Hello Property Lovers and Aspiring Homeowners,

Welcome to the September edition of the Samuel Makepeace Newsletter!
Whether you’re house-hunting, planning your next big move, or just love a good nosey at the local property scene, we’ve got plenty to keep you entertained this month.

We couldn’t choose just one property to feature, we’ve had FOUR gorgeous bungalows hit the market, and honestly, they’re all too fabulous to leave out! So, we’re sharing them ALL and letting you decide which one you’d move into tomorrow.

Our Meet the Team spotlight is extra special this month too - get to know Abbey Ball, our superstar Senior Sales Negotiator, whose energy and expertise help match dream homes with their happy new owners.

So grab a cuppa (or something stronger!), put your feet up, and dive into our latest mix of stunning properties, team highlights, and feel-good home inspo.

In this issue you’ll find:
• Meet the Team: Abbey Ball, our brilliant Senior Sales Negotiator
• The latest news and updates from Samuel Makepeace
• Four fabulous bungalows that you won’t want to miss

LET'S DIG IN!

Featured Property: The Bank, Scholar Green

Stop, look and fall in love... This immaculate three-bedroom detached bungalow is a real showstopper in the sought-after semi-rural spot of Scholar Green, and it’s been fully refurbished to perfection.

From its crisp white exterior and grey-framed windows to the spacious driveway, garage, and even a car charging port, this home is as practical as it is beautiful. Inside, you’ll find a stunning open-plan kitchen/diner with integrated appliances and pocket doors, a large lounge with a cosy log-burner effect fireplace, and three generous double bedrooms including a main suite with fitted wardrobes. The luxury bathroom is straight out of a boutique hotel, complete with freestanding bath and waterfall shower.

Step outside to a generous rear garden with patio, perfect for entertaining or stargazing - and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings, from canal walks to cosy country pubs and sweeping views of Mow Cop and the Cheshire fields.

This isn’t just a home, it’s a lifestyle.

Give us a run down of your day to day duties…..  “Well, every morning starts with me checking my inbox- got to make sure I’m not missing anything urgent (or exciting!). Once that’s done I dive into what’s new on the market, booking in viewings for clients and handling any offers that come through – basically playing matchmaker between people and their dream homes! In the afternoons, I switch my focus to the properties that are already sold. I spend that time updating my lovely buyers and sellers, keeping everyone in the loop and making sure things stay on track. And let’s be honest somewhere in between all that, there’s always time for a little office chat and a laugh with the team. It’s busy, a bit hectic at times, but I genuinely love it!”

What is your favourite part of the job?  "Hands down, it’s the offer stage! There's just something so exciting about being right in the middle of that moment- when a buyer puts in an offer and you get to make that call to the seller. The mix of nerves and excitement, it never gets old! It's such a buzz being part of such a huge moment, whether it's someone’s first home or a seller taking their next step. I love getting to share that energy with them."

What do you find the most challenging? "It's definitely when a property is struggling to sell. I’m always reviewing what’s on the market and doing everything I can behind the scenes – boosting marketing, tweaking the strategy and looking for new ways to get fresh eyes on it. But sometimes, despite all that effort, things just take a little longer and that can be tough for sellers who were hoping for a quick turnaround. Managing expectations while staying positive and proactive is definitely a balancing act. I totally get where they’re coming from, so I always try to keep communication open, honest and supportive as possible." 

What’s your go-to comfort food after a long day? "This is a favourite topic in our office, we love a good tea-time debrief! After a long non-stop day, I'm usually in full-on lazy mode by the evening, so I need something quick and easy. For me its got to be a prawn Pad Thai, or I might cheat and go to the chippy- which ever can get me curled up on the sofa the quickest."

If you could swap jobs with someone for a day, who would it be and why? "If I woke up with camera skills (and didn’t immediately blur every photo I took), I'd definitely swap jobs with Sophie for the day! She gets to go out and visit all the gorgeous homes we sell and capture them in their best light. I always think it must be so fun seeing all the little details up close and turning a space into something that makes buyers fall in love before they have even stepped through the door. Sadly, photography is not in my skill set."

If you could have any animal (real or imaginary) as a pet in the office, what would you choose and why? "Easy! A cat, no question about it! I’m a cat person through and through. I'd absolutely love having one curled up in my lap while I'm typing away and pretending I’m not slightly distracted by the cuteness. Just imagine it: little purring sounds, the occasional dramatic stretch, maybe the odd swipe at my mouse (literally)."

If your life had a theme song that played every time you walked into a room, what would it be and why? "Ohh this is a harder question! I am split between something a little up lifting- maybe ‘Walking on Sunshine’ to try and bring a daily burst of energy, or Dolly Parton’ working 9-5 which is humorous in itself; everyone in the office likes to call me a part-timer with me leaving at 3pm on a Tuesday and Wednesday."

Abbey definitely brings the fun to the office... but I've checked with the powers that be and we aren't allowed an office cat... sorry Abbey!

Featured Property: Primitive Street, Mow Cop

Welcome to a brand-new, two-bedroom detached bungalow on the highly sought-after Primitive Street. Designed for modern living, this home is fresh, flawless, and ready for you to move in.

Step inside to a bright, open-plan lounge, a contemporary kitchen/diner with integrated appliances and French doors to the garden, and two serene double bedrooms. The luxury shower room adds a spa-like touch, while underfloor heating, an air source heat pump, and energy-efficient features make life easy and future-ready.

Outside, enjoy a low-maintenance rear garden, a driveway for multiple cars, gated side access, and an electric car charging point, perfect for practical, modern living.

Nestled in a peaceful village setting with scenic walks and excellent transport links, this home combines style, convenience, and breathtaking views. A rare opportunity not to be missed!

MONTHLY MINI-BLOG - Selling in Stoke-on-Trent? Here’s Why We’re Smiling!

We’ve been digging into some fascinating stats from a recent property podcast, and we couldn’t resist sharing the results. Spoiler alert: they gave us plenty of reasons to smile!

Here’s how we’ve been doing:

We list more homes than anyone else. Since 2020, we’ve consistently had the biggest selection of properties of any independent estate agent in Stoke-on-Trent. More choice for buyers means more chances to sell yours.

When we list, we sell. Our Sold Subject to Contract rate is an impressive 91.19% – far higher than the local average of 65.76%.

We get you moving. Our exchange rate is 82.4% (again, way ahead of the 65.76% local average).

No endless price drops. Only 28.98% of our homes need a price reduction compared to almost 40% across Stoke – because we get the price right from the start.

Less waiting around. Our average time to sell is just 46 days, nearly three weeks faster than the local average of 65 days.

Fewer withdrawals, fewer headaches. Just 17.6% of our clients withdraw, compared to a hefty 34.24% locally.

Fewer fall-throughs. Our rate is 21.5%, beating the local average of 23.46%.

In short, we list more, value more accurately, sell faster, and get you through the process with less stress.

Thinking of selling? Give us a call – let’s get that ‘Sold’ board up outside your home.

Featured Property: Light Oaks Avenue

Step inside this spacious three-bedroom detached bungalow in the highly sought-after Light Oaks area, a home full of light, charm, and character, cherished by its owners for over 40 years.

From the double-entry driveway to the welcoming porch, this home immediately exudes warmth. The open-plan kitchen/diner flows into a bright conservatory, perfect for family life or entertaining, while the generous lounge with electric fireplace adds a cosy touch. Two ground-floor bedrooms, a modern shower room, and a handy laundry space complete the practical living areas, with a converted dormer bedroom upstairs offering far-reaching views and extra space.

Outside, the gardener’s paradise of a rear garden impresses with mature flower beds, a lush lawn, pond, pergola seating, and two greenhouses, plus a large brick outbuilding for storage or hobbies. Additional features include an integrated garage with electric, ample driveway parking, and proximity to scenic countryside walks and local amenities.

A rare opportunity to own a beautifully maintained, light-filled family home in one of Light Oaks’ most desirable locations.

As always, it’s important to recognise the journey, and the culmination of months of effort. There are lots of moving parts and co-operation from so many parties to make a property transaction work, from agents, solicitors, mortgage advisers and the sellers and buyers themselves! There is a reason that we love doing what we do, and that is to see it all come together and reach move-in day. This month we are featuring Mr & Mrs S, who came to us back in May to sell with upsizing in mind, and within two weeks, their home was Sold STC so they were officially on the hunt! Thankfully, we had the perfect property for them to buy on our books, and they completed on their dream in September. They said:

“When we first decided to move, we had no idea where to even start. The thought of selling our current house while trying to find a new one felt daunting, but from the very beginning, Samuel Makepeace made everything feel so much easier.

The team took the time to explain the whole process to us step by step, and nothing was ever too much trouble. Whether it was answering our endless questions (of which there were a lot), guiding us through the paperwork, or simply offering reassurance when things felt stressful, they were always there with the right advice and support.

What really stood out was how approachable and friendly everyone was, especially Abbey and Ella who were our main points of contact for the selling/buying process. We never felt rushed or pressured—just supported by people who genuinely cared about helping us move into the right home. It turned what we expected to be a stressful journey into an exciting one.

Thanks to Samuel Makepeace, we not only sold our house smoothly but also found our forever home. We couldn’t be more grateful for all their hard work, patience, and guidance, and we’d recommend them to anyone thinking of taking that next step on the property ladder.” - Mr & Mrs S.

We wish you all the happiness in the world in your new home! 

Featured Property: Fishpond Way

There are plenty of homes out there, but this charming semi-detached bungalow on Fishpond Way might just be the catch of the day!

Step inside to a spacious lounge, a neat and practical kitchen with pantry, and two well-sized bedrooms — perfect for relaxing after a busy day. Outside, the enclosed rear garden is low-maintenance and ideal for sun-soaked afternoons, while a large driveway provides plenty of parking. With no upward chain, this peaceful, pondside home is a rare find in a sea of ordinary listings.

Don’t let this one get away!

Thanking for reading, join us for our October edition… when we reveal our plans for celebrating a huge impending milestone!

Stephanie George, Head of Operations