Read on for a few of our top tips on how to research houses in the North London area, and to learn how our team can help you to successfully secure the keys to your very first home.

Location, Location, Location

It is important to establish a well-defined search area to help you find the perfect property. Take into account distances from your friends and family, as well as the time it will take you to commute to work before deciding on an area to search in. With over forty-seven years of experience as one of the leading independent estate agents in the London area, Martyn Gerrard are experts on the capital’s property market, and can help you to find your perfect location within North London.

Know What You Are Looking For

It is important to have a definite list of requirements when looking for houses North London. Number of bedrooms, size of garden, detached or terrace properties – these are all things to consider when drawing up a specification for your first home. We can work with you to find houses which match your criteria and budget, minimising the time you spend viewing properties which just aren’t right.

Perhaps our most important piece of advice to prospective first home owners is to choose a professional and well-established estate agency who can provide the support and industry knowledge that you require when looking for houses North London. Choose Martyn Gerrard to help make your first steps onto the property ladder a success.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Martyn Gerrard. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Martyn Gerrard, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

The Association claims that when there are disputes, many landlords and agents fail to present thorough and fully detailed inventories, copies of which have been given to the tenant at check-in and check-out and, ideally, signed by the tenant – although an unsigned inventory is still acceptable by deposit scheme adjudicators, if it is dated and proof is available that the document has been given to the tenant at time of check-in.

Pat Barber, chair of the AIIC, said: “It is so important for landlords to ensure they have all the right paperwork to present to adjudicators. 

“Time and again we see landlords losing disputes because they fail to provide the right evidence to show that a tenant has damaged the property.

“It should always be remembered that the deposit is the tenant’s property until a landlord can prove justification for any deductions.”

If you have any questions about inventories please give call the Martyn Gerrard Management department, we have a wealth of experience dealing with landlord tenants deposit disputes

However, analysis by Rightmove, which advertises around 90% of homes currently for sale in the UK market, also finds that the number of new properties advertised for sale in the final quarter of 2011 was significantly down on the third quarter, with, crucially, flats and terraces in short supply. Around three in 10 respondents (29%) to our survey indicated that ‘finding a suitable property to buy’ was their single biggest concern around buying.

Miles Shipside, director at Rightmove comments: “First-time buyer levels remain well below historic norm of 40%, but a slight increase of 1.4% on last quarter of those intending to buy for the first time offers some encouragement for the year ahead. The main issues of affordability and mortgage availability that have blighted first-time buyers over the last few years remain. Our research also provides evidence of an emerging new home-ownership challenge in the form of a lack of available properties that would typically be brought to market by first-time sellers.”

Rightmove analysis shows that this could be in part the result of fewer new properties being advertised for sale during the final quarter of 2011, especially the typical first-time buyer targets of flats and terraces. In the final quarter of 2011, the numbers of terraces and flats coming to market were down 31% and 28% respectively when compared with the previous quarter. With Rightmove seeing record traffic in January, a typically busy period in the home-moving calendar, there is less new choice to tempt first-time buyers at the start of the year.

Shipside adds: “For first-time buyers who are itching to get on the ladder a lack fresh of choice in apartments and terrace properties must be extremely frustrating. Owners of these property types, typically first-time sellers, are being deterred from bringing their property to market for a number of reasons. A continued policy of forbearance by lenders and low interest rates means that the market is short of forced sellers. In addition, those wishing to trade up are suffering from a lack of equity, lack of confidence to stretch themselves financially and, in certain micro-markets, difficulty in identifying a suitable property that they would like to move to.”

Around one in 12 (8%) is concerned about their ability to meet the monthly repayments of a mortgage, a statistic which again highlights the pertinence of the deposit hurdle in front of first-time buyers. Only around one in 14 (7%) identified concerns around fluctuating house prices. That movements in house prices are not seen as a significant barrier is particularly interesting given that 59% of the sample indicated that they believed average asking prices in their area are currently above what they consider to be ‘fair and reasonable’.

If you have been thinking of moving, there is a strong demand from buyers, which could result in you achieving a better sale price than in a more competitive market. If you would like to know how sought after your home is in the current market contact your local branch of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents

The properties most vulnerable to fraud are usually empty, tenanted or mortgage-free. Individuals at a higher risk of fraud include owners who are absent for whatever reason; for example: owners who live abroad, buy to let landlords, the elderly not living in their properties because they may be in long term hospital or residential care, and where a relationship has broken down.

Land Registry’s top tips to help owners protect their property from fraudsters are:

* First of all make sure your property is registered. If you become an innocent victim of fraud and suffer a financial loss as a consequence, you will be compensated.
* Once registered make sure your contact details are up-to-date so we can reach you easily.
* You can have up to three addresses on the register; email addresses or an address abroad can be used. The more information you provide the more chance we have of reaching you if we need to.
* Owners who feel their property might be at risk can have a restriction entered on their property which is designed to help prevent forgery by requiring a solicitor or conveyancer to certify they are satisfied that the person selling or mortgaging the property is the true owner.

From 1 February 2012, there is no Land Registry fee for home owners to register this restriction, as long as they do not live in the property they wish to protect. Owner occupiers will continue to pay a small fee.

Malcolm Dawson, Chief Land Registrar said: “Today’s launch of our ‘Top Tips’ shows how important it is to let home owners know what simple steps they can take to protect their property – one of which is now the ability for those at greatest risk to have a free restriction entered which might prevent their property from being targeted by fraudsters and stolen unawares.

“We have introduced a range of additional safeguards in the last four years and we also work closely with other organisations to do all we can to tackle fraud and identify and take corrective action when it has happened. But home owners must also be vigilant and play their own part in protecting their properties against fraud.”

It’s important to do research into the area you are looking at moving to, ensuring the facilities will be right for you and your family. This is where our team can help as we have a wealth of knowledge about the various areas we have properties in.

It will depend on whether you are a family, a single person or a couple as to what you put most importance on when looking for a new property. We will take time to learn more about you and find out the specific elements you are wishing to find with your new home. You will also find in-depth area guides on our website which detail things such as education, transport and places to eat in the area.

Once you have made a decision on the area you wish to move into, we will help you find the perfect property for your needs. Once settled, you can then turn the house into a home and may wish to consider investing in new garden furniture so you can enjoy the British summertime with friends in your new property.

If you need help finding houses to rent Muswell Hill, don’t hesitate to contact the team here at Martyn Gerrard. We have a wealth of knowledge and a professional working ethic so we guarantee that you will be more than satisfied with our outstanding customer service. To find out more about the properties we have available, feel free to browse our website today.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Martyn Gerrard. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Martyn Gerrard, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

Have you seen the Martyn Gerrard Buses?

Look out for our advert on the back of the 263

You could win a European weekend city break (flight and accommodation) for two!

Take a picture of you OR your partner with our 263 bus advertisement, or with one of our boards or outside one of our estate offices.

Send your picture to us at comp@martyngerrard.co.uk. Well post it on our facebook page. Then just get your friends to like it. The picture with the MOST likes will win the city break for two – SO remember to get ALL your friends and family to LIKE your uploaded picture for a chance to win. IT’S SIMPLE!!!!

Winners will be announced the evening of April 30^th.

Entries must be 18 or over.

Spend some time thinking about what it is you want from your new home. What kind of property will suit your lifestyle? What location is most desirable and affordable? Do you want a garden? How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want a new or old property? Taking the time to identify what is important to you will save you time in your property search.

Preparation is also the key to the viewing process itself. Be ready with a list of questions you want to ask the vendor and the estate agent. For example asking how long the house has been on the market may give you a clue to any potential problems with the property. You might also need to ask; what fixtures and fitting will be left? What are the neighbours like? Why the vendor is moving? What are the parking arrangements? How much does the property cost to run? In order to keep each property you view clear in your mind it is best to take notes along the way.

Try to visualise yourself living there. Ignore the décor as much as you can and try to think about whether your furniture will fit into the house and how it will look with your style applied to it. View the property in daylight and be sure to check out the area at other times of the day: a quiet road might be manic during rush hour and a desirable neighbourhood may look different at night.

Be polite but don’t feel uncomfortable looking around a house, it is a big investment to make, so it pays to be a little nosey.”

At Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents our sales staff are trained to make the viewing as informative as possible. They will show you the key benefits of the property and point out any aspects that may not be obvious. They are there to answer any questions you may have about the property and the area it’s in.

A buy to let property can be a great investment, but it is very different from buying your own home. Great care and expert advice must be taken before plunging into the buy to let market. Be sure to take advice from specialist financial advisors and your local Licensed ARLA letting agent.

Top 10 tips for would be Buy to Let landlords

1)           Do your research. Buy to let can be a legal, practical and financial minefield, and you will need to do your homework.  Research the market, with the help of your local Licensed NAEA and ARLA agents, who will be able to advise on demand and any other relevant issues in the area you are considering.

2)           Know the demand. Buying where there is no rental demand can be fatal to the buy to let investor, yet it is a surprisingly common mistake.  Make sure you are not investing in a market which is already saturated with the sort of property you have to offer, and do not be misled by stories of fast profits.

3)           Understand your finances. Keep in mind whether you are in the market for capital gain when you sell or simply monthly rental income.  This will help you decide what to buy and where, and what kind of mortgage you need.

4)           Buy carefully. Make sure you buy a property which allows for sufficient profit margin.  Do not go for a ‘bargain’ property which may turn into a money pit very quickly.  Major repairs require much time and effort and paying more for a property which is in better condition can be a wise move.

5)           Decorate to demand. Don’t make the mistake of decorating and furnishing the property to your own tastes – keep it simple, with clean lines and do not fall into self indulgence.  You are there to make money out of the property, so keep your market in mind.

6)           Check for safety. By law you must make sure that the property you are letting complies with various safety regulations, like furniture and furnishings fire safety, gas safety, electrical equipment safety and that it contains a smoke detector.  You’ll also need certificates to prove these regulations have been met. You need to be aware of new and updated regulations as and when they arise.  Failure to comply with the law can result in serious consequences.  The best way to make sure you are kept up to date is to use a Licensed ARLA agent who can keep you updated and ensure you comply.

7)           Know your responsibilities. You, your letting agent and your tenant have different responsibilities, and it is important to know where these lie.  As the landlord you will be expected to pay buildings insurance, ground rent and service charges (if the property is in a block or conversion) and insure any items you leave in the property.  Your letting agent will be able to advise on others’ responsibilities as part of your contract.

 8)           Prepare for voids. Your property may be empty and not generate any income for periods of time, and you need to be ready for this.  Advertising for new tenants, or carrying out maintenance or repairs can potentially take weeks or months off your lettings calendar and you should have a plan in place if this happens. However an experienced letting agent will be able to guide you and help ensure any void period is kept to the minimum.

 9)           Move with the market. Know that, if the market softens, you will have to lower your rent in order to stay competitive, no matter how desirable your property.  If you are in it for the long term this should not matter, as the important thing is that your property continues to generate an income for you.

 10)        Recruit a managing or letting agent. Knowing where to advertise your property, how to effectively vet potential tenants and the kind of lease you should use can be tricky if you have no experience. Being a landlord is a full time responsibility, 365 days a year and is best not left to friends or family.  A good agent who is affiliated to the ARLA will find tenants, do credit checks, draw up the lease, collect rent, and inspect the property, thereby removing much of the hassle involved.

 Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents are licensed members of both the NAEA and ARLA. For up to date advice and information about your local lettings or sales market contact your local office.

There are many things to take into consideration when choosing a new flat; continue on as we explore exactly what these aspects are and why they are so important.

Price

It is important to remember your budget, but also to realise that negotiation is possible. Don’t rule out a property immediately simply because it is slightly over your asking price as you could find that offering your budget might be enough to make the sale. We are on hand with expert negotiation skills to help you in your quest for the perfect flat.

Space

If the property you are viewing is vacant, it is all too easy to presume your larger possessions such as sofas and beds will fit with ease, however this may not always be the case. Take a few moments to measure items such as sofas and occasional chairs together with dining tables and beds, take the measurements along with a tape measure to the viewing and map out where everything would go. In addition, be sure to take note of available cupboard space.

Area

North Finchley is an area renowned for its vibrant shopping facilities and mouth-watering restaurants and is a mere 7 miles north-west of Charing Cross, making access to other areas of London and beyond very easy. The housing is predominantly of 19th century build although properties built between 1930 and 1960 can also be found in the area.

To find out more regarding flats for sale North Finchley, there has never been a better time to get in touch with the professionals here at Martyn Gerrard.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Martyn Gerrard. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Martyn Gerrard, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

• Number 13 houses cost £3,924 less on average than neighbouring properties
• Unlucky number 13 houses are rare with 28% of UK streets built without one

Zoopla.co.uk, which provides free instant value estimates for every UK home reveals that the average value of homes in the UK with number 13 as the address currently stands at £205,085 compared to an average of £209,009 for the surrounding numbers 11, 12, 14 and 15. The data also shows that numbers 1 and 2 are the most valuable addresses typically occupying corner or end of terrace locations and that house prices gradually decrease as address number increases.

While property triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13) may be bad news for some who won’t be able to sleep well despite the massive savings, it is good news for bargain-hunters not bothered by such superstition. However, those seeking such bargains may struggle to find them as over one quarter (28%) of streets in the UK don’t have a number 13 address making them both scarce (see chart below) and a bargain (see chart above), which is highly unusual. Some local councils including Lewes District Council and Herefordshire County Council have banned the use of number 13 in new housing developments while others such as King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council insist the number is always used.

And new streets can be built without a number 13, changing or removing the number from an existing property is against the law – a blow to any number 13 residents hoping to make a quick boost to their property value.

Some home-owners, however, have embraced the number 13 wholeheartedly. For example, This Morning presenter and celebrity mum Holly Willoughby, who currently has her home on the market, not only lives in a number 13 house but also resides in the SW13 postcode area.

Nicholas Leeming of Zoopla.co.uk commented: “Brave souls can secure a great bargain by purchasing a number 13 house. And buying something identical to next door (with the exception of the house number) for 2% less and saving almost £4,000 on average is like having your stamp duty and legal fees paid for you – a prospect even the most superstitious of people may find hard to pass up.”