Winkworth | Willesden Green

Dear Stewart,

I would just like to take this opportunity to forward my glowing praise on the commitment, professionalism and high quality service that I have received from Nathan and Peter in the sale of my property, 50 Rutland Park Mansions.  

After wasting 7 months of precious time by trusting **** with an overpriced valuation, I received only unpleasant poor service, 4 time-wasting viewings in 7 months and not a single feedback call.  I took great pleasure in informing **** of the superb outcome your team have achieved for me within only 5 days from instruction – this what real skills can achieve when things are done properly! I felt Nathan had a real passion to fulfil a sale for me and agreed a sensible valuation proposition that resulted in this super quick sale.  I really sensed his commitment and drive to sell my property which was such a relief after being ignored for months by ****.  A really considered valuation and great explanation on the thinking behind it gave me renewed confidence and I had absolute belief in him and the way he represented Winkworth.

Typically we would be expecting the market to slow down somewhat in the weeks leading up to the festive season, especially this year with the uncertain economic climate.  It seems however there is just no putting Queens Park, the Kensal’s, or Willesden and Brondesbury down. This year has been dominated by a shortage of supply which has been the overriding factor in prices holding firm, but buyer confidence in these areas is just not diminishing.  Record sales are still being achieved which is unusual for this time of year.  This has certainly been the busiest November that I can remember in terms of number of sales, and the prime family house market is leading the way. 

Lettings on the other hand have slowed after the manic rush that developed around September and October.  Naturally as the demand falls off, rents have to be lowered in order to secure tenants.  Our Lettings manager Jason de Sousa is not worried though, Jason says, ‘’in my experience January is a bumper month for lettings as landlords and tenants re-engage in the marketplace.’’

”In early 2011 we had our house under offer with another local agent.  We accepted the offer on the basis that our buyer was a cash buyer and we felt that was a secure position to be in. The process to exchange dragged on for 3 months, and despite being offered a slightly higher price from another buyer, we decided to keep to our word, keep the property off the market and stick to the agreed price.  After a further month of to and fro-ing between solicitors, I gave the buyer a time deadline by which they needed to exchange , or we would put the house back on the market, as we were ourselves buying a house which was now in danger of falling through. The buyer did not exchange on the deadline date and we went straight to Winkworth on good recommendation from a close friend. 

Within 3 days we had two offers and within a week agreed an offer of £50,000 over our original buyer. Exchange occurred 10 days after the offer was agreed and we have now completed with the sale and our own purchase. It wasn’t just that we got a better price very quickly through Winkworth. I needed advice during the negotiation process and Stewart from Walm Lane and William from Notting Hill branch advised me both on a financial side but also on a moral path right through the process. They were also on the phone and email late into the night every night. 

Not only did we achieve a great price but the sale felt good too, and I have had experience in the past where it didn’t. Having 2 offices negotiate with different buyers was an aspect of the service I didnt expect but it helped me achieve the best price possible. 

STEWART HALPERIN, ex-owner of 61 Keslake Road, London, NW6

We have a close working relationship with QPCS and therefore would like to point out to everyone that they are holding a new fund raising event on the 29th and 30th of October at the school on Aylestone Avenue.

”Queens Park Community School PTFA is holding a Boden Clothes Party and would love it if you could come along to this fabulous fundraising event on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October between 12pm and 5pm.  We’ll have five stacked rails from the new 2011 Winter range of Womenswear, Johnnie b, Mini and Accessories for you to see and try on (and a few bits of Menswear). We’ll also have jeans in every size to help you find your perfect fit.”

For more information email ptfa@qpcs.brent.sch.uk

Whilst the Euro zone financial problems have been causing buyers to be cautious the hope of a government lead bail out plan has at least kept the marketplace interesting.  October has started busy with plenty of new instructions and deals being tied.  Queens Park and Kensal Rise are still leading the way with the lowest average viewings to sales ratio and according to figures from the Land Registry are still the only places to be consistently achieving higher average prices than peak market which we saw in 2007.  Willesden Green and Cricklewood are the next best performers with prices between 2-3% down on 2007 prior to the previous financial crisis.

Lettings for the past 6 months have been extraordinary with landlords cashing in on massive rental prices.  This has been due to a real lack of finance for buy to let investors during the recession and the resulting low stock levels have now seen the prices rocket as demand is high.  Naturally we will see a downturn in number of lettings and indeed sales over the coming months leading to the festive season, however the signs are good that this traditional seasonal downturn is being staved off, at least until November.

No other area we cover seems to be as popular as Queens Park at the moment.  Recently two cash bidders smashed through the £1,300,000 asking price of a house on Keslake Road to the delight of the owner who needed to find a buyer after his sale had fallen through with another agent.  This sale has now exchanged within 5 days of coming back to the market!!! Queens Park is hot property.

http://www.winkworth.co.uk/sale/property/WIG110140?offid=79&choose_type_sales=1&fromofficelink=1&under_offer=1&issold=1&offset=7

Freehold £799,950

”New to the market and refurbished to the highest standard this beautifully presented, contemporary four bedroomed 3 bathroom house benefits from spacious living areas high ceilings and a south facing garden. The property comprises impressive double reception room with ample dining space, state-of-the-art kitchen with dining area, two superior double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms & two further doubles. The property is located moments from a fantastic range of shops, cafes and bars whilst the pleasant open spaces of Queens Park are within easy reach. Early viewing recommended.”

http://www.winkworth.co.uk/sale/property/WIG110487?offid=79&choose_type_sales=1&fromofficelink=1&under_offer=1&issold=1&offset=12

Traditionally August produces a fairly subdued sales market mainly due to seasonal summer vacations and it is fair to say this year has been no different. Our morning call outs have been littered with international dialing tones forcing a change in strategy to a more electronic mode of communication. Typically, during the first two weeks of September the market is reinvigorated by buyers that want to move home before the festive season begins. For vendors this means that they basically have an 8-9 week window to get the best prices for their homes. Our advice is two fold. Those that want to sell should get to the market quickly in September and price competitively but realistically. Those that have been on the market for a while can afford a couple of weeks grace, however if nothing positive comes then an incentivising price reduction might be called for to secure that buyer during this autumn window.

What a cracking time for landlords in the NW2 and NW10 areas.  A recent historical lack in buy to let finance has created a lack of rental stock and over the last 3 months as the student and professional markets in London flourish rents have soared by over 20%.  Typically a flat or house will be available on the market for less then a week with most going in days! Jason de Sousa our recently appointed Lettings Manager who has more than 5 years experience in the area is astounded by the current market and feels that more owners should investigate the rental option considering the yields are so high.

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