the beehive winter edition 2012

The Beehive Issue 5 Winter 2012

Discounted Sale Properties—

we have all the facts

Christmas Opening Times for our

approved advisors

Applicant Buzz Check out the winter warmer soup recipe

Fun & Games

Daily housing news… UK Still Aspires To Be A Nation Of Homeowners

FirstBuy Update

Discussion… Renting

vBuying

Win! Win! Win! £50 of high street vouchers up for grabs courtesy of Raglan Housing

Customer Service Team will be closed from 5pm 21st December 2012 and

reopen 9am 2nd January 2013

FirstBuy team will be closed from 4:30pm 21st December and reopen

8:30am 2nd January 2013

Christmas Opening Times

WelcomeWelcomeWelcomeWelcome Well, Christmas is almost upon us and we know what a busy time of

year this is for people.

The Beehive is celebrating its 1st year of publication and we hope that you have found the magazine interesting and informative

2012 is drawing to a close and perhaps this is the perfect time during

the Christmas break to think about looking for a new home for the New Year. New properties are added daily to our website so have a look

through to see if anything catches your eye.

Don’t forget our new feature The Applicant Buzz, we would love to hear from you with any tips and hints for house buying or for anything else that takes your fancy! To start us off in this edition we have a

fantastic winter warmer soup recipe, perfect for those cold winter nights.

All of us at South West Homes wish you a very Merry Christmas and

a Happy New Year

Hayley Rossiter HomeBuy Agency Manager

The Beehive, Winter 2012 Issue 2

Christmas opening times for our panel

advisors…..

IFA’s

Mark Willing Financial Services Closed from 5pm 24th December Reopen 9am 26th December Positive Solutions Closed 5pm 21st December Open 9am to 5pm 27th, 28th & 31st December Closed 1st January Open 9am 2nd January Dupree Mortgage Services Ltd Closed from 12pm 24th December Until 9am 2nd January Warren & Co Closed from 3pm 21st December until 9am 2nd January That Mortgage Place Closed from 12pm 24th December Until 9am 2nd January Woodward Insurance & Mortgage Services Ltd Closed 3:15pm 24th December Open 9am to 5pm 27th, 28th & 31st December Closed 1st January Open 9am 2nd January

Solicitors

New Homes Legal Helpline Closed from 5pm 24th December Until 9am 2nd January Foot Anstey Solicitors Closed 5pm 21st December Open 10am to 4pm 27th, 28th & 31st December Closed 1st January Open 9am 2nd January Wolferstans Solicitors Closed from 12:30pm 21st December Open 9am to 4pm 27th & 28th December Closed 31st December & 1st January Open 9am 2nd January Stephen Scown Solicitors Closed 5pm 21st December Open 9am to 5:15pm 27th, 28th & 31st December Closed 1st January Open 9am 2nd January Wards Solicitors Closed from 12pm 24th December Until 9am 2nd January Dee & Griffin Solicitors Closed from 5pm 24th December Until 9am 2nd January Tayntons LLP Closed 5pm 21st December Open 9am to 5pm 27th & 28th December Closed 31st December & 1st January Open 9am 2nd January Penningtons Solicitors LLP Closed 5pm 21st December Open 9am to 5pm 27th, 28th & 31st December Closed 1st January Open 9am 2nd January

Surveyors

Besley Hill Chartered Surveyors Closed from 5pm 21st December Open 9am to 5pm 27th & 28th December Closed 31st December & 1st January Open 9am 2nd January Connells Survey & Valuation Ltd Closed from 5pm 24th December Reopen 8:30am to 7pm 27th & 28th December Open 9am to 1pm 29th December Open 8:30am to 5pm 31st December Closed 1st January Reopen 8:30am 2nd January Wilkinson Grant & Co Surveyors Closed 12pm 21st December Open 9am to 5:15pm 27th, 28th & 31st December Closed 1st January

3 The Beehive, Winter 2012 Issue

New research from Clydesdale Bank has revealed that the UK still aspires to be a na-tion of homeowners rather than long term renters. A survey of new homeowners and potential first time buyers across the UK has shown that almost a third (32%) believe it makes more financial sense to buy their own prop-erty with nearly one fifth (19%) thinking it works out cheaper than renting. Almost a quarter (23%) of new and aspiring homeowners also believe buying is an investment for the future. Reasons for buying rather than renting:

· It makes more financial sense 32% · It's an investment for the future 23% · It worked out cheaper than renting 19% · I wanted to build up some equity 13% · I wanted to be a homeowner 13% However there is a marked difference in views across the UK. The survey revealed that it's those in the South East who are the most focused on their finances with 42% agree-ing that it makes financial sense compared to just 25% in the east of the country. Meanwhile a third of those surveyed in the Midlands said they believed it was an invest-ment for the future, compared to just 9% of respondents in Wales. The Welsh, however, revealed that it's the idea of home ownership which appeals to them with more than a third of those surveyed (36%) admitting they are looking to buy a home simply because they want to be a homeowner. This compares to just 8% of those in London and only 9% of those in Scotland. More than half of those surveyed (56%) said they rented a property before buying their first home, although 7% admitted they had to give up their rented property and move back in with parents or a friend or family member in order to save for a deposit. Daily Housing News SW 7/12/12

National: UK Still Aspires To Be A Nation Of Homeowners

Here’s an interesting article which we thought you would like to read which was printed in the Daily Housing News.


Help…..I’ve heard about discounted sale, but not sure what it is?

This scheme allows you to buy the freehold or long leasehold of a property but at a percentage discount from the open market value. You are required, if you wish to move, to sell the property at the same discount from the open market value. This enables future purchasers to benefit from the same discount. For example, if you buy a home at 60% of open market value you can only sell the property on again in the future at the same percentage (60%) of open market value. Although you will never be able to sell at full open market value, you will benefit proportionately from any increase in the open market value of the property. You are not required to pay a ‘rent’ on the difference between the discounted value and the open market value. If you are purchasing a long leasehold (e.g. of a flat) you may be required to pay a service charge for maintenance of communal areas. Sounds goods? Take a look at the properties currently available in Cornwall under this scheme….

The Sidings, Delabole, PL33 9TS 2 and 3 beds avai lable Please contact Cole Raymond & White on 01208 813595 or 01840 213333 for more information. Pr ices start from £103,000

1 Beswetherick Field, Luxulyan, PL30 5DZ 1 bedroom Please contact Rural Foundations on 07870 644425 Pr ice £75,000

Kimlers Way, St Mart in, Looe, Cornwal l , PL13 1PS 2 and 3 beds avai lable Please contact Barratt Homes on 07739 702480 or by v is i t ing their website at www.barratthomes.co.ukPrices start from £87,000

Elgin Close, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, TR11 5HH 1 and 2 beds avai lable Please contact Smash Developments Ltd, PO Box 88, Truro, Cornwal l , TR3 7YJ Pr ices start from £71,782


Blunts, Saltash, PL12 5FG 2 bedrooms For more information please contact Alan Fox of the Community Land Trust

Tel o1208 892005 emai l [email protected] Pr ice £87,000

Sandy Lane, Redruth, TR15 2FB 2 and 3 beds avai lable Please contact Your Move, West End House, 1 West End, Redruth, Cornwal l Pr ices start from £114,750

St Anns Chapel, Gunnis lake, Cornwal l , PL18 9HW 2 and 3 beds avai lable Please contact Sam El ias at Bradleys Estate Agents on 01579 382999 Pr ices start from £110,500

Tregea Parc, Portreath, Portreath, TR16 4PE 1 and 2 beds avai lable Please contact Devon & Cornwal l Housing Group on 01752 856037 or e-mai l [email protected]

Bryher C lose , Redmoor Parc Ke l l y Bray, Ca l l i ngton 1,2 and 3 beds ava i lab le P lease contact Sarah Pars ley on 01579 370740 or by ema i l a t spars ley@se l leckn i cho l l s . co .ukPr i ces s ta r t f rom £70,000

The Old Chapel, Stat ion Road, Chacewater, Truro, TR4 8NH 2 bedroom Please cal l Goundry Pearce estate agents on 01872 242425 for further information Pr ice £103,205


Christmas Word Search Win! Win! Win!

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9 12

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Across 1. Stand underneath to get a kiss. (8) 3. If you send some, you will receive some. (5) 5. Santa’s favourite animals. (9) 8. Wishes written on paper make this. (4) 9. Santa delivers these to good children. (4) 12. Wrap with paper, ribbon and a ___ . (3) 14. First word of a famous Christmas poem (4) 16. Keeper of the flocks. (8) 17. Freedom from war. (5) 19. The Christmas Season. (8)

Down 2. Bright light leads the way. (4) 4. He comes down the chimney on Christmas eve. (5,5) 6. A short word for Christmas. (4) 7. Desire. (4) 9. Traditional meat for Christmas dinner. (7) 10. They twinkle and glow. (6) 11. Flakes that fall from the sky. (4) 13. They hang from the Christmas tree. (7) 15. What you do before giving a present. (4) 18. ___ to the World. (3)

How would you like to win a £50 voucher to spend in one of the following stores ?

Marks and Spencers Next Tesco Sainsbury’s Waitrose iTunes Pizza Express Halfords

To be in with a chance of winning this prize, simply complete and return the crossword below either via email to [email protected] or post to

South West Homes, Hatfield House, Hatfield Road, Torquay, TQ1 3HF

Closing Date to receive completed entries is 1st February 2013


You will need: • 1 onion, peeled • 1 celery heart, trimmed • 500g parsnips, trimmed and

peeled • 400g cooked peeled chestnuts • 50g unsalted butter • 1.3 litres chicken stock • Sea salt and black pepper • 200ml apple juice To finish: • 1 large eating apple • Knob of butter • Coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

To Make:

1. Roughly chop or slice the first four ingredients.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium

heat, add the onion, celery and parsnip and fry for

about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until softens

and lightly golden.

2. Add the chestnuts and cook for a minute or two

longer. Pour in the stock, add some seasoning,

bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes until

the vegetables are tender. Puree the soup in a

liquidiser with the apple juice, then return it to the

saucepan and check the seasoning.

3. When ready to serve, peel, quarter & core the apple

and cut into 1cm pieces.

4. Heat the knob of butter in a non-stick frying pan

over a medium heat and fry the apples for 5-6

minutes until translucent and lightly coloured,

stirring frequently.

5. Serve the hot soup with some of the apple in the

centre and some chopped parsley.

Chestnut, parsnip & apple soup Serves 6-8 This is a really thick & nourishing soup: if desired, thin to your liking with a little more stock. Enjoy!

The Applicant Buzz Can you believe The Beehive was launched a year ago? Hasn’t time

flown by.

To celebrate The Beehive’s First birthday we are launching a new feature, The Applicant Buzz, which will enable applicants to share pieces of information which they have found useful and interesting throughout their house hunting journey. It doesn’t necessarily have to be related to finding a home either. It could be about

your favourite winter dish, tips on packing, recommendation of a particular company or person who you have found useful, absolutely anything.

What’s more if we print your tip we will give you a £10 voucher for a high street

store.*

To start things off, Lesley from our Torquay office has shared the following recipe.

*choice of voucher includes Marks and Spencers, Next, iTunes, Pizza Express, Halfords, Sainsbury’s, Tesco or Waitrose

FirstBuy update

The FirstBuy team has expanded; we have just welcomed Kat Hadley into our Bristol office last week. Kat is looking forward to learning all of the exciting stages of assisting our First Time Buyers onto the property ladder through the FirstBuy scheme. We are also looking forward to Charlotte Paine joining us in the New Year. Whilst busily helping the FirstBuy Developers achieve their December targets, we have been getting very festive in the Bristol office incorporating the South West Homes branding into our theme, South West HoHoHomes … let’s hope we win the competition!!!

Latest FirstBuy Developments added to website: Withies Bridge, Midsomer Norton by David Wilson Homes Trispen Meadows, Truro by Wainhomes Magnolia Mews, Dorchester by Taylor Wimpey Mouldon View, Swindon by Wainhomes Charlton Hayes, Bristol, South Glos by Barratt Homes The Zone, Bristol by Barratt Homes Paxcroft Mead, Trowbridge by Barratt Homes Fairwood Place, Verwood by Barratt Homes Millbrook Meadows, Axminster by Wainhomes Southview Park, Trowbridge by Wainhomes Lovering Fields, St Austell by Wainhomes Marine View, Teignmouth by Bovis Homes Chapel Wood Park, Torquay by Linden Homes

May the Bristol office wish you peace, joy and love … a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


An article on dash24.com, a website dedicated to providing the most up-to-date news for social housing, claimed that renters are paying £1,080 a year more than those servicing an interest-free mortgage. This was based upon research by property website Zoopla.co.uk.

It was found that the average monthly rent on a two-bedroom flat is £668, with the average asking price for such a property currently standing at £138,769.

An interest-only mortgage at 5% a year would cost £578 per month - a weekly saving of £21 compared to renting.

However, Bournemouth along with Swansea, Cambridge, Dundee and Huddersfield were the only places where renting was found to be actually cheaper than buying.

Zoopla's Lawrence Hall said: “The cost of renting continues to balloon as a result of first-time buyers continuing to struggle to get affordable financing. Even for an interest-only mortgage, it’s generally much more cost-effective to buy. Property prices are low by historic standards, and sellers struggling to sell are reducing asking prices, meaning there are still some bargains to be had for those lucky enough to be able to get a mortgage.”

Discussion….. Renting v Buying

Lets us know your thoughts on this topic. You can email us at [email protected].

Alternatively you can tweet us @swhomebuyagent or post a message on our facebook page www.facebook.co.uk/southwestomesuk


AAAAChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmas Cracker!Cracker!Cracker!Cracker!

The first phase of houses has just been released at Parsonage Green in Sherborne. These superb 2 bedroom homes have to be viewed to be ap-preciated! These are not to be missed. Features include: Superb kitch-ens with integrated oven, hob and cooker hood, modern bathrooms

with co-ordinating tiling. Ground floor cloakrooms, parking and gar-dens. All from only £94,000 (40% share).

Go on Go on Go on Go on –––– be the envy of your friends! be the envy of your friends! be the envy of your friends! be the envy of your friends!

Dear Santa……..

Luxury kitchen with built in oven (big enough for the turkey)… Hob and cooker hood… Place for a dining table… Good sized living room (with space for a Christmas Tree)… Cloakroom… Sparkling new bathroom… Three bed-rooms… Garden and garage… Central heating… Fitted carpets…….. Now that is a Christmas List! Imagine all this (and more) for under £60,000! It’s true! At Springfield Green in Highbridge, 3 bedroom houses start at £58,000 and 2 bedroom houses start from an amazing £47,200 for a 40% share Give yourself a gift this year!


Raglan Home Ownership Team 02380 658 858 or [email protected]


Put decorations up in your own home next year?

We have yet more developments planned for 2013 of-fering shared ownership opportunities across the

south-west. Register your interest with us so we can keep you

up to date! Just some of our new developments include Blandford (Just 9 houses), Chard (14 houses) and others expected in Dorset and Taunton Deane areas! For details of all our developments and to arrange your viewing or just to enquire how the scheme works, contact us on 02380 658 858 or email us on [email protected]

Have a Happy New Year!

Reserving fast in Wellington! The first two phases of these superb houses at Bagley Green are well on the way to being reserved! Fortunately we have another phase due for release next year! Register your interest without delay, as these houses are very popular. At £56,000 for a 40% share of a 2 bedroom house, it is easy to see why!

Fantastic development just off the A303 near Yeovil coming to the market in early 2013. Just 3 shared ownership homes which really have to be viewed to be ap-preciated! Open day coming soon - register your interest with us and book your place! 2 x three bedroom houses 1 x two bedroom house. Prices to be announced shortly!

R F T X T U R N Y S C E N I C Z B

F R O S T E V V E C S E A S O N B

F O L I A G E R L H G G M T R C Y

J O C T O B E R L A A U T U M N I

W J A O S R N G O N H B E A U T Y

V W B L E T A U W G Y J A R S X N

Y C C L P I V K U E W B R Z O Q C

V O B E T F H F E H A R V E S T O

F O O J E T U I Y U Q Y L H C T L

Y L U K M B V J L E A V E S U Y O

S S N T B A C K T O S C H O O L U

J O T F E E W N U X Q T C V N I R

D R Y T R T N O V E M B E R Q D S

R A S F R W J O Y Y B E P Z V K I

M N M Q A E K O R E D E C G V A U

O G A X K L E B H A L L O W E E N

X E C S R H L S Z W O O D S W K V

Thank you for everyone who entered our competition to win £50 of vouchers for a store of your choice. The solution to the word search can be found opposite. Emily Harding was the lucky winner, who chose vouchers

from Marks & Spencers. Well Done Emily. We hope you enjoy your vouchers!

A few Christmas jokes… Good King Wenceslas phoned for a pizza. The salesgirl asked him, ‘Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?’

How many words can you make out of ‘Merry Christmas?’

Here’s how to play… 1. Give each player a sheet of paper and pencil 2. Ask everyone to write ‘Merry Christmas’ on the top

of the page 3. Each player has to make as many words as they can

out of letters in Merry Christmas 4. All words will be judge as acceptable by the

facilitator 5. One point is given for every word 6. Plural words are allowed 7. A bonus of 2 points is awarded for words that no

one else has used 8. A bonus of 3 points is awarded for the longest word 9. Players have a 5 minute time limit (or longer, if

required) 10. The player with the most points is the winner!

On your marks...get set….go!

Fun and Games to keep you entertained over Christmas

Why does Santa have three gardens?

So he can ho-ho-ho

What kind of bird can write?

A PENguin


Contact us...

If you or someone you know, would like this magazine on CD or audio tape, in large print, in Braille, or translated into another language, please contact our Customer Service Team on 0300 100 0021 or email [email protected] South West Homes is managed by Westcountry Housing and Sovereign Housing Association Ltd in partnership South West Homes takes all reasonable measures to ensure content is accurate at the time of publication. Legal liability is not accepted for any published content from other organisations.

ONLINE: www.southwesthomes.org.uk E-MAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 0300 100 0021 MAIL: Hatfield House, Hatfield Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3HF

PHONE: 0845 034 3303 E-MAIL: [email protected] FAX: 0870 490 8959 MAIL: Unit 11, Brabazon Office Park, Golf Course Lane, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7PZ

www.facebook.co.uk/southwesthomesuk

@swhomebuyagent

Query with your HomeBuy application or unsure of your next step, then contact the Customer Service Team Purchasing through FirstBuy ?


the beehive winter edition 2012

Documents

merry christmas

facts christmas

christmas break

new properties

wards solicitors

wolferstans solicitors

new feature

penningtons solicitors