Northfields

Would You Build Your Own Home?

The answer to the housing shortage, according to the government, is to double the number of people building their own homes. Currently, up to 20,000 people per year build their own homes, but does the remainder of the British public really have the equipment, skill and time to DIY a house from top to bottom?

Keen to tap into the popularity of television self build programs like Grand Designs , politicians feel they can kick start the low house building rate by encouraging people to aspire to build their own dream house.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps revealed his action plan on July 20th, aimed at doubling the number of self-build homes within a decade.

While Kevin McCloud, host and creator of Grand Designs laments that Britons buy houses like baked beans and feels that houses should be built to suit your own lifestyle, not everyone has the luxury or even the wish for a bespoke property, fearing their own lack of DIY skills.

However, Ted Stevens, chairman of the National Self Build Association, one of the architects of Grant Shapps’ action plan says that “self build” doesn’t mean that you need to necessarily be doing all the work yourself. Stevens says that actually the term “self build” is a bit mis-leading as, "It suggests you're laying the bricks yourself. But the truth is that most self builders hire an architect and do a bit of decorating themselves."

Is the doubling of self build homes really a possibility?
Other countries seem to be managing to build their own homes successfully. When comparing the percentages of self built homes, it is obvious that the UK lags behind dramatically:
- Austria 80% of all homes are self-built
- Germany, France and Italy 60% of all homes are self-built
- US and Australia 40% of all homes are self-built
- The UK 10% of all homes are self-built

Is the problem that people are simply not interested in building their own home?
Lack of interest does not seem to be the impediment to would-be self builders. According to a recent article on the BBC the following figures show a large amount of interest in self-build:
- Over three million people watch Grand Designs
- 100,000 subscribe to websites announcing available plots of land and a similar number buy self-build magazines
- 13,860 built their own home last year
So, why are so few people actually building their own home?

Roadblocks to Self Build and the Action Plan's Answers
There are several things that prevent people from fulfilling their self build desires and Grant Shapps’ action plan does aim to address them.

1. Difficult to get land – Commercial developers snap up land quickly, even on the off chance it many get planning permission, making it hard for self builders to find land.

The Action Plan Answer
• More land be made available for self-builders. The action plan calls for Government to ask councils to gauge the demand for self build in their area and account for this in their planning strategies.
• New ways to make plots available to self builders which include making serviced plots available to self builders, be actively promoted across the industry and the public sector.

2. Land is largely only available outside of urban areas – if you like living in the city it is even more difficult to get land in an urban area and the land that is available is very expensive. Many critics argue that due to the lack of city land available to self builders, those that build their own homes use larger plots of land than is strictly necessary, must use a car to get anywhere and therefore the trend for self build contributes to urban sprawl and unsustainable living.

The Action Plan Answer – again councils will be asked to make greater provision for making land available.

3. Lack of finance – it can be difficult to get a mortgage to buy land and build a house. Although the average new build home costs more (£189,940) compared to a self-build cost of £84,000 if you do the work yourself or £146,000 if you employ professionals to do it for you, many lenders will not provide financing to self builders.

The Action Plan Answer:
• Lenders should be encouraged to offer more finance mortgage products for those building their own home.
• Revolving funds should be made available to support group self build schemes, which Mr Shapps has pledged to give serious consideration to.

4. Regulation – Self builders feel hampered by legislation and planning procedures which make the self build process far more difficult. Critics argue that if regulations are relaxed then self builders will take advantage and choose unsympathetic designs, for example.

The Action Plan Answer:
• Over-burdensome regulations hampering the growth of the sector be removed or simplified, and calls for Government to introduce more proportionate planning rules for small developments.

5. Complicated Process – Building a home, even if you hire outside contractors to carry out the majority of the work is a very complicated and time consuming process, which is perfectly obvious to even the casual viewer of Grand Designs. Added to that it is easy to make a miscalculation and end up spending more money than you budgeted for

The Action Plan Answer:
• The self build industry itself needs to provide clearer independent information to would-be self builders. A new online self build 'portal' is proposed to be set up to enable more people to get a project underway.

It seems that the Action Plan presented by Mr. Shapps has all the answers. But will self build ever move beyond more than a minority activity?

I would not want the headache of building my own home. As much as I enjoy watching Grand Designs, it is something I am far more interested in observing than participating in. If buying a property whether new build or a stately period property is the equivalent of buying a tin of baked beans, then bring on the beans, I say.

Would you consider building your own home?

The Bank of England Is Unlikely to Raise Rates in the Near Future

On July 7th, the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) revealed that it had voted  to keep interest rates at the historic low of 0.5%.  This low rate has been the status quo for more than two years. 

In the first half of 2011 there was a great deal of speculation that interest rates would go up in the second half of the year.  However, the MPC recently announced that given the current economic instability there is little chance that rates will rise in the near term.

When the MPC met in July, its members voted seven to two in favour of holding rates at 0.5%.  It is the second month in a row that the vote had been thus split.

MPC members Spencer Dale and Martin Weale voted again to raise rates to 0.75%.  These two members were formerly joined by an even more zealous member in the figure of Andrew Sentance who during the period from February to May voted to raise rates to 1%.  However, Mr Sentance was replaced following the May meeting by Ben Broadbent, a former Goldman Sachs economist .

In contrast to his forerunner, the MPC’s newest member voted to hold rates at the current 0.5% in his first two meetings of the MPC.

In addition, one policy setter, Adam Posen again voted to increase the Bank's quantitative easing programme by £50 billion to a total of £250 billion.

The division of voting between the members was easily predicted as it continues to follow the pattern that the Bank of England has been following for some time.

Why have the rates remained low?

Officially the MPC said reports from the business sector had pointed towards "continued modest underlying economic growth in the second quarter", but some softening in the outlook for the third quarter, in both manufacturing and services.

One of the major areas of concern is the Eurozone debt crisis which is perfectly encapsulated with Greece’s struggle to prevent the country from defaulting on its debts.  As the UK economy is exposed to risk should that debt indeed default, the Bank of England considers the risk to the UK economy to be "substantial".

Why does Greece’s Economy Affect Our Interest Rates?

Essentially, UK banks face higher costs to fund their business, due to the risk of being exposed to the debt of Eurozone countries  with whom UK banks do business.  This in turn will affect the price and availability of credit to households in the UK.

What Does This Mean For You?

With the cost of everyday items like food and petrol going up, and wages remaining low, many people are feeling the squeeze on their finances.  By keeping interest rates low, mortgages are kept at a more affordable rate, particularly if you have a tracker mortgage. 

For more information about what the Bank of England base rate is and how it affects you, click the link.

It is also a good time to look at any opportunity to save money, by having a mortgage health check.  If your mortgage is coming to the end of a fixed term, for example, take advantage of the lower rates to get a better deal on your mortgage that may save you money.

The best way to ensure that you get the best deal is to see an independent mortgage broker.  Mortgage brokers who are independent can look at all the mortgage products available and find the best deal for you.  Many people feel that they don’t need the help of a broker and will simply go ahead and arrange a mortgage by visiting a high street bank.  However, independent mortgage brokers have access to special products and rates that are not available on the high street.  In essence, a broker can save you money.

Another factor that makes independent brokers worth their weight in gold, is their intimate knowledge of the mortgage application process.  Brokers will be able to point you to the lender who is most likely to lend to someone in your specific situation.  For example, if you are self-employed, or buying with a friend or friends, there will be certain lenders who specialise in mortgages for your particular needs.

Don’t risk wasting your time applying for unsuitable mortgages.

Don’t risk being turned down because you have chosen to apply to a lender who isn’t handling borrowers in your situation.

And most of all, don’t spend money you don’t have to.

Call Northfields on 0208 840 6666 or e-mail sales@northfields.co.uk now and we will refer you to an independent mortgage broker who will be your best chance of success whether you are remortgaging or applying for a mortgage for the first time. 

Buy A House by Clubbing Together With Your Mates

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has a solution to quick starting the housing market. He wants lenders to offer 'mates mortgages', so called because young first time buyers can pool their resources and buy property together.

The latest research shows that despite many people saying that the era of home ownership in Britain is over, 86% of people still want to own their own home. According to a government press release, “Mr Shapps wants lenders to make it easier for friends who would like to buy a house and can afford the repayments, but are locked out of the market by the requirement for a large individual deposit.”

Living alone is an expensive proposition as it is, with a sole person having to spend an extra £3,500 per year for the privilege of being in sole command of the remote control. Added to that, many would-be home buyers can certainly afford the monthly repayments on a mortgage but can’t save up enough cash to secure the mortgage with the sizeable deposits required by lenders.

For many younger buyers, the Bank of Mum and Dad is seen as the only option available to them. The mates mortgage is meant to provide a feasible alternative.

Grant Shapps said of the mates mortgage:

“Eight out of ten aspiring homeowners under 30 can't get on the ladder without help from the Bank of Mum and Dad. So it is vital that every option to increase the availability of mortgages is pursued, so we don't lock a generation of young people out of the housing market."

One thing is for certain, if lenders and the public were to buy into the mates mortgages proposal it may very well provide a welcome boost to the housing market, freeing up a whole chain of sellers and buyers.
Some lenders already offer such mortgages such as Britannia's 'Share to Buy' mortgage. Grant Shapps believes that if more lenders can be encouraged to offer such straightforward schemes then it may provide the jump start the housing market needs. Joint ownership will be the top item for discussion when Mr Shapps meets key housing and mortgage industry figures for a second First Time Buyers Summit.

Improvements in Mortgage Applications
Another area where Mr. Shapps hopes for improvement is in mortgage applications. Lenders will be encouraged to replicate a scheme launched by Lloyd’s dubbed the 'First Time Buyers Pledge'. Under the pledge more advice and assistance will be available to prospective homeowners. One area that the pledge covers is a personalized action plan for unsuccessful applicants setting out how they could be successful in the future, and a promise that failed applications will not affect the credit rating of first time buyers.

Until such policies are undertaken by all mortgage lenders by far the best way for buyers to get help and advice with their mortgage application is to use an independent mortgage broker who will be aware of the ins and outs of mortgage applications. An independent broker can point you toward the lender with whom your mortgage application has the best chance of success. If you want help and advice on making your mortgage application a success, call Northfields on 0208 840 6666 and we would be happy to refer you to an independent broker.

Is Communal Living Feasible?
The one point of interest about Grant Shapps “mates mortgage” proposal is that it assumes that first time buyers are indeed under 30 and have no children. What about the families who have been unable to buy homes? The mates mortgage will not help in that situation

While communal living among the young is acceptable and even expected, communal living with the over 30s crowd is seen as eccentric, even if it involves single individuals. So the mates mortgage may not appeal to anyone over the age of 30.

Can you see yourself taking out a mates mortgage?

 

 

Making Rental Property Cheaper and More Available: Public Land for Rental Development

With so many people unable to move out of rented accommodation into a home of their own, many people think that home ownership will be out of reach for the vast majority of British people. 

This means that many more people will remain in rented properties.

Which in turn means that there will be fewer properties available to meet the demand.

And that means a rise in rent.

Could the answer be to use publicly owned landed to develop new rental properties to help solve the current housing dilemma?

In a recent report from the Halifax, half of the 25- to 40-year-old tenants surveyed have given up any hope of ever owning a home. The Halifax survey dubbed this “Generation Rent” who will have to raise their families in rented accommodation.

The Coalition government has tried to solve the problem by making small changes for first time buyers.  However, the policies do not provide enough financial incentive to make buying a first home within the realms of possibility for many, particularly those who can’t rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad for the significant deposits required by lenders.

The Current Rental Market in Britain
Currently, the vast majority of landlords own a few properties.  The standard of those properties can vary widely however.  The lettings sector is not highly regulated.  Currently, agents like Northfields, can choose to be part of a professional regulatory body, such as the National Approved Lettings Scheme, but these schemes are voluntary, resulting in some tenants being exposed to sharp practice.  So while tenants may enjoy the flexibility of renting, they also have to navigate their way through rogue letting agents, largely unregulated landlords, and properties that may or may not be up to standard to find the good agents, honest landlords and properties that are worth renting.  Certainly, there are wonderful rental situations to be had, but you must make sure to register with a reputable letting agent to make sure you have the reassurance of voluntary regulation and a redress scheme in case of any problems. 

The Way the Netherlands Do It
Continental Europe has long had a population that is largely living in rented accommodation for the majority of their adult lives, so maybe we can learn a thing of two from their experience.  In the Netherlands, for example, about 60% of private rented dwellings are owned by institutional investors. They are managed by professional landlords.  Such as scheme would make raising a family in a rented property more secure and appealing.  Certainly,  at Northfields we find that many tenants prefer to rent from landlords who use our professional property management service, so that they are sure to receive professional and timely help with any issues.  A certain level of professionalism increases the feeling of security for tenants. 

Public Housing
One of the victims of cost cutting measures has been social housing.  As the Guardian reported “Investing publicly-owned land in the development of new rental properties could make all the difference. Land accounts for a third of the cost of development. Investing it as a stake in a public-private venture makes private investment more viable, allows the public landowner, be it a council or the NHS, to make a return on its investment over time, and results in rented homes that are affordable for families on modest incomes.”

Interestingly, Boris Johnson’s housing taskforce has earmarked enough publicly-owned land in London to accommodate 50,000 new homes. Overall, it has set a target of 67,000 new family-sized, affordable rented homes to be built in the capital in the next four years.

The Guardian reports that other councils and local governments have seen this strategy as the way forward.  London councils of Barking and Dagenham have both invested land to secure private equity funding for the development of 500 rented homes for families on low to middle incomes, as well as more traditional social housing tenants. Likewise, Birmingham city council is investing its land in a joint venture with private sector partners for the construction of some 1,000 private rented homes. Manchester council is not far behind and is seeking to make similar deals.

This summer a national housing strategy is expected.  Could this be the direction the government should be taking?

Do you think investing public land in the development of rental properties is the answer to housing shortage?

Landlords Deserve a Holiday Too

If you are a landlord with one or more properties in your portfolio, you may very well be looking forward to your holidays this summer.  Holidays give you that all important break from your responsibilities.  Or do they?

I suspect that many landlords depart for their much deserved breaks without pausing to think of what would happen to their properties or their tenants if some disaster were to befall their property in their absence.

What can you do to ensure that your property and tenants are well looked after while you are on holiday?

1.  Make sure that you notify your tenants (in writing and in advance) of your annual leave.  Make sure to give them dates of your departure and return.

2. Make sure that your tenants have the details of an emergency contact who they can call if there is an issue while you are away.  Of course the best way to ensure your holidays are truly relaxing is to have your rental property managed.  Your property manager would serve as a point of contact for your tenants for all things and at all times, not just during your holidays.  Sometimes tenants do call with mundane requests that are actually their responsibility as tenants to address, like replacing a blown lightbulbs for example.  Having a property manager who is well aware of the division of tenant/landlord responsibility can mean that your precious time is not wasted.

3. If you do have a property manager who handles all your tenants issues from small to big, then notify the property manager that you will be away and give them contact details for major emergencies.  To keep from being disturbed too often you may want to keep your contact with your property manager to e-mail or text correspondence.  Consider checking your e-mail at a certain time and relaying that set time to the property manager, that way the property manager can tell the tenant exactly when they can expect a response.

If you don’t use a property manager then you will need to ensure the emergency contact has the name and address of each tenant.  They will also need to know how to gain entry to the property if necessary, but be sure they realise that they can’t enter the property without the tenant’s permission and without good reason.  Also consider that the emergency contact is unlikely to know who to contact for repairs so you may need to make yourself more available on holiday to tell an inexperienced emergency contact how to best manage problems with your property.

4. Agree with your emergency contact or property manager an amount of money that they can spend on repairs without your consent.  For example, if you authorise your property manager to carry out repairs at their discretion, up to £300, then they will not have disturb your time by the pool to carry out a relatively low cost repair.

By just taking a bit of time to notify your tenants and property manager of your holidays you may save yourself a big headache on your return.  You are also fulfilling your responsibilities as a landlord.  Just think if your refrigerator stopped working during the hottest months or your toilet was unusable and the person you needed to fix it was too busy sipping cocktails by the pool to help you – how would you feel?

Of course the best way to have your cocktail and drink it too, is to have your property managed.  That way, every day will feel like a holiday.  Find out exactly how we can make your life as a landlord feel like a holiday, by calling our property management team on 0208 799 4366 or e-mail us at propertymanagement@northfields.co.uk .

Five to View: Studio Flats to Let in West London for Under £1,000 per month

If you are looking for a small space to call home, studio flats can be a great way to keep the bills down.  Here are 5 different properties, each with its own appeal, available to let through Northfields Estates.

1. Close to the Centre

 
Avoid a long,  expensive and time consuming commute with this contemporary style studio flat situated in zone 2 with access to Stamford Brook (District line) tube station as well as all the transport links of the Uxbridge Road.  This first floor property has a living area with sofa bed and table, wood flooring , en suite shower room, an open plan fitted kitchen with electric hob, oven and fridge. The property is also conveniently located close to Westfield shopping centre.

The Property for let: studio flat

Where: Askew Crescent, Shepherd's Bush W12

The Price: £725 pcm

Click on the link for more info on this studio flat for let in W12 including more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

2. Bills Included

 
This modern studio apartment is offered for let with ALL BILLS INCLUDED IN RENT (+ £10 payable monthly).  The flat boasts laminate flooring throughout and has a modern tiled shower room.  The property is situated close to amenities.

The Property for let: studio flat

Where: Abbey Road, Park Royal NW10

The Price: £650 pcm

Click on the link for more info on this studio flat for let in NW10  including more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

3. Allocated Parking and Utility Bills Included

 
 This is a well presented studio flat with wood floors throughout set in private development. As well as a good size reception room, separate kitchen with appliances and shower room, the property also benefits from allocated parking and communal gardens.  To make budgeting all the easier the rent includes the utility bills.

The Property for let: studio flat

Where: Osterley View, Southall UB2

The Price: £750 pcm

Click on the link for more info on this studio flat for rent in UB2 including more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

4. Refurbished

 
This newly refurbished studio apartment has many appealing features such as the off-street parking, modern fitted kitchen and bathroom and wooden flooring throughout.  The property is conveniently located close to transport links into Ealing Broadway and Paddington.

The Property for let: studio flat

Where: Coleridge Square, Ealing W13

The Price: £800 pcm

Click on the link for more info on this studio flat for let in Ealing including more photos and information or to book your viewing online.

5. Luxury Complete with Concierge

 
This luxury studio apartment situated in a private gated development boasts the security and convenience of a 24 hour concierge service.  The apartment has an open plan kitchen with integrated appliances, wooden flooring throughout and a stunning bathroom suite with shower. The building is also surrounded by lovely communal gardens.

The Property for let: studio flat

Where: West 3, Acton W3

The Price: £850 pcm

Click on the link for more info on this studio flat for let in Acton includingmore photos and information or to book your viewing online.

Let Northfields help you to find the perfect property to keep you cool in the summer months. Check out all the properties Northfields currently has for rent here. Call our award winning lettings team on 0208 567 6660 or click the link to register with our lettings team.

June Property Market and Price Update

Rightmove recently released its latest House Price Index, reporting on the latest monthly figures that the property website has collected in relation to the state of the property market.

Having revised its previous forecast that asking prices would drop in 2011, Rightmove is now predicting that 2011 will likely follow the pattern set in 2010 and in fact the three years previous to that.  It looks like the property market will stay balanced at its current level.

At the close of June, Rightmove noted that for the past 6 months new seller’s asking prices have risen yet again.  At this time last year, we saw a very similar pattern in the National market with an overall rise in prices of 8.1% (£17,984).  These prices gains are not dissimilar to those seen in the first half of last year where rises of 7.4% (£16,303) were seen.

With the first half of the year following last year’s trends, Rightmove believes that the second half of the year will be a repetition of the second half of 2010.  If that is the case, then we may see new sellers prices falling slightly, in line with seasonal trends.

What does this mean for house sellers?
According to Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove : “2011 looks like a case of déjà vu, with the tide of housing needs yet again failing to breach the levée of restricted mortgage funding. As the seasonal surge in demand begins to fall back, new sellers’ asking prices will also have to ebb away. With mortgage approvals stuck at half the normal level, the number of sellers who can find a buyer is likely to be reduced by a similar proportion. Sellers will need to paddle hard to catch a buyer with funding, or they will find themselves well and truly grounded and unable to move home”.

Is Your Area on an All Time High or an All Time Low?
Interestingly, the highest average asking price that Rightmove has ever recorded was recorded this June. 
What is unique about the current market conditions is that some areas are experiencing extreme highs in pricing where others have experienced extreme lows.  London has been one of those areas seeing some of the highest price rises.  Areas where buyers are able to secure mortgages or where cash buyers are looking for property have much higher priced properties.

Looking at National averages across the entire property market, movement has been rather stagnant.  Lack of activity in the market is largely due to mortgage levels being half that seen in 2007, before the credit crunch.
Normally, with fewer proceedable buyers, asking prices would be expected to go down, but many sellers are not in a position where they must sell.  Therefore, many sellers are simply waiting to find a buyer who will pay their ideal price, rather than sell their property at a reduction.  This strange situation is what has kept the property market in such a stable pattern for the past 4 years.

What Will  Change the Current Market Conditions?
Unless there is a major change in mortgage lending policy or a major change to our economy to upset the current balance, the trend in market conditions looks likely to remain constant with higher asking prices and activity in the first half of the year and slightly lower activity in the second half.

The only real indication of change in the current mortgage outlook is that there are indications that some lenders are offering more 95% mortgages.  These mortgages do tend to be available only to the most creditworthy buyers, but this slight easing of lending criteria will likely be encouraged further, particularly as the Bank of England mortgage approval figures for April were the lowest recorded in the year to date, at 45,166 (seasonally adjusted). At the same time, arrears in mortgages have dropped as compared to the same quarter last year with a corresponding drop in the number of repossessions. 

Rightmove reported that:  “With interest rates expected to stay at or close to record lows for the remainder of this year, and recent positive news on unemployment numbers, the number of forced sellers looks likely to remain subdued which in turn will help to underpin prices. We therefore anticipate that the second half of 2011 will be more positive than in 2010, and while we expect new sellers to have to drop their prices over the remainder of the year, we now believe that they will end 2011 slightly higher than they began it.”

Rightmove is quick to point out that there are significant differences according to region which will most definitely impact on prices.  

If you are not sure what price property could fetch in your area, call our Sales Team on 0208 840 6666 and we will arrange a free, no obligation valuation of your property.  Or request your valuation online here.
 

Flipsides of the Same Property Coin: Property Close to a Tube Station or Property with Parking

In London there are several of ways to get to work (or out on the town) - via public transport or private car.  Both certainly have their advantages.  Whatever your preferred method of transport might be, Northfields has the property for you.  Here are just 3 two bedroom properties for sale in West London - one very close to the Tube, one with allocated parking and one with the best of both worlds.

Close to the Tube

 
This newly refurbished two bedroom top floor conversion flat is located on a premier road in Ealing. The property consists of a modern kitchen open plan to reception room, family bathroom and ensuite shower room. The property is located within a five minute walk to Ealing Broadway Tube Station (mainline to Paddington & Heathrow, Central and District Lines) and the varied range of shopping and restaurant facilities of Ealing Broadway town centre. This property is offered with no onward chain.

The Property for sale: 2 bedroom flat

Where: Corfton Road, Ealing W5

The Price: £310,000

Click on the link to see more photos, floorplans and information on this two bedroom flat for sale in Ealing near Ealing Broadway Station or to book your viewing online.

Allocated Parking

 
An exceptionally well presented, bright and airy, 2 double bedroom first floor conversation flat. Located moments from the beautiful Walpole and Lammas parks in Ealing, Walkit.com says that the walk to either Ealing Broadway Station (mainline, District and Central Lines) or South Ealing Station (Piccadilly Line) would take about 16 minutes at a medium pace.  However, if public transport is not your main method of transportation this flat has an allocated off street parking spot for your vehicle.  Added to that there is a shared garden and new lease on the property. The property briefly comprises a lounge with feature fireplace, modern kitchen and bathroom, master bedroom with fitted wardrobe and second double bedroom.

The Property for sale: 2 bedroom flat

Where: Churchfield Road, Ealing W13

The Price: £310,000

Click on the link to see more photos, floorplans and information on this two bedroom property for sale in Ealing with allocated parking or to book your viewing online.

The Best of Both Worlds - A Two Bedroom Property Close to a Rail Station and with Private Underground Parking

 
A stunning two double bedroom apartment offering a truly amazing southerly view set within a prestigious development in a ideal location close to Waitrose and less than a mile from West Ealing mainline station (direct access to Ealing Broadway Station, Paddington and Heathrow). The accommodation comprises a huge open plan living area, a stylish kitchen and bathroom and further benefits from underground parking.  The A40 and Uxbridge Road are also close at hand for the motorist.

The Property for sale: 2 bedroom flat

Where: Luminosity Court, Ealing W13

The Price: £335,000

Click on the link to see more photos, floorplans and information on this 2 bedroom flat for sale in Ealing with underground parking or to book your viewing online.

As a general rule, do expect to get more from your money the further you move away from a Tube Station.  As they say - location, location, location.  Whether you prefer to live within a quick hop, skip and a jump of public transport or prefer somewhere to park your car, Northfields has the perfect property for you. To make sure that you find out about the best properties as they become available, call us on 0208 840 6666 to register now or click the link to register online. To see more properties that Northfields has for sale, click the link.