ESTATE AGENTS | AUCTIONEERS | LETTING AGENTS | PROPERTY MANAGERS
Finchleys leading family run independent estate agent, who prides themselves on being client focused and results driven.
Welcome to Finchleys!
I’m Raj Yadav and I established Finchleys Estates in 2009 on Station Road, Finchley but I started my career back in 2001 as a Trainee. Starting with just one negotiator alongside me, I have worked tirelessly to build Finchleys to the successful business it is today. We are now a medium sized firm, however my passion for property and people remains as strong today as it was when I first started, and I still love running my company day-to-day.
For me, ‘Finchleys’ is more than just a name, it’s a company that strives to provide all our clients with the most thorough and complete service. Our motto “Client Focused. Results Driven” symbolises our approach to everything we do here in a nutshell. With over 50 years of combined estate agency experience we know we’d be nothing without you – our clients – and so we have worked tirelessly to build a business with you at the very heart of it.
Our commitment to our clients ensures that we deliver the service that you have the right to expect and if that means we earn your trust and even a recommendation to others - well, we just see that as the best way to do business, so everyone wins.
I believe that staff happiness is crucial to having a motivated and dedicated team. That’s why we believe in rewarding employees for a job well done by giving them additional time off, allowing us to keep staff morale levels high, ensuring the best service for our clients’ day in, day out!
As well as being Estate agents by day, we are landlords and homeowners, so we know only too well what you are looking for when selecting an agent to look after your interests in a property. We’ve been there, done that. We understand this business, how to sell or let your home, and that each client is different in their requirements, which gives us the edge.
We are not a corporate chain, owned by investors or purely an online agent. We have a prime office location directly opposite Finchley Central Tube, a carefully selected team of professionals who all live locally and I own the business myself - all of this means we can spend more time focusing on what’s important to you.
Raj Yadav | Company Director
We are genuinely passionate about people, property, and Finchley, and we always strive to go above and beyond to ensure a fantastic result for our clients.
Who are we...
We provide asset management, property consultancy, property marketing and independent advice to all levels of customers from individuals hoping to buy/sell their first home to high profile investors and developers.
With a combination of over 40 years experience in the property industry, Finchleys Estates have established a business based on specialist knowledge and a wealth of experience.
Our agents are among the best in the business. We have a rigorous recruitment and growth strategy to ensure the highest standards, making sure that each member of staff is highly trained and dedicated to your property transaction. Combine this with our experience, expertise and unrivalled local knowledge, you can rest assured that when you choose Finchleys as your estate or letting agent, your property is in safe hands.
When it comes to selling or letting your property, our unique marketing makes us stand out from the crowd, generating many enquiries for your property. With bold for sale signage, a strong high street presence, prominent advertising both locally and on national property websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla, we give your property the best chance of coming to the attention of your ideal buyer or tenant. We are often the first port of call for buyers when registering, with Finchleys being such a well- known and well-respected name in local property markets.
We are an award winning, independent, family run company that understands that every client is unique and every customer should be treated as family. We work differently to the standardised estate agent template by providing each client with a personalised approach to their property needs.
Many estate agents are owned by parent companies or linked to banks or building societies some of whom are more interested in selling mortgages or insurance rather than property. Finchleys Estates is owned and run like a family; our commitment is entirely to our customers and their interests. The property market can change quickly, our independence gives us the flexibility to change with it.
As a consultative estate agency, our advice is free and impartial with a straight-forward and honest approach. We pride ourselves on providing accurate and realistic valuations, along with advice on how to maximise your property’s potential. Call us, or come and see us to take advantage of our property experience.
The sales process explained...
0-2 Weeks
Choosing the right agent can be difficult as it is very tough to rely on someone to get the best price for what is often your most valuable asset. Finding the right agent is arguably one of the most important aspects of selling a property as choosing the wrong agent can make selling your property almost impossible.
Knowing how much your home is worth can be tricky; get three or four valuations, evaluate them, and ensure you feel confident with the suggested asking price, based on what the local market is doing. Be aware of overly inflated asking price suggestions, it has been known to be used by some agents to try and win your business. If a property is over-valued, you risk your property remaining on the market for a long duration which causes concerns for potential buyers. At Finchleys we have different tactics to getting our clients the best possible price, and we can tailor an approach to however you feel comfortable proceeding.
Choosing a smaller agency typically means that your property will get the most attention as we only take on a select few number of properties at a time to ensure each client receives the highest quality of service.
Always go with the agent who puts you most at ease as you will likely be in contact with them for a few months throughout the sales process. Always look at Google reviews to make sure that others have had good experiences with your preferred agent.
1-14 Weeks - Marketing & Viewings
Once you’ve chosen your estate agent, you’ll be able to get moving. Your agent can begin the process of arranging photography, virtual tours and virtual staging, if necessary, then they will start marketing your property.
This section will really depend on the market and how competitively your home is priced. In a hot market, properties can go in a couple of days. We’ve even seen them go in a matter of hours. But in a slower market — or if you’re priced too high — it can take longer. The Advisory found that this section could take up to 14 weeks, so keep that in mind if things are slow and you’ve priced ambitiously, although Finchleys typically has a property under offer within 2 weeks of marketing.
9 Weeks - Accepting an Offer to Exchange of contracts
Once you have received and accepted an offer, the agent will send a Memorandum of Sales to both parties’ solicitors. During this period the solicitors will work together, the buyer’s solicitor will run any necessary searches and enquiries, and the buyer may opt to have a survey done to make sure the home is sound. (Their lender may also want a valuation survey done to make sure the house is worth what they’re lending.) Based on the findings of the surveys, the buyer may want to negotiate the price again — and it’s good to keep in mind that they can pull out before contracts are exchanged. You are under no obligation to stop viewings once a sale has been agreed, and we would recommend you have a back-up buyer in place should your buyers’ circumstances change.
The good news? Whether the market is hot or cold, data shows that this part of the process usually takes the same amount of time — about 9 weeks — so it’s easy to plan for.
2 Weeks - From Exchange to Completion
Once you exchange, the buyer’s solicitor will release the deposit to your solicitor The contracts will be signed by the buyers, and that means it’s all official! From here on out, there will be a penalty if either party backs out, so this is when things are serious.
The time from exchange to completion can vary — but on average it’s only a couple of weeks. This is the time you should be organizing movers and packing if you haven’t already started.
Sometimes, you may find that you exchange and then complete right away — or there may be a long gap in between the exchange and the completion date, if both parties decide they want more time. Luckily, this will all be negotiated as part of the contract, so you’ll know exactly what your completion date is — and you can get those moving vans booked and start wondering why you have a drawer full of manuals for appliances you don’t use and sweaters that have been gathering moth holes since the 1990s.
On the completion day, the seller’s solicitors release the full and final funds to your solicitor and then the estate agent hands over the keys. Congratulations!
Total Length 12-27 Weeks
As you can see, a quick sale might go from choosing an estate agent to completion in as little as 12 weeks — or it could take up to 27. In fact, in some extreme cases, it could be even faster or take even longer. But if you know the factors that you need to consider the market, your agent, your pricing, how organized you are, you can start to plan ahead.
Selling tips...
Throughout our years of selling properties, we have identified a few things a seller can do to help get themselves the best price for their property. Below are a few that you may find useful.
First Impressions Count
Make sure your property has great kerb appeal; mow your lawns and tidy the garden. Add some colour with baskets and pots.
Emphasize Space
Ensure the property is clutter free. Clear surfaces including floors, tabletops, and kitchen counters. Close cupboard doors and put away personal effects.
Minimise Buyer Worries
No need to spend a fortune, but do carry out any minor repairs to walls, floors, and features.
Maximise Light
Open curtains, blinds, and adjoining doors to make the space appear bigger and brighter.
Odours Matter
Prior to viewings, open the windows to air the property. Take pets outside during viewings and avoid cooking anything with a strong odour prior to viewing.
Security
For your own peace of mind, lock away any valuables during viewings.
Post-Viewings
Take feedback on board, if all the feedback from viewings points towards a particular issue - do something about it.
Viewings
Be as flexible as possible and keep us informed if there are specific times to avoid. It is usually best to let your estate agent show the buyers around whilst you go out - they will feel more comfortable if you’re not there. This means they can have an open discussion about your house without fear of causing offence. They’ll also be able to take their time imagining how your home could become their home.
EPC’s
By law, you will need to have an EPC (energy performance certificate) for your property. Your estate agent can help you to organise this. You won’t be able to market the property without one, so get it sorted as soon as possible.
Prepare your solicitor
Instruct a solicitor from the outset so that you are ready for action. Make sure you have all your paperwork in order as this can really speed things up. If your property is leasehold or share of freehold, make sure you have the papers ready to pass on to your solicitor. Likewise, obtain any planning or building consents well in advance - these can help clinch a sale.
Outstanding service. From the outset, Raj and Ash have been fantastic. Really helpful, transparent and professional. I have been kept up to date throughout and the process from placing our house on sale through to completion has been straightforward. Highly recommended. Raj was very honest and offered excellent insight into the local market. Friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Ash did so equally, and also provided continual updates at every stage of the process. He was a joy to deal with, and we are all so appreciative. I looked at reviews before contacting Finchley’s and I am so glad I did. Will definitely be using them again. Thank you so much!
Marketing your property...
We understand that your home means so much to you. We look at every last detail in your property and understand that it is a one-off and has a buyer that will love it just as much as you. This is why we think about all of these details when marketing your property. We pick out the things that other agents may miss. We have invested in innovative technology that can virtually furnish an empty property or change the time of day in images to show a room in its best light. We have invested a lot of time thinking about how we can best show off your property such as:
Photographs & Floorplans
We work with a team of award winning photographers to ensure your property appears in the best possible light. These photos appear on the marketing material, such as the property detail sheet, our office window displays, website and the major property portals. Our RICS certified floorplans are professionally prepared and allow people to gauge the layout and proportions.
Virtual Staging
We can fill an empty property with stunning furniture styles at the fraction of the cost of physically furnishing it. The property can be furnished with virtual furniture to match the age and style of the property to make an empty property feel more appealing.
Brochures
We can have custom brochures prepared as marketing materials to be handed out to potential buyers.
Online Advertising
We make sure your property is seen on all the other major property websites too, such as Rightmove with featured and premium listings that appear at the top of searches.
Our Office
Finchleys Estates have a prime location just outside Finchley Central Station. Geography remains important in this present day and the weekends in particular sees a steady flow of potential buyers popping in to browse through brochures and discuss requirements.
Social Media
We have a substantial following on social media where we will promote your property and offer earlybird appearances.
And then there’s us.
The most important tool when marketing your property is your agent; we are there to sell your property, and we have been trained to match a perfect buyer with your property. Most of our listings don’t even make it to marketing because our agents marketing can have an offer before the photographer has managed to book a visit.
What to expect from us...
What’s the difference between an estate agent and a great estate agent? 4% of your asking price, that’s what. According to extensive research, the average estate agency achieves just 96% of the asking price whereas great agents achieve between 99-100%. on a £1m house, that 4% difference equates to £40,000 more for your property – this is not to be overlooked.
Anything great, though at first more expensive, will offer better value overall. How many times have you opted for the cheaper option, only to have to PURCHASE A BETTER-QUALITY
VERSION IN THE END.
As the saying goes: buy cheap, buy twice. Estate Agents are no different; there are the good, the bad, the ugly, and the remarkable. After all, the ‘cheapest agent’ can quickly become the most expensive, as they say, ‘you always get what you pay for’.
Experience
Our combined experience gives us an in-depth knowledge within the property sector making us competent in facing any challenge. We have come across every issue that could possibly be faced during the sale of a property, we know how to overcome any obstacle in the process, and we will be with you every step of the way. Our agents receive regular training. Not just on the technical and legislative aspects of the property market, but also on how to deal with potential buyers and understanding what they want from a property.
A strong brand
Client satisfaction has been the foundation to building our successful brand. We continue to build strong lasting relationships and our hard work and dedication has generated a large proportion of our business through positive referrals.
Expert Agents
The most powerful tool in an Estate Agents belt is the agent themselves. Our staff are highly experienced and knowledgeable people who are dedicated to providing you with a first-class service. Our staff work endlessly to keep up to date with legislation, the current market and are trained to get you the best price for your most valuable asset. Our agents are always on hand to answer any questions any time of the day.
Mortgage Department
At Finchleys Estates, we work extremely closely with an Independent Mortgage company, Goldberg Steel who are financial experts that work in conjunction with our residential sales team. Based a few doors down from our office, Trevor Steele and his team’s job is to explore and source the best mortgage rates and products available. The benefit to you as a seller is that any offer is qualified prior to proceeding.
Partnered advice...
Development Services & New Homes
Our new homes department collaborates with an array of developers and works tirelessly with our clients to achieve maximum exposure for their projects.
Here is what we offer:
- Bespoke sales & Marketing
- Residential development consultancy
- Financial & feasibility analysis
- Lettings & management consultancy
Investments
For private investors, we help individuals start, manage, review and expand their property portfolios. With advice on buy-to-let mortgages and compliance considerations for landlords, we can help at every stage of the process. We help investors find the right property in the right area to maximise rental yield and capital growth and help landlords find the right tenant. Property is now becoming a far more mainstream investment vehicle, particularly now, where an increasing number of people are disillusioned with pensions. We have the knowledge and foresight to spot effective instruments and we will work hard for you so you can sit back and watch your portfolio flourish.
Partnered Advice
Finchleys partner with respected UK financial advisors and legal firms to provide our clients with a complete advisory service when purchasing and selling property. The key to a successful and swift property transaction often rests on the calibre of the solicitors you appoint. We work with several legal firms who are wholly sensitive to the time-pressured nature of the property market and help to make the purchase and sales process as streamlined as possible.
This agency goes above and beyond to not only get the property sold but to also make a trying process as smooth and as pleasant as possible. The care, warmth and experience that Raj and his team at Finchleys Estates brings is beyond comparison. They are an example of professionalism and a true credit to their field.
Auctioneers...
The modern method of property auction is just like an ordinary property sale, but with the added control and transparency offered by an auction sale. It is a cost-effective and fast way of selling property. We have found that in recent years, there has been a shift to remote purchasing, and by becoming a part of an auction house, we are able to provide our clients with more visibility and therefore more interest in each property.
Our experienced and friendly team of auction experts have an excellent knowledge of the property market, and we pride ourselves on giving professional and honest advice. We will always recommend the best method of sale in order to achieve the most successful outcome for your property.
How does it work?
Just like a traditional sale, your property will be marketed using property details and photos on our various portals the auction house bidding catalogue, and of course your local agent who will drum up interest in the property and conduct viewings. During the marketing period, we will let you know of any serious buyers and enquiries, and prospective buyers will be offered the opportunity to bid online.
The auction is very simple; the seller sets a reserve price (the minimum amount they will allow the property to sell for) and an end date for the auction (usually 28 days or more). Prospective buyers then compete against each other by increasing their bids until the auction expires. If there’s a frenzy of activity towards the end of the auction, the auctioneer will automatically add extra time (typically an additional two days) to ensure the property achieves its top price. Furthermore, the risk of the sale falling through is virtually eliminated because the winning bidder is financially committed.
Raj was fantastic at every stage of the selling journey. Communication was second to none and the challenges that we faced were made all the more easier given their professionalism. Hard work and diligence is how Raj and the team perform. I would have no hesitation in recommending them as this really was 5 star service with a great team. Well done. Your work is much appreciated.
Our local area...
Made up of four small town centres; Finchley Central, West Finchley, North Finchley & East Finchley the area is conveniently located with; outstanding schools, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and other amenities all on your doorstep as well as easy access in just under 20 minutes into the centre of London. The icing on the cake, of course, is Finchley Central, West Finchley & East Finchley Underground Stations.
Finchley residents enjoy a calm and soothing environment made up of quiet leafy streets lined with picturesque period homes. It’s well positioned location allows access to several beautiful woodlands, a far cry from the landscaped parks of central London. Finchley is the perfect location for those who commute by car, as several major roads pass through the area, linking to the M1 and North Circular Road. Even those who don’t drive are rarely short of transport options, as the area is served by the Northern Line and many bus routes.
It is as popular as ever with the people working in the arts, but Finchley residents are an increasingly mixed bunch, varying from families who are looking to join a stable community to young singles and professional couples who come both to rent and buy. The area also attracts older couples who have sold their family homes and downscaled to the area’s luxury flats. There is also a strong Jewish community with several synagogues and a cultural centre in the area.
A wide choice of top-performing state schools, many catering for long-standing Jewish and Catholic communities, makes Finchley a good choice for families. Finchley is a centre of culinary delights with restaurants serving food from every region and culture, and it’s never difficult to find a kosher or halal eatery.
For shopping, locals make for the High Road and Ballards Lane, which are packed full of high street shops, locally owned boutiques, specialist food stores and supermarkets. Branches of Waitrose, Aldi and Sainsbury’s are all located around the junction of these roads. For serious retail therapy, Brent Cross shopping centre is only a 10-minute drive away.
There is a public library in Hendon Lane, next to the church. Along Regents Park Road and Ballards Lane, close to the station, is a retail district with a Victorian and Edwardian shopping parade as well as a couple of pubs and modern shops including Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
Finchley, close to the North Circular Road, has three Tube stations — Finchley Central, West Finchley and Woodside Park — all on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line and in Zone 4. An annual travelcard to Zone 1 costs £1,820. From Finchley Central, the No 60 bus goes to Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria, while the No 143 and the No 326 take shoppers to Brent Cross.
