WhatHouse? October by WhatHouse? Local

– review P26-27 October 2014

AUCTIONS P4 AGENT INSIGHT P6 INTERIORS P13 MORTGAGES P19 GARDENS P34 OVERSEAS P38

School’s in Great homes within good catchment areas, P8-9 Investing in student property, P3

Computer generated image of Home 25

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England star Gareth Barry talks property investment, P28

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O r c h a r d g at e kiln barn road, kent

ME20 6AP

An enchanting hamlet of new 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes, surrounded by farmland and orchards with distant views of the North Downs Prices from £365,000 T: 01732 448270 E: orchardgate@mdh.uk.com www.orchardgatekent.co.uk

LITTLE ASTON LANE, LITTLE ASTON, SUTTON COLDFIELD B74 3UA

Each of these five spacious 6-bedroom detached houses have been superbly designed to offer an exclusive lifestyle without the day-to-day stresses associated with a larger, older property. • Gated entrance means a secure setting • Manageable south-facing gardens • Modern maintenance-free specification • Designer Poggenpohl kitchen and Villeroy and Boch sanitaryware • 10 year warranty

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CGI is indicative only.

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Investing in student property Welcome! I

recent years, student property has n represented an increasingly attractive investment, with £5bn invested in the last two years and 17,000 student beds traded at a total value of nearly £1m in the first four months of this year. The reason? After a brief fall in applications following the tuition fee hike, university admission numbers are back on the up. Indeed, for the 2013-14 academic year, 580,000 young people applied for higher education courses, including 35% of all UK 18-year-olds. All of these students need a place to live, and the best properties attract significant demand.

THE OPTIONS There are a number of ways to invest, aside from the traditional model of simply purchasing a home and letting it out to a group of undergraduate students when they move out of halls of residence. Student investment can be loaded with opportunities, caveats and no shortage of jargon, so here’s a quick guide to your options.

KEEP IT PERSONAL With the average age of a firsttime buyer slowly creeping up towards 40, and monthly rental costs in sought-after cities such as Cambridge and London topping £1,000 for the best halls, many parents consider purchasing a property for their son or daughter to live in. Once they leave university, the property then becomes a safe buy-to-let investment. Although an excellent idea in theory – this option requires significant market research to ensure long-term rental yields and capital appreciation are worth the initial investment.

With bulging halls of residence and record numbers of foreign students, more than 70% of students are searching for accommodation in the private sector. Whether you’re considering buying a property for your son or daughter, are looking at the private buy-to-let market or are investing in city centre Pods, student accommodation can offer impressive capital growth and significant rental yields. It’s no bed of roses, though. Investing in student property is something that requires careful consideration, and there can be plenty of speed bumps along the way.

TOP TIPS CONSIDER AN HMO... A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property let on a room-byroom basis to unrelated tenants, and can be more profitable than letting a whole property to a group of friends. This type of investment can be risky, with a licence required from the local council (fines of £20,000 apply for those who don’t adhere) and growing attempts by local authorities to phase out student HMOs.

...OR A POD

• LOCATION IS EVERYTHING Choose towns and cities where the student population is either stable or on the increase. In addition to the leading Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh, consider towns with new universities such as Plymouth and Norwich. Always look to purchase within the immediate vicinity of the university or city centre – properties five miles away may represent better value, but will achieve lower yields.

Buying a stake in purpose-built student accommodation can appear to be the perfect investment. Pods are studios with en suite bathrooms, and investment opportunities of as little as £35,000-40,000 can often come with rental guarantees of up to 9% for the first five years. There are caveats, however: you will probably need to pay in cash – mortgage lenders can be reluctant to advance money for these investments - and purchasing Pods off-plan can be fraught with risks should the development fall behind or not be of sufficient quality.

• KEEP IT FRESH

the social benefits of sharing a whole house. “The most expensive rents are, unsurprisingly, in London and cities like Oxford and Cambridge - but the highest buy-to-let yields are often found further north in Sheffield, Aberdeen and Manchester. Student landlords need to consider whether the university they’re targeting is looking to attract growing numbers of overseas students in the next few years, in order to decide whether they offer joint tenancies or let by the room, which could be more lucrative. Overseas students – who may only be staying in the UK for a year of their degree – tend to prefer to rent by the room, while domestic students are more likely to buddy up and search for whole properties.”

Mish Liyanage, managing director of property investment specialists Mistoria Group “Student housing is increasingly a global asset class, with investment driven investment by relentless rise in student numbers worldwide. Increasing numbers of students are coming to Europe to study and the UK’s highly ranked universities make it the top destination. “The bottom line is that the provision of student housing has simply been unable to keep up with demand. I believe the North

Invest in functional new-build properties rather than homes on the second-hand market. New homes are easier to maintain and can easily be turned around between tenancies. These homes can also be more attractive to young tenants and will of course come with NHBC warranties.

• SPRUCE IT UP Consider offering the property furnished or part-furnished.

Students moving out of halls after their first year of university are unlikely to own furniture, and overseas students will almost certainly want a property they can move straight into.

• DON’T LIMIT YOUR TARGET MARKET Older doesn’t always mean tidier, but don’t rule mature students and postgraduates out of the reckoning. The latter are often among the best tenants and may also choose to stay in the property for longer.

• DON’T BE A STRANGER It is important to accept that students will sometimes have parties and will sometimes make a mess. In addition to fully insuring the property and following the usual deposit protection guidelines, try to build a positive relationship with your tenants. Don’t be overbearing but arrange to pop by (with their permission) once a term to check everything is going okay.

EXPERT OPINION Matt Hutchinson, director of flat and house share site SpareRoom. co.uk “If you’re thinking of investing in student property, research is crucial. Students don’t expect luxury, but landlords shouldn’t assume they can market a shabby, poorly maintained house and still expect to fill it. In many cities, student landlords have competition from privately owned halls of residence that compete with universityowned accommodation for freshers and postgraduate students. Despite this, many second- and third-year undergraduate students still prefer

West offers buy-to-let landlords and investors a multitude of affordable student properties that will give net returns of up to 10%. For example, an investor can buy a HMO student-let property close to a university that has been fully refurbished and furnished, and that is already tenanted for the coming year, for less than £150,000. This will give investors annual net returns of 9%. “By choosing the right student property and the right agent, investors can sit back and after years of working for their money, can finally see their money working for them.”

f the theme tune for house prices in 2013/14 was Up, Up and Away, then it looks like the one for 2015 might be The Carnival Is Over. At least if the recent report from the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) is to be believed. The CEBR is the first organisation to publish its detailed predictions for next year’s UK property market and the news from them isn’t good if you were looking forward to enjoying a bit of capital growth in your property. Though of course if you’re looking for your first home, you’ll probably be rather more pleased. The price drop they predict is only small (0.8% nationally), but follows a year where the average price of UK property rose by 7.8%. If you live in London, it might seem that their regional prediction is somewhat worse (-2.6%), though when you consider that prices will have risen 17.1% on average in the capital in the previous 12 months, I doubt whether homeowners in many other parts of the country would feel too sympathetic. Political uncertainty for next year is one of the prime factors in the CEBR’s pessimism. There’s a general election in the offing, of course, and housing is going to be close to the top of the agenda for most of the mainstream parties. A new government could have very different plans for addressing the housing crisis, whether through purchase assistance schemes such as Help to Buy or extra property taxes (such as the mooted ‘Mansion Tax’ on luxury homes). The fallout from the Scottish independence referendum could even have implications for how policies are decided regardless of which party wins the poll in May. While this uncertainty will probably have a minimal effect on you and me, it may make overseas investment less attractive – hence the more severe impact in London, where the majority of foreign buyers spend their money on property. Nationwide reported that average property prices dropped for the first time in 17 months in September, so there are already signs that the ‘boom’ of the last year or so is coming to an end. Tougher mortgage lending criteria, higher deposit requirements and the likelihood of interest rate increases in 2015 have slowed lending too. In the long term, though, property remains a great investment and a national obsession in the UK. Most of us will ignore the stats and do as Jazzie B and company once implored, Keep On Moving. Happy house-hunting! Teuco hydrosonic bath, Bagno splashproof TV and Duravit fittings John Lewis Savina from the Keith Osborne, editor. Continental Collection ko@whathouse.com Temperature-controlled wine storage @keithosborne69 in white American oak

Keith

4 auctions

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Property auctions: Buying before the auction Why wait to go through the anxiety of bidding when you might secure the property you want with a cheeky pre-auction offer, asks Marc Da Silva

f you have found the property that is the right one for you, and you and your lawyer are satisfied with all the legal documents relating to the unit, you do not necessarily have to wait until the day of the auction to make an offer to buy the dwelling, as you are perfectly entitled to make a pre-auction offer. Negotiating the purchase of a property before an auction is not at all unusual. This could save you from having to potentially compete with other bidders on the day of the auction and even save you money on the purchase price. After all, if you don’t ask... But while lucky buyers could potentially acquire bargains in this way, they do also run the risk of ‘disclosing their hand’ to the auctioneers and they can be passing

the initiative to them. “I always try to do a deal beforehand because you never know what opposition you are going to come up against at auction,” said Michael Kirby, a chartered surveyor. Whether you take up such an initiative is undoubtedly a gamble. Only you can decide whether it is worthwhile in the light of your desire to purchase the lot and to beat the competition that might take place on auction day. On the other hand, by revealing your interest so soon, you can lose what would otherwise be a strong position in your bidding at the auction, because disclosing your interest and your figure at this time gives the auctioneer and the seller an opportunity to adjust the reserve and take into account the

amount which they believe you are prepared to bid. Kirby adds: “You should never show your hand in case it does go to auction. The vendor is generally only going to accept a higher price before the auction.” Before you start such negotiations you will no doubt have decided how much you wish to pay for the property. If you do decide to bid before the auction, you must be prepared to negotiate quickly and if your bid is successful, to sign a contract and pay your deposit even faster. The auctioneer will require you to exchange contracts before the auction and probably several days in advance. If, therefore, you have agreed a pre-auction purchase, you should not then leave your solicitor to exchange

contracts or memoranda in the normal course of ‘legal’ time. You should press him to complete his enquiries at top speed and to exchange contracts or memoranda as a matter of urgency. You will have to provide your 10% deposit at the time the exchange takes place. If you are endeavouring to buy

Rupert Bates, editorial director of WhatHouse? has been a property journalist for 25 years. He is an award-winning writer who started on local newspapers before becoming a columnist on The Daily Telegraph. He presents the annual What House? Awards, edits leading housebuilding magazine Show House and is property correspondent of The Field magazine.

A chance to win £50 It couldn’t be simpler – just ‘follow’ us on Twitter (@What_House) One of our new followers from 8-31 October 2014 will win £50 in Marks and Spencer vouchers. We’ll announce the winner in next issue of WhatHouse? and on whathouse.com

Keith Osborne started writing about property 12 years ago and has been editor of Whathouse. com since 2010. He is currently a columnist in housebuilding trade magazine Show House and has previously written for Homes Overseas magazine. He has also been a part of the What House? Awards judging panel for a number of years. Stephen Maunder is assistant editor of Whathouse.com, having previously spent 18 months there as a freelance special correspondent. He has a background in academic research and has worked at Sky News as a picture researcher. He has also written for BBC News, Huffington Post UK and the Shropshire Star newspaper.

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before auction, this must be either because you wish to buy the property noticeably cheaper than the amount you are ready to pay on auction day, or because you want the lot so badly that you do not want anybody else to have the opportunity to purchase and ‘bid you up’ on that day. The decision is entirely yours.

Managing director Daniel Hill Editorial director Rupert Bates Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com Assistant editor Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.com Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost Designer Sarah Davies Contributors Marc Da Silva Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham Sales director (new homes) Mark Edmondson me@whathouse.com Sales director (estate agencies) Andy Grimley ag@whathouse.com Head of Sales (Midlands) Ben Marklew bm@whathouse.com Head of Sales (London) Andy Lunn al@whathouse.com Sales manager Jay Ali ja@whathouse.com Business development manager Richard Woodruff rf@whathouse.com Account manager Ann Chaloner ac@whathouse.com Sales executive Tori Collett tc@whathouse.com Sales executive Wayne Smith ws@whathouse.com Cover photo: Four-bedroom home, Thames Street, Hampton, London TW12, courtesy of Featherstone Leigh Published by: Globespan Media Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG T: 020 7940 1070 E: info@globespanmedia.com W: www.whathouse.com Printed by 39zero / Distributed by Royal Mail © 2014 Globespan Media Limited

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors and omissions.

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2014 WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM ESTATE AGENTS 66 | SEPT interview

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Could you please begin by telling us a bit about your company? Fox & Sons has been in existence in the Brighton area for over 140 years, and has ten offices dotted around the city. Our Western Road branch has been in operation at our current location for around 65 years. We have a great local reputation and work across the whole property buying process, with divisions dealing with sales, lettings, mortgages and surveys.

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we sold a little under two years ago for Kensington, is very desirable. Although Could you give us a brief introduction over, the home report value. However, it is I would suggest Kelvinbridge; there are a £173,000. an entry-level property here may cost to your company? still difficult to find buyers for properties in lot of good-quality properties there, both around £300,000, the equivalent home new-style and old-style tenements. If you’re Gilson Gray is a full service law firm, which the poorer areas. Has the Help to Buy scheme attracted would be around £2.5m in London! going into the buy-to-let market and have a means it covers all bases: corporate, litigation, What is the best place for first-time buyers to Brighton? mortgage to pay it becomes quite difficult to employment and residential property.first-time In buyers to purchase a home? make the sums add up. Yields can be poor The Help to Buy scheme has not had Who buysaddition, properties in Brighton? we offer financial advice and advice so you’ve either got to go for a capital play, There is an adage in the estate agency world a huge effect in Brighton, although Because ofregarding our history and seaside property. I head up residential ofseen location, location, location, and that is i.e. buy a property in a good location and conveyancing, which covers we have first-time buyers getting location, Brighton has always been the buying, watch it increase in value, or go for a rental stillladder. very much Buyers selling and remortgaging of propertieson andto the Helptrue. to Buy is will eventually popular with London buyers looking become sellers so it’s important that they yield play where you buy a cheaper property all other aspects associated with residential focused on new build homes, of which to purchase a second home or relocate buy in the correct location, otherwise they maybe in a poorer location but get a better conveyancing. haveforbeen starting price there are very few in thewhen area.they When entirely. The market here has three it. The ideal is to to see try and make sure could have problems come to sell.We rent types of property do buyyou sell?developments increases calm down a little, and do pop up, they are very distinctiveWhat segments: local buyers, In Glasgow, Partick has always been an area you get both the capital increase Iand the goodthat yieldwill but continue that can beover difficult what is theinnext popular and often lot of interest to-let buyers London buyers. The from highthat haswethe cachésee of aWest End but maybeexpect We and sell the full range of properties very doesn’t have the price and tag of the true Westfiveaor end detached to second-home sixcrowded years,market. as we simply can’t from buyers investors. latter segment focuses bungalows largely onright the through End. In some the East End, from Dennistoun flats. We where will sell every type of property. houses quickly and We have seen impact the is verybuild Seven Dials area, theresingle are lots What do you expectenough to see happen popular with first-time buyers. You’ll get ademand is consistently outstripping ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’, with parents of Regency-style properties within easy What is the property market currently good flat there and good value for money. in the market during the remainder of I expect interest rates increase theirrural children with deposits, buthomesupply. reach of the train station. enjoying elevated views towards A contemporary and the equestrian centre enjoying elevated rural to views towards year? like inA contemporary your area?home and equestrian centrehelping the South Side, Kilmarnock the Exmouth estuary. Sitting room, dining room, office, In kitchen/breakfast room, anything the off Exmouth estuary. Sitting room, dining room, office, kitchen/breakfast room, by a quarter or half of one percent, but all in all, the average age of a fi rst-time There is also talk of increases in stamp Road – as long as you can park a car! conservatory gymnasium, stretch room, 4/5 bedrooms (2 en-suite), bathroom. 8 conservatory gymnasium, stretch room, 4/5 bedrooms (2 en-suite), bathroom. 8duty There are areas in Glasgow that have always there are still plenty of lenders who here has increased to around 37 stables, 2 foaling boxes,currently tack room, lunging buyer ring, workshop. In all about 38 acres. stables, 2 foaling boxes, tack room, lunging ring, workshop. In all about 38 acres. What are been market conditions around the corner. That will certainly are have buoyant, even in the poorer times. Shawlands would be a good starting point. a0161 dampening effect probably bury@your-move.co.uk 5066areas bury@your-move.co.uk 763 5066 keen to lend money andand arethat’s offering or 38. like in theThese Brighton area?buoyant0161 areas remain but763 other something that we don’t need. great deals. The market is phenomenally have not recovered sobusy well.here, We’re finding Are there any particular areas in whichsome investors shuld be looking to buy? YOUR £XXX,XXX £XXX,XXX YOUR TOWN £XXX,XXX YOUR TOWN £XXX,XXX properties inTOWN the good areas more YOUR likely Contact: www.fox-and-sons.co.uk; WhatTOWN do you expect to see happen with enquiries up 22% compared toare this Investment in Glasgow should be01273 to beThis sold is at refl closing date you’re more To find out more visit www.gilsongray.co.uk; 777000 over the next 12property months? time last year. ected in and price hopeful of selling at close to, if not slightly located as close as possible to the universities. 0141 530 2021

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Dating from the 1700s, this is a quintessentially English, Grade II listed, detached period home, full of Georgian character and charm and elegant period features. It has two gorgeous reception rooms with fireplaces, wooden floors, high ceilings and a bright bay window (with original sash shutters). The master bedroom, also with a high ceiling, enjoys a sunny outlook and a marble fireplace, with two further double bedrooms on the first floor and a Jack-and-Jill family bathroom. On the top floor there is a fourth spacious double bedroom with a sunny, south-facing terrace and a second family bathroom. The long, secluded rear garden enjoys the sun all day long, with decking leading to lawn, a play area with children’s playhouse, a number of fruit and walnut trees and a garden office towards the far end. There is also access to the shops and cafes of Station

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From: Featherstone Leigh Contact: 020 8977 8118

Our favourite properties on the market right now within easy reach of good schools Crosspath Cottage, Camerton Hill, Camerton, Somerset • £700,000

The Montagues, Midhurst, West Sussex From £250,000

Whoever buys this former gamekeepers’ cottage will enjoy superb countryside views and easy access to a host of excellent state and private schools in and around Bath, such as St Gregory’s Catholic College, Beechen Cliff School, Monkton Combe School and Norton Hill. This property is located just south of the historic spa city, in the popular village of Camerton and is set in an acre of garden, with the bonus of a two-acre paddock. Accommodation comprises an entrance hall, cloakroom, living room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory/utility room, dual-aspect master bedroom with en

New to market, The Montagues is a collection of newly-built houses, apartments and a carefully restored Grade II listed Regency villa set around beautifully landscaped gardens in the heart of the picturesque market town of Midhurst. The development sits on the site of the former St Margaret’s Convent School and combines history and character with contemporary design. Red brick and part render elevations are punctuated by modern glazing and most of the homes have a lovely outlook over the stunning landscaped gardens. The development is within easy reach of both Midhurst Rother College, which was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and Midhurst Church of England Primary School. Buyers will find three- and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom coach houses, as

suite shower room, a second en suite double bedroom, two further double bedrooms, family bathroom, triple garage and workshop. The cottage stands in beautiful mature gardens enjoying countryside views all around. There is a large lawned area to the front with an attractive pond feature, an impressive raised patio area that makes the most of the wonderful views and a lawned rear garden with raised decked seating, a summer house and rear orchard area.

From: Chappell & Matthews Contact: 0 1225 462777

well as the Grade II listed Regency villa, which will be sympathetically converted to create four three-bedroom apartments. Inside all homes share the same high quality specification; contemporary Paula Rosa kitchens feature integrated Bosch appliances, while Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware in the bath and shower rooms is complemented by with Hansgrohe taps and shower heads. Midhurst, which dates back to mediaeval times, has everything you’d expect from a quintessential market town; quaint, independently owned local shops, tea rooms, a wine bar and an antiques and collectables store.

From: Affinity Sutton/Jackson-Stops & Staff Contact:0845 266 9776

six appeal 9

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The Martins, Lindfield, West Sussex From £455,000

The Martins is less than a minute’s walk away from Blackthorns Community Primary School, which came 23rd out of the 187 primary schools in West Sussex for highest achieving pupils and just over half a mile from Lindfield Primary School which came 48th. Perfect for new families, the 13 attractive three- and four-bedroom homes are situated at the end of the peaceful Blackthorns Close. With their detailed red brickwork and pretty gable ends, these properties have been built to complement the architecture of the surrounding area. The kitchen is the heart of every home so kitchens at The Martins come fully integrated with top-of-therange appliances set off by porcelain floor tiling and composite stone work surfaces. The living/dining areas are spacious and light, and benefit from double doors that open out onto the garden, further extending the living

space in the warmer months. In addition to the family bathroom on the first floor, the master bedroom has its own en-suite shower room, while the larger bedrooms are fitted with large wardrobes. The majority of homes have garages, which enjoy both external and internal access. The village of Lindfield sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the South Downs and is well deserving of the term ‘quintessential English village’. Its tree-lined high street is peppered with independent shops, boutiques, restaurants, pubs and cafes. For further retail opportunities, including major supermarket chains and cinemas, the town of Haywards Heath is a mere mile away.

From: Mansell McTaggart/ Shanly Homes Contact: 01444 235665

Bishops Manor, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands From £POA Swallowhurst, Cranleigh, Surrey From £1,499,500 Swallowhurst is just 6 miles away from St Catherine’s School which is a highly-regarded academic institution in Bramley and close to Cranleigh School, with other esteemed institutions such as Charterhouse and Longacre within easy reach too. The development, It’s a collection of executive homes built by Linden Homes in partnership with Wates Developments, is set against the tranquil, rural backdrop of Canfold Wood, off Bookhurst Road in Cranleigh. The houses at Swallowhurst

range between 2,050 sq ft and 4,730 sq ft and are perfectly suited for families or for retired couples who may be downsizing from a larger home. They have been designed with flexible, contemporary layouts that combine all the qualities you might hope to find in a quintessential English country house – including AGA Total Control ovens in selected plots - with every comfort and innovation required for today’s lifestyle. While enjoying its rural setting on the edge of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

Cranleigh is also a vibrant village, boasting a number of bespoke shops including a butcher and even a privately run department store, as well as many recognised High Street brands. The town also has a Farmers’ Market on the first Friday of every month and a weekly market, where fresh locally grown and sourced produce can be bought.

From: Linden Homes Contact: 0844 417 5985

With the school application deadline in January, now is the right time to be acting on your wish to move to a home that will give your kids the best chance of getting into the best school. Bloor Homes’ Bishops Manor development in Sutton Coldfield could be one such location for house-hunters with young children in the West Midlands. It’s within walking distance of Coppice Primary school, a vibrant and welcoming school that caters for 4-11 year olds and achieved an ‘Good’ Ofsted rating on last inspection, and Holland House Infant School, which has an ‘Outstanding’ rating also just a mile away. Bishops Manor is a development

of 27 executive four- and fivebedroom homes located on the edge of Sutton Park. While benefiting from a beautiful rural backdrop, it is also conveniently located close to the heart of Sutton Coldfield, with its local amenities and transport links, as well as Birmingham city centre, providing the best of both worlds. The development is around 90% sold, so there aren’t many more opportunities to secure one of these spacious and luxuriously appointed homes.

From: Bloor Homes Contact: 01428 734017

No 1

MAPLE VIEW DOG KENNEL LANE | SOLIHULL

PRICES FROM £625,000

An exclusive collection of four executive detached properties. Open plan living with SieMatic Kitchens and Siemens appliances • Porcelanosa bathrooms and sanitary ware Oak staircases • Beautifully finished throughout • Early viewing essential

No 2

No 3

No 4

Please call 0121 746 6400 to find out more and book your viewing

Your property in Park Lane Showcase your property to the lucrative London market For more information on promoting your property in our Park Lane office or for a free valuation, please contact Fine & Country Solihull on 0121 746 6400 or email solihull@fineandcountry.com

12 part exchange

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Move in for Christmas? Taylor Wimpey’s purchase assistance schemes mean you could be settled in a brand new home before the holiday season

h e mince pies and Match Makers are already in the supermarkets, so it can’t be too early to think about Christmas. For house-hunters, there is still time to make a move to a new home and have all the boxes unpacked in time to invite the family round for a blowout on 25 December. If you’re worried about finding a buyer for your existing property in time to be able to move home before the festive season, Taylor Wimpey has a couple of potential solutions in the form of its part exchange and easymover schemes, which are available at developments across the West Midlands. With part exchange, Taylor Wimpey arranges for independent valuations of your current home and offers you a fixed price based on the average of those valuations. If you accept the

Taylor Wimpey’s Elaine Taylor offer, Taylor Wimpey is a guaranteed purchaser, which not only means not getting involved in a long and complex buying chain, you can also stay in your old place until your new home is ready. The easymover scheme allows you to reserve your new Taylor Wimpey home and then sit back and relax while the housebuilder helps to find a buyer for your current property in just a few weeks, instructing the selling agent and coordinating the sale on your behalf.

To find out more visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

The ‘Bradenham’ house type To find out more about Part Exchange and easymover, you can contact the sales executive at the following developments across the West Midlands: Avon Meadows, Bidford-on-Avon 01789 330 417 Badgers Rise, Telford 01952 456 213 Butterfield Gardens, Rugby 01788 220 139 Doulton Brook, Wollaston 01384 880 853 Himley View, Kingswinford 01384 880 825 The Orchards, Evesham 01386 570 764 Preedy Place, Badsey 01386 579 616 The Promenade, Coventry 02476 011 797 Spring Walk, Willenhall 01902 544 476 Stour Valley, Kidderminster 01562 540 578

RE FIN LY L 4 E A RE A L M S AI E N I

Clayhills HP What House Advert_Layout 1 17/09/2014 12:38 Page 1

Elaine Taylor, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey West Midlands, says: “A slowmoving property chain can be a very stressful barrier to owning a new home but, with easymover or part exchange, we do all the work involved in selling a customer’s existing property. “We can offer a personalised homebuying experience for our purchasers at our developments across the West Midlands and cut out all the hassle to enable them to move quickly and easily. “In fact, with part exchange and easymover, purchasers could find themselves in a brand new place in time for Christmas!”

C L AY H I L L S L E W E S

MOVE IN FOR CHRISTMAS LAST FEW HOUSES JUST RELEASED - CALL NOW TO VIEW

SPACIOUS FAMILY HOUSES JUST MOMENTS FROM THE TOWN CENTRE WELL PLANNED ACCOMMODATION OVER THREE FLOORS LUXURY FINISHES • 4 BEDROOMS • 2 BATHROOMS ONLY 4 REMAINING • £425,000

T: 01273 829300

T: 01273 487444

interiors 13

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Forever Autumn

The summer sun is fading as the year grows old and darker days are drawing near. Richenda Oldham checks out autumn’s interior trends.

This simple faux oak leaf wreath will evoke memories of autumn bonfires, £30, www.tch.net

Accentuate blocks of darker hues with delicate shades and striking patterns, Mylands Rose Blush 1884, www.mylands.co.uk

Bold geometric pattern is strongly evident this autumn, Fjord Spice 01, www.handmadetomeasure.com

Rich tartan patterns can transform a room, Chesterfield red tartan sofa, www.delcor.co.uk

e transition from summer h to winter is a bit of a Marmite moment – you either love it or hate it. But whatever your inclination, there is much to celebrate in autumn. As the days shorten and the evenings become chillier, there is a natural leaning towards creating artificial warmth and light in the home through log fires, vibrant colours and the use of texture to create a cosy feeling. Autumn and the natural world in general is a rich source of inspiration to interior design trendsetters. From burnished chestnut

conkers, shimmering copper and gold, to the incredibly vibrant “burnt” shades created by changing foliage, this is a glamorous colour palette that will wow the senses. Rick Petini, owner of British bespoke sofa maker, Delcor, says: “It’s important to use different textures too. Rich velvets and woollen fabrics will add depth, while the right pattern will instantly transform a room – checks and tartans have been particularly popular. Choosing the right tones is also imperative to creating an up-tothe-minute look, with modern creams, oranges and aubergines injecting an immediate autumnal update.”

The burnt oranges of an autumn sunset are captured in the Himali Splendid rug, around £1,169, www.kelaty.com

COSY CHAIRS This is an ideal time of year to choose an autumnal armchair or sofa to curl up on in front of a fire. Velvets, robust leather, tartans and wool fabrics in yellows, reds and browns are ideal for upholstery and should be topped off with luxurious tweedy woven throws and cushions printed with wildlife motifs.

TRADITIONAL MATERIALS The trend for heritage materials and objects fits in perfectly

with autumn. This is all about the smooth lines of sculpted wood and traditional craftsmanship. Look for strong, dominant shapes in colours such as deep caramel, tobacco and chocolate, which will stand out against burnt oranges, yellows and tans. Animal hide rugs and upholstery, as well as wool, all form part of the theme.

DARK SIDE Another particularly striking colour palette involves dark oxidised metals, greys, and robust shades of aubergine and teal, with

contrasting pale, delicate natural hues such as shell pink and neutral rope. Copper and gold are another feature and should be used as accent hues to create an effect that is both sophisticated and luxurious.

GEOMETRIC PATTERN The clean lines and sharp edges of geometric prints are an excellent way of adding depth and structure to a room. So be brave – mix pattern with pattern and use block colour in combination with bold borders. The result will be brilliant.

GET A MOVE ON

WITH PERSIMMON HOMES SOUTH EAST Less than 17 weeks until Christmas but still time to buy your brand new home! RESERVE DURING SEPTEMBER AND CHOOSE FROM ONE OF OUR SCHEMES DESIGNED TO HELP YOU MOVE NOW!

Part Exchange* - to ensure your move is hassle free Home Change* - we help you to sell your house Help to Buy* - the government backed scheme

PLUS

Reserve during September to receive one of the following extra incentives

£1000 toward solicitors fees £2500 toward ‘Finishing Touches’ (Choose from a range of Finishing Touches such as carpets, kitchen or bathroom upgrades or even a complete garden package)

So don’t delay whether you have a house to sell or are a first time buyer you CAN MOVE NOW!

Come and visit one of our developments below to find out more...

Cross Quays

Manston, CT12 5AT Last 3 bedroom home from

£216,950 or £173,560 with Help to Buy* Call 07957 837 659

The Drive

Hellingly,BN27 4AF 3 & 5 bedroom homes from

£229,950 or 183,960 with Help to Buy* Call 01323 845 983

Wesley Field

Ashford, TN23 5LJ 2 & 3 bedroom homes from

£188,950 or £151,160 with Help to Buy* Call 01233 628245

The Old Orchard

Strood, ME2 3QZ 2 & 3 bedroom homes

COMING SOON Call 01622 626 816

CALL US 01622 626816 OR VISIT PERSIMMONHOMES.COM

*Available on selected plots subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. A professional legal adviser is required to carry out the legal formalities of buying the home and to represent your interests. Persimmon can provide you with a list of recommended solicitors and/or financial advisers as necessary. Persimmon cannot advise you on a mortgage. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE, YOUR EQUITY LOAN OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. For full terms and conditions of all schemes featured visit www.persimmonhomes.com/offers. Imagery is for illustration purposes only. External elevations including treatments, materials, window positions and sizes are subject to change at any time. Details correct at time of going to press.

interiors 15

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Here comes the night Bedrooms are the most important room in the house. Aren’t they? So why don’t we invest more time and money in making them sleep-friendly, asks Richenda Oldham?

t ’s a well known fact that the atmosphere in our bedroom influences how well we sleep, yet, if only 42% of people in a recent survey said that they got a proper night’s sleep, are too many people taking for granted their lack of sleep? Bedrooms have a direct impact on our sleeping patterns – everything from the quality the mattress you sleep on to the ambience you create in your bedroom will affect the quality of your sleep. Ask yourself, is your bedroom really sleep-friendly? It’s not a question of whether your bedroom is the most glamorous boudoir on the planet: sometimes the simplest, pared-back schemes can look superb and aid a good night’s rest.

While there are some key decorative trends to consider when designing a bedroom, here are some basic, easyto-action tips, that can be quickly incorporated for positive results. • Invest in a good mattress and pillows – ditch pillows that are over fiveyears-old • Get rid of your cell phone, television and computer – electronics have been proven to disrupt the quality of sleep and dreams • Fresh air – stuffy bedrooms are a real no-no for a good night’s sleep, so open those windows and let air circulate • Darkness helps regulate your biological clock and tells you when it’s time to sleep. Black-out blinds

and curtains are ideal for keeping out the light when it’s time to kip • Colour choice will affect the atmosphere you create in your bedroom. Avoid bright, loud colours and choose cool, neutral, calming colours, which will create a restful feeling • Clean, good-quality bedding – it might sound obvious, but nice bedlinen makes all the difference. • Choose 100% cotton or linen sheets, together with cosy blankets or duvets with the appropriate tog for cold nights • Lighting – avoid overhead lighting and choose ambient table lamps, which will create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Clockwise from above: Minimal, clutter-free bedrooms are the perfect places to unwind and relax, 8emezzo Easy bed, from £1,660, www.gomodern.co.uk; This industrial looking bed is made from airplane parts and is ideal for a loft bedroom, Aero Bed, savoirbeds.com; The hottest fabric trend for this autumn is tartan, Arran headboard in turquoise wool plaid, www.theheadboardworkshop.co.uk; Create a chic, sleek boutique hotel style bedroom with smart upholstery and glamorous detailing for the ultimate boudoir, Sloane headboard and bed set, www.thesofaandchair.co.uk; Grey walls and accent accessories give this impressive period style bedroom a calm yet sophisticated look, Bonaparte French Bed, from £2,570, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

STYLE TRENDS HUNTING LODGE

LOFT LIVING

This is a fun style that incorporates tartan fabrics – from bed linen to upholstery – together with wool or fauxfur throws and bedspreads and wild-animal-themed accessories, particularly stags’ heads. Choose dramatic crimson and teal colours.

A rugged, pared-back look that embraces the rustic qualities of natural materials and furniture. Make full use of weathered reclaimed wood, bare bricks, stone, metal, vintage accessories and textured fabrics, such as cotton, wool and linen.

BOUTIQUE ELEGANCE

Neutrals and particularly greys have taken the decorating world by storm and are proving an enduring classic. Walls can be painted in darkly dramatic, leaden shades of charcoal and metals, with upholstery and bedlinen in off-white shades for contrast. Painted floorboards and sheer curtains complete the look.

There has been an increasing trend towards small, smart boutique hotels with highly individual chic bedrooms. It’s a modern style that combines glamour with comfort and accessibility.

COOL GREY

16 interiors

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Are you sitting comfortably?

Comfort zone - the Peppy sofa is a fun little number and immensely versatile, £995, www.loaf.com

When it comes to choosing a sofa, what comes first? Comfort or style? Richenda Oldham curls up with her favourites...

Velvet extravaganza - rich, textured velvet gives this solid, traditional sofa a luxurious feel, Genoa Roxborough Sofa 03, £1429, www.handmadetomeasure.com

Modern twist - perfect for any neutral scheme, the Diana sofa is a stylised version of the classic Chesterfield, £985, www.laresidenceinteriors.co.uk

Dashing good looks - the Alexander sofa is a contemporary design with style and sophistication in abundance, www.thesofaandchair.co.uk

Thinking of selling your home? Do you know how much your home is really worth? Find out with our FREE valuation service. It’s a quick and easy process that you can carry out online or over the phone. Visit www.whathouse.com/value-my-property/value-myproperty-now or call us now on 01245 835 053.

WhatHouse? works with a team of reputable agents that will carry out the free valuation

£?

Golden girl - this gilded period-style sofa is bang on trend for autumn, £799, www.this-home.co.uk

Home is at the heart of an enjoyable retirement

Call us today to find out how you can

Move for Free!*

I did not realise how easy moving would be until I took advantage of the Move for Free Offer. Everything was brilliant.

Available for a limited period only

Mrs Loftus, Churchill Retirement Living apartment Owner

Choose a beautiful Churchill Retirement Living apartment at Cambridge Lodge and you’ll be amazed how simple life can be. Our friendly experts can help at every stage: choosing your new home, selling your old one, packing and removals – leave it all to us! Our development is conveniently located close to local shops and amenities, include security and maintenance and a social calendar for you to join in with as much, or as little as you want to.

YOUR HOME – WITH ADDED PEACE OF MIND • Lodge Manager • Owners' Lounge • Maintenance-free garden • 24-hour Careline • CCTV security entrance system • Close to local shops and amenities

Move for Free!

Find out more about Churchill Retirement Living today.

Please post back for further information on Cambridge Lodge, Worthing. I am enquiring for: Myself Family Friend

Up to £5,000 towards Estate Agents’ fees

Name:

Up to £1,500 towards your legal fees Address:

Stamp duty up to a maximum of 1% Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Post Code:

Professional rightsizing service

Email:

Available for a limited period only. Call us today to find out more.

Return to: Churchill Retirement Living, FREEPOST NAT4387, Ringwood BH24 3BR *Terms and conditions apply, please call for full details.

CAMBRIDGE LODGE SOUTHEY ROAD, WORTHING, WEST SUSSEX OPEN DAILY 10am - 5pm

Call Karen on 01903 334267 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk

TRUST IN US

The Most Outstanding Retirement Housing Operator in the UK Celebrating half a decade of excellence since 2009

WINNERS 2009–2013.

AS VOTED FOR BY OUR CUSTOMERS

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Full removals service

MOVE in for

NEW HOMES READY TO MOVE INTO IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS Chestnut Walk ~ Bankfield Road, Bilston, West Midlands WV14 0TW 2 & 3 bedroom homes from £99,996* with Help to Buy Visit: redrow.co.uk/chestnut

Kings Park ~ Earls Court Farm, Worcester, Worcestershire WR2 5QL 5 bedroom homes from £307,996* with Help to Buy Visit: redrow.co.uk/kings

We’ll include carpets if you move in for Christmas

Your mobile operator may charge data usage for scanning QR codes, please ensure you have the appropriate data plan. Help to Buy is a Government backed initiative in partnership with housebuilders. *Shows price with 20% loan assistance. Available on selected plots, subject to status, terms and conditions. Help To Buy cannot be used in conjunction with any other scheme. It is highly advised, for a swift, smooth transaction that an IFA/Solicitor advised by Redrow Homes is used. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other Redrow offer. Image typical of Redrow homes. Prices correct at time of going to press. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. CHECK THAT THIS MORTGAGE WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS IF YOU WANT TO MOVE OR SELL YOUR HOME OR YOU WANT YOUR FAMILY TO INHERIT IT. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT, SEEK INDEPENDENT ADVICE.

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mortgages 19

EU set to make buy-to-let mortgages harder to get New mortgage rules set to be imposed by the European Union will make it more difficult for UK borrowers to get a buyto-let mortgage, says Nick Parkhouse

h e new European Mortgage Credit Directive will be implemented by 2016 and will result in certain types of buy-to-let mortgage facing tougher regulation. The rule changes could particularly affect ‘accidental landlords’ – those people who have been forced to let their property because they can’t sell or because they have been forced to relocate for work. The Treasury has warned that banks will be forced to refuse certain types of buy-to-let mortgage from 2016 in order to comply with tough new European mortgage legislation. Currently, buy-to-let mortgages are

not regulated in the UK because they are considered ‘business’ rather than ‘consumer’ lending. Buy-to-lets have therefore fallen outside regulation and escaped underwriting changes in the recent Mortgage Market Review. However, this could be set to change once the new EU rules are implemented. A new Treasury report says that under the new directive there will be circumstances in which buy-to-let lending will be viewed as ‘consumer’ lending and therefore will fall under the regulations. The Treasury said: “There are some situations where borrowers do not seem to be acting in a business capacity. Examples of this may be

where the property has been inherited or where a borrower has previously lived in a property, but is unable to sell it so resorts to a buy-to-let arrangement. In these cases, the borrower is a landlord as a result of circumstance rather than through their own active business decision.” Banks, building societies and other mortgage experts have slammed the proposed changes. The Council of Mortgage Lenders, representing the mortgage industry, said that the regulation the Treasury now proposed “is based not on any evidence of a need for additional consumer protection, but purely on ensuring that the European legal requirements are met”. A spokeswoman added that lenders may struggle to distinguish between ‘consumer’ landlords and those who invested in buy-to-let property as a deliberate business decision. “Faced with the increased costs and difficulties they might simply decide not to lend in these circumstances,” she said. Keith Osborne, editor of WhatHouse?, says: “The new rules are set to impact on certain types of landlord, particularly those people who have ended up owning a buyto-let property through circumstance. However, these people still manage their property as an investment and so the rules should treat them the same as other landlords. The new rules will simply add extra regulation and confusion where it isn’t needed.”

get to the point selling off plan now the point | the upper drive | hove The Point is an elegant boutique development of just eight luxury 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and one stunning 3 bedroom penthouse, all with private outdoor space. Spacious and stylish, each with a luxurious specification which will seduce and delight. Tremendous attention has been paid to every detail and the advanced design, incorporating sustainable energies, will please the most discerning purchaser. Prices from £295,000

01273 829300 e: thepoint@mishonmackay.com w: www.mishonmackay.com Computer generated image is for illustrative purposes only. Exact finishes must be verified.

a new concept in designer city apartments, created with flair and passion to deliver a superb contemporary living environment

SH ca 17 LAU OW th ll NC H 0 & to 19 18 H E OM re 02 th VE E se r v 20 Oct NT ob e yo 1 1 ur 03 er pl ac now e

W O N D E R F U L H O M E S

PRESENTS

A s u p er b develo p me nt of 3 & 4 b edroo m n ew homes i n Wi l l enha ll, Wa lsa ll

EX CLUSIVE SELLIN G A GENTS

Call NOW for details:

01902 201 103 Wonderful homes built with high standards and quality finish at affordable prices

For more information on this development and others follow us at

www.wonderfulhomes.co.uk

This development is backed by the governments Help to Buy scheme

Why Rent When You Can Buy? Yo u c a n ow n o n e o f t h e s e b ra nd n ew h o me s w i t h a s l i t t l e a s a

£7,000 deposit

just

% deposit

The Help to Buy scheme makes it possible to buy a brand new home with as little as a 5% deposit. With a Help to Buy equity loan the Government lends you up to 20% of the cost of your new-build home, so you’ll only need a 5% cash deposit and a 75% mortgage. You won’t be charged interest on the 20% loan for the first five years of owning your home.

Buyer’s 5% deposit

Government’s 20% loan

75% mortgage from commercial lender

£7k £28k £105k

Example House Value

£140k

The above figures and diagram are for illustrative purposes only. For specific figures and further details please contact the selling agent. *Subject to individual circumstances and terms and conditions.

22 news in brief

Find your new home at Whathouse.com Special event for homebuyers in Dodworth on 19 October

Taylor Wimpey acquires Cornish site for 42 new homes

o usebuilder Taylor Wimpey has completed the purchase of a 5.5-acre site to the north of Bissoe Road in the village of Carnon Downs, three miles south of Truro. The site already has full planning permission for 42 houses, but Taylor

Affordable homes provider expands into the West Midlands

Leicester-based affordable housing company is set to invest up to £10m as it expands its operations into the West Midlands. Until now, Westleigh has focused on building in the East Midlands, but the

Flat prices have increased by over £50,000 in the last decade

h e price of flats has increased by 32% over the last 10 years, more than double the 15% increase seen across all residential properties, according to new data released by Halifax. This significant price increase is

Rental demand grows with five tenants chasing each property

emand for rental accommodation across Britain has grown over the past 12 months on the back of a housing market that is beginning to show signs of cooling. There are now five tenants

ward-winning housebuilder Redrow is inviting househunters to an open day event at its Higham Chase development in South Yorkshire on Sunday 19 October, from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Patsy Aicken, sales director for Redrow Homes (Yorkshire), said: “We’re inviting buyers to come and take a look

at the homes available and while here, they’ll have access to free, impartial advice about Help to Buy, as well as being able to find out more about our own Mastermove scheme, which helps those with a property to sell. “After a quick chat with the financial adviser we’ll be able to tell them what they can afford and they could be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. A Help to Buy equity loan reduces the initial purchase price by 20% and is interest free for the first five years. A deposit of only 5% should be sufficient for people to secure the home of their choice and a

Wimpey will be preparing its own designs for the site with a view to submitting a full planning application later this year for a mix of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, including some affordable properties for local people in need of housing. Before that, the company will conduct a full public consultation to ensure local residents and the community at large can feedback their thoughts for the scheme and adapt them accordingly.

Andrew Tildesley, land and planning director for Taylor Wimpey Exeter, said: “We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious site and look forward to working with the planning authority and the local community as we begin to formulate our plans for the provision of highquality new homes in Carnon Downs. “The project will bring many benefits to the village and the wider area, including the creation of much-

needed housing – both private and affordable – as well as new employment opportunities and investment in the local community.” The plans will preserve an existing bridleway that runs through the middle of the site and retain the majority of existing mature trees and hedgerows. In addition, Taylor Wimpey will make financial contributions for improvements to existing local facilities and infrastructure.

company’s sights are aimed at covering areas such as Birmingham, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Cheshire from a new office in Solihull. The company already has a number of projects in the pipeline that will address housing needs in these areas as well as creating a significant number of new jobs. Already, five new roles have been identified for the satellite office, with two appointments already in place; Tom Ayers, the new land manager for the West Midlands;

and Gino Siani, head of new business for the Solihull office. Siani said: “Launching a new office is a challenge I’ve approached with relish. Westleigh is already well established as an affordable homes builder with expertise in redeveloping brownfield sites and is a prominent partner with lots of Midlands housing associations. My aim is to establish and build the brand in new areas and ultimately create successful opportunities that will cement Westleigh’s reputation as a leading developer across

the whole of the Midlands.” Managing director, Chris Beighton, added: “An expansion into the West Midlands will enable us to offer our high-specification homes, as well as commercial units to a wider market and address the increased demand for developments right across the Midlands. New developments within the West Midlands will help to boost local economies, create new jobs and stimulate the creation of many longterm jobs.”

largely due to the performance of flat prices in London, where such properties represent a higher proportion of the market than in other towns and cities. Detached homes (12%) and bungalows (13%) have recorded the smallest rises. Prices have improved across all property types since 2009, with flats recording the largest increase between 2009 and 2014 (43%). Terraced properties (31%) experienced the next biggest rise. bungalows have seen the smallest gain (15%). The increase in

flat prices nationally has been led by London (44%), with a more subdued performance elsewhere in the country. All property types recorded substantial price falls during the market downturn. Terraced houses (-33%) and flats (-32%) performed the worst, declining in value by approximately one-third. bungalows (-21%) and detached homes (-26%) fared best. The tightening in credit criteria and the reduction in mortgage availability following the onset of the financial crisis made it more difficult for first-

time buyers to enter the market. Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, commented: “Since 2009, larger property types – such as detached homes, semis and bungalows – have underperformed by comparison. The demand for such properties has been partly constrained by a widespread lack of equity among homeowners who bought for the first time around the peak in the market. Many of these homeowners are still finding it difficult to finance a move to a larger home.”

28% of landlords have their properties damaged by tenants, says NLA enty-eight per cent of w landlords have had their property damaged by tenants in the last 12 months, according to research by the National Landlords Association (NLA). The findings, estimated to affect over 400,000 of the UK’s 1.5 million landlords, offer a reminder of the need for landlords to

adequately protect their properties. The findings showed that landlords in the North East were most likely to face damage to their properties by tenants, with 46% having encountered the problem in the last year. Those in the South East were least likely to experience the problem, with 21% having encountered property damage. The figures also show that, on average, 8% of landlords in the UK have had to make an insurance claim of some kind in the last 12 months. With these figures in mind, the NLA is reminding all landlords to ensure they have the right protection in place to

cover all eventualities and to insure their investment against the unexpected. Carolyn Uphill, chairman of the NLA, said: “Many landlords are unaware that a simple home insurance policy will not provide sufficient cover for all eventualities, so we’re urging landlords to protect their investments and ensure they have the right insurance policy in place. “Landlords who are unsure about what cover they need should get in touch about our bespoke property insurance offering, which includes some of the widest cover for landlords and buy-to-let owners in the market.”

chasing each rental property, up from 4.2 in August 2013, according to data from Countrywide Residential Lettings. This increased demand is being reflected in rental values. Fifteen per cent of properties let for more than advertised in August, a figure that rises to 19% in London amid greater tenant competition, the highest level for 13 months. In August, landlords achieved an average of 99.6% of the asking rent. The average rent in the UK passed

the £900pcm barrier for the first time in August 2014, up £13pcm from July. Over the past 12 months average rents have increased 5.1%, rising twice as quickly as the same time last year. While the number of properties coming onto the market has remained broadly stable, in the capital rental growth is a product of strong growth in tenant numbers, up 12% over the past 12 months. Outside of London, particularly outside the South East, the level of demand has remained much closer to the number of

properties available. Commenting on the findings Nick Dunning, group commercial director, said: “The gradual cooling of the sales market over the past one to two months means we have begun to see upward pressure on rents, driven by a rise in demand from tenants with fewer leaving the sector. An increasing number of landlords have been able to re-let their property at a higher rate with tenants willing to meet and in some cases surpass rising asking prices.

75% mortgage means their payments should be more manageable. All in all it makes a brand new home at Higham Chase a much more affordable dream than people may realise.” Current availability at Higham Chase includes family homes such as the three-bedroom ‘Warwick’, priced from £206,950, and the four-bedroom ‘Shrewsbury’ from £214, 950. There are also some perfect first-time buyer homes on the development with prices starting from £135,950 for a twobedroom ‘Evesham’. For further information, call 01226 496694 or visit redrow.co.uk/higham.

Braemore launches estate agency division

dinburgh’s largest lettings agency, Braemore, has introduced an estate agency division, taking the total number of people employed by the company to 91. The estate agency team will operate from Braemore’s Morningside branch and be managed by head of sales, Graham White, who has joined from East Lothianbased GSB Properties. White and his team will work in close partnership with the firm’s letting arm to provide a one-stop shop for landlords looking to grow and manage their portfolios. White said: “This is an exciting time for Braemore as we continue to expand and evolve. The property market is once again very dynamic and the Morningside branch is ideally placed for marketing properties in Edinburgh and the Lothians. “Buy-to-let lending is continuing to recover strongly and we believe our expertise in the lettings market gives our clients who might be looking at the private rented sector a clear advantage. Getting the right rental property is vitally important.” Malcolm Cannon, chief executive of Braemore, added: “Having rebranded the letting agency five months ago, incorporating an estate agency division is a natural progression for us. We have in place an experienced team of property professionals, providing an all-in-one service for our clients to grow and manage their property investments seamlessly.”

Power of the network, 16 Award winning offices across the region! me dium agency

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High Hill, Essington Village • Detached Bungalow • Three Bedrooms • Master Bedroom with Wet Room • Detached Good Sized Garage OIEO £299,999

Wood Common Grange, Pelsall • Four Bedrooms • Guest Cloakroom • Conservatory • En suite £240,000

Bush Grove, Pelsall • Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Family Bathroom • Viewing Essential

Fair View, Shire Lea • Four Bedrooms • Two En suites • Kitchen Diner • Front and Rear Garden £295,000

The Spindles, Great Wyrley • Detached House • Four Bedrooms • Kitchen Diner • No Upward Chain

Beech Tree Lane, Cannock • Victorian Detached • Three Double Bedrooms • Kitchen/Diner • Utility Room

£275,000

Newbridge Crescent • Detached Property • Four Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • Double Glazing

£275,000

Antsy Drive, Cannock • Extended Detached • Three Bedrooms • Kitchen Diner • Landscaped Rear Garden

£200,000

£225,000

Tennscore Avenue, Cheslyn Hay • Extended Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Integral Garage • Conservatory £167,500

Millers Walk, Pelsall • Spacious Detached Home • Four Bedrooms • En suite • Detached Games Room

Hatherton Street, Cheslyn Hay • Extended Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Side and Rear Gardens • No Upward Chain

£150,000

£170,000

Mill Road, Brownhills • Three Bedrooms • Entrance Hall • Conservatory • Rear Garden

£150,000

£125,000

Clark Road, Wolverhampton • Detached Property • Three Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • Shower Room £240,000

Church Walk, Wolverhampton • Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Original Gas Fires • Great Location £169,000

Silver Street, Brownhills • Mid Townhouse • Two Bedrooms • Open Plan Lounge/Kitchen • Master Bedroom with En suite £139,995

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Fremantle Drive, Cannock • Mid Terrace Property • Three Bedrooms • Lounge/Diner • Allocated Parking £125,000

Stafford Road, Cannock • Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Family Bathroom • No Upward Chain £110,000

Park Lane, Wolverhampton • Three Bedrooms • Well Presented • Spacious Throughout • Off Road Parking £94,950

Chester Road North, Brownhills • Three Bedrooms • Lounge • Dining Room • No Chain £124,950

Rotheasy Road, Parkfields • Two Bedrooms • Large Lounge • Family Bathroom • Off Road Parking £108,995

Ward Grove, Wolverhampton • Semi Detached • Two Bedrooms • Second Reception Room • Double Glazing £90,000

Blackburn Avenue, Tettenhall • Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • No Chain OIEO £120,000

Hight Street, Brownhills • Two Bed Terrace • Open Plan Lounge Diner • Family Bathroom • Double Glazing OIRO £104,950

Mountside Street, Hednesford • Semi Detached • Two Bedrooms • Rear Garden • No Chain £95,000

Red Lion Avenue, Norton Canes • Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Kitchen/Diner • Off Road Parking £119,995

Stafford Road, Cannock • Semi Detached • Three Bedrooms • Family Bathroom • No Upward Chain £115,000

Brooklands Place, Moseley • Three Bedrooms • Well Presented • Spacious Throughout • Off Road Parking

Wolverhampton Road • Mid Terrace • Two Bedrooms • Lounge • Desired Location £100,000

Howdles Lane, Brownhills • Two Bedrooms • Open Plan Lounge Diner • Off Road Parking • No Chain £68,000

For a free Market Appraisal call Your Local Office or text GOODCHILDS to 60607

OIRO £99,999

Lawn Road, Wolverhampton • First Floor Flat • One Bedroom • Double Glazing • Gas Central Heating £67,500

26 whathouse? show review

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

Best in Show A

r ound 500 househunters made their way to the Hilton Brighton Metropole last weekend for The WhatHouse? Show, our first consumer property exhibition. With 35 exhibitors, the Show gave buyers and investors plenty of choice of properties to look at and an array of companies to speak with oneto-one about their offerings. Two seminar theatres provided a wealth of information for homebuyers over the weekend, with advice for first-time buyers, investors, retirees and those looking for a home overseas. The Show attracted a wide range of buyers, including young people looking for their first property,

families looking for a larger home and experienced investors looking to put their cash into a buy-to-let property. “The opportunity to speak to so many different agents and developers under one roof is pretty rare these days, especially if you don’t live in a big city such as London or Birmingham,” says WhatHouse? editor Keith Osborne. “It’s been a great opportunity for house-hunters to spend time with people building and selling homes – to dig into the detail and really find out about the homes on offer. “First-timers were able to find out about great government assistance schemes such as Help to Buy and Shared Ownership while homeowners currently living in a large, older property could find out about a

range of developments being built specifically for older buyers. We also saw a lot of people looking to spend their money on a second home abroad – quite a few even booked inspection trips at the Show to go and visit these developments for themselves.” If you missed the Show this weekend, keep reading WhatHouse?, WhatHouse? Local and whathouse. com over the coming weeks to find out about our Shows for 2015.

COMPETITION WINNER NUMBER ONE

COMPETITION WINNER NUMBER TWO

Congratulations to Peggy Howarth, a Brighton local, who was the lucky winner of an Italian Designer Chair at The WhatHouse? Show last weekend. The stylish chair is worth over £600 and was provided by Chichester-based interior design experts, Susan Fisher Designs.

This fantastic photo of Brighton beach huts from Matt Dugard won him our Facebook photo competition. Matt’s prize is a luxury, seven-day holiday in Portugal, courtesy of Ideal Homes Portugal.

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whathouse? show review 27

28 exclusive interview

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

Rupert Bates talks property investment with Everton’s Gareth Barry

a reth Barry may be plying his Premier League trade at Everton, but he still keeps a close eye on Brighton – and not just the football results. The England midfielder from Hastings is building a property portfolio in Brighton and Hove, buying a mix of investment flats and student accommodation. “I have always had an interest in property and will look to get more involved in it when I hang up my boots,” says Barry. Over the last few years Barry, 33, has bought several properties, but stresses he is certainly not in the investment league of the likes of former England striker Robbie Fowler, who had Liverpool

Rupert Bates, editorial director of WhatHouse? speaks to international footballer and property investor Gareth Barry

fans singing, to the tune of Yellow Submarine, ‘We all live in a Robbie Fowler house.’ “No, I am not expecting a similar chant about me at the AMEX anytime soon! I’m not sure many people know I’ve got a few properties in the city anyway,” said Barry. At the start, buying close to the bottom of the market, Barry is now seeing his property investments deliver strong yields and capital growth. “While there are no guarantees in the property market, or with any investment, Brighton to me is the perfect location and as safe a place for your money as anywhere. It is not overheating like London and yet is only an hour from the capital, as well as the draw of the Sussex coast, the South Downs and

LC10024 - Priory court advert 2.pdf 1 11/08/2014 14:21:45

great communications,” says Barry. “The city has a strong economy, with a lot of creative talent and a culture of enterprise and fun. It has a growing student population in need of the right type of housing and properly managed and maintained.” There is an emotional pull, as well as a financial one. Barry is very much a man of Sussex, growing up in Hastings, where many of his family still live. “Home to me, wherever I am living or playing, will always be Sussex. It is important to have local knowledge and to know what and where you are buying. It also means if there are any problems with the properties or the tenants they can be dealt with quickly by people I know and trust on the ground.”

As well as making long-term investment decisions – “investing not speculating” – Barry enjoys architecture, with an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of good buildings and not just their potential for profit. “Of course, anything I buy has to stack up on paper, but the look and feel of properties is important too. I am certainly no expert and not in the property game day to day, but I feel I am learning all the time.” Barry played for Brighton from the age of 10 to 16, before moving to Aston Villa, then on to Manchester City and now Everton. “I always keep track on how Brighton and Villa are doing.” His nephew Bradley Barry is currently

a full-back with the Brighton development squad. Barry is delighted to see how far Brighton have come in the 17 years since he left, with the club in turmoil back in 1997. “The AMEX is a fantastic stadium and I hear the new training ground is top drawer too. Brighton are gearing up for the Premier League, but in a controlled, sustainable manner and I believe it is only a matter of time before they get there. The football club is a great global advertisement for the city.” Barry, capped 53 times for England, may no longer be playing and living in Sussex, but it is where his heart is and where he is laying down property investment roots.

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Willow Road Solihull £300,000 Hermitage Road Solihull £210,000 Widney Lane Solihull £375,000 Alcester Road, Portway £500,000 Widney Lane, Solihull £375,000 Berkswell Close, Solihull £459,995 A Three Bedroom Semi Detached House In A A well presented semi detached property set in A well presented and spacious bedroom An exceptionally spacious, extended semi A well presented and spacious three This delightful extended detachedthree family Most Sought After Road Close To Both Solihull close proximity to Solihull town centre. traditional style detached residence situated in detached country home set in grounds of bedroom traditional style detached home is situated in a convenient and most And Shirley Town Centres. a popular location. approx 1.1 acres. The property has been residence situated in a popular location. sought after position off Dovehouse Lane. modernised to a high standard.

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PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED

Wharf Lane Solihull £125,000 Hampton Lane Solihull £189,000 An ideal buy to let investment with the rental Second floor two double bedroom apartment Castle Lane £175,000 Chattock Avenue, Solihull £449,950 potential of 600pcm in the sought after presented Albany Gardens This fully furnished two bedroom semi NOsituated UPWARD CHAIN! A well development. detached home in immaculate condition is double fronted four bedroom detached offered to investors only as there is a sitting family residence situated in a sought tenant paying £695 pcm. after location.

Longdon Road, Knowle A well presented andSolihull modernised and spacious Hobs Meadow, £170,000 two bedroom first three floor apartment, overlookA well presented bedroom mid ing well maintained landscaped grounds to the terraced property, situated close to local rear of Byron Court. amenities and with pleasant views over the green and woodland beyond.

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Burchell Edwards Shirley 0121 733 3553 Shirley@burchelledwards.com

Butterworth Close,Shirley Wythall £249,000 £139,750 Stanway Road, SHARED OWNERSHIP Traditional family home in a most A great opportunity to get onto the housing convenient location. Currently in Tudor ladder! Three bedrooms, lounge/diner and Grange School catchment. Very close modern kitchen. Viewing essential so that you proximity to Shirley town centre. don’t miss out.

Gracewell Court, Hall Green choice fromGreen, £120,000Shirley £190,000 Cole Fantastic retirement complex with greatend of A well presented three bedroom transport links and local amenities. Security terrace property in a popular location in and comfort in later living! Call now to arrange Shirley. The local area offers amenities a viewing such as schools, shops, bus links and a train station.

Druids Lane, Maypole £210,000 Tremendous good bedrooms, Westhayvalue! RoadFour £210,000 two reception extended kitchen, study, ***A MUSTrooms, VIEW PROPERTY*** A well off road parking and good sized rear garden. presented four bed semi detached home Well worth a further inspection! in a sought after location!

Westley Road, Acocks Green SSTC Similar properties urgently CALL Tilehouse Lane, required Shirley–SSTC 0121 733 3553 for your FREE market appraisal Similar properties required please call to book your free market appraisal 0121 733 3553

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Highters Heath Lane, Maypole £125,000 Three bedroom end terraced property – Gospel Farm Road £125,000 the Aabsolutely perfectthree first time purchase well presented bedroom endor ofa sound investment with a good rental potential. terrace property in a convenient location for local amenities . This fantastic property is offered with no chain and ideal for first time buyers and families.

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Westridge , ShirleyGreen £145,000 Broad Manor Road, Acocks £325,000Myton Firs Drive, Drive,Shirley Shirley£125,000 £145,000 Superbly located first floor apartment, Ground floor maisonette, with twobedroom good first *** A REAL MUST VIEW *** A well A well presented two double comprising two double bedrooms, bedrooms, garage en bloc and a fabulous rear presented four double bedroom family floor flat. Located in the most convenient lounge/diner and fitted kitchen. Perfect for garden. Must be viewed to appreciate! home. of locations for Shirley Town centre and the first time buyer or Investor alike commuting links.

Alexander Road, Acocks Green SSTC Similar properties urgently requiredSSTC – CALL Welford Road, Shirley 0121 733 3553 for your FREE market appraisal Similar properties required please call to book your free market appraisal 0121 733 3553

32 new developments

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

London calling! Ten new and current residential developments in the capital I t’s been a very busy few weeks for housebuilding in London, with lots of new launches and some great offers on existing construction projects for house-hunters in the capital. From starter homes to family

homes to luxury penthouses, and CHISWICK POINT, FROM £599,995 from city centre to suburbs, the Bellway Homes has already sold 41 of the 91 apartments at choice of property type and location this west London scheme to investors and owner-occupiers over the last few months. available is exceptional. The development is a collection of one-, two- and threeWe’ve picked our favourites from bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses with underfloor heating, a video entry system and access to a the last couple of weeks.

LONDON SQUARE PUTNEY, FROM £545,000

STRATFORD HALO, FROM £1,300 PER MONTH

Developer London Square has just launched an iconic new 11-storey building on Upper Richmond Road, comprising 113 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The project has been designed by internationally acclaimed architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. A sales suite and contemporary two-bedroom show apartment by award-winning Suna Interior Design are now open. Call 0333 666 2838.

Genesis’ Stratford Halo is a landmark new development centred on a striking 43-floor residential tower, with premium apartments and penthouses currently available for private rent. Rent includes super high-speed broadband and an on-site 24-hour concierge. The waterside development is a short walk from Stratford station and Westfield Stratford City, Europe’s largest urban shopping mall. Call 0800 954 1041.

THE BROADWAY, TOOTING, FROM £320,000

concierge service, located close to shops, amenities and transport links. Call 0845 018 0715.

This new development from Genesis is offering a chance to get on the property ladder through shared ownership, with guide prices for a onebedroom apartment from £112,500 for a 25% share, based on a market value of £450,000. The scheme is specifically designed for first-time buyers whose household income is less than £66,000 a year and priority will be given to those who live or work in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Call 0800 542 7236.

THE RAM QUARTER, WANDSWORTH, FROM £300,000

STRATOSPHERE, STRATFORD, £TBA

This development will provide 661 new homes and over 9,500 sq m of space dedicated to new shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, with access to the River Wandle. Developer the Greenland Group will restore and refurbish many of the site’s historic buildings and create a new microbrewery and a brewing museum. A marketing suite is now open for the first phase of 312 studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and duplexes, due for completion 2017. Call 0800 0886 777.

Over 300 people attended the recent launch of this new Crest Nicholson apartment development, with around half its 83 apartments reserved. These properties are located on Tooting High Street, with shops, restaurants and transport links on the doorstep. Completions are expected in spring/summer 2014. Visitors to the marketing suite can view a two-bedroom show home. Call 020 3375 2241.

Just launched, Stratosphere is a collection of 307 apartments in the heart of Stratford from Telford Homes. At its heart is a 36-storey skyscraper with spectacular views in all directions. Residents will enjoy a 24-hour concierge, private gym, resident’s wi-fi lounge and private terrace located on the roof-top at the pinnacle of the tower. First completions are expected in spring 2017. Call 0207 538 2591.

COOPERS ROAD, SOUTHWARK, FROM £345,000

67 TUFTON STREET, WESTMINSTER, FROM £680,000 This collection of 19 studio, one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments and three penthouse duplexes is being created by Wrenbridge and Legal & General Property from a former post office building. It is situated in the prestigious Smith Square Conservation Area, and has been remodelled to take in an additional sixth floor to accommodate the penthouse apartments with views across to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Call 020 7338 1010 or 020 7338 4463.

MONDRIAN, SHOREDITCH, FROM £112,500

THE OLD DAIRY, STREATHAM, FROM £735,995 It’s still well within a buyer’s grasp to move into a new home here before Christmas, thanks to developer Bellway Homes’ Part Exchange and Express Mover schemes. Currently available at the site are four-bedroom townhouses in a contemporary design with a suitably chic, high-specification exterior. The ‘Clive’ show home is available to view. Call 0845 548 3016.

Peabody is now offering Help to Buy at its Coopers Road development in Southwark, SE1. The development comprises 16 one-, two- and threebedroom apartments with easy access to the City and West End. Sarah Butler, sales and marketing director at Peabody, says: “This government-funded scheme gives customers the chance to buy a home with a smaller deposit than usual.” For a £345,000 home, the deposit requirement is £17,250 with Help to Buy. Call 020 8502 5758.

Find out if we’re building in you’re area....

ALEXANDRA GRANGE Tipton, Sandwell A wonderfully presented mix of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom houses and 2 bedroom apartments.

0845 605 7773

THE MALT HOUSE REGENT’S WHARF Leamore, Walsall 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartA canalside development with a ments and duplexes mixture of 2 and 3 bedroom homes 605 7774 08450845 605 7774

THE MALT HOUSE Beautifully converted 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments and duplexes in a Grade II listed building

0154 325 6647

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Available with Help To Buy

34 armchair gardener

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

Animal magic

Careful design means that you can enjoy birdsong in the morning and help maintain the UK’s wildlife population at the same time, says Richenda Oldham

e gardless of the size of your garden, did you know that you, too, can play an important and active role in encouraging the UK’s wildlife population? Even if your garden is a courtyard, you can still create a wildlife-friendly habitat, which can support anything from bats and birds to insects and small mammals. There are a number of British species that are in decline – such as hedgehogs, song thrushes and stag beetles – but with your help these creatures can find a refuge in your backyard. Creating a wildlife garden needn’t be complicated, expensive or time consuming. In fact, some of the simplest ideas are also the most effective. From planting a tub with flowers that will attract bees to providing a bird table or birdbath to encourage birds to visit your garden, there is much you can do to make a difference.

CREATE A WILDLIFE POND The ideal spot for a pond is on level ground, away from trees, as shade prevents the growth of oxygenating plants. It is important that the sides of the pond are shallow and gently

sloping, as this will attract dragonflies, frogs, pond skaters and newts. Providing extra habitats, such as tall plants, stones and logs, around the edge of the pond will also benefit wildlife. Even if you only have a balcony, you can make a mini pond from a washing up bowl, with gravel or small rocks on the bottom.

WILDFLOWER MEADOW You don’t need acres of land to grow wildflowers. They can be grown in a hanging basket, window box or in a flower border. Choose from spring (dropwort, bluebell, primrose, cowslip, ox-eye daisy) or summer flowering species (feverfew, foxglove, meadowsweet, yarrow, harebell) and you will have created a beautiful, but practical habitat for birds, insects and mammals to hunt and feed in.

WOOD PILES Rotting wood is where you will find fungi, mosses and lichens growing. The decaying wood will also attract bugs, which are an important source of food for wildlife.

FEED THE BIRDS Did you know that garden birds need to be fed in the summer as well as the

winter? So put a variety of food out all year round, from kitchen scraps such as potato skins, raisins, stale cake and moistened bread to sunflower seeds, unsalted nuts, suet pellets and seed mixes. Always ensure there is a good supply of fresh water nearby in a shallow dish or bird bath.

FLOWERING PLANTS Grow as many flowering plants as you can to provide bees, bugs and butterflies with nectar, pollen and shelter. Choose plants such as: hebe (Celine), a perennial with pure white flowers; primula marmalade, an evergreen perennial with gold and yellow coloured flowers; mahonia japonica, a handsome winter-flowering shrub, whose deep blue berries provide winter food for birds; lavandula willow vale, which produces pale purple flowers and aromatic silver leaves.

TREES AND SHRUBS Although trees and shrubs take time to mature, they are well worth investing in, as they eventually become places of refuge for wildlife to shelter, breed and feed in. Species, which produce fruit and berries, such as crab apple, hawthorn, privet, ivy and honeysuckle are ideal.

sunny spot as butterflies don’t like shade, www. potterandrest.co.uk 4. Windfalls from fruiting trees and plants will help feed dormice and hedgehogs

1. Give your trees a bird-friendly feeding face with the Tree Face Bird Feeder, £14.95, www. houseofbath.co.uk 2. Make a bug hotel with piles of logs or dead wood - the bugs provide vital food for other animals 3. Pollen rich plants such as buddleia are highly attractive to butterflies and bees - but plant them in a

5. Miller Homes has teamed up with the RSPB to offer purchasers at selected developments a garden bird nest box, plus booklet on how to create a wildlife-friendly garden, www.millerhomes.co.uk www.rspb.org.uk 6. The bright yellow flowers of Mahonia japonica provides nectar for insects, while its berries are a source of food for birds, www. potterandrest.co.uk

Incentives available if you reserve during the weekend of the WhatHouse? Show

NEW ENGLAND SQUARE, BRIGHTON BN1

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PRICES FROM JUST £87,500* FOR INFO VISIT SUPERBRIGHTON.CO.UK HOMES ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE SALE CALL 01273 964604 FOR DETAILS

Visit us at Stand H6 at the WhatHouse? Show on 27th & 28th September. Find out more at www.whathouseshow.co.uk

Award-winning developer Hyde New Homes is making a lasting difference in Brighton & Hove, building hundreds of new homes for sale and shared ownership† Contact 0845 606 1221; info@hydenewhomes.co.uk; www.hydenewhomes.co.uk *Represents a 35% share of an apartment with the full market value of £250,000. Prices correct at time of print. Terms & conditions and eligibility criteria apply. † Wheelchair accessible apartments available at SuperB.

Final What House Brighton advert with WH show info 3.3.14.indd 1

19/09/2014 17:23:27

36 new homes

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

Just launched – Hall Farm Estate from Spitfire Bespoke Homes Spitfire Bespoke Homes has launched its latest development of four- and fivebedroom family homes in the Midlands

amed Hall Farm Estate, this gated collection of distinctive new homes just a mile from the rural village of Knowle, near Solihull, is set amid rolling hills and provides house types in a range of styles designed to reflect the area’s rich agricultural heritage. The development combines both new-build properties and conversions of existing farm buildings. Even though the company is just three years old, Spitfire has already established a reputation as a housebuilder that creates intimate, one-off housing schemes in idyllic locations. Reinforcing the developer’s bespoke approach, purchasers who acquire a Spitfire home off-plan are given an opportunity make changes to the design, layout and specification of the property to suit their individual needs. The range of properties at Hall Farm Estate is impressive, particularly given that it comprises just 13 homes. House-hunters will find a diverse choice, from a thatched cottage and

substantial villa with its own orchard to traditional barn conversions and brand new barn-style properties. The company’s approach has been to balance traditional aesthetics with the very latest state-of-the-art ecofriendly building processes and the highest quality finishes, with locally sourced materials used in the build process wherever possible. The first homes to be brought to the market at the development will be the elegant four-bedroom barnstyle ‘Aston’, ‘Highbury’ and ‘Perry’ properties, the five-bedroom barnstyle ‘Ettington’ and ‘Hinnington’ properties, and the ‘Arbury’. Internally, each home has been finished to a high specification that includes stylish, open-plan kitchen and family rooms, individually designed kitchens from Poggenpohl with energy-efficient, fully integrated appliances, and bathroom and en suite sanitaryware by Villeroy & Boch. Traditional wood-burning stoves provide the focal point in the open-

plan living areas, which have been designed to cater to the needs of modern family life with lots of natural light and bi-folding doors leading out into extensive private rear gardens. Many of the homes have vaulted ceilings to some rooms and all feature extensive glazing, often extending across two-storeys or bringing light to central stairwells. Each home at Hall Farm Estate has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, with reclaimed materials used across the Estate and

an efficient biomass facility providing heating and hot water to every property. Surrounded by open green spaces, Hall Farm Estate enjoys the very best of both worlds, offering the peace and tranquillity of a secluded rural setting with the convenience of its location close to the boutique shops of Knowle Village, the eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and leisure amenities in nearby Solihull, and the popular metropolitan centres of Coventry and Birmingham, which are only 11 and 18 miles away respectively.

Residents at Hall Farm Estate will find the area offers abundant choice for hobbies and pastimes: hockey, rugby union, squash and cricket clubs, along with the Four Ashes Golf Centre, provide plenty of options for sports fans, while, for a more leisurely way to enjoy the outdoors, the nearby Grand Union Canal offers the perfect setting for picturesque walks through Knowle Locks. To find out more, contact joint selling agents John Shepherd on 01564 786644 or Hunters Estate Agents on 01564 778779.

38 overseas

Find your new home at Whathouse.com Kea Estate by Christos Vlachos

Kea Villas by Christos Leodakis

Blue Mountain by Ioannis Michalopoulos

Greece is the word

It sometimes pays to go a little off the beaten track in search of a better overseas investment and a more luxurious quality of life, as Stephen Maunder discovers during a visit to the Greek island of Kea.

‘‘

T his is an island that time has forgotten. The people here live as if it is 100 years ago,” says local developer Ioannis Michalopoulos on the one-hour ferry to Kea from the port of Lavrio, near Athens. Kea, also known as Tzia, is the closest Cycladic island to the capital, but it possesses the character and intimate charm of a much smaller settlement. Around a thousand people live here, while many come on holiday from the mainland for the summer months or nip over from Athens at the weekend for a relaxing break. European tourism and investment is on the up as Kea’s profile grows, but the island remains largely unknown to British visitors. Although the traditional white houses with blue doors that are synonymous with Greece are present in some places here, the island’s developers are taking a step back in time and building traditionally with stone, placing their properties as features in the landscape and stepping away from what they describe as the a 19thcentury tradition of whitewashing. Ioannis Michalopoulos runs the Blue Mountain property group, and his company boasts several developments on the island, including

Classic Mountain, Rock Mountain and Symphony Mountain. Despite target markets ranging from entry-level buyers (prices at Blue Spirit Mountain begin at around £100,000) to multimillionaires, the concept remains the same in each development. “Elsewhere people worry so much about the interior of properties, but here it is all about how you use the outside space,” he says. From ground level, these developments seem to appear in small clusters, but from their extensive balconies, stunning views run completely uninterrupted across the Aegean Sea. “Plot and incline are everything here”, he reaffirms. Michalopoulos is a perfect example of the culture and pace of life on the island. On Kea, roads become tracks as you turn corners, and people slow down their cars to say hello to friends and acquaintances. The relaxed lifestyle on the island is best observed at the harbour, where diners stop eating to invite friends passing by to join them for dinner, waving the nearest waiter to bring an extra chair. Down on the southwest coast is Koundouros, one of the four ancient cities of Tetrapolis, with more than 2,500 years of history. The landscape here features ancient footpaths, rocky

roads and pretty coves with quiet sandy beaches. It is here that the acclaimed architect Christos Vlachos runs Kea Estate, following in the footsteps of his father, who built the first stone houses and windmills on the island in the 1960s. Vlachos possesses an ultra-modern architectural vision that manifests itself into stunning one-off properties, some with glass frontages, swimming pools and even heliports, with prices ranging from smart holiday investments at £400,000 to stunning homes priced in excess of £5m. With much of the island archaeologically protected and building regulations tight, the planning process can be lengthy. “We need a Margaret Thatcher here,” Vlachos half jokes. No stone is left unturned at Kea Estate, with all homes coming fully furnished. “We sit with each buyer and discuss the project, and by the time it is completed everything is ready to the finest detail – all you need to do is hang your suit in the wardrobe,” he says. Vlachos despairs of the style of new-build homes in Europe, alluding to them as representing a form of property fascism. “If I want to buy a car, I can pick the exact model I want, so why can I not do that when buying a home in a

city such as London?” he asks. Vlachos becomes excited when he discusses his blueprint for Cave Houses – luxurious properties carved in to the face of the mountainous landscape, offering the smallest visual and environmental footprint possible and bringing man closer to nature. The images suggest this could be his most ambitious project yet, and he has no intention of stopping there – his long-term goal is to build a second port on the island. At the highest point of the capital, Ioulida, Christos Leodakis owns the Kea Villas complex. The site currently consists of 25 pretty holiday homes, and plans are afoot to build a further 15 properties. As with the other developments, there is huge potential for investors. Here, buyers purchase their villas (prices begin at around £250,000) and let them out during the holiday season from £115 per night, with everything from listings to management dealt with by the company. Things seem to be moving quickly on the island, with talk of faster ferries, better roads, increased tourism and greater investment from Europeans. As time progresses, will the island retain its charm? “Kea has a unique

presence, and I don’t think that will ever change,” says Leodakis, as he eagerly snaps photos of the old town as the sun sets. For foreign investors, Kea promises significant returns in the medium and long term as people become more aware of the island as a tourist destination, and surely things will change to some degree. Time hasn’t quite caught up yet, however. As you walk down the steep paths in the old-town of Ioulida, you are flanked by abandoned homes that have fallen into disrepair as owners moved on or passed away. The children here still kick their footballs around the courtyard in front of the old Town Hall and diners in the local restaurants marvel at the views across the island. Down one side-road sits a dilapidated home preserved in time. On its crumbling wooden front door there is a simple message scrawled in marker pen, with a telephone number written below: ‘For Sale’. Contact: Kea Estate by Christos Vlachos; www.kea-estate.gr; (+30) 210 674 1448 Blue Mountain by Ioannis Michalopoulos; www.bluemountain.gr; (+30) 210 981 0074 Kea Villas by Christos Leodakis; www.keavillas.gr; (+30) 697 224 3330

B R U N S W I C K G AT E B

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For further details please call 01225 325999

A rare opportunity to purchase an elegant 4 bedroom townhouse in the Larkhall district of Bath, less than two miles from the historic City centre. A stunning blend of old and new these homes combine the grandeur of classic Georgian-style architecture with contemporary, high specification interiors. PRICES FROM £630,000

CGI is indicative only.

Prestigious homes in prime locations take a look at the Spitfire difference

Located close to Cheltenham’s historic centre, The Gables is a select development of just nine 4 & 5 bedroom detached houses situated in a well-established residential area. Designed for modern family life, fashionable open-plan kitchens and family rooms compliment formal living rooms and home offices. Bi-folding doors open on to garden terraces, many of which enjoy a southerly aspect.

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For further details please call 01242 246980

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Future developments in these prime locations across central and southern England: BERKSHIRE - Ascot BIRMINGHAM - Sutton Coldfield GLOUCESTERSHIRE Chipping Camden, Stow on the Wold OXFORDSHIRE - Banbury, Henley on Thames WARWICKSHIRE - Knowle (near Solihull), Leamington Spa, Stratford upon Avon

Amid the broad panoramas of the South Downs National Park nestles the prestigious development of Millford Grange offering two, three, four and five bedroom homes. Sweeping avenues, wide lawns and traditionally inspired architecture create a development of peace and tranquility.

MOVE WITH A GUARANTEED BUYER

Part Exchange gets you moving to a perfect new home If you want to move fast but don’t want to miss out on David Wilson space and style then our Part Exchange scheme makes perfect sense. Simply choose one of our beautiful homes and we could be your buyer, offering you fair market value for your current property, based on the average of two independent valuations*. That’s the David Wilson Difference.

4 and 5 bedroom homes from £474,995 Millford Grange, Storrington Road, Washington RH20 4AG Show homes and Marketing Suite open daily from 10.00am - 5.30pm

See the Difference at dwh.co.uk or call 01903

740 636

Offer available on selected plots only. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details, subject to contract and status. Prices correct at time of going to press if mentioned. * David Wilson obtain two independent valuations. To achieve fair market value, any offer made will be based on the average of these and on a sale within 8 to 10 weeks. Advertising images may include upgrades as home spec can vary, purchasers of David Wilson homes spend on average £3,514 on upgrades.