Here comes the sunshine for summer home improvements

AS summer seems to have arrived in glorious style, the thought of summer home improvements no longer seems a million miles away.

Which is why interior design expert Ken Pike offers up the

latest design trends to make the most of natural light.

He said: �Everyone loves the thought of living in a house full of natural light and spring is the ideal time to make changes to brighten up your property.�

�Thanks to improved manufacturing techniques, modern glass is tougher, more environmentally friendly and far more versatile. We have seen its use increase year on year and 2009 will be no exception.�

�If you are carrying out a loft conversion, there are lots of glass based products on the market that will help to introduce natural light to once dark corners.�

�Another solution for bringing more light in is to add bi-fold doors that open out onto a garden or terrace or alternatively a large picture window can be a very effective way to allow light in as well as merging external and internal spaces.�

�Glass doesn�t have to be used exclusively in windows and doors, in fact glass is increasingly being used for interiors as it allows light to pass through into otherwise dark areas of a house.�

�We are seeing glass increasingly being used for staircases, both as balustrades and for risers. Using glass can transform a home and as it�s such a versatile material it works well in all styles and ages of property from a modern penthouse to a listed period cottage.�

Crest celebrate Notts success

WITH a wide choice of homes in fantastic locations, it�s little wonder Crest Nicholson is bucking property trends and achieving success in Nottingham.

Homebuyers have been

flocking to developments in Ruddington, Bramcote, Wollaton and Ravenshead, and there are still plenty of tailored offers available to tempt even more to buy.

Amanda Benjamin, sales manager for Crest Nicholson (Midlands), said: �Our sales levels in Nottingham have been very promising since the start of the year and show no signs of slowing down.�

�A combination of being able to meet our customers� high expectations with our range of quality homes and also offer them incentives that suit their individual needs has been the main reason for this success.�

�We have a fantastic range of help available such as part exchange for those with an existing property to sell and a number of measures to assist first time buyers such as our EasyBuy shared equity scheme. We could also offer to pay stamp duty and legal fees. The key is listening to customers and understanding their needs so we can find the best way to help get them moving to their dream home.�

Camelot Gardens, in the idyllic village of Ruddington, just five miles from the city centre, is one of the developments proving popular.

Set on Camelot Street the development has a range of properties to suit everyone from families looking for a spacious home to downsizers, looking for a low maintenance lifestyle. A two-bedroom apartment at the popular development is on offer for �129,950 or a four-bedroom home is available for �249,950.

Nearby, in the picturesque village of Bramcote, homebuyers have also been snapping up a selection of properties at Bramcote Park. Situated on Chilwell Lane, the development offers a range of four bedroom detached home for �274,950.

�The combination of attractive properties, appealing developments in prime locations and great deals seems to be helping to overcome homebuyers� fears about the current economic climate,� added Amanda.

There�s further temptation for Nottingham homebuyers in the picturesque village of Wollaton, where thanks to the company�s Easybuy scheme a three-bedroom Hereford home at Wollaton Place could be owned for an initial outlay of �123,713.

Easybuy allows home hunters to own 100% of the property but only pay 75% now. The remainder of the price is covered by an interest free loan for the first five years with no rent to pay, and a nominal amount of interest payable thereafter.

Set on Trowell Road, Wollaton Place is situated in one of the area�s most desirable places to live and comprises of 24 impressive three and four-bedroom homes.

And last but certainly not least, Chapel Rise, nestling in a magnificent setting of unspoilt countryside in Ravenshead, yet within easy reach of the city, has a selection five-bedroom detached properties on offer from �445,950.

Situated within private grounds in the Nottinghamshire village, Chapel Rise is an exclusive development of just 24 traditionally designed homes with contemporary features.

For further information on all these development and more log onto www.crestnicholson.co.uk

Last chance for a Plaza home

BUYERS looking to experience contemporary living at its very best still have an opportunity to own a home at The Plaza development in Bilborough.

Seven luxury homes, that

include two showhomes remain for sale at the development, each beautifully-designed and full of charm and character with prices starting from just �114,995.

For families there are three ideal house types each with three bedrooms and spacious living areas, including the Ryton end townhouse from �119,995 and the larger Grosvenor home from �159,995.

The Linton showhome, at a price of �154,995 has been released for sale and is perfect for families wishing for an effortless move into a home that has been decorated by professional interior designers and includes fixtures and fittings.

Reflecting on the number of houses sold at the development, sales and marketing director Anne Bagshaw said: �We�ve had a great deal of interest in the new homes at the development, particularly from families looking for a peaceful and secure environment for their children, and first time buyers looking to buy a starter home close to Nottingham city centre.�

�The Plaza is ideally located in a pretty, semi-rural residential area of Bilborough close to pleasant woodland walks, and a short walk away from local shops and schools, so it ticks all the boxes for a lot of buyers.�

For more information about The Plaza, contact George Wimpey on 0845 026 5551.

Share the cost of a new home

A BRAND new home could be closer than you think with Gladedale Lincoln�s shared equity scheme at Kings Court, Mansfield.

With the shared purchase scheme, a three bedroom semi-detached home priced

at �119,995 is available for just �89,996 with a 10 year interest free loan from the housebuilder on the remaining 25%.

The loan is repayable to Gladedale after 10 years or when the house is sold, whichever comes first.

And because buyers only pay for 75% of a new home they don�t need a deposit, it is also a great way for first time buyers to get onto the property ladder.

Maureen Hynes, sales director for Gladedale Lincoln, said: �We are doing everything imaginable to stimulate the market in the current economic climate and shared purchase is a fantastic example.�

�It makes the purchase process easier as buyers don�t need a deposit, and it provides some security in an uncertain market as you only repay 25% of the value when the house is sold, re-mortgaged or after 10 years.�

�There are genuine deals and true value available in the new homes market at the moment. Those smart enough to explore their options could find their dream home is within reach of their budget for the first time in their lifetime.�

Prices at Kings Court start from �111,995 for a two bedroom mid-terrace.

The sales office at Kings Court is open Thursday � Monday, from 10.30am to 5pm.

For further information on Gladedale Lincoln�s shared purchase scheme please contact the sales advisor on 01623 658 773 or visit www.gladedale.com

Accent Nene opens the door to Newark's first-time-buyers

ARE you fed up with renting?

Imagine buying a brand new house that no-one else has lived in and being able to turn it into your own ideal home. Does this sound like a pipedream?

It doesn't have to be. With Accent Nene's shared ownership scheme you may find that home ownership is within your grasp, even if you can't afford outright purchase. However, you will have to be quick!

Accent Nene are offering just two purchasers an amazing opportunity to buy a share in a brand new two-bedroom house on the Stamford Homes development on Farndon Road in Newark. Prices are from �63,000 for a 50 per cent share of the home, (subject to terms and conditions) - and Accent Nene will even consider selling you a smaller share.

Louise Johnson, Sales & Marketing Manager for Accent Nene, comments: "This is a one-off opportunity on this development and it is perfect for first time buyers. Because these homes are brand new they really are starting with a blank canvas on which they can stamp their own style and personality.�

�There are also many additional benefits such as high standards of build, good levels of insulation (which means lower heating bills), and, of course, there is no need for any renovations, repairs or DIY!"

The two-bedroom terraced houses are built in traditional red brick and benefit from uPVC double glazed windows, a private front and rear garden and allocated parking. The fitted kitchen includes an oven, hob and extractor fan, and both the kitchen and bathroom floors have ceramic tiles.

The homes are set in a semi-rural location which enjoys common meadowland that leads down to the River Devon. Newark town centre, with its attractive marina is within easy reach and here you will find numerous shops, caf�s, bars and restaurants. Located close to the A1, Newark enjoys easy access to Nottingham and Lincoln, whilst London Kings Cross can be reached in just 75 minutes via train.

Shared ownership is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to be able to get their first foot on the property ladder and enable them to enjoy all of the benefits of living in their own home.

So how does the scheme work? You will be responsible for arranging a mortgage or financing just 50 per cent of the value of your new home, and on the remaining 50 per cent you will pay rent, which will be inclusive of service, management and insurance charges. Overall, the average amount you can expect to pay will be 65 - 70 per cent of the cost of buying your home outright. You will also have the option to buy further shares in your home at a later date.

Andy Hall, who recently purchased a share-ownership in Peterborough from Accent Nene, points out: "House prices were never going to go down low enough for me to be able to buy outright, so this scheme was perfect for me. As time goes on I hope to be able to buy further shares in our home."

To arrange to view the available houses in Farndon Road, or for further details about shared ownership please contact the sales team at Accent Nene on 01733 295411 or visit www.accentnene.org.

Bucking the property trend

A RAY of hope in the property market has banished the economic gloom in Nottingham.

Developer Crest Nicholson is bucking the trend in the area as sales soar at its Nottingham developments.

�Business is booming and the levels of sales is extremely promising,� said Amanda Benjamin, sales manager for Crest Nicholson (Midlands).

Homebuyers have been flocking to Camelot Gardens, in the idyllic village of Ruddington, just five miles from the city centre, where six homes have been sold since the start of the year.

Set on Camelot Street in the charming area, Camelot Gardens has a range of properties to suit everyone from families looking for a spacious home to downsizers, looking for a low maintenance lifestyle.

A two bedroom apartment at the popular development is on offer for �139,950 or a four bedroom home is available for �249,950.

Nearby, in the picturesque village of Bramcote, homebuyers have also been snapping up a selection of properties at the developer�s Bramcote Park development, where five homes have been sold since the New Year.

Situated on Chilwell Lane, the development offers a range of properties, from a three bedroom semi-detached for �174,950 to a four bedroom detached home for �349,950.

�The combination of attractive properties and appealing developments in prime locations seems to be helping to overcome homebuyers� fears about the economy,� added Amanda.

There�s further temptation for Nottingham homebuyers in the picturesque village of Wollaton, where thanks to the company�s Easybuy scheme a three bedroom Hereford home on Plot 9 could be owned for an initial outlay of �119,962.

Easybuy allows home hunters to own 100% of the property but only pay 75% now, the remainder of the price is covered by an interest free loan for the first five years and a nominal amount of interest is payable thereafter.

Set on Trowell Road, Wollaton Place, situated in one of the area�s most desirable places to live, comprises 24 impressive three and four-bedroom homes.

For further information on Crest Nicholson�s homes in Nottingham, log onto www.crestnicholson.co.uk

Get on the property ladder

DO you dream of owing your own home, but can�t afford to because of the current property prices? Then shared ownership could be for you.

This is a scheme designed to help people take that step on

to the property ladder and is a flexible low cost way of buying a home, without paying the full asking price in one go.

The scheme allows you to buy a percentage of your new home either outright or buy arranging a mortgage with a bank/building society and pay a subsided rent to Longhurst Homes on the remaining unsold equity.

The rent includes building insurance and management charges.

Shares can start from as little as 25% of the full market value with most schemes offering the added benefit of allowing you to buy more of the property at a later date if you wish.

For example, if you increase your share to 75%, you will pay rent on the remaining 25%.

Purchasing through Shared Ownership means that you can enjoy all the benefits of homeownership at the price to suit your budget.

The important thing to remember with shared ownership is that even though you are paying rent, you are an owner occupier and therefore have full responsibility for repairs and maintenance of the home you have purchased.

Longhurst Homes currently have three bedroom properties available at Chartwell Grange, Mapperley from as little as �52,500 for a 25% share.

For more information please call 0845 60 19 095, www.longhurst-homes.org.uk.

Holding on to your deposit

EACH month, UK tenants lose more than �15,000 in un-returned deposits from landlords according to Belvoir, Britain�s biggest lettings specialist.

However, Belvoir, which has an office on, says tenants

need to realise that, if they follow a few golden rules, there is no reason why their deposits should not be returned in full at the end of a tenancy.

�There used to be a perception among those who rent that the chances of having their full deposit returned at the end of their tenancy were almost zero,� says Mike Goddard, Chief Executive at Belvoir which has more than 140 offices across the country.

�But contrary to popular belief, the majority of landlords see deposits as exactly what they are � a way to guarantee that they will not be left out of pocket if their tenant turns out to be irresponsible, causes unnecessary damage to their property or fails to pay their rent for example.�

�Couple this with the legislation for tenancy deposit protection that was introduced in 2007 and it is clear to see that the system for putting down a deposit actually helps both landlords and tenants,� continued Mike.

The legislation aims to ensure that tenants who have paid a deposit to a landlord or letting agent and are entitled to receive some or all of it back at the end of their tenancy actually get it.

Belvoir, which works with and offers advice to both landlords and tenants, says that the landlords on its books would much prefer to be able to pay back any deposit money in full at the end of a tenancy.

�That would mean that they have enjoyed a good tenant who has looked after the property and it saves them from having to make unnecessary and expensive repairs which often end up costing the landlord much more than the amount of the deposit anyway,� says Mike.

Belvoir says there are a few golden rules which tenants should follow to ensure they get their deposit money returned:

- Check with the landlord or lettings agent that your deposit is covered under an authorised tenancy deposit scheme.

- Treat the rental property as if it were your own home.

- Always pay your rent on time.

- Read through any tenancy agreement carefully before signing to make sure you know what is and is not permitted under the terms of the rental agreement.

- Go through any inventory carefully and note any missing items or repairs that need carrying out at the outset.

- If anything does go wrong during your tenancy, advise your landlord or lettings agent without delay as prompt action can save time and money as well as hassle for yourself and the landlord.

- Make sure that you leave the property in a clean condition. Landlords will check behind sofas and under beds so it�s not worth trying to scrimp on cleaning as you may risk losing some of your deposit to cover professional cleaning costs.

- Honesty is often the best policy. If you damage something by accident tell your landlord � it may be covered by insurance or the landlord may be happy for you to replace the item with something similar.

�If, as a tenant, you act according to the rules laid our in your tenancy agreement, your landlord has no right � and in the majority of cases no desire � to hold on to any of your deposit at the end of your tenancy,� advised Mike Goddard.

�Tenants enjoy far greater protection nowadays from unscrupulous landlords and those who do lose deposit money do so because they have simply been irresponsible at some point during their tenancy.

Make space your resolution

ALTHOUGH around 70% of people make New Year�s resolutions, a reported 12% let them slip by the time February arrives.

The most common resolutions are to do with improving health or reducing stress,

with promises made on joining gyms or having a better diet � but with the strains and demands of modern life, it�s difficult to turn these ideals into an achievable routine.

This year, why not try something much closer to home, which can actually make your life easier and more enjoyable?

Embracing the �don�t move, improve� philosophy can be a great way to start the New Year with an achievable resolution.

Architects such as Ken Pike from Architect Your Home can provide expert advice on the best changes to add value to your property and help you to break the work down into manageable steps for a stress free project.

By the end of January 09 you could be well on your way to reaching your resolution and by the time the New Year comes around again you will be settled into your new look home.

Ken said: �Surveys have shown that a much higher percent of people keep to their resolutions when they set themselves goals.�

�With the added support of an architect, it is not only much easier to stick to your home improvement targets, but also a much more stress free option.�

�An extension or simple change of layout can make much better use of available space and also greatly increase the value of a property.�

�By using the expertise of an architect, a seller can ensure they are getting a design which will suit the type of property and essentially maximise its market appeal.�

�If your New Year�s resolution also includes buying a new property, the skills of an architect can again make life much easier and be invaluable in discovering what changes or renovations are feasible to your potential home.�

For further information on the services that Architect Your Home provides in Derby, call 0800 849 8505 or visit www.architect-yourhome.com

Property slump gives house hunters new opportunities

THE OLD adage is rearing its head again. Just when a recession comes round to bring prices tumbling, nobody has the money to take advantage.

Well, almost nobody. There are still some plucky souls

that are in the game as far as the property market is concerned - and whether they are looking to bag a cracking investment, or simply looking to secure the perfect home, this Gamston property fits the bill.

The four-bedroom property is in a highly desirable location and is under new instruction for offers over �250,000.

Those with a financial incentive won�t need reminding what a property like would have been worth a mere 12 months ago, and could be worth in the future. However, this is more than bricks and mortar. There are plenty of reasons why this makes an ideal family home.

The detached property sits on a much sought after peaceful cul-de-sac and has enough room to give you and yours the run of the house.

The four bedrooms are all reasonably sized and the upstairs is finished off with a family bathroom complete with bath and shower.

Downstairs, the breakfast kitchen houses all the standard mod cons with an integrated dishwasher, fridge and freezer. The lounge features a barefaced brick chimney breast with inset gas fire and leads through to a delightful dining room and conservatory.

There is also a delightful lawn garden that lets you make the most of the summer season - complete with ornamental pond, vegetable plot and tarmacadam double width driveway providing access to a double garage.

For more information or to make viewing arrangements call Frank Innes Estate Agents on 0115 945 5211.