The bricks-and-mortar world of home ownership is many things, but seldom is it portrayed as a moral maze. But Primelocation’s brief talk with a friend over coffee yesterday revealed how dramatically people’s ethics are left at the front door when the home buying process is in full swing. Apologies for the unromantic tone of this blog on or around St Valentine’s Day.

Going behind people's backs: Can property buying lead to immoral behaviour?

My friend, let’s call him Mark, is selling his three bedroom 1960s semi in a quiet but not overly desirable suburb of south west London. It’s a buy to let investment forced on him last year by the soft local market – by which he means he couldn’t sell it so remortgaged, rented it out and bought his next home regardless. But now he’s keen to sell up as finances are tight and is keen to find a buyer – fast.

Viewings are not a problem for Mark’s currently empty ex-abode (the tenants were ejected to aid the sale) and last week eight were lined up for the weekend which, given the current market, was a promising start. But early on in the week one man said he was so keen to buy the house (which was on the market for £249,950) that he offered just under the asking price but requested, crucially, that he house be taken off the viewings treadmill.

Mark and his wife agonized over this for in the middle of a recession, who wants to turn down viewings?  But the buyer insisted. So off the market the property came and promises of financial fidelity ensued from both sides.

The weekend came and went but on Monday morning (today) the buyer phoned and confessed to a lapse – he had been seeing other properties and had decided to move in with someone else, he confessed and grovelled. Mark had lost a buyer and some seven or eight viewings and is now entirely averse to being led up the garden path, so to speak, by unfaithful potential partners in property.

But should you take your property off the market once a verbal offer is made, as Mark did?  The answer is definitely not and puts the balance of power even more heavily in the buyer’s favour.  But one question  my friend’s angst begs is why successive government’s over the decades – despite several failed attempts including Labour’s HIPs – have so happily encouraged or condoned betrayal on such a vast and expensive scale.

Why can’t we simply use the French system? Once you make an offer it’s binding and only subsequent planning or structural faults can break the promise, and the process moves forward to a sale. It would, at the very least,  cut out the naughtiness that my friend Mark has had to endure.

Whenever Primelocation has been shopping in around Knightsbridge in recent years it’s been obvious that something big was cooking within the huge construction site on the junction where the Brompton Road, Sloane Street and Kensington Road converge, slowly replacing a drab office building.

Richly relaxed: The lounge of One Hyde Park's £140 million penthouse apartment

From its early days the name of designers Christian and Nick Candy were headlined as the stylists behind the project, which soon had a name, too – One Hyde Park – as well as the involvement of architect Richard Rogers, best known among other things as the designer of Channel 4’s striking HQ near the Houses of Parliament.

But what has really made this apartment development famous are the prices being demanded for its properties. As early as February 2008, when the site was still rubble and diggers, prices for the largest of the penthouse apartments were being reported as in excess of £100m and while the housing boom continued sales were healthy – Nick Candy claimed to have sold properties worth £767 million in the first phase and, after the lull that followed the near collapse of the world banking system, more last year pushing up the total to a billion.

High expectations: The front of One Hyde Park, from which residents have views of Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and Harrods,

So for the people who have already bought here, or those that may be considering it, what’s on offer? The 86 apartments within the site are best described as super prime and are within four blocks or ‘pavilions’ all with spectacular views over Hyde Park, Sloane Street, Harrods and the London skyline.

The complex, which is being operated by hotel chain Mandarin International, includes a private cinema, 21m swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, squash court, gym – and at the less prosaic end of the luxury market, a golf simulator, wine cellars, library, 60 on-site staff and their own Rolex shop.

Million pound menu: the dining room

Such luxurious surroundings mean even the smallest, one-bedroom apartment starts at £6.5 million – as much as a five-bedroom detached house a couple of miles away in the richer suburbs of the capital – and rapidly rise to £140 million for the most expensive penthouse apartment, although this hasn’t stopped some of the world’s richest people buying, including the prime minister of Qatar.

Primelocation has come across a fascinating piece of architecture-cum-literary history for sale in Hertfordshire that will tug on the strings of any Jane Austen fan.

Balls Park, long regarded as the inspiration for Netherfield Park in Pride and Prejudice is being converted into apartments. For those not familiar with the book’s storyline, the house is rented by wealthy industrialist Charles Bingley and it is at one of his parties at Balls Park that Elisabeth Bennett (played by Keira Knightley in the 2005 film adaption) develops her relationship with Mr Darcy and their love affair takes off.

The Grade I listed mansion (picture now, above and below in the early 20th century ), was built between 1637 and 1640 during the reign of Charles I by Sir John Harrison outside Hertford but is now being slowly converted into apartments, as are its coach house and stables. Also, two detached houses on the 63-acre estate, Lime Cottage and and Red Lodge, are being refurbished and will be sold separately next year.

The main house is worthy of its Grade I listing. As well as hundreds of historical fixtures and fittings, Balls Park is famed for its plastered ceilings which are original and “some of the best from the 17th and 18th centuries” according to Ian Dieffenthaller, Conservation Architect at the estate’s developer, City & Country Group.

Balls Park is unusual because it has survived relatively unscathed for 340 years unlike many of Britain’s other great houses. This was possible because the three families to own it successfully navigated their way through Britain’s greatest period of wealth and global influence. Sir John Harrison was a rich financier and customs official but his son and grandson went on to make new fortunes overseas and the estate soon became one of Hertfordshire’s most opulent houses. After a spell in the hands of Norfolk-based Townshend family as their second home, it passed to local high fliers the Faudel-Phillips – notably Mayor of London Sir George Faudel-Phillips – who bought the property in 1889. 

The property carried on in Faudel-Phillips ownership until 1946 when it was bought by the county council and turned into a teacher training college, later becoming part of the University of Hertfordshire in 2002 before being sold to City & Country Group in 2004.

While the planning permission and then refurbishment stages have progressed the property has been a regular star on TV, appearing in films including The Young Victoria (pictured, above), The Golden Compass and TV series including Foyles War, The Inspector Linley Mysteries and Bleak House.

The first properties finished and for sale are within The Stables, built by the sons of Sir John Harrison in the early 1800s. Apartments within it start at £237,500 for a one bedroom apartment and rise to £365,000 for a two-bedroom unit, something that would have been within the reach of Charles Bingley, who Elisabeth Bennet marvels at in Pride and Prejudice for his £4,000-a-year salary which, in today’s money, would be £135,000 a year. The difference was, in his day that bought him the whole estate.

More information from City & Country Group, 01992 551777.

I’m not sure anyone was very ready for the nippy weather earlier this month, were they? And if I’m honest, I was holding out for an Indian Summer, which happily then arrived. But it won’t last long, will it. So here are some hot properties with log fires, so you can cosy up with a good book and a cuppa. I’m pretty sure that if I was looking for my ideal home, a real fireplace would be high up on my list of priorities. Not luxuries, you understand.

Weybridge, Surrey
Now this place is a belter. Just look at that driveway. Is there anything more grand than a tree lined driveway? I can’t think of anything (OK, a port-cullis maybe, but good luck finding one of those in the home counties). And this house is just as impressive on the inside as well. You’d hope so, as it’s just shy of £10 million. It’s classical in design, and really rather stylish and modern. You’ve got everything from a swimming pool to a sauna, and the fireplace is rather strangely outdoors. Now that’s impressive. Certainly much prettier than one of those patio heaters anyway.

Herbert Crescent, London
I like the idea of saying that my local corner shop is Harrods. Wouldn’t that be exciting? I’d actually need £18,000,000 first though, but that would bag me seven bedrooms in this gorgeous mock Tudor property. Vast open spaces, amazing features and beautiful natural light. And of course, the all important fireplace. Nice swimming pool too, should you get bored of toasty toes and fancy a swim. This is a lovely house.

 Middleton, Manchester
The interesting thing about this Lancashire property is the plot of land that comes with it. Giving you amazing panoramic views and a little bit of privacy as well. There are lovely raised gardens and the property has six bedrooms. You get views onto the golf club behind you and this property will set you back just over £700,000.

What would be on your list of priorities in your ideal home? Swimming pool? Library? Tell us in the comments.

George Clarke is a busy man; TV’s pin up architect has just finished starring at this year’s Grand Designs Live at the NEC but our reporter Cheryl Markosky tracked him down before he went to get the low down on ‘Gorgeous George’ – who turns out to be much more than just a pretty face.

George has some interesting political views about the recession, the banking industry and the housing industry. Read our exclusive interview.

The infographic (as graphs have come to be called) included below in this blog doesn’t look at first glance as if it’s particularly interesting. Just a load of dry old blue lines wobbling across the seasons and years.

But I would urge you to look at it because, as you may realise, it reveals the unusual but rhythmic nature of Britain’s property market over the past six years. I came across this while looking at house hunting trends in Winchester, but it could be anywhere in the UK. It’s clearly shows how powerful the surge of home hunting is during the Autumn market.

Agents tend to pray for a strong ‘Autumn market’ but for home sellers and buyers it reveals how important it is to get ready for this late August to early November window, which I guess is the equivalent to the old ‘number plate registration’ for new car sales.

What what no one seems to really know why it happens. Is it Brits coming back from holiday and deciding to get stuck into their home move; the school term calendar; people’s desire to move before the Christmas festivities begin or simply the last chance to sell before Britain returns to the long Winter months of gloom?

Any agents, buyers or sellers with any ideas do post them in the comments box below – if you’ve got time, that is.

Homeowners in the London Borough of Greenwich woke up this morning to the happy news their addresses are now officially ‘royal’.

It has been announced that the Greenwhich  to become a Royal Borough as part  the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations which are due to start later this year. The move celebrates the borough’s links to monarchy, which include the Royal Observatory and its Greenwich Meantime; Royal Arsenal; and Royal Naval College – plus both Elizabeth I and Henry VIII were both born within its borders.

Given the borough’s blue-blooded history, which goes back to the Middle Ages, it’s a surprise royal recognition has been so long coming. But during the ‘interregnum’, as Britain’s brief and bloody republican experiment is known, Cromwell seized crown lands in Greenwich to make way for his family manor house. Memories are long within the royal household, it would seem.

An aerial view of Greenwich including the Thames, former Royal Naval Hospital and Park

Today’s excitement at the name change is focused on the new impetus Greenwich’s recently-stalled gentrification may receive. Although awash with upmarket restaurants and boutiques these days, Greenwich’s property market has endured price slides recently as City bonuses have dried up; a situation not helped by the glut of new homes for sale to the east of the Cutty Sark dock area.

But agents in the borough are hoping that royal endorsement will help propel the area up the popularity stakes again, particularly as it is only the fourth borough to be honoured this way, alongside the Royal Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, and Windsor and Maidenhead.

“Greenwich has always taken tremendous pride in the borough’s long history of royal connections with Greenwich, Woolwich and Eltham dating back almost 600 years and which continue so strongly right up to the present day,” says Greenwich council leader Chris Roberts.

What do the Duke of Westminster, Kualar Lumpar and Liverpool have in common? The answer is Cesar Peli, one of the world’s leading architects famed for his designs for some of the world’s best-known skyscrapers including One Canada Square in London’s Docklands.

His most recent cloud-tickling structure is One Park West, a large apartment tower under construction in Liverpool’s Albert Docks retail and hotel quarter.

Grosvenor's One Park West development in Liverpool

The development is being masterminded by the Duke of Westminster’s Grosvenor property development firm and when completed the 17-storey building will include 326 apartments from studios to three bedroom units.

And although Peli is probably proud of his latest design, he may be put out that one of his more famous ones – Kualar Lumpar’s Petronas Towers – was yesterday overtaken as the world’s tallest structure by Dubai’s much-vaunted The Burj Khalifa tower – at 825 metres high.

But unlike the £1m-plus apartments for sale at the Dubai tower, properties at One Park West are more affordable starting at £90,000 for a studio and rising to £400,000 for the largest three-bedroom units.

This may account for its apparent success. Grosvenor claims to have sold apartments off-plan worth some £25 million and rented out most of the 123 apartment completed on the project so far – an admirable result given the current economic woes in the region and the UK as a whole.

Building ambitions in Liverpool: The Duke of Westminster

“Demand and new sales struggled during the first quarter of 2009, partly due to the availability of viable mortgage products and potential purchasers being nervous to take the plunge until they saw how the economic landscape was likely to pan out,” says Grosvenor’s Guy Butler.

“But in June we witnessed a change in the market, with an upturn in sales, which has resulted in an average of close to two sales a week since then.”

These figures mask an important point though – almost 70 per cent of sales on the development have been to landlords (rather than owner-occupiers), who have realised that One Park West is one of Liverpool’s few city-centre addresses ideal for upmarket professionals – rents being achieved range from £525 a month for a studio to £900 a month for the larger apartments.

Click here to find out more about the development and see pictures of the apartments.

I’ll let you into a secret: Those things you put in the bath to make them into jacuzzis are rubbish.

They don’t work, they get in the way and you’ll use them once before you get bored. So if you’re going to do something, do it right. Here are some properties that’ll add a little bit of luxury to your bathtime.

London

This one-bedroom flat is not only in a great part of south London (Crystal Palace), it’s in a lovely property too.

And for £149,950 you could certainly do a lot worse.

It’s even got oak floors. But most importantly, it’s got a jacuzzi bath.

I’m tempted by this one myself. I can’t see it sticking around for very long so move quickly if you want to take a look.

Nottingham

This place is pretty spectacular. I know we’re meant to be looking for jacuzzis, and this five-bedroom home in Nottingham has one of those, but it’s also got a swimming pool as well! Hooray!

Sure, it’s not exactly budget friendly, but £300,000 for a five-bed home with all of the fancy trimmings is a very good price indeed. Need anymore convincing? Take a look at that garden.

Bristol

This Georgian styled property is great. It’s not a huge home, so if you were looking for a two-bed place with space for an office or studio, this would work very well.

It’s pretty, in a good area and on the market for £199,950. And that jacuzzi looks lovely too. Brilliant.

Manchester

If you’re looking for a one-bedroom flat that’s perfect for commuting into the city, this Manchester pad could be perfect.

As the flat is part of a complex, you get access to a gym and swimming pool.

You don’t have a jacuzzi in the flat itself, but there is one in the swanky fitness centre. I guess for £137,000 you have to pick your battles.

There’s a lot of aspects of city living that are brilliant. There’s no doubting the fun, vibrant atmosphere. And being able to get Chinese food at practically any time of the day will always be a bonus as far as I’m concerned. But if you’re living in the centre, you’re probably going to have to miss out on a garden. But there’s got to be some green-fingered options out there, hasn’t there?

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a stunning city and it’s got a great whack of pretty scenery all on it’s own. But it’s an old town, so the properties in the centre are often listed building. If you’re lucky enough to find a garden property like this one, I’d snap it up, there won’t be many of them in the city centre. Offers are in excess of £395,000, so for a central flat, that’s not too bad.

 
Newcastle

Would you consider a communal garden? Newcastle isn’t very abundant with green space in the city, but if you lived here, I’m pretty sure you’d be able to cope. Stunning isn’t it? Granted you might not be able to grow your own veg, but think of the garden parties you’ll have. It’s got three bedrooms and it’s on the market for £750,000. A bargain, I think.

London

Finding secret green spaces in London isn’t as hard as you’d think. But finding one that’s actually more then two foot square is another matter. So have a look at this place. Yes, that is a hot tub you can see just in the corner. The koi pond is just out of view. Extravagant? Moi? A tad. But it’s central, and £1.15 million isn’t so bad for such a swanky pad in Baker Street. Honestly.

Manchester

It rains rather a lot in Manchester, but at least that’ll give all of your pretty flowers a chance to grow (hey, I’m looking at the upside here, OK?) I’ve been assured that not only does this central Manchester penthouse has a roof garden, it’s also got a hot tub. And, it’s also got that view, which makes it all worth while.

I’m tempted to get the gardening gloves out now.