It came as no surprise to switched on Brighton Property Search Agents that Caroline Lucas won the Pavilion seat in Brighton at the general election in 2010 and became the first Green Party Member of Parliament. This success was further underlined at the recent local elections where the Green party gained an overall majority of councillors. So how does this affect the quality of life and property in the City?

In 2008 Brighton and Hove Council opted into the Sustainable Communities Act, which enabled the local authority to adopt an environmental strategy as part of its core policy. Citizens of Brighton and the local council have already implemented some strategies; increased energy efficiency measures in all planning applications for private and public housing; the Council has already achieved an enhanced environmental management system; there are training plans in place to educate Council tenants in energy efficiency. The Big Lemon bus burning used cooking oil as fuel has been running between the city centre and the universities for several years in certain parts of the city. THere is a 20mph traffic limit to cut both carbon emissions and accidents. In addition the Council has set challenging carbon reduction targets for public transport, increased cycle lanes and installed charging points in the centre of the city for electric vehicles. The people of Brighton are forward looking in aspiration and deeds and strive to make Brighton a beacon of sustainable living. We are doing our bit at Manse & Garret Property Search in London, with the use of electric cars and we are looking to roll out the scheme to our Brighton Property Search Agents.

I hear you say, ‘but this is very political and I am not a supporter of the Green Party’. However few people are uninterested in the future of the planet; Brighton will be a healthier place to live with fewer toxic traffic fumes and prudent planning with ensure that the City is ahead in the race for sustainability. It is also a place where people’s opinions count and opportunities are aplenty for involvement in city matters, from gardening in the city parks to sharing one’s experience in almost any field from healthy eating, health walks and tourism, which is why Brighton’s premier property search agents have so many clients interested in relocating to this great city.

Come and see for yourself; the range of houses will not disappoint you or your budget and if you need any assistance – Manse & Garret Property Search will be delighted to help.

Technorati Tags: Brighton, Brighton Property, Brighton Property Search Agents, Electric Vehicles, Green Party, Manse & Garret, Planning, Sustainability

Tags: Brighton, Brighton Property, Brighton Property Search Agents, Electric Vehicles, Green Party, Manse & Garret, Planning, Sustainability

Musings of a London Buyers Agent

Am I the only one to have noticed that across London the only ‘good’ flats which stay on the market for any length of time these days are ‘garden flats’, be that basement, sorry, ‘lower ground’ or ‘garden’ level, ground or upper ground floors?  Well maybe so, but if any readers are seeking outside space this summer and don’t mind or even relish the thought of living ‘below stairs’, then you should be negotiating very hard indeed!

At this time of year, estate agents talk up any outside space at all, or at least most of the good ones do.  That said, I recently showed some Clients a top floor flat with a fabulous balcony, conveniently off the open plan kitchen/lounge diner and big enough for a table and chairs for 2 – or 4 with a small table.  And when we arrived the doors were wide open.  After all, who is going to burgle you if you are 3 floors up?

A downside of the flat was it was built for the vertically challenged, possibly a little harsh, but with the existing configuration, a shower would be a struggle for anyone over 5’6.  But I digress. 

Most well-priced flats on the first floor or above are selling quickly.  It is only the burglary-sensitive ones which are lingering and a lingering flat essentially means a bargain – garden or not!  And there are loads of them, in every corner of London and Brighton at the moment.  So forget the estate agents guff and get bargaining, or leave it to the experts and hire a fabulous London Buyers Agent instead!

Technorati Tags: Brighton, Buyers Agent, garden flats, London Buyer's Agent, London garden flats

Tags: Brighton, Buyers Agent, garden flats, London Buyer's Agent, London garden flats