Expert Advice

As schools vie for league table position, parents are increasingly selective as to which school their children attend, to the extent that many families move house specifically to live within the catchment area of their preferred school.

First Time Landlords, Experienced Developer or simply those with a hand in the market, we can help you all. Within the team at Scottfraser Private Finance you’ll find our knowledge of the investor market second to none.

As most landlords will already know, the rate of CGT is set to increase from 18% to 28% from 23 June 2010, although taxpayers with taxable income and gains below £37,400 will continue to pay CGT at 18%. These changes affect any property bought by a private investor which is regarded as a non–business asset, such as b...

On the 6th April 2010 an additional planning use class (C4) came into force for properties defined as HMO's (Houses in Multiple Occupation) to help restrict the problems of "student ghettos" in residential areas.

You only get one chance to make a first impression! When it comes to selling your home, attention to detail could be pivotal in securing an early sale at the best possible price.

As any letting or estate agency practice will know the Oxford property market is extremely competitive. It is therefore essential that any company engaged in this market are fresh in their approach to securing both tenants and landlords as well as ensuring that their core product is flawless. Each and every client should be valu...

So, you’re lucky enough to have a property in the UK’s top investment location. Yes, Channel 4’s ‘Where Best to Invest’ named Oxford the UK’s premier investment hot spot just last week*. So, what better time to ensure your property realises its true potential?

When looking for a property, it is natural to want to see as many properties as possible before making the "right" choice and common sense dictates that a handful of alternatives should be viewed before buying.

There are many styles of estate agency operating in the Oxford area, and picking the right one to sell your property can be daunting.

Few estate agents use floor plans in their property particulars, yet our research has shown that buyers overwhelmingly prefer them to the usual write–up and written dimensions. There are several good reasons behind this preference, which is why we always feature floorplans on our particulars.

The mortgage world has been rocked by the credit crunch over the past few years and banks have heavily reduced the number of products available to consumers, some have even completely withdrawn from lending.

We’ve all seen the TV shows that promote neutral, bright, uncluttered interiors, a welcoming entrance and peaceful garden; but understanding that few landlords have the time to achieve this in their properties to let, scottfraser is offering landlords the services of its own House Doctor.

There’s a brave new world for tenants in the Oxford area thanks to the personable approach that’s at the heart of scottfraser. Imagine life as a tenant in one of Oxford’s premier properties, with your every need managed by an agent you know on a first–name basis who can even get the boiler fixed on Christ...

In a competitive and fast moving marketplace it is essential that we look for new and exciting ways to improve our service.

Further to scottfraser’s HMO report in May 2010, Oxford City Council (OCC) have now announced that additional HMO licensing will come into force on 25 October 2010.

We are pleased to see that the OCC have interpreted the new Use Class Changes favourably and are likely to only include properties with four or m...

When you are buying a property, you may well use the internet as an effective way of sourcing a good selection of properties that might be suitable. Indeed, nearly 90% of buyers now use the internet during some stage in their property search.

What is it that makes a landlord choose scottfraser? To remain at the top of our game, it’s a question we ask ourselves frequently to ensure our quality and service exceeds both practical requirements and clients’ expectations.

Friday 27 January 2006 was just another day for Research Fellow Dr Anthony Murphy, but as luck would have it, this was to be a day that would change his life.

Whether you’ve landed the big contract abroad, are planning a year out to travel, or have decided to emigrate for good – leaving your most valuable asset in the hands of strangers is a daunting business – especially while you’re on the other side of the globe. Many are simply tempted to cut the ties and s...