A Warm Glow or Cold Shiver !

Welcome to 2014 and David Jordan Estate Agents first blog of the New Year.

The million dollar question is how you decide a property is the right one for you, does is give you a warm glow or a cold shiver.

Picking a house can be exciting and terrifying at the same time:

• Is the location good for you?
• If there are problems with the property can you afford or want to fix them?
• What if you love two properties?

The list is endless.  Maybe you start with grabbing a calculator and doing the maths before you drift into the emotive state of looking visualising and daydreaming.

Head in the clouds or feet on the ground!

Deciding what is best for you although less tangible is to trust your intuition.  It is suggested that most buyers form an impression in the first few seconds of walking into a property, ‘is this a happy house or does it leave me cold’. 

David Jordan Estate Agents with their many years of experience in the property market suggest that when a house is a good fit for a buyer the couple or family will start to talk about where they would place their furniture.  They begin to mentally start to move into the property.  The upshot is if you view a property and find yourself imagining where your possessions might go chances are the property is a good match for you.

To be or not to be!

There is no such thing as a crystal ball when it comes to house hunting.  It is inevitable that you would think about if the property was too small if you get a dog or be too big when the kids leave for college. Sometimes if you have too many variables it can work against you.

Possibly it may be worth considering buying the property for the way you are living today then adapt as you go.  Decide based on how you live and not where you will live. 

For example a property with amazing views can seem like a wonderful place to call home but if you are rarely at home during the day those views won’t be visible most of the time.  Focussing on features indoors maybe a better alternative, particularly to high traffic areas of the property such as the kitchen.  A sleek minimalist stainless steel breakfast bar may set your heart on fire but if you have busy toddlers a practical kitchen with lots of room and smudge resistant units maybe a better match.

Follow your heart

Before you make that final decision maybe sleeping on it overnight is sometimes good advice, keeping your feel on the ground.  However seldom will you go wrong if you follow your heart. David Jordan Estate Agents aspire always to deliver to you a cutting edge service and work with you to find your dream property.

The time is now David Jones Estate Agents is here to make it a clean run whether buying, selling or letting.

www.DavidJordan.co.uk

Tel: 01323 898414 

And So To Years End ........

Another year has flown by with its highs and lows. To end the year this final blog crouches down and looks around and about Seaford Town Football Club close to all our hearts and steeped in history for a local club.  

The history of our beloved football club trundles back well over a hundred years and not having the benefit of rich patrons in early years the club relied on enthusiastic supporters and keen dedicated players.

The Crouch

The Crouch is the name given to Seaford Football Ground, the name deriving from an old English wording meaning cross and possibly evolves from the existence of a cross on the hilltop where Crooked Lane, Crouch Lane and East Street converge.

Seaford Town was first founded in 1888 as Seaford FC succeeding Seaford Rovers FC founded in 1882.  Like all Sussex clubs games were not played during the First World War and part of the pitch was dug up to grow food. 

In the early days the club not having any wealthy patrons could not boast a home ground with lush and level turf with surrounding stands and clubhouse. The club is rumoured to have been started by three workers at the Elm Brewery in Croft Lane with its close proximity to the land at The Crouch made it a natural venue choice.

Give us a sign!

Seaford’s main football club has played at The Crouch since at least the early 1990’s with its slightly sloping pitch close to the Town Centre ,but its location still a mystery to many locals because no one has ever thought to sign post its location.   

The land was purchased in 1909 by cement owner John Plaister who lived at Crouch House and made the field available for use of local footballers because he happened to like the game and felt it deserved a home. In 1930 following his death the land was sold by auction to the then Seaford District Council.  In 1974 it passed into the hands of Lewes district council but was returned back to Seaford Town Council in 2007.

A true survivor

At one stage the Nazis tried to get rid of football in Seaford. Three bombs were dropped in the middle of the football ground in November 1940 creating large craters and damaging the club house with another bomb landing there in 1942.

The original spectator stand was in existence by the mid 1930s in the same spot the stand today occupies then constructed of wood, although post war improvement saw it enclosed in corrugated iron and painted green.  It was eventually demolished when it gave into the onslaught of sea spray and strong winds and was replaced by a far less comfortable concrete block structure.   However it sadly fell victim to vandals.  Now however the ground boasts new floodlights and the new 108 seating stand opened in October 2010 called The David Jordan Stand.

Truly an integral part of Seaford’s community and steeped in history and still today it survives and flourishes. We are proud to be associated with such a key part of the Seaford community

Happy New Year to you all from David Jordan Estate Agents

www.DavidJordan.co.uk

Tel: 01323 898414

 

Once in Royal David’s City

Once in Royal David’s City ---  Namely Seaford ! --- stood an Estate Agent David Jordan Estate Agents proud of its reputation for providing a cutting edge service for its customers whatever your choice of living.  So what sets us apart, well?

On the first day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents provides for you up to the minute properties for sale and to let.

On the second day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents says to you that we embrace the latest advances in technology to be at the forefront of the services we offer.

On the third day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents believes its reputation is founded on professionalism and good service.

On the fourth day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents offers you a trained friendly team to guide you through the moving process.

On the fifth day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents is proud of its highly personalised service.

On the sixth day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents is confident that our advice is well informed and professional.

On the seventh and eighth days of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents says contact us at any time to request a valuation or register to buy.

On the ninth and tenth days of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents offer as many different advertising mediums as possible including advertising in the local press.  If we don’t sell your property there is no fee to pay.

On the eleventh day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents welcomes you to their modern spacious offices in Seaford’s main High street.

And on the twelfth day of Christmas David Jordan Estate Agents will hand on heart catch your falling star and throughout the journey will be with you to offer their years of expertise to guide you along the way.

We wish you all a merry and peaceful Christmas.

David Jordan and all the Team.

http://www.davidjordan.co.uk/

Renovate or Relocate ---- That is the question?

The renovate or relocate question is tricky.  It happens suddenly, over a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper, your house doesn’t fit your needs anymore and you can no longer deny it. 

So perhaps it’s time to make a hard decision of which there are numerous in our lives. The first milestone can be when children arrive and you need more space, then children become teenagers and your shared accommodation feels more like an invasion of privacy.

Then in a few years the children move away and the house suddenly feels too big so maybe it’s time to downsize or convert and then there is the consideration of ageing relatives or an ill spouse and your home needs to become more accessible, yet another change!

It is important to know what you might be letting yourself in for if you decide to renovate. On the whole it is likely cheaper to stay in your own home but living through renovations is stressful and can be subject to financial blowouts.

It can be a useful exercise to list out for yourself what the pros and cons are of renovate or relocate.

I am gonna stay!

Existing mortgage has low interest rates repayment amount is low.

Fewer fees are likely to be involved in staying.

Already established life in local community, neighbours, friends, schools, clubs etc.

Good existing access infrastructure such as public transport, shops, doctors etc.

Existing improvements you have already made, heating, carpets, new kitchen, redecoration etc.

There is space upwards or outwards to extend your home without loss of amenities.

I am gonna go!

You will get more space without having to add on.

You won’t have to deal with tradesmen, architects, noise, dirt etc from renovations.

Your desire to move might be to reflect changes in family structure, older children, older parents.

The shape of you existing house has never done it for you.

Adding an extension to your existing house will more than likely spoil its character.

Renovations will over-capitalise your property given the area that you live in and the current market values.

What does your heart tell you?

Sometimes it is as simple as it’s time to leave the place you have spent many years in.  A change of view, location, can renew energy and family spirits are re-energised with new lifestyle possibilities.  Above all else your heart maybe the top motivating factor that will drive you to move on!

And hand on heart

And don’t forget hand on heart throughout the journey David Jordan Estate Agents will be with you to offer their years of expertise to guide you along the way.

www.DavidJordan.co.uk

Tel: 01323 898414

Craft Your Own Slice of Home Heaven

If you could would you build your own home? A question to ponder.  As with most things there are advantages and disadvantages to tackling such a project.

The thought of having a clear canvas and choosing and inputting to everything to do with the plans, build, look and feel is something that many of us would just daydream about. Others however take that great leap and take themselves on this journey.

The upside

One of the main advantages has to be choice. How you want the outside of your home to look and inside how many windows you want, the style, where you want each room to be located, how many bedrooms, en-suite or not! The list is endless in respect of your own personal needs and taste, a home that will suit you and your family.

It can be cheaper than buying a newly built home given you control the costs of everything that goes into your home. You can choose to build it within your budget.  If you did choose to go down the kit home route, you could end up with a new home for a modest price although this does impact of some of your design flexibility but it’s another option in the self build arena.

Although you can’t live where you like you can have much greater flexibility with the location and take account of great views and privacy, no close proximity to neighbours!

Energy efficient measures can be incorporated from the start of the build from the ground up. This will mean that you do not have to do it in the future and at the same time add value to your home.

And most of all the pure satisfaction, even though it would be naive to think that it will all be plain sailing, at the end of the journey you will be left with a wonderful new home that you played the main part in creating.

Don’t forget to consider!

Finding a plot can be tricky and local council planning restrictions can sometimes be a minefield, you have to make sure you jump though all the right hoops and processes.

If you ever want to actually live in the house you will need a team behind you such as architect, project manager, builders, plumber’s electricians to name just a few. You will need to make yourself available to spend time with these people making sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s crossed.

Mortgages can be a little trickier to acquire if you are applying for a self-build mortgage.  Also consider where you are going to live while the build is taking place.  If you are staying in your present home you will in the short term be paying for two homes.  Last but not least never underestimate the unforeseen costs.

At the end of the rainbow

Ultimately building your own home, crafting it as you want it will give you a unique experience, together with a unique home and a great buzz.

And don’t forget throughout the journey David Jordan Estate Agents will be with you to offer their years of expertise to guide you along the way.  Call us or email us using the details on our website:

www.DavidJordan.co.uk

Tel: 01323 898414

 

 

 

House or Flat a straight forward choice?

Although every investment should be assessed on its own particular merits some fundamental things need to be considered when deciding which is best house or flat.

Flats appear to be more popular with the mobile population of many inner city locations. Young professionals need the ease and flexibility provided by a flat.

Some enjoy the status symbol of the chic and fashionable style that a modern flat gives the occupier.  Others just like the freedom to socialise in close proximity to all the ‘in places’. So space becomes irrelevant and less is a sometimes a preferable option for busy young professionals.

Houses on the other hand gain in popularity out of city centres and important elements of more living space and garden become important, more so for couples who maybe considering a family.  Others want to live in entirely in their own space without having to take account or be irritated by those living above or below them.

Supply and demand

Developers build more flats because they are more popular and profitable.  Your local estate agent David Jordan Estate Agents is able to give you all the information you need of the availability and how prolific flats are in the areas you are considering.    

Gone are the days when a flat was less than that of a house.  Style size and location are now prime valuation factors and more so within inner city boundaries.  Fashionable high rises and fashionable conversions outclass and in some cases out cost many of the more traditional family houses.

Bear in mind with a ground floor flat that while you may pay 20 per cent less than those on upper floors they are perceived as less secure. If you were considering a buy to let investment it can be more difficult to let. 

Flats in the main are leasehold and can prohibit letting and if buying a flat the leasehold restrictions should be fully investigated at the outset.  Houses are largely freehold and so don’t come with the same restrictions.

Is it just about cost!

Today lifestyle, age and mobility are all primary factors that can influence decisions about buying or renting a house or flat. There is considerable narrowing margin when it comes to the financial factor that flats are always the cheaper alternative to houses. 

And don’t forget throughout the journey David Jordan Estate Agents will be with you every step of the way offering their years of expertise to guide you along the way.

Call us or email us using the details on our website:  www.DavidJordan.co.uk

T:    01323 898414

Which camp do you sit in - New or Old Property ?

There are in the main two separate camps of buyers when it comes to the age of houses that buyers consider. Those who would only consider period properties for their original features and character, those who go for the easy –living low maintenance of the new build.  Period properties have been visualised as a black hole for money by those who prefer new build while those who favour Victorian style properties tend to view new builds as bland.

Digging Deeper

Whether you choose a classic Victorian property or a shiny new build each purchase can result in additional costs not often taken into account by buyers.

For example the perfectly thoroughly modern show home kitchen while looking the part is often an upgraded version of the standard offered in the actual property you may purchase and the diamond edge version will not come cheap.    Digging deeper, consider that the garden of a show home has been professionally landscaped so how would your garden grow possibly with the ringing of pound notes unless you just want a plot of plain turf!

What is part of the deal can vary between different house builders. Carpets may or may not be included and often all add-ons like curtain rails, TV aerials, may not be included.

Those moving into an older style Victorian property will already likely have these add-ons but unlike the pristine sparkle clean new build once the previous owners have left the empty property can reveal its chipped walls and cracks, damaged skirting or missing tiles not previously seen.  However a new-build is not necessarily free from defects, for example poor plastering which may repeat itself in more than one room.

The Victorian owner can incur a different set of problems for example above ceilings and between walls can mean ideal territory for wildlife or rodents which may require the services for a pest control company who can in the main quickly eradicate the problem.

Diamond Edge or Knife Edge

So which type of property has the edge?  Possible the new build may just have the edge because of one overriding advantage is it comes without the gazump factor, debris left after departure by the seller and no chain this has to be priceless. 

So many things to consider whether you think about new or old properties! 

David Jordan Estate Agents an estate agent that excels in all areas of the house buying process will take you every step of the way. 

David Jones Estate Agents is here to make sure you have all the advice and support that you need whether buying, selling or letting.

Call us or email us using the details on our website:  www.DavidJordan.co.uk

T:    01323 898414