Does it pay to Tweet? Why Social Media really can affect your bottom line

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

When it was first introduced in the early 2000s, Social Media was seen by many marketing professionals as a fad. Something the ‘kids’ were doing which would fade away just as quickly as it appeared but nearly a decade later, it’s clear that Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and alike aren’t going anywhere.

The sheer scale of these social networks is rather scary – consider 750 million active Facebook accounts or the 340 million Google+ accounts which exist. And these are just a few of the more well-known Social Networks, for a more complete list visit this website which shows the true extent of Social Media.

However, whilst it’s great to be able to connect with friends and family on Facebook, tell the world what you had for breakfast on Twitter or get LinkedIn, calculating the ROI of Social Media for businesses has always been a little problematic.

James Dearsley, Founder and MD of Social Media specialists, The Digital Marketing Bureau, comments,

“A recent study by Adobe found that 88% of 750 surveyed marketing professionals felt they couldn’t accurately measure the effectiveness of their Social Media campaigns. Taking it a step further Social Media Today analysed online businesses and they state that 70% don’t even analyse ROI!

“It’s been a discussion that has dogged the market for many years now and one that worries and surprises me in equal measure. After all, how can you really tell the ROI of an advert in the paper or a series of TV adverts? The justification is that they are more tangible and business owners and more traditional marketers feel more comfortable with what they know.”

The situation is changing but it is important for companies to realise that Social Media isn’t a one trick pony and companies need to assess what it can actually do for them. Historically Social Media was thought of as solely an aid to helping sales and hence businesses wanted but struggled to justify its effectiveness – this was missing point of the social element to Social Media. Customer service is now seen as a major social media facilitator and thus a different ROI calculation is required.

Just as Google Analytics is used as a standard reporting tool, Social Media Analytics is becoming a growing market offering users a method of calculating ROI. It is now possible for companies to employ such tools to analyse both Customer Service and Sales Interactions using Social Media.

This is precisely what James Dearsley is offering his clients, he explains,

“More and more we are finding clients that are evaluating their Social Media presence and ultimately calculating what affect it’s having on the company’s bottom line. Executing a successful Social Media strategy takes time, energy, dedication and increasingly money for paid for promotion so it’s no surprise to hear people asking – is it worth it?

“In my opinion I believe that Social Media is one essential element of the marketing mix, appealing to a certain audience so should be implemented but fully in line with analytical tools so you know what is working, in what way and why. In today’s social world, it’s no longer all about selling to your client base but engaging with them, creating a relationship of trust and loyalty. Businesses should think less about the ROI of Social Media but more the ROE, the Return on Engagement.”

For more information about creating and executing successful property focused Social Media campaigns contact AB Property Marketing on +44 845 054 7524, become a Facebook fan or follow us on Twitter.

Or for more information about the Social Media Analytic tools available through The Digital Marketing Bureau, please contact James Dearsley on +44 1306 631 117 or follow him on Twitter.

 

Edwards & Elliott appointed selling agents of new luxury apartments on the site of late Rita Hayworth’s Berkshire mansion

by Viv United Kingdom

Ascot has been named by the Sunday Times as one of the top 12 places to live in the UK and with good reason.

Best known for horses and hats, for one week in June this Berkshire town is taken over by thousands in top hats, tails, high heels and exotic headdresses all attending the Royal Ascot meet. Beautifully portrayed in My Fair Lady, the lyrics say it all – “Every Duke and Earl and peer is here, everyone who should be here is here; for the smashing, absolutely dashing spectacle, the Ascot opening day.”
  • Ascot named as one of the top 12 places to live by Sunday Times
  • Silver screen icon Rita Hayworth’s Ascot mansion purchased by developers Millgate
  • Local agents Edwards & Elliott appointed to sell new luxury apartments with racecourse views
But once the Pimms has all been poured and the last strawberries and cream served, Ascot returns to normal life. Shoppers hit the traditional high street bustling with friendly cafes and independent retailers, children attend some of the finest state and private schools in the country and workers head to the Ascot Business Park or into London, a mere 25 miles away.

 

Life in Ascot is charmed and the town has a rich history of attracting the great and the good including the late Rita Hayworth who owned a mansion here in the 1950s. A keen race goer, silver screen icon Rita used the mansion when attending Ascot with her husband Prince Aly Khan. The property, Westbrook House, fell into disrepair after her death in 1987 and has now been purchased by local award-winning developers, Millgate.

 

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments,

 

“Westbrook House was a stunning mansion property in its day but sadly it is in such poor condition that restoration works are no longer viable. Keen to put some glamour and glitz back into the site which is directly opposite the legendary Ascot racecourse, we are replacing the property with fourteen high specification luxury apartments due for completion by early 2014.

 

“The 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are large (from 1,380 sq ft to over 3,000 sq ft) and designed specifically for those looking for a prestigious home, with light, outside space, security and the ability to ‘lock up & leave’. Westbrook House is very special and due to its location most apartments will have direct views towardsthe racecourse and new grandstand.”

 

Millgate have appointed Ascot-based selling agents Edwards and Elliott to market the properties with Richard Cracknell, Director for the branch commenting,

 

“Following the great success of Millgate’s magnificent development, Brockenhurst House in South Ascot, we are delighted to be involved with their latest apartment project, Westbrook House.

 

“We anticipate the main buyers of these fabulous homes to be local residents, those downsizing from larger houses in the area. 80% of the buyers at Brockenhurst House were active retired people, many of whom had second homes overseas and were looking for a more manageable property in Ascot. However these apartments will also appeal to professionals looking for an easy lifestyle and also to investors.

 

“Although, not due to be launched until the end of 2013, we are already receiving daily enquiries about Westbrook House. The location, design, the specification and finish and, most of all, Millgate’s reputation for excellence, is combining to create an amazing demand.”

 

All fitted with bespoke luxury kitchens and bathrooms these apartments shout indulgent living. The development has secure underground parking with spaces for two cars per apartment.   For further information on these must have apartments please contact Millgate on 01189 348 085 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

It’s out with the hydrangeas and in with the hot tubs in today’s English country garden

by Viv United Kingdom

With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show just around the corner (May 21st – 25th) and the long awaited spring sunshine peeking through, the nation is getting all green fingered.

According to the latest research from Lloyds TSB Insurance the average UK garden is now worth £1,928 but long gone are the days of a perfectly manicured lawn complete with Wimbledon worthy stripes surrounded by immaculate flowerbeds bursting to the brim with tulips, roses and hydrangeas. Today more and more homeowners are investing in outdoor furniture and decorations in a bid to add a touch of luxury to their gardens.

  • RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens in late May
  • The average UK garden is now worth £1,928 (Lloyd’s TSB Insurance)
  • Hot tubs now account for 1 in 10 garden purchases
British homeowners have spent on average £894 on items such as this in the last 12 months alone with barbecues accounting for 29% of purchases, trampolines 22%, swings / slides / see-saws 19%, hot tubs 10%, summer houses 8% and patio heaters 7%.

 

As James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning estate agency Barton Wyatt located in the heart of leafy Surrey, comments,

 

“In the current economic climate where many cannot afford to move house, it’s no surprise that homeowners are staying put and spending any money available on making their outside spaces more enjoyable.

 

“85% of households in the UK have some form of outdoor space around their property which should be considered as an extension of the home. Even a small area of lawn, some potted plants, a veggie patch or outdoor dining set can really add a new dimension to a property, providing a leisure space as well as adding extra value.”

 

On the Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water, only a short distance from one of Britain’s finest ornamental gardens, The Savill Garden, homeowners pride themselves on creating the perfect outdoor space for both friends and family to enjoy.

 

At Pine Acre for example, a 9,000 sq ft 5 bedroom luxury family home available for £4,650,000, there is a sizeable decked terrace with covered barbecue area and inbuilt heaters perfect for outdoor entertaining not to mention stocked flowerbeds, immaculate lawn and slate water feature.

 

Also available on the prestigious Wentworth Estate is Bourne House, a superb 5 bedroom property affording a long south facing garden with full width sun terrace which backs onto woods as well as a hot tub and even a horse sculpture in the grounds!

 

Down the road in neighbouring Sunningdale, Berkshire lies Queenswood, a 6 bedroom home also available at £4,650,000. The gardens to the rear afford a stone paved terrace as well as standalone heated swimming pool area and pump house perfect for family fun in the sun.

 

For more information on the stunning 21st century English country gardens mentioned above contact Barton Wyatt today on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Strutt & miParker appointed selling agents of new Millgate homes located in top rural area for quality of life

by Viv United Kingdom

Achieving that perfect work-life balance is the ultimate goal for many and where you live plays a big part in this quest. One area which stands out as offering the best quality of life of any rural area in Great Britain is the borough of Waverley in Surrey which topped the 2013 Halifax Rural Areas Quality of Life survey.

Taking its name from Waverley Abbey which was reputedly the first Cistercian abbey in England, this heavily wooded borough in south east England contains an area of outstanding natural beauty, Blackheath Common and is bordered by the North Downs.

Waverley residents are fit and healthy in the main, with an average male life expectancy of 80.6 years and 96.7% of the population reporting general good health. Many are comparatively wealthy, enjoying high weekly average earnings of £888 and an employment rate of 79.9% – both substantially above the UK average of £609 per week and 70.2% respectively.

Looking to house prices, often an indication of the affluence of an area, homes in Waverley are worth 5.6 times local annual gross earnings, some way below the average house price to earnings ratio for all rural areas of 6.0.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, said:

“While Waverley is not the top area in any one indicator, its strength is that it performs strongly across the board. The average resident has a high weekly income, enjoys above average health and life expectancy and low crime rates. But while they also benefit from a big home with central heating, living there does not come with a hefty price tag, with house prices relative to earnings below the average for rural areas.”

Within this ‘super borough’ the market town of Farnham stands out not only as the largest settlement but also due to its rich history, strong transport links, first class amenities and desirable homes. Birthplace of British cricket legend Graham Thorpe and home club of a junior Jonny Wilkinson, Farnham enjoys a sporting heritage with facilities for rugby, football, cricket, hockey, swimming and golf all on hand.   

Located just 42 miles south west of London with direct rail links to the capital and Farnborough airport merely 15 minutes’ drive, Farnham is home to some 38,000 residents and is a popular commuter town. It is also the location of award-winning developer, Millgate’s new collection of stunning detached country homes which will be marketed by local agent, Strutt & Parker.

Roger Wade, Partner of the Farnham branch comments on the much anticipated homes,

“This new development occupies a private sylvan setting within the village of Lower Bourne just south of Farnham, only a few minutes’ walk from local shops, a highly sought after school, doctors surgery, green and tennis courts. There is a very strong demand for quality new build houses in this area but tight planning guidelines have kept new development to a minimum.

“In 2010 we sold a similar scheme of 3 houses for Millgate also in The Bourne and they all sold exceptionally well. Buyers really appreciated the design, quality and workmanship that went into each individual house. Their attention to detail is second to none.”

All three stunning homes are set over three floors with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The living space has been created to give a wonderfully versatile layout to suit family needs with the kitchen and bathrooms fitted with top-end luxury appliances that will be admired by all. State-of-the-art 21st century technology blended with traditional handcrafted refinement sets these homes apart from other homes in the area.

With a guide price from £1,800,000 for more information please contact Roger Mead at Strutt & Parker on 01252 821102.

Leading online estate agent, My Online Estate Agent, appoints AB Property Marketing Ltd

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

10 years ago when AB Property Marketing’s (ABPM) MD, Charlotte Ashton, began her career in propertymarketing, the world was a different place. Properties were bought and sold using traditional methods; by appointing the local high street estate agent, putting a For Sale board outside and maybe some print adverts in the local paper.

• 33 million British adults used the internet daily in 2012 (ONS)
• 92% of property searches start online (Rightmove)
• My Online Estate Agent offers unbeatable fixed listing fee of £249 and no commission 

But then we entered the 21stcentury.com. It’s doubtful that Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web back in 1989, had any idea what impact his brainchild would have on our lives but with 33 million Britons using the internet daily in 2012, double the number 6 years ago according to data from the ONS, a life purely offline almost seems #unimaginable.
From emailing friends and family to reading the news, doing our banking, ordering the weekly shop or even finding a home, the internet has become our first port of call. In fact 92% of property searches start online with portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla, Prime Location and many more attracting millions of eyeballs daily.
Going one step further and fully embracing the power of the internet in today’s property market, Londoner Richard Patterson has combined his experience as a landlord and online technical skills to create My Online Estate Agent. Richard comments,
“Having been a landlord for 7 years now, I’ve had my fair share of experiences of dealing with high street estate agents. All too often I’ve been disappointed by the level of service offered and frustrated by the high fees charged, especially when you end up doing the work, such as showing prospective buyers and tenants around, yourself!
“Sick of agents not turning up, being hung over, late, rude or just damn right unhelpful, I wanted to offer an alternative; a service which combines all the benefits of a quality high street agent but embraces the ease and efficiency of the internet and gets results, all for a tiny fraction of the cost.”
My Online Estate Agent offers a fully comprehensive estate agent service (with the exception of arranging viewings which today many vendors prefer to undertake themselves) which includes a home visit to take professional photographs of the property and floor plan measurements, arranging and gathering feedback on viewings, negotiating offers and instructing solicitors all for an unbeatable fixed price upfront of £249 and no commission.
Properties are advertised on their extensive partner network of over 120 websites including Rightmove, Zoopla, Find a Property, Prime Location, Homes 24, Globrix, Find a New Home, Property Finder, Gum Tree etc and since launching only 12 months ago, My Online Estate Agent is already one of the largest operators with over 400 sales and letting properties on the market across the UK.
With numerous happy clients already My Online Estate Agent has appointed leading property PR agency, ABPM to spread the word further both to the on and offline communities. Commenting on the appointment, Charlotte Ashton, says,
“Whilst the property market as a whole has been somewhat lethargic to embracing the internet, there has indeed been a marked shift in the last year or so with more and more buyers and sellers using online services such as My Online Estate Agent to achieve their goals. In these times of austerity, vendors are even more cautious of high agent fees and if they can achieve the same results whilst enjoying a good level of service then I can only see online estate agency services becoming even more popular.”
Vendors and landlords can list their properties directly online at My Online Estate Agent but in keeping with the team’s awareness that almost half of the British population, 48%, use social networking sites (ONS 2012) you can also Like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Google+.
Richard Patterson is available for market comment and can be reached on Richard@myonlineestateagent.com or for more information on this superb low cost, fixed online estate agency service please visit www.myonlineestateagent.com or call 0845 434 6080.

Award-winning developer Millgate gives back with generous donation to Cancer Research UK

by Viv United Kingdom

In keeping with its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, multi award-winning developer Millgate has generously donated £1,000 via their appointed selling agents Hamptons International to Cancer Research UK.

At a wonderful event attended by local Hampton’s staff as well as London Head Office which took place last week at Millgate’s new boutique development in Kingswood, Surrey, Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Director at Millgate, presented the Senior Director of London Head of New Homes, Nick Vaughan with the funds who commented,

“It is very satisfying partnering with such enterprising businesses as Millgate. Their professionalism and desire to deliver the very finest product mirrors our work ethic and their generous donation to our chosen charity for 2013, Cancer Research UK demonstrates that their commitment to local communities goes beyond simply bricks and mortar.”

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer studies and as part of this exciting partnership, Hamptons International is committed to raising awareness and funds to help the prestigious charity continues its life-saving work.

Jonathan Cranley who welcomed the Hamptons teams to St Audries in Kingswood, comments:

“It is terrific to hold an event which not only supports charitable causes but where selling agents can come and see for themselves what we do here at Millgate. Indeed a large proportion of the interest for our new Kingswood development has come from London with buyers looking to take advantage of the huge price hikes their city properties have seen in recent years and get far better value for money in the Home Counties so it’s wonderful to welcome the Hamptons London Head Office team also.”

St Audries, the opulent setting for this event is set within private landscaped grounds, this palatial six bedroom detached house offers privacy and luxury befitting a truly exceptional home. Excellence is in the detail – it is the final touches, sometimes tiny and even imperceptible that separate the truly exceptional from the merely functional. Devotion to detail is what turns houses into homes, an essential part of the Millgate Homes philosophy exemplified at St Audries.

The kitchen is awash with a range of hand painted bespoke cabinets and natural steel appliances; including a sub-zero American fridge freezer, a wolf range cooker and sub-zero wine chiller.   The house has a further four generous reception rooms.

Six bedrooms and five bathrooms – all incorporating every contemporary luxury sought after in a modern home today – completes the property.   The spacious plot covers half an acre and the house totals 6062 sq ft of luxury.

For more information contact Millgate on 01737 830377 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Could longer tenancies be the key to reducing rent arrears?

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

With the latest data from LSL Property Services revealing that the average monthly rent in England & Wales has gone up by 4.2% and the cost of renting in the Capital has risen eight times faster than wages over the past year it’s no wonder than tenants are feeling the pinch.

According to the latest Upad Tenant Survey (Feb 2013), over three quarters of tenants spend up to 40% of their monthly income on rent, a 10% increase compared to just one month earlier, with 4 in 10 stating that they were only renting because they could not afford to buy.
Indeed with rent accounting for an ever growing proportion of income and increases far outstripping salary rises, it is no wonder that tenant arrears are on the rise. LSL report that the total amount of late or unpaid rent reached a staggering £284 million in March 2013, rising £36 million from February.
Commenting on the situation James Davis, CEO of Upad, says,
“I don’t know of any landlord who hasn’t faced rent arrears up close and personal at some point. Here are some simple tips to help avoid arrears: 1. ALWAYS comprehensively reference your tenants no matter how nice they seem. 2. Discuss the prospective tenant’s plans with them. Is this a stop-gap or a long-term choice? And 3. Get to know your tenants. If you have a more personal connection they are more likely to keep you informed if they’re getting into trouble.”
But what can be done? Well with an ever growing proportion of the UK renting and for longer, the suggestion of extended tenancies has been raised which would allow tenants to better plan ahead financially and help to reduce large rent hikes every 6 to 12 months as is often seen when standard Assured Shorthold Tenancies are renewed.
Housing charity Shelter has long called for longer tenancies especially for the 1 million privately rented households with children and with the Upad Tenant Survey revealing that nearly 1 in 3 expects to rent for 5 to 10 years or more, the case is gaining momentum.As James comments,
“From a traditional letting agent’s perspective, shorter tenancies are good news as they get to charge renewal fees or additional payments if a new tenant moves in but from the tenant’s perspective, this can become costly and often unnecessary.
“Here at Upad, we strive to be fair to both tenants and landlords. We do not charge tenant renewal fees and encourage our landlords to treat renters not as cash-cows but valued clients. As a landlord myself I can see the benefit in long term tenancies as it allows the tenant to budget further into the future, reduce any void periods between shorter tenancies and have someone in your property who views it as their home and so will take better care of it.”
With Upad including tailored tenancy agreements as part of their Essential service available at £189 + VAT call 0333 240 1220 or visit www.upad.co.uk to find out more.

Oakvest – Recreating the perfect London skyline

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

The rooftops of London have always held a magical charm. 

Whether it´s Peter Pan sweeping Wendy and her siblings on an amazing flight over the rooftops of Bloomsbury, Bert and his fellow chimney sweeps enjoying a night on the tiles in an attempt to impress a certain Mary Poppins or James Bond taking in the Capital from atop Whitehall, London’s iconic skyline has unwittingly been the star of numerous movies and television programs since the cameras first rolled. The city´s unique Dickensian streets and atmospheric alleyways sits harmoniously next to imposing modern skyscrapers and converted warehouses – a movie director’s dream.

 

However, just as with the building´s facades these rooftops need the care and attention of city planners working in conjunction with developers to ensure that they will live on for further generations to admire.  Indeed Development Consultant Oakvest has taken this one step further with their latest project in Belgravia. Not satisfied with simply repairing the central roof pavilion on Grosvenor Gardens House they have decided to reinstate it entirely, one of the key elements of the return of this building to its former glory. 

 

This project will be particularly intricate as it involves re-constructing a large section of the 19th century roof which faces Grosvenor Gardens just minutes from Victoria. In order to achieve this, Oakvest and their expert team of architects are working from historical photographs of the roof and extrapolating this information to recreate the 1200 ft2 section. 

 

Leon Kalkwarf, lead architect on this project, comments, 

 

“This is such an exciting project to be working on with Oakvest.  The most interesting and indeed challenging aspect of this restoration is the need to replace the most prominent, middle section of the main roof facing on to Grosvenor Gardens.  We will be basing details on the two remaining “turrets” but this will be no easy task and nothing about this project is off the shelf. We will be buying in natural slates, copper detailing and lead work for the dormers, – but most of the work will be hand crafted by experts in their field.  

 

“There will be new round-topped dormer windows installed at 6th floor level along with new stone fronted oeil de boeuf windows within the central pavilion. New cast iron cresting to the ridge of the main roof will need to be replicated from original existing cresting and installed where missing or severely damaged.”

 

Whilst not always as obvious as the frontage or garden of a property, roofing is an essential part of the finished product – not only to keep the outside out but is essentially the finishing touch for a home. 

 

So next time you are standing on a London Street look up – and spare a thought for the incredible skill and expertise that made our skyline what it is today.

 

For more information on Oakvest´s planned restoration of this iconic building in London Victoria, call today on 0207 811 3855 or visit www.oakvest.co.uk.    

The copper-bottomed investment that Millgate built in hot-spot Oxford

by Viv United Kingdom

Investing your money wisely is one of the toughest decisions in this current economic climate. That said, bricks and mortar remains a top choice for many and buying property in the South East of England in particular, is viewed as a relatively stable and secure place to stash the cash.

Indeed the very latest report from Knight Frank revealed that prices of prime properties, which so many in the South East are, have evened out after some small declines in the last 2 years. A bright Q1 in 2013 showed prices of prime property across the UK increasing by +0.4% with 82% of all super prime sales occurring in the South East – up from 76% in 2011.

The term “copper-bottomed” may have derived from the safest way to build a ship but it is also used to describe an investment that can be trusted completely because it is safe and certain to succeed. And so with the experts at Knight Frank tipping one special property in Oxfordshire as “copper-bottomed” this is a rare accolade.

The super prime property in question, which Knight Frank has been appointed to sell, is Highview Manor built by award-winning local developers Millgate. Perched on an elevated plot less than 3 miles outside of Oxford, this wonderful house has all the elegance of a traditional country mansion plus a whole lot more.

Damian Gray who heads up the Knight Frank office in Oxford explains why Highview is in his eyes, a copper-bottomed investment:

“Buyers looking to spend in the region of £5,950,000 want something unique and Millgate have created just that. A house like this has never been seen in the Oxford locality before – it is beautifully built, full of wonderfully thoughtful design extras that make it a cut above the rest – and the new owner will have the security of the NHBC guarantee to ensure this purchase is as secure as you can wish for in this market – a copper-bottomed investment.

“Let me give you some examples of what makes this house so special – it has a huge wine cellar which will hold 1,200 bottles, an incredible 3D surround sound cinema room complete with reclining sofas, a hard surface tennis court with its own pavilion (the pavilion has a kitchen and shower), the house has an indoor 13 metre pool, a sauna and a large pool area bar with all the facilities you would need to entertain family and friends.”

For more information on Highview Manor please contact Millgate on 01189 343344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk to take the video tour.

Damian Gray, Office Head of Knight Frank in Oxford can be contacted on 01865 790077.

 

A Capital Contender: Woodlands Road West named most expensive street outside London

by Viv United Kingdom

Away from the stratospheric house prices found in many Central London streets, Woodlands Road West in Virginia Water is quickly becoming a contender for the most sought-after place to live. With house prices averaging £3.2 million according to Lloyds TSB, this exclusive road located on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey is reputedly the most expensive in England outside the Capital.

Indeed the latest Zoopla data reveals that over the past 5 years, the average property on Woodlands Road West sold for an eye-watering £3,148,333 with rents within the road’s GU25 postcode averaging £5,565 per calendar month.
James Wyatt, Partner of the leading estate agency in Virginia Water, Barton Wyatt, explains how Woodlands Road West can command such high house prices,
“It is quite simply a fabulous place to live. The privateroad is tree lined, the gardens wooded and a new car registration place recognition system has been installed so there is a feeling of real privacy. Some house builders make the mistake of building their new mega-mansions right at the front of these prime plots for all to see whereas buyers in this area want exactly the opposite – privacy and discretion.
“Home owners of Woodlands Road West be they royalty, celebrities or successful businessmen appreciate that their family homes is secluded and away from prying eyes yet accessible to shops, restaurants, schools and superb road, rail and air connections.”
Another real draw to the area is the highly acclaimed Wentworth Club only yards from Woodlands Road West. Wentworth itself boasts three PGA championship golf courses and the member’s only Clubhouse offers tennis courts and a health spa, not to mention a fine dining experience inspired by The Ivy and Le Caprice.
With a one-off joining fee of up to £24,500 and family membership costing £15,192 a year, the Wentworth Club attracts affluent society from not only Surrey but all over the world. James Wyatt, a Wentworth resident and Member, comments,
“The Wentworth Club is not only one of the finest golf and country clubs in England but also the heart and soul of the Estate. Offering a wide range of activities for all the family not to mention a vibrant social scene, the Club is always buzzing with members from all over the world adding an international flair.”
Two other factors keeping Virginia Water very much in the limelight are speedy commute into London and the choice of fine schooling. Direct trains hurtle into Waterloo in under 45 minutes making this an ideal commuter location and schools in the area are the finest you will find in the South East, be it the highly acclaimed state school Charters, public schools such as Eton College or the international institutions ACS and TASIS.
So if you’re looking for the perfect home away from the hustle and bustle of London then why not consider these stunning on the salubrious Woodlands Road.
Wilton, Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water   £5,350,000
This wonderful family home is less than two years old and boasts the very latest modern technology including built in Sonos with speaker system throughout the house.   There are four reception rooms including a grand dining hall, drawing room, study and TV room/gymnasium
Upstairs is a grand master bedroom suite with dressing room, en-suite including aquavision television. Six further bedrooms and six bathrooms. The property includes a self-contained staff flat comprising bed/sitting room, kitchen and bathroom set above a triple garage.
Carnanton, Wentworth, Surrey                £6,950,000
Carnanton was completed in 2009 for the current owners by prestigious house builder, Applegate Homes. The property has been immaculately maintained and is now presented for sale in beautiful condition throughout.
As you enter the property, a grand staircase leads up to the first floor and galleried landing. The grand hall is a spectacular feature of the property. The principal receptions face the rear of the property as well as the enormous kitchen/breakfast/garden room, a superb area for the contemporary family lifestyle and informal entertaining.
On the first floor there is a very large master bedroom suite luxuriously equipped with mirror fronted wardrobes in the dressing room and an opulent bathroom suite. Three further suites are on the first floor with three further adaptable rooms on the second floor depending on the owner’s requirements.
On the lower ground floor is the main laundry room and a useful luggage room as well as the enormous garage, a car enthusiasts dream approached via a ramp down drive and an electric up and over door.
The whole is well enclosed by large laurel hedging and mature trees affording a great deal of privacy from the adjoining properties. The plot amounts to approximately 1.5 acres in all.
For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.