#hammersmithestateagent

John Horton John Horton will soon return to the same Hammersmith premises – 172 King Street – where he started his property career 23 years ago John Horton founded Horton and Garton in May 2008 with a clear vision in mind. ‘I wanted to create an independent business that provided the best service. That meant treating every client as an individual rather than a potential sales figure and building enduring relationships – and doing it with a smile.’ Clearly, the formula has worked. Horton and Garton is the market-leading estate agent for sales and lettings in W6 and W12 and a Chiswick franchise opened in 2016. With the company about to move two doors down to a new office at 172 King Street, here John looks back to his first day in the industry which, by coincidence, was in the same premises. ‘Roll back the years – or decades – to 1996. I turned up for my first day working at the Hammersmith office of Barnard Marcus at 172 King Street. I was wearing my smart blue blazer and grey trousers. The manager, Barry, took one look at me, duly raised the fashion “yellow card” and marched me down the road to Moss Bros. He bought me my first pinstripe suit and said: “Now you look the part – remember that you’re in Glamour-Smith!” ‘Whizz forward to 2019 and 172 King Street currently looks like a building site as we prepare for our move. Over the last 11 years we have developed a strong business and, inevitably, outgrown our current premises. Our new home has been an estate agency for over 50 years, before that it was a branch of Barclays Bank and, back in the early 1900s, a gift and novelty shop. The surroundings have certainly altered since 1996 when I started there: the cinema has gone and, with four years of works due to begin at the Town Hall, the view will change even more dramatically… ‘The success of Horton and Garton has been based on achieving consistent positive results. We have an experienced team who have worked here for many years and they know every pocket of Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Brook Green and West Kensington like the back of their hand. ‘We’re always transparent, we flag up issues and try to solve them without fuss. Naturally, many clients want to hear the highest price and the lowest fee; but what they need to hear is an accurate valuation and a clear strategy for realising the best price in the market. If you’re straightforward and clients have a positive experience, they will come back when they are trading up or downsizing. Longevity is at the core of our approach. ‘I also believe that a successful local business should invest in its community. That’s why we’ve sponsored Hammersmith Food Bank, Artists at Home, the Petros Singers and many other charities and school events – it’s little and often and I try not to turn people down. ‘We will be opening our new office later this year. In the meantime, if you are considering selling, letting or renting in West London, make Horton and Garton your first call.’

John Horton John Horton will soon return to the same Hammersmith premises – 172 King Street – where he started his property career 23 years ago John Horton founded Horton and Garton in May 2008 with a clear vision in mind. ‘I wanted to create an independent business that provided the best service. That meant treating every client as an individual rather than a potential sales figure and building enduring relationships – and doing it with a smile.’ Clearly, the formula has worked. Horton and Garton is the market-leading estate agent for sales and lettings in W6 and W12 and a Chiswick franchise opened in 2016. With the company about to move two doors down to a new office at 172 King Street, here John looks back to his first day in the industry which, by coincidence, was in the same premises. ‘Roll back the years – or decades – to 1996. I turned up for my first day working at the Hammersmith office of Barnard Marcus at 172 King Street. I was wearing my smart blue blazer and grey trousers. The manager, Barry, took one look at me, duly raised the fashion “yellow card” and marched me down the road to Moss Bros. He bought me my first pinstripe suit and said: “Now you look the part – remember that you’re in Glamour-Smith!” ‘Whizz forward to 2019 and 172 King Street currently looks like a building site as we prepare for our move. Over the last 11 years we have developed a strong business and, inevitably, outgrown our current premises. Our new home has been an estate agency for over 50 years, before that it was a branch of Barclays Bank and, back in the early 1900s, a gift and novelty shop. The surroundings have certainly altered since 1996 when I started there: the cinema has gone and, with four years of works due to begin at the Town Hall, the view will change even more dramatically… ‘The success of Horton and Garton has been based on achieving consistent positive results. We have an experienced team who have worked here for many years and they know every pocket of Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Brook Green and West Kensington like the back of their hand. ‘We’re always transparent, we flag up issues and try to solve them without fuss. Naturally, many clients want to hear the highest price and the lowest fee; but what they need to hear is an accurate valuation and a clear strategy for realising the best price in the market. If you’re straightforward and clients have a positive experience, they will come back when they are trading up or downsizing. Longevity is at the core of our approach. ‘I also believe that a successful local business should invest in its community. That’s why we’ve sponsored Hammersmith Food Bank, Artists at Home, the Petros Singers and many other charities and school events – it’s little and often and I try not to turn people down. ‘We will be opening our new office later this year. In the meantime, if you are considering selling, letting or renting in West London, make Horton and Garton your first call.’

John Horton (Centre) It’s been a very promising start to 2019. We’ve resumed where we left off last year in achieving excellent results for our vendors and landlords. Our sales and lettings teams are still busy and we’re continuing to grow our market share by working with the very best clients and their properties in Hammersmith. Our success has been down to accurate and realistic valuing accompanied by a clear marketing strategy tailored to each property. While it can be a considerable investment to appoint the best local estate agent, it can be far more expensive to appoint the wrong one who fails to deliver or to achieve the best result. Over the last decade our sales and lettings teams have worked incredibly hard to earn the right to say we are the number one estate agents in the W6 0 post code and the wider W6 and W12 and W4 postcodes. Last year, we sold more houses and flats in the W6 0 post code of Hammersmith than our top four competitors combined (according to Rightmove). We’re also firmly ahead of the competition for rentals. If you would like Horton and Garton to get on with it for you, pop into the office and see us. John Horton MNAEA MARLA +442088190510 [email protected] Horton and Garton 176 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 0RA +442088190510 [email protected] https://www.hortonandgarton.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/hortonandgarton/ https://www.facebook.com/hortonandgarton/ https://twitter.com/hortonandgarton https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-horton-46474823/ https://www.youtube.com/user/hortonandgarton

Ashley, Martin and John Three key members of the Horton and Garton team reflect on a challenging period for West London property and forecast a more positive year ahead Are you thinking of buying, selling or renting in Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush or Chiswick? Owner and Director John Horton, Sales Manager Martin Clements and Lettings Manager Ashley Clements look back at recent trends in the property market and peer into their crystal balls to assess what’s in store for 2019.

John Horton Experience and local knowledge matter... ‘Despite the frequent reports of adverse conditions due to Brexit worries, last year Horton and Garton continued to expand its market share in all sectors. For us, like every growing business, it’s the number-crunching detail that counts – and both our Hammersmith/Shepherd’s Bush and Chiswick sales and lettings teams have been the local leaders over the past 12 months. You know you’re doing well when you hear competitors complimenting your track record! We recently celebrated ten years at our King Street office and the level of experience and local knowledge within our team (that’s decades in my case!) gives us a clearcompetitive edge in guiding and advising sellers and landlords through a complex, rapidly evolving market. Most importantly, we’ve found that clients appreciate our honest, informed approach; we always tell them what they need to hear – not what they want to hear.’ John Horton MNAEA MARLA +442088190510 [email protected]

Martin Clements Spotlight on sales... ‘I’m pleased to report that Horton and Garton enjoyed a record year in 2018. While prices have softened since June 2016, the demand for family homes remains strong. With the lure of outstanding schools and excellent transports links, families continue to be drawn to Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush. Stamp duty savings for first-time buyers played a role in an increase in flat sales up to the value £500,000. Prices are now at a level where purchasers feel more comfortable. There is still, however, a shortage of Buy to Let and second home purchasers; many are reticent to part with an additional three percent in stamp duty in a market where prices have been sliding. What are the prospects for 2019? As ever, accurate pricing is essential if sellers are to realise the highest price – and this depends on the local know-how of the agent. An honest list price will achieve market value and above, while unrealistic valuations will lead to price reductions and, in the long term, deflate a property’s real value.’ Martin Clements MNAEA +442088190510 [email protected]

Ashley, Martin and John Three key members of the Horton and Garton team reflect on a challenging period for West London property and forecast a more positive year ahead Are you thinking of buying, selling or renting in Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush or Chiswick? Owner and Director John Horton, Sales Manager Martin Clements and Lettings Manager Ashley Clements look back at recent trends in the property market and peer into their crystal balls to assess what’s in store for 2019.

John Horton Experience and local knowledge matter... ‘Despite the frequent reports of adverse conditions due to Brexit worries, last year Horton and Garton continued to expand its market share in all sectors. For us, like every growing business, it’s the number-crunching detail that counts – and both our Hammersmith/Shepherd’s Bush and Chiswick sales and lettings teams have been the local leaders over the past 12 months. You know you’re doing well when you hear competitors complimenting your track record! We recently celebrated ten years at our King Street office and the level of experience and local knowledge within our team (that’s decades in my case!) gives us a clearcompetitive edge in guiding and advising sellers and landlords through a complex, rapidly evolving market. Most importantly, we’ve found that clients appreciate our honest, informed approach; we always tell them what they need to hear – not what they want to hear.’ John Horton MNAEA MARLA +442088190510 [email protected]

Martin Clements Spotlight on sales... ‘I’m pleased to report that Horton and Garton enjoyed a record year in 2018. While prices have softened since June 2016, the demand for family homes remains strong. With the lure of outstanding schools and excellent transports links, families continue to be drawn to Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush. Stamp duty savings for first-time buyers played a role in an increase in flat sales up to the value £500,000. Prices are now at a level where purchasers feel more comfortable. There is still, however, a shortage of Buy to Let and second home purchasers; many are reticent to part with an additional three percent in stamp duty in a market where prices have been sliding. What are the prospects for 2019? As ever, accurate pricing is essential if sellers are to realise the highest price – and this depends on the local know-how of the agent. An honest list price will achieve market value and above, while unrealistic valuations will lead to price reductions and, in the long term, deflate a property’s real value.’ Martin Clements MNAEA +442088190510 [email protected]