Blog: On

Q) I’m selling a house for the first time and need to choose an estate agent. What do I need to ask, how do I differentiate them and how much trust...

There are lots of lovely things about this time of year: snuggly jumpers, cosy woodburners, and holiday season planning. For home owner and renters though,...

So you’ve walked round approximately 10 houses and, much like when you were dating, finally met ‘The One’. Now comes the nerve-wracking part: offer,...

How do you get your home photo-ready?...

When you are moving home there is so much to remember. Once you’ve exchanged contracts there are still a lot of things to think about and to prepare....

I was recently asked what was the biggest property chain I’ve found myself working in? Time ago, our office had a chain with 14 properties involved....

Shower power versus bathtub bliss Imagine a world without baths – it’s easy if you try. (Wasn’t that a John Lennon lyric?). A footballer being sent...

A recipe for success: smarten up your kitchen. During the many years I’ve been an estate agent I’ve seen plenty of buyers fall head over heels...

How the small detail scan affect the bigger picture when selling your home...

“It was like a pig sty” The headline for this blog isn’t an announcement that we’ve moved into selling farms or rural properties. And it isn’t a...

These days it doesn’t really matter where your solicitor or conveyancer is based and with the use of the internet you may not ever meet your solicitor....

At Orchards Estates we work with an award winning Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) to ensure that you not only get a great mortgage, but that you...

Wouldn’t I be better off selling my house myself, rather than using an estate agent? Technically yes, in monetary terms, you’d be saving the estate...

We went along to West Chinnock C of E Primary School and Norton-sub-Hamdon Primary School to find out a little bit more about the pupils and staff and why...

Terms and Conditions for the Facebook competition 1. Marketing plan to be agreed and followed. 2. The property must be instructed within 3 months of Black...

What really happened in the South Somerset housing market in October? Welcome to this month's local property report where we tell you exactly what is...

With fireworks filling our skies for Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year’s Eve soon after, it can be a stressful time for dogs that don’t like loud...

Very much so. Traditionally, of course, this rather depended on what you were trying to sell. Here in the UK, auction always tended to be reserved for...

Thrilled to have been assessed this year by The Property Academy and Rightmove as Excellent and Exceptional in Sales & Lettings....

So proud of the Jelly Babies, a Yeovil ladies skittles team we sponsor! Showing...

Castle Primary School have asked us to share their Open Day with you all. We have...

Norton sub Hamdon and West Chinnock Primary School Federation invited us to learn more about their schools and tell you about their Open Day....

Yeovil                    96      Properties  (17 were detached) Martock                 7       Properties ...

I was planning to put my home up for sale this month to catch the Autumn rush, but the way things are I’m wondering whether I should postpone things for...

Are you thinking about becoming a landlord or are you one already? Do you intend to or do you manage your properties yourself? It comes as no surprise that...

So proud of our Charlotte who is about to take on the Race For Life tomorrow...

LANDLORDS Do you have tenancies in your portfolio that started before July 2018? All letting agents (and some landlords) will be aware that BEFORE the...

Orchards Estates were shocked and delighted to receive the award for Number Two Lettings Agent in the country AND the trophy for Best Sales Agent in the...

Have you ever fancied recreating your own 'Homes Under the Hammer'?  Situated on the edge of...

A recent case brought to adjudication by a landlord claimed £220 for replacement of heating oil. A photograph of the tank’s interior at the beginning of...

Welcome to this month's local property report where we tell you exactly what is happening in the local property market.  Open the national newspapers...

What a summer it has been, record breaking in fact. Maintenance is a must for landlords...

Q. I was planning to put my home up for sale this month to catch the Autumn rush, but the way things are I’m wondering whether I should postpone things...

Huge congratulations are in order for our property manager ...

Q: We need more space but we love the location of our house so don’t really want to move. Is there a ‘clever’ way of making more space and will the...

An attractive buy-to-let property investment can soon turn into an unwelcome liability if you find yourself with a nightmare tenant. Adam Tanner, expert...

Q: We’ve decided that we want to move but our friends are giving us differing advice… should we put our house up for sale before we start looking for...

With so many changes to the laws and legislation around rental properties, many landlords are feeling the pinch and exiting the market. Selling your...

Q.         If I switch agents, can the first one still claim a fee if my home is sold by the new agent to a buyer he originally introduced?...

        I am moving home shortly, and I want to take some plants and shrubs from the garden with me when I go. Am I legally entitled to do so?...

Introduce plants Bringing the outside in can fill a room with scent and colour. It’s a cost effective...

  I have just had my house valued but I think it is worth more than the agent suggested. Is there anything wrong with testing the market by putting it up...

Welcome to this month's local property report where we tell you exactly what is happening in the local property market.  Open the national newspapers...

A.        The time it takes a property transaction to go through has lengthened in the last few months and it’s really down to a combination of...

The cheapest agent is what some people think they want to sell their home. But who is the cheapest agent?...

Valuing property is not – and can never be - an exact science. The simple fact is that your home is not necessarily worth what any estate agent says it...

Generation Rent is a popular term used to describe young adults, normally between the ages of 18 – 35, who live in rented accommodation because of high...

Q: We need more space but we love the location of our house so don’t really want to move. Is there a ‘clever’ way of making more space and will the...

Within the last 12 months in South Somerset, a startling trend has been appearing, costing homeowners potentially tens of thousands of pounds....

Our roving reporter on the day, Elle Gilpin, met the Friends of Ham Hill volunteer...

Yes, there is. The Prescription Act of 1832 introduced the easement of Ancient Lights in English law. The easement basically said that if someone had been...

First in the series of 60 second home selling tips....

This is a very fluid topic. However, my answer to this would always be to put your house on the market first....

What should I do when my agent says 'reduce your house price'?. Sellers often find being on the market and not selling after a few months can be very...

What are my responsibilities as a landlord? In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Government have instated a raft of new changes in order to...

Government Announces plans to review Carbon Monoxide Alarms...

Q.        Some alterations were made to my house a few years ago and, now I’m looking to sell it I understand there could be a problem due to lack...

In a word, no. Interestingly, statistics reveal that of the 7,430 people who moved into South Somerset between mid-2015 and mid-2016, only 520 came from...

Our late spring Westcountry exhibition held in conjunction with Lawson and Daughters in Fulham London was a great success The area was was lively and...

The latest data and analysis from independent home buyer, Quick Move Now, has revealed that the number of house sales falling through before completion is...

have recently had a conversation with a lanldord who had been happily managing their rental property themselves for a few years. Everythign seemed to be...

Industry reactions to the Spring Statement. What does this mean for South Somerset?...

Purchasing a home as a single buyer in Somerset...

Connecting people and their homes to local trusted traders in Somerset...

Is the property market up or is down? This month, more than ever, the answer depends on who you speak to....

Common misconceptions amongst young people and purchasing a home in Somerset....

The issue of house prices is a hot topic and close to every homeowner’s heart. Everyone has their opinion, but even that of experienced estate agents is...

South Somerset estate agent, Orchards Estates claim another award to their growing collection of trophies...

October saw new record highs in people releasing their equity, despite the wider UK housing market continuing to face housing issues....

Why clutter can cost you thousands and what to do about it in three steps...

Looking to sell your home in Martock, South Petherton, Ilminster, Yeovil, Crewkerne or any of the south Somerset villages?...

Rightmove and property academy recognise the best UK estate agent...

Here's to our girls and the strong women they grew in to!...

looking for bungalows, Thomas McDermott specialises in this style of property. 60% of the properties he brings to the market sell before they ever reach...

Named after an Estate Shepherd, the cottage is constructed of golden hamstone, characteristic of the area and quarried from nearby Ham Hill. The thatched...

Many people own investment properties and think that they are able to find and manage their own tenants. It feels to many like a way to shortcut spending...

Orchards Estates recognised by Residential Landlord Association...

Did you miss Gas Safety Week in September? Do you know your responsibilities as a landlord? Here are six simple steps to help keep your tenants safe and...

Hamdon Community Arts Project Future Events Stoke sub Hamdon October November December...

Applications for South Somerset's answer to Dragon's Den are now open! If you have a new business or business idea you think could be great, apply by...

Over 25,000 estate and lettings agency branches have been assessed by Rightmove to create the Best Estate Agent Guide, designed to help you to choose an...

The release of the latest iPhone handset brings with it the hefty price tag of around £1300 and for those keen early adopters, a likely long queue in the...

There are certain elements to your home that we do know can certainly add value or at least ensure a quick sale....

From the early 1700s, the English coastline became popular to visit for “medicinal dips”. King George III in 1789 even went skinny-dipping in Weymouth!...

Last year marked what would have been the 100th birthday of the World’s No 1 storyteller – Roald Dahl. The man was a genius, with an imagination...

How to avoid the pitfalls and tricks of the trade when choosing an estate agent. In this episode we look at when and where buyers are looking for your...

norton and chiselborough flower show...

Understanding the legal stuff when it comes to moving home...

The real cost of up front fees...

Rightmove data shows best estate agent in South Somerset...

What does Wimbledon and good estate agents have in common...

Children's hospice South West - Experts in Property members donations...

Monthly Property Market report - June 17 - South Somerset...

What the Brexit negotiations and property deals have in common...

five top tips for getting you property ready to sell for a great price...

What do i really get when its cheap? #conmisery...

Election Special Market Comment...

Election Special Market Comment...

Monthly property Market report for May 2107...

orchards Estates Balloon Race at stoke sub Hamdon May Fayre...

Stoke sub Hamdon May Fayre...

Estate Agent Jargon Buster...

Orchards Estates strengthen focus in Ilminster...

Property valuation advice - Public Service Announcement...

how we handle the Three D's - death debt divorce...

how will the general election affect the housing market...

how rents have risen since 2005...

Yeovil rents to Rise quicker than house prices in next 5 years...

Property Market update for South Somerset...

Five star customer review for Orchards Estates...

National Garden Scheme Interview...

Team member supporting community by running Yeovil half marathon...

National Publications Properties Wanted...

Rightmove rank orchards Estates most trusted agent...

Looking at prices across the UK for houses by region...

Review of the housing and property market for February 2017...

Merriott a lovely local village...

Make your little ones part of the big move - moving home with children and getting a house valuation...

Recent meeting with HRH Prince Charles at Stoke Sub Hamdon...

Excellent service review and testimonial from client...

London property Exhibition Spring 2017 entries now being taken...

Monthly property Market report for January 2107...

Zoopla rate Orchards Estates top 10 Estate Agent in UK...

National Award for top Estate & letting agent....

Free prize draw for holiday with property valuation...

Get a property Valuation in West Somerset & Exmoor...

Community work in south somerset...

property valuation and viewings increase over the xmas period...

December Property Market Report...

South Petherton Area Guide...