The Journal

Agents This Week

5-13: Halifax 15-21: Pattinson 24-31: Your Move 33-36: Sarah Mains 38-41: Rook Matthews Sayer 42-43: Strutt and Parker 44-45: Reeds Rains Homes from Robinsons 46: Robinsons Fine and Country 47: George F White 48: Sanderson Young www.sandersonyoung.co.uk 49: Foster Maddison

New Service From Planners

House Prices 'On the Rise'

The Property Week

Mortgage approvals rise THE number of mortgages approved for house purchase rose for the fifth month in a row during June to the highest figure for more than a year. A total of 47,584 loans were approved for people buying a home, the greatest number since April 2008, according to the Bank of England.

Bargain of the Week ; Was: Pounds 199,950 Now: Pounds 179,950

THIS three-bedroom detached home on a large plot has been reduced by pounds 20,000 - a saving that could go towards an extension over the garage, subject to planning permission. Located on a popular estate in Sunniside, near Whickham, Tyne and Wear, the property has double glazing and gas central heating as well as an attached garage with extensive driveway parking in front. The generous rear garden is a major selling point.

The Forecast for Our Holiday [ ... ]

THE forecast for our holiday in Cornwall was dreadful. Rain, rain and more rain. Determined that we'd still enjoy ourselves, we set off with waterproofs and wellies for keeping dry plus books and our faithful old Travel Scrabble to entertain. Oh, and a few bottles of something strong to keep out the chill.

Wonderful ; Weardale

ROD Webb and Craig Worcester are preparing to say a fond farewell to their idyllic stone-built home in the heart of the North Pennines, in search of adventure abroad. The pair, who have lived at Dales Farm in Cowshill for the past two years, have decided to swap the wonderful Weardale countryside for a new life in France.

House Prices Highest of Year

HOUSE prices are now higher than at the beginning of the year after rising for the third month in a row during July, figures showed this week. The average value of a UK home rose by 1.3% during the month to stand at pounds 158,871, according to Nationwide.

Cottage of Great Charm in Pretty Coastal Village

LOCATED on the north Northumberland coastline, this charming double-fronted cottage with sash windows has plenty of kerb appeal. The property, in the pretty village of Embleton, has two reception rooms - a well-proportioned dining room at the front and a living room with inglenook and views of the garden at the rear.

Overseas Banks Could Aid Buyers

THE number of mortgages approved for house purchase rose for the fifth month in a row during June to the highest figure for more than a year. A total of 47,584 loans were approved for people buying homes, the greatest number since April 2008, according to the Bank of England.

Detached in Popular Area

THIS four-bedroom detached property is an ideal choice for families. The house, on popular Marina View in Hebburn, features an entrance hallway with cloakroom, lounge with fireplace, and dining room with sliding doors leading to the conservatory. There is also a fitted kitchen and utility. Upstairs there is a master bedroom with en suite, three further bedrooms and bathroom.

Impressive Victorian Home Amidst Stunning Countryside

THIS attractive Victorian home is set in extensive grounds with gardens and paddocks. With stunning views over the Coquet Valley to the Cheviot, Summerville near Rothbury, Northumberland, offers the best of all worlds.

A Touch of Luxury for Families ; If Three Bedrooms Sounds Just the Right Size, Take Your Pick From These Stylish Homes Across the Region.

THIS luxurious three-bedroom home, converted from farm buildings by Stone Homes, is ideal as a second home as it has views towards Bamburgh and Budle Bay. The beautifully presented cottage has four parking spaces at the front and a private walled garden with sun terrace.

Problems with Leaking Drains ; Leaking Drains Cannot Always Be Easily Identified, As House Doctor Peter Fall Explains.

IF I had to rank the areas that I think most concern clients about their buildings, then at the top of the list would be dampness and, at the bottom, the drains. The strange thing is you can tolerate dampness in any form, other than flooding, for quite a few months or even years but a blocked drain quickly demands attention. Similarly the cost of rectifying dampness is generally not too expensive but the cost of digging up a drain and relaying it can be very pricey and messy.

Mixing Fashion with Furniture ; Wardrobes Bring Together Furniture and Fashion. Claire Hornby Discovers More.

AWARDROBE brings two of my favourite things - fashion and furniture together. Wardrobes don't always get the credit they deserve. Aside from the bed I'd say they were the most important item in the bedroom - unless of course you are lucky enough to have a walk-in wardrobe, in which case I am very jealous. However, wardrobes can be a burden, especially in smaller rooms. Finding something which a. fits, b. you like and c. has enough room for everything is a bit of a challenge.

Three of a Kind

Village life can offer charming properties in stunning surroundings plus local amenities on the doorstep. homemaker highlights three village homes on the market. What: A detached bungalow set in attractive gardens and views over Cresswell village green and coastline. Highlights: In need of some updating, this bungalow near Morpeth, offers much potential. The property sits in large lawned gardens and has a conservatory, lounge with stone fireplace, dining kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom wit...

Two-Bed Bungalow Ideal for Development Project

THIS two-bed bungalow, situated in popular Low Fell in Gateshead, provides the ideal development project for first-time buyers, or those looking to downsize. The semi-detached property is well placed, looking out across the valley in Gleneagles Road. It has generous front and back gardens - ideal for the green-fingered, or those looking to extend the size of the existing building.

Three-Floor Family Home Offers Plenty of Space

SITUATED in a quiet cul-de-sac, this spacious family home has good accommodation over three floors. As well as three reception rooms, it has a breakfasting kitchen and sun lounge leading to decked patio on the ground floor.

Time to Think Autumn ; the Barbecue Summer We Were Promised has Failed to Arrive. So Let's Hope for a Good Autumn and Plan Our Gardens Accordingly, Says Hannah Stephenson.

LATE summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, crocosmias and lilies bring a burst of colour in the borders when a lot of other plants are past their best. However, their maintenance can become a chore in the autumn, when many will need to be dug up and stored . Busy gardeners may not have the time or inclination to dig up bulbs, clean and dry them off and store until next year. However, there are summer-flowering bulbs which are happy to stay in the ground and will perform in subsequent years,...

Diary

KEEP in touch with North East gardening and floral events through this column every Saturday. Today and tomorrow Gateshead show, Central Nursery, Whickham Highway, Lobley Hill, 10am-5.30pm.