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Spain – the ultimate holiday destination

2012-01-24T00:56:00.001-08:00

Spain

is considered to be a very popular holiday destination because of its geographical and cultural diversity. If you are a nature lover,

Spain

is the ultimate place for you. It has vast natural landscape, historical buildings, and architectural monuments. You can find some of the famous beaches and islands in the Atlantic Sea and Mediterranean Sea. The sun kissed beaches will make you spell bound with its beauty.

If the above factors seem to be tempting, you should consider planning a holiday in

Spain

. The next question which may rise in your mind is where to stay. You can try out luxury villas for spending holiday in

Spain

Villas at Mallorca – Balearic islands

Mallora-Balearic islands in

Spain

offer luxury villas at a reasonable rate. You can experience utmost comfort and privacy here. These villas are sea facing and are built in simple style. The stair cases are built in sculptured stone which has a unique appeal.

You can find many interesting features in these villas. For instance you can get a dinning area with an in-built barbeque, access to a private terrace from master bed room, fresh water swimming pool and many more.

Villas at Andalucia

The place Andalucia in

Spain

is famous for bull fighting and flamenco dancing. This place is full of excitement and thrill. Villas at Andalucia has the perfect combination of calmness and privacy.

The rooms of these villas are spacious and air condtioned. There are provisions for room heater also. The bedroom has access to front- facing balconies. The kitchen has all the modern appliances.

There are house staffs to assist you in your daily works.

When to visit

The best time to visit these places is from July to August and the low season is from November to March. The villas charge a high price in peak season, where as you can enjoy a heavy discount at low season.

So what are you waiting for? Make a plan for luxury villa holidays in

Spain

with your near ones immediately.

Why Hiring a Letting Agent is Beneficial?

2011-12-14T01:23:00.000-08:00

If you are planning to let your property in Bromley, the best way to ensure that you are successful in your mission is to hire a letting agent. It can be very difficult for you to locate someone who would be interested to rent your property. Hence seeking help from a letting agent can be very useful.

Yes, you will have to pay the agent for his work but it will save you from future hassles. Looking for tenants yourself means nothing but waste of time. Do you have a list of tenants whose requirements match your property? The obvious answer is no. Then it will not be a wise decision for you to waste your time in searching for people who would be interested to rent your property.

The best thing to do is to contact Letting Agents Bromley so that you can achieve your goal without any botheration. While you talk to the agents make sure to specify all your requirements. This will make the task easier for the agent and also save his time.

Tell the agent whether you want to let your property for commercial purpose or residential purpose. Do you want a family to rent your property or would you like students or working people to stay in your property as paying guests? Giving your letting agent all the details will help him to find an ideal tenant for you.

Mentioning your property details to the agent is one of your primary tasks. Tell the agent how many rooms are there. If it is an apartment mention which floor it is in. If you can provide the agent a positive certificate given by a property inspector the agent’s work will become even more easy.

There are other details that you should mention while interacting with the letting agents. Tell them how much you expect the tenants to pay as advance and what would be the exact rent amount. Also mention the duration of the contract you would have with your tenants. Before renting a property people ask for these details. Providing your letting agent with these details will help you to get a tenant soon.

Staying in Luxury Holiday Villas in Spain

2011-11-27T22:55:00.001-08:00

A vast stretch of splendid landscape stretches its arms to embrace you as soon as you step in the craziest county of Europe. Drenched in the golden sunlight the awe inspiring Spanish landscape will simply leave you spellbound. The mysterious magic of this place will captivate you. The glittering beaches, the wild blue Atlantic, the majestic mountains and the emerald green fields beckon for a relaxing holiday in the lap of Mother Nature.

If you take interest in history or architecture, Spain has innumerable surprises for you. Spain is dotted with striking works of architecture. The signature constructions in Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao are just a few to mention. The solitary castles telling the history of the medieval towns, the baroque cathedrals as well as the modern constructions will give you an opportunity to take pleasure in architectural marvels.

If you really want to enjoy a peaceful holiday in Spain, you opt for luxury villa holidays. No doubt, it will be expensive. But spending money for staying in any of these villas will be worthwhile. You will never regret your decision. The villas are constructed maintaining the typical architectural style of the country. If you want to enjoy the local flavor, staying in a luxury villa is a must for you.

All the luxury villas in Spain are nestled amidst of picturesque setting. You can get a splendid view of the soft rolling mountains or the restless waves crashing on the shore. Most of the villas offer easy access to the castles and other historical sites. The relaxing ambiance of these villas will take you far away from the din and bustle of the city. If you miss the happening life, you can simply drive to the heart of the city and feel the vibe. When you are tired with overdoing things just come back and surrender yourself to the serenity and tranquility.

Locate in Kent: Travel links in and around the Garden of England

2011-11-07T01:11:00.000-08:00

Given that it has long been nicknamed the 'Garden of England', Kent has some major transport links that may belie the tag.

As opposed to a rural idyll that its nickname may attest, Kent is one of the most well-linked counties in the whole of the UK; boasting links to London and the South. It is also well-connected to mainland Europe in the form of Ashford International and the Dover/Folkestone ports.

All of this could end up making a Kent property search all the more difficult, as deciding on the county is the easy bit - identifying one of the best places to go could prove to be much more of a task.

Along the north of the county is the M2 motorway, stretching from Faversham to Rochester, before stretching into East London in the form of the A2. Along this road lie Dartford, Gravesend, Chatham and Sittingbourne, along with another number of smaller towns on the main rail line from London.

Then, further to the south is the M20; linking Folkestone with the M24 via Ashford, Maidstone, West Malling and Sevenoaks, among many other smaller towns.

Even the more remote of Kent's cities (such as Canterbury) are easily accessible by main A-roads, not to mention the direct train links from central London.

Road is of course not the only way to navigate Kent, of course, with the HS1 link from London taking passengers on the high-speed link to Kent and beyond, as well as the more regulation train making journeys from the capital along to many of the towns/cities located along the M2.

So, with direct links to London, Paris, Calais, Amsterdam and countless other places around the county, it's something of a surprise that Kent is still called the 'Garden of England' - though little wonder how it's so popular with businesses looking for the best place to establish themselves.

Start Your Own Tax Preparation Business

2011-09-30T11:29:00.001-07:00

If you want to start your own business in tax preparation, you must know that your prime business will be throughout the tax season which is from January- April. But if you have clients, you’ll have to work throughout the year.

Almost all businesses are supposed to give taxes four times. For someone who is excellent with numbers and loves working with public, this can prove to be one of the most lucrative businesses. Here are some tips for you get started:

You have to be properly educated to start this business. To be successful, you would have to get education in the accounting background. You can take classes on bookkeeping and tax return. This simple step will go a long way.

Letting out a property

2011-09-06T01:07:00.000-07:00

Renting out a property that you own is a fantastic way to make an income that is virtually passive. Although there is some work to be done with regards to finding tenants and property maintenance, a property for rent remains an extremely useful asset which can easily make as money as a bond or high-interest bank account.

There has officially been no better time to invest in a buy-to-let mortgage. The current economic climate means that demand for rental properties are at an all-time high. This has led to landlords being able to raise the price of rents to the point where the cost of living in a rental property has never been higher either.

Although the yield between a buy-to-let mortgage cost and rental income can wildly vary, landlords should expect to be getting back anywhere between five and ten per cent on their investment.

Those who believe they may not have enough time on their hands to adequately deal with a large portfolio of properties to rent may want to consider striking a deal with letting agents.

Letting agents are property experts who will be more than willing to help find tenants, deal with maintenance and queries for a share of your profit. This may result in a lower yield for the landlord but are arguably leads to a much higher money-to-effort ratio for the landlord.

There are few things which landlords need to consider when choosing a property to invest in. The location of the property is perhaps an even greater factor to the interest it will receive than its quality.

There will always be students who are desperate for a property near their university, as well as families who want a home near a good school. Professionals may need a property near a train station, so landlords should bear this in mind.

It could be argued that all it takes to rake in the profits from becoming a buy-to-let landlord is some common sense and the initial capital to invest.

Letting your property

2011-09-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

The South West of England boasts some of the finest villages, towns and cities in the whole of Great Britain, therefore it's little wonder that so many people are relocating in that direction.

While house prices remain just out of reach for the majority of aspiring first-time buyers, it does mean that the rental market is thriving and landlords are reaping the benefits.

If you are trying to let your South West property for the first time, then engaging the services of a Bristol property management company will prove invaluable. Why, you ask? There is a lot more to letting a home than first meets the eye.

Simply posting an advert on the internet can invite trouble on both sides. You could unwittingly attract undesirable tenants who cause damage or fail to pay rent. Or you could find you have not adhered to a particular legislation, meaning that you have put your tenants' lives at risk. It is a minefield out there, hence why expert advice is vital.

In terms of security, using a management company will deliver peace of mind. These specialists and members of regulated body, ARLA, will dot all the 'I's and cross all the 'T's. They will ensure compliance with the necessary regulations and check that all legalities have been adequately satisfied.

They will act as the 'middle man' when it comes to your tenant search, finding individuals who meet your criteria (i.e. no pets, no smokers) and vetting them as appropriate. They will also deal with the financial side, obtaining guarantors where required and facilitating the payment of rent into your bank account.

As and when required, the management company will provide support and guidance to you, the landlords. As they concentrate on lettings, unlike estate agents, they have the time to give you a bespoke, comprehensive service.

This is your South West home, your investment and letting it to some complete strangers is a big deal. That's why it's so important to get help from an expert.

Why Battle Creek Replacement Windows – No Guesswork!

2011-07-31T08:57:00.001-07:00

There are a number of reasons why you may want to get in touch with a good BattleCreek Replacement Windows company. And if you have already made up your mind on one of the Battle Creek or Southwest Michigan Windows contractors, you need to consider a few points to make sure you are getting the best for the money that you have decided to spend. After all, replacement windows can be quite costly, and you probably wouldn’t want your money to go to waste!

The Points that You Should Be After

So why do you want replacement windows? That is the first point to concentrate on. Some of the reasons that you would want your Battle Creek Replacement Windows company or your Southwest Michigan Windows contractor to help you with are:

· Saving Energy – the right type of windows trap the heat / leave out the heat of your home very effectively

· Design and Look – Replacement Windows can improve the look of your home to a great extent and increase the value of your property

· Security – Strong replacement windows enhance the security of your home

· Maintenance – generally replacement windows are easier to maintain compared to conventional wooden or glass windows

· Finally, replacement windows come with various designs, and hence you can select one that suits your requirements. You can go for a slider, a tilt and turn type, chose the right color and texture, and pretty much everything else that you want to see in your windows

· Replacement windows can withstand almost any sort of weather. This is basically due to the flexibility seen with choosing the material being used in the windows

· Finally, replacement windows can be much less expensive when you compare them with the conventional wooden windows, at least when you compare the final looks that you get to see in the end

Your budget is another constraint that you cannot overlook as well. Therefore decide well in advance exactly what cost you are planning to incur while getting your windows set up for your home. Often people start with getting these units installed and then back out midway since they were not able to foresee the expenses in advance.

Don’t forget to check the style and theme of your home while considering what can be the best option to suit your requirements. Color, texture, the type of frame and the style of the window, all add up to the look of your home. Replacement windows do play a vital role in adding to the looks of the house you live in.

There are quite a number of other characters that have made replacement windows as useful and popular as they are today. These points therefore should definitely be on your mind when you decide to get in touch with a Southwest Michigan Windows or Battle Creek Replacement Windows contractor.

Author Bio: Jonnie Plant is an expert on Replacement Windows, home improvement and interior decoration. He has been working with various construction companies, and has penned down a number of articles on home improvement based on his real time experiences.

Buying or Leasing Out Commercial Property in UK

2011-07-22T01:42:00.001-07:00

Commercial property is generally considered as real estate property that is planned for use in specific types of business situations. For example, office complexes, service stations, shopping malls and restaurants can be an example of profit seeking businesses. Unlike industrial property that comprises manufacturing plants generally commercial property encompasses business properties for example, shopping centres, hotels, service stations and office spaces.

These commercial properties are generally involved in money making efforts for a business. Any developer can purchase a commercial property for leasing purpose or for future projects with the help of a broker who handles real estate. Commercial property constitutes another category apart from residential and industrial properties.

In case of commercial property, real estate zoning laws might vary from one particular jurisdiction to another. The laws surrounding real estate draw a clear demarcation between industrial, commercial and residential property. This might sometimes be confusing for some people as any kind of living space may be regarded as commercial property. For example, any residential home will not be considered as commercial property even if the house is rented out on any particular business venture. But, any apartment with several units of living space can be regarded as a proper commercial property.

The general definition of commercial property can be communities that provide services to the clients to meet their requirements. For example, doctors chamber. So, if you are looking to buy or lease commercial property in the UK then you need to check out the listing of that place first. You can also keep an eye on the websites of different agents. Finally, after these steps you can buy or lease out a property. You can also get registered with your commercial property profile and thus save time, money and effort.

If you are planning to shift your office from one place to another, then you can hire companies that provide office relocation services UK. Thus, you won’t face any difficulty while leasing out or buying commercial property in London.

All the experts under one roof in Surrey

2011-07-20T05:09:00.000-07:00

Property Investment Seminar co-hosted by Leaders

Dozens of landlords and prospective investors from Surrey gathered at Sandown Park in Esher last week to hear expert advice about investing in property at a specialist seminar entitled ‘Success in Lettings’. The event, which was free to attend, was co-hosted by Leaders and Menzies Accountants to help landlords make the most of the thriving lettings market in Surrey.

Experts in lettings, property management, tax, buy-to-let mortgages and legislation delivered a number of in-depth talks on topics such as:

* The lettings process and an update on the market

* Tax advice for landlords

* An overview of the buy-to-let mortgage market and available products

* An update on the latest letting legislation

Leaders have organised a number of similar events in previous years, each one of which saw overwhelming interest from landlords and would-be investors.

Leaders’ Lettings Manager, Tim Loder, who was at the event, commented on the lettings market in Kingston: “Since the beginning of the year we have seen very strong demand from tenants for all types of property in Kingston and surrounding areas - from one and two bedroom flats to large houses. Family homes with three, four and five bedrooms are in particular demand because of the selection of excellent primary schools we have here in Kingston, including Latchmere, Fern Hill, Alexandra, St Luke’s, St Agatha’s, Coombe Infants and St Paul’s. We are finding that good quality properties that come onto the market with us are being let extremely quickly and rents are very strong. This is all good news for landlords.”

Leaders say that there are many opportunities in the sales market at the moment for people interested in buying a property to let in Kingston. As experienced, independent lettings specialists they are happy to provide free, impartial advice on which property types and locations are most in demand to help investors make a successful investment.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Kingston please contact Leaders on 020 8546 6300 or email kingston@leaders.co.uk and visit at http://www.leaders.co.uk

Letting agents remain unregulated, so vet before you let

2011-04-29T01:42:00.001-07:00

A man who ran a Guildford letting agency was recently found guilty of stealing more than £12,000 of rental deposits, prompting an urgent reminder from Leaders for the public to choose their letting agent with care.

Commenting on the case, Stephen Batterbury, Leaders’ Guildford branch manager, said: “It’s a shocking fact that, despite the many rules and regulations governing residential lettings, letting agents themselves remain wholly unregulated. Anyone can set up a lettings business, with no training, knowledge of the law surrounding lettings or adequate protection for the client money they hold. Despite the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme, there is still no regulation in place to ensure a letting agent registers the deposits they hold.

“The only way to avoid a rogue agent,” explains Stephen “is to vet them thoroughly before using their services. You should only consider a well-established agent that is a member of a professional body such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), which regulates its members.”

Other points to consider are how long the letting agent has been established; whether it is a letting specialist or conducts lettings on the side; how thoroughly it vets its tenants; the professionalism of its staff and literature; and its overall reputation.
Says Stephen: “Lettings is a complex business, and until letting agents are properly regulated, landlords and tenants need to take great care over which agent they choose.”

Leaders’ was founded by the co-founder of ARLA in 1983 and has always set the highest standards in residential letting. Please visit online to Leaders branches at http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Leaders remain dedicated to local friendly letting service in Worthing and Rustington

2011-04-22T00:03:00.001-07:00

Letting specialists Leaders are proud to be the largest independently owned letting firm in the UK, having recently added branch number 48 to their growing network. However, the teams in Worthing and Rustington are keen to stress that Leaders remains a family business, with a strong focus on delivering a very friendly, personal and local service to their clients.

Says Toby Pratt, lettings manager at Leaders Estate Agents Worthing: “My team and I are completely focused on providing a personal, local service. We offer our clients unparalleled knowledge and expertise of the lettings market in Worthing and the surrounding area; with many years of experience between us. We may be part of a larger company but we will always remain the friendly local letting agent on the high street and the same applies to our colleagues in Rustington.”

Setting standards in letting

The first Leaders branch was established in Brighton in 1983 by the co-founder of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), Neville Lee. He was committed to providing a high quality service to landlords and tenants, and to improving standards in the lettings industry as a whole, both of which he achieved by ensuring that Leaders were always at the forefront of best practice in lettings.

Today the firm is run by his son-in-law, Paul Weller, who is determined to see this philosophy continue as a core part of Leaders’ business strategy, no matter how large the company becomes. Indeed, Leaders continue to prove themselves in this regard, having recently won the Sussex Company of the Year award and been short-listed for the Estate Agent of the Year award in this year’s forthcoming Observer & Gazette Business Awards.

Says Paul: “All our branches are run by experienced managers, each of whom knows their local lettings market inside-out. They are given the freedom to run the branch as if it were their own business, with control over their own budgets, marketing, recruitment and relationships with local employers, relocation companies and contractors. We believe this is the key to successful letting and to providing a truly personal and local service.”

Local service with solid backing

And, as Toby points out, being part of a large company benefits landlords and tenants in many ways: “We always have the widest choice of properties to rent; we are able to give our landlords much wider coverage through our marketing, greater efficiency through our cutting-edge IT, access to the best local contractors, and the peace of mind that comes with dealing with a solid, well-established company.”

Leaders are proud to be able to offer their clients the best of both worlds – a locally delivered personal service with the backing of a large family firm with branches across the South.

Demand for rented property in Worthing and Rustington let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting please contact your local Leaders office and visit online at http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Leaders remain dedicated to local friendly letting service in Crawley

2011-04-22T00:02:00.001-07:00

Letting specialists Leaders are proud to be the largest independently owned letting firm in the UK, having recently added branch number 48 to their growing network. However, the team in Crawley are keen to stress that Leaders remains a family business, with a strong focus on delivering a very friendly, personal and local service to their clients.

Says Nikkie McNaughton, lettings manager at Leaders estate agents in Crawley: “My team and I are completely focused on providing a personal, local service to our landlords and tenants. We have unparalleled knowledge and expertise of the lettings market in Crawley and the surrounding area, with decades of experience between us. We may be part of a larger company but we are proud that we are still the friendly local letting agent on the high street.”

Setting standards in letting

The first Leaders branch was established in Brighton in 1983 by the co-founder of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), Neville Lee. He was committed to providing a high quality service to landlords and tenants, and to improving standards in the lettings industry as a whole, both of which he achieved by ensuring that Leaders were always at the forefront of best practice in lettings.

Today the firm is run by his son-in-law, Paul Weller, who is determined to see this philosophy continue as a core part of Leaders’ business strategy, no matter how large the company becomes. Indeed, Leaders continue to prove themselves in this regard, having recently won the Sussex Company of the Year award and been short-listed for the Estate Agent of the Year award in this year’s forthcoming Observer & Gazette Business Awards.

Says Paul: “All our branches are run by experienced managers, each of whom knows their local lettings market inside-out. They are given the freedom to run the branch as if it were their own business, with control over their own budgets, marketing, recruitment and relationships with local employers, relocation companies and contractors. We believe this is the key to successful letting and to providing a truly personal and local service.”

Local service with solid backing

And, as Nikkie points out, being part of a large company benefits landlords and tenants in many ways: “We always have the widest choice of properties to rent; we are able to give our landlords much wider coverage through our marketing, greater efficiency through our cutting-edge IT, access to the best local contractors, and the peace of mind that comes with dealing with a solid, well-established company.”

Leaders are proud to be able to offer their clients the best of both worlds – a locally delivered personal service with the backing of a large family firm with branches across the South.

Demand for rented property Crawley let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Crawley please contact Leaders 01293 553889, Email crawley@leaders.co.uk and visit at http://www.leaders.co.uk

Jackie walks 10 miles to help Jamie find his feet

2011-04-12T06:33:00.002-07:00

Letting agents and specialist Leaders were delighted to support their Credit Control Manager, Jackie Taylor, when she took part in a 10 mile walk recently to raise money to help Worthing’s 7 year old Jamie Colwell.

Jamie was born ten weeks prematurely and suffered a bleed to his brain leaving him with cerebral palsy. As a result, the muscles in Jamie’s body are very tight and he is unable to stand or walk unaided. He can use a walking frame for short distances and uses a wheelchair the rest of the time.

With the care he will receive in England, Jamie’s long term prognosis is that he will end up in a wheelchair permanently. However, if his family is able to raise a minimum of £40,000, there is a life changing operation called SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy) that Jamie could receive in America. The operation would greatly reduce the spasticity in Jamie’s body and give him every chance of being able to stand and walk unaided.

Around 25 people, including Jamie in his wheelchair, took part in the 10 mile walk along Worthing seafront - from the Sea Lane café in Goring to Beach Green in Lancing and back. Together the walkers, including Jackie from Leaders’ Worthing-based Head Office, hope to raise more than £2000 towards helping Jamie find his feet.

Says Leaders’ Finance Director, Matthew Light: “Well done to Jackie and all the other walkers for their efforts. They undertook the walk in good spirits, despite it being a cold, wet afternoon.

“As a business that has been established in Sussex for almost 28 years, with hundreds of local staff and clients, we are always keen to support our local community and worthy initiatives such as this. We are pleased to have been able to sponsor Jackie and hope that Jamie’s family are soon successful in raising all the funds they need for his operation.”

Anyone able to help can visit Jamie’s Facebook page, called Help Jamie to Find His Feet, or call 07785 504359. There are a number of fun fundraising events planned for Jamie over the coming months, including:

1st April - live music at Thomas Beechams with some talented bands including the Maxibons, Killer Heelz, Mick Short and more, plus a big prize raffle

2nd April - sponsored roller skate from Worthing pier to Brighton pier

7th April - Burlesque evening at Bar Ten in Worthing

8th April - Gig night at Partridge Green village hall hosted by the Startled Hamsters

4th June – a 12 hour charity football match taking place at Worthing Leisure Centre

Darwoods launch new informative e-magazine for landlords and tenants

2011-04-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

Letting specialist Darwoods - part of Leaders - have launched a new e-magazine – ‘Your Home’ - to keep landlords, tenants and applicants up to date on all aspects of letting and renting.

The magazine will be published online on a quarterly basis and will include an update on the lettings market and the ever-changing legislation affecting lettings, an overview of rental prices and a showcase of the properties available to rent.

Says Darwoods’ Senior Manager, Peter Moate: “As one of the most established and knowledgeable lettings specialists in the area, we have a responsibility to keep landlords and tenants up to date so that they can benefit as much as possible from the rental market.

“Our first issue reports that market conditions at the moment are ideal for landlords, with high demand from professional tenants and a general shortage of available property leading to strong rents. Tenants are looking for good quality, well-presented properties of all types in St Albans – from one bedroom flats and two bedroom houses to large family homes. There is also expert guidance from Menzies Accountants on what expenses landlords can claim as tax deductions on their rental income and an update on the current buy-to-let mortgage market.”

Darwoods currently have a great selection of homes to rent in St Albans and surrounding areas (including Redbourn, Markyate, Wheathampstead and Bricket Wood) from one bedroom flats to large family homes, which are showcased in the e-magazine. You can subscribe to receive it by registering with Darwoods or by emailing lettings@darwoods.com

For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting in St Albans, please contact Darwoods on 01727 862999.

County Property (Part of the Leaders Group) helps landlords get the best return on their investment

2011-04-04T06:26:00.001-07:00

With rental demand increasing, lending relatively cheap and top-end rents (houses and flats to rent) being achieved for many properties, landlords are currently experiencing almost perfect market conditions.

And, according to UK Industrial Property – one of West Surrey’s leading letting specialists (Part of the Leaders Group) – another advantage for landlords in the market place today is longer-term tenancies.

Whilst County Property are proud of the fact that their landlords experience minimal void periods between tenancies - very often just a day or two - it is an unavoidable fact that with each tenant change comes expense. Until contracts are signed the new tenancy may fall through or encounter unforeseen problems or delays.

Says County Property manager, Hayley Weeks: “We have been focusing on securing longer-term tenancies for our clients for some time now - providing certainty and stability to both landlord and tenant is important and makes financial sense for both parties. We estimate that the costs associated with changing a tenant together with a void period costs a landlord on average the equivalent of one month’s rent – that is almost 9% of the gross annual rental yield. Therefore keeping a good tenant in the property is by far the best option whenever possible. Our research has also shown that deductions at the end of the tenancy for damages above fair wear and tear are less for longer term tenancies.”

Referencing at County Property is strict but when it comes to long-term tenancies some landlords may be concerned about the absence of a no break-clause in a rent arrears situation. However, County Property can reassure them that in the majority of cases it is possible to serve notice and gain possession for rent arrears regardless of a break-clause. Further peace of mind is on offer for those landlords who choose County Property’s Premier Service and Guarantee as this comes with the assurance that County Property will pay for any legal fees associated with gaining possession together with guaranteeing the rent until possession is gained.

In the event of a claim they will even pay up to 75% of the rent whilst the property is vacant, for up to two months. To benefit their clients, County Property do not use 'standard' tenancy terms; rather every tenancy is negotiated independently depending on each individual client’s requirements. Says Hayley: “We are finding that in the current uncertain economic climate more and more tenants are looking to rent for the longer-term and we are increasingly arranging longer fixed term tenancies - often a minimum of 12 months and it is not unusual to see minimum terms of 18 – 24 months - which provides both landlord and tenant with stability and certainty.

If long-term tenancies aren’t for you then the Flexi Apartments service can help. Flexi Apartments offer high quality, short-term serviced apartments and is an ideal proposition for landlords who prefer the flexibility of week-to-week tenancies whilst maximising their income.

As Hayley explains, “There are some initial set up costs involved but these are immediately offset by up to 200% increase in achievable rental. An apartment which in the standard market would achieve £1300 per month could achieve £900 per week with Flexi Apartments so there are some significant financial benefits, not to mention the flexibility afforded with week to week lets.”

So if you are looking to reduce your risk of void periods and unexpected administration fees then contact County Property Management; alternatively if you like the flexibility of week-to-week lets and up to 200% extra rental income, then Flexi Apartments are experiencing high demand for property and currently taking on new properties.

For advice you can trust and an uncompromising service please call County Property on 01483 883 939 or Flexi Apartments on 01483 883 920.

Surge in demand for corporate lets presents exciting opportunities for landlords

2011-03-31T01:29:00.001-07:00

Local letting specialist Leaders is experiencing a surge in demand for good quality apartments / flats to rent in Ocean Village and Southampton city centre for on-going corporate tenancies. This is an excellent opportunity for landlords or prospective investors who are looking for security and peace of mind.

Says Leaders’ Ocean Village manager, Paula Wilkin: “We are working with a major local business that needs to accommodate a number of people coming to Southampton from abroad for an on-going project. They are interested in renting good quality, fully furnished one and two bedroom apartments, either in Ocean Village or within walking distance of the city centre, with rental values from around £1000 to £1300 per month. Properties are needed for 6 months initially but I anticipate that they will want to extend the tenancies in many cases.

“This is a perfect opportunity for landlords who are looking to secure top rents, reliable corporate tenants and total peace of mind. The apartments need to be modern, with good quality fixtures and fittings and fully furnished. We can give landlords guidance on everything they need to know about this type of letting, based on our specialist experience of more than 11 years in Ocean Village and the surrounding areas.”

Over the years Leaders has seen many letting agents come and go, but having built up a successful business at the heart of Ocean Village, landlords can be sure that Leaders is not going anywhere! With their fully qualified staff, trustworthy advice, years of experience and highly professional service, Paula and her team guarantee to help landlords make the best of their investment and any future opportunities that may arise. Leaders is also proud to be a fully bonded member of ARLA and abides by its strict code of conduct.

If you have an apartment that is suitable for letting to corporate tenants, or are thinking of investing in this type of property, please contact Leaders Ocean Village on 02380 632288 for advice you can trust and an impartial rental valuation.

Information about El Cid Timeshare

2011-03-17T02:11:00.000-07:00

El Cid Vacations Clubs are popular resorts located in beautiful Mexican destinations of Mazatlan, Cozumel, and Cancun/Riviera Maya. These vacations clubs offer affordable terms and exclusive timeshare memberships. The El Cid timeshare membership offers a variety of options from condominiums, cruises, and experiential vacations. Prices are reasonable and a timeshare is a solid investment for avid vacationers because they get to experience fabulous trips without draining their savings.

To help and guide their vacationers to a budget friendly vacation that is still at par with the expensive types, El Cid offers a point system that allows members to redeem points for resort accommodation, rental cars, airline tickets, and experiential vacation packages. The El Cid timeshare membership also grants members access to fabulous resorts not only in Mexico, but also in North America and Europe. Members are also entitled to advance reservation priority. Because of this privilege, booking and checking-in is quicker and easier. As for members who are looking for specific vacations like cruises, they can use the advantage of their membership by choosing from El Cid’s wide selection of offering. Aside from these perks, they also offer free transportation and discounts on amenities and services.

Included also in the membership is a guaranteed VIP treatment of the guests the moment they arrive and until they leave the resort. Since these resorts are strategically located near cities’ prime tourist spots, vacation in El Cid is truly an experience that one shouldn’t miss. With its high quality accommodations, top-class facilities, and excellent amenities and services, not to mention budget-friendly membership packages, El Cid Vacations Clubs can be considered the nirvana of vacation goers.

Turning office furniture into the gift of sight

2011-03-15T02:52:00.003-07:00

When letting agents Leaders moved their head office to new premises earlier this year, they decided to give some office furniture that they no longer needed to their mobile phone company, Hove-based Cellular Solutions.

Cellular Solutions in turn made a donation of £500 to Sightsavers, a registered charity based in Haywards Heath which works to combat blindness in developing countries, restoring sight through specialist treatment and eye care.

As a result, the office furniture has been turned into an amazing and invaluable gift - the gift of sight. Says Sightsavers’ Sussex Development Manager, Jade McShane: “Thank you to Cellular Solutions and Leaders for their generosity. This donation could fund up to 29 cataract operations and help to transform the lives of people like Rony in Dhaka.

“Rony first developed trouble with his eyesight when he was four and his condition worsened over time as he developed cataracts in both his eyes. Sadly his family, despite their best efforts, could not afford the sight-restoring cataract operation he needed, so they were delighted when they were told that he could receive treatment thanks to the support of Sightsavers. Just a day after his surgery, Rony had transformed from the quiet little boy he had been before; laughing and joking with the friends he has been unable to see to play with a few days earlier.”

Sightsavers point out that 80% of all blindness is preventable or curable and often only at a minimal cost. For someone who is blind, having their sight restored is the greatest gift of all as it can also give them back their independence.

Says Leaders IT Director, Noel Cresswell: “We are delighted that the office furniture we gave to Cellular Solutions prompted them to make the generous donation that will now be put to such good use by Sightsavers. As well as providing treatment that can help to restore sight, Sightsavers also assists with the rehabilitation of those who are irreversibly blind – helping them to make a better future for themselves.”

For more information about Sightsavers or to make a donation please visit http://www.sightsavers.org

Accent Property moves to stunning new office close to CB1 redevelopment

2011-03-15T02:52:00.001-07:00

Accent Property; part of the Leaders Group and letting agents in Cambridge, is delighted to announce its move this month to a spacious new office close to the CB1 redevelopment.

The modern new office gives Accent Property a fantastic position in the heart of Cambridge and significantly more space to accommodate the growing team.

The move follows Accent Property’s recent acquisition of Ambassador Property Management, making it one of the largest letting specialists in Cambridge with the widest choice of properties to let in the city centre and surrounding areas.

Commenting on the move, Accent Property’s manager, Sarah Cox said: “We are thrilled with our new, high-tech office which looks fabulous and is within easy reach of the city centre, the train station and all major link roads.

“The open plan design allows for easier communication between our lettings, property management and administration departments, which will enable us to work together even more effectively to ensure that we deliver the high standard of service our landlords and tenants, expect from us. An added bonus is that we are now on the doorstep of The Belvedere, where we manage a large number of properties. This will be extremely convenient for us and many of our landlords and tenants.”

The new office also gives Accent Property the invaluable opportunity of eighteen large front-facing displays to show off the fantastic range of properties that they have available to rent. With Accent Property’s renowned creativity and flair for marketing, their extensive office frontage is sure to become an attention–grabbing feature in the area.

Whilst a number of other agents in the area have been closing down or scaling back in recent years, Accent Property is proud to be investing significantly in the business, to the benefit of its landlords, tenants and employees. This clearly demonstrates the advantages of dealing with a successful, well-established specialist letting agent.

Says Sarah: “We are looking forward to an exciting new chapter for Accent Property as we continue to grow our business here in Cambridge. Although our brand new office is completely different to the old one, one thing that remains the same, and always will, is the warm welcome that awaits everyone who comes in to see us. We look forward to welcoming our landlords and tenants here and assuring them of our continued high calibre service.”

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Cambridge, please contact the award winning Accent Property team on 01223 500387; email info@accentproperty.com; or pop in and see the stunning new office for yourself at 140 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8PB.

Get spotted with a Leaders Bag for Life and win a bottle of bubbly!

2011-03-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

Over the next few months, letting specialist Leaders will be giving away free Bags for Life to all their landlords, tenants and members of the public as part of a fun promotion they are running in Brighton & Hove.

Anyone who gets spotted out and about with a Leaders Bag for Life by one of Leaders’ special spotters will win a bottle of bubbly. The promotion will run from now until the end of July.

Says Leaders’ estate agents Hove branch manager, Joanne Darroch: “Our Bags for Life are available to collect from any of our Brighton & Hove branches. They are free, made from recyclable materials - although are strong enough to last a lifetime - and can be folded easily for convenience. Just remember to flaunt yours when you’re out and about so you get spotted!”

Leaders are proud to be known in the lettings world for their bags of knowledge, bags of professionalism and bags of expertise! For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Brighton & Hove please contact your local Leaders branch, or pop in to pick up your free Bag for Life.

Areas covered by these branches: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

* Brighton

* Hove

* Seven Dials

* North Laine

* The Lanes

* Brunswick Square

* Hanover

Address
98 Church Road
Hove, East Sussex
BN3 2EB

Contact
t: 01273 321721
e: hove@leaders.co.uk

Property Management Team
t: 01273 735375

Office hours
Monday - Friday 0900-1800
Saturday: 0900-1600

Leaders Sussex director receives award for improving standards within the industry

2011-03-08T03:09:00.000-08:00

Leaders letting agents Chichester and surrounding Sussex areas were delighted when their hard working Sussex Director, Jane Wilkinson, was presented with an award by the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association for improving standards within the industry.

Jane is one of the most respected agents in Sussex, having worked in the lettings industry – and at Leaders specifically - for almost 25 years; she celebrates her 25th anniversary with Leaders next month.

Commenting on the award, Jane said: “At Leaders we aim to provide a first class, professional service to our landlords and tenants at all times, so to win this award really means a lot. We recently won the Sussex Company Year of the Award which we were thrilled about, but there is of course something very special about receiving an award from your peers.”

Since Leaders was established in 1983 by the co-founder of ARLA, the firm has always worked hard to raise standards in the lettings industry to the benefit of landlords, tenants and others operating within the industry. This award is testament to the fact that Leaders’ founding philosophy is still very much at the heart of how it conducts the business today. Despite recent growth, Leaders remains a family business, with a strong focus on delivering a very friendly, professional and local service to their clients.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting in your area please contact your local Leaders branch from here: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

For additional Leaders news and industry updates you may be interested in the Leaders Press Room recent updates to this resource include:

08-02-2011 - Leaders expands to new territory in Kent
07-02-2011 - Leaders wish Crawley Town FC best of luck!
31-01-2011 - Ideal market conditions for landlords in 2011
03-02-2011 - Ideal market conditions for landlords in Croydon in 2011
02-02-2011 - Ideal market conditions for landlords in High Wycombe in 2011

Leaders expands to new territory in Kent

2011-03-08T03:07:00.001-08:00

Letting agency Leaders, which has just been listed as one of Britain’s top performing private companies on the Sunday Times Buyout Track 100, is delighted to announce the acquisition of Oak Residential Limited, which trades as Oaklets in Lewisham, Forest Hill and Sevenoaks. This latest deal adds three branches to Leaders’ fast-growing network, taking the letting chain to 48 branches across the South. It also gives Leaders a presence in Kent for the first time.

Oaklets has been owned and run by the Pope family since 1984, with the same strong ethos and principles as Leaders. The firm has a reputation for a high quality, personal letting and property management service and has built up a strong and loyal client base. “We extend a very warm welcome to our new landlords, tenants and employees who join us as a result of our acquisition of Oaklets and we look forward to working with them all,” said Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller.

“We are delighted to bring our services to Kent for the first time. Having a branch in the popular commuter town of Sevenoaks allows us to not only expand into new territory in a buoyant lettings area, but to also strategically fill the gaps between our East Grinstead, Reigate, Redhill and Croydon branches. We look forward to growing the business further here and seeking new opportunities in the surrounding areas in the coming months and years.

“Our new branches in Lewisham and Forest Hill complement our existing branches in Croydon, Sutton, Kingston and Surbiton, as well as our recently acquired Streatham portfolio, consolidating us further in the South London market. We value the knowledge and experience that our new colleagues bring with them of the lettings markets in these areas.”

Leaders have followed a strategy of growth by acquisition for some time, which it has achieved at a rapid pace. Since 2005, the firm has bought and integrated more than 40 businesses, branches or portfolios, and has developed a cutting-edge IT and operations infrastructure to enable it to assimilate and capitalise on acquisition opportunities. In recent years Leaders has extended its branch network from Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire into Dorset, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire and now into Kent.

Last weekend Leaders was listed 68th in the Sunday Times annual league table of the 100 top performing private companies. Companies across all industries were considered and ranked according to growth in profits over the last two years. Lovefilm.com took first position in the league.

Leaders plans to acquire further letting businesses across a wider geographical area to continue its successful expansion. Any good quality lettings businesses that fit in with and fulfil the company’s philosophy of providing a quality and trustworthy service will be considered. You will find all the Leaders branches here: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Leaders Crawley in support of Crawley Town FC

2011-03-08T03:06:00.000-08:00

Leaders’ estate agents in Crawley are giving their full support to Crawley Town FC as they go into the 5th round of the FA cup against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday 19th February.

This is a fantastic achievement when considering the fact that there have been just five other teams form the Non-League to have managed to progress through to this stage of the FA cup competition since the 2nd World War.

The letting specialist has decorated its window in support of The Reds, with; scarves, banners mugs and posters and are among the many within Crawley to be extremely proud of Crawly Town FC and their achievements to date and wish them the very best for the remainder of their campaign.

Says Leaders lettings manager, Nikkie McNaughton:

“We are really proud of The Reds for making it this far, and for being the only non-league team left in the FA Cup - the first to reach this stage for 17 years! We wish them the best of luck in their forthcoming match and will be cheering them all the way!”

Areas covered by this branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

* Crawley
* Horley
* Worth
* Copthorne
* Crawley Down
* Rusper

Leaders Crawley:

61 High Street
Crawley, West Sussex
RH10 1BQ
t: 01293 553889
e: crawley@leaders.co.uk

Property Management Team:

T: 01293 859010
Office hours:
Monday - Friday 0900-1800
Saturday: 0900-1600

Secure Your Debt despite Dwindling Home Equity

2011-03-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Is your home still an investment?

It used to be that owning a home was an investment; however, in the United States homes have been losing their value at a rapid pace. California , Florida and Nevada are the big three with poor housing markets, but this does not mean the rest of the country is perfect. All over homes are selling for far less than what they are worth, which may seem great for the buyer but is disastrous for the seller. Additionally, with the decline in home equity comes stricter lending policies and a higher chance for rejection when refinancing.

Everyone is trying to refinance.

It seems like a good time to refinance your home and free up some extra cash with interest rates being at an all time low. However, a great number of refinancing applications are being rejected. This is due to declining property values. The banks are refusing to take on the risk to refinance a home for more than what it is currently worth, regardless of what the owner may have paid when the market was booming. Therefore, refinancing is becoming less of an option for freeing up cash to pay off debt. Instead, many people are turning to debt relief to solve their unsecured debt.

Realize there are other options.

Even though refinancing seemed like a better option when dealing with your unsecured debt, it just was not possible. Luckily, there are options that allow you to keep your home and pay back your debt. A debt relief company can work with you and the credit collectors to settle your debt, often for less than what you owe. In the case of a debt settlement program you will begin to save money in a savings account, which will eventually be used to settle your debt.

Your path to financial freedom is closer than you think.

It is unfortunate that the countries housing market is in such a slump and with recovery feeling like a far off dream you could be feeling overwhelmed as to how to settle your debt. While the market may remain unpredictable and continue to possibly fall, you can still get back on your feet financially. Finding a debt relief program that is right for you may take some time, but you will find freedom in the end result.

Ideal market conditions for landlords in Poole and Bournemouth in 2011

2011-02-25T05:41:00.002-08:00

Dorset’s leading letting specialists, Allan & Bath - part of Leaders estate agents Bournemouth and Poole - report that 2011 has got off to a strong start for lettings, with demand for quality rental accommodation extremely high.

Says Allan & Bath’s Poole branch manager, Tony Wilson: “We are seeing ideal market conditions for landlords at the moment, with top-end rents being achieved, relatively cheap lending and strong demand from professional tenants, which shows no signs of abating.

“For those considering letting for the first time, or extending their portfolios, now is the perfect time to enter the market – with some great opportunities for purchasing property and a better choice of buy-to-let mortgage products now available. For homeowners who would like to move but cannot sell, letting could be the ideal solution until the sales market improves.”

Allan & Bath report that in Poole and Bournemouth demand is high for all types of property. In Poole, one and two bedroom properties in the town centre are particularly popular, as are two and three bedroom unfurnished houses in Canford Heath and Creekmoor. In Bournemouth, similar properties are being requested by tenants, both in the immediate town centre and anywhere within a five mile radius north and eastwards of the town.

With demand as strong as it is, Allan & Bath are able to secure high quality tenants for their landlords, many of whom are looking for longer tenancies of 12 months and more. This gives landlords greater security and minimises their risks. Looking forward into 2011, Allan & Bath believe that the improvement in buy-to-let lending and favourable market conditions will lead to more landlords entering the market and existing landlords expanding their portfolios this year, with rents likely to remain stable.

Says Tony: “There are numerous buying opportunities for the informed investor who is investing for the long-term. The key is to secure a property that gives a positive cash flow in an area with a long-term strong rental demand. That is why investors should seek expert guidance on exactly what and where to buy: to ensure the success of your investment and avoid any unnecessary void periods. That is what we, as experienced letting specialists, are here to help with.”

For those landlords currently looking to find a tenant, Allan & Bath’s advice is to remember that it is a cost-conscious market. It is therefore important to be realistic when setting your rent and to present your property to a high standard to attract tenants.

With the right advice there are plenty of opportunities to succeed, but using a professional, knowledgeable letting specialist is crucial, particularly now, when many agents have recently taken up lettings to supplement their income; in some cases with little knowledge of the complex legalities and practicalities of letting.

According to Allan & Bath, residential letting remains an excellent investment in the long-term. The proportion of households in the UK in private rental accommodation has been growing steadily, from 10 per cent in 2001 to 14 per cent today. Leading independent macroeconomics research consultancy, Capital Economics, predicts that 17 per cent of households will live in privately rented accommodation by 2015.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting and renting in Bournemouth and Poole please contact Allan & Bath on: Bournemouth: 01202 292000 and Poole: 01202 687000

Allan & Bath have been established in Dorset for over 100 years and are fully bonded members of ARLA. They are proud of the high quality, specialist service they deliver.

For more information on letting, please visit at http://www.leaders.co.uk

Leaders’ landlord afternoon will help investors make the most of the ideal market conditions in 2011

2011-02-25T05:41:00.000-08:00

Local letting agency Leaders, report that 2011 has got off to a strong start for lettings, with demand for quality rental accommodation at an all-time high.

Says Leaders’ Portsmouth branch manager, Ian Cope: “We are seeing ideal market conditions for landlords at the moment, with top-end rents being achieved and strong demand from professional tenants, which shows no signs of abating. To help investors make the most of these excellent market conditions, we are hosting an informal landlord afternoon on 3rd February, from 4-7pm at our office at 132-134 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9DE.

“For those considering letting for the first time, or extending their portfolios, now is the perfect time to enter the market – with some great opportunities for purchasing property. For homeowners who would like to move but cannot sell, letting could be the ideal solution until the sales market improves. Whatever your situation, our Landlord Afternoon will enable you to discuss all aspects of letting property with our experienced, qualified letting staff.”

Leaders’ is a privately owned independent letting specialist that has been established for over 27 years. Because they deal only in lettings and are not Estate Agents, they can offer unparalleled, impartial advice. The team at Leaders Portsmouth Office have over 70 years combined lettings experience.

Leaders report that in Portsmouth demand is high for all types of good quality properties. With demand as strong as it is, Leaders are able to secure high quality tenants for their landlords, many of whom are looking for longer tenancies. This gives landlords greater security and minimises their risks. Looking forward into 2011, Leaders believe that the improvement in buy-to-let lending and favourable market conditions will lead to more landlords entering the market and existing landlords expanding their portfolios this year, with rents likely to remain stable.

Says Ian: “There are numerous buying opportunities for the informed investor who is investing for the long-term. The key is to secure a property that gives a positive cash flow in an area with a long-term strong rental demand. That is why investors should seek expert guidance on exactly what and where to buy: to ensure the success of your investment and avoid any unnecessary void periods. That is what we, as experienced letting specialists, are here to help with.”

With the right advice there are plenty of opportunities to succeed, but using a professional, knowledgeable letting specialist is crucial, particularly now, when many agents have recently taken up lettings to supplement their income; in some cases with little knowledge of the complex legalities and practicalities of letting.

According to Leaders, residential letting remains an excellent investment in the long-term. The proportion of households in the UK in private rental accommodation has been growing steadily, from 10 per cent in 2001 to 14 per cent today. Leading independent macroeconomics research consultancy, Capital Economics, predicts that 17 per cent of households will live in privately rented accommodation by 2015.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting and renting in Portsmouth, please come to Leaders’ Landlord Afternoon on 3rd February, from 4-7pm at 132-134 London Road, North End, Portsmouth, PO2 9DE, or call your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Portsmouth: 02392 666111
Fareham: 01329 825282
Gosport: 02392 585577
Southsea: 02392 838344
Waterlooville: 02392 240809

Leaders get LOUD in support of Beating Bowel Cancer

2011-02-25T05:40:00.001-08:00

Leaders estate agents Hampshire and across the UK were delighted to take part in the charity Beating Bowel Cancer’s BE LOUD BE CLEAR campaign to raise awareness about bowel cancer and raise vital funds to support the charity’s work.

For the second year running, staff in most of Leaders’ 46 branches across the South – including their Worthing-based Head Office - took part in the event, on 27th January, by wearing their loudest and most outrageous clothes to work. Last year the company raised £700 for the charity and they are hoping to top that total this year.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, claiming 50 lives every day. Through having fun and making a noise, the charity’s BE LOUD BE CLEAR week encourages people to break down the taboo and embarrassment around talking about bowels, helping people to stay CLEAR of bowel cancer.

1 in 18 people will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime, and half of those will die. However, it is estimated that around 90% of cases could be treated successfully if caught early enough. By being more aware of the signs and symptoms and seeking medical advice quickly, the cancer can be caught at an earlier stage.

Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller: “We had great fun taking part in BE LOUD BE CLEAR, but of course there is a serious message behind it all. We are pleased to have been able to help Beating Bowel Cancer to raise funds and awareness: the money raised will help them to support bowel cancer patients, run awareness campaigns and promote equal access for all to the latest bowel cancer treatments.

“As a long established business with a large number of employees and clients across the South, we are always keen to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate, whether by helping to raise funds for worthy charities such as this, or sponsoring individuals or community projects.”

For more information about Beating Bowel Cancer or to make a donation please log onto http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/ and about Leaders: http://www.leaders.co.uk/

Kris joins the team at Leaders in Burgess Hill

2011-02-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

Local letting agents Burgess Hill, Leaders are delighted to welcome experienced Lettings Consultant Kris Townsend to their team. They are confident that the knowledge and expertise Kris brings with him will benefit the many landlords and tenants who rely on them for a first-class service.

Kris has eight years of invaluable experience within the property industry across several sectors, including commercial lettings, managing developments and residential lettings. He has worked closely with developers and investors and has a clear insight into what is involved in letting and property management.

Says Senior Branch Manager, Gail Scannell: “We are delighted to welcome Kris to our team in Burgess Hill. Kris has enjoyed great successes in his two and half year career with Leaders so far, which also included working in our busy Brighton & Hove and Worthing branches. Kris is highly motivated and always strives to provide the best possible service to his clients. His ambitions mirror our team’s own and we look forward to a very successful 2011 with Kris on board.”

The addition of Kris to the team comes at a very busy time for Leaders. Demand for rented property in Mid Sussex is exceptionally high, with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. Leaders believe that it is an excellent time to be a landlord, with many opportunities for the informed investor.

With Leaders enjoying great success in Burgess Hill and the industry booming, they are planning a move to a more prominent location in the town shortly and their new office will ensure that Leaders keep up with the growing industry and remain the leading letting specialists in the area.

For letting advice you can trust please contact your local Leaders branch: Burgess Hill: 01444 239666 and Haywards Heath: 01444 450580.

Areas covered by this branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

* Burgess Hill
* Hassocks
* Hurstpierpoint
* Lewes
* Henfield
* Albourne
* Wineham
* Chailey
* Newick

ACHIEVEMENTS OF EMILE HADDAD

2011-02-22T00:12:00.000-08:00

Emile Haddad Seattle has performed remarkably in many different ventures & has been delighted by his work & performance. His diligent of combining & pertaining took him to understand different type of nature of different people through their communication & bargaining. He used his quality to remove the differences of culture & to present a peaceful workplace for those who belong to different nature & styles. He started in early 1992 to make his own self expert in bicultural he worked with different teams & individuals so that they can clarify the differences & work in a harmless place. Which also helped him to polish his skills of decision making & exploring different type of mental models & nature? He also worked to adjust himself for management information & other data.

There is a long list of achievements of Emile Haddad, but the main achievement of him was that he gave great ideas on leadership and management. The thinking Emile Haddad gave on leadership and management are now given by many other people s well. This is because he wanted to share his experience with people, so he taught people in the year 1992, and now these people are following these theories.

Bags of essentials to help the homeless through winter

2011-02-18T04:57:00.000-08:00

Leaders estate agent Guildford and more specifically lettings consultant - Holly Venables - takes bags of essentials to Guildford Action to help the homeless through the winter.

Touched by the plight of the homeless, Holly Venables - a lettings consultant at Leaders in Guildford - has been making great efforts this winter to lend her support to Guildford Action, a registered charity offering support to the homeless and those on low incomes.

Holly has invited her colleagues and members of the public to donate essential items such as warm clothing, sleeping bags and toiletries, which she has been taking on a weekly basis to Guildford Action since the start of the winter. But with Christmas now behind us, and the bitterly cold months of January and February still ahead, Holly is keen to make the public aware that there is still much that can be done to help those in need in Guildford this winter.

Says Holly: “It’s a sad fact that there are many people currently spending the cold days and nights of winter on the streets of Guildford. Guildford Action does a fantastic job helping people in times of need, but they rely on the generosity of the public. The items they most need now to see people through the cold months ahead are:

1. Sleeping bags and blankets
2. Camping equipment such as roll mats, tents, flasks and thermal cups
3. Warm clothing
4. Warm woolly socks
5. Hats, gloves and scarves
6. Sturdy shoes
7. Bath towels
8. Toiletries such as soap, shower gel, moisturizer, deodorants, shampoo and more.

“I would like to thank all those who have already been so generous, including my colleagues as Leaders. Any further donations – no matter how large or small - will be gratefully received. Please drop off whatever you can to Leaders at 229 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3BJ as soon as you can and I will deliver them to Guildford Action to be put to good use. A small donation really can make a big difference to somebody else’s life.”

For more information about Guildford Action please see: http://www.surreycommunity.info/guildfordaction/ and find all the Leaders branches here: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Allan and Bath launches iPhone App

2011-02-17T00:26:00.001-08:00

Dorset’s leading letting specialist and estate agents Bournemouth, Allan & Bath, is delighted to announce the launch of its bespoke iPhone App, which will make finding a suitable home to rent easier than ever for prospective tenants.

The Allan & Bath App enables anyone with an iPhone to search for and view properties to let in their area, and to be alerted as soon as suitable properties become available.

Allan & Bath currently receive a significant number of visits from iPhone users to its website each month and are confident that its iPhone App will be an invaluable tool for many prospective tenants.

Commenting on the launch, Allan & Bath’s Bournemouth manager, Russell Cruwys, said: “We are proud to be the first independent letting agent to make a bespoke iPhone App available to help our prospective tenants in their search for a rental property. The App will also benefit our landlords by enabling us to market their properties as widely and quickly as possible in order to secure a tenancy.

“Our App gives users full access to our available properties – the widest choice of quality rental accommodation in Bournemouth, Poole and surrounding areas – and includes photos, full descriptions and GPS directions to the property. Users can email us direct from the App and request a viewing at the touch of a button. And if they are out and about and see an Allan & Bath ‘To Let’ board for a property they like the look of, they can instantly request property details and arrange a viewing via the App, which uses their GPS location to identify the property they are interested in.”

With rental property in such high demand, finding a suitable home can be a challenge for prospective tenants in the current market. By offering the widest choice of quality property, combined with an easy to search website and this latest specially designed iPhone App, Allan & Bath believe that they have made the search process as quick, easy and stress-free as possible for their tenants.

The Allan & Bath App also includes a rent calculator to work out maximum rent affordability based on income. It is free to download from the App Store on your iPhone.

For more information about the Allan & Bath iPhone App. or for advice you can trust on letting or renting in Bournemouth and Poole, please contact the friendly Allan & Bath team. For more details please contact your nearest Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Areas covered by this branch include:

* Bournemouth
* East Cliff
* West Cliff
* Town Centre
* Charminster
* Winton
* Moordown
* Boscombe
* Kinson
* Ferndown
* West Moors
* Christchurch
* Southbourne
* Verwood
* Ringwood

4 Hinton Road
Bournemouth, Dorset
BH1 2EE

t: 01202 292000
e: lets@allanandbath.co.uk

Property Management Team
t: 01202 292000

Office hours:
Monday - Friday 0900-1730
Saturday: 0900-1200

Estate Agents Leaders launch iPhone App

2011-02-17T00:25:00.003-08:00

Letting agents Leaders is delighted to announce the launch of its bespoke iPhone App, which will make finding a suitable home to rent easier than ever for prospective tenants.

The Leaders App enables anyone with an iPhone to search for and view properties to let in their area, and to be alerted as soon as suitable properties become available.

Leaders currently receive 6,500 visits from iPhone users to its website each month and are confident that its iPhone App will be an invaluable tool for many prospective tenants.

Commenting on the launch, Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller, said: “We are proud to be the first independent letting agent to make a bespoke iPhone App available to help our prospective tenants in their search for a rental property. The App will also benefit our landlords by enabling us to market their properties as widely and quickly as possible in order to secure a tenancy.

“Our App gives users full access to our available properties – the widest choice of quality rental accommodation in the areas we cover – and includes photos, full descriptions and GPS directions to the property. Users can email us direct from the App and request a viewing at the touch of a button. And if they are out and about and see a Leaders ‘To Let’ board for a property they like the look of, they can instantly request property details and arrange a viewing via the App, which uses their GPS location to identify the property they are interested in.”

With rental property in such high demand, finding a suitable home can be a challenge for prospective tenants in the current market. By offering the widest choice of quality property, combined with an easy to search website and this latest specially designed iPhone App, Leaders believe that they have made the search process as quick, easy and stress-free as possible for their tenants.

The Leaders App also includes a rent calculator to work out maximum rent affordability based on income, plus access to all Leaders’ branch addresses and contact details. It is free to download from the App Store on your iPhone.

For advice about letting or renting in your area, please contact your nearest Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Leaders competition raises cash for St. Catherine

2011-02-17T00:25:00.001-08:00

Leaders estate agents in Crawley were delighted to present a cheque to St Catherine’s Hospice for £110 from the money they raised in their Christmas ‘Guess the number of baubles’ competition.

As part of their Christmas window display, Leaders had a large box filled with baubles – 283 to be exact! The public was invited to have a guess at how many were inside, with the chance to win a luxury hamper.

The happy winner was Scott Randell, guessing 280 – which was the closest guess to be submitted. All proceeds from the competition went to St Catherine’s.

Leaders have been specialising in lettings in Sussex for more than 27 years. As a long-established company with a large number of employees, landlords and tenants in the area they feel involved with the local community and like to contribute whenever possible by supporting local projects, charities, sports teams, schools or individual initiatives.

Demand for rented property in Crawley let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Crawley please contact Leaders on 01293 55389 or email crawley@leaders.co.uk.

Regional areas covered by the Crawley branch of estate agents include:

- Crawley
- Worth
- Crawley Down
- Horley
- Copthorne
- Rusper

Leaders - Crawley
61 High Street
Crawley, West Sussex
RH10 1BQ

You will find all the Leaders Branches here: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

The Focal Point of Used Car Deal in Milano

2011-02-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

The craze to buy used cars is soaring higher and higher. It is not only a need to buy used cars. But buying used cars has taken the shape of passion. Global car market is focusing more and more on dealing in used car sale. This tendency has made car markets flooded with great options of buying and selling second hand cars. These used cars are meant not only for buyers belonging to exclusive category but also for people with various budgetary limits.

Despite the fact that used car deals are getting great acceptance, there remains much to be desired. It is very important that you have an in-depth knowledge about certain aspects of used car dealing. It is a known fact that buying or selling used cars involves more risk than the deal of a brand new car. Therefore, it is always recommended that you are highly alert before you plan to proceed for buying used cars.

The most important thing that you require to consider is to involve a used car buying and selling agency when it comes to buy or sell a second hand car. This trick would allow you to remain highly protected and safe. Once you involve a used car dealer, make sure that you use the best of your negotiation skills. Remember that a comprehensive negotiation can allow you to walk away with the best bargain.

When it comes to used car selling and buying agency, Milano has no match. This capital city of Lombardy is home to great number of used car dealers. In case you are seeking an auto usate Milano to achieve a profitable deal, Garagedelparco.com might be your best bet.

Garagedelparco.com possesses huge experience of providing wonderful solutions to compro auto usate and vendita auto usate. The renowned used car selling agency is involved in this business since 1978. With its cutting-edge services, the company has been a vocal point of wide range of customers who look for used cars in the city of Milano.

Hard Money – A Boon in Disguise

2011-02-13T21:32:00.002-08:00

It is really hard to believe that you have not heard about hard money, especially when you are a real estate investor. Most probably, you have stepped into this business recently. In reality, it is a sort of loan provided by the private lenders and not by the traditional lending institutions. Hard money loan is easily available as it is granted on the basis of the collateral value contrary to the conventional criteria including impressive credit score, income statements, tax refunds and other necessary documents.

Though no hassle and lengthy processing are involved, still hard money loan is not a favorite with all and sundry in this arena. The reason is that this loan is attached with significantly higher volume of interest. This factor has imprinted almost an indelible and unfavorable impression on the investors that the hard money loan is hard to pay off. But the established business personnel know that such loan is really a boon in disguise. Why do they believe so?

First of all, it is hard to secure loan from the banking institutions within a very short time frame. Due to the official red tapes, it will take you several months to get the loan. On the other hand, hard money lenders will take a few days for appraisal and title work. Numerous documents are not required by the lenders, only an appraisal and proof of clear title are enough for them. Nowadays, some quasi hard money lenders check the credit status and income data of the borrowers.

This loan is granted against any type of collateral. Such a facility is absent in most of the cases. Versatility is a facet that has added to the popularity of this loan. Hard money loan is cheap. Having heard this, you may pucker your eyebrows, but it is true in spite of heavy volume of interest.

Equity Release for Sunny Days during Twilight Phase

2011-02-13T21:32:00.000-08:00

Property is a concrete source of a goodly sum. This fact can be better understood during the retirement phase. Being surrounded by financial problems, you wholeheartedly try to grasp a solution and then equity release comes just like a windfall. You purchase a policy, gain a favorable figure and easily raise the dipping living index. The most interesting point is that you do not have to sell your property and move out of it to buy an equity release scheme. Only the tied and tamed equities are released out of your property and then converted into an impressive figure. So simple to get the money and experience a relaxed retired life.

Equity release is quite similar to mortgage loan with a slight but significant difference. When you release equities, it is not mandatory for you to repay the loan within your lifetime. Though you are allowed to pay off the loaned amount along with the interest but can not be forced to clear the dues. After you expire, the lenders will squeeze the unpaid amount by foreclosing the property.

Equity release spurts out a heavy volume of income that can be accessed either as a lump sum amount or as a series of continuous cash flow till death. Now how much will I get by releasing the accumulated equities? This is the ultimate question thrown by the brigade of the retirees. In fact, an eye-popping figure triggers the interest of the senior citizens and acts as an inspiration for them to go for the equity release option.

To earn a huge sum, the owners must keep their properties in a good condition; otherwise a building in a ramshackle stage may not appeal to the lenders. The age of a person is in direct variation with the amount to be secured. The exact figure, however, can be easily estimated with help of an equity release calculator.

Factors You Must Know before Buying Commercial Truck Insurance

2011-02-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

If you have bought a truck for commercial use, you must purchase a commercial truck insurance policy. It is mandatory for any commercial truck owner to insure his asset against the unseen, unexpected and unfortunate scenarios. Commercial trucking insurance is a protective canopy to safeguard the owners as well as the drivers from different unpleasant happenings that may be summed up as but are not restricted to the follows:-

If the cargo transported by the trucks is lost, theft or damaged due to natural calamities.

If the truck is physically damaged.

In the event of injuries due to an accident.

Now buying a suitable commercial truck insurance policy is not an easy matter. The individuals have to do a lot of market research in order to find out which is the best for them. If you make haste in purchasing insurance, be prepared to rue in future. You may discover that your policy is not providing you with the necessary coverage you are in dire need of. How can you be sure of having the right commercial truck insurance policy? Well, it is easy to find out. Ask yourself the following questions and you will immediately get to know if the bought policy is the best pick for you.

Is your insurer a renowned one?

Is the company helpline open 24hours and 7days?

Are physical damage, truck liability and coverage insurance are provided in the same commercial truck insurance policy?

Does the company dilly-dally a lot in granting the insured money in the event of accident or loss of cargoes?

While shopping for commercial truck insurance, make sure that your insurer has a strong and consistent financial stability. The company must be experienced enough in handling such insurance policies and have reputation regarding urgent response to the plight of the owners in case of any accident.

Help with defaulted student loans – How to Have Shower of Relief

2011-02-13T21:30:00.002-08:00

Education is the building block of a successful career. Due to the rising cost of education, the students in increasing number are opting for student loans. The problem crops up when it is time to pay off the loaned amount. As the payment period starts within six months of graduation, therefore, the majority of the students find it hard to meet the periodic installment. The reason is simple to understand. These students have not got plum offers to pay off the monthly figure. As a result, they miss regular payment. But student loan evasion is hardly possible and so they crave for some help with defaulted student loans.

Relief comes in disguise of student loan consolidation and loan deferment. Both of them are very popular with the student community. When loan consolidation comes as a help with defaulted student loans, the defaulters are allowed to merge all the due payments into a single loan. The advantage is that the interest rate is revised and the repayment period is stretched longer. As a result, the volume of the monthly payment is cut down and it comes within an affordable range of the borrowers. With loan consolidation, the defaulters do not have to keep records of multiple payments. Such facility also provides them with some relief.

When help with defaulted student loans comes in the form of loan deferment, the defaulters experience a sigh of relief though for a specific period. With loan deferment, the borrowers are not exempted from clearing their dues, only the repayment period is reset. If the borrowers are granted loan deferment, the loan repayment kicks off from the differed date only.

Which of the above stated help with defaulted student loans is the best for the defaulters can only be determined after assessing the individual condition. It means the choice varies from person to person according to the individual financial strength. But whatever policy they choose, shower of respite is awaiting them.

Lifetime Annuity – A Sprawling Umbrella to Safeguard You

2011-02-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

Nobody wants to grow older yet it is inevitable for every human being. That is why it is very much important to think wisely about our retirement phase. Planning often centers around finance as income stagnancy often crops us as the main trouble in the post retirement phase. The problem takes a worse turn when the retirees run out of fund and have no additional source of income. Investing in a lifetime annuity in the service period may be of great help to them in a troubled condition during their twilight days.

The majority of the retirees depend on a frail figure of pension. If they have not managed to save a huge sum, then chance is great that the saving will be exhausted if they live longer. As the average life expectancy has increased all over the globe, so for a healthy living the senior citizens must have a concrete source of steady income. Lifetime annuity can effectively provide them with the support to lead a relaxed life till their last breathe.

When you buy a lifetime annuity, you invest either a huge sum at a time or make payments over a specified period. In exchange, you receive an incessant cash flow on monthly basis from your insurer for the rest of your life. This annuity product is thriving in popularity as it protects the investors against the risk of increasing life expectancy.

Lifetime annuity may be of several types such as fixed annuity, variable annuity, index annuity etc. Fixed annuity provides the investors with maximum security. The rate of interest remains fixed throughout the period of payment disbursement. In case of variable annuity, the payout is not fixed and depends on the performance of your investment in the sub-accounts. This type of lifetime annuity is risky for the investors but they also gain a lot in the event of good performance.

Stock Management – A Bird’s Eye View

2011-02-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

While running a business organization, a businessman has to pay attention to several factors. One of them is taking care of stock management. What does it mean? Well, it refers to a host of some important activities such as managing and controlling storage, quantity as well keeping an unblinking watch on the inventory stock movement.

Perfect handling of stock management is of utmost important to ensure smooth sailing of business. Management stock may be of a variety of types ranging from the simple stockiest-type of ambience to the complicated products and process of manufacturing. Even the intricately woven distribution network is a part and parcel of stock management. The stock managers have to be equally efficient in dealing with the products of varying volume, type and complexity. Such a need has given rise to a myriad of stock management systems of which push and pull methods are the most popular. Push system is applicable when there is a need to match the scheduled supply with the pre-estimated demand figure. The need for a pull system is triggered by the depleting stock.

Managing stock is not easy and to sort out the complications, the stock recording and movement have been much simplified in the recent past. The entire gamut of process has become much simpler with help of some advanced techniques like data entry automation, radio frequency identification and effective communication between two organizations via email. Nowadays, many companies offer the service of stock management. Taking help of a professional party has become inevitable in order to achieve precise professionalism. Internet is a great source for those who are interested to know about the stock comparisons of several companies. Such comparison is based on a wide range of factors like return on equity, asset and investment. Excellent handling of stock management gives one a fair idea about the progress and prosperity of the company.

Accent Property expands to provide best choice of property to let in Cambridge

2011-02-08T23:17:00.001-08:00

The newly expanded Accent Property team…

Accent Property - part of the Leaders Group - begins the New Year having recently acquired the lettings portfolio of Ambassador Property Management, making them one of the largest letting specialists in Cambridge with the widest choice of properties to let in the area.

Accent Property has long been the leading letting specialist in Cambridge, well known for its high calibre service and quality rental properties, specialising in city centre apartments and new builds. With the acquisition of the Ambassador portfolio, the firm is now able to offer the widest choice of rental properties in and around Cambridge, including family, starter and new homes in Cambridge’s outlying villages, such as Milton, Histon, Great Shelford, Whittlesford, Great & Little Abington, Cherry Hinton, Bottisham and Harston.

Says Accent Property’s manager, Sarah Cox: “We are delighted to be able to start 2011 on such a positive note, and extend a very warm welcome to our new colleagues from Ambassador who join us. They all bring with them a fantastic understanding of the lettings market in Cambridge and the surrounding villages which complements our own expertise. We also welcome our new landlords and tenants who can look forward to receiving an exceptional service from our combined team.

Looking forward to 2011, Sarah continues, “I believe we will see continued high demand for quality flats and houses to let in the coming year, and many opportunities for landlords and potential investors. The uncertainty in the sales market will contribute to this, as will the large number of businesses in the area and Cambridge’s perennial popularity as a place to live and work.

“I am delighted that we will now be able to offer anyone looking to rent in Cambridge a fantastic choice of property to suit all tastes, budgets and lifestyles – from modern city centre apartments and new builds to affordable starter homes and large family houses in lovely village locations.”

Accent Property is often first port of call for the many individuals and businesses looking for quality rental accommodation in Cambridge and enjoys excellent relationships with key local employers and relocation agents.

The firm’s professional approach and qualified, experienced staff give landlords and tenants total peace of mind. This is confirmed by their outstanding success two months ago at the high profile estate agency awards - the Negotiator Awards - where they won three awards, including ‘Independent Letting Agency of the Year’, a title they won for the second year running.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Cambridge please contact the award winning Accent Property team on 01223 500387 or email info@accentproperty.com.

For more information and latest news on Leaders as well as property rental and letting you may be interested in the following:

- Leaders Press Room - http://www.leaders.co.uk/Press Room

- Leaders Branches - http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

It pays to write to Santa!

2011-02-03T04:56:00.001-08:00

Five year old Rachel and nine year old Jordan got just what they wanted for Christmas when they wrote a letter to Santa as part of a competition run by Leaders estate agents Worthing.

Every year Leaders branches across the South compete with one another to create the best Christmas window display. This Christmas Leaders in Worthing went all out to create their own true-to-life Santa for their window and invited local children to write him a letter.

Says Leaders’ Worthing Lettings Manager, Toby Pratt: “Our Santa was very popular with the public, catching everyone’s eye as they walked past our window! Thank you to the children who sent him a letter; we chose our two favourites to win a prize. Jordan and Rachel had told Santa what they wanted for Christmas, so - after consulting with him - we chose a Star Wars Light Saber and red Darlek for Jordan and a Chuggington Train Set and Playmat for Rachel. They were both thrilled!”

With Christmas now over, Leaders are looking forward to a busy January, a month that is always very active for lettings. Leaders report exceptionally strong demand for rented property in Worthing and surrounding areas, with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. As well as Worthing itself, Leaders let property in Shoreham, Lancing, Rustington, Ferring, Goring, Angmering, East Preston, Yapton, Arundel, Ford, Clymping and Barnham.

For advice you can trust about letting or renting in your area, please contact your nearest Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Worthing: 01903 210000 and Rustington: 01903 786666

Leaders donate Christmas cards cash to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice

2011-01-12T05:26:00.001-08:00

“Leaders Sussex director - Jane Wilkinson, presents a cheque to Chestnut Tree House fundraiser - Sarah Arnold”.

For the last few years, Leaders letting agents have chosen not to send out Christmas cards to their clients and associates in an effort to reduce their impact on the environment. They have opted to send e-greetings instead and to donate the money saved on cards and postage to a number of charitable donations.

This year Leaders chose to divide the £2000 saved between four charities which operate in the key regions that Leaders’ 46 branches are located. The charities nominated by Leaders’ Regional Directors were close to their hearts - Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, Help For Heroes; Inspired Living and The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

Leaders’ regional director for Sussex, Jane Wilkinson, chose Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice for her region’s donation. Chestnut Tree House is the only children's hospice in Sussex and cares for children and young adults from 0-19 years of age with progressive life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses from all over the county.

Says Jane: “There are potentially 400 families with life-limited children in Sussex. Chestnut Tree House provides a 'home from home' environment for these families, providing support for the whole family including psychological support, care in bereavement therapy, end of life and respite care and sibling support.

“As a business that has been established in Sussex for more than 27 years, with hundreds of local staff and clients, we are always keen to give something back to our local community. Chestnut Tree House is close to the hearts of many of our employees and we are delighted to be able to make this donation to help them with their invaluable work.”

Commenting on the donation, Chestnut Tree House fundraiser, Sarah Arnold, said: “We are very grateful to Leaders for their support, and are delighted to have been chosen as recipients of their Christmas donation. We currently care for 210 children in Sussex, but are aware that for every child we are helping there is another child in Sussex in need of our care. As we receive very little government funding, we rely almost entirely on the generosity, help and support of the people of Sussex. Leaders’ donation will certainly be put to good use.”

For more information about Chestnut Tee House or to make a donation, please visit www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

Letting Agents: Latest acquisition strengthens Leaders’ position in Cambridge

2011-01-12T05:25:00.001-08:00

Leaders letting agents is delighted to announce the purchase of the residential lettings and property management portfolio of Ambassador Property Management in Cambridge.

Leaders are relatively new to Cambridge, where it has been trading as Accent Property Management since August this year. Accent Property Management is the brand leader in Cambridge, and won three awards at this year’s Negotiator Awards, including ‘Independent Letting Agency of the Year’, a title it retains from 2009.

Ambassador Property Management will now trade under the Accent Property Management brand, making the firm one of the largest letting agents in Cambridge.

The Ambassador portfolio and staff have joined the Accent Property Management team in their offices, and Leaders extend a warm welcome to them all: Gary Topham, Alex Bloxham, Sandra Riesebieter, Judy Churchward, Caroline George and Sylvie Deslandes.

The merged Accent and Ambassador teams will be moving to newly refurbished premises in Hills Road in the New Year, where they will continue to build on their combined success in the Cambridge market and grow the business in the coming months and years.

Leaders have followed a strategy of growth by acquisition for some time, which it has achieved at a rapid pace. Since 2005, the firm has bought and integrated between 30 and 40 businesses, branches or portfolios.

In recent years Leaders has extended its branch network from Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire into Dorset, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and most recently Cambridgeshire.

Leaders is well respected in the industry, not only for the quality of its letting and property management service, but for the way in which it carries out acquisitions, offering business owners a prompt and fair deal, a smooth transition for landlords and tenants, and excellent career prospects for employees transferring with the business.

Leaders currently have a number of other acquisitions in the pipeline. Over the next few years the firm plans to acquire further letting businesses across a wider geographical area than before to continue its successful expansion. Any good quality lettings businesses that fit in with and fulfil the company’s philosophy of providing a quality and trustworthy service will be considered.

Please visit www.leaders.co.uk for more information and services.

Leaders launch new informative e-magazine for landlord and tenants

2011-01-11T04:05:00.000-08:00

Letting specialist Leaders have launched a new e-magazine – ‘Your Home’ - to keep landlords, tenants and applicants up to date on all aspects of letting and renting.

The magazine will be published online on a monthly basis and will include an update on the lettings market and the ever-changing legislation affecting lettings, an overview of rental prices and a showcase of the properties available to rent. There are four versions for the four regions Leaders operates in, which can be viewed via the links below:

Hampshire: www.leaders-yourhome.co.uk/hampshire/

Sussex: www.leaders-yourhome.co.uk/sussex/

Surrey: www.leaders-yourhome.co.uk/surrey/

North Hampshire & Berkshire: www.leaders-yourhome.co.uk/4counties/

Says Leaders managing director, Paul Weller: “As one of the most established and knowledgeable lettings specialists in the UK, we have a responsibility to keep landlords and tenants up to date so that they can benefit as much as possible from the rental market.

“As part of this, we run free informative seminars across each of our regions every year, and now our new e-magazine gives us an opportunity each month to provide important, up-to-date information about the market as well as what is happening within Leaders and the wider industry.”

The first issue of ‘Your Home’ reports on how a dramatic slowdown in the sales market over the last few months has led to a buoyant lettings market. Many people are choosing to rent instead of buying and rental demand is spiralling. This has led to demand outstripping supply and rents increasing in many areas.

Says Weller: “With demand as strong as it is, we are seeing renewed interest from prospective landlords for investing in property, and from existing landlords looking to increase their portfolios. We are also seeing many would-be vendors who are unable to sell their properties opting to let them out instead, particularly now as the sales market has virtually ground to a halt in the run-up to Christmas.

“With January being one of the busiest times for letting, we strongly advise anyone thinking about letting their property to start the process now. They will need to ensure that their property is ready and available over the next few weeks in order to capitalise on the peak in demand that we always see in the New Year. Our friendly, professional staff will be happy to advise you on how to make the best of the current buoyant market.”

For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting in your area, please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Leaders donate Christmas cards cash to four worthy charities

2011-01-04T05:13:00.000-08:00

Leaders donate Christmas card cash to Hampshire-based cancer charity Inspired Living:

For the last few years, Leaders have chosen not to send out Christmas cards to their clients and associates in an effort to reduce their impact on the environment. They have opted to send e-greetings instead and to donate the money saved on cards and postage to a number of charitable donations.

This year Leaders chose to divide the £2000 saved between four charities which operate in the key regions that Leaders’ 46 branches are located. The charities nominated by Leaders’ Regional Directors were close to their hearts - Inspired Living; Chestnut Tree House Children’s’ Hospice; Help for Heroes and The Shooting Star Children’s’ Hospice.

Leaders’ regional director for Hampshire, Matt Derry, chose Inspired Living, a Hampshire-based cancer charity, for his region’s donation. Says Matt: “Inspired Living is an inspirational charity with three key aims: to inspire ordinary men and women to adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce their risk of contracting cancer; to produce medical research information which is of high value in the fight against cancer; and to raise £1 million for Cancer Research UK.

“As a business that has been established for more than 27 years, with hundreds of local staff and clients, we are always keen to give something back to our local community and we are delighted to be able to make this donation towards the Inspired Living cause.”

For more information about Inspired Living or to make a donation, please visit www.inspiredliving.org.uk

For Leaders news specific to letting, renting or estate agents in your area: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Leaders are proud winners of Sussex Company of the Year award

2011-01-04T05:12:00.000-08:00

Letting specialists Leaders are proud to have won the prestigious Sussex Company of the Year award at this year’s Sussex Business Awards, held at the Grand Hotel in Brighton on Thursday, 2nd December.

Despite the snow and ice covering Sussex that evening, over 350 businesses from across the county attended the awards ceremony, which celebrates business excellence across Sussex. A total of fourteen awards were presented; the Company of the Year award being the most prestigious and sought-after of them all.

Competition was fierce, and businesses faced a rigorous judging process to reach the Company of the Year short-list. The judges considered everything from business performance, profitability and strategy to business development, customer satisfaction and contribution to the community.

Commenting on the award, Leaders’ Sussex Regional Director, Jane Wilkinson, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It is a fantastic accolade and is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our employees, not just in Sussex but across the whole company.

“We have always strived to offer a first-class service and to set the benchmark for best practice in the lettings industry. This philosophy has seen us grow from a single letting branch in Brighton in 1983 to 46 branches across the South today. We are now the UK’s largest independent letting agency, but still have our roots firmly in Sussex, where we look after thousands of landlords and tenants and have our head office, 14 branches, and almost 200 employees.”

Said Sussex Business Awards judge, Neil Harris: “Leaders is an excellent business. Its strong strategy and excellent management have reaped benefits in a difficult economic climate."

Demand for rented property in Sussex let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in your area please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Promotion for Vicki at Leaders in Haywards Heath

2010-12-29T05:29:00.001-08:00

Leaders in Haywards Heath are delighted to announce the promotion of Vicki James to Senior Letting Consultant.

Congratulating Vicki on her promotion, Senior Branch Manager, Gail Scannell, said: “This is a very well-deserved promotion for Vicki, who started her career with us two and half years ago as a Lettings Consultant. In that time she has proven herself to be a valuable member of the team and has built up a fantastic knowledge and in-depth understanding of the lettings market in Mid-Sussex.

“Earlier this year Vicki passed the Leaders Intermediate Legal Test, which is designed to ensure that employees are fully competent in carrying out their roles and have a clear understanding and knowledge of all Landlord and Tenant law and rules and regulations governing residential lettings. Vicki passed the test with flying colours.”

Says Gail: “Our landlords and tenants really appreciate the excellent service they receive from Vicki and we are delighted that her hard work and commitment have been recognised with this promotion. We are confident she will continue her success in her new role.”

It has been a busy few months for Leaders in Mid-Sussex. Both the Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill branches report that the lettings market is extremely buoyant, with exceptionally strong demand from tenants for properties of all types.

Rents have been rising and more properties to rent are urgently needed in the area. If you have a property to let or are thinking of becoming a landlord please contact Leaders for honest, impartial, expert advice.

For letting or renting in your area, your may contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

All the experts under one roof

2010-12-28T04:33:00.001-08:00

Leaders' Hampshire Managers at the Landlord Seminar

Property Investment Seminar co-hosted by Leaders

Over 130 landlords and prospective investors gathered at the Holiday Inn in Fareham on 17th November to hear expert advice at a specialist seminar entitled ‘Make the Most of Your Property Investment’. The event was co-hosted by Leaders, Spofforths Accountants and Dutton Gregory Solicitors.

The seminar was exceptional in terms of the quality of information provided and the fact that there was no charge for attendance. Experts in lettings, tax, buy-to-let mortgages and legislation delivered in depth talks covering:

• An overview of the rental market
• Topical tax issues for landlords
• An overview of the buy-to-let mortgage market and future expectations
• Letting legislation and the effect of recent changes on landlords

Leaders Area Manager, Neal Ball spoke about the recent history of the Buy To Let market - the myths and the facts; the appeal of buy-to-let in terms of rental yields and capital growth; forecasts for the next 4 years; factors to consider when investing in property to let; the importance of seeking independent advice from a specialist letting agent to avoid potential pitfalls; the costs involved in buying to let; and the benefits of choosing an experienced and specialist letting agent such as Leaders.

As well as prospective investors, many of those who attended were seasoned landlords interested in expanding their portfolios at this time of high and increasing demand for rental accommodation.

Neal said: “Getting the most from investing in residential property is a complex business and there is a real need for trustworthy, professional advice. Our event brought all the experts under one roof and gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions relevant to their specific circumstances, something that is not usually available to the public free of charge. We were delighted to welcome so many people to our seminar and to hear their feedback on how useful they found the talks.”

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in your area please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Award winning letting service at Leaders Southampton

2010-12-06T01:50:00.000-08:00

Every year, letting specialists Leaders are pleased to award prizes to a number of their branches and staff for outstanding achievements in a variety of categories.

This year, two of the awards – Branch Administrator of the Year and Most Successful Branch of the Year – were won by Leaders Southampton, in London Road.

Karlie Portlock won the Branch Administrator of the Year award, having received consistently positive feedback from colleagues, landlords and tenants over the last 12 months.

Says Leaders Area Manager, Sue Rule: “Congratulations to Karlie on this thoroughly deserved accolade. Karlie has been with us for a year and in that time she has done a fantastic job looking after the administration of our incredibly busy London Road branch. Karlie assists our team of five Lettings Consultants and in the last year has dealt with more than 600 new tenancies! She processes the files, deals with the referencing and draws up the legal documentation with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. Karlie’s friendly, professional approach makes her a pleasure to deal with and many of our clients have praised her for this.”

Leaders Southampton also won the prestigious ‘Most Successful Branch of the Year’ award, beating strong competition from 45 other Leaders’ branches across the South. The branch, which has been established for more than 16 years, is the leading letting specialist in Southampton, looking after more than 1000 rented properties in the area.

Located at 13 London Road, the branch accommodates a team of 24 dedicated staff who have a reputation for delivering a high quality, personal letting and property management service. Everything is looked after in-house, from tenancy agreements, marketing and referencing, to property management, inventories and property inspections.

If your investment deserves an award-winning service, please call Leaders London Road for details on how they can help on 02380 632288 or email southampton@leaders.co.uk and please visit http://www.leaders.co.uk/Town/Southampton

Award winning property management at Leaders in Fareham

2010-12-06T01:42:00.000-08:00

Local letting specialists Leaders are proud to announce that their Property Manager, Kirsty Homer, has won the company’s prestigious Property Manager of the Year Award 2010, beating strong competition from more than 80 of her colleagues in other branches.

Every year, Leaders award prizes to a number of their branches and staff for outstanding achievements in a variety of categories. Kirsty won the Property Manager of the Year award in recognition of the exceptionally high standard of service she has delivered over the last 12 months.

Commenting on the award, Leaders’ Area Manager, Kathy Valverde said: “Congratulations to Kirsty on this thoroughly deserved accolade. Kirsty joined Leaders 7 years ago and it quickly became apparent that she would be a great asset to our company and our landlords. Kirsty thrives on working in our dedicated and very busy Property Management Department in our Fareham branch and has been instrumental in the success of the branch.

“Kirsty’s knowledge and experience in looking after rented property in Fareham is second to none. Over the years she has built up excellent relationships with local contractors and the many landlords she looks after, who appreciate and continually benefit from her wealth of experience. Always professional and courteous, our landlords are reassured by Kirsty’s confident, patient and hands-on approach. She always ensures any property maintenance issues are quickly resolved and cares passionately about the service she provides to our clients.”

Kirsty is based at Leaders’ Fareham at 7 Westquay House, 20 West Street, where she and the rest of the team are dedicated to providing all levels of support to Leaders’ many clients, including tenancy renewals, inventories, property maintenance and much more.

If your investment deserves an award-winning service, please call Leaders Fareham for details on how they can help on 01329 825282 or email fareham@leaders.co.uk and please visit http://www.leaders.co.uk/Branch/Fareham

Promotion to branch manager for Stephen at Leaders Guildford

2010-12-03T05:08:00.002-08:00

Guildford Branch Manager - Stephen Batterbury

Letting specialists Leaders are delighted to announce the promotion of Stephen Batterbury from lettings manager to branch manager of their busy Guildford office.

Stephen joined Leaders just over two years ago and has been instrumental in the success of the Guildford branch. Whilst his background before joining Leaders was largely in property sales, Stephen has an impressive knowledge and understanding of lettings. He worked hard to achieve his lettings qualifications, passing the National Federation of Property Professional’s (NFOPP’s) Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management with flying colours earlier this year.

Says Leaders’ regional director for Surrey, Allison Thompson: “This is a very well-deserved promotion for Stephen, who is committed to ensuring that his team delivers an exceptional service to both landlords and tenants.

“As a Leaders branch manager, Stephen has been given full control over his own branch budget, marketing, recruitment and relationships with local employers, relocation companies and contractors; this is key to enabling our branches to provide a truly personal and local service. We congratulate Stephen on his well-earned promotion and look forward to seeing him take Leaders from strength to strength in Guildford.”

Demand for rented property in Guildford let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Surrey please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Branch/Guildford

Catherine delivers award-winning service at Leaders Winchester

2010-12-03T05:08:00.001-08:00

Property Inspector Catherine Smith with her award and certificate

Every year, letting specialists Leaders are pleased to award prizes to a number of their branches and staff for outstanding achievements in a variety of categories.

This year, the award for Property Inspector of the Year was won by Catherine Smith of Leaders in Winchester.
Says Leaders Area Manager, Sue Rule: “Congratulations to Catherine on this thoroughly deserved award. The role of Property Inspector is key to assisting our property managers in looking after our landlords’ properties and ensuring everything runs smoothly from beginning to end. Catherine used to be a property manager and brings invaluable experience and insight into her role which benefits our landlords enormously.

“Catherine is responsible for preparing the all-important inventory and schedule of condition for every tenancy; inspecting and reporting on the condition of the property during the tenancy; and checking the tenants out at the end of their tenancy. This requires meticulousness, integrity, experience, professionalism, knowledge and a keen eye for detail – all of which Catherine possesses in abundance. On top of all this, she has a great sense of humour, is always smiling and is a fantastic team player. All her colleagues are delighted that her hard work and professionalism has been recognised with this award.”

Located at 27 Jewry Street, the team at Leaders in Winchester has built up a reputation for delivering a high quality, personal letting and property management service. Everything is looked after in-house, from tenancy agreements, marketing and referencing, to property management, inventories and property inspections.

If your investment deserves an award-winning service, please call Leaders Winchester for details on how they can help on 01962 867415 or email winchester@leaders.co.uk and please visit http://www.leaders.co.uk/Branch/Winchester

Award winning letting service at Leaders Sutton

2010-12-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

The team at Sutton - David Montero and Eve Somers centre front

Every year, letting specialists Leaders are pleased to award prizes to a number of their branches and staff for outstanding achievements in a variety of categories.

This year, two of the awards – Lettings Consultant of the Year and Home Guide of the Year – were won by Leaders in Sutton.

David Montero won the Lettings Consultant of the Year award and Eve Somers Home Guide of the Year, having both received consistently positive feedback from colleagues, landlords and tenants over the last 12 months.
Says Leaders’ Regional Director for Surrey, Allison Thompson: “Congratulations to David and Eve on their thoroughly deserved awards.

“David is a unique and valuable contributor to the Sutton team. Not only is he a consistently high performer, his dedication and loyalty both to his team and his clients is exceptional. David genuinely cares about our landlords and tenants, and has developed strong relationships with them which affords him consistent repeat business year after year. David not only works hard to find quality tenants for the properties he is instructed to let, he ensures the whole lettings process and office runs efficiently, supporting his colleagues with the administration and property management aspects – he is a real all rounder, regularly going the extra mile to deliver results.

“Eve is more than the Home Guide title suggests. She too goes the extra mile to ensure the clients and tenants receive excellent customer service, regularly working additional hours to ensure that appointments for prospective tenants are made at their convenience. Eve is a very valued member of the team who has studied in her personal time to ensure she is up to date with latest legislation and developments in the lettings industry. I and all David and Eve’s colleagues are delighted that their hard work and professionalism has been recognised with this award.”

Located at 2-4 Mulgrave Road, Sutton, the branch accommodates a team of 15 dedicated staff who have a reputation for delivering a high quality, personal letting and property management service. Everything is looked after in-house, from tenancy agreements, marketing and referencing, to property management, inventories and property inspections.
If your investment deserves an award-winning service, please call Leaders Sutton for details on how they can help on 020 8642 7616 or email sutton@leaders.co.uk and please visit http://www.leaders.co.uk/Branch/Sutton

Jane & Peter Playgroup hope to repeat success of last year’s Christmas Fayre

2010-11-24T04:29:00.001-08:00

Local letting specialists, Leaders, are delighted to again be sponsoring the Christmas Fayre of Jane & Peter Community Playgroup, to be held on Saturday, 27th November. As with last year’s Fayre, which raised a fantastic £860 for the playgroup, the money will go towards creating a spectacular Santa’s Grotto for visitors to the Fayre to enjoy.

Jane & Peter Community Playgroup, for pre-school children and toddlers, are known as one of the best and most popular playgroups in Rustington. The playgroup celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year. It is run on a charitable basis and relies on support from the local community. The Christmas Fayre will raise much-needed funds for new play equipment and learning materials.

Says the playgroup’s Committee Chairman, Adrienne Clough: “We are once again very grateful to Leaders for their generous sponsorship of our Christmas Fayre. Their support will help us to make a truly unforgettable Santa’s Grotto for the children, and will also go towards some great prizes for our raffle.

“We hope lots of people from the local community will come along to our Christmas Fayre and join in some of the fun activities we have planned. We will have everything from craft tables and face painting to a naming the reindeer competition, refreshments, a cake stall, tombola, raffle, reindeer food and much more. We are also holding an auction for a fantastic race day at Goodwood!”

Says Leaders Rustington branch manager, Demetrius Stacey: “We are delighted to continue our support of Jane & Peter. As a long established Sussex company with our roots firmly in the community, we like to make a positive contribution when we can, whether by helping to raise funds for local charities or sponsoring individuals or community projects, such as this excellent playgroup. Please come along to the Christmas Fayre to have some fun and lend your support to this worthwhile cause.”

The Christmas Fayre will take place on Saturday 27th November, from 2-4pm at St Andrews Church, Holmes Lane, Rustington.

Leaders cover all the areas in and around Rustington and Worthing, including Ferring, Goring-by-Sea, Lancing, Shoreham, Angmering, East Preston, Yapton, Arundel, Ford, Clymping and Barnham. They report that demand for rented property in these areas is exceptionally high, with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. If you are considering letting a property, please contact Leaders for expert, impartial advice. Call Leaders Rustington: 01903 786666, Leaders Worthing: 01903 210000 and visit local branches: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Make the most of your property investments

2010-11-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

Leaders to co-host specialist seminar for landlords
Following months of exceptionally high demand from tenants for rental properties, Leaders – the UK’s largest independent letting agency – will be hosting a seminar to help landlords and anyone considering investing in a property to let to make the most of the buoyant lettings market.

The seminar, which will be free to attend, will be co-hosted by Leaders, Spofforths Accountants and Dutton Gregory Solicitors at the Holiday Inn, Fareham on Wednesday, 17th November, from 4.30pm.

Experts in lettings, tax, buy-to-let mortgages and legislation will give in depth talks covering:
• An overview of the rental market
• Topical tax issues for landlords
• An overview of the buy-to-let mortgage market and future expectations
• letting legislation and the effect of recent changes on landlords

The talks will be followed by drinks and a buffet reception where attendees will have the opportunity to network and talk to the experts face-to-face.

Leaders have organised a number of similar events in previous years, each one of which has seen overwhelming interest from landlords and would-be investors.

Says Leaders’ Area Manager, Neal Ball, who will be speaking at the event: “We expect a lot of interest in this event, which is unique in that it offers expert advice and information free of charge. It will be of interest not only to prospective investors, but to seasoned landlords interested in expanding their portfolios at this time of growing rental demand.”

Leaders report that demand for rented property is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants.

Spaces are limited and cannot be guaranteed, but to apply for a place please email bookings@leaders.co.uk. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in your area please contact your local Leaders branch http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

The right experience - Jackie celebrates 20 years with Leaders

2010-11-22T04:25:00.000-08:00

Letting specialist Leaders in Croydon were delighted to present their Branch Administrator, Jackie Wilkins, with a bouquet of flowers, champagne and a cheque for £750 to congratulate her on her 20 years’ service this month.

Jackie plays a key role in the smooth-running of Leaders’ Croydon branch, and is, according to Allison Thompson - Leaders’ Regional Director for Surrey, ‘the glue that keeps the team together’.

Says Allison: “Congratulations to Jackie on her very commendable 20 years service. The role of Branch Administrator is fundamental to the success of the team and the support Jackie gives to everyone, ensuring that the office runs smoothly, is truly invaluable. She has an outstanding knowledge of all our landlords, tenants, systems and lettings procedures and cares passionately about the service she delivers.”

Over the years Jackie has seen many changes within Leaders’ busy Croydon office, including relocation to a bigger new High Street premises and significant growth in the number of landlords and tenants that the team looks after. Says Allison: “Through all of this, Jackie has remained steadfast, professional and adaptable in her role, ensuring a consistently high quality service. We thank her for her many years of hard work and dedication.”

In today’s world, 20 years with one company is remarkable, but at Leaders big anniversaries are not uncommon. Jackie is one of 13 Leaders employees with 20 or more years’ service. Two of her colleagues in Croydon also recently celebrated big anniversaries: Property Manager, Sherrie Wilson, has notched up 15 years and Property Inspector, Trevor Golding, 10 years. Across the company there are 85 employees who have been with Leaders for 10 or more years and 161 with 5 or more years’ service.

Says Allison: “Experience and knowledge are vital for providing an exceptional letting service. Yet, regrettably, we see too many people operating in lettings – an industry that still remains unregulated for agents - with little or no experience, putting landlords and tenants at risk every day. With more than 27 years experience as a company - and so many experienced individual employees – we are proud to stand out from our competitors as by far the most experienced letting agent in the area.”

For advice and information you can trust about renting or letting agents Croydon please contact Leaders on 020 8686 7941 or email croydon@leaders.co.uk and visit local branches http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network

Landlords to benefit from stability of longer tenancies and tenants ‘trading up’ in within rental sector

2010-11-03T03:15:00.001-07:00

There is an abundance of opportunity for landlords looking to invest for the long-term across the South at the moment, according to the UK’s largest independent letting specialist, Leaders.

Leaders report that demand for properties to rent has been extremely strong over the last year, with more tenants choosing to rent for longer. This has led to a shortage of available properties to rent as fewer tenants are moving on at the end of their tenancies, choosing to renew instead.

Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller: “There is still a lot of uncertainty in the economy with talk of cuts. This means many tenants are opting to stay where they are for the foreseeable future while they take a ‘wait and see’ approach. This is great news for landlords because it means rents are rising and there is virtually no risk of a well-presented, well-situated property remaining empty for any significant time.”

“Leaders”, which has 46 branches across the South, reports that more tenants are now choosing to take a 12 month tenancy rather than just 6 months. Many are deciding to extend their tenancies, even at an increased rent, and average tenancies are currently around 14 months which means more security for landlords.

Says Weller: “There are huge opportunities right now for landlords looking to invest or increase their portfolios in all the areas we cover. With the sales market still very slow and buy-to-let lending improving significantly in recent months, now is an excellent time to enter the market for a long-term investment.

“We are finding that good quality properties with neutral décor and modern kitchens and bathrooms are being snapped up within days, and often within hours, of coming onto the market with us.”

Weller continues: “Whilst what is most in demand always varies from area to area, we are finding that good quality one bedroom flats are letting very quickly – often within hours – in many locations. Good priced one bedroom flats are giving gross yields of up to 7 per cent.

“Two and three bedroom houses are also very popular and let quickly as many tenants are not moving out of rented accommodation to the sales market but are trading up within the rental sector. This is definitely a trend we are seeing more than ever before. Two and three bedroom houses are frequently let within a few days of coming onto the market, with gross yields of around 6 per cent.

“Generally, we are seeing yields improving as sales prices come under pressure and rents continue to rise.”

Whilst buy-to-let looks a sound long-term investment, to minimise the risks and get the best results it is imperative to seek advice from an experienced and impartial, ARLA-registered letting specialist such as Leaders. They can tell you about where to invest, potential rental values and yields, how to prepare your property and your legal obligations as a landlord.

Leaders also offer a completely impartial buy-to-let mortgage service to help landlords take advantage of the improved lending currently available. This can be accessed via www.leadersmortgages.co.uk and please visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk

Allan & Bath sponsor Adam in Expedition to Everest

2010-11-03T03:14:00.002-07:00

Dorset’s longest-established letting specialists, Allan & Bath (part of Leaders) are delighted to lend their support to 18 year old Adam Smith of the Dorset Army Cadet Force, who is taking part in a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition to Nepal later this month.

Allan & Bath are sponsoring Adam to take part - along with nine other cadets - in a 20 day expedition to Everest Base camp in Nepal, at a height of 5,700 meters, to achieve their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. As part of the trek the cadets will be raising funds for two registered charities - The Army Benevolent Fund and Community Action Nepal.

Says Captain Wayne Elliott, who is organising the expedition: “We are very grateful to Allan & Bath for their support. The Army Cadet Force is one of the UK's oldest, largest and most successful youth organisations. Our mission is to help people between the ages of 12 and 18 develop both personally and physically by providing a large range of fun, exciting, challenging and adventurous opportunities. This expedition will be excellent experience for all the cadets taking part and will raise money for two very worthy causes.”

The Army Benevolent Fund is the British Army's national charity, providing lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families in times of need. Recently they have seen a 30% year on year rise in applications from soldiers who have taken part in previous and current conflicts, and currently need to raise £7 million a year to meet this need. It is anticipated that the requests for assistance will rise significantly in the coming years as a result of current operations.

Community Action Nepal is involved in providing various projects in Nepal to assist the poor communities there. Adam and his fellow cadets will be helping to raise funds for a shelter for porters in the Gokyo region of Nepal. Some of these porters are no older than 15 or 16 and have to sleep rough in freezing conditions on the mountain.

Says Tony Wilson, branch manager of Allan & Bath in Poole: “We are delighted to lend our support to Adam and wish him and the rest of the cadets a successful expedition. As a long-established company with a large number of employees, landlords and tenants in the area, we feel very involved with the local community and like to contribute whenever possible by supporting local projects, charities, sports teams, schools or individual initiatives.”

Demand for rented property in Bournemouth and Poole let and managed by Allan & Bath is currently exceptionally high, with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in the area please contact your local Allan & Bath office: Bournemouth: 01202 292000 Poole: 01202 687000 and visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk

Leaders celebrate 5 years in Rustington!

2010-11-03T03:14:00.001-07:00

Local letting specialists - Leaders are celebrating the 5th anniversary of their successful Rustington branch this month.

Leaders - who have been established for more than 27 years in Brighton and 20 years in Worthing – opened their Rustington branch in October 2005 due to strong demand in the area.
After 5 years, Leaders are proud to be the leading letting specialist in the Rustington area, covering not only Rustington itself, but also Ferring, Goring-by-Sea, Angmering, East Preston, Yapton, Arundel, Ford, Clymping and Barnham.

Says Rustington Branch Manager, Demetrius Stacey: “We are proud and delighted to be celebrating our 5th anniversary here and would like to thank our loyal landlords, tenants and employees for their part in our success.

“We have worked hard to build our reputation by delivering an exceptionally personal and friendly letting service which our landlords and tenants really value. With the lettings market buoyant and demand for rented property on the increase in Rustington, we’re looking forward to many more successful years here.”

To mark their anniversary, Leaders are supporting the Link Romania Family Shoebox Appeal which takes place in October. The appeal asks for the donation of shoeboxes filled with a variety of gifts to give to poor and vulnerable families in Eastern Europe.

Shoeboxes can be filled with items such as toiletries, small games, toys and teddies, hair accessories, stationery, sweets and chocolates. For full details of the appeal and how to prepare a Family Shoebox please visit www.linkromania.co.uk

Leaders will be promoting the appeal and helping out by collecting the shoeboxes from anyone wanting to donate to pass onto Link Romania. Please drop off any shoeboxes to Leaders at 25 Church Road, Rustington by 3rd November. For more information, please visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk

Landlords in Portsmouth & Southsea benefit from property shortage

2010-10-31T23:42:00.001-07:00

Specialist letting agency - Leaders report that demand for rental properties in Portsmouth and Southsea has never been better, with more tenants choosing to rent for longer. This has led to an acute shortage of available properties as fewer tenants are moving on at the end of their tenancies due to the uncertain economic situation, and are choosing to renew instead.

Says Leaders Portsmouth Branch Manager, Ian Cope: “There is still a lot of uncertainty in the economy with impending spending cuts, worries about job security and VAT due to rise in January. Because of this many tenants are opting to stay where they are for the foreseeable future while they take a “wait and see” approach.

“This, together with the lowest level of property stock I have known in 15 years, means that rents are starting to rise and void periods are falling which is great news for landlords. Properties in Stamshaw, North End, Fratton, Anchorage Park and Hilsea are in high demand and I would advise landlords with properties in those areas to contact us without delay so we can attend to carry out a free no obligation market appraisal.”

Also there are some great opportunities available for Buy To Let Landlords who can take advantage of the slowdown in the sales market. To assist landlords looking to enter the Buy To Let market or increase their portfolios, Leaders have recently launched a free Buy To Let Mortgage service and a quote can be obtained by visiting http://www.leaders.co.uk/mortgages/

Leaders Southsea Branch Manager, Vanessa Potter, agrees that there is still a very high demand for good quality accommodation with tenants willing to pay higher rents, due to the low property stock currently in the Southsea area.

“Uncertainty in the housing market is putting people off buying, particularly first time buyers. I would also urge vendors trying unsuccessfully to sell their properties to get in touch in order to take advantage of the current market conditions. Leaders Mortgages are able to arrange Let to Buy lending to enable vendors to let their current property and move into their next home. Properties in Old Portsmouth, Gunwharf and central Southsea are very sought after, and many properties are letting within days of coming on to the market. I would be delighted to carry out a free no obligation market appraisal.”

To arrange a free market rental appraisal or to discuss the market in general please call Ian at Leaders Portsmouth Office on 02392 666111 or Vanessa at Leaders Southsea Office on 02392 838344.

Leaders continues on expansion trail

2010-10-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

Leaders has announced its latest acquisition - the purchase of K R Letting Services Limited in Southampton.

The business - which was serviced from K R Letting Services’ offices, close to Leaders’ well-established Southampton branch - has been integrated into the Leaders’ branch, which is Southampton’s largest letting specialist, looking after more than 1000 properties. Two members of K R Lettings staff have joined Leaders, but the original shareholders have left the business to focus on other ventures.

Commenting on the acquisition by Leaders, K R Letting Services vendor Kellie Regan said: “I am confident that our landlords, tenants and staff joining Leaders will be well looked after. The management team at Leaders has impressed us with their professional and pragmatic approach and the speed with which they have completed their acquisition, creating minimal fuss and disruption to our landlords and tenants. They are clearly experts at making this process as painless as possible.”

Leaders has followed a strategy of growth by acquisition for some time, which it has achieved at a rapid pace. Since 2005, the firm has bought and integrated between 30 and 40 businesses, branches or portfolios.

In recent years Leaders has extended its branch network from Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire into Dorset, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and most recently Cambridgeshire, with the acquisition of Accent Property Management in Cambridge last month.

Leaders is well respected in the industry, not only for the quality of its letting and property management service, but for the way in which it carries out acquisitions, offering business owners a prompt and fair deal, a smooth transition for landlords and tenants, and excellent career prospects for employees transferring with the business.

Leaders currently has a number of other acquisitions in the pipeline. Over the next few years the firm plans to acquire further letting businesses across a wider geographical area than before to continue its successful expansion. Any good quality lettings businesses that fit in with and fulfill the company’s philosophy of providing a quality and trustworthy service will be considered. Please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php for more information and services.

Leaders proud to sponsor Holly for new season at Lewes FC Ladies

2010-10-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Letting agency Leaders are proud to sponsor their Client Accounts Assistant, Holly Hinshelwood, who plays at full back for Lewes FC Ladies.

Holly has worked at Leaders’ Head Office in Worthing for four years and is a valued member of their dedicated Client Accounts Team. She is also a passionate and talented footballer.

Says Leaders Finance Director, Matthew Light: “We are delighted to lend our support to Holly and Lewes FC Ladies. They have had a great start to the season and we wish them success over the rest of the year. We are confident they will do well with Holly among them – she is a fantastic player and comes from a family with plenty of footballing talent: her father Paul made over 300 appearances for Crystal Palace, her brothers are former Brighton players Adam and Paul Hinshelwood, and her uncle is Martin Hinshelwood, the current Director of Football at Brighton.”

The money sponsored by Leaders has gone towards new kit for the team. As a business that has been established in Sussex for more than 27 years, with many local staff and clients, Leaders are always keen to contribute to their local community and to support their employees.

Lewes FC Ladies have firmly established themselves in the South East Combination League following promotion in 2006/07, and have been up amongst the title challengers for the last couple of seasons. Their selection policy is fair and based on performance and attitude. For more information about the team please see http://www.lewesfc.com/teams/ladies

Please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Make the most of your property investment

2010-10-27T05:16:00.000-07:00

Leaders to co-host specialist seminar for landlords

Following months of exceptionally high demand from tenants for rental properties, Leaders – the UK’s largest independent letting agency – will be hosting a seminar to help landlords and anyone considering investing in a property to let to make the most of the buoyant lettings market.

The seminar, which will be free to attend, will be co-hosted by Leaders and Menzies Accountants at the Hilton in Cobham on Wednesday, 20th October, from 4.30pm.

Experts in lettings, tax, buy-to-let mortgages and legislation will give in depth talks covering:

• An overview of the rental market
• Topical tax issues for landlords
• An overview of the buy-to-let mortgage market and future expectations
• Letting legislation and the effect of recent changes on landlords

The talks will be followed by drinks and a buffet reception where attendees will have the opportunity to network and talk to the experts face-to-face.

Leaders have organised a number of similar events in previous years, each one of which has seen overwhelming interest from landlords and would-be investors.

Says Leaders’ Surrey Regional Director, Allison Thompson, who will be speaking at the event: “We expect a lot of interest in this event, which is unique in that it offers expert advice and information free of charge. It will be of interest not only to prospective investors, but to seasoned landlords interested in expanding their portfolios at this time of growing rental demand.”

Leaders report that demand for rented property in Surrey is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants.

Spaces are limited and cannot be guaranteed, but to apply for a place please email bookings@leaders.co.uk. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in your area please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Landlords in Cambridge to benefit from stability of longer tenancies

2010-10-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

There is an abundance of opportunity for landlords in Cambridge at the moment, according to independent letting specialists Accent Property, which is part of the Leaders Group.

Demand for rented accommodation has been extremely strong over the last year, with more tenants choosing to rent for longer. This has led to a shortage of available properties to rent as fewer tenants are moving on at the end of their tenancies, choosing to renew instead.

Says Accent Property branch manager, Sarah Cox: “There is still a lot of uncertainty in the economy with talk of cuts on their way. This means many tenants are opting to stay where they are for the foreseeable future while they take a wait and see approach.

“This is great news for landlords because it means rents are rising and there is virtually no risk of a well-presented, well situated property remaining empty for any significant time.”

Accent Property report that a higher percentage of people are now choosing to take a 12 month tenancy rather than just 6 months. Many are deciding to extend their tenancies, even at an increased rent. Average tenancies are around 14 months which means more security for landlords.

Says Sarah: “There are huge opportunities for landlords looking to invest or increase their portfolios in Cambridge right now. Although their have been signs of improvement in the sales market, it is still very slow. With buy-to-let lending improving significantly in recent months, now is an excellent time to enter the market.

“We would recommend buying within the city centre where transport links are good. Cambridge has a fantastic range of property to appeal to a wide range of people, from studio apartments and 3 bedroom penthouses to 2 and 3 bedroom terraced Victorian houses and 1950’s semi’s. All these are in demand by tenants with any coming onto the market with us being snapped up within days.”

To get the best from your investment it is imperative to seek advice from an impartial expert about where to invest, potential rental values and yields, how to prepare your property and your legal obligations as a landlord.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting in Cambridge – or a free rental valuation – please contact ARLA-registered Accent Property on 01223 500387; email info@accentproperty.com; or pop in to discuss your requirements with the friendly team at 2 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1JP. Please visit http://www.leaders.co.uk

Leaders launch specialist Buy-to-Let Mortgage service

2010-10-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

Letting specialists Leaders have launched a new mortgage service available through the main company website that enables landlords to search and get instant free quotes on all buy-to-let mortgages currently available on the market.

The service, launched this month, gives landlords access to hundreds of current mortgage rates and details the breakdown of deposit required, mortgage rates, monthly repayments and mortgage term.

As well as being able to compare the best financial options quickly and easily from the comfort of their home or office, landlords will also be able to get advice from a dedicated team, who are available via phone or email, to answer any questions they may have. Leaders Mortgages are not tied to any one lender's products and no broker fee is charged - the service completely free to use.

Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller: “We have launched our mortgage service as part of our on-going commitment to helping landlords get the best from the lettings market. We are conscious that buy-to-let finance has been difficult to come by for many landlords in recent months, which has had a stifling effect on the market. At the same time demand for rental property is extremely high and there is a great deal of opportunity for investors at the moment.

“We want to help landlords access the right mortgage products to enable them to invest for the long-term in what we know is a very buoyant market. Whether landlords are looking to purchase a new property or reportage on an existing investment, our service will allow them to access individual, bespoke information on the best finance options for them.”

Leaders have teamed up with award winning industry experts, Landlord Centre and The Business Mortgage Centre to provide this new service. Landlords can obtain either a basic or advanced quote, for either a general and instant overview of available mortgages or a more specific review which filters products according to individual preferences and requirements.

The website - www.leadersmortgages.co.uk - also has a section showing the most popular buy-to-let mortgages and a handy glossary, with simple explanations, of common letting and mortgage terms.

In addition to their new mortgage service, Leaders will be running a series of free ‘Make the most of your Property Investment’ seminars for landlords across Surrey and Hampshire as follows.

20th October 2010 at the Hilton, Cobham, Surrey

3rd November 2010 at the Holiday Inn, Farnborough, Hampshire

17th November 2010 at the Hilton, Fareham, Hampshire

The seminars will provide landlords and property investors with expert information about the current lettings market, the latest legal legislation, tax information and general advice on the present buy-to-let mortgage market, including how the BTL mortgage market has changed, why it has been so tough and what is anticipated for the near future.

The seminars are free to attend but spaces are limited so to guarantee a place please email bookings@leaders.co.uk with your name and preferred seminar date, visit http://www.leaders.co.uk

Leaders remain dedicated to local friendly letting service, despite growth

2010-10-13T04:29:00.001-07:00

Local letting agents Leaders are proud to be the largest independently owned letting chain in the UK, having recently added branch number 46 to their growing network. However, the company is keen to stress that they remain a family business, with a strong focus on delivering a very friendly, professional and local service to their clients.

The first Leaders branch was established in 1983 by the co-founder of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), Neville Lee. He was committed to providing a high quality service to landlords and tenants, and to improving standards in the lettings industry as a whole, both of which he achieved by ensuring that Leaders were always at the forefront of best practice in lettings.

Today the firm is run by his son-in-law, Paul Weller, who is determined to see this philosophy continue as a core part of Leaders’ business strategy, no matter how large the company becomes.

As Paul explains: “All our branches are run by experienced branch managers, each of whom knows their local lettings market inside-out. They are given the freedom to run the branch as if it were their own business, with control over their own budgets, marketing, recruitment and relationships with local employers, relocation companies and contractors. We believe this is the key to successful letting and to providing a truly personal and local service.”

Says Sue Tiller, branch manager at Leaders Fareham: “Leaders may have grown significantly in the 27 years we have been established, but our branches are still run as they always were, with the same focus on providing a personal service. As a Leaders branch manager, I am responsible for the day-to-day running and success of Leaders in Fareham. This means we will always be the local friendly agent on the high street, no matter how many branches we add to our network.

“Being part of a large company benefits our clients as we always have the widest choice of properties to rent. We are able to give our landlords much wider coverage through our marketing, greater efficiency through our cutting-edge IT, access to the best local contractors, and the peace of mind that comes with dealing with a solid, well-established company.”

The feedback Leaders receive from their clients each month, taken from their landlord and tenant survey forms, is testament to the firm’s customer-focused approach. They also regularly receive unsolicited letters and emails praising their service.

One Leaders landlord wrote recently: “We have found Leaders to be the most professional letting agent we have ever dealt with. Your branch manager is extremely courteous, efficient, helpful and friendly. Although our relationship with him is purely professional, we regard him as a friend as do many of his clients. In this day and age people of his calibre seem to be in very short supply but I for one fully appreciate the old fashioned courtesy and enthusiasm we are always treated to.”

Another said: “We find the attitude of you and your branch staff to be both so friendly and so professional at the same time, we thank you so much! The work done in painting, carpet cleaning and house cleaning was superb, thank you again. We have said before that having trust in our agent whilst living abroad is worth a great deal to us and trust we certainly have!"

Leaders’ tenants are equally happy: “The service provided to me was the highest standard service I have ever had, I would recommend Leaders to all my friends. We went into 27 letting agencies on one day and found Leaders to be the most helpful by far!”

Another commented: “Our lettings consultant was friendly and responded to telephone calls and emails promptly. He also went to the property we were moving into the night before to switch the fridge-freezer on for us which was very helpful and much appreciated.”

Demand for rented property in Fareham and the wider Portsmouth area let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in Portsmouth and surrounding areas please contact your local Leaders branch online at http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders footballs to be put to good use by NYCPE

2010-10-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

Local letting agents specialist Leaders were delighted to donate 5 leather Leaders footballs to the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) in Lingfield this summer.

NCYPE is a national charity providing specialist services and support for children and young people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions. These include Aspergers, autism and a wide range of learning difficulties from moderate to profound and multiple.

The NCYPE offers residential and day services at St Piers School for children aged between 5 and 19, and at the NCYPE Further Education College for students aged between 16 and 25 to continue their learning. Their residential houses offer 24 hour home-from-home residential care and they also run a SureStart Children's Centre for all local families.

Kelly O'Haire, Media and Communications Officer at NYCPE, said: “Thank you so much Leaders for the footballs, they will put to very good use in our Sports Hall. We’re always grateful when local companies like Leaders get involved with us here at the NCYPE. With 200 children and young adults with complex epilepsy and other neurological conditions based on our Lingfield campus, I can definitely confirm that the footballs will be put to very good use indeed!” Says Leaders East Grinstead lettings manager, Katherine Hornett: “As a business that has been established for more than 27 years, we have hundreds of local tenants, landlords and employees; we therefore feel very involved with our local communities and like to contribute to them by regularly supporting local projects, charities, sports teams, schools and individual initiatives. For more information about NYCPE please visit www.ncype.org.uk

Demand for rented property in East Grinstead let and managed by Leaders is exceptionally high with good quality flats and houses being quickly snapped up by waiting tenants. For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in East Grinstead please contact Leaders on 01342 410522 or email eastgrinstead@leaders.co.uk and please visit online to local Leaders branch http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

For more information and services on Estate Agents UK, please visit www.leaders.co.uk

Accent Property joins UK’s largest independent letting specialists

2010-10-11T05:17:00.000-07:00

Accent Property, Cambridge’s specialist letting agency, are pleased to announce that they are now part of Leaders – the UK’s largest independently owned letting chain – which has 46 branches across the South.

Accent Property was acquired by Leaders last month and will continue – as part of the Leaders Group - to provide their highly regarded letting service to Cambridge landlords and tenants.

Like Accent, Leaders specialise purely in lettings; are well respected for their expertise and professionalism; and are fully bonded members of ARLA. Leaders were first established in Brighton 27 years ago by the co-founder of ARLA, with a focus on providing a friendly, professional and personal letting agents service.

Over the years they have been at the forefront of best practice in lettings and have expanded their service to cover towns and cities in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and now Cambridgeshire.

Despite their growth, Leaders remain a family business with an ongoing commitment to providing a very personal, friendly and professional service to all their clients on a local level.

Says Leaders’ managing director Paul Weller: “We are delighted that Accent Property has joined our company and extend a very warm welcome to all our new landlords and tenants; and to the Accent lettings and property management team, managed by Sarah Cox. They have an unparalleled knowledge of the market in Cambridge and we look forward to working with them as they continue to provide the best possible letting service to our clients.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Sarah Cox said: “We have always strived to offer our landlords and tenants an unrivalled service; becoming part of Leaders will not change this in any way as we share the same philosophy.

“In fact, as part of Leaders, we will be able to improve our service even further by drawing on the expertise of Leaders colleagues who are specialists in client accounting, tax, compliance, training, marketing, IT, and recruitment. This will enable me and my team to focus on what is most important: providing a high quality, personal letting and property management service to our clients here in Cambridge.”

The lettings market in Cambridge is currently extremely buoyant with strong demand for rented property of all types. For more information or a free rental valuation of your property, please contact Accent Property on 01223 500387; email info@accentproperty.com; or pop in to discuss your requirements with the friendly team at 2 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1JP. Plese visit online to local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders launch letting service in Caterham

2010-08-19T02:24:00.000-07:00

Letting specialist Leaders are delighted to announce that they have now brought their highly regarded letting and property management service to Caterham, following their recent acquisition of the lettings and property management portfolio of Pinnacle Properties.

ARLA-registered Leaders are a family business with a focus on providing a high quality, personal service to landlords and tenants. They were first established in Brighton 27 years ago and over the years their success has seen them grow into the UK’s largest independently owned letting specialists with 45 branches across the South.

Says Leaders’ Regional Director for Surrey, Allison Thompson: “We are delighted to be in Caterham and extend a warm welcome all our new landlords and tenants. We look forward to being of service to them for many years to come as we grow and develop our business in Caterham.”

Initially Leaders will be operating from within Pinnacle’s offices at 12 Godstone Road, Caterham, with support from their well-established Redhill and Croydon branches.

The lettings market in Caterham is currently extremely buoyant with strong demand for rented property of all types. For impartial, expert advice or a free rental valuation, please contact Leaders, the leading letting agents Caterham on 01883 332980 or email caterham@leaders.co.uk. Visit online to local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders celebrate 20 successful years in Southsea

2010-08-19T02:22:00.002-07:00

This August local letting specialists Leaders will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their busy Southsea branch. To mark the occasion they will be offering landlords and tenants 20% off administration fees throughout the month of August.

They will also be hosting a celebratory open day on Tuesday 17th August, from 3-6pm. Landlords, tenants and members of the local business community are warmly invited to come along and join in the celebrations. Refreshments will be available and everyone who attends will be entered into a draw to win a bottle of bubbly and a box of chocolates.

Says Southsea Branch Manager, Vanessa Potter: “We are proud and delighted to be celebrating this special anniversary and would like to thank all our many loyal landlords, tenants and employees for their part in our success over the last 20 years. It was from this very office – at 45 Osborne Road – that Leaders first launched our highly regarded letting service in Hampshire, where we now have 10 branches and continue to grow.

“Over the years we have worked hard to build our reputation as the leading letting specialists in the area,” continues Vanessa. “Our knowledge, experience and coverage of the letting market here in Portsmouth - with our established branches in Portsmouth, Southsea, Gosport, Fareham and Waterlooville - are second to none. With the lettings market buoyant and demand for rented property on the increase, we’re looking forward to another 20 successful years here in the heart of Southsea!”

Join Leaders, the leading letting agency, in their 20th anniversary celebrations at 45 Osborne Road, Southsea, PO5 3LS or call on 02392 838344 for impartial, expert advice on all aspects of renting or letting in Southsea. Visit online to local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Crawley Landlord wins Leaders’ World Cup competition

2010-08-19T02:22:00.001-07:00

Crawley landlord, Ian Anguige, was delighted to win Leaders’ World Cup competition by correctly predicting Spain as the World Cup winning team.

As a result of his win, Mr Anguige - who instructed Leaders to let his property in May - has had his fees reduced to just £19.66 for the first 6 months of his tenancy and his administration fee also reduced to just £19.66, saving him hundreds of pounds.

Mr Anguige was delighted with his win. He commented: “I decided to go for one of the favourites, Spain or Brazil, rather than pick England as many people did for patriotic reasons. Definitely a good decision!”

Mr Anguige also decided to play it safe in his choice of letting agency, choosing the leading specialist in the area with more than 27 years experience. He has been pleased with his decision; Leaders found and fully referenced the tenants for his property quickly and efficiently, ensuring that all legislation and safety requirements are fully complied with.
For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting in your area, and for further details on the World Cup Hat Trick competition, please contact your local Leaders branch.

For advice you can trust our renting or letting agents Crawley please contact Leaders on 01293 553889 or email crawley@leaders.co.uk and visit online to local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders launch into Basingstoke!

2010-07-28T05:32:00.001-07:00

Leaders, the independent letting specialist which recently acquired LD Property Management at 1 Wote Street, have recently moved to larger, more prominent offices at the corner of Winchester Street and New Street where they plan to grow the business and firmly establish themselves as the leading letting specialists in Basingstoke.

Situated in the heart of Basingstoke, the spacious new office has undergone an extensive re-fit and been refurbished in line with the distinctive Leaders’ branding which has been so easily recognisable to thousands of landlords and tenants across the South East for more than 27 years.

Says Basingstoke branch manager Kim Smith: “Our new office looks fantastic and gives us much more space to welcome our clients and accommodate our growing business. We are very excited about becoming part of the UK’s largest independent letting chain and launching the Leaders brand here in Basingstoke.

“Having always strived to offer our landlords and tenants an unrivalled service, we are delighted that we are now able to improve our service offering even further by drawing on the knowledge, training and expertise of our Leaders colleagues who are specialists in complex issues such as client accounting, tax, compliance, training, marketing, IT, and recruitment.
“This invaluable support enables me and my team to focus on what is most important: providing a high quality, personal letting and property management service to our clients here in Basingstoke.”

To celebrate the new office, Leaders will be hosting an official grand opening on Thursday, 5th August, from 3:30-7 pm which members of the local community, businesses, landlords and tenants are warmly invited to attend.

Refreshments will be provided and the office will be officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony, to be carried out by local developer and landlord Martin Smith.

Leaders are very pleased to have opened in the area that was previously known as Giffords Corner, which at one time housed Giffords department store. Says Leaders’ area manager Neal Ball: “We are delighted with our stunning new office in Basingstoke and are looking forward to many successful years here. To celebrate our opening we will be offering all tenants who move into a new property with us during August a free Summer hamper. All new landlords who instruct us before 31st August to let their property as sole agent on a fully managed basis will receive a free inventory worth up to £300.”

Leaders, who were first established in Sussex 27 years ago, are known for their friendly, professional service. Over the years, the company has grown from a single office in Brighton to a 45 branch specialist lettings chain across Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. But they are still a family business with a commitment to providing a personal, high quality, local service.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting, please call Leaders letting agents Basingstoke on 01256 332971, email basingstoke@leaders.co.uk or pop in to see the new office and meet the friendly team at 26 Winchester Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7DZ. You may also contact online your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders East Grinstead team pass legal test with flying colours

2010-07-28T04:47:00.002-07:00

Local lettings specialists Leaders are delighted to congratulate three members of their team who recently achieved exceptional results in the Leaders Intermediate Legal Test.

The Leaders Intermediate Legal Test is designed to ensure that all letting and property management staff are fully competent in carrying out their roles and have a clear understanding and knowledge of all Landlord and Tenant law and rules and regulations governing residential lettings.

Lettings Manager, Katherine Hornett and Lettings Consultants Sheila Cash and Hazel Goodwin all achieved a Merit with their test results above 80%.

Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller: “We are delighted with the results of our recent Legal Test, and warmly congratulate the three members of our East Grinstead team members who did so well. They have worked very hard and these results prove their in-depth knowledge of letting and their commitment to providing the best possible service to our clients.

“There is more to lettings than meets the eye; many regulations must be adhered to for the safety of tenants and to protect the interests of landlords. Our stringent legal training has been designed to ensure that our staff are qualified to let and manage our clients’ properties lawfully, and that tenancies run smoothly for the benefit of both our landlords and tenants.”
The Leaders Intermediate Legal Test requires many hours of home study and a full day of intensive training, followed by a lengthy exam.

Subjects covered include:

• An introduction to the English legal system • Standard contract law and contract law relating to lettings • Property management • Complying with legislation to ensure the safety of tenants • Protecting the interests of landlords • Health and safety • Personal safety

Says Paul: “We recognise that in an industry such as ours, where exceptional service is the key to success, training and development are fundamental. The skill and knowledge of our people makes us stand out from our competitors and we pride ourselves on the high calibre of our staff.”

For advice you can trust on all aspects of letting or renting please call Leaders letting agents East Grinstead on 01342 410522 or email eastgrinstead@leaders.co.uk. You may also contact online your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders celebrate official opening of new-look office in Chichester

2010-07-28T04:47:00.001-07:00

Independent letting specialist Leaders were pleased to host the official opening of their newly refurbished and branded office at 3 Northgate earlier this month. The office had undergone a complete transformation from Henry Adams to Leaders, following Leaders’ acquisition of Henry Adams lettings business in Chichester and Bognor in November last year.

The opening celebration was very well-attended, with many local people, landlords, former colleagues from Henry Adams and Leaders’ staff, managers and directors coming along to wish the team well.

Branch Manager Michael Sturt said: “We are delighted with the quality of our office refurbishment. It looks fantastic and is befitting of our location, and our standing as the leading letting specialist in Chichester.

“Although we are now part of a much larger company, Leaders is still a family business with a focus on providing a friendly, personal service. With their support, we will continue our commitment to offering our clients a personal and professional service, and to building on the excellent reputation we have in Chichester. We are fortunate to have all the support we need with every aspect of our business – from marketing, client accounts and compliance to HR, IT and credit control – to enable us to deliver the best possible service to our clients, now and in the future.”

Refreshments at the opening were provided by Leaders’ very own lettings consultant and Master Chef Contestant Jonathan Wadsworth, who created a mouthwatering array of canapés. Jonathan is taking part in this year’s Master Chef Series and hoping to make it through to the televised stages later on.

Says Michael: “I would like to thank my whole team for their hard work and positive attitude over the last 7 months since we joined Leaders. Their support has been invaluable and I look forward to seeing them progress their careers throughout the Leaders network.”

Having been established more than 27 years ago in Brighton, Leaders now - with the recent opening of their Chichester and Bognor branches - have full coverage of the South Coast, from Eastbourne in Sussex to Poole in Dorset. They remain a family business with an ongoing commitment to providing a very personal, friendly and professional service to all their clients on a local level.

For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting please call Leaders letting agents Chichester on 01243 533533, email chichester@leaders.co.uk or pop in to see the new-look office and meet the friendly team at 3 Northgate, Chichester, PO19 1BA. You may also contact online your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

CGT rise will not dampen long-term appeal of buy-to-let

2010-07-28T04:46:00.000-07:00

Local letting specialists Leaders are confident that buy-to-let will remain a popular investment option despite the rise in the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to 28%for higher-rate tax payers.

The increase, which does not affect taxpayers paying lower rate tax (20% or less), was not as sharp as many had anticipated, and came into effect from midnight June 22 2010. The annual exempt amount for CGT remains at £10,100 and is index linked for future tax years.

Says Leaders’ managing director Paul Weller: “This increase to 28% still sees CGT rates remaining lower than three years ago, when they were up to 40%, before the 18% rate was introduced by Labour.

“We do not believe this increase will dampen the appeal of buy-to-let as an investment. Buy-to-let’s potential to provide an annual rental yield, as well as to provide capital gains in the long-term, has long appealed to a wide range of investors and will continue to appeal as an enduring asset class.”

Leaders point out that, with rents now rising as they are because of high demand, the income earned through property - rental yields of 6% are now achievable - is very appealing compared with the derisory interest rates currently available of around just 1%.
“Stocks and shares are no more enticing,” says Mr Weller. “You only have to look at what is happening to BP, a blue-chip British company whose share price has almost halved over the last 6 weeks, and who may consider suspending dividend payments. Property values tend to rise over the long-term making bricks and mortar a more solid investment.”

Leaders are reporting rising rental demand in the 45 towns and cities in which they operate across the South. Good quality rented accommodation is in short supply, and with more properties for sale following the abolition of HIPS, there is now plenty of choice for landlords to increase their portfolios and for new investors to come on board.

At the same time buy-to-let lenders are at last beginning to offer more and better buy-to-let mortgage deals, including the much welcomed introduction of some higher loan-to-value products.

Says Mr Weller: “The Private Rented Sector currently accommodates 13% of UK households and needs more investment if it is to continue to provide a good choice of homes to the millions of people who either choose to rent, or rent because they are unable to buy.
“Done with the right advice and guidance, buying to let is an excellent long-term investment. But it must be done with the help of a qualified and experienced specialist such as ourselves. Unfortunately, despite the raft of legislation governing residential lettings, letting agents themselves remain unregulated. This means anyone can set up a letting agent, with no knowledge or understanding of the market and legislation which applies to it. Landlords must take care when choosing a letting agent, and be aware of the importance of the role that the agent plays in the success, or otherwise, of their investment.”

Leaders have been established for more than 27 years and are the leading independent letting specialists in the UK. They are completely impartial and fully bonded members of ARLA, with qualified staff whose knowledge of the local lettings market is second to none. For advice you can trust for property to let or rent your area please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a condo

2010-07-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

While you may be able to find tons of information about what to do pertaining to condo buying, there seems to be a dearth of information on what not to do. However, there are a number of pitfalls you, the buyer, need to avoid. Before you invest in any of the Jersey City apartments , here is a checklist of mistakes you need to refrain from committing.

1. Being ill informed about the real estate market. Without adequate homework, you won’t be able to get a good bargain on a property.

2. Going by market predictions - It is wise to base your choice on your requirements, budget, and not on market trends and predictions.

3. Choosing an improper location - Is it too noisy? Or crowded? Or dirty? Even if you have found a great apartment, it wouldn’t be a good choice if the location’s disadvantageous.

4. Going by the exterior – Well, it may look good from the outside, but what about the interiors. After all, you would live inside and not on the manicured lawn.

5. Overlooking functionality – Is the apartment suitable for your family? A perfect bachelor pad won’t be fit for a family.

6. Getting impressed with amenities – It is a mistake to opt for apartments New Jersey that offer a swimming pool if you are never going to have a soak. The fees you are paying for its maintenance would then be a complete waste.

7. Being impatient – Take time to examine condos, meet owners/managers and neighbors, check out the amenities and so on to find a suitable one.

It’s always a good idea to opt for a professional inspection if you are buying an old one. But why invest in something old when Crystal Point Condos are offering spacious tastefully decorated residences complete with varied facilities and services for buyers.

Important Source:

Property Buyers can also follow available Condos Listings to get effective information on real estate company, apartments, luxury condo rentals and holiday apartments.

Buy-to-let will remain a strong investment, even if CGT rises

2010-07-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

Leaders – the UK’s largest independently owned letting specialists – are confident that buy-to-let will remain a popular investment option, even if the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rises. CGT is currently set at a flat rate of 18 per cent but there has been widespread speculation that this will be converged with Income Tax bands at 20, 40 or even 50 per cent under the new coalition government.
Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller: “The potential of buy to let to provide an annual rental yield, as well as to provide capital gains in the long-term, has long appealed to a wide range of investors and will continue to appeal as an enduring asset class.

“We do not believe landlords will act hastily in the face of a possible CGT rise. They know that buying to let is a long-term investment which brings with it a good chance of a capital gain - unlike many other assets classes - and after all, a taxed gain is better than no gain or a loss. Besides, assets other than property that achieve capital growth will also be subject to CGT.

“At the same time, with rents now rising as they are because of high demand, the income earned through property is likely to be much higher than derisory interest payments on any cash realised through selling an investment property, particularly as only the net proceeds after any CGT will be available to invest. Interest rates are currently around 1% whilst rental yields of 6% are now achievable.”

Mr Weller also points out that CGT only dropped to the current rate of 18 per cent in 2008; prior to that, when many landlords began investing, it was significantly higher.

For any landlords considering whether they should cash in on their investment ahead of a potential CGT rise, Leaders advise caution. “Firstly, says Mr Weller: “you need to consider where else you would put your money right now. As well as interest rates being so pitifully low, stocks and shares are no more enticing; you only have to look at what is happening to BP, a blue-chip British company whose share price has almost halved over the last 6 weeks, and who may consider suspending dividend payments. Property values tend to rise over the long-term making bricks and mortar a more solid investment.

“Secondly, your rental property may have increased in rental value over the last few years; we have seen rents gradually rising and if you have been renting your property for some time and not had it valued recently you may be pleasantly surprised by the rent it can command in the current market. At Leaders we will be happy to give free, impartial and expert advice on your property’s rental value and we are not conflicted by the possible sales fee an estate agent may be considering if your property is sold.

“Thirdly,” continues Mr Weller, “for anyone thinking about selling their property before any CGT rise and then re-investing in a new buy-to-let property, they need to bear in mind the dual transaction costs and stamp duty that may be payable on the new property. Any potential savings on CGT would need to outweigh these costs to make this course of action worth taking.”

Whilst Leaders does not believe that an increase in the CGT rate will cause sensible landlords to dismiss buy-to-let or cash in their chips, the firm is concerned about the disconcerting short-term effect the uncertainty of a possible rise is having on the market, which currently needs more investment. Says Mr Weller: “We have written to the Housing Minister ahead of the Emergency Budget on 22nd June urging the government to dispel the uncertainty over CGT and to give careful consideration to the UK’s private landlords.

“The Private Rented Sector (PRS) currently accommodates 13% of UK households and needs nurturing if it is to continue to provide a good choice of homes to the millions of people who either choose to rent, or rent because they are unable to buy. We are seriously concerned about the current shortage of good quality property available to rent and urge the government to do all it can to encourage new investment in this sector.”

Mr Weller points out that with demand outstripping supply, rents are rising and more tenants and would be tenants are finding rents increasingly unaffordable. This situation will worsen if investment in the sector is not encouraged.

Says Mr Weller: “If there is to be an increase in CGT we would urge the government to ensure that suitable concessions are introduced alongside. Many private landlords are not wealthy people, but ordinary individuals who have chosen to invest in property to provide for their retirement so that they will not be a burden on future taxpayers. It would be wrong for them to be penalised by the tax system for doing so. If CGT rates do rise then appropriate concessions, such as generous taper relief, that will support long-term investment are essential.”

For more information about letting agents in your area, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders’ expansion continues with 3 further acquisitions

2010-07-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

Leaders are pleased to announce three further acquisitions this month, one of which gives them a presence in Dorking, Surrey for the first time, with their 44th branch.

Leaders have acquired the lettings business and office of Bray Estates in Dorking, Surrey; the lettings business of Indigo House in Ocean Village, Southampton; and the lettings business of Chamberlain Limited in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The latter two portfolios have been absorbed into Leaders’ existing branches in those areas, consolidating them as the dominant letting agent in both Ocean Village and East Grinstead.

The office in Dorking fills the geographical gap between Leaders’ well-established Guildford, Horsham and Reigate branches, giving Leaders their 12th branch in Surrey. Bray Estates will continue to operate from their other premises in Dorking High Street as chartered surveyors and valuers but will no longer engage in residential letting.

The acquisitions follow Leaders’ recent MBO in which the company restructured with a £48 million management buy-out and expansion financing backed by Bowmark Capital. The restructure enables Leaders to continue with its ‘buy and build’ strategy which will be at the heart of its growth over the coming years.

Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller: “These latest acquisitions further increase our market dominance in Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. We warmly welcome all the staff who join us and look forward to working with them.”

Despite Leaders’ dramatic growth and recent restructure in anticipation of further growth, Paul – who is the son-in-law of Leaders’ (and ARLA’s) founder Neville Lee, OBE – is keen to stress that the company remains a family business committed to a friendly and personal business culture. This philosophy extends beyond staff and clients, to the way Leaders does business with owners considering a sale of their own lettings business. Consequently any business owners contemplating a disposal now or in the future are invited to phone Paul for a confidential chat on 01903 890000.

For more information about letting agents Surrey in your area, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Evelyn’s ideal home wins £250 for her school

2010-07-01T02:14:00.000-07:00

Local letting specialist Leaders have once again been inundated with hundreds of pictures for their annual drawing competition and are pleased to announce Eastbourne school girl, Evelyn Croswell, as one of their winners.

Children aged 4-11 years were invited to draw a picture of their ideal home for Leaders’ popular annual drawing competition. Top prize was £250 for their school and £50 gift vouchers to buy art equipment for themselves.

Evelyn, age 6, was the winner of the 4-7 years category with her striking entry. Her ideal home was an ice cream cone decorated in brightly coloured paints, sequins and glitter. It had a chocolate flake for a chimney, a wafer for a solar panel and a helter-skelter leading to a heart-shaped swimming pool.

Said Amanda Jones, Branch Manager of Leaders in Eastbourne: “Congratulations to Evelyn – her creative entry stood out from the hundreds we received and really made an impression on us. We were totally overwhelmed by the number and quality of the entries we received this year, so Evelyn did amazingly well to win first prize.”

This is the fourth year Leaders have run their popular drawing competition and they were delighted with the response they received.

Says Amanda: “We would like to thank all the children who entered for their wonderful pictures; we really appreciated the time, effort and imagination that went into them. Some of the homes had fantastic features, including a chocolate swimming pool; a tube from the living room ceiling that sucks you up to bed, a living room with a sofa that grows chocolate; a slide from the bedroom window to the garden; and a hot air balloon attached to the roof that transports the house to wherever you want to go!

“The most popular themes were eco-friendly homes, edible homes made of sweets and chocolate, and houses with ice-rinks, pools, football pitches and helipads!”

As a long established business with a large number of employees and clients across the South, Leaders are 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. Leaders see their drawing competition as a fun way to contribute to local schools and are pleased that so many children took part.

Evelyn and her Head Teacher (pictured right) were presented with the prizes by Leaders’ Eastbourne Branch Manager Amanda Jones.

For more information about letting agents Eastbourne in your area, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Confidence returns to buy-to-let market in Crawley but more properties needed

2010-07-01T02:12:00.000-07:00

Local letting specialists Leaders are reporting a rise in the number of landlords in Crawley wanting to increase their portfolios, and in new landlords wishing to enter the buy to let market.

Says Leaders’ Crawley lettings manager, Nikkie McNaughton: “Confidence in the buy to let market has definitely returned in Crawley; demand for rental accommodation is at an all time high here and rents are rising as a result. This is prompting investors to take a fresh look at the market. At the same time buy-to-let lenders are at last beginning to offer more and better buy-to-let mortgage deals, including the much welcomed introduction of some higher loan-to-value products.

“The only dampening factor is the shortage of suitable properties for sale at the moment,” Nikkie continues. “However, with HIPS being abolished, we are hopeful this may bring more properties onto the sales market in the coming months. Landlords are raring to go now and are feeling frustrated at the lack of properties available to buy at present.”

Leaders report that good quality properties to let are still in short supply in Crawley - particularly 2 bedroom houses. They have dozens of professional, fully-vetted tenants registered with them, waiting for suitable properties to become available.

Says Nikkie: “Done with the right advice and guidance, buying to let in Crawley is an excellent long-term investment. A specialist such as ourselves can help you make the best decision when choosing a property to let as we know the local market inside out. Our staffs are experienced and ARLA qualified, and we are more than happy to accompany you when viewing possible properties for purchase to give our opinion on their potential as a buy to let investment. We are totally independent so you can always trust that our advice is completely impartial.” For advice you can trust on renting or letting in Crawley, please contact Leaders on 01293 553889 or email crawley@leaders.co.uk

For more information about Letting Agents Crawley in your area, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Why is Renting Portland Oregon Apartments a Better Choice?

2010-06-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

If you are moving to Portland, Oregon, you may be wondering whether you should look for apartments for rent in Portland Oregon , or whether you should just go for buying your very own property. While you may think that buying your own property is a better idea when compared to renting one, there are a number of situations where renting can also be a better option for you. There are a number of factors that influence this decision.

Immediate Decision

If you are moving to Portland on a very short notice, then you are definitely better off looking for one of the Portland Oregon apartments for rent instead of a property for sale. Buying a property on short notice is never a good idea, as it involves a huge investment. Therefore it is always better to move into a rental apartment initially, get to know the area and the place, and then look for your options while you are in Portland.
Therefore look for an apartment for you will be living for a short period of time and while you are there, carry on with your research and get to know about the options that you have in hand. There is no need to rush, as you don’t want to invest your money in a rush, especially when property is concerned.

Available Funds

Another very good reason why you might want to settle on one of the Portland Oregon apartments for rent instead of getting your very own property is if you are not well disposed with finances at the moment. If you cannot sort out a budget that will get you an apartment that suits your taste, you may want to look for one of the apartments for rent in Portland Oregon. This is at least you can get hold of enough money for your own apartment.

Other Financial Conditions

If you already have a few loans to settle, and most of your monthly income goes out towards them leaving you a wee bit of saving on top of your expenses, it is better to plan on renting an apartment instead of going for another loan. Try to pay off your loan and don’t plan on going for another loan till you have paid off all your existing loans.

The Length of Your Stay

Another most obvious reason for renting an apartment would be when you are going to stay in Portland only for a short period of time. It may be for an official purpose or for a holiday that you are visiting Portland. Under such circumstances, it is always going to be preferable to go for a rental apartment instead of a property on sale.

Now there may be a host of other reasons that may prompt you to opt for rental apartments. If you have finally decided on finding out one of the good apartments for rent Portland, Oregon, you may consider dealing with a business that deals with rental properties in this region.

A good agency, like Stanley Culver Revocable Trust, will definitely be in a good position to offer you the option that will fit into your specific requirements and budget that you have on your mind for the Portland Oregon apartments for rent.

Leaders-sponsored Mark raises £6,200 running London Marathon

2010-06-04T03:08:00.000-07:00

Leaders congratulate local vet Mark Maltman on his achievement in completing the London Marathon on 25th April. Leaders, who sponsored Mark when he ran his first full marathon in 2008, were delighted to lend him their support once again. They were among many local businesses and individuals to sponsor Mark, enabling him to raise a whopping £6,200 for St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley.

For over 25 years St Catherine’s Hospice has been providing high quality hospice care, free of charge, to people living in Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Surrey. They are a charity dedicated to providing specialised end of life care and support to local people, their families, friends and carers.

Speaking about his motivation for taking part in this year’s marathon, Mark said, “I spent a short period of time with my father, Peter, at St Catherine’s before he died on 27th March 2008, 17 days before I ran my 2008 marathon for another charity. Whilst he was there, he told me that when he got back home he would start fundraising for them – I don’t know what he had planned! – but he never did return home and so I took the mantle as my own, knowing as I lined up for that marathon in 2008 that I would have to do another in aid of St Catherine’s in the future.

“Their care was truly fantastic and their skill allowed my father to pass away peacefully, comfortably and, most importantly, without fear – I was bowled over by the amazing staff and I am grateful to Leaders and everyone who has so generously supported me in giving something back to St Catherine’s and our local community.”

Says Leaders’ Senior Branch Manager, Kathy Taylor: “We were very touched by Mark’s reasons for wanting to support St Catherine’s and are delighted to have been able to contribute. Well done to him, he completed the marathon in 4 hours 39 minutes (beating the time he set when he ran the marathon on 2008) and has raised a fantastic sum of money for a very worthy cause.”

For more information about Leaders the Letting agents, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

It’s a win for James in Leaders’ ‘Guess the Goal’ competition!

2010-05-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Local letting specialists Leaders have started getting into the football spirit in the run up to the World Cup with a ‘guess the time of the first goal’ competition held last month.

Lucky Fareham tenant, James Fox, had his administration fee - more than £275 – returned to him by Leaders for correctly guessing that the first goal would be scored 23 minutes into the England V Egypt Match held at Wembley last month.

The competition was entered by more than 120 tenants in and around Portsmouth who reserved a Leaders property to rent in the weeks leading up to the match, which took place on 3rd March.

Leaders report that there has been extremely high demand for rented accommodation in the area in recent months. Says Sue: “We are receiving a lot of enquiries from tenants for all types of property to rent. Exact requirements vary from area to area, with 2 and 3 bedroom houses being most in demand within a 3 mile radius of Portsmouth and Fareham. In Gosport 1 and 2 bedroom properties are most sought after, and in Waterlooville many people are looking to rent 2 and 3 bedrooms houses. In Southsea we are experiencing very high demand for student accommodation.

“At the moment there is a real shortage of property available to rent because of high demand. We would urge anybody with a property to let, or anyone considering buying to let in the area, to get in touch with us to find out how they can make the best from the very buoyant lettings market here in Portsmouth.”

Leaders have more 27 years experience in lettings and are fully-bonded members of ARLA. For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting in the Portsmouth area please contact your local Leaders branch: Fareham: 01329 825282, Gosport: 02392 585577, Portsmouth: 02392 666111, Southsea: 02392 838344, Waterlooville: 02392 240809.

For more information about Flats to rent in portsmouth, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Talented local bands to perform on Leaders’ stage at Brighton Marathon

2010-05-14T07:07:00.001-07:00

Leaders - the City’s leading Letting agent, first established in Brighton 27 years ago - are delighted to be supporting the forthcoming Brighton Marathon with a number of exciting initiatives.

From now until the Marathon, and on the day itself, Leaders will be giving out flags to people who want to show their support to the runners. Each flag will have a unique number which will go into a prize draw to win various prizes. First prize will be £250 for the winner’s favourite charity, plus a luxury Marks & Spencer hamper to enjoy.

On Marathon day itself, Leaders will have a stage at the Old Steine – at the heart of Marathon route - where a number of talented local bands (which include members of Leaders’ own staff) will perform throughout the day. The crowds will be treated to fantastic live music from Your Army, No Sharp Objects and Monkey Sons, plus the winners – to be announced - of a talent competition which is currently being run by Leaders in conjunction with Brighton Institute of Modern Music (B.I.M.M)

Says Leaders’ director Jane Wilkinson: “We are very excited about being a part of Brighton’s first Marathon, and at the same time supporting local talent. As a long-established firm with hundreds of landlords, tenants and employees in Brighton & Hove, we are always keen to make a positive contribution to our local community. We would like to wish everyone taking part in the Marathon the best of luck and look forward to what promises to be a very memorable day.”

If you would like the chance to give £250 from Leaders to your favourite charity, don’t forget to pick up your flag from your local branch, or from the Leaders stage at the Old Steine on the 18th April from 9am.

Find Leaders branches at:
Leaders North Laine: 28 New Road, Brighton
Leaders Brighton Central: 119/120Western Rd, Brighton
Leaders Hove: 98 Church Road, Hove
Leaders Fiveways: 290 Ditchling Road, Brighton

For more information about Letting agents in your area, please visit local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Landlords could benefit from increased rental demand in Bournemouth and Poole

2010-05-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

Local letting specialists Allan & Bath - part of the Leaders Group -are reporting an increase in demand for rented property in Bournemouth, Poole, Ferndown, Wimborne, Corfe Mullen, Broadstone and Christchurch, with many prospective tenants waiting for homes to become available to rent. As a result, some landlords could be set to benefit from an increase in rents, depending on their property type and location.

Says Allan & Bath’s Poole branch manager, Tony Wilson: “The last few months have been exceptionally busy and we are finding that good quality properties are being snapped up by waiting tenants. If you’ve been letting your property for some time and its coming up for re-let, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that it may now command a higher rent in the current market.

“Using our in-depth knowledge of the market, ARLA training and extensive experience, we can advise landlords on exactly what rent they should be achieving, and let their properties very quickly to fully-vetted tenants at the prescribed rent.”

Allan & Bath have been letting residential property in Dorset for more than 100 years and their knowledge of the market is second to none. They are perfectly equipped to help landlords get the best from their investment, and offer a friendly, highly professional service to landlords and tenants alike.

Says Tony: “Whether you are new to letting or have been doing it for some time, we can advise you on all aspects of letting in Bournemouth and Poole. We can give objective advice on rental value and what work might need doing to a property to attract the best possible rent. And we are totally independent so you can always trust that our advice is completely impartial. It is important not to rely on buy to let advice from an agent who is also selling you the property.”

Allan & Bath is the leading letting specialist in Dorset and a fully bonded member of ARLA. For more information about letting or rental properties in your area, please contact your local Allan & Bath branch: Bournemouth: 01202 292000 Poole: 01202 687000 and visit Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Darwoods is the leading letting specialist in St Albans and a fully bonded member of ARLA. For more information about rental properties or rent in your area, please contact the friendly team on 01727 862999 or emaillettings@darwoods.com and local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Landlords, could you benefit from increased rental demand in St Albans?

2010-04-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Local letting specialists Darwoods, part of the Leaders Group, are reporting an increase in demand for rented property in St Albans with many prospective tenants waiting for homes to become available to rent. As a result, some landlords could be set to benefit from an increase in rents, depending on their property type and location.

Says Darwoods branch manager, Peter Moate: “The last few months have been exceptionally busy and we are finding that good quality properties are being snapped up by waiting tenants. If you’ve been letting your property for some time and its coming up for re-let, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that it may now command a higher rent in the current market.

“Using our in-depth knowledge of the market, ARLA training and extensive experience, we can advise landlords on exactly what rent they should be achieving, and let their properties very quickly to fully-vetted tenants at the prescribed rent.”

Darwoods have been letting residential property in St Albans for more than 30 years and their knowledge of the market is second to none. They are perfectly equipped to help landlords get the best from their investment, and offer a friendly, highly professional service to landlords and tenants alike.

Says Peter: “Whether you are new to letting or have been doing it for some time, we can advise you on all aspects of letting in St Albans. We can give objective advice on rental value and what work might need doing to a property to attract the best possible rent. And we are totally independent so you can always trust that our advice is completely impartial. It is important not to rely on buy to let advice from an agent who is also selling you the property.”

Darwoods is the leading letting specialist in St Albans and a fully bonded member of ARLA. For more information about property to let or rent in your area, please contact the friendly team on 01727 862999 or emaillettings@darwoods.com and local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Condominiums and its In and Outs

2010-04-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

The only place we believe and want to be the best is our residence. Expectations on amenities, neighborhood and pragmatic view of the scenery are such demand which can not be compromised. With every way of enchanting one’s living desires and feeling sophisticated, a Condominium in short Condos can offer the maximum mileage.

The basic of condos is a typical housing concept .The total real estate piece is being associated with individual ownership and controlled by association of owners collectively representing the apartment space. It can also be represented as an apartment that is owned by collective residents as opposed to tenants. Other wise by visiting the building from outside no one could differentiate between condos and an apartment. Condominiums can be of two types, residential and non residential like offices, hotel rooms, retail outlets, group housing facilities and storage house.

If you are planning to buy Atlanta Condos then basic knowledge and overview of condominiums would be favorable for you to take correct decision.

Know your boundaries:

Technically condos are collection of individual home units. You can have ownerships of only the air space with in a condominium confining the boundaries of the home. Declaration a legal document generally specifies the boundaries. This is filed under local governing authority. Specifically the boundaries will include drywall surrounding a room. Thus a home owner can do little interior modifications with out encroach in to the common area. Any construction or changes outside the boundary would be an unruly step against joint ownership interest. This is regulated by corporation built during condominium’s inaugural.

Facilities for you:

Since condos are multi-dwelling units therefore every person can use common areas like hallways, recreational facilities like gyms, clubs, swimming pool, parks, gardens, community hall, playgrounds etc. There are some more common conveniences like heating system, elevators and all exterior areas. One can find list of Atlanta Luxury homes for sale that is known to be one of the finest condos in GA.

Condominium Varieties:

Detached condominiums: single family dwellings where homeowners do not maintain the exteriors of the dwellings, yards, etc

Site condominiums: Here owner has better control and possible ownership as in a whole lot over the exterior areas. Planned neighborhoods and gated communities generally prefer such concepts.

Condos Authority:

Home Owners Associations (HOA) manages the condominiums through board of directors after elected by the members. Depending on the jurisdiction these are named in a different way like unit title, sectional title, common hold, owner’s corporation etc. Master Deed is a document that is entitled to record the description of condominium units, the common areas and restrictions on their use. This is also known as Condominium document. Board of Directors authorized by the declaration can manage the condominium affairs and control owners for sufficient maintenance.

PARAMOUNT is offering five star luxury High rise condominiums, the ultimate standard of living at Buckhead. If you are in quest of Condo for Sale in Atlanta , their residential condominium resources can be of real hunt worthy.

How to Find an Apartment in New York City

2010-04-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

If you are moving to New York City for the first time or shifting out of your old locality, then finding a New York Luxury Apartments can be a mind boggling task. You can be shattered with cheat architect designer, slumlords, filthy neighbor. Even Broker charges can destroy anyone’s spirit! One should be confident and fearless enough to tackle the hassles! The article below will provide tips on finding an apartment in New York City.

1. Step 1

Ask around your near ones.

Apartment searching is a critical moment for everyone, especially a New Yorker. Ask the people closest to you for their input. Find out the contact details of their head person or leasing management offices. You can directly ask them if they have information of any neighbor who may be moving out or getting driven out. This could be the easiest tricks to search an apartment that is in a well-mannered neighborhood.

2. Step 2

Get prepared for hidden or surprising sum.

There is no need to blindly move forward with out simple research for your apartment. Few compulsory charges you have to bear are broker fees, caution deposits, finder’s fees and a possible first and last month’s rent for repairing and maintenance.

3. Step 3

Exhaust your internet search.

There are several well-known websites that can help you find an apartment in your price range. Explore the opportunities. Generally Landlords and realtors post new rentals every so often throughout the day. Put your effort checking online during morning, midday and evening hours for the updates.

4. Step 4

Stop by the apartment buildings that fetch you

Knock the particular door of the super. In many cases building owners post sign of vacancies of their own. One may also get in contact with Management Company on that premises or down the street.

5. Step 5

Try the newspaper

Saturday and Sunday newspapers are a great resource for finding an apartment in New York City. Even finding a local newspaper, free classifieds can help you on your search to a great extent.

Few things to keep in mind:

• Always remember to set up a viewing of an apartment as soon as possible. Apartments go quick. Even in the slummiest neighborhoods!
• There is no harm in taking a friend with you to scout out a new place. It is actually a very safe way to find an apartment in New York City.
• It is not a good and secure idea to meet your possible landlord or super in the shade location. If they invite you in such unusual places avoidance is the best option. It can be a serious scam!
• Go with your gut feeling. It is better to preplan your expectation on the type of favorable neighborhood and landlord's attitude. Otherwise you would not be able to compromise in the long run.

STUYVESANT TOWN gives a glimpse of extreme residential comfort and has multiple spacious and contemporary apartments at the centre of Manhattan, New York. Tishmen Speyer, the executive team member, is among World leading owners, developers, operators and investment managers of first class real estates.

Buckhead…The Youth hub for Developers

2010-04-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

High rise, sky rocket buildings with modern and postmodern touches fill out the glamorous Atlanta. Architectural frame work, prominent structures and fantastic aero view of Atlanta city is always a special treat for the foreigners and city lovers. Mid rise buildings have become destined area for many new comers into the city. This city has a reputation of being called as city of trees or city in a forest. Buckhead, the city’s northern districts is featured with wealthy neighborhoods. In fact the city is much appealing to young generation for its proximity to shopping, transportation and cultural living space like Buckhead club . The developers are also creating elite living space in Buckhead, the affluent neighborhoods in America.

Condominiums: a guide to the popular housing concept

2010-04-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

Home is the place where you truly belong. In today’s world fraught with tensions and stress, fatigue and anxiety, it is your home that offers you a safe haven. This is why possessing a home of one’s own is a dream that many cherish. If you want to realize this dream it is necessary to know a few basics.

Condominiums or condos in short, are the popular options when it comes to buying a home at a reasonable price. The concept of the condos has achieved great popularity in the latter part of the 19th century.

San Francisco Real Estate offers two major types of condos. This division is made on the basis of the purpose it serves. The residential condos are housing units while the non-residential condos are used for offices, shops, and such other purposes.

The legalities associated with owning a condo

Condos are multiunit facilities where you have full ownership of the apartment and shared ownership of the common areas. This implies that the owner has the title deed to a particular unit in which he resides.

The owner has the right to the dwelling unit. He can sell a SF New Condo or rent it out at his will. The residents of a condo have full ownership of the property, as opposed to tenants who do not have any right to the property they reside in.

The common areas like the elevators, lounges, gymnasiums, parking space, and such others are owned by all the residents of the property. You need to pay a certain fee to the management fund that supervises the maintenance of the common areas.

The specific unit and the internal objects are private possessions and you can remodel these according to your wishes. However you are not permitted to do any changes to the common sections.

Supervision of the condos

The Home Owners Association supervises the condo management. The Condominium Document, commonly known as the Master Deed, outlines the residency unit boundaries and the common property and also mentions any restrictions on the use of these areas.

The residents elect a number of members to form a management group for these dwellings. The chief task of this group is to collect the maintenance fees from the residents and put this money to proper use. This includes jobs like snow removal, maintenance of walls and yards, and such others.

Advantages of choosing a condo

Choosing a condo over an apartment is more often done to acquire a nice property at a reasonable price. You can avail a condo at a posh residential area for a comparatively lesser price than that of an apartment. Imagine owning a residential unit in a wonderful neighborhood, and that too at an affordable price. Sure sounds enticing!

Apart from this you can utilize a number of facilities. This includes the use of the common areas as well as the amenities like heating system, concierge service, and so on for your comfort.

Interested in these properties? Have a look at the residential units on offer from The Infinity San Francisco. The perfect blend of comfort and utility, this Condos for Sale San Francisco offer a number of facilities. An easily accessible location, the availability of numerous amenities and amazing views of the landscape are some of the advantages you get when you choose one of these units.

Draw your ideal home to win £250 for your school!

2010-04-13T06:27:00.001-07:00

Following the popularity of their drawing competition in recent years, local letting specialists Leaders are once again giving local children the chance to win £250 for their school plus £50 worth of art equipment for themselves.

This year the theme is ‘Draw your Ideal Home. This can be anything from a realistic house, flat or castle to the more fantastical: a teapot, sweet factory or spaceship! The entries can be in any medium – paint, pencil, collage, crayon, etc – and need to be no bigger than A4 in size.

Says Leaders’ Managing Director, Paul Weller: “In the last three years we have been inundated by entries to our drawing competition from children across the areas we cover, and have been delighted to award hundreds of pounds to local schools. We have been very impressed by the time and effort the children have taken over their entries and have had some very worthy winners.

“As a long established business with a large number of employees and clients across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, we like to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate, whether by helping to raise funds for local charities or sponsoring individuals or community projects. Our drawing competition has become a fun way for us to contribute to local schools and we hope to see lots of children taking part again this year.”

Children aged between 4 and 11 years old are invited to enter the competition. There will be two categories: ages 4-7 years and 8-11 years.

The deadline for entry is Thursday, 1st April 2010 and the winners will be notified and announced by the end of April. The winners in each category will be awarded £250 for their school, plus a £50 gift voucher for themselves to spend on art equipment.

To take part in the competition, please send your artwork (no bigger than A4 size) to Lisa Martin, PR Manager, Leaders Ltd, Columbia House, Columbia Drive, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3HD.
Don’t forget to write your name, age, contact telephone number and which school you attend clearly on the back.

A selection of the artwork will be published on Leaders’ website and the winning entries will be displayed in the winners’ local branch. The winning illustrations may also be considered for use in future leaflets, posters and other promotional material produced by Leaders. Unfortunately it will not be possible to return artwork.

For more information or for professional, friendly advice about all aspects of renting or property lettings in your area please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/Network.php

Leaders restructure to enable greater growth by acquisition

2010-04-13T06:26:00.001-07:00

Leaders - the UK’s largest independent specialist residential lettings and property management specialists - has restructured, with a £48 million management buy-out and expansion financing backed by Bowmark Capital, ending its 5 year association with its former investor RO Group.

Through a combination of strong acquisitive and organic growth, Leaders has grown every year since it was established in 1983 and now has 42 branches across the South, managing more than 15,000 properties for around 13,000 landlords. It has the largest active tenancy base in most of the regions it serves, and the brand has become synonymous with the highest standards in residential property lettings and management.

Says Leaders’ managing director, Paul Weller, who remains a significant shareholder in the business: “We are delighted with this important restructure, which provides us with a substantial acquisition finance credit line. This will enable us to continue the rate of acquisition we have achieved over the last five years well into the future without the need to agree new facilities each year.

“In today’s uncertain banking world, it is a significant achievement to have secured these long term acquisition facilities which will ensure our future growth, and this is testament to the banks’ confidence in our business, our management team and our employees.”

Bowmark is investing £21.2 million of equity for a significant majority interest in the company. Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets acquisition finance and RBS Financial Sponsors are co-leading a £14 million senior debt facility. An additional £12 million of further equity and debt funding is being made available for future acquisitions. Bowmark’s knowledge of the sector and its experience of buy-and-build investments were key to the success of the transaction.

Bowmark partner, Mark Salter said: “Leaders is a market-leading business with a strong competitive advantage. The opportunity to continue the company’s buy-and-build strategy and drive further value creation is compelling, given the fragmented nature of the lettings market. There are an estimated 8,500 lettings branches across the UK, the majority of which are small, independent agencies, and the Leaders management team has a strong track record of transacting and assimilating acquisitions.”

Since 2005, Leaders has bought and integrated 31 businesses, branches or portfolios, and has developed a leading edge IT and operational infrastructure to enable it to assimilate and capitalise on acquisition opportunities. The company is well-respected for the way in which it carries out acquisitions, offering business owners a fair deal and a smooth transition for landlords, tenants and any employees transferring with the business.

Says Paul: “For those lettings business owners considering a disposal, Leaders not only gives vendors the assurance of a smooth and professional transaction, but for those wishing to remain in the business, it brings the opportunity to develop a challenging career with a successful and ethical company that is really going places, but retains a strong family business ethos, and a dedication to providing its clients with an expert, but local and personal service.”

Following the restructure, Leaders now plans to acquire further letting businesses across a wider geographical area than before to continue its successful expansion. They will consider any good quality lettings business that fit in with and fulfill the company’s philosophy of providing a quality, trustworthy service. Please visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk/ for more information.

Furnished properties in Crawley being snapped up by tenants

2010-03-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

Whilst all types of rental accommodation are in demand in Crawley, demand is particularly strong for furnished properties, according to local letting specialist Leaders.

Says Leaders’ Crawley lettings manager, Nikkie McNaughton: “Crawley has always had a steady demand for furnished properties from cabin crew, friends who are flat or house sharing, and workers coming to stay here from the EU. However, with the increase in people wanting to rent in recent years, demand for furnished accommodation is now stronger than ever. We are finding that properties that are well furnished and presented are being snapped up as soon as they come onto the market.

“For example, we recently had a well furnished one bedroom house near Three Bridges station available to let. Within an hour of it becoming available, we had made six appointments for viewings and three of the six people who looked at it wanted to take it!”

Leaders are advising landlords that whilst there is very little, if any, difference in how much rent you can charge for a furnished property compared with an unfurnished one, it is nevertheless an option worth considering in order to gain the competitive advantage when it comes to finding tenants and ensuring no void periods between tenancies.

This applies particularly to one and two bedroom properties where there are a fair amount of unfurnished properties to choose from in Crawley, but very few good quality furnished properties available.

Says Nikkie: “If you are considering letting your property furnished, be assured that it does not need to be furnished to ‘executive levels’. If you aim for an attractive co-ordinating, modern look, it will appeal to most tenants. We are happy to advise the best way to furnish a property – and exactly what should be provided, from crockery and cookwear to bedding and bathroom accessories. We are confident your property will let very quickly if you follow our guidelines.”

Leaders have been specialising in residential lettings for more than 26 years and are well-known for their friendly, high quality service. For information you can trust on all aspects of letting and renting in Crawley please contact the team at Leaders on 01293 553889, 01293 553889 or email crawley@leaders.co.uk and visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk/

Demand for student accommodation ‘through the roof’ in Southsea

2010-03-30T06:30:00.001-07:00

There has never been a better time for letting to students, according to local letting specialist Leaders. Demand from students for quality properties in Southsea has gone through the roof, with letting agents being inundated with enquiries from students keen to secure their accommodation for the coming academic year.

Says Leaders’ lettings manager, Andrew Banner: “Last summer saw Portsmouth University oversubscribed for places and a shortage of university accommodation meant students had to turn to the private rented sector more than ever before. This year appears to be the same, and at present there is a shortage of properties to meet this demand.

“If you have a three, four or five bedroom house you can earn significantly more in rent by letting to individual students than by letting to a family. Sometimes landlords prefer to steer clear of letting to students because they are worried about their reliability, or that their property will not be looked after. However, when letting with Leaders, all the usual concerns associated with student lets are reduced. We are highly experienced in this market; we thoroughly vet all applicants and their guarantors, and will only accept students who have a creditworthy guarantor willing to pay the rent should the student fail to do so.”

Leaders have been letting in Southsea for 20 years and, as experienced letting specialists, they are experts in providing a first class letting service, including:

* Accompanied viewings
* Comprehensive reference checks and guarantor checks
* Joint and several liability for ALL tenants to protect the landlord’s interests
* Local ‘in-house’ property management
* Detailed inventories
* Regular property inspections

Whilst letting to students can be beneficial to landlords, it needs to be done in the right way, and Leaders urge anyone considering this option to choose their letting agent with care to ensure a successful tenancy.
Says Andrew: “There is more to letting and managing a property than meets the eye. Knowledgeable, well trained staffs are needed; prospective tenants should be vetted carefully; complex legislation must be complied with; tenants' safety and landlords' interests must be protected at all times; and maintenance issues addressed promptly.

"When choosing a letting agent, landlords should never base their decision on price alone, but always consider experience, reputation, professionalism and overall quality of service. Of course landlords will naturally want to keep their costs down and will be looking for a competitive rate. However, our advice is to be cautious and don’t be afraid to ask for previous or current client recommendations. Check how long the firm has been in business and look closely at their literature and website.”

The qualified, friendly team at Leaders in Southsea have a total of 45 years combined letting experience. They will be happy to discuss all aspects of letting to students in and advise on all the relevant legislation, such as Tenancy Deposit Protection, Energy Performance Certificates, Gas Safety Certificates and Houses in Multiple Occupation.

If you have a property suitable for letting to students, Leaders are confident they can let it for you very quickly and offer competitive fees. They would particularly like to hear from landlords with 3, 4 or 5 bedroom properties close to the University around Winston Churchill Avenue, Elm Grove and Fawcett Road areas and will be pleased to carry out a free rental valuation.

For extra peace of mind, Leaders’ Premier Service and Guarantee is available exclusively to Leaders’ landlords for less than the cost of 2 hours with a solicitor, providing comprehensive protection for landlords against loss of rental income and legal expenses.

For more information please contact Leaders on 02392 838344, 02392 838344 or email southsea@leaders.co.uk and visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk

Rising rental demand in Fleet means more opportunities for buy to let investors

2010-03-23T06:01:00.001-07:00

Local letting specialists Leaders, formerly Mackenzie Smith Lettings, is reporting an increase in demand for rental accommodation at the start of 2010, with demand outstripping supply in Fleet and surrounding areas.

Although the UK is officially coming out of recession, many people are still either unwilling or unable to take on a mortgage and are choosing to rent rather than buy. The availability of finance for first-time buyers has not improved significantly since last year and is still stifling the sales market, leading to increased demand in the rental sector.

Says Leaders lettings manager, Jacqui Budd: “We have had an incredibly busy start to the year, with particularly high demand for all types of properties in Fleet – from small flats to large houses and everything in between! We are finding that good quality properties are being snapped up quickly, with many people looking to rent for longer than ever before. This is an excellent time for anyone considering buying a property to let, or renting out their home, to enter the lettings market.”

Since Mackenzie Smith Lettings became Leaders in June 2008, their reputation for providing a trustworthy, professional and friendly letting service has been growing in Fleet. Leaders have more than 26 years experience in lettings and the Fleet team have more than 71 years of experience between them. Their knowledge and understanding of the lettings market in Fleet is second to none.

Says Jacqui: “We want landlords and tenants to know that we are still the same friendly, knowledgeable team with the same commitment to providing a first class service. The only thing that has changed is that we are now part of the UK’s largest independent letting specialists and as such, we have been able to improve our service by drawing on the knowledge, training and expertise of colleagues who are specialists in complex issues such as client accounting, tax, compliance, training, marketing, IT, and recruitment.

“This enables me and my team in Fleet to focus on what is most important: providing a high quality, personal letting and property management service to our clients.”

Local landlords, Mark and Eva Hale, have been using the services of the team for more than 10 years in the letting and management of their properties and are happy to sing their praises. Says Mark: “During the last ten years we have not had any vacant properties other than a few days in between tenants and new tenants have been quickly secured within a few pounds of the asking rent. The whole process runs very smoothly with just the occasional phone call to keep us informed of tenants leaving, viewing or arriving.

“Once the tenancy commences the property is handed over to the Property Management department where again everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Emergencies are dealt with – without our involvement - and we are always informed of any necessary expenditure where Leaders sub-contract the work to good quality reasonably priced trades people. Regular visits to the properties ensure that the tenants maintain them in the condition in which they were let. If we have any queries we know that there is always a friendly voice just a phone call or email away.”

As well as building their reputation as the leading letting specialist in Fleet, Leaders have also been making their mark in the community by taking part in local events and helping to raise money for worthy causes.

In November they took part in the Fleet Festivities and, with the help of some mince pies, homemade mulled wine and many generous donations, managed to raise £140 for STEPS – a small national charity that supports children and adults affected by clubfoot, hip dysplasia and other lower limb deficiencies. At the end of this month the team are planning to undertake a charity walk in Fleet, also in aid of STEPS.

Says Jacqui: “It is important to us to be active in the local community and to continue to build our reputation as the best letting specialist in Fleet. Overall, we are very positive about 2010 as we expect the high demand for rented accommodation to continue in the face of both the slow sales market and the wider economic uncertainty. We are very keen to hear from anyone with good quality, well-maintained properties to let, or anyone considering buying to let.”

For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting in Fleet please contact Leaders on 01252 810100, 01252 810100, email fleet@leaders.co.uk or pop in for a chat with the friendly team at 183 Fleet Road, Fleet, GU51 3BL. For more information please visit: http://www.leaders.co.uk/

Leaders encourage landlords to benefit from boiler scrappage scheme and reduce tenants’ energy bills

2010-03-19T04:11:00.000-07:00

Leaders, the UK’s leading independently owned letting specialists, are advising their landlords in detail about the government’s new boiler scrappage scheme to help as many as possible to benefit from it, and to help reduce their tenants’ energy bills and CO2 emissions.

The newly launched scheme gives homeowners in England, including private landlords, the opportunity to claim £400 off the cost of a new energy efficient boiler when they replace an old G-rated boiler.
The government estimates that upgrading a boiler can save a household more than £200 a year. It has also projected that replacing 125,000 G-rated boilers will save about 140,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

Says Leaders’ managing director Paul Weller: “We have emailed our landlords to advise them of the details of the scheme and have offered to obtain quotes for them on replacing their old boilers.
“We will encourage those who qualify to take advantage of this scheme; not only could this mean less in maintenance costs and hassle for our landlords, it will save our tenants a significant amount in energy costs and help to reduce CO2 emissions, something we fully support.”

A boiler is likely to be G-rated if it is more than 15 years old and gas fired; a permanent pilot light is also a good indicator. If the boiler is oil-fired it is likely to be eligible if it is more than 25 years old. If the householder is under 60 the boiler must be in working order and the main source of heating for the property; over 60’s will be eligible even if it is not.

Those that qualify must apply through the Energy Saving Trust (EST) with details of the old boiler and a quote from a qualified installer to fit a new one. They will then be issued with a £400 voucher. This will be refunded once the work has been done and the EST has received both the invoice for the work and the voucher, which is valid for 12 weeks.

Says Mr Weller: "This scheme could benefit many of our landlords and tenants and we are therefore keen to do what we can to support it. Some our gas contractors will be offering additional discounts to landlords wishing to replace their boiler under this scheme".

At Leaders it is our priority to always stay up to date and informed on any issues or legislation that affect our landlords and tenants and to make them fully aware of their entitlements and obligations. However, not all letting agents are as aware as they ought to be about issues that affect their clients. If your letting agent has not made you aware of this scheme, we would urge you to question whether they are proactive enough in keeping you informed and looking after your interests.

“Our experienced property managers are on hand to help our landlords in whatever way they can to ensure they benefit from this scheme if they are eligible and wish to do so.”

For more information about renting or letting your property with an agent that provides good, sound information and looks to protect the best interests of their clients at all times, please contact your local Leaders branch: http://www.leaders.co.uk/

Real Estate Market upscale… The brighter side

2010-03-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

Real Estate market is known for its volatility and sudden dip and rise factors in US. US Sub-prime is one of the major factor that made the whole affair of home buying –selling, a thing of nightmare till end of 2008. 2009 is being little hopeful as the conditions are getting improved gradually. To talk about the considerable jump in GDP (Gross Domestic product) in 2009 it was 5.7 percent where as economists predicted it to be 4.5 % growth rate. It means better sign and positive directions for real estate firms. There are market indicators which prove brighter side for property dealers also. Two home buyers tax credits and sudden upsurge of US economy are obviously the reason for all delight. Now buyers and sellers are happy again with their market exposure. Manufacturing sectors are adding faster improvement quotient to this positive flow.

Not even that on revival of US economy from debt of mortgage loans, the pending contracts has started bouncing back and providing enough boost for home sales. The pending homes that were under construction stage are getting sold now. In fact the percentages of such sales are 11 percent higher in December, 2009 than a year back. Tax credits for first time home buyer has been extended to $8000 and for existing home owners it is $6500. This broad exposure of credit facility is going to stimulate near about 2.4 million sales in 2010.Existing and old homes sales are getting speed up as evident from 27.2% increase in sales in the final quarter of 2009. The figure was 14% higher than previous year. Distressed properties are reducing with time as complications are getting sorted out gradually.

There is good news as the recent property builders, developers has started developing more projects and orders. As per reports orders are 45% higher than the last year and cancellation rate also dropped from 38% to 26 %, a marginal improvement al together. As the whole world was facing a terror of huge business loss and abolishment of small time players due to financial constraints, it is a shy of relief for these property firms. So builders are gradually gearing up for more variety, budget and luxurious style apartments, buildings and villas. Project conversion rates are also getting higher making many of the real estate agent’s dreams come true.

Local employment, household income, economic growth and demographic changes these are some factors that determine National PMI index for a country. In metropolitan markets the value of the apartments are increasing keeping risk factors of realtors much minimized. There is a certain parameter called Zillow index that determines the negative equity of home owners. Fortunately the average percentages of such equity are decreasing from 23 % previous year to 21.4 % in the forth quarter of 2009.

Mortgage rates are only 5% till now, which is always appreciable. There are signs of increment in this figure. If we compare this current rate with the rate in 1980’s when it was 18.19 percent, it can be guessed that market activity has still many ways to go ahead. The homes are easily available to own with such low mortgage rates. So if you have New Jersey condos for sale or in any other states in US, there is nothing to worry since market behavior is still favoring you all the way.

So here is the happy news in advance that anybody dealing with real estate, property development, agency business or brokering directions are open and positive too. Things are getting under control gradually.

CRYSTAL POINT CONDOS has been recognized on national stage and crowned with the prestigious Gold award for “Community of the Year” during the 2010 National association of Home Builders annual international Builders. They have developed some of the best apartment Jersey City with exciting amenities.

The New Jersey City Apartments to Suit your Requirements

2010-03-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

Whether you are after one of the luxury city apartments in New Jersey, or if you are simply looking to get one of the cheap New Jersey city apartments, there are a number of points that require your attention. For example, are you going to be satisfied with the luxury rentals New Jersey may have on offer for your holidays? Will the options that you come across suit your budget? Let us check some other related factors out.

Finding out a Good Rental Agency to Work With

Even though many people like to search for rental property on their own, I think that unless you have a good level of experience in dealing with property, it is always safer to be dealing with a good agency specializing in luxury apartments in New Jersey. This is because you can simply visit the agency and place your requirements in front of the professionals, and find out the available options to suit your requirements.

This will save you time, energy and money in roaming around and checking out options as you come across them. This obviously requires you to deal with a good business that specializes in New Jersey city apartments. For this, you can either check the internet. At the same time, go through some of the magazines and newsletters that offer good information on property and real estate.

Understanding your Requirements

The next step is to understand what your personal preferences are with regards to the apartment that you plan to rent. How long do you want it for? What is the budget that you have on your mind? Is it going to be for a business visit, for a vacation for yourself, or for holidaying with your entire family? These questions will put forward a number of points for you to consider further.

For example, the available funds that you have for the number of days you want the apartment for, the number of rooms you require and the general size of the apartment, the location of the apartment, and so on. And you also need to see if the design and the ambience of the apartment would suit the others present in your family if you are looking for an apartment for the whole family.

Other requirements may be the presence of a garage or a car park, a lawn, and other such amenities that will make your stay a satisfying one in the luxury apartments in New Jersey. Make sure you consider all such factors as well for the best results.

Documents and Agreements

Another important part of finding good New Jersey city apartments is doing your paperwork in the right way. The agreements require a good deal of attention from you if you would want to have the peace of mind and face no trouble later on. Carry all the necessary documents that you may need when signing the contract, like tax return details, identity proof from your employer or previous landlord, etc.

All these points will make your search an easy one and provide you with one of the best luxury apartments in New Jersey to suit your budget and requirements. Get in touch with a good property agent like Liberty Tower Apartments for more information on this.