The Property Exchange

The presence of a good school has always had an impact on an area’s housing market – but with Labour pledging to impose 20% VAT on private school fees if it wins the election, the effect could become even greater.  In this episode Winkworth Chief Executive Dominic Agace talks to property commentator Anne Ashworth about the concerns now being raised by homebuyers, and the impact on house prices in...

For many homebuyers, this month’s Chelsea Flower Show has once again turned the spotlight on the garden – do we still want paving and formality, or is the natural look back?  Are artificial lawns a huge convenience, or a complete no-no?  The pandemic heightened the British passion for gardens and the trend has continued.  In this episode, property commentator Anne Ashworth is joined by Dominic Aga...

The pandemic sparked a flight out of town for the green space of the countryside – but is this trend continuing or has it gone into reverse?   Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Anthony Beecheno from Winkworth Petersfield. They’re joined by special guest Mark Hedges, the editor of Country Life, who has some interesting insights on what to do, and what not...

General elections often impact property market activity, but not always in the way you might expect.  Sometimes the Tories are good for the market, sometimes Labour.  So, what should we expect in this General Election year?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, who reveals the results of some specially-commissioned research, while Aaron Strutt from Trinity Fin...

In this episode, we focus on the areas offering great value compared to their posher neighbours close by.  Pimlico and Crystal Palace are very different districts of London, but what they have in common is that they offer many properties similar to those in neighbouring Belgravia and Dulwich respectively - but at much more affordable prices. Property commentator Anne Ashworth asks the questions, a...

2023 saw house prices in many areas holding up much better than many predicted.  But what does that tell us about the likely outlook for 2024?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, and hears about London’s overheated rental market from Lucinda Richardson, lettings director at Winkworth Notting Hill – are things finally cooling down?

The pandemic has hastened the demise of many high streets, but others have evolved into thriving new neighbourhood spots, with independent shops, artisan bakeries and cafés.  Around Christmastime these vibrant districts usually make a real effort to bring festive cheer with attractive decorations and lights.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears about what others can learn from two such areas,...

With some signs of prices stabilising in the property market, what is the outlook for 2024?  And what, if anything, should Chancellor Jeremy Hunt be saying in his autumn statement?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth looks at the prospects with Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Adam Stackhouse, managing director developments and commercial investments.

The private rentals market is broken – especially in London where demand is highest, rents have risen fastest and there can be 20 applicants for every available property.  So what measures at a national and local level could ease the pressure?  And what’s it like on the ground - what happens to would-be renters who are squeezed out, and are rising rents finally attracting a new generation of landl...

With the Autumn Statement looming, and a General Election expected next year, what does the government need to do to reinvigorate the property market?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and head of Developments and Commercial Investments Adam Stackhouse, with their own manifesto – some realistic proposals that could make a real difference to buyers, renters...

London’s top schools have always been a big factor behind the appeal of the city’s prime residential areas, not just for locals but for international buyers too.  So, which are seen as the schools with the biggest allure, and do you need to move nearby to do the best for your children?  What are the other factors to consider?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Dominic Agace, CEO of Winkw...

Properties in Britain’s seaside towns and villages were much in demand during the pandemic, but does that remain the case?  With increasing concern about the environmental impact of overseas holidays, some argue UK resorts could be set for a big revival.  To look at the pros and cons for homebuyers, property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, and Simon Barnes of Winkwo...

Why home-buyers are flocking to the so-called one-stop cities – where there are plenty of good opportunities to both live and work, thus avoiding the big commute.  We focus on Exeter and Norwich, which both have historic city centres, and nearby seaside.  These cities are within reach of London if needbe, but with a good range of jobs so you can work close to home.  Property commentator Anne Ashwo...

We look at the offices, shops and other commercial sites that developers are eyeing up to turn into homes, to meet the demand for new housing.  What are the new trends that are emerging and what are the obstacles from central and local government?  From Queensway to Canada Water and from Wood Green to Battersea Power Station, there are projects of all shapes and sizes, so what are the opportunitie...

Some of London’s most attractive suburbs are now unaffordable for the majority of buyers.  So what are the alternatives?   In this episode we look at the areas which offer equally attractive properties, but are much more affordable than their neighbours.  We focus a particular spotlight on Queen’s Park in the north-west of the capital, where there’s been an influx of buyers from Notting Hill, and...

Property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Anthony Emmerson of mortgage brokers Trinity Financial ahead of Jeremy Hunt’s March budget.  In the current more subdued property market, there are some signs of improvement with mortgage costs coming down from their peaks.  But what are the steps the housing sector needs from the government to get housebuilders to build m...

Rents for houses and flats in London have risen to record levels, as landlords pull out of the market following a loss of tax relief and tightening regulation.  There are stories of dozens of disappointed applicants for every property in some areas.  How long can this continue before tenants are simply unable to afford to pay more?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth CEO Dominic...

In this episode, the Winkworth team questions whether some of the doom-laden forecasts for house prices in 2023 are justified.  CEO Dominic Agace and Development and Commercial Director Adam Stackhouse join property commentator Anne Ashworth to chew over the various trends, with insights into what’s really going on at grassroots level.  Will the continuing shortage of stock in the market help coun...

Seven seconds is apparently the average amount of time it takes for a potential buyer to either fall in love with a property – or want to walk away.  So is it worth ‘staging’ your property like they do in America to get a better price?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Charles Erwin of Winkworth’s Notting Hill office about what some of the UK’s most demanding buyers are now looking fo...

The disastrous Truss/Kwarteng mini-budget in late September sent shockwaves through the economy, with interest rates rising sharply and many mortgage offers being withdrawn by the banks.  In this episode, property commentator Anne Ashworth is joined by Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Head of Developments and Commercial Investments Adam Stackhouse, to look at what is emerging from the gloom, after...

This time, we focus on the impact on the property market of The Elizabeth Line, the new east-west London rail link, and in particular for Reading – right at the line’s west end.  Property Commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and James Hathaway, who heads up Winkworth's Reading office.  Post-pandemic, do good transport links still play such an important part in the home-bu...

London’s most desirable villages are located close to the heart of the city, and boast green spaces, lively high streets and strong communities as well as gorgeous homes.  What are the latest trends, and what are buyers looking for when they gravitate towards areas like Maida Vale, Fitzrovia and Covent Garden?  Property Commentator Anne Ashworth gets an in-depth guide from Rod Heffernan of Winkwor...

Is a renaissance taking place in the High Streets and commercial districts of London and other cities, or will rising interest rates wreak havoc? Property Commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Adam Stackhouse, Head of Developments and Commercial Investments about the outlook for offices, shops, warehouses and mixed-use schemes. What types of commercial property are e...

More and more of us seem to want to live beside the seaside. Coastal towns have always been popular, but as property commentator Anne Ashworth finds out from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, the mental health and wellbeing benefits are now coming increasingly to the fore. Richard Blake from Winkworth’s Dartmouth office takes us on a virtual tour of his area, and explains why Brixham is the new cool sp...

Living near one of London’s green spaces has become more popular than ever before. Property Commentator Anne Ashworth speaks to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace about what’s driving the increasing price premiums post-pandemic. They are joined by Steve Brown, head of Winkworth Blackheath, to take an in-depth look at the area’s appeal - as we hear about some unexpected sporting and historical facts.