Five property sales and one exciting story in Shepherds Hill Highgate

After spending three decades in the London property market, I have enjoyed the pleasure and privilege of handling some extraordinary property transactions right here in the heart of North London.

A significant part of my career has gone into selling residential flats and houses in prestigious areas such as Highgate, Hampstead and Dartmouth Park. And over the years, I have had the chance to sell some amazing homes to local families, first-time buyers, and even royalty and celebrities. Between arranging property viewings and overseeing their negotiations, what I find most rewarding is finding out about the history of these homes, knowing that I am often entrusted with handling cherished, valuable assets. Getting to know clients personally and guiding them through the selling or buying process makes my job incredibly fulfilling. Some buyers and sellers I’ve worked with have come back to me years later either to buy or sell again or to purchase homes for their children. Trust like that is priceless, and I am incredibly grateful for it.

Recently, I oversaw the sale of five properties in Shepherds Hill, a lovely tree-lined street in the heart of Highgate, a leafy and popular North London neighbourhood. All five properties were sold quickly – within two to six weeks of coming to the market – with 57 viewings carried out by my team and me. The transactions included two one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom flats, with prices ranging from £350,000 to £760,000. While three of the properties were doer-uppers in need of complete modernisation and renovation, the other two only required minor updating and redecoration.

Interestingly, none of these sales were for rental investments. Highgate does have a thriving rental market, particularly with young families and couples but three of the apartments were purchased by a boutique developer for resale, while the remaining two were purchased by individuals intending to live the properties. Allow me to share the story behind each of these sales.

Three flats sold off-market

This sale was one of those off-market deals where everything just aligned nicely. The vendor approached me after they had received a few local valuations, and I knew right away that a specialist developer I was working with would also be interested. These three apartments, all part of one period residence, were in an unliveable state without any functional kitchens or bathrooms, and there was even subsidence. A cash buyer was the only way forward, as any new owner would need to carry out a comprehensive structural survey and a well-planned, extensive renovation. The developer saw the potential in the flats and made a solid offer. We agreed on a price of £350,000 per flat, and they also negotiated to acquire the freehold.

This deal didn’t just stop at the sale of flats as the developer also submitted a pre-application for planning consent to build a coach house and convert the basement into two one-bedroom garden flats. The pre-application was received positively, and we expect full planning permission later this year. Once the renovations are completed in late 2025, we will market a brand-new 2,500 sq. ft. coach house with parking and two beautifully presented garden flats. A project like this is always exciting because it transforms a neglected building into something extraordinary that will offer new homes in the local community.

Ex-rental property gets eight offers

This flat came to the market in an ex-rental condition, so it needed some attention, mostly cosmetic work like redecoration and tidying up. It had been listed for 7 weeks, and during that time, we managed to generate a lot of interest. We conducted 13 viewings and received eight offers. The sale itself was a mortgage purchase, though it faced a significant down-valuation along the way. Despite this, the vendor and buyer were both reasonable and after some negotiation, we agreed on a sale price of £745,000.

The buyer, who plans to live in the property, was happy with the deal, and it was satisfying to see both parties walk away content. It’s a great feeling when you can navigate the ups and downs of a transaction and still achieve an outcome that everyone feels good about.

Interest rates didn’t deter buyer

This sale was another story of high demand. With nearly 1,200 sq ft of space, this apartment in a modern purpose-built block in Shepherds Hill had a lot of potential, although it was also in an ex-rental condition and needed some updating. We had 43 viewings and eight offers, which shows how much interest there was, despite the state of the property. The eventual sale price was £760,000 to a cash buyer who intends to refurbish the entire apartment.

The vendor was especially thrilled with the result because the sale happened just before the interest rate cut, so they got a strong price. Knowing that the buyer plans to occupy the property themselves adds a personal touch to the deal, as you can sense that the flat will once again become a cherished home.

A lasting legacy in North London

At Benham and Reeves, we’ve spent over 65 years building a reputation and now have a network of trusted sales and lettings agent branches across London. We pride ourselves on offering an unparalleled level of local knowledge, particularly in sought-after areas like Highgate. Our Highgate High Street branch, which opened in 1990, has a team of passionate sales and letting agents. Some of us, like myself, live in the area, which gives us a real connection to the community and its residents.

Highgate is known for its leafy streets and proximity to the 800-acre Hampstead Heath, offering the perfect mix of tranquillity and city living. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, we know this area inside out. If you are thinking of making a move or making Highgate your home, we would be delighted to assist you, ensuring you get the expert guidance you need every step of the way. Get in touch.