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PROGRESS UPDATE / Made a quick visit to site today and was thrilled to see the new opening through to the kitchen.
Doesn’t it look fab? Well it will do eventually!
This space was the kitchen before anyway, but was very narrow.
Opening it up from the lounge means we can block the existing door up and wrap the kitchen along the wall on the left giving so much more storage and worktop space (which there was not a lot of previously)
As ex estate agents, we are well versed in what buyers want, and storage is always high up on the wish list when looking for a home (especially in flats) so it’s something we always try to put as much as possible in.
Anyway…..here’s our big hole, Tadah! 😂
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#carpentry #sackvillerdhove #renovation #renovationproject #propertydeveloper #hove #investment #property #propertyinvestment #periodhouse #contractorsofinsta
CURB APPEAL/ Heres yesterdays find for you.
Spotted it on the way to a party and had to take a snap for the grid.
I literally had shrub envy!
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#frontgarden #topairy #shrubs #curbapeal #hove #hoveactually #gardeninspiration #gardengoals #britishgarden #housebeautiful
CORE & SHELL / Also called ‘Shell & Core’ depending on who you speak to but obviously the same principle 🤪
Heres our mini guide on what it is, and why we often choose to Core and Shell our commercial properties.
Did I miss any advantages off the list? Do let me know in comments! Indeed have you found any disadvantages?
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#commercialconstruction #commercialproperty #residentialtocommercial #propertyinvestor #propertytips #propertyrenovation #propertynewsuk
WHAT DO YOU THINK? / Dave Gilmore from Pink Floyd built this house, and recording studio, to replace a former bath house in Hove, East Sussex after a developer failed to get planning.
The original hope was to demolish the existing building and replace it with flats. However after numerous failed attempts the developer sold the site onto Gilmore after his 20th application was refused!
Historians consider the original property to be the last architectural remnant of Brighton and Hove's past as a medicinal salt water bathing Mecca (swipe to last shot to see the original building)
The building itself, which dated back to 1894, was deemed as beyond repair, and planning permission was granted to demolish it in 2017. It had been empty for years and suffered at the hands of squatters.
You can see a real nod to the what once stood there though.
Opinions have been very marmite on the completed house, and as it’s right next to Stevens favourite ice cream shop, we have watched the build with interest! 😂
So what do you think? Love it? Or hate it?
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#davegilmour #architecturephotography #architecturehunter #propertydeveloper #bricklayer #bricklaying #architectureporn #propertyinvestor
INTERESTING FEATURES/ Love this little window seat I saw whilst visiting Red House a @nationaltrust property built and once lived in by William Morris.
If you swipe you can see the exterior of this room, and the design feature created specifically to gain this little nook inside.
Isn’t it deliciously extravagant?!
Admittedly William, despite being a trained architect, got the budget massively wrong for this house and there was a HUGE overspend! Not surprising with features like this and his penchant for gold leaf and hand crafting everything!
I suppose as a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement he had to lead the way despite the financial consequences! 😉
I LOVE that this design feature exists though don’t you?
Check out todays stories for a peek inside this gorgeous house.
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#artsandcraftsmovement #artsandcrafts #architecturelovers #windowseat #williammorris #periodhouse #redbrick #architectural #architecturalfeatures #structuralengineering #structuralengineer #structuralengineers
TICKED IT OFF THE LIST / Steven and I were absolutely thrilled to have finally made it up to Battersea Power Station this weekend. It’s been on our list for an age to do!
It’s an absolute must for those of you that LOVE industrial architecture. Especially those of you that love industrial architecture that’s been given a new purpose in life.
Indeed, also a must for those of you that can appreciate the vast amounts of effort and money that has gone into this regeneration…..that’s all of you!
It’s actually quite phenomenal.
Breathtakingly so.
We have some real fun stuff to tell you that we learnt about this development whilst we were there…..such as who is currently spending 22 million pounds refurbishing their Battersea apartment!
But as we have just got back from an amazing bank holiday weekend in London, I’m not quite back in the zone yet, so I’ll leave you with that tasty morsel of a refurb budget, and I’ll let you in on the rest another time! 😂
For now, I’ll leave you with the shots I took whilst I was there, and I’ll try get round to popping more on stories in a bit!
Have you been? What did you think?
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#londontravel #londontravelguide #architecturephotography #architecturehunter #architecturelovers #industrialarchitecture #bricklayer #propertynews #passion4property #batterseapowerstation #contractorsofinsta #buildingrestoration #refurbished #artdeco #artdecoarchitecture
BY ECK THEY DONT MAKE EM LIKE THIS ANYMORE / Jumped out the car whilst in queuing traffic the other day to snap this end of terrace house.
Ignoring the glorious mathematical tiled front; it could be perceived as just an average end of terrace house.
But just look at those oh so subtle curves! The work that went into that would have been sooooo much more than just squaring the building off.
Indeed the cost would have been MUCH more too.
We love little details like this on period buildings. 🤩
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#housebuilding #periodhome #terracehouse #passion4property #endofterrace #propertyinvestor #propertyportfolio #eastsussex #lewes #sussexlife #sussexliving
LETS BUY A BANK! / We viewed this bank the other week.
We didn’t put an offer in as it wasn’t right for us, but it was worth going along as the kids really enjoyed taking it in turns to play at being the customer/bank worker! 😂
(Well it was all fun until the eldest went and shut the little one in the safe that is!! 🙄🤦🏼♀️)
Fun days out for the Sparks family often includes property viewings, or scouting out buildings! 😂😂
We love taking the kids along to viewings or to our sites. I really do think it’s educational for them. Getting real life experience is in someways something that’s missing from schooling. But then that’s what parents are for I suppose!
Our eldest at 10 is already showing entrepreneurial skills, flipping things he buys at car boots on Facebook marketplace. He bought a chair for £2 the other week and we sold it for him for £35!!
He’s on a mission to buy an ant habitat you see! (Yes you heard right! 🐜🐜🐜)
Of course we could just buy him one; but we want him to feel that sense of achievement that only comes with doing something you at first thought was impossible.
We want him to understand that things don’t just happen from a young age…
Tough love, or good move?
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#parenting #propertyinvestor #propertydevelopersuk #propertyuk #ukproperty #propertynews #landlord #teachemyoung #teachthemyoung #minientrepreneur #buisnessgrowth #bankrestoration #commercialtoresidential
PROJECT LOWDOWN / If you are intrigued by what it takes to restore a listed building; please register to join Steven tomorrow night (15th March) as he takes us through the recent transformation of The Crown, Lewes.
You will see some interesting historical photographs of the buildings evolution; learn the story behind why we bought the building and of course see the process of turning a dilapidated former hotel into a building with new purpose!
Its free to anyone that would like to listen, so please register with The Friends of Lewes to receive the zoom link (link in bio)
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#property #propertyprofessional #propertydeveloper #propertyinvestor #propertydevelopment #buildingrestoration #listedbuilding #oldbuilding #renovationproject
PERFECT PASTEL PATINA! / Look at this gorgeous cottage that I spotted this weekend.
I would never think to paint my house that colour, but I absolutely love it!
It’s a little rough around the edges; but I actually like that. Not everything beautiful has to be pristine and perfect don’t you think?
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#cottage #englishcottage #englishcottagestyle #cottagegarden #quaintlyuk #ukproperty #ukpropertyinvesting #cottagestyle #propertydeveloper #propertyinvestor #passion4property
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION / If you didn’t already know this; both Steven and I both independently started our property careers in Estate Agency.
Yesterday, we were thrilled to be asked to go and talk to the students at Brighton Met (who are all studying towards a level 3 in Estate Agent and Property Services, with a NCFE Certificate in Principles of Customer Service and Introduction to Residential Property ……that’s a bit of a mouthful!!)
This is the first time ever we have presented like this, so feel pretty proud of ourselves for not chickening out!!
We hoped that we got across that a career in agency is a great place to start as a young person. The skills you learn within the industry can be transferred over to so many other jobs; if you don’t catch the property bug like most do that is!
Were they inspired by our talk?
Who knows, teens are a tough crowd to crack 😂🤷🏼♀️ However these are the things we hoped we left them with:
✅ You can achieve anything you put your mind to no matter what background you have, or how good you were at school.
✅ There’s no such thing as getting rich quick, you HAVE to put the work in. You can’t go from 1-10 without doing all the steps in between.
✅ Things you see on social media is generally exaggerated or just showing the best. It’s not a true reflection so don’t get too hung up on it.
✅ Invest in yourself now it will pay off in the future.
✅ Learn that rejection will happen, and to not let it snuff out your fire.
✅ Education is not only what you learn in a classroom.
✅ Don’t turn your nose up at the thought of working from the bottom up; you learn so much that way, and will be better in business for that.
✅ Try to think about your “Why” early on and expect that it will change over the years.
Best question of the day….”Have you ever owned a Lamborghini?” 🤣
Cue me explaining the difference between assets and liabilities, that you need to work on those assets before you even think about the liabilities! 😂😂😂
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#brighton #educatingteens #estateagency #estateagents #passion4property #propertyuk #propertyeducation #landlord #propertydeveloper
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? / So these are the newel posts and banisters at our next project.
To be honest we have had a lot of conversations about them 😂
They are a bit “brown” so we though paint them….but they are in such great original condition that it really would be a shame to do that.
Then we thought maybe paint the balusters, the riser and tread (have carpet runner) leaving the newel post and rail alone 🤔
Now we are thinking just to leave them as they are!
What would you do?!
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#painteranddecorater #interiordesign #staircase #propertydeveloper #propertydevelopment #periodhouse #oldhouse #victorianhouse #victorianhallway #renovation #renovationproject #renovations
SHES A BEAUTY / This pretty pale blue house is getting lots of love over on stories, so thought it deserved a square on the grid.
I’m also loving the complementary pale pink flower on the bush! It’s chocolate box perfect don’t you think?
Anyway. Happy Sunday people. We are off to the beach hut today,hope you have a good one too x
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#prettyhouse #beachhuts #bluehouse #eastsussex #seaford #housegoals #ukproperty #passion4property #propertyinvestment #portch #oldhouse #historichomes
CURB APPEAL/ Look at this house we spotted today; pretty looking little place isn’t it?
Moreover, look at the topiary angel/evil Queen! Isn’t it marvellous?
We can’t decide if she’s adding to the curb appeal or is actually quite scary….😂😂
You decide. Sweet or scary? Comment below 👇 🤔
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#eastsussex #eastsussexbusiness #curbappeal #georgianhouse #renovationproject #angel #propertyinvestor #clouds #evilqueen #topiary #gardenmaintenance
BEFORE & AFTER/ We smartened up this entrance recently.
A good clean, a good weed, a lick of paint on the door, a new light, house sign and new door furniture… oh and a repair to the monocouche render because Virgin Media literally don’t care about running their wires all over buildings!
Small changes, but so worth it to increase the curb appeal!
It doesn’t have a very large frontage so it was important we made the most of what we have, we even managed to squeeze in some planting which always helps soften a modern build don’t you think?
This property is for sale so if your looking for a three bed in Brighton with two outside spaces and gated parking, give us a shout!
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#brightonproperty #brighton #modernhome #frontdoor #makeover #entrancedoor #estateagent #uklandlord #ukpropertyinvestor #ukpropertymarket #propertydeveloper @homesignco
CURB APPEAL/ Look at this gorgeous house we spotted today!
I can’t imagine how long it took them to plant all those purple crocus bulbs 🤩
Isn’t it just so pretty?
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#edwardianhouse #crocus #curbappeal #periodhouse #frontdoor #frontdoorgoals #passion4property #propertydeveloper #eastsussex #lewes #frontgardengoals #brickhouse #victorianhouse #sussexlife
SATURDAY INSPO/ The Boat House.
Architecture by @maguiredevine Photography by Adam Gibson
Styling by @thisvacantspace
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#architecture #darkinteriors #view #propertydeveloper #window #boathouse #propertydeveloper #propertydevelopment #interiorstyling
PLAN DAY / It’s been ages since we have done a straight refurbishment project like this so it was great yesterday to gather the plans up, and do this process in the actual building.
When you’re doing a new build, or a conversion, you’re checking against thin air mostly so much harder to not miss anything!
👉🏻 So the point to this post……
We go over the first lot of plans meticulously to ensure the “ingredients” for our development is as correct and comprehensive as possible ready for tender.
We are generally looking for missed things and potential issues at this plan stage, not when we are already working on site (this is so much more costly than having the plans redrawn!)
It’s normally only small tweeks such as power points, lighting and radiator positions but as this document will become your builders on site Bible; help them out by making it comprehensive.
On this occasion, we have actually changed the layout on two flats in this development because when it came to the physical checks, it was clear the original plan wasn’t the best option.
So, important tip from us….
🖊 Grab your tape measure and red pen and go over your plans room by room.
Things we were looking for in this development:
✅ Is there enough power points in the rooms?
✅ Are the radiators in the right place?
✅ Have we considered where the door entry phone system will go?
✅ Have you considered the best position for the TV points?
✅What heights do you want panelling, picture rails etc to be at?
✅ Is there too much or not enough lighting?
✅Is the boiler located in the best position?
✅ Are all the doors opening the right way?
✅ Are ceiling heights noted if different?
✅ And of course is the layout the best possible one!
You’ll thank yourself for taking the time to do this at an early stage believe me!
Any questions, just ask!
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#architecturaldesign #architecturaltechnology #propertyrefurbishment #propertytips #propertyuk #refurbishment #renovation #propertyrenovation #ukpropertyinvestors #ukpropertynews #realestateinvestor #propertydeveloper #propertyeducation #propertytraining
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER / The restoration of this window was not in the original budget. But upon closer inspection it was barely staying in the frame; so this was a perfect opportunity to restore it.
@lion_mews_joinery did an amazing job taking it out and rebuilding it like a very delicate jigsaw!
That’s the thing with these lovely old buildings, they like to reveal themselves further just when you think you know all that your dealing with. 😂😂
The extra effort was worth it though, as this window will hopefully be sound for another 200 years!
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#thecrownlewes #windowrestoration #joiner #joinery #stainedglass #stainedglasswindow #listedbuilding #hagueblue #buildingrestoration #hallway #darkinteriors #hallwaygoals #victorian #georgianarchitecture @beforeafter_ideas
ACCOUNTABILITY / I see this word mentioned so much in my feed….
I’ve got to be honest, the word sends shivers down my spine.
The thought of being in an accountability group more-so.
A group of people checking that I’ve done what I said I would, urgh no thanks!
As someone that is very self motivated, and likes to get on with it on their own; that scenario sounds stressful……
The meaning of accountability has words associated with it such as answerable, liability, blameworthy, expectation, indeed Wikipedia says “being called to account for one's actions"……..
Maybe I’m over thinking this, but I don’t want to be held accountable by anyone other than myself (apart from Steven as my partner, and our tenants who we have a duty of care) Isn’t that one of the benefits of having your own business? Being the master of your own destiny….what you get out of it, being what YOU put into it…..
Although recently, I am wondering if I’m missing the point. Am I missing out for running a mile when the word “accountability” in a group sense is mentioned 😬
So educate me and tell me the positives.
What do you get out of any accountability relationships?
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#accountability #property #portfoliolandlord #investmentproperty #propertydeveloper #propertyinvestment