Property Blog
22nd February 2021
Legislation has recently been passed, which comes into effect from 4th May 2021. The Debt Respite Scheme, also known as Breathing Space, has been introduced to help those in debt, including tenants in rent arrears.
The scheme allows for a person’s debt and any enforcement action against that debt, to be frozen for a maximum of 60 days (unless a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space has been obtained – see below), allowing the tenant to find a solution to their financial problems, without being pressed by creditors or landlords.
The Forms of Breathing Space
There are two forms of Breathing Space, Standard Breathing Space and Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. Both work in a similar way... more
22nd February 2021
Cotswold Gold is a premium, extra virgin rapeseed oil made using traditional cold pressing methods. This preserves the natural health benefits of the seed, creating an oil naturally high in vitamin E, rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9, and low in cholesterol
Cotswold Gold only use crops grown on their family farm in the Cotswolds to ensure that only the finest seeds are pressed to create their vibrant, golden oil. All oil is grown, harvested, pressed and bottled in the Cotswolds. With its natural health benefits and extremely versatile cooking properties, Cotswold Gold is unquestionably the best oil to use for all your culinary needs, from salad dressings to high temperature frying. Cotswold Gold extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil can be used... more9th February 2021
Looking for that special romantic dinner for two with an extra special twist – visit www.maltandanchor.co.uk . This innovative, Cirencester fish and chip restaurant is offering a fabulous Take Away, and delivery service within 4.5 miles of Cirencester. The Valentine’s Menu has the reputed aphrodisiac, and epicurean dish, Cornish Lobster with garlic butter and twice cooked chips, as well as Hebridean smoked salmon and a couple of extra special puddings for the special day, at very... more
2nd February 2021
Four suitable properties from £295,000 - £975,000
“The idea of having your own place in the country is growing ever more popular,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn. “Even as the vaccine roll out gathers pace and people begin to feel more confident that normality is on the horizon, the reasons for wanting a bolthole away from the smoke are many and varied. Whether simply looking to escape a city at weekends, as a staycation holiday let with its separate income stream, somewhere quiet to work, write or create, as an investment or... more
25th January 2021
Growing up in the Cotswolds, nearly every village had a village shop which formed the heart of the community
Sadly those days have gone and now they have become a rarity. So many buyers come to the Cotswolds dreaming of living in a village with either a pub or a shop and villages who can boast these much loved places, normally have a positive effect when it comes to house sales. The success of the village shop largely comes down to residents to either actively get involved with running them voluntarily or support them instead of filling up at the supermarket. Here are a selection who have shone... more
25th January 2021
Market comment from Elizabeth D'Allemagne
"The Cotswold housing market was incredibly strong in 2020; almost frenetic. The current Lockdown has created a degree of uncertainty. Understandably with current restrictions and challenges, normal life feels as if it has been suspended with an economic headwind which should not be underestimated.However, as the vaccine is rolled out across the country and the R rate has currently dropped below one, people are looking forward to life starting to resemble normality after Easter.... more
11th January 2021
Glebe House is an impressive 5 bedroom family home, in an elevated position on the edge of the village, with exceptional views across the Windrush Valley set in 2.26 acres. Guide Price £1,750,000
Carefully designed to take advantage of the lovely views, it is built in a traditional style with contemporary standards of comfort. With accommodation over three floors, the house is ideal for both entertaining and modern family life. The living areas are particularly bright and sunny, and there is an easy flow between the principal reception areas and the large kitchen/breakfast room, with the versatile and spacious layout allowing for a combination of convivial family life with areas of... more
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
