The latest data from the ONS suggests that the volume of property transactions in Oxfordshire have plummeted[1]. Across the County as a whole, 26% fewer properties have been sold than 12 months previously whilst values have risen in line with inflation and crept up +2.7% to an average of £356,262. This compares with an average price of £243,339 (up +5.3%) across England. Continue reading “Oxfordshire Property Sales Plummet”
As with so many festive traditions, the twelve days of Christmas leading to Twelfth night are familiar, even if their roots seem a little shrouded. Generally recognised as the period been Christmas day and the Coming of the Epiphany the period marked the traditional length of Christmas festivities. Pagan beliefs also explain the tradition of taking down festive decorations on Twelfth Night. These decorations often took the form of evergreen foliage (typically holly and ivy) and some believed that tree spirits sheltered in the decorative sprigs. Removing them either before or after Twelfth Night came to be regarded as unlucky as the disgruntled spirits would exact a toll in the following year’s crops! Continue reading “Twelfth Night”
Supply & Demand – Population
Local government forecasts predict a 29% increase in the population of the Witney area over the next 10 years. Coupled with the exceptionally low rate at which we are building new homes and sales volumes (the number of properties sold) dropped by 19% in 2017 (compared with 2016) and the market fundamentals remain out of balance. Continue reading “Looking ahead – Predictions for the West Oxfordshire Property Market in 2018”
On 9th November 2017, four professionals from some of Oxfordshire’s local businesses gathered together to present at the historic Witney Blanket Hall on investing in Oxfordshire property.
If you missed the presentation or in the absence of the Great British Bake Off you’d like to watch a video of the presentation then this is available on our facebook page which can be accessed here 
.
If you would like to download the slides from the presentation, you can do so here – http://bit.ly/seminarslides
Ten years on from the housing crash and it’s worth taking stock and looking back. Counter-intuitively, in 58% of wards, residential properties are selling for less now, after accounting for inflation, than they were in 2007. Continue reading “Rose Tinted Spectacles? Looking back at the crash…10 years on”
The ONS has just released average house price data per square metre for properties across England. At a regional level, a buyer in London should expect to pay around £6,639 per square metre (£617 per square foot). More locally, we’ve identified the cost in £/ metre and feet – depending on your vintage! Continue reading “How Much?! UK Average Property Prices £/m2”
Would you like to know more about investing in local property? Whether you’re a seasoned landlord, just dipping your toe in the water or on a fact finding mission then this event is essential to get all the latest facts, tips and critical information to get the very best advice about investing in property in West Oxfordshire. Our panel of experts from local, Witney businesses are on hand to dispense free advice at 6pm on Thursday 9th November at the historic Witney Blanket Hall. Experts from Everyman Legal (solicitors), M Group (accountants), Martin & Co (local property experts) and London & Country (mortgages) will be on hand after the 1 hour presentation to answer any further queries you may have. We’ll even provide something to eat and drink!
Please register now for your free tickets as spaces are limited: witneypropertynews.com or look on Facebook for Martin & Co Witney for more details
Continue reading “It’s Official – West Oxfordshire best in England!”
I was recently asked by WODC to put together a brief paper on the local Private Rented Sector (PRS) to help inform a cabinet level debate. Having done the legwork I thought I’d share my findings with you as some light reading. The aim of this is to help any potential buy-to-let investors make an informed decision about the type of property to purchase. Continue reading “What Property Makes the BEST Investment in West Oxfordshire?”
The interesting times in which we live continue; political uncertainty, continued ultra-low interest rates and the creeping rise of inflation are all having an impact on local property prices. Focussing on Witney and Carterton and specifically looking at houses (excluding new builds) sold over the last 5 years, it’s interesting to note that there has been a see-saw effect: Continue reading “What next for West Oxfordshire property values?”
The supply of certain types of privately rented properties in Witney is currently well above average and, in some cases, hitting record levels. This is particularly true of 2-bedroom flats and 3-bedroom houses although there has also been a spike in 2-bedroom houses. Continue reading “Supply of Witney Rental Property Hits Record Levels”
Interestingly, we’ve seen a surge in the availability of rental properties being offered in the local market. This is particularly acute in relation to 2-bedroom properties in Witney, there are now 48 listed TO LET of which 31 are flats. Once we ‘zoom out’ slightly, the picture is less worrying, with only nine 2-bed properties listed in Carterton, this is below the usual norm. Interestingly, supply currently exceeds demand for 3-bedroom houses too, but this should rebalance as families aim to move during the school holidays. Here’s the latest availability for properties in Witney to rent: Continue reading “What is Happening with the West Oxfordshire Rental Market?”
Since the 1970s, housing starts and completions across England and Wales have largely been on a downward trajectory.
The long-run average (over the last 50 years) for starts and completions has been around 190,000 per annum but after the global financial crisis lows of 93,000 (starts) per annum and 113,000 per annum (completions) had been reached.
There are many elements that go into making great property photography; the weather, equipment, the skill and experience of the photographer. But, did you know that there many ways you can increase the chances of achieving fantastic images of your home? You need to ensure the images of your house not only do it justice, but also, more importantly, indicate the kind of lifestyle that a buyer can aspire to. Here are some of our suggestions to do just that:
Continue reading “The Six Secrets of Fabulous Property Photography”
If you rent your home & you’re particularly proud of your garden, we’d love to see it! As it’s National Gardening Week and with Chelsea Flower Show coming up, we would like to see the BEST garden in West Oxfordshire!
Send entries to witney@martinco.com. Include your name, address & phone number.
Entries close midnight on Sunday 28th May 2017.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have just released their latest figures regarding housing affordability ratios. These are calculated by dividing house prices by gross annual residence-based earnings and can be used to track how affordable average homes are across Oxfordshire. Continue reading “How has the affordability of Oxfordshire housing changed over the last 14 years?”
