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AUCTIONS P4 AGENT INSIGHT P9 INTERIORS P13 GARDENS P15 INVESTMENT P17

West Midlands EditionMarch 2015

West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire – Find your new home at Whathouse.com

The best of British – new homes at the heart of regeneration P21

Adding value to your home P3

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Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes adding value to your home 3

IWelcome!

s it time for another holiday yet? The property industry is back in full swing and the festive break is now a dim and distant memory.

Here at WhatHouse? Towers, our inboxes are bursting with press releases and news and it’s been quite a task distilling it down to what we’ve been able to in this edition.

It’s certainly a time for looking forward, and, as a couple of this month’s features show, while it’s useful to look back and see what we can take from 2014 (good and bad), it’s much more useful to use last year’s experiences as a springboard for a better 2015.

There have been a host of statistics from overseas property markets that suggest that they, too, have turned a corner. Various reliable indices and government figures seem to back up anecdotal evidence that interest – and more importantly, transactions – from overseas buyers is on the up in familiar territories such as France, Spain and Cyprus.

This year, the radical changes to the way people can use their pension pots come into force (from 6 April). Since these changes were announced last year, there has been much speculation about how many new buy-to-let investors and holiday-home owners will be created as some people decide to use their pension funds to purchase property.

It’s certainly a tempting thought for many of us, and at this time of year especially when the weather is often rotten at home. A strong pound is also fuelling interest in foreign shores, as the pound in your pocket will go further in the eurozone and elsewhere.

As always, I suggest that before acting hastily you seek advice from a reputable expert before cashing in the funds you’ve been squirreling away all these years – it will be worth the time and expense in the long run.

What might seem like a very simple decision is often made far more complicated when matters such as taxation and inheritance enter the fray – and doubly so when you might be considering a property in another country where different laws and regulations apply.

Don’t stop your research though. And whatever your property dream is for 2015 – happy house-hunting!

Keith

Keith Osborne, editor. ko@whathouse.com @keithosborne69

STARTING POINTSDeal with structural problems first Before considering any cosmetic improvements, ensure you assess any structural problems, which can range from rotten windows and rising damp to broken roof tiles. These are the first things a surveyor will pick up on when they come to view your home.

Ensure your utilities are efficient Your heating, electricity and plumbing services should be efficient and up to date. Your boiler needs to be in good working order, your pipes shouldn’t be rattling around and you should consider updating your electrics if your property has not been rewired in many years. Flourishes such as under-floor heating are desirable but not imperative.

Double glazing

Double glazed windows are expected as standard even at the bottom end of the market, and having them installed could add 10% to the value of your home. If you are selling a

period property, think carefully before opting for double glazing and always replace like-for-like, as plastic can ruin the aesthetic of the home and is not permitted in conservation areas.

Broadband Recent research found that fast broadband has moved above off-street parking at the top of the list of demands from would-be buyers. With an increasing number of people working from home for at least part of the week, this perhaps should not come as a surprise. You don’t necessarily need to have fibre-optic broadband installed, but having a fast connection can add up to 5% to the value of your property, and as much as 8% in London.

BIG PROJECTSConversions and extensions

The best way to add value is to add space. Popular options include loft conversions, garage conversions, conservatories and garden rooms. Research conducted last year by Nationwide found that an attic room can add £37,000 to the average home (21%), while an extra bedroom

can add £20,000 and an extra bathroom £8,900.

Due to the variables involved, it is difficult to predict exactly what an extension to your home might cost. Basic loft conversions start at around £10,000, but the average spend tends to be in the region of £20,000-£30,000. Adding a conservatory can be a considerably cheaper option, but won’t add comparative value.

Weigh up your options If you decide to add an extra room, make sure you get the balance right. Adding an office to your garden is a great idea for many homeowners, but if your plans get too ambitious and it ends up taking up the vast majority of your outdoor space you could end up losing rather than adding value.

Always do your research and be realistic – swimming pools and Jacuzzis look great, but they are unlikely to cover their installation costs.

LOW COST OPTIONSDeclutter

If you can’t physically add space, then create the illusion of extra space

instead. A recent survey by Big Yellow Self Storage found that removing bulky items from your property can boost its sale price by up to 11%, and that two thirds of sellers who thoroughly decluttered before viewings received a higher offer than expected.

Remodel your existing rooms

Freshen things up by considering ways in which you could improve the current specification of your home. A new bathroom or kitchen suite will entice buyers who don’t want to spend time renovating, and can also be a good way of ridding yourself of any value-sapping rooms you might have.

Give the garden a makeover

Don’t worry if you’re not an expert, as this can range from cutting back overgrown trees and tidying up the borders to completely redesigning your garden. Buyers don’t just love seeing big spaces inside the house; they want them outside too, especially when purchasing a family home. Fences and mature trees create a valued sense of privacy, while a well-designed decked area will extend the illusion of having extra living space.

Adding value to your home

1. Most buyers are prepared to pay considerably more for a house with new bathrooms and kitchens to avoid the upheaval and expense of replacing such important rooms. Tick as many ‘wish-list’ boxes as possible, such as a range oven, island unit, solid surfaces and walk-in shower.

2. Maximise the feeling of space and light. Consider simplifying the window treatments by replacing heavy curtains with shutters, woodslat or flat fabric blinds. In the same vein, replacing a carpet with a hardwood floor or a good quality laminate alternative will provide a more open feel.

3. Wallpapering a room prior to marketing is rarely a good idea as it is a risk to assume that potential buyers will like your taste. However, if the walls are in bad condition, it is worth skim-plastering and re-painting. Most buyers are pretty savvy and can see if a new coat of paint is disguising a bad surface.

4. Good lighting is key to showing a home at its best, both in creating the illusion of space and to produce an interesting and ‘designed’ look. Use good quality fittings to highlight good features and move the emphasis away from the less impressive. A statement chandelier or contemporary piece will add sparkle and raise the tone of the property substantially.

EXPERT ADVICE

W e will soon emerge from the

cold winter months, and as the temperatures increase so too will property prices, albeit at a slower rate than in 2014.

Demand continues to outstrip supply in many areas,

but there are signs that we are slowly moving back towards a buyer’s market. Buyers are getting fussier too, and if you want the best price for your home you’ll need to make it as attractive to them as you possibly can. We’re here to help you along the way.

One of the first things you’ll need to decide is

when you’re thinking of moving. If you are looking to move in the immediate future, your focus will be on making aesthetic improvements to make your home more ‘sellable’. Alternatively, if a move is a year or more away you could benefit from taking on a more significant project to add value to your home.

Julia Kendell, interior design expert and co-presenter of ‘60 Minute Makeover’

Managing director Daniel HillEditorial director Rupert Bates

Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com

Assistant editor Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.com

Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost

Designer Sarah Davies

Contributors Marc Da Silva Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham

Sales director (new homes) Mark Edmondson me@whathouse.com

Head of Sales (London) Andy Lunn al@whathouse.com

Sales manager Jay Ali ja@whathouse.com

Business development manager Richard Woodruff rw@whathouse.com

Business development manager Steve Coyle sc@whathouse.com

Account manager Ann Chaloner ac@whathouse.com

Head of digital Simon Phillips simon@whathouse.com

Cover picture: Lockswood Gardens, Harborne, West Midlands courtesy of David Wilson Homes, 0121 369 1466

Keith Osborne started writing about property 12 years ago and has been editor of Whathouse.com since 2010. He is currently a columnist in housebuilding trade magazine Show House and

has previously written for Homes Overseas magazine. He has also been a part of the What House? Awards judging panel for a number of years.

Rupert Bates, editorial director of WhatHouse? has been a property journalist for 25 years. He is an award-winning writer who started on local newspapers before becoming a columnist on The Daily

Telegraph. He presents the annual What House? Awards, edits leading housebuilding magazine Show House and is property correspondent of The Field magazine.

Stephen Maunder is assistant editor of Whathouse.com, having previously spent 18 months there as a freelance special correspondent. He has a background in academic research

and has worked at Sky News as a picture researcher. He has also written for BBC News, Huffington Post UK and the Shropshire Star newspaper.

@What_HouseWhat House?

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors and omissions.

Published by: Globespan Media Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG T: 020 7940 1070 E: info@globespanmedia.com W: www.whathouse.comPrinted by 39zero / Distributed by Royal Mail © 2015 Globespan Media Limited

ith the outlook for savers continuing to look dismal, a growing number of people are choosing

to invest in the tried and tested route of bricks and mortar which generally offer significantly higher returns, especially as far as the buy-to-let market is concerned.

A recent report from the Financial Conduct Authority revealed that most big high street banks are offering savings rates of just 0.5% or lower.

In stark contrast, the gross yield on a typical rental property in England and Wales now stands at 5.1%, with total annual investment return – rental yield and capital growth - currently at 11.1%, supported partly by a 3% rise in private rents last year to an average of £767, the latest figures from Your Move and Reeds Rains reveal,

illustrating why buy-to-let is such an attractive investment option.

With demand from tenants heavily outstripping the supply of available housing in the rental sector across many parts of the country, many landlords are actively planning to add to their property portfolios by purchasing UK homes this year, according to fresh research from Platinum Property Partners (PPP), a buy-to-let business.

The study found that 23% intend

to expand their portfolio by one property, while 14% hope to acquire two or more rental homes in 2015.

Separate research by the National Landlords Association (NLA) also indicates that a significant proportion of landlords will purchase more investment properties in the coming months.

The NLA survey found that 31% of landlords will look for additional buy-to-let lending or to re-mortgage in the coming months with a view to making further property acquisitions.

When it comes to buying property, there are various choices available, with a private treaty sale traditionally the most common option. But many astute investors also choose to buy property at auction – the place to potentially pick up a bargain.

“The main advantage to me of buying at auction has got to be the price,” said Don Lee, a residential

property investor. “Compared with the prices going through high street estate agents I paid 33% less [when buying at auction].”

Aside from sell an individual property, auctions also provide property dealers with an ideal platform to dispose of a collection of homes at once, presenting investors with a good opportunity to acquire a ready-made portfolio of properties.

A diverse collection of lots, ranging from multi-storey apartment blocks to a group of properties, can often be found listed for sale within one auction catalogue or another.

But whether you are choosing to buy an individual property or a collection of homes, the rules remain the same; carefully plan, research in advance and ensure that you have the finance in place to move forward with confidence.

Building a property portfolio at auction

WDozens of property auctions take place across the UK every month, and they’re the perfect place to build a buy-to-let portfolio, says Marc Da Silva

4 auctions More about auctions at whathouse.com/property-auctions

• Develop an auction strategy that suits your aims and objectives.

• Plan in advance by conducting your own research before attempting to buy a property at auction.

• Ensure you are free to view the property/portfolio of homes at the set times and dates listed in the auctioneer’s catalogue.

• Always conduct all necessary due diligence by undertaking detailed research about the property or collection of properties for sale pre-auction. This should include professional legal advice.

• Make sure that you have the finance in place – cash or loan – before bidding on the lot (individual property or collection of properties) because you will, at the fall of the auctioneer’s gavel, enter into an immediate and legally binding contract to purchase the property/properties. You will need to pay a deposit of around 10% of the final purchase price on the day of the auction, with the remaining balance due within a relatively short time scale – typically 21-28 days.

• Auctions can be rather nerve-racking and so it is crucial that you gain a feel for how auctions work by attending at least one sale in advance of bidding - a ‘dummy run’. Look, listen and learn by sitting at the back of the auction room in order to best prepare you for when it comes to bidding on property in the future.

OUR TOP TIPS TO BUYING PROPERTY AT AUCTION:

To enter, simply follow and tweet us @What_House with the hashtag #WhatHouseComp

before March 19th.

We have four pairs of tickets to give away for the upcoming National Homebuilding

& Renovating Show, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 26th to 29th March.

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6 six appeal

Situated on the outskirts of the village on Welford-on-Avon in the district of Stratford-upon-Avon (22nd nationally in the Halifax survey and 2nd in the West Midlands region) is Hayfield Lawns, where CALA Homes has just put the show home up for sale.

Perfect for a buyer or investor looking for a completely furnished home, the five-bedroom detached show home has been professionally designed with understated glamour by interiors experts blocc. The property is now ready to move into and features a neutral palette, including creams, ivories and greys, with vibrant artwork, accessories and statement furniture pieces, with designer brands aplenty, including Osborne, Little Fabrics and Andrew

Martin wallpaper. The spacious property comprises a grand

entrance hall, formal dining room, large “drawing room” style living room, open-plan kitchen and family room with high-specification designer appliances, adjoining utility room, a garden room, study, five generous bedrooms (three with an en suite) and a family bathroom.

Hayfield Lawns borders open countryside and Welford-on-Avon golf course, and consists of just 20 homes in total. Only three homes remain for sale, priced from £675,000.

From: CALA Homes Contact: 0844 243 4646

The ‘Moreton’, Chase Meadow, Warwick From £586,496

Rutland, England’s smallest county, stormed into the top ten of the Halifax report this year, climbing from 21 to 4 in the national survey and narrowly taking the top spot in the East Midlands region.

Situated in the pretty market town of Oakham, Leighfield Park is an eco-friendly development of traditionally styled one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. The development plans also include a care home, offices, restaurants, children’s play areas and a community hub, combining to provide all the facilities a mixed and thriving neighbourhood could want.

For those with green fingers, Leighfield Park offers a number of allotment plots which are available purely to residents. These are situated on both sides of the development, while meadows, a pond area and play and ‘kick-about’ areas are sited at the top of the development. These areas attract the local wildlife so for children or those with a

particular interest in birds or wild animals, the Park is a haven.

Unusually, Leighfield Park homes can also contribute to the income of their owners. All of the houses have solar PV (photovoltaic) panels fitted as standard, which not only allow a reduction in carbon footprint but can also help to reduce energy bills and potentially add to income by selling any excess energy to the National Grid.

From: Larkfleet HomesContact: 01572 420114

Leighfield Park, Oakham, Rutland From £114,995

For a new build option in the West Midlands’ best district, Chase Meadow is just a short drive away from the centre of Warwick. It offers high-specification three-, four- and five-bderoom homes in an ideal location, within easy reach of the town’s host of retail and dining options, while also providing fantastic transport links to bigger cities like Birmingham.

The ‘Moreton’ house type is a large, executive family home which offers the perfect solution for families looking for more space, or for those who love to entertain. The five-bedroom detached house is set over two floors and is designed with open-plan living in mind. The ground floor features a large kitchen/diner/family area, a spacious living

room and a study, which has a bay window and a cloakroom.

The first floor is home to five bedrooms, four of which have enough space for a double bed. The master bedroom benefits from an en suite and fitted wardrobes, while the second bedroom also has its own en suite. The remaining three bedrooms are served by a stylish family bathroom. The house also comes with a double garage.

Other house types are available at the development, priced between £263,995 and £597,495.

From: Bellway Homes Contact: 01926 497 028

Six appealThe show home, Hayfield Lawns, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire • £950,000

Our favourite properties on the market right now in the best Quality of Life areasRankings come from the Halifax Quality of Life Survey 2014, which assessed all 405 UK local authorities for criteria such as residents’ health and life expectancy, wellbeing, weather, employment levels and earnings, crime rate, broadband internet and housing.

For the latest on the property market @What_House

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes six appeal 7

Victoria Cottage, Stratford Road, Warwick £500,000

St Georges Fields, Wootton Fields, Northamptonshire • From £239,750

Edison Place, Rugby, Warwickshire • From £107,995

The Edison Place development is nestled in the heart of Warwickshire with great transport links right on its doorstep, not to mention the many retail and leisure facilities in Rugby city centre that are all within walking distance from the new homes. Rugby made it to number 35 out of 405 in the national Halifax survey and is the third-ranked district in the West Midlands region.

There is currently a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments and a selection of four-bedroom semi-detached properties available to purchase at Edison Place, with a brand new phase, made up of two- and three-bedroom homes, due to be released later this year.

Proving popular amongst people on all stages of the property ladder, all the homes have been designed and fitted with high-quality fixtures and fittings throughout and include

spacious open-plan living, stylish designer kitchens and contemporary bathrooms as standard.

All the properties benefit from allocated parking and the four-bedroom ‘Roselle’ houses include an en suite attached to the master bedroom and French doors leading off the kitchen/dining room out onto a spacious rear garden.

All properties at this development are available with the government-backed Help to Buy scheme.

Ideal for commuters, Edison Place is situated less than one mile from Rugby railway station, allowing homeowners to be in London within the hour. The M6 is also easily accessible and provides easy access to Birmingham and further afield.

From: St Modwen HomesContact: 0844 243 4646

St Georges Fields offers buyers a peaceful village location just a few miles from Northampton and near to the M1, making it ideal for both families and commuters. The site attracted huge levels of interest in the lead up to its opening and the availability of Help to Buy broadens its appeal to house-hunters with only a small deposit to offer.

The current batch of homes on sale comprises a mix of three- to five-bedroom houses. Upon completion of the first phase of the site there will be 38 one- to five-bedroom properties at

the development. Cindy Cade, regional sales

director at Morris, says: “St Georges Fields gives buyers in Wootton Fields the opportunity to live in a quality new home in a sought-after area. With essential amenities and highly regarded schools nearby, including Preston Hedges Primary School, the development has something to offer both young professionals and growing families, so it’s not surprising that the first two properties have been snapped up already.

“There is a lot of support available for those wishing to purchase one of the first homes at the development. We’re expecting the properties to sell quickly so we urge anybody interested to visit the sales team to find out more about the homes and offers available.”

The marketing suite on Newport Pagnell Road, Wootton Fields is open daily between 10.30am and 5.30pm.

From: Morris HomesContact: 07767 110042

Warwick is the top-rated West Midlands district in the 2014 Halifax survey and 11th nationally. The town is renowned for its exceptional educational facilities, with a number of highly rated state and public schools nearby making it a perfect area to raise a family.

This cottage is “definitely one of its kind” and “one not to dismiss”, says selling agent R A Bennett & Partners, boasting period and charm throughout the house along with its own private garden terrace. The property comprises four reception rooms, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, detached garage and parking.

The living room is a particularly appealing feature, with a triple aspect ensuring a light-filled space to relax or entertain in.

The kitchen/breakfast room has beech wall and base units and green granite worktops and has a new combi boiler installed. The ‘snug’ makes a perfect getaway or study – alternatively, use the dual-aspect fourth bedroom as a home office. The master bedroom comes complete with an en suite bathroom.

Victoria Cottage is located one mile from Warwick Town Centre and 1.5 miles from Long Bridge Island which provides very easy access to the M40 and the A46, Victoria Cottage is offered with no chain and must be viewed.

From: R A Bennett & PartnersContact: 01926 493142

8 mortgages Find a great mortage deal at whathouse.com/mortgages

T he next six months may be the cheapest time to buy a house in history for borrowers looking for a mortgage. That’s the view

of leading experts after official figures revealed that the cost of home loans has almost halved over the past year.

Bank of England data has revealed that a typical £200,000 mortgage is more than £100 a month cheaper than this time last year, with the cost of deals expected to fall further in the coming months.

COST OF NEW MORTGAGES “NEVER BEEN BETTERED IN MODERN TIMES”Strong competition between lenders, together with expectations of low interest rates, have pushed down the cost of new mortgages to record levels. HSBC recently unveiled a two-year fixed rate at 1.19% and many experts

believe that short-term mortgage deals could fall to below 1% this spring.

Data from the Bank of England has revealed that over the last 12 months the average two-year variable rate has fallen from 2.76% to 1.64% for someone with a 25% deposit. On a £200,000 loan, the monthly repayments would be £813 before fees, down from £924.

Mortgage expert Brian Murphy, told the Daily Telegraph: “The next six months are shaping up to be the best-ever window to secure a low interest rate if you are looking to buy or remortgage. Today’s prices have never been bettered in modern times and given that a bank rate rise is inevitable at some point, it is unlikely they will be surpassed in the years ahead.”

LONGER-TERM DEALS FALLENLonger term mortgage deals have also fallen in price. If you have a 25%

Tdeposit then the average two-year, fixed-rate mortgage has fallen from 2.37% to 2.01% over the last year while the average five-year rate was down from 3.45% to 3.09%.

Keith Osborne, editor of WhatHouse?, says: “As lenders fight for market share the deals on offer are becoming cheaper and cheaper. We are just weeks away from a five-year fixed rate at below 2% while it is surely only a matter of time before you will be able to take a short-term fixed deal at below 1%.”

Charlie Wells, managing director of buying agency Prime Purchase, said the ‘bounceback’ was due to the Chancellor’s stamp duty reforms in December.

“With interest rates unlikely to rise this year, those reliant on a mortgage will find it is a good time to buy,” he remarks. “This will particularly benefit first-time buyers and stretched young families trying to move up the housing ladder.”

The best of times for home loans

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Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is a registered company in England & Wales under company number 06334944. Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Home Counties Mortgage Protection and Finance Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. There may be occasions where we may charge a fee which will depend on your circumstances. In these situations we will inform you at an early stage, the fee typically being no more that 1% of the total loan amount.YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED UPON IT. The actual premium for protection products will depend upon individual circumstances. Please ask us for a specific customer illustration be contacting us by completing our enquiry form or telephone the office directly. *The above mentioned products are not regulated by the FCA and accordingly the protection normally afforded does not apply.

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More news and interviews at whathouse.com/news interview 9

Agent InsightWe speak to Stuart Eustace of Knight Frank in Birmingham Is Birmingham an attractive place to purchase and invest in property? Birmingham is a great place to invest in property at the moment. This year will see the completion of New Street station and the extension of the Midland Metro system, both of which will make the city much better connected. Additionally, the new 250,000 sq ft John Lewis will open its doors, meaning Birmingham will be the only city outside of London to have a John Lewis, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. These improvements, as well as the ongoing city centre regeneration and ever-increasing investment from national and global companies, means demand for property in Birmingham city centre (and the suburbs) is on the rise.

In fact, a recent report from PwC and the Urban Land Institute revealed that Birmingham is now the UK’s most attractive city for investment, jumping 14 places in the index over the past 12 months, while London has dropped five places.

Which property types are particularly popular at the moment?We’re beginning to see a real trend

in people looking to purchase more niche properties, in particular loft-style conversions at developments like Concord House and Rifle Maker Lofts. While interest from investors remains strong, over the past 12 months we’ve seen a rise in owner-occupiers looking to purchase properties in the city centre, many of whom are after larger, more spacious apartments.

Which are the most popular places to buy a home in and around the city?

The first port of call for people looking to purchase outside of the city centre tends to be the immediate suburbs of Harborne and Edgbaston, largely due to their close proximity to the city and their local amenities – such as some of the city’s best schools, sports facilities and Michelin star restaurants. Moseley and Kings Heath follow close behind as desirable places to live, while those looking further afield tend to choose between Sutton Coldfield and Solihull.

Within the city centre itself, the Jewellery Quarter remains a hot spot. Areas like Eastside, however, are being considered by an increasing number of purchasers and investors,

largely thanks to the local education offering (including Aston University and Birmingham City University) and the Curzon Street masterplan which includes the planned HS2 station. For example, Nikal’s Lighthouse scheme, which is located in Eastside, sold all of its new apartments from plan just four weeks after it was launched to the public.

What are the current market trends in Birmingham?

There remains a significant lack of supply of quality housing stock in Birmingham, and with the increasing demand for new homes (thanks to the good news stories in the national press and international recommendations for the city as a place to invest) this will remain the case for at least the next 12 months.

What do you expect to see happen in the local market this year?

Housing supply will continue to dwindle (particularly in the city centre). Towards the end of 2015, however, we may potentially start to see some of the larger developments that were due to be progressed in the last property cycle start to come forward.

Find out more at www.knightfrank.co.uk/residential; 0121 200 2220

The best of times for home loans

R7218 POTN & Lettings DPS.indd 1 17/11/2014 15:21 R7218 POTN & Lettings DPS.indd 2 17/11/2014 15:21

R7218 POTN & Lettings DPS.indd 1 17/11/2014 15:21 R7218 POTN & Lettings DPS.indd 2 17/11/2014 15:21

You can keep in the picture with Veyo Chain View

Launching in Spring 2015, Veyo is a comprehensive conveyancing portal that will enable Estate Agents and their clients to view the status of other transactions in the housing chain.

Find out more at www.veyo.co.uk

“The portal will offer greater transparency to everyone involved in the sale and transaction of a property”

interiors 13

3

Come outsideIf you’ve been longing to design your own outdoor space, why not try out these tips from Richenda Oldham and have a go at creating the ultimate outdoor lounge? t’s not hard to see why outdoor

rooms have become such a big trend. On the plus side, an outdoor living space is the new extension that you won’t have

to build. It’s also a completely flexible area and of course it’s the perfect excuse to invest in some new outdoor furniture and accessories.

Greater environmental awareness and the fact that we are all being encouraged to save our planet through sustainability have helped boost the appeal of outdoor rooms. However, they are also a reflection of an increasing desire to connect with nature – particularly for urban dwellers.

The 2008 economic downturn has also had a hand in fast-tracking the trend for outdoor living. Instead of investing in a new extension, people looked to their gardens for additional space and found there was a lot more scope there than they had realised.

Outdoor rooms started off quite simply – a picnic table, a couple of folding chairs and a barbecue was all

that was first required. These days, they have morphed into something altogether more sophisticated, featuring kitchens and fireplaces, rugs and specialist lighting, as well as sofas, armchairs, dining furniture and outdoor heaters.

PLANNING YOUR OUTDOOR ROOMOf course, you can just let your outdoor space evolve naturally, by adding bits and pieces ad hoc. But if you really want to make the most of your new outdoor living area, it’s a good idea to plan it. Here are some points you may want to consider:• Location • Landscaping/planting • Furniture • Shade and shelter • Size• Privacy• Colour scheme Outdoor rooms have their challenges, not least the elements, because you need to consider how you will provide

shade from the sun and protection from the wind. Do you want a poolside “room” or do you have a patio in mind? How much space do you want to allocate? Will it be an outdoor living room or a dining area, or both? What’s your ideal colour scheme?

FURNITURE ACCESSORIESThis has to be the best bit about creating an outdoor room. Just because it’s an “extension” of your home, doesn’t mean you can’t create a whole new look. This could be your opportunity to make a minimalist Zen like space. Or perhaps a Mediterranean theme, with plenty of cobalt and turquoise? If it’s something exotic you are after, with a touch of the casbah, then a Moroccan bazaar has plenty of inspiration to offer, with texture, pattern and plenty of hot spicy colour. Don’t forget lanterns and cushions, which you can use to create an instant mood.

I1 Personalise your outdoor dining

area with pretty cushions, lanterns, planters and even decorations to hang from trees or shrubs, the accessories shown here are from www.retreat-home.com

2 Rattan furniture is versatile and robust enough to suit indoor or outdoor use. This modular set, complete with parasol, is ideal for an L-shaped patio, Valencia sofa set, £899, www.livingitup.co.uk

3 When the evenings get cooler, a wood burning chiminea will help keep your outdoor living area cosy, Colorado medium steel chiminea, £99.95, www.whitestores.co.uk

4 For a simple, but fun outdoor room, create an area of decking, and furnish it with brightly coloured pouffes, cushions and deckchairs, 64 x 58 x 43cm pouffe, £250, www.dashandalberteurope.com

5 Keep cool and protected from the sun with a sail shade, Kookaburra 3.6m square blue sail shade, £63.95, www.primrose.co.uk

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For the latest on the property market @What_House

Arabian nightsRichenda Oldham shows you how to create a Moroccan themed interior

ordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is a fascinating and culturally rich country

that has been influenced from a diverse range of civilisations, including Berber, Jewish, Arabic, French and Spanish.

Moroccan interior style is a colourful and exotic melting pot that is actively drawn from Moorish architecture with its characteristic domes, detailed carvings, decorative tile work, courtyards and many different styles of arches from lancet to keyhole.

This incredibly versatile genre runs from the heavily ornate with bold use

of colours and intricate patterns to simple whitewashed walls and spicy shades. The blend of cultures provides a heaven sent opportunity to create an eclectic look that mixes different styles and colours freely. This is a decor that can evolve slowly over time allowing you to select really special pieces of furniture or accessories.

RICH COLOURSColour is everything for a Moroccan theme - the more dramatic the better. Eggplant purple, cinnamon red, saffron gold, terracotta, crimons and dusky burnt orange will provide a seductive atmosphere. Not surprisingly, Morocco’s different coastlines bring

with a profusion of blues, including cobalt and turquoise.

CALM CONTRASTSIt is altogether appropriate to create a simple, peaceful retreat using neutrals, such as cream, white, taupe and sand colours on the walls and focusing on accent colours and patterns to form the Moroccan theme.

PATTERNSMathematically precise geometric shapes form the foundation of Moroccan decoration with a recurring theme of squares and rectangles. The eight-pointed star is another common motif, as well as flowing plant forms and traditional

calligraphy. Pattern can be used to create a sense of harmony, whether it is in scatter cushions, lampshades, upholstery fabric, a blind or loose rugs.

FURNITUREJust a single item of Moroccan furniture can transform a room, so think carefully before you rush out to buy something new for the sake of it. Plain sofas can be themed by brightly coloured cushions and throws with geometric patterns. You can’t beat a low coffee table in the form of a traditional Moroccan brass or silver tray on metal legs. Alternatively invest in silver, brass or mother of pearl mirrors with delicate arched or hand-carved frames.

ACCESSORIESYou cannot get enough loose rugs for this look – they add a luxurious feeling and will help create the right atmosphere. Similarly, scatter cushions can be put everywhere - piled in heaps on the floor, on sofas and chairs and on beds. When choosing curtain or blind fabrics, select patterns that are appropriate - stripes are always a good option.

Lamps, fabric shades, lanterns and candles are all important for creating mood. There are some amazing designs to choose from, including coloured glass lanterns and punctured metal designs.

BTraditional Moroccan tea glasses, £18.50 for a set of six, www.maroque.co.uk

Spanish influenced geometric patterned encaustic tiles, £99 per square metre, www.alhambrahome.co.ukMarrakesh Veda Mid roller blind,

www.directblinds.co.uk

Indigo bazaar cushions, £5.99-£12.99, www.dunelm-mill.com

Kasbah mother of pearl mirror, £189, www.atkinandthyme.co.uk

Moroccan vintage effect candle holder with cut-out detailing, £34.95, www.madewithlovedesigns.co.uk

14 interiors Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

armchair gardener 15

Rising stars

Climbers are versatile plants

that can do wonders for screening

unsightly walls and adding height to borders. Richenda Oldham finds out

what’s at stake...

Wisteria - this deciduous climber flowers from April to June and should be planted in spring or autumn. Wisteria prefers a sunny position and needs to be kept well watered.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) - the climbing types of honeysuckle have highly perfumed blossom, which flower in summer and look wonderful grown against pergolas or supports. They are easy to grow and prefer sun or partial shade

Virginia Creeper - for a shady north or east-facing wall, Parthenocissus, also known as Boston ivy or Virginia creeper is ideal. This is a deciduous self-clinging climber with amazing colours in the autumn. But be warned, it can damage the mortar between bricks.

Clematis - this hugely versatile plant is one of the most popular climbers as it can be grown on walls, pergolas, frames and even in containers. Most species will grow well in full sun or partial shade and the flowering time is winter to late summer.

Roses - beautiful and scented, roses come in many different colours and can be grown over arches or pergolas, against walls or in containers. They flower in the summer and autumn and you can choose from varieties which are suitable either for sun or shade.

For the latest on the property market @What_House

Buying overseas?

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investment 17

Throw off your emotional chimp!What does a psychopathic politician from the hit Netflix series House of Cards teach us about buying property?

ell, in the first instance, honesty; and in the second, focus; and the third, shaping

objectives. For those who haven’t seen the

series, Larry Underwood, a malevolent politician, is devoid of emotion when it comes to plotting and planning his future. When Larry is making decisions, he is able to put his “emotional chimp” to one side. While I don’t recommend Larry as a role model, I trust you can see the point I am making.

So, how is the process of investing in property different from that of buying a property?

A few basic points to bear in mind. If you are buying, it’s a place you wish to live. You need to check out schools, local amenities, churches and still try to buy the best house in the best street. It’s a family home, a place to entertain.

If you can afford it and have the nerve, ask family to help with deposits and if you like the area, buy big and leverage up. Lots of people have done very well buying a house in the last 10 years (and just about all of them in the South East), but all ships have risen and some more than others.

If you are investing, you should be looking to move into and out of hotspots and make sure your ship rests highest. That’s investing.

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTYThere are plenty of cases of buying off-plan, via an intermediary, which frankly have been an embarrassment to advisers and their clients. From the nightmare that is Brazilian rainforest (timber plantations), Cape Verde, Caribbean, Spanish and Polish properties, there may be winners, but I’ve not met them and from the sheer volume of Financial Conduct Authority investigations, I suspect there are not many.

A simple question: if you don’t want to fly to see your building site before investing, who will want to fly to see it once it’s built?

Par exemple (I’ve just got back from France), a client bought a fantastic

property in Turkey for £125,000 in 2010, within a gated community, comprising of four double bedrooms and three bathrooms. Current value is £100,000, less expenses. Overall, they have never covered their mortgage costs from rental. So, remember that value and cost are two very different bedfellows. I assume that the introducer received 5% commission. This is not a bad case and there are far worse around.

A real current hotspot is an island off a large continent with high levels of high-quality inward immigration; so, that’s New Zealand off the books, for the moment, because you’ve missed that wave. We could look at a huge country with lots of land, of which very little is habitable, so that’s Canada out of the picture, because we’ve missed

that hotspot. How about Spain and Greece? Well,

I’m not sure where the bottom of their markets are, or will be.

BACK IN THE UKTherefore, if we want to invest and I assume you wish to buy low, there are lots of places in the South East that are now overpriced for our purposes. So, where can we find a property near a train line into London, close to other hotspots, with potential?

Hackney, Angel and Old Kent Road are off the board. So, how about Luton? It’s close to St Albans, Harpenden and Berkhamsted – all three towns have done very well over the past five years. It’s got a great rail route into London, an expanding airport and it’s between the M1 and A1. There’s talk of relocating the football ground, so let’s buy in a road near the development area, LU1.

I have had a few looks of disbelief when I’ve pitched the Luton idea and that’s great. I would have got the same looks if I had said Hackney Marshes 20 years ago.

Now, you can choose any area near you and ponder its potential. Luton buy-to-let yields are still north of 6%, so you could use that as a marker. I have discounted Folkestone, but anywhere near a fast railway route to a big city has got to be worth

considering and as long as London remains politically stable, big money will flow in from abroad. This will push out locals, who have no choice but to buy elsewhere. For example, in Luton.

I am indebted to The Economist for some great work on future hotspots and, in their opinion (see Economist dated 6 December 2014), it would seem that the “burbs” are back. That article can provide more reasoning, but assuming that’s true, we need to look on the outskirts of London.

So, LU1 could well be the answer – but do your own research!

W

Lawrence Watts is a chartered financial planner with HBB. Contact 07982 235543, 01727 862477

Kevin Spacey’s character Larry Underwood should (in a way) be a role model for investors

Would the relocation of Luton Town FC make the town an investor hotspot?

Photo: Netflix

Photo: Wikipedia

More news and interviews at whathouse.com/news

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kierliving.co.uk

ith the MIPIM property event taking place in March (more about that inside),

and these editions of our newspaper being distributed at the show, we thought it was a great opportunity for us to look outside our usual geographic areas and focus our attention on some of the other major cities around the UK.

MIPIM attracts thousands of investors from around the world, but as we’ve often said in the past, you don’t have to be a professional to get onto the investment ladder, and in fact, the popularity of buy-to-let has been surging for many months.

So inside this supplement, you can read about the regeneration plans of nine of the UK’s most important urban centres and take a look at some of the residential property developments for sale now and in the near future.

Successful investors are always looking ahead to see how future plans might affect the areas they are interested in. Redevelopment and regeneration, when done well, can transform a modest neighbourhood into a hotspot, improving likely rental returns and increasing the capital value of the investment property.

We hope you enjoy reading about the investment going on in our cities and that it might inspire you to investigate their buy-to-let potential.

W

The Regeneration GameBritish cities invest in the future

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Cannes do attitudeWhatHouse? editorial director Rupert Bates explains why the MIPIM property event is far more than a sun-soaked industry bash

IPIM, in its 26th year, is quite simply the world’s biggest property event. From 10-13 March the

French town of Cannes on the Côte d’Azur will be home to 21,000 delegates from 93 countries, with 2,225 different companies exhibiting their products and investment opportunities.

Regardless of the property showcases – be they residential, commercial, retail or leisure – the fact that the event is held on a Mediterranean beach ensures many senior executives clear their diaries every year.

Cynics ask who has the biggest yacht? Who’s employed the most attractive staff at countless cocktail parties? Who racks up the biggest expenses claim?

But don’t be fooled by the largesse and excess; there is success too, with deals, very big deals, done, setting the international property agenda and mapping out the future of many towns and cities across the globe.

London is invariably a star of the

Riviera and, according to Colliers International’s Global Investor Sentiment Report 2015, the UK is the preferred European destination for property investments.

Other UK cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Cardiff also have significant presence at the show, as well as regional towns and development hubs, looking for investment to fund new projects and create economic growth and job opportunities.

WhatHouse? is distributed at Cannes, with newspapers available at the airport, major hotels and restaurants, as well as in and around the exhibition in the Palais des Festivals. Its sister publication Show House magazine – the leading trade title for the UK housebuilding industry – will also be at Cannes.

One of the highlights of MIPIM will once again be the WhatHouse? Round Table in partnership with Countrywide, where property industry leaders will ask ‘where are the builders of tomorrow?’

We know thousands of new homes are needed, but who is going to build them?

Tony Pidgley, chairman of the Berkeley Group and president of the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, says it is imperative to tackle the huge skills shortages and promote the value of a career in the housebuilding industry to young people.

“We need to take action to resolve this. We have to motivate companies to bring more young people in, to invest consistently in training and to develop the specific skills required today,” says Pidgley.

Many UK housebuilders, as well as local authorities, will be represented at MIPIM, including a number of WhatHouse? Awards winners, seeking investment partners for future projects, or on fact-finding missions to source fresh ideas on development, design, or funding from around the world – the ultimate meeting place for international real estate.

Meetings held and decisions taken annually at Cannes will directly impact on the future of UK towns and cities and the provision of new homes and supporting infrastructure.

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More news and interviews at whathouse.com/news best of british 21

Apartment scheme One Central Park in Sydney, Australia is a finalist in Best Residential Development at the MIPIM Awards.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, home to the London 2012 Olympics, has been short-listed in the MIPIM Awards in the Best Urban Regeneration Project category.

Digby Court, North Solihull This 106-home development is part of the major regeneration scheme underway in North Solihull, contributing one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom houses to the transformation of Chelmsley Wood, alongside new shops and amenities.www.bellway.co.uk

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Lordswood Gardens, Harborne This high-end development of four-, five- and six-bedroom executive homes is aimed at growing families and buyers downsizing to a spacious but low-maintenance property in one of Birmingham’s most sought-after suburbs, just two miles from the city centre. www.dwh.co.uk

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Woodbourne Place, Quinton This new development in Quinton, to the west of Birmingham, offers a choice of stylish two-, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached homes within easy reach of the M5. Help to Buy is available on all the property types. www.mansellhomes.co.uk

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Sterling House, Jewellery QuarterAvailable as shells, ready to fit out, these loft apartments range from 1,000 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft and are located in one of Birmingham’s most fashionable and fast-moving districts, just off St Paul’s Square, within minutes of many major amenities.www.centrickproperty.co.uk

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The Founders, Perry Barr Part of Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust’s Birchfield Gateway project, regenerating an area three miles north of the city, this forthcoming development of one- to five-bedroom homes is named after the founding fathers of the Industrial Revolution. www.mansellhomes.co.uk

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Arden Fields, Knowle Two-and-a-half miles from the lively, attractive centre of Solihull, Knowle is one of the most sought-after residential areas in the Midlands. Arden Fields is a development of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes close to High Street amenities. www.millerhomes.co.uk

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Lighthouse Overlooking Birmingham’s City Park - the first public park to be built in the city in 150 years – this collection of 14 high-quality apartments is adjacent to the site of the Curzon Street terminus for the proposed HS2 rail link.

www.knightfrank.co.uk

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22 best of british Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Harbone

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M5 Birmingham

New Street

Solihull

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Knowle

M6

M42

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Birmingham nyone who has travelled

by train through Birmingham is likely to have had first-hand experience

of one of its biggest current development projects, the transformation of New Street station,which is set for completion this autumn.

That’s just the start for the city, though – and its stations are forming the focal point of some of the most impressive schemes, which are covered in the ‘Big City Plan’, Birmingham City Council’s masterplan to transform 800 hectares of the city with new homes, public spaces and businesses.

The plans include work on the city’s Snow Hill area to turn it into a global business hub similar to London’s Canary Wharf. This transformation will bring 200,000m² of new office space and 4,000 new homes, and is scheduled to cost some £600million. It is hoped that it will create 10,000 new jobs and increase Birmingham’s appeal as a considerably less expensive, alternative hub to London.

Another important factor in Birmingham’s future is the HS2 rail link, with proposals to regenerate 141 hectares around the new High Speed station at Curzon Street. This will include new homes and business space as well as a ‘skypark’ similar to New York’s High Line.

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Liverpool number of significant projects for this

historic city have already made many headlines over the past couple of years,

including £260m proposals for regenerating the home of Liverpool Football Club, Anfield, which includes expanding the stadium and providing new houses, and a £1.5bn scheme to bring new commercial and leisure facilities to Kings Dock and Lime Street.

Liverpool City Council has set up a joint venture with regeneration specialist Sigma Inpartnership Limited called Regeneration Liverpool which is set to last 15 years to areas across the city, starting initially with the 63-acre, former Boot Estate in Norris Green. Regeneration Liverpool has already set out a £200m framework of investment opportunities in Liverpool over the next 10 years. In fact, the joint venture has recently been extended to include Neptune Developments and Countryside Properties to plan work on other priority sites.

Liverpool Vision is the Mayor of Liverpool’s economic development company and they are leading the way for the city at this year’s MIPIM property fair in France. There, they hope to show major investors from around the globe the range of development opportunities available around the city to provide new jobs, homes and amenities.

ANGV, Norris Green NGV is one of Countryside’s most successful regeneration schemes, which once complete will comprise 825 new homes neighbouring the historic Norris Green Park. Countryside recently unveiled the development’s latest phase, 170 family homes at The Avenue at NGV.www.ngvliverpool.co.uk

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Ellergreen, Norris Green New City Vision’s will provide 800 homes on the old Boot Estate, in the northeast of the city, replacing sub-standard old housing with aspirational, energy-efficient properties to create attractive, new neighbourhoods and communities.

www.newcityvision.co.uk

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A4540

Liverpool Lime Street

A5058

Albert Dock

A580

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Stanley Park

Sefton Park

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For the latest on the property market @What_House

The Studios at X1 The Quarter The third phase of a five-development project, this scheme comprises 221 studios over 10 floors, with an additional private fitness suite and communal area just a five-minute walk from the marina and only 15 minutes from Albert Docks.www.knightknox.com

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Lioncourt Homes - Littleton View Off Shinehill Lane, South Littleton, Worcestershire WR11 8TRWeb: www.lioncourthomes.com Email: littletonview@lioncourthomes.com

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best of british 25Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

New Broughton Village Launched in 2006, New Broughton Village is Countryside’s flagship suburban regeneration scheme on the edge of Manchester city centre. These homes and apartments are surrounded by local amenities and green open space and welcomed their 1,000th resident in January 2015. www.newbroughtonvillage.co.uk

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AxisThis brand new 27-storey tower is situated in the heart of Manchester city centre providing 173 high-spec, one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments. These will include floor-to-ceiling glazing that maximises the views across the city.axistower.com

reater Manchester encompasses nearly 500 square miles, taking in a host of large towns such as Bolton, Rochdale

and Stockport as well as two cities, Manchester and Salford.

Salford has been a focal point for regeneration thanks to the high-profile relocation of the BBC to MediaCityUK and its transformation continues with projects such as Greengate, that will provide 1,300 new homes and a renewed link to Manchester. The £650m revamping of the Pendleton district will refurbish old properties and a park and provide 1,600 new homes alongside new footpaths and cycle routes.

Refurbishment and new homes are also on the agenda in Aldwick, to the east of Manchester city centre, with a budget of £100m to update the Brunswick estate. Just a little further out, the Eastlands Regeneration proposes creating some 7,000 new homes on derelict industrial lands between Manchester City’s football stadium (originally created for the Commonwealth Games in 2002) and the city centre.

Manchester will be one of the northern cities to benefit from HS2, the High Speed link from London via Birmingham, with links proposed at Piccadilly station and at Manchester Airport and the opportunity to create thousands of new homes and jobs.

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Unity Quarter, Salford These houses and apartments offer panoramic views of Salford and Manchester and proximity to both. Around 20 minutes walk from Heaton Park and half-a-mile from Salford Sports Village, this development has excellent local amenities and transport links. www.millerhomes.co.uk

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Manchester1

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A56

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Vision at Grahame Park, ColindaleThe largest self-funding project in Europe, the scheme will create a new neighbourhood of over 3,400 homes, a re-landscaped park and a variety of community and commercial facilities. Private sale homes will fund other affordable housing and community facilities.

www.genesisha.org.uk

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New Festival Quarter, Poplar New Festival Quarter is a landmark development within the Lansbury ‘Festival of Britain’ conservation area in Poplar, East London. Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes benefit from a 24-hour concierge service, private residents’ gym, secure parking and extensive landscaping. www.bellway.co.uk

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Merchant Square, Paddington This major mixed-use regeneration scheme by the Grand Union Canal brings luxury living and a new garden square to an area of London close to transport links and the West End. It will include Westminster’s tallest tower.www.chestertons.com; www.jll.co.uk/residential

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Regents Park

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Hyde Park

Hampstead Heath

Olympic Park

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26 best of british For the latest on the property market @What_House

London ne look at the skyline from almost

anywhere in the capital will demonstrate the level of building and regeneration

taking place, from the high-profile development in the shadow of iconic structures such as Tower Bridge and Battersea Power station to major face-lifts in almost every inner and outer borough. Other cities may aspire to the title, but London is arguably the leading choice for international property investors.

As Greater London reaches a record population of 8.6million, Mayor Boris Johnson has published the draft London Riverside Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF), his blueprint for the creation of 26,500 new homes and up to 16,000 jobs in brownfield sites in eastern boroughs along a 12km stretch of the Thames.

The Olympic Games was the catalyst for the dramatic redevelopment of Stratford, which has also rippled out to neighbouring areas, while major projects are already transforming long-neglected areas such as Hackney, Kidbrooke, North Greenwich and Woolwich in the east and southeast.

Northern and western boroughs are also set to undergo considerable changes if the HS2 rail project finally gets underway and whichever of London’s airports finally gets the go-ahead to expand, the decision will certainly resound across the city and its suburbs.

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For a FREE colour brochure call 01443 771222 or visit us online www.thomaslloyd.co.uk

Direct from the factoryquality leather sofas

and chairs

100%MONEY BACKGUARANTEE

21 dayhome trial

DELIVERINGCRAFTSMANSHIP

& QUALITY

Since 1981

5YEAR FRAMEGUARANTEE

2 yearsother materials Handcrafted in Britain since 1981

TLL2300_Layout 1 20/01/2015 16:19 Page 1

Specification includes: A range of contemporary and traditional kitchens Stoves Richmond 900EI Stainless Steel Range Cooker* Stainless Steel Cooker Hood Integrated Neff appliances Integrated Prima wine cooler Utility rooms (not applicable to plot 3) come with either a washer/dryer

or washing machine and tumble dryer Bathroom and En-Suites have contemporary bathrooms with Ideal

Standard Sanitaryware and are fully tiled with Porcelanosa tiles

Floors are finished with Porcelanosa floor tiles to Kitchen, Utility, Bathroom, En-suite, Cloakrooms and Carpets to all other areas*

Oak panelled internal doors with pewter finished door handles Built in wardrobes to most bedrooms – please refer to sales layouts –

with oak panelled doors and pewter finished door handles Air Source Heating, offering reduced running costs, with under floor heating

to all ground floor areas and radiators to upper floor rooms with 5 year service and warranty package.

Eight unique Grade II listed 2, 3 and 4 bedroom barns converted to a high specification, retaining many original features.All properties have private gardens with plots 1, 2 and 8 having the added benefit of a paddock.‘The Barns’ Merton Grange is situated in an idyllic rural location on the edge of Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire. The approach is via a private drive with far reaching views either side across fields.

Tel : 01923 251799Email: sales@leavalleyhomes.co.uk

www.leavalleyhomes.co.uk

*Where possible we will be able to offer buyers variations and choices on the internal finishes, although the availability of this will depend upon the stage of construction that each property has reached when a reservation is made. For full specification details please see the brochure.

ShowhomEopEn

wEEkEndS onlyfrom

march 7th-29th between

11am-3pm

prices from £610,000

Our clients include large corporations, SMEs and high net worth individuals.

On their behalf we insure:

Our goal is to simplify your search for insurance by delivering a consistent, professional and cost effective service, backed up by risk management and advice relevant to your needs.

We aim to relieve you

of as much of the burden

as possibleNick Sellick founded Estate Insurance Group to provide a unique property owners insurance

product. Since then we have grown with our clients, providing insurance for their ever diversifying business needs. Part of this growth has been delivered by the successful incorporation of

Ian Gibson Ltd who have brought with them their considerable experience and knowledge.

To find out how we can help you with Property Owners’ insurance, Commercial insurance, Contractors’ All Risk insurance and Environmental insurance

contact us on +4420 7939 7200 or email info@eig.biz

www.estateinsurancegroup.com

General Office

Industrial Parks

Hotels

Investments Abroad

and many more

Residential portfolios

Commercial premises

Sports facilities

Shopping Centres

Project Developments

Launching in Spring 2015, Veyo is the secure conveyancing portal that will bring together a trusted community of professionals.

Find out more at www.veyo.co.uk

You can be more confident with Veyo

Veyo is the fast and efficient way to manage the process of buying and selling a homeGo to www.veyo.co.uk to register your interest.

Launching Spring 2015