One of Shropshire’s leading estate agents is throwing its weight behind calls to better regulate estate agents.

Head of sales at Balfours, Alistair Hilton, says that estate agents can currently operate without any qualifications or regulation: “The issue has recently been given a national profile through BBC radio 4s Money Box Live, where several  vendors relayed horror stories of being trapped by rogue agents, resulting in losing both time and significant property value.

Cleaning Up the Industry

In 2018, Lord Best was asked by the government to come up with proposals to help clean-up the industry, covering estate agents across the UK and lettings and management agents in England and Wales. His report made a series of recommendations. These included creating a new independent regulator, and making sure that all property agents (estate, lettings and management agents) are licensed, have passed qualifications and are signed up to a code of practice.

Alistair explains: “At Balfours training and qualifications are taken as read, yet at the moment anybody can set up shop and operate as an agent, which is very worrying when for most of us our home is our most valuable capital asset.

“We pride ourselves on providing a professional service, tailored to individual needs and circumstances, overlaid with a comprehensive knowledge of the market. We would urge prospective vendors to check that the agent is qualified and registered with a recognised body such as ‘NAEA Propertymark.’ Then to invite at least two agents to provide market appraisals, remembering if it is too good to be true, it usually is.

“They say moving house is one of the most stressful times, better industry regulations will be a step towards a better experience when selling a home.”

Oak Barn, Stanwardine Park Farm, near Baschurch is true to its name boasting high quality oak finishes throughout. It comes with two paddocks and walled gardens and a guide price of £595,000.

Two Paddocks and Four En-suites

Focal to the living space is a generous former Jinney Ring – a horse powered mill, with floor to ceiling glazed elevations taking the octagonal form spanning more than eight metres. An attraction for many families will be the en-suites attached to each of its four bedrooms – including roll top bath in the master en-suite.

The entrance hall opens to a large kitchen breakfast room, with bespoke oak Roca Heritage fixtures. Double doors lead to the Jinney sitting room where French doors open to the terrace and garden. A Charnwood raised log burner offers the option to hunker down.

Recently installed oak floor to ceiling shelves are to be found in the library, with an abundance of natural light from two aspects. A dining room/games room and utility complete the ground floor.

Balfours, head of sales Alistair Hilton says: “This well-presented conversion has some wonderful character windows. It is located at the end of a long gated private drive. The property sits in 3.2 acres with outlooks to countryside.  Oak Barn is 11 miles from both Shrewsbury and Oswestry, with good access to cities in the Midlands and the North. Call Balfours Estate Agents Shrewsbury on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

One of those unique country gems dating back to the 17th century is on the market with Balfours Estate Agents Ludlow.

Wonderful Original Features in House For Sale, Shropshire

Arriving at Chatwall Home Farm, you are greeted by double fronted gables in mellow stone – a property worthy of its grade II listing. Before entering it is impossible not to appreciate the half acre of manicured gardens, within the 1.43 acres of steading, where two self-contained barn conversions are also to be found.

 All this is set within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, at Chatwall, near the picture box village of Cardington and five miles from Church Stretton, Shrewsbury is 11 miles, access to the M54 and the Midlands is a similar distance.

Internally Chatwall Home Farm has been sympathetically restored retaining may wonderful original features, from inglenook fire places to panelling. There are four reception rooms a large kitchen with central island and Aga. An impressive oak staircase leads to the first floor offering four bedrooms and two bathrooms, there are a further three bedrooms on the second floor.

Balfours Ludlow sales manager, Scott Kemsley, says: “In addition to the main house, Chatwall Home Farm comes with two self-contained barn conversions; both are immaculately presented with two double bedrooms, ideal for extended family, guest accommodation or considering its locality self-catering units.”

Chatwall Home Farm has a guide price of £995,000, call Balfours on 01584 707100.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

A fascinating opportunity to develop a fine Georgian town centre property, offering several living design options, is for sale with Balfours Estate Agents.

Wealth of Character 

Merchant House, 68 Mardol is situated in a prime location in the historic town of Shrewsbury. Accommodation is via a staircase to the first and second floor. There are drawings to provide either a three bedroom home with roof terrace, or two separate dwellings each with two bedrooms, or a hybrid of the two. 

On the market with a guide price of £265,000, the grade II listed property has a wealth of character including panelling and oak timbers, having once been owned by an importer of fine Italian fabrics. Now it provides the opportunity for an entrepreneur to enhance with 21st century luxury fixtures and ambience.

Head of sales at Balfours, Alistair Hilton, explains: “This is a captivating opportunity internally and externally with shops, theatre, river walks, train and bus station, plus the Quarry Park all within easy walking distance. Furthermore the planning permission has no time constraints.” Call Balfours Estate Agents Shrewsbury on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

A four bedroom home with huge potential, in the sought after Rowley Park, within walking distance of the Stafford Train Station is on the market.

Opportunity for Bespoke Family House For Sale in Stafford

Number 44 St John’s Road, Stafford, boasts one of the largest plots within Rowley Park and comes with the potential for some updating. It is on the market with Balfours Estate Agents Shrewsbury, with a guide price of £585,000.

Agent, Charlie Giffard of Balfours says: “The size and scope of the property makes it a very attractive proposition. Replacement windows were installed some four years ago, but there is opportunity for additional improvements to create a bespoke family home in a much sought after location.”

Currently the ground floor comprises of entrance hall, three reception rooms, a study, kitchen pantry, utility, rear hall, cloakroom, shower room and an office /family room. Charlie adds: “The reception rooms have wonderful generous glazing: The drawing and sitting rooms with large bay windows, while the dining room has bi-fold doors leading to the garden.”

There are four bedrooms, three with wash basins and fitted wardrobes, plus a family bathroom and an additional wc. A loft room on the second floor offers additional space and great potential, subject to necessary planning consent.

Number 44 benefits from an exceptionally large garden, the plot incorporates garage, parking and greenhouse. Call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.

This grade II listed townhouse is of generous proportions, with an annexed former consulting suite with planning permission to convert to residential accommodation.

A Wonderful Package with Tremendous Potential

Walford House, Prees, dates back to the 18th century, with all of its rooms being of well-balanced lavish proportions. The entrance hall offers access to a large living room with feature fireplace and French doors to the extensive terrace and garden. Across the hallway is the breakfast room which directly joins the kitchen. The dining room sits opposite the kitchen and benefits from French doors also to the terrace and garden. While a boot room, with wet room and wc complete the ground floor, cellars below ground provide additional storage space.

There are four bedrooms on the first floor, together with a study, a family bathroom and a separate wc. The second floor provides an additional two generous bedrooms and two very good storage spaces, together with a large shower room.

Attached to the main house is the former surgery providing an additional 1,500 square feet, enough to provide a two bedroom annexe, with its own front door. In addition a large two storey outbuilding offers general storage facility. Parking for three cars is to be found, together with the west facing garden surrounded by mature borders.

Agent, Charlie Giffard comments: “This is a wonderful package, with many facets and therefore with tremendous potential to be maximised in so many ways. While in the heart of a peaceful residential community, there is a thriving primary school and many other assets associated with a small town, including a train station running between Manchester and Cardiff. The town is five miles each from Whitchurch and Wem.

Walford House is marketed with a guide price of £450,000, call Balfours Estate Agents Shrewsbury on 01743 353511.

For further details please visit our Property Sales Page.