Clare Amey, who left Shropshire more than 25 years ago to successfully complete a degree in Estate Surveying and Housing Diploma has returned to her Shropshire roots, joining Balfours as Property Manager and an Associate Partner.

During her time away, she has gained significant experience and specialist qualifications, honing her skills in residential property management, both in the private and public sectors. Today, Clare is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and an Associate Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, having also achieved ARLA Level 3 Technical Award in residential lettings and property management.

 Clare admits: “When the opportunity came up it was a perfect fit. I have managed rural estate properties in Wiltshire and Dorset. I believe that I can provide the service Balfours’ clients seek, providing experience, opening opportunities and ultimately adding value to their property portfolios.”

Managing partner, Rory Galliers, explains: “Clare will be working out of New Windsor House, where she can bring together the services of our land agents and the residential lettings team in Shrewsbury’s Square.”

With a sound knowledge of Shropshire and border counties, Clare enjoys hill walking and paddle boarding.

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

A three-bedroom, Ludlow town house with fabulous characteristics swathed in 21st century interpretation is on the market with Balfours.

Number Six, Raven Lane is tucked away in the heart of the town centre. Step inside this retreat the hallway provides access to the stairs to first and second floor.

The living room is a generous space with two windows to the front and which widens as you move to the dining and kitchen areas. A fabulous roof lantern showers light on the kitchen area making a wonderful feature. Additional light is gained through sliding doors into the garden, a place which provides a perfect and private alfresco entertaining space.

From the first-floor landing is a double bedroom with storage cupboards and adjacent shower room. Ascend another level to find two more bedrooms, one with additional storage space, together with a bathroom which has a fabulous, vaulted ceiling and exposed timbers.

Balfours Ludlow sale manager, Scott Kemsley comments: “Number Six is a town house which is beautifully presented, retaining so much character, yet very fresh and contemporary. Add to this its proximity to the eclectic mix of independent shops and restaurants and vibrant community which is Ludlow and this home can provide an exciting but effortless lifestyle. Even river walks and countryside are within walking distance.”

There is an excellent choice of schools and further education, good links by both road and rail to the Midlands, North and Cardiff. For relaxation, National Hunt racing, golf course and many other sporting opportunities are nearby too. Number Six is marketed with a guide price of £460,000, for more information call 01584 707100.

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As we “splosh” into Autumn now is the time to check properties for damp and mould, before the real winter sets in. Damp and mould are not only a liability which tenants do not thank you for, but a serious problem to the very fabric of a property, particularly if left untreated. Here Balfours Lettings Negotiator, Shona Robertson, reminds us of the various forms of damp and what can be done by both parties:

Condensation damp is indoor moisture on colder surfaces, common on windows in corners and behind furniture. Penetrating damp is where water enters from the outside of the building due to structural defects. Rising damp typically found in older buildings comes out of the ground due to faulty or even no damp proofing. Traumatic damp is caused by leaks or external factors like flooding. Ultimately any damp can result in mould due to excess moisture, humidity and lack of ventilation and is more common in winter.

For the landlord an annual check list should include all gutters, walls for wet patches – particularly just above skirting which can cause plaster to blow; seals around baths, showers and basins, toilet overflows, roof inspection for missing tiles, especially ridge tiles, leaks on internal pipework – radiators, inflow and waste pipes and boiler pressure. Fix leaks and damp issues as soon as they are known, to prevent further damage and tackle mould issues as soon as possible.

For the tenant, a reminder not to dry clothes on radiators; to run the heating to keep the property aired as a bare minimum; close the bathroom door when having a shower or bath and open a few windows for just five minutes most days. If it is an old house or one susceptible to damp put a ban on the use of wallpaper which can harbour damp. Such advice is best given verbally at the time of an inspection, but always followed up by an email with appropriate photographs.

There are many products on the market to deal with mould, but the most effective is to manage the property with regular inspections and contact with the tenant, so that damp or mould never become big issues.

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A charming Edwardian three-bedroom country home, set in half an acre and with great potential is on the market with Balfours.

Mayfield House, is situated less than a mile from Tenbury Wells in the village of Oldwood, the county towns of Hereford and Worcestershire are both less than 20 miles, while Leominster and Ludlow are eight and 11 miles respectively.

The traditional layout comprises of reception hall with staircase, plus reception rooms to either side. To the rear is an “L” shaped kitchen and side porch, plus utility/cloakroom and a conservatory.  On the first floor are three bedrooms, two with fireplaces, reflecting the reception rooms below.

Balfours Ludlow sales manager, Scott Kemsley comments: “Mayfield House is situated in a popular village and has wonderful country views. Today, whilst perfectly habitable, it would benefit from modernisation. With half an acre of garden it really does have huge potential, subject to the appropriate planning permission.”

He adds: “The grounds comprise private gardens, orchard, off road parking a garage and an outbuilding which could be converted to a self-contained homework annex, again subject to planning. We are marketing with a guide price of £450,000. Call Balfours on 01584 707100 for more information.

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The Prime Minister’s decision to scrap EPC targets for rented homes has been both celebrated and castigated, writes Balfours Lettings Team Manager, Paula Wells MARLA. The rental market has now had time to rationally consider Rishi Sunak’s announcement, that landlords will not be required to invest substantial sums by the original 2025 deadline.

Those who have in the last couple of years sold to avoid meeting the previous deadline may well be spitting feathers. Those who have invested to bring their rental properties up to the required “C” rating in time for the now erased deadline will quite possibly have mixed emotions.

However, our experience at Balfours is that tenants are without doubt favouring the more efficient home. Rather pay a little extra rent than unknown energy bills, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis. It’s a market driven ethos for financial and moral values.

So, for landlords who haven’t yet brought properties up to standard, the pressure is off. Landlords, and indeed homeowners, will have more time to make the transition to heat pumps, only having to make the switch when they’re changing their boiler – and then not until 2035.

Our advice at Balfours is that the optimum time to consider the options for your property is when it becomes vacant. This could be combined with, or instead of, other maintenance work and importantly we can provide advice on what grants are available.

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Balfours are celebrating with two staff, who have passed their level three, “Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents” (CELA).

Ahead of the anticipated ROPA legislation (Regulation of Property Agents) which will require all property agents to be appropriately qualified, Lara Perkins and Cathrine Barre, both with Shropshire roots, have added the Rightmove CELA to their names; entitling them to hold Member status of the National Association of Estate Agents (MNAEA).

Head of sales at Balfours, Alistair Hilton, says the qualification ensures that its holders are compliant, efficient and confident in their everyday agency work. “We are keen to ensure that the Balfours team understand and adhere to good practice, so this milestone not only ticks the box for us, but for ROPA too. 

Lara Perkins, based in The Square, Shrewsbury has worked at Balfours for a year and a half, she was previously part of British Airways crew, says: “We support the agents, often taking calls and meeting clients, so it is important to have a full understanding of the complex house transaction process. We want to give clients and buyers the answers and reassurance they need during one of the most important sale or purchases they are likely to make.”

Cathrine, whose career began in sales, before joining Balfours lettings team three and a half years ago, now is based at Balfours Ludlow sales office with sales manager, Scott Kemsley. Cathrine says: “For clients, the sales journey can be filled with emotion and a bit of a roller coaster. We are here to provide them with the reassurance they need as it is a process we are dealing with every day, but most of our clients only make property transactions a handful of times in their lifetime.”

Alistair Hilton adds the level three CELA is well deserved: “Their achievements reflect Lara and Cathrine’s commitment to best practice, from legislation to client relationships, marketing and networking. When agents are out on location, having staff in the office who are competent and confident in their work is essential. We are very proud of them both.”

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