The Property Magazine Oxfordshire April/May 2018

THE ALL NEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE FOR OXFORDSHIRE
THEPROPERTYMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 1 APRIL/MAY 2018
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SHEENA MARSH CONSIDERS
THE OPTIONS FOR
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PROPERTY NEWS & FEATURES SHOWCASING PROPERTY FOR SALE & RENT ACROSS THE COUNTY SHARING YOUR STORIES & TIPS...

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Because a new story deserves
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We have a number of purchase assistance schemes
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EDITOR'S
LETTER…
Welcome to the first issue of The
Property magazine, your free
magazine, in association with
Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Wm
Morrisons and The Co-Operative to
all things property in Oxfordshire.
Every month we will be bringing you
news, top tips and expert insight. At
a time when everything is ‘online’ we
want to give you something tangible, a
return to the pleasure of ink on paper
with luxuriant design, a reader, writer
experience, a beautiful magazine
to take home and enjoy and with
your help this will be a community
magazine where experiences can be
shared.
We catch up with some of the area’s
leading agents and developers –
explore trends in interiors and gardens
– Sheena Marsh will be offering
gardening tips every month and
contributions from experts across the
county.
So, if you have some interesting tips,
news, stories, home improvement
experiences that you would like to
share, then please get in touch and
make this magazine your own. Enjoy!
Jane
JANE LEES
Editor
Visit our website
thepropertymagazine.com
Add us on Facebook
propertymagoxon
Follow us on Twitter
@propertymagoxon
CONTENTS
We catch up with some of the area’s
leading agents and developers – explore
trends in interiors and gardens – Sheena
Marsh will be offering gardening tips
every month as well as contributions
from experts across the county.
04 Trend alert... head space
Contemporary furniture experts Danetti share
their tips and inspiration on how to get the most
from your open plan space.
08 Market highlights
We compare four very different and equally
desirable homes in Thame, Faringdon, Oxford
and Chinnor – which one would you choose?
10 Gardening
Sheena Marsh considers the options for
designing a new garden, be it for a new build or
a rejig of your existing garden.
15 Home Sick
Settling into a new place.
16 Ask the experts
Bill Cooper of agents Martin & Co, checks out
property prices – Finders keepers consider the
many advantages to investing in Oxfordshire.
20 Property Development News
New developments and the creation of New
Village Communities are presenting residents in
Oxfordshire with some fabulous opportunities
for new homes. With leading home builders
offering some very exciting projects, has there
ever been a better time to buy a new home!
28 Trades Directory
29 Have your say
Share your ‘Top Tips’ – reader’s tips and stories.
30 Dreaming of a home in the sun
Home Hunts take the stress out of buying your
holiday home – this month we discover some
beautiful properties in France.
COVER PHOTO – Representation of the sort of terraced building you
might expect to see at Graven Hill – (page 24).
08
20
10
THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE
Email: hello@thepropertymagazine.com
Telephone: 01789 209091 / 07484 713455
www.thepropertymagazine.com
EDITORIAL & DESIGN PRODUCTION
Editor: Jane Lees
Email: jane@thepropertymagazine.com
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Magazine is committed to recycling.
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Copyright © The Property Magazine – All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied
or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the
publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material
published, The Property Magazine cannot accept any responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.
The views expressed are not necessarily the views of the publisher.
30
April/May 2018
3

April/May 2018
5

No One Knows
Oxford & Kidlington
Properties Better
FOR SALE
THE LION BREWERY, OX1
FOR SALE
EMPRESS COURT, OX1
2 2 1 C £625,000
Fantastic and spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom
apartment with allocated parking.
2 2 1 C £525,000
A 1st floor stylishly furnished apartment with
2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a balcony.
TO LET
ELLINGTON COURT, OX3
TO LET
OATLANDS ROAD, OX2
2 2 1 C £1,025pcm
A recently redecorated top floor apartment
with 2 double bedrooms.
1 1 1 D £995pcm
Well-presented 1 double bedroom furnished flat.
TO LET
BLADON HOUSE, OX20
SOLD
RADLEY HOUSE, OX2
2 1 1 C £1,110pcm
A furnished 2 bedroom garden flat in the landscaped
grounds of Bladon House. Ample driveway parking.
2 1 1 C £380,000
Two bedroom apartment in Summertown.

FOR SALE
LYTTON ROAD, OX4
FOR SALE
BOOK BINDERS COURT, OX1
3 3 3 D £525,000
A stunning 3 bedroom semi-detached family home
situated in the Cowley area.
1 1 1 B £390,000
A stylish and well-presented 1 bedroom first floor
apartment set in a delightful courtyard in central Oxford.
TO LET
ABINGDON ROAD, OX2
TO LET
HORWOOD CLOSE, OX3
2 1 1 E £1,295pcm
A furnished first floor flat with 2 bedrooms.
1 1 1 C £1,295pcm
Modern and stylish, very well equipped newly
refurbished ground floor one double bedroom bungalow.
SOLD
CHAWLEY COURT, CUMNOR HILL
Martin & Co Kidlington
10 Oxford Road • Kidlington • OX5 1AA
kidlington@martinco.com
01865 379262
kidlington.martinco.com
1 1 1 B £300,000
A stylish and well-presented 1 bedroom ground floor
apartment.
Martin & Co Oxford
31 Woodins Way • Oxford • OX1 1HD
oxford@martinco.com
01865 812110
oxford.martinco.com

HOT PROPERTIES
Four very different and desirable
homes – which would you choose?
ELLSDALE COTTAGE
Postcombe, Thame, Oxfordshire
A beautiful Grade II listed thatched cottage with three
double bedrooms and versatile living space on the
ground floor. The property has been refurbished by
the current owners and retains many period features
including beams, exposed stone walls and Inglenook
fireplaces. The award winning garden incorporates
a variety of unusual plants
and trees with an alfresco
dining area.
GUIDE PRICE
£695,000
TWO HOOTS
Littleworth, Faringdon, Oxfordshire
Two Hoots is a striking example of a Huf Haus typically
characterised by the expanse of glass architecture
ensuring the floor to ceiling windows flood the
interiors with natural light without compromising
on energy efficiency. The versatile accommodation is
laid out over three floors stretching to over 3,4000
sq ft. The house features state of the art technology
including electric external blinds on all ground and
first floor windows, a ground source heat pump, high
levels of thermal insulation
as well as under floor
heating throughout.
GUIDE PRICE
£950,000
8
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

50 BEECH CROFT ROAD
Oxford
A superb family house in this sought after side road within walking
distance of Summertown which offers an excellent range of
shopping facilities. The accommodation is arrange over four floors
with the master bedroom on the first floor together with two
further bedrooms and the two remaining bedrooms on the second
floor. To the rear is an attractive garden mainly laid to lawn and
flanked by well stocked flower and
shrub borders. There is parking to
the front for two cars.
GUIDE PRICE
£1,445,000
HILL HOUSE
Kingston Blount, Chinnor, Oxfordshire
A striking Regency house with a swimming pool and a large garden within
the heart of this popular village at the foot of The Chiltern Hills. The house
has been beautifully restored and maintained to a high standard. The
ground floor flows particularly well and there is a seamless blend of period
features with more modern influences. The
west facing gardens are mostly laid to lawn
and extend to about half an acre.
GUIDE PRICE
£1,650,000
For more information on these and other properties for sale visit
www.knightfrank.co.uk/contact/oxford-estate-agents or call us on 01865 366592
or come into our office at 280 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7ED
April/May 2018
9

GARDENING
Garden Design for a
Brand New Garden
Every garden is unique and special in its own
way and when purchasing a new house, the
garden should be considered, not in its current
condition but for the potential future use of
the space. Often new build homes have a
high specification for the buildings but the
budget has been blown when it comes to the
landscaping. In many cases, the gardens of
new built homes are insufficiently prepared for
plants to thrive properly. On the plus side, this
presents an opportunity for owners of new
properties to really take ownership of their new
garden. Having a blank canvas as a garden,
should not be daunting.
In considering what to do with a brand new garden, one principle we always
adhere to is that the garden should relate to the wider landscape. The
transition from designed to natural surrounds is essential for a garden to ‘sit
right’ and feel harmonious. For example, if you buy a property on a modern
estate, a contemporary style would be more in keeping than a classic country
cottage look.
The design brief was for as low a maintenance garden as possible. It was to
be contemporary in style, with a water feature and various seating areas, to
make the most of the sunny position. As is the case with many newly built
properties, screening for privacy was a requirement. This can be achieved
in various ways, here we used architectural Italian Cypress trees, Cupressus
sempervirens, which give structure as well as form, creating an elegant
backdrop to the design. In addition a wooden walkway, gives a feeling of
enclosure, so the eye is no long drawn to the neighbouring property.
This garden, on a new estate in Bourton-on-the-Water among the gentle
rolling Cotswold Hills was a weed filled patch when the owners took
possession. Although Bourton itself is in a wonderful location in a beautiful
part of Gloucestershire, the house is surrounded by other similar properties, so
although located in the Cotswolds, the classic Cotswold cottage look would
have been out of keeping.
This new built home near Bicester, Oxfordshire, was little more than a house
with a surrounding field before we designed it. The rear garden is surrounded
by woodland, which we decided to make the most of, following the principle
of making the garden fit into its natural environment.
10
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

Screening from the properties to the front in this case was achieved through
the careful placing of pleached hornbeam trees. The effect is almost
instantaneous.
The trees beyond, create the perfect backdrop for this beautifully enclosed
patio, with a seating area at the top level.
After a dry summer, the grass was brown and most of the plants had died
before the owners took possession of their new build property in Bourne End,
Buckinghamshire. We set about creating a design that was in keeping with
the rural setting and full of scented planting.
For a design to really work, each part should flow seamlessly into the next,
with paths and focal points to encourage you into the next area. This principle
holds true not matter what size the garden. A simple walkway, scented
hedge, path or piece of sculpture can entice you through and take you on a
journey of discovery.
A keen plants woman, our client had a very clear vision for how her garden
should look. She knew that she wanted a natural, 'cottage' style garden, with
roses being a particular favourite. Above all, this is a family garden, for all
generations to enjoy.
April/May 2018
11

GARDENING
The plans for the garden included re-designing the front and back spaces. We
divided the garden into different sections, with space for growing vegetables
in raised beds and a special area for the children's play equipment. The plants
were chosen to give several seasons of interest and colours were combined to
give an overall harmonious effect.
Scented planted was incorporated into the design, especially in the seating
areas. New trees were planted to give different heights and shady areas. The
existing pine trees in the front garden were under-planted with a cheerful
display of wild flowers for summer interest.
A garden that is on a slope, as in this example, presents an opportunity
to create new terraces, steps, and hidden seating areas as part of the
transition. Garden steps and walls, although practical, can be interesting in
their own right. Here we created some sleeper steps to transition from one
part of the garden to another.
Different planting schemes can change the character of a garden
dramatically. In a well-designed garden there should always be something
of interest to see, whatever the time of year. Plants can be used to make a
statement, to be seen and noticed. Whatever space we have in our garden,
every inch can be used as a frame for our house and for all year enjoyment,
in whatever way that might be.
Sheena Marsh is owner and designer at Oxford Garden Design.
See oxfordgardendesign.co.uk or email sheena@oxfordgardendesign.co.uk
12
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

Are you looking for a
HOME or INVESTMENT
in Central London, Oxford
or the Cotswolds ?
WOULD YOU LIKE HELP FINDING YOUR IDEAL HOME OR
INVESTMENT FROM A GENUINE PROPERTY CONSULTANT
ACTING SOLELY FOR YOU AND ONLY IN YOUR INTERESTS ?
WOULD YOU LIKE SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE LEG-WORK AND
SEEK OUT THE BEST PROPERTIES, OFTEN EVEN BEFORE THEY
COME ONTO THE MARKET ?
At Home Hunts we offer a bespoke, dedicated service with your own
property expert working 24/7 for you. Working with only one client at
a time your consultant is accessible, will listen emphatically to your
criteria, and will be committed to finding the best property for you.
FOR MORE
DETAILS CALL
0208 144 5011
With the constantly evolving property market you have to be quick and
you have to be in the right place at the right time. with demand so
high for quality property in prime locations, engaging an experienced
and well connected expert to find your property is the greatest
advantage you can have – we have access to all agents, you will never
need to speak to any, first to know about off the market properties and
new instructions before they even hit the market, the best properties
are normally sold by the time they hit the internet, we will be there
first to visit for you.
Our tailor-made, bespoke property search is just 1% of the purchase
price, a fee covered in time and negotiation many times over ! Get in
touch today for a no obligation consultation with a dedicated Home
Hunts consultant.
FR: +33 (0)970 446 643
UK: +44 (0)208 144 5501
EML: i n f o @ h o m e - h u n t s . c o m
WEB: w w w. h o m e - h u n t s . c o m
April/May 2018 13

The Portway
EAST HENDRED, OXFORDSHIRE
PHASE 3
A attractive new development
of 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes
01235 764 444
wantage@thomasmerrifield.co.uk
Viewings strictly by appointment only
QUALITY HOMES REPEATEDLY RECOGNISED BY THE NHBC

HOUSE & HOME
Coping with
Homesickness
Homesickness can be a
terrible thing. People suffering
from the condition feel
disorientated, physically sick,
sad and angry that they have
been forced to leave a place
they loved.
No matter how lovely, there is
nothing right about their new
home – and the greater the
distance they move, the worse it
can be.
Chaps, of course, don't like to
admit to anything as sissy as
being homesick. They might not
like it, but most suffer just as
much as the girls.
Having made a long-considered,
mutually agreed decision to move
home, neither feel that they
want to admit it – at least, not to
each other. And children aren't
immune either.
People who move abroad
probably suffer the most. They complain that they
don't like the weather, the beer, their job, the bugs;
almost anything really other than just admitting
they are homesick. For some it gets so bad that they
give up and go home- then, a remarkable thing
happens: they realise why they went in the first
place.
We generally do not suffer homesickness for places;
it's the experiences we shared there that matter to
us.
A home is simply a stage set for your life; move
away and the experiences stay with you, it's just the
backdrop that changes. It's the start of Act 2.
The best way to begin the cure is simply to go back
for a visit. Whether you are returning from New
Zealand or from the next village, a quick trip back
will remind you that the place where your memories
were formed still exists. You haven't lost anything,
you've just repainted the scenery.
When moving house, you should expect to be
homesick and recognise it when it arrives. It has
been described as like getting over flu and a broken
love affair at the same time.
Admit how you're feeling to yourself, your partner
– and the children too. Spending time looking at
photos and calling your old friends to say hello,
inviting them round for dinner, can also help
ease you into your new environment. The very
experience of helping each other through the
sickness is something that you share in your new
home and, before you know it, the story of your
lives has begun again, just in a different place.
The faster you can restart the narrative of your lives
in your new home, the faster homesickness will
leave you. Get involved in the local community:
say hello to the neighbours; join the tennis/bridge/
running/photographic or stamp-collecting club.
British people are naturally reserved but if you hide
away in the dark, they won't beat a pathway to
your door. Invite them in and they'll warm to you in
minutes.
The most important thing is not to hide your
feelings – from yourself or your family. Share your
emotions as well as your hopes and fears and make
an effort to find out about your neighbourhood.
Once you open your mind – and your heart – to
your new environment, you'll be glad you've made
the move.
This article was downloaded from http://www.freefeatures.com
April/May 2018
15

One Star Best Companies to Work For 2015
Winner Sunday Times Best Medium Agent South East 2014
‘One to Watch’ Best Companies to Work For 2014
Winner Sunday Times Best UK Letting Agent 2012
Winner Sunday Times Best Student Letting 2011
Winner National Training Awards South East Region 2010
Winner Sunday Times Best UK Letting Agent 2009
TO LET
TO LET
One Star Best Companies to Work For 2015
Winner Sunday Times Best Medium Agent South East 2014
‘One to Watch’ Best Companies to Work For 2014
Winner Sunday Times Best UK Letting Agent 2012
Winner Sunday Times Best Student Letting 2011
Winner National Training Awards South East Region 2010
Winner Sunday Times Best UK Letting Agent 2009
TO LET
SUMMERTOWN, £2,500 pcm
Well located 4 bedroom, 3-storey town house with
garden and allocated parking | Separate study | Living
room | 2 bathrooms | Located under a mile from
Summertown shops and amenities | EPC: C
NORTH OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 3061
WITNEY, £1,350 pcm
3 bedroom town house on Buttercross Lane
development | Master bedroom includes dressing room
and en-suite shower room | Sitting room | Kitchen |
Garden and 2 allocated parking spaces | EPC: B
WITNEY OFFICE
WESTON ON THE GREEN, £6,500 pcm
Stunning house set in approx. 2 acres of maintained
garden | 7 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms | 3 reception rooms |
Large kitchen and separate utility room | 2 self-contained
top floor apartments | Access to A34 and M40 | EPC: B
WEB REF: 16652 BICESTER OFFICE
WEB REF: 30615
TO LET
TO LET
TO LET
BOTLEY, £1,350 pcm
3 bedroom detached house | Available for a 6-9 month
tenancy | Modern bathroom | Kitchen and cloakroom
| Open-plan living/dining room | Separate study | Rear
garden | Off-street driveway parking | EPC: C
CENTRAL OXFORD OFFICE
WEB REF: 50577
SUMMERTOWN, £3,800 pcm
Modern family home | 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms |
Living room with fireplace | Large kitchen with bi-fold
doors | Enclosed rear garden | 1 small off-street parking
space plus on-street permit parking | EPC: E
NORTH OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 226241
KENNINGTON, £1,200 pcm
Traditional semi-detached house | 2 double bedrooms
with bespoke furniture | Bathroom and en-suite shower
room | 2 reception rooms and conservatory | Garden |
Garage and parking | EPC: E
EAST OXFORD OFFICE
WEB REF: 9640
TO LET
TO LET
TO LET
People matter in this business. Skills matter, experience matters and, most importantly,
attitude matters. That is why we are delighted to be awarded One Star in the Sunday
Times BANBURY, Best Companies £1,200 to Work pcm For survey. Visit our offices to cast UPPER your own HEYFORD, £1,375 pcm
judgement and learn how better people lead to happier tenants and more successful
Recently decorated detached family house | 4 bedrooms Well presented 3 double bedroom house | 2 bathrooms |
landlords. We look forward to it.
| 2 bathrooms | Spacious living room/dining room |
Large living room with doors leading to garden | Modern
Kitchen with utility room and cloakroom | Secure back kitchen with appliances | Garage and driveway parking |
garden | Off-road parking | EPC: C
Easy access to A34, Oxford and the M40 | EPC: B
BANBURY OFFICE WEB REF: 11454
BICESTER OFFICE
North Oxford East Oxford
01865 311011 01865 307207
SUTTON COURTENAY, 226 Banbury £1,500 Road 113 pcm London Road
OX2 7BY OX3 9HZ
3 bedroom house on a high quality development | Ensuite
shower room and bathroom | Kitchen/breakfast
room with access to the garden | Light and bright living
room | Driveway parking and garage | EPC: B
WEB REF: 30515 ABINGDON OFFICE
WEB REF: 70179
People matter in this business. Skills matter, experience matters and, most importantly,
attitude matters. That is why we are delighted to be awarded One Star in the Sunday
Times Best Companies to Work For survey. Visit our offices to cast your own
judgement and learn how better people lead to happier tenants and more successful
landlords. We look forward to it.
North Oxford
01865 311011
226 Banbury Road
OX2 7BY
East Oxford
01865 307207
113 London Road
OX3 9HZ

LET
LET
LET
SUMMERTOWN, £750 pcm
Shared Victorian semi-detached house | Second floor
furnished double bedroom | En-suite shower room |
Shared kitchen/breakfast room | Communal garden with
bicycle stand | Excellent locat
NORTH OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 3350
NORTH OXFORD, £1,850 pcm
Recently built semi-detached house | 3 bedrooms | 2
bathrooms | Open-plan living/kitchen area | Utility room
with appliances | Very low maintenance garden | 1 parking
space | Great North Oxford location
NORTH OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 3963
CITY CENTRE, £1,850 pcm
Modern town house | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms and
cloakroom | First floor sitting room and separate study |
Designer kitchen/breakfast room with appliances | Low
maintenance garden | Private parking for 2 cars
EAST OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 8622
LET
LET
LET
GARSINGTON, £1,500 pcm
Newly refurbished barn conversion | 3 double bedrooms
| 2 bathrooms | 4 reception rooms | Brand new kitchen
and separate utility room | Large garden with patio area |
Off-street parking for 2-3 cars
EAST OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 8773
BANBURY, £1,075 pcm
An unfurnished stone built 3 bedroom detached house |
En-suite shower room and bathroom | Living room with
marble effect fireplace | Dining room | Study | Cloakroom
| Kitchen with appliances | Garage and parking
BANBURY OFFICE WEB REF: 10961
NORTH OXFORD, £2,575 pcm
Attractive detached family home | 4 bedrooms | 2
bathrooms | 2 reception rooms and study | Open-plan
kitchen/diner | Utility/cloakroom with washing machine
and dryer | Garden with office | Driveway parking
NORTH OXFORD OFFICE WEB REF: 4690
LET
LET
LET
DEER PARK, £1,125 pcm
Newly refurbished terraced home | 1 double bedroom
and 2 single bedrooms | Shower room | Open-plan
kitchen/dining room | Large garden | Garage and further
parking | Easy access to A40 and town centre
WITNEY OFFICE WEB REF: 17234
WITNEY, £750 pcm
Neat, modern 1 double bedroom house | 1 bathroom
with shower over bath | Living room over-looking garden |
Kitchen plus utility area with white goods | Private garden
with lawn and shed | On-street parking
WITNEY OFFICE WEB REF: 55013
NORTH ABINGDON, £895 pcm
A lovely semi-detached house recently upgraded | 1
double and 1 single bedroom | New bathroom with
shower over bath | Living/dining room area | Kitchen with
appliances | Rear garden | Off-road parking for 1 car
ABINGDON OFFICE WEB REF: 6067
Central Oxford
01865 297999
22 Park End Street
OX1 1HU
Abingdon
01235 535454
1 Vineyard Chambers
OX14 3PX
Banbury
01295 276766
3 Horse Fair
OX16 0AA
Bicester
01869 329530
24 Market Square
OX26 6AD
Witney
01993 700150
114 High Street
OX28 6HT
FK Student Letting
01865 260111
28 St Clements
OX4 1AB
Inspired Investment
01865 302308
226 Banbury Road
OX2 7BY
Decorum Interiors
01865 302339
226 Banbury Road
OX2 7BY
Bricks & Mortar
01865 302350
226 Banbury Road
OX2 7BY
A TRACC fee is payable when renting a property, see finders.co.uk/tracc for details

ASK THE EXPERTS
Bill Cooper checks out property prices
Oxford property just keeps delivering
Regular and long-standing readers will know
that I like to explore the ‘inside story’ of the
Oxford property market, digging beneath the
headlines to understand the market at a more
‘granular’ level.
What are the Oxford headlines? According to
the Land Registry, in January 2018, Oxford house
prices were 5% higher over the last 12 months.
So Oxford didn’t follow London in the doldrums
as some (a hem…including me) predicted could
happen in 2017. But, the number of completed
transactions was down 21% with just 2,618 house
sales being completed. The average price achieved
was £422,055 meaning Oxford and Cambridge
were the only two UK cities other than London to
have an average price beginning with a ‘4’. Oxford
remains the least affordable UK city when average
house price is compared to average income earned
in the City.
How does Oxford’s property market vary by post
code? As can be seen from the table below things
vary quite significantly.
a 12-month period. Prices in OX1 have changed
by between - 8% in Kennington to +15% on
Grandpont. The only consistently positive shift in
prices was seen in OX4 with Rose Hill, Littlemore
Number of Change in Average Change
transactions transactions achieved price in value
OX5 344 -14% £347,302 1%
OX4 586 -11% £354,791 6%
OX3 401 -16% £412,904 6%
OX2 472 -17% £588,533 11%
OX1 187 -25% £452,213 3%
Oxford 2847 -14% £422,055 5%
It’s millennials who are driving demand for Oxford
rentals, at least that’s the common narrative. But
in fact, the average age of an Oxford tenant is 33.
50% of all demand comes from people over the
age of 29 and 22% from people over the age of
39. So in reality the demand for rental properties is
shifting to include young families who need 3 and
4 bedroom properties in areas with schools, easy
access to schools and good road and rail links.
I’d be delighted to hear from any reader keen to
find out more about the Oxford property market,
and please do visit www.OxfordPropertyBlog.
co.uk for more of my thoughts about the market.
Post Average Change
code value in value
Central OX1 experienced the largest fall in
transaction volumes, down a quarter, with OX4
down just 11%. But OX5 average price was up
just 1% when OX2 was up 11%. The spread on
average price was £233,742 with OX2 draggingup
the average. OX4 saw the highest number of
completed transactions.
But post code areas are still too large to get a
sufficiently granular understanding of what’s going
on out there. And, it is always good policy to look
at data from different sources. So let’s look at some
of Oxford’s key areas using data from Rightmove.
This data is based on properties sold on Rightmove
rather than the whole market.
The table opposite shows average price achieved
for 14 of Oxford’s best known residential areas, and
also how those averages have changed compared
to the prior 12-month period. Straight away it can
be seen that each post code can hide enormous
variation in average values and in the change over
and Cowley each in positive territory. The worst
performing sub-market was Kennington and the
best performing Grandpont, closely followed
by Marston, Rose Hill and Littlemore. All strong
owner-occupier markets offering a good range of
affordable homes.
So what about the rental market I hear landlord
readers ask? Across Oxford average rents rose by
just 1% compared the prior year averaging £1,207
per calendar month. But this too hides some
variation between property type. Detached home
rents rose 3.1%; semi-detached 3.2%; terraced
3.7%; and, flats 0.16%. So it can be seen that
Oxford apartments which were over 45% of all
tenancies, were impacted more than other property
types. So why was that? My own opinion is that the
negativity surrounding Brexit adversely impacted
demand from foreign nationals wanting to study
in Oxford, undermining demand for central-Oxford
apartments.
Kidlington OX5 £346,859 0%
Littlemore OX4 £323,315 9%
Rose Hill £354,855 10%
Cowley £392,723 4%
Headington OX3 £420,503 0%
Marston £516,692 13%
Barton £299,542 -4%
Wolvercote OX2 £479,036 6%
Summertown £871,561 8%
Jericho £960,524 0%
Botley £436,654 -4%
Grandpont OX1 £493,985 15%
Kennington £385,471 -8%
New Hinksey £516,334 4%
Bill Cooper is Managing Director of Martin & Co
in Oxford and Kidlington, and the author of
www.OxfordPropertyBlog.co.uk
18
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

We asked Finders Keepers –
Why invest in property in Oxfordshire?
The housing market in Oxford and Oxfordshire
is often in the news as a microcosm of the UK’s
‘housing crisis’. The point of this article is not to
debate affordability – it is clear that Oxfordshire has
a serious shortage of housing – but rather to put
the case for why it may suit some people in terms
of residential property investment.
Factors creating housing demand
In the decades since we launched, there has been
consistent and solid demand for people to live in
Oxfordshire, and we divide the factors up as follows:
• Two universities – Consistently ranked in
the Top 10 universities in the world Oxford
University attracts students, post-grads and staff
from a global pool. It creates spin-off companies
which in turn create more employment and
more demand for housing. Brookes University
is an important part of the story too - it has
grown considerably and is investing in consistent
development in East Oxford.
• Strong economic clusters – from cryogenics
to Formula 1, from BMW MINI to the Diamond
Light project, Oxfordshire has a range of intense,
added value clusters and world-class companies
such as Oxford Instruments, Sophos and RM
Leaning.
• Between London & Birmingham – Oxford
is an hour from the two biggest cities in the
UK and a perfect base for commuting. We let
properties to couples where one person works
in each city.
• Central location – Logistics companies like
Oxfordshire as it is on the edge of the highly
densely populated South-East but with fast access
to the M40/M6 north, M4 west and A34 south.
• Schools – Education is Oxford’s most famous
industry, and the fee-paying and state schools
attract considerable numbers of people from
London and abroad. North Oxford alone has
eight well-known schools.
• The countryside – Oxfordshire has some of
the most pleasant villages in the country. A cold
pint at the local, the sound of leather on willow,
good primary schools and now even a branch
of Soho House - there are good reasons why so
many people take root in our countryside.
• Low crime – There are pockets of social
deprivation and many people would be
surprised at the inequality within a city such
as Oxford. That said, crime is low in the vast
majority of suburbs and villages.
• It’s a nice place! We might be biased but there
is an intangible sense of place and community in
Oxford and Oxfordshire.
Factors limiting supply
The Strategic Market Housing Authority says the
county needs 106,500 new homes by 2031 which
approximates to 5000 new homes a year. So why
are more new homes not being built:
• Green belt – Much of Oxfordshire is protected
land, including a ring around the city of Oxford.
This hinders attempts at creating new housing
and is likely to be the biggest single point of
contention for housing over the next 20+ years.
• Council discord – The various local authorities
cannot seem to agree with each on where to
build more housing. Crudely Oxford City Council
says it has space for 900-1000 new homes at a
maximum and it wants the formal plans of its
neighbouring council’s to include more housing
for Oxford’s workers. The lawyers have been
busier than the house builders.
• Flood plain – If you look at Oxford from above,
much of it is flood meadows and it will never
be built on. Port Meadow is under water for
much of the year. The River Cherwell and Rivers
Thames both run through Oxford. Plus the River
Evenlode floods too.
• Views and height – The ‘dreaming spires’ of
Oxford means that certain views are protected.
Oxford needs to protect its medieval heritage
and substantial tourist trade which means that
tall buildings will not be easily built in the city.
• Finance – Recent key projects have been
delayed due to economic problems. Although
the new Westgate and Oxford Parkway are now
open, they were much later than planned.
The result: consistent rental
growth and strong capital growth
The graph shows a steady relationship between
the average rent on the revolving Finders Keepers
portfolio and inflation in the form of RPI. This
illustrates the consistent influences underpinning
demand as listed above. The Oxfordshire rental
market is inherently different to the London market,
for example, which rides the peaks and troughs of
the economy and particularly the financial sector.
The sales values are less consistent but overall,
greater than the rental growth. The short supply of
new property amidst a strong local economy is the
main factor here. This trend in median sales values
is what motivates our ‘capital’ investors. See Graph
below.
Yields and income vs. capital
appreciation
With strong demand and limited supply, the gross
rental yields are not going to be stratospheric and
crudely we see yields of 4+% in Oxford and going
up to 5+% in the market towns such as Banbury
and Bicester. This triggers a key question for you:
are you going to invest for income; for capital
appreciation; or for both?
‘Income’ investors know that they need the income
to support their life and they may be happy to
sacrifice a bit of long-term appreciation.
‘Capital’ investors’ decide they want to park their
capital for the long-term (5 years minimum) because
they think their property will increase in value.
It is difficult to get both. You need to make a decision
about your priorities, your life and what income you
need and when. Each property is different and a view
must be taken on the property and on broad trends.
Where to buy?
We advise our retained clients on where to invest
whether it is new-build or second hand property.
We understand the micro-rental factors and prices
and we will give you advice related to your specific
objectives. To discuss your investment goals contact
Maxine Allington on 01865 302314.
Data sources: ONS inflation figures;
Finders Keepers internal figures;
ONS Average Dwelling prices paid
by local authority.
April/May 2018
19

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT NEWS….
Spoilt for choice – we take a look at some
of the exciting opportunities offered by the
new community villages and developments in
construction across the county.
New village community –
Dorchester Living at Heyford Park
– currently selling phases 4 and 5
Heyford Park, has and continues, to evolve
around its growing community. Situated 6
miles from Bicester, 16 miles from Oxford and
3.3 miles from Junction 10 of the M40, Heyford
Park provides unrivalled access to the rest of
the UK.
Heyford Park… a destination in the heart of
Oxfordshire. Set within 1,231 acres of Oxfordshire
countryside, Dorchester Living is not only building
over 700 new homes, but is also committed
to offering much more than just houses. As a
community builder, their approach focuses on
providing a wide range of facilities and amenities,
creating the foundations for Heyford Park’s
reputation as a desirable and forward-thinking
destination.
Currently a selection of 3-6 bedroom homes
available. Spacious, modern properties with a high
specification as standard (including integrated AEG
appliances and bi-folding doors to all properties)
New homes start from £369,995 for the three
bedroomed ‘Russell’ with spacious open plan
design, up to the six bedroomed
‘Fairfax’ at £699,995.
• On-site Heyford Park Free
School
• On-site Nursery opening
Spring 2018
• Upcoming village centre
• Fantastic transport links
• Help-to-buy, part exchange
and assisted move available
on selected plots
Help to Buy is a Government
scheme that means you could
move home with as little as a
5% deposit. Choose from a
stunning collection of Dorchester
Living homes available under
the scheme. You could be living the Dorchester way
with Help to Buy.
20
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

Heyford Park has, and continues, to evolve around its growing community. Situated 6
miles from Bicester, 16 miles from Oxford centre and 3.5 miles from junction 10 of the
M40, Heyford Park provides unrivalled access to the rest of the UK.
The External image of the Crawford and internals of the Darcy. We
reserve the right to vary the specification. Details are correct at time
of print, March 2018. Terms and conditions apply.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT NEWS….
Homebuilder
invites you to
experience the
David Wilson
Difference this
Spring
Deddington Grange is a beautiful new
development consisting of three, four and
five bedroom homes in the desirable North
Oxfordshire village of Deddington. Bordering
open fields and glorious countryside, here
you'll enjoy the fresh air and a tranquil way
of life. You'll also benefit from excellent
commuter links - travel just 18 miles to
reach the cosmopolitan city of Oxford, and
Banbury is just six miles from home.
Bordering on the beautiful Cotswolds, Deddington
is a lovely village with a vibrant square at its heart.
Enjoy eating in one of the many great pubs, browse
around the shops or pop into the newly opened
Waitrose. Schools benefit from consistently good
Ofsted results and there’s a handy health centre
a short walk away. Just a stone's throw away is
the M40 which links both north and south, and
Banbury and North Oxford train stations provide
excellent commuter links into London.
Deddington and the local area has plenty to offer.
You can find all your daily requirements in the
village such as a Co-op, health centre, pharmacy
and post office or pick up deli goods, locally
sourced meats, fruit and vegetables from Eagles
Fine Foods. Tesco's and Sainsbury's are also close
by. Grab a bite to eat at one of the four village pubs
- The Deddington Arms and The Unicorn Inn both
come highly recommended, or why not enjoy a bit
of pampering at Cedar Therapy Beauty Salon.
Visit Bicester Village and enjoy shopping for brands
such as Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo and Fendi. Head
into Oxford where you can browse quirky boutiques,
delicatessens, quaint craft shops and sift through
antiques. And make sure you visit the newly opened
John Lewis store at the Westgate Centre.
The 11th century Deddington Castle is a wonderful
day out with your children. Or you could head into
Oxford and be in awe of its wonderful architecture
at the Bodleian Library, Bridge of Sighs and Christ
Church Cathedral.
Join the gym at Bannatyne's, take a swim in the
outdoor pool at Woodgreen Leisure Centre or join
the bowls club at the Windmill Centre. And for golf
enthusiasts, enjoy a game at Banbury Golf Club or
treat yourself to a round at Tadmarton Heath Golf
Club, popular with visitors from all over Oxfordshire.
Deddington also benefits from some great schools
in the area including Deddington C of E Primary
School, The Warriner School and Sixth Form and
Bloxham School.
David Wilson Homes are offering a great range
of special offers to take advantage of this Spring
with Estate Agent Fees paid, flooring included on
selected plots, and 5% deposit deals with Help to
Buy. Those interested should call 0844 273 4886 or
visit www.dwh.co.uk to make an appointment.
KINGSMERE, MODERN VILLAGE LIVING, SOUTH WEST BICESTER
Several of Bicester’s housing
developments have a headline
feature, be it self-build or
sustainability. For Kingsmere
a key appeal is its location
supported by excellent transport
connections, including two train
stations within walking distance,
coupled with the provision of
fantastic new community facilities
on site, including a brand new
primary school and sports village.
The site is located to the south
west of Bicester and will deliver up
to 2,450 new homes across two
phases. The homes are a mixture of
designs ranging from modest two
bedroom homes to executive five
bedroom properties. As per all major
developments, affordable rent and
shared ownership opportunities are
available.
Families are well catered for with
lovely new parks, play areas, village
centre, with a Community Centre
and separate Youth Centre, and
of course an amazing new Sports
Centre with several grass pitches to
cater for football, rugby and cricket,
and a wheelchair-friendly jogging/
cycling track. Construction of a new
secondary school at Kingsmere will
start later this year.
The second phase of Kingsmere will
start this summer to provide further
new homes, parks, play areas and a
second new primary school.
A variety of beautiful new homes are
being built at Kingsmere from Bovis,
Bellway, Linden and Persimmon
Homes:
www.bovishomes.co.uk/
new-homes-at-bicester/kingsmere4
www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/
northern-home-counties/saxonmeadows
www.lindenhomes.co.uk/
developments/oxfordshire/
hawkswood-bicester
www.persimmonhomes.com/
the-oaks-kingsmere-10320
For more information visit
www.kingsmere-bicester.com
22
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT NEWS….
Hill a very realistic option for many more people.
It is expected that around 40% of the new
homes will be Custom or Self-build.
Graven Hill
A DEVELOPMENT LIKE NO OTHER
Graven Hill nestles at the southern edge
of Bicester, an historic market town in
Oxfordshire. The 188-hectare site encircles
an ancient hill of beautiful mature
woodland covering 30 hectares, which has
been largely inaccessible to local people
for generations. The site has been in use
since before the Second World War by the
Ministry of Defence, who are gradually
relocating to make way for the new village.
Graven Hill is the UK’s first large scale self-build
development and is leading the way to make
building your own home mainstream. It is being
delivered by the Graven Hill Village Development
Company, (GHVDC) which is wholly owned
by Cherwell District Council. Over the coming
decade, Graven Hill will evolve as a new village
community for Bicester.
Graven Hill is a ten year project which once
complete will feature up to 1900 homes,
a combination of those that are self-built
and those whose owners have chosen to go
down the Tailored Finish route. Tailored Finish
properties are available as two, three and four
bed properties which provide buyers with a
choice of internal layouts, fixtures and fittings
plus a home built to the highest standards.
Graven Hill opens up the possibility for
anyone to design and create their own home.
Customers are offered a choice of new,
simple and supported ways of making
their self-build dream a reality at prices that
compare favourably in the local property
market. There are options for all sizes of
build and budget, from a one-bedroom
bungalow for retirement years to a large
family home. Clearly defined routes enable
a customer’s self-build journey to be as
‘hands on’ or as ‘hands off’ as they feel
comfortable with. These benefits and
opportunities make self-building at Graven
MAKE YOUR DREAM
HOME AT GRAVEN
HILL A REALITY
WITH BUILDSTORE
MORTGAGE SERVICES
Graven Hill is the UK’s largest and most exciting
self and custom build opportunity which offers
something for everyone. BuildStore Mortgage
Services are the self build mortgage experts with
20 years’ experience and over 20,000 homes built.
BuildStore is working with Graven Hill to provide
a range of EXCLUSIVE mortgages designed
specifically for self or custom build homes.
If you want to self build or you want the opportunity to
shape some of the features of your new home you can
do so by selecting from a range of options.
Whether you are building a first home, you want
a larger home for a growing family, you wish to
downsize in your retirement years, or you prefer a
single story property such as a bungalow that is better
suited to your needs – Graven Hill has it all.
The route you take will depend on your budget, so it’s
important to speak to the experts at Buildstore early on!
Get in touch with Buildstore – telephone 0345 223
4647 or email enquiries@buildstore.co.uk
An important part of the Graven Hill project is to
create a healthy living environment; opening-up
the woodland and surrounding countryside with
new cycle routes and walking trails connecting
to the town centre, planting a new orchard
of fruit trees, providing new allotments and
creating habitats for the wildlife abundant
on the site. This all fits with Cherwell District
Council’s wider plan for growing Bicester as a
healthy-living, garden town.
At the heart of the Graven Hill community there
will be a small village centre with a pre-school
nursery, primary school, local shops, a pub, café,
small business premises and village green. The
new community will also have easy access to the
existing shops, services and amenities of Bicester.
Part of the wider Graven Hill site has been set
aside for one million square feet of commercial
investment over the life of the project, which
has the potential to create hundreds of jobs
and training opportunities for local people
and helping to deliver new investment and
prosperity for Bicester, which has excellent
transport connections and a growing, skilled
population.
Our vision for Graven Hill is a distinctive new
village community, in a beautiful garden setting,
where people can afford to live, be enterprising
and thrive. We are looking to challenge the
norm in order to find better ways to make
a place. An inclusive development where
like-minded people can come together and
live in a settled community for many years to
come. Key factors influencing the decision of
our current buyers have included location and
lifestyle. This comes as no surprise as Graven
Hill features an abundance of open green space
and is set against the backdrop of the beautiful
hill. As well as this tranquil rural setting, the
development sits in one of the most accessible
parts of the country, with excellent connectivity
by road and rail to key cities such as London,
Oxford and Birmingham.
To help prospective home buyers understand
more about the development and to reach a
decision on what is the best option for them,
Graven Hill has now opened a Plot Shop
in Bicester Town centre. Here their
dedicated team will meet with you and
talk you through your options and then
support you at every stage of your Graven
Hill journey. Whatever choice you make,
the options offered at Graven Hill are
unequalled.
Further information on Graven Hill can be
found at www.gravenhill.co.uk by calling
01869 396 070 or visiting the Plot Shop,
Pioneer Square, Bicester OX26 6JU.
24
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

In association with
Mortgages for Graven Hill
Let BuildStore’s Specialist Mortgage
Advisers make your Dream Home at
Graven Hill a Reality!
Whether you want to self build with the Golden Brick
Detached Home and Pocket Plot options or you want
the opportunity to shape some of the features of your
new home with a Tailored Finish Terrace or Coach House –
Graven Hill offers something for everyone.
Whatever route you choose, BuildStore has a range of
EXCLUSIVE products developed to suit the specific needs
of self and custom builders.
BuildStore’s specialist mortgage advisers can recommend
and tailor a mortgage to suit your individual needs and
the specific build and payment option you have chosen
for your new home.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep
up repayments on your mortgage. BuildStore Mortgage
Services Ltd do not charge a fee for self build and
custom build mortgages. For other mortgage types
a fee of £395 is charged, which is payable on offer.
buildstore.co.uk
MAB 9208
• Higher lending percentages
• Traditional or Advance
stage payments
• Competitive interest rates
• Exclusive products and lenders
• Interest only during the build
• Ability to stay in your current
home until your new one is
complete
• Tailored cashflow to suit your
individual circumstances
and build.
Call our experts now
0345 223 4647
BuildStore’s dedicated advisers for the
Graven Hill site are available for face to
face appointments at The Plot Shop or
telephone appointments.

HANBOROUGH GATE
LONG HANBOROUGH, OXFORDSHIRE
Whatever your stage of life, whether you are looking for your first
home, somewhere for the family to grow, or even if you are considering
downsizing, you will find the perfect choice at Hanborough Gate. This
varied and interesting development has an assortment of homes from
generous 2-bedroom semi-detached houses to spacious and luxurious
4-bedroom detached family properties.
On the edge of Long Hanborough this beautiful and highly sought after location is within easy
reach of all major towns and cities of the region. Oxford is just 8 miles away, Cheltenham 35
miles and London less than 60 miles from the village. Closer to home, Witney and Woodstock
are both about 5 miles away. So, if you are looking for a new home with desirable village life and
community spirit with great connections, Hanborough Gate is the place for you.
Phase one selling now...
Tel 01865 373 903
Email sales@pyehomes.co.uk
www.pyehomes.co.uk
QUALITY HOMES REPEATEDLY RECOGNISED BY THE NHBC
26
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT NEWS….
WELCOME TO WINDRUSH PLACE
This exciting new development is close to the
picturesque market town of Witney in the
beautiful Oxfordshire Cotswolds and offers
a selection of quality 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom
homes, all carefully designed to complement
their charming Cotswold environment.
Windrush Place is less than two miles from Witney,
with its historic, Cotswold stone buildings and
pretty River Windrush. The town centre offers great
shopping and there are local schools, health and
leisure facilities, as well as easy access to nearby
Oxford and the M40.
Famous for its woollen Witney blankets, the town is
steeped in history, with centuries-old buildings such
as the 13th century St Mary’s Parish Church,the
Blanket Hall and The Buttercross. Today you can
enjoy pubs, restaurants, museums, a cinema, a
leisure centre, sports clubs, a golf centre and the
tranquil Witney Lakes and Meadows.
Cogges Manor Farm is a working, Victorian
museum and you’ll find 12th century archaeological
remains at Bishop’s Palace. The Cotswold Wildlife
Park at Burford is great for animal-lovers and regal
Blenheim Palace is only 13 miles away. A few
minutes’ drive takes you into the Cotswold Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty with its pretty market
towns and quintessential English villages.
In the Market Place a monthly Farmers’ Markets
offers tasty, local produce, and on the edge of town
you’ll find a B&Q, Lidl and Sainsbury’s. Oxford, the
city of dreaming spires is less than 15 miles away,
with its Covered Market and indoor shopping malls,
or visit Bicester Village, the designer outlet, just a 21
mile drive.
Witney offers a great mix of shopping with smaller,
independent retailers and large national stores.
Marriotts Walk and Woolgate Shopping Centres are
home to brands such as M&S, Waitrose, Next and
Waterstones and the thriving High Street has antiques,
jewellery, shoes and well-known fashion stores.
EDUCATION
Nearby are West Witney Primary and Queen
Emma’s Primary and others include Our Lady of
Lourdes Primary, St Mary’s Church of England
Primary, The Batt Church of England School and
Tower Hill Community Primary. For senior students
there’s The Henry Box School and Wood Green
School, while The King’s School is an independent,
Christian school for both primary and senior pupils.
Nearby Cokethorpe School, is also an independent
school for children aged from 4 to 18. Abingdon &
Witney College is ranked in the top 10% nationally.
Oxford University has 38 independent colleges.
If you’re looking for a fantastic new home, in a
stunning West Oxfordshire setting, your search ends
here!
WINDRUSH PLACE
Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 7NX. To find out more
call a sales advisor on 01993 624000.
£80M JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH CREST
NICHOLSON TO DELIVER MORE ECO-HOMES
Leading developers A2Dominion
and Crest Nicholson have unveiled
plans for their latest joint venture
partnership. The £80m residential
scheme is a continuation of
A2Dominion’s existing Elmsbrook
development, part of the UK’s first
eco-town in North West Bicester,
just an hour from London.
The strategic partnership is set to
deliver 232, two, three, four and
five-bedroom eco-homes over
the 25-acre site as part of the
exemplar phases of the Elmsbrook
development in Bicester.
Of the new homes, 30% will be
reserved for affordable housing,
while the remaining homes will be
available for private ownership.
Built to the highest specifications,
A2Dominion’s current development
offers customers eco-efficient
properties and sustainable community
living with the homes for sale sold via
its FABRICA by A2Dominion brand.
The new homes developed by the
joint-venture will benefit from the
rain water harvesting systems, electric
car charging points and an electric
car club and will also be heated by a
district heating network connected to
a CHP energy centre.
The energy centre generates
electricity that goes to the grid and
ensure that the scheme provides
more energy than it uses.
Nick Hutchings, Executive Director
(Commercial) at A2Dominion,
commented: “We’re looking forward
to working with Crest Nicholson to
expand on the work we’ve done
at Elmsbrook. We’re committed to
developing homes that not only allow
residents to enjoy sustainable living
but that also prioritise high quality
design innovation. Our collaborative
and forward-thinking approach will
be key to offering sustainable living
and greener futures.”
Construction for the next phase is
due to begin on-site in spring 2018,
with the first residents moving in to
their new homes in spring/summer
2019. In total, the joint venture
project is estimated to last four years,
with a final completion date of
spring/summer 2022.
Chris Tinker, Board Director at Crest
Nicholson, commented: “The project
is a long-term strategic partnership
and we look forward to working
closely with the A2Dominion,
Cherwell District Council and key
local stakeholders to ensure a smooth
delivery on site. This £80m joint
venture project will create much
needed new homes and community
space for the Bicester region, as
well as new jobs to boost the local
economy.”
For more information on Elmsbrook
please visit www.fabrica.co.uk/
elmsbrook-bicester-ox27
April/May 2018
27

Directory
MOVING?
HIRE THE
PROFESSIONALS!
01993
883377
REMOVALS,
STORAGE
& SHIPPING
FOR OXFORD
www.bishopsmove.com
Taking the stress out of moving...
No matter how meticulously
planned your home move is,
moving will always be a stressful
time in anyone’s life. However
with a little pre-planning and
the right removals company
on board your home move can
be an enjoyable and exciting
experience.
Preparation is key – so contact your
local removal company to arrange
a home moving survey as soon as
you’ve decided to move. A survey
ensures you receive an accurate cost
and is a great opportunity to discuss
packing and storage options as
well individual
requirements
or any concerns
you may have.
Moving takes a
careful pair of
hands and the
right knowledge
from knowing
how to pack
each individual
item and care for them during
their transit so ensure you chose a
company that is a member of the BAR
(British Association of Removers) or
FIDI if moving internationally.
With over 160 years of experience
and a tradition of care in moving
people and their valued possessions
within the Oxfordshire area, the
UK and worldwide, Bishop’s Move
provides expert removals and storage
solutions. Contact Bishop’s Move
Oxford 01993 883377 or email
oxford@bishopsmove.com for
further moving advice or to arrange
your no obligation home survey.
You can trust your local Dulux Select Decorator to deliver an exceptional service.
Your Dulux Select Decorator is an independent decorator, who has been assessed and accredited
as a scheme member by Dulux. Members offer a two year quality workmanship guarantee*
including deposit protection.
Dulux Select Decorators…
• Are assessed and approved by Dulux
• Offer a 24 month workmanship guarantee for your peace of mind
• Follow the strict Dulux Code of Practice to give you the highest standards
• Manage your job professionally from initial quote to final coat
• Look after your home, leaving it clean and tidy
To find your local Dulux Select Decorator please visit www.duluxdecorators.co.uk
Dulux Select Decorators, Freepost MID20389, Arnold, Nottinghamshire NG5 1BR
T: 0333 222 7022 E: dulux.select@akzonobel.com
To advertise on this page please call the sales team on 07484 713455
28
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

Top Tips & Reader Stories
A top
decorating
tip from
J & J
Decorating
Reduce your
clean up time
If you’re going to be using your equipment the
following day then simply wrap your rollers and
brushes tightly in bin liners or cling film, ensuring
no air finds its way in. This way you only have to
clean it thoroughly once!
J & J Decorating
enquiries@jandjdecorating.co.uk
01865 600 336
We would like you to share your
'Top Tips' – it can be home
improvements or to do with your
house buying and renting experience
– this is your space to share.
Mail us at hello@thepropertymagazine.com
and share your story or advice with readers in
next month’s issue of the Property Magazine.
Rose, a professional
decorator from Tysoe,
shares her thoughts from
the Dulux range
Draw inspiration from the things you love and what
interests you, including any hobbies or perhaps colours
you like to wear.
Consider a palette that reminds you of a happy memory,
such as a coastal holiday or weekend in the countryside,
and then capture the spirit of that experience in
your home. Use light, fresh neutrals evoking natural
materials and offering an instantly calming mood.
From the soft grey-blue Dulux Colour of the Year, Denim
Drift, through to off-white New Meringue, the palette
is designed to tone in harmony with one another, so
you can experiment with different combinations, from
strong stripes to washes of the palest shades, confident
that any scheme will work beautifully.
If you want to add a little personality to a space without
overpowering it with colour, think about combining a
main, neutral shade with an accent colour; this could be
a feature wall, an alcove or a door.
If painting your main walls isn’t feasible, try
experimenting on a smaller scale with projects such as
photo frames, chairs or other accessories using one of
our water-based wood and metal paints, which come
in a huge range of shades. Choose Quick Dry Gloss
for a lustrous finish or go for Quick Dry Satinwood or
Eggshell for a more subtle effect. This is also a good way
of playing around with different colour combinations
first before you tackle a whole room.
Choosing the right estate agent
Deciding to sell your house is a major
decision and the beginning of a
stressful period in your life. Having the
right agent working for you can make
all the difference.
You want someone who will listen to
you and who values and appreciates
your home. A professional who will
organise viewings in an organised
and time efficient manner, with clear
communication. Who will market your
home though the right channels and
who will go that extra mile to sell your
house and ensure a smooth transaction.
The fee charged will either be a
percentage of the sale price or a flat
fee. If you take multiple agents you
may end up paying more than one fee,
regardless of who sells the property.
Always read the conditions of the
contract before you instruct an agent.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate and let
agents know what you’ve been offered
elsewhere. Make sure they don’t
undervalue your house for a quick
and easy sale. Do your own research
on neighbouring properties and ask
the agents to provide you with at least
five recent comparisons. Stand firm
with your price for the
first six weeks,
that will give
you a good
impression of
where your
priced and if
you need to
reduce. People
will always offer
less but it’s less unlikely that they will
offer more!
Get your garden and driveway
spruced up, first impressions are
everything. De-clutter your home,
keep it airy, fresh and maximise light.
When buyers are visiting it is best to
stay out of the way, they will feel more
comfortable on their own. When you
do get offers, chose the most reliable
buyer in the best position. Safer
buyers include those who
have already sold their
home and are in rented
accommodation, chain-free
first time buyers, and cash
buyers who do not need a
mortgage. Ask for details of
finance and proof of deposit.
April/May 2018
29

How to have a stress-free experience
buying your holiday home in France
Buying a property is one of the most stressful life experiences you
can have. A recent survey carried out by Which magazine found that
buying or selling a property was considered more traumatic than
arranging care for an elderly relative, having a child or changing jobs.
Buying a property abroad, with all the cultural, legal and language
differences, can be even more complicated. Looking at idyllic honeystone
farmhouses for sale online, or imagining yourself on a sea-view
terrace sipping rosé is motivating, but the journey to actually being there
is one that many buyers don’t manage to finish.
Even if you succeed in the onerous task of finding a property you wish to
buy, the next steps can be confusing and complicated, and the language
barrier is so often an insurmountable challenge.
“Having to discuss a property with local agents in French can be fraught
with stress for buyers if they don’t speak the language,” says Tim
Swannie, Director at Home Hunts, a buyer’s agent based in France.
“It’s hard enough in English to make sure you ask all the right questions
about one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make in your life. Finding
the right French vocabulary to discuss issues from structural problems to
contract clauses – and understand the responses – can feel impossible
for people who don’t speak fluent French.”
This is one of the areas where Home Hunts can help their clients
most. With a team of 35 consultants living in France, each has local
knowledge and speaks a minimum of English and French. As a buyer’s
agent, Home Hunts’ consultants works solely on behalf of the buyer
– a relief for clients as the French selling agent acts very much in the
interests of the vendor – negotiating the best deal and holding the
buyer’s hand throughout the entire process.
If you are looking to buy property in France, you can search
through thousands of homes at www.home-hunts.com, but to
speak to a knowledgeable consultant about your specific situation
and criteria call directly today on +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
30
The Property Magazine Oxfordshire

HH-10329562
HH-12097394
PERPIGNAN 3,200,000€
Completely renovated and beautifully presented 11th Century
French Chateau/Fort in a stunning and totally unique hilltop
setting. This historic gem is surrounded by forest with a view of
the Mediterranean in the sunniest part of France - The Eastern
Pyrenees.
BORDEAUX 1,490,000€
This outstanding chateau, built around 1750, has unparalleled
elegance. South facing, onto an informal garden, the central
entrance hall is light and spacious, and leads directly through
to the rear aspect with steps down to the rear garden. The
principal reception room has tall ceilings and large windows.
HH-9574490
HH-12247593
GRASSE, RIVIERA 2,490,000€
Overlooking the countryside and offering a panoramic view
down to the Mediterranean, this superb belle epoque house is
simply full of "history". The mansion of 350m2 offers large, airy
and elegant reception rooms and 5 good sized bedrooms,
including a grand master with access to a huge terrace.
MEGEVE, FRENCH ALPS 5,900,000€
Superb chalet of 400 m2 located on the heights of Jaillet with
panoramic views over the village of Megève and the Mont
Blanc. Situated on wooded grounds of 2850 m2, it offers a
bright interior with contemporary design and a warm
atmosphere. Beautiful relaxation area with steam room and
HH-10664427
HH-12097630
CLOSE TO SAINT TROPEZ 5,000,000€
Designed by the famous architect who built Port Grimaud,
Francois Spoerry, La Sauvagere was built in the 1960s on a
beautiful part of a family estate. In a commanding position,
high above the sea, surrounded by greenery and at the end of
a personal access road, it remains discreet and private.
NEAR LA ROCHELLE 885,100€
Set in its own beautiful secluded grounds, just 20 minutes from
the beach, this stunning riverside 11 bedroom/11 bathroom
watermill with heated salt water swimming pool, provides
exceptional accommodation for up to 22 people in the heart the
french countryside, yet within easy reach of the airport.
T H E
L U X U R Y P R O P E R T Y S E A R C H S P E C I A L I S T S
FR: +33 (0)970 446 643
UK: +44 (0)208 144 5501
EML: i n f o @ h o m e - h u n t s . c o m
WEB: w w w. h o m e - h u n t s . c o m

THE LUXURY
PROPERTY SEARCH
SPECIALISTS
W E A R E A W A R D - W I N N I N G B U Y E R S A G E N T S
AT HOMEHUNTS, WE SPECIALISE IN FINDING LUXURY PROPERTY FOR
SALE IN FRANCE, MONACO, SWITZERLAND, NEW YORK, LONDON AND
THE HOME COUNTIES FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS. WE
DISCOVER THE HIDDEN GEMS THAT THE LUXURY PROPERTY MARKET
HAS TO OFFER. OUR EXPERT TEAM ARE HERE TO ASSIST YOU WITH
YOUR PROPERTY SEARCH AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH EVERY STEP OF
THE BUYING PROCESS AND BEYOND.
FRANCE
MONACO
SWITZERLAND
LONDON & HOME COUNTIES
NYC
FR: +33 (0)970 446 643
UK: +44 (0)208 144 5501
EML: i n f o @ h o m e - h u n t s . c o m
WEB: w w w. h o m e - h u n t s . c o m