Celebrating 40 years of the humble postcode. What’s been going on in GU25 in the past four decades?

Celebrating 40 years of the humble postcode. What’s been going on in GU25 in the past four decades?

by Viv United Kingdom
  • The ‘Postcode’ celebrates its 40th birthday
  • There are now 1.8 million postcodes in the UK covering 29 million addresses
  • New homes on Wentworth in GU25 have jumped from 2,000 to 7,000 sq ft in 40 years

It’s been 40 years since postcodes were rolled-out across the UK to make letter sorting easier.  Originally trialled in Norwich, 1974 saw this revolutionary new method of speedily identifying addresses being used throughout the rest of the UK. Often taken for granted, the simple postcode has transformed the way that sorting offices quickly organise mail to speed up the delivery to the end user. There are now 1.8 million postcodes covering 29 million addresses across the country.

Indeed the humble postcode has become an automatic way in which we identify ourselves and get around.  With two thirds of the country finding it easier to navigate with a sat nav, the old fashioned map is becoming a thing of the past.  Just key in the postcode and off you go! Hard to believe that 40 years ago this wonderful system did not exist.

Indeed one of the many sectors highly affected by the creation of the postcode is estate agency.

James Wyatt, partner of leading Surrey Estate Agent, Barton Wyatt comments:

“I was only a lad when the postcode was introduced but I was still actively involved in the family business.  My brother Rupert and I were often tasked with delivering leaflets door to door extolling the virtues of selling your house through Barton Wyatt so I felt like a postman sometimes! It might sound jolly but door-to-door delivery is not fun in Virginia Water and the Wentworth Estate. The plots are big and the drives seem endless when you are just 11 years old.”

Another sector that has relied on the postcode is demographic classification. Used in the UK to describe, measure and classify people of different social grade, income and earnings levels this data is essential for market research, social commentary, statistical research and analysis.

“Wentworth, Virginia Water and surrounding villages are all A1 classified,” mulls James, “We are very fortunate to live in such an affluent area.  And it was like this 40 years ago when the postcode was invented – as it will be in another 40.  But things have not stood still – a lot changes in housing in 40 years!”

Forty years ago a new house sitting on half an acre in Wentworth would have had an internal size of 2,000 square feet and the house would have gone on the market at about £55,000.  This would have been a large house by UK standards then.  Today a new house on Wentworth will be around 7,000 square feet and will cost a buyer £4,000,000.

And if you are wondering about flats – the sizes have not altered greatly but the cost has.  In 1974 you would expect to pay £10,000 for a 2 bedroom flat – today you could pay between £250,000 and £400,000.

The ‘must have’ gadget in the kitchen if you were flashy in 1974 was a dishwasher; incredibly this white good is the same price today as it was then.  A cheaper toy, but all the rage in the middle classes, was a Sodastream, with its violent coloured concentrates and endless flow of sparkling beverages.  The “Get busy with the fizzy” tagline has been re-launched recently as Sodastream attempts a return to its original fame.

Back in the 70’s houses were all being refitted with shag pile carpets and chocolate bathroom suites sporting gold taps.  In the garden, you were considered dead trendy if you had a ride on mower and slightly vulgar if you had a swimming pool.  Today it’s cool to have a gardener and a bit retro to have a hot-tub.

On the driveway you had made it if you had a Reliant Scimitar in Mexico brown with a vinyl roof and if you were really flashy, a webasto sunroof.  The ladies would have liked to be seen in a Dolomite Sprint, a bit of a GTI in its day, the most popular colour in 1974 being deep purple.  Today it’s a 4×4 all the way with the odd drop head Mercedes for sunny days and a VW Golf for the nanny.

James mulls over some differences in the workplace too,

“Selling houses was considerably less electronic. Your estate agent would measure up your house with a tape measure, he or she would count the power points, take note of the dado rail and get excited by the number of aspects. A photo and typed up details would be carefully placed in the agent’s window and an advert would appear in the local paper… and then we would wait for the perfect buyer.

“Like most businesses, all estate agents would close for lunch, and very few would open on a Saturday – and if they did then certainly not for long.  It was fun working in an estate agency then and still today.  Much has progressed but actually people still buy from people and that will never change. Our clients return time and time again, they pop in for a chin wag and they are the life blood of our business.  I was addicted then and I still am!”

For more details on luxurious property on Wentworth give the team a call on 01344 84300 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Internationally renowned architect Richard George Rogers brings his “urban renaissance” to Deptford RISE development

Internationally renowned architect Richard George Rogers brings his “urban renaissance” to Deptford RISE development

by Kate United Kingdom

Globally renowned architect, Richard George Rogers (Baron Rogers of Riverside), brings his vision of “urban renaissance” to the emerging Greater London hotspot of Deptford.

Deptford, SE8 is fast overtaking the popularity of its neighbouring Greenwich, SE10, to become the lifestyle and cultural Mecca of south east London.

The British architect is noted for his work on the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Lloyd’s building and Millennium Dome in London, the Senedd in Cardiff and the European Court of Human Rights building in Strasbourg. He is winner of the RIBA Gold Medal, the Thomas Jefferson Medal, the RIBA Stirling Prize, the Minerva Medal and the Pritzker Prize.

£1 billion plus regeneration schemes for “the new Shoreditch”

The RISE residential development from Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners (RSHP) is just one of many regeneration projects totalling over £1 billion in Deptford. Designed over eight floors, the development is a mixture of studios, one-and-two bedroom apartments, executive suites and penthouse suites. The building will follow a high spec, with modern communal areas, state-of-the-art kitchens, contemporary bathrooms and high tech security systems.

Located in the heart of Deptford, with a one minute walk to the overground station, the RISE development is in an excellent location for the influx of City and Canary Wharf professionals who are moving into the area.

A £1 billion riverside regeneration scheme, swish new accommodation projects and a flagship Waitrose look set to turn Deptford into “the new Shoreditch.” The New Capital Quay development will feature an art gallery, museum, crèche, design studios, bars and restaurants; and even Deptford train station and its surrounding areas are benefitting from a £42 million mixed used development with apartments, town houses, workshops and retail outlets.

Sustainable development designed to attract people

Rogers says: “Cities are the physical framework of our society, the generator of civil values, the engine of our economy and the heart of our culture. In England, one of the three most densely populated countries in the world, 90% of the population live in cities, but many of our urban areas are not sustainable. Compact polycentric cities are the only sustainable form of development and should be designed to attract people. If we don’t get urban regeneration right then all our work on cities – buildings and public spaces, education, health, employment, social inclusion and economic growth – will be undermined.”

He continues: “The structure of buildings set the scale, form and rhythm of the architectural environment, within which change and improvisation can take place. Scale is given as much by the design of the details as the building as a whole. Lightness of structure, transparency and layering are dominant design factors in the work of the practice. Colour is used for a variety of reasons, including to affect the mood of the building and to humanise and change the apparent nature of materials.”

A social vision for one of the most desirable London postcodes

Rogers concludes: “Over the last thirty years, it has become clear that the risk associated with climate change will pose serious challenges to society. Architects are constantly presented with the challenge of creating durable buildings that respond to a changing environment.Buildings, neighbourhoods and cities should be designed to minimise pollution and carbon emissions. Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners believe that a strong social vision is the driving force which is critical for the development of a sustainable civil society.”

The off-plan RISE development is already attracting British investors with entry levels from £430,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment and yields delivering up to 4.75% yields (higher than the London average of 3.42%).

Ray Withers, CEO of Property Frontiers, comments:

“It was excellent to discover the great Richard Rogers is one of the architects behind the RISE development. Adding this level of acclaim and expertise to Deptford’s booming regeneration just proves SE8 is one of the most desirable London postcodes right now. As with all emerging areas, though, the optimum time to get involved is right at the start of the boom. Now is that time in Deptford and the RISE development is a superb example of a sustainable investment which will deliver now and in the future.”

To find out more get in touch with Property Frontiers today on +44 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

A sunny outlook for Sunninghill in 2014

A sunny outlook for Sunninghill in 2014

by Viv United Kingdom

It seems that the outlook for 2014 for Berkshire’s upmarket village of Sunninghill is sunny indeed. Luxury homes developer Millgate launched four new country mansions earlier this year in Sunninghill, and within just a fortnight, two of these exquisite mansions had been reserved. Now, less than four months later, all four have been snapped up by prime buyers.

Just a little over three miles from the “super suburb” of Virginia Water, as the Telegraph has dubbed it, Sunninghill provides a plethora of reasons for families to locate to its leafy lanes.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments:
“Sunninghill is just a stone’s throw from the exclusive enclave of Surrey’s Wentworth Estate. House prices here demand a hefty premium due to their location on the ‘island,’ as it is fondly known by the locals.

“Down the road in Sunninghill, villagers still benefit from the same fabulous amenities, but with homes that avoid the same weighty price tags that neighbouring Wentworth creates. This part of Surrey and Berkshire has easy access to both Heathrow and London, as well as terrific schooling choices and a wide range of local entertainment options.”

Recently, a report by Hamptons International, indicated that the return of housing market confidence has been greatly influenced by the different types of buyers driving supply and demand. For instance, there were 350,000 cash buyers in 2013, accounting for 36% of market activity. Although 70% of these buyers weren’t selling a property to fund their purchase, meaning that stock levels were not increasing as a result of their transactions.
This goes some way to explain the extreme shortage of housing stock that Britain continues to experience. While supply lags behind, Hamptons International has reported that demand for homes is up 28% in the Surrey and Berkshire area.

Regional Director of Hamptons International, Julian de la Poer Beresford, who was responsible for the sale of the luxury Millgate country mansions, comments,

“With many of these cash buyers looking in the premium housing markets, it is probably of no surprise that they have been drawn to Millgate’s ‘best in class’ for country homes. There are two main facts driving the quick sale of these homes: firstly the number of Londoners looking to move out of the city into the country has doubled compared with last year and secondly the upturn in enquiries from overseas buyers.

“These overseas buyers are no longer just looking at prime central London, but instead are broadening their search to a wider geographical area.

They mirror the buyer profiles of Millgate’s majestic Holland Place, which explains the speed at which these four Sunninghill houses have been snapped up.

“Saying that, the quality and finish on these beautiful houses has also been a key factor in their quick sale – they are simply world-class.”
For more information on country mansions from Millgate contact them on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk

Revel in your restroom: Millgate introduces the Man Throne

Revel in your restroom: Millgate introduces the Man Throne

by Viv United Kingdom ,

Long gone are the days of a three piece avocado bathroom suite (with the addition of a bidet if you were posh!); Britons are investing ever increasing amounts of time and money into creating the perfect bathroom space within their homes.

Inspired by hotel stays, glossy magazine spreads and hours of TV programming dedicated to the interior design of A-list celebrity homes, the spathroom is here to stay.

  • Women spend 1 year, 7 months, 15 days of their life in the bathroom (Bathstone)
  • Men spend 1 hour 45 minutes going to the toilet each week (Bathstore)

The bathroom as a space has shifted from purely functional to a haven for relaxation in recent years, an escape from the mayhem of the day and the place to be pampered. Today the label on your handwash and the thread count of your towels are as important as the car in your driveway and the wine in your cellar.

Long suffering fathers, husbands, boyfriends and brothers will all testify to the length of time the females in their lives spend in the bathroom but research Bathstore has proven that women really do spend longer locked in the bathroom than their counterparts – the equivalent of 1 year, 7 months and 15 days over their lifetime, an entire month longer than men.

Indeed whilst women may view the bathroom as a sanctuary, a survey carried out by Bathstore reveals that it is in fact men who are much more likely to dally on the WC than women. The average man will spend 1 hour and 45 minutes every week going to the toilet whilst women, with efficiency ever foremost in their minds, spend a mere 1 hour 25 minutes per week.

With attitudes to and usage of the bathroom differing substantially between men and women, Millgate, the Berkshire-based developer has created one luxury home that solves this age-old issue.

Ashworth House on Holland Place in Sunninghill is a home with a difference. As you leave the palatial master bedroom suite and step down to the cavernous dressing area you are faced with a choice: turn left and enter the Man Throne a discrete, self-contained area with WC and hand basin, the perfect retreat for the man of the house when he needs some ‘time-out’ perhaps? Or turn right and you step into your spathroom heaven.

The most desired elements of a bathroom according to a study on MSN.com can all be found at Ashworth House:

  • A large airy shower – Ashworth House has this and more – the 1800 mm wide shower set behind a wall of glass features a tiled wet room floor with vado taps and shower fittings.
  • A soaking hot-tub – A very large Villeroy and Bosch quaryl bath sits in front of the large south facing windows. This is a bath that will leave nothing to be desired; quaryl combines the best properties of natural quartz with the versatility of high-quality acrylic resin, it is durable, timeless, warm and pure.
  • Natural lighting – pouring in through the windows this bathroom is filled with light, something we crave early in the morning to shake us awake.
  • Underfloor heating – the joy of a new house is often the underfloor heating. Fitted as standard in all Millgate bathrooms, long gone are the days of cold toes in the morning.
  • Beautiful tiles – 20mm polished marble and stone adorn this lovely bathroom with porcelain floor to ceiling tiles.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments:
“Just as important as the kitchen, bathrooms are key to selling homes. They are not just functional spaces but rooms to enjoy just as much as the others which is why we never hold back on expense in this area of the home. It is by listening to our clients, their needs and how they live in the homes we create that we learnt about the desire for a separate WC off the master suite. If fact, it’s been so popular with visitors that we may well incorporate this feature in further Millgate homes.”

So is your appetite for this spathroom complete with Man Throne wetted?
This 6 bedroom residence is located in the heart of the Home Counties just 2 miles from Ascot racecourse. Ashworth House sits within substantial landscaped grounds and reflects meticulous attention to detail in design, specification and architectural integrity – again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

The property offers exceptional accommodation, arranged over three storeys, boasting a magnificent central galleried staircase with spectacular chandelier, three large reception rooms ideal for entertaining, while the kitchen/family room with an orangery opening out into the garden is the informal heart of the home. Upstairs there are en-suite bathrooms to all six of the bedrooms plus a bonus bedroom/games room. Staff can also easily be accommodated within the annexe which is found over the triple garage.

To come and see this opulent house and its Man Throne for yourself contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or Hamptons International on 01372 469279 or alternatively visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Wentworth prepares to celebrate 60th birthday of the PGA European Golf Tour

Wentworth prepares to celebrate 60th birthday of the PGA European Golf Tour

by Viv United Kingdom

2014 is a landmark year for the PGA European Golf Tour as it celebrates its 60th year. The Championship was first played back in 1955, coming to the prestigious West Course at Wentworth in Surrey in 1984 and where it has been played exclusively ever since.

· PGA European Tour celebrates its 60th year of first class golf
· 20th – 25th May at the glorious Wentworth Club, in Surrey
· Barton Wyatt say property for all pockets as 2 bed flats priced from £250,000

This first class golfing tournament initially only attracted British golfers however in the 1970’s it began to entice players from all over Europe and quickly escalated into one the top international golf events on the European Tour Calendar.

60 years ago Englishman Ken Bousfield picked up the title of first ever champion, finishing 17 under par and taking home £400 in prize money. Compare that to last year’s winner, 2013 champion Matteo Manassero who scooped a staggering €791,660 and it’s clear to see how this event has grown.

The BMW PGA Championship is six days of high quality entertainment which includes the Official Practice Day, Celebrity Pro-Am, and four rounds of compelling competition from 20th to 25th May.

This year an impressive list of 50 celebrities are already confirmed to take part in the Celebrity Pro-Am including Chris Evans; Olympic medallists Eve Muirhead, Sir Steven Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent; footballers David Ginola, Peter Schmeichel and Jamie Redknapp and rugby stars Chris Robshaw, Ben Foden and Mike Tindall.

For the residents of the exclusive Wentworth Estate this is a week in their lives when everything slows to almost a halt. Getting about on the main island becomes tricky as the roads are full of golf lovers all anxious to wander on the fairways of England’s finest golf course and watch the pros at the top of their game.

Wentworth resident and local business owner James Wyatt has lived in the area most of his life and tells us of the thrills of the PGA week:

“I live on Wentworth and work in Virginia Water so life is not too stressful for me during PGA week. In fact I love the buzz of it. It turns our sleepy village into the centre of the universe for a few days. There are limos, TV crews, dozens of celebs and huge amounts of fun and frivolity, not to mention champagne and strawberries!”
James Wyatt runs the award winning Estate Agency, Barton Wyatt with his brother Rupert. They became the third generation of Wyatts in 1998, the agency and indeed the village has gone from strength to strength over the years.

In June 2013 the Telegraph reported that Virginia Water, famed as the home of Bruce Forsyth and Wentworth golf club, was crowned the most expensive village in the country in a survey that revealed a huge jump in the number of property millionaires across Britain. The Telegraph further stated that “Average values in Virginia Water have climbed 6pc in the past year and in one street, Portnall Rise, homes average £4.3m.”
James Wyatt is more reticent about prices in the area, saying:

“Virginia Water and Wentworth are often painted as the most unbelievably expensive place to live outside London, but we really do cater for all pockets with two bedroom flats for £250,000, detached houses for £600,000. But I am also very happy to sell anyone a new house for £30m!!”

For more information about James Wyatt and his award winning agency, Barton Wyatt, please call 01344 843 000, visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk or follow James on Twitter for the latest news.

Millgate triumphant once again at London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014

Millgate triumphant once again at London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014

by Viv United Kingdom

Quintessential British house builder Millgate proved triumphant once again at this afternoon’s prestigious London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014.

Now in their 23rd year, the London Evening Standard New Homes Awards is a glittering occasion which celebrates the diversity and excitement of the housing market in the South East of England where the much of the UK’s cutting edge new homes industry occurs.

Held at one of London’s finest venues, the Dorchester Hotel, the awards were well attended and host comedian Dara O´Briain did a sterling job of presenting the twelve awards open to house builders and developers both large and small.

Championing clever design and creative solutions that solve the challenges of city living, the awards recognised projects which showcase clever lighting, inspiring use of space as well as the wow factor in fabulous family homes and luxury apartments.

With the Judging Panel comprising industry experts along with London Evening Standard readers, the breadth of award categories reflected the diversity of the South East property market from Best First-Time Buy to The Eco-Living Award and Best Development in the Affordable Homes Sector.

Chart Ridge, Trevereux – Highly Commended Out of London Home

Millgate were highly commended in the Best Out of London Home category for their exceptional development close to Oxted, Surrey.  This development has been unusual for Millgate as it is their first mixed vernacular site.

Chart Ridge at Trevereux is created from what was originally a convalescents home attached to Charing Cross Hospital and later a pioneering centre for Marie Curie Research Institute.  Millgate have respected the character and history of the original property on the land, retaining the derelict building’s façade as well as extending to the rear in order to create six luxury apartments.

This wonderful residence is flanked either side by two luxury six bedroom mansions complete with five en-suites, a super-sized Master Suite and a colossal downstairs living area incorporating kitchen, dining and several seating areas.

Trevereux also includes a milestone project for Millgate as this was the first time in the developer’s 25 year history that they have deviated from their classic design style and included a contemporary modern home on the site.

Ashworth House, Bardfield – Highly Commended  Best Family Home

Once again the delighted Millgate team were highly commended in the Best Family Home category for their sumptuous six bedroom residence, Ashworth House at Bardfield in Sunninghill, just two miles from the internationally renowned Ascot racecourse.

Ashworth House sits within substantial landscaped grounds and reflects meticulous attention to detail in design, specification and architectural integrity – again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

This wonderful house offers exceptional family accommodation arranged over three storeys and boasts a magnificent central galleried staircase with spectacular chandelier.  The downstairspiece de resistance is the vast kitchen/family room which features several interesting areas designed for integrated family living.  Three further large reception rooms are ideal for entertaining.

Upstairs the master bedroom suite was created to mirror a luxury hotel suite; there are en-suite bathrooms to all of the other five bedrooms plus a bonus bedroom/games room. Staff can also easily be accommodated within the annexe which is found over the triple garage.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Director atMillgate commented on today’s event,

“We focus our attention on building beautiful high-quality homes, priding ourselves on innovation, design and craftsmanship and ensuring that we tend to every little detail. I believe this is what sets us apart from other house builders and it’s wonderful to have been acknowledged by both our industry peers and readers of the Evening Standard.

“We are a committed team at Millgate and that is most certainly why our homes are as sublime on the inside as they are splendid on the outside. The dedication, professionalism of our staff and subcontractors are precisely why Millgate succeeds. It’s a pleasure working with them.”

For more information on Millgate call 01189 343 344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Lettings agents charging £210m in tenant fees each year

Lettings agents charging £210m in tenant fees each year

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Following yesterday’s vote by MPs to reject a ban on letting agent fees to tenants and the government’s announcement regarding greater transparency of fees, research by the UK’s largest online letting agent sheds light on just how urgently the reform is needed, including how £210 million is charged by agents to tenants in fees each year.

Last month Upad asked 740 tenants who had recently moved about their experiences. They found that a third rated high street lettings agents as either ‘poor’ or ‘terrible’ and only a third rated their experience ‘good’.
On average, those tenants surveyed had been charged £210 in “admin” fees. With over 1 million tenancies created in the UK each year, tenants are being charged at least £210 million in “admin” fees. Many agents charge further renewal fees on the anniversary of the tenancy.

The research also revealed that half of all tenants were not made aware of the costs of letting before they viewed a property and that 70% had not met their landlord before moving in.

The importance of today’s announcements was further highlighted by the research’s additional findings, which revealed that 29% of tenants think getting rid of the administration, reservation and contract writing fees charged by agents is the No.1 element they would change about renting. A further 19% said the cost of renting was the most important issue. The third most important issue, highlighted by some 17% of respondents, was ‘poor agents’.

“Our research shows that the high fees charged by letting agents to tenants are seen by many of today’s ‘generation rent’ as unacceptable, particularly given the already high costs of paying rent and providing deposits upfront.” says James Davis, founder and CEO of.

The company, which lets over 1,000 properties a month and enables landlords to manage their properties directly, offers the services of a traditional high street lettings agent but at a fraction of the cost for both tenants and landlords.

Note: Amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill voted on yesterday in parliament and tabled by Labour follows last year’s OFT reports into the lettings industry which examined nearly 4,000 complaints by landlords and tenants about letting agents. Some 30% of these complaints were about fees and charges while 23% were complaints about poor service from agents.

Links:
OFT Report: http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/markets-work/lettings/oft1479.pdf

Notes to editors
Upad has taken the traditional high street lettings agent model and deconstructed it. Like the dating and travel categories before it, Upad empowers the customer with all the tools and support they need to self-manage their properties. Upad.co.uk offers immediate cost savings over using a traditional agent and offers landlords the largest online property distribution platform, ensuring extensive exposure for their properties – thereby maximising tenant leads. Tenants find a great choice of properties from professional landlords, and are treated openly and fairly throughout.

In September 2013, Upad reached its 6,000th transacted landlord and continues to grow exponentially every quarter as it drives true change in the lettings market.

Positive Portugal: Buyer confidence up as new property show announced

Positive Portugal: Buyer confidence up as new property show announced

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

The newly released RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey has recorded a positive rise in buyer confidence in the Portuguese housing market, as well as property sales in the country, showing that Brits are again looking to European shores when buying property overseas.

  • Growing interest in Portuguese property from prospective buyers; rise in number of properties sold (RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey)
  • The Overseas Property Show Friday 16th to Monday 19th May 2014 at National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
  • Tony and Belle Birkbeck, from Epsom, Surrey, recognise benefits of visiting show and bought in Portugal

The Survey, which covers estate agents and developers who operate in the Portuguese residential sales market, highlighted a growing interest from buyers in property for sale in the country, with increasing numbers of new buyer enquiries. Not only this, but the survey also revealed that there had been a moderate rise in the numbers of properties sold in the country as well as steady activity in the lettings market.   Having been party to the downturn in the global housing market, these are all positive signs that the industry is again on the up, reflected also in the announcement of a new property show in the UK, focussing on the options available to buy in key overseas markets including Portugal.

The Overseas Property Show, taking place from 16th – 19th May at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham will give people the chance to find out about the types of properties being offered on foreign shores and will see a host of overseas property experts on hand to answer any questions about purchasing property overseas.   The show will provide important assistance on every aspect associated with buying outside of the UK, from currency to mortgages to legal requirements, providing advice for those considering purchasing as an investment option, holiday home or even for relocation reasons.

Chris White, Director of The Overseas Property Show, explains,   “The fact that prices remain affordable in many overseas markets, yet with increasing buyer confidence, means that now is a fantastic time to look at buying that dream home abroad. We hope that through The Overseas Property Show, those considering making such a purchase, for whatever reason – be it personal or financial – will feel empowered through the knowledge that they gain after talking to our experts. Our aim is to make the process easy and stress-free, and the Property Show educational and fun!”

Covering the popular markets of Portugal, Spain, Italy and Florida in the US, The Overseas Property Show will also offer visitors the chance to learn about the types of apartments and villas available in the locations covered and the property bargains on offer, starting at as little as €79,000.

Tony and Belle Birkbeck, from Epsom in Surrey, know only too well the benefits of visiting a property show, having purchased their perfect overseas home after visiting an exhibition in London last year. The couple bought a holiday home in Portugal after holidaying there for many years and deciding they wanted their own bolt-hole in the sun to escape to for rest and relaxation.   Tony explains how a visit to a property show helped them to make their dream a reality,

“I wasn’t really thinking about buying a holiday home but watching ‘A Place in the Sun’ with my wife got the cogs turning. Out of the blue I got an email regarding a property show in London and as I happened to be in London when the show was on we set off to see what is was all about.

“We ended up buying through Ideal Homes International who were incredibly helpful. From meeting the staff from at the show who started our journey of finding the perfect property, the whole of the team has shown a professional and accommodating manner throughout. We are over the moon with our new home!”

Ideal Homes International will be one of the companies represented at The Overseas Property Show and tickets for the event are free. Open into the evening, from 10.30am until 7.00pm (6.00pm on the Monday), there is plenty of opportunity to visit the show, which is being held in the Museum’s ‘Bracebridge Suite’.

To reserve free tickets for The Overseas Property Show, call 0800 133 7644 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com or for more information, visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com 

Ascot racecourse apartment sales gallop ahead

Ascot racecourse apartment sales gallop ahead

by Viv United Kingdom

No other event links haute couture and top level sport with such finesse; I give you Royal Ascot which attracts a whopping 500,000 visitors every year. The pull of glamour, the presence of the Royal Family and the dramatic flat racing go hand in hand with cutting edge fashion, champagne and the chance of a little flutter. This is what drives the crowds back to this Berkshire town year after year.

  • Royal Ascot (17th – 21st June 2014) attracts 500,000 visitors every year
  • Show Home Open Day on Saturday May 17th at Westbrook House, Ascot
  • Westbrook House now over 70% sold, last 4 apartments remain

In its 303rd year, Royal Ascot commences on Tuesday 17th June culminating with the ‘last race’ followed by ‘singing around the bandstand’ at 6pm Saturday 21st.  Thursday 19th June is the much loved ‘Ladies Day’ where inspired millinery creations will be perched upon the heads of glamorous fillies teetering in their stilettoes.

 

This year, on the East side of the race track, are ten new home owners who are itching for the excitement to start.  Westbrook House was completed by award-winning luxury home builderMillgate back in January. Fourteen top of the range two and three bedroom apartments, each with two underground parking spaces proved fabulously appealing with already ten of the fourteen fine properties snapped up, mainly by local downsizers who wanted somewhere easy to live without giving up any of the benefits of their beloved Ascot.

 

Indeed back in June last year, Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate predicted this for Westbrook House:

 

“I anticipate that these apartments are likely to be bought by downsizers from the local area who no longer have the need for a large family house but love the town too much to leave.”

 

Jonathan today remarks,

 

“Well nobody likes a smart Alec but I am delighted that I got this one so right.  We have been the talk of the ‘downsizers’ in Ascot with literally dozens coming for a look around our stunning Show Home. Some are not quite ready to take the downsizing plunge just yet but the interest is there so perhaps we will need to build Westbrook House II soon!

 

“Our proximity to Ascot racecourse has definitely been a draw of these apartments. As the crow flies they are about 800 meters from the grandstand however they are far enough away that Royal Ascot will be a pleasure and not a disturbance for residents.”

 

A special Open Day has been arranged at Westbrook House on Saturday May 17th. These key ready homes are guaranteed to bring any keen race goer a great deal of pleasure or for those just looking for a luxury apartment that is easy to lock up and leave when required these are just perfect.

 

Ascot itself boasts an array of fine dining options, an abundance charming shops, some of the finest schooling in the country and is situated in ´Royal´ Berkshire which does sound terrifically grand.

 

For more details of the opening event or a brochure on these charming apartments contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visitwww.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Property Inspector: What do the different house price reports mean?

by Georgina United Kingdom
TheMoveChannel.com´s Property Inspector: taking a closer look at global real estate each month.
House prices reveal a lot about a property market, from demand and confidence to investment potential. The problem is that there are so many house price reports around. In the UK alone, there are at least 10 indices that track prices, others that track perception of prices, let alone ones that track rents. With their figures not always agreeing, what are the differences between them all? Which is the most reliable?
  • Important to be aware of differences between indices
  • Average price for 2 bed home in England now £157,788, according to TheMoveChannel.com
  • London most expensive market in UK, with average 2 bed house price of £495,543
  • Live property price information available on TheMoveChannel.com’s new Map Search
TheMoveChannel.com´s Property Inspector talks to Ian Spencer, Marketing Manager of lead generation firm Lead Galaxy, to decipher the mystery of the multiple price indices.
Click here to read the full interview. An abridged transcript follows:
What house price indices are out there? And who produces them?
“There are at least 10, which range from mortgage lenders, such as Halifax, to more official measures from the Office for National Statistics and the Land Registry. Recently, a growing number of estate agents have started to produce them too.”
 
What do they show?
“That depends on each index, because they are all based on data available to the company that creates them. Each one tracks figures from different stages in the sales process.”
 
 
Two of the biggest headline grabbers are Halifax and Nationwide. How similar are they?
“Halifax and Nationwide are both lenders, so their indices show the average price agreed on a property purchased using a Halifax or Nationwide mortgage, as well as how that has changed in the last month and year. Both cover the whole of the UK and both are seasonally adjusted.”
 
The phrase “seasonally adjusted” is used a lot. What does that mean?
“Exactly that. Figures are adjusted to account for seasonal trends and wider patterns and factors. A house price decrease in winter, for example, when the market slows down, might be less severe when adjusted for context or anticipation. The raw data, though, might show a rise, or even a more severe drop.”
Which UK house price index is the most reliable?
“Technically, it´s the Land Registry or the Office for National Statistics. The Land Registry is based on completed sales prices, which means that they are accurate – although they are also slightly behind and often revise their figures later.
“The ONS figures are based on data from sales provided by lenders. It´s only a sample of sales, but figures are, in their words, “one of the main house price indices used by central and local government to support decision making in the UK”.
 
Which house price index is the least reliable?
“It´s hard to rank them, but the ones that are the least reliable are technically the ones that relate to the perception of house prices – because they´re not measuring values. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, for example, publishes a survey of surveyor perceptions of house values, while Knight Frank´s House Price Sentiment Index shows how confident households are about their homes and the wider market. Zoopla also recently published data that shows homeowners expect prices to rise by 8.8 per cent in the next six months. That shows market confidence is improved, which is useful for gauging sentiment and future growth, but it does not tell you anything concrete.”
A large sample size is important to have an accurate house price index. Rightmove, for example, have a lot of listings…
“The more data, the more accurate the index. Rightmove claims to list properties sold by over 90 per cent of agents, which is relatively comprehensive.”
So is Rightmove´s House Price Index the most accurate, then?
Not quite, because it is based on asking prices for homes rather than completed sales prices: a house price can change dramatically before the sale is finalised.
 
A growing number of estate agents, such as Sequence and haart, are also publishing their own reports. Can anyone produce a house price index?
“If you´ve got enough data there´s probably no reason why you wouldn´t. From a marketing perspective, these reports will be picked up by major press or, if you´re a local estate agent, the local press, so you can certainly see why estate agents would do it. But obviously, the more reports that there are out there, the more it can end up confusing the market.”
These reports are useful for last month’s statistics. Is there any way to see live property price information?
“Yes. TheMoveChannel.com offers live property price information for markets around the world – not just the UK – through its new map search function. According to our data of properties currently for sale, the average price of a 2 bed home in England is £157,788. In London, that is much higher, with an average price of £495,543.
“These figures differ with, for example, Nationwide´s figures, which show the average house in England is worth £180,264, while the average London house is worth £362,699, but they confirm the imbalance between the capital and the rest of the country.
 
Which house price reports should you listen to?
“In a way, all of them. They are all useful for measuring different things. At the moment, they all have one thing in common: positive indicators for the UK housing market. The important thing is to understand the difference between them all, so that when you have two conflicting reports, you know why they disagree.”
Notes to Editors
Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 800,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.
The website address ishttp://www.TheMoveChannel.com and the office address is 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.
Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.