An Estate Agent's Christmas Carol

Gary Berendt of Arlington & Hall tells a heart-warming Christmas story.

Scrooge had been trying to sell his house all year - but to no avail. He was fed up with the cold winters, and longed to move to Spain, where he had found a villa he was ready to take on at a knock-down price being sold by a motivated seller. Now it was Christmas again and there was still no sign of a buyer for his own home. Scrooge hated Christmas.

Bob, at the local estate agents, Cratchit & Co, had almost given up on ever selling Scrooge's house. Scrooge was far too mean to put any lights on inside, or light a fire to make the house look cosy and inviting, despite Bob's best efforts. Instead, it remained unwelcoming and cold. He refused to let people see the house when they wanted to, and only allowed viewings when it was convenient for him. The few offers he had received, he had treated with derision - even though the asking price was really far too high - which put everyone off taking it any further. Scrooge even insisted that any buyer would have to purchase (at extra cost, natch), the threadbare carpets and even some wet logs at the end of the garden which he described as firewood.

That night, Scrooge had three disturbing dreams. The first vividly showed him what life had been like before he became so mean, and before his wife had left him. The second showed Christmas dinner at his estate agent's house. It was rather a jovial family affair with Bob, his wife and their small son Tim, all enjoying themselves greatly. But slowly the scene changed to illustrate what life would be like if Bob couldn't sell any houses and had no money. The third dream showed Scrooge's grave. He had died an embittered old man who had never sold that house, and never moved to sunny Spain.

Waking up in his bed, Scrooge realised that wasn't too late. He raced around the house putting the lights on and setting the fire ablaze in the living room. He then rushed down to see Bob at Cratchit & Co, and told him to reduce the price immediately, and to tell everyone that he would heartily entertain any reasonable offers. Scrooge even told Bob that he would increase the commission if the house was sold quickly.

So, Scrooge did sell his house and moved to Spain where he enjoyed many long years in the sun. He even married an attractive young lady he met in a local Tapas bar. Scrooge never forgot to send Bob a Christmas card, as without all of Bob's tenacity, forbearing and hard work, he would never have had his new life.

The moral of this story is to be as accommodating as possible, and always to try and find an estate agent like Bob. Arlington & Hall in Poole is just such a firm as Cratchit & Co. Call us - we might change your life.

Happy Christmas everyone - with apologies to Charles Dickens.

Buying to Win

Gary Berendt from Arlington & Hall Estate Agents suggests some ways to ensure how buyers can get just what they want when buying a home.

There are homebuyers who demand the best of everything in anything they purchase. They want the latest granite, or Corian, surfaced kitchen with steam oven, warming drawer, Quooker instant boiling tap, the Philippe Starck bathroom, a heated garage - with everything as they had on their last five-star holiday - and a décor in fifty fashionable shades of grey. If a house or apartment does not feature each item on their list, some buyers will not even view it.

But this demand for instant satisfaction and perfection could mean they may be missing out on a couple of important things in buying a home. They are foregoing the opportunity to choose what they really want, and instead getting simply what someone else really wanted - and to change it again would waste a fortune. Instead, they are stuck with someone else's idea of the perfect home, the perfect kitchen, the perfect bathroom.
They are also missing out on the increased value of their home, once it has been transformed from flawed into fabulous flat, tired to trendy townhouse, slumbering to slick superhome, or dated to dazzling detached.

'But the bathroom went out with the ark', say some buyers - great! 'The kitchen has seen better days' - wonderful! 'There's woodworm' - so there is. All these bad things mean good one thing - potential. They offer value creation. A chance to make it your own, put your own stamp on it. Grotty can be good.

Yes, it does mean more work, and you should always get a survey so that you fully understand what needs to be done. But almost anything can be fixed. All you need are the bones intact - windows and doors in the right places (sometimes not even this - it can always be changed and layouts improved) - and of course the right location. For maximum benefit, choose the smallest house in the best road, not the biggest in the worst.
It is really about location, as ever. Smallest and worst condition in the best place. Add some hard toil and you will have the home of your dreams, not someone else's, in a superb location.

At the moment, there is very little on the market. Buyers are often looking for finished homes with high specifications. This provides lots of opportunity for buyers who are prepared to roll up their sleeves. Remember, condition is purely temporary, but location is very much permanent. Also remember that 'perfection' really is a property myth, often conceptualised in magazines or on TV. Forget the 100% home; it doesn't exist. Everything involves some compromise, but sometimes these compromises can be improved upon and altered to better suit your quality of life and living choices.
The 100% home only exists in the mind of the romantic. Instead, why not buy a 50% home and make it 90%? Choose wisely, modernise well, do not go over the top and you will end up with more-or-less exactly what you want, just about exactly where you want it. This usually results in two things; it makes you happy, and it makes you money. There are not many things in this life that do both at the same time!



Before:

After:

Rick Stein....coming (very) soon!

We're all incredibly excited here about the imminent opening of Rick Stein down here in Sandbanks.
The chain of simple, quality, beautifully prepared and presented classic and modern seafood dishes opens its doors at the end of this month to some very excited locals, ending a long stretch of anticipation!
The hoarding is now down from the site and as you can see below it looks fresh, modern and clean.
It is rumoured that the restaurant will cater for 200 covers so it should have a very positive effect on the area, as we were quoted in the Sunday Times as saying.
Good luck to Rick and the team!

Right Sizing

Arlington & Hall reflect on the changing mood of home buyers and why now, more than ever, finding a property that fits well is important - at all stages of life.  

"We hear so much about upsizing and downsizing in the property market. But, now especially, the correct thing to do is right-sizing. That is, to live in the space which suits you best. Today it is just not that sensible to rattle around in a huge family home when the children have left. At a time of life and in a financial climate where it is best to hang onto hard-earned capital, spending it on rooms and space that are never needed is an extravagance. Also, many empty nesters are right-placing; seeking to return to town and city centres where they can be close to a larger range of facilities and amenities. Right-sizing also provides the opportunity to move into higher specification accommodation. For many, trading down offers the opportunity to purchase a bolthole in the sun. Prices in countries such as France, Spain, and Portugal are still rock-bottom but there are signs that this is set to change, so now seems an opportune time to purchase abroad with cash.

Upsizing is another matter. Cohabitation and starting a family often require more, not less, space. But this is a great time for first-time-buyers to be on the move, as interest rates are still at their lowest ever. But there is precious little on the market in so many areas. This is putting upwards pressure on prices. So, the ability to buy with finance all set, and lots of determination to succeed quickly, are required.

There are fears of further global financial turbulence ahead. We live in an uncertain political world and here in the UK there are big questions on our future relationship with Europe and a housing shortage. For many, now is a particularly good moment for prudence; for right-sizing, right-placing and right-timing.

The market is still very much active, and filled with great opportunity, but caution is needed - caution, and good representation. It is no secret that successful people reach their stage of success because they obtain the best advice from the best people. That applies to the housing market also, those buying and selling property. A good local estate agent who really knows the market is the key to successful right-sizing."

Bull's Eye

Arlington & Hall take a look at what it takes to sell property today, and learns a lesson from history.

In 1415 the English archers were a formidable force at the battle of Agincourt - the 600th anniversary of which we commemorate on 25th October, St Crispin's Day. It is said that each archer was so fast that at any one time he had two arrows in the air and one in his bow. From five thousand archers, that made a lethal hailstorm of missiles. But none was tightly aimed at one target. It was the mass that did the overall damage.

Putting a property on the internet is a little like this cloud of arrows. There are quite literally tens of thousands of homes for sale out there. All one can hope for is that yours will, somehow, hit the mark. But most sellers want a little more from their estate agent than simply putting their property on the internet. After all, nearly anyone can do that. Most knowledgeable sellers demand targeted marketing as well. They want their agent to know the buyers and have a strong idea who will buy and for how much.

Sellers want their estate agent to have a clear idea about value - not because they have used a website algorithm but because they are so knowledgeable about the local market that they have their finger on the pulse.

Nor are websites very good at negotiating deals and seeing through transactions - in fact they can do neither. People need to do that. And the better the people, the better it is for the seller.

So, don't let your home become one of a crowd. Make it one on its own - an arrow perfectly aimed by a supreme marksman at a well-selected target. That way, you will hit gold in the centre of the target. Bull's-eye.

Reactions to the wind farms along the Dorset Coast

So we are lucky enough to live in such a beautiful place along the coast of England, taking in some breathtaking views on a daily basis. Could our refusal to build a wind farm to help global warming, due to it being "an eye sore", cause damaging effects to the charming seaside resorts in Dorset?

Yesterday finally produced a decision for the proposal of a wind farm along the south coast after a long fight. The Navitus Bay wind farm plans were rejected after years of controversial conversations  to place 121 wind turbines 9 miles away from Swanage as well as 13 miles away from Bournemouth and Poole. Many have stated how delighted they are that the government have made the right decision, but is this just a selfish act that could cause our children for many generations to come, to not have the same pleasure in enjoying the charm of Dorset's coastline as we do today?

The proposals aimed to please by claiming the results from their research showed that the wind turbines could power up to 700,000 homes in a year resulting in us decreasing our reliability on imported fuels that we have become accustomed to. They also estimated that by fulfilling these plans we would reduce our CO2 emissions by up to 1,290,000 tonnes.Project director at navitus bay, Mr Stuart Grant, has obviously stated his disappointment in the decision that was made, nevertheless has thanked all the communities that have supported the plans from the beginning and plans to discuss options available to their supporting stakeholders going forward. 

However, this was not enough to sway the opinions of most to agree to the plans. Mr Grey, UKIP candidate for christchurch said: "It's going to decimate our beautiful countryside. They are going to build a 40m-wide trench from where it comes into land at Mudeford right up to Mannington."

Many agreed with Mr Grey's views resulting in their opinions continuing the argument, that the UK's only World Heritage site should remain natural and the implementation of this wind farm could have damaging effects on the tourism industry and cost up to 5,000 jobs. 

On the other hand Navitus Bay proposed that the plans would support a minimum of 1,700 jobs locally and 147 permanent jobs for the duration on the 25 year operational life of the project. Mr Bowkett, labour candidate for South Dorset said, "The principle of developing renewables in this part of the world is important, nor just from the climate change perspective but...delivering more jobs and better jobs for this area. When we left power in 2010, we would import 27% of the raw materials needed for power generation in this country. It's now over 40%." Also on this side of the argument Ms Slade, liberal Democrat candidate for mid Dorset and North Poole said, "The reality is that we have got to stop extracting fossil fuels from this planet."

In spite of that, Mr Hoare, Conservative candidate for North Dorset said, "I think, in the county, we are very good because we have hit our county's targets for renewables. I think that we need to have far more focus on saving energy rather than how it is generated."

For Five years this argument has been going back and forth yet the recommendation for the plans to stop has resulted in favour of against and the ultimate decision for the project to be refused. Claire Moody, Labour MEP for the South West has claimed that it is just a political move to halt the plans and that climate change is a bigger risk than many may think.

The Dorset coast is left with its elegant, natural views for the moment but could this all change after our lifetime? Hopefully the right decision has been made but we are left with the question what are the next steps to help prevent the effects we face from climate change?

Back to School!

Arlington & Hall suggest that it is not solely our children who might be learning some timely lessons this autumn.

'Mortgage lending at its highest in seven years'.
'House prices jumped 4.3% in the three months to July - the highest quarterly growth in eleven years'.
'Rents across England and Wales rose faster in July than in any month since records began in 2009'.

... all these recent headlines point to a property market that is flying. But is it, truly?

Have we finally shrugged off the dark days of 2008? Perhaps we haven't, for other headlines suggest that we are in the hold of a property crisis. There are far too few homes being built for the increasing demand. There is a crying need for more social housing. The rental sector will continue to grow as it is too difficult for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder - and all this on next-to-zero interest rates. What happens when they start to rise, which could be as early as next year? Also, those startling headlines are across the board. They don't show that some regions are still suffering and that London is not so buoyant as it was.

So what does this mean for the autumn market - the after-the-holidays, back-to-school market? It means that, as ever, pricing is key. Sellers must not get too carried away by the headlines. Just because one area is doing well doesn't mean all are. And when there is extraordinary pressure on prices brought on by lack of stock it often means there could be a dip in values when there is a surfeit of stock later.

Our advice, whether buying or selling this coming autumn, is not to get too carried away. Stick to the tried and tested methods of sale and purchase. Sellers: ensure that your property is looking at its best, make sure that you have an agent acting for you with a superb track record in marketing and doing great deals in the local area, and above all price to sell. Buyers: look for the best conveyancing solicitors - they will save you time; check that you have all your funds arranged in principle and remember those potential interest rate rises will affect your repayments in years to come. Buyers and sellers: be flexible, be reasonable, be helpful and remember that this is not just about buying or selling a property; it is about moving on and starting a new life. Above all else, including money and principle, that is the most important thing.

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival

The exquisite Dorset Jurassic coastline is the perfect scenery for a unique modest sized festival which is located on a farm in the Purbeck Valley.

This local event is the host to an eclectic selection of entertainment trying to provide fun for all starting with competitions such as the "beard off", not just being open to the male facial hair variety, having five different categories for prizes. Then having fancy dress with the theme of the letter "R" to welcome all to let your imagination and creativity shine through.

Children are also welcome with a cinema, music workshops, circus styled entertainment and so much more to keep them happy and out of trouble.

With a wide range of stalls, food and acts to grab your interest, its a festival that no-one in your family should miss out on.

Its being held this weekend starting Thursday 27th August running through till Sunday 30th August hoping we will be joined with some pleasant sunshine.

For more information see http://www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk/


  

What's my property worth?

Gary Berendt of Arlington & Hall Estate Agents looks at the pitfalls, difficulties and intricacies associated with assessing property value.

Working as an estate agent, my fellow colleagues and property professionals will know of the conversations we often have.
Whether on a business or personal visit, when seeing people, when they hear you work in property, they are always keen to know what the value of their property is worth. No matter what it is, where you are in the country, people are always keen to know what the property market is doing, how prices are holding up, are they rising finally? Are they falling? Is now a time to buy?
Property prices are, and always have been, a national sport; a national obsession, maybe!
We are fixated with what our properties are worth, what they are selling for, what the Johnsons at number 34 sold for, but oh theirs was in worse condition than mine, and why shouldn't we be? Our properties are the single biggest investment most of us will purchase - unless you're in the business of buying limited edition hypercars or the odd Picasso to hang on your lounge wall.

Therefore, we are always keen to know the true facts, and what figure our home carries. For most people, this will directly influence their onwards move when the time comes to peruse the listings, portals and property magazines for their next home.

However, with the advent of multi-platform information sharing, comes a skewed understanding of figures.
Zoopla has its own proprietary 'online valuation tool' which, like most other agents locally, I view with frustration. Indeed, when speaking to locally visiting Zoopla reps, they apologetically explain that it's a national system that they cannot do much with. They are frustrated and do share our views that, in the local market, it simply does not work. Furthermore, it gives you, the reading public, an oft-incorrect view.

Where there are streets and streets of identical properties, this system can work well. Very well, I'm sure. It uses a mixture of data and (from what I understand) fairly complex algorithms to give a rough valuation (and, to be fair, they do say this) of what your property is worth. A rough valuation.
Therefore, if you live in a housing estate where all the properties are of broadly similar styles, sizes and configurations, or perhaps an area of town where there are dozens of identical Victorian terraced homes, this might be a useful aid in helping ascertain a value. The figures may be more accurate, where every single one of the last fifteen sales have been a two-bedroom semi-detached home, selling for a range of figures with perhaps only £10,000 separating the highest and lowest amounts.

However, the local market is very different. Take Sandbanks, for example. On Banks Road, we have several large beach-facing homes, with several documented sales, in the past few years, including from this firm, in the several million pounds, £4-5 million, possibly slightly more for a larger properties, with the right wind behind us. Examples on the market currently are above £6 million.
The other side of the road, we have smaller properties, purpose-built apartments.
Off the top of my head, two recent sales I personally carried out for clients were at £362,000 and £435,000 for two, two-bedroom apartments.
So on one side of the road, we have large beachfront homes with values (roughly) between £4-6m, depending on what we are looking at. The other side of the exact same road, a stone's throw away, are apartments starting at mid-to-high three-hundreds.

Therefore, in the local market, this platform - the valuation aggregator - simply doesn't work. It presents skewed figures and findings, across the area, NOT just in Sandbanks, that simply don't add up to a property's value.

I've been to plenty of valuations where, to start with, our prospective client tells us that Zoopla valued their property at £xxx. No, we explain to them, Zoopla hasn't valued your home, they haven't seen it, they don't know what it's like, the platform is simply an aggregator, an average taking details locally. In a market such as ours, the prices don't work in that way, we have vastly different styles of home on the same road. Bournemouth Road is another, more local example - new build developments, apartments, bungalows, Victorian properties, almost every property style on offer.
The eclecticism and variety of property on offer means that a property professional is needed to ascertain selling values. These are all taken into account, they have an effect, however there are so many variables and elements involved with valuing a property which is why we are called. So many things will have an effect that it is an art and a skill that we are proud to be able to use.

The other fact, notwithstanding, is that plenty of properties simply have the wrong information on this valuation system. I entered two existing clients' properties whilst writing this; one was on Burton Road, on a very large plot. The 'valuation' came back at under £900,000, which is significantly less than what it is worth, possibly even half, and had the wrong amount of bedrooms, bathrooms AND reception rooms! If you were looking to sell after a significant period of time, this would hugely alter your expectations and thoughts.

Similarly, the difficulty with online agents who aren't local specialists are, generally, they simply don't have the market knowledge that a local, established agent with roots and experience in your area can deliver.
We can come round, and tell you what next door sold for, or recent local sales, drawing on anecdotal evidence, other valuations, sales, purchases that clients have carried out, split fee/shared instructions, properties that came to the market and didn't sell, speculative valuations, looking at potential purchaser's homes, etc. All of this is valuable local experience and market knowledge that we, and our contemporaries, competition and local colleagues can, or should be able to, deliver. Many online agents cannot, because they will cover the whole of the UK and leave you to do all the work (including putting up your own board in some cases!).

Therefore, if you are choosing to sell, thinking about selling, or wish to glean an idea on what your home is worth, please make the right decision. Most of the time, the Zoopla 'valuation tool' (and I use that phrase very weakly) isn't worth the time invested in it, and only a reputable local agent will truly deliver a realistic selling value, not just what they think you want to hear necessarily, but a realistic price that is achievable in today's market, drawing on trends, historical evidence and similar, comparable local sales.
We have a duty under Property Ombudsman guidelines to deliver comparable evidence to valuations, and we like to do this. It shows you, the public, why your property is worth the figure we're explaining to you.

For free, independent, impartial and honest property advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We would be delighted to help and it is no-obligation. But, most pertinently of all, accurate.

*New Opportunity*

Now up for rent (£1650 PCM), A beautifully appointed family home situated within a much sort after gated development in the heart of Lytchett Matravers. Offering generous versatile accommodation finished to a high standard offered as unfurnished. For any more information don't hesitate to contact Cliff on 01202 744944 Or email: info@arlingtonandhall.com

Weekend Salesperson required!

 We are looking for a smart individual for the position of weekend sales person.

Please contact us on 01202 744 944.

Welcoming Our new Office Coordinator

We Are welcoming Laura Jeans to the team this week as she joins us as a full time office coordinator.

She will be the first point of contact in the office, do not hesitate to pop in and say hello.

Stuff Happens

Arlington & Hall explain why having good support when selling or buying a home is so important.

It was two hundred years ago when Napoleon first met his Waterloo - at Waterloo.

Meeting one's own Waterloo comes to all of us from time to time. I can think of many occasions in property when deals have gone sour, buyers have faltered leaving bitter sellers or sellers have changed their minds at the last minute leaving very frustrated buyers. Sometimes mortgages haven't materialised or for some legal or survey reason the wheels have come off a transaction. Stuff happens.

But sometimes stuff needn't happen. A well-planned sale or purchase in the hands of an experienced expert has a great deal more chance of success than an ill-planned attempt put in the hands of an inexpert, a hastily cobbled-together affair.

For those who don't move home very often - and that is to say, most of us - the property market can be a confusing place in which to find oneself. There are so many conflicting claims and counter-claims, and so many differing points of view. It is difficult sometimes to know what to do for the best.

But it is not a good idea to start by doing things on your own with no expert backup. It is also sensible not to start with a cut-price agent because mostly all one gets is a cut-price service with a cut-price return. Some sellers who haven't moved for many years may find lots of different and unfamiliar estate agency names locally and won't know which to turn to. This is because over the years firms come and go. So it is perhaps best to choose a firm with established names, recognised faces, a firm that will not shortly be going. It is by far better to choose a long-established agent with a strong and enduring reputation and established links with the local community, with good connections. These are the ones with staying power and for one reason - they are good at getting people moved.

But don't confused long established with dated. Today, all estate agents are online agents. They have to be online; it is the way things are now. But those who simply call themselves 'online' are merely internet-only firms with no presence. The fuller-service firm brings a lot more to the party, a multi-faceted approach, which is why the cost can be higher. But the rewards can be much greater.

It is tempting to be cynical about the property industry. But it would be better to resist that urge. Oscar Wilde described a cynic as 'a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing'. It is easy to save a few pounds here and there on service, but it could cost thousands and even tens of thousands in the long run - I've seen that happen too.

Stuff happens - ask Napoleon. But it needn't happen with the right support - ask Wellington.

Rick Stein officially chooses Sandbanks for his next fantastic restaurant!

He's the chef who put Padstow on the map, created food heroes out of small producers across the country, and now, he is making his mark in Sandbanks.

Rick Stein, the celebrated and very well-known chef and TV personality, has officially chosen the beautiful location of Sandbanks to open his next restaurant, building on the success he has already created, including four restaurants in Padstow, a fish-and-chip shop in Falmouth, and 'Rick Stein at Bannisters' in New South Wales.

Operating from the former Cafe Shore premises, this fantastic restaurant will offer casual lunches with classic dishes such as Cornish crab salads, moules mariniere, and seafood dishes such as dover sole meuniere, turbot hollandaise and fruits de mer.

To whet your appetite whilst eagerly waiting for the autumn 2015 opening, why not try this delicious dish created by Rick?

And - just a small flavour of what awaits.

 

 


From everybody at Arlington & Hall, we wish you every success.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

If there is one event you do not want to miss this year it is Goodwood's Annual Festival of Speed.
A packed weekend of the largest motoring event in the world. Held in the grounds of Goodwood House, there are many events that you must explore! The annual Hillclimb celebrates motor sports and all things automotive. Goodwood FoS has everything from a F1 Sky Sports Paddock to Land Rover driver experiences and it has just been announced Kimi Raikonnen the top Formula 1 driver will be making a appearance at Goodwood.
Here at Arlington & Hall we do like a Supercar especially since Gary has been back from Le Mans so we will certainly be interested in looking out for this years dynamic Supercar paddock. It is the debut of the all new Honda NSX, and if all that noise is too much Goodwood are putting on Raise the Roof music stage, a open air music gig, so what better way to enjoy something for everyone.
There is camping available for the first time ever, so be quick booking a plot! There is also fantastic packages available for the weekend, including champagne, afternoon tea and exclusive parking on site, so why not....go all out! The Festival runs from 26th - 29th June so get your skates on and book tickets!

Wimborne Folk Festival June 12th,13th and 14th

Wimborne is gearing up for this weekends action for family fun and folk music as it holds its annual festival. Everything from street arts to top folk bands and there is even camping nearby!
There are workshops going on daily for all to try and cost absolutely nothing! We recommend popping down over the weekend and giving it all a go as we will be!

Three new outdoor stages have been added this year. The main Stage in the Square will host live music and dance in the towns newly refurbished square. The Garden Stage at the Olive Branch offers laidback selections of acoustic artists, perfect for sitting in the sun with that Pimms or Cider. The Willow Walk Youth Music stage sponsored by Morgan Hampton will showcase young local talent in a relaxed family environment. There are Weekend Tickets still available and concert tickets still available to get your hands on! Be quick before they go! Link to their website will give you travel infomation. Visit http://www.wimbornefolk.co.uk/

Twenty Words

Arlington & Hall consider the property market in the aftermath of the 2015 general election and the new government's approach to housing - or not!

The Queen has never had to be too concerned about her own housing. Of course, Buckingham Palace was bombed during the War, and there was that dreadful fire at Windsor Castle in 1992 - her annus horribilis. But with Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyrood House, Sandringham House, Balmoral Castle and Craigowan Lodge to choose from, there is no shortage of Royal accommodation. So housing concerns must be left to the Queen's subjects.

Royal or not, having a roof over one's head is a big matter - one of the most fundamental of human requirements, along with food and water, and desires, whoever you are.
So, when the Queen read out her speech at the opening of parliament, she may have been intrigued as to what her government was going to do about housing. After all, a lot was said about it in the run-up to the Election.

We had had plenty of Mansion Tax talk and debate concerning non-dom status and stamp duty rises, not to mention rent caps, three-year tenancies and restricted landlord tax relief. All this, without a doubt, helped cool the housing market across the UK, and may even have played a small part in Labour's downfall at the ballot boxes.

But in the event the Queen didn't say very much about housing at all. In fact all she said from a 1007 word speech were twenty words; "Legislation will be introduced to support home ownership and give housing association tenants the chance to own their own home". Apart from extending the right-to-buy housing association tenants, housing it seems has once again been kicked into the parliamentary long grass while matters like Scotland, Europe and the Middle East sit in the much shorter grass.

Never mind. Without all the fears of what another government might do and now knowing what this government won't do means that it is once again business as usual in the housing world. Already there are clear signs that the market is recovering quickly from its pre-election jitters. This will, we hope, please the Queen. It will certainly please most of her subjects.

FANTASTIC New Instruction

A beautifully presented and elegant family home in the ever sought-after area of Pearce Avenue, Lilliput. Versatile and intelligently planned accommodation, with five bedrooms and full planning permission to create a dramatic top floor master bedroom suite or snug/chill out room offering spectacular harbour views. Very close by to the property are the award winning Blue Flag beaches at Sandbanks, as is Lilliput with its varied and eclectic mix of shopping,eateries (including a award winning patisserie/bake house, coffee shop and Thai tapas bar) Within fantastic school catchments, this is truly the perfect family home. So much house, and all yours for £1,350,000. Call the team today for viewings.

Property of the Week!

This weeks property is the last remaining 'No 1 the Vistas' A brand new ultra contemporary townhouse located in a superb positioned on the cliff top and within approximately 50 metres of the pathway down to the promenade and beach. A great position for the Bournemouth Airshow and just a stunning property. Once its gone...its gone! Call us today on 01202 744944 or visit our website sales list for more details.

NEW BOARDS!

We received our fresh new boards this week, courtesy of Kremer Signs, these guys really delivered on quality and we have a brand new set of 'Sale' and 'Sold' to go! Jade in the office even fancied a pose with them too! COMING TO A HOME NEAR YOU...

SAFE AS HOUSES

A comment from Arlington & Hall gauging the effect that the election result will have on the market.

For a number of weeks leading up to the 2015 General election, houses didn't seem as secure as they might be. Across the country, house buying and selling activity slowed down as people awaited the outcome. So the announcement that there would be a winner with a clear if perhaps slender majority was met by those in the housing industry with a collective sigh of relief.

It wasn't necessarily the political stripe of the party that won but the fact there was at least a clear result and the property market would not be left in a an indeterminate state during weeks and possibly months of political horse trading and in- fighting.

Also, there will be a acknowledgment that the threat of mansion tax has gone. This was a significant dear towards the upper end of the market. Another worry was the threat of rent control. This would potentially have affected the but to let market noticeably.

So there is a mandate from the electorate. The capital has responded positively. The pound is up; shares in major house building firms are up and at least 37% of the population feel a little more confident about the immediate future - buoyed by a trend of improving trade, employment and cost of living figures. But let us all hope - no matter which party we supported - that the next government, besides dealing with a small majority, a large deficit, Europe, devolution, world hot spots and many other incredibly important issues, will at least get to grips with an efficient and sustainable housing policy in the UK.

ARLINGTON & HALL COUNTRY LIVING

How many of you knew we did an Arlington & Hall Country living property section in the branch? We already have some fantastic properties in Iwerne Minster, Worth Matravers and Swanage, so if you prefer a country retreat or thinking of putting your house on the market call us on 01202 744944 where we can pop in for a free market appraisal, no obligation. We have buyers in the local areas, Sandbanks and London waiting.

Voting With Their Feet

Arlington & Hall gauges the impact housing policies have had on public opinion in the lead up to the general election.

Four weeks before the 2015 general election the voters had already made their thoughts known. Or at least those who had anything to do with buying property had. The political parties had been trying hard to woo the electorate with a plethora of housing-related inducements. But did they really mean anything to anyone?

The Conservatives promised huge numbers of new homes would be built and also dangled a right-to-buy opportunity for those with shared ownership arrangements through housing associations.
Labour had been pinning their hopes on the popularity - with those who would never have to pay it - of a mansion tax. Also of rent control.

Had either party the right answer to excite the electorate? It seems not. In the heat of electioneering it appeared that the only thing which significantly made buyers more active during the campaign was sunshine. The minute the spring sun came out so did buyers. Almost immediately viewings were lining up, offers were up and sales were up. What did this mean? It seems that the weather was more influential on buyers than the political climate.

Successive governments haven't exactly won people's respect on housing. The coalition has had four housing ministers during its recent tenure and between 1997 and 2008 the previous Labour government elevated eight different ministers to the post. This is hardly good for long-term stability in the sector. So we have all come to learn that if we want something done about roofs over our heads we must do it for ourselves.

Simply put, the economy in general seems more immediately important to voters than housing in isolation - and with good reason. When the economy is up people feel better and can afford more things - like properties. If it's down everyone hunkers down and goes nowhere: demand drops, values drop and new home building decreases which leads to a drop in land values - no matter what the housing policy at the time. Housing depends on the economy. The electorate understands that. It is people who create demand once the means to buy is in their favour and no right-to-buy or mansion tax policies will change that.

The past fifty years have not led us to believe that the next five will be any better for government housing policies - especially if the ministerial door continues revolving. So, we are on our own. Perhaps the next government should just neatly put all these policies under another title - devolution.