Hampshire Property News

Lee Hounslow, Mortgage Services Manager at Connells in Shirley.

The recent announcement by the Bank of England to cut the base rate is good news for home movers, according to local estate agency Connells in Shirley.  Now at a historic low of 0.25%, this could bring more competitive mortgage products onto the market and Connells is encouraging current and prospective home owners to come in for some guidance on what this could mean for them.

“The interest rate cut is positive news for those planning to move home or step onto the property ladder for the first time,” says Lee Hounslow, Mortgage Services Manager at Connells in Shirley.  “This could mean even better rates on mortgage products and therefore potential savings on monthly repayments for borrowers.  All in all making homeownership more attractive and reviewing your current mortgage situation a financially astute decision.”

Lee continues:  “Connells has access to a range of highly competitive and exclusive mortgage products* and savvy home buyers would do well to consider what’s available to them.  We invite anyone looking for more information on how to benefit from the interest rate cut to come in and discuss their home moving needs with us.”

Connells offers a range of services including residential sales, home conveyancing and mortgage services to local home buyers, sellers and investors.   To speak to a mortgage advisor, please call the local branch on 02380 789351 or email: lee.hounslow@connells.co.uk…

It sounds so easy! Buy a house or flat, find a tenant and sit back and watch the pounds roll into your bank account, perhaps even tell the tax man so he can help himself to some of it.

But what does a potential landlord need to know to be sure that letting is a rewarding experience for all, avoiding the nightmare scenarios that are often highlighted in the media. Let’s look at a basic list of considerations:

Which property to choose? Should I focus on income or capital growth? What is the overall objective?

Is the property lettable and what price, and to whom?

Is it legally compliant and safe? What should be considered when assessing this?

Will the property require a great deal of maintenance in the future, can I do this, or are there suitable contractors available?

Do I have the legal, practical, letting and marketing knowledge to do this, or will I need a professional to deal with this complex range of subjects?

If things do not work as hoped, do I have the benefit of a team of professionals to deal with the legalities?

Do I genuinely know the answers to these questions?

Choosing a professional letting agent to advise on all the above is the most important decision a landlord can make. Selecting a member of the trade body, The Association of Residential Letting Agents, (ARLA) will provide assurance about the quality of service and the high level of training that is necessary to successfully negotiate the complexities and legalities of letting.

Penyards Property Management Managing Director Alan Davis, comments: “The market for letting property is growing and many new people are entering it every day, some with real knowledge and skill, but many with few transferrable skills or knowledge to keep them on……

Unique home in fabulous St Faith’s Road

This Edwardian detached property is one of a kind, built to an intriguing design which was remodelled in the 1960s and which might now be suitable for another makeover to fit with contemporary lifestyles.

The location takes some beating, about a mile south of Winchester in St Cross where St Faith’s Road in particular is highly sought after for a number of reasons including having access to the water meadows and a pleasant walk into the city, the fascinating period buildings in the area, proximity to St Cross Church and the highly regarded St Faith’s primary school.

The property has many attractions, not least the spacious accommodation of about 2880 square feet, the south facing gardens and off road parking in addition to a detached double garage.

The house is hugely versatile and is suitable for single storey living with the majority of the rooms on the ground floor but with two double bedrooms, a bathroom, two cloakrooms and four loft storage rooms upstairs.

The ground floor is currently arranged as three reception rooms, a large double bedroom with en suite bathroom, study, kitchen, utility and cloakroom all leading off a lengthy hallway.

The gardens run along the southern flank and are predominantly paved with mature hedging and planting. A driveway leads along the boundary to a double garage which has an attached sun room and garden store.

Savills says this is an opportunity to improve a unique property and to create something to suit individual lifestyles.

A guide price of £895,000 is quoted and further information is available from Savills. Contact the Winchester office on 01962 841842…

Wonderful combination of privacy, views and natural light

Situated in the highly desirable area of St Cross on the outskirts of Winchester, this detached house has many appealing features; not least the privacy, views and abundance of natural light throughout the property.

Tucked away at the head of a private cul-de-sac in an elevated position, the setting and the garden are appealing features with the house enjoying a plot of a quarter of an acre. Well maintained gardens surround the house with paved seating areas, lawns and well stocked borders with trees to the boundaries providing seclusion yet not impinging on the light into the house. There is also plenty of parking with a driveway, private parking bay and detached garage.

Another advantage of this house is the annexe which lies to one side of the house on the ground floor and although it connects with the principal accommodation through the utility room, it also has its own independent access and could be let to generate an income. The annexe is arranged as a sitting/bedroom, potential kitchenette and a bathroom.

The front door of the house opens into an attractive split level entrance hall which branches off to the dual aspect sitting room with the dining room behind on one side, the well fitted kitchen on the other and a study area off an inner hall at the rear. The kitchen is very well fitted and has a Rayburn and plenty of space for casual dining. The formal dining room is some 21feet in length and has doors to a conservatory with a beautiful westerly outlook over the garden.

Five excellent bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes, are arranged off the first floor landing together with a spacious family bathroom. The largest bedroom is superb and has its own……

Magnificent structure clearly in evidence

Owl Barn is a substantial Grade II listed period barn with a wealth of character, vaulted ceilings and some magnificent beams, timbers and framework,.

The converted barn forms part of a traditional farmyard at Berry Court Farm and is believed to date back to the 18th century. The building is constructed of part brick and oak framework with a queen post roof with curved braces, clad with heavy oak weatherboarding with sealed double glazing. Internally the structure is clearly on display creating a fascinating living environment with enhanced lighting and broad oak flooring to the ground floor.

A full height glazed entrance hall has limestone flooring, useful cupboards and a door into the vaulted open plan principal living space. This room is easily divided up into a sitting area in front of the mellow brick inglenook fireplace with its log burning stove; and a dining area close to the kitchen and French doors which open to a terrace and garden. Open timber framing leads to the kitchen which is beautifully fitted with pippy oak cabinets, a central island, granite work surfaces, Alpha range for cooking, central heating and hot water, and lovely slate flooring. There is also space for the family to enjoy breakfast in this room. A utility room and cloakroom lead off a side lobby.

On the ground floor of the western flank three double bedrooms radiate from a spacious inner hallway together with a bathroom and separate shower room.

Staircases on either side of the barn rise to galleried areas overlooking the principal living space with a superb master bedroom, magnificent bathroom and good storage on one side and an open family space with a fully glazed oak framed enclosed office on the other.

Framing the front of the barn……

Detached summer house is versatile space

Well positioned to take advantage of local shops and amenities as well as Winchester’s train station and city centre, this three bedroom house in St Stephens Road sits between Bereweeke Avenue and Stockbridge Road. The house has extended accommodation with a detached summer house providing additional space. Ideal as a children’s playroom or home office, this is a welcome versatile room with access from the garden.

Well presented and with neutral tones throughout, this is a comfortable home ideal for family accommodation.

The enclosed entrance porch is the ideal space to kick off shoes before venturing into the hallway and from here there is a door into the open plan living room. The kitchen is smartly fitted and the modern conservatory which sweeps across the rear of the house provides relaxing space and connects with the kitchen and the dining area in the living room.

Upstairs are three bedrooms and the family bathroom.

The front of the property is attractively laid out with a retaining brick wall and a wide driveway providing plenty of parking and leading along the side of the house to the garage. Landscaped gardens at the rear have been neatly maintained and have a lovely variety of shrubs and trees for interest and screening.

Contact Fox & Sons in Winchester to make an appointment to view. Offers over £480,000 are invited. Call the office on 01962 862121…