Property

The Wells property team making homes happen

DESPITE rumblings that house prices are set to slow down as we move into the second half of 2021, the Lodestone Property team, located in Chamberlain Street in Wells, are still seeing high demand in hotspots such as Wells and surrounding villages like Wedmore and Cheddar with hamlets in the Chew Valley proving to be particularly popular.

Lisa Cope, who has recently joined the Wells team with 30 years’ local estate agency experience behind her, says: “What’s not to love about Wells and the surrounding area? We are so lucky to have such an abundance of historic buildings, beautiful countryside, interesting shops and great places to eat.

“Having lived in the area all my life it is easy to take it all for granted! It’s not until you go away and come back again do you realise what a stunning environment, we live in.”

Lisa added: “There is still considerable interest in the Mendip area; I would encourage those who are wondering whether to sell to seek advice. With so many people looking to still buy we’re confident the property bubble isn’t about to burst. After all Somerset will always be a popular and vibrant place to live and work.”

Rachel Badrick, also based in Lodestone’s Wells office, specialises in helping with the conveyancing process. She said: “I love taking a property from that first market appraisal through to completion. Understanding the conveyancing process once a property is under offer enables me to support our clients and purchasers acting as a buffer, chaser and specialist guide.”

The Wells team – making homes happen

For more property advice and information contact Lodestone Property (Wells) on 01749 605088 or visit www.lodestoneproperty.co.uk

Agency launches with groundbreaking approach

A NEW estate agency has opened in Doulting village, covering the Mendips and the Chew Valley.

The brainchild of three local entrepreneurs, Manor & Hall has been born from a shared belief that the traditional buying and selling process in England and Wales really doesn’t need to be so painful! They are passionate about providing excellent customer service via a fair, unfailingly honest, professional approach that is ultimately measured by its clients, and in doing so are offering a new approach to the estate agency marketplace.

Partners, Ryan Stott, Luke Parle and Wayne Bird bring with them a wealth of commercial experience gained from highend estate agency, property development, management and marketing. They had been discussing a joint venture for several years before deciding that now was the time to launch something fresh, exciting and genuinely new.

So, what’s so different? By targeting the upper end of the property market they can offer substantial savings; this is achieved by offering satisfaction-based selling fees, no ties to contract periods, supported by professional photography and floor plans to market your property to the highest of standards.

They offer a basic fixed minimum selling fee of £4,000 (+ VAT) whatever the value of your property, giving the greater benefits to customers with properties that are valued at well above the national average. All they then ask is that once your property has been sold, that you then consider how they have performed and pay them what you feel their service was worth.

They have teamed up with a charity partner –Homes for Homeless Veterans –and all referral fees received from lenders, surveyors and solicitors will be donated to the cause.

Do check out their new website, Instagram and Facebook and feel free to contact them for a free market valuation of your property. They say: “Trust us with your property and we will trust you with our fee!”

Taking a new approach to buying and selling (l:r) Luke, Ryan and Wayne at their new office in Doulting

For details, visit: www.manorandhall.co.uk

Looking at “old” properties

Tom Killen looks at how properties have been converted over time to create fine homes

A STRoLL through any rural village will quickly reveal how the use of properties have changed over time with “old” properties such as schools, forges and bakeries having now become desirable addresses.

In more rural areas, since the late 1980s, we have seen many redundant agricultural buildings converted and this trend is continuing with even more modern buildings now gaining planning consent. Indeed, I live in the old Cake House which is a converted barn that previously was used by past generations of my family in producing cow cake!

Buildings that have been converted have become comfortable and unique homes. Those in villages often occupy fantastic central locations whilst rural conversions offer proximity to our fabulous countryside.

You can get a lot of character and history as well as some quirkiness. Modern conversions can offer a tremendous blend of period and contemporary living whilst retaining character features such as classic fenestration, fireplaces and wooden floors.

At Killens, we are known for having expertise in selling “old” properties and two properties we are currently offering are classic reminders of previous times.

Situated in the heart of Stoke St Michael is The old Chapel which is a charming former Victorian converted chapel which offers character four bedroom accommodation set in generous grounds and is available at £525,000.

In the nearby village of oakhill, the Brewery was once a busy place in the centre of the village and, some years ago, the buildings were converted to provide a high quality development of apartments and smaller residences.

We are marketing a two bedroom ground floor apartment that benefits from the shared use of a swimming pool, gym and communal grounds at £220,000.

The Old Chapel Stoke St Michael

Are you seeking to sell an “old” property? Contact us at Killens for a free appraisal of your property on 01749 671172 or 01275 333993