Dog-friendly homes

Life revolves around our dogs more than ever before. As pooch owners ourselves, we understand how important it is to find a home that suits your four legged friends as well as the family, with aspects such as quiet roads, good walks, dog-friendly pubs and large utility rooms all very important.

We have had a look around some of our homes to find you some of our dog-friendly properties… perhaps one could be ideal for your pet(s)?

For dog showers

Mill House – 4 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms

Now this is certainly an impressive dog shower, which can be found in the utility room at Mill House in Fleet. It blends in beautifully with its modern style, creating the perfect washing station. Read more

For great local walks

Moonacre – 4 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms

Moonacre in Wothorpe is close to Burghley Estate, where there are beautiful walks to enjoy whilst admiring Burghley House. There are plenty of routes to choose from such as following the road through the carpark, tracks to explore or you can walk freely across the parkland. Burghley also has water bowls near the courtyard, a food shed to get dog treats and bins. Read more

For dog-friendly local pubs and cafes

Ducks Nest – 3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms

If you like to enjoy a cup of coffee in a cute cafe after a dog walk, or like to take your dogs to the pub to enjoy a Sunday lunch, then it’s worth checking that local facilities are pet friendly. These days most establishments are, with many often going that extra mile with doggy treats and doggy menus. Ducks Nest is close to a few. For example, located in the historic market town of Oundle, it is two miles from The Chequered Skipper in Ashton which is very dog friendly. As a pub and restaurant, you and your four legged friends can enjoy just drinks, or a delicious lunch, dinner and even afternoon tea. Whilst you are visiting you can also enjoy the fabulous artworks and creations from local artists and designers that adorn both the restaurant walls, which all add to the unique experience of eating or drinking in a beautiful period property. There’s also plenty of others to choose from in Oundle itself too, such as the Brew Babu café and Nene Valley Brewery’s Tap & Kitchen, at picturesque Oundle Wharf. Read more

For large utility rooms

Snake Hall – 5 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms

Utility rooms are especially useful in winter when muddy wet dog walks leave very dirty paws. Rather than having to worry about your furniture and floors getting covered in mud, you can towel your dogs down, hang up wet dog coats and even give them a wash in a utility room. They also make fantastic spaces for food storage, leads, grooming, toys and keeping crates. Snake Hall in Moulton Eaugate has the perfect space for making it dog friendly at 12.7′ x 8.6′ in size. As an added bonus, there’s also 3.5 acres of paddocks for your furry friends to run around in to their hearts content. Read more

For enclosed gardens

The Birches – 6 bedrooms / 5 bathrooms

Having an enclosed garden is an absolute must when you own dogs, for obvious reasons. The Birches in Marholm offers ample garden space to the rear for dogs to run around in safely. Read more

For kitchens with snazzy spaces

Drove House – 5 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms

Dog-friendly kitchens are becoming very popular, with clever companies creating integrated cabinets within an island or under counter tops for dogs to sleep in or to store away food. Drove House in Surfleet is the perfect example boasting a large open plan kitchen with an island, that together offer plenty of opportunities to make it dog-friendly. Plus, as a small country estate, there are 13 acres of grounds for your dogs to roam around in too. Read more

For close proximity to vets

Cloverfield Cottage – 3 bedrooms / 1 bathroom

When searching for a home, you’ll need to make sure there is a good veterinary practice close by. They tend to be within a few minutes drive but being in the town or village you live in is an added bonus. Cloverfield Cottage is such an example, with a few vets to choose from in the Fenland market town of Holbeach. Read more

For dog doors

The Old Bakehouse – 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms

We are starting to see more doggy doors, as they are a superb solution for allowing dogs to let themselves in and out of the house when they need to go outside. You can have these custom made with some impressive designs out there which also take into consideration security too. If you own a small dog, then you don’t need to worry about installing one at The Old Bakehouse in Titchmarsh as it already has a pet flap. Read more

For quiet roads

Cowbit Farmhouse – 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms

Dog safety is paramount when buying a home, which is why you must always consider proximity to a main road as no matter how much we try, our beloved animals can get loose. Cowbit Farmhouse offers that added safety being tucked away from traffic heavy roads. Read more

Find Out More

For more information about any of our dog-friendly country houses for sale, or to register with us, contact our Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire office on 01780 750 200 or the Oundle and North Northamptonshire office on 01832 808 008.

Homes for pumpkin picking

No doubt your carved pumpkins are ready to be lit after school and work this evening. It can be great fun choosing your own pumpkin, especially as a family, so here are some wonderful homes for sale within 15 miles of local pumpkin patches where you could be picking your very own next Halloween!

1 LINCOLNSHIRE PICK YOUR OWNTyrrell’s Farm, Spalding

SNAKE HALL, MOULTON EAUGATE – A five-bedroom Grade II listed Georgian former farmhouse. Read more

CLOVERFIELD COTTAGE, HOLBEACH – A delightful three-bedroom traditional country cottage. Read more

PIPWELL GATE, MOULTON SEAS END – A four-bedroom contemporary home with an open house on 5th Nov. Read more

2. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE PICK YOUR OWNWest Lodge Rural Centre

DUCKS NEST, OUNDLE – A three-bedroom Grade II listed quaint stone cottage. Read more

STONELEIGH, GEDDINGTON – A three-bedroom Grade II listed property originally part of the Priory next door. Read more

THE OLD BAKEHOUSE, TITCHMARSH – A four-bedroom Grade II listed thatched village house. Read more

3. CAMBRIDGESHIRE / PETERBOROUGH PICK YOUR OWNHill Farm

1 LONGTHORPE GREEN – A stunning four-bedroom stone family home that beautifully blends old with new. Read more

THE OLD SCHOOL, FARCET – A four-bedroom Edwardian home that was once a school. Read more

THE OLD BAKEHOUSE, YAXLEY – A four-bedroom period property that blends character with a contemporary feel. Read more

Find Out More

For more information about any of our country houses for sale, or to register with us, contact our Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire office on 01780 750 200 or the Oundle and North Northamptonshire office on 01832 808 008.

Tips for buying a home in the current property market

Surfleet

Despite a rise in interest rates and cost of living, demand is still going strong in our part of the world. In fact, it is still a sellers’ market according to recent data by property analyst, PropCast, which found the counties of Rutland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire all in very hot markets still. Although understandably buyer demand may have dampened slightly over recent weeks, there are still plenty of purchasers keen to find their dream country house in and around Rutland, Stamford, Oundle and Northamptonshire. 

Here are a few of our top tips to ensure you stay ahead of the game when it comes to not only finding a country house, but also securing it…

Keep in touch with estate agents

With a list of eager registered buyers ready to pounce, estate agents will make them aware of what is coming up for sale before properties have hit the open market. This means that something may sell without you even knowing it was for sale in the first place. To maximise your chances of finding out about these homes, register with estate agents in the area you are looking, meet them so they are familiar with your face, and keep in touch regularly. By building a rapport, you will be kept at the top of their minds. We have recently opened a beautifully refurbished office in the heart of the market town of Oundle in the historic building of The Old Town Hall at Market Place, so do pop by and say hello to your local Fine & Country team.

View properties as soon as possible

The really good houses go within days of launching. If there’s something you like the look of, book a viewing at the earliest opportunity. There will be some buyers who will literally do everything in their power to be the very first through the door, which means you could lose out if you wait too long.

Cash is king 

Some vendors are now prioritising proceedable buyers over who is offering the highest price. Cash buyers, or those with a relatively small mortgage, not only offer a vendor a quicker sale, but they also reduce the risk of a sale falling through due to affordability issues. This is because they are not relying on a huge mortgage, which vendors are finding very desirable at the moment. If you have already sold a property and have the funds ready to go in your bank, make the estate agent aware as this should act in your favour.

Moulton Seas End

Have your finances in place

If you are relying on a mortgage, have your finances in place. Also ask an accountant to write a letter confirming proof of funds. If you would like our recommendation for an independent financial advisor, please let us know as we work closely with a small family firm who offer a wide range of products available on the market and able to find you the best and most suitable mortgage deal.

Be flexible on completion date

Vendors are also prioritising buyers who can be flexible on a completion date. This is because they may need time to find something else themselves. 

Secure an excellent lawyer and surveyor

Make sure you are paying for good advice, as this will save you time and money. Also having these appointed as your search begins can put you in good stead in the eyes of a vendor. Cheap is often more expensive in the long run, so choose a solicitor because they have a good reputation and/or are recommended. We are able to send you recommendations of ‘tried and tested’ solicitors who will provide you with a service you desire.

Don’t panic

With multiple buyers looking at a property, you can easily overstretch yourself to beat the competition. However, you should only pay a premium if it’s the right house for you. Don’t panic buy, otherwise you could overspend on the wrong place and regret it. Research the value of the house you want to buy and calculate your maximum budget – then keep to it.

Longthorpe Green

Find Out More

For more information about any of our country houses for sale, or to register with us, contact our Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire office on 01780 750 200 or the Oundle and North Northamptonshire office on 01832 808 008.