Our Client
A British Couple looking to move in to London.
The Challenge
Our clients were retiring into London from Surrey and wanted to purchase either a house with a garden very close to a high street, or a lateral apartment with a large terrace overlooking the River Thames. They were open to being led and guided by us in terms of location, and we spent considerable time showing our clients various options in west, south west and east London.
The Perfect Conclusion
After 9 months of searching, and one failed transaction due to the seller withdrawing, we finally secured a very unique 2268 sq. foot freehold property on Reckitt Road. The property is located in the heart of the popular Glebe Estate and is a few minutes’ walk from Chiswick High Road with its various cafes, restaurants and shops, and less than 10 minutes’ walk from Turnham Green tube station, giving them easy access into central London. The house also has the added benefit of a stunning roof terrace with roof top views over the Glebe Estate. Our in-depth knowledge and range of experience across many of London’s postcodes, made us perfectly placed to undergo a search with such a wide scope. In addition we also managed to save our clients £65,000 from the asking price paying a very competitive £674 per sq. foot. The house next door had sold less than 12 months ago for £780 per sq. foot, giving our clients complete confidence that they were not only buying a great house, but also getting an attractive price.
Our Client
An Indian client who we originally sourced the property for back in 2011.
The Challenge
Our client was looking to sell their property and invest the funds in property located outside of prime Central London. With prices in Knightsbridge down some 6.5% and a slower transactional market, finding the right buyer was challenging.
The Perfect Conclusion
Our client had previously had his property rented out. It was therefore looking quite tired. We advised our client to give the property a refresh and we managed and oversaw a light refurbishment of the property for him. We also advised our client to present the property with furniture in it. Many buyers struggle to visualise how the space will be used, and empty properties can sometimes look soulless. We therefore recommended a furniture company who installed some temporary furniture and “dressed” the property. This made a huge difference and we successfully managed to find a buyer and sell the property for close to the asking price of £2.25 million.
Our Client
A Russian client looking for a family apartment in London.
The Challenge
Having rented a property in Mayfair through our Rental Search Service when he first moved to London, our client decided that he wanted to purchase an apartment in the same neighbourhood. With very specific requirements of at least 3 bedrooms, lateral space, a 24 hour concierge and security, a good view and ideally a swimming pool, the number of suitable options in such a small area were extremely limited.
The Perfect Conclusion
Our extensive experience, knowledge and contacts in Mayfair meant that we were able to identify developments, both existing and off plan which would be able to satisfy our client’s specific requirements. In the end Clarges Mayfair was the perfect solution for our client’s needs. A boutique scheme of just 34 apartments, developed by British Land and designed by Squire and Partners, with extensive leisure facilities including a swimming pool, as well as 24 hour concierge. The best units have far reaching southerly views over Green Park but unfortunately none were available on the open market. Through our network we sourced an off market 4 bedroom unit on the 4th floor with stunning views over the park. We then successfully negotiated 10% from the asking price, saving our client £2.35 million.
Our Client
European clients looking for a pied a Terre period apartment in London, which could also be used by their son whilst at university.
The Challenge
Our clients were very open on location, but wanted the apartment to have at least two bedrooms, be in a safe area very close to a high street and a tube station. They had a budget of £1.3m.
The Perfect Conclusion
We secured an excellent conversion of a Victorian end of terraced house in West Hampstead with three bedrooms, within three minutes’ walk of the high Street and two stations (overground and underground). The apartment was in reasonable condition and was perfect for the clients’ son to move into, but also has potential to make improvements and add value over time. The property was on the market with an asking price of £1,2950,000. We successfully negotiated the price down to £1,222,500, saving our clients £72,5000. This equated to a very reasonable £836 per square foot. Flats in the area regularly sell for in excess of £950 per square foot.
Our Client
A French family relocating from Brussels to London
The Challenge
Our clients were a French family with 3 young children, relocating from Brussels to London for work and their children’s schooling. They required a minimum five bedroom house with a garden, close to schools, a park and the West End. This opened up a huge choice of potential locations and properties that might work for them. We spent time educating our clients on different areas, showing them properties in South Kensington, Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Primrose Hill and Hampstead. The family were restricted to visiting London just twice a month, so our weekly reporting was hugely important in helping them to understand the different areas, styles of houses and pricing.
The Perfect Conclusion
We successfully agreed the purchase of this grand semi-detached freehold period house. The property met our clients brief perfectly, measuring over 3,300 square feet, with 5 bedrooms, a 100 foot garden and the ability to extend the house by adding a further floor. The purchase was agreed the first week the property came onto the market, and we successfully negotiated a discount of £400,000, despite competition of a higher offer from another buyer. We have also assisted our client with the potential future works they will do to the property by arranging three separate specialist surveys and introducing and overseeing three building contractor and interior design quotes. We are also overseeing the removal and set-up of new utility accounts to ensure their move in process is stress free.
The Unfair Advantage
We move fast. We were first in through the door of this magnificent period house in Primrose Hill. Early negotiations meant we secured the property at a very competitive £1,399 per sq. ft., saving £400,000 from the asking price, and successfully exchanged contracts despite a higher offer from another buyer.
Our Client
A Nigerian family
The Challenge
Our clients were looking to sell their Knightsbridge apartment to reduce their property liability in London.
The Perfect Conclusion
Having seen transaction levels and prices dramatically decreasing in the area over the last 12 months Knightsbridge has become an increasingly difficult market to sell in. However, we managed to agree the sale at a very healthy £2,385 per sq ft to a cash buyer who we introduced via one of our private contacts.
Our Client
A French couple looking for a rental property in Knightsbridge, Kensington & Chelsea, Notting Hill & Holland Park.
The Challenge
Having experienced problems in previous rental apartments, our clients were keen to avoid further issues with noise and overpricing in the market.
The Perfect Conclusion
With our knowledge and contacts we were able to shortlist only the properties that met with their requirements and arranged multiple property tours in order for them to see the very best selection.
Our Client
A Middle Eastern family.
The Challenge
Our clients were looking for a secure family pied a terre in central London. They had limited knowledge of the city, it’s diverse residential market, and only plan to be in London for a small proportion of every year; making security a paramount requirement for them.
The Perfect Conclusion
We added value to our client by showing them a wide variety of different styles of property – period conversions, mansion blocks and new builds, across a large area of London which helped them to understand the market and ultimately make an informed decision.
We successfully agreed the purchase of this attractive dual aspect 2 bedroom apartment in the highly regarded Kings Chelsea development. Formerly the site of Kings College, the Kings Development is a Grade II listed building set in 7.5 acres of walled parkland which was converted into 289 houses and apartments in 2005. The beautifully restored old buildings in the development and finely crafted new apartments are always in high demand for the discerning buyer in Chelsea looking for exceptional specification and generous living space. The site is a precious part of London’s heritage, yet it has been adapted to the needs of a new generation of Londoners, all in a landscaped parkland setting. 24 hour security, total privacy, the prime location and an array of facilities make Kings Chelsea a unique and highly desirable proposition for buyers and tenants alike.
Further facilities include a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, manicured gardens and underground parking. The flat itself has the advantage of being located in the best building within the development, housing the facilities and the concierge desk.
Our Client
An international family with 4 children.
The Challenge
Our client was looking to move to London with his family on a permanent basis. He wanted a large detached home with a great view that was walking distance from a high street whilst still being quiet and private.
The Perfect Conclusion
We spent a considerable amount of time at the beginning of the search introducing our client to a number of different areas within London to see which would be most suitable. As the search developed it was clear that St. John’s Wood and Kensington would be the most appropriate and through our unrivalled network we identified a beautiful off market house on one of the best streets in Kensington walking distance from the High Street. The house also benefited from stunning views across Holland Park and even a private gate allowing access directly into the park itself.
We saved £2,000,000 from the asking price and contracts were exchanged within 15 working days.
Our Client
Middle Eastern client
The Challenge
Our Middle Eastern client was looking to for a long term rental investment opportunity with capital growth potential in Central London.
The Perfect Conclusion
We successfully agreed the purchase of this two bedroom 900 sq. foot off-plan apartment with a terrace overlooking the park. The unit is located within the best position within the development, high up on the fourth floor and due to our contacts, we managed to reserve the unit weeks before the official launch date. We also negotiated underground parking and a storage unit (of which there are a very limited number) included in the sale. The scheme is 70% sold.
Our Client
A British family looking to upsize
The Challenge
our British clients were looking for an apartment or house for their growing family. They wanted to be within walking distance of family in Primrose Hill which meant the search area was very small. They had seen a lot of property before engaging us and had missed out on properties because of being outbid.
The Perfect Conclusion
Black Brick secured a house on the Kentish Town/Belsize Park borders in a competitive bid scenario where all interested parties were asked to submit ‘best and final’ offers. We agreed an offer equivalent to £787 per square foot. A house which sold a few doors down earlier in the year sold for £768 per square foot.
Our Client
Singaporean family with children.
The Challenge
Our Singaporean client was looking for a secure pied-a-terre in Central London. As their children are due to start school in the UK, it was important that the property was located in a secure development with 24 hour porter and/or concierge services as there would be times when the children might be in the property alone.
The Perfect Conclusion
We researched a number of gated developments in our clients preferred area of Kensington and set about highlighting units that suited their requirements. With little stock on the open market, we also made private approaches to owners and residents who were not openly looking to sell. We identified 21 Young Street, a new off-plan development by Grainger PLC, in a prime location just off High Street Kensington and Kensington Gardens. This boutique development has just 53 apartments and will benefit from 24 hour concierge, residents gym, screening room, library and gardens and continued on-going investment from Grainger through the retention of certain units.
The development has seen a huge amount of interest since the launch with very little open marketing and we were one of the very first into the scheme. We successfully purchased a 3 bedroom 1690 square foot duplex Mews house style apartment and negotiated £50,000 from the asking price and managed to get a secure parking space included. It was the perfect development for our clients, meeting every single one of their requirements.
Our Client
English and Australian clients
The Challenge
Our English and Australian clients with a growing family were looking to upsize from their two bedroom flat in Maida Vale to a five bedroom family house in South East London, closer to family living in Kent. They wanted to find a period house with good living space, close to amenities, and to maintain their existing 45 minute commute to The City. Being five months pregnant, our client was keen to have moved in before child number three was born.
The Perfect Conclusion
Not knowing much about South East London themselves, we introduced and educated them on the various pockets, the properties which exist there and the prices being achieved for different types of property. Together we were able to narrow the search area down until they had complete and utter confidence that Limesford Road was the perfect house for them. Despite competition from another bidder, we were able to secure the property for the clients for £1.1m (£557 per square foot) – £30,000 less than the asking price.
Our Client
A Russian Client
The Challenge
Our Russian client was looking for a three or four bedroom apartment to rent in Marylebone. He wanted the property to be in a good location, have high ceilings and be able to house all of his existing furniture.
The Perfect Conclusion
We found the perfect property on our first tour with the client, within two weeks of being instructed. Despite two other offers on the property, we were able to secure the property for our client for less than the asking price.
Our Client
A British Family
The Challenge
We sourced this stunning first floor apartment in Chelsea for our client for £2,500,000 in July 2012. Our client had successfully let the property for four years but decided to sell in order to release funds to purchase two smaller properties for his children.
The Perfect Conclusion
Through our extensive network a buyer was identified and an offer of £3,525,000 or £2880 per square foot was accepted. This represented a 41% increase in value over a 4 year period and is the highest price ever achieved in this building-an incredible result given current market conditions.
