We are proud to announce that we have started 2020 the best way we could have imagined, with the acquisition of one of the longest standing and locally renowned businesses in Claygate Village. The team at Catling & Co, along with an extensive portfolio of managed rental properties is a welcomed addition to our business, and we look forward to building upon their local reputation and the service they have provided to the Claygate community over the last 25 years.

Although we will be converting the high street office at 15 The Parade, Claygate, KT10 0PD into a Newton Huxley branch at the begining of February 2020, the Catling team will remain in this branch and we welcome their continued support in maintaining the proactive, professional and approachable reputation that Newton Huxley has built since our launch in 2015.

John Catling, who will remain as a consultant for a period of time during the transition has released an open letter to clients past and present:

As Catling & Company enters its 26th year of trading, it is with a heavy heart that I have finally made the decision to spend more time with my family and retire.

I have taken careful consideration to ensure that my loyal clients remain in good hands, and at the end of 2019 I officially handed over the reins to Len Taylor & Sam Kamali at Newton Huxley, who are another local, bespoke agency just like Catling & Co. I have no doubt in my mind that Newton Huxley, together with my team at Catling can at the very least maintain the standards we have upheld over the last 25 years, and will work to improve upon them.

Sarah Wren and the rest of the existing Catling & Company team will remain indefinetely, I will also be retained as a consultant to assist with the transition for a period of time.

I would like to thank you for your continued loyalty and custom and very much look forward to the next chapter.

One of the Managing Directors at Newton Huxley, and local Claygate resident Len Taylor had this to say about the recent aqcuisition of Catling & Co:

We are delighted and feel priveleged to have been given this opportunity to work for the clients that John and his team have taken such good care of over the years.

As a Claygate resident myself I feel very fortunate that we have such an active community and have experienced first hand the positive impact this has on local residents, and I hope we will be able to contribute for many years to come. 

As estate agents we also know that this is part of what makes the area a number one choice for young families moving from South West London which is why we opened here in the first place. I hope that we can rely upon the support of the local Claygate community, and in return we will continue to provide a reliable, trustworthy service that we are immensely proud of.

The team at Newton Huxley are already experiencing increased interest in our available properties both for sale and to let for January. 2020 is widely anticipated to be a positive year for the housing market, and we invite you to pop into the newly refurbished branch from 1st February should you wish to discuss the local market or any property plans you may have.

It's not long until #LoveMolesey and the team are busy finalising details for a huge range of projects. So far they already have cleanup projects, opportunities to make a difference in our local schools, care homes and the day centre, tea parties for seniors, a fun games night for young people and even a history walk along the towpath. Over the coming weeks they'll be announcing lots of others so keep checking the website www.lovemolesey.org to find out more. 

On Tuesday 13th March they'll be holding their launch event, during which you will have the opportunity to hear from the organising team all about the vision behind #LoveMolesey and what’s coming up. You will also have the chance to meet many of the team leaders to learn more about the different projects which will be running over the course of the 4 weeks and how you can get involved. Refreshments will be available, we look forward to seeing you there!

If you already live in Molesey, you already know where Musicland East is. We were lucky enough to have a chat with owner James Etherington to talk about Musicland East, Molesey, and what keeps him in love with music and teaching.

Yes that is a chrome guitar, and yes the only other time you may have seen one like it was on the cover of Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits!

The shop has an extremely welcoming feel, and you are instantly greeted by some amazing instruments (and musicians).

The workbench where James repairs and maintains instruments.

As soon as you enter the shop your are welcomed by the relaxed and unpolished vibe that is clearly perfect for the creative nature of teaching and experimenting with music. There is an array of stringed instruments that line the walls, along with amplifiers, straps, leads and retro festival posters amongst other things. The entire building is charming, even down to the work bench where James repairs and maintains their customer's instruments.

One of the teaching rooms at Musicland East, just look at those posters! How could you not be inspired!

Thats right. Thats a guitar made around a motor oil can. They are even cooler in real life!

Whilst there is a clear emphasis on the technical and theoretical side of music, the teaching/ practise rooms continue the relaxed vibes within the shop, and the staff have a superb knowledge of their respective crafts. This makes for a perfect, pressure free learning environment for any aspiring musicians, whether it be guitar, piano, or drums, this has to be one of the most charming and inspirational places to learn.

We asked James a few questions whilst we were there, we hope you enjoy reading what he had to say, and we've included contact details at the end of this article in case you want to start (or continue!) a passion for music at Musicland East.

How long has Musicland East been in Molesey for?

Since 1996, so about 22 years on the corner of Matham Road and Walton Road.

What services and products do you offer?

We do a lot of teaching here, with guitar, bass, drums, piano and ukelele lessons going seven days a week, out of four teaching rooms. We also stock new and second hand instruments and accessories, and I carry out repairs and setups on string instruments on site as well.

What is it that you like about working in Molesey and the general community?

 The people are cool and really get behind stuff. There's quite a few open mic nights in the area and we've had a massive response to our larger Musicland Live events, which give our students the opportunity to get together into bands and have them perform on a proper stage and gain some experience.  Its' a great evening and we always sell hundreds of tickets, and it can only grow off the back of the community that supports it. Luckily, Molesey has a great one!

What's your top tip for someone looking to get into music/learning an instrument?

Get a reasonable instrument but don't break the bank yet, make sure it's set up and tuned correctly, and play everyday for the love of it so you advance naturally. My main instrument is the guitar and there's such a range of approaches and styles you can play in and so much advice out there, but play the music you love to hear and you'll be on the right track.

What is your favourite thing about your job?

We get a real opportunity to make a difference. The shop meant a lot to me growing up, and I can see it means a lot to some of our younger students now. The community atmosphere gives way to the tendency to dream big, and it's great to have a shop full of musicians and those who support them, seven days a week, in a community that lets it thrive.

Musicland East

52-54 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 0DL

0208 979 9443

musiclandeast@hotmail.com

musiclandeast.com

Are you considering selling or letting in Esher, Claygate or Hinchley Wood this spring? Our new KT10 branch is here to help!

Since Newton Huxley first opened its doors in East Molesey in January 2015, our model of "off the high street" estate agency has proven an effective one, leading us to become the areas most recommended estate agent in KT8 on Google. We now plan to achieve the same with our new KT10 office and would like to invite those looking to sell or let, to try our highly recommended sales and lettings services at a discounted rate, with potential savings for sellers of over £6000 and 30% off letting fees for a limited time only.

Our innovative marketing strategies, proactive culture and friendly staff all come together to give you the best experience whilst achieving the best possible result for your sale or let.

If you would like to arrange a FREE sales or lettings valuation of your property, please contact our KT10 office on 01372 631 622 or email esher@newtonhuxley.co.uk.

You can also request a valuation here.

We were very happy when we were invited to sponsor The Orchard Derby at the Conservative Club on Walton Road, after sponsoring the school's Christmas Fair last year with a fantastic response from local parents of children at the school, we couldn't wait to help out again!

The evening consisted of lots of laughter, alcohol and food which for us is a winner every time! Especially when it helps to raise funds for the school.

We look forward to the next event and hope our close working relationship with The Orchard School will continue to grow.

As always, thanks to the parents and local commutinty for their continued support. We have heard from many residents that our service is a "breath of fresh air" which let's us know we're on the right track in achieving what we set out to do in opening a local, online and full service estate agent in Molesey.

Words by Natalie Kitchin | Property Consultant at Newton Huxley, Molesey.

The Princess Alice hospice hold a special place in my heart, as I’m sure they do for so many other members of the community. For 30 years they have been there to support people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. Just this year my family and I found ourselves calling upon this fantastic organisation, whose compassion and care was second to none as we faced such a difficult and challenging time.

So as soon as I found out about the Towpath Trundle, safe in the knowledge that I could give something back I strapped on my walking shoes (which those who know me can tell you, isn’t something I do lightly!) and accompanied by my Mum and our two dogs we began the 23rd annual 8 mile walk!

We were absolutely blessed by the weather with blue skies shining on us for the duration.

Despite having grown up in Walton, it is easy to forget the beauty that surrounds us, walking along the river helped me to remember what a beautiful area it is and just how lucky I am to have spent my life here. Helped along by some ice creams we found ourselves enjoying our walk, especially the tranquillity of the river and the wildlife that comes with it.

Along our trundle it was so lovely to see so many committed people taking part, as we walked we managed to find Wally and also bumped into a few fairies!

After two hours we reached the finish line, we triumphantly collected our medals and treated ourselves to a slice of cake and settled down on the grass to enjoy the company of those who had also taken part. It was so fantastic to be surrounded by so many charitable people in our own community, but also to see just how many lives the Princess Alice Hospice had touched and made a difference to. 

Recent Rightmove data shows that more homeowners in East & West Molesey are choosing Newton Huxley Estate Agents to sell their home over any other Molesey Estate Agent.

It really is great to see how recommendations spread fast. The team has worked tirelessly to provide all of our customers with a friendly, straight forward and diligent service. In such a competitive market and at a time when stock levels are lower than usual (a.k.a "a sellers market") we see our commitment to providing the best service available in estate agency really working wonders.

A sellers’ market is something that many home owners will welcome (especially if you're not making an onward purchase), as this inherently pushes property values upwards. However, the dangers of over pricing can also increase as agents "starved" of new instructions seek to impress potential clients with over inflated valuations. Not only can this throw a real spanner in the works in terms of the time it takes to sell your property, but it can also encourage low offers if your property remains on the market for a prolonged period of time.

Here are three ways we think sellers in the Molesey area can avoid the aggravation of price inflation:

1. GET A ROUGH IDEA ON THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME.

Simply having 2 or 3 estate agents out to value your property may not be enough, it may seem obvious but looking at other properties that are currently on the market, or that have recently sold will give you a very good idea of what your property is worth.  A simply way to judge another property by comparison to yours is to check photographs for condition and floor plans for size. If the property is not under offer, check the listing history to see how long the property has been on the market. The internet is overflowing with local property price information and we have access to archive data on literally 1000's of properties. (contact us for more information 0208 396 6717 | info@newtonhuxley.co.uk)

2. BROWSE THE WEBSITES OF POTENTIAL AGENTS.

We are surprised to learn that many of our clients ONLY call us because they have noticed "sold" boards or have received a letter from us, you can easily tell if an agent is proactive and a consistent performer by the presentation of their website, and the quality of their property photography. If you want to achieve the best possible price for your home you need to attract as many buyers as possible, presenting your home to the market with great photos on an easy to use website will make all the difference. After all, there is a reason that Waitrose can charge more for a bag of sugar than ASDA. It’s all in the presentation!

3. AVOID ON LINE INSTANT VALUATION TOOLS.

Some property and estate agent websites offer an instant valuation. The algorithms used in these apps are nowhere near detailed enough to provide a reliable valuation of your property. In some cases, we have seen these provide valuations that are off by over 25%! Until additional data can be stored within these applications such as square footage and internal condition we recommend you avoid the temptation to use them.

The first two weeks of marketing your property are crucial, and an unrealistic asking price can not only put potential buyers off, but will encourage "low ball" offers if your property remains on the market for too long.

Interpreting the market correctly and setting your asking price at just the right level will help you achieve the best result possible. We are proud to report that more than 70% of the properties we have sold are at record prices when compared with similar properties in the immediate area, whilst achieving more than 98% of asking prices throughout 2015, many of which were previously on the market without success. Further proving that our model for selling property is highly effective.

If you are considering selling in East or West Molesey and the surrounding areas, and would like an independent valuation of your home without obligation and free of charge. Please call our team on 0208 396 6717 or email info@newtonhuxley.co.uk

The Magical Molesey event is hosted every year on Walton Road in East Molesey. Local businesses offer discounted goods and raise money for good causes, all in the name of the festive season.

Our friends at Musicland East, East Molesey will be switching on the lights on Walton Road that evening along with carol singing from local schools and community groups. We also plan to have a few Xmas treats outside Belhaven House on Walton Road, East Molesey to help Sakura Hair and Body Retreat raise money for their selected charity.

We're no doubt excited to be part of Magical Molesey 2015 which is on the 2nd December 2015 starting at 5pm. We look forward to seeing our fellow Molesey residents there.

For more information and a photo gallery of previous Magical Molesey events you can visit the Molese Life website here:

Magical Molese | Molesey Life

Will you show your support? Karen Lamb of West Molesey is fundraising for the Princess Alice Hospice with a target of £3000. She has already raised nearly £500.00 of her target and is training hard. Her heart felt story of what inspired her to take on this challenge is below along with details of how to donate.

"Three years ago, my partner Mike and I were leading a normal, happy life together when everything changed. Mike was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 50. Three weeks later, on New Year’s Eve, he died.

Mike didn’t have the chance to benefit from the wonderful care of the Princess Alice Hospice. I want to raise money so that this care is available to as many people as possible who find themselves in a similar position.

My name is Karen, I am 48 years old and I work in the Retail Department of Princess Alice Hospice.

A few months ago, the only reason I would get on my bike was to cycle to the pub! Now I’m training to do a 10 day, 500km cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia.

If you’d like to help me to achieve my goal, please donate whatever you can to this wonderful organisation.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story."

Karen

If you would like to make a donation please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Karensbikechallenge/

Best of luck Karen!

With the recent opening of the Sainsbury's Local on Walton Road in Molesey, we looked into whether or not this would have an effect on local house prices.

Research conducted by Lloyds Banking Group earlier this year found that the price of a property within easy reach of a supermarket, is on average 7% higher than comparable properties within the same town.

You may not be too surprised to hear that the brand of supermarket also comes into play with Waitrose scoring the highest percentage premium at 12%, Sainsbury's at 10% and Tesco's at 8%. Having an Aldi or Lidl close by may actually have a negative effect on the value of your home of around 2-3%.

The effects of local supermarkets really do vary from region to region but in monetary terms, houses within walking distance of a supermarket command an average premium of just over £15,000. Needless to say, this local convenience is high on the shopping list for potential buyers!

If you live close by to the new Sainsbury's on Walton Road in Molesey and would like an up to date valuation of your home. Please feel free to get in touch on 0208 396 6717, email sales@newtonhuxley.co.uk or send us an enquiry.