A Fresh New Start For Downsizing Couple
“Tamara Colton is a consummate professional who makes the prospective purchaser feel special whatever their budget. Her ability to deal with all kinds of people is exceptional and she applies her extensive knowledge and experience of the London residential property market fully throughout the entire process, whilst also providing the client with valuable practical tips and recommendations. I could not have wished for a better service than that provided by Tamara and would not hesitate in instructing her again for any future property search.” – TW
Fresh Start
A retired couple came to us wanting a fresh start, a second London home with a marked difference from the one they already owned.
We got to know their taste and expectations and helped them find the best blend of character with new, in a top-notch block, in a beautiful setting, and a location ideal for them. We recommended specialists to help ease the difficulty of deciding what should come and what really should not.
Both are fit as fiddles but with a lift, porter, groundskeeper, corner shop just around the corner as well as the bus stop into town, it was also future proofed.
Freshen up the décor and help from our recommended declutter professional and, their fresh start is ready to begin.
The dilemma
One of the nicest gentlemen I have met came to us with a real concern about downsizing to the right property for him and his wife. They had a tremendous number of treasured belongings of which some would be kept in an existing family bolt-hold, but this home was to be their retreat, their calm and happy place with a chance of the new but that still felt right, safe, big enough. Having lived in Chelsea their friends and activities were mainly in that area but their budget for their extra home meant, to get the space they wanted (being a second bedroom and good size living space) they would need to consider south of the river or further out and the area of Putney became an obvious solution as it was such a short commute back to their stomping ground.
How LPM helped
We had fun on our outings, trying assorted styles and layouts and it was important to show some that I felt sure were not right but needed illustrating. Often, when I said ‘are you sure you like this or that, they often laughed and said,,. you’re right, we probably would regret this and happily looked on to the next I suggested. Already owning a period property, they were quite taken by the thought of a flat in a modern block which felt exciting and different but, getting to know them, it became clear the character they had in previous homes meant they would likely feel compromised by the layout and lack of outward views that normally comes with a ‘new build’ and therefore some type of period or interesting features would be a ‘must’ on the brief.
First, he was tempted by a river side development and its open views of the Thames, but the budget meant it would be an exposed ground floor which felt too overlooked. We cracked on with the search sifting through a few more variations on modern properties that had some interest or period properties that were recently refurbished. I was delighted to find a fantastic development, built in the late 1980’s, that had a real sense of grandeur with its mock Georgian appearance, large formal gardens, gated entrance and parking and leafy views from all the windows including a lovely terrace from the first-floor reception. All within an acceptable bus trip into town. We’d found it! It needed redecorating but they were happy to do that (realising as our search had progressed, they wanted to put their own stamp on it). I recommended specialists for the upgrades and checks he wanted to do which he said he found of immense help, having not moved for years. Some creative guidance helped them see where things could fit and where extra storage could be attained, where they did not first see possible. Both are fit as fiddles but with a lift, porter, grounds keeper, corner shop just around the corner as well as the bus stop into town, it was also future proofed.
A quick de-clutter of their possessions before moving in and, a freshening up of the paintwork of the new flat, made them in the perfect place to begin their fresh start.
If you’d like our assistance finding your personal haven, please get in touch.
