The latest results from Hamptons International’s International Buyer and Seller Survey, has revealed that 57% of homes bought in prime central London (PCL) in the second half of 2018 were purchased by an international buyer, the highest level since H2 2012 (58%).

The survey, which began in 2011, is completed by prime Countrywide branches across London and neighbouring commuting counties. It found that the proportion of international buyers rose from 55% in H2 2017 and 39% in H2 2016 following the EU referendum.

Pre-EU referendum, international buyers purchased 40% of homes in PCL (H2 2015). The further increase in H2 2018 was due to a fall in UK buyers combined with an increase in EU buyers.

EU buyers have regained their place as the biggest group of foreign buyers in PCL, purchasing one in five (19%) homes in H2 2018, up from 10% in H2 2017. Meanwhile, the proportion of homes bought by Middle Eastern buyers in PCL has nearly halved over the last year from 15% in H2 2017 to 8% in H2 2018.

Greater London
In Greater London, the proportion of homes bought by an international buyer also rose to the highest level in six years. In H2 2018 international buyers bought 36% of homes in Greater London, up from 31% in H2 2017. This proportion is 15% higher than in H2 2015 (pre-referendum) when 21% of homes were purchased by an international buyer.