Realitythree News
Reasons to be cheerful
Posted on 11 February by Lucy Carne
According to a recent online survey published by Rightmove, Norwich was placed seventh in the ‘happiest place to live’ league table.
That’s an excellent result, and if you are moving to the area that should make you very happy. For those of us who live here already, perhaps we are beginning to realise how fortunate we are...
... a wonderful history with iconic buildings like the Norman Castle and Majestic Cathedral and yet a Top Ten UK shopping complex. Perhaps we have come to appreciate that special balance between the old and the new and of course a premiership football team proving that team spirit counts for a great deal.
Perhaps that’s what it is – spirit and style old and new a special combination that we are delighted to be part of here at Reality.
Moving onwards and upwards
Posted on 31 January 2012 by Lucy Carne
I am delighted to announce that we will be moving to bigger and better premises at 65 Grove Road, Norwich NR1 3RL in March 2012.
It's our same team with the same high standards...
Discretion, trust and reliability
Tip top communication
And we come recommended
Our phone number remains unchanged so whether you are buying or selling please contact us now on Norwich 01603 756898
And we will do our best to get you moving!
Lucy Carne
Director, Lucy Carne NAEA
A Moving Story
Posted on 16 December 2011 by Lucy Carne
We are delighted to announce that we will be moving to better premises elsewhere in the city early in the New Year... further details shortly.
Is your agent registered with the NAEA
Posted on 7 December 2011 by Lucy Carne
We are proud to have received our licence from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the only licence of its kind in the UK property industry.
Grant Shapps, Housing Minister said “In future anyone looking to buy a home or sell theirs should ask the simple question of their estate agents – 'are you licensed by the NAEA?'."
Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the NAEA, said “If they don’t, they should ask themselves whether that’s the agent from whom they will get the best service when marketing their property.”
The new licence will also guarantee the agency is covered by required amounts of Professional Indemnity Insurance and be bound by the NAEA’s Rules of Conduct.
A glimpse of the latest market news
Posted on 8 September 2011 by Lucy Carne
There has been plenty of activity during August here at Realitythree... and we are expecting equally good results in September.
We have noticed some recent information in the media that is worth highlighting... The centre of Economics and Business Research (CEBR) reckons that the UK needs more than 225,000 new homes each year just to keep pace with population growth, but the UK builds only 110,000 a year... and it is this shortfall that accounts for the reported rise in house prices.
Right now there are some astonishingly cheap mortgages in the market place. The best products are probably available to purchasers borrowing up to a maximum of 75% (loan to value) but there are also a number of lenders who are offering 80% - 90% mortgages at competitive rates.
Talk to us soon and we’ll give you full details of the properties we have available – prices start from as little as £102,950. We can put you in touch with our recommended mortgage advisor, Anna Needs of Harrold Financial Planning Limited, who will be able to advise you on the latest mortgage deals.
We would like to be the key to your next home.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments on your mortgage.
The Financial Service Authority does not regulate most Buy to Let and commercial mortgage.
Realitythree is an introducer to Harrold Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
What buyers are saying
It's not just the clients we sell for that have nice things to say about the servcie they receive at Realitythree...
Take a look at some of our latest testimonials from buyers to find out more about the level of service we provide.
It's better with us!
Posted on 3 August 2011 by Lucy Carne
According to recent press reports it seems that a much higher number of sales are falling through... not with us we are pleased to say.
So called “big agents” want dozens and dozens of properties on the books and hundreds of people on their mailing lists. We know from past experience that it is impossible to provide a service to buyers and sellers on that basis... that is why we have chosen to stay small and to know our properties, our sellers and our buyers well enough to provide exceptional service, and we are pleased to say that it works for us and our clients.
Why not give us a call and put us to the test...?
Good news for first time buyers
Posted on 19 July 2011 by Lin Jones
We hear that first time buyers are hurrying to apply for the government's First Buy shared equity scheme. Under the £250m scheme the government and house builders jointly provide a 20% loan to top up a first time buyer's deposit of 5%.
We believe that this scheme should be widened in scope to benefit the general property market.
Interestingly, we are told that more providers are offering 90% loan to value products for first time buyers – that is good news, especially if there are substantial funds available.
An end to squatters rights?
Posted on 17 July 2011 by Lucy Carne
Government is considering legislation to make the unauthorised occupation of vacant property illegal... An end to squatters rights perhaps?
This looks to be very good news for home owners and investors.
Realitythree featured in top industry magazine
Posted on 29 June 2011 by Lucy Carne
We've always thought our office decor is rather beautiful but then we did choose it! So it's always nice when others love our bold lime green brand.
This month our office on Prince of Wales Road in Norwich has been featured for its striking design in top industry magazine The Negotiator.
If you haven't been in to say hello and have a coffee why not pop in and see for yourself.
Read the feature in The Negotiator
Well done to Norwich City
Posted on 20 May 2011 by Lucy Carne
Congratulations to Paul Lambert and the awesome Canaries.
Two promotions in two seasons is a wonderful achievement. The step up to the Premier League will bring great teams to Carrow Road and huge benefits to the area.
Time for us all to celebrate!
What a wonderful wedding!
Posted on 3 May 2011 by Lucy Carne
Congratulations to William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. We wish them a long and happy life together.
Make the most of this Royal Feel Good Factor.
We predict it will have a positive effect on many things, including the property market.
So whether you are buying or selling talk to us soon... Many people dealing with us say we give them a feel good feeling (and we have the cards and letters to prove it)!
Off market property available
Posted on 11 April 2011 by Lucy Carne
Is this you? If you are searching for an attractive detached property that boasts 3 acre (stm) paddocks, stable block of 4, tennis court and is situated just 8 miles south of Norwich then we should be talking.
You will need a budget of around £575,000 and you'd need to give our clients time to move – perhaps you are renting which would be ideal!
Please call us on 01603 756898 or email if you are interested in this property as this is an off market opportunity.
New lord of the manor required in Norfolk
Posted on 31 January 2011 by Lucy Carne
Boutique estate agency Realitythree is pleased to introduce Horsford Hall to the market for sale.Originally built around 1640 with additions in the 18th century, this Grade II listed property was once a manor house in Horsford, an ancient village located just 6 miles north of Norwich.
The seven-bedroom residence boasts impressive reception rooms, four bathrooms and extensive gardens. Lovingly renovated by its current owners, an attic conversion also offers a spacious suite of accommodation for a growing family to enjoy regular visits.
Steeped in character and overflowing with charm, Horsford Hall has been home to the Young family since 1993.
Margaret Young says: “When we first saw the hall we just fell in love with it. The place was not looking its best but it had wonderful atmosphere.
“The gardens are superb and hold such fond memories of family parties and games. Both our children held their weddings right here with marquees in the garden, bunting in the trees and dancing until far too late.”
Giving obvious scope for large families, Horsford Hall offers great potential for any number of uses, with easy access into Norwich city centre and further afield.
Lucy Carne, Director of Realitythree: “It has clearly been a property of some note throughout its history. Pride of ownership is very evident when you meet the owners who have cherished theirtime here.”
Bob Young admits it will be a wrench to leave Horsford Hall: “We like to think of it all as a bit of a relay race - a home being passed from one family to another to enjoy and love. It’s now time for us to hand it over to another family to love.
“This Spring we plan to hold one final celebration of our time at the hall when we will recreate the décor and party atmosphere of 1751. Georgian dancing, obligatory costume for our guests and a hog roast. A final farewell to a home that really has been home.”
Realitythree is keen to utilise the latest technology in bringing Horsford Hall to the marketplace.
“We offer our clients a bespoke service, especially when it comes to marketing a home as special as this,” said director Lucy Carne. “This is why we use professionally produced video to bring a property to life online and allow busy buyers, or those wishing to relocate to Norfolk, the chance to view at their leisure. A high-quality video that gives a taster of living at Horsford Hall is available to view online or on DVD.”
Click here to view the video of Horsford Hall.
Horsford Hall, Church Street, Horsford, Norfolk, NR10 3DB is for sale by Realitythree.
A view of the market
Posted on 9 January 2011 by Lucy Carne
2010 was a year of mixed messages with the pundits generally predicting gloom and doom!
However, this was not the case in this area.
Pundits tend to live in ivory towers, whilst the rest of us exist in a more realistic world. People have a need to move, life changes and our needs change too.
At Realitythree, we saw a host of people moving for a variety of reasons – for more space, a bigger garden, a better area, a job move, a legacy enabling a better property or just getting on the property ladder and not renting any longer!
In 2011 we see this trend continuing. Despite the economic uncertainties here at Realitythree we finished last year strongly with November being one of our best sales months of the whole year.
The key to our success in 2011 will be a good selection of property, offering value for money, access to mortgage funding and our style of service which tries to make the moving process easier. Hopefully we will gain even more testimonials in 2011 than we did in 2010. If we do, it will be another year of progress for us, as we seek to be the agent of choice.
Happy New Year!
Sold this month
Posted on 7 December 2010
Thinking about moving within the next few months? Then take a look at the latest properties sold by Realitythree.
Contact Realitythree for a valuation and you’ll spot a real difference straight away.
We won't tie you into a long-term agency contract.
Instruct us before 28 February 2011 and get £500 off our fees.
Minimun fee applies. If you have already instructed an estate agent to sell your home, their terms and conditions must be adhered to.
View in the snow
Posted on 2 December 2010
Are you looking for a new home but don't fancy stepping outside in the cold to go and view?
Worry no more. Despite this cold snap you can still continue your hunt for your next home by taking a virtual tour of a property from the comfort of your existing one. With video there really is no need to miss out on new properties to the market just because you don't wish to venture out in the snow.
We have just uploaded the latest Video Tour to RealityTV of a property on St Margarets Drive in Norwich.
The property for sale is a one bedroom Quarter House with fully enclosed garden and allocated parking.
There is even a touch of snow in the garden and on the roof so you can tell it is fresh on the market!
Take a Video Tour of the property on St Margarets Drive in Norwich now. Cup of tea in hand optional.
Reality Choices is launched
Posted on 12 November 2010 by Lucy Carne
More than 80% of property searches begin online which is why it's essential to make your home stand out from the crowd. That's exactly why Realitythree has introduced Reality Choices to give you the best possible chance of achieving a buyer for your home.
9 out of 10 buyers come to us through Rightmove which is why we have turned our attention towards marketing our properties online. Where did you start your search today?
Realitythree has introduced three packages so you can decide how you want us to market your home. The Essentials package comes as standard and focuses on marketing your property on Rightmove, full colour property details and an eye-catching 'For Sale' board.
The Stand Out package includes a high-quality property video which is uploaded to this website, emailed to prospective buyers and shared on social media channels like YouTube. The package also includes a premium Rightmove listing and colour floor plan.
Our top of the range package is called The Full Works and offers a service unique to Realitythree which really takes property marketing to another level. This package includes a longer high-quality property video and is especially attractive for showcasing larger properties and the benefits of the immediate locality.
Regardless of which package you select you can rest assured our level of personal service and attention to detail will remain the same.
Instruct us to sell your home before the 28 February 2011 and we'll give you £500 off our fees when you select the Stand Out or The Full Works package.
Bringing properties to life on video
Posted on 11 November 2010 by Lucy Carne
The viewing of video online has rocketed with the wider availability of broadband over the past few years.
85% of online users enjoy watching short videos and according to research by comScore a staggering 5.5 billion videos were viewed in the the UK in just one month this year.
More people are watching videos online. Not just catch up TV or amusing YouTube clips either. Video is increasingly becoming an essential tool for task-based research online. Whether it's to compare the performance of different models of cars or to learn how to use the functions on a new phone, we will happily watch a short video to narrow down the choices available or inspire us to visit a store.
So wouldn't you want to view your new home online?
Video marketing is an exciting and rapidly expanding industry which means it's only a matter of months before more estate agencies in the UK use it to market their properties. Right now we're the only forward thinking agents using it in the Norwich area but innovative estate agencies in London, the South West and the North are adding video to their marketing with impressive results. Our thanks go to the great team at Virtual View who've set up our online TV channel and film all of our properties.
So why property video? Well where do we begin? Take a look at our brand new online TV channel Reality TV and see for yourself.