With Summer here and restrictions easing, demand for river living has never been higher. Buyers and tenants are focusing on their lifestyle and therefore want to secure a forever home by the river that offers the sought after idyllic lifestyle.
‘As people continue to work from home and no longer need to be within commuting distance to the office, they are reassessing their quality of life,’ says Soren Ravaux at Waterview. ‘Many buyers are pleasantly surprised to know they are able to achieve better value for money by only moving out a short distance. Typically our buyers have been people whose children have left home and are passionate about living by the river along with boat owners who are looking for tranquility. Over recent months we've seen more young couples and families choosing the river lifestyle and are achieving impressive prices for our sellers, for example we recently sold a property in Sunbury within a week of marketing and achieved over the asking price. Battersea Reach is proving particularly popular as it's a little quieter than Chelsea but still has fantastic views of the Thames with great access in and out of London. Presentation is everything when it comes to launching a property to the market therefore, we are advising sellers to declutter and show off as much space as possible, first impressions count. If your property has riverside access and mooring, make sure the pathway to this looks well kept and presentable. Our advice to buyers is to make sure finances and solicitors are in place so that you are in the best possible position to proceed when you find a property. It also doesn’t hurt to be flexible with property requirements, you might be surprised and find something you didn’t expect to love.’
‘It has been an unprecedented year and, in spite of everything, the lettings market has remained resilient in the face of so many restrictions,’ says Caroline France at Waterview. ‘During the pandemic many tenants who had to work from home have searched for more space, both inside and out, and many have sought solace in the peace that riverside living brings. As we welcome summer, the mood is lifting as Londoners return to the office. This move creates a new demand for London property which has led to an increase in requests for our riverside homes. We have a wonderful and eclectic mix of tenants from young singles and couples to families and a large number of overseas tenants. The majority are professional people but we also have delightful retired couples who love the peace and quiet, concierge facilities and good security that these riverside developments offer. Our advice to Landlords is to invest in their property to ensure the best possible return, a clean and well maintained property attracts the right tenant. With plenty of choice on the market, we are advising tenants to secure a fixed term tenancy while prices are competitive. One of our recent successes includes an impressive penthouse offering over 5,500 sq. ft of living space with stunning views of Chelsea Harbour marina. As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we anticipate an increase in demand for rental properties and expect a busy summer ahead.’
If you are thinking of selling or letting your riverside property, please get in touch with the experts at your local Waterview office to arrange a free market appraisal.