Behind the Scenes: Amanda Bastin

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? Whereabouts do you live now?

Home for me was originally Nottinghamshire, but since then I have lived in numerous areas around London and am now living in Clapham.

How long have you been an estate agent for?

I’ve been an estate agent on and off for about 25 years.

How long have you worked for D&G? What’s the greatest thing about working for them?

I’ve worked for Douglas & Gordon for just over 10 years.  The best thing about D&G is the amazing people.

What’s the funniest story you have from your time at Douglas & Gordon?

There are so many stories, but there is one particular one that recently came to mind.  I was with a client looking around his newly refurbished flat on the second floor of a period building.   We were in the kitchen and commenting on his beautiful wooden floors when I opened the door to the washing machine and the whole drum was full of water which then spilled out onto the new floor and down into the flat below.  The water kept on gushing and we couldn’t stop it.  The poor guy - he was really good about it, but we did get the giggles whilst on our hands and knees trying to mop up.

When you’re not in the office or showing people around, what do you do in your spare time? Any interesting hobbies we should know about?

I love painting, sculpture, interiors and anything creative. I also have two Labrador dogs so we take lots of long walks.

What questions do you most commonly get asked by clients/customers?

How long will it take to let my property?  Where’s Portobello Road?

What advice do you have for people looking to buy or rent in Kensington?

Don’t discount properties on busier streets or lower ground floors as there are many beautiful gardens attached to these types of properties.

What do you love about Kensington? What are your favourite hangouts? Where do you grab your coffee in the morning, or take a business lunch? 

I love the village lifestyle and feel of Kensington with its elegant surroundings and the most beautiful buildings. It’s close to shops, parks, restaurants and has easy access to Notting Hill, West End and the City.  My favourite hangouts include Maggie Jones, Kensington Place, Polpo and Kensington Roof Gardens.  The coffee from Pret a Manger on Notting Hill Gate is good but you can also get great coffee and croissants from Clarkes on Kensington Church Street.  For a business lunch, Kensington Place opposite our office is an all time favourite.

What would you say to anyone looking to move into the area? 

Anything goes here – Kensington suits all – families, young professionals, students, celebrities. Smart, scruffy, quirky, and arty – it has something for everyone.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about the property market, what would it be? 

Some foreigners can be confused about the system in London when buying a property which is either freehold or leasehold.