With the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro only a few months away, it takes us back to the summer of 2012 when London did such an amazing job of hosting the event. A lasting effect of the Games is that it highlighted the enormous potential of East London and house buyers have been investing ever here since. As a property buying company, we love this side of London too! If you want to sell your house fast, property in East London can offer you much better value than other areas of the capital. So if you are looking to buy a house or flat in East London, read our guide to this area below:
One area that has really benefited from the Olympic Legacy is Bow. Located less than a mile from where the Games were held, this area has undergone extensive regeneration and is now full of impressive new builds and rejuvenated council homes. The area has great public transport links with Bow Road being on both the District and Hammersmith & City lines and Bow Church being part of the DLR. Additionally Mile End station, which serves the Central line, is only a short distance away too. This makes Bow a perfect commuter spot and such transport links makes visiting the largest urban shopping centre in Europe, Westfield Stratford City, only a short trip away as well. Perfect for relaxing walks along its canals, Bow is also situated close to the wonderful Victoria Park. Known affectionately as ‘The People’s Park’, it has won the Green Flag People’s Choice Award for most popular public green space in the UK in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Offering so much more than the Royal Observatory, Greenwich is a great place for house buyers that crave open space. South of the Thames, Greenwich is away from the hustle and bustle of central London and offers plenty of green space and fresh air. You can spend summers relaxing in Greenwich Park, enjoying a slower pace of life at a location that isn’t miles away from the excitements of city life. Only a short ride from Greenwich on the DLR is Mudchute Park and Farm; kids love it and you will feel as if you have been transported back to the countryside too! Overall, this area is great for house buyers with families who can enjoy the small town feel of Greenwich with its cobbled streets and traditional market. Furthermore, this location is also full of maritime and naval history from the impressive Cutty Sark to the National Maritime Museum, there is always plenty to do here.
If you want to live in East London and still feel part of London’s rich history then we advise you sell your house fast and move to Wapping! Formerly a hotbed of international sea trade, Wapping has a wonderful riverside location and is home to some fantastic traditional pubs such as The Captain Kidd and The Prospect of Whitby, both of which were once infamous for smugglers and pirates! Being on the Thames, Wapping is not as commercial as the South Bank or Westminster and as is far more suited for residential purposes. The area has regular London Overground transport links that cater to commuting both sides of the river, yet Wapping is still close enough to major historic sites such as the Tower of London for weekend jaunts. Situated to the east of London’s business district, the area has seen substantial investment recently, with plenty of new builds and office space being created. We love visiting the historic St Katharine Docks which has transformed as an area of maritime trade to a fantastic place to live, work and socialise.
Another area of East London that has made the transformation from industrial to residential is Limehouse. The area has been wonderfully regenerated with former wharves being reinvented as accommodation, attracting the likes of Gordon Ramsay to open The Narrow gastropub here. No greater example of this shift would be at Limehouse Basin (pictured above) that has been successfully redeveloped to provide luxury accommodation, and is only a short walk from Sir Ian McKellen’s historical riverside pub The Grapes – a favourite drinking spot of none other than Charles Dickens! While this area is slightly quieter than other parts of the east, it has fantastic transport links being served by both the DLR and National Rail. One of the biggest benefits of buying a property in Limehouse is that it is well connected to so many different areas of London. Only a short commute to central London or Greenwich, places such as Bethnal Green and Canary Wharf are also in walkable distance – ideal for any commuter. House prices in this area also make it attractive to buyers in comparison to more popular and expensive areas as Shoreditch.
If you are looking for a trendier place to buy in East London, we suggest looking into Stoke Newington. Known by locals of ‘Stokey’ it has a small village feel that house buyers love. Situated in the north east of capital, Stoke Newington borders the artistic Hackney and the area is blooming with the frequent additions of quirky cafes and neighbourhood restaurants, such as The Good Egg, and The Haberdashery. This place is great for first-time house buyers and young families who want an affordable property in an upcoming area. Another reason to buy in Stoke Newington is the charming Clissold Park. Complete with a lake and a deer enclosure, it is family-friendly and full of activities and is also is home to the wonderful Grade II listed Clissold House.
As a fast property buying company, we recommend tapping into the enormous potential we have found in East London. If you are looking to sell your house fast, we offer quick house sales and can give you an offer in under an hour. If this sounds right for you, make a simple enquiry today.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for housing inspiration further afield, why not check out:
Top 7 seaside destinations near London
London’s Best Commuter Towns: Kent
London’s Best Commuter Towns: Surrey
Here at Vivo, we understand that living in London isn’t for everyone. It can be busy, expensive, and often quite stressful. As a property buying company we meet lots of people looking to sell quickly in London and relocate to quieter climes, with seaside destinations often a hot favourite. There are many benefits of living by the seaside, with its slower pace of life, natural beauty and of course the fresh sea air, which has been proven to help you sleep! As we buy property in areas such as Greater London, the Home Counties and the South East of England we always come across quaint villages and charming seaside towns which are beautiful places to live. If you are fed up of London and are looking to move soon, here are our favourite 7 coastal locations near London, you never know they may be for you!
If you’ve decided that you’ve had enough of The Big Smoke and want to sell your home fast, Brighton may well be the ideal place for you. Away from the hustle and bustle of London, this smaller city is well known as a hub for the environmentally friendly and sustainability conscious. While its iconic pier and pebbled beaches have been the setting for numerous films and television shows, there is a great community atmosphere in Brighton. We particularly love to spend time looking around the quirky shops and activities found at The Lanes. With its trendy character, Brighton often feels like a natural choice for many who choose to sell their homes in London, often making a great commuter town. With great transport connections, you can easily return to the capital in under an hour by train too, or if you fancy something different, you can take a ride on Volk’s Electric Railway. Built in 1883, it is the oldest working electric railway in the world!
Frequently dubbed ‘the new Brighton’, Hastings is rapidly becoming a popular location for many to buy a house. While it can now rival its bigger brother Brighton for transport links into London with a new 90-minute express service going straight into Charing Cross, Hastings also has an equally quirky railway in the form of the East Hill Lift. As Britain’s steepest funicular railway, it takes you straight to the Hastings County Park, a 660-acre green space featuring ancient woodland and exposed cliffs. While Hastings rose to prominence in 1066, the town had been argued to be looking rather tired in recent years. However, there has been substantial development in this town. We love the addition of the award-winning Jerwood Gallery, a museum showcasing contemporary British art. With film festivals and farmers markets now commonplace here at Hastings, the area has been boosted with the recent competition of the Pelham Place renovation, part of the Hastings Adventure Golf project, costing £450,000. Finally, with its wonderful landscape, Hastings was also the location to one of our favourite television shows, Foyle’s War.
Used as the setting for the classic Carry On Follow That Camel film, Camber Sands is just up the road from Hastings and only four miles from the town of Rye. Often viewed as the best-preserved UK medieval town, Rye’s cute cobbled street will make you want to sell your London property ever so quickly! What makes Camber Sands such a beautiful area is its wonderful sandy dunes, the only of its kind in East Sussex. Lined with marram grass, its fine sandy beaches are simply stunning, perfect for spending time relaxing with loved ones. You couldn’t be further away from the business of city life!
If you crave coastal climes but do not want to feel too cut off from the rest of us, Southend-on-Sea may be the ideal location for you. Just one hour by train to central London, this location is also perfect for quick European getaways too as you are just a stone’s throw away from London Southend Airport. When we are in the area, we love to casually meander around the beautiful Priory Park and visit the medieval Prittlewell Priory Museum. Founded by Cluniac monks in the twelfth century it is a wonderful Grade I listed building with tremendous original features and a fascinating history. Perhaps the most famous feature of this area is Southend Pier, which is the longest pleasure pier in the world. Full of fun, this Grade II building extends an impressive 1.34 miles into the sea! With an abundance of green parks and piers, Southend-on-Sea is a fantastic place for outdoor living enthusiasts, boasting seven miles of coastline too!
On the subject of seven, Broadstairs in Kent is blessed with seven wonderful beaches and coves which saw it become a favourite holiday destination of none other than Charles Dickens! The legendary author spent time at Bleak House and this area provided inspiration for the character of Miss Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. Such is Dickens’ connection with this seaside town there is an annual Broadstairs Dickens Festival as well as the Dickens House Museum, a fantastic destination for any literary aficionados. Overall, there is a wonderful vintage feel to Broadstairs, we love visiting the retro 1950’s ice cream parlours, and it is a great place to live if you are looking to sell your house in London. One of the benefits of buying property in this area is its wonderful scenery, with striking chalk cliffs and cute bays. Additionally, this location is also becoming a popular place to learn surfing and can also boast of two blue flag beaches in the form of Botany Bay and Stone Bay.
If you love sand between your toes, there is no better place than Littlehampton, home to the UK’s longest beach! At 1,000 feet long, both Littlehampton’s east and west beaches are regularly awarded the Blue Flag of beach quality excellence. Furthermore, the family-friendly East Beach is home to the award-winning East Beach Café. With spectacular beach-front views, its quirky design was created by architect Thomas Heatherwick. When we are here, we love taking the Littlehampton Ferry over to Littlehampton’s unspoiled West Beach. As a local nature reserve with an area of scientific interest, it is a perfect place for long walks and quiet afternoons.
Moving slightly further away from London takes us to our favourite spot in West Sussex, West Wittering. Similar to Littlehampton’s West Beach, this area is relatively unspoiled thanks to the efforts of a group of locals in 1952 that bought the beach and surrounding area to ensure that it was not over developed. Now home to internationally recognised wildlife and birdlife, West Wittering is a popular choice for families buying property in the Home Counties. Blessed with a blue flag awarded beach, the area features a variety of interesting rock pools, grasslands, and fun activities to boot. Its fantastic location sees it close to the historic cathedral city of Chichester and the open spaces of the South Downs. If you want to sell your London home, this area is popular with property buyers, with Rolling Stones’ Keith Wood even purchasing an estate here.
With the quirkiness of smaller locations and outdoor life you may crave, we really recommend these areas in the South East of England if you are looking to sell your house quickly in London. If you’re looking for a quick commute, check out our Commuter Guides focusing on Kent and also Surrey. Alternatively, if you like the open space afforded in the Home Counties or Greater London but still want to stay in the capital, you may find that East London is the place to be.
In an age where the property market fluctuates on a weekly basis, it can sometimes be near impossible to decide whether or not you should rent or buy your next house.
There are, of course, pros and cons to both and there’s no right or wrong option, it all depends on your circumstances, finances and plans.
To help give you some food for thought, we take a look at the benefits of both renting and buying properties…
Investment: Buy in an up and coming area or improve the house itself and you could make a large profit when it comes to selling.
Save money: Although the initial deposit (see our full article on house deposits) may be a large sum, monthly mortgage payments are usually much less than the average rent.
Personalise your property: You can really make your house feel like a home by decorating and hanging pictures. With most rented properties, you’ll need the written consent of your landlord to put so much as a pin nail in the wall.
No big fees: Aside from the initial deposit (normally six weeks rent) you’ll avoid the big costs associated with buying, such as stamp duty and surveys.
Financial commitment: Renting is less of a commitment than buying, with most rental contracts lasting a year. This could, therefore, be a more suitable option if you travel a lot or are unsure of where you want to live.
Maintenance costs: If the boiler packs up or the pipes burst, your maintenance costs are usually covered and are fixed by the landlord.
Less flexibility: Life can be unpredictable so you can never really be too sure what’s around the corner. Owning a property may hold you back on your bigger plans.
So if it is security, a proper home and settling down you are after – buying is a great option. If it’s the flexibility you are after and you’re not ready for the big investments or responsibilities, then renting is the way forward!
When it comes to moving house and buying and selling properties, we know that everyone is different; while some may wish to move closer to family, others may be looking to start afresh somewhere new.
If you fit into this second category when it comes to moving, our list of the top five places to live in the UK might give you some inspiration on where you should move to next!
Hart in the county of Hampshire has been named the most desirable place to live in the UK for the past four years and it’s no surprise! With luscious countryside, independent businesses and a real sense of community, Hart is said to have the best quality of life in the entire country.
In the heart of the countryside and still only a stone’s throw from London, Elmbridge in Surrey really does boast the best of both worlds. Also a winner of the most desirable place to live, Elmbridge has a wealth of selling points on offer; excellent outdoor pursuits, historical sites of interest and an abundance of local boutiques and dining options.
Being the ancient capital of England, Winchester is steeped in history and culture. But that’s not all – at night, this quaint medieval city comes to life with its vibrant bars and incredible restaurants which pride themselves on their use of local produce. Being just under two hours from London, it’s no wonder Winchester is one of the most desirable (and expensive!) areas of the country.
Despite being the smallest county in England, Rutland has plenty to offer, hence their motto “Multum In Parvo” – Much in little!
Rutland is ideal for those who love the great outdoors, with plenty of walks, golfing and water sporting opportunities. It’s also home to two market towns and a multitude of theatres and art galleries -there really is something for everyone in Rutland!
As an area of outstanding natural beauty and just 40 minutes from London, it’s no surprise that The Chilterns is one of the best places to live in England. And, with fantastic market towns, heaps of outdoor activities and Michelin star restaurants it’s the perfect place for families and couples of all ages!
If you’re looking for fresh inspiration on where to live why not check out:
Top 7 Seaside Destinations Near London
Top 5 Places To Buy In East London
London’s Best Commuter Towns: Surrey
London’s Best Commuter Towns: Kent
On paper, buying a house looks a lot simpler than it is in reality, but keep the below tips in mind when you’re on the hunt for a new home and you shouldn’t go far wrong…
Before you start your search for a new house it’s important to get an idea of what you can and can’t afford, identify what it is you need from your property and where it is you’d like to live. You can then hone your search accordingly, but try not to exclude certain areas or properties – you could save yourself thousands of pounds by compromising on the location or condition of the house.
You’ve saved a deposit for a house and agreed on a mortgage, but unfortunately when you’re buying a house that’s not all you’ll need to pay out for. There are lots of other hidden costs when moving house including legal fees, stamp duty, and surveys; make sure you’ve factored in all these expenditures so that you’re not left strapped for cash.
This might sound counter-intuitive, but if you’re selling your home as well as buying a house, it’s well worth waiting until you have a definite buyer before you start your search. This way, you won’t suffer the disappointment of missing out on your dream home because someone else is in a better position to buy than you. If, however, you’re in a rush to move, selling to a property buying company could be the best option for you.
Estate agents are notoriously good at persuading house buyers to put in over-the-odds offers on potential houses to avoid “losing out to other interested buyers”. They also often advise sellers to accept no less than the asking price, which can result in a drawn out moving process.
Our advice – stick to your guns when negotiating and, if you have an offer accepted, ensure that the estate agent takes the property off the market immediately; they should have no objections to this.
Once your offer has been accepted, it’s important to have a survey carried out which will flag any problems (i.e. subsidence, flooding) and allow you to budget for these (should they arise) in advance.
If the house you’re buying is over 100 years old, it’s well-worth having a full structural survey of the property to examine the house in more detail. A survey will also help you avoid any nasty (and costly) surprises down the line.
Vivo Property Buyers is the trading name for Potrell London Ltd, The Ashridge Business Centre 121 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2DJ.
