scottfraser Newsletter Spring 2010

LET in Grandpont at £1,650 pcm

SOLD in Grandpont - Guide £480,000

SOLD in Iffley Village - Guide £700,000

SOLD in Old Headington - Guide £900,000

Over the last six months we have been very busy with a number of large-scale projects, two of which have been in Hayfield Road in the prestigious area of central North Oxford.The first was a complete refurbishment of a Victorian terrace which was rather tired and old fashioned. It had been let for many years through a series of informal agreements with visiting academics. The client wanted to create a desirable property for letting on the open market but also to ensure that it remained a personal retreat for her when staying in Oxford each Summer. In addition to the usual redecoration, the property required rewiring, replastering and a new kitchen and bathroom. The client’s personal style was successfully combined with the requirements of the modern lettings market. New tenants were secured in September 2009, and the client is already looking forward to her first visit.

On the back of this success came another, just across the street. The client, a previous scottfraser tenant, had lived at the other end of Hayfield Road in a house also refurbished by our design team a few years before. He had loved living there so much that, when he finally managed to buy a house a few doors away, he wanted to re-create the effect in his new home. Not wishing to deal with contractors himself, he instructed scottfraser to prepare the specification and obtain quotations, and then project manage the works through to completion. Everything was finished in readiness for the client’s long-awaited housewarming and Christmas drinks party in December.

Tenants continue to demand good quality and well-equipped accommodation. Therefore, properties must be presented to a high standard in order to compete in the current market. Our property managers are vigilant on their inspections. Recommendations are made to our landlords to ensure that their property remains in the best possible condition in order to attract quality tenants and premium rentals.

Hurrah for Oxford!Both sales and lettings enjoyed a fantastic year as predicted in our last newsletter in spite of the recession, political scandal, rising unemployment and mortgage famine. The Oxford property market recovered faster and stronger than many other UK cities. This is testimony to Oxford’s international reputation, industry, universities and hospitals which continue to attract professionals looking for quality properties to buy and rent.

The core of the sales recovery was in the prime middle to upper market where stock was in short supply, helping prices recover to levels last attained in 2007. This suited our local knowledge and expertise.

Going forward, we believe the lettings market in 2010 will be remembered for a diminishing supply of private rental stock, partly because of a strengthening residential sales market and a distinct lack of new

build houses and flats which have historically fed the rental market with buy-to-let investments. This situation is unlikely to improve until finance for new development and investment becomes more readily available from the banks, whose global lending policy does not take into account the strength of the Oxford market.

Generally speaking, new build developments can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete and until the supply meets demand, rental values will firm-up.

In an election year there can be uncertainties, particularly with a fragile economy (we are officially now out of recession, with growth for the fourth quarter 2009 of 0.1%!). However, one must not underestimate confidence in the marketplace and full employment will play a major role in this. Oxford’s current economic statistics show unemployment running at 4.9% which is below the national average of 6.2%.

We are, therefore, very confident in the sustainability of the Oxford property market and continue to invest in the service we provide, our people and our future expansion plans.

scottfraser received two industry accolades in November. They were awarded the Silver medal in the Best Small Estate Agency category at The Sunday Times 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards and were shortlisted (1of 8) in the Small Lettings National Category.

The event, now in its sixth year, is widely recognised as the most important in the industry calendar. Sold out, it attracted agents representing over 4,000 branches nationwide and in a sign of improving times for the market, this year received a record number of award entries. The winners were presented with their awards by television personality Penny Smith.

Following their initial submissions, each of these winners were subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a panel of independent industry experts and the whole judging process was overseen by the Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer.

scottfraser were delighted to receive the award. “This is the first time we have entered the competition, we did so at the suggestion of a number of clients and we have been delighted by

the response to our entries. It is always pleasing to have your achievements recognised but it is even more gratifying in a competition judged by top industry experts and professionals” said Managing Director David Blythman.

Once again the Awards were supported by the Property Ombudsman and leading professional bodies the NAEA and ARLA.

Peter Knight, Chairman of the event organisers Estate Agency Events was delighted with the 2009 awards. “I hope that our record number of entries this year and the very little time it took for the event to sell out is an indicator that we may have reached the bottom of the slump. There is no doubt that 2010 will still be a challenging year for our industry and the absolute commitment to excellence that all our winners have demonstrated will be vital for the industry to return to growth and thrive in the future. I cannot commend the example set by scottfraser and the other winners highly enough. The award winners and the participants in the accompanying Leadership Summit and Future Estate Agency and Lettings Live Seminars are shining examples to whom I would urge all others to aspire.”

scottfraserhelping people move

News and views of scottfraser SPRING 2010

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10 Lime Tree Mews2 Lime WalkHeadingtonOxfordOX3 7DZ

Tel: 01865 760055

267 Cowley RoadEast OxfordOX4 1XQ

Lettings: 01865 244666Sales: 01865 759508

205a Banbury RoadSummertownOX2 7HQ

Lettings: 01865 554577Sales: 01865 759507

77 London RoadHeadingtonOX3 9AA

Lettings: 01865 761111Sales: 01865 759500

Mayfair Office15 Thayer StreetLondonW1U 3JT

Tel: 0207 4675330

OFFICE LOCATIONS & CONTACT DETAILS

scottfraserhelping people move www.scottfraser.co.uk

And finally…Having acquired the taste for winning at the recent Sunday Times awards we will be entering a number of industry specific competitions this year to help us raise the bar once again in the quality of service across the company, and to ensure that we are at the forefront of the residential sales and lettings markets.

Andrew Greenwood Group Managing Director

Market Report By Andrew Greenwood - Group Managing Director and David Blythman - Managing Director, Sales

Refurbishment & Furnishings By Lucy Taylor - Associate Director

SOLD in

East Oxford

- Guide

£550,000

May 2009

scottfraser win at The Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards

LET in The Waterways at £875 pcm

JUDGES COMMENTS“scottfraser has not rested on its laurels and continues to seek new and innovative ways to improve their offering. Operating in a niche market, the team drew on their experience in the previous recession to continue to grow during the tough times. Boasting a high valuation to instruction ratio, much of their business is personal recommendation. Offering a number of services to clients they are also select in the properties they take on, an approach which results in quick sales and a personal service. Outstanding.”

Pictured above, left to right: Andrew Greenwood, Penny Smith (GMTV Presenter), Adrian Wraight, David Blythman, Lucy Taylor and Michael Joubert.

LET in Ramsay Road at £2,000 pcm

SOLD in Headington - Guide £640,000

LET in Begbroke at £775 pcm

LET in Hayfield Road at £1,200 pcm

Living 3,000 miles west from my Oxford property, I was unable to have any “hands on” involvement in the refurbishment of the house. After an initial meeting with Lucy in Oxford to choose colour schemes and fittings, I just sat back and she oversaw the whole operation - new kitchen and bathroom, total repainting and recarpeting and numerous other updating details. Lucy is efficient and has impeccable taste and the work was done well and on time.

Mrs S Sinclair - Canada

SOLD in Shotover - Guide £650,000

On the third Tuesday of February 2009 at around 2:30pm the telephones in sales started ringing and they didn’t stop all year. It was not the same for all Oxford estate agents although, despite a few casualties, most fared reasonably well.

scottfraser sales have been gathering a strong momentum for the last few years and in 2009 it all seemed to come together.

This, combined with the “Oxford Factor” (see market report) and a dedicated, hardworking team produced a fantastic result, culminating with our award at The Sunday Times 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

In estate agency the old adage “you’re only as good as your last deal” is particularly true. As we rely on personal and professional recommendations, the New Year means a new start, along with a thorough review of our practices and processes to ensure we continue to provide the highest standard of service.

Surviving the upturn may be more difficult for some middle-income families than surviving the recession. The prospect of higher taxes, both directly and indirectly, increased interest rates and further job cuts may only start to take effect as we progress through 2010.

At scottfraser we have recognised this potential problem. Choosing the right finance products will remain crucial to avoid excessive interest rates, onerous fees and restrictive tie-ins.

In response to these ongoing challenges, we will soon be launching scottfraser private finance to help all our clients navigate the mortgage market and achieve the best possible finance arrangements for their purchases.

For more information on scottfraser private finance, please contact David Blythman on 01865 759500.

We went “live” as planned in September 2009 with CFP Winman, our new lettings software. Whilst there were the inevitable teething problems, our teams worked extremely hard to integrate all the new processes and we are seeing some real improvements to our service. In particular, we are now able to automatically send monthly statements to landlords by email, and also produce a single monthly statement for landlords with multiple properties. If you would like to benefit from either/both of these services, please speak to your Branch Manager.

We have a number of new initiatives planned for 2010, including a rent guarantee scheme, a welcome pack for incoming tenants and secure access to on-line statements for our landlords. Watch this space.

Buy-to-let investment is still prevalent in Oxford, with most of our clients buying in cash or with small mortgages. Annual rental yields of up to 4% (net of all costs) are still achievable.

As always, availability of good quality investments is low but we do currently have a selection of properties which we are very happy to recommend.

For further information on our property search and acquisition service please contact Andrew Greenwood or Lucy Taylor on 01865 760055.

Lettings Round UpBy Michael Joubert - Senior Manager

Lettings TestimonialsDear Lucy “As it is now some ten years since my dealings as a prospective landlord with scottfraser began, I can think of few better ways of celebrating the anniversary than writing formally to confirm the thanks I have on many occasions given verbally to members of the team over this last decade.

From the earliest days of my looking to buy a property to let, I felt that I was in safe hands. That says much for Andrew Greenwood himself: expertise in academic fields does not necessarily guarantee anything other than naïveté when it comes to the property market, and his personal interest in my initial enquiry was and remains enormously appreciated. Advice on finance was as gratefully received as time spent discussing the implications of possible purchases.

I have been delighted with this enterprise on just about every front. Efforts to find tenants have been diligent; potential problems have been presented along with suggested solutions; communication had been unfailingly efficient and friendly.“ Mr A Smith - Surrey

Dear Emma “Thanks very much to you for all you’ve done for us. You’ve been the best of the property managers we had by a very long chalk.“ Mr A B-W - East Oxford

Dear Tracey “I have just ended a lettings contract with scottfraser as I have moved back into the property. I would like to thank everyone at scottfraser for their top quality service. Unlike some letting agencies in Oxford they did not put down their competition and sold scottfraser on its own merits.” Ms A R - Headington

Staff Update

Strength in NumbersAs part of our ongoing commitment to staff development, there have been a number of new appointments across the offices.We must also continue to meet and exceed the demands of our customers in 2010 if we want to set ourselves apart from other agencies on the High Street.

Michael Joubert has taken on the management of the Summertown office, with Tracey Hayden taking his place in East Oxford.

A new team member, Nick Jones, arrives in February, as the Headington Branch Manager. Nick brings with him a wealth of experience in the lettings

industry along with valuable local knowledge of the city. In addition, we shall be expanding the team at Head Office to include Rachel Law, who will join us later in February. Rachel will take on the new and exciting role of Business Development & Marketing Manager, complementing both our sales and lettings businesses.

We have taken this opportunity to develop existing staff members, with the Summertown and Headington administrators, Sophie Gannon and Emily Rowe, stepping-up to the roles of letting negotiators in their offices. Hannah Bayliss, East Oxford administrator, will be joining Michael in Summertown.

Two new faces, Zoë Mundy and Karen Lindsay, have been appointed to the administrator roles in Headington and East Oxford. Completing the teams are part-time administrators Kathleen Cassitta in East Oxford and Sue Simms in Head Office (accounts).

The sales team have also have recruited a full-time administrator, Ruth Mankelow, who joined in September.

Anna Berry, who has been our lettings negotiator in Headington for several years, has taken some time-out to go travelling. We wish her “Bon Voyage” and look forward to receiving lots of postcards from exotic locations over the next twelve months before we welcome her back.

Michael Joubert Tracey Hayden

Rachel LawNick Jones Zoë Mundy Kathleen Cassitta

Emily RoweSophie Gannon Ruth Mankelow Anna Berry

Additions to the scottfraser familyThe scottfraser family is increasing! Siân Wallace, our Compliance Officer, had another little boy on 28 January and Vicky Mellor, our Training Manager, is expecting her second baby in March. We send our best wishes to them both.

New Build SuccessA brand new Berkeley Homes property completed on Friday 25th September and let immediately. Adrianna Kelly of our Headington Lettings Office met with the landlord, collected the keys and conducted a handover with Berkeley Homes. A successful viewing followed and the new tenants moved in on Friday 2nd October. Fast work!

Bidding War on Leopold Streetscottfraser’s East Oxford office took on a new property in Leopold Street which was an instant success. The first two potential tenants who had viewed the property were both so keen to take the property that a bidding war ensued. Best and final offers culminated in minimum downtime and an increased rental for the landlord.

Update on Student LivingAll our student households have now moved in and are delighted with the standard of accommodation. Record rents have been achieved this year, and we are looking, as always, to replenish our stock of good quality student accommodation. For more information, please contact Tracey Hayden (East Oxford Branch Manager) on 01865 244666.

Sales Round Up By Adrian Wraight - Associate Director

SOLD in Kidlington - Guide £350,000

Dear David

“We’ve had a busy few weeks settling into our new home but I mustn’t leave it any longer to write to you.

We want you to know how happy we have been with our dealings with scottfraser over the past 18 months or so. From the first friendly welcome from Nicola everyone has been courteous and helpful and we have also been aware of and appreciated your competence and efficiency throughout.

We must mention Adrian whose cheerful regular calls particularly during the bleak period late last year were very supportive and made us feel there was some glimmer of hope.

Thank you all not only for the good service you have given us but also for your friendly and sympathetic manner which has helped to make this difficult period of our lives more bearable.

Our best wishes to you all.”

Mr and Mrs T - Headington

Dear Ellie

“David and I wanted to say thank you so very much for all you did for us in supporting us to get the house of our dreams. You (and your colleagues) but especially you were wonderful and had the patience of Job when we were going through the rough times.

We will thoroughly recommend you and scottfraser. Have a lovely time in Argentina.

With love and best wishes.”

Mr and Mrs C - Oxford

To Adrian and all the team at scottfraser

“Thank you for all the very hard work you put into our move! We are here and it is like living a dream!

Best wishes.”

Mr and Mrs H - Oxford

Sales Testimonials

Unusual Accommodation for LandlubbersAn unlikely style of accommodation received a great deal of interest when it was first advertised, with an offer accepted within a couple of weeks. Two postgraduates have taken on board the tenancy of a 56’ houseboat named “Frideswide”. Their new home offers a beguiling combination of tranquillity, a taste of Oxford’s bohemian lifestyle, and a city centre location. Moored at the bottom of Worcester College gardens, the boat is only a minute’s walk to the heart of the city, the bars and cafés of Jericho, as well as the railway and coach stations.

SOLD in Summertown - Guide £770,000

LET in Sandfield Road at £1,800 pcm

LET in St Clements at £1,350 pcm

Recommend a friend and we will show you our appreciation.With each new instruction sold or let we will deliver a case of fine wine from the Oxford Wine Company to you.

For more details please call either Adrian Wraight (Sales) on 01865 759500 or Michael Joubert (Lettings) on 01865 554577

✁

SOLD in Shotover - Guide £650,000

On the third Tuesday of February 2009 at around 2:30pm the telephones in sales started ringing and they didn’t stop all year. It was not the same for all Oxford estate agents although, despite a few casualties, most fared reasonably well.

scottfraser sales have been gathering a strong momentum for the last few years and in 2009 it all seemed to come together.

This, combined with the “Oxford Factor” (see market report) and a dedicated, hardworking team produced a fantastic result, culminating with our award at The Sunday Times 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

In estate agency the old adage “you’re only as good as your last deal” is particularly true. As we rely on personal and professional recommendations, the New Year means a new start, along with a thorough review of our practices and processes to ensure we continue to provide the highest standard of service.

Surviving the upturn may be more difficult for some middle-income families than surviving the recession. The prospect of higher taxes, both directly and indirectly, increased interest rates and further job cuts may only start to take effect as we progress through 2010.

At scottfraser we have recognised this potential problem. Choosing the right finance products will remain crucial to avoid excessive interest rates, onerous fees and restrictive tie-ins.

In response to these ongoing challenges, we will soon be launching scottfraser private finance to help all our clients navigate the mortgage market and achieve the best possible finance arrangements for their purchases.

For more information on scottfraser private finance, please contact David Blythman on 01865 759500.

We went “live” as planned in September 2009 with CFP Winman, our new lettings software. Whilst there were the inevitable teething problems, our teams worked extremely hard to integrate all the new processes and we are seeing some real improvements to our service. In particular, we are now able to automatically send monthly statements to landlords by email, and also produce a single monthly statement for landlords with multiple properties. If you would like to benefit from either/both of these services, please speak to your Branch Manager.

We have a number of new initiatives planned for 2010, including a rent guarantee scheme, a welcome pack for incoming tenants and secure access to on-line statements for our landlords. Watch this space.

Buy-to-let investment is still prevalent in Oxford, with most of our clients buying in cash or with small mortgages. Annual rental yields of up to 4% (net of all costs) are still achievable.

As always, availability of good quality investments is low but we do currently have a selection of properties which we are very happy to recommend.

For further information on our property search and acquisition service please contact Andrew Greenwood or Lucy Taylor on 01865 760055.

Lettings Round UpBy Michael Joubert - Senior Manager

Lettings TestimonialsDear Lucy “As it is now some ten years since my dealings as a prospective landlord with scottfraser began, I can think of few better ways of celebrating the anniversary than writing formally to confirm the thanks I have on many occasions given verbally to members of the team over this last decade.

From the earliest days of my looking to buy a property to let, I felt that I was in safe hands. That says much for Andrew Greenwood himself: expertise in academic fields does not necessarily guarantee anything other than naïveté when it comes to the property market, and his personal interest in my initial enquiry was and remains enormously appreciated. Advice on finance was as gratefully received as time spent discussing the implications of possible purchases.

I have been delighted with this enterprise on just about every front. Efforts to find tenants have been diligent; potential problems have been presented along with suggested solutions; communication had been unfailingly efficient and friendly.“ Mr A Smith - Surrey

Dear Emma “Thanks very much to you for all you’ve done for us. You’ve been the best of the property managers we had by a very long chalk.“ Mr A B-W - East Oxford

Dear Tracey “I have just ended a lettings contract with scottfraser as I have moved back into the property. I would like to thank everyone at scottfraser for their top quality service. Unlike some letting agencies in Oxford they did not put down their competition and sold scottfraser on its own merits.” Ms A R - Headington

Staff Update

Strength in NumbersAs part of our ongoing commitment to staff development, there have been a number of new appointments across the offices.We must also continue to meet and exceed the demands of our customers in 2010 if we want to set ourselves apart from other agencies on the High Street.

Michael Joubert has taken on the management of the Summertown office, with Tracey Hayden taking his place in East Oxford.

A new team member, Nick Jones, arrives in February, as the Headington Branch Manager. Nick brings with him a wealth of experience in the lettings

industry along with valuable local knowledge of the city. In addition, we shall be expanding the team at Head Office to include Rachel Law, who will join us later in February. Rachel will take on the new and exciting role of Business Development & Marketing Manager, complementing both our sales and lettings businesses.

We have taken this opportunity to develop existing staff members, with the Summertown and Headington administrators, Sophie Gannon and Emily Rowe, stepping-up to the roles of letting negotiators in their offices. Hannah Bayliss, East Oxford administrator, will be joining Michael in Summertown.

Two new faces, Zoë Mundy and Karen Lindsay, have been appointed to the administrator roles in Headington and East Oxford. Completing the teams are part-time administrators Kathleen Cassitta in East Oxford and Sue Simms in Head Office (accounts).

The sales team have also have recruited a full-time administrator, Ruth Mankelow, who joined in September.

Anna Berry, who has been our lettings negotiator in Headington for several years, has taken some time-out to go travelling. We wish her “Bon Voyage” and look forward to receiving lots of postcards from exotic locations over the next twelve months before we welcome her back.

Michael Joubert Tracey Hayden

Rachel LawNick Jones Zoë Mundy Kathleen Cassitta

Emily RoweSophie Gannon Ruth Mankelow Anna Berry

Additions to the scottfraser familyThe scottfraser family is increasing! Siân Wallace, our Compliance Officer, had another little boy on 28 January and Vicky Mellor, our Training Manager, is expecting her second baby in March. We send our best wishes to them both.

New Build SuccessA brand new Berkeley Homes property completed on Friday 25th September and let immediately. Adrianna Kelly of our Headington Lettings Office met with the landlord, collected the keys and conducted a handover with Berkeley Homes. A successful viewing followed and the new tenants moved in on Friday 2nd October. Fast work!

Bidding War on Leopold Streetscottfraser’s East Oxford office took on a new property in Leopold Street which was an instant success. The first two potential tenants who had viewed the property were both so keen to take the property that a bidding war ensued. Best and final offers culminated in minimum downtime and an increased rental for the landlord.

Update on Student LivingAll our student households have now moved in and are delighted with the standard of accommodation. Record rents have been achieved this year, and we are looking, as always, to replenish our stock of good quality student accommodation. For more information, please contact Tracey Hayden (East Oxford Branch Manager) on 01865 244666.

Sales Round Up By Adrian Wraight - Associate Director

SOLD in Kidlington - Guide £350,000

Dear David

“We’ve had a busy few weeks settling into our new home but I mustn’t leave it any longer to write to you.

We want you to know how happy we have been with our dealings with scottfraser over the past 18 months or so. From the first friendly welcome from Nicola everyone has been courteous and helpful and we have also been aware of and appreciated your competence and efficiency throughout.

We must mention Adrian whose cheerful regular calls particularly during the bleak period late last year were very supportive and made us feel there was some glimmer of hope.

Thank you all not only for the good service you have given us but also for your friendly and sympathetic manner which has helped to make this difficult period of our lives more bearable.

Our best wishes to you all.”

Mr and Mrs T - Headington

Dear Ellie

“David and I wanted to say thank you so very much for all you did for us in supporting us to get the house of our dreams. You (and your colleagues) but especially you were wonderful and had the patience of Job when we were going through the rough times.

We will thoroughly recommend you and scottfraser. Have a lovely time in Argentina.

With love and best wishes.”

Mr and Mrs C - Oxford

To Adrian and all the team at scottfraser

“Thank you for all the very hard work you put into our move! We are here and it is like living a dream!

Best wishes.”

Mr and Mrs H - Oxford

Sales Testimonials

Unusual Accommodation for LandlubbersAn unlikely style of accommodation received a great deal of interest when it was first advertised, with an offer accepted within a couple of weeks. Two postgraduates have taken on board the tenancy of a 56’ houseboat named “Frideswide”. Their new home offers a beguiling combination of tranquillity, a taste of Oxford’s bohemian lifestyle, and a city centre location. Moored at the bottom of Worcester College gardens, the boat is only a minute’s walk to the heart of the city, the bars and cafés of Jericho, as well as the railway and coach stations.

SOLD in Summertown - Guide £770,000

LET in Sandfield Road at £1,800 pcm

LET in St Clements at £1,350 pcm

Recommend a friend and we will show you our appreciation.With each new instruction sold or let we will deliver a case of fine wine from the Oxford Wine Company to you.

For more details please call either Adrian Wraight (Sales) on 01865 759500 or Michael Joubert (Lettings) on 01865 554577

✁

SOLD in Shotover - Guide £650,000

On the third Tuesday of February 2009 at around 2:30pm the telephones in sales started ringing and they didn’t stop all year. It was not the same for all Oxford estate agents although, despite a few casualties, most fared reasonably well.

scottfraser sales have been gathering a strong momentum for the last few years and in 2009 it all seemed to come together.

This, combined with the “Oxford Factor” (see market report) and a dedicated, hardworking team produced a fantastic result, culminating with our award at The Sunday Times 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

In estate agency the old adage “you’re only as good as your last deal” is particularly true. As we rely on personal and professional recommendations, the New Year means a new start, along with a thorough review of our practices and processes to ensure we continue to provide the highest standard of service.

Surviving the upturn may be more difficult for some middle-income families than surviving the recession. The prospect of higher taxes, both directly and indirectly, increased interest rates and further job cuts may only start to take effect as we progress through 2010.

At scottfraser we have recognised this potential problem. Choosing the right finance products will remain crucial to avoid excessive interest rates, onerous fees and restrictive tie-ins.

In response to these ongoing challenges, we will soon be launching scottfraser private finance to help all our clients navigate the mortgage market and achieve the best possible finance arrangements for their purchases.

For more information on scottfraser private finance, please contact David Blythman on 01865 759500.

We went “live” as planned in September 2009 with CFP Winman, our new lettings software. Whilst there were the inevitable teething problems, our teams worked extremely hard to integrate all the new processes and we are seeing some real improvements to our service. In particular, we are now able to automatically send monthly statements to landlords by email, and also produce a single monthly statement for landlords with multiple properties. If you would like to benefit from either/both of these services, please speak to your Branch Manager.

We have a number of new initiatives planned for 2010, including a rent guarantee scheme, a welcome pack for incoming tenants and secure access to on-line statements for our landlords. Watch this space.

Buy-to-let investment is still prevalent in Oxford, with most of our clients buying in cash or with small mortgages. Annual rental yields of up to 4% (net of all costs) are still achievable.

As always, availability of good quality investments is low but we do currently have a selection of properties which we are very happy to recommend.

For further information on our property search and acquisition service please contact Andrew Greenwood or Lucy Taylor on 01865 760055.

Lettings Round UpBy Michael Joubert - Senior Manager

Lettings TestimonialsDear Lucy “As it is now some ten years since my dealings as a prospective landlord with scottfraser began, I can think of few better ways of celebrating the anniversary than writing formally to confirm the thanks I have on many occasions given verbally to members of the team over this last decade.

From the earliest days of my looking to buy a property to let, I felt that I was in safe hands. That says much for Andrew Greenwood himself: expertise in academic fields does not necessarily guarantee anything other than naïveté when it comes to the property market, and his personal interest in my initial enquiry was and remains enormously appreciated. Advice on finance was as gratefully received as time spent discussing the implications of possible purchases.

I have been delighted with this enterprise on just about every front. Efforts to find tenants have been diligent; potential problems have been presented along with suggested solutions; communication had been unfailingly efficient and friendly.“ Mr A Smith - Surrey

Dear Emma “Thanks very much to you for all you’ve done for us. You’ve been the best of the property managers we had by a very long chalk.“ Mr A B-W - East Oxford

Dear Tracey “I have just ended a lettings contract with scottfraser as I have moved back into the property. I would like to thank everyone at scottfraser for their top quality service. Unlike some letting agencies in Oxford they did not put down their competition and sold scottfraser on its own merits.” Ms A R - Headington

Staff Update

Strength in NumbersAs part of our ongoing commitment to staff development, there have been a number of new appointments across the offices.We must also continue to meet and exceed the demands of our customers in 2010 if we want to set ourselves apart from other agencies on the High Street.

Michael Joubert has taken on the management of the Summertown office, with Tracey Hayden taking his place in East Oxford.

A new team member, Nick Jones, arrives in February, as the Headington Branch Manager. Nick brings with him a wealth of experience in the lettings

industry along with valuable local knowledge of the city. In addition, we shall be expanding the team at Head Office to include Rachel Law, who will join us later in February. Rachel will take on the new and exciting role of Business Development & Marketing Manager, complementing both our sales and lettings businesses.

We have taken this opportunity to develop existing staff members, with the Summertown and Headington administrators, Sophie Gannon and Emily Rowe, stepping-up to the roles of letting negotiators in their offices. Hannah Bayliss, East Oxford administrator, will be joining Michael in Summertown.

Two new faces, Zoë Mundy and Karen Lindsay, have been appointed to the administrator roles in Headington and East Oxford. Completing the teams are part-time administrators Kathleen Cassitta in East Oxford and Sue Simms in Head Office (accounts).

The sales team have also have recruited a full-time administrator, Ruth Mankelow, who joined in September.

Anna Berry, who has been our lettings negotiator in Headington for several years, has taken some time-out to go travelling. We wish her “Bon Voyage” and look forward to receiving lots of postcards from exotic locations over the next twelve months before we welcome her back.

Michael Joubert Tracey Hayden

Rachel LawNick Jones Zoë Mundy Kathleen Cassitta

Emily RoweSophie Gannon Ruth Mankelow Anna Berry

Additions to the scottfraser familyThe scottfraser family is increasing! Siân Wallace, our Compliance Officer, had another little boy on 28 January and Vicky Mellor, our Training Manager, is expecting her second baby in March. We send our best wishes to them both.

New Build SuccessA brand new Berkeley Homes property completed on Friday 25th September and let immediately. Adrianna Kelly of our Headington Lettings Office met with the landlord, collected the keys and conducted a handover with Berkeley Homes. A successful viewing followed and the new tenants moved in on Friday 2nd October. Fast work!

Bidding War on Leopold Streetscottfraser’s East Oxford office took on a new property in Leopold Street which was an instant success. The first two potential tenants who had viewed the property were both so keen to take the property that a bidding war ensued. Best and final offers culminated in minimum downtime and an increased rental for the landlord.

Update on Student LivingAll our student households have now moved in and are delighted with the standard of accommodation. Record rents have been achieved this year, and we are looking, as always, to replenish our stock of good quality student accommodation. For more information, please contact Tracey Hayden (East Oxford Branch Manager) on 01865 244666.

Sales Round Up By Adrian Wraight - Associate Director

SOLD in Kidlington - Guide £350,000

Dear David

“We’ve had a busy few weeks settling into our new home but I mustn’t leave it any longer to write to you.

We want you to know how happy we have been with our dealings with scottfraser over the past 18 months or so. From the first friendly welcome from Nicola everyone has been courteous and helpful and we have also been aware of and appreciated your competence and efficiency throughout.

We must mention Adrian whose cheerful regular calls particularly during the bleak period late last year were very supportive and made us feel there was some glimmer of hope.

Thank you all not only for the good service you have given us but also for your friendly and sympathetic manner which has helped to make this difficult period of our lives more bearable.

Our best wishes to you all.”

Mr and Mrs T - Headington

Dear Ellie

“David and I wanted to say thank you so very much for all you did for us in supporting us to get the house of our dreams. You (and your colleagues) but especially you were wonderful and had the patience of Job when we were going through the rough times.

We will thoroughly recommend you and scottfraser. Have a lovely time in Argentina.

With love and best wishes.”

Mr and Mrs C - Oxford

To Adrian and all the team at scottfraser

“Thank you for all the very hard work you put into our move! We are here and it is like living a dream!

Best wishes.”

Mr and Mrs H - Oxford

Sales Testimonials

Unusual Accommodation for LandlubbersAn unlikely style of accommodation received a great deal of interest when it was first advertised, with an offer accepted within a couple of weeks. Two postgraduates have taken on board the tenancy of a 56’ houseboat named “Frideswide”. Their new home offers a beguiling combination of tranquillity, a taste of Oxford’s bohemian lifestyle, and a city centre location. Moored at the bottom of Worcester College gardens, the boat is only a minute’s walk to the heart of the city, the bars and cafés of Jericho, as well as the railway and coach stations.

SOLD in Summertown - Guide £770,000

LET in Sandfield Road at £1,800 pcm

LET in St Clements at £1,350 pcm

Recommend a friend and we will show you our appreciation.With each new instruction sold or let we will deliver a case of fine wine from the Oxford Wine Company to you.

For more details please call either Adrian Wraight (Sales) on 01865 759500 or Michael Joubert (Lettings) on 01865 554577

✁

LET in Grandpont at £1,650 pcm

SOLD in Grandpont - Guide £480,000

SOLD in Iffley Village - Guide £700,000

SOLD in Old Headington - Guide £900,000

Over the last six months we have been very busy with a number of large-scale projects, two of which have been in Hayfield Road in the prestigious area of central North Oxford.The first was a complete refurbishment of a Victorian terrace which was rather tired and old fashioned. It had been let for many years through a series of informal agreements with visiting academics. The client wanted to create a desirable property for letting on the open market but also to ensure that it remained a personal retreat for her when staying in Oxford each Summer. In addition to the usual redecoration, the property required rewiring, replastering and a new kitchen and bathroom. The client’s personal style was successfully combined with the requirements of the modern lettings market. New tenants were secured in September 2009, and the client is already looking forward to her first visit.

On the back of this success came another, just across the street. The client, a previous scottfraser tenant, had lived at the other end of Hayfield Road in a house also refurbished by our design team a few years before. He had loved living there so much that, when he finally managed to buy a house a few doors away, he wanted to re-create the effect in his new home. Not wishing to deal with contractors himself, he instructed scottfraser to prepare the specification and obtain quotations, and then project manage the works through to completion. Everything was finished in readiness for the client’s long-awaited housewarming and Christmas drinks party in December.

Tenants continue to demand good quality and well-equipped accommodation. Therefore, properties must be presented to a high standard in order to compete in the current market. Our property managers are vigilant on their inspections. Recommendations are made to our landlords to ensure that their property remains in the best possible condition in order to attract quality tenants and premium rentals.

Hurrah for Oxford!Both sales and lettings enjoyed a fantastic year as predicted in our last newsletter in spite of the recession, political scandal, rising unemployment and mortgage famine. The Oxford property market recovered faster and stronger than many other UK cities. This is testimony to Oxford’s international reputation, industry, universities and hospitals which continue to attract professionals looking for quality properties to buy and rent.

The core of the sales recovery was in the prime middle to upper market where stock was in short supply, helping prices recover to levels last attained in 2007. This suited our local knowledge and expertise.

Going forward, we believe the lettings market in 2010 will be remembered for a diminishing supply of private rental stock, partly because of a strengthening residential sales market and a distinct lack of new

build houses and flats which have historically fed the rental market with buy-to-let investments. This situation is unlikely to improve until finance for new development and investment becomes more readily available from the banks, whose global lending policy does not take into account the strength of the Oxford market.

Generally speaking, new build developments can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete and until the supply meets demand, rental values will firm-up.

In an election year there can be uncertainties, particularly with a fragile economy (we are officially now out of recession, with growth for the fourth quarter 2009 of 0.1%!). However, one must not underestimate confidence in the marketplace and full employment will play a major role in this. Oxford’s current economic statistics show unemployment running at 4.9% which is below the national average of 6.2%.

We are, therefore, very confident in the sustainability of the Oxford property market and continue to invest in the service we provide, our people and our future expansion plans.

scottfraser received two industry accolades in November. They were awarded the Silver medal in the Best Small Estate Agency category at The Sunday Times 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards and were shortlisted (1of 8) in the Small Lettings National Category.

The event, now in its sixth year, is widely recognised as the most important in the industry calendar. Sold out, it attracted agents representing over 4,000 branches nationwide and in a sign of improving times for the market, this year received a record number of award entries. The winners were presented with their awards by television personality Penny Smith.

Following their initial submissions, each of these winners were subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a panel of independent industry experts and the whole judging process was overseen by the Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer.

scottfraser were delighted to receive the award. “This is the first time we have entered the competition, we did so at the suggestion of a number of clients and we have been delighted by

the response to our entries. It is always pleasing to have your achievements recognised but it is even more gratifying in a competition judged by top industry experts and professionals” said Managing Director David Blythman.

Once again the Awards were supported by the Property Ombudsman and leading professional bodies the NAEA and ARLA.

Peter Knight, Chairman of the event organisers Estate Agency Events was delighted with the 2009 awards. “I hope that our record number of entries this year and the very little time it took for the event to sell out is an indicator that we may have reached the bottom of the slump. There is no doubt that 2010 will still be a challenging year for our industry and the absolute commitment to excellence that all our winners have demonstrated will be vital for the industry to return to growth and thrive in the future. I cannot commend the example set by scottfraser and the other winners highly enough. The award winners and the participants in the accompanying Leadership Summit and Future Estate Agency and Lettings Live Seminars are shining examples to whom I would urge all others to aspire.”

scottfraserhelping people move

News and views of scottfraser SPRING 2010

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10 Lime Tree Mews2 Lime WalkHeadingtonOxfordOX3 7DZ

Tel: 01865 760055

267 Cowley RoadEast OxfordOX4 1XQ

Lettings: 01865 244666Sales: 01865 759508

205a Banbury RoadSummertownOX2 7HQ

Lettings: 01865 554577Sales: 01865 759507

77 London RoadHeadingtonOX3 9AA

Lettings: 01865 761111Sales: 01865 759500

Mayfair Office15 Thayer StreetLondonW1U 3JT

Tel: 0207 4675330

OFFICE LOCATIONS & CONTACT DETAILS

scottfraserhelping people move www.scottfraser.co.uk

And finally…Having acquired the taste for winning at the recent Sunday Times awards we will be entering a number of industry specific competitions this year to help us raise the bar once again in the quality of service across the company, and to ensure that we are at the forefront of the residential sales and lettings markets.

Andrew Greenwood Group Managing Director

Market Report By Andrew Greenwood - Group Managing Director and David Blythman - Managing Director, Sales

Refurbishment & Furnishings By Lucy Taylor - Associate Director

SOLD in

East Oxford

- Guide

£550,000

May 2009

scottfraser win at The Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards

LET in The Waterways at £875 pcm

JUDGES COMMENTS“scottfraser has not rested on its laurels and continues to seek new and innovative ways to improve their offering. Operating in a niche market, the team drew on their experience in the previous recession to continue to grow during the tough times. Boasting a high valuation to instruction ratio, much of their business is personal recommendation. Offering a number of services to clients they are also select in the properties they take on, an approach which results in quick sales and a personal service. Outstanding.”

Pictured above, left to right: Andrew Greenwood, Penny Smith (GMTV Presenter), Adrian Wraight, David Blythman, Lucy Taylor and Michael Joubert.

LET in Ramsay Road at £2,000 pcm

SOLD in Headington - Guide £640,000

LET in Begbroke at £775 pcm

LET in Hayfield Road at £1,200 pcm

Living 3,000 miles west from my Oxford property, I was unable to have any “hands on” involvement in the refurbishment of the house. After an initial meeting with Lucy in Oxford to choose colour schemes and fittings, I just sat back and she oversaw the whole operation - new kitchen and bathroom, total repainting and recarpeting and numerous other updating details. Lucy is efficient and has impeccable taste and the work was done well and on time.

Mrs S Sinclair - Canada

LET in Grandpont at £1,650 pcm

SOLD in Grandpont - Guide £480,000

SOLD in Iffley Village - Guide £700,000

SOLD in Old Headington - Guide £900,000

Over the last six months we have been very busy with a number of large-scale projects, two of which have been in Hayfield Road in the prestigious area of central North Oxford.The first was a complete refurbishment of a Victorian terrace which was rather tired and old fashioned. It had been let for many years through a series of informal agreements with visiting academics. The client wanted to create a desirable property for letting on the open market but also to ensure that it remained a personal retreat for her when staying in Oxford each Summer. In addition to the usual redecoration, the property required rewiring, replastering and a new kitchen and bathroom. The client’s personal style was successfully combined with the requirements of the modern lettings market. New tenants were secured in September 2009, and the client is already looking forward to her first visit.

On the back of this success came another, just across the street. The client, a previous scottfraser tenant, had lived at the other end of Hayfield Road in a house also refurbished by our design team a few years before. He had loved living there so much that, when he finally managed to buy a house a few doors away, he wanted to re-create the effect in his new home. Not wishing to deal with contractors himself, he instructed scottfraser to prepare the specification and obtain quotations, and then project manage the works through to completion. Everything was finished in readiness for the client’s long-awaited housewarming and Christmas drinks party in December.

Tenants continue to demand good quality and well-equipped accommodation. Therefore, properties must be presented to a high standard in order to compete in the current market. Our property managers are vigilant on their inspections. Recommendations are made to our landlords to ensure that their property remains in the best possible condition in order to attract quality tenants and premium rentals.

Hurrah for Oxford!Both sales and lettings enjoyed a fantastic year as predicted in our last newsletter in spite of the recession, political scandal, rising unemployment and mortgage famine. The Oxford property market recovered faster and stronger than many other UK cities. This is testimony to Oxford’s international reputation, industry, universities and hospitals which continue to attract professionals looking for quality properties to buy and rent.

The core of the sales recovery was in the prime middle to upper market where stock was in short supply, helping prices recover to levels last attained in 2007. This suited our local knowledge and expertise.

Going forward, we believe the lettings market in 2010 will be remembered for a diminishing supply of private rental stock, partly because of a strengthening residential sales market and a distinct lack of new

build houses and flats which have historically fed the rental market with buy-to-let investments. This situation is unlikely to improve until finance for new development and investment becomes more readily available from the banks, whose global lending policy does not take into account the strength of the Oxford market.

Generally speaking, new build developments can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete and until the supply meets demand, rental values will firm-up.

In an election year there can be uncertainties, particularly with a fragile economy (we are officially now out of recession, with growth for the fourth quarter 2009 of 0.1%!). However, one must not underestimate confidence in the marketplace and full employment will play a major role in this. Oxford’s current economic statistics show unemployment running at 4.9% which is below the national average of 6.2%.

We are, therefore, very confident in the sustainability of the Oxford property market and continue to invest in the service we provide, our people and our future expansion plans.

scottfraser received two industry accolades in November. They were awarded the Silver medal in the Best Small Estate Agency category at The Sunday Times 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards and were shortlisted (1of 8) in the Small Lettings National Category.

The event, now in its sixth year, is widely recognised as the most important in the industry calendar. Sold out, it attracted agents representing over 4,000 branches nationwide and in a sign of improving times for the market, this year received a record number of award entries. The winners were presented with their awards by television personality Penny Smith.

Following their initial submissions, each of these winners were subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a panel of independent industry experts and the whole judging process was overseen by the Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer.

scottfraser were delighted to receive the award. “This is the first time we have entered the competition, we did so at the suggestion of a number of clients and we have been delighted by

the response to our entries. It is always pleasing to have your achievements recognised but it is even more gratifying in a competition judged by top industry experts and professionals” said Managing Director David Blythman.

Once again the Awards were supported by the Property Ombudsman and leading professional bodies the NAEA and ARLA.

Peter Knight, Chairman of the event organisers Estate Agency Events was delighted with the 2009 awards. “I hope that our record number of entries this year and the very little time it took for the event to sell out is an indicator that we may have reached the bottom of the slump. There is no doubt that 2010 will still be a challenging year for our industry and the absolute commitment to excellence that all our winners have demonstrated will be vital for the industry to return to growth and thrive in the future. I cannot commend the example set by scottfraser and the other winners highly enough. The award winners and the participants in the accompanying Leadership Summit and Future Estate Agency and Lettings Live Seminars are shining examples to whom I would urge all others to aspire.”

scottfraserhelping people move

News and views of scottfraser SPRING 2010

city & village living

desi

gned

and

pro

duce

d by

sim

on s

aund

ers

desi

gn t:

013

73 4

6980

0 w

ww

.sim

onsa

unde

rsde

sign

.co.

uk

10 Lime Tree Mews2 Lime WalkHeadingtonOxfordOX3 7DZ

Tel: 01865 760055

267 Cowley RoadEast OxfordOX4 1XQ

Lettings: 01865 244666Sales: 01865 759508

205a Banbury RoadSummertownOX2 7HQ

Lettings: 01865 554577Sales: 01865 759507

77 London RoadHeadingtonOX3 9AA

Lettings: 01865 761111Sales: 01865 759500

Mayfair Office15 Thayer StreetLondonW1U 3JT

Tel: 0207 4675330

OFFICE LOCATIONS & CONTACT DETAILS

scottfraserhelping people move www.scottfraser.co.uk

And finally…Having acquired the taste for winning at the recent Sunday Times awards we will be entering a number of industry specific competitions this year to help us raise the bar once again in the quality of service across the company, and to ensure that we are at the forefront of the residential sales and lettings markets.

Andrew Greenwood Group Managing Director

Market Report By Andrew Greenwood - Group Managing Director and David Blythman - Managing Director, Sales

Refurbishment & Furnishings By Lucy Taylor - Associate Director

SOLD in

East Oxford

- Guide

£550,000

May 2009

scottfraser win at The Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards

LET in The Waterways at £875 pcm

JUDGES COMMENTS“scottfraser has not rested on its laurels and continues to seek new and innovative ways to improve their offering. Operating in a niche market, the team drew on their experience in the previous recession to continue to grow during the tough times. Boasting a high valuation to instruction ratio, much of their business is personal recommendation. Offering a number of services to clients they are also select in the properties they take on, an approach which results in quick sales and a personal service. Outstanding.”

Pictured above, left to right: Andrew Greenwood, Penny Smith (GMTV Presenter), Adrian Wraight, David Blythman, Lucy Taylor and Michael Joubert.

LET in Ramsay Road at £2,000 pcm

SOLD in Headington - Guide £640,000

LET in Begbroke at £775 pcm

LET in Hayfield Road at £1,200 pcm

Living 3,000 miles west from my Oxford property, I was unable to have any “hands on” involvement in the refurbishment of the house. After an initial meeting with Lucy in Oxford to choose colour schemes and fittings, I just sat back and she oversaw the whole operation - new kitchen and bathroom, total repainting and recarpeting and numerous other updating details. Lucy is efficient and has impeccable taste and the work was done well and on time.

Mrs S Sinclair - Canada