Dakin Property Group

02/07/2026

💙 July is Graves’ Disease Awareness Month.

Most people know me as Ashley, the owner of Dakin Property Group.

What many people don’t know is that, a couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease – an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid.

For a long time, I kept it to myself.

Then, in February this year, everything changed.

I suffered a major relapse that left me with severe paralysis. One minute I was going about my day, the next I couldn’t move. I was admitted to hospital, and it was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a hospital waiting room, waiting for a scan on my neck and, hopefully, a date for surgery to remove my thyroid.

The operation won’t cure Graves’ disease. I’ll always have the autoimmune condition, but the hope is that removing my thyroid will finally bring the symptoms under control and allow me to live life with far fewer limitations.

What I’ve learnt over the last couple of years is that invisible illnesses can be incredibly lonely.

People often mistake your symptoms for your character. Exhaustion gets labelled as laziness. Struggling gets mistaken for not caring. Looking “fine” on the outside makes it easy for people to underestimate the battle that’s happening on the inside.

Graves’ disease isn’t just “a thyroid problem.”

It’s the racing heart.
The shaking.
The overwhelming fatigue.
The muscle weakness.
The brain fog.
The anxiety.
And the uncertainty of never quite knowing what tomorrow will bring.

Despite everything that’s happened, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made was starting Dakin Property Group.

There have been days when it’s been incredibly difficult, but building this business has given me purpose when I needed it most. Every valuation, every viewing, every set of keys handed over reminds me why I started it in the first place.

I genuinely love what I do.

Helping people through one of the biggest moments of their lives isn’t just a job to me—it’s a privilege. If anything, everything I’ve been through has made me even more determined to build a business that’s centred around kindness, honesty and putting people first.

If this journey has taught me anything, it’s this…

You never truly know what someone else is carrying.

So be kind.
Be patient.
And never judge someone by what you can see on the surface.

If sharing my story helps just one person recognise the signs of Graves’ disease sooner, or helps someone living with an invisible illness feel a little less alone, then it’s been worth opening up.

Here’s hoping the next chapter starts with a surgery date… and the chance to keep building the business I love, with my health finally moving in the right direction.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported me, whether you’ve known what was going on or not. It means more than you’ll ever know.

Ashley Dakin
Dakin Property Group

💙

26/06/2026

Happy National Cream Tea Day!

There’s only one way to do it in Devon…

Cream first. Jam second. 😉

Some debates will never be settled, but around here we know where we stand.

Whether you’re spending the day by the coast, in the countryside, or enjoying a cream tea in your garden, we hope you have a brilliant one.

Happy National Cream Tea Day from everyone at Dakin Property Group.

P.S. If you’re a jam-first person… I suppose we’ll still help you move house. 😂

24/06/2026

CHUFF ME… it’s a tad warm today! 🥵

Now only doing house viewings with:
❄️ Air con
❄️ North-facing garden
❄️ A built-in ice bath

Anyone else sleeping with 25 fans pointed directly on them tonight? 😂

22/06/2026

Some partnerships just feel right.

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that Dakin Property Group is officially partnering with Frankie Selwyn from Bastille Brokers! 🤝

Now, before anyone worries, this isn’t one of those stuffy corporate announcements where we pretend we’ve spent six months in boardrooms discussing “synergies” and “growth strategies”… because we haven’t. 😅

The reality is much simpler.

Frankie is just a genuinely good bloke.

He’s honest, approachable, knows his stuff, and most importantly, cares about people in exactly the same way we do. From day one, it was obvious we share the same values: putting clients first, building trust, and making what can be a stressful process feel a whole lot easier.

Buying a home isn’t just about ticking boxes and crunching numbers. It’s about people, dreams, families, fresh starts, and having the right team around you when it matters most.

That’s why we’re so excited about this partnership.

By bringing together trusted estate agency advice and trusted mortgage advice, we’re making sure our clients have even more support throughout their journey — with people who are genuinely on their side.

We’re incredibly proud of the direction Dakin Property Group is heading, and working alongside professionals like Frankie is another sign that we’re building something special.

Exciting times ahead.

Watch this space…

21/06/2026

Happy Father’s Day from Dakin Property Group ❤️

Today, we’re celebrating all the dads, grandads, stepdads, father figures and role models who help make a house feel like a home.

Whether you’re teaching life lessons, fixing things that mysteriously break, offering advice when it’s needed most, or simply being there when it matters, today is for you.

A special mention from me to my own dad. Thank you for your support, guidance and encouragement over the years, and for always being there when I’ve needed you. Starting Dakin Property Group has been a huge journey, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had your backing and guidance along the way.

To all the dads out there, I hope you have a fantastic day surrounded by family, laughter and plenty of well-deserved appreciation.

Happy Father’s Day! 👏

Ashley
Dakin Property Group
Property Done Properly.

19/06/2026

🏡 Big Changes Could Be Coming to the Home Moving Process

The Government has announced proposals aimed at making buying and selling property faster, simpler, and less likely to fall through.

Some of the key changes being considered include:

✅ Sellers providing important property information upfront when a home is listed

✅ Contracts being introduced earlier in the process to give buyers and sellers more certainty

✅ Greater use of digital information sharing to reduce delays and unnecessary paperwork

Why does this matter?

📊 Around 1 in 5 property sales currently fall through before completion

📊 The average property transaction takes around 170 days to complete

📊 Failed sales cost the industry hundreds of millions of pounds every year

If these proposals move forward, they could help create a more transparent, efficient, and reliable moving process for everyone involved.

At Dakin Property Group, we’ll be following these developments closely and keeping our clients updated on what they could mean for buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors.

17/06/2026

Before this property even reached Rightmove…

Before the social media launch…

Before the “Available To Let” post was even written…

We already had a tenant interested.

Why?

Because letting a property properly isn’t just about uploading it online and waiting for the inbox to ping.

It’s about knowing the market.

Knowing what tenants are looking for.

Having conversations before the property is even live.

And building a strong database of people who are ready to move when the right home becomes available.

This beautifully renovated three-bedroom home in Dawlish was exactly the sort of property we knew people were waiting for.

And that’s the difference.

Whether you’re selling or letting, choosing the right agent matters.

Because the right agent doesn’t just market your property.

They match it.

They launch it.

They put it in front of the right people, not just random people.

Now, does this happen every single time?

No. And I’d never pretend it does.

But when you have the right database, the right conversations and the right strategy, things can move very quickly.

Dakin Property Group.

Sales | Lettings | Auctions

Property Done Properly.

16/06/2026

🏡 What’s Happening in the Housing Market?

The latest market data shows that average asking prices for newly listed homes have fallen by 0.6% this month, bringing the average asking price to £376,191. This marks the largest June price drop seen in fourteen years.

Traditionally, June sees modest price growth, but current conditions suggest many sellers are adjusting their expectations to attract buyer interest. Seasonal factors such as holidays, sporting events, and improved weather often slow market activity during the summer months, making competition for buyers’ attention even greater.

At Dakin Property Group, we believe this highlights an important point: in a market where buyers have more choice and take longer to make decisions, simply listing a property is no longer enough.

Success comes from a combination of the right pricing strategy, professional presentation, and targeted marketing that puts your property in front of the right buyers at the right time. Choosing an experienced agent who knows how to maximise exposure, create demand, and showcase your home’s unique strengths can make a significant difference to both the level of interest received and the final sale price achieved.

As buyers become more selective, properties that stand out through strong marketing and strategic positioning are the ones that generate the best results.

If you’re thinking of selling, now is the time to ensure your property is marketed correctly from day one.

The team at Dakin Property Group is here to help you navigate the market with confidence and achieve the best possible outcome.

08/06/2026

Hi, I'm Ashley Dakin.

The heart and soul behind Dakin Property Group.

I didn't start Dakin Property Group to become another estate agent.

I started it because I genuinely believe the industry can do better.

For years, I've watched properties being treated like numbers on a spreadsheet.

A few photos.
A generic description.
Uploaded to Rightmove.
Then fingers crossed and hope for the best.

That's not how we do things.

Every property is different.

Every seller is different.

Every landlord is different.

So every strategy should be different too.

At Dakin Property Group, we don't just list homes.

We launch them.
We create marketing campaigns.
We use social media properly.
We put properties in front of the right people, not just the most people.
We sell the lifestyle, the location and the story behind the home, not just the number of bedrooms and the size of the bathroom.

Because nobody falls in love with a floorplan.

They fall in love with a feeling.

And that's exactly what great marketing should create.

We're also currently offering a VAT-free promotion, helping our clients keep more of their hard-earned money where it belongs — in their own pocket.

And unlike some agents, we don't believe in charging extra to take photographs of your property after you've already instructed us.

I've never quite understood that one.

What exactly are we supposed to market without photos.. draw them? 😂

So whether you're thinking of selling, letting, already on the market, or simply want a fresh perspective, I'd be more than happy to have a chat.

No pressure.
No obligation.
No estate agent nonsense.

Just honest advice, creative marketing and a genuine passion for property.

❤️ Property Done Properly.

Ashley Dakin

Dakin Property Group

Call now to connect with business.