Journal
All the latest news, industry insights and updates from Team AB.
Join us at our next Open Home Event
The property market doesn’t stand still and neither do we. Did you know that September is one of our busiest months? We believe the best results come from being proactive, which is why we’re already planning our next Open Home Event, taking place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September. An Open Home Event isn’t […]
Home Energy Model: What the New EPC Changes Mean for Rental Properties
From 1st October 2029, the current Energy Performance Certificate assessment system will begin to be replaced by the new Home Energy Model (HEM), providing a more detailed picture of a property’s energy performance. For landlords, the changes are linked to new legal minimum energy efficiency standards. From 1st October 2030, privately rented properties in England and Wales will […]
How’s the Market? North West Property Market Update – August 2026
One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “How’s the market?” The answer is – While the summer has been a little quieter than many anticipated, that’s not unusual for this time of year and the fundamentals of the market remain very encouraging. A combination of factors have probably played a part. The spell […]
Find More Than a House – Find Your Lifestyle
When people begin searching for a new home, it’s easy to focus on the number of bedrooms, the size of the garden or whether there’s enough parking. While those features are important, the truth is that buying a home is about so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s about finding a place that suits […]
Home Buying and Selling Reform: What we know so far…
The UK home buying and selling process has long been criticised for being too slow, too uncertain and too prone to transactions falling through. With a national average of around one in three agreed sales failing to complete, the Government has signalled its intention to modernise the system and improve the experience for everyone involved […]
Sam’s RICS Success
I joined Armitstead Barnett in October 2023, having worked as a Land Agent since 2016 while also completing a Master’s degree in Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University. One of my main reasons for joining the firm was the opportunity to further develop my professional qualifications and progress my career. A significant […]
Agricultural Land Market Trends North West England
The agricultural land market across the North West continues to demonstrate resilience despite an increasingly challenging economic backdrop for many farming businesses. While demand remains generally robust, buyer sentiment is becoming more selective as different sectors of the agricultural industry face varying financial pressures. For several years, the dairy sector has been one of the […]
The Importance of Accurate Probate Valuations
Many people will find themselves acting as an Executor of an Estate at some stage. While this can be a significant responsibility, Executors have a legal duty to administer the estate correctly, ensuring that all assets are recorded accurately, fairly, and in accordance with the law for the benefit of the beneficiaries. One of the […]
Preparing for Sustainable Farming Incentive and Capital Grants for 2026
The first round of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) is due to open on Tuesday 30th June 2026, following the recent announcement from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). For SFI26, there will be two application windows: one opening in June and a second opening later in the year, in September. Recently, the RPA released […]
Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme
The Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) involves the replacement of six major tunnel sections along the Haweswater Aqueduct route, totalling approximately 52km. This route was originally completed in the 1950’s, with the current project aiming to ensure continued supply of drinking water. The total construction cost is estimated to be around £3 billion. This is […]
Commercial Property Market Update Lancashire & South Cumbria
The commercial property market across Lancashire and South Cumbria has continued to show encouraging signs during the first half of 2026, although activity levels have varied depending on property type and location. One trend we have noticed is an increase in instructions relating to secured lending. These have included both the refinancing of existing properties […]
Sustained Demand Supports Agricultural Land Rental Values
The 2026 agricultural land rental market remains relatively tight, with the amount of land available to let continuing to decline. This reflects cautious landlord behaviour and ongoing structural changes within farming businesses. The market is increasingly shaped by post-Brexit agricultural transition policies, the gradual removal of the Basic Payment Scheme, volatile milk and grain prices, […]
