Category: Uncategorised

Time to downsize? A buyers guide to understanding the benefits of living in a smaller property

A big home may still be a dream for some, but a smaller home may be a smarter and more flexible choice for those looking to save money and time. Limestone Sales & Lettings Office Manager Paul Neale shares his insight into how living in a smaller property could benefit you.

Lower Mortgage Payments
One of the most obvious and biggest selling points of downsizing is that less square footage = lower mortgage payments. If saving money has become important to you, downsizing can be a great way as you may also be able to pay your mortgage off quicker than if you purchased a larger space.

Treat Yourself Or Loved Ones

Downsizing from your current larger property may see you end up with a significant lump sum –  all yours to spend on whatever you like. A nice new car, an exotic holiday or a gift for loved ones could all soon be within reach with appropriate downsizing.

Lower Maintenance Costs
Big beautiful homes take a lot of looking after, whereas with a smaller space you can do most of the maintenance work yourself and in a far reduced amount of time. If you currently pay others to keep your property looking spick-and-span, downsizing is an immediate way to save on the cost of labour.

Less Clutter
Owning a smaller property can often result in keeping a neater home. With less space, you’re less likely to become (or remain) a hoarder! Having little extra space at your disposal will require you to ruthlessly edit your possessions. You are forced to rethink buying habits and make decisions about what you need versus what you hold on to.

Be Greener
With smaller homes you are almost guaranteed to use less natural resources. Your gas and electricity bills will go down as your space won’t require as much energy, meaning you can be safe in the knowledge you are saving both money and the environment.

More Manageable Renovations
By virtue of having a small house, any refurbishments can be done easier and in much less time than the full-scale renovation of a larger home. Less space means less materials which also means the costs of renovating can be significantly cheaper from your old property to your next.

Smarter Spaces
In a smaller home, you can be more creative in maximizing the square footage. Walls and ceilings can be fully utilized with open shelves and organizers and it pays to be clever with more built-ins and storage solutions. Smaller homes often turn out to be some of the most resourceful.

Think downsizing could be for you? Give us a call on 01908 234 111 or drop us an email at sales@limestonemk.co.uk and a member of our friendly team will be happy to explore your options with you.

To see the latest properties we have available please click here

Our No Landlord Admin Fees offer is back!

Back by popular demand, we are pleased to announce that our ‘No Landlord Admin Fees’ has returned and is available to all new landlords who set up a fully managed tenancy with us!

Our Fully Managed Tenancy service includes:

1. Expert appraisal of your property
2. Internet and Print Advertising
3. Accompanied viewings
4. Preparation of the tenancy
5. Comprehensive referencing

Our ‘No Landlord Admin Fees’ offer is applicable to new landlords only with any new fully managed tenancies set up in June, July and August 2018.

To take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, or to set up a free valuation, contact the team on 01908 234 111 or email us at info@limestonemk.co.uk

The benefits of living in Milton Keynes – why people love MK and what attracts people to move to the area

On average, 13 people move to Milton Keynes every day, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the UK. We have all heard the negative stories about too many roundabouts and a lack of identity, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. To help you get to know more about the real Milton Keynes, we have rounded up a top ten list of the benefits of living in MK and why there is more than meets the eye beneath the grid system.

1. It is great for getting around

Due to its geographical location within the UK, the transport links within Milton Keynes make it a commuter haven. Whether you are looking for a city with good links to London or Birmingham, Milton Keynes offers fast train services so that you can be in either city in less than 45 minutes. With good road links and proximity to the M1, it also offers easy reach to Bedford, Luton, Northampton and Cambridge.  On top of this, there are five international airports within 90 minutes’ drive meaning you are never too far away to escape to a sunny destination abroad.

2. Two-fifths of Milton Keynes is glorious, green open space

Whilst there may be over 130 roundabouts and an infamous American grid system, Milton Keynes surprisingly offers residents a lot of green space in the form of beautiful parks. There are over 200 parks in Milton Keynes including Willen Lake South Park where you can tackle a high rope adventure or splash about in the outdoor water park, Campbell Park where you can admire the sculptures and catch a game of local cricket or Linford Lakes Nature Reserve where you can spot herons, otters, owls or deer in their natural habitats. This also provides plenty of opportunities to go for leisurely strolls or bike rides at the weekend.

3. It is a good place to find work and purchase a property

Statistics within the last three years show that there are 67.7 start-up businesses per 10,000 people in Milton Keynes, second only to the capital. It is home to many businesses such as Mercedes-Benz, BP, Dominoes, Red Bull Racing and Argos providing plenty of career opportunities within the area, so it is no surprise that it is also an affordable place to get on the property ladder. Property prices also provide an attraction to those looking for a new base outside of London. According to latest valuation figures, the average property price is £305,271 in Milton Keynes, which is less than half the price of living within the capital, where the average property price is £636,363 in London.

4. The city is host to surprising tech innovation and testing

Forget Silicon Valley – Milton Keynes is the new home to unique technology trials. If you happen to order a takeaway, don’t be surprised if you encounter a little white robot greeting you at your door with your margarita pizza. Starship Technologies have deployed these robots which features sensors for detecting obstacles, nine cameras and GPS technology to help them navigate their way along the grid system. Milton Keynes is also trialling Aurrigo self-driving pods within the city centre that can travel up to 15 miles per hour and last up to one hour off a single charge for members of the public to utilise as a new mode of transport.

5. You are never too far away from water

At face value, Milton Keynes couldn’t be further from the sea, yet the city is home to 15 beautiful lakes and 11 miles of canals. You can take a leisurely boat ride down the Grand Union Canal and visit the country’s smallest canal lock at Fenny Stratford or have a picnic by the windmill at Caldecotte Lake.

6. For a new town, MK boasts a lot of history

Even though Milton Keynes was elected as a new town on 23 January 1967, it is steeped in history. Bletchley Park was vital to winning World War II where 10,000 citizens from all walks of life helped to crack enemy codes and communication in secret. Bradwell Priory was founded in 1154 by Benedictine Monks and is listed as a nationally important scheduled monument. For car (and James Bond) lovers, Newport Pagnell is the birthplace of Aston Martin. Stadium MK (the polarising home of MK Dons) hosted record amounts of visitors during the 2015 Rugby World Cup to watch international matches of France v Canada, Fiji v Uruguay and Samoa v Japan. And finally, Milton Keynes has shaped the UK in winning several Gold medals at the Olympic Games including Torvill and Dean (who practiced their Olympic-winning ‘Bolero’ routine at Planet Ice) and Greg Rutherford (who won Gold at the 2012 London Olympics for Long Jump). The ‘Leaping Man’ statue and two gold postboxes in Lloyds Court are a long-standing tribute to Greg’s achievement.

7. MK has plenty of arts and culture (not just animal statues)

Aside from the infamous ‘Concrete Cows’ installation by Canadian artist Liz Leigh, the city provides a thriving hub for art, theatre and music. Milton Keynes Theatre is reported to be one of the UK’s busiest theatre districts outside of London’s West End with regular shows such as RSC productions, the English National Ballet and musicals such as Matilda, Jersey Boys and Legally Blonde. With over 200 public art installations in the area, there is also a major refurbishment of MK Gallery due to open in 2019 offering a new home for contemporary art, live performances and film showings. For gigs and live music, check out The Stables where you can see the likes of Newton Faulkner, Northern Soul and Joan Armatrading perform. Let’s not forget The Bowl where icons such as Take That, Linkin Park, Bon Jovi, Oasis, Guns and Roses and Eminem have performed.

8. The local schools and colleges have strong education ratings and rankings

For parents with children, there are a high proportion of schools and colleges within the Milton Keynes area which have achieved respectable inspection ratings. To date, there are 30 schools and colleges in MK which have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED and 66 schools and colleges which have been rated ‘Good’. There are also a number of good independent schools within Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire to choose from.

9. New adventures are just around the corner

You don’t have to travel far to experience thrill sports. The Xscape in Milton Keynes offers the SnoZone where you can ski or snowboard to your heart’s content all-year-round and has taught over 2 million guests since its opening in 2000. To satisfy your inner Peter Pan, you can also learn to fly through a unique indoor sky-diving experience iFLY which allows people of all ages to soar through a 12 ft wind tunnel. On warmer days, you can sail, paddleboard or powerboat your way across Willen Lake.

10. The shopping centres attract over 27 million visitors each year

If you are looking for retail therapy, Milton Keynes offers an impressive shopping centre made up of two adjacent shopping areas, Intu Milton Keynes and thecentre:MK which offers 120,773m2 of high street and designer retailers and is ranked in the top 15 largest shopping centres in the UK (even featuring in the 1997 Guinness Book of World Records for the longest shopping mall in the world). MK shopping is only due to get bigger over the next 10 years as Intu Milton Keynes has been granted expansion plans to add 9,300m² of space to the centre, including a new food hall over two levels and a five-screen boutique cinema.

If you want to find your dream home in Milton Keynes, contact the Limestone team on 01908 234 111 or email us at info@limestonemk.co.uk

Mythbusting: 13 Facts About Selling Your Home

Limestone Sales and Lettings resident myth-buster (and Office Manager) Paul Neale, gives his take on some of the most widespread beliefs among house sellers.

1. Does the smell of coffee and/or freshly-baked bread really have a positive influence on would-be buyers?

It’s certainly true that a ‘homely’ aroma is endearing to would-be buyers, and the opposite is also true. Bad odours or suspicious smells are very off-putting. Interestingly, a recent study in Australia suggested that citrus is actually the winning formula for ‘smelling’ your home. How true this is, we really couldn’t say!

2. Is a tidy house better to show would-be buyers than a house which has a lived-in look?

Yes, it’s critical to present your property at its best. Your home doesn’t just need to be a showroom, but you should declutter as much as possible. It can be challenging work, but if you want to sell your home it’s worthwhile. This not only helps sell your property but can help you achieve a better price too.

3. Does superstition ever come into buying and selling? For example, does the number 13 ever put people off buying a house?

Not really. Many houses that are number 13 sell just as well as any other numbers, however I have also occasionally seen house numbers changed to 11a, rather than staying as number 13.

4. Do houses sell over the winter months, especially in the run-up to Christmas?

It is traditional that most people tend to put their property on the market between January and October, but should this deter you from going on the market in December? Absolutely not! There are many buyers out there all year round and having fewer properties to compete with is no bad thing. Also, if you haven’t sold by this point you have a head start on the many other sellers who come on board in the busy New Year period.

5. How often is the first offer the only offer? Should I hold out for my asking price?

It really depends on the ‘first offer’. You can usually tell if the buyer is testing the water and if they are a serious buyer they will nearly always improve on their opening offer. As a guide, our research shows that on average, buyers end up agreeing at around 97% of asking price.

6. Should sellers always go with the estate agent who suggests the highest selling price?

No, that’s not so true anymore. The internet allows sellers to have a pretty good idea of their property value and they can usually tell when an agent is way off the mark! Good agents won’t just suggest a figure, they will offer extensive comparable evidence to support their valuation.

7. Do would-be buyers often make their minds up within a few seconds of walking into a house?

Yes, yes and yes again!! The first minute or two are quite often all a buyer needs to know if this is the house for them.

8. Is it true how a house looks from the outside is as important than what’s on the inside?

First impressions are essential, and a well-maintained frontage and surrounding area is so important because this is where your prospective buyer is stood, looking, while they’re waiting for you to open the door. It helps reinforce that you take pride in your home, which gives them confidence.

9. Is South-facing more attractive to buyers than North-facing?

A Southerly facing rear garden is a must for many buyers and this is certainly something we highlight. The reason why certain buyers seek the Southerly aspect (the ultimate in my opinion being the South West facing garden) is because this ensures the sun is on the back of the house most of the day and into the evening.

10. Pricing – is a £249,999 listing actually more appealing to would-be buyers than a £250,000 one?

Yes and no! There is no doubt that psychological pricing works, however it is also important for an estate agent to consider the impact certain pricing can have on national portals such as Rightmove. In this instance, if you are searching online and your criteria is, say, £240,000 – £250,000, the property listed at £250,000 would be the first property a buyer would see when they search on Rightmove, not the £249,999 listing.

11. Will an expensive kitchen will sell your home?

Many people spend a small fortune on a high-end kitchen refit before putting their home on the market, but this can be both a waste of time and money. Potential buyers will often want to refit their own kitchen once they move in, so investing in a new kitchen is something you can forgo.

12. When you receive an offer, should you make the buyer wait?

When you receive an offer, you should reply straight away. When a buyer makes an offer, that buyer is ready to buy your home. Moods can change and you don’t want to lose the sale because you stalled in replying. Some people believe that waiting to reply puts you as the seller in a better negotiating position, but that just isn’t the case.

13. You can do it alone and don’t need an estate agent

Whilst estate agent fees may make your toes curl up, going solo is often more difficult. Selling your property is a lot more than creating a fancy looking advert – you also have to arrange viewings, market your home, establish relationships with potential buyers and filter the offers. Estate agents may get a bad reputation, but ultimately, they are pros at selling homes.

For more tips like these and to get the best price for your property, contact the team on 01908 234 111 or email us at info@limestonemk.co.uk

10 ways to make your property more appealing and increase value at the same time

Limestone Sales & Lettings Office Manager Paul Neale shares his top tips for selling your property.

1. Boost kerb appeal

My granny always said, “you can tell a lot about a woman’s housekeeping skills by her doorstep”. First impressions really do count, so give your front door a spruce up and clear away any garden items which draw the eye away from the home’s central features. Also, dispose any litter and rubbish in front of your house. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t put it there, if It’s in front of your home it’s making it look dirty – so get rid of it quickly!

2. Spice up the kitchen

A new kitchen can cost thousands of pounds but replacing worktops and taps may be worthwhile. The kitchen is a home’s focal point and is often a deal-breaker. Replacing even small items can turn an old kitchen into a contemporary space. Keep it clean too, limescale and grease are always off putting.

3. Period features

If you live in a Victorian home, for example, try to make sure that skirting boards, architraves and doors fit in with the era. If you have a little cash to spend, consider restoring or installing coving, picture rails or period fireplaces. It won’t cost the earth and buyers will often pay more for a home with period features, so if you have them and you like them DO NOT rip them out!

4. Get gardening

Yank out those weeds, hack back your hedges and get the lawn cut. Sorting out outdoors is a vital part of giving your house overall appeal. Little pots of evergreen heather, under a fiver, placed by the front door look welcoming. Caring for your garden shows that you care about the home and have maintained it well.

5. A fresh lick of paint

Transforming a home from drab to fab needn’t cost too much time or money, just the price of sandpaper, paint, brushes and rollers. Redecorating can make a property look brand new and present more of a blank canvas to buyers. But do keep an eye on the quality of finish. A dodgy paint job can be almost as off-putting as scuffed, discoloured walls. Also think carefully about colour schemes and remember that a neutral palette is often the safest option.

6. Keep it clean

Dust, cobwebs and grime all suggest a home isn’t cared for – so make sure the place is spotless. After all, what’s the point in having new paint­work, flooring and carefully placed furniture if it all looks a bit grubby? Remember to clean windows and sills too.

7. Sort out that bathroom

Nobody was ever won over by a mouldy bathroom and in our experience, we have found that a dirty bathroom is one of the biggest turn offs for buyers. So get your rubber gloves on, grab some thick bleach and start scrubbing those tiles, grouting and silicon. Also consider replacing out of date items like the soap dish, toothbrush holder and taps.

8. Declutter

Trash those chintzy trinkets and think minimal. Getting rid of excess clutter adds to the sense of space and never detracts from the look of a home. It also lets a potential buyer imagine their own belongings in place. Get some bin bags and start clearing out. Focus on the hall first because it’s the first thing potential buyers will see. Stinky trainers and muddy boots are a no go!

9. Dress to impress

Remind buyers they are in a home and not a showroom by keeping a few objects, pictures and neutral ornaments (vase, fruit bowl or a couple of cushions) visible.  New towels in the bathroom and a few candles will also help. Key pieces of furniture give pointers to what a room can be and help define the space. Dress the place sparingly but cleverly and this might just make the difference between getting the asking price or a much reduced offer.

10. Flooring

Mouldy carpets and badly fitted laminate are eyesores which can knock hundreds or thousands of pounds off an offer. If you keep an awful floor the buyer will tot up how much money it will cost to replace it, so do it yourself at a fraction of the price. A deep-clean may be all it needs – or if your floorboards are in a decent state strip them back and varnish them.

For more tips like these and to get the best price for your property, contact the team on 01908 234 111 or email us at info@limestonemk.co.uk

Congratulations Paul! Limestone Sales & Lettings Office Manager achieves new qualification

Limestone Sales & Lettings would like to congratulate Office Manager Paul Neale, on achieving his City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Property (Residential Property and Letting Management) and Certificate in Customer Service.

Paul has been hard at work earning his qualification in the office, whilst on the job. This certification is testament to Paul’s professional conduct and desire to go the extra mile in customer service.

 

To achieve these qualifications, Paul was required to show expertise in many areas including health and safety, security, marketing, legislation, codes of practice, market appraisals, tenancy agreements, inventories, letting of residential properties and qualifying prospective tenants and landlords.

Paul was also assessed on his ability to resolve customer service problems, use bespoke software, apply risk assessments and handle customer complaints.

“Despite being in the estate agency business for nearly twenty years and concentrating on lettings for the last five, I wanted to refresh my knowledge and ensure that I was up to date with the current legislation” said Paul. “Knowledge is everything and the more you have, the better the level of service you can offer to both landlords and tenants” he added.

He went on to say “All agents offer a very similar service, but at Limestone we pride ourselves on the high-level of customer service we offer. I feel that by attending annual training and refresher courses, and achieving a recognised qualification, I will be able to help us maintain this moving forward”.

Did you see our Advert? NO Landlord Admin Fees!

You may have seen our recent advert in the Milton Keynes Citizen and across social media, advertising our exciting offer to all new Landlords.

 

Throughout January and February 2018, Limestone Property are waiving all admin fees for new Landlords on any new fully managed tenancies.

If you have ever considered renting out a property before, now is the perfect time to get in touch and investigate further.

To take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, or to set up a free valuation, contact the team on 01908 234 111 or email us at info@limestonemk.co.uk

For once, it’s our turn – We have moved!

Limestone Sales and Lettings are delighted to announce we have taken up residence at our vibrant new offices in Central Milton Keynes.

Limestone Doormat

After a busy few weeks of preparation and heavy lifting, we can now be found at Gloucester House, 399 Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2AH.

“After 25 years in our premises at 401 Silbury Boulevard we felt the time was right for a change and we are all very excited by the move to Gloucester House” says Geoff Cardno, Managing Director of Limestone. “We will now be working much closer together and this will hopefully instil far better teamwork and cooperation.’

It is business as usual at Limestone Sales and Lettings now as we edge ever closer to the festive season.

If like us you are looking to make an exciting new move for the new year, have a look at our available properties online now, give us a call on 01908 234111 for a conversation or pop in to Gloucester House so you can see our fancy new digs for yourself!

Willen Hospice Charity Calendar

It is now the run up to Christmas and this year Limestone Property has added their support to Leighton Fun Runners who are fundraising for Willen Hospice with their very appealing 2018 calendar.

At this time of year we are all thinking about buying what 2018 calendar to buy. With so much choice out there, David Beckham, Cute Cats, Fun Pugs or even Ariana Grande, why should you buy the Leighton Fun Runners calendar?

Well as the cover photo might indicate, if you think of the movie, Calendar Girls which was based on a true story, you will have a good idea why their calendar was so much fun to make and why we at Limestone property and Leighton Fun Runners are hoping to raise as much money as we can for Willen Hospice.

But don’t worry; there is something for everyone as both a handful of male and female members of Leighton Fun Runners surrendered a little bit of their inhibitions, including our very own Tracy Cardno, Director at Limestone property, Events / Run Director at Rushmere Park Run and, committee member for Leighton Fun Runners, to produce this wonderful 2018 calendar.

To order your copy of the Leighton Fun Runners calendar please click on the link below.

www.leightonfunrunners.org.uk/shop

We are also delighted to inform you that all proceeds will go to Willen Hospice

 

The Top 10 Songs To Listen To When Moving

As exciting as it can be, moving home can also be a pretty stressful time. Packing up your belongings and sorting through all those old possessions can be emotional too.  But the right playlist with a mix of rousing anthems and uplifting songs can help make the whole process just that little bit more enjoyable.

So the Limestone Property team have put together their Top 10 Songs to help see you through the packing process and on your way to your new home.

Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up

Reel 2 Real – I Like To Move It

The Animals – We’ve Got To Get Out Of This Place

The All American Rejects – Move Along

Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack

Elvis Presley – I’m Moving On

John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Runnin’ Down a Dream

Simon & Garfunkel – Homeward Bound

If you’re looking to move soon or looking to sell your property, Limestone Property would love to hear from you. Contact us at sales@limestonemk.co.uk. You can also call us on 01908 234111 and find us on Facebook and Twitter.