Northfields

Five to View Under £250,000

1.  Competitively Priced

This eighth floor apartment ticks all the boxes.  Central location with easy access to transport - check.  Long lease - check.  Immediate vacant possession - check.  Spacious reception room - check.  Great price - check.

The Property for sale:  1 bedroom apartment

Where:  Trentham Court, Acton, W3

The Price:  £159,950

Click here for more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

 

2.  Quiet Conversion

Tucked in quiet cul-de-sac this conversion flat lists a share of the freehold and immediate vacant possession among its many charms.

The Property for sale:  1 Bedroom Conversion flat

Where:  Nemoure Road, Acton, W3

The Price:  £189,950

Click here for more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

 

3.  Two Bedrooms for Under £200,000

Two bedrooms and a spacious reception room, plus communal gardens and off street parking make this property perfect for the young professional.

The Property for sale:  2 Bedroom Flat

Where:  York Avenue, Hanwell W7

The Price:  £194,950

Click here for more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

 

4.  Private Garden Party

Finding a property with a private garden for under £200,000 in London is pretty special, particularly when the property is also beautifully presented with a modern kitchen, long lease and great transport links.

The Property for sale:  1 Bedroom Garden Flat

Where:  Midland Terrace, NW10

The Price:  £199,950

Click here for more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

 

5.  Private Lock-Up Garage

The icing on the cake of this stylish two bedroom apartment is the private lock-up garage. 

The Property for sale:  2 Bedroom flat

Where:  Boston Manor Road, Brentford TW8

The Price:  £245,000

Click here for more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

 

To see all the properties Northfields has for sale for £250,000 or under the 3% stamp duty threshold, click here.

Licensing Changes for Landlords in the London Borough of Ealing

From 19 April in Southall Green, Southall Broadway, Greenford Broadway, South Acton, Acton Central and East Acton all landlords of two storey properties with at least four people (who are not from the same family) living in them will have to obtain a license from Ealing Council.  Up until now, only landlords of properties that were three storeys or more had to get a licence.  The change is being introduced in the areas of Ealing where the council most often gets complaints about landlords. 

As a result, the newly licenced properties will face regular check-ups by council officers to make sure that the landlord has made provisions for fire safety, that bathrooms and kitchens are up to standard, boilers are safe and that homes are pest-free.  

Currently, any properties in the London Borough of Ealing that have 3 or more storeys and five or more occupants are already subject to this scheme. 

If you require advice about renting a property in the London Borough of Ealing and to see how Northfields can help to manage your properties to ensure that as a landlord you are not at risk for being fined, call our award winning lettings team on 0208 567 6660.

Ask the Agent: How Many People Can I Bring to a Viewing?

Ideally, you should turn up with just the "decision makers" present.   Whoever is going to be living in the property and will actively be making a decision regarding whether you will take the property or not.  Having the decision makers present at the first viewing means that you won't waste the seller or tenant's time, never mind your own, having second viewings so that the other decision makers can see if the property passes muster.

What if one or more of the decision makers is out of the country, can I take pictures?

It would be the height of bad manners to walk round someone's home snapping pictures on your mobile phone without asking first, so be sure to ask for permission.

Is it OK to being children to a viewing?

Not ideal on a first viewing as children can be distracting. If the vendor has children, then it might be acceptable to bring them on a second viewing, but if the vendor is childless, they may find it a bit of an imposition, so again it might be best to ask first.

Conflicting Views of the Market

Reading or watching the news at the moment will certainly leave most people quite confused about the current state of the housing market.  Various statistics are being released at the beginning of a new month, but they don't seem to be saying the same things.  Here are a few of the latest headlines:

Rightmove reports in their latest House Price Index that "Prices Jump while agents scramble for stock".

While the BBC reports that "UK House Prices Lose Momentum".

Given such conflicting headlines who is a house-hunter supposed to believe?  First of all, remember that London is a very different market than the rest of the UK and most of these headlines are referring to national trends and not the trends affecting the London area.

If you delve further into the BBC article you will find the statement "In January, house prices in England & Wales rose fastest in London, where they went up by 3.9%."

The Rightmove House Price Index supports the assertion that London is enjoying a rather more buoyant market than the rest of the nation with February seeing a 5% rise in the nation's capital.  The annual change in prices is up 10.3% on last year's figures. 

The index reveals that "Sellers appear to be hoping for a prosperous new year, and are asking an average of 3.2% more than last month. This average rise of over £7,000 is surprising given the difficult UK and global economic picture. However property in popular locations remains in short supply, supporting upwards price pressure, as seen in London where the average asking price this month is the highest we have ever recorded."   

So can sellers or would-be sellers in London be safe in the knowledge that the equity in their biggest investment is as "safe as houses"?  Miles Shipside, commercial director of Rightmove warns that, "Sellers are starting to appear in greater numbers, but they must realise this market is more akin to the mortgage-rationed times of the 1970s and 1980s than to more recent times of relatively easy mortgage availability. For individual sellers it's hard to grasp the bigger picture and they rightly hope they will find a buyer who can get the required share of the rationed finance that is available. This works after a fashion while the number of sellers remains limited. However if sellers return to the market in larger numbers the current upwards price pressure will not be sustainable with the restricted number of buyers."

The moral of the story is that it might be best to put your property up for sale now while stocks of property are still limited and buyers are having to act quickly to snap up the available stock.  Call Northfields now to arrange your free valuation on 0208 840 6666 or request a valuation online by clicking here.

Five to View: Properties for Rent with Gardens

1.  Take a Dip

A luxury three bedroom flat with an outdoor swimming pool, plus a private balcony and garage.

The Property for let:  3 Bedroom Luxury Flat

Where:  Hillcrest Road, Ealing W5

The Price:  £1,700 pcm

Click here for more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

 

2. Located in the Heart of Ealing Broadway

Moments from the tube, this house offers a beautifully decorated haven.

The Property for let:  2 Bedroom House

Where:  Eaton Rise, Ealing W5

The Price:  £1,400 pcm

Click here for more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

 

3. Private Oasis

A spacious eat-in kitchen leads to a sunny conservatory overlooking a well maintained private rear garden.

The Property for let:  2 Bedroom Mid-Terrace House

Where:  Mulberry Crescent, TW8

The Price:  £1,295 pcm

Click here for more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

 

4.  Immaculate Flat with Shared Garden

Stunning kitchen and luxury bathroom, plus a beautifully maintained shared garden make for a tempting combination

The Property for let:  2 Double Bedroom Flat

Where: Seaford Road, Ealing W13

The Price:  £1,100 pcm

Click here for more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

5.  Come Rain or Shine

A stunning three double bedroom house that is only a short walk from South Ealing Tube (Piccadilly Line).  When it is cold out, sit next to one of the fireplaces and when it is fine, enjoy the gorgeous private garden.

The Property for let:  3 Double Bedroom, 2 Bathroom House

Where:  Sunderland Road, Ealing W5

The Price:  £1,800 pcm

Click here for more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

 

Want to see more properties for rent with gardens, click here to see what Northfields has on offer.  If you see something you like, book a viewing now before you lose it, call 0208 567 6660.

Estate Agency Report Finds Greater Satisfaction with Service

 A recent Office of Fair Trading Report has found that satisfaction with estate agents has improved.

After undertaking a year long study of estate agency, The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has found that the industry is in reasonably good shape as a whole.

Although, the study reported that a third of sellers were unhappy with their agents' fees, overall most buyers and sellers were satisfied with their estate agent's service.

The National Asscociation of Estate Agent's (NAEA) of which Northfields is a member, has criticised the report for failing to suggest "robust" protection for buyers and sellers.  Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the NAEA has said that "The NAEA would like to see a greater level of regulation to ensure that professional, qualified estate agents are not confused with agents that, all too often, fail to meet the basic professional standards we would expect from our members."

The more critical aspects of the OFT's report found that:

• price competition among estate agents is still weak

• existing laws on estate agency make it hard for competitors to use the internet to set up business and drive down prices.

The OFT found there was still little competition between "traditional agents" and the fees they charge to sellers, but pressed the point that it had found no evidence that estate agents colluded locally to keep up their commission rates.

As part of its study the OFT studied internet property sites, price competition between agents, and consumer protection.

"Encouraging new business models, online estate agents and private seller platforms could put useful competitive pressure on traditional models and lead to better value for buyers and sellers," said John Fingleton, chief executive of the OFT.

"The government can help this process by updating legislation and making sure regulation only applies where it is essential to protect consumers."

The OFT said that existing legislation relating to traditional estate agents was "comprehensive and wide-ranging, and that further regulation was unnecessary".  A point of view that is in stark contrast to the point of view of the NAEA, "...once again the OFT has categorically failed to see that better regulation of the home buying and selling market is required. Buying a home is often the largest single transaction of a person’s life and it is disappointing that the OFT has not thought it appropriate to acknowledge that a robust and appropriate level of consumer protection is needed." said Peter Bolton King.

“This is in stark contrast to the views of the Department for Communities and Local Government who are proceeding with the full regulation of lettings agents. This inconsistency is very difficult to understand given that the same agents and firms often deal with both sales and lettings."

At the moment anyone can open an estate agency, without any qualifications or permissions.  If that estate agent subsequently break the laws about describing a property incorrectly, handling a client's money, not declaring an interest in a property, or engage in some other form of dishonesty then they can be banned from trading.  It seems unbelievable that someone must first be taken advantage of, before regulatory bodies can become involved. 

So how do you ensure that you are amongst the 88% of buyers and sellers in this report who were satisfied with their estate agent's service?  Choose an estate agent who is a voluntary member of a regulartory body like the NAEA, the National Approved Lettings Scheme or the Property Ombudsmon.  Better yet, choose a member of those regulatory bodies who regularly wins awards industry awards.  Let a qualified and regulated agent handle the transaction on your biggest asset - your home.  Call Northfields today for your free valuation on 0208 840 6666.

Northfields in the News - How Northfields Keeps Staff Motivated in the Financial Times

Northfields was recently asked by the FT to comment on how we keep our staff trained and motivated, especially in the face of the recent recession.  Our Managing Director, Richard Palfreemen explains "Having been through the last recession, we probably acted faster than other people,” he says. “We have got through it by focusing on training and development, but also by trying to make it fun and buzzy.”  Click here to read the full article.

Feel like working in a motivated environment?  Click here to see Northfields's latest job vacancies.

Energy Performance and Saving you Money

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC. EPC's look very much like the energy efficiency rating charts on home appliances and work in a similar way.

Example of energy efficiency rating graph for homes

EPCs carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve if changes outlined in the full report were undertaken.

The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date for British homes is 'D'. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.

The recommendation report

As a tenant or potential home buyer you can ask to see the full EPC report.  This report details recommendation  to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:

• suggested improvements, like fitting loft insulation
• possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
• how the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property

You are not required to act on the recommendations in the report. However, if you decide to do so, it could not only improve your green credentials but it could help you to save money and make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.

So what actions could you take to start saving the environment while saving money at the same time?

It can be daunting to look at your property and wonder where to start to make your home greener.  Why not make 2010 a bit greener (and cheaper) by starting with these points:

1. Top-up your loft insulation - The recommended minimum is 250mm in the loft, but there's often room for a top-up - especially during this cold weather.

2. Fix any dripping taps - Did you know that a single tap dripping once a second could waste 1400 litres of water in a year? It's not just a waste of precious water, it's a waste of carbon too as processing and distributing the water we use in our homes has a high carbon footprint. A new washer for the tap costs as little as a pound.

3.  Stop drying clothes on radiators -  Drying wet clothes on the radiator can reduce the amount of heat that circulates in the room - and cause damp. Try using a pull-out washing line that you can extend over the bath tub. It only cost a couple of pounds and it means that when it's too cold or wet to dry clothes outside you can still dry them naturally and the bathroom extractor fan should prevent any damp.

4. Defrost the freezer -  Before doing your weekly shop when the fridge is relatively empty, remove all the food and put it in a cold box.  Open the fridge and let it defrost.  A frost free freezer will run much more efficiently. A full freezer also uses less energy than an empty one, so don't take too long to fill it back up again.  While you are at it, hoover the coils on the back of the fridge to keep things running efficiently. 

5. Switch your GU10 spotlights to LED bulbs - If you have spotlights in your home you can convert to the 7-11w energy saving ones, but the new Envirolight LED ones are only 2.6w so we can now get the same light for 75% less electricity.

6. Complete the Home Energy Check on the Energy Saving Trust website, click here to see this tool which enables you to calculate the carbon footprint of your home. It also offers free independent advice on how you can save even more energy this year.

7.  If you have recently bought or rented a home, check out the EPC report and start tackling the recommendations, one at a time. 

Although making our homes more energy efficient may end up well down the list of must-do tasks, when you do tackle even one recommendation either contained in the EPC report or on the list above, you'll get a lift in spirits and a lift in income.  Not to mention that any changes you make, may be of great benefit when you come to sell or rent the property in future.

If you are thinking of selling or renting a property and need advice or help in arranging for an Energy Performance Certificate, call us on 0208 840 6666 and we would be happy to arrange one for you.

How Many Properties Do You Feel that You Need to View Before Making a Decision?

At Northfields we find that these statistics change according to the state of the market.  At the onset of the credit crunch the number or properties people viewed before offering went up quite a bit, but as the market is now experiencing a shortage of available stock to sell and a pent-up demand from buyers, many people have to make an offer relatively quickly or find themselves losing out to another buyer. 

One good question to ask yourself after viewing a property is:  If my estate agent phoned me tomorrow and told me that the property had gone under offer, how would I feel?  If the answer is devastated, then maybe you need to make your decision quickly.

Five Flats to View in Ealing, W5

1.  Central Ealing Location

Tucked in quiet residential streets but close to Ealing Broadway and Ealing Common with the convenience of transport, restaurants and shops

The Property for sale:  2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Flat

Where:  Grange Park, Ealing W5

The Price:  £299,950

Click herefor more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

2.  Bang on the Money

Competitively priced flat close to Hanger Lane tube - only 30 minutes into Central London.  Plus, no onward chain.

The Property for sale:  2 bedroom third floor flat with communal gardens

Where:  Nelson House, Western Avenue, W5

The Price:  £249,950

Click herefor more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

3.  Popular Pitshanger

A London address with a village feel.  Plus this flat is bright as a button with lots of natural light.

The Property for sale:  1 bedroom top floor flat

Where:  Queens Walk, Pitshanger, W5

The Price:  £249,950

Click herefor more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

 

4.  Unchained Melody

This purpose built two double bedroom flat is being offered for sale chain free.

The Property for sale: Two bedroom purpose built flat

Where:  Little Ealing Lane, W5

The Price:  £275,000

Click herefor more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

5.  Up the Garden Path 

A two bedroom flat in South Ealing with its own large private garden.

The Property for sale:  Two bedroom flat with a share of the Freehold

Where:  Birkbeck Road, W5 in South Ealing

The Price:   £2896,950

Click herefor more photos, floorplans and information or to book your viewing online.

Want to see more properties for sale in Ealing, W5?  Click here to see what is available or call our sales team now to register and find out what is coming onto the market before anyone else - call on 0208 840 6666.