Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

When temperatures drop and winter sets in, many pests begin searching for warm places to hide. Unfortunately, that often means moving into homes, garages and workplaces. December might feel too cold for insects and rodents to be active, but it’s one of the busiest times of the year for pest control callouts. Understanding which pests are most common at this time of year, and knowing how to deal with them, can help protect your home and stop infestations before they become serious. This guide explains the top December pests, why they appear, and the steps you can take to prevent them....

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Help to Buy makes the difference for first time buyers in Exeter

Almost 600 homebuyers in Exeter have used Help to Buy with 73 per cent being first time buyers.

As New Homes Fortnight gets underway (February 12-25), latest government figures reveal that 599 people in Exeter have used the scheme since it was launched in April 2013.

First time buyers accounted for 73 per cent of sales and local housebuilder Barratt Homes says the scheme has been a real game changer for many people.

Sara Parker, sales director for Barratt Homes said the scheme has proved invaluable for first time buyers and the scrapping of stamp duty for this group...

New recycling campaign highlights importance of recycled food waste

Teignbridge District Council have launched a new food waste recycling campaign, aimed at reducing leftover waste in your food caddie and encouraging greater awareness of food waste recycling.

The campaign, which runs from 12 February for four weeks, will see information leaflets, bin stickers, bus shelters, supermarket digital screens all highlighting the importance of food waste recycling and how even the smallest change can make a difference.

Teignbridge is holding information road shows, from 10am to 2pm, across the district. Officers will be around to offer advice,...

Spring launch for East Devon’s new green waste fortnightly collection service

East Devon is moving forward with plans to introduce a district-wide chargeable green waste collection service this year.

The council is working with partners SUEZ UK to provide a fortnightly chargeable green waste collection service for its residents who have been asking for a reliable district-wide service of this kind for some time.

The council has now approved the proposals and the service is expected to be introduced in Spring 2018.

Many councils across the country successfully operate a chargeable green waste collection service and East Devon is keen to...

Exeter housing market trends 2018

Despite the overall economic gloom surrounding Brexit, it seems that people in the south-west can look forward to a housing market that is enjoying relative stability.

Recently published reports suggest that there were price gains of 4.9% in the south-west of the UK during 2017. Whilst house prices in London crawled to a modest rise of just 1%, it seems that cities like Exeter are behind the newfound optimism in the south-west’s housing market.

Across 2017 we saw Exeter’s property types of all kinds enjoying a boost in sales prices. Compared to prices in 1995, we have seen...

Great New Year start to recycling in East Devon

East Devon households have made a great start to the New Year by recycling a huge 61% of their waste.

That means that, thanks to an extended recycling service introduced by the district council over the last 12 months, residents are now recycling almost 20% more than they did this time last year.

Over the two week festive and New Year period, the council’s contractors SUEZ collected 1,212 tonnes of recycling - 414 tonnes more than the same period last year under the old recycling system. These latest figures show that 61% of East Devon’s waste was recycled during the...

Housebuilder brings £24 million investment to local area

Five star housebuilder Barratt Developments, which has its regional headquarters in Exeter, has built 520 homes in the south west during the past year and brought around £24 million to communities where it is constructing new developments.

The figures form part of the company’s socio-economic footprint, and reveal just how the local economy has benefitted from the new housing.

The Exeter-based division - which also includes David Wilson Homes - has made more than £15 million in contributions to councils, as well as for infrastructure and affordable housing for local people...

Green light for custom build homes at Howton Road, Newton Abbot

Teignbridge's Planning Committee today unanimously approved an application for 20 custom build homes to the west of Newton Abbot at Highweek.

The site borders land allocated in the Local Plan at Howton Road. Importantly, this decision unlocks a new road between A382 Bovey Tracey Road and A383 Ashburton Road, running from Forches Cross to Hele Park. This road will provide access to 1150 new homes planned for Houghton Barton.

The application sets out proposals for affordable homes, as custom build starter homes which would only be available to first time buyers at a price 20...

MP officially opens luxury apartments in South Devon

Sixteen new luxury rental apartments, located in Abbey Road, Torquay, just a short stroll to the seafront, were officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony by local MP Kevin Foster. Commerce House is a multi-million-pound project of high-spec one, and two-bed contemporary unfurnished, energy efficient apartments, now ready to let from as little as £575 pm.

Bringing sophisticated city living to Torquay, the impressive re-development, including stunning penthouse suites, showcases a makeover normally only seen in large hotels or commercial buildings; boasting luxury living at...

First time buyers in Exeter welcome Stamp Duty scrapping

First time buyers in Exeter will likely be celebrating as the Chancellor has scrapped stamp duty taxes for first timers on properties up to the value of £300,000 in the Autumn Budget.

Those buying properties up to the value of £500,000 will also benefit from the tax break on the first £300,000 of their purchase. This will save those buying their first home thousands of pounds and means that 80 per cent of first time buyers will now not face any stamp duty charges at all.

Local housebuilder Barratt Homes welcomes the stamp duty break and is encouraging local first time...

Tips for boosting the kerb appeal of your home

Whether you’re selling your home and want to get the best possible price or whether you simply want to make sure that visitors receive a favourable impression of your property the moment they arrive, boosting the kerb appeal of your property need not cost the earth and can enhance the pleasure you feel each and every time you return home.

Create a grand opening

Your front door will always be the focal point of the front of your home, so it's best to make the most of it. It's not always necessary to replace a door that has seen better days - a professionally applied coat of...

Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

Help to Buy makes the difference for first time buyers in Exeter

New recycling campaign highlights importance of recycled food waste

Spring launch for East Devon’s new green waste fortnightly collection service

Exeter housing market trends 2018

Great New Year start to recycling in East Devon

Housebuilder brings £24 million investment to local area

Green light for custom build homes at Howton Road, Newton Abbot

MP officially opens luxury apartments in South Devon

First time buyers in Exeter welcome Stamp Duty scrapping

Tips for boosting the kerb appeal of your home

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