Market Overview
Prime Central London property prices fell by 0.4% in October, with an overall annual decline in prices to 2.3%. On the bright side, while prices may be falling, there is early evidence of increased demand from buyers.Sales volumes between £2m to £5m, for example, which is a bracket that has been hit relatively hard by previous stamp duty reform, were higher in October than in any month this year. The only exception to this was in March as transactions spiked ahead of the introduction of the additional rate of stamp duty in April for second homes. This increase in activity is very encouraging and demonstrates how quickly market sentiment can change. The market seems to have turned a corner, for now, as both buyers and sellers commit to deals as concern about the potential negative impact of Brexit is reduced, at least for now in the shorter term.
The triggering of Article 50 by the end of next March – which will formally start the UK’s exit procedure from the EU – could affect the market in two ways. It is possible it will create further turbulence and slow the market again, however it could lead to a further increase in activity over the next six months if investors take the view that the country’s economic prospects might take a turn for the worse.
Autumn Statement

Donald Trump
