Should property fail, Richard Bryce of Aston Chase could try his luck as a pianist or furniture designer, but he should always remember to knock before walking into other people’s bathrooms

What’s special about your agency?

Aston Chase are different in as much as we are a property led agency and are not restricted by postcode. Our core areas extend from Marylebone through to Highgate where we have a proven track record selling and renting high quality homes at the top of the residential market.

Where do you live and with whom?

I live in Little Heath (a small village in Hertfordshire) with my wife, young daughter and baby son.

Why did you buy your current property? What’s your favourite thing about it?

We are actively looking for our next purchase as I actually rent my current property having sold an apartment that wasn’t suitable for our growing family. Little Heath is situated on the edge of greenbelt so weekends are spent in rural surroundings but we’re within a commutable distance to central London – the best of both worlds!

If you weren’t a buying agent what would you be?

I’d like to think I would be a musician, having played the piano amongst other instruments from a very young age. Alternatively I’d be a product or furniture designer, having studied both at college and having retained a keen interest.

When did you buy your first property and what was it like?

I bought my first property back in 2005, a one-bedroom first floor apartment. We completely fell in love with it and learnt a lot about renovating property and ourselves!

What’s your dream house?

My dream house would be a traditional period property in a similar location to where I am living now, something with a few acres of land and everything that goes with that but still within easy reach of the city.

What’s the most shocking/surprising thing you’ve seen on the job?

The most surprising thing I have seen on the job was when I had only recently started within the

industry ten years ago or so. I had been showing a two bedroom apartment and opened the door to the bathroom only to discover an elderly gentleman having a bath, he had clearly been having his bath the entire time I had been showing the property but had just seemed to wait for the inevitable intrusion…This wasn’t the sole reason the property didn’t let on this occasion but it didn’t help either!

In what ways has the north London property market changed since you started out?

The major change would be the improvement of the quality of rental property. In the ten years that I have been letting London property, I have noticed that landlords are investing more in their rental portfolios, ensuring that their properties remain in excellent condition in order to gain the advantage necessary in today’s competitive lettings market. Many people are now either unable or unwilling to purchase a property and consequently renting has become their only option. As a result tenants have become more aware of their rights and their obligations when renting property.

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