Spangles30

Ganapati, I don't happen to like Nunhead very much. I am entitled to that opinion. Everyone harps on it has a nice fishmongers - which is as maybe, but I'm not a big fish fan.

Actually I did read earlier in the thread to check out prices of this tea shop, and on second thoughts I might give it a miss. "....is ?25 not a little exorbitant for 2 sandwiches and 2 teas?" Er, yes it IS! This should come to no more than a ?8, I'd say.

The best to date was that Dulwich Village was listed as SE15. I ask you!!!!!:)

Oh Gosh NO, Bawdy. I am a Londoner and I would not be happy somewhere like Cornwall! Keef, thanks for that re. Sydenham....I am deliberating over a house which is SE26 (just off Dartmouth Rd). Perhaps you would be so good as to tell me what is so good about Sydenham (apart from that you get more space).

macroban, that's why you will have to avoid the trendy, expensive places and hang out in the greasy spoons - like me!!! The point was that at least there still are cheap places amongst the trendy and expensive places. But how long will that last? People have said this tea shop is very expensive....so I may have to contend with drinking tea at home. Unless someone else is paying, of course.

The point being Bob?

Thanks Andy. I don't want to downsize to a flat which is why I have been only looking at houses. Anyway, I am about 90% sure that I will stay in ED in my little house. Even though I have seen much nicer houses in Forest Hill and Sydenham - I just don't like the areas as much as I do ED!!!! Dammit!!! I think I was tempted by the Foxton's 0% offer in truth.

Marmora Man "Get real - everyone has a choice. The variety of restuarants, bars, pubs and clubs in ED is such that all tastes are catered for. If you don't like the company go elsewhere - but don't criticise other parts of the community for being part of the community." You make a very good point indeed. I hope that this remains the case in East Dulwich i.e. cheap and cheerful places amongst the trendy, unpractical and expensive places. However, I have a foreboding that things will change. And quickly. Almost all the pubs are now gastro trendy, but I have to admit it is all good for property prices(!). ED is definitely the nicest part of SE London IMO. It makes it very difficult to move anywhere else. However, people should be allowed to have a view on the 'mummy' types on this forum, whether they are pro or anti them, without getting a lot of vitriol. Free speech and all that? (By the way, I have no problem with anyone as long as they are friendly and respectful be they a 'mummy', an estate agent...although the guy in the health food shop next to the cheese shop is always very surly when I go in!). The tea shop sounds a nice addition and I will check it out. At least it is not an estate agent or a shop selling ornaments.

I agree that foxton's website is SUPERB, compared to every other agent. The website has great photos and virtual tours, and lots of relevant info, unlike other agents who have TINY photos (and oten just ONE photo of a property).

Jbob, Oh you have to admit the funky, colourful chairs add a bit of flair to the locale - and they did give me an Italian biscuit when I popped in to get a balloon yesterday. Bless 'em.

Ladygooner I did not mean to offend you about Abbotswood Rd area! The area is fabulous, but the houses are beyond small and rather reminiscent of that now defunct soap opera Brookside. I was shocked to see that the 3 bed houses now command between ?350,000 - ?380,000, but I guess one pays for the area. I do like the houses in the nearby St Francis Rd, but those terraces are almost ?500,000 now. In short, the area is great! I second viewed a Forest Hill house yesterday which was very art deco and 1300 sq feet (the Abbotswood Rd 3 beds are about 750 sq ft) and its asking price is below ?350,000, so I suppose this is why I am weighing up all the options. I guess Forest Hill does still need to be gentrified, but I am keen to know if people are considering moving there due to the high cost of ED - and the fact it's getting the tube. It sounds like most who've responded here love and prefer ED - which is fine!

Yes Sean, thanks for that advice. ED is a lovely place to live - if you have the money (and I generally don't). Oh, no I wouldn't want to live in Devon or Ireland, or anywhere outside of London actually. Maybe I will just stay put in my humble abode. It is certainly stressful considering other options. And by the way, I have not seen as many people smiling down Lordship Lane as you mention. Are you sure?

Hm. Thanks. I do see all your points. I just have such a small property in ED, and could get a much nicer house in Forest Hill (which is quite close to ED, afterall). I would use the equity to try and get rid of most of my mortgage (that was the intention, not to spend it!). I am local - not one of those people who made a stash of cash moving over from Clapham, Battersea, Wandsworth etc. I see Sean's point about Northcross Rd, but in some ways I find all of that rather pretentious. Everyone in ED seems to be pushing a trendy buggie (!), and although the stalls and shops look great they're not that practical and cost the earth (anyone seen the kitchen shops as a good example). I just feel maybe Forest Hill will improve, especially as it is getting the tube in 2009 and ED is not. It's all very confusing!! 'They' do say that one should be ahead of the game when it comes to buying property - and I definitely don't like Nunhead!

Ok, so I am just interested in people's opinions....but I am considering selling my (humble) ED house, and I would like to release some equity in doing so. However, this means the following:- 1: If I stay in ED I would have to buy a shoebox like in that Barrett type development in Abbotswood Rd near the Sainsburys. 2: Or I go further afield and get a better house, release equity but it would mean being in Forest Hill/Sydenham - areas which I don't like as much as ED, but I know they are getting a tube, and they're not as horrid as Penge I suppose. Just wondered what others would do faced with this decision. Better house and a nice cash sum BUT SE23 or SE26 - or great area and horrid house. Thanks in advance!! :)

Karter, you're rather inquisitive, aren't you? Why do you want to know?! I am not going to post personal info like that on here. Hayesgrover, perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us as to who the 'top three agents in the area are'. I am intrigued! And by the way, the 0% commission offer really does seem as good as it sounded...I think *Bob* was right...!!!:) Yes *Bob* you were right.

Hi Karter, I don't think they particularly over-valued my property as it was much a much with 2 other agents I had round. Anyway, they have kind of redeemed themselves in my eyes as it was just the one person who was so stroppy and supercilious with me. Let's just hope that my initial experience was a one off. I tend to think on the positive side...!

Yes Sean, you are right that there is a happy ending to this story. One of the managers apologised and came two hours later and was very polite. He accepted that Foxton's tactics can be aggressive and he was sorry I had received poor treatment. However, I feel he rectified the situation. Oh, and to the posters who suggest I am an estate agent - I can assure you I am not! Had to laugh at that insinuation!!!

Mama, they didn't offer anything as an apology! I did say that I had gone out of my way to be home at the correct time, and had taken time off work. Their attitude was that they couldn't guarantee sticking to appointments as they were offering 0% commission and we mere mortals should be thankful for that! It beggars belief. And no, satisfactory compensation would not involve a spin in a mini or a fresh juice, although the suggestion made me laugh - and I need to laugh as I am still very angry!

Mamafeelgood, well, I did know Foxton's had a very cut throat and frankly dire reputation. I guess I have only myself to blame for falling for this PR stunt. The thing is, I have never spoken to such rude people on the phone. It was as if they were doing me the favour in the first place, and that I should understand that they are busy!! I mean, I went out of my way to be home, and even took the afternoon off work. The least they can do is apologise. Anyway, I have already complained to the Head office and they seemed far more sympathetic. Hopefully this will get passed on to the manager of the Dulwich office. Louisa, I am 'quick to judge'!!!! I have honestly never received such atrocious treament from an estate agent, and I have bought and sold in the area a few times over the years.

Those of you who were following the previous Foxton's thread may recall that I said I was having a valuation with them today. Well, I waited in at the time we had arranged, and wondered where the guy was ten minutes later. I rang the office and was flabbergasted at the rudeness of the person I spoke to. Nobody rang me back, even though I requested it. I rang twice more and still no return calls. Eventually, 40 minutes after the appointment time, I received a very snotty and frivolous call from someone at the agency. Instead of being apologetic they were damn rude. I am so livid!!!! I am just about to ring the head office to complain. And no I did not get the valuation either. They double booked or something and couldn't be bothered to tell me. Their attitude was that due to the 0% commission offer the valuers are 'so busy' - as if that is an excuse!

Yes good luck Max. I was under the impression that the classes were extra on top of the ?79 (as stated by earlier posters). I still think the overall cost is quite high, but like Mark says, there may well be loaded types who can afford it.

Bob, you speak like an agent. "to give you best possible chance of things working-out doesn't seem too bad". I am confused. Although you give examples, I do not see how agents can give any assurances of things working out. If a chain breaks, it breaks. The agents can't do anything. Most people when they're looking for a property will also consult websites like propertybroker. You are generalising about private buyers.

I guess you go with what works for you, but personally I would not be happy paying over ?10,000 in commission to an agent when all they do is show people round the house, and advertise your property in publications and a website (if you're lucky). I can see that the conveyancing lawyers earn their fee, but we're talking a few hundred quid as opposed to thousands.

Damo "whilst offering a unique service to the locale." It most definitely is NOT offering a unique service to the area! You can do pilates and yoga in various places, at much less cost! However, I take your point that at least it wasn't a useless estate agent or kitchenware shop - or one of those shops selling expensive tat for the house, ghastly ornaments and the like. Not knowing the size of the place, I personally would have liked a small Waitrose. Sommerfield is a dire supermarket.

...and by the way, the East Dulwich Leisure Centre also has a creche between 9-1PM and it costs an additional ?1.80 for 30 mins and ?3.20 for an hour which is quite reasonable.