Move on up with Monks

Read the latest issue of our Newsletter for our insight to the local property market.

Find out about Moving On Up – a new series of events from Monks that bring all your local property professionals under one roof!  Plus the latest New Homes, upcoming Stamp Duty changes, and the growing success of our Lettings team.

 

Sign up below to receive the next issue direct to your inbox.

At Home with Monks is our regular Newsletter, available to pick up in our offices or via email direct to your inbox.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

 

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Sell your home  –  Property search

Read the latest issue of our Newsletter for what we expect from the property market in 2025.

Plus the latest New Homes, upcoming Stamp Duty changes, and Judy and Patricia’s highlights from their ten years of ownership.

 

Sign up below to receive the next issue direct to your inbox.

At Home with Monks is our regular Newsletter, available to pick up in our offices or via email direct to your inbox.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

 

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Sell your home  –  Property search

Ten years on from taking on the ownership of Monks Estate and Lettings Agents, Directors Judy Bourne and Patricia Baila have narrowed down their ten biggest achievements and most memorable moments:

 

1. Relocating to new brighter offices in Shrewsbury just a few doors down from our old home – then expanding into the neighbouring office and knocking through to create an inviting reception area and double the window space.
2. Introducing our iconic ‘crown’ logo as part of our successful rebranding initiative, which is now recognised across Shropshire.
3. Growing our team across three offices with excellent staff retention.  We are proud to say our longest serving team member has been with Monks for 23 years!
4. Encouraging all of our staff to become members of our professional body PropertyMark,  supporting their recognised MARLA and MNAEA qualifications covering sales and lettings, and ensuring our business is ready for regulation and our team has up-to-date knowledgeable of their respective fields.
5. Promoting our staff from within, combined with fostering a female-empowered and parent-positive workplace so our staff can progress their careers at all stages of their lives.
6. Launching the Shropshire New Homes Exhibition (Judy’s special baby) for three very successful years – taking a break during the pandemic – watch this space for a re-launch!
7. Rising from the ashes in Oswestry after our newly-opened office suffered a fire. After moving twice in one year, we are delighted to say we are happy and settled in our new home on Church Street.
8. Supporting and becoming one of the main sponsors of the hugely success Shropshire Festivals calendar, of the award-winning Shropshire Oktoberfest and the Shrewsbury Food Festival.
9. Getting behind the next generation as the first local estate agent to join the new specific Estate Agency apprenticeship programme.  Our first apprentice joined us in September and our second starts in our Oswestry office in January.
10. And finally… Appreciating our position as we continue to feel excited for the future with new ideas and plans for bringing people and property together over the next ten years!

Read next:  New homes  –  Selling your home  –  What makes us, us?

Positive comments from our clients validate our reputation as a hard-working, ethical and knowledgable local estate agent.

 

Let these recent reviews inspire your confidence in choosing Monks to sell or let your property.

Read next:  New homes  –  Selling your home  –  What makes us, us?

For family-friendly dream homes, ask Monks about the New Home developments in your area.

Monks are Shropshire’s experts in new build homes.  We work with many leading companies including Cornovii Homes, Kendrick Homes and Shrewsbury Homes, as well as smaller site developers.

From dream kitchens and spacious sitting rooms, perfect for playing with the kids and entertaining friends…  to eco-friendly and bill-busting homes with solar panels, heat source pumps and electric vehicle chargers as standard…  whatever your dream home looks like, Monks will help you find it.

  Visit our Facebook page for events happening near you.

Buying a brand new home off plan is such an exciting and fulfilling experience.  Contact your local office in Shrewsbury, Oswestry or Wem or email welcome@monks.co.uk.

Read next:  New homes  –  Selling your home  –  What makes us, us?

There is something very relaxing about canal boats. It’s a romantic lifestyle with a slower pace…

 

Read the latest issue of our Newsletter where we share how we are bringing people and property together with our sponsorship and fundraising programme.  Also our staff achievements, and the latest new homes and incentive schemes available.

 

At Home with Monks is our regular E-Newsletter, sent direct to your inbox.  Sign up below to receive the next issue.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Sell your home  –  Property search

Monks have once again proven they are Oswestry’s leading estate and letting agent.

According to data on Rightmove, Monks is the Number 1 agent in the SY11 area across three categories – new instructions, sales agreed, and available stock.

 

Monks were recognised as the Number 1 agent for sales agreed, successfully selling more homes than any other local agent in August 2024.  In fact, more homeowners chose Monks to sell their property than any other local agent year-to-date!  This achievement underscores our ability to not only attract sellers but to close deals efficiently and effectively.

 

Our dominance on Rightmove is not just about numbers; it’s about the quality of service we provide. Our success is driven by excellent customer experiences and a strong reputation for integrity, professionalism and quality service. Clients choose Monks because they know they can trust us to handle their property with the utmost care and professionalism.

 

Online portals like Rightmove are vital tools when selling property today.  The team at Monks understands the power of these platforms, using them alongside our personal approach to maximise exposure for every property we list.

 

Monks offer world-wide advertising on other prominent portals such as Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and Prime Location. Properties are listed here on our own website, www.monks.co.uk, and on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to further enhance their marketing reach.

 

At Monks, we understand that your home is one of your most valuable assets. Choosing an estate agent is a significant decision, and with Monks you can be assured that you have made the right choice.

 

Data from 1.1.24 – 30.8.24, Rightmove.

 

Read next:  Sell with Monks  –  Why choose us  –  The Selling process

Read the latest issue of our Newsletter for our insight into what’s driving the market forward this Autumn.

Plus, how Monks are prepared for a busy season with an exceptional record of recent sales success, ongoing staff recruitment and training, and a fresh new office make-over.

Sign up below to receive the next issue direct to your inbox.

At Home with Monks is our regular Newsletter, available to pick up in our offices or via email direct to your inbox.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Sell your home  –  Property search

Its our favourite time of the year!

 

Follow this link to our latest Newsletter including an interview with Kate Goddard, Ethan Lee-Birch’s tips on social media marketing, and the official opening of Stone’s Wharf, Weston Rhyn.

 

Sign up below to receive the next issue direct to your inbox.

At Home with Monks is our regular Newsletter, available to pick up in our offices or via email direct to your inbox.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

 

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Sell your home  –  Property search

When a customer review comes in that is this good, we are proud to publish the whole letter!

28th April 2024

Hi Beth

Further to your email confirming completion of the sale of our home.  Lee and I both agree that from start to finish we have had a great service from Monks.

We were impressed with Judy when she came to see us and explain the service.  Judy was clearly knowledgeable, experienced and professional which engenders trust.

We have had feedback from potential buyers when attending viewings that the promotion of our home and in particular the on-line walk-through-the-house tool was positively influential on selling the property, in a true and valid way.

Chris provided a service for EPC evaluation and was helpful with enquiries if you were not available.

Beth, dealing with you was a pleasure.  You provided a service to us and potential buyers which was helpful, showed integrity and you were easy to talk to, which for us was important.  You go above and beyond to assist people.  We have had poor experiences with estate agents in the past and you have shown that it can be a team effort with open and honest effort on both sides.  We are glad we have a positive experience to talk about.

We have been approached by people around SY11 asking about Monks and the experience, also some who are thinking of selling their home. We have shared our positive experience with them.

Thank you for your time and patience.

Warmest regards

Tina and Lee Colley

 

Read next:  Meet the Team  –  Contact Monks  –  New Homes

Monks has seen an exceptionally busy start to 2024 with the same trends showing across Shropshire as the rest of the UK.

 

Follow this link to read our latest Newsletter including an interview with Patricia Baila, and foreword from Judy Bourne, Directors and Co-owners at Monks.

 

Sign up below to receive the next issue direct to your inbox.

 

At Home with Monks is our regular Newsletter, available to pick up in our offices or via email direct to your inbox.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

 

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Sell your home  –  Property search

Offering specialist mortgage advice and associated protection services, Ellis-Ridings Mortgage Solutions can provide the support you need when buying or selling your property with Monks.

 

Monks has chosen to partner with Ellis-Ridings Mortgage Solutions due to their up-to-date knowledge and conscientious approach to helping home buyers.  Co-owner Sarah Ridings worked with Monks for many years and has extensive knowledge of the property industry, especially New Homes and Shared ownership purchases.

 

Judy Bourne, Director of Monks, explains: “We are delighted to have Sarah back under the Monks umbrella!  It’s early days into the relationship but we are already receiving the feedback we expected from this great partnership.”

 

“Mike Ridings is handling our mortgage – thank you for recommending him, he’s brilliantly efficient!” –  Ms R, Wem, February 2024

 

Michael Ridings has 15 years of expertise in the industry.  He possesses extensive qualifications in Mortgage Practice and Equity Release and specialises in delivering tailored guidance to suit individual requirements.

 

“We are delighted to be working with Monks who have a leading reputation in the industry for providing a high-level personalised service. Their business ethos of putting the customer first in what they do, matches our own. This allows us, as a team, to help every client with all aspects of their home moving journey“ added Michael.

 

Ellis-Ridings offer an initial free consultation to review your current circumstances and to understand what is required to move forward with a mortgage application.  All advice is whole of market and bespoke.

 

Their Specialist Mortgage Services include First Time buyers, Remortgages, Porting, Product Switching, Debt Consolidation, Buy to Lets, New Homes, Shared ownership and Offset Mortgages.  Specialist Protection Services include Life insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Buildings Cover and Contents Insurance.

 

If you are buying a property with Monks, contact Ellis-Ridings Mortgage Solutions to get the right advice and mortgage deal for you.

Read next:  Property search  –  The buying process  –  What makes us, us?

What a start to 2024!

The local property market has boomed this Winter and, here at Monks, we are prepared for a busy year!

Follow this link to read our first Newsletter of 2024 with a introduction from Judy Bourne and Patricia Baila, Directors and Co-owners, on what to expect for the year ahead.

 

 

At Home with Monks is our regular Newsletter, available to pick up in our offices or via email direct to your inbox.

Our aim is to share timely, original and relevant information about the local property market and about Monks – whether you are buying, selling or letting.

 

Sign up below to receive the latest issue direct to your inbox.

 

Read next:  What makes us, us?  –  Meet the personalities  –  Welcome to Oswestry

 

 

Wasn’t it satisfying to see Shropshire listed in ABTA’s 10 Destinations to Watch in 2024?  Rich in history, a gastronomic paradise, beautiful countryside and a lively calendar of family activities…  oh yes, we know!

 

At Monks, we consider ourselves ‘county connoisseurs’ and love to share our passion for the Shropshire lifestyle.  We use our lived experience of local geography, history and communities to paint a picture of the properties we bring to market and add depth to the unique story behind every home.

 

Our team’s love of Shropshire brings a genuine touch to our service.  Ask Lucinda about her outdoor adventures in the Shropshire Hills, chat to Beth about child-friendly trips to Ellesmere or ask Anne Marie for tips on dog-walking around Wem.  Our roots run deep with staff born and raised the area, like Ethan in Oswestry.  While others like Patricia have moved from afar to choose Shropshire as their home.

 

Sharing insider information with potential buyers helps sell the lifestyle of a future home.  Details of a local sports club, available allotment plots, or walks with panoramic views can all inspire a connection with the property.  And let’s not forget the essentials of schooling options, transport links and which pub serves the best Sunday Roast!

 

Shropshire is the first UK destination to appear on the ABTA list which is designed to inspire British holiday makers.  This predicted wave of tourists presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to invest in holiday lets, and these charming properties would all appeal to paying guests:  timber-framed townhouse in Shrewsbury and a former Post Office in Ruyton Xi.

 

“This idyllic English county on the Welsh borders has some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, towns and villages. Shropshire is not only a rural gem, it was also the birthplace of the industrial revolution.”

– ABTA report, January 2024.

 

So, whether you’re looking to settle in this stunning county or invest in a thriving tourist hotspot, Monks are here to guide you every step of the way.  Our knowledge and enthusiasm are why so many customers choose Monks as their local estate agent.

 

Read next:  Explore Properties –  Locations – Meet the Team

We have been having fun with New Year resolutions this month, trying to beat some of those bad habits and choosing some positive goals for the year ahead.

 

With an impressive mix of health, property and career goals, we will be following the team’s progress all year.

 

• “I’m doing Dry January to give myself a healthy start. But I’m also conscious of supporting my favourite bars and restaurants at this notoriously quiet time of year, so I’m still going out but ordering alcohol-free cocktails!” laughs Judy.

 

• “My goal is to plan ahead with more family time booked into my diary”, says Patricia, inspired by her recent trip to her native Spain.

 

• Beth in our Oswestry office has career goals: “Completing my National Association of Estate Agents qualification (just one more unit to go!) and progressing to a Senior Sales Negotiator.”

 

• “Drinking two litres of water every day!” is Lucinda’s focus, staying healthy and hydrated while she oversees the Lettings and Rental department.

 

• James will be moving house this year, having already sold and bought properties through Monks and awaiting his completion dates. He jokes “I need to advise myself now which is never easy!”.

 

• “My promise to myself this year is to declutter my life”, offered Amanda. “I have accumulated so many things over the years.  We all have things in our homes that may be just what some other family needs.”

 

• “Move house!” commits Suzanne in our marketing department. “After almost three years of renting and watching the market change, 2024 feels like the right time!”

 

While the Monks team can’t help you with all your resolutions, finding new homes is where we excel.  So if you are planning on selling, buying or renting property in 2024, Monks can make it happen!

Read next:  Meet the Team  –  Contact Monks  –  New Homes

As our Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee in June there are also special celebrations taking place at Monks…

A 30 year – Pearl Jubilee celebration for Co-Business owner Judy Bourne and what better way to mark this than to get an insight into the life of one of Shrewsbury’s longest practising female Estate Agents.

 

Insights from 30 years in the Estate & Lettings industry with Judy Bourne.

 

Take us back to the beginning – how did it all begin…

I just kind of fell into Estate Agency – I was working as an Admin assistant on one of the Government’s Youth Opportunity programmes which I knew wasn’t for me and I applied for a role as a Secretary (as we were called back in the day) at what was John German Ralph Pay on the High Street. I was there for over a year before I began maternity leave.

That was where my bug called `passion for property’ began – Back in 1992 I was itching to get back to work and Estate Agency was where I knew I wanted to be and I secured a role as a Sales Negotiator with G A Property Services in the Square I moved from there several years later to D B J Property Services where with the support of the Partners my career began to gather momentum and I will always be truly grateful to them for their trust and belief in me, in what was very much a male dominated industry at that time. In the early 2000’s Nock Deighton took over DBJ and I enjoyed some wonderful experiences during my time with them before moving on to try something new.

Did you ever want to try something new other than property?

No, definitely not. Property has and always will be my passion (she laughs).

A great opportunity arose for me in the world of New Build which was exciting yet daunting at the same time.

I joined the reputable firm of local developers at that time Jennings Homes as their Sales Manager and began to spend my days in hard hat, high viz and rigger boots on muddy sites and roof tops of scaffold – and I loved it! I embraced my time at Jennings, I remember sitting in meetings in the early days with the technical build terminology going right over the top of my head, never frightened to ask questions and therefore had the fortune to learn from the best. Sadly, these days came to an end too soon as they were bought out by a National House Builder and after a short time I realised I did not want to be part of the Corporate world.

What was next for you then?

2006 – 2007 – I went solo and opened my own agency Jamieson Bourne with the help and support of my wonderful parents. Not a time I like to dwell on but a time which became the biggest learning curve in my life – 2007 we saw the property market crash and not having had enough time to establish the brand and business I had to close the doors – I’m not ashamed to say it broke my heart at the time, but it also made me stronger and I came back fighting and I had the fortune to join forces with Monks Estate and Letting Agents.

You are now a Director and co-owner of Monks?

Yes, one of my proudest achievements to date.

My amazing, supportive business partner and friend, Patricia and I worked alongside the then Partners, Richard and Mary Cambray to build and strengthen the brand of Monks and we were honoured to have been offered the opportunity 7 years ago to buy the business which we have and will continued to grow with pride.

We bet you have seen some changes over the years?

Oh yes… how things have changed – back in the day we didn’t have the technology we have today – we would peel the backs off photographs to stick on details, spend hours pasting adverts onto sheets for the newspapers, our applicants would be registered on cards in little boxes – the famous hot boxes were for proceedable buyers, computers were huge and mobile phones the size of bricks.

Is there anything you miss that has changed over the years?

Most definitely – the personal touch. Technology has evolved so much and our industry now seems to exist in a text and email environment brought about by the busy lives everyone leads.

Can this be changed?

We certainly think so at Monks. We believe in communicating by picking up the phone and talking to our clients. We have embraced their busy schedules and enhanced our availability so we are there when it is convenient to them – out of traditional office hours 8.00am – 8.00pm weekdays and on a Sunday 11.00am – 3.00pm.

Estate Agents have a certain reputation?

Unfortunately as with any Industry there are bad eggs that tarnish the good and we suffer the brunt of many a comic joke and some mistrust – this is a small minority and at Monks we stand PROUD of our values and reputation we have strived hard to earn.

What have been the highlights over the years?

Gosh where do I start, there have been so many and one day (if I retire) I would love to write a book. I guess the main one has to be joining Monks and meeting my supportive business partner Patricia. We are a great fit and bounce off one another, each having key strengths within the business that compliment one another – you could cut us both in half and we are Monks green through and through.

I am also very proud to have been entrusted as the chosen agent with our clients most valuable assets – it is a privilege to work in our wonderful County Town, bringing people and property together.

So what next for you?

Well I am not going to be hanging up my rigger boots anytime soon – I absolutely love what I do, property is my passion and Monks will grow from strength to strength over the coming years.

On a personal front – how do you enjoy life outside of work?

I consider myself very lucky, I have two sons, Scott and Ross, who I am exceptionally proud of, both growing their own successful businesses, a very supportive husband Russell, who also embraces Monks and is often seen donning the Monks Monkey outfit at Festivals.

I love spending time with my wonderful family and friends and enjoying my holidays. I have travelled to some wonderful places including Japan, India and Australia and have many more places on my bucket list – when work allows.

 

Who are Monks? In a nutshell it all comes down to HOME four words that define who, and what, we are:

Honest. Original. Motivated. Empathetic.