Category Archives: News

Does your commercial property have hidden development potential?

A little-known change in the national planning regulations could mean your commercial property has new and highly lucrative development potential.

On 1st October 2017 a new class of permitted development (PD) rights came into place to enable the conversion of light industrial units (Use Class B1c) to residential use (Use Class 3).

At Richard James, we are Members of the national Land & New Homes Network, and we recognise this as an opportunity for many commercial property owners to benefit from the changes … Continue Reading…

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home

Our home satisfies our basic human needs such as sleeping, relaxing, washing, recreation, as well as family time, reading, watching TV, leisure, etc. But it is possibly eating which is the focus of home life. This basic need that punctuates our day provides a social focus for families and couples the world over.

Whilst many properties have a formal dining room for “special occasions”, it is without doubt the kitchen that forms the central hub of home life. The kitchen is … Continue Reading…

Market Comment – December 2017

This November has seen both an increase in interest rates and the abolition of SDLT (Stamp Duty) for first time buyers up to £300,000. Certainly the nominal 0.25% interest rate increase is unlikely to cause most homebuyers a problem. However, this first rate rise in a decade might be regarded as a tipping point for further increases in the coming year and the market remains subdued. This is despite the apparent windfall for first time buyers, which will almost certainly … Continue Reading…

Should I, Shouldn’t I?

The press is currently full of mixed messages about the property market, especially following the Brexit debate, election, budget, etc. Will it rise, will it fall, is it a good or a bad time to move? Fortunately we have remained extremely busy, and find ourselves in need of stock to support this demand.

Such demand may well be the best indicator of the future of the market than any other indicator. People don’t buy unless they feel confident about the future. … Continue Reading…

Don’t wait till Spring!

As the Christmas holiday season is nearly upon us, many people will start to think about the prospect of moving house early next year. However, as the evenings will still be dark, and the garden remains rather sad, there is usually the feeling that it would probably be best to wait until the spring before putting your property on the market. After all, spring is traditionally associated with a time of change and this has always had a bearing on … Continue Reading…

Market Comment – November 2017

This November has seen both an increase in interest rates and the abolition of SDLT (Stamp Duty) for first time buyers up to £300,000. Certainly the nominal 0.25% interest rate increase is unlikely to cause most homebuyers a problem. However, this first rate rise in a decade might be regarded as a tipping point for further increases in the coming year and the market remains subdued. This is despite the apparent windfall for first time buyers, which will almost certainly … Continue Reading…

Richard James Re-affirmed As The Areas Local Experts

We have been re-affirmed as the area’s Local Expert by Relocation Agent Network.

Richard James were re-affirmed at the 2017 Relocation Agent Network Conference and Exhibition, which took place at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in Central London on Friday 17 November.

Relocation Agent Network is a national network of selected estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales. We were handpicked to be a member of the Network, based on strict criteria such as quality of service, local knowledge and professionalism.

Helping Our … Continue Reading…

Budget Comment – SDLT removal is good news for sellers!

Philip Hammond, Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced the removal of SDLT (Stamp Duty) on all sales to first time buyers under £300,000 in his autumn statement. This is clearly great news for first time buyers, especially those paying the full £300,000, who pocket a tidy £5,000 towards their new home.

More realistically, the saving made by the average first time buyer, who typically pays around £163,000, is just £760.

However, while this support for first time buyers is admirable in theory, … Continue Reading…

Two Award Wins At Prestigious Estate Agency Event

We are delighted to announce we have won two awards at Relocation Agent Network’s prestigious Annual Awards Dinner. The two awards, Best Agent Central Regional Award and Customer Relocation Award were presented at the black tie Awards Dinner, which following the Network’s National Conference and Exhibition.

Held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London on Friday 17 November, the Awards Dinner was hosted by well-known comedian and TV presenter, Sue Perkins, who announced Richard James’ award wins.

The ‘Best Agent in the … Continue Reading…

Do You Fancy Being In A Brand New Home For Christmas?

We are holding a Open House Part Exchange Event at the David Wilson Homes site at “The Wickets” Earls Barton at 6pm on Thursday 9th November 2017.

Generous incentives are available on certain plots.

Pop into the show house to meet us and you could be in a brand new home for Christmas.