Welcome to Our February Newsletter
February is already shaping up to be an exciting month for us here at Samuel Makepeace Bespoke Estate Agents, and for homeowners across Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Alsager.
As promised in our last edition, 2026 is bringing something special. This year, we are on a mission to find the House of the Year 2026, celebrating the most impressive, beautifully presented and truly standout homes across our local area. We are privileged to step inside some incredible properties every single day, and we believe the passion, investment and pride our sellers pour into their homes deserves to be recognised.
In this month’s newsletter, we reveal our very first February nominees, introduce you to a member of our fantastic team, who has fast become our Queen of 5 star reviews, share our latest Monthly Mini Blog, and celebrate a recent completion.
So grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and enjoy catching up on everything happening at Samuel Makepeace this month.
In our last newsletter, we promised exciting new things were coming. So I am proud to announce that we have decided to make 2026 our mission, to find the HOUSE OF THE YEAR in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Alsager. We come across some beautiful homes every day, so it’s only right that our sellers get the recognition they deserve for the blood, sweat and tears they pour into creating a showstopper of a property! So keep your eyes peeled for our Nominee badge, if it has one of these, the property is in the running for 2026 House of the Year!
Here’s how it works:
Our director, Dino Vella, will present the home with a bespoke video tour, to be published on our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok platforms.
The rest is up to you!
Every “Like” is worth a point.
Every “Share” is worth two points.
Every Comment is worth two points.
There will then be a monthly winner, who will go through to the grand final, held in December 2026! So head on over to our social media pages to join in with the fun! And keep your eyes peeled on our monthly newsletter as we reveal our nominees and monthly winners!
If you have a property that you are thinking of selling, and you think it could be a strong contender… get in touch!
Dollys Lane, Burslem – FEBRUARY NOMINEE FOR 2026 HOUSE OF THE YEAR
This beautifully renovated detached bungalow on sought-after Dollys Lane offers stylish, turn-key living at its very best.
At the heart of the home is a bright open-plan kitchen and dining space, finished with modern units, integrated appliances and a sleek breakfast bar — perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. A light-filled lounge with patio doors opens onto the garden, while two generous double bedrooms, including one with a charming feature porthole window, provide comfortable accommodation.
The contemporary bathroom delivers a spa-like feel with a deep bath and separate shower, all finished to an exceptional standard. Externally, the property has been professionally landscaped for low-maintenance enjoyment.
A superbly finished bungalow and a very worthy February nominee.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE A LOOK AT DINO'S TOUR OF DOLLY'S LANE
Give us a rundown of your average day… “My average working day usually starts with arriving at the office, turning the heating up full blast, and making sure my hot water bottle is ready — I’m permanently cold! First, I check my emails for any updates, especially the exciting ones about completion dates for my buyers and vendors, go through my WhatsApp messages and review current offers. By this point, it’s usually time for another hot water bottle… and a quick check that the men in the office haven’t turned the heating back down! The rest of my day is spent working through my tasks such and touching base with vendors to see how their properties are performing, and progressing sales by liaising with solicitors, mortgage brokers, buyers, and sellers. I really enjoy catching up with our vendors and buyers, hearing about their weekend plans, and supporting them throughout their whole journey with us!! I get just as excited as them for their move!!”
What is your favourite part of the job? “My favourite part of my job is definitely accepting offers from first-time buyers. You can hear the excitement in their voices, and I remember being in that position myself, and it truly is one of the most special feelings ever.”
What do you find most challenging? “I find the most challenging part of my job is when a sale falls through and I have to inform the vendor or buyer. It’s always difficult, as most of the time people have their hearts set on the property — whether it’s the vendors onwards or the buyer looking forward to purchasing their new home.”
Early bird or night owl? “Definitely a night owl and honestly, who doesn’t love a lie-in!!”
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be? “I wish I had the skill to stop obsessively checking that the front door is locked or that I’ve blown out the candles... my brain treats it like a second full-time job!!”
Favourite weekend activity? “At the moment, my weekends are 100% devoted to wedding planning. Between checking off to-do lists and making decisions for our big day in December, there’s always a gin nearby... it’s the only way to survive (and enjoy!) it!”
Favourite movie or TV show? “My favourite TV show has to be Coronation Street. I never miss the 7:30pm episode, no matter what else is going on, Corrie comes first. As they say in Weatherfield, ‘There’s always something happening on the Street,’ and I wouldn’t want to miss it!!”
What’s a hobby you wish you had more time for? “A hobby I really wish I had more time for is dancing. I studied Dance at Uni, but unfortunately, after finishing my degree, Co-vid hit and of course classes were cancelled, and I never got back into it properly! So if any of our vendors or buyers run any dance classes please let me know!!”
Redrock Crescent, Kidsgrove – FEBRUARY NOMINEE FOR 2026 HOUSE OF THE YEAR
Located on the highly desirable Redrock Crescent, just moments from Birchenwood Country Park, this immaculate and extended four-bedroom detached home is a standout nominee for our House of the Year 2026.
The property boasts a stunning open-plan kitchen, dining and family area with bi-fold doors and skylights, a stylish lounge with media wall, four well-proportioned bedrooms including an en-suite to the main bedroom, and modern bathrooms across three floors.
Outside, a cobbled driveway provides ample parking, while the landscaped rear garden features porcelain patios, artificial lawn, a covered hot tub area and a powered garage.
A superb family home in a prime location — and a very worthy February nominee.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE A LOOK AT DINO'S TOUR OF REDROCK CRESCENT
Monthly Mini-Blog - The True Cost of Moving – Are You Fully Prepared?
When planning a move, most people focus on the purchase price and securing a Mortgage in Principle. But there are several other costs that can significantly impact your budget.
Banks only offer their own mortgage products, meaning you could miss out on better rates elsewhere. Your available equity will affect your affordability and future mortgage options. Surveys are strongly recommended before exchange — and costs vary depending on the type required. Solicitor fees can also fluctuate if additional reports or legal work are needed.
It’s also worth remembering that sale prices can be renegotiated before exchange, and Stamp Duty Land Tax rates can change, sometimes unexpectedly.
The mortgage market can be complex, so speaking to a qualified broker ensures the whole market is assessed on your behalf.
To help you plan with confidence, we’re offering FREE, no-obligation “Cost of Moving” appointments over the phone. Our expert team will guide you through everything you need to consider.
Call us on 01782 914444 or email hello@samuelmakepeace.co.uk to book your appointment.
Every sale is a journey, and this month’s completion of the month at Wallis Way, Baddeley Green truly reminded us why we love what we do. From the moment this home launched, the crowd went wild, a testament to the seller’s incredible attention to detail and truly flawless taste, which made the property hugely popular from day one. It’s been a pleasure guiding our clients from valuation, stunning photography and video, right through to completion, keeping them informed every step of the way. Their kind words in our Google review mean the world to us: “We sold our property and purchased our new home with Samuel Makepeace from the valuation, amazing photos and video and being kept informed at every stage of our sale and purchase, they were amazing!!
Just to say a big thank you, you are a credit to your profession.” Now, they’re off to turn their next home into a paradise, and we can’t wait to see what masterpiece they create next.
Until Next Month…
Thank you for taking the time to read our February Newsletter. We hope you’ve enjoyed meeting our first House of the Year 2026 nominees and picked up some helpful insights from this month’s mini blog.
Don’t forget to head over to our social media pages to support your favourite nominee, every like, comment and share counts! And if you’re thinking of moving in 2026 and believe your home could be a contender, we’d love to hear from you.
As always, if you need advice on buying, selling or planning your next move, our team is here to help.
Samuel Makepeace Bespoke Estate Agents
Independent Estate Agents in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Alsager
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