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Nicholsons Estate Agents

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Nicholsons Estate Agents

Estate Agents · Est. 2019
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Bassetlaw, North Nottinghamshire

Nicholsons is an independent, family-run estate and letting agency serving Bassetlaw and the surrounding communities of North Nottinghamshire.

From Retford and Worksop to Harworth, Bircotes, Bawtry, Tuxford and the villages in between, the agency combines genuinely local knowledge with a modern approach to selling, buying, letting and managing property.

Nicholsons has built its reputation around three things that can materially change the outcome of a move: price, presentation and market exposure. Properties are supported by specialist in-house media, digital marketing and a proactive approach to finding the right buyer rather than relying solely on the property portals.

The business has also challenged one of the most frustrating parts of moving home: the uncertainty after a sale is agreed. Its SecureMove process brings more of the legal preparation forward and introduces additional commitment into the transaction, with the aim of reducing fall-throughs and helping more clients actually reach completion.

The Founding Story

“Buying and selling a home is stressful and unreliable enough. Our job is to reduce that uncertainty, create a better experience and give our clients the strongest possible chance of actually getting the outcome they came to us for.”

MARK NICHOLSON  - FOUNDER & CEO

Nicholsons opened in December 2019 as an independent estate agency with an ambition to do things differently in the Bassetlaw property market.

Its launch could hardly have come at a more testing moment. Within months, the country entered its first Covid lockdown and the property market temporarily stopped. What followed, however, was a period that changed both the business and the local market.

As people reassessed where and how they wanted to live, Bassetlaw attracted buyers looking for more space, stronger value for money and access to the towns, villages and countryside of North Nottinghamshire.

Nicholsons developed alongside that changing market.

What began as a new independent agency has grown into a family-run sales and lettings business with specialist people across sales, property marketing, administration and client support.

Along the way, the agency has continued to invest in technology, digital media, data and new ways of improving the moving process — culminating in the development of SecureMove in 2024.

The Owner & The Agency

Nicholsons is an independent family business, led by Mark Nicholson and supported by a team that lives and works within the communities the agency represents.

That local connection is important. Every member of the Nicholsons team currently lives in Bassetlaw, with many having spent most of their lives in the area.

But local knowledge is only one part of the proposition.

For sellers, Nicholsons focuses on the relationship between pricing, presentation and exposure. Its in-house media capability allows the agency to create professional photography, video and digital content around its instructions, while social media and targeted marketing are used alongside the major property portals to extend the audience for a home.

For landlords, the business provides lettings and property-management support alongside guidance around compliance, tenant selection, rental performance and the longer-term decisions involved in owning investment property.

And for both, there is an emphasis on what happens after an offer or tenancy application is received.

Nicholsons believes an estate agent’s role is not simply to generate interest. It is to understand who is moving, establish how prepared they are, manage the detail and create the strongest possible chance of the transaction successfully reaching its conclusion.

That thinking sits behind SecureMove: bringing searches, property information and documentation forward, encouraging sellers to prepare earlier and using a reservation agreement once a sale has been agreed.

Where We Work

Areas We Cover

Nicholsons serves Bassetlaw in North Nottinghamshire, together with neighbouring communities towards Newark & Sherwood and South Yorkshire. It is an area that combines established towns with a large number of villages and rural communities, while remaining exceptionally well connected. Bassetlaw sits between South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, with the A1 running through the district and Retford providing direct East Coast Main Line services towards London, York and the north.

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Behind the Scenes with Mark Nicholson

In this episode of the Leading Estate Agents of the World Podcast, Mark Nicholson talks about the Bassetlaw property market, changing buyer behaviour and the things sellers should think about before choosing an estate agent.

He explains how Nicholsons has developed its approach around preparation, presentation and understanding the buyer before a property reaches the market.

A major part of the conversation explores SecureMove, the process created to make sales more reliable, faster and smoother by bringing more of the legal preparation forward and increasing commitment once a sale is agreed.

Mark also discusses why sellers should look beyond the highest valuation or lowest fee and instead ask agents about their actual performance, including fall-through rates and how many instructions really make it through to exchange.

The episode provides a strong introduction to Mark, the thinking behind Nicholsons and the agency’s focus on giving clients a better, more certain moving experience.

Who we are

Mission & Values

Nicholsons aims to be the most recognised and trusted estate agency in Bassetlaw, providing professional advice, outstanding marketing and a dependable property service.

01

Be Innovative

Nicholsons is prepared to question established estate-agency processes when it believes there is a better way. That can mean using specialist video and social media to create greater exposure for a home or changing the preparation behind a sale through SecureMove.

02

Communicate

Moving property creates uncertainty when people do not know what is happening. Nicholsons places considerable emphasis on proactive communication, including dedicated client WhatsApp groups designed to make it easier for clients to receive updates and speak with the team.

03

Be Accountable

Responsibility should not disappear once the property is under offer or the tenancy is agreed. The team is expected to take ownership, remain involved and make decisions with the client’s interests at the centre.

04

Do The Right Thing

Not every decision should be driven by what is easiest or quickest. Whether advising on price, assessing a buyer, progressing a transaction or supporting a landlord, Nicholsons’ stated principle is to keep the client’s interests at the forefront of the decision.

proven performance

OUR STATS

Independent data and Nicholsons’ own transaction performance provide evidence behind the approach.

Achieved vs asking price

Average sale price as a percentage of the original marketing price

Days to sale agreed

Average time taken to place a property under offer

Success of selling

Sales progressing from under offer through to completion

Experience in sales

Total Industry Team Experience

Experience in lettings

Combined lettings experience

Properties under management

Managed across Bassetlaw

who we work with

Clients We Work With

Homeowners Selling Across Bassetlaw

Homeowners Selling Across Bassetlaw

From apartments and first homes to family houses, village property and higher-value homes, Nicholsons works across a broad local market. The strategy begins with accurate positioning, strong presentation and creating the widest appropriate buyer audience.

Families Making Their Next Move

Families Making Their Next Move

Bassetlaw attracts people looking for more space, access to countryside and strong transport links. Nicholsons supports families selling and buying together, where securing the right buyer and maintaining the chain can be just as important as finding the next property.

Buyers & People Relocating to the Area

Buyers & People Relocating to the Area

Retford’s rail connections, the A1 and the value available across Bassetlaw attract buyers from both inside and outside the district. Nicholsons helps buyers understand the differences between its towns, villages and property types.

Private Landlords

Private Landlords

Nicholsons works with landlords who want professional support around rental values, marketing, tenant selection, compliance and the day-to-day responsibilities of letting property.

Portfolio Landlords & Property Investors

Portfolio Landlords & Property Investors

The agency also supports more experienced landlords and investors who need broader advice around portfolios, acquisitions, restructuring, refurbishment and the longer-term performance of their property.

Tenants Looking for Their Next Home

Tenants Looking for Their Next Home

Nicholsons helps tenants find and secure homes across Bassetlaw, giving registered applicants early visibility of suitable rental property and support through the application and move-in process.

Awards, Memberships & Accreditations

Professional Credentials

The Property Ombudsman

The Property Ombudsman

Licensed member
Leading Estate Agents of the World

Leading Estate Agents of the World

Licensed member
Trading Standards

Trading Standards

Approved Member
EA Masters — Best Estate Agent Guide

EA Masters — Best Estate Agent Guide

Nicholsons received an Exceptional rating for both sales and lettings in the 2024/25 Best Estate Agent Guide

Google Reviews

Professional and friendly service from Nicholsons. Great communication - Kept us updated throughout the whole process of selling our property. Definitely the best property marketing/socials in the area which influenced our decision to use them, sold our property very quickly.

Olivia G

Very good and prompt service by Nicholsons estate agents, Becky was in constant contact to get our buying journey running smoothly and as soon as possible , as a first time buyer buying my first home with my Husband we felt in constant contact receiving updates throughout, highly recommend and if we sell or buy in the future we will definitely be using Nicholsons Estate Agents Kind Regards Kirby Wood

Kirby Hudson

Clare Arnold

We used Nicholsons for the sale of our property. The use of a WhatsApp group set up between us and various members of the team was very useful and responses prompt. Updates were provided regularly which we appreciated.

Matt

I had a fantastic experience selling my first home with this estate agent. From the initial valuation through to accepting an offer, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. Communication was excellent throughout and I was kept updated at every stage, any questions I had were answered quickly and clearly. The team were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly experienced in what they do. My property was only on the market for 6 weeks before I received an offer at the full asking price, which I was very happy to accept. The marketing, viewings, and negotiation process were all handled seamlessly. Selling a home can be stressful, but they made the whole experience feel straightforward and well managed. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others.

Michelle Hart

We have recently purchased with Nicholsons and were impressed with their friendly and professional approach. We were new to the area and they offered plenty of helpful advice. many thanks to Jay and the whole team. Alex and Samantha

Alex “Sounds of the Aquarium” M

Great team of estate agents, friendly and good communication throughout the whole process. Would happily use them again! Thankyou! 🙂

Jackc

Amazing service from start to finish Amazing service from start to finish. I sold my house before it even went on the market!! Very helpful and fantastic communication every step of the way. Thank you 🤩

Barbara Green

Nicholsons sold our father’s house after he passed away. The process was fantastic. Lots of real time communication on WhatsApp; and ongoing support both pre-offer and post-offer to completion. Very highly recommended.

David Foster

A very helpful Estate Agency and Jay in particular was very helpful to my wife and I. Thank you Jay you are a credit to your company.

John Shorter