Friday 30 October 2015

The Tale of Two Estates - Bellfields and Park Barn


Guildford's streets were paved with gold

Guildford is recognised for being one of the most attractive areas to live in Surrey and the reason for this is its location close to an area of outstanding natural beauty plus its proximity to London, excellent schools, the major airports and motorway network.

The Saxon name for "Guildford" was guilden (golden) ford. It may have been called that because of golden flowers that grew at the riverside or because of the golden sands on the banks of the river.

Two of the most prestigious streets built to the south of Guildford, on facing sides of a valley created by the River Wey, are Guildown Avenue and Warwicks Bench. Their situation offers stunning views for the local residents. 


Road sign Guildown Avenue


Guildown Avenue Guildford
Typical properties in Guildown Avenue overlooking Guildford

Guildown Avenue was built within a conservation area, not far from The River Wey, in St Catherine's Village, named after St Catherine's Chapel built in the 14th century. It could therefore be loosely described as having been built on golden sand. The houses were built to comply with the wishes of the local Arts and Crafts Movement. Several renowned architects have therefore designed houses here including Sir Edwin Lutyens.


Warwicks Bench Guildford

Property in Warwicks Bench Guildford
Properties in Warwicks Bench overlook The River Wey

Warwicks Bench contains some of Guildford’s most prestigious homes all in a beautiful setting with south-facing views. Locals were aghast to seeing them being built in the early 1900's, on prime land (as would today's "NIMBYs" when new developments are proposed) but when viewed today, from the meadows in Shalford Park, you can only just glimpse the opulent houses, due to the tree growth in the gardens that surround them. Nobody therefore complains today about the position they occupy just outside the town centre.

In fact they are held up as a fine example of the quality of housing that Guildford delivers and it is for this reason that it would be interesting to see how house prices in both these roads have changed over recent years and how they compare today.

Guildown Avenue comprises 32 properties with an average current value of £1,733,110, compared to an average property value of £407,411 for the local postcode of GU2. One of the most expensive properties in the road is currently valued at £3,061,000. It was sold for £1,075,000 back in 1999 so has risen by 285% over the last 16 years. This is equivalent to a gross value of £14.21 per hour, for 24 hours a day, which is more than double the minimum wage!

Warwicks Bench Road has a current average value of £1,633,090 compared to an average property value of £516,073 for the local GU1 postcode area. One of the most expensive properties in this road was a house built in 2004 and sold for £2,195,500 but 11 year' later is now worth an estimated £3,540,000, so has risen by 217% over this time period. This is equivalent to a gross value of £13.99 per hour, for 24 hours a day over the last 14 years which is also more than double the minimum wage!

This would therefore suggest that while a property in Warwicks Bench might be worth a little more capital appreciation in Guildown Avenue might make you richer by as much as 22p per hour.

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk


Tuesday 27 October 2015

House on Worplesdon Road designed for work, rest and play

This splendid two bedroom semi detached house stood out as it offers both accommodation for a small family plus an excellent office/games room measuring a substantial 28ft x 14ft so the buyer could spend considerable time in their working or playing, whatever the time of the year. 


Worplesdon Road Guildford
House in Worplesdon Road includes man shed
There is a nearby primary school and excellent communications for the town centre or A3 London to Portsmouth trunk road leading to the M25, in addition to a local Sainsbury store within walking distance.

The property has been well maintained with a  modern bathroom suite and is well priced so should sell quickly. An investor should expect to realise a gross yield in excess of 5%.

The agents are Seymours, Worplesdon Road, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55648049.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Friday 23 October 2015

Gardens sold to build Wroth Place in Burpham

As one drives around town to meet property investors and landlords several new housing developments can be spotted. One of these is Wroth Place, on London Road, in Burpham. It is being built on an area of land created by taking plots from a number of gardens sold off from a row of houses on New Inn Lane. 

The purchase of a new property therefore begs the question "Is it worth buying a new property or are you better of purchasing a traditional house?"

This new development is being built by Denton Homes. It has been named to reflect the local history of Burpham and its renowned Parliamentarian Robert Wroth who lived between 1660 and 1720 and served the borough on three separate occasions. Robert Wroth owned an estate near Guildford and was a close friend of the 1st Lord Onslow.

According to the publicity materials for the new development, currently under construction, "the site has all the benefits of being situated close to routes to the M25 and London with easy access to Heathrow and Gatwick airports". It is located close to George Abbot school and the new Aldi plus Sainsbury stores too.

Wroth Place provides a variety of accommodation including 3, 4 and 5 bedroom style homes. The properties have all been built on a small footprint so typically downstairs offers only a kitchen plus living room while the bedrooms are built over two floors using the loft space for the upper floor. The gardens are much smaller than one would expect with a more traditional house. 

Traditionally purchasers will pay a slight premium for a new home in order to enjoy the opportunity to be the first owners and to have no, or little work to do, allowing them to move in on day one. Sometimes there is a discount for buying the first property in the development to help fund the builder's labour and materials to enable them to afford to continue building on site. 

There can be a discount at the end of the project too should the developer be challenged in selling the entire development. However a smaller site like this is likely to sell reasonably well especially in the current property market, which shows no sign of flagging.

The question is therefore what premium is one likely to have to pay for a new house compared to a more traditional one in the current market?

The following properties have been released for sale so far:-
  • Plot 1 -    5 bedroom detached house - £795,000
  • Plot 2 -    4 bedroom semi-detached house - £610,000
  • Plot 3 -    4 bedroom semi-detached house - £620,000
  • Plot 10  - 3 bedroom end of terrace home - £500,000
  • Plot 11 -  3 bedroom terraced house - £485,000

Wroth Place Burpham
A representation of houses being built at Wroth Place

The average asking price for 3 bedroom terraced properties in Guildford is £350,000. This is a substantial saving on the new properties at Wroth Place. Semi-detached 4 bedroom houses are on the market for an average asking price of £575,000 so once again these are less expensive compared to the 4 bedroom semi-detached houses on Wroth Place. 

However the 5 bedroom detached house in Wroth Place is lower in price than the average asking price for a traditional 5 bedroom detached property in Burpham, currently priced in the range of £850,000 to £1m but these houses tend to be built on much more land and are likely to be far more spacious than the house at Wroth Place.

When buying a traditional 5 bedroom house in Burpham you are more than likely going to be buying much more house for your money. If only the room dimensions and floor space calculations for Wroth Place were available so that this could be confirmed.

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk



Thursday 22 October 2015

Spacious accommodation overlooking the green at Bellfields

This will be a great property to view over the weekend before somebody quickly snaps it up, As with all townhouses this property offers spacious accommodation with four bedrooms (one ensuite) in this instance.

It has a pleasant outlook over the local green too, away from other properties in Bellfields and with the advantage of being on a local bus route or a short car journey into the town centre. There are several junior schools in the area.


Oak Tree Drive Guildford
A modern townhouse overlooking the green

This is a well presented modern house offering a separate dining room, shower room, kitchen/diner and utility room on the ground floor. The first floor offers a spacious lounge (with space to dine), bathroom and two bedrooms whist the second floor boasts two double bedrooms and en suite. There is delightful enclosed rear garden complete with car port and additional off road parking to the front. 

The property will be ideal for a family needing larger accommodation at a reasonable price. 

The property is being marketed by our friends at Hipps, Worplesdon Road, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55573967.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk



Tuesday 20 October 2015

Green fingers are required for this property in Onslow Village

This three bedroom semi-detached home is situated on a desirable road within Onslow Village. It will ideally suit a family requiring quick and easy acess to the town centre, railway station and local schools.
Bannisters Road Guildford
A lovely family home in Onslow Village

Internally there are three reception rooms to provide living space for the family and perhaps a music/hobbies room or possibly, a downstairs bedroom for an elderly relative. The highlight of the property is the rear garden which has been beautifully landscaped with a series of seating areas, well stocked plant borders, a large expanse of lawn and many outbuildings. 

If you are looking for a great family home, with beautiful grounds in a good school catchment, this property offers it all! This home also offers great scope for extensions, subject to planning too and is therefore likely to be sold very soon, 

The agents are Gascoigne Pees, High Street, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51935476.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Monday 19 October 2015

Beautifully finished property on Fairlands Estate

This property stands out as one that has obviously been treasured by its current owners so should sell well.

It is situated in the heart of Fairlands Village, a quiet residential estate just to the North of Guildford where there is the sense of a real community at whose centre is a small parade of shops and a highly regarded primary school. 


Brooke Forest Fairlands Guildford
A four bed house on Fairlands Estate with potential to extend

The property is beautifully presented and has been extended to include a stunning fitted kitchen, a lovely bright conservatory and four well-proportioned family bedrooms as well as a modern bathroom and downstairs WC.

An investor might achieve a typically average rate of return if they rent the property to a family but there might be great potential to extend the house (subject to planning permission) to the side and up, to provide a larger kitchen and more bedroom space.

The property is being marketed by our friends at Townends, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55505489.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Friday 16 October 2015

Are Clandon and Ripley attractive financially, or just aesthetically?

A client living in Ripley recently asked for my thoughts on the suitability of Guildford as a place to buy to let a semi detached house, compared to Ripley, or it's neighbours, East and West Clandon. 

Prices for semi-detached properties in Ripley have been increasing at a slightly faster rate than in both Clandon and Guildford over the last 12 months while prices in Clandon have grown at a slightly faster rate of 23.19% over the last 5 years, compared to 22.82% in Guildford and 22% in Ripley.

Ripley

Ripley is a charming and historic village located a short distance from Guildford along The River Wey. It was first recorded in documents from around 1200. The growth of Portsmouth as a naval port in the time of Henry VIII brought prosperity to Ripley. Roadside inns were given nautical names including The Ship and The Anchor (renamed The Jovial Sailor). However the most popular pub in the village is The Talbot Hotel, a former coaching inn, which dates back to 1453.


Talbot Hotel Ripley

The guitarist, Eric Clapton, was born in Ripley. The Royal Horticultural Society is located nearby, at Wisley. 

The name Clandon is derived from clenedune or ‘Clean Down’, meaning open downland free from scrub. Later, West Clandon was owned by a series of neighbouring families, which included the Westons of Albury (1294-1441) followed by the Slyfields of Great Bookham (1441-1638).

In 1642, Sir Richard Onslow purchased Clandon House and its surrounding parkland from the Westons of Sutton Place. Sir Richard’s descendants went on to acquire more land in the village. Sir Richard was succeeded by his son Thomas and it was this second Lord Onslow, who in 1731 built the mansion which stands today (although severely fire damaged), being used regularly by royalty as a base from which to attend the then prestigious race course situated on the Merrow and Clandon Downs. 


The Bulls Head West Clandon
The Bulls Head West Clandon

The Onslow Arms West Clandon
The Onslow Arms West Clandon




















The best advice we can give to those looking to invest in property in different areas is our secret trick of the trade. You can judge the affordability of a town by simply finding the ratio of the average property price to the average salary. The lower the ratio, the more affordable property is.

When we put this to the test for semi-detached properties, we found that Ripley currently has an average property value of around £482,056 with the average salary being £31,044. This is a ratio of 1 to 15.52. Meanwhile in Guildford, where the average property price is £430,683 the ratio of property values to average salary of £26,481 is 1 to 16.26, which suggests that property in Guildford is 4.8% less affordable than in Ripley.

We also took a look at Clandon to discover that both the average property value of £572,975 and the average salary of £34,920 are both the highest figures for the three areas used in our comparison. However our calculations suggest that semi-detached property in Clandon is at more or less at the same level of affordability as property in Guildford. 

Ripley might therefore be fractionally more affordable than Clandon or Guildford, even though the average price of semi detached houses in the village are on average more expensive than in Guildford so should our client should continue to invest in Ripley?

A recent article in the Guildford Property Blog suggested that both the average property price and average income in Guildford can depend upon whether you live in the GU1 or GU2 postcode area so Guildford still has the potential to offer more affordable property than can both Clandon and Ripley.

Guildford has a lower average rental of £1,595 pcm, compared to £1,750 pcm for both Clandon and Ripley. If a property were purchased in Guildford, at the average property value of £430,683, an investor would realise a gross yield of 4.4%. This yield can be achieved in Ripley too but, as stated above, the average price of property there is more expensive than in Guildford. 

So the question to ask is whether paying a £50,000 premium is worth the price to live in an attractive village, like Ripley, when you can invest in Guildford for less and also attract more tenants, looking for good quality housing to rent because there are better public transport links, more businesses and places of entertainment to encourage them to live in the area.

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or local villages, or indeed a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Modern townhouse in St Luke's overlooking Pewley Downs

These properties do not come onto the market very often so when they do they are bound to offer a lot of interest and so we advise viewings are arranged soon.

Sells Close is a modern, three storey town house, located on the edge of the popular St Luke's Park development, a short distance from the town centre so offers spacious accommodation in an area close to all the amenities that one could need, including access to the local countryside. 


Sells Close Guildford
A four bed house in Sells Close on the St Luke's development

The accommodation comprises a generous kitchen/dining room on the ground floor while on the first floor there are the sitting room and the master bedroom suite. A further 3 bedrooms are situated on the second floor together with two more bath/shower rooms. The house has a single garage and driveway. 

The property is a 10 minute walk away from the town centre where first class entertainment and shops can be found. London Road railway station is a similar walking distance away with access to trains to London Waterloo.  There are a number of first class schools in the town including Guildford High School for Girls, The Royal Grammar School, Tormead and Lanesborough Schools. The George Abbot state school is about a 10minute drive away.

This will make an excellent family home therefore for those who enjoy both town and country living plus excellent transport communications. 

The property is being marketed by our friends at Chantries, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51894229.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Tuesday 13 October 2015

A great opportunity for a 5% yield in Northway

This three bedroom house has been recently re-decorated throughout so is ready to move into right away. There is a new kitchen too. 

Situated on Northway, the house is close to a number of local primary schools and a local parade of shops on the Aldershot Road, where there are buses into Guildford town centre.
  
Northway Guildford
3 bed house in Northway with development potential
This makes an ideal property for an investor as the market rental for such a property is £1,500 pcm to provide a gross yield around 5%. There is also some potential to extend and remodel the property, subject to planning, to provide additional rooms to rent on a room by room basis, in order to increase the rental yield. 

The property is being marketed by Cobbles, in Worplesdon Road, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55122587.html 

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Substantial property in Burden Way, off Grange Road

This four bedroom semi detached home provides substantial living accommodation for the asking price. It comprises 4 bedrooms (one ensuite) plus a kitchen/diner, living room and a family room, possibly for younger children to use as a playroom.

Burden Way Guildford
A substantial property in Burden Way, off Grange Road
Located on the edge of town but within close proximity to a parade of local shops plus a number of local primary schools and on a bus route into town this house will produce a gross yield of 4.5% if let out as a single let.

The agents are Hipps, Worplesdon Road, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55377125.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk



Monday 12 October 2015

A smaller development opportunity in Guildford Park Road

This splendid two bedroom end terraced Victorian cottage is ideally situated, just 5 minutes walk across the road from Guildford mainline station and not far from the University of Surrey. The town centre is only a 10 minute walk away. 




The property is generally well presented with two double bedrooms, a reception room, fitted kitchen / breakfast room and an upstairs bathroom but there is also some scope to update and improve the property plus to create a third bedroom (possibly with ensuite shower room) by tanking the cellar. 

The property could therefore be let for up to £1,800 pcm especially if a multi-let to realise a gross return of up to 6.6.%

The agents are Townends, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55360910.html 

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Friday 9 October 2015

You should have bought in Markenfield Road 10 year's ago!

One of the most frequent questions asked by those starting out in the world of property investment is "when is the best time to start investing?" The response from experienced investors tends to be "10 year's ago". I suppose this is based on the assumption that properties are assumed to double in price every 10 years. The secondary response is "and if not 10 year's ago, the answer is now!"

One of my more established landlord friends has been investing for 10 years so was interested in discussing how his investments in Markenfield Road had performed during this period. I suggested we look at both the sale prices and rental figures achieved for properties in the street during this time. Then we could determine how the gross yield had changed as a result of these price changes.


Markenfield Road Guildford

Markenfield Road is a well established street situated opposite the cricket pitch, where Surrey County Cricket Club have played in the past. This pitch is also home to the annual Guildford beer festival. The street is coveniently located within a 10 minute walk of Guildford town centre

The properties in this street were built in Edwardian times, all to a similar design. Most comprise of 2 reception rooms, a kitchen and three bedrooms plus bathroom. Many have been extended by moving into the cellar or up into the loft to provide an extra bedroom plus bathroom. Several houses have been extended out to the rear to provide a larger and more modern kitchen.

The last census suggests that half the properties in the road are owner occupied and approximately a quarter are privately rented, so is popular with landlords. In fact one sixth of properties are occupied by more than 3 people suggesting that they are multi-lets.

The majority of owner occupiers are in professional or managerial roles, between the age of 30 and 44 with many being single. The number of degree educated people living here is also greater than the average number in streets local to Markenfield Road. This might have something to do with the proximity of the bars and restaurants in the town centre plus The Stoke Pub and Kings Head pub, at the top of the road. 

Returning to the figures the average value of a typical 3 bed semi terraced house on Markenfield Road was £245,250 in 2005. This figure had risen sharply to £360,395 by 2007 but dropped back to £335,950 for two years before recovering in 2010. Prices have continued to rise until 2014 when the same figure was £452,750. A house in the street has recently sold for £524,950, a 214% increase in 10 years.


3 bed house in Markenfield Road
This 3 bed semi detached house recently sold for £524,950 

Then the landlord stated that the rents he had achieved on Markenfield Road seemed to be fairly stable over the ten years. In 2005 the average rent was £1,535 per month but is now between £1,695 and £1,850, dependent on the size and quality of the accommodation provided so rents have risen by just 10-20%. 

This is all great news for the landlord because his investment back in 2005 would have achieved a gross yield of 8% and now that rents have increased he is achieving 8.3% where as a landlord investing at today's current prices in Markenfield Road would achieve a gross yield of only 4% i.e.50% less. If the new landlord were to rent out to sharers he might increase his gross yield to 5.5%. 

It therefore seems that the maxim that states the best time to start investing was 10 year's ago is therefore true. Just imagine what the yield would have been if one had invested (say) 50 years!

If you would like to have a chat regarding property prices in a specific street and how they compare with prices elsewhere in Guildford or to just talk about investment opportunities in general your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk

Thursday 8 October 2015

Snakes and ladders - the game of property development


Property in Waterside Road requires a painter and decorator

This an exceptionally and reasonably priced property ideally suited to a first time buyer or investor. 

It provides an opportunity to add value if you are a keen decorator but requires little more work to be done. It provides excellent value for a three bedroom terraced house with two reception rooms and an enclosed rear garden plus garage.


3 bed detached house in Waterside Road Guildford
3 bed detached house in Waterside Road Guildford

The property is situated in a popular residential location within walking distance of Guildford Town Centre with excellent access to the A3, London to Portsmouth trunk road.

An investor could expect a gross yield of 5-6% which is quite generous for Guildford property.

The property is being marketed by Townends, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50875129.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk


Tuesday 6 October 2015

A ready made family home in Manston Road, Burpham

This 4 bedroom, 2 bath house comprises 3 reception rooms including an open plan kitchen/breakfast area and conservatory.

It is conveniently situated in a cul-de-sac within walking distance of a number of excellent local schools and Burpham village shops plus the Sainsbury store. There is a local bus stop to catch the circular bus route into town and onto Merrow. London Road railway station and the town centre are a mile and a half away. There is easy access to the main A3 London to Portsmouth trunk road within a very short drive away.


Manston Road Burpham
A ready made 4 bed house in Burpham
The fitted kitchen was recently fitted and is open plan to the dining area and then the large conservatory to add an excellent family living area.

There are a number of first class private schools in the area including Guildford High School for Girls, The Royal Grammar School, Tormead and Lanesborough Schools in addition to the state schools George Abbot and The County School plus Burpham Primary School, within 5 minute's walk away.

This property will be a very attractive opportunity for a family wanting to live somewhere close to good schools and in an area with a village atmosphere and is therefore likely to be sold soon.

The property is being marketed by Chantries, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51810973.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk


Property in Applegarth Avenue offers huge potential for investors

This three bedroom semi-detached house is situated in one of the most favoured streets in Guildford for both families and investors searching for value for money properties.

Applegarth Avenue is situated on the outskirts of Guildford but is conveniently located for the Surrey Research Park and Surrey County Hospital plus the University of Surrey so caters for both professional employees and students.


House requires modernisation in Applegarth Avenue Guildford
House requires modernisation in Applegarth Avenue Guildford
The property does require modernisation but the price reflects this fact so is completitively priced for a house with both spacious and versatile accommodation. There is no onward chain.

There is the added bonus of having the potential to extend over the garage subject to the usual planning consents. Several properties similar to this house have already set the precedent for extending over the garage to provide an additional living room in place of the garage downstairs plus a bedroom, usually with ensuite bathroom, upstairs.

A family could therefore make this their own substantial 4 bedroom house; or an investor could convert the property into a 5/6 bedroom HMO, with a potential yield in excess of 10% though they would obviously have to have funds to complete the extension and refurbishment works.

The property is being marketed by Callards, on Worplesdon Road, Guildford and further details are available at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55213505.html

If you would like to have a chat about property prices in Guildford or a general discussion on investment opportunities in the area your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk



Friday 2 October 2015

The Tale of Two Estates - Bellfields and Park Barn

Affordability and lack of homes are an ever increasing problem in the South East and especially in towns like Guildford. There are in excess of 2300 people on the housing waiting list so it is with this thought in mind that this article takes a look at both the Bellfields and Park Barn estates. 
Bellfields Guildford

These are two examples of the last major developments built to provide social housing for the many people requiring accommodation, as a part of a post war housing strategy to deliver affordable rents for those unable to afford their own home because they were in low income jobs or unemployed.

Now the housing structure is changing. Firstly, Margaret Thatcher initiated a policy in the 1980's to enable people to purchase their council house at a discounted price if they had lived there and paid rent for more than 5 years. This was a major vote winner for her because it created many more owner occupied homes allowing those with aspirations to move onto the property ladder even with low incomes. Its popularity left far fewer houses for those that remained on the waiting list for social housing.

This problem has been exacerbated by investors purchasing social housing owing to its competitive pricing and reasonable sized rooms with scope to add extensions to provide additional rooms to rent out. This has therefore reduced an ever dwindling stock of properties available to house those in need of accommodation.

However investors do tend to offer their accommodation to sharers therefore addressing the requirement for affordable accommodation for the young and single people. Furthermore some landlords are happy to rent their properties back to the local council so that keyworkers plus families including single parents and those unable to find a job, can be housed.

So while the local housing stock is desperately short in supply ex council houses do still serve their purpose to hold up the housing market but perhaps not to the same degree as they used to.

So returning to the comparison between the Bellfields and Park Barn estates what is happening to prices and rentals for privately owned properties in these locations?

Bellfields is a suburb in the north of Guildford lying adjacent to Slyfield Industrial Estate and Stoughton. The area is home to Christ's College senior school and Pond Meadow special needs school. The streets are all named after trees e.g. Cedar Way, Fir Tree Road, Juniper Close, Laburnum Close, Larch Avenue, Lime Grove and Willow Way, for example.


Park Barn Guildford

Park Barn is situated adjacent to both the Surrey County Hospital and Surrey Research Park and is not far from the University of Surrey so provides housing for local employees and university staff and students too. 

The Surrey Advertiser newspaper once described Park Barn as "one of the most deprived areas of Surrey" in the 11 September 1998 publication and in October that year reported Park Barn as coming 28th in the county's league table of 30 deprived areas but the area has improved and offers homes to a substantial number of residents. 

There was talk of a railway station being built in the area to relieve congestion. This is the article http://www.getsurrey.co.uk This could bring in more companies and workers to boost the local economy.

Park Barn Estate is home to King's College, a school for 11 to 18 year-olds, whose exams results have improved dramatically, over recent years. There are several primary schools in Park Barn, including Guildford Grove School, which has a specialist sign-supported rescue base on the site which supports pupils with profound hearing impairments.

The average price for a three bedroom semi-detached house on the Bellfields development is currently £375,950 and the market rental for this type of property is £1,495 per calendar month.

Similar sized three bedroom semi-detached houses on Park Barn have a slightly lower average price of £335,150 and the average achievable market rental for these is also £1,495 per calendar month. 
Social housing Bellfields Park Barn Guildford
Typical properties on Bellfields and Park Barn estates

The gross yield generated from a property on Park Barn is around 5.3% per year whereas the potential gross yield In Bellfields is 4.8%, so the yield in Park Barn is typically 10% higher than in Bellfields because house prices are slightly lower in Park Barn. 

However, we must remember that our objective is to look at both yield and capital growth when investing in Buy to Let properties. 

The average value of a three bedroom semi-detached house on Park Barn in 2000 was £125,995. This has risen by 266% in the last 15 years. A three bedroom semi-detached house on Bellfields in 2000 was higher, at £170,150 but the capital growth has been lower, at 221%. Park Barn has therefore experienced 20% higher capital growth than Bellfields over the last 15 years so the price gap has narrowed considerably between the two areas.

Last year overall sold prices in Park Barn were 21% up on the previous year and 30% up on the 2007 level of £224,602. Sold prices in Bellfields over the last year were just 3% up on the previous year and 13% up on the 2007 level of £329,960 so as one can see the gap has narrowed even further. 

It would therefore appear that while Park Barn might have been challenged regarding its economic status, according to The Surrey Advertiser, it could be the place to invest if one is looking for a more substantial gain, while prices continue to rise at a faster rate in Park Barn than in Bellfields.

If you want to discuss opportunities for investment in these areas then your call will always be welcome. Phone 01483 320207 or email richard@guildfordpropertyblog.co.uk