Research commissioned by Investec Specialist Private Bank reveals there were 21,319 UK residential properties on the market for GBP1 million or more during the second quarter of 2011. This is 10% higher than the same period in 2010, and 8% more than the first three months of this year.
Collectively, they were worth over GBP47.76 billion, which equates to GBP2.24 million per property.
Investec Specialist Private Bank believes many of these properties will require mortgages, but a number of lenders only provide finance against the value of the property you are looking to buy. In contrast to this, Investec Specialist Private Bank provides custom-built mortgages of GBP1 million or more, that take into account the income of the client and also their earnings potential, as opposed to simply the value of the mortgaged property.
This enables it to develop a mortgage that is designed around the individual circumstances of the client, which includes scheduling repayments on a timescale that suits them. hese are features that Investec Specialist Private Bank says are particularly appealing to high net worth individuals who may receive irregular income, such as lump sum bonuses.
Looking at the 10 regions in the UK that have the highest number of million pound plus properties, nine saw an increase in the number of these homes for sale in Q21 of this year when compared to the same period in 20101. Both Kent and Hampshire saw increases of 42%. Only London saw a slight decline of 1%, but the research reveals that 44.5% of the multi-million pound homes on the market during Q2 of this year were in the capital.
In terms of the value of multi-million pound homes on the market, 6,670 or 31% were valued at GBP2 million or more. Some 1,194 (5.6%) were valued at GBP5 million or more.
Jack Jones of Investec Specialist Private Bank, says: “Our research shows just how big the multi million pound property market is in the UK, and that it is growing rapidly. However, as mortgage lending falls3, many of those looking to buy these properties may find it increasingly difficult to secure the necessary funding.
“With our unique approach that is based around flexibility and the client as opposed to the property they are looking to buy, the super-prime residential mortgage market is a huge opportunity for us. We continue to see a significant demand for mortgages of GBP1 million or more.”
Andrew Smith, research director at PrimeLocation.com, says, “In an environment of restricted mortgage funding, London’s residential market has been partially supported by international buyers, ensuring that GBP1m plus properties have continued to sell. Whilst this research confirms the dominance of London in this sector, it is interesting to see the stock growth being driven by the other counties.
“The profile of the prime stock outside of London continues to change, with 43% of GBP1m+ properties being new to the market in Q2. Over the coming months, higher levels of mortgage funding will be vital to keep this market ticking over, especially within GBP1m to GBP3m price bracket.”
