Northfields

Come rain or shine Northfields will be open this Bank Holiday Monday

We're hoping for another beautiful and sunny May bank holiday like the one we had at the beginning of May, but even if we don't get the same great weather this holiday Monday, Northfields will be open to help you with selling, letting, buying or renting property.

We'll be open:
  
Monday, May 27th, 2013 - 11am - 3:30pm
 
Pop into one of our offices on holiday Monday and tell us what we can do to help you with your property needs this spring.  The whole team at Northfields would like to wish you a very pleasant break (and we've got our fingers crossed for great weather).

Prices for Ealing Property are up 20.2% from last year

Demand for family properties in the Ealing area is driving property prices up.  According to an article on EalingToday.co.uk, the average house price in the W5 postcode is topping £500,000.  This amounts to a 20.2% rise when compared to last year’s prices, while in W13 prices were up 13.9%.  In the W13 postcode area the average house price hit £463,353.

Working flat out

The number of flats sold during the first three months of the year was up by 84.2% according to Ealing Today.  Average prices for flats have reached record highs with an all-time high of £356,000 being recorded. 

Interestingly, if you compare the number of flats being sold with the number of houses, it is clear that although both flats and houses have seen rising prices, the houses have not seen an increase in transaction numbers.  In fact, the volume of house sales in W13 has dropped.  The lack of activity at the top end of the market could well be attributed to families who are holding onto their properties, particularly those that sit within well-regarded school catchment areas.

Ealing’s Golden Triangle

As the only agent in Ealing with three offices, one in each of the three keys areas of Ealing’s Golden Triangle made up of Ealing Broadway, Northfields and Pitshanger, Northfields is uniquely placed to have an overview of the market.  As result of our expertise in the Ealing area we can say that there is a great deal of competition for family homes, especially where well-reputed school catchment areas are concerned. 

For example, Northfields sold a 3 bedroom house in Fowler’s Walk, W5 in November 2012 for £470,000.  At the time, the sale was the highest price attained on the road for the last 3 years. 

Sales Manager, David Orpin

However, Northfields has just agreed a sale on a 2 bedroom house in the same road for in excess of the £470,000 we achieved at the end of last year in the same road.  “This example in Fowler’s Walk is a microcosm of the Ealing market”, explains Sales Manager at our Pitshanger office, David Orpin. “With people hanging onto to the highly desirable properties in W13 and W5, there are more people competing for fewer available properties resulting in a demand that has driven prices upward.”

With our new sales office in Ealing Broadway, Northfields has offices in the three key areas of Ealing, so sellers will be sure that their properties will be seen by buyers registering in all three areas to capitalise on competition for the highly desirable family homes that don’t stay long on the market.

To get an opinion on how your property’s value has been affected by changes in Ealing over the last year, call us for a free, no obligation valuation of your home on 020 8740 6622.  There’s no pressure, no fuss and it only takes 20 minutes. 

There are 1 billion more people who own mobile phones than people who own toothbrushes

Did you know that more people currently own a mobile phone (5.1 billion) than own a toothbrush (4.2 billion).* 

There are two things to be said about this.  First of all – ick.  That’s a lot of people with questionable dental hygiene.  Secondly, it means that if you are selling or letting property you can’t afford to use an estate agent that doesn’t have a mobile friendly website. 

At a recent Rightmove seminar, we learned that 1 in 5 people searching for property are looking at property online using a smartphone.  So if you have an estate agent who hasn’t yet realised that mobile internet is swiftly becoming something they can’t afford to ignore – it’s time to switch estate agent. 
If you are not using an agent with a mobile friendly website that means you are missing out on 1 in 5 potential buyers or tenants.

Northfields mobile website

Northfields has both a mobile website and a smartphone app.  If you want a second opinion on how your property could be better marketed call, Northfields for a free valuation.  There’s no fuss. There’s no hard sell. It only takes 20 minutes and it’s free.

You’ll also be glad to know that after a quick straw poll of the office – we all own toothbrushes.  And I think that when you are meeting someone face to face that kind of thing really can’t be discounted.

Call 020 8740 6622 or e-mail us at enquiries@northfields.co.uk .  You can also request a valuation online by clicking here.  book your appointment.

*source:  Working the Cloud by Kate Russell of workingthecloud.biz

 

How would you spend £150?

New pair of shoes?

Big night out?

Save it for a rainy day?

Give it to charity?

At Northfields we know there is nothing more powerful than a recommendation.  In fact, 99.3% of our customers would recommend us to family and friends. 

Nick Devonport, Group Operations Director, Richard Palfreeman, Managing Director, Silvia Eldawi, Lettings Director

We want to say thank you to our loyal customers for recommending us, so if you recommend us to a friend who goes on to successfully sell or let their property through Northfields, we'll give you a cheque for £150*.  Or we'll donate £150 to a charity of your choice.

It's this simple.  You like us.  You tell your friend.  We say thanks. You (or your favourite charity) get £150. 

That’s not bad for helping out a friend is it?

E-mail us now at enquires@northfields.co.uk or call 020 8740 6622 to give us your friend’s details and make sure to mention the recommend a friend scheme.

*Terms & Conditions:  Offer valid for new customers who have not previously used Northfields for a property transaction.  For successful property transactions with Northfields, resulting from the recommendation process, upon financial and contractual property completion, (sale, let rental, and purchase).  One payment per property.  To claim the £150 the referrer must advise the person recommended that they have been referred.  Our  £150 'thank you' and donations to charities are inclusive of VAT.  Please allow thirty days for payments to be made after the property completion date.  We reserve the right to decline the recommendation.

Help Northfields turn the Askew Road into a River of Fruit Trees

Local West London environmental charity, the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association and residents, shops and local businesses including Northfields, are to turn the Askew Road into a river of fruit trees between 18th May and 9th June 2013, and be part of the Chelsea Fringe, a festival of flowers, gardens and gardening which will be held across London over three weeks to coincide with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“The rationale behind this local community event is to bring people together and enjoy the fun of growing, sharing and transforming the Askew Road by greening up our patch with blossoming apple, peach, pear and plum trees under-planted with herbs to create a corridor of flowers for bees, butterflies and pollinating insects”, said Annie Pennington from Askew Business Network.

Shops and local businesses will showcase their trees on the Askew Road.  The library has been the first to sign up and is to link its Edible Askew Road with the children’s book “Each, Peach, Pear Plum” by Allan Ahlberg and display these trees and have children’s activities running during this time.  It has also partnered up with Greenside Primary School on a number of activities and will donate its trees to the school.

There will be planting sessions during the week commencing 13th May at the Ravenscourt Glasshouses so check hcga.org website for details.  Local school children will decorate the trees with colourful paper bees and butterflies for the trees.

Edible Askew Road will be launched between 11 am and 2.30 pm on Saturday 18th May with much fanfare including food, pedal-powered smoothie bikes, discovery trails, and entertainers such as Albert & Friends and stilt-walkers, a BBQ at The Eagle and much more. 

Local historian Caroline MacMillan is to run her popular discovery tour of Askew Road and tell us about the history behind the shops and area.  Did you know, Alishiba was a rabbit breeder and the funeral directors’ the local baker?

The three weeks will culminate with a concert and wine-tasting fund-raiser at the Ravenscourt Park Glasshouses organised by the HCGA to be held on Friday 7th June.

MORE ABOUT HAMMERSMITH COMMUNITY GARDENS ASSOCIATION & THE CHELSEA FRINGE
Local environmental charity, HCGA manages gardening projects at award-winning Phoenix Farm, the Ravenscourt Glasshouses, Loris Gardens and Godolphin Gardens and several primary schools. Last year’s very successful Edible High Road in Chiswick was organised by Chiswick-based Abundance London, for the Chelsea Fringe. Chelsea Fringe is a festival of flowers, gardens and gardening held across London over three weeks to coincide with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Chelsea Fringe is completely independent of the Flower Show and entirely powered by volunteers but complements the renowned show in a similar adventurous spirit to the Edinburgh Fringe.

This year Abundance London will be doing Herbal High Road at the same time.
www.hcga.org.uk www.chelseafringe.com www.abundancelondon.com

Follow on Twitter: @HCGAGardens @chelseafringe @edibleaskewroad
Or spread the word by liking the Facebook Page for Edible High Road. 

Northfields Will be Open this May Bank Holiday

The May bank holidays will soon be here and if you are trying to buy, rent, sell or let property, Northfields will still be open to assist you.

We'll be open:

Monday, May 6th, 2013 - 11am - 3:30pm

Monday, May 27th, 2013 - 11am - 3:30pm

Pop into one of our offices on one of these holiday Mondays and tell us what we can do to help you with your property needs this spring.  The whole team at Northfields would like to wish you a very pleasant break over the May bank holidays.

Ever wondered where your lettings agent would choose to live? Now you can find out

Our lettings team see a lot of properties on a daily basis.  Knowing properties in the West London area that well, has it ever crossed your mind - with all that experience where would your agent choose to live?

Well we'll let you in on the secret...

Amy Harper, Branch Manager in our Ealing Broadway office confesses which property makes her heart go pit-a-pat.

Amy Harper, Branch Manager in our Ealing Broadway office

"Apartments in Dickens Yard are definitely top of my most coveted property list".

The sleek interior in Dickens Yard

"We have a 2 bedroom apartment in Dickens Yard at the moment, that I think represents pure luxury living.  In the office, we often discuss how living in Dickens Yard would feel like you were staying in a 5 star hotel, in the sense that you would always feel special and that there was always someone on hand to help you."

The balcony Amy can't resist at Dickens Yard

"I love the resident's gym at Dickens Yard and the breath-taking views from the enormous balcony blow my mind, but it is the friendly welcome from the concierge staff, particularly Samir and Francesca who always remember you by name that makes this apartment feel both welcoming and indulgent at the same time."

So the secret is out...but shhh, don't tell. Or everyone will be wanting the five star Dickens Yard treatment. 

Sharing Your Property is a Quick Click Away with our New Social Media Sharing Buttons

Northfields now has social media sharing buttons on our website that allow you to share a specific property with your friends and contacts.

We’ve included easy to use sharing buttons for the most popular social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest above each property advertised on our website.

Why share?

If you are a landlord or seller

If you are a landlord or seller, you can let your circles of contacts know that your property is available.  It may be that a friend you rarely speak to outside of your online life sees your property via your Facebook page who is looking for exactly your type of property.  Or it could be that one of your friends re-tweets or shares your property details and one of their contacts is interested in your property.  From that shared link, the interested tenant or buyer can contact Northfields and we can do the rest.

If you are a buyer or tenant

If you are looking for property to buy or rent, using social media sharing buttons is a great way to keep track of the properties on your shortlist.  For example, if you were to create a board for your favourite properties via Pinterest you could have all the properties that interest you in one place.  Sharing your property with your friends also allows you to get their opinion on the property which is far easier than trying to get your mum, your best friend and your aunt to all to come with you for a viewing.

If you are a property fanatic or decorating devotee

If you are one of those people who can’t pass up on an episode of Location, Location, Location or watches anything hosted by Sarah Beeny, you might want to use social media buttons to share your love of property.  You may even want to get some decorating ideas from some of the beautiful interior shots that can be found on the Northfields website, like this absolutely beautiful property that is currently under offer with Northfields in Bellevue Road, Ealing.

If you are not exactly sure how to use these social media sharing buttons, we’ve put together a quick video to show you how to do it:

 

Visit www.northfields.co.uk to start sharing now.

If are thinking of selling or letting your property contact Northfields now on enquiries@northfields.co.uk or call us on 020 8740 6622 for a free, no obligation valuation of your property.  It’s free and it only takes 20 minutes.

If your agent doesn’t have a mobile site you may be missing out on 1 in 5 people searching for property

You’ve done all your research.  You invited a few estate agents around to your property to get it valued.  You've looked at all the comparative research and marketing materials that the agents provided.  You have a feel for what agents you feel comfortable with and which agents you feel you can trust.  You feel ready to make your decision on what agent should market your property.

But wait right there!

Did you remember to ask each agent if they have a mobile version of their website?

This question may seem like a minor consideration except when you consider:

1 in 5 people searching for property access property websites via a mobile device

What that means for you

If your estate agent does not have a mobile website then you are missing out on 1 in 5 potential buyers or tenants for your property.

Can you afford to miss out on a potentially great buyer or tenant?

Not only that, but people who access property websites via mobile devices spend more time looking than people searching on a desktop or laptop computer and view more pages.  Here are some stats on how many minutes on average people spend on a property website and how many pages they view according to what type of device they use:

Device	Number of pages viewed	Number of minutes  per visitor per month spent on site
Laptop	50	32 minutes
Android mobile device	90	50 minutes
Iphone	154	63 minutes
Ipad	167	74 minutes

So when you invite an agent to value your property, one of your questions should be:

“Do you have a mobile version of your website?”

Northfields does have a mobile version of our website and even an easy to use app.  So all of our landlords and sellers know that their properties are going to be seen by 5 out of 5 people accessing property websites.  Now that is 5 star service.

Call us on 020 8740 6622 or e-mail us at enquiries@northfields.co.uk and we can give you an accurate, no-obligation valuation of your home.

Our Customers Can Sign Paperwork in their PJs, on a Train, in Singapore or Anywhere with An Internet Connection

The latest innovation from your local award winning agent

Think back to the last time you signed a piece of paperwork related to your property.

How long did it take? 

Where were you? 

Could the process have been faster or easier?

At Northfields we've been looking at ways to answer that last question.

We know that you are busy and don't always have time to pop into our offices to sign paperwork.  Or don't want to fuss with putting paperwork in the post.  So, as part of our continuing efforts to make the process of letting or selling a property as effortless and convenient as possible for all our customers we are introducing Docusign, the fastest, most secure way to sign documents electronically anytime, anywhere and on any Internet-enabled device.

Using Docusign couldn’t be any simpler; when your paperwork, is ready for you to sign, you will receive an email alert directly from one of our team through the Docusign software which will allow you to begin the signing process. The easy-to-follow on-line instructions guide you smoothly through the procedure. Once all signatories have signed the documents you will receive a copy of the final paperwork via email for your records.  All electronically signed documentation via Docusign is legally binding and is certified at completion to all parties*.

The ability for us to send and receive documents which require a signature through Docusign not only gives you peace of mind that your legal paperwork has reached us and all parties safely, but it also allows you to sign your agreement effortlessly and at your own convenience.

Docusign is particularly good news for landlords or sellers based overseas.

If you are already one of our customers, please kindly let us know if you have changed your email address or have not yet provided one so that you will be able to take advantage of using Docusign. You can do this by either calling or emailing your local office, the details of which you can find on our website.

Naturally, should you have any questions relating to Docusign then please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8840 6666 or via email at enquiries@northfields.co.uk.

And if you prefer to keep signing your paperwork in person, then don't worry, that option is still available.

Is your estate agent using Docusign?  If not, maybe it is time to make the change - call us on 020 8740 6622 or e-mail us at enquiries@northfields.co.uk and we can give you an accurate, no-obligation valuation of your property.