South London’s leading independent estate agents Jacksons handle the sales and lettings of over 2,500 properties every year. Spending on average 180-200 hours to find the best buyers or tenants, our expert teams work hard to arrange viewings and generate interest in our properties.

‘It’s been an incredible start to the year, we came back to a record number of enquiries from buyers, it’s the busiest start to the year that I’ve seen in years,’ says Helen Cerpnjak at Jacksons. ‘The buyers that are actively searching for their new home are demonstrating their commitment to sellers by being focused and organised when it comes to offering on a property. The majority of buyers looking for a home in Balham vary between first time buyers wanting to get on the property ladder and those upsizing who are after more space. Considering the high levels of demand, it’s no surprise that we are witnessing multiple offers and properties achieving in excess of their asking prices. There has never been a better time to sell your property. In such a competitive market, our advice to buyers would be, if you like it, buy it. Properties aren’t on the market for very long so we would suggest acting quickly to avoid disappointment. Many people love living in Balham as it offers the best of both worlds. There are quieter pockets with plenty of space for families as well as excellent local schools nearby. On the other hand, those who want a more central location can be close to transport links, restaurants and bars.’

‘Similarly to the sales team, we are experiencing an exceptionally lively market where it’s no longer unusual to receive multiple offers or offers over the asking price on a property,’ says Paul Rooney at Jacksons. ‘Prices have definitely increased since this time last year with many looking to secure long term tenancies. Home offices and gardens continue to be a high priority whereas being in a close proximity to an underground station are no longer the leading requirement as companies shift to flexible working. Tenants can recognise when a landlord looks after their portfolio and are willing to pay a premium for a well maintained property so in order to attract the best tenants we continue to advise landlords to invest in their properties. The majority of tenants we encounter are young professionals and sharers who enjoy the thriving bars and restaurants Tooting has on offer. We are advising anyone looking to offer on a rental property to put their best foot forward and quickly, knowing that if they miss out, they did everything they could in terms of price, length of tenancy and additional requests. We anticipate demand will remain high as some professionals return to working in the city. I believe there will also be a demand on landlords to invest in the quality of their properties as people are naturally spending more time at home than at the office. Their living environment is no longer just a place to sleep but somewhere to socialise and work.‘

If you would like an update on the local market, or if you are considering selling or letting, please contact your local Jacksons office where our team will be happy to help.