Meet some of the McCarthy Stone sales team
Swindon-based Sales Consultants, Elizabeth Griffin and Caroline Craig-Cordel, go above and beyond to ensure that a move to a McCarthy Stone retirement property is the right choice for their customers, and the moving process is as simple as possible too. In some instances that can mean popping around to visit a customer every day–especially if they have health problems and no family to help them. More usually though a move is a family affair. They see their job as being there to support friends and family too, with the customer’s wishes always at the fore. We asked them to explain the process and how they can help.
How the McCarthy Stone sales process works
The four step guide to buying a retirement home from our Sales Consultants.
Step 1. You attend an event or arrange a visit
The first step is to come to an event, pop into an open day or prearrange a visit at the community you’re interested in—friends or family are welcome to come too. On this first visit you’ll be shown around the properties and grounds, learn about the lifestyle, amenities and support we can offer. If people have already moved in you can often have a chat with homeowners. It’s all very relaxed. There’s no pressure. But you will come away with a lot to think about.
Step 2. Interested? We’ll answer all your questions
If you decide you’re interested enough to come back for a second visit, you’ll have lots of questions. The sales team are here to help. Caroline says, “At this stage we sit with potential customers and their family and discuss any concerns all the payment options. We have options to suit all circumstances.
We are on our customer’s side at all times. We listen—and to their family too, so that everyone knows where they are with their finances. We are always crystal clear about all the costs involved, including service charges and what happens when a property needs to be resold.”
Step 3. We tailor make our services for you
Our role is to ensure that our properties are the right choice for you, so we spend a lot of time listening and learning about you and what you are looking for. This not only includes learning about the kind of property, services and amenities you want, but also your finances and, if relevant, your health and wellbeing.
Caroline says, “For instance, if I notice a customer has a health concern, I ask them if they’re claiming attendance allowance. If not, I will get them in touch with our entitlements advisor. The service is free and often gets people entitlements they’ve been refused previously. The financial help can go towards a good chunk of the service charge. I’d say around 7/10 people who move in benefit from the service.
“Or sometimes something like Shared Ownership might be a great option—to pay for future care—and to free up money for a cruise or family holiday while you can enjoy it. I think Shared Ownership is brilliant. Why wouldn’t you?”
Step 4. You decide to make the move! And we’re here to help
Often, once people have made the decision to move, they want to do it quickly and our support will help make that happen with as little stress as possible. We’ll call you (or a family member, if your prefer) once a week to let you know what’s going on, and from helping you to complete complicated forms to recommending solicitors, we’re here by your side every step of the move.
Our McCarthy Stone Sales Consultants are here to help you with:
- Explaining financial options and if appropriate entitlements help
- Keeping you up-to-date on progress
- Arranging valuations on your property with local estate agents
- Helping you get your property on the market
- Chasing estate agent feedback on viewings
- Helping you to choose a reputable solicitor
- Supporting you with the completion of legal paperwork
- Liaising with all the solicitors in the chain and keeping everyone informed
- Arranging removals including packing and unpacking
- Helping you to declutter and get rid of unwanted items
- Helping your to source cleaners for your old property (if required)
- Measuring for new curtains and furniture
- Arranging a handyperson to put up shelves or pictures
Recommending solicitors that work for you
We can recommend a solicitor who we trust to give you a really good service. Caroline says, “In the West Country we use Robert Coppard of Porter Dobson. He is wonderful. He has a gift for making the complicated simple. He makes it clear right from the start that he doesn’t work for McCarthy Stone—he’s the customer’s solicitor not ours! He sends his customers a pack which explains the process, the terms and all the stages really simply. If customers are local, he’ll visit them at home, so they don’t need to travel. I can’t rate him highly enough.”
Part Exchange makes moving quicker
Part Exchange is very popular. It’s fast. It allows you to plan your move on your terms and there’s minimal hassle and no estate agents fee to pay—we also add in free removals and give you money towards legal fees.
Caroline says, “Once you take that all into account the price offered is usually pretty close to what you’d get on the open market, but with an easier move. It is often too good to turn down.”
One of the best things about Part Exchange is that you can stay in your previous property for up to two weeks after the sale has completed. This gives people more flexibility and allows for a slower, less pressurised move—you can move in your own time.
Find out more about Part Exchange
Enjoy a more ‘civilised’ move
We manage removals for our customers with our partners, Bishop’s Move—this is part of the Smooth Move package, which also includes financial help towards your legal and estate agent fees. We’ll also help you declutter before you move and take away anything you don’t want to bring with you.
When you’ve moved in you get a free two hours with our recommended handy person to put up pictures etc—that also means you now have someone you can trust and that you can hire again if you need to.
The service doesn’t stop there
After you’ve moved in the caring on-site manager is there to support you with settling in, meeting your neighbours, inviting you to social events and addressing any concerns you might have. But having built a strong relationship with the sales team, it’s good to know you’ll still get to see them from time to time.
Caroline adds, “I always tell customers not to be a stranger and I see most people daily. It’s wonderful watching them blossom, especially if they’ve been lonely. It’s lovely to see people find happiness and friendship and eating good food from the restaurant—some people put on a bit of weight—and the family are so happy. It’s what I love about my job.”
Are you thinking about making your move to a McCarthy Stone home?
From independent living retirement flats for over 60s, to assisted living at our Retirement Living PLUS apartments, our lovely properties in stunning locations are thoughtfully designed so you can make the most of your retirement whether you’re just over 60 or heading for 100 – and you’ll have a lively community of new neighbours on the doorstep too.
Search for a retirement home near you today, get in touch online or call our team on 0800 201 4811 to talk to a friendly sales consultant about your needs.
