Category: Press

How Potential Taxes on Downsizers Could Impact the Housing Market

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves seeks to find £50bn to plug the Government’s financial black hole, speculation over potential new taxes on homeowners have revealed that downsizers could be in the firing line at the next Budget. Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, shares his insights with Maya Wilson Autzen from The Telegraph.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

With the Chancellor reportedly considering replacing stamp duty with a new tax on sellers of homes over £500,000, it has also been suggested that the Government could charge capital gains tax on primary residences worth more than £1.5m.

As a result, homeowners are now considering delaying selling until a new government (they hope) is in place – a decision which would limit stock levels further still, says Will Watson in The Telegraph.

Read the article here.

How Postcode Snobbery Presents Great Buying Opportunities

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

While some buyers are happy to pay a premium for a prestigious postcode, there is often far better value to be had nearby, our Cotswolds Partner Harry Gladwin tells Hugh Graham at The Times.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

The wrong combination of letters and numbers in a Cotswold property’s address can completely deter some buyers, while others are willing to pay a six-figure premium simply for the GL postcode. Yet in the nearby villages of Warwickshire you can find the same charming honeyed-stone cottages and rolling views for significantly less, says Harry Gladwin in The Times.

Read the article here.

The Challenges of Being an Ex-Expat

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

As an estimated third of people who move abroad return to the UK within three years, our Partner in the North Home Counties, Jemma Scott, talks to Alexandra Goss at The Telegraph about the realities of readjusting to British life again.

In this feature which talks about ‘reverse culture shock’, Jemma – who specialises in international relocations – discusses the emotional shift associated with such a move. She also talks about why the perks that often come with an expat lifestyle can be one of the most difficult things to leave behind when returning to the UK.

Read the article here.

Downsizing: Look Before You Leap

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

According to a new study, downsizers are now moving 40% further than average buyers. Our Cotswolds Partner Harry Gladwin talks to Alexandra Goss at The Telegraph about why research is critical before downsizing to an unknown area.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Downsizing later in life inevitably means that the once crucial factors of school catchment areas and commuting times are no longer important. As such, growing numbers of downsizers are seeking a completely new way of life in a new area, often influenced by where their children and grandchildren are located. Yet it pays to ensure that a potential new neighbourhood is thoroughly researched before taking the leap, says Harry Gladwin in The Telegraph.

Read the article here and read more on The Joy of Downsizing: Why Planning Ahead Matters in our Insights blog here.

Could a New Property Levy Replace Stamp Duty?

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

As speculation continues that the Treasury is considering major property tax reforms ahead of the Autumn budget, one option on the table is replacing stamp duty with a new levy on homes sold for more than £500k. Our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds, Harry Gladwin, shares his reaction in PrimeResi.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

While a new ‘proportional’ national property tax would aim to provide a steadier revenue stream, it’s thought that it could have a significant impact on liquidity, pricing and transactions across the UK market. Talking to the luxury property journal PrimeResi, our Head of the Cotswolds, Harry Gladwin, comments on the impact of such a tax on his region and how it could reinforce the value gap in the market.

Read the article here.

The Rise of the Bougie High Street

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

From artisan bakeries and chichi cafés to independent boutiques and premium gyms, our high streets are becoming ever more curated according to a recent article in the Financial Times, featuring expert comment from our Partner Harry Gladwin.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Talking to journalist Cathy Hawker, our Head of the Cotswolds region, Harry, told her that outside of London, the practical is blending with the premium. He cites Groves Yard in Milton-under-Wychwood in the Cotswolds as a place where shoopers can stock up on lightbulbs, order a set of curtains, enjoy lunch, buy a oaf of freshly-baked bread, have a manicure and even visit the dentist.

Read the article here.

What’s Causing the Great Country House Slowdown?

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

It’s a testing environment in the prime country house market, Idina Glyn of Mishcon de Reya reports for PrimeResi, with insights from our Partners Mark Lawson and Harry Gladwin.

Speaking to Idina Glyn, Partner in the Private Group at Mishcon de Reya, specialising in advising landed estates, UHNW individuals, rural businesses, and charities, Mark said: “After over 30 years of selling and buying in the country, I have never known such a challenging marketplace.”

Harry notes: “here’s a noticeable flight to quality: buyers are more discerning, less willing to compromise, and very value-conscious, so anything that’s compromised – whether on location, presentation or condition – is sticking.”

Read the article here.

The Cotswolds Reimagined for Contemporary Life

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

As the modern Palladian revival country house Daisy Green in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, goes on the market, a recent article in Robb Report shares expert insight from our Cotswolds Partner Harry Gladwin on what the modern Cotswold buyer wants.

Boz Gagovski Photography

It may look like an exceptionally well-preserved 18th-century Cotswolds villa, but Daisy Green in Gloucestershire dates, in fact, to 2011 and was built by the artist and designer Susanna White of Studio Whiteworks and her husband, John.

Writing in Robb Report, journalist Abby Montanez reports that today’s Cotswold buyers seek traditional beauty with modern comfort – and more than just a weekend escape, quoting Harry Gladwin, Head of the Cotswolds Region at The Buying Solution.

Read the article here.

Why the Cotswolds’ ‘Golden Triangle’ Is Losing its Edge

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Wealthy buyers in the Cotswolds are setting their sights beyond the typically popular socialite scene, according to a recent article in Bloomberg, featuring expert comment from our Partner Harry Gladwin.

view of Cotswolds stone houses down the hill in Burford. Image: Getty

Talking to journalist Sarah Rappaport, our Head of the Cotswolds region, Harry, says: “For those seeking true privacy, the celebrity ecosystem around Soho Farmhouse is starting to feel a bit crowded—or worse, performative.” He adds: “Areas around Snowshill, Cold Aston, Whichford or the Coln Valley offer more space, less scrutiny and just as much charm.”

Read the article here.

Identifying Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian Homes

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Knowing your architectural styles, the signifiers you should look for and – most importantly – why they matter is incredibly useful when searching for a home. Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, shares his expert insight on what buyers should know about period homes in The View from Knight Frank.

Victorian-red-brick-house-in-Kensington,-London,-UK

“I remember a client telling me years ago that owning an old house is like owning a classic car – you’re always tinkering with it,” he says. “Do your research and carry out proper due diligence. If you fall in love with an older property – especially one that’s listed – be prepared: any work will likely take longer and cost more than you expect.”

Read the article here.