Now, more than ever, we appreciate the outlook from our homes and a river view is the most desirable of them all.
Living on the Thames and having outside space that overlooks the water is the ultimate dream and Dexters, working in partnership with riverside specialists Waterview, aims to make it a reality for clients seeking to buy or rent property on the river.
Soren Ravaux, Director of Waterview, is finding that demand for a riverside home has never been greater. ‘’Post-lockdown, it has been like the rush of new buyers registering after Christmas, x 10! People have had time for reflection and decided that they are not going to put off moving any longer. They want to get on with it and a lot of that is about quality of life. With international travel a little tricky, people want to create a good quality of life at home and living on the river is very appealing.”
Both Waterview and Dexters market boats, houseboats, flats, penthouses, detached properties and even islands. As Soren says, “Waterview by name, water-view by nature. We have offices throughout London, all the way along the Thames from east London through the capital to the south west corridor.”
When it comes to apartments, buyers are looking for a great vista from within the property and, if there is outside space in the form of a balcony, roof terrace or garden, the better. Most sought after are detached houses with fabulous views of the Thames. “Dexters have a mix of homes along the river,” explains Jason Taylor, Director of Dexters Wapping. “Those that have direct access to the water are more desirable, but those which have a tow path between their outside space and the river are also popular.”
Clients wanting direct access to the river tend to be older. Jason says, “Couples with young children are less likely to buy on the water. The river attracts those whose kids are grown up, so they can finally live their dream. They are less location sensitive and are not worried about school catchment areas. Their priority is more about how the property connects with the water. Older buyers are not necessarily interested in big plots with big gardens, they want a property set close to the Thames so they can enjoy the view.”
It is found that the ultimate riverside property will also include private mooring. “Moorings are really popular. If people are buying on the river because they love the water, more often than not they have a boat that is their pride and joy. They may have a rowing boat for pootling around in or a cruiser. And if they have a bigger boat, rather than pay ten to fifteen thousand pounds to lodge it in a marina, they want it at the bottom of their garden so that they can enjoy the boating lifestyle,” says Soren.
Whether you like the sight of the pleasure and working boats, the rowers and paddleboarders or the teeming wildlife and the passing of the four seasons, the best thing about river-living is the ever-changing view.
