NEWS

Christmas is coming... Proof is in the pudding!

Winter proof your garden

Page 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PAGE 6 PAGE 5 PAGE 10

PROPERTY

November 2017

Bidding reopens for 2022 games

Welcome to the November issue of Property News!

The clocks have changed and the nights are drawing in which means the colder weather is no longer just an occasional visitor but is here to stay for the foreseeable future!

But before it fully takes hold, now is the time to focus on your home and garden so that you can curl up and keep warm afterwards, safe in the knowledge that you and your home are ready for winter. Find out on pages 2-3 how you can do just that.

And when it comes to inside your home, a study conducted by NSF International and Charles River Accugenix group revealed that over 340 different types of bacteria were found on only 30 objects! Turn to pages 8-9 to find out more and how you can combat the spread of germs.

Also in this issue, we take a look at the bidding for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (page 5); the ban on hidden credit card charges (page 4), as well as a look at selection of quirky Christmas advent calendars that are sure to help build excitement to the big day (pages 6-7)!

So for now, happy reading and we’ll see you again next month.

Linda McKeownEditor

Hello from the Editor!

There are many ways to help prep our gardens and spending a little longer on them before the weather turns cold will help ensure it looks its best when it comes to the spring and summer months.

LawnAutumn is the perfect time to revitalise your lawn if it’s looking rather dull and untidy. Remove any old grass clippings and moss to allow your lawn to breathe and grow freely. You should either rake or scarify which will thin the lawn leaving the soil exposed in some places making an ideal seed bed. Avoid any shaded areas as these will naturally thin over the winter months anyway. Autumn is also a great time to lay any new turf allowing it plenty of time to become established before the summer months.

BulbsBefore winter well and truly kicks in you should plant any spring bulbs. Snowdrops, crocus and daffodils all enjoy well fertilised free draining soil. Ensure you add in lots of sharp sand and some bone meal, which will release nutrients and feed into the bulbs over time. Remember, when planting bulbs you should plant two or three times the depth of the bulb itself, it also works well in terms of the width too. Finally, for a more dramatic effect you can plant the same variety of bulbs in large amounts or drifts.

ProtectionIdeally you should move any pots planted with tender species into a conservatory or greenhouse for protection over winter. These include; cannas, agapanthus and palms. You should also wrap horticultural fleece around the trunks of any palm trees which are planted in the ground along with a thick mulch of bark around the base; this will help protect them from any frost.

We’ve spent all summer looking after our gardens but winter is usually the time we

let them fend for themselves. But fear not; here we give you some top tips to help ensure your garden gets the attention it deserves this winter

yourWinter proof

garden

Just because it’s cold and dull outside it doesn’t mean your garden has to mirror this. Your winter

garden can still be interesting and exciting

GreeneryJust because it’s cold and dull outside it doesn't mean your garden has to mirror this. Your winter garden can still be interesting and exciting. Try incorporating some evergreen shrubs like Phormium tenax to add structure and Cornus sanguniea (Midwinter Fire) which have gorgeous flame-coloured stems.

Shrubs and treesPrune any branches on shrubs to improve the overall shape and give your hedges a final trim before any frost appears. Remove any dead and damaged branches which will prevent stems from rubbing together

Paths and pavingClean any leaves and debris from all paths, it’s much easier to do this whilst it’s dry. It might also be worth cleaning your paths with a stiff brush and soapy water as it will be less slippery in the winter months and will remove any mildew and algae.

Garden equipment maintenanceBefore locking your tools and equipment away for the winter you should sharpen and clean them for the following months ahead. Ensure that all of your tools have been dried thoroughly and oiled to prevent any rust. You may also consider sending your lawn mower in for a service to ensure it’s in perfect condition in spring.

Borders and structuresCut back any herbaceous perennials in the borders and remove any dead foliage, leaves and weeds. After this you can repair any structures that may be needed. Focus on any decaying timber, pest infestations, fencing and the greenhouse or summer house.

Garden furniture Cover up any garden furniture that you won’t be using during the colder months to prevent any damage and rust. If you have a garden shed or garage then ideally store them away, meaning they will be fresh and clean.

Compost binsAutumn is usually the time when you clear out your vegetable plots which generates plant material for the compost heap. Use last year’s compost around the garden and make room for this seasons waste. It’s okay if it’s not yet quite ready to use, you should just turn it improving the decomposition.

Winter Wildlife Give the animals a helping hand by making your garden wildlife friendly. Place bird feeders around the gardens at different levels as squirrels and other animals may enjoy these treats too. Don’t deadhead all of your plants just yet, leave the seed heads on for wildlife to nibble at during the cold months. Hedgehogs also appreciate some shelter when the weather gets cold, you could either buy a ready-made shelter or create one with different containers.

Autumn is also a great time to lay any new turf allowing plenty of time to become

established before the summer months

Page 3

Page 4

Sub-charges, hidden charges or, as many of us refer to them simply as, rip-off charges, are something that we are all often involuntarily subjected to when choosing to pay by debit or credit card, either online or in-store. Such hidden charges added onto your bill at the checkout, particularly online, have meant that the cost of the goods and/or services you’re paying for get driven up.

Airliners and holiday companies are said to be among the worst of these offenders, levying fees up to 3% when conducting transactions via credit cards or debit cards. The new law will be implemented on 13th January 2018, with immediate effect, and will mean firms caught breaking the new law thereafter will be forced to reimburse customers, and even face fines. The rules will apply to any UK company which is selling to UK consumers.

Cashing-in on the banDue to this banning of hidden card fees, it is to be expected that some companies will generally raise their prices to compensate for what

will be a significant cut to their overall revenue. Other companies, however, won’t want to risk losing their customers. Nevertheless, it is expected that not all companies will raise their prices, so there will be some substantial savings to be had, particularly with expensive purchases. A 2% or 3% saving on certain car purchases, for example, or on wedding venue bookings, will mean thousands of pounds being saved.

Since the Red Card for Card Charges campaign has started, launched by James Daley, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet have all reduced their fees, the cuts of which span up to as much as 3%. These companies therefore might be worth looking out for, but shopping around in general is always a great thing to do.

How to avoid these hidden fees until JanuaryPaying with cash instead is always a great answer, of course, but shopping around is so important these days, especially with regard to hidden fees found in conveyancing companies’ costs, which are among some of the most deceiving. Many conveyancing firms invent disbursements, adding tasks and charges to the bill that should be covered by the conveyancing solicitors’ basic fee, and requiring a substantial price for them, even though they will probably be in small print or hidden away. If the offer on the internet initially looks too cheap and good to be true, it probably is.

While on holiday, you should insist on being charged in local currency, so to avoid the ‘dynamic currency conversion,’ which is a system that allows retailers and foreign banks to set their own conversion levels, sometimes adding up to 10% on bills.

Banks also charge holidaymakers to use cards abroad, with average fees of 2.8% for debit card payments and 3.5% for credit cards, whilst for ATM usage specifically, the charges are on average 2.9% for debit cards and 4.9% for credit cards. So, when asked what currency you want to pay in, always opt for local currency. And why not use a prepaid currency card with only local currency? It’s a great alternative to card payments as it locks in your exchange rate when you buy.

They were hiding from consumers, but now all those rip-off sub-

charges on card payments have been found and banned. But what do we do until the ban takes effect?

New ban on all hidden debit and credit card fees means new transparency

The new law will be implemented on 13th January 2018, with

immediate effect, and will mean firms caught breaking the new law

thereafter will be forced to reimburse customers,

and even face fines

MAKE EVEN MORE SAVINGS WITH A FREE PROPERTY WEBSITE TO SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHEN YOU MARKET A PROPERTY WITH US.

Page 5

The new deadline, announced by Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), is now 30th November and has been reopened so that more time can be given to all interested parties to enable the submission of fully compliant proposals.

Despite Birmingham’s bid not being compliant, there was, however, no announcement as to why its bid had in fact failed to comply.

Who placed bids?

For the 2022 campaign, two cities initially launched bids for the Games – Durban in South Africa, and Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. However, Edmonton withdrew their bid in 2015, and Durban withdrew theirs earlier this year. A new bidding process was then opened, through which Birmingham placed a bid, making them the sole contender to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, having been the only city of the Commonwealth of Nations to have submitted a legitimate bid before the deadline of 30th September. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Victoria in British Columbia Canada and a potential Australian entry were possible bidders but none came forward.

Birmingham won initial backing from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, and their next challenge was to convince the government to approve the bid and underwrite the sporting event’s costs, who then subsequently agreed to cover 75% of the total funds. Local authorities would then have needed to raise the further 25% of the overall cost of staging the event.

The expected cost of staging the Games in Birmingham was thought to be between £600 and £750 million with venues listed in Birmingham’s bid including an upgraded Alexander Stadium, Villa Park, the NEC, Birmingham Arena, Symphony Hall and the University of Birmingham. There were also facilities planned in Coventry, Sandwell and Leamington Spa.

Until the UK government decided to back Birmingham’s proposal, Liverpool had actually been preparing its own bid and Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson claimed that his city’s bid was compliant and that ‘there are definitely questions to be asked’ about why the government chose a ‘non-compliant bid’.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The expected cost of staging the Games in Birmingham was thought to be between £600 and £750 million

WHAT ARE THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

The Commonwealth Games (comprising nations who were

either formally British colonies or dependencies of those colonies) is a

multi-sport event and, like many other international sporting events, occurs

every four years. The latest was hosted in Glasgow in 2014, while 2018’s event

will take place in the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Scotland and Australia have both hosted the event

before, and even though seventy nations are participating in Gold Coast 2018, only six nations have attended every single Commonwealth Games dating back to 1930 (discarding the Inter-Empire Championships in 1911) – England, Scotland, Wales, Canada,

Australia and New Zealand.

BIDDING REOPENSFOR 2022

Page 6

Christmas is coming…Okay, we know it’s not quite Christmas yet but the cards and gifts are already starting to make an appearance in shops, so make sure you’re ready to count down to the big day with these fabulous, and unique, advent calendars!

Christmas is coming…

The Beer Hawk Advent Calendar17 beer styles, 7 different countries, one amazing beery month. 23 Breweries, 24 days, one incredibly memorable advent calendar! It’s filled with Belgian classics, crafty cans, German brilliance and British beauties including pale ales, saisons, porters, lagers and more - but there are also a few rather special surprises and see if you can also spot the seasonal Christmas movies dotted around the calendar.

£65www.adventcalendar.beerhawk.co.uk

Crayola Christmas Countdown Activity Advent CalendarWhat a perfect way to encourage creativity! Each morning in the 24 days running up to Christmas, there’ll be a new surprise that your little ones can get creative with, such as craft projects, homemade gifts, finger puppets, and colouring activities.

£19.99www.johnlewis.com

MAD Beauty - Merry Christmas Advent CalendarA beauty gift behind every door! This advent includes: 2 x 3.5g Lipsticks, 1 x 3.5g Powder compact, 3 x 5ml Nail polish, 3 x 6.5ml Lip Gloss 2 x 2.5ml Lip gloss, 2 x 3g Eyeshadow, 1 x 0.5g Eyeliner, 1 x 0.5g Lip liner, 1 x 3.5g Blusher, 1 x 2.5g Blusher plus a Sharpener, Toe Separator, Lip Brush, Blush Brush, Nail File, Applicator and Nail sticker sheet.

£19.99 www.lifestylish.com

Lego City Advent Calendar

Celebrate the countdown to Christmas with LEGO® City flair, featuring 24 different

surprises, one for each day of December, including

Santa’s sleigh, a gingerbread house, Christmas tree, plane, snowman, coast

guard helicopter and so much more. Includes several different builds and six mini

figures.

£18.95www.sam-turner.co.uk

f

fd

d ee

Page 7

Mini Houses Advent CalendarCreate a woodland inspired festive setting with this wooden mini houses advent calendar. Made from MDF, this advent calendar includes 25 miniature houses enhanced with snowy rooftops and finished with cut out Christmas trees and deer. Perfect for filling with your favourite chocolates to help countdown to Christmas. Dimensions: 37.5x33x5.5cm.

£70www.amara.com

Ginmas Advent Calendarby TheLittleBoysRoom on Not On The High StreetThis Christmas you can buy a loved one (or yourself ) an Gin advent calendar! It’s filled to the brim with mini bottles of unusual tonics and comes with a full-sized bottle of Lakes Explorer Gin so that you’ve got enough to last you throughout December to mix with the various tonics you’ll be trying out! It’s Gin-tastic! Included in the hamper are: a 70cl bottle of Lakes Gin and 24 bottles of assorted 20cl tonics.

£124.95www.noths.com

Playmobil Royal Ice Skating Trip Advent CalendarCountdown to Christmas in regal fashion with the fantastic Royal Ice Skating Trip advent calendar from Playmobil! Includes three Playmobil figures, diorama, animals and lots of accessories including a wearable bracelet. Each window has a fun surprise to build your Playmobil scene as Christmas day approaches!

£19.99www.johnlewis.com

Body Shop 25 Days Deluxe Advent CalendarAs well as being filled with a selection of your favourite beauty treats; from body care and skincare, to make-up and accessories, these advent calendars are also hiding a few more surprises behind their doors. You’ll find a feel-good action to complete every day, and the fun and games don’t stop there. Once you’ve opened box 25, your calendar transforms into a trivia quiz to play on Christmas Day!

£65www.thebodyshop.com

f

d

e

According to the Society for General Microbiology, some

bacteria can divide every 20 minutes if they have the right temperature and nutrients. Not all bacteria is harmful but there are some household germs that can make you sick and these include staphylococcus aureus or staph, yeast and mould, Salmonella, E. coli and fecal matter.

A study conducted by NSF International and Charles River Accugenix group investigated microbial hotspots regarding the most contaminated objects in the households. The results were shocking and found that over 340 different types of bacteria were found on only 30 objects. Disgusting!

The NSF also found that areas where food is stored or prepared had more bacteria and fecal contamination that other places.

IN THE KITCHENItems that need frequent cleaning are:• Chopping boards• Coffee machines• Fridges (especially when there

is cross contamination between raw and cooked foods)

• Sinks and work surfaces

Professor Markus Egert, a microbiologist at Furtwangen, led a study which found that a well used kitchen sponge could be home to nearly five trillion bugs and is even dirtier than toilet waste. He Said: “A cubic centimetre of sponge tissue contains seven to eight times more bacteria than there are human beings living on the Earth”.

DOOR KNOBS AND HANDLESThe less than obvious places for germs to hide are door knobs, handles and light switches. The bathroom light switch actually had more bacteria than the door knob, the NSF found. Use disinfecting wipes and ensure you clean these spots once a week. Use a new wipe for every different spot instead of using the same one; you don’t want to spread more germs.

MAKE UP BAGMake up brushes and applicators can be a prime area for germs, which can even cause skin and eye infections.

Make up products should be kept at room temperature in a clean and dry space. You can clean make up brushes my washing them once a week with soap and water or use an alcohol spray to disinfect them.

BATHROOMThe bathroom is the place that ideally you want to be pristine. You scrub all the dirt and grime off your body and ideally you want to be fresh and sparkly. Unfortunately, bathrooms are the perfect place for germs to grow

You may clean your home daily, weekly or even monthly but our home isn’t just housing our families, it’s also likely to be to millions, maybe trillions, of different bugs and bacteria

Keeping bacteria at bay in the home

1. Use disinfectant wipes on taps, fridge surfaces and work tops

2. Change tea towels a few times a week

3. Heat damp sponges in the microwave for one minute to kill bacteria

4. Soak sponges in warm water with half a teaspoon of bleach

TOP TIPS

Page 8

Page 9

due to the moisture of hot baths and showers.

In particular pay attention to:• The bath tub and shower tray• All drains• The floor (especially around the

toilet)• Bath towels (which should be

changed once a week)• Tooth brushes (which should

be changed every three to four months) and holders

LAUNDRYWet clothes left in a washing machine will allow germs to flourish, even in a small amount of time. Ideally, transfer clean clothes to the dryer immediately. If clothes sit around for more than 30 minutes you should repeat the cycle and clean them again.

LIVING ROOMMany items are contaminated with different germs but shared devices often carry more, such as: • Remote controls• Computer keyboards• Phones • Tablets • Game controllers

The NSF found that yeast, mould and staph were found on these items. Disinfectant wipes are especially handy if these devices come in contact with dirty surfaces. According to Chem-Dry, a carpet can hold up to eight times its weight in dirt and might even be dirtier than a city street!

BEDROOMAccording to Dreams, you spend around one-third of your life on your mattress. It plays an enormous role in your life, general health and well being. Ideally you should change your mattress every eight years. Not only do you want a comfortable sleep but you don't want to accommodate unwelcome guests. Dead skin cells, dust mites, germs and even bedbugs can often live in your mattress making it super unhygienic, even if you clean your sheets regularly.

A mattress protector can also allow you to sleep more soundly and will help ensure your mattress stays fresh. The great thing about these is that they can be popped into the washing machine at anytime.

The NSF also found that areas where food is stored or prepared had more bacteria

and fecal contamination than other places

According to Chem-Dry, a carpet can

hold up to eight times its weight in dirt and might even be dirtier

than a city street!

Top 5 essentials

• DISINFECTANT WIPES

• CLEAN SPONGES

• BLEACH

• MULTI-PURPOSE SPRAY

• HAND WASH IN EVERY TOILET

SELL WITH US AND WE'LL GIVE YOU A FREE PROPERTY WEBSITE

RECIPE CORNER

Ingredients• 3 red dessert apples

• Juice of half lemon

• 4 tbsp golden caster sugar

• 397g can caramel such as Carnation

• 6 brioche finger rolls, sliced into rounds

• 3 eggs

• 400ml full-fat milk

• 200ml double cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ice cream, to serve (optional)

Method1. Core the apples, and then slice into

rings about as thick as a 50p piece.

Toss through the lemon juice and

2 tbsp sugar. Spread about 2 /3 of

the caramel over the base of a large

baking dish. Try a 20 x 30cm one.

2. Layer the brioche and apple rings

in the dish in overlapping lines. Dot

spoonfuls of the leftover caramel

here and there, leaving bits of apple

poking out. In a jug, whisk the eggs,

milk, cream, vanilla extract and 1

tbsp sugar. Pour the mixture over

the brioche and apples, making

sure it’s all well covered, then wrap

in cling film. Set aside for at least

30 mins, or overnight, in the fridge.

3. Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3.

Uncover the pudding and scatter

with the remaining 1 tbsp sugar.

Bake for 45-50 mins until the top is

golden and the custard has set. The

caramel should be bubbling around

the edges and the pudding puffed

up. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Delicious!

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time 1 hour, 10 mins

Serves 6

Toffee apple bread & butter pudding

The proof is in the pudding!

Warm up the colder nights with this simple and delicious

dessert that the whole family are sure to enjoy!

Page 10

Find the recipe at www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/

toffee-apple-bread-butter-pudding

If you’re a landlord and you are likely to have any properties that are going to be vacant over this time, then it’s important to ensure that you get them ready for the winter months

With the onset of winter just around the corner, signalling colder days and nights, as a landlord you will be well aware that the winter months can be troublesome when it comes to maintaining your property. However, as it is your responsibility to ensure that it remains a suitable – and safe – property for future tenants, there are essential steps that need to be taken to avoid the potential for bigger problems down the line.

So, what are the key areas that you will need to focus on? First and foremost is a boiler check. As a landlord it’s your responsibility to ensure that the boiler is fully functional and has been given an up to date CORGI certificate. Get it serviced before the start of winter as doing so will help ensure that the pipes don’t freeze when the colder weather sets in.

Hand in hand with a boiler check is an inspection of the pipes. Help minimise the risk of burst frozen pipes by making sure that any pipes located outside are correctly clad. If they’re not, this can be easily done by yourself, with the materials readily available from DIY stores. Remember to address any cracks in pipes too. Although they may look fine now, come the colder weather they could cause issues – and potential damage – to your rental property if left untreated.

Visiting the vacant property is a must too. A great idea to help you get through the colder months problem-free is to leave the heating on at a low temperature during particularly cold spells. This will help defend against the risk of frozen pipes. And while you’re there, open the windows to help air circulate, and check taps still have water flowing freely, as any disruption to water flow could indicate a problem.

And last, but by no means least, consider taking out unoccupied property insurance to help protect your property – even when it is empty!

GIVE YOUR VACANT RENTAL PROPERTY A WINTER HEALTH CHECK

As a landlord it’s your responsibility to ensure that the boiler is fully functional

and has been given an up to date CORGI certificate

Page 11

Talk to us now about our innovative range of marketing tools that will ensure

your property isn’t vacant this winter!

01454 279734 Call us today for a free market appraisal

sales@lisacosta.co.uk

Thornbury £875 Monthly Rental

Thornbury £725 Monthly Rental

Tucked away at the end of a popular Thornbury cul-de-sac, is this unfurnished mid terraced home. The property offers spacious living accommodation over two floors. On the ground floor you will find, entrance porch with double storage cupboard, leading through into the lounge/diner. The kitchen has a range of fitted wall and base units with white goods included plus a “pantry style” storage cupboard. The first floor comprises two double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, third bedroom and a family bathroom.

Move straight in to this modern and well-presented two bedroom top floor flat. The property comprises open plan living room and kitchen area with integral washer/dryer, dish washer and fridge/freezer, a modern stylish bathroom with a shower and two double bedrooms. The property benefits from French doors that open onto a Juliette balcony, electric heating, double glazing and an allocated parking space. Sorry but this property does not accept any pets, smokers or DSS.

LET

BY

TO LE

T

lisacosta.co.uk

Thornbury £1,050 Monthly Rental

Almondsbury £1,400 Monthly Rental

Extended end of terrace property offers accommodation with views across the green. Sitting in a generous plot with an enclosed garden and parking to the rear. Open plan into the utility area with a door to the rear paved patio. The dining room could be used as a second reception room, making the ground floor flexible in its layout. The first floor boasts a master bedroom with en suite, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Located in the popular village of Lower Almondsbury is this four bedroom detached family home. Downstairs briefly comprises entrance hallway, lounge, dining room, kitchen breakfast room and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs offers family bathroom and four double bedrooms with the master bedroom with an en suite shower room. The property further benefits from garage, front and rear gardens and double glazing. View Now!

TO LE

T

TO LE

T

sales@lisacosta.co.uk

Alveston £330,000

Thornbury Offers in excess of £460,000

Unexpectedly Available and offered with no onward chain. This beautifully presented detached bungalow. Situated on a prominent corner position, the two bedroom property has been lovingly updated by its present owners. The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn and patio with established boarders and a variety of shrubs and flowers, off street parking for a number of cars. Further benefits include double glazing throughout and gas central heating.

Perfect opportunity to secure a stunning executive style home within the market town of Thornbury. This beautiful property is less than 12 months old, has been tastefully upgraded by the present owners and offers spacious and flexible accommodation across two floors. Externally the property boasts a pretty landscaped rear garden, mainly laid to lawn. The garage is accessible from the rear garden and offers driveway to the front. Further benefits to this home include gas central heating and double glazing.

01454 279734 Call us today for a free market appraisal

SOLDST

C

lisacosta.co.uk | lisacosta.tv

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS OF:Thornbury Carnival | Friends of Thornbury Carnival | Thornbury Town Football Club | Thornbury Arts Festival | Olveston & District

Bowling Club | The Parish Players Theatre Group | Thornbury Musical Theatre Group | Olveston United Football Club | Thornbury Rugby Football Club | Castle School & Marlwood School (PREMIUM PARTNERSHIP) | Tytherington Rocks Football Club | Thornbury In Bloom

“What I love about Lisa Costa as a business is that it’s very family orientated”SARAH, CASTLE & MARLWOOD SCHOOL

“Our club is currently thriving and that is due to Lisa Costa’s support”JAKE, OLVESTON FOOTBALL CLUB

Easter Compton £382,500

Thornbury £420,000

Cotswold stone terraced home. The property has been well maintained by the present owner. The property boasts a pleasing rear garden, mainly laid to level lawn and backing onto open fields attracting a variety of wildlife. There is a good size detached garage to the front of the property with power, ample storage space and allocated parking for two extra vehicles. Further benefits to this home include gas central heating and double glazed windows.

Tucked away in a quiet Thornbury cul-de-sac you can find this extended, well presented family home. The property has been well maintained and offers versatile living accommodation over two floors. Externally this great home has a fully enclosed rear garden and is mainly laid to level lawn with a patio and decked area, ideal for entertaining. There is off street parking to the front of the property and a double garage. Further benefits include gas central heating and double glazing throughout.

01454 279734 Call us today for a free market appraisal

sales@lisacosta.co.uk

Thornbury £250,000

Thornbury £345,000

Semi detached home. The ground floor briefly comprises entrance hall with space for coats, lounge with feature fireplace and under stair storage, dining area and kitchen with a range of wall and base units, space for appliances and access out into the rear garden. On the first floor you find three bedrooms and a family bathroom with a smart three-piece suite. Further benefits to this home include detached garage, off street parking, gas central heating and double glazing throughout.

An EXTENDED detached home occupying a lovely position on the stream side walk. The property has been tastefully decorated by the present owners and offers entrance hall with cloakroom, separate lounge and dining room with sliding patio doors leading out into the rear garden and extended kitchen with a range of fitted wall and base units, family bathroom and four sizable bedrooms, front and rear gardens. Further benefits include gas central heating and double glazing.

lisacosta.co.uk

sales@lisacosta.co.uk

THE EXPERTS IN SELLING OR LETTING YOUR HOMEBUT DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, READ WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

We believe Lisa Costa differs from other estate agents and lettings agents particularly in their approach to things. They are confident, they are friendly and they are extremely helpful. We found the whole team at Lisa Costa very knowledgeable and very cooperative. It felt absolutely natural for us to go straight back to Lisa Costa and ask them to manage the second property for us and to date that has been very, very sucessful. We wanted simplicity and no other problems and our experience as such has been first class.

I think the level of service we received from Lisa Costa was second to none! We were very impressed with the level of expertise. She was always there on the end of the phone or if you went into the office, she always available to answer any queries as were her girls. She knows the area, she knows the properties and she does tend to price the properties realistically. Not like some of the agencies that go way over the top and then hang around for months and months. Lisa prices to sell! There’s only one person we would go to and that’s Lisa Costa.

They give you the personal service, the personal touch which gives you the confidence to go through with the buying and selling process.

“There’s only one person we would go to and that’s Lisa Costa.”

“helpful”“personal service”

MIKE, seller

SUE, buyer

GRAHAM, landlord

“very knowledgeable”“supported”

lisacosta.co.uk | lisacosta.tv

We liked Lisa’s - not only her positive approach - but her engagement with the whole process. My husband and I would be very happy to recommend Lisa Costa agency to anybody we knew that was trying to sell their property. We’d tell them about the extra side of the service as many agents can give a good basic service but to feel really supported through the whole process, it’s a very good idea to come to Lisa Costa.

When we came to sell our property, we were so sure Lisa was the right person to do this. We felt she was very realistic and very helpful.

JILL, seller/landlady

“confidence”

“Lisa Costa differs from other estate agents and lettings agents particularly in their approach to things”

“friendly”

“second to none”

SYLVIE, seller

GOLD SERVICE AS STANDARD......thanks to our innovative marketing approach

GET YOUR FREE PROPERTY WEBSITE TO SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS TODAY

GOLD SERVICE AS STANDARD...

01454 279734 Call us today for a free market appraisal

sales@lisacosta.co.uk

Charfield £325,000

Pilning £275,000

Updated by the present owners. The ground floor briefly comprises entrance hall, cloakroom, lounge with sliding doors opening into the conservatory. The kitchen/breakfast room offers a range of black high-gloss wall and base units, with space for appliances out in the utility room. The ground floor offers a second reception room, which can also be used as a good sized fourth double bedroom. Upstairs are three double bedrooms, two with fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room to the master bedroom.

Located towards the end of a cul-de-sac in the popular village of Pilning, is this well presented semi-detached home. The property has been neatly kept by the present owners and offers flexible living accommodation for a growing family. Outside, the property boasts an enclosed rear garden, with a well laid lawn, raised boarders, a lovely decked area and ample storage. Further benefits to this lovely family home include garage, off street parking, gas central heating and double glazing throughout.

SOLDST

C

lisacosta.co.uk

Alveston £310,000

Almondsbury £369,995

Arranged over three floors, the ground floor briefly comprises entrance hall with cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, the lounge overlooks the rear garden, with two sets of double patio doors opening onto the rear garden. On the first floor there are two double bedrooms, both with fitted wardrobes, a further bedroom and a family bathroom with white suite and separate shower. The second floor offers the master suite with ample sized double bedroom and en suite shower room.

Extended Family home situated in a cul de sac in the popular village of Almondsbury with 3 bedrooms. 3 receptions and a family bathroom. Externally the front garden is mainly laid to level lawn and features excellent parking in front of the garage. The rear garden is fully enclosed, again laid to lawn with established trees, shrubs borders and a great decked area which is perfect for entertaining and enjoying Al Fresco dining.

LISA COSTATall, tenacious + creativeHow long have you lived in the area?17 years

What do you love most about your job?Working with people I love

Tell us something unique about you.I was a croupier in a previous life

What makes you happy?My woodburner, garden and my dogs

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?Honesty is the best policy

Lisa Costa Residential Sales & Lettings is a friendly and independently run family business with over 20 years’ experience in the property market covering Thornbury, the villages of South Gloucestershire, Clifton in Bristol and Portishead. We are proud to offer a fresh, energetic and passionate approach to selling property. Here’s your chance to learn more about the team!

EMILY COSTASassy, smiley + exuberantHow long have you lived in the area?17 years

What do you love most about your job?It’s something different every day

Tell us something unique about you.I can touch my nose with my tongue

What makes you happy?Wine, Harry Potter + burgers

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?Never leave the house without your make-up on

Meet the Team

sales@lisacosta.co.uk

SOPHIE COSTAConscientious, loyal + stubbornHow long have you lived in the area?17 years

What do you love most about your job?Helping people find their first home

Tell us something unique about you.I taught myself how to play the guitar

What makes you happy?Food, food and food

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?Treat others how you want to be treated

LISA PEARCEPositive, smiley + motivatedHow long have you lived in the area?All my life

What do you love most about your job?I love the excitement of helping people purchase their first home

Tell us something unique about you.I danced on stage at the hippodrome

What makes you happy?My children, food and prosecco

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?A negative mind will never give you a positive life!

LISA COOKCompetitive, worrier + caringHow long have you lived in the area?All my life

What do you love most about your job?All of it

Tell us something unique about you.I am a keen Bristol City supporter

What makes you happy?My three children

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?If you want something - go get it!

lisacosta.co.uk | lisacosta.tv

ASHLEIGH WHEELERBubbly, chatty + confidentHow long have you lived in the area?16 years

What do you love most about your job?I love meeting new people and helping them find their dream home

Tell us something unique about you.I don’t think I’ll ever buy a finished house

What makes you happy?My family especially my son Jack

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?Smile, it doesn’t cost a thing

VICKI LAMBERTDiligent, sarcastic + competitiveHow long have you lived in the area?All my life

What do you love most about your job?Every day is different

Tell us something unique about you.I reached Grade 5 in piano

What makes you happy?My daughter Daisy

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?Don’t bite the hand that feeds you!

CALL US FOR A FREE VALUATION TODAY

Share in our success of selling homes

www.lisacosta.co.uk www.lisacosta.tv01454 279734

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS...

...WHILE WE HELP TO GET YOU MOVING

This time of year is one of the busiest to move. So let us take the worry out of selling your home. We can do it all for you - giving you time to focus on what really matters.