Homes & Gardens

What Separates a Decent Garden From One You Actually Use

Most gardens look fine. They have a lawn, some borders, maybe a patio. Nothing wrong with them.

The problem is how little time people spend on them.

If you walk past most back gardens on a Saturday afternoon in May, the furniture sits empty. The barbecue has not been lit since last August. The kids are inside. The lawn has been cut recently, which is about the only evidence anyone has been out there.

Then there are the gardens that get used constantly. From March to October, sometimes beyond. People eat out there, read out there, have friends round, and the...

Full story

Teignbridge to host free landlord open evening

Teignbridge District Council is holding an open evening for new and experienced landlords.

The event brings experts and information providers together under one roof so local landlords have all the information they need to run tenancies effectively.

It takes place on Thursday May 14 at Old Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot from 5pm-9pm.

The event is open to all Teignbridge landlords whether experienced or new to letting. Those who are considering letting property but are unsure about where to begin are also welcome to attend.

A range of experts will be...

Read more

Pension changes will fuel buy-to-lets

Leading housebuilder Barratt Homes is predicting a rise in buy-to-let investors in Exeter now that pension changes give individuals far greater control than ever before over their retirement funds.

Barratt Homes managing director Paul Moran said they have already seen an increase in enquiries from potential buyers looking to invest in property and the five star housebuilder has now produced a step by step guide geared to helping first time investors through the process.

As part of the changes people are now allowed to access their defined contribution (DC) pensions as...

Read more

82% of Brits admit their homes are filthy

New figures out this week have shown that 82% of Brits admit their homes are filthy, as they shun the once popular spring clean, for more frequent, basic surface cleans; and those over 55 are the worst culprits. A new study of 1,000 UK families, by online electricals retailer, ao.com, found that while this month is the most popular month for Brits wanting to do their spring clean, 1 in 10 Brits will not get round to completing it this month, or in fact all year, as they opt for more frequent surface cleans only. Those in the South West though will aim to a big clean every two months. Brits...

Read more

Lack of properties pushes up prices

The number of properties coming onto the market continued to drop, pushing prices rapidly upwards in the South West, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey.

In most parts of the country, the supply versus demand imbalance led to a rise in house prices in March and in the South West 36% more chartered surveyors reported a rise in house prices in March (up from 31% in February) and 16% more chartered surveyors expect prices to increase over the next three months in the region compared with 6% in February (albeit the results for both are significantly lower than in...

Read more

Preview weekend for release of new homes at Poundbury

Independent developer C G Fry & Son Ltd., based near Dorchester, is holding an open weekend to preview the next release of homes on the NEQ, Poundbury on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April.

The award-winning builder is renowned for its extensive portfolio of quality build ranging from high-end individual houses to major developments including the prestigious Poundbury development in Dorchester for The Duchy of Cornwall.

The special open weekend event is being hosted by local estate agents, Symonds & Sampson at Queen Mother Square on Friday 17th 3pm-6pm, and at the...

Read more

RICS helps homeowners improve, buy or sell a home

The lighter nights and bank holidays coming up could only mean only one thing for many of us; house hunting or home improvement time. It is with this in mind that RICS has created an online suite of consumer guides to help homeowners improve, buy or sell a home.

Each easy-to follow guide offers clear, specialist advice, suggestions and helpful recommendations, and is available to download for free, with topics including Home Extensions, Subsidence, Party Walls, Rights to Light, Buying a Home and Selling a Home.

Graham Ellis, RICS Associate Residential Director said: “The...

Read more

New show home at Millbrook Village

Authored by Gill Vosper
Posted: Fri, 04/10/2015 - 2:47pm

Multi award-winning developer Renaissance Villages is pleased to announce the unveiling of a stunning new show home at Exeter’s only age-exclusive retirement village, Millbrook Village.

The launch event will take place on Friday 17th April between 11am and 3pm and visitors are invited to join the Millbrook Village team for light refreshments and to find out more about the unique lifestyle this prestigious new village provides.

With potential interest being so high, guests are encouraged to book their appointment to view by calling 01392 275335 or emailing sales@...

Read more

Outstanding air test results for Exeter Passivhaus development

The first in a series of initial air tests at one of Exeter City Council's developments of Passivhaus homes has delivered outstanding results of 0.19 air changes per hour (depressurisation) and 0.2 air changes per hour (pressurisation) at five0Pa.

The development of six houses near Newport Road, Exeter, which will be known as ‘Reed Walk’ is being built by independent contractor, C G Fry & Son. Once completed, it is one of three sites currently being developed by ECC to deliver high-quality, affordable Passivhaus homes for Exeter's social tenants.

The design of the...

Read more

SunGift Energy backs Buy with Confidence campaign

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 04/09/2015 - 6:14am

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards has launched a new 'Buy with Confidence' website that aims to protect buyers - and an award-winning solar business is backing its campaign all the way. Marsh-Barton-based SunGift Energy, which is the UK Solar Installer of the Year, frequently encounters renewable energy installers and other tradespeople that do poor quality work, and the company believes that more householders must made be aware of where they can go to find a reliable company. "We’re in favour of anything that helps protect buyers and rid the world of rogue traders," said Gabriel...

Read more

Be extra careful if your home is thatched…

As the days start to get warmer, but the nights can still be cold, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service remind you to make sure your chimneys are safe and secure as possible, especially when lighting up fires that haven't been used for a while.

Be extra careful if your home is a thatched property as 80% of thatched properties in the UK are within Devon & Somerset.

Marc House, Community Safety Prevention Manager explains: “Fire in a thatched roof is difficult to detect and once started is difficult to control. Once a fire has taken hold within a roof it will...

Read more
Ida Hotel and Restaurant, Icmeler, Türkiye
your pets daily logo
Home Education Daily logo
Food and Drink Daily logo in red, white and black
your beauty daily logo with heart

Top video

Selco Builders Warehouse | England Rugby star Jack Nowell visits Exeter Saracens junior teams

England ace Jack delivers tips to Saracens

Exeter Weather