SW15 home values fall slightly from peak levels

Local property prices seem to have fallen back from the all-time highs seen during the Summer according to the latest data from the Land Registry.

The average sale price in SW15 since the end of the third quarter of was £534,153. This is slightly below the average for the previous three months of £542,562 - a new record for the area.

According to the Land Registry London property prices are up by 6.8% in November compared to last year. This is the slowest annual rise in 2010 but remains the highest level in the country.

This brings the average property price to £341,009, in comparison to the figure for England and Wales, which is £164,773.

Andrew Nunn of Andrew Nunn & Associates said, "The 2010 market witnessed some very healthy prices being achieved due to a scarcity of supply. This became more severe as the year developed with potential sellers failing to find suitable alternative property. Demand surpassed expectation with domestic buyers benefiting from the recovery of the London financial sector and overseas buyers benefiting from exchange rates and uncertain home economies.

"Prime property is selling for record prices whilst secondary and tertiary property is more price sensitive. Should interest rates rise by the middle of 2011, a likely scenario given current and future inflationary pressure, then more supply will inevitably come to the market. Once buyers see they have choice then the market will calm down and we will see single figure price appreciation. The message is clear should you be thinking of selling in 2011 then take well informed advice early in the year and do not be suckered in to "the highest price" - it may work against you and remember the sentiment in any market can change very quickly"

For the country as a whole November's data shows a fall of 0.6%. This is the third consecutive month in which prices have fallen. The annual house price growth rate has continued to decline for the sixth month in a row, with an increase of 2.2%. This is the smallest growth seen in 12 months.

Nationwide's House Price index for December which is based on offer prices rather than actual sales like the Land Registry did show an increase.

Martin Gahbauer, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said, "When house prices are trending down only modestly rather than decisively – as has been the case in recent months – it is not unusual to a see a mixed pattern of monthly declines and occasional increases."

He added, "London and the South East saw particularly large price gains during this period (2010), as the scarcity of property was most acute in these regions. London will also have benefited from the strong recovery in the financial sector, which is an important driver of buyer confidence and housing demand in the capital."

Properties Sold in SW15 - October 2010

Copyright notice: All figures in this article are based on data released by the Land Registry. The numbers are derived from analysis performed by PutneySW15.com. Any use of these numbers should jointly attribute the Land Registry and PutneySW15.com.

April 4, 2011