Main image: One of the earliest examples of an asset price bubble was the frenzy in the market for Dutch tulip bulbs in the seventeenth century — the so-called “Tulipmania”.
What economics has to say about housing bubbles
'Intuitively, a bubble (and this applies to any asset, not just real estate) exists when the price of an asset is over-inflated relative to some benchmark. And here’s the rub: no one can agree on what that benchmark should be'

‘Drastic changes’ needed ‘to fix Britain’s broken housing market’ – NAEA & ARLA
"The news is bleak" says the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) as it forecasts that home ownership will fall by 7% in the coming decade…
By Prime Resi
Total UK housing value jumped by nearly £500bn in 2016, but the landscape is shifting
The UK's £6.8tr housing stock is now worth 3.65 times Britain's GDP, says Savills
By Prime Resi
The Homes Front: Problems & policies of the UK housing market
Charging Capital Gains Tax on homes would be a significant improvement on the current stamp duty regime, argues the National Institute of Economic & Social Research's Dr Angus Armstrong in a thorough…
By Prime Resi
Most read
Caudwell brings in Dorchester Collection to manage 1 Mayfair
New agreement 'brings together Mayfair’s two most prestigious luxury destinations,' declares ultra-prime property developer.
By PrimeResi
Super-prime North London mansion frozen in international fraud probe
Luxury Avenue Road residence, City office block and West End flats among £130mn of London property identified in crackdown on alleged global fraud operation.
By PrimeResi
Agency reports rapid-fire £70mn sales run in Notting Hill
After a subdued start to the year, domestic buyers have sprung into action in W11, says Strutt & Parker's local team.
Wilfords brings in new Kensington & Chelsea sales boss
Independent agency boosts team and gears up for another office launch later this year.
Former Property Vision advisor launches Home Counties buying agency
Eddie Ruggles-Brise has set up an indie agency.
By PrimeResi
Interview: Inside the prime country house market with Knight Frank’s Oliver Rodbourne & Peter Edwards
As new wealth reshapes demand in high-end property markets from the Cotswolds to the Channel Islands, Knight Frank’s prime country experts reveal what’s changed - and what hasn’t.
Exploring the £4bn makeover that’s pushed Mayfair ‘back up to the top of the Monopoly board’
Luxury property developers & great estates are pouring millions into public realm improvements in Mayfair - making the historic area 'central London's third-biggest regeneration zone.'
By PrimeResi
Top-end buyers hit pause as Budget fears stall £5mn+ deals
Transactions at the upper end of the Prime London market were down by over 40% last month, reports LonRes, as the start of the autumn selling season falls flat.
Savills installs new Wimbledon chief
Stewart Harrison was previously Head of Sales for John D Wood in Wandsworth.
By PrimeResi
In Pictures: Mayfair mega-mansion with royal provenance seeks £25k per week
18th century townhouse on Charles Street is billed as 2025's finest super-luxury lettings listing.
LATEST ARTICLES
Borough by Borough: Charting short supply & rising prices in London’s housing market
CBRE's annual Borough by Borough report reveals a tapestry of local performance alongside over-arching trends shaping the capital's residential market.
By PrimeResi
Super-prime brokerage reports ‘strong sales with significant deals’ – transacting over £400mn in Q3
International buyers accounted for more than two-thirds of deals handled by UK Sotheby's International Realty.
Market Snapshot: Prime Regional, Q3 2025
Three key charts reveal what's happening on the ground ahead of a critical period for the high-end property markets beyond London.
Swiss start-up secures backing ‘to reinvent Europe’s luxury second home market’
Azuro has ambitions to 'deploy more than €50mn in real estate capital across Europe’s prime leisure regions.'
By PrimeResi
Adair names new chairman
Amit Oberoi will be helping to drive the property & construction consultancy's 'next phase of growth'.