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'Carpe Diem'
My friends in the Midlands tell me that the housing market there has recently been all but frantic. Perfectly ordinary houses (their words, not mine!) attracted numerous viewings almost as…
'Carpe Diem'
My friends in the Midlands tell me that the housing market there has recently been all but frantic. Perfectly ordinary houses (their words, not mine!) attracted numerous viewings almost as soon as they were listed. Was it the urge to benefit from the tail-end of the Chancellor’s reduction in stamp duty, even though it was already partially withdrawn. Who knows?
Here in Keswick I’ve seen much the same. It is notoriously difficult to see into the future. That’s obvious, I hear you say, but many of us still act as if tomorrow will be similar to today (except where the weather’s concerned!).
Recently, two episodes reminded me just how fragile our anticipation of even the immediate future can be. One of my Aunts has recently moved into a rest home; nothing unusual in that except that only two months before she was leading a “normal” life with her husband. But now, without warning, she finds herself confined to a home in need of a high level of care.
At the other end of the age spectrum, my gorgeous son has just celebrated his third birthday. The clan gathered from far and wide; fortunately, the weather was good and we were able to spill out from my home into the back yard. But – he’s three! It feels only a few days ago I was carrying an eight-pound bundle back from the Cumberland Infirmary. Where did those thousand days go?
So, if you’re thinking of moving home, my homespun advice is – it’s better to get on with it than wait for what you imagine will be the “ideal” moment. It’s all too easy to think of reasons why you should delay a week, or a month, or a year, until ….. well, until what? Before, you know it, a thousand days have passed, and you’ve three years less to enjoy the benefits of a decision you could have made earlier. Or, new circumstances have arisen which now prevent you from proceeding in the direction you knew you wanted to go. So, Carpe Diem!
Any property decision is a serious one and does require a deal of thought. But whether for a new smaller or larger home, investment, holiday home or to develop land to raise capital, the sooner you start on the road, the sooner you’ll reap the benefits, both financial and otherwise. Here at PFK, we will help you through all stages of your deliberations, and if expert advice is needed I can draw on specialist expertise within PFK. And when your decision is made, I and my team will keep in touch with all relevant parties to expedite the process.
Please feel free to come and talk to me at any stage of your thinking.
Hannah Sims, Branch Manager at PFK Keswick.
Forest School
FOREST SCHOOL? It’s discouraging to discover that for years, I’ve been misunderstanding a well-known English saying. But maybe, just maybe, I haven’t. If I heard the…
Forest School
FOREST SCHOOL?
It’s discouraging to discover that for years, I’ve been misunderstanding a well-known English saying. But maybe, just maybe, I haven’t.
If I heard the phrase “Can’t see the wood for the trees” I’d think I was being criticised for fixating on the details of some issue or other. Instead, I should stand back and see the “Bigger Picture”. But I didn’t get it. I thought that by looking at the trees I was looking at the broader situation and not getting stuck in the detail.
And then finally, recently, the penny dropped. It all depends on what you mean by the word “wood”. So, does it mean the biological insides of the tree, its timber; or is it referring to the collection of trees, the forest? If I wanted more detail about a tree, I could scrape away the bark and look at its timber, its wood. But if I wanted to take a broader view, I’d have to consider all the other trees nearby, the wood. Yes, it’s the same word – wood.
So, I wasn’t mistaken after all; it’s just that I had a different perspective!
Having cleared that up, I do find it is worth looking in both those directions – inwards and outwards – when making plans about property, whether for investment or as your home. Our needs and wishes do change over time, and the unexpected disruption of the last 18 months may well have hastened that process. It then seems simplest just to sell what you have and buy something better or more suitable, obviously depending on individual circumstances.
Perhaps this is the “forest” approach?
On the other hand, (the “timber” approach?) you may have other ways of achieving what you want. Can your present property be extended or adapted? How would its value be impacted? Is there land which could be divided and is planning permission likely? Would it be suitable for residential or business use? And how should it be marketed? With so little to buy in Keswick at the moment, maybe your plans have to be less focussed on selling, and more about what options you can develop yourselves.
I know the area well in and around Keswick and I can call on specialists in PFK to advise on change of use, planning requirements and all other relevant aspects. It would be a pleasure to welcome you into our newly renovated office here in Station Street, where we can talk over these issues in a safe and welcoming space.
Hopefully, then, I will be able to help you see the wood from the trees!
Hannah Simms – PFK Keswick Branch Manager
New Estate Agency Manager appointed at PFK Penrith
Penrith Farmers and Kidd’s PLC are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Penrith Estate Agency Manager, Daniel Brown. Daniel began his career in Estate Agency at Countrywide…
New Estate Agency Manager appointed at PFK Penrith
Penrith Farmers and Kidd’s PLC are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Penrith Estate Agency Manager, Daniel Brown.
Daniel began his career in Estate Agency at Countrywide in Cornwall and has worked in the business for several years. Daniel and his partner Kate moved to Cumbria after falling in love with the area after visiting numerous times.
Daniel has a passion for all things property and believes customer service is key. Daniel commented, “I am so excited to join the team here at PFK Penrith. I look forward to contributing to PFK’s excellent success and help people buy, sell and rent.”
Outside of work Daniel enjoys, hiking up the fells, gardening and trying out all the restaurants and cafés Cumbria has to offer.
PFK’s Head of Estate Agency, Lynne Lancaster, says: “I am very pleased to welcome Daniel to the PFK team and he joins us as Branch Manager of the Penrith office. Daniel brings years of experience in estate agency and a wealth of knowledge which will enable him to add significant value. I look forward to working with Daniel as he helps our business grow and the team progress”.
Daniel would love to help you on your property journey, contact him for your free property valuation on 01768 862135 | penrith@pfk.co.uk
