Bristol and its surrounding areas have such a diverse range of properties, from newly-renovated flats, to large Georgian townhouses and countryside farmhouses. You can choose to be close to the hubbub of the city centre, or retreat to the countryside while still being accessible to local amenities.
At Sumhowe Ltd, we have experience dealing with properties in Bristol, Thornbury, Chipping Sodbury and other surrounding areas. Here are a few things that we’ve learned over the years.
Bristol city living – the rise of modern apartments
Bristol’s city centre has seen a glut of developments over the last few years. One of the trendiest includes the renovation of The General Hospital on Guinea Street. It’s now home to beautiful, stylish flats, which have views of the harbour and land you in the mix of all the bars and restaurants in the centre.
Factory No.1 is another example of turning an older building into modern flats. This one is in Bedminster, with close proximity to popular North Street.
Flats like these are great for people who want to be within walking distance of bars, shops, and all the entertainment of the city.
In terms of conveyancing, the things we look out for when we’re dealing with these flats are:
- Ground rent: does it increase over time?
- Service charges: are they fair?
- Leasehold ownership: are there any restrictions?
We might also ask the seller specific questions about noise. Do they hear the upstairs neighbours stomping on the ceiling? Do they hear the noise of traffic? Are the windows double-glazed to muffle the noise?
Popular areas near the centre
Bristol has been on a huge regeneration drive since the 90s and now there are highly-desired areas all around the city, in the North and in the South. North of the river, the most coveted areas are Clifton, Bishopston, St Andrews, and Henleaze.
Then south of the river, you get a little bit more for your money in places like Bedminster, Totterdown, and Southville.
Given the amount of regeneration in the city, we will often ask about upcoming plans to change the local area. Are there plans to put in new flats that block your view? Will the local shopping centre be knocked down in the next few years and replaced with flats? Is it going to become much busier with students if the University takes over some of the buildings nearby?
We also check for things like flood risk and subsidence. Many of the homes near the centre were built over 100 years ago, and if they haven’t been properly looked after, then they could present costly problems later down the line.
Country living near Bristol
There are some beautiful country locations just a stone’s throw from Bristol. Venture across Clifton Suspension Bridge and you’ll find yourself in the leafy areas of Abbots Leigh, Failand, and Long Ashton. It’s home to some stunning properties, with lots of land, and you’re still close to civilisation.
A little further afield you’ll find spacious countryside living in Chew Magna, Backwell, and Chipping Sodbury (which is part of the Cotswolds).
These types of homes are often listed buildings, or may have listed buildings attached to them. So part of our investigation as conveyancers is to find out if you have any obligations or restrictions in relation to those listed buildings. We’ll also investigate your flood risk, and whether there are any restrictive covenants or easements over your land.
How can we help?
We’ve been doing conveyancing in these areas for over 20 years, and in that time we’ve picked up on the patterns and things to look out for in certain areas. We’ve got detailed local knowledge which helps to reduce your risk as a buyer, because we can ask the right questions to make sure you have all the facts.
As the buyer, it’s your responsibility to find out everything from the seller. They’re not actually under an obligation to tell you about things you haven’t asked about. With our local knowledge, we can make sure we get all the information you need on your new home.