Crossrail: Why now is the perfect time for landlords to invest in Redbridge property

The London Borough of Redbridge is in the midst of major regeneration and although this East London location is known as one of the capital's most affordable, this could all change in the next couple of years, particularly as the effect of Crossrail begins to take hold.

In case you're not up to speed, Crossrail is a high frequency, high capacity transport infrastructure designed for London and the South East. The line plans to run from Stratford to Shenfield, with the rail service set to run through several Redbridge locations.

Crossrail, which is 70% completed, will have stops at Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath; all located within Redbridge, and locations in which we operate here at Sandra Davidson.

Therefore, if you are considering becoming a landlord, we advise in investing in Redbridge sooner rather than later to avoid burgeoning house prices.

Moreover, getting the initial transaction done and dusted before April will be beneficial to your bank balance as you'll dodge the impending stamp duty charges which will hit buy-to-let investors.

Furthermore, letting your property in areas which will be directly impacted by Crossrail could certainly earn you a pretty penny in the future, with demand set to increase as a wider and more varied pool of tenants will be attracted to the benefits Crossrail has to offer.  

Families have always been drawn to rent in locations within the Redbridge borough thanks to lots of open spaces and brilliant schools, but the implementation of Crossrail will appeal to other renting demographics, too.

Young professionals will want to live close to one of the nearby Crossrail stations as rents are likely to be much cheaper here than in Central London locations.

For example, once Crossrail starts, getting from Goodmayes to Bond Street will take just 29 minutes, and Heathrow will be accessible in 57 minutes.

This is great for both those who partake into the daily commute and local residents who need to travel abroad.

Not only will the introduction of Crossrail attract more tenants and boost the property market, but it could also serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the surrounding areas.

Currently the average rental price in Redbridge stands at around £1,287pcm. This is just above the average national figure, and is likely to increase the closer a property is located to a Crossrail station.

The local authority, like many landlords in Redbridge, has grasped the potential of Crossrail, and has consequently invested £5 million in transforming the stations’ surroundings – making life easier for pedestrians, improving town centres, and building more affordable homes.

Businesses, too, are flourishing in the area, with 6,500 new businesses being formed in the borough in the last year, according to statistics from inform Direct. This is more than in nearby Newham, Kensington and Chelsea and Islington.

In Seven Kings alone, 499 new businesses were formed, providing more jobs opportunities for its residents.

Here at Sandra Davidson – an estate and letting agent operating all over Redbridge – we have already felt the impact that Crossrail has had on the area, and how it has triggered a surge in tenant demand; music to the ears of landlords.

We’re here to offer advice to potential landlords who are looking to invest in the area, so get in touch with the team of property experts here today!

Alternatively, we also offer completely free online valuations for landlords to discover how much rent their property could generate each month. 

http://www.sandradavidson.com/news/666/Crossrail-Why-now-is-the-perfect-time-for-landlords-to-invest-in-Redbridge-property

How to make your property stand out from the crowd

How to make your property stand out from the crowd

When selling your home, one of the main objectives is to ensure your property stands out from the crowd and is seen above the competition. But how do you go about achieving this?

Using our experience and knowledge as a leading independent estate agent in the borough of Redbridge, we have come up with a list of top tips on how to make your property more attractive to buyers...

Keep it neutral

Yes, kooky, quirky décor and loud colour schemes will appeal to some, but they are likely to deter many more. When it comes to selling your home, you don’t want to narrow your pool of potential buyers in any way, so neutral, low-key colours (white, cream, pale blues and greens) are the way forward.

Bright orange walls might make your house stand out from the crowd, but for the all the wrong reasons. You want your house to stand out because would-be buyers can visualise themselves living there, you don’t want buyers to be turned away at the first hurdle.

Maintain, maintain, maintain

A well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing home will, of course, be more attractive to would-be buyers than one that is falling into disrepair. But this is an area where sellers might get a little complacent, thinking they can get away with a bit of wear and tear without visitors noticing.

Prospective buyers, however, will be eagle-eyed and on the lookout for every little thing when it comes to viewings. Don’t give them a reason to be turned off.

It doesn’t take much to make your home look nice – plump up the cushions, give the property a thorough once over, ensure all fixtures and fittings are in fine working order and carry out all those little DIY tasks that have been sitting on the backburner for the last few months. It could make all the difference.

Also, keep the outside of your home looking spick and span (no clogged gutters, overgrowing gardens or untidy driveways), as this will be the first thing prospective buyers will see. And, as the famous old saying goes, first impressions are everything.

Utilise the portals

The power of the portals – in particular Rightmove and Zoopla – can’t be underestimated. The vast majority of people now head online when it comes to browsing for property. As a result, you need a significant presence on these websites if you want to reach the widest possible audience.

Working with an estate agent that can provide you with nice-looking, well-worded, engaging ads that will appeal to potential buyers is key. 

Get the pictures right

If you want your property to stand out from the crowd, you need to give buyers something to be wowed by. They will respond best to visual images – because we all do – but these images need to be of the highest-quality.

Poorly-taken, grainy photos from a camera phone will simply not cut the mustard. Instead, professional shots showing off your home at its very best should be used.

At Sandra Davidson Estate Agents we are well aware that selling a home can be a stressful experience and we aim to take that pressure away by being with every step of the way throughout the sales process. To get in contact with us, please call: 0208 551 0211.

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