Northfields

Northfields Named Best Agent in Greater London 2011 By Home Sale Network!

Northfields are delighted to announce that we have won Home Sale Network’s prestigious 2011 Best agent Greater London Regional Award at the Network’s 18^th Annual Conference, held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London on Friday 18 November.

The annual prize gives the winning Network member the title of ‘Best Agent in the Greater London Region’ and is awarded on a number of criteria measuring the agent’s overall contribution to Home Sale Network, their ability to demonstrate customer satisfaction, a strong market share locally and
a proven record of helping relocating buyers move both in and out of the area.

Northfields received the award at the Conference’s glamorous black tie Awards Dinner. The evening was hosted by Alexander Armstrong, one half of comedy duo Armstrong and Miller and regular host on BBC panel show, Have I Got News For You, who presented the award.

Richard Palfreeman, Managing Director comments, “For Northfields to have been firstly nominated as the best agent in Greater London by Home Sale Network is recognition of the hard work and combined effort of all our members of staff. However, to have won the award is absolutely fantastic and we are proud and delighted to be Greater London’s best Network estate agent.”

Richard Tucker, Home Sale Network’s Managing Director said, “Home Sale Network is a national network of independent estate agents across England, Scotland and Wales. As members of the Network, our agents promote their individual brand, but they are also encouraged to promote the Network as a whole. The 2011 Best Agent Greater London Regional Award is significant because
it recognises the agent that has most successfully demonstrated their customer service, independent business initiatives, local market share and their commitment to the Home Sale Network principles.”

Northfields Nominated for 2011 Regional Award

Local independent estate agent Northfields from West London is pleased to announce that the company has been nominated by Home Sale Network, a national network of independent estate agents, for the 2011 Regional Award – Greater London.

The winner will be announced at the Awards Dinner of the 18th Annual Home Sale Network Conference, being held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London on Friday 18 November.

Richard Palfreeman said, “For Northfields to be nominated for the 2011 Regional Award - Greater London is recognition of the hard work and combined effort, commitment and enthusiasm of our entire team.”

Home Sale Network’s 2011 Regional Award - Greater London is an annual prize for the agent that has consistently made the best overall contribution to the Network throughout the year and offers nominees the chance to become the Network’s ‘Best Network Agent in Greater London’. Criteria for nominees include regional meeting attendance, monthly property survey returns and regional marketing initiatives.

Richard Tucker, Home Sale Network’s Managing Director commented, “Home Sale Network is a national network of independent estate agents, made up of 12 regions across England, Scotland and Wales. All members are encouraged to work together to promote the Network as a whole as well as their individual brands.
“The 2011 Regional Award - Greater London recognises the agent that has been most successful at demonstrating outstanding independent business initiatives and embracing the Network principles.”

For further information, please contact Nick Devonport, Northfield Estate Agents, 0208 740 8833 or email nick.devonport@northfields.co.uk

New Branch of Northfields Estates in Paddington

Northfields had a banner year in 2010.  Winning multiple industry awards including the ultimate industry accolade by being crowned as the Gold winner of Best London and Best UK category at the 2010 Estate Agency of the Year Awards. 

New Office

In the first months of 2011, Northfields has a head start with continuing its practice of growth, innovation and excellence, by opening a brand new office in Paddington.  Northfields currently has 4 other offices in West London at Northfield Avenue, on Pitshanger Lane, in Ealing Broadway and a further office in Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush.  The fifth and latest branch is situated Paddington at 16 Spring Street, London W2.

The Area

Paddington is a very exciting area of Central London, falling within the borough of the City of Westminster. 

Transport

Part of what makes Paddington so attractive is the very important landmark - Paddington Station.  Living in Paddington means that one of London's major transport hubs is on your doorstep.  The Paddington Express takes you to London Heathrow airport in 15 mins every 15 mins. Plus, Paddington Station offers excellent rail links, to West Country and will also feature a Crossrail station when the east-west rail service opens in 2017.  The W2 postcode is served by no less than five different underground lines (Circle, District, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City and the Central Lines).  Even if public transportation is not your primary mode of travel, Paddington sits on the A40(M), one of the main transport routes in and out of the capital.  It is interesting to note that despite its central location the area lies outside the congestion zone above the A40 and within below the A40.

Regeneration

Recently Paddington has undergone major regeneration in the Paddington Basin area thanks to a major project called Paddington Waterside aimed at redeveloping the former railway and canal land.

Property Types

The majority of properties are contemporary residential developments at the Paddington Basin, period houses and portered apartments near London’s West End. Paddington and Bayswater offer a wide range of properties, something for everyone.

The short commute into central London attracts first time buyers and buy–to-let investors alike, while larger homes are situated in the Little Venice, Westbourne Green areas, offer families good space. More affordable property can be found within the Bayswater area, where there are larger houses converted into flats and ex-local authority houses.

Property in the Area?

So if you are dealing with residential properties to buy or let in that area, pop in and find out how we can help you. But don't take our word for it, read some testimonials on The Best of Ealing site to see what our customers say about us.

Check out the properties Northfields currently has available for let in Paddington here.  Or call our new office in Paddington on 020 7402 6554 to register your details or to request your free valuation.

PRESS RELEASE: NORTHFIELDS SCOOPS INDUSTRY’S TOP LETTING AWARDS

Northfields has scooped five awards in the Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2010 including the ultimate honour for a lettings business, Lettings Agency of the Year. The awards, the “Oscars” of the estate agency industry, are the longest running and most highly regarded accolades in the profession, championing best practice. The winners were announced on Tuesday 15th June at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by American comedienne, Ruby Wax.

  

As well as the top award for best overall performance, Northfields won the Gold for Best Small Lettings Agency, Silver for Best Property Management, Gold for Best Marketing and Bronze for Training and Development. The judges commented, “For an agency of its size, Northfields’ investment in its staff training, technology and innovation is impressive. It continuously demonstrates an ability to punch well above its weight.”

The Northfields lettings team invests equal time in both landlord and tenant and have implemented innovative ideas to help both. The judges noted, “Excellent communication is key to this business and is shown in every relationship. Both tenants and vendors comment on the team’s exceptional knowledge, dedication and enthusiasm.”

The difference our approach makes is reflected in our figures: 86% of our business comes from personal recommendation, 18% of landlords have stayed with Northfields for over a decade and six out of ten properties are let within 24 hours. This impressive performance is enabling us to open our fifth office in Bayswater, W2 this year, despite the recession.

Proud lettings director Silvia Eldawi comments, “It takes something special to be a member of the Northfields’ lettings team. Our staff are passionate about what they do and I am thrilled that the hard work they put in to helping our customers has been recognised.”

The awards, which are chaired by the Property Ombudsman and have the backing of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA), were judged by a panel of highly experienced property professionals. All the judges have seen numerous different agencies over many years, giving them the ability to compare one lettings agency with another.

Northfields, which already has branches in Shepherds Bush, Ealing Broadway, Northfields and Pitshanger, To discuss how we can help you, call our award-winning lettings team on 020 8567 6660.

Northfields triumph at the 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards

Northfields received the ultimate industry accolades on  Friday 20^th November by being crowned as winners of three awards at the 2009 Estate Agency of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times, held at the Chelsea Football Club’s presentation suite at Stamford Bridge.

 

Northfields were delighted to receive awards in the following categories:

 

• Best Medium London Estate Agency of the Year 2009
• Best Training & Development 2009
• Best Estate Agency Innovation 2009

The judges’ report highlighted “Northfields is an impressive London agency who reacted quickly and decisively to the downturn and knows the value of a happy team who enjoy their work. Constantly embracing new technology and developing an already impressive lettings department Northfields is an outstanding agency which punches well above it’s weight.”

 

The event, now in its sixth year, was this year supported for the first time by The Sunday Times and is widely recognised as the most important in the industry calendar.  The sold out event attracted agents representing over 4,000 branches nationwide and in a sign of improving times for the market, this year received a record number of award entries.  The winners of the 28 categories at the award ceremony were presented with their awards by television personality Penny Smith.

 

Following their initial submissions, each of the winners was subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a panel of independent industry experts and the whole judging process was overseen by the Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer.

 

In addition to title sponsor, The Sunday Times, the 2009 awards sponsors were also supported by the Property Ombudsman and leading professional bodies the NAEA and ARLA.

 

Peter Knight, Chairman of the event organisers Estate Agency Events was delighted with the 2009 awards, “I hope that our record number of entries this year and the very little time it took for the event to sell out is an indicator that we may have reached the bottom of the slump.  There is no doubt that 2010 will still be a challenging year for our industry and the absolute commitment to excellence that all our winners have demonstrated will be vital for the industry to return to growth and thrive in the future. I cannot commend the examples set the winners highly enough.“

 

The chosen charity for the 2009 Awards was Help for Heroes and the event was addressed by the charity’s Mark Elliott who explained how money raised will go to help the charity’s Launchpad to Life and Combat Stress initiatives which help ex-service people who cannot return to active service and need help re-adjusting to civilian life due to physical or mental breakdowns or injury. Donations on the day raised £5,000 which will be donated to Help for Heroes via the Estate Agency Foundation, an umbrella charity through which agents’ donations go to existing charities that help combat the causes of homelessness. 

We've done it again!

For the second year in a row, Northfields Estate Agents were awarded the most prestigious trophy; Best Independent Estate Agency of the Year at the Negotiator Awards 2009 on Wednesday 11^th November at a glittering award ceremony held at the Hilton Park Lane. 

The panel of eleven judges hand picked from across the property spectrum included Property Ombudsman Chairman Bill McClintock.

 

Clare Bettelley, editor of The Negotiator, says: “We’ve had a staggering response to this year’s event, and the quality of the entries has once again been outstanding. The winners of this year’s 16 categories clearly demonstrated to our esteemed panel of judge’s immense professionalism, financial stability and adaptability to the current market downturn – the key attributes that The Negotiator Awards ceremony has been established to celebrate and reward.”

 

Northfields has been established since 1986 and enjoys a strong market presence in West London. Over the past 8 years they have won an enviable 14 national awards.

Now, having scooped the coveted title for the last two years’ Northfields demonstrate that they are, overall, the most complete and efficient residential sales and lettings agency in the UK, offering a certifiably superior service to their customers across West London.

 

Richard Palfreeman, Managing Director says: “We are delighted to receive this fantastic recognition for a second year running and we owe this award to all our clients, customers, local businesses and the community for their continued support throughout 2009.”

 

For more information about this award visit The Negotiator magazine’s website – www.negotiator-magazine.co.uk. This has more details of the judges, sponsors, pictures and details of all the other finalists shortlisted for the various awards.

How to Choose a Good Estate Agent

Your property is one of the biggest investments you have.  Whether you are selling or letting your property, you want to protect that investment by choosing the right agent.  How do you go about doing it?

Recommendations

Ask your neighbours and friends if they have had any experience with local agents.  Word of mouth is a very valuable tool for establishing an agent's reputation.  86% of our business comes from personal recommendation.

For Sale or For Let Boards

Estate agents with a lot of For Sale or For Let boards in your area may be an indication that the agent is successful, but don't make a decision based on that alone. Keep in mind that the agents with the most boards may have attracted so many sellers or landlords due to overly inflated valuations and you need an agent who will be honest with you about what price your property can realistically achieve. 

Have a look at the agents website or property portals

Use www.findaproperty.com or www.rightmove.co.uk or the agent's own website (our website is www.northfields.co.uk) to check which estate agents are most active in your neighbourhood or street. Which estate agents are selling properties similar to yours? How well do they present their properties? Do the properties featured have pictures, floorplans, and well written details?

Check the local press

Do they advertise in the local press and in local magazines?

Mystery shop the agent

Pop into the agent's office pretending to be a buyer. What kind of service do you receive?  Is the registration process thorough?  What properties are offered to you?  Does the agent know the area and market?  Do you feel confident that the agent will be looking after your property?

Northfields regularly employs professional mystery shoppers to audit our service to ensure that we are continually offering top notch service and to ensure that our training is working.

Look for membership in professional bodies

Northfields are bound by the strict rules and high standards demanded by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) and the Ombudsman scheme. Just as you would choose an ABTA travel agent, you protect yourself from sharp practice and guarantee expertise by using an estate agent with membership of these organisations.

Look for industry awards

The awards we have won for training and developing our people and for our unmatched lettings service are evidence of our dedication to achieving top quality standards, and to providing our customers with outstanding expertise and service. Click here to see which awards we have won. 

Northfields Estate Agents are delighted to announce that further to their success last year scooping the prestigious Best Independent Estate Agency of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2008, we have been shortlisted as finalists for another THREE more awards in 2009. Read about our latest award nominations here.

Have a valuation

Invite the agent to your home to value it.  Northfields offers free, no obligation valuations, so you have nothing to lose.  See whether the agent takes the time to look at your home.  Has the agent done their homework and provided you with information regarding properties in your area similar to yours?  Do they seem knowledgeable about the market and the area?  Click here to read our article on the Top 4 Questions to Ask an Estate Agent at a Valuation here.

To request your free valuation, click here or call 0208 840 6666 now.

Northfields Estates Shortlisted for Three More Awards in 2009

Northfields Estate Agents are delighted to announce that further to their success last year scooping the prestigious Best Independent Estate Agency of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2008, they have been shortlisted as finalists for another THREE more awards in 2009.

The nationwide estate agency awards scheme is in it's 2nd year and trophies will be presented at a glittering awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Wednesday 11 November 2009.   

Check out this video of the highlights from last year's negotiator awards:

More than 185 entries were received for the awards, which will hopefully be hosted by top impressionist Rory Bremner again for the 2nd year running.

Clare Bettelley, The editor of The Negotiator, the leading magazine for the world of estate agency, said: “We’ve had a terrific response and Northfields have done brilliantly to get shortlisted from such a huge field. Britain’s estate agents are certainly having a tough time at the moment, but this is an industry awash with talent, entrepreneurialism and creativity, so we’re delighted we’re able to organise a ceremony to reward that firms that are delivering industry best practice”.

The sponsors of the awards include Findaproperty.com, Primelocation.com, Thames Water, My HomeMove, PSG,  SimplyHip, Evolvin, Homelet, the National Association of Estate Agents, The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks and the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

If you want to find out more about the award click here.

Wish us luck!

We've won it again!

Northfields, local agent tops the estate agency tree as the industry honours its very best at the annual Estate Agency of the Year Awards.

Northfields Estates Ltd deservedly scooped the Best Estate Agency for Training & Development and Best Medium Estate Agency - Lettings awards last week at the 2008 Estate Agency of the Year Awards, held this year at the QEII Centre in central London.  The event, now in its fifth year, is widely recognised as the most important in the industry calendar and, even in the midst of the toughest times faced by estate agents for many years, attracted an audience of over 450.

Northfields were delighted to receive these awards.  Owner and Managing Director Richard Palfreeman said:  This is recognition for the fantastic work carried out by every member of our team. Times are very tough in our industry and commitment to best practice and excellence are even more important to allow the best agents to capture a share of a dwindling market.   These awards are evidence that we have continued to deliver a gold standard to our clients and I am delighted that our achievements have been recognised by such an eminent panel of judges.

Success at the Estate Agency of the Year Awards is not easily come by. As the only awards judged by an independent panel of industry experts, each entrant is required to go through a two step process; submission of a written questionnaire is then followed by a telephone interview with a judge. The whole process is overseen by the Ombudsman for the industry Christopher Hamer as well as being endorsed by industry bodies the National Association of Estate Agents and the Association of Residential Lettings Agents.

Peter Knight, Chairman of the event organisers Estate Agency Events was delighted with the industry's response to the awards, "It is not easy in today's marketplace to retain an absolute commitment to excellence but that is what our winners have done and for that the industry should be proud.  Delivering the quality of service shown by our winners is vital for the industry to survive now and thrive in the future. I cannot commend the example set by the winners highly enough.  I would also like to add my grateful thanks to our sponsors and supporters whose support makes everything possible."

"Finally it is good to be able to say that I look forward with a little less trepidation to the months ahead knowing that there are so many examples of excellent, committed and dedicated Estate Agencies out there. The award winners are shining examples whom I would urge all others to aspire to."

To experience the service of your local multi-award winning estate agency call 0208 840 6666.

Northfields crowned Best Independent Estate Agency of the Year

The Negotiator Awards 2008

The Negotiator magazine hosted the inaugural ceremony in association with FindaProperty and Primelocation.  The ceremony was held at the prestigious London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.  More than 450 of the industry’s top movers and shakers gathered to celebrate the achievements of their winning peers in 18 award categories.  TV comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner hosted the awards. The post-awards casino raised over £2,500 for the UK housing charity Shelter.

  Northfields Estates scooped the national award for Best Independent Estate Agency of the Year 2008.  “We are delighted and proud to have won this award.  It is very gratifying to be recognised for our commitment and customer focus with this award” said Richard Palfreeman, Managing Director. “Particularly, in light of the negative press that the current state of the property market is attracting, it is great to know that Northfields is recognised by the industry as continuing to be successful.”

The judges read like a who’s who of estate agency and included Bill McClintock, Chairman, Ombudsman for Estate Agents and Chris Brown, President, National Association of Estate Agents, concluded that Northfields:
“…is as much a people business as it is a property business and it is this investment in staff that has paid off during the current tough times. They have a great grasp of the real skills needed in a tough market and this combined with an aggressive commercial approach has really paid off. The judges also like the charity and community work they do.”

Northfields adds this latest accolade to a growing collection of industry awards.  To read more about our awards, please click here.

We would like to thank all our clients and customers over the last 22 years for their continued support and loyalty.

If you would like to experience our multi-award winning service contact your local branch or e-mail Richard Palfreeman, Managing Director on richard.palfreeman@northfields.co.uk