The new department is based in London, and will be the central hub for Winkworth’s UK and international clients wishing to purchase or sell their home in the country.  Clients selling through the Country House department will benefit from the recognition of a market leading estate agency brand and access to an extensive database of buyers registered across the Winkworth network in London, UK and overseas.

Dominic Agace, CEO of M Winkworth Plc, says:

“Winkworth has developed a strong network of country offices, further enhanced by openings in Bath and Northampton earlier this year, and we feel that this is the right time to establish a central hub in London offering a personalised service for those people moving out of London through our 58 London offices and the overall London market.  This will aid the link up between our offices, and help to add to our proposition in the country house market for sellers”.

David King MRICS, who heads up the new Country House department, adds:

“We understand that when it comes to country homes, every case is different and the service we are offering is tailored to suit.  The local Winkworth office will work closely with the Country House team in London to develop a bespoke marketing campaign for the property.”

The Country House department is located at 5-17 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 0LG.

Examples of country houses for sale thorugh Winkworth Country House Department:

Mudeford House, Christchurch, Dorset

£6,500,000

A magnificent Georgian Grade II listed property situated in a simply stunning and unique location, with spectacular far-reaching vies of the harbour. The property is one of the very finest waterside homes in the area, featuring elegant and comfortable rooms with the ultimate in luxurious fixtures and fittings.

Semple House, East Wellow, Romsey

£4,750,000

An imposing and beautifully designed country residence of over 11,000 sq ft (1000sq m), extensively remodelled and displaying meticulous attention to detail in all areas. In a private but accessible setting, this is one of the most impressive houses to come to the local market in recent years.

Winkwoth Bath team at the Bath Boules tournament

Winkworth Bath supports Bath community by taking part in the Bath Boules tournament and sponsoring The Royal Crescent Shakespearean Theatre production. Both events were a fantastic success and raised a great deal of money for local charities.

The Bath Boules tournament was held on 20 June 2010.  The event has been running for 20 years and over the years it has grown increasingly popular with 128 teams participating and over 1,000 spectators during the course of the weekend. This was the first year Winkworth Bath participated in the vent, as the office opened earlier this year. The Bath Boules Charitable trust supports local charities of which a board of trustees decide which of these charities are the most in need for that year, last year for example £10,000 was donated to Julian House, and in previous years donations have been made to Dorothy House, Wellow riding school for the disabled to name but a few. This year the charity has yet to be chosen.

The recently restored Royal Crescent Lawn was the venue for The Royal Crescent Shakespearean Theatre production’s Much Ado About Nothing held on 11 and 12 June 2010.  The lawn was transformed into a spectacular outdoor theatre, complete with an ornate Sicilian garden, and around 1,000 people were enjoyed Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in this unique setting – and helped raise funds for two very worthy causes, CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA and the Child Bereavement Charity.

The Winkworth polo team won the annual Henderson Cup in the blazing sunshine last week in North Lincolnshire, kindly hosted by John Nuttall.

The Winkworth team of Alex Vent, Tom Collie, Alex Boucher and Henry Browne wrestled the trophy from a highly competitive Barracuda side captained by ace marksman Tim Rose.  The team will be looking forward to defending the cup next year as it was a highly enjoyable tournament and all the teams had a fantastic day out.

Winkworth St John’s Wood has just sold this beautifully presented penthouse apartment in Boydell Court, St John’s Wood, on the market for £3,750,000.

The triplex apartment (on the 9^th, 10^th 11^th floors) offered fabulous entertaining space, spectacular panoramic views from a decked roof terrace and was newly built to the highest quality throughout, featuring state-of-the-art fixtures and fittings.

If you would also like to live the ‘high’ life, take a look at this stunning, newly constructed penthouse in Wellington Court on the market with Winkworth St John’s Wood. The three bedroom apartment, superbly located for the amenities of St John’s Wood, has been designed and built to an extremely high specification by award winning Dekra and benefits from an allocated parking space and direct lift access.

For further information on the penthouse in Wellington Court, or to arrange a viewing, contact Winkworth St John’s Wood Sales office on 020 7586 7001

Winkworth Central London has published its Summer 2010 Market Insight, analysing trends and the outlook for The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea residential sales and lettings market.  The data for the report has been gathered by the South Kensington, Knightsbridge & Chelsea, Kensington and Notting Hill franchises and should therefore be considered as indicative rather than factual.

Follow this link for a full copy of the report: Winkworth Kensington & Chelsea Market Insight (Summer 2010)

Summary

• Despite the challenging environment, Winkworth central London offices are still achieving unprecedented prices. At the end of the first quarter of this year, annual growth for the London property market overall stood at 15.7%

• Lower overall levels of activity, a point supported by Land Registry transactions in the six months to the end of February 2010 being down 9.5% on the same period in 2007/8.

• The £1m to £5m market has shown some resilience with the number of transactions increasing by 4.6%. In Knightsbridge and Notting Hill the volumes of sales rose by 17.5% and 11.4% respectively.

• Foreign buyers remain an important part of demand in this area, they are largely cash buyers incentivised by the weakness in sterling. Europeans account for majority of foreign buyers (70% in the first months of the year).

• Investors have been a dominant type of buyer in the area, accounting for 40% of applicants. As returns at banks continue to disappoint and stock markets are volatile, property remains the investment of choice for many with prime central London favoured.

Average rental values have fallen considerably from the peak in 2007, and although prices are recovering it has been at a much slower rate than sales.

If you are looking for a property in the heart of the action, contact our Wimbledon office on 020 8946 2930.  The Wimbledon office offers a full range of residential property, for sale and to let, from small flats to large detached houses, such as this 5 bedroom semi-detached home on Mansel Road.

Mansel Road, Wimbledon, SW19, priced at £2,250,000

An elegant Victorian, five bedroom semi detached family home, arranged over four floors and situated in an extremely convenient location off Wimbledon Hill. The accommodation comprises entrance hall, three reception rooms, fitted kitchen/dining room, utility room, four bathroom/shower rooms, a large and secluded rear garden as well as off street parking to the front for two cars.

If you would like your own private game of tennis, have a look at one of these homes with tennis courts.

2 bedroom flat in Queen’s Club Gardens, West Kensington W14, priced at £400,000

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Winkworth’s Hammersmith Sales office on 020 7371 4466

Claywood House, Sway, New Forest, priced at £1,850,000

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Winkworth’s Highcliffe Sales office on 01425 270 055

At today’s emergency budget, George Osborne, announced that from midnight tonight, higher-rate taxpayers will pay 28% on their capital gains while the rate for low and middle income savers will remain at 18%.

Dominic Agace, CEO of M Winkworth PLC says:

‘The immediate enforcement of the increased CGT rate at midnight tonight is a welcome move as this heads off any rush to sell properties by those trying to beat future deadlines.  Flooding the sales market with an oversupply of property would put a downward pressure on prices, hindering the recovery of an already vulnerable housing market.

It’s worth remembering that just over two years ago, CGT was set at ‘up to 40%’ until Labour introduced a rate of 18%. So, this middle ground is unlikely to have a dramatic adverse effect on the market, as the returns on property are historically much greater than those achieved through alternative asset classes and it will remain an appealing investment’.

M Winkworth plc (“Winkworth”), the leading franchisor of real estate agencies, today publishes its quarterly review analysing trends and the outlook for the UK residential property sales and lettings markets. The data for the report is gathered from a monthly survey of franchisees and should therefore be considered as indicative rather than factual.

Follow this link for a full copy of the report: Winkworth Market Analysis (Summer 2010)

Summary

Housing market rebounds – Winkworth’s transactions for the first five months of 2010 are 91% higher than the comparable period last year

Supply remains tight, but is improving. New instructions doubled year-on-year in February and March – though the growth in sales agreed meant that overall stock levels were only 3.5% higher in May (1% in London)

Buyer numbers are up 23% on last year, reflecting renewed confidence in bricks and mortar

House prices rise as buyers compete: up from £497,000 to £537,000 in London, and from just under £409,000 to £441,000 nationally (Jan-May 2010)

In rentals, supply has dwindled, with available stocks down over 40% in April and May year-on-year. Many accidental landlords have disposed of properties as the sales market improved. With tenant demand strong and available properties letting quickly, new supply is needed to avoid shortages during the peak summer season

Prime Central London:

In prime central London, the market is positive, with sales agreed up 17% and properties selling in around seven weeks. Purchasers regard prime real estate as an attractive and safe long-term investment compared with other asset classes, despite some worries over capital gains tax changes

Overseas purchasers view prime central London market positively as investment and for residence. Strong interest from Italians, representing 32% of foreign buyers, with the French (11%) and Spaniards (4%).  It is also a favoured location for buyers from the UAE (17%), USA and Russia (both 10%).

In May average prices for prime central London were £954,000, up from £896,000 in January, as supply shortages and competition among buyers pushed up property values.

Dominic Agace, CEO of M Winkworth Plc, comments:

‘Following a strong start to the year, recent activity in the property market has been marked by uncertainty following the creation of coalition government.  In terms of transactions, however, we expect the second half of the year to reflect a more normal level of business, moving towards an annual level of some 750,000. This compares with a long term average of over one million transactions and only 600,000 last year.

Having seen prices recover over the last 18 months we anticipate that a greater availability of properties and less mortgage availability will cause some prices to fall back from April levels.’

Briston Grove, an exceptional new development featuring four spacious, contemporary houses, is now offered for sale through Winkworth Crouch End.  The homes priced from £1,395,000, are designed for 21st century family living, combining cool, calm modernity with spectacular inspiring light-filled spaces and the latest in home automation technology.

The development, built by Pegasus Property, is situated on peaceful Briston Grove at the top of the hill, just five minutes walk from the bustle of family friendly Crouch End with its village atmosphere, shops, bars and restaurants.  Briston Grove is also  within easy reach of local overground stations, and within the catchment area of excellent local schools.

Each home offers excellent well planned family accommodation, featuring galleried reception areas with double height ceilings to the kitchen/breakfast areas.  The houses are fitted to the highest of standards – including sceneset lighting that can be controlled from your mobile phone – luxury Alno kitchens, sumptuous bathrooms and a plethora of state of the art conveniences. Integral garages and gardens complete this unique development, delivering exceptional standards of privacy and security behind a contemporary façade.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Winkworth’s Crouch End Sales office on 020 8342 9999.

Winkworth are the selling agents of a newly completed eco-friendly, development in Brighton – Ocean Heights – which will save 15.5 tonnes of carbon emissions each year thanks to an innovative form of green energy heating.

The brand new development, consisting of 7 exclusive and unique apartments is strategically placed on Roedean Road, just 10 minutes from Brighton city centre.  The apartments benefit from 360° panoramic views which include the Sussex Downs, city of Brighton, the Marina and English Coastline.

The build itself is of the highest standard with the newest technologies sourced worldwide, merging city living with green living seamlessly. Encompassing Canadian energy efficient build techniques, German designed ground heat source pumps – the largest in the UK to date, Japanese live roof gardens, Italian designed & French built kitchens this property is truly very unique, delivering some of the most sustainable yet modern living of its kind.

Steve Rivers, Franchisee of Winkworth Brighton & Hove, says:

‘Ocean Heights is a fantastic, high-specification development which pays particular attention to energy saving.  In recent years I have noticed a change in demand from buyers who are now concerned about the energy efficiency of their homes.  Ocean Heights is a therefore a welcome development in this area, and a model that I hope future developments with follow.’

The apartments are being marketed from £375,000 for a 1 bedroom, £450,000 for a 2 bedroom, £825,000 for a 3 bedroom apartment and the penthouse at £1,500,000. For further information, please contact Winkworth’s Brighton & Hove Sales office on 01273 320 300.