YOUR PROPERTY PARTNERS IN W1

Headed up by Ali Mathews, the team handles some of London’s most exceptional, sought-after properties and knows the Marylebone market inside out. Here, Ali discusses the area’s appeal, emerging market trends and the benefits of working with her trusted, discreet team.

Life in Marylebone

A beating heart of cosmopolitan energy, Marylebone has long been a favourite destination for native Londoners and overseas visitors alike. ‘‘It’s a brilliant neighbourhood as it’s so well connected. Bond Street, Marble Arch, Baker Street and Edgware Road Tube stations are all at your fingertips, as is Marylebone railway station and access to the new Elizabeth Line,’’ says Ali. ‘‘It’s close to the shops of Oxford Street and is surrounded by iconic green spaces like Regent’s Park and Hyde Park,’’ she continues. Of course, Marylebone is also a prime retail and leisure destination in its own right, thanks to an ‘‘eclectic mix of cafés, bars and premium fashion stores found on Marylebone High Street and Marylebone Lane.’’

Buyers

‘‘In my experience, Marylebone has always been heavily domestic when it comes to buyers,’’ says Ali. ‘‘The area’s great transport links make it a popular and highly convenient location for second-home purchasers who live outside the capital, commute into London during the week and like to have a city base,’’ she explains. Despite this, the Marylebone team has - in the last six months - witnessed a ‘‘huge shift’’ from domestic to predominantly international buyers, driven largely by the weakened pound. ‘‘In the last few months, around 80% of our buyers have been of this type - and that’s very interesting to see.’’

In-Demand Properties

‘‘Best-in-class’’ developments and newly refurbished properties are the order of the day. ‘‘Most of our international buyers aren’t in the area full-time, so there’s strong demand for those convenient, ready-to-move-into properties that are easily managed,’’ Ali remarks. ‘‘Recent examples include Harcourt House and Regent’s Crescent, best in class developments, which have been selling extremely well.’’

Currently, unmodernised homes and those in need of refurbishment are receiving marginally less attention due to ‘‘uncertain supply chains and building costs’’ (a lingering effect of the pandemic) but Ali believes that once construction prices start to stabilise, a ‘‘reignition’’ of that market is highly likely as historically there’s always been a strong appetite for refurbishments, allowing buyers to put their own stamp on a property.

Why Knight Frank?

The number one agent* in the area, Knight Frank Marylebone is a property powerhouse. ‘‘As a global partnership, we can go above and beyond for our clients as there’s such a strong collaborative spirit,’’ Ali observes. ‘‘The Marylebone office is located just below Knight Frank’s global headquarters, so we have direct contact with the many different departments within the business, whether that be the Private Office, New Homes team, or our expert Valuations team. This allows us to cover all bases when it comes to our clients’ unique needs, connecting them with colleagues and prospective buyers across the globe. That’s a huge benefit that very few local agents can lay claim to.’’

Naturally, the team is passionately local too. ‘‘We’re embedded in the area; we have excellent local knowledge, and most importantly, we know our clients well. That’s what really matters to us,’’ says Ali.

Although there is a degree of caution among those looking to buy or sell their property in 2023, there’s still plenty of opportunity left in the market with many looking to make their next move. Bringing your home to the market at the beginning of the year may feel counter intuitive, but can really help get you ahead of the competition.

There are plenty of good reasons to bring your home to the market or look to buy at the start of the year. Here are a few tips from Savills head of London Residential, Liza-Jane Kelly, to get you moving: