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The London Resident

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Mountesque, Master Agents

Mountesque are Master Agents; in selling an asset, marketing, viewings and negotiations are conducted in collaboration with other partner agencies; ensuring maximum reach, maximum skill sets and the highest standards in the listing performance and transactions management. 

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Under a Master Agency arrangement; the seller grants license for  Mountesque to manage sales campaigns conducted by third party agents. All marketing performance reporting is undertaken by Mountesque, who manage the listing and it's assigned agents; in accordance with the pursuit of the best offer, at the earliest possible opportunity. 

 

All duties and responsibilities of managing the performance, the standards and co-ordinated marketing; including viewings and offers; are managed and supervised by Mountesque.  Where Mountesque is the master agent, other agencies are vetted and appointed by Mountesque to become sub-agents and are rewarded under a generous commission sharing structure if they are successful in introducing the buyer.

 

Master Agency has the advantage of more potential exposure, as agents are managed effectively, co-operatively and with great understanding of the challenges faced by agents but also with an understanding of how to achieve the objectives of the seller.  

 

The advantage with Master Agency is proficient management, simplicity and discretion.  

purchasing in London

THE STEPS TO STARTING AND MAKING YOUR PURCHASE  

enquiries AND DUE DILIGENCE

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Key questions asked by a potential purchaser provide the seller with reassurance that the buyer has ascertained the important, relevant data, necessary to make a decision to purchase; giving the seller confidence that the purchaser is committed;    

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Answers given to a buyer provide confidence, clarity, lead to certainty and commitment in completing the purchase.  

 

The questions you should be asking include the following; 

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1. Seller's reasons for placing the property on the market? This will clarify the seller's current position and whether or not there is something wrong with the property, or whether the seller has simply found themselves to be staying in the property less and less, especially when there is a second home which has become more suitable and fulfilling to their needs.


2. How long ago did the current owner purchase the property? The longer an owner has had the property the better, but this should be cross checked with what works has the owner completed since they've owned the property. Have the needs of the property been properly attended to or has it been subjected to passive ownership.


3. What is the current level of interest on the property?  Here it is important to understand how long the property has been on the market, essential to consider when one day, the purchaser is in a position that they have to sell; can they cope with long marketing periods?  Also, if there is a private auction (commonly known as Private Tender, where purchasers submit their offers in closed envelopes by a certain date), then care must be taken to ensure that offers are submitted to capture the interest and attention of the seller. 

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4. What is the area like? You will always get a positive answer from the agent but it is important to use the opportunity to dig deep and get exact specifics; including, what are the neighbours like? What kind of a street is it? What are the types of neighbours that live here. Are there any major plans to develop the town, village or are there any major developments planned. What is the crime rate? Police response times. 


5. Ask about how the property has been maintained? What changes and improvements have been made, etc. Are there any restrictions in respect to planning and making external changes such as extensions, loft conversions, basement conversions, etc. 


7. How have prices trended in the area? Are they going up or are they stagnant?  Are there alot of rentals in the area? What kind of people are moving into the area?  

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8. What is the willingness of the owner to negotiate on the price? If the seller could be satisfied through the transaction, would that make them more willing to negotiate on price. A seller overly willing to negotiate on price is a sign of desperation and may need thorough due diligence via lawyers. A seller that maintains their position on price has faith in the property and the potential attraction to the market. Not, however, if the property has been on the market for a while and has not been reduced in price. 

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Buying a London house. 

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Location:

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  • Know the location first

  • Compare prices

  • Townhouses have minor gardens, small driveways and often no garages. 

  • Detached houses can be found slightly out in locations such as Holland Park, Notting Hill, St. Johns Wood, Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond Upon Thames, Wimbledon, Kingswood, Walton Upon Thames, Weybridge and Sunningdale.  ​

  • White Stucco fronted townhouses are more frequent in Chelsea, Kensington and Belgravia. 

  • Cream coloured Stucco fronted houses are found in Regent's Park (Regent's Circle). 

  • Many townhouses will include a staff flat or a mews house, which can be used for guests or staff. 

  • Smaller 3-4 bedroom houses can be found in Chelsea and Knightsbridge for £4.5m approx. 

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Houses

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  • There are various styles of houses, categorised by the king or queen that was reigning at the time (Elizabethan, Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian, Modern). 

  • Lifts can be found in a number of houses that have been subjected to significant modernisation. 

  • Alteration to houses will most often require planning permission due to the age and preservation requirements. 

  • Heating efficiency will be a major factor as ceiling heights can reach 3 metres and windows are often sash designs.

  • (Energy Performance Certificates are rated from A to E). 

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buying apartments in london

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How to buy a London apartment. The following are the items to consider in viewing an apartment. 

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  • Research the locations

  • Price: 

  • Structure and form of Ownership (Tenure): Leasehold, Share of Freehold, License to Occupy

  • Period of Ownership: 

  • Service Charge

  • Ground Rent 

  • Council Tax

  • Parking: Underground car parking, street permits

  • Included Amenities; gym, executive lounge, lifts, bike storage

  • Concierge

  • Security; Intercom, entry systems

  • Planned maintenance; ioncluding windows, communal gardens, foyer. 

  • External and internal noise

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education

The Best Schools in London; 

 

1 St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith 

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2 Westminster School, Westminster 

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3 North London Collegiate School, Stanmore 

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4 St Paul’s School, Barnes

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5 Godolphin & Latymer School, Hammersmith 

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6 City of London School for Girls, Barbican 

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7 King’s College School, Wimbledon 

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8 Tiffin Girls, Kingston 

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9 Henrietta Barnett School, Hampstead Garden Suburb 

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10 City of London, City of London 

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11 Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet 

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12 Latymer Upper, Ravenscourt Park 

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1 3Lady Eleanor Holles, Twickenham 

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14 South Hampstead High School, South Hampstead 

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15 Haberdasher Aske’s School for Girls, Elstree 

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16 JAGS, Dulwich 

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17 Wimbledon High, Wimbledon 

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18 Highgate, Highgate 

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19 Haberdasher Aske’s School for Boys, Borehamwood 

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20 UCS, Hampstead, Hampstead 

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21 Hampton School, Twickenham 

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22 St Olave’s Grammar School, Bromley 

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23 Notting Hill & Ealing High, Ealing 

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24 Alleyn’s Dulwich, Dulwich  

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25 Francis Holland SW1, Sloane Square 

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26 Eltham College, Bromley, Bromley 

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27 Kingston Grammar School, Kingston 

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28 Newstead Wood School, Orpington 

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29 Latymer School, Edmonton 

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30 Merchant Taylor’s School, Hertfordshire 

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31 St Helen’s, Northwood 

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32 Bancroft’s

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33 Dulwich College, Dulwich 

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34 Sutton Grammar School, Sutton 

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transport

Train Stations

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  • Paddington 

  • Euston 

  • London Victoria

  • London Bridge 

  • Waterloo

Tube

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  • Sloane St, Chelsea (Circle, District)

  • Kensington High St, Kensington (Piccadilly)

  • Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly)

  • Knightsbridge (Piccadilly)

  • Notting Hill Gate (Central)

  • St.Johns Wood (Bakerloo)

​Airports: 

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  • Heathrow

  • Gatwick

  • Stansted

  • Biggin Hill

  • London City Airport

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Major roads:
 

  • A40, goes from close to central London to the M25; a good option for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. 

  • A4, M4

  • A3, M3

  • A405, North Circular

  • A205, South Circular

  • A1, M1

  • A23, M23

entertainment & culture

Restaurants and bars in London; 

  • 40 Maltby St

  • 8 At The Londoner

  • A Bar With Shapes For a Name 

  • A Wong 

  • Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester 

  • Beaufort Bar 

  • Bright 

  • Bruto 

  • C London 

  • Chiltern Fire house

  • China Tang 

  • Dukes Bar 

  • Dishoom 

  • Dinner By Heston Bluementhal

  • Gymkhana 

  • Hacha Bar

  • Hoppers

  • Lounge Bohemia

  • Punchroom

  • Zaika

  • Untitled

  • The River Cafe

  • Silverleaf

  • Sketch

  • The Donovan Bar 

  • The Wolseley

  • Zuma London

  • The Mezcaleria

  • Trishna

  • Three Sheets

security & Tranquility

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The safest and nicest neighbourhoods in London

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  • Richmond Upon Thames, 

  • Kingston Upon Thames

  • Harrow

  • Belgravia 

  • Kensington

  • Notting Hill

  • East Finchley

  • Blackheath 

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immigration

 

Application for residency in the UK are best addressed by legal professionals, specialising in immigration laws.  There are a number of options available for an individual wishing to make the UK their primary residence. One of the routes into UK residency is through the UK Tier 1 (Investor) Visa, which implies Residency by Investment and enables high-net-worth investors to make a substantial financial investment in the United Kingdom (UK) and as a result achieve the opportunity to reside in the UK as a prospective citizen. 

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The requirements for the Residency by Investment Program are as follows; 

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  • Minimum investment of at least GBP 2,000,000 by the investor.

  • 100% of the specified capital must be invested by way of share capital or loan capital, in an active and trading UK registered company. The capital can be channelled through an investment fund but all of the capital must be applied to a UK entity.  

  • The investor must open a UK based bank account. 

  • The investment fund must be traceable to a recognised financial institution prior to the date of application. 

  • Fulfil Anti money laundering verification checks by demonstrating a legitimate and permissible source for the funds. 

  • The UK will become the investor's primary residence where they will spend at least 50% of the year. 

  • The individual must be classed as an independent adult by demonstrating an age of at least 18 years old. 

  • The investor must demonstrate a clean Criminal Record Certificate, to represent themselves as having no criminal convictions.   

  • The investor must demonstrate a clean bill of health and not be subjected to illnesses that could pose a risk of contagion. 

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The investor has the option to increase the investment capital to increase the favour of the Home Office, which rewards the investor making substantial investment into the UK economy. 

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Disclaimer

The information displayed here comprises of a location summary, of which Mountesque Ltd makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is available for use as a guidance only and solely at the viewers discretion. Whilst the information is periodically maintained by Mountesque; they are subject to market, economic and geographic changes and influences,  as well as individual and collective interpretation and viewpoint. Please contact us for direct assistance on any enquiries and for guidance on our consulting packages. 

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