Many years ago in Bristol there use to be a ballroom that was called the Locarno. Today I was in an extended 1930s semi-detached house that I suspect at one-time might just have been owned by a ballroom dancer who was so keen on his profession that he named his house after the ballroom; I am of course just guessing – him could have been her, but I'm still guessing! Anyway, this was a pleasant house largely in good condition but unfortunately the extension, conversion of the roof space, did not meet current Building Regulations but I suspect here that the roof was converted many years ago. Providing the Vendor can provide either an indemnity, or can arrange for a retrospective approval, then I see no reason why my Client should not proceed. The house however was not as well-designed as it could have been, so I gave the original architect three out of ten! It does, however, have a large garden with a modern garage at the end of which is an office and an alfresco dining area; all very pleasant, but whether you could dance the night away….   more »

I was half expecting to see the hunt, because where I have been today was a turning off Beaufort Road, so named after the Duke of Beaufort where houses were built in the mid-1800s. In this short road there were only houses basically on one side of it because on the other were tennis courts, so at least that makes parking slightly easier in the evenings. Parking in the daytime can be a bit tedious, because commuters tend to park there. Some commuters even eat breakfast in their cars! Sad people! The flat I saw, a garden flat was reasonably light and bright and reasonably spacious. It was largely in good condition and free from defect. Inevitably, I was expecting a little bit of damp and I suppose, I was not disappointed. There is some damp but none of it in my view is excessive, though ideally it needs treating. The flat backs onto a railway cutting, so solicitors will have to ensure there is no liability here though I suspect it is an area where foxes live. Now, the hunt…   more »