The former garage site on High Street South, Rushden

For many years now the former BP garage site on High Street South in Rushden has been left derelict. It has now been cleared, but you may be left wondering what is going to be built there?

As your local property expert we always think it’s important to let you know what is going where! Planning permission has been granted to build 9 two bedroom apartments with associated parking. The planning reference number is 15/01801/FUL.

Richard James ‘Selfie’ Competition!

Throughout the month of March, we are offering you the chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers!
 
All you have to do is:
 

1) Take a selfie with any of our boards or offices (Our offices are located in Wellingborough, Rushden and Irthlingborough)

2) Like our page on Facebook

3) Send us your best Richard James selfie via Facebook

4) All qualifying entries will enter in to a random prize draw. One winner will be selected.
 
Only one entry is allowed per person. The winner … Continue Reading…

Richard James: 74 High Street Rushden – Then and now….

At Richard James we’re very passionate about the history of our local towns. Our new office in Rushden is at 74 High Street and we were interested to see what it used to be! Our building and the one next door, used to be the Co-Operative pharmacy spread over both 72 and 74 High Street.

Here are the photos to compare! Big thanks to the Rushden Heritage Society for having such great information and vast volumes of photographs for us to … Continue Reading…

Rushden Lakes Update

Work is continuing on the much anticipated Rushden Lakes development. The scheme will bring various well-known stores including Marks and Spencer, Primark and House of Fraser to the town. The plans for a 12 screen cinema operated by a major chain have also been submitted. Building work is expected to begin by the end of summer 2016. The area surrounding the lakes has now been cleared and the first foundations have already been laid. Roadworks are to begin soon. For … Continue Reading…

Flats and new dwellings for former Rushden shoe factory

The site near the entrance to Allen Road, late January 2016

It’s now the start of February 2016 and the former Grenson’s shoe site, which was home to the shoe firm until 2013, is now rapidly changing shape due to the ongoing building works. Westleigh Developments Ltd are converting the the original Grade II listed building in to 20 one and two bedroom apartments. The 20th century extension and the north light sheds are currently being demolished and will … Continue Reading…

Our new Rushden office opens it’s doors!

Richard James are delighted to announce that our new office has opened right in the heart of Rushden High Street, in the unit formerly occupied by Entertainment Base.

We’re incredibly excited to be opening in Rushden as it will complement our existing, market leading offices in both Wellingborough and Irthlingborough. Every home listed will be marketed through all three branches.

In addition to this, our membership of the Relocation Agent Network which consists of 650 of the best independent estate agents across … Continue Reading…

Stamp Duty Reformed

It has been needed for many years, but today the chancellor George Osborne has announced in the Autumn Statement that Stamp Duty is to be reformed from midnight tonight. The old stamp duty created problems with sale prices close to the thresholds of 1% and 3%. The new rules are as follows:

Stamp duty to be reformed. The “single-slab” rate will go, and instead it will be levied at a more gradual rate.

98% of buyers will benefit.

The reform will cost £800m … Continue Reading…

Which homes are exempt from council tax?

Depending on circumstances, some homes are exempt from council tax.  This can be homes that are either occupied or unoccupied. Whilst the property is classed as exempt there will be no council tax bill to pay.

Which homes will be exempt from council tax?

The classes of exempt homes and the exempt periods are shown below.

Class B 

A home which is unoccupied and owned by a charity will be exempt for 6 months from the day it was last occupied.

Class D

A home which … Continue Reading…

What a recent customer thought of us!

In all honesty, I like to try and keep the blog purely for advice and tips for home buyers and sellers but every now and again it is nice to share a success story.

We recently sold a property in Irthlingborough in Fernmoor Drive, which had been sold via another estate agent, but was not going well so we found them a buyer and got their sale through in under 4 weeks. Pretty crazy considering they had a chain involved at … Continue Reading…

A guide to property turn-offs

Came across this excellent post over on Tepilo (Sarah Beeny’s website) which covers lots of things you can do to ensure you present your property in the best possible way:

“As a Buying Agent I see lot’s of properties and I see lot’s of buyers reactions to them. One can’t over generalise as there is a big difference in something being sold as ‘beautifully presented’ and those properties which are directed towards that huge market of ‘do-ups’. However, for the average … Continue Reading…