The Curate’s Egg: Why the housing market headlines are well off the mark
What is happening at ground level is far too complex to be covered in a newspaper by-line, writes Saul Empson
Saul Empson is an independent property buying agent, offering a personal, bespoke service to a small group of private clients. He has been involved in the central London property market since 1985 and spent his first fifteen years as a selling agent selling residential property and running sales offices for some of the big high street names. In 1999 he made the switch to finding and buying property on behalf of clients instead of selling houses and has never looked back.
‘Que Sera, Sera…’: The future of the property market’s not ours to see
The entire property industry held its breath when the market reopened in March, but what happened next surprised even the most seasoned of agents, writes Saul Empson...
By Saul Empson
Four reasons to be optimistic about the prime London housing market
There will obviously be significant challenges for the industry and the wider economy in the months ahead, says LonRes, but a few fundamentals should put the prime market in good stead to recover once…
By PrimeResi
The London property market continues to tick along relatively robustly – and here’s why…
An awful lot of buyers who, having expected prices to fall like an anvil out of a window in a Tom and Jerry cartoon, are finding the choice of houses disappointing and prices far firmer than they had hoped,…
By Saul Empson
Companies in this article
HaringtonsMost read
‘Hundreds’ of luxury London flats set for sale after £2bn lender collapse
Around 250 property companies with assets across PCL now under administration.
Knight Frank names three new Proprietary Partners
Knightsbridge lettings head Arya Salari, capital markets specialist Eddie Thomas and lease advisory lead James Thistle step up.
Westminster to grant blanket retrofit consent for Eaton Square
Borough's first Listed Building Consent Order promises to allow 'retrofit at scale' on London's largest residential square.
By PrimeResi
FT: ‘We’re past the $200mn threshold’ – the rise of super-super prime property
'How much is mere showboating listing,' asks FT journalist Mark Ellwood - 'and how much higher can prices for single private properties actually be pushed?'
By PrimeResi
Buyer secures Dubai’s third most expensive apartment
The big-ticket off-plan deal comes amid escalating regional tensions.
By PrimeResi
Ten Years On: Assessing the ‘profound effect’ of the second home stamp duty surcharge
'Almost overnight, the market tilted away from investors,' says Hamptons, 'meaning far fewer homes have been added to the rented sector' in the last decade.
By PrimeResi
DDRE reports £89mn in sales so far in 2026; boosts headcount to 55
Expanding PCL brokerage chalks up big-ticket deals and lands first resi development instruction.
London Square launches latest SW London scheme
Hot on the heels of projects in Battersea and Brook Green, the Aldar-owned firm has debuted a 123-home development in Wimbledon.
Former CEO brings ‘significant whistleblowing case’ against Battersea Power Station owners
Lawyers say Don O’Sullivan's case 'raises very important questions about the integrity of financial reporting at Battersea', allegations that the company strongly denies.
By PrimeResi
$1bn & counting: Inside Manhattan’s ‘most successful’ luxury new development
PrimeResi gets a first look at the ultra-prime West Village scheme quietly racking up record-breaking deals.
LATEST ARTICLES
Former CEO brings ‘significant whistleblowing case’ against Battersea Power Station owners
Lawyers say Don O’Sullivan's case 'raises very important questions about the integrity of financial reporting at Battersea', allegations that the company strongly denies.
By PrimeResi
Top-end Thames City penthouse sets new rental price record
9,000 sq ft spread lands long-let tenant, achieving highest rental value yet seen in Nine Elms.
DDRE reports £89mn in sales so far in 2026; boosts headcount to 55
Expanding PCL brokerage chalks up big-ticket deals and lands first resi development instruction.
Buyer swoops on £19.95mn apartment at The OWO
Deal agreed in just seven days for Raffles-serviced residence at landmark Whitehall scheme.
Property Industry Reactions: BoE holds interest rates at 3.75%
Featuring insights on the MPC's unanimous vote from Savills, Knight Frank Finance, Chestertons, Foxtons, Rightmove & more.
By PrimeResi