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Property Magazine - October 2007

Highslide JSMARKET COMMENT

Jane Wheeler, Lettings Manager Richmond.
In the face of unseasonably poor weather and rising interest rates, the local lettings market has been flooded with tenants this year and demand continues to outstrip supply. 2007 has been characterised by numerous investors opting to sell their portfolios so we continue to see increasing numbers of serious tenants search for quality homes.

In the current market Landlords are generally seeing a better return on their investment and in most cases, where property is exceptionally well presented asking prices are being achieved. The Corporate market sector has remained steady throughout August, whereas we traditionally expect patterns to dip during the peak of summer, and ad we enter the busy autumn market we fully expect consistent high patterns of demand. Rental values are generally rising in the area and in such a competitive market we strongly advise home-searchers to act quickly to secure a suitable home.

Vanessa Reast, Lettings Manager Chiswick.
The lettings market in Chiswick is healthy and this popular area continues to attract young professionals and families alike. As hundreds of new homes are under construction as 'Great West Quarter' we're also seeing pockets of development near the High Road - most recently, apartments in Carelia Court have entered the lettings market and corporate tenants continue to flock to the area.

These days Landlords are increasingly prepared to meet tenants' requirements for the best results. An Embassy employee has recently paid a premium for a property with brand new wood flooring and the sludgery of a slow market is well and truly over. We fully expect a busy autumn with a positive end to the year so if you'd like advise on marketing your home, we'd be delighted to help. Simply contact Jane or myself to book a valuation appointment.

FLASH PAD

Rising Market Demand for Professional Home Furnishing.
Given the ever increasing rates associated with buying and selling property, we've seen a shift in attitude towards the rental market sector and as more people are choosing to rent we've seen an increased demand for professional furnishing and interior design services.

Fitz-Gibbon launched a new home furnishing service this June and it's already hugely popular. "Our service is founded on total flexibility and 'can do' culture with consistent client support. Landlords and tenants have diverse requirements so we offer purchase and leasing options as well as short and long-term furnishing solutions from reputable suppliers who are specialist in this field" explains Susan Fitz-Gibbon. "We can fully furnish and accessories virtually any size of property within as little as forty-eight hours and our range of packages spans from bespoke options to ready made collections of complementary furnishings, inventory packs and lighting solutions. Our clients are busy people and we do everything possible to accommodate their needs".

In addition to the 'Richmond' and 'Chelsea' collections, the Fitz-Gibbon signature collection of furniture includes coveted items like oversized headboards, Gucci-style bedroom furniture and chic soft furnishings. "Emphasis is placed on simple styles, durable designs and clean lines to generate the best results" says Susan. "The service is particularly valuable to overseas landlords who can go on-line to browse the collections from thousands of miles away".

Furniture packages are competitively priced and start at £2196.00 for a one bedroom property (plus VAT and delivery). The price includes a no-obligation site survey, tailor-made quote, collection and return of keys where required, full installation and removal of packaging. Fitz-Gibbon can also provide a full interior design service. "As well as carpets and curtains we can produce highly individualized concepts to harmonise and accentuate every aspect of a property. Out experienced personnel are there to provide practical help and expert assistance with a fully accountable service whatever our clients' requirements" beams Susan.

Tenants Samira and Alireza Hamidian relocated to London recently and left their furniture at home in Swindon. "We fell in love with an unfurnished apartment in W14" says Samira. "We wanted to leave our own furniture at home so the letting agent, Fitz-Gibbon, arranged for the apartment to be fully furnished within three days. The Landlord chose items from the 'Chelsea' collection and we're really pleased with the results. Everything went smoothly and we moved in this August".

To view and download Fitz-Gibbon's latest furnishing collections click here.