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PROSPECT WOKINGHAM OFFICE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER / WINTER ‘07/08
...in WOKINGHAM
Wokingham Office
IN THIS ISSUE IN YOUR AREA... Prospect in the community - how your local estate agency gives back to Wokingham.
MARKET UPDATE What’s happening with house prices and sales in the Wokingham area.
MOVING MATTERS Your guide to Prospect’s new services and products to help make moving easy.
COMPETITION Turn to the back page to see the winning entry that scooped the ÂŁ1,000 prize for a local school in our Mini Makeover competition!
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Feature focus on a recommended business or service in the Wokingham area.
USEFUL NUMBERS Your handy listing of new and useful businesses in and around Wokingham.
Hot air raises funds for Nine Mile Ride W
ith the theme of Around the World in 80 Days, the Nine Mile Ride Primary School’s biggest annual fundraiserr inspired the pupils with tales of travel.
Each child was given a passport to be stamped at every stall they visited at the event, and they were entered into a competition to win a ‘talking globe’,, a fun educational tool contributed by ourselves here at Prospect. ’s Once again, Prospect Estate Agency’s Wokingham office were pleased to sponsor the school’s autumn fĂŞte which took place on the 15th September.
More than just hot air! Sam Walters from Prospect’s Wokingham Office presents the winner of the ‘Guess the number of balloons in the Mini’ competition with their prize.
Glorious weather and great support from pupils, families, teachers and the local community ensured the event would be a great success - indeed, around ÂŁ3000 was raised and this will go a long way in providing the school with equipment, books and other resources.
child at the school, guessed the exact number and won a remote control Mini for her delighted daughter. The prize was presented by Sam Walters from Prospect’s Wokingham office.
Excited to contribute to the spirit - and theme - of the event, Prospect provided not just signage for the fĂŞte: we also ran our ever-popular ‘Guess the number of balloons in the Mini’ competition. Filling our new ‘Streets Ahead’ Mini to capacity with balloons, we invited children and parents to guess how many were inside. This year’s lucky winner, a parent of a
Prospect Branch Manager’s comment
As the Branch Manager of Prospect’s Wokingham Office, I am delighted to welcome you to the first edition of “at Home in Wokingham� and very much hope you find it an informative read. Our office is fortunate to see a great diversity of properties, and with our market share in the premier range increas-
It’s great to see tangible results from funds raised too. The proceeds from our fundraising last year, including the successful ‘Race Night’, raised enough money to enable the school to purchase a new electronic White Board. Prospect are active members of the local community and through education and supporting our local schools we endeavour to make a real difference.
Thank you yet again to Prospect and their staff for their continued support! Nicky, Nine Mile Ride Primary School PTA. For more information contact Shaun Stevens on 0118 979 7770
ing this year following the launch of our new premier service at Wokingham, Prospect PhD, the local area provides an exciting marketplace in which to work. I very much look forward to meeting many of you over the coming months: whether you’re buying or selling a property, please don’t hesitate to call or pop in and see us.
Shaun Stevens, Branch Manager, Prospect Estate Agency Wokingham Office
Looking after your Prospects.
WOKINGHAM
Issue #1, Winter ‘07/08
Meet the team!
Q4/07
atHome... in
MARKET UPDATE
Our combined experience at Wokingham ensures an altogether different Prospect!
Interest Rates Bank of England Base Rates (%)
5.75 5.75 5.75 aug
sep
oct
We have all breathed a sigh of relief as news that inflation surprisingly dropped below the Bank of England’s 2% target in July, meaning further interest rate rises are likely to be put on hold for the time being. This will provide much needed comfort to all of us grappling with the effects of the past three rises this year. Caution is still advised as the Bank of England indicates that a further rise to 6% may still come.
Mortgages How do interest rates translate to your monthly repayments? purchase price
monthly repayment
£150,000 £200,000 £250,000 £300,000 £400,000
£859.25 £1,145.67 £1,432.09 £1,718.51 £2,291.35
PROPORTION OF PROPERTY TYPES FOR SALE IN WOKINGHAM*
15% 14%
Semidetached
AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES IN WOKINGHAM*
Terraced
11%
59%
Apts.
£750,000
Detached
£600,000 £675,000
£450,000 £465,000
£300,000
£332,000
£150,000
£258,000 £155,000
1 BED
2 BEDS
3 BEDS
4 BEDS
5 BEDS
* DATA COLLATED FROM PROSPECT’S WOKINGHAM OFFICE, SEPT. 2007
ALL DATA CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. THE PUBLISHERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
in your area
Area PhD Manager Branch Manager
Home Information Pack (HIP) is now a legal requirement when selling a property with 3+ bedrooms.
monthly Average change (%) price
DATA: www.landregistry.gov.uk
Land & New Homes Manager
A
A look at average house prices across the regions, as of August ‘07.
£349,838 £137,871 £227,667 £145,583 £153,247 £192,457 £194,100 £140,611 £128,758 £144,945
Director
Based at Wokingham and Heading up our land & new homes department, heading up our Steve’s team of specialised latest department, land personnel & new PhD is offered homes representatives throughout the based at Wokingham Berkshire & are dedicated to all Hampshire regions. development related
Shaun Stevens Wokingham’s Branch manager, Shaun drives his team to offer an unrivalled service for his clients. Shaun looks forward to meeting you in our café-style office for a chat on anything property related.
Lisa Thomas Lettings Manager Lisa has many years of property experience and looks after our property management department based at Wokingham.
HIP, happening, and free!
prices by region
1.5 0.9 0.6 0.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 -0.9 -1.1
Stuart Ross
issues.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
London North West South East Yorkshire/Humber West Midlands East South West Wales North East East Midlands
Steve Sadler
In charge of residential property, James has been based at our Wokingham office since opening it in 1999.
FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY, BASED ON A 90% LOANTO-VALUE, REPAYMENT MORTGAGE OVER 25 YEARS AT A FIXED RATE OF 5.75%. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT PROSPECT FINANCIAL SERVICES WHO WILL ENDEAVOUR TO SOURCE THE BEST PRODUCT FOR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Region
James May
As part of the Government commitment to lowering ‘carbon emissions’ coupled with making the ‘buying and selling’ process easier, the government has introduced a legal obligation on homeowners to have a Home Information Pack available when marketing homes for sale. The general feeling is that this will provide an even greater increase in stability within the housing market, less property sales falling through, gh, serious ater buyer offers being made and greater awareness.
At Prospect, we have been ready and prepared for HIPs for some time: we introduced our own version of the HIP as part of our conveyancing service. We called it a Home Sales Pack – it contained almost all the information required for the HIP and our experience showed that it produced encouraging results: speeding up the transaction process, and making for happier clients.
Naturally, HIPs are free at Prospect, and we arrange it all to make your life easy.
Naturally, HIPs are free at Prospect and we arrange it all to make your life easy. Our staff have undergone thorough training to become an authority on the new process, so please don’t hesitate to call or pop in if you have any questions about HIPs and the new legislation.
Mark Towell, Director, Prospect Estate Agency
What is an EPC?
What’s in a HIP? Index List of pack contents.
Sales Statement A summary of the terms of sale.
Evidence of Title Title Deeds from the Land Registry.
Standard Searches
The compulsory EPC gives prospective buyers information about the energy efficiency of your home – rating it in a similar way to many domestic appliances.
Local Authority enquiries and a drainage and water search.
Tenure documents Commonhold or Leasehold (as appropriate) documentation.
The new energy rating ranges from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient), and two measures cover the home’s environmental impact, and its energy efficiency rating.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) A rating of the overall energy efficiency of the property.
Wokingham Office 39 Peach Street, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1XJ
Most homes will score between D-E.
WEB:
prospect.co.uk
TEL: TE
0118 979 7770
Prospect Estate Agency’s Wokingham Community Newsletter
No let up for the rental market Property ty continues to be one of the most dependable investments tments you can make — with poor-performing pensions and stockmarket crashes making the headlines, whilst average property prices continue to climb all the while. The buy-to-let market is a great indicator of this, remaining strong in spite of recent interest rates rises. Investors are savvy and still expect good returns on their money: 171,800 new buy-to-let mortgages, worth £21.2 billion, were taken out in the first half of 2007. This accounted for 12% of all mortgage advances during this period and is the highest proportion seen to date. With such demand for quality investment property Prospect has the perfect
solution for all budding landlords and d the seasoned investor alike: a one-stoptopshop for the property investor. Âť Expert market advice to help you u make informed decisions Âť Sourcing the right investment proproperty for you Âť Arranging your buy-to-let mortgage gage e should you wish, with free impartial rtial financial advice Âť Processing your sale via our inhouse conveyancing team Âť Sourcing & vetting the tenant(s) Âť Managing the let, should you wish, with one of our tiered services. All you have to do is sit back and let us do the work!
MOVING MATTERS Your guide to the new services available at Prospect
Hot off the press! This month sees the launch of our new Propertyexpress — a regular bulletin, direct through your door, keeping you informed specifically about the properties available in the Wokingham area. Even if you’re not looking to move at this time, it’s a great reference guide to the local property market!
Imagine selling your home after just a single viewing...
Call our dedicated Lettings Team on 0118 979 7773 for more information, or pop in to any Prospect Office for your free copy of our Essential Residential Lettings Guide.
L A
For anyone who’s ever sold a property, you will immediately appreciate the benefits of Open house: cleaning, staging and preparing a property for a viewing is time-consuming and inconvenient — especially at short notice, and particularly if arrangements have to be made for children or pets.
With consolidated Open house viewings, every applicant is given the same opportunity.
For those looking for their next home, you may not always get the opportunity to view a property before a sale is agreed, and may find yourself chasing properties that have already sold.
Our experience shows that most Open house viewings result in a sale!
Each property receives a ten day intensive marketing campaign involving targeted mailouts, press and web advertising, and calls to all suitable applicants on our database.
Visit prospect.co.uk/openhouse.php to see all scheduled Open house viewings.
We’re full of beans! At Prospect, we’re renowned for being refreshingly different. Our enthusiasm and friendly approach sets us apart from other agents. Pop into one of our cafÊ-style offices and discuss property matters with one of our highly trained staff over coffee!
A new driving force! At Prospect, we don’t rest on our laurels. Our standard practice is to ask clients for feedback on our service and performance. The result is reassuringly – and overwhelmingly – positive. It’s your feedback that drives us further, and in order to mark this continued success, we have taken delivery of a new
fleet of Minis and are thrilled r lle ri l dw with ith th h th their heir br brand rand n nd ery w er ords... ord new livery — inspired byy your ve very words...
The he Mini M ini ton too, to We organised a competiton mark the launch of the fl flee ee e eet... et.. t . tturn urrn urn g to the back page to see the winning entry in our Streets Ahead a mini ad makeover competition!
Making moving home an altogether different Prospect.
COMPETITION results on back
atHome... in
WOKINGHAM
Issue #1, Winter ‘07/08
Game, Set and Match!
COMPETITION
USEFUL NUMBERS
At Prospect, we really enjoyed designing ng our new STREETS AHEAD mini... and we’ve shared the fun with you!
pubs & restaurants Blubeckers
After a phenomenal response, the competition has now closed and we have had the extremely difficult job of choosing the winner. The quality of the entries was superb and we would like to thank all of those who took part and presented such wonderful ideas.
Fleet Hill, Finchampstead, Wokingham RG27 0RR
plus tickets for him and his family to spend a fun-filled day at LEGOLAND® Windsor! We were really impressed by Aron’s clever mini-makeover and loved the idea behind his Mini-Tennis theme – he really has been a great sport. Congratulations to both Aron and his lucky school, Edgbarrow.
The winner of our competition clearly spent time bouncing ideas around, and served a master stroke with his 'Mini-Tennis' Mini a 'top spin' on the traditional mini theme, which truly delivered an ace! Aron Clarke aged 13 from Sandhurst has won £1,000 for his school, Edgbarrow in Crowthorne,
Keep checking prospect.co.uk for details of our next competition!
What an ace! Aron Clarke’s winning entry (above) showed superb imagination and attention to detail, closely rivalled by our commended runners up: Rachel Kya Fordham’s dazzling &K bejewelled entry, and Rebecca Smith’s forwardthinking eco design.
UNT! D 10I% disScoCunt ofOf all hirese enantad tio20n%of
BUSINESS NAME
Anthony Blay PRODUCT/SERVICE PROVIDED
Formalwear hire DIRECTOR
David Peverell 29 Rose Street Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1XS
HOURS OF BUSINESS
Mon-Sat 9:00-5:30 Sun: closed
TELEPHONE
0118 978 1861
16 Denmark Street, Wokingham RG40 2BB
WEBSITE
anthonyblay.co.uk
Town Hall, Wokingham RG40 1AS
0118 979 4040
The Warren Forest Road, Wokingham RG40 5SB
01344 304 446
useful services
The Retreat 23 Denmark St., Wokingham RG40 2AY
Wokingham Library Denmark St., Wokingham RG40 2BB
Have you had great service from a local company and want to share your experience with our readers? Tell us about it!
send your comments, recommendations and questions to
0118 978 0247 0118 978 1368
Rectory Road Surgery
For individual attention and the highest quality service, choose Anthony Blay for your formalwear.
Rectory Rd., Wokingham RG40 1DH
0118 978 4566
Tudor House Surgery 443 Broad St., Wokingham RG40 1BE
0118 978 3544
sschools Emmbrook Comprehensive School Em Em Emmbrook Road, Wokingham RG41 1JP Wo
0118 978 4406
Holt Comprehensive School Ho 0118 978 0165
Nine Mile Ride Primary School
your feedback Service with a Smile
0118 989 7500
healthcare
Holt Lane, Wokingham RG41 1EE
Is there something happening locally you’d like to share? Events, activities, sports fixtures, organisations, etc. drop us a line!
0118 979 5796
The Courtyard
St. Vincent’s Veterinary Surgery S 0118 979 3200 9 Crescent Rd., Wokingham RG40 2DB
erell,l,l David Peverel Director
Announcements
0118 978 9912
Rossini
Mole Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham RG40 1XH W
ea , Anthony Blay years er 25 yea over f ov ed for ished ish llished ablish tabl Estab Est personal formalwear prides itself on unique a sense of service. Offering elegance, style and outfitter provides occasion, Wokingham’s renowned s, black tie formalwear hire for weddings, prom . Holding a large affairs and other formal occasions they also offer range of the latest menswear for sale, perfect fit. the of you e assur to ce servi ing a tailor and ty quali st All garments are of the highe something to competitively priced, and there is an, the outsize man, suit all - from ages 2 upwards, to es ries ri of accessori along with a comprehensive range for the perfect, and appropriate look. over The ladies evening department holds stock 750 exquisite garments for sale: s are is continuously updated and gown ed prices. periodically sold at greatly reduc formal For the perfect outfit for your next to call in, occasion, please do not hesitate telephone e-mail sales@anthonyblay.com or David on 0118 978 1861.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Cantley House Hotel, Milton Road, Wokingham RG40 5QG
Nirvana Spa
retail on pr . discount off 1 offer per customer this advert.
ADDRESS
0118 940 3136
Miltons Restaurant
Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham RG40 3RB
0118 973 3118
worship
Talkback Speak your mind! Your opportunity to offer comments, critique and contributions for the next edition... you know where to write!..
St. Paul’s Church Reading Rd., Wokingham RG41 1EH
not listed?
newsdesk@prospect.co.uk
0118 978 0629
If you’d like your business to be listed in our Wokingham Useful Numbers, please email us at: newsdesk@prospect.co.uk
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Wokingham Office 39 Peach Street Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1XJ
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If you’re thinking of moving in the Wokingham area, an enthusiastic, pro-active team at Prospect awaits your call.
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atHome... in WOKINGHAM
is a quarterly publication of Prospect Estate Agency. © Prospect Estate Agency, 2007, All rights reserved. Material contained herein may not be reproduced without prior written permission.
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