The Retreat
Furmage St, Earlsfield, SW18
1, 2 & 3 bed apartments
Prices start from £277,500
Completion due July/August 2008

Surrounded by the more affluent areas of Wimbledon, Putney, Wandsworth and Clapham, Earlsfield represents a pocket of significant value within the established south west London market and presents an excellent opportunity for investors. Until recently, despite its excellent transport connections (Waterloo can be reached in 15 minutes, with peak time trains running every 4 minutes), Earlsfield was generally overlooked.

However, growing numbers of wine bars and boutique shops are opening in Earlsfield, catering for the young professionals moving in to start families (40% of residents are aged between 20 and 34). This is enhancing the area’s desirability and boosting property values and rental income. In the last 12 months alone apartments in Earlsfield have increased in value by 21%, greater than the 16% increase across London as a whole and more than twice the national average of 9%.

The Retreat is an exclusive gated development of 26 one, two and three bedroom luxury apartments located on Furmage Street, a leafy residential road off Garratt Lane. The interior finishes include high quality oak flooring to the principle rooms and above average ceiling heights. The bathrooms will have limestone floors with underfloor heating, whilst quality Pronorm (by Poggenpohl) kitchens will include integrated Bosch appliances. In addition, each apartment will benefit from private outside space and finishes used externally will be of a quality to parallel those in the interior.

The Retreat is just 10 minutes walk from Earlsfield mainline train station with fast, direct access to Waterloo and the centres of Wimbledon and Richmond. To the north and within a short 5 minute walk is Southside shopping centre with a wide variety of high street retailers as well as a Waitrose supermarket, Virgin Active gymnasium and a 14-screen cinema. The Retreat is also a short stroll from King Georges Park and the River Wandle, one of the cleanest stretches of water in London.

Earlsfield offers a good medium to long term opportunity for investors. It has the second lowest council tax in the country and Wandsworth council, one of the best performing in the UK, is committed to further enhancing the borough and residents’ services. One of the area’s most significant improvements, a ten minute walk from the Retreat, is the planned redevelopment of the historic Ram Brewery. It will be transformed into a high quality destination including shops, restaurants and a microbrewery, further boosting the area’s desirability.

The Retreat offers the opportunity to benefit from investing in an area which has clear demand for rental property and which is being transformed, not only by investment, but also by the ripple effect that has benefited nearby Balham, Tooting and Wandsworth.

View the Development Update

Development

	Exclusive gated development of 26 private apartments
	High specification including hardwood flooring and stone kitchen surfaces
	Floor to ceiling windows leading to the private outside space
	Video entry system
	Secure parking available
	Communal landscaped gardens
	Fast access to Central London
	Reputable developer (Findon Homes) with a 10 year NHBC warranty
	125 year lease

Comparables

New 1 bedroom apartments in SW18 (which covers Earlsfield, Wandsworth and Southfields) can sell for up to £310,000 (a new build on East Hill being marketed by Cochrane and Wilson). John G. Dean and Co is currently marketing a ground floor 2 bed maisonette on Swaby Road, Earlsfield for £420,000. While 1 bedroom apartments in the area rent for between £250 and £275 per week (Voltaire, Garratt Lane), 2 bedroom flats range from £300 to £450 and 3 bed units command more than £500 per week.

Conclusion

The Retreat offers investors the opportunity to purchase a property in an area that is undergoing gentrification. Earlsfield’s underlying fundamentals point to steady and consistent growth over the coming years. Already becoming more popular with young professionals, thanks to Earlsfield’s better known neighbours, the area offers great value and should be considered a must in contributing low risk, stability and diversity to those building a property investment portfolio.

t:  +44 (0)845 356 1000   e:info@younggroup.co.uk

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