May is National Walking Month and we are very lucky to have so many varied walks around Sittingbourne and Faversham.

 Now the evenings are lighter for longer, this makes it the perfect time to get outside, and get walking. Walking has a whole host of different health benefits that you can use to motivate you to introduce walking into your daily lives.

WALKING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

Keeping your heart in tip top condition is important as your heart is responsible for pumping the oxygen and blood around your body and keeping all the other organs working.  Walking not only strengthens your heart but reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. A brisk walk for 30 minutes every day is said to reduce your risk of a stroke by 27%. If this wasn’t enough, it also reduces bad levels of cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol too!

WALKING HELPS YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT

If you are trying to lose weight gradually in order to keep it off, then walking is a great form of exercise for you. If you walk at around 2mph for 30 minutes then you will burn around 75 calories. 20 minutes of walking a day will burn an incredible 7lbs of body fat a year.

YOU CAN LOWER YOUR RISK OF DEMENTIA

An older person who walks six or more miles a week is less likely to have problems such as dementia. This is because walking has been proven to prevent your brain from shrinking.

WALKING GIVES YOU ENERGY

There are times when you feel more lethargic than others. If you find yourself in this zone then a walk could do you good. It boosts your circulation and increases the oxygen supply is around your body, which in turn will keep you feeling alert and awake.

IT’S A FULL BODY WORKOUT

Many muscles in your body are activated during walking including; calves, glutes, hamstrings, quads and abdominals, so give it a try and give your legs, bums and tum a workout.

INCREASE YOUR VITAMIN D INTAKE

Here in the UK there are lots of people who are deficient in Vitamin D, the best way to increase your levels of Vitamin D is to get outside in the sunshine. Vitamin D is good for your bone health, as well as your immune system, which is why it is important to try and increase the levels in your body.

WALKING MAKES YOU HAPPY

In the same way walking can help you feel energised, it is also great for making you feel happy. A brisk walk can be just as beneficial as taking an antidepressant, and can be a great helping hand if you are suffering from depression, anxiety or feeling stressed.

WALKING IS GREAT FOR SOCIALISING

After more than a year of restrictions it’s lovely to be able to meet up with family and friends, even with the current restriction in place there are so many people we have missed seeing and going for a walk together it a great way to catch up.  Walking is also a great family activity, after we’ve been stuck inside for so long at’s great to get outside and enjoy some time together.

WHERE TO WALK AROUND SITTINGBOURNE AND FAVERSHAM.

Not only are we very lucky to have so many walks locally. We are also lucky that many trails are available for you to download online.  A great page to start is by visiting the Visit Swale website.  From there you will find links to various walks around Swale.  Two of our favourite local walks can be found on this page, the two creeks walk and the peasants’ last revolt.

The AllTrails website is another great resource for finding walking routes locally, it includes several walks along the Saxon Shore Way, which is a long distance footpath that includes areas of historical importance and some breath-taking views.  For a full list of trails along the Saxon Shore click here

So with so many walks right on our doorstep, will you be walking this May?

.Spring sunshine, the extension to the Stamp Duty holiday and the relaxation of restrictions has continued to support buyer demand. Now is a great time to sell your home in Sittingbourne.

Are there buyers?

In short yes! Properties sold faster in the first two weeks of April than ever previously recorded according to Rightmove, 23% of properties sold in March ‘sale agreed’ within just one week.

What can they buy?

As fantastic as this surge of buyers is, there is a problem: demand is outstripped by supply, there are just not enough houses on the market for them to buy.  This is not an issue limited to Sittingbourne; Rightmove figures also show that seller numbers are down by 21% from last year.  In a sellers’ market such as this, it means that any home on the market will receive lots of attention. Especially if it is priced correctly and marketed properly.

What do they need?

Today’s buyers know exactly what they want. This last year has given everyone a different perspective on personal needs. This might now include space to work from home.  Many large corporations have have announced that they going to reduce current office footprint in favour of a new approach that enables more people to work from home and flexible working.   It is believed that the post-Covid working environment will be very different to what it was just over 12 months ago.

This huge change in the global working culture means that now more than ever before, a space to work is essential, whether that’s from home or an office hub.  We have seen over the past year many home offices being built in gardens and in converted garages.  It is therefore worth thinking about presenting an ‘office space’ in your property when you decide to place your home on the market.

A fresh start

There is no doubt that the idea of a post-Covid fresh start is extremely alluring. The idea that when June arrives, you will be able to enjoy your freedom in a wonderful new home.  We know that many of you in Sittingbourne and beyond have invested in your properties over the last year. The queues at the DIY stores and the difficulty of finding certain shades of paint and materials was testament to this.  All your hard work and creativity may give you some good news when we come to value your property.

Why now?

Why wouldn’t you want to sell your home when there is an abundance of buyers and a lack of properties available?  We can have your home marketed quickly.  To ensure you can make the most of the buyer demand.  If you’re thinking of moving, now is a great time to sell your Sittingbourne home.

Give our team a call today on 01795 474848.

Chris Ellis, Managing Director of Harrisons Homes explains the reasons behind our dynamic rebrand

“I began my career with Harrisons Residential in Rainham as a trainee negotiator in 2004. And, luckily for me, I found my vocation in life.  I progressed through the company quickly, and by 2007 I had moved to the Sittingbourne Branch as a senior negotiator.

At this time both branches were owned by different parties, and, despite trading under the same name, they had different values, systems and processes which ultimately lead to the two branches becoming two independent businesses.

I became a partner in Sittingbourne in 2012 and the full owner last year, I was aware that a shared name and website was confusing and I wanted to make changes to communicate that Harrisons in Sittingbourne is a single branch, independent estate agency.

I have truly loved working under the Harrisons Residential brand, I grew up within it and it has given me the opportunity to achieve my dream of owning my own business.  Harrisons Residential has been a trusted company since the 80’s, and I am proud of this. However, I wanted to move forward with the times and the brand was becoming restrictive of how I wanted to progress.

2020 was a year to be remembered and difficult for all, including myself, in regard to the continuing of the company.  With the goal of owning my own business achieved, I wanted a new challenge, of moving forward and enhancing an already high performing office into a more modern agency that is rooted in the local community, to do this I needed a rebrand.

The brief the rebrand was clear.  Bring the traditional values, which are imbedded into everything we do, and incorporate this with a more dynamic, modern, current estate agency feel. Reflect that we are investing in tech and new methods to improve the overall experience for our clients, who are our true focus and expect an outstanding customer service.  Celebrate our staff who are professionals and highly knowledgeable. Underline that we live and work in Sittingbourne and support the local community and businesses.

I’m delighted with the result, this is a brand fitting for a our business.  It’s bold, vibrant, clear and focused.  It reflects that we aren’t your typical estate agency, we do things differently (dare I say better?) Harrisons Homes is a brand to be proud of; it’s values, it’s innovations, it’s people, it’s location and of course that it’s a business that truly gives back by supporting local charities.

Harrisons Homes is a brand fitting for a business that will continue to deliver the outstanding service you have come to expect from us as we look forward to 2021 and beyond.

If you’re reading this, Sittingbourne is perhaps already on your list of areas to consider moving to. That’s great! We love Sittingbourne. Read on to discover why we think Sittingbourne is such a good place to live and why you should consider a move to Sittingbourne

1. A thriving residential town

Our town is currently undergoing a period of much-welcome investment and large-scale regeneration. A focus on the town centre brings a new hotel, leisure facilities, retail park, multiplex cinema and residential environment of distinctive quality.

2. Rich history

But it’s not all about the new. Sittingbourne and nearby Milton Regis have a plentiful history of paper-making, brick-making and building sailing barges. You can discover the history of the town’s paper-making heritage on Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway. It’s makes for a lovely day out.

3. Thriving hub of activity

Our town is full of bustling cafes and restaurants. The town centre hosts a popular market every Friday. The Milton Creek Country Park is a jewel in our midst. It’s a tranquil green space, which is a haven for wildlife and offers enjoyable days out for the whole family. It has an extensive network of paths and a natural play area, which the kids love. Many community events are hosted there throughout the year such as Parkrun, Art in the Park, Sport in the Park and more.

4. Excellent transport links

Sittingbourne has good transport links. Typical commuting time on the high-speed rail service from Sittingbourne to St Pancras is 58 minutes. London Victoria is also a direct rail service. And you’ll have quick access to the A2 and the M2.

5. Wide choice of properties

We have properties from all periods in Sittingbourne so you’re bound to find something you’ll love. From Victorian and Edwardian town houses and terraces, generously proportioned 1930s homes and all the way through the decades to brand new contemporary apartments.

6. Value for money

You get a lot more house for your money in Sittingbourne compared to the prices of houses in some of its neighbouring towns. According to Rightmove the average house prices over the last year (2019/20) in a 3-mile radius from the town centres are as follows:

• Sittingbourne – £273,847
• Rainham – £281,230
• Faversham – £328,084

Travel a little further to Whitstable (16 miles) and you are looking at an average of £344,799

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