Embassy exodus returns acres of central London to its residents
As the embassies exit Mayfair and Marylebone, their former bases will free up stunning family homes. While the move of many embassies to Nine Elms at Vauxhall is creating a new residential quarter including thousands of new apartments.
Fast new commuter routes are changing London's property map
Regeneration throughout London continues to change the property map, with the orbital train network and recent Tube line extensions creating faster commuter routes with good-value homes, including Deptford, Bromley and Woolwich.
Brighton spotlight
The East Sussex city of Brighton and Hove offers its residents the best of both worlds: a relaxed life at one end of the line within an hour's commute of London, and a good mix of Regency terrace houses, seafront apartments and family homes.
Canterbury spotlight
The compact city of Canterbury sits 60 miles south-east of London in Kent. In recent years its property market has been boosted by a high-speed rail service into St Pancras, which cuts the journey time to the capital to less than an hour.
Chelsea Flower Show preview 2013
This year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises to be suitably fabulous as it celebrates its centenary year with stunning gardens, including the Forget-me-Not Garden by B&Q and Prince Harry's charity.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel.
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens.
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Oxford spotlight
The small city of Oxford is famous for its university and honeyed stone architecture, but its huge range of property - from affordable new homes to luxurious Victorian houses - and one hour commute to London, are big attractions to home buyers.-
Buy of the week: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel. -
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens. -
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Property search
Restyle your home to add value
House doctors Suzy Maas and Katie Moug of The Final Touch - a company which specialises in property presentation and renovations - provide expert advice on interiors
After the makeover,the master bedroom looks light and airy with a contemporary feel
Before the makeover the master bedroom was dark and cluttered
The kitchen now looks clean, light and spacious
The kitchen seemed small and cramped before the makeover
Flat makeover: Muswell Hill
Celia, a publisher from London, approached us when she decided to sell her Muswell Hill flat. She had lived at this flat for over 13 years, and it had been valued by a local estate agent at £193,000.
Celia was a self-confessed hoarder, and every available surface was covered with books, CDs and other clutter.
"You get used to it and don’t see the clutter after a while. Three years ago, it probably wouldn’t have mattered. Now I think it does," she said.
The brief
At the first meeting, we prepared a full list of recommendations which included expenses such as packing, storing and supplying accessories that would help dress the property; and project managing the builders until completion.
Celia was happy for the builders to work around her which on this occasion worked well, but anyone considering major works at their property should be prepared - it is hard work so if you can move out it definitely helps speed up the project.
The result
This project took three weeks to complete and the final result was a complete transformation. The flat looks clean, spacious and in keeping with the traditional look of the building.
The reception was cluttered before the makeover (left) but now looks smart and cosy
offer five days later for the full asking price of £245,000.
About The Final Touch
The Final Touch team are specialists at interior styling and have renovated and dressed a diverse range of properties, from large family homes to compact, city flats.
They offer home consultations and project management rather than a traditional interior decorating service as they focus most of all on how to increase the value of a property before it is put on the market.
For free tips, advice and any further assistance, visit www.thefinaltouch.co.uk or call 01590 677757.
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