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As the festivities of Christmas and Hogmanay fade, the optimism of a New Year is as fresh as those not yet unbroken resolutions. 2012 brings many exciting things to look forward to, including a London Olympic games and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Whilst the end of last year was marked by economic storms, December was like the rest of the year, one of the warmest on record with mild, almost spring like weather. This time last year, we were faced with Artic conditions as we looked forward to an April of Royal Wedding and Easter celebrations. This New Year has been greeted by storms but, as yet, temperatures in the South are a long way from allowing anything other than the wettest of rain to fall.
With children returning to school, property publications will start to become more interesting with the usual round of predictions from within and without the industry. Opinions usually range from gloomy to hopeful but as ever, no one really knows.
The country market is acutely starved of good houses but for those looking to buy; interest rates, differentials and the cost of renting are all favourable. Easter falls neither too early or late for a traditional spring market this year and the Jubilee weekend celebrations are the 2 -5 June. Whilst economic clouds have far from cleared, I cannot help but feel that there is much to look forward to.
Now that the shortest day has past, daylight hours will start to lengthen by a minute per day. Whether white stuff will fall and the first few months are disrupted is hard to tell but feels somewhat inevitable. As a country house agent, the snow brings another and quite magical dimension to properties and the countryside. The proliferation of 4x4’s and an expectation of a repeat of the past couple of winters hopefully means that we are better prepared if winter comes to the South seriously.
My own New Year has started with its own excitement. As the first Partner to join The Country House Company, I am both thrilled and enthralled. Sue Crossely and her fantastic team have built a Firm with a great reputation. Their expertise in the sale and letting of niche, country houses is coupled with the highest standards of personal service and willingness to go the extra mile for their clients. As a London and country agent of 26 years, I am delighted to be joining forces with such a likeminded company.
The client and their property needs are our primary function. The Country House Company is agency in its purest form; we are rich in experience and facilities but able to provide truly personal service for all of a client’s country house needs.
I am excited about 2012 and all the challenges it will bring. The sale and letting of country houses in the beautiful parts of Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and Wiltshire that we cover is a joy throughout the seasons and whilst the sun will not always be shining; “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”
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