Cambridge Property Edition December by Bright Publishing

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DECEMBER 2013

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Family homes

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special report

a year in the local market

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wELCOME

Welcome to

Property Edition

ecember is usually a quiet period for property, but we’ve found plenty to write about this month. As the nights draw in, things are still looking sunny for the Cambridge market, with plenty of activity in the summer meaning we enjoyed a hearty crop of properties coming onto the market this autumn. They say confidence is key to getting the housing market moving, and it seems, over the past year, that this is indeed returning. Read the full story on page 26. When it’s not raining, windy, sludgy or covered in fog, Cambridge can look quite beautiful in winter. Our lovely cover image shows Histon in the snow: it’s one of our area’s prettiest villages, and we took a drive out to discover more about it, why people love it, and what you can get for your money in this month’s Spotlight On... feature. For example,

did you know about The Histon Strongman, who’s depicted in the village sign? Meet him on page 20. December is also a time to show your property a little TLC and to make sure that everything’s in good shape, ready for the really cold spells ahead. Have a glance through our checklist – prize for anyone who’s already done them all. Meanwhile the city’s cluster of new developments are continuing to take shape, and we went skyward for a tour of the new penthouse at The Marque, which gives spectacular views across Cambridge and out to the countryside beyond. There’s more about it over on page 35. With that, it’s time to wish you a very Happy Christmas, and hopefully we will see you again in the New Year!

Jennifer Shelton, Features Editor

jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com 01223 499463

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COVER IMAGE This gorgeous image of Histon village green on a winter’s morning was taken by Andrew Jackman of Tylers estate agents. It’s part of our area spotlight this month, which you can read in full on page 20.

KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER Julie Skeet 01223 499464 julieskeet@bright-publishing.com

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Property words JENNIFER SHELTON

PROPERTY NEWS

Edition takes a look at the latest happenings in the buzzing local property market

Homes for families Great Wilbraham A lovely thatched cottage is on the market in Great Wilbraham, offering well-presented accommodation, not to mention bags of character. The property is set within goodsize gardens in Station Road, and comes with a garage and parking. Inside, there is a living room with feature beams, a fantastic dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a luxury bathroom. The property is for sale with a guide price of £325,000. Contact Carter Jonas on 01223 368771. www.carterjonas.co.uk

£325,000 duxford

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A guide price of £640,000 is invited for this beautiful home in St Peter’s Street, Duxford. A Grade II listed home in the centre of the village, it comes with attractive, period accommodation presented in good decorative order. Downstairs, there are five reception rooms, each with original features including oak flooring and open fireplaces, plus a kitchen/breakfast room and trap-door to the wine cellar. On the first floor, there are five bedrooms (four doubles, one single), with two family bathrooms, accessed via two staircases. Meanwhile a large lawned garden with a terrace and pond, together with a double garage, can be found outside the property. For more information or to arrange a viewing, call Savills on 01223 347147. www.savills.com

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Property

£675,000 Stuntney A spacious extended property in Stuntney has come onto the market, set within large grounds and offering plenty of space for a growing family. The accommodation is well presented and versatile. It comprises a reception hall, drawing room, playroom/study, kitchen/dining/family room, utility room, cloakroom, master bedroom with en-suite, four more bedrooms and three bath/ shower rooms. A driveway provides ample parking and the mature garden is a particularly attractive feature. It is made up of a sloping lawn with willow trees and a sandstone terrace, from which it’s possible to pick out Ely Cathedral on a clear day. The property has a guide price of £675,000. Contact JacksonStops & Staff on 01638 662231. www.jackson-stops.co.uk

Cambridge On the market for £750,000, and featuring superb, modern accommodation, is this city property, situated in Topcliffe Way. Dating from the 60s, but remodelled and extended in 2012, it presents stylish interiors including a superb family kitchen, garden room, four bedrooms and a state-of-the-art cinema room. The garden comprises a lawn and decked terrace, and the property is convenient for the city centre, railway station and Addenbrooke’s hospital. For more information or to view, call Bidwells on 01223 841842. www.bidwells.co.uk

£750,000 sign up to the edit newsletter at cambsedition.co.uk

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Cambridge’s London link reinforced Carter Jonas is reinforcing its link to the London housing market with the acquisition of independent residential property agency Sullivan Thomas. The merge, effective from 31 October 2013, will increase the Carter Jonas national network of offices – which includes Cambridge – to a count of 28. Richard Hatch, partner and head of residential at Carter Jonas in Cambridge, said: “Sullivan Thomas shares our ambitious, client-focused approach and we believe this acquisition is a natural coming together of like-minded agencies to ensure the expansion of our residential offering. “Maximising the direct access we can offer to London buyers is important to vendors in Cambridge and the surrounding area now more than ever in the current rising market.” www.carterjonas.co.uk

Winter maintenance With winter setting in, now’s the time for landlords – and all property owners – to show their houses a bit of TLC to ensure they stay cosy, safe and clean throughout the chillier months. Mitzi Godfrey of Savills Property Management in Cambridge shares a checklist of jobs for maintaining a happy home throughout the cold December days. Guttering Guttering, downpipes and outside soakaways or drains need to be cleared in order to prevent flooding and blockages. Depending on the amount of foliage in the near vicinity, this may need to be done a few times during the autumn months. Windows Any broken panes of glass should be attended to as soon as possible. This will help keep the property warm and therefore keep down energy bills.

snap arrives. If you are going away during the winter, heating will need to be set at a minimum in order to avoid pipes freezing and/or bursting whilst you are away. For the same reason, landlords will need to ensure that pipes are sufficiently lagged.

Heating Heating engineers are at their busiest at this time of year and this may result in it taking longer for an engineer to respond. Heating should be checked to make sure it is working properly before the first cold

Fireplaces For properties with an open fireplace, woodburning stove or gas fire, the chimney requires sweeping annually before the fire is used regularly during the winter months.

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Smoke alarms Once again, with fireplaces being used more often, all smoke alarms should be tested and batteries, if necessary, replaced. Jane Dixon, head of lettings at Savills Cambridge, comments: “Aside from maintaining the property, these steps will assist a landlord in letting a property out – as a warm property feels much more welcoming than a cold one. Additionally, it may help a property score a lower EPC rating, the undertaking of which is compulsory for lettings properties.”

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Property

The fruits of confidence

Radcliffe and Rust turn two Independent local estate agents Radcliffe and Rust have recently celebrated their second anniversary and, despite opening during a recession, have seen a prosperous two years in business. “We’re now ranked first on AllAgents for customer satisfaction in the whole of Cambridgeshire,” says Richard. “We’ve gone from strength to strength.” Richard and David worked for an estate agent in Cambridge before pooling their talents to set up sales and lettings agency, Radcliffe and Rust. Born and raised in Cambridge, they brought around 20 years of combined experience, invaluable knowledge of the local market and a firm emphasis on customer service. Richard adds, “We want to provide people with the service they expect, but don’t always necessarily get anymore. And if you can make it work in the middle of a recession, that’s probably a pretty good sign!” www.radcliffeandrust.co.uk

Here’s what their clients have said over the past year: “Painless transactions. Always available, yet never disturbed me unless it was necessary. They even helped with some issues outside of their domain. Great agents!” – Bee

Stuart Harris, head of residential in the Cambridge office of national property consultancy Carter Jonas, says we’ve the summer to thank for the fruitfulness of this past autumn’s housing market. In an end-of-summer swell of new instructions, the level of market activity this past autumn – which was so keenly anticipated by estate agents – was fulfilled. “Confidence is key to the housing market, and a number of economic indicators and policies combined during the late summer and early autumn to reinforce the renewed momentum of confidence which originated in the early spring. “House price data continues to chart a rising market with a marked differential between the performance of the eastern, southern and southeast regions of the country and some regions of the north and north-east. “Summer data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on UK house prices in August reported that they had risen to a level above the previous peak of January 2008. “The Bank of England’s ‘forward guidance’ strategy that was published in late summer provided a clarity on interest rates that has done much to allay fears that positive economic data and indicators would be the harbinger of an interest rate hike. The autumn launch of the second phase of the

Government’s Help to Buy initiative gave a confidence boost too. “While the first phase of the Help to Buy scheme was restricted to the purchase of brand new homes, the second phase extends to existing properties, to a ceiling of £600,000. “The announcement of the early launch of phase two – originally pegged for January 2014 – caused a degree of froth about a housing ‘bubble’. But concerns about the over-fuelling of house prices should be tempered by the fact that the Bank of England’s Finance Policy Committee (FPC) is charged with reviewing the impact of the scheme on an annual basis – as opposed to its previous brief to review after three years. “This autumn – and coming in to the winter – there are, and will continue to be, serious buyers with finance in place and new instructions always generate interest if buyers have been looking for a while but not found a property that’s suited to their needs. “If one purchaser wants a specific property, has finance and is in a position to move to an agreed timescale, it is highly likely that another purchaser is in the same situation. These are local people, not just overseas buyers – although in the super hotspot of the Cambridge city market, these are prevalent – nor are they just buyers capitalising on the surging London market, but there are also longterm renters who are striking before prices rise significantly. “Estate agents will be urging any homeowner who has been biding their time to sell, to capitalise on this winter season’s rising, positive market vibes.” www.carterjonas.co.uk

“Everything has been extremely fair, appropriate and well managed. I highly recommend Richard and his agency.” – Elizabeth “I was wary of estate agents, having heard lots of horror stories. Richard and David went above and beyond in helping me find my first house and are helping me in the purchase of my second house.” – Amy

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Property

The Role of an Estate Agent With the age of the Internet estate agency upon us, more and more homeowners believe there is less of a need for the old-fashioned kind. This is just one of the myths surrounding what a good, traditional agent offers vendors that Cameron Ewer from Strutt & Parker is anxious to debunk. He says: “What you are paying for when you employ an estate agent is firstly that firm’s expertise and experience in assessing the right guide price at which to pitch your home, and then controlling the sale from start to finish. Secondly, you are paying for the access to the market through their database and marketing abilities – something that we have been building up over many years.” A good agent will know the best way to market your home for the maximum price. A homeowner might ask initially

three or maybe four agents for appraisals of the property’s value, and although the temptation may be to opt for the highest, this isn’t always the best route to take. If you offer the house for sale at too high a price then the property might stick on the market for months and be tarnished with the ‘there must be something wrong with it’ brush. The biggest factor in achieving a good sale is to pitch the asking price at the right level: in a strong market the seller might see offers above that price, but the starting point has to be in the right place. The best person to do that is a knowledgeable agent who knows the area. “Your agent will invariably have marketed homes like yours in the past and, of course, each home will only have been bought by one person. So if 25 people viewed a property then there are still 24

out there who are looking for a house or apartment of that style in that price range. That’s a very valuable pool of potential purchasers,” Ewer continues. Different estate agents cover not just different geographical areas but also different sectors of the market. When someone is looking for a home in the middle and upper parts of the market they know that an agent such as Strutt & Parker is most likely to have the kind of property they are looking for. Ewer concludes: “A good estate agent will play a very important part in managing the sales process. There is no substitute for using a trained negotiator. Agents know the value of patience and not losing sight of the objective. It is always, always, in your agent’s interest to get the very best price for your home.” www.struttandparker.com

Enterprising developers celebrate success Enterprise Property Group (EPGL) recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gathering at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. EPGL was formed in 1993 by the managing director, Neil Davison. The team deliver quality residential developments, predominantly focusing on the northern Home Counties and East Midlands, but has also implemented major developments in other parts of the UK, applying established principles of intelligent design and quality construction through its wholly owned subsidiaries,

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Enterprise Heritage, Enterprise Urban and Enterprise Retirement Living. In Cambridge, EPGL was responsible for Kings Keep in Castle Street, Seaby’s Yard in Richmond Road and three prestigious dwellings in Storey’s Way, as well as The Livermores in Great Dunmow. EPGL often works in joint venture with landowners and professionals, including Barnardo’s, with whom retirement villages are being implemented in joint ventures with the charity in Chester and Ripon. www.epgl.co.uk

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Property

words Jennifer Shelton images charlotte griffiths

Spotlight on

histon

It’s only three miles from the centre of Cambridge and the guided busway makes its way through the village – it’s little wonder that city workers’ eyes are roaming towards Histon

ne of Cambridge’s prettiest necklace villages, Histon (and its close neighbour Impington) has always been an attractive prospect for buyers in the Cambridge area, from young professionals to retirees. Situated to the north of the city, it’s within easy reach of the A14, while the guided busway can swiftly shuttle any Science Park workers right to their office door. “It’s always been one of the more popular villages,” says Andrew Bradshaw of estate agents Bradshaws, who are based on Histon Road. “You’ve got the benefits of a village community together with facilities which are not far behind some of the suburban areas of the city, or

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in some cases better. There’s demand right across the board in Histon; it’s one of those locations where just the address will pull people in.” The village boasts a particularly picturesque central green, complete with duck pond and historic water pump, towering horse chestnut and willow trees and chocolate-box thatched cottages at every turn. There are several good pubs, too – six in all – most of them delightful, higgledy-piggledy style inns serving real ales and traditional pub grub. Though you don’t have to go into Cambridge for a spot of fine dining, with The Phoenix serving top-quality Chinese dishes beside its stunning views of the green.

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Histon boasts a particularly picturesque central green, complete with duck pond and historic water pump “Schooling is often high on a buyer’s list and that’s covered as well,” says Jack Bunning of TuckerGardner in Histon. Families are well served by the local nursery, infants, junior and secondary school, plus the well-respected Impington Village College, which maintains a consistently good reputation. “Histon is also on the guided bus route, which is perfect for getting into town and ideal for the Science Park, and means you don’t have to come into Cambridge to get to work,” continues Andrew. “And the bus stop is right in the centre of the village so it’s accessible for quite a lot of people.” The guided busway, which opened in 2011, runs from Huntingdon through

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to Cambridge, and on to Cambridge rail station, passing noiselessly and unobtrusively through Histon, using the old railway line and Histon station as its stop. Adds Marcus Stamp of Tylers estate agents: “Histon is one of the villages which benefits most from the guided busway – a genuine alternative to driving into Cambridge on the busy A14.” Marcus, who grew up in Histon, adds: “Histon is justifiably one of the most sought-after villages in close proximity to the city, just three miles from the actual centre by fast road, yet pleasantly located close to some of the best countryside in the county. With a great mixture of new and old homes, traditional family-run and

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high-end businesses, properties in this charming village often exceed the asking price as demand far exceeds the supply of homes available.” On the entertainment front, for a small village, Histon has one of the biggest football clubs in the area, with Histon FC providing a close rivalry for Cambridge United. Histon also got a visit from X Factor’s Matt Cardle last year, when the singer popped in to the Heart 103 studios, which are based in the village. Histon was also home to a famous local strongman in the mid-19th century, who is depicted in the village sign. Known as ‘The Histon Giant’, he was said to be over seven foot tall and allegedly carried a large stone from a building site to The Boot pub – you can still see it in the pub’s beer garden. Impington, meanwhile, can claim Samuel Pepys as one of its famous former visitors. It was his uncle, Talbot Pepys, who owned Impington Hall, and Pepys’ diary records several visits to the property in 1661-2. Today, however, the hall no longer stands, having been demolished after a fire in 1953. “There’s a big cross-section of properties available, and I’d say the average value is not a lot different from Cambridge,” Andrew concludes. Jack agrees: “Histon and Impington remain the most sought-after villages north of Cambridge and the housing market there has always been strong. Nothing stays on the market very long and buyers have to be quick.” Adds Marcus: “With everything considered it is a great place to live and grow up, as I can personally vouch, and a village that seems to be forever growing in popularity.”

WHAT CAN I GET FOR MY MONEY?

FROM £459,995 1) Primrose Lane

Several properties are still available at Primrose Lane, a cluster of attractive, modern homes down the road in Impington. The properties are of a traditional style, in keeping with the village’s character, and have stylish, contemporary interiors ideal for modern living – they’re truly the best of both worlds. Prices start at £459,995 for a fourbedroom home, the Fitzgerald, and Help to Buy is available. Contact Bidwells on 01223 841842. www.bidwells.co.uk

2) Windmill Grange

£115,000

A newly redecorated flat is currently available in Windmill Grange, a secure development for the over-55s, situated close to the village centre and all its amenities. The property provides an entrance hall, living room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room, plus extensive communal gardens and both residents’ and visitors’ parking. It is being offered with no upward chain for £115,000. Contact Bradshaws on 01223 472011. www.bradshawsresidential.co.uk

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Property

words Charlotte Phillips

A Year in the Cambridge

Property Market

With big businesses moving in, a crop of new developments and Help to Buy taking effect, 2013 has been a fast-paced year. We review the last twelve months in the local market

f you’re in the property business in our area, Christmas has come early. So early, in fact, that, for some, the bells started ringing out in January – and haven’t really stopped since. “We will have traded £250 million worth of new homes, and that’s just our sales at Bidwells New Homes,” says David Bentley, a partner at the firm. “That encompasses probably over around 750 units. That is double compared to last year, so the volume has been quite considerable.” Ed Meyer, head of residential sales at Savills, reports a similarly buoyant year. “We’re up almost 28 per cent in terms of property sold and values have also increased,” he says. Prices have risen steadily, to the point where buyers

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snaffling a deal on a property in one of our area’s brand new developments are likely to see values increase by as much as ten per cent by the end of the year. Admittedly, rising prices are something of a phenomenon in the south of England as a whole. What is perhaps surprising, however, is that the number of new homes becoming available through the year in our area still hasn’t had any noticeable cooling effect. One clue is the relatively low number of transactions. Stephanie McMahon, head of research at Strutt & Parker, says that by the end of August this year, just 1,121 properties had changed hands in central Cambridge, slightly lower than the same period in 2012, when the figure was 1,457. It reflects an acute shortage of stock.

Stuart Harris, a partner at Carter Jonas, points out that despite talk of another property bubble, transaction levels are still well below their peak six years ago, something that’s confirmed by research. “The undeniable fact is that the housing market has not so much underperformed as simply not functioned for the last five years,” says a recent report from Savills. Though he has seen transaction volumes up by around 25 per cent compared with last year, Mr Harris also believes there is still some way to go. “If you set a benchmark of numbers of transactions as being 100 per cent in 2007, we might be up at around 75 per cent of that now.” Pair this with the non-stop growth of the local population, with numbers

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expected to rise ten per cent in the next few years, courtesy of organisations such as AstraZenaca, whose new global headquarters will employ around 2,000 people, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital whose expansion will create 9,000 new jobs, and it’s not surprising that many house-hunters are deciding to act sooner rather than later. Property has been fast moving everywhere, but particularly so in the city centre, where existing homes are in short supply and the small number of central new-build schemes, including the Berkeley Homes Riverside development and Parkside Place, developed by Grosvenor Homes, have either sold out or are extremely close to selling out. “There simply isn’t enough supply in Cambridge to meet that demand,” says Cameron Ewer, a partner at Strutt & Parker. “That’s why people are competing, fighting hand over fist to secure a house. They’re worried that when you get 12,000 new buyers, adding to what is already a fiercely competitive market, securing a sale in an area you want is going to be incredibly difficult.” As a result, anyone who had hoped for a centrally located period gem in the most desirable streets, headed by Trumpington Road, Newton, Barrow, Barton and Chaucer Roads and just about anywhere in Newnham, will have been in for a long wait, with late 19th and early 20th century terrace homes heading the list of most requested homes in 2013. Whether they are finished threebedroom properties or with two bedrooms and in need of a kitchen extension and loft conversion, they are like gold dust, selling, on the rare occasions they come onto agents’ books, within a week or two. Though not impossible to find, as Cameron Ewer, proud owner of a twobedroom Victorian house will testify, it takes time – in his case the best part of the year. Over at Bidwells, the picture during the year has been much the same, says David Bentley. “If a property is in a prime central location, it’s almost certainly going to involve competitive bidding because the supply line hasn’t come forward. You can’t buy the quality second-hand stock,” he explains. Even the most expensive properties haven’t hung around on the market for long. The biggest flurry of activity has been around homes priced between £350,000 and £750,000, followed by those in the £750,000 to £1.25 million or

Newnham is just one of the most desirable areas surrounding Cambridge city centre, and its popularity is only set to grow in 2014

£1.5 million band and premium homes priced between £1.5 million and £2 million. Though the potential threat of mansion tax has resulted in more caution amongst buyers when it comes to top-end properties with a price tag of £2 million or above, such is the city centre shortage, that the right properties in the right locations can still sell in a matter of weeks. Predictably, sale prices are exceeding guideline figures. “We have averaged 106 per cent of guide prices,” confirms Cameron Ewer. It has also been a fast-paced year for new builds, often the preferred – or certainly, the simpler – choice for investors or newcomers to the area, drawn by the choice and ability to buy off-plan. Even here, however, competition can be intense.

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“Normally the developer will name the price and you pay it,” says Stuart Harris, “but in some instances, we’ve had multiple parties after a particular unit and that has meant competitive bidding. That’s an unusual phenomenon, but it’s very much location driven.” And 2013 is the year things have really got going, says David Bentley. “We’ve really started to get into the nuts and bolts of developments on the southern fringe.” At Great Kneighton, homes in the Abode and Novo developments from Countryside Properties and Paragon, from Bovis Homes, have been going fast, while Skanska’s Seven Acres development is 95 per cent reserved. Trumpington Meadows, again to the south of the city, has also proved hugely

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Trumpington’s many developments over the year, such as Trumpington Meadows, have helped to heighten its attraction

successful, with developer Barratt Homes recently securing the site in its entirety. And the pace is unlikely to slow in 2014, thinks David Bentley. Close to the station, the next phase of Ceres, transforming what was once a relatively run-down area, will see the sympathetic restoration of the old mill building. Just the other side of Hills Road, meanwhile, Crest Nicholson’s Kaleidoscope development, already 80 per cent reserved, will also be completed. Great Kneighton, too, will continue to evolve, with Aura, the latest phase from Countryside Properties, consisting of striking new homes, coming soon. And while much of the new development has been concentrated in the south of our area, plans for the new community, Darwin Green, to the north, are advancing rapidly. With pressure on property unlikely to ease off any time soon, it’s not surprising that the rental market, too, has proved a vibrant one. The rise of the highly trained specialist, often employed on a short-term contract in our area, has created a small army of profession renters, who have a minimal interest in putting down roots but want a comfortable, no-responsibilities property for the two or three years they’re here. Cameron Ewer also sees the rise of the house-hunter who has sold his existing property and needs a place to stay temporarily while stalking his ideal next home. It was the route he chose as a way of ensuring that he was ready and waiting with the cash when his ideal home eventually showed up. “If you’re approaching a purchase in Cambridge and you’re not a cash buyer

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you haven’t got a prayer,” he says. “The best thing you can do is rent and take the hit on what might be two or three months rent but at least you’ve secured a house and by the time you’ve moved in, you’ll probably find the capital growth is such that you’ve made the money back.” With rental yields at around five per cent, and average rents on a two-bedroom flat around £1,100 to £1,200, investing in property is, thinks David Bentley, a no brainer, especially when capital growth is added in. “The rental market is still very strong. We have a transient population which is going to increase.” Given the solid growth that has affected all types and size of home, it can start to seem as if the property market has no losers. But though the advent of the Help to Buy scheme is designed to ensure firsttime buyers aren’t left high and dry, some property experts urge caution. “These are better times for first-time buyers but it’s still very difficult,” says Ed Meyer. “Help to Buy is helping the

scenario, freeing up lending for those with low deposits, but they are competing against second homers, investors, foreign investors and other first-time buyers, too.” As to 2014, opinions are divided over the likelihood of more property coming on to the market. If it happens, thinks Stuart Harris, “it will redress the shortage of supply that’s been a problem for the past six years.” But, as Ed Meyer points out, once here, our city can be just too good to leave. “There’s lots going on here. People tend not to move. After all, where do they go if they sell?” “I think actually what’s likely to happen is that people are going to get priced out of the city centre and look further afield,” says Cameron Ewer. “The next big opportunity is for people in the villages surrounding Cambridge. They will see the more significant growth whilst Cambridge continues to grow at a very steady rate, in what I’m sure will be a fast-improving property market.”

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Take the stress out of

EXTENDING

Insider information for those considering extending their home he prospect of extending your home can be daunting. If you’re wondering, ‘where do I start? How do I find an architect and a builder?’, here are some insider tips from Carmelcrest, a local chartered builder which has been involved in the process for over 30 years. First, the design... • Find a good architect by scanning local press or visiting the RIBA website. Make sure they are RIBA accredited and local, as they will know and understand the locality, increasing your chances of obtaining planning approval. They will also advise you on ‘permitted development’, where you may not need planning consent. • Obtain a fixed price from the architect to either design or design and manage the contract. • Obtain references; this is vital, as is looking at some of their previous work. • Be clear about what you want. The architect will expect a brief from you, so make sure you have thought it through. The clearer you are, the fewer design drafts, which means the fee will be less. Next, finding the right builder... • The architect will probably be able to recommend a good builder he has worked with. Constructionline, the government approved list, is another great source of qualified contractors, as is the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB). • The key here is references. Make sure you see some of their work and speak to past clients. • Chose a company you feel comfortable working with, who are interested in building long-term relationships, not making a fast buck. • Ask what precautions they will be taking to protect your home/garden from damage. • Ask about their workload and resources. • Enter into a contract – we can’t stress this enough. You can draft the terms yourself or you can choose from the many domestic, off-the-shelf contracts available.

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• Lastly, please do not make your choice on price alone. It may well prove to be more expensive in the end. Finally, the construction phase... • Programme is the key here. If left unchecked, construction work can often drag on, so ensure your contractor presents you with a detailed programme before he starts. • It is a very good idea to ask the company for health and safety risk assessments. These will detail how they intend to deal with any risks, which may present themselves during the work. • Ask the company for a payment schedule before the work starts, this could form part of the contract, and negotiate until you are happy. Avoid up-front payments. • Variations… a word known to contractors, but not to homeowners. Variations occur because you change your mind, or because there are unforeseen works, such as discovering an unknown service pipe or plaster falls off the wall. There will always be variations, but remember a variation

could be more work, or less work. In each case agree how you will deal with variations before you start. And agree who will be responsible for issuing instructions. You’ll also need to agree a new price with the contractor before work proceeds. Construction can be a messy, noisy and stressful business, so be realistic in your expectations. You will certainly reduce all of the above if you do your due diligence, and agree everything in writing before you start the work. Good luck! Further information can be obtained from local Chartered Builder Ray Spooner of Carmelcrest on 07803 024401.

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THREE GENERATIONS OF BUILDING... CARMELCREST CAN... EXTEND, REFURBISH OR DESIGN & BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME...

If you are considering extending or refurbishing your home call Ray Spooner on 01992 718 231 7 Chalky Road, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AT

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Property

words Jennifer Shelton

BOOMTOWN Bulletin

All the latest from Cambridge’s new property developments

The Gosfield Families looking for more space could do well to consider the four-bedroom properties currently available at Kings Warren, near Newmarket. Built by awardwinning developer Crest Nicholson, The Gosfield is a four-bedroom executive family home located at their development in Red Lodge, Suffolk. As with each of the homes at Kings Warren, The Gosfield combines beautiful interiors with sophisticated architecture. The house is both spacious and practical, with the living accommodation spread over three floors and extending to 1441 square feet in total. On the ground floor, the open-plan kitchen/dining room spans the full length of the house and is framed by windows on three sides, plus double doors that open onto the garden, flooding the room with natural light. Equipped with integrated Bosch appliances, the kitchens have been designed for modern living and make ideal spaces for entertaining, too. There is also a separate living room with a further set of double doors opening directly onto the garden, bringing the outside in. Upstairs, the master bedroom has a large en-suite shower room and walkin wardrobe and across the landing is a second substantial suite, also equipped with an en-suite shower room and spacious fitted wardrobe. Situated on the second floor are two further generous double bedrooms, one of which benefits from a Juliet balcony, as well as the centrally located family bathroom, which is fitted with pristine white Roca sanitaryware and Hansgrohe chrome taps and fittings. Kings Warren offers the opportunity to be part of a community, too. With excellent retail and leisure facilities just a short drive away in Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge, as well as highly regarded

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independent and state schools catering for children from nursery age to sixth form, Kings Warren is designed to support both growing and established families as they juggle the demands of everyday life. There are also direct links to the A11, A14 and M11, while the local train station at Kennett can transport commuters into London Liverpool Street in less than an hour and to Cambridge in 30 minutes. Annette Cole, sales and marketing director at Crest Nicholson Eastern, comments: “Kings Warren offers a unique proposition and has already proved to be a resounding success with both local buyers and prospective purchasers moving from Cambridge and London. Benefitting from its semi-rural location, Kings Warren doesn’t just offer flexible accommodation, but also stylish family homes in which parents are proud to raise their children.”

Kings Warren offers a selection of traditional two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. The four-bed Gosfield is available from £270,000 (or £216,000 with the Government’s Help to Buy scheme). For further information, contact the sales and marketing team on 0870 755 1632. www.crestnicholson.com/kingswarren

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Property

The Avenue

Saffron Walden’s new development, The Avenue, has had a particularly busy year. Since the first occupants moved in last Christmas, the second phase has all but sold out, with the third expecting similar interest when it is released in early 2014. The Avenue stands on Debden Road and comprises 58 properties, of varying sizes and styles, with spacious, luxurious interiors. The established trees have been retained as part of Hill Residential’s aim to create a green site. Properties still available in phase two include a three-bedroom property with cart lodge at £499,950 and a five-bedroom home with double garage at £794,950. There is also a range of two-bedroom properties exclusively for over-55s. Contact Bidwells new homes department on 01223 841842 for details. www.hillresidential.co.uk

Homes for local people

It’s often assumed that Cambridge’s newest apartments, many springing up around the station area, are being snapped up primarily by investors, commuters or overseas buyers. However, apartments at The Marque, on the corner of Hills Road and Cherry Hinton Road, are proving popular with Cambridge locals. “While it is clear that foreign investment is impacting Cambridge, sales so far at The Marque have primarily been to local buyers who are looking to downsize,” comments Rachel Carroll, marketing and business development executive for developers Almaren. “Often these are people who have long-standing connections with

the city, such as ex-students or residents who have lived here their entire lives and are now looking to sell up in favour of a more manageable turnkey property. The extended concierge services offered at The Marque are proving to be an attractive proposition for these people who want an easier lifestyle.” Comprising 92 one-, two- and threebedroom apartments situated in a prime regeneration zone close to Cambridge train station and not far from the centre of town, The Marque combines ultra high spec living with spacious floor sizes and a convenient location to create a new, hotel-style standard of living for Cambridge.

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Great finds at Great Kneighton The largest single excavation ever undertaken in Cambridge has revealed new evidence of prehistoric activity – with far more extensive and unusual remains than expected. A team of 100 archaeologists and volunteers investigated 20 hectares during the year-long project, finding pottery and other items, metalwork including a bronze spearhead, and human remains. Richard Mortimer from Oxford Archaeology East said: “Cropmark analysis and a previous survey had suggested archaeology would be present, but the site threw up more extensive and unusual remains than expected. It proved to be one of the best sites in the South of England.” Andrew Carrington, strategic land director at Countryside Properties, commented: “It is hoped that, in the near future, the archaeological findings will be displayed within the community building planned for the Central Square.” Great Kneighton is fast becoming an exciting new community of contemporary, sustainable properties offering imaginatively designed new homes. www.greatkneighton.com

Almaren will shortly be unveiling a second phase of new homes in the iconic tower at The Marque, the crowning jewel of which will be a three-storey penthouse priced at £1.5 million and spanning an impressive 2,697 square feet – the largest in Cambridge – with outstanding views across the city and beyond. 50 per cent of the first sales phase at The Marque have now been sold off-plan with the entire development scheduled for completion in early 2014. Prices start at £345,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information call selling agents Savills on 01223 347092, or Bidwells on 01223 841842. www.themarque-cambridge.com

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