Whathouse Property section - Issue 39 MIE

THE LOCAL

PROPERTY PAPER

FROM

whathouse.com

For more information about our extensive range of quality homes, from first time buyer apartments to luxury executive houses visit

www.lioncourthomes.co.ukor call 01905 755167

Quality homes in desirable locationsacross the Midlands

Star quality

EDITIO

N JU

LY 17 2015

THE LOCAL

PROPERTY PAPER

FROM

whathouse.com

For more information about our extensive range of quality homes, from first time buyer apartments to luxury executive houses visit

www.lioncourthomes.co.ukor call 01905 755167

Quality homes in desirable locationsacross the Midlands

Star quality

EDITIO

N JU

LY 17 2015

Chelmsford, while enjoying

its role as county town,

has striven for greater

recognition for many years

and now boasts the breadth

and depth of amenities

that more than justify

its elevation to city status as part of the

Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Strategically placed by road and rail, it

has become a commuter hotspot, attracting

house-hunters from around Chelmsford

and from much further afield. Homeowners

cashing in on burgeoning property values

in east London, and would-be buyers

completely priced out of the capital, are

looking eastwards for better value for money

and a convenient journey. The half-hour

rail commute from Chelmsford compares

favourably to a Tube journey from zone 4 in

Greater London.

Karl Manning of agent Fenn Wright

notes that as the town’s station is being re-

developed to accommodate more passengers

and bigger trains, demand for homes close

to the city centre is getting stronger.

That prices are around £600,000 for a

central, period, four-/five-bedroom home has

not placated demand. “Within a square mile

of the centre, homes are selling over guide

price, and quickly,” says Manning. “We are

having to host more and more open houses

to cope.”

It’s not only the established stock that is

doing well, adds Rob Chapman, new homes

manager at William H Brown for the Essex

region.

“In general, the new homes market is

doing incredibly well at the moment,” he

says. “The first half of the year has seen a

significant rise in new homes sales, up 74%

on 2014. We have specifically seen a sharp

rise in sales in June this year which was

assisted by a short supply of homes available

in the second-hand market, leading buyers

to turn to new homes as a convenient and

available option.

“Chelmsford’s recent elevation to city

status has sparked a trend – an increase

in the development of high-end one- and

two-bedroom apartments. However, this is

accompanied by a sharp increase in prices in

the area as well.”

The demand for new homes, in places such

as the Beaulieu Park area, has also resulted

from a lack of re-sale stock being brought to

market, he says.

Manning points to Chelmsford’s excellent

schools as a huge draw for ambitious

parents, but Chapman is seeing a wide

demographic coming through the door.

“There doesn’t seem to be a specific type

of person looking for new homes, nor are

our customers looking for a specific type

of property – the region is so diverse that

we see a wide variety of prospective buyers,

from commuters in the towns and cities to

retirees in the more provincial and coastal

areas of the Essex.”

The momentum has been started in

Chelmsford and Manning can only see it

gathering pace in the coming years, with

“the talk of a new station in Beaulieu Park,

(pictured above), John Lewis coming in

together with a brand new cinema, and new

resi and commercial development at the old

Duke’s nightclub site” just a few of the big

changes the city can expect to see very soon.

AREA FOCUS WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 21

New build option (from £240,000)

One of the most exciting new developments that William H Brown is offering to the market

in the Chelmsford area is Danbury Palace. It is a conversion of the stately home to 13 luxury

apartments, plus the conversion and new build elements of the coach house buildings to

form six mews-style dwellings, and the erection of 26 high-end new build homes.

All will benefit from a concierge service, tennis court and 8.5 acres of private grounds

backing on to Danbury Lakes. The largest apartment in the palace exceeds 2,000 sq ft.

Find out more at www.williamhbrown.co.uk

01245 262266

Re-sale option (c £850,000)

Fenn Wright is currently marketing this attractive five-bedroom home, set in 0.75 acres,

located between Boreham and Hatfield Peverel. Two of the bedrooms are en suite and there is

a delightful L-shaped orangery on the ground floor. The open-plan kitchen/breakfast room

has a range of modern units and granite worktops.

The grounds include a lovely landscaped garden, patio area, Jacuzzi and covered barbecue

area to the rear and provide plenty of parking at the front of the house, which also has a

double garage.

Find out more at www.fennwright.co.uk / 01245 292100

WHATHOUSE? PICKS...

In the city

City status has not only raised Chelmsford’s regional and national profile, it has caused a boom in demand from property buyers

Managing director: Daniel HillEditorial director: Rupert BatesEditor: Keith Osborne [email protected] editor: Stephen Maunder [email protected]: Peter Rogers [email protected]: Tilly Rubens, Fiona Brandhorst, Nick Parkhouse, Richenda Oldham, Kate FaulknerSales director: Adrian Talbot [email protected] of sales: Andy Lunn [email protected] development manager: Steve Coyle [email protected] manager: Murad Paloda [email protected] supplement published by: What House Digital Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG; 020 7940 1070 [email protected] www.whathouse.comPrinted by 39zero

© 2015 What House Digital LimitedCover picture: Woodlands in Chigwell, from Weston Homes, £1.6million www.weston-homes.com ; 01279 873 333 (find out more in our full review next week) What House? @What_House

Welcoming your home to ours !

LUXURY APARTM

ENT

£695,000Brentwood

A SUPERB LUXURY APARTMENT WITH UNDERGROUND PARKINGSet within the sought after Clements Park development and within a short walk to Brentwood High Street and Mainline Railway station is this stunning one bedroom third floor apartment. The property offers open plan lounge/kitchen area, balcony with superb views, master bedroom with fitted wardrobes, luxury four piece bathroom and underground parking.

HARTSWOOD AREA

Warley GUIDE PRICE £730,000 - £760,000

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY 18TH JULY - 11 AM - 1 PM BY APPOINTMENT ONLYOccupying a corner plot within the sought after Hartswood Area, is this detached family home. Entering through the enclosed porch you will find a spacious dining room with sliding doors providing access to a secluded patio area, along with a modern fitted kitchen. The upper ground floor offers a 22’ lounge with access to an elevated patio area, overlooking the beautiful rear garden. The middle floor offers two bedrooms and a modern family bathroom, whilst the top floor provides access to the fourth bedroom and master bedroom and en-suite shower room.

£320,000

60’ G

ARDEN

£695,000Ongar

3 DOUBLE BED CHARACTER SEMI DETACHED COTTAGE BACKING FIELDSBacking onto open fields is this attractive character semi-detached cottage with 3 double bedrooms & 60’ landscaped rear garden. Well maintained throughout with a wood burning stove to the lounge and luxury bathroom. Ongar town centre & Epping central line station are 3.7 and 4.2 miles respectively.

VACANT POSSE

SSION

Blackmore £625,000

A SIX BEDROOM DETACHED BUNGALOW BACKING OPEN FARMLANDSituated in a non-estate position backing onto open farmland is this 6 bed detached bungalow, which incorporates a 1 bed annexe with its own access & has further potential through a loft room conversion to be seven bedrooms or more. Sitting on a large plot with excellent off st parking.

£445,000 - £450,000

Brentwood

8TH FLOOR APARTMENT WITH FAR REACHING VIEWSLocated in the heart of Brentwood’s town centre, Becket House is a modern development of apartments, perfectly positioned, with residents parking. This particular one bedroom apartment is located on the 8th floor and therefore offers fantastic views across west Brentwood and towards the City of London. Viewing is strongly advised.

£239,995

TOWN CEN

TRE

Doddinghurst

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 18TH JULY 10AM – 11.30AM – BY APPOINTMENT ONLYWe are delighted to offer this 3 bed semi detached house which has been extended to the rear & is maintained in immaculate condition throughout, including a luxury kitchen & shower room, all complimented by an attractive block paved driveway to the front and a landscaped rear garden.

GUIDE PRICE £380,000 - £400,000

NO ON-GOING CHAIN

Hutton

SITUATED ON THE SOUGHT AFTER POETS ESTATEThis delightful 2 bedroom semi-detached bungalow is situated in an established road of similar properties. Two reception rooms which can also be opened into one by French doors giving, in our opinion, a lovely spacious feel in addition to a conservatory of 10’10 x 10’ and a separate lobby area of 10’9 x 5’2 both overlooking a well-tended garden.

£375,000Warley

GROUND FLOOR APARTMENT WITH ITS OWN COURTYARDKavanagh Court forms part of the award winning Galleries Development, itself set within stunning manicured gardens. This particular ground floor two bedroom apartment offers its own small courtyard area to the front and delightful views of the gardens to the rear. Internally is the perfect blend of old meets new, from its arched ceilings to its modern fully fitted kitchen. Viewing is strongly advised.

£395,000

THE G

ALLERIE

S

SOUTH FACING GARDEN

Doddinghurst

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY 18TH JULY 12.00-1.30 - BY APPOINTMENT ONLYSet well back from the road is this three bedroom semi-detached bungalow with a 184’ rear garden backing onto open fields. Offering excellent scope for improvement and being offered with immediate vacant possession.

GUIDE PRICE £300,000 - £320,000

VACANT POSSE

SSION

Doddinghurst

BACKING ON TO OPEN FIELDS AND WITH A 196’ REAR GARDENBacking onto open fields and with a 196’ rear garden is this 3 bed chalet style bungalow with 2 double bedrooms to the first floor & a further double bed to the ground floor. A wide road frontage, currently allowing parking for two cars, but with the potential for more. Short walk of Doddinghurst main shops & schools.

£399,995

3 BED

ROOMS

26 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM HERITAGE HOME

Kings Mill, in the

sought-after village of

Littlebury near Saffron

Walden, is attached to

the fascinating Grade

II listed former mill

building with its own

water feature - the

original mill race.

Standing in 3.82 acres with river

frontage and meadows, the site is of

significant historical note and features in

the Domesday Book. The architect Henry

Winstanley is also associated with the

property. Winstanley was the first person

to build a lighthouse on Eddystone Rock

in Devon and part of the garden at Kings

Mill belonged to him. A mound on the site

of a building used as a viewing point over

the river still exists in the garden and is

said to be where Winstanley constructed his

prototype of the famous lighthouse.

Kings Mill owner Nick McCaffrey, who

has lived there for 17 years, adds: “Our

children have grown up using it for building

dens to battlefield scenes. We often get

callers at the door looking for the lighthouse

so we direct them to the village hall, where

there are some drawings they can look at.”

The house has been painstakingly

restored retaining many original features.

The accommodation is set over three floors

with the drawing room, music room,

dining and boot rooms on the ground floor

featuring oak flooring and open fireplaces.

The Mark Wilkinson-designed kitchen is

to the rear of the property and features a

twin oven Aga, walk-in pantry and separate

utility room. There is also access to two

large cellars, including a wine cellar.

The bedrooms are arranged over two

floors, three on the first floor and a master

bedroom with dressing room and en suite

bathroom on the second floor. Bathrooms

and cloakrooms have been replaced and

are finished to the highest standards. The

third bedroom can be accessed via a separate

staircase and has its own bathroom, so

could be used as a guest suite. There is a

viewing pane from the main corridor which

overlooks the mill race as it drops away,

having run through the former wheel site.

There are delightful views over the river, the

grounds and open countryside.

The main house is connected to the

original mill building, hay barns, grain

store and associated working rooms which

are still intact. The magnificent mill race

runs through it and millstones provide

authenticity to this historical building. The

mill provides a great entertaining space,

against a backdrop of running water and

with some investment this building could be

transformed.

Littlebury has a public house and parish

church with Saffron Walden’s shops, schools

and recreational facilities nearby. The

mainline railway station at Audley End

provides train services to London’s Liverpool

Street in around 55 minutes.

Kings Mill is on the market for £1.85m

with Mullucks Wells; 01279 755400

Kings Mill is an elegant 18th century five-bedroom house and former mill oozing with charm

History lessons

...Buying a new home is a big decision, so you’ll want to know that your property is of good quality and your investment well protected.

Only builders approved and registered by NHBC can offer Buildmark, and they must build to the detailed technical standards we have

been developing and updating for more than 75 years.

It will give you peace of mind to know that all new homes with NHBC’s Buildmark have been independently inspected at key stages

during construction, and come with 10 years’ warranty and insurance.

This gives you the reassurance that, on the rare occasion when something does go wrong, we’re here to help you.

So, before you buy a new home, make sure it has Buildmark.

NHBC – the mark of a quality home

H82 02/14

Talk to us... Call us now on 0844 633 1000 and ask for ‘Customer Services’. Or visit www.nhbc.co.uk/myhome

H82_What House? advert_v1.indd 1 19/02/2014 12:15

On the doorstep of the local beauty spot Langdon

Hills Country Park, with its panoramic views over

the Thames Estuary and across to London, more

than half of the homes at Arcadia are already sold,

with new releases just announced.

Families, retirees and young professionals are

being wooed by the select range of just 98 three-,

four- and five-bedroom character homes with

landscaped gardens and plenty of parking.

Laindon station, with trains to Fenchurch Street every 15 minutes,

is a major plus for commuters and retail therapy is on hand at

Basildon’s popular Eastgate Shopping Centre, just a 10-minute drive

away. Southend-on-Sea is only a short drive away and golf clubs

and a range of sporting amenities are also close by, so keeping fit is

definitely an option for new residents.

The latest release at Arcadia is ‘The Willerby’, a five-bedroom

double-fronted detached home reminiscent of a prime London villa,

set across three floors. Spacious living accommodation on the ground

floor includes a stylish contemporary kitchen

with a convenient separate utility room,

lounge with French doors leading to the

rear garden, study and dining room off the

kitchen.

The first floor has three double bedrooms,

including the master bedroom with its ‘must-

have’ dressing area with built-in wardrobes

and en suite. Two further double bedrooms

and a family bathroom are found on the

top floor with far reaching views from the

picturesque attic-style windows.

Priced at £499,995, ‘The Willerby’ comes

with a sought-after double garage plus an

impressive six parking spaces – ideal for

families with teenage drivers and ample

room for when friends and family visit.

‘The Osterley’, a three-bedroom detached

house priced at £307,995 will be available

soon closely followed by two three-bedroom

semi-detached homes, ‘The Studland’ and

‘The Chastleton’ townhouse.

Specifications for all homes at Arcadia are

high with a choice of kitchen units, worktops

and tiling for those buyers reserving early

in the construction stages. Arcadia is open

daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm,

Find out more at www.bloorhomes.com01268 857834

Buyers are giving the thumbs up to Arcadia the new Bloor Homes development in Laindon on the outskirts of Basildon

Work, rest and play

28 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES

Electrolux Group: Industry Leaders in Household Durables for eight consecutive years.

Electrolux has retained its position as Industry Leader in the Household Durables category for the eighth consecutive year in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

Electrolux is the only company in the Household Durables category to qualify for Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World, and has been included in DJSI every year since the index was launched in 1999.

For more information, go to www.sustainability-indices.com

Sustainability is an integral part of the Electrolux Group’s strategy, and we are therefore especially proud to have achieved the highest score of the Household Durables category for our efforts in the environmental area.

Henrik SundströmHead of Sustainability Affairs at Electrolux.

‘‘

‘‘

We’re open for business, whatever the climate.

For the last 40 years, through all market conditions, we’ve consistently lent to residential property developers. So if you’re looking for funds, you won’t find a more experienced, flexible and reliable business partner.

To find out how we can help your development, please call Close Brothers Property Finance on 020 7655 3655 or visit closepropertyfinance.com

Close Brothers I Modern Merchant Banking

C54427 CBPF_EG_Blue_297x210.indd 1 23/04/2015 11:38

30 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES

TRUELOVES GRANGE is a bespoke gated

development of fi ve, six and seven bedroom

detached family homes in an idyllic setting

overlooking beautiful open countryside.

Each home is built to CALA’s high quality

design and specifi cations with between

3,217 and 4,970 square feet of living space.

Prices start from £1,695,000. Ingatestone,

on the edge of Fryerning, is a charming

village surrounded by open countryside.

Its thriving centre offers all the essential

shops, pubs and cafés and is neatly located

between Brentwood and Chelmsford, so it’s is

easy to swap rural charm for cosmopolitan

glamour. Trueloves Grange sales offi ce and

showhome is open daily from 10am to 5pm,

call 07823 341611 or visit www.cala.co.uk.

Discover the heart of Trueloves Grange

Wild thingsP

urchasers and residents

at CALA Homes’ exclusive

Trueloves Grange

development will be given a

selection of wildlife habitat

for birds, insects and

hedgehogs to attract wildlife

to their new gardens in support of the

RSPB’s Give Nature a Home campaign.

Each kit includes two bird nest boxes, a

ladybird bug house and a hodgitat hedgehog

shelter, all made from regulated timber.

Michelle Relton, sales manager for CALA

Homes says: “It’s so important to give nature

a helping hand when we can, so we want to

do our bit to help take care of local wildlife

and make it fun at the same time.”

The RSPB campaign urges residents to

provide a place for wildlife in their gardens

and outside spaces. Whether it’s installing

habitats like bug boxes, hedgehog homes

and nest boxes, or planting wildfl owers –

little actions can make a massive difference.

• Give the mower a rest - The fl owering

plants that bugs and beasts love to hide

in will benefi t and longer grass won’t

dry out so quickly

• Grow fl owering plants - Pollinating

insects will be attracted by planting a

variety of traditional plants such as

cornfl owers, foxgloves, honeysuckle,

guelder rose and English lavender

• Build a bug hotel - A wildlife stack –

made from crates, canes, newspaper,

and plant pots provides insects with

somewhere to live

• Create nature corridors - Plant a mix of

trees and fl owers on your doorstep to

create corridors for wildlife to move and

get from place to place

• Add some water - A water feature with

different depths is great for wildlife.

Shallow areas are used by bathing

and drinking birds, dragonfl ies and

amphibians to lay eggs. Deeper areas

help aquatic insects survive cold spells

and are good for newts

RSPB’s top tips for encouraging wildlife

A wildlife haven of bugs, hedgehogs and wild fl owers is being encouraged in Ingatestone

www.inlandhomes.co.uk

The Comptons, Wooburn GreenCharterhouse Mews, Chelmsford Vista, Drayton Garden Village St John’s, Chelmsford

Carter’s Quay, Poole

Showhome open at this development Please check website for current availability. Computer generated illustrations are indicative only and subject to change.

For further details call 01494 762 450 or email [email protected]

Inland Homes are currently regenerating areas acrossthe South providing quality homes with an emphasison design and sustainability. Visit our fabulous rangeof Showhomes to discover more.

DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE:

Carter’s Quay, Poole1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

Vista, Drayton Garden Village,West Drayton2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

St John’s, Chelmsford2 & 4 bedroom houses

Charterhouse Mews,Chelmsford1& 2 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom houses

COMING SOON:The Comptons, Wooburn Green1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses

Alexandra Gardens, Iver2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

Park House, LoudwaterStudio & 1 bedroom apartments

Creating newcommunitiesacross the South

For many coming up to

retirement age, the decision

to sell the family home and

be the first person to move

into brand new retirement

development 50 miles away

would be a daunting task.

However, for one former

plucky land girl, it was a decision which has

given her a whole new lease of life.

Betty Newon purchased a one-bedroom

apartment from Churchill Retirement Living

in Saffron Walden, at the company’s Saffron

Lodge development, in May of last year,

after deciding the time had finally come to

downsize.

She says: “After more than 60 years of

marriage and family life, I found myself

living alone in a three-bedroom house in

Dagenham. The upkeep and maintenance

was getting more expensive and challenging

each year.”

Betty decided the time had come to

downsize and find a more suitable property.

During the war years, she says she

spent three years as a Land Army girl in

Northamptonshire and briefly thought of

returning to the area. However, she also

wanted to be near her daughter and family

who live in Newport, a village just a few

miles outside Saffron Walden.

By chance, Betty saw an advertisement for

the new Churchill Retirement development

in the area and on contacting them, was

invited to the pre-launch information day.

She was so impressed by the scheme that she

reserved a one-bedroom property just a week

later.

She says: “I was the first owner to move

into Saffron Lodge. Shortly afterwards

others started to move in and we would meet

daily in the beautiful lounge for coffee. The

atmosphere here is warm and welcoming

and we have a wonderful community here at

Saffron Lodge.”

Moving can be a very a stressful and

emotional time at the best of times, but even

more so for those who are moving away

from the home where they have raised a

family and lived for over half of their life.

Betty says Churchill tries to take some of

the stress out of such a major upheaval by

offering a range of moving options.

“It was a huge step for me to take, to

leave my family home with all its memories

and downsize. Churchill made the move as

easy as possible, helping me as much as

they could at every turn. It’s also given my

daughter greater peace of mind, to know

there’s always someone around if I need

anything.”

Betty says she took advantage of the

housing developer’s Move for Free offer.

This package includes up to £5,000 towards

the cost of estate agent fees, up to £1,500

towards legal fees, up to 1% stamp duty

paid, an Energy Performance Certificate

included, along with support with removals

and downsizing.

The move has also given her the

opportunity to make a lot of new friends,

and the residents regularly get together for

coffee mornings and other social events that

the lodge manager organises. She has also

had time to spend on her hobby, quilting,

which involves making decorative objects

from strips of paper. She says moving to the

lodge was “the best thing I’ve ever done”.

One-bedroom apartments are available for

sale at Saffron Lodge priced from £249,950.

The first ladyNew lease of life for former Land Army girl Betty in Saffron Walden

Find out more at www.churchillretirement.co.uk 01799 282 635

RETIREMENT WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 33

Now on Sale:an exciting range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homesin Brierley Hill. Choose from 10 different designs!

Artisan’s Walk is a whole new community, perfectly placed almostequidistant from Wolverhampton and Birmingham, just off BrettellLane, with views towards the Clent Hills.

Beautifully built to an exacting specification using energy savingtechnology, all the homes at Artisan’s Walk will be economic to run.The careful design and well thought out interiors will make thempractical and comfortable to live in too.

Ask about our launch incentives

Showhome open daily 10.00am - 5.30pmArtisan’s Walk, off Delph Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 2RPCall: 0845 873 2887 or visit: www.lioncourthomes.co.uk

Help to Buy

2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homesfrom £155,000

ith average fi rst-time buyer deposits soaring to over 30% of the property value,

affordable house purchase schemes have rocketed in popularity. For example Help to Buy has helped over 88,000 buyers, and over 40,000 people have taken advantage of alternative housing solutions, such as shared ownership.

The G15, a collaboration of London’s largest housing associations, including Genesis, collectively manages over 410,000 affordable homes and build 10,000 more annually, illustrating how popular these options are becoming. Shared ownership in particular has both short-term and long-term benefi ts for those who want to get on the property ladder but are struggling to raise a deposit or secure a traditional mortgage.

How does shared ownership work?

Providing you meet the criteria (see P32), shared ownership schemes are a great way to get onto the property ladder and you may fi nd you can buy a bigger home than you would otherwise have been able to afford, especially with the opportunity of staircasing.

When you fi rst buy a new home through shared ownership, you purchase a share of the property, typically between 25-75%, paying rent

on the remaining share to the housing association, who then in effect become your landlord. As and when you’re able to afford it, you can take steps to buy additional shares until you own 100% of your home. This is known as staircasing.

Do all housing associations offer staircasing?

Most housing associations will allow their tenants to staircase up to three times, until you reach100% ownership. As well as owning more of your home, staircasing also means the amount of rent you pay decreases, so it can help free up more of your disposable income. As the rent is affordable from the start, it should make it easier to save money towards further staircasing.

Will staircasing cost me?

Purchasing further shares works much like a typical house purchase, with valuations required for each ‘step’, and you will of course need to pay the legal fees, and any mortgage fees, if applicable, too. On the plus side, you’ll not need to pay any Stamp Duty on staircasing up to 80% ownership if the value is less than £125,000.

How you fund the purchase of additional shares is up to you, although typically this is done through a mortgage lender – most building societies and high street banks offer

these types of mortgages. Some providers will allow you to borrow up to 95%, meaning you only need a 5% deposit to secure the next slice of ownership. Speak to an independent mortgage advisor to fi nd out what options you have.

As an outright owner, although you no longer need to pay any rent on the property, it is worth noting as leaseholder of an apartment, you’re still required to pay management charges, such as ground rent, as the housing association will remain the freeholders of the land. If you’ve bought a house, the freehold can be transferred to you upon reaching 100% ownership.

What would I need to do when I come to sell my shared ownership home?When you want to sell the property, you can sell the share you own through your housing association, or if you’ve staircased up to 100%, you can sell it in on the open market, through an estate agent of your choice. When you sell your home, the greater percentage you own, the more profi t you will make if the value of your home has increased, so there’s a benefi t to staircasing in getting more equity back when you sell up.

Find out more at www.genesisha.org.uk; 033 3000 4000

Stepping upTony Harker of Genesis explains how shared ownership can be the perfect platform to become a fully-fl edged owner-occupier

housing associations 35For the latest on the property market @What_House

W

peabodysales.co.uk

London has been our home for over 150 years.

Make it yours.

St John’s Way SW11A new way of life is emerging in the heart of Battersea

1, 2 & 3 bed apartments and 3 & 4 bed triplexesPrices coming soon

Call to register: 020 3369 8728

COMING SOON

Let. us do the work

www.belvoirlettings.com

Don’t risk your money, warns Belvoir!Belvoir Basildon, Romford and Southend on Sea is urging landlords and tenants to protect themselves against unscrupulous agents that may be charging hidden fees.

“Since May 2015, all lettings and management firms in England and Wales are legally required to prominently display all their fees and charges to landlords and tenants, as well as displaying whether or not they are part of a recognised Client Money Protection Scheme,” says Keeley Taylor, who is Director of the High Street based Belvoir Basildon lettings agency. “This is a move that Belvoir welcomes, as it helps to protect clients, but we are concerned that some people may still be dealing with agents that are failing to comply with the law, which could leave them vulnerable to paying hidden charges and losing their deposits.

“Belvoir Basildon belongs to a recognised Client Money Protection Scheme, and our fees are clearly displayed on our website and in our office so clients can be reassured that their money is not at risk and they will only pay for services that they know about and agree

to. Unfortunately this is not the case with all agents, and there are some rogue individuals who give professional agents a bad name and will take advantage of vulnerable clients.

“Our message to landlords and tenants is simple - check that the letting agent you choose has listed all of their fees clearly on their website and in their office. Also check that the agent offers client money protection because this is the only way to ensure that tenant deposits are protected.

“There is a link on the Citizen’s Advice Bureaux (CAB) website to a Letting Agent Complaint Tool that enables people to report agents who are failing to comply with the news laws. Trading Standards can take action against letting agents that hide their fees by fining them up to £5000.

“More people than ever are renting properties in this area and so it is vital that they work with professionals who have their interests at heart and clearly inform them how much their costs are going to be.”

www.belvoirlettings.com email: [email protected] Tel: 01268 411110 / 01702 334466 / 01708 730077 BelvoirBasildon BelvoirBasildon

With 16 years of lettings industry experience, and five years working for Belvoir, 30-year old Keeley

Taylor was the perfect candidate to take over as franchisee of the Belvoir Lettings Franchise in Basildon. She is now director of Belvoir Basildon which covers the territories of Basildon, Romford and Southend-on-Sea.

Her loyalty to the Belvoir brand and love for all things lettings meant that she elected to take over the business when the franchise became available.

“It really felt like the right step for me when I was offered the chance to become the Franchisee,” she explains, “having worked at the office in Basildon since 2006 (primarily when it was known as ‘Let it Be and then as part of Belvoir when it was bought out by them in 2010). The company initially started nine years ago and it was just the director and me at that time. We had no properties and strived to create and grow a client-base. Since then the business has grown tremendously.”

Keeley’s contacts have held her in good stead. “I’ve worked at the office for so long so I have some great relationships with the existing

landlords and tenants and it’s fabulous to be able to build the business and guide it in a new direction.”

Keeley is just one of many new franchise owners for Belvoir who have been a successful lettings agency with an award winning service for nearly two decades.

Offices across the UK such as the one Keeley runs in Basildon, are individually owned by local people, which the company believe ensures the best combination of knowledge and marketing effectiveness, such as the franchisee’s familiarity with the local schools and facilities; knowing the better areas to live in and why some houses are more attractive to locals whilst others will attract newcomers to an area.

“I always felt strongly supported by the staff and the management at Belvoir’s Central Office and have good relationships with them, so the decision to become a franchisee once the possibility arose was an easy one,” Keeley says. “I couldn’t wait to be part of a network. I would recommend anyone looking into a Lettings Franchisee role to contact Belvoir’s head office in Grantham, they’ve been fantastic.”

Keeley adds: “I am very enthusiastc about growing Belvoir Basildon and its future.”

Moving house needn’t be a nightmare - just make your move with Belvoir. Made in Essex speak to Belvoir Basildon’s new Franchisee and director Keeley Taylor

Dream move

With the summer approaching, most people will be

off abroad or around the UK to take a week or two

off, says property expert Kate Faulkner. And it’s

important to enjoy your time away without any

worries or fears of anyone breaking into your

home and leaving a mess for you to clear up when you get back.

There are five really easy ways to protect your home from unwanted visitors...

1. Make sure you put away ladders

It’s easy to leave things out which we’d never think could be used to

help break into our home, but things like ladders, anything which

could be used to prize open doors or throw through windows is

essential to make sure your property remains safe.

2. Put your post on hold

If you have good neighbours, they may take your post in or put it

through your letter box, but if you don’t know then too well, the

Post Office run a great service called KeepSafe. It does take five

days to set up, but can help prevent identity fraud and they deliver

everything to you the day after you return.

3. Night lights and a radio

There are some great timers you can use which automatically switch

lights on and off and even a radio while you are away. This is great

deterrent for burglars – they won’t want to take the risk. I make

sure I have lights switching on and off at night even when I’m in the

house too so they don’t just come on when I’m away.

4. Don’t advertise you are away!

This is really hard not to do if you enjoy posting on social media, but

the fact remains that telling everyone with access to your accounts

you are away a good idea as it can easily tip people off that you

aren’t in.

5. Think about what you

leave on and off

Depending on how long

you are away for, it

might be worth turning

off the gas and water

and making sure most

electric sockets are off

too, just in case. Talk to

your plumber if you are

unsure of how to turn

things off and whether

it’s a good idea.

Finally, if you are away

for more than 30 days, check your insurance – not all policies will

cover your property if you are away for that length of time.

For more help and advice on keeping your property secure and

useful checklists, then visit www.propertychecklists.co.uk or

email your query to [email protected]

Making sure your home is safe for the summer holidays

1

2 3

45

TOP TIPS WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 35

A straw bale building that was constructed at the Grand Designs Live event hosted by TV star Kevin McCloud at London’s ExCeL centre is being auctioned.

The eco-friendly building – suitable for many uses, such as

an office, guest room, studio or teenage crash pad – has a guide price of £5,000-10,000

Leading straw bale building company Straw Works is selling the 4m by 3m energy-efficient hut that can be used all year round with little or no heating.

It is among the Essex and North and East London lots listed for sale by the regional land and property auctioneers Clive Emson this month (July).

Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer

and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “This is yet another unusual lot for us following our sale of a former nuclear bunker earlier this year.

“The building is built to a high standard with natural materials – straw bale walls and sheep’s wool and wood fibre board insulated roof and floor.

“Its clay and lime plasters create a healthy atmosphere with no toxic gases and the building will keep cool in

summer and warm in winter as long as it is positioned facing south.”

The building requires some finishing – clay plaster inside and an external finish of lime render – and a quote can be

obtained from the seller.The purchaser will need

to arrange delivery and have access for a low loader vehicle. The building is being stored in Suffolk and viewing is strictly by appointment.

REDUCED PRICE PUTS STAMP ON POST OFFICE INVESTMENTA Post Office and convenience store, three-bedroom maisonette and semi-detached garage in Billericay are up for auction with a reduced freehold guide price of £290,000.

The property in the popular Grange Road parade of shops is among the Essex and North and East London lots listed for sale by the regional land and property auctioneers Clive Emson this month (July).

The property is let at a total rent of £23,260 per annum.

Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said:

“This property is in a popular part of town and comes with the advantage of a guaranteed return once the sale is completed.”

The shop consists of a retail area with Post Office counter and storage area. At the rear is a courtyard. A double length

garage with up and over door is behind the property.

Communal stairs lead to the maisonette from the rear of the premises which has a dining, room, living room, kitchen and small

balcony at the rear. The second floor includes three bedrooms and a bathroom.

There is potential to split the maisonette into two separate flats, subject to all the necessary consents being obtained.

GOING UP IN THE WORLD FOR TWO-BED FLATA two-bedroom former local authority flat on the third floor of a high-rise block in Dagenham is up for auction at a guide price of £100,000-£110,000 leasehold.

The self-contained apartment, with security entry system, is in Hawkwell House, Gosfield Road – just off the A124 and within two miles of Chadwell Heath railway station.


Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “I am expecting a lot of interest for this flat in such a popular area.”

The flat has the remainder of a 125-year lease from 2002.

LAND NEXT TO FARM UP FOR AUCTIONA freehold parcel of land at South Ockendon is going up for auction with a guide price of £15,000-£20,000.

The 0.04 hectare (0.09 acre) plot adjoining Ponds Farm on Purfleet Road and close to the A13 is currently used as a storage yard.


Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “This land is likely to interest anyone who can see the potential in possibly obtaining planning consent in the future.

“Land is always popular at auction. These plots may be used for recreational and amenity purposes or the new owner may have an alternative use in mind.”

Last month’s round of five Clive Emson auctions across southern England, of which the Channels Golf Club was one, raised £21m, with an 83% success rate.

Paul added: “It was our best June auction series since the heady days of 2006 and comes on the back of political stability, record-low borrowing costs and an improving economy.

“The shortage of new homes and the increased demand for rented property is fuelling demand - the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors predicts that average house prices will rise by 25% over the next five years.”

The independent company holds eight rounds of auctions at five locations from Essex to Cornwall on consecutive days every six weeks, this time with a total of 145 lots.

Starting at 11am, the fourth of Clive Emson’s regional Essex and North & East London auctions in 2015 takes place at the Channels Golf Club, Little Waltham, Chelmsford, on Wednesday, July 22.

LOTS of properties going under the hammer in Clive Emson’s July Auction Britain’s top land and property auctioneers forthcoming auction takes place on July 22.

LOT 1 LOT 2 LOT 4

FLAT WITH EASY TRANSPORT LINKSA conveniently-situated three-bedroom ground floor flat in Westcliff-on-Sea is to be auctioned with a leasehold guide price of £100,000 plus.

In an established residential location, the Fleetwood Avenue flat is in easy reach of shops, main roads, railway stations at Westcliff-on-Sea, Prittlewell and Chalkwell and London Southend Airport.


Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “This flat, with vacant possession, would make an excellent investment opportunity having previously been let at a rent of £8,700 per annum.”

LOT 3 -EX-STRAW-DINARY BUILDING MADE OF BALES

LOT 5

A lovely ground floor maisonette in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, is up for auction with an amazing leasehold guide price of £120,000 plus.

The two-bedroom property, being sold on the instructions of bankruptcy trustees, is just half a mile from the town’s mainline railway station.


Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “This is a lovely flat, with use of the garden, up for an amazing price – and with vacant possession.”

LOT 6 - LOVELY FLAT AT ‘AMAZING’ PRICE LOT 7

IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITY AT END OF TERRACE HOUSEAn established three-bedroom end of terrace house in need of modernisation in Westcliff-on-Sea is going up for auction with a freehold guide price of £160,000 plus.

The Hainault Avenue property is close to shops and amenities, a mile-and-a-half from three mainline railway stations and within easy reach of London Southend Airport.


Paul Bridgeman, auctioneer and former president of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “I am sure this property will generate great activity in the auction room. “It will suit a purchaser looking for a modernisation project as a possible investment opportunity.”

Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright (2014). All Rights Reserved.

Licence Number LIG1016. Plans are for location purposes only.

Five Day Sale - 145 Lots22nd July - Essex, North & East London 23rd July - Kent & SE London 24th July - Sussex & Surrey 27th July - West Country 28th July - Hampshire & Isle of Wight

AUCTION

Catalogue Hotline

0330 024 1044

View Lots/download catalogues at cliveemson.co.uk

LAND & PROPERTY AUCTIONEERS

Guides are provided as an indication of each Seller’s minimum expectation. They are not necessarily figures which a property will sell for and may change at any time prior to Auction. Unless stated otherwise, each Lot will be offered subject to a reserve (a figure below which the Auctioneer cannot sell the Lot during the Auction). We expect the reserve will be set within the guide range or no more than 10% above a single figure guide. Please check our website regularly at cliveemson.co.uk, or call 01622 608400, in order to stay fully informed.

BIL

LER

ICA

Y, E

SSEX

Our next auction will be held onWednesday 22nd July at 11am

at The Barn, Channels Golf Club Little Waltham, Chelmsford

where these Lots will be offered for sale

Entries are continuously invited for our forthcoming auctions. Our next five-day auction series covering Essex & London, Kent to Cornwall and Isle of Wight to M4 will be in September with a closing date of 19th August 2015.

For professional friendly advice contact Paul Bridgeman or Martin Hardy on 01245 205778 Email: [email protected]

WES

TCLI

FF-O

N-S

EA, E

SSEX

SAW

BR

IDG

EWO

RTH

, HER

TS

WES

TCLI

FF-O

N-S

EA, E

SSEX

Vacant Ground Floor Flat Guide: £100,000 Plus EPC: D

End Terrace House for Improvement

Guide: 160,000 Plus EPC: TBC

Vacant Leasehold Masionette Guide: £120,000 Plus EPC: TBC

The UK’s leading independent regional land and property auctioneer Clive Emson have

expanded with an office covering Essex and North & East London, with an experienced

auction team from the local area.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of buying or selling at auction call Clive Emson

Land and Property Auctioneers.Mixed Freehold Investment

Guide: £290,000 Plus EPC: domestic - E and commerical - C

Vacant Self Contained Flat Guide: £100-110,000 EPC: D

Freehold Parcel of Land Guide: £15-20,000SO

UTH

OC

KEN

DO

N, E

SSEX

LondonRoad

1

NewCottages

EversleyRoad

N

0m 25m 50m 75m

Land 1 New Cottages, London Road, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex

Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Licence number 100022432. Plotted Scale - 1:1250

Parcel of Green Belt Land Guide: £110,000 Plus

PITS

EA, E

SSEX

DA

GEN

HA

M, E

SSEX

Straw Bale Building Guide: £5-10,000

MO

VEA

BLE

Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright (2015). All Rights Reserved.

Licence Number LIG1016. Plans are for location purposes only.

38 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM ACCESSORIES

A hound night’s sleepRichenda Oldham goes in search of canine comfort and fi nds there are some seriously luxurious beds out there for discerning dogs...

If you were to spend around 12-14

hours each day sleeping, you’d

make sure you chose a comfortable

bed, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s how

long dogs spend actually asleep. For

30% of the day they are awake, but

inactive, which leaves just 20% to run

around and exercise.

So it makes sense to improve the quality

of a dog’s life by providing them with the

best possible bed, based on the simple (but

commonsense) principles of warmth and

softness.

There are an unbelievable number of

different types of dog bed on the market,

from pads and mattresses to solid foam ‘nest’

style beds or even sofas, so it’s a good idea to

evaluate your dog and his needs fi rst before

going shopping. Even if your dog is allowed

to share your chairs and bed, there will be

times when you won’t want him to, but if he

has a great bed of his own, he might actually

prefer to sleep there...

A simple checklist could be:

• Breed

• Size

• Age

• Habits

CLEANLINESSUnless you are prepared to buy a new dog

bed every time your pet’s bed becomes too

dirty and smelly to bear, then washability

has to be top of a list of must-have dog bed

features. It’s also important to control fl eas

by keeping the bed clean.

Check to see whether a dog bed is machine

washable, or at the very least if its cover can

be washed.

DESIGNIt’s important that you choose a style that

suits your dog. It’s not just a simple case

of big bed for big dog and small bed for

small dog. Some dogs like to curl up tight

in round beds with raised ‘doughnut’ sides,

which makes them feel secure, while others

like to stretch out, in which case a mattress

or pillow design is a better choice. Other

dogs like to sleep under a blanket, in which

case a ‘cave’ bed

(with a cover that is already attached) is

ideal as it allows the dog to burrow beneath

the cover.

For old dogs with stiff joints, a well-

padded bed that is easy to climb in and out

of is essential, while for a dog that feels the

cold, a raised bed (off the fl oor and out of

draughts) with high sides, will help keep it

warm.

For anyone tempted by a ‘designer’ sofa

style bed, which will generally have a solid

frame, covered in either leather, or fabric,

make sure that your dog isn’t a serial

chewer. The same applies to rattan beds,

which are irresistible to some dogs.

LADY IN RED: beechwood frame dog lounger, ideal for smaller breeds such as terriers, spaniels, pugs

or poodles, £229, www.inspaces.com

FURRY FRIEND: what dog could resist snuggling up on

this luxurious faux Silver Fox fur dog bed? Fofo bed by

Sasha & Me, £129.99, thepetbusiness.co.uk

COVER STORY: use this Molly Mutt dog bed duvet to cover an old dog bed or fill it with redundant pillows to make a smart new bed for your pooch, £16.99, www.easyanimal.co.uk

COUNTRY CLASSIC:

Harris Tweed and leather basket

on wooden bun feet, available in a choice

of colours, £295, www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

SNUG AS A BUG: for dogs who love to sleep under a cover then a bed with a cosy pocket

to burrow under is ideal, Charley Chau snuggle bed, £65, www.charleychau.com

BASKETWEAVE:

this smart Charley Chau

raised dog bed is hand made

in greywashed rattan and

demonstrates that it’s possible

to combine canine comfort with

trend setting design, £210,

www.charleychau.com

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

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

Standard Sanitaryware and are fully tiled with Porcelanosa tiles

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

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

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

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

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

Tel : 01923 251799Email: [email protected]

www.leavalleyhomes.co.uk

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

ShowhomEopEn

wEEkEndS onlyfrom

march 7th-29th between

11am-3pm

prices from £610,000

Changes to mortgage rules

in 2014 have made it more

difficult to get a home loan.

Lenders are now asking

more questions as part of

your mortgage interview

and are analysing your

spending habits more closely than they have

ever done before in order to ensure your

new mortgage is affordable to you.

A report in the Daily Mirror has also

revealed that lenders are turning to social

media to check that applicants are telling

the truth in their applications. So, how

could your LinkedIn profile or Instagram

account sabotage your mortgage application

– or even send you to jail.

USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO IDENTIFY MORTGAGE FRAUDSpecialist trade magazine Mortgage

Solutions has revealed that lenders are

increasingly turning to social media to

establish that mortgage applicants are

telling the truth. Underwriters at banks

and building societies are browsing your

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other

social media accounts to make sure that the

information you give to them is correct.

The Daily Mirror recently reported a case

where a lender found an applicant claiming

to be a UK resident only ever posted photos

of Dubai on their Instagram account.

Mortgage broker Dominik Lipnicki says:

“Whether you’re applying for a job or you

are applying for finance, especially a big

commitment like a mortgage, what you put

on the internet can be available to everyone.

Take your job history on LinkedIn. Lenders

can see if you’ve just recently resigned after

saying you’re in full employment, or even

if you have ill health. Or if you’re posting

about a messy separation on Facebook, but

you told the lender you’re applying on a

joint income.”

HIDING INFORMATION COULD LAND YOU A TERM IN PRISONWhile it may make sense for you to be

discreet with your private life, Lipnicki

stresses that the answer is not to hide

important facts from the lender. He adds:

“Clients should be aware that lying on an

application form is committing mortgage

fraud. It’s not just a case of being turned

down, it could be much more serious.”

Keith Osborne, editor of new homes

website Whathouse.com agrees. He says:

“Tweaking your application to make it look

more favourable to a lender might seem

innocent enough but it could land you in

big trouble. Pretending you have fewer

children to meet affordability

rules or exaggerating your job is

considered mortgage fraud and if

you are caught you could end up in

prison.”

He adds: “Trying to pull the wool over a

lender’s eyes often won’t work, especially

if they can access information about you

through social media. A better idea is to

change your spending habits before you

apply for a mortgage and to keep your

current account in good order.”

Why your mortgage lender might be checking you out on social mediaIf you’re applying for a mortgage, make sure your social media revelations don’t scupper your chances, warns Nick Parkhouse

40 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM MORTGAGES

VIRIDIUMCamberley, Surrey

Luxury collection of 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments.

To book an appointment

call: 01276 66693

*Available with Help to Buy subject to terms and conditions

• Award winning development 2015 FTB awards

• Gated entrance with parking

• Stunning spacious apartments with Balcony or terrace

• Carpets included

• Luxury fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms

• Help to Buy available

JUST 5%DEPOSIT*

HODSONDEVELOPMENTS

Prices from

£285,000

your property, our business

01252 356000

Why choose ELM Group?• Higher sales & rental values achieved with our outstanding

property management service

• We advise & assist with RTM & self-enfranchisement setup for our clients

• We offer bespoke leasehold property management to our clients

• Advisory head-lease setup service for developers

• ELM Group are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Homes & Communities Agency

• Two months FREE property management fees on a minimum fixed one year contract

We are proud to present our partner for sales & lettings in the South East of England www.martinco.com

[email protected]

Ethical Leasehold Management – leading the way in leasehold property management Ethical Leasehold Management – leading the way in leasehold property management

Whathouse Property section - Issue 39 MIE

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