From the category archives:

London

Secure Your Home For Winter with Our Guide To Property Security

22/11/2012

in East London,London,North London,South London,West London

It’s such a shame that we have to dampen this joyous time but last winter Halifax Home Insurance recorded an incredible 9,000 burglary claims, totalling £14.5million in value. The huge surge in burglaries is attributed to the increased cover of darkness which the coldest months of the year brings; opportunist burglars can advantage of unsecured homes during the increased hours of darkness, causing upset, stress and in many cases property damage for thousands of homeowners.

Keeping a home secure and protected against intruders is particularly important in the period November – February when there are fewer hours of daylight and a yearly upsurge in burglary crime statistics. Whether you are a tenant renting a private property or a homeowner who has just decided to sell a property online or rent a property on line, keeping the building safe and secure is an easy process when you follow these simple steps:

Locks

One of the most obvious ways in which to secure a property is to ensure that there are adequate locks on every door and window. Visible window and door locks, operated by keys only, can deter a burglar from attempting to break into a house, as it makes forced entry far more difficult. It is crucial that once the locks are installed, that they are actually kept locked during the night and whenever the house is empty; burglars don’t like to make things difficult for themselves, and an unlocked door is something of an invitation. Figures show that 4% of all burglaries occur because a burglar has entered through an unlocked entrance. Many homes have a spare key in case of emergencies, and the vast majority of them are stored in plant pots or doormats; the first place a burglar will look. Giving the spare key to a trusted neighbour or coming up with a hiding place that will not be immediately sussed out can prevent a burglar from simply letting themselves in.

For extra security, doors which lock from the inside can be fitted with additional bolts. If there are people working within the house, such as contractors or decorators, thoroughly checking all windows and doors once they’ve left it is important; someone may have cracked a window to allow paint fumes to disperse, and left it unlocked or ajar when they left. Rot should also be closely monitored; a wooden door frame which has succumbed to rot could easily be picked through by an intruder.

Exterior Fencing

There are also measures which can be taken in the garden or yard area around a home. A property with high walls, railings and fences, or even trellis along the top of fences, can be enough to put off a burglar; these obstacles can make for a very obvious entrance, or a very slow getaway. Trees and bushes around a property can obscure the windows and make it difficult for burglars to see what’s inside; if they don’t know whether there is anything worth stealing, they are more unlikely to target a home. Homeowners are also advised not to prop bins, ladders or other items which could be scaled against the side of their property. It may seem relatively safe to leave a top-floor bathroom window slightly ajar, but if there is an easily-accessible ladder in the vicinity, it is just as inviting as an unlocked door.  Sensor-triggered lights trained on all areas of the outside land can also assist in protecting a home; a burglar is much less likely to sneak around a garden if they know that they could be under a veritable spotlight at any moment.

Alarms

Alarms are paramount when considering the security of a home, but it is important to remember that an alarm will only be of use once an intruder is inside; they will not prevent an intruder from actually getting inside, although they may be slightly put off at the sight of a flickering burglar alarm fitted to the front of the house in plain view. All wiring systems should be completely hidden from sight; burglars with a mind for technology will often know how to disable alarms if their wires or power source are exposed.

It is important to get into good habits with regards to burglar alarms, including setting them even when heading to the shops for five minutes, or picking the children up from school. Sometimes alarms can malfunction, and if a faulty alarm is constantly going off, it can result in neighbours ignoring it. Alert neighbours when an alarm has been repaired so that they know that if it is set off again, it is an emergency and not a fault.

If you don’t have an alarm installed and don’t have the budget to do so, most installers will fit a dummy bell box for a small fee. These can be placed at the front of the property and either wired into the mains or fitted with an LED light so that they flash as a regular alarm would.

Light and Sound

Other useful deterrents include ‘Beware Of The Dog’ signs, which might not be the complete truth, but will make a burglar think twice. Leaving lights or radios on when out of the house gives the impression that people are at home, and even something as simple as getting to know the neighbours and asking them to look out for your property can be crucial in preventing crime. Tenants going away or landlords with empty properties are also advised to use a light timer which gives the appearance of someone being at home without the expense of leaving lights blazing all day and night non-stop. They are approximately £12.99 and are easy to install. They can be pre-set to turn lights on periodically for a specified time period and will then switch them off again, helping to save on electricity costs.

I Am The Agent

Rebecca Appleton

rebecca@dakotadigital.co.uk

Tel: 01623 428996

http://www.iamtheagent.com

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Buy To Let Student Accommodation: The Essential Guide For Landlords

22/10/2012

in East London,London,North London,South London,West London

According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the number of parents investing in property to give their children somewhere to live while they’re at university has soared in the past few years. Many concerned parents, who are worried about the debt levels their children will face after the tuition fee hike comes into play, are opting to invest in properties on a buy-to-let basis in their child’s university town. With rent rates higher than ever, especially in student accommodation, this solution can help to alleviate the financial burden that young people now face when seeking higher education. Profits can be made long after their graduation, but there are many things to consider before purchasing a buy-to-let property.

 

Location, Location, Location

Of the many things to consider before investing in accommodation which will specifically be rented to students, the location is one of them. The location is one of the most important factors for all students searching for a place to live while they study. All cities and towns with a large university will most likely have a ‘student’ area, with streets full of student housing, cheap bars, supermarkets, excellent transport links and close proximity to their university campus. Any housing in these areas is sure to be student-oriented and the chance of filling a room in these areas is very high. Including these selling points when you create a property listing and advertise a property online will make your offering really stand out and will help make sure your buy to let venture gets off on the best possible foot.

 

Appearances Matter

Basic renovation is important to get the property into good condition, but expensive furnishings are not necessary for student accommodation. Beds, wardrobes, desks and chairs should be included within each room, and there should be a communal area of a size befitting the number of tenants. Bathrooms and kitchen fixtures don’t need to be fancy, but rather functional.

 

Many student accommodation contracts only last for the duration of the academic year, which tends to run from September until May or June. This will mean that, for a few months per year, landlords will be without rent payments, and if taking out a loan to pay for the property, it is worth considering how the payments will be made while rent is not being taken on the house or flat. Deciding to rent a private property for the short term between semesters or considering holiday lets is a viable solution, or even offering 12-month contracts to students who need it.

 

Buying to let in a student area can help to maximise returns on investment; as long as there are students attending the university, there will always be prospective tenants looking to rent a room. Many student landlords choose to buy more than one property in the vicinity of the student area, simply because they know their rooms will always be in demand. Landlords can seek help from property management services to overcome the issues they find with their new occupation and use an online letting agent to keep costs down, maximising return on investment in the long term.

I Am The Agent

Rebecca Appleton

rebecca@dakotadigital.co.uk

Tel: 01623 428996

http://www.iamtheagent.com

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Living on the edge in SW London

12/10/2012

in London,South London,West London

By Amanda Collings

A recent request to contribute to a press article about living in and around Northcote Road in Battersea got me thinking about the benefits of living on the edge of areas that are most definitely evolved in recent years.

London being a series of markets within markets, it has been interesting to see over the years how an areas status has improved and really got it on ‘the place to live’ map. Once an area has become fully established (and property prices have risen to reflect this) the surrounding areas then themselves undergo somewhat of a transformation as boundaries get pushed outwards and buyers look to buy somewhere close by, where they can get more property for their money but enjoy much of the same amenities. This in turn seems to set the foundations for the next generation ‘place to be’.

It’s easy to see evidence of this, particularly in the south west, for example, where budgets are stretched in Chelsea, property prices in neighbouring Fulham still remain competitive and you are likely to get more for your money. Fulham also benefits from a great community and coffee house lifestyle of its own, yet is still a stones-throw from Chelsea.

For those where Fulham prices have become restricted, then across the river on Northcote Road, or ‘nappy valley’ as it is more fondly known, is an area where the majority of residence are young professional families. With access to excellent junior schools (state and private), plenty of green open space (the area sits between the Commons of Clapham and Wandsworth) and a wonderful café culture, it’s easy to see why this area has become popular.

However, it doesn’t come without a price tag, and the typical four to five bed Victorian terrace houses found in nappy valley are anywhere between £1.2M and £1.4M. So what’s the alternative? Neighbouring Clapham, Balham or other areas of Battersea all offer reduced £’s per sq ft but with the benefits of being able to access the heart and soul of the established areas.

It’s clear to see why living on the edge has its benefits, as a colleague recently pointed out to me “it’s a like buying a Seat instead of a Golf, it’s exactly the same car but with a different badge and therefore cheaper.”

However, there isn’t necessarily more supply in fringe areas but there will be less competition as they are not always the first port of call for the overseas buyer and therefore it should be easier to secure a property. Having said this, there are an increasing number of column inches dedicated to this very topic so competition may well increase over the next few years.

For further information on Garrington contact +44 (0)20 7099 2773 or email info@garrington.co.uk or visit www.garringtonlondon.co.uk

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There’s a time – and the time is now!

05/10/2012

in East London,General Property,Hertfordshire,Home Counties East,Home Counties West,Kent,London,Midlands & Heart of England,Norfolk,North Devon,North London,Northern,Somerset,South London,South West & South Wales,Suffolk,West London

Adrian Thompson, of FoxWood Maclean, assesses the property market this autumn and shares some thoughts on how to come out on top

Our unforgettable and glorious Olympic summer is behind us. For a while, most of us forgot about the financial arena as we became more interested in how Team GB was doing in the athletics one.  For a few weeks of sport-induced amnesia we also forgot about the property market.

Well, property is back! Hard on the heels of the Tour de France and Olympic road-race and track-cycling, we have property-cycling.

The property cycle is back in the news and back in our thoughts. Early autumn is the time of the year when property once again comes to the fore as families get busy thinking about a move before Christmas.

It is possible to move by Christmas. But is it probable – or desirable – given the economic and social conditions that prevail? 

The latest statistics tell us that property affordability is the best it’s been for more than a decade, but also that mortgage lending is down yet again. A paradox. 

And the next sets of figures may not be any better, either, as they will reflect the summer lull. But out there, things are stirring. Enquiries are rising. More people are viewing.  More offers are being made and sales are being tied up.

Numbers are what the property market is all about. The more enquiries, the more viewers; the more viewers, the more offers; the more offers, the more sales. Simple, really.

And with more house sales, the more our economy will respond. And the more the economy responds, the more confidence people will have. 

Confidence drives the property market. It is not city bonuses, slick marketing or estate agents. It is buyers confident about the future and sellers confident with reality.

Yet it is a harsh reality just now. We are probably not yet done with this wretched downturn, although prices across the country have flat-lined over the past couple of quarters – and they will probably do so for a few quarters to come.  But then, who knows? Mortgages will no doubt become easier to obtain and more and more people will then want to enter the property market.

And that is precisely the wrong time to do so, because a better time is right now.

Now there are more options and more opportunities for those in a good position to buy. 

Now there are some great choices in the market. 

Now there is less competition. 

Now there is more time.

Now there are deals to be done.

Now is the time to buy before Christmas and now is the time to get settled before the property cycle begins its climb.

It is always best to be a winner on the flat than miss out when things get steeper – ask any road-cyclist.

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Rental Market Trends

28/09/2012

in London

By Jennifer Mullucks

Over the last few years the London rental market has become increasingly disjointed from the rest of the UK, both in terms of activity and rental levels. Rents in London can be at least twice as high as those for similar property in other areas in the UK. As relocation agents we obviously keep a close eye on rental activity and the high levels of tenant demand in London, the cost of buying and the corporate rental sector are all factors spurring London’s rental values.

The recession has left many UK and international would-be property buyers no choice but to become part of the rental market. The unaffordable and restricted mortgage finance has forced families and individuals to turn to rental properties. We have also seen a lot of families come to us to utilise our rental relocation services as they are forced to relocate nearer to relatives or to a more affordable area.

This positive demand for rental is set to remain unless there is a significant change in mortgage availability from UK lenders.

The latest Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Lettings Survey highlights how tenant demand has continued to rise throughout the year, keeping rent levels high and expectations amongst its members is for rental levels to still climb in the following months of the year. Surveyors also reported a slight fall in new instructions from the previous month, following 18 months of new instructions rising.

The North West has experienced the highest average rental price growth from June to July growing at a rate of 6.9% – 2.6% over the national average. However, on the opposite side of the country the South West only achieved a 2.5% growth rate. Over the next few months of 2012, surveyors expect to witness London rents rising at a rate of 4.1%, and to reach a rate of 7.8% over the next 12 months.

The East End rental prices took an Olympic leap in the summer months with top rents reaching £1,700 per calendar month, growing at a much faster rate than the other boroughs in London. The Olympics and Paralympics drew a lot of attention to London and the UK, and although demand didn’t achieve the level landlords desired, rents continued to rise.

Our relocation agents see the East End, and London as a whole, offering great opportunities to those looking to rent, with a wide range of high quality developments to choose from. Those who are looking for new job prospects nearby and for young professionals living in the City are most likely to entertain the qualities that the East End and London offers.

As the challenging economic outlook looks set to continue, our relocation agents predict that rental properties are likely to stay in higher demand than purchased properties. Due to the competition and high demand for rental properties, individuals looking to rent in the current market should research their options, have credit check information in place and agree the rental terms as soon as possible, as good quality stock remains restricted.

Relocating to a new area can be a daunting prospect, our relocation agents are on hand to help.

For further information on Garrington contact +44 (0)20 7099 2773 or email info@garrington.co.uk or visit www.garringtonrelocation.co.uk

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The opportunities south east London property has to offer

11/09/2012

in East London,London,South London

Garrington London property finder, Mellony Morgan, believes there is still a stigma about living in South East London. Yet, there is so much potential being overlooked as south east London property offers a fantastic opportunity for potential buyers.

Many people look at the tube map and see little to the south east of London when in fact there is an abundance of green space, great schools and continuing improvements to transport links in and out of the centre. South east residents can be confident that with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), The London Overground, Thames Clipper and the improved National Rail services, transport is equal to any other area of London. This will further improve in 2018 with the long awaited arrival of Cross Rail.

South East London property regeneration

Since the 1990’s the improvement in transport infrastructure has had a significant effect on South East London property. In addition, continuous regeneration has been taking place across the area with previously rundown areas such as Lewisham, New Cross, Greenwich Peninsular, Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe rapidly becoming more desirable to accommodate the growing demand, particularly among young professionals and families.

Woolwich Arsenal, a 76 acre brown field site, now hosts The Royal Arsenal Riverside development, a whole new world of beautiful four bedroom town houses, warehouse apartments and a gastro pub where ‘yummy mummies’ meet.

Kidbrook Village, a prolific development on the doorstep of Kidbrook Station, is currently underway on the site of the infamous Ferrier Estate, a large haunting social housing estate built in the 1970’s. In its place will be 4,800 new homes with the first phase of property now available including luxury penthouse flats and mews houses.

The Overground, which runs through Surrey Quays, boasts an enormity of modern flats with many in a parkland setting and some overlooking the Thames and the impressive view of Canary Wharf. In this area is another significant development called Maple Quays close to Canada Water and Dockland Light Railway and tube station.

The old established areas of south east London including Blackheath Village, Dulwich Village, and the historical Greenwich have lost none of their charms, and are still rich with parkland and beautiful period architecture. These areas achieve some of the highest south east London property prices with recent sales being in the region of between £550 and £800 per sq ft in comparison to the £1000 per sq ft plus than those found in central London.

There are a number of good state and private schools across south east London including St Olave’s Grammar School, Dulwich College, Eltham College and Blackheath High to name but a few.

With the continuous rise in central and west London property prices, purchasers shouldn’t be frightened to look at south east London property as this is certainly an area to consider for all types of buyers.

If you would like more information on the opportunities south east London property has to offer please contact our London property finder team.

For further information on Garrington contact +44 (0)20 7099 2773 or email info@garrington.co.uk or visit www.garringtonlondon.co.uk

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The Olympics… Inspiring the London Property Market?

24/08/2012

in London

James Rawes, London property consultant at Garrington shares his thoughts on the Olympics and the London property market.

Across London the public opinion seems united; “what an amazing couple of weeks that was”. Whether you were there or simply glued to the TV, you can’t help but have been swept up in the euphoria and feel-good atmosphere of the Games. Whether it is Usain’s ‘Lightning Bolt’ or Mo’s ‘Mobot’, the image from the Games will stay with us for some time. But, now that it has finished, what will be the legacy? For starters, we have the Paralympics to give us that ‘hair of the dog’ cure for the inevitable hangover. Undoubtedly providing even more inspirational moments, the 2012 Paralympics will ensure that the success of London’s iconic events is firmly rooted in the minds of onlookers from around the world.

Perhaps the most successful element of the London Games however, has been the response to the volunteers, all 70,000 of them. Their cheerful and unstinting hard work ensured that all visitors to any of the events felt comfortable in the knowledge they had someone to guide them. Without guidance, many of us feel uncertain when dealing with unknown quantities and the prospect of searching for, negotiating on and ultimately buying a property which fills us with doubt and a lack of confidence.

Over the last few years, the London property market has stood out as a safe haven for property investment. While economies around the world have faltered, or even failed, people have not only flocked to London for the Olympics, but to place their hard earned money in residential property. Inevitably this has resulted in a buyer-heavy market, leading to rising prices and coupled with record low mortgage rates, consequentially leading to potential vendors being in no rush to sell. Time and time again buyers come to Garrington complaining that despite looking for over a year, they simply have not been able to find what they would like, or when they have, being out-bid by eager competitors.

The London property market has also shown recent signs of flux. Sure, prices are still rising but the pace seems to have slowed and agents are reporting that they are not seeing the activity levels compared to previous years. This may simply be a result of the prolonged celebrations we have encountered this year in London. It has certainly been a year to remember. But, are we also seeing an adjustment in the London property market, which is often a symptom of a sustained period of growth? Certainly, the final quarter of the year will be an interesting one for the UK property market and will no doubt give us a good indication of what we can expect in 2013.

All this results in more questions that need to be asked before you part with your hard earned money. Not only for when that elusive property you have desired becomes available, but for when you need to be the first across the finishing line. With the service Garrington provides, you will feel secure in the knowledge that you are receiving the best advice, the best guidance and you are giving yourself the best chance of winning the race.

The Olympic and Paralympic legacy may simply be that, with a little help, we can all be winners.

For further information on Garrington contact +44 (0)20 7099 2773 or email info@garrington.co.uk or visit www.garringtonlondon.co.uk

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