Case Studies
Bicester
| Where | Bicester - in a quiet leafy lane within walking distance of the town centre. On a small ‘orchard plot’ with only 9 plots (one already reserved). Developed by a local, quality builder. All properties individually built in natural stone with good specification. |
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| Result | Purchased 2 properties to meet needs of individual search clients. Best plots selected. Our Bicester office let both immediately, unfurnished with carpets, curtains and lighting supplied by Decorum Interiors our Interior Design division. |
| Long Term | Both clients required a long term investment. Bicester potentially offers strong capital growth. A fast, developing Market Town with expanding amenities, ideally located with good road and rail access to Oxford, Northampton and Birmingham/London via Jct 9 M40. Rents are expected to strengthen thus producing a balance of both income and capital.
The detached cottage style 4 bedroom house cost £400k and let for £1300 pcm. The large town house purchased for £290k and let at £1050 pcm. |
North Oxford
| Where | North Oxford – on the northern edge of Summertown within easy reach of Oxford and the Headington Hospital complex in a sought after road of mainly individual detached houses. A purpose built contemporary development of only 7 apartments, each with high specification including wooden floors and off-street parking. |
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| Result | Negotiated £30k discount on a 2 bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms to below the Stamp Duty threshold at £249,950k. Any capital decrease protected whilst market slows. |
| Long Term | Over the long term the property should show steady upwards appreciation. Our client paid cash, adding the property to her mixed portfolio which ranges from a one bedroom pied-a-terre by Oxford Rail Station to a larger split-level apartment close to the new Radcliffe redevelopment site in Jericho. |
North Oxford
| Where | Summertown – in a key residential road of Edwardian detached houses within easy walking distance Summertown’s excellent amenities and just 2 miles to Oxford. On the south side of the road, a dilapidated detached house on a large plot (developers a plenty were after it!). Over 55 people viewed the house.
Our brief was to acquire a property for our University clients to retire to. They had been outbid attempting to buy over 10 other properties in the area. |
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| Result | We sourced the property after making enquiries through our many contacts. The property was on the market at £750K but would clearly sell for a far higher sum given the interest. We advised our clients who won the nail biting ‘sealed bid’ process. We then engaged Bricks & Mortar our building division to assist with budget costs to extend and modernise the property at the same time. The result – after 6 months of building work our clients were able to move into their bespoke designed home. |
| Long Term | The property has enjoyed a large capital investment which over a reasonable period will enhance both the re-saleability and capital gain. Our clients get to enjoy their retirement away from the pain of fighting to gain a foothold in the amazing North Oxford residential market. |
Kidlington
| Where | Kidlington – just 5 miles north of Oxford. Supposedly the UK’s largest village – Sir Richard Branson owns a property here. Our brief was to acquire a property for clients who are benefit from having tied accommodation as part of their employment but who need to retain a foothold in the property market.
Within easy access of Oxford, Abingdon, Headington and the M40/A34 road network. |
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| Result | We located and agreed a discount on a top floor one bedroom apartment in a purpose built development. The developer has a long standing reputation for quality homes. The scheme offered a mix of one and two bedroom apartments. Deliberately opting for a top floor, 1 bedroom to meet the growing demand for individual living. |
| Long Term | Like many of our clients the purchase of a property forms part of an overall longer term strategy to ensure a mixed investment. We regularly liaise with our client’s key professional advisors and at some point in the future when appropriate we may well advise them to dispose of the property and to acquire another to ensure they keep up with the market and the property meets their requirements. |
Bicester
| Where | A former Catholic Convent – converted into one and two bedroom apartments literally within a short walk to Bicester town centre. |
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| Result | Two individual one bedroom apartments acquired, from a conversion of just 6 in total. We had best pick of the plots before officially going on the open market. One client, a respected economist, wanted to purchase for his children to help them onto the property ladder. The other client was simply a struggling first time buyer who did not know where to start in an increasingly complicated market; she may use the apartment for herself in the future.
Both properties purchased for around £250k and after negligible furnishing costs both let immediately for £680 pcm and £720 pcm proving our recommendation that for the right one bedroom properties tenants will pay a premium. |
| Long Term | Both income and capital appreciation are underway – the other apartments sold quickly after we made our reservations. This is a lovely spot and is right by the major redevelopment of Bicester town centre – walking distance of the new cinema and shops. |