I am just in the process of booking a few days away, and always look at the ratings on Trip Advisor to confirm the hotel receives excellent customer reviews, I think that this is key. But not only do I look at hotel reviews, whatever I am buying or wherever I go, I tend to do the same, particularly with restaurants.

As we approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many people will be shopping online from home rather than physically visiting retail outlets and shops, therefore reviews become even more important!.

The internet though has evolved as a place to read customer reviews, this can help people to determine the services and products they want to buy from people who have already experienced using that company..

With more than 90% of all customers using online reviews as part of their research at a local and national level, this shows that merely informing a potential customer of the availability of a product or service is no longer enough – consumers want to hear about first hand Customer experiences.

Reviews not only have the power to gain trust, and encourage people to interact with the company but they are also the ideal vehicle for building a relationship between the provider and the consumer, they encourage people to interact with the company, influence customer decisions and strengthen the company’s credibility.

Studies show though that a customer is more likely to leave a review after a negative experience, this could have an extremely detrimental effect on a business, but also should be used as an opportunity to review the Customer Experience and make improvements to service levels.

At David Phillip Estate Agents the Customer Experience is absolutely key to us, particularly as we are a relatively new company in North Leeds.

We encourage all our clients to leave reviews through All Agents, Facebook and Google, and are pleased that so far we have received a clean sweep of  5 star ‘Customer’ reviews, with comments such as:-

• “found them fantastic from start to finish – the marketing was great using drones, 3D virtual tours and my property appeared everywhere online including social media” Lee Kettlewell
• “their customer service and attention to detail is phenomenal” Beki Vargassoff
• “absolute top marks” – A Considine
• “they are cutting edge in their industry; they don’t just list your property they actively market it” J Whinfield
• “ A genuine, friendly and professional experience selling your home” – L Steel

All Agents reward the best people and Companies for their Customer Experience

At David Phillip Estate Agents we have access to various review sites including Google and Facebook, however the main site we have an affiliation with is All Agents which is considered the best portal for property reviews. This week we were delighted to get the news that we have been awarded the Best Sales Branch of the year in LS16 – gold, and the Best Sales Branch in Yorkshire – Bronze. We currently hold gold, silver and bronze for the Best people awards too. We are really pleased to have won these as they are awarded for our Customer reviews.

David Phillip commented “The customer experience is paramount to us, and to win these award shows the priority we place on looking after our customers  – we know that our clients appreciate all the hard work we put in to ensure the best house selling experience”

So, if you want to use an Estate Agent that works really hard at getting results and providing the best Customer Experience read our 5 star reviews on All agents or call 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk  a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.

Each year, planners around the world engage in activities this week in celebration of World Town Planning Day. At David Phillip Estate Agents, we are pleased to work in partnership with ELG in Harrogate who provide advice around Residential planning.

If you are looking to buy a new home, the support and experience of a good planning company can guide you through any pitfalls you may encounter, these can range from the following :-

• planning applications
• planning appeals
• planning statements
• planning appraisals
• Section 106 negotiations
• Expert witness for Planning enquiries.

If you are looking to sell your home, then ELG can also help you get planning approval for any retrospective home improvements that may have taken place without the required planning approval, this may only become obvious at the property search stage as well as the above.

If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal call us on 01134 676 400, or if you have any specific questions around planning applications, then we may be able to assist too.

Celebrate World Town Planning Day with David Phillip Estate Agents, 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds w: davidphillip.co.uk e: info@davidphillip.co.uk

Andrew Bailey, the Bank’s Governor said the decision was a “very close call” and put the City on notice that interest rates were likely to rise from the lowest level in the Bank’s 327-year history over the coming months.

A rise may seem likely in the near future and the Bank of England’s decision to hold off for a little while reflects this. In the last few weeks several mortgage lenders anticipate that mortgage rates may nudge up, however these have been small moves with mortgage rates moving from below 1% with the best five-year rates still coming at around 1.2% - historically, this is still incredibly cheap. This provides a much-needed breathing space for home-owners worried about their mortgage payments.

The property market, however, still remains strong and we are advising borrowers to act quickly even if they are locked into a deal. Mortgage offers can be held for six months so it is worth speaking to an expert to discuss possibilities.

David Phillip commented “Hopefully this will ensure stability in the property market over the coming months amid fears that it may take a downwards turn following the end of the Stamp Duty holiday”.

At David Phillip Estate Agents we recommend the Mortgage Advice Bureau (Bingley).

So if you are looking to move in the New Year and your preparation has been completed, call David Phillip Estate Agents now to book a free market appraisal on 01134 676 400.

#mortgage #property #home #Bramhope #Adel #Leeds #mortgagerates #interestrates

Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house – having good window locks can make all the difference.

Keep any valuables out of view from downstairs windows

Keep on top of the garden maintenance as bushes and shrubs can provide ideal cover for burglars

A light that comes on when someone approaches your house can be inexpensive and a good deterrent – these are also easy to install

Ensure fencing is in a good state of repair (no gaps) and that gates are locked too

Be careful if you are having building work done – scaffolding can help provide access to upstairs windows

CCtV is now becoming much more popular amongst homeowners, as well as helping identify burglars, it also acts as a deterrent. There are a wide variety of cameras to choose from including wireless, remote access and even night vision

There are now many apps that can help you turn lights on and off, draw and open  curtains   and watch CCTV footage of your home from wherever you are in the world – well worth investing in

It is a classic trick of burglars to ring the front door bell to see if anyone is in the home before sneaking around the back of the property, if you install a nest security camera, this can help you see who is there via a wifi enabled camera – and even speak to them.

When you are installing your CCTV be careful as the law states that your camera can’t point onto anyone else’s property or public land.

You can check for crime in your area by checking on the Police.uk website.

These are some tips to help keep your home protected, but in the meantime enjoy the firework display in Bramhope and also the organised events around Leeds over the next few days.

If you are considering selling your home and would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS call us now on 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds

#photography #kerbappeal #declutter #bathrooms #bramhope #adel #poolinwharfedale #otley #3Dvirtualtour #selling #home #property #leeds #yorkshire

The price of property updates coming to the market has surged past last month’s record and jumped by an average of 1.8% (+£5,983) in October. This is the highest percentage monthly rise at this time of year since October 2015 according to Rightmove. In addition, this is the first time since March 2007 that Rightmove have delivered a ‘full house’ of price records in all regions and in all property market sectors (first-time buyers, second stepper and top of the ladder).

The new number of properties coming to the market ticks up compared to summer, but not enough to satisfy strong Autumn demand from buyers.

2021 has been the year of the power-buyer – those with their property already sold subject to contract or who have nothing to sell – and thus have the best negotiating hand to secure their ideal home in these ‘full house’ market conditions.

The continued fast turnover of property for sale and a window of opportunity to buy before potential interest rate rise seem to have overcome the final expiry of all stamp duty incentives and are keeping activity robust.

The latest snapshot shows that the number of new sellers coming to market is marginally down on the same period in 2019, but only by 3.2% as opposed to 9.3% for the period as a whole.

The continuing imbalance, with demand outstripping supply presents an opportunity for owners looking to sell and cash out if they are downsizing or not needing to buy another property.

So if you are thinking of selling your home, then November could be a lucrative time to start the ball rolling. The property update market doesn’t grind to a halt, although there is generally less competition on the market which often means higher prices and potentially a quicker sale. If you do decide to wait until the New year, now is a good time to start getting everything in place, particularly in terms of arranging the marketing (photographs, and 3D tours taken before the Christmas decorations go up). Boxing Day is the biggest day of the year for property searches so it is important that your property is visible on the portals, with viewings arranged for early January.

If you are considering selling your home, call for a free Market Appraisal with David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400.

A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds w: davidphillip.co.uk  e: info@davidphillip.co.uk

#property #rightmove #newyear #home #bramhope #adel #poolinwharfedale #home

Recently we have had the cutest robin visiting our garden – it waits very close to the outside door at around 7.30am every morning (but starts singing much earlier), and if I am working in the garden it is always perched close by – it  really is a very tame.

Here are some facts about this very cheery garden bird

• The robin was voted Britain’s national bird in 2015 – the decision was made after a long correspondence in the Times Newspaper
• If a robin comes to your garden many believe that it is a sign that relatives are around
• Robins can recognise you by your movements, schedule and other signals possibly including your face – they recognise humans as part of remembering patterns such as where and when food is available
• Both the male and female of the species look the same, the cheering bird sings all year round – this is thought to be a way of maintaining territories ready for the breeding season, robins don’t tend to migrate, and if they do it is very early in Autumn
• Robins are fearless and will often follow you while you dig to catch the juiciest worm or insects
• At this time of year, robins have just one aim - to survive until the Spring breeding time
• In the colder months it is key that Robins obtain energy, so the following feed is ideal – sunflower hearts, balls of fat or bird cake, and mealworms are a real treat, they will also eat cheese and raisins and every day eat between a quarter and a third of their body weight
• Feeders for robins should be placed on or near to the ground
• Mark a patch of soil that you can turn over regularly to give a robin fresh access to lots of worms and other bugs as well as loosening soil to dig themselves
• In the darker months, put up a nest-box – robins need open-fronted boxes that are hidden away behind foliage or climbing plants so that they don’t attract the attention of cats. Robin’s nest boxes are best placed with the entrance hole facing north east so that it is sheltered from the prevailing wind and rain – avoid obvious sun traps such as south facing walls , the box should be placed within the cover of a climber or overhanging vegetation – nest boxes are best put up in Autumn
• Robins became the bird of Christmas largely because of Victorian Postmen who wore red tunics and were known as robin redbreasts.
• Robins began to appear on Christmas cards and other festive missives as a symbol of the red breasted messenger
• Seeing a robin is said to bring good luck – making a wish on a robin can increase your fortune. The robin is seen as a reminder of Christmas and good times.

So as we approach the winter months and Christmas, keep a look out for these cheery birds, as one of England’s natural treasures, they are definitely worth protecting.

David Phillip Estate Agents, 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, t: 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk

Tidying your garden in autumn not only keeps it looking neat in Winter, but also means that you will get a head start in Spring.

Autumn is the perfect opportunity to get rid of dead vegetation left over from summer, clear out your gutters and tidy up your borders, this month is all about picking up and packing down before the arrival of Winter.

Here are some top tips to make the most of Autumn in the Garden.

Tidy up Borders

To ensure that you have a beautiful display next Spring, remove dying leaves and collapsed stems from herbaceous perennials, either by hand or with secateurs, dig up annuals and plant your beds with pansies, bellis daisies and wallflowers. Cut back any perennials that have faded to around 5cms above ground level – leave some seed heads as these are great for insects and birds to enjoy whilst also providing some beautiful winter silhouettes on a sunny day.

Once your borders are tidy and clean, spread a thick layer of well-rotted manure, bark chips or compost. Don’t worry about fully digging in as the worms will help with this.

Collect Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves fall in large quantities in October and November. If you leave them in place they can smother the grass and fill the crowns of herbaceous perennials.

A few leaves that are out of the way such as under hedges can provide shelter for overwintering wildlife. Remove leaves from your garden and paths though – as these can be slippery.

Clean out your compost bins

The big Autumn clear up of borders and vegetable plots will generate a lot of plant material for your compost heap. Clear out last year’s compost and use it around the garden, making room for this year’s waste.

If your compost isn’t quite ready, turn it to improve decomposition, and create a new heap next to it for fresh organic matter. You can never have too much compost!

Work on the lawn

Remove moss and thatch using a rake and add to the compost heap. Use a moss killer if you have large amounts of moss. Brush in a sandy tip dressing afterwards followed by an application of Autumn lawn feed to prepare your lawn for the cold winter months.

Autumn is also a great time to add new turf to ensure it will be established before the summer months.

Make leaf mould

Once leaves reach a crumbly texture, spread as much as you can throughout your borders. Beech, oak, alder and hornbeam rot fairly quickly while sycamore, horse chestnut and walnut may take a little longer. Shredding leaves first will help to speed things up, but in general, this is not a fast process.

Plant evergreens

During the drab months of winter, evergreens provide structure and interest. Warm soil and cooler air temperature make Autumn the perfect time to fill gaps in your borders with evergreens like daphne and sarcococca which provide glossy leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers, even in the depths of winter.

Maintain garden equipment

Before you put away the lawn mower, it’s well worth investing in a service to ensure that it is in perfect condition when you need it in Spring, this includes, changing the oil, adding fuel stabiliser to the fuel system or removing all fuel from the mower, replacing the spark plugs and air filter, sharpen and balance  lawn mower blades.

Shears and secateurs need sharpening and spades, forks and other tools benefit from a good wash. Ensure that you dry everything thoroughly and oil metal parts to prevent rust. Linseed oil can be used to protect wooden handles - ensure you dispose of rags carefully as linseed oil can combust as it dries.

Clean out nest boxes and feeders

Take down bird boxes and empty them of old nesting materials, unfertilised eggs and other debris that may carry diseases. Also remember to clean off feeders and birdbaths, and regularly re-fill them.

Sort out your garden pond

Scoop out any leaves before they sink down to the bottom and start to rot. Remove pond pumps and fountains that are no longer in use. Wash them thoroughly and then store over winter.

Put away plant supports

Cut down annual climbers in borders and climbing beans in vegetable plots and remove the dead stems and foliage from their supports. Wash off any soil and then treat with preservatives. Store indoor over winter.

Now that your autumn garden is clean, tidy and ready for winter, not only will the view from your house be so much more pleasant but when Spring arrives you will have a really good head start for when it’s time to get going again.

Gardens in Bramhope are blessed with having some beautiful and very well- tended gardens, outdoor spaces now add a price premium to your house sale. If you are considering a move and would like a free market appraisal call David Phillip Estate Agents on 01134 676 400 w:davidphillip.co.uk  a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds LS16 9AN.

You are about to move home and are enthusiastic about the future and entering a new phase of your family life. Moving house represents a transition in life and whilst the ‘grown-up’s’ in the house may focus on many of the practical elements of moving, change is easier for adults to accept than children

For a child, moving home can have a greater emotional impact, certainly in terms of the losses the move represents. This may be the loss of a safe and familiar environment, the potential of leaving friends behind, having to start again or being a new person at school. The impact can be huge, but there are ways to keep your children re-assured and enthusiastic about the future move.

• Talk to children about the move and do it at an early stage so that they have time to get used to the idea – offer re-assurance every step of the way.
• If your child can’t join you when undertaking viewings, take some photos or a video of the potential new home and the area in which it located, think about the school, play areas and outdoor space
• Discuss the new home with them, and give them lots of facts and information, not only about the new home (where they will eat, sleep and play) but the surrounding area too – use facts that are appropriate for their age group and level of understanding.
• Although children can’t get involved in the bigger aspects of the home purchase, they can get involved in helping decide on colour schemes and decorations, by doing this they will feel part of the process – have them draw pictures of how they will arrange their new room and what colours they will use – give them new pens and an album they can keep adding to.
• Moving day can be stressful for parents – children are always listening and may pick up on your anxieties, plus on this busy day, it may be a good idea for children to be with relatives or friends. If the children are with you, get them to document the move through photographs and then create a ‘moving day’ chapter for the photo album.
• Just before you leave your old home, walk through each room and say “goodbye” – this helps young children to develop closure.
• When toys are being packed into boxes, explain why and where they are going, otherwise a child may worry that they are disappearing for good.
• Don’t buy a new bed or bedding when you initially move home – this can create a feeling of insecurity – prioritise your child’s bedroom as the first to unpack
• If you have a school age child, the big question is whether they will like their new school and make new friends – if the move takes place over the summer holidays then the child has more time to get used to the idea and is making a fresh start with the rest of the children – although the child may have to spend summer without their old fiends – organise things so that children are not bored or lonely.
• Arrange for friends and family to visit – if they are too far away arrange a video call and before you leave your old home – give your child an address book, arrange a party and have each friend add to a ‘goodbye memory book’.

Once you have moved get back to the status quo as quickly as you can, children are resilient and will adapt well to the move quickly – they will almost certainly enjoy their new home and the lifestyle that goes with it as much as the old one, but by following simple steps you can ensure the lead up to the big day and beyond is stress free and one of excitement for your child.

The North Leeds area has some amazing schools, we frequently find families want to move to the area specifically for schooling. The deadline for school admissions is in January 2022, so if you are looking to move or sell your home then now may be an ideal time to start marketing of your property.

If you would like a free market appraisal with David Phillip FRICS then please call us on 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk a:86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9AN

#bramhope #otley #adel #poolinwharfedale #cookridge #children #school #property  #home

Then marketing your property now could still ensure you meet the Christmas deadline.

Buyers see Christmas as a key-influencing factor with many people determined to be in their new home in time for the big day celebrations.

With preparation and planning, and a race against time, you could be putting up your Christmas tree in your brand new home.

Rightmove expect properties to take an average of 61days to sell, and if you add two months to get to exchange and completion, then September is realistic particularly as the Christmas excitement can help to keep the property sale on track.

School holidays are now well out of the way, which helps to keep the house tidy and ready for viewings and your garden will still look lovely – the leaves are starting to drop, this can enhance the views from the property too – especially with the stunning views around the Bramhope area.

So if you are looking to move before Christmas, here are some things to consider when choosing your agent:-

• Choose an agile, local independent Estate Agent who has a relevant and fresh database of people wanting to move.
• 3D virtual tours mean that people can look around your property immediately – the first viewing at that always ‘open-house’
• Price your property realistically – David Phillip has been valuing and selling properties in North and West Yorkshire for over 30 years
• Put that extra effort into the presentation –At David Phillip Estate Agents we use, beautiful staged photographs, 3D virtual viewings, drone footage, photographic enhancement and dawn to dusk photography
• Use an agent that has invested in all the main property portals (and posts an Early Bird too) and uses social media effectively – it is all about reaching the greatest audience.
• 5 star customer reviews give a good indication on the type of customer experience you will get – take a look at our 5 star review on the All Agent website, we have also received the Gold, Silver and Bronze People awards for All Agents in LS16 for 2021.

And, if you are looking for an amazing property to move into for Christmas, take a look at The Barn House, Leathley (with no onward chain). The property boasts some beautiful features, including beamed ceilings and a stone fireplace in the lounge  - the rooms lend themselves  to a beautiful tree and stunning Christmas decorations. The idyllic surroundings are stunning too – and would be even more so if there was a white Christmas!

So if you are looking to move or sell by Christmas then please give us a call, or take a look at The Barn House in Leathley, it really is beautiful

For further information call David Phillip Estate Agents t: 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk  e: info@davidphillip .co.uk, a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.

Households are already looking at increased energy bills and this could take a second hike next Spring as the Global gas crisis continues to drive market prices to a new high.

Reduced gas supply from Russia, the pandemic recovery and a shortage of renewable energy dynamics plus the recent fire at a UK electricity interconnector in Kent have created an unwanted perfect storm.

Now is definitely the time to look at making your home more energy efficient.

With relatively simple changes such as insulation, ensuring your pipes are property lagged and using energy efficient light bulbs will not only help your chance of a good sale if you are selling your home but also reduce the cost of your energy bills whilst you are living there.

Here are some tips on how to make your home more energy efficient

Review your EPC – this offers a guide to your home, but also provides you with areas you can improve, at David Phillip Estate Agents we use MGF Consultants for all our EPC’s, they can identify areas that will improve your properties energy efficiency.

Loft insulation – whether your home has solid walls or cavity, insulating them can improve your EPC rating and you may qualify for help with the cost too.

By replacing your boiler with a new energy efficient one you could save a few hundred pounds off your energy bill as well as reducing your home’s carbon- emissions – boilers account for as much as 60% of carbon emissions in a gas heated home.

Hanging thicker curtains over windows and doors will prevent heat escaping and once the nights become longer (as they are now) they can make your home seem much more snug too.

Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G with A being the most energy efficient, if yours is at the lower end of the scale then investing in a new one could save you a lot of money in the long term

By purchasing an energy monitor which could cost anything from £25 to £40 (some energy companies provide this for free) the psychological effect of putting it somewhere the whole family can see it can be positive and a good reminder that you need to cut back

Use a water-saving showerhead instead of a bath is a greener option but can also save on energy and water – so double the benefit

Invest in an eco-kettle – some eco kettles can use as much as 30% power – also when choosing appliances like TV’s and fridges, choose one that is the most energy efficient.

Consider solar panels – the energy is derived from the sun’s radiation. (they actually work when it is cloudy too, so don’t let the UK weather put you off) by generating some of your own heat or power, this will enable you to save money on your bills as well as being environmentally friendly. Some panels can warm water too .

Solar panels with a photovoltaic (PV) cells actually generate energy - the Energy Saving Trust thinks.

For further information  call David Phillip Estate Agents t: 01134 676 400 w davidphillip.co.uk e: info@davidphillip.co.uk  a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.