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Published: 10 July 2019

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Family Days Out in Our Local Area

If you’re thinking about moving to Surrey, you’ll already be aware of many of the benefits that come from living here. Transport links are good, the towns are friendly, there’s plenty of attractive countryside to explore and you’ll still be pleasingly close to London. If you have young children, you may not be aware that there’s an excellent selection of family days out to enjoy. Here are some of our favourites.

Chessington World of Adventures

Once known for being the largest private zoo in England, Chessington World of Adventures is now a hugely popular theme park with plenty of white-knuckle rides for those seeking a few thrills. The zoo opened in 1931, while the theme park came into being in 1987. It’s just a 20-minute car journey from our offices in Walton-on-Thames High Street.

Thorpe Park Resort

The same distance from us but in the opposite direction, Thorpe Park is another popular theme park. Highlights include the water chute Tidal Wave, the somewhat scary Derren Brown’s Ghost Train and several impressive rollercoasters such as Colossus, Nemesis Inferno and Stealth. Thorpe Park, at one time nothing more than a gravel pit, was opened in 1979.

Mr Mulligan’s Pirate Golf

Golf with an exciting twist is perfect for a family day out. Mr Mulligan’s Pirate Golf is located in Woking, just nine miles from the centre of Walton-on-Thames. It features 18 holes of timber-shivering fun for adults and kids alike, along with plenty of parking and a bar and restaurant for some much-needed rest and recuperation after pounding the fairways.

RHS Garden Wisley

While mums and dads will enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this idyllic venue, there are still plenty of things to keep the kids occupied at Wisley. The Glasshouse is home to a collection of rare and endangered plants, while some of the gardens at Battleston Hill are reminiscent of a jungle. Wisley covers an area of 240 acres, so there’s always something worth exploring here. It’s less than nine miles from our office.

Wizzkidz Play Centre

Located just a mile or so from us in Walton Lane, Wizzkidz Play Centre is perfect for the younger children. It offers so many games and activities to enjoy, and there’s an excellent café for mums and dads to enjoy while the little ones have their fun. If your youngsters like bouncy castles, ball pits and soft play, they’re going to fall in love with this place.

James Neave the Estate Agents are proud to be located in Surrey. We specialise in offering superb flats and houses for sale in Walton-on-Thames. Call 01932 221 331 for more information.

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Published: 20 July 2018

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Four tips for a sensible buy to let investment

The continuing increase in people who choose to rent their homes rather than buying has led to an inevitable rise in those who are considering a buy to let investment. This can prove to be a very sensible option, because it produces a regular monthly income while maintaining ownership of a property that will hopefully increase in value in the coming years.

Low interest rates over the past few years has made saving a less attractive proposition, so purchasing a flat or house and renting it out can seem to be a good strategy. There are many advantages to be had, but you need to careful in order to avoid potential pitfalls. Here are four tips to help you make the most of taking this route.

1.    Never underestimate the power of good research

While the benefits are there for all to see, you need to consider the disadvantages that can come with being a buy to let (BTL) investor. You will of course be responsible for ensuring the property is safe, healthy and habitable, and to be ready to tackle any maintenance issues that could arise. Always consider this when trying to work out your potential profits.

2.    Be sure to look for the right location

Because you won’t be living in the property yourself, you won’t necessarily be tied to a specific area. Having the ability to look further afield opens up more possibilities, and you will be able to think about factors such as schooling for tenant families, local amenities, commuter links and shopping facilities. Think in advance about the benefits that renters may be able to enjoy.

3.    Pay the best price for your property

As a BTL investor, you are of course not looking to live in the property, so you can afford to be extra choosy. If the place doesn’t tick all the right boxes, simply walk away and invest elsewhere. When the time comes to negotiate a price, you’ll be seen as a desirable buyer, if only because there will be no chain beyond you. Therefore, make sure you haggle for a price that suits you.

4.    What type of landlord will you be?

A great many investors use agents such as ourselves to liaise with tenants and to handle the day to day affairs of the property. Here at James Neave, we offer a great many houses and flats to buy in Walton-on-Thames, and in some cases we become the managing agent when a place is bought as a BTL investment. Like all agents, we charge a fee for our services, but in return we take many of the headaches away from the landlord.

James Neave the Estate Agents specialise in all estate agency services in Walton-on-Thames and the surrounding area. If you’re considering a BTL investment, have a chat with our friendly team today.

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Published: 22 May 2018

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Five good reasons to retire to wonderful Walton-on-Thames

Here at James Neave, we’ve always been well aware of the many benefits that come from living in Walton-on-Thames. The town offers a high standard of living to all communities, and this is one of the reasons why the location has become such a magnet for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Among many other things, we feel Walton is a wonderful place to retire to, and here are five reasons why.

1.    A thriving, active community

Retirees who live in Walton can enjoy an active lifestyle, thanks in part to a great range of amenities throughout the town. The highly rated Xcel Leisure Centre, located in Waterside Drive, is home to a swimming pool and a gym, and it offers opportunities to try your hand at a range of sports, including badminton, squash, and, for the over-50s, walking netball.

2.    Long walks, happy days

There’s nothing more invigorating than a lovely long walk in the sunshine, and here in Walton we’re lucky enough to have the picturesque River Thames right on our doorstep. There are also several wonderful parks and open spaces to be enjoyed in the area, including Elmgrove Recreation Ground, Ashley Park and Waterside Drive Open Space.

3.    Time to stop and smell the coffee

The increasing popularity of coffee shops in the UK is reflected perfectly in the area around Walton High Street. Here you’ll find some excellent examples of coffee culture, including both famous name chains and independent one-off enterprises. These friendly, welcoming establishments provide the perfect opportunity for a catch-up with friends and neighbours.

4.    Retail therapy at its finest

There are plenty of opportunities to shop till you drop in Walton-on-Thames, both in the centre of town and on the outskirts. The Heart is, well, at the heart of the place, and it brings you more than fifty stores and restaurants all in one convenient location. And if you’re looking for flats in Walton you might want to consider the properties that are part of the whole complex.

5.    Easy links to the city

Most retired people prefer not to think about the daily commute, especially perhaps those who trudged up to London on a daily basis for many years. Despite that, however, it’s still reassuring to know that the centre of the city is so easy to get to. Walton-on-Thames station is on the mainline, and it provides fast, direct links to London Waterloo.

The retirement community in Walton-on-Thames is a thriving one, and here at James Neave the Estate Agent we’re always happy to talk about the benefits of moving to the area.

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Published: 17 April 2018

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Welcome to the best time of year to sell your home

There have been many reports in the media over the years about when would be the optimum time to have a property on the market, and although there are some differences of opinion the general consensus seems to be that spring is the best time overall. There are several reasons for this, and here are four of them.

1.    The ideal time to find people at home

Most of us go away for a holiday in the summer, and as a result of this exodus many potential vendors are reluctant to deal with selling a home when they’re about to head off to sunnier climes. For an alternative option, many sellers look to make a sale in the spring, or perhaps aim to put their property on the market when the autumn comes around. Summer can become something of a stalemate for many.

2.    Your home looks particularly good in spring

With plenty of daylight hours and hopefully some much-needed good weather at this time of year, the conditions are ideal for showcasing a home. Potential buyers can see your garden starting to bloom and every room can benefit from incoming sunlight through the open windows. Here at James Neave, we see some highly impressive houses for sale in Walton in March, April and May every year.

3.    House prices are starting to show a pattern

There is often a sense of uncertainty in the property market during the winter months, and of course many experts will be forecasting trends for the year ahead at this time. By the time spring is upon us, these trends and fluctuations will have started to stabilise, giving some new confidence to the market as a whole. This often leads to a sense of buoyancy in the industry.

4.    Don’t forget that all-important feel-good factor

One of the most important aspects of the way the market works in spring is the sense of happiness – and possibly relief – that arrives as we finally say goodbye to a harsh winter. With longer days and better weather comes a sense of optimism in most of us, and for potential buyers that often means getting out there and viewing properties after a dormant winter. No wonder this is such a busy time for the market.

Here at James Neave the Estate Agent, we specialise in selling and letting flats and houses in Walton and the surrounding area. Have a chat with us today to find out more.