Game, set and match! Get the advantage and choose a home with a tennis court

As the oldest and most prestigious grand slam event in tennis approaches, it's not just residents of Wimbledon who are eagerly anticipating the tournament. Tennis aficionados across the UK are being inspired to improve their racquet skills and interest in homes with tennis courts is reaching fever pitch, as James Wyatt, Partner of leading Sunningdale estate agency Barton Wyatt, explains,

"Luxury homes with tennis courts are always popular, but particularly so as the Wimbledon Championships approach. Homes near tennis clubs are also in demand at this time of year, both with parents who enjoy the game and families who want their children to have access to top class facilities."

One such home is Strawberry Fields, located on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey and just minutes from the Clubhouse which features golf and spa facilities as well as 13 tennis courts with a range of surfaces and year-round coaching for all ages. Strawberry Fields, on the market at £2,995,000, combines contemporary living with traditional character. It offers the latest in technology, appliances and interior design, while the landscaped garden is perfect for entertaining. A double award nominated property, Strawberry Fields is a six bedroom home complete with games room, cinema room, numerous ultra-modern bathrooms and a magnificent kitchen/breakfast/family room that opens onto the garden.

For those who require their own on-site tennis court, Barton Wyatt recommends Surrey's
Eastry House, for sale at £4,750,000. As well as a tennis court, the property boasts a swimming pool within its 4.4 acres of parkland style grounds. The five bedroom house comes with four en-suite dressing and bathrooms, five reception rooms, a well-appointed kitchen/breakfast room and a conservatory, providing plenty of space for family living and entertaining.

British house builder Millgate has also noticed the rising interest in homes with tennis courts in the run up to Wimbledon. Jonathan Cranley, Millgate's Sales and Marketing Director, commented,

"Major sporting events tend to spur buyers' interest in related properties, as the events reignite their passion for their particular sport. For tennis fans, now is the perfect time of year to buy a home with a court, ready to enjoy it throughout the warm summer months."

Millgate's current recommendation for those looking to pursue their love of tennis with their own court is Highview Manor, in the south Oxfordshire village of Boars Hill. With commanding southward views over ancient woodland, the Georgian style mansion enjoys a truly splendid location. Set in nearly two acres of grounds, the house combines traditional country living with modern elegance, all for £5,950,000.

As well as five en-suite bedrooms, the house comprises a drawing room, dining room, study, kitchen, family room, orangery/breakfast room and games room. Sports-wise it includes an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, leisure zone and all weather tennis court and pavilion. A two bedroom, detached cottage in the grounds provides further living space as part of this delightful property.

However it's not just homes in the UK with tennis courts that are attracting interest - Spain is also a prize location for such properties, which is fitting given that it was an English/Spanish duo who were credited with the birth of lawn tennis in the mid-1800s.

Taylor Wimpey España, which offers properties for sale across Spain and the Balearic Islands, has noted particular interest in its Los Altos development at Port Andratx, Mallorca. The two bedroom Mediterranean townhouses come complete with coloured façades, verandas, spacious terraces, gardens and three communal swimming pools. They benefit from spectacular sea views and are located near to Port Andratx, as well as being a stone's throw from Andratx's impressive golf course. Mallorca's rich tennis history includes the island being the birth and training place of Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time and currently ranked number 4 in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals (as at May 2013).

In Italy, fractional ownership company Appassionata has found that the all-weather tennis court at its five bedroom/five bathroom Casa Leopardi is a key attraction for families looking to own their dream holiday home in Le Marche. The property also features a basketball court, swimming pool and easy beach access, with three blue flag beaches within 10km. Fractions are currently available for the special price of £185,000, which includes five weeks' exclusive use of the property, as well as a share in the organic produce from the estate's vineyards, olive groves, lavender plantation and truffle orchard.

Appassionata's Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs comments,

"The outdoor lifestyle is an essential part of Italian living. Our owners can spend healthy, active time with their families on the tennis court and in the pool during the day, then cool off on one of Casa Leopardi's terraces in the evenings while enjoying fresh, locally sourced meals and wine from the estate."

Over in France The Villages Group also cites tennis as one of the essential elements of its offering. Le Village-Canal du Midi, in the delightful Languedoc-Roussillon area of southern France, provides an active living community for those aged 50+. In addition to tennis, activities include archery, aerobics, equestrian events, sailing, boating and swimming in the village's outdoor and indoor pools. With house prices starting at around £200,000 and weekly maintenance of £30 covering all activities, the dream of retiring to an active community and spending days playing tennis in the sun has never been more achievable.

So as Wimbledon approaches this year, it seems that companies across Europe are bracing themselves for a flood of eager purchasers looking to live their own tennis championship dream - all on the site of their very own property.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Sunningdale. Tel: 01344 843000

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.

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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

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.

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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

Sunningdale – Local Amenties

Sunningdale is excellently situated just 20 minutes from Heathrow, 45 minutues from London and with such close proximity to the M3, M4 and M25 motorways.  Sunningdale is a small village however has much to offer the community in terms of good schools, amenities and places of interest.

Schools in the area consist of:

• Holy Trinity CE Primary School - situated on Church Road. Sunningdale Pre-school and Breakfast/After School club is available and is run from The Village Hall for children attending Holy Trinity School only.
• Sunningdale School - a small country traditional boarding prep school for boys.
• Charters Secondary School -  for Years 7-11. This is a mixed Specialist Sports and Science College located in Charters Road, Sunningdale.

Charters Leisure Centre is situated at Charters School, Charters Lane, Sunningdale. The centre offers great health and fitness benefits for the local community (after 4.30pm, weekends and school holidays) and also for the school (during school hours ). The Body Zone 50 station gym is fully equipped with the latest aerobic machines such as Rowing machines, Treadmills, Cross Trainers etc and also has a ‘Cycle Zone’ with upright cycles and recumbent bikes to give a full range of training.  Personal programmes and consultations are available for everyone, to ensure correct ongoing fitness.

Charters ‘The Studio’ run various exercise classes from Monday to Thursday to set pulses racing. A fully air conditioned room with audio system and wall-to-wall mirrors ensure you get fitter and lose weight while working out in comfort and having fun!

Charters Leisure Centre also has an Astroturf pitch for hire for hockey and football, and a Function Room available for party hire – holding up to 100 guests. A great venue for birthdays, anniversaries or corporate events. A fully licensed bar and live music or a DJ can also be arranged.

Sunningdale Village Hall situated at The Holy Trinity Church on Church Road, runs a’ Mini Tennis for Tots’  course on Monday afternoons for 4-5 year olds. A fun introduction to tennis which is run by a tennis professional. The hall also has an enclosed carpeted crèche room (approx 37m2) which is available to hire Monday-Fridays and can hold up to 30 people. Ideal for children’s groups and classes and the ‘Rendevous Church Cafe’ adjacent to it is ideal for light lunches, snacks and delicious homemade cakes.

If you are looking for other rooms to hire for a party or local meeting, Sunningdale Parish ‘Community Room’ situated at the Sunningdale Parish Council Offices in Broomhall Lane, is available to hire at just £10 per hour.

Sunningdale Container Library is open all day on Friday (10am – 1pm  2pm – 7pm) and also on Saturday mornings from 10am to 1pm. It is situated at the Broomhall Recreation Ground, Sunningdale.  

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

Fury over Property Live closure at Surrey NAEA meeting

By Barton Wyatt Estate Agents Sunningdale

Sparks flew yesterday in usually sedate Surrey as the county's NAEA members expressed their anger at this week's announcement of the closure of Property Live. 

Attending the quarterly meeting of over 60 Surrey NAEA and ARLA members in Guildford was NAEA MD and President Mark Haywood who acted as 'messenger', relaying the Board's decision to close the association's Members Only portal at the end of January 2013 due to poor performance.

Launched 4 years ago and rumoured to have cost Members in excess of £2 million, Property Live was the long-awaited portal dedicated to NAEA members. Well supported across the country and intended to be a real alternative to major portal players, there was widespread disappointment and dismay in Surrey upon hearing about the closure with one member at the meeting exclaiming, "Property Live was the best Member benefit we've had for years or maybe even ever!"

The Board's decision to cease operations at Property Live from the end of the month was taken after much discussion with low volume of lead generation cited as the reason although concerns over the management and availability of sufficient marketing budgets were also voiced at the meeting by Surrey NAEA members. 

Surrey NAEA Chairman, James Wyatt, comments, 

"With over 90% of property buyers starting their search online and the likes of Jessops and HMV going into administration because of the seemingly insatiable growth of online consumerism, it seems madness that the NAEA Board has decided to close the main online presence of the NAEA!

"Our Members here in Surrey bought into and supported the Property Live model for 4 years with some even cutting ties with the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla, where does that leave them now? As the ones who funded this ambitious project, the Board has a duty to provide a full and detailed explanation about the decision to its Members."  

With the NAEA retaining the Property Live URL pending further discussions according to Mark Haywood, questions have already been raised as to the future of the portal? 

Sentiment was clear in Surrey with Members holding a long heated debate and concluding that a viable commercial future was possible for Property Live but that it needed to be discussed with the Board as a matter of urgency.  

James Wyatt concludes, 

"Within minutes of hearing the news about Property Live's intended closure I received a number of emails from interested parties keen to take the now defunct site on. It will be very interesting to see what steps the Board takes next."

So with this latest news of yet another property portal going to the wall, it seems that there's nothing, even the 14,000 strong members of the NAEA and ARLA, can do to stop the might of the Rightmove and Zoopla - even if it is much to the displeasure of NAEA Members.

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Sunningdale  on 01344 843 000 .

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Surrey. Tel: 01344 843000

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

A remarkable opportunity to own a lakeside home with it's own private island, in a quiet exclusive cul-de-sac backing the Old Mile, close to Ascot Village Centre.

The property sits high and looks down onto a beautiful lake with wildlife wandering freely to the rear.

The current owners have significantly improved this property to give it a modern feel with the accommodation re-designed so it flows in a pleasant relaxing style.

There is a lovely breakfast area and a second sitting room which overlooks the grounds and a private study to the front of the house. The first floor has five bedrooms including the excellent master suite with balcony overlooking the lake. Three bedrooms have en-suites and there is one family bathroom.

There is also an integral double garage and plenty of parking to the front of the house on the sweeping driveway approached via electric wooden gates.

The garden to the rear is mainly laid to lawn and meanders down to the water and there is an enclosed heated swimming pool with surrounding patio to one side of the house.

Priced at £2,450,000, for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 Virginia Water properties.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury golf villas in Florida and select Octagon Developments. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt. Tel: 01344 843000

House prices 2% up over a year

House prices were 2% higher than a year ago in July as the strength of the London property market outweighed declines elsewhere in the UK. The annual growth rate revealed today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) was slower than the 2.3% recorded in both May and June, with the average price across the UK standing at £234,000.

England recorded a 2.4% annual increase, taking typical prices to £242,000, while Scotland saw a 1.1% drop, pushing average prices to £183,000, and prices in Wales fell by 0.2% to reach £159,000.
Northern Ireland recorded a 10.9% year-on-year drop in house prices to stand at £130,000, continuing a trend of sharp decreases which analysts have put down to prices re-adjusting after they soared before the financial crisis struck.
Most of the house price growth was concentrated in the South East of England. The ONS said that if London and the South East were stripped out of the figures, UK prices would have only risen by 0.6% in the 12 months to July.

Prices rose by 5.7% in London year-on-year to reach £397,000 on average, while the North East, which saw a 0.5% annual decline, had the lowest average house price of the English regions at £145,000.
Analysts have predicted that a widening gap between the stronger growth in sellers putting their homes on the market than the numbers of potential buyers will push prices downwards for the rest of the year against the background of a weak economy and the ongoing eurozone crisis.

The Bank of England and the Treasury recently launched a “funding for lending” scheme to unclog the flow of credit, but much of the competition among mortgage lenders has been concentrated around borrowers with larger deposits.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist for IHS Global Insight, said: “We retain the view that house prices will trend gradually lower over the latter months of 2012 and very possibly beyond in the face of limited activity, low and fragile consumer confidence, and muted earnings growth.”
The average price paid by a first-time buyer rose by 1.8% year-on-year to £174,000, the ONS figures showed. Existing owners paid £269,000 on average, representing a slightly higher year-on-year increase of 2%.

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Barton Wyatt provide luxury Property in Sunningdale. James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt Letting Agents Sunningdale. Tel: 01344 843000