Posts with tag: house prices

The Night Tube Launches on the Northern Line

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 12:19 pm

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Today’s the day that the Night Tube launches on the Northern Line on Fridays and Saturdays. The service will join the Central, Victoria and Jubilee lines, which rolled out their overnight routes over the past few months.

Ahead of the all-night extension, online estate agent eMoov.co.uk has analysed house prices from north to south on one of the capital’s oldest Tube lines. The research looks at the current property demand by each station, the average house price in each area and the growth in values across the Northern Line in the last year.

Property south of the river dominates demand on the Northern Line – six of the ten most in-demand areas are below the Thames, making southwest London a hotspot for Night Tube homebuyers. Being so well connected makes it a particularly great location for commuters.

Morden, the southernmost stop on the line, is the most in-demand area, at 44%. Zone 3’s Colliers Wood, 43%, and Balham, 41% are close behind.

The Night Tube Launches on the Northern Line

The Night Tube Launches on the Northern Line

In contrast, the least in-demand areas on the Northern Line are north of the river. Both Charing Cross and Embankment top the list, at just 3%. As prime central London has taken a hit over the last few months, it’s unsurprising that the capital’s most expensive spots have seen demand drop. Hampstead, between Zones 2 and 3 in north London, also ranks as one of the least in-demand areas on the Northern Line, at 8%. Although this isn’t quite on par with prime central London, this affluent residential area has suffered a drop in demand as a result of high prices, at an average of £1,466,516.

As it crosses two lines through the centre of the city, the Northern Line extends into some of London’s most expensive areas.

Tottenham Court Road boasts the highest average house price, at £2,083,431, followed by Hampstead. The third spot goes to Charing Cross, at £1,416,625.

Yet again, the southernmost tip of the Northern Line tops the list for the most affordable property. Morden’s average price is just £398,422. Colindale has the second most affordable house prices, at £405,576, while Zone 5’s Edgware enjoys an average value of £434,211.

The Night Tube will be particularly beneficial to these three areas, as late night crowds will be more inclined to live further out of the centre, knowing that they can still get home cheaply and easily.

The most impressive growth rates on the Northern Line are scattered across all zones. Burnt Oak has recorded the greatest increase in house prices on the line, at 12%, and was trailed by a three-way tie between Edgware, Kennington and Waterloo, at 10%. Morden again shows impressive growth, at 9%.

But despite strong growth around the capital’s outer zones, it was the prime central London stops that recorded the greatest declines. Goodge Street, Warren Street and Tottenham Court Road all saw prices fall by 1%. This is no doubt a result of these areas being home to some of the highest property values.

Clearly, the Night Tube service on the Northern Line will have the most positive effect on homeowners living in the furthest reaches of north and south London, making property on the outskirts of the capital more appealing, particularly to younger would-be homebuyers.

The Piccadilly Line will launch its Night Tube service on Friday 16th December, and other lines are expected to expand their routes in the New Year.

The Founder and CEO of eMoov, Russell Quirk, comments: “The launch of the Northern Line Night Tube service is no doubt one of the most anticipated, as the line connects both the very north and south peripherals of the city, with the Jubilee and Victoria line services merely brushing the boundary south of the river.

“With the price of property in central London forcing many, especially younger, homeowners and renters out into these peripherals, property close to a 24-hour link that reaches right across the city will be a sought after commodity indeed.”

He continues: “Property demand across the Northern Line reflects this, with the most sought after stations for buyer demand all located in Zone 3 and further afield, with the exception of Clapham North. Although demand should increase the entirety of the Night Tube service, homeowners at each end of the Northern Line should be particularly well placed to see the value of their property increase, in line with this heightened buyer demand.”

Landlords, now might be a great time to buy on the Northern Line…

The Best Christmas Markets in the UK for Property Prices

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 9:39 am

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With the capital’s Winter Wonderland opening its doors today, online estate agent eMoov.co.uk has researched which of the best Christmas markets in the UK offers the most affordable property prices.

The agent analysed 29 of the UK’s merriest Christmas markets, finding that the current average house price across each of them was £316,569 – £98,681 more than the current UK average. eMoov then ranked them on the average house price, to guide Christmas-loving homebuyers to the ten most affordable locations during the festive season.

While many people flock to enjoy London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, not as many will be able to afford a home in the area, which costs an average of £2,052,951.

The Best Christmas Markets in the UK for Property Prices

The Best Christmas Markets in the UK for Property Prices

Scotland’s Country Living Glasgow is the cheapest area for property, at an average of £121,430, while Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland closely trails behind, at £128,192.

Both Glasgow and Nottingham are well ahead of the other locations on the list, making them the most appealing for those looking to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in an affordable property.

The Victorian Christmas Market in Wrexham is third on the list, at £150,883, closely followed by Manchester’s German Market, at £153,590.

Birmingham’s German Christmas Market is often ranked one of the UK’s best Christmas markets and is the biggest in Europe outside of Germany and Austria. The area, which places fifth on the list, has an average property price of £165,149.

For those in Leeds, the Christkindelmark is a great event for festive cheer and house prices. The northern city is sixth on the list, at £170,927.

The next stop is Staffordshire’s Winter Wonderland, at £177,531, while the Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market is eighth, at £182,903.

Homebuyers in the Welsh capital can enjoy its average house price of £191,582, while visiting the Cardiff Christmas Market. The final gift under the tree is Chester’s Christmas Market, which has a price tag of £191,666 and prides itself on abundant crafts, stocking fillers and warm beverages.

Although there are many more Christmas markets in the UK, the above ten are some of the best and most affordable for those looking to purchase properties.

The Founder and CEO of eMoov, Russell Quirk, comments: “Christmas begins earlier every year, but the launch of winter wonderlands and Christmas markets across the UK signals the festive season is about to kick off.

“Although not everyone will welcome this news, it could certainly be beneficial for nearby home sellers, with Christmas market property commanding a higher price tag than the rest of the nation.”

He adds: “With the seasonal slowdown fast approaching, what better additional selling tool than one of the UK’s best Christmas markets down the road?

“Ironic that perhaps the best known and most popular on our list is also home to the largest barrier for those aspirational homebuyers that might wish to live there. But there are still many realistic options filled with festive cheer for those looking to buy this Christmas.”

Which of the best Christmas markets will you be visiting this year?

London is Driving House Price Growth Yet Again, Shows Latest Data

Published On: November 15, 2016 at 11:10 am

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London is driving house price growth across the UK yet again, shows the latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)/Land Registry.

The figures for September – the most recent available – show an annual price increase of 7.7% across the UK as a whole, taking the average property value to £217,888. On a monthly basis, prices have risen by 0.2% since August.

House price growth

In England, prices rose by 8.3% year-on-year, to an average of £234,250. Since August 2016, prices were up by 0.2%.

Wales experienced an annual price increase of 4.4%, taking the average property value to £146,388. Month-on-month, prices rose by 0.2%.

In London, however, house price growth stood at 10.9% on an annual basis, pushing the average value up to £487,649. The capital experienced the greatest rate of monthly growth, at 1.4%, meaning it is now driving the UK yet again.

Annually, the East of England saw the greatest increase in property values, at 12.1%.

The North East experienced the lowest rate of annual growth, at just 1.5%. It also recorded the most significant monthly decline in prices, of 1.9%.

Average house prices by region

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Home sales

Between August and September, home sales dropped by 4.3%, with levels remaining lower than those seen in 2014, 2015, and before the Stamp Duty changes earlier this year.

London is Driving House Price Growth Yet Again, Shows Latest Data

London is Driving House Price Growth Yet Again, Shows Latest Data

Sales during July 2016, for which the most recent Land Registry figures are available, dropped by 28.1% in England, from 93,040 in July 2015 to 66,870.

The number of completed home sales in Wales fell by 23.4%, from 4,603 to 3,525 this year.

In London, home sales declined by a huge 43.3%, from 12,481 in July 2015 to 7,074.

There were 490 repossession sales in England in July 2016, and 54 in Wales.

The lowest number of repossession sales in England and Wales was in the East of England.

Commenting on the latest House Price Index, the Senior Economist at PwC, Richard Snook, says: “We now have three months of post-Brexit official housing figures, which show price growth remaining robust, but fewer properties changing hands. At the start of the year, we expected slower house price growth, but in fact, it has shown impressive resilience; in the first three quarters of the year, average annual house prices were up by around 8% across the UK compared to the same period last year.

“But high prices are causing some buyers to stay out of the market altogether. The ONS data shows residential transactions in September were just 93,000 – 11.3% lower than the previous year. This implies that underlying demand may be weakening as property becomes less and less affordable.”

The Founder and CEO of eMoov.co.uk, Russell Quirk, also comments: “Interesting to see London back behind the wheel and driving the UK property market once again, with the largest monthly increase. This, along with a number of other industry data sets, shows that the capital suffered from wobbly knees post-referendum, but now seems to have well and truly found its feet again. It will be interesting to see if, a few reports from now, Trump’s victory has any notably direct influence on the UK property market.

“We predict a slight price peak at the top end of the market, particularly in London, but little more than that. Elsewhere across the country, strong annual growth all-round.”

He adds: “Interestingly, the UK seems to be suffering from some form of property paralysis across the east, with both the south and North East seeing a monthly fall in prices, along with Yorkshire and the Humber.”

eMoov Crowns I’m a Celebrity Winner Based on Property Values

Published On: November 14, 2016 at 10:21 am

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With I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here back on our screens, online estate agent eMoov.co.uk has completed its latest piece of topical research by crowning the winner based on property values.

The agent took the birthplace of each of the ten contestants (other than Polish-born Ola Jordan, who now lives in Maidstone) and ranked them based on the change in the average property values since the show aired last year. In the event of a tie, eMoov took into account which hometown offers the most affordable house price.

eMoov Crowns I'm a Celebrity Winner Based on Property Values

eMoov Crowns I’m a Celebrity Winner Based on Property Values

After analysing each of the contestants, eMoov crowned Jordan Banjo as the new King of the Jungle. The Diversity dance star may no longer be a household name, but his birthplace of Wickford, near Basildon, has experienced an increase of 21% in property values over the last 12 months – the greatest growth by far.

In second place, and Banjo’s Queen of the Jungle, is Carol Vorderman. Her birthplace of Bedford has seen a rise of 15% in property values over the last year, enough to tie her with the third and fourth place contestants, Lisa Snowden and Larry Lamb.

However, with an average house price of £264,257, Vorderman beats Lisa and Larry to the second spot with a more affordable property value.

Both Lisa, who was born in Welwyn Garden City, and Larry, who was born in Edmonton, Enfield, have the most expensive average house prices of all the contestants, at £381,280 and £396,630 respectively.

England football star Wayne Bridge came out in fifth, with the average house price in his birthplace of Southampton (£201,464) affordable enough to bat off Joel Dommet (South Gloucestershire, £258,689) and dancer Ola Jordan (Maidstone, £280,256) in a three-way tie, with each location enjoying a 12% increase in property values over the past year.

Actor Adam Thomas takes eighth place, with the average house price in his hometown of Manchester standing at £154,711 – up by 9% over the last 12 months.

Olympian Sam Quek narrowly missed out on last place, with her birthplace of the Wirral only experiencing an increase in property values of 4% in the last year.

Sadly, bookies favourite Scarlett Moffatt’s birthplace of Bishop Auckland in County Durham only saw house prices creep up by 2% over the past year, placing her last in the rankings.

Russell Quirk, the Founder and CEO of eMoov, says: “Although most of these celebrities will have long left their hometowns and moved on to more affluent parts of the UK property market, we thought it was important to rank them on where they came from, not where they’ve made it to.

“Historically, it seems to be the most genuine contestants that have the right recipe for I’m a Celeb royalty. Should this be the case, we could well see our table reversed when it comes to the real thing.”

He adds: “The property market in County Durham has taken a bit of a battering over the last year or two, so it would be great if Scarlett could bring home the crown and give the area something to cheer about.”

Who are you behind to win this year’s competition?

Will Trump’s Win Boost London House Prices?

Published On: November 11, 2016 at 10:27 am

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Donald Trump may be getting ready to move into a new house, but what does his win mean for London house prices?

Analyst Anthony Codling has already answered the question on all property professionals’ lips: How will a Trump victory affect London house prices?

In the short-term, he believes, the London property market may get a boost.

He explains: “Our favourite new build development in Nine Elms, which is also the site of the new US Embassy, may see an uptick in demand, should disillusioned wealthy and mobile US citizens seek relocation.

Will Trump's Win Boost London House Prices?

Will Trump’s Win Boost London House Prices?

“It will be interesting to see if changes in foreign exchange rates trump the Trump victory. Obviously it is difficult to call so early, but potential winners are Berkeley Group and London centric estate agents.”

Indeed, recent research suggests that London house prices in prime central locations will be boosted by Trump’s win.

For the rest of the UK, the effect is likely to be “limited”, he adds.

London property market 

Similarly, London Central Portfolio claims that Trump’s win will have a “net positive impact” on the London market.

It’s Chief Executive, Naomi Heaton, says: “Investors [will] retrench to blue-chip tangible assets as uncertainty on the political and economic stage is heightened once again.

“Jitters in global equity markets, driven by widespread speculation, will be countered by flights to safety, with gold, the yen and Swiss franc set to benefit.

“While the result will likely move the global spotlight away from Brexit, repercussions may be felt across Europe, with the prospect of anti-establishment votes becoming keener. At the same time, the likelihood of the UK Parliament thwarting the people’s mandate to exit the EU has dwindled.”

Further uncertainty

However, north London estate agent and former Residential Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Jeremy Leaf, believes that uncertain times are ahead.

“Even though Trump’s early words of reconciliation are encouraging, we are likely to see a further period of uncertainty, because he will not be able to take any decisive action until he assumes power in mid-January,” he explains.

“That is a concern – a further period of limbo until action is taken and in that time, markets are likely to remain in uncertain territory. This is particularly problematic, as it comes on the back of 18 months of limbo when the election result had been too close to call.

“The knock-on effect on sterling and the FTSE inevitably has an impact on confidence here, at a time when we’re already nervously anticipating the fallout from Brexit.”

He adds: “At the very least, it looks like we will have fewer transactions, tighter lending criteria, less housebuilding and higher rents, which is exactly the opposite of what we’re looking for at the moment.”

The Number of Million-Pound Houses in the UK Rises

Published On: November 7, 2016 at 11:34 am

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The number of million-pound houses in the UK rose by 12% in the first half of 2016 compared with the same period last year, according to a report from Lloyds Bank.

However, the study also found that the average price of a million-pound property has gone down over the last two years.

The average price of a home sold for more than £1m has dropped by £135,251 between 2014-16. The bank believes that the price drop was partly due to a reduction in sales at the higher end of the market.

The Number of Million-Pound Houses in the UK Rises

The Number of Million-Pound Houses in the UK Rises

During the first six months of 2016, 6,684 million-pound houses were sold – up by 12% on the 5,946 sold in the same period of 2015.

The average price of a property selling for more than £1m has dropped from £1,862,578 to £1,727,327 over the past two-year period.

Even so, a buyer paying the average price would have still owed the Government a whopping £121,000 in Stamp Duty. Based on the total number of sales, this suggests that the Government has earned £808.7m from buyers of million-pound houses.

Changes to Stamp Duty in December 2014 have made it more expensive for buyers to purchase a home worth more than £937,500.

Virginia Water in Surrey has been named as the only million-pound town in Britain, while Cobham and Beaconsfield have lost their previous year’s status.

The North East of England has recorded the greatest rise in the number of million-pound property sales, with a huge 83% increase – due to 11 purchases.

Unsurprisingly, more than nine in ten sales of million-pound houses were in London, the South East and East of England, with Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster leading the way.

The capital saw 4,238 sales of million-pound houses in the first half of the year.

Scotland was the only part of Britain to see a decline in the number of million-pound home sales, with a 33% decrease.

The Private Banking Director at Lloyds Bank, Sarah Deaves, says: “Over the past year, there’s been an increase in the number of houses being sold for more than £1m, but there’s also been a dip in the average house price at this level for two years in a row.

“The strength of the London economy, Stamp Duty changes and the attractiveness of UK prime property to overseas buyers could all play a part in the boost to sales at this level.”

Indeed, recent reports claim that US property buyers are seeking refuge in the UK market following this week’s election result.

The average house price in the UK is now £217,411, according to the latest House Price Index from Halifax.