An exceptional Grade II listed, four bed barn conversion, successfully combining character with 21^st century charisma is on the market.

Four, Pentre Morgan Barns is located at St Martins, near to Ellesmere and Oswestry; it offers the perfect base for commutes north to Chester, Wrexham and Liverpool, while Shrewsbury and the Midlands are equally accessible to the south and east. The location also provides an excellent choice of state and private schools.

Prime Barn Conversion

Accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, with staircase and study area, large living room with French doors to the garden and a generous kitchen dining room with sleek gloss cabinets and fitted appliances, topped off with granite worktops including island.

“This is one of five barns converted less than ten years ago, among its green credentials are underfloor heating and double glazing, each contributing to its EPC rating “C.” The high standard of finish also includes oak doors and staircase, plus porcelain and wooden floors. Number Four is the prime corner plot, laid out over an “L” shape, thereby with generous gardens wrapping around,” explains This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. head of sales at Balfours.

On the first floor there are four bedrooms, two with en-suite facilities. The package is completed with utility and cloakroom, plus carport and garden store. Balfours are marketing 4, Pentre Morgan Barns with a guide price of £435,000.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

An exclusive one bedroom apartment in the heart of Shrewsbury town has been launched to the market with a guide price of £175,000. Apartment Four, Robinson House, is a grade II listed second floor property, with an elegant open plan living.

Agent, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., head of Balfours residential sales, says: “The property is highly desirable, the capacious open plan living space is tastefully presented, enhancing period features, including three original sash windows, with customised secondary glazing.”

Robinson House was originally built as a Gold and Silversmiths in the late 18^th century, today it provides six stylish apartments found off the impressive hallway. Good design provides a generous kitchen with fitted high quality units incorporating a full suite of electrics. This highly social space overlooks the living room and beyond to the Old Market Hall. In the living area a period fireplace offers a clever focal point.

A good sized double bedroom, with fitted wardrobes and bathroom with shower and bath complete the package. Step outside and Shrewsbury’s wide array of shops, restaurants, commerce and culture are waiting. This also includes the town’s treasured Quarry Park and the train station. A secure parking space is available under a separate lease.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

Balfours would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Our office opening hours over the festive period are listed below:

Monday 24th December - Open until 3pm

Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th December - Closed

Thursday 27th and Friday 28th December - Open normal hours

Monday 31st December - Open until 3pm

Tuesday 1st January - Closed

Wednesday 2nd January to Friday 4th January - Open normal hours

Thank you.

The holiday period presents a time for reflection, the year past and the future. What might have been a subconscious thought becomes a serious consideration, or a eureka moment – for some that will be a house move, writes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., of Balfours.

For us as agents, invariably the New Year sparks off a flurry of enquiries from home owners who are contemplating trading up, or down, to relocate locally or further afield.  The first meaningful intention is to invite agents to value the house – as that will be a driving factor to properly evaluate your options.

As good practice, two or three agents should be polled to give their thoughts on the house and when the prices come back, it is tempting to see the dangling lights of what one agent predicts against another. Why not go for the higher price, what is there to lose? Actually an excessively high price can put off buyers who may, once through the door have gone that extra £10k, because they recognise it is exactly what they want. A perceived “good buy” can also generate counter offers, taking you to precisely where you wanted to be.

Due to Brexit the property market is seeing very variable valuations. It is prudent that you select: The agent who you think will provide the right advice and who is prepared to tell it how it is – rather than what the vendor wants to hear, simply to gain an instruction; the agent who will be at the end of the phone at that critical moment, however out of hours that might be and the agent who will stand your corner, when the time comes.

Always look at the bigger picture. Does the offer help you to make that next move as New Year ambitions aspire to –and have you got your new home lined up? This year we would advocate back-to-back selling and buying – just to be the right side of any unknown Brexit vagaries. 

Does your agent know the market well enough for you to trust when guidance and counselling are required? No two sales are the same, but we, at Balfours, would like to think that if you are contemplating a sale – these considerations will stand you in good stead for the year ahead, wishing you a happy and fruitful 2019.

Q: I’ve got a set of lovely old farm buildings, which are no longer fit for purpose. What are my options in terms of development?

First of all you have to consider what purpose the farm buildings lend themselves to, structure, proximity and location. The options include residential – long term or holiday; commercial – offices, workshops, storage. You have to ask how any of these uses and activities could affect the rest of your farm business and indeed your lifestyle, either positively or negatively.

Once you are comfortable that you can live and work with such a development, perhaps close by to the farmhouse, or to farm activities there is the matter of planning. How far do you want to take the farm buildings yourself? Do you want to retain ownership of the development and generate an additional income? Do you have the financial resources, time and expertise to take on such a project in addition to your farming activities? Or are you risk-averse, so perhaps it is better to take a clean break and re-invest in the farm or an alternative enterprise?

If you are to choose the latter option of selling, there are a number of ways to secure a buyer, either via the open market or a joint venture. What timescale would be acceptable to you? Whichever way the sale is conveyed protection can be put in place, to ensure the safety of your neighbouring farm assets and the current enjoyment. 

Further, don’t under estimate the potential disruption while development work is taking place, such as the need for storage and site facilities and the site set-up costs. If you chose not to develop the buildings, what will become of them?

It is likely that there will never be an easier time to gain planning on redundant farm buildings. April 2018 saw the parameters for such projects extended to five residential units, or less with greater floor space.

The soundest advice is to seek professional guidance and ensure that all stake holders and, or family members, are comfortable with the chosen route. Finally, it is worth remembering that there are a finite number of “old farm buildings” they don’t build them anymore – and diminishing supply always holds some residual value.

A capacity audience attended Balfours’ annual professional briefing at the Mytton and Mermaid. The Balfours Xtra event gave lawyers, accountants, bankers and other professionals involved in rural land and property matters an update on current legislation and the market place.

The whistle stop tour addressed a number of key areas in property and land management: Namely development opportunities; alternative enterprises; farming options, farm business tenancies and contract farming. Alistair Hilton and Charlie Giffard addressed the residential property market, while Charlotte George highlighted the fast changing lettings legislation.

Business manager, Craig Varley, commented: “We have very positive feedback and attendance for the Xtra, not least because whether you are serving your client by assessing the figures, or providing legal protection, our briefing goes someway to bridging the gap between the rural practice and interlinking specialist disciplines.”