Award winning Millgate Homes celebrates its 25th anniversary with a brand new look

by Viv United Kingdom

There couldn’t be a better year for the quintessential British house builder, Millgate Homes to celebrate its silver anniversary. With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London hosting the 30th Olympiad, the eyes of the world are firmly fixed on everything British and that too extends to property.

Since foundation 25 years ago by Graeme Simpson, the Berkshire based company has flourished, creating homes that have become modern classics. Millgate’s success in building some of the most beautiful homes in the South East of England is now widely recognised by its peers in the house building industry through numerous awards and accolades.

In this silver anniversary year Millgate is launching its brand new look.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Director, comments:

“We are proud to be a British company and this is reflected in our new branding which includes the iconic Union Jack emblem. A recognised brand in its own right, Millgate Homes will now simply be known as Millgate – a name we believe has become synonymous with vision, design and craftsmanship.

“We are passionate about the homes we build and the attention we give to the smallest detail sets us apart from other house builders. We put the customer at the heart of everything we do.”

Millgate’s website will also be given a fresh look in the autumn. The new site will showcase the entire portfolio of prestige developments through stunning imagery and exclusive video tours.

For more information on Millgate and the new brand please call Jonathan Cranley on 0118 934 8085 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk. 

Surreygate – Lives of the rich and famous behind bars

by Viv United Kingdom

Whether designed to keep undesirables out or the occupants in, the trend for gated developments first seen in the US, remains as prevalent today as ever in the affluent Home County of Surrey.

On the exclusive Wentworth Estate in particular where resident footballers, celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and politicians value their privacy over all else, it is extremely common to have properties and their occupants hidden from view by oversized firs, perimeter fencing and 10 foot high gates.

Be they ornate wrought iron works of art, simple yet sturdy electronically operated wooden gates or high tech, bullet proof technological masterpieces with full CCTV and alarm systems which view the humble Postie with dubious suspicion, the Surrey set take their life behind bars very seriously.

James Wyatt, Partner of 7 times winning Best Estate Agency Surrey, Barton Wyatt and Wentworth resident himself, comments:

“Gated properties have been popular in and around Virginia Water and the Wentworth Estate for some time but “Surreygate” seems to have hit in recent times with the need for ever more lavish entrance gates. Keeping up with the local property fashion is hard work for home owners – wrought iron or wooden, flamboyant or plain, full obscurity or not. Then there are decisions on the intercom, video and remote systems. The biggest question I wonder is ‘Are they blocking people out or trapping people in?

“The Wentworth Estate’s rumoured latest celebrity residents Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for example, in what one can only assume was an attempt to retain some privacy from the insatiable paparazzi, ‘filled’ their gate in with coloured plastic recently.

“That said, sometimes it’s not all about hiding away; on a personal level, we have installed a simple gate to our home mainly for safety reasons to ensure that the children don’t run onto the road after a rogue football when playing outside which offers invaluable peace of mind. 

“Currently winning the popularity stakes are solid wooden gates – so nosey parkers can’t see in at all yet many smaller houses that don’t have room for traditionally opening gates use roller gates which slide sideways and I’ve even seen a house in Sunninghill with bollards which rise out of the ground as a second line of defence.”
So what does Surreygate look like? Here are some examples of houses with gates available in the area:

Hyale, Wentworth Estate   £7,950,000

A grand house ideally situated on the Main Island of the Wentworth Estate opposite the 17th Green of the Championship West Course with 9,376 square feet of luxurious accommodation arranged over four floors with grounds approaching 1.63 acres. 

This property has had some extremely thoughtful concepts and modern appliances integrated within.  Such as 6 CCTV cameras and full alarm system, automatic gates and video entry system, aquavision televisions in the swimming pool and master en-suite bathroom, mood lighting in all principal rooms, surround sound and projector in the cinema room.  

The accommodation consists of a spacious master bedroom suite with walk in dressing room, luxurious en-suite bathroom and balcony, four further bedroom suites, galleried reception hall, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, family room, study, loggia, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, impressive indoor swimming pool complex with spa bath, changing facilities, gymnasium, steam and plant room, second floor cinema/games rooms with kitchenette, self-contained staff flat, triple garage with large room above, extensive south facing terracing and landscaped gardens. 

For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. 

Park Place, Windlesham   £8,000,000

This is a magnificent country house which stands impressively within a mature woodland setting and approached via a private road.  Wrought iron gates open onto a gravelled drive flanked by mature trees and rhododendrons which leads to a central fountain in front of the house.

Built in 1995, this Georgian style property has been built to an exceptionally high standard.  The imposing reception hall with a central staircase, marble and granite floors with under-floor heating, a hand-made kitchen and custom made furniture in many parts of the house all blend to create a unique and wonderful home.
Set over three floors:

Ground floor includes: reception hall, dining room, cinema, drawing room, music area, kitchen and utility, sitting room, study and cloakroom.

First floor has the master suite and 4 further bedroom suites.  Second floor – another 4 bedroom suites.

The ample garage will house 3 cars and has a staff flat over.  A generous cottage in the grounds offers further accommodation with kitchen, living area, 3 beds and bathrooms.

Priced at £8,000,000, for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. 
 

Disposable Homes – Surrey’s demolition derby

by Viv United Kingdom

In today’s “throw-away society”, where everything is disposable from food packaging to clothes and flat screen TVs, why wouldn’t the property industry join in?

This is exactly what is occurring in the affluent Home Country of Surrey at present according to Rupert Wyatt, Partner of local award-winning estate agency, Barton Wyatt, who comments,

“The demolition of houses, both good and bad, to make way for brand new, mega mansions is rife on the exclusive Wentworth Estate. One might be forgiven for thinking that only old or derelict houses would be contenders for redevelopment but more often perfectly good homes have been subject to the demolition fever in North Surrey.”

The thirst for brand new luxury homes primarily from overseas buyers is very real with Russians, Kazakhstanis and other Eastern Europeans those most able to find the funds for these super homes. Purchasers’ expectations of quality has risen dramatically over the years and internal and external finishes of even 10 year old houses are quite simply not up to scratch. 

It would seem that money is no object in this sector of the prime homes market with buyers willing to spend millions getting the perfect home even if it means knocking it down and starting again. One such example was a luxury 10 year old home on Badgers Hill, Wentworth which was demolished recently to accommodate a new house design in accordance to the owner’s taste.

This craze for knocking down homes is pushing up prices as both individuals and developers vie for their slice of the estate.  Plots with existing properties are getting snapped up, often at or above the asking price.  

This ‘fighting over homes is creating small pockets of house price peaks.  Grainne Gilmore, Head of UK Residential Research, comments:

“Bucking the trend however, are the very top-end properties. Homes worth £5 million and more continued to rise in value over the quarter, climbing by 0.8% and taking the annual increase to 3.5%. The very best properties are attracting increasing attention from overseas buyers, with Russian buyers noticeably active in the market.

Rupert Wyatt, partner of Barton Wyatt, could not agree more:

“Our strongest market at the moment is the prime country house market.  There is good movement in property between £4 million and the super prime mansions at £10 million plus.

“The developers know they have to pay top money for property in top locations.  The confidence in the market for super homes continues to rise and there is little doubt that foreign money will be competing for these properties when built.”

A fabulous example of a recently disposed home in Wentworth, Surrey was Pindi House.  This property was sold to a developer for £1,725,000 in April 2010.  At the point of sale the house was 3.637 sq ft on a 0.7 acre plots.  After demolition Park House emerged.  The house sold for £5,362,000 in June 2012.  As this land is not green belt the developer was able to increase the square footage to 9,500 and built the most incredible property.

Editor’s Note

An example of a newly built home on a demolished site, that is ripe for foreign money is Hyale.

Hyale, Wentworth Estate     £7,950,000

A grand house ideally situated on the Main Island of the Wentworth Estate opposite the 17th Green of the Championship West Course with 9,376 square feet of luxurious accommodation arranged over four floors with grounds approaching 1.63 acres. 

This property has had some extremely thoughtful concepts and modern appliances integrated within.  Such as 6 CCTV cameras and full alarm system, automatic gates and video entry system, aquavision televisions in the swimming pool and master en-suite bathroom,  mood lighting in all principal rooms, surround sound and projector in the cinema room.  

The accommodation consists of a spacious master bedroom suite with walk in dressing room, luxurious en-suite bathroom and balcony, four further bedroom suites, galleried reception hall, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, family room, study, loggia, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, impressive indoor swimming pool complex with spa bath, changing facilities, gymnasium, steam and plant room, second floor cinema/games rooms with kitchenette, self contained staff flat, triple garage with large room above, extensive south facing terracing and landscaped gardens. 

For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. 
 

Londoners flock to commuter "hotspot" of Oxford as prime property prices rise 2.5%

by Viv United Kingdom

Bucking the overall trend of prime country property prices falling by 1.5% in Q2 according to the latest Knight Frank Prime Country House Index, the “city of dreaming spires”, Oxford, has seen Londoners flock to the commuter hotspot, driving prime property prices up by 2.5%.

So with the value of prime country property falling for the fifth consecutive quarter, what has set Oxford apart from the rest of the country and indeed the rest of the South East of England?

Renowned for being home to the oldest university in the world, Oxford has attracted people from all over the globe for centuries. A centre of knowledge and excellence, Oxford has an inspirational attraction for visitors, producing some of the finest poets, writers, medics, scientists (and dare we say it – politicians!) as well as demonstrating examples of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons.

Located only 1 hour from London, Oxford already enjoys an established and robust local property market but recently has experienced an increase in interest from affluent Londoner´s looking to move away from the big smoke and more bang for their property buck. As Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate Homes, developers of luxury family homes in the Home Counties for nearly 25 years, comments,

“Oxford has certainly become the ‘hotspot´ in which to own property.  Increasingly we are seeing Londonites leaving behind their three storey townhouses in Chelsea and Kensington in favour of larger, classic country style family homes in rural Oxfordshire. Compared to the more salubrious areas of London, Oxford, which is fully commutable with direct train links and the M40, remains affordable with 5 bedroom properties on our latest development, Boar´s Hill, just 3 miles south west of Oxford with views towards the Spires of Oxford, fetching £3.5 million or more.

“London buyers and those from overseas which we are also witnessing an increase in, are almost always families looking for the height of luxury from a new home but away from hustle and bustle of the city centre. Amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts and staff quarters are in demand, as is land – a highly cherished commodity.

“We anticipate that our next project in Hinksey Hill will be equally successful and our recipe for building with the very best quality materials appears to be creating a magic winning formula that our clients love.”

Knight Frank is marketing the new build country mansions for Millgate Homes.  Harriet Gascoigne-Pees, an Associate for Knight Frank LLP in Oxford commented:

“Since the spring of this year, 10% of new applicants that have been registered on our books for Oxford homes have come from overseas.  These overseas investors have come from eight varying countries so we are not seeing a trend in any particularly nationality in this area currently.

“17% of enquiries have come from London – drawn by the high speed rail links back to London and the better quality of life that their families can enjoy here.  The famous independent schools in Oxford and surrounds such as The Dragon and its Preparatory School, Oxford High School, Summer Fields, Cokethorpe and Abingdon School are a still the huge draw for these buyers.

The collection of new country homes in Boars Hill, Oxfordshire have generous private grounds and combine classic design with modern contemporary elegance.
An idyllic setting with commanding views to the North, towards the Oxfordshire Spires and to the south backing onto the woodland and the downs beyond.
Boars Hill Park is an architectural jewel and to find homes of such quality, scale and appointment is an absolute rarity.
Priced from £3,850,000- for more information contact Millgate Homes on 0118 934 3344or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

For more information from Knight Frank please call their Oxford office on 01865 790077

Rightmove and DPG in the spotlight….

by Viv United Kingdom

NAEA members in Surrey have called on their organisation to focus all their resources on their own portal.  PropertyLive is the NAEA and ARLA’s own website, and Surrey members want to see it challenge the sales major portals.

Chairman James Wyatt said “Our local Surrey members want to see every single UK property on PropertyLive, which will require our national board to alter their stance considerably. We see this wholesale change as a gangway to a large number of new members and a profitable property portal.”

In a letter to the Associations board, Wyatt and his committee have demanded that a “commercial” stance be taken to PropertyLive to ensure better results. Surrey members are already deserting the major portals in support of PropertyLive, but Wyatt wants more. “We’re up for the fight, but our Association has to be brave and support our move.”

———– ENDS ————–

Editor’s Notes:

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is a part of NFoPP.

James Wyatt is a Partner of Virginia Water estate agents, Barton Wyatt.

01344 843000 01344 843000 surreynaea@gmail.com
 

Top Notch free education in Buckinghamshire drives the Housing Marketing

by Viv United Kingdom

Estate agents are awash with enquiries for property in perfect school catchment areas. The house prices are being driven by homes which might stand their children a chance of getting into one of the highly sought after Grammar schools in Buckinghamshire.

Property Expert, Nigel Lewis at PrimeLocation.com, said: “Analysis conducted by PrimeLocation.com in September 2011 revealed that living near one of the 50 best secondary schools in the UK adds an extra £77,000 to the value of a home – £14,000 less than living near one of the nation´s top primary schools.”
PrimeLocation data indicates that the cost of property in the catchment areas of some schools has peaked to such an extent that average families now face being priced out.   With just 164 grammar schools left in England Buckinghamshire is lucky to have 13 of these and all appear to be highly desirable to the local parent population.
Nigel Lewis, continues: “It’s no surprise that parents are investing considerable amounts of money choosing a home that gives their child access to the best school possible.
Buckinghamshire is one of the fortunate counties that still supports the Grammar system – and some of them achieve the most startling results – for example in the FT best schools list for 2011 Wycombe Abbey was listing 2nd and in the highly acclaimed Sunday Times schools top 500 table Beaconsfield High was 42nd nationally and the Bucks Royal Grammar School achieved 43rd position. When you consider that these schools are up against the most expensive schools in the country you realize why parents might be so keen to move to get this type of education for free.
The 2011 schools league tables have shown that grammar schools once again came out on top in Bucks. Results in GCSEs and A-levels for the grammar schools were described as  exceptional and among the best in the country by the Buckinghamshire Examiner.
Frosts Estate Agents in Maidenhead come across this on a regular basis. Spokesperson, Christine from the Maidenhead office commented:
“Our clients looking to buy property at the moment seem to fall into one of three categories – a local wanting to upsize, people from slightly out of area who used to live here and want to move back and foreign investors.
“For those that have children or who are planning for the long term future, schooling is high on their list of things to consider when buying a house. We are very lucky in Buckinghamshire to have so many fabulous private and grammar schools in the area. The ones that are very popular at the moment are St Paul’s, Wycombe High and Beaconsfield High for Girls. 
“Obviously you no longer need to be on the right street to gain entry to a grammar school, more that your children to be academically high achievers – but no parent wants arduous commutes across the county to get the children to school.”
Frosts are selling a brand new country Mansion built by Millgate Homes in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. Jonathan Cranley, the Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate Homes explain how they select a plot to build:
“We are extremely careful about selecting plots to purchase and build family homes on. We are aware there are many factors that contribute to why people choose a home but the old adage ‘location location location’ always stands firm. Our clients are discerning individuals that almost always are looking for a peaceful location, close to amenities and close to great schools. These predominantly are the driving forces for choosing a home – and I don’t believe that budget alters this – any family or couple thinking of a family home will have schools on their mind’.
Harvest Hill in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire is on the market for £3,???,??? and is the perfect family house. An elegant detached five bedroom country homes  located in an idyllic semi-rural location within 3 miles of Beaconsfield – which was recently described as one of the most desirable towns in the country.
The property has substantial living space on the ground floor all flowing from a grand entrance hall into formal drawing and dining rooms and impressive kitchen/breakfast rooms incorporating family living areas.
The master suite as a feature balcony, dressing room and palatial en-suite bathroom and a further four en-suite bedrooms and cinema rooms.
For more information contact Millgate Homes on 0118 934 3344or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Thoroughbred homes to match the Home Counties summer equestrian season

by Viv United Kingdom

 

If it’s equestrian cavorting that captures your heart then Surrey and Berkshire are the places to be this summer. Some of the biggest global equestrian events take place in the Home Counties and the rain won’t put us Brits off!
 
Topping the charts is the dashing Royal Ascot – one of the pinnacle events of the summer equestrian and indeed social season. In this historic year, Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Meeting will certainly be one of the must-attend events to enjoy all of the pageantry and history of a quintessentially British day out.
 
The Royal Meeting is the ultimate stage for the finest racehorses in the world, a sporting and social spectacular that is simply un-matched. Racing is not the only highlight however, as fashion meets with tradition to make Royal Ascot the perfect occasion to enjoy with friends and family.
 
Serious racing fans will not have missed the Epsom Derby earlier this month. One of the Queen’s favourite sporting events, the Epsom Derby held in Surrey is a great spectacle with people from all walks of life enjoying a fast paced day out with probably the greatest flat race in the world. This year’s Coronation Cup winner was St. Nicholas Abbey who is tipped to be a winner at Ascot next week.
 
If you are after something more intimate then polo at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park is now underway. This event sees the Cartier Queen’s Cup culminate on 17th June and the Audi International Day which sees Great Britain pitted against South Africa, on 22nd July . With the high scorers battling it out, expect serious horsemanship, fast paced action and a super glam crowd.
 
Rupert Wyatt, Partner of award-winning estate agency Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water, Surrey commented on the impact that such high profile sporting events such as these have on local house prices, saying:
 
“It is rather obvious that if your house has a bird’s eye view of a fabulously British sporting event then this will drive the price up. We have had many buyers over the years who have bought properties entirely due to the proximity to a sporting event. We sell many houses on the exclusive Wentworth Estate which have superb views of the fairways for the PGA and we are currently letting a property with a grandstand view of Ascot – a ferociously sought after position whether you are keen on horse racing or not.”
 
Being surrounded by so many high profile sporting events, Barton Wyatt has its fair share of celebrity clients such as Clive Smith, owner of Kuato Star, winner of this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Rupert Wyatt, who sold Clive Smith’s house on the Wentworth Estate recently, comments,
 
“The Home Counties attract more than their fair share of celebrity residents often due to the proximity to sporting events such as Ascot or Guards Polo. Professionals such as Clive Smith are so committed to their sports that living nearby is just part of the passion.”
 
If you are looking for property that is close to equestrian facilities then the North Surrey / Berkshire border is a dream destination. This area has a fabulous array of liveries and stables to choose from and terrific riding – anything from a trot through Virginia Water to applying for an annual permit to ride on the Crown Estate and enjoy Windsor Great Park. Recently Barton Wyatt let a property with a bird’s eye view of the grandstand at Ascot – they were not surprised at the speed that this house got snapped up!
 
For an example of two very different but equally very exciting properties in this area:
 
New on the market is an awesome house – Park Place in Windlesham. The house is on the market for £8,000,000 and would suit a large family who love entertaining. Park Place is a magnificent country house which stands impressively within a mature woodland setting and approached via a private road. 
 
Built in 1995, the Georgian style property has been built to an exceptionally high standard. The imposing reception hall with a central staircase, marble and granite floors with under floor heating, a hand-made kitchen and custom made furniture in many parts of the house all blend to create a unique and wonderful home.
 
Set over three floors, there are 7 reception rooms off the impressive hall. The first floor has a master suite and 4 further bedrooms suites whilst the second floor has a further 4 master suites. A generous cottage in the grounds offers additional accommodation with kitchen, living area, 3 beds and bathrooms.
 
If this is a little large for your liking then consider The Lake House in Ascot priced at £2,450,000. This is a remarkable opportunity to own a lakeside home with its own private island in a quiet exclusive cul-de-sac backing the Old Mile, close to Ascot Village Centre.
 
The property sits high and looks down onto a beautiful lake with wildlife wandering freely to the rear. With ample accommodation the house has optimized the views over the lake. This type of 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house comes on the market very rarely and the wonderful gardens, include an enclosed heated swimming pool is a great find.
 

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

If it’s equestrian cavorting that captures your heart then Surrey and Berkshire are the places to be this summer. Some of the biggest global equestrian events take place in the Home Counties and the rain won’t put us Brits off!
 
Topping the charts is the dashing Royal Ascot – one of the pinnacle events of the summer equestrian and indeed social season. In this historic year, Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Meeting will certainly be one of the must-attend events to enjoy all of the pageantry and history of a quintessentially British day out.
 
The Royal Meeting is the ultimate stage for the finest racehorses in the world, a sporting and social spectacular that is simply un-matched. Racing is not the only highlight however, as fashion meets with tradition to make Royal Ascot the perfect occasion to enjoy with friends and family.
 
Serious racing fans will not have missed the Epsom Derby earlier this month. One of the Queen’s favourite sporting events, the Epsom Derby held in Surrey is a great spectacle with people from all walks of life enjoying a fast paced day out with probably the greatest flat race in the world. This year’s Coronation Cup winner was St. Nicholas Abbey who is tipped to be a winner at Ascot next week.
 
If you are after something more intimate then polo at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park is now underway. This event sees the Cartier Queen’s Cup culminate on 17th June and the Audi International Day which sees Great Britain pitted against South Africa, on 22nd July . With the high scorers battling it out, expect serious horsemanship, fast paced action and a super glam crowd.
 
Rupert Wyatt, Partner of award-winning estate agency Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water, Surrey commented on the impact that such high profile sporting events such as these have on local house prices, saying:
 
“It is rather obvious that if your house has a bird’s eye view of a fabulously British sporting event then this will drive the price up. We have had many buyers over the years who have bought properties entirely due to the proximity to a sporting event. We sell many houses on the exclusive Wentworth Estate which have superb views of the fairways for the PGA and we are currently letting a property with a grandstand view of Ascot – a ferociously sought after position whether you are keen on horse racing or not.”
 
Being surrounded by so many high profile sporting events, Barton Wyatt has its fair share of celebrity clients such as Clive Smith, owner of Kuato Star, winner of this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Rupert Wyatt, who sold Clive Smith’s house on the Wentworth Estate recently, comments,
 
“The Home Counties attract more than their fair share of celebrity residents often due to the proximity to sporting events such as Ascot or Guards Polo. Professionals such as Clive Smith are so committed to their sports that living nearby is just part of the passion.”
 
If you are looking for property that is close to equestrian facilities then the North Surrey / Berkshire border is a dream destination. This area has a fabulous array of liveries and stables to choose from and terrific riding – anything from a trot through Virginia Water to applying for an annual permit to ride on the Crown Estate and enjoy Windsor Great Park. Recently Barton Wyatt let a property with a bird’s eye view of the grandstand at Ascot – they were not surprised at the speed that this house got snapped up!
 
For an example of two very different but equally very exciting properties in this area:
 
New on the market is an awesome house – Park Place in Windlesham. The house is on the market for £8,000,000 and would suit a large family who love entertaining. Park Place is a magnificent country house which stands impressively within a mature woodland setting and approached via a private road. 
 
Built in 1995, the Georgian style property has been built to an exceptionally high standard. The imposing reception hall with a central staircase, marble and granite floors with under floor heating, a hand-made kitchen and custom made furniture in many parts of the house all blend to create a unique and wonderful home.
 
Set over three floors, there are 7 reception rooms off the impressive hall. The first floor has a master suite and 4 further bedrooms suites whilst the second floor has a further 4 master suites. A generous cottage in the grounds offers additional accommodation with kitchen, living area, 3 beds and bathrooms.
 
If this is a little large for your liking then consider The Lake House in Ascot priced at £2,450,000. This is a remarkable opportunity to own a lakeside home with its own private island in a quiet exclusive cul-de-sac backing the Old Mile, close to Ascot Village Centre.
 
The property sits high and looks down onto a beautiful lake with wildlife wandering freely to the rear. With ample accommodation the house has optimized the views over the lake. This type of 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house comes on the market very rarely and the wonderful gardens, include an enclosed heated swimming pool is a great find.
 

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

95 per cent of purchasers would buy with Millgate Homes again

by Viv United Kingdom

 

It takes a special home to convince purchasers to part with their hard-earned money, so it’s a testament to Millgate Homes that 95 per cent of its purchasers have said that they would buy with the house-builder again. Millgate has long declared that it offers house-hunters superior homes, and it seems that purchasers of its properties agree, as the results from its recent customer-satisfaction survey have clearly shown.
 
100 per cent said that were very satisfied or satisfied with their first impression of the development. Millgate Homes employs the services of a Chelsea award-winning landscaper, so, on arrival, visitors can expect manicured lawns and established foliage which have been beautifully designed and planted in the external surroundings. Not only this, but visitors to the show homes will find an exquisite décor, dressed by Alexander James Interiors, perfectly reflecting the quality craftsmanship of the homes.
 
Virtually all respondents claimed that there was nothing they would change about their property. This is, no doubt, down to the fact that Millgate’s designers know exactly what purchasers are looking for. The homes are considerately planned, from open-plan rooms, giving purchasers the ideal space to lounge or entertain, through to the high-specification features, from only the best brands, including the likes of Villeroy & Boch.
 
It’s this attention to detail, which has seen Millgate Homes walk away with the title of ‘Best Family Home’ at this year’s Evening Standard New Homes Awards. So, it’s no wonder that nine out of ten customers have said they would recommend purchasing a Millgate property.
 
One of these purchasers is John Kearsey. He and his wife moved to their new house at Coopers Place, in Burghfield Common, in December. He comments: “We were looking to downsize and, after living in our last home for 27 years, we had high expectations of any new property which we bought. However, our new home surpassed all that we had wished for.
 
“Once we started looking, there was no other home on the market which compared with what we found at Coopers Place. From the open-plan kitchen and conservatory to the quiet cul-de-sac setting, it honestly ticked all of the boxes, and we have been able to put our own personal stamp on it from the start. We would definitely recommend buying with Millgate Homes.”    
 
Jonathan Cranley, sales and marketing director at Millgate Homes, comments: “Our survey is designed for us to be able to collect some meaningful feedback from our purchasers. We were extremely pleased about the results, but not totally surprised, as we make it a point to offer a superior customer experience, and that starts by building an executive product, which is what we have achieved.”
 

Millgate Homes is currently building across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey. For further information on any of its current developments, contact the sales office: 0118 934 3344 | www.millgatehomes.co.uk

Life’s a beach! English Beaches Awarded Record Number of Blue Flags for 2012

by Viv United Kingdom

Adding even more excitement and anticipation to this summer holiday season, the prestigious Blue Flag organisation has awarded English beaches a record number of accolades for 2012 – 79, an increase of 9 over last year.

A highly coveted international award, the Blue Flag pays tribute to beaches which abide by strict criteria with regards to water quality, cleanliness, safety, accessibility and services and is judged by a global panel under the prestigious Blue Flag Programme.
Beaches are awarded the Blue Flag based on compliance with 32 criteria which includes everything from ensuring that the local authority are maintaining good order on the beach, having recycling facilities, clean rest rooms, certified lifeguard programs and of course clean water and a pristine beach.
Westward Ho! is one such beach which has been awarded one of the 27 flags in the South East (2 less than last year). This up and coming coastal village in North Devon also recently won gold in the 2012 UK Good Beach Programme, a double accolade very well deserved according to Nick Spence, Director of established UK holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, which operates the West Beach Resort just 50m from Westward Ho! beach, who comments:
“It is hard to find a more terrific spot in Devon than Westward Ho! There are areas of our coastline which have become completely overtaken by tourists – such as Padstow – where you can’t park to save your life and the queue for Rick Stein’s fish and chips runs around the block on occasion. In comparison Westward Ho! has retained its charm and character whilst having all the mod cons and facilities that people expect from a beach holiday destination today.”
With Britain hosting so many fabulous events this summer the National Tourism Agency has forecast that in excess of 30 million visitors will greet our shores in 2012, spending an estimated £17.6 billion in the process. The South West Tourism alliance predicts 5.3 million people alone will arrive in Devon during 2012 totalling just under 23 million nights of accommodation. The majority of those would be delighted to have a sea view and being on a Blue Flag beach is as good as it gets for investors looking to secure easy rents and protect the property’s future value.
For those interested in owning a home just 50m from the Blue Flag award winning Westward Ho! beach, then why not consider West Beach Resort? These luxurious 2 bedroom apartments afford direct sea views with all mod cons such as solid oak kitchens, under floor heating and rainfall showers. They also enjoy the latest modern technology in the form of air-sourced heat pumps; wired and wireless internet access and VOIP phone systems.
If you wish to find out more about these superb apartments located just 50m from this fun packed beach contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com for more information.

Virginia Water takes property millionaire top spot according to latest research from PrimeLocation.com

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Newly researched data from PrimeLocation.com heralds Virginia Water in Surrey as the UK’s number one property millionaire hotspot, overtaking last year’s top pick Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.
 
Home to a higher proportion of properties valued at £1 million or above than anywhere else in the country, James Wyatt, partner of Barton Wyatt, the longest established agent in the village comments:

“Brought up in the heart of Virginia Water, I feel very privileged to have lived in this fantastic village all my life. It’s no surprise that this area is the number one choice for a millionaire lifestyle especially considering the picture perfect village that borders the famous Wentworth estate; and its well renowned golf club which played host to the BMW PGA tournament just last weekend.
 
If you do have your eye on a property adjoining the fairways of Wentworth golf course, this privilege spot commands house prices in the region of £5 million and above. ”
 
While the data from PrimeLocation.com lists the location of seven of the UK’s top 10 millionaire towns in the South East – the wealthiest region in the UK, Virginia Water seems to be the crème of the crop with a staggering 48.5% of homes valuing at more than £1,000,000.

Nigel Lewis, property analyst at PrimeLocation.comremarks:
 
 “There are a number of factors that have led these UK towns to become millionaire hotspots. Most of these areas are home to a high proportion of spacious and luxurious properties set in a peaceful and exclusive environment, within easy commuting distance of London, but this sought-after combination comes with a hefty price tag.

“Not only is Virginia Water a commuter town offering easy access to the Capital, it’s also home to the famous Wentworth Estate which encompasses one of Europe’s premier residential areas.

 
"With a significant proportion of the housing stock being large detached properties, the price of which averages £1,210,326, this affluent area has overtaken Beaconsfield as the UK’s hottest £1m+ location.”
 
But what will your millionaire wallet be able to afford in Virginia Water?
 
Cranberry Cottage priced at a respectable £1,295,000 is the perfect example of a property in Virginia Water that gets snapped up quickly. As a perfectly modernised and extended character property with luxurious bathroom suites and a stunning open plan kitchen/breakfast/family room, this beautiful property is situated in a prestigious leafy residential road in Virginia Water, perfect for a restful and relaxed life.
 
For someone with more money to burn, the Waverley priced at £3,950,000 is a brand new mansion built by luxury developer Danesfield Homes. The house is situated close to the heart of Virginia Water and comprises six bedrooms, six bathrooms, four reception rooms, double garage, private parking and beautiful gardens of approximately 0.60 acres.
 
Or if you are after that exclusive house on the Wentworth fairways then Hyale, is the perfect property, costing £7,950,000. A very grand house opposite the 17th Green of the Championship West Course with 9,376 square feet of luxurious accommodation arranged over four floors with grounds approaching 1.63 acres.
 
For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 

Editors note – 

Photographer of Wentworth Image is David Cannon