News about our Relocation Services

Latest news

Some of our latest news and relocation services success stories from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire & Oxfordshire.

Chiltern Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

Channel 4's Location, Location, Location programme have appointed Chiltern Relocation to assist in the search for properties for a forthcoming programme.

We assisted Kirsty & Phil in finding the perfect home in Oxford for a house hunter. You can see the episode later in the year.

 

Top 10 Stress Busting Tips For Moving House

1. If you can move into rented accommodation and then start your search do. This will save you the stress of trying to tie up a sale and a purchase.
2. Do as much research on an area as you can. Make friends with the Estate Agents they can give you advice on areas to avoid!
3. Check out the catchment areas for schools this may not be relevant for your circumstances but it might be vital for your sale. Houses in catchment for good schools are sold at a premium and sell quicker than those that aren’t.
4. If you find a home you like go to the local county council web site and see if there is any outstanding planning permissions on the neighbouring houses that could affect the property you are going to buy.
5. As soon as you start thinking about moving have a clear out at home the less you have in your home when you are selling the better and there is less to move.
6. Make sure you check the way the garden is facing if it is North that is fine as long as it is a big enough garden that you can enjoy the sunshine when it is out.
7. When you find a house. Go to visit it a few varied times during the day to check traffic noise levels.
8. If you are looking for flats the optimum floor level is level one. This reduces the risk of burglary and it appeals to both young and old for the resale.
9. Always have a full structural survey. This can seem expensive initially but could save you thousands of pounds. Often when the surveyor picks up issues you are in a position to negotiate the cost back from the Vendors.
10. Finally trust your instincts – if a property seems too good value for money then there will be a reason for this. This goes back to research: ask questions, ask questions and ask again!
Good luck!

 

Parents Move For South East Schools

The publication of the Parent Power league tables has revealed that over 10% of schools featured in the top 100 state secondary schools are based in Bucks and Berks. South East property expert Chiltern Relocation says that schools are one of the main reasons families move out to the country.

"The Chilterns and Thames Valley have a high proportion of outstanding state schools and this is one of the key reasons for families relocating. Many of my clients are escaping the city and moving to the countryside to provide a better quality of life for their families and having access to the best education for their children is an important factor in the decision to move."

With The Royal Grammar School, Dr Challoner’s and Wycombe High School all in the top 100 state secondary schools, The Chilterns is clearly a desirable location for parents, but Sharon warns parents that moving does not guarantee entry:

"Many parents think that by simply moving to the area, their children will be accepted into these schools, but children have to pass their Eleven Plus to gain a place and many will be disappointed. Having said that, there are excellent schools in the area which don’t appear in the league tables. Bucks and Berks are perfect for growing families and the area has many advantages including low crime rates, excellent transport links, leisure activities and some of the country’s most beautiful scenery."

 

 

Best property finder in the South East

Sharon Hewitt, managing director and founder of Chiltern Relocation, won the title of Best Property Finder in the South East when the Daily Mail UK Property Awards were presented in London last week.

The Beaconsfield-based company which seeks out plum properties for busy buyers who don't have the time to trek around Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire themselves was one of the 25 top scoring companies that merited a five-star award compared with the four-star award presented to 75 other winners.

Sharon started her company only two years ago. She was naturally over the moon to outshine the competition on such a glittering occasion.

" People have very different priorities when they move house," she said. " Some want to be near restaurants and bars, others are more concerned about school catchment areas. Having found the dream house, we can also help with the negotiations which can be a very stressful and emotional time for our clients. We can take the pressure off them. We are absolutely committed to getting them the best deal possible."
Bucks Free Press, 12th October 2007

Chiltern Relocation wins highly prestigious property award

Chiltern Relocation has been officially informed that the company is to receive an award in the prestigious Daily Mail UK Property Awards 2007. The full extent of this success will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday 5th October.

The fact that Chiltern Relocation has earned one of these coveted awards is sure proof that the company can not only compete but also triumph within the highly competitive UK property arena. Having been given this high recommendation by its peers, the company will be entitled to display the Daily Mail UK Property Awards’ logo with pride. This symbol of excellence will be recognised and appreciated by the public who are becoming increasingly well informed and discerning about the properties they seek to buy.

Entries were judged by a panel of professionals whose collective knowledge of the property industry is second to none and unsurpassed by any other property awards. Chaired by Eric Pickles, British Shadow Secretary of State, this year’s judges included Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council; Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents; and Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4's Location and Relocation TV shows.

Sharon Hewitt Director of Chiltern Relocation said of the forthcoming award, "We are delighted to have received this award and to be recognised by a National Newspaper is tremendous!"

Good month for Chiltern Relocation - £2.4m of business

Chiltern Relocation has had one of its best months ever and I thought I would share our good news with you. We have exchanged on £2.4 million pounds worth of business and also secured an exclusive contract to relocate staff from a large high street store.

Chiltern Relocation is going from strength to strength and we are expanding into property management and referral services relating to builders, plumbers, electricians, gardeners, etc.

Without a doubt, the best part of the job is finding our clients the ideal home in a great location and taking away the stress of the process. After all, finding a home is only half the battle. Taking it through to completion is where our skills come into play - dealing with solicitors, estate agents and surveyors to ensure exchange is achieved and all parties are happy.

Kind regards
Sharon Hewitt

Rate rise can't halt house prices

A property shortage is driving up house prices despite the recent rises in interest rates, a report warns this week.

Some estate agents claim to have effectively 'sold out' - leaving buyers resorting to unorthodox measures to find a home.

Many are printing leaflets announcing themselves as buyers and putting them through doors of properties they are interested in. Others are resorting to gazumping.

The tactics are at odds with efforts by the Bank of England to slow the housing market boom by pushing up interest rates three times since August.

A study by the estate agent website Rightmove claims the average property asking price rose 0.5 per cent in the past month to £222,859. The figure is up 13.5% in the past year.

Rightmove commercial director Miles Shipside said: "Stock levels per estate agent at the start of the year have not been this low for three years, and are 18% lower than at this time last year.

"Where there are shortages of property, prices will keep increasing and properties will keep selling, in spite of the latest interest rate rise."

The average number of properties on each agent's books is just below 52, the lowest figure since the beginning of 2004. The company claims the two interest rate rises late last year did not stop demand and that asking prices have risen by around £9,000 since August.

The average asking prices of flats and terraced homes each rose by over £4,000 during the last three months. By contrast, detached properties fell by nearly £5,000. Mr Shipside said interest rate rises are a "blunt instrument" to tackle inflation and said the only effective action would be to build new homes to satisfy demand.

"The reason house prices are defying the gravity of a six-year high in interest rates is because the number of new households is growing by 50,000 a year, more than the supply of new build," he said.

Sean Poulter, Daily Mail
22 January 2007

It's Our Birthday!

Hi everyone,

It is our birthday! We have now been in business a whole year! Chiltern Relocation has successfully helped many families move from as far away as Kenya to Reading, Hong Kong to Caversham, Shanghai to Wokingham, New Zealand to Windsor, Australia to Henley, Nigeria to Reading and the USA to Gerrards Cross. We have also helped UK clients find property from Ealing to Beaconsfield and more. In fact, Chiltern Relocation achieved double its target for relocations in 2006! And we have built strong relationships with blue-chip clients such as KMPG, British Gas, Fiat, PRA Life Sciences and the Oakwood Group - we are their first choice for relocating staff quickly and smoothly.

Take a look at the testimonials from some of our happy clients:

"I was pleasantly surprised at the speed and efficiency with which I was attended to. I called, viewed close to 15 apartments, made an excellent choice and paid the agent's deposit - all in less than 36 hours! Furthermore, I really enjoyed the personal touch of the service, especially the information and tips on living in England I got while speaking with Sharon."
Dayo, Kenya KPMG

"I was relocated from Shanghai, China to Reading, the UK. It was a fantastic experience working with Chiltern Relocation. They were really professional. I enjoyed the apartment viewings very much. I was highly appreciative that they did a thorough research and arranged for viewings of a dozen apartments in a productive day. It really saved me both time and energy. They helped me locate my dreamed apartment. Last but not least, I really benefited both mentally and physically from their professional services and the result substantially exceeded my expectations. Millions of thanks!"
Dominic, Shanghai KPMG

"The services I received from Chiltern Relocation were excellent, tailored to suit my specifications and executed in a very professional manner. It really made me feel at home. Thanks, Sharon."
Jackson, Nigeria KPMG

My goals for 2007 include building strong new relationships with blue-chip companies who need to relocate staff into the Chilterns. You can help me achieve this by passing on any high-level contacts in large companies in and around this area. And don't forget to tell your friends and families about the service I offer - Chiltern Relocation has a great track record in relocating elderly relatives, as well as time-poor busy executives.

Our website was redesigned and relaunched at the end of last year - we invite you to take a look at www.chilternrelocation.com and give us your feedback.

Thank you for your help and support during 2006. I look forward to continuing our relationship and will appreciate any help you can offer to take Chiltern Relocation forward in 2007. And, of course, if I can assist you in any way in return, do let me know!

Kind regards
Sharon Hewitt

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