News

Well done to Erica and Helen for completing the Midnight Walk on the 3rd July, 2010 in aid of St Michaels Hospice. They hope to have raised £300.00                     Congratulations to Jo and Ben on their wedding 30th May, 2010                         ***************    Congratulations To Joe and Chris On their wedding 23rd May, 2010 With Best Wishes from All at FSS     **************    Feather Smailes Scales recently held a launch Reception at Hotel Du Vin in Harrogate to celebrate the opening of their new Estate Agency division.  Pictured are Partners and Staff who attended the launch.          ****************************          RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS       A recent local street scene in Knaresborough where we were instructed to let 5 consecutive newly refurbished houses for a major client    **************************************** ********    Feather Smailes Scales Launch New Estate Agency.      The independent property partnership, Feather Smailes Scales, today launch their new Estate Agency Department expanding the business and offering clients Residential Sales as part of a full range of property services.      Richard Smailes who has over 17 years experience as an estate agent in the area, has been appointed to manage the new department.      Feather Smailes Scales were established 16 years ago in Harrogate, offering Residential Lettings, Auctions, Surveys and Commercial Agency.  They have built a reputation as the professional property people in Harrogate and the surrounding district      Partner Simon Croft stated “Adding the Estate Agency arm is a natural final piece in the jigsaw.  We now cover all major property disciplines and can offer our clients full agency services in house.  Richard will be a great addition to our team and we are delighted he has joined us to develop the Residential Sales business ”.      Partner Charles Smailes reflected “Following many enquiries from existing clients asking if we can sell their property by private treaty, we were keen to be able to offer this service.   I have estate agency experience going back over 40 years and with my business partners added knowledge of the estate agency market as well as Richard’s addition to the team, now seems an ideal opportunity to utilise our contacts and market expertise”      Feather Smailes Scales are also delighted to announce that staff members Michael Lebbon who manages Residential Lettings, Guy Lythe who heads up the Survey Department, along with Richard have joined the practice as Associates, further strengthening the company’s position.      Partner Michael Hare added “We are delighted Michael, Guy and Richard have committed themselves to Feather Smailes Scales.  With the launch of our Estate Agency discipline and the new appointees we are excited about the year ahead and indeed the whole future of the business”     Contact Feather Smailes Scales on 01423 534196 for a free no obligation sale valuation          * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *    What a year 2009 has been for Feather Smailes Scales.    The specialist Property Auctioneers, Residential Lettings Agents, Commercial Agents and Surveyors have had an excellent 2009, that is in no small part due to their dedicated team of 20 employees who have all collectively helped to grow and develop the business.   The Specialist Auctioneers have held seven auctions this year and sold to full rooms at their auction venue – The Pavilions of Harrogate at The Yorkshire Showground.  All types of property including residential and commercial investments, land, building plots with planning consent and properties in need of modernisation have sold well.  Partner, Charles Smailes, commented “This year has seen a wide and varied selection of properties and we have sold over 80% of lots entered.  2010 is looking very positive with good levels of interest already”   Feather Smailes Scales have successfully traded in Harrogate for over 15 years, partner, Simon Croft, added “We are experiencing demand for all facets of our business including the Residential Lettings market which continues to go from strength to strength with in excess of 300 properties let this year, adding to our portfolio of over 800 units”   The Commercial and Survey market has also shown signs of improvement in 2009.  Partner, Michael Hare, stated “this year has seen a definite turn around in the commercial shops, office and retail environments.  We have successfully completed deals on some large town centre investments, much to the delight of our clients”  Michael also explained that there were signs that demand for Surveys was picking up and Feather Smailes Scales were in a great position to assist with clients survey requirements.   Overall, a successful 2009 has been a great launch pad into 2010.  Simon added “We are confident we will see continued growth in the market in 2010 and so we are expanding the business further.  We will be launching our brand new Residential Sales Department in January.  We would like to thank all our staff and clients for making 2009 a success and we look forward to 2010.”    Please contact Feather Smailes Scales on 01423 501211 to discuss all your property queries including Residential Sales valuations ********

Feather Smailes Scales Lettings Department continues to expand   In the current market where properties are not selling as quickly as possible demand from tenants continues to grow.  We are averaging 30 new lets per month at the present time and are dealing with upwards of 40 tenancy renewals per month.  All the signs are that tenants are happy with the option to rent property as house selling values continue to fall.  The added advantage from a tenants prospective of renting property, is that all maintenance and repair issues are dealt with by the landlord, the buildings are insured and the tenant has flexibility in being able to vacate the property at the expiry of the fixed term without any expensive legal fees being incurred.   Landlords looking to invest in residential accommodation should be looking for minimum yields on the capital investment of at least 6%, ideally yields should be around 8%.   As well as their own website Feather Smailes Scales are now on various property portals                                     thus affording excellent national coverage and allowing us to introduce even more tenants to our stock of properties.           HOLIDAY/ABSENCE HOME CARE COVER Will you be leaving your property for a period of time and require it looking after in your absence? (either for your own peace of mind, or, to comply with your insurance policy terms)  We can:-                         • Regularly inspect the property                         • Clear post and junk mail                             • Deal with any maintenance issues                         • Check heating and plumbing                         • Be first call if the alarm is activated                         • Oversee garden maintenance                         • Update you regarding any issues Please contact us to discuss in more depth the service we offer Telephone 01423 534186

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES We are able to carry out Energy Performance Certification (EPCs) on any property marketed for rent.  Our fee scale is competitive and linked to the size of the property.  Please contact us on 01423 501211 and we will be happy to arrange a quote.