Format: News

Tricksy times ahead for the prime property market, notes Chestertons, but there's still life in the long-term fortunes...

The European Central Bank's decision last month to make some more money could swing both ways for Britain's residential property market, says Chestertons' Nick Barnes.

Another significant resi development has been given the go-ahead near Smithfield market in Farringdon.

A grand total of 693 properties were sold in prime central London during Q4 2014, according to Strutt & Parker and Lonres. That's 32.5% down on the same period in 2013.

The RICS has confirmed what everyone else is seeing, reporting that the national and London markets are cooling right down with prices, enquiries and sales all tailing off in January.

"House price growth in England and Wales over 2014 was most definitely a London and southern based phenomenon," says Hamptons as it identifies the best-performing postcodes for property prices growth…

In its first update since the launch of challenger portal OnTheMarket.com, Zoopla has reported a year-on-year drop of 11% in the number of branches advertising stock on its platform.

Strutt & Parker has been making some interesting observations on PCL's new-build sales market.

Prime central London has - "contrary to generally downbeat reports in 2014" - delivered the highest level of property price growth since the economic recovery properly kicked off in 2010, says an optimistic London…

Australia will be unveiling plans to put the brakes on foreign investment into its resi property market "within weeks" in a bid to curtail soaring prices.

As developer Dukelease adds the finishing touches to its boutique 29-unit Hop House scheme in Covent Garden, it's reporting that nearly all of the apartments have been sold off-plan.

The Twentieth Century Society has submitted a listing application for Hyde Park Barracks to prevent the demolition of what it calls "a truly remarkable, innovative and singular group of buildings".