As a company founded on exceptional customer service, Game Estate Agents offer clients a one-to-one experience, everyone is a V.I.P.
Key Features of Our Promise
Selling a residential property is potentially a very stressful process.
At Game Estate Agents, we aim to ensure you a smooth, speedy and efficient process when selling your property. Our experience means we can provide you with more than a confident selling experience, but as much personal advice for your circumstances as you would like.
As long-term specialists in the area, we have strong links with those who are looking for the property you are selling.
In some property markets we would advise escaping a chain situation by selling and moving into rented accommodation for a few months.
In other situations, for instance in a rapidly climbing market, we might advise against this.
Game Estate Agents know the prime residential area of Mersea Island, Tollesbury, Copford and surrounding villages inside out and are able to provide you with the correct comparable evidence, having, in most circumstances, sold similar properties in your street many times over. As a result of this in-depth knowledge, we will be able to achieve the highest sale price for you.
Don’t assume that an agent who initially offers a high guide price will achieve it – this is often a ruse to win business, or indicative of their lack of knowledge. Do not be drawn either by an agent offering a particularly low fee. What matters is that your agent knows what they are doing having sold numerous similar properties across all market conditions.
The traditional times to launch a property for sale are late January, just after Easter, or September after the schools go back, but good property sells throughout the year and each property is different. If you have a sunny or flower-filled garden, it will surely look at its best in Spring or Summer. If you have a reason for wanting to sell in the winter then do consider speaking to us in the summer before having photography done in the good weather.
The asking price of your property is the most important factor in the sale. In every valuation we provide a thorough examination of comparable transactions before suggesting a price. For over 37 years, Game Estate Agents have accumulated extensive sales information across its core areas and has at its disposal an unrivalled database. We also maintain a link to the Land Registry enabling our staff to advise you sensibly and accurately how to achieve the best price.
At Game Estate Agents we have excellent relationships with many of the top firms of Solicitors within East Anglia. We can recommend specific personal contacts who will be able to prepare all the paperwork relevant to the sale, so that when a buyer is found, the contract, together with supporting documentation such as relevant planning permissions, surveyor’s certificates and so forth, is ready to go.
Prior to a sale proceeding you are required to provide an energy certificate. A Domestic Energy Assessor will be required to survey your property in order to prepare the required certificate. This must be available for viewers and to assist solicitors during the buying process.
We can arrange for an energy assessor to attend your property usually within 48 hours. Further details available upon request.
Once you have signed our Terms and Conditions of Sale, the marketing process can begin a soon as you’re ready. We will go through with you specific marketing plans which will included property particulars, direct approaches and media advertising. Game Estate Agents offer specifically tailored packages and innovative online and offline marketing opportunities.
We suggest you leave the viewings to us if you possibly can – people feel less comfortable viewing properties with the owners in situ.
It is always important to make your property look as attractive as possible and do ask our advice on how far to go to tailor your property to the right buyers.
At a basic level, de-cluttering is essential, if possible. Possessions everywhere indicate a lack of storage space and make it harder for viewers to picture themselves living there. Open curtains and windows, as a light, bright and airy home is attractive.
First impressions do count, so ensure your front door and, if possible, the front of the property is newly-painted and looking smart. Having the windows and carpets professionally cleaned makes a difference. If you have a garden or terrace, sweep away leaves and plant some bright flowers. If there is room, add a small table and chairs to show that outdoor dining is a possibility.
If your property is unfurnished, we can advise on the provision of rental furniture as, in our opinion, this adds value and more than pays for itself.
If your property needs more than a lick of paint, we can offer expert advice from our in-house refurbishment advisor. From a kitchen upgrade to an extension, our staff can advise you on a wide range of ways to add value to your property.
Your relationship with us is vital, and it is our job to ensure that it is a successful one. We will keep you updated with feedback on viewings and any fluctuation in market conditions. All offers will be conveyed to you by telephone in the first instance and followed up in writing.
When the offers do start to come in, listen to your agent’s advice on who may make the better buyer – it isn’t necessarily always the one who makes the highest offer. It is our aim to give rational advice at this crucial stage in negotiations and we pride ourselves on our objectivity and impartiality.
There are many options out there, and the best properties are competitively sought after. So before you dive in, we hope you’ll find the Game guide to finding the best rental property useful. Our over riding tip – be prepared and ready to move quickly.
Finding a good lettings agent is a sensible start, register with Game to ensure that you are in good hands –we are a member of the NLA, and have worked in the area since 1976, so we really know this market and area like the back of our hands.
When working out your budget, remember that rental values are quoted monthly. Other costs to take into account will include a deposit (usually four weeks rent), Have funds in place and personal details ready in case you want the first property you see – with a good lettings agent, this does happen. You will need bank details, contact details for a reference from a previous landlord and details of your employer, among others. We will guide you through the process
The lettings market is seasonal, competitive, and moves very quickly, so rents are changing all the time. We are intuitive to market conditions and will be able to give you experienced advice on what you can afford and when. At certain times there may be more people looking than there are available properties, so be prepared to move fast.
We begin by searching our extensive database and arranging viewings of all available properties that meet your requirements.
Once we have found the property for you and have had your offer accepted by the landlord, we will apply for your references using Letsure and, subject to these being accepted, will draw up a tenancy agreement between you and the landlord. It is important that you read this and are happy with it and understand the conditions, as it will be your duty to complyto its conditions and requirements.
If you have any requests, you should raise them when you make your offer, and not after the tenancy agreement has been produced.
Before the tenancy commences we will require the following
An independent inventory will be drawn up, detailing the contents and condition of the property. This will be used when you check in and out of the property so read it carefully and keep a copy.
Once the tenancy agreement has been agreed and signed by both parties and the monies have cleared, your tenancy will begin. You will be checked in by a member of our team, and given keys. If the property is managed by the landlord, you will be given their details to contact direct.
If managed by Game Estate Agents Ltd the contact number of our Lettings Manager will be given for contact if there are any maintenance problems.
Contact us to view the best properties to rent in Mersea Island, Tollesbury, Copford and surrounding villages.
Renting a property offers the ultimate in flexibility.
It is a great way to immerse yourself in an area or be close to work without the financial and location commitment to buying.
Tenants are more protected than ever with a raft of legislation, and rental properties in East Essex offer exceptional standards of living. As a result, we are seeing more and more people, including families, choosing long term, tenancies over property purchase.
Make sure your agent is accredited to NLA (National Landlords Association), this will ensure that they are covered by the Client Money Protection scheme, have professional indemnity insurance and that the individual agent is professionally qualified and follows a Code of Practice and Rules of Conduct.
Renting from an NLA accredited agent means you have a route to redress anything that might go wrong.
End of tenancy clean: this will be determined by the size of the property and its condition at the end of the tenancy.
Registering with property search websites is always a good idea, but if you register directly with Game Estate Agents Ltd, you will always have a head start. A conversation with us will enable us to quickly ascertain your requirement and act upon it.
Registering directly enables us to contact you prior to suitable properties appearing on websites, including Rightmove and Zoopla. Whilst we enjoy and benefit from the latest technology, we do not see it as a substitute for personal contact.
Be ready to move. Obtaining a mortgage can take a long time, so we advise talking to a mortgage advisor early and preparing the paperwork needed. You will require personal identification, payslips, bank statements, etc. This will speed up the process of securing a mortgage which in turn will enable to you move quickly once you find the home you want and give you the edge over other would-be buyers. Game Estate Agents can recommend a selection of independent mortgage advisors.
It is also essential to find a good solicitor experienced in property transactions and we can advise on this should you require us to.