Letting Agent Property  Management SW17 London

HELPING A STRESSED LANDLORD

Imagine this scenario: You own a big property in an area that commands very decent rent. You are under time pressures to renovate the property so that you can let it and start earning an income on it. Halfway through the refurbishment your contractor bails. You have to find a new contractor (at a time when tradesmen are fully booked) and finish the job without losing months of potential income on your property. You see your investment costing you more and more while it earns you nothing.

This is every landlord’s nightmare, particularly landlords who have mortgages on their investment properties (as most do). And this is exactly what happened in this story.

TOOTING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT – ALDIS STREET, LONDON, SW17

Next Step had previously worked with the landlord of this property. He called us in distress when his 3-bedroom property in Tooting, which was undergoing major refurbishment, was left unfinished by his contractor. He was in a real bind and needed some help navigating this stressful situation.

Next Steps’ remit does not usually go as far as managing major building works, but having been in the property industry for many years in South West London, we were able to reach out to our numerous contacts and help resolve the situation quickly and efficiently. We put on our project management hard hat, meeting with the head contractor and listing a thorough schedule of works, costings and pre agreed meeting times.

We oversaw the completion of the project which took a further 12 weeks and was finished to a very high standard.

On completion of the works, we immediately set about letting the property for the landlord. Given the quality work on it we were able to let it quickly and for a very good price. The landlord was so pleased with our service he appointed us full property managers on an ongoing basis.

Check out Aldis Street, SW17 below.

TINTERN STREET, LONDON, SW4 7QQ

9% OVER ASKING PRICE ON DAY ONE!

The landlord of this property was an established investor with multiple properties in her portfolio. She was used to working with large chain agencies and was pleasantly surprised to learn through us that sometimes big does not always mean best.

Next Step had worked with this landlord on another project and having been pleased with our service on that, she instructed us again on a tenant find basis. There are different levels of service that we can offer a landlord looking to let their property. These range from let only, to managing ongoing rent collection, to full property management and everything in between. We are always happy to accommodate a landlord and their individual requirements.

This property was a 4-bedroom mid terrace property with easy access to Brixton and Clapham. This made it a dream location for young professionals and we built a marketing strategy based on this.

Next Step did not manage this property but nevertheless politely liaised with the current occupiers to ensure it was adequately presented for the professional photoshoot, virtual tour and eventual viewings. It can sometimes be a challenge for an agent to liaise with current tenants, particularly if there is not an established relationship with them through prior letting or management. At Next Step we pride ourselves on our personal touch and approachability. We are always happy to liaise with an existing tenant so that a landlord doesn’t have to act as a “go between”.

The listing went live on 3 March and we were immediately inundated with requests from applicants. To ensure the current tenants and landlord were not overwhelmed with viewings, we carefully vetted each applicant prior to booking a viewing for them. At the end of this process the list was still long, so we conducted an open house with back to back viewings over the course of one day – a lot more efficient and convenient for an existing tenant.

Next Step Estates comes into its own with open homes. We have a lot of experience with them and often generate excellent results from them. We adopt a flexible approach that ensures all applicants leave feeling like they have had a good experience. Such touches can often help sway an applicant into making an offer.

At the end of Tintern Street’s open home we received five offers! Four of these offers were over asking price with the highest offer being £450 per calendar month more. This is an outstanding result that we believe was achieved through our targeted and discerning marketing strategy that created buzz and painted the property in a very desirable light.

On top of this incredible rental offer we also managed to agree terms with the tenants that included a two year tenancy. Once an offer is received the work really begins. At Next Step we provide a full tenancy finding service that includes reference checking a successful applicant, collecting and managing the tenancy deposit and first month’s rental, arranging relevant property checks, completing check in and updating utilities.

The landlord was delighted with our results. She was able to see how a personalised and direct service from an independent agency can often produce the best outcome when renting a property.

Check out Tintern Street, SW4 7QQ below.

INGLEMERE ROAD, LONDON, CR4 2BT

ACHIEVED ASKING PRICE IN JUST 10 DAYS!

At Next Step Estates we are delighted to present to you our overview of this charming property on Inglemere Road. It is a great example of how we represent clients abroad. In fact, we have a very strong database of overseas investors.

Being a landlord can be stressful at times. This is more pronounced when your rental property is across an ocean. On this occasion the landlord was looking for a new agency in the Tooting/Mitcham area to let her property. She had been disappointed with her previous letting experience for the property and wanted a change. She instructed a number of agencies to ensure that this time her expectations were met. Next Step were delighted to be the agency she ended up instructing and we are pleased to say we didn’t let her down.

Prior to instruction we viewed the property, then worked on a proposal that was tailormade to the landlord’s requirements. In the proposal we set out our strategy for how we would achieve the best price possible for her property. The landlord’s initial response was encouraging:

“Hello again Asad. Thank you for your patience. I have now read through your proposal again and I must say it looks very professional and very impressive.”

Next Step were handed the keys to the property on 21 January and after respectfully liaising with the current tenants and taking professional photographs, video for a virtual tour and floorplans, the property was launched to market on 25 January.

We worked to our strategy of having a “soft” launch where we contacted our database of registered applicants who fit the demographic profile of those who would find this an ideal home (professional sharers or a family). We immediately started booking in viewings.

Next Step promises to go the extra mile when it comes to viewings. We will create an experience that suits you and your property. Flexibility is key. It is not unusual for us to conduct open home viewings and ensure that your property is being shown in the best light. We promise to ensure people take their time and do not rush people out. If someone shows up late to an open home, we stay open. At Next Step we do what we can to get you the best applicant possible.

We also marketed the property on the usual online channels and our website. On our website were nine high resolution images with the virtual tour and floorplan. All marketing services were (as always) included as standard in our services.

Only ten days later we presented the landlord with not one, but three, excellent offers.

Next Step also provided an exceptional service to the tenancy applicants. It is important that they too are treated with courtesy and respect. Afterall, they are about to make a big investment with your property so starting on the “right foot” is the best way to ensure a good relationship going forward.

Our service to these tenants was applauded and we received the following praise when they moved in:

“Awesome! From the start until we got the property, [the] Next Step agent Asad has been helpful and makes you welcome… he makes sure that it’s going [in] the right direction. Approachable and consistent in doing his job as a great agent. Thank you Next Step.”

 Check out Inglemere Road, CR4 2BT below.