In the week where Rightmove launched its School checker in association with schoolguide.co.uk we take a look five of the web based gadgets/apps you need to be using when either viewing a property or searching the web for that perfect home.
Looking for a house based on a particular school for the kids? This week Rightmove launched their ‘school checker’ tool, which shows the likeliness on qualification for specific school catchment areas, based on previous years entry levels. This appears as a “heat map” on each property, with red being the “most likely” qualification, see our property in Dorchester Drive, Harborne for example: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/premiumA=true
The online mortgage calculator by Mortgage Advice Bureau, one of the country’s leading independent advisers, gives you a guide of your affordability to see if within the budget. It’s a massive time saver, particularly for first time buyers to see if you can take that step on to the ladder. See http://www.mortgageadvicebureau.com/mab-calc/
Council tax band finder
A common question, particularly tenants looking to let, is “what is the council tax band for this property? Put in a postcode and it brings up the council tax band for that property. This can be also found at https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands
Compass app
“I want a south facing garden” you cry? Want to determine if it’s late morning or early evening that you can sit on the balcony of your new home for a glass of wine? Bring up the app on your phone mid viewing to determine which way the property is facing.
Crime watch app
This is the app that the vendor may not want you to see! Want to know how many crimes were reported in a certain area? This crime watch app allows you to enter a postcode and see local history based on government figures for you to make a judgement on safety-surely a big factor in your purchase or moving to a new area in particular.
James Laurence pride themselves on accompanying viewings for our clients, highlighting local knowledge, informative and transparent property and area information. To see all a full list of our properties for sale please visit http://jameslaurenceuk.comproperties, call for viewings on 0121 604 4060 today.
We recently switched from another letting agency to James Laurence, as we found their team so warm and friendly and loved the local aspect of the agency. The team have absolutely exceeded our expectations, making the changeover feel so seamless and finding new tenants for our apartment at really short notice. Lotti could not have been more wonderful to work with, going completely above and beyond to ensure our tenants could move in just before Christmas. We felt an immediate affinity with her and have so appreciated her attention to detail, quick thinking and creativity. She has made us feel so at ease, supported and like our property is in the safest of hands. Charlotte and Melissa have also been so helpful and lovely to deal with during the process. Having worked with several other agencies in Birmingham, I cannot recommend James Laurence highly enough. Look no further, they are the best!
Julia Collins Andreu 28 December 2022
The team at James Laurence was very helpful when I tried to find an apartment in Birmingham. I was in contact with a different letting agency but things fell through and they couldn't help me. A colleague of mine recommended James Laurence Lettings so I emailed them immediately since I was was moving from Sweden and the move would take place in less than a week.
The team at James Laurence responded within 5 minutes and managed to offer me a few different apartment-options. Things proceeded quickly and smoothly and just a few days later I had they keys to the apartment. James Laurence helped me every step of the way and went above and beyond to accommodate my requests.
The only minor negative thing I can say is that the interntal communication could be improved a tiny bit. I received slightly different information depending on who I was speaking with at the time. When I said I received different information earlier the person I spoke to said she would talk to her colleagues and then get in contact with me later with the "correct" information which she did and the issue got solved very quick.
Elias 15 October 2022
Our experience with James Laurence Estate Agents was absolutely fantastic! Melissa Wilson made the application and referencing process smooth and easy with excellent communication. Everyone we spoke with from the office was kind, helpful, and welcoming. To top it all off, the loft we moved into was even better than the pictures! We are thrilled with our new home and we would absolutely recommend James Laurence to anyone looking for a place to live!
Dominic James 2 October 2022
I have been very impressed with James Laurence, who have recently sold my property. Having previously had a poor experience with Purple Bricks, I instructed James Laurence to help sell my property. I have worked with Henry throughout the whole process and have found him to be very professional and knowledgeable as well as being efficient. It can't be stressed enough how important this is to have an estate agent that responds quickly, negotiates well and truly understands the market (especially during uncertain times like recently with the cover pandemic). I have briefly worked with Caroline and some of the other team members who also seem to be very efficient and friendly. Thanks again to James Laurence who I would fully recommend to anyone looking to Buy/Sell in Birmingham.
David Jolly 16 June 2022
I recently sold my property with James Laurence, and the overall experience was great. They demonstrated a good knowledge of the Birmingham property market when discussing sales strategy, marketing and pricing (more than I was expecting) towards the beginning of my experience with them. This showed when we achieved 2 asking price offers within the first couple days of showings. Once an offer was accepted, their support did not stop there, Caroline (Sales Progression) did a fantastic job at liaising between myself and the buyers side, helping to progress items and remove any potential blockers. I would fully recommend James Laurence to anyone looking to Buy/Sell in Birmingham.
