An idyllic parkland setting is the location of a three-bedroom grade II listed Coach House, on the market with a guide price of £295,000.

The Stables, Number three Coach House, is found at Norton Manor Park, three miles from Presteigne, Ludlow and Hereford are 17 and 26 miles respectively. Found in an idyllic setting this picture-perfect stone property with slate roof enjoys its own garden and is beautifully presented, externally and internally.

The Stables comprises of good-sized hall from which the kitchen/breakfast room, lounge and dining room are accessed. The kitchen is equipped with worktop space and units, plus ample room for a dining table.

The lounge and second reception room, currently used as a dining room, but equally useful as a study/home office, are both found on the opposite side of the hallway with both rooms enjoying dual aspect glazing. The lounge benefits from a door leading to the terrace and garden. On the first floor are three double bedrooms, one being en-suite plus a family bathroom.

Balfours partner and Ludlow sales manager, Scott Kemsley comments: “The Stables is currently a holiday let and is presented to a fresh and high standard. It enjoys its own garden and allocated parking. There is no upward chain.”

For more information call Balfours on 01584 707100.

As we approach the nationally renowned Shrewsbury Flower Show, property agents, Balfours, has launched its annual Garden Competition.

Abigail Barker, Balfours residential sales manager enthuses: “Whether you potter on a balcony, in a tiny courtyard, or on rolling acres, we welcome entries from gardens of all shapes and sizes. As agents we see how important a loved and tended garden is.

“Of course, gardens are totally subjective, not only do they reflect the property they are attached to, but also the personality of whoever lives there. She adds that post covid gardens – that extra room has become increasingly important to the pull factor of a house.”

To enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning six bottles of wine, all you need to do is upload a photo of your garden to Instagram, follow @balfours_propertyprofessionals and share your pictures. Use #balfoursinbloom to enter. Entries are also welcome to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Entries to be received by Thursday, August 31, 2023. The winning entrant is to take part in a photo shoot featuring you and your garden.

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

A new pull factor is boosting Britain’s holiday let market, writes Paula Wells, Letting team manager.

We have already seen an uplift in staycations following Brexit and the pandemic. Now soaring temperatures and wildfires in Europe are encouraging people to consider the attraction and reliability of holiday plans.

People have rediscovered the glories of Britain: Not just the seaside, but the countryside, outdoor activities and most especially walking and cycling. In short, today’s native tourist is a changed person from 25 years ago, and even pre pandemic.

We are extremely lucky in Shropshire that we have a wealth of wonderful market towns including Ludlow, Church Stretton and of course the county town of Shrewsbury. Add to this the South Shropshire Hills, the Welsh Marches and you have a dynamic mix for a great holiday, plus of course the World Heritage site at Iron Bridge

Significantly the county isn’t as well known as the Cotswolds or the Lake District which means less people, less footfall and more intimacy and tranquillity. Yet the county boasts fabulous independent shops, restaurants and cafes - the infra-structure needed to enjoy a British holiday in the round.

As a result holiday homes in Shropshire are becoming increasingly popular, before Europe’s heatwave and wild fires. However, investors must now prove that the property is rented out for at least 70 days and is available to rent for 140 days to do so. If the properties are not in use for at least 70 days a year, councils have the power to double their council tax bills.

Add to this the hike in mortgage rates and the holiday let market currently requires careful negotiation. Nonetheless with climate change on so many levels there is no doubt Shropshire, and the Welsh Marches are becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination.

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It is good to hear the support of Housing Secretary Michael Gove, who wants to see the Government’s minimum EPC deadline extended, writes Alistair Hilton, head of sales at Balfours.

Currently Government edict is that landlords will have to ensure their rented properties achieve a minimum EPC rating of C within five years, by 2028, or face large fines.

The housing minister said in a recent interview with the Daily Telegraph: “I think we should relax the pace.” And he warns that there could be a backlash if the Government doesn’t take a step back on its drive to introduce energy efficient measures in housing.

Of course, everyone wants to move towards greater energy efficiency, but at Balfours we know that the recent deadline imposed is asking too much too quickly. From our experience the Minister is right, the private rented sector is already under great pressure and the capital outlay involved would be the tipping point to selling up. This would be seriously detrimental to the rental market.

Relax the pace of introducing the legislation, while introducing a proper plan with a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rented sector.

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The residential sales market has steadied down there is no denying, says Alistair Hilton, head of sales at Balfours.

We all know the reasons: mortgage rate rises, and the cost of living crisis ultimately linked in part to the war in Ukraine. However, we are fortunate that life goes on. That means for infinite reasons people still want or need to buy and sell residential properties.

As an estate agent the best advice we can give is to keep your life on track. If you want or need to sell research estate agents, listen to their advice, select what is right for you and progress. On the other side of the fence, we still have a healthy book of prospective buyers seeking the right home, and it might just be the one you want to sell.

Experience says that putting a guide price at a realistic level will attract buyers to view. Once we have viewings through the door, if it is the house for them then the tempo hots up. If you have ever watched Phil and Kirsty you will know that a keen purchaser, who might have viewed 20 or more properties previously is unlikely to let the property that ticks so many boxes go.

Keeping your life on track does have a value and in five- or ten-years’ time, in the big scheme of things it is likely you will look back and be happy that you made the move. If you would like a free market appraisal, call us on Shrewsbury 01743 353511, or Ludlow on 01588 707100.

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We take many phone calls from prospective tenants who would like, are even desperate, to rent accommodation and have a pet, writes Paula Wells, letting team manager.

Landlords can, and do, reserve the right to prevent pets from a property. It is usually because they are concerned about the associated risks: From lingering smells, pest infestations, complaints from neighbours and dirty conditions. Of course, not all properties are suitable for certain pets and all parties should recognise that.

The good news for both landlords and tenants is the rules for renting with a pet in England mean that landlords can charge extra rent for having a pet. However, landlords cannot request a higher tenancy deposit for renting with a pet because deposits are capped in England since the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act in 2019.  

Neither can landlords insist on a professional clean or de-flea treatment. However, they should be reassured that it is a tenant’s obligation to return the property in the same condition as it was at the start of the tenancy.

It is worth noting that not all owners, or pets are a liability, and we have had many happy and successful Tenancies with pets.

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