Recent London, UK Property Acquisitions - Irvine & ColeIrvine & Cole

OAKLEY STREET, SW3

A classic example of Irvine & Cole securing a prime London development deal the kind of which are so hard to find and competed for by so many. The vendor was under time pressure to sell and we sourced the property through an out of area agent. The necessary lease extension was negotiated between exchange and completion enabling the property to be resold within 6 months. With the benefit of the extended lease we were able to manage the sale to provide an outstanding return without even requiring any improvement works.

ONSLOW GARDENS, SW7

This search was for a client referred by not one but two previous clients. They were looking for a quality investment as well as a property that would provide the perfect London base for their family when in town. Having not lived in London for a significant period of time our input guidance on their various options in different locations helped them greatly in honing the search. The purchased property was in their ideal location and we agreed the deal before it hit the open market.

COURTFIELD ROAD, SW7

A rental search for the daughter and her husband of a long standing client. Moving to London due to his work and her study their personal preferences on property requirements had to be combined with the commuting needs of each. Having never lived in London before our guidance and information was vital to them. Once a suitable home had been found we negotiated a tenancy agreement weighted strongly in their favour and precisely to their timescales.

RANELAGH GROVE, SW1W

This high level executive was relocating to London from the New York having been recruited by a renowned international firm. Her company offered her the services of a relocation agent but she rejected them in favour of using Irvine & Cole based on a personal recommendation. Very specific requirements meant an extensive search and all client viewings were naturally arranged around her demanding work schedule. Once the desired property was found we were able to negotiate a significant percentage from the asking price and we then worked alongside all parties to secure an exchange overcoming various unexpected hurdles along the way.

CLAPHAM COMMON, SW11

A successful lawyer looking to invest in property for the first time came to us with a particular interest in new builds. Our foresight into over supply of new builds, and the risk associated, persuaded the client to look for a period property. We managed to source and negotiate a large discount of the price of a two bedroom apartment located in a sought after street in Clapham. After a redesign by Irvine & Cole of the interior the client is now happily settled in his first home.

GREYHOUND ROAD, W6

An investor client with limited property experience wanted our assistance in securing a profitable development project within close proximity to where he lived in London. An off market commercial unit was sourced for the client under budget and in the desired location. Irvine & Cole managed to gain planning permission for change of use from commercial to residential to create two apartments of around 900sq.ft each, both with outside space. We are now managing the property beyond purchase through to completion of works and resale.

Park Mansions, SW1X

This property was bought purely to deliver an attractive return within a short time frame. An off market property sourced through our network of industry contacts at a price which ensured developer margin levels. Once purchased we handled the lease extension process and full refurbishment that created the significant uplift in value.

Porchester Terrace

This repeat client had loved living in the first home we found him so much that when his expanding family meant it was time to upsize he was adamant on staying in the immediate area. The small search area combined with the various criteria for the property meant few appropriate properties even existed let alone be for sale. Our local knowledge, connections, and persistence enabled us to source an ideal property which was available on an off market basis. Despite the discreet marketing the rarity of such a property inevitably resulted in competition from another buyer. Fortunately for our client, our experience of such situations and relationship with the owners representative ensured the property he won out.

We are now entrusted with managing the sale of this client’s former property.

LENNOX GARDENS, SW1X

The search remit was for a quality property located on the most highly sought after streets within a handful of prime London postcodes. As an investment property return and capital growth were a priority but the client also wanted it to have the features they appreciate in period London property and to be somewhere they could envisage living themselves. Our local and market knowledge meant we were able to help them meet both goals with a stunning three bedroom apartment on a prestigious garden square situated moments from Harrods and Sloane Square.

Park Crescent, W1

This international client’s very particular requirements for his London home meant he had been searching for the right property for several years before he came to us. We were able to source and secure the ideal property within the first few months or our instruction and negotiated £500,000 from the asking price.

Esmond Road, W4

When looking for any property, including those for development or investment, we encourage the client to focus on top streets in consistently high demand areas. This dilapidated apartment acquired for investors is a prime example – situated in the Bedford Park Conservation Area of Chiswick moments from the tube station and high road, a two bedroom two bathroom first floor apartment with large private garden. Swiftly refurbished it was back on the market just over three months after purchase and under offer in the first week of marketing at a price which delivered a net profit in excess of 30%.

Colbeck Mews, SW7

This completely unmodernised mews house still contained evidence of when it was used as stables. Beyond refurbishment it offered significant extension potential and was secured before coming to the open market at a low enough level to excite our experienced developer client. We also negotiated a very delayed completion which meant significant savings for the client on financing costs. Within weeks of purchase, and even before gaining planning permissions, the client received offers for the property in excess of £1,000,000 over what he paid for it. Tempting as this was he has chosen to move forward with the extension and refurbishment works to enjoy an even greater profit.

Drayton Gardens

A textbook example of Irvine & Cole delivering the kind of exciting property investment opportunity so many are desperate for but that are so hard to find. Secured off market through an established contact prior to sale at auction this one bedroom top floor flat was completely unmodernised with huge potential. Beyond the point of purchase we handled every aspect of redesign, negotiations with freeholder for license to alter, project management and resale. The culmination of which was an immaculate two bedroom apartment of optimal market appeal which sold with days of being launched at a level which delivered a net return of 34% inside 8 months.

Rosary Gardens, SW7

This international family were looking for a sound rental investment within a handful of prime London postcodes. With ease of letting the property the priority a top location was obviously key but could we source something that met all their other requirements: a period building and period features within the apartment, first floor for light, security and high ceilings, in excellent condition, well proportioned rooms, sensible layout, good storage, share of freehold, quiet street? Yes. With all these attributes it came as no surprise that there was other interest in the property but we ensured our client did not miss out and we even negotiated for the majority of furniture to be included so the property would be immediately ready to let – which we duly arranged for them too.

LEINSTER MEWS, W2

This young couple were looking for a first home together suitable to start their family. Requiring a freehold house with parking moments from Hyde Park and with easy access to his London office created a very restricted search area. Our extensive local knowledge meant we were able to swiftly identify the streets which could offer appropriate properties within budget. With the detailed research we provided to the client on these options they were able to focus on a handful of streets that appealed most. In addition to targeting these streets through our local contacts we hand delivered letters to relevant properties. In this way we managed to source a property directly and completely off market which met all their needs and that was situated on their first choice street. Our up to date knowledge of the market and experience in negotiation ensured an attractive price was achieved for the client. We were also able to advise on the potential to extend into the basement and are now assisting with gaining the relevant planning permission.

FAIRLAWN GROVE, W4

A young British family was returning to the UK after several years living in Moscow. They had a loose search area based on connections in that part of town but we were able to supply the detailed local knowledge they lacked helping them avoid less desirable pockets and focusing the search. They were only in town on very brief visits so we ensured the most was made of their time here with efficient tours of only the most appropriate properties that we had previewed in advance. Thinking it out of budget the client was initially hesitant to view the house that would become their family home. Our up to date market knowledge meant we knew there should be room on the asking price and we persuaded them to view. Not only were we able to negotiate the price down to within budget but we also secured the delayed completion that perfectly suited the practicalities of their repatriation.

Berners Street, W1

This cracking two bedroom apartment set within a striking red brick mansion block on Berner Street ticked all the boxes for our client. Living elsewhere for most of the year the property needed to be ideally located for easy access to the amenities and entertainment they enjoy most when in town. We ensured we had a very good understanding of their priorities, provided all the information necessary so they were well informed of their options, previewed countless properties on their behalf providing detailed feedback on each. All this work done in advance of their first visit to view properties meant they only saw serious contenders, one of which they fell in love with. The day before they arrived in town the property went under offer with no more viewings to take place, but knowing it was perfect for them we took extra measures to get them through the door. Once the client decided they wanted the property we used our negotiation experience to win it for them and with the extra security of a suitable exclusivity period for an exchange. As so often happens, our professionalism demonstrated through the search process and the relationship created with the client has resulted in them entrusting us to project manage the refurbishment of the apartment.

Fentiman Road, SW8

Currently living in the Caribbean this family were looking to invest in the London property market and find a house that they could make a home when returning to the UK in a few years time. With three children all the typical concerns of a large family had to be considered; adequate accommodation for all, storage and outside space, distances to work, schools, amenities, parks, and family. Having not lived in the capital for a very long time the information and advice we were able to provide on different areas and property types that could meet their needs was invaluable. Over several visits and property tours we were able to familiarise them with different areas and increase their understanding of available options enabling them to gradually narrow the search area and clarify their priorities. They were keen to put their own stamp on the property so our experience in project management was very useful in enabling us to give accurate information on planning potential and cost of works. In a frenzied market the dated house with extension potential that they wanted was always going to be fought over and a sealed bid scenario arose, but our involvement stacked the odds in the client’s favour. With our experience of these situations we were able to persuade the client not to enter the much higher bid that they wanted to whilst still winning the property for them.

Foskett Road, SW6

The purchase of this garden apartment close to Parson’s Green was agreed before it came to the open market. Acquired for investors due to it’s development potential, Irvine & Cole secured optimal planning for a basement conversion and oversaw works to ensure the sublime finish that achieved a record £/sq ft price for the street upon resale and an excellent return for the client.

Sinclair Road, W14

Yet another repeat client looking to reinvest profits from the last property investment we had sourced and managed for them. The combination of our considerable industry contacts and constant scouring soon enabled us to deliver a property with significant extension potential. Once acquired we then oversaw the whole process of turning that potential into reality, resulting in a significant uplift in value far beyond cost of works.

Lakeside Road, W14

Another repeat client this time entrusting us with their search for a property to serve the dual purposes of optimal investment and ideal home for their son. Our local and market knowledge enabled us to identify areas which offered best prospects for capital growth as well as fitting the lifestyle needs of their son. After sourcing an appropriate property with planning permission already in place to extend and negotiating an attractive purchase price we then project managed the extension and refurbishment works.

Virginia Water

This detached property with land was located in the Virginia Water area, close to the renowned Wentworth Estate and Golf Club. The client had a particular interest in this property which was not on the market and the owner had no plans to sell. The owner was not living at the property but we were able to track him down and approach him directly. We took the time to establish a relationship with the owner which meant with patience and delicate negotiation we were eventually able to persuade him to sell at an attractive price and to the delight of our client.

Bishops Mansions, SW6

This client came to us after a frustrated search including several lost sealed bid scenarios. He realised the cost impact of his delayed search with property prices rising each month by more than our fees. Our experience enabled us to help the client focus what had been a scattergun approach to his search. When a very desirable property came to a frenzied market place it attracted 15 bids. Our relationship and track record with the agent ensured our client would not lose out this time.

Recent London Property Acquisitions