The Property Exchange

The current mood in the prime central London property market, encompassing the capital’s most ritzy areas such as Knightsbridge, St John’s Wood and Notting Hill, is far from upbeat.  New Winkworth research suggests that in some areas values are 20 to 30 percent lower than the price owners originally paid.  So where does the market go from here?  There is still activity, as property commentator Ann...

It’s clear the government’s housebuilding targets are nowhere near being met, with many developments stuck in a sclerotic planning system while housebuilders complain there are simply not enough incentives for them to put spades in the ground.  There’s also the issue of landlords pulling out of the rental market in the wake of the Renters Rights Act, leading to a shortage of rental property.  So w...

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is spearheading the Tories’ campaign to abolish stamp duty, which has risen greatly in recent years.  So what’s driving the policy, what impact would it have on the property market and how would it be paid for?  Sir Mel joins property commentator Anne Ashworth to discuss, along with Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace.

The Renters’ Rights Act takes effect on the first of May – the biggest reform to lettings for forty years.  ‘No fault’ evictions will be abolished and tenants’ rights strengthened.  Many landlords still don’t realise the full extent of their responsibilities, while others have already exited the market.  So how will the sector be affected?  To find out, property commentator Anne Ashworth is joined...

Towns like Petersfield in Hampshire were the favoured destinations for people moving out of London during the Covid lockdown, and five years later many rural markets are now regaining that allure.  Are the Cotswolds still the top destination, if not which other areas are becoming more favoured?  Can the countryside now rival London for good coffee and superior wi-fi?  To find out, property comment...

There’s been no shortage of despondency in the prime central London markets such as Belgravia, Mayfair and Chelsea, where prices have dipped by a fifth over the past decade.  So can the mood recover amid the gloom of non-dom tax changes and plans for a mansion tax? Many deals are indeed going ahead, with recent buyers including Elon Musk's co-founder of xAI.  So, what are the new occupants typical...

In Spring, people’s thoughts traditionally turn to moving house, but in 2026, will confidence be in short supply?  Many buyers have been feeling the pinch from higher taxes, and the possibility of more increases to come.  Against this background, a mortgage price war is raging as lenders compete for business, so what are the best deals on offer?  For the latest, property commentator Anne Ashworth...

There’s been increased interest in properties in what are fast becoming London’s super-suburbs – those desirable areas with strong village atmosphere, beautiful houses and good transport links.  Barnes in south-west London and Blackheath in the south-east are prime examples which also display strong community sprit.  This is particularly strong at this time of the year, as property commentator Ann...

The property market in London’s most expensive postcodes has taken a beating over the past few years, and pre-budget speculation about further tax rises hasn’t helped.  But  according to new Winkworth research, there is currently a lot more activity in what’s known as Prime Central London than might be thought.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth finds out more from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and...

It’s still possible to buy a family house in several parts of London for under half a million pounds, according to new Winkworth research.  In other parts of the country you can pick up something very substantial with this budget.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth talks through some of the key findings with Winkworth’s Charles Erwin, while Jake Strubel of Winkworth Haringey and Nick Martiny Robe...

What’s going on in the London lettings market?  Rents have risen much more sharply than house prices over the past few years, and threatened tax increases could force more buy-to-let landlords to leave the market, leading to even tighter supply.  We look at the impacts on exclusive Notting Hill, and its more affordable west London neighbour Shepherds Bush.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears...

For many Londoners, being near a good park or heath is now seen as even more important than being close to the tube, which was once the top requirement in the capital.  So does this mean that the ‘green space premium’ – the extra price you have to pay for a property overlooking, or at least very close to, the park - is even bigger than it used to be?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth finds out m...

As some of the super-wealthy non-doms leave London for tax reasons, who’s moving in to take their place?  We look at new Winkworth research which lifts the lid on who’s now sniffing a bargain after years of static or declining prices in the capital’s top neighbourhoods, with a particular focus on Pimlico and Westminster.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth is joined by Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace...

The imposition of Value Added Tax on private school fees at the beginning of this year is having a noticeable impact on the property market, in both expected and unexpected ways.  Some parents are spending less on housing to be able to afford the fees, while others are trying to move near the best state primary and secondary schools.  Joining property commentator Anne Ashworth to look in more deta...

Economists are agreed that further interest rate cuts are on the way, but how far and how fast?  Lenders are already engaged in a mini-mortgage price war, meanwhile the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ looks set to trickle record amounts into the market, as pension tax reforms bite.  Joining property commentator Anne Ashworth to discuss the impact of these trends are Winkworth Chief Executive Dominic Agace a...

People who want to move out of London for a different pace of life and more space can now look further afield, thanks to the rise of flexible working.  The hotspots for London leavers used to be Hampshire and Surrey. But now counties like Wiltshire are becoming increasingly popular, and realistic for a 2-3 days a week commute.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth finds out more from Winkworth Chief...

The Prime Central London property market has been subdued to say the least over the past few years, but lower prices and a strong dollar are now providing a strong incentive for US buyers to take the plunge.  The Knightsbridge area is attracting particular interest after a makeover by the area’s biggest landlord.  Property Commentator Anne Ashworth hears the latest about what’s going on in London’...

This time we look at the changing profile of who’s now buying in the property market, with a particular focus on first-time buyers and the popular Tooting market in south London. The Bank of Mum and Dad is currently very active as more empty-nesters decide to downsize, but buy-to-let investors are few and far between.  To find out more about the impact of these trends, property commentator Anne As...

What lies ahead for the property market in 2025?  There has been a lot of negativity about slower UK growth post-Budget, along with concern that interest rates could remain high for longer than originally expected.  But under the bonnet, are things rather more positive?   Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, and Head of Developments and Commercial Investments...

Most London  neighbourhoods try hard to put on a good show at Christmas, but we look at two that particularly stand out with Winkworth Chief Executive Dominic Agace, Bella Roupell from the South Kensington office and Charles Erwin of Winkworth Notting Hill.  And with suggestions for the best Christmas shopping streets and things to see, property commentator Anne Ashworth also talks to Carla Passin...

The budget turned out to be tough on businesses, but perhaps slightly less damaging to the property market than had been feared.  However interest rates are now expected to come down more slowly and there’s another stamp duty shocker for buy-to-let landlords.  So how’s the market reacting and what’s the advice for homebuyers?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth seeks answers from Winkworth Chief E...

Everyone knows that the forthcoming budget is going to be tough, with speculation chancellor Rachel Reeves will make changes to Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax.  She could also tighten up pensions relief and non-dom legislation amongst others.  So how is it all going to affect the property market?   Property commentator Anne Ashworth puts the questions to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Anth...

In 1974 the London property market was in the doldrums, with draconian rent controls holding back investment. The average house price was £9787.  In this special episode, property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth Chairman Simon Agace and his son Dominic, CEO.  They reflect on how and why the housing market, and the way estate agencies operate, have been transformed so dramatically over...

There was a time when most people commuting into London were looking for somewhere no more than an hour away, door to door – but no more.  With the rise of hybrid working post-pandemic, many will now contemplate a journey of up to two hours, if they only have to travel in three or four days a week.  So what does this mean for homebuyers and local property markets in the affected towns and cities,...

The new Labour government wants to get Britain building again by unblocking the planning system, creating new towns and allowing development on parts of the green belt. But can the inevitable opposition be overcome? Property commentator Anne Ashworth asks the questions, Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and managing director, developments and commercial investments Adam Stackhouse give some answers.