June 13

Just moved a client into their retirement down sized cottage. It was lovely to see the relief that means they do not need to struggle with a larger property. I wish them every happiness.

The sun shone over the two Bank Holidays but it did not bring out the vendors for property in the area. Some new properties have been forth coming but nothing to get really excited about. No wonder that purchasers are becoming depressed.

Getting ready for the Game Fair at Ragley Hall (www.gamefair.co.uk) from Friday 19th – Sunday 21st July. This year our Stand is in ‘Bond Street’ Stand number A0035. It is very close to entrance C. Do come and visit us.

April 13

Easter has come and gone, the wind is still coming from the East, nothings growing and I have just heard my first complaint from a farmer saying they need rain!

Agents report they are holding back the launching of properties so they can wait for better photos for the brochures. I still think there is a general lack of quality properties.

Have picked up a new client wanting to be within 20 minutes of Ilmington. They want a good family house with a bit of land.

3rd March 2013

Warwickshire life March edition has run my ‘Property Life after Divorce‘ article. This gives advise to divorcees on their options in the property market in what is always a very difficult time.

Continuing to see off market properties and saw a absolute gem in Northamptonshire over the weekend. Sadly it was too big for my clients but it would be a lovely family home for some one.

Early February 2013

Have been busy over the past couple of weeks.

Firstly The Sunday Times have been in touch three times and so I have been quoted in their ‘Home’ section twice , 27th January and 8th February. The first article was about the best 10 High Streets and they picked Shipston on Stour. This very pretty town on the edge of the Cotswolds deserves to be there. As there is no large out of town super market the towns many small retailers thrive. My quote was then picked up by  The Stratford Herald and repeated by them. The second article was an article about the London commute which included Banbury in Oxon. Banbury has very good communications as the train is now only 54 minutes to London Marylebone and the town sits on junction 11 of the M40.  I have also been asked for my views on Market towns and there is another Sunday Times article coming out in which Henley in Arden will feature.

House viewings continue and I have seen two very exciting off market properties in the last few days. These properties will come onto the market later in the year but my clients are having the first opportunity to snap them up before they do so. Viewings with them have already taken place and discussions continue.

Stop Press!!

I have just heard that Strutt & Parker are opening a new office in Summertown, North Oxford. They are taking over the former Carter Jonas offices, who have moved closer to the centre of Summertown. This new office is going to be run by Mark Smith, who formally ran the Knight Frank office in Oxford but who for the last few years has been a Search Agent like us.

Mid January 2013

Things are moving! Had enquiries from the UK and the USA and have signed up a new client who is looking for a Contemporary home in the Cotswolds or North Oxfordshire circa £1.5m. Knight Frank in Stratford report that they have had accepted offers of £5.4 million worth of property already this year! Snow has arrived so have had to cancel viewings today but hopefully will be back up and running early next week.

Off Market Properties – January 2013

Happy New Year! The Agents are starting to be in touch over properties that will be launched in the Spring but I and my clients can see them now! Various different types especially Equestrian Properties with land.

Mid December 2012

Met up in Bicester Village with my new Associate Director for Buckinghamshire, Heidi Wright. Heidi will be reporting to Regional Director Catherine MacAllister. I very much look forward in working with her with those joint clients wanting to commute from Bicester North to Marylebone.

More HS2 news

The Sunday Telegraph, 9th December, 2012, reports that ‘The Government’s main justification for its HS2 rail scheme has been demolished in secret figures released to the High Court last week’. it goes on to say that ‘… the business case for the line has already collapsed’.

What with the various legal challenges going on this is going to run and run!

HS2 news.

HS2 has been in the December 2012 news again with Harry Cotterall the Chairman of The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) calling for a radical overhaul of the compulsory purchase system. The CLA Midlands Regional Director, Caroline Bedell, which covers Warwickshire says that the current system is inefficient and unfair.

November 2012

I am delighted to welcome my new Stacks neighbour Rachel Johnson. Rachel has taken over Northamptonshire from Catherine MaCallister. Rachel and her husband Rob were clients of mine and so I moved them into the area. We are very lucky to have her on board as she has experience of both sides of the fence.

Early 2012

I signed off my last Marketing report by saying that while things were generally slow and would not improve before Christmas the Estate agents were reporting that they were valuing numerous properties that would be launched in January and February 2012.

Wrong!

Where are all the properties? Estate Agents are currently scratching their heads at the lack of properties coming to the market.

Normally at this time of year the agents are run off their feet trying to win mandates for the spring launch but in 2012 this is not happening. “After Easter” is the cry. “Do you know this is going to happen or are you hoping?” I reply. “Oh hoping” is their only answer. Country Life magazine would normally have double the pages of property at this time of year but this spring it is not happening.

And why is this? Some vendors are still hanging on for the pre 2007 prices while others cannot find what they are looking for to move on. Now it is more important than ever to be ahead of the game and keep on top of what is available and what may come to the market.

The same properties that were over priced last year are being re launched this spring at similar prices – they were too expensive then and are too expensive now. Don’t get me wrong a good quality property will fly off the shelf at a good price but at the moment they are few and far to be seen and it is more important than ever to be in a position to proceed and not be reliant on a sale or a chain. If you are serious buyer get yourself into a cash position and don’t miss the boat.

Now that the government have announced the HS2 plans and route vendors and buyers are in a position to make a much more informed decision on their future plans. Property on the route will be much more affordable and those that can put up with it will get much more for their money. One must not forget that there will be great disruption while it is being built and people who have to commute across the route to get to their work either directly or to a rail station will be inconvenienced for a few years.

Property values west of the HS2 and west of the M40 in North Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, but commutable to Banbury or Bicester North stations, will see their values held up.

Rental prices are holding up as more buyers are getting themselves into a cash position while current house sale prices are holding up due to a lack of good quality stock available.

More and more enquiries to me at Stacks give a school as their main requirement to live in an area. “…..no more than 20 minutes to Winchester House at Brackley” or “…..we are going to be using the Oxford Schools”. Therefore if you are not using these local facilities as your children have moved on or other then take advantage of the situation. I have buyers for your house!