Cool Kitchens

by Viv United Kingdom

 

With British Food Fortnight underway (September 17th to October 2nd) your thoughts might be turning to your kitchen.
 
The British Food Fortnight was conceived in autumn 2002 – set at this time of the year to coincide perfectly with Harvest Festivals – the traditional time for celebrating our food. Since its launch the event has grown massively and has become a national event now firmly established on the calendar. The event is an important influencer for many sectors with a particularly emphasis on British, Fresh and Local; thereby aiming to create a more robust market for small local business to sell their wares locally. .
 
Buying wonderful, fresh local produce is just the start of the journey. Having the kitchen to then create sumptuous meals is the next step. A dream kitchen means many different things to different people. 
 
“It is very difficult to decide on a new kitchen in a house, be it an older style country farm house, a modern flat or a new build mansion!” explains James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning estate agency, Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water, Surrey. He goes on to say, “Should clients ask for our opinion then we always recommend something in neutral colours using the very best kitchen products and appliances that they can afford.”
 
However this is not necessarily a homeowner’s favourite choice – evident in the diversity offered by so many kitchen suppliers. A cooker or an Aga can be purchased these days in black, white, purple and sky blue or pink. These loud and vibrant colour schemes are created for cooks who want some drama in their kitchen to go with their flambéed pigeon truffles or nitro poached cod eyes.
 
Wyatt continues: “We try to encourage neutrality particularly from local developers building new homes in the area as these are definitely the most popular. Occasionally we come across a howler which then makes the property incredibly difficult for my Sales Consultants to find a buyer for. 
 
“Recently we had a beautifully renovated Jacobean house with a very cheap B&Q kitchen fitted as a last minute rush job. It was quite apparent that the property deserved a luxury cottage style kitchen and cutting corners definitely slowed the sale of this house quite dramatically and the price was slashed accordingly to reflect the fact that a new kitchen was in order. In contrast another home owner had poured their love and attention into a modern snappy style kitchen which had purchasers queuing up to view”.
 
Barton Wyatt’s top tips on making your kitchen desirable for a new home owner:
 
ü      The appliances in the very best houses are from top brand and a luxury kitchen these days will come with an integrated coffee machine, wine fridge, conduction hob and usually a bank of 4 ovens, including steam and microwave. Instant hot water taps and pizza ovens are two of the latest crazes, and many buyers who do a lot of entertaining are looking for two dishwashers.
ü      Choose a kitchen which is hard wearing and won’t date – red on black might seem like a good idea today but will it sell in 5 years time?
ü      Lighting in the kitchen is very important – the ability to have bright lights for cooking and kids homework with the option for something more seductive and moody in the evening when people are gathering round your island for a glass of champagne and canapés.
ü      The floor needs to be very user friendly, easy to clean and hopefully in a colour that will not show up every single dog hair.
ü      Lastly the work surface – the latest designs might be brushed aluminium and toughened glass however granite is hard to beat for longevity and an impartial choice.
 
James Wyatt talks about the latest kitchen craze coming to Virginia Water:
 
“We have just been instructed on a new build property on the Wentworth Estate which has the most incredible outside kitchen. I know we live in England and the idea sounds rather optimistic but I believe this will really work. The kitchen area has a large built in barbeque, a drinks fridge, plenty of work surface and lots of storage cupboards.
 
“Situated right next to the indoor swimming pool and hot-tub with fashionable decking, this area has a gorgeous view down into the woodlands adjoining the property – you really could be on holiday!”
 
For more details on property available from Barton Wyatt please call 01344 843 000 or visit their website www.bartonwyatt.co.uk
 
———— ENDS —————-
 
Editors Note
 
The house mentioned with the outside kitchen is September House:
 
September House, Wentworth,                               £6,500,000 Freehold
 
Situated on the renowned Wentworth Estate, September House is a magnificent stately residence that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style
 
Six bedroom suites, reception hall, three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast/family room, utility room, boot room, indoor swimming pool complex, staff accommodation, triple garage, beautifully maintained gardens.
 
This property is price at £6,500,000. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 

Come in from the cold… Industry heavyweights Knight Frank and Intermark Savills reveal the secrets of selling to the Russians at Russian Summit 2011

by Viv United Kingdom

With the recovery of the global property industry making slow progress, what savvy developer or agent wouldn’t want to tap into a lucrative buyer market worth in excess of €12 billion?

Russia’s recent economic success combined with cold weather and an environment that is not always kind to business owners has created a strong desire to purchase real estate abroad. Already some shrewd international agents such as UK based Barton Wyatt or Montenegro Living, have identified the appeal of this buyer market, establishing networks and actively targeting Russian and CIS buyers.

So how do you come in from the cold?

According to Kim Waddoup, co-organizer of Russian Summit, Director of aigroup, main internet sponsor of the event and Russian resident for nearly 20 years explains,

“Russia is different, keep an open mind, it’s a great market but you need to work at it and there is no substitute for face-to-face contact.   That’s true in any business but it’s especially true in Russia where personal relationships really make a difference”.

And forging these strong relationships with Russian agents is at the heart of Russian Summit. Held for the second year running at World Trade Centre Moscow on 17th & 18th November 2011, the Russian Summit is the only conference and exhibition dedicated to helping international property companies meet real estate agents from Russia and the CIS.

Comprising two sections, a conference and mini-exhibition, the conference is designed to educate and inform delegates on the Russian buyer market while the exhibition facilitates introductions to Russian agents and introducers.

In addition a line-up of specialized speakers has already been confirmed including Maria Kotova, Executive Director at Knight Frank Russia and Igor Indrikson, Head of International Property Investments at Intermark Savills ensuring a highly educational aspect of the Russian Summit.

The presentations and specialist’s panel discussions will cover a wide range of subjects including:
 

  • Which products are most in demand from Russian buyers from our panel of agents working in Russia and Kazakhstan
  • Practical tips from international agents and developers on how to enter the Russian buyer market at minimum cost
  • Who the most important agents are in the Russian market?
  • What is the best way to acquire and manage agent partnerships over the long term?
  • What are the most cost-effective ways to target Russian buyers direct?
  • Tips on using Yandex, Google.ru and other online channels?
  • Insights into which offline channels work and the promotions that motivate Russian buyers?
  • Practical sales tips on how to build trust and close business when working with Russian buyers

Limited spaces are still available to participate in Russian Summit on November 17th & 18th visit www.RussianSummit.com or call +44 (0) 207 199 7895.
 

Making a ‘smart’ sale. Pioneering Surrey Estate Agent seal the deal with latest QR code technology

by Viv United Kingdom

It is no secret that the property industry has dealt with its fair share of hardships over recent years with agents and developers under pressure to adapt and change marketing strategies to stay ahead of the game. One such strategy has seen pioneering agents such as Barton Wyatt exploring mobile phone technology and adopting QR codes in an attempt to attract new property buyers.

It is estimated that by 2013 around 1 billion people will own a smartphone, a small and powerful device that allows us to connect to the internet, run programs, hold data and generally organise our lives on the go. It is a device that is fast outselling the PC and will soon allow us to purchase items using swipe and pay technology being developed by Google. And with mobile phone systems moving from 3G to 4G technology and with Apple rumoured to be incorporating 4G connection speeds into its next generation iPhone 5 that will allow download speeds of somewhere between 20 and 50 Mbps, making it several times faster than the UK’s average web connection, smartphone technology is fast becoming the best search and data collection option around.

With this in mind, Google also estimate that over 50% of property searches will use smartphones by the end of 2012, so it is no surprise that real estate agents are jumping on the smartphone bandwagon using the aid of QR Codes to sell their properties.

But what is a QR Code? In simple terms a QR Code or Quick Response Code is a matrix style two dimensional bar code image containing black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background which can encode product information, URL links to a video or coupons which can be used at an outlet for example. This code, designed to be downloaded at high speed can then be read by a smartphone and stored away.

With the help of a code, potential property buyers no longer have to pursue real estate agents for information about the properties on sale. Indeed, for customers the tedious process of searching for the perfect property can now be made easier enabling customers who visit a particular property to scan the QR Code found on the “For Sale Sign” and instantly obtain access to its property specifications, quotes, community information, virtual tours and property pictures as well as finding links to mortgage options, information on similar properties and related services such as interior decorators and furniture stores.

Certainly, QR Codes can instantly join the buyer to important property information providing a simple, effective and faster alternative to traditional methods of closing a sale and one which Surrey based estate agent, Barton Wyatt has embraced, becoming one of the first estate agents to start using them in the UK.

James Wyatt, Partner of award winning estate agent Barton Wyatt comments,

“I have watched the US market grab the idea of QR codes and now is the right time for us to show our competitors and clients that we are still leading the way in innovative and effective marketing. We will first begin using them on sales boards before moving onto adverts and other suitable areas, and in light of the current smart phone obsession we hope that this new technology will prove very useful in securing property sales.”

With its very own QR code, Wilton House on the Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water offers 7 bedrooms and bathrooms with 4 reception rooms, professional gymnasium, and a self-contained staff flat comprising bedroom and sitting room, kitchen and bathroom set above a triple garage.

Priced at £5,750,000, this utterly fabulous house is just two years old and is situated at the top of arguably one of the best roads in Virginia Water and boasts the very latest modern technology such as wireless networking throughout and the latest Sonos system .

So get your smartphones at the ready and scan the code or contact Barton Wyatt today on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. Happy scanning!
 

Surrey swings back into action as developers start construction of new super homes

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Bucking the trend of a relatively flat UK property market, Surrey based award-winning estate agent, Barton Wyatt is pleased to announce an impressive 116% increase in sales to date in 2011 compared to the same period last year.
 
And it is not just the sales department at Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water enjoying success this year – the rental division is also reporting an upturn in their figures.
 
James Wyatt, Partner of the family run estate agency Barton Wyatt, comments:
 
“Reviewing the year on year sales figures we can see that despite the enquiry level remaining almost identical to 2010 we have experienced a 116% increase in sales. The clients that are coming in to see us tend to be very serious about a purchase and are not simply viewing multi-million pound houses which they will never be able to afford. 
 
“As well as the sales department, our lettings division, which experienced a slowdown in 2010 due to some of our corporate clients keeping their overseas employees at home, has seen uplift with many more houses being let this year compared to last.”
 
In response to this demand, Virginia Water is seeing a return of the large, lavish modern homes being built off-plan by developers who sense that the local market is recovering. Millgate Homes is one such developer who is once again active in the area and who uses Barton Wyatt as an agent for their properties. David Wrigley, Head of Sales and Marketing, comments:
 
“As one of Surrey and Berkshire’s leading developers, Millgate Homes is focused on seeking out the most desirable sites, optimising planning, designing with passion and building with integrity. At this level so many things are important to us and to the new owner – elevations/external materials/landscaping/location are all finalised prior to build. We pride ourselves on creating a specification that actually works for home owners – building it as if it were your own.
 
“We look for the same passion from our agents, such as Barton Wyatt. They are a highly respected local agent, they have the right connections and the very best area knowledge. For us they are the clear market leaders in the Wentworth area.”
 
Millgate Homes is finding that in addition to asking prices rising, land prices in the area are going through the roof and are in agreement with the recent Knight Frank report which revealed that land prices in the Greater London area rose by 2.3% in Q2 2011.
 
James Wyatt explains what is happening in his area:
 
“Land prices vary from district to district. In Wentworth and Virginia Water we have seen the price of land increase at a phenomenal rate. We find that our postcodes tend to mirror those of Chelsea, Westminster, West End etc where land is at an absolute premium and developers know that they can make really good money by taking down the old and replacing with something new and sophisticated.”
 
For more details on property from Barton Wyatt please visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk or call 01344 843000.
 
On the Market
 
New House coming soon to Wentworth
 
Wentworth,       £6,500,000 Freehold
 
Situated on the renowned Wentworth Estate, this new build house is to be a magnificent stately residence that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style
 
Six bedroom suites, reception hall, three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast/family room, utility room, boot room, indoor swimming pool complex, staff accommodation, triple garage, beautifully maintained gardens
 
This property will be priced at £6,500,000. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 

Living in Glass Houses – the secret to magnifying the value of your home?

by Viv United Kingdom United States

According to RICS, adding a conservatory can raise your house´s value by a respectable 4% to 5% but is this the reality in today’s market? James Wyatt, partner of privately owned estate agency Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water, Surrey shares his thoughts.

“If not done properly, conservatories can be design disasters resembling oversized porches crudely stuck onto the most convenient exterior wall with no consideration for the interior layout. When care is taken however they can be a work of art, lovingly designed with care and consideration to the house and the environment that it is being added to,” comments James Wyatt.

“Once highly fashionable, the demand for traditional ‘conservatories’ has declined in our area with buyers now seeking “orangeries” instead alluding to a feature of luxury and sophistication. It seems to be all about perception,” he adds.

With the type of ‘orangeries’ prevalent in many of Barton Wyatt’s clients’ homes costing anywhere from £25,000 to £250,000 to install and planning permission often required; committing to additional space is not a light undertaking but for some having the extra space has become invaluable.

One such lady is Mrs Fernando who purchased through Barton Wyatt; she was so taken with the large conservatory, located just off from the kitchen. Covering some 500 square feet, the space has been designed into an L-shape in order to connect the main house with the swimming pool complex.

“When we moved into Broomfield House I quickly realised that in order to fully utilise the living space of the conservatory that it would need some serious refurbishment. We installed a fully retractable seamless glass door system which meant that in the winter we can shut the room off and stay cosy in the kitchen and when the house needs cooling down we can throw the doors open and let the fresh air in. I also had thermal glass installed at this time to keep the heating /cooling costs to a minimum,” explains Mrs Fernando.

“We also added in an air conditioning system. This is, I believe, essential in any glass house. Although we live in England, a glass room can get ferociously hot and needs cooling on hot days. In the winter the air conditioning unit is able to quickly and efficiently heat the room so it really has become an integral feature of the house.

“The final item that must be purchased is a decent set of blinds, without which you will find yourself having friends for dinner and all sitting there in sunglasses!” she advises.

So, if living in a glass house is for you then follow these top tips on installing a conservatory:

Choose a design that complements the style of your home and make sure it doesn´t dominate your garden. Also think about its position: a south-facing conservatory needs ventilation and shade, while a north-facing room requires good heating.

Check with your local planning department whether you need permission. If you´re within your home´s permitted development allowance (your local planning department can advise on this) and your conservatory is separated from your house by patio doors, you may be exempt

Cheap doesn’t always mean the best. Obtain several quotes and do check feedback from other customers, the biggest and most vocal companies aren´t always the best either.

Do your research – make sure you are buying the highest quality structure within your budget

Do make sure you ask your builder what is included in the quote – is it inclusive of flooring and electrics or will you be

left with a bare shell?

Do install effective heating and ventilation arrangements so that you can use it in all seasons

The benefits of a conservatory are multiple; they give you greater living space and can add light into your home. You can achieve the desirable feeling of bringing the garden into the home and they make fabulous spaces for entertaining.

And the downsides, well they can be very costly to build and will eat up a chunk of your garden. If they are not properly ventilated this room will end up being too hot or too cold and then unusable.

So, is it worth while? James Wyatt says a definite yes!

“There is no point adding a cheap and nasty lean-to onto your house but if you have the funds and space to build something beautiful and tasteful then I would say yes every time. Done properly, it will add more value to your home than the cost of it. Our purchasers are always wowed when they walk into a conservatory that has had time, thought and energy put into and it will definitely help to sell your home.”

For more information on homes with conservatories in the Virginia Water area contact Barton Wyatt on + 44 (0) 1344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Editors Notes:
Two examples of houses available through Barton Wyatt with conservatories are:
Broomfield House, Windlesham £4,995,000

This magnificent country retreat features an incredible array of modern day living. A CAT 5 integrated request audio system with speakers through out many rooms, in intercom facility throughout the house, security cameras and a state –of- the art Rako mood lighting system.

The accommodation comprises a fabulous kitchen which was featured in Beautiful Kitchens in May 2009 and utility room. An impressive entrance hall with marbled flooring and chandelier leads to a further six reception rooms include a study and conservatory. The master bedroom includes en-suite and dressing room, four further bedrooms (2 en-suite), a further family bathroom.

The recreation area includes a pool and jacuzzi which operate an ozone filtration system thus reducing chemical use. There is a steam room and shower plus separate changing rooms. A custom built bar area which has access onto a terrace via 10m fully retractable glass doors.

The property also includes a detached triple garage block with staff flat above. The flat includes a private entrance, kitchen, living area, bedroom and bathroom.

Grounds extend to approximately 1.7 acres.

Priced at £4,995,000, for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Rhodora, Wentworth Estate £2,250,000

This fabulous home offers bright and spacious accommodation and has the character of an older style home with all the modern conveniences of a contemporary luxury home such as a well fitted kitchen, TV room, beautiful conservatory extending into the garden on three sides, fine drawing room with open fireplace, modern bathrooms (master bedroom with en-suite spa bath) double glazing with leaded light windows and excellent joinery.

Four bedrooms, three bathrooms en-suite, family bathroom, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, study, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, superb conservatory, attractive mature and level gardens on three sides, triple garage, ample parking.

The gardens are very attractive and are well stocked and well tended on a regular basis. There is a brick driveway with ample parking for several and wrought iron electric gates on brick piers.

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

In case you haven’t already seen – Award Winning Surrey Estate Agent, Barton Wyatt has gone social!

by Viv Spain

 

For all the very latest Surrey property news, local ‘what’s on’ information and company updates then join the Barton Wyatt community on Facebook , read their informative blog or view their properties on YouTube. You can also follow the team on Twitter for up-to-date snippets and sound bites of news.
Selling beautiful homes in the north of Surrey and southern Berkshire, Barton Wyatt is an award-winning, family owned estate agency established in 1869 and owned by the Wyatt family since 1927. 
Specialists in both sales and rentals within an international market place, no other agent knows the prestigious Wentworth Estate and surrounding Virginia Water the way that Barton Wyatt does and their passion for delivering the very best service to vendors and clients is the foundation of the business. 
If you are avid about property then keep up to date with the very latest news and get connected to Barton Wyatt’s social networking sites! You might like to Link In with them.
 
 

The Wentworth Estate: Surrey’s smartest ghetto

by Viv United Kingdom

Living in a ghetto might not sound overly appealing to many given the stereotype of an overcrowded, deprived urban area dominated by a single ethnic or racial group; however in one corner of leafy Surrey, competition to live on the Wentworth Estate, the county’s smartest ghetto, is fierce.

Embracing the official definition of a ghetto (a minority group actively choosing to segregate itself physically and socially from the majority) the Wentworth Estate, located in the heart of Virginia Water, can be thought of a socio-economic ghetto attracting a certain type of resident.

Property prices on the 700 hectare 1920’s W.G Tarrant designed estate give an indication of the wealth of the residents. According to latest figures from Zoopla.co.uk, the average property price in Virginia Water stands at £861,825, over double the average price for property in Surrey (£376,009).  Virginia Water also topped the 2011 Zoopla Property Rich List, ranking not only the highest value town in Surrey but across England also.

James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning family estate agency, Barton Wyatt, which specialises on the Wentworth Estate, comments,

“Living and working on the Wentworth Estate I have first-hand knowledge of the community. Residents come from all over the world not only from nearby Virginia Water but Russia, Malaysia, USA, Ukraine and even Kazakhstan; their nationalities may differ but the one commonality is affluence and a great deal of it!

 

“There are a number of wealthy enclaves within Surrey such as Cobham, Esher or Oxshott but people actively choose to reside on the Wentworth Estate due to the available green space, the luxurious properties, first-class amenities on hand at the Wentworth Club, easy access to London, low crime rate and most importantly the privacy and security for which they are prepared to pay a high price.”

Indeed the Wentworth Estate has become somewhat of a global brand in its own right with estate agents such as Barton Wyatt seeing a significant increase in overseas buyers keen to associate themselves with the prestigious location and rub shoulders with other celebrity residents such as Sir Bruce Forsyth, Sam Torrents, Eddie Jordan and F1 mogul Ron Dennis, numerous captains of industry and a smattering of foreign royalty.

As James Wyatt comments,

“Whilst other markets suffered during the recession, the Wentworth Estate remained in a somewhat of a bubble with demand for existing homes remaining high, new mega mansions being constructed and very few price corrections seen. We have in fact seen prices rise over the last year, following the trend in London with property prices on the Estate now averaging £2.5 million.”

One example of a luxurious mansion which was commissioned and constructed during the recession and is now on the market is Sena. Comprising a stunning contemporary layout internally, Sena is situated in one of the most prestigious roads on the Wentworth Estate. On the market for £6,500,000 Sena offers seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, four reception rooms, staff flat, gardens of just over one acre and three car garage. Not bad for a ghetto!

For more information on buying on the exclusive Wentworth estate contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

 

Virginia Water ranks highest value town in England

by Viv United Kingdom

With average property prices just shy of the magic £1 million mark, Virginia Water has topped the 2011 Zoopla Property Rich List, ranking the highest value town in England.

Located just 20 miles west of London and home to the prestigious Wentworth Estate where the BMW PGA Championship was recently held, house prices in the Surrey village average at £979,528 according to Zoopla markedly ahead of nearby footballers paradise, Cobham in second place (£755,997) and Beaconsfield  in Buckinghamshire which ranked third (£707,043).

James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning Virginia Water estate agency Barton Wyatt, comments,

“Virginia Water is most definitely a unique place and the high property prices reflect that. Residences here are in great demand due to the nearby blue chip companies, good schools, large green open spaces, low crime rate and easy access to central London. Buyers choose Virginia Water not only for the spectacular homes available but also the luxurious lifestyle on offer.”

The desirable GU25 postcode of Virginia Water was also ranked the highest value area outside of London in the latest Zoopla index with only Kensington (£1,789,131), Chelsea (£1,372,691), Knightsbridge (£1,333,433), Notting Hill (£1,189,398) and West Brompton (£1,083,225) recording higher average property prices. 

James Wyatt continues,

“Virginia Water and especially the Wentworth Estate, has become a real alternative to central London especially for families wanting additional space and privacy. We are seeing an increase in enquiries, especially from overseas buyers such as Americans, Russians, Ukrainians, Kazakhstanis and Chinese, for properties located purely on the Wentworth Estate which has become a global brand in its own right.”

Viewed as the heart of Virginia Water, the 700 hectare Wentworth Estate, designed by W. G. Tarrant in the 1920s, has been and still is a haven for wealthy individuals, their families and celebrities. Well known residents include Bruce Forsyth, Ernie Els, Thomas Bjorn, Eddie Jordan and F1 mogul Ron Dennis to name but a few. With mansions and mega mansions available to suit any taste and budget, the Wentworth Estate is most definitely where the other half live.

Due to its high end nature and boutique clientele, the Virginia Water property market, whilst admittedly slower moving than three or four years ago, has remained robust with no dramatic price corrections witnessed.

With a budget of the Zoopla average property price you could be the proud owner of a luxurious 3 bedroom penthouse apartment in Crosslands House for example, a grade II listed property with 24 hour security and exclusive residents’ leisure facilities, all for £845,000.

Or for those with deeper pockets then Birchington, the ideal family home comprising master bedroom with en-suite dressing room and bathroom, four further bedrooms, five reception rooms, kitchen / breakfast rooms, ground floor guest suite, double garage and the all important wine cellar, is on the market at £2,450,000.

For more information about owning a property in the highest value town in England, Virginia Water, contact the experts Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Selling your home – how does your garden grow the asking price?

by Viv United Kingdom

 

With the revered RHS Chelsea Flower Show opening this week everyone is getting rather green fingered but aside from a place to make the most of the British summer and throw a BBQ, a safe area to run your children out of steam or somewhere live the good life with a veggie patch, how much is your garden really worth in terms of the value of your home?
House prices so far this year have taken a small but positive step in the right direction. According to new figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government, average house prices in the UK rose by 1.2% between Feb and March 2011. The year-on-year figure shows a gentler rise of 0.9% with the North / South divide still evident. The strongest regional rise was in London whose market has remained robust with 5.6% year on year growth and the South East showing a very healthy rise of 2.5% compared to this time last year.   
James Wyatt, Partner at Barton Wyatt, award wining estate agency in Virginia Water, Surrey comments on these figures:
“When the economy first nosed dived in Q3 2008 we saw a very sudden stop in property transactions. New builds were not being put on the market and people stopped shopping for new homes. Gradually however, in our area we have seen the market stabilize although both buyers and sellers are more thorough in their research and not quite so swift to make spur of the moment decisions. 
 “This is where the quality of your home and particularly your garden can come into play. If a property is on the market and it looks tired then clients definitely drag their heels to make offers and this rings true for outside spaces too.”
Wyatt continues:
“At this time of year some purchasers can almost spend longer mulling over the lupins and hollyhocks than the internal fixtures and fittings. I would say that truly lovely garden which has been properly planned and well maintained can add as much as 10% to the property price!”
A subjective estimate some may say however with over 30 years experience in selling luxury homes with some of the finest gardens in the country James Wyatt’s expert opinion is not to be underestimated. Indeed advice from a UK based gardening website (www.gardenadvice.co.uk) suggests that ‘A well designed garden can add the "wow factor" to any house increasing its impact and making it stand out within a group of other houses for sale within the same area and price range’.
So if your home is on the market then consider these top tips for adding value from your garden:
  • If your garden is very long and straight consider splitting it into sections – add a border that comes into the garden or consider adding a pergola or an archway or maybe a large raised vegetable planter which will add some height and interest.
  • If the garden is lacking in character maybe add a child friendly water feature or some garden art. Chimineas or charcoal burning stoves are also popular and worth consideration
  • Get tips from your neighbours – see what is growing well in their gardens – it will almost definitely grow in yours! Ask you estate agent for advice on what properties have been selling and some tips on the gardens in those homes.
  • Consider relaying your turf, this might sound expensive but it could make a huge difference to the speed your property sells at and the offer price from the purchaser.
  • Take a critical look at your drive – is it covered in weeds or in need of repair? Resealing tired brick paving or a generous dose of weed killer might help.
  • Consider adding some easy to grow scented plants close to your front door. Just as fresh bread smells in the kitchen creates a homey ambiance so does the gentle waft of an English country garden.
 
For further information on homes with stunning gardens or any of the selected properties contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. 
 
— ENDS ————
Editor’s Note
Examples of properties available currently through Barton Wyatt with lovely gardens
 
Wilton, Virginia Water                       £5,750,000
This utterly fabulous house is less then two years old and is situated at the top of arguably one of the best roads in Virginia Water. The house boasts the very latest modern technology including built in Sonos with speaker system throughout the house.
Living accommodation comprises master bedroom suite with dressing room, en-suite includes aquavision television. 6 further bedrooms and 6 further bathrooms. 4 reception rooms including a grand dining hall, drawing room, study and TV room/gymnasium.
The property includes a self contained staff flat comprising bed/sitting room, kitchen and bathroom set above a triple garage.
Whackits, Wentworth Estate – £1,950,000
Conveniently located in this quiet road within the prestigious Wentworth Estate, this unique architect designed single storey residence offers versatile accommodation and is located in a quiet south facing plot of approximately half an acre yet is within walking distance of the village centre and mainline railway station. Master bedroom suite with luxury bathroom and dressing room, two guest bedrooms with en-suites, two further bedrooms, family bathroom, television/family room, open plan drawing room, dining room, conservatory, large kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, integral double garage, ample parking, south facing landscaped gardens, plot amounting to approximately half an acre.
Outside, the house is approached through electric wrought iron gates with brick piers onto a block paved driveway giving parking for a number of vehicles with well tended borders on all sides giving a very high degree of privacy from the road. The rear of the house opens onto the lovely south facing gardens which are maintained to a high standard and are full of well tended and stocked flower beds with high hedging on all sides. The gardens offer tranquillity and privacy.
.

Good news for Portugal as new flights set to boost tourism this summer

by Viv United Kingdom

 

The Portuguese tourism market can enjoy some good news this summer as it is announced that national flag carrier British Airways will commence thrice weekly flights from London City airport to Faro in the heart of the Algarve from early June and BMI will start its first direct weekly charter flight to the region later this month.
 
The new BA service will start commence on 7th June 2011 making it even easier for holiday makers, property owners or indeed golf enthusiast to enjoy a break away whilst BMI will launch their weekly direct charter flight from London Heathrow to Beja, a small town in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, from 22nd May.
 
James Wyatt, Partner of award winning estate agency, Barton Wyatt International, which markets several developments in the Algarve – all with designer golf courses – comments:
 
“We are very pleased to hear that these new flights from the UK have been launched. There has been too much doom and gloom in Portugal over the past year and the fact that two highly respected airlines are improving their services to Portugal speaks volumes about the strength of the nation’s tourism market. 
 
“We have always enjoyed a healthy interest in luxury golf properties in Portugal and we are looking forward to being able to give owners and prospective buyers this good news about improved accessibility to their favourite resorts. If you want terrific golf only a couple of hours from the UK then Portugal is quite simply unbeatable. The weather is predictably fabulous and you will enjoy wonderful food and wine and together with the unending hospitality of the Portuguese it creates a winning combination.”
 
Echoing James Wyatt’s thoughts, the Algarve Promotion Bureau also welcome these new routes, saying it is "great news" for the region´s meetings, incentive, convention and events (MICE) offerings, as well as holidaymakers looking for a beach escape.
Portugal’s property market is also expected to in turn receive a boost from increased levels of tourism with the new flights offering more flexibility for those with second homes allowing them and potential renters to visit at their leisure and keeping the prices competitive with other Mediterranean locations.
 
For more information on the new flights or indeed buying a property in Portugal then contact Barton Wyatt International on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

 

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Editors Note
On the Market: Vila Sol Spa & Golf Resort
Apartments and land plots for sale on the exclusive Villa Sol Spa & Golf Resort where the excellent facilities include a 27-hole Donald Steel designed golf course, 2 tennis courts, swimming pools, spa, 6 restaurants and 2 bars. Prices range from €240,000/ £188,628 to €1,137,000/ £893,784. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwaytt.co.uk.