Property insider: Ealing, W5

The grand Victorian homes that earned Ealing its nickname, Queen of the Suburbs, a century ago still attract Londoners to this west London suburb today - for similar reasons.

These big and spacious family homes adapt well to modern living and offer a green space environment on quick and easy transport links to the City.

Homebuyers looking for large flats and houses near good schools, commons and parkland head to Ealing, famous for its historic film studios and cinema classics, including the much-loved Ealing comedies.

Ealing extends west to Hanwell, east to Acton, north to Hanger Lane and Wembley and to Chiswick and Kew in the south. London Heathrow airport is within 25 minutes by car and the A40 and M4 motorways are also within easy reach.

Local estate agent Bernard Richter of Rolfe East has worked in the area for 11 years and describes Ealing as a fantastic area to live. "The Pitshanger Lane area is very villagey, Ealing Broadway and the town centre is the hub and then there are some real individual and beautiful leafy roads, creating a family feeling."

What properties are typical to the area?
Properties in Ealing range from stylish, luxury apartments in the centre of town, to lavish Victorian and Edwardian properties. There are also some charming cottages and bungalows in tucked away roads.

Which buyers are attracted to the area?
There are lots of families in the area as Ealing has fantastic school catchment areas, although with the multiple transport links available and a quick 20-minute journey to the City, professionals also prefer the space they can get in properties here. It's a much nicer option than a cramped flat closer to central London. With Crossrail on its way, the area is growing from a business and commercial perspective, and becoming a very popular area for all types of homebuyers.

What are the 'hottest' properties in the area?
Blakesley Avenue, Mount Park Road and The Grove all have large homes on the doorstep of central Ealing. Haven Green Apartments overlook the park and are within a couple of minutes of Ealing Broadway Tube station on the popular central line. Roads around Pitshanger Lane fall into great school catchment areas and are also close to the village and local parks.

Where are the 'hidden gems'?
Cavendish Avenue is a good-value option for homebuyers looking for two-bedroom flats or maisonettes with gardens, with prices cheaper than homes close to central broadway. Some new developments on Twyford Abbey Road, close to Hanger Lane, offer some great apartments with balconies and parking. For something really special and unique, St Marks and St Matthews Roads are quaint with superb period cottages opposite Ealing Common.

What are the best investment opportunities in the area?
Lettings is a fast market in Ealing, with one- and two-bedroom properties being the most sought after. For first-time buyers we have an array of new-build developments offering great shared-ownership schemes as well as first-time buyer discounts.

How is local parking?
Most of the local area is now residents parking, however the council is getting stricter on issuing permits for new developments.

What are service charges in the area like?
Service charges are very reasonable in most apartment blocks in Ealing, ranging from £1,000 to £1,400 a year. There are a few buildings which offer additional extras, such as swimming pools, gym and concierge services, and annual charges for these blocks can vary between £2,000 and £3,500.

What are your favourite viewings to show potential buyers?
I love showing properties in the Lammas Park area, we always have a waiting list for these homes, as well as the period properties in Creffield Road that are close to the Common, and the large premier detached units in Blakesley Avenue and Mount Park Road.

Where would you buy in this area?
If money were no object, I would choose to be in Blakesley Avenue, Carlton Gardens or The Park.

Bernard Richter is the Branch Manager of Rolfe East in Ealing