Property prices have doubled in three years

Property prices have doubled in three years.
“Our buyers are growing families from Wandsworth, Clapham or Fulham who can’t afford the next step up in their area,” Carl Davenport, of Hamptons says. Dulwich has 14 green spaces and few car-parking restrictions. Nor is Dulwich over- burdened by high-profile politicians.More typical buyers are usually young families, lured by a cluster of excellent schools in a area with a favourable tree-to-people ratio. Alas, their old house with its bullet-proof windows is not up for sale. For him, it was near a golf course; for her, it was only five miles to Westminster, almost within handbag swing. Moneynetmortgagesearches For the Thatchers, the rustic village in south-east London was ideal.

A good company will do running repairs.Parking is a big issue and there should be a monitored policy.Look at the service charge and judge whether you are getting more or less than you want.. Ideal is once a fortnight.Internal decoration is usually done every five years; external, every six. They should be up-to-date (two weeks’ past) and understandable.Ask the company how often they visit. Worry if you get unsatisfactory answers.Availability of information is a good sign You should be able to get full detailed accounts on demand. Leaseholder associations may be less candid.Is everyone made immediately aware of the rules of the block and are they enforced?Find out how quickly a problem is solved after it has been reported.Question the company on amounts being spent, why and when. I am forever challenging premiums often three times more than I could get from a broker.”What to do before you buy that leaseholdKnock on doors and ask lessees how the block is run.

Daniel Marsh says: “Many of them cash in on a block insurance and mark it up to residents. All these cost a great deal of money.”For those who might wish to make the most of the right to manage, the Act is a wake-up call for management companies. It is important to look at the building and see whether there is an intercom system, if the lifts have been modernised and the windows are in good condition. “Someone who wanted to buy a flat in Bloomsbury at what seemed an extremely attractive price, pulled out after she found the council had £28,000 worth of work scheduled over the next three years.