Stuart Rothstein: A local estate agent who has been in the property industry for more than 30 years
You’ve been in the property industry for over 30 years—what first drew you to this line of work, and what has kept you passionate about it all these years?
I felt an attraction with property and architecture which Maida Vale offers an abundance of. The beautiful Victorian red brick Mansion blocks and the stunning stucco fronted conversions backing onto extensive communal gardens have kept me captivated.
Maida Vale and Little Venice are unique areas in London. How have you seen the property landscape in these neighbourhoods evolve over the decades?
When I first started working as an estate agent the area was predominately rented as the Church owned most of the freeholds so they were Church Commissioner tenants paying a low rent. These houses and apartments were gradually sold over the years to private individuals who restored the properties back to their former glory. So the gentrification has changed dramatically over the years as have the property values.
What’s one standout property or sale that has stayed with you throughout your career, and why?
Actually, there is a very recent sale that is very close to my heart. We just sold the Coach House on Warrington Crescent, which is one of the few houses that backs onto the stunning Crescent Communal Garden. The house has been with the same owner for nearly four decades, it was a very unusual house with a wonderful roof terrace and large conservatory on the roof, it really was an unusual house. The amazing part of this sale was, the vendor was not only a client but also a friend that I have had the pleasure of knowing for the last 30 years.
As someone deeply rooted in the local community, how important is that local knowledge when it comes to selling properties in Maida Vale and Little Venice?
This is irreplaceable because you are not just selling a beautiful house or apartment, you are also selling an amazing area. Applicants need to understand that the Regents Canal is on your door step offering wonderful walks as are the eateries and local boutique shops on Clifton Road, Lauderdale Road and Formosa Street. Paddington Recreation Ground which has seen a large investment over the years offers a wonderful children’s play area, tennis courts, running tracks and cafes. Maida Vale and Little Venice also offer excellent local faith schools and of course an excellent choice of local schools.
What would you say sets your approach apart when it comes to dealing with clients and ensuring smooth property transactions through to completion?
I am very fortunate that most of my clients are long-standing clients, a base that I have built up across many years starting off at Vickers Co. 30 years ago and now with Winkworth. A lot of my new business is through recommendation and referral. Now each client is different, and therefore I bespoke my services accordingly to aid a smooth transaction. I very much understand the conveyancing system and I take pride in making sure that my team are up to speed with ever changing legislation through regular training to provide the best possible service, but above all to take the time to build on relationships and create strong connections with the local community.
What are the most significant changes or challenges you’ve faced in the industry, especially with the rise of technology and online platforms?
Most of the changes that have happened in the industry are for the better, we now have to qualify applicants and vendors in relation to Anti Money Laundering Legislation and conduct extensive background checks before we act for them. However, interestingly for me the biggest change is that everything is online. Whether that be through the portals, Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket, etc, a lot of people now do not want to talk over the phone, they prefer Whatsapp or email for communication. Call me old fashioned, I believe a telephone call can resolve any issues or queries quickly and also provide a more personal aspect to the transaction.
Can you share a moment in your career that made you especially proud or reaffirmed that you were in the right profession?
This is a very interesting question, 30 years ago I started acting for a very important client who is still 100% loyal to me today because of my honesty, integrity and hard work. Many competitors over the years have tried to poach this client without any success. That hopefully shows that I give the correct advice for my profession as an estate agent. I am very happy to say I have sold approximately 100 properties for them, which is a wonderful achievement.
Looking ahead, how do you see the future of property sales in areas like Maida Vale and Little Venice—what trends or shifts are you anticipating?
There will always be a demand for properties within this area because of the transport links to central London, easy access to Paddington with the links to Heathrow and the fantastic local schools and stunning communal gardens. People are also mesmerised by the beauty of Little Venice and are amazed how quiet it is but yet so close to all of Central London.
Describe Maida Vale and Little Venice in three words.
Tranquil, London, Village.
