James Gesner Estate Agents

5 Bedroom Detached, Didcot £550,000.00

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 09:05:07 GMT

With stunning views over the lake, immaculately presented throughout, double garage, ample parking, large west facing garden, cul-de-sac situated & being sold with a complete onward chain, this home is a must see, possibly the best house on the Great Western Park development.

3 Bedroom Terrace, Goring £475,000.00

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 03:40:01 GMT

Conveniently situated in a quiet location within walking distance of the village primary school and local shop is this extended three double bedroom family house with modern kitchen and bathroom, a mature rear garden, garage and driveway parking.

4 Bedroom Detached, Beeching Way £1,700.00

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:45:36 GMT

A converted and unique former pumping station. This detached property is situated close to the town centre, has been completely renovated to a very high standard. Offered for rent on a long term unfurnished basis from September 25th.

1 Bedroom Terrace, Berinsfield £199,950.00

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 12:12:23 GMT

Situated within this cul-de-sac is this one bedroom property, and offered for sale with no chain and in need of some updating. Ideal first home or investment property which comes with a generous lounge, double bedroom, modern kitchen and bathroom, enclosed rear garden and allocated parking.
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2 Bedroom Apartment, Wallingford £300,000.00

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 08:25:38 GMT

This magnificent top floor apartment is ideally situated for the town and its amenities and presented beautifully throughout with good sized rooms and a private garden with garden room/gym. Offered for sale with a long lease low maintenance charges.

4 Bedroom Detached, Harwell £700,000.00

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 10:20:28 GMT

Set on the outskirts of Harwell, in the village of Rowstock is this spacious and beautifully presented family home with generous front and rear gardens providing ample parking. Easy access to the A34, Harwell science and Milton business park. Didcot station is also within 4 miles providing excellent

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £399,950.00

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:56:14 GMT

Situated within this sought after location on the Great Western Development is this beautifully presented, three bedroom, two bathroom house set in a southerly facing plot with detached garage and off road parking.

5 Bedroom Detached, Didcot £650,000.00

Mon, 26 May 2025 08:06:13 GMT

This exceptional family home is beautifully presented throughout offering extensive living space approaching 2000 square feet. Situated at the end of this popular cul-de-sac on the Ladygrove development offering easy access to the mainline train station and Orchard shopping centre.

2 Bedroom Bungalow, Benson £375,000.00

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:01:08 GMT

Situated on this popular residential area within this sought after Thameside village is this extended two bedroom semi detached bungalow with south facing garden, driveway and garage. Offered for sale with no onward chain.

5 Bedroom Detached, Wallingford £750,000.00

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 04:29:56 GMT

Situated within a small close off Reading Road on the southwestern side of town, this deceptively spacious five-bedroom detached property includes a carport and south-facing gardens.

2 Bedroom Apartment, Wallingford £240,000.00

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:46:30 GMT

A well presented and deceptively spacious two double bedroom first floor apartment situated within a short walk of the historical town of Wallingford and offered for sale with no onward chain.

2 Bedroom Bungalow, Henley-On-Thames £400,000.00

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:57:03 GMT

Spacious semi-detached bungalow with delightful communal gardens and private south facing patio and offered for sale with no onward chain.

0 Bedroom Garage, Goring £25,000.00

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 01:03:53 GMT

A rare opportunity to acquire a 16`0 x 7`9 single garage, forming part of a terrace block of similar garages situated just off the High Street in a tucked away residential location in the riverside village of Goring on Thames.

5 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £460,000.00

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 02:16:44 GMT

Offered to the market with no onward chain is this extended and spacious four bedroom semi-detached family home which is located within this sought after road in the older part of Didcot. Offered for sale with no onward chain and in need of some updating.

4 Bedroom Detached, Didcot £550,000.00

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:35:52 GMT

Situated on this popular road is this individual four double bedroom detached family home with generous west facing garden, garage and driveway parking for three to four cars. This property must be seen to be appreciated.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £425,000.00

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:19:25 GMT

Situated at the end of this popular cul-de-sac, is this nicely presented, three-bedroom, semi-detached property which is conveniently located within close proximity to the centre of the village and within walking distance of the station giving commuter access to London, Oxford and Reading.

4 Bedroom Detached, Wallingford £695,000.00

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:54:27 GMT

Situated on the desirable Fir Tree Estate, this recently extended and beautifully presented detached family home offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and generous living space throughout. Set back from the road in this sought-after location, the property lies within 1 kilometre of Wallingford town.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Benson £295,000.00

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:58:20 GMT

Situated within this sought after residential area in the village of Benson, is this three bedroom semi detached property with garage, driveway and south facing garden. In need of some modernisation and offered for sale chain free.

1 Bedroom Apartment, Wallingford £265,000.00

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:55:11 GMT

This exceptional Grade II listed apartment forms part of the former Victorian Grammar School, sympathetically converted in 2003 into a collection of distinctive homes with high ceilings and landscaped communal grounds.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Didcot £140,000.00

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 03:45:44 GMT

This neatly presented two bedroom, mid terrace property is situated in a cul-de-sac location to the west of Didcot town centre. Offered for sale shared ownership on a 50/50 basis.

3 Bedroom Detached, Wallingford £600,000.00

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 04:33:13 GMT

Situated in one of Wallingford`s most desirable residential areas, this extended and beautifully presented detached family home offers generous living space, wrap-around gardens, and driveway parking for up to five vehicles with a garage.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £550,000.00

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 01:47:02 GMT

Situated in the sought-after village of Cholsey, this deceptively spacious four double bedroom family home is beautifully presented throughout. Offered for sale with no onward chain.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £375,000.00

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 01:51:11 GMT

A beautifully presented and extended three-bedroom semi-detached home, ideally situated in a well-established residential area close to local schools. The property features a stylish re-fitted kitchen/breakfast room, a conservatory, and a superb 100ft south-facing garden complete with summer house.

3 Bedroom Detached, Drayton £500,000.00

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 02:18:47 GMT

This three bedroom detached property is situated within this tucked away location on arguably one of the most desired roads within Drayton Village. Backing onto the village allotments and nicely presented throughout. Offered for sale with no onward chain.

4 Bedroom Detached, Cholsey £700,000.00

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 02:21:27 GMT

A beautifully presented detached family home, ideally located just 400 metres from the railway station in this highly sought-after village.

Since purchasing in 2015, the current owners have thoughtfully extended and upgraded the property, creating a superb home for modern living.

2 Bedroom End Terrace, Didcot £325,000.00

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:19:32 GMT

Nestled in a sought-after cul-de-sac on the Ladygrove Development, this beautifully presented two-bedroom property offers stylish living just moments from Didcot Parkway train station. With generous west-facing gardens and parking for up to five vehicles, it`s perfect for comfort and convenience.

2 Bedroom Cottage, Blewbury £575,000.00

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:05:43 GMT

New Inn Cottage, a Grade II Listed, stylish and spacious cottage, beautifully blending high-quality contemporary fittings with original period character. Offered for sale with no onward chain this property has to be seen to be appreciated.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Didcot £250,000.00

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:48:24 GMT

Offered is this two bedroom terraced property situated within walking distance of the town centre, and main line station, with the addition of parking for two vehicles. The property features gas central heating and double glazing throughout.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Benson £370,000.00

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:12:49 GMT

An attractive mid-terraced home, built by Cala Homes in 2019 on the sought-after Hopefield Grange development, presented throughout to a high standard. This modern property offers the level of quality and finish you would expect from this well-regarded house builder, set within the riverside village

4 Bedroom Detached, Wallingford £800,000.00

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:28:51 GMT

Situated on one of Wallingford`s most desirable roads, to the west of the town, this charming four bedroom detached property combines character, space and an enviable setting.
The house is set within a generous south-west facing plot with rear gardens extending over 150 feet.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Harwell £300,000.00

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:58:23 GMT

An attractive Cotswold Stone, two double bedroom property located in the popular `Atrium` of Great Western Park. Offered for sale with non onward chain, driveway parking for two cars and an enclosed rear garden.

3 Bedroom Detached, Cholsey £600,000.00

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:16:32 GMT

Situated in the sought-after village of Cholsey, this beautifully presented three-bedroom detached home offers generous living space and excellent access to the village centre and railway station.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Wallingford £375,000.00

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 03:03:19 GMT

Located in an exclusive and secure setting just moments from the town centre is this beautifully presented two-bedroom home within a gated development in the heart of Wallingford, offered for sale with no onward chain.

3 Bedroom Town House, Wallingford £500,000.00

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 04:01:30 GMT

A stunning and beautifully extended three double bedroom, two bathroom town house situated just 600 metres from the town centre with driveway parking and secluded landscaped gardens. This property must be seen to be appreciated.

3 Bedroom Link-Detached, Didcot £425,000.00

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:18:27 GMT

Situated on the ever-popular Millbrook Development, this superbly presented and thoughtfully extended three-bedroom detached home offers generous and flexible living accommodation, ideal for modern family life.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Didcot £265,000.00

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 01:08:38 GMT

Offered for sale with no onward chain is this two double bedroom mid-terrace home situated within this quiet cul-de-sac on the popular Millbrook development offering good access to Didcot town centre and Didcot Parkway train station.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £375,000.00

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:35:11 GMT

Situated within this sought-after cul-de-sac is this spacious three-bedroom, semi-detached Property with wrap around rear garden and in need of some minor modernisation. Available for sale with no onward chain and viewings are highly recommended.

2 Bedroom Detached, Sutton Courtenay £325,000.00

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:34:13 GMT

Offered for sale with no onward chain, this detached two-bedroom bungalow enjoys a prime position within easy reach of the village centre. Set on a popular residential road, the property would now benefit from some updating, yet presents an excellent opportunity to create a wonderful home.

5 Bedroom Detached, Aston Tirrold £4,000.00

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 08:52:04 GMT

A Handsome Six-Bedroom Grade II Listed Country Home, tucked away in the heart of the ever-desirable twin villages of Aston Upthorpe and Aston Tirrold, Available for rent form early 2026 long term.

4 Bedroom Detached, Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell £550,000.00

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:08:34 GMT

Situated in this highly sought-after South Oxfordshire village, this beautifully presented and thoughtfully extended four-bedroom link-detached home offers generous gardens and wonderfully flexible living space an ideal choice for family life.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Wallingford £650,000.00

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:41:56 GMT

A beautifully extended four-bedroom semi-detached home, finished to an exceptional standard and arranged to offer superb family living throughout. Bright, stylish and thoughtfully designed, this is a home that truly works for modern life.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Oxfordshire £375,000.00

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 03:09:12 GMT

Situated within this quiet residential cul-de-sac in Didcot, is this beautifully presented, three/four bedroom, semi detached family home, with integral garage. Viewings are highly recommended to secure this property.

2 Bedroom Apartment, Wallingford £230,000.00

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 09:49:59 GMT

This spacious, two bedroom top floor apartment is located within this popular development built by Linden Home in 1999. Available for sale with no onward chain and allocated parking.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Didcot £127,000.00

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 03:08:37 GMT

This immaculately presented two double bedroom, mid terrace property is situated in a cul-de-sac location to the west of Didcot town centre. Offered for sale as a shared ownership on a 40/60 basis.

2 Bedroom End Terrace, Wallingford £350,000.00

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:06:39 GMT

This beautifully presented two double bedroom end-terrace period cottage occupies a highly convenient position within easy reach of Wallingford town centre and is rich in character throughout. Features include exposed beams, open fireplaces and traditional quarry tiled flooring.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £350,000.00

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:47:23 GMT

A beautifully presented two-bedroom semi-detached home, positioned within this sought-after modern development and conveniently located close to the village centre, local shops, amenities, and approximately one mile from the mainline railway station.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £400,000.00

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:42:26 GMT

Occupying a favourable position overlooking fields to the front within this highly regarded Cala Homes development to the north of the town centre, this impressive three-storey townhouse offers well-balanced accommodation, a west-facing garden, and driveway parking for three vehicles.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £275,000.00

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:43:08 GMT

Situated at the end of this cul-de-sac is this two double bedroom semi presented in exceptional condition on the Ladygrove Estate with a larger than average garden and parking for two cars. Available for sale with no onward chain.

6 Bedroom Detached, Cholsey £850,000.00

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:44:10 GMT

This impressive six-bedroom family home occupies a quiet cul-de-sac position less than half a mile from Cholsey railway station and approximately 250 yards from the village centre. Significantly improved by the current owners, the property now offers exceptional and versatile family accommodation.

4 Bedroom Detached, Wallingford £650,000.00

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:46:00 GMT

An immaculate family home tucked away at the end of a highly regarded cul-de-sac, beautifully presented throughout and offered for sale with no onward chain. This superb property features an impressive L-shaped kitchen/dining/garden room that opens onto a landscaped rear garden.

4 Bedroom Terrace, Fairmile, Cholsey £700,000.00

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 12:48:15 GMT

Set within the magnificent landscaped grounds of the renowned Cholsey Meadows development, and just 300 metres from the River Thames, this exceptional four double-bedroom home forms part of a striking Grade II listed Victorian hospital conversion.

3 Bedroom Detached, Wallingford £475,000.00

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:06:34 GMT

Located on a no through road and built by David Wilson Homes to the `Hadford design` is this beautifully presented three bedroom detached property with west facing garden, driveway parking and garage.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Wallingford £315,000.00

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:34:33 GMT

Situated at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this attractive two-bedroom semi-detached house offers driveway parking for two cars and is presented nicely throughout with the added benefit of a new boiler being recently installed, making it an ideal first-time buy or investment opportunity.

3 Bedroom Terrace, Cholsey £225,000.00

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:16:11 GMT

Situated at the top of this popular road in the village of Cholsey is this three bedroom terrace with south facing garden. In need of complete refurbishment.and offered for sale with no onward chain.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Oxfordshire £335,000.00

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:39:03 GMT

Situated within a sought-after cul-de-sac just off the popular Wantage Road, approximately one mile from Wallingford town centre, offering three bedrooms and a modern kitchen and bathroom. available with no onward chain as well as gas central heating and double glazing.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Wallingford £450,000.00

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:35:54 GMT

Situated within close proximity to the town centre is this beautifully presented and extended two double bedroom Victorian house offering three reception areas, two bathrooms and two wood burning stoves.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell £375,000.00

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:36:16 GMT

Located in the sought after village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, the property boasts many original features including a open fireplace, exposed beams and exposed wooden floorboards, whilst benefiting from an updated bathroom and kitchen.

1 Bedroom Apartment, Didcot £160,000.00

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:43:22 GMT

A one bedroom first floor apartment situated within this sought after location just 1 mile from Didcot Parkway station and Didcots amenities. The property is sold with no onward chain, allocated parking and communal gardens.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Didcot £1,250.00

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:52:30 GMT

Located at the end of this quiet cul de sac is this fantastic two bedroom home, less than ten minutes walk to the town centre and Didcot Parkway Station. Available to rent on a long term unfurnished basis. Allocated parking and low maintenance garden.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £375,000.00

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:50:01 GMT

Built by Croudace and positioned on a generous corner plot, this attractive dual-aspect three-bedroom semi-detached family home is located on the ever-popular Ladygrove development. Offered to the market with no onward chain.

2 Bedroom Duplex, Cholsey £300,000.00

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:41:22 GMT

This deceptively spacious two-bedroom duplex maisonette enjoys a private south-facing garden and off-street parking, all set within the very heart of Cholsey village.

3 Bedroom Town House, Didcot £450,000.00

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:59:13 GMT

Situated within this highly sought-after development by Croudace Homes, completed in 2021, this beautifully presented three double bedroom townhouse is offered for sale with no onward chain and built to the popular `Brindley` design.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Wallingford £1,600.00

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:15:06 GMT

Situated within a sought-after cul-de-sac just off the popular Wantage Road, approximately one mile from Wallingford town centre, is this extended three-bedroom semi-detached home with south facing garden. Offered for rent long term with white goods.

3 Bedroom Detached, Cholsey £650,000.00

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 03:41:13 GMT

Situated within a highly sought-after cul-de-sac in the heart of Cholsey, this deceptively spacious and beautifully presented three-bedroom detached home enjoys generous west-facing gardens backing directly onto open farmland.

3 Bedroom Link-Detached, Didcot £425,000.00

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:08:16 GMT

Situated on a no through road on the ever popular Ladygrove Estate and within close proximity of the town and mainline station is this nicely presented three bedroom link detached property with garage and driveway. Offered with no onward chain.

3 Bedroom Detached, Crowmarsh Gifford £500,000.00

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 03:10:16 GMT

Constructed in 2022 and set within a highly regarded modern development, this beautifully presented family home occupies a cul-de-sac position in what is widely considered one of South Oxfordshire`s most desirable villages.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £1,400.00

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:36:31 GMT

A superb two bedroom property situated at the end of this quiet cul de sac on the ever popular Ladygrove estate. This semi detached house has a garage, en-suite bathroom,west facing garden, and off road parking for three vehicles. Beautifully presented inside and out.

5 Bedroom Detached, Reading Road £800,000.00

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 04:38:11 GMT

Positioned on the favoured south-western side of Wallingford, on the prestigious Reading Road, Chalmore Cottage is an attractive detached family home dating from 1933, now offered to the market with no onward chain and presenting a rare opportunity for sympathetic modernisation.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Benson £500,000.00

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 02:40:58 GMT

An extended, four reception room, three three bedroom semi detached property offering flexible living accommodation and situated within this sought after location just 800 metres from the centre of the village.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Wallingford £400,000.00

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:12:09 GMT

Located on this sought after Winterbrook development and built in 2018 is this beautifully presented two double bedroom, two-bathroom property with larger than average south facing gardens allocated parking for two cars. Offered for sale with no onward chain.

4 Bedroom Detached, Didcot £600,000.00

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:44:45 GMT

Built by the highly regarded Croudace Homes to the popular Acer design, this superb four-bedroom detached family home is beautifully presented and positioned within one of the most sought-after settings on the ever-popular Ladygrove development.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £550,000.00

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 03:55:15 GMT

An impressive four-bedroom semi-detached family home, sympathetically extended to create generous and versatile living space, complemented by wrap-around private gardens, driveway parking and a single garage.

3 Bedroom Detached, Didcot £500,000.00

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:06:21 GMT

Presenting a remarkable opportunity to acquire an exquisite 3-bedroom semi-detached house. The recipient of the prestigious Award Winning Project 2020 Infinite house design by Taylor Wimpey, this home boasts a unique blend of innovation and functionality.

3 Bedroom Detached, Oxfordshire £450,000.00

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 08:40:15 GMT

An immaculately presented three-bedroom detached residence offering wonderfully versatile accommodation, enviably positioned within the highly sought-after Ladygrove Estate.

This impressive home has been thoughtfully maintained throughout.

2 Bedroom Apartment, Cholsey £285,000.00

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 09:00:57 GMT

Set within the magnificent landscaped grounds of the renowned Cholsey Meadows development, and just 300 metres from the River Thames, this superb two bedroom apartment forms part of a striking Grade II listed Victorian hospital conversion.

2 Bedroom Terrace, Benson £1,350.00

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:38:29 GMT

A delightful cottage situated within this sought after village offering excellent transport links and amenities. Offering a lounge with wood burning fire, kitchen with appliances, two double bedrooms, bathroom with bath and separate shower, cottage style garden and a garage.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Crowmarsh Gifford £375,000.00

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:22:45 GMT

Situated within this sought after Wallingford Reach` development, built by Bloor homes in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford is this two year old, two bedroom, two bathroom semi detached house with driveway parking and gardens.

3 Bedroom Terrace, Cholsey £375,000.00

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:45:13 GMT

Offered for sale with no onward chain is this nicely presented three bedroom mid terrace with generous gardens, located in a convenient part of this popular village and within easy reach of the station and village amenities.

1 Bedroom Maisonette, Wallingford £200,000.00

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:21:55 GMT

Situated within close proximity of the town centre, this deceptively spacious Victorian one-bedroom ground floor maisonette benefits from a private south-facing garden.

2 Bedroom Cottage, Eynsham £1,450.00

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 02:40:53 GMT

Beautiful two double bedroom period cottage situated in the sought after village of Eynsham providing easy access to the centre of Oxford. Available for rent long term with white good included.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Harwell £450,000.00

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:16:22 GMT

Offered for sale is this immaculately presented four-bedroom semi-detached townhouse, built in 2018 by Taylor Wimpey and forming part of the highly regarded Alder View development in the ever-popular village of Harwell.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £400,000.00

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 03:37:51 GMT

This beautifully presented cottage is situated within this quiet private lane with mature landscaped gardens, driveway parking for two cars and located just 700 metres from the train station and less than 200 metres of the village centre and its amenities.

2 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £400,000.00

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 02:10:19 GMT

This superbly proportioned, two double bedroom home was redeveloped in 2015 to create a fantastic open plan home, with generous reception spaces and a west facing rear garden measuring over 100 feet. Further benefits include two bespoke garden rooms, gas central heating and uPVC double glazing.

1 Bedroom Apartment, Didcot £195,000.00

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:40:50 GMT

This spacious one bedroom, ground floor apartment is situated in the heart of the Great Western Park with a private parking space and no onward chain.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Chilton £1,650.00

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:00:11 GMT

Offered for rent is this modern three bedroom semi-detached family home, situated in a quiet location on the Chilton Fields development with garage and parking. Available on a long term unfurnished basis with white goods.

1 Bedroom Apartment, Crispin Place £1,050.00

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:05:38 GMT

Situated within the town centre in this tucked away location is this modern one bedroom top floor apartment which which is presented nicely throughout.

3 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Cholsey £400,000.00

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:21:19 GMT

Situated within this sought-after cul-de-sac, just a short walk from the village amenities, is this spacious three-bedroom semi-detached family home with south-facing gardens and ample driveway parking.

2 Bedroom Apartment, Crispin Place £1,200.00

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:07:07 GMT

A spacious ground floor, two double bedroom apartment situated in the very heart of Wallingford. Only a short walk form all of the towns amenities including pubs, restaurants, banks and Waitrose supermarket.

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Didcot £400,000.00

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:23:25 GMT

A beautifully presented and thoughtfully extended four bedroom semi-detached family home offering generous living space, outstanding parking for multiple vehicles, and excellent potential for further extension (subject to planning permission).

4 Bedroom Semi-Detached, Wallingford £700,000.00

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:26:58 GMT

Situated on one of Wallingford`s most desirable residential roads on the western side of town, this beautifully presented four-bedroom, two-bathroom semi-detached family home has been thoughtfully extended to the rear and into the loft, creating generous and versatile accommodation throughout.

1 Bedroom Bungalow, Watlington £200,000.00

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:33:08 GMT

This beautifully presented one bedroom bungalow over looks the attractive landscaped communal gardens and is offered for sale with no onward chain.

2 Bedroom Bungalow, Chalgrove £475,000.00

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 01:25:51 GMT

This immaculate two double bedroom detached bungalow is conveniently situated within this sought after cul de sac close to the village centre offering generous accommodation, west facing gardens, garage and driveway parking.

1 Bedroom Apartment, Wallingford £1,050.00

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:14:04 GMT

Presented in excellent condition this first floor modern apartment has a modern re-fitted kitchen and living room with a bedroom and separate study. Available unfurnished with the white goods included.

Lesters Appointed Didcot`s Recommended Guild Of Professional Estate Agents Member

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT

The Guild of Professional Estate Agents is an organization that is represented by over 700 independent estate agents nationwide. Lesters, who are also Wallingfords only guild member member have now strengthened their coverage to Didcot. The network is an excellent way for sellers to promote their property nationally and through the associated London office in Park Lane where they can be contacted on 0207 0791440. Martin Slocombe, who is the regional director quoted `it was not a hard decision in making Lesters our exclusive guild member in Didcot. The staff at Lesters have an excellent reputation in the local area and they portray an excellent image that is in line with what the guild expects. During the process of appointing an agent for the Didcot area we had a great deal of interest from other local independent agents but Lesters stood head and shoulders above the competition` Please contact Lesters to find out how the guild can help your property sell in a changing market or visit www.propertyplatform.co.uk

Lesters Join Property Live

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

PropertyLive.co.uk is the only property search site that`s regulated, protected and run by a professional body of fully accredited agents. Every member belongs to one or more of the following associations, NAEA, ARLA,NAVA or ICBA. Members have joined their respective associations to demonstrate their commitment to professional standards in the property industry to which they can be held accountable. They have to adhere to the Rules of Conduct and Codes of Practice. ...so that you can rent or buy with complete peace of mind with over 13,000 local agents, are here to give you the most amazing choice of properties available on the market today.

It`s Official You Need A Floorplan!

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Hard on the heels of figures from Rightmove which showed that using floor plans increases buyer interest by a whopping 30%, there's further confirmation of the power of floor plans as a property marketing tool - this time in the authoritative Home Moving Trends Survey 2009, published by The Academy. According to this report, arguably the UK's most comprehensive annual survey of public attitudes towards estate agents and the housing market generally, a remarkable 85.5% of the house-hunting public consider floor plans as useful or essential – nearly half saying they were essential - in their on-line property search. This makes floor plans far and away the most popular of the `optional` marketing tools used by agents, putting it right up there with absolute must-haves such as photographs, written descriptions and location maps. By comparison, information on local shops scored just 58.9% with the public, and 360-degree virtual tours 51.2%. Coming on top of the figures from Rightmove, this latest piece of evidence from yet another authoritative source further confirms what we have always believed - that floor plans are a uniquely powerful aid to online property marketing,` says Brian Farrell of Metropix, the largest provider of floor plans and other advanced visualisation solutions to the property industry. `Of course, anyone house-hunting online is going to want photographs and some sort of written description in order to get any sense of the property at all. They'll probably want a map as well. But what's clear from the survey results is that floor plans are also an important tool and their use is in high demand.` What makes them so popular? Brian is in no doubt. `A floor plan gives you a far more accurate representation of the size and precise layout of a property than a bald statement of dimensions – or even a whole sheaf of photographs – can achieve on their own.` The survey figures suggest that any agents trying to market property online without floor plans are doing neither their clients – nor themselves – any favours.

House Sales Jumped 40% In March 09

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The number of homes sold in the UK jumped by 40% in March from the previous month, according to figures from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). There were 60,000 property sales worth at least £40,000 each, compared with 43,000 in February. The figures suggest that the slump in home sales seen in the past 18 months may be coming to an end. Even when the figures are adjusted for seasonal trends, they still show a rise from 54,000 to 61,000, a jump of 13%. The data is in line with other figures from the Bank of England, which showed that mortgage approvals rose significantly in February after stagnating for six months. And surveyors have reported a steady rise in the number of enquiries at estate agents from potential home buyers during the past five months.

Beware ‘outrageous’ Home Information Pack Charges, Warn Lesters

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Lesters, the independent Estate Agents, have announced a market leading price for the supply of a Home Information Pack. Priced from just £230 plus VAT for a Freehold property, they are the best value available locally and more importantly they are sourced from a local supplier. Senior Partner, Julian Walley said `Whether you like them or not, Home Information Packs are a reality for anyone selling their home. The issue has become more important recently now that the pack has to be in place before any marketing can commence.` `With the change in the rules earlier this year, we needed to be confident that our preferred HIP supplier could perform on a number of counts. These were a competitive price, accuracy of information, and speed of delivery. In addition, we were keen to support a local supplier if possible. We are delighted that we have achieved all of our goals.` Home Information Packs are required for all residential property sales, and contain information upon which a purchaser may rely when making a decision to buy a property. The information includes a Property Questionnaire completed by the seller, a local search, water and drainage search, a copy of the title registered at the Land Registry, and an Energy Performance Certificate. For Leasehold properties, further details of the Lease and Management arrangements will also be included. Julian continues `Most Estate Agents will offer to arrange a HIP for you, and prices seem to vary considerably. Freehold HIP prices as high as £450 plus VAT are not uncommon, especially if the Estate Agent offers to ‘defer' the payment for the HIP until the property is sold. Lesters clients can buy a Freehold HIP for the market leading price of just £230 plus VAT. Incidentally, this is the same price as we are charged for it. Leasehold HIPs generally cost a little more due to the extra information required, but in any event, the price our clients pay is the same as the price we pay.` A sobering thought from Julian about deferred payment arrangements. `Why bother deferring an inevitable payment for a few months, when you could end up paying 95% more for the same document? If it takes 6 months before you pay for it, that's the equivalent of an interest rate of 190%! That's substantially higher than your average credit card.` For more information on Home Information Packs, contact your local Lesters office on Wallingford (01491) 824000 or Didcot (01235) 519888.

Stay Up To Date With Lesters "tweets"

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Keeping up to date about the latest properties available is now much easier thanks to Lesters and Twitter.com. To help anyone looking for the latest properties, Lesters send ‘tweets' to registered followers on the networking site, to instantly notify them of the very latest properties available for sale and rent. Julian Walley of Lesters said `Twitter.com is one of the fastest growing networking websites in the world. For anyone who wants to ‘steal a march' on the rest of the market and find out about the very latest properties, it is the essential tool for house-hunting.` Signing up for updates is free and simple to do. Visit www.twitter.com, search for lestersonline, and register as a follower. It's the quick and easy way to be one step ahead.

Green Shoots Of Recovery Clearly Visible

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Recent research suggests that for every property for sale, there are now eleven potential buyers. This means that the much anticipated `green shoots of recovery` are clearly visible in the local property market, according to Lesters Senior Partner, James Gesner. `The market has really picked up this year` says James. `After a tough start, confidence has returned amongst buyers. Encouraged by low interest rates, more flexible lending in the mortgage market, and attractively priced properties for sale, buyers have been snapping up some really good deals.` James continues `In some recent cases we've found that sale prices have ‘bucked the national trend' and crept up a little compared to late 2008, reflecting the increased demand and enthusiasm to buy.` Explaining why the local market seems more buoyant than many of the national reports, James Gesner said `Didcot is a really good place to live. It's well placed for commuter access to London, the schools and local amenities are excellent for young families, and property is good value for money, especially when compared with other towns just a few miles to the south.` When asked whether we are heading for another property boom, James replied `Not in the near future. Market confidence has certainly returned amongst buyers, but as with the recovery in the mid 1990's I expect the market to offer gentle increases reflecting a stronger demand than supply.` `There is a need for a degree of caution when it comes to setting the asking price for a property` says James. `The demand from buyers is strong, but they still have a keen eye for price. Many sales are being agreed at the full asking price, but the success of any property sale is entirely dependent upon getting the asking price right in the first place.` `It is very easy to get carried away when the market seems busy, but this recovery could easily come to an abrupt stop if prices are pushed too high, too quickly. It is important to study the evidence of other similar properties that have sold in recent months, to ensure that an accurate and saleable price is set at the outset.` James' focus is clear `Moving home in this stable market is actually quite a simple thing to do, with a realistic approach to pricing, and a pro-active approach to marketing.` If you are thinking of moving home, please contact Lesters Didcot office on 01235 519888

Energy Saving Tax Break For Landlords

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Landlords are being urged by Lesters to take full advantage of a Government initiative which helps them to improve the energy performance rating of their properties, and reduce the amount of tax they are obliged to pay in the process. The Landlord's Energy Saving Allowance (LESA) is a tax allowance which allows landlords to claim tax relief of up to £1,500 on their tax return against the cost of buying and installing energy saving items. It was first introduced in April 2004 to encourage landlords to improve the energy efficiency of let residential properties and to increase the level of comfort for tenants. With the scheme due to run until the start of April 2015 landlords have plenty of opportunity to claim the allowance over the next four years. Lesters Senior Partner, James Gesner says that uptake for the allowance has been low as landlords are simply unaware that it exists. As a result many properties still have significantly lower energy performance ratings than they could have. James Gesner says: `Many landlords that I speak to are simply unaware that this support is available. Not only does the LESA help landlords with the initial cost of buying and installing new products, but it helps to increase the long-term value and rental potential of the property, by passing on the cost saving benefits of reduced energy bills for tenants.` James adds: `It is very encouraging that the government provides support and incentives to the rented sector and we urge landlords to take full advantage of this scheme. Landlords can benefit from the saving on cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, solid wall insulation, draught proofing, hot water system insulation and floor insulation.` Lesters suggests that landlords considering installing energy saving measures should also consult their local authority or energy supply company to establish whether grants from public funds are also available.

Hope And Help For First Time Buyers!

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Would-be first time buyers in the South Oxfordshire area are being offered a lifeline to get onto the property ladder. In these days of large deposit requirements and restricted mortgage lending, the lifeline is being offered by Catalyst Housing. Subject to meeting the scheme criteria, would-be first time buyers could be eligible for a helping hand of up to £50,000 loaned by this Government-backed scheme. Applications for the scheme are open to anyone who lives or works in the South Oxfordshire District Council area, who would like to own their own home, but cannot afford to do so without help. Commenting on the announcement about the scheme, Lesters Senior Partner, James Gesner said "We are delighted to see the return of Catalyst Housing to the local property market. Every day we hear from would-be first time buyers who struggle to raise the deposit required to buy their own home. Schemes such as this are an excellent way of achieving the goal of home ownership." To find out whether you are eligible for the scheme, visit the Oxfordshire HomeBuy Show, hosted by Catalyst Housing, on Saturday 6th November 2010 at The Assembly Room, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1BX. Lesters are not in any way associated with Catalyst Housing, or this scheme and do not have any further information aboutit. There will certainly be various Terms & Condirtions that apply. The nature and extent of these will obviously be made clear by Catalyst Housing when you apply. Like all things, the scheme may not be suitable for everyone, but equally it may just provide the help that some would-be buyers need. For further information about the scheme visit the HomeBuy Show, or contact Catalyst Housing on 0845 601 7729.

Commercial Property Specialists

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Lesters, the South Oxfordshire-based independent Estate Agents, are pleased to announce the launch of their Commercial Property department. Working from local offices in Didcot and Wallingford, the firm has specialists dealing with Sales, Lettings and Acquisitions of all types of Commercial Property. Commenting on the launch of Lesters Commercial, Julian Walley said `We have identified a need in the local market for an independent Commercial property agent, who possesses in-depth knowledge of the local property market, and general trading conditions.` `Up until now, Commercial Property agency in South Oxfordshire has mainly been operated on an arms-length basis from agents in larger, regional centres such as Oxford and Reading. However, by basing our Commercial Property Specialists within each of our offices, we are able to draw upon our considerable local knowledge and experience to ensure that our clients receive the best possible advice, whether they are looking to sell, let or acquire any type of Commercial property.` Julian continues `We are keen to talk to anyone who is looking to sell, rent or acquire any type of Commercial property in the local area. From single serviced offices through to retail units or large warehouses, we are able to help.` Lesters Commercial can be contacted at the Wallingford Office on 01491 824000 or the Didcot Office on 01235 519888.

Shocking Trousers, But It Is For Charity!

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT

James Gesner, Lesters Senior Partner is off on a Golf Day in aid of one of the Cancer Charities. James is a keen golfer, and thoroughly enjoys playing a round, especially to help such a worthy cause. He`s even properly embraced the day by sporting a pair of the brightest pink trousers. He assures us that they are not borrowed, and they really are a permanent fixture in his wardrobe!

Top-Tips For A Super-Smooth Move

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The big day is looming, the excitement is mounting and then you realise you can't put it off any longer – the packing! Have you got enough boxes? What about the breakables and family heirlooms? How will you find the kettle? Having drawn up a ‘to do' list well in advance, it should be plain sailing. However, independent estate agents and valuers Lesters have some top tips to help reduce the potential for a stressful moving day: • Don't leave everything until the day before you move. Consider what you don't need to take with you, what will need careful packing and that you are covered for potential breakages. • Make a priority list and take your time. As it is a fresh start only take what you really need and use a couple of those boxes to store charity or car boot items. • Ensure you have enough boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap and marker pens to label things up. Boxes of all sizes will ensure you don't overload the larger ones. • Pack an ‘essentials box' for the first night in your new home – the kettle and tea bags amongst them – and prepare an overnight bag for the family with household necessities. • Start early and begin at the top of the house and work your way down, labelling boxes for each room as you go. • Pack important documents together and keep them in a safe place. • If you have children or pets, try and get a neighbour or friend to look after them whilst you are packing. • Don't forget to contact Royal Mail to get your post redirected to your new address. • Take readings from gas, electricity and water meters – taking digital photographs of the meters to back up your readings. Matthew Nash of Lesters said: `As well as the huge excitement of moving to a new home, there is also the enormous task of packing. However, with an organised approach and a strict action plan to follow, it may not be as daunting as you think – and what's more, it will make unpacking at the other end much simpler.`

Another First For Lesters!

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Lesters are proud to be the first Letting Agent in Didcot and Wallingford to be accepted into the SAFEagent scheme, which is a kitemark for consumers to recognise which agents belong to a client money protection scheme. The SAFEagent scheme is endorsed by organisations such Shelter, NUS, Trading Standards Institute, Council of Mortgage Lenders, Residential Landlords Association and the British Property Federation. Matthew Nash of Lesters said: `SAFEagent is a mark of integrity and protection for landlords' and tenants' money. We believe that having this protection in place should be a pre-requisite for lettings and management agents that are professional operators. `The message ultimately to consumers is simple: be safe … choose a SAFEagent when you rent or let.`?? SAFEagent has been set up by agents for agents, with the secretariat provided by the National Approved Lettings Scheme, in the continuing wake of cases where lettings agents have absconded, gone bust or shut down with client funds missing. Over 1,000 agents have signed up to the scheme since the launch a month ago. More information about the scheme can be found here http://www.safeagents.co.uk/what-is-safe/tenants .

Top 5 Tips For Securing A Rental Property

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT

With demand for rental property at an all-time high, here are our top five tips for securing a rental home in a tough climate. James Gesner, Senior Partner at Lesters, said: "We are seeing an unprecedented level of demand for homes, with prospective buyers turning to rented property as a more flexible option than buying "However, although the rental market is highly competitive, it is still possible to find that ideal home - if the search is carried out in a thorough, well-informed and realistic manner." We recommend the following for anyone looking to secure a rental property this summer: 1. Work out your true priorities Before booking viewings, set in place key `deal-breakers` as well as areas for compromise. Knowing what things you`re willing to be flexible on can aid the decision-making process and help your agent select properties to suit your specific needs. 2. Be prepared to make a prompt decision With the best properties often being let quickly, it is important to be able to make a swift and informed decision. However, it is even more important not to feel pressured into accepting a property that does not fit your agreed standards - quick decisions are different to rushed decisions. 3. Don`t go it alone As the adage goes, a problem shared is a problem halved, which is why it can be useful to bring a friend or family member along to any viewings for that crucial second opinion. Further to this, using an agent can make the process easier. Lesters are licensed ARLA members which means we have industry-leading market knowledge, and we are regulated - giving you access to client money protection and a redress scheme - as well as an informed opinion. 4. Get a flavour of the local market If you are moving to a new part of town, check it out on foot to get a feel for the area before you begin your search. It is also a good idea to conduct online research into average rents for the area early-on to build up a picture of likely prices and adjust your own expectations - or budget - accordingly. 5. Get your house in order If possible, try to get your references and deposit ready before beginning your search, to minimise delays once you have found the property you wish to rent.

Size Matters When It Comes To Inventories, Says Expert

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Size DOES matter when it comes to pictures in inventories, says an expert. Photographs no bigger than thumbnails are causing problems when it comes to disputes over damage at the end of tenancies. According to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks, inadequate photographs are regularly being used in inventories at both check-in and check-out. The practice is leaving landlords exposed to potentially costly disputes over wear and tear, with tenants winning their cases at arbitration because the use of tiny pictures makes it extremely difficult to see the detail of alleged damage. Nor is it just small photographs of low resolution that are causing problems. In one recent dispute, a landlord supplied his tenant with a photographic style inventory at check-in. However, none of the photographs were dated and no other written evidence was produced, so the tenant won his case and the landlord had to fund some expensive replacements. Advice from independent arbitrators recommends that inventory reports should contain a full description of a property and its contents, with detail on every bit of damage and its exact location, at the start of a tenancy. This can be supported with photographs – but they need to be of a high quality when printed up to A4 or A3 size, so that any damage can be seen clearly. Photographs alone are no substitute for an accurate and properly detailed inventory. A landlord has no evidence to prove that the property has been damaged in any way during the tenancy if they have to rely on poor-quality, thumbnail photographs, and therefore may find it almost impossible to withhold any deposit money from the tenants. Arbitrators also recommend that evidence submitted to them to resolve disputes over damage should include both ‘before' and ‘after' pictures, with a clear narrative as to what the photo is showing, eg colours, item description, marks on surface. Even if the photographs are just to be incorporated in the inventory for reference, they need to be a decent size. Photographs should be dated, as in a camera set to automatically put the date on the picture. If photographs are going to be printed out, the printer needs to be good quality. Too often cheap printers distort the colour. Even good printers give false colours when cartridges start to run out. Here at Lesters, our recommended Inventory supplier produces first-rate inventories, in line with the recommendations to ensure that our Landlord's are properly protected.

Pets Being Abandoned To Find A Rented Home!

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Despite a strong lettings market benefiting thousands of people who cannot get a mortgage, it has seen one victim, however: household pets. With many landlords simply denying pets or asking for a much greater deposit, many tenants are now having to give up their pets in order to secure the rental house they want. During 2010 alone, Battersea Dogs and Cats home reported a total of 236 admissions borne from owners seeking non-pet friendly rented accommodation. The figure for this year to the end of July already stands at 141. As the re-homing centre has a policy of never turning away a pet which needs its help, the staff at Battersea have urged landlords and letting agents all over the country to be a little more lenient with what they allow and what they prohibit. Speaking to guardian.co.uk of the issue, head of intake at Battersea Liz McWalter explained: "We`re seeing a lot of owners coming to us when they are left with no option but to give up their pet because of housing. "Seeking our help is the responsible thing to do and we will always aim to do all we can. Owners should never resort to abandoning or dumping their pet." According to Lesters Property Manager, Holly Weston, "Whether or not a tenant has a pet should not affect the landlord whatsoever. As with any uncleanliness or damage caused during the tenancy, whether by the tenant themselves or by a tenant`s pet, it is the responsibility of the tenant to rectify it." Holly aded "Whilst some of our Landlord`s properties just aren`t suitable as pet-friendly homes, we deal with many where the Landlord is quite willing to consider tenants with pets. The most important criteria for prospective tenants with pets is to show a willingness to accept responsibility for anything that is reasonably requested as part of the tenancy, such as professionally cleaning the carpets at the end of the agreement."

Lesters Launch Fixed-Price Tax Return Service For Landlords

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Lesters are pleased to announce the launch of their new, fixed-price tax return service for Landlords. The service is provided by Chartered Accountants, and is offered to all Lesters Landlord`s at a fixed-price of just £99 plus VAT. Commenting on the launch, Matthew Nash said "We are delighted to be able to offer this valuable additional service to our Landlord clients. Annual tax returns are often seen as a chore, and regularly get left until the last minute. This can mean that some allowances are missed, and people pay too much tax on their rental income." "This new service is designed to remove the hassle for a modest fixed price. I cannot think of a more sensible way to spend £99 plus VAT, getting the tax return off of the `to-do` list, and claiming all the available allowances to minimise the tax paid."

House Prices To Rise To Record High By 2015?

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMT

New research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) suggests that the housing market will make a recovery over the next two years before house prices push upwards to reach a record high, 14 per cent higher than their current levels, by 2015. The report from the CEBR predicts that the average cost of a home in the UK will increase from its current value of £176,000 to more than £200,000 by 2015. This would take prices well beyond the previous peak in 2007, when the average house was worth £191,000. The CEBR says that one reason for the expected increase is the lack of new houses being built. The CEBR says that 225,000 new homes need to be built each year to cater for the demand for new homes but it forecasts that only 110,000 will be built. There are various reasons why 225,000 new homes need to be built, according to the CEBR. One is the trend of more people living alone and another is the increasing population of the UK. Back in May, the CEBR predicted that house prices would rise by 16 per cent by 2015. A 14 per cent increase by 2015 is less than the current level of inflation which is 4.4 per cent. However, the Bank of England and most economists expect inflation to fall back towards its target level of two per cent during 2012. The CEBR report concluded that the rise in house prices will not take the form of a house price boom, but will be a gradual rise based on supply not meeting demand.

Is This The Best First Time Buyer Mortgage Deal Around?

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT

Just released via our recommended Mortgage Advisers, this exclusive First Time Buyer mortgage deal seems to be one of the best around! Here are the basic details: Maximum loan to value - 90% Interest rate fixed until November 2013 at just 4.95%. Absolutely NO arrangement fees. £250 cashback on completion. There are other similar rates on offer, but most of them carry arrangement fees of up to £1,000, so as you can see, this is a great deal. It`s an Exclusive deal, only available through our recommended mortgage advisers. Funds will be limited, so call us quickly for details. With just a 10% deposit, the monthly cost of buying your first home on this mortgage deal could be very similar to the monthly cost of renting it. Why pay someone else`s mortgage when you could pay your own, and also enjoy the long-term benefits of ownership? Contact us on 01235 519888 or 01491 824000 for more details.

Prepare For The Return Of The First Time Buyer

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT

More than eight out of ten young people (aged 18-24) still aspire to own their own home by the time they are 30, according to the quarterly consumer survey published by the Building Societies Association. Among potential first-time buyers overall, more than nine in ten (94%) respondents say that they would ideally have bought by the time they are 35 with more than seven in ten (75%) having an aspiration to become a homeowner in their twenties. "Property Tracker", which reports the views of more than 2000 UK adults about the housing market every three months, also highlights a sharp jump in the number of people who see raising a deposit as a barrier to home ownership, up from 62% in June to 69% in September, the highest percentage reported for this factor since the survey began in June 2008. Conversely, only 16% of respondents said that they were concerned about future falls in house prices, down from 51% in September 2008 and 27% this time last year. In fact, almost one in four of those questioned (39%) thought that property prices would rise over the coming 12 months, with 26% believing that they would fall. The median forecast is for house prices to remain flat for the next 12 months. According to Karen Marshall, Lesters recommended Mortgage Adviser, "The availability of mortgage finance has improved recently, and some lenders are now offering higher loan-to-value ratio loans tailored specifically to the first time buyer market.` "As an example, we have recently launched a First Time Buyer mortgage with no arrangement fees, interest rate fixed at just 4.95% until November 2013, and even a £250 cashback on completion." Matthew Nash of Lesters adds `With attractive mortgage schemes available of up to 90% of the purchase price, and the continuing Government incentive of waived Stamp Duty on properties under £250,000 for first time buyers, this is a great time to buy.` `Rental prices have increased by about 10% recently, which means that the monthly cost of renting is now broadly similar to the monthly cost of buying a property with a 90% mortgage. Potential first time buyers now have a clear choice. Pay off someone else's mortgage by renting, or pay off your own and eventually own the property outright.` Karen Marshall can be contacted at Lesters on 01235 519888 or 01491 824000.

Buy-To-Let Mortgage Market Continues To Grow

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The National Landlords Association has reported a continued increase in the popularity of buy to let mortgage products. A survey by NLA Mortgages found that the number of schemes provided during the second quarter of 2011 grew by 25% when compared to the first three months of the year. Average loan sizes also increased by £2166 to £138,525.80, representing a growth of 6.4% since January. This growth is mainly due to the greater number of lenders offering higher loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages and the availability of finance for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which tend to be higher value properties. Over 50% of buy-to-let offers processed by NLA Mortgages were for loans over 70% LTV – resulting in an average LTV of 67%. Low interest rates and future predictions were reflected by the increased popularity of variable mortgage products, comprising 59% of all mortgage applications. David Salusbury, NLA Chairman, commented: `These findings by NLA Mortgages are very positive. Landlords provide a valuable source of housing at a time when tenants are finding it increasingly difficult to find properties to rent. Any mortgage products that encourage greater investment in the private-rented sector (PRS) should be encouraged.` Paul Rockett, managing director of NLA Mortgages, commented: `Wider choice and better products for landlords mean that the overall buy-to-let market is improving. Although demand for finance still outstrips supply, the level of buy-to-let lending is gradually increasing giving property investors a reason to be optimistic.` Julian Walley, Senior Partner of Lesters comments: `With a number of new rates available through our Independent Mortgage Adviser we have seen an increase in activity across the offices with new ‘Buy to Let' purchasers. Didcot continues to be especially popular with the ease of London commuting from Didcot Parkway`. Buy-to-let mortgage advice is available free of charge via Lesters recommended mortgage advisers. Call in to your local office, or telephone 01491 824000 or 01235 519888.

Carl Wins Another Trophy!!!!!

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:00:00 GMT

Carl wins another trophy! Carl Davis our negotiator in the Didcot office traveled to Scotland at the weekend to compete for England against Scotland, Wales and Ireland in a team competition. Carl who lives in Upton, Oxfordshire runs a very successful Tae-Kwon-Do school in Wantage and has been representing his country for a long time now. If you are thinking of selling your home and need an agent with a good kick to get things moving then you know where to come!

Slow Cooker Beef Curry!

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:00:00 GMT

With our time ever so precious and eating together as a family becoming harder and harder a slow cooker is a great way to cook a meal whilst you are out at work. If you have not got one then add one to your Christmas list, they are not expensive and so easy to use! Champions in Wallingford Town Centre sell them for around £30.00 and they have plenty in stock!! Ingredients • 4 tbsp sunflower oil • 800g/1lb 12oz beef braising steak, cut into 2.5cm/1in pieces • 2 onions, finely chopped • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 2 chillies, finely chopped, plus extra to taste • 2.5cm/1in piece fresh root ginger • 4 tsp ground cumin • 4 tsp ground coriander • 2 tsp ground turmeric • 2 x 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes • 2 tsp garam masala • 200g/7oz natural yoghurt • small handful fresh chopped coriander Preparation method 1. Heat half of the oil in a frying pan and fry the beef pieces for 4-5 minutes, or until browned all over. (You may need to brown the meat in batches.) Tip the browned meat into the slow cooker. 2. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and fry the onions for five minutes, then add the garlic, chilli and ginger and fry for another 2-3 minutes. Add the spices and fry for another minute, then tip the mixture into the slow cooker. 3. Add the chopped tomatoes to the slow cooker, then fill one of the empty cans with water and add the water to the slow cooker. 4. Stir everything together, pressing down so that everything is covered in liquid and cook for 8-10 hours on low. 5. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the garam masala and yoghurt and season to taste with salt and a little more chilli. Cook for a further 30 minutes, then stir in the coriander.

Top Ten Tips To Buy To Let

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:00:00 GMT

1) Manage your borrowing Part of the lure of buy-to-let is the borrowing. This magnifies the returns on your cash or gives `leverage`. But it also adds risk. Say you put down a £110,000 deposit, borrow £165,000 and buy a property for £275,000 which you rent for £1,250 per month. Before mortgage costs that`s a yearly income of £15,000 on your £110,000 down payment – or a massive 14pc. Assume mortgage costs of 4pc (£550 per month), meaning your net rental income drops to £700. That`s still a handsome return of nearly 8p on your down payment, thanks to the effect of the borrowing. None of the above takes into account capital growth. If your property rises in value, on top of your rental income, the total return on your original £110,000 looks even more mouth-watering. The powerful effect of borrowing on total returns from buy-to-let, including the real growth in property prices. Between 1996 (the year buy-to-let loans first became available) and the end of 2013 the per-year returns for a buy-to-let investor who simply purchased their property with cash averaged 10pc. That`s an extremely healthy annual return. But where the buy-to-let investor made his cash work harder with the help of a mortgage of 75pc of their property`s value, the per-year return over the period came in at a far higher 16pc. To put those returns into perspective, an investment in commercial property delivered returns of 8pc per year over the period. The stock market, as measured by the performance of the FTSE All Share Index, delivered 7pc. But borrowing is risky. Mortgage rates are at an all-time low and will rise within the coming years, even if they are not predicted to rise very far or fast. Rents are already very high relative to incomes, suggesting that landlords might not be able to push up rents just because their mortgage costs start to climb. If you are letting a property for a long period of time you will need a specialist landlord mortgage. These were freely available before the financial crisis with Bradford & Bingley being one of the biggest lenders. But when the crisis struck B?&?B was one of the banks that needed rescuing. Landlord`s loans dried up after that and have only in the past two years become readily available again and increasingly competitively priced. 2) Know your customer when you buy your properties. Since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008 09 there has been a growth in `accidental` landlords. These are people who opted to let a property perhaps because they couldn`t sell it in a weak market. It was a property they probably had lived in themselves, rather than one chosen deliberately for the purpose of letting. But landlords who set out specifically to maximise returns can be more discriminating. Experienced landlord Graham White, right, who owns around 10 properties, suggests broad rules of sticking with newly built properties. Two-bedroom houses and flats are best, he reckons. Their maintenance costs are lower, and they suit the profile of young, professional and reliable tenants who are renting while they save to buy. Two-bed, newly built homes were the properties favoured by Britain`s most famous landlords, Fergus and Judith Wilson, pictured further down, whose portfolio of 1,000 such properties around Ashford, Kent, are now worth £200m to £250m But you need an area where there is strong tenant demand. Steve Bolton, below, a property investment millionaire and founder of Platinum Property Partners, a franchise business for landlords, takes a fairly scientific approach. Using Office for National Statistics data he identifies areas where there are populations of at least 20,000 working-age people. He then marries this against information about property prices and rents. Higher than average rents indicate stronger demand in an area. While Mr White and the Wilsons favour the types of property sought after by young professional couples, Mr Bolton is among those who think bigger profits can be made from letting individual rooms within larger homes. So he seeks out larger, sometimes older, properties which could be converted from family use into multiple rooms with five or six tenants. Called HMOs or `houses in multiple occupation`, this type of buy-to-let requires more work from landlords. There is also the issue of planning. Some local authorities are much less likely than others to grant planning consent, Mr Bolton said, highlighting Milton Keynes as one example. 3) Don`t count heavily on property price rises You could gamble on rising house prices. And if that`s what you want to do, in its purest form, you needn`t ever let your investment property: just buy it, hang on to it and sell for a profit in the future. At least that would be your hope. But that capital-growth-only strategy has burned many investors, notably those in 2006 07 who were trying to `flip` properties before they were even built. The ruse there involved signing up to an unbuilt flat costing, for example, £200,000. All you`d put down was a deposit of say £20,000. A year later, once the flat was complete – possibly even before – you sell it for 10pc more, at £220,000, and that`s a £20,000 profit or 100pc return on your stake. While that trick may have worked for a few lucky gamblers whose timing was just right, it was a disaster for others – who found themselves in 2007 and 2008 lumped with unlettable properties worth less than the price they`d promised to pay. The lesson? Don`t depend, at least in the short term, on rising prices. You are almost certainly going to have to pay capital gains tax in any case. Now read tip number four?.?.?. 4) Make rental income a big part of your total return While capital growth will be what you hope for over the longer term – and while history suggests you will get it – in the short term most experienced landlords focus on cashflow. In particular make sure your mortgage repayments and other costs will be covered. Mr Bolton said: `Most people think their biggest asset is their home, but in many cases they`re wrong. A property is only a true asset if it`s servicing its own debt. If you have a mortgage and use part of your salary to pay it every month, then the uncomfortable reality is that your home is probably your biggest liability.` He pointed out that many buy-to-let investors made similar mistakes, buying properties where the rents only just or don`t quite cover the costs. `I make sure every buy-to-let I buy not only services its own debt but brings in a high enough level of profit to make an income.` He said this layer of profit should also be fat enough to `insulate against market fluctuations and interest rate rises`. Because if it doesn`t and interest rates rise, an investor could be in the uncomfortable position of having to `sub` their properties out of other income or sell them – possibly at a bad time and for a loss. 5) Boost returns in other ways Former Boots boss Cathy Colston is among those to have followed Mr Bolton`s advice. She had already been an investor for some years before quitting work and turning to full-time buy-to-let as a replacement income. She quickly realised that for yields to be maximised it helped enormously to convert property, refurbish it or otherwise add value. But that involves work – and is far from the easy, `armchair` investor`s idea of buying to let. In an interview with the Telegraph Money in May, she explained her strategy. `I generally buy large, family homes and then convert them into six-bedroom properties with an average of four bathrooms.` These could be either Victorian terraces and semis or Thirties properties, she said, and she typically spends 10pc of the purchase price converting or updating the properties, and borrows about 75pc of their value. `Whatever I do by way of conversion, I ensure the properties could still be restored to single-family use,` she said. `That way I`m not limiting their future value.` Her tenants include both young professionals in work and students, and are mainly in the western centres of Bath, Cardiff and Bristol. 6) Never scrimp on tenant checks, inventories and other risk-cutting measures Using a lettings agency cuts out the work of both finding tenants and screening them – but for the privilege you may lose as much as 10pc per year of your income. Most full-time landlords aiming to build portfolios for the purpose of providing an income don`t use agencies. Instead, they do the donkey work themselves until they have a big enough portfolio to employ someone part-time to help. That works out cheaper than an agency. There are a number of low-cost credit search and referencing services which landlords can buy through organisations such as the National Landlord Association (see below). These also give access to tenant deposit schemes and other services typically provided at much greater cost by agencies. Doing a very careful inventory before a tenancy begins is also vital. David Lawrenson, author of Successful Property Letting and founder of the property letting information site Lettingfocus.com, said a good inventory should include everything down to toilet roll holders and the make, model and serial number of appliances such as washing machines. The reason for very `tight` inventories, he said, is to ensure tenants `can`t dispute valid reasons for deducting money from their deposits at the end of the tenancy`. 7) Be properly insured Landlord insurance is a growing area, with an increasing number of specialist policies covering everything from standard buildings and contents risks to loss of rent, boilers, heating and other appliances. Not having the right insurance can be disastrous, as many landlords have discovered - such as those whose property may have been damaged or even trashed. 8) Consider specialising in one area of buy-to-let For Mr Bolton and many other professional landlords the most attractive form of buy-to-let is HMOs, where multiple tenants are housed within one building, often on separate tenancies. But that is just one specialism. Other landlords have targeted niches such as student properties, properties for those in receipt of housing benefit, or upmarket, luxury properties for executives whose rent is typically paid by an employer. Most successful landlords say they enjoy dealing with tenants, so that is likely to play a part in their choice of investment. But deciding to pursue one type of investing could limit, among other things, your ability to raise mortgages. Many lenders will not lend against HMO properties or those requiring major refurbishment. 9) Use the internet, chat forums, landlord organisations and books to glean experience and confidence There are two major organisations representing private landlords: the Residential Landlords Association and the National Landlords Association, both of which offer information and services. Bookmark Telegraph Money`s buy-to-let pages where you can find numerous articles, including case studies of successful landlords, regularly updated. And sign up to receive Telegraph Money`s free, weekly newsletter,which will ensure you hear about latest trends in property prices, rents, interest rates and mortgage deals. Mr Bolton`s book, Successful Property Investing (how to earn £50,000 to £150,000 in two to five years), and updated editions of David Lawrenson`s Successful Property Letting are both available online. 10) Keep meticulous records (to help reduce your tax bill) There are numerous book-keeping software packages for landlords, but many choose to develop their own systems. Not only does disciplined record-keeping help avoid problems with inventories and potential tenant disputes, it also helps ensure you meet changing regulations, including requirements from local authorites. Detailed record-keeping is also essential to benefit from landlord tax breaks. A vast range of costs can be offset against profits for tax purposes, but they will need to be documented. The growth in private landlords has resulted in crackdowns by the taxman – all the more reason for assiduous record-keeping.

Replacing Or Sprucing Up Your Kitchen Before Selling Your House

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 12:00:00 GMT

You want to sell your house for as high a price as possible, right? You`ll do whatever it takes to increase the value of your home. But what exactly does it take? Does it take a new kitchen? Not necessarily, according to property experts. Kitchens and bathrooms are commonly recognised as two of the biggest selling points in a home, but that doesn`t mean you have to add a brand new kitchen or completely remodel your bathroom to win over people who want to buy your home. Reasons not to add a new kitchen: For one thing, a new kitchen only adds an average of about £4500 to your home`s value, whereas it will cost approximately £15,000 to install – depending on how many bells and whistles you add and whether you`re going to do it yourself or get it professionally fitted. For another, personal tastes and styles differ widely, so your idea of the perfect kitchen might not agree with prospective buyers` ideas of style. You could spend a fortune fitting a new kitchen only for the new owners to rip it out and start again. Then there is the fact that your kitchen might actually be pretty decent, with only a few cosmetic touches required to give it a modern, contemporary design. Finally, there are other areas of your home that could benefit more from some tender loving care, like the exterior walls, the roof or the plumbing. Great alternatives to a complete kitchen renovation Instead of buying a brand new kitchen, you can simply buy and install some new kitchen cupboards. New cabinets will give your kitchen an instant facelift and they`re not very expensive to install. You can also change your kitchen`s old countertops for something in a high-gloss finish for a fresh new feel. Even a lick of paint can transform your kitchen from drab to fab. Be careful when choosing colours though; it`s best to choose neutral colours that will provide a blank slate for new owners, or to choose harmless cheery colours that house hunters are unlikely to object to, like sunny yellow. When you show your house, make sure that all the kitchen surfaces are free of clutter, that all the dishes have been put away and that it`s spotlessly clean. Outside of the kitchen, you can safely spend money on painting the exterior (or just give it a thorough clean) and ensuring that your roof is sound. You should fix all the cracks (outside and in), make sure all your doors and windows open and close easily and that all your doorknobs and cupboard handles are in good condition. If you have carpets, now is the time to get them steam cleaned. If you have wooden floors it might be a good idea to have them professionally polished. Make sure that your house is structurally sound and if it isn`t, make it so. You can do most of the cosmetic repairs yourself – there are even DIY kitchen kits that you can install yourself if you have your heart set on a new kitchen but want to save costs. Just make ensure that you have the skills necessary to do a good job because a shoddy job that looks cheap and nasty will definitely bring down your house`s price when it comes time to sell. If you`re not sure what you need to do to your house to increase its value, contact an estate agent for advice. No one knows what sells on the housing market like a property expert. • Be realistic. If you decide to go ahead, it should be because you want to create a better home environment for yourself and your family, not because you are relying on a new kitchen to add significant value to your home. But remember that too "quirky" a style, which appeals to your taste, could put off future buyers. • Think space. The most frequently cited reason for people looking to move is to have more space. Bigger rooms topped the list of the most important criteria when shopping for a new home, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners by ratedpeople.com. So when planning a new kitchen review your living space – are there opportunities to create a different and lighter feel? Few people use a separate dining room any more – modern family life tends to take place in the living and kitchen areas. If you have a dining room in your house, think about creating a larger kitchen/dining area as part of any change • Plan your expenditure. Most people now budget for about £10,000 to create a new kitchen, but you don`t have to spend anything like that if you are just looking to refresh the decorations and make some smaller changes. Replacing the doors on your current kitchen cabinet, changing the layout, upgrading your cooker, will all improve your enjoyment of your kitchen space without costing a fortune • Be creative. Whilst built-in kitchens are still the most popular option, free-standing kitchen furniture is becoming increasingly popular. The advantage of introducing some free-standing elements is that you can use them to create additional storage but also as interesting features in a kitchen. An antique plate-rack, or an old pine corner cupboard, can add to the attractiveness of the room, and best of all – you can take them with you when you move. With estate agents citing a new kitchen as the most popular home improvement, it`s wise to realise that if you decide to upgrade it may make your home more saleable, but it`s unlikely to increase the value of your home enough to cover the cost. But just think how much enjoyment you will get from a beautiful new kitchen, designed just as you want it. 1. Paint the kitchen cabinets. It would be too costly to go out and purchase new cabinets just before you sell. But you and your real estate agent despise the old knotty pine or dark grain cabinets from 20 years ago. A quick fix is to paint them white. It will make the kitchen appear lighter, brighter and cleaner. A fresh coat of paint will give the appearance of new, which will appease many buyers. This can be done in one or two days` time for just a few hundred dollars. 1. Put some new hardware on the kitchen cabinets. After you`ve brightened up the kitchen with some new paint, throw on some brushed nickel cabinet door hardware. This hardware with the new white paint in the backdrop will make the kitchen pop. Buyers` eyes may be drawn away from the older counter tops or appliances. And, given that the cabinets are at or just above eye level, the hardware may be the first thing they notice in the kitchen. You can buy new hardware for just a few dollars and install them yourself. The picture shown is a new kicthen that was fitted in a house in Didcot and cetainly increased this properties value!

Stamp Duty To Be Cut For 98% Of Purchasers

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:00:00 GMT

George Osborne has said stamp duty will be cut for 98% of home buyers in his Autumn Statement to the Commons. The chancellor said that from midnight, the current system, where the amount owed jumps at each threshold level, would be replaced by a graduated rate, working in a similar way to income tax. The new stamp duty rates will only apply to the part of the property price that falls within that band. People currently in the process of purchasing a home could choose which regime to operate under, Mr Osborne stated. Under the new regime, no tax will be paid on the first £125,000 of a property, followed by 2% on the portion up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5 million and 12 % on everything over that. Mr Osborne said as a result, stamp duty would be cut for the 98% of home buyers who pay it, in a tax cut worth £800m a year. What this means in pound notes............. • At £300,000 your stamp duty is going to be £5,000 instead of £9,000 – saving £4,000 • At £450,000 your stamp duty is going to be £12,500 instead of £13,500 – saving £1,000 • At £600,000 your stamp duty is going to be £20,000 instead of £24000 – saving £4,000

Win £100 Of John Lewis Vouchers

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 12:00:00 GMT

Christmas Competition - to win a £100 John Lewis Voucher!!!! Guess the difference in price based on the eventual sale price of these two four bedroom detached houses. The one with the white garage door is located in the north in Harrogate and the red door is in Wallingford in the south. Both were presented nicely and have four bedrooms and nice gardens. To enter the competition please visit our Facebook page at Lesters Partnership and comment on the page with your answer and the winner will be the person which is closest guess on December 19th!!! Please like and share our page to help us reach the `500 like` mark!

Aldi Close To Opening In Didcot

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:00:00 GMT

Aldi, a German company are one of Britain`s fastest expanding supermarket chain are set to open their doors to the public at the bottom of the Broadway on April 10th 2015. Aldi who are known for their strapline ‘Spend a little, live alot`. They now have over 500 stores and counting, their shopping experience is proving a massive success in other European countries, James Gesner Director commented `It`s all good news for the local consumer which will give strong competition to Sainsbury`s and Tesco in the town as the bottom end of the Broadway is developed and alot more shops and businesses move down this way, as well as offering local job opportunities. If you have any views on this or any other local news in the Didcot area please contact us on our facebook page.

James Stars In Come Dine With Me!!

Wed, 06 May 2015 12:00:00 GMT

A lot of you may have watched the program but do you know someone who was actually in it? James Gesner, Director of james Gesner Estate Agents applied to go on the show in 2014 and got picked from over 600 applicants to be part of the Come Dine With Me Oxfordshire edition. Filmed in July last year he took part along with three other contestants, all from Oxfordshire in hosting and evening of food and drinks with a chance to win the £1,000 prize. James commented ‘A week of late nights, fine food and drinking seemed like a good idea to me!!` But after finishing the program he said he would of rather ran the London Marathon again! Hours and hours of filming certainly took its toll let alone getting home at 2am most nights due to the time taken to get the footage needed to create the program. The program is on next Thursday at 4pm on channel 4 and you can see how James got on. Oxford: This episode features an indulgent menu laden with cream, a meal on a narrowboat, a spiritualist host and an unconventional approach to sous-vide cooking.

James Gesner Estate Agents Rebrand Complete!

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:00:00 GMT

Over the last six weeks James and his team have been busy at the office, not only selling and renting houses but a complete rebrand has been undertaken. All the hard work has now been completed and thanks to everyone involved the office now looks brilliant. You should be seeing JG signs all over the Wallingford and Didcot areas and the new website www.jamesgesner.co.uk has received a great deal of interest so far. We also launched our new Facebook Page and the response to this has been nothing short of remarkable with almost 700 likes in a week!! If you want to be kept up to date with what we are up to please visit James Gesner Estate Agents on Facebook!

Taylor Wimpey Teams Up With James Gesner Estate Agents!!

Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:00:00 GMT

Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire has joined forces with James Gesner Letting Agents to promote the fantastic benefits of investing in a high-quality property at the leading housebuilder`s Atrium at Great Western Park development in Didcot. This prestigious collection of two, three and four-bedroom properties boasts an exceptional location on the edge of Oxfordshire`s beautiful countryside, with all the amenities of the town centre within easy reach. As well as proving popular with first-time buyers and existing homeowners keen to make Atrium at Great Western Park their home, the development is also attracting buy-to-let landlords looking to get a great return on their investment. And to make the process even easier for potential investors, Taylor Wimpey is now working with respected local agency, James Gesner Letting Agents, which is based near to the development in Didcot. Nikki Gibson, Associate Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire, says: `We`re delighted to have teamed up with such a well-regarded local agency like James Gesner to make it even easier for people to invest in a buy-to-let property at Atrium at Great Western Park. `Thanks to their extensive experience and knowledge of the local market, as well as our commitment to building the very best new homes – and the outstanding customer service that we both strive to deliver – we`re certain that this is going to be a highly successful partnership.` With interest rates still at an all-time low, landlords with a buy-to-let property can benefit from the widening gap between rising rents and low-interest mortgage payments. Buy-to-let landlords are earning returns of almost 1,400% since 1996, The Guardian has revealed. On average, £1,000 invested in a buy-to-let asset in the final quarter of 1996 was worth £14,987 by the end of last year, according to analysis by economists at the Wriglesworth Consultancy for lender Landbay*. James Gesner, Director of James Gesner Letting Agents, says: `We`re an independent company with 20 years of experience in property management. Our team can offer in-depth knowledge of the property market and landlords can work alongside a local team, allowing us to make the process easier. `We aim to build relationships with our landlords – we won`t make false promises over rental prices and we`ll ensure we provide the most respectful tenants possible, so there are fewer concerns over properties getting damaged.` There`s a superb selection of new homes currently available at Atrium at Great Western Park including two-bedroom houses from £250,000, three-bedroom designs from £285,000 and four-bedroom properties from £350,000. Atrium at Great Western Park lies on the western fringes of the vibrant town of Didcot, which has a good selection of shops, restaurants and pubs all within walking distance. Parents will appreciate that there are a number of primary schools and secondary schools located close by. Commuters will enjoy easy access to the A34 which runs east of the development, offering good links to the M4 and M40, and nearby Didcot Parkway railway station has regular services to London Paddington with a journey time of around 40 minutes. To find out more about investing in a property at Atrium at Great Western Park, potential investors can visit the Sales Information Centre, located off Wantage Road, Didcot, and open daily from 10am to 5pm (1pm until 5pm on Mondays). Alternatively, the Sales Executive can be contacted on 01235 420762. Taylor Wimpey UK, part of Taylor Wimpey plc, is one of the largest residential developers in the UK, developing new homes and communities across the country. Taylor Wimpey operates from 24 regional offices across England, Scotland and Wales and builds over 12,000 homes each year. Taylor Wimpey is a responsible homebuilder that is committed to health and safety, environmental sustainability, providing excellent customer service and engaging with local communities. For further information please visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk.

More Success For Carl`s Tae Kwon Do School In Cardiff!

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:00:00 GMT

Carl Davis, an instructor at the Wantage-based club, won gold`s in the sparring and power events, plus a bronze in fourth degree patterns. This ensured he won the overall adult black belt prize for the second time in a row. Aaron Poole also won two events, in junior colour belt heavyweight sparring and power. He also added silver in the junior green belt patterns, to become the top overall junior colour belt competitor. Oliver Grimes claimed two gold`s and a bronze, while Oliver Ellacott picked up two silvers in the junior colour belt divisions. The tally was completed by silvers for Jamie Marren and Lucas Smyth in the children divisions and bronzes for Kuba Pienkos and Bethany Woodsend in sparring and patterns.

Charity Golf Day

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:00:00 GMT

CHARITY GOLF DAY IN AID OF FOOTSTEPS ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH 2015 @ HADDEN HILL GOLF CLUB The format on the day will be 4 ball stableford where the best three scores count on each hole. * Longest Drive * Nearest the pin on all par 3s * Yellow Ball Comp * Nearest in 2 * Raffle prizes* Cost per player is £40 for non members and £20 for members. Cost includes 18 holes, coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, ham egg and chips after golf and a hog roast in the evening along with a disco until midnight. Bring your partners/wives along in the evening for disco and drinks and help us raise as much money as we can for this local charity. All proceeds go to Footsteps Foundation registered charity 1123440 Please email us for an application form

Good News On Inheritance Tax On Homes

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:00:00 GMT

Mr Osborne said that Inheritance tax was designed to be paid by the very rich but now it is hitting ‘ordinary families` so, from 2017, homeowners will benefit from an additional £175,000 allowance on top of the current £325,000 on the family home. `And from today` he added, those who downsize will not lose out – they will be able to pass on up to £1million without paying any inheritance tax. Gráinne Gilmore (left), Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank, said, `Property trends over the last few decades have led to an amassing of housing wealth among older people. Increasing the Inheritance Tax (IHT) allowance will mean that more of this wealth flows back down the generations rather than into the Treasury coffers. It will give more people the chance to amass a deposit for a new home or make a step up the housing ladder. `Making an allowance to protect downsizers is welcome. It means those living in large houses do not have to continue to do so in order to benefit from the IHT changes. This, in time, could help release more large homes back into the market.`

Charity Golf Day In Aid Of Foot Steps Foundation

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 12:00:00 GMT

On the 18th September James Gesner Estate agents are holding a charity golf day at Hadden Hill Golf Club in aid of Foot Steps, a local charity which we have teamed up with in 2015. So far we have over 90 players confirmed to play and we are hoping to raise at least £3,000 on the day. If anyone has anything they wish to donate for our raffle/auction on the day please do get in touch. However big or small the donation it will be gratefully received. Everyone is welcome to attend in the evening which starts at 7.30 in the club house. If you are keen to play on the day we still have room for 4-5 players. If you are keen to play on the day we still have room for 4-5 players. For more information on footsteps copy the link into your browser http://footstepscentre.com/

Charity Golf Day At Hadden Hill Was A Great Success!

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:00:00 GMT

On Friday September 18th James Gesner Estate Agents hosted a Charity Golf Day in aid of The Foot Steps Foundation in Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire. Footsteps Foundation provides financial assistance to families in need of support, enabling children with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor disorders to access the Footsteps therapy programme and benefit from specialist equipment whilst at home. We are still collecting in the final monies but we are confident that in the next 7-10 days we will be handing over a cheque for over £3,000!!! We will look to run this event again next year and raise more money for another charity. Thank you to everyone that has helped us make this day so successful; Hadden Hill Golf Club, Adam McConnell gas services, Keri the florist, Connect Catering, Jake Chaffey electrical, Facey and Jones carpentry, PRG construction, Roux Lifestyle, Arsenal football club, Willis Construction, Replacia home improvements, RG park Butchers, Broadway Butchers, Spring Golf Club, Houseman Racing, The Chequers Burcot, Angel Wilkins solicitors, Cotswold Surveyors, Recruitment Solutions, Haynes Car Care Wallingford, Pertemps Recruitment Didcot, Premier Choice Mortgages, Hampers.com, Route One removals, Murphy`s Munchies, The Barn Gym in Cholsey, Ask4Support IT support Wallingford, Nick Smith Tiling, Four Pillars Abingdon, Drayton Park Golf Club, JD golf academy, Tom Hartley Golf Pro Hadden Hill, AFC Wallingford football club, Randolf Hotel Oxford, Jamies Gardening.

Landlord Wins a House!

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:00:00 GMT

It`s not every day you get instructed to market a house for someone who won the property in a prize draw! Taylor Wimpey who are building at Great Western Park in Didcot gave away this two bedroom terrace property to this lucky lady from Wales! Mrs Clarke quoted ` I have been entering this competition in the Daily Mail for over 40 years, and when I received the call I couldn`t believe my luck!` Ms Clarke who is retired has decided to let the property via our fully managed service to supplement her income. This is something many new landlords are doing to increase their income. If you are looking to invest in property please speak to us. Its a lot easier than you think and we are always on hand for an initial chat. The property is available now at http://www.jamesgesner.co.uk/-pi2-JGES10002033.htm

We need a great new person to join our team!

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 12:00:00 GMT

Thinking of a career change? Interested in property? Would you like to work in a team of great people? Are you ambitious and keen to learn? Get in touch! Email your CV to james@jamesgesner.co.uk or apply through the link below! http://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/lettings-coordinator-assistant-property-manager/28310476

The perfect Christmas Turkey by Jamie Oliver

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:00:00 GMT

The perfect Christmas Turkey by Jamie Oliver Ingredients • 1 sprig fresh sage , leaves picked • 12 strips higher-welfare pancetta or thinly sliced streaky bacon • 1 bulb garlic , broken into cloves • 4 medium red onions , peeled • 2 sticks celery , trimmed and chopped • 1 big handful breadcrumbs • 1 handful dried apricots • 300 g higher-welfare minced pork • 1 lemon , zest of • 1 pinch grated nutmeg • 1 large free-range egg • sea salt • freshly ground black pepper • 12 small sprigs of fresh rosemary , plus a few extra • 4-4.5 kg higher-welfare turkey , at room temperature • 2 carrots , peeled • 1 large orange • olive oil • 2 tablespoons plain flour • 1.1 litres organic chicken or vegetable stock Method Preheat the oven to maximum. Heat a saucepan until medium hot and add a splash of olive oil, the sage leaves and 6 of the pancetta or bacon strips. Peel and chop 2 garlic cloves and 1 onion. Add the garlic, celery and onion to the saucepan and fry everything gently until soft and golden brown. Take the pan off the heat, add the breadcrumbs and, while the mix is cooling down, chop the apricots roughly and stir them in. When the stuffing has cooled down, add the pork, lemon zest, nutmeg, egg and lots of salt and pepper, and mix everything together well. Slice the remaining strips of pancetta or bacon in half and slice 1 peeled garlic clove into thin slivers. Place a rosemary sprig and a garlic sliver on one end of a halved strip of pancetta and roll it up tightly. Repeat with the other pieces of pancetta until you have 12 little rolls. Stab the thighs and drumsticks of the turkey in 6 places on each side. Push a little pancetta roll into each hole until it just peeps out. This`ll give your turkey thighs a fantastic flavour and will keep them moist while they cook. Chop the remaining onions in half and slice the carrots thickly. Give your turkey a good wipe, inside and out, with kitchen paper, and place it on a board, with the neck end towards you. Find the edge of the skin that`s covering the turkey`s breasts and gently peel it back. Work your fingers and then your hand under the skin, freeing it from the meat. If you`re careful you should be able to pull all the skin away from the meat, keeping it attached at the sides. Go slowly and try not to make any holes! Lift the loose skin at the neck end and spoon the stuffing between the skin and the breast, tucking the flap of skin underneath to stop anything leaking out. Pop the orange in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm it up and stuff it into the cavity. Weigh the stuffed turkey and calculate the cooking time (about 20 minutes per 500g/1lb 2oz). Place the bird on a large roasting tray, rub it all over with olive oil and season well. Surround with the chopped carrots, onions, remaining garlic, cover with tinfoil and place in the preheated oven. Turn the heat down right away to 180°C/350°F/gas 4, and roast for the calculated time, or until the juices run clear from the thigh if you pierce with it a knife or a skewer. Remove the tinfoil for the last 45 minutes to brown the bird. Carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board that`s covered loosely with foil for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours for bigger birds. When the resting time`s nearly up, skim the surface fat from the roasting tray and add the flour and stock. Place the tray on the hob and bring to the boil on a high heat. When the gravy starts to thicken, strain it into a bowl. Carve your turkey, serve with the gravy and dig in!

Footsteps Charity Golf Day - Wow!!!!

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:00:00 GMT

This year we decided support a local charity and after visiting Footsteps in Dorchester on Thames we knew straight away that with our help it would make a direct difference to the children and their families. So in September we arranged a golf day at Hadden Hill Golf Club in Didcot and we raised over £3,000. The picture shows me presenting the cheque to Brandon who is 9 years old and this money is enough to fund his treatment for one year! Thank you so much to everyone involved, from the golfers to the companies that sponsored holes and donated raffle/auction prizes. We must also thank Corrine Crook of Hadden Hill Golf Club for her input throughout the day. Roll on 2016!!!!!

Preparing Your Property For The Spring Market

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Property experts are, in general, predicting a bumper year in 2016 but it will be a bumpy ride for the prime market with increased stamp duty levies hitting this sector the hardest. We at James Gesner Estate Agents suggest that vendors undertake an `MOT` on their property before selling and here are our top 10 tips: First Impression – `This can be make or break` says Assistant Manager David Rayfield. `If a potential purchaser is put off before entering the front door then we are doomed. So take a look at the outside of your home through a stranger`s eyes. It might be winter and very wet but for a small sum, or some time and energy you could tidy the garden and plant a pretty pot by your front door. ` Odour – It may seem minor but the aroma of your house is really very important when you are selling. A simple diffuser discretely hidden in the lobby could do the trick. Some people proffer the advice of coffee and home baked bread but we are realistic, it could take a few weeks to sell your home and you cannot be there ready to turn on the bread maker at the drop of a hat. Tidy – Be obsessive about this, as it is a make or break to a prospective client. Our advice is to have a seriously good clear out before you put the house on the market – even if you bundle up your prized possessions and take them off site. Prospective buyers want to see clean lines and uncluttered work surfaces that create a feeling of space. Clean – Fresh, sparkling and inviting would be perfect. Hard to achieve when you have an active life with pets and children running amuck we know, but the cleaner your house is the easier it is to sell. Temperature – Heating houses is an expensive business. However, taking a client into a house that has sat empty for the weekend without the heating on is going to put them off instantly – keep your house ticking over at a pleasant 15° C – it will stop your pipes bursting and mean that we don`t shiver round the viewing! Animals – People`s pets are much loved by the owner but very often just the owner and not necessarily the person that is going to buy the house. Pets also can have quite a strong odour, not to mention the litter trays, food bowls and paraphernalia that goes with having an animal in the house. Try to keep pet evidence to a minimum. Bathrooms – Generally we don`t advise sellers to refit a bathroom prior to sale – unless it is really ghastly. Do the obvious instead – re-grout, re-silicon, fluffy towels, pleasant scent, clean and spotless please! Kitchen – Spare a thought for the poor estate agent as you dash out of the house without loading the dishwasher! We want to take pride in your house when we show clients around and leftover breakfast is not the first thing they want to see as they enter the kitchen. Problem areas – It is possible that you have a part of your house that you would rather not draw attention to, perhaps somewhere that is mid repair. Our recommendation: don`t put the house on the market until it is in tiptop condition. Make it your problem, not the client`s. Tell your agent – The more we are prepared to answer questions about your house the easier it will be to sell it and allay any fears that prospective buyers may have. As an estate agent we dislike not having the answers. And we particularly dislike not knowing how your gadgetry works so please do show us how to use the iPad entry system, the drop down cinema and the fancy lighting system! If we make it look easy the clients will love it. If we don`t know how it works, then they won`t.

Footsteps Charity Golf Day June 24th hadden Hill Golf Club

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Those of you that played last year will remember the day! Mainly for the amount of people involved, the money raised and the great day had by all. This year we are hoping to go one better and raise even more money for this wonderful charity. The good news is the price remains the same to enter and we have also been allowed to increase the number of players to 120 from 100 in 2015. If you are keen to get involved, have something to donate or just want to help on the day get in touch! Email james@jamesgesner.co.uk or contact us in the office on 01235 519888.

The best places to live in the countryside are revealed..........

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:00:00 GMT

The place with the best quality of life for country dwellers has been revealed as South Oxfordshire. The area reached the top slot after scoring well on health, happiness and life expectancy, according to the annual Halifax survey. Chiltern in Buckinghamshire is in second place while Rutland takes the third spot. The top 50 list is dominated by the South East, with 16 districts found in the region, followed by the East of England which claims 12 of the top 50 positions. The survey takes into account a wide range of factors, including residents` health, life expectancy, crime rate, weather, employment, school results, broadband and personal wellbeing. Life expectancy for women in South Oxfordshire is 84.7 years, three years longer than males at 81.7, while 97 per cent of those living in the area report themselves to be in good health. South Oxfordshire also scores highly on employment, with four out of five residents being in work, with average weekly earnings of £863. Residents in Chiltern also enjoy a high employment rate, with average weekly earnings of £912, the highest among rural areas in the survey. Rutland is Britain`s third most desirable rural place to live, with residents being in good health, having a high employment rate, benefiting from a low crime rate and enjoying a relatively good climate with less rainfall and more sunshine than the national average. There were several big climbers in the top 20, with West Dorset rising 47 places to number 17, East Hampshire up 35 places to 16 and East Dorset moving from slot 47 to 20. Areas outside the south that are in the top 50 besides Rutland include Hambleton in North Yorkshire at 18, Wychavon in the West Midlands, Monmouthshire at 35, the Orkney Islands at 46 and Ribble Valley in the North West at 49. The survey found that the biggest homes are in Uttlesford in Essex, Chiltern and Rutland, which all have an average of 6.4 rooms. The smallest rooms are in the Orkney Islands, East Lothian, Highlands, and Argyle and Bute - all with no more than 4.6 rooms. The average number of rooms in Britain is 5.4. Craig McKinlay, mortgages director at Halifax, said: `Having scored strongly across a wide range of economic, environmental and social factors, residents of South Oxfordshire can now lay claim to having the highest standard of living in rural Britain. `Many of the towns in the top 20 are either within commuting distance to the capital or another major city. With South Oxfordshire particularly, the residents can enjoy the financial benefits of working in London and still have the rural lifestyle. `Importantly having an exceptional quality of life does not necessarily come with added costs, as house prices relative to earnings in the area are not much different from the average for the country.`

Top 10 tips to adding value to your home

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 12:00:00 GMT

If you looking to the future and thinking of doing things to your home heres some ideas! 1. Extension Adding an extension is the most costly outlay but could increase the value of your home by up to 20% by expanding the living area. 2. Kitchen improvements The kitchen has become the hub of the home - creating a real asset by modernising or making it more open-plan can be hugely beneficial and help you achieve your target asking price. 3. Bathroom upgrades The prospect of upgrading a bathroom may deter some buyers. So a new bathroom that needs no work can be prized asset. Strutt & Parker, says: "Whether you`re planning an extension or something less ambitious, one thing you`ll need to consider is how much value you can realistically add to your home. If the most expensive home in your street sold for £500,000, it is unlikely that you will surpass it." 4. Adding a bath/shower room Gone are the days of having one big family bathroom for the whole house. The number of en-suites and bath/shower rooms are key for most buyers. Installing in an en-suite or wet room, even in a small space, will increase the appeal of your property. 5. Landscaping the garden Many potential buyers have green fingers, so having an attractive garden can make a difference when it comes to valuing a property. 6. Think about flow Don`t underestimate the flow of a house, if this means knocking down a wall or removing useless narrow corridors to make it more light and flexible to a potential buyer, it may be worth doing James Gesner advises: "The cost of renovating often runs over budget and can even spiral out of control so be prepared. The phrase most heard when doing up a wreck is: "It cost twice as much as I thought it would." Set yourself a budget and build in some contingency funding - 15 per cent of the total cost is a good guideline." 7. Loft conversion Expanding into the roof space could turn your two bed into a three bed and open up your property to a host of new buyers with higher budgets. 8. Go green For an average home in the country, improving its EPC from the bottom band G up to E, or from band D to B, could add more than 14% to the value of your home. 9. Use your outbuildings A shed in the garden can be turned into a useful addition, such as a home office or a playroom, which may be practical for buyers. 10. Upgrade windows There is no point having a marvellous home if the basics aren`t done properly, clean windows and replace old or broken ones to help achieve maximum price for your home.

Aerial photography, what does it add?

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:00:00 GMT

They say a photograph can save a thousand words, and we embrace that philosophy entirely, that is why we not only offer professional photography on all our properties, but we can also offer aerial photography. Not only will it offer a new and unique perspective on our properties, it will also show gardens, land, surroundings and views. As such, a few photo`s really can save thousands of unread words, describing property locations. We always do our utmost to use new technology and push the boundaries of what we can do for our clients, and what once required an aeroplane fly over can now be done by a trained and qualified professional with a drone, meaning all angles are possible with no need to register a flight path over your home. So if your home has fantastic views, a large garden, river frontage or a prominent position ask us how we can make the most of your properties best features.

Another Gesner joins teamJG!!

Tue, 24 May 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Due to our ongoing success we have recruited another team member!! Matthew Gesner, who is James`s brother, worked for the company from 2005 to 2010 when we were Lesters and has now returned as a senior lettings negotiator at TeamJG. Matthew, who has lived in The South Oxfordshire villages of Brightwell, Crowmarsh and Wallingford all of his life understands tenant and landlord needs and will be a huge asset to the rest of the team. If you are a landlord looking for a tenant for your property or you are a tenant looking for a property then please contact Matthew on matthew@jamesgesner.co.uk or call on 01235 750502

Calling all local companies

Wed, 25 May 2016 12:00:00 GMT

In September last year we had a golf day to support the Footsteps Foundation based in Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire http://footstepscentre.com/footsteps-foundation/ and we raised over £3,000. This was generated by extremely generous local companies donations, subsidised green fees from Hadden Hill as well as 88 golfers making this day very special. This year, after the great success of last year we have 120 golfers booked to play at Hadden Hill Golf Club in Didcot on June 24th and we are looking to raise as much as £5,000!!! Therefore we are writing again to local companies to ask if you would be prepared to offer anything which could be auctioned or raffled at this year`s event. Last year we were offered things like hotel stays, four ball vouchers for various golf courses, 3 months gym membership and vouchers for local restaurants etc... If you don`t feel you are local then I have contacted you because I have visited you in the past!! Last year we had 18 local companies sponsoring each hole and this year we are looking for 18 more so that we can have sponsorship boards on the tees and the green. This is charged at £75 if we need to provide the sign or £50 if you have your own sign. City & County have kindly agreed to print these at cost for us. Every company that gets involved will receive a lot of PR through the James Gesner Estate Agents and the Footsteps Facebook page as well as the local press. Anyone is welcome to attend the day, we have a disco and a hog roast in the evening. Please don`t hesitate to contact us if you think you can help. We look forward to hearing back from you. Regards James Gesner Estate Agents

Record low for FTB mortgage rates

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:00:00 GMT

According to the latest research from Your Move & Reeds Rains, the average mortgage rate for those taking their first step on to the property ladder slipped further during May to 3.08% – a new record low. This follows a fall of 0.37% over the course of the past year. Despite the climbing overall cost of a home, these cheaper rates mean mortgage repayments have not increased significantly as a proportion of first time buyer`s income. As of May, mortgage repayments accounted for 21.1% of income, just 1.7 percentage points more than a year ago. Meanwhile, the average first-time buyer deposit currently sits at £27,669, up 12.8% (or £3,146) from £24,523 a year ago. When compared to the average first-time buyer income of £39,651, this represents an extra 29 days` worth of salary. As a proportion of income, the average deposit has climbed 6.1 percentage points compared to May 2015. Adrian Gill, director of estate agents Your Move and Reeds Rains, had this to say: `High LTV mortgage options like the Help to Buy schemes are giving more first-time buyers a fighting chance of getting on the housing ladder. But putting together a chunk of cash to put down on a property remains problematic for many. Some first-timers are helped by the Bank of Mum and Dad, or through an inheritance or gift from a family member. Others are forced to move home with their parents while they save. But most continue to struggle to save while paying a considerable proportion of their income on rent. This highlights the importance of the rental market to first-time buyer prospects. Maintaining a healthy private rental sector (PRS) is absolutely key to achieving homeownership aspirations. The government`s current agenda, managing landlord demand by taxing the PRS more heavily, is likely to filter through to tenants in the form of higher rents making the challenge of saving for a deposit even more difficult. The new PRS policies may well hurt the very demographic they are trying to help – first time buyers.`

‌UK interest rates have been cut from 0.5% to 0.25% - a record low and the first cut since 2009.

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:00:00 GMT

‌UK interest rates have been cut from 0.5% to 0.25% - a record low and the first cut since 2009. The Bank of England announced a range of measures to stimulate the UK economy including buying £60bn of UK government bonds and £10bn of corporate bonds. The Bank also announced the biggest cut to its growth forecasts since it started making them in 1992. It has reduced its growth prediction for 2017 from the 2.3% it was expecting in May to 0.8%. As part of the package of measures designed to boost growth following the UK`s vote to leave the EU in June, the Bank is also introducing a new Term Funding Scheme, which will lend directly to banks at rates close to the new 0.25% base rate, to encourage them to keep lending. The exact rates they are offered will depend on whether the total amount they are lending has fallen. The scheme is designed to make sure that lower interest rates are passed on to businesses and households. The money will be lent to banks for four years and the Bank has said the terms of the scheme will not become less generous for at least 18 months. It predicts that the amount of money lent through the scheme could reach about £100bn. Separately, the corporate bond-buying scheme will purchase up to £10bn of bonds issued by companies outside the financial sector. Only companies considered to be contributing to the UK economy will be eligible. More details of the scheme will be released in September. The extensive package of measures comes despite the central bank predicting that inflation would rise above its 2% target as a result of the falling value of the pound. A weaker pound makes imported goods more expensive, which boosts inflation. The pound fell by 1% against the dollar following the Bank`s announcement. The Bank has warned that there will be "little growth in GDP in the second half of the year" although the forecast for 2016 growth has been left unchanged at 2% as a result of stronger-than-expected growth in the first half. The forecast for 2018 has been cut from 2.3% to 1.8%. The rate of unemployment is expected to rise to 5.4% next year and 5.6% in 2018. The decision to cut interest rates to 0.25% was approved unanimously by the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and is the first change in interest rates since March 2009. The £60bn increase in quantitative easing to £435bn was approved by a vote of 6-3, with Kristin Forbes, Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale preferring to wait until more concrete data is available rather than relying on surveys. The corporate bond buying scheme was opposed by one member: Kristin Forbes. The MPC meeting was the last one before it moves to only meeting eight times a year, meaning that it is not scheduled to meet again until 3 November, although it can call an extra meeting before then if it wants to. A majority of MPC members said that if the economy performed as they expected in the coming months, they would support cutting interest rates again before the end of the year to their lowest possible level of "close to, but a little above, zero". Before the referendum, there were warnings of a recession if there was a vote to leave the EU. The Bank of England`s quarterly inflation report does not foresee a recession, although all of its forecasts take into account the stimulus measures. Even with those measures, the Bank still predicts little growth in the second half of the year, suggesting there could have been a recession if the Bank had not acted. Bank of England governor Mark Carney has written to Chancellor Philip Hammond to outline the measures taken by the MPC as well as explaining why inflation remains, for now, significantly below its target rate. In response, Mr Hammond wrote: "Alongside the actions that the Bank is taking, I am prepared to take any necessary steps to support the economy and promote confidence." He said that those plans would be set out in the Autumn Statement.

TeamJG sponsors Didcot Town u9s

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 12:00:00 GMT

As a local company we are always keen to help with local clubs and events and with James having played for Didcot in the past, we`re honoured to be asked to sponsor the u9s team. They are raring to go this season and have their first home league game on Saturday 10th September. All the best boys and good luck for the season ahead from all of us at TeamJG.

Landlords to benefit as BTL mortgages fall 8% in 6 months

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Figures released today from Mortgage Brain has revealed that potential landlords are set to benefit further from the continuing reductions of mortgage rates. For example, the cost of a five year Fixed BTL mortgage with a 70% LTV is now 8% lower than it was in March 2016. According to the report, with a current rate of 2.80% (as of 1st September 2016) the reduction in cost for this product equates to a potential annualised saving of £738 on a £150k mortgage. The cost of the lowest rate three year Fixed BTL mortgage at 2.64%, and a two year Fixed at 2.89% - both with a 70% LTV – have seen a 6% reduction in cost since March and offer landlords an annualised saving of £504 and £540 respectively. BTL mortgages with a 60% LTV have also come down in cost over the past six months with a five year Fixed down 5%, a three year Fixed down 4%, and a two year Fixed down 2% in cost since March 2016. There is a slight twist in the tale, however, with Mortgage Brain`s latest data showing that some two year Tracker BTL mortgages have increased in cost. The cost of the lowest rate 80% LTV product (at 2.97%), for example, is now 14% higher than it was in March 2016. At 1.80% over two years the cost of a two year Tracker with a 60% LTV is now 3% higher, while the same product with a 70% LTV is now 1% higher. Mark Lofthouse, CEO of Mortgage Brain, comments, `With further interest rate cuts predicted by the Bank of England it will be interesting to see what happens to mortgage rates and costs over the next few months. There`s no doubt though that on the whole borrowers and potential BTL investors are in a great position to take advantage of the low rates and cost reductions that we`re seeing.`

James Gesner to run London Marathon 2017

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT

James is running the London Marathon in 2017 to raise monies for AMMF and Footsteps. Having previously completed the marathon in 2013 and 2014 and raising over £10,000 for VICTA and AMMF James has now decided to run again to try and raise even more money for these two charities. AMMF is the UK`s only cholangiocarcinoma charity, dedicated to tackling this devastating cancer on all fronts to provide information and support, campaigning to raise awareness, and encouraging and supporting research. FOOTSTEPS are based in Dorchester on Thames and they aim to enhance and improve the physical, cognitive and speech development of our patients, as well as increase their confidence and independence. Patients will see tangible and sustainable results which will improve their quality of life and help them to reach their full potential. So far, since we became James Gesner Estate Agents in 2015 we have donated more than £10,000 to local charities and by the end of 2017 we hope to of reached over £20,000. If you see James out running in the next few months toot your horn!! We will be sharing a link to the Virgin London Marathon page if anyone wishes to donate.

Have you seen Santa on his sleigh?

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Wallingford 1155 are visiting the local area over the next 2 weeks to help raise money for local charities, Mark Brett of Haynes Car Care in Wallingford made the sleigh and has been towing Santa round the local area for a few years now. Last night we were in the Fir Tree area of Wallingford collecting monies for Fir Tree Primary School where we collected over £300 in just 2 hours! Here is a picture of Santa and Julie Bywater the chair of the school PTA. Santa is back out tonight in the Brookmead Drive area supporting St. Johns School so please dig deep and spare a few pennies for the school and remember to give Santa a wave! You can track Santa via the Wallingford 1155 facebook page.

Is the festive season the right time to sell your home?

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

When it comes to Christmas selling, there is no single answer. Your estate agent will be able to advise whether your home could benefit from being on the market over the festive season, or whether it is worth waiting until the New Year. If you are looking for a balanced view, these points will help: • When selling your home you need to be prepared for viewings at a moment`s notice – and with a house full of vising family, it may not be possible to show your home at its best. Cluttered homes are difficult to imagine, as you tend to see the items as opposed to the space. • House-hunters might wonder why you are choosing to sell at this time of year and may read your choice to sell at Christmas as a rushed or even a desperate sale. This may lead to lower offers. • As well as making assumptions about the sellers, those who are house hunting are likely to be fewer as they too would choose to celebrate Christmas before resuming, or starting, their search. • A New Year means a fresh start for many, which makes January a very popular time to start searching for a new home. Waiting until January could widen your potential buyers significantly. • For those who do venture into the market over the holidays, you will find a buyer thanks to the reduced number of homes for sale – it is a perfect time to capture serious house hunters. • Christmas decorations are an interesting topic. For those who celebrate Christmas with gusto, their homes will be beautifully cleaned and decorated, which could well mean the festive season is the perfect time for viewings. However, decorations are extremely subjective. Do people like white lights or coloured lights, do they want a fake tree or a real one, is tinsel a must or a no, no. But remember, the busiest time for property portals is Boxing Day. If you decide to market your home over Christmas then make sure your home is online ready for the 26th!

Footsteps Cheque Presentation

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT

Well today I got to meet Lewis who was born 10 weeks early and has cerebral palsy. He has been coming to Footsteps twice a year since 2015. His mum told me he has made great improvements in core strength and said he enjoys coming to Footsteps. Lewis is a really chatty boy who can`t wait for Christmas at home with his family. He really enjoys talking to the other children and therapists and making progress. The cheque which was presented today to Footsteps for a total of £7,126.50 was raised in our annual Charity Golf day at Hadden Hill Golf Club in Didcot where 128 players took part and various local companies sponsored holes and donated prizes. This was the second year we ran the event and takes our total amount raised to over £10,000 since we rebranded in June 2015 to James Gesner Estate Agents. In 2017 we have set ourselves a target to raise over £10,000. This will include the annual golf day at Hadden Hill again in June (date to be confirmed in the New Year) and James is running the London Marathon on April 23rd for Footsteps and AMMF. You can sponsor him here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=JamesGesnerMarathonMan&faId=766388&isTeam=false

Team JG launches Videoette`s for sales and rental properties!

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

With an estimated 9 out of 10 homebuyers heading online to conduct their initial house searches, property marketing professionals are well aware of the importance of offering some kind of virtual viewing to the internet audience. In general marketing, we do it all, from brochures with professional photography and floor-plans to social media, because we know that is what people need! Social media marketing is fantastic – we can chat with our clients and make sure they get help 24/7 but videos are really where the main focus of our customers is shifting to. Virtual tours around properties aren`t anything new but they would stick or freeze, or they wouldn`t show everything a stunning building had to offer. It was more a problem than a solution for many agents. From a marketing point of view, videos are quickly becoming where audiences spend most of their time. YouTube hits over 4 billion views per day alone, and it is the second largest search engine (after Google). At James Gesner Estate Agents we feel that the addition of these videoettes enhances the marketing and are great for properties, whether sales or lettings in and around South Oxfordshire. Here is an example for you to watch. http://www.jamesgesner.co.uk/property-for-sale-market-place-wallingford-pi2-10002404.htm

Footsteps Charity Golf Day 14th July Hadden Hill Golf Club

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT

The annual James Gesner Estate Agents golf day in aid of the Footsteps Foundation will be held at Hadden Hill on Friday July 14th 2017. In the last 2 years, we have raised over £10,000 for the charity which is based in Dorchester on Thames, and supports children in the UK by providing financial assistance to families in need of support, enabling children with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor disorders to access the Footsteps therapy programme and benefit from specialist equipment whilst at home. Did you know? •1 in 400 children in the UK is born with cerebral palsy. • 55% of disabled children grow up in, or on the margins of poverty. Our target for 2017 is £10,000 and this will be helped by James running the Virgin London Marathon in April where he is aiming to raise £5,000 which will be split 50/50 between Footsteps and AMMF. The format will be the same as in 2016 and 2015 and application forms will be available to anyone wishing to take part. We had the maximum number of players in 2016 of 128 and priority will be given to those who supposed the event so far. If you want an application for the day please email us on james@jamesgesner.co.uk. And any donations for the event are great fully received however big or small.

Saturday Person Wanted

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:00:00 GMT

We are looking for an enthusiastic and reliable Saturday person to join our busy Sales & Lettings team. The ideal person would have access to a car, have a good telephone manner, be able to think on their feet and be very organised as well as presentable and very reliable. The role involves showing potential buyers and tenants around houses. Please contact James @ James Gesner Estate Agents on 01235 519888 or 01491 522222 or email james@jamesgesner.co.uk

The London Marathon is in 50 days and James needs your help!

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 12:00:00 GMT

For those of you that didn`t know James is running the London Marathon this year to support two Charites that we have supported since we changed our name from Lesters to James Gesner Estate Agents in 2015. So far, we have raised over £10,000 for Footsteps who are based in Dorchester on Thames and in 2017 we are looking to double this by raising £10,000. This will be made up of the marathon target of £5,000 split between Footsteps and AMMF and the Charity golf day held at Hadden hill on July 14th this year. Footsteps Foundation provides financial support to families attending the Footsteps Centre in Dorchester-on-Thames. The Footsteps Centre provides intensive therapy for disabled children with neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy. Children who have these conditions have problems with mobility and will often be unable to sit, stand, crawl and walk. With intensive therapy at Footsteps, using a unique piece of equipment called `the spider` to facilitate exercises and strengthen core muscles, children have reached amazing milestones. For every £50 we raise we can offer a child an hour of therapy and £150 funds and entire day. Every pound goes to help families receive the best therapy for their child and to support that child in reaching their full potential. Charity number 1123440 AMMF is the UK`s only cholangiocarcinoma charity. Our main aims are to raise the awareness of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), to provide information to those who need it, and to support specialised research teams in their work to find the causes, methods of earlier diagnosis and treatments for this devastating disease. Charity number 1091915 If you would like to support James, then please feel free to donate via the link below or pop into the office. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=JamesGesnerMarathonMan&faId=766388&isTeam=false

We`re Hiring!

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 12:00:00 GMT

We are an independent Estate Agents based in South Oxfordshire, currently looking for a Lettings Assistant to join our busy office in Didcot. The ideal candidate will have experience of dealing with admin, a good knowledge of Microsoft Office, previous experience in a customer facing role would also be advantageous and an excellent telephone manner is a must. You must have a bubbly personality and be very organised. The role will also include showing prospective tenants round our properties and carrying out property inspections. Ideal for someone looking to be part of a great team working in the lettings industry. A full clean driving license and access to your own car is essential. If you are interested in talking to us please forward your CV to holly@jamesgesner.co.uk

Don`t put off a prospective buyer!

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 12:00:00 GMT

It may seem trivial but the devil is in the detail here and you would be surprised at what would put off a prospective buyer. With buyers constantly looking for better value from their investments, making your property stand out can be a challenge. According to several studies it takes the average buyer no more than eight seconds to decide whether or not they like your property, so keeping this in mind, kerb appeal should be a priority when trying to sell your home as first impressions account for much of the overall impression the property has on any potential buyer. More often than not, the ‘make or break` moment happens with the first impressions of a property`s outer appearance. However, boosting a properties kerb appeal needn`t be costly, complicated or time consuming, and with these helpful tips you`ll make an excellent first impression. 1. Tidy We`re not just talking about the obvious stuff like overflowing bins or kid`s toys strewn across your front garden. Remove fallen leaves and other detritus from the lawn, paths and borders. Once you have done the hard work it is easy to keep on top of with a five-minute sweep as required to ensure your front garden stays looking immaculate. Check your borders by digging or forking over the soil around your plants and if your budget allows, add organic matter such as bark chippings. They not only look good but will also keep weeds in check and lock in moisture. All this will add up to a low-maintenance garden in which weeds will be a thing of the past and plants can bloom. 2. Walls, fences and boundaries Almost every front garden will have a fence or wall separating it from its neighbour, so how can you make yours stand out? Firstly, ensure that all essential repair work has been carried out. Replace any broken panels or rotten posts and make sure that the paint work is up to scratch. If you really want to take it to the next level though, climbing plants are the perfect answer for transforming a garden fence from the ordinary to the interesting. Make sure you take note of the direction your fence faces and seek advice at the garden centre as to the most appropriate climbers. A good tip is to cross the road, stand back and look to make sure your boundary is neat, tidy and in good repair. If you have a gate, make sure that doesn`t need repairing and that it is clean. Paint always helps - neutral colours are good. 3. Lawns If you`re lucky enough to have a front garden that has a lawn, make sure it really is something to boast about. In the spring give it a good feed and weed. Keep it mown regularly but ensure you don`t mow too short in the spring or autumn or during periods of drought. It is also important to treat your lawn again in the autumn with an autumn feed to help it withstand the harshness of winter. 4. Driveways Unfortunately, the modern front garden often has to accommodate a car or two but that doesn`t mean your driveway needs to be a concrete wilderness. Design should be simple, functional and easy on the eye. Keeping some borders not only looks good but also helps rain water to return to the ground rather than run off across pavements or roads. Plants in pots not only add colour and texture to your driveway but will create an even more welcoming feel. To boost that warm welcome at your door it`s hard to beat a simple hanging basket filled with colour. In the spring, it can be filled with bulbs, primroses, bellis and pansies, in the summer go for geraniums and in the autumn, try cyclamen or something similar. Hanging baskets are perfect small investments to make when selling a property, allowing you to show potential buyers how the house can look. And the best part? You get to take them with you when you move. 6. Windows Make sure your windows are looking tip top by painting or repairing the frames, giving the panes a good clean prior to any viewings and ensuring curtains or blinds are not in a state of disrepair. It may seem trivial but the devil is in the detail here and you would be surprised at what would put off a prospective buyer. 7. Front door Paint it. It`s as simple as that. Your front door is the first thing that prospective buyers (or anyone) will look at. Bold colours in full gloss will always look good but if bright and colourful isn`t your thing then black is always a safe bet. Decent door furniture can give the impression that your home is of high standard and is a brilliant investment. Spending £100 on a new handle, letterbox and knocker is nothing compared to the money you will save by selling your home sooner rather than later. Make sure you keep it in theme with the rest of your home though; giant Victorian door knockers and overly ornate handles will look ridiculous unless your home is Victorian. If your house has a modern feel, stick with brushed aluminium or chrome. Please don`t pick a novelty tune-playing doorbell. They`re not ‘fun`. They`re stupid.

BTL still beats savings rates claims report

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 12:00:00 GMT

BTL still beats savings rates claims report For those with equity to invest, buy-to-let returns still have the potential to outstrip savings accounts over the long term According to the latest report from Allsop, buy-to-let investment in the long-term still has strong potential to beat savings rates by a significant margin over the coming years, despite tax increases. The survey reveals that 37% of landlords anticipate growing rents over the next six months, a year-on-year increase of 36%, and 44% of landlords had ‘good` or ‘very good` expectations for their own letting portfolio over the next three months. However, the percentage of landlords intending to purchase one or more property in the next 12 months fell to 16%, the lowest level in just over four years, since the Rent Check begun in the autumn of 2012. Around four fifths (83%) of landlords reported that obtaining buy-to-let finance had become more difficult in the last six months. For each region, the Rent Check has calculated the estimated annual return for three, five and ten year periods after tax for basic rate 20% tax payers and 40% tax payers, and has analysed rental yields, house price growth and running, finance and legal costs. For this analysis, variables applied included borrowing based on a 145% rent cover at an assumption of 5.25% interest rate, a five-year fixed term mortgage at an interest rate of 3.25% and 4.5% for the remainder of the term and running costs of 25% of income. Using Office for Budget Responsibility national forecasts for wage growth and house prices, the top performing regions for indicative returns are the East Midlands and Yorkshire, with returns of 11.25% per annum over a five-year period for a 20% tax payer, and a still significant, 9% per annum for a 40% tax payer. Using the same national analysis, London was the worst performing region at a still respectable 5.75% per annum for 20% tax payer and 4.75% per annum for a 40% tax payer over the same period. Of the landlords polled, 45% were higher rate income tax payers. Paul Winstanley, partner at Allsop, said: `For those with equity to invest, buy-to-let returns still have the potential to outstrip savings accounts over the long term. Whilst tax changes and toughening lending criteria is challenging landlords, most are in it for the long term and we still only expect a small minority to exit as the tax changes feed through. With no quick solutions to the housing crisis, long-term private landlords providing decent accommodation will continue to play an important role in housing our population. As long as there are no new tax rises targeting landlords, buy-to-let will remain a stable and attractive sector for long-term investors.`

A good Estate Agent will achieve a higher price than an average one

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:00:00 GMT

How much could your estate agent actually make for you? New data released by EstateAgent4Me has shown that appointing the right estate agent can net those selling their home up to £36,000 above their original asking price. According to the research, currently the UK`s best-performing agent is Roy Brooks of East Dulwich, achieving an average sale almost 6% above asking price over the past six months and netting clients £36,064 on average. Other successful agents have bagged their customers bonuses of over £20,000 compared to their original estimates, showing the value of thoroughly researching and appointing the right seller for your home. At the other end of the spectrum, however, some agents are having to settle for prices which are dramatically lower than clients expected. Many estate agents who operate in prime Central London areas have had to agree sales at around 10% lower than their original asking price – meaning reductions, in some cases, of more than £700,000. The findings were compiled using data from EstateAgent4Me, a unique online tool from HomeOwners Alliance which allows homesellers and buyers to check the vital statistics of estate agents in their area. By searching using their postcode, prospective sellers and buyers can investigate local agents` success rates, sale speeds and how likely an agent is to achieve or exceed their asking prices. The five best performing agents in the country (in terms of added value for clients) all hailed from London and the surrounding South East, where property prices have remained buoyant over recent months. However, there are agents in all areas of the country which regularly exceed their asking prices and earn their clients thousands. In Bristol, top-rated agents netted homesellers over £12,000 more than their asking price, while in Birmingham the best performers raked in an extra £5,700. Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, said: `We all know that choosing the right estate agent can have a big impact on the success of a home sale, but few would have predicted the financial difference it can make. An extra £36,000 may well be the difference between securing your dream home or having to make do with your second choice. Alternatively, it could pay your renovation bill once you`ve secured your move. When listing your home on the market it may be tempting to instruct the agent which gives you the highest valuation. However, by using the EstateAgent4Me tool, sellers can find out which agents are prone to over-valuing properties and which are successful in achieving or exceeding their asking price.` Felicity Blair of estate agents Roy Brooks said: "It`s great when an independent body affirms that you are doing a good job, and this news from HOA is exceptionally rewarding. Thank you for providing a tool to help sellers identify agents that are most accurately determining values, as we believe this is key to a successful sale. Launching a property at the right price brings the right people with the right budget through the door, and with luck, you can be in the enviable position of having more than one offer, choosing the buyer with the best buying position, occasionally, choosing from good quality offers in excess of the asking price.`

Carl & James are in the Medals!

Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Carl & James have been training hard for the last 6 months with Carl aiming for a gold in the European Taekwondo Championships and James having his sights on a PB in the Virgin London Marathon. Carl won a gold medal in the IV degree patterns competing against 31 European countries with 800 active competitors. This was one of the largest Championships on record, and makes Carl the most successful England international competitor ever! James had previously raised over £10,000 for two charities having completed the London Marathon in 2013 and 2014. This time round he set his target at £5,000 and smashed it, with his total amount raised currently at £11,580!! He came in slightly slower than he hoped but with a smile on his face. Having raised this much money for Footsteps and AMMF, it made it all worthwhile. The next charity event in the James Gesner Estate Agents calendar is the Footsteps charity golf day at Hadden Hill on July 14th. 156 golfers will take part and we are hoping to raise a further £10,000!!

Top tips for stress-free house moving

Thu, 04 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

As if there isn`t enough stress involved in buying and selling a property, once the purchase is agreed it`s far from over. 1. If you`re renting, you`re in a strong position. Keep the rental property for an overlapping week (or as long as you need/can afford) to make the process deliciously smooth. 2. There`s an idea that moving on a Friday is a good idea, but we think Tuesday is the best day, especially if you have young children. Take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off work, giving you Saturday, Sunday and Monday to get ready; move on Tuesday; then Wednesday to straighten things up while the children are at school. The weekend`s not far away for a final push. The good news is that removal firms generally charge less for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday move. 3. Spend several months pre-move having your children`s friends to stay, so you can call in all sleepover favours over your moving period. Farm out children, pets, or any other member of your family who won`t be a positive asset to the process. 4. Don`t even think about packing the contents of your house yourself. Look at the removal costs as part of the big picture and get the pros to do as much as possible. (You will of course already have de-cluttered and dispensed with anything that, in the words of William Morris, `you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful`). 5. If you find you are moving a box that hasn`t been opened since your last move – now is the time to get rid of it! 6. Use your pre-move time productively by obsessively labelling boxes with their contents AND which room the box should go into on arrival in its new home. Use as much colour coding, labelling, post-it noting and organisational brilliance as you can muster. 7. If you`re downsizing, build in as much time as possible between exchange and completion to give you adequate opportunity to dispense with the possessions you will no longer have space for. 8. Not all removal companies are the same (or charge the same). Personal recommendation is generally best, but social media is extremely helpful for finding the best suppliers of this kind of service. Get quotes from, and meet, three companies before you make a final choice. 9. It`s better to find a removal company that is local to your new home than to use one in your existing area. You should be able to advise them about local access and parking issues at your existing home, and they will have a good understanding of any problems in your new area. 10. If you`re moving out of London, bear in mind that London removal companies charge like angry rhinos as soon as they see a postcode outside the M25. And if you`re moving down the road, don`t be tempted to do it yourself – it`s no easier to move 300 metres than 300 miles, so grit your teeth and get over it! 11. Check and double check access. Several smaller vans are more flexible than one big one, but it will cost more. If you`re relying on on-road parking space for the removal van, speak nicely to your new neighbours before putting some cones out. 12. Take a picture of the metres at your old home as you leave the premises, and the new ones as you cross the threshold. That way, arguments with utility companies are easy to resolve. Finally, stay calm, and try to see the funny side if things don`t go according to plan. The chances are you will be gaining anecdotal entertainment on which you will be able to dine out.`

British Property Awards Gold Winner!

Fri, 12 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Last week we were told that were the winner of a Gold Award by the British Property Awards. Jon Davies from the awards team quoted `James Gesner Estate Agents have just won The British Property Awards for Didcot. Their team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels. The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity, to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their, local, regional and national competition. Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace` James Gesner Estate Agents have now been shortlisted for a number of national awards which will be announced later in the year at our lavish ceremony in central London. James quoted `We are extremely happy to have won this award. The JG brand has gone from strength to strength as we approach our 2-year anniversary on June 1st. This goes a long way to recognise that we understand that excellent customer service is part of every-day estate agency`. The British property awards are one of the most inclusive estate agency awards providers as we do not charge to enter. This has enabled our award to be structured in a manner that ensures maximum participation, on average judging over 90% of agents that meet our minimum criteria on a local level. Our team personally mystery shops every estate agent against a set of 25 criteria to obtain a balanced overview of their customer service levels. The judging criteria is both comprehensive and detailed exploring different mediums, scenarios and time periods to ensure that agents have been rigorously and fairly judged. Robert McLean from The British Property Awards said `Our awards has been specifically designed to be attainable to all agents, removing common barriers to entry, such as cost, to ensure that we have the most inclusive awards. Our award has also been designed to remove any opportunity for bias or manipulation. If an agent has been attributed with one of our awards, it is simply down to the fantastic customer service levels that they have demonstrated across a prolonged period of time. Winning agents should be proud that their customer service levels provide a benchmark for their local, regional and national competition`

How much is living near a supermarket worth?

Tue, 30 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

New research from Lloyds Bank has found that homes within easy reach of a local supermarket are, on average, £21,512 higher than in nearby areas. Properties in areas with a Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury`s or Iceland are most likely to command a higher house price premium when compared to the wider town average. And prices near upmarket supermarket brands can be particularly high. For example, the average price for properties within easy reach of a Waitrose is typically £36,480 higher than the wider town average (£429,118 versus £392,939). Those living close to a Marks and Spencer have the second highest premium, with properties worth an average of £29,992 more than homes further away, followed by Sainsbury`s (£26,081) and even discount chains like Iceland (£22,767) command a strong premium. Homes within easy reach of all four supermarket chains are trading at an average premium of 9%. Areas close to budget supermarkets have seen biggest house price rises, with growth of 11% in 3 years House prices close to an Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons or Asda have grown by an average of 11%, or £21,400, since 2014. This is a faster increase than for all supermarkets (9%) and marginally higher than for all areas in England and Wales (10%). In postal districts with an Aldi, the average house price has grown from £178,809 in 2014 to £198,810 in 2017 – an increase of £20,000. In addition, areas with a Lidl have seen average price grow of £23,722 (from £216,258 to £239,981). However, in cash terms the largest price increases remain in postal districts with a Waitrose - £33,015 (from £396,104 to £429,118) or 8%. The average house price in an area with a Waitrose store is £429,118 – the most expensive of all the chains - and more than double compared to areas with an Aldi store (£198,810), which is the least expensive. The next most expensive are areas with a Marks and Spencer (£350,263) and Sainsbury`s (£314,154). Steve Mason, Lloyds Bank mortgages director, commented: `With homes in areas close to major supermarkets commanding a premium of £22,000, the convenience of doing weekly shopping within easy reach may well be a pull for many homebuyers looking for good access to local amenities. The ‘Waitrose Effect` is clear; having a premium brand on your doorstep means buyers typically need to pay top prices. But the research also shows that areas with ‘budget` stores have, on average, seen the most rapid house price growth in recent years. There has been some suggestion that the likes of Lidl and Aldi are increasingly locating in more affluent areas where prices are already relatively high. Indeed, in 2014 house prices in areas with a Lidl were, on average, £4,700 lower than in neighbouring areas; today they are £6,400 higher.` The ‘Waitrose Effect`: Waitrose dominates in eight out of ten regions with largest price premiums In eight out of ten regions across England and Wales, properties command a premium price compared to other areas in the same town where there is a Waitrose. The greatest house price premium, in cash terms, that can be aligned to a supermarket presence is in the North West. Areas with a local Waitrose store in the region command an average price that is £80,272 (38%) more than the surrounding town. This is followed by the same supermarket brand in the West Midlands (£76,812 or 40%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (£53,924 or 30%). Large price premiums to have a supermarket on your door step This review also looked at locations with the highest area to town house price premium, with, Ponteland in Newcastle and Chiswick in Hounslow commanding the greatest average property prices when compared with the surrounding town or local authority borough average. The average house price in Ponteland, which has a Waitrose, Sainsbury`s and Co-Op, and Chiswick, which offers residents a Waitrose, Sainsbury`s and Marks and Spencer, is 104% and 89% higher respectively than in surrounding areas. In cash terms the premium to live in Ponteland is £200,856 higher than in Newcastle as a whole (£393,502 v.£192,646); whilst in Chiswick this figure is more than double at £444,011 when compared to the average price for the borough of Hounslow (£940,218 v. £496,207). In the 10 locations with the highest premiums, eight feature Waitrose, Sainsbury`s and Marks and Spencer. The remaining two areas are Chorlton and neighbouring Didsbury in Manchester with a house premium of 74% or £125,945 and 58% (£98,043) respectively. These areas are dominated by Morrisons, Co-Op, Aldi and Tesco.

Another £10,000 raised for the Footsteps Foundation!!

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:00:00 GMT

On July 14th we hosted our annual golf competition at Hadden Hill Golf Club to raise money for our chosen charity the Footsteps Foundation. The event has been a massive success since the first one in September 2015 where 88 players took part, growing to 128 in 2016 and this year we maxed out at 152! The support for this event has been phenomenal local companies sponsoring holes and making donations which could be raffled or auctioned off. James ran the London Marathon in April 2017 and raised almost £12,000 which was split 50/50 between Footsteps and AMMF which is a small Cancer Charity close to his heart. With the golf day money it takes the total raised for charity in 2017 to £22,000 and in three years over £25,000 for Footsteps alone!!! The date for the 2018 event hasn`t been agreed yet but please do keep an eye on our news pages for details.

James Gesner becomes one of McCarthy & Stones chosen local agents

Fri, 11 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT

James Gesner and his team are proud to have been selected by McCarthy & Stone as one of two chosen local agents, to help with the sale of their stunning new development of 60 retirement apartments exclusively for the over 70`s on the edge of Didcot. The beautiful development situated in Great Western Park will have a range of local amenities right on its doorstep including a large Asda supermarket and a range of high street retailers. Also in close proximity to Williams Place will be a pub, a convenience store and a community and health centre. Boundary Park houses the sports pavilion and is home to a number of sports clubs including Didcot Cricket Club and features a large park open to the public.. So if you, or someone you know, is thinking about or actively looking to find a quality retirement property in the area, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Chilton Primary School have had great fun pretending to be Estate Agents!

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A class at Chilton Primary School have had great fun pretending to be Estate Agents! Class teacher, Sarah Williams, contacted us and asked for some `For Sale` signs, property details and measuring devices so that they could run a topic on selling houses and being estate agents. "The class have all had a wonderful time," said the teacher, who is a friend of James. Sarah went on to say "The children have been really excited to be estate agents and have been out spotting the brightly coloured JG signs in and around the local area. They have all been painting pictures of their own home!" We have shortlisted four of our favourites, having displayed them at our offices on the Broadway in Didcot for the public to view. The pupils who have had their picture chosen will receive some art materials to use at home and the school will also receive a cheque for £100 to go towards something new in the classroom!

Strong mortgage lending reported in August

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 12:00:00 GMT

The latest data and analysis from UK Finance has shown that house purchase lending was higher in August 2017 than in both the preceding month and a year earlier. According to the report, first-time buyers borrowed £5.7 billion in August - a 16% increase on the previous month and 12% more than in August 2016.Between them they took out 34,400 mortgages. This is 14% up on the preceding month and 9% more year-on-year. Home movers borrowed £8.4 billion, 18% more than in July and 20% more than in August last year. This equated to 38,500 loans, up 17% on July and 13% on August 2016. Re-mortgaging by home owners totalled £6.4 billion, 4% down against July but 8% more than a year earlier. Buy-to-let lending totalled £3.1 billion, down 3% on July 2017 and the same as in August last year. This equated to 20,400 mortgages, the same as in July but 4% more than in August last year. So what does this mean? June Deasy, UK Finance`s Head of Mortgages Policy, explains: `Activity picked up in August, and recent resilience ensured that borrowing by home movers was at its highest since March 2016, when transactions were boosted by an imminent increase in stamp duty. Over the last 12 months, the number of people re-mortgaging has been higher than in any period since late 2009. With mortgage rates close to historic lows and the likelihood of a rise in official rates moving closer, the popularity of re-mortgaging looks set to continue.` Home-owner house purchase and re-mortgage lending in August 2017. On a seasonally adjusted basis, borrowing by first-time buyers and movers increased by both value and volume. There was a decline in both the number of people re-mortgaging and the value of lending. The value of buy-to-let lending was unchanged but there was a small decrease in the number of buy-to-let borrowers re-mortgaging. (The full seasonally and non-seasonally adjusted data can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.) The proportion of household income taken up by mortgage payments edged up for first-time buyers (17.5 per cent) but was unchanged for movers (17.6 per cent). Overall, it remains low by historical standards. The average amount borrowed by a first-time buyer increased from £138,999 in July 2017 to £140,035. There was a smaller proportionate increase in the average first-time buyer household income, and the average income multiple increased from 3.60 to 3.63. The average amount borrowed by movers increased from £180,000 to £182,750, and their average income multiple increased from 3.38 to 3.40. Richard Pike, Phoebus Software sales and marketing director, says `It seems that continued low interest rates coupled with the threat of a likely rate rise are fuelling the market. Although there are reports of hesitancy in the Capital the rest of the UK`s housing market is doing better than many could have anticipated before we started the Brexit negotiations. Of course, this could be short-lived if, as is predicted, the MPC vote for an increase at the beginning of November. For the moment at least, there is an air of making hay while the sun shines, which presents opportunities for both brokers and borrowers who act quickly.` Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, says: "As the Bank of England also reported, lending held up in August, which is encouraging given one would normally expect a quieter summer period. Re-mortgaging has been particularly strong, as lenders keen to lend offer borrowers attractive deals. However, since August things have started to change. After a spike in Swap rates around four weeks ago, they have plateaued, with some longer-term Swaps easing. But what that spike did was force funding costs up, with more than 20 lenders increasing all or part of the pricing on their product range in the past 10 days. Anyone considering remortgaging may therefore do well to move sooner rather than later to secure one of the most competitive rates." Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, says: "These figures are quite encouraging although do reflect approvals made a few months ago. They also show first-time buyers are taking advantage of landlords` reluctance to commit due to recent tax and legislation changes. However, the market is unlikely to take a nose dive if these figures are to be trusted and looking forward we are likely to see more of the same - in other words, realistic buyers and sellers negotiating hard to do deals, although everything is taking much longer." Harry Landy, Managing Director of Enterprise Finance, comments: `Buy-to-let and re-mortgage lending activity has seen a fourth consecutive month of growth, which demonstrates borrower confidence in the market. That these positive figures come during a traditionally a quieter month for activity is particularly surprising. However, this month also sees PRA-enforced change in standards of Buy-to-Let mortgage applications has many in the industry concerned about the future prosperity of the market, so we`d sound a note of caution to those getting carried with August`s figures.` As the industry adapts to these new regulations, it`s more important than ever that brokers avoid a `one size fits all` approach. Bespoke, adaptable financing will be essential to cater for individual borrower`s requirements, especially in times of uncertainty. The recent success of the bridging and second charge mortgage markets are a prime example of this. We would advise anybody who`s unsure of what the BTL changes mean to speak to a specialist like Enterprise Finance for guidance.` John Phillips, group operations director at Just Mortgages and Spicerhaart says, `The latest figures once again show how the UK`s housing market is increasingly being propped up by first-time buyers and home movers. However, the picture for buy-to-let is once again a less positive one, although this was to be expected. The boost for first-time buyers is clearly a result of the collapse in buy-to-let purchases which was of course fuelled by changes in stamp duty. It is therefore no surprise that many lenders are continuing to relax buy-to-let criteria and expanding their loan ranges. While the numbers have once again decreased for buy-to-let lending, low rates and the anticipated rise in base rate nearing closer, it is likely that re-mortgaging will continue an upward trend. It is likely that more and more buyers will lock into record low rates to manage the impact of possible rate rises and to boost their financial security.`

Want to move before Christmas?

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A new study released today has revealed that prospective homesellers will need to have their property on the market by Tuesday 17th October in order to sell or move home before Christmas. Data from estate agent comparison website EstateAgent4Me provides a new insight into the length of time it takes to sell a residential property, with those listed in the autumn proving far slower to shift. Homes listed in October have taken an average of 65 days to sell over the past two years. This means that homeowners who want a sale agreed this side of Christmas should be looking to list their house for sale by this Tuesday, October 17th. On average over the past two years, properties in the UK have stayed on the market for anywhere between 51 and 70 days. The data shows that, despite the uncertainty caused by the EU Referendum, General Election and subsequent triggering of Article 50, the average length of time to sell a property has remained relatively constant. The one factor which did provoke an increase in speed was the introduction of new stamp duty surcharges in Spring 2016, which prompted a flurry of fast deals in the months beforehand. The new year remains the best time to list your property for a speedy sale, with homes listed in January selling the fastest and the speed of sale slowly increasing in the months thereafter. Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of HomeOwners Alliance which runs the EstateAgent4Me website, said; `Lots of homesellers set themselves a deadline of the end of the year to sort a sale. So if they want to settle in the festive season feeling relaxed, they need to put their properties on the market this week. Selling a home involves weighing up a lot of different factors and considerations. Sellers today can access a wealth of different information about their prospective agents, including how quickly they tend to sell a property.`

Didcot honours best businesses and community organisations at glitzy ceremony

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 12:00:00 GMT

THE great and the good of Didcot were out in force as the town celebrated the best of business and community life. The winners of the ninth annual Business and Community Awards (BACAs) were announced at a ceremony on Friday. Up to 200 people packed in to the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot for the event as 30 shortlisted nominees found out whether they had won the accolade, known as the `Oscars of Didcot`. One of the organisers, Sarah Hopgood of Didcot First, said it was a `chance for Didcot and surrounding areas to celebrate excellence and talent from around the local community.` Two young fundraisers who have helped raise thousands of pounds to help ill and vulnerable people were honoured with `outstanding achievement awards`. Courtney Hughes from the charity Secret Santa, which has given more than 20,000 gifts to people in care homes, hospitals and hospices over the festive period, was given the award alongside Andrew Baker, the founder of Play2Give which has raised £69,000 for the Oxford Children`s Hospital and other causes. Ms Hughes, a former Didcot Girls` School pupil, also won the `best fundraising campaign` award. She said being recognised in her hometown was `especially poignant` and dedicated the win to the memory of her `wonderful great grandmother` – who was also a Didcot resident. The nursing assistant said: "She taught me you can always help someone regardless of their age, or lifestyle. "Giving locally is very important to me: it`s an ongoing reminder that you can always do good for others and bring a smile to people`s faces.` In the business category, Savages garden centre in Blewbury, which has been run by the same family since the early 1960s, won the `best established business` award whilst the Didcot Parkway station was recognised for `involving volunteers`. For the charity sector the Balsam Family Project, which runs courses and days out for parents and carers and their young children, won both the best volunteer development and best partnerships and collaborations awards. All the winners received a glass award, a certificate and £100 prize money. During the event, the audience and special guests were entertained by acts including local harpist Jenny Hill and soprano Kari Moffat. Neal Veglio, who grew up in Didcot and attended St Birinus School before going into radio presenting, co-hosted the awards with Sarah Hopgood and Di Chesterman from Didcot First.

Great News - Budget 2017 cuts stamp duty for first-time buyers!!!

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Chancellor Philip Hammond has abolished stamp duty for most first-time buyers in England and Wales in his Budget. The change, effective immediately, will apply to the first £300,000 of a home`s value, saving first-time buyers £5,000. Housing had been billed as one of the key themes of the Budget - and the chancellor promised the "next generation" that getting on the housing ladder would not be just a "dream".

Top tips for moving to a smaller property

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 12:00:00 GMT

For those nearing retirement, it`s common to consider downsizing as a way to free up some extra cash and move to a more manageable property. Nevertheless, many people can still be put off by the stresses of what can be an extremely emotional time, especially for those selling a family home with all its treasured memories and possessions, or moving on their own for the first time. Experienced life coach and counsellor, Lynda Field, says don`t be. She has teamed up with retirement housebuilder, McCarthy and Stone, to look at some top tips on how to make moving to a smaller property into a positive move for retirees. She calls it `right-sizing`. Lynda explains: `Moving home can be such an emotional experience at any age, but it`s realizing that this is about moving forward not backwards, and thinking about the changes this could make to your quality and enjoyment of life right now – `right-sizing`. Here are my five top tips to help get you started…` 5 top tips for retirees considering a move: 1. Not fearing the unknown – we all hesitate to leave the known for the unknown. Working with our doubts and fears in a rational way can help us to overcome our difficult emotions. 2. Be optimistic – whatever we focus on grows in our minds, so focus on the positive aspects that change will bring to increase your confidence and motivation. Picture yourself opening the door to a new home or apartment where you feel safe and secure and have the freedom to be totally independent, and don`t lose sight of this. 3. Take it one step at a time - make a plan and then break it down into bite-sized chunks of action. One easy step at a time is the best way to achieve any goal. And getting it all down on paper is a great way to make a plan feel more realistic 4. Don`t be afraid to ask for help or assistance along the way – many people actually love to help and there are companies out there like McCarthy and Stone who are equipped to provide you with all the services you need, and take some of this hassle out of moving. 5. You can do it - finally, remember you have got what it takes to make the changes you need to make. If self-doubts arise, just let them go. You`re flexible and creative, and have risen to challenges many times before – you will do so again! Geoff Bates, Head of Brand and Communications at McCarthy and Stone, comments: `For those who do make the decision to spend their later years in a new purpose-built retirement development, there are so many lifestyle benefits to be enjoyed; such as the freedom of living in a low-maintenance property where changing needs are `future-proofed`, and the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded people and the many prospects for companionship this brings. At McCarthy and Stone we see day-in day-out the positive changes `right-sizing` can bring for today`s retirees; and we strive to reduce any trepidation around moving, and to do away with any unnecessary hassles. We pride ourselves on making the move as smooth and stress-free as possible for all those who join our retirement living and retirement living plus communities.` If you are thinking of downsizing talk to us about how we can make it as stress free as possible.

Which colour front door offers the warmest welcome?

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 12:00:00 GMT

If you want to give visitors a warm welcome to your home – paint your front door red, say Leeds Building Society members. Red was the top choice when the Society asked members which colour was the most welcoming for the main entrance to a property. Almost one in five (19%) plumped for that red, but white wasn`t far behind, scoring 18% of the vote. Blue was in third place, with 12%, just ahead of a natural wood finish, which was the most popular non-colour choice. In descending order of appeal, green, black and yellow brought up the rear in the vote, with 7%, 4% and 2% respectively. Stephen Westland, Professor of Colour Science at the University of Leeds, said the results showed how colours can become associated with positive and negative emotions. Stephen said: `The Leeds Building Society study shows the most welcoming door colour is red and the least welcoming door colour is yellow. The findings are somewhat in line with existing research into colour preference - many studies throughout the world have revealed the public`s least favourite colour is yellow and their most favourite colour is blue. It`s therefore no surprise that yellow doors scored poorly in terms of how welcoming they are, while blue doors scored well. It was interesting that in this study red and white both score highly as welcoming colours for doors and that black, as well as yellow, scores poorly. I`ve been puzzling over why red is the most popular choice – as it`s such a warm colour, it literally might communicate that the interior or the owners are warm and welcoming. Black is often associated with concepts such as formality and this is one reason why few respondents selected black as a welcoming colour. Colour is important for several reasons, not least because it can convey meaning, not just in an abstract sense but also in real-world applications, depending on context and culture.` As well as welcoming to their friends and loved ones. The front door colour choice was a light-hearted question for members but it`s interesting to get the expert insight into how this decision affects how you and your visitors may feel about your home.`

Footsteps Foundation Cheque Presentation!!

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Today James made his annual trip to the Footsteps Foundation in Dorchester on Thames, the charity we have supported since becoming James Gesner Estate Agents in June 2015. James met this very smiley 12 girl called Denecia, who is 12 and from Islington, London. Dencia has been attending sessions at Footsteps for some time now and has been making huge progress!! The cheque, which was for £15,756.45 was our 2017 total which was made up from £9,000 from the Charity Golf day in July at Hadden Hill Golf Club, and £6,756.45 which was half of the £13,000 James raised running the London Marathon in April 2017. This money takes our 3 year total to £26,000 and we are extremely proud to of hit such an amazing amount. Here`s to 2018 where we plan to help again and the annual JG golf day will be in June and the date will be confirm soon.

All our properties now listed on `OntheMarket`

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:00:00 GMT

We are proud to now list all our Sales and Lettings properties on https://www.onthemarket.com/. This means we are now using all of the major websites to ensure out properties are found as quickly as possible.

British Property Awards 2018

Tue, 01 May 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Last week we were told that we were the winners of a Gold Award for Didcot by the British Property Awards for the second year running! Jon Davies from the awards team quoted `James Gesner Estate Agents have won this prestigious award for the second year running. Their team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels. It shows that they have been consistently achieving an excellent level of customer service for a two year period. The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity, to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their, local, regional and national competition. Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace` James Gesner Estate Agents have now been short listed for a number of national awards which will be announced later in the year at our lavish ceremony in central London. James quoted `We are extremely happy to have won this award again and it just shows what can be achieved with the right staff and excellent training. The JG brand has gone from strength to strength as we approach our 3rd year year anniversary on June 1st 2018. This goes a long way to recognise that we understand that excellent customer service is part of every-day estate agency`. The British property awards are one of the most inclusive estate agency awards providers as we do not charge to enter. This has enabled our award to be structured in a manner that ensures maximum participation, on average judging over 90% of agents that meet our minimum criteria on a local level. Our team personally mystery shops every estate agent against a set of 25 criteria to obtain a balanced overview of their customer service levels. The judging criteria is both comprehensive and detailed exploring different mediums, scenarios and time periods to ensure that agents have been rigorously and fairly judged. Robert McLean from The British Property Awards said `Our awards has been specifically designed to be attainable to all agents, removing common barriers to entry, such as cost, to ensure that we have the most inclusive awards. Our award has also been designed to remove any opportunity for bias or manipulation. If an agent has been attributed with one of our awards, it is simply down to the fantastic customer service levels that they have demonstrated across a prolonged period of time. Winning agents should be proud that their customer service levels provide a benchmark for their local, regional and national competition`

Play2Give Martial Arts Sparathon

Thu, 24 May 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Carl, a member of James Gesner Estate Agents is working alongside Play2Give to help raise money for Oxford Children`s Hospital. Carl Davis is organising a charity Martial Arts Sparathon which will involve Carl completing 100 rounds of continuous sparring. This is the equivalent of a marathon, with Carl sparring for almost 4 hours straight! All proceeds will help fund brand new facilities including new parent accommodation, play areas as well as top of the range medical and diagnostic equipment and entertainment items. To donate to a worthy cause and support a enthusiastic member of James Gesner Estate Agents, please click on the link below. https://make-a-donation.org/campaign/play2give-martial-arts-sparathon-2018

FTB approvals up in May according to latest figures

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:00:00 GMT

The latest data and analysis from e.surv has shown that 66,479 mortgages were approved in May - a rise of 6.4% against the previous month. First-time buyers significantly increased their share from 20.2% to 22.4% of the market. e.surv reported that, as ever, there is a wide variation between the regions of the UK, with some areas seeing higher proportions of small deposit borrowers than others. For the second month running, Northern Ireland saw the biggest proportion of loans go to small deposit borrowers, with 35.7% of all loans went to this part of the market. The region was one of only four to have a greater proportion of small deposit buyers than their large deposit counterparts, ahead of Yorkshire, the North West and the Midlands. Richard Sexton, director at e.surv, had this to say: `There was strong growth in the mortgage market in May, with approvals rising significantly compared to April. Mortgages are at the forefront of the national conversation, with many people assessing their options and looking to fix in this rising interest rate environment. While the base rate may have stayed at 0.5% in May, speculation continues about the next increase, which appears to be coming sooner rather than later."

Wallingford`s Summer Music Festival Supporting Footsteps

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Last weekend `Rugfest` Wallingford`s Summer Music Festival took place at the Hithercroft Sports park. This event, organised by the Rugby club and headed by Guy Hewitt was a great success not only for the Rugby club but for Footsteps too. On the Saturday afternoon James and the Footsteps team accompanied by Maeve Norfolk a 4 year old girl and her parents took to the stage to raise awareness of this wonderful charity and encourage people to dig deep. Footsteps raised nearly £1,000 from the bucket collections and raffle which was excellent return for all the hard work by the people involved.

Work Experience Success

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT

This week we were delighted to have Freya here from Didcot Girls School, doing her work experience placement. Freya, who is 15 is keen to learn the ins and outs of Estate Agency and has worked really hard this week. She has been a star at drawing floor-plans, taking photos and she has even been answering the phone. Well done Freya, you are a credit to you family and your school. Good luck for the future!

Time to get your house on the market in order to move before Christmas

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Home-movers who want to move in by the traditional Christmas deadline, now only 18 weeks away, need to act now to do so, Rightmove has warned. The average time from agreeing a sale to moving in is 13 weeks so prospective buyers should be active in the market right now and make sure they have necessary finances in place. For new-to-the-market sellers, finding a buyer adds on an average of eight weeks so they will need to find a buyer quicker than the average if they want to move in before Christmas. Rightmove notes that buyers have more choice this month compared to last, with total available stock being up 2.1%. Additionally, the average asking prices of newly-marketed property saw a seasonal drop of 2.3% this month, as new sellers launch a ‘late summer sale` to try and find a buyer more quickly. Miles Shipside, Rightmove director and housing market analyst, commented: `Sellers who come to market in the peak holiday month often have a pressing need to sell and price down accordingly, and are offering ‘summer sale` prices to entice holiday-distracted buyers. The market started its most recent cyclical price upturn in 2010, and since then the average price of property coming to market has gone up by 32%, stretching buyer affordability. More substantial discounts are therefore required to tempt warier buyers, with higher house prices also tightening the purse strings of lenders. With lacklustre average wage growth, more buyers are bumping up against the tighter lending criteria brought in four years ago following the Mortgage Market Review, which were intended to prevent another boom-and-bust cycle. `The ‘beast from the east` weather was a factor in sales agreed numbers being down by 5.4% year-to-date when we reported back in May, but they are on an upward trajectory and are now 3.5% down year-to-date. Overall in spite of political uncertainty sales agreed are holding pretty steady and it is usual for there to be an upturn in prices and buyer activity as we head into the Autumn season, especially if sellers maintain their cheaper pricing to attract buyers. "The key measures affecting the chances of a successful sale all indicate a higher degree of difficulty, so for a seller to increase their odds and beat the average timescales they need to be more pro-active than other sellers. New sellers who are motivated by the 18-week Christmas deadline therefore need to agree a sale to a buyer much more quickly than the average eight weeks that it takes, and perhaps also compress the average 13 weeks between agreeing a sale to a buyer and moving in. That`s a nail-biting total of 21 weeks that they need to try and cut down. Sellers and their agents who are pricing very attractively in order to beat the averages should also ensure that both the seller and equally importantly their buyer have the necessary financial and legal preparation in place. Lack of up-front preparation leads to mortgage or cash availability hold-ups, and failure to get legally required documents ready in anticipation of a sale can add weeks. Sale-ready sellers and the correct choice of a well – prepared buyer with a short or sound chain can still bring the turkey to the table in your new home in time for Christmas.`

British Property Awards Lettings Winner 2018!

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Last week we were learned that we were the winner of a Gold Award for Didcot by the British Property Awards in the Lettings category! Jon Davies from the awards team quoted `James Gesner Estate Agents` have won this prestigious award, and now hold both the Gold award for Sales and Letting for Didcot in 2018. Their team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels. It shows that they have been consistently achieving an excellent level of customer service and an unrivalled knowledge of the letting industry. The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity, to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their, local, regional and national competition. Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace` James Gesner Estate Agents have now been short listed again for a number of national awards which will be announced early in 2019 at ceremony in central London. James quoted `We are extremely happy to have won this award to accompany the sales one whihc we have now won for two successive years. It just shows what can be achieved with the right staff and excellent training. The JG brand has gone from strength to strength as we approach our 4th year in business since changing names form Lesters Estate agents in 2015. Excellent customer service is part of every-day estate agency`. The British property awards are one of the most inclusive estate agency awards providers as we do not charge to enter. This has enabled our award to be structured in a manner that ensures maximum participation, on average judging over 90% of agents that meet our minimum criteria on a local level. Our team personally mystery shops every estate agent against a set of 25 criteria to obtain a balanced overview of their customer service levels. The judging criteria is both comprehensive and detailed exploring different mediums, scenarios and time periods to ensure that agents have been rigorously and fairly judged. Robert McLean from The British Property Awards said `Our awards has been specifically designed to be attainable to all agents, removing common barriers to entry, such as cost, to ensure that we have the most inclusive awards. Our award has also been designed to remove any opportunity for bias or manipulation. If an agent has been attributed with one of our awards, it is simply down to the fantastic customer service levels that they have demonstrated across a prolonged period of time. Winning agents should be proud that their customer service levels provide a benchmark for their local, regional and national competition`

Fixed rate mortgage rates have dropped!

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:00:00 GMT

We have a longstanding relationship with an extremely experienced Mortgage advisor called Karen Marshall and appointments are available evenings and weekends or in our offices 5 days a week. Fixed rate mortgage rates dropped so if you are looking for a mortgage or looking to re-mortgage then get in touch with us today on 01235 519888 or karen@pfmchoice.co.uk. As part of Premier Choice, my aim is simple, to provide a cost effective and personalised service. I have over 30 years` experience in the Mortgage market, helping you make the right choice. The team of 8 advisers and 3 administrators at Premier Choice have a wide and diverse background in financial service with many years of experience. We always aim to provide an excellent service and believe in today`s ever changing Mortgage market we can help you find the most appropriate Mortgage. We are not tied to any lender, which means that we act entirely on your behalf.

British Property Awards Gold Award Winner Three Years Running!

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Last week we were told that were the winner of another Gold Award by the British Property Awards. This is the third year running we have won this award for Didcot and we are extremely proud of our achievement. Jon Davies from the awards team quoted `James Gesner Estate Agents have won this prestigious award for the third year running. Their team performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels and being responsive to email and telephone enquiries. The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity, to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their, local, regional and national competition. Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace` James Gesner Estate Agents have again been short listed for a number of national awards which will be announced later in the year at our lavish ceremony in central London. James quoted `We are extremely happy to of won this award for the third consecutive year`. The industry is changing constantly and the JG brand is now well into its 4th year. Our anniversary on June 1st will be another celebration of our time in business. This goes a long way to recognise that we understand that excellent customer service is part of every-day estate agency as competition for business is at its highest`. The British property awards are one of the most inclusive estate agency awards providers as we do not charge to enter. This has enabled our award to be structured in a manner that ensures maximum participation, on average judging over 90% of agents that meet our minimum criteria on a local level. Our team personally mystery shops every estate agent against a set of 25 criteria to obtain a balanced overview of their customer service levels. The judging criteria is both comprehensive and detailed exploring different mediums, scenarios and time periods to ensure that agents have been rigorously and judged fairly. Robert McLean from The British Property Awards said `Our award has been specifically designed to be attainable to all agents, removing common barriers to entry, such as cost, to ensure that we have the most inclusive awards. Our award has also been designed to remove any opportunity for bias or manipulation. If an agent has been attributed with one of our awards, it is simply down to the fantastic customer service levels that they have demonstrated across a prolonged period. Winning agents should be proud that their customer service levels provide a benchmark for their local, regional and national competition`

Saturday Sales Person Needed

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 12:00:00 GMT

We are looking for a confident, bubbly and well-presented weekend sales person who would like to be part of our team. If you have sales & customer service experience that would be great but it`s not necessary. If you are interested in property and you are keen to learn, motivated by results an want to spend your Saturdays on the phone and doing viewings then please get in touch. Send your CV to james@jamesgesner.co.uk Hourly rate plus bonus. Must have own car and be able to commit to 90% of the Saturdays.

Now there`s a question… What do estate agents REALLY do?

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT

The answer to the question will always depend on a persons last experience with an estate agent and whether it was good, bad or ugly.

Ask that question to 10 people and you will get 10 different replies along the lines of…
•Sell houses
•Put properties on Rightmove
•Help people buy houses
•Market houses
•Rob you in pure day light 😉
•and so on…

But, none of those are correct. As our friends at BestAgent say Estate Agents MOVE people and that is so true. Estate Agents physically, and mentally, move people. They help them move house but they also help people navigate the minefield and stresses of mentally moving on with their life.

So, BestAgent have created this AWESOME info-graphic showing the stages estate agents go through to help their clients move… thanks guys ? (and as you can see, there is a little more to it than just sticking it on Rightmove?).

Should I find a suitable house to buy and then put my house on the market or secure a buyer first then start looking?`

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Today I am going to give you some advice on probably the most common ‘chicken or the egg` question I get asked: ‘Should I find a suitable house to buy and then put my house on the market or secure a buyer first then start looking?`

The answer is very simple… secure a property first (assuming you need to sell your current property to buy your next).

Hopefully you would have done your research by speaking to estate agents, browsing online and driving round some areas you wish to buy in before even deciding to sell to make sure your expectations are realistic (click here to read my blog ‘what are you trying to achieve?`) and by all means start viewing some potentially suitable houses to make sure what you will want to buy is realistic, but don`t get too emotional and try not to fall in love with a house until you have an offer on your property.

Why? I have listed just a few reasons below, in no particular order.

• If you are ‘proceedable` (i.e. are able to proceed with the purchase if your offer is accepted), the reality is you will be taken more seriously by the seller and his/her estate agent
• If you fall in love with a house (because buying a house is an emotional decision, not mental), and then put your house on the market, it is unlikely the person selling your dream home will take it off the market and wait for you to sell. This increases the chances of you losing the house which will always increase the stress levels.
• Buyers are fairly easy to come by, finding a house you would happily call home less so
• With a buyer behind you, you are likely to be able to negotiate a better price rather than saying ‘I can pay X amount WHEN I have a buyer for my house and IF I get the price I am expecting``
• Until you have an offer on your property (whether you`ve accepted it or not) you don`t really know how much money you have available to spend on your next house.

So remember, find a buyer and then find a house to buy.

We offer valuations 7 days a week including the evenings.

Footsteps & Children with Cancer Golf Day 2019

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:00:00 GMT

On September 20th we held our annual golf event to raise more money for The Footsteps Foundation & Children with Cancer UK. The event has become more extremely popular since we run our first one in 2014 with 152 golfers taking part.

Hadden Hill Golf Club in Didcot did us proud once again along with the help of many people giving up there day to make this another successful day. We received amazing support again with over 40 local businesses help with sponsorship and Oxford City Flooring as the main sponsor. In the next few weeks we will be presenting two cheques to these two amazing charities totalling £10,000.

Since 2014 as a company we have been involved in many charity events and to date we have raised over £80,000 for Footsteps, Children with Cancer, Mind, Victa and AMMF to name a few. James is running the Dublin marathon in 3 weeks raising more money for another children`s charity.

We can not thank you enough for your support and roll on 2020!

House hunters switch to evening searches as smart phones dominate online surfing

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Rightmove has revealed that the busiest time for home searches on its website is between 8pm and 9pm as the nation settles down on their couches to ‘double screen` between their favourite TV shows and the Rightmove app.

The data points to rapidly-shifting habits among house hunters as smart phones become the key way people access information online. Only a couple of years ago laptops still held sway and therefore lunch times at work were the peak house hunting period.

Now, activity peaks at 8.48pm on Wednesdays, presumably as people begin to lose interest in Holby City or Supermarket Sweep and concentrate on homes for sale and rent.

The portal has also reminded agents that December is the quietest month of the year but that negotiators should gird their loins for the post-Christmas day rush when traffic increases by 231% between Christmas Day and January 2nd, or at least did last year.

During last year`s festivities, December 30th was the busiest day that month as memories of turkey and presents faded became a dim memory.

miles shipside rightmove`We know just how obsessed the nation is with property, but to see such precise consistency in terms of browsing times is really quite remarkable,` says Rightmove spokesperson Miles Shipside (left).

`As we move into December we see people start to get distracted by turkey and tinsel, but once the celebrations are in full swing it doesn`t take long before traffic rises again.

`Some may realise their home is too small or they finally decide that next year will be the year they take on an exciting project and buy a fixer upper property.`

We are hiring!

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Part Time Lettings Assistant 25 Hours per week.

James Gesner Estate Agents are a well established sales and Lettings agent based in South Oxfordshire.

We are looking for a confident administrator with an excellent telephone manner and strong customer service skills to assist our Lettings manager on a part time basis. The main duties will include the following:
• Liaising with Utility Suppliers to switch over accounts between tenancies
• Organising annual safety checks to comply with current legislation
• Contacting Tenants to arrange new Tenancies and check outs at the end of a Tenancy
• Maintaining the office filing system
• Being the first point of contact for tenants
• Assisting the Lettings manager with maintenance requests

Ideally you will have some experience in Lettings, although this is not essential as full training will be given. The ideal candidate will be a highly organised individual, with excellent customer service and administration skills.

The role could involve working Saturdays (7 hours), the remaining hours can be flexible to suit the individual.

Please contact James or Holly on 01235 519888 or email your CV to holly@jamesgesner.co.uk for further details.