4 days ago
The Notting Hill neighbours divided over tourists flocking to their Instagrammable homes
Buying in London is famously the UK's costliest area to purchase property - but does having an 'Instagrammable' house make it worth more, or less?
Residents on one Notting Hill street are currently asking themselves that question. Homeowners frustrated at the steady stream of influencers snapping their colourful front doors have taken drastic action to ward them off, while others welcome the near-daily tourists as 'entertaining'.
But as homeowners on the photogenic street continue to see snap-happy Instagrammers on their doorsteps, a property expert has explained why living on a street with social media notoriety can be both positive and negative for your house value.
Marc von Grundherr, Director of local estate agents Benham and Reeves told Yahoo News that due to the high house prices in Notting Hill and its worldwide reputation, it's "unlikely that any potential buyers ... will see the value in being plastered all over social media by a plethora of 'influencers."
Peter Lee, 80, who owns a vividly pink terraced house in Notting Hill, is visited daily by people using it as a backdrop for their social media pictures - with some performing acrobatics to get the perfect shot.
Lee, who has lived in his home for 47 years, is committed to its pink colour - so much so that he is currently having it re-painted.
The former fashion designer said he's seen people doing the splits in front of his steps - and even balancing on his railings.
Others - sometimes dressed in just a leotard - come onto his property and lean against the front door. Lee said that many influencers will spend entire mornings outside his home - even undergoing outfit changes.
He said: "I don't really mind the crowds. I have cameras so it does amuse me to just watch their antics. Recently I looked outside and there was someone having their photo taken - with three others queueing for their turn.
"I know it bothers others but it doesn't really bother me. I just think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short."
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Instagram is full of pictures of people documenting their trips to London with stop-offs at some of its iconic residential streets.
People from the UK and around the world pose for hours right outside people's front doors to get the perfect snap.
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Although Lee has found entertainment in the phenomenon, he understands that others might find it frustrating. He said he once noticed the tiles outside his front door were cracked, something he blamed on women in heels jumping up and down as they posed for photos. He said the repair bill ran into the thousands.
Down the road from Lee's property residents of Lancaster Road have taken action to stop people from taking photos outside their homes.
The road is located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London and is a popular tourist destination. Residents say influencers have gone as far as having picnics on their doorsteps,
As a result, three houses on the road have ditched their previous bright exterior - in the hopes that black walls are "less Instagrammable" - and will therefore stop people coming there.
A 'quiet zone' sign has also been put up - and one property further down the street has even strung a rope across their front steps.
George Hencken, who has lived in Notting Hill for 29 years, said: "Our home used to be pink but we painted it grey around seven years ago.
"The point was to be an unphotogenic colour.
"But the thing is, and something those who have painted their homes black will soon find out, is that even if people aren't using their house as a photo backdrop - they'll still be here."
Hencken explained that what frustrated her most was that none of the tourists or influencers seemed to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.
She said: "This area used to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are expensive houses, but this street also has a lot of social housing. They don't know the history.
"Ever since Richard Curtis made that stupid film every American banker or rich guy from Switzerland who spends a few months here, when asked where they want to live, says: 'Oh, my wife likes that film.'
"It's changing the area. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We'd sit out here and chat to friends and neighbours.
"But now you can't do that. If you do, any random person thinks they can come and sit here too."
Many are afraid over how the increased tourist attention could impact their house value.
Benham and Reeves's Grundherr said: "Generally speaking, any exposure that drives the popularity of a particular pocket of the property market can be viewed as a positive. That's because the higher the demand for homes, the more likely it is that house prices will increase, especially if there is a limited level of stock."
But he noted: "If the pendulum swings too far in the wrong direction, it can have a negative impact."
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