Having been part of the Curchods network for 17 years, we’re changing our name to Curchods, here’s why.
4th June 2020
Category: Property
Tags: dream home, property
4th June 2020
Whilst most of us are used to travelling to and from home for work, recreation or education, I think it's fair to say this extended period of time spent at home has lead most of us to reassess the property we live in and to wonder how we can improve where we live.
According to Rightmove, searches by renters seeking their own outside space are 16% higher than they were in January and February and 26% higher than the same week last year.
So, whether you dream of having a large garden that you can spend hours making sure it’s perfectly manicured, or simply enjoy looking at sprawling luxury mansions with all the prestige and privacy of a private estate, there are plenty of properties out there to choose from. We asked some of our team to tell us about their favourite property and why they would like to be isolated there.
My Desert Island Disc property during the COVID period would be Isis, Pharaoh’s Island in Shepperton.
Living on the riverside is amazing as it provides a constantly changing picture and the light has its own resonance, so you will never get bored looking at the view. The flow of the water is incredibly calming for the soul, exuding its natural karma, which is a little of what is needed when you are going to be housebound and without daily interaction.
The riverside environment is a haven for wildlife of all varieties from waterfowl, garden birds, vowels and other aquatics life. Boating has a way of whiling away the hours and they can always do with that tinker to make them shipshape – the Dory that comes with this house is no exception.
When you can drag yourself away from the water, the secluded southerly backing rear garden is a gardeners dream. It will keep you entertained for hours tending to its wide variety of sub-tropical and native plants, interspersed with different areas of interest including a pond, a shaded vine-covered arbour and a summerhouse to relax and admire your handy work – whilst enjoying that sundowner cocktail.
The house has a wonderful feeling of space and light, so you will not feel caged-in and bi-fold doors to the front and rear allow the spring breeze to flow through. In the evening when it gets a bit chilly, why not light the open fire.
Isis forms part of this close-knit, friendly island community of only 25 properties, with everyone sharing the passion for the river and exuding that ‘old fashioned’ neighbourly way of looking out for each other, so if you are running short of bread or milk, hop onto the island’s Whatsapp group and see who can help you out.
Owen Miles
Partner, Curchods Shepperton
When searching for properties on Curchods.com I initially thought it would be hard to find something that I’d be happy to be quarantined in that wasn’t my own home… until I came upon Sachel Court Road which is listed with our Cranleigh office.
Why this property? Well, I got to thinking that it had to be as far out in the country as our offices cover – and southerly – so as near the coast as possible. It also needed to be rural as there’s no point being isolated in a busy town centre! Although despite it’s close proximity to Dunsfold aerodrome, I dare say even that is pretty quiet in times of ‘lockdown’!
As for the property itself, I would want a house that my family and my sister-in-law’s family would be happy to holiday in, as we often do in Dorset. And Saffron Gate looks very typical of the sort of holiday home we would go for, particularly as it is surrounded by an acre of gorgeous looking grounds. One thing’s for sure I would definitely need advance notice to stock up on plenty of gardening equipment and plants prior to my isolation starting!
Finally, the name. What could be a better name for a house than Saffron Gate – something to remind you of Indian food which I love. Id just need to remember to stock up on my favourite spices first!
Jonathan Rhodes Smith
Manager, Curchods Ottershaw
Of all the homes to be isolated in, Swallow Cottage, is certainly one of the best around. The detached barn-style garage has a superb office on the first floor which would make the idyllic space to work from home while tucked away to the rear of the property, the stables would keep the rest of the family busy and be a superb way to take your daily exercise.
My favourite features of the home are:
Having grown up in a family home with an Inglenook fireplace, there is nothing quite like being in a such a warm, cosy and characterful room for the evening.
As a keen gardener, I certainly wouldn’t get bored in Swallow Cottage! The owners have kept the gardens to a very high standard and I would love the challenge to maintain it.
The property backs onto fields with an open view of the countryside beyond – what a joy to look out onto all that green space on a bright, sunny day.
Bertie Russell
Negotiator, Guildford
This stunning Victorian home is my absolute dream! Not only is it filled with character features which I adore, but it’s situated in one of my favourite spots in Esher – West End village, overlooking the cricket green and pond.
Homes like these are almost always a pandora’s box of hidden delights. Not only are they usually a lot bigger than first impressions, but they’ve usually been refurbished to elegantly combine period features, such as fireplaces and window seats (which I love), with a more modern take on decor (which I also love).
This cottage is not only gloriously homely inside, but it also includes a fabulous garden office, perfect for painting and crafting, as well as what I consider to be a box hedge mini-maze in the front garden – who wouldn’t want one of those?
Oozing with quirkiness this house would be absolutely dreamy for me in isolation! Unfortunately, it’s now sold, but I hope the lucky owners have enjoyed it as much as I would if I was isolated in it.
Rachel Sumner
Assistant Marketing Manager
I have spent lockdown with my boys, somewhat climbing the walls of our home in Teddington. Aged 21 and 17 years old they are both continuing their college and university studies, whilst both my wife and I have been working from home. This has meant our beloved family home has started to feel like we could use a bit more space!
The 13,000 sq ft provided by Caesars Cottage really would be the dream. Combine this with the outside space and leisure facilities which as sport and fitness mad family, would be a godsend. Add to that the cinema room too, I’m not sure any of us would ever need to go out again, so this would be the perfect isolation home for us!
Rob Gutcher
Manager, Curchods Teddington
Ashley Cottage would be my choice of property to isolate in as it has an adorable light and airy feel which lends itself perfectly to summer living.
I really enjoy cooking so the open plan kitchen/breakfast area would be a great space for my family to hang out in, whilst the further two reception rooms would allow space to sit and relax quietly away from the children (when I could grab a moment).
Most of all I adore the master bedroom which has a feature window which makes the most of the open view and which allows nature to be close at hand. The wrap-around garden backs directly onto wonderful countryside so I’d love spending some ‘me time’ away from the house either in the outside studio or in a large hammock whiling away those summer afternoons with a good book and a nice glass of wine.
Kate Dancey
Manager, East Horsley
I would love to relocate to Amberley House, largely thanks to the perfectly manicured gardens which extend to nearly an acre, which would mean my daily fitness routine could be done in the gymnasium, or outside if the sun is shining.
The sprawling accommodation means I can move where the mood takes me – with 7 bedroom suites and I can spend a night a week in a different bedroom!
I would play snooker in the games room and relax by the indoor pool. The kitchen offers all mod cons and I can improve my Masterchef skills ready to amaze dinner party guests when I decide I want company.
And if I decided I wanted to explore the outside a bit more, I’d go for a cycle or walk in the St George’s Hill estate which offers a stunning and secure 800 acres of private security controlled grounds. I have little doubt I’d be pretty happy to isolate in a home like this!
Grant Letts
Manager, Weybridge
Would you believe, my dream home resides on the same road that I already live on – but do bear with me and I’ll explain why.
Situated on a quiet no through road in the heart of GU2 so it is close to Guildford town, great schools, the station and the downs and also close to where our allotment is too!
I truly love this house because it offers the best of both worlds in that it is full of character, but has also undergone a sympathetic and well-executed refurbishment to create a house with fabulous open plan areas for living and entertaining and with all the mod cons!
Critically the key deciding points for me are the fact that it is a bit bigger than my house, it is detached and has off-street parking which is a real rarity on a property so close to everything!
Garry Collins
Manager, Guildford
This lovely detached chalet bungalow sits close enough to local shops, which are always essential, but is also close to some lovely country walks including those along the Wey Navigation and Basingstoke Canals. At a time when the countryside is looking its best we sometimes forget what is on our very own doorstep.
During isolation, this wonderful home would give me plenty of space and tranquillity to enjoy sunny days. However, it also has a great area to the rear which I would love to turn in to a home office/gym/entertainment area. With time on my hands I would plan, design and then (try to) build an additional space that not only adds to my enjoyment of my own home, but also creates a fun space for all the family to enjoy.
Townley Knott
Manager, New Haw
And finally, we come to the author’s favourite… when you’re trying to find your ‘money’s no object’ dream home, I guess it comes down to what you want from a property. Outside space – check, on the doorstep of lots of amazing countryside for mountain biking in – check, character features – check.
Smiths Cottage in Cranleigh ticks all the boxes for me. I love the beamed ceilings, I love how despite being an old property, it’s nicely presented inside – sure I would make some changes to the decor in places, but that’s all part of the fun of making it your own.
My daughter loves horses so this property would give her space to finally have her dream come true with the stables. I love the fact there are three and a half acres to isolate yourself from the world and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes from such a rural location. Oh, and there’s a detached brick cottage in the grounds that could be used to work from home or for the children to use as a den once they get old enough.
Sadly (for me) this property is now sold, but I believe I will find my dream home on curchods.com? In the meantime, I’m simply going to enjoy looking at all the ones that are out there.
Graeme Wadhams
Marketing Manager
Since the lockdown rules have been relaxed for the property industry and we have been able to return from working remotely to physically being in our branches,we have been amazed by how productive the last two weeks have been.
Since we re-opened our doors on Monday 18th May we have agreed nearly 80 sales, which incredibly, makes this our busiest two-week period in the last 6 months.
Many of these sales were initiated with our new Virtual Viewing service, which has been successful in encouraging purchasers who otherwise may have been reluctant to view a property, to go ahead and contact us to take the first steps with an online viewing, which has then resulted with a physical viewing and then sale.
Our clients have been gratefully reassured by our staff who have been fastidiously adhering to Government guidelines on PPE and impressed by how prepared and responsible prospective buyers have been when viewing properties in person.
It’s clear that despite the challenges we’ve all faced, people are still looking to move. With the majority of children still off school and foreign holidays being postponed, we anticipate this high buyer demand to continue throughout the summer. So, if you are interested in viewing any of the properties above, or any of the other properties for sale on our website, speak to us about our virtual viewing service.
26th March 2024
Category: Property
Tags: character property, godalming, market town, property, property market, property marketing, spring market
9th November 2023
Category: Property
Tags: AUTUMN, property, property market, property marketing
13th September 2021
Category: Property
Tags: building work, construction, flat roof
20th April 2021
Category: Property
Tags: GARDEN, landscaping, outside space
12th April 2021
Category: Property
Tags: boomin, Property search
19th February 2021
Category: Property
Tags: diy, HOME IMPROVEMENT, renovation
