Is now the right time to sell?

Figures from August show UK mortgage borrowing increased by the largest amount since the economic crash and should be taken as another sign that the housing market is heating up.

According to the Financial Times mortgage lending rose £3.4bn. The amount of new mortgage approvals for house purchases have reached an 18-month high of 71,000, according to figures released last Tuesday by the Bank of England.

Approvals for mortgaging also rose in August from the previous month as home owners sought to lock in current low interest rates deals.

Expert analysts are constantly warning that a shortage of supply on the market has been driving up values, especially in the London and Greater London Area.

With this in mind, if you are thinking of selling now is the perfect time to come to market before the Christmas market hits and buyers slow down. If you are about to come to market or already selling and you are without a buyer, call us to find out more about these findings and how our results back this information.

Sam Kamali | Diretor of Residential Sales

0208 396 6717 (option 1) | sam@newtonhuxley.co.uk

The new regulations for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in residential properties aims to save more than 20 lives every year which is great news! Here's what you need to know about the changes in legislation:

1. From October 1st 2015 all residential tenancies must be fitted with one smoke alarm per floor, and one carbon monoxide alarm for every solid fuel bruning appliance.

2. It is the landlords responsibility to ensure that alarms are installed, tested and in working order on the day their tenancy starts, not before or after.

3. Failure to adhere to the new legislation can result in a fine of up to £5000.00, although councils are required to provide 28 days notice to the landlord to rectify any breach before doing so.

If you have a tenancy that started after the 1st of October 2015 or are preparing your property for a let in the future, we are more than happy to offer further clarification and discuss the steps we have taken to ensure our clients and tenants are protected.

There have also been changes to the Section 21 notice legislation which may effect a landlords ability to end a tenancy, for more information please contact us on 0208 396 6717 or email lettings@newtonhuxley.co.uk, otherwise keep a look out for next feature.

If you are looking to let you property in Molesey or the surrounding areas and would like to know more about our flexible service levels, please contact Len Taylor on 0208 396 6717 or email len@newtonhuxley.co.uk.

Having tried (more than once and counting!) the recentley opened Cavan Bakery on Walton Road in East Molesey we just had to write a blog about this brilliant bakery. Commercial manager Suze Drew was kind enough to speak with us…

For those that don't already know, what is the Cavan Bakery?

Cavan Bakery sells hand crafted bread, baked through the night, traditional buns, cakes, hot savouries, freshly made sandwiches and great coffee!

When was the company started?

We are primarily bread specialists, having been baking since 1929. We have been trading since 1929 and the business is now run by the third generation of the Cavan family.

Who runs the business on a day to day basis?

The business is run on a day to day basis by Managing Director, Jeff Greenall (husband of Sarah Cavan, granddaughter of David Cavan who started the business in 1929), Sales & Catering Director, Wendy Paterson and Suze Drew, Commercial Manager.

What attracted you to Molesey for the next shop?

Since relocating our main bakery and Head Office from Hampton Hill to Molesey in 2012, we have been looking for a suitable site for a shop.  When looking for the right site, we need to consider footfall, parking etc and although on the tiny side, 83 Walton Road is on the school run route, has a bus stop right outside and is a popular thoroughfare for tradesmen needing a good lunch whilst visiting Trade Paints, the Electrical shop and DIY shop.  It is a tight community of supportive residents and other traders, keen to see businesses succeed so a good site for our 8th family-owned shop.

What do you personally like about Molesey?

I am biased as I live in Molesey so knew a great local bakery is just what (I) and everyone else needed! Molesey is a small village where everyone knows everyone and word of mouth is key – it's a special place where residents will support local businesses if they're giving people the products and service they want.  Everyone who lives in Molesey that I know is keen to make the High Street as appealing as possible with as many thriving independent traders as possible.

Writing this has given us a craving for some sausage rolls. If you haven't tried them yet you are missing out!

Promotional offers

Choose a FREE bun with every freshly ground coffee or hot chocolate purchased before 10am.

Start a sandwich loyalty card and receive a stamp for every sandwich/filled roll/filled bap purchased – every 10th sandwich is FREE!

Buy 4 cakes and choose a 5th for FREE (offer doesn't include jam doughnuts).

Cavan Bakery, 83 Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 0DP

Tel 020 8941 5512

info@thecavanbakery.co.uk

Open 7am – 4.30pm Mon to Fri and 7.30am – 4.00pm Sat

Want to feature your local business in Molesey? It's completely free to do so!

Call 0208 396 6717 or email len@newtonhuxley.co.uk 

The Jewel Box in East Molesey has been established since 1976. Here's what owners Vera and Andina told us about their charming shop.

What does the Jewel Box sell and what additional services do you offer?

"We sell 9ct gold and silver jewellery, pulsar and lorus watches, handbags, costume jewellery, purses, wallets, scarves, seiko clocks, photo frames, candles and believe it or not…. so much more!"

Do you offer any specialist services?

"Watch and Jewellery repairs are our main focus. This includes watch straps, batteries, restringing pearls and beads and clock repairs."

When did The Jewel Box first open it's doors?

"Next year we will be celebrating our 40th year of trading. My mother and father came to Molesey from Blackheath, London in 1976."

Who serves your customers?

"My mother, Vera and myself (Andina)."

What inspired you to open The Jewel Box?

"It's our family business. Coming from London, Molesey certainly is a nicer, friendly and safer environment."

What's is it that you love about Molesey?

We love the fact it has a village feel, and our customers have been coming to us for so many years, we have their children as customers as well!

Want to speak to Vera or Andina?

Call them on 0208 941 1766 or 07702 020 652

Email at thejewelbox113@hotmail.com

Get your business featured here for free! Contact us.

This is great news right? Absolutely! But it is highly advised to proceed with caution.

It is vital you instruct an agent who understands what lies ahead and has the necessary measures in place to see you through to the finish line. With the increase in sales activity the legal process is not likely to be in a position to keep up. With the land registry preparing to take over the property search process, local authorities are refusing to invest in the technology and resources required to improve the current system and as staff are leaving not a lot seems to be going ahead in terms of replacing them.

The predictions are this will be an ongoing obstacle home movers could be looking at dealing with for the next 10 years.

It is because of this that our team at Newton Huxley deal with recommended and approved solicitors, take extra care when agreeing sales, and stay on top of the progression as this is the most vital part of the process that needs an agent to deliver and work effectively.

The average national fall through rate for 2015 is reported to be as high as 27.5% to date, to find out more about how we operate differently from other agents, achieving a fall through rate of just 12.5%, please contact us on 0208 396 6717 or click this link to go to our valuation page and book your appointment today.

What Is It?

Pretty much the same as any ISA, a savings account allowing individuals to hold cash free of tax on dividends, interest, and capital gain. The BIG difference being that the government will give you a 25% bonus on anything you save. This is capped at £3000 meaning you will need to save £12000 to get the maximum benefit.

How Quickly Can You Save?

Initial deposits are capped at £1000, with maximum monthly payments of £200 per month. So to get to the maximum of £12000 would take 4.5 years. The government will pay 25% bonus on any balance over £1600.

Are You Eligible? 

Unlike the Help To Buy scheme this ISA is only available to first time buyers. You can also combine ISA's if you're buying with another first time buyer.

When Can I Start Saving?

The Help To Buy ISA will be available from Autumn this year and new accounts should be available for the next 4 years.

The average asking price for a flat in East Molesey is currently just over £300,000 so for those of you buying together this could really make a difference. If you are considering making your first purchase and would like some advice on how best to proceed, please contact our sales department on 020 8396 6717 and press option 1.

Royal Mail have submitted planning application that if successful, threatens the existence of Langley Records in Molesey, a locally known record store that has been established for over 40 years. 

Owner Geoff Langley, 79 opened the shop on Walton Road, Molesey nearly 42 years  ago and the store holds thousands of valuable and rare vinyl records. "I will probably  have to retire, I cannot imagine I will find another place like this and there is nothing  in Molesey that measures up". Mr Langley said.

In ongoing disputes Royal Mail even cut off the heating to the premises during the  winter in 2013. Around 14 years ago a rental figure was agreed years after the  original lease had ended. Mr Langley says he has paid every penny of it and that  Royal Mail have even started refunding payments in light of the new planning  application.

 Both Mr and Mrs Langley were diagnosed with cancer during this time and Mrs  Langley passed away from the disease in 2007. Mr Langley said "Royal Mail thinks it  is going to get everything its own way but I don’t think it will – it’s worth fighting  for".

 If you agree with Mr Langley you can help by adding comments on the Elmbridge  Council planning application site 

If you are currently considering Selling or Letting a property, you will no doubt be exploring local agents and arranging valuations. You will be asking them how much they believe your property is worth, what commission they charge, what experience they have in your area and so on. There's no need to ask where they will advertise your property because we all market properties in the same places right?

Since the launch of Rightmove back in 2000, buyers and tenants have been able to access nearly every single property available in their chosen area with a few clicks. At first Rightmove and Zoopla (FindaProperty at the time) presented a low cost to agents of around £1 per property per month, and estate agents across the country embraced these new lead generators with open arms. Gradually however, agents became dependent on these property portals and soon the related costs began to rise into the hundreds and now thousands of pounds per month.

Now this may seem like bad value for money for estate agents, but consider this. The average price of a property in Molesey for example is over £500,000, let's say a typical high street agent will charge 1.5% to sell your property, a commission of £7500. This agent could sell 1 property per week and still generate a profit, even with the significant cost of the property portals. Sounds like good value for money to us!

However some agents felt this was not the case, and so OnTheMarket.com was formed. Founded by a group of some of the industry's biggest players, this new property portal has been launched to bring prices down for estate agents nationwide and to put a stop to Rightmove and Zoopla's duopoly of online property marketing.

Why should you care about this?

Rightmove and Zoopla state that over 90% of buyers and tenants look for property online first, before going into a local branch and before picking up the phone and calling agents in the area. When your property goes to market, it is essential that this 90% of your target audience can find your property! If your agent does not advertise online you are almost certain to have to wait longer for a buyer/tenant and will most likely not achieve the best possible price.

The majority of agents that have decided to move their properties to OnTheMarket.com to save themselves money have dropped advertising with Zoopla.co.uk, as Rightmove is widely regarded as the most effective property portal. If your agent advertises with OTM instead of Zoopla.co.uk your properties exposure to potential buyers and tenants will be approximately 95% LESS by comparison according to data released by Hitwise.

Your property will have to be listed with OnTheMarket.com for a year compared to 3 weeks on Zoopla to be seen by the same amount of potential buyers or tenants. So while local knowledge, experience, and competitive commission rates are important. They are worth nothing if your agent is not advertising your property correctly. It is in your best interests when searching for an agent to Sell or Let your property, that you make sure they are on both Rightmove and Zoopla first. You will ensure you get maximum exposure helping you to get an offer quickly and achieve the best possible price.

For more information on how to ensure the best marketing for your home, please call us on 0208 396 6717 or email info@newtonhuxley.co.uk

Residential Sales

Since December 2014 asking prices in Surrey have increased by 4.1%, although this increase is now showing signs of slowing down, demand for property is still high as shown below.

This impressive level of demand for property in the KT8 area leaves an average of over 59 home buyers per property. This is sure to keep the housing market in Molesey strong throughout 2015.

Residential Lettings

Government are promising more regulation within the rented sector, just one of many signs telling us that generation rent is here to stay. Locally, the KT8 postcode offers great choice and reasonable rent prices compared to neighbouring towns as listed below, further increasing popularity in the East and West Molesey areas.

If you are considering Selling or Letting your property with an Estate Agent in East Molesey, and require a specific valuation and market appraisal. Please contact us on 0208 396 6717 or email info@newtonhuxley.co.uk

ALL VALUATIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND OFFERED WITHOUT OBLIGATION

Recent reports from Rightmove state that since the peak in June 2014, asking prices have decreased by 0.4%, hardly a cause for concern.

With the election drawing ever closer, and with buyers facing more hoops to jump through when applying for a mortgage, hitting the property market with as much instant exposure as possible is more important than ever. This means: High Quality Photography, getting your property listed on major property portals Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation. Furthermore, (and we know how "salesy" this sounds) making sure your agent is proactive and has a hunger for success. Photography and extensive advertising will generate interest in your property, but if the agent is not motivated in converting these enquiries into viewings and offers you will miss out. The first 2-3 weeks of your property hitting the market is when you are most likely to achieve the best price for your home.

If you are considering selling your property in East Molesey, West Molesey, Thames Ditton, Esher, Walton On Thames, Hersham or Surbiton and would like a free valuation please contact us on 0208 396 6717 or email sales@newtonhuxley.co.uk

Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing from you soon!