Dear Future Homeowners and Property Enthusiasts,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Samuel Makepeace Newsletter!

Whether you're in the market to buy, sell, or just here for a bit of local chatter (we’re not judging), we've got something for everyone. 

So, pour yourself a coffee, get comfy, and let’s jump into the latest market buzz. Whether it’s your first home or your tenth, we’re here to make the journey as enjoyable as possible.

In this month’s edition:

• Meet our Senior Lettings Negotiator, Alissa Walker

• Stay updated with all the Samuel Makepeace news

• See our key property completion of the month

• Main feature: an exclusive look at our stunning new listing, Canada Cottage

Happy reading!

Give us a run down of your day to day duties… "My day-to-day duties consist of arranging viewings for rental properties, processing applications, dealing with credit and reference checks and helping applicants and landlords from the stage of moving in through to managing the property for the duration of the tenancy. The main duty whilst managing a property is liaising with landlords, tenants and contractors to arrange repair works in a timely manner and keeping up to date with compliance documents for each individual property." 

What is your favourite part of your job? "My favourite part of the job is building relationships with the clients to develop a trusting rapport whereby the tenants feel they can address their issues with me, and landlords feel they are in good hands. It’s a great feeling to know that the tenants are happy in their homes and the landlords are happy with our service and it takes the stress away from them."

What do you find most challenging? "The most challenging thing for me is trying to reassure our tenants when issues arise and we experience delays in being able to get them rectified. We often have to remind everybody that as the managing agent we do not have the authority to complete work and sometimes there can be delays that are out of everybody’s control, like awaiting insurance companies or awaiting replacement parts. It can be difficult to show that we empathise and are doing everything we can."

If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be and why? "Singing- I would love to be on stage at the West End or Broadway but unfortunately, I wasn’t blessed with the talent!" 

If you could swap lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? "Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. She's smart, ambitious, and has amazing style! Spending a day in her pink heels, walking confidently through Harvard Law, and proving everyone wrong sounds both empowering and fabulous." 

If you could be a superhero, what would be your superpower? "I think I would have to go for teleportation- as a kid I used to play a game where I would pretend to click my fingers and end up in my chosen destination (usually Disneyland). I would love the power even more now to click my fingers and teleport to any place at any time! Imagine even the simplest of things like never sitting at a temporary traffic light again!" 

If you could star in any Broadway musical, and choose a work colleague to join you, what characters would you play, and more importantly, who would be your co-star? "Hairspray all day long! I would probably play Penny Pingleton or maybe Amber Von Tussle if I wanted to really push myself out of my comfort zone! My chosen co-star would be Steph purely based on her amazing rendition of ‘Don’t rain on my parade’."

Charming 1824 Heritage Home in Penkhull with Modern Comforts and Expansive Gardens

Canada Cottage, built in 1824, is a rare and charming historic home in Penkhull, originally one of three dwellings from the pottery boom era. Rich in character, it features period details, exposed beams, original fireplaces, and a restored glass-topped well. The spacious layout includes four bedrooms, multiple reception areas, an open-plan kitchen/dining/family space, and a vintage-style bathroom. Outside, it boasts expansive gardens, a summerhouse, and a double garage. Combining heritage with modern comforts, this unique property offers a chance to own a living piece of local history.

Modern Marketing That Sells: Reaching Buyers Where They Scroll

These days, selling your home takes more than just a listing and a few quick snaps. Buyers are scrolling through social media before they ever hit a property portal, so your home needs to stand out with eye-catching photos, engaging video tours, and smart marketing that actually reaches people where they spend time. At Samuel Makepeace Bespoke Estate Agents, we use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to show your home in its best light, get it in front of the right audience, and help it sell faster—and for the price it deserves.

Our completion of the month has been chosen as this stunning detached home on Ryder Grove, Talke. After a journey to complete that was adeptly assisted by our Sales Negotiator Ella Woodcock, this lovely couple are in the process of getting settled in and are delighted with their new home.

They finished their journey with some kind words to Ella: “You have been brilliant through this whole process and gone 100% above and beyond to help us in the standstill that happened. I’m glad we had someone like you supporting and helping our corner. You are a great asset the the company and I would recommend you to any of my friends looking to buy or sell.”

A huge congratulations to Mr & Mrs A from Ella and the rest of the Samuel Makepeace team. 

Key Industry News this month

-There has been a surge in 100% mortgages, offering a lifeline to First Time Buyers struggling to save.

-The Bank of England have dropped the base rate to 4.25%, with further cuts predicted.

-All but two counties in England have seen an uptick in the number of buyers coming to the market, strengthening demand.

by Stephanie George, Head of Operations