Perry Bishop and Chambers launched the sales of the attractive Whitelands development at the Close Hotel in Tetbury on Monday 9th September and secured two reservations.

Whitelands is the stunning new development of three and four bedroom homes from award winning developers Hills Homes and is located on the southern edge of this picturesque Cotswold town.

Perry Bishop and Chambers are marketing the development and supported the event with a strong presence, including Directors Phillip Bishop and Peter Chambers who were joined by New Homes Development Manager Helene Parker-Joel and three members of the sales team from Perry Bishop’s Tetbury branch.

Two homes were reserved during the event and a third reservation was received a couple of days later, proving how popular and sought after these homes are.

With prices starting at £335,000 and only 23 homes available, contact us for more details and a brochure.

For further details or to arrange an appointment to come into our Tetbury office to look at plans please call: 01666 504418 or E: tetbury@perrybishop.co.uk

 

This year’s annual Houzz & Home UK survey has its focus firmly on renovations* – and no wonder, since 46 percent of renovating homeowners are doing or planning work on their homes in 2019.

Beyond that, though, what sorts of homes do you live in and what kinds of changes are you making to them – and why? Are your renovations mainly functional or decorative? Are they to increase your home’s value, make them more sustainable – or fill them with smart technology so they function seamlessly? Read on to find out.

* Unless otherwise specified, all results are based on homeowners who renovated their primary homes in 2018 and responded to the Houzz & Home UK survey.

You want a home that makes you happy
With so many uncertainties in the ether affecting our big decisions right now, perhaps it’s no surprise to learn that your reasons for renovating are currently more about being happy in your homes than making money.

When asked to rate deciding factors for home improvements, 75 percent of you said you wanted to improve the design, look and feel of your home, while just 38 percent said you were motivated by increasing the resale value.

You love a refresh
You’re doing more decorating, furnishing and renovating than you are repairing: a substantial 57 percent of you are planning to decorate this year, while only 28 percent aim to carry out repairs.

Many of you have been waiting a while to get cracking: 33 and 35 percent of you respectively are doing work on your homes now because you finally have the time or the money to do so.

Interestingly, smart tech isn’t currently on your radar, with just 13 percent of you saying integrating it into your homes is a priority.

You tend to favour older properties
That so few of us are repairing our homes is perhaps a little surprising, given that the survey reveals a large number of you (22 percent) live in homes built before 1901.

The next most common home (17 percent) falls into the 1961-1980 bracket, closely followed by properties built between 1921 and 1940 (16 percent). Just 4 percent of us live in homes built after 2011.

You’re getting greener
We’ve already talked about how improving the look and feel of your homes is the number one motivation for undertaking projects on them.

Not too far down the list, however, is the desire to improve energy efficiency – with 40 percent of respondents stating that this is a motivation, and 15 percent wanting to integrate green materials. Improving functionality is also a big push and 63 percent rate this as a deciding factor.

Budget is a common bugbear
First up, isn’t it good to know you’re not the only one who’s faced challenges while completing work on a home? But what were the top challenges reported by homeowners during home renovations?

Joint number one, with both challenges felt by 36 percent of respondents, was staying on budget and finding the right professional.

Eating and sleeping matter most
It might surprise you to learn that the joint most popular room to work on is the bedroom. (Could a sanctuary theme be emerging?)

Perhaps less of a surprise, as this tends to be such a hard-working room, is that neck and neck with the bedroom as the most popular room to renovate is the kitchen.

Whether you were working on one room or several, 29 percent of you revamped your kitchen and 29 percent your bedroom, with the bathroom and living room coming a very close joint third at 28 percent apiece.

You’re willing to take on nuts and bolts projects
Improving functionality, as already mentioned, is a key push to undertake a project. But what sorts of practical upgrades are you investing in?

1. Indoors, 45 and 42 percent of you respectively upgraded heating and plumbing in your homes in 2018, while 40 percent focused on electrical works.
2. Outside, 32 percent of you upgraded your windows or skylights. 29 percent of you improved your gutters and downpipes, and 28 percent pimped your exterior doors.
3. In terms of the top outdoor feature upgrades in 2018, you might be surprised to discover that, at 28 percent, sprucing up your beds and borders was top of your projects list. Fencing was there, but trailing a little behind at 25 percent, while upgrading patios or terraces came in at 24 percent.

In 2019, the Government announced “the biggest change to the private rental sector for a generation” with its plans to repeal Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, putting an end to so-called “no-fault evictions” as part of its ongoing project to improve security of tenure for tenants (1).

It certainly represents a significant change. The repeal of Section 21 would also put an end to assured shorthold tenancies, which are the most common form of tenancy in the English residential rental sector. Section 21 notices can only be served under assured shorthold tenancies, and the government notes that, once Section 21 is abolished, there won’t be any significant legal distinction between an assured shorthold tenancy and an assured tenancy.

Serving a Section 21 notice is the preferred method of letting agents and landlords for the swift repossession of a property, whether or not the tenant is at fault. A survey by Goodlord found that 87% of letting agents had served a Section 21 notice in the past 12 months, whereas only 51% of letting agents had served a Section 8 notice in the same period (2).

Section 8 is generally considered by letting agents and landlords to be a more complicated process for gaining possession of a property for a variety of factors, from the difficulty in gaining possession through the courts, which almost half of landlords had experienced (3) to the mandatory grounds not meeting their needs.

The Government has proposed accelerating the court process for repossession under Section 8 and expanding and amending the mandatory grounds for repossession, which means the court must grant possession of the property if the grounds can be proved.

“Strengthening Section 8 is essential, and it must move to a system of mandatory grounds with anti-social behaviour and rent arrears being top of the priority list,” says ARLA CEO David Cox. “Reform to the justice system is vital, and digitalisation, privatising bailiffs and investing to ensure a properly functioning court system, must be advanced in order that confidence amongst landlords and within the sector is maintained.”(4)

1.“Government announces end to unfair evictions”, gov.uk
2. State of the Industry Report: Summer 2019, Goodlord, goodlord.co.uk
3.“A New Deal for Renting: Resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants: A consultation”, gov.uk
4.“Consultation launched on Tenancy Reform in England”, ARLA Propertymark, arla.co.uk

ENDING TENANCIES
There will be a number of potential ways in which a tenancy could be brought to an end under the Government’s proposed framework:
• In a fixed-term tenancy, tenants will be able to end the tenancy after the end of the fixed-term (or at a breakpoint), as long as they provide sufficient notice to the letting agent or landlord in line with their tenancy agreement.
• In an assured periodic (open-ended) tenancy, tenants will be able to end a tenancy at any point, provided they comply with the appropriate notice period.
• In either scenario, letting agents or landlords will be able to end the tenancy by issuing a notice under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, providing one of the grounds applies. Source: “A new deal for renting: resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants”, 2019, gov.uk

Article courtesy of The Goodlord

We were delighted when Clive Parkhurst registered with us to help him and his wife find their next home. Rather than simply list their requirements, he sent in this lovely poem encompassing everything on their wish list.

In the spirit of the Cheltenham Literature Festival, which starts next month, we thought it would be nice to share his poem. If you think you have something that ticks all the boxes for Clive do let our Cirencester office know (tel. 01285 655355).

We’re in our 50s, with kids all gone
Noise and mayhem, there is now none!
Peace and quiet is what we seek
A rural idyll, our country retreat.

A house with charm and character abound
With views across our fair English land.
A village location with Ye Olde World pub
The heart of the community, a real hub!

Currently in rented, we’re set to pounce
On a cottage that makes our heart dance!
450K is our maximum spend
For perfection, a little we might just bend.

Give us a good-sized lounge with an inglenook fire
Something romantic, to warm and inspire.
A bathroom and a half is our request
Two bedrooms at least will suit us the best.

We still have to work to pay our way
Parking for two cars, if we may!
Within 25 miles of GL1
You’ll find that’s our wishes, now all done.

You’re the professionals we all come to
To make our property dreams come true.
Give us a call if you’re able to find
That perfect home we have in mind!

How time flies – today marks the official start of autumn!  Autumn brings changing colours and crisp, romantic mornings, but it can also be a great time to sell your house. Here at Perry Bishop and Chambers autumn is always a very busy time for us, in fact we usually sell more homes at this time of the year than at any other.

So if you are considering a move – whether you are looking for additional space for your growing family or you’re looking to downsize now the children have flown the coop – you can be sure of a good choice of properties at Perry Bishop and Chambers.

There are a number of real benefits to listing your property in the autumn. Here’s just a few:

1. People will want to be in their new home by Christmas 

With Christmas starting to appear in the near distance, people will be starting to imagine Christmas in their new home. With the family sitting around the table, who is going to be carving the turkey and where will their new Christmas tree fit perfectly? This will make them keen to push the sale process through quickly.

2. The children have recently returned for a new school year 

Most parents will relate to their calendar year running September to September and fitting any important events around term times, the school run and school holidays. With a New Year many people like the idea of new beginnings, which may mean a new home in some cases. They also have less pressure of viewing homes with kids in tow, making viewings less stressful and more relaxing, allowing them the chance to really take in your home.

3. You have the chance to make your home feel autumnal and cosy 

You can light fires, switch lamps on and style your home with accessories to complement the season: russet apples in bowls, candles and reed diffusers with hints of cinnamon and spice. You can add hues of autumnal colours to your bed linen, throws and cushions to create warmth and depth within a room.

4. You have the chance to really showcase your views 

With the leaves starting to drop it can allow views to improve but with this in mind you must remember to keep on top of your lawns and make sure your garden is free of leaves and branches. You can remove any unsightly dead plants and replace them with beautiful autumnal flowering plants like Michaelmas Daisy and Goldsturm Coneflowers, so that your home looks attractive from the first moment your viewers see it.

5. Autumnal shades can make a beautiful brochure 

With night’s drawing in, Autumn is a perfect time to showcase your property by using twilight photography. Imagine how beautiful your home will look on any brochure with the lights twinkling and a darkening sky behind? You can even showcase local areas, woods and hillsides can look beautiful with crisp browning leaves contrasting against lush green grass.

As a buyer looking for a new place to live, you may well be keen to find property with potential – after all, our homes are an investment. But how do you go about doing this?

Property portal Zoopla provides some helpful pointers for  spotting opportunities where you can add value:

Home extensions
Extending property is a great way of adding value in a tried and tested manner, so keep an eye out for a home which can be built out.

Many Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses have a side return – a dark and often under-used strip of garden. This can be a great area to extend into, to create a bigger and highly-desirable kitchen.

Also look for properties with a nearby outhouse which can be joined up by a link extension.

Don’t forget to look up and down too, as there may be space for a loft or basement conversion.

Homes where you can add a storey
If a property already has a single-storey extension, look at whether there’s scope for adding another storey.

This could give you space for an additional bedroom and bathroom – one of the most effective ways to boost your property’s value.

Do some research during your viewing to see if any of the neighbours have done something similar, as this could set a helpful precedent.

Also seek expert advice from a builder on whether the existing extension is strong enough to support a second storey.

Homes on plots that can be extended
Don’t be too quick to dismiss a home where the plot is too small for the size of property. Check out the possibility of purchasing adjacent land.

If you are able to do so, this could mean a dramatic increase in the value of the property.

Also note that small homes on bigger plots have lots of opportunities for improvement.

Homes where you can create open-plan living
Building an open-plan kitchen-living room is a highly desirable way of adding value to your home, so look out for places with a small kitchen that is beside a large dining room or living room.

Do a bit of detective work right away to work out whether the wall is internal or load-bearing. It will cost more to remove the wall, as structural support will be needed to replace it, if it is load-bearing.

If in doubt, arrange a visit with a surveyor or structural engineer.

Homes where you can improve layout
Spend time scouring the floor plan to see what changes can be made. A badly laid out property that can be re-configured can offer potential.

Homes that require new kitchens and bathrooms
Pay close attention to homes which need the kitchen and bathroom ripping out and starting again. They are two of the most valuable rooms in a property.

A brand new kitchen with the latest mod cons and oodles of storage, or a sparkling new bathroom suite with flashy taps, power shower and glass screen could add some serious extra value onto your home.

Homes where you can add a downstairs toilet
A property where you can install a ground floor WC can offer decent potential – and will appeal, in particular, to those with young children, people who like to entertain, as well as older couples who may struggle with stairs.

Think as creatively as you can, as you may not need to knock down walls or build an extension to fit a downstairs toilet into the property. You may be able to fit one in in a large cupboard, in a space under the stairs, or by siphoning off a portion of a room.

Ugly homes
While an ugly home can be a turn-off at first sight, it’s worth looking beyond initial impressions to see if the place can be given a facelift – and especially if the property is in a good location.

A ‘good’ location could mean, for example, it is an area known for its good schools or transport links.

You may be able to make some relatively simple cosmetic changes to an ugly property, such as new windows, painting, cladding – and planting climbing plants. All these steps can make a dramatic difference.

Homes that are close to the road
Many buyers will turn their backs on a property that suffers from being too close to a road. But there are steps you can take to improve things in terms of looks and noise, such as good screening and a change of approach.

Homes with outside potential
Take a look outside to see if there is enough space for a garden room – which could be a great spot for a home office.

A self-contained structure can add value as it increases the usable floor space of the property.

A conservatory is another good way to increase the living or dining space – or make a kitchen more spacious.

But note that conservatories can make or break your home’s aesthetic. You need to plan carefully and make it seem the house was originally designed with the conservatory in mind.

Homes where you can restore old features
You can add real value to a property by restoring original features and taking good care of them – enhancing the charm and personality.

Spend some time looking at properties which have these features, such as wooden beams, old-fashioned fireplaces, floorboards, bannisters and doors – and especially if they haven’t been treated very sympathetically.

Homes that have a poor EPC
While you might view a home with a G-rated Energy Performance Certificate as a complete deal-breaker, you could also see these weaknesses as potential – as dramatic improvements can be made.

For example, you could upgrade the heating system, replace an old inefficient boiler with a modern condensing A-rated model, and install insulation, such as loft and cavity wall insulation. You could also make improvements, such as adding solar panels and ground/air source heat pumps. These changes will bring a property straight into the 21st century, and make a big difference to its value.

article courtesy of Zoopla.co.uk

I hope you have had a good summer and for those that managed to take a break enjoyed your holidays, but regardless of that we are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country which always looks at its very best during the summer months.

As the summer draws to a close and the new school year begins this is always a popular time of the year to firm up thoughts on current living arrangements and consider whether now is the right time for a move.

You may be thinking about upsizing as your family grows; or downsizing if your children have recently flown the coop. Alternatively, you may want to move to another part of town to be closer to your preferred primary or secondary schools.

We are delighted to report over 150 sales having been agreed by our offices during the summer holidays; slightly surprising – this is the same number as last year – which is a great achievement in a market that we accept is more volatile and has been affected by Brexit.

The autumn is always a very busy time for Perry Bishop and Chambers, in fact we usually sell more homes at this time of the year than at any other.

Inevitably, we do not know how high increased activity in the late summer and autumn market will be, but for sure it will happen, as buyers and sellers become more determined to make their move before the end of the year.

We are so very proud of the part that we play in our local communities helping people on the move and making what we know can be a very stressful process as easy as possible.

Throughout this year, in addition to receiving customer service awards, we have launched a new website with added benefits, one of which is the inclusion of a dashboard for all sellers and buyers to improve transparency and ease of information and communication.

If you are looking to move either through a sale or let, we would be very happy to look after you.

Please join us on Saturday 14th September, 10am – 12pm, for the launch of the final phase  of Lewiston Mill.

This stunning development, centred around a restored Victorian mill and mill pond, comprises six beautiful townhouses and eight luxury apartments.

Located on the edge of Stroud, in the village of Brimscombe, these highly desirable properties are finished to a very high specification. Simply move in and enjoy the view!

We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 14th September. Don’t delay – half have already been sold!

Join us this Saturday 7th September, from 10am – 12pm,  to view the last two remaining homes on this delightful new development which has proven incredibly popular. Foxes Meadow lies in the popular village of Coaley, a picturesque setting that extends from the edge of the Cotswold Hills towards the River Cam and Severn Estuary. Perfectly placed for Stroud to the north and Bristol to the south.

The final two homes are both four bedroom detached family homes comprising open plan kitchen / family room with utility, living room, dining room and study. Upstairs, there are four double bedrooms, two with en-suites and a family bathroom. Both properties also benefit from generous gardens and a double garage.

All of the homes at Foxes Meadow, developed by Centaur Homes, have been thoughtfully designed and offer some of the finest finishes available.

Prices from £515k.

We look forward to showing you round on Saturday!

RSVP: Perry Bishop and Chambers Stroud   t.01453 762306   e. stroud@perrybishop.co.uk

Want to know how you can prevent your sale or purchase from falling through?

The latest data released by UK home buying company, Quick Move Now, has revealed that more than one in four property sales fell through before completion in the second quarter of this year. Although this figure is good news for the property market after the unsettled final quarter of 2018 – which saw a fall through rate of almost 50 per cent! – none of us ever want to find ourselves in this position. Sarah Benson  (FNAEA CPEA), Residential Director for leading Cotswolds agency Perry Bishop and Chambers, outlines some of the things you can do to minimise the chances of your sale/purchase falling through when you find yourself in a chain.

When buying or selling a property it is likely that you will find yourself and your property to be part of a chain of other sellers and buyers.

What do we mean by a chain? A chain consists of people linked together as they are buying and selling property from each other. Decisions made by each link in the chain will likely have an impact up and down the line, and the powerless feeling of being stuck in a chain can sometimes be very frustrating for all parties involved, including your agent!

So, what can you do to help prevent delays and disruption to your chain?

Choose the right solicitor

The average time between acceptance of an offer and exchange of contracts is running at a scary national average of c 18 weeks (four and a half months). You could save 2-3 weeks of this by selecting a competent and professional solicitor (not an online conveyancing company). Appoint them in advance of agreeing your sale or purchase and ask them to send you the protocol forms to complete and complete the anti-money laundering ID checks required by law. Not all firms of solicitors are the same and it is certainly true that you get what you pay for. Ask your agent to recommend a good local solicitor, one who knows the area in which you are buying or selling, and who the agent knows will act and respond efficiently to enable a smooth transaction.

Choose the right buyer

When selling a property make sure you choose the right buyer (your agent will help you with this).

The person making the highest offer may not be the best buyer if they are in a long chain and require a high percentage mortgage. There are several things you need to consider; are they in a chain? If so, how long is that chain? The longer the chain, the more potential there is for something to go wrong, and with a third of sales not even reaching completion, limiting the chain is definitely something to consider. How advanced is that chain? What is their motivation for moving and likely timescales? How are they financing the purchase? Are they purchasing with cash or investments and how much notice do they need to give to release those funds?

If you are buying a property, especially if you are a first-time buyer or buying without selling, it is important to ask what the motivation of the seller is, how quickly they intend to move and how long the chain above them is. You may be in a position where you need to move quickly, in which case, you may have to walk away or be prepared to accept a longer sales process.

Be quick to respond!

One of the reasons for sales falling through is the time it takes to reach exchange and completion of the contracts. Should one person in the chain forget to return a phone call, fail to send a document, or do anything that could cause a delay, the ramifications are felt all the way through the chain.

This is why it is essential to react as soon as your solicitor or agent asks you to. Be proactive, get paperwork together as soon as possible so you don’t have a panic trying to find it when needed.

Don’t forget to let your agent and solicitor know if you will be away on holiday or business, and provide them with the best method of contact during this time. Remember to check your emails and voicemails during these periods of absence. You may miss something important.

Keeping everything moving

At Perry Bishop we have a dedicated Sales Progression team who will be handling your purchase or sale. As experienced agents we will work closely with you, your solicitor and the remainder of the chain to ensure the conveyancing moves forward as quickly and as efficiently as it can. This way if we suspect an issue that could threaten your sale or purchase, we will work with all parties to help find a solution. This is why your choice of estate agent is incredibly important, as not all agents are dedicated to this part of the sale process.

Good luck with your move!