Business travellers to benefit from Southampton’s new short-term accommodation service

Leaders in Ocean Village are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new service - Flexi|Apartments - which will appeal to business travellers who require flexible short-term accommodation but prefer not to stay in a hotel.

This is a popular and cost-effective way for companies to provide accommodation for their employees, giving them the comfort, space and freedom of a home, but with the flexibility and ease of booking a hotel.

Says Leaders’ Ocean Village Manager, Paula Wilkin: “Since setting up this service four years ago in the Woking area, Leaders have seen an increasing demand from businesses for high quality one and two bedroom apartments for their employees for short stays. We are therefore expanding this service to include Southampton for the benefit of landlords and businesses alike.

“With the difficult economic situation, many companies are naturally looking to reduce their costs, but still need to provide accommodation for travelling employees. Flexi|Apartments provides an excellent value for money alternative for those needing flexible and quality short term accommodation.”

Flexi Apartments pride themselves on the quality of the accommodation they offer. All their apartments are situated in town centre or waterfront locations in new developments. They have a top quality finish and luxury furnishings and are equipped with fully fitted kitchens; contemporary furnishings; TV, Freeview or Sky, DVD player, telephone and Broadband.

Says Paula: “With Flexi|Apartments now launching in Southampton, we are confident we can provide an excellent service to the business traveller. For any landlords who have the right apartments in the right locations or who are thinking of buying, we are on hand to advise on where and what to buy and how to benefit from this exciting way of letting.”

Flexi|Apartments’ high quality, professional service makes things as easy as possible for both apartment owners and business travellers. They look after everything, from taking care of bookings and drawing up a company let agreement / corporate booking contract to ensuring the apartment is in immaculate condition, servicing it between occupants, and equipping it with fresh linen, towels, a Welcome pack, information on the amenities within the area and anything else that may be required by a particular client.

Says Paula: “We are very excited about bringing the Flexi|Apartments service to Southampton. It is a cost effective alternative for the corporate tenant compared with a hotel stay, and the perfect solution to both the discerning business traveller and the investor who is looking for a greater return on their investment.”

For more information about this exciting new initiative or to register your company as a user please call 023 8063 2288; email: oceanvillage@leaders.co.uk; or visit http://www.leaders.co.uk


For Press Enquiries, please contact:

Lisa Martin
Leaders Limited
Columbia House
Columbia Drive
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 3HD

Tel: 01903 837733
Email: lisamartin@leaders.co.uk

Leaders join in festival opening celebrations

Local letting specialists Leaders were delighted to be a part of Burgess Hill’s successful Summer Festival opening events last weekend. Leaders sponsored the town parade and donated the prizes that were awarded to the winners of the best displays.

The theme of the parade was Milestones in Science, and participants were very inventive in their portrayal of the various innovations and discoveries that have occurred throughout history.

Says Burgess Hill Branch Manager, Amanda Jones, who helped judge the entrants alongside the Town Crier and the Chairman of the Town Council: “It was a fantastic event and a huge amount of effort was put in by so many local people. Congratulations to everyone for a wonderful parade, and especially to the winners.”

The first prize of £100 went to Oakmeeds Day Nursery for their Oakmeeds Airways display which traced flying history; 2nd prize went to T.S Indominatable who cleverly portrayed a number of different inventions and events, including the telephone, television and space travel; and Burgess Hill Lions Club won 3rd prize for their depiction of the invention of Penicillin.

As a long established business with a large number of employees and clients across the South, Leaders are always keen to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they operate, whether by helping to raise funds for local charities or sponsoring individuals or community projects such as the Burgess Hill Parade.

For advice and information you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in your area please contact your local Leaders branch:
Leaders Burgess Hill: 01444 239666
Leaders Haywards Heath: 01444 450580


For Press Enquiries, please contact:

Lisa Martin
Leaders Limited
Columbia House
Columbia Drive
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 3HD

Tel: 01903 837733
Email: lisamartin@leaders.co.uk
http://www.leaders.co.uk

Tips on How to Find No Fee Apartments in Manhattan NYC

Finding a residential apartment in Manhattan, NYC requires a lot of hard work and people often make mistakes in a hurry. They end up compromising quality to save a couple grand on rent. Or sign a contract and hand over signed checks without having the apartment inspected properly. This may take a huge toll later.



Here are some tips that will help you to find the best no fee apartment in the most desired location of downtown. Follow these instructions to find the best residential apartment in lower Manhattan or any other part of the NYC.



No fee Manhattan Apartment Tips:



1. Do not commit anything on your first visit; take some time to do the basic inspections before you hand over the signed checks.



2. Make sure to see a number of apartments in the same location so that you can get an idea of the price range and standard features and facilities.



3. Evaluate whether the rent is reasonable or not – this can be done by visiting other apartments in the area or by consulting your acquaintances. If you are new in Manhattan, ask a savvy friend to accompany you on your venture.



4. Inspect if the apartment is clean and properly painted. If the owner promises to get the apartment painted before you move in, make sure to get it in writing.



5. Check places like the bathroom wall, kitchen sink, crack on the walls etc. for any sign of roaches, molds, mildews and rodents. These pests make your home unhealthy.



6. Is the living room spacious enough? Is there any dining alcove – how spacious is this?



7. See the type of ceiling the apartment has – a beamed ceiling is often preferred over the other types. Most modern no fee apartment in Manhattan and East Village apartments have beamed ceiling.



8. What type of flooring does it have – ebony-finished wood flooring offers a contemporary look; on the other hand, natural-finished wood flooring is popular for its classical style. Inquire if you can choose the type of flooring or not. It’s a question of aesthetics after all!



9. Are the windows large enough? Do they open and close properly?



10. What type of hardware is used on the doors? What is the style of the doors?


11. Inspect the kitchen – cupboards and cabinets should be large and properly organized.



12. Make sure the fixtures in the bathroom are working properly; check if the bathroom tiles and marble have any cracks, leaks or any other defects. If yes, then show it to the landlord and see if they would repair it before you move in; get it in writing.



13. Is the bedroom spacious enough to accommodate you and your dreams? Are there some closets, cabinets and wardrobes? Is the room airy enough? Does it look healthy?



These are some basic tips to help you find a suitable apartment in Manhattan, NYC. If you still feel puzzled, get help from professional real estate agents or contact no fee apartment rental companies and communities in NYC directly.



Author’s Bio: Stanley Gallor is a self published author who writes about real estate industry, no fee apartments and rental services. For no fee Manhattan apartment and Stuyvesant apartments , he recommends you to visit: http://www.stuytown.com

How to Find NYC No Fee Apartments – A Comprehensive Guide

Finding NYC no fee apartments is not an easy job. New York City has been the most populous city of the United States since 1790. The NY metropolitan area is the most populous urban area of the world. NYC is a leading global city that contributes to many national and international affairs including finance, commerce, education, politics, culture, entertainment and fashion. Finding your slice of space in such a high-rank city is going to take time and work.

That’s why most people choose to pay a fee to a broker, ideally 10% to 15% of the annual rent, just to make the apartment finding process easier. But when you look for no fee apartments, and opt to pay a brokerage to the middleman, it does not remain ‘no fee’ any more right? You can actually find no fee apartments yourself; let’s see how:

Contact buildings’ management companies directly and inquire how they can help you. Many management companies that offer no-fee rentals, allow people to eliminate the middleman by renting directly through their office. No hassles, no fee – finding NYC no fee apartments cannot be easier than this!

You can begin the process sitting right at your home. Chances are high that most of the apartment rental companies, if not all, have their own websites. Visit their websites to get a general idea about the apartments. The following list will help you refine your search for a New York City apartment for rent:

1. Go online and search for no fee apartment companies in your preferred location – New York City, Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn or Staten Island.

2. Bookmark the websites in your browser or prepare a hard copy list of websites.

3. Now, start visiting the websites one by one and note the essential information such as charges for 1 or 2 bedroom apartments, location of the building, amenities etc.

Make sure you know your requirements very well before you start your apartment search. You should look for an apartment that is close to your work place, school or university. Or, look for an apartment that is located at the heart of the city so that commuting to any other part becomes easy.

4. Now shortlist the apartment list you started with based on this data.

5. Finally, consider the features and facilities such as carpet area, interior design, plan of the apartment, neighboring areas etc. to pick the best home for you and your family.

If you already know an apartment rental service that offers affordable rental apartments in your destination, visit their website directly to learn about their rates, features and facilities; get ready to live in your dream home!

About the author: Stanley is a self published author who writes for web. For 2 bedroom NYC rental and Manhattan apartment, he recommends you to visit: http://www.petercoopernyc.com

Lettings market becoming more balanced in the South

Local letting specialist Leaders are reporting a shift in the lettings market from one that has been more favourable to tenants over the last few months to a more balanced market.

Says Leaders’ Managing Director, Paul Weller: “Whilst it is s still more of a tenants' market at the moment, things have definitely levelled out since the beginning of the year. The number of properties available is decreasing over the numbers at the end of last year and the beginning of 2009, and tenant demand is rising.

“House sales are becoming more visible now and we would anticipate many of the so called ‘reluctant landlords’ to take their properties off the rental market with a view to selling in the next few months. This will lead to supply and demand becoming more balanced. There is also currently a shortage of new entrants to the Buy to Let market which will mean renters may have less choice in the coming months.”

Leaders report that on existing tenancies rents are staying steady as many tenants prefer to stay where they are rather than incur the costs of moving in the current economic climate. On new tenancies rents have fallen slightly, but, as Paul points out, this should be considered in context: “Rents have gone steadily up over recent years so what we are seeing now is a modest price adjustment. Also, whilst many prospective tenants are negotiating on rents, we are finding that rents on well presented 1 and 2 bedroom flats and small houses in good areas are remaining firm as this is where most demand is.”

Leaders say they expect to see less negotiation on rents from tenants as supply and demand even out as the sales market picks up.

According to Leaders, the presentation of a property is crucial when it comes to attracting tenants and obtaining a good rent in the current market. Says Paul: “Most tenants are looking to rent for some considerable time and want a home not a stop gap. Poorly presented properties just won’t let at any price unless the landlord compromises on the quality of applicant which in the current market is not recommended and could be a false economy.

“In addition, those landlords who are flexible on things like accepting pets, updating their properties, furnishings, allowing tenants to decorate, and providing kitchen appliances will find it easier to secure a tenancy.”

Leaders also advise that realistic pricing is key to letting in this market as over-priced properties can remain empty for many weeks. Says Paul: Unfortunately, some agents over-value properties to get an instruction which is particularly bad for landlords in the current market as this approach ends up costing them more in loss of rent than if the rent was set at a lower, more realistic level from the start.”

For tenants, Leaders’ advice is to act quickly if they want to take advantage of the current market conditions. With the apparent movement in the sales market, supply and demand are likely to become more balanced, and they may not have as much choice or bargaining power in the coming months.

For more information or for professional, friendly advice about all aspects of renting or letting in your area, please contact your local Leaders branch.


For Press Enquiries, please contact:

Lisa Martin
Leaders Limited
Columbia House
Columbia Drive
Worthing
West Sussex
BN13 3HD
http://www.leaders.co.uk

Tel: 01903 837733
Email: lisamartin@leaders.co.uk

Tenancy Deposit Protection proves effective for The Deposit Protection Service’s largest client

On the second anniversary of the scheme (April 2007 – April 2009), figures have been released which show that protection of tenant’s deposits and the schemes have made real progress in their quest to deliver a more secure system for the public. According to the latest survey from The Deposit Protection Service (DPS), some 91% of tenants feel safer since tenancy deposit legislation was introduced 2 years ago.

“Martin & Co has over 13,000 deposits lodged with the DPS and a monetary value in excess of 10 million – making Martin & Co the DPS’s largest client both in terms of volume of deposits and value, and this scheme has been a great success for our customers” commented Ian Wilson Managing Director of Martin & Co.

“However, we are concerned about the number of DIY landlords and amateur letting agents (mostly those which have recently been annexed to an estate agency to bolster falling sales revenues) who ignore, or are unaware of, the legislation. Landlords should know that if they do not provide confirmation that their tenant’s money is formally protected under the scheme within fourteen days of accepting a deposit and to provide the tenant with compulsory information as prescribed by TDP legislation, the landlord can be liable for substantial penalties and also jeopardise their right to evict a problem tenant easily.

Ian added, “The issue was always whether tenants would get their deposit back at the end of their tenancy, and whether the landlord actually has the money to give back to the tenant.

“At Martin & Co we are committed to making it easy for landlords to comply with the increasing amount of mostly positive legislation that regulates the letting of a property. There is generally a low awareness of issues such as the important differences between the various tenancy deposit options and our role as a specialist letting agency is to clarify these, so that letting out, or renting, a property is as straightforward and secure as possible”


For more information please visit : http://martinco.com

Buying Property in the French Alps in 2009

What is the position of a British buyer looking for Property for sale in the French Alps in 2009? Certainly the weak pound makes the French property purchase more expensive than in previous years. However, this can often be balanced out by buying from those who are more willing to negotiate on price. Furthermore, some British purchasers are reducing their exposure to the current exchange rate by taking out a French mortgage to fund their purchase; by doing so they are not required to convert the full amount from pounds to euros straight away.

Mortgages are themselves another factor making this the ideal time to buy property in the Alps. Interest rates around the world are at some of their lowest ever levels and lending by banks is being encouraged by national governments. Low mortgage rates and high rental occupancy in alpine resorts means it is once again possible to purchase a holiday home which covers its own costs – resorts like Chamonix, Morzine and St Gervais have excellent rental potential in both winter and summer seasons. It is increasingly possible to purchase resale apartments and chalets with existing rental agreements in place, which means it is possible to start making money almost from Day 1. For instance, you can currently buy a three-bed, two bathroom apartment in a piste-side residence in St Gervais, with open-air pool in summer, for 290,000€; the apartment has an excellent rentals history with bookings in place for the coming year. New-build leaseback schemes are also worth considering: for the investment purchaser they provide a guaranteed rental income of up to 4.2%, full property management and a VAT rebate on purchase (currently 19.6%). There are also a number of high quality leaseback apartments and chalets for sale in the resorts of Vallorcine (Chamonix), Flaine and Morillon.

Investment remains an important factor for many property buyers, especially with share prices deflated and savings rates reduced. Property prices in the French Alps have increased consistently over the last 10 to 20 years, driven by demand from discerning international buyers for alpine chalets and apartments. Prices this year are not expected to grow due to the economic downturn however prospects for continued long term capital growth remain excellent: strict building regulations in this part of the world ensure that supply remains restricted.

Why not look at the range of Ski Chalets in the French Alps today and see how you can benefit from the market at the moment.

For more information please visit http://www.ascendant-property.com