Sunday, May 19, 2013

Real Estate for Fathers Day

by Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Surrey

With Father's Day just around the corner on Sunday 16^th June, sons and daughters all over the country will be scouring the shops for the perfect gift. A new pair of socks? Hilarious comedy tie or maybe a mug with "World's Best Dad" emblazoned on the side? The choices are seemingly endless!

But research from Fox News reveals that 65% of fathers would rather receive nothing. Another tie or a silly mug holds no thrills on this big day. Only 18% would like a personal care product and 14% desire an automotive accessory; maybe their offspring should be thinking more creatively?

So what could we be buying?

Well for most fathers their home is their castle so a property related gift might be the answer.James Wyatt, affectionate father of three and Partner of leading estate agency, Barton Wyatt in Surrey offers his suggestions for the perfect Father's Day property present:

"Father's day for me is about spending time with my lovely children, any present is very secondary. For some fun, here is the Barton Wyatt fantasy father's day gift list."

For the petrol-headed Dads out there then Carnanton is the perfect choice. This enormous 6 bedroom £6,950,000 home located on the exclusive Wentworth Estate was built by a serious car enthusiast in 2009 who incorporated a gargantuan garage easily capable of accommodating five cars. Sitting safely under the house with electric doors, this garage provides the perfect combination of space and security.

For the busy working father then the Jacuzzielegantly set into the decking of Bourne House, the 5 bedroom £3,150,000 property in Virginia Water would be a great way to wind down after a long day in the city. Affording many benefits with the hydrotherapy soothing tense muscles, increasing flexibility as well as your range of motion, not to mention the sheer pleasure of relaxation, having your own hot tub in the privacy of your landscaped garden is a real treat.

York House could be just the ticket for any Dads out there who always wanted their own public house! This grade II listed property located just outside Chertsey subsisted as a brewery from 1600 before being commissioned as the Cock Inn public house whilst retaining its beer making capabilities! This quintessentially looking English 'pub', available from £1,300,000 overlooks the village cricket green and still very much looks the part as an English coaching house.

Those Dads out there passionate about keeping fit will love Wilton. This £5,350,000 house, also located on the Wentworth Estate, is a sporting dad's dream with its own air-conditioned gymnasium. Perfect for any chap keen to impress his friends by flexing muscles and putting them through their paces in his own personal sports centre.

If your Father prefers a more sedate way of winding down from a stressful week by putting their feet up and turning on the box then a home with a terrific entertainment system will be a certain winner. A home cinema such as that located in Strawberry Fields or perhaps Park Place even has its own cinema complete with a box office.

No Father's Day would be perfect without some home gadgetry gifts. Dads who are into the latest gizmos will need a home such as Waterford House. Jam-packed with gadgets - baths which can be run from an iPhone and outside speakers for blasting out some Dire Straits at a party or perhaps some Men at Work whilst doing the garden. One button can transform the family room and master bedroom into a home cinema complete with substantial projector screens and electric blackout blinds; and if that's not enough this house is keyless - all operated with door codes - perfect for a Trekkie Dad.

Back at Bourne House, the 8 x 10 ft wine cellar will get many a Dad waxing lyrical about his Merlots and Vigoniers. That Black & Decker hand crafted rack no longer cuts the mustard as wines need to be stored on their sides between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in a cool, dark environment. Invest in the real McCoy and make your Dad the envy of all his wine connoisseur friends.

And finally, keeping the best for last, Somerset House in Wentworth is the ultimate for the (often embarrassing) party Dad complete with dedicated entertainment room and bar! The lower ground floor of this incredible 7 bedroom, £6,950,000 house is fitted with a superb cinema which adjoins a garden room festooned with a fully equipped cocktail bar which opens onto the garden logia. As well as this, the lower ground floor also includes a gymnasium and spa bath with steam room - all of which can be opened up for parties.

Barton Wyatt provide luxury houses for sale in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Sunningdale. Tel: 01344 843000

Thursday, May 16, 2013

It's out with the hydrangeas and in with the hot tubs in today's English country garden

Letting Agents Sunningdale

RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens in late May
The average UK garden is now worth £1,928 (Lloyd's TSB Insurance)
Hot tubs now account for 1 in 10 garden purchases

With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show just around the corner (May 21^st - 25^th) and the long awaited spring sunshine peeking through, the nation is getting all green fingered.

According to the latest research from Lloyds TSB Insurance the average UK garden is now worth £1,928 but long gone are the days of a perfectly manicured lawn complete with Wimbledon worthy stripes surrounded by immaculate flowerbeds bursting to the brim with tulips, roses and hydrangeas. Today more and more homeowners are investing in outdoor furniture and decorations in a bid to add a touch of luxury to their gardens.

British homeowners have spent on average £894 on items such as this in the last 12 months alone with barbecues accounting for 29% of purchases, trampolines 22%, swings / slides / see-saws 19%, hot tubs 10%, summer houses 8% and patio heaters 7%.

As James Wyatt, Partner of award-winning estate agency Barton Wyatt located in the heart of leafy Surrey, comments,

"In the current economic climate where many cannot afford to move house, it's no surprise that homeowners are staying put and spending any money available on making their outside spaces more enjoyable.

"85% of households in the UK have some form of outdoor space around their property which should be considered as an extension of the home. Even a small area of lawn, some potted plants, a veggie patch or outdoor dining set can really add a new dimension to a property, providing a leisure space as well as adding extra value."

On the Wentworth Estate in Virginia Water, only a short distance from one of Britain's finest ornamental gardens, The Savill Garden, homeowners pride themselves on creating the perfect outdoor space for both friends and family to enjoy.

At Pine Acre for example, a 9,000 sq ft 5 bedroom luxury family home available for £4,650,000, there is a sizeable decked terrace with covered barbecue area and inbuilt heaters perfect for outdoor entertaining not to mention stocked flowerbeds, immaculate lawn and slate water feature.

Also available on the prestigious Wentworth Estate is Bourne House, a superb 5 bedroom property affording a long south facing garden with full width sun terrace which backs onto woods as well as a hot tub and even a horse sculpture in the grounds!

Down the road in neighbouring Sunningdale, Berkshire liesQueenswood, a 6 bedroom home also available at £4,650,000. The gardens to the rear afford a stone paved terrace as well as standalone heated swimming pool area and pump house perfect for family fun in the sun.

For more information on the stunning 21^st century English country gardens mentioned above contact Barton Wyatt today on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

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