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The story of 2020 for UK home movers.

2020 was undoubtedly a year that took many of us by surprise. With the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit negotiations coming to a close, the UK housing market has been through its ups and downs.

The first lockdown saw significant restrictions on the market. In the summer, the Chancellor announced a Stamp Duty holiday, leading to a surge in demand and, therefore, in house prices. When we hit the second lockdown in October, home moves could go ahead, meaning growth continued to be strong through to the end of the year.

Home move comparison site reallymoving.com has revealed ten statistics that together tell the story of UK home movers during 2020. The data is based on 910,000 quotes generated on the site throughout the year.

So, here is who moved and when, how far they went and what it all cost.

• The busiest day of the year for moving home is usually the last Friday in August, but in 2020 it was Friday 18th December, the last Friday before Christmas. Every Friday in December apart from Christmas Day were all among the top 10 busiest days to move in 2020 for the first time.
• The median distance moved by UK homebuyers in 2020 was 10 miles, an increase of 1 mile from the 2019 average. The general trend was for movement to less densely populated locations within urban areas, such as the outskirts of the towns and cities where people already live, rather than to rural villages and hamlets.
• The Top 5 locations where the most properties were bought in 2020 were: London (13.7%), Leeds (1.7%), Birmingham (1.6%), Bristol (1.6%) and Leicester (1.3%). By region, the South East of England saw the most home mover activity.
• Between July-December 2020, the proportion of First Time Buyers fell by 12% compared to the same period in 2019. Over the year, First Time Buyers made up 51% of all buyers int the market, compared to 56% in 2019.
• While 16% of First Time Buyers opted for a new build home over an older property, almost half of those (46%) used a Help to Buy Equity Loan, enabling them to buy with a deposit of just 5%.
• The average house price in England and Wales increased from £293,819 in January 2020 to £352,239 in December 2020, as buyer activity surged post-lockdown.
• Home movers sold their homes for an average price of £313,149 and purchased for an average price of £379,191. First Time Buyers paid an average price of £262,180 for their first home.
• The proportion of First Time Buyers in England liable to pay stamp duty fell from 25% to just 5%, following the announcement of a stamp duty holiday from 8th July 2020.
• The cost of moving home (buying and selling at the same time) plummeted by 39% in 2020 from an average of £10,911 before the stamp duty holiday came into effect to £6,669 after, making 2020 the cheapest time to move in decades.

However, certain costs, such as legal fees, rose due to being directly tied to increasing house prices. Those buying and selling a home typically paid £1,682 in legal fees (+15%) post-stamp duty holiday, including expenses and disbursements, while First Time Buyers paid £1,100 on average (+11%).

The property market took us on a rollercoaster in 2020; it has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the past 12 months. However, through it all, the sector has shown its strength and resilience.

Looking back at the housing market over the course of 2020, there’s a lot to be optimistic about despite the challenging year. Property as a long-term investment is seen as a more stable option than stocks and shares and other more volatile assets. During the year, there was even an increase in demand from first-time buy-to-let investors and landlords.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many sectors’ landscape, but the UK housing market has continued to show its resilience. This year of adversity has further illustrated the market is solid and adaptable.

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

The Property Nightmares That Can Knock The Value Of Your Home.

They say you can fall in love with a property in under seven seconds. However, newly released research from Yes Homebuyers shows how you could be in trouble if you can’t see significant issues with your new home. Many things factor into how much your home is worth, such as the location, the square footage, the school district and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Although several of those parameters aren’t easily changed, some are under a homeowner’s control.

Britons love dreaming about their future homes, especially when it comes to redecorating. But sometimes, even Britons’ dream houses can be impacted by property issues beyond their control. Japanese Knotweed, subsidence and flood risks can all have a significant impact on property value.

Research by home buying platform, Yes Homebuyers, looked at 11 of the most common property nightmares, how much they can devalue your home, and what it costs to remedy them.

Subsidence came out on top as the number one property issue.

Subsidence is the number one nightmare for homeowners, and any structural damage is likely to deter buyers completely. If it doesn’t, you can expect to see your property devalued by as much as -20%; that’s over £50,000 on the current UK average of £251,500.

Japanese Knotweed is the most commonly covered homeowner nightmare and comes in a close second, with the destructive plant causing a -15% drop in the value of your home. That’s nearly £38,000 wiped off when you come to resell if you don’t get rid. Click here to learn more about selling a house with Japanese Knotweed.

While we all search for good connectivity in this modern age, living too close to a powerline, mobile phone tower, or wind turbine can be a bad thing when we come to sell. When it comes to selling your home, if one of them has been erected nearby, you could see the value of your home drop by as much as 13 per cent (£32,695). Similarly, a new power station within view can also cause a -5% drop in the value of your home.

Living in a known flood risk area with the potential risk of water damage could see the value of your home fall by around  £25,150 (-10%).

Not maintaining your garden is also another deterrent for buyers. An untidy garden could reduce the value of your home by as much as 8.2% (£20,623) of your home.

Other more minor structural issues ranked as the next biggest nightmare, causing a 5.4% reduction in value (£13,581), while nuisance neighbours can also see your property fall by -5% in value (£12,575). To have someone nice next door can positively affect a home’s price by 9.4%, or £19,856.

While a pain to rectify, damp (-1%), asbestos (-1%) and woodworm (-0.5%) have a far lower impact on the value of your property.

In the most serious cases of subsidence and Japanese Knotweed, homeowners can see thousands wiped off in value, and this can also be the case for external factors such as new mobile phone towers and flooding. These challenges can not only reduce the value of your home but can also make it a struggle to find a buyer at all.

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

Are Women Better Estate Agents Than Men?

In Celebration To International Women’s Day, I Thought I Would Ask The Question “Do Women Make Better Estate Agents Than Men?”

And just so you know, I’m not asking the question to illicit controversy for controversy’s sake. And I’m not asking it with the intent to bash males or bash male real estate agents.

Then why am I doing this, you ask? Well, why the heck not?! This is seriously interesting, not to mention fun. And you thought rent vs buy was a great debate. Well, you haven’t seen anything yet.

Let’s discuss. But allow me to, first and foremost, declare that this conversation doesn’t at all change my infinite respect for male agents, and I have had the great pleasure of being on the other side of sales transactions with some of them.

But, as much as I love buying up listings and selling my properties to these individuals, this blog post is about women. So, once again, let’s discuss.

Listening skills

Telling is not selling. In other words, it’s more important to listen than to talk if you’re a real estate agent. A study says that men listen with only one side of their brains while women use both to listen. Another study noticed that parts of the female brain linked to emotions, calculating risks, and the ability to listen were more prominent. There is further evidence that men are more likely to be action-oriented listeners, while women are more likely to be people-oriented listeners.

Emotional energy

To be fair, most females elicit a certain sweetness. The very feelings that many females are judged for having are the ones that make us open and approachable. Some women would even hug their clients and probably ask them about their weekend or how they feel at some point. Women genuinely consider themselves invested in the other person’s well-being. There is a reason why males struggle to master the softer skills of women. They are part of a robust masculine society that sets people up to be tough and suck it up, so feminine qualities are not OK for guys to have. Yet they are valuable things in sales.

Romantic priming

A halfway attractive female with a brain and some confidence can charm a man, any man. Romantic priming became effective when considered a tie-breaker. So basically, if two agents are competing for a listing with the same skill and offering set, the person who can create the romantic priming effect may have an advantage when asking for the sale. And this is not about women scooping up male clients because they think she’s hot. It’s about the effect that being genuinely charming has.

Emotional intuition

Women are commonly believed to have stronger intuition than men. That is why it is called women’s intuition and not men’s intuition. Men’s brains are neurologically wired to be more logical, and therefore more effective at linking perception with action. When it comes to real estate, better people skills equal happier clients, better relationships with other agents, better ability to read the body and emotional language of those clients and agents. It is also quicker to pick up on motivating factors when it comes to sale and negotiation.

Performance

According to Forbes magazine, quoting UK government research, “firms with more women on their boards “outperform their rivals with a 42% higher return on sales, 66% higher return on invested capital and 53% higher return on equity. Other research has found that teams which involve women are more intelligent than teams made up of men alone.”

Longer-term

Research shows that women are better than men at taking a longer-term perspective. Whilst a male agent might focus on the job at hand; his female colleague might be considering it in the broader context of the business as a whole, which might reveal other opportunities.

After reading through these thoughts and facts, are you surprised? Are women better real estate agents?

In the end, it comes down to the individual. Scientific studies may suggest that women may be better listeners, sweeter, less intimidating, more charming, and determined. Still, like any advantage, if the advantage is not used, it ceases being an advantage, especially when we know that our industry is full of males with tremendous sales skills and proven results.

On a final note – if you’re looking for a good-listening, sweet, charming, sharp and not too intimidating real estate agent, contact me today!

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President. More than just an estate agent.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Buyer’s remorse is the feeling of regret you get after making a purchase

Buyer’s remorse typically happens after BIG purchases. The most common are buying a house or buying a car.

While most people aspire to become homeowners, research has revealed that around 80% of people who have purchased a property have at least one noteworthy regret regarding their home buying decision. Buying a property is often the largest financial decision a person is likely to make in their lifetime.

Why do so many people have something they regret after they buy a home? According to data, it takes people an average of 38 minutes to decide on the home they want to buy. Around two-thirds of home buyers will view a property twice, while some will view the property just once before making an offer. Making a large financial decision in less time than it takes to prepare the average dinner could result in a few issues.

You loved your future home when you signed the contract to purchase it, but suddenly you’re not sure if you made the right decision. Hundreds of questions run through your mind. What if you acted too quickly and a better house comes on the market next week? What if you paid too much? What if something happens to your finances and you can’t make your house payments? Most questions are simple and easily answered, but sometimes doubt creeps in and makes you uncertain if you want to proceed with the purchase.

Buyer’s remorse is hard-wired into our brains, so you might never be able to avoid it fully. Unless there’s a valid reason for concern, your state of mind might simply be a standard case of homebuyer’s remorse. A house is the most expensive thing most people ever buy, so it’s common to want to be sure you’ve purchased the right one.

You can do things to make better financial decisions and lessen the regret you feel after big purchases. These few tips will help you avoid buyer’s remorse or limit it after purchase.

Separate the needs from the wants

Aside from things like marriage or having kids, buying a house is the most significant decision an average person will make. Before you set out looking for the ideal property, make a list of what you need and what you want. Make an exact, definitive list of the things you would like to have and the things you need to have in order to be happy in your home. Once you’ve seen a property you want, review the list. It’s natural to worry that there might be a better property out there somewhere, but if you know that the property you have chosen fulfils all your ‘must-haves’ for a happy home, you’ll feel reassured.

Keep focused

It’s essential to remain focused on your must-haves and not get distracted by your wants.  A property might tick many of the boxes on your wants list, but it can’t be the right home if it does not meet your primary objectives. You will probably stay in the property for at least a few years, and that means dealing with your compromises for a long time. It is better to make the right decision upfront than have to deal with living in a home that just isn’t right.

Look at your finances

Often one of the main reasons that buyers have regrets is the unexpected costs of owning a property. Calculate what you can afford considering all costs such as council tax, insurance, service charge, maintenance and ground rent if the property is leasehold. Make sure to know all list of expenses that you can expect to pay when purchasing a home.

Talk to your real estate agent

We tend to think more about uncertainties when we make significant commitments, so sometimes we just need a little reassurance, and that’s one of many things your agent is there for during this period. Your agent can answer any lingering questions you have, as well as address any concerns or doubts you might be dealing with. Take help from everyone involved in your transaction.

Trust your gut

Remorse sometimes kicks in after we start talking to others about a new house. They usually mean well, but it’s not uncommon for family and friends to question your choice and what you paid, especially if it’s your first home purchase and they consider themselves to be seasoned pros.

But consider the source. They might not know the market because it.s been years since they bought a property themselves. They might even live in another part of the country, in an area where housing costs a fraction of what you can expect to pay at your location. When family and friends offer such input, you can listen, but trust your gut, and as long as you did your due diligence, you should be on solid ground, regardless of what anyone else has to say.

Check out area

Something buyers often forget to consider is the area itself. What are your new neighbours like? If you relish peace, you need to know that your neighbours are not the loud family of six or a house full of partying students. It’s also a good idea to investigate local planning permission.

Choose the right solicitor

A solicitor or conveyancer will handle all the legal aspects of buying a home. It is crucial to work with a solicitor you trust and feel comfortable with, rather than one you have been forced into using by the agent. A good solicitor will ensure you are kept informed and help guide you through the home buying process.

Stop looking at other houses

If you’re continuing to look at other houses, that’s a big mistake. When you’re under contract to buy a home, looking at other homes as they hit the market can only fuel that buyer’s remorse and make you question your decision even more. Try to stop following the property market as soon as your offer is accepted; you’ll be better off for it.

For homeowners experiencing buyer’s remorse, merely acknowledging that it’s a common experience can help you understand why you feel this way. Instead of obsessing over your regrets, give yourself credit for all the things you got right with your home purchase.

And remember, as common as home buyer’s remorse can be – this, too, shall pass. And then you’ll be living in a place that’s all your own!

To find a home you won’t regret contact me today.

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President. More than just an estate agent.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Buying your first home is tough

On average you will need a deposit of around 10% or more to give you access to the best mortgage rates, which can be difficult to save for, especially if you’re renting.

But it’s not all bad news – the Government offers a range of schemes designed to help buyers onto the housing ladder.

Here, we’ve taken a look at the available Government options and condensed them into bitesize sections to help you decide if any are right for you.

Help to Buy ISA

The Help to Buy ISA has now closed. If you have a Help to Buy ISA (or did so before 30 November 2019), you can still put savings into your account until November 2029.

In 2015 the Government introduced the Help to Buy ISA which offers a 25% tax-free bonus (up to a maximum of £3,000) towards the purchase of a first home. This means that for every £200 you save the Government will contribute an additional £50. And because the accounts are available to individual first-time buyers and not each household, if you’re planning to buy with a partner, for example, you could be entitled to double, bringing the total government bonus up to £6,000.

It’s important to note however that the Help to Buy ISA bonus cannot be put towards the initial deposit payable at exchange. Instead, the tax-free lump sum will be paid directly to the mortgage lender at completion. Put simply, you’ll have to save the initial deposit yourself and use the bonus to reduce the mortgage you need, and subsequent monthly repayments. There is also a £250,000 price cap on property the bonus can be used to buy to be aware of, although this rises to £450,000 in London.

Whilst you will be able to use your Help to Buy ISA savings in conjunction with any other Government scheme such as Help to Buy or Shared Ownership, it is important to bear in mind that a Help to Buy ISA is a cash ISA, and you are only permitted to pay into one cash ISA in each tax year.

The Help to Buy ISA is available from a range of banks, building societies, and credit unions.

Lifetime ISA

The Lifetime ISA is aimed at helping younger adults to save flexibly for the long term by offering a tax-free boost of up to £1,000 a year towards either buying your first home or saving towards retirement.

Savers aged between 18 and 40 will be given a 25% bonus on up to £4,000 of savings a year, which means you will receive £1 for every £4 you pay into the ISA before the age of 50. Savings and the bonus can then be put towards the purchase of a first home worth up to £450,000 anywhere in the UK so long as you are a first-time buyer or withdrawn at the age of 60.

Like regular ISAs, the Lifetime ISA is available as a cash ISA or stocks and shares ISA.

Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme

The Help to Buy: Equity Loan is aimed at first-time buyers in England. It applies to new-build properties worth up to £600,000.

As of 16 December 2020, the Government updated the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme to include regional price caps based on the average first-time buyer price. These caps will be in place from April 2021 to March 2023.

Anyone who applied under the previous (2013-2021) scheme has until 31 March 2021 to legally complete their purchase and collect their keys. This doesn’t apple to anyone who reserved their home before 30 June where Homes England has agreed a deadline to the legal completion. In this case buyers have until 31 May to legally complete their purchase.

The Government recently extended the deadline for practical completion purchases by one month to the 31 March 2021. This follows delays to housebuilding caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Previously the date was 28 February.

The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme works by reducing the deposit you pay to 5% of the property’s price and offers an interest-free loan (for the first five years) for a further 20% of the property’s price from the Government. In year six, interest known as a ‘loan fee’ kicks in at 1.75%, with the rate then increasing each year thereafter at the RPI (retail prices index) measure of inflation plus 1%.

If you are buying a house in London the Government will provide a loan of up to 40% of the price of the property.

Some lenders are already offering mortgages in conjunction with the revised Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme.

If this is something you are interested in, look out for the Help to Buy logo on new-build developments or get in touch with your local Help to Buy agent.

This scheme is available in England only. The Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Housing Executive run similar schemes – take a look at their websites for more information.

Help to Save

The Help to Save initiative launched in April 2018 and gives lower-income savers who can set aside £50 a month, a tax-free bonus of up to £1,200. So how does it work? For those who qualify a £600 bonus will be given at the end of two years, this is the equivalent of 50% of the amount saved.

Savers can continue to save for a further two years to receive an additional £600 bonus, which means in total, savers will be able to accumulate a pot of £3,600 under the scheme, £1,200 of which will have come from the Government.

The scheme is open to anyone who is in work and receives working tax credits or the universal credit and has household earnings equivalent to £6,365 for the year 2017.

Starter Home scheme

In March 2015, the Government announced the launch of Starter Homes which are targeted at helping first-time buyers who would otherwise be priced out of the market, get onto the property ladder. The scheme helps first-time buyers with an income of less than £80,000 (£90,000 for London) who are between the ages of 23 and 40, buy a new-build home with a 20% discount on the price.

There is, however, a built-in provision that requires these homes to be purchased with a mortgage that has a 15-year repayment period and if the property is sold within this time, some or all of the original discount will need to be repaid.

Councils all over the country have qualified for the scheme and starter homes are now available to purchase. You can learn more about Starter Homes here.

Shared Ownership

If you can’t quite afford the mortgage on 10% of a home, shared ownership gives you the chance to purchase a percentage of a property (between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the remaining share. You then have the option to buy further chunks of the home as and when you can afford it until you own 100% under a process known as ‘staircasing’.

Shared Ownership is available to first-time buyers, previous homeowners and existing shared owners on both newly built or existing homes, but to qualify your household income must not exceed £80,000, or £90,000 if you’re buying in London.

If you are 55 or over you could be eligible for Older People’s Shared Ownership. This works in the same way as the Shared Ownership scheme, whereby you own a percentage of a property and pay rent on the remainder. However, unlike Shared Ownership, this scheme only allows you to purchase a maximum 75% share of your home, though once you own 75% you won’t have to pay rent on the remaining share.

Right to Buy

If you are a council tenant in England and have been for at least three years, you may qualify for the Right to Buy scheme. Right to Buy helps council tenants buy their home at a discounted price, offering a maximum reduction of up to £77,900 or £103,900 if you live in London.

For more information on Right to Buy, take a look at the HM Government website.

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

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President. More than just an estate agent.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Spring is almost here.

The spring season will soon be upon us. And it’s the perfect time of year to start thinking about making improvements to properties.

Statistics suggest the best time to sell your house is from mid-February until the end of June, with March being the best month of the year to make a quick sale. So prepare yourself with some home décor tips for this spring. Whether you’re getting your home ready to sell or you just want to tackle some basic spring cleaning, these tips will energise your home for warmer weather.

It’s not all spring clean when it comes to a home refresh. There are other ways to give your rooms and the possessions in them, a low-cost face-lift that will make things feel brand-new for the warmer, brighter months ahead.

A good old clean

A deep clean to help sell your property might be an obvious tip, but it’s an effective and affordable one. It is a tradition that involves cleaning your home from top to bottom. A clean and clear home could make all the difference in a buyer’s mind, and we all know that the first impression counts.

Pick up a paintbrush

When your home is clean, you have the perfect opportunity to freshen up space with a lick of paint. Whites and creams are great for a crisp and clean feel, while subtle green and blue shades are a great way to add colour to your home and won’t date too quickly. Painting a feature wall or pops of colour can add personality with minimal effort required.

Dig out your vases

Fresh flowers are such a joy, and now’s a good time to bring them back into your home if you’ve taken a break for winter. A vase of flowers in a room is an excellent way of bringing the outside in and adding floral scents and vibrant colour into your home. Also, a bunch of beautiful flowers as you view home make you smile and wake that home positively feeling.

Clean your windows

With the weather getting better and days getting warmer, you’re likely to throw back the curtains or shutters to let in the light and fully open your windows. That is the time to clean the glass and get into the corners. Shutters and slatted blinds are dust traps, so this is the time to wipe them over as well.

Clear the gutters

Dirty gutters are an eyesore and a liability not only for you but for potential buyers, as well. Cleaning your gutters will take roughly 15-30 minutes, but will save you money in the long run. As you know, spring in Britain means lots of rain, and you can avoid flooding during spring rains by clearing gutters of all rubbish.

Repair roof damage

Keep up with small roof repairs so that you can avoid an expensive overhaul down the line. After a long winter, the first thing you should do is examine your roof and assess any damage. Replace any missing shingles, and don’t hesitate to contact a roofer for a second opinion if need be.

Light it up

As the natural light returns with slightly longer days in spring, your home will look and stay brighter. Play with lights in your home and add additional layers of lighting to change the atmosphere of a space. Bulbs with a more yellow light will give a cosy feeling to space. Overhead lights should be whiter to add an illusion of more daylight but avoid fluorescent overhead lighting.

Refresh your textiles

It may not be financially viable for you to buy a new sofa, but a few cushions or a new throw may be exactly what it needs to bring it back to life. Refresh your home by updating pillowcases, throws, and duvet covers. Choose bright pops of colour that coordinate well with existing colour schemes or add patterns such as florals, geometric shapes or stripes. New bedding or towels in the bathroom are also great ways to update your living space this spring.

Garden

After a long, cold winter, the garden probably needs some attention too. The first thing that a potential home buyer sees is typically your front lawn, so you’ll want them to be greeted by a lawn and shrubs that are neatly trimmed and a well-maintained pathway taking you to the front door. Start your lawn work by raking away any leaves, branches, and clutter that was hidden under the snow all winter. Prune and trim your trees and shrubs and then haul away compost debris. Adding flowers in hanging baskets, window boxes or in a flower bed outside the home can add value to your property with minimal effort or cost.

Buyers are looking for a home that’s been taken care of, so working on your home right at the beginning of spring will keep things ready to go for the spring home sales season. Freshening up your home’s interior and exterior will fill your home and with spring energy so that you can enjoy the warm weather, knowing you are ready to make the big sale.

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

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President. More than just an estate agent.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Fall in Love With That Special Property.

Love is all around…

Just as people fall in love with the right person, buyers need to fall in love with that special property too. It’s fair enough to say that around Valentine’s Day there’s a fair bit of love involved in estate agency. After all, estate agents are matchmakers. And just as any other matchmaker, we do our best to do the magic and match you with your dream home that you’ll fall in love with at first sight.

Our job is far more than just a simple house search. We go to great lengths to understand our buyers’ needs, preferences, hopes, desires and aspirations in respect of their future home so that we can guide them to the right property.

Buyers tend to have up to ten factors on their wish list that they seek to fulfil. Location is the first on the list of preferences, but it is also often the factor that is compromised first, with many people buying slightly out of their preferred area in order to secure a home that fulfils more of their other desirables.

In this blog, I am sharing the love with these beautiful properties that one day might be your perfect romantic retreat for Valentine’s Day. So, if you are looking for somewhere to rest your hearts, perhaps one of the following properties might just wake up the butterflies in you.

This sun-filled 2 bedroom apartment with terrace is located in heart of Hampstead Village. 

The apartment enjoys stylish interiors and oozes charm and style.

It is located on the first floor with high ceilings and plenty of natural sunlight, the layout consists of an open plan living area, separate kitchen, two bedrooms including an area ideal to work from home from which has glass doors onto a terrace, perfect to sit out on in the summertime for breakfast or a glass of wine after a long day.

Price: £740,000

A 2 double bedroom Freehold ‘cottage style’ family home located in Johnston Terrace, just a short stroll away from the wonderful Gladstone Park and the many amenities this area has to offer.

Recently refurbished it enjoys a large open plan reception room with dining area, brand new stylish modern kitchen which leads onto a patio garden – ideal for entertaining on a hot summers day.

Price: £629,950

This 3 bedroom Freehold family home is located a short stroll away from the wonderful Gladstone Park.

Recently refurbished to a high standard it enjoys a large open plan reception room with dining area, bi-folding doors which lead onto a sunny back garden with BBQ area ideal for entertaining on a hot summers day. There is a modern kitchen with plenty of storage, the owner is a chef so every part of the kitchen has been designed for the pure enjoyment of cooking.Price: £595,000

A wonderful one bedroom apartment located on the second floor in this small purpose-built block on Brondesbury Park, very close to Queens Park.

The property has been decorated to a high standard and enjoys a modern kitchen, a large bedroom full of natural light, modern bathroom, spacious reception room with separate kitchen, balcony and plenty of storage.

Price: £375,000

A charming 5 bedroom family home with a lovely southwest-facing garden situated on a quiet residential tree-lined street.

This beautiful Freehold terraced house has a double reception room and large eat-in kitchen which both lead onto a sunny decked terrace overlooking its garden. There are 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and guest WC. It could also be extended STPP.  The property boasts period style and elegance complimented by stylish interiors.

Price: £950,000

How ever you’re planning to spend Valentine’s Day make sure that your house is always loved. And if after reading this you have that lovely butterfly feeling, contact me and let find you a perfect romantic home. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President. More than just an estate agent.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Why I Love Being An Estate Agent In North West London.

Estate agents are some of the happiest employees in the world, according to Forbes. No surprise there, knowing that having a career in real estate means meeting different, interesting people from various walks of life daily. Everyone has their own story, and often this is wrapped up in the property they’re selling.

Your career opportunities as an estate agent are expansive since you never stop adapting and learning from new situations. The housing market is fast-paced and constantly changing, so you can’t afford to get complacent.

While estate agency might not immediately seem creative, this path definitely provides career opportunities to showcase your imaginative side. From choosing the right photos for listings to creating blog posts for your company website, you’ll gain and a range of creative skills.

But maybe, the most important perk of this job is that you get to help people. Selling or buying a house is a huge life event, and as an estate agent, you’re the person by their side throughout the whole process.

You’re there to provide people with reassurance and peace of mind with your level head and extensive experience in the market. Helping people on a daily basis and seeing the tangible results of your actions at the end of each day puts a smile on your face.

And last, but no less important, as an estate agent you have a lot of autonomy; you’ll have freedom over your hours and style of working.

North West London has some of the most sought after residential addresses and a vibrant culture whose appeal spans all socio-economic groups and is why this part of the capital is experiencing one of the fastest growth rates in London.

“I love West Hampstead and NW6 as it is the area where the city and suburban wonderfully contrast. Being next to the beautifully dirty streets of Finchley road and the picturesque primrose hill and Hampstead. Kilburn market on ones doorstep gives more contrast and life to the area. Working class meets the middle class everywhere and with no issues. I love the enormous dining and restaurant choices- eating is life, and we eat well in West Hampstead! Parks and greens are numerous and of course the well renowned transport links. Living options are abundant with lovely roads, blocks of flats and mansion houses from Victorian times. Secret museums and public spaces are waiting to be discovered in NW6 onto NW3. The sun always shines in West Hampstead I promise!!”

If you are a shopaholic, the NW area boasts one of the finest shopping districts in Greater London that attracts a cosmopolitan crowd.

Camden Market is famed for its bustling markets that sell pretty much everything and anything from clothes to vintage vinyl records. Whilst the Stables Market, just off Chalk Farm, has over 450 retail, food and leisure shops. The Stables has been voted the Second Largest Tourist Attraction in London by Elle Magazine and attracts some 35 million visitors each year.

It is in these two areas that you’ll find the best choice of places to eat and drink. Camden has an array of international cuisines that range from Caribbean to Oriental with a few gastropubs and traditional alehouses thrown into the mix. And the iconic Electric Ballroom is also based here which has a long tradition of hosting some of the most well-known performers for the last forty years. Hampstead Heath, Kilburn and Willesden are also noteworthy places to go for a night out and are home to a number of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes.

“Kilburn is perhaps one of the most dynamic and atmospheric areas in London. Sitting comfortably in Zone 2, only 15 minutes from Oxford Circus, travelling is a breeze, and I’m never more than a 30-minute tube from the majority London has to offer. Unparalleled resources, such as 3 high-street supermarkets, an Argos, several restaurants, bars and cafes, one hardly needs to search beyond Kilburn High Road for a bargain. On the cusps of areas such as Maida Vale, St John’s Wood and others, there is plenty for those who wish to explore by foot. Ideal for young professionals, I recommend Kilburn to kick-start your London adventure!”

If you are simply looking for a way to while away a few hours, Hampstead Heath is one of the three main parks in the capital and is a good place to escape from the buzz of the city, as is Primrose Hill – with its panoramic view of Central London. There is also the London Zoo – one of the biggest in Europe.

“Friendly neighbours. Entrepreneurial, creative, cosmopolitan community. Local independent shops but close to Kensington, Brent Cross and Westfield. Attractive Victorian and Edwardian houses with good sized gardens and lots of trees so quiet with good parks and open space. Good public transport links into Central London and overland rail to Euston, East London, South and West London. Close to North Circular and A40 so out into the countryside in under an hour.”

Anyone who knows their sport will realise that the spiritual home of cricket lies in North West London or, more precisely, Lord’s Cricket Ground on Wellington Road in St. John’s Wood. But if you also like to keep fit, there are a number of public leisure centres complete with gyms and swimming pools along with a significant number of private health and fitness clubs in the area.

Northwest London is full of unique neighbourhoods tied together by Regent’s Canal. Each one is different from the others, but they all revolve around canal life. It’s worth getting out to explore them and see how the atmosphere changes as the waterway goes.

What do you like about North West London?

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

Liana Loporto-Browne MNAEA President. More than just an estate agent.

liana@lianaloporto.co.uk

020 8265 5028

Housing market to remain open for those areas entering tier 4 on Boxing Day.

Moving home and associated activities will still be able to continue following the UK Government announcement yesterday, 23 December, that outlined further areas throughout the UK to enter tier 4 from Boxing Day.

People living in a tier 4 area must not leave or be outside of their home except for where they have a specific purpose or a ‘reasonable excuse’.

Moving home and associated activities within the housing sector are deemed as a ‘reasonable excuse’, therefore, estate and letting agents and removal firms can continue to work. Property viewings are still allowed to take place as long the COVID-19 safety guidance is followed, which includes social distancing and wearing a face covering. To help contain the virus, everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.

Whilst people are still permitted to move home, those outside an individual bubble should not help with moving property unless absolutely necessary, according to the guidance.

It is vital though that agents continue to strictly follow all safety guidelines for the market to remain open. It is advisable to postpone non-essential inspections or viewings of properties or, if possible, delay a home move at this time.

Everyone must still adhere to the hygiene measures in the existing Government guidance on moving home and Propertymark’s best practice and guidance on house viewings, moves, and maintenance.

From Boxing Day, tier 4 rules will apply to Sussex, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, with the exception of the New Forest, and the parts of Essex and Surrey not already in the toughest restrictions.

Areas currently placed under tier 4 restrictions are all 32 boroughs of London and the City of London, most of Surrey plus Kent and Medway, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hastings and Rother, Hertfordshire and parts of Hampshire, Essex, Bedfordshire plus Peterborough.

This guidance (unless amended to reflect further changes) applies to other areas entered into tier 4 in the future.

The Government has published a postcode checker to find out what tier people are in.

Can you be sure your estate or lettings agent is trustworthy?

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Yy-qOT44Slc?rel=0

How an NAEA Propertymark agent will Protect You

Selecting an agent is fundamental to your ongoing sales or letting experience, the costs involved and how effective communications will be. With advice from conflicting sources, consumers are often confused about who to trust and cannot be sure they are dealing with a professional agent.

Propertymark promotes higher standards than the law demands and we campaign for more laws and enforcement to regulate the sector. We hold our members accountable in order to protect you, the consumer and your money. Estate agents, letting agents and auctioneers and valuers who display our logo actively ensure maximum protection for their clients; so you know that they are principled, professional and Propertymark protected.

Search for expert property professionals who have opted for regulation in an unregulated sector and are therefore ideal partners to work with you, whatever your property search.

Find an Expert

Make sure you are Propertymark Protected

Use the links below to find out why you should use a Propertymark Protected expert.

Vendors | Buyers

Using a NAEA Propertymark estate agent guarantees that you’re consulting with a professional agent who can give you up-to-date advice and guidance. More info…

Landlords | Tenants

Whether you have a property to rent out or are searching for a home, you need an agent that you can trust and rely on when issues arise. More info…

Auction Buyers

Using a NAVA Propertymark valuer or auctioneer provides reassurance as they belong to a professional body which expects the highest standards of service. More info…

Propertymark promotes higher standards than the law demands however if things do go wrong you will be protected. Propertymark Protected experts work to the highest standards in accordance with our Conduct and Membership Rules. All our members must have an internal complaints process and if you do need to complain there is a clear process to follow. More info…

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All Propertymark Protected agents must have a complaints procedure. Make sure that you allow the company to address your concerns before taking the matter further.

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All agents must belong to an independent redress scheme, check which scheme they belong to and report your issues for investigation.

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Propertymark will investigate a member’s conduct and those found to be in breach of our Conduct and Membership Rules may be subject to financial penalty or expulsion.

Protecting your money through Client Money Protection

Our Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme provides compensation to you if you are a landlord, tenant or other agency client and your Propertymark Protected agent has misappropriated your rent, deposit or other client money. CMP is key to Propertymark Protection.

Propertymark will reimburse landlords and tenants who are out of pocket up to £15 million per year if their agent is within Propertymark’s Main Scheme or £35 million per year if their agent is within Propertymark’s Large Corporate Scheme with a maximum award of £50,000 per individual claim. Unfortunately, we cannot make payments for any loss arising from war (whether foreign or civil), terrorism, rebellion, revolution, military uprising or any form of confiscation by the state.

More info