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June 20, 2006

Would a property with a flag put you off?

This week we warned that football fans should avoid hanging English flags outside their homes if they want to sell during the World Cup.

We have found that it could not only put off potential buyers but might also decrease the value of the property.

Off the back of our survey, Mortgage Strategy asked the question... would you be put off?  Read some responses below and tell us what you think...

Neil Johnson, 38, sales manager -

The fact that somebody is patriotic makes no difference to me. I live in Surrey and some houses have British flags hung outside them. People who would be put off buying by an England flag are snobs. Such an attitude is separatist rather than inclusive.

Kathy Pinner, 53, sales assistant -

It reflects a sense of patriotism having the flag outside your house and people take pride in doing it. It wouldn't bother me but my mother will not let me hang a flag outside - then again she would probably hang the Irish flag out. I think it's snobbish if people are put off buying houses because they are flying the English flag.

Viola Lambert, 44, office manager -

It probably would put me off, which sounds awful. You see most English flags around council estates. A lot of council estates are associated with hooliganism. It would not make me feel that I was in a safe area. People with football flags are associated with having violent tendencies and are not the sort of neighbours you would want. It's all well and good to fly the flag but it can give the wrong impression.

Victor Riva, 37, special effects editor -

It might change my opinion of an area. But having said that my neighbour has the England flag hung outside his house so it wouldn't put me off buying completely. I'd have to look more deeply into the type of area the house was in. This is a issue at the moment because of the World Cup but I don't think it should be getting so much press attention.



 

June 14, 2006

Win £500,000 Dream Home Competition Spot Prize Winners

Congratulations to our competition winners!

All they had to do was play the Win £500,000 Dream Home Competition and refer a friend or two! The Competition ends on 30th August so don't miss out on your chance to win!

Jamie Priestley

John Cooper

Karen Farley

Lara Darley

Jo Pirfo 

Tina McFarlane

Viviane Moussalli

Joanna Pollard

Angeline Lingal

Peter Greenhill

Michael Cook

Denise Jordan

Allan Bradbury

Chris Tarrant

Lisa Cottrell

Mark Sainthill

Sophie Byrne

Hein Greyvenstein

Robert Chinnery

Tessa Hambley

Kennedy Chanda

Yolanda Beyka

Patricia Hughes

Jeff Thomas

Una Kenny

Graham Houghton

Jo Byworth

Caroline Banfield

John Smith

Angie Swift

Sheila Stevens

Clement Amaning

David Cavender

Sandra Martins

Michael Collard

Colin Taylor

Robert Simmonds

Jimmy Lendor

Stephanie Moore

Gary Rood

Matthew Pearch

Terry Cusick

Stefanie Stretton

Paul Martin

Sheila Darke

Lynne Hague

Sonia Mooney

Colinette Williams

Peter Duffy

Emma McDowell

Michael Gooch

Gina Broomfield

Daniel Meyer

Victoria Fenton

David Alksnis

Melissa Glenn

Katherine Reeves

Jatin Mehta

Matt Brokhuizen

Sharon Bannister

Rachel Hogan

 

 H10 iRiver

 Ian Smith

Kelly West

Sharon Hyland

Alexandra Nicolaou

Zara Valentine

Clare Godding

Patsy Mills

Corrine Wellington

Natalie Cowan

Justin Lattin

Matthew Quaife

Ailse MacFarlane

Nikki Green

Aidan Hill

Amanda Jackson

Elizabeth English

Mark Delacour

Leann Buchanan

Lisa Brooks

Christine Greyling

Kirsty Medcraft

Clare Roan

Sue Pickard

Sarah Barrett

Christopher Parslow

Janet Bristol

Samantha Allman

Joy Brooks

Jennifer Eaton

Carmel Pickering

Emma Givens

Catherine Rafferty

Louise Kharbouche

Simone Lazarus-Olanipekun

Chris WallerJill Moss

Janice Donnelly

Jenna Sharp

Linda Boyd

Richard Boardman

Victoria Mildenhall

Dennis Frere-Smith

Janice Rollinson

Roland Manowski

Gladys Makhaza

Jill Gilbey

Emma Breakspear

Jeffrey Thomas

Tracey Cameron

Tracey Temple

Carolina Calabuig

Ciaran Connolly

Malcolm Ambury

Mac Law

James Whitehead

Samuel Oluwaseyin

Patricia Belorgey

Sarah Sunderland

Annie Hughes

Katie Allum

June 13, 2006

Renovation blitz hits Britain

Facing an increasing shortage of well maintained properties for sale, almost three quarters of Britons are now prepared to buy a home that needs major renovations.

 

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Our survey reveals that more than 62% of Britons are prepared to carry out renovations despite the fact that they have never done any in the past.

The research also showed that women are less daunted by the idea of renovating than men, with just one quarter suggesting they would not renovate as opposed to 30% of men. 

Nick Leeming, Propertyfinder's Client Services Director said,

As good properties are in increasingly short supply on the market, it is no surprise to see more and more home buyers taking on the challenges of renovation.

Today's home buyers are now more demanding in getting what they want. To achieve this, they are opting to buy substantial properties that they are able to renovate to the standard they want. In addition, an increase in property makeover shows has developed consumers' appetites for home renovation.

 

 

World Cup flags get the red card for home sales

Amidst football fever, festooning your home with the national flag may show your support for the team, but our survey ranks national sporting flags in second place for property “faux pas”, compared to the same survey in 2005, where national sporting flags ranked a mere sixth place  in terms of the visual factors most likely to put off buyers.


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Women are far more likely to disapprove of homes with sporting flags than men. Wealthier households (income greater than £60,000) are more than twice as likely to frown upon sporting flags as households with incomes under £30,000.

Warren Bright, Chief Executive Officer of propertyfinder.com says,

Women are the referees - when it comes to buying a home - so it’s essential that sellers don’t neglect the finer points when presenting their homes to appeal to the female buyers. If they don’t, they risk losing the sale.
Is football fever festooning your neighbourhood or do you think football flats are causing difficulties selling your property? We'd love to hear about what is happening where you live.

June 09, 2006

More Britons own homes valued at £1,000,000

The number of homes in Britain worth £1million or more has increased twentyfold in a decade, according to the latest research.

Halifax bank estimates there are now 66,600 properties valued at £1million or over compared with 3,400 in 1995. So what does £1million buy you these days? If you are in the market, one of these might be just what you are looking for. Otherwise, enter Propertyfinder's chance to win a £500,000 dream home competition.

Reigate RH2, £10,000,000

This magnificent, historic country estate situated within its own Deer Park and overlooking two lakes and bordering a river. Features include an indoor swimming pool, discotheque, stables and a staff cottage ...

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Spectacular interconnecting triple octagonal family home set in 5 acres of parkland providing total rural seclusion. Located in one of the areas most prestigious and highly sought after locations this truly unique home provides sumptuous entertaining rooms, a wealth of family living and many discreet areas.

 
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A grade II listed building reputedly built in the mid 1800's the house has been sympathetically restored and is presented fully decorated. Interesting features include a 10 seat tiered cinema, indoor pool and a games room.
 
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June 01, 2006

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