St Albans

William Raffety establishes Raffety & Son trading in High Wycombe as cabinet makers, upholsterers and house furnishers, decorators and agents.

Let’s get moving...

When selling and letting properties, Aitchisons focus on much more than just the bricks and mortar – we fully appreciate that each property is more than just a house or apartment, it is a home.

Since being established in Berkhamsted in 1935 Aitchisons have built a highly regarded estate agency business that specialises in selling and letting properties in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas and with busy offices covering St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Radlett.

We have a long-established reputation for providing unrivalled local knowledge and expertise in dealing with properties of all descriptions, from city apartments to grand country houses.

We never forget our Duty of Care to every client, and whether you are selling a property or looking for a tenant Aitchisons will be pleased to help your quest to achieve the best available price or a high quality tenant. We are also known for a thorough attention to detail and all of the checks and chasing that can often be required between agreeing a deal and it coming to fruition.

Aitchisons is part of the Aitchison Raffety Group which is a very broadly based muti-disciplined practice that provides a full range of property services across residential and commercial sectors not only in Hertfordshire but also from London and a network of regional offices.

All the property advice you might ever need?

We have 49 people working in St Albans and a further 36 people in Berkhamsted and South-Herts offices to assist with most enquiries and requirements, whether buying or selling Residential & Commercial properties; Residential & Commercial Acquisitions, Lettings & Property Management; Planning Advice and Applications; Valuations for all Lending and Professional purposes; Schedules of Condition and Dilapidations.

Whatever your requirement, please call us on 01727 855556

1837

Raffety & Son merges with London based firm, Hamnetts, becoming Hamnett Raffety.

Aitchisons is formed by Robert Aitchison who opens his first office in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.19

10

1935

A perfect service from start to finish.

Berkhamsted 01442 862 533

Radlett 01923 859 444

Watford 01923 231 662

Hemel Hempstead 01442 213 446

St Albans 01727 855 556

London 020 7839 0888

Country Homes 01442 873 901

New Homes 01442 875 509

Lettings 01442 291 788

Coverage

HighWycombe

Slough

Barnet

M1

M1

M1M25

M25 M25

M25

M4

A413

A413

A414

A414

A10

A10

A10

A41

A406

A406

A1(M)

A1

A404

A404

A40A41

M40Harrow

Enfield

Maidenhead

WembleyUxbridge

HemelHempstead

Radlett

St Albans

London

Watford

St PancrasEuston

Tring

Berkhamsted

Amersham

Baker Street

Chesham

Marylebone

I cannot fault the excellent service. You kept us informed at every turn and although clearly working for the sellers, had an excellent professional relationship with us as the buyer. I cannot thank you enough.

St Albans

Aitchisons have firmly established an excellent reputation as a leading independent estate agency in St Albans by successfully selling and letting homes in this vibrant Cathedral city for over 25 years.

Our track record justifies our claim to be genuine local experts on property matters of all descriptions, providing exemplary service to our clients from a strong base of great experience and a personal approach to each instruction.

Our office is in the heart of the city centre, providing a perfect location to showcase our clients’ properties and have in-depth conversations with buying and letting applicants who call in to the office.

If you are thinking of selling we should certainly be able to help; we have towards 50 years of experience on hand in our St Albans office. This has been led by Nick Doyle (Director) for the last 20 years, ably assisted by James Shaw (approaching 10 years experience), Michele Austin and Hannah Blackmore. Nick Hill has recently joined as Consultant, bringing with him 45 years of experience in agency, the last 20 of which have been spent dealing with properties of all descriptions locally. Our St Albans Lettings Division has expanded quickly in this growing market, assisting a large number of local landlords and tenants. We offer a variety of letting services - Rob Clarke and Hannah Blackmore are here to assist with letting any residential property from city centre apartments to large family residencies.

Aitchisons are also market leaders in selling new homes in St Albans, having handled a large number of successful developments historically and with more planned. We work on behalf of National House Builders such as Linden Homes and Crest Nicholson as well as for many local developers. Linda Downes is here to assist with these. 01727 855 556st-albans@aitchisons.co.uk @AitchisonsStalb

Aitchisons-St-Albans

Aitchisons opens in Hemel Hempstead. World War II. Mrs Aitchison runs the business on her own due to the War.19

38

1939

Nick Doyle Operations Director

Nick Hill Consultant

Michèle Austin Sales Negotiator

James Shaw Senior Valuer

Hannah Blackmore Sales Negotiator

Linda Downes New Homes Assistant

We would instruct Aitchisons in the future. You showed a far greater understanding of the local market than your competitors and your strategy was excellent.

Neil Aitchison, son of Robert, joins the business.19

75

Town Planning Division established.

1984

Highly professional throughout the entire process.

The London Office

As more homeowners look to move out of London to take advantage of the price differential between the capital and the home counties, choosing Aitchisons to sell your home will ensure marketing exposure to the widest possible audience. The London Office provides:

Bob Bickersteth Director, Town & Country

Paul Baxter International

n Prominent sales office in the heart of the West End

n Excellent showcase for marketing properties to national and international buyers

n The widest possible marketing coverage both nationally and internationally including Acquire magazine

n Media links with high profile journalists

n London office website to access national and international buyers

n Substantial and active database of buyers

n Move to the Country Show supported by Country Life

n Network of associated offices across the UK

Milly English Marketing

Aitchison & Raffety Buckland merge to become Aitchison Raffety Buckland.

1989

Country Homes

Established over thirty years ago to specialise in the sale of high quality properties, Aitchisons Country House Department has gained an enviable reputation for marketing some of the area’s finest homes, from picturesque character cottages to grand country houses.

We have an in-depth knowledge of the towns and villages in the surrounding countryside, as well as an understanding and appreciation of landed properties and the people who own them. Our Country House Department provides:

n Free property appraisal and marketing advice, tailored to suit your needs

n High quality, full colour marketing brochures, with professional photography, floor plans and video options

n Global marketing options via major property portals

n Extensive local advertising, plus regional and national advertising options, including coverage by The London Office

n Accompanied viewings

n Linked office network

Aitchisons – simply the best.

Aitchisons opens in St Albans. Aitchison Raffety Group is formed at the time of the management buyout. Comprising the core Commercial Property Services business, Town Planning and several estate agency offices, which trade as Aitchisons.

The whole experience has been exceptional.

1990

1997

New Homes

Aitchisons is the leading Hertfordshire agent in the marketing of New Homes with our teams acting for both large developers and small local family-run house builders across the UK. We deal with properties to fit all budgets whether you are a first time buyer, family looking for additional space or an investor looking to purchase one or more properties. Our New Homes Team provides:

n Valuation and market research services

n Projects co-ordinated by specialist New Homes Division

n Prestigious marketing environment within town centre offices

n Proactive and experienced office staff with knowledge of buying and selling new homes

n New Homes website from which brochures can be downloaded

n Properties marketed on leading property portals including Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation.

n Professional full colour property particulars / brochures, as required

n Sales progression from reservation to handover

Aitchisons opens in Radlett. London-based firm, Barton Rix, joins the Aitchison Raffety Group.

Lettings

Aitchisons offer landlords a full range of services tailored to meet their particular requirements. Our advice is totally impartial and our understanding of rental demand, rental values, tenant selection and care of property is our priority. Whether you are an investment landlord with a number of properties or a first time landlord, our experience and advice will ensure the minimum of hassle and will maximise your financial return. We offer three levels of service – Let Only, Let and Rent Collection, and Full Management:

n Fully referenced tenants

n Extensive database of applicants

n Advertising in local papers and leading property portals

n Network of offices in Hertfordshire

n Free market appraisals

n Members of professional bodies to include ARLA

n A comprehensive range of additional landlord services

n Specialist buy to let service

n Tenant deposit scheme

n Detailed inventory management

n Management of regulations and legal compliance

We currently have four properties we rent out and in 10 years I have never experienced anything close to the service we have received from Aitchisons.

2005

2007

Your local knowledge and expert advice at every step of the way is exemplary and we have complete trust in your professional guidance.

Benefits of appointing Aitchisons

TRUST A name you can trust since 1935. Our staff are hardworking and dedicated, committed to providing honest and reliable advice.

KNOWLEDGE Aitchisons’ staff have long associations with the area and an in-depth knowledge of local matters and the property market.

EXPERIENCE Experienced staff to guide you through the moving process. MARKETING Comprehensive marketing of your property using both traditional methods and the very latest technology with excellent coverage of the area via computer linked offices in prominent high street locations, including The London Office. ONLINE

Access to an audience of global buyers via Rightmove, Zoopla, Primelocation, The London Office, social media and our own bespoke website. NEWSPAPERS Professionally designed newspaper advertising to attract enquiries in every town. TECHNOLOGY We use the latest technology to market your property including virtual tours and remote-controlled ‘drones’ to film your house and its surroundings, as appropriate. COMMUNICATION Regular communication providing you with valuable updates on the marketing of your home, as well as feedback after every viewing. ACCOMPANIED VIEWINGS Experienced staff available to accompany prospective buyers around your property.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION We value your opinion. Upon completion, both buyer and seller are invited to complete a customer feedback form. Currently 98% have rated their experience as good, very good, or excellent!

Hitchin-based firm, Tomlinson Quin, joins the Group together with the healthcare and trade related specialists, Cavendish Tate.20

09

Group Services

Aitchisons is part of the Aitchison Raffety Group which is a long established, multi disciplined practice providing a full range of residential and commercial property services operating from London and a network of regional offices. As such, we are a professional company that adheres to the guidelines of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Property Ombudsman and the National Association of Estate Agents.

For further information please visit www.argroup.co.uk

n Town Planning & Development

n Healthcare and Education

n Building Surveying

n Property Management

n Commercial Agency & Investment

n Business Rates

n Valuations

n Rent Review & Lease Renewals

The Group has more than 160 staff spread across 17 UK offices.

Aitchisons establishes its South Hertfordshire office.

You have done a fantastic job for us and are by far the best agents we have ever dealt with.

2012

2014

Berkhamsted 01442 862 533

Radlett 01923 859 444

Watford 01923 231 662

Hemel Hempstead 01442 213 446

St Albans 01727 855 556

London 020 7839 0888

Country Homes 01442 873 901

New Homes 01442 875 509

Lettings 01442 291 788