Meet Clapham Estate Agent James Baring

Selling a property consistently ranks as one of the most stressful events in a person's life. For the vast majority of home owners, it will be their biggest asset. But lessons in property – more specifically, how to buy and sell property – have never made their way into the UK's school syllabus.

For this reason alone, a good Estate Agent is worth his or her weight in gold.

With 37 years' experience as a London agent of which nine have been in Clapham, James Baring continues to prove just how true this is as the local Felicity J Lord partner.

Despite his impressive tenure, it was by accident more than design that James pursued a career in the property market. "I was playing in a band professionally, and my Dad said to me 'You need to get your hair cut and get yourself a proper job!'"

Without sacrificing his passion and talent for music – James has played Glastonbury on seven occasions – working in property has been an apt fit for him, particularly so in today's Rightmove, Zoopla world.

Though his ongoing love of the job stems from the people, being a stickler for detail and keen photographer are qualities that added to his years of experience afford James the online marketing edge so necessary in these portal-led times.

Of course and for good reason, he is effusive about Clapham, not least because he studied Architecture at school.

"The architecture is absolutely gorgeous in Clapham. It's actually a lot older than a lot of the other areas that I've also worked in. The architecture in many ways is superior – aesthetically for me."

"It's no coincidence that so many writers, people in the arts, chose to live there, when it was definitely not a fashionable area back in those days – not as fashionable as it's become these days."

"I love all the open space – Clapham Common is 220 acres! It has fantastic restaurants, and it's very lively. It's a very arts-based area. The vibe is there."

Naturally, James is particularly enthusiastic about the local music scene. From the Clapham Fringe to Women Do South at The Bread & Roses Theatre, when it comes to towns in London that truly know how to support emerging talent, Clapham has come to rival Camden – and not without the help of partners in the community such as Felicity J Lord, which has helped to sponsor the Clapham Fringe.

But if music is James's first love, the property market is his second.

"Even after 37 years I still really love it," he told Clapham Nub News. "Mainly it's to do with the people. I've had some lovely clients over the years."

Find out more about Felicity J Lord at its website and browse properties it has available to buy in Clapham.

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