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Why having good neighbours can save you money

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Good neighbours at McCarthy Holden estate agents

The importance of good neighbours came to the fore in 2020 and it is highlighted further, with this insight from the Press Associations finance correspondent Vicky Shay.

A priceless benefit

For many people, having friendly and helpful neighbours in their community is a priceless benefit. But according to a new report from Halifax, having good neighbours can translate to actual financial savings too.

Halifax estimates that those benefiting from neighbours’ acts of kindness save £165 per year typically.

From lending a lawnmower to picking up the shopping and looking after pets, it seems the benefits of having a good relationship with neighbours really can add up financially.

The survey of over 4,000 people found that the most common deeds performed by kind neighbours that save people money on their doorsteps include collecting groceries (12%), watering plants (10%) and looking after pets (8%).People said they receive some form of help from their neighbours three times a month typically, the bank’s ‘Community Counts’ report found.

On average, those who are getting neighbourly help receive 10 hours of support a month, with this increasing to 12 hours since the start of the pandemic. On average, the most time-consuming favour that people do for their neighbours is helping out with DIY, which typically takes 42 minutes.

Good neighbours at McCarthy Holden estate agents

The highest cash savings were found to come from neighbours looking after kids (with those benefiting make a saving £313 per year on average), helping out with cleaning (a typical £276 saving) and pet-sitting (saving £248 on average).

Saving money on taxis and public transport, nearly one in eight (12%) people surveyed have had a lift from a neighbour when they’ve needed one.

There are also benefits of convenience, as well as cash savings from having good neighbours.
More than half (52%) say their neighbours have taken in parcels for them when they’ve not been there to open the door, and more than a quarter (27%) get help with taking their bins out.

The types of tasks neighbours help out with have changed since the pandemic started, however. Halifax found people are now more likely to get support from neighbours picking up shopping, but less likely to need help watering plants, as more people have been staying at home – so can take care of these tasks themselves.

It’s likely that neighbours will increasingly help each other out in the future too.
A quarter (25%) of people surveyed say their relationship with their neighbours has improved since the Covid-19 crisis started. Only 3% said it had deteriorated.
A third (32%) would have found it harder to cope during the pandemic without their neighbours, rising to two-fifths (38%) of those aged 18-34.

Good neighbours would also be a strong factor for people in any future house moves, the research found. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of people say that if they were looking to buy a new home, having good neighbours and a strong community would be important, increasing to eight in 10 (81%) among people aged over-55.

To find your perfect new neighbour, why not start your property search here.

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6 interior trends set to be big in 2021

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Interior design trends mccarthy holden estate agents hampshire

After an unprecedented year, how will the pandemic have shaped interior trends to come?

Sam Wylie-Harris provides insight for McCarthy Holden into what we can expect to see more of in 2021.

There’s no doubt how we used our homes, and what we want from them, changed dramatically during 2020. According to home renovation and design platform Houzz.co.uk, this is already being reflected in popular search terms and design directions.

So, what can we expect to see more of in 2021? Houzz analysed their site data, browsed hundreds of home design photos, and interviewed professionals on Houzz Pro to reveal six key home design trends for the year to come.

Here’s a look, along with tips on how to make them work in your home…

The return of the all-white kitchen

Interior design trends mccarthy holden estate agents hampshire

This neutral, light-enhancing choice for the hardest-working room in the house is growing in popularity again, with searches for ‘white kitchen’ rising significantly during 2020. We’re also seeing many popular photos on Houzz that have white worktops and expect to see more in 2021, perhaps reflecting a pandemic-fuelled desire for clean-looking cook spaces.

“We’re seeing a resurgence of white kitchens but with people leaning towards matte designs rather than gloss, which was favoured a few years ago,” explains Josh Delane, director of kitchen designers, The Wood Works. “It pairs well with metallic accents like brass, bronze, copper and even matte black fixtures.”

In terms of worktops, Delane says: “Veined and marble effect quartz worktops are surging in popularity – a good alternative to real marble, which is porous and can be stained easily, making it challenging to maintain in a kitchen. White Corian is also a popular choice and nice on longer islands, as it can be cut and joined seamlessly.”

Nature-inspired interiors

The incorporation of nature into our interiors looks set to continue, with colour experts on Houzz predicting warm earth tones, such as burnt umber, terracotta and clay, and contrasting forest colours like sage, pine and turquoise will be strong choices for 2021. These colours are perfectly complemented by natural materials such as rattan, jute, wood and concrete, which have all featured heavily in the most-saved photos on Houzz lately.

If you’re wanting to embrace natural materials in your home, rattan is a good place to start and will continue to be big in 2021. Omar Bhatti, director of Space Shack, says: “It has a bohemian vibe, which you can mix with any interior. To avoid overkill, my top tip is to use it in moderation. I would suggest investing in a rattan accent chair or small planter baskets and see how you like this in your space.”

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Interior design trends mccarthy holden estate agents hampshire

Plants are another easy way to incorporate nature into interiors. Bhatti agrees: “You can never have enough plants. If I’m ever in doubt and need to fill an empty space or shelf, I always use plants. This is also a great way to bring the outdoors in and breathe some much-needed life into any space.

“I’m all about an oversized plant, this is a great way to bring some drama into any room. Banana plants and birds-of-paradise are good options.”

If you’re going to get the paint out, Bhatti suggests a palette of natural neutral tones. Beige and taupes are classic options that work in any space. “I recommend painting all your stark white walls in a light sand or beige tone, which will warm up the space, and you wouldn’t even need an undercoat,” he says.

Healthy homes

McCarthy Holden know from first hand experience that searches for ‘home gym’ and ‘garden gym’ have both risen dramatically during 2020 too. In 2021, we expect to see more exercise equipment that fits seamlessly into interiors, or furniture that doubles up.

Demand for home gym space rises at McCarthy Holden estate agents

“When thinking about portioning off a room in your home as your dedicated exercise space, it’s important to choose a room that has a fitting purpose, lighting and mood,” advises Joe Robertshaw, director of Place for Humans. “Being motivated to exercise at home also comes down to ease and accessibility, the more hurdles that stand between you and the exercise, the more likely it is to go undone.”

Multi-functional spaces

One thing 2020 really brought about was a need for rooms to be multi-functional. As a result, we’re starting to see professionals incorporate more hybrid designs, detachable units, and convertible pieces to create a home suited to the ‘new normal’.

One example, which saw a surprising rise in popularity as a search term, is ‘murphy bed’ (a pull-down design), suggesting a need for homeowners to hide away large pieces of furniture in bedrooms or spare rooms during the day, so they can double as offices while many of us work from home for the foreseeable future.

Building your own new home could be the ideal way to create your perfect spaces

“Given the current circumstances, our spare rooms have never been so important. Making spaces work for multiple occasions is critical to being able to utilise every centimetre of space in the home,” says Richard Hobden director of RHJB Architects. “A comparatively easy win is to replace the divan or fixed frame bed in the spare room with a simple folding bed. This can be a stand-alone piece of furniture or built into a storage wall, disguised as wardrobes. This will free up space elsewhere to create a multi-purpose study, home gym or playroom solution.”

Luxury vintage

Sustainability, climate change and the impact we have on our planet continue to be a big theme for 2021. Professionals on Houzz are reporting a growing interest in high-end, second-hand furniture, which aligns with the interest in sustainability we’ve seen.

second hand furniture for interiors

When buying second-hand furniture, try to see the item in person if you can (safely, of course). Buying online is very convenient but it’s much easier to hide any serious damage in a photograph than in person. “I like to be able to touch the item and check it’s in good condition, so I’m not too keen on buying from online resources, unless they have an option for you to view it first,” says Bhavin Taylor, director of Bhavin Taylor Design.

And make sure you know all of your measurements – an absolute must for multiple reasons. “There’s usually no returns policy when buying second-hand,” Taylor explains,. “If you buy a piece that’s the wrong size, it’s likely you’ll be stuck with it.” So remember to measure your doorways and other access points first. “There’s nothing worse than buying something and not being able to get it through the front door,” adds Taylor.

Outdoor entertainment spaces will reign

Unsurprisingly given all the pandemic restrictions, there’s been huge interest in outdoor spaces. Houzz’s pandemic survey back in July showed that, hands-down, the garden was the area most of us wanted to improve, with 30% of those surveyed wanting to make upgrades. Homeowners have increasingly been searching for ‘summerhouses’, ‘firepits’, ‘hot tubs’ and ‘outdoor kitchens, which have all risen in popularity as search terms. We expect to see more of these features in gardens in 2021.

With amazing outdoor entertainments facilities this home was snapped up in 2020.

And it’s not just for summer – professionals on Houzz Pro report an increase in demand for designs that will allow them to use the garden later into the evening and year. “Since lockdown, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in leads through Houzz for our garden design business,” says Paul Dracott of Paul Dracott Garden Design. “People have rediscovered the importance of outdoor space and how it can enrich modern life. The most popular requests are for outdoor eating and cooking areas, including pizza ovens, and also for firepits to extend the use of the garden into the evening.”

You can start your perfect property search here

Moving Home In Hartley Wintney

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high street hartley wintney

Moving Up!

After 15 years at the 1 High Street Hartley Wintney, McCarthy Holden’s local branch is moving up to a prime position in the centre of Hartley Wintney village.

We will open our new Hartley Wintney branch in early 2021, after leaving our current branch in December. This move will mean we will have more people visiting our property showroom and best of all the vast spaces at the new premises will mean enhanced customer experiences, whether house hunting or selling / letting .

No running water, toilets, kitchen or electricity supply!

Because we are creating a new commercial unit from space which formed part of the And So To Bed showroom, it means there isn’t any running water, no toilets or kitchen and no electricity supply! Apart from these essentials the premises is perfect.

The scale of the work required to create an independent stand alone commercial unit means there is lots of work going on behind out temporary window displace and facia sign. Thanks to the efforts of local builders Perry Builders, progress is fast, but the weather is against us when it comes to exterior refurbishment and re-decoration.

The new address is 61 High Street, Hartley Wintney RG27 8NY. Our telephone number will stay the same.

We are very committed to a local shop front as part of our marketing mix and with an estimated 25% of sales still created by off street visitors, any agency relying on web only marketing is missing out.

We look forward to seeing customers visit in the new year and really look forward to normal accessibility once Covid is a thing of the past.

high street hartley wintney

11 of the Best Chandeliers, Pendant Lights and Lamps to Light up your World

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Sam Wylie-Harris switches natural light for artificial, and reveals the best in statement lighting.

In the height of summer, lighting doesn’t have much opportunity to play a starring role. It’s more about window dressing to control the brightness.

But come early autumn, with dappled sunlight streaming through and a low sun casting shadows in our living space, a flick of a switch has the power to transform our interiors.

In many ways, luxe lighting offers the tools to illuminate, highlight and shine a spotlight on the things that make a difference in our lives, while setting the stage for a little bit of theatre.

Currently, sculptural forms and statement pieces are very on-trend, but neutrals and polished chrome are not forgotten. Here’s how to plug into the latest schemes…

1. Ribbon LED Ceiling Light by Heal’s, £479, other items from a selection, Heal’s

“Sculptural lighting can be a quick and easy way to create a focal point within a room, and is increasingly being used for decorative purposes,” says Claire Anstey, lighting buyer at Heal’s, “to the point where they can offer the same effect as a piece of art.”

As the evenings grow darker and we spend more time indoors, Anstey says lighting can be a great way to create drama in a space. Take their Ribbon pendant collection, “with its looping curves mimicking the movement of ribbons sweeping through the air.

“Suspended from a slim wire, the piece appears to be floating through the room and offers a touch of refined luxury – perfect for large living areas or poised above a dining table,” says Anstey.

2. Saber LED Multi Arm Chandelier, Gold, £399, Heal’s

In more contemporary schemes, linear designs work particularly well and can still offer the same level of impact with a crisp, clean glow. New for this season at Heal’s is the Saber multi-arm chandelier – a modern interpretation of the classic chandelier design. “Integrated LEDs offer an energy-saving alternative to traditional bulbs, and eight adjustable arms offer the flexibility to focus light within different areas of the room,” says Anstey.

3. Fin Pendant Grouping of 7, Natural White, £1,249, other items part of room set, Original BTC

Depending on the height of your ceilings, pendant lighting lends itself to spectacular dining settings, especially with the trend for tablescaping and entertaining at home.

As Peter Bowles, founder of Original BTC puts it: “When it comes to scale, dramatically proportioned lights are the most obvious way to create impact. A generously sized pendant will create a talking point, whether lit or not.”

While scale is one way to make a statement, it’s not always feasible to fit a grandly proportioned pendant in lower ceilinged rooms, so it’s worth exploring alternative approaches. “Often referred to as jewellery for the home, the right light fittings can complete or transform your interior scheme.” says Bowles. “Just like jewellery, a flash of brass, copper or gold can lift your room, bringing a touch of opulence.”

4. Cranton Hexagonal Pendant, Natural White, £2,969, Original BTC

Another scene stealer, if you’re looking for a central lighting source, this Instaworthy investment piece can be hung from a ceiling rose to contrast with traditional plasterwork.

5. Walter Pendant Size 2, Anthracite Glass & Brass, £459 each, Original BTC

When it comes to multiple light fittings, Bowles says three is the magic number. “Over a kitchen island or dining table, a row of three pendants will always create a strong visual impact and do all the hard work for you.”

6. Kartell Limited Edition Space Lamp, £183, Amara

Sam Hood, creative director and head of buying at Amara, says there’s a general move towards the use of lighting as a statement piece in a room – and we love this fabulously futuristic new arrival from Kartell. Depending on your budget, a pair would look stunning styled either side of a black leather sofa.

7. Humble One Table Light, White Marble, £129, Amara

Perhaps linked to increased environmental awareness, Hood says raw and natural looking colourways are also making an impact in decorative lighting. “Marble and wood patterns, seen in Humble’s new lighting range, add earthy accents to a room, particularly when placed next to indoor plants and other raw material features,” says Hood.

8. Brigantia Lighting Grey, £695 (£715 with bulb), other items from a selection, OKA

Elsewhere, basket style hanging lanterns have the power to please. “Lighting should be the star of the show in every space,” says Sue Jones, creative director for OKA. “If your ceiling height will allow it, dial up the drama with a hanging lamp that will act as a bold focal point. A style like the Brigantia is perfect to hang over a dining table as it will diffuse light and cast a soft glow.”

9. Perisphere Table Lamp – Natural, £175 (base only), Lamp & Black Drum Cotton Shade, £225, other items from a selection, OKA

Jones point out: “Remember lamps don’t have to be purely functional. A sculptural base like our new Perisphere table lamp will display just as much character when the lights are off, and can be paired with a patterned shade for an extra dash of colour.”

10. Grosvenor Floor Lamp, £115 (r), Grosvenor Table Lamp, £50 (m), Richmond Table Lamp, £90 (l), other items from a selection, Next

For a polished pool of light, this new Grosvenor collection from Next ticks all the right (light)boxes, with its chrome base complemented by a glamorous velvet shade with geometric design.

11. Jonathan Adler Constantine Table Lamp, £595, Jonathan Adler

This designer lamp is super stylish and chic. With its antiqued brass pyramid framework and lustrous piano black finish, it’s a fabulous edition to any side table.

Stamp Duty Changes To Boost House Market

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Prior to today’s announcement the market was doing rather well post lockdown, so the new stamp duty announcements will boost house sales further.

Nearly nine in 10 people getting on or moving up the property ladder where stamp duty applies will not need to pay the tax at all while a temporary holiday applies.

From July 15 until March 31 2021, buyers will pay no stamp duty on the first £500,000 of their purchase when they move home.

The measure, which temporarily increases the “nil rate” band of stamp duty from £125,000 to £500,000, will reduce the average stamp duty bill for a main home from £4,500 to zero. Buyers can potentially save up to £15,000.

Announcing the move, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Nearly nine out of 10 people buying a main home this year will pay no stamp duty at all.”

Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland and people usually pay the tax on homes priced above £125,000. Some stamp duty discounts were already in place for first-time buyers.

There are already signs that the stamp duty holiday is helping to reboot the property market.

In the first half hour after the announcement was made on Wednesday, traffic to property website Rightmove jumped by 22%.

See this range of recommended properties for purchasers looking up to around £500,000

Start your property search here.

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