Winter weather accentuates even minor faults in a property – draughts whistle through tiny cracks, normally bright rooms feel dark and dreary on cloudy days, the drive resembles a muddy pool and mucking out is a horrible chore if the temperature never lifts above zero outside. 

But if you loved your new home enough to buy it even in conditions like these, revelling in its unique character, space, land and outbuildings, imagine how much more you will enjoy it when the sun appears.  Sunshine lifts and lightens every room, warmth creeps into the very walls, puddles disappear and the ponies relish being turned out into their paddocks.

These are just half a dozen reasons why Zoe Napier would recommend viewing and purchasing a property during the winter months!............

• See open fires operating  and check that the updraft of chimneys are working efficiently
• Check how effective the heating system is – Its rarely turned on in the summer!
• Drafts are more prominent in the winter time so check around windows
• Dampness is more evident during the winter months
• Outside – check how well drained paddocks are – if they are good in the winter, they will be perfect in the summer!
• You can see how overlooked a property is as this is the time for having the least foliage on hedges and trees – so what you see will only get better from the Spring time onwards!  

Livery charges (especially for those with more than one horse) can seem a luxury too far these days.  You may want or need to bring your animals closer to home, but worry that the lifestyle might not be for you.

Owners of equestrian properties that can’t be sold at realistic prices in the current climate are opting to hold on to them and rent them out instead, and currently there is a good selection of property available either for sale or to let. It’s a golden opportunity to try before you buy - what better way to ensure you have made the right choice?  

Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian has several properties on her books available either to rent or buy, with facilities to suit most requirements from the one pony family to those with a string of horses to house.

The country & equestrian market is bucking the trend in practically all price ranges, from those looking for a property with land at entry level to national & international buyers snapping up properties in the £1.5m to £2.5million range.

Those selling mid-level property with land, in the  £650,000 to £850,000 range, are finding that the market is more price-sensitive, mainly due to the added difficulties of borrowing.  However, if sellers ‘think outside the box’, this can easily be overcome. Often, a part exchange can complete a chain and release funds for sellers in this bracket.

The bottom end of equestrian property starts from around £270,000, and at this level,  first timers to equestrian & lifestyle homes are cashing in at a level of some 20% less than this time last year.  But thanks to the low borrowing rates/supply & demand, this situation is not expected to last.  

Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian has 23 years of experience in the sale of country & equestrian properties, and is now one of the most highly-regarded and best known specialists in the field.
Ends.

Successfully selling - October 2008

Demand still appears to be outstripping supply for the higher priced country houses as buyers seize the opportunities that are created in the current market.

Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian have achieved more sales in excess of £1.5 million during 2008 than in the previous two years – Zoe Napier believes that people are still preferring to invest their wealth into something ‘real’ against the background of uncertainty that has prevailed in the equity markets.

The Governments recent initiative to inject stability into the financial market provides a platform which will improve transaction volumes into 2009, so the advice is that if you are thinking of selling, contact the Region’s leading expert.  Contact Zoe Napier for the best advice on marketing, timing and pricing on 01376 530135.

Press Release August 2008

Country & Equestrian market ‘bucks’ trends with record sales in August

Zoe Napier and the team at Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian have achieved record sales this August!

Bucking the general down-turn and the typical summer slump, Zoe says that the upper end of the market seems to be the area least affected by the credit crunch.

“Buyers are taking advantage of a good choice of property at this level of the market and are still making ‘lifestyle’ moves,” she said. “For those trading up market the trend of reported property prices dropping is determining fair sales prices, but buyers should be aware that sellers in the upper end are generally ‘not desperate’ and therefore not every seller succumbs to taking an offer.

“ Over the years, we have established excellent relationships with several finding agents. Two of our country houses were sold recently to Premiership and International footballers, one exchanging within 10 days of the sale agreed, and property-finders Garrington, acting on behalf of their high profile client, remarked on how refreshing it was to deal with such a proactive country agent.

 “ Several sales have been agreed on a part-exchange basis.  Often we have a client downsizing, perhaps wishing to retire abroad, who recognises the difficulty of buyers selling in certain price ranges. A part-exchange allows the seller to move on and the buyer the ease of moving up market without the woes and worries of a long chain.

“ I believe much of our success is due to our positive attitude.  I don’t tolerate the doom and gloom talk of some agents.  As a consequence, we are now so busy we are often booking a week ahead to visit country houses for pending sales, and the best properties are attracting buyers.

“The message from the Country & Equestrian team is that serious buyers are out there and the shrewd ones are not waiting for the media to report an ‘upturn’ in the market, as according to Zoe ‘that will be too late!’.

The Country & Equestrian team were also keen to advise that buyers should not rely on just browsing the web and waiting for a suitable property to ‘pop up’ Speak to the agents, as those who do, often get a preview appointment and a sale can sometimes be tied up before even going onto the open market.  Contact either Zoe Napier or Eve Reed on 01376 530135.

June 2008

Kieron gets his goal with Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian

West Ham and England International Kieron Dyer has recently completed the purchase of a stunning property through Fenn Wright's Country and Equestrian team.

Kieron, pictured here with Zoe Napier (right) and Eve Reed (left), chose the property because he loves 'state of the art' architecture and wanted something rural yet accessible to both his family and club.

Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian said: 'We are delighted to have helped Kieron in his search for a unique property. We can't reveal the purchase price or the location except to say it is somewhere in Essex, but we deal with many individual properties aimed at high profile buyers looking for a particular kind of lifestyle in Essex, Suffolk and on the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire borders.'

Eve Reed who handled the negotiations added: 'Kieron knew what he was looking for and this property is certainly in the dream home category for most of us!

Press enquiries to Pippa McLardy 01728 454565

June 2008

Choose an agent that works for you

Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian has been particularly busy over the last couple of weeks hosting a property exhibition near Liverpool Street in conjunction with Square Mile of London, and an exclusive equestrian property exhibition at Ingatestone Saddlery centre last weekend.

This event, which attracted thousands of spectators, took place during the Centre's celebrations of 35 years trading. Top stars including Mark Todd one of the World's most famous horsemen and twice Olympic gold medalist from New Zealand, was there to sign autographs, and there was a display of Parelli horsemanship in the outdoor arena. Essex mounted police were also present on both days, attracting the crowds.

Zoe Napier, head of Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian, pronounced the exhibition held over the weekend of 31st May/1st June a resounding success and was delighted to be part of Ingatestone saddlery's celebrations.

' More and more buyers are deciding to put the money they spend on livery into a bigger mortgage in order to buy an equestrian dream home,” she said. 'The thought process is quite a natural one, as not only can buyers fulfil their dream of looking out of their window at their own horses, but it is actually a very good time to trade upwards '.

The London exhibition held on 22nd/23rd May (a Thursday & Friday to capture City workers) succeeded in attracting in an entirely different clientele - buyers not necessarily with equine interests but commuters looking to buy a house in the country within easy distance of their work.
Ends.

20th February 2008

Horses for courses Fenn Wright supports the Marks Tey races

Fenn Wright land and estate agents are appropriate sponsors of the Marks Tey Point-to-Point meeting on Easter Monday as it was the father of one of the firm's longest serving partners who founded the races around half a century ago.

Nat Sherwood set the course up on around 50 acres of his farming estate in the early 1950s, the first event taking place in 1952, the year of the Queen's accession to the throne. He went on to win more than 100 point-to-point races, many of them at Marks Tey. He died in February 1998.

His youngest son David now specialises in the sale of country houses from Fenn Wright's Colchester office, and also works closely alongside Zoe Napier in Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian. David's two older brothers Oliver and Simon followed in their father's footsteps and both became accomplished jockeys, Oliver as an amateur and Simon in both amateur and professional fields.

Following a spell as amateur champion in the mid 1980s, Simon's greatest achievement was his memorable victory in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup riding Desert Orchid. Today, the brothers train National Hunt steeplechase champions at their stables in Lambourn and Bromyard in Herefordshire and carrying on the family tradition, Simon's son Jack, 16, has just obtained his point-to-point licence.

David still very much enjoys his equestrian connections, which have multiplied since the founding of Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian with Zoe Napier in 2005.

' The point-to-points area great family day out, and I try to get there when my own children's commitments make it possible. I enjoy seeing the point to point course prosper having been set up all those years ago by my father.� he said.

There are meetings at Marks Tey on Easter Monday March 24th and Saturday April 5th .

Further information from David Sherwood on 01206 763388

Press enquiries to Pippa McLardy 01728 454565 email plmclardy@hotmail.com

Interest rates coming down
Activity levels in the market up
Quality rules over quantity 

Early signs for the 2008 property market are 'very promising', according to Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian.

'An encouraging level of activity over the Christmas period is set to continue. Plainly, the property market for quality homes in Essex is not quite as the media is reporting on a national basis,� she says, ' and early indications suggest 2008 will be as good a year as any in this sector.

'City bonus buyers are due handsome payouts around the end of January and are already actively looking. More & more are heading away from the City towards Essex, and the A12 corridor is key for the City buyer looking for a lifestyle change�.

There are, however, fundamental changes to the market, she says.

'As far as selling goes, whilst there may appear to be fewer people viewing properties compared with a year ago, it seems that the majority are actually buying as opposed to just browsing, and there is keen competition for the 'good buy'. For the seller preferring quality viewers through their door rather than quantity, now is definitely the time to get that property on the market.

' It's a good time for buyers, too. At this time of year, sellers are usually committed to moving, are generally willing to listen to 'sensible' offers from buyers particularly those in a position to proceed - and recognise the importance of offering a chain-free situation where possible�.

Zoe also advises that with Easter coming early (Good Friday is March 21st), it is not too early to make preparations for marketing a property over that crucial period.

'A good reputable agent will need time to prepare and present a property for the market so contacting them to arrange an appraisal should ideally take place during January or February for a Spring launch,� she says.

' But don't hang on until Easter if you are buying,� she urges.� Now is the time to take a 'warts and all' look at your proposed new home. Study how exposed the garden is with all the leaves off the trees, and how well drained - or otherwise - the land is, particularly if there is acreage.

'Inside, winter is the time to see how warm a house really is, to detect draughts, assess how effective the central heating is, and whether that inglenook draws smoke up the chimney or belches it out into the elegant drawing room. If you can fall for a house in this weather, imagine how much more you will like it when the sun shines! '

Fenn Wright will be having a Spring London Property Exhibition, to be held at their associated offices just off Liverpool Street. More information will be released and advertised soon in this respect.

Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian explains why Essex and in particular why Mid and North Essex have become such popular areas for the equestrian enthusiast.

Horse ownership in Essex has rapidly expanded, over recent years, explains Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian - As the well known equestrian property specialist for Essex, Zoe is right 'on the hoof' when it comes to supply and demand for equestrian property and this includes virtually any property with land, whether it has existing equestrian facilities or not.

Equestrianism has certainly become a fashion for lifestyle and its not surprising why in the world of computers and computer games, there could'nt be a better way of encouraging children early on in life into outdoor interests and activities which is why the majority of people buying property with land are 'first timers' to the world of owning horses and ponies.

The 'bug' of owning an equestrian property soon catches on though, continued Zoe and there could not be a better County in the Country for 'doorstep' facilities. This explains also why the demand is so high for property with land in the area, as commuters can still reach London with relative ease, whilst the family can enjoy some beautiful parts of Essex, particularly to the North of the County for riding and general enjoyment of the countryside.

East Anglian Farm Rides, for example, are prominent in the mid and north Essex areas who have a huge network of organised off road farm rides (which is also available to horse drawn carriages) with a monthly subscription of around £13.00 and its well worth viewing their web site to see the route maps.

Some of the Country's top equestrian venues are in Essex too which include Wix EC, Towerlands (International) EC, Nr Braintree (where only fools on horses was recently filmed & televised), Norton Heath, Longwood, Harwood Hall and Ashfields, Nr Great Canfield. On a local scale there are also the popular point to point courses at Higham, Marks Tey and High Easter, whilst the area is soon expected to attract even more International buyers with the new race course at the former Essex Show Ground, Great Leighs. Buying property with land in Essex can only be a good bet, added Zoe!

Not withstanding all these venues, our region also has the benefit of the East Coast with many professional equestrian owners' travelling frequently and importing/exporting horses through the port of Harwich via Hook of Holland and into Europe. It's not surprising why our County has so many National and International riders and equine competitors with road networks so easy, gateway to Europe via Stansted and our ports coupled with our very own International venues…

There are alternatives, however for those wishing to own and enjoy horses … Livery yards are one option or buying a parcel of land close to home Many local farmers consider selling small parcels of amenity land as it is quite common for Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian to achieve in excess of £20,000 per acre, dependent upon location, services, single farm payments and access arrangements.

www.equestrianproperty4sale.com is the Regions biggest web site solely dedicated for the sale of property with land but the site is full of helpful advice too for those thinking of changing lifestyles with articles from 'buying your first pony' to planning requirements for stabling with links pages and a special services page offering helpful information relating to equestrian services such as farriers, feed centres and such like.

Zoe Napier has been in the estate agency business for 22 years, specialising in property with land and the equestrian market. Zoe owns two horses (Dylan & Max) and is pictured with her two Parsons Terriers; Jess & Maud ! She regularly features in property articles in National Equestrian magazines and is seen to be the expert in her field for Essex and Suffolk borders. Zoe also enjoys flying, when time allows and has her ppl Another helpful aspect for buyers looking for a property with enough land for an airstrip!

Contact details

Zoe Napier at Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian
zn@fennwright.co.uk
www.equestrianproperty4sale.com
Telephone 01376 530135

On September 22nd, The Country & Equestrian Team held their annual saddlery exhibition. Each year the exhibition gathers strength and the day proved most successful for Fenn wright and clients alike. 'Canapes and wine were free flowing and the day gives potential buyers a relaxed approach to looking for asuitable property' - explained Zoe Napier, 'It's always nice for clients and buyers to put names to faces, as the everchanging property market is mostly internet and telephoned based nowadays'. Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian have a permanent display board at Ingatestone saddlery centre, which is the largest retail saddlery store in the UK, attracting thousands of weekly visitors. Those selling property with land couldnt have a better 'window display' than with Fenn Wright - Leaders of their field in Essex & Suffolk!

Leading local estate agents Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian are proud to announce the official opening of their spectacular new London office.

Occupying a prominent site in Park Lane, the totally refurbished National Property Centre serves as the headquarters of the prestigious Guild of Professional Estate Agents - a nationwide network of over 600 exceptionally high-calibre estate agents, all judged to be the leading firms in their particular area. Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian have represented the organisation from their base at Witham since 2005.

“Through our membership of the Guild, the new National Property Centre gives us an extraordinarily prestigious presence right in the heart of the West End,” says Zoe Napier of Fenn Wright Country and Equestrian. “It means we can offer our clients exclusive, high-profile access not only to the massive London market as a whole, but also to affluent overseas buyers and the international investment community.”

Originally opened in 2001, the Park Lane offices have been totally transformed, both inside and out. No expense has been spared to create one of the most stunning property showcase venues in the country. Outside, there are eye-catching new fascias and a stunning array of plasma and touch screens. Inside, subtle shades and the finest quality materials and furnishings combine to create an environment that is both modern and ultra-stylish. Technology is again very much in evidence, with more plasma screens (there are nearly 20 in all) presenting a rolling display of selected properties.  Five high-calibre staff are on hand to deal with enquiries.

“Park Lane is probably the best address in London, ”says Zoe. “The new office therefore gives us a London presence which is quite simply second to none - the perfect environment in which to present our clients’ properties directly to this most lucrative market.”

Owners of some equestrian properties may not need to provide Home Information Packs when they sell their properties, Zoe Napier believes, if they meet the criteria for exemption laid down by the Government.

Equestrian property expert Zoe, of Fenn Wright Country & Equestrian, points out that Government guidelines state that a property may be considered non-residential (and thus exempt from the necessity to provide a HIP) if the land it occupies amounts to more than five hectares (12.35 acres approximately) and is used for one of three purposes:  horticulture or cultivation, the breeding or keeping of animals, or grazing and woodland.

Zoe said, "I have studied the exemptions carefully and had discussions with the head of Fenn Wright's Domestic Energy Assessment team, Teala Estabrook, and it appears that parcels in excess of five hectares, where horses are bred or kept, will be exempt from providing a HIP as the amount of land would be considered too large for purely residential purposes."

Other exemptions apply to park homes (static caravans), boat houses and holiday properties with restrictions on the number of months' occupation.

For further information contact Zoe Napier on 01376 530135    email: zn@fennwright.co.uk

or Teala Estabrook on 01206 507680   email: tpe@fennwright.co.uk