Blog Details

If you have never been to the Ann Harding Cheshire Home or AHCH in Sundowner/Northwold you should pay it a visit.  There is really something for everyone.  It is just the perfect charity shop in Randburg.

Sell Fast but Declutter First

We have said it before, as a KW Select estate agent, we go in to get eyes on a property during a free property valuation in the area, the first thing we look at is the appearance of a property?  Also, we look at the shell and whether this shell is in good or great condition.  Because first impressions count.  We recently wrote an article about sell your property fast but declutter first.

Considering the features when doing a property valuation in Randburg

The features speak to the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living area(s), the kitchen, the garden, the garages, and security features.   There are quite a few considerations when doing a property valuation, which you should consider. We cover this topic on so many levels but read what goes into preparing an accurate property valuation.  And then look at the 10 things that affect the value of a property when you sell.

But more evident is how cluttered some properties are

And we know that many of us are blessed enough to live in the same home for quite some time.  But quite some time means that ‘stuff’ piles up.  Little bits and pieces that you cannot part with.  A few years back I received a fancy coffee-making machine from my sister who was at the time a buyer of small appliances.  I was over the moon at the time of receiving this gift, but to be truthful, if I have used the coffee-making, cappuccino maker 10 times it’s a lot. 

My journey with AHCH started Robert.  He is a  resident at AHCH living with a disability.  I am delighted to have found Robert because he has been able to help me with some of the tasks I need to perform in order to run an effective business.  In many ways, Robert is smart, quiet, diligent, reserved but intelligent. You see when I found Robert, I think I needed him more than he needed me.  I had heard of AHCH, a bit of a story but I won’t go into it now, but suffice to say, meeting Robert opened up so many doors for me in my personal life.  Also, I got to visit Annie’s Place for the first time.  A delightful little coffee shop that makes the most divine cappuccino.  Annie’s Place has a simple little menu and good food with good coffee, what more can one ask for.

The AHCH Charity Shop

I understand the Charity Shop concept.  Also, I lived in London many years ago, and trust me living on a tough budget in London is hard.  And when I visited the Thrift or Charity Shops in the UK looking for 2nd hand clothing it was such fun.  Brand new items, often with the label still on, going for a song. 

The Charity Shop at AHCH is wonderful

I took my little girl with me on our first property visit to the AHCH Charity Shop.  Our plan was to donate at least 2 items each.  And we each got R100 as a budget to buy something new. The reality is there was so much stuff to choose from and I include a few of the big categories here following:

Tupperware.
Glassware.
CDs and tapes.
Kiddies toys.
Electrical goods.
Books.
Clothing.
Sewing materials.
Personal care products.
Kitchenware.
Appliances and so much more.

And if you are in the unfortunate position of clearing a property for a deceased estate and you have no idea what to do with all the bits and pieces, give AHCH a ring to collect.  Also, often when owners or tenants move out of a property, they run out of time and leave tons of stuff behind.  What a good solution if you are in a bind.  And knowing that on some level you have done good in the world is just the best feeling ever.

This got me thinking about what we could donate that we no longer use

Over the last 2 months, I can honestly say we have grown comfortable recognising more and more household items that we no longer need or don’t use.  It is such a blessing to be able to give it away for a good cause.  The Charity Shop is run by volunteers.  The actual shop belongs to AHCH so there is no rent, so all the proceeds go to the running of the Ann Harding Cheshire Home.  And you can pay with a Credit or Debit Card if you don’t have cash in your purse or wallet.

What did my 8-year-old buy on her first trip to the AHCH Charity Shop

I am embarrassed to say that she bought 2 Mannikin heads.  We named them Mick and Maggie.  They do look awful but she loves to brush their hair and play pranks on our friends and family.  The good news folks is when she gets bored with playing with these awful mannikin heads, she can donate them back.  She also bought a little craft set for R40 which kept her busy for an entire afternoon.  Oh, and I believe she also bought herself 2 new books.  She did blow her budget.  In fact, I think she spent R160.

Her 2nd trip to the AHCH Charity Shop produced quite another result

She found and matched the most beautiful lamp stand with a large lamp shade.  I was blown away that through all the stuff she saw, she put those 2 items together and the lamp really works and it looks good. Her total spend for her second charity shop experience at AHCH was a whopping R120 for a lovely lamp stand that looks gorgeous in our home.

Tupperware for my folks

My folks relocated from Pennington in 2021 and I must say they needed Tupperware.  My 2nd visit to the Ann Harding Cheshire Home Charity Shop was after a meeting with Robert.  I walked in and headed to the room on the left when I spotted the most fabulous Tupperware.  11 large Tupperware storage containers, almost new, for R300.  When I consider what new Tupperware of a good quality costs, I was so unbelievably happy with my find.  And folks there are donations coming in every day so the available stock always changes.

The items for sale in the AHCH Charity Shop are very well priced and you will love it.  There is such variety there as well.  It’s a bit like going to that famous Plastics Shop needing to buy 1 item and you walk away with 10 items.  But the experience is wonderful. It’s also fun.  Doing good for the community as an individual.  Supporting a great cause.  And clearing out our clutter at home has been cathartic.  We have less stuff in the cupboards and less stuff to clean.  And we will continue to do so until we have only essential items left in our home.  Remember one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Annie’s Place

And if you have donated your unwanted goods at the Charity Shop and have bought a few items, then Annie’s Shop is the perfect place to catch your breath.  Good, gentle, wonderful souls who are delighted to see you.  You see folks although I love big brands, I love small businesses more.  And I am more inclined at this stage of my life to support small businesses, any day of the week.

Alison runs Annie’s Place, a delightful little coffee shop on the property.  Her offering is wholesome and fresh.  You will not be disappointed. And what I really like is it is relaxed.  Not teeming, just cheerful and relaxed.  With your vehicle secured on the property, it’s the perfect way to catch your breath after donating goods and a little spot of shopping.

Are you an Estate Agent looking for a new home?

KW Select was a great choice for me.  I worked for a small family-run business that never really floated my boat.  Too draconian and too old-school for me.  I am so grateful that I joined KW Select.  Thanks, Phil, you have no idea how instrumental you were on my path to success.  You see when you work as a real estate agent why would you not look at your business as a business.

KW Select provided me with all the tools to do what I do well and the rewards with a more progressive world-class brand has really done me all sorts of favours.  Leveraging buyers to other listings and in my case, that’s over 100 active buyers to a new listing, ensures I am able to sell most of my properties within the first week or two.  Our KW culture is all about sharing which means if you have a buyer who buys a property that I have listed, we share.  You see the culture is actually what differentiates Keller Williams.  And that is good for your sellers and your buyers. 

I am what I believe I am a tech-led agent.  Or a technology-enabled estate agent.  And with KW Select I am able to leverage the most powerful CRM solution with ease and grace.  The KW Select Technology platform gives me powerful reasons to keep a conversation going with buyers and sellers while I am out doing what I love most, selling property.  You see while you are doing your thing, the CRM solution is doing its thing in the background.  And folks we all know that ongoing conversations strengthen relationships with clients for many years to come.  Repeat business is more likely.  So, if you are an agent working on a split for a dinosaur brand, please hear me, KW Select puts more moolah in your pocket.  This is a tough job, to say the least, so being stuck on a 50/50 or even a 60/40 split for years is just totally, and completely, so yesterday!  Join the Keller Williams Select family and let’s paint the town red.

Get in touch

If you have items to donate or want to visit the AHCH Charity Shop or Annie’s Place, then click here to view their website and to find out more about how this national structure supports people living with disabilities.

If you would like to speak to a KW Select estate agent about getting a free property valuation done on a property in Sundowner, Randburg, or anywhere in Jhb or SA for that matter, give us a call.  Bank on the Best with KW Select.  Want to know why KW Select can claim to “Sell properties faster than anyone” click here.  We have over 1,500 estate agents countrywide and our standards are high.  Our technology underpins our success and so does our globally acclaimed business culture.

Hashtags in Action

#kwselect #kellerwilliamsproperties #kellerwilliamsproperties #randburgpropertyprices #estateagent #randburgpropertyvaluation #propertyvaluationrandburg #fourwayspropertysales #randburgestateagent #estateagentrandburg #sundownerestateagent #estateagentsundowner #propertiesforsalesundowner