www.taylornewspapers.co.uk
Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017
This property showcased courtesy of Wheatley Estates. To view property details, see inside.
MOVING HOME? There are many things to think about when moving house. Don’t let choosing the wrong solicitor make buying or selling your home harder than it needs to be. Talk to Slade Legal about our specialist Conveyancing service. Abingdon 01235 521920
Didcot
• 01235 511211 •
Wallingford 01491 839346
www.slade-legal.co.uk
• enquiries@slade-legal.co.uk
42 Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
Front cover property
Guide Price
ÂŁ325,000
GOLD
south east estate agency
2016 me dium agenc y
1920s chic with stylish views at country home A stunning ground floor apartment in this converted 1920’s country home is for sale. Offering more than 900sqft of living space comprising sitting room with great views over garden, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room that opens into a study/seating area, large bedroom opening onto the terrace
with a bathroom off. A private paved terrace overlooks gardens and the valley beyond with planting adjacent to the property and doors to sitting room and bedroom. Steps down to communal gardens. Extensive grounds with mature trees and planting, maintained by management company.
Gravelled off-street parking to the front and side with allocated space. Viewing is essential, this is a very individual home packed with character. Contact selling agent Wheatley Estates 01865 872073 or visit www.wheatleyestates.co.uk On market for a guide of ÂŁ325,000.
WE’RE HIRING! SATURDAY STAFF WANTAGE
Excellent opportunity to join our busy Estate Agency. Experience preferred to assist in the office and with viewings. Saturday 8.30am-4pm. Please forward your CV and covering letter to james.elliott@davistate.com
Oxford home owners are only moving every 18 years (Part 1) Bill Cooper, co-author of The Oxford Property Blog and managing director of Martin and Co, Oxford
THE average house price in Oxford is 12.87 times the average annual Oxford salary. This is higher than the last peak of 2008, when the ratio was 9.61. Several City commentators anticipated that in the ambiguity that trailed the Brexit vote, UK (and hence Oxford) property prices might drop like a stone. The point is - they haven’t! Now it’s true the market for Oxford’s swankiest and poshest properties looks a little fragile (although they are selling if they are realistically priced) and overall, Oxford property price growth has slowed, but the lower to middle Oxford property market appears to remain quite strong.
Scratch under the surface though, and a different long-term picture is emerging away from what is happening to property prices. Oxford people are moving home less often than they once did. Data from the OfďŹ ce of National Statistics shows that the number of properties sold in 2016 is lower than it was in the Noughties and lower than it has been over the last eight years. We are mirroring the post credit crunch (2008 and 2009) low levels of property sales, and the torpor of the Oxford housing market following the Brexit vote has seen the number of property sales in Oxford and the surround-
ing local authority area level off. It is too early to tell if this will be a new trend. It was the 1980’s that saw the highest levels of people moving home. Nationally, everyone was moving on average every decade. Even though it was during the Labour administration of the late
1970’s where the right to buy one’s council house started, it was the Housing Act of 1980 that really got council tenants moving, as Margaret Thatcher’s Tory government ďŹ nancially encouraged council tenants to buy their council-rented homes. Looking at the property sales
Ĺ?Ĺ?Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ? !Ĺ?(!0Ĺ?,.+,!.0%!/Ĺ? * Ĺ?/!((Ĺ?,.+,!.0%!/ Ĺ?Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ? +ÄĄ+*!Ĺ?1* !./0 * /Ĺ? 4"+. Ĺ?,.+,!.05Ĺ? !00!.Ĺ?0$ *Ĺ?3!Ĺ? + Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ? !Ĺ? %)Ĺ?0+Ĺ?) 4%)%6!Ĺ?( * (+. Ĺ? * Ĺ?$+)!Ĺ?+3*!.Ĺ?.!01.*/ Ä‘Ĺ? !Ĺ?$ 2!Ĺ? Ĺ?0+,ÄĄ0%!.Ĺ?,.+"!//%+* (Ĺ?0! )
ďŹ gures in the Oxford area since 2010/11, what has caused the reduced activity which has been mirrored nationally? The reasons behind this are complex, but a good place to start is the growth rate of real UK household disposable income, which has fallen from 5.01% a year in 2000 to 1.68% in 2016. Also, things have deteriorated since the country voted to leave the EU as consumer price ination has risen to 2.7% per annum, meaning ination has eaten away at the real value of wages. With meagre real income growth, it has become more difďŹ cult for homeowners to accumulate the savings needed to climb up the housing ladder as nationally, the level of savings has also dropped from 4.26% of household income to -1.11% (i.e. people are eating into their savings). Next week I will be discussing how these issues have led to a slump in the number of Oxford people moving home with house owners moving just once every 18 years.
Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 43
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
Andrews
Abingdon
01235 888393
SHARED OWNERSHIP
Sutton Courtenay
£555,000
Abingdon
£315,000
3 Bedroom bungalow set in grounds totalling approximately 14,000 sq. ft. EPC Rating D
Marcham £191,820
A two bedroom semi-detached home situated in the popular village of Marcham. Shared ownership EPC Rating D
Light and bright three bed semi-detached family home within a mile of Abingdon town centre. EPC Rating D.
PRICE REDUCTION
Steventon
£345,000
Abingdon
£300,000
A well-appointed, light, bright and cheery three bedroom property in this popular village location. EPC Rating C
A super three bedroom family home perfectly positioned within quarter of a mile of the River Thames. EPC Rating C
Abingdon £400,000
Open everyday 12 hours in-branch, 24 hours online at Andrewsonline.co.uk
Grade II Listed four bedroom home situated in the heart of Abingdon-onThames, within 400 feet of the market place.
To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk
44 Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
The Oxford property market is doing just fine, say Andrews Estate Agents THE media likes nothing more than to use the property market as a bellwether for the whole of the UK economy and headlines that predict a downturn have been circling in a predatory nature ever since the Brexit vote almost 18 months ago. Certainly the property market goes through times of differing intensity and here in Oxfordshire, there have been some adjustments in price throughout 2017 since the peaks witnessed at the start of the year. This doesn’t, however, mean we’re hurtling towards anything near a downturn – anything but! Our data suggests all property types across the Oxford area should enjoy continued value increase as we near 2018 and if anything, compared to many areas of the country, we believe now is a particularly exciting time for the property market here. Simply, when you look at issues of affordability in London, many people have concluded that the size of property and associated outside space (or lack of) within the M25 just can’t be justified for such a high price-tag. Properties outside of zone 2 on the underground can bring with them commutes in to the City or West End of over an hour and, in some cases, closer to 90 minutes. Purchasers have realised, therefore, that once they’ve taken that step over the M25 and start considering mainline commuting options, the uplift in size and quality of home, for a potentially smaller investment, is a hard one to argue with. When you also consider that many
employers are now much more open to flexible hours and even home working for a percentage of the week, Oxfordshire presents a fantastic alternative to the capital. Whilst prices here remain strong, they’re currently around 50% of the average price for a home in south west London – it’s a no-brainer really! But of course, it’s not just our relative proximity to London that serves us well as a county. Our location on major rail and road transport networks makes Oxfordshire well connected to other major towns and cities, as well as internationally served airports. Oxfordshire also boasts fabulous schools (and world leading academic institutions), popular in and out-oftown shopping and cultural destinations and a very high standard of housing stock. This means the county appeals to a wide and diverse population base. As such, the property market is shielded from anything that could particularly impact a single market segment. Add to this, the fact that the local population is predicted to grow by over 10 per cent in the coming 20 years, and the continued demand that will be placed on available housing becomes clear. Our knowledge of the property market across Oxfordshire tells us the market is doing just fine and has every opportunity to continue doing so over the coming 18 months at least. If you’re a considering a move in to or within Oxfordshire, why not visit one of our five branches across the county to speak with our team of experts, or visit: www.andrewsonline.co.uk
Enjoy elegant living in high-quality Georgian manor house apartments
WITH its traditional country home style, Astrop Grange in Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire offers 10 high quality, spacious, two-bedroomed apartments on the site of a former Georgian manor house. In its own grounds, the exclusive development at the heart of an established and vibrant community offers an alternative to traditional independent retirement living, with all the benefits of communal facilities including allocated parking. These shared ownership properties, which are available from as little
as £102,500 for a 50% share, provide the perfect opportunity for those looking to downsize or free up equity in their current home. Kings Sutton itself is a picturesque village with excellent amenities in the Cherwell valley. Once the site of a famous 17th century spa, it is highly sought after and well located only a few miles from Banbury and Brackley, with its own railway station and good access to the M40. It’s perfect for the mature resident who wants to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the rolling Northamp-
tonshire countryside, rich in history. The area has a high proportion of owner occupiers and there is a strong demand for quality shared ownership homes. The apartments are offered by Grand Union Homes, who have a strong track record as a responsible local landlord with a key interest in sustainable communities for customers of all ages. To fi nd out more, or to register your interest, visit www.grandunionhomes.co.uk or call our dedicated Sales Team on 01525 844 460.
Found your dream home?
Our experienced and outcome focused lawyers have helped hundreds of peoples property dreams come true. But don’t just take our word for it – here’s what some of our clients have said… “I would like to thank you for the excellent service you have given us in recent months. We were impressed with your service when we sold our property last year, which is why we returned to you for our next purchase. Again, we have been impressed.” “I have completed a number of property transactions in recent years and want to let you know that the service we have received from you by far exceeds that of others that I have dealt with. It is a pity that we didn’t discover you sooner!” Abingdon 01235 521920
|
Didcot 01235 511211
|
Wallingford 01491 839346
|
www.slade-legal.co.uk
Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 45
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
GREAT WESTERN PARK COMING SOON Thinking of selling or renting your home? Ask Martin.
NEW OFFICE COMING SOON!
Martin & Co have an office close by in Abingdon, and already work with many property owners in your area. FREE VALUATION
We are opening our new office soon on the Great Western Park.
We will be pleased to assist you NOW by offering a free property valuation for the sale or for the rental of your property. If you have already instructed an agent to sell your property on a sole agency basis, you must consider your current agreement to ensure you do not pay more than one commission.
Martin & Co Abingdon 8-10 West St. Helen Street • Abingdon • Oxfordshire • OX14 5BL
Martin & Co Abingdon abingdon.martinco.com
8-10 West St. Helen Street • Abingdon • Oxfordshire • OX14 5BL abingdon@martinco.com
01235 524300
01235 524300 abingdon.martinco.com
46 Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
A L C H E S T E R C H E S T E R T O N
•
P A R K
O X F O R D S H I R E
LAST TWO HOMES REMAINING CALL 01869 244761 TO BOOK YOUR SHOW HOME VIEWING
This stunning development offers a superb collection of modern, high-specification 4 and 5 bedroom detached homes, with garages and private driveways, in an ideal location. Situated just 14 miles from Oxford city centre and a short distance from Bicester town centre, Alchester Park has access to a range of excellent local amenities, including a great choice of schools.
PRICES FROM ÂŁ615,000 Green Lane, Chesterton, Bicester, OX26 1UU F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O R T O R E G I S T E R YOUR INTEREST PLEASE CALL 01869 244761 OR EMAIL alchesterpark@hill.co.uk
WWW.HILL.CO.UK
External and internal photography is from the Show Home at Alchester Park. Prices correct at time of going to press.
Excited about autumn? We are!
If you are thinking of moving then contact Louise, Warren & the team for a wealth of experience in successfully valuing & selling property in Didcot & the surrounding villages on 01235 511406.
www.hodsons.co.uk
Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 47
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
Exceptional service since 1973
W E N
NO ONWARD CHAIN
WHEATLEY
£325,000
Spacious one bed garden flat in converted 1920’s house - MUST SEE
NO ONWARD CHAIN W E
N
WHEATLEY
Three bed modern family home with garage and garden
£329,500
W E N
NO ONWARD CHAIN
GARSINGTON
£425,000
Three/four bed detached bungalow in great condition
W E N
NO ONWARD CHAIN
WHEATLEY
£385,000
Three bedroomed detached bungalow NO ONWARD CHAIN
W E N
CHALGROVE
£280,000
Two bedroomed semi-detached house with garage and garden
W E N
WHEATLEY
NO ONWARD CHAIN
Offers in excess of £300,000
Three bedroomed end of terrace family home with garage and garden
a
GARSINGTON
Offers over £400,000
Extended four/five bed semi with great living space
WHEATLEY
£635,000
Four bed detached chalet bungalow in great location
OAKLEY
£315,000
Two bedroomed semi-detached house in GREAT CONDITION THROUGHOUT
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
HEADINGTON
Four bedroomed semi in sought-after location
LITTLEWORTH
£475,000
IFFLEY BORDERS
£415,000
Three bedroomed terraced house PACKED WITH PERIOD CHARACTER!
£550,000
Four bed detached house with PLANNING GRANTED FOR ANNEX
WHEATLEY
Four bedroomed detached family home in popular location
£525,000
WHEATLEY
£350,000
HOLTON Offers in excess of Extended and much improved two bed ‘Victorian’ home.
£435,000
Three bed end terrace with planning to add annex
more on our website at - wheatleyestates.co.uk wheatleyestates.co.uk
48 Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
by ber a l up em ive ncia gn v e a Si No rec fin s! th to on ee 30 17 ion ce f 20 uct rvi d se re
Sign up to Embrace Mortgage Services by th 30 November 2017 to receive a reduction on financial service fees! Contact one of our Embrace Mortgage Advisors to secure an appointment for this special offer. Full terms & conditions available on request Abingdon 01235 526907 Burghfield Common 0118 983 1201 Didcot 01235 818 371 Goring on Thames 01491 873456 Henley on Thames 01491 412345 Pangbourne 0118 984 5333 Reading 0118 958 7979 Shinfield 0118 988 5000 Sonning Common 0118 972 4242 Twyford 0118 934 4433 Wallingford 01491 833323 Wantage 01235 772670 Woodley 0118 969 3969
LSLi Ltd t/a Embrace Mor tgage Services charge a typical broker fee of between ÂŁ399 and ÂŁ699 on application. The amount we will charge is dependent on the amount of research and administration that is required. Davis Tate Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of First Complete Ltd for purpose of the provision of advice in relation to mor tgage and non investment insurance products. Mor tgage and Protection advice is provided by LSLi Ltd t/a Embrace Mor tgage Services, an appointed representative of First Complete Ltd. First Complete Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 49
GOLD GOLD
south east estate south east agency estate agency
2016 2016
me dium agenc y me dium agenc y
WANTAGE A rare and unique opportunity to purchase a beautiful, recently built four bedroom detached home on the edge of a village. Facing onto the attractive Nalder Green, with stunning views and built to an exacting standard. EPC Rating B £480,000 Wantage office 01235 772670
WANTAGE A beautiful period property with an extensive rear garden situated within a short walk of the town centre. Two reception rooms, large kitchen, three bedrooms. Potential to extend subject to planning. EPC Rating D. £395,000 Wantage office 01235 772670
LETCOMBE REGIS A beautiful three bedroom detached cottage situated in this highly desirable Oxfordshire village. Located in a private lane, off road parking for one with a pretty cottage garden to the front. EPC Rating G £350,000 Wantage office 01235 772670
GROVE A substantial detached family home. Three reception rooms, four bedrooms, a large en-suite shower room and spacious family bathroom. Ample driveway parking, garage and a landscaped rear garden. EPC Rating C £350,000 Wantage office 01235 772670
Abingdon 01235 526907 Burghfield Common 0118 983 1201 Didcot 01235 818 371 Goring on Thames 01491 873456 Henley on Thames 01491 412345 Maidenhead 01628 566188 Pangbourne 0118 984 5333 Reading 0118 958 7979 Shinfield 0118 988 5000 Sonning Common 0118 972 4242 Twyford 0118 934 4433 Wallingford 01491 833323 Wantage 01235 772670 Woodley 0118 969 3969
50 Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
Effortless connections WORK AND PLAY JUST A SHORT RIDE AWAY The newly-formed junction on the A40 places Mosaics at the heart of it all. Mosaics is home to beautifully-designed homes with spacious, highly specified interiors containing everything you need to enjoy the comforts of a contemporary lifestyle.
HEADINGTON 8 minutes 22 minutes
JOHN RADCLIFFE HOSPITAL 4 minutes 8 minutes
THORNHILL PARK & RIDE 4 minutes 11 minutes
SUMMERTOWN 7 minutes 13 minutes
CITY CENTRE 12 minutes 14 minutes
OXFORD PARKWAY 7 minutes 18 minutes
OXFORD CITY STATION 14 minutes 18 minutes
2 bedroom apartments from £360,000 3 bedroom houses from £595,000
Visit our Show Apartment, open daily from 10am – 5.30pm:
01865 950199 mosaicsoxford.co.uk
5% DEPOSIT 20% EQUITY LOAN
Computer generated image of Mosaics. Internal photography from the Show Apartment at Mosaics. Photography depicts the local area. *Help to Buy is subject to terms and conditions. Travel times and distances taken from Google Maps and are approximate. Prices correct at time of going to press.
75% MORTGAGE
Thursday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2017 51
www.oxfordpropertyweekly.co.uk
The Bloor difference CREATING NEW & EXCITING PLACES
BECAUSE WE ALL LOVE DISCOVERING SOMETHING NEW Be the first to view our newly opened Showhomes this weekend at The Dovecote, Drayton If you are looking for a new home, there’s something wonderful for you to come and see. Join us and take a tour of our brand new 3 & 5 bedroom Showhomes at The Dovecote, Drayton. Don’t miss out – if you purchase flooring throughout in your new Bloor home at The Dovecote, we will include turf to your rear garden – for a limited time only.*
THE DOVECOTE
Be amongst the first to view our superb designs and reserve the home of your choice, off plan.
off High Street, Drayton, Oxfordshire OX14 4JL 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £310,000
SEE I T. F EEL I T. E X PER I E NC E I T.
Speak to our Sales Advisors:
01235 888289
Open daily 10am – 5pm
*Turf included from Bloor Homes’ selected range, subject to terms and conditions and on selected developments and selected plots only. No cash alternative. Price and details correct at time of going to press. Images shown for illustrative purposes only.