Property Search and Investment.

After living 20 years in London and almost 15 of those working in the Central London Property Market, things have changed considerably.

The fact that there are so many more millions of people in the world and that London is the most wonderful multi-cultural, interesting and tolerant city in the world, makes it a compelling magnet for the global ever travelling market of busy people.

My clients are fed up of searching through endless pages of websites, that quite often can be out of date.  Estate agents have an unfortunate bad reputation.  There are some real gems out there, it just takes many years to find them! Often once one has been burnt, clients will come to me for refreshing unbiased advice.  I do not have a stock list of properties from which I am only allowed to sell from and therefore I have absolutely no restrictions or allegiances to any one agent or seller.

We look after clients searching to buy, with budgets from £1m upwards.  We source properties through our extensive network both on and off market and most often have the 'heads up' before the property comes onto the open market.  This is very important, as clients are given the 'first foot through the door' in order to have the opportunity to make their bid if appropriate and be in the best possible position.  We will view and consider approx. 100-150 properties before selecting a short-list of approx 15-25 options, (depending on the strength of the market), for our clients.  We will arrange the property tour, driver and give in-depth advice and negotiations from offer stage through to exchange and completion.  Typically this service costs between 1.5% to 2% plus vat of the purchase price.

We have a great selection of solicitors (international languages spoken), surveyors, removal companies, architects, interior designers, furniture rental companies and builders available for all your specific requirements.

We also search for rental properties, which historically commands a quicker process with the lettings market moving at a daily rate.  For this we charge one months rent +vat for the search, tours, negotiating the agreed rental price, making sure the paperwork is correct - with lettings there are reams of paperwork! and ensuring the move in and inventory check-in are as smooth as possible for you.

Do get in touch to discuss your requirements.  It would be very good to speak with you and am sure you feel London is a wonderful mature city and a great place to invest, whether for a pied a terre or a more permanent base.

Email Joanna Symes on: alabasterproperty@gmail.com

Press:
Article written for Anderson Harris Property Finance Specialists: http://www.andersonharris.co.uk/author/joannasymes/

Russell Lynch in the London Evening Standard:  Knightsbridge is the capital’s strongest property performer, with the best homes changing hands for an average £3.83 million last month, Knight Frank said.

Prices have jumped 3.6% in the past three months and 15.8% during the past year, the highest rise of all areas of the city covered by the agent’s prime central London sales index. Other areas in demand were Notting Hill and Belgravia, where prices are up 3.2% and 2.8% respectively amid continued demand from big-spending Russians, Indians, French and Italians.

The surge in demand in London’s most prestigious postcodes contrasts with a more subdued picture across the rest of the capital, despite prices hitting a record high and standing 14% above their previous March 2008 peak. Prices rose 0.5% in August, taking annual growth to 9.9% – still healthy but below the rate seen at the start of the year.

The latest rises come despite headwinds from the Olympics – which kept some prospective buyers away from the market – and the Chancellor’s Budget stamp duty hike for £2 million-plus properties.
The strongest price growth over the past quarter was seen in the £10 million-plus bracket as prices grew by 2.9%. This was more than twice as fast as the 1.4% seen in the £1 million to £2.5 million range, which Knight Frank put down to the new stamp duty rate.