The Agent of the North

We have recently launched our brand new web site in time for the spring increase in market activity.

We have designed a new search engine allowing clients to search for Post Code, Town or Street and then to refine your search on price, type and number of bedrooms. Results can be shown in list or map format and from the results you can print details, look at street view, share and book a viewing.

The site is packed with information for sellers, buyers, tenants and landlords as well as providing information on Auctions, Commercial and Mortgages.

Clients can request a marketing appraisal, a viewing or indeed register for new properties as they become available. We are launching the web site at the same time as our new newsletter which will be full of information for all of our clients. The newsletter can be fine tuned so clients only receive articles relevant to their preferences.

We have also included Facebook and Twitter feeds, all of which shows our committment to the new digital media world and continuing our mission to be a leading e-nabled Estate Agency group.

At last Spring is approaching, the nights are getting lighter, the weather warmer and soon the tradional Spring market activity will be with us.

When thinking of selling any property, be it your home or an investment, careful planning and preparation is vital. Beware the pitfall of going for the highest valuation and lowest fee. This can be costly. Some agents value for listings and not for sales. Ask for evidence of how the agent arrives at a marketing figure. What you need is sensible advice and not unrealistic encouragement.

However, before you even contemplate marketing advice, make sure your home has kerb appeal. Surveys show that the majority of people will make up their mind if they want a house, or not, in the first few seconds of seeing it. So make sure those first few seconds are filled with positive images – not negative ones.

To help you we have prepared a helpful leaflet, click here, to help you get ready to move!

Finally ... that dreaded word all house sellers face - Clutter

Most of us will admit to having those few areas around the house where we are guilty of hoardng or cluttering up a bit too much. Our advice is simple, get rid of it before the viewers arrive. You might even make a profit by selling it on the internet or a car boot sale!

 Click here to read how to get ready to sell.

It's always great when a satisfied client takes the time to send in a thank you card or even a gift, to show gratitude for exceptional service provided. When Andrew Craig Hebburn and Jarrow staff received their most recent gift they were rather surprised.

Mr Cook has sold a property, bought another and arranged a mortgage with us and was so impressed with the friendly and efficient personal service that he had received, that he decided to do something rather different for our team members.

As a professional baker he set about baking a very special cake and presented it to our team of Sarah, Linzi, Lyndsey and Kathleen. Post Christmas diets were quickly forgotten as the lovely cake was presented.

Finally, of course, a big  thank you to Mr Cook, from all at Andrew Craig, for being such a special client and taking the time and effort to show his appreciation in such a special way.

A bogus letting agent from Coventry has been jailed for 12 months after stealing more than £,000 from his clients. The debt-stricken agent pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to four counts of fraud, worth more than £,000 and a further 59 counts of fraud worth £,000 were taken into consideration. 

The agent was jailed for stealing rental payments from clients for properties he managed. It was claimed that he attempted to prop up his struggling business by "robbing Peter to pay Paul", collecting rents from the properties he managed but not passing on these payments the homeowners he was representing. Fake statements which claimed the money had been paid were sent to his clients. The fraud was discovered by police when the agent's business went into liquidation at the end of 2009, owning £9,000.

Many Lettings agents are completely unregulated, a disturbing fact in this age. Andrew Craig are Regulated by RICS and we maintain the highest professional standards by conforming to the strict rules of conduct of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which is the most senior and respected property organisation, in the world.

The advantages of using a firm ‘Regulated by RICS’

CONFIDENCE – because regulated firms follow RICS Rules of Conduct (monitored by RICS Regulation), you know they are acting in your interest and committed to maintaining the highest levels of professional and ethical standards.

PROFESSIONALISM – you can be sure of clear, impartial and expert advice from qualified professionals.

SECURITY – you have the comfort of knowing that the firm:

• has a recognised procedure in place to help resolve any complaint as fairly and efficiently as possible
• provides consumer access to free independent redress
• has Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) to protect you should you need to make a claim.

CLIENT CARE – firm members and staff regularly update their skills and knowledge to ensure customers are treated fairly and receive the best possible service.

RICS Regulation more click here

RICS Client Money Protection more click here