Category Archives: Blog Entry

The Finefair blog is full of informative posts about property in London. Check it out; feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about our work.

The Camden connection

Like many other Boroughs across London, Camden was founded in 1965 and was formed from a handful of former areas. The Borough was named after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden and the town that formerly bore his name. It is considered by many to be the best place to live in London and for good reasons.

Art is a form of expressing yourself and it can breathe life into the community. Street art in particular has grown and grown and this Borough in particular is an area where it is encouraged. Thanks to organisations like Real Art of Street Art and the Camden Markets Group, many buildings and hoardings have been given up in order for artists to express themselves. If you are interested in seeing these fine art pieces there are several tours you can take.

If you are an avid shopper, the Camden Market has a little of something for everyone. Being the fourth-most popular visitor attraction in London, it is bursting with diversity and sells such things as crafts, clothing, bric-a-brac and various fast foods. The street food is some of the very best you will come across with Indian, Chinese, Mexican and Japanese delicacies available to name a few. The diversity isn’t just restricted to the food however. There are over 160 English Heritage blue plaques dedicated to all of the diverse personalities that have lived in Camden over the years.

Many people who have settled here are constantly captivated by its culture. The transport in Camden has excellent links and it is a mere 20 minute walk to Kings Cross St Pancras, meaning easy access to all over the country.

At Finefair we offer flexible services to cater for property owners across Camden. We service we are very proud to offer is property management so that homes in this wonderful area can be maintained to a high standard so they can be enjoyed for many more years to come.

The surprising benefits of living in the City of London

The City of London is a unique place to live. Many people find it surprising how many great attractions there are in the Borough and hold the mistaken belief that the vast majority of people commute to the area rather than living there because of the lack of benefits. It is true that the City is vastly more crowded during working hours but this doesn’t mean the area goes to sleep afterwards. There is actually a lot of art and culture to enjoy, not to mention the cuisine and bars to explore.

One of the best attractions of living in the City is the fact that you are well placed to take advantage of the fantastic transport system. The Borough is served by no less than 12 Underground stations, making it the most connected area in London. This makes it very easy for people to get around and means they can forgo having a car. The central location also means you can choose a bicycle as your mode of transport if you want more flexibility.

Shopping in the City is a surprising experience too. The area is the financial centre of the UK so retail takes a back seat but there are still some really good markets to enjoy. Leadenhall Market is based in a beautiful setting in an enclosed Victorian arcade. The structure is Grade II listed and retains many of the original characteristics. This makes it a great place to visit for people with a passion for design. It is no surprise that it is home to a number of fashion boutiques.

Where the City really excels is dining. The Borough has an incredible range on offer with cuisine from all around the world. The restaurant district is fantastic, catering for the commuters who work in the area as well as the residents. You can enjoy fine dining at any number of places or find hidden gems with unique menus.

At Finefair we have a great knowledge of what it is like to live in the City of London. We offer our flexible property services to the area, working as letting agents as well as handling sales and investment solutions too. Whatever your needs you can rely on us.

The benefits of living in Brent

Located in North-West London, the Borough of Brent is sought after by people because of its numerous underground and rail travel options, famous landmarks such as Wembley Stadium and the extremely diverse culture.

Brent originated in 1965, the result of the combination of the Municipal Boroughs of Wembley and Willesden. Its name is derived from the River Brent that runs through the area. Ethnically the Borough is incredibly diverse, attracting people from all around the world.

Aside from the diverse culture, Brent has numerous train and tube stations. This makes it a really great area for commuters and people who want to be able to travel easily for leisure. With impressive infrastructure in place residents of the Borough are connected with the whole of London.

Within and around the Borough of Brent are a number of famous landmarks that are bound to catch your interest. Wembley Stadium is the number one spot for avid football fans as it hosts major events such as the FA Cup Final. In addition, the stadium has played host to rugby and boxing matches. Originally named the Empire Pool, Wembley Arena once housed a swimming pool that was used in the 1948 Summer Olympics and other sporting events. But in more recent years it has played host to such musical talent as Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Bob Dylan and has been a filming location for The X Factor.

At Finefair, our team works incredibly hard to support landlords working across Brent. Our years of experience and excellent customer service have enabled us to provide clients with the very best level of service, helping them to get the best returns for their properties.

One service designed to do just that is guaranteed rent. This gives you a set monthly income for your property regardless of the let status. It means you’ll receive your rent even if there are no tenants. This is an attractive option for many investors.

If you are looking for a lettings service you can rely on that will give you stable income for the whole period guaranteed rent is for you. Landlords from Brent can contact us for further information and to discuss their options with us.

Focus on Barnet

Barnet has enjoyed big growth in demand in 2016, becoming one of the most attractive Boroughs in the whole of London. In April eMoov reported that demand had risen by 11%, increasing competition for properties and their prices too.

Investors will be drawn to the opportunities the situation in Barnet offers. They will also appreciate the outlook that eMoov has for the area. The online estate agent claimed that the average price for a home in the area was £625,000 in April but expected it to rise a great deal in the next 14 years. By 2030 they anticipate the average to exceed £1 million. That would suggest that now is a great time to snap up good properties in the area.

At Finefair we are committed to offering personal, reliable support to investors. We can help them to determine their needs, including the type of property they are looking for, their budgets for purchase and repairs or developments, and whether they are looking at sales or letting. There are a lot of options and opportunities so it is good to have an individual with experience in the property market to call on.

One service we are incredibly proud to offer is block management. This is designed for investors who own a portfolio of properties in a specific area. It allows us to manage all of them effectively whilst offering cost savings to the client. We have extensive experience and put a great deal of effort in to ensuring that every single property is managed to our very high standards.

As part of our property management services we can inspect homes as frequently as you require and report back with information on the condition. This allows us to keep you up to date and also means we can be proactive with maintenance. The latter offers big benefits including the potential for reduced costs. By checking for problems regularly and conducting repairs when necessary we reduce the likelihood of large, costly problems occurring.

If you are looking to invest in Barnet you can contact us for support. Alternatively, if you already own properties in the area and want to ensure they are managed properly and deliver the best returns you can choose a service from us.

The forest of culture

Originally formed in 1965 from the Boroughs of Chingford, Leyton and Walthamstow, the London Borough of Waltham Forest offers two distinct parts separated by the North Circular Road. The areas are polar opposites; the south is comprised of high-rise apartment blocks with busy inner-city living whilst the north offers stately homes, extensive parks, gardens and a quieter dose of life.

The restaurants and bars in Waltham Forest are overflowing with diversity and culture. If you are a fan of Scandinavian culture or just like a good cafe, Bygga Bo offers excellent refreshments that are made in house with local ingredients. If you are after something a bit more on the Portuguese side, The Windmill restaurant offers a tapas style menu and full main courses. The excellent value lunch deals are also worth checking out. For cuisine from a bit closer to home, the East London Sausage Company’s products can be found all over the capital.

In addition to its culinary features, Waltham Forest is home to a number of amazing sites and things to keep you busy. Epping Forrest offers the ideal weekend spot for families as it is one of the best ecological sites in the UK with a vast amount of wildlife. This site is also known as the filming location of one of the most iconic scenes from one of the greatest films of all time, the Black Knight scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

For all of you avid shoppers, the Wood Street indoor market offers over 25 stores selling clothes, jewellery and antiques. The Mall not only offers shopping opportunities but also hosts various events throughout the year.

Finefair is proud to work as a lettings agent in this attractive part of London. We go the extra mile to ensure that you find the right property, finding one that suits your needs in terms of type, size, and cost. With our years of experience and dedication to our clients, we are very confident that you will be satisfied with the service we provide.

Why choose to live in Richmond Upon Thames?

Richmond upon Thames, situated in South West London is considered by many to be an incredibly beautiful town and offers some of the finest dinning, shopping, opportunities for children and places to visit in the UK.

Richmond’s restaurants are among the best in the capital and include a wide array of cuisines, including French, Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Persian and Croatian dishes. Due to the high popularity, it is wise to book a table in advance if you are going out for a special occasion at one of the leading establishments.

The Borough is not short of places to visit and has some of the best sights in the UK. Richmond Park is one of the most highly regarded with its astounding views, red and fallow deer, and the immaculately beautiful Pembroke Lodge which is ideal for weddings and family occasions. For everyone who loves exotic sights, the Kew Gardens offer some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country and attract over one million visitors every year.

With a wide array of historic houses, Richmond prospers with culture. Such establishments include Marble Hill House, Hampton Court Palace and Ham House. If you are a rugby fan or are a huge concert buff, you are in luck because Richmond is home to the largest rugby stadium in the country, Twickenham.

The town centre is renowned for its shopping potential but the wider Borough has an even larger list of high quality establishments. Children will also benefit from living in Richmond as there is an array of activities including clothing shops, party venues, drama activities and soft plays.

At Finefair we have a lot of experience working in Richmond. We serve a wide array of clients, including the local Council, landlords, and prospective buyers too. With our range of services available, our team will work with you extensively to ensure your needs are met. Whether you’re looking to buy, find an investment property, explore council leasing or want to have properties managed professionally you can rely on us.

A fantastic area for great prices and amazing connectivity

Lewisham is a borough located in south east London and offers homes that can prove to be a real catch for anyone looking for great properties without having to pay the inner city prices. There is a wide variety of housing choices on offer, meaning everyone looking to buy or rent can find a good home.

Living just a few miles from the city centre can offer a vast array of benefits. You will be pleased to know that Lewisham has amazing transport links to the city and is only a 30 minute commute. The Borough is well connected with the local train station having trains to Victoria, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and London Bridge. As well as this there is a stop on the DLR Metro.

If you do not feel like making the trip into the capital for shopping the local high street is great and boasts a wealth of shops and a vast amount of cultural cuisines to satisfy your every need. The best attraction for many shoppers would be the Riverdale Centre. This boasts a great local market that runs every day except on Sundays.

The schools in the area have great reviews. The prestigious university of London is only a stone’s throw away if you are deciding to pursue higher education. The area also boasts a great hospital with a 24/7 accident and emergency department. Greenwich Park is not very far from the Borough and can make for a great day out for anyone, especially families.

At Finefair we offer support for people looking to find a home in Lewisham, whether you are looking at renting or buying. Our letting agents can help you to choose the right area, finding a property where you can enjoy fantastic monthly rates. They will work closely with you to determine your needs, including understanding what you are looking for from a home, your budget, and the length of the tenancy you need. You can expect a professional service with us.

The wonders of Islington

Already a beautiful country as a whole, the UK is home to some of the most culturally rich and beautiful places in the world. Formed in 1965 and located in the centre of Greater London, Islington is the first choice of many people who are looking for a new home in one of these areas.

The Borough has incredibly diverse neighbourhoods and gives residents massive potential to build up a varied friend circle. Regardless of social classes the residential areas are packed with a mixture of students, couples, families, pensioners, and young professionals, all of whom live side by side without differences. The number of cafes and restaurants available offer residents the chance to relax and get to know their neighbours well.

Anyone who is familiar with London will know about the busy city life and how congested it can get. Islington belongs to zone 2, the central part of the capital. This makes it easy to get to the City without having to live within it, and the laid back kind of traffic and lowest number of cars registered per household makes transportation excellent. The minimal amount of traffic makes the Borough an ideal place for families too.

By choosing to live in Islington you can become part of a rich history. There are several old structures including chapels and theatres that still stand today. Among the four cultural theatres that are within walking distance from each other is the King’s Head, which has satisfied audiences since Shakespeare’s time. In addition to the historical landscapes, the area has been featured extensively in English literature. The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix from Harry Potter is located in the area and English author Douglas Adams lived there.

Our team at Finefair works extensively to provide the best information and services when helping clients find the right home. With our years of experience and dedication, we are the number one choice when it comes to finding your ideal property.

We are also proud to work with landlords and investors with properties in the area. As part of these services we can help them to get the best returns for their assets, offering direct lettings, council leasing, and an array of other options. We will explain the pros and cons of each option and provide recommendations. With these services we always keep the best interest of the client in mind.

Harrow has a low number of long time unoccupied properties

At the end of May it was revealed that homes worth a combined £12 billion remained empty across London. Around 21,000 had been empty for six months or more. Looking Borough by Borough, Harrow had one of the lowest numbers with just 97 unoccupied dwellings. To put this into perspective Newham scored highest with 1,318.

Harrow remains one of the most popular areas for families in the whole of London. The area has the feel of a standalone town, something that is very special and a huge draw for people who live in the capital.

The most attractive thing about the Borough is the fact that it is home to Harrow School, one of the most prestigious schools for boys in the UK. It was founded in 1572 and has a long list of distinguished alumni including Sir Winston Churchill and members of the royal family. It is one of the last remaining full boarding all boys schools and is situated on a beautiful 300 acre site.

The Borough is also very well connected so workers who need to commute will enjoy living here. The Metropolitan line provides the largest number of services in the area, providing easy connections to the City and other central Boroughs. Trains can reach Westminster in around twenty minutes.

Properties in Harrow are well regarded and highly sought. This is why there are so few that stand unoccupied for any length of time. Both the buying and renting markets are very healthy so there are really good opportunities.

If you are looking for an investment property that could earn you a good income you should take a look at Harrow and the fantastic attractions it offers. At Finefair we are happy to help buyers looking at the area, especially those thinking about buy to let. With us you can work with an experienced lettings agent and get valuable advice about every aspect of letting.

Guaranteeing your financial stability

London is one of the world’s most desirable cities to live and work in, with rising demand for homes across almost all demographics. Property investments are seen as a reliable way to secure long term financial returns, especially through buy to let investments. With its vibrant mixture of cultures, business opportunities, attractions and amenities, it’s no wonder that more and more people are looking to make the move and have a new start in London. Continue reading