Charlie Wells: 'The past few months have been the busiest in a decade'
Country houses and estates have been flying off the shelves since August, often without even reaching the open market, reports buying agent Charlie Wells - although the initial hysteria has now largely gone...

Charlie has over 20 years experience in the property market and has a reputation for discretion, honesty and professionalism. Always acting in the best interest of his clients, he has an uncanny ability to find the “best-in-class” whether it be a village, farm or manor house. Before joining Prime Purchase Charlie set up and ran the country house and farms sales office for an independent firm. He has also worked as a land and sporting agent. A true countryman, he has a full understanding of how the countryside works, and how it will impact on his clients enjoyment of their home. He is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Charlie Wells: On the return of the discretionary buyer
Discretionary buyers have returned to the country market, but they are finding themselves in firm competition with the needs-based buyer - making for a perfect storm...
Charlie Ellingworth: The big question in the property market is around offices
How businesses do business and employees live their lives in the brave new world will shape both the London and country residential markets, writes PV's Charlie Ellingworth.
A Decade In PCL: Top-performing pockets, postcodes & villages
How have London's most expensive districts fared over the last turbulent ten years; and which historic neighbourhood has claimed a seat at the top table...
By PrimeResi
Companies in this article
Prime PurchaseMost read
‘The rarest of opportunities’: Buyer sought for brace of historic mansions in London’s legal land
34,000 sq ft project on Lincoln’s Inn Fields offers diverse possibilities, including one of the capital’s grandest & most architecturally significant period homes.
How London’s super-rich will live in 2025, according to a buying agent
PCL specialist Ranjit Thaker predicts these four trends will be big with wealthy homeowners in the year ahead.
In Pictures: Luxury brokerage lists £40mn super-home at The Glebe
Buying an apartment at the record-breaking boutique scheme in Chelsea is 'like acquiring a da Vinci', says firm launching one of the biggest instructions of 2025 so far.
DDRE Global closes £67mn of deals in bumper January; signs more top-flight agents
One of London’s best-known property advisors, Simon Barnes, has joined Daniel Daggers' luxury brokerage.
Surprise result in £36mn Notting Hill moth mansion dispute
Judge rules super-prime home should be returned to the vendor after more than five years, in what lawyers call 'a really surprising' decision.
By PrimeResi
New Nine Elms tower ‘outperforming traditional prime postcodes’ as rental yields top 5%
Apartments at Zone One's tallest resi building were launched onto the market last year.
Savills Private Office adds sports, media & entertainment specialist
Hugh Maconochie has joined the agency's HNW-focused division to lead the Sports, Media and Entertainment team.
In Pictures: Hines reveals ‘visionary’ Thames-side mixed-use development
Trio of Foster + Partners-designed towers aims 'to push the standards of wellbeing beyond anything seen before in place design'.
By PrimeResi
INHOUS names new Head of London Sales & Searches
Former Marsh & Parsons and Black Brick agent steps up at David Johnson's agency.
By PrimeResi
How traditional estate agency businesses can future-proof their operations
A serious talent gap threatens the sustainability of the industry, warns property recruitment specialist Barry Collins, and firms will need to align with the evolving expectations of the current workforce…
LATEST ARTICLES
Interview: Laura Conduit of Farrer & Co on navigating the legal side of luxury property
'It’s about being a normal human being and not a stuffy lawyer'; PrimeResi meets the head of property at one of London's oldest & best-known law firms.
‘Signs of life’ in England & Wales housing market, but situation ‘deteriorating’ in London & the South East
A whole combination of factors - including stretched affordability, mortgage rates & non-dom changes – are acting to restrain prices in the capital, reports Acadata.
London resi veteran launches boutique buying agency
Matt Leitch's OQO London specialises in property searches & acquisitions for buyers & investors.
By PrimeResi
Housebuilder pounces on Bristol Zoo site with plans for 196 new homes
The historic site in Clifton has planning consent for 196 new homes.
By PrimeResi
Prime London Property Market Snapshot: Week 6, 2025
Nearly 50% more sales listings have seen asking price cuts so far in 2025 than in the first six weeks of 2024.
By PrimeResi