Jeremy, James and Chris
‘Whitman and Co has such a fantastic team. There is no way we would have managed to tie up our sale and purchase last year without their complete dedication and positivity. They are simply brilliant.’ – Jo Laing
Walking around Chiswick, you can’t fail to notice the number of new businesses that have opened or are preparing to open. ‘It’s true, there’s a significant level of interest in the W4 market,’ confirms Jeremy Day, Commercial Director at Whitman & Co.
‘We’ve been remarkably busy over the past few months. For example, we have recently completed lettings with Pianta for the ex-Piazza Taormina restaurant on Turnham Green Terrace, with Balfe’s Bikes (at the former Heal’s site) and Up & Running (next to M&S). It’s been so encouraging to see previously empty shops being fitted out and signs appearing on the windows advertising positions for new staff.’
The hitherto dormant office sector is also showing signs of renewed life. ‘Enquiries are now coming in from occupiers who are keen to put a distance between their work and home lives,’ explains Jeremy. ‘We have premises available for all budgets in the heart of W4 and at the old Chiswick Station building in Grove Park, and we can also help clients find suitable serviced office space.’
That positive commercial outlook is mirrored by Whitman & Co’s impressive sales and letting figures. According to the latest official Rightmove statistics, the estate agency is again the Number One local company in both sectors. ‘Over the last year (July 2020 to July 2021) we sold 23% of all Chiswick properties and this June we exchanged on 41 properties, that was a record,’ says Sales Director, Chris Chalmers. ‘Buyers are mostly locals trading up and some properties have gone for 15-30% over the asking price.
‘Of course, with the end of the Stamp Duty holiday it will be very interesting to see what happens next. Over the last six months to a year, we estimate that houses have increased 10% in value, and Stamp Duty has been a factor in that rise. People who were planning to redecorate or upgrade a bathroom took the view that those works would be covered by the money saved on Stamp Duty. Now, that cash is coming straight from funds, so it may make buyers more cautious.
‘That said, demand remains strong, in particular in the over £2 million bracket. Equally, in the lettings market rental values for family homes are rebounding as more people return to London to work, and we expect flats to follow that trend in the future.’ One of the enduring secrets of Whitman & Co’s success is the agency’s tried and tested philosophy of focusing on W4 and its immediate surroundings and using an experienced, close-knit team that knows the area street-bystreet. ‘As a successful local business, we also believe in investing in our community,’ says Chris. ‘It’s such a shame that many of the school fairs and fêtes that we usually support have been cancelled, however we’re delighted to be sponsoring Chiswick Flower Market, Chiswick Cricket Club and Chiswick Rugby Club Juniors.
‘The Whitman’s way is all about building relationships – that’s why clients often pop into the office for a chat and advice about the market. We’re transparent, we don’t put anyone under pressure, we flag up issues and we try to solve them without any fuss. No matter how busy we are, we keep it personal. Longevity is at the core of our business.’
Whitman & Co
5-7 Turnham Green Terrace,
Chiswick, W4 1RG
+442087478800
sales@whitmanandco.com
lettings@whitmanandco.com
http://www.whitmanandco.com/
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