t: 0118 946 1800 e: [email protected] insight w: farmeranddyer.com Summer 2018 Bulletin What do men and women want? When analysing the results from its latest Housing Futures survey, a leading nationwide estate agent looked at the differing answers supplied by each sex. When asked to rate their motivations for moving than women, perhaps to enjoy pursuits such house, women listed as important features: as sailing and fishing. Homes with sporting Better schools, broadband connectivity, facilities such as a gym, pool and tennis courts closeness to family and friends, access to public were also more popular with men, while more transport, shops and amenities. women were keen on equestrian amenities. Men on the other hand rated the following as Environmental features appeared to be of more 17 years their top priorities: importance to men than they were to women. Tax changes, retirement, pension support, Code level 5 ratings, renewable energy, living and counting political environment, mobile coverage. walls, grey/potable water and green roofs were all markedly more popular with male At the start of June, the staff of Farmer When it came to dream home items, the survey respondents. & Dyer were in joyous mood as they revealed that 14% of men wanted a cinema/ celebrated its 17th birthday. We have screening room and 12% wanted a wine cellar. Both genders place personal finances as moved thousands of clients since that day In contrast, 24% of women rated an AGA oven important which reflects both the capital as their top home accessory, while 18% wanted growth of the last 30 years from residential and as we seem to say every year ‘time a kitchen island. property, as well as the ability to either use really does fly!’. equity for lifestyle reasons or as deposits on a Did you know…. in the same While both sexes agreed that ‘traditional future property purchase. British’ was their favourite type of interior year that we started: design, certain styles scored much more highly • George Bush jnr was elected with women than men including ‘warehouse 43rd President loft’, ‘simplistic Scandinavian’, ‘classical French’ and ‘exotic Indian’. On the other hand, • Russell Crowe won best actor for the ‘1950s/60s/70s Retro’ was preferred by men. film Gladiator Men preferred ‘stark’, ‘grand/imposing’ and • The 1st ipod was released by Apple ‘cool’ feelings to describe the character of their home. While for women, ‘quirky/creative’ and • It was the World Trade Centre disaster a ‘calm/relaxing’ ambience were more popular. in New York • Labour won a landslide election victory When it comes to outside space, men are far more interested in living on or near water • Wikipedia was launched Western Rail Link to Heathrow As part of the Railway Upgrade Plan the The tunnel would pass under Richings Park and Department for Transport are looking to develop Colnbrook and then merge with existing rail plans to build a new 6.5km rail link between lines underground at Heathrow Terminal 5. the Great Western Main Line and London Heathrow Airport. The proposed rail connection The proposed rail link would: would speed up journeys to Britain’s busiest Reduce rail journey times between Reading and international airport, by allowing passengers to Heathrow by delivering a new, faster, frequent, travel to the airport from the South Coast, South more reliable direct train service to Heathrow West, South Wales and West Midlands without with four trains per hour in each direction. All going into London Paddington. trains would call at Reading and Slough and alternate trains at Twyford and Maidenhead. The Western Rail Link to Heathrow would leave Journey times could be as short as 26 minutes the Main Line between Langley and Iver. It would from Reading and 6 to 7 minutes from Slough. then descend underneath the main railway line into a cutting before entering a 5km tunnel. 1 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8JB www.farmeranddyer.com ARLA Propertymark Whether you have a property to rent out or are searching for a home, you need an agent that you can trust and rely on when issues arise. The quality of the agent makes a real difference. If you are a landlord, you need professional service and the confidence that your agent will manage your investment in your best interests. As a tenant, you need the reassurance that maintenance issues will be dealt with promptly and your tenancy will run smoothly. ARLA Propertymark Protected agents help landlords to find the right tenants, and tenants to enjoy their treasured homes. Every year tenants and landlords suffer through dealing with agents who are inexperienced or do not adhere to the law. In the worst cases financial losses can add up to millions of pounds. • Backed by Propertymark Client Money Protection Scheme Property price decrease • Experienced and trained professionals required to undertake regular training leads to IHT reclaims • Up to date with complex legislative changes and best practice According to a Freedom of Information request, almost 15,000 families • Adhere to a nationally recognised Code of Practice applied for inheritance tax refunds from HM Revenue & Customs in the past five years as homes ended up selling for less than expected. • Submit independently audited accounts to Propertymark annually • Membership of an independent redress scheme Currently, beneficiaries applying for probate must first estimate and report • Professional Indemnity insurance. the value of the deceased’s assets, including their property, and then pay the death duties before their probate is granted. WHAT IS PROPERTYMARK PROTECTION? However, this can lead to estates paying too much IHT, particularly in a ARLA Propertymark Protected agents have to hold your money in a climate of stagnant and falling house prices, as the property is likely to sell separate client account which is independently inspected annually. for less than originally estimated. This is not the case with all letting agents. The FoI request found that there were 2,177 claims for death tax refunds You will receive a professional service from an ARLA Propertymark on the basis of loss on the sale of a property in 2016/17. This was a seven Protected agent, but if things go wrong the ARLA Propertymark Client per cent rise on the figures from two years earlier when there were 2,037 Money Protection Scheme (CMP) will step in and reimburse tenants claims. and landlords. Meanwhile, between April and December 2017, there were more than 2,500 claims, which suggests that the full 2017/18 tax year will have the highest number of refunds since the financial crisis. However, according to the report’s authors, the real figure could be higher, because it does not include the people who do not realise they are due a refund. As one of them commented, “DIY” executors, who do not use professional services after a death, are most at risk. Source: Vale & West AUGUST What’s on 2018 4 MAPLEDURHAMMAPLEDURHAM 10K 10K RUN, RUN, Mapledurham Mapledurham House House 8 HENLEYHENLEY SHOW, SHOW, HENLEY Henley SHOWGROUND, Showground, Henley Henley on on Thames Thames JULY 19 READINGREADING DRAGONBOAT DRAGONBOAT FESTIVAL, FESTIVAL, River River Thames Thames and and Kennet Kennet 24 - 26 READINGREADING FESTIVAL, FESTIVAL, RICHFIELD Richfield AVENUE, Avenue, ReadingReading 4 - 8 HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA, Henley on Thames 24 - 27 HENLEYHENLEY COUNTY COUNTY CRAFT CRAFT SHOW, SHOW, Stonor Stonor Park, Park, Nr Henley Nr Henley on Thames on Thames 11 - 15 HENLEY FESTIVAL, Henley on Thames 26 - 27 SWALLOWFIELDSWALLOWFIELD SHOW, SHOW, Swallowfield Swallowfield Park, Park, Church Church Road, Rd, Swallowfield Swallowfield 13 - 15 READIPOP FESTIVAL, Christchurch Meadows, Caversham 13 - 15 HENLEY GARDEN SHOW, Stonor Park, Nr Henley on Thames 14 READING RACE FOR LIFE, Prospect Park, Reading SEPTEMBER 14 - 15 BASTILLE DAY, Forbury Gardens, Reading 15 - 16 BERKSHIREBERKSHIRE SHOW, SHOW, Newbury Newbury Showground, Showground, Hermitage, Hermitage, Nr NrNewbury Newbury 22 THE GREAT BIG CLIMB, Greys Court, Nr Henley on Thames 24 - 29 READING FRINGE, various locations around Reading 27- 29 LUNA OUTDOOR CINEMA, Stonor Park, Nr Henley on Thames 1 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8JB www.farmeranddyer.com.