Buy to Let – still a good investment?

There will always be an ongoing debate about the viability of property as a sound opportunity for investors.
Figures will naturally vary around the country, but at Bargate we see a large share of our business attributed to buy to let sales which we value and encourage.
At our Allbrook Meadow development in Allbrook we have seen a number of investors including accountant Gillian Pizzey and her husband, from Chandlers Ford. They bought a three-bed house at Allbrook Meadow as their first buy to let investment.
“We had been talking about doing something like this for a while because our capital wasn’t getting a very good return in the bank due to low interest rates. We also wanted an investment for our children and to top up our pensions.
“We decided we would buy a house to let, but spent 12 months looking for the right place. When we saw Bargate’s Allbrook development it just seemed to tick all the boxes. It was a new build, so upkeep would be cheaper and in a great area with good schools in its catchment – all things that matter to families.
“The development had a lovely feel to it and we were delighted that the house we bought also commanded a higher rent than we first thought. So not only are we getting a good yield on that rent but will also benefit in the long term of an increase in the value of the house.
“Having never done anything like this before, I was also surprised at how simple the process was through our bank and such is the demand for quality homes to rent, we found a tenant before we’d even instructed agents!
“We’d be really tempted now to look for another property to build a portfolio, but only if we could have the same experience as we’ve had with Bargate!”
For more details on our homes visit this page.

We are loving the simplicity of this abstract propeller for the identity of our new development in Over Wallop.
The Landings development, of 35, two, three and four-bed homes will fit in beautifully in this quintessentially English village with its pub, shop and church and we can’t wait to get started!

Bargate’s labour of love in Winchester

Using techniques mastered 300 years ago we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our St James Mews development in Winchester is in keeping with its historic surrounds.
We made the decision to lime render the exterior of the development in Southgate Street so that it wasn’t at odds with its Georgian neighbours.
The craftsmanship involved is still used on stately homes today but is rarely used on new builds because of the time it takes to create.
Senior technical manager Rachel Davies said: “This is a real labour of love for us. We’ve never done it before and I am unlikely to ever do it again during my career.
“But this is a development on the main route into the centre of Winchester and is surrounded by some beautiful historic buildings. We wanted to make sure that our development wasn’t at odds with other buildings in the city. Ultimately we wanted to feel proud of it.”
Lime rendering is a technique which involves building layers of the lime ‘plaster’ which not only allows the building to ‘breathe’ but also enables the creation of ornate cornicing and coving so synonymous with period properties.
Rachel added: “What’s particularly interesting is the fact the building will look old with all the characteristics of a traditional Georgian fascia, yet behind the exterior the construction is modern and energy efficient.”

Basingstoke development proves best for Bargate

Such has been the success of our Basingstoke Chailey Court development, that just 28 days after we launched the scheme we’ve had our first exchange.
Probably one of the most successful schemes we’ve ever built the development on Winchester Road was only released to the public last month. That day we had 200 people queuing in the rain to view the show apartment and in just under two hours we’d sold all 23 apartments.
Among the purchasers were two members of our team – site manager Steve Gray, who’s building the homes, and construction director Andy Kirkpatrick.
Andy said: “This is the first development I’ve been responsible for at Bargate and I liked the homes so much I bought one! That doesn’t happen very often within the housebuilding industry.”

Bargate sows the seeds for a development with a difference

Bargate sows the seeds for a development with a difference

We’re currently undertaking a slightly different approach to development by creating an 11-acre community field in Allbrook bedecked with wild flowers, a lychgate and children’s wooden play area.
The natural countryside space is part of our Allbrook Meadow development in Pitmore Road and we’re really excited to see the results.
Through the traditional wooden lychgate will be a wildflower meadow sloping down to a small stream with a mown path for people to walk through. Adjacent to this will be a rustic, wooden play area for children as well as a short-mown kick about area for youngsters to play ball games.
Sales and Marketing Director Robert Lambie said: “Our ethos has always been to build quality homes in beautiful locations that crucially we will be proud of in years to come. That means treating each of our developments in a bespoke way and making sure we build in the context of our surrounds.
“Allbrook is a very special, countryside location and we want to enhance that whilst still providing much needed new homes. We have never created such a large area for a community before and we’re all excited about seeing the finished product.”
The first 10 homes to be released were all sold off plan. Phase two of the development – another 10 homes – will launch July 2015.