Western Mail

Down by the Riverside

The Property Doctor

Q I want to rent out my house near Cardiff for the duration of next year's Ryder Cup. As I am still paying a mortgage should I tell my building society that's what I'm planning to do? A If the property is your main residence and you intend to leave the country, or simply vacate the property during the Ryder Cup while it is let, such a letting will amount to a breach of your mortgage conditions. Unless the mortgage is a Buy-to-Let mortgage, which specifically authorises renting of the property...

City Vizion Enters New Phase

HOMEBUYERS are being invited to register their interest in a new phase of development at a Newport site. The new phase of the City Vizion development from Taylor Wimpey will include a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom townhouses. And, for the first time at the development, two-bedroom Deddington style homes will also be available.

Family Homes Return to the New-Build Market ; Building Philosophy Changing As Developers Build More Family Homes and Fewer Apartments

WITH news that Barratt Homes has changed its build ratio from equal numbers of flats and houses to twice as many houses to flats, the time may appear ripe for the return of the family home to the new-build housing market. Barratt isn't the only company changing its building philosophy - Midlands homebuilder Bloor Homes has pledged to stop building flats altogether after sustaining massive losses last year.

Own Boat and a Love of Water Is a Must ; It's Location, Location, Location with This Chepstow Cottage, Set Right On the Banks of the River Wye

WHEN you're totting up a house's selling points coming across "mooring space for a small boat" tends to add a certain cachet - even if that's only because of its rarity value. But riverfront living is so central to this property's appeal that anyone thinking of buying it should probably have a serious love of messing about on the water.

Rules On the Way to Protect Homeowners in 'Sale and Rent Back' Schemes

NEW rules from the Government's city watchdog will protect homeowners who try to ease financial problems by selling their home to new owners who let them stay on as tenants. Usually, "sale and rent back" firms buy homes for 20% below market price, and allow owners to stay as tenants under assured shorthold tenancies lasting from six months to a year.

Home Values Lag Behind

WHILE the total value of housing stock in Britain has recovered most of its value compared with the highs of 2007, Wales is still lagging behind. The value of the total residential housing stock in Britain now stands at pounds 5.25 trillion, up pounds 250bn from its recent lows in March of this year, when it fell below the pounds 5 trillion mark for the first time since February 2005.

A Question of Design

Q My daughter has just started university and wants the home comforts as well as the right look - all of which must be achieved on a budget. Where should I start? A Nowadays there is simply no excuse for any home not to radiate style, comfort or practicality, regardless of the money pot. So when it comes to furnishing student pads it's all about shopping smarter and knowing where to look.

Rugs and Runners Provide Inspiration for Home Facelift ; Interiors

THE much-heralded John Lewis store has opened in Cardiff, providing a happy interiors hunting ground for those prepared to brave the crowds already flooding to this famous emporium. For me, much as I like flea markets and junk shops, the internet rules, as my time is so limited.

Perfect Ingredients for Cooking and Socialising ; Favourite Room

WHEN Sarah-Jayne Porsmoguer moved into her Cardiff house, she only had a small galley kitchen. Today, following an extensive refurbishment, she has a large, light and airy kitchen-diner which flows into her garden.

What Can You Get for Your Money Across Wales Right Now? We've Found Three Properties From Different Price Ranges Which May Suit Your Pocket Take 3

Under pounds 150,000 WHERE? Glyn Simon Close, Danescourt, Cardiff WHAT? This mid link house is situated at the head of a cul-de-sac in Danescourt. Living accommodation includes an entrance porch, lounge, re-fitted kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Benefits include off- road parking, gas central heating, double glazing and an enclosed garden to the rear. WHY? Family living in a quiet close is always at a premium and this property represents a chance to get on the property ladder at a reaso...

Rare Welsh Porcelain On Display at Fair

WORK produced by one of the most important figures in the history of English ceramics, William Billingsley, during his South Wales sojourn will be at the heart of the latest Allen Lewis Antiques Fair, to be held in Margam Park's orangery from October 9 to 11. Billingsley came to South Wales in 1813 and began what was to become a very significant 13 year period in Welsh ceramics. His journey started at Nantgarw where in 1813, with his son-in- law Samuel Walker and two daughters Lavinia and Sar...

Pottery in Praise of Women and Wine

ICAME across this piece of pottery at the most recent antiques fair held in the Royal Welsh showground in Builth Wells. The dealer selling it didn't have a clue what it was or where it was from, and I can't say I blame her, as it isn't the sort of thing that turns up every day. This is, in fact, a piece of Hungarian folk pottery dating probably to the early 20th century. There is a proud pottery tradition in Hungary but it's fair to say that it isn't widely known about outside the country.

Oak Armchair One of Highlights of Auction

RWG have another auction coming up next Saturday at Carew Market Pavilion on Carew Airfield near Tenby. The centrepiece of the sale is an 18th century oak panelled armchair, found in a garage, which will appeal to collectors of early oak furniture.

Venue Change Brings Whole New Audience to Toy Fair

A NEW venue for a regular toy and collectables fair will bring a renewed audience says the organiser. Chris Dyer's Toy and Train fair will be at Barry Leisure Centre tomorrow from 10.30am until 3pm.

Don't Miss

Morris Invites Outside in at New Showhome

HOUSEBUILDER Morris is opening the doors to a new-look showhome at its North Wales development. The four-bedroom detached house at Penmere Park in Penley has been styled by professional interior designers in a luxurious palette of natural and green shades, drawing inspiration from the local area. Design director, Sian Woodfine, of Marren Interiors, said: "We were very keen to reflect the landscape - bringing the outside inside. The idea was to create a feeling of a real family home out in the...

Thefirstword

EW YORK. 1985. I was 14 and had gone on a big holiday on my father's ship. NDad, in case anybody is in doubt, isn't Brynmawr's answer to Aristotle Onassis.

Contents

New Brifge Boxing Club

CONVINCING Enzo Calzaghe to sit down is not one of the easiest tasks you can set yourself. The wiry 60-year-old Sardinian-by-way- of-Bedford, Cardiff and Newbridge with the boot polish-black hair is constantly moving, whether he's digging out old family photographs, working with his boxers on the pads or simply holding forth in his inimitable, tumbling style. It's a bit like herding cats, if the cats in question are also constantly shouting in particularly penetrating voices which seem to ran...