Parkheath Lettings shortlisted for Estate & Letting Agent Awards 2009

Jane Gardner : 25 March 2009

ESTATE & LETTING AGENT AWARDS 2009

BEST LETTING AGENTS IN THE UK – SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Parkheath Lettings of Rickmansworth are already holders of The Negotiator Magazine’s UK Lettings Agency of the Year award, and so they were delighted to hear that they were on the shortlist for the Estate & Letting Agent Awards 2009 to be presented by Location, Location’s Phil Spencer, on 8^th April @ London’s Marriott Hotel in Mayfair.

Lettings Director, Jane Gardner, says “it was a huge achievement for us to win the Negotiator Award in November 08, and it was a massive surprise to be short-listed for this award, because it is voted by all of our customers, so it’s great to know that we are appreciated! The lettings market has been so tough of late, with the threat of rent arrears and bad credit referencing on our mind at all times. Because of this, we enrolled & studied to become Homelet (UK) appointed insurance representatives, so that the lettings team can offer Rent Guarantee & Legal Expenses Insurance to Landlords. We do this as standard now, it is included in our Lettings Service and this gives peace of mind to every Landlord; just in case the tenant defaults on their rent in this treacherous financial climate, they will not be out of pocket!”

“It is great to be able to report a positive few months within the industry as a whole. Not only have rental prices started to increase again, but the sales team have seen a massive upturn in applicant registration, viewings and OFFERS, many of which are being tied up at increased prices! It feels as though we can finally breathe again, and fingers crossed, we may have something great to celebrate about come April…..!”

Market News…..Jan 2009

Tom Gladwin : 21 January 2009

The New Year has kicked off with a flurry of activity. We've already secured sales on a significant number of properties this year.

Click here to view some of our recent successes (Market News Jan 09.pdf)

New Buyers

There's also been an increased number of new buyers registering, a rise in new properties coming to market and definitely a feeling of renewed confidence. People seem to have realized that it is now far cheaper to buy than to rent. The strong level of interest from European investors which we saw at the end of last year shows no sign of slowing with more buyers keen to take advantage of the strong Euro.

Feedback

Pertinent advertising and strategic marketing combined with regular client feedback and market updates results in maximum interest in the properties on our books, and clients who are well informed and best positioned to know which offer is the right one to accept.

Greater Mortgage Choice

We expect that, following the latest round of Government support for our banks, lending criteria should relax and a greater number of mortgage products will become available over the coming months. Our preferred mortgage broker Chapelgate Associates (0207 722 6777) have said “We are already seeing more available deals, and more lenders are indicating that they are preparing to re-enter the market-place with competitive rates.”

All in all it has been a very exciting start to the year, which we expect to continue and to strengthen over the coming months.

Parkheath win Lettings Agency of the Year Award

Steven Sears : 21 November 2008

Staff at Parkheath are celebrating after the company won the Lettings Agency of the Year Award in the prestigious 2008 Negotiator Awards.

Lettings Director Jane Gardner was presented with the award by the Managing Director of HomeLet John Boyle at a glittering ceremony at London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane on 11^th November.

HomeLet, which sponsored the Lettings Agency of the Year Award, is the leading insurance specialist for the residential lettings market and was particularly please to present the award to Parkheath, which is an approved HomeLet agent.

“HomeLet was delighted to support the 2008 Negotiator Awards aimed at honouring the top estate and lettings agents in the UK and even more pleased that the company which won Lettings Agency of the Year is one of our agents! “We work closely with Parkheath to provide their clients with a powerful range of products and services which protect people against the pitfalls of being a landlord, homeowner or a tenant.”

Commenting on their success Jane said: “The event is billed as the biggest night in the residential estate agency calendar and the Negotiator awards are seen as the industry's own Oscar's. “We couldn’t believe it when Parkheath was announced the winner! It was fabulous to win such a strongly contested category and be recognised for all of the hard work we have put into the department over the years.” The judges considered Parkheath had put the soul back into the letting sector. They were praised for being an ethical business with personality, offering first class training; a true investor in people. One judge referred to the agency as “a class act”.

Editor of The Negotiator magazine, which runs the awards, Clare Bettelley, said they were really impressed by the calibre of the entries and response they received.

“Our judges found it quite difficult to choose the winners as the competition was so strong. The evening was a great success, and was universally hailed as the top awards ceremony for the industry, with nearly 450 people attending.”