Local Property. Local Knowledge. Local Experts.
Issue 04
Landlords
Are you tangled in red tape?
PEPTrend We go tropical
Property Market What will happen next?
Garden
Staging tips for vendors
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Welcome to Issue 4 of Peptalk
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HANGE - this year has been full of it, with the start of the year heavily focused on the lettings industry and stamp duty, and now to Brexit. Although there is an air of uncertainty, it is still business as usual at Anthony Pepe. We have been celebrating success recently with all our branches receiving incredible award wins. At the ESTAs we were honoured to have been shortlisted in every category we entered, which was an accomplishment in itself, and we didn’t go home empty handed either, as our Highbury branch won GOLD in Best Letting Agent, and our Harringay branch was awarded Silver. A couple of months later we headed to the prestigious Letting Agency of the Year Award, sponsored by the Sunday Times and The Times. Two GOLD awards were presented to Anthony Pepe; first, Best Small Letting Agency, and then Kris White, Manager of our Palmers Green Branch, received Best Lettings Branch Manager.
I can’t tell you how proud Ari and I are of our whole team and their continuous commitment to improving the service we offer to our clients. Brexit has left us with a lot of unanswered questions, but in our area of North London, supply and demand both remain strong. To give you a detailed perspective we have asked property expert Kate Falkner to share her thoughts on the current situation in this edition. We know you need reassurance, and mostly honesty, about how the market changes affect you and your property. We will continue to keep all our clients updated and advise accordingly. There are no silly questions, so pop in to your local branch today. Have a great summer!
Charlie Perdios Charlie Perdios Director
Contributors
Charlie Perdios Managing Director Anthony Pepe
Ari Theodorou Sales Director Anthony Pepe
Kate Falkner
UK Property Expert
Susie Crolla
CEO Guild of Letting & Management
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Market View by Charlie Perdios
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his isn’t the easiest market review to write, as things have changed so quickly politically over the last month. As I write we have a new Prime Minister, with a newly formed government and, regardless of political views, the speed at which it has happened will hopefully increase stability in the markets, thus increasing confidence in the economy. As we know, confidence is one of the main drivers of the economy, and when there is uncertainty people naturally don’t spend as much, adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude, which inevitably affects growth in the economy as a whole. In recent years, increasing property prices have given that much needed momentum to the economy, as when people feel they have equity in their property it gives them a sense of security, which encourages more spending and thus stimulates growth in the economy as a whole. I’ve been asked in recent weeks how Brexit has affected the property market, and although we all feared a sharp decline in demand, we can now say that this hasn’t really materialised as yet. What we can also say is that prices in London have been softening in certain areas since the stamp duty rises last year, and even more so since the increases for buy to let properties in April this year. Despite these changes, there have still been areas of continued growth in London, and fortunately, in the areas our offices operate within, property is still quite affordable and in demand. March saw us complete a record breaking month for sales transactions, with completions running at 200% of normal due to the clamour of investors trying to beat the 3% surcharge on buy to let properties. As all these properties became available for let at the
same time in April and May we also saw a temporary softening in achieved rental prices, as a flood of new buy to let properties came onto the market all at once, thus giving tenants much more choice, albeit temporarily. The lettings market has since stabilised, especially in the last month, with demand now as strong as it’s ever been. We expect this to continue throughout the 3rd quarter of 2016, as many may delay buying just yet, again adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude. Personally, I think it’s now business as usual, and since Brexit we have actually seen an increase in buyers registering across all our offices. If interest rates remain low and things stabilise politically, I feel that confidence will return slowly but surely, and we will see prices firm up, and in North London, on average, they should increase over the second half of 2016. Our Highbury office has certainly seen the sharpest rise in buyer activity, and we have also noticed some overseas investors returning to the market, possibly incentivised by the recent weakness in the pound. Overall, I feel the biggest threat to the economy, and especially house prices, at the moment is the media, where there is a real danger of talking ourselves into a recession. Things are different to the 2008 financial crisis, and the banks are certainly much better prepared to cope with any economic shock. I wouldn’t say we are out of the woods yet, however, I would take what the media say with a pinch of salt, especially when it comes to house price growth. We have to remember, every area in London has its own micro economy and a different rate of house price growth or decline. Needless to say, nobody knows what’s happening better locally than your local estate agent. All the staff at Anthony Pepe are chosen because they have a real passion for property and really understand the area in which they operate. If you would like to have a chat about what is happening specifically in your area, or even your street, then please do not hesitate to pop down to one of our offices for a friendly informal chat. We’ve helped thousands of people successfully move home in the past, and you never know, the next one could be you.
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T. 020 8341 9999
SO LD
Sales|Harringay
Seymour Road, N8 £1,000,000
SO LD
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An impressive, bay-fronted, Victorian, mid-terrace situated on the fashionable ‘Harringay Ladder’. The property has been refurbished to an exceptional standard with benefits including a beautiful side return extension, high quality designer kitchen and bathroom fittings and bi-folding doors to the rear.
Malvern Road, N8 £800,000
Raleigh Road, N8 £450,000
Dongola Road, N17 £410,000
A classic three bedroom bay fronted Victorian mid-terrace located on a desirable tree lined road with a stunning south facing rear garden. The property has been tastefully decorated by the current vendor and would be perfect for a young family.
An exceptional first floor split level apartment, converted from an attractive Victorian house on the desirable ‘Harringay Ladder’. This splendid period home oozes style, offering a contemporary and sophisticated feel throughout.
Gorgeous two bedroom ground floor Victorian conversion with sole use of a 30ft west facing rear garden. The property is offered for sale in excellent decorative order featuring high ceilings, double glazed windows, stripped wooden flooring and neutral interior.
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Harringay
|Sales
SO LD
T. 020 8341 9999
Burgoyne Road, N4 £625,000 A stunning three bedroom Victorian maisonette located on one of the most prestigious roads on the ‘Harringay Ladder’. Occupying 927 Sq Ft of living space, this exceptional flat combines both original period charm and contemporary functionality.
Warwick Gardens, N4 £815,000
Brampton Road, N15 £659,950
Truro Road, N22 £425,000
A stunning three bedroom Victorian midterrace, located in the popular ‘Harringay Gardens’. Warwick Gardens offers access Manor House Underground station (Piccadilly Line), Harringay Green Lanes rail station with links into the City, the West End and Richmond as well as the bustling shops and restaurants of Green Lanes.
A desirable three bedroom, mid-terrace, Victorian property located on one of the most sought after roads moments away from Green Lanes, Harringay. The property has recently been refurbished to an exceptional standard offering a contemporary feel whilst retaining its original period charm.
Stunning two bedroom split level conversion within close proximity to the ever popular Woodside Park, with sole use of a rear garden. The property has recently been refurbished to a high standard providing a flair of sophistication and style throughout, which would be perfect for a young professional couple.
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T. 020 8341 9999
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Lettings|Harringay
Umfreville Road, N4 £2400 PCM
An exceptional three double bedroom Victorian mid-terrace situated on the fashionable ‘Harringay Ladder’. Featuring a wonderful double aspect through lounge retaining many period features, high spec eat in kitchen with direct access to the private garden.
Large Refurbished four bedroom, three bathroom house on one of the premier roads on the Harringay Ladder. This super property has a brand new kitchen diner with direct garden access. The property is well situated for all local amenities, including Manor House tube and both Harringay and Harringay Green Lanes BR Stations.
Farrant Avenue, N22 £2500 PCM
Park House, N4 £1100 PCM
A superb end of terrace house in the popular Noel Park area of Wood Green. The house is well presented and tastefully decorated and has two reception rooms on the ground floor, a separate kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms. Also features an attractive private garden.
Ultra-modern refurbished studio apartment located opposite Finsbury Park and 0.2 mile from the station, within a sought after purpose built development. The property benefits from a super fully fitted kitchen and studio room with great storage and amazing views over London. There is also a new three piece bathroom suite.
Pemberton Road, N4 £1550 PCM
Clyde Road, N15 £1480 PCM
Stunning two bedroom flat on the first floor of a period house on the popular Harringay Ladder. The property consists of a large reception room with high ceilings and wooden floors, two double bedrooms, a separate kitchen which is open to the reception room, contemporary bathroom, a shared rear garden and tranquil view of the new river.
A Truly delightful two double bedroom cottage which has been recently refurbished to a high standard, benefits include a large through lounge, modern fitted bathroom and galley kitchen leading to a stunning garden featuring a patio area and lawn.
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Allison Road, N8 £2600 PCM
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PEPTrend
Transform your garden to a tropical oasis with these outdoor accessories
£399.00 Copa Outdoor Apertif set, Made.com
Paradise Outdoor Cushion, BeanBagBazaar
Moroccan Pouffe, Sweetpea & Willow
£14.99
£71.00
All information correct at the time of publishing
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Menu Outdoor Oil Lamps, Furnish
Tropical Plates, MiaFleur
£79.95
£39.95
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Advice For Your Next Home
Meet Heron Financial, our in-branch independent financial advice service.
We have recently partnered with Heron Financial to offer you free independent financial advice from an IFA, to enable you to make informed decisions about a property you might be looking to purchase, and more. Although based in our office, they work completely independently, for you and not in the interests of the property transaction. To explain it in detail we asked Matt Coulson, Director of Heron Financial, to tell us more about the company and their services. Who are Heron Financial? My business partner, Warren Harrocks, and I started Heron Financial in 2011 with two mobile phones, a bit of enthusiasm, and a vision of working directly with estate agents to improve the connection between estate agents and financial services. What is your background? I’ve always worked in mortgages and financial services. I originally started out in the industry as essentially a tea boy in my hometown of Newcastle, and worked my way up the ladder in businesses in Leeds, Sheffield and then London.
Warren’s background is property; he has worked for several large estate agents and property developers prior to moving into mortgages and financial services. So we sort of come at it from both angles, which I think has allowed us to really create the perfect storm, in that we know how estate agents work, and we know how to get the best out of them. So, yes, that’s kind of it, really. Why use whole of market broker, rather than going through a bank directly? The last few years have basically shown the average consumer that getting a mortgage is difficult, and that’s before you’ve even decided whether or not it’s the right one. There has been a lot of regulatory change post-2008, as well as a lot of soul-searching within the industry. Regulation has pretty much doubled in the space of five or six years, and what that has brought about is a real hesitance, I believe, on the part of the high street banks and their branches, to go out there and provide advice. We have seen a real shift back towards brokers or intermediaries who can look at more than one lender, and give the client guidance as to where they need to be. There is a misconception that if you have been with a bank for many years it will influence their decisions, whereas, in reality, whether you’ve been with a bank for 20 years, or two months, it won’t make that much of a difference to the way that they approach your mortgage application. Why did you decide on an in-house broker approach rather than referrals? Having worked with a lot of different estate agents, we’ve found the best strategy is to integrate and essentially become part of
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their team. So, although our broker is in there and they work for us, they’re employed by us, they’ve got our business card, we really want them to join in and feel like they’re part of the team at Anthony Pepe. We want them to head out there on a Friday night for those after work beers with the team. Buying a property is a huge decision and it’s really important that all parts of the process are as strong as possible. So if that broker is there, he’s on hand to be able to have a conversation with a negotiator in the branch and just reassure them that everything is moving forward, which cuts out the gaps in communication. Who is the in-house broker? Adrian Sutcliffe. He’s experienced in working within a multi-branch estate agency and understands the varying needs of the Anthony Pepe client base. Adrian brings a genuinely impartial resource, giving buyers and sellers the opportunity to ask those questions that, these days, are actually quite hard to find the answers to. Whether you’re a new applicant, vendor, landlord, or tenant, you will be able to talk to someone who is going to give you a straight answer. We don’t mind whether or not we actually work with you immediately or not; for us, it’s really about building a relationship, because I’m a big believer in giving the absolute best advice to the client wherever you can, irrespective of whether that means we’re arranging their mortgage at that point in time. Are you truly independent, even though you’re inside Anthony Pepe? I think one of the things that we make clear to any client who we talk to right at the start of the process, whether it’s at Anthony Pepe or any of the other agents that we look after, is that, “Yes, we’ve
got a great relationships with Anthony Pepe, and thankfully things have started off brilliantly, but we are acting for you, Mr Client.” I think it’s very important for us to draw the line during that first telephone conversation that we have with the client, and explain that we’re not going to relay financial information about that client to the estate agent. The estate agent is just looking for some reassurance from us that the client is in a position to proceed. Beyond that, we don’t give them any more information. We are independent of Anthony Pepe. I think it is important that, irrespective of who that client goes and buys through, we’re still here to help. Why use Heron Financial over another independent financial advisor? We’ve built the business on the back of the service that we deliver. Once a client has decided which product they’re going to go with, and the broker has submitted the application across, they will actually be given a case handler, who will hold their hand throughout that entire process. They will be updated a minimum of twice per week, by email or phone, or whatever method they prefer, and essentially we take all the pain away. The reason we operate in this way is because of past experiences, where we have witnessed advisors managing the process get too busy and therefore not be able to deal with all of the enquiries and chase up the lender as effectively as they should, and not provide up to date documents as quickly as they should. By bringing that part of the process in-house, and providing a case handler who is dedicated to that particular client, we remove all of that from the equation, and we find that we’re able to get people mortgage offers very quickly.
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Sales|Highbury
T. 020 7704 2100
Cranwich Road, N16 £625,000 Anthony Pepe are proud to offer this charming two bedroom first floor conversion forming part of an attractive double fronted period house. Offering plenty of light and space, the property is generously proportioned and comprises; impressive reception room, two double bedrooms, a contemporary kitchen which leads on to a beautiful terrace.
Highbury Hill, N5 £750,000
Eaststand, N5 £749,950
Mackenzie Road, N7 £695,000
A stunning two bedroom flat set in this substantial Victorian house on one of Highbury’s premier roads. Benefits include two double bedrooms, spacious reception room with wooden framed sash windows, modern kitchen, a wonderful designer bathroom and direct access to communal gardens.
A superb two bedroom, first floor apartment arranged over 813 sq. ft. This well-proportioned property comprises; open plan kitchen/reception, master bedroom with en-suite, contemporary family bathroom and underfloor heating throughout.
A beautifully finished two bedroom house on Mackenzie Road. Benefits include a large dining kitchen, perfect for relaxing and entertaining, a generously sized living room, private rear garden, two double bedrooms and a modern family bathroom/ separate WC.
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Highbury
T. 020 7704 2100
|Sales
Ridings Close, N6 £700,000
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An immaculately presented two double bedroom apartment set within a modern purpose built development. The accommodation comprises large reception room which leads on to a superb private balcony, fitted kitchen/breakfast room, luxurious shower room and an en suite master bedroom with separate dressing area.
Eaststand, N5 £665,000
Wells Court, N1 £465,000
Gillespie Road, N5 £385,000
This superb mezzanine two bedroom apartment benefits from an open plan kitchen/reception with floor to ceiling windows offering a fantastic view of the extensive landscaped communal gardens, large master bedroom, a contemporary family bathroom, second bedroom and a fully tiled shower room.
A bright and spacious two bedroom apartment located on a quiet, tree lined residential street. Benefits include a separate kitchen, large reception room which leads through to a South facing private balcony overlooking beautiful communal gardens, two double bedrooms, W/C and bathroom.
A bright, one bedroom apartment which is exceptionally well located, just moments from Arsenal Tube Station (Piccadilly Line) and the Highbury Stadium Square development. Benefits include an open plan kitchen/reception, contemporary bathroom and spacious double bedroom.
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Lettings|Highbury
T. 020 7704 2100
Yonge Park, N4 £1885 PCM
Anthony Pepe have to offer this unique and stunning two double bedroom ground floor apartment located in the prestigious Highbury Stadium Square development. The property boasts a larger than average 22ft lounge which has direct access to a terrace area, modern fully fitted kitchen, fully tiled bathroom and en-suite.
A recently refurbished two double bedroom apartment set on the lower ground floor of a period property. The property features a fully fitted kitchen semi open plan to a spacious reception room, modern bathroom suite and access to the garden and covered patio area.
Loxford House, N5 £2383 PCM
Waterside Apartments, N4 £2600 PCM
Forming part of a luxury apartment building set around an imposing Georgian residence with a private courtyard garden. The apartment offers a bright open plan reception room with a smart fully fitted kitchen; two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. It also features underfloor heating, entry phone and concierge.
Anthony Pepe are delighted to offer this three bedroom apartment in this stunning waterside development overlooking the Reservoir, moments from Manor House tube. Benefiting from a large reception, two bathrooms, one of which is en-suite, a balcony, further roof terrace and 24 hour concierge.
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Northstand Apartments, N5 £2145 PCM
Isledon Road, N7 £1850 PCM
Bouverie Road, N5 £1950 PCM
A large split level two bedroom property set over 2 floors of this imposing period house. The property features a large reception room, spacious eat-in kitchen with all appliances, whilst on the upper floors there are two double bedrooms and a contemporary bathroom with all bath and separate shower cubicle.
A large and well located two bedroom maisonette only moments from Stoke Newington Church Street. The property benefits from a large reception room, a good sized eat-in kitchen, two double bedrooms and a modern bathroom suite. Located only moments from the diverse range of bars, restaurants and shops.
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PepChat
with Michael Komodromos
PEPCHAT is our new feature, getting to know you in 60 seconds or less. Name? Michael Komodromos Position? Lettings Manager, Harringay Home? I was born and raised in North London (Whetstone) and attended school in Barnet. My parents came to the UK from Cyprus in the early sixties and were brought up in London. I now live in Palmers Green and I’m married with two children, a son aged 6 and daughter aged 3. Weekends? My spare time is spent with my family and entertaining - I’m particularly talented at barbecuing! I enjoy football and tennis and have recently revisited my love of Lego building, through my children. I would call myself a real foodie, whether practising my cooking or eating out (usually paired with a nice wine). Interesting personal fact? I’ve got a real love of British history and politics, and I once walked a marathon through Central London in the middle of the night, wearing a decorated bra – for charity, of course! We think that’s two, Michael! Career? I started out in lettings as a Negotiator 18 years ago in Camden,
which was a really thriving market, and got more and more interested in the job and building up contacts and relationships with clients. I worked my way up and became Lettings Manager, and I would eventually be responsible for securing large rental portfolios for the company, including government contracts. Lettings Market? The lettings market has been extremely strong with good growth, but it remains to be seen what the impact the referendum outcome will have on our business in North London. My feeling is that the buy to let market will continue to flourish as the demand for rental properties continues unabated, and rental values will continue to be strong. Market challenge? Stamp duty has made buy to let more challenging and expensive, but it’s clear that, given the right property, it remains an attractive long-term investment. Buy to let investors will always invest, so the future is bright. Why Anthony Pepe? It is crucial to have the right support and professional approach when it comes to letting your property. Anthony Pepe has built up a tremendous reputation as effective and professional people with a personal approach. The recent raft of legislation changes to our industry has made letting even more difficult; there is so much for landlords to consider and to be aware of, and I feel that our training and expertise enables us to be right at the forefront of this, and to protect our clients and their investments.
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Property and Brexit
Leading expert Kate Falkner shares her thoughts on what will happen next to the property market.
Kate Falkner is one of the UK’s leading property experts on buy to let investment and landlords. She analyses what’s happening to the economy, property prices and rents, and the impact these have on property. She regularly features on national and local TV, radio and newspapers, giving her thoughts on the property market, so we couldn’t ask for anyone better placed to advise on property and Brexit. The reality is that we are in the midst of an unprecedented situation; however, there have been ‘shocks’ to the country before, such as the Iraq War and the credit crunch, so we can draw on what happened on these occasions to help us understand what might happen now. We know, due to a statement made by our new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond, that there will be no emergency budget at present, and no rise in interest rates. According to statements made by the former Chancellor, George Osborne, in summary: 1. Britain is the strongest major economy in the world 2. Employment is at a record high
3. The budget deficit is still forecast to be reduced from 11% to 3% of national income 4. Banks are 10 times stronger than they were at the time of the credit crunch 5. Our economy is about as strong as it could be to cope with Brexit Supply and demand balance is critical to what happens next It’s all about the balance between supply and demand. Supply may fall in line with buyer demand if developers don’t build (or can’t, due to labour issues) and if sellers take their properties off the market. So the two potential scenarios are: 1. Short term blip in the market – much like we saw when the Iraq War began, but the market bounced back some months later when there was little effect on the economy/our day to day lives here in the UK. 2. Longer term stagnation and the danger of falls in property prices in some areas – much like the impact of the credit crunch. Other forecasts: Hometrack A 5% to 10% fall in housing turnover, with London bearing the brunt of the slowdown. NAEA: Brexit uncertainty to dampen price and transaction growth. Under the Brexit scenario we expect the average UK home price to stand at £277,600, £288,900 and £300,800 in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. The impact of Brexit on the rental market would be minimal in the first 2-3 years following the referendum. However, country-wide rents could be impacted more severely in the long
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term. UK residents born in other EU countries are far more likely to be private renters. Therefore, if fewer EU nationals move to the UK in the long term, there may be a more noticeable impact on demand levels. So how will the housing market change, and why? There are two key influences on the market from here on in: Sentiment and confidence This is by far the biggest influence, in my view, on what happens next, and especially in the short-term, i.e. this weekend and over the summer. If buyers are feeling confident, they will be happy to put in offers. This requires: 1. Property prices to be on an upward trajectory 2. Feelings of job security 3. Access to ‘good value’ and consistent mortgage finance If they don’t feel confident and are uncertain about their future, the reality is that buyers won’t go hunting for property. If buyers back off, demand falls and, if this dips below supply levels – i.e. the number of properties available – then sellers will panic and bring their prices down. When reports start hitting the headlines that the property market may fall, even more buyers hold off, so prices can spiral downwards until they become good value, and/or the economy starts to pick up again and confidence returns. This results in more buyers than sellers, so prices start to be reported to be rising, and the market comes back to life.
Economic impact This is the influence buyers and sellers can’t control, but it dictates whether we can afford to buy or sell, and therefore strongly influences what happens to the market separately to buyers and sellers ‘choosing’ not to buy at the moment. If Brexit causes shocks to our mortgage finance, and that causes rates to rise – especially when they are currently so unbelievably low – then that will stop some buyers from buying and, in some cases, could cause financial problems for existing homeowners, which may force them to sell, or result in repossessions. An increase in repossessions reduces house price inflation. Jobs-wise, there is talk of a loss of investment in the UK as a result of leaving the EU, and jobs being lost as companies move abroad to other EU countries. People won’t buy if they fear (or experience) job losses and, in the worst cases, if job losses rise, those who own their homes may end up losing them. However, it is important to bear in mind that repossessions during the last recession weren’t that high, due to lenders having to work hard to support people to stay in their homes. Don’t panic! This is all a bit scary and we don’t know what will happen next, economically and property wise. However, it’s important to bear in mind we’ve all pretty much just survived a terrible economic and property recession in 2007/8, and the world is in a better place economically than it was back then. Hopefully, in terms of property (and the wider economy) the impact will be just a blip for a few months while things unravel, and then hopefully we’ll get back to/continue our economic growth, which will help to drive the property market forward.
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Let’s Get Moving Our organised guide to moving home
Bubblewrap at the ready, boxes to build, and years worth of ‘stuff’ - oh the joys of moving home. But with a little planning you can turn a stressful experience into a well oiled process that gets the job done! Don’t wait! One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving home is waiting until they have exchanged before they start to pack a box! You should start much earlier than this, basically before your property is on the market. As you start to de-clutter your home, pack away all those items you will not use again before you move, this way you have a head start on your packing. As you start to move forward in the process, begin to pack a little more, so when you have exchanged contracts and you only have a few days left before you complete, you’re not running around like a headless chicken. Quality over price When choosing packing materials look for those that are specifically meant for moving house; you will likely find that an ordinary cardboard box will not be able to hold the weight of the items that you have placed inside it.
scratches in the move and will also ensure its contents are safe. Also use it on furniture, again to prevent any scratches and dirt marks that can be caused by a move. Will it, won’t it? Measure any large pieces of furniture and arrange a viewing at your new home to make sure that they will fit, and that you will be able to get them through a door or up the stairs. It is better to know in advance that you can’t get your sofa through the front door, than to find out on moving day. Leave it to the professionals Self-moving is a cheaper option, but how much easier will it be to leave it to the professionals? Do your research when choosing a moving company and ask your friends for recommendations. Make sure you always obtain quotes and full details of what is included. Never move with children and animals Packing up and moving furniture can create a stressful and dangerous environment, and you don’t want to be worrying that your children and pets are okay. Organise for your children to have a day out; you want to keep their little minds occupied so they are not focusing too much on the move. Pop your pet in a local grooming salon for a pamper, or can they spend the day with a friend? No help required
The self-move must have If you are moving yourself, buy a roll or two of shrink wrap; this stuff is amazing and a must have item for any self-mover. Rather than unpacking your drawers for your move, simply wrap them in shrink wrap; this will prevent your drawer from getting any
Always pack an emergency box, which should contain all the essentials you need for your move, such as tools to put furniture together, a kettle, coffee, tea bags, milk, snacks, toilet roll, cleaning products, bin bags, soap, chargers, and a local take away menu for a first night treat.
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Tangled in Red Tape? Landlords let us break you free
As compliance becomes too complex for landlords, allow Anthony Pepe to navigate the legislative maze. For many who began to invest when buy-to-let took off in 1997, being a landlord has never been a “job”; it was a way of investing money, but more of a hobby than a business. Fast forward almost 20 years and the landscape of the Private Rented sector has changed. More landlords than one could have ever imagined are now facing so much red-tape that they can barely keep up. The element of compliance is becoming more and more complex, and some landlords fear it is putting their businesses at risk. We have not seen such a volume of legislation being introduced in the Private Rented Sector within a thirteen-month period since, well, never. If you were to swap the letters IA in COMPLIANT you end up with the word COMPLAINT, and that’s the issue not so much complaints being received, but landlords facing negligence claims because they are not up to date with what is going on in the industry. So how do you counteract this continuous onslaught?
Legislation This aspect has become so complex now that some landlords have decided to sell up their businesses. Landlords are now exposed to considerably more risk than they were two years ago, and many feel less than confident in their ability to adequately protect their business, hence the reason for employing the services of a good - no, exceptional - agent. Stop battling the legislative maze and let our property management team be your guide. We want you to have a positive experience as a landlord. Buy to let is no longer a hobby, it’s serious business. Compliance is essential for every single landlord no matter if your property portfolio is of 1 or 1000 properties, our role is to safeguard your business. There is also a need to protect vulnerable tenants - we are seeing a pendulum shift toward ensuring that unscrupulous landlords and letting agents are brought to task. So, how can we make life easier to navigate for landlords?
Seamless systems
We have a series of procedures that will assist not only with compliance, but will drill down into the detail of pre-tenancy, during-tenancy and post-tenancy processes. At Anthony Pepe we simplify what can sometimes be seen as an over-whelming and complex job. By paying attention to the detail, you are free to reap the rewards of your investment, and can sleep soundly at night, knowing you’re fully compliant.
We don’t want anything to be missed in the cracks of processes or fall down the crevices of our systems. We have invested in powerful technologies that aid our team to provide you with a service that is seamless.
Susie Crolla CEO Guild of Letting & Management and The Letting Training Centre
You Our clients are the centre of our business, whether you have been with us for many years or a prospective landlord, every person receives a dedicated service.
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Sales|Palmers Green
Gardenia Road, EN1 OIEO £800,000
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This extended Edwardian semi detached family home has been refurbished throughout to a high standard whilst retaining a wealth of period features and consists of having four double bedrooms with a master bedroom within the converted loft. Two receptions, extended bespoke kitchen & within a fantastic school catchment.
Lyndhurst Road, N22
Cannock Lodge, EN1 £299,995
Roseville, The Green, N21 £475,000
OIEO £425,000
This stunning one bedroom first floor flat is situated on a popular residential road in Bush Hill Park. Boasting a fitted kitchen leading to a generously sized modern reception room, bathroom a private balcony. Gated allocated parking and communal gardens. Within a 2 minute walk of Bush Hill Park station, local shops and amenities.
Offered for sale is this stunning two double bedroom ground floor flat located within a gated development on the ever popular Winchmore Hill Green. The property boasts a 15ft reception room with direct access its own rear garden, two double bedrooms, a modern kitchen, a fully fitted bathroom and comes with a share of the freehold.
A fantastic three-bedroom first floor period conversion in close proximity to Bowes Park & Bounds Green BR stations. Benefits include a spacious reception room leading to a fitted kitchen, separate family bathroom, direct access to private garden and is offered with the freehold.
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|Sales
Palmers Green
Fox Lane, N13 - OIEO £850,000
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A beautiful four bedroom Edwardian family home situated within the heart of Palmers Green. Many original features throughout including feature fireplaces, tiled floors and ceiling décor. Two reception rooms, a fitted kitchen, stunning family bathroom and a 73ft rear garden. A must view!
Eaton Park Road, N13 OIEO £400,000 A two bedroom, first floor Victorian conversion flat that benefits a spacious reception room with bay window, a high spec fitted kitchen, a modern bathroom and is sold with a share of the freehold. Within a short walk of Palmers Green High Street and Network Railway station.
Hoppers Road, N21 £675,000
Eaton Park Road, N13 £390,000
This fantastic three bedroom end of terrace house is situated near Winchmore Hill Green and its popular boutiques, restaurants and bars. Beautifully decorated throughout, the property has two reception rooms, a fitted kitchen and bathroom as well as a beautiful rear garden and sole use driveway.
This impressive one bed ground floor conversion benefits from a 14ft reception, modern kitchen & door to the sole use garden. The property also has a spacious bedroom, family bathroom & is sold with a long lease. Eaton Park Road is located within walking distance of Grovelands Park, local shops and Network Railway station.
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Lettings|Palmers Green
Wentworth Gardens, N13 £1800 PCM
We are proud to present this luxury two double bedroom penthouse apartment situated within a short walk of Palmers Green Overground station. The property boasts a large reception, modern kitchen, secure gated parking & video entry, private balcony, tiled bathroom and further en-suite. Offered furnished and available from the 15th August.
A well presented three bedroom semi detached house situated in a quiet residential road moments from Palmers Green high street and other local amenities. Other benefits include driveway, two toilets, modern kitchen, morning room, two receptions and garden. The property is offered furnished.
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Blacksmiths Court, N13 £1700 PCM
Hawthorn Avenue, N13 £2750 PCM
A well presented larger than average two double bedroom apartment situated in a residential development moments from Southgate underground station and other local amenities. Other benefits include a newly fitted kitchen, lift, secure gated parking, gas central heating & a private balcony. The property is offered part furnished.
A beautifully presented larger than average four bedroom house situated within easy access to Palmers Green station and other local amenities. Other benefits include three bedrooms, fitted kitchen, integrated alarm system & is finished to a high standard throughout. The property is offer fully furnished and available now.
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Grange Gardens, N14 £1295 PCM
The Ridgeway, N11 £2800 PCM
Apsley House, EN1 £1050 PCM
Available now is this this stunning 5 bedroom semi-detached house situated close to New Southgate station. The property consists of two receptions, a beautifully presented kitchen, direct access to the garage & a large garden. Additional benefits include a family bathroom, master bedroom in the loft & an en-suite.
A one bedroom purpose built apartment situated within a short walk of Bush Hill Park BR station. The property comprises spacious 17’ reception leading to the kitchen, double bedroom and family bathroom. Benefits include double glazing, GCH, entry phone system & communal gardens. Available 3rd September on a furnished basis.
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Garden Staging Tips For The Horticulturally Challenged
A peaceful haven, or a work in progress? Not all of us have green fingers and are able to create gardens worthy of exhibiting at Chelsea. No matter your level of garden skills, we have some top tips to get you started. Staging is a term used in property that means the process of getting your home ready for sale; whether it is home staging or garden staging, the principles are always the same: you need to transform your garden into an alluring space that will win the hearts of all who enter.
Before you even think about planting a seed or painting a fence you need to deep clean and tidy your entire garden. Did we just catch you thinking of hiding it in the shed? Remember buyers are nosey, and they may want to peer into the shed, and the impression it gives them will reflect on your property. De-cluttering and cleaning your garden will make it easier when it comes to staging. Remove all the weeds, any dying plants and trim back overgrown shrubs and bushes; think of it as part of your summer work-out plan!
“God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done.” ~ Author Unknown It is now time to push on with all those maintenance jobs you have been putting off, such as fixing the fence or power washing the patio. Refresh all the paintwork in the garden and also any wood stain that looks worn. Don’t forget the exterior of your property also, clean all your windows and give your door a new coat of paint, if required.
“You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.” ~Author Unknown A decent lawn is worth its weight in gold; if your lawn is looking more bald than it is green, then it’s time for some serious work. Seek advice from your local gardening centre on what treatment would be best for your lawn; bear in mind though, that the solution could be replacing it completely.
“Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes” ~ Author Unknown Growing your own fruit and vegetables seems the norm today. If you have a delicious vegetable patch, make sure it is looking its best. Let your estate agent know what has been planted, as it will make a fantastic talking point in viewings.
“All gardening is landscape painting,’ said Alexander Pope.” ~ Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking A garden should be a sea of colours, from luscious greens to bursts of colour from the flowers that you plant; therefore, if your garden is looking more grey-scale than rainbow, pop along to your local garden centre and invest in some colourful plants to dot around your garden. Should you not have any flowerbeds, the same look can be achieved using potted plants.
“The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses.” ~ Hanna Rion A garden should excite all the senses: • Sight – the overall finish of your garden • Touch – add texture through what you plant • Scent – introduce fragrant plants, such as lavender • Taste – if you don’t have a vegetable patch, use a couple of pots for herbs • Sound – do you have a water feature? If so, make sure it is working; if not, do what you can to minimise noise for viewings.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” ~ Betsy Cañas Garmon Your garden should be looking incredible; now to add some finishing touches. By placing a table and chairs in the garden, you are helping your buyer to imagine sitting there at the start of the day for a morning coffee, or in the evening with a chilled glass of wine, as the sun begins to set. Dress your table with a scenario; a tray with a couple of cups and saucers, a book and a blanket, will turn a table into an experience. Weed it and reap.
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The Golden Touch We talk to branch manager Kris White about Anthony Pepe, and his childhood hero.
Within just 10 months of joining Anthony Pepe, Kris White has won the Gold Award for Best Lettings Branch Manager in the UK at the prestigious Letting Agency of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Sunday Times. Not only that, he has also helped the team win Gold for the Best Small London Lettings Agency - not bad work for less than 12 months with the company.
Quick fire round!
So who is this man, the would-be legend that is Kris White?
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To fly. Would be much easier to navigate the North London traffic!
You worked 12 years for your last agency so what made you make the change and join Anthony Pepe? Having worked for an independent family-run business, when the opportunity presented itself to enter into the ‘Anthony Pepe family’, the decision was simple. An award-winning business, run and operated by two like-minded individuals that I really clicked with, and who understood what it meant to be a great estate agent. The ethos of customer service and teamship were at the forefront of this growing business. The fact that I could offer some of my 13 years’ experience within the industry to a team of people that was always striving for continued success was too attractive for me to not consider it. How did you feel about joining such a reputable agency? Coming into an office of already experienced individuals was probably my main concern when joining the business. Would they buy into my way of thinking? Only time would tell. We immediately got to work to improve the already well established department within the local area, and having just experienced a record quarter, the team are certainly all on board! 2016 has already been a great year for you and Anthony Pepe; what are your plans for the future? We plan to continue to build the sales and lettings departments, and to strive to achieve unparalleled service across our three branches. As a business, we are looking to expand and enlarge our stronghold within North London, where our foundations are clearly set.
Favourite area in North London? Apart from Winchmore Hill, I would say Hampstead. Stunning properties, parks and shops. Would be a joy to live there, I am sure. Favourite football team? Tottenham Hotspur. Former ‘Ball Boy’. Favourite local pub? The Cricketers in Enfield. Close to my house, and a lovely walk along the river. Favourite place to eat? Sheesh in Chigwell. Owned my friends of mine. The food and atmosphere is fantastic. Who was your childhood hero? Tim Henman.
If you weren’t working in property, what would you be doing? Lead test driver for Ferrari… Is there a better job anywhere in the world??? Favourite moment at Anthony Pepe? Winning the Best UK Lettings Branch Manager of the Year 2016 award with the Times & Sunday Times. The judges notes: “Kris sees his role as empowering the people around him to achieve great things, and it is clear that he does this very well indeed. He has recruited high calibre individuals and has worked hard to build an environment in which they are encouraged to use their collective strengths to become a world class team. He is fully on board with the culture at Anthony Pepe and communicates this to the staff, who in turn embody this for the landlords and tenants. As someone who works across both the sales and lettings disciplines, Kris understands the importance of being able to diversify, as no two days, or two clients, are the same. He therefore works hard to constantly learn so that he is fully up to date with all industry requirements, as well as market changes and new stock coming on to the market. This ethos is cascaded down to the team, so the client can access a high level service, irrespective of who they deal with. The panel got the impression that Kris has been an intrinsic part of step change at Anthony Pepe and has proved to be the perfect person at the perfect time.”
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Everything Starts with Hello...
Join us on Twitter and Facebook to discover more @AnthonyPepeCo
/Anthony Pepe Estate Agents PEPTALK | 23
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Harringay Branch 407 Green Lanes, Harringay London N4 1EY tel 020 8341 9999 email harringay@anthonypepe.com Highbury Branch 100 Highbury Park London, N5 2XE tel 020 7704 2100 email highbury@anthonypepe.com Palmers Green Branch 301 Green Lanes, Palmers Green London N13 4XS tel 020 8882 6567 email palmersgreen@anthonypepe.com
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www.anthonypepe.com
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