Reproduced with the kind permission of the Land Registry

Musings of the best Upmarket London Property Finders

The Land Registry  house price statistics for August reflect the rosier ambience those of us involved in the property market have been experiencing for a number of months now.  Most significantly, the number of house sales at the top end, particularly those over £2 million are up year on year at 54 a month in London.  House prices in Westminster, which includes Mayfair, Marylebone, Bayswater and parts of Notting Hill are now down just 3.4% versus last year and we would expect them to end the year close to prices achieved in May 2008, when house prices in Westminster were at their peak.  The average home in Westminster is now worth £574,714 compared to £622,950 in May 2008.

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Tags: Latest London House Price Data, London House Prices, london house prices rise, London property, London Property Finder, London property finders, London property prices, London Property Prices Stable

Musings of a London Property Search Agent

Regular readers know that we have commented on the mini-boom in the London residential property market in recent weeks and the big question on all agents lips is whether or not it will continue.  The summer months usually mean buyers and sellers take a break from the property hunt while the kids are off school, but the heat wave this year has put a dampener on things as Londoners put off the big move in favour of relaxing in the sun.

For 5 or 6 weeks now, agents have been bemoaning the lack of property they have to sell and complaining about the ‘tens of buyers’ they have for every property.  Likewise, London Property Search Agents like ourselves have been predominantly doing off-market property deals for over a year now, but those who normally rely almost exclusively on estate agents have had to play catch up and try to adopt alternative means of finding property, as we do.

However with the heat wave predicted by many to continue into the weekend, viewings across London are down as would-be buyers ditch the property search for the pool, despite some forecasts predicting heavy showers again this weekend.   With a hot summer on the cards this year, agents and London Property Search Agents are wondering if the traditional summer lull will come early.

As for us, your friendly London Property Search Agents in the know, are thinking it may have already begun - which is great news for property hunters, hungry for a bargain unafraid of the heat.  Incidentally, all our cars have air-con, so no excuses then!

Technorati Tags: heatwave, London property, london property hunt, London Property Search Agent, London Property Search Agents, property hunt

Tags: heatwave, London property, london property hunt, London Property Search Agent, London Property Search Agents, property hunt

Musings of a London Property Finder

Gazumping is back with a vengeance and for property vendors who feel battered and bruised following nigh on two years of negative press and having to accept an offer significantly below what would have been acceptable 18 months ago, it can come as rather a nice surprise.  Particularly if the usurper comes with a big cash deposit and the supposed buyers have beaten the weary seller down on the price and are dragging their feet with surveys and legal work.

For the unwary buyers - it comes as a nasty shock, particularly if surveys have been completed and paid for and legal work initiated.  However for well-priced or unique properties gazumping is becoming more and more common this summer and in our mind, appears to have rather taken over from gazundering.  But perhaps that is because we only show our Clients well-priced or dream properties in the first place and give them a realistic valuation in the process!

Buyers wishing to avoid the heartache of gazumping should follow these simple steps to stress-free purchasing.

• Get an unbiased view on the value of the property involved and offer accordingly
• If you put in a low offer or the property is a dream home or unique in the area, be aware that gazumping could become an issue
• Ensure that the property is taken off the market once your offer is accepted.  Check the internet regularly and get friends to phone the agent to check it is not still being marketed in any way.  You should be able to get the vendor to sign an exclusivity deal, giving you time to get your survey and legal work done without further marketing.
• Exchange as quickly as possible, that means getting a survey quickly - we often have surveys carried out the following day.
• Ensure your mortgage broker and legal team understand that you want to move quickly and act appropriately.  2009 is not the time for snail mail.  what is £20 for a courier when it could help secure your fabulous new home.

If all this seems a little too much to cope with - you could employ London Property Finders, us for example!

Technorati Tags: Gazumping, London property, London property finders

Tags: Gazumping, London property, London property finders