Where are the best places to live – Wothorpe, Stamford

Recently I was asked where I thought were the best places to live. My response? The latest property hotspot Wothorpe in Stamford.

Tucked away and within walking distance of the increasingly popular Stamford Schools, Wothorpe largely consists of two parallel roads (‘Drifts’) flanked with mostly large properties ranging from listed cottages and manor houses to ultra-modern designer homes. Most properties have decent sized gardens, off-road parking and benefit from being sited in a rustic-feel road on the ‘doorstep’ of buzzing Stamford town.

In the past two years, demand for property in Wothorpe has gone off the scale. Last year a 1970s house on a quarter acre plot created near hysteria from a dozen buyers desperate to win the sealed bid pitch. Likewise, estate agents lucky enough to be instructed to sell a Wothorpe property often don’t bother to advertise because they already have a list of willing buyers waiting to snap up an elusive property. Indeed, ‘off-market’ selling is the de rigueur in Wothorpe.

So, if you are tempted to try and buy in this property hotspot, here are three tips to avoid getting your fingers burnt:

1. Noise levels: check this out carefully as road noise from the A1 can be intrusive in some areas of Wothorpe (particularly on 2^nd Drift but equally in some areas of 1^st Drift). Be careful to visit a property at different times of day, different days of the week and when the wind is in different directions. You may be amazed how the decibels change.
2. Become well connected in the area: as discussed above, properties often exchange hands away from the public eye. A property finder such as myself can help you access this market.
3. Negotiate carefully: the hysteria caused by some buying scenarios can tempt you to overpay. This may be appropriate if you understand the market and how this fits your priorities and plans but equally, could become a costly mistake. Get advice from an independent property expert.

If you are considering a move to the Stamford area and its surrounds and would like to know how Garrington can expertly guide you as well as where are the best places to live, please get in touch for a no obligation discussion.