Antony Roberts’ experts are often asked for their opinions on various aspects of the housing and rental markets. Below, is a selection of our comments which appeared in the press in December.
Richmond is no longer the happiest place in the UK to live according to Rightmove’s Happy at Home 2024 index. According to the portal, the London borough has been usurped by Woodbridge in Suffolk. However, Amy Reynolds, head of sales at Antony Roberts, told The Standard that Richmond remains highly desirable for many reasons: “The borough’s outstanding schools, abundant green spaces, vibrant community, and excellent transport links make it a truly exceptional place to live,” she argued.
With government figures showing that 41 per cent of employees work from home some of the time, sellers looking to appeal to the widest possible number of buyers should make this part of their offer. Amy Reynolds told The Daily Mail: “Carving out a dedicated area for home working – even if just on a landing, or a nook off another room – makes houses more versatile for those with a hybrid working pattern.”
Meanwhile, Halifax reports that the cost of an average home hit a record high in November, with a 1.3 per cent increase in prices taking it to £298,083. Amy Reynolds told The Guardian: “Those areas where there is limited stock to tempt buyers are seeing prices hold firm and indeed rising in some cases. Homes that are well-priced and well-presented continue to sell relatively quickly.” She explained further to Sky News: “Buyers may pause to assess the financial implications of a purchase but high-demand areas are likely to retain interest into the new year and beyond.”
London rents also rose in the 12 months to November by 11.6 per cent, according to the Office for National Statistics, as many of those who can’t afford to buy are having to rent for longer. However, Amy Reynolds told City AM that she was cautiously optimistic as to what the future might hold: “Transaction levels remain subdued compared to pre-pandemic norms, as high borrowing costs and stamp duty continue to weigh heavy on the market. We are noticing a growing divide between well-priced homes, which are selling without difficulty and overpriced ones, which are stagnating on the market. However, a fresh new year and hopefully the return of sub-4 per cent mortgage rates early in 2025 should restore buyer confidence and could boost transactions throughout the year.”
