Local Property. Local Knowledge. Local Experts.
Issue 03
GOLD!
Award Winners Again
Set 2016 alight with our Top Trends
Add Value to your Home
Welcome to Issue 3 of Peptalk
F
inishing 2015 on a high, we have started 2016 with excitement. For the second year in a row we were delighted to have won the Small London Estate Agency of the Year 2015 at the Sunday Times and The Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards. Not only was this a fantastic achievement, the judges further honoured Anthony Pepe as being a “stand out” clear winner of Gold. I am so proud of each and every member of our team; their drive and determination to service our clients in the best way possible is outstanding, and they do this consistently every day. The property market didn’t end the year on much of a high note after George Osborne’s Autumn Statement, the details of which we will discuss in this newsletter.
We are always seeking ways to improve, whether it is in a tiny detail within our service or the information we provide you with via our website. We have taken time to create new area guides that will also share a few secrets about how our team like to spend their free time. 2016 has already started with a rush of viewings and new listings, and we look forward to helping many of you move in the coming months. On behalf of everyone at Anthony Pepe, I would like to wish you a happy New Year.”
Charlie Perdios Charlie Perdios Director
Contributors
Charlie Perdios Managing Director Anthony Pepe
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Ari Theodorou Sales Director Anthony Pepe
Kris White
Head of Operations Palmers Green
Tamsin Hazell APFS
Chartered Financial Planner for Lewis Chambers
Market View by Charlie Perdios
There is no hiding the fact that the stamp duty surcharge for buy-to-let landlords was a kick in the teeth. It will mean that, if you are buying a property to let, your stamp duty will increase by 3% from 1 April 2016. This increase is not solely for buyto-let property but also for those purchasing a second home. To some, 3% may not sound too catastrophic, but let’s take a closer look at the figures. If you purchase a property for buy-to-let for £275,000 you would previously have paid stamp duty of £3750, but as of April, with the new surcharge, this rises to £12,000 - an increase of £8,250. Unfortunately, this increase is going to affect any future tenants, as landlords will be looking to pass on the cost of this stamp duty tax surcharge through increased rents, in an effort to keep their businesses viable. Rent increases may begin to turn tenants into buyers, via the Government’s Help-to-Buy initiatives. Help-to-Buy London: Equity Loan This initiative is only available for new build properties. The Government will lend you up to 20% of the cost of your new build home; you will require a minimum of 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest.
Help-to-Buy: Mortgage Guarantee Similar to the Equity Loan, the Government will lend you up to 20% of the cost of your new home; you will require a minimum of 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest. The difference being that the Mortgage Guarantee is available on both new and existing properties. Help-to-Buy ISA For first time buyers only, this initiative boosts your deposit savings by up to 25%. If you open a Help-to-Buy ISA account, for every £200 you save, receive a Government bonus of £50, up to a maximum bonus amount of £3,000. To add to the burden of landlords, the tax relief on mortgage payments is to be slashed to 20% and phased in by April 2017. This tax relief at a flat rate of 20% would mean no change for some, as it will only affect those landlords on higher incomes. “It seems clear that the Government has tried to swing back the advantage to the first time buyer rather than the buy-to-let investor. Unfortunately, more often than not, too much meddling in the market will cause other unintended consequences. My opinion is that eventually rents will increase due to fewer new buy-to-let properties entering the market. The unintended consequence of this is that many first time buyers are already tenants and will find it harder to find the deposit they need because of higher renting costs. We may also see a higher level of transactions from buy-to-let buyers before the new stamp duty rates come into effect on 1st April 2016, so it will be very interesting to observe the first quarter of the year in terms of transaction levels. As always, each area, especially within London, has its own microeconomy, so it’s always best to speak to a local expert. Our team at Anthony Pepe will be more than happy to assist you, whatever your property requirements.”
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Ending 2015 with Gold Friday 4th December may not be a memorable date in your diary, but it certainly is in ours. On this day we travelled the 6 miles down the road to attend the Sunday Times and The Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2015. At the glittering ceremony, the 13th of its kind, we were joined by over 600 property professionals from across the UK to find out who had been judged to be the best of the best. The team of anonymous judges are a panel of industry experts who put each nominated company through a rigorous selection process and, after much investigation, consideration and discussion, a winner is decided. In our highly competitive category of Small London “Estate Agency of the Year 2015” we were honoured as a “stand out,” clear winner of Gold. Having previously won Gold in this category in 2014, the judges noted that it was clear that we had worked hard to solidify our position as a market leader. 2015 also saw the opening of our Highbury branch, and we can’t help but feel that our team’s motivation and dedication over the past year has been fundamental in the rapid expansion of our business, as well as in helping us to be award winning. But why do we enter these awards? As a company, and as a team, we find that participating in these kinds of events allows us to look at our business from a different perspective, ensuring that we stand out from our competitors. Over the years it has increased our team’s motivation, as our hard work and achievements have been regularly recognised. We hope that our clients also enjoy working with an award winning business and know how much days like this mean to us.
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Our Managing Director, Charlie Perdios, shares his thoughts on what the Estate Agency Award means to him: “We first entered the awards in 2011 and won a silver award; we have since gone on to win Gold for Best Small London Estate Agency in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The reason we decided to enter was because we truly believed we offered a higher standard of service than the other agents we were competing against in our areas. Even so, we didn’t believe we would actually win; however, we weren’t scared of being judged by the industry experts and thought that, if anything, it could highlight any weaknesses we had within the company, which we could then go on to fix. Simply entering these awards has raised our own standards tremendously, especially the rigorous mystery shopping, which means that the staff have to consistently deliver the highest level of service at all times. We are extremely proud to have won this award on so many occasions, as it’s one thing winning, but to keep improving our already high standards is even more difficult.” This level of recognition has not and will not go unnoticed at Anthony Pepe, as we look towards another winning year in 2016.
Again! Sunday Times Small London Estate Agency of the Year 2015 Luckily we’ve still got more walls than we can hang our awards on. Call your local multi award winning estate agents today. Harringay Office - 020 8341 9999 Highbury Office - 020 7704 2100 Palmers Green Office - 020 8882 6567
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Add Value to your home Start your New Year chapter here
When you purchase a property you fall in love with what it is, but often there are many ways you can add value. Adding value doesn’t always mean building work, so if you’re looking for ideas, we have put together a list of 9 ways you can add value to your home. 1 Your kitchen is the room you spend most of your time in – it’s where families gather not just to eat, but to catch up, have a chat and hang around. So it’s probably the most important room, and the first place you should look at when thinking about ways you can upgrade, and thus add value to your home. 2 Consider swapping your old white appliances for stainless steel ones and installing countertops made from engineered stone or granite. These will immediately improve the aesthetic appeal of the space. Little details can also make a big difference, for instance replacing doorknobs, handles, and even perhaps a lick of paint? 3 Got some money put aside for something a little bigger? These days, people want space. Rooms are great, but two rooms merged into one? Kitchen dining spaces are a huge selling point, people want to entertain whilst they cook, and families want to have a space that is multifunctional. 4 L is for love, and for lighting. New buyers love lighting. Proper lighting can also be a great value booster, so add light where you can – this goes for every room in your house.
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5 Consider a loft conversion. Yes, it’s expensive (around £20,000), but by doing this you can add an extra room or two to your property, which could mean an extra £40,000 on top of your asking price. If you’ve got the cash, it’s a no-brainer. 6 If you can’t go up, what about going down? There has been a growing trend in London for installing basements, but do your research first. 7 Get creative with your garage. If you have one of these, chances are, like 90% of people, your car rarely sees the interior. If you’re wanting extra space, look at converting your garage, or create an organized space that will be the envy of your street. 8 Think about your target market. Who do you think might buy your property? Try to tailor your space to appeal to this main group of potential buyers, but without alienating others who might also be interested. The general rule: the more beds the better – within reason! A one-bedroom flat with a study is not as appealing as a two- bed, where someone could choose to convert one bedroom to a study or gym, rather than the other way around. 9 Bring the garden into the house through bi-folding doors, a conservatory or even an orangery. Not only will you be adding space, but also you get to enjoy the beauty of your garden from the comfort and dry of your home. Every home is different and what may add value to one home could decrease the appeal of others. Above all, make sure any changes you do make are done because they are what you need as a family - if it adds value, then all the better. Our team at Anthony Pepe is always here to advise you on what will add value to your home and what buyers in our area of London are looking for. For advice specific to you, please contact our office.
Stats That Matter in your area
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T. 020 8341 9999
SO (st LD c)
Sales|Harringay
Pemberton Road, N4 £910,000
SO (st LD c)
SO (st LD c)
A stunning, bay fronted, Victorian mid-terrace on the fashionable ‘ Harringay Ladder’ offered in excellent condition with an exciting blend of contemporary sophistication. Stripped wooden flooring can be seen throughout, keeping with the age of the property while individual style can be seen in the fixtures and fittings.
Westbury Avenue, N22 £450,000
Brampton Road, N15 £650,000
Moselle Avenue, N22 £319,950
Converted from the first floor of this stunning, double fronted, mid-terrace Victorian house is this beautiful two bedroom, split level apartment occupying 746 Sq Ft of living space. The property has been refurbished to a high standard providing a flair of sophistication and style throughout.
A splendid three bedroom, mid-terrace, Victorian property which has recently been refurbished to an exceptional standard offering a contemporary feel whilst retaining its original period charm. Located within catchment area of local primary schools and moments away from Chestnuts Park and Green Lanes, Harringay.
An attractive one bedroom, split level, first floor period conversion located in a quiet residential street in the conservation area of Noel Park. Benefits include a spacious reception room, one double bedroom, modern kitchen/diner, bathroom and access to a rear garden.
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Harringay
|Sales
SO (st LD c)
T. 020 8341 9999
Avondale Road, N15 £675,000 OIEO
SO
(st LD c)
A dashing, three bedroom, mid-terrace Victorian property located on a sought after road moments away from Green Lanes, Harringay. The ground floor features a through lounge with stripped wooden flooring, a stunning kitchen/diner located at the rear and French doors leading to a picturesque garden.
Harringay Road, N15 £450,000
Woodlands Park Road, N15 £650,000
Portland Gardens, N4 £665,000
A stylish two bedroom, first floor maisonette situated within walking distance of local shopping and transport facilities. Benefits include a private entrance with ample storage space, an open-plan reception room/kitchen with designer units, two double bedrooms, contemporary bathroom and access to a section of garden.
A well-proportioned four bedroom, bay fronted Victorian half house offered in good condition located on a popular and road moments away from Green Lanes, Harringay. Woodlands Park Road offers access to transport links, green spaces and the bustling shops and restaurants of Green Lanes.
A delightful three bedroom, Victorian end-of-terrace located in the popular ‘Harringay Gardens’. The property has been well maintained and boasts three spacious bedrooms, an interconnecting reception room, morning room and a stunning west facing picturesque garden.
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T. 020 8341 9999
LE T
Lettings|Harringay
Burgoyne Road, N4 £1450 PCM
A stunning, four bedroom, Victorian mid terrace house conveniently situated within close proximity to Manor House and Turnpike Lane Tube stations and Harringay British Rail station. Benefits include two large reception rooms with period fireplaces, a spacious kitchen, utility room and private rear garden.
Spacious, one bedroom, lower ground floor apartment on the desirable ‘Harringay Ladder’ offering easy access to transport links into the City and amenities of Green Lanes. The property comprises a reception room leading to a beautifully maintained garden, spacious kitchen, utility room and a large entrance hallway.
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Seymour Road, N8 £2500 PCM
Roslyn Road, N15 £1950 PCM
A newly refurbished three bedroom, two reception, mid-terrace house. The property boasts light and airy rooms, generously sized bedrooms and a brand new kitchen and bathroom. The property is also ideally located for transport links and amenities of Seven Sisters.
A delightful three bedroom, mid-terrace with a south facing rear garden located on a desirable tree lined road. Benefits include a bay fronted reception room, contemporary kitchen/diner, loft room and a rear garden which could be used to allow for off street parking.
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Lydford Road, N15 £1900 PCM
Stanhope Gardens, N4 £2700 PCM
Cavendish Road, N4 £1650 PCM
This superb four bedroom, mid terrace house ideally located in the popular ‘Harringay Gardens’ area, within easy reach of the shopping facilities of Green Lanes and transport links of Harringay. The property benefits from a good-sized reception room, kitchen/diner, two bathrooms, four bedrooms and rear garden.
Beautiful two bedroom, newly renovated, ground floor apartment on the desirable ‘Harringay Ladder’ conveniently located for the amenities of Green Lanes. The property boasts a spacious reception room with original fireplace and stripped wooden flooring, two gardens and a contemporary, high quality finish throughout.
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Harringay Area Focus Not to be confused with the borough of Haringey, Harringay is a vibrant and cosmopolitan area in North London. Thanks to the Victorian urbanisation we are fortunate to still see evidence of its architecture today, although Harringay is constantly changing you will find a selection of properties from period homes to modern apartments centralised around a busy main high street. Green Lanes is home to our Harringay branch and offers a mixture of shops with a long established presence and new contemporary food stores and cafés catering to the growing community. The area to the west of Green Lanes is known as the “Harringay Ladder”, if you take a look at these streets on a map you’ll see why! Harringay is also bisected by the New River that passes through the houses on the Harringay Ladder, a lovely place to take a walk alongside the natural river. But what does the future hold for Harringay? Well, continuing growth and developments mean that your home is part of a secure community with everything that you need on your doorstep, yet just a short tube ride away from Central London Harringay has a lot to offer for you and your family, look past the traditional grid of Victorian homes and you will see competitively priced properties and friendly neighbours who make up this welcoming community. The lively mix of Greek, Turkish, Cypriot and Kurdish communities makes for a special place to shop, eat and live!
The Community The people who make up this community have a strong bond. With competitively priced homes, Harringay attracts a mix of families and young professionals, and the community spirit shared between local schools and friendly restaurants and bars means you shouldn’t be surprised to be invited to a celebratory street party or school fete. You can find an example of this unique community feel at Harringay’s food market, held in the playground of North Harringay Primary School, which offers a mix of local street food and produce.
“The local primary school holds a summer fete and a Christmas fete. There is also a Christmas lantern parade; it’s magical and a must for all locals. The community centre on St. Anns Road hosts many fitness classes and even drama classes, it is worth checking out.” Gemma Foster. Senior Sales Negotiator, Harringay
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Sales|Highbury
T. 020 7704 2100
Highbury Park, N5 £1,675,000
SO (st LD c)
A stunning, four bedroom, three storey, Victorian house in the heart of Highbury offering a wealth of period charm. This family home has been fully renovated and finished to an exemplary standard, with particular focus on high ceilings, open fireplaces and solid wooden floors.
St Philips Way, N1 £1,395,000
Palatine Road, N16 £560,000 OIEO
Shelburne Road, N7 £695,000
A handsome, three bedroom end of terrace Victorian property located within the desirable Arlington conservation area. Arranged over three floors, accommodation comprises spacious double reception room, three bedrooms (one of which is en-suite), fully fitted kitchen/diner and two further bathrooms.
A stunning, two bedroom, split-level, period conversion located on a desirable tree-lined street, moments away Butterfield Green. The apartment has been refurbished with keen attention to detail and is offered in excellent condition, with period features tastefully complemented by an exciting blend of modern chic.
A stunning two bedroom, ground floor, garden apartment set in a handsome Victorian terrace in a quiet, tree lined street in Islington. Offering fantastic living space, benefits include two large bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a spacious open plan reception/kitchen/diner, landscaped garden and private rear courtyard.
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Highbury
T. 020 7704 2100
|Sales
Highbury Hill, N5 £800,000
SO (st LD c)
A charming, two bedroom flat set in a substantial Victorian house on one of Highbury’s premier roads. This light and airy property is accessed via its own entrance and provides beautiful, contemporary accommodation throughout and direct access to communal gardens.
Grosvenor Avenue, N5 £835,000
Morea Mews, N5 £1,699,950
Northstand Apartments, N5 £490,000
A delightful, two double bedroom apartment located on the lower ground floor of this handsome period home. Accessed via a private entrance, benefits include a large hallway with built-in storage, a stylish kitchen and south facing rear garden enjoying both afternoon and early evening sun.
An exclusive, four bedroom terrace house occupying 1853.5 sq. ft. in a gated development close to Highbury Fields. Set over three floors, this property has a wealth of superbly appointed living space, which has been lovingly crafted to meet the highest standards of interior design.
An exceptional one bedroom apartment with amazing pitch views situated in the prestigious Highbury Stadium Square, the original home of Arsenal Football Club, and retains the historic art-deco facade. Benefits include an open plan kitchen/reception, balcony with stunning views, one double bedroom and contemporary bathroom.
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T. 020 7704 2100
LE T
Lettings|Highbury
Turner Parade, N1 £3,011.66 PCM
A fantastic two bedroom apartment finished to an exceptional standard, set within a new development. Accommodation comprises an en-suite bathroom, family bathroom and a large contemporary open plan kitchen/living room. The property is naturally bright and benefits from a huge roof terrace with breath-taking views.
A recently built two bedroom town house arranged over two floors and offered in excellent condition. The property comprises a stylish kitchen, large terrace to the rear, reception room, two double bedrooms, a modern bathroom and an additional cloakroom on the ground floor.
Southstand Apartments, N5 £2,058.33 PCM
Highbury Park, N5 £1863.33 PCM
Set on the site of the former Arsenal Football Club is Highbury Stadium Square- a unique and impressive development of luxury apartments. This two bedroom apartment with a private balcony is located in the South Stand, offering stylish accommodation and convenient access to transport links.
A fantastic two bedroom flat set within this beautiful period conversion located just moments from Highbury Barn and Highbury Fields. The property benefits from a good sized lounge, a separate fitted kitchen, a newly refurbished bathroom and two double bedrooms.
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Rivulet Apartments, N4 £2200 PCM
Prince Alfred Mansions, N1 £1,711.67 PCM
Commercial Wharf, E8 £1,711.66 PCM
A superb one bedroom apartment with large roof terrace on the second floor of a period conversion. The property is situated on a residential road and briefly consists of an open plan reception room and kitchen, a good sized double bedroom and a contemporary bathroom.
A bright one bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of a recently completed gated development in popular Haggerston. The property offers a quiet and private residency, and is perfectly situated for the bars, restaurants and amenities of Dalston, Broadway Market, Hoxton and Shoreditch.
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Highbury Area Focus In September 2015, we spread our wings further into North London as we opened our newest branch on Highbury Park. Like many, we were attracted to Highbury for its village feel, beautiful open spaces and of course, the variety of properties, from modern apartments to grand Georgian town houses and smaller Victorian homes. As well as an architectural delight Highbury is quieter than neighbouring Angel some might call it ‘refined’. Here you can join the Mayor of London as you ride around on your bike stopping for brunch in one of its lively cafes or restaurants.
The Community The centre of Highbury is known as Highbury Barn and is blessed with La Fromagerie, one of the most famous cheese shops in London. The community enjoys coming together to support each other; back in 2014, businesses and locals alike joined together for Paint Highbury Pink, a fundraising event for three breast cancer charities. In Upper Street you will find a wealth of designer stores, as well as incredible antique markets and boutique shops. If you love rooting about for hidden treasures, you’ll be in heaven here in Highbury.
Highbury is also popular with some of our team members but for a different reason, memories of games at Arsenal’s old home ground is a popular topic in our office especially when our director and number one fan, Charlie Perdios is around! Although the stadium has now moved down the road, due to its close proximity to Islington Highbury is still bursting with cafes, restaurants, theatres and art galleries. During the warmer months, Highbury fields is filled with leisure activities to keep your weekends busy, you can even enjoy a BBQ or two during the summer. Although Highbury is an affluent area of North London it still has a strong sense of community amongst its residents and local businesses. The thriving property market includes plenty of new builds to complement the rows of traditional period homes that already entices a steady stream of house hunters to the area.
“I just love the unique houses ideally located behind Highbury Fields; the ones overlooking the park in particular are stunning.” Martin Arlington. Lettings Manager, Highbury
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T. 020 8882 6567
SO LD
Sales|Palmers Green
The Crest, N13 £800,000 OIEO
SO (st LD c)
SO (st LD c)
A stunning four bedroom, extended, mid terraced family home located within the heart of Palmers Green. Benefits include a through lounge leading to a bespoke handmade kitchen, a beautifully presented secluded rear garden and access to local transport and shopping facilities.
Fox Lane, N13 £895,000
Cranley Gardens, N13 £845,000
Broad Walk, N21 £3,750,000
An impressive Edwardian, semi-detached house situated in a popular location offering beautiful period features and over 1700 Sq Ft of living space. The property benefits from two reception rooms, feature fireplaces, conservatory and original double doors leading to a 73ft picturesque rear garden.
A stunning four bedroom, Edwardian house in the heart of Palmers Green, which has retained several period features including high ceilings, original wood flooring, coving and sash windows whilst still offering a contemporary feel throughout. Further benefits include an extended kitchen/diner and beautiful landscaped garden.
A vastly extended, seven bedroom, detached house situated on Winchmore Hill’s premier road Broad Walk. The property offers three reception rooms, five bathrooms and seven bedrooms, further benefiting from a gated driveway, 220ft rear garden with a triple garage and a fully equipped kitchen/BBQ area.
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|Sales
Palmers Green
SO LD
T. 020 8882 6567
Ashridge Gardens, N13 £649,995 OIEO
SO (st LD c)
An exceptionally spacious, three bedroom, 1930s, semi-detached family home situated on a sought after road and located within a short walk of the ever popular Broomfield Park and transport links of Palmers Green. The property also benefits from a wide frontage offering sizable off street parking.
Cranley Gardens, N13 £425,000 OIEO
Grovelands Road, N13 £575,000 OIEO Belmont Avenue, N13 £850,000
A beautiful two bedroom, first floor conversion situated within the popular Lakes Estate, a short walk from local amenities. This spacious property consists of a bayfronted reception room with attractive original fireplace, shower room with separate cloakroom and a modern fitted kitchen.
An exquisite three bedroom, semi-detached, split level, period conversion located within the Lakes Estate in Palmers Green, benefiting from off street parking, two spacious reception rooms, two bathrooms and a beautifully presented kitchen leading directly on to a terrace balcony.
A stunning four bedroom, Edwardian, semi-detached family home located right in the heart of Palmers Green, moments away from the ever popular Broomfield Park. This property boasts several period features including tessellated flooring, high ceilings and original fireplaces and is beautifully presented throughout.
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Broomfield Avenue, N13 £1425 PCM
Fox Lane, N13 £1350 PCM
A spacious two bedroom, first floor, Edwardian conversion situated within a sought after area in Palmers Green, conveniently located within walking distance to transport and shopping facilities. The property has undergone modernisation and offers 690 Sq Ft of living space boasting period features throughout.
A charming garden flat consisting of a spacious reception room with stunning period features, a modern kitchen/diner with appliances, a large double bedroom, second reception via a conservatory and a fully tiled bathroom. Additional benefits include gas central heating, stunning entrance hall and rear garden.
LE T
LE T
T. 020 8882 6567
LE T
Lettings|Palmers Green
Eaton Park Road, N13 £1350 PCM
A luxury three bedroom, split level, conversion flat within close proximity to Palmers Green Railway station. The property offers a large reception room with fitted bar and fridge, modern kitchen, two double bedrooms with the master having an en-suite, sole use driveway and private rear garden.
A delightful two bedroom, first floor conversion flat offering a bright and airy lounge with a stunning feature fireplace, modern fitted kitchen with space for dining and a tiled bathroom. The property is ideally located for Winchmore Hill Green with its popular boutiques and restaurants.
LE T
Caversham Avenue, N13 £1850 PCM
Arlow Road, N21 £2500 PCM
Alderman’s Hill, N13 £1850 PCM
A beautiful four bedroom, semi-detached, Edwardian house consisting of two spacious reception rooms with feature fireplaces, a fitted kitchen/breakfast room with appliances, a stunning feature bathroom with shower over bath and a guest W/C. External benefits include an 80ft rear garden and sole use driveway.
A two bedroom, luxury penthouse moments from the ample amenities of Palmers Green and local transport links. The property offers high spec accommodation including open plan lounge with access to a private balcony, modern kitchen with integrated appliances, marbletiled bathroom, two double bedrooms and en-suite bathroom.
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Palmers Green Area Focus Once upon a time, Palmers Green was a quaint hamlet where the streets had virtually no cars, yet this small village was grown into a friendly, buoyant and safe place to live. You may have heard it described as the ‘Jewel of the North’ and to its residents it truly is, lined with terraced homes and filled with Edwardian and Victorian architecture.
The Community Palmers Green celebrates its diverse community and the different cultures that make up the neighbourhood. The area is home to many families whose children attend the array of local schools, yet they all join together when we begin to talk about the community. As a family-oriented place, the street fairs and events benefit from much involvement from the children and schools; these activities become quite infectious, as the whole neighbourhood comes out in force to join in the fun.
Palmers Green is also home to the largest Cypriot community outside of Cyprus bringing a distinctive Mediterranean flavour to the neighbourhood, shops and restaurants. The Palmers Green Shopping Centre runs the length of Green Lanes offering you a vibrant parade of shops, restaurants and cafés and with new exciting developments underway, surrounding the bustle of the main high street is the pretty Broomfield Park. Keep your eye out for the new regeneration that will bring country charm to this corner of North London. There are several important events to add to your diary as a resident of Palmers Green, Broomfield Park hosts an annual festival welcoming thousands of visitors who have added this free event to their cultural diary for the past 6 years. Your Sunday mornings can be spent at the popular community market, sample local produce and buy gifts from your local farmers and craft enthusiasts in the Station car park. Enjoy all that Palmers Green has to offer, culture and community just minutes away from the city.
“One Sunday a month they close off Devonshire Road so that no cars can pass. This allows all the children to be able to play in the streets in a safe environment. Once a year they also do a summer fair, the community spirit in this area is heart warming, which is why it is a special place to live.” Mina Gadelrab. Sales Valuer, Palmers Green
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Up close and personal Head of Operations, Palmers Green, Kris White
I was born and bred in Winchmore Hill, Enfield and have lived in Winchmore Hill and Grange Park since birth. I currently live in Enfield Chase where my wife and I bought our most recent house two years ago. My family have always owned their own homes and have always been very house proud. My mother was very good with design, renovation and decorative things. She always knew how to make a house a home and that rubbed off on me but I really got interested in property when I looked to start a career. When I was looking for my first career job at 18, I went to the first office at the end of the road with my CV in hand, it just happened to be a family-run estate agency in Winchmore Hill. After a quick conversation with the Office Manager, an interview was booked for the following day. I must have impressed at the interview as I was offered the role of Junior Negotiator on the spot and ended up staying for twelve and a half years progressing through to the position of Branch Manager. As Head of Operations for Anthony Pepe, I oversee the sales and lettings departments at our Palmers Green branch. My role involves meeting new clients, generating new business, conducting the vast majority of valuations and team training. It is important to me that I aid my team’s growth as individuals and as negotiators.” What are the ‘3 lessons’ you have learned through your career? 1. To Listen. Being a good listener is probably one of the most key parts of being a good estate agent. 2. The ability to diversify. What I mean is having the ability to be able to deal with any situation that presents itself, whether it be, a probate sale, or firsttime buyers looking for their first home, you’ve got to be a bit of a chameleon when it comes to working with clients, you have to meet their needs. 3. Honesty is always the best policy Make your own decisions on the information you have and work to the best of your ability.
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What do you love most about being an estate agent? We all like to be quite nosey looking at other people’s properties, what have they done to the property? Whether they’ve done an extension, or how they’ve decorated a room. But honestly, I think it’s dealing with the largest thing that anyone will, in theory, ever own, it’s always something that is very personal to anyone who comes through our doors and having the ability to help people to gain that is incredibly rewarding. In your opinion – why use Anthony Pepe? I think it’s the emphasis on customer service. It’s one thing for an estate agent to be solely focused on the pound notes, which obviously helps in the immediate, but it’s another to help clients and really care. I’ve only been with Anthony Pepe for a few months and what pleases me is that everybody is treated as an equal, whether you’re looking to rent a property or buy a £1million house, everybody is as important. The directors, Charlie and Ari, have created an agency that is a product of their own environment. It’s refreshing to see two individuals in this industry who own a business where it isn’t all about the money but strive for success through the service that they offer….but the money helps! Let’s talk about the property market, what are your predictions for Palmers Green in 2016? I think the market has seen dramatic growth over the course of the past three and a half years. We have continued to see growth throughout 2015; we did have quite a busy December just gone, with new instructions, which has led to a huge influx in viewings this month. 2016 you’re going to see a lot of good properties coming to the market, and good buyers keen to buy over the course of the next six to twelve months. I wouldn’t say the market is skyrocketing in price, but we are still seeing growth, whether that is 0.25 or 0.5% a month. The market at the moment is still continuing to thrive, particularly in Palmers Green.
3
EEt FR en S agem n TH a N ty m O per M pro
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Property Management let us take the stress out of managing your property
A
s rents rise in London so do tenants’ expectations and as such both private and corporate tenants are demanding professionally managed lets. In our opinion offering a prospective tenant a professionally managed property speaks volumes. The best tenants will expect the best service and as an award winning agency you can be safe in the knowledge that we’ll deliver a high quality service. At Anthony Pepe we understand that running a tenanted property yourself can take up more of your time than anticipated. Our tailor made, comprehensive Property Management service ensures that the letting of your property runs both smoothly and stress free. From the moment you instruct us, we’ll manage every aspect of letting your property beginning with finding you the very best tenants, negotiating the best price on your behalf, and for the duration of the tenancy, our experienced team will be available to deal with any issues that arise, ensuring your property and tenants are well looked after. At the start of the tenancy, tenants may want things added, removed, painted, repaired or replaced. We’ll see to it that this is taken care of and that your tenancy begins smoothly. You will be dedicated your own experienced Property Manager who will take care of the frequent phone calls, requests for work or repairs, appointing contractors and third parties and simply reporting back to you as little as you personally choose. Property Management cannot be carried out from the office alone, therefore our team will visit your property and manage any maintenance issues before they have a chance to escalate. So whether it’s about ending a tenancy, negotiating the deposit or dealing with a demanding tenant, our property management team have the experience to deal with any issues that arise. For what’s included in our property management service please see our check list below. Bespoke services are also available, all you need to do is ask one of our experienced Letting managers and they can create a service specifically designed for you. Services
Fully Managed
Rent Collect
Only Let
Visit property and advise on potential rents
Market the property to the widest audience
Arrange appointments and accompany viewings
Conduct references and ID checks on tenants
Draw up a legally correct Tenancy Agreement
Negotiate tenancy renewals on the best possible terms
Carry out the duties of an agent according to the service level selected and listed in the Terms of Business for Landlords
Arrange gas safety
Help identify furnishing that comply with Fire Safety legislation
Receipt rent and chase late payment
Arrange for an inventory and Schedule of Condition of the property and its contents to be drawn up
Collect and register the deposit (where legislation dictates)
Manage the transfer of utilities
Act as Stakeholder/Agent in any damage disputes
Conduct management visits and manage tenancy issues
Handle maintenance issues using approved contractors
Payment of property specific bill
Check out the tenant and check the inventory and Schedule of Condition and identify any potential Security Deposit claims
*Minimum contract term applies *5% +V.A.T monthly management fee after the initial 3 month period *A renewal fee of 5%+vat will be applied at the point of contract renewal *£50 deposit protection fee applicable
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Ari Theodorou Sales Director
Sales for Schools Investing in the Future
We’re passionate about the community we live in; well, most of our team were born and spent their childhood in North London. This is our home and we want to make it better for our children and a way we can do that is by giving back. Being a father I think makes you look at the world differently. You want the best for them and of course, their education plays an important part. Sales for Schools is something that we are all really proud of, it is our small way of supporting the next generation. So what is it? The idea is simple, for every successful property sale we complete; we donate £300 to a local school of your choice.
”We will donate £300 to a local school of your choice for every sale we complete”
There are a number of schools which have benefited from Sales for Schools and we know every donation is gratefully received. To our surprise Sales for Schools was highlighted as an outstanding example of charity work at a top industry event in December. If you, or someone you know is thinking of moving, please contact your local office for a FREE appraisal and discover more about Sales for Schools. As you can imagine we are extremely proud to be able to offer such valuable donations to aid your children’s education.
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Ari Theodorou Sales Director
Decluttering Tidy House, Tidy Mind
A new year is the traditional time for us to review and re-evaluate our lives; it’s a great opportunity to get our homes in order too. A blank canvas stretching before you, where anything is possible… like finally getting on with finding that dream home you’ve been thinking about. The first thing to do, though, is to get your current home in order, because it’s true what they say – a tidy home does equal a tidy mind. With pine needles and scraps of wrapping paper underfoot, it’s hard to think ‘new’, so your priority should be to start paring things down and de-cluttering your home. Is your heart palpitating right now? Take a deep breath, the good news is that getting your house in order is a lot easier than you think. To make things simpler for you, here are 5 of our top decluttering tips. • The fulfilling rubbish bag. This is a great way to start the process (and a terrible pun, sorry). It’s simple. Take one really big rubbish bag and challenge yourself to fill it to bursting with stuff you don’t need. You have to do this in 10 minutes max, and you’re not allowed to um and ahh or change your mind afterwards. This is really just to show you how satisfying it feels to get rid of excess. • Give away one thing every day… for the next month. Whether it’s that cardigan your friend has always admired and you rarely wear, or some toys to a charity shop, or a hi-tech, super duper blender that baffles you to your juice-mad brother. It’ll do your home good, plus you’ll feel good too.
• Clothes; they clutter up a home more than anything else. So we’re stealing this tip from Oprah Winfrey, as it’s pretty genius and you can get all the family involved. To identify wardrobe pieces to clear out, hang all your clothes with the hangers in the reverse direction. After you wear an item, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct direction. After six months, you’ll have a clear picture of which clothes you can discard. And, as Oprah says, this technique can be applied to other clutter-prone areas, such as your cleaning cupboard, beauty shelf, toolbox, toy box… • Finding it hard to let go? Psychology Today has this top tip: use your imagination to help de-clutter objects that may seem difficult to remove. Try asking yourself questions like, “If I was just buying this now, how much would I pay?” These creative techniques may prove to be very helpful for those of you having difficulty removing unneeded clutter. • Read this book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying. It’s a simple, effective way to banish clutter forever, the brainchild of Marie Kondo. As Japan’s expert de-clutterer and professional cleaner Marie Kondo has put together this step-by-step guide to help you tidy every room in your house with minimal stress and minimalist results. A must-read.
Our favourite places to hang out this month are… Loop In Islington N1 “I love this shop! I always wanted to learn to knit, as I used to love the clack-clack of my grandmother’s knitting needles, but never learned. Then a friend told me about Loop, a knitting boutique in Islington, which, as well as selling yarns of every type and colour and texture imaginable, holds knit nights and all sorts of cool events. I met a couple of beginners like me, and now we meet every other Sunday to knit and chat over a glass of wine (mostly chat, but my dog’s scarf is coming along nicely).” Lisa, Client : loopknitting.com
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PEP Trend
Not just for heat – Fires are a key trend for 2016 The fireplace has not been a must have piece of furniture over the last few years, even New Build developers have omitted this once ‘must have’ from their designs.
Iittala Fireplace Cloudberry Living £1100.00
2016 sees the return of the fire, whether it is working or not, fires and fireplaces are again the centrepiece of our living rooms. With style, grace, pizazz and warmth, your living room will be transformed making it the hub of your home once again. 5 fires that will turn up the heat in your home
Cocoon Aeris Fireplace Wharfside £3000.00
Carron 7.3 Cream Ludlow Stoves Ltd £899.00
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£2580.00
Nectre Bakers Oven Ludlow Stoves Ltd
Cocoon Terra Bioethanol Fire Go Modern Furniture
£1950.00
Please note that prices are correct at the time of going to print but may be subject to change.
Local People
Interview with Costa C & M Dry Cleaning
Why being ‘friendly’ has been the key to success at C & M Drycleaners. It’s the people that make a community, and when it comes to his dry cleaning, our director Charlie always calls to visit Costa Violaris at C & M Drycleaners. Those of you that are local to our Highbury branch will have, I am sure, come across Costa. Born in Cyprus, Costa moved to the Highbury area in 1962 as a young boy and hasn’t left. What you may not know is that he used to be a resident musician. After he married and had children, the long nights and subsequently not seeing his children enough led to the decision to leave his musical life. His father owned a shop and Costa decided to take it over, but what to do? Costa tells me, “I was just looking out of the window one day and I saw this guy walking all the way down to the end of the road for dry cleaning, he was holding the clothes, and then he was coming back without the clothes, and I thought, ‘Ah, that’s not a bad idea, let’s do this.’ So we did it.”
How important is the local community to you? Very important. I know them all almost by name, and sometimes they just come in to put their clothes on the counter and leave I know who they belong to. It’s a very trusting area here; my customers are not just customers but friends. The new people that Anthony Pepe is bringing to the area, through renting and selling houses brings new business. What do you believe makes a successful local business? It’s got to be the service. At the end of the day, you have to pay attention to detail and keep doing a good job. They also have to trust and know you are genuine; this is the most important thing. Thank you so much to Costa for taking the time to talk to us at PepTalk. You can find C & M Drycleaners at 115 Highbury Park. Tel: 020 7226 0432
I asked Costa had the business changed over the last 36 years? The industry norm is to use harsh solvents but about eight years ago we changed over to the environmentally friendly, Eco-Solve. It has been a huge success and we have people travelling from all over for their dry cleaning, as they want an environmentally friendly solution. We are greener and cleaner.
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To Let or Not To Let? On 8th July 2015, the Chancellor delivered the first solely Conservative Budget since 1996. There was much covered, including a raft of changes designed to further reduce the deficit. One such change came as a surprise: restrictions on tax relief for buy-to-let landlords. This measure is designed to “create a more level playing-field between those buying a home to let, and those who are buying a home to live in.” So who will this change affect, and is there anything you can do to prepare for it? Tax Relief for Buy-to-Let Landlords Currently, if you buy a property and let it out, all ‘finance costs’ can be deducted from taxable profit. Included within the definition of finance costs is mortgage interest and, as such, buy-to-let mortgages are typically set up on an interest only basis. The monthly mortgage payment can then be deducted from the monthly rental income and only the difference is taxable. However, the new rules – being phased in over a 4 year period from April 2017 - will mean that landlords can no longer deduct mortgage interest from rental income before calculating taxable profit. Instead, landlords will be able to claim tax relief on finance costs at a capped rate of 20%.
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So what does this mean in practice? Landlords who are higher or additional rate tax payers will have to pay more tax under the new system. The maximum tax relief on finance costs they will be entitled to is 20%, rather than the effective 40% or 45% they could currently receive. For basic rate tax paying landlords, the situation is slightly more complex. This is because, under the new rules, all of the rental income will need to be added to other income when calculating the tax due, rather than only adding the rental income net of mortgage interest (finance cost). The tax relief on the finance costs of 20% will only be applied after the tax bill has been calculated. This system will mean that some landlords will be tipped into the next Income Tax rate band, and yet will only receive tax relief on their mortgage payments at 20%. It should be noted that these changes will only affect landlords who have financed their property purchase using a mortgage. The tax position for landlords who own their properties without a buyto-let mortgage will not be affected. A further change announced was that, from April 2016, the ‘wear and tear allowance’ - which allows landlords to reduce the tax they pay (regardless of whether they replace furnishings in their property) - will be switched to a new system that only allows tax relief when furnishings are replaced.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) After the shock of the Summer Budget, the 2015 Autumn Statement contained a further surprise for buy-to-let landlords. An increased rate of SDLT will apply when more than one residential property is purchased. This is regardless of whether the property is rented out, or purchased as a second home. This change is significant. If completion of an additional property takes place after 1st April 2016, the increased SDLT will be applied at the current band rate (below) plus 3%. Property Value
Existing SDLT Rate
New Additional SDLT Rate
Up to £125,000
0%
3%
The next £125,000
2%
5%
The next £675,000
5%
8%
The next £575,000
10%
13%
The remaining amount
12%
5%
To put this into context, a property purchased for £300,000 under the existing rules would attract £5,000 in SDLT. Under the new rules, the SDLT on the same property would be £14,000 – a difference of £9,000. How can you prepare? In preparation for the changes, here are some questions to ask yourself: Is your buy-to-let mortgage at the most competitive rate? Is your portfolio overweight in property? Will the changes mean that you will be tipped into the next Income Tax band? What other investments could you consider to ensure you are taking advantage of all available tax reliefs and allowances? The recently announced measures will undoubtedly affect the attractiveness of owning a buy-to-let property for some. We feel the changes highlight the importance of working with your Accountant and Financial Adviser to ensure your investments, including property, are structured in the most tax efficient way. At Lewis Chambers we offer a second opinion service and will be very happy to provide a review of your options. Please feel free to contact Tamsin Hazell at thazell@lewischambers.co.uk or telephone 01628 625769. Our website is www.lewischambers.co.uk
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Harringay Branch 407 Green Lanes, Harringay London N4 1EY tel 020 8341 9999 fax 020 8340 5999 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 fax 020 8882 8164 email palmersgreen@anthonypepe.com
www.anthonypepe.com