Property spotlight: Penthouses

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

When I think about penthouses, I envisage sprawling, modern, city apartments (they won’t be referred to as ‘flats’) at the very top of skyscrapers. They’d have balconies and roof gardens that have panoramic, far-reaching, 360º views over the urban sprawl below. They’d be eye-wateringly expensive located somewhere like NYC, Hong Kong or Abu Dhabi.

But we do have penthouses here in the UK – and not all of them require you to be a millionaire. Saying that, I absolutely adore The Old Brewery and the way it has been sympathetically restored so far. But you get an awful lot of real estate for your one and a quarter million pounds.

Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

£220,000 – Pavilion Court, Stimpson Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN1 4ND

The apartment is situated over the top two floors and is a great example of a stunning duplex apartment with a magnificent lounge area with wood flooring and French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony.

• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Reception rooms: 1

W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

£420,000 – W3 Building, 51 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5EA

A fantastic duplex penthouse in the prestigious W3 Building. The apartment situated across the eighth and ninth floor comprises of a large open plan living, kitchen and sitting room and a WC to the lower level. Further, there is a full-length balcony offering outstanding views of city centre Manchester from the living space.

• En suite
• Fully furnished
• Shops and amenities nearby
• Balcony
• Concierge
• Stunning views
• Full length balcony
• Underground parking

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

£1,250,000 – The Old Brewery, 8 High Street, Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3AB

The imposing octagonal water tower that has been converted to the master bedroom with en-suite provides access out onto a roof terraced garden with panoramic views across the Culm Valley and its stunning countryside.

• Beautifully presented penthouse apartment
• Roof terrace garden with 360 degree views
• Rare opportunity to purchase a mixed development over several floors
• Planning permission granted for conversion of grade ii listed property
• Ample off-road parking
• Only 2.5 miles from m5 and a38
• Tiverton Parkway Station located 5 miles away
• Renown secondary academy, primary and nursery schools located nearby

The beginner’s guide to choosing the perfect apartment in which to live

The beginner’s guide to choosing the perfect apartment in which to live

Investing in a property tops the list of decisions that you can make in your lifetime. The excitement, thrill and risk of buying a new apartment can be pretty overwhelming. Irrespective of whether it’s your first home or you are buying it for the second or third time. The real estate market is rapidly evolving; it’s especially so in cities where getting your hands on the perfect apartment can be difficult.

The price of the average Melbourne apartment continues to increase by 7.9 percent annually. If you are looking at apartments for sale in Melbourne, continue reading to ensure you check all the right boxes while making your choice.

To ensure that you find a suitable apartment, you need to be vigilant and consider every possible scenario – or else you may risk having to choose a less than ideal home. Whether you’re looking for a skyscraper residence, a city centre residence or a garden residence, the choice is yours.

Top 5 things to consider when you are searching for an ideal apartment

1. Location

The very first aspect that you need to finalise is a locality that is suitable for your everyday commute as well as your needs. It could be a tedious task. However, rest assured the reward is well worth the risk. Suitable is a relative term depending on individual threshold. Hence primarily consider the amenities offered within the locality. Look for essential amenities for the smooth functioning of your everyday life. Such as grocery shops, banks, gyms, restaurants, local pubs, etc.

2. Budget

According to the recent growth cycle, Melbourne’s apartment value will grow by 21 per cent. Following an upper budget limit when you are on an apartment hunt is best, as things could quickly spiral out of control. To finalise your budget, you need to ask yourself how much money you have. What are your savings? How will this investment affect your lifestyle and cash flow?

Shortlist the top 3 apartments within your budget. Compare their asking prices and the pros and cons of every residency, including convenience, amenities and other factors. Investing in apartments that offer most of what you need is a wise move. It’s important to include other expenses in your budget, so use sites like Muval to find affordable local removalists.

3. Amenities

Amenities are worth considering as you spend a reasonable amount of time within your residency. Most upcoming residences offer a wide range of facilities that add value to your apartment.

Some of the apartments for sale in Melbourne offer luxurious amenities such as a heated pool on higher floors, Private dining rooms, lounge, sky gardens, gym, private cinema and an innovative golf simulator. They add a sense of style that speaks volumes about your lifestyle.

4. Neighbourhood

Evaluate the safety of the surrounding area using search engines and localised apps that can highlight problem areas. Discover zones that are more prone to theft through on user reviews. Consider the view from the apartments and noise levels you wouldn’t like your sleep disturbed on a regular basis by a rowdy neighbourhood.

5. Possession

Construction of buildings by inexperienced builders can cause delays in taking possession, leading to problems such as spiralling expenses, stress and much more. Hence, invest with renowned builders or developments that are at least 90% complete. With both scenarios, the odds are you take possession nearest to the date promised.

Bottom line

Big decisions in life often require careful consideration as the ramifications of such choices are often long-lasting and directly affect your family too. Prioritise what you need from cost to convenience. The average price of one unit, approximately 970sq ft, is $468,400 in Melbourne.

Once you’re clear on your parameters, you can subject your short-listed apartments to the test and zero in on the one that’s a perfect match. Hopefully, the above points have nudged you in the right direction. If you choose a suitable apartment based on the above variables, you will own it with pride.

[disclosure*]

Get their look: Groovy studio apartment

Groovy studio apartmentcredit

Lauren W‘s groovy studio apartment is located in the Big Apple – Brooklyn to be exact. I just love all the pops of orange colour – the sofa, the DIY mirror, the wall art and the rainbow-ed locker.

A studio can be a very tricky space in which to create a comfortable living area. But Lauren has shared how she made it work for her:

I felt I had to find a way to add invisible walls that made it feel like there was some separation in my space. The furniture placement and even the location of my mirror really aid in creating those boundaries.

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Zeal melamine colander
Zeal melamine colander
Custom rainbow decal
Custom rainbow decal
Steel storage cabinet
Steel storage cabinet
SÖDERHAMN 2-seat sofa
SÖDERHAMN 2-seat sofa
Yellow bistro tray side table
Yellow bistro tray side table
‘No Shame in Black Beauty’ print
‘No Shame in Black Beauty’ print
IKEA MONGSTAD mirror
IKEA MONGSTAD mirror
Zeal melamine colander
Zeal melamine colander
Custom rainbow decal
Custom rainbow decal
Steel storage cabinet
Steel storage cabinet
SÖDERHAMN 2-seat sofa
SÖDERHAMN 2-seat sofa
Yellow bistro tray side table
Yellow bistro tray side table
‘No Shame in Black Beauty’ print
‘No Shame in Black Beauty’ print
IKEA MONGSTAD mirror
IKEA MONGSTAD mirror

How to find the ideal serviced apartment

How to find the ideal serviced apartment

Serviced apartments are a popular option for many people who dislike staying in hotels. They provide you with all the space you need and you can live as you like without the confinement and stringent restrictions that come with staying in hotels. Whether you’re looking for one for your next business trip or short-term accommodation, there are a few things you should check to ensure you end up with the perfect one.

Location

The ideal serviced apartment location will largely depend on the reason for your trip. If you want to be closer to amenities that are available in the city, for example, you can choose an apartment in the city centre. Those who prefer quiet suburbs can also find serviced apartments suitable for their needs.

The location will often also determine access to the apartment; so if you come and go a lot, you need to pick an apartment located in an area with lots of accessibility.

Budget

It’s also a good idea to consider how much you have to spend on the apartment and how long you wish to stay. Remember that you may be required to pay a deposit and for some services if you wish to stay for an extended time. To ensure there are no surprises, always ask which extra charges apply when choosing a serviced apartment.

Comfort

If you’ll be staying in the apartment for a lengthy period, you want to ensure that the apartment is as comfortable as possible. A key component of this, apart from the amenities you get with the apartment, is temperature control.

Serviced apartments come with air conditioning units; however, you need to be sure they’re always working and if there are any issues previous guests experienced with this. You can also check that the windows and doors don’t let in any drafts because this can lead to reduced comfort if that happens to be the case.

Apartments with uPVC doors and windows tend to perform well in this regard because of the material’s thermal insulation and its resistance to warping, which leads to the gaps that allow in a draft. Apartment managers who want to ensure the utmost comfort for their guests can use the uPVC windows and doors from companies like Veka UK to ensure proper thermal insulation and a comfortable temperature inside the apartments.

Safety and security

Serviced apartment providers are very strict about the safety and security of their guests. This is why they have various security features to ensure this. For example, some have security cameras installed in all the common areas so that there’s video evidence if something happens during your stay.

You can find out how safe and secure the serviced apartment is by reading online reviews. If people have had a bad experience with a particular apartment, there’ll be a review somewhere to let you know about it.

A serviced apartment is an excellent alternative to a hotel, especially for those who value their comfort and privacy, and those who don’t like staying in hotels. Choosing the right apartment can make your trip better while choosing the wrong one will introduce headaches that you don’t want to deal with.