We have many years of experience looking after landlords and their tenants in North London and our experience has taught us that whether you are an experienced landlord or are just starting out, there are seven things that it is very important for you to know.  

1. Choosing the right agent

This is without doubt the most important decision you will make as a landlord. A good letting agent will ensure that not only is your property well looked after, but that your tenants are too, which will lead to fewer rental voids. Take your time selecting an agent, read their testimonials from other landlords; and always ensure that you are happy working with them before going ahead.

2. The right price

All tenants are looking to rent a property for a competitive price, and good tenants tend to have their pick of rental properties. A good letting agent can advise you on the correct amount of rent to charge for your property. Remember, setting the rent too high will likely result in a rental void while you are looking for a tenant, so don’t shoot yourself in the foot by being greedy!

3. Have an emergency fund

It is wise to have some money saved to cover unexpected costs, such as a new boiler or a rental void. If you do not have some money put aside to help you through a rental void you may feel under pressure to accept an unsuitable tenant just in order to have some rent coming in.

4. Insurance

Landlord insurance is essential when you rent out a property. It will typically include rent and legal protection so that you are covered for any legal disputes with your client, and it will also cover you for lost rent if your tenant defaults.

5. Legal obligations

There have been massive regulatory changes in the last few years. Small mistakes can have large financial repercussions, so if you are finding it hard to keep on top of them, consider using a letting agent to manage your property to reduce the stress on you.

6. Buy cheap, buy twice

It is usually far more financially beneficial in the long run to buy good quality materials in order to carry out repairs/refurbishments instead of buying cheap ones that have a shorter lifespan and will therefore need replacing/redoing sooner.

7. Understand your tenancy agreement

Ensure that you have read and fully understood your tenancy agreement and have made sure that it is appropriate to both your property and your circumstances. A good letting agent will always be happy to answer any queries that you may have.

If you are considering renting out, or are. already renting out your property in North London and would like some more advice or to discuss how we can help you to rent out your property please do not hesitate to give us a call on 020 7759 2199.

Moving house can feel quite exciting. There are so many options, like choosing an area, narrowing down your list of requirements for your new home, and then putting together a shortlist of properties.

In the midst of our excitement, it is important to remember others in our family might not share our feelings. Children frequently experience anxiety and can feel overwhelmed when faced with big life events like moving home. To avoid this, it’s crucial to include them, as much as you are able to.

We have helped find hundreds of families their dream homes over the years, and we’ve learned a few things about how to help your children feel as excited about moving as you are.

Take the time to explain to your children why you are moving. For example, are you relocating for a larger garden, more space, or because you want to live in a more convenient location? 

Everyone is nervous about things they do not know about or understand. Don’t forget to listen to their worries and opinions as well as outlining the advantages of moving to them.

Give your children a chance to choose the furniture or paint colour for their new room. This will help them feel like they have some say in what is happening, which will make it feel less frightening and out of their control

It’s better to go to first viewings without your children, but we understand that this is not always possible and they are always welcome. However, the reason for recommending this is because you might determine a property is wholly inappropriate for you, while your child might think otherwise and be unhappy when you disagree. 

Another benefit of leaving your children at home is you won’t have to worry about them touching everything, or have them attempting to talk to you while you try to concentrate on the viewing. All of us have been there!

If you opt to involve your children in the decision-making process by taking them on a second viewing after determining that the property is a possibility for your family, there is less chance that you will disappoint them if you decide against the home they have their hearts set on.

Finally, on the day of the move, be sure to pack their most prized possessions into a bag that they can hold onto. The day will be much less stressful for them if they aren’t worrying about losing their favourite cuddly toy, and they’ll feel secure knowing that even though the rest of the house is packed up, they can still snuggle and play with the things that make them feel safe.

We are always delighted to help your children feel involved in the process of finding their new home. If you would like us to help find the perfect property for your whole family in the Hampstead, Little Venice, Marylebone, Primrose Hill areas please just give us a call on 020 7759 2199 or send an email to enquiries@vitaproperties.uk.

Choosing the right estate agent in the Hampstead, Little Venice, Marylebone, Primrose Hill area is the most important decision you will make when selling your property. The estate agency you choose will affect how long it takes to sell your property, how much it will sell for, and how smoothly the sale goes. 

Valuations

Watch out for estate agents who give inflated valuations because they want you to instruct them. Overpriced properties often take longer to sell, and the price nearly always has to be dropped before serious buyers will become interested. 

Valuing a home is a real skill that good estate agents hone over a number of years. They need to assess the value of your property based on its location, condition, current economic and market conditions, buyer demand, and any unique features that may increase or decrease its value.

Marketing

Proactive agents don’t just advertise on Rightmove. They maintain an up to date database of clients who are actively looking to purchase properties and will know the position they are in to proceed. We at The Vita Property Group engage with potential clients through social media and utilise a mixture of traditional marketing (local property magazines, window displays etc.) with modern online marketing across a variety of platforms. 

Handling Offers

Good estate agents will take time to ensure that they are aware of the financial position of your potential buyers. They will find out things such as, have they been pre-approved for a mortgage? Do they have a property to sell and if so what stage are they at with that? If their property is under offer are they in a chain? Are they keen enough about your property to be flexible with exchange and completion dates?

Great estate agents will then be able to advise you as to whether it would be wise to accept an offer or whether there may be other offers that are better due to the buyer’s ability to proceed with the purchase.  

Progressing the sale

Once an offer has been accepted, many estate agents will pass responsibility for dealing with the sale onto the solicitors. However, this can lead to delays, communication problems, and frustration. 

Proactive estate agents help to push through the sale as soon as possible by liaising with the buyers, sellers, and their solicitors to ensure that you are able to move into your new home as quickly and hassle-free as possible. 

If you are considering putting your property in the Hampstead, Little Venice, Marylebone, Primrose Hill area on the market, give us a call on 020 7759 2199 to find out why we are the best choice to sell your property.

The Vita Property Group – A way of life

You need expert London property knowledge. We’re here for you. In this, The Vita Property Group London Blog, we will regularly share our expertise with you in handy, bitesize articles.

It can feel hard to trust estate and letting agents; we know that. And it’s this feeling we work, every day, to melt away for our clients. This is also the purpose behind the Vita Property Group London Blog.

With an ARLA, NAEA, and RICS-qualified team, you can be assured that everything you and your property needs will be provided for you by Vita.

What we do at The Vita Property Group:

Selling and Buying London Property 

When you’re selling London property, you need to feel confident that all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. With Vita’s highly qualified and experienced team, you can feel reassured that you’ll have the smoothest possible journey.

When buying property in London, whether for a home or an investment, it’s really no different. Our transparent approach means you always know what you’re getting and what’s going on.

Whether you’re local yourself or abroad, we will be there to support you every step of the way.

London Property Valuations

With over 50 years of experience in the London property market, you can rely on our expertise when it comes to valuations. Not only do we know the most up-to-date market conditions but also the market’s patterns over many years, which can help you make the right decisions for you and your property goals. 

London Lettings

As a landlord, you need to know that your property portfolio is legally compliant with the hundreds of pieces of legislation in place. You want happy tenants that want to care for their home – your investment – and stay a long time. Being ARLA trained means you know our team know the law and how to best help your tenants stay happy tenants. 

Looking after your London properties

Managing tenants and properties can be both challenging and time-consuming for landlords. It’s also easy to get things wrong in an ever-changing legal landscape. Because we’ve worked in the area since 2011, we know the best local people to help keep your investments in the best condition. Our training and experience ensure you stay compliant with contented tenants. 

Renting in London

Searching for a home can be a challenge as there’s so much to balance, i.e., budget, location, room sizes, the list goes on. We know this area so well and have supported hundreds of people to find their perfect place; let us help you too. 

And so, welcome to the Vita Property Group London Blog

What makes us different from other estate agents can be hard to put into words. However, many of the reviews our happy clients leave us manage it. Here’s Patrick C with his Google review: 

“The team at Vita made the process seamlessly stress-free, whilst delivering excellent service levels: 

• intuition
• savoir-faire
• great insight into clients’ demographics
• unflappable behaviour
• promptest responses
• and a genuine sense of welcome to their offices in Northways Parade. 

Above all, they do all this with a sense of humour.

Vita has changed my perception of the estate agent sector. I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone seeking to sell or purchase property in the local area.” 

If you are looking for a tireless, well-connected team who will go above and beyond for you, who do what they say and say what they do, with humour, expertise, and industry-leading standards, Vita Properties are the right team for you.

“Nobody else in the market comes even close in terms of their professionalism and specialised care.” – Kristina A, Google review.

Contact us for more information or an informal, no-obligation chat: 

Tel: 020 7759 2199

Email: enquiries@vitaproperties.uk