Property Blog
11th January 2021
Update – 8 January 2021
The UK Government announced on Wednesday 5th January a further national Lockdown (3) for England.
The Government has advised that Estate and Letting Agent offices can remain open to the public.
Butler Sherborn is a multi-faceted business and so we will be operating as follows:
Residential Sales and Lettings
Our offices in Cirencester, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold remain open for business, however by appointment only. We will be following our Covid-secure... more
22nd December 2020
Sam Butler Comments;
‘The year 2020 has been one of the most exciting, and exacting years of my professional life in the property market. In March 2020, Covid catapulted the nation into Lockdown; the offices closed and we all began working remotely from home in isolation. Many fully expected the property market to come to a swift halt, with values even dropping off the edge of a cliff. The Cotswolds, however, have proved yet again that they are one of the most desirable... more
17th December 2020
The Partners and members of Butler Sherborn send their very best wishes to you for a happy, healthy and restful Christmas, and hope that 2021 is a kinder year to us all.
Our offices will be closed from;
(12pm) Thursday 24th December - Monday 4th January 2021 (9am)
10th December 2020
With Christmas fast approaching, there is still time to be in your dream Cotswold home before Santa drops down the chimney.
Butler Sherborn currently have an excellent choice of houses to rent, with something for everyone.
The properties range from a 6 bedroom farmhouse with extensive gardens, 3 bedroom period cottages, and culminating in a 1 bedroom executive apartment in the gracious and grand, Sherborne House. All the properties are unoccupied, and ready to be moved... more
19th November 2020
Given that in the spring it looked unlikely that we would have any international competitions at all during 2020, at Team Way Eventing we have managed to have a surprisingly successful productive season!
The positive side of the spring lockdown was being able to spend so much time working on the basics with the young horses, without the pressure of having to take them to competitions. Interestingly, I think they ended up progressing more quickly than normal. The major blows for us were the cancellations of some of the big international events, such as Badminton in the spring and Blenheim in the autumn. However, we are able to get some good 4* runs into our top horses, and qualify all of... more
19th November 2020
With uncertainty surrounding what we will be allowed to do this Christmas, a warm ‘home and hearth’ takes on even greater significance. Three Cotswold houses perfect for Christmas, available through Butler Sherborn from £775,000.
With the Stamp Duty holiday due to end on March 31, the Cotswold property market remains ‘open for business’ during Lockdown2.
‘Driving home for Christmas’, Chris Rea’s perennial Yuletide track will soon be flooding the airwaves but with even greater significance this year, and soon we will know where we are heading and how many friends and family members will be able to join us.
“After the year we have all had, and with uncertainty surrounding what we will be allowed to do... more
2nd November 2020
The Housing Minister has confirmed that house moves can continue during the national Lockdown due to start on Thursday. The housing market remains open in both the sales and rental sectors. Our offices are currently closed, but Butler Sherborn remains fully operational. All staff are contactable by email and telephone during normal working hours. Access to our offices, or properties is strictly by appointment only.
Butler Sherborn will continue to assiduously follow the Covid-19 Guidance... more
30th October 2020
A survey, conducted by the Country Landowners Association, of more than 1,000 Londoners found that 55% of 18-34 year olds are more likely to move to the countryside as a result of Covid19.
The reasons for the change in mindset are, in part, due to cheaper housing stock, with 78% ranking it the most important factor in deciding to move. Digital connectivity came in at 56%, and the ability to do an existing job from a new location at 55% , were two highly important and influencial factors.
The survey found that, of all those polled across all demographics, the COVID-19 epidemic has made 44% of people more likely to consider moving to the countryside, versus just... more
16th October 2020
• Some great Cotswold country properties on the market from £795,000 • Those thinking of selling in the Cotswolds encouraged not to delay
“Demand for country properties has been relentless since mid-May when the housing market was released from lockdown,” says Sam Butler, partner of Butler Sherborn, the Cotswolds Property Specialist. “Buyers from cities including London want to find somewhere in the countryside, particularly in and around the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire. They are looking for space, somewhere suitable for working from home, fresh air for a healthier lifestyle and access to good schools in the case of young... more
13th October 2020
The residential lettings market in the Cotswolds has been consistently healthy through the last decade.
The market has been underwritten by demand for weekend and holiday homes, as the picturesque area is only an hour and half from central London, and within easy reach of Birmingham, Coventry and Bristol.
Covid however has further fuelled demand, as people have become increasingly anxious to secure a bolthole in the country, away from the obvious Covid hot spots. In addition, they have found that working from home is entirely possible in this digital age. Many are renting with a view to... more
21st September 2020
The chancellor's policy of the suspension of Stamp Duty, on the first £500,000 of all property sales in England and Northern Ireland, has helped boost house prices. August saw the highest monthly price rise in more than 16 years, according to the Nationwide. It describes the housing market recovery as "unexpectedly rapid".
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty is a tax paid by people buying properties, although it varies slightly across the UK.
In England and Northern Ireland buyers pay Stamp Duty Land Tax.
In Scotland it is Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, while in Wales buyers pay Land Transaction Tax.
The amount handed to the government depends on where you are in the UK, and the price of the property.
The changes to stamp duty only apply to buyers in England and Northern... more
11th September 2020
It really has been a triple whammy of a harvest year.
Firstly, the unusually heavy rain in the autumn of 2019 meant that many farmers could not plant as much winter wheat as they usually would. A lot of what was planted then did not do well in waterlogged soil. February saw relentless rain, ending up being the wettest on record, which delayed spring planting.
The spring was very hot and dry (great for all of us on “Lock Down”) and this caused drought stress in many areas, making it hard for the crops to take up nutrients from the soil... more
10th September 2020
Four Cotswolds properties near good schools new on the market from £695,000 While schools going back for the first time in months might signal the return to a semblance of post-lockdown normality, the Cotswolds property market remains frenetic.
“The demand to move to the country continues unabated,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn the Cotswolds property specialist, “with the proximity to good schools, the space to work from home, and good transport links to London high on the list of purchasers’ priorities.
“For those living in London and other large cities, there is always a point in life when you think about moving out, and that is typically when one has children, but I have never known such demand to move to the green... more
12th August 2020
Butler Sherborn launches five homes on the market from £675,000 to £2.8million
“Things have really taken off since lockdown, and there is a general sense of optimism here in the Cotswolds,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn.
“We recently agreed the sale of a building plot in Chedworth that sold within four days of coming to market, while another property had over 55 viewings in two weeks!”
Overall viewings for the firm are up 53% (June & July 2020 vs June & July 2019), while people registering for property details are up 215% over the same period... more
7th August 2020
Gently through the summer, equestrian events, from racing, eventing and polo to Pony Club activities and Fun Rides, have begun to take place again.
These activities are all subject to Covid regulations of course and there are no spectators as such. It is a great relief to all competitors, owners, trainers and those in the industry that the horses are now able to compete and work in their respective disciplines.
Butler Sherborn’s Head of Equestrian Property, Ben Way of Team Way Eventing comments – ‘We were lucky enough to be able to keep all of our horses in work during the Lockdown period which allowed us to get going straight... more
10th July 2020
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a Stamp Duty holiday, raising the level at which the tax becomes payable to £500,000. This means that you could now save several thousand pounds when purchasing your next home - making it the ideal time to buy.
On a property purchase of £500,000 or over, with the changes announced this week, you will save £15,000 in Stamp Duty costs.
Since the Chancellor’s announcement, Butler Sherborn has received an increase in enquiries, which have been directly attributable to this Stamp Duty Holiday.
Buyers will be keen to take advantage of this opportunity to save considerable sums on their purchase of a property.
7th July 2020
Five great homes launched on the Cotswold market from £680,000 - £5.8million
Post-lockdown market comment“There is huge interest in the Cotswolds, particularly from city dwellers looking for rural properties - everything from quaint cottages, village houses and country homes, especially if there is a bit of space outside and there’s the ability to work from home with fast broadband,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn, the Cotswolds property specialist.
Pindrup Moor Farm, Coln St Dennis - £5.8m
https://www.... more
28th May 2020
From famine to feast is perhaps over-stating the case slightly, but it is certainly fair to say that we have had our hands very full in the last two weeks. Since the Prime Minister and Government elected to permit restricted movement (allowing our team to begin viewings and visits once more) we have been able to show properties again, albeit following strict distancing protocols and with everyone wearing the requested PPE.
This has been hugely welcome and much appreciated by... more
28th May 2020
On the 1st June 2019 the above Act came into force across England and introduced fundamental changes to the fees and charges that landlords, and/or letting agents, can seek to recover from a tenant.
Whilst the legislation applied to all new tenancies from 1st June 2019, it also includes all ongoing tenancies from the 1st June 2020.
What does this mean for your tenancy agreement that you have ongoing with your current tenant? In essence, the Act bans all... more
18th May 2020
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rental Sector (England) Regulations 2020
In January 2020 the Government announced the above regulations were being passed through Parliament and we can now confirm that these will come into effect from 1st June 2020.
The regulations apply to all new tenancies created from 1st July 2020 and for all ongoing and existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. The requirements are that private landlords must ensure that the Electrical Safety Standards are met in a residential property, during a tenancy... more
