13th December 2024
7mins
In a city which attracts buyers from around the world, the fact that one in 22 homes in London are currently being snapped up by Americans is highly significant. And, according to the latest research from Knight Frank, the number of stateside buyers has increased threefold in the past decade.
Americans love London for its history and culture, for our shared language, and the British capital’s comparative safety. And they see it as a safe haven of political stability in an increasingly unstable world.
For US buyers and re-locators considering a transatlantic purchase, this is Black Brick’s ultimate America to London relocation guide.
In this relocation guide, we’ll cover the following topics:
American neighbourhoods tend to have clearly defined margins. In London, the boundaries are more blurred as its historic neighbourhoods have evolved over hundreds of years.
Prime Central London is a relatively modern construct and while all property experts have their own definitions, most agree that its original neighbourhoods border Hyde Park: Notting Hill, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, and Mayfair. But during the early part of the 21st century new pretenders have grown in stature, popularity, and price. Few local residents or even international buyers would deny that Marylebone, St James’s Park, Westminster, and South Kensington are also prime addresses.
Then there is prime outer London, an eclectic collection of less central, but certainly still alluring options. Prime outer outposts can be found all around the capital, from charming, villagey Hampstead in the north, affluent Clapham in the south, rapidly regenerating Earl’s Court offering value for money in west London, and hipster-friendly Shoreditch in East London.
In the U.S. it takes, on average, 30 to 45 days to close on a property purchase once you are under a contract. UK buyers can only dream of such speed. From the point of agreeing a price with a vendor to buying a property takes an average of eight to 12 weeks.
This is because buyers need to commission a multitude of legal and structural checks on the property they intend to buy, and so the UK system can seem frustratingly slow. A key issue, beyond the state of the property which should be assessed by a professional surveyor, are the terms of its lease. Most apartments in London are sold on a leasehold basis, which means you are agreeing to buy the property for a set period of time. Leases set out not only the length of the lease but building rules and whether you will be expected to pay an annual ground rent to the freeholder.
Much can go wrong during this period – nationwide, about a third of home sales fall through before completion, usually because either somebody changes their mind, difficulties with finance or structural problems with the property which emerge during the process.
For U.S. buyers looking to navigate property purchase in London, it is crucial to keep the sale process moving as fast as possible to reduce the time in which your vendor has to reconsider – or even accept a higher offer from another buyer, a perfectly legal practice in the UK known as gazumping.
Another crucial difference between buying property in the UK vs the U.S. is that estate agents are instructed by vendors, and they act in their interests. Buyers have a stark choice. Either go it alone, and hope for the best, or hire a seasoned buying agent to act for them.
A good buying agent should have a long track record, a forensic understanding of the pros and cons of London’s diverse neighbourhoods, and an in-depth knowledge of the qualities of its individual buildings. Specialising in relocation services, a buying agent can not only help with the leg work, presenting a shortlist of potential properties, but guide you on pricing and how to handle negotiations.
And, in a market where 50 to 60 per cent of homes in prime central and outer London are sold off market – and do not show up on property portal search – buying agents can also offer access to homes you would not be able to find out about on your own. This benefit is useful for domestic buyers, but almost essential for those overseas looking to relocate or invest.
Exchange rates fluctuate, but over the past five years the pound’s weakness has made London property look like good value to those buying in U.S. dollars.
During that period rates hit a high point in May 2021 at just over $1.40 to £1, fell to $1.08 in autumn 2022 and currently stand at around £1.27 to the pound, saving today’s buyers significant sums compared to those purchasing in the early 2000s.
On the flip side the UK does have a habit of imposing higher taxes on overseas buyers, where US relocators and investors should expect to pay Stamp Duty, the main buying tax, of up to 17 per cent of the purchase price. The exact levy depends on the cost of the property and whether it is a second home or not.
The good news is that the UK doesn’t charge annual property taxes (local councils do levy a Council Tax to pay for services, but this is rarely more than around £3,000 per year). And when you come to sell you may have to pay Capital Gains Tax on any profits.
One of the great things about London is that it is a city made up of individual villages, each with a distinct character of its own.
Right now, American buyers are particularly active in charming, slightly bohemian Notting Hill, with its beautiful garden squares and great range of restaurants and bars. Others prefer Chelsea, with its slightly more peaceful vibe and concentration of designer boutiques and high end restaurants.
St John’s Wood, home of the American School in London, has a strong U.S. contingent, who love its leafy streets, historic villas, and charming high street.
You can find out more about London neighbourhoods in our area guides, which cover everything from luxury prime property to lesser-known hidden gems.
U.S. expats adore London’s diverse range of cultural activities – from opera and fine art, to pop, rock, and street graffiti, there is something new to discover every night of the year.
The capital has wonderful open spaces, a strong sporting heritage, all the history you could possibly want, is generally considered safe, and has a mass transit system which works – most of the time.
Britain’s school system is admired around the world, and Imperial College London and UCL are ranked in the top ten higher education institutions in the QS World University Rankings.
And because generations of Americans have made London their home, there is a strong expat community to welcome you with open arms.
Black Brick are here to help buyers and investors from the U.S., whether you’re looking to relocate or join the London property ladder. Simply get in touch with your requirements, or call us on +44 203 1419 861.
We would be delighted to hear from you to discuss your own property requirements. For a non-obligatory consultation, please contact us.
