December 2011

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas from Orchid!

Perfect opportunity to spoil yourself

Orchid wants to spread the festive cheer and reward all our clients with a very special gift for choosing to sell their home with us.

By coming to the award-winning, internet-based agency with a proven record in sales and letting, you can enjoy not only a superb service, but also a luxury spa day to enjoy at your leisure.

We have teamed up with the  world-famous Champneys Health Resort in Tring to offer the perfect gift for signing with Orchid.
 
We all know that putting your home on the market can be stressful. Now is your chance to put your house selling fate into our hands. Let us take the strain, while you just relax and feel confident that everything is being taken care of - viewings, sales progression and buyer liaison right up to the signing of contracts and key exchange.

It makes sense in these times of economic pain to get the best, quality deal on estate agency available. By choosing Orchid you know you are getting the best. 

June 2011 

Orchid's carnival fun raises £300 for hospice

 

FOLLOWING a fantastic fun day at Tring Carnival on Saturday, June 18, Orchid Estate Agents were proud to present a £300 donation to the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

The money was raised during the event with visitors paying to 'soak' manager Tony Markland with wet sponges while he was held captive in a set of medieval stocks.

There was no shortage of takers for the chance to punish an estate agent, but it was all in good fun.
Orchid director Matthew Bennett said: "It was a fantastic day and it was great to be part of such a successful event, which I hope will now become an annual part of the town's calendar."

Also helping to raise money was Hazel Markland, Tony's wife, who did a very brisk trade in face painting throughout the day.
Orchid is an independent award-winning, online-based estate agency, but with strong connections to both Tring and Hemel Hempstead. Its staff are all locally-based and have an extensive knowledge of the area.

Call Orchid on 01442 890022; email on info@orchidproperties.co.uk or browse the website www.orchidproperties.co.uk
Download the brand new Orchid app from the App Store, for iPhones, BlackBerrys or android phones.


 

16th June 2011
 

App-solutely fabulous new service from Orchid

ALWAYS at the forefront of innovation, Orchid Estate Agents is now the first local independent agent to offer an app for the iPhone, android phones and the BlackBerry.

Available free to download from the App Store, this offers Orchid's hundreds of applicants and also their many vendors and landlords a swift, direct line to what's on offer through its listings and to keep up with the company's news too.

The bespoke application, with its clean, clear and precise design gives access to all sale and rental properties with multiple photographs of each home, floor plans and map locations too. For the busy, on-the-go potential home buyer or tenant this is an invaluable service to keep up to speed with the latest properties on the market.

There is a great added option to save your preferred properties to a 'favourites' section on your own phone and many other eye-catching and time-saving options at your fingertips.

Matthew Bennett Founder & Director of the award winning agency said: "Because in excess of 90% of people nowadays search for property online and expect instant updates wherever they are during the day or evening, so they do not miss out on hot properties, this is a logical next step in our marketing campaign.”

Orchid can also be accessed on You Tube with a rolling playlist of properties available to view, together with background music!
Download and search for the Orchid app on the App Store online, or visit www.orchidproperties.co.uk Call them on 01442 890022.
To view homes on You Tube, visit www.youtube.com

10th June 2011

Splat the estate agent!

ORCHID estate agents are proud to be part of the festivities for Tring Carnival, returning after many years to the town, on Saturday, June 18.

All our clients and friends are welcome to come along and see our stand at the event on Pound Meadow, Tring (opposite the Tesco store) from 12 noon until evening, when we will be glad to say hello.

You can chat to us about selling or renting your home, get advice on the local property market, and have some fun. Office manager Tony Markland has bravely volunteered to be a target for some wet sponge flinging as he is held 'captive' in medieval stocks for the day. Paying for this privilege will help swell the funds for our chosen charity the Hospice of St Francis, in Berkhamsted, a cause dear to the hearts of all people in the area.

Youngsters can also have their faces painted for a small charge, while Mum and Dad talk to director Matthew Bennett, founder of the company, about house prices, rental incomes or any aspect of the property world.

Matthew was born and educated in the town and has lived in Tring all his life and therefore has an extensive knowledge of the property market here. His family are also long-time residents and have successful businesses based near the town centre.

He is looking forward to taking part in the carnival celebrations. He said: "I feel it is important for local businesses to take part fully in the community and support activities in the town. Tring is a great place to live and this event will celebrate that and bring people together."

Find out more about Orchid estate agents on the website www.orchidproperties.co.uk or call us on 01442 890022.

Orchid welcomes new manager

AS part of its ongoing team expansion, Orchid Estate Agents has recently welcomed Tony Markland as its new manager.

Tony, 40, is a highly experienced estate agent, with 10 years' experience in the Hemel Hempstead and Tring areas. He was 'head-hunted' from his post as Assistant Manager at one of the area's leading agents and is already a valuable linchpin in the ever-growing Orchid organisation.

Orchid founder and Director Matthew Bennett said: "This is a great move for Orchid. I have great respect for Tony who I worked 'against' for many years. It is a pleasure to have him part of our highly experienced and proactive team.

"This also demonstrates Orchid's rapidly expanding profile in the area and offers all of our current and future clients the peace of mind that they are dealing with one of the area's most highly regarded agents."

Tony, who grew up in the Tring and Northchurch areas and who has a huge insight to the Dacorum area as a whole, is very excited about his new appointment.

He said: "Working for Orchid feels like coming home. I have known Matthew for many years and watched his progress up the business ladder and admire the way he has grown his company through the very difficult times of the recession.

"I am bringing local knowledge, enthusiasm and a similar approach to customer service to the team."

To back up his educated knowledge of the area, its homes and the needs of vendors, Tony has gained the National Federation of Property Professionals' technical award. This includes study and examination on many of the topics within estate agency, including law, legislation, property construction and type and other subjects.

Tony added: "It is great to be part of a forward-thinking company that is looking at how the market will evolve in the future. Orchid is ahead of the trends always. This is a great team and will be best-placed to meet the needs of vendors as the market gets busier and busier."

He added that the signs are already in place for more activity in the property market with seasonal trends returning and mortgage providers easing up on their strict lending policies.

If you are thinking of putting your property on the market, or would like to find out more about the National award-winning Orchid Estate Agents, call 01442 890022 or visit the website www.orchidproperties.co.uk



 

Rise and rise of renting

 

ALTHOUGH mortgage lenders seem to be less reluctant to lend following the devastating financial crisis, the numbers of people who want to rent, rather than buy is still high in 2011.
When a good-looking and keenly-priced rental property in the Dacorum area comes on the market, there is a big demand from applicants. It is very competitive out there.
But for existing landlords, the dilemma still remains of attracting the right kind of tenant, and, if managed, keeping the property in good order. Peace of mind counts for a lot.
This is especially important for would-be landlords who may be new to this area of the property world.
Matthew Bennett, of Orchid Estate Agents, a company taking an increasing portion of the local rental market told The Gazette that as well as professional landlords, he is dealing with those who have found it difficult to sell their homes in this difficult market and have chosen, in the short term, to rent out their property.
He adds: “This is really useful if you eventually want to sell because it is almost a ‘try before you buy’ option. Many tenants go on to buy the property they are in. Some properties are bringing in as much as an eight per cent yield on rents, which is above what most landlords expect.”
But there are risks, so it is best to cover all angles. Orchid offers one of the clearest and most comprehensive rental packages for landlords, with no ‘hidden extras’. Not least of these advantages is a rent guarantee to cover a landlord’s worst nightmare – non-paid rent. Arrears can build up very quickly and, if there’s a mortgage to pay on the property, this falls on the owner to find.
A fully-managed deal also means that the agent takes care of all necessary repairs and deals with emergencies. Matthew knows the importance of having good, experienced staff in this field: “Our very professional team is noted for being people-friendly and have helped landlords solve their day-to-day problems with ease.”
But while the income can be good and the capital growth of the property’s value will, hopefully, increase in years to come, there are more and more legal requirements for a landlord to consider. A gas safety certificate has to be secured for the property and it is essential to have dedicated landlord’s insurance to cover all eventualities.
With little or no interest in savings accounts, becoming a landlord as a way of supplementing your living is worth looking at.
Before the economic downturn it seemed there was no shortage of those choosing to invest in buy-to-let property. But what's the climate like now for applying for this specialist mortgage finance?
Neil Cutmore, an independent financial adviser, of Simpler Advice says: "The same requirements apply when you are looking for a buy-to-let mortgage as for a personal mortgage. Your own finances will be taken into account as well as the ratio of rent to mortgage.”
He added that yields for landlords are going up at the moment, but potential landlords must look on the investment with a long-term view. “New landlords must also take into account all the costs they will incur – insurance, estate agent fees, service charges and mortgage. The figures may not stack up. There are, however, alternatives to buy-to-let, which an independent mortgage adviser can let you know about.”
Renting is on the rise, so if you want to find out more…………..

Contact Orchid Estate Agents on the website www.orchidproperties.co.uk or call Matthew Bennett on 01442 890022
Neil Cutmore at Simpler Advice neil@simpleradvice.co.uk or call 01442 500505.
 

Orchid scoops NATIONAL award!

 9th December 2010

A TOP national award for excellence and innovation in the estate agency business was last week carried off by Founder and Director of Orchid, against strong opposition.

Matthew Bennett, 25, was announced the judges’ pick from a group of six finalists in the Rising Star of the Year category at a glittering ceremony on Wednesday 10th November at The Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London, organised by The Negotiator magazine.

In calling the young entrepreneur to the stage to collect his trophy, compere for the evening, BBC Scotland’s Fred MacAulay, told the 600-strong audience that Matthew was picked for the prize because of his “innovative marketing and the way he has grown the business over the past three years.” He was also named as one of the “leaders of the future” by the 11-strong judges’ panel which included the editor of The Negotiator Clare Bettelley and top names within the national estate agency business as well as James Caan, entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragons’ Den. Those who entered had to be born after January 1, 1980. Editor Clare says: “This year’s event is our biggest and best to date, and the quality of our entrants has been staggering. This is testament to Matthew’s effort and those of The Negotiator in continuing to strive to further raise industry standards. The winners of this year’s 17 categories clearly demonstrated to our esteemed panel of judges immense professionalism, financial stability and adaptability to the current market volatility. The judges were impressed with Matthew's determination and triumph over adversity and at such a young age, which is why he pipped the other entrants to the winning post. Furthermore the judges were also impressed with the fact that the 25-year-old's buiness is self-funded.

Matthew said that in such a hotly-contested category, sponsored by Home Move Box, he felt he had shown the way forward in estate agency with what he hopes is just the first of many Orchid Estate Agency online sites, which eventually will span the country.

Matthew said: “I am ecstatic about winning this award, which I feel recognises all the hard work myself and my staff have put in over the past three years. It is also recognition that estate agency is moving on and that the internet is the place to be to lead the market. Our company is always looking for marketing innovations and I feel we lead the field in this area for eye-catching ideas to help sell properties fast while never losing the best of traditional values of service to our vendors.”