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    Hollands Smith is an independent estate agency which has established a reputation for sound, pragmatic advice on all aspects of residential sales. The directors - Simon Hollands and Rob Smith - have a long standing working relationship and countless homeowners can testify to their success. Many clients will tell you that Hollands Smith is simply "not like other estate agents".
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Our Sales Service
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    Agency Terms
    Against common Agency practise we do not operate restrictive 'agreements' which leaves clients free to withdraw instructions from us at any time by giving us just seven days notice. This places the emphasis on us to deliver a consistent level of service. The only commitment we ask of you at the point of instruction is to pay our fee on completion of a successful sale. This completely transparent approach prevents any complacency on our part. We undertake all the up front costs of marketing, preparation of particulars and advertising on a strictly 'no sale, no fee' basis.
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    Particulars
    Presentation is the key to generating serious interest and achieving the best possible sale price. Our property particulars all have floor plans, a selection of additional photos both external and internal and our experience allows us to emphasise those features most likely to attract buyers. We draft the particulars for your approval and, once approved, they are professionally printed for a quality finish.
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    Database
    From the moment instructions to sell your home are received the details will be entered into our database and matched against all suitable applicants. These prospective buyers will be alerted by text message, e-mail or more traditional methods of the availability of your home with directions to visit our website for more information.
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    Website
    Conscious that the vast majority of buyers now initially search online for their property requirements, we have recently invested significantly in remodelling and updating our website. Prospective buyers can view homes online with our easy to use search facility and information on us and the local area is readily available. A virtual tour is now available for every one of our properties online and floor plans are also a feature. We are members of the UK's biggest property portals ensuring that all serious buyers will be aware of your property's availability and these include: rightmove.co.uk, primelocation.com and findaproperty.com.
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    Viewings
    Contrary to popular opinion there is no right or wrong way to conduct a viewing but a member of our staff will always be on hand, if required. We recognise that some sellers would wish to conduct viewings themselves whilst many others would rather be absent. Common sense dictates that you can enhance your chances of an early sale if the house is clean and in tidy condition with gardens well maintained. We are happy to hold keys for accompanied viewings and, in most cases, we are able to glean a more candid feedback from viewers. We will always provide a realistic report of viewer's responses and will endeavour to do so within 48 hours of the viewing. Our office is open seven days a week to accommodate all interest.
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Our Lettings Service
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    We offer our clients the option of our Full Management service or Tenant Find (Let Only) service. For inexperienced landlords or for those who want us to take on the full responsibility of the tenancy the most suitable option is to employ us on a full management basis. For those who wish to collect the rent themselves and deal directly with the tenants on a month to month basis, the tenant find service may be more appropriate. Either way, from the moment we receive instructions to the day we hand over the keys at the commencement of the tenancy you will enjoy the following benefits. We carry an extensive database of applicants who will automatically be matched on receipt of your instructions. These applicants can be alerted by text, e-mail or more traditional methods of the availability of your property to generate an instant response.

    WEBSITE
    Our own website has recently been relaunched and is promoted heavily by local press advertising, a strong board presence and an established office which is open 7 days a week. Your property will also be featured on such prominent sites as rightmove, find-a-property and primelocation giving us the very best opportunity of reaching the widest possible market.

    SECURING A TENANT
    Following a successful viewing we will initially conduct an informal interview with the prospective tenant to establish their personal circumstances, employment status, residential history etc. We will then refer to our client to gain their approval to process the application further. Only when our client is happy, in principle, with the prospective tenant will we proceed to the formal referencing stage. We will obtain a 'holding deposit' from the interested party at this point.

    HOMELET
    We are working partners with Homelet, a dedicated referencing Agency, who process our tenancy applications. Homelet will conduct a credit check, residential history and obtain references from employers, current or previous landlords and, if self employed, gain accountancy references. The procedure is rigorous and will only approve suitable tenants. A range of home and contents insurance for landlords is also available together with Rent Guarantee Insurance to protect against any potential loss of income.

    THE TENANCY AGREEMENT
    Following a successful application we will draw up the necessary documentation for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy which will usually be for an initial minimum period of six months. Once a start date is agreed, we can liaise with local authorities, utility suppliers and notify them of the new occupants and advise meter readings. Alongside the tenancy agreement a full inventory will be prepared to ensure that, at the conclusion of the tenancy, the property is handed back in the same condition in which it was handed over.

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    If the Tenant Find service has been selected the client will administer the tenancy from this point. For our Full Management Service the following applies:-
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    Collecting Rent
    It is our responsibility to collect the rent on a monthly basis and account to you. In the rare instances where arrears are encountered it is, again, our responsibility to ensure that shortfalls are handled swiftly and efficiently. Periodic Inspections
    We will conduct regular periodic inspections of the property to ensure that the tenants are maintaining the property in a suitable manner. These will normally be conducted every three months and reports will be made following each inspection.
    Maintenance
    Inevitably, maintenance issues arise from time to time and we have access to a range of reputable and qualified trades people who can attend. It s a legal requirement to provide a gas safety certificate every twelve months and it is considered due diligence on behalf of the landlord to ensure that electrical appliances and installations are satisfactory and up to date. We are able to advise on such issues and can organise inspections and repairs, where necessary. You may decide to provide us with a mandate to organise such repairs of up to, say, £150 without reference to you and such agreements can be made at the outset. We offer free consultations, without obligation, on any legal aspect of letting your property together with up to date valuation and marketing advice.
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  • Team Member

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    Rob Smith - Director
    Rob began selling houses in the town in 1996 for a large corporate Agency and moved into the independent sector, joining Simon Hollands in 2001. Six years on, the relationship was so successful, Simon and Rob launched Hollands Smith in 2007. Born and bred in the town and living locally, Rob is married to Claire and they are proud parents of a daughter, Sadie. Rob enjoys watching a wide variety of sport, particularly football, and enjoys all things culinary both cooking in and eating out. Rob's initial attraction to the Agency was the open, transparent style in which business is conducted which he enthusiastically promotes to all of his clients today.
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    Simon Hollands - Director
    Simon is a proud father of three children, Ben, Kate and Abigail. He is married to Pippa and has lived all of his adult life around the streets of Castle Road. Simon started selling houses in Bedford in 1982 and was half of the partnership of Eales & Hollands which was launched in Castle Road in 1992. Simon has lived in Denmark Street, Pembroke Street and The Grove and is a staunch advocate of the area. Over the years, he has forged long standing associations with many clients and values repeat business very highly as a recognition of a service well received. Simon likes to escape to the golf course when work and family allow and enjoys watching cricket, football and rugby having played all in his younger days.
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    Jane Beard- Lettings Manager
    Jane joined the team in November 2016 and heads up our growing lettings portfolio. She brings with her over ten years' experience in the industry and prior to that pursued a career in PR and marketing. She has quickly established strong relationships with our landlord clients and shares the same values as Rob and Simon placing the emphasis on looking after client's best interests. A proud Yorkshire woman Jane lives locally, is married to Paul and they are proud parents of Victoria and Sarah. Outside of work, Jane is a keen armchair sportswoman with a particular interest in cricket and football.
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    Rachel Cocozza - Sales Negotiator
    Rachel is born and bred in Bedford and joined the team in 2004 after having three children - Michael, Daniella and Dominic. She is married to Carmine and, before the family arrived, previously worked in the jewellery industry where she enjoyed helping customers make decisions about expensive acquisitions - it was, therefore, a smooth transition into Estate Agency for her! Rachel enjoys the variety of her work and gets particular satisfaction out of helping buyers find their ideal home.
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    Fiona Raiswell
    Fiona joined Hollands Smith in the early summer of 2015 and quickly established herself as a valuable team member. Fiona is married to Phil, has extensive local knowledge having lived in the town for over 20 years and is a familiar face in the locality with all three of her boys coming through Castle Lower School. Fiona has wide ranging customer service experience having worked as an environmental health officer and, when not being a full time mother, she enjoys a wide range of literature and music, keeping fit with yoga and likes to make regular visits back to her native South Wales.
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    Toni Amoroso-Spriggs
    Toni Amoroso-Spriggs Toni is born and bred in Bedford and joined the team in August 2015. Toni brings with her over 30 years of customer service experience from a career in the banking and housing sectors and has lived in the 'Castle Quarter' area with her husband, John, for many years. In her spare time, Toni enjoys cooking and eating out with friends and family. As well as enjoying travelling, Toni is also an active member of a local gym.
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    • Introduction

      Testimonials
      Here are just some of the positive feedback we have had from satisfied customers...

    Testimonials from Sellers

    • Seller Testimonial

      Dear Rob and all the team at Hollands Smith
      We want to say a really big, heartfelt THANK YOU for all your hard work in helping us move house. We appreciate all you did on our behalf and cannot thank you enough. Thank you for your genuine concern for the best of everybody involved, which really stands out in you as a company.
    • Seller Testimonial

      Dear Rob and Simon
      Thank you for being the best estate agents in Bedford and probably the world! Thank you for all your support before during and after the move.
    • Seller Testimonial

      Dear Simon and the team
      Thank you very much for selling our house so smoothly and keeping it on track over the last few months
    • Seller Testimonial

      Dear Rob
      Just wanted to say  to say thank you so much! I'm sure you'll say you were just doing you job, but there aren't many agents I can think of that put as much effort into it as you did.
    • Seller Testimonial

      Dear Simon
      Thank you for all your help and patience over the last 10-15 years, especially with this move
    • Seller Testimonial

      Dear Rob, Simon and the team
      Thank you so much for your help selling our house. We really appreciate your extra advice and patience during the entire process. We wish you the best professionally and personally, it was wonderful working with you.
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    Disclaimer

    The content on this Microsite has been uploaded by Hollands Smith, Bedford. Rightmove Group Limited makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the content, any queries should be sent directly to Hollands Smith, Bedford. Where properties are displayed on a page, this comprises a property advertisement. Rightmove Group Limited who operate the website Rightmove.co.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the advertisement or any linked or associated information, and Rightmove has no control over the content. These property advertisements do not constitute property particulars. The information is provided and maintained by Hollands Smith, Bedford. Please contact the agent directly to obtain any information which may be available under the terms of The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 or the Home Report if in relation to a residential property in Scotland and if you have any query over the content.

    *Guide Price: An indication of a seller's minimum expectation at auction and given as a “Guide Price” or a range of “Guide Prices”. This is not necessarily the figure a property will sell for and is subject to change prior to the auction.

    Reserve Price: Each auction property will be subject to a “Reserve Price” below which the property cannot be sold at auction. Normally the “Reserve Price” will be set within the range of “Guide Prices” or no more than 10% above a single “Guide Price.”

    Auction Fees: The purchase of this property may include associated fees not listed here, as it is to be sold via auction. To find out more about the fees associated with this property please call Hollands Smith, Bedford on +441234216612.


    Our sales service

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    Hollands Smith, Bedfordbranch details

    Hollands Smith is an independent estate agency which has established a reputation for sound, pragmatic advice on all aspects of residential sales. The directors – Simon Hollands and Rob Smith – have a long standing working relationship and countless homeowners can testify to their success. Many clients will tell you that Hollands Smith is simply “not like other estate agents”.

    Simon, Rob and the agency team pride themselves on the quality of advice and assistance they provide an are always willing to share their local knowledge with prospective vendors and buyers. With their office located within the heart of the popular Castle Road area Hollands Smith has become renowned as specialists in the sale of period homes in and around the town.

    Free market appraisals, confidential advice about selling or buying, professionally printed colour particulars and a vigorous internet presence are just part of the agency’s attraction. A unique non-restrictive agreement for all vendors is typical of the quietly confident and transparently open style of Hollands Smith, Castle Road’s favourite estate agency.

    Disclaimer: The information about this Agent is provided by the Agent themselves as an advertisement for their agency services. Rightmove is not endorsing this Agent and makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the advertisement or any linked or associated information, and Rightmove does not check or verify the accuracy of the content. The information is generated, provided and maintained by Hollands Smith, Bedford. Please contact the Agent directly to obtain further information about their property services.

    Local Map

    Note: The pin shows the centre of the branch's postcode, and does not pinpoint the exact address.

    Contact details

    163 Castle Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 3RT

    Buying: 0203 8356022  Local call rate
    Letting: 01234 860687  Local call rate
    Fax: 01234 300333
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