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.’
So, life in Guernsey has returned to normal – pubs and shops are open, all sports have resumed, children are back at school, people are back to work and looking forward to a summer staycation.
The island’s successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic has kept Guernsey in the spotlight in recent weeks with other jurisdictions looking on jealously as the island bounces back.
Under the banner of ‘Revive and Thrive’, the States of Guernsey is developing ambitious plans to not only recover economically, but also improve on where the island would have been without the virus.
The team at Swoffers are keen to contribute, with booming house sales and a buoyant rentals market already playing a big part in boosting the post-lockdown economy.
Read our latest Open Market newsletter to find out more about how Guernsey really is as safe as houses.
https://swoffers-v4.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swoffers-Open-Market-Phase-5-v2.pdf
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.’
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/
Swoffers has unrivalled expertise in Guernsey’s property market. We are 100% locally owned, we’ve been in business since 1972 and employ nearly 30 staff, making us the largest and most experienced team of property experts in the Island.
The Local Market team alone has more than 56 years of experience between them.
‘We know that buying and selling your home can be stressful, but our dedicated team will guide you through the process and answer all your burning questions,’ says Andre Austin, Swoffers Director.
‘What makes us different is our fusion of traditional values and customer service with the latest technology, making them work together to provide the best service for you.
‘Through our comprehensive database of clients, our state-of-the-art website, targeted digital marketing campaigns and social media feeds as well as traditional face-to-face communications, we can access the widest range of properties and connect with the widest range of buyers and sellers to offer you the highest quality service.
Let us find your perfect home.’
It’s been an exciting month for Swoffers clients Michael and Sally Parks.
Not only did they agree the sale of their house just a matter of days after it went on the market, but they have also just been announced as winners of the Swoffers ‘List to Win a Holiday’ prize draw. The couple wins a £3,000 voucher from World Travel to spend on a holiday of their choice.
‘We were amazed, shocked and delighted when we found out we had won,’ says Mrs Parks.
‘We haven’t decided yet where we are going to go as we want to get the house sale agreed, but we are hoping to have some autumn sunshine; maybe Barcelona or Croatia – somewhere with some history and culture as well as sunshine.’
Mr & Mrs Parks praised the work of the Swoffers team in managing their house sale. They were particularly surprised at the immediate impact posting the property on social media had with their property receiving lots of interest.
‘We have been very impressed with the professionalism, friendliness, approachability and most of all the enthusiasm of the Swoffers team,’ says Mrs Parks.
‘More than 500 people were eligible to win our competition and Mr & Mrs Parks were the first names out of the hat,’ says Swoffers Director Andre Austin.
‘We are delighted for them and hope they thoroughly enjoy their chosen holiday. We know that buying or selling your home can be a stressful experience but the team at Swoffers is always ready to answer any questions or help in any way to make the whole process as stress-free as possible. Just pick up the phone or send us an email and we will help you find your perfect home.’
Pictured above Swoffers Local Market Negotiator Scott Ingrouille hands over the prize holiday to winners Michael and Sally Parks.
The last year has seen an upsurge in interest in Open Market properties in Guernsey and Swoffers has had one of its busiest periods for many years with a significant increase in sales in the last quarter of 2018 and early part of 2019. A substantial number of sales involve people relocating to the island for the first time.
‘There are many reasons why people are choosing to come and live in Guernsey,’ says Craig Whitman, Managing Director of Swoffers.
‘In general terms, it tends to be a combination of things. Some clients have told us that the uncertainty in the UK over Brexit is what is driving them, whereas others are attracted by the Island’s quality of life and security.
‘Guernsey’s position on the doorstep of Europe with good connections to the UK makes us particularly attractive, as does the island’s reputation as a well-regulated, stable jurisdiction,’ says Craig.
‘It’s also easy to make the move to Guernsey; we have simple entry requirements for new residents and offer a number of incentives for those relocating.
‘It is impossible to say whether Brexit will be good for Guernsey in the long run but right now our message to anyone thinking of relocating, for whatever reason, is take a close look at what Guernsey offers. The experienced team at Swoffers is ready to help you find your perfect island home.’
A report published in the UK today states that ‘gazundering’- where a buyer lowers their offer for a home at the last minute – is becoming a growing problem.
Gazundering can happen just before a sale is set to go through, with sellers sometimes feeling under pressure to accept the lower price to stop the deal collapsing.
So, should we be concerned about gazundering here in Guernsey? The simple answer is ‘no’.
Swoffers Director Spencer Noyon explains.
‘The team at Swoffers always has the best interests of our clients at heart and will do everything to make sure that the selling or buying process is as smooth and simple as possible.
‘The market is busy at the moment with lots of sales progressing quickly and so very little reason for anyone to pull out at the last minute,’ says Spencer.
‘Also, the Guernsey system of buying and selling a house is different from the UK. When you make an offer on a property and it is accepted an ‘operative date’ is set, usually for around three to four weeks after your offer is accepted. This is when conditions of sale are signed or become unconditional. Once conditions of sale are signed unconditionally, both the buyer and seller are locked into the deal and if either one withdraws, the 10% deposit must still be paid. The completion date, which is when the buyer goes to court to complete the sale, is agreed between all parties and is often a number of weeks after the operational date.
‘It is possible that the agreed offer may be renegotiated following the completion of a professional survey on the property if it highlights any necessary works. This is not gazundering and usually happens before conditions of sale are signed,’ says Spencer.
‘Both buyers and sellers should feel reassured that the team at Swoffers will be with you through every step of the process and that our aim is to make buying and selling your home as simple and as stress-free as possible. If you have any questions about the process or would like some advice and guidance please don’t hesitate to give one of our experienced negotiators a call on 711766.’
Guernsey’s valuable insect population can look forward to some plush new homes thanks to the Pollinator Project.
‘Swoffers is pleased to help anyone in their search for the perfect home, not least some of the Island’s smaller residents,’ says Spencer Noyon, Swoffers Director.
‘We are proud to continue our support of La Société Guernesiaise’s Pollinator Project which aims to create habitats where pollinating insects can thrive.’
The Project aims to provide specially designed and locally produced bee boxes at a number of sites around the Island. The Pollinator team have been working hard getting the next batch of boxes ready to be installed at various locations over the next few months.
‘Anything we can do to help support our native insects and establish pollinator patches across Guernsey will benefit us all in the long run,’ says Barry Wells from the Pollinator Project.
‘A recent scientific study has found that 40% of the world’s insect species are undergoing dramatic rates of decline. Bees are one of those species disappearing eight times faster than mammals, birds or reptiles. Guernsey is not immune to this – pollinating insects are vital for the production of much of the food we eat and the flowers we enjoy.
‘We have been weather protecting and branding a new batch of boxes over the winter so they will be ready to be installed at schools, nature reserves, charity gardens and businesses during the spring,’ says Barry.
You can find out more about the Pollinator Project at pollinatorproject.gg
