News
AND WE HAVE LIFT OFF!
After a protracted period of what can only be described as a stagnant central London Lettings market, activity has increased dramatically in the last couple of weeks and, moving towards Spring, we fully expect it to continue. Whilst much of our existing stock was let in February, many more new properties are coming to the market to replace them.
Since the property crash heralded by Lehman Brothers in 2008, the Lettings market has seen many different types of behaviour with the lengths of tenancies and achievable rents varying. Now that we are on an upturn as London continues to attract highly skilled professionals – both corporate and individuals – we are seeing more current tenancies renewing year on year with rent increases and new tenancies being agreed at 2 years or more at a time giving security to the Tenant and peace of mind to our Landlords.
Here at Lurot Brand we take our commitment to good service very seriously and as a result have built up a longstanding and mutually beneficial working relationship with our Clients, the Landlords. This means that you in turn will benefit not only from our widespread legal expertise and advice throughout the negotiation process but also the wide choice.
It pays to be prepared:
· Do your homework. The internet is a valuable tool in starting your research. However do not be fooled by the apparent enormous choice – many Landlords instruct a multitude of agents and often you will see the same properties advertised several (or more) times on each web portal. Talk to our negotiators. Decide what you do want and what you definitely do not want from your property.
· Be open-minded wherever possible. We may suggest you a property you would have discounted outright on the internet but it may just surprise you and at the very least clarify what is non-negotiable for you.
· Be prepared. Have your references prepared and how you are going to pay the rent. We are now seeing a return to multiple bids on properties and in order to secure your perfect home in London, you may need to commit quickly.
We are here to help so come in and see us or give us a ring – 020 7479 1999.
Lajla Turner | Lettings Manager
WORKING HARD TO FIND YOU YOUR IDEAL PROPERTY
As reported in the February Mews Sales List there was a shortage of available properties with the likelihood of more coming to the market. That likelihood has become a reality, including a lovely house in Albion Mews which is the first house in the street to be openly marketed for sale since 2002, but there are still too few properties to quench the current demand. We are being kept busy valuing houses for clients where they are weighing up their tax position and personal lives and this ensures that we have in some cases “a foot in the door” and in other cases much more beyond to match a keen purchaser to their ideal house even when it’s not on the market.
This buyer/client relationship is something we have worked hard at for decades and with seemingly less property on the market year on year, it is well worth talking to us to see if we have what you may be looking for.
Over the last decade, the advent of the internet has made access to information on properties both immediate and international. The many excellent services we are now able to offer have been both a help and a hindrance for a specialist company like ours. In reality, the hindrance is more perceived as some of our clients feel that a firm of estate agents with the label “International” after their name will have access to a wider field of prospective buyers. In reality, thanks to the web, we are ALL international agents and this marketing form levels the field.
On a very few occasions in the last couple of years, our clients have also chosen one of the larger corporate agencies to act alongside Lurot Brand due to their perceived global appeal. All this does is increase the level of commission payable, and the end result? In most cases, Lurot Brand still sold the property!
We remain London’s only estate agency specialising in the sale of mews properties. Since choosing this niche all those years ago, we have maintained a strong reputation for hard work and most importantly, excellent results for our clients. Despite what the Chancellor announces on Wednesday 20th March in his Budget we will be here to advise our clients and buyers with the same grounding and perspective that our specialisation has endowed over the past 42 years.
Duncan Petrie | Sales Manager
Lurot Brand Mobile Application
Lurot Brand has launched the ultimate Augmented Reality mobile application that actually helps you find mews and other properties for sale or to rent with Lurot Brand all around you and as you move!
The application offers real answers to the property Augmented Reality experience by accurately showing properties currently on the market around you. This has been done by using cutting edge technology to combine your handsets camera, GPS and touch screen functions with detailed longitude and latitude coordinates to give unprecedented accuracy.
The Lurot Brand application does not present a gimmicky usage of Augmented Reality but delivers the truly amazing potential of this technology.
How does it work?
The application shows you the nearest properties for sale or to rent on a conventional map and as you raise your phone and turn to face different directions you can see the available properties around you. A quick superimposed description will help you decide if you want to know more, access the full details, walk to see the outside of the property and contact Lurot Brand to arrange a viewing or for more details. You can also refine your requirements, save your searches and even look further afield using the comprehensive search facility.
Available for
iPhone 3GS & 4, download on the Apple Application Store
Android Mobile Phones, download on the android marketplace
Please note
Accuracy and performance of the application will depend on the GPS & Compass functions ability of the mobile phone used and on mobile provider connection.
