Why is a single storey home not always necessarily a bungalow? Most people would think they are one and the same thing but this is not actually the case. Although the accommodation of many bungalows are set out on just one level and can therefore be correctly described as single storey homes, not all single storey homes are bungalows. It is difficult to precisely define the difference between the two, rather like what makes one property a cottage and another a house; it really comes down to style and design.

The word bungalow originates from India and the term ‘bangalo’ referred to a house built in the Bengal style which were usually small, detached, one storey and often with a wide veranda. Initially a term adopted by British sailors in the 1690’s to describe a hovel, as the British Raj expanded they became ever more extensive and rather grand homes used by officials who by the late 19th and early 20th centuries began replicating them on their return to these shores. Their numbers proliferated in Britain and America in both suburban and rural settings with their style amended to suit the vernacular and in this country were often designed to the Arts and Crafts style in vogue at the time. Bungalows and single storey homes still remain hugely popular today although they only account for around 10% of the UK’s housing stock.

A bungalow is not necessarily limited to being just a single storey high as in the case of chalet bungalows which have a second floor, albeit one that is smaller than the ground floor and built into the eaves. This is a particularly common form of construction in the USA where the various states have their own specialist designs.

Historically in this country, other than those properties belonging to the nobility, most homes were single storey, rather like crofters cottages in the Highlands or Ireland. If you look carefully at some old cottages, you can see that they were built at different stages, sometimes with stone elevations at ground level and a brick faced upper floor. This was because stone used to be widely available and cheap before the industrial revolution saw the advent of the mass production of brick.

Nowadays, single storey homes often tend to be either older buildings such as former agricultural barns that have been converted to domestic use or ultra-modern, contemporary homes built to a style that would not be associated with a bungalow.

Although normally known for selling more traditional country cottages and village houses, Rural View has recently agreed the sale of two single storey homes in the South Wiltshire area. One a former cow barn requiring updating near Sutton Mandeville whilst the other is a superbly presented property in Brixton Deverill that was once part of a range of bull pens. Both properties created terrific interest demonstrating the demand for this type of construction.

The Summer Holidays are once again upon us and while getting away is always the focus of the coming weeks, there will be plenty of infilling to make sure that the little darlings are kept busy.

Here in South Wiltshire we have a variety of activities, attractions and places of interest, both in the immediate area and on the doorstep. The following may therefore be helpful… they are all tried and tested over quite a few years, but are certainly not exhaustive!

Flowers of Hatch

Pythouse Kitchen Garden

Tisbury Swimming Pool

Longleat Adventure and Safari Park

Wilton House Adventure Play Park

Soft Plays at Salisbury, Larkhill, Blandford Forum, Sturminster Newton and West Stour

Bowling at Salisbury and Yeovil

Yeovil Fleet Air Arm Museum

Middle Wallop Army Flying Museum

Compton Abbas Airfield

Haynes Motor Museum

Motor racing at Thruxton and Gurston Hill Climb, Broadchalke

Go-Carting at Thruxton and Salisbury

Spinnaker Sailing Club, Ringwood

English Heritage Sites including Old Wardour Castle, Old Sarum, Stonehenge.

National Trust Properties and land including Stourhead, Montacute, Corfe Castle and Studland.

A whole Dorset coastline!

For a more comprehensive selection visit http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/

HAVE FUN!

The recent budget has been described as one of the most progressive for years and one of the headline grabbing changes relates to the passing on of family homes and inheritance tax. From April 2017 if you own a property worth up to £1m you will be able to leave it to children or grandchildren completely free of inheritance tax. The following is taken from the Daily Telegraph’s report on the existing rules and how the new proposals will work.
In his budget speech on the 8th July 2015, Chancellor George Osborne announced that he will raise the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold from £325,000 per person to £500,000. This means that married couples and civil partners will be able to pass on assets worth up to £1m, including a family home, without paying any IHT at all.

Thousands of home owners have seen the value of their properties soar in recent years, particularly in London and the south east, thanks to a buoyant property market. This has raised concerns for many about the amount of tax their estate will incur after their death.

What are the rules now?

IHT is currently levied at a rate of 40pc on the value of an estate above the tax-free threshold, which has been frozen at £325,000 per person since 2009. Married couples and civil partners are entitled to double the allowance, passing on assets to their children or other relations worth up to £650,000 before a tax charge is triggered.

How will this change?

The Government will add a “family home allowance” worth £175,000 per person to the existing £325,000 tax free allowance from April 6, 2017. This means that individuals can pass on assets worth up to £500,000, including a home, without paying any IHT at all. For married couples and civil partners, the total is £1m. This additional allowance will be gradually withdrawn for estates worth more than £2m. The Conservatives first mooted its plan to raise the IHT threshold in 2007 and it was included in its 2010 manifesto. However the Liberal Democrats quashed any changed to IHT during the Coalition government.

What if I downsize my home?

Anyone who wants to downsize to a smaller property will be eligible for an “inheritance tax credit” so that even if they sell an expensive property they will still qualify for the new threshold providing the bulk of the estate is left to direct descendants. This is an attempt to encourage pensioners to free up larger properties for growing families.

How much will I pay?

Hargreaves Lansdown has calculated how these changes will affect you, depending on the size of your assets.

 

Single person

Value of family home Value of other assetsValue of the estateIHT liability nowIHT liability from April 2017
£175,000£175,000£325,000NilNil
£200,000£300,000£500,000£70,000Nil
£250,000£400,000£650,000£130,000£60,000
£400,000£600,000£1,000,000£270,000£200,000
£750,000£750,000£1,500,000£470,000£400,000
£1,000,000£1,000,000£2,000,000£670,000£600,000

Married couple

Value of family homeValue of other assetsValue of the estateIHT liability nowIHT liability from April 2017
£175,000£175,000£325,000NilNil
£200,000£300,000£500,000NilNil
£250,000£400,000£650,000NilNil
£400,000£600,000£1,000,000£140,000Nil
£750,000£750,000£1,500,000£340,000£200,000
£1,000,000£1,000,000£2,000,000£540,000£400,000

Register with us

Please complete the form below and one of us will be in touch shortly.

    *required

    Would you like a valuation?*

    Make an enquiry

    Make an enquiry

    Please complete the form below and one of the Directors will be in touch shortly.

      *required

      PREFERRED CONTACT METHOD

      Make an enquiry