Saint Property Services

As more and more people have acclimatised to remote working, we’ve seen a boom in people looking for homes outside of busy centres like London. The Midlands has been a particular favourite for many as the central location offers great connectivity to major transport links, convenient travel times, and all of the modern conveniences we’ve come to enjoy, without a London price tag. 

Even with everything that Nottingham has to offer some areas command a higher price than others. We’re going to take a look at some of Nottingham’s most exclusive neighbourhoods and why they are so popular.

What is the baseline?

On average, properties in Nottinghamshire sold for £221,000.  These prices are well below the country average of £332,000 making a move to Nottinghamshire an attractive proposition for young professionals and families. This average price reflects a steady increase in values too with sales prices across all forms of property (flats, semi-detached, and detached homes) increasing by 12% proving that even at these affordable prices there is plenty of room for your property value to grow. The neighbourhoods below are examples of what happens when a great location and a healthy property market meet.

What are Nottingham’s most exclusive neighbourhoods?

West Bridgford

West Bridgford and expensive properties are one of Nottingham’s worst-kept secrets. Ask any local ‘where is expensive to buy’ and chances are they will mention the premium prices that come with a West Bridgford postal code. This neighbourhood sits just south of the river and is conveniently placed about a mile from the city centre. This proximity to the city makes West Bridgford a bustling neighbourhood with plenty to keep you busy but far enough away that you can find opulent detached properties and contemporary apartments. 

This area is also home to several upmarket restaurants and boutique shops and is right around the corner from major sporting venues. The southern location also makes this region great for commuters as you can hop on the A52 without having to go through the city. What’s more West Bridgford has excellent schools and a lively calendar of community events to add to its charms. With this in mind, it’s little wonder West Bridgeford’s average property price is £363,021. 

The Park

The Park is a private residential estate that is instantly recognisable with its Victorian architecture and amphitheatre-like layout. Centred around the Tennis Club at the bottom of the valley, stately properties ring around this area with some originally built back in the 1840s. The most surprising part of The Park is that it’s right next to town, a mere 15-minute walk from the centre itself and a 5-minute walk from Nottingham Castle.

These incredible properties are also surrounded by tree-lined streets and interesting green spaces further adding to the bucolic peace and quiet of this private residence. 

Being so close to the city centre means a move to The Park gives you access to everything the city has to offer. Two world-class universities have campuses dotted around the city, a network of trams, buses, and trains, and of course, the thousands of shops, restaurants, bars, and businesses are just the tip of the iceberg with a vibrant cultural scene and annual events adding to this mix.

Most properties in The Park are larger detached properties and this is reflected in the average price. According to the latest figures, properties in this area sold for £443,272. This is almost double the average for Nottinghamshire as a whole and shows how exclusive this neighbourhood is.

Beeston

A neighbourhood that many may be surprised to see in this list, Beeston was recently noted for having the most expensive road in Nottingham (according to 2019’s figures). Beeston Fields Drive had an eye-watering average price of £850,000. This impressive figure is by no means the largest with larger properties in Nottinghamshire often going for millions of pounds but the fact that the entire street had an average more than three times the Nottinghamshire average shows how valuable properties in this area can be.

Beeston’s location near the city, University of Nottingham, and Wollaton Hall make it a fantastic location for families, students, and landlords looking to build their portfolios. This area is well connected to the city by bus and tram and has its very own train station for commuting further afield. If you take a drive through the town you’ll find more affordable homes nearer the High Street and the town itself with larger detached family homes on the outskirts (especially bordering areas like the Beeston Fields Golf Club). 

Beeston is also an exciting choice for letting properties with links to the city, university, and major roads making it a great choice for long term investment. As such it has become a hit with property owners looking to live or let leading to some very healthy gains on property values. House prices in Beeston averaged out higher than the average for Nottingham at £258,470.

Edwalton

Edwalton is another suburb south of the city bordering West Bridgford and Gamston. This area is renowned for having some of Nottingham’s most expensive properties with streets like Valley Road, Croft Road, Melton Road, and Village Street all boasting properties that go for over a million pounds. 

This small neighbourhood has a range of different property types, most built in the post-war era (the 1950s). Edwalton’s access to schools, shops, main thoroughfares, and the nearby West Bridgford gives homeowners plenty of amenities to use right on their doorstep. The proximity to the city is in that sweet spot between city living and suburban living giving you the benefits of both.

With several million-pound properties skewing the numbers it’s little wonder that the average house price in Edwalton is £468,057. The relatively small area and larger properties mean that whenever a home goes on sale in Edwalton chances are there is going to be plenty of competition.

The City Centre

Last, but not least, Nottingham City Centre can be an exclusive neighbourhood to try to move into, especially when looking at the size of properties in the city. Given the built-up city environment, buying a property with room to grow can be costly. Detached properties in the city centre for example sold for an average price of £685,000. Exclusive properties near The Park; along Park Terrace and The Ropewalk, are somewhat responsible for these prices with modern apartments aimed at young professionals on the riverbank also making for attractive investment opportunities. 

The draw of Nottingham City Centre is that it’s large enough to give you a busy city life but small enough to still feel personal and friendly. Impressive historical buildings and rich culture and history add to this feeling while the central location of the Midlands makes it an easy commute to Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, and Lincoln. Nottingham is also a popular stop on many train routes providing even more connectivity between Nottingham and major hubs like London, Manchester, and Liverpool. Add to this; countless amenities like schools, shops, gyms, galleries and shops, and it’s easy to see how the City Centre can be a huge draw for those looking for an exclusive address.

If you’re interested in finding out more about properties for sale in Nottingham or are interested in letting a property then please contact us today. Our team works with customers to offer an unparalleled level of service combined with expert advice and all-important local knowledge. Give us a call now and we’ll help you find the perfect neighbourhood to call home.

Airbnb is a great resource for holidaymakers and property owners alike but can be a very competitive space. As a trusted site around the world; this platform has become a mainstay for anyone looking for a cheeky weekend away with friends or an epic journey across an unknown continent with 150 million users in 2018 alone. Over 7 million listings provide accommodation to these users making it more important than ever to improve your Airbnb and fill bookings in and out of the busy season. Here are our top tips on improving your Airbnb.

Small Additions Make Big Impact

When going on holiday it’s often the little touches that stick with you. Think of the little chocolates on pillows in hotels, or an ice bucket with a nice bottle of wine. These touches instantly resonate with guests and make them feel special. The cost of a bottle of wine here or a few chocolates there is negligible when compared with the cost of a holiday so why not invest in a few nice touches and watch the five-star reviews flood in.

It’s not just guest gifts but also touch-ups to your property that can make a world of difference. Changing soft furnishing covers, bedding, shower curtains or even just washing walls can breathe new life into your property and make it stand out all year round. You can even theme colours to match the natural environment from bright colours in the spring to warm tones in the winter. With an afternoon and some careful planning, you can map out several small additions to improve or update your Airbnb.

Make a Good First Impression

As we’ve spoken about in a previous blog, whether selling your home for good or even just renting it out on Airbnb, curb appeal is incredibly important to your success. A property, much like a person, makes a first impression. If you arrive on holiday and your holiday accommodation has a door with faded paint, a dark entrance hall, or a poorly maintained garden it’s going to negatively affect your experience. This is where fresh eyes can help.

Try to see your property from a guest’s perspective. Most people visit somewhere they haven’t been so having a clean, bright, inviting entranceway is the best way to make someone feel at home. You can even outsource this job. Get a family member or friend to visit the property and give you their honest feedback. Once you’ve got all the info you can set about planning what to improve. Maybe it’s painting your front door a lovely bright yellow to catch the morning sun, adding some pathway lights, or perhaps a few planter boxes leading up to the house to add some lovely scents and blossoms. Whatever the budget or time frame, improving your Air Bnb’s first impression is one of the first issues you should address.

Photos, Photos, Photos

Your listing is almost as important as your property. With loads of competition on the market; it’s important to update your listing regularly with information about date availability, special offers, and photos. Photos are one of the best ways to entice visitors to book a stay with you and should be chosen with care. 

First, you’ll need to decide whether you take your own photos or hire a professional. If you’re taking the photos yourself, you’ll want to make sure you use a good camera on a bright, sunny day. Low-quality photos and poor lighting can make even the best property look terrible. 

If you decide to go with a professional photographer you’re more likely to get stunning photos of your property. However; it’s important that you discuss what you want from your photographer. Having unrealistic photos that have been edited with loads of filters or show the property as it wouldn’t appear normally to guests can lead to complaints. In fact, misleading photos are one of the biggest Airbnb customer bugbears.

Whether you go it alone, or with a professional, make sure to get shots from different angles. For example, a shot of the whole bedroom with a few close-ups of the bedside table, or a photo of the view from the window will provide guests with a realistic idea of your property while also showing them, ‘you could enjoy all this if you book now.’

Keep Communication Channels Clear

 

It’s not just the property but also the property owner that can benefit from improving their AirBnB skills. One area in particular that many property owners find difficult to manage is communication as you can never really anticipate how much assistance a guest may need. 

Between booking and arrival, there is often a slurry of messages. Guests might ask for directions, if it’s possible to arrive late because of a flight delay, maybe even a special dietary request or allergy question. How helpful and timely a host response can affect a guest’s experience significantly so staying on top of your emails and phone calls is a must.

This is one area where going with a professional Airbnb lettings management team can help. As a modern property services provider; we understand that holiday rentals are a fast-paced industry where going the extra mile matters. We offer a range of packages to help you manage your property from a simple booking service to covering 24-hour check-in, providing cleaning staff, and even restocking linens. Our aim is to help you make more money on your property in a flexible, stress-free way. Contact us now and we’ll talk you through our AirBnB management options to help you find a plan that fits into your lifestyle.

As you can see there are several universal ways to improve your Airbnb listings, be it in Nottingham or Notre Dame. If you need a hand with your property management or want to find out more about the fun and exciting world of holiday rentals contact us today and our team will help you build out your portfolio.

According to a survey of more than 2000 homebuyers, a stunning 68% believe kerb appeal is important when buying a home. First impressions go a long way to convincing prospective homeowners of the value and desirability of a home and kerb appeal is a great way to create a good first impression.

If you’re interested in selling your home or want to increase interest in viewings here are a few ways you can improve your kerb appeal and potentially speed up the sale process.

Dress Your Front Door to Impress

Your front door is the portal to your home and a great way to add character to your property. Think of the houses on your street? Which ones stand out to you? Chances are homes with fresh coats of sunny yellow paint, baby blue, or bright white are the ones that stand out. A fresh coat of paint won’t cost the earth but can add interest and value.

Along with the paint, it’s worth looking at other aspects of your entrance. Is your door handle looking a bit tired? Does the door squeak or hang a bit loose? Maybe the letterbox is worn and showing signs of age. Whatever elements you have, it’s worth updating everything so visitors are impressed from the second they enter your home.

Freshen Up the Exterior

A larger project and one that requires a bit more investment is painting your exterior walls. The estimated cost of painting the front facade of your home averages around £550 and scaffolding may also be necessary. However, while this may seem an expensive upgrade, it can improve the kerb appeal of your home significantly with the HomeOwners Alliance finding that 54% of people in a recent survey believed a fresh lick of paint improved chances of a successful sale.

Tidy Up Windows

Windows are an important part of any home’s appeal. Fitted, clean windows are ideal for letting in light and keeping out the cold, and often one of the key areas of a home viewing. The HomeOwners Alliance survey in 2019 found that windows in good condition were the most important aspect of kerb appeal with 71% of homeowners placing windows at the top of their list.

Clear Gutters and Drains

Gutters and drains are another area that many homeowners overlook. These areas can be very unsightly and give the impression that the property is untidy or neglected. Clearing gutters costs around £250 on average and with 50% of the surveyed homeowners highlighting this area as important, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to add to kerb appeal. So, if you’re planning on having an open house or lots of showings then consider clearing your gutters and drains beforehand so that even the most critical eye will be won over by your lovely home.

Maintain Your Walls and Fences

Walls and fences can be a tricky area to improve. If your perimeter is in a good condition it may just require a lick of paint or varnish. However, if there is significant damage then you may need to replace your fence or wall which can run up into the thousands.

For situations like this, along with any other kerb appeal ideas, feel free to consult your Saint Property Services estate agent. We’re well-versed in what makes homes sell and can help you make your home stand out from the rest.

Driveway

Last but not least is your path and/or driveway. A poorly maintained driveway may make people think that the rest of your home is in a similar state so put your best foot forward and tidy up your drive. Repairing a drive can cost between £100-£500 depending on the damage so consider these costs and their benefits before undertaking repairs.

As you can see; kerb appeal is a fine balancing act that requires deciding where to invest in improvements. The suggestions above run the gamut from quick fixes to more extensive projects. If you need a hand selling your home, or want some expert advice on what to improve to increase your chance of a speedy house sale then contact us today.

At Saint Property Services, we are committed to providing Nottinghamshire homeowners with expert advice, support, and property management. Contact us and we’ll help you make your property a prize-winner in the competitive property market.