We are going to be open, all being well, for the duration of lockdown.
Keeping safe and making the best of it.
Let us make life a little easier for you…
Our ORDER MENU is gently expanding plus we have now have the beginnings of a pudding section! So, if you ever feel like taking the pressure off and treating yourself to any of our Soups, Stews, Salads, Cakes, Puddings or anything from our Deli Counter do have a browse then call The Bakehouse on 01730 895255 to place an order. Recently added items include:
Red Lentil Dal with Tomatoes, Spinach & Caramelised Red Onions.
Persian Salad with Roasted Butternut, Pomegranate, Black Rice, Herbs and an Orange Dressing.
Mediterranean Vegetable Lasagne – ready to bake in our lovely wooden meal pots with our new sleeves!
The government guidelines for the next lockdown are clear where Estate and Letting Agents are concerned….
“You can still move home……Estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work and people looking to move home can continue to undertake viewings.”
A tweet from housing secretary Robert Jenrick reiterated that the housing market will remain open throughout lockdown. This means;
• Renters and homeowners will be able to move
• Removal firms and estate agents can operate
• Construction sites can continue
• Tradespeople will be able to enter homes
This all reinforces the original government campaign #keepthecountrymoving, a campaign we have obviously actively supported throughout the year.
As we have stated before, with the procedures we have put in place it is possible to safely and efficiently carry our business of selling, renting and managing properties.
Far from being downcast about the month ahead we are ready, we are busy and we are eager to play our part in boosting one of the most important sectors of our economy. The property industry is central to our economy and our homes are central to our lives. So……..keep looking for the right home or exploring the options for your home, and we remain here; the professional experienced experts who can safely guide you through the process.
Marishelle Butler
Leaves are falling rapidly, and wind and rain are on the increase. Tender plants will need protecting from frost, gales and freezing rains. Move plants into the greenhouse, or into a sheltered spot, but if you can’t, it is worth wrapping plants or pots. Remember winter can be a tough time for birds in terms of water and food, so keep supplies well topped up.
Top 10 jobs this month
1 Clear up fallen leaves – especially from lawns, ponds and beds
2 Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging
3 Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year
4 Prune roses to prevent wind-rock
5 Plant out winter bedding
6 Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem
7 Insulate outdoor containers from frost – bubblewrap works well
8 Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees using grease bands around the trunks
9 Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden
10 Use a seasonal bonfire – where this is allowed – to dispose of excess debris unfit for composting
Tips from Royal Horticultural Society
As we go into what is forecast to be a rather wet and windy Halloween weekend why not spend time escaping into The Country House Company website and enjoy looking through the properties we have available for sale and to let.
As the exodus from cities continues our properties often go under offer within days of being launched or at the first few viewings. However, there are still some lovely houses available and more coming to the market daily.
Today has seen the launch of a beautiful 3 bedroom country retreat available to let. Situated in the small hamlet of Colemore close to Petersfield, the cottage is in an ideal location for commuting to London or the South Coast or simply for enjoying country life. The cottage has recently been renovated to a high standard and offers flexible accommodation with the added bonus of a study/third bedroom in the eaves. It sits in a large garden with views, double garage, summerhouse and greenhouse. For full details contact Kate Morton, Head of Lettings on 02392 632275.
If you are looking to buy then keep an eye on our website at the beginning of next week a stylish property in Rogate – full details to follow! Or, if you can’t wait then call Kate Porter, Head of Sales on 02392 632 275.
Marishelle Butler
Orchard Cottage in Newton Valence, is a light and spacious detached home in an idyllic semi rural location within The South Downs National Park. Offered for sale through The Country house Company this attractive home has been in the ownership of the same family for many years. In addition to well appointed accommodation the cottage benefits from superb outlooks, approximately 1.25 acres of grounds, a stable block and garage.
The accommodation Is arranged over two floors and includes a welcoming entrance hall, spacious dual aspect sitting room with open fireplace, and a generous dining room with log burning stove. This room is partially open to the kitchen and if opened fully would make a perfect live in style kitchen/dining/sitting room.
In addition, there is an attractive triple aspect study, a garden room, bathroom, utility and cloakroom. Upstairs on the first floor are three double bedrooms and a single bedroom, a family bathroom and, in our opinion, scope within the existing footprint to create en suite facilities and dressing area to the largest of the double rooms.
The property is approached via a private driveway which leads to an area for parking, a detached timber garage and stable block with hard standing. Steps descend to the property and the grounds surround the house. Formal gardens with lawn and mature shrub borders/beds are enclosed by mature hedging with paddocks bordering open countryside to the westerly boundary.
Orchard Cottage is in Newton Valence, a thriving community centred around the village hall. Neighboring villages include Selborne and East Tisted, both easily accessible and have village stores. There are public houses at Hawkley and Farringdon. Idyllic in its setting, the village is surrounded by protected countryside and there are footpaths and bridleways in abundance, yet it easily accessible to Petersfield, Alton and Liss, all with London train services and access to the A3/A31/A32 and the A272. Well regarded schools within the area include Bedales, Churchers College, Ditcham Park and The Petersfield School.
For full details please call Kate Porter on 02392 632275.
It is always exciting to start the week with the launch of more properties and today we launched a lovely 4 bedroom family home in Newton Valence for sale, and a modern converted barn in Greatham available to let.
Orchard Cottage in Newton Valence, is a light and spacious detached home in an idyllic semi rural location within The South Downs National Park. It has well appointed and proportioned accommodation including kitchen, dining/family room, sitting room, study, garden room, utility and cloakroom, 4 bedrooms, stable block, detached double garage and additional parking. It benefits from a large garden with formal areas and mature shrub borders/beds enclosed by mature hedging and with paddocks bordering open countryside.
If you are seeking a rental property, we have just launched a modern end of terrace barn in Greatham, between Liss and Selbourne. The property has been thoughtfully designed to provide spacious and light accommodation including kitchen/dining room, sitting room, study and utility room. The master bedroom has en suite shower and walk in wardrobe and there are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Externally is a large rear garden with terrace and shed and two allocated parking spaces.
The lettings market is currently as competitive as the sales market. Properties are being launched and receiving offers within days and we recently let a property near Midhurst to an applicant on our database without even advertising.
So, if you are considering selling or renting your property, or making plans to move out to the countryside before the winter really sets in then please call either kate Porter, Head of Sales, or Kate Morton, Head of Lettings on 02392 632275.
Marishelle Butler
Peartree Cottage in Hambledon has been meticulously upgraded by the current owners whilst retaining its superb character features. It has the benefit of external office space, lovely garden and countryside views to the rear aspect.
This charming cottage was amalgamated into one residence circa 1921. Since 2011 there have been extensive, yet sympathetic improvements undertaken to include replacement hardwood doors, windows, bespoke kitchen, new utility, wet room and bathroom plus the extension and modification of garden buildings including change of use to office.
In addition, there has been the installation of air conditioning to the two main bedrooms and the installation of an underground LPG gas tank, new boiler and roof tiles.
The property is tastefully styled throughout and includes a welcoming entrance hall, formal dining room, cosy sitting room with solid fuel Stovax burner and family room with ensuite wet room which would serve as a fourth bedroom if required.
Completing the ground floor accommodation is an attractive bespoke shaker style kitchen with breakfast bar and a utility.
The bedrooms are accessed via two separate staircases, although it is possible to access each room from the first floor directly using just the main staircase which is located in the entrance hall and leads to bedroom three and to a Jack and Jill bathroom. The second staircase leads to two further double bedrooms.
The gardens are a lovely feature and lie to three sides of the property with meandering brick pathway and sun terrace, lawn and mature planting adjoining open countryside which affords magnificent views.
Parking is accessed via a shared driveway at the side which is screened by hedging. The driveway leads to the rear of the garden where there are approximately 4 spaces and access to the garage which to the rear is a designated office space with utilities.
For full details call The Country House Company on 02392 632275 Guide price £725,000
Temporary changes to Section 21 Notice
Please note that there has been a further change to the legislation surrounding Section 21’s and the process of repossession.
Notice periods have been temporarily extended as a result of the current Covid situation. To be clear if you issue a Section 21 to a tenant after 26th August, it must be for a minimum period of 6 months.
It is also worth noting that courts in England and Wales have reopened to hear possession hearings as of 21st September. This means that courts will begin to hear cases against those who have not paid rent or are guilty of unacceptable behaviour.
However, landlords should be aware that even with the introduction of ten new Nightingale courts, recently introduced to assist with the backlog of cases, there are still delays with hearings. Landlords should bear in mind that the eviction system is now more complex; landlords seeking to repossess a property through the courts due to rent arrears are now required to provide information relating to the effect of Covid on the tenant.
It is all the more important during these ever changing and complicated times that landlords follow professional advice. The team at The Country House Company are regulated by ARLA Propertymark and professionally qualified to give you the necessary advice and keep you aware of changes in legislation.
If you have any concerns regarding tenancies please call Kate Morton on 023 92 632275 or email kate@countryhousecompany.co.uk
We have recently sold and let a record number of properties and as the urban exodus continues, we need more houses!
Such is the level of activity that we have recently succeeded in letting a property in East Meon without even marketing and in the same village 2 properties were sale agreed within 5 days of being marketed. In West Meon a large family house was let on the first viewing and offers were made on the first day of viewing for a sales property.
We have completed similar transactions throughout the county and still the demand continues. As a result, we need more houses. The urban exodus continues as families are reassessing their situations and race to the countryside for a change of lifestyle.
We have also seen an increased demand for short term lets and are helping local holiday lets achieve full occupancy over the winter period.
At the Country House Company we have years of experience operating across the region and appreciate that every property and circumstance is different and our service reflects this.
We can provide the expertise in sales, lettings and management, we can provide flexibility and pragmatic, realistic advice, and most importantly we can provide the applicants. Now we just need the houses! So, if you have a property you are considering selling or letting for a long or short period of time then please call either Kate Morton or Kate Porter now on 02392 632275.
Marishelle Butler