"Contrary to some reports, the very top end of the market has been more active than in 2015"
However, as prices have become more aligned with buyer expectations of value, the market has become more fluid.
The report revealed that average house prices across all prime London fell by -2.2% in the final three months of 2016, leaving values down -5.8% since their peak in 2014 just before the shock stamp duty increases in the Autumn Statement and subsequent announcement of a 3% surcharge on additional homes effective from April 1st 2016.
The highest value markets of prime central London continue to be most impacted by the stamp duty effect, with prices down by an average of -6.9% year on year. This leaves prices down -12.5% in total since their June 2014 peak.
By contrast, in outer prime London, where the average value is just below £2 million, prices fell -2.3% over the fourth quarter of 2016 and are now -4.6% down from their peak in September 2015. Interest rates staying lower for longer, preserving affordability for those with a mortgage, has meant the outer prime London markets have held up more strongly against increased transaction costs than the prime central London market, which peaked over a year earlier in June 2014.
Transactions
There was a scarcity of transactions over the late spring and summer months following the race to beat the introduction of the 3% surcharge. But further price adjustments, coupled with the currency play for international buyers, appears to have triggered greater buyer commitment and prime London sales volumes picked up significantly in September, October and November before easing back in December.
According to data from LonRes, central London sales of properties worth over £1 million were 21% down year on year in 2016. In the three months to the end of July, transaction volumes were running at about half of the level compared to the same period in 2015, but in the last quarter of the year had recovered to within 16% of 2015 full year numbers.
Savills own market intelligence suggests that from January to the end of November there were around 320 sales worth over £5 million in London, with a total of over £3.7 billion spent in this part of the market. In volume terms, sales were 17% below those in this bracket in the same 11-month period of 2015.
Contrary to some reports, the very top end of the market has been more active than in 2015. In the 11 months to the end of November, £1.43 billion was spent on properties worth over £20 million, compared to £1.07 billion in 2015.
Outlook
Recent market activity demonstrates the continued appeal of prime London property at the right price but buyer sentiment remains fragile. Increased transaction levels are the result of adjusted pricing and should not be seen as a precursor to price rises in the foreseeable future. High stamp duty rates and the uncertainty created by negotiations to leave the EU will still need to be factored into expectations on value.
