Since the end of May this year, the Rentright team have been watching from our office window as the new branch of letting specialist Leaders has taken shape here in Basingstoke.

It has been fascinating to see how MPL Interiors have completely refurbished an old printing shop – rapidly transforming it from a tired old shop-front in much need of a lick of paint to an exciting, vibrant and sophisticated Lettings Agency that catches the eye of all traffic passing through the centre of Basingstoke.

My colleague Dan and I popped down for the grand opening on the 5^th of August – whilst Dan did sterling work recording the proceedings for posterity I met with the party-goers to find out what this new branch means to everyone.

 Local developer and landlord Martin Smith, who has worked with such high-profile clients as Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, cut the ribbon to declare the new branch officially open. Mr Smith was very pleased to have been asked along and was enthusiastic about the stunning new branch.

 Basingstoke branch manager Kim Smith says: “Our new office looks fantastic and gives us much more space to welcome our clients and accommodate our growing business. We are very excited about becoming part of the UK’s largest independent letting chain and launching the Leaders brand here in Basingstoke”.

 It was a great day to invite members of the local community, businesses, landlords and tenants to witness the official opening – all in all it was a highly successful opening event and has placed Leaders firmly on the Basingstoke map!The Rentright Team would like to take the opportunity to wish Leaders Basingstoke the best of luck with their new venture and look forward to working closely with Leaders in the near and distant future.

 Flats to rent and houses for rent through Leaders Basingstoke can be seen on Rentright.co.uk.

 For advice you can trust on all aspects of renting or letting in Basingstoke please call Leaders on 0844 504 9805 or pop in to see the new office and meet the friendly team at 26 Winchester Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7DZ.

With this principle in mind I have always wondered why some agents just haven’t mastered the art of flattering photography!

1. MESS     

This is pure common sense. As an agent, or a landlord you are trying to advertise and market your property, if it looks like a teenager’s bedroom you can be sure that won’t be happening for a long while. It always amazes me when I see a property advertised that is nothing short of a shambles, broken furniture/dirty clothes lining the floors. Admittedly, it is not the agent, nor is it the landlords fault that the current tenant is filthy/lazy it just astonishes me that some people have no shame. Regardless of who is responsible it is a sure fire way to keep a property vacant for a very long time.

2. Not enough

Another common problem I’ve noticed is the lack of images available for perusal. When comparing a large array of property and committing to a tenancy you want to know what you are getting, every last inch of it.  From personal experience I will say that this little faux paus can lead to all sorts of assumptions, for example, nice bathroom- check, good sized kitchen- check, bedroom-no bedroom? And instantly you convince yourself that the bedroom must be a box, have mould growing from the ceiling and generally just isn’t somewhere you would want to sleep at night! A pretty cynical view but as we all know, a picture paints a thousand words.   

3. Too much               

This leads me on to images that expose maybe a little too much information. Those close-ups of dodgy wires and loose plugs. A little bit of peeling wallpaper, a garish paint job and even worse five images of the same empty room.

I am all for honesty, and bearing every last air and grace of a property can be a sign of a reputable agent but I can’t help wondering if giving it all away at the first point leaves little mystery. If I see a property, with a four poster bed, a ten acre garden and a Cinderella staircase I fall in love with it, if I then see the canary yellow bathroom and red wine stain on the rug am I less likely to view?  If I see the main selling points when browsing, and later go and visit I am probably more likely to forgive the minor flaws because I have now seen the property in the flesh.

In terms of how much or how little to show a searcher, I think a happy medium is the way to go, a few rooms, outside space and anything extraordinary, you don’t want to exaggerate the grandeur of any property as a viewing may result in a complete waste of time.

4. The show home.

When I look at a house, like most people I like to imagine myself and my furniture in it. I see a show home and I totally forget I even have any furniture. With penthouses kitted out with a chaise longue and stylish glass tables it is easy to miss what you are often buying- a shell. I am not criticizing the integrity of an image, as most agents do clarify whether or not the property includes furnishings but I always imagine how disappointing it must be when the house is emptied and you feel you have been cheated. 

5. No exterior image.

This is one I can’t get my head around. Again, the coat analogy, however warm and cozy it is on the inside, if it’s ugly you won’t buy it. And similarlily, if you only saw a picture of its sheep fur lining, (however luxurious it looked) would you really be inclined to buy it?

It is a shame because so many properties are exceptional on the inside but lack that je ne sais quoi on the outside and maybe that is why agent’s don’t publish those image, tenants can be charmed by a property so can accept a less than appealing entrance. However, I do think it must be quite embarrassing when on viewing you see a tenants face drop when they see the house. They have been promised something quite spectacular and lets be honest, first impressions count.