Home is "Where the Heart is"

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Eclipsed only by the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games in terms of viewing figures, FIA Formula 1 is big business and despite the current global downturn the 2009 season is no exception. But it´s not only skilful driving or the very latest automotive technology which is on display at each Grand Prix; the circuits themselves and their host nations enjoy their turn in the global spotlight and on the 26th April 2009 the Middle Eastern Kingdom of Bahrain will too enjoy this opportunity.
 
The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir and will be the fourth race of the season. Promoted as being "Where the Heart is" organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix are striving to ensure that this year´s race meets high expectations. BIC Chief Operating Officer Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, recently commented,
 
"Over the years fans of Formula One have come to expect so much more from Bahrain International Circuit and this year we promise to make it the most entertaining, biggest and best yet.”
 
Over 100,000 spectators attended the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix but authorities are anticipating even higher numbers of visitors this year enjoying the action both on and off the track. In addition to the adrenaline fuelled racing a wide variety of activities and entertainment will be presented including acrobats, musicians, stilt walkers, balloonists and face painters as well as the exhibition of over twenty Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars from the F1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone which will no doubt prove popular.
 
And the Kingdom of Bahrain is set to reap handsome rewards in terms of tourism generated revenue from staging the event. It has been reported (by an independent study commissioned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company) that Bahrain has benefited by nearly $2 billion from five years of Formula 1 with $600 million entering the economy during last year´s event alone. With an estimated $4.6 billion generated annually for Bahrain by tourism (WTTC) it´s clear that events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix are of real economic as well as cultural importance.
 
The expected success of the Bahrain Grand Prix will provide a further boost for the nation´s economy which, whilst admitting it has been touched by the global economic crisis, has not suffered in the same way as many of its GCC neighbours. Bahrain views itself as in pole position as a regional business hub with many international companies including Microsoft, Kraft, Ernst & Young and Standard Chartered Bank already calling it home. Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Kingdom’s Economic Development Board (EDB), recently commented,
 
"Our position as the most established financial centre in the Gulf makes us better placed than many others to weather the current economic climate.  We have adopted a very sound fiscal and monetary approach which will help to maintain our platform for growth.
 
"The Bahrain F1 Grand Prix will once again showcase the Kingdom’s attractive business environment for companies looking to access the MENA region.  Its strategic location as the gateway to the Gulf, low cost of doing business, strong and highly regarded regulation and minimal red-tape allowing 100 per cent ownership of business assets and real estate – with no corporate or personal income taxes – will continue to attract investment.”
 
A solid economy and positive tourism indicators are key elements for a successful domestic real estate market and the Kingdom of Bahrain is bucking the global trend somewhat with a Bahrain Stock Exchange report recently revealing that local real estate trade in 2008 increased by 18% compared to 2007. Prospects for 2009 also look encouraging with government-backed projects such as the $370 million expansion of the Bahrain International Airport approved in order to further boost tourism and leisure-based developments.
 
One such leisure-based development available for investment is the first residential golf resort in Bahrain, Riffa Views. Set around a Colin Montgomerie designed 18-hole championship golf course Riffa Views comprises 870 two to five bedroom luxury villas with customs finishes and upgrades available. Resort facilities available include a country club, a Boris Becker tennis academy, international school, health centre, community centres, comprehensive sports and outdoor leisure activities for families and children including hiking and bike trails, water sports, as well as a shopping mall and fun land for children.  
 
This development is proving a popular permanent residence with expatriate workers based in Bahrain but also other GCC and Western holiday makers and those who partake in golf tourism. James Wyatt, Managing Partner of international golf property specialists, Barton Wyatt International, comments,
 
"I have visited Bahrain a number of times and the appeals are clear to me. A stable economy, global society, superb climate and forward thinking nation, Bahrain really is a leader within the Middle East. Resorts such as Riffa Views are setting a new standard in residential golf developments and the lifestyle on offer is second to none.
 
"Indicators show that expatriates in Bahrain and the UAE for that matter are still interested in purchasing property with excess income and therefore the local market is looking robust. Purchasing in Bahrain as a pure investment or indeed as a vacation or buy to let property (ideal in meeting the demand for accommodation around the Bahrain Grand Prix) still has merit and in my opinion Riffa Views is one of the best choices available."
 

Luxury villas at Riffa Views start from £514,589 and rise to £3,612,732; for more information about purchasing in Bahrain please contact Barton Wyatt on 00 44 (0) 1344 843000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Surrey Spring Garden Collection

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Whether you are green fingered, simply enjoy relaxing outdoors or have a particular passion for water, woods or more, there are homes with gardens to suit you. Award winning Surrey estate agent, Barton Wyatt, presents their Spring 2009 garden collection.
For elegance, charm and that touch of history the formal walled garden is a stunning garden feature.
The walled garden has a large expanse of lawn, a gravel walkway and well stocked beds. In all the grounds of this property, Rutherwyck House in Lyne, are extensive amounting to 2.5 acres; contrasting with the walled garden there are large lawns surrounded by mature trees and hedges plus a stable block, tennis court and hayloft in the grounds. The house itself is a substantial 5 bedroom detached residence displaying original design features. The high-ceilinged, double aspect lounge takes in views of the main gardens for the owners to admire and enjoy. Rutherwyck House is for sale at £1,395,000.
For more modest accommodation without compromising on outside space this apartment in Sunningdale allows for the convenience of apartment living coupled with managed and maintained grounds.
On the market for £400,000 the Knowle Wood apartment building is nestled in quiet, private grounds only a short drive from Sunningdale village. The 2 bedroom south facing apartment has an ample balcony to enjoy the landscaped gardens with mature trees, shrubs and borders and an immaculately mowed lawn. Owners are able to enjoy the perfectly pruned garden without having to lift a green finger themselves!
If sitting out and enjoying your garden is a must then this new home in Virginia Water has an extensive and well proportioned decking area for entertaining, al fresco dining and simply sitting out to enjoy the garden.   
For this south-facing property in Callow Hill, Virginia Water, the expertly laid decking provides a practical and attractive space for enjoying the best of the British summer. With an acre of landscaped gardens to enjoy the decking is an extension to the new property itself and a perfect area for a lounger and BBQ. The 9,000 square foot new build detached property itself boasts 7 bedrooms with the master bedroom also having access to a balcony to further enjoy the green space. But don’t have any concerns about maintaining the garden, the property also offers a one-bedroom staff flat so you could indulge in a live-in gardener! The property lives up to its £3,800,000 price tag with the latest in modern comforts including programmable mood lighting, under-floor heating in all rooms and gated entry.
The final garden on display is a water lover’s dream; this converted Mill House dating back to 1483 is complete with the original mill pond.
This unique former Mill is said to be the oldest property in Virginia Water once belonging to Edward Moseley. Its character cottage-style architecture perfectly compliments its surroundings with the grounds extending beyond the pond into informal gardens and woodland. A further 11 acres of woodland is available (by separate negotiation). The interior of the property continues the ‘chocolate box’ style, it has been thoughtfully updated and includes a free standing Victorian bath in the master bedroom´s en-suite bathroom and the quintessential Aga in the cottage kitchen. There are a total of 4 bedrooms and one of the guest bedrooms opens on to a private roof terrace with view over the gardens. For £2,000,000 this historic mill house could be yours.
For further information on any of the selected properties or to view more properties on the market in Surrey contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. Whatever your property requirements, this family run estate agency can help you find your ideal home.

Gone in 60 minutes!

by Viv United Kingdom

 

 
During these difficult times you would be hard pressed to imagine that property sales could still exceed expectations, but one recent sale of a property in Berkshire has done just that. Award-winning premier estate agent Barton Wyatt, who sell exclusive properties in Berkshire and Surrey, agreed a sale last month on a four bedroom penthouse apartment overlooking Sunningdale Golf Course in just 60 minutes, with the exchange finalised in just 24 hours, proving that the right properties are still selling – and fast!
 
As Sales Manager for Barton Wyatt Oliver Clarke explains, this was an unprecedented move that took the owner by surprise:
 
“I showed the prospective buyer around the penthouse on a beautiful winters day in February when the country was covered in a blanket of thick snow. We spent a good hour looking over the luxury property which was on the market for £1,650,000 before heading outside where we met the owners returning from a walk. The purchaser asked to see the garage in which we sheltered from the snow. The prospective purchaser then made the owner an offer there and then in the garage to exchange by the close of play that day telling them that he had bought his last house in just three hours and that if his offer was acceptable, he would instruct his solicitor to do the same this time.
 
"Due to the snow we had to wait until 1pm the following day to exchange, but exactly 24 hours after the prospective buyer had seen the property for the very first time, we exchanged contracts. After three months of raising enquiries, it just goes to show that with the right property and the right buyer, a home can sell very quickly indeed – leaving the owner slightly bemused but very pleasantly surprised by what could take place in just 24 hours!”
 
Barton Wyatt – who recently also broke a record by selling the most expensive property per-square foot on Surrey’s famous Wentworth Estate – market prestigious properties in areas that include Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Englefield Green, Ascot and the Wentworth Estate. To learn more about the homes that Barton Wyatt are offering for sale, or to discuss the prospect of Barton Wyatt marketing your property, contact them on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 
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Editor’s Notes
 
5 Chanctonbury Drive, Sunningdale, £849,950
 
A well proportioned and elegant house, the property is located on a very quiet cul-de-sac off of one of Sunningdale’s premier roads. A very well presented detached executive home, the house has five bedrooms and is within easy reach of the village and mainline railway station.
 
From the spacious entrance hall there is access to all main reception rooms, the drawing room being a particularly pleasant triple aspect room with sliding patio doors opening out onto the rear garden. The dining room is open plan from the entrance hall with a door leading into the kitchen/breakfast room with a good range of units, a large breakfast area with sliding patio doors and a utility room off of it. There is also a good sized downstairs cloakroom and a bright study with garden views.
 
On the first floor, the master bedroom features a luxury en-suite bathroom with separate shower and Victorian style free standing roll top double ended bath. There are four further good sized bedrooms and a family bathroom with a separate shower.
 
The front of the property has parking for a number of vehicles, a double garage, lawn and mature flowerbeds and the rear garden has a terrace, lawns and mature hedges. It also features a raised pond.
 
Priced at £849,950, for more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 
Three bedroom apartment, Lyne Place Manor, Lyne, £335,000
 
This spacious two storey apartment is set in a fine country house approached via a long driveway of a third of a mile, meandering through paddock land and fields. Lyne Place Manor backs onto woodland and is set within 8 acres featuring landscaped gardens and a tennis court. Just two miles from Virginia Water and close to the Wentworth Club, Sunningdale, Virginia Water Lake and Savill Garden, the property boasts three bedrooms, family bathroom, attractive sitting room with open fireplace, cloakroom, kitchen, roof garden and parking.
 
The property is for sale at £335,000 and for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

‘Credit crunch defying destinations’ – Record sale for Wentworth Estate property

by Viv United Kingdom

 

It has been a long, cold winter and as a mark of true pathetic fallacy, it is easy to see this gloomy weather as a reflection of the hearts and minds of the general public, who have seen their everyday lives and finances drawn into what is being described by Ed Balls, Schools Secretary, as “the most serious global recession for over 100 years”.  However, in these somewhat dark times it is heartening to discover that it is not just the snowfall that is breaking records – some areas of the UK are defying the odds with their property prices, standing out as a beacon for hope in this storm of financial woes.
 
Surrey’s Wentworth Estate has long been a popular, luxury location with a multiplicity of celebrity residents over the years, from golfers Ernie Els and Sam Torrance to Cliff Richard and Elton John, amongst many others. Prices are known to be high in this popular enclave, said to be one of the most exclusive residential areas in Europe, but one recent sale has set a new standard. Local estate agency Barton Wyatt, named ‘Best Estate Agency Surrey’ in the Daily Mail UK Property Awards 2008, sold a property in Wentworth Estate’s Portnall Rise for a record price last month, making it the highest-ever price per square foot on the Estate.
 
Rupert Wyatt, managing partner of Barton Wyatt, explains more,
 
“The Wentworth Estate is synonymous with highly desirable property and this has always been reflected in the asking prices. Our recent sale, however, smashed the previous record price of just under £1000 per square foot recorded in July 2008 for a property on the Estate, setting a new level of £1,291 per square foot. Interestingly, the property was a modest house of four bedrooms but its superb location within a highly sought-after area meant that even in these times a new record was achieved.”
 
Not only has this particular property ranked highly in terms of its sale price, but neighbouring roads Waverley Drive and Portnall Drive on the Wentworth Estate have also seemingly defied national trends by ranking second and third respectively in the Mouseprice Street Rankings 2008 for the South East region, making them both within the top three most expensive roads in the region. Falling within the remit of Runnymede Council, figures from the Land Registry for October to December 2008 also show that the borough’s overall fall in house prices was less than the Surrey average, a decline of 8.34% compared to Surrey’s average of 9.2%.
 
The old adage ‘location, location, location’ is one that remains true even to this day, with those properties ideally situated securing the greatest prices and the Wentworth Estate, with its world-famous Wentworth Club, restaurants and shops, just one example. Nearby Windsor and Maidenhead have seen, according to the Land Registry, the smallest decline in average house prices (a drop of 6.2%) in the last year, which given the current recession is heartening news and places them in the top of the highest priced counties in England and Wales. It is not difficult to see why this might be, with the county home to some of the best state and private schools in the country as well as boasting excellent transport connections in prime commuter belt territory.
 
Location and reputation are also important factors in the ranking of property prices in central London which came in third place in the World´s Most Expensive Residential Real Estate Markets 2009 report by the Global Property Guide. Based on the average price of a 120 square metre high-end used apartment in the city centre, London’s price of $20,756 per square metre placed it only behind Monte Carlo and Moscow which, given that there has been much talk about the financial troubles affecting the UK market more than other world markets, apart from perhaps that of the US, this reiterates that now, more than ever, buying in a prime location is key.
 
Rupert Wyatt aptly concludes,
 
“These are unmistakably difficult times for all, with financial worries and tightening purse strings affecting day-to-day life for most, but when buying a property in these tough times it is important to remember that, as always but especially now, prime locations will continue to rank highly, now and in the future.”
 
To find out more about the properties Barton Wyatt has for sale in the Surrey / Berkshire regions, including the Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Ascot and Englefield Green, contact 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 
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Editor’s Notes
 
The Dormy House, Portnall Drive, Wentworth Estate, Surrey, £595,000
 
A superb ground floor apartment in an idyllic setting in the heart of the Wentworth Estate, with uninterrupted panoramic views over the second hole of the Championship East Course. The property is situated within a unique building consisting of 11 private apartments converted from what was the original Wentworth Clubhouse and now offers a tranquil and exclusive environment for residents.
 
In excellent decorative order and with new wiring and gas central heating the property boasts two bedrooms with built in wardrobes, luxury bathroom with marble surrounds, fully-fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces and breakfast bar and good sized sitting room with French doors opening out onto the conservatory which has custom built blinds and electric roof blinds.
 
Outside, there is a garage and a private south-facing garden with a good sizes patio area, which has uninterrupted views down the second fairway, and lawn and is stocked with a wealth of mature and manicured rose bushes creating a riot of colour in the Summer months.
 
The apartment is priced at £595,000 and for further information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

 
8 Pinecote Drive, Sunningdale, Windsor and Maidenhead, £1,550,000
 
A superbly extended family home in a quiet cul-de-sac in one of Sunningdale’s premier roads, 8 Pinecote Drive is a short distance from Sunningdale village and railway station and within easy access of road and airport connections.
 
Very attractive bright accommodation that flows well, the house has five ensuite bedrooms, master bedroom with en-suite dressing room, sitting room with fireplace and skylights, study, superb 40’ kitchen/entertaining room with views of the beautiful gardens, snug area, utility and family room. The property also boasts a double garage and mature gardens with a stream. 
 
The property is priced at £1,550,000. For further information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

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Alternative Methods of Purchasing Property Abroad

by Viv United Kingdom

 

It’s no secret that the property finance landscape has changed dramatically in the last six months and that we are all suffering the knock on effects of what has been dubbed the ‘credit crunch.’ Mortgages are now far harder to come by, lending criteria and borrowing restrictions are far harsher, and anyone considering buying a property abroad to take advantage of falling prices is struggling to raise the finance they need to purchase a home or an investment property outright. 
It’s ironic that 2009 could well be the best year to buy real estate abroad thanks to the drop in asking prices of many homes across the world yet at the same time the worst year for those who need to raise a mortgage to purchase! What’s more, even those in a position to lay down cash to meet the full asking price are reluctant to do so because the pound is currently languishing in a weak position against many international currencies.
Fortunately however, the construction and property development industry is well aware of the restrictions facing potential purchasers, and the strongest, wealthiest and most influential companies are also those in the best position possible to adjust their sales methods to make buying homes abroad easier. There are now a series of tried and tested, highly flexible and well-developed alternative purchasing methods available for those who want a home or an investment property abroad. Methods such as fractional ownership, buying shares in a development or even buying hotel rooms are beginning to be explored by greater numbers of people, below we look at some opportunities available.
Fractional Ownership
Fractional ownership is also known as asset-sharing; it’s a straightforward and cost effective concept that allows the buyer to get the very most out of a property investment abroad by only purchasing the share of time that is required by them from the property. James Wyatt, Managing Partner at Barton Wyatt International explains: “Both the benefits and the costs of the property are shared between a fixed and limited number of fractional owners. These owners buy a share of a property that is probably worth far more than any property that they would want to afford as an individual. This effectively means a buyer gets a lot more for their money. What’s more, the property is managed by a professional team year round, meaning that as an owner you arrive for your fixed weeks’ occupancy and the property is clean, properly maintained, the gardens are in order and there is fresh linen on the bed. While you are not using the property you are not paying for it, yet at the same time the home remains well looked after and in a pristine state, ensuring that the underlying value of the property, and in turn your capital share, can rise in line with market conditions.
“At Amendoeira Golf Resort in Alcantarilha on the Algarve in Portugal we are marketing a fractional ownership scheme, and many buyers are opting in and beginning to benefit from this fabulous golf resort which is just 35 minutes from Faro airport. Fractional owners have all the benefits of complete access to the resort’s two excellent golf courses its clubhouse, onsite bars, cafes and restaurants, the PGA Golf Academy, tennis courts, football pitches, bowling greens, pitch & putt, swimming pools, saunas and a kids’ club. Properties available include 2 and 3 bedroom luxury apartments with access to a communal pool, 3 bedroom villas offering spectacular views, or stunning 4 and 5 bedroom villas with private swimming pools and landscaped gardens. Prices start at €450,000/ £426,294 and range to €1,800,000/ £1,705,178.”
For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bw-international.com.
Buying Shares
For a buyer who prefers to maintain a greater level of control over their property asset and in turn a greater level of responsibility for it, a direct share ownership approach to purchasing can possibly work best. In a project such as the award winning Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness Reserve in Botswana, a shareholder who is passionate about the outstanding environmental and ecological work that the Reserve staff is undertaking and who also wants to own a unique investment abroad has the option of owning direct shares in the entire project. 
The buyer effectively benefits from having direct involvement in a project about which they are likely to be personally passionate, and they have an incredible property based investment asset in one of the world’s most exciting real estate ventures too! At Limpopo-Lipadi there are philosophies and practical guidelines in place to ensure that anyone who pays for shares in the project is not just merely providing passive financial benefit to Botswana and the native people who work within the reserve, rather the investors at Limpopo-Lipadi are encouraged to be passionate about the reserve, the wildlife and the environment too. They can receive training to become game rangers for example, they are given the freedom to create their own bush experience and they are encouraged to be fully involved in the reserve’s activities and in important decision making processes – so much so that Limpopo-Lipadi becomes not just a valuable investment asset, but a passion for every single investor! As a shareholder in the project you co-own the game and wilderness reserve which is at an exciting point in its development; you will be able to visit the reserve as often as you like, be part of the decision making process of the reserve or just simply enjoy the many diverse ecosystems when you visit. There are different levels of investment involvement that you can commit to – from a purely financial point of view, entry level investment is $195,000, but in terms of the difference that you can practically make and the benefits that you can personally witness and enjoy, they are limitless with this share purchase approach.
For more information please visit http://www.limpopo-lipadi.com or call 0871 244 5152.
SIPPs
SIPPs, or Self Invested Personal Pension funds in the UK are now allowed to invest in qualifying commercial property projects. As a result, this method of investing money in property to diversify pension funds away from the more traditional stocks and shares approach to retirement saving has attracted the interest of many British investors. 
Mark Andrew, MD of Emerging Earth comments: “to purchase an overseas property through a SIPP the property needs to be designated as a commercial entity. An apartment within a condominium hotel complex such as the luxurious Caracola Beach and Spa Resort on Isla Margarita that we are marketing therefore qualifies. The benefit of buying a property in this way, i.e., through your pension fund, is that you have tax free purchasing power. What’s more, at Caracola properties also come with an insurance bond backed guaranteed rental income of 7% for 10 years. Purchases at Caracola are also packaged to give owners relief from income and capital gains tax, and all in all Caracola provides a superb investment opportunity in an increasingly attractive emerging market.
“Any buyer will ultimately own a potentially high returning, capital appreciating, tax enhanced commercial property asset in one of the best beachfront locations in the emerging Caribbean, where onsite amenities for guests are five star and high-grade ensuring this development stands out for the long-term. Onsite facilities include multiple swimming pools, a beach activity area, spa, nightclub, fitness suite, duty free shopping zone, sauna, kids club, conference rooms, beauty salon, restaurants, bars and cafes.” Owners can earn a rental income, they can benefit from capital appreciation, they can enjoy the property themselves – and all the while the benefits are wrapped up in a SIPP to provide for a potentially handsome pension income.
For more information, please contact Emerging Earth on 0845 604 1208 or visit www.EmergingEarth.com.
Buying a Hotel Room
Another method of purchasing property abroad is buying a hotel room as opposed to an apartment, town house or villa. This novel idea is in fact incredibly rewarding when you look closer at the investment concept, and allows entry into a commercial asset that is normally only open to large corporations 
Joseph Upchurch, Managing Director of Aston Lloyd explains:
“The market was screaming for a low-entry level investment opportunity that allows buyers to enjoy the rewards of both rental income and real capital growth – this is why we are guaranteeing a 6% return in the first 12 months for those who invest in our latest hotel development, The Aston Sofia. We’re confident in our research and the returns.
The Aston Hotel Sofia allows buyers to purchase a stake in a hotel room or suite in one of the fastest up-and-coming business districts in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, where major international hotel groups are currently unable to meet the intense demand for accommodation.
What’s more, the hotel addresses the lack of conferencing and business amenities in the city with a 400-capacity conference complex that will well and truly meet this demand.”
For more information call Aston Lloyd on 0845 260 0646 or visit www.astonlloyd.co.uk.
Rental Pools
Finally, for those who want to buy a strong property asset abroad largely for investment purposes, the approach of targeting a globally branded project such as the Champneys Marbella Spa Resort and placing your investment into a managed rental pool might be the ideal way to invest. Julia Norton, Sales Director of Champneys Marbella says that the rental pool scheme they offer is a very good way of ensuring maximum return on rental income for investors, whilst at the same time preserving flexibility for owners. She explains:
“The rental pool is the best way for investors to maximise income from tenants and for second home buyers to also profit from their holiday home asset. For example, if an owner occupies their apartment for 6 weeks a year leaving 323 days free, with an average daily let of €500 and a conservative 65% occupancy rate, the return on your investment can be between at least €54,437 and €65,325 per annum. Naturally this could be more for an investor who places their apartment in the pool for the entire year.
“Even with this very modest occupancy average in my example you can see that this represents a return of approximately 8% on your total investment per annum. This makes investing in Champneys Marbella and participating within the rental pool an excellent way to maximise your returns." The Champneys Marbella Spa Resort benefits from the global brand behind the project, and owners or tenants of the stunning apartments and penthouses for sale and for rent in the exclusive luxury resort can enjoy the spa with its heated indoor and outdoor pools, twenty five therapy rooms, a manicure salon, sauna and Turkish baths, a Jacuzzi terrace, a fully equipped gym and an exercise studio. There will also be a juice bar, cafe restaurant, some relaxation areas, as well as a Champneys shop, conservatory gardens, sun terraces, water features and a plaza with hanging gardens. Prices start from €696,358 for 2 bedroom apartments, €971,729 for penthouses and €1,700,000 for duplexes.
For more information contact Champneys Marbella on 01442 291200 or visit www.champneysmarbella.com.

‘Let Me Entertain You’

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Despite the fact that we are now amidst the feared recession, there still remains high-end properties on the market which are shining bright as property prospects. With a significant proportion of properties around the £1 million plus mark still selling even during the credit crunch, especially in sought-after locations, it is those with added unusual extras that are truly placing themselves ahead of the game. 
 
From the functional to the fantastic, high-end properties with added wow-factors are on the market and interest is looking hot. Quite apart from the traditional swimming pools and tennis courts of old, it is now the more unusual features that are catching the shrewd buyer’s eye – and it is the current owners selling them who are prospering. Oliver Clarke, Sales Manager of award-winning Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt, says that for them it is those properties that offer something extra that are selling fastest,
 
“We have found that, although the credit crunch has taken hold, high end properties are still selling and we have noticed a growing trend that the properties securing buyers the quickest are those that have added extras. With people working longer and longer hours, many more are looking for a property that is both a functional home but can also fulfil some of their leisure-time pursuits.”
 
Whether it is to indulge hobbies or to enjoy home entertainment, the fashion is for added extras to make your property really stand out. If entertaining is your thing and your priority is to use your home for socialising, there are a number of additional features that could help. You may like to consider a property with a wine store, such as York Gate in Ascot on the market at £1,500,000. Here, you will never run dry for both planned and those unexpected guests! Or you may wish to buy a home with an extended kitchen, large enough to host sizeable dinner parties should you choose and 8 Pinecote Drive, Sunningdale’s 40-foot kitchen is an example of a property with just that. Not only is it of enormous proportions but everything has been thought of – with a near-industrial sized oven and fridge, a microwave that both grills and roasts and a tap through which comes instant boiling water, making a kettle obsolete. Current owner Jane Bicker recognises the benefits of having such a large kitchen that she personally helped design,
 
“I entertain a lot… I am currently arranging a party for 160 with a marquee on the terrace but with this kitchen that just isn’t a problem… It is the most incredible kitchen I have ever had.” 8 Pinecote Drive is on the market for £1,550,000.
 
However, if entertaining isn’t for you and you are more keen on exercise and active pursuits – as a stress reliever, to improve your fitness or simply just to stay healthy – then perhaps a property with added fitness features is more for you. With expensive gyms, warm with the perfume of perspiration often a real turn-off, why not invest in a property with an at-home gymnasium. With the ability to select equipment that will best suit your needs but also the chance to choose a property with a room most suitable for exercise, a home with a good aspect is a firm choice. Barton Wyatt has a property on Gerrards Cross’ exclusive Top Park Estate for sale that perfectly fits the bill. Not only is the property set within large attractive gardens, but it backs onto the 300 acre Bulstrode Park to the rear and the top floor gym with wall mirrors takes full advantage of the stunning views. The property is available at £3,795,000.
 
If the great outdoors is more of a draw when it comes to exercising, Rutherwyck House can truly indulge your dreams of riding off into the sunset on a trusty steed. The property, located in Lyne and on the market for £1,395,000, boasts loose box stables with a hayloft above – and with the ability to convert the block into a habitable dwelling (subject to planning permission), this feature certainly adds extra value to the five bedroom house.
 
The added extras that a property offers can however be more subtle and according to Forbes’ latest report on ‘How the luxury consumer will spend in 2009’ the trend is more about ‘discerning consumption’, with consumers more aware of “craftsmanship than ever before, with the ability to discern between the cheap and not-so-cheap, looking for quality materials, handwork and on-trend styling”.
 
With the move therefore towards a more distinct choice, the added extras one looks for in a property are becoming more subtle – for example technology within the home that makes the owner’s life easier and more comfortable. Copperings House on the famous Wentworth Estate (£3,250,000), for example, not only reputably has a £100,000 Mowlem kitchen by specialist designers, but also has an inbuilt entertainment system that includes wiring by ‘High-End’ for in-house sound and a television in the kitchen that emerges from the wall via a remote control and angles towards the breakfast bar so that cornflakes can be eaten with morning television for easy company.
 
Taking the appeal of technology in the home further still, cinema rooms are becoming more and more popular, with a dedicated space to watch the latest blockbusters and avant garde cinematic classics. Falling just below the million pound mark at £995,000 but with impressive features that would suit even the most discerning buyer, Barton Wyatt has a property in St Ann’s Park, Virginia Water that not only has access to more traditional shared facilities of a swimming pool, hot tub and tennis court but also has a fifth bedroom on the top floor set up as a cinema room, complete with waterbed and projector and screen included in the sale – adding a whole new dimension to the unusual!
 
With such an array of exciting and unusual properties available, now is perhaps the time to act on Forbes’ notions and to be more discerning about what it is you want from your property, as Oliver Clarke concludes,
 
“With the credit crunch biting and negative feeling abounding, there is a sense in the market that now is an opportunity to choose a property that really does go that extra mile and offers something on top of what you would normally expect from a house. I think people are beginning to realise that it is these added touches that can really make the house of your dreams the home of your dreams.”
 
To find out more about these and other prestige properties in the Surrey / Berkshire regions, contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Mixed picture for high end property in 2009 says Surrey´s Best Estate Agent

by Viv United Kingdom

 

In an economic downturn it is easy to assume the housing market will suffer across the board, across the country. However, despite the doom laden predictions the picture is more mixed when it comes to the more expensive properties on sale, especially on a local level. In 2009 this is expected to be the case in the south east with many top professionals currently residing in central London moving to large yet well priced luxury homes in the Surrey suburbs. The financial slowdown will also fail to deter members of the international business community, such as those in the booming energy industries, as many will be cash purchasers not requiring finance.
 
That is the message from Virginia Water based estate agency, Barton Wyatt, who, as an established family business in the Surrey area for decades, have experience in both the boom times and the downturns. The company, named the Best Estate Agency in Surrey in the last three Daily Mail Property Awards, feel the higher-end local market will buck some of the trend, largely thanks to the type of people likely to move into this prime commuter belt at times like these.
 
Affluent suburbs such as Virginia Water, Cobham and Weybridge can still expect new residents in the area’s top end residential properties, priced around £2 million or more. Compared to Central London costs, housing per square foot can be up to 90% cheaper; in addition, house prices in the capital have declined less than the rest of England on average. These reasons, together with the increased garden and living space on offer, will encourage many top professionals to consider the benefits of a Home Counties move. With City professions feeling comparative restraints not seen for years, the financial and lifestyle arguments in favour of a move will continue to reassert themselves during 2009.
 
Although many potential buyers in the UK are hesitant to commit to a purchase, those from the international business class will continue to consider expensive property purchases. Those who derive their wealth from essential commodities like oil, gas and minerals are expected to remain interested irrespective of the directions in house prices domestically. As seen with the sale of luxury cars, Russian and Middle Eastern petro-dollar buyers are still prepared to make certain purchases. Such business helps to slow price falls in the top Surrey suburbs, with Virginia Water retaining the highest average house prices in the country bar London according to national press surveys.
 
As the number of property purchases nationally declines with buyers increasingly waiting and seeing how the market will fair, it is no surprise that rental markets have held in the large part. When it comes to the commuter belt properties of Virginia Water, although some effects of the credit crunch may start to be felt, lettings from those in the corporate world are predicted to hold up.
 
James Wyatt, Senior Partner of Barton Wyatt comments:
 
“Although property acquisition at the lower end is expected to suffer from falls in confidence and lower lending, the higher end market will at least retain some buoyancy. With traditionally high prices, the Virginia Water area has proved itself to be the ideal place for corporate and international businessmen, and it is unlikely their spending habits will be altered completely as a result of the economic downturn. Although many effects of the current climate will be noticeable during 2009 I don’t think there will be a complete collapse in the housing market as many predict.”
 
An example of a property currently on the market is:
 
Arundel, Callow Hill, Virginia Water, £3,800,000
 
A superb brand new home recently completed to a high specification with well proportioned accommodation across three floors amounting to approximately 9,000 square feet in all, Arundel is situated behind electric gates just half a mile from the picturesque shopping parades of Virginia Water Village, Surrey.
 
Arundel boasts a master bedroom suite with his and hers bathrooms, dressing rooms and access to the first floor balcony; six further bedrooms, six bathrooms, sitting room, dining room, family room, study, kitchen/breakfast room and utility room. The property also has a one-bedroom staff flat and a three car garage.
 
Other features include under-floor heating on all levels, programmable mood lighting, pre-wiring for Linn multi room audio system, BPT gate entry system with video monitor panels inside the house, NACOS approved alarm system, Miele appliances in the kitchen, Villeroy & Boch, Duravit, Laufen and Hans Grohe bathroom fittings and Anderson windows and doors with multi point security locking.
 
Set in beautifully landscaped south-facing gardens, of approximately one acre, the property is priced at £3,800,000.
 

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

Focus on Festive Fireplaces

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Fireplaces have a particularly festive connotation in Great Britain, therefore it’s perhaps timely that according to a recent survey by the Guardian newspaper, as we rapidly approach the Christmas season, increasing numbers of Britons are turning back to the traditional hearth to warm their homes. An open fire is a welcome feature in any home, it banishes the traditional winter blues, creates a focal point and is comforting and cheering at a time of the year when the nights are drawing in and temperatures are dropping.
Even though one might think that the resurgence of the open fire is a relatively recent fashion trend, it’s worth bearing in mind that fire has provided warmth and safety and a means by which one can cook for over 125,000 years. According to evolutionary psychologist Dr Lance Workman: "… fire has played an important role in human evolution and that this is why we still find it rewarding today. We don´t simply ´un-evolve´ such reward systems just because we live in centrally heated houses today." 
His theory is certainly supported by evidence from the Solid Fuel Association that shows that there has been a 40% increase in demand for fuel for open fires this year. It is also backed up by the National Association of Chimney Sweeps which has seen a resurgence in demand for their member’s services, and by the largest chimney and flue manufacturer in the UK who has reported a 50% increase in business in the last year.
It seems that we’re all going fireplace crazy – perhaps in a bid to stave off the winter blues, or perhaps to try and combat rising inflation and to find a way around traditional heating bills which are always higher at this time of the year. Whatever the reason, it’s a welcome return to the open fire for many in the UK, because everyone knows that a roaring, real and open fire doesn’t just heat up the air around it, it warms the feelings of those entering the room where it’s burning, and it makes a house feel like a cosy and welcoming home.
According to Oliver Clarke, Sales Manager at Barton Wyatt who are experts in selling some of the most luxurious and well-appointed homes in the south east: “in recent decades many properties had their fireplaces and chimneys ripped out. This was both in a bid to provide more space and also because such forms of heating became redundant thanks to central heating systems. However, we have seen a direct rise in the numbers of luxury properties being built or renovated which now incorporate a fireplace in at least the main living rooms. A fireplace and an open fire in the home are associated with wealth and prosperity – they are a positive attribute for any property.”
Of course, as mentioned the fireplace also has a particularly special place in the home at Christmas. Traditionally, letters to Father Christmas are burned on an open fire allowing Father Christmas to read a child’s wishes in the smoke. Then, in the lead up to Christmas day a hearth and mantelpiece are often decorated before stockings are hung from the mantelshelf on Christmas Eve ready for Santa’s descent down the chimney. On Christmas morning the family often gathers around the fire for the opening of presents; and of course, throughout the Christmas period when it’s traditional to visit friends and family, an open fire in any home makes a welcome that much warmer.
If you have an open fire in your home and you want to prepare it for the festive season, fire crews and the National Association of Chimney Sweeps have issued a reminder to people to observe fire safety rules. The rules include having your chimney swept regularly, keeping an open fire guarded from children and animals, never leaving a fire unattended, and ensuring that it is fully extinguished before you go to bed.

Should you require inspiration for your own home, or indeed be on the lookout for a fabulous property, Barton Wyatt has some fine examples of homes for sale with stunning fireplace features. For example, Brook Farm near Ascot is a £3.5 million property with fireplaces in all the main living rooms, and some of the multi million pound homes for sale on the Wentworth Estate close to Virginia Water have been constructed or renovated with the inclusion of impressive fireplaces and hearths in the hallway, dining room and living areas as well for example. For more information about these incredible homes and other properties with festive fireplaces contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.  

Barton Wyatt triumphs in prestigious Daily Mail UK Property Awards

by Viv United Kingdom

 

Barton Wyatt, premier estate agents based in Virginia Water, Surrey, have been voted ‘Best Estate Agency Surrey’ and ‘Best Estate Agency Website’ in the Daily Mail UK Property Awards 2008. These prestigious awards were presented at a gala dinner on 31st October at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London and were attended by the crème of the property industry.
 
The Daily Mail UK Property Awards – described as an event for ‘recognising the excellence in its field’ – bestow winners with national recognition for their hard work and excellent level of service. Barton Wyatt’s managing partner James Wyatt explains that as a family business they are proud to have received such a high accolade,
 
“To be winners of the Daily Mail UK Property Awards for three years running is fantastic news. Barton Wyatt was founded by my grandfather in 1927 and winning these awards is a tribute to all the hard work not just of the Wyatt family but also of our excellent team of property professionals who go the extra mile to truly make us the best estate agency in Surrey. Barton Wyatt is founded on principles of professionalism and service and a strong business ethos that really makes us stand out from the competition and being given this accolade is real recognition of this.”
 
In also being awarded ‘Best Estate Agency Website’, James Wyatt goes on to explain why this is so important for them,
 
“Although long-established in the local area, as a forward-thinking company Barton Wyatt are very aware of the importance of our website both as a marketing tool and as an information portal for potential buyers. Receiving the Daily Mail UK Property Award for ‘Best Estate Agency Website’ proves to us that our website is doing the job we expect of it – to appeal to buyers and to make their search for the ideal property easier and hassle-free.”
 
Barton Wyatt sell prestige properties in the Surrey / Berkshire regions, covering areas that include the Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Ascot and Englefield Green. To learn more about the homes that Barton Wyatt are offering for sale, contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Making an Entrance and Creating the Right First Impression

by Viv United Kingdom

 

They say that you never get a second chance to make the right first impression, and when it comes to the presentation of your home, never has such a saying been so true. For it’s believed that people make up their mind about your home, and whether they feel comfortable and safe in it within the first 11 seconds of entering your hallway. Without a doubt what this tells us is that the hallway – that often neglected, misused and overworked space in your house – is actually the one space where you need to concentrate effort when transforming your house into a home. It’s the hallway where you need to focus attention to ensure that it’s a welcoming space. And according to the rules of feng shui, there are many ways that you can ensure the positive energy charge – or chi – that enters your home and affects your life balance as it makes its way from your hallway and into your property, is correctly balanced.
Couple impressive and appropriate décor with these principles of feng shui, and you not only have an entrance designed to give the chi a clear and positive path for its charge, but you have a space that immediately impresses and enchants a visitor. Of course one cannot forget the fact that many a hallway has a practical function beyond providing passage to the rest of your home – in some houses the hallway is for storing coats and shoes, in others it’s a shared space leading to multiple accommodation units – but none of this means that you cannot have a de-cluttered and clean space that creates the right first impression.
Understanding that the hallway is a window to the rest of your home is a great starting point when designing it or planning the decoration of it. Then, accepting the practical uses of the space and combining them with the basics of feng shui, and also considering the overall character of the property should guide you when making decorating decisions. If yours is a period home, bring out the best period features in your hallway, if the rest of your house is all about clean lines and sophisticated living space, ensure there is minimal clutter in the entranceway. Make sure paints and fabrics used are hardwearing, especially in communal and family hallways where there is a lot of daily traffic, and finally, ensure the space is tasteful and clean, welcoming and uplifting. 
Feng shui consultants suggest hanging inspiring artwork in your hall, or using a mirror to open up a narrow space, they also advise that having a rug laid in the direction in which you would like your visitor to enter your home is good for providing the right path for the positive chi to travel. And whether you believe in the principles of this ancient Chinese system of aesthetics or you simply want to make the very most of your beautiful home, one principle transcends all others, and that is keep your hallway open and free from obstacles and clutter.
According to Oliver Clarke, Sales Manger at Barton Wyatt, specialists in selling luxurious homes: “from a practical point of view a hallway needs to provide free and easy passage into and out of your home – for you, for your family, for visitors and for energy flows. Think about the decoration of your hallway from an emotional point of view – who wants to see muddy shoes and a vacuum cleaner when they walk into your house, i.e., who wants to see reminders of activity and labour when they return home after a day at work? Additionally, think about the decoration of your hallway from an aesthetic point of view, wouldn’t you rather enter a property where care and effort has been taken to ensure that the first impressions given are those of a serene, safe place where there is prosperity and positivity?”
Oliver Clarke certainly knows what he’s talking about, after all Barton Wyatt have a range of stunning homes within their sales prospectus at the moment – and the one thing that each of these very different properties has in common is having an impressive entrance way that creates the right lasting impression for any would-be buyer. Take the newly built and the renovated series of exclusive homes for sale on Wentworth Estate close to Virginia Water for example. Each multi-million pound property is unique in terms of external and internal design and specification, yet features a magnificent entrance hall that almost literally speaks volumes about the rest of the incredible home. One is marble lined with a sweeping staircase and chandeliers, another has a galleried landing above it, and yet another has a large and impressive, welcoming fireplace in it. To view these stunning properties, be inspired by their heavenly hallways or learn more about the homes that Barton Wyatt are offering for sale, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.