In the latest of our initiatives designed to improve the way houses we market are presented on the internet, Coutts Byers has launched a new sound bite service. Based on the concept of a property podcast it is now possible to listen to Lucy guide you round a property, the local area and even help you find the nearest school, pub or shop.

We know that a picture is worth a thousand words (that's why we make such an effort to offer as many photographs and floor plans on our website as possible), but a picture does not  tell you all the information you need. Parents need to know about local schools, commuters about rail and road links and we all want to know about local amenities. Our new property sound bite service is designed so that whilst you browse the pictures, explore the floor plans and look at the map you can listen to our independent guide to the house and area. On the right of the property page, just under the photo you will find a box that allows to you start and stop the podcast.

The voice you hear is Lucy, our mother of two, part time working, housewife, country living and straight talking voice of reason. Lucy has a simple brief, to tell you how she feels about each house, its location and most importantly add in all the snippets of information you would need to know when a buying the house - where the local pub is, what the primary school is like, how long will it take to get to Canterbury etc.

We think the concept of a Coutts Byers property sound bite is a great way to experience a house before you visit it.  Click here to start searching our houses for sale in Canterbury, the villages and coastal areas now.

Posted on 12 May 2010.
Tags: houses for sale, podcasts, soundbites, online tour, canterbury house for sale, villages house for sale, coastal house for sale.Edit | Delete |

Occupying a large plot and providing substantial accommodation, Number 10 Nargate Street offers considerably more than one may expect at first glance. A paved courtyard area to the side provides ample off-street parking and leads to a garage.

 

The property is arranged over two floors and includes four reception rooms including the kitchen/breakfast room, the use for which remains endlessly flexible. The fourth bedroom/study enjoys access on to the patio area and is tucked away from the main areas of the house which, combined with the proximity to the downstairs cloakroom could make an ideal room for an elderly relative or separate office. To the first floor lie three double bedrooms, an en-suite bathroom and a family bathroom. The presentation is immaculate throughout and sympathetic with the style and period of the building, enhancing the many fine features original to property. Most notable is the size of the rooms, all of which are extremely large, one of which it is considered could be easily sub divided into two good size rooms subject to planning.

To the rear lies an extensive and well-kept garden which is mostly walled and is naturally divided into a patio area, a water garden and a larger lawned area with planted borders.

The village of Littlebourne has a convenience shop, public house and primary school. Canterbury is just a short drive from the property with its range of shopping facilities, restaurants and of course the Marlowe Theatre. Canterbury is well served by other amenities including a wealth of high-achieving schools and two mainline stations to London and excellent access to the coastal ports of Dover and Folkestone. The property also benefits from good access to Sandwich, the A2/M2 corridor and the A299 Thanet Way. For the ful details of the property including more photographs, floorplans and a location map click here

Posted on 7 April 2010.
Tags: house for sale, littlebourne, canterbury, village property, garden.Edit | Delete |

Wisteria Cottage is an imposing and substantial detached property located in a quiet, semi-rural setting within 1.5 miles of the City Centre set in 0.9 acres, with four double bedroom and the added twist of a stylish and spacious annex.

Built in 1947 and having since been sympathetically extended, this large family home offers extensive accommodation which is beautifully presented and well suited to modern living. rranged over two floors, the accommodation includes a generous reception hall, separate living and dining rooms, a family room, utility room and forming the hub of the house is a capacious kitchen/diner which opens onto a patio area To the first floor lie three double bedrooms which share a family bathroom and a master bedroom with a dressing room and en-suite.The current owners have maintained the property meticulously throughout with appropriately modern fixtures and fittings, including contemporary bathroom suites and kitchen units.

In addition to the principle dwelling, there is a detached, two storey building under a conventional, pitched and tiled roof, which houses a garage, store room and log store on the ground floor and a self contained annex to the first floor.

Ideal for teenage children, visiting guests or family, the annex measures nearly 500sq ft is area and comprises an open-plan kitchen, living space and bedroom area and includes a separate shower room.

Accessed via a private driveway and slightly elevated from the road, the property sits behind a sizeable front garden which is well screened and offers a pleasant outlook, beyond which lies open farmland.

To the rear of the property is a large and well-tended garden which is mainly laid to lawn and bordered by a range of mature trees and well-established planted borders and shrubs. A patio area offers an excellent space for entertaining or relaxing and enjoys complete privacy. There is also a pretty summer house in the centre of the garden.

Providing easy access into Wincheap, to the A2 and onto Stone Street, Iffin Lane is conveniently close to the hustle and bustle of central Canterbury and is well located for access to a wide range of shopping facilities, restaurants and entertainment, including Canterbury's popular Marlowe Theatre, and street side cafes. Canterbury is well served by other amenities including a wealth of high-achieving schools and two mainline stations to London and excellent access to the coastal ports of Dover and Folkestone.

 Click here for full details http://www.vebra.com/home/search/vdetails.asp?src=agent&fd=30224&bd=11&db=1&cl=8299&pid=18715669

Posted on 24 August 2009.
Tags: country house, canterbury house for sale, property canterbruy, house in kent, annex, large garden.

The long awaited and much hyped high speed rail link has, it would seem, arrived before it was due.

According to Southeastern trains the trial service that has been operating from Ashford will be expanded to Canterbury from 7th September 2009. Although not the full service that commences December 2009, this will bring a taste of the future, that said you will have to be an early riser to take advantage of the trains as the latest departure from Canterbury West will be 0729 hrs.

As the property market has gone from strength to strength over the last 4 - 5 months, with vastly increased demand for both property to buy and let in the Canterbury area, it could be argued that the high speed train link is already having an effect locally. However having come out of such a dip in the property market this is something that will take many years and no doubt many hours of economists time before the true economic impact can be measured

For more details on the Canterbury high speed rail link please visit http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/index.php/cms/pages/view/322

 

Posted on 24 August 2009.
Tags: property, canterbury, trains, highspeed, rail link, southeastern trains.

Our mortgage specialists provide an overview of the current market for those seeking to arrange lending

It would appear that after the recent round of interest rate cuts, banks are beginning to adjust their offers to new clients. As an example, from Friday 14th November, The Woolwich will be offering a fixed rate mortgage of 3.99% for one year followed by a tracker at 1.99% over the Bank Of England Base Rate.

The Woolwich report that this is designed to ease immediate cash flow and provide certainty for the future. The other good news is that they have also scrapped the all-too typical, large arrangement fees, with some of the latest products incurring no fee.

Paul Purkess, who is head of Coutts Byers Private Finance reports that more rate changes are expected from other lenders over the next few weeks, and this is most certainly a time to consider your options. For the first time in a considerable number of months, there are some good rates coming through to the consumer and savings to be made by changing mortgage. Paul can be contacted on 01227 282 233 for more information about this and other products that are available.

We have illustrated below some of the best rates in the market place, however these are only correct at the time of writing and may be subject to change. Therefore it would be prudent to contact us to find out which rates are still available and which best suit your specific needs.

Woolwich “Fixed and Track” Rates:

NEW! 3.99% fixed until 31.01.2010 then BBBR +1.99% - max 60% LTV, £995 fee, 1% ERC 3yrs
NEW! 4.49% fixed until 31.01.2010 then BBBR+1.99% - max 70% LTV, £995 fee, 1% ERC 3yrs
NEW! 4.49% fixed until 31.01.2010 then BBBR +1.99% - max 60% LTV, No fee, 1% ERC 3yrs
NEW! 4.99% fixed until 31.01.2010 then BBBR+1.99% - max70% LTV, No fee, 1% ERC 3yrs

Offset Trackers:

NEW! BBBR+2.09% - max 60% LTV, £995 fee, 1% ERC 3yrs with 'Droplock' functionality
NEW! BBBR+2.49% - max 70% LTV, £995 fee, 1% ERC 3yrs with 'Droplock' functionality

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Coutts Private Finance is an introducer of business to The Mortgage and Finance Centre Limited which is an Appointed representative of Guaranteed Homeloans Network Services which is a trading style of Genesis Home Loans PLC and is authorised and regulated by the FSA.
Registered Office. The Coach House, 7 Mill Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0AJ. Registered in England No. 5044247
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
Posted on 14 November 2008.
Tags: mortage rates, 3.99%, woolwich, mortgage.

Our mortgage specialists provide an overview of the current market for those seeking to arrange lending

As at the 7th May 2008 the latest news is that the credit crunch would appear to be with us for the next two years and that the Bank of England is looking at maintaining the present base rate of 5% to hold inflation.

In the past, mortgage rates have been directly related to the base rate which in turn was controlled by the government and more recently by the Bank of England. However, things have changed, and it would appear that lenders are now looking at their exposure in the market place. It is clear that as soon as a lender has a product that is seen as the best in the market i.e. good rate, free valuation / legal work etc, the lender becomes flooded with mortgage applications. The high workloads cause severe congestion and long delays in producing mortgage offers, subsequent panic steps in and within a few weeks the lender increases arrangement fees and rates to reduce workflow. The mortgage market moves to the next prime rate and causes havoc for them.

The problem with this scenario is that lending rates become very volatile.

We have illustrated below some of the best rates in the market place, however these are only correct at the time of writing and may be subject to change. Therefore it would be prudent to contact us to find out which rates are still available and which best suit your specific needs.

The good news is that lenders still want to lend, but the higher the risk i.e. the amount being lent in comparison to value of the property, the higher the fees and rates.

As of 7th May 2008 examples of mortgages available:

Best Residential Fixed rate (purchase or re mortgage)
5.59% fixed for 10 years, arrangement fee £995
Available up to 75% LTV
Early Repayment charge 5% to end of fixed rate (10% reduction allowed pr year)
Fee free deal, no valuation fee or solicitors fees for a re mortgage

Best Residential - Medium Term (re mortgage)
5.85% fixed either 3 or 5 years, arrangement fee £995
Available up to 75% LTV
Early Repayment charge 5% to end of fixed rate
Fee free deal as above

Best Buy to Let
Available up to 75% LTV 5.84% fixed for 2 years.
Arrangement fee 1.5%
Early Repayment charge 3% to end of fixed rate

Best Buy to Let
Available up to 85% LTV 6.79% fixed until May 2013, Arrangement fee £799
Early Repayment charge 5% up to end of fixed rate

Best Self Certification ( no proof of income required)
Available up to 70% LTV 6.13% fixed for 2 years, Arrangement fee 2.0%
Early Repayment charge 7% first year 6% second year

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Coutts Private Finance is an introducer of business to The Mortgage and Finance Centre Limited which is an Appointed representative of Guaranteed Homeloans Network Services which is a trading style of Genesis Home Loans PLC and is authorised and regulated by the FSA.
Registered Office. The Coach House, 7 Mill Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0AJ. Registered in England No. 5044247
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
Posted on 8 May 2008.
Tags: private finance, mortgage, rates.

Set in idyllic surroundings this imposing family home sits in a 0.25 acre plot at the end of a private driveway. With Chartham's St Mary's church and the pretty River Stour providing a backdrop to the contemporary landscaping, the property occupies an equally commanding position.

Thoughtfully designed, this traditionally-styled property sits comfortably in the immediate landscape whilst incorporating the latest in eco-friendly technology. Beautifully finished to a high specification, the property offers extensive living accommodation that would suit a large family, whilst to the first floor lie five double bedrooms, two of which have an en-suite shower room.

Mill House lies within a short drive of Canterbury and is well located for access to the A2/M2 corridor and the A28 to Ashford. Canterbury boasts a wide range of shopping facilities, restaurants and entertainment, including the popular Marlowe Theatre, and street side cafes. Canterbury is well served by other amenities including a wealth of high-achieving schools and two mainline stations to London. Chartham mainline station is within reasonable walking distance and is one stop from Canterbury West and provides services to London via Ashford.

The property is available for immediate occupation at a monthly rental of £1700 pcm.

Posted on 8 May 2008.
Tags: letting, canterbury.

In the midst of much media speculation, Coutts Byers offers its own, ‘on the ground’ overview of the condition of the property market and explains how to take advantage of existing and renewed demand.

The state of the property market has received much hype in the press, who have no-doubt enjoyed sensationalising a subject that directly affects so many of the population. However, the mixed reports make it almost impossible to accurately gauge the current situation, particularly given the main sources, mortgage lenders and Land Registry, both use information  relating to sales agreed two or three months previously.

Our own experience is that there still remains a strong demand for property from a large buyer base, the majority of whom having previously broken chains, now reside in rented accommodation. However these buyers are all experiencing a lack of supply and whilst the two recent interest rate cuts may account for the increasing number of valuations that we are carrying out, demand continues to outweigh supply.

Also contrary to popular suggestion, we have not experienced a drop in prices, merely an alignment that precludes the over-optimistic asking prices of last year. Perhaps exacerbating the lack of supply and artificially skewing the perception of the property market, many of these over-optimistic and ‘over-priced’ properties from last year, remain on the market today.

All things considered therefore, it remains a sellers’ market, at least for those with desirable and realistically priced property. Early indications suggest that supply will increase over the remainder of this quarter and into the spring, so a shrewd homeowner might consider this an opportune moment to begin marketing prior to the spring rush, and one which capitalises on the current market situation.
Posted on 12 February 2008.
Tags: market review.

HIPS, one of the Government's great and considered inititives to help us all. Perhaps not, but who do they apply to, how much do they cost, what do they compose? Our guide aims to answer your questions.

The term ‘HIP’ has been banded around enough to become very familiar, however it is very apparent that very few homeowners are equally familiar with the content of a HIP, never mind the cost.

This uncertainty was little helped by the Government’s almost farcical introduction. The goal posts were moved again and again, both in terms of when the initiative became obligatory, for which type property and what the HIP included. One of the most significant turnarounds was the withdrawal of a survey, or Home Condition Report, as a required part of the HIP.

However it is now a requirement that all properties marketed since 14 December 2007 require a HIP (Home Information Pack). At the time of writing, the Government has not indicated whether it will extend this requirement to those properties already on the market prior to this date that did not already qualify for a HIP.

What does a HIP comprise?
There are several elements to a HIP, which can be divided into four main categories:

Sale Statement
This being a summary of the terms of the sale, including the address of the property for sale, the tenure and what’s included.

Searches
Obtained from the Local Authority, water board and drainage board.

Evidence of Title
Obtained from the Land Registry.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An assessment of the property’s energy efficiency and carbon consumption. This is undertaken by an assessor that will require a visit to the property.

If the property is leasehold, then a full copy of the lease is also required.

Who produces the HIP?

It is your estate agent’s responsibility to ensure that your property has a compliant HIP which is available for buyers to view. Different estate agents operate in different ways, some may produce the HIP in house, some use a HIP supplier and others use local assessors and solicitors. All of these methods should produce a HIP that meets the minimum requirements. However, it is worth considering both the cost and benefits of each method.

Coutts Byers has explored each of these options and found that, on a like-for-like basis, the costs for a fully compliant HIP vary little. However, there appears to be significant benefit in using a local solicitor that will continue to manage the conveyancing once a sale is agreed. Having produced the HIP, that solicitor will already hold the correct documentation relating to the sale thereby maintaining consistency and saving time.

Perhaps the overriding benefit is that, unlike large HIP suppliers that obtain cheap ‘personal searches’ from the Local Authority that are often NOT accepted by mortgage lenders, our solicitor acquires ‘full searches’ that are accepted by all lenders and recommended by the Law Society. Our view being that if we are expected to put together such a host of paperwork relevant to the sale, we should at least ensure that it is useful and sufficient for a buyer’s needs.

Does it delay marketing and how long does it take to produce?

Currently we are able to market a property immediately upon instruction, however we are required to have instructed the production of a HIP and have this available by exchange of contracts.

This period of grace lasts until 1 June 2008, at which point all properties will be required to have a fully compliant HIP available to buyers prior to marketing.

Producing a HIP is a relatively simple procedure, but one which requires application for, and receipt of documents from various authorities. Delays are common at times of demand, however, once a HIP supplier or solicitor is instructed, one should not expect the procedure to take more than a week. An EPC assessor will require access to the property in order to carry out an inspection. Coutts Byers retains several qualified assessors and can normally arrange an inspection between one to three days.

What is the cost?

The media originally speculated that HIPs were likely to cost between £600 and £1,000. Thankfully, and in no small part due to the withdrawal of the survey element, Coutts Byers is pleased to report that the actual cost is half of these early predictions.

The costs for providing the necessary searches and Land Registry information is published by the various authorities, and whilst small variations between authorities is not uncommon, it is not unreasonable to expect these to fall between £200 and £250.

The cost of the EPC is dependent upon the assessor and size of property, however the market rate is between £100 and £150.

Finally, one needs to consider the cost of compiling and producing the HIP. Again, this is dependent upon the supplier, however our solicitor will not charge for his time, providing you use him for the conveyancing.

If you would like more information regarding HIPs or require some advice, please contact Coutts Byers by telephoning 01227 456645 and one of our sales team will be pleased to help.

Posted on 12 February 2008.
Tags: hips.