Your trusted Isle of Wight estate agents for sales lettings and property investment
Welcome to Red Squirrel Property Shop. We are a multi award winning estate agency based on the Isle of Wight and proud to serve the entire island.
Our team offers a complete range of property services including property sales lettings property management and investment sourcing.
We focus on honesty trust and compassion in everything we do. Whether you are selling letting buying or investing we are here to make the process as smooth and successful as possible.
Property Sales
Sell your home with confidence. We provide accurate valuations professional photography expert advice and a marketing strategy designed to achieve the best result for your property. We cover all areas across the island including Ryde Newport Cowes Shanklin Sandown and more
Lettings and Property Management
From tenant find to full management we support landlords with reliable compliant and efficient services. We take care of viewings referencing tenancy creation rent collection inspections maintenance coordination and everything in between.
Investment and Buyer Services
Using our background in property investment we help buyers and investors find the right opportunity. Whether you are looking for your next home a buy to let or something off market we offer a dedicated personal service with access to properties that are not publicly advertised.
Located within Nursery Gardens, just off West Street in Ryde, this semi-detached home offers well-balanced accommodation in a convenient residential setting. The property provides three good-sized (...)
Conveniently located close to local amenities and schools, this well-presented three-bedroom semi-detached house offers spacious and practical accommodation throughout. The property comprises a (...)
AVAILABLE START OF JULY!! is this 1 bedroom ground floor apartment located close to the town centre of Cowes. The property consists of a shower/wet room, a double sized bedroom, lounge and modern (...)
Amazing team who go above and beyond. Excellent communication and so professional. Freya was so kind and helpful to me in securing a beautiful home for me and my daughter. Recommend for anyone wanting to buy or rent.
Danielle Kingman Isle of wight
Used Red Squirrel to sell my property, they were extremely helpful, professional and patient getting the sale completed from start to finish. I also found there valuation was realistic instead of valuating a really high estimate as every other estate agent did to try make us use them. I wouldn't hesitate to use there services again.
Cassie Bruce Isle Of Wight
Did not deal with Red Squirrel for long as my tenancy was coming to an end as we had recently purchased our first property. From the little contact I had they were really helpful and I found the check out process really simple and easy. Great experience!
Nikita Tucker Isle Of Wight
Professionalism and outstanding service 👏🏿
Hassan Hammed Isle of Wight
In my opinion Red Squirrel are by far the best agents here on the Isle of Wight. They show so much compassion to their clients and really do go above and beyond to try and help. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend and I will certainly be using them again in the future.
Maria Cowen Isle of Wight
Freya, Eileen so impressed with your service You're lovely people. I'm enjoying my new home!
Ianda Moyo Isle of Wight
They we're very helpful and understanding of our situation and helped us getting a property to rent. We are very grateful for all of their help the team have done for us. Thank you
Kathryn D Isle of Wight
We have had a wonderful experience with Red Squirrel, they have answered all of our queries and have been so patient and understanding with our circumstances! Nothing has been too much trouble and they would always answer when we needed them, and have even been prompt to email back to any of our queries as well! Freya has provided us amazing support and service and has made every step of our application a breeze and a pleasant experience!
D Robinson Isle of Wight
Red Squirrel has been fantastic. As first-time buyers, with little to no knowledge of what we needed, nothing was too much trouble. All queries were answered promptly. Everyone was so friendly, Matthew was fantastic and had great communication. Ross was very insightful when showing around the house. We can't thank everyone enough for making this as stress free as possible.
Jess Saban Isle of Wight
Cannot praise this company enough, every member of staff were absolutely brilliant, however, the prize for going above and beyond has to go to Ross. What an absolute star, nothing was too much trouble and I must have really tested his patience! Red Squirrel have been so helpful and professional from start to finish, I would highly recommend them if you want results. 10/10
Carol Shayler Isle of Wight
I would highly recommend Red Squirrel. Thank you so much for your support when buying my flat. I dealt with Ross and he was fantastic, always ready to answer any questions and put my mind at ease. Thank you again.
Emma Morey Isle of Wight
I sold my property with Red Squirrel at the end of last year and I am so glad I chose Red Squirrel to do this. Charlie was incredible with his knowledge, putting the property on the market for the right price, helping me understand a lot of what I was unsure about being a first time seller, and making me feel at ease with the whole process. Matt was also incredibly helpful making sure I was happy as we progressed through the steps. Each time I went in I was greeted by very helpful and friendly staff who seemed as excited for me as I was. I would highly recommend Red Squirrel to everyone!
Laura Haytack Isle of Wight
Red Squirrel were amazing at keeping in contact throughout our purchase. Massive shout out to Ross, Abi & Matthew for being just as excited for me as I was to get into our first family home! See you in a few years guys xx
Charlotte & Luke Isle of Wight
Red Squirrel are the ultimate when it comes to all things property. They have the knowledge, skill and determination to make you feel comfortable in the knowledge that you are in safe hands when it comes to ALL of your property needs. We will use no one else for our next move. Even our family members have gone with the team at Red Squirrel when moving to the island and they had nothing but great things to say about the service they received. Keep up the great work guys!
Martyn Thorp Isle of Wight
I completed on a house today that was sold via Red Squirrel. Throughout the process they were always helpful and professional, quick to respond, and kept a careful eye on the progress of the transaction to help with any issues.
At Red Squirrel Property Shop, we're proud to support charities that make a real difference within our local community. This month, we're shining a light on The Wight Brainy Bunch – an Isle of Wight charity dedicated to supporting local families affected by brain tumours. Recently, our CEO, Charlie Panayi, sat down with Kat, founder of The Wight Brainy Bunch, to learn more about the charity's journey, the incredible support it provides and why community fundraising continues to be so important.
How The Wight Brainy Bunch Began Like many charities, Wight Brainy Bunch was born from personal experience. In 2015, Kat's husband, Mark – a firefighter and keen marathon runner – was diagnosed with a brain tumour. As the family began navigating hospital appointments, surgery and treatment, they quickly realised there was very little support available locally. Whilst national charities provided valuable information, there was no dedicated organisation on the Isle of Wight offering practical or emotional support to families facing the
same diagnosis. Determined to give something back, Kat promised Mark that if his surgery was successful, she would complete the Great South Run alongside him – despite insisting she "wasn't a runner."
Their goal was simple: raise £1,000 for a national brain tumour charity. What happened next exceeded every expectation. The £1,000 target was reached in just four days. By the time race day arrived six months later, they had raised an incredible £10,000.
But something even more significant happened during that fundraising journey. As people heard Mark's story, more and more Island families came forward. Friends, neighbours and complete strangers shared their own experiences of brain tumours and began turning to Kat and Mark for advice and support. It became clear there was a real need for a charity on the Isle of Wight dedicated to helping those affected by brain tumours. And so, The Wight Brainy Bunch was born.
Supporting Families When They Need It Most Today, The Wight Brainy Bunch provides practical, emotional and financial support to local families living with a brain tumour diagnosis. While many people assume support ends once treatment begins, Kat explained that families often face significant financial and emotional pressures throughout their journey. One of the charity's biggest areas of support is helping families travel to Southampton, where specialist brain tumour treatment takes place. Whilst some treatment-related travel costs are covered, many hospital appointments, scans, consultations and follow-up visits are not. These journeys quickly become expensive, particularly when family members are travelling regularly to support loved ones. The charity helps ease that burden by providing travel assistance, accommodation when early hospital appointments require overnight stays, and financial grants where appropriate.
Beyond practical support, The Wight Brainy Bunch also funds services that can make an enormous difference to quality of life, including:
-Professional counselling for patients, carers and family members. -Private physiotherapy and occupational therapy referrals. -Specialist equipment for the home. -Complementary therapies such as acupuncture and oncology massage. -Neuro movement therapy. -Loss of earnings grants for families experiencing financial hardship.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity also purchased a holiday caravan, allowing families to enjoy valuable respite and spend precious time together away from the stresses of treatment. As Kat explained, sometimes simply getting away for a few days can make all the difference.
More Than Just Financial Support One of the most valuable things The Wight Brainy Bunch provides is something that can't be measured financially – a community. The charity hosts regular support groups where patients, carers and families can meet others who truly understand what they're going through. For many, it's the first time they've met someone facing similar challenges. Whether people want advice, reassurance or simply a cup of tea and conversation with others who "get it", these meetings help remind families they are not facing their journey alone.
A Charity Many People Still Don't Know Exists Despite supporting hundreds of Island families since it was founded, Kat believes one of the biggest challenges the charity faces is awareness. "Unless you've experienced a brain tumour yourself or know someone who has, many people simply don't know we're here." As a smaller local charity, The Wight Brainy Bunch often sits alongside nationally recognised organisations when fundraising, making it harder to raise awareness of the vital work taking place here on the Isle of Wight. Yet at any one time, the charity is actively supporting around 30 to 40 local families, with hundreds more having received help over the last decade.
Looking Ahead When asked what she'd like to see in the future, Kat's answer was both simple and heartfelt. Ultimately, she hopes there comes a day when charities like The Wight Brainy Bunch are no longer needed. Until then, her ambition is to continue growing the charity, reaching more families and expanding the support available across the Isle of Wight. "We're meeting people at the worst time in their lives," she explained. "We can't change their diagnosis, but we can make life a little easier while they're going through it."
How You Can Help Supporting The Wight Brainy Bunch doesn't always mean making a donation. By attending events, volunteering your time, sharing the charity's message or simply telling someone else about the incredible work they do, you can help ensure more Island families receive the support they need.
There are also several exciting fundraising events coming up over the coming months, including:
🌞 Summer Fair at Arreton Barns – Saturday 22nd August https://www.thewightbrainybunch.org.uk/event-wight-brainy-bunch/wight-brainy-bunch-fun-day
🎭 Moulin Rouge Masquerade Ball – Saturday 19th September https://www.thewightbrainybunch.org.uk/event-wight-brainy-bunch/charity-black-tie-ball/
🥊 Blue Light Fight Night – Saturday 7th November https://www.thewightbrainybunch.org.uk/event-wight-brainy-bunch/blue-light-fight-night
🎄 Winter Wonderland Christmas Market – Saturday 5th December https://www.thewightbrainybunch.org.uk/event-wight-brainy-bunch/charity-black-tie-ball
Every ticket purchased, every donation made and every event attended helps The Wight Brainy Bunch continue supporting local families when they need it most.
As Kat put it perfectly: "We can't change their outcome, but we can make life a little easier while they're going through it."
That simple statement perfectly sums up the compassion, dedication and purpose behind The Wight Brainy Bunch. At Red Squirrel Property Shop, we're honoured to support them as our Charity of the Month and encourage everyone to learn more about their incredible work, attend an event if you can and help spread awareness of this truly remarkable local charity.
Finding the right rental property is exciting, but being prepared before you start applying can make the process much smoother.
We're sharing three simple but important tips that every prospective tenant should consider before beginning their property search. By taking these steps early, you'll put yourself in a stronger position when the right home comes along.
1. Check That Your Income Meets the Affordability Criteria
One of the first things landlords and letting agents will assess is affordability.
As a general guide, your annual income should be at least 2.5 times the yearly rent of the property you're applying for. For example, if the monthly rent is £1,000, the annual rent is £12,000, meaning you'll typically need a household income of around £30,000 per year.
Knowing your affordability before you begin your search will help you focus on properties within your budget and avoid disappointment later in the application process.
If you're unsure whether a property is affordable for you, our lettings team will be happy to help.
2. Check Your Credit History
Most tenancy applications involve a credit check as part of the referencing process.
Before you apply, it's worth checking your credit report to ensure everything is accurate. Make sure you're registered on the electoral roll, check for any unexpected defaults or missed payments, and correct any errors if necessary.
There are several trusted services where you can access your credit report, including Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Having a clear understanding of your credit history can help prevent delays and give you confidence when submitting your application.
3. Plan Your Moving Budget
It's easy to focus on the monthly rent, but moving home often comes with additional costs that should be factored into your budget.
These may include:
Your first month's rent in advance
A tenancy deposit
Removal costs or van hire
Utility bills
Broadband setup
Council Tax
Updating your contents insurance
New furniture or household essentials
Planning ahead means you can move into your new home without any unexpected financial surprises.
Be Prepared Before You Apply
Rental properties can move quickly, especially in a competitive market. Being organised before you begin your search can make all the difference.
Knowing your affordability, understanding your credit history and planning your moving costs will help you approach the rental process with confidence and increase your chances of securing the right property.
If you're looking for your next rental home on the Isle of Wight, our experienced lettings team is here to guide you every step of the way.
