Colindale’s 15-year transformation as a solid property investment destination

The continued success and extensive expansion programme in the NW9 postcode over the last fifteen years, shows that we made the right decision to open an estate agents branch at the award-winning Beaufort Park property development. And we are currently the top selling agent for the area. In the months January to September 2021, we’ve far outperformed the competition by selling twenty four properties in NW9, changing the way investors, sellers and renters regard this emerging Zone 4 London.

A thriving established community in North West London

We’ve always known that the potential of this flagship property development lay, not only in its proximity to transport links – it’s positioned round the corner from Colindale Underground station on the Northern line – but also, the fact that residents would see themselves as part of a thriving community with everything needed for modern living at hand, and this is exactly what has happened. In fact, so confident was our Managing Director of Beaufort Park’s potential in the early noughties, that as well as opening a branch on-site in 2006, she also purchased new homes in the development. It was a move that has paid off handsomely and she regards the apartments as some of her best investments to date, with yields of 8% and good capital growth.

Connectivity and education in Colindale and Mill Hill

So, has anything changed over the past decade and a half? Well, as the only estate agent, based in Beaufort Park and approved by the developer, we have been keeping a careful eye on all the important trends. Quite apart from the other new-build schemes that have been popping up, such as Colindale Gardens, two other key events spring to mind:

• First, the recent influx of BNO (British National Overseas) visa-holders from Hong Kong has had a galvanizing effect on the area, with the nearby Mill Hill neighbourhood now being affectionately referred to as London’s very own “Kowloon Tong”. These new arrivals are mostly made up of ambitious single professionals and young families who are keen to progress and who are used to living in a community where high-rise living accommodation and great facilities are the norm. As Beaufort Park is near both Colindale and Mill Hill, Hong Kongers can take advantage of the wide variety of oriental food stores and restaurants here and also the availability of excellent schools Mill Hill is also directly connected to Central London via the Thameslink rail network which intersects with both the Eurostar terminus at St Pancras and the new ultra-fast Elizabeth Line at Farringdon.Mill Hill County, St James, North London Grammar and Copthall (girls) are all highly-ranked secondary state schools, while Mill Hill School and North London Collegiate are good independent options which are closeby. Look slightly further afield and you’ll find that Colindale is within a short drive of a cluster of elite independent schools. Harrow School, Haberdashers’ Aske Boys, Habs Girls and Aldenham School which offers flexi-boarding, can all be easily reached and they all run comprehensive coach services to and from their respective locations. Just across the A41 is the expanded and revamped Middlesex University campus which is home to the UK’s first cyber factory, housed in the new eco-friendly Ritterman buiding.
• Second has to be the connectivity of the Northern Line Underground network to the rest of London is what gave the NW9 postcode a certain advantage when it was first built. Today, these same transport links now include a new extension that terminates at Battersea Power Station. Imagine that! You can now travel from Colindale station, directly to the southwestern shore of the Thames with zero interchanges or interruptions.

Investment for income and growth

The first phase of Beaufort Park might be fifteen years old, but as other buildings have been added, the trademark build quality of the developer can be seen throughout. The facilities are still top class and superbly maintained and as investor confidence continues to grow, our branch staff are seeing a very healthy resale market establishing itself here. Resale apartments in Beaufort Park offer better yields and come with a good rental pedigree:

These kinds of resale transactions are attracting a broad spectrum of interest with a good deal of buyers from the UK as well as international investors. Matching these requirements to the right properties in the right time scale is what we do best and this is where our extensive client network, served by our international offices comes into play. Our Colindale sales staff reveal that some properties were not even advertised before being sold. Some after first viewing to cash buyers or through the company database. Deals were even struck via video links, without investors seeing the properties in person.

It is so important to work with an agent who can identify the right investments at the right time and in the right location. Buying off-plan can be profitable, but a proven track record of rental success provides extra reassurance and there is of course, long-term capital growth. Constant waiting lists of professional tenants is testament to the success of Beaufort Park’s  popularity and evidence of our ongoing effectiveness.  We often have 16 or more applicants for every available property.

Our on-the-ground presence has also paid dividends in the wider NW9 sales market. As mentioned earlier, from the beginning of the year, we have set the pace in terms of properties sold (twenty-four), maintaining a healthy lead over some big-name competition.

All this was done in the face of a worldwide pandemic.

So, like Twitter, our Beaufort Park Colindale branch marks fifteen years of success and prosperity. Like the social media platform, it may have seemed like a gamble at first but it has since proved itself to be a fabulous success story. We are pleased and proud to still be playing a part in the growth of its influence and its potential as a solid investment.

If you would like to find out more about selling or a property in Colindale, NW9 or if you are interested in buying a new or ,resale property at Beaufort Park, do get in touch with our Colindale estate agents team.