Our New Homes, Property Insights, and Top Tips

Our New Homes, Property Insights, and Top Tips


Welcome to our April newsletter - we are still working on all things property albeit in a different way! As a lot of us have more time on our hands than usual, we thought it would be a chance to share some of our property insights and tips, and also showcase some of our stunning new home developments in Longton.

Looking at property has become a national past time, and we are pleased to announce that the majority of our properties now have videos available, so please take a look. We are also offering virtual valuations and viewings for those clients who need to actually plan a move at the moment.

We hope our Newsletter offers some guidance and a joy during these uncertain times and we hope that you all stay safe and well!


A Child's Top Ten Property Features

 
 
At some point or another we have all thought about our dream home and whilst most of us would be happy with a spacious home with a large garden, it appears from a recent survey that we’re just not being creative enough.

A survey carried out by home developer, Strata, questioned over 2,000 children between the ages of 3 and 11 and found out their most desired features for their home, resulting in some fantastical answers.

So, where do all the kids want to live? Well, it depends on who you ask.

The consensus amongst the girls was that the best place to live would be a fairytale style castle at the top of a hill and surrounded by the ocean. As for the boys, it appears that the popular choice was a multi-coloured LEGO block tree house, which would be a wonderful sight but terrible to walk around in.

From an interior design perspective, walls made from chocolate was, of course, the best option, with water slides instead of stairs also proving popular – making it a bit of a chore getting upstairs but going down should be fun.

Free time is clearly a valuable commodity to the young demographic, as instead of having a home that featured the perfect office to allow them to get productive, the kids would prefer a magic room that completes homework for them.

For the flooring, although they had the options of luxurious carpet or hardwood floor with underfloor heating, the clear choice was trampoline floors, allowing the owners to jump and bounce from one room to the next.

When quizzed on their kitchen needs, the common choice was a sweet shop/ice cream parlour instead of the usual granite countertops, as their dietary requirements appear to be sugar and more sugar.

Property developers may want to keep these points in mind when planning new homes for future generations. If you’re a landlord, then it could be worth considering installing a water slide and chocolate walls over the next 10 years if you really want to beat the competition!

Top 10 dream features for kids:

1. Magic homework room that does the work for you
2. Water slide staircase so you never have to walk
3. Dinosaur park with its very own scientist
4. Trampoline floors to bounce from room-to-room
5. House robot
6. Sausage-llama as a pet
7. Christmas market all year round
8. Petting zoo where David Attenborough works
9. Shark tank
10. Twelve toilets so no one ever has to queue



Getting The Garden Ready For Spring

 
 
We all love the pleasure of sitting outside and enjoying the feeling of the sunshine on our skin, yet despite this melanin-inducing activity being a firm favourite, many of us shy away from gardening. Here are a few tips to help revitalise your garden or outdoor space, just in time for the warmer months!

1) The right grounding
Before you purchase new flowers and shrubs to zhoosh up your garden, it is important to have an idea of the soil that you will be planting in. Different plants will thrive in different environments, and the consistency of your soil will be a key player in this; is your soil light and sandy or heavier with elements of clay? This, as well as the amount of light which the new plants will receive, should be kept in mind before you go and make any expensive purchases. Spring is also a great time to feed your soil to freshen it up ready for your plants.

2) Put the ‘plan’ in ‘plant’
That old adage of “fail to plan and plan to fail” exists for a reason; it rings true amongst many of us. The same is applicable for when you are upgrading your garden – planning on how you are going to use the space will mean that you maximise your outdoor area. Decide what you are going to use the space for and segment it appropriately; eating areas, planting areas and water features all make a garden more pleasant; however, if there is not enough room between each then the space becomes overcrowded and less appealing. Pay attention to your bulbs too. Remove any faded flowers and replant any that need to be spaced further apart (with around 60 – 75mm gap between them).

3) The perfect lawn
Now is the time to dig the lawn mower out and give your grass a well needed cut for the start of the season. When we think of a quintessential British garden, we immediately think of a lush and healthy grassy area. To achieve this, it is important that your lawnmower blades are sharp. This will create less bruising on the grass, so it appears healthier. However, when mowing your lawn, don’t over mow it, as this will make it easier for weeds to come through.

4) Sitting areas
One of the easiest ways to spend a little more time in your garden is to create an outdoor seating space; from simply installing a table and chairs, to installing a full decking area this can transform your outdoor space. If you already have a suitable surface such as paving or decking, then getting a set of table and chairs will be an inexpensive way to create outdoor living space. Stones or pebbles laid onto some tarpaulin is also a very cost-effective manner to provide a nice zone for seating.

5) A shed load of storage!
If you’re looking to make the most of your garden this spring and summer, then a shed might seem like it should be the last item on your list of priorities. However, a shed can offer valuable storage and organisation to your garden that will encourage you to make the most of the space; having your gardening tools easy to access and your outdoor supplies organised will make your outdoor living much easier. In addition to this, a shed can be a beautiful piece of garden architecture; go bold on the colour and choose pastels such as blue or pink for that country cottage kind of chic that looks wonderful in all types of garden. In addition, adding some stylish bunting to the shed will enhance the overall aesthetic, and can be extended to other parts of your garden to create a more cohesive look.



Top Tips For A Swift Spring Clean

 
 
It’s officially time for a spring clean! The lighter days and warmer weather can get you in the mood for a post-winter spruce up to rejuvenate your home. Check out our great tips for cleaning your home.
 
Declutter
The first and hardest step in the entire process. It’s vital you take a brutal stance when it comes to decluttering your home. If you don’t like a decoration or if you have an outfit that you haven’t worn since 2010, just throw them away or donate them. Don’t just focus on one room – ensure you search every part of your house, especially in rooms like the kitchen and bedrooms where clutter can quickly get out of hand.
The problem with clutter is it quickly manages to grow again! You might wish to consider setting up a bag, box or bin that you can designate as a “donation bin”. In the future, you will be able to sort clutter as you come across it, and then donate it all to charity as soon as you fill up the bin.
 
The bedroom
Your wardrobe is a key area you should focus on when having a de-clutter, however, unlike other areas of your home, there is potential money to be made when clearing this area! If you have a hardly worn item of clothing, consider putting it on a Facebook sale page or eBay to generate a little extra pocket money.
There are also some areas of the bedroom(s) that will most likely be in need of a little TLC. Make sure you clean underneath all the beds, dust the curtain rails and even consider flipping the mattress.
 
The kitchen
It’s more important than ever now that our surfaces are kept clean using disinfectant. Did you know that you should leave disinfectant untouched on a surface for around 30 seconds before you wipe the area? This is so it has time to work and kill harmful viral bacteria. You should clean your work surfaces more frequently as well, to keep the germs at bay.
 
After the surfaces, there are a few areas of the kitchen that can prove to be a big job on their own. After you have finished de-cluttering your cupboards of old pots and spices you only used that one time, you should then turn your attention to the appliances.
 
The fridge is a good place to start. Clear out all the old produce and table sauces, give it a really good clean to get rid of all the odours and then try to stay on top of its organisation, which will save you a job in the future.
Have you been avoiding cleaning the microwave for the past few months? Luckily, there is a quick and easy way to clean your grease spattered appliance. Simply place a combination of vinegar and water in the microwave, heat it up for ten minutes until the solution is steaming, then simply wipe away the grease.

The bathroom
The bathroom is another time-consuming job. The tiles, floors, toilet, bath and sink may be ready for a deep clean. This requires a full gutting of all the beauty and hygiene products, and a good deal of manual labour to remove any troublesome stains like limescale or mould that might have built up over the winter.
There are thousands of home remedies available on the internet so if you’re short on cleaning products, you will likely have the right substitutes at hand. So, roll up your sleeves, snap on the yellow gloves and give it a bit of elbow grease.
 
Our little secret…
Want to add the perfect touch to your spring clean? Take a leaf out of our book and put a cup of vanilla extract in the oven for an hour. Your home will smell like a bakery in no time!



Chain House Lane £550,000

In collaboration with Falcon Homes, MovingWorks present to the market,  Green Acre.  A private enclave of four, high end, bespoke properties located in the sough-after, semi-rural village of Whitestake, Preston The executive detached homes will exhibit a premium finish throughout , with sophisticated surround sound systems and underfloor heating to the ground floor, as well as a central control system for the house .
 
 Five Double Bedrooms
 
 Detached Garage and Driveway
 
 Modern Open Plan Living Arrangement

Click here to read Chain House Lane £550,000.



Chapel Lane £519,950

In collaboration with Create Homes, MovingWorks present to the market, The Paddocks. An intimate development of 9 executive 3, 4 & 5 bed family homes . Perfect for modern family living , the Paddocks offers country living with all the amenities that Longton village has to offer, yet the benefit of fantastic transport links.
 
 Large Plots with Southerly Aspects
 
Semi Rural Location of the Highly Sought-After Longton, Preston
 
 SeiMatic Kitchens with NEFF Appliances

Click here to read Chapel Lane £519,950.



Marsh Lane £380,000

In collaboration with Kneen Homes,  MovingWorks present to the market, Marsh Lane . An exclusive development of nine 3 and 4 bedroom properties .
Finished to the highest standard and reflective of today's modern living but with a traditional feel in keeping with the village location . The properties
offer an extensive range of quality bespoke options
 
 Four bedroom detached home with detached garage
 
 Open plan kitchen living area
 
 Stunning designer kitchen with integrated appliances

Click here to read Marsh Lane £380,000.



Chapel Lane £449,950

In collaboration with Create Homes,  MovingWorks  
present to the market, The Paddocks. An intimate development of 9 executive 3, 4 & 5 bed family homes located in the desirable semi-rural village of Longton, Preston . Packed with charm and character for modern, aspirational living.
 
 SeiMatic open plan kitchen boasting NEFF appliances
 
 Large Plots with Southerly Aspects
 
10 Year Checkmate Warranty
 

Click here to read Chapel Lane £449,950.