Where to buy:

Buying in London is a great deal more relaxed than it once was. “Back in 2007, long queues were forming for anything faintly desirable; these days the buyer is in control, and the process is a walk in the park by comparison,” says Sara Ransom of Stacks Property Search.

“The domestic market is ticking over, prices have been gently sliding since 2014, and there are great deals to be done. But the fact remains that by most people’s standards London prices still make the eyes water, so buyers need to make smart choices to get the best value for money.

“To get the best deals buyers should seek out over-supply and dispense with old perceptions. Some areas that were once out of reach have returned to more sensible levels, while others have seen less in the way of price drops. As always, extensive research is the key to shrewd buying.

“The big developments in Battersea and Kings Cross have large quantities of stock, and saturation of supply brings with it attractive pricing, or at least the opportunity for hard bargaining.

“Young professionals looking for fun hip areas will find Shad Thames and Borough are more affordable than they were when they first emerged as the places to be, and emerging areas such as Elephant and Castle offer excellent value. By contrast, Hoxton and Shoreditch have retained their values and look less affordable.

“Families who in the past have bypassed Fulham and headed to Clapham and beyond will find that Fulham prices have taken a big hit, while prices in Clapham South and Balham have been more robust. Hampstead and Notting Hill prices have seen rapid cooling with some high-profile examples of massive price reductions, while Maida Vale and Little Venice have stayed a little warmer.

“Finally, my top picks for shrewd buyers in 2019 are Tooting, Acton and Kings Cross.

Acton, situated to the west of Chiswick, has been enjoying much focus in recent years and is attractive to families and young first time buyers alike. With the opening of Crossrail now within sight it may well experience a small up lift in prices too, but for now prices are around 15% cheaper than in neighbouring Chiswick.

Acton offers lovely terraced Victorian houses from £1m and converted flats ranging from £450,000, 15% cheaper than Chiswick which is quarter of a mile up the road.

Kings Cross, with its international links via St Pancras, has transformed beyond recognition through massive redevelopment including the now iconic Gasholders development and new shopping area. A new residential release is imminent, so off-plan buying in this area could be shrewd move.

Tooting is a family neighbourhood with plenty of shopping and restaurant options, surrounded by large green spaces such as Tooting common yet with a direct commute on the Northern Line into the city. The lovely Victorian and Edwardian houses with fair sized gardens are 10% – 15% cheaper than in Balham which is just one tube stop to the north.

What to buy:

Sara Ransom says, “Developers are introducing interesting communal elements into their spaces. It makes sense to pay a bit more for an apartment in a development that has extras that are valuable to you. Some have communal work spaces that for the self-employed, or occasional working-from-home can be a godsend. Take your laptop, grab a desk, and ‘go to work’, keeping your apartment free of office vibes. Or for families with young children, an integral creche is a godsend.

“Gasholders in Kings Cross is a mouth-watering example of the extra facilities that can come with an apartment – there’s an entertainment suite including private dining room and catering kitchen, a 14-person screening room with adjacent games room, spa, gym, residents lounge, communal roof garden and much more. While the prices in this iconic and award-winning development aren’t exactly competitive, the development is a good example of how the future of London living could look – buying enough square feet for day-to-day living, and using communal space when the need for more space arises.”

Stacks Property Search, London office: 020 7458 4155; www.stacks.co.uk

Ends – 

    • For more information, jpgs and interviews, contact Amanda MacCaw, 01386 700068 / 07977 238175 / amanda@wildmaccaw.co.uk

 

Start your property search today

Call us on +44 (0) 1594 842880 or complete the form below

    Your Details



    Your property requirements:

    Status:
    SoldThinking of movingOn the marketExchangingIn rented accommodationCash buyerIn need of helpOther


    We will never share your details with a third party. For more information about how we handle your data, please see our Privacy Policy

    How we can help you

    View our property finder services

    When making probably the most important financial decision of your life, it pays to have the right advisors at your side.

    Property Finder Service

    We search high and low, on the market and off the market, and we keep hunting until we’ve found the right property for you. Next we negotiate the best price and terms on your behalf. And then we make sure you enjoy a hassle-free move.

    Downsizing or Resizing

    Retirement or semi-retirement is an exciting stage in life. Finding the right home to live in and enjoy it to the full is important. We know that and will do all that we can to understand what you’re looking for… before starting to search. And search we will, until we find the house of your dreams.

    Moving from Abroad

    Relocating is time consuming and stressful. We regularly work with clients who live abroad. We hunt, short-list, prepare your viewings, and make the search process as easy as possible. We oversee the negotiations, manage the conveyancing, and deal with the headaches, so you can concentrate on other aspects of your move.

    Holiday Home Hunt

    A holiday home is often an interesting mix of investment and heartfelt connection. You want to use it, but you may well also be keen for others to use it too. We can advise you on what factors to consider in making your decision. And we can then find the perfect holiday home for you to enjoy.

    Investing in UK Property

    Others say, ‘location, location, location’. We say, ‘location, purpose, price, capital growth, rental returns’… the list goes on. Knowing the market is critical. Local knowledge is key. We ensure all aspects of your investment decision are addressed. Finding, analysing, negotiating, and completing… it’s what we do.

    “You showed fantastic attention to detail, anticipated all eventualities, and provided timely and practical help and guidance every step of the way.  Above all, you supported me in making my own considered decisions, and I am so grateful to you for all your help in getting me to where I am now!”

    “We firmly believe that without Rachel and her skilled negotiation we would not have secured the property.”

    “We felt they genuinely wanted to help.”

    “Stacks’ performance on this assignment has been absolutely outstanding and more than met my expectations. Her understanding of the brief and the ‘after-find’ service set a standard of professionalism that I have not met before.”

    “It is not often that one is pleased to part with money but I can truthfully say that I am on this occasion. You have earned every penny of this cheque and what is more, you have done it with great courtesy and good humour. It has been very pleasant working with you. You really did take most of the stress out of our house hunting.”

    “Encouraging me to think creatively about what could work for me.”

    “Finding a plot not yet on the market and persuading the developer to enter into an exclusive contract with me to build to my specification.

    “I was impressed by the efficient, kind and courteous service provided by Stacks”

    “Stacks were a tremendous help and we would never have found our home without them. She is a lovely person with a great sense of humour which was essential during some of our tricky negotiations

    “You gave a much-valued ‘younger’ perspective on our situation, which was a real asset”

    “We found the service extremely helpful and professional at all times”

    “I have been delighted with the service I have received from Stacks and will not hesitate to recommend Stacks in the future.”

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Receive updates about the world of property, straight to your inbox.

    * indicates required