Why work with Kas?
I’ve sold and let properties since 2015 and let me tell you the joys of helping someone make the most expensive and stressful move of their lives easier is one that spurs me on (don’t forget to check my testimonials). I have always taken pride in wanting to offer the very best marketing for a client’s home so with me you’ll have nothing less than 100% of my passion. It takes me back to when I first started in estate agency (with hardly any facial hair) I asked my director if we can invest in a new bit of tech, the sort of thing which is the norm of today. The response I had was, ‘we don’t have a budget for it’. How was it that the most expensive agent on the high street couldn’t afford to invest in their marketing and most importantly of a client’s homes? And how did the competitor opposite have a budget for it, and charging no more? Out of pride and wanting to challenge, that very week I got myself to John Lewis and bought this kit out of my own pocket. The reason for mentioning this is, I take pride in whatever I do, whether that be my work-related commitments or those in my personal life. I decided to carve my very own path and offer a unique experience to customers from the way in which they’re treated, to offering the very best marketing of their home, putting them in the best position when looking for a buyer.
I’ve helped homeowners sell studio apartments up to large five bedroom homes and have negotiated some top prices in my time. With myself you’ll have a proactive approach and a selling agent. With the market we are heading in, agents who are looking to earn a quick buck for simply advertising your home and hoping for the best are being found out and it’s an estate agents’ inputs that should determine their outputs. The agent of your choice, will, in my opinion have a huge impact on not only the success but whether you sell and at what price.
When it comes to marketing, you’ll be put in touch with a media team who specialise in lifestyle marketing of homes and videography of course (that includes me talking to your prospective buyers on what makes your home unique and standout). We’ll devise a marketing strategy, so we know who our target audience will be, and this will be factored into your marketing (one size doesn’t fit all unfortunately) We all want that amazing experience, whether that be in person or on reflection after having viewed a property and that requires a bit of skill. People who are viewing your home are most likely viewing a dozen more over that weekend and the next so to have your property stand out and be memorable is key! When your property comes to market – you’ll have some kind of exposure but quite often one chance to put it right. You’ll be consulted each step of the way and on experience and proven results.
From my several years of experience as an estate agent, I’ve often heard of buyers not being treated well due to them not being the fee-paying client. Whilst I appreciate as estate agents in the UK, we work for the seller – it’s quite narrow minded to push buyers into a little corner and make them feel this way. Let’s face it, a home doesn’t sell without a buyer so some extra care/ effort aids in keeping the process very much alive. Treat people how you wish to be treated is a saying that will never fade with time. With myself you’ll have an experienced/ skilled negotiator – so you’ll be guided on the best pricing strategy to ensure your properties competitively priced when marketed, allowing me to work on getting not just the very best price for yourself but the strength in motivation of a buyer too.
Buying
If you’re looking to buy a property, the first thing you’d want to do is speak to someone such as a mortgage broker or your bank on affordability, your down payment (deposit) and an idea of expenses you’ll incur such as stamp duty, conveyancing costs, mortgage related fee, survey cost etc. If you’re buying an apartment, in most cased you’d have a service charge/ ground rent, and this is something you’d want to budget for on a monthly basis. Once you have a mortgage product pre-approved, this will help with trying to close on a property you’ve offered on and puts you in a proceed-able position.
When offering on a property, you may want to consider other sold prices for like for like properties on the street or in the area and works those properties have had done and works the property you’re offering on has had done or needs doing. Think about factors such as extensions, windows, roofing, a new boiler that may be needed, a kitchen refit and a bathroom refit etc. Some of these can be done whilst you’re living in the property too and you can add your own stamp/ mark. Remember, the owner of the property will know what their properties worth, (we all just seem to keep an eye on property prices) so your offer will need to be enticing!
Selling
If you’re selling/ buying simultaneously you may want to consider the buying tips above and a cost for porting a possible mortgage as well as conveyancing for your sale (this is usually cheaper than a purchase)
When instructing an agent, maybe think about what ground they’ve covered on a marketing strategy, how they’ve draw to the evidence of what your home is worth, the energy they carry and how their enthusiasm will carry across to your potential buyers. Think about how they conduct themselves, how much time they will dedicate to your property and whether you feel the price they are telling you is achievable can be backed up with examples? You may want to ask yourself if you want to be dealt with for the following several months as a number or on a more personal level where you have a better chance of being listened to and your circumstances and needs best factored. Think about the owner of a local coffee shop who cared that you’ve set foot through his/ her door and introduces him/ herself, remembers you by name and does everything to ensure you had a wonderful experience? Great! Now think of the chain linked coffee shop that you went to with hardly any eye contact at the counter, a disposable cup for when you’ve asked to drink in, crumbs on your table and a lengthy wait because your coffee didn’t taste right, they may have replaced your coffee after sometime but that time you’ll never get back and surely that’s worth something despite the slightly cheaper coffee on offer? If you’re after the latter type of experience when dealing with an estate agent – there were 2600 estate agents in 2015 and quite possible many more now and you wouldn’t struggle to find one for that latter type of experience.
Why Highbury?
With a village like community spirit, wonderful fields (a fitness bootcamp takes place every Saturday here at 11 am with Urban Tribe – Instagram @UrbanTribe.life, yes, you’ll often see me there) Highbury has something to offer for everyone. Highbury appeals to younger professionals wanting to live near entertainment and families with children.
Transport
When it comes to transport – you have Highbury & Islington Station on the Victoria Line – with fewer stops than any other tube line – you’ll get to King Cross/ St Pancras stations & Euston station in an impressive 7 and 12 minutes. Change to the Piccadilly Line at Kings Cross or take the line from Holloway Road and you’ll get to Covent Garden in 12 minutes, Hyde Park in 16 minutes and even Heathrow Airport in under an hour. For those working in the City, Drayton Park runs to Moorgate in 12 minutes. You’d honestly struggle to find a better part of London when it comes to commuting. Highbury is three miles north of central London with Finsbury Park to the north, Hackney to the east, Islington to the south and Holloway and Tufnell Park to the west.
Independent businesses
Home to some wonderful independent bars, bistro and cafes at Highbury Park, at Highbury Villages centre you’ll also stumble across Patricia Michelson’s first La Fromagerie cheese shop at Highbury Park and top butcher Godfreys, in business since 1905 – a small, family run butchers specialising in free-range, additive-free meat, game and poultry, The Highbury Barn gastropub and Highness Café and tea room. For lunch and regular supper clubs, Franks Canteen for brunch has menus changing often and use quality seasonal ingredients. For mouth watering Thai food, Sebby Holmes now serves from Farang at Highbury Park, a must go to.
Head closer towards Finsbury Park and you’ll come across Little Sardegna, (a rustic Italian restaurant decked out with knick-knacks, serving home-made Sardinian specialities). Beam restaurant (all day restaurant) has a bright and modern space, perfect for brunch. Finks Salt and Sweet is a great option for upscale sandwiches & salads, plus coffee, wine & beer, all in a Rustic-chic cafe-deli with pavement seats.
Handsome Homes
Do you ever have that feeling walking in London, surrounded by wonderful architecture? Mesmerising to someone who has interest in characterful buildings. Highbury has so many tree lines streets, built once upon a time for the newly enriched Victorian upper classes. Highbury has a resemblance of Tall Italianate Villas and is home to some of London’s most majestic houses from elegant Georgian Houses overlooking Highbury fields to large four and five story semi-detached Victorian villas (some of these even have little towers!)
Every bit of history links us back to someone or something, so here we give credit to John Betjeman, a founding member of the Victorian society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture.
Schools
Oftsed has rated all of Highbury's primary schools ‘’’good’’ or better. Some are even rated Outstanding such as St John’s Highbury Vale CofE in Conewood Street; Gillespie in Gillespie Road, and Amber in Blackstock Road.
When it comes to secondary schools, Highbury Fields (girls school for ages 11 to 18) is judged to be ‘’outstanding’’
There’s several other ‘’good’’ rated schools nearby such as Arts & Media (ages 11 to 16) in Turle Road in Islington, Stoke Newington on Clissold Road (ages 11 to 18) and Skinners Academy (ages 11 to 18) on Woodberry Grove.
Parks & Open Spaces
I mentioned Highbury Fields earlier, note its Islingtons largest park with tennis courts, a childrens play area with adventure playground structure, water play and sandpit features, a bandstand and serves a café too.
The nearby Finsbury Park is beautiful to walk around on a spring/ summer day with a formal garden, having a boating lake, skatepark, bowling club, tennis courts, a children’s playground with a new water feature, an outdoor gym and a café for those days you simply want to have a catch up over a coffee.
For something a little unique, Clissold Park has an organic food growing area, paddling pool, aviary and animal enclosure whilst also having a children’s playground, tennis courts and a café.
Gillespie Park is a nature reserve and home to the Islington Ecology Centre, with entrances in Drayton Park, Gillespie Road, Quill Street and Seven Sisters Road
Interesting Facts
Highbury fields could have been bigger than Hyde Park
The magnificent Highbury houses, developed mainly in the 1850s, would not have been built if a plan for a 500-acre park bigger than Hyde Park had succeeded. Highbury Fields, Finsbury Park and Clissold Park are all green spaces which came about as a result of this aborted plan.
A famous Poet lived in Highbury?
The much loved poet, broadcaster and writer John Betjeman better known as Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death had his family home and business in Islington where the family manufactured the kind of ornamental household furniture and gadgets distinctive to Victorians.[1] . He helped save St Pancras railway station from demolition.
Highbury Square
If you’re a football fan, you’ll surely remember Arsenal Football Clubs old stadium Highbury. After the club completed build on the new Emirates stadium and moved over, the old site was redeveloped to include 650 homes with the East and West Stands being retained being Grade II listed buildings.
Buying and selling advice:
If you’re a football fan, you’ll surely remember Arsenal Football Clubs old stadium Highbury. After the club completed build on the new Emirates stadium and moved over, the old site was redeveloped to include 650 homes with the East and West Stands being retained being Grade II listed buildings.
Crouch End: A Hidden Gem with Village Charm?
With its vibrant community spirit and picturesque surroundings, Crouch End is the perfect place for anyone seeking a blend of urban living and suburban tranquillity. From charming cafes to beautiful parks, this area truly has something for everyone.
Crouch End is an ideal location for young professionals looking for a creative atmosphere and families eager to find a welcoming environment to support their children. Consequently received the “Best Place to Live in London” by the Sunday Times in 2023!
With its vibrant community spirit and picturesque surroundings, Crouch End is the perfect place for anyone seeking a blend of urban living and suburban tranquillity. From charming cafes to beautiful parks, this area truly has something for everyone.
Transport
Crouch End features excellent transport links that make commuting a breeze. The nearby Crouch Hill Station on the London Overground connects you to Finsbury Park in just 10 minutes, where you can easily switch to the Victoria and Piccadilly Lines. With frequent bus routes connecting you to central London, you can be at Oxford Circus in around 30 minutes. For those commuting to the city, Finsbury Park offers an easy connection, making Crouch End the ultimate spot for convenience and accessibility.
Located about four miles north of central London, Crouch End is bordered by Muswell Hill to the north, Hornsey to the east, and Highgate to the west.
Independent businesses
Crouch End is filled with charming independent shops, cafes, and restaurants that give the area its unique character. Stroll down the bustling Broadway, where you can discover everything from artisan bakeries like The Blue Legume to the cosy Kensington Place, known for its seasonal menu and inviting atmosphere.
For coffee lovers, La Crêperie offers delicious sweet and savoury crepes along with a cosy atmosphere, perfect for a peaceful afternoon. Don’t miss The Haberdashery, a quaint café serving specialty coffee and homemade pastries, where you can savour every bite in a warm, inviting setting.
The vibrant community brings together a variety of cultures and cuisines, ensuring there’s something for everyone. If you’re a sushi enthusiast, you shouldn’t miss Sushi Tetsu, where you can appreciate fresh, authentic Japanese dishes in a charming atmosphere.
As evening falls, the Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre comes alive, hosting a variety of events and exhibitions that reflect the community’s artistic spirit. Whether you’re looking to unwind or be inspired, Crouch End has it all.
Handsome Homes
Crouch End features a captivating mix of period properties and contemporary designs, creating a stunning visual experience that showcases the area’s unique character. From elegant Victorian terraces to stylish modern apartments, the leafy streets are adorned with beautiful homes that exude charm.
Walking through Crouch End feels like stepping back in time. With many buildings dating back to the 19th century, the historic Crouch End Clock Tower stands as a beloved local landmark, reminding residents and visitors alike of the area’s rich history.
Schools
Families will appreciate the abundance of excellent schools in Crouch End. Many local primary schools have received ‘good’ or better ratings from Ofsted, including St. Aidan’s Primary School and Crouch End Primary School. These schools not only provide a high standard of education but also foster a welcoming environment with supportive teachers, ensuring a safe and nurturing space for young learners.
Crouch End offers a range of excellent secondary schools that cater to various educational needs. Among these, Highgate Wood School and Hornsey School for Girls are highly regarded for their academic achievements and extracurricular programs. Families can find quality education options that support students’ growth and development.
Parks & Open Spaces
Crouch End features many beautiful parks and green spaces that are perfect for outdoor activities and relaxation. Crouch End Green is a charming spot to unwind, often hosting local events and community gatherings that foster connection and camaraderie.
Just a short walk away is Queen’s Wood, a tranquil woodland area ideal for leisurely strolls and picnics. Families will love Alexander Palace Park, which offers stunning views of the London skyline, playgrounds, and picnic areas—making it the perfect weekend destination.
Interesting Facts
The Historic Clock Tower was built in 1895, and is now a cherished landmark that adds to the area’s charm.
Crouch End has a rich artistic history, attracting musicians, writers, and artists over the years. The Creative Hub continues to inspire creative endeavors and hosts numerous cultural events that make it a vibrant place to live.
Crouch End’s Unique Identity
Crouch End is more than just a neighborhood; it’s a thriving community with a distinct identity. With its mix of independent shops, excellent schools, and beautiful parks, residents can truly feel at home. Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or simply seeking a quieter lifestyle, Crouch End is the perfect place to call home.
Buying and selling advice:
The property market in Crouch End is booming, offering a wealth of options for buyers and sellers alike. With its attractive homes and community-focused atmosphere, it’s no wonder Crouch End remains one of London’s most sought-after locations. If you’re considering selling your home, now is the time to act, as demand continues to rise in this vibrant area.
