Conducted by estate agency organisation, Relocation Agent Network amongst its members, the survey found that nearly three quarters of members* would recommend sellers make home improvements before placing their property on the market.

Adding Value to Your Property
The survey reports that the kitchen is the most likely room to be improved by sellers, which is just as well, because 80% of responding agents indicated that the heart of the home is the most important room to do up. The bedroom was voted the least important, with over half of survey respondents stating so+.

At Chancellors Estate Agents, we recommend that you ensure your entire property is as well presented as possible, but this recent Relocation Agent Network survey is a good indication of where to focus your DIY attention! For more tips on how to prepare your property for a sale, see our last month’s blog: Increasing property value when selling your house.

About Chancellors Estate Agents and the Relocation Agent Network
The Relocation Agent Network is a national network of specially selected estate agents and invites the very best agents to become members. Chancellors are Relocation Agent Network’s appointed ‘Local Expert’ in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, London, Oxfordshire and Surrey, meaning we can guide you through the selling process. View Chancellors profile on the Relocation Agent Network website here.

Relocation Agent Network is a division of Cartus, the premier provider of global relocation services, with nearly 160,000 customers moved worldwide every year. In the UK, Cartus uses Network members to buy and sell homes for these relocating families. As well as relocating families moving with Cartus, Relocation Agent Network helps house movers in other parts of the country by referring buyers and sellers from one area to another.

Contact
Find out more about what our membership to The Relocation Agent Network really means here or use our branch finder to contact one of our branches now.

* 72% of survey respondents would recommend sellers make home improvements before placing a property on the market.
+ 55% of survey respondents indicated that the bedroom was the least important room to improve, with regards to adding value to a property.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

The case for the high speed rail link focuses on the new line being able to offer the capacity needed to meet the increased demand for long distance rail, freight and commuting. Journey times would be cut and companies would find it easier to network, recruit workers, find customers, specialise and become more productive.

But due to the uncertainty of the route and timescales for the development, which may take up to a decade, many have been affected by the plans. The National Audit office has now reviewed the proposals and raised questions about the economic benefits of the link as well as the level of funding that may be required, intimating there could be a £3.3 billion black hole in the cost of construction. Across the county action groups will be encouraged by the report which seems to support many of the arguments against the proposals and casts doubt over the viability of current plans.

However, ministers have fought back. They feel they have made good progress recently, announcing the full route up to Leeds and Manchester, being successful in recent legal challenges against the project and putting two Bills into the Queen’s Speech.

Currently in the HS2 corridor, the project is making things tricky for people whose homes lie just outside the compulsory purchase zone due to the uncertainty of the works. There is going to be major traffic disruption when the work starts and, in the meantime, the route has moved a number of times. Whilst there is no firm start date and lots of objection, it is delaying many people’s plans to move, even those who may be marginally affected.

There’s a lot of money at risk here, and people’s homes and lives too. The first train is due to run in 13 years’ time. There will be many, many more arguments before then.

How are you affected? Share your views with us on our Facebook page.

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Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

If you have unwanted clothes taking up wardrobe space or sitting in a bag waiting to go to the charity shop, why not turn them into a selection of new clothes at the swap shop? Drop between three and six items of clothing at the Artsforevery1 Centre between 18:00-20:00 on 23, 27 or 29 May in exchange for the same numerical value (3 items of clothes = 3 vouchers to exchange on the night). No shoes or accessories please.

On 30 May, the evening starts at 19:30 and finishes at 22.30. Entry is £3 with highlights including the swap shop, a DJ, fully licensed bar and stalls offering art, cooking, cakes and jewellery plus much more. Come and support the event – some of the ladies from Chancellors High Wycombe branch will be there too.

If you are considering selling or letting your High Wycombe property, or are looking to buy or rent in the area, please contact our High Wycombe branch on 01494 445433. We can arrange a free, no obligation market appraisal of your property or you can view the High Wycombe properties for sale here and the properties for rent here.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

Chancellors Headington has been instructed as the lettings agent on a property with an environmentally friendly wood burning central heating system. Wood burning central heating works by fuelling a back boiler fire that is connected to central heating which heats the radiators throughout the property. The fire needs to be lit each morning and wood added to it throughout the day. No gas is required and hot water is provided from a water tank with an immersion heater. During the summer, there are additional electric oil radiators in each of the bedrooms if the tenant prefers not to have the fire lit.

Once the wood is sourced, it has to be prepared, seasoned and chopped. The landlord of this Headington property has already been through this time consuming process and has a year’s supply of wood ready and stored for the new tenant. Not only is this ready the moment the new tenant takes the keys, it is also included in the rent!

The environmental benefits were a major factor in the owner’s decision to install the wood burning system, commenting, “Perhaps there is a part of all of us that is attracted to the nice smell and homely look of a roaring wood fire and imagines what it would be like in one’s own living room….so four years ago when we were having a loft conversion, I decided this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something different. It was ‘out’ with the mains gas and ‘ in’ with the integrated sealed system wood burner with back boiler. It felt like a risky step into the unknown but I have never regretted the decision to put this unusual choice of renewable heating in a suburban setting.”

Jonathan Pincott, Associate Director of Chancellors Headington office, is delighted to be marketing the letting of the property and is anticipating significant interest from the busy Headington summer market. Jonathan explains “This detached, four bedroom property is located in central Headington within walking distance to Bury Knowle Park, shops and hospitals. It is a unique opportunity to live in a property within Oxford City that has a renewable primary heating system. With the property available from September it will appeal to the many academic visitors arriving in the city and families’ moving to take advantage of the excellent schools Headington has to offer.”

For further information about this property or to arrange a viewing, please contact the Lettings team at Chancellors Headington on 01865 765000. You can also view a full list of properties to rent in Headington here.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

April property sales
The number of new sales applicants (potential property buyers) registered with us in April is up 80% compared to April 2012, and viewing numbers are up by 31%.

Market Appraisals booked are up 30% which has translated into an 18% increase on properties coming to the market.

These figures support the latest Bank of England findings that show the number of mortgage approvals for house purchase bounced back in March as activity picked up in the homebuying and remortgaging markets.

If you are looking to buy a property or would like an appraisal on your existing property, contact your local branch here or complete this form and we will call you back.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

Why is Didcot so good for investors?

1. Didcot transport links
The local transport links are excellent and a number of major supermarkets have their distribution centres for the South East close to Didcot. As the town is in the heart of the South, it has easy access to the A34, M4 and M40. Didcot Parkway train station is a gateway to the whole of the South with both London Paddington and Bristol Parkway accessible in under an hour. Currently undergoing a £6.7m refurbishment, it is expected that the number of passengers using Didcot Parkway will increase from the 2.7 million recorded in 2011/2012. Just beside the station is Didcot Railway Centre which is a very popular tourist attraction. The accessibility for tenants working in London, Reading, Oxford and Bristol continues to sustain a high demand for rental property.

2. Increasing number of tenants looking to move into the area
There is also an increase in the number of tenants employed locally in the area. Just a few miles from Didcot is Diamond Light Source and Harwell Science Centre which employ over 4,500 people. Both science centres are world renowned so there is always an influx of scientists relocating to the area. Even closer is Milton Park which employs over 6,500 people across 200 organisations.

3. Shopping and leisure in Didcot
The Orchard Shopping Centre in Didcot is now a popular place, attracting people from the local towns of Abingdon and Wallingford and surrounding areas. Didcot Town has been much improved now boasting more than 30 stores including Argos, Sainsbury’s and Next, cafés, restaurants, an entertainment centre and cinema.

The Orchard Centre in Didcot

© Copyright Steve Daniels and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

For all these reasons, Chancellors Estate Agents in Didcot have seen a significant increase in the number of investors looking to buy in the area and many of our existing landlords are increasing their portfolio. Our lettings team has achieved some record high rents and in many cases landlords are receiving multiple offers. With Chancellors’ close links with local companies we are often contacted when they have employees moving to the area.

To talk to our local experts about investment property for sale in Didcot and the surrounding area, please contact Chancellors Didcot on 01235 811921.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

Located just a five minute walk from the town centre, the Fleur de Lis development features high specification internal finishes with spacious accommodation. Many of the two bedroom apartments offer the flexibility of the second bedroom being ‘opened up’ to the lounge by the use of doors that slide into the wall space, offering an expansive living/dining room option.

Exterior view – computer generated image

The communal facilities feature a well-appointed and furnished owners’ lounge with its own library and kitchen, ideal for socialising with friends and family. The lounge overlooks the secure landscaped grounds where you can sit out, relax and enjoy. There is also a guest suite for your visitors should they wish to stay overnight and a lift to all floors. Built by Renaissance Retirement, the apartments will be managed by a Development Secretary who will ensure the smooth day to day running of the Fleur de Lis.

The Owners’ Lounge – computer generated image

Abingdon is a picturesque market town sitting on the bank of the River Thames. The focal point of the town is the old market square which features outdoor cafes and events. The old high street and newly developed shopping precinct have a range of local and national shops and restaurants, and there is a large retail park close by. The Whitehorse Leisure Centre offers daily ‘Health Walks’ run by trained volunteers and there is also an 18 hole golf course nearby. Frequent, local bus services run to the popular high street, old market square and shopping centre as well as to the beautiful city of Oxford. There are also good road links with the M4 and M40 motorways close by.

For further information or to reserve your apartment, please call Rowan Waller at Chancellors Abingdon Office on 01235 524505.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.

You can choose to live either by yourself or share with friends in an apartment with ensuite rooms. The communal areas are shared by just 4-6 students and feature comfy sofas, flat screen TVs, and modern kitchens. A limited number of high-spec studio apartments are also available.

From £166.50 per week, rent is inclusive of utility bills and broadband internet access.

Mansion Mews also has a CCTV system and secure door entry to the grounds and buildings. The property is served by a dedicated on-site Hospitality Manager and maintenance team who are able to help you during office hours.

For more details on this Oxford student housing or to reserve your contemporary studio or room, please contact Steven Graham, Lettings Manager at Chancellors Estate Agents, East Oxford on:

01865 240842

…or to arrange a viewing, click here and we’ll call you back to arrange a convenient time.

These accredited, nationally recognised qualifications give clients confidence they are dealing with a qualified property professional that has the competence and knowledge to confidently handle transactions from instruction through to completion.

These staff will join other employees across the Chancellors Group who are already ARLA qualified, and there are many more that are currently undertaking the ARLA training. Chancellors have invested heavily in this professional qualification for their residential lettings staff and are proud of their employees’ hard work to meet the exceptionally high standard that these qualifications demand.

Chancellors Group Managing Director, Robert Scott-Lee, explains “In a challenging and competitive marketplace it is important for clients to have peace of mind that they are dealing with a qualified professional who adheres to a strict code of conduct.” He adds, “By investing in the education of our employees, we are building teams of well-informed staff who inspire client confidence in our lettings process.”

The Chancellors Group are licensed members of ARLA and you can find out more about the benefits of dealing with an ARLA member at www.arla.co.uk.

If you are looking to rent or let your property, contact one of our branches here.

Chancellors have been heavily involved in the advertising for the event, funding and distributing 10,000 promotional leaflets and erecting many promotional boards throughout the town.

Gareth King, Sales Manager of Chancellors Surbiton office, is enthusiastic about their involvement, “We are proud to be able to support this first ever food festival for Surbiton. It is a great event for the local community and through our advertising hope that as many people of Surbiton as possible will be part of it.”

The full programme for the festival is on the website www.surbitonfoodfestival.org.

If you are considering selling or letting your Surbiton property, or are looking to buy or rent in the area, please contact our Surbiton branch on 020 8390 7033. We can arrange a free, no obligation market appraisal of your property or you can view the Surbiton properties for sale here and the properties for rent here.

Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.