Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The History of Martlesham Heath Airfield

Situated three miles north east of Ipswich, Martlesham Heath was first used as an aerodrome in the 1914-1918 war. Between the wars it was used to test many of the aircraft and much of the equipment that would later be used in the Second World War.

Just prior to the outbreak of hostilities, Martlesham then became the most northerly station of Number 11 Group Fighter Command squadrons of Blenheims, Hurricanes, Spitfires and Typhoons which operated from this airfield during the period 1939-1943.

Among the many pilots based there were such famous men as Roland Stanford-Tuck and Douglas Bader. Ian Smith, the post war Rhodesian Prime Minister, was also at Martlesham for a time.

In 1943 the station became one of a group of grassed surface airfields earmarked for use by fighters of the United States Eighth Air Force and 1600 yard runways were laid down using a then experimental process of soil stabilisation with oil and tar products.

Nearby housing and a major road presented difficulties in sighting the runways and it was necessary as a result to take the southern end of one of these runways through the very middle of the camp.

In October 1943 356th Fighter Group moved in from its training base at Goxhill in Lincolnshire. With only limited accommodation available on site many of the US pilots had to be billeted in requisitioned country houses in the vicinity.

The 356th Fighter Group was composed of three squadrons and equipped with P-47D Thunderbolts. Fresh to combat the Group suffered a number of heavy defeats at the hands of the Luftwaffe and became considered the hard luck fighter group of the Eighth Air Force with a comparatively high loss to victories ratio.

With conversion to the P-51D Mustang in November 1944 the Group had better success in combat and on two occasions decimated it’s adversaries.

At the end of hostilities in 1945 the station reverted to the RAF and a memorial to the American Fighter Group later being erected on the parade ground.

In the immediate post war years Fighter Command squadron were in residence at Martlesham Heath but the proximity to Ipswich and the physical limitations of being able to lengthen the runways restricted jet operation.

In 1955 villages surrendered their common rights to public land to enable the main runway to be extended and 30 acres of parish common land were given up for which the Air Ministry agreed to pay £37 per annum.

Between 1946 and 1960 a number of different units occupied the site.

Interestingly a 1977 book called Airfields of the Eighth Then and Now by Roger A Freeman described Martlesham Heath at this time as:
“Martlesham Heath has now become an industrial and dormitory satellite of Ipswich and the four pre-war hangers and technical site buildings are now used for light industry and storage. A new road crosses the airfield and on the southern side of this road a new housing estate known as Martlesham Heath Village Hamlet is under development. Suffolk County Constabulary also have a new headquarters building on what was part of the airfield while dominating all is the colossal Post Office Research Centre situated on the north east side just behind the old RAF Technical site.

Nearby on the old RAF Parade Ground can be seen a memorial erected to the memory of those members of the 356th Fighter Group who lost their lives in World War II.”

If you are looking to buy property in Martlesham Heath or sell a Martlesham Heath property contact us today. With offices in Ipswich, East Ipswich and Martlesham, Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are perfectly placed to assist you with all of your IP5 property needs.

Estate Agents Martlesham – contact us now to register your requirements or click here to join our mailing list.

Relocating to Martlesham Suffolk

If you are relocating to Martlesham Suffolk, whether part of a job move or to raise a family, it makes sense to use the services of a local estate agent who knows the area well. Here at Jonathan Waters estate agents, Martlesham, we are well placed to help you find your dream property. But we can also help if you are looking for estate agents Ipswich.

Before you start your search for your ideal home, there will be all sorts of questions you will want to ask, such as what are the schools like in the Martlesham and Ipswich area? Will I be close to local amenities?

As prominent estate agents in Ipswich and Martlesham, Jonathan Waters estate agents can guide you through the house buying process and can advise you on local facilities such as shops, supermarkets, transport links, schools, medical and healthcare clinics.

We have a wide range of properties on our books throughout the Ipswich and Martlesham area including detached family homes, bungalows, flats, terraces and semi-detached properties for sale. Whether you want a home with a large garden, double garage, workshop area, en-suite bathroom, or a small, low maintenance property we will do our best to find what you are looking for.

So if this is your first step on the housing ladder, or if you intend to move into a bigger property, downsize, relocate, or retire in this area, contact us at Jonathan Waters estate agents and we will be happy to help you.

Estate Agents Martlesham, Ipswich and Villages - contact Jonathan Waters now

Ipswich or Martlesham?

Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, is just a few miles away from Martlesham and many people choose to live in Ipswich while working in Martlesham, or vice versa. So if you are relocating to Martlesham it makes sense to look for properties in both areas. But choosing only estate agents in Ipswich or only estate agents in Martlesham, means that you could be limiting your options. With Jonathan Waters you don’t have to choose. We are estates agents for Ipswich and Martlesham, making us the ideal estate agent if you want to cover both areas. Martlesham lies to the East of Ipswich, and in between there are many villages, which are also popular choices to live for people working in Martlesham, either wanting to be a bit closer to Ipswich, or for those who prefer a quieter village location.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents – Ipswich Offices

We have two Ipswich offices: in Ipswich town centre and on Foxhall Road. The Foxhall Road area is a popular location to live, as it lies on one of the major routes out to Martlesham. Our Foxhall Road offices make a convenient alternative to local people to pop into at weekends or after work. But for those who like to combine house hunting with a bit of retail therapy, our Buttermarket offices in Ipswich town centre will be ideal.

Estate Agents Ipswich - contact one of our Ipswich offices now:

Buttermarket (Town Centre): 01473 281188

Foxhall Road (East Ipswich): 01473 721133


Jonathan Waters Estate Agents – Martlesham Offices

Our Martlesham office is located on Martlesham Heath Business Park, very close to BT’s Adastral Park. This makes it a convenient location for people who have started work in Martlesham and want to pop in at lunchtimes or straight after work.

Estate Agents Martlesham - contact our Martlesham office now on 01473 620222

How Jonathan Waters Can Help

Searching for that perfect property can be a minefield and sometimes you just don’t know where to begin. That’s where Jonathan Waters estate agents can help. Our aim is to do all we can to find the right home for your budget.

One of the best ways to start looking is through the Jonathan Waters website. Our website is easy to use and has many features which will assist in narrowing down your search. These include price range searches, full particulars, interior and exterior photographs, 3-d photographs and a map of the area, so you can see the exact location of the property. And for those of you who are short of time, we offer a virtual tour for some of our properties to give you a feel for it and help you decide whether it is right for you.

Another way Jonathan Waters can aid your search is to join our mailing list so we can send you details of properties in your price range when they become available. This way you can see straight away when we have a suitable property on our books.

We have three offices in the Martlesham Ipswich area and our opening times vary. Contact us direct and either pop into one of our branches, or telephone us to arrange a viewing at a time convenient to you. We understand that viewings may not be possible for you during weekdays so we can also arrange appointments in the evenings or at weekends. It is all part of our service at Jonathan Waters.

We have friendly, helpful staff with more than 250 years combined estate agency experience and expertise and our detailed knowledge of the Martlesham, Ipswich and Suffolk area will ensure you will find what you are looking for. When you have found the right property, we can make it all run smoothly for you by providing mortgage assistance and recommending a reputable conveyancer with good local knowledge.

About Martlesham

Martlesham is just off the A12 roundabout and is a bustling community with excellent transport links. It is just six miles from the county town of Ipswich and within easy reach of Woodbridge and the Port of Felixstowe.

The village is sometimes affectionately called Old Martlesham by the locals to identify it from the newer nearby Martlesham Heath development, but both come under the same parish. Old Martlesham lies along the banks of the River Fynn and was named in the Doomsday book as Merlesham, which is most likely to mean ‘meadow near the mooring place.’ Martlesham Heath sprung up as a new village in the 1970’s and has grown into a thriving, prosperous neighbourhood with houses for more than 3000 people, a major supermarket, shops, businesses, schools and leisure facilities.

Martlesham Heath village was built on the site of the former RAF base where the famous fighter pilot Douglas Bader served in 1940. The Control Tower Museum keeps the memory alive and documents the history of Martlesham Heath as an airfield from 1917 until its closure in 1967. A public house, called The Douglas Bader, is named after the war hero.

The scene has changed dramatically in the last forty years with companies, leisure facilities and Tesco’s supermarket opening up here. Suffolk Police Headquarters is based in Martlesham, as is BT’s hi-tech communications, research and development centre at Adastral Park. Martlesham Heath Business Park is home to many businesses, a bowling centre as well as our very own Jonathan Waters estate agents.

Martlesham is well served by a regular bus route and an Ipswich park and ride service opened up here at the end of 2003.

Schools in Martlesham

Martlesham has excellent schools in the area and these include:

Birchwood Primary School

This small primary is based on Valiant Road, Martlesham Health and was described in its Ofsted Report as a good school led by an enthusiastic and dedicated head teacher.

Gorsewood Primary

This is another good primary based at Deben Avenue, Martlesham Health, and was praised in its Ofsted report with having outstanding attendance and pupils keen to learn.

Beacon Hill County Primary

This school was noted in its Ofsted report as providing pupils with a quality well rounded education and having a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is based at Black Tiles Lane in Martlesham.

Secondary Schools

The nearest secondary school is in the nearby village of Kesgrave. Kesgrave High is a very popular school with a good reputation and is often over-subscribed as a result. There is also a co-educational independent school in Woodbridge, which is about two miles from Martlesham. Woodbridge School has 600 pupils and is known for its excellent academic standards and good facilities.

Healthcare in Martlesham

Martlesham is well served for healthcare with the Martlesham Health Dental Practice and the Martlesham Health Doctors Surgery and both of these can be found in The Square at Martlesham Heath.

The NHS doctor’s surgery is wheelchair access and has five consulting rooms, waiting and reception area, a treatment room and practice manager office.

Martlesham is within easy reach of Ipswich Hospital which is based on a 46 acre site on Heath Road and has several in-patient clinics, out-patient clinics as well as clinical departments, such as a paediatric oncology department.

Working in Martlesham

Many people make the move to Martlesham to climb up the career ladder. Telecommunication giant BT’s global innovation and development centre is based here and it is a major employer with more than 3,500 staff. BT is sited in Adastral Park, a science park dubbed IP-City which is home to over 250 hi-tech companies. Other major employers in the area are Suffolk Police Headquarters, Tesco’s and Ipswich Hospital’s NHS Trust on Heath Road, which employs 3,200 people.

Several companies have their offices in Martlesham Heath Industrial Estate including road haulage and shipping agents. Other businesses in the area include shops, caterers, tour companies, pubs and leisure organisations including Kingpin Bowling Centre and the Martlesham Heath Business Centre and Fitness Club.

Martlesham is within easy reach of Ipswich, which is a base for large insurance companies, and it is also close to Felixstowe Docks, another big employer in Suffolk.

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Benefits of Selling Your Martlesham Property Through Jonathan Waters

If you have a property for sale in Martlesham or anywhere in the Ipswich area, then Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are the ideal choice. We are your one-stop shop for buying or selling a property in the Martlesham Suffolk area and offer an excellent service combined with highly competitive prices.

Estate Agents Martlesham – contact us now to arrange a free valuation of your Martlesham property.

Read on for more information on the benefits of selling your Martlesham property through Jonathan Waters.

3 Office Marketing

Although we have been selling properties in the Martlesham area for X years from our 2 busy Ipswich offices, one in the town centre and the other in East Ipswich, we now have a new office in Martlesham due to our increasing activity in this area. This means that we offer the most comprehensive local market coverage of any estate agent in Suffolk – and if you sell your Martlesham property through Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, your home for sale will be visible to even more potential buyers!

Effective, Varied Marketing

Here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents in Martlesham, we have an excellent marketing plan in place to sell your Martlesham property fast! Not everyone finds property for sale by popping into their local estate agent and so our combination of web site marketing, listing your property on the most important portals such as Rightmove and newspaper advertising, means that wherever your buyer is looking, your house, flat or bungalow will be there!

Using Rightmove, the best-known and most widely used property portal in the UK, as the focus of our online marketing activity, we are able to put your property in front of millions of prospective purchasers. Full colour particulars of your property are uploaded to the site as soon as possible upon receipt of your instruction, together with full colour digital photographs and 2d, 3d and interactive floorplans. This is backed by a direct link to Jonathan Waters Estate Agents both online and via the telephone. We also display your property details on our own website

www.jonathanwaters.co.uk, which itself, has a very strong on line presence, optimised as it is, for the search terms, phrases and criteria that buyers are typing in to Google, Bing and the other search engines.

Feel free to explore the functionality of our website, you’ll soon see that there’s not much you can’t do. You can search by tight price bracket, by number of bedrooms, and by date brought to market and once you have found a property you like the look of online, you can;

View the full colour sales particulars online.
Arrange a viewing of the property.
View all the internal/external photographs.
View the 3D floorplan with integrated photographs.
View the property’s location on a map of the area.
Calculate your mortgage repayments.
Print off the full colour particulars.

We also have a mobile version of the site, which enables buyers to locate properties they interested in quickly and easily on their smartphone.

For newspaper advertising, we pay a subscription to the Evening Star Stop Press facility. This means that we can have your property in the local newspaper within 48 hours of instruction.

Large Database of Motivated Buyers

Along with the above, we will also alert our database of potential buyers, which at any given time, will be at least 200, when your Martlesham property comes on to the market. Buyers are contacted by email and phone and properties are also listed on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Friendly, Experienced Staff

Another reason to choose Jonathan Waters Estate Agents to sell your Martlesham property, is that we employ a friendly, helpful team of staff who will help you every step of the way – from listing your property for sale to moving in day!

Our mature, specially selected sales staff have in excess of 250 years of local property market experience which they bring to bear when providing you with a fair and accurate valuation for your property and when selling your property to prospective buyers. They will also provide you with complete and accurate feedback on every viewing of your home, letting you know exactly what the viewers thought.

A separate team of sales chasers or progressers are specially trained and dedicated to doing all the “behind the scenes” work necessary, once a sale has been agreed to minimise stress and ensure it reaches completion. This is a key feature of our service, which is provided at no extra charge, and is not offered by all estate agents.

Estate Agents Martlesham
– contact us now to arrange a free valuation of your Martlesham property.

Estate Agents Martlesham - Property Advice for First Time Buyers

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents can help first time buyers find their dream home in Martlesham, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich or Woodbridge and the surrounding villages. With three busy offices in Martlesham, Ipswich Town Centre and East Ipswich we always have a large selection of houses, flats and bungalows for sale – and are ideally placed to help first time buyers to find exactly the kind of property they are looking for.

Estate Agents Martlesham – contact us now to arrange a free valuation of your Martlesham property.

Registering with Jonathan Waters Estate Agents

Buying your first property is an exciting time and here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents we are here to help you every step of the way. We welcome all first time buyers who are searching for property for sale in Martlesham, Ipswich or Woodbridge to come in a register their interest with us. This will enable us to help you find what you are looking for! Here is the process we will go through with you when you start searching for properties for sale with Jonathan Waters Estate Agents.

Get a mortgage agreed “in principal”

When searching for property for sale, the earlier you can get your finances in order the better. This will enable you to move quickly once a house, flat or bungalow comes on to the market that you would like to buy.

When you register your interest at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, you will be asked a series of questions to establish your budget and what mortgage arrangements you have in place, if any. If you have not made mortgage enquiries and do not have a mortgage in place, we can help. We work in close partnership with The Mortgage Advice Bureau and they will guide you through the process of getting your mortgage approved.

Searching for properties that meet your requirements

We will then work to find our what type of Martlesham or Ipswich property you are looking for. Questions to consider when drawing up your property wish list include:

How many bedrooms you need? – You’ll find a good mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed properties for sale in Martlesham and Martlesham Heath.

Is off road parking important to you? – Many properties for sale in Martlesham come with a garage or at least off road parking.

Is a garden important to you? – There are an excellent selection of houses and bungalows for sale in Martlesham with gardens of varying sizes.

Would traffic bother you? – There are lots of wide-open spaces in and around Martlesham so traffic is not generally a problem.

Do you need to be near a school? - There is a good range of schooling available in the area from kindergarten and play-school, right through to the high school in nearby Kesgrave.

How far would you be prepared to travel to work? – The A12 and A14 trunk roads are close at hand and public transport in Martlesham is very good indeed.

Do you want to live in town or in the countryside? – Around Martlesham and Martlesham Heath, you get the best of both worlds.

Once our friendly team have determined what you are looking for, we will give you details of any properties we have that match your requirements and make appointments for you to view these. Viewings will either by accompanied by one of our staff, or you will be shown round by the property owner. It is always advisable to take a friend or family member with you on viewings for safety and also a second opinion!

From then on we will keep you updated of all new properties that come on to the market which meet your requirements and arrange additional viewings as required. We can also take you back to see any property you are interested in for a second viewing.

Instruct a solicitor and finalise your mortgage arrangements and survey

Once we have located your perfect home and negotiated a price at which both you and the vendor are happy, you will then need to instruct a conveyancer. If you would like, we can recommend an excellent firm of conveyancing solicitors or you can make your own arrangements. At this point you will also need to firm up your mortgage offer (if required) and arrange a survey of the property you are buying.

The type of survey you have on a property is largely down to you. There are various types available, ranging in detail and expense.

The Valuation Report

The Valuation Report confirms whether or not the value of the property you are buying is enough to cover the amount you are borrowing against it.

The Home Condition Report

The Home Condition Report or HCR focuses on the fabric of the building, the floors, the walls, the roof, the windows and stairways. Each of these constituent parts is given a traffic light rating; Red for bad and needing attention, Amber for passable but with recommendations and Green for passed.

Home Buyer's Report

This report comments only on what can be seen or can be made readily available for inspection, highlighting obvious defects that may devalue the home.

Building Survey

More thorough than a Homebuyer's Report, this type of survey is likely to cost around twice as much. It does however provide detailed information on the method of property construction, the materials used and the condition of the foundations, roof and walls. This type of survey would be recommended where you were purchasing a very old house, a fixer upper or an expensive property.

Exchange of Contracts

Assuming the survey did not highlight any problems, the solicitors for both parties will draw up a contract for both you and the vendor to sign. Make sure you are properly prepared and 100% willing to proceed now because beyond the exchange of contracts, everything becomes legally binding.

On the previously agreed date, the date of completion, the mortgage funds will be released to your solicitor who will then transfer them to your vendor’s solicitor and as soon as this happens, you may come to pick up the keys to your new home. The house is now yours, you can move in.

Moving In

You may have thought this day would never come, but it has and you need to be prepared for it! If you’ve got a lot of stuff to move, you may want to organise a professional removals company to help you pack, transport and unpack the load. Alternatively a man with a van may do just as well, or you may even be able to call upon the help of some relatives or friends. Either way, there are some things you must remember to do such as contacting the utility companies to give them initial readings and setting up a postal redirect from your old address. You can then relax, crack open the champagne and start enjoying life in your new property!

Estate Agents Martlesham – contact us now to arrange a free valuation of your Martlesham property.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Property Selling Guide – Sell Your Martlesham Property with Jonathan Waters Estate Agents

If you are looking to sell your Martlesham home this autumn, there are some small and inexpensive things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers. These changes are easy to complete and can make a real difference to achieving a quick sale at the right price.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents can help you to buy or sell your Martlesham home. We have three busy offices in Ipswich and Martlesham and nearly 20 years' experience in the Suffolk property market. This guide will help you make your Martlesham home stand out. Whether you are selling a bungalow, house or flat, read on for our top suggestions for preparing your Martlesham property for sale.

Keep the Outside Tidy

First impressions are everything and to help get buyers through the door, it is important to look at your Martlesham home with fresh eyes. Take a look at the exterior of the property and the garden and put yourself in the buyers' shoes. Does the garden look tired and unkempt? Does the hedge need cutting and is the lawn overgrown?

If so, neaten up your garden ready for the winter to make the whole exterior attractive for buyers. Rake autumn leaves and get the lawn mower out to improve grassy areas. Don't forget to cut the edges of the lawn too. A neat garden is very appealing to buyers who are looking for outdoor space that is easy to maintain. It can enhance the value of your home and positively affect the whole neighbourhood, as a street with well presented gardens creates the impression of a desirable place to live.

It is thought that a decision to buy a home is made within the first few minutes of viewing. Drive–by desirability is important as the view from the outside can draw potential buyers' attention to the inside. A presentable outside space will help to ensure that your Martlesham home sells quickly,at the right price.

The back garden is also important. Clear the garden of clutter and children's toys and make sure bins are stored away, if possible. Sweep pathways clear of fallen leaves and clean them to give a fresh look to your outside space.

Trees should be cut back and hedges clipped. Take a look at the front and back doors. Is the paintwork chipped? Does the house name or flat number need replacing? A well-maintained front door can impress visitors and will help draw buyers in.

Take a look at whether any maintenance jobs need doing too. Do any fence panels need replacing and is the garden gate in need of repair? Make sure these small jobs are carried out, so you can create the best possible impact on visitors.

The size of the garden is not always important. Low maintenance gardens are also very appealing to buyers, with well-defined pathways, lawn and patio areas as well as specific flower, vegetable or herb patches. Work with what you have got and present it in the best possible light to appeal to as many buyers as possible.

Clear Clutter and Create the Illusion of Space

Whatever the size of your Martlesham home, it is important to make it look light and airy and create a sense of space to help sell your property.

One of the first steps to take is to clear your Martlesham home of clutter. Display only your most beautiful or valued possessions and store anything that you do not need to have on show in drawers or cupboards. Clear away children's toys too, as the last thing you want is a buyer to trip over them. Make sure furniture is proportionate to the room size – for example don't have a sofa that is too big for the sitting room as it can make it look small and cramped. Also minimising your own personal stuff in the property prior to viewings, can help buyers to immediately see a property's potential and think about ways they can put their own personal stamp on their soon-to-be Martlesham home.

Use neutral colours for the walls and flooring as brightly coloured or highly patterned wallpaper can look busy and distracting. Open the curtains or blinds to fill the room with daylight or if it is an evening viewing, put the lights on in all the rooms. Hanging mirrors on the walls is an inexpensive way to maximise a sense of space and also draw the light in, helping to brighten dark corners in your Martlesham home. This can all help entice potential buyers.

Make Your Martlesham Home Homely with a Welcoming Kitchen

A homely, clean and welcoming kitchen is a great pull for potential buyers. Whether it is a family looking for a detached home in Martlesham or a couple searching for a flat where they can entertain their friends, a kitchen is an extremely important part of a home.

If you have a kitchen that is dated, you don't need to replace it as a buyer will often change this to their own taste after they move in. Sometimes all you need to do is repaint the cupboard doors, or replace the handles to inject a fresh look.

Make sure your kitchen is clean and tidy and free of clutter. Organise the contents of your cupboards, just in case the buyer opens them. Cleanliness leaves a good impression and have fresh cut flowers on the work surface and fragrant herbs on the window sill to create a welcoming feel. You can even have bread cooking in the oven or freshly brewed coffee to give buyers a welcoming aroma as they look around.

First impressions really do count and a few small changes can influence a buyer and make all the difference in achieving a quick sale at the right price.

Estate Agents Martlesham - contact us now for a free valuation and advice on selling your Martlesham or Ipswich property.

Living and Working in Martlesham – Why Martlesham Heath and Old Martlesham Are Such Great Places to Live

Old Martlesham as the locals call it, is a village in Suffolk, which is located about two miles southwest of Woodbridge and 6 miles east of Ipswich. A one time Roman settlement and mentioned in the Domesday Book, Old Martlesham is an historic village with relics from an ancient past having been unearthed there many times. Martlesham Heath on the other hand, is not quite so old, not in terms of its settlements at least.

The development known as Martlesham Heath, which is located about a mile south off Old Martlesham village, can be roughly dated to the 1970's though there are lots of newer parts to it. It was developed initially to house the employees of BT's research centre, now known as Adastral Park. As it grew, so did its popularity with the public, businesses and retail outlets so that now it is almost a fully functioning town in its own right. It has a large 24hr Tesco supermarket, a choice of primary schools leading on to the nearby Kesgrave High School, a number of churches, a doctors surgery and a dental practice.

One of the principal reasons that Martlesham Heath in particular, is such a great place to live is the size of the home and the plot that you get for your money. Faced with a wide expanse of virgin heath land and a strong desire to attract a reliable workforce to the area, the houses created were larger than average, well built and given good-sized plots. Most were offered with a garage or at least off-road parking and many were double-glazed. This meant they compared very well to the properties for sale in Ipswich or Woodbridge, which tended to be older, smaller homes with less of the modern conveniences.

Connected via a series of "A" roads to the nearby towns of Ipswich and Woodbridge, Martlesham and Martlesham Heath are remarkably easy to get to, either by bike, by car or by bus which follows super route 66, a regular circular route connecting Martlesham Heath with Ipswich train station. Add this to the fact that the Martlesham Heath development was deliberately placed near to the A12 and A14 trunk roads to allow for quick and easy access to the docks at Felixstowe, London and the north, it's little wonder so many people and businesses have been attracted to the area.

Another reason families come to Martlesham Heath, particularly those families with younger children, is that there is so much to keep the little ones occupied. Quite often these days, both parents have to work so it is really useful to have such things as the Martlesham Heath Baby & Toddler Group, Martlesham Heath Pre-School and Martlesham Playschool on your doorstep. For the older ones, there's Martlesham table tennis and the Martlesham Youth FC, known as the Martlesham Jets. For jet enthusiasts there's the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society and from time to time, famous jets like the Avro Ashton, the Avro 707A, the Short Sperrin and the Gloster Meteor make an appearance here.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents in Martlesham offer for sale a wide range of properties in Old Martlesham and Martlesham Heath. Whether you are looking for a house, bungalow or flat, search our web site now to view our latest Martlesham properties, or contact us to register your requirements.

We can also help you sell your property in Martlesham and offer 3 office marketing for the price of one! This means that your Martlesham property will be advertised in each of our three local offices (Martlesham, East Ipswich and Ipswich town centre) to receive maximum local exposure.

Sell Your Martlesham Property - click here to arrange a free valuation and market appraisal

Search for Martlesham Properties - click here to contact us and register your requirements

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Relocating to Ipswich Suffolk

If you are relocating to Ipswich Suffolk whether for work or personal reasons, it is an exciting time for you. Here at Jonathan Waters relocation, we can help you find your new home in Ipswich and the surrounding villages. We can advise you on local transport and local schools, we can also advise you on local healthcare facilities and amenities.

As the leading Estate Agent in Ipswich, we have a huge choice of properties for sale, from large detached houses to semi detached and terraced homes, through to flats and apartments in town and bungalows and retirement homes.

So, whether you are a first time buyer, looking to get on the property ladder for the first time, or you already own a property and are wishing to upsize, downsize or simply change location, we can help.

Search for Ipswich properties

One of the easiest ways to search for property for sale in Ipswich, particularly if you are not local, is to browse property listings on our web site. We work hard to ensure our web site is easy to use and regularly add new features. Our web site includes the following functionality:

  • You can search for property of a particular type, within a specified price range.
  • You can view the property particulars and all photographs on line.
  • You can view 3D floor plans online.
  • You can view its location on a map of the area.
  • You can take a virtual tour of the property.
  • You can arrange a viewing online.
  • You can join our mailing list online.
  • You can opt in to receive property updates on Facebook and Twitter
  • When viewing our site on a mobile phone, you will be automatically redirected to our mobile site for ease of viewing on a smaller screen.

All of this technology aside though, sometimes it’s better to pop into the office and see someone face to face. We have two Ipswich offices, a town centre office in the Buttermarket and a satellite office at the Foxhall Road roundabout on the ring road, both are manned by very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff who are only too pleased, to take the time to get to know you and discuss your requirements in depth. Why not call them on 01473 721133 for a chat? Our offices are open from 09.00-18.30 Mon–Fri, 09.00-16.30 on Saturdays and 10.00-14.00 on Sundays. Special arrangements can be made if viewings need to be accompanied outside these hours.

And don't worry if we can't find what you are looking for immediately! We are taking on new properties every day and we will let you know as soon as something comes in that matches your requirements.

About Ipswich

Ipswich is a thriving university town with a truly cosmopolitan demographic. Its busy town centre boasts a wealth of high street names as well as specialist and independently owned outlets. A bustling community, the average age of which has recently been significantly lowered, by an influx of students from all over the country, Ipswich is now the target for many trendy bar and restaurant chains. Yes, café culture has come to town and nowhere is that more obvious than down at the docks. The docklands and Ipswich marina are peppered with pavement cafés and bistros and what better places to sit and watch the boats go by whilst enjoying a light bite or enjoying a glass of wine?

Christchurch Park is perhaps Ipswich’s biggest and best known green space and at just 5 minutes’ walk from the centre of town you can be there, relaxing in the cool shade of some of its ancient and splendid trees in a matter of moments. It is THE venue in town for many concerts and events, annually hosting a firework spectacular which last year saw £30,000 go up in smoke in time to some great rock music.

Many live bands have appeared here including Jools Holland, Rick Astley, ABC, Nik Kershaw, Go West, T’pau and Tony Hadley and this year, it will see the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul, Jocelyn Brown, The Gibson Brothers and Peter Andre. We’re not saying you should relocate to Ipswich for the music and the pyrotechnics but it is an added bonus.

Ipswich offers a vibrant mix of heritage, the arts, theatre, cinema, clubs and bars, yet wherever you go in and around the town, you are only minutes away from some of the prettiest Suffolk villages and countryside, as well as the stunning scenery provided by the celebrated Suffolk coastline.

About Suffolk

The Suffolk countryside has inspired artists, sculptors, painters, writers, poets and songwriters for centuries. Within 5 minutes of Ipswich town centre you can be seemingly miles from anywhere, among open fields of wheat and oilseed rape. On your travels you are bound to happen upon one of the very many chocolate box villages and hamlets that this part of the country is famous for. Look out for such places as Belstead, Bentley, Bucklesham, Capel St Mary, Claydon, Holbrook, Kesgrave, Martlesham, Rushmere, Stutton and Westerfield. All of these little gems are within striking distance of Ipswich town centre and yet some are as rural as you could hope to find.

Part of the great appeal of Suffolk is its rural outlook. Breathtaking countryside combines with wonderful coastline and sea views to present a county that quite literally, has it all. Suffolk is the larder of England, its fertile land bringing forth foodstuffs and beverages of every kind. Free range and organic is the order of the day here and the many farmers markets held regularly throughout the county are testament to that.

Suffolk is country life at its best and yet the railway stations at Ipswich and Westerfield can have you at Liverpool St Station in less than an hour, still another reason why so many people are choosing to relocate to Suffolk.



Estate Agents Ipswich
– Contact Jonathan Waters now to sell your Ipswich Property.

Has Ipswich escaped the doom and gloom?

It seems that Ipswich has escaped the doom and gloom still affecting the property markets in many parts of the country, as here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, we have had a fantastic start to the year!

In January 2011, we carried out the highest number of pre-sale valuations for any month in the last two and a half years and sales-wise, January exceeded everybody’s expectations by becoming the busiest ever January since our records began back in 1992! March has seen this busy trend continue but the pattern is definitely that only the realistically priced properties are selling – it is still very much a buyers market.

The property market in Ipswich seems more buoyant than in many other parts of Suffolk and for that matter, the country as a whole. A recent example of this, and proof positive of an active property market is the story of a three bedroomed semi-detached property on the Australia estate in Ipswich. We brought this property to market with one of our ever popular “open house” events. In the space of two hours, it was viewed by 31 interested parties and so many offers came through as a result, that in the end it was decided to turn the property over to sealed bid applications. There was nothing outstanding about this property and it was not under priced. It was simply accurately valued and well marketed. The end result was a sale well in excess of the guide price. This underlines the importance of an accurate valuation combined with proper presentation and marketing of a property.

How to sell your house quickly

Choose the right estate agent who accurately values your property

Choosing the right estate agent can make the difference between your property selling quickly or it hanging around on the market for some time. The trick is in choosing the right price at which to go on to the market and the right agents to do the marketing for you.

Do not be swayed by estate agents who give you unrealistically high valuations for your property. However nice it might feel to think that your home is worth thousands of pounds more than its actual market value, if you price your property unrealistically at the start, you will put off potential buyers. Starting high and then having to reduce the price simply wastes time and when a house has been on the market for some time, it can give buyers the impression that there is something wrong with it. So get it right from the start!

Here at Jonathan Waters we have over 150 years combined estate agency experience and have been established in Ipswich since 1992. This enables us to accurately price properties, so that they sell quickly whilst still achieving the best possible sale price for their owners. Our team of valuers and sale progressors will advise you every step of the way to ensure the offer you accept is the right one.

Choose an estate agent with a strong online presence and active marketing strategy

In order to sell your home quickly, it needs to be visible to as many potential buyers as possible. People search for property in different ways – many search online, via property portals such as Rightmove and search engines such as Google; others browse estate agent windows in the town centre and some browse property listings in local newspapers. Others drive around the area they are interested in to look for for-sale boards.

Here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents we offer a comprehensive marketing programme which helps to sell houses fast!

  • We have a strong web presence listing all of our properties for sale
  • We upload all properties to major portals such as Rightmove. On Rightmove all of our properties are premier listed.
  • We offer a mobile site, which makes browsing on all smart phones a joy (great for drive bys)
  • Properties are advertised in the window of our two busy office locations – Ipswich town centre and Foxhall road
  • We provide open houses when requested
  • We always have at least 200 potential purchasers on our mailing lists
  • We have a subscription to the Evening Star Stop Press facility. We can have your property in the newspaper within 48 hours of instruction.

Present your property well

One of the most influential things any property vendor can do to encourage a sale is to present their property in its best possible light. The best way to do this, is to look at your home as if you were seeing it through the eyes of someone else, someone who has never seen it before and someone who may be looking to buy it. This involves taking an objective view of your home, from every angle. What does it look like from the road? Does it have “kerb appeal” from the left and right? Once inside, does your home feel cluttered or look like it is in need of work? What can you do to improve the look and the saleability of your home? Make any changes or improvements you can, tidy the front and rear gardens, make any obvious minor repairs and de-clutter your home as far as possible. All these things will help to secure a quick sale.

Your estate agent will then assist in the presentation of your property by producing high quality property particulars with colour photos. Ensure you are happy with the final pictures taken, as these are what will help to attract your buyer. A good estate agent will take adequate photos to show off your home's features and emphasise its unique selling points.

Sell your property this spring!

This time of year brings with it much lighter, longer evenings which are ideal for house hunters who are out there, driving around your neighbourhood, searching for properties with ‘For Sale’ signs. The late afternoon/early evening sun shows properties off in their best light, so put your property on the market, make it stand out from the crowd and get it sold quickly with Jonathan Waters estate agents.


Estate Agents Ipswich – Contact Jonathan Waters now to sell your Ipswich Property.