Local Estate Agency Barton Wyatt updates us on the Surrey property market

Senior Partner of Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Surrey, Rupert Wyatt, keeps us up-to-date on how the property market in Virginia Water is performing today and what we can expect leading into 2010:

“The market on Wentworth has been stable through the last 6 months and demand for good quality houses in good quality locations has been consistent. Prices have taken a dip from the peak of late 2007 although it is difficult to gauge exactly by how much as the houses we are dealing with are generally unique and individual on the Wentworth Estate and there is still demand for family homes and lets in the Virginia Water area.

Looking forward I expect the market to return with some gusto in the Autumn, we’ve already seen a number of foreign purchasers coming to invest in the Surrey market largely because of the devaluation of the pound and the fall in property prices, the combination of which makes UK property look cheap.

As always we have a steady flow of young families migrating from London for the better quality of life, choice of schools and golf courses! Wentworth has always been a natural choice in Surrey for business people looking to leave London for the family but continue to work in the city taking advantage our vicinity to central London and Heathrow etc.

We are pleased to say that there’s no question we’re over the worst; the bottom of the market would appear to have been at the end of 2008, beginning of 2009. And as the market stabilises we may see a 10% price increase across 2010 and 2011.

We have a very healthy lettings market in the Virginia Water area largely because of the schools Tasis and ACS providing us with a lot of blue chip corporate lets, however, with some withdrawals from US companies, demand is slightly down which is reflected in the achievable rents being down by 15 – 20%. Once again quality and location rules the roost in property always letting first and avoiding voids.”

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Let Me Entertain You’

What is it that makes these some of the most desirable properties on the market?

Despite the fact that we are now amidst the feared recession, there still remains high-end properties on the market which are shining bright as property prospects. With a significant proportion of properties around the £1 million plus mark still selling even during the credit crunch, especially in sought-after locations, it is those with added unusual extras that are truly placing themselves ahead of the game.

From the functional to the fantastic, high-end properties with added wow-factors are on the market and interest is looking hot. Quite apart from the traditional swimming pools and tennis courts of old, it is now the more unusual features that are catching the shrewd buyer’s eye – and it is the current owners selling them who are prospering. Oliver Clarke, Sales Manager of award-winning Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt, says that for them it is those properties that offer something extra that are selling fastest,

“We have found that, although the credit crunch has taken hold, high end properties are still selling and we have noticed a growing trend that the properties securing buyers the quickest are those that have added extras. With people working longer and longer hours, many more are looking for a property that is both a functional home but can also fulfil some of their leisure-time pursuits.”

Whether it is to indulge hobbies or to enjoy home entertainment, the fashion is for added extras to make your property really stand out. If entertaining is your thing and your priority is to use your home for socialising, there are a number of additional features that could help. You may like to consider a property with a wine store, such as York Gate in Ascot on the market at £1,500,000. Here, you will never run dry for both planned and those unexpected guests! Or you may wish to buy a home with an extended kitchen, large enough to host sizeable dinner parties should you choose and 8 Pinecote Drive, Sunningdale’s 40-foot kitchen is an example of a property with just that. Not only is it of enormous proportions but everything has been thought of – with a near-industrial sized oven and fridge, a microwave that both grills and roasts and a tap through which comes instant boiling water, making a kettle obsolete. Current owner Jane Bicker recognises the benefits of having such a large kitchen that she personally helped design,

“I entertain a lot... I am currently arranging a party for 160 with a marquee on the terrace but with this kitchen that just isn’t a problem... It is the most incredible kitchen I have ever had.” 8 Pinecote Drive is on the market for £1,550,000.

However, if entertaining isn’t for you and you are more keen on exercise and active pursuits – as a stress reliever, to improve your fitness or simply just to stay healthy – then perhaps a property with added fitness features is more for you. With expensive gyms, warm with the perfume of perspiration often a real turn-off, why not invest in a property with an at-home gymnasium. With the ability to select equipment that will best suit your needs but also the chance to choose a property with a room most suitable for exercise, a home with a good aspect is a firm choice. Barton Wyatt has a property on Gerrards Cross’ exclusive Top Park Estate for sale that perfectly fits the bill. Not only is the property set within large attractive gardens, but it backs onto the 300 acre Bulstrode Park to the rear and the top floor gym with wall mirrors takes full advantage of the stunning views. The property is available at £3,795,000.

If the great outdoors is more of a draw when it comes to exercising, Rutherwyck House can truly indulge your dreams of riding off into the sunset on a trusty steed. The property, located in Lyne and on the market for £1,395,000, boasts loose box stables with a hayloft above – and with the ability to convert the block into a habitable dwelling (subject to planning permission), this feature certainly adds extra value to the five bedroom house.

The added extras that a property offers can however be more subtle and according to Forbes’ latest report on ‘How the luxury consumer will spend in 2009’ the trend is more about ‘discerning consumption’, with consumers more aware of “craftsmanship than ever before, with the ability to discern between the cheap and not-so-cheap, looking for quality materials, handwork and on-trend styling”.
With the move therefore towards a more distinct choice, the added extras one looks for in a property are becoming more subtle – for example technology within the home that makes the owner’s life easier and more comfortable. Copperings House on the famous Wentworth Estate (£3,250,000), for example, not only reputably has a £100,000 Mowlem kitchen by specialist designers, but also has an inbuilt entertainment system that includes wiring by ‘High-End’ for in-house sound and a television in the kitchen that emerges from the wall via a remote control and angles towards the breakfast bar so that cornflakes can be eaten with morning television for easy company.

Taking the appeal of technology in the home further still, cinema rooms are becoming more and more popular, with a dedicated space to watch the latest blockbusters and avant garde cinematic classics. Falling just below the million pound mark at £995,000 but with impressive features that would suit even the most discerning buyer, Barton Wyatt has a property in St Ann’s Park, Virginia Water that not only has access to more traditional shared facilities of a swimming pool, hot tub and tennis court but also has a fifth bedroom on the top floor set up as a cinema room, complete with waterbed and projector and screen included in the sale – adding a whole new dimension to the unusual!

With such an array of exciting and unusual properties available, now is perhaps the time to act on Forbes’ notions and to be more discerning about what it is you want from your property, as Oliver Clarke concludes,

“With the credit crunch biting and negative feeling abounding, there is a sense in the market that now is an opportunity to choose a property that really does go that extra mile and offers something on top of what you would normally expect from a house. I think people are beginning to realise that it is these added touches that can really make the house of your dreams the home of your dreams.”

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Surrey Spring Garden Collection

Whether you are green fingered, simply enjoy relaxing outdoors or have a particular passion for water, woods or more, there are homes on the market with gardens to suit you. Award winning Surrey estate agent, Barton Wyatt, presents their Spring 2009 garden collection.
For elegance, charm and that touch of history the formal walled garden is a stunning garden feature.

The walled garden has a large expanse of lawn, a gravel walkway and well stocked beds. In all the grounds of this property, Rutherwyck House in Lyne, are extensive amounting to 2.5 acres; contrasting with the walled garden there are large lawns surrounded by mature trees and hedges plus a stable block, tennis court and hayloft in the grounds. The house itself is a substantial 5 bedroom detached residence displaying original design features. The high-ceilinged, double aspect lounge takes in views of the main gardens for the owners to admire and enjoy. Rutherwyck House is for sale at £1,395,000.
For more modest accommodation without compromising on outside space this apartment in Sunningdale allows for the convenience of apartment living coupled with managed and maintained grounds.

On the market for £400,000 the Knole Wood apartment building is nestled in quiet, private grounds only a short drive from Sunningdale village. The 2 bedroom south facing apartment has an ample balcony to enjoy the landscaped gardens with mature trees, shrubs and borders and an immaculately mowed lawn. Owners are able to enjoy the perfectly pruned garden without having to lift a green finger themselves!
If sitting out and enjoying your garden is a must then this new home in Virginia Water has an extensive and well proportioned decking area for entertaining, al fresco dining and simply sitting out to enjoy the garden.

For this south-facing property in Callow Hill, Virginia Water, the expertly laid decking provides a practical and attractive space for enjoying the best of the British summer. With an acre of landscaped gardens to enjoy the decking is an extension to the new property itself and a perfect area for a lounger and BBQ. The 9,000 square foot new build detached property itself boasts 7 bedrooms with the master bedroom also having access to a balcony to further enjoy the green space. But don’t have any concerns about maintaining the garden, the property also offers a one-bedroom staff flat so you could indulge in a live-in gardener! The property lives up to its £3,800,000 price tag with the latest in modern comforts including programmable mood lighting, under-floor heating in all rooms and gated entry.
The final garden on display is a water lover’s dream; this converted Mill House dating back to 1483 is complete with the original mill pond.

This unique former Mill is said to be the oldest property in Virginia Water once belonging to Edward Moseley. Its character cottage-style architecture perfectly compliments its surroundings with the grounds extending beyond the pond into informal gardens and woodland. A further 11 acres of woodland is available (by separate negotiation). The interior of the property continues the ‘chocolate box’ style, it has been thoughtfully updated and includes a free standing Victorian bath in the master bedroom's en-suite bathroom and the quintessential Aga in the cottage kitchen. There are a total of 4 bedrooms and one of the guest bedrooms opens on to a private roof terrace with view over the gardens. For £2,000,000 this historic mill house could be yours.

Move over magnolia and leave the interior design to the experts… for free!

Receive £10,000 of interior design vouchers when you reserve an apartment at The Cascades, Virginia Water, Surrey.

A good interior designer can blend functionality and innovation with beautiful and stylish design creating an appealing home and interior space to live and entertain in. Interior design goes beyond picking a pretty colour to paint the walls, it’s time to move over magnolia… all the features of the property need to compliment each other to achieve a successful look. This includes combining finishes, colour schemes, furniture, flooring, lighting, textiles, doors, artwork, surfaces, rugs and accessories all without cluttering a property therefore maximising space, and even in the most spacious of apartments this is essential.

The Cascades development in Virginia Water, Surrey has been designed and built to perfecting standards. The two bedroom apartments available are spacious and well planned with the added benefit of a balcony off the living room. The master bedroom boasts an en-suite shower room, there is a further bedroom, a second bathroom; the lounge/dining room is semi open plan to the kitchen and each property comes with a carport. Although finished by Charles Church with high specification fittings and fixtures, the properties are essentially a blank canvas on which individuals can put their personal, homely touch. And with the interior design voucher your ideal Surrey home can be achieved without lifting a finger!

This offer not only allows you to purchase your high quality and thoughtfully designed apartment by Charles Church, on reserving a property you receive £10,000 of interior design vouchers to be spent on your home. With this benefit of interior design expertise applied to your property you will help to maintain if not improve its value in today’s property market. So included in the price you are automatically adding value to your home before you’ve even stepped through the door.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

You’re game, we're set and have the match!

Ace properties with on-site tennis courts from award winning Surrey estate agents, Barton Wyatt

With just over a month to go until the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world returns to south west London, the Wimbledon Championships (22nd June – 5th July 2009), interest in properties on the market with on-site tennis courts is hotting up.

Whether you are an Andy Murray wannabe or believe that your child could be a tennis champion at the 2012 Olympic Games owning a property with a tennis court on-site is the ultimate luxury amenity but you don’t have to be a Centre Court winner to take advantage.

James Wyatt, managing partner of award winning letting agents Surrey, Barton Wyatt located in Surrey, says,

"Buyers today are looking for those all important extras when selecting properties to purchase. They are looking for added value and on-site leisure facilities such as tennis courts swimming pools or gymnasiums are in particularly high demand as summer approaches."

10 miles west of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, on the Wentworth Estate home to Wimbledon regular and Vice President of the Tennis Foundation Sir Cliff Richard, there are a number of premier properties for sale today with full sized tennis courts set within the grounds. Hanover House for example is a newly constructed property affording every conceivable luxury including a principal bedroom suite with en-suite dressing room, bathroom and private balcony, four further bedroom suites and impressive second floor penthouse bedroom suite with its own dining room, sitting room, kitchen, study and cinema room. The detached property also boasts a magnificent reception hall, drawing room, dining room, morning room, large open plan kitchen and breakfast room, family room, full air conditioning throughout, under floor heating to ground and first floors and staff flat, an indoor swimming pool complex with spa bath, pool terrace, steam shower and sauna, a hard surface tennis court and beautiful gardens. Hanover House is available at a guide price of £17,500,000

If you are seeking a more secluded environment in which to don your best Wimbledon whites then Rutherwyck House in the idyllic village of Lyne near Chertsey could be for you. A substantial detached residence set within a private plot amounting to approximately 2.5 acres, Rutherwyck House comprises of a double aspect lounge overlooking the main gardens, a dining room with open fireplace, a further large reception room, kitchen/breakfast room, open gallery landing, master bedroom with fully fitted dressing room and en suite bathroom with whirl pool bath, four further bedrooms and family bathroom. In its substantial grounds, the property features a hard surface tennis court and detached stable block incorporating a double garage. Rutherwyck House is available for £1,395,000.

For those with budgets more in line with table tennis than Grand Slam championships then purchasing a property with shared tennis facilities might be the order of play. Also located in the desirable village of Lyne, Lyne Place Manor offers a spacious two storey apartment set in a fine country house within 8 acres featuring landscaped gardens and a tennis court. Just two miles from Virginia Water and close to the Wentworth Club, Sunningdale, Virginia Water Lake and Savill Garden, the property boasts three bedrooms, family bathroom, attractive sitting room with open fireplace, cloakroom, kitchen, roof garden and parking. The property is now available for £335,000.

Alternatively The Grange located in the Virginia Park development, Virginia Water could be the ace for those seeking additional leisure facilities. The development benefits from superb communal amenities including a fabulous vaulted ceiling indoor swimming pool, hot tub, gym and sauna, grand entertaining hall, tennis court and has the advantage of a 24-hour manned security entrance. Bright and airy two bedroom apartments within this development with allocated parking spaces are available from £335,000.

James Wyatt concludes,

"For many people owning a home with a tennis court on-site is perceived as likely to happen as winning Wimbledon itself however as properties on the market today illustrate even buyers with modest budgets can afford such a luxury. It is important to consider however the costs of maintaining an on-site amenity such as a tennis court."

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Propertylive.co.uk is alive in Surrey but is the property market?

Finally, a property website has been launched which is fully regulated and under the protective wing of an established and reputable property association! Propertylive.co.uk is the new consumer property search site founded by the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) and its associated organisations and it has been welcomed by all in the industry, potential buyers and sellers alike.

Each and every one of the 13,000 agents with properties and services listed on the site are accredited by one of the NFOPP bodies including the NAEA - National Association of Estate Agents; ARLA - Association of Residential Letting Agents; NAVA - National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers and the ICBA - Institution of Commercial & Business Agents.

Despite politicians and traffic wardens achieving poll position for professions we love to loathe, it seems all estate agents have been tarred by the brush of the minority of unscrupulous agents operating in the industry. This is a reputation that the NFOPP is working hard to improve with each association enforcing strict rules of conduct and codes of practice for all member agents. As a minimum entry requirement, members must achieve relevant qualifications and commit to ongoing professional training. It goes without saying that professional indemnity insurances and client protection schemes must also be in place.

One such member agent who adheres to these regulations in order to maintain their NAEA membership is Barton Wyatt, based in the heart of Surrey. James Wyatt, a Senior Partner of the agency and also an appointed member of the national advisory forum, comments on the new site and the state of the market in Surrey today,

“Propertylive.co.uk is a break through for consumers looking to buy or sell property in the UK and abroad. Not only does it offer a comprehensive up-to-date database of properties on the market in Surrey and nationally, it provides a platform for consumers to contact accredited local agents and facilitates free professional advice from qualified agents.

“Regulation and accreditation is important to our clients both on the residential sales side and lettings in Surrey. Only recently we have seen reports of rogue lettings agencies in the media, which again highlights the need for propertylive.co.uk. It also offers a fair and reputable place for agents to present their properties without the threat of negative behaviour amongst their fellow agents.

“After a disappointing end to 2008, 2009 has seen a strong revival in the market with plenty of properties in the lower price ranges being sold and several houses over £5m also being sold through Barton Wyatt in the Surrey area. In fact, Barton Wyatt is so dominant locally, we boasted a 75% market share in the first four months of 2009. Supply of properties has been an issue in recent months but now there seems to be a relatively stable market which encourages confidence in both buyers and sellers, and this is leading to increasing numbers of properties coming on to the market.

“There is certainly a feeling of confidence in the market in Surrey, buyers and renters should have confidence in their agents too. At Barton Wyatt we feel it is important to set the standards for the next generation of the property market, post recession, maintaining the highest standards for our clients.”

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Surrey a safe haven for international buyers

The combination of a weak pound and the prediction of the UK property market bottoming out have been drawing international buyers from all corners of the world, however it isn’t just London city lights appealing to overseas buyers. A niche location in Surrey has been carved out as a safe haven for foreign nationals, seeking the best of all worlds.

The Wentworth Estate, in the heart of Surrey has long been synonymous with wealth and exclusivity and today it is this distinctive living which has drawn international buyers mainly from Russia, Kazakhstan and South Africa. Bricks and mortar in the UK is deemed to be a safe investment compared to fluctuating oil shares for example, in Russia, on which their economy is dependent.

According to James Wyatt, Senior Partner of Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt, “Wentworth is a secure and safe environment for high profile, wealthy overseas investors which is one of its greatest appeals. For the last 3 years or so, we can count on international buyers making up at least 10% of all sales and predominantly they buy on the Wentworth Estate.
“For the wealthy families, there are exceptional schooling opportunities nearby with many renowned private schools such as Eton College, St George’s Ascot and St John’s Beaumont only a short distance from Wentworth. In addition, there are two international schools, ACS in Egham and TASIS in Thorpe.”
International buyers certainly haven’t been put off by the lack of credit from our troubled banks, nearly all the buyers pay with cash for their luxurious UK pads; properties with asking prices ranging from £3m to £10m or more. The likes of Highgate House currently on the market on the Wentworth Estate with its imposing formal pillars framing the Georgian exterior, 6 bedrooms with walk in dressing rooms and en-suites set in Wentworth’s roomy 1,750 acres will appeal to international buyers and with a price tag of £4,750,000 is an affordable cash purchase.
James continues, “Property features we regularly have requests for, include home security, staff quarters, high ceilings and general high tech gadgets. If their chosen home doesn’t have the immaculate finish they are looking for then there will be no qualms in completely refitting to their standards, despite many of the houses being newly built, complete with £100,000 kitchens”.
Due to supply and demand for this level of house, it seems that despite many of the majority buyers today seeking property bargains and negotiating hard on the asking prices, on the big ticket houses negotiations are frugal with 10% reductions on the prices being achieved at very best.
The Wentworth Estate has it all for international buyers, first of all an international community, the security, close proximity to London, private and international airports, and importantly it offers the size and specification of property that only a £10m cash buyer would expect!


Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Worldwide comparison of eco housing

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Catherine Deshayes


The NHBC Foundation, Zero Carbon Hub and PRP Architects are today publishing the first ever global snapshot of individual countries' progress towards achieving lower energy emissions and zero carbon targets in housing...

The Zero Carbon Compendium: a record of who's doing what in housing worldwide is a unique report comparing the progress and aspirations of 15 major countries in improving the sustainability and carbon efficiency of their new homes. Including energy consumption and climatic data, as well as analysis of national policy targets and achievements, the report shows that the rate and nature of reform in each territory varies hugely, but overall progress on low carbon housing has been significant.

For the UK, the report shows that the target for England and Wales to reach zero carbon by 2016 is one of the most ambitious internationally, but that these countries are well-placed to achieve this. The UK is also unique in using carbon emissions (tonnes of CO2) instead of energy (kilowatt-hours) as its key measurement metric.

Further, the UK is one of the only countries to propose including both regulated energy (primarily heating and hot water) and unregulated energy (including appliances used within the home) in the criteria for zero carbon measurement.
Commenting on the report Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of NHBC, said: "This compendium provides a comprehensive and invaluable overview of how other countries are approaching and meeting the challenge of reducing carbon emissions in housing. Inevitably, every country has its own unique domestic circumstances and approach, but it is reassuring to see the collective advancements being made and on such a scale.

"The UK, in particular, is setting the bar extremely high with aspirations that look beyond those of many other countries - indeed, we are the only country to propose including carbon emissions from appliances in our targets. We have also started from a different point of development from many other countries, which already have clear, long-term policies in place."
Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Zero Carbon Hub, added: "We know the UK target of net zero carbon for each new home from 2016 is ambitious. The compendium clearly shows just how stretching this target is in comparison with the ambitions of other countries, but it also provides valuable insight into how we can achieve our goal. "Over the past year the Hub has been working closely with industry and Government on a revised definition of zero carbon for new homes. We hope to have an announcement from Government shortly regarding their consultation and this report is a valuable set of learnings to help move the definition forward to a practical and workable stage."


Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Sell back energy

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Catherine Deshayes

Homeowners who generate their own energy will find it easier to sell back excess supplies to the National Grid under Government 'green' plans expected to be announced today...

The scheme is part of the Government's 'renewable energy strategy' to be announced by Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, who is expected to propose spending more than £100 billion on renewable sources by 2020.
At the moment householders need to buy an export meter for around £75 and then register to sell supplies to the grid.

The rate is negotiated with their electricity supplier and is usually for less money per unit than the supplier charges households.

The 'green' strategy will also confirm plans for householders to face higher council tax and stamp duty if they refuse to make their homes greener.

The plans are also expected top include 'feed-in' tariffs that will allow people to sell energy from domestic solar panels and wind turbines to the National Grid.
The renewable energy strategy is said to estimate that bills will have rise by 20 per cent, putting £230 on a year to the current household levy of £1,150 per year for electricity and gas.

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

What the butler saw… 5% added to the value of your home?

In 1969 when ‘What the Butler Saw’ was first staged at the Queen’s Theatre, London, the comings and goings of owners in a managed home was at the height of comedy, but household staff are far from a joke, today, hosting your helpers can add value to your home.

Barton Wyatt, Estate Agents Surrey, for the prestigious Wentworth Estate and the surrounding Virginia Water area in Surrey are well acquainted with the extra staffing needs of home buyers. James Wyatt, Senior Partner, insists, “10% of all our customers have specific household staff requirements, the most popular being nannies or au pairs to assist with the children. Housekeepers’ accommodation is also regularly requested especially for foreign owners who aren’t in residence for much of the year, their housekeepers would then in turn managed cleaners and gardeners etc to keep the house immaculate all year round.”

Staff quarters or household accommodation ranges from in-house set ups with bedrooms usually at the top of the house, over garage annexes, basement conversions, stand alone cottages in the grounds or off-site accommodation where owners rent a nearby property or indeed own a second home nearby.

Wyatt continues, “the over-garage annex is most popular with owners, it tends to be more private for the family whilst being conveniently on-site and there are many cultures that insist on separate quarters. Arabs for example choose annexes or stand alone properties as culturally it isn’t acceptable to have staff above you in a home. In the home, an in-house set up will add the least value to the property too because it isn’t as popular a choice with buyers, without doubt a separate stand alone annex will add the most value, at least 5% to the value of the property. In properties say worth £2 million this equates to an additional £100,000 to the asking price.”

“Of course affording extra staff in your home is a costly arrangement with an au pair couple adding £15,000 a year to your household bills including salary, car usage, utilities, heating and water etc. Nanny’s will demand a salary at least £30,000 a year and housekeepers’ salaries can reach £40-50,000.”

Employing household help often occurs when families are expatriated overseas, the same applies when people come to live in the UK. Today people tend to spend more hours in the office and so to maximize their time spent at home with the family, staff are taken on to maintain the smooth running of the home and cover the more menial but essential aspects of home ownership.

The British are amongst those who choose household assistance, along with Kazakhstanis, Arabs and Russians and their homes tend to demand an asking price of at least £2 million such as Caspian House in Sunningdale. This 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom family home has a triple garage with accommodation over and is set in landscaped gardens of 0.6 acres. It is ideally located close to the Sunningdale golf course as well as village shops and amenities. Caspian House is on the market for £2,595,000.

For more information and to discuss your home requirements large or small contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk


Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

A guide to New Homes in Surrey

With ‘New Homes Week’ for 2009 at an end, Barton Wyatt updates us on the new homes available in Surrey and why buyers should seriously consider investing in a brand new property.

James Wyatt, Senior Partner, comments, “As an agency situated in the heart of Virginia Water, we are lucky to find ourselves with a range of new homes on our books, from the developer new builds situated in Virginia Water itself and surrounding towns to the Wentworth Estate where new homes can be found on a somewhat grander scale.

It has often been the trend in Wentworth, for example, for buyers to seek out older homes on excellent plots in order to knock down and re-build to their own specification and design. In some respect these owners as doing just as developers are these days but on a smaller scale. New home developers today, provide properties, often on brown-field sites, with homes that suit our current lifestyles. This includes the apartments for young professionals, starter homes for families and the larger detached properties and town houses for families close to schools and amenities with the benefit of ‘all the work being done for them’. Even so new homes offer the budding DIY-enthusiast a blank canvas on which to stamp their own mark should they wish to. It is a myth that home renovations of older style properties is the only way to achieve this.

Just as a new bespoke Wentworth Estate home will include all the latest in modern home technologies from surround sound systems, integrated security systems, to ultra modern kitchen and bathroom furnishings and accessories, so can your new home from quality developers. It is also possible for buyers to have a say in the property design internally and externally. At Charles Church’s Cascades development in Virginia Water, for example, buyers are able to decide on the layout of non-load bearing internal walls allowing you to tailor your home to suit your particular lifestyle.

A new home today must adhere to strict government compliance rules on build specification resulting in far more environmentally-friendly properties with an excellent standard of finish. Most developers also offer buyers the peace of mind of build warranties such as the NHBC warranty.

Just as we thought we were all safe in our property purchases, gazumping has made a return to the market. There have been reports of recent and sustained house price rises in certain markets resulting in owners dropping buyers to get the best possible price for their homes. Equally, with interest rates at their lowest mark since the Second World War, those who have been sitting out the recession are now finding themselves financially in a position to move. With house values overall having also dropped buyers looking to move up the ladder are finding that they can afford a lot more for their money and so in some cases are out bidding their rival buyers to secure their homes. Of course with new homes complicated property chains are avoided as you are buying homes without a chain direct from the developer. For many this is a huge appeal to reduce the ‘stress’ of moving home.

Barton Wyatt’s reasons to buy ‘new’:

• More environmentally friendly than older properties
• Can include the latest in technology and bespoke additions
• No long chains to be caught up in
• Developer incentives and buyer rewards
• Most come with 10 year warranty protection
• Homes built to suit peoples’ lives today
• You don’t need to renovate to put your ‘stamp’ on a property, new homes come as a blank canvas

For more information on buying your new home, large or small, contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk. Information on New Homes Week can be found at nhw2009.co.uk.

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

On the market today

The Cascades, Virginia Water, From £509,950 (reduced from £569,950)

The Cascades is a prestigious new development by Charles Church, boasting a range of well-planned accommodation built to the highest of specifications in Virginia Water, Surrey.

Within The Cascades, a stunning four bedroom, three storey townhouse can be purchased with flexible accommodation that allows buyers to design their own layout by deciding upon where any internal walls that do not bear a load are built. The result is a bespoke property that perfectly fits personal requirements and the needs of day-to-day life.

The spacious property comprises of a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en-suite shower room, two further bedrooms, family bathroom, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room and ground floor cloakroom. It also includes a single integral garage and its own private garden.

Shamwari, Wentworth Estate, Guide Price £3,750,000 Freehold
An exceptional family home built to exacting standards and completed in 2009 with spacious accommodation set over 3 floors with interesting design features such as the use of balconies and a stunning split level kitchen/breakfast/family room. The property is superbly situated on the Wentworth Estate, a delightful and tranquil environment yet just half a mile from the picturesque shopping parades of Virginia Water.
Shamwari was built for the Managing Director of Bridgewater Estates for his own occupation and completed in early 2009. The house has been built to exacting standards using the finest materials throughout. The property follows a contemporary theme with modern bathroom suites and kitchen and is well suited to a contemporary family lifestyle and entertaining on a grand scale with a magnificent kitchen/breakfast/family room with a split level and unique semi circular family room area.

Over the triple garage is a staff/Au-Pair annexe accessed via an independent staircase. All the principal rooms face due south across the rear of the property with doors opening onto the patio and onto three balconies across the rear on the first floor making the very bet of the sunny southerly rear aspect.

Shamwari enjoys an enviable location in up Gorse Hill Road, a safe and tranquil no through road. The house sits well in it’s plot which amounts to approximately half an acre in all. Gorse Hill Road is located just opposite the picturesque shopping Tudor parade in Virginia Water with its excellent shops, restaurants and mainline railway station. The property is approached through electronically operated gates on brick piers over a shingle driveway providing ample parking for many cars, a path leads to the side of the property onto an expansive split level terrace across the rear with steps onto the lawn bordered by well stocked shrubbery beds. The garden is totally private from adjoining properties and enjoys sun throughout the day.
For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Property for sale in Berkshire snapped up within an hour

While the media may be painting a gloomy picture of the UK housing market, for the owners of a four bedroom penthouse apartment for sale in Berkshire, it was good news as their home was snapped up by an eager buyer in just 60 minutes.

The luxury apartment, overlooking Sunningdale Golf Course, defied the national trend, with the exchange being finalised in just 24 hours, proving that the right properties are still selling fast.
Barton Wyatt, who sell exclusive properties in Berkshire and Surrey, was the estate agent behind the sale which took place last month. As the company's sales manager, Oliver Clarke explains; this was an unprecedented move which took the owner by surprise:
"I showed the prospective buyer around the penthouse on a beautiful winter's day in February when the country was covered in a blanket of thick snow. We spent a good hour looking over the luxury property which was on the market for £1,650,000 before heading outside where we met the owners returning from a walk. The purchaser asked to see the garage in which we sheltered from the snow.
"The prospective purchaser then made the owner an offer there and then in the garage to exchange by the close of play that day telling them that he had bought his last house in just three hours and that if his offer was acceptable, he would instruct his solicitor to do the same this time.
"Due to the snow we had to wait until 1pm the following day to exchange, but exactly 24 hours after the prospective buyer had seen the property for the very first time, we exchanged contracts. After three months of raising enquiries, it just goes to show that with the right property and the right buyer, a home can sell very quickly indeed - leaving the owner slightly bemused but very pleasantly surprised by what could take place in just 24 hours!"
Barton Wyatt - who recently also broke a record by selling the most expensive property per square foot on Surrey's famous Wentworth Estate - market prestigious properties in areas which include Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Englefield Green, Ascot and the Wentworth Estate.

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

A guide to new homes in Surrey

With 'New Homes Week' for 2009 at an end, Barton Wyatt updates us on the new homes available in Surrey and why buyers should seriously consider investing in a brand new property.

James Wyatt, Senior Partner, comments, "As an agency situated in the heart of Virginia Water, we are lucky to find ourselves with a range of new homes on our books, from the developer new builds situated in Virginia Water itself and surrounding towns to the Wentworth Estate where new homes can be found on a somewhat grander scale.

It has often been the trend in Wentworth, for example, for buyers to seek out older homes on excellent plots in order to knock down and re-build to their own specification and design. In some respect these owners as doing just as developers are these days but on a smaller scale. New home developers today, provide properties, often on brown-field sites, with homes that suit our current lifestyles. This includes the apartments for young professionals, starter homes for families and the larger detached properties and town houses for families close to schools and amenities with the benefit of 'all the work being done for them'. Even so new homes offer the budding DIY-enthusiast a blank canvas on which to stamp their own mark should they wish to. It is a myth that home renovations of older style properties is the only way to achieve this.

Just as a new bespoke Wentworth Estate home will include all the latest in modern home technologies from surround sound systems, integrated security systems, to ultra modern kitchen and bathroom furnishings and accessories, so can your new home from quality developers. It is also possible for buyers to have a say in the property design internally and externally. At Charles Church's Cascades development in Virginia Water, for example, buyers are able to decide on the layout of non-load bearing internal walls allowing you to tailor your home to suit your particular lifestyle.

A new home today must adhere to strict government compliance rules on build specification resulting in far more environmentally-friendly properties with an excellent standard of finish. Most developers also offer buyers the peace of mind of build warranties such as the NHBC warranty.

Just as we thought we were all safe in our property purchases, gazumping has made a return to the market. There have been reports of recent and sustained house price rises in certain markets resulting in owners dropping buyers to get the best possible price for their homes. Equally, with interest rates at their lowest mark since the Second World War, those who have been sitting out the recession are now finding themselves financially in a position to move. With house values overall having also dropped buyers looking to move up the ladder are finding that they can afford a lot more for their money and so in some cases are out bidding their rival buyers to secure their homes. Of course with new homes complicated property chains are avoided as you are buying homes without a chain direct from the developer. For many this is a huge appeal to reduce the 'stress' of moving home.

Barton Wyatt's reasons to buy 'new':

• More environmentally friendly than older properties
• Can include the latest in technology and bespoke additions
• No long chains to be caught up in
• Developer incentives and buyer rewards
• Most come with 10 year warranty protection
• Homes built to suit peoples' lives today
• You don't need to renovate to put your 'stamp' on a property, new homes come as a blank canvas

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Surrey a safe haven for international buyers

The combination of a weak pound and the prediction of the UK property market bottoming out have been drawing international buyers from all corners of the world, however it isn’t just London city lights appealing to overseas buyers. A niche location in Surrey has been carved out as a safe haven for foreign nationals, seeking the best of all worlds.

The Wentworth Estate, in the heart of Surrey has long been synonymous with wealth and exclusivity and today it is this distinctive living which has drawn international buyers mainly from Russia, Kazakhstan and South Africa. Bricks and mortar in the UK is deemed to be a safe investment compared to fluctuating oil shares for example, in Russia, on which their economy is dependent. According to James Wyatt, Senior Partner of Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt, “Wentworth is a secure and safe environment for high profile, wealthy overseas investors which is one of its greatest appeals. For the last 3 years or so, we can count on international buyers making up at least 10% of all sales and predominantly they buy on the Wentworth Estate.

“For the wealthy families, there are exceptional schooling opportunities nearby with many renowned private schools such as Eton College, St George’s Ascot and St John’s Beaumont only a short distance from Wentworth. In addition, there are two international schools, ACS in Egham and TASIS in Thorpe.”

International buyers certainly haven’t been put off by the lack of credit from our troubled banks, nearly all the buyers pay with cash for their luxurious UK pads; properties with asking prices ranging from £3m to £10m or more. The likes of Highgate House currently on the market on the Wentworth Estate with its imposing formal pillars framing the Georgian exterior, 6 bedrooms with walk in dressing rooms and en-suites set in Wentworth’s roomy 1,750 acres will appeal to international buyers and with a price tag of £4,750,000 is an affordable cash purchase.

James continues, “Property features we regularly have requests for, include home security, staff quarters, high ceilings and general high tech gadgets. If their chosen home doesn’t have the immaculate finish they are looking for then there will be no qualms in completely refitting to their standards, despite many of the houses being newly built, complete with £100,000 kitchens”.

Due to supply and demand for this level of house, it seems that despite many of the majority buyers today seeking property bargains and negotiating hard on the asking prices, on the big ticket houses negotiations are frugal with 10% reductions on the prices being achieved at very best.

The Wentworth Estate has it all for international buyers, first of all an international community, the security, close proximity to London, private and international airports, and importantly it offers the size and specification of property that only a £10m cash buyer would expect!

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

Riffa Views draws interest to Bahrain

The 13th to 15th November 2008 will see top golfing stars descend on the Middle East - as they head to Bahrain for the Riffa Views Invitational. Colin Montgomerie (winner of eight order of merit titles and 31 European Tour wins), Retief Goosen (twice US Open Champion), Michael Campbell (US Open Champion) and Camilo Villegas (twice victorious on the PGA Tour this year) will visit Riffa Views for this exciting Skins competition.
 
Riffa Views, known as 'the most distinguished residential address in Bahrain' and the first residential golf resort in the island Kingdom, features a Montgomerie-designed 18-hole championship golf course and it is the completion of this that the Invitational celebrates. Playing for a prize of $250,000 for their given charity, the golfers will go head to head to truly test the new course. Montgomerie is quietly confident, having said, "Although I will have some very stiff competition, I will be hoping that my 'local' knowledge of the course will give me a slight edge on the day!" Not only this, but the Invitational will also feature a pro-am with celebrities such as Boris Becker (who has a tennis academy on the site) and Sir Steve Redgrave taking part, adding to the anticipation of this three day event.
 
The Riffa Views Invitational is just another sign of Bahrain's growth as a desirable market of interest with one of the world's largest real estate advisors, DTZ, recently releasing findings that also adhere to this fact. Their 'Middle East Market Update: Bahrain' highlighted an increase in the number of real estate transactions taking place in the country, with 2008 turnover figures at BD 2,150 million, up 58% on the previous year. Quoted as saying that this is "being fuelled by strong indigenous demand, a relaxation of foreign ownership regulations in certain areas of the country, strong levels of liquidity in the regional market and improving financing options", Bahrain appears to be one Middle Eastern country where interest is still growing and this is being actively encouraged, with this reflected in the property market, unlike some neighbouring Emirates.
 
With the spotlight firmly on Bahrain, and foreign interest not abating, more and more people are looking to invest in the property market in this politically mild country, and Riffa Views itself offers an excellent opportunity for this. As James Wyatt, partner of Barton Wyatt, explains why a golf property of this kind can be a good investment,
 
"When looking to buy a second home or an investment property abroad, golf properties are always a secure investment choice. Not only is golf a growing sport with more and more people now looking to play at courses overseas, golf courses also often come with additional facilities that increase their appeal as excellent long term investments choices. Riffa Views, Bahrain's first development of this kind, is proving to be an exciting option for those looking to invest in the growing golf market and with events like the Riffa Views Invitational now taking place and a Colin Montgomerie-designed championship course, interest in the development is set to increase further still".
 
This exclusive residential development comprises of 870 luxury villas set around Colin Montgomerie's championship golf course, and a choice of 2 to 5 bedroom townhouses and villas are available. To play on the same course as the stars, Riffa Views property prices start at £260,000/ €342,200 through to £1,800,000/ €2,300,100.

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

F1 could see investor interest in Bahrain property surge

Article from propertyindex.com:

The level of buyer interest in investment property in Bahrain could increase as the nation's economy looks set to benefit when FIA Formula 1 heads to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir for the fourth race of the season.

FIA Formula 1 is big business and despite the current global economic situation, this year's season is no exception. On 26th April, as one of the host nations, the Middle Eastern Kingdom of Bahrain will enjoy its turn in the global spotlight when the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). The organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix are striving to ensure that this year's race meets the high level of expectation.
"Over the years fans of Formula One have come to expect so much more from the Bahrain International Circuit and this year we promise to make it the most entertaining, biggest and best yet," recently commented the BIC chief operating officer, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Authorities are expecting high numbers of visitors to attend the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this year – even more than last year's spectatorship which exceeded 100,000.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is set to reap the rewards of staging the event in terms of tourism generated revenue. An independent study commissioned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company has reported that Bahrain has benefited by nearly $2 billion from five years of Formula 1, with $600 million entering the economy during last year's event alone.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, an estimated $4.6 billion is generated annually for Bahrain by tourism; therefore it's clear that events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix are of real economic importance.
Bahrain also views itself as a regional business hub with many international companies including Microsoft, Kraft, Ernst & Young and Standard Chartered Bank already calling it home.
"Our position as the most established financial centre in the Gulf makes us better placed than many others to weather the current economic climate. We have adopted a very sound fiscal and monetary approach which will help to maintain our platform for growth," recently commented Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, the chief executive of the Kingdom's Economic Development Board (EDB).
"The Bahrain F1 Grand Prix will once again showcase the Kingdom's attractive business environment for companies looking to access the MENA region. Its strategic location as the gateway to the Gulf, low cost of doing business, strong and highly regarded regulation and minimal red-tape allowing 100% ownership of business assets and real estate - with no corporate or personal income taxes - will continue to attract investment."
Positive economic and tourism indicators are key factors for a successful domestic property market and the Kingdom of Bahrain is bucking the global trend somewhat with a Bahrain Stock Exchange report recently revealing that local property trade last year increased by 18% compared to 2007.
Prospects for this year look similarly encouraging, with government-backed projects such as the $370 million expansion of the Bahrain International Airport approved in order to further boost tourism and leisure-based developments.
One such leisure-based development available for investment is the first residential golf resort in Bahrain, Riffa Views.
Set around a Colin Montgomerie designed 18-hole championship golf course, Riffa Views comprises 870 two to five bedroom luxury villas with custom finishes and upgrades available.
Resort facilities available include a Boris Becker tennis academy, international school, health centre, a country club, community centres, comprehensive sports and outdoor leisure activities for families and children, including hiking and bike trails, water sports, as well as a shopping mall and fun land for children.
This development is proving a popular permanent residence with expatriate workers based in Bahrain but also other GCC and Western holidaymakers as well as golf enthusiasts.
"I have visited Bahrain a number of times and the appeals are clear to me. A stable economy, global society, superb climate and forward thinking nation, Bahrain really is a leader within the Middle East. Resorts such as Riffa Views are setting a new standard in residential golf developments and the lifestyle on offer is second to none," says James Wyatt, the managing partner of international golf property specialists, Barton Wyatt International.
"Indicators show that expatriates in Bahrain and the UAE for that matter are still interested in purchasing property with excess income and therefore the local market is looking robust. Purchasing in Bahrain as a pure investment or indeed as a vacation or buy to let property (ideal in meeting the demand for accommodation around the Bahrain Grand Prix) still has merit and in my opinion Riffa Views is one of the best choices available."

Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select golf villas in Spain.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000