haart Sunday Supplement Three Counties January 2014

January 2014

supplement

Stunning semi detached houses Top choice terraces Pick of the Rentals

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Impressive - that’s the only way to describe this ...

Feature property

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Copse Hill, Welwyn, Hertfordshire This beautifully designed four/five bedroom detached chalet bungalow, in a pretty rural lane, offers very flexible extended accommodation.

Downstairs is a hallway, office/fifth bedroom, TV room/ fourth bedroom, living room leading to a large decked area outside, 27’ kitchen/breakfast room and shower room. Upstairs is the en suite master bedroom with fitted wardrobes, two further bedrooms and family bathroom.

The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn and the front garden has a lawn, high hedge and shingle drive with space for four or five cars.

Conveniently located for both the A1(M) and Luton Airport.

All property details are correct at date of publication.

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Key Features • Pretty rural position • Flexible four or five bedrooms • Plenty of off road parking • Good sized rear garden

£600,000 haart of Welwyn Garden City 01707 322222

Minister’s fact finding visit on Help to buy Brandon Lewis, a minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, visited the head office of haart’s parent company Spicerhaart to discuss the impact of Help to Buy, a Government-backed initiative to help people buy a home.

Mr Lewis, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met Spicerhaart’s Chief Executive Paul Smith and Chairman John Spence.

Paul Smith said: “Help to Buy has contributed to renewed confidence in the housing market.

Helping more people, usually first time buyers, afford a home of their own is important.”

Said Mr Lewis: “It’s good to hear first-hand how Help to Buy is working in practice. The message is clear that it is helping but not fuelling a house price bubble which is very positive.”

branches in England and Wales and more than 2,000 employees including 350 in head office in Colchester.

High Street brands include haart, Chewton Rose and Spicer McColl plus Felicity J Lord in London, Darlows in Wales and Haybrook in the north of England.

You can find out more about Help to Buy at www.haart.co.uk/buying/help-to-buy.

Elsewhere Spicerhaart remains concerned that successive Governments have still not acted to make law the licensing of estate agents.

Mr Smith said: “As reputable agents we fully train our staff but anybody can set up as an agent in this country, without training or qualifications.

For customers’ sake, this must stop.”

Spicerhaart is Britain’s largest independent estate agency business with more than 200 Pictured (left to right) are Paul Smith, Brandon Lewis MP and Will Quince, prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Colchester.

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Higher commuter fares damage mortgage savings On average, around one half of mortgage savings achieved by moving out of London are wiped out by the cost of an annual London season ticket, says new research by haart.

Hot spots for those with an eye on saving are Southampton (arriving at Waterloo) and Southend (arriving at Liverpool Street).

The average mortgage saving in Southampton when compared to London is approximately £12,908 and, with the £4,308 cost of an annual season ticket, the saving is £8,600. The commute to London takes around one hour and twenty minutes at peak time in the morning.

In Southend the average mortgage saving compared to London is £11,840 and the average season ticket cost is £3,236. This makes for a £8,604 saving and a commute of around one hour and ten minutes.

Living in Oxford or Cambridge in a property of average price and commuting will actually see you out of pocket by £2,132 and £430 respectively due to average property prices surpassing the £350,000 mark and season tickets well in excess of £4,000 per annum.

Leamington Spa also offers lower annual savings of £2,043 due to its comparatively high average property price and season ticket price well in excess of £7,000.

Paul Smith, haart Chief Executive, said: “With the price of an annual season ticket spiralling upward and

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property prices showing no slow down, people who are prudent with their money will need to factor in the decreased mortgage payments alongside the increasing cost of commuting.

“Certain towns and cities are already feeling the ‘London effect’, particularly the traditional University towns, so increasing property prices and higher mortgage repayments are insignificant and fail to negate savings through commuting.

“Although by living in regions which are already thriving you will undoubtedly benefit in terms of quality of life, cash savvy commuters may choose to look to locations like Southampton which are more on the up-andcoming side - where you can make a real saving through living out of the capital.

“Ultimately, moving regionally may not be as beneficial as you think given that around one half of mortgage payment savings are negated by the cost of commuting and you’re stuck with an hour, weather permitting of course, commute to put the cherry on the cake.

“For a couple who both live regionally the annual cost of travelling in to London could mount up to £10,000, which may ultimately discourage people from moving out.”

Pick of the bunch

Pick of the bunch

Harrier Way, Waltham Abbey The owners of this beautiful four bedroom detached family home have had 11 great years raising their family in these sumptuous surroundings but have decided now is the right time for them to move on. They refurbished the property to what it is today and wow what a place it is. The fitted kitchen has cream units and contrasting granite work surfaces. There is a study and ground floor cloakroom. The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom which has a three piece suite and is finished with Travertine tiles. This delightful home needs to be viewed. ÂŁ475,000 haart of Waltham Cross 01992 764444 All property details are correct at date of publication.

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Pick of the Rental Properties

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Take a look at some of the hundreds of properties to let with haart. From just £625 per month, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Henman Close, Kempston

Filgrave, Olney near Milton Keynes

Chasewater Crescent, Broughton, Milton Keynes

Kempston is the place to be right now in Bedford!

This one bedroom coach house apartment is in a fantastic condition and you can move straight in.

Accommodation comprises entrance hall, open lounge/kitchen, fitted bathroom and bedroom.

This newly refurbished five bedroom detached home was originally a farm house and offers great country views! Key features include stone fireplaces in the study/dining room, a large reception room and hallway, a modern kitchen/dining area and a master bedroom with en suite and balcony with garden views.

Expect to be impressed when you enter this fully furnished apartment. Features include two double bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom, fully fitted kitchen, generous reception/dining room, balcony and allocated parking.

haart of Milton Keynes 01908 669261

£625 per month

haart of Bedford 01234 363493

£3,500 per month

haart of Bedford 01234 363493

£795 per month

Greenways, Abbotts Langley Hawker Place, Walthamstow Otterspool Lane, Watford A fabulous four double bedroom detached family home boasting a large lounge/diner, spacious conservatory, modern kitchen with appliances, four double bedrooms, two bathrooms and driveway parking for at least three cars. £1,795 per month haart of Hemel Hempstead 01442 246610

Modern one bedroom apartment located in the popular Cannock Court development.

Accommodation includes a spacious open plan living area, large bedroom, bathroom and plenty of storage.

This well presented flat comes unfurnished with use of the residents’ only gym and has access to maintained communal gardens. Offering excellent transport links and benefitting from a concierge service. £850 per month

All property details are correct at date of publication.

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haart of Walthamstow 020 8521 5906

This tastefully refurbished, Grade II listed property is surrounded by woodland, fields and the River Colne. Accommodation includes a large open plan living area with under floor heating, separate kitchen and utility room with downstairs cloak room. Upstairs there are two good sized bedrooms and a modern bathroom. £1,450 per month haart of Hemel Hempstead 01442 246610

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Terraced homes

Little London, Deanshanger This modern four bedroom end of terrace house is located in a popular village and has no chain. Key features include large lounge, modern kitchen and en suite shower room to the master bedroom. The historic coaching town of Stony Stratford is nearby, with the A5 and Milton Keynes a short drive away. £220,000

haart of Milton Keynes 01908 666888

Brackley Road, Bedford

Icknield Area, Luton

Extended and improved family home with loads of family space. The kitchen in this three bedroom end of terrace house has been refitted and looks amazing!

Conveniently located just two miles to the town centre, trains, shops and entertainment. £190,000 haart of Bedford 01234 218281

This four bedroom mid-terrace property is surprisingly spacious. Inside there is a lounge, dining room, kitchen, en suite master bedroom, two further bedrooms and shower room. Outside in the rear garden is a one bedroom self-contained annex, ideal for guests. A double garage and plenty of off road parking complete the picture. £199,950 haart of Leagrave 01582 569020

All property details are correct at date of publication.

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Semi Detached Homes

St Anne’s, Luton

Ripon Way, Borehamwood

Within walking distance of the mainline railway station and town centre, is this three bedroom semi-detached family home. Key features include its south facing garden and brick fireplace in the lounge.

Only rarely does a property like this - with great views over Ripon Park - come on the market. This three bedroom semi-detached house has separate living and dining spaces, a downstairs WC, lean to, conservatory, 60’ rear garden and plenty of off road parking to the front.

£179,995 haart of Stopsley 01582 455011

£345,000 haart of Borehamwood 020 8953 1212

Popes Road, Abbots Langley A four bedroom semi-detached home with no less than three bathrooms/en suites. Extended to the rear to provide a lovely living room, this property is in a popular village location with great schools close by. £425,000 haart of Abbots Langley 01923 269444 All property details are correct at date of publication.

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Family homes

Stockbreach Close, Hatfield This three bedroom detached home, in a quiet road close to amenities and the university, could be perfect for a young family joining the property ladder. It benefits from off street parking for two or three cars and a rear garden with shed and electricity.

OIEO £270,000 haart of Welwyn Garden City 01707 322222

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The Grange, Green Lane, Burnham

Sefton Road, Stevenage

This large link-detached family home ticks all the right boxes - fitted kitchen, utility A magnificent detached Georgian-style five bedroom home in a private gated room, two large reception rooms, four generous sized bedrooms, family bathroom, development of just three detached properties. Key features include a truly ground floor WC and garage to the rear. stunning handmade bespoke kitchen, heated swimming pool and double garage. £230,000 haart of Stevenage 01438 723579 All property details are correct at date of publication.

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£850,000 haart of Burnham 01628 605555

Apartments/Flats Live the high life in one of these awesome apartments available through haart.

Glenrose Avenue, Ravensden

Rodeheath, Luton

Looking for a quiet village? This smart two bedroom apartment with open plan living space is tucked away in Ravensden but is only 2.5 miles from Bedford town centre. The property comes with the convenience of an allocated parking space.

OIEO £140,000 haart of Bedford 01234 218281

This well presented one bedroom apartment, within a modern development in the popular Challney area of Leagrave, is offered with allocated parking and would make a perfect first time purchase. The M1 and Leagrave railway station are close by. £85,000 haart of Leagrave 01582 569020

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Shirley Road, Abbots Langley

Bosworth Court, Bath Road

This wonderful one bedroom apartment combines character and style with good size living rooms and well maintained communal areas. £149,950 haart of Abbotts Langley 01923 269444

A two double bedroom first floor apartment with open plan living area, en-suite and garage. Ideal for access to the M4 and Burnham train station. £215,000 haart of Burnham 01628 605555

All property details are correct at date of publication.

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A bumper year for Magic Moments

Magic Moments is very dear to our hearts – and we’re not talking about the song or boxes of chocolates.

It’s our charity dedicated to helping terminally sick children and their families.

Every year our employees ride bikes, run marathons, climb mountains and organise raffles, tea parties, car boot sales, boat races, sky dives, bake-offs and more to raise cash for the charity.

Donations pay to take as many children, their siblings and parents as possible to Disneyland.

And in 2013 we helped more families than ever before - 200 people were taken to Paris for four

days at the end of last year with all spending money included.

The trip comprised four families nominated by each of the 12 children’s hospices we support in England and Wales.

One family, who travelled with their terminally ill little girl, summed it up: “Thank you Magic Moments for an amazing trip.

You provided us with exactly what we wanted memories to last a lifetime.

“Most importantly we did the trip with both our girls.

Isobelle will forever remember visiting Disney with her little sister Skyla, long after she has gone, and that for us means more than we can say.”

Magic Moments was set up in 1998 and has raised almost £800,000 to date.

Find out more at www. magicmomentscharity.co.uk.

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