When it comes to picking somewhere to rent in London, you need to be prepared for the journey you can take. From suburban nooks nestled in the centre to wide open country spaces just a 30 minute commute away, London has it all. But what makes an area great? This guide will help you understand […]

With so many opportunities to make money in today’s market, knowing where to invest your money is going to be the most important aspect of getting a great return on investment. The housing market has consistently proven to be a long term investment winner. In today’s guide we will give you more information about this […]

Millions of homeowners around the country have heard of the terms, leasehold and freehold but what do they mean? In simple terms, freehold is where you own the property and the grounds it stands on for an unlimited amount of time. Leasehold is where you own the property but not the grounds it stands on. […]

What is the rateable value of your commercial property? Many businesses, tenants and property owners aren’t 100% clear on what rateable value is and how it’s calculated. But it’s an essential part of your property investment knowledge bank, something you need to understand fully to help you make great decisions going forwards.  Here’s what you […]

Buying a property is complicated, whether it’s a home for yourself, a second home or a buy-to-let. There’s so much jargon, official dots to join, paperwork to do, people to liaise with and legalities to handle. A lot of it comes with extra costs to pay on top of the price of the property itself, […]

Guaranteed mortgage loans are big news. Right now we’re looking at a return to 95% mortgages. The last Budget saw the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announce a fresh new 2021 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme. It might be exactly the kind of the lifeline that first time buyers need, letting people who are new to […]

Property co-ownership comes in various guises, depending on your circumstances. There are two types of beneficial joint tenants. Do you understand the difference? Are you clear about which joint tenant agreement is best for your situation? This guide is designed to clarify exactly what these terms mean. Here’s everything you need to know about joint […]

How well insulated is the house? How much heat does it leak into the air outside? How energy-efficient is the power source? EPC assessment matters a lot when you’re buying a property, and is just as important for sellers. Your bills could end up sky high in an old stone place with high ceilings, a […]

You want to rent a place to live. But which types of tenancy will suit your circumstances best? There’s a lot of money, time and effort involved in arranging somewhere to rent. And it’s obviously really important to fully understand exactly what you’re getting into before you get into it! If you’d like to get […]

Whether you’re moving in with someone you love or sharing the financial burden of buying a property with a friend, there’s a lot to think about. These days, with property prices already sky high and going up fast in many areas of the UK, more and more of us are considering partnering with others to […]

About 10% of British people own a second home. Some are buy-to-let, others are second homes and holiday homes. Is buying a second home on your radar? People buy a second property for many different reasons, and like all such important, big-money transactions you need the facts at your fingertips before making a decision. Here’s […]

  There are several ways to buy property, and buying property through a company is a popular choice, with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It’s not surprising, then, that so many people ask the question, can a business buy a residential property? Buying a house through a limited company might just be the […]

As well as being a budding area for young families to place a foot on the property ladder, Southall is a superb choice for commuters and investors alike looking for new homes in London.  We take a closer look at this location bursting with vibrancy, culture and charm, to find out just what the largely […]

Named after the river Wandle, London’s 9th biggest borough, Wandsworth, is home to Battersea, Putney, Tooting and Wandsworth town, and is one of the safest and liveliest areas in inner London.  For those looking into properties to buy in London, Wandsworth is ideally situated for getting into and around the capital’s centre, and with great […]

With impressive house price rises, large scale regeneration plans, ideal location and excellent commuter connections, Luton is an excellent prospect for those looking for new homes in London. Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire, situated in the south of England, with a population of 213,052. In the 1700’s, Luton […]

When researching into the best areas in London to invest in a property to let, you will be keen to find out the sort of rental yield you can expect to enjoy in return. A high rental yield ensures that your rental income covers the running costs of the property, from mortgage repayment to wear […]

Buying a property is likely to be one of the biggest and most important investments of your life, and it’s vital to do some research into the area you will choose to settle in.  If the capital city of London is where you wish to establish yourself, you will be moving to a constantly evolving […]

When negotiating deposit deductions at the end of a tenancy, the landlord may be entitled to compensation for any perceived damage.  In each unique situation, a set of criteria needs to be looked at, to ascertain whether the deduction amount proposed is reasonable and relative to the damage attributable to the tenant (in excess of […]

99% of our team is women 99% of our Lettings and Property Management team is now female, how did they all get into property, and how did this shift occur. From prima ballerina to vet, designer, psychiatrist, motor mechanic or party planner, our team didn’t all plan to work in property. But by happy accident, […]

Though the property market may seem intimidating to a first-time buyer, there are government schemes and other projects that can help to take a bit of the pressure off. In this piece we will look at some of the ways in which you can get a bit of a helping hand in buying your first dream home. Read more.

Buying your first home is one of the most important and daunting tasks that anyone can undertake. At Strawberry Star we realise that our clients want to be well informed and assisted in making the best decisions they possibly can, so let’s break down a few of the pros and cons of buying a new […]

For a first-time home buyer, figuring out how to own your home can feel like a complicated process – but don’t be put off. Some expert advice on buying a house and first-time buyer relief are all you need to take the first step towards owning your own home.

The dream of owning a home is shared by everyone, and buying your first property is one of the most important investments you will ever make. It is an exciting and daunting step to take, but one that you don’t have to take alone. The process of purchasing a home can easily be one that […]

Discover regeneration areas in London that are ripe for investment and offer excellent opportunities for first-time buyers. New developments in the areas on this list offer high-end living in established neighbourhoods within an easy commute of central London.

The many myths around buying your own home can make homeownership seem daunting to first-time buyers. Here, we debunk some of the most stubborn myths about buying versus renting, the “right” time to buy, down payments, mortgages and why you should appoint a real estate agent.

Unexpected costs such as surveyors’ and legal fees can wreak havoc with your budget for moving house. And if you’re renting, you should also be prepared for fees in addition to your deposit. This guide explains all the different costs involved in moving house to ensure that you don’t get caught off guard.

When Wembley first formed many years ago – a simple, small village in rolling countryside, dotted with modest Victorian homes – it didn’t seem like a place that would host some of the world’s most iconic sporting and music events. Even when Wembley Stadium was built, the area took a little while to catch up. […]

Wandsworth is the perfect meeting of countryside living without the unreasonable commute to central London. With its combination of large green belts, parks and booming business districts, Wandsworth offers something for everyone – from families looking to buy property to grow old in, to young professionals keen to enter the investment property owner-occupied or buy-to-let market.

Whether you’re a young professional looking for a buy-to-let property, or a family looking to rent or buy a house, Southall offers lovely properties, a laid-back lifestyle and a convenient commute to central London. We take a look at why Southall is emerging as London’s new investment property hotspot.

Looking to purchase a home or rent a London apartment but don’t know where to look? We survey London neighbourhoods to help you find the best place to live, work and play – whether you want a convenient commute, an up-and-coming area with vibrant nightlife, or a safe place to raise your family.

If your house isn’t selling as fast as you would like, the problem could be the price, the property or the marketing plan. A few easy home improvements could help. Then consider whether to review the price and whether your estate agent is geared to sell property fast. Ask these questions to find out why you are having trouble selling your property.

Owning your own home is a dream shared by the overwhelming majority of UK citizens, but it isn’t necessarily the right choice for everyone. With support from a skilled and seasoned property management company, it can also be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life. Here are the most important questions to ask when buying a home.

Whether you are selling your home, or buying a new one, you will need to know how much the property is worth. To do this, you need the help of an experienced estate agent or valuation expert, so that you can be sure you are getting your money’s worth. Here we cover what property valuation entails.

If you are looking to buy-to-let or rent out your home, you are in for a whirlwind of admin and legal responsibilities. As a new landlord, you may want some expert help. Here we discuss how to prepare for letting your home, and the benefits of hiring an estate agent or property management company to take care of the entire process.

Residential rental continues to increase in London, even as Brexit deal is around the corner. The 3.7 per cent growth in residential rents in January 2019 demonstrates the stability in the London rental market, as demand momentum remains strong.   According to the latest HomeLet Rental Index, the average rent in the UK capital now […]

If you are planning to invest in buy-to-let property in London, then, this is the most appropriate time. For, residential rental growth in London remains robust, as demand picks pace. Rents in London increased by 4.7 per cent in December 2018 compared to December 2017. The average monthly rent in the UK capital now stands […]

With 2018 coming to an end, real estate services and investment firm CBRE has released the list of top performing boroughs in London’s property market fort this year. Haringey registered the highest rental growth while houses in Islington experienced the highest price growth.   There is no doubt that house prices softened in London this […]

With a £1.5billion regeneration project underway, the once overlooked Bedfordshire town of Luton is being reinvented into a buzzing property hotspot. Several new residential schemes are now coming up in Luton with the latest being LU2ON by Strawberry Star Homes. House prices are still 60 per cent less than London itself while the rental market […]

Luton, UK’s top buy-to-let postcode and London’s top commuter belt town, has now emerged as the most affordable town for Londoners, especially first-time buyers!   According to a latest research by Lloyds Bank, working professionals in Central London can save an average of £483,342 by commuting up to an hour each day to the UK […]

Here’s an interesting update for home-buyers, investors and buy-to-let landlords in London! House prices and rents are set to grow in double digits in Greater London over the next five years, according to the latest UK Residential Forecast from global real estate services firm JLL.   By 2023, house prices are set to grow by […]

By Santhosh Gowda, Chairman, Strawberry Star Group   UK’s top buy-to-let postcode Luton, London’s top commuter belt town, has now emerged as the most affordable town for house buyers, especially first-time buyers!   According to a latest research by Lloyds Bank, working professionals in Central London can save an average of £483,342 by commuting up […]

If you are planning to invest in a buy-to-let property in London, now is the right time! For, average rental values in London were higher than in the rest of the UK last month. This clearly establishes London as one of the top rental markets in the world, as demand continues to grow. The variation […]

London continued to register an impressive rental growth outpacing the national average in September 2018. Rents in London increased by 3 per cent in September this year compared to September 2017 with the average monthly rent in the capital now being £1,640 a month. According to the latest HomeLet Rental Index, rental growth in London […]

Residential rents continued to push upwards in the UK capital, as demand picked pace in many of the London boroughs.   Rents in London increased by 1.4 per cent in August 2018 when compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the latest HomeLet Rental Index. With 25 years supporting the industry, HomeLet is […]

The UK government’s ‘Help-to-Buy’ scheme has been found to be highly successful with a bulk of he first-time buyers taking advantage of the initiative, a latest research report indicates. According to a report prepared by Home Builders Federation (HBF), a representative body for home builders in England and Wales, an estimated 170,000 homes were purchased […]

Home ownership is the single biggest goal for generation rent, especially people in the age group of 20-34 years in London and the South East, according to a latest research report from bespoke legal services provider Collyer Bristow. The report titled ‘Home Ownership Attitudes & Aspirations’ revealed that 62 per cent of the renters and […]

Residential properties in London, one of the top rental markets in the world, continued to register a healthy growth in rent last month. In July 2018, the rents in London increased by 3.3 per cent annually when compared to the corresponding period last year.   According to the latest HomeLet Rental Index, the average rent […]

London, one of the top global rental markets for property investors, continues to make impressive gains, as the UK capital witnessed 4.7 per cent increase in residential rents in June 2018.   Residential rent growth in London has been consistently above 4 per cent month-on-month despite Brexit and its impact on the UK economy. This […]

A new joint government-industry sector deal worth £420 million is set to transform the construction industry in the UK by deploying innovative technologies aimed at building new homes quicker. This is a welcome initiative considering the widening gap between demand and supply of homes, especially in London.   A recent announcement by the government has […]

Prime London, one of the top residential property hubs of the world, is witnessing heightened activity in the lettings market as the number of tenancies agreed increased substantially in recent times.   In May 2018, rental values entered the positive territory in Prime Central London, where the lettings market was adversely impacted in the last […]

Post by Santhosh Gowda The ‘Bank of Mum & Dad’ continues to play a key role in the UK housing market with house-buyers, particularly first-time buyers, increasingly relying on their parents and friends to climb up the housing ladder. According to a research by Legal & General, the ‘Bank of Mum & Dad’ will be […]

The demand for rental properties in the UK, including the capital, is on the rise with more number of house-hunters registering with estate agents. This is an indication of the buoyancy in the UK lettings market, which is considered one of the most lucrative for landlords and buy-to-let investors.   The latest report on the […]

The residential rent in London, one of the top global property hubs, continues to rise overcoming speculations of a downturn in the market. Latest research data showed that rents in London increased by 5.6 per cent in May 2018 when compared to the corresponding period last year. This is an encouraging sign for investors, especially […]

The demand for residential properties in London has been stable with 213 units priced over £1 million being sold in April 2018. This demonstrates the trust of investors, house-buyers and landlords in the London property market, which is renowned worldwide for its strong fundamentals resulting in a healthy return on investment. HM Land Registry Price […]

If you are under the impression that the widening gap between demand and supply of houses is the only reason for price inflation of residential assets in the UK, you could be wrong. For, latest research has revealed that international migration is also a growth driver of housing in England, especially London.   England’s population […]

Yet another interesting dimension is emerging out of the UK housing crisis with the latest survey revealing that tenants with poor credit rating are more likely to be shunned by landlords. Having access to the credit scores of tenants would be a crucial factor for landlords when deciding who to sign an agreement with, as […]

Access to finance continues to remain a major concern for first-time house buyers in the UK, as 66 per cent of adults aged 18-40 years are expecting to receive help from family to get their foot on the property ladder.   The latest First-Time Buyers Report by the Yorkshire Building Society identifies various problems faced […]

London-based international property company, Strawberry Star Group, has entered the London residential property development market with the launch of “BRONZE”. Set in Wandsworth, the £50 million scheme is designed to provide first-time buyers with new homes at lower capital values… Read full article   Source: Property Investor Today

Bronze, a shimmering tower of 77 apartments in burnished panels, reflects not just the sun but the rising allure of Wandsworth town centre. The local council has paved the way for sweeping changes with the town centre attracting design-conscious young singles and couples priced out of zone one, with new build flats… Read full article […]

Are you planning to acquire a buy-to-let or owner-occupier residential unit in London? Then, you should explore Wandsworth SW18, one of the most promising areas for regeneration in London with leading developers and housing associations venturing into the location. The Wandsworth Regeneration plans include new developments aimed at creating better housing, transport, leisure pursuits and […]

Are you planning to buy a home in Wandsworth, a historic London borough on the south bank of The Thames? Hold your breath! Property company Strawberry Star Group is unveiling its major residential development scheme – BRONZE – on September 20!   Wandsworth SW18 is one of the most promising areas for regeneration in London […]

A significant appreciation in values of properties, including residential assets, in the Wandsworth, London is anticipated in the next few years in view of various initiatives announced by the stakeholders of the borough of Wandsworth. The Transport for London (TfL) has announced plans to improve Wandsworth Town Centre’s street network. TfL intends to commence work […]

Strawberry Star secures sweet deal of £21m from challenger bank OakNorth, to fund the build of new development Bronze. “Wandsworth is one of London’s most popular areas and is in desperate need of new homes – the borough requires 18,000 new homes a year until 2025 to keep up with demand,” said Santhosh Gowda, Strawberry […]

The official first phase launch for Bronze, SW18 is drawing near, be the first to discover your dream home in this unique development in the heart of Wandsworth.   Perfect for living the London life. Bronze is ideally located in this sought-after location adjacent to King George’s Park. On your doorstep, you can find Southside shopping centre, boutique shops, […]

The National Landlords Association (NLA) in the UK has expressed fears that the recent changes to the way the buy-to-let properties are taxed could lead to the next “pension crisis,” as property owners are increasingly depending on their residential assets to save for their retirement years.   Richard Lambert, CEO, at the NLA, the leading […]

The housing market in the UK continues to be dictated by price inflation, as first-time buyers are finding it difficult to climb up the property ladder. But they continue to dominate the housing market driving the growth despite a steep increase in residential property prices. The number of first-time buyers reached an estimated 162,704 in […]

1-bed apartments are popular in London, where real estate prices are among the highest in the world, and now they continue to command a premium price. 1-bed apartment in Sky Gardens, Nine Elms SW8. For sales and lettings enquiries or to arrange viewing click here. This soaring demand for 1-bed flats is pushing their prices upwards, […]

The latest House Price Index from Halifax shows that the prices in the UK residential market are continuing their upward trend. This demonstrates the stability of the residential property market, which had witnessed a slowdown during mid-2016 given several developments. The house prices in December 2016 and January-February 2017 were 5.1 percent higher than the […]

The private rented sector in the UK is now worth £1.4 trillion or equivalent to approximately five-and-a-half times the gold reserves of the US, it is revealed by Savills in its latest report – Residential Property Focus – Issue 1. This is an interesting observation, as it positions the UK private rented sector among the […]

The latest UK House Price Index (UK HPI) calculated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that Kensington and Chelsea command the highest house prices in 2016 reaching an average of £1,317,424, registering an increase of 4.2 percent over 2015.       The two boroughs were followed by the City of Westminster where […]

With another 50 days left to complete 2016, global real estate services provider JLL has brought out five interesting issues that are likely to mark the housing sector in the UK next year.     The report ‘UK Residential Forecasts’ identifies issues, such as Overseas Sales, Build to Rent, Space Standards, Affordable Housing, and Retirement […]

That the uncertainty in the UK property market is a short-term trend has been revealed by the latest Residential Market Survey conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which established an increase in buyer interest for the first time since February, 2016. More than 8 per cent of the respondents of the survey […]

Amidst growing concerns over the future of the UK property market comes a critical finding that the average price of houses have increased by 8.4 per cent in the last 12 months. The data for August 2016 released by the Office for National Statistics recently shows that an average home in the UK is priced […]

Amid speculation over the future of the UK property market comes the revelation that gross mortgage lending increased by 7 per cent in August, providing fresh impetus to the UK housing market.   According to data released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, gross mortgage lending was approximately £22.5 billion in August – 7 per cent higher than […]

Are you planning to move to the Royal Docks and looking for a brand new property with several lifestyle amenities for rent? Then, why not consider Hoola, a unique property being developed by the award-winning HUB group in association with Strawberry Star in the Docklands. Apartments of varying dimensions (1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed and studio) are […]

Is rent control an option to resolve the current housing crisis in the UK? Of late, there has been a debate, especially among tenants, about the benefits of reintroducing rent control. According to the findings of a poll conducted by market survey agency ‘Survation’ 59% of the respondents are in favour of reintroducing rent control […]

The word is out – the average monthly rent for a one-bed London apartment has inched closer to the £1,500 mark. This is not only shocking for Londoners, but provides adequate food for thought for the stakeholders of London housing, as this is not the direction they want the city to grow. The figures released by […]

If you are looking for a property to rent in London, then this is the right time to go for it. Rents in Central London have fallen by 3.6% while the inventory increased in July, according to a recent market report from property consultancy firm Knight Frank. One of the main factors responsible for the drop […]

With reports emerging that commercial rents in the UK market remained stable in July, it gives a sense of relief to property owners in the wake of the recent concerns, especially the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Though it may be premature to predict the stability of commercial rent for the ongoing quarter, property […]

Is the reduction in bank interest rate a worrying sign for first-time home buyers in the UK? The answer seems to be “yes” from a majority of prospective buyers. This is because  a cut in bank interest rate means slower growth of their all important deposit. To buy a London property a prospective buyer will […]

With selected Tube stations set to remain open for 24 hours on weekends in London, it is predicted that rents around such stations are expected to increase.   With rents falling all across the UK, including London where rents are down by 0.5% compared to the same period last year, this finding comes as a […]

There is no doubt that Nine Elms in London is an impressive transformational story at the heart of Europe’s financial capital. The area will be the last of the Central London locations which will complete the redevelopment of the South Bank. The regeneration of Nine Elms continues apace. Only last week, an ambitious new project […]

London, which is one of the top property markets in the world, is gradually opening up to the concept of short lets, which in the US and Asian markets, is also referred to as serviced apartments. In other markets, short lets and serviced apartments have become established products of the real estate sector and London […]

Set high above on the East Tower, overlooking Royal Docks, Canary Wharf and the City, Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham was present to lay the ceremonious ‘last brick’. Accompanying him was Newham’s Councillor Ken Clark, Steve Sanham, Development Director (HUB). Nick Stonely, Managing Director for Strawbery Star Developments and Sathvik Sathish, Group Director of […]

Construction activity is continuing on programme and there has been significant progress in all areas of the development since our last newsletter. The core walls of the structure have been finished to level 25. Floor slabs have been poured up to level 22 and glazing is in place up to the eighth floor. The building […]

The London property market grabbed the limelight the whole of 2015 and the situation appears no different this year with several challenges in front of the stakeholders of housing while the price inflation continues. It is evident that 2016 will remain the year of challenges for the housing sector in London, especially when the demand […]

With housing becoming unaffordable to a great extent in London because of price inflation over the years, landlords saw a big opportunity to earn an extra income by renting out whatever additional space was available at homes to tenants. This window of opportunities was so big that violations relating to rented accommodation were on the rise, […]

The 2015 Budget saw Chancellor George Osborne announce several proposals with the intention to catalyse growth throughout the UK’s housing market. As previously discussed in our blog last week, one of the proposed policies was a new Help to Buy Isa, an initiative that would provide a step up for first-time buyers saving towards a […]

March 18th saw George Osborne deliver his sixth Budget as the UK chancellor. The announcement – the last of the current Parliament – has accelerated the political competition ahead of the May general election. A priority topic in this year’s announcement was the new Help to Buy Isa, a proposal that is sure to have a […]

From April 6th, pension reforms will grant the UK population aged 55 and over the freedom to reinvest lump sums of their pension pots in to property, and join the expansive community of buy-to-let landlords. The reforms will enable savers in their mid-50s to access all or some of their pension pot, with a 25% tax-free drawdown, […]

Set to redefine London’s skyline, Hoola London E16 is the latest addition to Strawberry Star’s residential portfolio. Developed by HUB, with internationally acclaimed architects CZWG, the unique structure, distinguished by two iconic towers, is set to breathe new life into London’s Royal Victoria Docks, an area poised for major regeneration in the coming years. This […]

Work continues on site, please click here to view the first time-lapse video. We will receive updated edits approximately every two months. Watch this space!

Phase II of Hoola London E16, launches in The Four Seasons, Canary Wharf, London on the 6th and 7th of November. The London launch is followed by two dates in Hong Kong on the 8th and 9th of November, at a prestigious event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Hoola London E16, a Hub Residential development, is a 360-home scheme in the heart […]

If you’ll be in Hong Kong on 15th November, then save the date. Strawberry Star will be hosting an exclusive seminar looking at the London property market and how recent legislative changes could affect your property portfolio. Our experience, expertise and insight in prime London real estate can guide you through the market and this […]

Work continues on the site and we’ll continuously update you on progress and key milestones as your off plan purchase becomes a reality. View more photos of the site by visiting our gallery.

Royal Victoria Dock opened in 1855 and was the first of the Royal Docks to be built. it processed 850,000 tons of shipping per year.     Tidal Basin, which Hoola overlooks, was the entry point to the dock from the driver Thames. In the early years, four piers reached into the dock, giving 3.6 […]

The new Hoola development is finally offering reasons to live out by the ExCel, says Melissa York from City AM. “London’s historic Royal Docks were once bustling with commercial trade as ships from all over the world sailed down from the Thames to sell their wares. Together, the Royal Albert, Royal Victoria and King George […]

Strawberry Star Lettings & Sales is now open in London’s Docklands and Wandsworth, with further openings planned in London Bridge and the Vauxhall/Nine Elms areas. Our first international office will open in Hong Kong in November, bringing a wealth of prime London real estate knowledge to local buyers. As well as Strawberry Star’s own developments, […]

We decided that we would reflect our motto ‘the fresh side of real estate’ throughout the business and rebrand our company image giving it a fresh, innovative and modern look. Check out the new look site www.strawberrystar.co.uk which is more interactive, keeps you more informed on our current and latest developments and helps you to communicate […]

One of the UK’s most prestigious property awards, the Sunday Times British Home Awards has crowned SkyGardens its ‘Best Housing Project’. Intended to recognise excellence in creating great places to live, the award is a significant honour for SkyGardens. Santhosh Gowda, Strawberry Star Chairman and Managing Director had this to say: “SkyGardens epitomises our fresh […]