Property Blog
26th January 2017
Sensible pricing and being well prepared are key factors in ensuring a successful, smooth sale this year.
As we head into 2017, the property market is no different from any other sector. There is inevitable uncertainty surrounding Brexit and things are going to be difficult to call, politically and economically. But whatever happens, life goes on.
The availability of good quality properties for sale will remain restricted - although we did see this beginning to ease towards the end of 2016 and now into 2017, and people will remain disinclined to pay more stamp duty than... more
25th January 2017
It is that time of year again, when weather bulletins report ‘it’s the coldest…; it’s the wettest…; it’s the whitest…'
With dipping temperatures across the UK, households are once again preparing their winter woollens and de-icer for their cars. It is also important for home owners and tenants to efficiently heat their properties, to prevent damp, mould, cold draughts or other nasty issues. With this, for some, comes the worry of cost implications, with ever spiralling energy bills.
There are other ways to keep warm and your homes protected, whilst keeping the costs under control. Here... more
20th January 2017
1. I am an Executor in an estate. Will I need Probate to sell the Property?
All assets which were held in the deceased’s sole name will be ‘frozen’ after death, until a Grant of Probate has been obtained.
The word Probate means ‘proving’, as it involves proving that the Will in the Executor’s possession is the last Will of the deceased. Probate is an order of the Court officially granting the Executor the power to administer the estate. If the deceased did not leave... more
5th December 2016
Butler Sherborn is pleased to announce that Jonathan Malings MRICS has joined the Rural Team based at their Cirencester Office.
Butler Sherborn is pleased to announce that Jonathan Malings MRICS has joined the Rural Team based at their Cirencester Office. He joins Butler Sherborn from a national firm being based in the West Midland and has excellent local knowledge having grown up in the Cotswolds together with practical farming experience. Richard Greasby, Head of the Rural Department, comments:
"This expansion of the Rural Team is a direct response to an exciting growth in turnover over the last year... more
29th November 2016
Whilst Butler Sherborn enjoyed a 30% increase in turnover in 2015 we have exceeded that by a further 50% during 2016.
ValuationGrowth has been across all sectors but with Expert Witness valuations and inheritance tax succession planning showing greatest growth. We undertake professional valuation for all sorts of reasons, but here’s how it breaks down for the year.
Bank Security 28% Capital Gains Tax 24% Inheritance Tax/Probate 24% Divorce and Litigation 12% Stock Taking 6% Other 6%This growth is founded on the time we take to understand what the client needs, working closely with their other... more
1st September 2016
The perfect chance to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of something delicious for a great cause - Macmillan Coffee Morning. Friday 30th September 10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon. All welcome coffee, cakes and chatter!
Butler Sherborn are delighted to be hosting Macmillan Coffee Mornings in their Cirencester, Burford and Stow offices from 10.00-12 noon on Friday 30th September. Please do drop in and join us. Together we can make sure no one faces cancer alone.
1st September 2016
Additional 3% SDLT applies to “additional residential dwelling” purchased after 1st April 2016
This has caused concern and confusion and as a result some aspects of the rules have been further clarified as well as amendments to the Finance Bill having been made.
Three Areas that we think you should be aware of:
If an annexe or ancillary dwelling, within the grounds of a main dwelling being purchased, is capable of independent occupation but is “subsidiary to the main dwelling” then it will not qualify for the higher rate of SDLT. For this to work, the part of the price... more
24th August 2016
In its 25th Anniversary year, Butler Sherborn is delighted to announce its sponsorship of Ben Pauling Racing for the next 5 seasons, with immediate effect.
In its 25th Anniversary year, Butler Sherborn is delighted to announce its sponsorship of Ben Pauling Racing for the next 5 seasons, with immediate effect. With Offices, in Cirencester, Stow-on -the –Wold and Burford, in addition to Oxford, Wantage and London, the Cotswolds property specialists have extensive links with the equestrian world. Sam Butler is Chairman and Field Master of The Warwickshire Hunt and Ben Way, Head of Equestrian, is a member of the GB Nations Cup Eventing Team this... more
4th August 2016
We are delighted to sponsor the Moreton-in-Marsh show. Please do come and join us!
In our 25th Anniversary year, we are pleased to be sponsoring The Members’ Enclosure at Moreton Show. It remains one of the best Agricultural Society Shows in the country, with its emphasis firmly on farming and the rural community. The Grand Arena offers many exciting family attractions, together with the Hunt Relay and the 6 Bar show jumping competitions. The Livestock Area showcases some of the best quality animals of many traditional and modern breeds of sheep, cows, and goats.
... more
1st July 2016
Anyone who rents out a property should take out insurance cover in case something goes wrong. It sounds pessimistic, but it’s actually just common – and financial – sense.
What if there was a flood or fire at the property? Could you afford to repair the damage and find alternative accommodation for your tenant out of your ready resources? It’s never a problem before it’s a problem as they say!Most importantly make sure you have specialist landlords insurance. If you let a property taking out standard insurance in your own name, there’s every chance the insurance company will refuse to pay any claim and you will be out of pocket.
Although Butler... more
1st July 2016
Butler Sherborn sponsor the celebrations at Abbey Home Farm for Will and Hilary Chester Master winning the 2015 Silver Pintail Award
We were delighted to be asked to sponsor the celebrations at Abbey Home Farm for Will and Hilary Chester Master winning the 2015 Silver Pintail Award for outstanding sustainable farming practice.
The award is organised through Gloucestershire FWAG (Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group) and showcases the long term commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable farming shown by many farmers across the country. Will and Hilary Chester Master, along with their farm manager John Newman,... more
1st July 2016
Ben Way won Team Bronze in Virginia on his first appearance in the GB Nation’s Cup squad.
Ben Way won Team Bronze in Virginia on his first appearance in the GB Nation’s Cup squad. Willows Tipster, a 12 year old gelding owned by Mr and Mrs Tadzik Kopanski and Peter Finer, coped well with the heat and humidity to produce a swift and clear round cross country, with the team finishing in Bronze medal position.
The Team are grateful to all their sponsors, primarily Landrover for transport to the USA, and Ben Way to Butler Sherborn.
1st June 2016
Butler Sherborn Sponsors The Gloucestershire GWCT Clay Pigeon Shoot
By kind permission of Charles Baillie-Hamilton the Gloucestershire GWCT held a Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot at North Farm, Shipton on Wednesday 8th June. Thirty teams enjoyed the afternoon tackling four challenging flush stands in the hot afternoon sun.
A great deal of fun was had and an estimated sum of £10,000 was raised for the Trust.
1st June 2016
Butler Sherborn sponsored again the highly successful Kingham Run last Saturday, attracting 80 runners with 72 finishers.
Many thanks to all who participated, volunteered, sponsored and provided prizes for this year's 2016 Kingham Run.
The digital timer made a significant difference to the speed of the results and it was lovely to see a 13 year old winner of the 6km section, Archie Bramwell.
Michael Aldridge was overall Race Winner, with Shona Crombie Hicks as the fastest Lady.
Kingham Primary School are very grateful to Butler Sherborn, and also to Justin Davies of Bluesmart.com and a... more
1st June 2016
We do not have a crystal ball.
We have thought hard at Butler Sherborn what the result of the Referendum means to us all, and to the property market. There is plenty of speculation and we cannot be sure except to suggest there is no need for an overreaction. For example, it was only earlier this year that the FTSE 100 dropped below 6,000. Having said that we must all embrace the outcome and encourage politicians to work with business and to be decisive about the best way forward for Britain.
We would be naïve to... more
1st June 2016
One of the best-known names in residential and rural property across the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Butler Sherborn - which has a strong presence across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, opened its doors in Burford, the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’ in 1991, and now has offices in Cirencester, Stow-on-the-Wold, Oxford, Wantage and London as well as Burford.
“Much has inevitably happened over those intervening years,” says the firm’s founder, Sam Butler, “and we have witnessed some significant changes in the way residential property is sold, let and managed.
“We have had to... more
