Category: Latest News

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Be A Medal Winner

be a medal winner

Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants, looks at a key feature home-buyers are adding to their wish lists this year.
 
Many of those who saw the Chelsea Flower Show featured on TV recently, or better still attended the annual event in person, would have been struck by the more natural turn garden designers have taken this year. Not only that but considerable time and skill were given to smaller multi-use plots and even balconies – in some cases deep enough only for a tiny chair. The creativity was as spectacular as it was beautiful.
 
While there was the usual heavy lifting of giant boulders for rushing mountain streams and huge established trees for shade and drama in the show gardens, attention by the designers was also given to intimate city and even industrial landscapes. Weeds, for once, were encouraged.
 
Garden designers understand public taste only too well, and so do estate agents. Since the start of the pandemic, the importance of outdoor space has been rising in the minds of home buyers, whether it is for the horticulturally minded or for those who demand a deck with room for eating, relaxing and barbecuing. Outdoor entertaining in our warming climate is very much in.
 
There was a time years ago when a good kitchen would sell a house. Then it was well-planned kitchens and bathrooms. More recently it has been open plan ground floor living. But now outdoor spaces are very much the thing. A property’s exterior has become almost as important as its interior. It doesn’t matter how small or large the area is as long as the most has been made of it.
 
So if you are getting your property ready to sell you should of course focus on the interior, but don’t forget the outside relaxing area. Our advice is to channel your inner Monty Don and make the most of your garden, terrace or balcony. With the increasing importance of outside space to buyers, not doing so could lose you a gold medal of a deal.

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Branch focus: Beccles

beccles

Lisa Brown is Residential Sales Manager at our Beccles branch. She has been with Durrants since 2010 and has an extensive background in property law and conveyancing.

She keeps one key motto in mind when talking about the main difference between Durrants and other estate agents. Lisa said: “When I first joined Durrants, a colleague I worked alongside told me, ‘We don’t actually sell houses, we move people’, and I think that has stuck with me. It’s not just about the bricks and mortar, it’s about the person and what their needs are.

“So, the fact that the heart of Durrants’ business is people and their needs is what drew me to want to work here and why I’ve stayed so long.”

Lisa added: “You’ve got to love property and you’ve got to love people in this industry and I’m amazed how many don’t. It’s interesting when I ask someone why they chose Durrants to market their property rather than another agent, they often say ‘well, you actually liked my house’, whereas they say others made no comment as they walked around.”

Durrants is at the heart of Beccles, a town that is growing in popularity as visitors to Suffolk and Norfolk look for alternatives to well-known coastal attractions. “I’ve been amazed how many people have discovered this area in recent years,” said Lisa. “There’s a recognised tourist industry here. Some lovely cottages in the town that are holiday cottages have been netting incomes that aren’t dissimilar to the amounts that cottages have been getting in Southwold.”

Lisa also points to a more varied property market in the area. “The great thing about property in Beccles, as opposed to somewhere like say Southwold where it’s very investor-led, is that you have a nice mixture of first-time buyers, families, upsizing, downsizing – and all those different facets of life changes means that the cogs will keep turning even in a bad market.”

With people searching more widely for homes that offer better value for money, Lisa believes the Beccles area is increasingly coming up on the radar. “It’s only about half an hour from Norwich and 20-25 minutes from the coast, there’s the river and its proximity to The Broads. Beccles is a thriving town with lots of good independent businesses and well-regarded schools. If you want to be close to both city and coast and enjoy a buzzing little market town, Beccles is definitely worth considering.”

To arrange a free valuation of your home or a viewing of a property, please contact our Beccles branch on 01502 712122 or email beccles@durrants.com.

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King Of All He Surveys

King Charles III may have been made lifetime steward of many great houses and castles, but our new monarch has also shown that he is adept at identifying homes ripe for renovation.
 
While the king isn’t exactly short of funds, he has something equally important – a great eye. Additionally Charles has demonstrated enormous vision in vernacular architecture and town planning over the years.
 
As a first-time buyer the king’s entry into the property market was his Cotswolds home, Highgrove. Given a more classical facade and then subject to a garden transformation, Highgrove became a house fit for a future king. In carrying out the renovation Charles put into action his many thoughts on organic gardening and horticulture.
 
Using 400 acres of Duchy of Cornwall land adjacent to Dorchester, Charles, as the Prince of Wales, oversaw the planning and execution of Poundbury, an experimental town extension. This gave him the opportunity to re-examine many of the urban and rural planning ideas he outlined in his book, A Vision of Britain, published in 1989. Today Poundbury is no longer an experiment; it is a successful and thriving community of almost 6000 residents with its own property micro market.
 
In saving Dumfries House in Scotland from being sold and the priceless contents scattered all over the world – a fate that has befallen so many of our great houses – King Charles not only protected for the nation an exceptional stately home but provided valuable jobs and training opportunities for the local community. The king’s drive to protect, skill to reimagine and instinct for sustainable housing has also been employed in properties in Wales, Cornwall and even Romania.
 
But in taking on these projects King Charles has done nothing more than we do when buying and bringing up-to-date property worthy of our love and attention. We mirror the king in conservation, investing for the future, providing work for local tradespeople and turning homes into castles.
 
Our king understands housing: our governments, of whichever persuasion, should try to do the same.

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Durrants are the perfect partner for new homes

hew homes

Durrants New Homes department are the perfect partner for building a relationship, if you are looking for new homes developments. Lily Lawrence is our New Homes Consultant and is responsible for our bespoke service to property developers who are looking to build a partnership.

Lily says: “We are the only agents in the area with fully qualified in-house specialists covering planning, architecture and surveying. Our Building Consultancy team can assist with every step of the process.

“Our agricultural team have great relationships with landowners, so we can often identify suitable plots of land for developers.”

“Having worked with a number of local developers, we know the importance of not only managing their existing development, but also having an eye on what is coming next,” Lily added. “Our relationship with landowners can often extend to knowing in advance where plots of land may be available in the future, which puts Durrants well ahead of our competitors.”

Lily says building relationships is what she loves the most about her job. “It’s lovely to see the gleam in someone’s eye when they finally move into a home they love,” she says.

“It’s more than just a house, it’s a lifestyle. It might be a house where they are going to raise their children, or it could be a last move for someone as they retire. We recognise that it’s always an important decision and so I love helping people through that process to completion.”

Whether you are a developer looking for land & working together, or if you’re interested in a home at one of our current developments, please get in touch with our New Homes team at Durrants.

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Durrants donates play equipment to Bungay pre-school

emmanuel
Durrants are delighted to have been able to donate some new play equipment to Emmanuel Pre-School in Bungay.
 
The pre-school is a non-profit making organisation and relies heavily on donations so we were thrilled to support their important work with a new climbing frame and slide which the children are already making good use of.
 
A number of young children with special educational needs have joined Emmanuel recently and the new play equipment helps to improve their motor skills as well as their physical and mental development. 
 
The children presented us with a thank you card and homemade cake on a recent visit to say thank you. We hope you have many happy days playing in the future! 
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A guide to the process of creating a Neighbourhood Plan

neighbourhood plan

Neighbourhood planning was introduced in 2011, and as of the end of 2021, there were around 2,800 neighbourhood plans in existence.

Once ‘made’ (i.e. adopted), neighbourhood plans have full weight, and are effectively considered part of the local plan and are therefore a material consideration in planning decisions.

Below is a quick guide to the process for making a neighbourhood plan.

1. Designation/definition of the neighbourhood plan area (Reg 14)

The neighbourhood plan group identifies the geographic area that their NP will cover and submit this to the local authority for designation. In most cases, the local authority will consult the public before designating a plan area. The local authority has 13 weeks to make a decision.

2. Preparation of the plan

This stage includes preparing policies that shape the growth and priorities of the area for 15-20 years. It can include a call for sites if the area is identified for growth in the local plan – in fact, it must identify opportunities for housing growth in this case and cannot be used to stop development where it has been identified as needed.

3. Publicity and consultation (Reg 14)

The Plan must be publicised for 6 weeks, with comments invited from local stakeholders and residents, as well as statutory consultees and bodies. The plan must be adjusted to accommodate comments.

4. Submission of the neighbourhood plan to the local authority (Reg 16)

The Plan is then submitted to the local authority, who ensures that it complies with relevant processes and legislation. If it passes this stage, the Plan is then published for a further 6 weeks for comment. 

5. Submission of the neighbourhood plan to an independent Examiner

The Plan and any responses received during step 4 are sent to a selected Examiner. The Examiner provides a report to the local authority and neighbourhood planning group giving his or her recommendation as to whether the plan is suitable. The local authority ultimately decides whether the plan is suitable for referendum.

6. Referendum

This is the final vote to adopt/make the plan. Everyone living in the designated area who is registered to vote can vote in the referendum. If more than 50% are in favour of the plan, it is formally considered for adoption by the local authority.

7. Neighbourhood plan is ‘made’

It is now a material consideration in planning decisions.

The Planning team at Durrants is currently undertaking a review of all emerging neighbourhood plans in our area. Look out for an update on this soon – there may be an opportunity to promote your site through your neighbourhood plan.

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Spring into action

spring

Dominic Parravani of Durrants takes a look at the property market as we enter the prime spring buying months.

In property there are top-down people and bottom-up people. The top-down people seem to believe that it is the wealthy who drive the property market.

On the other hand, the bottom-up people think that first time buyers drive the market. They think market entrants kick-start the chain of events that gives momentum to the market as a whole.

But whatever one believes there is little doubt that from top to bottom most of the action in the market right now is being propelled by need rather than ambition. With fewer aspirational buyers around, all UK regions saw a slowing in price growth in the first quarter of 2023, with most seeing small year-on-year falls – according to Nationwide.

But these falls are not great.  Indeed, they probably represent asking prices that are more optimistic than realistic in these conditions, and certainly do not reflect some of the gloomy predictions of a number of property market commentators about falling values this year.

Without a number of kick-start incentives such as stamp duty reduction and the help-to-buy scheme, the market is once again on its own. Higher interest rates have caused house buyers to take a breath, while buy-to-let investors, severely hit by those mortgage rates, are holding fire.

Whilst the property industry often dislikes government intervention, it is the government who can kick start the market again. This will not be through direct intervention but by making the correct economic decisions for the UK as a whole. Because the market isn’t driven by the bottom or the top. It is driven by national confidence through fiscal competence.

Having said that, let’s not forget that some savvy people will be taking full advantage of a lull in the market this spring. Perhaps they are heeding the words of the legendary billionaire oilman, J Paul Getty, who said, “Buy when everyone else is selling, and hold on until everyone else is buying”.

Get a free valuation of your property by filling in our online form, or just drop into any of our branches for a friendly chat about your next move.

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Jasmine Philpott featured in new motorsport podcast

Jasmine Philpott, Planner at Durrants Building Consultancy has been interviewed at length on a podcast about her off-road car racing pursuits.

She’s featured on the latest episode of The Rebecca Jackson Show, talking about how she got into the sport and plans to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally. The podcast is available to listen to here. 

Durrants have pledged their support to Jasmine in her off-road car racing.

The 29-year-old has competed in a grassroots motorsport called Competitive Safari (aka comp safari) for several years. Driving her custom-built prototype Warrior, Jasmine is regarded as the most competitive female driver in the sport since the 1990s, generally placed in the top 10 in national events.

Find out more about Jasmine Philpott and her Dakar Rally mission

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Visit our Open Day at Manor View, Halesworth

manor view halesworth

Durrants are holding a special Open Day at the exciting new Manor View development in Halesworth on Saturday 8th April.

Manor View has a range of two and three bedroom bungalows as well as four bedroom houses, designed to offer all the comforts of a luxury countryside home.

Every property in this small and exclusive development, built by local company Heritage Developments, has been designed with care and attention to high standards.

At the Open Day, you’ll be able to see the range of properties we have on offer. Some are already reserved, a number are on the market now with the remaining properties due for completion soon.

We would love you to join us anytime between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 8th April. Refreshments will be available. Manor View is situated just off Old Station Road in Halesworth. The postcode is IP19 8JJ.

Further details with 3D views of properties and an online brochure can be found in the New Homes section of our website.

We look forward to meeting you and showing you around.

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Investing in property? Here are 10 top tips!

investing

Investing in property can be highly lucrative, and the best way to enjoy it and make it as profitable as possible is to know your stuff. Like so much in life, there is an element of luck involved, and to a certain degree, you make your own luck. That said, if you like to err on the side of caution, investing in property can give you a lot of security. There is also vast scope for creativity; whichever approach you take, do it your own way.

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to doing anything is simply deciding what you are going to do! In the world of property investment, you are spoiled for choice, and each property offers unique opportunities. So before you make up your mind, consider these tips. Then remember the golden rule: always leave a bit of space for manoeuvring in case your plans change!

Buy-to-let or buy-to-sell?
Do you want to be a property developer or a landlord? There is a constant stream of homes arriving on the market that need modernising or updating. Once completed, who says you can’t do both? Let your refurbished property for a few years, then sell it for a profit!

Get to know the market
Ideally, try to buy in an up-and-coming area. The scope for growth in value is greater. This does not mean you have to find an amazingly exclusive area enjoying mega growth. Often, an area that is moving forward and steadily improving is just the ticket when finding an affordable property. Spend a little time getting to know the areas you are considering investing in.

Have a plan
Planning is a good way to keep you on the right road. Make lists and make notes for moving, refurbishments, and costing, include calculations for rental yields and a list of legal requirements, and tick each step off one by one as there is a lot to remember.

Familiarise yourself with the law
Certain safety standards must be met; these can include smoke alarms, gas certificates, portable appliance testing, an Energy Performance Certificate, and building control certificates for structural alterations. If you let your property, you must conduct Right to Rent checks as a landlord.

Insurance
If you let your property, this is a no-brainer. There are so many policies you can opt for, from malicious damage by tenants to loss of rental income. Make sure any tradespeople working on your property have the correct insurance.

Building contractors
Finding the right tradespeople to create your property vision can mean the difference between making a good profit and losing money because they don’t finish on time.

Budget
If you plan to let your property, calculate the rental yield, which will help you calculate your return on investment (ROI). There are many rental yield calculators available online. If you are developing a property, create a spreadsheet or use a property development budget template. Always leave a little aside for the unexpected.

Make the most of your property’s space
Renting or selling make the most of the space you have. More rooms mean more rent or a higher selling price. Have you thought of converting a modest-sized home into flats?

Stay on-trend
When you decide to short-term let, flip, or buy to long-term let, extend, let holiday homes, convert, refurbish, or invest in green, professional, or student sectors, stay clued in to everything from interior decor (keep things neutral and simple) to changes in the law and the latest property market trends.

There is a lot to think about when investing in a property to rent. Durrants offer two different levels of service based on your requirements; a Let and Managed Service where we take care of the tenancy for you, or our Let Only service if you prefer to manage the tenancy yourself. Find out more here and book a free rental valuation.

Or are you looking for a great investment opportunity? Get in touch with your nearest Durrants branch. We always have properties available across our five branches that may be of interest. If you’re looking into developing or extending a property, why not get in touch with our Building Consultancy team. They can help with planning, architecture and surveying matters.

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Spring promises more choice for the housing market

choice

There is nothing quite like spring, with thawing winter frosts heralding the imminent arrival of summer and longer evenings. 2023 will allow you to drink all this in and enjoy these inspirational moments all the more. The same can be said of your property search. With houses no longer selling like there’s no tomorrow, unlike the rather uncomfortable rush of the past couple of years. You can finally breathe, take a little time, and find the home you love.

A little more housing stock means house prices are not spiralling

Be in no doubt: there is still a housing drought in the UK property market, helping keep prices buoyant. Demand still far outweighs supply. However, with stocks replenishing a little as the market calms so do house prices. You no longer have to race to the first possible viewing to compete with other buyers and make offers over the asking price. The result is that house prices are not spiralling too quickly. Instead, house-buying conditions are more settled and compatible with a secure future.

Quality time spent with your agent and your potential new home

Sometimes too much choice makes it harder to make up your mind! Have you ever found yourself wishing you could have the kitchen from your first viewing in the location or with the garden from another viewing? The guidance, inspiration, and seasoned yet informed input of a good agent will help your vision become an adventure that surpasses your expectations. Reality is often more beautiful and awe-inspiring than your dreams, and you could end up with a far better home than you ever imagined.

More choice gives you more inspiration

Inspiration and choice go hand in hand. View and explore the feelings inspired by other homes. Physical viewings will yield to your imagination myriad ideas to help you truly understand what you are looking for. In many ways your new home picks you, and the more homes you view the greater the chances of finding your true home destiny.

Live the house dream

Perhaps one of the greatest incarnations of a dream is buying and moving into the home you have wanted for so long. You get live inside your vision. When this happens, the feeling of elation is unique and unforgettable. The house you choose will be the place to witness so many happy memories while protecting you from the elements and challenges of the world outside. You don’t want to rush this big decision, and now you are in a good place to make the right choices.

Browse our properties and help us to help you find your home.

Remember we are always on hand to help you find the right home for you. Contact us today or drop in to your nearest Durrants branch.

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Success for Durrants clients as sites selected in housing plan

housing plan

The Durrants Planning team, based in Diss, are pleased to have secured preferred allocations and settlement boundary extensions for numerous landowner clients across South Norfolk in the latest iteration of the VCHAP (Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan).

The Regulation 19 consultation is the final consultation stage in preparation of the Plan, which will see a total of at least 1,200 homes delivered in 48 villages across the District between 2028 and 2038.

Durrants submitted representations for both preferred and rejected sites, and looks forward to adoption of the Housing Plan, which is due in the next year.

Durrants have the in-house expertise to guide landowners through the next stages of the process, from submitting planning applications (outline or full), designing individual units or entire schemes, representing landowners in a land sale to a developer or promoter, and selling building plots or finished homes.  

If your site has been selected as a preferred allocation or settlement boundary extension and you do not have anyone on board to advise you on the next step, please do get in touch with Jasmine on jasmine.philpott@durrants.com and we can discuss your options.