Property Today

A Gazette supplement

Thursday, February 26, 2009

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Being environmentally friendly, is there any

thing we should think about when buying a

property?

PRIVATE cars produce around 13 per cent of the UKs

carbon emissions. When looking for a new home, think

about how you can cut down the distances you will

need to travel by car which will help reduce climate

change effects. Good public transport links can help

you cut car journeys.

If youre buying a property built since 2002, you could

ask the seller about the propertys SAP rating

(Standard Assessment Procedure rating).

The SAP rating is based on the energy costs associat-

ed with heating, water heating, ventilation and light-

ing. Rating is on a scale of one to 100. The higher the

number, the greater the energy efficiency and the

lower your running costs would be.

When looking at properties, ask whether there is wall

and loft insulation, and find out how old the boiler is. If

the boiler is more than 10 to 15 years old it is unlikely

to be very efficient. Replacing it could save you a third

off your energy bills.

When youve moved in, get advice on how you could

save energy, by doing the Energy Saving Trusts online

home energy check

I would like to find a similar house to the one

I now own but which is a bit bigger as I have

outgrown the one I am in. The problem is I

don't know whether to move house, with all

the hassle that it entails or stay put and

extend.

IF YOURE moving because you need more space, you

might be able to create the space needed within your

existing property through a loft or garage conversion

or extension.

Before you can make this decision, you need to get a

quote for the costs and make sure no planning permis-

sion problems are likely to pop up. It is also a good idea

to remind you that the extension or conversion wont

happen overnight.

You are likely to be living in a building site for some

time and that brings its own stresses and strains. An

estate agent can usually give you a good idea of how

much the changes will add to your property's worth.

Once you have calculated the cost of moving versus

extending, you can make an informed decision about

what to do.

AAnn aaggeennttss

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Justin Allitt, of Allitt

Estate Agency,

answers readers

property questions

In association with Allitt Estate Agency

Send your queries to Justin Allitt at 12 Wood

Street, St Annes, or email [email protected]

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Property team

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SALES REPRESENTATIVE:

Michelle Disley 2735

TELEPHONE SALES: Darren Stacey 2748

COPY PROCESSOR: Tracy McCormaic 2759

Advertising: 01253 361810

Editorial: 01253 400888

EDITOR :

Steve Singleton 2244

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www.propertytoday.co.uk

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propertytoday

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Penalise quick home seizures

MORTGAGE lenders should face penal-

ties for repossessing homes too quickly,

MPs have urged.

The Commons Communities and

Local Government Committee criticised

the precipitate action being taken

against the increasing numbers of peo-

ple getting into arrears.

And it said in a report that attempts

by the Government to limit reposses-

sions cannot be enforced.

It welcomed measures to help secure

mortgage holidays for people who lose

their jobs in the credit crunch and a new

protocol for lenders considering action.

But it went on: We are concerned,

however, that the Government seems

powerless to affect lender behaviour,

with Financial Services Authority

guidelines and the Governments

new pre-action protocol on repossession

lacking enforceability.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has

predicted 75,000 repossessions during

2009, compared to 45,000 in 2008.

Citizens Advice has warned that some

lenders are treating repossession as a

first resort rather than last.

The cross-party committee called for

the Governments new Lenders Panel,

which is to improve the monitor of lend-

ing, to look also at repossession action.

We have received worrying reports of

the precipitate behaviour of lenders

when dealing with customers who have

fallen into arrears with their mortgage

payments, implying a lack of commit-

ment to the principle of using reposses-

sion as the last resort, it added.

We recommend that the Government

use the establishment of its new

Lenders Panel closely to monitor

lenders repossession behaviour.

It should consider what sanctions

should be imposed upon lenders if they

fail to comply with FSA guidelines or

the new pre-action protocol.

The committee raised concerns about

funding for social house-building in

future years after 975 million was

brought forward from 2010/11.

It said the construction target of 45,000

for that year was already inadequate,

while more money would have to be

found even to achieve that.

The committee said a greater propor-

tion of new homes ought to be stipulat-

ed as social housing.

It backed the Governments decision

not to give up its housing targets - even

though they are now unlikely to be met

because of the credit crunch - as they

still reflected demand.

ESTATE agents in Lancashire are

reporting increased sales and activity

in the property sector, according to an

expert.

Now Simon Ainsworth (right), head

of residential property at Napthens

solicitors, can report that the amount

of new work coming into his depart-

ment doubled between December 2008

and January 2009, and February looks

set to top the January figure by anoth-

er 25 per cent.

Napthens have clients locally, region-

ally and nationally from offices across

the county including Springfield Road,

Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn and

Chorley.

The news comes shortly after the

Halifax announced the average price

of UK homes rose by 1.9 per cent

between January and December a

sign which some have taken to mean

that the market is beginning to sta-

bilise.

Even more recently, Northern Rock

announced it was to begin offering

mortgages again to the tune of

14billion over the next two years.

But while the news is positive, Mr

Ainsworth warns that there is still a

long way to go before confidence is

restored and the housing market begins

to get back to normal.

He said: I speak to a lot of estate

agents in the course of my work, and all

are reporting increased sales, and in

one case, massively increased activity

such as viewings, and houses coming

on the market.

This is a marked change from last

year, when even in the usually busy

Christmas period when many house

buyers are rushing to complete sales,

we were seeing nowhere near the lev-

els of previous years.

However, so far in 2009 we may be

starting to see a light at the end of the

tunnel. With the news that house

prices increased in January, many buy-

ers and vendors are looking at the situ-

ation and deciding that prices may not

continue to fall at the same rate as last

year.

This is by no means the end of the

slowdown the market has been facing,

but the industry is hoping that it is a

sign people are beginning to have con-

fidence in the property sector again.

With the news that Northern Rock

is to offer mortgages again, it may

become easier to obtain the funds to

buy a house. One of the reasons the

market has stalled is because first time

buyers simply cannot obtain mort-

gages, and this news could help.


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propertytoday

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FOLLOWING the recent announce-

ment from the Royal Institute of

Chartered Surveyors, who have con-

firmed that property market queries

have increased for the third month, the

National Association of Estate Agents

is confirming a similar story.

The chief executive of the National

Association of Estate Agents, Peter

Bolton King said: Our members

reported a slight upturn in activity

towards the end of December, with

both buyers and sellers showing an

increase in interest.

Furthermore, early indications are

that the market has picked up signifi-

cantly in January.

Hayley Claber, director of the six

office Oystons group said she couldnt

agree more.

January was much busier than

anticipated and February is beating all

expectations.

We have seen investors back in the

market for the last few months and

recently which is really good to see, is a

significant level of interest from first

time buyers.

We had thought until now they

were an endangered species, joked

Hayley.

Our major difficulty at the moment

is the lack of properties coming on the

market.

If you have been waiting to see if the

market improves Oystons advice is not

to wait any longer.

If you are thinking of selling in

Blackpool, Cleveleys or Fleetwood

please call without delay for your free

valuation on Blackpool 622225.

Agency seeks properties

to satisfy rising demand


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www.propertytoday.co.uk Thursday, February 26, 2009


propertytoday

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WITH more than 200 properties

under management and 16 years

experience in letting properties in

the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

areas, Independent Estate Agency is

well placed to advise landlords on

how to make the most of properties

they want to rent.

The demand for rented properties

is so great that Independent Estate

Agency is constantly looking to

increase its list of properties to suit

growing demand.

Within the last few weeks alone,

there have been more than 200

applicants looking to rent who have

been added to the mailing list.

Independent has become the spe-

cialist agent for Thornton Cleveleys

and Anchorsholme area, and is com-

mitted to rent only to quality tenants.

All prospective tenants are inter-

viewed and references thoroughly

checked. Control is the watchword.

If the right tenant is chosen initial-

ly, the possible pitfalls to renting are

eliminated.

Independent Estate Agency offers a

full management service where

eveerything is taken care of, from

property maintenance and repair to

regular inspections and rent collec-

tion.

Alternatively, Independent Agency

offers a tenant finding service where

the same care is taken in tenant

selection and the landlord is free to

manage the property.

Whether you are selling or letting

your property, Independent Estate

Agencys friendly qualified staff will

provide you with an individually tai-

lored marketing package to high-

light features and gain maximum

attention in order to achieve your

sales or lettings objective in the

shortest possible time.

This now includes a part

exchange scheme to further pro-

mote sales during the present diffi-

cult economic period.

If you are searching for a property

to rent or purchase, Independent

Estate Agencys unique easy to nav-

igate website www.ieahomes.co.uk

will assist you to find just the home

you are looking for.

Or you can phone or visit

Independent Estate Agency to dis-

cuss your requirements with experi-

enced and friendly staff.

Telephone (01253) 822227.


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www.propertytoday.co.uk Thursday, February 26, 2009


propertytoday

AA lliiffee ooff lluuxxuurryy

AWARD-winning developers of

new homes, St Annes-based

Newfield Jones Homes remain

positive in the challenging market

conditions.

Regional Director Mark

Chadwick says: We are confident

that our product provides pur-

chasers with luxury accommoda-

tion finished to the highest stan-

dards of design, construction and

specification, there are excellent

deals available at all of our devel-

opments and we will be delighted

to welcome you to visit our show

homes.

The first two months of 2009

have brought a wealth of visitors

to all of Newfields developments

as purchasers are finding there are

some fantastic deals available and

schemes such as Easymove can

make selling your home complete-

ly stress free as expert advice and

100 per cent support is available to

you.

Two of Newfield Jones Homes

prestigious developments available

in the area are Ashton View in St

Annes, a managed development of

beautifully planned one and two

bedroom apartments, and Victoria

Mansions, Blackpool, which offers

two bedroom apartments in an

impressive four storey block set in

landscaped gardens off Newton

Drive.

Ashton View is located on St

Georges Road, right in the heart of

St Annes. Each apartment pro-

vides a fully fitted kitchen with

integrated appliances, a comfort-

able lounge, beautifully fitted tiled

bathroom and many other exclu-

sive features.

The development offers the secu-

rity of a speak and see video

entry system, a 24-hour emergency

call system, a carefully chosen

house manager, two laundry

rooms, two passenger lifts and

guest suite for those occasions

when friends and family visit.

The central location of Ashton

View makes it the perfect location

for residents, allowing them the

independence of being within

walking distance of all local shops

and amenities but surrounded by

the peace and tranquillity of

Ashton Gardens.

Recent purchasers said: We

absolutely love living here, and

have to keep pinching ourselves.

We are over the moon with the

whole lifestyle at Ashton View.

Not only offering comfort and

security, Ashton View offers great

value with prices starting from

only 101,212*. You could have it

all at Ashton View.

Only three exceptional two bed-

room apartments remain at the

Victoria Mansions off Newton

Drive Blackpool. These stunning

homes are finished to the usual

Newfield Jones Homes standard of

excellence and are set within land-

scaped gardens boasting delightful

open views across the playing

fields at the front.

The development features a

secure electronically controlled

entry system and all apartments

have either a garage or allocated

parking space. The apartments are

appealing to a wide range of pur-

chaser all with one common goal;

quality at affordable prices and

with prices now starting at

139,950 there are huge savings

available.

Newfield Jones Homes are sure

you will be delighted with either of

these two fantastic developments

and invite you to visit their sales

negotiators today, who will be

pleased to welcome you to site and

show you around the show homes.

Opening times to visitors are 11am

to 5:30pm, Thursday to Monday

(closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

or alternatively telephone for more

information. Ashton View 01253

721272 or Victoria Mansions 01253

391212.

* Shared ownership scheme where

you can pay 75 per cent of the

price now with no interest or rent

to pay on the remaining 25 per

cent.

GREAT DEALS: Ashton View and (right) Victoria Gardens

2288


nneeww ddeevveellooppeennttss


propertytoday

Buyings never been

better with Chelford

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THE Government has been

urged to kick-start the

economy by investing 6.3

billion into a scheme

aimed at building more

than 100,000 affordable

homes over the next two

years.

The newly-formed 2020

Group said the credit

crunch has meant a col-

lapse in house prices and

lending, a severe drop in

housing building and an

estimated 450,000 job losses

in the construction indus-

try between 2008 and 2010.

The alliance of housing

organisations, unions and

local authorities said build-

ing more homes would give

a desperately-needed boost

to the economy, saving

thousands of construction

jobs and avoiding serious

skill shortages.

Leading economist Kate

Barker, who chairs the

group, said significant

extra financial investment

was needed to keep supply

going, support private

building and create 100,000

new social homes over the

next two years.

She said: Support for

housing today offers excel-

lent value in terms of sus-

taining economic activity,

and reduces the risk of a

very severe loss of capacity

in the housing and related

industries.

There is real concern

that the present fall in

home building is sowing

the seeds of the next

boom.

She added: Social hous-

ing waiting lists are rising.

This package meets a real

and urgent need.

Ms Barker, who sits on

the Bank of England

Monetary Policy

Committee, is a member of

the 2020 Group alongside

the National Housing

Federation (NHF), housing

charity Shelter, the Local

Government Association

(LGA) and the Trades

Union Congress (TUC).

David Orr, chief execu-

tive of the NHF, said:

Without radical action

many people in construc-

tion will lose their jobs,

and up to five million peo-

ple could find themselves

on housing waiting lists by

the end of 2010 this is the

Governments chance to

help us to make sure that

neither of these things

happens.

The call by the 2020

Group comes as Prime

Minister Gordon Brown

and Chancellor Alistair

Darling work on Aprils

Budget.

The group has said it

wants major investment

in house building included

in the Governments fig-

ures as the certain way of

supporting the economy.

Adam Sampson, Shelter

chief executive, said: As

house building dries up

and thousands of construc-

tion workers face the dole

queue, building the homes

this country needs can not

only help the thousands of

people living in poor hous-

ing, it can also give a real

and much needed financial

injection to the economy.

TUC general secretary

Brendan Barber said:

When the private sector

stops spending, the public

sector must fill the gap,

otherwise the recession

will be deeper and longer

than it need be.

With such obvious hous-

ing need, the case for more

social and council housing

is very strong.

PROSPECTS may generally look bleak for

buyers either entering the property mar-

ket or trying to move but with no success,

but not at Westminster Gardens, Kincraig

Road, Bispham or Warbreck Gardens,

Coopers Way in Blackpool.

Chelford can offer an attractive range of

special incentives to assist buyers in

securing and moving into their home.

Chelford will not only show how you

can make that leap but also give you con-

siderable financial, material and moral

support.

Chelfords special packages range from

paying deposits, legal fees, assistance with

the first two years of mortgage payments

and even carpet, curtains and furniture

packages.

As part of Chelfords commitment to

buyers, they can also offer independent

financial advice. (subject to conditions).

With the housing market considered by

some never to have been bleaker, with

Chelford the opportunity for buyers has

never been brighter.

To assist existing property owners

Chelford also offer its highly regarded

part exchange scheme on its range of

attractive house styles (subject to terms

and conditions).

For further information on Chelfords

very attractive incentives to keep the

property market moving, then visit

Westminster Gardens in Bispham open

10.30am 5.30pm Thursday through to

Monday or telephone 01253 350430 or

Warbreck Gardens, Coopers Way open

12.00 noon to 5.30pm Thursday through to

Sundays or telephone 01253 621783.

Advertiser focus

Housing alliance makes

appeal to the Government


DDoonntt mmiissss aa

ggrreeaatt ddeeaall

MOORES Builders are proud to announce their lat-

est release of two-bedroom semi-detached houses

and townhouses situated in Bridge House Road,

Marton.

Prices start from 135,000. Early reservations are

now being taken.

Dont miss this opportunity to buy at pre-build

prices!

Moores are also offering shared ownership, and

all properties come with fitted kitchens and carpets

and fully tiled kitchens and bathrooms.

Showhome opening hours are Monday-Friday

9am-3pm and Saturday and Sunday 1-4pm. For any

more details please contact Michelle Moore on 07813

682467

TOP

SCHEME:

Bridge

House Road,

Marton

Development offers room for a family to grow

FYLDE househunters have the

chance to enjoy a touch of solitude

at Bryant Homes Crossing Gates

development in Wesham, as there is

a large range of detached homes

available to buy.

Such a rare phenomenon in new

homes developments because of

modern density regulations,

Crossing Gates offers a number of

four-bedroom detached homes in a

variety of different styles which are

perfect for growing families.

Regional sales manager Elaine

Smith explained: Crossing Gates

comes as close as it gets to the tradi-

tional family developments that have

been the cornerstone of Bryant

Homes solid reputation.

With todays planning restric-

tions its become more difficult to

build this type of site, so its a joy to

be able to offer homebuyers this type

of prospect. The variety of different

house designs on offer have always

been popular with families.

Nearly all of them base the living

space around a central hallway with

open staircase, and the landing

upstairs.

Wesham is a fantastic location to

set up home and Im sure, in years to

come, will be a place where people

actively look out for the For Sale

boards going up, in the hope one of

day living there.

Crossing Gates is a development of

two, three and four-bedroom homes,

located in the pretty countryside of

rural Flyde, just a few miles from

Preston and Blackpool. Nearby

Kirkham offers all your day-to-day

amenities, including village shops

and a bank. For families with chil-

dren there are good schools for all

ages, with primary, junior and sec-

ondary schools all within the imme-

diate area. Situated just off the A585

on Weeton Road, the development

benefits from easy access to the M55

at Junction 3, which is just a few

miles from the M6 at Junction 32.

Currently available is a collection

of four bedroom detached homes

priced from 241,950. For further

information visit the marketing suite

(open daily between 10am and

5.30pm), call 0845 071 8775 or log onto

www.bryant.co.uk/northwest/

crossinggates


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RReennttaallss rriiddee

oouutt ffiinnaanncciiaall

ccrriissiiss ssttoorrmm

LAST year saw a financial crisis

never before seen in the banking

history which affected the property

market substantially especially with

regards to selling property.

Fortunately one of the few sectors

in the property industry to ride

through this financial upheaval was

the rental market, which if anything

became more stable and stronger

through this uncertain period.

Place2let acknowledges that at

present there are slightly more prop-

erties available at the moment than

there are tenants but because of this

landlords are becoming aware of the

need to be competitive both in the

quality of their houses and realistic

in the rents they expect to receive.

This kind of competition can only

be good for tenants in that they have

a greater choice and place2let are

seeing a vastly improved standard of

home.

This years message therefore com-

ing out of place2let to landlords, is

that 2009 can be a very good year,

regardless of all the negative opin-

ions by financial and political com-

mentators alike, as long as houses

continue to be presented to a high

standard and rents are kept at an

realistic level.

We are now in a extremely compet-

itive market and with all such mar-

kets it comes down to two basic

principles, which are quality and

price of the product and in this par-

ticular case the product being hous-

es.

Place2let will always provide an

honest opinion on what they feel a

property will attain in rent, and also

how it compares in standard to

equivalent properties on the market.

It is only then that place2let can

achieve their aim of renting it out

quickly and efficiently as possible

for their landlords.

STRONGER MARKET: Staff at place2let in Highfield Road, South

Shore

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propertytoday


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propertytoday

HHuunntt ffoorr

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LETTS Rent-A-Home are delighted to

announce the imminent opening of

their new office premises located at the

Waterloo Road/St Annes Road,

Blackpool, intersection.

Watch this space for further details.

Letts report that they are currently

looking for rental properties as there is

no shortage of tenants.

Key points for landlords to consider

with regard to Letts Rent-A-Home

include:

No Let - No Fee

Free no-obligation rental valuation

Competitive rates

Discounts available for landlords

with multi properties

Let only service available

Friendly and professional service

24 -hour service, 365 days a year

Rent guarantees available

All tenants thoroughly vetted

Widespread advertising

All Letts Rent-A-Home properties are

listed on the nationally acclaimed

Rightmove, Propertyfinder.com and

Thinkproperty.com websites and they

feature prominently as the main spon-

sor of the Yell.com Lettings website

for the Preston Directory.

Further advertising is feature4d in

BT - The Phone Book, Yellow Pages

and local property newspapers.

Letts Rent-A-Home attribute much of

their rising success to the production

and airing of an annoyingly memo-

rable jingle which accompanies their

advert on Radio Wave.

For a no obligations, free valuation

and to find out about their competitive

rates please call 08456 12 12 10 or

e-mail letts-rent-a-home@

blueyonder.co.uk

Dedicated Polish line: 08456 25 06 06.

AT YOUR SERVICE: Glenn Priestley, owner of Letts Rent-A-Home

Letting agency wants properties


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FFaarrmmhhoouussee ffeeaattuurreess

FANCY enjoying life down on the farm? This

detached Over Wyre farm house and working

farm is situated within approximately 68

acres of land in a quiet rural location in Out

Rawcliffe.

A vestibule leads into a hallway which has

a large straircase and original tiled floor.

There are three lounges, two having marble

fireplaces and the other a stone fireplace.

The dining kitchen has a log burner.

Additional accomodation is provided by two

futher good sized rooms, a basement and a

separate wc. Upstairs, an open lounge/

landing area has skylights and a coal burner

set within a brick surround.

There are four bedrooms and a bathroom,

together with a further open plan room from

which access to the bathroom and fourth

bedroom are gained. The property also bene-

fits from a basement. Outside there are six

large units.

DETAILS

Summary: Working farm with

detached farmhouse

Address: Markfield Farm, Whin

Lane, Out Rawcliffe

Price: 1,700,000

Agent: Metcalf, 73 Topping

Street, Blackpool (01253)

624047

4400


hhoouussee ccaallll


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BEG-26-02-09-025-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-026-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-027-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-028-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-029-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-030-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-031-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-032-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-033-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-034-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-035-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-037-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-038-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-039-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-040-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-041-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-042-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-043-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-044-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-045-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-046-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-047-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-048-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-049-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-050-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-051-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-052-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-053-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-054-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-055-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-056-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-057-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-058-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-059-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-060-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-061-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-062-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-063-WBEGBEG-26-02-09-064-WBEG

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