Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire
Autumn 2012
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The market in and around Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire has remained buoyant despite the uncertainty in Europe. Indeed, there has been particularly strong activity in the £500,000–£1.5 million sector, with keenly priced property selling quickly. It seems that the traditional seasonal peaks and troughs in the market are becoming less apparent, and we have experienced more of a steady, constant demand that we predict to continue over the next six months.
Typically, our buyers are young couples from London, who are either taking
their first step on the property ladder, or who already have a family and need a bigger home. Whatever their situation, the excellent commuter links, outstanding schools and plenty of green open spaces that the area has to offer provide a powerful draw for potential buyers. We recently sold a £2 million property at the guide price after just two phone calls to people who we knew would be perfect for the property. This is, of course, far from the norm,
but it does prove that there’s no substitute
for having sound knowledge of our applicant base.Sally Noakes,
Partner
Old Beech Hyde, Beech Hyde LaneWheathampstead AL4
A wonderful period six-bedroom family house in a convenient rural location surrounded by open countryside and ideal for commuting to London. Built in the late-15th and mid-17th centuries, with later additions, it is
believed to have originally been a medieval hall house, and later a hunting lodge. The property retains many period features, including panelled oak doors, inglenook fireplaces and a wealth of exposed beams and vaulted
ceilings. The accommodation includes an adjoining annexe and games barn, all set in around 1.4 acres.
£2,600,000
The commuter links, excellent
schools and green open spaces provide
a powerful draw
‘There is a steady but constant demand’
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire • 3struttandparker.com2 •
&homes Harpenden
Welcome to your property update for Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire. We’re delighted
to share with you some of the diverse properties that your local Strutt & Parker team has to o�er, as well as our expert insight into your local property market. For an innovative way to access a large and enthusiastic pool of potential buyers, or easily view a wide range of houses, contact us for details of Strutt & Parker’s upcoming Open House Day, taking place on Saturday 6 October.
‘The 12-month outlook for the UK property market is muddled. It’s key for mortgage providers to support the main “engines” of the market – first-time buyers and mid-market – through greater liquidity and affordability. Our view is that, although personal debt needs to be contained and reduced, the lending costs that are currently throttling the market will start to soften.’Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research
In summer 2012, Strutt & Parker saw a
64%increase in instruction
numbers and
14.6% increase in exchange
levels, compared with 2011.
And from May 2011 to June 2012, across the regions we produced
on average
2.75%
IN EXCESS of our clients’
expectations on price
13_Hertfordshire_and_Bedfordshire_v3.indd 2-3 17/09/2012 13:58
Mayfi eld Close, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
A well-maintained three-bedroom house in a quiet cul-de-sac.
£595,000
Townsend Lane, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
A highly individual character house built in 1922 in a good central location on large plot with stunning gardens.
£2,195,000
The Uplands, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
This superb fi ve-bedroom family house has been refurbished to a very high standard. £1,750,000
Stotfold, HitchinHertfordshire SG5
A six-bedroom mill house with spacious accommodation and superb gardens and grounds.
Price on application
The Bowers, Bowers WayHertfordshire AL5
An exclusive development of four centrally located luxury semi-detached family homes.
£950,000-£975,000
The Lynch, KensworthBedfordshire LU6
An attractive six-bedroom Grade II Listed period property that was recently updated, with bright, spacious accommodation. £2,200,000
Lamer Lane, Lower Gustard WoodHertfordshire AL4
An attractive Grade II Listed Victorian cottage in excellent order that backs on to a golf course. £550,000
Foresters Mews, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
A compact two-bedroom mews house in a stunning new development just off the High Street. £499,950
potential buyers have registered in Harpenden in the
past six months
263Enthusiasm, knowledge, prestige and professionalism
Mr B, Harpenden
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire • 5struttandparker.com4 •
&homes Harpenden
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
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Kirkwick Avenue, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
A spacious Edwardian family house, presented to an exceptional standard and close to the town centre. £2,500,000
Spenser Road, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
A desirable Edwardian fi ve-bedroom semi-detached house in the ‘Poets’ area. £1,100,000
Necton Road, WheathampsteadHertfordshire AL4
A period cottage on a sought-after road in this popular village. £325,000
Cooters Hill Barns, HarpendenHertfordshire AL5
A superb fi ve-bedroom property with stunning views yet still close to the town centre and excellent schooling.
£1,495,000
You had handled the process very fairly all the way along
Mr R, Harpenden
struttandparker.com6 •
&homes St Albans country
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire • 7
The Danes Estate, Little BerkhamstedHertfordshire SG13
A beautiful Georgian family home, with Victorian extensions, set on the outskirts of one of Hertfordshire’s prime villages. The house is constructed over three storeys, with four principal and fi ve secondary bedrooms. In
addition, there are comfortable reception rooms and a large kitchen/breakfast room. A separate self-contained cottage, stables, a tennis court, a swimming pool and a paddock are included in Lot 1.
Lot 1 £4,500,000
SOLD
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North Orbital Road, St AlbansHertfordshire AL2
An elegant Grade II* Listed family home set in beautiful mature gardens in a convenient location.
£1,300,000
Gombards, St AlbansHertfordshire AL3
A handsome Victorian semi-detached house with off street parking and many original features. Offers in excess of £1,050,000
Cheyneys Lodge Cottage, OdseyHertfordshire SG7
A lovely three-bedroom detached house close to the station. £465,000
Offl ey Green Farm, RushdenHertfordshire SG9
A Grade II Listed thatched cottage with outbuildings. £850,000
Dormers, Nast Hyde Hertfordshire AL10
A handsome and well-presented fi ve-bedroom house situated in a mature plot in an attractive and convenient location. £1,300,000
Frogmore Farm, Watton At StoneHertford SG14
A handsome and well-presented Grade II Listed house of 16th-century origins in a rural yet convenient location. £3,000,000
Ashwater House, Little WymondleyHertfordshire SG4
A deceptively spacious four-bedroom family home. £1,200,000
Hadley Highstone, BarnetHertfordshire EN5
An extensively refurbished four-bedroom house, previously occupied as a restaurant. £895,000
The team did a tremendous job – we
can’t fault them in their dealings with us
Mr & Mrs B, St Albans
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire • 9struttandparker.com8 •
&homes St Albans town
Last year in Hertfordshire we sold properties ranging in value from
£275,000 to £4m
SOLD
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Sally Noakes Partner
Which is the best house
you’ve sold this year? A large Victorian property in the desirable Avenues area of Harpenden, which had been owned by our vendor’s family for over 40 years. The house was full of faded elegance and we were delighted to sell it to a local young family who are now sympathetically renovating and breathing new life into it.If you could live anywhere
in your area, where
would it be? Rose Lane in Wheathampstead – a lovely semi-rural location within a few minutes’ walk of the village centre, with superb views over the Lea Valley. If I could have a super
power, it would be... the ability to pause time.
Tim Pearse Partner
Which is the best house
you’ve sold this year?
It’s always the last one! I enjoy selling all houses no matter what size, shape or location.If you could live anywhere
in your area, where
would it be? East Common. The common is a unique feature of Harpenden, stretching all the way to the High Street. I walk my dog on it every weekend.What’s your top tip for
making a property stand
out? Declutter and freshen up the property with some paint. The numerous property television programmes have made our job much easier. If I could have a super
power, it would be... to rid the world of cancer.
Rozanne Edwards Partner
What’s the best way
to spend a Sunday
afternoon in your area?
Without a doubt, it would be a walk around Verulam Park with a stop at the Wa�e House for a delicious sweet or savoury Belgian snack. If you could live anywhere
in your area, where
would it be? Grange Street. It’s central and it has some fabulous historic houses with views of the Abbey.What’s your top tip
for making a property
stand out? The use of professional photography for the marketing brochure is really important. If I could have a super
power, it would be...
the ability to move at the speed of light.
Mark RimellPartner
Which is the best house
you’ve sold this year?
Elliots Farm – I have now sold this house three times, and on each occasion it has drawn good interest and sold really well. This year we sold it to a young family who are absolutely thrilled with it. The house has been beautifully restored and combines bags of character with modern living standards.If you could live anywhere
in your area, where
would it be? There is such varied countryside around, with rolling downland to the North and the Chilterns to the South, so any of the villages would appeal.If I could have a super
power, it would be...
complete control of my cocker spaniel.
St AlbansHarpenden
Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire • 11struttandparker.com10 •
&homes names&faces
Cunningham Avenue, St AlbansHertfordshire AL1
An Edwardian detached home on a prestigious tree-lined road.
£1,195,000
Homewood Road, St AlbansHertfordshire AL1
A spacious and well-presented five-bedroom family home in a convenient and highly sought-after location.
£1,350,000
Woodbine Cottage, Bricket WoodHertfordshire AL2
A charming and well-presented three-bedroom cottage in a delightful semi-rural setting. £600,000
Fishpool Street, St Albans Hertfordshire AL3
A charming four-bedroom terraced house located in the heart of St Alban’s Old Conservation Area.
£600,000
potential buyers have registered in St Albans in the past six months
291
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Scan the code with your smartphone to search the latest listings available from Strutt & Parker.
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Harpenden49 High StreetHarpendenAL5 2SJ
Tel: +44 (0)1582 [email protected]
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Tel: +44 (0)1727 [email protected]
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