The central London market continues to show why it is regarded as one of best property investment locations in the world. According to CBRE, prices for houses has risen by 6% over the last quarter and by 18% over the past year. The gap between Prime Central London and Greater London is expanding; average prices across the whole of London rose by only 2% over the last quarter and 5% over the course of the year.
A lot of this growth has been fueled by demand from Asia, particularly at exhibitions in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Interestingly, demand is also growing from investors in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. With the problems of the Euro, many European investors are also entering the market and there has been an increase in buyers from Spain and Greece. London’s reputation as a ‘safe haven’ is likely to continue to attract overseas investors for some time and with limited supply this will inevitably force prices up even further.
It is worth noting that across Greater London new builds are selling with a 5% premium and in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster over the last quarter, they are, on average, double the value of their second hand counter parts.
Whilst the sentiment is the same, according to Knight Frank the growth rate over the past has not been quite so impressive. According to the agent, the annual increase was a mere 10.1 percent with demand for apartments outstripping that for houses. Prices are now 52% higher than in March 2009, so investors who bought at that time should certainly be happy.
No property market is immune from a correction and eventually central London prices will fall. Many investors feel this will not happen in the short to medium term and in the meantime there are some healthy profits to be made. It is hard to disagree with this point of view. It is pretty safe bet that London will continue to be a sound property investment location for the foreseeable future.
