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A Warm Welcome Come Rain or Shine
27th July 2009
The weather may not have been up to much, but the McCartneys stand was as popular as ever at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.
Visitors braving the rain and mud enjoyed a cup of tea and a warm welcome as they chatted to members of the partnership.
“The Royal Welsh is popular with many of our clients, old and new,” said John Uffold, chairman of McCartneys. “It’s nice to be able to sit down and have a chat with them whatever the weather.”
The McCartneys team will also be at Tenbury Show on Saturday 1st August, Burwarton Show on Thursday 6th August and Kington Show on Saturday 12th September. Please feel free to join us at our stand for some light refreshments and a chat. -
Promising Signs for Local Housing Market
8th July 2009
People looking to sell their houses haven’t had much to cheer about recently – but there’s some good news from McCartneys in Ludlow: sales are up and the signs are promising.
Between April and June this year the High Street office agreed sales on a staggering 93% of the number of houses new to the market – 20% up on the first three months of the year.
“We’ve had a really good few months,” said Debbie Anderson, partner at McCartneys, based in the Ludlow office. “Viewings are up, as are the number of acceptable offers being made on properties, so we’re being kept busy in the office.
“Buyers are cautious in the current climate, but the message is still a simple one – the right house in the right spot at the right price has a very good chance of selling.”
If you’re thinking of selling your property and would like a free market appraisal contact McCartneys in Ludlow on 01584 872153 or email ludlow@mccartneys.co.uk. -
Rocks Green a Big Hit
16th June 2009
An environmentally-friendly housing development in Ludlow is proving to be a big hit with residents.
The sustainable homes at Rocks Green have been built by South Shropshire Housing Association and are for sale on a shared ownership and equity mortgage basis.
One couple who bought a plot and are delighted with their new home is Chrissie and Brian Settle, who run a leather bookbinding company in Ludlow.
“We used to come to Marshbrook on holiday and knew we wanted to retire to Ludlow,” said Chrissie. “We moved from Bishop’s Castle and didn’t want a mortgage at our age, so decided on a shared ownership home at Rocks Green.
“We’re really pleased with the house. We moved in just before Christmas and now more people are moving in and we’re getting to know our neighbours. It was definitely the right move for us.”
There is a mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes at Rocks Green, which are being marketed by McCartneys.
“We’ve had a really good response to Rocks Green and there’s been a great deal of interest in the houses already,” said Debbie Anderson of McCartneys. “Many of the plots are now sold and we’re getting very positive feedback from people who have moved in.”
McCartneys will be holding an open day at Rocks Green on Saturday 20th June. For more information please contact 01584 872153. -
Fine and Country Expansion
9th June 2009
As the housing market continues to show signs of recovery, McCartneys is delighted to announce the expansion of its Fine & Country brand.
The brand is designed to showcase some of the finest properties for sale across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Powys.
“Through the Fine and Country brand we are able to market top-end properties to a national audience,” said Debbie Anderson, partner with McCartneys. “It also gives us access to the very important London market via an associated office in Park Lane.
“The Fine and Country website and national magazine give wide coverage to properties, and we’re excited to be part of the network.
“We believe the time is right to expand Fine and Country and we’re proud all of McCartneys offices are able to market properties in this way.”
For more information about the Fine and Country brand please contact 0800 0787 370. -
Literary Haven on the Market
9th June 2009
The fascinating former home of a leading author, set in spectacular countryside in Mid Wales, is on the market with McCartneys.
Trefechan, near Llangynog, was home to Alice Thomas Ellis, a critically acclaimed novelist and columnist with the Spectator. Her books included The Sin Eater, The Birds of the Air, and The Clothes in the Wardrobe. She was also known as Anna Haycraft, the respected fiction editor of Gerald Duckworth & Co, the publishing house run by her husband Colin Haycraft.
“Mum absolutely loved Wales and had an affinity for the place,” commented Sarah Haynes, the author’s daughter who now lives in the house with her husband and three sons.
“She didn’t drive and loved being cut off from everyone and able to concentrate on her writing. Then she’d have friends and family here in bursts and make sure she stocked the cupboards up well then.
“When my brothers and I were children Mum would bring us here for school holidays, and I have nothing but magical memories of being outside all the time, swimming in the stream and riding my bike. Mum would be working a lot as she found great inspiration here and did all her writing at the house.
“Later in life she made Trefechan her main home and ran a writing school from here, with friends such as Beryl Bainbridge coming up from London to talk to the students.”
The house itself has an interesting history too. Legend has it that Saint Melangell, the patron saint of hares, worked her magic in the field in front of the house and slept on a nearby ledge. One day she saw a prince’s huntsman chasing two hares and turned him to stone. The prince was so impressed by her he gave her the valley and she founded a convent on the site.
The house on the site now was originally a Medieval Hall House and is believed to date back to the 1500s.
“Mum did an awful lot of work to the house,” Sarah continues. “When she bought it there was still a stream running through the middle of it. She also converted the two barns and one is now used as a holiday let and the other as a library and games room.
“It’s a truly unique home in an idyllic place.”
Trefechan is on the market with McCartneys for £575,000. For more information contact the Newtown Office on 01686 623123 or email newtown@mccartneys.co.uk. -
Commercial Success for Geraint
11th May 2009
New legislation means all commercial buildings on the market or for rent need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – and McCartneys now has just the man for the job.
24 year old Geraint Jones joined McCartneys 2 years ago as a trainee building surveyor and has just qualified as an energy assessor for commercial buildings.
“It’s a relatively new area of expertise, as the Government legislation requiring shops and industrial units to have EPCs has only just come into force,” said Geraint, who lives near Newtown on the family farm.
EPCs, which show a building’s energy efficiency and its impact on the environment, have been required for residential properties for some time, but it’s only in recent months they’ve been introduced for commercial properties.
“Obviously the assessment of a shop is different to that of a house, and so is the training for assessors,” added Geraint, who joined McCartneys after completing a building surveying degree at John Moore’s University in Liverpool. “For each building I produce an EPC alongside a report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.
Now the legislation is in place I’m getting busier by the week!”
If you require a commercial EPC or more information please contact Geraint Jones on 01544 230316 or email geraint.jones@mccartneys.co.uk. -
BBC Film With McCartneys
11th May 2009
The spotlight is firmly on McCartneys Newtown office as part of a new BBC TV series.
Cameras have been filming at the branch over the past few days as part of BBC 2’s Property Watch.
“It’s been a real experience,” said manager Tom Carter, who has had cameras following him as he goes about his daily business. “The producers wanted to show how the green shoots are showing in the property market, so they’ve filmed me doing valuations, showing people around properties on the market and working in the office, as well as interviewing me.
Hopefully it’ll show that things are looking better, certainly here in Powys. It’s been fun to do too.”
Property Watch is looking in depth at all aspects of the property market and is being transmitted on BBC 2 every night from Monday 11th May to Thursday 14th May at 8pm. -
Tax Seminar
27th April 2009
McCartneys and Baker Tilly would like to invite you to an Open Tax Seminar
On: Thursday 30th April 2009 at 7pm
At: Worcestershire Young Farmers Centre, Shires Farm, Hawford
Topics covered will include matters arising from April’s Budget, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and Rural Tax Issues.
The speakers will be Sarah Bourne, Claire Willets and Tom Morgan from Baker Tilly, and John Uffold from McCartneys.
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Sarah Bourne qualified as a chartered accountant in 1999. She covers all areas of tax advisory work - from corporate tax mitigation to inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning for individuals.
Claire Willets is a tax partner who has lived in Worcester for 10 years. She has advised clients on a range of corporate tax issues to help maximise opportunities, including providing capital allowance planning for property businesses, as well as advising farmers and landed estates.
Tom Morgan joined Baker Tilly in the summer of 2008 as a senior manager within the corporate department. He provides audit, financial reporting and advisory projects for corporate entities covering a range of sectors.
John Uffold is chairman of McCartneys LLP and partner in charge of Ludlow Livestock Market. He is a member of The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and carries out a full range of rural professional work from tax valuations to partnership disputes as well as his auctioneering duties.
We hope you can join us for this event, where light refreshments will be provided.
For more information contact Giles Drew at Worcester Market on 01905 769770. -
Unusual Lots up for Grabs
20th April 2009
A Victorian parish room, a former study centre and a caravan with stunning views are some of the more unusual lots coming under the hammer in Brecon at the end of the month.
“We sell all sorts of properties of all shapes and sizes at auction,” said Ryan Williams, of McCartneys who is conducting the sale. “But to have three unique lots with such potential up for sale on one night is rather rare.”
The Victorian parish room at Merthyr Cynog served the local community as both the village school and church hall. It now has full planning permission for conversion into a house and has a guide price at auction of £60,000.
The former study centre has a guide price of £75,000. It is in a beautiful spot on the outskirts of Talybont on Usk and, subject to planning consents, is suitable for a whole range of uses.
The mobile home sits in 2 acres at Garthbrengy near Brecon and has far reaching views over the surrounding countryside.
“With a guide price of £80,000, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a smallholding at an affordable price,” commented Ryan. “The mobile home may be in a poor state of repair, but it has the benefit of a Certificate of Lawfulness for the local planning authority, which means has much the same effect as planning permission.
The auction should be a lively event. There seems to be a great deal of interest in these more unusual lots, and there is other land and property to be sold on the night, so we’re expecting a good turnout.”
The auction will be held at Brecon Livestock Market on 29th April at 6pm. For more details contact Ryan Williams at McCartneys on 01497 820778 or 07971 289368. -
Stunning Setting for Auction
7th April 2009
When an idyllic rural retreat comes under the hammer later this month, the auction couldn’t be in a more picturesque place – it’s being held at the property itself.
Lower Rock near Mochdre in Powys is definitely a cottage with a view – and almost 8 acres of land, including paddocks, woodland and even a waterfall!
“It’s unusual to have an auction at the property itself, but the setting is absolutely stunning, so it made perfect sense to hold the sale there”, said Tom Carter of McCartneys, who will be conducting the auction. “People will be able to see firsthand what they’re bidding for.
“The cottage itself is in need of renovation and modernisation, but provides great potential for extension, subject to the necessary planning consents.
“With a guide price of £150,000, Lower Rock offers the opportunity to buy a country cottage in a wonderful location in the Mid-Wales countryside at an affordable price.”
The auction for Lower Rock will be held on Saturday 25th April at 2pm at the property – unless previously sold. As well as the property auction there will also be a sale of farm equipment on the same day. For more information contact Tom Carter at McCartneys on 01686 623123 or 07855 834282.
