Diary of an estate agent: Southfields

Monday

After a relaxing weekend, I’m in the office bright and early. Our office meeting is a hive of activity — we are busier than ever and our local market, in Southfields, has never been this good. We’re seeing price levels 20  per cent above the pre-recession highs of 2007 and it doesn’t look set to slow down any time soon.

The team all have various deals on the go and I have a few promising valuations this morning, including an amazing property on Melrose Road which is a great family house and offers a 100ft garden. I am excited about this one.

In the afternoon I view a fantastic three-bedroom cottage on Longstaff Road, which King George V visited for tea on his way to open King George’s Park in 1923. I love its little plaque outside which announces this event and I’m surprised by how lovely and modern it is inside — I particularly love the open space behind as it backs directly on to the park.

Tuesday

I have a meeting with a local developer today about a few opportunities in the area. I’ve been receiving quite a few calls lately from people keen to discuss Southfields and any vacant properties, both commercial and residential, that might be ripe for development. This has become a very sought-after residential spot in south-west London and astute businessmen are picking up on this quickly. I meet John, from our land and new homes department, and head to the meeting.

Walking back from a nearby appointment, I’m stopped on the street. Having worked in the area for the past eight years, and also living here, I tend to hear a lot of news. My friend is keen to know whether the rumours about Waitrose taking occupation on Wimbledon Park Road are true. In the past year we’ve had both Sainsbury’s and Tesco move into our area. These new faces are a good indication of its popularity.

At the end of the day I get the call I’ve been waiting for — we’ve got the go-ahead to market that super property on Melrose Road.

Wednesday

We’re off with a bang this morning, ringing up anyone and everyone we can think of who might be interested in the Melrose Road house. We have some good interest and by midday, five viewings are booked in. We’re also marketing a great fixer-upper on Astonville Street. We’re joint agents on it, though, so the pressure is on, although we’re confident we’ll find the ideal purchaser for it.

My brother calls me towards the end of the day to check whether I’ll be joining them again this year for the annual Wimbledon Park fireworks. We’ve been so busy I’ve barely registered that it’s that time of year again, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world — it’s our annual family tradition and I love going along with him and his kids. This year it’s actually being held on November 5 — even more special!

Thursday

The offers are coming in thick and fast for the property on Astonville Street. It’s very competitively priced at £550,000 so we advise all of our buyers to send through their best and final offers by close of play tonight. I notice a lot of the offers are from young married professionals who are in a position to purchase in cash. We have 12 offers on the table — an incredible feat.

I spend the afternoon taking out a lovely young couple in search of a beautiful Victorian family home on the popular “Southfields grid” — she is pregnant and so the race is on to find them something they can move into — and make small improvements to — before the baby arrives.

Friday

It’s almost the weekend but it’s still busy today. Our vendors at Astonville Street have agreed the sale well in excess of asking price! It’s very exciting and highlights the shortage of these Edwardian houses in the area.

I prepare for the open day of the Melrose Road property. The weekend won’t start for me until after work tomorrow.

Saturday

There’s been a wonderful response to the open day — three offers.

Jennifer Young-Thompson is manager at the Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward Southfields branch (020 8871 9655).