News & Events


TACKLING THE MYTHS OF SHARED OWNERSHIP

You may have some knowledge of shared ownership, or perhaps this is the first time you’ve heard of the scheme. Either way, there are a lot of mixed views on what it actually is. During my time within estate agency, I have heard some interesting thoughts and assumptions of what it is, and so I […]

LOCATION, LOCATION, CHARGING STATION…

Why your Driveway could be an appreciating Asset Southgate director, Jonathan Newall talks about electric cars and their influence on the price of your home. You might be correct in noticing that having your own parking space is becoming increasingly important in many areas, as parking becomes more difficult and more expensive.  But there is […]

WHAT DOES THE LETTINGS FEE BAN MEAN FOR ME?

Just seven hours before Theresa May’s monumentous Brexit defeat took place in January, another piece of legislation slipped through the House of Commons that is likely to have a massive effect on estate agency, landlords and tenants of rented property. Whilst the general public were pre-occupied with the outcome of the Brexit vote, estate agents […]

THE WAITROSE EFFECT

The Waitrose Effect… According to analysis by Lloyds Bank, Exeter has once again entered a Top 10 list. I’m genuinely not sure if this this is a good thing or not! According to a study published by the Bank, we have climbed the rankings of the ‘Least Affordable Places to Live’. We are now sitting […]

HEAVITREE PROPERTY PRICES – ARE GOOD SCHOOLS PUSHING UP OUR HOUSE PRICES?

Jonathan Newall has been Managing Director of Southgate Estates since it opened over ten years ago as SaleBoards and has been consistently involved in the Heavitree property market. Having three children and being married to a former primary school teacher, he is more than aware of the importance of good schooling. When young families walk into […]

FIXED FEE ESTATE AGENCY

Southgate Estates founder, Jonathan Newall explains why he thinks online estate agency will never dominate the market and explains some of the perils of using new and untested business models when dealing with substantial sums of money.  After building an early cut-price hybrid type agency in 2006, his firm has gradually been brought into line […]

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

This year we will once again be helping with the Christmas shoe box scheme! SaleBoards will be an official drop off point for your finished shoe boxes. If you are interested in making one for a child this year, then feel free to pop in and pick up a shoe box and some information. The […]

BUYING A FLAT IN EXETER – READ THIS FIRST!

Until now, buying and owning a flat in Exeter has been fairly straightforward. However, new legislation introduced in February this year (2016) has complicated matters for those owning flats in converted houses or above shops. In a bid to ensure minimum standards are reached, Exeter City Council have introduced mandatory licensing for many flats. Flats […]

STUDENTS NEXT DOOR – GOOD NEWS FOR LONG-SUFFERING NEIGHBOURS.

When Exeter City Council introduced regulations to curb the spread of new HMO’s in areas around the University it was intended to make life better for families living in these streets. This is generally the case, unless you happen to find yourself living in a terraced house with students on either side. If this is […]

UPDATED GUIDANCE – BUYING A FLAT

With the introduction of mandatory licensing for some flats, buyers are warned to check certain details before proceeding with the purchase of a flat which may come under Exeter City Council’s licensing scheme. In brief, if flats within converted buildings or over shops were not converted after 1991, they are likely to come under the […]

EXETER IS SUDDENLY ON THE MAP!

Over the last few weeks, Exeter has been fortunate to host many of the worlds top artists, including Coldplay and Ellie Goulding at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and more recently, Elton John at Westpoint. Radio 1 listeners will know that in the lead-up to the big weekend, Exeter got a mention every few minutes […]

EXETER COUNCIL DECISION ON TOPSHAM GAP DEVELOPMENT OVERTURNED

Topsham is undoubtedly one of the region’s most desirable places to live and has been fiercely independent from Exeter. With much well preserved, marine inspired architecture and characterful narrow streets, it is hardly surprising that it has retained so much charm. Separated by farmland through which the M5 motorway crosses, it has maintained its independence […]