After an almost 16-month period, the UK travel restrictions have finally relaxed and thus opened the floodgates for overseas buyers, all looking to return to the British capital from across North America, Africa and the Middle East, and all keen to invest in bricks and mortar here in the UK.

The absence of buyers previously due to the pandemic had a massive impact on the property market.

 Pre-pandemic overseas buyers were responsible for around half of all property sales in affluent neighbourhoods such as Knightsbridge and Mayfair, according to estate agent Hamptons. This year that figure had dropped to just over a quarter.

However, prices have not plunged. Instead most house price indexes have simply remained reasonably flat – although the number of sales has collapsed.

One measure of the return of wealthy international visitors is the increase in activity at Farnborough Airport, one of the most luxurious private airports, which is within easy reach of London. Here the number of arrivals and departures last month was up 62 per cent compared to September 2020.

Emirates has also reopened its lounge at Heathrow to accomodate the return of travellers from the Middle East, and most of  London’s centrally located hotels are much busier than they have been since the onset of the pandemic.

 Compared to regular property investors, high net worth onvestors usually have a much stricter list of buying requirements, and examples of their demands include having a property with a view of a London park, close to transport links or to be based in a prestigious leafy London village such as St John’s Wood, Richmond or Wimbledon.

If you are looking for advice on purchasing a property in the UK or are looking to source a property, do get in touch as we can help you buy, sell, lease or manage your portfolio.

We’re experts in both residential and commercial real estate, and will work with you personally to ensure your investments are worthwhile and serving your best interests.