home
At
rettie & co. magazine
autumn | winter collection 2018
Northumberland and the North East of England
SALES Newcastle |
01
/08
Fenham
7 Fenham Hall Drive
£265,000
Asking price
scroll down
This deceptively spacious end of terrace house located in the popular corner of Fenham has good access throughout the city and a generous south facing lawned garden and detached double garage. Internal accommodation is spread over three floors.
2
4
EPC=C
kitchen
Garden
reception
bedroom 1
bedroom 2
bathroom
garden
0191 338 9999
mary.walker@rettie.co.uk
website link
Jesmond
8 Kingsland
£630,000
Guide Price
This most impressive three storey period town house situated in the popular Brandling Village, close to Newcastle city centre. It retains many original features and has a paved front town garden and rear courtyard. This home offers versatile family accommodation that will have to be viewed to be appreciated.
6
3
EPC=D
dining
entryway
Entryway
rob.taylor@rettie.co.uk
02
Gosforth
17 Westfield
£1,250,000
Guide price
This most impressive detached period family home has been modernised by the present owners and occupies a generous central Gosforth location with large south facing gardens that back onto Town Moor. The property boasts five bedrooms, a reception hallway, a family dining kitchen, an integral double garage, and two large bathrooms.
5
EPC=E
emma.lane@rettie.co.uk
03
Heaton
20 Trewhitt Road
£320,000
This renovated, end of terrace, period family home is located in the highly sought after residential area of Heaton with generous accommodation over two floors and a lovely south facing rear courtyard.
1
04
25 Castleton Grove
£1,125,000
25 Castleton Grove is a most unique detached family home with versatile and generous accommodation spread over two floors located in the heart of central Jesmond on the edge of Jesmond Dene. This family home occupies a prominent setting within Castleton Grove, a beautiful and highly desirable residential street in the heart of Jesmond.This five-bedroom family residence was built by a builder as a personal residence and therefore enjoys an open plan feel, especially into the reception rooms. It also has a great deal of natural light thanks to the large picture windows and makes the most of its setting within its mature plot.
conservatory
05
Benton
38 The Drive
£385,000
This delightful four bedroomed extended semi-detached family home, built circa 1929, is located on The Drive, a very sought sought-after part of Benton. The location places the home close to a vast array of local amenities including shops, good schools, and with excellent transport links across the region from the nearby Four Lane Ends metro station.
06
South Gosforth
40 Windsor Terrace
£398,000
40 Windsor Terrace is a most impressive three storey mid terrace house which has undergone considerable refurbishment by the present owners. Retaining many original features including panel doors, fireplaces, corniced ceilings, and ornate plasterwork, this versatile family home enjoys generous room sizes and with high ceilings. The home has a welcoming entrance porch and vestibule with part tiled walls, a hallway with corniced ceiling, and a principal reception room with large bay window. The breakfasting kitchen is towards the rear of the property and has three windows looking out onto the courtyard, with access through a set of French doors.
office
patio
07
Tudor Lodge, 98 Osborne Road
£1,300,000
Tudor Lodge is a most impressive and unique detached period family home with generous and versatile accommodation and large rooms with high ceilings spread over three floors. This family home offers something different to the market right in heart of Jesmond, the bustling Newcastle suburb that is the lifestyle hub of the city. There is a choice of schools for all ages, as well as a number of private schools, in close proximity. The outside features include a pretty courtyard ideal for the morning sun and a good-sized landscaped rear garden with a wall surround that is laid partly to lawn. Additionally, there is a large water feature and pond and paved patio ideal for outside summer dining.
7
bedroom
08
Pear Trees
14 Castle Terrace, Berwick-upon-Tweed
featured property
Set back from the road and enclosed by elegant Victorian style iron railings, Pear Trees is a stately stone home that exudes a quiet grace. Nestled in the residential area a short distance from the Berwick rail station on the peninsula with Berwick Castle, Pear Trees commands attention from the first, while the dignified carriage and confidence of the home concurrently puts one at ease. The combination of a spectacular location and Victorian charm results in a unique residence that boasts all the conveniences of twenty-first century life.
The entire home was completely rewired for electricity, telephones, TV, and satellite. Modern wiring was not installed only in the main house. The coach house and stable block was rewired and the new, double-glazed summer house situated at the bottom of the rear garden is fully fitted with electricity, telephone, and a new standpipe. Careful attention was also paid to the exterior gates and entrance lighting. Bespoke outer railings, an electronic gate, and a communication system was devised by local metal specialist J H Wood. Victorian style lighting incorporating LED bulbs flood the walkway up to the home and the exterior grounds with ambient light and further enhances the view of the home from the street.
Pear Trees was built in the early 1850s at the opening of the railway line that connected Berwick to Edinburgh, Newcastle, and London. A detached residence on an elevated plot, it was used by wealthy merchants from those cities.
0141 341 6000
jamie.osbourne@rettie.co.uk
maitland.walker@rettie.co.uk
Pear Trees possesses a unique blend of spacious privacy and ideal juxtaposition between country and city living that will ensure that the next owners of this special property enjoy the characterful charm of both Pear Trees and Berwick.
Pear Trees was built in the early 1850s at the opening of the railway line that connected Berwick to Edinburgh, Newcastle, and London. A detached residence on an elevated plot, it was used by wealthy merchants from those cities. The coach house and stable block was built before the turn of the century. Some of the saddle holders and original equine features are still in place, though the stable block and coach house have been weatherproofed, repointed, and dry lined. The impressive gardens to the front and, most especially to the rear, harken to Pear Trees’ lineage. The high stone boundaries at the rear garden afford an enviable degree of privacy and peacefulness that hints at gentility.
When the current owners of Pear Trees purchased the property, they knew it was a rare opportunity to acquire such a spacious Victorian villa within close proximity to the train station. However, the interior needed extensive modernization and reconfiguration. The current owners methodically and thoughtfully renovated the property to adapt it for contemporary living, seamless space flow, and efficiency. Much of the interior was presented in a 1970s style with a distinct absence of original aspects and the owners felt this was a great disservice to the property. They reoriented the downstairs to provide an adjacent dining room and kitchen that leads to a utility room. The bedrooms had a boxy feel that lacked glamour and comfort. The sleeping quarters were rearranged to provide a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a spacious family bathroom, three additional bedrooms, and a comfortable study. Exacting standards and adherence to quality followed all elements of Pear Trees’s refurbishment. Restoring the home to its rightful splendour meant replastering the walls using a plaster designed to reduce cracking. Cornices and ceiling roses were restored and remodelled around those improvements. All the doors and skirting boards were replaced with solid wood that was customised as appropriate. The plumbing service for the entire home failed to heat the home properly and the 1970s electric fires were not able to adequately heat the rooms. Pear Trees’s owners stripped out all the plumbing and installed new pipe work concurrently to replacing all the bathrooms. A completely new central heating system was installed, with well-planned zones that can be individually controlled and managed, further allowing for targeted and effective heating. Most of the windows in the home were replaced with double-glazed, wooden designer windows by Allan Brothers, a Berwick-based specialist in sash windows.
Of all the rooms within Pear Trees, the current owners cite the library as their favourite space. They built this room out of local stone recovered from a demolished Tweedmouth landmark building so that this addition would be sympathetic with the main structure. The entire library is fitted out with oak shelving that is recessed between sash windows and the room has attractive vaulted ceilings. Nearly every visitor to Pear Trees comments on the tranquillity of the library.
When one does venture outside the comfortable boundaries of Pear Trees, all the conveniences of town life are just a stone’s throw away. It is a pleasant walk into town or a short drive to the numerous retail parks north and south of the river. Outdoor pursuits are close at hand including hillwalking and salmon fishing plus country sports such as hunting and shooting. Golf can be easily enjoyed at nearby Goswick and Magdalene Fields and swimming, gym, squash, and indoor bowling are all available at the Swan Centre. The entire coastline extending from Berwick in both directions is populated with fantastic historic sites and villages. Holy Island, Cheviot Hills, and the market towns of Kelso, Alnwick, Norham, and Duns are easily accessible.
Pear Trees is available now and is offered in pristine, move in condition.
Berwick
Ancroft Southmoor Farmhouse
£435,000
Offers over
Ancroft Southmoor Farmhouse is an impressive, versatile and modern three or four-bedroom family home set in a rural location in the heart of the Northumberland countryside. Having recently been fully refurbished to an exceptional standard, Ancroft Southmoor now offers very comfortable living accommodation over two principal levels comprising of two public rooms, up to four bedrooms, an open plan kitchen dining room, and particularly stunning garden grounds. The property offers two en-suite bedrooms, three family bedrooms, ample public space, a fully functional and practical commercial kitchen, and a large garden.
01289 305158
patrick.paton@rettie.co.uk
SALES Berwick |
/07
Lowick
Homesteads B&B, 44-46 Main Street
£325,000
Homesteads is a beautifully presented five-bedroom family home currently run as a successful bed and breakfast. The village of Lowick is situated in the heart of the North Northumberland countryside, close to the National Park and Northumberland’s particularly beautiful coastline. The property offers two letting bedrooms—both en-suite—and three family bedrooms, ample of public space, a fully functional and practical commercial kitchen, and a large garden.
garden 2
susan.halliday@rettie.co.uk
11 Springfield Park
£300,000
11 Springfield Park is an impressive single story 3/4 bedroom detached bungalow in good condition situated within the middle of Springfield Park, in the popular village of East Ord. The property is double glazed throughout and is heated by an oil-fired central heating system. The accommodation flows naturally from room to room starting with an entrance vestibule that forms part of the reception hallway. The majority of accommodation is situated off the reception hall starting with the family sitting room, an open and well-proportioned room, with an electric fire and a large picture window over-looking the front garden. The front garden is mainly laid to lawn with mature planted areas. The rear garden is on two different levels. The upper level offers a sunny patio and is again mainly laid to lawn whilst the lower lever offers a series of raised planters, a shed and a green house.
reception 1
RECEPTION 2
01289305158
Bowsden
The Bothy, Bowsden West Farm
£175,000
A charming stone built detached cottage positioned on the edge of pretty village of Bowsden with a lovely enclosed garden, parking and stunning rural views. The cottage offers two double bedrooms, a fantastic open-plan kitchen and living space and would make a comfortable home or superb holiday let with the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed less than ten miles away with excellent transport links.
amy.brown@rettie.co.uk
Holy Island
The Stables, Marygate
£515,000
The Stables Coffee Shop is situated in an excellent position next door to The Lindisfarne Heritage Centre on the beautiful Holy Island of Lindisfarne, renowned for its unique situation off the North East Coast. Holy Island is in a conservation area forming part of the Northumberland Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the North Northumberland Heritage Coast. The property is a detached stable conversion constructed in the mid to late 1800’s and converted to a coffee shop/flat in the 1980’s. In recent years it has been completely renovated to include a loft conversion with stunning sea views. The ground floor tea room provides cover for 28-30 patrons and there is seating for 30 covers in the beautiful walled garden.
garden path
garden seating
view
patrick.patton@rettie.co.uk
West Coates, 30 Castle Terrace
£825,000
West Coates is a most impressive stone built Victorian detached family home set within its own private and elevated grounds that extend to approximately 1.5 acres. This handsome and characterful house offers manageable family accommodation over four floors. The house benefits from modern open plan living, up to six large double bedrooms, a games room, and a swimming pool set within particularly stunning garden grounds. The property is within a short walk of Berwick’s main line train station which makes commuting to Edinburgh (45 mins), Newcastle (50 mins), or London (3.45 hours) convenient.
5-6
pool
hallway
Western House, 3 Main Street
£835,000
Western House is a beautiful detached Georgian family home situated in the heart of the Northumberland countryside at the edge of the popular village of Lowick. The property offers comfortable and elegant family accommodation in excellent condition over two floors and is situated in very private grounds of approximately one acre. The three bedroom cottage (known as The Coach-House) has been run as a successful self-catering holiday cottage since 2006 (with a 5 star rating from Visit Britain) and has been rented out for 44 - 46 weeks each year since then.
EPC=F
coach house
coach house 1
coach house 2
At Home with Sweeney Miller
Expanding law firm Sweeney Miller has positioned itself as one of the top solicitors when it comes to conveyancing work in the city of Newcastle and its surrounding areas. The company employs more than 70 people and recently announced the appointment of four new partners to process a growing workload across a whole range of legal services. Increasingly, the firm is being called upon to facilitate a full spectrum of property exchanges across Tyneside, as the property market remains buoyant in a part of the country which has seen massive improvement in recent decades.
Anyone who wants to check out that new website can find it at www.sweeneymiller.co.uk. Alternatively, you can ring for a free, no obligation chat on 0345 900 5401 or 0191 568 2050 or email: enquiries@sweeneymiller.co.uk.
Senior partner Surbhi Vedhara, who is based in the company’s Longbenton offices in Newcastle said: “This is a very exciting time for us as a company but also a very interesting period for property in the region.” She noted that “it has taken a generation, maybe two, but that image of the North East being all cloth caps and terraced houses is finally giving way to the new reality, that this is an exciting and vibrant part of the world to live, and nowhere more so than Newcastle itself.”
From the Millennium Bridge to the nearby Sage Gateshead music venue, from the Gateshead Angel to the Centre for Life, Tyneside has been in a race to develop iconic new buildings to sit alongside established architectural gems like the Theatre Royal and the Baltic Flour Mill, which is now a vibrant centre for contemporary art. The city is renowned for rolling out a warm welcome and for the quality of its nightlife amid a profusion of high-quality bars, restaurants, and hotels. The hospitality of the region is highlighted by the hosting of international events like The Great North Run. Tyneside is on the up and Sweeney Miller has been a significant part of that renaissance. Surbhi said: “We cover a wide range of law and our staff are experts dealing in wills and probate, civil litigation, personal injury, matrimonial and family matters. But property instructions provide the largest bulk of our work and the range of properties we are dealing with, both commercial and residential, is continually expanding. As a firm, we handle conveyancing work across the length and breadth of England but with it being on our doorstep, we are very much aware of the increasing property and business opportunities across the spectrum in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, and Durham. It is a part of the world where money obviously goes further in terms of the size and scale of property that can be bought in comparison to, say, the south of England."
All this is quite a journey for a company which started life in Newcastle’s great rival city, Sunderland, nine miles down the road, just twenty years ago. The company has a well-established name and reputation on Wearside, but with its expansion and success on Tyneside in recent years, it now has a regional rather than a local profile. These are all elements that the new website, new company logo, and new partners have all sought to underscore.
Founding partner Paul Miller said: “We’re proud of establishing ourselves in Sunderland and Newcastle but in many ways, this is just the start for us, with so many opportunities ahead in the property market in the North East. By making these appointments and changes we are gearing up for further expansion and being ambitious as a company. Our work is now carried out on a national scale, but the North East is our core market when it comes to conveyancing. We are looking to deliver the highest levels of work across Northumberland, Durham, Wearside, and Tyneside.” Surbhi expanded on this sentiment, noting: “We have worked so hard to build a good reputation. There is no substitute for experience in property law and Sweeney Miller has helped thousands of people make their dream move come true, be it home or business related. Our specialist conveyancing team is perfectly placed to support clients with their moves but as well as the highest standards of professionalism we have made our approachability a cornerstone of our business. We know that buying and selling a property is among the most stressful times in life. That was why when it came to design our new website for the next stage in the company’s journey, the slogan we used was: “Where people matter” - because that’s something we have based our success on."
Market insight
Newcastle and Northumberland market’s positive step forward
The Newcastle housing market has taken a positive step forward in 2018 with several key indicators showing year-on-year improvements in both prices and market activity. The average house price at the half way point of the year was approaching £160k, with the average detached house in the city nearing £300k. This means the average house price in 2018 is just -3.5% below peak values in 2007, and the average detached house price 4.1% above peak values in 2007. In real terms, adjusting for inflation, house prices remain around c.30% below the equivalent price seen in 2007. In combination with historically low interest rates, this renders the Newcastle market comparatively affordable to 10 years ago for those able to meet tighter lending criteria.
While the Newcastle team has witnessed increased demand and activity across all price brackets, the £300k to £500k market has seen the most significant year-on-year change. In terms of supply, the team have around twice the stock levels in this price bracket coming from Jesmond and Gosforth. This supply has found an active buyer demand with properties again achieving over valuation and selling far more quickly than the average time in the Newcastle market. In the wider Northumberland market, activity has slowed by around 18% this year compared to the same period in 2017. This retreat has been fairly consistent across most price brackets with the exception of a handful of more prime properties coming to the market this year. Cooling market conditions have also seen the average price in the region creep backwards compared to last year. However, our office in Berwick-upon-Tweed has reported that there is still unsated demand from buyers who are being frustrated by the lower stock levels across Northumberland. Indeed, this has meant that detached house prices in Northumberland have bucked the wider trend and increased 3% year-on-year. Within the Berwick-upon-Tweed itself demand has also supported prices increases outstripping rural trends in the region. Looking forward, and despite potential uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the 2018 Newcastle market has thus far remained robustly positive, with demand for quality properties in the popular neighbourhoods being well matched by buyer appetite and with registered buyers outstripping supply we expect this demand to see out the rest of the year.
Against this backdrop of rising values and sales activity, our Newcastle team have also seen an upturn in enquiries and properties coming to the market over 2018. Having started January off with a similar level of homes for sales as the previous year, we have since been able to bring around 50% more properties to the market in the first half of the year than the year before. This increased level of supply has been welcomed by buyers, with the duration properties are on the market reduced by up to half. This reduction in time has also been complimented by properties achieving above their valuation price.
While the Newcastle team has witnessed increased demand and activity across all price brackets, the £300k to £500k market has seen the most significant year-on-year change. In terms of supply, the team have around twice the stock levels in this price bracket coming from Jesmond and Gosforth.
The £1,500,000+ market is enjoying at bit of a resurgence, the Edinburgh residential team sold four £1 million-pound-plus properties in November 2017
Dr John Boyle, Director, Research & Strategy Andrew Meehan, Associate Director, Research & Strategy
This positive movement has seen average prices rise almost 2% in the past 12 months, with detached and semi-detached homes leading the market with annual growth of 2.8% and reversing the marginal year-on-year falls seen last autumn. Another positive for the Newcastle market has been the rise in owner occupiers and first-time buyers participating in the market compared to this time last year. Increases in both buyer profiles should help unlock chains and encourage transactions up the housing ladder. The average first time buyer is now spending almost £140k, compared to almost £180k for the average home mover. The supply of new homes in the market has remained at around 13-14% of all sales and is commanding a clear premium over the second-hand market. The average price of a new build home is £232k compared to second hand sales at £153k; this is a c.50% premium.
with Emma Lane
Q&A
Originally from Worcester, I moved to Newcastle following the completion of my degree at Liverpool. Since then I have been working as a Sales Negotiator selling property across the Northeast. Mary Walker, our branch manager, asked me to join the Rettie Newcastle team in June 2016, six months after opening. From then on, I have helped to grow the company to be one of the leading agents in NE2, NE3, and NE6.
It is the people behind Rettie that make the Rettie experience. Rob, Mary, and I are a close-knit team and because of that, we offer our clients a personal and professional service which is needed during selling or finding your home. We are always hands on and involved in every aspect, from start to finish of the conveyancing process.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do at Rettie & Co.?
The housing marketing in Newcastle offers a vast array of properties, from detached to semis, terraced to apartments, and period to contemporary. The beauty about Newcastle is you can go from city to coast and coast to country within minutes, not to mention the excellent transport links connecting it across the UK and abroad. Newcastle offers fantastic value for money and a lifestyle to match.
Why do people buy in Newcastle?
The city attracts people from all over the UK and abroad. Websites such as Rightmove allow people to browse at their convenience from anywhere in the world, and our central Jesmond office allows buyers to chat through their needs face-to-face with their local property experts. We are also noticing that we are being recommended by buyers and clients as their agent of choice.
Where do your buyers come from?
We have a wide cross section of buyers looking for property, from those looking for their first home to family purchasers, retirees, and investors. We have a high demand for all properties, particularly in Jesmond, Gosforth, and Heaton.
What kind of properties sell well in Newcastle?
It is the people behind Rettie that make the Rettie experience. Rob, Mary, and I are a close-knit team and because of that we offer our clients a personal and professional service which is vital when selling or finding your home. We are always hands on and involved in every aspect, from start to finish of the conveyancing process.
Tells us a little about the Rettie experience. What makes you stand out from other agents?
Sharing in someone’s journey—whether it is laughter or tears—and at the end of the transaction saying “WE DID IT!”
What do you find most enjoyable and rewarding within your role at Rettie?
