The latest update from David Doyle

How has Brexit created opportunity in the market?

 

Data released from Rightmove has shown that agreed house sales last month rose 6.1% from the same point last year, with every single region showing improvement. Considering the current climate of Brexit, could this upsurge in the property market actually be attributed to the relative political instability, rather than in spite of it?

It’s been another period of gigantic upheaval in British politics in regard to Brexit, but months of uncertainty have seemingly encouraged a spike in activity in a rush to beat the currently unstable deadline of October 31st. Buyers and sellers are therefore making something of a concerted effort to complete their property transactions within the next quarter.

Supporting this microcosm of activity in the market is the number of UK mortgage approvals which have also risen significantly. Approvals for house purchases rose to their highest level for two and a half years in July, with Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the EY ITEM Club, stating that: “It is possible that mortgage activity is being lifted by some people looking to complete their house purchases before Brexit occurs on 31 October, given the major uncertainties surrounding the UK successfully leaving the EU with a deal.”

Speaking prior to recent developments in the House of Commons, CEO of reallymoving Rob Houghton says: “The outlook for the property market over the next three months is remarkably positive, considering the current political and economic context. The recent election of a new Prime Minister who is committed to leaving the EU on Halloween even if a deal isn’t reached could mean clouds are gathering on the horizon, but any impact on prices in the short term is likely to be mitigated by the urgency of home movers to complete deals in the next three months.”

The Hemel Triathlon is coming on Sunday 29th September

Join us on Sunday 29 September for the Hemel Hempstead Triathlon. Gear up for swimming, bike riding and a 5km run!

Click here to read The Hemel Triathlon is coming on Sunday 29th September.

The Hertfordshire Wedding Fair

The Hertfordshire Wedding Fair, St Albans is Hertfordshire's premier wedding fair and is the county's oldest county wide wedding fair.

Click here to read The Hertfordshire Wedding Fair.

Property performance over the last decade

 

Now that we are in 2020, looking back at the previous decade can help to shine a light on what we are to expect next in the property market. New research from Proportunity – a new equity loan startup firm – has shone a light on which properties have increased the most in value from 2010 to 2020.

Surprisingly, terraced properties have seen the greatest rate of growth nationally – with an average growth of 3.05%, compared to 2.9%, 2.35% and 2.33% for semi-detached, flats and detached properties respectively.

London has seen the highest rate of growth with the region’s averages outperforming most other parts of the country, with terraced properties in the capital of the country proving to be an outstanding investment decision. In the year 2000, the average price for a terraced property stood at £127,833 in London, however by the end of 2019 this had risen to £499,178 – a startling 290% increase.

“The 2010s were marked by the after-effects of the financial crisis, and then by Brexit uncertainty,” Vadim Toader, founder and chief executive officer of Proportunity, says:

“Despite these headwinds, we have largely seen growth across the board, but the clear winner is terraced housing – or more specifically, terraced homes in London – with buyers likely attracted to their historic characteristics and charm, as well as their limited supply, compared to new builds.”

If you are considering investing into a property this year, then there are three key aspects to keep in mind in order to be successful;

1) Plan for success; know exactly who your audience will be when you let the property out, or sell it on.

2) Gain a mortgage in principle; this will enable you to move quickly as investment properties will often have heightened levels of competition around them.

3) Work with a good estate agent; a reputable agent will be able to advise you on everything from the right area to invest in, to the potential yields you will be able to reap.

 

 

Region Name	flat CAGR 2010-2019	terr CAGR 2010-2019	semi CAGR 2010-2019	detached CAGR 2010-2019
East Midlands	0.74%	1.78%	2.11%	2.25%
East of England	2.62%	3.47%	3.59%	3.07%
London	4.93%	5.07%	4.33%	3.06%
North East	-0.50%	0.08%	0.47%	0.67%
North West	-0.04%	1.07%	1.43%	1.21%
South East	2.49%	3.40%	3.41%	2.84%
South West	1.34%	2.19%	2.35%	2.18%
Wales	0.50%	0.90%	1.01%	1.20%
West Midlands	0.65%	1.52%	1.96%	1.91%
Yorkshire and The Humber	-0.12%	0.91%	1.30%	1.32%
England and Wales	2.35%	3.05%	2.90%	2.33%

Saving for a house deposit

 

For most of us, the most expensive thing that we ever purchase will be a property, and the prospect of saving for that all-important deposit can be rather daunting. However, the key to saving for that lump sum is simply good financial preparation and making a few changes to your outgoings which should reap big rewards. Take a look through our handy hints and tips and you’ll be in that new home in no time.

Speak to an expert
If you have made the decision that you are ready to buy a property, then an excellent first point-of-call would be to speak to an expert, be that a financial planner, mortgage advisor or a savings expert in your bank. It is important to get a detailed overview of your personal finances and speaking to an industry expert will provide you with tailored advice which suits your lifestyle, as well as being given some proven strategies to help you to save. Whether you’re a saver or a spender, it is important to get in to the right mindset to save and starting the process by speaking to an expert is a sensible first step.

Make a move
With the cost of renting often leaving many with little money to save for a deposit, making a temporary move can be a key factor in achieving a sufficient deposit. More and more people are moving back in with their parents for a period of 6 to 12 months; often paying no rent and economising through saving on laundry and food costs. If living with your parents is a truly unbearable prospect, then finding a lodger to live with you will also aid you in that all-important quest for a deposit.

Know your options
Did you know that you could buy a property with just a 5% deposit? Knowing what schemes and grants are out there will most certainly help you to achieve a house deposit. The Help-to-Buy shared equity scheme allows you to purchase a home with as little as 5% deposit and the government or developer (this is available for new homes only) lends you the rest of the deposit. Shared ownership schemes involve purchasing part of a property and then renting the rest, and although you would still need a deposit to get a mortgage for the part of the property you are buying, the deposit would be considerably lower; for example, to get a 90% mortgage on a 50% share of a £150,00 property, you would need only £7,500 for the deposit.

Make your savings work harder
Naturally, any changes you make will have one similar goal – to help you in saving more money more quickly and making these savings work for you should be a top priority. Open an ISA and use your yearly cash allowance so you don’t pay unnecessary tax. If you don’t already have one, open a savings account and save what you can, even if you think the amounts you are saving are inconsequential, they will soon amount to a worthwhile value. Shop around and see which bank offers the best interest rate on your savings, don’t just take one out with your current banking provider as finding a good interest rate could go a big way to helping you reach your goal faster.

Saving for a deposit can seem like a tall order, so making some sound financial decisions will be the key in to being approved for a mortgage and taking a step on to the property market. Get yourself into the right mindset where you are aware of why you are making some financial changes, remember that they are all short-term, and you’ll see those savings growing faster than you could have ever hoped.

How to set achievable goals with your home

 

Setting New Year’s resolutions is a long-lived tradition, however, this year is set to be slightly different.

 

Due to the pandemic, goals – such as travelling the world – will have to be put on hold due to restrictions.

 

As a result, many people are looking for achievable goals and challenges closer to home, and renovating your property is just one area of our lives we have the power to transform in 2021.

 

Here's how you can get started with your renovations...

 

Make a schedule

Before you get ahead of yourself and want to change everything in your house right away, take a step back and create a plan you can stick to.

 

This will ensure you don’t take up too much time focusing on everything at once, allowing you to remain stress-free and organised.


Create a budget that doesn’t pinch every penny

Everyone loves to save money where possible, however, if your budget is too stringent, this could cause your goals to fall short.

 

When renovating, you want to aim for the grand picture in your head as much as possible, and penny-pinching won’t help at all.

 

Take the time to carefully save so you don't find yourself struggling unnecessarily, and focus on the little things that can be changed without too much expense.


Have goals that are measurable

When starting a project, it is natural to want to see immediate results.

 

Depending on just how much work is required, you might want to consider planning out key milestones that will signal when the next phase of development has been reached.

 

That way, you won't lose heart from any potential setbacks or delays.

 

Ensure you can’t forget your resolutions

Plaster reminders of tasks you need to complete all over your home, meaning you can’t miss or avoid them.

 

Whether it’s a big A3 poster or a post-it note on the computer, this will keep your goals fresh in your mind.

 

For more property ideas or inspiration, talk to our team today about the renovations that add real value to your home.

 

 

 

What you need to know about the 95% mortgage guarantee scheme

A new mortgage guarantee scheme was announced this spring, with the goal being to help first-time buyers and aspiring home movers purchase a home with a smaller deposit.

 

The initiative, which will be available for new mortgages up to 31st December 2022, is intended to increase the availability of mortgages on new or existing properties for those with small deposits. 

 

This comes after a plummet in 95% mortgages made available last year, as lenders lost confidence in the UK's financial stability due to the pandemic.

 

How will it work?

 

It is based on the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme that ran from October 2013 to December 2016, which backed mortgages for 104,736 purchases – 2.7% of all those in the UK.

  

The average property bought through the scheme was worth £159,170, compared to an average UK house price of £223,000.

 

In terms of restrictions with the latest initiative, only first-time buyers or those moving homes are eligible to apply, not those wishing to buy second homes or buy-to-let properties.

 

First-time buyers and home-movers form a vital cog in the economy and housing market, so government support will play a crucial role in restoring the balance.

   

To get assistance on your mortgage needs, get in touch today, or browse our latest properties to see what's available in your area.

 

 

12 cleaning tricks at the fraction of the cost!

From your oven to your bathroom, if you love to take pride in your home, you’ll want to know all the cleaning tricks and hacks to keep your home sparkling for a fraction of the cost.

 

Plenty of natural, cheap and quick cleaning tips from tin foil to vinegar and lemons can be used to save you time and money, making it even easier when you need to prepare your property for guests or even potential viewers who are interested in making an offer. 

 

 

Cleaning tips for bathrooms

 

Tip number 1 

 

 

Clean your bath with a grapefruit!

 

Get rid of water marks or stains in your bathtub by cutting a grapefruit in half, sprinkle on some rock salt and give it a good scrub, then rinse.

 

Tip number 2

 

Removing limescale from your shower using vinegar.

 

If you’re looking for a more natural way to clean your home from top to bottom, vinegar is your new best friend!

 

Soak your shower head in a mixture of boiling water and vinegar to unclog any limescale easily.

 

Tip number 3

 

Use an old toothbrush for cleaning your bathroom.

 

Don’t throw away your old toothbrush as it can be very useful!

 

Give it a rinse in boiling water to get rid of any germs and use it to get into any nooks and crannies that your vacuum cleaner can’t reach. It’s especially handy for cleaning hard to reach areas like around the tap or drain.

 

Tip number 4

 

Clean your toilet stains with coke.

 

Get a grubby toilet back to sparkling white by pouring in a can of coke.

 

Let it sit in the bowl overnight, give it a good scrub with the brush and then flush the next morning for a new sparkling loo!

 

Tip number 5

 

Unclog drains with baking soda.

 

Pour down the drain one part baking soda followed by one part vinegar then cover with a wet cloth. 

 

The two elements will react with one another to clean your drain naturally. Wait five minutes and then run some hot water to rinse.

 

 

Cleaning tips for kitchens

 

Tip number 6

 

 

Clean your chopping board with lemon.

 

Our chopping boards get a lot of use from meat joints to fruit and vegetables, so it’s no wonder they end up looking a bit tired and worn.

 

Lemons are great to lift stains as well as removing any smells. Still not shifting? Then try sprinkling some baking soda and repeat.

 

Tip number 7

 

Pop a lemon in your fridge.

 

Cut a lemon in half and put one on the top shelf and one on the bottom to mask any strong smells in your fridge.

 

Tip number 8

 

Remove limescale from your iron.

 

Keep your iron working well by removing excess limescale from time to time. 

 

Simply heat up, unplug and let it cool. Fill with one part vinegar to one part water. Leave for an hour then empty and rinse.

 

Tip number 9

 

Use a pastry brush to clean crumbs out of your toaster.

 

Unplug your toaster and sweep those hard to reach crumbs and burnt bits with a pastry brush. This will help your toaster last longer.

 

Tip number 10

 

Clean your washing machine with vinegar.

 

Place the empty washing machine on a hot cycle with one cup of vinegar inside. This will help remove limescale and mildew, making the machine last longer and clean more efficiently, plus smell amazing! 

 

Tip number 11

 

Use a fabric softener sheet to stop your bin smelling.

 

There’s nothing more frustrating after you’ve emptied the bin than to find a lingering smell. Pop a fabric softener sheet into it for an instant air freshener.

 

Tip number 12

 

Clean your oven with tin foil.

 

Pop some oven cleaner or fairy liquid to the oven and scrub the fat and grime away!

 

 

For more information on maintaining your property, talk to us today.

 

 

What do buyers and renters find essential in the current climate?

More than a quarter of UK homeowners and renters have claimed that their property priorities have changed since the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Previously highly-sought after and high-value property features have dropped down the priority list for homebuyers and tenants, as they now seek different factors when looking for a property that meets their needs and lifestyles.

 

Easy commutes to work, proximity to local shops and restaurants, and local public transport links are no longer as desirable as they once were.

 

Instead, we have noticed a significant increase in those searching for more space, whereby those searching are willing to compromise on location or local amenities in return for larger bedrooms and a 'work from home' zone.

 

Having access to a private garden or nearby green space has also become one of the top preferences for homebuyers and renters, especially in light of reduced travel options this summer.

 

Are you looking to buy, sell, rent or let this year?

 

As leading agents within the local area, we're in the prime position to help you locate your next investment opportunity.

 

How much hidden equity is in your home?

It has been reported that almost half of homeowners are undervaluing their homes, including some cases where the properties were worth nearly £50,000 more than they realised.

 

Zoopla reports that only three in ten people have an accurate idea of how much their home is worth, with 45% undervaluing and 25% overvaluing.*

 

Nearly one in ten homeowners whose property was worth more than expected found that it was valued at over £100,000 more, with 40% located in the London and South East regions.

 

This means that more than one million UK properties could be hiding six figures of hidden equity – unbeknown to the owners.

 

What does it look like in London?

 

35% of London homeowners have found their property to be worth more than expected, by an average of £117,000.

 

Whilst 37% said their home was worth less than they thought, by an average of £49,000. 

 

In light of all the findings, a property in London is worth on average £22,846 more than anticipated, which is more than double the £9,470 national average.

 

What benefits are there for homeowners?

 

It is reported that the benefits from hidden equity have meant:

 

- 81% could improve their lifestyle

- 50% were able to move to a better property

- 18% between 55-64 were able to retire sooner than expected

- 13% could upgrade their car

- 13% went on more holidays

- 8% were able to help get family and children on the property ladder

 

Seven out of ten homeowners would have made different financial decisions if they had been aware of their hidden equity.

 

What could this mean for you?

 

You may be in for a surprise if you check the current value of your home.

 

There are huge benefits to knowing how much your home is worth, particularly if you’re thinking of selling, as the value could influence the type of property or location you move to.

 

Gráinne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla, explained: "the effects of the pandemic over the last 12 months have been felt in the housing market, with many households reassessing how and where they want to live.

 

"There is soaring buyer demand but this is not currently being matched by homes being listed for sale. Homeowners considering a move could be in pole position in their local market if they offer their property for sale, and could be set to unlock hidden equity."

 

If you’re looking to sell your property or would like to get your property valued, please contact us today.

 

*Zoopla’s Hidden Equity Survey is based on research among 2,000 UK homeowners who have had their home valued by an estate agent in the past three years. 

 

 

 

A basic guide to decorating

 

Flick through the pages of any magazine these days or scroll through the popular Pinterest app and you’re likely to see endless images of chic properties with timeless décor. For those of us that are blessed to be able to colour-match and accessorise effortlessly, this is an entirely attainable vision; however, for the rest of us who are a little more challenged in the decorating department, it can be tough to know where to start. Read through our basic guide to decorating and we will provide you with some guidelines which are sure to help you turn your home in to a real page-turner.

Start scheming
So, you have decided to revamp a room, you’re excited and you just want to get the paint brushes out but hold on…you need to take a moment and think about what you really want! Taking a moment or two to plan will help to ensure that the effort you’re going to is really worth it, and having an overall concept will hold all of the interior elements together. Ask yourself what you like and dislike about the room currently and how you want the room to feel - cool and trendy or warm and welcoming? These simple questions will help you to focus in on how you’d like the end result to be and using apps such as Pinterest or Instagram will help you to decide on overall concepts. Creating a mood board for the room will help to streamline your ideas and will serve as a reference throughout the entire decorating process.

Stay in neutral
It may seem like a safe or unimaginative option, but neutrals are timeless when it comes to decorating. When you have a neutral palette to work with, you can layer colours and textures on top of the basic colour scheme in order to achieve your desired look. With new trends popping up seemingly every other day, having a neutral colour scheme allows you to easily change the feel of your room simply by updating the accessories and soft furnishings. You can also add in vibrant pops of colour to lift your room when using a more neutral scheme, with accent pieces such as side tables and upholstery offering some interest in to your colour palette.

Softly, softly
Soft furnishings can put the va va voom in to your room! Having strong accent pieces, as well as coordinated soft furnishings such as curtains, throws, pillows and rugs create a more coherent and cohesive atmosphere in a room. Rotating which soft furnishings you have in your room seasonally works really well to make your room feel up-to-date and contemporary; for example, using a blue rug and pops of yellow during the longer winter months, or some glittery cushions for the festive period. These pops of colour and print will have the desired outcome of a tasteful and chic room.

Simplify
Don’t be scared to leave spaces empty in your room. Horror vacui, a fear of empty spaces, is evident in so much of today’s culture with a tendency to want to display all of our knick-knacks throughout our homes. When you have gone to the effort to stylishly decorate your room, don’t ruin the hard work by then adding in too many objects; instead, let your decorating do the talking for you. If you want to display some of your own items, then ensure to group them and use the rule of thirds; group three objects together in a display rather than two. Groupings of objects which vary in heights, shapes and textures but are related to one another are the most effective for displays; for example, grouping three candles which are different heights but are the same colour.

When renovating a room, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, which is frequently why we shy away from decorating. However, we would recommend taking your time, planning your renovations carefully with a budget and enjoying the process – updating your home will add value to your property, after all, as well as giving you a beautiful home to relax in after a tough day at work.

First time buyers' guide to making an offer

 

If you’re a first-time buyer and have begun the hunt for your first home, you may think that once you’ve found the right one you simply offer what they ask for; job done! However, when it comes to making an offer on a home, there’s a bit more work that should go into it than simply offering the price advertised.

You need to be confident when making an offer that you’re not going to be stung by an inflated asking price or take yourself out of the running by offering too low. To help you prepare, we’ve put together the following information to help you through this stage of the home buying process.

Get some advice
The first step and arguably most important step you need to take is speaking to an expert. If you’re a first-time buyer, then you probably don’t have a wealth of knowledge on how the market works and what you can and can’t afford. Get in touch with a mortgage advisor, get informed on how it all works and more importantly, find out what your price range is so when you do make a formal offer you can do so with confidence.

Research the local market
Once you know how much you’ll be able to spend, it’s time to get a better understanding of your local market. The more research the better. Take a look at what’s up for sale and find out what your budget will get you in each area.

Build a list of key features that your home will need, such as the number of bedrooms or a driveway. The chances of you moving into your dream property with your first move are somewhat slim; however, it’s important that you know what you’re looking for and how much it will cost you in each area.

It would be wise at this point to get in touch with a local estate agent. You can do as much research as possible, but a good local agent will always be a benefit as they will know the market like the back of their hand. This means that they can fill you in on what to expect from vendors and hopefully help you avoid any pitfalls.

Get out there and book some viewings
Now that you’ve done your research on what you want, what you can afford and what the market has to offer, it’s time to book some viewings and get out there. Things can move very quickly in the property market, so your previous work and research leading up to this point will come in handy as there’ll be no time wasted travelling to unsuitable areas or over-priced properties.

While viewing properties, be sure to check out the building's structure and not just its décor. Check for any damage such as cracks in walls or damp. Make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting into and have a good idea of the current state of the home as it can help form your offer.

When you find the right home, be ready to act!
If you’ve managed to find the right home, then it would be best to act quickly as there’s a good chance you’re not the only one eyeing up that house. If you’re ready to make an offer, consider a few things before doing so. How much do other similar properties go for in the area? Does the property need some repairs? Have house prices dropped slightly since the home was first put on the market? We’d all love to knock a few thousand off the asking price, but the seller isn’t going to make such a concession easily, so if your offer is lower than the asking price, you’ll need to demonstrate why.

The Final Steps
Now before you finally put your offer on the table, try and organise all the other pieces of the puzzle beforehand so you are ready to go as soon as it’s accepted. If you’re a first-time buyer then one of your major benefits is that you don’t have to organise selling your own home, but if you can organise such things as surveys and solicitors then it’ll make the process much smoother.

Puppet Theatre: Beastly Belle 

Be charmed and surprised by a new twist on an old tale, inspired by the iconic era of 1920s and 30s cinema.

Click here to read Puppet Theatre: Beastly Belle .

The Serpent's Tale, hosted by Water Gardens

Join the wild and wonky May Queen to discover The Serpent's Tale - an original play on Saturday 28th September. 

Click here to read The Serpent's Tale, hosted by Water Gardens.

Should you pay off your property's mortgage early?

 

New research from financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown has shown that one in six of us who have purchased a property will either be over 65 by the time the mortgage is fully paid off, or the loan will never be fully paid off. The question stands, therefore, as to whether you should pay your mortgage off early or not?

As the average age of homeowners creeps upwards, and first-time buyers are entering the marketplace beyond 30 years old, the prospect of entering into retirement with a mortgage still to pay is going to be a reality for many. Research conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority supports this notion, with the FCA forecasting that 40% of first-time buyers in 2017 would still be repaying their home loans at 65.

First and foremost, do your sums to see whether you have anything to worry about in the first place. If you are going to be receiving a healthy pension anyway, then the prospect of continuing mortgage payments may not be anything to worry about. On the other hand, if you are going to be on a lower income than you’re currently accustomed to, then mortgage payments may well prove to be a stretch. If this is the case, here are a few options to help you pay that mortgage off sooner:

Overpay whilst you can
Speak with your mortgage provider to see when your prospective final payment is, and use this to incentivise yourself to pay early when you can afford it. Many mortgages will not charge you for overpaying, instead embracing the higher payments so double-check with your provider and overpay in order to bring forwards that final payment date.

Consider remortgaging
With interest rates at record-low levels, many borrowers are now considering remortgaging in order to obtain a more favourable mortgage. Eventually, you will be moved onto your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) if you do not remortgage or move onto a different deal during your mortgage term. Avoid these less favourable mortgage rates which will extend your mortgage term, and you could slice years off your repayment schedule just by switching providers or plans.

Reduce your mortgage term
Rather than overpaying on your current mortgage plan, reassess your financial status to see what you can really afford now. You will most likely be in a different economic position now to when you first purchased your property, and potentially able to afford higher repayments. If this is the case, and you are likely to remain in a stable position for the foreseeable future, then reducing your term and increasing your monthly payments is a guaranteed way to pay off your mortgage more quickly.

Help to Buy - what are your options for purchasing a home?

 

If you’re a first-time buyer looking to purchase a property, then you’ll almost certainly be aware of the Help to Buy scheme and its success in helping people get onto the property ladder. What you may not be aware of is how the scheme works, and how it helps buyers to secure deposits for homes that would otherwise be out of their reach.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a rough guide to how Help to Buy works.

Can you get a sufficient deposit together?
Most standard mortgages require a deposit of at least 5% of the value of the home you want to purchase. If you are able to get the capital required, then you may not need to apply for any scheme.

Equity Loans
If your deposit doesn’t stretch that far, however, never fear! This is where Help to Buy comes in. If you have a 5% deposit, you can apply for an equity loan for purchasing new-build properties. The Government will lend you up to 20% of the property’s price, but you’ll have to start paying interest on that loan after five years.

For example, should you purchase a £200,000 house, you’d pay £10,000 (5%), get a mortgage for £150,000 (75%) and the Government would loan you the remaining £40,000 (20%).

ISAs
If you’re still saving for that all-important deposit, then a Help to Buy ISA is available to you, with the Government adding 25% on top of the value of your savings, with up to 2.6% interest tax-free. A word of caution; if you’re considering this option, then you would need to apply for your ISA prior to 30th November this year. Click here to learn more.

Shared Ownership
If you can’t stretch your finances to be able to afford the entirety of a mortgage, Shared Ownership provides you with the opportunity to buy a share of your home (between 25% and 75% of the property’s value) whilst paying rent on the remaining share. You can also buy bigger shares in the property once you’re able to, offering you flexibility for the future whilst owning a significant stake in the home you wanted.

Purchasing a home doesn’t have to be beyond any first-time buyer. Speak to our financial experts about your Help to Buy options and find out how you can finally buy the property of your dreams.

Tales From Beyond the Grave - performance workshop

Enjoy a spell-binding performance which brings local history to life this Saturday at Rectory Lane Cemetery. 

Click here to read Tales From Beyond the Grave - performance workshop.

Just A Cappella Singing Group

Just A Cappella is a mixed voice group, who love singing in harmony together and are friendly and sociable.

Click here to read Just A Cappella Singing Group.