The long summer days may feel like a distant memory, but the sun is still shining in the Swoffers office thanks to the winner of this year’s Snap Your Summer competition.

Matthew Mollet’s image of his daughter Georgie enjoying the beach at Port Soif was chosen by the judges as they felt it really captured what’s memorable about a Guernsey summer.

‘We felt that the image showed a real innocence and enjoyment of a perfect day at the beach in Guernsey,’ said Swoffers professional photographer and judge, Matt Le Page.

‘It wasn’t posed or forced and is just a lovely, genuine image.’

The photograph features Georgie, who turns three in December, totally focused on making her sandcastles with the beautiful azure sea in the background. Matthew shot the image on his Sony A6000.

‘I couldn’t believe it when I got the email to say I’d won,’ says Matthew.

‘I am interested in photography as a hobby and am particularly keen on documenting the kids as they grow up. Both my daughters just love the beach.’

Matt wins a canvas print of his winning photograph and £750 which he says he will spend on his family.

Guernsey’s latest budget proposals are unlikely to have a negative impact on the current high levels of activity in the Local Market.

‘We’ve just had a record third quarter at Swoffers, and there’s every indication these activity levels will continue despite the increases in TRP being proposed in the 2020 budget,’ said Swoffers director, Spencer Noyon.

Domestic and land TRP tariffs are set to increase by 10.2% next year in line with the previously approved States strategy.

The States will also consider options to further increase domestic TRP on larger properties or commercial premises, or a combination of both.

‘Whilst the increase in TRP may impact some households, particularly perhaps older people who live alone in a large family property, in general terms I don’t think the increase is going to put people off buying their dream house,’ said Spencer.

‘An interesting recommendation in this year’s budget is the introduction of equity release mortgages. This is when a homeowner can access the equity tied up in their home whilst retaining ownership by borrowing against the security of their property. The loan amount and interest accrued are paid back when the property is sold, when the homeowner dies or moves into long-term care. The introduction of this sort of mortgage product in Guernsey requires a change in the law and also sufficient safeguards in place which may take some time to implement. Interest rates are also bound to be much higher for this sort of borrowing.’

Swoffers’ partner mortgage broker, SPF Private Clients, has also welcomed the move and suggests that people interested in an equity release mortgage are likely to be older borrowers who are asset rich and cash poor.

‘Anything that provides Guernsey people with another way to stay in their homes and be better off in their later years, should certainly be considered,’ said Pierre Blampied, managing director, SPF.

‘However, this type of product is highly regulated in the UK, and a key factor is ensuring that borrowers fully understand the impact of ‘roll up’ interest. It is good to see the regulation aspect being referred to in the budget.’

Spencer added: ‘In general terms I don’t think those looking to buy or sell their homes have much to worry about in next year’s budget. The market continues to perform well, especially at the first time buyer to mid-range property level. It’s a great time to think about a move so why not contact us to discuss your requirements.’

Guernsey stands to benefit from the uncertainty and chaos being experienced both in the UK and further afield.

As the island’s leading property professionals, Swoffers has seen continued interest from new clients looking to move to the island, echoing Deputy Gavin St Pier’s view that the island stands as a ‘rock of granite stability’ in the ‘boiling, angry, sea of turmoil that is UK politics today’.

‘We have certainly seen an increase in enquiries from people looking to relocate and not just from the UK,’ said managing director, Craig Whitman.

‘The fact that Guernsey is such a stable, vibrant jurisdiction; that we are open for business, that we are easy to relocate to and that we have a wide range of affordable properties available to buy or rent means we are attracting lots of interest.’

He added that the threat of a general election and some of the statements currently being made by the Labour Party about what they might do if they were in power has also caused concern amongst high net worths living in the UK.

‘Some are looking to make the move now and not wait for what might or might not happen next,’ said Craig.

‘Where we have seen the biggest explosion of interest is in Open Market rentals. People want to move quickly to take advantage of what the island can offer and then have time to look for their permanent home once they are on-island.’

Deputy Gavin St Pier advised the States this morning that the island was well prepared for whatever the Brexit outcome stating: ‘We have daily contact with departments across Whitehall and meet with colleagues once a week.’

He acknowledged that ‘the current political situation in the UK is unprecedented. It is turbulent, uncertain and its institutions are clearly highly stressed.’

‘Guernsey’s political situation is completely the opposite, and that’s why we offer such an attractive alternative,’ said Craig.

Colin Fallaize is a name synonymous with Guernsey football. ‘Big Fal’ has been a stalwart of the local game, and in recent years has worked as Head Coach of GFC who are currently sitting in the top third of the Bostik Football League Division South East.

Swoffers is committed to supporting a range of Guernsey sporting stars and individual sports including cricket, hockey and basketball and we have been proud sponsors of Big Fal for a number of years.

‘As a company we are keen to give something back to our community and it’s a real honour to be supporting someone of Colin’s stature and profile,’ says Director, Andre Austin.

‘He’s a legend of the game and hugely experienced and respected as both a player and coach. He’s taken a lead role in the development of Guernsey football and is an inspiration to local sportspeople young and old.

‘The establishment of GFC has been great for local football and important for spreading awareness of Guernsey and its excellent sporting heritage more widely across the UK. We are keen that our association with GFC and Guernsey sport continues,’ says Andre.

For more information about GFC visit https://www.guernseyfc.com/

Two members of Swoffers Lettings and Management team are celebrating 10 years with the company this month.

Manager Ross Yeates joined Swoffers after 8 years in the finance industry.

I was looking for something new; something a bit different,’ says Ross about his decision to move into property.

‘I’m someone who loves meeting new people whilst being able to be out and about, not tied to a desk. I started out as a Property Manager, working closely with Craig and Nikki who I still work closely with. What hit me initially was the variety within the job, from being in a one bedroom flat in town one day, to a large Open Market house the next.

‘I love problem solving and, in Property Management, there is always something that needs to be solved! I have moved further into the lettings side of the business now and what is probably most enjoyable about the job is finding someone their perfect home, which matches their needs as much as it can,’ says Ross.

‘I love talking to people from overseas about our island and helping them to understand how the relocation process will work, along with promoting what a pretty amazing place Guernsey is to live!’

Local Market Lettings Negotiator Laura Gorvel joined Swoffers in September 2009 after a stint of temping following her return to the island from the UK where she worked as a sales negotiator.

‘I love the variety of the job and meeting anyone and everyone,’ says Laura.

‘I enjoy helping to match people to their ideal homes – especially those with four-legged family members. The Swoffers team is great to work with and are more than just colleagues – we’re like a slightly dysfunctional family!’

Both Laura and Ross have seen the lettings team grow dramatically over the last 10 years as the number of instructions, the workload and the company’s property management portfolio has grown.

‘Going forward, I know not to expect any two days to be the same; the market isn’t showing any signs of slowing down (touch wood!) and I’m looking forward to providing the same friendly, high quality service to all our clients new and old,’ says Laura.

Ross echoes Laura’s thoughts for the future.

‘I guess I too have seen the company evolve from what was probably 18 staff when I joined, through to 30 plus that it is now! With that comes challenges but also exciting times along the way.’

Swoffers has joined the growing number of islanders switching from petrol cars to electric as Director Spencer Noyon recently took delivery of the company’s first e-car.

‘I have been considering an electric car for a while and when I found out that Volkswagen had launched an e-Golf I was very keen to give it a try,’ says Spencer.

‘Louise Packham from Jacksons was fantastically helpful in sourcing the right car for us and as soon as I tried the e-Golf I knew it was the right vehicle for our business.

‘As sales negotiators we are out and about for most of the day and so having an efficient but comfortable car is really important. But we can also drive quite a long way during the course of a day and I was worried that an electric car might not manage such a full day on a single charge. The e-Golf can do over 140 miles on a single charge and that’s plenty for our island roads and so even the busiest day shouldn’t be a problem. It’s also extremely cost effective as it costs around 4p per mile compared with around 14p for the petrol equivalent – and I just plug it in to a standard socket to charge at the end of the day.

‘We believe Swoffers is the first company in the Island to own an e-Golf and if the last couple of weeks are anything to go by, I’m sure it won’t be the last electric car we run,’ says Spencer.

 

 

 

Local market property transactions in the second quarter of this year have been the highest for seven years.

There were 228 sales during Q2, 51 more than the previous quarter and 45 more than the same quarter of 2018.

Three-bedroom bungalows and houses accounted for 16% of all transactions – the highest proportion of all property types. The distribution of sales in the second quarter shows a peak in the £300,000 to £399,000 category.

“These figures reflect a busy 2019 for our Local Market sales team at Swoffers,” says Director, Andre Austin.

“We have certainly noticed an improvement in the market with well-priced properties selling quickly and more people looking to put their properties onto the market and move up the property ladder or downsize to something more manageable. Property investors are also more active with a strong rental market encouraging sales.”

The average purchase price for Local Market properties was £427,893 in the second quarter of 2019, 0.6% higher than the previous quarter and 4.2% higher than the second quarter of 2018.

“Average property prices are not the best indicator of the strength of the market, but the top end of the Local Market has been a bit sluggish so far this year. Once there’s a bit more certainty about the outcome of Brexit we may see this improve,” says Andre.

Open Market sales remain consistent with 12 transactions in quarter 2 compared to 14 in the same quarter of 2018.

Swoffers has expanded its Lettings team to help cope with demand in the sector.

‘We are really pleased to welcome Demi-Lee Dawson to our busy Swoffers team,’ says Ross Yeates, Manager – Lettings and Property Management Department.

‘The rentals market is extremely busy at the moment with new properties often being snapped up within 24 hours. Expanding our team of lettings negotiators means that we are better able to serve both our existing and new clients in such a fast-moving market,’ says Ross.

Demi joins Swoffers after working as a travel consultant for the last three years and she says she has always wanted to work in property. ‘I am looking forward to learning the ropes from my very knowledgeable team and I am enjoying getting out and about learning about the different properties we currently have to let and meeting some very lovely people,’ says Demi.

Congratulations to the Swoffers team who took part in the Canaccord Inter-Firm relay earlier this week.

The team of Kim Le Lacheur, Sarah Gaudion, Chris Markham and Nena Copperwaite each completed a lap of the 1-mile course around St Peter Port. Each lap finished with a brutal sprint up Smith Street.

Winners were once again the team from Guernsey Post but the Swoffers team ran well and finished mid-way down the order.

The annual event attracts teams from a wide variety of local companies and is organised by Guernsey Athletics to help raise money for the 2021 Island Games.

Swoffers is delighted to be working with Waves Guernsey to offer these fabulous west coast apartments for winter lets www.wavesguernsey.com

Positioned right next to Vazon Bay with stunning sea and country views, Waves apartments range in size from studios through to five bedrooms.
The majority have either a balcony or terrace and all the apartments feature a contemporary interior, quality furnishings, well-equipped kitchens and modern bathrooms.

‘Waves Apartments offer the perfect short-term let and are available to rent from 1st October for approximately six months,’ said Ross Yeates, Manager of Swoffers Lettings and Property Management Department.

‘They are ideal for both families and business professionals and we expect them to be very popular with those looking for a high-quality winter let.’

For further information please contact the lettings team on 721757 or email rentals@swoffers.co.uk

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