Kensington & Chelsea Property Market Report Q4 2017

Welcome to our quarterly Kensington & Chelsea property market report Q4 2017. The report covers the Notting Hill, Holland Park, Kensington, North Kensington, Queens Park and Kensal Rise areas of London (W2, W8, W10, W11, W14, NW6 and NW10).

Overview of Kensington & Chelsea property market

The picture in Kensington & Chelsea is one of a subdued property market. Prices have fallen more than 5% since this time last year and properties are lingering on the market longer, with 71% of properties on the market for more than three months.

However, the picture isn’t all gloomy. The volume of stock available on the market is up 4.1% on last year and there are 1.6% more transactions than this time last year. Compared with five years ago, prices are nearly 15% higher.

So, although the market is showing signs of life things are moving slowly; buyers are cautious and on the lookout for good value. We are in a buyers’ market so it’s crucial for sellers to be realistic with their price expectations. They should also be prepared to be flexible with both price and timing in order to secure a buyer.

Headline figures compared to Q4 2016

– 5.3% annual change in achieved price
+ 1.6% annual change in transactions
£1,213 average achieved £ per square foot
4 % average discount on initial asking price
1% annual change in the number of available properties

Key statistics in Kensington & Chelsea

Average flat prices are now 14.8% higher than they were five years ago.
Buyers are paying £152 more per square foot than 5 years ago.
4% of properties were sold within three months, compared with 21.4% for the whole central London.
Properties sold in the last three months achieved an average price of £1,122,439 for flats and £3,335,754 for houses

Current availability in Kensington & Chelsea

71% of property has been on the market for over three months (up from 65% last quarter)
2% of property has been on the market for more than six months
1% of properties on the market have been reduced in price
1% of properties on the market are priced at £2 million or higher (down from 30.3 last quarter)

Expert view on the figures

The Kensington & Chelsea property market is still suffering from the punitive Stamp Duty rises that have affected most domestic buyers. Combined with the ongoing uncertainty over Brexit, the overall picture was looking rather gloomy at the end of 2017.

However, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of a steady flow of international buyers, in particular from Asia, buoyed on by the weakened Pound.

The key decision for buyers is whether to buy now or wait for prices to drop further.

We don’t expect any meaningful movement in prices over the next 12 months and it’s only a matter of time before the market starts to recover so our advice is clear; if you can sell or buy on terms that suit you, proceed with caution and get an experienced estate agent on your side to guide you through the process.

If you’re looking to buy, there are several factors working in your favour; prices are subdued, there is a decent level of stock on the market and if you need finance, there are also some great mortgage deals to be secured.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling property in Notting Hill, Kensington, North Kensington and the surrounding areas, ensure you get expert advice. Contact our Sales Directors today to book your free consultation.

All data from Lonres.

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