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Bedfords Review Issue Two 3 Welcome A perfect case in point recently was made by one of our negotiators who had a gut instinct that a certain property was going to be perfect for a family moving to the area. On paper the prospective viewer discounted the house and the surrounding areas. But following a lengthy discussion with the sales staff about the facilities the walks and the local bi-weekly farmers market an appointment was booked in. At the viewing a deal was agreed there and then and praise showered over the negotiator for finding them their dream home. So looking ahead to our 50th year in business we will continue to embrace the technology which enables us to reach a global market but we are still minded to keep on doing what we do best engaging with real people. Electronic or otherwise the hot box only produces buyers with the help of a real-life negotiator. Emmerson Dutton Partner Bury St Edmunds office L ooking back to when I first joined Bedfords in the winter of 2004 I recall the time when David Bedford took me to one side and offered some sound advice. A really good agent will sell a house that is not on the market to someone who didnt know they wanted to buy it Unbeknown to either of us during this informal chat at his home office we would both have a very similar conversation some 12 years later as we begin planning the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2016. The key difference now is the role of the agent. As I work on the details for a new Bedfords website being unveiled next year Im reminded of those agents who exist only online and unlike us have not had a high-street presence for almost half a century. The downside for them is simply that they never get the opportunity to know their buyers and sellers. My colleagues and I spend a lot of time with people. This can be over a cup of tea whilst we discuss the best way to market their house or on the way to a viewing with a couple moving up from London and chatting about the best place to get a coffee and a slice of cake. Aside from being property professionals we very much consider ourselves one of the locals knowing the best places to visit eat walk and shop all form part of the puzzle that is moving house. For 50 years Bedfords have operated throughout Norfolk and Suffolk with offices strategically placed in the finest locations. Aldeburgh 145 High Street Aldeburgh Suffolk IP15 5AN T. 01728 454 505 E. aldbedfords.co.uk Burnham Market The Bower House Market Place Burnham Market Kings Lynn Norfolk PE31 8HF T. 01328 730 500 E. bmktbedfords.co.uk Bury St Edmunds 15 Guildhall Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1QD T. 01284 769 999 E. bsebedfords.co.uk Woodbridge 28 Market Hill Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 4LU T. 01394 779 444 E. woodbridgebedfords.co.uk Mayfair Office Cashel House 15 Thayer Street London W1U 3JT T. 0870 112 7099 E. infomayfairoffice.co.uk Known for selling some of the finest houses in East Anglia 45 News Community fundraising news 612 Property Comment property news The revival of Sharrington Hall Notable properties Four favourites we sold in 2015 1314 Exceptional people Peter Harrison chef Contents www.bedfords.co.uk Bedfords1966 ONE OF THE LOCALS Emmerson Dutton Looking ahead to our 50th year we continue to embrace technology but are minded to keep doing what we do best engaging with real people