The Property Exchange

There was a time when most people commuting into London were looking for somewhere no more than an hour away, door to door – but no more.  With the rise of hybrid working post-pandemic, many will now contemplate a journey of up to two hours, if they only have to travel in three or four days a week.  So what does this mean for homebuyers and local property markets in the affected towns and cities, such as Bath?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, and Matthew Leonard of Winkworth’s Bath office.

The new Labour government wants to get Britain building again by unblocking the planning system, creating new towns and allowing development on parts of the green belt. But can the inevitable opposition be overcome? Property commentator Anne Ashworth asks the questions, Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and managing director, developments and commercial investments Adam Stackhouse give some answers.

The presence of a good school has always had an impact on an area’s housing market – but with Labour pledging to impose 20% VAT on private school fees if it wins the election, the effect could become even greater.  In this episode Winkworth Chief Executive Dominic Agace talks to property commentator Anne Ashworth about the concerns now being raised by homebuyers, and the impact on house prices in favoured locations.  Some streets are now selling at a substantial premium - as an example, Henry Griffin from Winkworth Farnham tells us about the impact the schools debate is having on the market in his part of Surrey.  We get the bigger picture and some smart tips for parents from Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor of the Good Schools Guide.  

For many homebuyers, this month’s Chelsea Flower Show has once again turned the spotlight on the garden – do we still want paving and formality, or is the natural look back?  Are artificial lawns a huge convenience, or a complete no-no?  The pandemic heightened the British passion for gardens and the trend has continued.  In this episode, property commentator Anne Ashworth is joined by Dominic Agace, Chief Executive of Winkworth to see what’s changed in buyers’ preferences.  Charles Erwin of Winkworth Notting Hill tells us about the impact the area’s famous garden squares have had on the local market, and Joanna Archer of Joanna Archer Garden Design gives us an insight into the latest trends in design and planting.

The pandemic sparked a flight out of town for the green space of the countryside – but is this trend continuing or has it gone into reverse?   Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Anthony Beecheno from Winkworth Petersfield. They’re joined by special guest Mark Hedges, the editor of Country Life, who has some interesting insights on what to do, and what not to do, if you’re a townie who makes the move to a country village …

General elections often impact property market activity, but not always in the way you might expect.  Sometimes the Tories are good for the market, sometimes Labour.  So, what should we expect in this General Election year?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, who reveals the results of some specially-commissioned research, while Aaron Strutt from Trinity Financial updates us on the latest mortgage rate trends and market insights.

In this episode, we focus on the areas offering great value compared to their posher neighbours close by.  Pimlico and Crystal Palace are very different districts of London, but what they have in common is that they offer many properties similar to those in neighbouring Belgravia and Dulwich respectively - but at much more affordable prices. Property commentator Anne Ashworth asks the questions, and gets answers from Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, Jake Woolford from Winkworth Crystal Palace and Rob Oatley from Winkworth Pimlico. 

2023 saw house prices in many areas holding up much better than many predicted.  But what does that tell us about the likely outlook for 2024?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth talks to Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace, and hears about London’s overheated rental market from Lucinda Richardson, lettings director at Winkworth Notting Hill – are things finally cooling down?

The pandemic has hastened the demise of many high streets, but others have evolved into thriving new neighbourhood spots, with independent shops, artisan bakeries and cafés.  Around Christmastime these vibrant districts usually make a real effort to bring festive cheer with attractive decorations and lights.  Property commentator Anne Ashworth hears about what others can learn from two such areas, from Adam Stackhouse, managing director developments and commercial investments at Winkworth, James Wilkinson of Winkworth Highgate and Doug Moss of Winkworth Southfields. 

With some signs of prices stabilising in the property market, what is the outlook for 2024?  And what, if anything, should Chancellor Jeremy Hunt be saying in his autumn statement?  Property commentator Anne Ashworth looks at the prospects with Winkworth CEO Dominic Agace and Adam Stackhouse, managing director developments and commercial investments.