced.

• 15th Jul 2011

  THIS IS NOT JUST ANY BEACH HUT ITS A VERY SPECIAL BEACH HUT

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  The Shaldon office have experienced a media frenzy this week with TV cameras, journalists and local radio stations heading down to the village to see the new beach huts.
  
  On Monday Radio Devon arrived and on Tuesday, Branch Manager, Katherine Edwards was filmed by BBC Spotlight. The story was shown that evening. Many people saw the feature and this created more media interest. During the rest of this week, journalists have been viewing and calls have been received from many of the national newspapers including The Times, Guardian, Daily Mail and Sunday Express. Only this morning freelance journalist arrived at 8.30 to take pictures and report the story.
  
  The beach hut is newly built and offers you a unique opportunity to own a luxury hut in Shaldon. Once inside you soon realise this this isn't just any ordinary beach hut. You have the advantage of a kitchen, shower.c., bi-folding doors from the lounge area lead onto the terrace, a mezzanine sleeping platform and for added comfort on chilly days, underfloor heating! Outside there is a parking space (highly sought after in the village) and a lovely terrace with a ladder down onto Shaldon beach.
  
  Location, location, location........that`s what its all about. The beach hut is situated in a superb position with fantastic views of the River Teign, beach and Ness. All you need to do is relax take in the views and watch the world go by on the river from the comfort of your very own terrace.
  
  The Shaldon Office are selling 3 The Beach Hut by informal tender and they are expecting offers in excess of £200,000. The closing date is Saturday 2nd July 2011. For more details contact the Shaldon Office 01626 873757.

• 23rd May 2011

  Beware Land Bank Investment Scams!

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  Chris Baxter, Corporate Director of Bradleys Estate Agents, is taking every opportunity to make members of the public aware of what appears to be a tidal wave of so-called land bank investment companies operating in many parts of the country in a scam that is costing smaller investors tens of thousands of pounds, with no hope of a return on their investment.
  
  Chris Baxter comments: “ We have seen an increase in investor enquiries to our land department asking us to check out so-called land investment opportunities that they have been phoned on and have been tempted to take up. In most cases these have been identified as an investment scam.”
  
  The scam is based on an adviser contacting a member of the public to hard-sell a theoretical building plot on a what looks like a large-scale development within a land parcel, which they insist has an extremely good chance of achieving a planning permission for residential development over a short period of time. Looking at the website of the literature that is on offer the information is convincing and with a chance to invest £9,000 - £12,000 per plot with a potential 500% increase once planning permission was obtained, it has been a temptation too far for a number of victims.
  
  Chris Baxter advises that there are 2 elements to the scam both of which have serious down sides. The first is what looks like a legitimate land parcel on the edge of a town, which genuinely looks like it may gain a planning permission some time in the future. However taking a closer look the site may be blighted for a reason. This could be because it lies on a high risk flood plain or may not have a sufficient means of access for an adoptable road. For these reasons the site is not deliverable in terms of planning.
  
  The second element of the scam may show a site that looks as if it has already been laid out by an architect into neat rows of houses along made-up roads, overlaid on the plan for the site. Whilst this looks legitimate, upon closer investigation (and even if this land parcel was to gain a planning permission) it is clear that the lay out is not one recognised by planners and developers alike in that is shows no provision for open spaces, and does not mention any plots that may be required to be allocated as affordable homes. By scaling off the plans on the land map it may be clear that each shown plot is far too small for a reasonable house to be developed. Therefore the victim, having purchased a particular plot could end up with his or her plot being part of an open landscaped area with no real value or in an area zoned for affordable housing (which carries little value) or at worst an adjoining home’s rear garden!
  
  The other main draw back to a pre-laid out illustrative plan is that when a developer purchases a parcel of land to develop, the development company is not likely to purchase a land parcel as a whole from 100 or more individual users many of whom will have bought plots that end up as worthless for the above reason. It only takes one or two plot owners to say ‘No’ to selling their plot to scupper the whole development transaction.
  
  For this reason Bradleys Land Department has offered advice to many would-be investors in theses so-called land bank schemes and has hopefully saved tens of thousands of pounds for a number of enquirers. Chris Baxter urges anyone who is tempted to purchase one or more plots on a land bank scheme to gain independent advice from a specialist such as Bradleys Land Department, which covers the South West of England.
  
  Chris Baxter has, more recently, been helping and advising the appropriate legal authorities in order that they may take action on some of the offending companies. He stresses that whilst there are legitimate investment companies dealing with land acquisition and disposal there are many more that are scams designed to part would be investors from their money for no return. Bradleys Land department can be contacted on 01395 223336 or land@beagroup.co.uk

• 13th May 2011

  Bradleys Springwatch

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  Now that spring is in full swing Julie Carden, Group Marketing Manager, comments on how the property market is responding to the warmer weather.
  
  Here in the West Country while our hedgerows have been in glorious blossom and many of our woodlands thick with bluebells the market too has been showing clear signs of new life. But this is not all down to the seasonally warm weather.
  
  Despite continuing difficulties with mortgages and nervousness about the economy and employment, buyers, especially in the middle market sector, have failed to be put off and numbers of viewings over the past few weeks have been rising steadily. This always augurs well for sales and we anticipate that after a glorious Easter in most parts of the UK, and the royal wedding, there will be even greater activity throughout this month.
  
  But what is really needed right now is some more property coming onto the market. Would-be sellers are being a little reticent. Consequently there is not so much stock at the moment and buyers would certainly like a little more choice. Normally this would point to a sellers’ market. But, while active, buyers are also being cautious, and are not exactly rushing to buy. They are taking their time before making offers, they are fully investigating the market and are steering away from any property that smacks of being overpriced.
  
  All this has produced a balanced market with prices generally neither going up nor down – although there are exceptions. Which way the pendulum will swing – towards rising or falling prices – only the next few months will tell. We should be able to tell you much more by the time we are into Autumnwatch. In the meantime enjoy a summer with a property market that is putting few under heavy pressure to buy or sell. But sellers should still beware of being a little too optimistic with price. Buyers are not in the mood, and we should always remember that property is only worth what someone will pay for it.

• 6th May 2011

  Market Update - May 2011

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  There is little doubt that the recent spate of Bank Holidays has not helped property sales in April. Despite a large number of offices being available for viewing appointments it seemed that many buyers decided to put their moving plans on hold over the Easter and Royal Wedding period. However instruction levels remained healthy and buyers in May will have an excellent choice of quality homes to choose from. Indeed it appears that already viewing levels are starting to increase and that can only be good news for the property market.
  
  Bradleys Sales Director Mike Dibble said 'I think it was the two four day holiday weekends in a row that prompted people to take their holidays early this year. I know we have another Bank Holiday at the end of May but I don't expect people to be away so much at that time. Indeed the signs are good for an excellent sales month in May especially with the brighter economic news of the past couple of weeks.'

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