SWOFFERS’ staff are going greener, with two new e-bikes.
The bikes are available for all staff members to use for viewings, valuations and deliveries.
‘Town traffic is notorious, particularly at peak times of the day. With these electric bikes, negotiators and those doing deliveries will be able to get to appointments much easier, without the need to scrabble around for parking. They will also help to reduce our carbon footprint,’ said director Andre Austin.
‘They’re already proving very popular with staff, especially on sunnier days. We hope that they will help to increase activity levels and offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to getting behind the wheel.’
The arrival of the bikes is perfectly timed, as today is National Cycle To Work Day – the UK’s biggest cycle commuting event.
The team at Swoffers were busy bees during the island’s second lockdown earlier this year.
While negotiators continued to provide virtual viewings (when restrictions allowed) and used their fleet of vehicles to deliver much-needed food and supplies to the elderly and vulnerable, production assistant Melissa Tostevin swapped her easel for a Golden Guernsey goat.
In a project that will hopefully raise thousands of pounds for Autism Guernsey, 52 local businesses have spent hundreds of hours transforming fibreglass goats into things of beauty. The goats are on display until September in prominent positions around the island. A competition is underway, encouraging islanders to have a selfie taken with each one, and the overall winner will receive an iPad.
An artist who normally spends her free time using oils to paint still life and portraits, Melissa took the opportunity in lockdown to turn the Swoffers goat into Bee-lly (as in Billy!)
‘We got the idea from having worked previously with La Societe Guernesiaise’s Pollinator Project, which looks after Guernsey’s valuable insect population,’ said Melissa.
After giving the goat a golden base coat, Melissa set to work painstakingly painting on hundreds of little hexagons, to create a honeycomb effect. Each one was then topped off with glitter, before adding gold leaf to the horns, hooves and tail. The final touch was handmade clay bees, hand-painted and individualised, with the queen bee – wearing a crown – atop Bee-lly’s head. Creating these was a team effort, alongside Swoffers’ photographer Matt Le Page, who came up with the goat’s name.
‘I’ve been literally covered in glitter for a couple of months now! But we’ve really enjoyed doing it, even though it’s been back-breaking at times,’ said Melissa.
Bee-lly will sit in Swoffers’ window for another month or so and has been proving popular with clients and passers-by. A number of islanders completing the Golden Guernsey Goat Trail have been in to have their photos taken with him.
In September he will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to local charity, Autism Guernsey.
This is not the first such project in Guernsey. Previously the island has seen the creation of technicolor Guernsey donkeys and Guernsey cows, all of which have been auctioned off raising thousands for local charities.
Find out more about the Golden Guernsey Goat Trail on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoldenGSYGoatTrail
Swoffers’ latest Open Market property and lifestyle magazine has recently been published.
With the widest range of Open Market properties for sale or rent, the magazine offers a great mix of interesting articles and details of potential new homes.
Lord Digby Jones and his wife, Pat, share their thoughts why they chose to settle in Guernsey. We meet YouTube stars Jay Le Gallic and Sam Teed to find out more about their enthusiasm for coastal foraging and cooking. And finally we have an introduction to Bee-lly, Swoffers’ creation of the Golden Guernsey goat for charity project.
There’s also plenty of information about moving to Guernsey and what the island can offer as well as our commentary on how Guernsey is in a strong position after Covid.
Copies have already been posted to Swoffers’ clients both on and off island and delivered to a range of local businesses. You can pick up a copy from our office in Ann’s Place, St Peter Port or take a look at our online version by clicking here.
Swoffers is delighted to welcome Jessica Bichard to the local market sales team.
With family background in the property industry and starting her career in property, Jessica joins us during this very busy time.
‘With local market sales still booming, and the desire to grow the team, we were lucky to discover that Jessica was interested in a career change to step back into the property industry,’ said Andre Austin, Swoffers director.
‘She knows Guernsey and her experience of working with the team means she has been able to hit the ground running and work with our clients from day one.’
Jessica was born in Guernsey and has spent the last six years working in the marketing industry, prior to this she worked as a conveyancer at a local leading law firm.
‘I love a fast-paced environment and dealing with people, so estate agency is a great job and an exciting opportunity for me,’ said Jessica.
‘It’s great to be back in the property industry and I’m enjoying being part of such a busy property market right now.’
If you are looking to buy or sell, give Jessica or another member of the Swoffers team a call on 711766 or email sales@swoffers.co.uk and let us help find your perfect home.
The States of Guernsey today confirmed that from 1st July people who are fully vaccinated, and two weeks have passed since their second jab, are free to come to the island without the need to isolate.
Swoffers is looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Guernsey to view properties.
‘Whilst the business tunnel arrangement has worked well in terms of allowing people to come for day trip viewings, it’s obviously great news that those looking to move to Guernsey can view several properties and get a feel for our beautiful island over several days,’ said director, Sophie Ephgrave.
‘The island has so much to offer and has proved during this pandemic just how strong its leadership team is. We have been fortunate for these past few months to be able to go about our daily business without the need to social distance or wear masks. Now is the time to let the world see for itself what a special place Guernsey really is.’
In a briefing by the States of Guernsey today, it was announced that from 1st July those who are fully vaccinated can travel to the island without restriction.
Click here for official States’ guidance: https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel/july
For information on relocating to Guernsey click here: https://www.swoffers.co.uk/relocating-to-guernsey/
Guernsey Hockey Club played host to the final of the Swoffers Outreach Hockey Tournament on Friday 21st May.
The tournament, which concluded the school-wide coaching scheme, was won by Elizabeth College Junior School who overcame Vale Primary School in a compelling final.
Finals day lived up to its reputation as a showcase event, as more than 100 children took part, with boys and girls developing their skills in a range of areas.
Swoffers director and former Guernsey hockey player Spencer Noyon was impressed.
‘Swoffers was delighted to sponsor the recent Hockey Outreach Tournament Finals Day which took place on a very windy Friday afternoon at the Guernsey Hockey Club. Ten teams from nine schools, with more than 100 children, demonstrated their newly-learned hockey skills in front of a packed stand of parents and supporters. It was a delight to see the fun had by all involved and all the teams should be congratulated on their performances and for being wonderful young ambassadors for their schools.’
House prices have risen by almost 15% in the last year. According to the Guernsey Quarterly Residential Property Bulletin, the mix adjusted average purchase price for Local Market properties was £509,906 in the first quarter of 2021, 3.4% higher than the previous quarter and 14.8% higher than the first quarter of 2020.
The number of house sales unsurprisingly fell during the first quarter of the year, due to lockdown being in place for two months.
There were 167 Local Market transactions during the first quarter of 2021, 178 fewer than the previous quarter and seven fewer than the same quarter of 2020. While January and February’s sale numbers were affected by restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, the March figure of 79 sales was the highest March figure since 2011.
Swoffers director Andre Austin said the level of demand post-lockdown this year was not unexpected.
‘We knew there was a lot of pent up demand coming out of this last lockdown – people were ready, willing and able to buy – and there’s no sign of this letting up. The challenge remains a shortage of housing stock,’ he said.
The average price of Open Market properties was just over £1.4m. This is the raw median price (realty only) and there were 18 Open Market transactions in January to March 2021.
Local Market rental property cost an average of £1,498 in the first quarter of 2021, 8.9% higher than the previous quarter and 9.9% higher than the first quarter of 2020.
Preparations are underway for two hockey tournaments next month, for children involved in the Swoffers outreach hockey programme.
The tournaments, which were postponed last year because of Covid-19, will take place on 7 and 21 May on the astro turf at Footes Lane – the home of Guernsey hockey.
The first is a Taster Tournament for Year 5, with the second – the Outreach Swoffers Tournament – pitting more experienced players against one another.
2021 is the second year of Swoffers’ three-year sponsorship of an extension of junior hockey.
‘We are thrilled that these children who have been learning and enjoying hockey over the last year, thanks to the outreach programme, are finally able to compete against one another,’ said director Spencer Noyon.
‘It was a shame that last year was disrupted, and then again at the start of this year, but the children are ready and eager to show off the skills they have learnt, and Swoffers is delighted to have helped make this possible with our sponsorship. Supporting sport at grass roots level is something that is important to Swoffers and when the opportunity came up to sponsor hockey development in our primary schools we jumped at the chance.’
Guernsey Hockey coach Mike Kinder thanks Swoffers for its support.
‘We are immensely grateful to Swoffers for their sponsorship which has enabled us to continue this fantastic work. It’s amazing to see the children trying out new skills and gaining confidence. They have put in a lot of work and to have their tournaments cancelled last year was a blow. So they are extra excited that they will finally be able to play competitively next month,’ he said.
‘These tournaments are played in a really good spirit and it gives us the chance to show the children our fantastic hockey facility at Footes Lane and for them to show us their new-found skills. We are really looking forward to them.’
Photo caption: Katy Taylor and Mike Kinder delivering one of their outreach sessions at Castel Primary School.
Swoffers is delighted that from next Friday (23rd April) people from outside of the island will be able to view properties in Guernsey without the need to quarantine, under the States of Guernsey’s business tunnel arrangement.
Currently this will only be able to be carried out by private travel, as the island’s airline is not offering day returns at this time.
Swoffers’ Managing Director, Craig Whitman, welcomed the move, which he said could only be good for Guernsey.
‘The island has been covid-free now since 28th February and as we don’t need to social distance anymore or wear masks, the island is an extremely attractive proposition for those looking to relocate their families, or to retire. Coupled with the quality of life we enjoy here, the low-tax regime and minimal crime, there has rarely been a better time to attract people looking to relocate,’ he said.
Under the business tunnel arrangement, travel to and from the airport hangars or terminal building must not be on public transport. Social distancing of one metre must be maintained at all times and contacts must be recorded for tracing purposes and should be minimised. Passengers must wear face masks as they pass through the airport and in the transport to their viewing or meeting. Business tunnel travel must be applied for.
People looking to benefit from the business tunnels initiative will need to contact Swoffers, who will then notify the States of Guernsey providing the relevant information for review to ensure that all legal requirements for use of the business tunnels are met against a set of criteria. Further information can be found here: https://www.swoffers.co.uk/guernsey-properties-are-open-for-viewings/
For information on relocating to Guernsey click here: https://www.swoffers.co.uk/relocating-to-guernsey/
Swoffers will be offering viewings by horseback as part of a new initiative aimed at reducing their carbon footprint. Planning has been approved at their office to convert existing parking into stables, and initially four horses will be available to customers who want to be at one with nature and view properties at a more leisurely pace. The horses are called Avril, Tonto, Shergar and Flossie, and customers will be able to choose their ride depending on their height and weight, in line with States’ guidelines.
Managing director Craig Whitman said: ‘We’ve already started replacing our company cars with electric vehicles but we wanted to take it a stage further. Although the horses are not completely free of emissions, particularly Flossie, it’s a step in the right direction, sometimes you have to trot before you can gallop.’
Customers will be able to request viewings by horseback when they book an appointment.
‘We recommend they should allow at least three hours for viewings in Torteval,’ added Craig.
‘But life is so hectic at times we think there will be a real appetite to see houses on horses and enjoy the island this way. There are bound to be a few neigh sayers, but we’re sure it’s also going to be really popular with fellow road users.’
Horseback viewings will be available from today.
