Month: January 2016

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.…

This immaculate detached family house sits in a carefully planned, mature garden and is well positioned within a private and exclusive close. Wentworth Grange is a small close off Airlie Road which lies between Ranelagh Road and the base of Sleepers Hill, just a mile from the High Street and within a few minutes’ walk of the cinema and the train station.

The accommodation flows well on the ground floor with the entrance hall having doors to the beautifully fitted study, the sitting room on the other side with a bay window and open fireplace, and to the kitchen and the dining room at the rear. The kitchen is well fitted and there is plenty of space for a breakfast table. The house has been extended to create a family room off the sitting room and this has a vaulted ceiling and a fitted unit for a television and storage. There is also a utility room and a ground floor cloakroom.

Two double bedrooms on the first floor both have fitted wardrobes and adjacent shower rooms, with two further bedrooms sharing the family bathroom.

The house is easily maintained with double glazed windows and very well presented with recently fitted carpets throughout. The detached double garage is currently arranged to provide parking for one car and a raised carpeted area for use as a gym with a wall heater and down lighters. A side door opens to the garden.

There is parking for several cars in front of the garage with established shrubs and a lawn framing the house. The rear garden is east facing and nicely laid out being partly walled and partly enclosed by hedging with a number of specimen trees. With access from the dining room and family room by way of French doors, the garden plays an important role through the warmer months and a pathway leads across the lawn to an attractive sunken terrace enclosed by a low brick wall.

Nearby there are wonderful walks through the water meadows, along the banks of the River Itchen past Winchester College to the Cathedral Close. An appealing feature for families is that the house falls within catchment for Kings School.

Jackson-Stops & Staff will be happy to provide further details on request and a price of £925,000 is quoted. Contact the team in Winchester on 01962 844299…

Bighton Grange, near Winchester, Hampshire, is amongst the winners of the 2015 Georgian Group Architectural Awards, sponsored by Savills. The awards, now in their thirteenth year, celebrate those who have demonstrated the vision and commitment to restore and create Georgian buildings and landscapes across the United Kingdom. The winners were announced in December at The Royal Institute of British Architects in London, with the awards presented by His Grace The Duke of Wellington.

The winning schemes were chosen from a total of nearly sixty entries. Crispin Holborow, of Savills Country Department and member of the judging panel, says: “It is vital that we continue to recognise the time and skill that goes into restoring and safeguarding some of this country’s finest Georgian architecture. The winning projects are the culmination of years of planning, hard work and expertise from a huge number of people. Across all categories, from the restoration of fire damaged shells to the creation of new buildings in the Georgian style, the finished works are simply inspiring, and are a true reflection of the dedication of those involved.”

George Saumarez Smith of Adam Architecture was awarded in the New Build in Classical Tradition category, for Bighton Grange in Hampshire. The judges agreed that few contemporary country houses are this self-assured or achieve such a degree of quiet dignity and inherent harmony. Bighton Grange is in essence a villa, in white brick with Portland stone dressings, and takes its inspiration from the Regency. There are also flashes of the picturesque, as you might see in an Italianate villa by Nash. The result is a subtle and refined composition.…

Hamptons International in Winchester has announced the winner of its competition to mark the partnership with the Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie which hit cinemas at the end of December.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the debut of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip and the 50th anniversary of the landmark television special, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’.

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved ‘Peanuts’ gang made their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle – and flying ace – embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest.

The competition was organised in conjunction with St Swithun’s school where children were encouraged to design the dog house of Snoopy’s dreams, aligned with the DREAM BIG theme from the movie. All flat pack dog houses designs were assembled and displayed in the branch windows. Members of the public voted for the winner by posting the name of their favourite artist in the ballot box located in the local branch.

Gareth Anwyl, Manager at Winchester Hamptons International comments: “We’re delighted to announce the winner of the competition is Freya Thorne-Henderson aged 8 with her imaginatively designed Snoopy dog house. St Swithun’s showed amazing creativity and designed their dog houses with colours, textures and flair.

“All the dog houses brought our branch windows to life and remained in full display over the Christmas period for all to enjoy.”

Freya has been awarded with a Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie goody bag and the overall winner of the competition, Guy Green from Bournemouth Collegiate School, will receive a giant Snoopy playhouse for his school, a larger than life Snoopy toy and cinema tickets for all the family.…

In an exciting start to the New Year The Country House Company has further strengthened its lettings team. Emilie Ravaux, who is ARLA qualified and has extensive experience in the property industry, joined the team at the beginning of January as Lettings Negotiator.

The Country House Company is long established in the South as a specialist property agency providing a professional and personal service for all aspects sales, lettings and property management. In existence for over 22 years, the company has a reputation for providing a thorough and attentive service.

Sue Crossley, founding Partner, commented: “The Country House Company has a reputation for offering a high quality, individual service. I am in no doubt that it is the quality and integrity of our team that is fundamental to our continued success. Having expanded the sales team last year I am now delighted that Emilie has joined The Country House Company as we take lettings and management, which is at the very core of our business, to the next level. “

Emilie responded: “I have enjoyed my time and experience working within a larger corporate environment but am excited by the prospect of working within a tight knit team which offers a more personal, flexible and individual service where the interests of the clients and applicants come first.”

Sue added: “As Emilie has lived in the area and worked in the property industry for some years her experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable; a great start to 2016 for The Country House Company!”…

This attractive village house at Bramdean near Alresford is well positioned within beautiful gardens in this popular village which lies mid-way between Winchester and Petersfield. The village has useful local amenities and is surrounded by rolling countryside on the northern reaches of the South Downs National Park.

The very spacious accommodation is arranged over two principal floors with a useful cellar. The grand entrance hall has doors to principal reception rooms including a fine drawing room with south and westerly aspects and a wonderful fireplace; additional sitting room; and smart dining room, although many families will probably use the large breakfast area of the lovely oak kitchen for most meals. The kitchen is very well fitted with a large Aga and a limestone flagged floor. There is also a snug or study and a utility room.

Upstairs the master suite is impressive with a large bathroom and lovely south facing views; and there are two further double bedrooms off the main landing with a family bathroom. Off the rear landing are two more bedrooms and another bathroom.

Available for immediate occupation, this classical Georgian home is offered at a monthly rent of £3,500 on an unfurnished basis. Contact Savills for more information on 01962 841842…