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There are rumblings in the press that the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will extend the Stamp Duty holiday deadline until the end of June. This is fantastic news for all those people who are in the process of completing and have been worried if it will happen in time. The Stamp Duty holiday certainly fired up the property market last year across the UK, and we saw many people moving as a result. Regardless of whether these rumblings become reality or not, we still believe that now is a great time to sell your home.
Are there buyers?
Even during a lockdown, the desire to move never fades, and that is proven when you take a look at February’s House Price Index from Rightmove. The index shows that visits to the property website are up 45% on last year, with those eager house-hunters increasing the number of enquiries by 18%. At Deakin-White we have really felt this buyer increase; it seems that the prospect of a restriction-free (ish) summer has got people looking to the future, and for many this includes a new home.
What can they buy?
As fantastic as this surge of buyers is, there is a problem: demand is outstripped by supply, there are just not enough houses on the market for them to buy. Rightmove figures also show that seller numbers are down by 21% from last year. In a sellers’ market such as this, it means that any home on the market will receive lots of attention, especially if it is priced correctly and marketed properly.
Where is the supply?
One of the reasons suggested for the lack of available properties is that people have resisted the urge to place their home on the market due to the pressures of home schooling. If you, like us, are trying to keep your sanity whilst googling ‘how to…’ to help your child with their schoolwork, you are not alone. Whoever said moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do in life, hasn’t experienced a lockdown with home schooling alongside home working – thank goodness it comes to an end on 8th March.
It is completely understandable that the idea of throwing a move into the mix has been one stress too many for lots of people. When the little ones are back in school we believe that the number of homes coming on to the market will start to increase and, as such, start to meet that demand from buyers. But remember, the more houses there are for sale, the more competition there is to catch potential buyers’ attention.
What do they need?
Today’s buyers know exactly what they want. This last year has given everyone a different perspective on personal needs, and this might now include space to work from home. Only this week, HSBC have announced that they are letting go of almost half of their global office footprint in favour of a “very different style of working post-Covid”. They are not the only corporate name to be making this move, and it is believed that the post-Covid working environment will be very different to what it was just over 12 months ago.
This huge change in the global working culture means that now more than ever before, a space to work is essential, whether that’s from home or an office hub. We have seen over the past year many home offices being built in gardens and in converted garages. It is therefore worth thinking about presenting an ‘office space’ in your property when you decide to place your home on the market.
A fresh start
There is no doubt that the idea of a post-Covid fresh start is extremely alluring, the idea that when June arrives, you will be able to enjoy your freedom in a wonderful new home. We know that many of you have invested in your properties over the last year – the queues at the DIY stores and the difficulty of finding certain shades of paint and materials was testament to this. All your hard work and creativity may give you some good news when we come to value your property.
Why now?
Why wouldn’t you want to sell your home when there is an abundance of buyers and a lack of properties available? We can start to do the work now so that when the schools are back and things are a little calmer, we can have your home marketed as quickly as possible. If you’re thinking of moving, now is a great time to sell your home.
Give our team a call today.
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Memories of Picture House Luton
Residents of Luton have watched the development of the Picture House Apartments with great interest – and with some trepidation, with some voicing concerns that the much-loved historical frontage would be lost or knocked down to make way for modern homes. Now that the development is underway, locals with a lasting fondness for the art deco landmark will be thrilled to see not only that the popular, eye catching frontage remains a landmark of the town, but the homes within have maintained an artful reflection of the ‘roaring thirties’ era in which the building was initially erected, and showcase a glamorous finish which embodies some of the former lives the building housed.
Initially built as a cinema, the building has also housed a busy Bingo hall and, later, a series of popular nightclubs which those who grew up in Luton will no doubt have visited many times. The location of many first dates, budding romances, celebrations with family and friends, big wins and cosy movie nights, what now a beautiful housing has shaped the personal history of many Luton residents.
The Odeon and Ritz cinema and theatre spaces within were once even the location for Beatles gigs, historical events which had queues curling 100’s deep around the streets, eager to see the already very popular band perform.
As the nightclub scene quietened, we saw the doors close one last time on Chicago’s, Liquid and Envy bars, the ownership trading hands as various businesses tried their hand – and the building stood unused as plans were made to transform it into residential homes.
Those homes – sympathetically designed with art deco features and a high-end finish – are now ready for buyers to buy off-plan, and live in their own little piece of local history. The apartments are stunning, and there’s a certain thrill which comes from living within such a fondly loved landmark on the Luton scene; a much loved building which embodies such a fine example of 1930s architecture, beautifully preserved and re-imagined as starter homes, family homes and a base for young professionals to begin their adventures on the property ladder.
The area around Gordon Street, in the heart of Luton, has been undergoing a rejuvenation for some time, with tired store fronts being replaced with vibrant new boutiques, restaurants and bars, bringing life and community back into the centre of Luton for locals and visitors to enjoy. This vibrancy is a fine reminder of the bustle the area will have had in the early days of the iconic art-deco building, with the tall, elegant windows looking out on an active and exciting part of town. This vibrancy is key to the development, which was careful to maintain the original charm of the building, to enhance the beauty of this popular part of Luton, and the homes within are sure to be snapped up and popular both with those who grew up in the area, and long wished for a lasting investment into the building, to protect it from demolition, and those who are looking for affordable homes in commuting distance to London – a train journey of less than 30 minutes.
When such well-loved buildings are developed people reminisce about the history of the area – and many happy memories have shaped the design; the homes within mean that the beautiful building can continue to form a part of local history, and house the stories of love, life and family for many more years to come.
Register Your Interest Today: www.picturehouseluton.com
Exclusively being sold by Deakin-White
Call our dedicated sales team on 01582 292 061
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When things are uncertain, it’s understandable that making huge life decisions such as moving home could be far from the front of your mind. Yet as more and more of us are vaccinated, noises from the government lead us to believe schools could be set to return soon, and our crappy winter weather starts to ease, you could be thinking why wait any longer? The question mark hanging over the Stamp Duty holiday extension could be resolved within the coming weeks, which may go in your favour, but regardless of the outcome, if you want to ensure you get the highest possible price and not just an acceptable price for yourhome, there are things that all savvy sellers do to get a house ready for a spring sale.
What are these things savvy sellers know?
There is nothing revolutionary, in fact most of it is common sense, but when you are swept up in the stresses and excitement of buying and selling at the same time, it’s not as easy to see things as they are. At Deakin-White we work hard to negotiate the highest possible price for homes we sell but we know we can always get that little bit more when there is a savvy seller on board.
Strictly do décor
Your Saturday nights may once have involved dancing the night away with friends and family, but this weekend, grab your partner – i.e. a paint brush – and chasse across your room refreshing the colour as you go. This new weekend phenomenon – Strictly do décor – has hit homes up and down the country, as savvy sellers are taking advantage of lockdown and swapping the sequins for overalls to ensure their home is buyer-ready. Gone is the vibrant décor that only an owner can love, and in with more neutral, toned-down palette which, although it may not be to the savvy seller’s taste, ensures that their home will do its job and walk away with not a Len Goodman 7, but a very elegantly dressed, Shirley Ballas 10.
Blankety BLANK
‘A buyer is walking around a house, they enter a room and instantly knew that it is was a BLANK’. Sorry, there is no cheque book and pen if you get this answer right, but if you can’t tell what the purpose of a room is, how can any potential buyers? This lockdown has meant that every inch of our homes has had to transform into multipurpose areas – dining rooms are now gyms, and kitchens are doubling up as classrooms – but buyers are not looking for confusion, they want clarity. Home offices, as we know, are going to be an essential in any home after this pandemic, with many businesses already informing staff that they are changing how they operate for good. So if you have a room that lacks a clear identity, create one so that no buyer leaves your home thinking about the BLANK.
Top Kerb
Your driveway may look like the Top Gear studio, but does it make your home look its best, really? One thing people often forget about is a home’s kerb appeal. Now, it doesn’t matter if your house opens onto the street or you’re lucky enough to be set back away from the road, every house can rev up its exterior to create a Ferrari from a Fiat. You want anyone passing your home to want to take a second look because, as we all know, first impressions count.
DIY SOS
Are you handy with a hammer, or sloppy with a screwdriver? When it comes to getting those odd jobs done ready for your home to go on the market, every savvy seller knows that if you’re not up to the task, get the professionals in. Nothing screams DIY SOS than some worse for wear repairs. You know the drill – if you see one thing faulty you become hawk eyed, looking to find the next flaw and the next… until you’re convinced that this perfectly sound house is actually a house of horrors. So don’t play the ‘it will do’ game, because you will only lose out when it comes to actual offers. Get the repairs done professionally and ‘Play Your Cards Right’ so we can negotiate ‘Higher, Higher’.
Become a savvy seller and you will be the one winning this spring selling season. For more advice on how to maximise the potential of your home, contact our team.
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Perfectly placed residential apartments, close to the open and unspoiled Bedfordshire Countryside, a thriving food and drink scene, excellent schooling, unbeatable leisure opportunities and perhaps one of the most accessible locations in England – there’s a reason why all eyes are on Picture House Luton.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Property buyers in Luton have been watching the development of the Picture House apartments with interest, transforming the much-loved historic Art Deco 1930s cinema into modern, sleek homes – and Deakin-White are proud to be the exclusive property agents for the sale of these much-anticipated one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The Picture House, a popular architectural landmark of Luton since the roaring 1930’s, has been carefully and meticulously restored. Based on Gordon Street – a quiet location, with excellent parking for residents and just two minutes from the bustling heart of the town with restaurants, bars, boutiques and shops – and all within the commuter belt to London for City workers.
Ideal for small families, first time buyers, young professionals, buy-to-let landlords and investment buyers, the development is an extremely high standard, sympathetic to the historical features of the iconic building. This is a fantastic chance to buy high-end homes which benefit from easy access to London, close to Luton’s centre, just a short journey from the beautiful countryside of rural Bedfordshire.
Residents of Luton have long loved the iconic cinema building and will be thrilled to see that this historic art deco landmark, a beautiful building, of great architectural merit, has been so carefully preserved, transformed sympathetically into luxury residential apartments. Every apartment has been finished to the highest specification and an attention to detail that sets them apart as beautiful executive apartments.
All sales of the Picture House apartments are exclusive to Deakin-White, experts in property sales, and well known locally for supporting buyers in their journey to home ownership. These apartments are highly anticipated, and likely to be snatched up by a market keen to invest in beautiful, high-end homes in one of Luton’s best loved historical buildings. To find out more about the homes and the property visit their website www.picturehouseluton.com where you can explore show home features and find out more details about the available apartments, and register your interest in a viewing or purchase online, or by calling our dedicated sales team on 01582 292 061 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Listings are also live on the Deakin-White website where you will find images of Picture House, detailing the fixtures and fittings included in the apartments, and you can again register your interest for a viewing or exclusively purchase off plan with the Deakin-White team https://www.dwrealestate.co.uk/for-sale-bedfordshire/property/10720386-gordon-street-luton
For more details, call our offices and speak with one of the Deakin-White team – established locally with properties across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, we have a wide range of properties both rurally and centrally, and comfortably in the London commuter belt for professionals.
Register Your Interest today: www.picturehouseluton.com
Exclusively being sold by Deakin-White
Call our dedicated sales team on 01582 292 061
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The government has made a number of announcements recently, including a new law which is expected to come into effect in September. This will enable you as a homeowner to add two storeys to your property, and you won’t even need planning permission first. This means if you have been looking to extend your home, it may give you an alternative option. But can raising your roof raise the value of your home?
The detail
Currently, the changes will only apply to those who own a detached property, but if that’s you, you will be able to increase your living space upwards by two storeys up to the maximum height of 18 metres. Speaking about this Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “It will mean that families can provide much-needed additional space for children or elderly relatives as their household grows.”
Going up
Although you may not be eligible to take advantage of this new law, you could still have the potential to extend upwards via a loft conversion. Loft conversions are known to be one of the most popular UK home improvements and, if done correctly, have the potential to add value to your home; they can also add extra space which you as a family may be in need of. But adding value may not be the deciding factor for you. You may have already boarded your loft and have been using it for storage – over lockdown, you may have started to use it as an actual space, such as an office or even a bedroom, but is it legal?
Permission
It’s worth taking professional advice from an architect or builder before you start, but most loft conversations will not require planning permission, as they tend to fall under permitted development. Permitted development is a set of conditions your proposed conversion needs to satisfy, such as the amount of additional space you are creating, the height and roof materials used. It’s also worth seriously considering the look of the loft, and keeping it in line with the architectural design of your home, as something disjointed could make your property less appealing should you wish to sell.
Consider
As we have stated, any works on your loft conversion will need to comply with building regulations; this is to ensure that all works have been done properly and your loft is structurally sound, fire safe and reasonably insulated. To comply as a ‘sellable room’ the doors used will need to be fire-resistant and you will also need mains-powered smoke alarms. Have your floor and beams been strengthened? This will raise the floor level and so reduce the ceiling height – can you actually stand up?
Other things to consider are to ensure that the space has been insulated sufficiently to keep the noise between rooms to a minimum. Stairs are always a huge consideration, as this could mean losing or reducing the size of a bedroom; will access to this new room be via a bedroom? Retractable ladders are not enough, as the new staircase has to provide an escape route in case of a fire. It may work for you as a family, but what impact could this have when selling your home? At Deakin-White we are always happy to give you advice on the probable saleability of your home following planned works.
Green deal
Have you thought about the government’s ‘green investment’ package, the “2 million scheme” launched by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak? Designed to help homeowners make their properties more energy efficient, from September, you can apply for a grant to cover energy-saving projects. Covering up to two-thirds of the cost, the grant will cover loft insulation amongst many other efficiency upgrades.
Costs and value
To give you a guide, for a ‘room-in-the-roof’ single space loft conversion, costs start at around £15,000, roughly – depending on your plans, the costs increase from there. Many people seeking to fully utilise this space opt for an additional bedroom and bathroom, making this extra space into a glorious master suite. Other homes are on the smaller side, and a single use option is the best choice – though that’s not to say that with some clever storage you can’t make it into a multiuse space.
What value could it add? At Deakin-White we don’t like giving values as there are many considerations to take into account that are unique to your property. This is why we always prefer to view your property and your plans so we can give you an estimate, which will be revised once the works have been completed. Nationwide, however, have undertaken some research which estimated that the value of a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house could increase in value by 20% through the addition of an extra bedroom and bathroom.
Improve or move
If recent weeks have shown you that some extra space is much needed, then you are probably pondering whether you should move or improve. Extending your home can provide you with the ideal solution, but again the costs and even your home’s structure may be giving you doubts. Before you make a decision, why not have a look at what’s available on the market at the moment? It may even give you a few ideas for your property.
Whether you decide to stay or go, Team Deakin-White are always here to offer advice and support to help you make the right decision for you and your family.
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Every town across the country, is an insight into how the area has evolved over time. Every street, whether filled with period properties or contemporary homes, tells a story. You may be the first owner of your property, or one of many who have made your house a home. Driven by our needs as humans, architecture reflects the spirit of the time in terms of the comforts, lifestyle and mod cons of the day. Each style brings its own joy, and should you dream of settling in a gorgeous Georgian home, being a custodian of a Tudor gem, or love the ease that your brand new home provides, we want to celebrate the architectural beauty of where you live.
When you think of the origins of architecture you may be thinking of the Romans, but think also about Stonehenge, and the Ancient Egyptians’ incredible engineering capabilities. No matter what the era, the purpose of architecture is to improve our lives. Some designs have proven timeless and are still in demand today, but as we welcome new generations we also see an abundance of innovative ideas for the spaces we call home.
Tudor homes
Designed with function in mind, Tudor homes exude character and are filled with fascinating details; they are also some of our oldest surviving houses. With their distinctive timber frames and black and white decoration, owning a Tudor home comes with great responsibility, as you’re also taking care of a little piece of our history. If owning such a property makes your heart flutter, make sure that you understand what you’ll be taking on, as the building may be listed and maintenance is likely to be expensive due to the need for specialists who understand the materials used and your home’s heritage.
Georgian homes
Often voted the most popular architectural design, it’s easy to understand the allure of gorgeous Georgian homes. Their design, with symmetrical facades, was driven by the desire of the new middle classes for innovation. The proportions are wonderful – you have the high ceilings and beautiful large windows that flood each room with natural daylight. Hopefully many of these glorious features have remained and not been ripped out by later generations. Should you have your eye on a Georgian property, we don’t blame you – they make lovely family homes, but as with all period properties, take the cost of maintenance into consideration.
Victorian homes
The Industrial Revolution led to a boom in house building across the UK, as homes needed to be provided for those moving to towns and cities for work. It is therefore no surprise that a large proportion of period properties tend to be Victorian terraces. Homes of character all come with their quirks, which is why if you want perfectly straight walls and have an urge to rip out features to install modern conveniences, then we beg you to walk away. Buyers who are attracted to Victorian homes see past their imperfections, can you?