News

Leading Harrogate estate agency, Nicholls Tyreman, are delighted to demonstrate their long-term confidence in the market with the appointment of two key personnel in 2008. The appointments will strengthen both their sales and lettings teams as market activity begins to increase in the run up to the traditionally busy Spring period. Tricia Craven joins Nicholls Tyreman’s highly experienced sales team, having already enjoyed six years in the Harrogate property market. “I am delighted to be joining one of Harrogate’s leading independent agencies”, said Tricia, “and I am really looking forward to working closely with such a hard working and friendly team.” Laura Murtagh has also been appointed to strengthen Nicholls Tyreman’s rapidly expanding lettings operation, which experienced unprecedented growth throughout 2007. “Nicholls Tyreman have given me an excellent opportunity to expand my experience in the property market”, said Laura, herself a life-long Harrogate resident, “and I am keen to help my new colleagues achieve further success in 2008.” Indeed, Nicholls Tyreman’s lettings team have enjoyed an excellent start to 2008, with a number of exclusive higher end apartments being successfully rented out on long-term lets, alongside the company’s acquisition of the complete property portfolio of Town & Countrywide Letting. In addition, the company is also seeing an increasing number of investment clients buying property through the sales team, then using Nicholls Tyreman’s services again to successfully rent the property out. For further advice please call the Nicholls Tyreman sales team on 01423 503076, or lettings on 01423 530744.

Harrogate District Council’s Core Planning Strategy has determined that many new dwellings will be required across the District each year to successfully meet Government targets, up to the year 2025, with Harrogate itself providing almost half of these new homes, in order to meet the needs of local residents and the increasing number of people relocating to our area. The high quality of life, excellent schools and beautiful natural environment across the District attracts migrants from other areas of the country. This pressure for housing, coupled with the area’s proximity to the thriving Leeds economy, has created a buoyant housing market based on very high land values.

Despite a recent cooling in the national housing market, local developers have remained confident in the Harrogate market, and have been actively seeking sites and opportunities for new build and conversion developments in the area. Such developers have seen the Council supporting new sites which help contribute to the District’s overall need for housing and new development. Indeed, leading Harrogate estate agent, Nicholls Tyreman, has been chosen by many local developers as their agent of choice for the marketing of new homes in Harrogate, and Nicholls Tyreman have announced a major programme of exciting new build and conversion developments to be marketed throughout 2008.

Renowned Harrogate builders, C.K. Batchelor Ltd, have appointed Nicholls Tyreman to market their superb new courtyard development at St Peters Square, off Cold Bath Road in the heart of the town. Available now, the development comprises nine new homes, ranging from a two bedroomed apartment to a four bedroomed house, each with parking. The site is nearing completion and high levels of interest have been shown, with several sales already agreed. This developer will also be marketing a luxury detached family house, of almost 3000 square feet, on Leadhall Lane to the favoured South side of Harrogate in early Summer this year.

Nicholls Tyreman are also currently launching ‘Thornholme’, a magnificent development of executive family homes situated on St Marks Avenue, a short stroll from Harrogate’s famous Stray and the town centre, comprising town houses alongside luxury apartments. In early Spring, they will also be marketing eight converted apartments on Leeds Road, ranging from one bedroomed garden apartments suitable for first time buyers to larger, three bedroomed apartments.

Summer 2008 will see the completion of a spectacular development at Waterside in the historic market town of Knaresborough. Nicholls Tyreman partner, James Tyreman, explained, “This is to be a fantastic development for Knaresborough in such a lovely setting – it will comprise town houses and apartments with secured parking, an exceptional finish throughout and picture-postcard views towards Knaresborough’s famous viaduct.” Summer will also see two large semi-detached new build properties on Kent Road, in Harrogate’s famous ‘Duchy’, each having spacious accommodation of almost 3000 square feet, arranged over four floors. These luxury five bedroomed family houses will be highly energy efficient, utilising the latest technologies for minimal environmental impact. “This is an exciting time for new homes in Harrogate,” added James, “With the District Council’s Core Strategy consultations, together with the number of exciting new developments which Nicholls Tyreman will be marketing, we are likely to see buoyant levels of interest throughout 2008, even in a cooler housing market climate, such is the demand for new homes in the Harrogate area.”

Despite some recent scaremongering reports in the national media predicting an impending crash in house prices, the truth remains that almost two-thirds of Britons believe that the country’s housing market will continue to prosper, although at a slower rate than we have experienced in recent years. Indeed, the facts are that house prices have continued to climb strongly this year, but the level of growth has slowed markedly in recent months due to a succession of mortgage interest rate rises and recent issues in the financial markets. Dave Hill, Sales Manager of leading Harrogate estate agency Nicholls Tyreman, commented, “The housing market is slowing down in an orderly fashion and will continue to do so. There is no reason to fear a sharp downturn, and sellers should remain confident in the traditionally robust local Harrogate market, whilst at the same time being realistic with their asking prices. “It is also probable that the next move in interest rates will be down rather than up, which should result in a return of confidence for buyers and sellers alike and a long-term stable forecast. Sellers should hold their nerve and not be forced into ‘panic selling’. “People will continue to move to our area due to many factors including the excellent quality of life, high levels of employment, a vibrant social scene, the high reputation of our schools and access to some of the finest historical attractions and beautiful countryside that this country has to offer.” For expert local advice, contact Nicholls Tyreman on 01423 503076.