The Journal

Bargain of the Week

WAS: pounds 349,950 NOW: pounds 299,950 THIS unusual property with superb river views has been reduced in price by a substantial pounds 50,000. Well located just off Newgate Street, in Morpeth, Northumberland, the property is set over three floors. A side entrance leads to an entrance hallway on the top floor where there is the master bedroom, which has views over the river and an en suite.

The Property Week

Borrowers beware HOMEOWNERS should not be complacent and should review their mortgage regularly, says an independent financial adviser. Many buyers are languishing on rock-bottom trackers and low single variable rates, but the good times will not last forever, says Peter Rutherford. Full story: page 4 Coming back to buying MORE than half of people think it is a good time to purchase a property as the market continues to show signs of stabilising, research shows. Around 58% of people think it ...

Inside This Week

WE all take time to deal with things that really matter to us. We'll put aside a day or two to search the car showrooms for the vehicle we want and that comes in at the right price. And, I confess, the right colour in my case! If we're looking for a new carpet we'll spend a weekend or two trailing round the stores searching for just a particular colour or pattern, while looking for a bargain. We'll take a couple of days off work for Christmas shopping so Aunt Sarah gets a dressing gown in a s...

Labour of Love

RESTORING their historic home to its former glory has been a real labour of love for the Simms family. Karen and Simon bought the Grade II-listed townhouse in Kelloe, Durham, a decade ago and have since injected life back into this magnificent house. Having stood empty for 32 years, the couple painstakingly renovated Kelloe Hall room by room.

Regular Mortgage Reviews Pay Off

MANY home buyers are languishing on rock-bottom trackers and low single variable rates, but the big question remains - how long will the good times last? Independent financial adviser Peter Rutherford says homeowners should not get complacent and should be reviewing their mortgage regularly. "There is a danger that rates are likely to go up," he said. "The bank base rate is likely to remain where it is for the foreseeable future, but having said that banks and building societies need to rebui...

Four-Bedroom Detached Built with Traditional Stone

BUILT in 2006, this four-bedroom detached home is in the village of Acklington between Amble and Felton, in Northumberland, within easy reach of the A1. Constructed in a traditional style from natural stone, it is wellpresented throughout and offers a ready-to-move-into option.

Home with Plenty of Character

A CHARACTER property with an array of period features has come on to the market on the outskirts of the city. The brick-built home has a summer house and pond within its landscaped back garden.

Gardener's Paradise ; Homes with Gardens Are Perfect for Families Looking for Space, Green Fingers or Even Those Requiring Land to Extend. Homemaker Looks at Properties with Green Space Aplenty.

SET in a pretty village location this property boasts extensive gardens and grounds. Living accommodation includes a front entrance porch leading to dining room and lounge.

British Pride ; This Autumn's Fasion Trends Are Inspired by Nostalgia and a Beautiful Sense of British Pride. Claire Hornby Takes a Look.

INTERIORS in the UK have seen a very patriotic trend coming through recently and it is one that's sure to continue straight through into autumn and winter. Inspired by Jan Constantine's cushions, Union Jacks have started to appear on everything. Not since the days of Brit Pop in the early 90s have we seen the flag used as a style icon.

Detached Cottage with Rural Views

SET within 6.6 acres of land, this detached cottage is a rarity to the market with its semi-rural position and magnificent views over open Northumberland countryside. The refurbished property comes with generous gardens, a paddock, loose boxes, tack room and hay barn.

Good Enough to Eat

Storing apples If you have already started harvesting apples, it"s likely that the early varieties you are picking should be eaten early and don"t keep well. However, other types do store well and can be left until October before picking. Firstly, make sure they are ripe, as once picked apples don"t ripen well. Lift the fruit in your palm and gently twist it. If it comes off the branch easily, it"s ready.

Growing Wisdom ; with the New Academic Year Beginning, Why Not Boost Your Gardening Knowledge and Sign On to One of the Many Courses for the Green- Fingered, Says Hannah Stephenson.

NOW the schools have gone back, you may be considering returning to education yourself - and there are many gardening courses available, from one-day tasters to more in-depth studies which leave you with a qualification. You may be looking simply to improve your fruit and veg-growing techniques or to redesign your front garden, or feel it's time to branch out into a horticultural career.

Best of the Bunch

Cyclamen hederifolium VENTURING to my local garden centre recently, I came across a mass of dazzling, autumn-flowering hardy cyclamen - which would traditionally go in a woodland setting, but could also brighten up a shady spot on the patio at this time of year. Buy ready-potted plants in flower now, in shades from white through to pink, cerise and magenta, which make wonderful plant partners in pots under purple-leaved heucheras, or mix them in your garden with the autumn-flowering Crocus sp...

Diary

KEEP in touch with North East gardening and floral events through this column every Saturday. Today and tomorrow National Pot Leek Society, annual show, Farringdon Social Club, Sunderland, 10.30am-10.30pm (Sun 1pm).

Modern Semi Ideal for Commuters

THIS well-presented twobedroom property could be ideal for professionals looking to commute. The semi-detached house is in Church View - a small modern Wimpey development - with good road and transport links including a Metro station nearby. On the ground floor, there is a spacious living room, a breakfasting kitchen and a conservatory. Upstairs there is a window to the landing, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Period Detached Home in Country

THIS period detached property is set in a quiet country village. Downstairs there is an entrance lobby, hall with cloakroom and a large kitchen with an oil-fired Aga, electric oven and white goods. Accommodation also includes a dining room, study, utility room and playroom/study which features a wood-fuelled stove and sitting room with open fire and French doors.

Part-Furnished Rural Cottage

THOSE after country living may wish to consider this cottage. The part-furnished property includes a large kitchen with range cooker, fridge freezer, central island and Belfast sink.

Look of Luxury

ADEVELOPMENT of only two homes in a stunning setting beside a championship golf course is attracting a good deal of attention. Burgham Park is a development of executive, individually designed homes, with Burgham Park Golf Course forming a central feature of the homes. Host of the PGA North Region Championship, Burgham Park is a parklands course with panoramic views of the Simonside Hills to the west and the coast to the east. The course provides a challenging round for all abilities.

Townhouses Where the Living Is Easy

AMAZING! That's the verdict on a new development of impressive townhouses designed with indoor and outdoor living in mind. Amytis Gardens, in South Shields, launched its new showhome earlier this year with a garden party and the chance to win a weekend of luxury at the unusual home. The winner, Suzanne Nesbitt, and her mum enjoyed a weekend of luxurious pampering.

New Builds with a Range of Incentives

ARANGE of incentives is available for families looking for a home on a Northumberland development. Beaumont Court is being developed in Pegswood by McInerney Homes. Various designs are available to reserve including the three- bedroom semi-detached Rowan, with integral garage, from pounds 165,000.