
December 2022 Market Report for South Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 1st Jan 2023,New Year’s resolutions are still fresh in the air. This focus on improving and changing our lives in the new year inevitably leads to the lettings market...

Ask the Experts - What on earth is "link-detached"?
By Orchards Estates on 24th Apr 2022,Q. I seem to remember that properties used to be described as detached, semi-detached, or terraced. Now you get “link-detached” and even...

"Ask The Expert" - Should I sell first or find first?
By Orchards Estates on 17th Apr 2022,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...

How do I add value to my home?
By Orchards Estates on 10th Apr 2022,How can I add value to my home? Even the most talented estate agent can’t predict the value of your home in 5 or 10 years’ time. Without adding to the...

What if it smells of damp
By Orchards Estates on 13th Feb 2022,Q. We have seen a 1900-ish property, which would be perfect for us, except that it smells of damp. It is empty but we’re told that the...

Distorted Opinions?
By Orchards Estates on 6th Feb 2022,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...

What are the top 10 dream home features for children?
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Jan 2022,A new survey conducted by home developer, Strata, which quizzed over 2,000 children aged between 3 – 11 has revealed some pretty great ideas. The quiz...

Tis the season to be jolly but is it the season to sell your home?
By Orchards Estates on 5th Dec 2021,Tis the season to be jolly but is it the season to sell your home? The answer in the simplest terms is YES! Since 2014, there has been an increase of...

Tis the season to be jolly but is it the season to sell your home?
By Orchards Estates on 5th Dec 2021,Tis the season to be jolly but is it the season to sell your home? The answer in the simplest terms is YES! Since 2014, there has been an increase of...

October 2021 South Somerset Property Market Report
By Orchards Estates on 11th Nov 2021,Properties in South Somerset had an overall average price of £313,587 over the last year. The majority of sales in South Somerset during the last year...

How do I make an offer, and get it accepted?
By Orchards Estates on 25th Oct 2021,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,...

South Somerset Property Market Review – September 2021
By Orchards Estates on 5th Oct 2021,South Somerset Property Market Review – September 2021 Welcome to this month’s property market review for South Somerset. With the nights slowly...

How do you get your home photo-ready?
By Orchards Estates on 27th Sep 2021,How do you get your home photo-ready?...

Get your home winter ready
By Orchards Estates on 20th Sep 2021,The leaves are turning on the trees and we’re starting to think about snuggly jumpers and warm fires. What does your home need to ensure it is ready for...

Buying Versus Renting A Home…That Old Debate
By Orchards Estates on 6th Sep 2021,Why would someone write an article on buying versus renting a home? What’s in it for the author of the article? Why would you read one? What is it you...

"Ask The Expert" - Should I sell first or find first?
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Aug 2021,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...

Chain reaction: take the stress out of buying and selling
By Orchards Estates on 16th Aug 2021,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
By Orchards Estates on 2nd Aug 2021,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...

Small Details - Big Picture
By Orchards Estates on 19th Jul 2021,How the small detail scan affect the bigger picture when selling your home...

It was like a Pig Sty!
By Orchards Estates on 12th Jul 2021,“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...

How to choose the right estate agent in South Somerset
Deciding which agent you are going to instruct to sell your property is also a crucial decision. Get it right and the moving process...

Autumn Property Checklist
By Orchards Estates on 12th Nov 2018,Autumn Property Maintenance Checklist With temperatures dropping further with every passing day, this is the time to check that your property is ready for...

What really happened in the South Somerset housing market in October?
By Orchards Estates on 1st Nov 2018,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...

Q. Is selling at auction worth considering?
By Orchards Estates on 18th Oct 2018,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...

Best Martock Estate Agent
By Orchards Estates on 17th Oct 2018,Other agents are having to shut up shop as they can't sell homes. Not Orchards!...

It's National Chocolate Week!
By Orchards Estates on 15th Oct 2018,There is little else more quintessentially British than the chocolate box cottage. Bringing up idyllic images...

What really happened in the South Somerset housing market in September?
Yeovil 96 Properties (17 were detached) Martock 7 Properties ...

Ask The Expert - Should I put my home up for sale in Autumn
By Orchards Estates on 26th Sep 2018,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...

How To Be A Landlord
As a landlord instructing a lettings agent, your biggest expectation should be peace of mind that your property is being properly managed. You want your...

Renovation opportunity
By Orchards Estates on 17th Sep 2018,Have you ever fancied recreating your own 'Homes Under the Hammer'? Situated on the edge of...

What really happened in the South Somerset housing market in August?
By Orchards Estates on 31st Aug 2018,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...

Seasonal repairs: a checklist for landlords
By Orchards Estates on 25th Aug 2018,What a summer it has been, record breaking in fact. Maintenance is a must for landlords...

Congratulations to Ayesha and family
Huge congratulations are in order for our property manager ...

How to avoid nightmare tenants
By Orchards Estates on 8th Aug 2018,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...

Ask the expert - Q: We’ve decided that we want to move but....
By Orchards Estates on 5th Aug 2018,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...

How many houses sold in South Somerset in July?
How many houses sold in South Somerset in July? In June 2018, 177 properties sold ( SSTC ) in South Somerset. Can you believe, this is just 18 less than...

Ask The Expert - Can I takes plants and shrubs from the garden?
By Orchards Estates on 14th Jul 2018,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?...

Overpricing - how much does it cost sellers
By Orchards Estates on 7th Jul 2018,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...

Ask the experts - How do I deal with Bats living in the loft?
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Jun 2018,Q. We have seen a house we really like, but apparently there is a family of bats living in the loft! How do we deal with that?...

Ask the experts - Why did my three valuations differ so much?
By Orchards Estates on 16th Jun 2018,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...

How to attract premium prices for your Buy To Let Properties
By Orchards Estates on 15th Jun 2018,how can you ensure you are attracting the highest quality tenants who are prepared to pay a premium price? Here are five simple ways that don’t break...

South Somerset's most expensive homes
By Orchards Estates on 10th Jun 2018,In South Somerset there were 50 homes over £1m sold since 2007, with the most expensive sold for £3,050,000. Here...

Ask The Expert - Do issues over boundaries often cause problems?
By Orchards Estates on 9th Jun 2018,Q. Do issues over boundaries often cause problems? A. Not all that often, actually. But by their very nature, if and when...

Ask the Experts - We Need more space but love our house
By Orchards Estates on 2nd Jun 2018,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...

Ask the Experts - I’ve heard the expression ‘right to light’. Is it true?
By Orchards Estates on 26th May 2018,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...

60 second home selling tips: Introduction
By Orchards Estates on 24th May 2018,How to get your property ready for selling so you achieve the highest possible price with the minimum amount of hassle....

New changes required for residential flats
By Orchards Estates on 17th May 2018,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...

My ‘cash buyer’ actually has a property to sell.
By Orchards Estates on 16th May 2018,What is a cash buyer? It turns out that my ‘cash buyer’ actually has a property to sell. How can this sort of thing happen, and what can I do?...

Are Cash Buyers on the decline?
By Orchards Estates on 9th May 2018,It is 50 years since the first decimalised coins hit the high street of the UK, and five years since the Land Registry first starting recording details of...

Are London Buyers Skewing House Prices in South Somerset?
By Orchards Estates on 21st Apr 2018,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...

London Property Exhibition update
By Orchards Estates on 16th Apr 2018,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...

National fall through rate at a record high
By Orchards Estates on 9th Apr 2018,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...

Are Landlords aware of how much legislation has changed recently?
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Mar 2018,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...

February 2018 Market Comment for South Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 26th Feb 2018,Winter may not be behind us yet, but, as far as the property market is concerned, spring is definitely in the air!...

First-time buyer numbers at highest in 10 years!
By Orchards Estates on 5th Feb 2018,Somerset first-time-buyers are getting onto the UK's property ladder with ease....

January 2018 Market Comment
By Orchards Estates on 30th Jan 2018,Is the property market up or is down? This month, more than ever, the answer depends on who you speak to....

“Mum and dad will pay for my home”, “don’t you buy stamps with stamp duty?”
By Orchards Estates on 19th Jan 2018,Common misconceptions amongst young people and purchasing a home in Somerset....

Could adding rent payments to credit scores help tenants become future buyers?
By Orchards Estates on 9th Jan 2018,Could adding rent payments to credit scores help tenants become future buyers in Somerset?...

November saw an 11% increase in Buy To Let sales
By Orchards Estates on 30th Dec 2017,Buy-to-let sales are on the rise, what does this mean for Somerset landlords?...

Personal Accountability here in South Somerset
Many properties in the South Somerset area are as unique and distinctive as the people who buy them. So when selling yours, it is most important that your...

“Catch 22 –Should I Sell First or Buy?”
By Orchards Estates on 27th Dec 2017,Many who receive a good offer for their home turn it down because they have not yet found “the right property” and worry that they will in effect...

First-Time Buyer Deposits set to rise 57% over the next 10 years
By Orchards Estates on 7th Dec 2017,First-time buyers deposit look to rise by 57% over the next 10 years in Yeovil and South Somerset...

Record Highs of Equity Release in the UK
By Orchards Estates on 30th Nov 2017,October saw new record highs in people releasing their equity, despite the wider UK housing market continuing to face housing issues....

Market Comment – November 2017 - South Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 28th Nov 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....

Budget Comment – SDLT removal is good news for sellers!
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Nov 2017,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...

Budget 2017 - How will this affect our local property market
By Orchards Estates on 22nd Nov 2017,The Chancellor Philip Hammond saved the best bit in his Autumn Budget to last when it came to the property market in South Somerset, including, Yeovil,...

The country's Best Estate agent - According to Rightmove and property academy
By Orchards Estates on 4th Nov 2017,Rightmove and property academy recognise the best UK estate agent...

Interest Rate Rise - Market Comment
By Orchards Estates on 2nd Nov 2017,The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has just announced a rise in the Bank of England base rate of 0.25% - the first increase in over a...

October property market report - South Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 20th Oct 2017,There is a very different vibe to the property market from last month...

Why clutter can cost you thousands and what to do about it in three steps
By Orchards Estates on 19th Oct 2017,Why clutter can cost you thousands and what to do about it in three steps...

Rightmove and Property Academy recognise the best agent in the UK,
Rightmove and property academy recognise the best UK estate agent...

International Day of the Girl
By Orchards Estates on 11th Oct 2017,Here's to our girls and the strong women they grew in to!...

Another 5 Star Review!
By Orchards Estates on 6th Oct 2017,Our Lettings Team work tirelessly to keep tenants and properties safe. They also offer free impartial portfolio assessments so ensure you are maximising...

It's National Home Security Month
By Orchards Estates on 6th Oct 2017,October is National Home Security Month and is a good time to consider your property's safety....

Orchards Estates recognised by Residential Landlord Association
By Orchards Estates on 6th Oct 2017,Orchards Estates recognised by Residential Landlord Association...

What are my gas safety responsibilities as a landlord?
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...

Third Quarter Property Market Overview
Exchanges are up 15.2% compared to the same period last year, suggesting that the unpredictable market that emerged in the wake of the Brexit vote is...

iPhone cost rising faster than property prices
By Orchards Estates on 13th Sep 2017,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...

How much does a sea view cost?
By Orchards Estates on 9th Sep 2017,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!...

I’m not Willy Wonka and Orchards Estates isn’t a chocolate factory
By Orchards Estates on 9th Sep 2017,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...

Insiders Guide Part 4 - How to choose an Estate Agent - Top Tips 4
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...

Market Comment - August 17 Whats happening in the property market this month
By Orchards Estates on 29th Aug 2017,August is a tricky time to comment on the property market....

What's in a name?
By Orchards Estates on 26th Aug 2017,The top 50 most popular house names in the UK have been announced following research by the Royal Mail. Here are the top 5 house names in the UK in 2017:...

Insiders guide to selling your property - Top tips to help you
By Orchards Estates on 19th Aug 2017,how to sell your property...

How to clean your home ready for a new start in six simple steps
By Orchards Estates on 22nd Jul 2017,How to clean your home ready for a new start in six simple steps...

Rightmove identifies the best local agent
By Orchards Estates on 10th Jul 2017,Rightmove data shows best estate agent in South Somerset...

The Benefit of Independence
By Orchards Estates on 4th Jul 2017,Why choose an independent estate and letting agent...

Monthly Market Report June 17 - A Fine Balance
By Orchards Estates on 26th Jun 2017,Monthly Property Market report - June 17 - South Somerset...

Too Hot to Handle?
Too Hot to Handle, moving home in the summer...

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

#Conmisery - What is Cheap?
By Orchards Estates on 15th Jun 2017,What do i really get when its cheap? #conmisery...

The general Election and finding a property
By Orchards Estates on 5th Jun 2017,How will he general election affect moving home...

May 17 Property Market Report - “Up, Down or Sideways”
By Orchards Estates on 31st May 2017,Monthly property Market report for May 2107...

Talking Sense, not nonsense - The Estate Agency Jargon Buster
By Orchards Estates on 20th May 2017,Estate Agent Jargon Buster...

Orchards strengthens focus in Ilminster
By Orchards Estates on 16th May 2017,Orchards Estates strengthen focus in Ilminster...

In the Dog’s House – All £20,000 of it
By Orchards Estates on 12th May 2017,Most expensive Dog kennel and the property market...

This is a Public Service Announcement for South Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 3rd May 2017,Property valuation advice - Public Service Announcement...

Market Report - April 2017 - “The Market’s Picking Up”
By Orchards Estates on 25th Apr 2017,Property Market update for South Somerset April 17...

How we handle the Three D’s – Death, Divorce & Debt
By Orchards Estates on 22nd Apr 2017,how we handle the Three D's - death debt divorce...

Latest Distinctive Westcountry Property Magazine
By Orchards Estates on 20th Apr 2017,Distinctive property across the West country 2017...

A little award for Mathew this week
By Orchards Estates on 12th Apr 2017,Mathew from Orchards Estates presented with an award at local business group...

What buyers and tenants are looking for in properties in South Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 8th Apr 2017,What buyers and tenants are looking for in a property in South Somerset...

YEOVIL RENTS TO RISE QUICKER THAN YEOVIL PROPERTY PRICES IN NEXT 5 YEARS
By Orchards Estates on 6th Apr 2017,Yeovil rents to Rise quicker than house prices in next 5 years...

A Real Life Case Study - how small changes can make a big difference
By Orchards Estates on 3rd Apr 2017,Case study of making small changes to a garden for marketing a property in Yeovil...

“The Market Opportunity for Sellers” - March market report
Property Market update for South Somerset...
"FAB"
Five star customer review for Orchards Estates...

A picture paints a thousand words
By Orchards Estates on 25th Mar 2017,Why professional property photos are essential...

Housing Crisis? Generation Trapped
By Orchards Estates on 16th Mar 2017,Is a yeovil generation trapped renting a property...
Wanted for National Publications
By Orchards Estates on 14th Mar 2017,National Publications Properties Wanted...

Android ready to overtake Windows
By Orchards Estates on 12th Mar 2017,Android is about to overtake windows...

2017 Budget Comment - Government ignores housing crisis
By Orchards Estates on 9th Mar 2017,Crisis in the housing market ignored in the 2017 Budget...

With 7,173 people in Private Rented Properties in Yeovil
By Orchards Estates on 2nd Mar 2017,investing in property in Yeovil buy to let...

Latest House Price information from across the country
By Orchards Estates on 2nd Mar 2017,Looking at prices across the UK for houses by region...

February Property Market Report
Review of the housing and property market for February 2017...

A little look at Merriott
By Orchards Estates on 26th Feb 2017,Merriott a lovely local village...

Make your little ones part of the big move
By Orchards Estates on 25th Feb 2017,Make your little ones part of the big move - moving home with children and getting a house valuation...

A Royal visit by HRH Prince Charles
By Orchards Estates on 20th Feb 2017,Recent meeting with HRH Prince Charles at Stoke Sub Hamdon...

Excellent service
By Orchards Estates on 15th Feb 2017,Excellent service review and testimonial from client...
Valentines Day
By Orchards Estates on 14th Feb 2017,
January 2017 Monthly Market Report
By Orchards Estates on 27th Jan 2017,Monthly property Market report for January 2107...

REAL ESTATE FIRM OF THE YEAR 2016 - Orchards Estates win another award
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Jan 2017,National Award for top Estate & letting agent....

Would you like a free holiday?
By Orchards Estates on 19th Jan 2017,Free prize draw for holiday with property valuation...

Orchards Heads West - New office covering Exmoor and West Somerset
By Orchards Estates on 12th Jan 2017,Get a property Valuation in West Somerset & Exmoor...

Boxing Day Browser
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Dec 2016,property valuation and viewings increase over the xmas period...

December Monthly Property Market Report
By Orchards Estates on 6th Dec 2016,December Property Market Report...