The year the UK housing market defied gravity

This past year has been a roller coaster for the housing market here in the UK, to say the least.

As the year draws to a close, our Founder, Camilla Dell has been featured in The Financial Times to share her insights and thoughts on what the luxury London property sector has been like in 2020, and what the future may hold for 2021.

“This time of year people are always drawn to the portals for some good old ‘property porn’ — and perhaps this year more than ever as, let’s face it, there isn’t much else to do,” Camilla said. “But, whether this will translate into a flurry of new transactions in the new year remains to be seen. I think a lot of people wanting to make a move this year already have.”

Read more in the full article here.

Property market predictions for 2021 – what can we expect?

As 2020 draws to a close, we’re shared our predictions for the 2021 UK property market in Property Investor Today!

Black Brick’s Founder and Managing Partner, Camilla Dell, alongside buying partner Caspar Harvard-Walls, featured in the article sharing their expectations for next year’s property sector.

A key suggestion made was that “being green will overtake being swanky” next year in property, as people increasingly look for properties that are environmentally conscious.

UAE residents can still access UK mortgages post-Brexit

In a new article this week by The National, it’s been revealed that UAE residents looking to buy property in the UK after the country exits the EU can continue to sign up for expatriate mortgages.

It comes after Santander announced it would bar applications from non-residents.

As a leading property buying agent for London, Black Brick’s Camilla Dell shared her perspective on the subject of Middle Eastern investors in UK property, featuring in the article as expecting more lenders to follow in Santander’s footsteps.

“There are still lots of options for expats and international buyers, particularly in the HNW (high net worth) space where Private Banks can take a more flexible approach,” Camilla added.

“The treatment of UAE or Middle East-based clients has not changed markedly for some time and Brexit should not affect this as these clients are clearly outside of the eurozone. EU nationals who recently moved to the UK or are primarily resident in their home countries will be the most affected by these rule changes.”

Read more in the full article here.

Biggest property bargains on offer since financial crisis in London’s most expensive postcodes

As prime property prices in London drop to their lowest level in seven years, Black Brick’s Camilla Dell shares her thoughts in a new piece for The Telegraph.

She reflected on how the number of PCL properties for sale do not match up with the number of sales agreed, as overseas buyers continue to be restricted from the country amid the pandemic-induced global lockdown.

As a result, Camilla shared there had been property bargains that hadn’t previously been seen since the financial crisis: “This time, it’s even better because there are fewer buyers around to compete with. There are not many moments I’ve seen where you can get these kinds of deals.”

Read more in the full article here.

Lack of overseas buyers hits London’s prime property

London’s not getting much hype right now with its usual array of cultural events and activities put on hold until the pandemic is over.

“It’s clear that the buzz and many of the things that make London great are just not there right now”, Black Brick’s Founder, Camilla Dell commented in her feature for The Financial Times this week.

Reflecting on the pandemic’s impact on London’s prime property market, Camilla shared how, in recent weeks, the popularity of London’s greener suburb regions like Richmond and Hampstead had surpassed that of the ‘golden’ postcodes in Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Kensington.

“When we do viewings there, it’s clear that the buzz and many of the things that make the city great are just not there right now,” says Dell. “But it’s too early to say whether the shine has gone off London as an investment.”

Read more in the full article here.

Footballers turning to hotels as coronavirus shrinks supply of pricey rental homes

“Footballers in the Home Counties are having to move into hotels ahead of the new season as the supply of high-end rental homes has dried up”, writes Melissa Lawford this week in The Telegraph.

For a take on the situation in London, Black Brick’s Camilla Dell shared that landlords who have recently renewed tenancy agreements in the capital have had to accept 10pc and 20pc rent reductions, adding that “Flats without outside space are faring the worst,”.

London’s housing market lures Hong Kongers seeking safe haven

Wealthy Hong Kong residents are increasingly looking to live in London to escape their hometown’s political unrest, giving the UK capital a boost to its premium property market.

Featuring in a new article in Bloomberg this week, Black Brick’s Camilla Dell shared:

“Unlike wealthy buyers from the Middle East or the U.S, Hong Kongers are probably looking to relocate permanently to the U.K. There will be potential for more buyers as a result of BNO holders being told they’re welcome with open arms.”

Read more in the full article here.

Will the pandemic bring high rise service charges back to earth?

Featuring in a new article this week for The Financial Times, Black Brick boss Camilla Dell shares how London buyers are ‘deserting’ luxury high-rises for their own four walls.

“In the pandemic some weren’t even able to use those gyms and facilities but were still paying these charges,” she said. “In the world [post-Covid] the idea of sharing facilities really doesn’t appeal now.”

Read more in the full article here.

China’s super-rich are buying up prime London property

London is apparently now the world’s most popular place to invest in for the Chinese, according to The Times.

In the article, writer Carol Lewis spoke with Black Brick Founder and Managing Partner, Camilla Dell to hear her experiences of overseas buyers from China, as a London buying agent dealing with an array of high-profile clients looking for prime property in the UK capital.

Camilla shared how she had recently been approached by a “fixer in Dubai who was looking for property for a Chinese buyer in Hong Kong”. Restrictions on currency exchange mean that many wealthy Chinese have become adept at moving money around and often have global connections.

Read the full article here.

What should you ask to see on a virtual viewing of a property?

Asking the right questions when you’re viewing a property virtually is crucial.

Black Brick Buying Agents Managing Partner, Camilla Dell has shared her advice on virtual property viewing in the latest piece for The Times.

“Don’t be afraid to ask the agent to stop talking and open the windows so you can try and check for street/traffic noise,” she commented. “If it’s a flat, make sure you get to see the common parts, the lift — all vital and will tell you a lot about the quality of the building and how well it’s managed.”

To learn more, read the full article here.