Durrants Charitable Foundation is delighted to have supported the Village Hall Committee at St Margaret South Elmham for a first aid training course.
Village Hall Chairman, Phillip Kidner contacted Durrants to request support so that 12 local residents could take part in a course and learn vital skills that could help the community if needed.
The first air course was run by MJ Training and covered basic first aid skills as well as CPR.
Dominic Parravani of Durrants considers changes in the real estate market as 2021 draws to a close.
It was only as recently as the 1930s that electric light became standard in new homes built in urban areas of the UK. Now, just 90 years later, our fridge-freezers can tell us when we are out of fish fingers. The march of change in materials, technology and taste is as relentless as life itself.
As we look forward to the New Year we all share in the sorrow that the last two years have brought to so many. We also face significant social and economic challenges during this post Brexit, post pandemic and, down-the-line, post fossil fuel era when gas-fired heating will go the same way as gas-fired lighting.
The property market too has seen enormous changes in the past few years, and it will continue to do so as it steadily moves from white hot, Covid-affected panic buying to a more considered mood in the New Year.
The market is in constant flux, just as individuals’ personal circumstances are. Buying a home at any stage of life is usually a thrilling event – if somewhat nerve-racking at times. Moving is often borne of new independence or marriage, cohabitation, birth, career success, fulfilled ambition, or even a fresh and exciting chapter brought on by empty nest relocation.
Whatever changes happen in 2022 we hope they will be good for you, and we stand ready to spread the joy in helping people into a new home and a joyous new chapter of their lives.
Happy New Year.
The canopy was installed in October to enable children to enjoy time outdoors and remain protected from the elements. Fresh air has of course, always been important for children, but the pandemic and the need for social distancing and well-ventilated areas has made this essential.
On Wednesday 10th November our communications manager, Sally Owen went to meet the team at Owlets and see the results of Durrants’ contribution. “Durrants are delighted to support so many local projects that benefit the local community. On a drizzly day like today you can really see how the new canopy at Owlets will be important for both the children and staff here.”
The project was also supported by other generous donors including East Suffolk County Council, The Tudwick Foundation and Alpkit foundation.
“It’s so important for children to be able to enjoy time outdoors, but when the weather is inclement, or even if the sun is too hot, it’s vital to have some shelter to protect the youngsters.” commented Jo-Anne Aulsberry, Manager of Owlets. “We’re delighted with the canopy and are hugely grateful to all our supporters, including Durrants.”
Photo: Presentation of £750 donation from Durrants. Pictured left to right: Jo-Anne Aulsberry, manager of Owlets, Sally Owen, communications manager for Durrants and Sarah Jordan, chairperson for Owlets.
Currently, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) allowed for rented properties are a minimum of an E rating on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The new EPC regulations would mean that from 2025, a rented property would need to have a certification rating of C or above. The changes are being introduced to ensure homes are more energy-efficient and to reduce carbon waste, progressing towards the Government’s net-zero targets.
For some landlords, a low cost change such as increasing loft insulation could be enough to satisfy the required change in EPC level, for others however, this could mean a review of wall insulation, windows, doors etc.
There are grants available for landlords looking to improve the efficiency of their rental property. As part of Durrants fully managed lettings service we ensure all legislation is kept up to date, and work closely with our landlords to ensure properties are kept to the most efficient standard.
If you have a lettings property, give us a call today to see how we could help you.
Durrants have continued support for the local community with the recent sponsorship and support of Wymondham Rugby clubs mini festival.
Durrants have a long history of supporting Norfolk and Suffolk rugby and were delighted to help with the recent two day festival. Durrants managing director Dominic Parravani, who is co-chair of Wymondham Mini said “ We were delighted to welcome over 500 children from 8 different local clubs to Barnard Fields for a wonderful weekend of Rugby. Using funds from our charity foundation were only too happy to support and sponsor the weekend”
Rugby brings together people from all walks of life and is a game that upholds sporting values, friendship and respect.
Dominic Parravani of Durrants compares COP26 and little green men with the November property market.
Many of us will remember childhood comics with little green men warning earthlings that “resistance is futile”. It felt awful to be so helpless.
Yet in Glasgow at COP26, that is just what the scientists are saying. They warn that resisting change will only bring global catastrophe. The experts say that the future is in our hands, but that we must act now.
In a way, selling property is the same. We have experienced an almost unnatural market for the past eighteen months. But things are slowly changing.
The market in some areas is not as gung ho as it was. Multiple full-price bids on properties aren’t as common as they were. Buyers are more relaxed and feel they have more time. And over-priced houses and flats are not receiving quite the high-level interest that they might once have had, especially with the threat of higher mortgage interest rates looming.
For sellers, resisting this turn of events is futile. Keeping a property on the market in the hope someone will pay a premium in all but premium locations is fraught with risk and potential delays.
Just like resisting little green men or global warming, resisting or ignoring market conditions when selling a property is storing up trouble.
With little green men, the laying down of arms is sensible. With global warming, rushing out of fossil fuels and into renewables is sensible. And with property, setting a sensible asking price from the outset, whatever the market, will always mean a faster and easier sale.
Durrants is delighted to bring to the market an exciting development of five brand new bungalows in partnership with Vello Homes.
Development is underway at Church View in the charming village of Chedgrave, near Loddon, providing easy access to The Broads AONB as well as the city of Norwich. There will be a variety of 3-bedroom bungalows each with spacious garden, ample parking and attractive rural views.
Vello Homes has a long history with over 30 years of delivering high quality homes in East Anglia. The company is owned and based in Brundall and specialises in small scale, high quality, bespoke housing developments within a 20-mile radius of Norwich.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Vello Homes on this project.” said Dominic Parravani, Managing Director for Durrants. “There’s great synergy between our two companies; both family owned with our roots firmly in the East Anglian soil and both committed to providing our clients with the very highest standards. We’re looking forward to seeing the development take shape and find buyers for these high spec homes.”
Enquiries for Church View, Chedgrave are being managed via our Southwold office. For further information call us on 01502 723292 or email southwold@durrants.com
On Friday 8th October 2021, after an enforced break due to Covid, the annual Durrants charity clay shoot was held in its usual beautiful surroundings of the water meadows and farmland of Red House Farm, St Margaret- South Elmham by kind permission of Mr Philip Kidner.
Once again this popular event was run to raise funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, a national charity that provides local support to farming communities across England and Wales.
Blessed with wonderful weather, fourteen teams came together to shoot two 100-bird flushes, kindly provided by local gunsmiths A Richardson & Sons of Halesworth. BBQ and refreshments were available throughout the day.
Once shooting had ceased, scores were checked and double checked with the winners being announced by Nick Durrant, from Durrants. The winners were James Griffiths and his team from Griffiths and Taylor Structural Engineers.
Dominic Parravani managing director from Durrants said “The day has been a great success. It’s lovely to be back after missing last year’s event.”
The final figure for the funds raised is still to be confirmed, but 100% of proceeds will be donated to RABI.
We’re delighted to introduce our new Residential Sales Manager for Beccles, Lisa Brown.
Lisa has been a valued member of the Durrants team since 2010 holding positions of Senior Negotiator and Residential Sales Manager of their Southwold office. Prior to joining Durrants, Lisa worked, for 13 years, at a well renowned local law firm in their conveyancing department during which time she ran her own caseload.
“I love Beccles, I’m so happy to be back here – it’s where my roots are. Despite the recent pandemic it’s a thriving town with so much going on. Beccles is a wonderful place for all generations to live with the River Waveney right on the doorstep, the beautiful Suffolk Coast just 15 minutes away and Norfolk’s county city, Norwich, just a short drive or bus journey away.”
Dominic Parravani, Managing Director and Head of Residential Sales for Durrants said of the appointment, “Lisa’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the East Anglian property market is outstanding and her rapport with clients has earned her countless testimonials over her years with Durrants. The Beccles property market is incredibly competitive and I know that Lisa and her them will thrive on the challenge.”
If you have a property in or around Beccles and are considering a move, why not get in touch with Lisa and her team for a free, no obligation property valuation. Call our Beccles branch on 01502 712122 or click here to request a valuation online.
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Florence Bond to Residential Sales Manager of our Southwold Office.
Florence joined the Durrants team in September 2017 and since then she has shown total professionalism and dedication as she has rapidly stepped up the career ladder.
Dominic Parravani, Managing Director and Head of Residential Sales commented “From the young person who came to see me for a role we didn’t have and then impressed so much with her enthusiasm, her hard work, her tenacity, her driven pursuit of knowledge and qualifications, her total professionalism and her ability to be continually cheerful and keep me in check! Very proud!”
Florence leads an enthusiastic and professional team of 9 from the High Street office and will have a challenging job ahead maintaining the Company’s leading position in the local property market. Durrants has outperformed all other estate agents in Southwold and Reydon in the last 12 months, completing three times more sales than the nearest competitor and almost half of all residential sales in the area.*
“Working through a pandemic has certainly been a tremendous learning curve. We’ve seen the market change dramatically and the challenges it brought to the property market would have been unimaginable 18 months ago.” said Florence. “I’m really proud of our team and their commitment to what they do. Their hard work and effort are what have built our reputation in Southwold and the surrounding area.”
We wish Florence all the best in her new role and look forward to many more years of success for her and the Southwold team.
Pictured: Dominic Parravani presents Florence Bond with a bottle of Champagne to celebrate her promotion to Residential Sales Manager for Southwold.
Beccles library is a much needed hub for the local community and its team is working hard to bring people back together this summer after the long social separation caused by the pandemic. With an extensive program of events and big plans for future development there certainly is a lot going on.
This summer, children have the opportunity meet alpacas and miniature donkeys, owls and skunks, build their own build feeders, plant seeds and even find gold at the end of the rainbow, not to mention the Lego Club, Forest School and British sign language clubs. All these fabulous and free activities have been coordinated to run alongside the Summer Reading Challenge, a tremendous scheme run annually in libraries across the country.
“Libraries are about far more than books, we are a social care service.” Says Sharon Chapman, Beccles Library Manager. “Visitors to the library come for all sorts of reasons, which could be anything from using our PCs and printing services, attending one of our community group activities or simply just for a chat. We have groups for new parents, families with pre and school age children and for teenagers too.”
“We maintain strong links with all of the local schools. This summer, most of our volunteers have come from Sir John Leman High School, and they will be listening to younger children read as they progress though the Summer Reading Challenge, while also assisting with a very busy schedule of events and activities. We all feel it is vital to present a summer of fun and relaxation for our local community, especially after the horrible year everyone has endured.”
There are grand plans ahead for Beccles Library with an extensive refurbishment of the children’s library planned. The project, the date for which is to be confirmed, will see a total transformation of this area which will incorporate bright colours and appealing graphics to draw young visitors in. There will be child height ‘book boxes’ to promote independent choice, tables and chairs for families to come together for drawing activities and a ‘book nook’ in which to snuggle up and enjoy getting lost in the pages of a book. In addition, there are plans arrange stock and space so that young adults have their own separate area away from the children’s space.
This work is in addition to wider remedial work to the building’s roof, doors and windows which will be funded by owners of the premises, Suffolk County Council, to the value of approximately £250,000.
Durrants Charitable Foundation is delighted to have made a financial contribution of £750 to this wonderful project which will benefit families from Beccles and beyond.
“Bringing the community back together after such a long time apart is tremendously important” commented Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants. “The team at Beccles Library is doing a sterling job and their passion and enthusiasm is evident in everything they do. We are proud to support this exciting refurbishment project and look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”
Beccles Library Community Trust supports and fundraises for Beccles Library and has been instrumental in sourcing funding for the children’s library project and would be interested in speaking to anyone who is able to support them further. For more information please contact Sharon Chapman on sharon.chapman@suffolklibraries.co.uk
IMAGE: Local children enjoying the Summer Reading Challenge in the library garden.
Finding your ideal home can be a tricky business. Of course it’s essential to have a wishlist to make sure your key criteria are met, but it’s also important to approach your property search with an open mind – your ideal home might not actually look like you think it will.
Choosing a bungalow might not be something you’ve considered, after all, they do have a reputation with some for being only for the elderly; but that’s simply not the case, in fact there are quite a few advantages to owning a bungalow.
Fewer bungalows are being built in the UK yet demand remains strong. This means that bungalows hold their value and can appreciate more than other property types. That said, it is true that, due to demand, bungalows tend to be more expensive per square metre.
Many bungalows were built several decades ago when the need for housing was not as great and space was not at such a premium, so tend to have bigger plots. Outdoor space on bungalow plots typically includes a driveway as well as front and rear garden. In addition to the great outdoor space, bungalows offer more privacy, with neighbouring properties also being single storey buildings that have limited if any view into the neighbouring plot.
As we’ve already mentioned, bungalows are often thought of as for the elderly, and it’s true, they are ideal for senior living, but they’re also a great solution for families. The lack of stairs means there’s one less thing to worry about when there are youngsters toddling about, plus having bedrooms on the same level as the living areas means that children are not too far away so you can easily keep an eye on them. This is also a plus as the kids reach their teenage years and disappear into their bedrooms for hours on end to isolate themselves from the rest of the world.
Let’s face it trudging the vacuum cleaner up and down stairs is a bit of a pain. There’s none of this in a bungalow. With all the accommodation on one level, the housework is a much easier task. It’s also less challenging to carry out regular maintenance work such as cleaning windows, facias, guttering and any roofing work.
As already mentioned, bungalows tend to have larger plots with space to the rear and front of the property, giving greater potential to extend outwards. Bungalows often have large, high unused loft space too which can be perfect for extending upwards – a loft extension can make a fabulous bedroom and even and ensuite.
Due to the age of many bungalows and the typical demographic of bungalow owners (who have often lived in them since they were built), properties that come to the market are often in need of renovation or modernisation. Of course, this can deter some people but it offers a terrific opportunity to create a real transformation and make your mark on the property.
We’ve highlighted here some of the many benefits of bungalow life although, of course, some would argue the disadvantages of living in a bungalow. Some feel insecure sleeping on the ground floor, others don’t like the lack of separation between bedrooms and living areas. Weighing up the pros and cons is a personal choice. But what’s important when conducting a property search is that you check out all the options. You might just find what you’d dismissed as a ‘no’ turns out to be your forever home.
The country seems divided over the forthcoming lifting of Covid restrictions. Whilst some are delighted and keen to return to life as normal, others are approaching this next step with an element of trepidation as the media, once again, reports daily increases in Coronavirus cases.
The Test and Trace system is doing its job, but several local businesses are suffering disruption to their service levels as more and more of their staff are contacted and requested to self-isolate.
Here at Durrants the safety of our clients and staff remains paramount and we pride ourselves on the high level of service we offer our clients. We feel that relaxing our Covid-19 procedures at this stage would not be appropriate and therefore we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the safety measures we have in place for property viewings.
Whilst each request will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, an overview of these guidelines are:
Our staff will ask you prior to arranging an appointment whether you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid–19 or are self-isolating. If you or anyone in your household, is experiencing symptoms we will not be able to carry out the appointment. Viewers will also be asked the above prior to arranging a viewing.
Durrants will ask you to;
This information is correct at time of publishing (15th July 2021).
Please click here for the latest guidance for buyers and sellers.
Southwold Millennium Foundation has installed two bee hives at the town’s Community Orchard in an exciting new project supported by Durrants.
The Foundation, which operates from the Millennium/Stella Peskett Hall provides vital funds for the local community via various initiatives including car parking at Millennium Meadow, and the running of Lighthouse Tours. The Community Orchard, which is in the meadow opposite the Hall, was established 2017, the produce of which is free for local residents.
Southwold Bees was initiated by trustee, Simon Tobin and chairman, Michael Ladd, who approached Durrants Estate Agency to request funding from their Charitable Foundation. Upon successfully receiving funds of £1,500 the Foundation has purchased two hives, two swarms of bees and all the necessary protective equipment.
“We’re really excited about the installation of the Southwold Bees hives.” said Simon Tobin. “As bees continue to decline in the UK it is important that we nurture them, and our Community Orchard is the perfect spot. We will be using this project to reach out to local schools to teach children about the importance of bees.”
Zuhal Tobin will be maintaining the hives having attended a course run by Waveney Beekeepers Group and is supported by their chairman, David Martin.
Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants commented about the project “We are delighted to support Southwold Bees. It’s a really interesting project from which local schools will benefit. Of course we’re looking forward to tasting the first batch of honey too!”
It is expected that Southwold Bees honey will be sold to raise further funds for Southwold Millennium Foundation.
Pictured (left to right); David Martin of Waveney Beekeepers Assoc; Michael Ladd; Dominic Parravani of Durrants; Zuhal Tobin; Simon Tobin.
This week, our communications manager Sally Owen had a fascinating visit to Bungay with Martha Meek, Development Manager for River Waveney Trust following their successful application for funding from Durrants Charitable Foundation.
The River Waveney Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to ensuring that the waters, habitats and catchment of this lowland river are healthy for wildlife and people. Their objectives are to collaboratively deliver river enhancement and protection projects to benefit wildlife, public access, water quality and natural flood management. The Trust was formed in 2012 and is part of a network of around 60 local trusts affiliated to the national Rivers Trust umbrella body.
Martha applied to Durrants for funding on behalf of RWT in order to hold an event in partnership with the charity Groundwork, on Natural Flood Management (NFM), as an introduction to the concept for the local communities of the Waveney Valley. Durrants’ is delighted to be involved in this project having such close connections with land owners across the Waveney Valley, and has provided funding of £1,600 to support the event.
Natural Flood Management involves the use of natural processes to slow, capture, re-direct or store flood waters at times of high rainfall. This can prevent so much water from quickly flowing off the land and to the main river where it can cause flooding to homes and businesses. NFM measures can include tree or hedge planting near the river, installing ‘leaky’ dams made from natural timber to hold back water, digging small pools or ponds to capture and store flood water and allowing the river to flow onto the grassed floodplains where there is no risk to people or farmland.
It is hoped that the event, which is scheduled for November 2021 (date TBC), will pave the way for a longer-term practical project to work with communities and landowners to install NFM features into the landscape.
Durrants has been a supporter of Southwold Rugby Club for many years, providing sponsorship funds for various team kits and training equipment, but we didn’t realise just how far our support could reach until now!
Around six years ago, Roger Felton of Southwold Rugby Club took his 16-year old twins on a trip to Kolkata, India where they were involved with The Jungle Crows, a Rugby charity who have been supporting and educating ‘street kids’ since 2004. Their time in India had a huge impact on them and Roger has stayed in touch with Jungle Crows founder, Paul Walsh MBE, since.
Recently, Southwold Rugby Club pulled together to gather their old season kit and donated over sixty youth rugby shirts to the Jungle Crows. Paul Walsh said about the donation “Absolutely delighted Southwold stash has managed to make it to the Jungle Crows in Kolkata. What a great present to cheer everyone up in these difficult times. We are loving shiny new gear and giving kit a new home.”
We’re overwhelmed with this fabulous gesture and delighted that the old season kit will be put to such good use in Kolkata.
Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants looks to a genius to make some sense of a property market, the like of which we haven’t seen since the 1980s.
What Isaac Newton, who formulated the laws of gravity in the middle of the 17th century, would have made of the current gravity-defying property market is anyone’s guess. But no doubt, like most people, he would have been flummoxed.
Even a genius like Newton, who worked from home during the plague of 1665/6, might have had difficulty making any sense of this mad market. Despite a global killer pandemic, millions of people out of work, the nation in lockdown, pubs shut, travel halted and the Treasury handing out billions in support of businesses, jobs and mortgages, the property market boomed – and it continues to do so. It should, by any calculation, have plummeted like an apple from a tree. Instead, the market didn’t fall; it held itself in suspended animation for a while before surging upwards.
By any estimation the market should at least have mirrored the slowdown experienced after the great recession of 2008. Yet prices are rising.
But perhaps we can learn something from Newton, whose third law stated that to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Homeowners and homebuyers reacted to Covid by moving from large urban centres and buying bigger properties in less crowded areas where they could work from home at least a few days a week. At the same time historically low interest rates kept mortgage repayments manageable, and the amazing vaccine programme has generated confidence.
It wasn’t long ago that property professionals were preparing for the worst. Now the market, which is experiencing very low levels of stock, is seeing increasing values with selling prices in some areas often exceeding their asking prices.
Growing numbers of sight-unseen sales, ultra-competitive bidding through all price ranges and the ugly re-emergence of gazumping are sure signs of people who are panic buying and a crazy property market in boom mode. So, let’s give Newton the last word in trying to make sense of what is going on. He said, “I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people”.
Do you feel that your house would be perfect for you if you just had a bit of extra space, perhaps another bedroom, a playroom for the children or a larger dining area that opens out onto the garden? Extending your home to get the space you need rather than moving could be the right choice for you, but with so many options available and so much to know about the legal side of things it can be difficult to know where to start.
With that in mind, this article, produced by Durrants Building Consultancy in collaboration with the Mortgage Advice Bureau, gives you’re an overview of what to consider including planning permission and building regulations, costings and the importance of choosing the right architect and builder.
The general rule around planning permission is the larger and more significant improvements are likely to need planning permission from your local planning authority, and the smaller, less obtrusive improvements are not likely to need permission – this is known as ‘permitted development’.
Whether you need planning permission or not depends on a number of factors. As long as the plans for your extension adhere to the following rules, you won’t have to get planning permission for the work:
Different rules apply though if you have a Listed Building or are in a Conservation Area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). If any of these apply please ring us for advice on 01379 646603.
It is good practice to apply to your local council for a ‘Lawful Use Certificate’ to confirm that your plans are indeed permitted development. This will provide evidence that the extension doesn’t require planning permission and it is good evidence if you need to prove this in the future, for example if you move house and someone asks whether permission was granted.
The Planning Portal interactive house is an excellent tool for people to get a visual idea Use this link Interactive House – Planning Portal
You may also need to have a Party Wall Agreement drawn up between yourselves and any neighbours whom the building work might affect.
Please note – if you’re planning to extend a new build house then you might need permission from the developer who may charge you a fee.
Complying with building regulations is a requirement for any type of extension as it confirms that the work carried out is structurally sound. Building regulations cover such aspects as drainage, electrics, external and internal walls, roofs etc. But first things first, you’ll need to get the architect to draw up the plans that you can then submit.
To read the full list of planning permission and building regulations, contact your local council for more information.
East Suffolk Council
South Norfolk Council
Obviously the cost of an extension will vary depending on what you want and where you live. There are lots of different suggestions out there on how much an extension costs. A lot of these figures are worked out per square metre, for instance, a single-storey extension would typically cost around £1,500 per square metre. So if you were having a 3x5m extension, it might cost around £22,500 for a single-storey, or up to £50,000 for a two-storey if you want one builder to construct the whole extension. The cost will vary totally on the standard of fittings you might want in the extension, for example if you want a bespoke oak kitchen then clearly this will be more expensive.
Once you know what sort of extension you’d like, the best thing to do is get a few builders to come round and give you a ballpark quote for the cost although we recommend to get an accurate quote you will need detailed architects drawings and details usually best for these to be building regulation drawings as these will specify exactly what is required to build the extension, although you will still need to choose colours, power point locations etc.
When it comes to choosing your architect and builder, you want to know that you’re using someone who is reliable, honest, experienced and capable, after all, you’re about to spend a significant amount of money on your long-term home. It is important to ensure any architect is qualified and has the required professional indemnity insurance. Some practices are architectural designers and not actually qualified architects so ask to check their qualifications if you specifically want to use an architect.
Similarly, you want a builder who is experienced and good at their craft, so it’s worth asking to look at their portfolio to get an idea of previous jobs they have worked on and what their capabilities are. Also, prepare a brief for them so they know as much about the job as possible – obviously you can share architect’s plans if you already have them. Don’t be shy about getting a 3 or 4 builders to give you quotes, and be sure to check exactly what their quote includes.
Here at Durrants Building Consultancy we have two qualified Chartered Architects who would be more than happy to discuss your home aspirations. We’ve been established in Norfolk and Suffolk for many years too, take a look at our portfolio. Over the years we’ve built a good network of tradespeople who we can recommend.
When it’s time to make your final decision it’s often a case of weighing up the quote with the time scales. For instance, one builder might be cheaper than another but has a 4-month waiting time, whereas another builder who is slightly more expensive might be able to start in the next month, so it all depends what’s most important to you.
There are several options for funding an extension project. You can take out a loan for the house extension from your existing mortgage lender, or you could consider re-mortgaging. We recommend that you contact a specialist mortgage and finance expert. Durrants are proud to partner with Mortgage Advice Bureau who have a friendly, local team and can offer advice on the very latest mortgage and loan products available.
For further information about any of the information in this article please contact Durrants Building Consultancy on 01379 646603.
The picturesque countryside of East Anglia has been the inspiration of many a great artist over the years with its abundance of wildlife, diversity of landscape and huge skies. This summer and autumn Durrants are doing their bit to celebrate some of Norfolk and Suffolk’s talented professional artists and bring it to the fore as lead sponsor of Harleston and Waveney Art Trail.
Harleston and Waveney Art Trail is a diverse and lively community of professional artists who live and work in the beautiful Waveney Valley. The collective put on their first ‘open studios’ trail in 2005 and due to its success have run one every year since, apart from 2020 due to the pandemic.
The 2021 Harleston and Waveney Art Trail will be accompanied by a group exhibition at The Old Harnessmakers Gallery in Harleston. The ‘Meet the Makers’ exhibition will showcase the work of the 11 participating artists and craft makers, acting as a hub for visitors to get a taste of the work on offer throughout the open studios. At the exhibition, audiences will get to see a selection of the artists’ work and can start planning their studio visits with help from gallery owner Lisa Henshall.
The studios will be open over the weekends of 19th and 20th June and 26th and 27th June while the gallery will host the exhibition between 27th May and 3rd July.
The event hopes to encourage visitors to explore the art and landscapes of Harleston and Waveney. Harleston and Waveney Art Trail chairman Malcolm Cudmore said: “I’m beyond delighted that Harleston and Waveney Art Trail is back in action in 2021. As a group, our principal purpose is to welcome visitors to our studios each year – the very thing (for completely understandable reasons) we’ve been unable to do for the last year.”
Dominic Parravani, Managing Director for Durrants is delighted to be supporting the Trail in 2021, having been associated with Harleston and Waveney Art Trail for over three years. “Events like these showcase our region and the talent within it beautifully. Communities are brought together by the Trail, and as an organisation with long established roots in Norfolk and Suffolk, being part of our local community is something we at Durrants are very proud of.”
The eleven artists participating in the Summer Art Trail are Carolyn Moulton, Sara Johnson, Barbara Bernard, Paul Zawadzki, Liz Taunt, Bobbie Watchorn, Rachel Wiles, Ingrid Duffy, Nell Close, Lisa Henshall, Kath Wallace. The artist’s studios are dotted around the valley, in and between Harleston, Wortwell, Homersfield, Denton, Earsham, Ditchingham, Bungay and Hedenham.
Later in the year, an Autumn Trail will take place, with every member of Harleston and Waveney Art Trail – around two dozen artists taking part. This trail will take place over the first three weekends of September – 4th/5th, 11th/12th and 18th/19th.
If you’d like more information about Harleston and Waveney Art Trail visit their website here.
Managing Director and Head of Residential Sales, Dominic Parravani suggests how to tackle the property market as we approach the end of lockdown and the start of summer.
Has the world gone completely mad? Indeed just lately the world of property seems as though it might have done. If the press isn’t yelling about renovations at No 10, it’s screaming about panic buying and soaring prices. How much should we believe?
With No 10, one’s view depends on which side of the fence one is sitting. And it’s the same with property. There’s the buyer’s side of the fence and the seller’s side.
Sellers are having a good time of it at the moment. In many parts of the country there is very little property coming onto the market, which is strengthening demand and driving up prices in those areas.
For buyers it is another picture. Competing for every property with many other keen and proceedable buyers is not a calm or comfortable position to be in. Urgency often causes hasty decisions, a little too much compromise and disappointment.
But the property market is fickle. The pandemic, Brexit, low interest rates, looser lending criteria and the stamp duty holiday have primarily created this surge in demand. What will happen when these things, like the No 10 renovation, are only memories?
It is impossible to say for sure. But what we do know is that the property market is cyclical. What goes up usually to some extent comes down.
The first thing one should do is to remember the immortal words of Corporal Jones in Dad’s Army, “Don’t panic, Mr Mainwaring, don’t panic”. If you must move or are up for a bit of market rough and tumble then by all means join the fray. But if you want a more leisurely buying or selling experience, then perhaps you should hold off for a little while. The market heat will dissipate before too long, just as Covid seems to be doing.
How do you decide whether to act now or wait? Well, you can leave it all to chance, or you can get some proper advice. The thing is that estate agents don’t just sell property; the best ones advise buyers and sellers wisely. When you think about it they know more about the emotional, practical and financial side of moving than anyone else, because they have seen it and done it hundreds of times for thousands of people and innumerable reasons.
So if you are wondering what and when your next step should be in the property stakes, don’t panic; talk it over with people who know.
It’s National Gardening Week this week, so what better time to announce our support of this delightful project at Fressingfield Primary School, near Eye in Suffolk, with funding from our charitable foundation.
Back in March we received a beautifully written letter from Belle, aged 10, telling us about an exciting project going on at the school to build a sensory garden. Funds had already been raised for a ‘reflection shed’ – a space where children can take time out to be still and thoughtful, but more support was needed to create an area around it that would stimulate the children’s senses.
The children of Yangtze class, led by their teacher Mr Leicester researched the benefits of such a garden, put thought into what sort of plants and features it would need and then set to work writing to local businesses.
“This year has been extremely stressful for all children, so it would really help having a sensory garden to come to, to relax. Children with mental health issues can relax their mind and forget about all their worries.” wrote Belle. She went on to say “Furthermore, having a sensory garden is also really good for wildlife; the sensory garden will attract bees because of the strong smelling flowers.”
Here at Durrants we were delighted to read Belle’s letter which conveyed so well just how enthusiastic she and her classmates are about the garden. We decided to contribute £500 towards the project. We also sent Belle a little gift for her hard work in writing such a lovely letter.
“Making a difference to the local community is exactly what the Durrants Charitable Foundation is about and we look forward to hearing how the project progresses.” said Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants.
Fressingfield Primary School is one of several beneficiaries of Durrants Charitable Foundation 2021. You can find out more about it here.
In all walks of life it’s a fact that first impressions count and that’s particularly true when selling your home. Kerb appeal is a term widely used when referring to the appearance and desirability of a property from the outside. But what gives a property ‘kerb appeal’?
What makes a property attractive to one buyer could make it a ‘no no’ to another – architectural style is highly subjective. But no matter what the style of your property there are key things that can be done to improve its kerb appeal and make it more desirable to potential buyers.
When selling your home you should treat every property viewing as you would a job interview. You wouldn’t go to an interview in your slippers and PJs with no knowledge behind you. You’d make yourself smart and know your onions. It’s all about preparation, presentation and attention to detail.
Front Door
The front door is the main focal point of the home and must make a positive impression. Make sure it’s clean and that the handle, letter box and knocker are polished. You may also wish to consider a fresh coat of paint if required. A clean door mat is always nice too. Of course, a stuck, stiff or squeaky door doesn’t give a welcoming feel so if your door is in need of a little maintenance, we’d recommend that it’s attended to.
Windows
Clean windows, frames and sills give the impression that the property is loved. Also consider the curtains or blinds and how they look from the outside. Leave them open, and tidy.
Paths and Driveways
A swept pathway or drive will always give a better first impression than one that is dirty and dusty. A pressure wash and removal of weeds (especially in brick-weave) will also be well-received.
Bins
Wheelie bins are ugly and out of sight is the best place for them.
Grass and Gardens
If you have a front lawn, make sure it’s cut and that borders are trimmed and neat. If your property doesn’t have any greenery, perhaps consider adding something to enhance it – a hanging basket or potted plan for example.
Boundaries and Beyond
Take a look at the hedges/fences that border the property. Do the hedges need a trim or the fences need a bit of TLC? Getting these details right can all make a property more attractive to a potential buyer.
Of course, anything outside the boundaries of your property is not your responsibility, but take a look around prior to a viewing. Is there any litter that needs picking up? Are the grass verges in need of a quick cut? These are all things that contribute to the kerb appeal and first impression of your home and ultimately, the success of your sale.
At Durrants we’re passionate about selling property and are here to guide you through the process from the initial valuation and photos, to viewings and the legalities. If you’re considering selling your home, why not get in touch with us? We’ve been selling houses in Norfolk and Suffolk since 1853 and are proud to offer a service you can trust.
Pictured: 1 Chickering Hall Cottages, Hoxne.
INK has commissioned playwright, Martyn Wade to tell the dramatic and tragic story of Joe Kennedy Jnr, the elder brother of JFK, who as a young man seemed destined to become President of the United States – until, that is, the Second World War intervened.
No Ordinary Joe, No Ordinary Kennedy examines Joe’s complex character, and traces events which led Joe to volunteering for a top-secret and highly dangerous mission, in which he was required to fly a Liberator plane packed with explosives and bail out before it crossed the Channel. Tragically his plane exploded over Blythburgh, Suffolk killing him and his co-pilot, Lt. Wilford John Willy (Bud). This play is to honour them both and all those who flew and lost their lives during WW2.
Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund and a grant from Durrants Charitable Foundation, the project will also gather and record local WW2 stories which will be then be presented and stored at The Halesworth Museum and an exhibition displaying parts of the crashed plane curated for the first time from different sources.
“We’re delighted to support this project.” commented Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants. “It brings to life a fascinating wartime story that happened right on our doorstep, and the telling of that story will bring together the local community and provide fascinating insight for generations to come.”
Fiona Darrington of INK’s Community Project said, “We are thrilled, delighted and incredibly grateful to the Durrants Charitable Foundation for awarding INK funding for our heritage project – No Ordinary Joe, No Ordinary Kennedy. Your generous donation of £1,500 will make a significant contribution to our work and greatly benefit The Halesworth and Community Museum and the wider Suffolk community.”
Originally planned last year to tour Suffolk airfields No Ordinary Joe, No Ordinary Kennedy will now be performed as an audio drama and will be released from 8th April (the planned start date for INK Festival 2021) at www.inkfestival.org – an optional small donation will be suggested to help raise funds for INK and The Halesworth Museum.
The last 12-months have changed the way we use our homes in a way that none of us could have imagined and the demand for space both inside and outside has created an exceptional demand for larger properties.
In its March House Price Index report, Rightmove has highlighted a 4.1% increase in house prices year on year in the East of England and a 2% increase month on month. In a recent article published by Zoopla the average house prices and square footage measurements for properties in Mid-Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal and South Norfolk were laid out as follows;
3-Bedroom house, 1,025 sq ft = £273,000
4-Bedroom house, 1,570 sq ft = £404,000
5-Bedroom house, 2,265 sq ft = £543,000
3-Bedroom house, 1,050 sq ft = £300,000
4-Bedroom house, 1,530 sq ft = £424,000
5-Bedroom house, 2,035 sq ft = £502,000
3-Bedroom house, 1,015 sq ft = £263,000
4-Bedroom house, 1,490 sq ft = £378,000
5-Bedroom house, 2,035 sq ft = £482,000
These are all good statistics, but with such a diversity of settings and dwellings in Norfolk and Suffolk what does this mean for your property value? Well, the best way to find that out is to get in touch with us for a free, no obligation valuation. We’ll come to the property, assess it and talk you to about your reasons for selling and your expectations to give you an honest and realistic market value for your home.
For an instant valuation simply complete our online form or get in touch with a member of the team in our of our local offices.
Source: zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/family-homes-what-can-you-get-and-where
Southwold. Arguably Suffolk’s most well-known town. Famous for its quirky pier, pretty beach huts, bustling high street, fish and chips and of course, Adnams brewery. But it’s something far more significant that makes Southwold so magical and unique explains Dominic Parravani, Managing Director and Head of Residential Sales.
Southwold is a town unlike any other. It’s a town of history and connections. One that’s been passed down from generation to generation along with the memories created along the way. A walk along the pier illustrates that beautifully, with the numerous plaques that line the promenade each capturing a treasured memory of someone with a special connection to the town. It’s understanding, respecting and nurturing this generational connection and being an active part of the community that make Durrants as successful as it is.
Durrants estate agency has had an office on Southwold High Street since 2007 when it took over from H A Adnams. Then, Adnams and Durrants were perfectly aligned in ethos and history both being local family firms, and that remains to this day. Durrants is an integral part of the Southwold community. The Company sponsors the town rugby club and plays a large part in the organisation of Southwold Arts Festival and the Christmas Lights festivities. The team aged, from 22 to 72, are all local and are truly passionate about the town and its surrounding area. The Company is well-respected and trusted by the local residents. So it’s no wonder that when selling a property in the town Durrants is often the first port of call.
“I strongly believe our history, our level of customer care, unrivalled local market knowledge, our team’s years of experience, and our involvement with local clubs, groups and associations is the reason we are the town’s leading agent.”
Of course sales performance also has something to do with Durrants’ success. According to Rightmove, in the first two and a half months of 2021, Durrants estate agency has outperformed its competitors in every way possible in the IP18 postcode area (Southwold and Reydon).
Of the properties on the market between 1st January and 17th March 2021, 56% were listed with Durrants. During the same period the Company secured over 59% of all new instructions; and perhaps most importantly Durrants has agreed the most sales – more than double that of its nearest competitor. This is a trend that has continued on the company’s success in 2020.
Durrants currently has 17 properties for sale in and around Southwold, from 1-bed apartments and fishermen’s cottages, to stunning sea-view Georgian villas and even George Orwell’s former home. There are some spectacular properties in the pipeline too. Browse the portfolio here.
So, you have seen your ideal cottage, but it has got a thatched roof and the fear of the unknown enters your purchasing decision. What are the key considerations when considering when purchasing or owning a thatched property?
Trevor Musk, company director and head of Durrants Building Consultancy explains.
The thatching cost usually is based on the area of roof to be thatched. Thatcher’s work on “square” 10 feet by 10 (100 square feet). The average roof is around 6 – 12 square although some properties are 4 square and some 80 square. The cost also depends on factors such as shape of the roof, type of material, design of the roof, ridge type and style whether wiring is required, the type of flashing required and more.
The thatcher may not know what work is required to the timbers before the original thatch is removed. This can sometimes create an additional cost.
Always get your thatching quotations in writing so it is clear what you are being offered and also so that the thatcher is not asked to do extra work which is not quoted for. As with all things, the most expensive quote may not be the best thatcher and similarly a cheap quote not the worst, but again you do get what you pay for. Ideally use a thatcher registered with the National Society of Master Thatchers (NSMT), although not all thatchers are members of this organisation.
There are three main thatching materials used on roofs, Water Reed, Combed Wheat Reed and Longstraw and there are other materials used. These vary in application, style and longevity. Thatch is an environmentally friendly building material.
Water Reed
This material is widely used throughout the UK. It is also known as Norfolk Reed and Continental Water Reed. This material is very hard and has the longest lifespan of all the thatching materials. There are always exceptions to the rule but Thatch Advice Centre knows of roofs which are over 60 years old. New properties are thatched in this material because it gives the most cost effective roof to customers. To change to this material on a listed building would require Listed Building Consent. Water Reed roofs are generally straighter and less rounded looking than the other materials
Wheat Reed
This may be called Wheat Reed, Combed Wheat Reed or Wheat Straw. Combed Wheat Straw has been used as a thatching material for decades. It was the by product from grain production. The advent of combine harvesters has meant that it is now a specialist product, only produced by those with the old fashioned machines. It is labour intensive by modern day standards. Combed Wheat Reed roofs generally have a more rounded appearance than Water Reed. This material has a lifespan of around 25 – 35 years.
Longstraw
This is the same material as Combed Wheat Reed but it is produced differently once it has been brought in from the field. A Longstraw roof is more shaggy in appearance as the straws are put on with both ears and butts of the material facing downwards.
Before the purchase of a thatched property we would always recommend to get an independent survey of the roof by a thatcher and again one that it is registered with the NSMT.
Indication of a worn roof – on the ridge, the wire netting may be left raised where the thatch has degraded and the fixings (spars) may well be showing sticking out. The ridge may well be perfectly serviceable even if the fixings are showing and it is looking a bit untidy.
Lines across the main roof coat work and dips also indicate wear. Moss and lichens often are associated with well decayed roofs and sometimes the roof has reached a stage in its life where moss is best left as to remove it will do more damage than good.
If you look at the eave and see a triangle of dark material it may indicate water ingressing and wear of the roof.
Lead and cement flashings coming away from chimneys and gaps where they meet the thatch should be checked and cement flashings which are cracked or broken may need looking at. Lead flashings are the best.
Firstly, it is very important that you have buildings insurance on your thatched property. It must be appropriate and have the correct rebuild cost included. Be aware of what is and what is not covered and if in doubt ask the question before taking out the insurance. Understand your property and that most insurers will ask specific questions about your property, its thatch and construction.
Everyone believes that thatch is more expensive but, as with all insurance, if you know what you want and shop around for a specialist who meets your needs you can get a good solution. Be aware that some insurers are cheaper for a reason, other offer certain covers as standard which some insurers have as additional features. Be sure that you compare ‘like for like’ when getting insurance for your thatched property.
If you are wrong with your rebuild cost, and you need to rebuild your property for any reason, your pay out can often be very disappointing. You will potentially be paid out less, by the % of the amount you were underinsured, which often means if you are for example 50% underinsured, you would only get say 50% of 50%, e.g. 25% of the sum you were expecting. Specialist insurers now ask for more checks and precautions to be taken in order for them to be able to give cover. Often insurers will carry out their own survey of a property within the first few weeks of setting up a policy. This is for their own risk assessment purposes.
The lifespan of a thatched roof and therefore its maintenance requirement is due to several factors. Because of the natural degradation of the material over time, it will eventually reach the stage where it requires completely rethatching. Repairs may extend the life of certain areas but it will reach a situation where there is no life left in the surrounding material and it is false economy.
Keep an eye on your roof and any changes especially before and after the winter period. Always get more than one quote for work which requires doing so that you avoid the ‘rogue thatchers’ touting for work. Unfortunately they exist in all trades and memberships and smart websites are no guarantees. Establish early on what condition the thatch is in, then any necessary work can be quoted for and planned into a schedule of maintenance.
If a listed property requires a total rethatch, the local council listed building department/conservation officer should be consulted. The owner and thatcher should both seek the relevant advice from the authorities if they are uncertain as to the requirements. Listed Buildings should always be maintained on a like for like basis
Generally the ridge of the thatch will require replacing every 10 -15 years. The coat work will vary depending on the material used and its associated lifespan.
To keep the roof in best condition:
Allow it to dry well, remove trees and plants which may hinder the sun and wind drying it or rain dispersing. If it is damp it will also increase the likelihood of moss and algae growth which in turn keeps the roof wet.
Do not allow other trades to damage the roof either with ladders or by walking on the thatch. Any divot created has potential to accelerate the wear of the thatch and on the ridge damage to fixings can be especially detrimental to the roof life.
Do not assume that because the roof looks neat (with a good- conditioned ridge pattern) that it is prime condition. Often sellers get a new ridge done on an old roof which is beyond its life just to sell it.
Contact Thatch Advice Centre
02380 428 058
08454 504 878
Email: info@thatchadvicecentre.co.uk
Information has been provided by Thatch Advice Centre
Bedrooms are meant to be a place of tranquillity, calm and most importantly, a good night’s sleep. This may not be the reality for everyone, especially in these times when more of us are working from home and having to hide ourselves away in our bedrooms for important and uninterrupted calls and Zoom meetings, but if you’re trying to sell your home, presenting it in the right way is an absolute must.
Here are our 5 tips for presenting your bedrooms to help the speedy sale of your property.
As with most rooms in your house, clearing the clutter is an easy way to improve its presentation. But in the bedrooms, we don’t just mean photo frames, ornaments and trinkets, we mean furniture too. Space is incredibly important in bedrooms, and the only furniture you really need is a bed (which should be the focal point), a wardrobe or a chest of drawers and a bedside table or cabinet. Anything else is just eating space, so try to remove it if you can.
The de-cluttering goes for inside your wardrobes too. Storage is key in bedrooms and we’ve met very few purchasers who don’t like a sneaky peak in the wardrobes, whether they’re built in or free-standing. If your wardrobes are bursting it gives the message that there’s not enough storage.
We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms and it’s easy to become nose-blind to our everyday scent. Make sure bedrooms are well-aired and smelling clean and fresh prior to viewings. Freshly washed bed linen for viewings is a good idea not only to create a fresh scent, but to enhance visual appeal too.
Temperature is also essential in creating the right sleeping environment. According to the ‘The Sleep Foundation’ the perfect temperature for a good night sleep is 18.3°C. If a room is too cold or too warm and stuffy this can deter potential buyers from making an offer.
A double bedroom is, generally speaking, more desirable that a single. If you’re bedrooms can accommodate a double bed it’s important to demonstrate that where possible. Now we’re not suggesting buying new furniture to sell your house – that would be silly, but maybe you’re using the spare room as an office or you have a bedroom that’s being used for storage. In these circumstances putting in a made up airbed could help a potential buyer see past the current use of the room and leave them in no doubt that it can accommodate a double bed.
Often, and particularly in children’s bedrooms the bed will be pushed against the wall to allow more space in the room. This may not be the best layout to really sell your bedrooms (although it may be the most practical for you). Making the bed the main focal point of the room, with access to get in it from both sides can make it more appealing.
As with all rooms, décor is a big deal. Our recommendation for bedrooms are keep it simple and coordinated with no bold statements. Think white bed linen, neutral walls, blinds or curtains that are thick enough to create enough darkness for good sleep, a few scatter cushions and perhaps a throw, et voila!
So there you have it. Our five tips to present bedrooms to help sell your property. Of course, the golden rule to finish on, which goes for every room in the house, is make sure it’s tidy. Make the bed as neatly as you can, remove overflowing laundry baskets, put children’s toys away, have a quick dust and hoover and clear away unnecessary clutter.
If you’re interested in selling your property and would like a free valuation from our friendly and knowledgeable team, get in touch today.
Managing Director and Head of Residential Sales for Durrants, Dominic Parravani comments on Mr Sunak’s budget.
In his spring 2021 Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has chosen to keep the fire under the property market well and truly alight.
The UK is now experiencing a property buying demand reminiscent of a 1970s or 1980s type boom. We know there’s a property boom when adverse events that might otherwise have knocked the market off course fail to do so. Lockdowns 2 and 3 haven’t dented the recharged enthusiasm for property purchase, which began in the first lockdown; nor have the threatened end of the stamp duty holiday or the dark cloud of a post-furlough unemployment spike.
It’s clear that the wider British public is back in love with home ownership, and the Chancellor has chosen to give that fire a further stoke. Mr Sunak has extended the stamp duty holiday from the end of March to the end of June. After this date, the starting rate of stamp duty will be halved to £250,000 until the end of September.
The Budget announcement also included a mortgage guarantee scheme to help people with small deposits get on the property ladder by offering incentives to lenders to provide 95% mortgages.
Simultaneously the Chancellor is easing the country from an end of furlough cliff edge and has turned away from increasing capital gains tax – an increase in CGT could have dented the holiday home and investment sectors. These moves point the way to a lively property market through 2021.
Out of the Chancellor’s control, but helping the market with other boosts, is the sensational march of Covid vaccinations and the pandemic-prompted and facilitated sea change in lifestyle choices.
With the public looking forward to the stepped retreat from lockdown and many people planning new ways of working between office and home, there are compelling new opportunities for buyers looking for first homes or for homes with more room in different surroundings.
As we wake up from the Covid nightmare it looks as if, aided by the Chancellor, a greater number of people will be turning some of their more pleasant lockdown dreams into realities.
Despite the excitement it can bring, it’s often said that moving house is one of life’s most stressful events. Packing up all your belongings, leaving behind neighbours and friends, taking time off work, arranging finances, not to mention the cleaning; these are all factors that add to the stress levels.
But perhaps the biggest factor that causes people to lose sleep when buying or selling a house is the process itself; the amount of people involved and feeling that things are out of your control, the movable feast that is the time it’s all going to take, the trepidatious journey to get to those milestone moments of exchange and completion.
Choosing the right agent to sell your property is the first step towards making sure you sleep well and your stress levels are kept to a minimum when selling your property. There’s a lot more to choosing your agent than just the commission rate. Here at Durrants we’re very proud of the service that we offer our clients and the positive testimonials that we regularly receive highlight the professionalism, knowledge and commitment of our team. The relationships we build with our clients are based on trust and mutual respect.
We have an exceptional knowledge of what’s going on in the property market. When we come and value your property we’ll talk to you to understand your reasons for and expectations of selling to provide you with a realistic and honest market value for your property.
From ‘For Sale’ boards, brochures and our office window displays to our website, featured listings on Rightmove and promotion via our Mayfair Office and digital communications we will tailor the marketing of your property to a relevant audience to generate viewings and ultimately the sale of your property.
We know how important it is for you to understand how the sale is progressing and will keep you in the loop at all times during the process. Our friendly team have a wealth of experience and can guide you through with patience and understanding.
Did you know Durrants has its very own building consultancy team? We can offer RICS homebuyers reports and more comprehensive building surveys. We can also advise on extensions, alterations, planning and much more.
There’s a lot to think about when selling your property from presenting your home for viewings to packing. We’ve seen it all before at Durrants and are happy to offer helpful tips on all manner of topics from how to manage your packing to the best ways to manage the transfer of utilities.
With teams in Beccles, Halesworth, Harleston, Diss and Southwold we have a good knowledge of Norfolk and Suffolk and are well connected with other local businesses. We can advise you on many aspects of your move, from the best removal companies and mortgage advisors to use to the best café to get a coffee whilst waiting to collect your new keys on completion day.
If you are considering selling your home, why not get in touch with Durrants to arrange a free no-obligation valuation with a member of our team. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Playing a part in the local community in which we do business is something very close to our hearts here at Durrants and we’re very proud to have some real local heroes in our team. Read on to find out more about just three of our team who play important roles in their community.
Paula Goldsmith is one of our holiday cottages team members, dealing with customer queries and accounts. She has worked for Durrants since 2018 and is also a member of Southwold Town Council and a well-loved member of the local community. An already busy-bee but not happy to let an opportunity to help slip her by, Paula has recently been volunteering two days a week at Sole Bay Health Centre in Reydon to assist the smooth operation of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
“It’s a really varied role and I’m part of a lovely team. Each shift I could be doing anything from directing traffic and checking-in patients to reassuring people about the vaccination or making sure they’re comfortable and don’t have a ‘wobble’ after having the jab.”
We’re really proud of Paula and her fellow volunteers – keep up the good work!
As marketing manager for Durrants Holiday Cottages and a new first-time-mum in 2019, it would be fair to say that Leah has her hands full, but she has also found time to play a huge role for Baby Basics, a community based group who work with midwives, health visitors and other professionals to provide support to families who are unable to provide for their new arrival. Each family is gifted a moses basket full of baby essentials such as toiletries, newborn clothing, blankets, muslin cloths and other essential items.
“After becoming a first time Mum in 2019 I was stunned at how much you need to prepare for your new arrival, and it made me wonder how families in need across the country were able to obtain the basics, let alone higher priced essential items such as prams and car seats.
Part of my role within the organisation is to seek fundraising opportunities. In 2020 we sought a permanent ‘baby bank’ trolley in our local Tesco foodstore, set up regular donations from our local supermarkets and we also run an annual Christmas appeal where we ask members of the public to donate Christmas presents for the families we have supported throughout the year.”
Having worked for Durrants for 24 years, Teresa really is a part of the furniture – the team simply wouldn’t be the same without her. The same applies for the Christmas celebrations every year in Halesworth. For the last 6 years Teresa has been chair of Halesworth Events Management, or HEM for short, which is a group of volunteers who work tirelessly to organise and fund the Halesworth Christmas Lights.
“Christmas in Halesworth is so magical. Every November we celebrate with a parade including a band and Santa’s sleigh, followed by the big celebrity switch on. After that, there’s live music and dancing in the market place plus Santa’s Grotto at the church. Thousands of people come to the town to enjoy the festive celebrations. It’s an event that is enjoyed by not just the young but also the young at heart as many elderly residents look forward to attending this event every year.”
It’s a year-round job for Teresa, who together with her fellow volunteers, organises quizzes, fashion shows, and other fundraising activities, not to mention the risk assessments and licences that are required to pull such a tremendous event together.
We can’t thank our Durrants volunteers enough for their contribution to the community in which we do business. They really are shining stars. Thank you!
Leading Norfolk and Suffolk property and consultancy firm Durrants is delighted to announce new funding of £20,000 available for local charities and community projects. Grants of up to £2,000 are available and applications must be submitted by 31st March 2021.
George Durrant & Sons Limited provides a range of agency, professional and consultancy services across the residential, commercial and agricultural property sectors and has played its part in the community since it was established back in 1853. Over the years Durrants has supported many local events and community projects including the work of East Anglian Air Ambulance; YANA, a rural mental health charity and Clinks Care Farm near Beccles, which provides disadvantaged people the opportunities to work and learn a variety of agricultural roles including working with livestock, carpentry, market gardening and more.
The Durrants Charitable Foundation has been set up to formalise the company’s support for local community and charity projects and this year a fund of £20,000 is available with applications for grants of up to £2,000 being accepted until 31st March 2021.
Dominic Parravani, Managing Director for Durrants said, “Being an active part of the community in which we do business is very important to us, and in these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to show our support.
The Foundation aims to support projects in the areas of Beccles, Diss, Halesworth, Harleston and Southwold, where we have offices. Perhaps a local school needs devices for remote learning, a sports club needs new equipment, or a new community event needs financial support getting off the ground. These are all examples we would consider supporting through the Foundation.”
A recent beneficiary of Durrants funding is Baby Basics, a Lowestoft based organisation that works with midwives, health visitors and other professionals to provide moses baskets and starter kits to vulnerable families in Lowestoft and the surrounding area. Leah Smith, Durrants employee and volunteer for Baby Basics commented, “We are delighted to have received the support of Durrants. This will make such a big difference to many vulnerable families in the area.”
Full details of how to apply for funding and terms and conditions are available here.
Managing Director and Head of Residential Sales for Durrants, Dominic Parravani looks ahead to a busy spring in the property market.
In the wake of Covid 19 the UK experienced an exodus. This was the evacuation of urban dwellers to the land of milk and honey – the countryside.
The flight from city lockdown to a pastoral idyll was and is a compelling idea, especially when working practices have changed so much in the light of the pandemic.
But will this movement last? In a post-vaccination world there may be a gradual drifting back to the pleasures and convenience of big town or city life. But for many the change in lifestyle is now locked in. Roots have been put down in earth rather than concrete.
Despite the looming end to the stamp duty holiday deadline on March 31st there is little or no let up in demand. Lockdown 3 has brought even more buyers to the market and house price rises have reflected this.
Many exodus purchases have been a straight swap – town for country. But a good proportion of transactions have been for holiday homes with a view to longer-term permanent living through career change, altered lifestyle or retirement. This is clever thinking as any potential rises in capital gains tax could favour greater investment in principal residences, rather than second homes.
Covid19 has affected the property market in ways that we never expected, and we imagine it will continue to do so for quite a while. Unwelcome, horrifying and shattering as the disease is, for many buyers and sellers it has also unexpectedly proved to be a profound catalyst for change. If Covid19 fades in its potency into the spring and summer, we think those changes will continue to grow and become wonderful new opportunities. For many, the land of milk and honey beckons.
Since the initial lockdown in March, the demand for rural properties has increased massively due to changing property priorities and working habits.
Rightmove’s yearly review for 2020 shows that both coastal and rural areas were favoured by buyers as many moved away from central locations.
The top 10 best selling areas in the UK last year were dominated by idyllic locations, such as Devon, Surrey and Somerset.
Similarly, properties with larger living areas, dining rooms and gardens all seemed to be the most popular on the market.
With many expecting to be working from home for a while, or even swapping to remote working on a permanent basis, the significance of a central location is no longer as prevalent for buyers and tenants.
According to Rightmove, out of the top ten best selling areas of 2020, seven of those had a population of 10,000 or less, showing that life away from the hustle and bustle of the city was preferred by many during the pandemic.
Specific areas that have seen impressive growth since the outbreak are Wiltshire, Hampshire, Stockbridge, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.
Amongst these, Hertfordshire was the most popular with a 75% increase in sales year-on-year, and no evidence of this slowing down.
Similarly, suburban areas in the north west have seen the biggest price growth this year, with prices rising from £184,299 to £213,706 on average.*
Rightmove’s director of property data, Tim Bannister, said: “this year we’ve seen an uplift in the number of home-movers escaping to the country and we think this trend will continue for now as people show their willingness to make significant life changes.
“The data highlights just how influential the unexpected events of this year have been in shaping the nation’s housing priorities, with many buyers determined to swap city streets for rural and coastal retreats.”
If you’re looking to prioritise green space in your next property we’d love to help you. Click here to arrange a free property valuation and get expert advice from one of our friendly team.
If you are planning to sell or rent your property, then it’s important to get an accurate estimate of how much the property could be worth.
To give you an agent’s perspective of what that involves, we’ve provided some of the key take-away points below.
Firstly, knowing how much your property is worth is more commonly known as its ‘market value’, which relates to the price a buyer is willing to pay when considering local and national market conditions.
The value of your house can be determined by a variety of factors, such as any recent changes to the property or your neighbourhood.
Some of these factors may also include the size, location, amenities, condition and the asking price of similar houses nearby, so it’s always beneficial to talk to a local agent with familiarity selling in your area.
Valuing your house accurately is one of the most important parts of the process.
Bringing your home onto the market with an asking price that is too low could mean you receive offers below market value.
Whereas if the asking price is too high, you may not receive any offers at all, causing time delays and market stagnation as the ideal buyers are put off a home that falls outside of their price bracket.
So, whilst it can be tempting to instruct an agent based on who is offering the highest value, the risk of this is that you may need to gradually reduce your price anyway to reflect the property’s actual market value.
The best way to see how much your house is worth is through a combination of tried-and-tested
methods.
Over lockdown, it would be advisable to begin by referring to online house price calculators and valuation tools, as these will provide a guide based on Land Registry Data.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that for the most accurate and up-to-date valuation, you should organise time with an agent, as an in-person appraisal will guarantee any recent developments to your home are taken into consideration.
After last weekend’s exciting climax of the Autumn Nations Cup and the recent Government guidance that relaxes Covid restrictions on outdoor contact sports which will allow rugby to return to Southwold Common, we thought now was a good time to make a little announcement.
Having been a supporter of Southwold Rugby for several years, Durrants is proud to sponsor the Southwold Women’s XV. The deal was sealed several months ago but as with so many things this year, the pandemic put a stop to the game.
The buzz and excitement of rugby has been sorely missed in the town over recent months, but all being well we expect to see contact fixtures return to Southwold Common from 18th December. We wish the Southwold Women’s XV and all the other Club members the very best with their return to the game.
You can find out more about Southwold Rugby Club and their return to play here.
