Disillusioned dentist turned estate agent Trevor Abrahmsohn has sold over £3billion worth of property, mainly on The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead Garden Suburb. His clients include Ringo Starr, Joan Collins and Britain’s richest man Lakshmi Mittal.
My first buy was…
My marital home: a detached house in Hampstead Garden suburb that once belonged to Lord Lloyd. I paid £15,000 back in 1974 and it was my sanctuary for 16 years.
I currently own…
A larger detached house in Hampstead Garden suburb which I hope is just as charming.
The best thing about my home is…
The warmth and love that exudes from every brick which is exactly what a home is meant to be.
I got into property…
After becoming disillusioned with dentistry. A neighbour owned an estate agency so I thought I’d try it. It happened to be the worst month of the worst year post-war, so immaculate timing by me. I’ve now seen off four recessions but the 1974 one made 2008 look like a jamboree.
I want to see property prices remain healthily liquid which is good for households, allied industries, the economy and exchequer. With modest inflation your debt shrinks in relation to your equity.
The solution to London’s housing crisis is…
Build more homes. The planning system is a labyrinthine and lenders must be bolder.
My top tip for adding value to your home is…
If you can afford it, increase the square footage. When it comes to selling remember it’s an asset not your home so get an objective view. We all get fatter without noticing as we age and it’s the same with homes: you must prune and preen.
The most I’ve spent on something for my home is…
It’s not the right time to talk about that. I avoid anything that could be tinged with avarice.
I am worth the money because…
I pay myself what I believe I’m worth. If I’m not industrious I earn less.
My best property coup was…
Selling the world’s highest price for a single property which I still can’t talk about.
My biggest missed opportunity was…
When my public company had a meteoric rise in share prices for nine months until the crash of 1987 intervened. Had it not, I think audacious and exciting things would have taken place but I’ve no regrets.
First time buyers trying to get on London’s property ladder should…
Take advantage of government schemes, borrow money from the bank of mum and dad if they can and get on the ladder and off the rental spiral as soon as possible, even if it means moving further out.
If I was mayor for a day I would…
Increase parking near shops and allow drivers to turn left on red.
What keeps me awake at night is…
Apart from local aggravation, wondering how I can do more tomorrow than I’ve done today.