The Housing Market in 2025: A Game of Two Halves… and a Tale of Two Londons

 

If you told me in January that by summer I’d be fighting to get viewings on well-presented, well-priced flats… I’d have laughed you out of the room.

But here we are.

The first half of this year and the second have been two entirely different worlds — and if you’re a seller right now, you need to hear this.

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Q1: The Golden Quarter

Coming back from the Christmas break, the market was electric.
I launched six properties on Boxing Day. By mid-January, five had sales memorandums in place. Solicitors were instructed, deals were moving, and most completed before the stamp duty deadline.

Homes didn’t just sell. They flew.
Buyers were motivated, serious, and ready to transact. Even ex-rental flats from landlords looking to exit the buy-to-let game moved quickly — a quick clean, good presentation, and they were gone.

It felt like the market had momentum. And then…

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Q2: The Brakes Slam On

By February, you could feel it. The energy had shifted.
Stamp duty changes were looming, and first-time buyers — the heartbeat of the housing chain — stepped away.

I kept listing properties, pricing them to sell, presenting them beautifully… and nothing happened.
Not tired, unmodernised flats — I’m talking about high-quality, move-in-ready homes. Still, the buyers didn’t come.

March? Quiet.
April? Worse.
By June, Rightmove reported a 41% drop in first-time buyer demand.

When first-time buyers disappear, the entire chain suffers:

• Second-time buyers can’t move without them.

• Chains collapse before they start.

• Properties sit on the market, gathering digital dust.

The only homes that still move? The unicorns — perfect location, perfect presentation, perfect price. Everything else? Stuck.

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Prime London: A Different Kind of Stuck

And it’s not just South London feeling it.
I network a lot in Chelsea, and the mood there is flat — and I don’t mean apartment flat.

When you’ve got a £5M, £8M house, you go with the big boys — Savills, Knight Frank, Strutt & Parker. But even they are struggling. Viewings are scarce. Offers are rarer still.

Here’s the thing: if you ask someone to take 10% off £5M, that’s half a million pounds. They’re not desperate to sell, so they won’t. They’ll sit tight until the market comes back.

And that’s why Land Registry will show average prices “falling” — because the only sales happening are at the lower end.
The £10M penthouses? They’re not selling at £7M. They’re not selling at all.

Flats are getting cheaper because they have to move. Houses are “holding value” — but only because they’re not transacting.

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The Wealth Drain

Meanwhile, rich overseas owners are packing up.
Dubai. Cyprus. Anywhere but the UK.

Why? Because the UK has turned into a hunting ground for the wealthy. Tax after tax, regulation after regulation — the political message is clear: you’re a target.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: if Prime Central London isn’t attracting wealth, investment, and confidence, the knock-on effect ripples across the whole housing market.

If the top end isn’t moving, where does the money flow from?
Will the magic printing press start whirring again? Or will we have to face the music?

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What Sellers Need to Know Now

Whether you’re in Streatham or Sloane Square, the same core truth applies: the game has changed.

If you’re selling now:

1. Be realistic on price — this is not the market for wishful thinking.

2. Fix flaws before listing — buyers have options, and they’re picky.

3. Understand timing — your property might take months, not weeks, to find the right buyer.

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Your Move

This isn’t doom and gloom for the sake of it. It’s reality.
Markets recover — but the winners are the ones who adapt early.

So if you’ve been trying to sell, or you’re thinking about it, ask yourself: is your home a unicorn in today’s market? Or does it need a strategy shift to stand out?

I’d love to hear from you — whether you’re selling in South London, Chelsea, or anywhere in between.
What are you seeing out there? Is it the same story for you?

Let’s talk in the comments.

Tenant fees are banned. Bad news for your lettings in Clapham and surrounds?

Well here we are, another bold move by the government for "Generation Rent." It seems you can't go a day without a picture of some poor tenant on the news saying "I paid thousands to move in to a property." To everyone who doesn't understand the concept, let me put the record straight. It is perfectly normal to have to pay a deposit (normally 6 weeks' rent), a month's rent in advance and then a fee to the agent to sort out all the paperwork. So in London where the average rent is £1500ish this would break down as £2100 deposit, £1500 and then say £350 for the agent. Yes, it's thousands of pounds, but this wasn't all for the agent was it? No... only about the equivalent of week's rent was for the agent. As people are renting for 2 years on average nowadays I don't think that's a big cost.

Why this draconian measure then? <sarcasm> Well the government was clearly so pleased with the results achieved in Scotland. All the tenants are now praising the government for banning these fees, which have now been passed on the landlords, and on to the tenants through higher rent. They really enjoy paying more rent. </sarcasm> 

Well done, own goal! The group they are trying to help has just been sold an expensive finance deal to pay the agency fees monthly. Plus interest of course. Clap. Clap. Clap. Sadly Generation Rent genuinely thinks this is a victory. Any attack on evil landlords and their agent counterparts is, of course, a move they support. In fact Shelter commissioned a study, which was quoted in a newspaper (I use this term loosely) claiming that rents didn't go up much, if at all. The validity of this statement is on par with the credibility of the paper that published it, namely the Mirror, article here. Interestingly they quote that the fee ban in Scotland has made no difference to rents, yet fail to reference where the data is on which they base this statement. The research was commissioned by Shelter, so by default I would say the data is biased. Campbell Robb, Shelter's chief executive, said banning fees was a welcome move:  "Millions of renters in England have felt the financial strain of unfair letting agent fees for far too long, so we are delighted with the government's decision to ban them. We have long been campaigning on this issue and it is great to see that the government has taken note," It's a move I wholeheartedly disagree with. We live in a Western, capitalist society and nothing is free. Simple. If you don't want to pay an agency fee then don't move house. Agency fees are subject to the supply and demand in the market. If they are too expensive customers will go elsewhere, we don't need the government intervening with this.

I am not alone in thinking this is a terrible move for renters. David Cox, MD of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has already warned that “…a ban on letting agent fees is a draconian measure, and will have a profoundly negative impact on the rental market." I think we can agree on the fact that the tenant will end up paying for this. You will see the BBC writes a more balanced article but one can't help but see the bigger picture here. It's simply a move to get sympathy from the "generation rent" and win some votes. Sadly this group largely consists of those that don't understand the bigger picture and the implication of such a move.

Actual figures from the Homelet Rental Index claim that the Scots are suffering the biggest rent increases outside of the M25!! Article here. In a nutshell, rent increases within Greater London about 7.9%, rest of UK 4.9% and Scotland 7.7%! So there you have it. I believe this will be a great way for landlords to increase their rents and then some. Along with the Tenant Tax, which will come into effect tax year 2017-2018, this is certain to make rents rise by double digit figures in London come summer of 2019 compared to the year prior. I predict that once landlords start paying those Self-Assessment tax demands due by Jan 31st 2019 they will realise in cold hard cash what these taxes are costing and implement knee-jerk rent rises. The thing is it will be done en masse, so tenants will be hard up to find value for money in the summer of 2019 the busiest time of the year in terms of demand.

So what do I do now? Well sit tight and see how the bigger London agencies react to this news, I trust the rest of the country will follow. Will letting a property through an agency cost the landlord more? According to Shelter's report 10% of Scottish agents have found some kind of work-around, but as they are in the minority I doubt this is a "reputable" way to go. I will sit and watch to see the market does with great interest. What I do know is that the tenant will ending paying for it in the end...! Hopefully investors will see a ban on arrangement fees from mortgage companies and solicitor fees for conveyancing... Ah no, we are sensible and understand capitalism and that you can't get something for nothing (!)

I am a career property professional, helping landlord investors build profitable portfolios. If you  are interested in learning more about growing your investments wisely then do get in touch. I offer a range of investment options to help you grow your portfolio. It can be as hands-off or hands-on as you like. Get in touch on jeroen@claphampropertyblog.com or come down to the Clapham Property Meet and learn more about getting the best returns in the London property market.

BTS, BTL, Single Let, Multi-let, HMO, BMV, LTV - what?

If you're new to the investment arena you will have more acronyms thrown at you than you can count. Difficult of course to make sense of it all. The acronyms you'll be dealing with will be largely related to your strategy - Buy to Sell or Buy to let. Single let (letting as one unit to one (set of) tenant(s)) or multi-let (letting individual rooms), which can be classed as a House in multiple Occupation (think lots of bedsits - but realistically these have drastically improved now). Buying Below Market Value is always preferred but difficult in London of course where demand is so high. And ultimately your leverage will determine your Loan to Value %. Banks reward lower LTVs with a better interest rate, although the flipside is that "leaving a lot of money in a property" means you aren't investing it elsewhere. You are paying 4% interest - can you get a better return if you borrow that money and invest in another project? I would hope so!

So... have you thought about your investment strategy? Are you looking to buy for the long term gain or hoping to flip things around quickly? Do drop me a line if you fancy a chat or give me a call in the office on 020 3367 4474. I'd love to talk to you about your next investment. I'm on jeroen@claphampropertyblog.com. If you need advice or if you would like to run a deal or scenario past me please do so. I'm all ears.

Emerging Outer Prime - 3bed SW9 6%yield STILL ON MARKET - BUY NOW!

I've been absolutely inundated with requests for larger properties in readiness for the summer market. The summer market always brings out the students and hopeful graduates in search of accommodation to share with their friends. As my colleagues and I have said in the past, the properties with the lowest voids are generally the “better value” ones as opposed to top or bottom of the range. Nobody wants a Lada, few can afford a Rolls...

I have found something in exceedingly average condition that you could buy and do nothing to. In its current condition it would probably let for £380-400ish per week, which means a 6% yield at asking price. Or perhaps in the order of £425pw when you've spent money. Same yield, so why bother really?

It is very similar to the recent one I posted on Saxby Road, and with a little bit of work could fetch a lot more. To you Mr/Mrs Investor the choice to refurbish or not. New bathroom, mew kitchen and redecoration throughout would set you back in the order of £20k I would have thought. But don’t go too far. You don’t want to present a Rolls Royce to the market, only to end up with would-be tenants after a nicer block for their money, or something closer to the station. Match quality with location and your target audience - 1st jobbers and students aren’t after Villeroy and Boch, they want value for money. Clean, tidy, presentable with half decent furniture goes a long way. And please, no IKEA, it doesn't last the test of time. Wood laminate is passe, even for the early twentysomethingers. Solid wood (not mahogany or oak, let’s not get too excited) looks expensive but isn't and it lasts!

Check out this ideal investment in what my colleagues and I like to refer to as “Emerging Outer Prime Market” territory. Further from the station, better value. Cyclists and bus-goers rejoice in this bargain beauty:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50972900.html

Bear in mind this one is still on the market despite us posting it a month ago - surely a bargain is to be had here on price!! Make this vendor an offer they can't refuse and get completed before the August Rush. We're nearly in May so considering 8-10 weeks of conveyancing it will be ready in the nick of time for peak demand. My colleague Brook was on to a winner here. Nobody has picked up on that yet. Will you get in there with a cheeky bid now this vendor has had ample time to market and nobody is realising the potential of this great rentable flat?

Call me or email me for further advice on Buy-to-Let opportunities, investments, or tenancy matters on jeroen@xandermatthew.com or 020 3397 2099.

Your Pension and the Clapham Property Market

Pension rules are changing this April. It certainly ruffled some feathers and caused a flurry of enquiries to my inbox with people asking questions about it. This week, I want to look a little deeper into the subject of your pension and the Clapham property market. George Osbourne, in last years’ Budget, announced pension reforms that come into effect this April, which will give people with pensions unprecedented access to their pension pot and the freedom to look for alternatives. In a nutshell, after the 6th of April, anyone aged over 55 will be allowed to withdraw all or part of their pension pot and spend it as they wish. Until now, you were allowed to take out a quarter of it and were forced to buy an annuity policy with the rest.

However, my readers always know that I like to tell it ‘as it is’. There are always two sides to a story, good and bad. Let me tell you the bad news first. There are some hefty tax implications by taking money from your pension pot. As before, as per the old rules, the first 25% can still be withdrawn from the pension pot tax free but, here is the sting in the tail, if you take more than a quarter of your pot (25%), anything above that initial 25% level will be taxed as income. So if you took the whole lot out, the first 25% will be tax free but the remaining 75% will be taxed at your income tax rate of 20%, 40% (or even 45% if you earn over £150,000 a year)

.

.. and now the good news!

Under the old scheme, if you bought an annuity, when you died your annuity normally died as well. You would have no asset to pass on to your family. Also, the returns from pensions are awful at the moment. The best rates according to Hargreaves and Lansdown (big wigs in the City) state if you were 55 years old, the best rate you would get on your annuity pension would be 4.4% fixed for life (so it would never go up) or 2.2% but the payment would go up with inflation. The sort of rates (also known as yields in the property investing game) being achieved in Clapham are in the order of 2% to 4.3%. 

The other aspect of property investment is how the fact property values have risen consistently over the last 50 years. According to the Office of National Statistics, the life expectancy of a 65 year old male in Clapham is 18 years and 2 months. If we roll the clock back 18 years 2 months to January 1997, property values in Clapham have risen by 474.05% to today .. you wouldn’t have had that with your pension! But this is the biggest win, even by taking a hit in income tax now, by buying a property, you buy an asset that you can pass on to your family when you die.... (or the cats home if they aren’t nice to you!).

So where next? It totally depends which strategy you are going to look at, one strategy is to look to achieve relatively small rental returns (ie low yields) in an up market area which has decent capital growth or, alternatively, another strategy is to buy properties in not so good areas known to produce a high returns (ie high yields) but low capital growth (ie how much the value of the property goes up).

So if you want to hear more drop me a line and make investing a worthwhile task.

Jeroen Hoppe
Director
XanderMatthew

Property on the Oaklands Estate outperforms Abbeville Road SW4

What would you choose? A beautiful period property situated in a desirable location, or an ex-local authority in a block? A good question for those new to investment and seasoned investors alike. Most investors prefer one or the other, for different reasons. One may prefer ex-local authority for its better rental yield, and others capital gains from period property. Historically there has always been a trade-off. Is that still true today?

Having taken a sample of data from the Oaklands Estate and Abbeville road for comparison:

Flat 4 Selby House Oaklands Estate, SW4 8AN was sold in 2000 for 118,000 and then again in 2007 for £279,950. This represents an annual capital growth of 13.18%. (It had been sold prior to 2000 but this figure is likely to include the right to buy discount, so was ignored). Our comparison property: 16a Abbeville Road SW4 9NJ was sold in 2000 for 285000 and then resold in 2007 for 555,000, representing a capital gain of 9.99% annually. Both properties are 3 bedroom leasehold flats.

It is very unusual to find that a purpose-built property that outperforms a period property over the same time period. On the face of it therefore the ex-local authority property seems to be a winner. But the real win here isn't just in the capital appreciation, there’s more.

You see with a lower purchase price from the outset and similar rental yields the real reason that an ex-local authority flat is a sound investment is simply because you can buy more of them. You can buy 2.5 flats in Selby House with the deposit you were going to put down on Abbeville road. So not only are you winning by capital appreciation, you will be doing it at a rate 2.5x greater than the investor who chooses a period property.

In the past period properties have outperformed flats in purpose-built blocks – but as the above illustrates this trend is coming to an end. With more first time buyers struggling to get on the housing ladder the demand for (relatively) cheaper homes has risen substantially. This increase in demand has led to a dramatic valuation increase for ex-local authority properties. Do bear in mind that the increase in valuation will only be capitalised upon re-mortgage or resale, and point to note is that period properties did hold their value better in the recession, but if you are not looking to exit the market in the next 10-15 years they are certainly a safe bet today.

So next time you are looking at a period property for investment, think again. One period property for two ex-local authority properties. Double your winnings? I do believe so.

If you are looking at a buy-to-let investment and need some assistance crunching the numbers do get in touch. I’m always happy to help and assist you source a viable investment in order for you to get the best out of the property market.

Jeroen Hoppe

Company Director

XanderMatthew

Excellent 3bed ex-local authority maisonette with garden - Clapham North SW9

Another stunner! I came across this one this morning and it is even more attractive than the one from earlier in the week. A three bedroom, split-level, maisonette in Clapham North, right next to the tube station. We have had similar properties in the past, which have achieved offers in excess of the asking price simply due to high yield. With an asking price of £365,000 and a location adjacent to Clapham North Tube and an estimated rental of £475pw it works out to 6.8% gross yield at asking price.

Interested yet?

Click here for full details

Remember if you are looking at this investment, or others, feel free to drop me a line either here on the blog or privately via email or give me a ring on 020 3397 2099.

Rent controls, do we need them to stop rents from spiralling out of control?

Not a day goes by that we don't hear about the London property market, and namely that rents are astronomically high. Higher than other parts of the country of course. But so are earnings; and food; and transport; and everything for that matter. We are frequently hearing from tenant action groups calling for lowered rents and a fairer deal for tenants. But what about landlords? Nobody is campaigning for lower mortgages and better laws to stop tenants from withholding rents and so forth...

The latest comes in the leadup to the elections with Labour touting Rent Controls as the latest gimmick to sway voters. Or renters should I say. I can't imagine that many landlords would embrace the idea of the government telling them how much rent they can earn from their investment. That's like the government interfering with the stock market, limiting the rise and fall of share prices.

One argues that renters are being squeezed out due to rents being unaffordable, and research suggests* that 77% of private tenants are in favour of rent controls. This would offer them a fairer deal. In the short term. If rent controls are introduced it would no doubt restrict the number of BTL investors, thus reducing the number of homes to rent. Less choice. Which is bad for consumers, in this case the would-be tenants. And consumers/tenants love choice. I can tell you a thing about that, it takes quite a few viewings before a tenant makes a decision on where to live! 20 viewings is not uncommon.

But as the Telegraph would suggest there is no problem to fix. There is no evidence that would-be homeowners are being pushed out of the market. With various help-to-buy schemes helping to fund deposits and so forth there is plenty of assistance. Would rent controls aid this further? Arguable.

With the elections upon us in the not all too distant future we are finding ourselves under attack by promises of fairer deals, lower taxes, more job opportunities, better education and so forth. But if we read past the headlines and the bold statements, does it hold water?


* Source: The Telegraph Online

Excellent, a high yielding 3bed maisonette in Stockwell SW8/SW9 Borders

I came across this one this morning and it is absolutely beautiful. Financially of course. A three bedroom, split-level, maisonette in Stockwell. We have had similar properties in the past, which have achieved offers in excess of the asking price simply due to high yield. To see one available at this price is excellent, and certainly deserves attention at this price. With an asking price of £279,950 and an estimated rental of £450pw it works out to 8.4% gross yield at asking price.

Interested yet?

Remember if you are looking at this investment, or others, feel free to drop me a line either here on the blog or privately via email on jeroen@xandermatthew.com or give me a ring on 020 3397 2099.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50225552.html

Another great investment property!

Well, Christmas out of the way and it’s back on the investment bandwagon! I hope everyone had a welcome break. It certainly looks like the December blues are gone in the London property market and there are some lovely properties to be had.

I came across this particular one with Andrews the other day and I must say it is a charming flat. We have let before in Chalmer’s House and can assure despite it’s rather typical 1930s Art-Deco looks it boasts a host of other things. Rooms are spacious and there is a gym and a roof terrace for residents to enjoy. A lovely property to live in and hence popular with tenants, despite being a little further from Clapham Junction than one would like. Appealing to a slightly more mature tenant who can appreciate better value slightly further from the station this one is sound to attract a good quality tenant. Estimated rental income £350-£375pw, making this one yield 4.9%-5.2% gross at asking price. Not the highest yield in the world, granted, but looking at the photos there is not much more to do than furnish it with some good quality furniture. Bathroom, kitchen and general décor is A*. Happy bidding fellow investors! http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32411193.html

If you've spotted a buy-to-let opportunity or need impartial advice regarding your current property portfolio, feel free to give me a call on 020 3397 2099 or email me at jeroen@xandermatthew.com.

6.8% rental yield in Clapham South

This four bedroom flat in Poynders Garden SW4 has just come onto the market with Foxtons, at an asking price of £399,950.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49501853.html

Finished to a reasonable standard, with four good size double bedrooms, a large reception room, and within easy walking distance of Clapham South (Northern Line) and Balham (London Victoria), the property would make an ideal home for professional sharers. 

After studying the floorplan and noting the lack of a bathroom photograph, it seems unlikely that it includes a shower - something most sharers would consider essential. A bathroom refit should be considered if you want to make the property as attractive as possible to prospective tenants. After making minor changes a weekly rent of £525 would be achievable, offering a 6.8% yield at asking price. The recent stamp duty reform also represents a saving of £2,000 when compared to the old 'slab' system.

If you've spotted a buy-to-let opportunity or need impartial advice regarding your current property portfolio, feel free to give me a call on 020 3397 2099 or email me at jeroen@xandermatthew.com.

Auction: 5 bed between Clapham and Wandsworth Commons

This five bedroom terraced house in Mayford Road SW12 is available via Barnard Marcus Auctions and goes under the hammer on 16th December.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49351424.html

The property appears to be in reasonable condition - an empty shell ready to be turned into the superb family home that the location warrants. Mayford Road is very highly regarded and is just a stone's throw from Wandsworth Common Station (for London Victoria) and easy walking distance from Balham Station for the Northern Line. 

With a guide price of £900,000, it's a potentially lucrative investment opportunity. In February 2014, a five bedroom terraced house in Mayford Road, finished to an extremely high standard throughout, sold for £1,795,000, while another comparable four bedroom property is currently on the market with an asking price of £1,650,000.

Viewings with Barnard Marcus Auctions are scheduled for 1.30pm on the following dates:

Friday 5th December

Tuesday 9th December

Thursday 11th December

Monday 15th December

If you're a developer or buy-to-let landlord who's spotted a potential investment opportunity, why not ask my opinion with no obligation? Give me a call on 020 3397 2099 or email me at jeroen@xandermatthew.com.

Buy-To-Let bargain

Just a quick one from me today - blog followers will remember this three bedroom flat in Camberwell from a couple of weeks ago. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49183244.html

The asking price has now been reduced from £335,000 to O.I.E.O £300,000. This represents a potential rental yield of up to 6.7%, a great opportunity for any buy-to-let investor. 

If you're a landlord or developer who's spotted a property with investment potential, email the web link to jeroen@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my opinion. 

Buy-To-Let in Streatham Hill

This two bedroom flat in Streatham Hill has been on the market with Haart for just over a month, and was reduced today from £295,000 to £288,000.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46638283.html

The ground floor flat in Balcombe House, SW2 is within walking distance of Streatham Hill station (for London Victoria) and offers two good size double bedrooms as well as a large reception room. In the current rental market it could be expected to achieve £1,400pcm, offering a 5.8% yield at asking price. 

It's not uncommon for properties in the £250,000 - £300,000 range to have difficulty attracting buyers because of the stamp duty threshold. It's likely that the vendor would entertain offers lower than the asking price, enabling a buy-to-let investor to maximise their yield.

Thinking of buying, selling or letting? Ask my opinion with no obligation by giving me a call on 020 3397 2099, or email me at jeroen@xandermatthew.com.

Development opportunity on Cavendish Road

The lots for December's auctions have been released, and this four bedroom property in Balham SW12 looks to be one of the best opportunities available for developers and investors.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32958450.html

The property on Cavendish Road goes under the hammer on Wednesday 10th December with Auction House London, with a guide price of £675,000. It's available with 124 years remaining on the lease, and planning permission has already been granted to create a separate lower ground floor two bedroom flat in addition to extending the existing two bedroom garden flat. 

With its enviable location close to Clapham South Tube (Northern Line) and The Common itself, two bedroom period flats on Cavendish Road can fetch anywhere from £500,000 to £700,000, depending on condition and outside space. 

Viewings can be booked with Auction House London (020 8012 3603) and are scheduled for the following times:

Thursday 27th November 14:30

Monday 1st December 13:30

Thursday 4th December 14:30

Monday 8th December 13:30

If you have your eye on a development or buy-to-let opportunity, why not get a second opinion? Email the Rightmove or Zoopla link to jeroen@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my thoughts.

7% yield in Brixton

This four bedroom flat in SW2 is available through Beresford Residential with an asking price of £375,000. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49181534.html

At over 1,000 sq. ft. and offering four good size double bedrooms plus a reception room, it would make an ideal buy-to-let property. If there's one downside it's the lack of public transport links in the immediate area. Potential tenants would have a 15 minute walk to the nearest train station, but given the demand for four bedroom properties this shouldn't be problematic.

At this time of year it could be expected to achieve in the region of £480 per week, but in the peak summer rental market where sharers are willing to pay a premium for three and four bedroom properties, £525 per week wouldn't be unrealistic. This represents a fantastic 7.3% yield at asking price. 

If you've spotted a buy-to-let or development opportunity in SW London, give us a call on 020 3397 2099 for free advice with no obligation. 

Buy-to-let with 6%+ yield

Something a bit different for the blog today, as it's the first time I've posted a property that's on the market with my own agency! Trust me, if you're a buy-to-let investor it's worth a look. The property in question is a three bedroom ex-local authority flat on the market with an asking price of £335,000, and is available chain free for a prompt sale.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49079678.html

With three good sized double bedrooms and a large reception room, it would be an ideal home for professional sharers. Located in Camberwell SE5, the property is within easy walking distance of several stations as well as Kings College Hospital. It could be expected to rent for £390 per week, offering a 6% yield at asking price.

Thinking of buying, selling or letting? Why not ask my opinion with no obligation? Email me in confidence at kevin@xandermatthew.com or call me on 020 3397 2099.

Auction Lot: Victorian terraced house in Balham SW12

This four bedroom Victorian terraced house on Calbourne Road is available via Barnard Marcus Auctions and goes under the hammer next Monday 17th November, with a guide price of £775,000. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48977084.html

Calbourne Road is very highly regarded. Located within a few hundred yards of Wandsworth Common and Balham stations it offers an easy commute to London Victoria and London Bridge via the Northern Line. The property is comprised of four bedrooms, two reception rooms, cellar, kitchen, bathroom and rear garden. Requiring complete refurbishment, a developer could turn it into a superb family home and see a sizeable return on their investment. 

Given that an immaculate four bedroom property on the same road recently sold for £1,365,000, my advice would be to go and take a look. Barnard Marcus are conducting viewings at 10.30am on Wednesday 12th and Friday 14th November.

SOLD: August 2014

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=39327772&sale=52152977&country=england

If you're a developer or landlord who's spotted an investment opportunity, email me the web link to kevin@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my honest opinion. 

The best ex-local flat I've seen in a while. A stunner

Those were the words of one of my colleagues in the lettings department when he came across this property this morning. I'd have to agree.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48961985.html

At almost 1,000 sq. ft. with three good size double bedrooms, a study and large reception room all finished to an excellent standard, this Brixton flat would make a superb home for professional tenants. The block itself is well maintained, as is the surrounding area, and lies just 400 yards from Brixton tube (Victoria Line). 

Available for offers in excess of £375,000, the flat would fetch £475 per week in the current rental market offering an attractive yield of 6.6%. 

If you're thinking of purchasing a buy-to-let or development property then why not ask my opinion with no obligation? Email me in confidence at kevin@xandermatthew.com or call me on 020 3397 2099.

How much? £144,000 annual salary needed to buy in Wandsworth.

I came across this article in The Wandsworth Guardian this morning and thought it was worth sharing. In order to buy an average Wandsworth property, an individual or family has to earn an annual household income of £143,534. 

Northcote Road in Battersea

The stats are perhaps slightly exaggerated. In the current sales market the average buyer usually has a deposit considerably higher than the 5% quoted, often supported by The Bank of Mum and Dad who worry that it's a case of "now or never" for their child to get on the property ladder. Regardless, the figures are still staggering.

The good news for buy-to-let landlords is that with more and more young professionals and families resigning themselves to renting for the foreseeable future, there are excellent opportunities for both high rental yield and capital growth. If you come across a property that interests you on Rightmove or Zoopla, send the link to me at kevin@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my honest opinion.