PROPERTY NEWS
HOUSE PRICE OPTIMISM RISES
Nearly 50 per cent of people are “certain” house prices will rise over the next ten years and 26 per cent are “certain” they will go up in the next five years, according to a survey by LSE and estate agents John D. Wood. Home occupiers were more confident than renters, perceiving a rise in house prices of 3 per cent over the next twelve months, compared to a perceived decrease of 1 per cent by renters, the survey said.
LONDON PROPERTY BOOM
Investor interest in London property has almost reached pre-recession levels, says the Rob Perrin, CEO of one of Britain’s biggest homebuilders, the Berkeley Group. International property investors plan to invest more than £5bn in London residential property this year and over £1bn has already been raised since the start of 2011. Perrin noted a shift “as people move from protection to investment mode”.
ESTATE AGENT’S CONFIDENCE IN WEST LONDON
Douglas & Gordon has opened a new sales and lettings office in Notting Hill – the first office opening for the company since the recession and a sign of belief in the West London market. The office will be the first to feature an interactive “Microsoft Surface Table” – a kind of giant iPad which clients can search for properties in the area. 299 Westbourne Grove W11 2QA. ww.douglasandgordon.com
EPC NOT RELEVANT
Energy Performance Certificates have no influence on four out of five UK property buyers, according to Consumer Focus, a consumer watchdog. The Certificates are designed to help people cut their energy bills and landlords and home owners are legally required to provide one when selling or letting a home. However, the vast majority of buyers and tenants do not act on any of the EPC’s recommendations to make their home more energy efficient.