Northfields

Selling House in West London: Now is the Time

Many people dream of leaving the big smoke of London and starting a quieter life in the country.  If that has always been part of your plan, now may be the time to make the big move.  "Property prices in the capital are recovering well ahead of those in the rest of the nation", reports the Times Online, "which gives you a chance to swap your semi in the metropolis for something detached with an acre or two, or a handsome house in a smart town where the schools are good, before the gap narrows and the pick-up eventually spreads."

This pattern in the property market has been seen before.  Between 1995 and 2000, the prices of London properties increased and then property prices elsewhere rose from 2000 to 2005; so the ideal time to cash in on a property in the nation's capital was 1999.

We are now entering a market which is mirroring the late 1990s.  London is recovering faster than other areas of the UK meaning that the price differential is quite significant.  In pounds and pence that means that the London homeowner of 2005 could have expected an average saving of 43% by buying a similar property out of the capital.  Compare that to today's differential where the saving could be 50%.

With the base rate remaining as low as it can go, mortgages for those with equity are cheap, increasing the amount available for movers to secure the house of the their dreams. So where should you head to make the most of the price differential?

The biggest gains are for those who are heading north, where, according to the latest research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, most agents report that prices are still falling.

Even if you plan on staying in the relatively high-priced southeast, the homeowner planning to sell up in London stands to benefit from the gap between London prices and the prices of homes within a commutable distance.

Another factor on the home sellers side is the lack of stock that is coming to the market which creates added competition amongst buyers.

Families looking to move will want to consider putting their houses on the market right away if they aim to exchange and complete in July so they are settled in well before the new school term starts.

Luckily, Ealing and Shepherd's Bush are popular areas commanding prices that reflect the demand, but those with homes in less fashion­able areas of the capital should be careful not to set their hearts on the prettiest commuter hot spots if they’re determined to get more house for their cash. Areas like Buckinghamshire which are within commutable distance of London, will have price tags that rival or even outstrip some less desirable areas of London.

Northfields advice for people moving out of London for pastures greener is to move fast while the price differential is on your side.  If you start this process while the temperatures are still cold with a threat of snow in the air you will beat your competition to the pick of the crop before spring brings out the rest of the house hunters.

Northfields can take care of your entire relocation, from selling your home in West London to finding a new home outside the London area.  As part of the Home Sale Network, we are one of around 750 independent agents nationwide, each chosen for local knowledge, high quality customer service and excellent results. Ask us and we will connect you with the best independent agent in your chosen area.  Call us now on 0208 840 6666 or register online here.

Moving to a new area? How to get to know the area where you are looking to rent or buy property

Committing to buying or renting a property in a new area can be a bit daunting, but with a little research and the help of a knowledgeable estate agent you can reassure yourself that the area or road you are moving to, is right for you.  Northfields shares its top 5 tips for investigating the area you are interested in:

1. Visit Up My Street and enter the postcode or area name to learn about the schools, transportation, population, leisure activities and even council tax for that area.

2. Walkit.com is a great website to help you figure out exactly how long it would take you to walk from point a to point b at three different walking speeds.  The website will even tell you how many calories you’ll burn on the walk.  At Northfields, our negotiators use this website tool all the time to help tenants and buyers figure out how long exactly it would take them to walk to the tube or work from the property they are considering. 

3. Go for a walk around the area.  Stop into a local café or have a browse in the shops to see if the area feels like the right place for you.

4. Ask your agent – a good estate agent will have local knowledge and should be able to point out where the nearest supermarket or gym is located in relation to the property you are viewing. 

Northfields also has online area guides for several keys areas in West London on our website www.northfields.co.uk, including; Ealing, Pitshanger, Northfields, Hanwell, Brentford, Acton, and Shepherd's Bush, so take advantage of these if you are thinking of moving to West London.

5. When you are relocating, chances are you won’t be aware of the best estate agent to use in that area.  Contact our Relocations Manager, Shellie Ross on 0208 840 6666 or via e-mail at shellie.ross@northfields.co.uk .  Shellie can put you in touch with an estate agent that is a member of the Home Sale Network.  Home Sale Network is a national network of selected estate agents. All members are independent businesses, hand picked after thorough checks to identify them as, in Cartus’ (the premier provider of global relocation services) opinion, the best independent estate agent to represent Home Sale Network in their area.  Home Sale Network is highly selective and membership is based on certain criteria being met such as quality of service, local knowledge and professionalism.

So with a combination of surfing the net, pounding the pavement and tapping into your estate agent’s expertise, you can be reassured that your next move will be right for you.

Top Tips for Buyers Returning to the Housing Market in 2009

A Home Sale Network survey reports signs of an increase in buyers returning to the housing market at the end of 2008, and suggests some Top Tips to Home Buyers for 2009.

If you are looking to move home this year, Northfields Estates, members of national, independent estate agency network Home Sale Network in Shepherd's Bush and Northfields, offers hope of increased buyer activity for 2009 and some top tips to help make the most of today’s market.

In a survey conducted in the first week of January 2009, 49% of respondents to a Home Sale Network member questionnaire indicated that they had seen an increase in the number of buyer enquires in November and December 2008.

Of the Home Sale Network respondents who had experienced increased buyer enquiries, 28% said enquiries had picked up by between 1-5% and 56% indicated pick up had been between 6-10%.

Furthermore, 63% of respondents who reported more buyer enquiries also indicated that these enquiries had resulted in an increased number of offers for property.

Asked for their top tips for buyers in 2009, Home Sale Network respondents said:

Top Tips for 2009’s Home Buyers

1. A housing downturn may be the best time to trade-up as any price reduction on your old home is likely to be less than the reduction on the home you are planning to buy.
2. A house is a home and should be regarded primarily as a place to live.
3. Knowing the area you are buying in is key to purchase success. (If you are moving outside your locality, ask your local Home Sale Network member to recommend a fellow Network member in the new area that can offer you purchase help and advice.)
4. Consider the increased savings from any price reduction you receive by purchasing now when compared to the possibility of a smaller price saving if the market allows.
5. A house purchase should be viewed not as a short term commitment but one offering value in the longer term. 

Richard Palfreeman, managing Director from Northfields Estates said,
“We believe that 2009 could be a year in which canny buyers may really benefit from the market. As Home Sale Network’s Top Tips for 2009 Buyers notes, those looking to trade-up as well as first time buyers and those in rented accommodation may reap rewards in the current market.“

“It is also reassuring to see an encouraging number of Home Sale Network survey respondents reporting an increase in buyer enquiries towards the end of 2008. We are cautiously optimistic that this will continue in 2009,” Richard Palfreeman added.

For further information, please contact Richard Palfreeman on 0208 840 6666 or e-mail richard.palfreeman@northfields.co.uk.

West London Estate Agent, Northfields Nominated for National PR Award

Local estate agent, Northfields has been nominated for Home Sale Network’s prestigious national PR and Marketing Award.

The award is presented annually by Home Sale Network, the national network of independent estate agents. It recognises of the member who has made the most significant contribution to promoting the Network over the year.

The winner will be announced at the 15th Annual Home Sale Network Conference, being held at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel, on Friday 14 November 2008.

Richard Palfreeman said: ”Northfields are thrilled to have been nominated for this award. It is a real reflection of the combined effort of our staff, who are continually coming up with new ideas and innovative ways to promote Home Sale Network.”

The glamorous black tie awards dinner will be hosted by Zilpah Hartley who, as well as being a former host of the TV show ‘A Place in the Sun,’ regularly contributes to Ideal Home magazine, 4homes and Moneywise.

Home Sale Network’s managing director, Richard Tucker said: “The PR and Marketing Award is presented in recognition of the Network member who has consistently displayed innovative thinking and a real enthusiasm for promoting Home Sale Network.”

For further information please contact Shellie Ross, Relocations Manager at Northfields Estates, on 0208 840 6666 or email: shellie.ross@northfields.co.uk.

Moving? We’ve been hand picked to help

Local West London estate agent Northfields Estates has been hand picked by Cartus, the premier provider of relocation services.

In Cartus’ opinion, Northfields is the best independent estate agent in Northfields and Shepherd's Bush to represent Home Sale Network. With nearly 30 years experience of the UK property market Cartus knows what makes a good estate agent.

Shellie Ross, Relocations Manager at Northfields said: “Cartus relocates staff for over 30 FTSE 100* companies including pharmaceutical companies, financial services providers and major retailers. In the UK, Cartus uses Home Sale Network members to buy and sell homes for the relocating employees and their families.”

If you are relocating, choosing a Home Sale Network estate agent to sell your home means it is marketed to a potentially much larger pool of buyers. This includes people referred by other Network members who are moving into the area as well as employees of organisations being relocated by Cartus.

Shellie continued: “Our link to Cartus means we are a local, independent estate agent but we have the benefits of a national connection as well.”

To find out more about the services that Northfields can offer, contact us today because we have been hand picked to help you move.

For further information please contact Shellie Ross, 0208 840 6666 or email: shellie.ross@northfields.co.uk.