This is a new build with all the associated 21^st century attributes, plus outstanding location boasting breath-taking views.

Bridgelands, is a five-bedroom home on Church Stretton’s Clive Avenue, launched to the market by Balfours. Its idyllic situation offers magnificent walking and cycling country, yet is within walking distance of local shops, railway station, plus primary and secondary schools. The medieval towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow are each some 15 miles, each offering independent shops and a full range of amenities.

Its generous living space boasts a stunning hallway with central staircase, to the one side is the lounge, a well-balanced room with glazing to two aspects, including bifold doors and a recessed wood burner.

The opposite side of the staircase leads to the open plan kitchen living space, a large area opening into the garden room, where bifold doors to two aspects quite literally bring the garden in. Off the kitchen is the utility with access into the double garage.  The master-room and guest bedroom each benefit from ensuite shower rooms, while the family bathroom, with bath and shower serves an additional three bedrooms.

Scott Kemsley, Balfours Ludlow sales manager says: “Bridgelands has spectacular 180-degree views of one of the most beautiful valleys in the South Shropshire Hills. Throughout, the property is finished to an exceptionally high standard. Add to this an immaculate lawned garden with a backdrop of mature trees and you have the makings of a fantastic home.”

Bridgelands is marketed with a guide price of £950,000. For more information call Balfours on 01584 707100.

Oak Tree Cottage ticks a significant number of boxes for house hunters as a contemporary energy efficient home with open plan living space. Currently with three bedrooms – the principal room with en-suite, however it has the potential to use the second floor to provide a total of five bedrooms.

Located within the parish of Wistanstow, the property enjoys views across the South Shropshire countryside. The approach is via a large gravel drive, onwards the open porch leads into the hall with staircase and cloakroom.

A door leads through into the open plan kitchen, dining family room, which enjoys glazing to two aspects, including bifold doors to the terrace. The kitchen is well equipped, including an island. A playroom and snug are found off the kitchen, the latter benefiting from a woodburning stove.

At the opposite end of the kitchen there is the utility with access to the garage and workshop, plus an external door from which the annexed study is accessed.  Balfours Ludlow sales manager, Scott Kemsley comments: “This is a very well presented and practical property, with air source heat pump, underfloor heating, plus solar PV, in all achieving an EPC A rating.

“Add to this its proximity to Church Stretton, plus several secondary, state and private schools within easy reach. Craven Arms facilities are just a mile away, while Ludlow and Shrewsbury are nine and 19 miles, respectively.” Balfours are marketing Oak Tree Cottage with a guide price of £595,000. Call 01584 70710 for more information.

Ship House by name, ship shape by nature, this 17^th century grade II listed four-bedroom house is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Situated in Clun town centre, amenities and country walks are both only a short walk away.

The welcome is to the reception hall with dining area; the inner hall gives access to the drawing room, the kitchen, breakfast room and to the stairs. The stairs descend to a large lower ground cellar and rise to four bedrooms, a bathroom and large sitting room. A further flight leads to an attic room.

Balfours Ludlow sales manager, Scott Kemsley comments: “This is a truly charismatic property, the current owners have complimented original features with modern living to achieve unique character and atmosphere. Take the kitchen with Aga, feature brick and timber work and oak conservatory extension. Beyond the kitchen is a study, also with annex access, plus a cloakroom and utility room.”

Features on the first floor include a Juliet balcony off the master room with staircase to the garden. Also a fabulous bathroom with free standing bath and walk in shower.

Add to this Clun’s vibrant community and facilities, including primary school, independent shops, butchers, public house and doctors and it offers a wonderful lifestyle. Also featuring three phase electric, Balfours are marketing Ship House with a guide price of £550,000, call 01584 707100.

Yew Tree Cottage is an exemplary achievement in contemporary design all from humble foundations.

The generous hallway opens into the kitchen, dining and snug areas. The lounge, study and utility rooms found off the main hall, while from the study double doors open to the games room, which could, alternatively be a second fabulous homeworking space with French doors out.

From the hall views directly to the lake lead to the kitchen and dining areas, an apex beamed ceiling frames full bifold doors left and centre which seamlessly open to terrace with continuous flooring and overhanging roof. The lounge enjoys a woodburning stove, with French doors to either side capturing the garden and lake beyond.

First floor accommodation is equally enticing. Two of the three bedrooms have their own balconies and the master-room, in addition to its bespoke ensuite, has a large dressing room which could be a fourth bedroom if so wished. The annex has a kitchen on the ground floor adjacent to the double garage and workshop, above which is the lounge with a stunning balcony, bathroom and bedroom.

Extending over two and a half acres, Yew Tree Cottage incorporates large gardens, mainly to lawn, with landscaped seating areas featuring an old railway carriage converted as an entertaining area, together with a bespoke cabin with electrics, bar, seating and cloakroom. The remainder of land is a field to the side of the property.

Situated two miles from Much Wenlock at Stretton Westwood, Charlie Giffard, Balfours Associate Partner, Country House Sales, says: “The masterstroke of this three/four-bedroom home with annex, is enchanting views overlooking a privately owned lake. This is a cottage jettisoned into the 21^st century through natural light and semi open plan living.”

Much Wenlock enjoys an artisan range of independent shops, including renowned butcher, plus primary and secondary schools. With Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury ten and 15 miles respectively, the area also offers an excellent choice of public schools. Birmingham with international airport is 43 miles. Yew Tree Cottage is on the market as a whole with Balfours guide price of £1,250,000. Call Balfours on 01743 353511.

Major changes are to be implemented for landlords and tenants in Wales this summer, writes Jackie Monro, head of lettings at Balfours.

July 15, 2022 sees the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 change the way properties in Wales are rented. According to the Welsh Government the system is simpler, with two types of contract “standard” for the private rented sector and “secure” for the social rented sector.

No longer will there be tenancies for tenants, from July they will be contracts for contract holders. With the new title goes new rights including an increase in the no fault notice period from two to six months; greater protection from eviction; improved succession right and more flexible arrangements for joint contract holders.

The count down, on getting up to speed, is preciously short. We, as professionals, have set-aside considerable time to be trained and understand the new regulations. Ensuring homes are “fit for human habitation” FFHH seems basic, but drill down and this will include testing electrical safety, wired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

If you would like more information or for us to handle the changes for you, do contact myself or one of the lettings team on 01743 277069.

Major changes are to be implemented for landlords and tenants in Wales this summer, writes Jackie Monro, head of lettings at Balfours.

July 15, 2022 sees the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 change the way properties in Wales are rented. According to the Welsh Government the system is simpler, with two types of contract “standard” for the private rented sector and “secure” for the social rented sector.

No longer will there be tenancies for tenants, from July they will be contracts for contract holders. With the new title goes new rights including an increase in the no fault notice period from two to six months; greater protection from eviction; improved succession right and more flexible arrangements for joint contract holders.

The count down, on getting up to speed, is preciously short. We, as professionals, have set-aside considerable time to be trained and understand the new regulations. Ensuring homes are “fit for human habitation” FFHH seems basic, but drill down and this will include testing electrical safety, wired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

If you would like more information or for us to handle the changes for you, do contact myself or one of the lettings team on 01743 277069.

The dramatic drop in house sales, comparing this March to a year earlier, is not a true indicator of the market, according to a Shropshire land agent.

Head of sales at Balfours says that the stamp duty holiday, which was originally due to end in March 2021, sent market transactions skyward. He explains: “HM Revenue and Custom figures say 114,650 property transactions took place this March, 2022, which was a slip of nearly 36% on 12 months previous. However we must not read too much into this. Actually, house sales remain strong if you take the past five years into account; particularly since demand continues to significantly exceed supply.”

Alistair flags pre pandemic March 2019 when 98,500 houses were sold, and even the same month in 2020 the figure was nearly 20,000 transactions less than in March 2022, which is still one of the strongest sales months in recent years.

“The biggest issue, currently, is the lack of stock – it remains the case that those who are coming to market as vendors are enjoying a very active and buoyant trade. Yes, the talk is all about the hike in the cost of living, but for some that means taking action to realign their finances, investment and outgoings. Certainly at present it remains a sellers’ market and while it might calm, the industry thinking is that buyers waiting for a significant dip/bargain, might be disappointed,” Alistair adds.

Picture Alistair Hilton, head of sales at Balfours

Issued by and more information from Joy Fox Pr 07841 763 530