Month: January 2016

Sam McCathie at Fox & Sons explains briefly about the implications of the increase in Stamp Duty for investment and second home purchases after 1 April this year and highlights a superb opportunity for an investment in King’s Worthy.

Sam says: “If you have plans to move this year, now is the time to market your property. There is currently a saturation of residential buyers, but not enough available properties coming to the market just yet. This creates a competitive buyers’ market.

“The recent announcement about Stamp Duty changes which means that from April, buy-to-let investors will have to pay an extra 3%, has resulted in these purchasers being very keen to buy as soon as possible. Investors will want to buy and complete before the change.”

One recent property to the market in Edwards Close, King’s Worthy is ideal as an investment purchase and will also appeal to first time buyers, who will, of course, not be subjected to the increase in Stamp Duty.

The ground floor apartment forms part of a modern, purpose-built development in this close and there are just three apartments in this building. The accommodation is surprisingly spacious and the open plan living room is a fabulous size with plenty of space for dining and relaxing in addition to a very smart kitchen with glossy units in one corner. A generous double bedroom has a built-in wardrobe and the bathroom lies adjacent.

The apartment is offered for sale together with a parking space in the covered car port. Fox & Sons quotes a price of £225,000 and expects a good deal of interest from investors and other purchasers alike. Contact the office on 01962 862121 for more details.…

Located in an established residential area within an easy walk of Winchester’s city centre and train station there are also good local amenities close to this spacious apartment. Created from a lovely period property, the apartment lies on the ground floor and benefits from a communal garden, its own off road parking and additional visitor parking.

Delightfully refurbished, the apartment is smartly presented with neutral decoration and plain carpets. Original features such as the large bay window in the living room and an open fireplace enhance the accommodation and make it ever more appealing.

The living room at the front of the property has a door through to an inner hall which leads off to the bathroom, modern fitted kitchen and the superb double bedroom. The bedroom has a door to a rear hall which provides a secondary entrance.

The apartment is to be sold with a share of the freehold and a price of £265,000 is quoted by Winchester estate agent, Dybles. Further information is available by calling the office on 01962 866644…

Tucked away in a surprisingly peaceful and secluded location in the village of Littleton, this detached family house is well positioned for those who like to combine village life with the convenience of being within a sensible distance of major city amenities.

The generously proportioned accommodation has an excellent layout with a rise in the plot dictating an interesting split level plan where the principal living space takes advantage of the southerly aspect.

The front of the house has an open aspect with driveway parking and turning space in front of the double garage. The front door opens to a welcoming reception hall which has doors to the study, cloakroom and superb sitting room with twin pairs of glazed doors to the terrace and garden on the south western side.

A few steps rise to an upper hall which gives access to the large dining room and wonderful open plan kitchen/breakfast room which is a lovely bright room with French doors to the south easterly aspect, ideal for enjoying meals outside through the summer months. There is also a utility room.

Stairs continue to rise through the house to the split level landing with two double bedrooms on each level. There is a large family bathroom with the two largest bedrooms also having their own en suite shower rooms and plenty of fitted wardrobes.

The garden wraps around the house and is arranged on a series of levels with seating areas, ornamental pond, well stocked borders and a level lawn on the top tier.

Littleton is one of Winchester’s popular villages and is only a couple of miles from the city and on the right side for easy access to the station. The Running Horse in the village has excellent reviews both as a restaurant and village pub. There are numerous sports clubs in the village and the local schools are Sparsholt for the young ones with Westgate and Henry Beaufort for secondary level.

Winkworth quotes a guide price of £775,000 for this lovely family home and welcomes enquiries on 01962 866777…

The Country House Company is keen to be accessible to those who seek experienced, professional assistance on any property related matters. Established in 1997, the company has grown and now comprises a team of 8 specialising in Sales, Lettings and Property Management.

This latest initiative is simply for our Heads of Department to be available in a relaxed environment and answer any questions from homeowners about their plans be it the sale or renting out and then management of their property, downsizing, the market conditions or perhaps how we would approach the marketing of your property if you decide to move? There is no obligation and so we would be delighted to talk now for an event that may be some time away.

We have selected 4 village pubs across our area and agreed with those pubs to take some space for a couple of hours on an agreed evening between 6pm and 8pm. We send out 1,000 invitations to local addresses and we e-invite our database of established contacts.

The remaining dates are as follows:-

Tuesday 26th January – The Woolpack, Totford SO24 9TJ

Tuesday 23rd February – The Rising Sun, Milland GU30 7NA

Tuesday 1st March – The Three Horseshoes, Iping GU29 0JY

If you would like to combine a visit to a pub that you may not have visited previously and at the same time tap into our expertise on the world of property do let us know and we would be delighted to meet you.…

In the last few days Zaza Oswald, partner in charge of residential lettings for Carter Jonas in Hampshire, reports taking a call from someone eager to rent a new home for no better reason than fulfilling their 2016 resolution that the new year meant a new home.

Renting is the easiest way to achieve this, and if your resolve is small-scale, then how about a one bedroom garden flat in the very heart of Winchester (£995 per month EPC Band C)? It makes for an easy life with its superb lounge / dining room, linked open-plan kitchen, and large double bedroom, and bathroom with shower. There’s a front garden, rear courtyard, and a feature with gold-plated appeal, a garage.

Much larger, but still great value, is a four to five bedroom bungalow in Stoney Lane (£1,850 EPC C) that is almost as close to the rail station and has a great choice of schools close by, as well as Waitrose and Aldi. With contemporary bath and shower rooms and ample living space, as well as a driveway, garage, and gardens, it’s a great family base.

For fans of a move to the country there’s an interesting mix of properties. At West Meon (£1,350 EPC D) is a newly-refurbished three bedroom detached house set among large grounds. As well as the new kitchen, there are two living rooms and a new bathroom. Winchester, Alresford, Alton, Petersfield and, therefore, London, are all within easy reach.

Near Basingstoke is a brand new home at Farleigh Wallop (£2,000 EPC B) built to a stylish design with central gables front and back, both glazed from ground level to first floor apex. Behind them are an additional sitting area and entrance hall (flanked by dining and sitting rooms) at ground floor level and three bedrooms (one en-suite) and bathroom on the first floor. Rural bliss is twinned with easy access to the M3 and Basingstoke station!

Enjoying great views over surrounding countryside is a four bedroom house at Broughton (£2,450 EPC D) with easy commuting to Waterloo from Winchester or Grateley.

This comfortable family home is set in the midst of an excellent choice of state and private schools. The gardens are large to match the house but some gardening help is included in the rent.

Rents exclude administration fees, for this information visit CJVIEW.ME/winlet. For more details of the properties, call Carter Jonas on 01962 876838 or email winchester-residentiallettings@carterjonas.co.uk…

Once you have found your dream home, or you are selling your current property, then finding the right conveyancer is an important stage of the process and one which should never be underestimated.

There are a number of legal problems that can happen when buying or selling a property, so it’s risky to buy a home without help from an experienced and skilled conveyancing solicitor. Not only is it a very complicated and time-consuming process, but there are a number of legal documents that need to be completed. It’s not worth taking any risks when buying a home as it can be the most expensive purchase in your life.

Of course, there are quick online conveyancing fee portals which can give you a price, but you have no choice on the experience or skill of the conveyancer and those fees don’t always turn out fixed and there may be hidden extras. Like everything you get what you pay for and Bernard Chill & Axtell more than anyone can see how badly customers have been treated by some of these quick and easy options where we have to get involved to put things right and this is not quick and easy to deal with.

So – what if you could get an online fixed fee quotation and be assured that a quality, experienced, local conveyancer will act for you, someone who has a track record for getting the job done at a time when you need it most, with no nasty surprises.

Bernard Chill & Axtell Solicitors have all the experience in-house, with one of the most dedicated conveyancing teams across the whole of Hampshire. With the firm established in Southampton in 1947 and now with 7 offices across the region, we have an unrivalled heritage along with a no nonsense attitude in working tirelessly for our customers, who come back time and time again.

We were recently instructed before Christmas and had contracts and searches done by return before the shutdown. Working directly with the client and other professionals involved in the transaction we then were able to exchange on their transaction in 7 working days during the first week in January.

We don’t know any conveyancing service which can match what we do, so come to Bernard Chill & Axtell Solicitors and see how conveyancing ‘should’ be done.

With the current housing market moving so fast, you have to have as much confidence in your legal preparation as with your choice of property and not leave anything to chance. With Bernard Chill & Axtell Solicitors we treat your purchase or sale as if it were our own.

A quick visit to our conveyancing section on our website at: www.bcasol.co.uk/conveyancing will let you get a quotation immediately today to your browser, or alternatively call 02380 228821.…