We have already seen an increase in activity and are busy dealing with the the pent-up demand that has built up. We expect the market to be buoyant in the next months as buyers and tenants press on with their urgent property moves.

Our high-quality service is the same, with additional safeguarding procedures to ensure the wellbeing of all our customers and colleagues.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

A fully sanitised office at all times with spaced out desks

Initial contact with us by email, telephone and Zoom

A virtual tour of relevant properties that match your requirements

A pre-viewing health declaration form so you can flag up any symptoms or concerns

An agent who has washed their hands and is wearing PPE to conduct viewings

Handwashing before entry to a property

A one-to-one viewing between agent and the main decision-maker

A fully cleaned property for you to view

Able to inspect the premises whilst the agent waits outside if the property is unoccupied

If the property is occupied the agent will follow you at a safe distance

A follow-up call after the viewing

VIEWINGS

When carrying out viewings, we will only show one household at a time. We ask all viewers to wash their hands or use anti-bacterial gel prior to the viewing and wear gloves and a face covering. We will be asking them not to touch anything during the viewing.

Our teams will also be washing their hands or using anti-bacterial hand gel prior to the visit and will be wearing gloves and face masks. At the end of the appointment we will disinfect any surfaces we have touched such as door handles and light switches.

We would recommend that any occupants vacate the property for the duration of the viewing, however, should this not be possible we will be following the 2m social distancing guidelines.

Prior to any viewings, if anyone at the property shows symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in contact with anyone showing symptoms, please let us know.

If you have any questions, we are available on the phone or on email at any time and will keep in touch regularly over the coming weeks.

EXISTING TENANTS

As you would expect we are taking all sensible precautions to protect our colleagues, customers and clients whilst the Covid-19 situation continues. Our main priority is ensuring the wellbeing of everyone we come into contact with and helping prevent the spread of the virus.

We know that some people may be uncomfortable about us arranging viewings at the moment so we are making sure that we are avoiding risks and constantly updating our procedures to reflect official recommendations.

In essence, we are making sure that you are not exposed to anyone that we suspect is not fit and healthy, likewise, please let us know if there is anyone at the property who may put our colleagues at risk.

New tenants or buyers are happily agreeing when viewing, to avoid physical contact with us, you or the property.

We will continue to be in regular contact and thank you for your understanding.

POTENTIAL VENDOR / LANDLORD

Our high-quality service is the same, with additional safeguarding procedures to ensure the wellbeing of all our customers and colleagues.

If you are thinking of selling or letting and would like some up to date market advice, please give us a call or send a quick email.

VALUATIONS / APPRAISALS

Prior to the valuation, if you or any of your household show any symptoms of Covid-19 or you have been in direct contact with anyone showing symptoms, please let us know.

The post Soames Open For Business appeared first on Soames London.

You might have come across our agency before. We’ve been based on Old Church Street for a long time, since 1995 to be precise. We started trading as Victoria Soames, with Richard Jacobs, our sage and director, joining in 1999 with Evgenia Petrova providing a way forward in 2018.

Our team is a great mix of the old and the young, the local and the foreign. We like to think we are just like London. We respect tradition and embrace innovation.

Have you got a property question you’d like to discuss? Get in touch.

The post Homes with Soames: Local Office, Global Touch appeared first on Soames London.

Since late 2014 Stamp Duty on the purchase of residential property has been raised to high levels that has significantly changed the direction of property values. After many years of increases in values exceeding inflation and personal incomes, in 2015 these Stamp Duty increases caused falling prices from historical highs and to date there has been no sign of the reversing of this direction .

In fact, further taxes have been imposed on overseas purchasers and individuals with a second property and the mortgage market has been restricted with changes to the valuation criteria for lending.

European Union

Since mid-2016, in addition to the factors above, the uncertainty of the financial impact of the UK leaving the EU has halted many potential purchasers from entering Prime Central London residential market.

We, however, believe this is a temporary pause in values and it will become clear that being out of the EU may well encourage investment in the UK and in its residential property market.

Rental Changes

Property owners who have enjoyed a rising market and have let their properties in London have been adversely affected by higher taxes. Further restrictions are soon to be introduced that will see a ban on charges to tenants and deposits paid by tenants on the properties they occupy. All these measures have reduced the returns previously available to landlords and altered the enterprise to become far from risk free.

We are able to offer landlords a service that replaces deposits and fees to tenants with an insurance backed set of schemes to enable the landlords to enjoy the security of a deposit involved in a letting transaction and fees for services that were previously payable by tenants.

The post Changes to the Prime Central London Residential Market appeared first on Soames London.

UK real estate remains one of the best and most stable assets with an added lifestyle bonus and reputational cool points. Now, whichever area of London casts its loving spell on you, the next choice to make is to decide between traditional, period properties and apartments in new built developments.

Built to the latest standards and with future needs in mind, new built apartments are serious contenders for top values in London real estate market. Interiors are often modelled to remind of luxury hotels- chic and swanky. In a similar vein, home ownership in new built development now routinely includes access to a concierge, private spa and gym at a minimum. Clean, modern apartments offer a promise of a shiny new start in one of the best cities in the world.

Despite new built’s many virtues, foreign purchasers are coming to question their past choices as apartments bought brand new at a premium only 3-4 years ago struggle to sell even for same amount in today’s oversupplied market. Not unlike period properties, similar factors influence whether the resale value of new built apartments keeps and grows over time. We suggest following these rules when choosing a new built flat:

1. Buy the best apartment in the block your money can afford. If you can get river or city view, pay for it. If several apartments go up for sale in your block at once, yours will be the better one and will justify the higher price premium. We see apartments with good views and spacious lateral layouts to grow in value over time compared to apartments with inferior views in the same development.
2. Pay attention to the building and management companies’ reputation in the marketplace. Visit their existing developments, study their plans for growth, note independent awards. Service and upkeep are paramount in multi-apartment blocks. You should also note the service charge: often new built developments with extensive facilities and those without would have a comparable service charge, making the add-on luxury great value for money too.
3. Study development plans for the area. Get an idea of how many more units will be built around you over the next 5-10 years. Will the infrastructure catch up? Pay particular attention to neighbouring building plans that might change your view or perception of the area as a whole. These plans will rarely be mentioned in your sales brochure and might be coming to fruition 5 years after your purchase (when you decide to sell)

In all, new built remain a strong favourite in London property market for its quality, service and convenience. However, the classical English townhouses still command top prices in London. Universally desired for their elegance, history and often best locations, period properties can be great investment vehicles for value preservation and price growth.

The post New Built vs Period properties in Central London appeared first on Soames London.