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Tips On Selling Your Home

Selling a property can be stressful, but I’ve put together a list of handy tips to make the process easier for you. Read them all to help increase your chances of selling your house.

First impressions count

Most house buyers form their first impressions within seconds of walking through the front door. If you have a front garden, spend a little time sprucing it up. A few plant pots and a clear pathway can make the front of your house more appealing.

Quick Tip: Don’t forget to clean your front door, it can make a huge difference.

Clear worktops and declutter

A tidy room should never be underestimated, especially as dirty or cluttered rooms can be an immediate turn off for some property buyers.

So take some time to clean each room from top to bottom paying special attention to high impact rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. You should also think about having a spring clean; if there’s too much furniture and things like children’s toys and unused gym equipment lying around, it can make the property feel smaller.

After a deep clean your home will smell fresh and be much more appealing to potential buyers.

Add a lick of paint

Neutral colours are appealing to house buyers; a fresh coat of paint will brighten up your home and will allow would-be buyers to envisage themselves living in the space.

Do some DIY

Straightforward DIY jobs such as filling holes in walls and checking for clogs in the guttering are easy to do and is one less thing your buyer needs to think about doing once they’ve moved in. Getting any problems fixed before putting the house on the market is a smart idea. You don’t want anything negative to turn up on the property survey either.

Think about your pets

Whilst you might think your pet is adorable, others may not. Potential buyers may be allergic so make sure any pets are confined to one room (such as a utility room or the garden) or removed from the home during viewings. Animals can also detract attention away from your property, leaving them with a neighbour or family member will ensure home buyers are kept focussed on your home.

Brag about your broadband

Broadband speeds are serious business in this day and age and just advertising the presence of fibre optic cables in your area could be enough to encourage buyers. Make sure to take a look at other features of your property that are appealing to buyers.

Think smart

Smart home technologies are increasingly important to buyers. Smart technology such as Hive, which gives mobile control over heating systems, is a feature worth considering. If it moves your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) up a band, it could add thousands to the sale price.

Consider an open house

An open house can be a major benefit for property sellers, and setting aside one or two days to open your house up to the public will save you time in the long run. Spare yourself the effort of cleaning your house from top to bottom every other day and answering the same questions over and over by getting most of your house viewings out of the way in one go.

Pick the right agent

3 COMMON MISTAKES THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

We have asked NAEA Propertymark estate agents to reveal the mistakes that property sellers make when selling their property. Their top answers were:

1. Overpricing

The first thing your buyer sees is the price, so when it comes to valuing your home, it’s got to be done right.

An overpriced property could deter anyone from arranging a viewing and making an offer. You should seek the help of a professional estate agent who will use their expertise about the local market to give you a fair price.

It’s worth doing your own research too though – how much are other properties in your area being marketed for? What does your home offer that other ones in the area don’t? Be realistic and don’t let pride cloud your judgement and lead to overpricing.

2. Bad Photos

When it comes to selling a property, a picture really is worth a thousand words; with more home buyers searching online than ever before, great photos are an absolute must. Avoid photos with bad lighting or any that are blurry and poor quality.

Your estate agent should take professional standard photos to help market your home, so make sure the property is tidy, the curtains are open, and all the light bulbs are working before they come over.

3. Too Much Personality

It’s important that your home doesn’t feel over-personalised. Remember, not everyone shares your taste and future buyers need to be able to see themselves living there with all their possessions.  Family portraits, keepsakes and loud colour schemes can distract buyers from seeing your property’s full potential.

 

Why I Love Queen’s Park.

Queen’s Park is an area of North West London divided between the London Borough of Brent and the City of Westminster and lies to the east of Kensal Green. Kensal Green, or Kensal Rise as it is also known, is bordered by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the city of Westminster. The names Kensal Rise and Kensal Green tend to be used interchangeably, although locals of the area differentiate the two by proximity to the local train and Tube stations.

Queen’s Park was created for the International Exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society, which Queen Victoria opened in 1879. In that same year, London and North Western Railway opened Queen’s Park station on the mainline from London to Birmingham.

The family-friendly area is centred around 30 acres (12 ha), which opened in 1887 and was named to honour Queen Victoria.

Architecturally, Queen’s Park is an important historic area, with a unified urban layout with a high level of building preservation. In addition, the park is an excellent example of a Victorian urban green space.

Queen’s Park is mainly in the NW6 Kilburn postcode, although to the south it strays into W10, the North Kensington postcode, while Chamberlayne Road is in NW10, the Willesden postcode.

No one is far from a station in this neighbourhood. There are excellent transport links in Queen’s Park, Kensal Rise and Kensal Green, including London Underground services from the following stations: Queen’s Park (Bakerloo line, Zone 2), Kensal Green (Bakerloo line, Zone 2), Ladbroke Grove (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, Zone 2), Willesden Junction (Bakerloo line, Zone 2).

You can also found London Overground services. At Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise and Willesden Junction.

At the 2011 census, 36 per cent of Queen’s Park’s residents were white British. However, there were also significant minorities of Caribbean, African, Irish, Indian and Bangladeshi birth or descent, and almost 2,000 people with a mixed ethnic background.

Property types in Queens Park

Many Edwardian and Victorian properties in this area remain intact, boasting many of their original, period features,

The two-storey terraced houses east of the park, developed between 1895 and 1900, typically have clean, classical lines. That west of the park, built between 1900 and 1905, tend to be more Gothic in style. In addition, there is a vast selection of large Victorian and Edwardian houses taking the form of semi-detached houses, terrace buildings, and period conversions.

The park

The park itself was laid out by Alexander McKenzie between March 1887 and June 1887.

Designed without any straight paths, Queen’s Park uses bold tree planting and shrubberies with natural outlines and large open lawn areas for recreation and sport.

Facilities in the park include six all-weather tennis courts, a pitch-and-putt course, a quiet ornamental garden, a children’s playground with a paddling pool, a children’s animal farm and a cafe.

A landmark in the park is the bandstand, which was completed in 1887 – a timber roof with wrought-iron scrolled devices to each facet a central wrought-iron lantern. The bandstand was Grade-II listed in 2000.

The City of London Corporation manages the park. In 2020 it won Green Flag status for the 24th year in a row and an additional Green Heritage Site award for its care and conservation of open space and facilities.

Lifestyle

Queen’s Park is bookended by two shopping streets, Salusbury Road and Chamberlayne Road, with an increasing number of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Schools

Queen’s Park has a good selection of state primary schools with “good” Ofsted ratings, including Islamia, the Islamic voluntary aided school.

When choosing a state primary school, parents’ attention has shifted from Malorees Junior & Infant School in Christchurch Avenue to Ark Franklin in Harvist Road.

There are also neighbourhood comprehensive schools and two nearby Christian comprehensives rated “outstanding”. You can also find three private Islamic schools and two private French bilingual primary schools serving the French community in the area and a good selection of private primary and preparatory schools and secondary and all-through private schools.

If you have any questions about selling your home, call me! I am here to help and available 7 days a week 07460 088 110

7 Tips to Selling Your Home in the Summer Market.

Let’s face it: there is never a bad time to sell your home in London! But summer is a fantastic time of the year to think about selling your home.

Here are a few tips on getting the most for your home, and even possibly getting multiple offers!

1. De-clutter your entire home. Keep ‘knick knacks’ down to a minimum and take down a few of those family vacation photos. This will help other people be able to see themselves in your home and help to not distract them when they’re viewing your home.
2. Make sure your garden and garage areas are as clean and de-cluttered as possible.
3. Leave your home when there is an agent showing it. There is nothing worse than a seller who is hovering over a buyer and their agent when they’re trying to see a home. If there are special things about the home that you feel your agent may forget to provide buyers, then make a short list and leave it on the kitchen counter for agents and buyers to see.
4. If you have AC units, turn them on before a showing. If not, then leave some windows open so that the home can be ventilated. If your home feels HOT and almost as if there is poor ventilation, that could deter them from wanting to live there.

1. Make sure your home is as clean as possible. Hire a cleaning company to do a deep clean before listing your home. I’ve seen so many buyers who were unable to see past a mess.
2. If you’re trying to sell a home that is vacant, try to go to the home every 5-10 days. There is nothing worse than opening a kitchen drawer and seeing a dead cockroach…
3. Turn ON all of your lights even if it’s daytime. It sounds absurd, but it always helps your home appear more “light and bright”!

If you have any questions about selling your home, call me! I am here to help and available 7 days a week 07460 088 110

First-time Buyer Opportunities in London.

Are you a first-time buyer hoping to find a home in a buzzing city centre?

Over the past year, asking prices in many countrysides and coastal areas have kept rising as more buyers looked to find bigger houses and a quieter life.

Meanwhile, in some of Britain’s largest and most popular city centres, asking prices have remained at a standstill – and in some cities, they’ve even dropped.

But I am seeing demand from buyers increase again in city centres, so now might be the best chance to buy a place while prices are cheaper than normal and mortgage lenders are offering competitive low-deposit loans.

In a recent survey, one in five first-time buyers have said they are either planning to use, or are already using the government’s 95% mortgage guarantee scheme, which was introduced in April.

Instead of having to save for a 15% or 20% deposit, first-time buyers can buy a home worth up to £600,000 through the scheme with a deposit of just 5%. You can find out more about how the scheme works here.

The housing market is still really busy right now, so whether you’re thinking of buying a house or a flat, it’s likely to be competitive.

In the past two months we’ve been seeing a lot more first-time buyers searching for homes in cities, especially flats with two or three bedrooms, or extra home office space, as well as having a garden or at least a balcony.

So where are best cities for first-time buyers right now?

The biggest price drops are for homes in the city centres of Leeds and Sheffield. In Leeds, the average cost of a home is just below £160,00, which is £6,788 cheaper than it was at the start of the year. This budget will buy you a two-bedroom flat with a balcony in the heart of the city.

In Sheffield, average asking prices are now about £4,000 cheaper than they were in January, so it’s no surprise that buyer demand has skyrocketed here in the past month or so. For the average asking price of £124,097, you can buy a one- or a two-bedroom flat in the city centre. Some three-bedroom flats and houses start at around £300,000.

Homes in Nottingham‘s city centre are also in demand right now, with the average cost of a home dropping by £5,000 to £178,390.

London for first-time buyers

Buyers are starting to head back to London after more than a year of lockdown restrictions, as restaurants and bars continue to fill up and offices gradually start to reopen. We’ve seen demand for flats in London rise by a third since January. While prices across the capital are pretty much at a standstill, at £477,000, the average cost of a first-time buyer home is almost three times higher than many other cities.

Rightmove’s property expert, Tim Bannister says that these early signs of demand could be the start of city prices rising again, so for those home-hunters who have their sights set on a city-centre flat, now is the time to see what’s available.

About Primrose Hill.

Primrose Hill is a grassy hill on the northern side of Regent’s Park with stunning views overlooking London.

The picture-postcard view of the capital’s skyline might be your top reason for visiting Primrose Hill – but it shouldn’t be the only one. This well-kept annexe of Regent’s Park is also surrounded by posh cafés and shops. And when the sun starts going down, it really is all about that view, so pack a picnic, invite some friends and play ‘spot the landmark’ as London is bathed in awesome orange light.

Up until the 19th century, Primrose Hill was no more than just a woodland area filled with trees and wolves, and it was even once used as a hunting ground by the English monarchs. It is believed to have been named Primrose Hill due to the number of primroses which once grew here; (although not much of them can be seen today), but some experts believe it was named after Archibald Primrose, who was famous for the expansion of the London underground.

Throughout its history Primrose Hill has changed very little, and just strolling around its surrounding streets you will feel as if you’re walking around a London village during the 20th century.

Today Primrose Hill is a highly desirable place to live among the rich and famous, and some of the many celebrities who once lived (or still live) here include Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Dylan Thomas, Boris Johnson, Kate Moss, Gavin Rossdale, Jude Law, and many more. As a matter of fact, Primrose Hill became so famous because of its famous residents, a group of London-based celebrities like Kate Moss, Davinia Taylor, Ewan McGregor, Sadie Frost and Jude Law became known as the “Primrose Hill Set” during the 1990s.

Highlights in Primrose Hill

At the Primrose Hill summit lies a York stone which is inscribed with a William Blake quote, as well as the famous “Shakespeare’s Tree.” In 1864 an oak tree was planted here to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, although the tree that stands there today is a replacement tree which was planted in 1964.

Not just limited to Primrose Hill, walking around its surrounding streets is a highlight in itself, as many of the streets, buildings, homes and pubs have been left untouched for many years, giving a very unique, architectural feel that is unlike any other in London.

Famous People Who Once Lived in Primrose Hill

A lot of visitors head to Primrose Hill to do some celebrity-watching, as many famous names are known to both live and visit in and around Primrose Hill. Some of the many houses which were once lived in by famous residents have been marked with English Heritage blue plaques such as:

• Friedrich Engels (122 Regent’s Park Road)
• William Butler Yeats (23 Fitzroy Road)
• Sir Hugh Clough (11 St. Mark’s Crescent)
• A. J. P. Taylor (13 St. Mark’s Crescent)
• William Roberts (14 St. Mark’s Crescent)
• Roger Fenton (2 Albert Terrace)
• Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes (3 Chalcot Square and 23 Fitzroy Road – with the latter being where Plath ultimately committed suicide)
• Dylan Thomas (54 Delancey Street)

Visitors can also easily walk to the nearby Regent’s Park, ZLS Zoo, and Camden Town, and by walking through St. John’s Wood visitors can cross the famous Abbey Road, and even see Abbey Road Studios. There is also a Primrose Hill market which draws both locals and tourists to the area every Saturday.

Where to Eat and Drink Near Primrose Hill?

Primrose Hill Market

https://www.thespreadfood.com/primrosehill

Elsworthy Rd, London NW3 3DS

Saturday 10am–3pm

Primrose Hill Market is home to 50 award-winning farmers, small batch producers and street food traders.

OKA Primrose Hill

71 Regent’s Park Rd, London NW1 8UY

Home

Odette’s Restaurant

130 Regent’s Park Rd, London NW1 8XL

http://www.odettesprimrosehill.com/

Michael Nadra Brasserie & Takeaway Primrose Hill

42 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 8JD

Home

The Lansdowne Pub & Dining Room

90 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 8HX

Home

The Engineer

65 Gloucester Ave, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8JD

https://www.theengineerprimrosehill.co.uk/

The Pembroke Castle

150 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 8JA

https://www.bestcitypubs.co.uk/pembroke-primrose-hill

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

 

Books to Help Your Kids

Books to Help Your Kids Deal With the Big Move

May is National Share a Story Month in the UK. An annual celebration of the power and magic of storytelling organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, providing a fantastic opportunity to fulfil the core aim of the FCBG of bringing children and stories together. Across the country, Federation book groups and individuals run a whole host of events.

It is a wonderful opportunity for families to share stories and books and read and write together, particularly important. Spending just 10 minutes a day reading and sharing stories with children can make a crucial difference to their future, plus it’s a lovely thing to do.

Moving to a new home can be magic as a story. Still, it can also be particularly difficult for children, especially if the move also means uprooting them from a school and a comfortable circle of friends. As a parent, though, there are plenty of ways you can help soothe your kid’s fears and concerns during the moving process.

One way to do this is by telling them stories about moving or reading positive and uplifting children’s books that explain the experience of relocating to a new home. So, to mark the National Share-a-Story Month, here are some of the children’s books that will successfully help your children deal with the anxiety and sadness often associated with moving away to a new home.

Moving House

by Usborne First Experiences

This beautifully illustrated book is suitable for very young children by gently introducing them to the process of moving house. There is a lot to see and look for in the pictures, and the story has a fun element making the whole concept of moving house fun. There is also a sticker book version for a little more interaction.

We’re Moving

by Heather Maisner

A book about Amy, a pre-schooler, who doesn’t want to move as it will mean she will have to say goodbye to her best friend and leave the garden she planted with her dad. The illustrations are lovely to look at, and the story will encourage younger children to talk about their feelings and any concerns that they may have about moving house.

The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day

by Stan and Jan Berenstain

This beloved children’s book has been helping kids with the trials and tribulations of moving for years. When Mama and Papa decide to move, Brother bear must prepare for relocation from their beautiful mountainside to the family’s new treehouse. The story’s iconic Berenstain bear characters are sure to make this children’s book a hit with your kids.

My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move: A Workbook for Children Moving to a New Home

by Lori Attanasio Woodring

Workbook for kids ages 5 to 11 years. The step-by-step guide will help children manage different aspects of the moving process, such as saying goodbye, making new friends and dealing with the different emotions that come with moving to a new place.

The Good-Pie Party

by Liz Garton Scanlon and Kady MacDonald Denton

If your child is particularly sad about leaving their friends behind, this children’s book will help show them how to deal with sad emotions appropriately. The story centres around three friends, Posy, Megan and Mae. When Posy learns she must move away, her friends come together to throw a goodbye party for her. The book is written for kids ages 5 to 8.

The Moving Book – A Kids’ Survival Guide

by Gabriel Davis

A great book about moving house for older children (approximately 8-13 years). This comprehensive guide is highly organised and helps to prepared kids to move house. It deals with everything from coping with any anxieties that they may have to how to keep in touch with friends they are leaving behind.

Moving Day!

by Jess Stockham

Make packing boxes part of the play experience on moving day with this handy children’s book. The book makes packing fun and teaches children what to keep and what to toss.

Moving House (First Times)

by Rebecca Hunter

Clever book that explores the whole first time experience of moving house with specially commissioned photographs to support the narrative, with 2 levels of text so that early readers can join in or simply look at the pictures and be read to.

Contact me today and see how I can help you with your home and move.

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Top 5 Boroughs Where it’s Cheaper to Buy a New Build Than an Older House

As you know, new apartment blocks are becoming a regular sight across London. Whether they’re regenerating historic buildings, filling empty land or giving a new lease of life to existing areas of the city.

It’s often presumed that these new properties are outrageously expensive and will be far out of most Londoners’ budgets. But recent research from comparison site Compare My Move has found that in several London boroughs, new build homes are actually cheaper on average than existing properties.

In some boroughs, the average price of a new build is a monumental £169,207 cheaper than buying an existing property, and others can see savings of an average of 17.5 per cent.

Here are the top five London boroughs where buying new can save you thousands of pounds.

5. Islington – 8.7 per cent cheaper

In Islington, North London, the average existing property price is £697,733, whereas the average price of a new build is £636,980 – a difference of £60,752 or 8.7 per cent.

A few facts about Islington:

Islington was once home to two of Europe’s oldest and largest prisons.

Holloway Prison, first opened in 1852, was the biggest women’s prison in western Europe until its closure in 2016. Pentonville prison opened in 1842 and is still functioning as a working prison today, despite hints at its future closure. The design of Pentonville was based on the ‘Separate’ system, which focuses on keeping prisoners in solitary confinement.

Islington was the first London borough to have its own fresh supply of water

In 1613 Hugh Myddelton built an aqueduct that delivered fresh water from Ware and Hertford to the heart of Islington.

Islington is home to the UK’s first theatre pub

The UK’s first theatre pub, the King’s Head Theatre Pub on Upper Street has been serving thespians and Islingtonites since Shakespearean times.

4. Hounslow – 9.5 per cent cheaper

House prices in general in Hounslow are significantly lower than number five on this list, Islington.

Existing properties cost an average of £426,640, while new builds average at £386,096 – £40,544 cheaper.

The West London borough boasts dozens of reasons to live there, including gorgeous Thameside walks, beautiful pubs, stunning historic churches and vast green space.

A few facts about Hounslow:

Hounslow wasn’t always part of London

Hounslow wasn’t always a London borough, it wasn’t even considered a part of our capital until not so long ago.

Before the 60s the area was part of Middlesex until it became a part of West London in 1965.

Hounslow residents perished in the plague

Many years ago we obviously didn’t have the pioneering medical technology we do now, and unfortunately, this meant health epidemics spread quickly.

London fell victim to a horrendous disaster during the 17th century as the Great Plague took the lives of thousands, and in 1665 – 149 local residents died in the tragedy, according to ThamesDiscovery.org.

3. Harrow – 12.1 per cent cheaper

Harrow, in North West London, has a range of family homes and swanky new apartments at reasonable prices considering its 15-minute journey time to Central London.

At an average of £469,407, existing properties in Harrow are reasonable in terms of the London property market. But new builds are an average of £57,023 cheaper, at £412,284.

Harrow is, of course, home to the famous public school of the same name, and it’s also a great option for commuters – it’s just over 15 minutes on the Metropolitan Line from Harrow on the Hill to Baker Street.

A few facts about Harrow:

Caesar’s ponds

In Stanmore there are two ponds known formally as the Spring Ponds, although they have another colloquial name: Caesar’s Ponds. The pools are manmade and date back to Roman times, hence the name. Legend also has it that Boudicca and her rebel army camped here, drinking from the ponds. The ponds have another name in Old English. Stony Ponds translates as ‘stane meres’, giving Stanmore its name.

Harrow pagans

Harrow-on-the-Hill was once a hotbed for pagan activity. The area used to be called ‘Gumeniga hergae’ which translates from Anglo-Saxon English as ‘heathen shrine’. The area’s famous medieval church, St Mary’s, is built on an old place of pagan worship, in an attempt to convert non-believers to the Christian cause.

2. Kensington and Chelsea – 12.7 per cent cheaper

It’s to be expected that homes in Kensington and Chelsea don’t come cheap – but it might be surprising that new builds in the area are, on average, £169,207 cheaper than existing properties.

The average price of older homes in RBKC is £1,337,012, whereas new builds average at £1,167,805.

Kensington and Chelsea is known for its wealthy residents, opulent properties and high-end shops.

A few facts about Kensington & Chelsea:

Origins of Kensington Gardens

Well before there was even Kensington Palace, what would become Kensington Gardens was part of a vast hunting ground owned by King Henry VIII.  In 1728, Queen Caroline asked that it be separated from Hyde Park and it was redesigned into a landscape garden by Charles Bridgeman and Henry Wise.  In 1733, the gardens were first opened to the public, but only on Sunday evenings, before eventually opening to the public on the rest of the week in the early 19th Century.

Kensington Palace grounds were flooded with around 60 million flowers after Princess Diana’s death

After their marriage in 1981, Princess Diana and Prince Charles moved into Apartment 8 at Kensington Palace and eventually raised their sons, William and Harry, there. Following Diana’s fatal car crash in 1997, mourners covered the palace grounds with an estimated 60 million flowers, as well as stuffed animals, flags, photos, and notes. Some bouquets were later used to compost the surrounding gardens, while others were donated to hospitals and nursing homes.

Famous People to have lived in Kensington

London is well known for attracting the best and brightest from around the world. But what famous celebrities have loved in Kensington? Eric Clapton, Rowan Atkinson, Robbie Williams, Sir Richard Branson to name a few.

1. Richmond upon Thames – 17.5 per cent cheaper

Coming in at the top spot is Richmond upon Thames, where new build properties are an average of £121,793 cheaper than existing homes – almost 20 per cent less expensive.

The average price of new builds is £572,352, whereas existing properties cost an average of £694,324.

This leafy South West London borough is a nature-lover’s dream, home to the famous Richmond Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Bushy Park.

A few facts about Richmond upon Thames:

Richmond Park is the largest park in London

It measures 3.69 square miles, covers around 2,500 acres and is home to well over 600 red and fallow deer. Compare it to New York’s Central Park and it’s three times the size.

Home to Hampton Court

East Molesey, which falls within the Borough is home to the famous Hampton Court Palace, acquired by King Henry VIII in the 1520s. The public were allowed to come and visit the palace from 1838, thanks to Queen Victoria, and remains a world-wide attraction to this day.

Home to Kew Gardens

The world-famous Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew serves as a showcase of living and preserved plants and The National Archives, based at Kew Gardens holds over 1,000 years of Government and public record history.

Contact me today and see how I can help you with your home and move.

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Ideas For Your London Wedding

On this day, 16 years ago, Charles, Prince of Wales, married Camilla Parker Bowles. Cheers to them! And with tight restrictions on weddings been slightly eased as part of England’s lockdown exit plans, you might finally start to think about your wedding.

Marriages can now take place, with six people (including the couple) attending. From 12 April (at the earliest): Up to 15 people will be allowed to attend a wedding ceremony and reception, but ceremonies can only occur in places of worship, public buildings and in locations that are already permitted to open, with outdoor receptions only.

From 17 May (at the earliest), up to 30 people will be allowed at the ceremony and reception. On 21 June (at the earliest), the government aims to remove all limits on social contact, including wedding restrictions.

If you are planning your big day, here are some local wedding services to help you with your wedding planning.

The Landmark London

Plan a beautiful wedding day with the help of The Landmark London Events team, who will be personally dedicated to making your wedding dreams a reality. Their legendary service and stunning event spaces come together to create magnificent memories for you and your guests that will last a lifetime.

The Landmark London sits in the heart of Central London, the crowning jewel of the fashionable Marylebone neighbourhood, with many fascinating places to visit right on our doorstep.

You can find more on their website https://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/

Vale Wedding cars

The largest and most varied fleet of transport available in Greater London and surrounding areas of Greater London.  They have something for everybody at the most competitive prices.  They specialise in traditional vintage wedding cars, luxury modern wedding cars and unique wedding cars.

You can browse cars here https://www.theweddingcarhirepeople.co.uk/?county=Greater+London&town=London

Function Central

One of the most popular choices in the UK for the very best in live music and DJs for weddings and events. With years of knowledge and experience providing function bands, musicians and DJs for over 2000 events a year, Function Central make booking your ideal band/DJ easy.

They have extremely high standards and use only the most accomplished and professional acts made up of young, dedicated musicians and DJs who deliver outstanding performances every time.

Book them here https://www.functioncentral.co.uk/

Alistair Hugo Catering and Events

Alistair Hugo is an established and diverse wedding caterer for London and the country. They provide memorable food, supported by excellent service and efficient event organising, with competitive prices to strengthen your occasion. They can also theme the whole event, including concept and design.

All yummy details here https://www.alistair-hugo.com/

Melanie Potro Bridal Couture

Many brides opt for a wedding dress from their bridal wear collection. Occasionally, brides like to give their dress a unique twist – for example, by varying the colour or choice of fabric and accessories.

Should you wish to bring your dream dress to life, you can discuss your bridal design ideas with Melanie or one of her assistants.

And If you tell them (honestly) what your budget is, they promise that they will try to find a solution to match it.

More about Melanie Potro dresses here

https://www.easyweddings.co.uk/WeddingDress/LondonCity/MelaniePotroBridalCouture/

Chris Giles Photography

Chris Giles is a full-time and high-end professional wedding photographer who has been shooting weddings all over the UK and overseas for over 10 years.

He only shoots weddings and this main focus leads him to be titled one of the Top Ten Wedding Photographers covering London (The Evening Standard), One of the Top Three Wedding Photographers in the UK (Bridebook) and One of The Worlds Best Wedding Photographers (Smashing the Glass). Chris wins these awards not just because of technical ability but also because of the person he is and how he integrates seamlessly into every wedding.

Check it here https://www.chrisgilesphotography.com/

Dream Wedding Company

One-stop wedding shop. They provide chair covers, favours, flowers, cakes, venue decoration, video and invitations in house, and you get a free wedding coordinator with every package! They guarantee to save you 1000`s on your wedding day. You can tie the knot on a shoestring without compromising on quality.

More about Dream wedding on their site https://thedreamweddingcompany.co.uk/

Your London Florist

Team of experienced florists from around the world combining a passion for colours and flowers with brilliant imaginations to create unique and elegant floral designs.

They pride themselves as a luxury London florist with over 20 years of floristry experience creating wild and bespoke flower bouquets regularly for special occasions, luxury weddings flowers, corporate events and private parties.

Their flower story is here https://www.yourlondonflorist.co.uk/

If you want to know more about wedding trends or need some more ideas to make your big day magical, you can visit some upcoming wedding fairs.

The Knebworth House and Barns Wedding Fair – 22nd July 2021

The Premier Knebworth Wedding Fair is held in the historical and contemporary Barns set within the deer park at Knebworth House.

A simply wonderful Wedding Fair that brings together up to 50 leading wedding professionals from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, London and beyond, covering every aspect of your wedding, including some you might not have considered!

There are usually two professional fashion shows at 7.00 pm and 8:30 pm on our signature catwalk featuring some of the latest bridal gowns and bridesmaid outfits, together with an array of live entertainment.

More details here https://www.wedding-exhibitions-uk.co.uk/the-knebworth-house-and-barns-wedding-fair-22-07-2021.asp

The Coach House at Forty Hall Wedding Show – 26th September 2021

The Coach House at Forty Hall is a beautiful wedding venue, offering a wide selection of spaces to choose from when curating your special day. Whether you are looking to hire an area within the main house or the banqueting suite, in the adjacent coach house – or a combination of both – Forty Hall Estate is a stunning backdrop for your big day. The Hall is a perfect wedding venue on the edge of London, ideal for couples looking for an idyllic countryside setting near the city. Couples will be spoilt for choice with a stunning backdrop and a selection of rooms to choose from.

You can register here https://www.mainweddingsandevents.co.uk/Hertfordshire-Wedding-Shows/The-Coach-House-at-Forty-Hall-Wedding-Show/

Now when you have more details about where to start planning your big day, you just have to do it and let the magic happen. There is no reason why you couldn’t have a proper Royal wedding.

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

What is putting buyers off buying your home?

According to regulated property buyers, GoodMove, below are the most searched for issues over the past year.

According to the research, searches for “buy my house” increased by 108% in July 2020, “sell house fast” by 257% in November 2020, and “value my house” by 170% in January 2021, showing many have been looking to move home over the past year.

To be honest, we all knew this, but it is interesting to see data that reflects it too.

People are spending more time at home and looking to Google for help on their next move. Not just that, but peoples views have changed, they want more living space, more outdoor space, and where possible, maybe even office space too.

So, Whilst we know many have moved home in the past year and searched for help on how to sell their homes, I had to ask myself, what puts buyers off when viewing a property?

Well, my North London friends, here is what I found from the report conducted by GoodMove.

Flooding

Nobody wants their home to be flooded, and it’s often a huge concern for buyers when looking at houses. Searches for “check flood risk” increased by 400% in January 2021 – right at the time of Storm Christoph – and if you are looking for a new home it’s advisable to check if it’s near any body of water that could make it susceptible to flooding.

Bad odours

They say the smell of freshly baked bread is the secret to selling a house, and pleasant scents do help entice buyers. Searches for “home odour eliminator” have steadily increased throughout the year, rising month-on-month to 284% in March 2021. If you’re looking to sell your home, we’d advise purchasing some diffusers or candles to banish unpleasant smells such as pet odour.

Mould

Mould is a problem many homes face, and searches for “how to get rid of mould” increased by 152% in October 2020. Luckily, it can be removed with specialised cleaning products, but if you’re looking to buy a new home, we’d advise checking for mould on your viewings and asking the current owners about it, so you don’t get a nasty surprise when you move in.

Old bathrooms/kitchens

Kitchens and bathroom are often one of the first things buyers look for when viewing a property, as they’re often the most expensive thing to update. Interestingly, “new bathroom cost” peaked significantly in summer 2020, rising by 177% in August, while “new kitchen cost” peaked by 53%. We know that interior trends change over time, but for sellers, we’d recommend keeping bathrooms and kitchens clean and neutral. Don’t opt for any bold colours and stick to a more neutral colour palette to attract a wider range of buyers.

Supporting further, GoodMove also conducted a survey asking people for the most shocking things they’ve seen during a house viewing. According to the findings, the top five problems are:

• Bad smells e.g., damp/animals and cigarettes (36%)
• Dirty/damaged carpets and flooring (27%)
• Bad DIY e.g., dents in walls/smashed windows which owners attempted to cover up (23%)
• Animal faeces on the floor/furnishings (17%)
• Pubic hair on the floor/furnishings (11%)

So, if you are wanting to sell your North West London property, make sure to avoid any of the above if you want to attract buyers to your home!

Contact me today and see how I can help you with your home and move.

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Buying a home is a tough job. Select a home that matches your dream home entirely is more stringent, and it becomes hard to find such a home.

When buyers begin their property search, they usually have a wish list of their new house features. A large garden, quiet location, five bedrooms, a lovely fireplace, or an en-suite are top requirements for many buyers. The more ticks a property has on their wish list, the more inclined they are to make an offer.

However, there are a few rooms in a house that are more likely to win over viewers’ hearts than others. The important question is, which room convinces you to buy?

The kitchen is the King place of the home. Generally, if you can win them over in the kitchen, chances are the rest of the home won’t be too difficult. Unlike other parts areas of the home, your return on investment in the kitchen has a greater chance of bringing the value of your home up. Open modular kitchens with dining area make the perfect place for every home. People can sit, cook, eat and talk together. The kitchen is also considered the most expensive room in the house, especially well equipped with good quality appliances. Unlike other parts areas of the home, your return on investment in the kitchen has a greater chance of bringing the value of your home up.

When buying a home, the buyer will look at the kitchen size, with star rated electric appliances, countertops with granite are enough to grab the potential buyer’s attention. Making the kitchen priority for home buyers while buying a home or finalising a rental home.

The first place buyer would see while entering your home is the hallway. It should be spacious and organised and paint with light colour. On the day of viewing (by buyers), you can enlighten the scented candles and air fresheners, giving a sense of a good place for them. Ideally, it is a place to welcome guests to have an attractive hall where they can relax and even put a plant inside the living room.

A room with a view is always a great selling point for buyers. A room with a gallery or balcony where people can sit and take advantage of the fresh area with a great view. To appeal to buyers instantly, create living rooms that look like you want to stay awhile and enjoy the home. This is the room that stands out the most for some people and could convince them to buy.

The interesting thing is that well-fitted, spacious bathrooms are trendy at the moment. This leads us to the fact that the master bath is almost as important as the kitchen from a buyer’s perspective.

These are the rooms with their unique feature that convince buyers to buy the home. If you are still confused about which room you should improve first to sell your home, look at your home as if you were going to buy it and make a list of what would be a major turn off and what would appeal to you.

Contact me today and see how I can help you with your home and move.

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028