Day: 23 April 2021

In this two-minute read, we show you how to make your South Devon home a healthier place for the planet.

Yesterday was World Earth Day. People across the globe were encouraged to be more mindful about the impact we all have on the planet.

But doing our bit for Mother Earth is a process and not an event as this article explains.

In our own homes in South Devon, we can continue to do things to help the Earth.  Here are some ideas.

Go local

The supermarkets are undeniably convenient. If you can though, frequent farmers’ markets. You’ll be reducing air miles, which is good for the environment and your health. It also means you’re not supporting the unethical, polluting mega greenhouses in places like the south of Spain. You can more often reuse egg boxes or berry baskets when revisiting your favourite stalls. There are also likely to be fewer plastic stickers on the produce.

Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk reduces the amount of plastic waste. You’re not buying lots of little ones just to throw them away. You can also often reuse the same containers too. This is great for cleaning products for the house or for humans. It’s also a great way to buy food. You’ll be doing good for the planet and your wallet too. Loo roll bought in bulk from hotel suppliers will reduce the amount of plastic wrapping around the packets. (You can also buy paper-wrapped toilet paper.)

In the garden

Prioritise native plants. Replace your lawn with short native grasses or, even better, plant vegetables. Use kitchen waste to create compost. Invest in a worm composter, or an electric one if you’re in a flat. You can even compost dog poop! (This is a special process, don’t just throw it in with your kitchen waste.) Buy seeds in bulk. Take any plastic containers back to the garden centre. Capture rainwater whenever you can to reuse later.

With the children

Refuse free pens and instead get refillable ones. Buy paperclips in bulk or get a staple-free stapler. Join your local library to borrow books and magazines. Teach children to draw or cut near the sides of pieces of paper. This offers more chances for reuse and instils the thoughtful use of resources from a young age. Always recycle used paper, after both sides have been filled. Make a bug hotel for the garden to encourage pollinators and explore the interconnectedness of the planet.

What eco-friendly ideas do you use at home? We’d love to hear your suggestions.

© Chamberlains 2021

In this two-minute read, we look at useful information which you might want to share with your agent to satisfy inquisitive buyers.

You can often tell whether a viewer is keen on a property from the questions they ask. And in our experience, the more specific the question, the warmer the prospect. When it comes to preparing for a sale, the more information that you can share with your agent, the better. Here are five typical questions to get you thinking.

• What are the neighbours like?

Your viewer is envisioning living in your property. Help them do this by letting your agent know the demographic of your neighbourhood. A good agent will assess the viewer’s preference and highlight those neighbours accordingly; families, elderly people, professionals, students, etc. Add extra information if you can: Are they friendly, quiet, helpful?

• Where are the closest bus stops?

Go a step further and provide information on the bus routes and the frequency of the service. If it’s only a ten-minute ride into town, or there’s a direct service to the leisure centre, let your agent know.

• Which way does the garden face?

For those with outside space, most people want to know which way the garden faces. If you’re unsure, there’s a helpful app called Lumos, which will point you in the right direction (excuse the pun!). Garden furniture purposely positioned in sunny spots will show potential buyers where to go for a bit of R&R.

• Where do the kids next door go to school?

It’s good if you can let your agent know which school catchment your property sits in. It’s great if you can tell them where the local kids go. Parents’ school preferences vary – with some prioritising the same school as local friends over Ofsted reports.

• Which takeaways deliver here?

If a buyer is wedded to their weekly teatime treat, this will be essential information. If you have a recommendation, let your agent know – you might tempt prospective buyers with new or unique culinary delights in your local neighbourhood.

If you’re thinking about a property move and want to know more about what information to start collating (or if you have a recommendation for a local takeaway), feel free to get in touch.

© Chamberlains 2021