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Why every home needs a posh pantry

March 26, 2025 by John Holden

Beyond the layout, smart technology, integrated appliances and sociable aspect for family and friends to mingle, storage is key to a modern kitchen.

Moreover, when placing your products – from dry foods to tins, to spices and food processors – a dedicated space is key to making your daily routine stress-free.

And with the trend for open-plan schemes and clutter-free surfaces, a pantry is right on point when planning an upgrade, or making every space count.

(by Sam Wylie-Harris PA)

Commonly associated with large farmhouse kitchens in spacious homes, Looeeze Grossman, founder of The Used Kitchen Company, says that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“A well-designed pantry is an asset in any kitchen, regardless of its size,” opines Grossman.

Here, the design expert shares her top tips for pantry planning…

If you have a large kitchen, it’s all about smart storage

If you have a large kitchen, but no pantry, adding one is a worthwhile investment, advises Grossman. “You may see it as sacrificing valuable kitchen space, but the benefits you’ll get in return are hugely worth it.”

Not only could it add more value to your home, but buyers often add a kitchen with a pantry to their wish list, says Grossman.

Moreover, she says you’ll actually gain more space by decluttering your worktops. “Small appliances, bread bins and storage items can be neatly tucked away, allowing your kitchen to maintain a sleek, showroom-worthy look.”

A pantry also makes it easier to stay organised. “With clearly labelled shelves and a well-thought-out layout, you can quickly locate ingredients and kitchen essentials.

“Seasonal cookware, rarely used gadgets, and holiday-specific items can be stored here,” suggests Grossman. “Freeing up your everyday cupboards for items you use on a daily basis.”

If you have a small kitchen, you can still create a pantry space

Even in the smallest of kitchens, a well-planned pantry space can make all the difference, highlights Grossman.

“Wall-mounted solutions like spice racks and plate racks offer an effective way to maximise vertical storage, freeing up valuable cupboard space for dry goods and bulk ingredients.

“Open shelving can also be a stylish and practical option, allowing you to keep essentials like jars of pasta, rice, and cereals within easy reach while adding character to your kitchen,” suggests Grossman.

If you prefer a more streamlined appearance, she says to use wicker baskets or containers inside your cupboards – making it easier to find what you need without rummaging through cluttered shelves.

Grossman continues: “For those who prefer a more concealed storage approach, slim pull-out pantry units or stackable organisers can transform even the narrowest cupboard into a functional space for food storage.”

“Clever additions like over-the-door racks for spices or small tins can create extra storage without taking up valuable worktop space,” she adds.

Whether tucked away or showcased as part of your kitchen’s design, Grossman says a thoughtfully arranged pantry ensures even the most compact kitchens remain both stylish and highly functional.

It doesn’t have to cost a fortune

Designing a functional and stylish pantry doesn’t have to come with a high price tag, she underlines. “While many assume adding a pantry requires a significant investment, it can be achieved cost-effectively with the right approach.”

Think second-hand or ex-display, that can be used as a standalone unit or part of a larger kitchen redesign. In addition, most pantry layouts follow a simple, formulaic approach, notes Grossman.

“Shelves for dry goods, designated spaces for jars and tins, and clever use of vertical storage – instead of splurging on high-end organisers, everyday household items can be repurposed to create a tidy and efficient space.”

She says basic baskets, repurposed jars, and stackable containers work just as well as premium alternatives, helping to keep everything in order without unnecessary expense.

Even more budget friendly, Grossman suggests checking out car boot sales, online marketplaces and discount stores for baskets, jars, and organisers… a fraction of the price of high-end homeware shops.

“With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can design a well-organised, stylish pantry that maximises space and functionality, all without overspending.”

Organisation is key

A well-organised pantry isn’t just about storage, it’s about creating a space where everything has its place…

Thoughtful layout planning is essential, and by ensuring everyday essentials are easily accessible, and surplus items neatly tucked away, even the smallest pantry can feel spacious and efficient, says Grossman.

Beyond practicality, a well-arranged pantry can be a design feature in its own right, she enthuses. “There’s a certain satisfaction in opening the pantry doors to a beautifully arranged space.

“In fact, a thoughtfully planned pantry often becomes a talking point, with friends unable to resist taking a peek at what’s inside.”

With the right balance of organisation and creativity, Grossman says a stylish and efficient pantry is well within budget for every home.

How to get your garden spring-ready

February 28, 2025 by John Holden

The weather may still be cold and cloudy, but buds are already starting to appear so it’s time to get your garden ready for spring before the growth spurt begins.

You could make time for a quick tidy-up, washing furniture and ornaments, turning your compost heap and cleaning patio pots.

“It’s a great time to tidy, clean and repair, whether it be tools, pots, furniture or even plant labels,” says Emma O’Neill, head gardener of horticultural charity Garden Organic.

Follow these tips on jobs to do in the garden to give you a head start on spring.

(By: Hannah Stephenson, PA)

Prune fruit

“Prune apple and pear trees. Don’t cut too much off, as you don’t want to put the tree under stress and you don’t want them to produce a load of top growth. Ideally you’re looking for an open goblet shape, with a hand span between each branch. The easiest way to think about it is that the pruning allows a bird to be able to fly through the branches.

“We always start on the laterals on the outside, taking them back to one to two buds. Go for the rule of dead, diseased, damaged and anything that’s crossing. Go back, look at your shape, see what you think, and do it with care,” O’Neill advises.

Beginners should look at a pruning guide to ensure they don’t cut too much off, she adds.

Only prune currants and gooseberries once they are over two years old, she advises.

“Blackcurrants fruit on new growth, while red and whitecurrants fruit on old growth. Again, you’re just taking them back.”

Use green manure

If you’ve grown green manure such as red clover or winter tares, make sure you dig that in to the bed three to four weeks before use. Green manure is any kind of crop which covers and protects the soil, improving soil structure and nutrition.

“If you are going to direct-sow (crops) in March, make sure you’ve dug in your green manure in February,” O’Neill suggests.

If you’ve used rye grass as a green manure, it can inhibit seed germination so wait a month after digging it in before you start sowing, she adds.

Mulch your soil

“It’s always a good idea to regularly mulch your soil to protect it,” O’Neill advises. “If you have your own compost, use that, or alternatively you can get green compost from local authorities.”

Clear your pond

If your pond has been netted over winter, remove the netting and clear any debris including leaves, and cut back pond plants which have died off.

Plant tender perennials in pots for summer blooms

February is an ideal time to get a head start and plant tender perennials like dahlias and begonias in pots, says Hannah Rowson, garden centre manager at bulbs and perennials specialist J. Parker’s.

“By starting these indoors, you can encourage new growth while waiting for warmer weather to transplant them outdoors in spring,” explains Rowson.

She advises: “Make sure to place your tender perennials somewhere safe from frost and with a bit of natural light, such as in a warm, light greenhouse, to promote the growth of new shoots.”

Divide snowdrops

“It is best to divide snowdrops now to help them naturalise over time, leading to more flowers the following year,” Rowson advises.

“You can use a shovel or trowel to lift the flowers out of the ground with their roots, then split through the roots to create two clusters. Plant these halves in your chosen location and watch as they form new colonies in new patches of your garden, creating a beautiful perennial display for years to come.”

Cut back group 2 and 3 clematis

Group 2 clematis flower on old wood in late spring or early summer and again in late summer. They include large flowered types including ‘Nelly Moser’ and ‘The President’. Cut them back in late winter or early spring to a pair of strong healthy buds, leaving around 1m on the plant (or around 30cm if it is a newly planted clematis).

Group 3 clematis including ‘Perle d’Azur’ and ‘Jackmanii’ bloom from summer to autumn and should be cut back in February or March to a pair of strong, healthy buds around 30cm (12in) above soil level.

Tidy deciduous plants

After leaving stems on herbaceous perennials such as veronicastrum, echinaceas and rudbeckias to provide habitat for overwintering insects and seeds for birds, you can now cut them down, as new shoots may already be appearing at the base, O’Neill advises. Climbing roses can also be pruned in February.

Finish planting bare-root trees and shrubs

It’s the last chance to plant bare-root trees, roses and shrubs which you’ve bought in their dormant state, unless the ground is frozen, O’Neill advises.

Carry out repairs

Tidy your shed, repair your tools and make good any structures such as trellis and fencing, which may have come loose or been damaged in the winter, O’Neill suggests. Climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle will particularly benefit from this, so you can tie them in as they grow in the spring.

Stake your plants

“Get all your staking done now if you know what plants are going to need support, particularly in the ornamental garden. We have a plant called baptisia which goes absolutely crazy and it’s much better to stake it now that to try to do it in the growing season.”

Clean the greenhouse

Wash the glass and hose down any crevices because lots of pests may be sheltering there, where it’s warmer. Pick a sunny day, so if you are housing plants you can put them out for a couple of hours while you clean, and dispose of dead plants, which you can put on the compost heap, O’Neill advises. Wash down staging and clean dirty pots.

Tend to containers

Dispose of dead container plants, but if you have permanent specimens which were planted in fresh compost last year, take off the top layer of compost and top dress them with a new layer, O’Neill suggests. If you liquid feed through the growing season, your plants should be fine. Make sure your pots are still on pot feet so the moisture can seep through easily.

Cut back herbaceous perennials in pots, but leave evergreen pruning until spring, she adds.

Looking for a Home With A Fine Garden?

Check out this four bedroom detached family home, crafted by the esteemed Pool and Son builders, set within the prestigious Blue Triangle area of Fleet and with a generous plot measuring in excess of 0.5 of an acre

How to make the most of your living space as the nights draw in

October 24, 2024 by John Holden

GEORGE CLARKE ARCHITECT WINTER INTERIORS MCCARTHY HOLDEN

With winter just around the corner and everyone gravitating indoors, our living rooms are about to see most of this season’s action.

Whether it’s cinema nights with the kids, socialising with friends or simply curling up with a good book, your communal space will undoubtedly become the centre point of everyday living.

So how to bring the feel-good factor to your downtime?

Here, architect and TV presenter George Clarke, highlights a few ways to accommodate the needs of multiple generations… whilst catering to the demands of awkward spaces in a smart and stylish way.

Create intimate zones

The layout of our living rooms has changed markedly over the years, as we all aim to create multi-functional spaces to serve many needs, notes Clarke.

Practical as well as aesthetically pleasing, think elements to help us relax, entertain and possibly work from home, alongside other activities.

“Creating intimate zones, however small, is key in designing a space that delivers on multiple briefs,” explains Clarke.

“And although many rooms don’t offer symmetrical proportions – many being long and narrow with special considerations, such as doors in awkward places – there are a few ways to achieve breakaway zones.”

The key when working to the quirks of your layout, especially when rearranging furniture, is to consider comfort, ease of movement and flow, highlights Clarke.

“Avoid placing everything around a room’s edges, which can result in too much empty space at the centre.” He continues. “Instead, opt to delineate your scheme, pulling furniture into more intimate arrangements.”

The back of a sofa can work well as a room divider, but be sure to choose furniture that looks appealing from all angles, as sides and backs will be on display as well as fronts, notes Clarke.

“And remember, it’s not just sofas that create convivial family zones. Beautifully crafted armchairs are also having a moment.”

“Think about pieces that complement each other rather than match, and try out informal circular groupings anchored by a generous footstool to encourage lingering.”

Large rugs stretched across rooms are a simple and effective way to create a natural divide for seating, eating and working, suggests Clarke.

“And bespoke bookshelves as room dividers and cabinetry that contain pull-out desks are a useful design solution.”

Put comfort first

“Comfort is king when it comes to the ideal living room,” underlines Clarke. “In fact, it was voted as the number one requirement by a long way in Sofology’s How We Live Now report which included independent consumer research, with the TV coming in as a not-so-close second.

“Whether you go for modernist-shaped seating, scrolled arms, button tuck detailing or tapered legs, it turns out the style of our seating is a matter of personal taste, but the feeling of wellbeing it elicits is non-negotiable.”

Modular sofas with flexible configurations work well, as does a selection of moveable furniture, including lightweight side tables that can be pulled into place for a spot of home-working, advises Clark.

“Task lighting that can be directed with ease, deep ottomans and plenty of plugs and USB ports,” he adds.

Entertain a seasonal cinemascape

If the TV promises to be central to enjoying your living room over the winter, Clarke recommends switching things up with a more cinematic experience, depending on your budget.

“Although screening rooms are often found in basement spaces and middle rooms of period homes benefitting from reduced natural light, they can also work within a regular living space,” suggests Clarke.

If a cinema-style sofa isn’t on the cards this Christmas, he says to consider layering the seating you have – and surround it with sumptuous textures and rich colours to create a cosseting escape.

“There’ll be some classic movies showing at this time of year, and a comfortable set up will make long winter nights all the more enjoyable.”

Get colour happy

As Clarke points out, incorporating bright colours and bold patterns adds depth and vibrancy that can help bring a welcome lightness to winter months.

Most people opt for white or neutral walls to help make a room appear larger, notes Clarke, but a single colour wash wall or brightly painted shelving can help brighten things up.

“Stylists I’ve worked with in the past have said when it comes to colour and pattern, breaking the rules rather than following specific trends often produces the best results.”

“I love this idea, especially as one in five of us updates our living spaces on a yearly basis. Changing the colour of a living room doesn’t have to cost the earth or represent a long-standing commitment – and the results can be surprising.”

Think social

It’s the season for socialising and where better than in the comfort of your own home…

“Open plan kitchens-cum-living rooms are perfect for enjoying a more relaxed approach to hosting,” says Clarke. “We know people migrate to the living room in winter, so rethinking the space slightly to cater for this can really help take the stress out of having people over.

“Sitting rooms with alcoves offer a wealth of opportunity when it comes to socialising, so switch out books for something more appetising and useful,” suggests Clarke.

“Built-in bars might not be to everybody’s taste, but temporary pieces like a retro drinks trolley can help create a zone within a living room – offering much-needed storage and help bring the fun to an evening with friends.”

Serene green: 10 ways to breathe new life into your decor this spring

March 23, 2024 by John Holden

If you long for a sense of being at one with nature, green could be your go-to hue this springtime.

And if you’re looking to give your interiors a quick refresh and switch things up as the seasons change, there really is no more suitable shade than serene green.

Whether you want to create a tranquil scheme to sink into at the end of the day, or breathe new life into your decor for chilled-out get-togethers, here are some of our top picks…

1. Nina Campbell Set of 4 Meadow Pasta Bowls, Green, £45, Next

This eye-catching stoneware with glossy green glaze will make everything look that much lovelier… think creamy spinach pasta sauce for small soirées.

2. Manual Beech Wood Pepper Mill in Fern Green (available soon), and Boreal Manual Beech Wood Salt Mill in Sage Green, £44.99 each, Peugeot Saveurs.

A swanky salt mill and plush pepper mill to spice up your spring tablescape. We’re in – and these soft shades will complement any kitchen style.

3. Totally Tropical Table Runner, £25, Totally Tropical Pack of 4 Placemats, £25, and Perfect Pineapple Pack of 4 Napkins, £15 (items from a selection), Joe Browns

We’ve gone Tropiloco over this exotic tableware collection, with its lush palm leaves, verdant vegetation and prize pineapples to signal salsa dishes.

4. Green ‘Poppies’ 30cm Straight Empire Printed Cotton Shade by Ellen Merchant, £51 (lamp from a selection), Pooky

Even if you think you’re lighting is spot on, the longer, balmy days ahead call for a stylish table lamp to highlight all your details and decos.

5. Graphical Green Gallery Wall – featuring: Il Giardino Dei Sapori Poster (30 x 40cm), Green Colour Blocks Poster (30 x 40cm), Van Gogh – River Bank In Springtime Poster (50 x 70cm), with Dark Oak Frames, currently £113.94 (was £146.65), Desenio

A favourite for feel-good vibes, colour drenching a room in the same green accents and creating a gallery wall themed to botanical plants is a fast route to style and positive energy.

6. John Lewis ANYDAY Spindle Desk in Bowling Green, £159.20, and ANYDAY Whistler Dining Chair in Bowling Green, £99, John Lewis

Whether you’re in the throes of a spring clean and reorganising your WFH space, or introducing a cosy corner aesthetic for managing life admin and hobbies, this bijoux desk will make it all a breeze.

7. Portloe Woven Gingham Green Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set, from £30-£50, Dunelm

A green gingham check has lots to offer, especially when teamed with co-ordinating solids and matching curtains, against a backdrop of bleached wood and mini olive trees for a dreamy, Mediterranean ambiance. Made from 100% washed cotton.

Latest Property Magazine & Market Insights

February 19, 2024 by John Holden

We are please to create our latest edition of In The Country & Town, providing an opportunity to provide our readers with market insights and also showcase some great properties to buy or to rent for those starting their 2024 property search this month.

In January and early February 2024 the house market has moved quickly with positive buyer activity turning into a healthy amount of new property sales, confirming in our view that house buyers believe that the best in house buying opportunities will be during the first six months of 2024.

For market insight and our advice to buyers and sellers, just click on the image below.

There are many fine properties to see within the pages of our magazine and you will see the wonderful interiors of some of the finest properties on the Berkshire / Hampshire borders, including a preview of the property shown below which is not yet on the open market. If you click on the image you will see more details and a video tour embedded in the magazine.

And here is another magazine preview exclusive, Situated within the sought after village of Herriard.

This exquisite three bedroom detached family home built in 2020 by Forays Homes, is located within an exclusive development of just three detached properties.

Benefits to this property include a detached double garage with ample driveway parking, air source heat pump, dressing room, underfloor heating, and wonderful countryside views.

Click on them image below for more details.

Why not indulge in looking at our 90 pages magazine and see the wonderful interiors of some of the finest properties on the Berkshire / Hampshire borders.

We also hope you will enjoy reading some of the editorial features, including recipes from new chef Big Zuu, Caroline Quentin on her gardening experience, Paloma Faith: Becoming a mum, why going plant-based could transform your health, Michael Sheen on why he hopes The Way ‘gives voice’ to Port Talbot, TV & Film on One Love star Kingsley, how to renovate your kitchen sustainably, and motoring.

Click image below for a full read.

Jay Blades says Sir David Jason is ‘perfect’ and collaborating on their new show was like ‘working with a teenager’

February 2, 2024 by John Holden

Jay Blade and Sir David Jason McCarthy Holden news item

Before the interview has even got fully under way, Sir David Jason is taking swipes at Jay Blades.

It is soon evident that this is the pair’s modus operandi. In fact, it becomes rather difficult to get an answer from either of them without the other butting in with a quip or alternative version of events.

Their zinging rapport is part of why the new BBC Two series, David And Jay’s Touring Toolshed, is such a joy. And beneath the veneer of friendly snark, their respect and esteem for one another is palpable.

Case in point: Blades is late to the Zoom call. Asked what his favourite moment from the series was – meeting the crafters, touring the country perhaps? – Sir David responds, “Well, I was going to say it was working with Jay. But now he’s not joining us, I can tell you the truth, that no way was he my favourite person. You can make what you like out of that.”

“Seriously though,” the veteran comic actor, 83, best known for his long stint in Only Fools And Horses, continues, “it was great working with Jay. He’s a super character. Lovely fella. Very, very easy to work with. He’s the sort of person where what you see is what you get.”

Blades appears on screen in a burst of laughter. “You’re not wanted now,” Sir David quips immediately.

“You thought you could get away without me being there, hey?” responds Blades. “David, you rein it in now. You behave yourself. It’s not the David show like you wanted it to be. They didn’t edit me out. I’m in there.”

Touring Toolshed sees Sir David and Blades take to the road, travelling the length of the UK to lend a hand to crafters and makers, both amateur and professional, and learn about their passions and projects. Donning matching blue caps, they visit craft shows, country fairs, steam rallies and engineering fairs. The toolshed – a trailer-come-shed equipped with a plethora of tools – pulls up and Sir David, Blades and various experts help individuals solve tricky challenges.

On working with the comedian for the first time, Blades, 53, calls him “a national icon”.

“It was a real joy working with someone I grew up with,” he continues. “And then you’re working with someone who is perfect in every single way. You’ve got to think, the age this young man is, we’d have done a full day’s filming – 14 hours, let’s say – and we go back to the hotel and have dinner and he’s talking about what we can do tomorrow. It was as if I was working with a teenager.”

Both Sir David and Blades are makers themselves. Blades is a long-time furniture restorer, author and presenter of shows including The Repair Shop and Jay Blades’ Home Fix. Sir David has a long-held passion for inventing and fixing things. Where did that originate?

“I have the ability,” the Del Boy star says, “because going back into history, when I first started work I was an apprentice electrician. When you are an apprentice to any trade, you have to absorb all sorts of traits – you’re bumping into people who are bricklayers, plasterers, pipe benders, plumbers. And if you’re interested in making things, it leaves its mark. You get interested in how a plumber bends a piece of pipe, and that sort of thing is still with me, I still love bending pipes. Well, now the pipe I bend is round Jay’s neck but…”

“Well, don’t tell them about that,” retorts Blades. “But Sir David still makes, and I still make. And what I love about making is the future aspect of it – you never just make something and that’s it. You’re always seeing the next step. Where can I take this? How can I move it forward?

“We had a load of different makers come along and the beauty for me is upskilling, so a lot of the people did have a stumbling block and we teamed them up with an expert who would help them right now with the problem at hand, but also in the future, so when they go off and make something else, they’ll have the ability to do it.

“So there’s a lady on there who made these beautiful puppets, but she didn’t know how to make them move. We had an expert show her how to organise the motor and put the strings in the right place – so when she builds another puppet, she can apply those skills straight away.”

A project that particularly impressed the pair involved upcycling aircraft windows.

“We met a couple of chaps who worked on an airfield,” Sir David explains, “and in the corner of the airfield was a broken-down aeroplane that had been there for months and months and was just rotting away. So the pair of them started to take it apart, recycle and polish the windows, and sell them – and they were going like hotcakes.

“And it was brilliant to see how they were making something out of nothing – that was quite an eye-opener, wasn’t it?”

“They were making rubbish attractive and desirable!” exclaims Blades. The idea has since flourished into a fully fledged small business turning the portholes into mirrors and mosaic tables.

“You’d never believe that something that was rotting in a field could be turned into such a desirable item,” Blades continues. “That’s the beauty of what we found on the show. There were so many people with brilliant ideas.”

Do they hope the show will inspire viewers to start making and tinkering themselves?

“I don’t use the word hope,” says Blades. “I know it’s going to, plain and simple. This show, you’ve got a legend such as Sir David, and someone who knows about making and is as enthusiastic about it as me, and that enthusiasm comes over on screen and people will be inspired to continue making, tinkering and pushing it forward.”

“I’m sure he’s right,” says Sir David, followed by a brief parley between the pair about the shock of finding themselves in agreement about something. “We will inspire people to invent, create, perhaps see something that nobody else has seen. So we’re hoping that what we’re going to achieve is for people to be inspired and get off their…”

Blades, chuckling, adds: “Seats.”

David And Jay’s Touring Toolshed started on BBC Two on Monday January 22.

Year End & New Beginnings

December 28, 2023 by John Holden

In our January 2023 edition of the magazine In The Country & Town we predicted, despite the widespread media gloom about the house market at the time, that the year would end with house prices not greatly changed in our area of operation. We are pleased to say that this has proved to be the case with house prices only slightly down, impacted by buyer demand steadily improving as the year progressed. The Autumn of 2023 saw the first positive upturn in house buyer activity this year, and there was clear evidence confirming the market had stabilised as we approached the final quarter of this year.

There’s no better test of a market insight than some real life examples of property transactions during what most will agree was a challenging 2023 market place, so McCarthy Holden are taking this opportunity to provide our readers with some real life examples of property transaction which have taken place during 2023. You can see from the following that the general resilience and activity in the market was evident in all prices sectors.

Fleet - £1.750M.(sale agreed two weeks, contracts exchanged in six)

This 3,600 sq. ft. property came to the market with McCarthy Holden in the early part of 2023, but at that time the owner decided to remove the house from the market, perhaps considering it might be the wrong time to sell. However, so impressed were the vendors with our Fleet team that they came back to us to re-market the property in September of this year and after a full re-launch, we secured a cash purchaser for the property within 2 weeks, with an exchange of contracts in an impressive 6 weeks.

Odiham - £395,000 (buyer after first viewing + sale over guide)

This charming two-bedroom Grade II listed cottage in The Bury, central Odiham went on the market for a price of £395,000. Our Odiham office achieved a very quick sale on the first day of viewings and achieved over the guide price.

Blue Triangle, Fleet - £1.5M.(14 viewings, 5 offers, full price sale agreed)

Within a week of bringing this substantial six bedroom home to market in October of this year, our Fleet team had secured 14 viewings and 5 offers, resulting in the vendors accepting an asking price offer, confirming that there is still plenty of activity from excellent buyers who are looking to secure properties at the end of 2023 and going into 2024.

Using drones aerial photography and video marketing helped create significant interest.

Fleet - £465,000 (online only versus local with online)

Having had been marketed by an online only agent for 3 months without success, McCarthy Holden came on board and within 7 days had found the perfect buyer, resulting in some very happy vendors. When is comes to property marketing, a High Street premises is still a vital part of the marketing mix. .

Finchampstead - £2.250M.(Early year equestrian property sale with video marketing)

Many equestrian property owners would consider a property sale in February risky, especially because the condition of paddocks are not looking their best after a winter of use by horses. However, we encouraged the owners of this property to go to the market early because we felt the demand for country property was good and the supply / demand relationship of available property to buyers looking was more in their favour early in the year. This is because buyers start their early stage house hunting over Christmas / New Year and usually there are few country house properties on the market in the early new year. In the spring however, all the country house properties tend to come to the market around the same time when their grounds are looking their best, however, this timing to go to market improves the supply / demand relationship in favour of the buyer who has more choice by then.

This particular property example is a useful nudge to country house vendors to consider going to market early in the year. In this case McCarthy Holden achieved a tiny amount under 100 % of the £2,250,00 guide price.

Odiham, Hampshire - £900.00 p.c.m.(A sell or let decision - which way to turn)

Our Odiham office tasked with marketing a retirement property after the previous agent had failed to secure a buyer. We were working on securing the perfect buyer for this lovely home, but the age restriction on a purchase was taking time to overcome. Over to our Lettings team who stepped in and suggested joint marketing for sale and let. Within a short time, a tenant was found and they promptly moved in. Not only is the tenant extremely happy in their new home, they also plan to purchase the property much to the current owners delight.

Now that looks like a bit of serendipity as well as good agency marketing and advice!

Manley James Close, Odiham - £695,000

This beautifully presented four-bedroom property within close proximity to the high street was brought to the market in September of this year, achieving full asking Guide Price on the launch day. Further proof that with advice from a knowledgeable team and a great marketing strategy, properties are still moving quickly.

Berkshire - Offers in Excess Of £2m. guide (Many offers after marketing with video)

The success in agreeing a sale of this property in 42 acres was down to a realistic pricing strategy and high profile video marketing, which combined to get considerable buyer interest in September with many viewings and multiple offers. Each viewing took about 1.5 hours due to the need to take potential buyers on a tour of the 42 acres boundaries in a 4×4 vehicle, as well as the time needed to see the vast amount of outbuildings.

Several offers were made well in excess of the guide price and a sale to a cash buyer was agreed in October.

A Good End Of Year for 2023

As we are now in the final days of this years market, we are able to report that house buyers are still on the hunt for their ideal property, so a later year up-tick is providing opportunities for those wishing to sell their property now despite this being an uncharacteristic time of year for house sales activity. There is no doubt that December 2023 saw a respectable level of house buyers viewings, a fact that was notable especially in the top end sector which bodes well for people on the move to new beginnings in 2024.

Will Labour In Government + Interest Rates Down = Market Up-tick By December 2024?

The likelihood of a Labour Government being in power by this time next year is very high and in the past, such a change has had a positive outcome on the house market in the short to medium term. Add in the prospect of interest rates tumbling in the second half of next year, then there can be little doubt that the best in house buying opportunities for savvy buyers will be during the first six months of 2024. Our advice to house buyers is to start their property search early in the New Year and don’t delay.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if 2024 was a year of less warfare and conflict, replaced with more kindness to each other and the environment, so we end this year in that spirit of hope and optimism and wish all our customers past and those of the future we haven’t yet met all the very best for 2024.

Fleet Branch Top Rightmove House Sales

October 29, 2023 by John Holden

Our Fleet team were yet again recognised by Rightmove as a top performing branch, so the team got a bit carried away with their social media video.

Would love to see the out-takes!

Halloween House Hunting?

October 29, 2023 by John Holden

With October showing a lates season up-tick in house sales activity, who knows what might be encountered on a house viewing during the days around Halloween celebrations (October 31).

Chances are there will be a few spine-chilling encounters, so the only question is do you dare take a look?

To find your perfect Halloween home start your property search here.

And don’t forget, at McCarthy Holden we do accompanied viewings.

Market Insight – June 2023

July 7, 2023 by John Holden

High levels of contracts exchanged on house sales in June

June was a bumper month for house sales going through to exchange of contracts, which is good news because during every month in 2023 when we start to write a quick blog about the house market, we expect to be reporting a house market in trouble because of the relentless UK media reporting of house prices falling and interest rates rising. The facts and experience from the shop floor is of a house market showing remarkable resilience half way through 2023.

House Prices?

It is clear from the volume of house sales going through to exchange of contracts that we have buyers and the market is in better shape than you would perhaps think.

Yes house prices have levelled off and in some sectors there has been a small reduction in values, however this is minimal and the buyer demand remains very good. House sellers are now more realistic on price if they are serious about moving home, so we have a more balanced market with buyers and sellers more aligned on pricing, which in some part has impacted on the fact that house sales productivity at McCarthy Holden are performing better than last year.

The Wider Picture

When the Nationwide recently reported the annual rate of house price growth as -3.5% to end of June, the lead their report with the heading ‘House prices relatively stable in June’

We need to remember that these sums represent the UK wide position, so in our area of operation in the Hampshire / Surrey / Berkshire borders house prices have held up well with some sectors only slightly lower compared to a year ago.

This resilience in the market is no doubt underpinned by the labour market conditions, which remain solid and also household balance sheets appear in relatively good shape because we get few if any house sales occurring because of financial stress.

The residential letting market is in very good shape with plenty of tenant demand, especially around the £4,000 p.c.m. price point where properties are being snapped up by eager tenants. If you need market insight at any time in 2023, just go to our web site and ask your nearest branch for a free no obligation house price appraisal.