• Be prepared
• Establish an open and honest relationship with an agent you know you can trust
Prior to early 2020, the housing market was influenced by various economic and political factors, making it generally consistent during this period but without much impetus.
However, the past year has seen a dramatic change bought about by the reaction to the pandemic. The reaction has been a change in attitude to lifestyle and working regime. Options on work environment combined with a marked emphasis on the benefits of living in a more rural environment has created enhanced buying and selling across the South.
This shift to buying in the country is one that had already started but has been greatly and exceptionally hastened by the pandemic. Over the past 10 years the South has been an increasingly popular destination for those looking to make the move out of London.
Now the reaction to the events and advice of the past year has ‘opened the floodgates’ and we suspect that the desire to move to the country will continue for the foreseeable future.
And so, to buy or sell in such a dynamic environment our main advice is to be prepared and establish an open and honest relationship with an agent you know you can trust. Agents such as The Country House Company, who are long established in the South and used to selling to the London market, understand exactly what is involved and how to make the move a smooth transaction for vendor and purchaser. If you are looking to put you house on the market then gather together as much information as you can on the house, its workings and history.
Be guided by your agent; transactions will take longer during such a busy time but experienced agents will expertly manage the expectations of both parties and keep everyone informed of the process. Keep communication channels open throughout and react to requests for information as quickly and as comprehensively as possible.
For full advice on buying and selling please contact Kate Porter on 02392 632275 email Katep@countryhousecompany.co.uk
Available for sale through The Country House Company is this beautifully presented two bedroom cottage in the center of the picturesque village of Buriton. This delightful home has an abundance of charm and character and a comfortable arrangement of accommodation.
On entering across a flagstone floor, you reach the cosy sitting room which has an attractive Inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove and oak mantle.
Beyond this room is the generously sized kitchen/dining room with quarry tiled floor, beams, Rayburn and a good selection of fitted cabinets. There is ample room for a dining table and French doors open out onto a patio and up into the rear garden. There is also a utility/cloakroom.
The first floor presents two double bedrooms and a stylish bathroom with bath and separate shower.
A further staircase leads up to the attic room, currently used as a study/occasional bedroom.
Accessed from the Kitchen is a pretty sun terrace with steps up to the South Westerly facing garden. This is a particular feature with beautiful mature beds, lawn and additional seated area to the rear adjacent to an attractive flint wall.
Virtually opposite the cottage at the front, is a detached tandem garage and workshop which has power.
For full details please see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk or call 02392 632 275
Situated in Langrish, close to Petersfield, this equestrian property has approximately 3 acres of grounds including paddocks, stable block and a detached double garage with studio. The home itself is a stylish 4/5 bedroom barn which has been extensively refurbished by the current owners and finished to a high specification with light, spacious accommodation.
This stylish home offers an attractive arrangement of versatile, contemporary accommodation with high specification fixtures and fittings throughout. On the ground floor, on a split level, is the impressive open plan principal reception room which includes the contemporary kitchen with dining area and stunning sitting room with vaulted ceiling, attractive exposed timbers, multi fuel stove and fully glazed full height apex panel with bifold doors.
Accessed from this room, are two mezzanine areas currently arranged as a bedroom and family room.
The remaining bedrooms are positioned on two floors and are separated from the main living space via an inner hallway with two on the ground floor, with a family bathroom and separate cloakroom and two further bedrooms on the first floor, one with the benefit of an en suite shower room.
The property is slightly elevated and positioned in a courtyard style setting. There is private parking for several cars which leads to the detached double garage. The garage has a studio over which could possibly be fully converted (STPP) to provide ancillary accommodation if required.
Steps rise to the garden which is laid mainly to lawn with raised terrace, mature shrub beds and ornamental tree specimens. The paddocks with block of 4 stables are accessed from the garden with a field gate at the far end onto the lane.
Langrish is surrounded by protected countryside and there are footpaths and bridleways in abundance, yet it is easily accessible to Petersfield.
For full details see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk or call Gemma on 02392 632275
In November we sent an email to all Landlords detailing the new electrical regulations that came into force for all new tenancies from June 2020 and that the same regulations will come into force for all existing tenancies from 1st April 2021.
As 1st April rapidly approaches, the below clarifies these regulations.
In very simple terms as from 1st April 2021 private landlords must ensure:
• Electrical safety standards are met when the property is occupied during a tenancy.
• Every fixed electrical installation at the property is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
NB: Where the most recent report requires an inspection and testing to be at intervals of less than five years, it must be at intervals specified in that report.
If an existing certificate was done longer than five years ago, regardless of whether it is valid for 10 years, it will not be applicable for these Regulations. Consequently, to comply with the Electrical Safety Standards the existing EICR must be less than five years old (dated back five years from when the tenancy agreement was signed).
Please also note that to meet the electrical safety standards, the inspection and test of the installation must be carried out in accordance with the eighteenth edition of the wiring regulations BS 7671:2018 (the national standard to which all domestic wiring must conform).
Following the inspection and testing a landlord must:
1. Obtain a report that includes the results of the inspection and test, and the date of the next inspection and test.
2. Supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant at the property within 28 calendar days of the inspection and test.
3. Supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant before the tenant moves in and to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for the report.
4. Retain a copy of the report until the next inspection and test is due as well as supply a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test.
For full details please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities Or https://www.arla.co.uk/
Situated in Langrish, close to Petersfield, this stylish 4/5 bedroom barn has been extensively refurbished by the current owners and finished to a high specification with light, spacious accommodation. Externally it has approximately 3 acres of grounds including paddocks, stable block and a detached double garage with studio.
This stylish home offers an attractive arrangement of versatile, contemporary accommodation with high specification fixtures and fittings throughout. On the ground floor, on a split level, is the impressive open plan principal reception room which includes the contemporary kitchen with dining area and stunning sitting room with vaulted ceiling, attractive exposed timbers, multi fuel stove and fully glazed full height apex panel with bifold doors.
Accessed from this room, are two mezzanine areas currently arranged as a bedroom and family room.
The remaining bedrooms are positioned on two floors and are separated from the main living space via an inner hallway with two on the ground floor, with a family bathroom and separate cloakroom and two further bedrooms on the first floor, one with the benefit of an en suite shower room.
The property is slightly elevated and positioned in a courtyard style setting. There is private parking for several cars which leads to the detached double garage. The garage has a studio over which could possibly be fully converted (STPP) to provide ancillary accommodation if required.
Steps rise to the garden which is laid mainly to lawn with raised terrace, mature shrub beds and ornamental tree specimens. The paddocks with block of 4 stables are accessed from the garden with a field gate at the far end onto the lane.
Langrish is surrounded by protected countryside and there are footpaths and bridleways in abundance, yet it is easily accessible to Petersfield.
For full details see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk or call Gemma on 02392 632275
Chapel Cottage is a unique and stylish 3 bedroom semi-detached cottage situated in Buriton in The South Downs National Park.
This attractive home was constructed using a blend of traditional methods and has been designed for modern, low maintenance living making it the ideal property for busy professionals, second homers or downsizers.
The accommodation is well presented throughout with contemporary styling and includes on the ground floor an integrated garage, which could be converted to provide additional living space if required (STPP). The first floor provides the ideal entertainment space with the dining room open to the living room which has doors to a private balcony/terrace. There is a well fitted kitchen with range cooker plus an elegant master bedroom with en suite shower room. On the second floor there are two further double bedrooms and a bathroom.
In addition to the balcony on the first floor, the property benefits from an additional terrace to the front and private parking.
Buriton is situated within The South Downs National Park with footpaths from the village connecting to magnificent countryside surrounding the South Downs Way making it ideal for those looking for the country lifestyle with the comfort and convenience of easy access to Petersfield and the A3. The village itself has a thriving community with primary school, public house, a village hall and church whilst Petersfield benefits from extensive amenities and train services to London.
For full details please call Kate Porter, Head of Sales on 02392 633 026 or see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
As a new week begins it is always exciting to have new properties to rent and to buy. Three new properties have been launched today.
Available to let is an immaculately presented 2 bedroom cottage in the heart of the Test Valley village of Goodworth Clatford, near Andover. This modern detached property is finished to an extremely high standard with top quality fixtures and fittings throughout and offers bright, spacious and flexible accommodation. It is set within the grounds of the main house and has its own plot with a large private terrace and garden to the rear and good access to local walks.
Available for sale is a unique and stylish 3 bedroom semi-detached cottage situated in Buriton in The South Downs National Park. This attractive home was constructed using a blend of traditional methods and has been designed for modern, low maintenance living making it the ideal property for busy professionals, second homers or downsizers. The accommodation is well presented throughout with contemporary styling and includes on the ground floor an integrated garage, which could be converted to provide additional living space if required (STPP). The first floor provides the ideal entertainment space with the dining room open to the living room which has doors to a private balcony/terrace. There is a well fitted kitchen with range cooker and staircase to the second floor where there are two further double bedrooms and a bathroom.
Available to let in Privett is a 2 bedroom semi detached cottage with a small pretty annexe/home office. The cottage has a spacious open plan living area with wood burning stove and a well fitted kitchen with a range of units incorporating an inset induction hob and double electric oven. The pretty one room vaulted barn annexe has underfloor heating, wifi hub and water supply making it ideal as a home office or for additional accommodation. There is a good sized garden and a single garage with light and power. The cottage is situated on a farmstead with outlooks over open countryside.
For full details on these and other properties available please call 02392 632275 or see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
The Greening Campaign, a national campaign started in Petersfield, Hampshire, was designed and established to give communities the tools to be more sustainable in the face of climate change. It is about communities and landscape and Sue Crossley; Founding Partner of The Country House Company, is heading the Greening Campaign in Hambledon.
As the campaign headline states,
If we each make small changes to be greener and cleaner, those changes will add up to make a healthy, richer happier future.
The Greening Campaign provides the structure, resources and guidance to help individual towns and villages join together and work as a community to engage in helping the Climate Crisis.
Working with Winchester Ccity Council and Hampshire County Council, Sue and her team have bought the community of Hambledon together in order to;
• Identify 5 significant changes that households can make to their lifestyle.
• To work as a community to protect the local environment.
• Make a vision for a sustainable community working on sections such as carbon reduction, communication, retrofit, saving water.
• Provide ecology packs that will help to evaluate the risks climate change will bring to the community.
The positive and enthusiastic response from the village to Sue’s initiative to join Hambledon in the Greening Campaign has been hugely encouraging. As Sue said:
“We are all aware that while the immediate crisis of the pandemic dominates our lives the greater crisis of climate change must be addressed and I am delighted that Hambledon has joined with such enthusiasm. The Country House Company will be supporting this brilliant initiative, working with the local and regional community.”
Further details on The Greening Campaign can be found at www.greening-campaign.org
The Greening Campaign, a national campaign started in Petersfield, Hampshire, was designed and established to give communities the tools to be more sustainable in the face of climate change. It is about communities and landscape and Sue Crossley; Founding Partner of The Country House Company, is heading the Greening Campaign in Hambledon.
As the campaign headline states,
If we each make small changes to be greener and cleaner, those changes will add up to make a healthy, richer happier future.
The Greening Campaign provides the structure, resources and guidance to help individual towns and villages join together and work as a community to engage in helping the Climate Crisis.
Winchester City Council, working with Hampshire Country Council, Sue and her team, have bought the community of Hambledon together in order to;
• Identify 5 significant changes that households can make to their lifestyle.
• To work as a community to protect the local environment.
• Make a vision for a sustainable community working on sections such as carbon reduction, communication, retrofit, saving water.
• Provide ecology packs that will help to evaluate the risks climate change will bring to the community.
The positive and enthusiastic response from the village to Sue’s initiative to join Hambledon in the Greening Campaign has been hugely encouraging. As Sue said:
“We are all aware that while the immediate crisis of the pandemic dominates our lives the greater crisis of climate change must be addressed and I am delighted that Hambledon has joined with such enthusiasm. The Country House Company will be supporting this brilliant initiative, working with the local and regional community.”
Further details on The Greening Campaign can be found at www.greening-campaign.org