NW3 Eye Candy - Redington Road NW3 Property of the week

As we come to the end of another week and month, this superb contemporary style house located on Redington Road is my pick.

Are ‘would be’ Hampstead homeowners warming to the idea of renting?

I was reading a report the other day produced by the Halifax, about the UK property market and why more and more of the younger generation seem to be renting rather than buying. I find it fascinating that over the last ten years, the British obsession of buying a house almost as soon as you left school, and the fact that if you rented you were seen as a second class citizen, has turned on its head to a point where the hopes and dreams to own a desirable home will be replaced by the ambition simply to live in one.

In the latter half of the 20th Century, you left school, got a job, bought a small house and kept buying and selling property, constantly upgrading until eventually they carried you out in a box. However, the perceived shame and stigma of renting is no longer the case, as it seems that the British are now beginning to accept a lifetime of renting. This is a very important consideration for both Hampstead homeowners and Hampstead landlords as it will transform the way the Hampstead property ladder looks in the future and I might ask whether or not it will exist at all for some people? The make up of households is one important factor, especially in the Hampstead property market. The normal stereotypical married couple, two kids and a dog of the 1970’s and 80’s has changed. More and more we have the need for larger houses where two families come together after divorces (+ kids) and need a property to house everyone through to an increase in the number of one person households.

Looking at the data for Hampstead, of the 4,124 private rental properties in the Camden Council area, 39.33% of those rented properties are one person households (1,622 properties). However, when we compare the number of one person Hampstead households who have bought their own property with a mortgage (ie therefore they are still in work), of the 4,528 owner occupied households in the area, only 601 of those properties are a one person household (ie 13.27%). Compared to a decade ago, this explosion in demand for decent high quality rental properties that one person households require has not been met with an increase in supply of such properties.  More and more I believe Hampstead landlords need to consider this change in the make up of Hampstead households, as I believe this could be an opportunity. As an aside, another interesting stat that raised an eyebrow was that 2.78% of those 4,124 rental properties (115 properties) are lone parents households as well. Again, another possible opportunity that Hampstead landlords might want to consider in their future investment plans.

It is true that the Governments introduction in 2013 of the Help to Buy scheme, where first time buyers only needed a 5% deposit, changed the perception of peoples’ ability to buy without having to save ten’s of thousands of pounds for a deposit. However, it might surprise you, 95% mortgages were re-introduced within six months of the Credit Crunch in late 2009, so again it comes down to people’s own perception. Many youngsters think they won’t get a mortgage, so don’t even bother trying.

Coming back to the deposit, it’s still a fact that once you start renting it becomes that much harder to save for a deposit, regardless of the size. Interestingly, 7 out of 8 renters polled by the Halifax (86% to be exact) refuse to sacrifice the quality of accommodation they currently live in to reduce the amount of rent they pay in order to save for a deposit.  This is the crux and the real reason why people aren’t buying but renting... and why demand for renting will continue to grow in the future (ie good news for landlords). Hampstead tenants can upgrade the quality and size of the property they live in for a minimal rent increase. The average rent of a two bed property in Hampstead is £2,755pm, a three bed is £1,761pm more at £4,516pm, whilst the average four bed rent is £8,853pm. If you had to make that jump when buying, the monthly mortgage payments would be stratospherically more than that!  Without any social pressure and better quality rental properties compared to a decade ago, we will become a nation of renters within the next generation, as the UK is becoming more like Europe, where renting is ‘the norm’. Who is going to supply all these properties to rent? Landlords! Whether you are an existing landlord looking to grow your portfolio or looking to become a ‘first time landlord’, my thoughts are take advice from as many people as possible. However, as the majority of landlords buy their buy to let properties in the same town they live, you will need specific advice about Hampstead itself. One place for such advice and opinion is the Hampstead Property Blog www.NW3propertyblog.com

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

Studio flat Studholme Court - Finchley Road NW3

Good morning, 

today's pick is this self contained studio flat on the first floor of this ex-local authority block on Finchley Road. This is a good size for a studio and has a separate kitchen and a balcony. Its been on the market for a while now and i would suggest that it needs to come down in price, primarily being on a busy thoroughfare which is not everyones cup of tea and that there is a limit on how much one will pay for a flat of this type. These smaller units below the £350k normally fly out. The flat is otherwise pretty good in terms of what it offers.

Refurbished Studio flat with 4% net yield - Belsize Grove NW3

Last week, i put out a smart studio located on Belsize Grove, here is another on the same road and it's even smarter than last weeks offering that's now sold. Located on the ground floor this flat has been refurbished throughout and is like a show home. Belsize Grove is just off  Haverstock Hill and is convenient for all the amenities of Belsize Park.

Giling Court, Belsize Grove NW3 - Studio flat with a 4% yield

This studio flat has been sticking around for a good while which is unusual for Giling Court. As this flat is one of the smaller ones in the building coming in at just under 270sq feet, the £320k price seems top heavy, given its size, I would suggest that it needs to be competitive on price. In essence,the flat is in pretty good shape, crucially kitchen and bathroom are decent though a coat of paint and new carpet for the living room/sleeping area is the sum total of what is needed.

4 Bedroom ex-local authority maisonette - Mansfield Road NW3 with 4.5% net yield

Good morning,

I was trawling through the offerings of the local market and spotted this 4 bedroom ex local authority maisonette and thought to put it out there. Looking around inside, this place is in need of refurbishment throughout. I would suggest that you would need to spend around 30k to bring this up to scratch.

Hampstead Property Market – Bricks and Mortar!

The Land Registry have just released their latest set of figures for the Hampstead Property market. It makes interesting reading, as average property values in Hampstead dropped by 1.2 % in May. This leaves average property values 6.3% higher than 12 months ago, meaning the annual rate of growth in the area fell to its lowest level since January 2012. When we compare Hampstead against the regional picture, London property values rose by 0.7%, leaving them 9.1% higher than a year ago.

Obviously, this is a far cry from the price rises we were experiencing in Hampstead throughout 2014. At one point (August 2014 to be exact) property values were rising by 22.7% a year. All the same, even with the tempering of the Hampstead property values in 2015, property values are still higher. This is good news for local homeowners who had been affected by the downturn after 2007.

However, the thing that concerns me is that the average number of properties changing hands (i.e selling) has dropped substantially over the last 12 months in the area. In April 2014, 90 properties sold in Hampstead but in April 2015, that figure dropped to 41. I have been in the Hampstead property market for quite a while now and the one thing I have noticed over the last few years has been the subtle change in the traditional seasonality of the Hampstead property market. It has been particularly noticeable this year in that the normal post Easter flood of properties coming onto the market was not seen. This has made an imbalance between supply and demand, with less houses coming onto the market there is simply not as much choice of properties to buy in Hampstead and with the population of Hampstead ever increasing, this will generally strengthen house price growth for the foreseeable future.

So what does all this mean for Hampstead landlords or those considering dipping their toe into the buy to let market for the first time? For many people, buy to let looks a good investment, providing landlords with a decent income at a time of low interest rates and stock market unpredictability.

However, if you are thinking of investing in bricks and mortar in Hampstead, it is important to do things correctly. As an investment to provide you with income, for those with enough savings to raise a big deposit, buy to let looks particularly good, especially compared to low savings rates and stock market yo-yo’s. I must also remind readers, landlords have two opportunities to make money from property, not only is there the rent (income), but with the property market bouncing back over the last few years, property value increases has spurred on more investors to buy property in the hope of its value continuing to rise.

Savvy landlords with decent deposits can fix their mortgages at just over 3% for five years, making many deals stack up. Nevertheless, low rates cannot stay low forever, because one day they must rise and you need to know your property can stand that test. I saw some Hampstead landlords struggling in the mid-noughties,when interest rates rose from 3.5% in July 2003 to 5.75% in July 2007. That might not sound a lot, but that was the difference of making a £100 a month profit in 2003 to having to make up a shortfall in the mortgage payments of £100 per month in 2007.

Its true many landlords were thrown a life raft when the base rate dropped to 0.5% in March 2009. Whilst interest rates have remained there since, mark my words, they will rise again in the future. However, even with the potential for costs to rise, demand for decent rental properties remains high as there are ever more tenants in the market, driving up demand and thus rents. The British love of bricks and mortar plus improving mortgage deals also add up to fuel the buoyant Hampstead property market.

If you are planning on investing in the Hampstead property market, or just want to know more about the things to consider for a successful buy to let investment, by all means contact the office on 020 7435 0420 or if you are shy, drop me a line chris@ashmoreresidential.com Another source of information offering full weekly analysis is the Hampstead Property Blog www.NW3propertyblog.com

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

NW3 Eye Candy - Property of the Week- Belsize Grove NW3

In the current local market there is a good variety of property at the upper end namely for flats or houses that are in excess of 1.5 million pounds. Looking through what is available I came across this rare find that was hard to resist and thought to put it out there.

A five bedroom house located on Belsize Grove that has an interesting history to it as it forms part of a Georgian terrace and is Grade 2 listed. This location was formerly known as Haverstock Terrace and features the earliest built homes of Belsize Park. In contrast to the rest of the property in the area it has a long front garden and same at the rear, which is unusual for a house in an urban setting.

The house has been sympathetically restored with great attention to detail and some contemporary touches, there is also an impressive kitchen extension making it ideal for family living.

Click on the link below for the full lowdown on this rare find offered for sale at £4.75 million. The selling agent is Marcus Parfitt who mainly handles property at the upper end of the local market.

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/3754509

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

2 bedroom flat -Crayford House, Lawn Road NW3

Today's pick is a two bedroom flat located on the 11th floor if this well kept ex-local authority block. Lawn Road is just a short walk to Hampstead Heath, shops on South End Road and the tube at Belsize Park so this makes for a very convenient location.

1 bedroom flat on Finchley Road NW3 with 4% yield

I've spotted this one bedroom flat that has just been renovated in a popular block known as Hillside Court. Location is a hit with commuters as the tube,mainline station and shopping center are just 5 minutes away. The block has a porter, lift communal heating with hot water and unreserved parking.

Brand new 1 bedroom flat on Finchley Road with a 4.6% yield

There's a 1970's block just footsteps from Swiss Cottage Tube that's not the most inspiring piece of architecture but this renovated flat on the inside is superb throughout. The dimensions are very generous too coming in at 605 sq feet, so lots of space on offer.

Large studio flat Lithos Road NW3 with 4.2% yield

Its the start of another week and having combed the area for investment opportunities today's pick is this top floor studio flat on Lithos Road. The location is in the heart of the shopping area for NW3 and is just off Finchley Road with the tube and mainline stations just a short walk in either direction.

Hampstead Eye Candy - Property of the week -Lyndhurst Road NW3

This week's pick of the bunch in Hampstead is this well appointed family home with a great location being in between the Village and the amenities of Belsize Park. The current owners have spared no expense here and its typical of the neo Georgian style architecture found in the cluster of roads around Hampstead Village.

It's been beautifully maintained by the current owners and has been extended with family living in mind, there's a play room for the children, utility room and storage area. There is a garage attached to the house and ample parking via the carriage driveway. This is a fine home with superb amenities and great style.

Click on the link below for the full details of this inspiring property.

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/37498937

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

Affordability of housing in Hampstead

Talking to an elderly relative recently, he reminded me that in his day, you could have bought a property for the same price of what a decent second hand car would sell for today and that his father was buying property for the same price as a decent 50 inch LCD TV!  Now of course, these are only headline prices and we have had wage growth and inflation.  Interestingly, since the Second World War, property values in Hampstead doubled in 1961, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1988, 2000 and 2006.

Looking at more recent times, since the start of the Millennium, these increases in property values have generated large increases in equity for many homeowners but on the other side of the coin also making housing unaffordable for other people.  It might interest readers to note that most of Europe experienced sharp increases in property values in the early years of 2000’s, with only Spain beating  us (although we know what has happened to the Spanish property market over the last few years!).  In the 2000’s, the British situation was different in two regards.  First the property value boom started earlier and saw more sustained increases; second, the regional pattern was fairly uniform.

However, since 2010, the regional pattern has been completely different in the UK.  Compared with 2007 (the last property boom), average property values today in England and Wales are 1.2% higher, whilst in Greater London, they are 35.7% higher, whereas in Hampstead they are 69.52% higher. The London property market has been like a different country.  Looking specifically at Hampstead though, it has been increasingly difficult for first time buyers to get on the housing ladder. The best measure of the affordability of housing is the ratio of Hampstead Property Prices to Hampstead Average Wages, (the higher the ratio, the less affordable properties are).  

·        1997      6.64 to 1  (i.e. the average value of a Hampstead property was 6.64 times higher than the average annual wage in Hampstead)

·        2000      9.43 to 1

·        2002      9.56 to 1

·        2003      9.50 to 1

·        2007      12.58 to 1

·        2009      11.78 to 1

·        2012      13.69 to 1

·        Today    16.72 to 1

You  can see quite clearly, even though we had an improvement just after the 2007 property crash (i.e. the ratio dropped), in following subsequent years with Hampstead house price’s rising but wages not keeping up with them,  the ratio started rise.  This has meant there has been deterioration in affordability of property in Hampstead over the last couple of years.  This is one of the (many) reasons why the younger generation is deciding more and more to rent instead of buy their own house.  The local Council sold off much of its housing stock in the Thatcher years and didn’t replenish it and for many on low incomes or with little capital, owning a home has simply never been an option.

With fewer people able to save up the deposit required by mortgage lenders, more and more people are looking to rent, this has also resulted in a change in attitudes towards renting over the last decade.  This delay in moving up the property ladder has driven rents up in Hampstead over the last few years, as more people are seeking properties to rent.  All these things have combined to make the demand for rental property in Hampstead rise.  If you are an existing landlord or someone thinking of become a first time landlord looking for advice and opinion and what (or not to buy in Hampstead), one source of information is the Hampstead Property Blog www.NW3propertyblog.com  or call the office on 020 7435 0420.

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

Buy to let investmnet -Studio flat on Belsize Grove with 4% net yield

Today's pick is a cracking studio flat on the first floor of a period building just a short walk from Belsize Park Tube and local shops. It's been much loved and cared for by the current owner and has a separate kitchen and some 30sq meters of  internal space on offer which is pretty generous for a studio flat. There is also access to communal garden which is handy for this time of year.

Hampstead Property Market – What is really happening?

I had an interesting conversation with a local Hampstead accountant the other day. He is quite an observant chap (I know this because I have known him for a few years  ... but I suppose you have to be if you’re an accountant!). He knew property values had increased in the area, but wasn’t sure by how much. He also thought the number of properties for sale in Hampstead (and more importantly ones with sold slips on them) had slightly decreased over the last couple of years.

The rate of house price inflation in Hampstead continues to slow with growth of 14.4% in the 12 months to February 2015 compared to annual growth of 22.2% just over six months ago, according to the latest Land Registry data. However, there is considerable local variation in our part of London, with annual house price growth (up to Feb 15) ranging from 7.8% in Ken and Chelsea to 15.8% in Hammersmith and Fulham over the last 12 months.

Hampstead has seen property values rise by 29.5% in the last two years, on the other side of the coin though, Hampstead has seen a slight reduction in the number of properties sold throughout 2014 as base line demand for housing tempers. The 9.4% drop in property transactions in Hampstead in 2014, compared to 2013, indicates a tempering of house market in Hampstead as affordability and tightening yields start to kick in.

When you compare London with the rest of the UK, you could be looking at two different countries. In London, its mid/late teens house price to earnings ratios are impacting demand (i.e. the average property value is often 15 or 17 times the average wage in London .. in fact in Hampstead, the ratio is in the early 30’s to 1).  However, prices have remained strong because the number of people wanting to sell has dropped considerably, meaning that falling sales volumes combined with a general slowdown in activity in the run up to the General Election are resulting in lower mortgage approvals for home purchase.

Transactions are a great indicator for house prices. The acceleration in house price growth in London in the last two years was preceded by three years of rising transactions. A similar pattern is being registered in the rest of UK, as pent up demand returns to the market supported by low mortgage rates and an improving economic outlook. This is good news as other areas catch up with London, the UK property market will be more in balance as a whole across the Country.

It might be interesting to note though, the number of Hampstead property sales in 2014 are still 22.4% lower than the level seen in 2007 (when property values were rising at an impressive 20.4% per annum), so now that there has been a positive outcome on the General Election, the ongoing housing recovery is far from stalled. In fact I believe the market will become focused on the middle to higher value areas (such as Hampstead) where households have equity and find it easier to access mortgage finance. If you want to know more about the Hampstead Property Market, please visit the Hampstead Property Blog www.NW3propertyblog.com   or send me an email to chris@ashmoreresidential.com

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

Hillside Court, Finchley Road NW3 with a 4.3% yield

This one bedroom apartment in Hillside Court on Finchley Road is marketed through In London Properties with Price on Application. According to the particulars, its been renovated to the expected standard for the local market, so ready for immediate letting.

Hampstead: Why are fewer people moving house?

During my school years, my parents seemed to move every other year (or it seemed that way). In reality, looking back at the house moves, we actually moved three times before I left home. However, despite my parents keeping the removal van people in business whilst I was at school, from research I have carried out it shows things have changed considerably in Hampstead over the last few decades, and interestingly, the trend is getting worse ... for the removal van people at any rate!

In Hampstead, there are 10,140 properties. However, after we remove the 1,046 council houses, 3,751 privately rented houses and 259 houses where the occupants live rent free, that leaves us with 5,084 owned properties (be that 100% outright, with a mortgage or shared ownership). This means 50.1% of the properties in Hampstead are occupied by the owner (the national average is interestingly 64.2%) but the number of people who have sold and moved house in Hampstead, over the last 12 months, has only been 557. This means on these figures, the homeowners of Hampstead are only moving on average every 18.2 years.

These are the reasons. Firstly, the cost of moving house has risen over the last twenty years. Secondly, with many remortgaging their properties in the mid 2000’s before the price crash of 2008, there is a reluctance or inability in a small minority of homeowners to finance a home sale/purchase, due to lack of equity. These are both factors driving fewer moves by existing homeowners.

However, the big effect has been the change in house price inflation. Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, house prices were doubling every 5 to 7 years. Even in Greater London, with its stratospheric property price increases over the last few years, it has taken 13 years (August 2002 to be exact) for property values to double to today’s levels.

This change to a relatively low inflation Hampstead property market (i.e. Hampstead property values not rising quickly) is significant because the long term consequences of sustained low house price growth is that it eats into mortgage debt more slowly than when property price inflation is higher. Hampstead homeowners cannot rely on inflation to shrink their debt in real terms as much as they did in say the 1970’s and 1980’s.

So what does this all mean for Hampstead buy to let landlords? Well for the same reasons existing Hampstead homeowners aren’t moving, less ‘twenty something’s’ are buying their first home as well. Hampstead youngsters may aspire to own their own home, but without the social pressure from their peers and parents to buy their first property as soon people reach their early 20’s, the memory of the 2008 housing crisis and the belief the hard times either aren't over or the worst is yet to come, current and would-be homeowners are warming to the idea of renting. I also believe UK society has changed, with the youngster’s wanting prosperity and happiness; but wanting it all now... instantly... today... without the sacrifice, work and patience that these things take. 

As a society, we expect things instantly, and if it doesn’t come easy, doesn’t come quick, some youngsters ask if it is really worth the effort to save for the deposit. Why go without holidays, the newest iPhone, socialising four times a week and the fancy satellite package for a couple of years.To save for that 5% deposit if there is no longer a social stigma in renting or pressure to buy as there was... say... a generation ago?

Even though, in real terms, property prices are 5% cheaper than they were ten years ago (when adjusted by inflation), 36.9% of Hampstead properties are privately rented (nearly double what it was twenty years ago). As a result, the demand for rental properties continues to grow from tenants, meaning those wishing to invest in the buy to let market, over the long term, might be on to a good thing. For advice and opinion on the Hampstead Buy To let property market, one source of information is The Hampstead Property Blog  www.NW3propertyblog.com

 

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

Frognal Court, Finchley Road NW3 with 5.4% net yield

After yesterday's post about the unmodernised flat in Midland Court , there's yet more on offer just a few yards down on the same side of the road, its a cracking flat in Frognal Court which is today's pick. This is a four bedroom flat in pretty good condition throughout and ready for letting.

3 Bedroom flat - Midland Court, Finchley Road NW3 with 4.5% yield

Here's one for the more experienced investors who have the resources to take on this buy to let investment which will be a big project as its in need of refurbishment. This is a three bedroom flat in purpose built block above commercial premises on Finchley Road, just a stones throw from the Tube and Shopping Center.

2 Bedroom flat with 4.5% yield on Fellows Road NW3

Today's pick is a 2 bedroom ex-local authority flat in a well maintained block located on Fellows Road. This is a popular part of the Belsize Park area and within a short walk of the tube at Swiss Cottage as well as the open spaces of Primrose Hill and Regents Park.

One bedroom flat on Finchley Road NW3 with 4.3% yield

Looking through the on-line portals today to see what investment opportunities there are this month, today's pick is this 1 bedroom mid floor flat that is offered via Allsops auctions division.

Hampstead Eye Candy - Property of The Week - Mount Tyndall NW3

Each week I write about some of the great finds in the Hampstead property market be it a converted flat, a modern purpose built apartment or house. These properties are not recommendations for buy-to-let investment or for any other commercial benefit, but simply super quality property to showcase the best of what Hampstead has to offer.

As we are now getting into the summer this stunning 4 bedroom apartment with a pair of south west facing terraces in the exclusive Mount Tyndall development  caught my eye.

There's loads of space on offer with its house like dimensions, large terraces for out door entertainment/relaxation plus two allocated underground parking spaces. Then there's the location, set back from Spaniards Road and backing on to The Heath its a halfway house between Kenwood and Hampstead Village-perfect ! 

Click on the link below for the full lowdown on this sumptuous pad. 

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/37384170

  How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

NW3 Eye Candy - Lambolle Place NW3 - Property of The Week

When it comes to Eye Candy, its about the unique qualities a home has to offer and how it can be appealing in a variety of ways. In essence, its about striking the right balance with style and substance and this house on Lambolle Place does just that.

Located in this Belsize Park backwater, houses seldom come up for sale here, the tranquility of the road with the added convenience factor is a big draw. The contemporary feel and dimensions of the original Victorian building showcase the design features and the effects the current owner has created with bold statements being made in many parts of this striking house.

This house has a timeless feel throughout and has been designed and fitted out for 21st Century living where less is more-Grand Designs comes to NW3!

Click here for full details of this interesting and stylish house

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/37393260

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

Hampstead Buy To let – Bedrooms?

Last week, a landlord from Hampstead emailed me to ask, after reading the Hampstead Property Blog, if he should extend his terraced house making an extra bedroom in the loft. He had a builder friend who owed him a favour, and thought a good way would be get an ‘inexpensive’ extension.

Having more useable space is generally thought to be consistent with better quality accommodation and homeowners and tenants are prepared to pay for it. If you added a bedroom to a two bed terraced to make a three bed terraced, it will add 10% to the value of the property.  Turn a three bed terraced into a four bed terraced and 9% will be added to the value. Looking at semi detached properties, and turn a two into a three bed and 12% will be added to the value, whilst making a three bed semi into four bed will add 9% in value.

However, before you rush off to the planning department there are some important considerations, whether you are a homeowner or landlord.  What would be the cost of making that extra bedroom? The average value of a terraced house in Hampstead is currently £2,141,200 whilst the average value of a semi detached house is £3,324,300, meaning to make money the cost of the extension would need to be less than £203,414 on the terraced property and £349,051 on the semi detached house. 

Talking to a number of trades people in the NW3 area, most are booked up into the New Year. Also, no matter how good a friend he was, I don’t think a £200,000/£300,000 extension was ever on the cards! Maybe the builder was just thinking of a bit of re-pointing work on the chimney!

Well, that got me thinking about how bedrooms affected rental prices and rent-ability as well.   Interestingly below, you will see that whilst bedrooms do have an effect on the rent that can be achieved and the rent-ability of the property – the difference does not warrant the expense, hassle and trouble of extending.

• ·      17.6% of the one bed properties on the market to rent in Hampstead have a tenant with an average rent of £1,759 per month
• ·        10.8% of the two bed properties on the market to rent in Hampstead have a tenant with an average rent of £2,831 per month
• ·        13.9% of the three bed properties on the market to rent in Hampstead have a tenant with an average rent of £4,459 per month
• ·        10.8% of the four bed properties on the market to rent in Hampstead have a tenant with an average rent of £8,904 per month

Now, if you want to increase the value of your property, be you a Hampstead landlord or homeowner, there are things that cost a lot less than building extra bedrooms. Spruce up the exterior, emulsion all the rooms, install fresh carpets and curtains. For homeowners, a matter of a few hundred pounds will add thousands whilst for landlords, these things can add an extra 10% to the rent that you can achieve. For more advice and opinion on the Hampstead Property Market, visit the Hampstead Property Blog www.NW3propertyblog.com

How Much Is Your Property Worth? Click Here To Find Out For FREE

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property. Email me on chris@ashmoreresidential.com or give me a call on 020 7435 0420. Pop in for a chat – we are based on Ashmore Residential, Suite 7, 25-27 Heath Street, London, NW3 6TR. The kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Hampstead Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Hampstead

Hampstead Property Market LinkedIn Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Facebook Page

Ashmore Residential Hampstead Twitter Page

Hampstead Investment Property Specialist Ashmore Residential Website

De Ja Vu- Buy to let opportunity-Hillside Court, Finchley Road NW3

Good morning, 

Recently, we have talked a lot about purpose built flats in blocks and it appears this smart one bedroom has unexpectedly come back to the market, loads of potential and its "suited and booted"