2013 house prices to little change

Article provided by Barton Wyatt Estate Agents

Virginia Water

UK house prices rose on the month in November, and are expected to be little changed over the course of 2013, U.K. lender Halifax said Thursday. “Conditions in the housing market have been largely unchanged over the past 12 months with little overall movement in either house prices or sales for the second consecutive year,” said Martin Ellis, the Halifax’s housing economist.

“This stability is remarkable given the poor domestic economic climate and the considerable uncertainty regarding the prospects for both the UK and world economies.” House prices rose 1.0% on the month in November and were 1.3% lower when compared with a year earlier. That compares with drops of 0.1% on the month and 1.7% on the year in November.

The figure was considerably stronger than analysts’ estimates of a 0.2% rise and broke a four month run of falling prices. The lender’s figures were considerably more bullish than those from the Nationwide, which reported house prices were flat in November. Specifically Halifax said it forecasts a change in U.K. house prices of between a fall of 2% and an increase of 2% over the course of next year.

The lender also reported that in the three months to November, house prices were 0.7% lower than in the three months to August, compared with a 1.0% decline in the three months to October. “However, we suspect that any significant, sustainable turnaround in house prices is still some way off.” It was a similar message from Blerina Uruci at Barclays. “So far, supply restrictions and accommodative monetary policy have provided some support to the housing market and prevented prices from falling significantly,” she said. 

Halifax also said that while the economic outlook remains challenging, there are some signs that the Funding for Lending Scheme that rewards banks who increase their lending levels to consumers and small businesses with access to cheaper lending rates. But, the lender warns their outlook is closely tied to the uncertain outlook for the U.K.. “The outlook for the U.K. economy remains highly uncertain. Risks in the global economy remain significant and how these evolve will be key determinants of how activity in the U.K. progresses over the coming year,” Mr. Ellis said.

Rent reaches record high

Article provided by

Virginia Water Estate Agents

The cost of renting hit a record high of £734 a month in August after five consecutive months of rising prices. Average rents in England and Wales rose by 1.2% compared with the previous month, according statistics from LSL Property Services. The average cost of renting is now 2.9% higher than it was 12 months ago, causing rents to rise to record highs in five regions of the country.

London tenants have been worse hit, with rent rising at a rate of 4.9% since August 2011.

Meanwhile, renters in the South East have seen price rising at a rate of 3.9% during the same period.

Wales and the South West are the only two regions where rents have fallen in the past year.

David Brown, commercial director of LSL Property Services, says: “The rental market is right in the thick of its peak season, and the demand from graduates and those starting new jobs has added a new layer of competition on top of the existing pool of frustrated buyers.”

For further information on Virginia Water as well as Letting and Sales market in Surrey, please contact Barton Wyatt.

London Luxury-Home Prices Rise on Lower-Taxed Property

Provided by Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Sunningdale

Luxury-home prices in central London rose at their fastest rate in three months in September, powered by demand for properties that escape a new higher rate of sales tax, Knight Frank LLP said. The average value of a house or apartment in the U.K. capital’s most expensive neighborhoods climbed 0.7 percent from August, according to an index compiled by the London-based broker. The annual increase was 10 percent compared with a 13- month low of 9.9 percent in August.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne raised sales tax for properties valued at more than 2 million pounds ($3.25 million) to 7 percent from 5 percent starting in April. The number of homes sold that weren’t subject to the higher levy rose by 23 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier. That lifted prices in the bracket by about 12 percent, Knight Frank said.

“London’s market performance continues to be aided by overseas buyers, who account for more than 50 percent of buyers in the 2 million-pound plus market,” Liam Bailey, Knight Frank’s head of residential research, said today in a statement.

Russian, Indian, Italian, U.S. and French nationals were the biggest buyers from overseas, the broker said. Foreign buyers accounted for 41 percent of prime London homes purchased for 1 million pounds or more.

Values have risen 51 percent to a record since March 2009, the low point for London’s prime residential market after the financial crisis, according to the report.

Knight Frank compiles the index from its own appraisal values of a sample of properties in the 13 most expensive central London neighbourhoods, such as Belgravia, Mayfair, Kensington and Knightsbridge.

Letting Agents Surrey

Basic Window Dressing Rules to Make More Sales

Are you aware of the latest trend in the retail industry? Why do you think that the retailers are focusing on developing effective visual merchandising? Why is there such a high demand for the visual merchandisers?

The visual merchandising is the latest market norm and its demand is increasing at an accelerating rate. The concept “Visual merchandising” can be best described as the art and strategy of displaying the merchandise in the manner that has an aesthetic appeal that draws the attention of the customers towards the retail store. It basically sets the merchandise of the store in a way that customers get attracted to the retail store and enhance their shopping experience by visiting the store.

In order to develop an effective visual merchandising in the store, the store owners are looking for skilled visual merchandisers who know the art of enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the retail store. The professional needs to be creative and talented so that he can place all the merchandise in proper way so that the customers get attracted to the aesthetic appeal of the store. Hence, the experts need to have passion for design, creativity and innovation so that they can make sure that they are talented and highly skilled visual merchandiser.

Retail Window Dressing

The main visual merchandising duties comprise of working on every aspect of the retail store from the placement of the merchandise to the promotion offers on the merchandise. Therefore, the professional will need to work on attractive window displays, creative signs, aesthetic interior displays and other types of sales promotions that should be offered to the customers. Hence, the professional will have to ensure that everything is properly coordinated which means that the color of the store should be complemented with the display of the products and the stage of the retail shop.

Hence, the professional will also be up-to-date with the fashion world and must be aware of the changes happening in the dynamic environment and market so that the changes can be incorporated effectively. Therefore, the visual merchandisers will have to make sure that they are aware of the latest market trends and they must ensure that everything is coordinated and strategy must be properly designed and implemented.

Sunningdale Estate Agents

Article provided by Sunningdale Estate Agents

Sunningdale is a little village in Berkshire near Ascot, Virginia Water, Windlesham, Chobham, Englefield Green, Winkfield, Warfield and Bagshot. It is best known for its golf course that is accepted to be one of the best in the world. It is also a stone's throw away from another world-renowned golf course at Wentworth in Surrey.

The Sunningdale village's claim to fame doesn't stop with its close association with golf. It is also very close to the Ascot as well as the Windsor racecourses.

The Sunningdale area is well positioned for the commuters with easy access to the M3, M4 and M25 as well as the railway network. Sunningdale is also close to the 2 of the biggest airports in the country; Heathrow and Gatwick.

The are surrounding Sunningdale is also privileged with a range of private and state schools; from nursery schools to secondary schools, such as Charters School. Other well known schools include the Eton College, ACS, TASIS and Papplewick.

Recent statistics indicate that the property prices in Sunningdale near good school catchment areas are higher than the other regions of the country nearly five per cent.

All these factors coupled with the natural beauty of the area have made it a prime location for residential properties; ranging from small cottages to modern luxury apartments; from mid-range town houses to multi-million mansions in addition to the estates within Berkshire and Surrey.

Even though there are a number of national estate agency chains covering the area, there are a couple of independent, family owned estate agents, such as Barton Wyatt Sunningdale estate agents, providing exceptional local knowledge and world class customer service as well.

Game, set and match! Score an ace this summer with the best properties with tennis court at home and abroad

Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Surrey

With the world's best loved tennis tournament, the Wimbledon Championship getting under way on 25^th June 2012 all eyes will be on south west London, in particular the salubrious SW19 postcode.

But, if living close to London's near £1millon+ average asking price (Zoopla June 2012) doesn't quite fit with your budget then why not score an ace this summer at home or abroad on one of these properties with fabulous tennis courts?

 Served up first is a house offering wonderful family accommodation and a tennis court fit for champions -Broomfield House in Windlesham, Surrey. This magnificent family house features a state of the art kitchen and further 6 reception rooms downstairs with a master bedroom with en-suite and dressing room, four further bedrooms (2 en-suite) and a family bathroom on the first floor.

The fabulous grounds extend to almost 1.7 acres and if you have worn yourself out on the tennis court then you can make use of the indoor leisure facilities which include a pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and shower. A custom built bar area is neatly set into one corner where you can rustle up an après tennis Pimms and the fully retractable glass doors lead out onto a terrace.

This stunning property is available for £4,700,000 from Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk for more property for sale in Virginia Water.

Virginia Water takes property millionaire top spot according to latest research from PrimeLocation.com

Article by Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey

Newly researched data from PrimeLocation.com heralds Virginia Water in Surrey as the UK's number one property millionaire hotspot, overtaking last year's top pick Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.

Home to a higher proportion of properties valued at £1 million or above than anywhere else in the country, James Wyatt, partner of Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Surrey comments:

"Brought up in the heart of Virginia Water, I feel very privileged to have lived in this fantastic village all my life. It's no surprise that this area is the number one choice for a millionaire lifestyle especially considering the picture perfect village that borders the famous Wentworth estate; and its well renowned golf club which played host to the BMW PGA tournament just last weekend.

If you do have your eye on a property adjoining the fairways of Wentworth golf course, this privilege spot commands house prices in the region of £5 million and above. "

While the data from PrimeLocation.com lists the location of seven of the UK's top 10 millionaire towns in the South East - the wealthiest region in the UK, Virginia Water seems to be the crème of the crop with a staggering 48.5% of homes valuing at more than £1,000,000.

Nigel Lewis, property analyst at PrimeLocation.com remarks:

"There are a number of factors that have led these UK towns to become millionaire hotspots. Most of these areas are home to a high proportion of spacious and luxurious properties set in a peaceful and exclusive environment, within easy commuting distance of London, but this sought-after combination comes with a hefty price tag.

"Not only is Virginia Water a commuter town offering easy access to the Capital, it's also home to the famous Wentworth Estate which encompasses one of Europe's premier residential areas.

"With a significant proportion of the housing stock being large detached properties, the price of which averages £1,210,326, this affluent area has overtaken Beaconsfield as the UK's hottest £1m+ location."

But what will your millionaire wallet be able to afford in Virginia Water?

Cranberry Cottage Cranberry Cottage priced at a respectable £1,295,000 is the perfect example of a property in Virginia Water that gets snapped up quickly. As a perfectly modernised and extended character property with luxurious bathroom suites and a stunning open plan kitchen/breakfast/family room, this beautiful property is situated in a prestigious leafy residential road in Virginia Water, perfect for a restful and relaxed life.

Arundel  For someone with more money to burn, the Waverley priced at £3,950,000 is a brand new mansion built by luxury developer Danesfield Homes. The house is situated close to the heart of Virginia Water and comprises six bedrooms, six bathrooms, four reception rooms, double garage, private parking and beautiful gardens of approximately 0.60 acres.

Hyale  Or if you are after that exclusive house on the Wentworth fairways then Hyale, is the perfect property, costing £7,950,000. A very grand house opposite the 17th Green of the Championship West Course with 9,376 square feet of luxurious accommodation arranged over four floors with grounds approaching 1.63 acres.

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.