April 2012
Supplement
Homes fit for
big families
May Day Open House special Pick of the rental properties Mortgage deposits explained Find us on
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Where old meets new! This month’s featured property is this sensational three-bedroom period property in East Dulwich. Describe the house in a sentence? A real mix of the old and new on one of East Dulwich’s premier residential streets – Lacon Road. Sounds good. What’s it like on the inside? Absolutely sensational. Once you’ve passed through into the entrance hall the first thing you’ll notice is the hardwood floor that runs
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through most of the ground floor. Off the hall you’ll see the door to the cellar as well as the dining room and double reception room, complete with sash windows, low level lighting, contemporary horizontal radiators and a recess through to the kitchen. Talking of which, the kitchen wouldn’t be out of place in a showroom featuring as it does ceramic-tile flooring, stone worktops, fitted appliances and five skylights. Is there anything else downstairs? Lots more to mention including a utility room in which to do your washing plus a separate W/C.
Impressive. What about outside of the house? The garden extends to over 30’ and consists of a decked patio with stylish garden table and chairs, paved patio, lawn and decorative trees.
Tell us about upstairs? Upstairs is what you might describe as a tale of two halves. Climb the stairs and you’ll How much is it? come to the first floor half landing with a large bedroom and family bathroom. Climb Enid Blyton was among It is currently on the market for £655,000 with haart of Dulwich. If you would like the stairs again and you’ll come to the first the many famous people to be born in to arrange a viewing call William and floor proper with two further bedrooms, Dulwich the team on 020 8299 3728 or email including the master bedroom with fulldulwich@haart.co.uk length mirror and range of fitted wardrobes.
Did You Know
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haart has launched a brand new service that enables the public to search for property by text. haart, the UK’s largest independent estate agent, teamed up with Intelligent Mobile earlier this year to build the facility for the multiaward winning brand. Using the latest GPS technology members of the public just text ‘haart’ to 84840 and the service will use their current location to text details of the five nearest properties for sale or rent. Each text provides not only the property details and price but also directions to the property itself. What’s more, it comes with the option to book a viewing directly with the branch. Since going upwards of a 1,000 people a month have been taking advantage of the facility. Says Russell Jervis, Managing Director of haart estate agents: “haart has a long tradition of innovation in the property industry and the launch of our new text service is another example of our drive to use the latest technology to provide our customers with the tools they require to search for their next home wherever they may happen to be in the country.”
Text Appeal Thinking of moving to a new area but not quite sure where to start looking for a new home? Help is at hand from haart in the form of our text service. Just text ‘haart’ to 84840 and within seconds you’ll receive a text showing you details of the nearest properties to you for sale or rent from the UK’s leading independent estate agent. It also includes web links if you would like to view more details, photographs etc as well as the distance to the property from your current location. ‘Simples’ as Alexander the Meerkat would say!
To use the new haart text service simply text ‘haart’ to 84840
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e c i v r e s t a h c ’ n o s r e P ‘Li ve launches web based
haart estate agents have launched a brand new service that enables the public to chat electronically to its staff whilst browsing its website. Powered by ‘Live Person’, the facility allows customers to talk live with a member of the team about a specific property or service available through haart. It can also be used to answer any technical queries someone may have with regard to the website which can be found at www.haart.co.uk.
“The launch of our ‘live person’ service is another example of the work we are doing to make searching for a property to buy or sell as simple and straightforward as possible” Since going live in mid-March, upwards of a 1,000 people have logged on to use ‘Live Person’ between 8am and 10pm weekdays, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sunday. haart expects somewhere in the region of 3,000 users per month. Says Russell Jervis, Managing Director of haart estate agents: “haart has always been an innovator within the property industry and the launch of our ‘live person’ service is another example of the work we are doing to make searching for a property to buy or sell as simple and straightforward as possible.”
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Explaining mortgages Question Time In the latest in a regular series, haart’s Financial Services Managing Director David Miles answers some of the most frequently asked financial questions raised by our customers
Can you explain more to me about mortgages which require only 5% deposits?
There was a time when the number of mortgage deals which required a deposit of 5% or less was plentiful. In more recent years these have become far and few between. However, in welcome news for first time buyers in particular, a few more options have found there way onto the market of late, mostly with smaller Building Societies. We will be expanding on some of these options in future editions of “Question Time” Believe it or not there are also a couple of options available out there if you have no deposit at all. There is always a ‘but’ though and in this instance the ‘but’ is that these will involve some financial assistance from a close relative, such as a parent or grandparent. These are commonly known as Parental Assistance Schemes. I’ll give you two examples of how they work: Example 1 • 20% of your purchase price is provided by a close relative in a savings account with the lender • The lender takes security over this account against your mortgage, and no access is allowed to this account • You are only then required to borrow 80% of the purchase price, and your monthly payments are based on this
David Miles Financial Services Managing Director Example 2 • The lender takes a “guarantee” against the property of a close relative to the value of 20% of your purchase price • You can then borrow 100% of the purchase price, and your monthly payment are based on this • You do not have to provide any additional deposit yourself • The maximum guarantee period will be 10 years. The guarantee against the relatives property will not be released until the property has reached 70% LTV. If the borrower struggles to keep up repayments or the property is repossessed the family members property is at risk.
• You do not have to provide any additional deposit yourself • The money will not be released until the LTV of the property has reached 80% which may take a long time. If the borrower struggles to keep up repayments or the property is repossessed the family members savings are at risk.
“Believe it or not there are also a couple of options available out there if you have no deposit at all.”
Before you do anything though I would always urge you to speak to one our financial advisors as they are well equipped to give you advice on which schemes are best for your circumstances, as there will be a number of terms of conditions with each scheme that will need to be considered.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Our typical fee for arranging a mortgage is £495. The actual amount payable will depend on your circumstances.
To find out more about haart Financial Services call your local haart branch or visit www.haart.co.uk
95%
Mortgage Deal Available Call in to branch for more details Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Our typical fee for arranging a mortgage is ÂŁ495. The actual amount payable will depend on your circumstances.
Big
is Beautiful Need more space for the family? haart has it covered with a choice of truly spacious properties in and around London, and all of them for a lot less than you’d think.
East Dulwich
A really substantial semi-detached Victorian house just waiting for a family to put their stamp on it. Comes with lots of ceilings, lovely period features and very spacious rooms as well as a large garden and a big cellar. It is located on a tree-lined road with easy access to the amenities of both East Dulwich and Forest Hill. Price: £950,000 haart of Dulwich (0208 299 3728)
Palmers Green
Oval
Luxurious living on a large scale with this six-bedroom semi-detached house opposite Broomfield Park. Fully renovated, it has been updated with marble and solid wood flooring, three en-suite shower rooms, walk-in wardrobe to master bedroom as well as off-road parking and garage. Comes with added bonus of being chain free.
Seven bedroom house set over three floors including a through reception, kitchen/diner and courtyard garden. What’s more, it’s less than 0.3m from the Oval underground.
Price: £925,000
haart of Southgate (0208 886 4444)
Price: £827,950
haart of Brixton (0207 274 2878)
Big
is Beautiful
Streatham
Imposing family house just yards from Streatham Common Station packed full of period features. Includes a 34’ through lounge complete with French doors out on to a decked area which overlooks the garden plus bespoke kitchen, and utility room, large cellar, downstairs cloakroom and two bathrooms. Price: £760,000 haart of Streatham (0208 769 7711)
South Woodford
Leytonstone
Stunning six-bedroom house in South Woodford with solid oak flooring on the ground floor, stunning kitchen and bathrooms, by-folding doors leading out to the decking area and 70’ rear garden. Comes with the plus of off-road parking.
A really outstanding house in Leytonstone offering spacious accommodation boasting six bedrooms, reception room, ground floor shower room, large kitchen/diner and en-suite bathroom to the sixth bedroom. Plus private garden with brick-built BBQ and water feature.
Price: £599,000
haart of South Woodford (0208 530 5991)
Price: £479,995
haart of Leytonstone (020 539 1194)
much more than just an estate agent haart is more than just one of the best known estate agents in London. These days, it is also earning an enviable reputation as one of the county’s foremost residential lettings agents. Our branches throughout London work with a wide range of clients to find the ideal managed property to rent, using their many years of experience in the industry to ensure all their requirements are met and their move runs as smoothly as possible. haart prides itself on having its tenants best interests at hearts at all times, working in partnership with them to ensure they get the most from their tenancy axgreements.
What’s more, with an extensive selection of property to rent including houses, flats and studio apartments, haart believes it has a choice of properties and choice of budgets to fulfil even the most demanding of client requirements.
For instance, haart is a founding member of SAFE Agent, a scheme launched by the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) to help signpost people to those firms, such as haart, that protect landlords and tenants money through Client Money Protection schemes.
haart works equally hard for its landlords, whether they are a homeowner looking to rent out their home, a seller who can’t sell and needs to move or a Buy to Let landlord with an extensive property portfolio.
And, as members of ARLA (the Association of Residential Lettings Agents), we pride ourselves on managing all of the paperwork on behalf of our tenants, and once they have moved in, make sure that we are always available at the end of a telephone to resolve any future issues.
Our dedicated property management team will be on hand to provide total peace of mind to landlords that their property is being looked after professionally at all times, and in the process ensure they are maximising the return on their investment. This includes conducting reference checks on tenants, producing regular inspection reports and providing additional services such as rent protection, building and contents insurance and safety certificates. haart can also oversee any maintenance issues. So, if you are looking for a home to rent or considering renting out your home, contact your local haart branch and discover why we haart is far more than just your typical letting agent.
Pick of the Rental Properties in London
Denmark Hill
Harrow-on-the-Hill
Chiswick
Stylish and contemporary one-bedroom apartment ideal for commuters thanks to good transport links to Denmark Hill or Ruskin Park. Comes with semiopen plan living space, bathroom, shower and lots of storage space. £4,693 per month
Gorgeous three-bedroom, three-bathroom luxury apartment in the prestigious Chasewood Park development in Harrow-on-the-Hill. Includes fitted kitchen, utility room plus spacious lounge with sliding doors leading out to terraces. What’s more, enjoys access to the sites leisure and concierge facilities. £2,500 per month
Immaculate four-bedroom period apartment in the sought after Sutton Court in Chiswick including double reception room complete with fireplace and show stopping chandelier, double sink family bathroom and great sized kitchen. Wooden floors throughout. £2,816 per month
Hampstead
Harlington
Kennington Park
High-spec two-bedroom apartment located within a recently redeveloped detached Victorian property in the Rosslyn Hill area of Hampstead. The apartment is available to rent either furnished or unfurnished. £3,791 per month
Good-sized cottage style flat close to Elephant & Castle. Includes one double bedroom, lounge, fitted kitchen and bathroom. Comes with telephone and internet connection. £1,990 per month
Two-bedroom period terraced house close to Kennington Park comprising of fully-fitted kitchen, bathroom with separate bath and shower and dining room leading to picturesque rear garden. Ideal for transport links from Camberwell, Kennington and the Oval. £1,950 per month
Take a look at just some of the fantastic looking properties to let with haart. From just ţ1,000 per month, there is something to suit all tastes and all budgets The UK’s Largest Independent Estate Agent www.haart.co.uk
Learn to Love Surveys Over 40% of people surveyed by Which? negotiated a price reduction on the back of a house survey. But what is a house survey and what is involved? Simon Davies, Technical Director with Valunation explains all Recent research conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors indicates that only 20% of purchasers of residential properties obtain an independent survey. This suggests that a fair proportion of the remaining 80% rely on the lenders mortgage valuation report. Bearing in mind the limited nature of the mortgage valuation, the fact that it is being prepared in accordance with the lender’s requirements only and the cost of the asset being purchased, these are bewildering statistics. The consumer organisation Which? completed their own research a few years ago which found that where an independent condition survey had been commissioned and a problem uncovered, 44% of respondents negotiated a price reduction, and a further 10% ensured the problem was rectified before completing the purchase.
The three types of house survey
1
RICS Home Buyers Survey This is an intermediate level survey with all the features of the RICS Condition Report, but including a more detailed inspection. It includes a market valuation and insurance reinstatement figure, and lists the problems the surveyor considers will affect value. Advice is given on repair and maintenance issues. Plus, a summary of the main risks and legal matters for further investigation are listed.
2
RICS Condition Report This is an entry-level survey focusing on the condition of the property. It includes a clear traffic light system for the main building elements and a summary of the main risks and issues for legal advisers. It does not include a valuation or building insurance reinstatement figure so is an ideal companion to a mortgage valuation.
3
Building survey This is a comprehensive report suited to older or individual properties. It comprises a detailed reporting format covering information on construction and performance of materials. Not only that but the report can be tailored to the client’s specific requirements.
The message coming through loud and clear is independent professional survey advice can save you money. What’s more, an independent survey conducted by a chartered surveyor is prepared only for the purchaser under separate terms of engagement. The surveyor will talk to you wherever possible before the survey and afterwards will be happy to explain any matters noted in the report. Valunation has a team of over 70 qualified chartered surveyors throughout the UK. If you are interested in finding out more why not give us a call on 0800 083 4004 or visit www.valunation.co.uk
During the biggest financial decision of your life, you can rely on our professional surveying services.
• Condition Report • Homebuyers Report • Building Survey
Call 0800 083 4004 and quote ‘val1’ for a £50 discount against our normal fee scale. www.valunation.co.uk
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Kitchen Kool
Check out our round-up of the best looking kitchens currently on the market with haart (and of course the homes that come with them)
East Dulwich
Acton It doesn’t get much more bespoke than this luxury walnut kitchen in Acton. Part of a five-bedroom detached 1930s home, the kitchen has benefitted massively as part of a major extension of the property. Today, the kitchen, which is topped by soft cream granite work surfaces, blends into an enormous open plan contemporary living space leading out onto the landscaped garden to the rear.
Also on offer is this broader than average five bedroom Victorian mid-terrace in East Dulwich with its sleek kitchen opening up into an equally stylish dining area (and beyond that the garden).The former boasts a double glazed bay window, glass splash back, granite work surfaces, integrated electric oven, microwave, electric induction hob, fridge, soft close kitchen draws, dish washer, stainless steel sink and drainer with mixer tap and lots more besides. Price: £799,950 haart of Dulwich (0208 299 3728)
Price: £1,800,000 haart of Ealing (0208 579 3161)
East Dulwich You’d be hard pressed to find a kitchen/diner any bigger than this one in this four-bedroom end of terrace in East Dulwich. Not only does it come with stone tiled flooring and part-stone, part-wood worktops, but it boasts making units plus electric oven and grill, five burner hob and integrated fridge and freezer. Price: £850,000 haart of Dulwich (0208 299 3728)
Barnet We’re loving this 26’ x 17’ deep red kitchen/diner. It’s one of the centrepieces of a six-bedroom detached house on the outskirts of Barnet. Not only does it come with tiled flooring, compact quartz worktop, eye and base level units, integrated ovens, hot place, hob and extractors but it comes with sliding doors to garden when you need to take a break from all that cooking. Price: £2,000,000 OIEO haart of Southgate (0208 886 4444)
South Woodford Barnet isn’t the only place to boast red kitchens. Travel around the North Circular to South Woodford and you’ll come across this spacious kitchen/breakfast room within this four bedroom 1930s family home. Not only does it come complete with red and white gloss units but granite worktops, stainless steel Bosch gas hob and built-in eye double oven and double doors leading to the 55’ garden. Price: £650,000 haart of South Woodford (0208 530 5991)
sees sales rise by over a third during first quarter of 2012
Sales at haart rose by over a third last month as the estate agents enjoyed one of its strongest first quarters for a number of years. The UK’s largest independent estate agents saw sales grow by 38.2% on February and some 50.8% on January – boosted in part by the end of Stamp Duty Relief for first time buyers of properties below £250,000. This equated to a sale every eight minutes across the company’s 100-plus strong branch network*. The best performing areas of the country remain London and the South East followed by the East Midlands and East Anglia. Says Russell Jervis, Managing Director of haart estate agents: “We’ve had a fantastic start to 2012 at haart with the number of property sales exceeding all expectations. The end of Stamp Duty Relief on March 25 certainly helped but that was only one of the contributing factors. The combination of the aforementioned Stamp Duty Relief, good mortgage offers coming onto the market, realistic pricing from vendors and a sense of optimism among buyers helped to make the first three months of 2012 one of our best for many years.
“... one of our best for many years” Russell Jervis
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“What’s more with applicant levels currently standing at 5 – 5,500 a week, the appetite to move continues to remain strong, and we are confident this will be reflected in another strong set of trading figures at the end of the second quarter of the year.”
* Based on a five day, eight hour average working week
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haart to host huge open house event over Bank Holiday weekend haart is set to host the biggest ever open house event in London over the forthcoming May Day Bank Holiday. The UK’s largest independent estate agent is expecting hundreds of people from across the capital to attend the open house events between May 4 – 7, 2012. Over £2.5m worth of property will be available to view without appointment by the public over the three day period.
Says Russell Jervis, Managing Director of haart: “We host regular open house events but we have never attempted anything on this scale before. The response from our customers has been extremely positive since we started promoting it and we are expecting to have literally dozens of home available for the public to view without appointment over the May Day Bank Holiday.”
And, as an added incentive, over £100,000 has been taken off the asking prices for the properties for the Bank Holiday weekend only. What’s more, taking part in the event couldn’t be easier. All potential buyers need to do is contact their local haart branch for the times and locations of open house events. Details will also be available on the branch Facebook and Twitter pages over the coming days.
Anyone interested in having their property featured during the open house event simply needs to contact their local haart branch by April 30.
It’s a great time to view a house this May day weekend From Friday 4th - Monday 7th of May 2012 many of our homes will be open for you to come along and view.
Contact your local branch for more details
Coming Soon Bright and airy three double bedroom flat set on the ground floor of a period conversion in Willesden Green with its own private entrance and large rear garden. £499,950. haart of Willesden Green – 020 8459 0122. e house eption room mid-terrac Three-bedroom, three rec rden in sden with large rear ga on popular road in Wille £490,000. need of modernisation. n – 020 8459 0122. haart of Willesden Gree
Well-presented four bedroom ho use only momen station featuring ts from Earlsfie modern kitchen/ ld breakfast room with en-suite. £4 an d master bedroo 89,950. haart m of Earlsfield - 02 0 8871 4366.
A potentially fabulous seven-bedroom family home in the making with this investment property in Uxbridge available with no onward chain. In need of modernising. £450,000. haart of Uxbridge – 01895 236292.
Good sized four/five bedroom family home and three/ four reception rooms on one of the most popular roads in North Harrow. £449,950. haart of Harrow – 020 8204 8492. Attractive three-bedroom semi-detached house in Raynes Park with longer than average garden, open plan kitchen/dining room and high quality conservatory. Not to be missed! £440,000. haart of Raynes Park – 020 8946 9426.
Two-bedroom converted apartment in Balham ide al for first time buyers or professional couple. £4 19,950. haart of Balham – 020 8675 6848.
Fully restored Grade II listed former ‘lock keepers’ cottage in Uxbridge. Consists of three bedrooms, two reception rooms, huge garden and fantastic views. £399,950. haart of Uxbridge – 01895 236292.
To find out more about properties coming onto the market near you shortly contact your local haart branch
1000’s of properties for sale in London
To find your nearest branch of haart visit the haart website at www.haart.co.uk or call 0845 899 9999
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Now, can we help you in 2012? Go online to book your valuation at or phone 0845 899 9999 until 10pm weekdays