The 30-Year Perspective: Hugh Obbard on three decades of property market ups & downs

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While the world has changed beyond recognition in many ways since 1994, it remains surprisingly similar in others, writes Hugh Obbard.

Written by

Hugh Obbard

Director at Obbard

Hugh founded Obbard Ltd in 1994. Prior to this he had been a junior partner in Cluttons, based in Mayfair, before spending 5 years working in South East Asia working for a leading independent property company, now Savills. He spent two years in Hong Kong and then ran the Jakarta office in Indonesia for three years. In 1994 he identified an opportunity to provide a genuinely integrated, ‘all in one’ solution to overseas investors, as the London residential property market emerged from a severe downturn. The company not only sourced and acquired the properties, but it also always looked to add value through refurbishment, then asset managed the investment achieving superior returns with a branded portfolio approach, taking this through to co-ordination and advice on disposal. In recent years clients have tended to be less motivated by a pure investment rationale but by personal need. Whether this be due to children’s education, relocation, or moving within the UK. However even buying a home has an inherent investment element and the value creation remains a core part of the approach. Today Obbard manage an extensive portfolio of high value properties mainly in the boroughs of RBKC and Westminster. Through their established design/build arm, Obespoke, they undertake numerous projects to uplift values and create beautiful homes for owners and investors alike.

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