30:
The Hummingbird Bakery is a haven for those of you with a Sweet Tooth!
If you suffer from a rather craving Sweet Tooth and you find yourself wandering along Portobello Road, then I insist that you check out the following delight: The Hummingbird Bakery. If the queue around the block on Saturday is not indication enough of peoples need to get one of their famous cupcakes, then once you have stepped inside you will realise! Surrounded by candy coloured cupcakes of every flavour and fashion, your mouth will be watering and your eyes will certainly be bigger than your belly!
Once your crazings have subsided and your sweet tooth satisfied, if you are ready to find yourself a flat; contact Notting Hill Properties.
29:
Chepstow Road
This absolute steal of a flat is our ‘Property of the Week’ ~
“A newly refurbished Studio on the first floor of this period building. Small, but perfectly formed this property has dark, hardwood floors and fitted kitchenette. The bathroom facilities are shared. Located moments from Westbourne Grove, a plethora of amenities are on your doorstep. Royal Oak (Hammersmith & City Line) and Notting Hill Gate (Central Line and Circle & District Line) are your closest underground stations.”
Priced at £150p/wk, this property will be gone faster than you can imagine, so contact Notting Hill Properties now, to arrange a viewing.
28:
Not all basements look like this.
If you are looking for a combination of a larger apartment and outside space then going for a lower ground floor apartment is your best option. But many get this confused with a basement flat and instantly disregard the possibilities that it could offer.
+ A basement flat is typical of very central, commercial areas, where the entirety of the property is below street level. The amount of windows, let alone light, is minimal and any outside space is usually a dingy light well, or unkept patio.
+ A lower ground floor property is situated in those buildings where the architecture gives you a raised and lower section to the ground floor. The property is usually only set down, at most, 3-4 feet below street level and is usually set back from the street. You do get windows and more importantly light. Rather than a patio you will also stand a greater chance of getting a proper garden.
Areas to look in for Lower Ground Floor properties are: Notting Hill, Holland Park, Ladbroke Grove and North Kensington.
Safety; a prime reason for turning away lower ground and basement flats is ’safety.’ Really???? West London is one of, if not the, safest area of London, with great police presence. And frankly if someone is going to burgle you, they will do; whether you are on the lowest, or highest floor in the building.
If you would like some more advice on find the flat for you, contact Notting Hill Properties.
27:
Access to a Garden Square is still a must have for many.
The main problem for many seeking their own outside space, is the fact that to get it you need to either spend a fortune for a roof terrace or first floor balcony, or take a lower ground floor flat. This poses two problems; 1 – if you have a set budget, stretching to spend more to get your terrace is probably just not possible. 2 – there is a certain stigma towards lower ground / basement flats, to the point where many will refuse to even view them, let alone rent one. This is a shame as excuses of ’safety’ is not really a valid one when looking in some of the safest and most prestigious wets london locations. (snobbery does spring to mind!)
If budget is an issue and it really does have to be first floor, or higher, then the next best option for your slice of outside space is getting access to one of the areas beautiful communal square gardens. access is not limited to adjoining properties but also decided by proximity, so do check on this, as despite being up the road, you may still have a right to access.
If you want to know more, or want to find your own property with access to a communal garden, then contact Notting Hill Properties.
26:
Don't miss out by trying to be too clever with your offer.
You have done your homework, you have taken my advice and blitzed the lettings market by viewing as much as possible in as short a time as possible and now you are stood in front of THE property for oyu; it’s OFFER TIME! Be careful though and take on board the following pointers:
- The market has dropped from what it was, obviously, but this is already indicated in the prices you are quoted – between 10%-20% on what the Landlord was probably asking last year.
- Do not think you can offer 50% under the asking price and be taken seriously, unless advised to do this (there are a few steals wtill out there)
- As always, an offer of 10% below asking is expected, but not necessarily a guaranteed deal.
- If the property seems great value, it probably is! So offer the asking price and do NOT run the risk of someone taking before you.
- Asking price bids are the closest you can get to GUARANTEEING yourself the property.
- And finally, it is always nice to get a deal, but is it worth missing out on your perfect property?
Take on board the above pointers and happy bidding!
If you are looking for a property or need some advice on finding a new home, then contact Notting Hill Properties.
25:
The Cow - Notting Hill
I love London, especially Notting Hill, but growing up on the coast, the one thing it really lacks is some decent seafood; by that I mean traditional, coastal shellfish : prawns, oysters, whelks, winkles, crabs . . . the list goes on! Well, if like me, you are pining over some seafood nostalgia then I have the place for you. . . . “The Cow.”
“The Cow” is located @ 89 Westbourne Park Road and takes the tone of a local, Irish pub, so expect Guiness & Lagers, Friendly welcomes and raucous laughter.
So now you know where to get your shellfish, get to “the cow” and enjoy the ‘Cow Special’ : A pint of guiness and 1/2 dozen rock oysters.
24:
Notting Hill Properties - High Quality Service
Always keen to offer a top class service and ensure the happiness of every Tenant’s stay, whether it be one week, one month or one year, Notting Hill Properties is always proud to receive glowing appraisals from our past Tenants;
“Hi Henry,
I wanted to write a note to say how pleased I was with the service I received from Notting Hill Properties. I had tried to work with several other agents before being lucky enough to come across Notting Hill Properties web site. They found me a place that fit my needs perfectly and then negotiated a favorable rate with the landlord. They were always available during the process, promptly responded to my queries and even met us when we arrived to make sure we were properly settled. I would highly recommend Notting Hill Properties for the superb service and personal attention they provide.”
Darren
Washington, DC
“Thank you Darren and I am glad that we were able to make your stay a pleaseant and comfortable one.” – Henry, Notting Hill Properties
23:
The Carnival Floats are a Must-See
The largest street carnival in Europe originated in 1964 as a means for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions. Taking place every August Bank Holiday weekend in the streets of London W11, it is a dazzling display of both social solidarity and artistic expression (not forgetting some stunning costumes).
At the roots of Notting Hill are the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century. The very first carnival was an attempt to showcase the steel band musicians who played at the Coleherne pub in Earls Court every Sunday. Carnival usually gets under way on the Saturday with the steel band competition. Sunday is Kids’ Day, when the costume prizes are awarded. On Bank Holiday Monday, the main parade takes place. It generally begins on Great Western Road, then wends it way along Chepstow Road, on to Westbourne Grove, and then Ladbroke Grove.
So come along this year and bring a healthy appetite along to Carnival, as there are patties, curries, jerk chicken and fried plantain from the street stalls to go at, accompanied by the essential lubrications – Jamaican Red Stripe beer and rum punch.
www.nottinghillproperties.com
22:
Properties are going under the hammer left, right and centre.
It is Monday, June is nearly behind us and all I see is viewings, viewings, viewings from now until October. The Lettings Market is flying and properties are going under the hammer left, right and centre. This is due to a number of factors;
1 – Rental prices in Central London have now come down to a point where it makes sense for people to move for a better deal.
2 – Central, zone 1 London is now more affordable, so more Tenants are looking to move into this area.
3 – August and September are fats approaching and this means even more competition, so Tenants are making there move now.
4 – The good weather brings out good spirits. Tenants are happier to view until late in the evening and at the weekend. The apartments also look better when the Sun is out.
All of these factors shout, ‘DEMAND!’ Week on week, demand is increasing and with it prices will start to be dragged up, leaving behind unhappy Tenants and maybe the odd few flats that really are bottom of the barrel. Take my advice and look for something now.
Contact Notting Hill Properties for all your property needs – Search, Rent and Advice.
21:
Viewings at all hours to accomodate your Property Search Schedule
Notting Hill Properties understands the need for flexibility when it comes to arranging a time to view properties. What use to you is it if an agent only works 0900-1700, monday-friday, when you work until the same hours, if not longer??? Notting Hill Properties understands this and so our hours suit you; we can show you properties on Saturday AND Sunday, and into the evening of every day in the week.
So, if you need to view a property at 9 in evening or 4 o’ clock on a Sunday afternoon, then contact Notting Hill Properties now.
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