Our opening times over the Christmas and New Year period

If you are looking for a new home during the holiday period, our opening times are below:

Thursday 24 December - closed
Friday 25 December - closed
Saturday 26 December - closed
Sunday 27 December - closed

Monday 28 December - open 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 29 December - open 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 30 December - open 10am - 5pm
Thursday 31 December - open 10am - 5pm

Friday 1 January - closed

Saturday 2 January - open 10am - 5pm

Some developments have slightly differing times to those above, so please check individual sites as well.

 

Everyone at Larkfleet Homes wishes you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

UK property remains a great investment

The UK property market continues to be one of the most popular in the world, mainly due to the wide variety of properties available at differing price levels.

Will it remain a good investment going forward?  We think so...

The UK remains one of the most economically stable countries in the EU and has not been affected by the troubles much of Europe has struggled with as the Euro continues to fluctuate.  Historically, we have a stable economy and there is no reason for this to change in the foreseeable future.  This stability has created the perfect base for our thriving property market.

The lack of affordable housing is an issue, of course, and will remain so as we strive to catch up with the shortfall.  The changes to buy-to-let regulations may take some of the steam out of the market but the need for housing remains high.  Recent reports, such as the LendInvest Buy to Let Index, identified some of the best areas in the UK to look for buy-to-let investments.  This report shows Peterborough as being amongst the top areas to own a buy-to-let property.

If you are looking for a long-term home for your money, then take a look at our developments in and around Peterborough, which include Hempsted Park, Whittlesey Green and Parson's Prospect new homes.  Each development offers new homes for first time buyers, professionals working in and around Peterborough and Cambridge or growing families.

New home decorating trends for 2016

Decorating your new home is always exciting - and for those buying their first home in 2016, there is a new look for everyone!

We've seen a leaning towards feminine colours using pastels, soft home fabrics and upholstered furniture. These create a soft atmosphere when they are mixed with traditional interior design furniture ideas, contemporary minimalist style or rustic textures.  Colours are fresh and creative, mixing soft pinks and golden shades.

Adding a touch more gold seems to be on trend too.  Using interior paint, ceramic home decorations, fabrics or tile designs in golden colours is going to be a strong look in 2016.

For those who like to bring the outside in, nature-inspired rooms will be all the rage.  Hues of natural, neutral colours including black, brown, white, soft green and grey tones are all great for modern rooms in new homes.

Wallpaper remains in vogue with fresh geometric prints and feature prints.  Colour is back - but with these different hues and in varying strengths depending on your taste.

If you are looking for a new home, don't forget our Larkfleet showhomes are open between Christmas and New Year.  Drop by and you can not only look for your new house, but you can pick up some inspiration from our designer, Helen Hick.

Understanding a new Help-to-Buy ISA

The newly launched Help-to-Buy ISA has the aim of helping those wanting to purchase their first new home to make the most of their savings.

First time buyers who use the ISA to save for their first home will be handed £50 for every £200 they save.  The first £200 monthly payment can be boosted by an initial deposit of £1,000.  The government will add a bonus amount to this initial deposit of £250.

For savers to take advantage of the government's maximum contribution of £3,000 they will need to save £12,000 in their Help-to-Buy ISA.

The Telegraph Money page has calculated it will take just over four and half years (55 months) for a first time buyer to save up to the maximum £12,000, which will then be topped up by the government's contribution of £3,000.  To reach this conclusion, The Telegraph assumes that the initial contribution of £1,000 will be made and from then on £200 per month is invested.  They have not taken into account the varying rates of interest offered by providers so this amount may be reached slightly earlier or later depending on the choice of provider.

The Help-to-Buy ISA is intended for house purchases and can only be used by residential buyers.  As with all things, there are terms and conditions which are ably explained by The Telegraph.

However, for those intending to purchase their new home in the near future, the Help-to-Buy ISA offers a step towards this goal.

How about a brand new house in one of Britain's finest places to live?

Anvil Mews in Stamford is a stunning new development by Allison Homes.  Situated just outside the old town walls of Stamford, it is an exclusive collection of ten stone town houses which are built in keeping with this historic and pretty town.

Anvil Mews has been designed to offer contemporary, luxury living with high quality interior fittings and design elements. It truly offers you a unique and individual lifestyle opportunity in one of Britain’s best places to live.

Plot 6, the Lomond, is one of the few remaining houses for sale.  It can be yours free of any stamp duty, as we will cover that for you.  The Lomond is a four bedroom home built over three floors.  The master bedroom has both an ensuite and dressing room.  There are two further bathrooms and a shower room, plus plenty of living space and an 'outdoor living' area.

Contact Caroline at anvilmews@allison-homes.co.uk or on 07717 895399 if you would like to hear more.

We're open! Our show homes will be open between Christmas and New Year.

If you are looking for a new start in the New Year and your plans include a new home, the days between Christmas and New Year are perfect opportunities to explore new areas and look at new developments.

So if you are looking for your new home in or around Peterborough, Oakham, Stamford, Eye, Bourne or Baston, drop into one of our show homes and have a look around.

You will be impressed!

Our show homes will be open as follows:

Thursday 24 December  – Closed

Friday 25 December – Closed

Saturday 26 December  – Closed

Sunday 27 December – Closed

Monday 28 December  – Open 10am - 5pm

Tuesday 29 December  – Open 10am - 5pm

Wednesday 30 December – Open 10am - 5pm

Thursday 31 December – Open 10am - 5pm

Friday 1 January – Closed
 

Saturday 2 January – Open 10am - 5pm

 

It's a great time to get a mortgage for a new Larkfleet home

A recent statistical report from the Bank of England notes that the number of mortgage approvals for house purchases was up from 69.012 in September to 69,630 in October.  The report also noted the value of house purchases made in October was £12.2 million.

The increase in the number and total value of loans made for house purchase indicated an uplift in the house market compared with the same period in 2014.

This general revival in lending to individuals was confirmed by the Council for Mortgage Lenders (CML). The organisation reported that mortgage lending is currently enjoying its strongest spell since the financial crisis in 2008 and is nearly a fifth higher than a year ago.

It believes that the pick-up in mortgage lending is becoming more broadly-based, following several months of year-on-year growth in lending to first-time buyers, movers and re-mortgage customers.

Mince pies and mulled wine at The Croft, Baston

We enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine today in the clubhouse at The Croft in Baston.

Joining us were residents and new friends, all of whom enjoyed looking around our new clubhouse.  This is a communal facility available to all our residents at The Croft and offers an area where they can enjoy their own hobbies, a catch-up with friends or one of our social events, like today's drop-in.

Our visitors had the chance to look around the new homes on offer.  The Croft development is aimed at those aged 55 years and over and who are looking for a quality built new home for their future.

If you would like to have a look around, please contact Maureen or Dee in our sales office on baston@larkfleethomes.co.uk or call 07825 275820

Spending review may have no real impact on housing delivery

Commenting on the housing plans outlined in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today Karl Hick, CEO of development and housebuilding group Larkfleet, said:

“This all sounds like positive news which the housebuilding industry should welcome. But it is very similar to announcements that have been made in the past – worthy sentiments which have had little or no practical effect.

“Unless the government finds ways to get the money to small and medium sized housebuilders there will be no real impact on the delivery of new homes.

“The rules and bureaucracy of previous schemes have proved impossible for smaller firms to penetrate and they have simply not been able to get the money they need to support development.

“The large builders, which can deal with the paperwork, do not need access to government cash as they can borrow on very favourable commercial terms.

“So, in summary, I think the announcements today could prove to be a big waste of time for the industry.  Smaller building firms will either be chasing money that will never actually materialise or just getting on with business as usual. Either way, they will continue delivering at more-or-less the current level.”

Click here for further information

Success at the 2015 Peterborough Telegraph Business Awards

We were delighted to win the Environmental Achievement Award this year at the Peterborough Telegraph Business Awards.  The award was won by the Larkfleet Group and was kindly sponsored by Allia.

The event showcases and celebrates the very best of local businesses in and around Peterborough.

Our congratulations to Peterborough Re Use and Riverford Organics, who were both highly commended.

Bring the family closer together in Bourne

Christmas is the one time of the year when you become very aware of how far you live from your family, particularly if you have elderly parents who may not want to travel over this busy period.

Bourne-based housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Homes can offer you a great local solution!

The Croft on North Road in Bourne is a joint venture between Larkfleet Homes and Keystone Developments and provides lifestyle living for the over 55s.

The Croft consists of a number of one and two-bedroom bungalows and two and three-bedroom chalets arranged around attractively landscaped courtyards. A historic 'manor house' has been restored to its former glory and stylishly refurbished to form a communal hub for residents, where they can enjoy the many social clubs, lunches and coffee mornings on offer.

You can join us at the manor house on Saturday 28 November from 10 am to 5 pm for mulled wine and mince pies and take a look around these new homes.

And if you (or your parents) decide you would like to make your home at The Croft, Larkfleet can make moving home a little easier with a range of finance schemes and options which it can tailor to suit individual buyers, including ‘assisted move’ and shared equity schemes.

With Larkfleet, the entire family could make Bourne their home and enjoy all that this lively rural market town has to offer, together.

Solar panels on your home can add value

Solar panels on your home can add value, so says a recent US report.  The number of homes with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United States has been estimated at more than half a million.  A new report led by the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a home appraisal expert conducted a study to determine the value added to private homes with solar PV systems. 

They did note some differences depending on the underlying system used, age of the system and local market characteristics but they found that - in general, when comparing 'like for like' - having a solar panel system installed added value to the home.

Larkfleet Homes offers new homes with solar PV systems fitted as standard on many sites. This means you can produce your own electricity.

Homes with solar panels fitted as standard can be found at our Hempsted Park development in Peterborough and our Whittlesey Green development just on the outskirts of the town.  Slightly further afield, our Buttercross Park development in Oakham also offers eco-friendly and energy-efficient new homes.

Rural living at an affordable cost

It was recently reported in the annual Halifax Rural Housing Review that house prices in the countryside are, on average, £43,490 (22 per cent) higher than in urban areas.  Not great news if you are looking for a new home in a rural setting!

However, our developments in Oakham in Rutland and in the village of Eye near to Peterborough are priced to enable both families and first time buyers to purchase a brand new home in a rural setting at an affordable price.

Buttercross Park in Oakham offers a range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes which are both eco-friendly and energy efficient.  Situated on the outskirts of the market town of Oakham, Buttercross Park is part of the Oakham Heights development and benefits from being close to the town’s facilities and the surrounding countryside.

If you are looking to move before Christmas, take a look at Plot 14, the Towcester. If you move before Christmas, we will pay your mortgage for 2016 with Help to Buy.  

Nearer to Peterborough, Parson’s Prospect, on the outskirts of the village of Eye, offers discerning new home buyers everything from 3 bedroom starter homes to 4 and 5 bedroom family homes.  With homes starting at £192,995, the dream of rural living is certainly affordable.