New year, old problems for the doer-upper

Alan Page was for many years an award winning advertising creative director and founder of his own successful agency. More recently he has served on the boards of various marketing businesses and acted as a property buying agent in the South of France. He has owned numerous homes in London, Paris and Saint Tropez and has now turned his hand to small prime central London property development.
The Doer-Upper goes bargain hunting in St Tropez
Buying a house in France is one thing, says Alan Page; owning it under Monsieur Hollande's regime is quite another. Which means that Riviera brokers' books are bulging with unsold second homes;
By Alan Page
The Doer-Upper Diary: A cracking party
It's not the neighbours that are driving doer-upper Alan Page up the (party) wall in Kensington; it's the surveyors...
By Alan Page
The Big Lemon: The Doer Upper’s letter from Amalfi
Surrounded by lemons on Italy's Amalfi coast, Alan Page reflects on what the EU Referendum result means for London...
By Alan Page
Most read
Knight Frank cuts house price forecast; PCL set for -4% drop this year
'A combination of high supply & faltering confidence means we now expect slower UK house price growth this year & in 2026,' says research chief Tom Bill - with prime markets set for sharp declines.
By PrimeResi
London property ‘no longer a safe bet’, warns top wealth manager
'The London property boom is well and truly over,' declares Rathbones
By PrimeResi
Super-prime Notting Hill development opp seeks £12mn
Buyer sought for standout freehold property with "one of the most ambitious planning consents in the area".
£10mn price cut for trophy Knightsbridge penthouse
Ultra-prime residence at The Knightsbridge has been relaunched at £70mn.
‘A market in transition’: Inside London’s evolving luxury resi development scene
New report reveals how policy, branding & global demand are reshaping the next phase of the capital’s ultra-prime development cycle.
Indie estate agency Wilfords branches out in SW London
Boutique firm adds to its growing network with a new base close to Clapham Common.
In Pictures: Inside Finchatton’s new Georgian-inspired country estate project
Super-prime designer-developer lifts the lid on its latest creation - a 22-acre private estate in the Hampshire countryside.
‘A fundamental reshaping of the global wealth landscape’: Europe re-emerges as a prime destination for the super-rich
'What we’re witnessing is more than just a demographic shift,' says Knight Frank, as the firm reveals who is buying what, where, and why...
By PrimeResi
Behind the Schemes: Crafting a family-friendly pied-à-terre at Chelsea Barracks
Rebecca Hughes Interiors lifts the lid on a recent project for a returning client at the super-prime scheme in SW1.
Native Land’s 50-storey Opus tops out ahead of schedule
Developer marks construction milestone at forthcoming luxury apartment scheme on London's South Bank.
LATEST ARTICLES
Industry Reactions: Central bank holds interest rates at 4.0%
The Bank of England 'remains focused on squeezing out any existing or emerging persistent inflationary pressures'.
By PrimeResi
In Pictures: Lamar unveils ‘ultra-luxury’ Madrid apartments amid €250mn European rollout
Developer debuts 22 Patricia Urquiola-designed residences with five-star amenities in the Spanish capital.
London buying agency to host top UK school headteachers at NYC event
"The link between elite schools and property decisions is clearer than ever," says Eccord boss Jo Eccles, as figures show the number of US pupils at UK schools has jumped by over a quarter since 2020.
London rental supply stays ‘strong’ as demand slips
Foxtons registered 13% fewer would-be tenants in August this year than last.
By PrimeResi
Middleton Advisors adds to buying team
Prime property firm brings in new recruit to boost its coverage across Central and North London.