London Property Consultants

Call us now: 020 7499 3434

by

South China Morning Post (August 2015): UK agents mixed on Cameron pledge to get tough on dirty property money

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST – 5 August 2015: While agents are mixed on PM David Cameron’s crackdown, all agree impact will be limited

Simon Barnes said the money to buy property in the capital and the rest of Britain comes from legitimate sources, is verified by lawyers and banks and the buyer’s credentials checked by the buying agent or estate agent.

“You cannot approach a buying agent with a suitcase full of cash and expect to be able to buy a London mansion. It is quite wrong to suggest that the property market in propped up by dodgy deals and illegitimate money,” he said.

READ FULL ARTICLE ON SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST WEBSITE

by

The Mirror: London’s most expensive home of the year?

Luxurious £90m mansion has ballroom for 200 people

Simon Barnes, an independent property consultant, who has been inside the mansion says that it ”ticks all the boxes” and was “incredibly sellable” despite the rumoured £90 million price-tag. He said: “It is a big house in Mayfair, with its own mews home. It is very rare.”

“These properties were built as houses, but then they became too big to run. During and after the war they were used for commercial purposes and the mews homes were sold off. Times have changed and there is now a demand for big family houses.

There are around 20 people actively looking in this market and many more who could afford to be, but there is a shortage of homes. This is what makes the home on Upper Brook Street so rare. It ticks all of the boxes: there are grand entertaining spaces, fantastic bedroom suites, accommodation for staff, and you can drive numerous cars into it to park.”

“The house has been renovated to an exceptional standard. This combination made it incredibly sellable. If it didn’t have one of these it might have taken years to sell.”

Mr Barnes added: “It is one of the biggest deals of the year. “You could save all the tax in the world by moving to Switzerland but if you have no life then you might as well be on Mars. That’s why people choose London. Invariably, location will win. ”

READ FULL ARTICLE ON THE MIRROR WEBSITE

by

Ashwaq Al Aswat: The Active PCL Property Market

خبراء عقار: القطاع الفاخر في لندن هو الأنشط

الاقبال يتزايد على ما فوق 50 مليون إسترليني

Simon Barnes comments:

‘I think we all know PCL prices have been plateauing for some time now, but in reality, in many places prices have simply been too high and this, together with the threat of Mansion Tax and the increase in Stamp Duty, have been responsible for stalling the market. It was clearly a relief to have a definitive election result as far as PCL property was concerned, however it was very unwise of anyone to believe this would have an immediate and dramatic impact on market activity. A number of global events have influenced international buyer activity in PCL…in particular the speculative investment buyers from Russia and the Middle East who have been noticeably less active. However, there is still strong desire from overseas buyers to both build and buy in PCL

Looking ahead into next year, I believe that prices will continue to rise but perhaps not at the same rate as we’ve seen in the past few years. Domestic buyers are becoming increasingly aware that for better value for money…their search may well need to extend beyond PCL.”

VIEW FULL ARTICLE (ARABIC)

Screen Shot 2015-07-20 at 14.44.44

by

The Mirror: Inside Britain’s most expensive house that is set to be sold for up to £280million

The property is thought to be owned by Saudi royals, but after three years on the market they may be about to sell it

Simon Barnes, a property consultant, added: “There have been several offers on the building but you would never talk about it. “If you are the selling agent you wouldn’t talk about it. If you were a genuine buyer you would absolutely want everything kept confidential. You would end up with a frustrated buyer. If someone found out who the bidder was they would be absolutely livid.”

The property, believed to be owned by Saudi royals, is one of the capital’s very few ‘mega mansions’.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE MIRROR

most expensive house

by

Spear’s Magazine: Simon Barnes comments on the prospects for Prime Central London property

Mayfair-based property adviser Simon Barnes reflects on a turbulent Prime Central London market

I think we all know Prime Central London prices have been plateauing for some time now, but in reality, in many places prices have simply been too high and this, together with the threat of a mansion tax and the increase in stamp duty, has been responsible for stalling the market. It was clearly a relief to have a definitive election result as far as Prime Central London property was concerned, however it was very unwise of anyone to believe this would have an immediate and dramatic impact on market activity.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN SPEAR’S

Spear's July 2015

Contact H. Barnes & Co – Tel: 020 7499 3434

Our service will be committed, impartial and utterly discreet; and it can also be tailored to suit any requirements you might have.
CONTACT H. BARNES & CO