Hot properties: uncovering the best homes on the market in north London

This week a Maida Vale first home in a police station (converted), a Belsize Park flat to fix up, and a Hampstead iceberg cottage.

Big buy

Mount Vernon, Hampstead, NW3, price on application

Our controversial statement of the day may be this: large basement extensions in Hampstead may not make you friends among your neighbours, and we are yet to truly discover the risks from flooding or subsidence of having whole streets pocked with underground lairs, but they do turn cottages that may once have been considered a bit petite or even pokey into luxuriously spacious homes.

Handily, this grade II-listed home in Hampstead has had the popularity-killing basement work done already, so the new inhabitants can move quietly in and enjoy the six bedrooms (including one master suite and staff quarters), swimming pool, gym, cinema room, piano vestibule, two studies and separate studio in the heart of Hampstead Village. There are views across London from the upper floors for the full Hampstead thrill and secure off-street parking for six cars, for very un-Hampstead easy parking.

Savills, 020 7472 5000

First time buy

Westbourne Place, W9, from £560,000

With a few one-bedroom properties priced below £600,000, some units in this 49-flat new build development are eligible for the full Help to Buy 40 per cent government loan, putting Maida Vale properties like these within reach of more buyers.

The development is based around the former Harrow Road police station dating originally from 1911 but has been given a 21st century makeover with another brand new building added behind the original red brick one and contemporary interiors designed by DAPA.

Redrow, 0203 538 3791

Fixer upper

Buckland Crescent, Belsize Park, NW3, £1,150,000

Not a lot needs to be done to this two-bedroom ground floor flat to make it the ideal Belsize Park pied-a-terre. Knock through a couple of internal walls, rip out some of the fitted shelving and switch the carpets for wooden floors and you’ll have a spacious, highly covetable flat in a typical Belsize Park cream stucco building with a south east-facing communal garden.

Or go the extra mile and add a bedroom and bathroom to fit it out as a stylish family home, within walking distance of some of London’s best schools.

Hadleigh Residential, 020 7722 9799

Rental

Maryon Mews, Hampstead, NW3, £485 pw (£2,102 pcm)

If there was an award for the cutest rental property in Hampstead at the moment it would surely go to this two-bedroom mews house, a short walk from South End Green. Indeed you can just imagine some overseas corporate relocator living out their ultimate London fantasy in this picture perfect cottage, at the end of a short cobbled street.

Wood floors, a well-equipped modern kitchen and large upstairs double bedroom give the property the contemporary edge it needs to help them live in comfort.

Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings, 020 3813 3743