Chard London Sales & Lettings Blog

London House Prices Rise in January

2010-02-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

It's become obvious that despite the rest of the UK still, at best, teetering on the brink of recession that London property prices have recovered much of the gains lost in 2008 and continue to rise.

The About Property website has also picked up on the upward trend across much of the country, London included.

For our own part Chard Notting Hill Gate estate agents and South Kensington estate agents are now regularly dealing with multiple offers on property for sale in London with us and sales being agreed at above asking price.

It's certainly a far more confident market than eighteen months ago.

Property Investment Opportunity in Kensington W8

2010-02-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

Chard Notting Hill & Kensington estate agents have been instructed to secure best offers on this one bedroom flat for sale in Campden Hill, Kensington before February 19, 2010.

The strength of the London property market is encouraging vendors to be braver and they are far more secure in the knowledge that this selling approach will deliver up ready and willing buyers without a protracted marketing period.

Campden Hill Gardens is a quiet and popular street just off Campden Hill Road, and is convenient for the many local shops, bars and cafes on Notting Hill Gate, Portobello Road and High Street Kensington. Notting Hill Gate is the nearest underground.

All offers to be received by 12pm Friday 19th February.

Property information:
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Service charge: TBC
Ground rent: Zero
Floor area: 472 Sq Ft (44 Sq M)
Local authority: RBKC

Pricipal features:
Bedroom with fitted storage
Raised ground floor
Victorian conversion
High ceilings and period fireplace
Separate kitchen
Notting Hill Gate Underground

Related links:
Property for sale in Notting Hill
Property for sale in Kensington

More corporate tenants chasing larger family roperty to let in Fulham

2010-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Chard Fulham lettings (020 7384 1400) reports there are more families on corporate relocation packages and relocation assistance with relocation agents looking to rent homes with outside space in Fulham

This four bedroom house to let in Fulham on Danehurst Street, near Parsons Green has six viewings lined up within just a couple of days' of instruction - more evidence that higher value properties to let in Fulham are once again being sought by families.

Another flat let above asking price on Bayswater garden square

2010-01-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

Chard's Bayswater lettings team has just let a substantial two bedroom flat on Kensington Gardens Square, W2 at above asking price to a diplomatic tenant.

The flat had lingered unlet with another London-wide lettings agent for several weeks when the landlord, keen to see some progress, contacted Chard.

Leon Bell, Notting Hill branch manager, valued the property and immediately alerted his team to set up a series of viewings resulting in a competitive bid situation and the deal being agreed above asking price.

If you'd like to give your search for a high quality tenant a boost of energy, why not try our approach?

Further details:

Chard Notting Hill & Kensington lettings
020 7792 0792

links

Property to let in Bayswater

A Charmed Life? London Property Market , February 2010 - Graham Norwood

2010-01-28T01:34:00.000-08:00

Graham Norwood is a leading financial journalist and author. He shares his thoughts on the state of the London property market on the Chard blog every month.

The lazy journalistic cliché is true: it’s a funny old world - and a lucky one, too, in London.

We’re facing market a general election, tax rises and public spending cuts (whoever wins) yet London’s strong housing market continues to surprise even the experts.

Look at Nick and Christian Candy, the uber-stylish developers who until recently were thought to have a good handle on central London fortunes. Late in 2009 they launched a property fund to buy cheaply and enjoy capital appreciation. Yet they have pulled the plug on it because central London values have risen so much so recently, the cheap purchases are not there.

It’s the same with the £/Euro exchange rate. The currencies are near parity – bad news for many - but a silver lining is that Europeans and Asians are flocking to nab a bricks and mortar bargain in London while the Pound struggles.

Bankers’ bonuses appear to be on their way, despite public anger. Whatever one’s views on the City, the effect is likely to be higher demand for homes and a trickle-down boost in the market for all home owners.

At the moment, central London is countering whatever the economy throws at it, and is perhaps the one part of the UK that really looks as if the recession is over. Long may that continue.

Another Flat Let in Bayswater - Within Two Hours

2010-01-25T10:32:00.000-08:00

Let within two hours - Prince Edward Mansions, Moscow Road W2

We all hate to hear self congratulatory twaddle from estate agents in London, but I can't resist......

Leon Bell, branch manager of our Notting Hill lettings branch received a call from the owner of this two bedroom mansion flat to rent in Bayswater, in Moscow Road, W2. The property had been on the market to let with two other well known "London and country" estate agents since early December without a whisper of interest - and scant feedback on why the property was failing to secure interest.

The landlord has been recommended to Chard by another of our landlord clients in Bayswater, after we had found some great tenants for his flat around the corner in Princes Square.

Leon recognised that the flat was exactly what a corporate tenant (banker) was looking for. This particular tenant had also been recommended to use Chard by his uncle, another Chard client as it happens!

The call was made and within two hours the deal was struck!

Links

Flats and houses to rent in Bayswater
Information on renting and buying property in Bayswater

Trend Towards Unfurnished and Part Furnished Property to Rent in London

2010-01-25T02:20:00.000-08:00

Chard London estate agents has noticed a new trend in the London lettings market: Tenants are increasingly willing to rent part furnished property.

Leon Bell, branch manager of Chard's busy lettings office on Campden Hill Road in Notting Hill Gate dealing with flats and houses to rent in Notting Hill and property in Kensington has let three flats in the last week that had only scant furniture. "Tenants want to stay for longer and are happy to add their own furniture. There's a change in perception - tenants are now more likely to be home-makers and not as transient as before".

It's certainly be noted elsewhere that many tenants are erstwhile buyers waiting for "the right time" to buy, whether that means waiting for more choice of property or simply not wishing to make a major commitment to home ownership and a mortgage until they are more assured in their careers. Renting a home and being able to take time over furniture selection makes a lot of sense in this situation. After all, attempting to furnish a new home from scratch can prove costly and time consuming at a time of stress.

We're also seeing more tenants negotiate with landlords over additional furniture items being added to a property's inventory - usually in return for a longer guaranteed minimum term. This benefits landlords as they can have it both ways by being able to offer the property on both a furnished and unfurnished basis, adding to the property's prospective audience of tenants.

South Kensington Property Market

2010-01-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

Flat for sale in South Kensington with banker bonus appeal - ready to move into, close to the tube and excellent future rental potential. Roland Mansions, SW7 - asking 675,000 leasehold.

Chard South Kensington & Chelsea estate agents(020 7373 8883) believes the sales market is ripe for vendors this Spring 2010.

Grant O’Donoghue, manager of Chard’s busy sales office on Old Brompton Road, South Kensington is calling it the “perfect Spring”.

“In 2007/8 we had the perfect storm in the market. Finance disappeared, confidence in the wider UK economy evaporated and sterling began to look overvalued. The market today and for the foreseeable future – to the election at least – is far, far different.”.

Grant has had a very successful year in 2009, despite the uncertainties in the market, so what’s so special about now? “City bonuses are certainly likely to be a major factor, we’re registering a large reservoir of City applicants, many of them currently renting, who now have the confidence and cash to buy.in South Kensington and Chelsea. Interest rates at 0.5% mean there’s no point in hoarding cash and finance for buyers is now more readily available – although relatively few buyers depend on it. Our European buyers are keen to buy too – many feel the Euro to be overvalued and sterling undervalued by comparison.”.

So what are bonus rich bankers looking to buy right now? - “There’s more emphasis on ‘safe investment’ than in previous years. Buyers want properties near tubes with sensible proportions and ideally in a ready to move condition. They simply don't have the time to get involved in protracted refurbishments. Rental potential is a big factor too, even if they intend occupying the property themselves in the short term, particularly with European buyers – if they are relocated outside London their properties become investments, not just a London home. I'm working closely with our lettings team to help buyers looking for property that will have longer term letting potential to give buyers the support they need to make an informed decision”.

Useful links:
Property for sale in South Kensington

Shortage of Unmodernised Property In Notting Hill - Property Prices Increase in Notting Hill and North Kensington

2010-01-18T05:19:00.000-08:00

Property Prices Increase in Notting Hill and North Kensington

There’s still plenty of empirical evidence that property prices are increasing in the Notting Hill area. Whilst there are conflicting reports about the market in the rest of the UK, London appears well insulated from any downturn – although certainly not the weather!

James Senior, manager of Chard Notting Hill & Kensington estate agents reports that many of his buyers are European and there’s a growing reservoir of cash-buyers with imminent City bonuses registering with his team based at 123 Notting Hill Gate.

“There’s a perfect combination of factors pushing prices. Low interest rates, a very strong Euro, imminent City bonuses together with relatively few properties still available means we’re pushing price boundaries all the time. We just sold a two bedroom flat on St. Quintin Avenue, originally on the market at £450,000. We agreed the deal in Autumn 2009 at asking price, but the vendor was unable to proceed due to a change in his personal circumstances. My team has just secured multiple bids at it’s new 2010 asking price of £475,000.”

James also points to another interesting feature of the market. “Buyers want un-modernised property to refurbish to their own taste and specification. The market is coming full circle in many ways – refurbishments may not always add up for developers of single flats or houses. Developer activity has been so intense in the last five years the real “gems” are the unpolished diamonds like the flat in St. Quintin Avenue – first floor with high ceilings and plenty of light but in need of a total makeover.”

Useful links

Property for sale in Notting Hill

More Corporate Tenants in Market - London Residential Property Lettings

2010-01-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

Chard's Notting Hill and Kensington lettings office reports more enquiries from corporate tenants relocating to London with the help of company sponsored relocation agents.

"We've registered four new applicants today alone", according to Leon Bell, Notting Hill lettings manager at Chard. "The big change is that a year back we'd typically see budgets of 600 per week on two bed flats, today they're looking at the 400- 450 per week mark". There's certainly plenty of evidence that companies have squeezed relocation allowances for employees moving to London. Nevertheless expectations have not always fallen in line with budgets. Leon comments; "Tenants are often disappointed at how far their budget won't stretch. Their relocation agents are pushing hard to get the best possible deals, but landlords in Notting Hill and Kensington are often holding out and are not as receptive to offers as they were pre-Christmas. In fact quite the opposite - we're agreeing more deals at or very near asking price than we did in November and December".

More stock of flats to let in London coming on to the market, as reported earlier, looks set to help prices ease a little for relocating tenants, and as many anticipate an uncertain market, post election - getting a good corporate tenant in place now on a long guaranteed term makes very sound sense, even if landlords have to lower their rental price expectations a little to secure the deal.

New Year London Lettings Market

2010-01-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

What’s happening in the London lettings market?

2010 has started well for landlords. Lots of tenants looking and they’ve been making their minds up quickly too - and with no new stock coming on over Christmas Chard lettings offices in London have had a temporary shortage of London property to let - in comparison to applicant numbers - so rental prices have been pretty firm.

We’re seeing more good property coming onto the books, now that everyone's back from Christmas – meanwhile the “pool” of tenants looking for new homes is emptying quicker than new tenants are registering. So the market's looking set to swing back in the other direction. Tenants think there’s going to be more choice if they wait, meanwhile relocation agents with corporate tenants are starting to offer low, advising their clients not to rush, in anticipation of prices cooling. We're not so sure they will by much - if at all.

One really positive trend is for longer tenancies – tenants are committing for longer. Two and three year fixed term tenancies are increasingly common - and welcomed by landlords looking to secure reliable long term income.

Our advice to landlords in London? Prices are hardly likely to fall off a cliff (as we saw in 2008) although we have the some prospect of the market softening rather than increasing - so don’t be afraid to look at a price reduction – especially if it ties up a good quality long term tenant who’s going to move in and start paying rent quickly.

Bankers Assure Rental Demand In Notting Hill - But Price is Key

2010-01-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

Bankers Assure Rental Demand In Notting Hill - But Price is Key

Chard Notting Hill lettings are seeing strong demand for "bread and butter" flats to rent in the Notting Hill and Kensington area.

"Tenants are particularly keen to find good quality one bedroom flats near the tube from £350 to £400 per week. We're getting a lot of interest from City tenants and bankers at this level but there is definitely a ceiling on what they will spend. A couple of years ago they were tripping over each other to secure the best pads in town - the mood's far more reserved and conservative". According to Leon Bell, Notting Hill branch manager. He also notes, "Last year we saw a shift towards more affordable property from tenants and the early signs so far in 2010 point this continuing."

A prime example of flats being sought by bankers in Notting Hill is this one bedroom flat to rent in Pinehurst Court, W11 near Portobello Roadhttp://www.chard.co.uk/Apartmenttolet/Pinehurst%20Court/W11/beds-1/property.vtx?propertyid=7F4BE1D5-6539-437D-9524-40E0856CB415 - asking 350 per week, furnished, through Chard Notting Hill lettings (020 7792 0792)

London Property Market 2010 - Graham Norwood

2009-12-18T01:35:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year – well, happy-ish.

I for one expect a dip in the housing market across much of the UK for part of 2010. Although London’s unique circumstances mean it will suffer less than elsewhere, problems seem inevitable in an economy defined by tax rises, spending cuts, a challenging exchange rate and worry ahead of the general election.

But let’s not over-egg the situation. Dig beneath the headlines and you see indicators already suggesting the market may be better than expected in 2010.

For example, financial consultancy Citigroup believes residential developers have been hit by a “disproportionate double dip discount” with 20% drops in share prices in the final quarter of 2009. Yet Citigroup believes even modest house price falls in 2010 will not force developers to mark down their assets further and that, in any case, the underlying performance of the crucial mortgage market is improving.

What does this mean – apart, of course, from being a tip to buy shares in the new-build sector? Firstly it’s a sign of City confidence in the housing market; secondly, it suggests future price volatility may be less severe than expected.

This is good news and shows underlying trends are slowly improving. That’s worth remembering if temporary blips make early-2010 appear rockier than we would like.

Britons Less Interested in Owning A Home

2009-12-13T20:37:00.000-08:00

The Telegraph has recently carried an interesting report that today only 51% of Britons see owning a home as crucial, a decline of 9% over the last six years.

Of course one obvious conclusion must be that as many property owners have seen the value of their investment fall (in the short term, at least), property is no longer viewed as a fruit machine that just keeps paying out, but we believe other factors may play a role too.

In central London where virtually all property is within Stamp Duty thresholds the fixed costs of moving home have increased. Stamp Duty thresholds have not been raised by the government in line with house price inflation. This has effectively been a new stealth tax on mobility. Employees "getting on their bikes" in pursuit of successful careers are paying the price if they opt for home ownership and need to move home frequently. Essentially house price inflation has raised tax on homeowners. Ronald Reagan (of all people!) explains the principle very well here.

The lettings market has matured too. There is far more choice available to tenants and rental prices have reduced somewhat. Although there has been a recovery rental prices in the latter part of 2009, it's fair to say if you are in London for only a few years then renting is likely to offer less hassle and potentially save you money over buying - at the very least you know at the outset how much it will cost. When the washing machine goes wrong it's not your problem - nor is it should the value of the property that you're renting fall.

The rise in the numbers of buy to let properties available to rent in London is likely to rise we believe. We're seeing a trend towards two and three year plus guaranteed minimum terms as tenants make renting a lifestyle choice rather than seeing it as a stop-gap. Supply of property seems assured too. Landlords come from all walks of life, with portfolios of equally disparate size. Yet they share one motivation in common - in increasingly uncertain economic times, rental return on bricks and mortar look very attractive as part of a balanced investment portfolio.

Chard Eases Pain For Landlords In 2010

2009-12-10T03:28:00.000-08:00

London lettings agents have traditionally taken their fees for the entire term in advance, leaving them (certainly in the view of many landlords), with little incentive to ensure tenants paid rent in full and on time.

Chard lettings agents in London broke the mould over a decade ago - offering a full rent collection for landlords at no extra cost, with commission fees collected every three months in advance. The advantage for landlords was immediately clear. The agent had an incentive to only introduce tenants who are likely to pay rent in full and on time (otherwise the agent doesn't get paid) and landlords cash flow was greatly eased - there was money in the landlord's bank within a few days of the tenant moving in.

Chard is taking their rent collection one step further. Andrew Chard explains' "It's simple. We get only get paid when our landlord clients get paid. We have a dedicated rent collection team on hand to make sure rents are in on time. It's another benefit for landlords choosing Chard - for many buy to let landlords cash flow is important and this is another way we can help.If your tenant is paying monthly, then you're only paying our fees monthly too."

For further information on Chard's Rent Collection Service contact your local lettings branch office or call 020 7792 0792.

London Property Market - More Tenants Looking At January 2010 Move-Ins

2009-12-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

This two bedroom flat to rent in Barons Court on Castletown Road has been let by Chard Fulham lettings (020 7384 1400) with a move-in date in early January

Our lettings offices in London are starting to see signs that January could well be a very busy month. We're registering 30% more applicants than in the same period in December 2008 - and many of them, if not the majority, are planning to move in the early New Year.

Many corporate tenants have stayed put throughout 2009, perhaps waiting to see which way the wind would blow in the London property market - but prices have not fallen, quite the reverse in the latter half of 2009, despite the state of the wider economy.

Richard Coffey, manager of Chard's Brook Green lettings office dealing with property to rent in Brook Green, Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush and Barons Court reports that tenants are thick on the ground with plentiful viewings. "They're either opting to move in January or deferring decisions until after the holidays. Landlords are having to weigh the risk of refusing an offer for an early January move-in and hoping for a quicker move this side of Christmas - or risk an even longer void. The clock's ticking and although we expect to agree more pre-Christmas move ins, tenants moving in the next week or two are generally pretty shrewd. They're pushing for discounts and certainly know how to play the game".

The fact that the lettings market has remained steady with modest price rises in 2009 (and possibly higher rents to be expected in 2010) may well account for increased applicant numbers today - and suggests a more fluid market in the year ahead, albeit with a strong likelihood of average terms reducing.

Three Flats to Rent in Same Building in Victoria, SW1

2009-12-08T17:07:00.000-08:00

Chard's Pimlico and Belgravia lettings team has just been instructed on three flats to let in the same purpose built building near Victoria Station, SW1.

One of the flats to rent Bridge Place, SW1, asking £700 per week, has three bedrooms and is typical of the sort of property being sought by professional sharers. Sharers tend to prefer purpose built buildings - often the bedrooms are more equally sized and there's less chance of problems with issues like noise from other flats. Also because fixtures and fittings tend to be newer, there's less likelihood of things going wrong.

Further information:
Chard Pimlico and Belgravia lettings
020 7244 7711

Links: Property to rent in Pimlico and SW1

London Lettings Market Still Busy as Tenants Want to be in for Christmas

2009-12-07T19:55:00.000-08:00

Chard's west London lettings offices are working flat out dealing with both corporate and professional tenants who want to move home in time for the Christmas holiday.

This is be no means unusual, December can be one of the busier months of the year, particularly for families moving home to take advantage of the long school break.

Our Notting Hill and Kensington lettings office let four properties yesterday, all with pre-Christmas move-in dates. Landlords are well advised to consider sensible offers from tenants at this time of year, as a void over Christmas can mean a loss of perhaps 4-5 weeks rent - 10% of their annual yield, should they miss the boat and have to wait for the market to return to life after the holiday. This too is another reason why tenants choose Christmas as a time to move. Quite simply landlords are more receptive to reasonable offers.

Notting Hill Property Continues to Attract A List Celebs

2009-12-05T02:07:00.000-08:00

Notting Hill Continues to Attract A List Celebs

Chard Notting Hill & Kensington estate agents have sold two properties in Notting Hill to "A List Celebrities" in November. We'd love to tell you who - but they've asked us to keep our lips sealed (and we've signed a document that disallows us from even talking in our sleep about them) - so we won't.

Whether you're A list Hello ten page spread material or not - we're here to help with all your property requirements in Notting Hill.

Chard Notting Hill & Kensington sales
123 Notting Hill Gate
London W11 3EN
020 7243 4500

The Italians Are Coming! South Kensington Property Market

2009-12-05T01:54:00.000-08:00

Chard South Kensington & Chelsea estate agents have been inundated with enquiries and offers from Italians over the last few weeks.

From eight offers on property for sale in the South Kensington area in the last week, all but one are from Italians. We've become accustomed to stronger interest in 2009 from Euro-zone buyers, attracted by London's relatively affordability - for the first time in a lifetime for many - with the newly depreciated pound.

We understand that the influx of Italian euros into the London property market is due, in part, to imminent changes in Italian tax legislation. Whatever the reason it's more good news for vendors in London

Further information:
Chard South Kensington & Chelsea sales
144 Old Brompton Road
London SW7 4NR
t- 020 7373 8883

Links
Property for sale in South Kensington
Properties for sale in Chelsea
Property for sale in Earls Court

Google to Offer Free Listing Service on Google Map to Estate Agents

2009-12-03T23:00:00.001-08:00

News on the BBC today that google will introduce a listing service of properties for sale on it's googlemap feature is welcome news for London estate agents, albeit rather less welcome news we suspect for the current portal obligarchy.

Whilst other estate and lettings agents in London have cut back on portal advertising, Chard properties feature on virtually all property portals and the costs of continuing this are considerable. We believe it's essential that our clients' properties receive the widest possible exposure when selling or letting.

More competition in the on-line listing market is therefore great news.

Another Market Beating Sale in Kensington

2009-12-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

Another flat sold by Chard in Kensington - Prince of Wales Terrace, asking 630,000 pounds

Chard Kensington estate agents have just exchanged contracts on the sale of a superb top floor apartment in Prince of Wales Terrace, Kensington, W8.

Prince of Wales Terrace is located opposite Kensington Palace Gardens, Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. The Bellagio hotel, renowned for its chauffeur driven Maeserati, is a few doors away with Kensington High Street and the famous Barkers Whole Food store just around the corner.

The property had been on the market with other local estate agents - without attracting any serious interest. The owner was keen to see some progress and instructed Chard. Within less than two weeks we secured several offers within a whisker of asking price.

After careful consideration by the vendor and due diligence conducted by Chard, the best qualified buyer was selected and contracts were prepared. Within two weeks from receipt of contract, much to the delight of the vendor, contracts were exchanged for the sale.

One more satisfied customer in Kensington - proving once more that it pays to choose the right agent when selling your property in central London.

Further information:
Chard Kensington Estate Agents
020 7243 4500

London Property Market - December 2009

2009-12-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

Four offers - three of them from cash buyers on this two bedroom garden flat just north of Earls Court

There's even more evidence of price rises in the South Kensington property market.

As reported on the previous post a flat in Hortensia Road was sold by Chard South Kensington and Chelsea agents last week at £70,000 above another local estate agent's valuation - an increase of 23%.

At the same time, this two bedroom flat for sale on Cromwell Road, Kensington SW5 on the market with Chard has attracted four offers - three of them from cash buyers. We're now inviting "best and final" bids to close this Wednesday, December 3 at 5pm.

The two bedroom property could do with a makeover and has a rear garden. It's typical of the sort of flats that buyers are chasing to buy in London - and where price rises have been most apparent.

Another flat - this one bedroom flat, just south of Earls Court for sale on Ifield Road, SW10 has attracted six offers within a week of Chard receiving the instruction. Five of the six offers are cash. Once again we're going into a "best and final" bid situation this week, echoing a property market last seen in 2007.

Further information
Chard South Kensington estate agents
144 Old Brompton Road
London SW7 4NR
020 7373 8883

Links:
Property for sale in Kensington
Property for sale in London

Over £70,000 Achieved Above Rival London Estate Agents Valuation. Ex-local Authority Flat For Sale in Chelsea

2009-12-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

A room with a view - and an extra £70,000+ for the vendor who sold with Chard

This two double bedroom flat for sale in Chelsea, on the second floor of a purpose built ex-local authority building located between Kings Road and Fulham Road was valued by another London estate agent at £295,000. We thought the valuation was far too low and valued it at £365,000.

Within two weeks Chard South Kensington & Chelsea estate agents had secured three offers. One at asking price - and two more offers above asking price.

One more very satisfied client!

We value properties based on detailed local knowledge of the area, current demand and market trends. When you instruct Chard to sell your property in London, our first priority is to secure the best possible price and with over 1500 flats and houses sold or let through Chard in 2009 the results speak for themselves.

For further information on selling your property in South Kensington & Chelsea:
Chard South Kensington & Chelsea sales
144 Old Brompton Road
London SW7 4NR
020 7373 8883

Links:
Property for sale in Chelsea

Why Use an Estate Agent in London?

2009-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

Orchard Close, W10

There are numerous web sites that offer to sell your London property without recourse to an estate agent. The logic is simple - why pay an agent for something that you can do yourself? The reality can be quite different.

This property for sale in Orchard Close, North Kensington, W10, a two bedroom garden flat in a quiet cul de sac off the northern end of Portobello Road is a case in point. It's located just round the corner from funky Golboure Road (home to the head office of the Stella McCartney brand) and the popular Fat Badger gastro pub owned by the Soho House group.

The owner was advised friends that she would be crazy to pay fees to an estate agent and should just put it on the internet. The logic being that "that’s all agents do is stick a house on the market and wait". So she that's what she did. With her own pictures (and no floorplan).

She also instructed Chard Notting Hill estate agents to be on the safe side - we were happy to take on the property for sale - with the attitude "may the best man win"!

Our photographers immediately produced high quality images and a floorplan. We re-visited the property on a sunny day to get some pictures of the garden looking its best too. Our team set to work, as they do with every new instruction, calling up all possible buyers (including an extensive database of buy to let investors) to generate interest. The property featured on leading UK and international portals including Rightmove, Findaproperty, Propertyfinder, Primelocation and Globrix. Exposure that costs thousands of pounds every month.

The private sale site generated four viewings. We quickly arranged a series of 31 viewings resulting in a very acceptable offer, with an exchange three weeks later. The buyer was also impressed with the service, and recommended us to a friend who also bought a property through Chard, after a Sunday viewing.

If you want the best possible price when selling - it pays to use a motivated estate agent with a proven track record. Chard sales and lettings have already sold or let over 1500 properties in 2009.

Further information:
Chard Notting Hill & Kensington estate agents
123 Notting Hill Gate
London W11 3LB

020 7243 4500

Useful links:

Property for sale in North Kensington
Property for sale in Ladbroke Grove
Property for sale in Westbourne Grove