WELCOME TO 2026!
Hello and Happy New Year from the Samuel Makepeace Team!
January has arrived with a real buzz, and what a busy start to the year it’s already been. The festive decorations may be packed away, but our offices have been full of energy, with lots of new customers kicking off their moving journeys and making exciting plans for the year ahead. It’s been a fantastic reminder that a new year really does bring new beginnings.
As we settle into 2026, this month’s newsletter is packed with everything you need to know from the world of Samuel Makepeace, plus a few highlights from our brilliant team and recent successes.
Here’s what’s inside this month’s newsletter:
• Our Monthly Mini Blog: Choosing a local solicitor over an online conveyancer – what you need to know
• Meet the Team: getting to know Kate Moore, our wonderful Administrator
• Featured Property of the Month: a home that’s already turning heads
• Completion of the Month: celebrating another successful moving journey
So whether you’re thinking of moving, already mid-journey, or simply enjoying a browse, grab a warm drink, get comfortable, and enjoy our first newsletter of 2026. We’re so glad to have you with us as the year gets underway!
Featured Property of the Month: Joseph Austin Close, Hartshill
Tucked away on a quiet and sought-after cul-de-sac, this beautifully presented three-bedroom, three-storey home is a true standout and comes with the added benefit of no upward chain. With driveway parking for two cars, a stylish open-plan kitchen and living space, and a bright rear garden, it’s perfectly suited to modern living.
Inside, the home offers a contemporary kitchen with integrated appliances and a breakfast bar, flowing through to a light-filled living area with patio doors opening onto the garden, plus a convenient downstairs WC. The first floor features two generous bedrooms and a modern family bathroom, while the top floor is dedicated to a spacious master bedroom, creating a peaceful retreat.
Ideally located close to Royal Stoke Hospital, local amenities, and excellent transport links, this immaculately presented home is ready to move straight into, making it a well-deserved Featured Property of the Month.
Give us a run down of your day to day duties… "I always start the day off making the brews for the team (everyone needs a caffeine boost in the morning!) Then its onto my daily tasks, I usually begin with confirming the diaries for the external staff and then move onto confirming any pending viewings, there’s always plenty of calls first thing so I’m kept busy on the phones for the majority of the morning before moving onto feedback from the previous days viewings. In the afternoon, I’ll move onto lettings enquiries but there’s always lots of other queries coming in to keep us all busy, the days can be varied and so it’s just a case of lets see where the day takes us!!"
What is your favourite part of the job? "Building rapport with people on the phone especially when getting feedback from viewings, it’s an exciting time for viewers looking for a potential property."
What do you find most challenging? "It’s always most difficult when people just request a viewing on a 3 bedroom property in Stoke, there’s lot of questions that follow this to try and figure out where they are requesting to view."
How do you switch off after a busy week? "Learning how to make vodka out of potatoes!"
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? "Trust your gut instincts."
If you could pick a celebrity to join the team, who would you pick and why? "It would have to be Jason Mamoa - no explanation needed!!"
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? "Potatoes of any kind whether it be roasted jackets, boiled and if I don't fancy them, I can make vodka!"
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Monthly Mini Blog: Why Choosing a Local Solicitor Can Make All the Difference
When you’re moving home, conveyancing isn’t the most glamorous part of the process, but it is one of the most important. With plenty of cheap online conveyancers advertising rock-bottom fees, it can be tempting to go for the lowest price. However, choosing a local solicitor can save you time, stress, and unexpected costs in the long run.
Local knowledge matters
A local solicitor understands the area inside out. From common planning issues and local authority searches to quirks with specific developments or roads, that on-the-ground knowledge can help spot potential problems early—before they turn into delays or deal-breakers.
You’re not just a reference number
With many online conveyancers, your case may be handled by a large team or call centre, meaning you rarely speak to the same person twice. A local solicitor offers a more personal service, with a dedicated point of contact who knows your file and can give clear, straightforward advice when you need it most.
Clear communication, fewer delays
Being able to pick up the phone (or even pop into the office) makes a huge difference when deadlines are tight. Local solicitors often work closely with local estate agents and other professionals, helping transactions move forward more smoothly and resolving issues quickly.
Value over “cheap”
Online quotes can look appealing, but hidden extras for things like ID checks, leasehold work, or bank transfers can soon add up. A local solicitor’s quote is usually more transparent, so you know what you’re paying from the outset—and what you’re getting in return.
In short, conveyancing isn’t just about cost; it’s about service, expertise, and peace of mind. When one of life’s biggest moves is on the line, having a trusted local professional in your corner can make all the difference.
For an estimate from a trusted, reputable solicitor, please email hello@samuelmakepeace.co.uk and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Completion of the Month: 80 Vale View, Porthill
This month, we’re delighted to recognise our Completion of the Month on Vale View in Porthill, as our seller successfully completes and takes the next exciting step in her journey. It’s been a pleasure supporting her through the process from start to finish, and we’re so pleased to see everything come together. Wishing her every success and happiness as she moves on to her next chapter!
Key Industry Facts & Figures
- National average property prices are now 0.5% ahead of this time last year as prices rebound after the Budget
- The number of available homes for sale is the highest it’s been at this time of year since 2014
- An early snapshot of activity shows that in the two weeks post-Christmas, buyer demand rose by 57% compared to the two weeks before Christmas, while the number of newly-listed homes for sale jumped by 81%
- Rightmove recorded its busiest Boxing Day ever for visits to the platform, as movers began their 2026 search
- Rightmove’s daily mortgage tracker shows that the average two-year fixed mortgage rate is at its lowest since before September 2022’s mini-Budget, averaging at 4.29%
Thanks for spending time with us! We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to bringing you fresh ideas and innovations in 2026. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more to come.
Stephanie George - Head of Operations
Samuel Makepeace Bespoke Estate Agents
Independent Estate Agents in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Alsager
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