Number 13: Unlucky for some but not for Virginia Water’s millionaire home owners

Number 13: Unlucky for some but not for Virginia Water’s millionaire home owners

  • Virginia Water, GU25, ranked 13th highest value UK postcode (Zoopla, 2015)
  • Average property price in Virginia Water at £1,211,271 (Zoopla, 2015)
  • Kensington and Fulham lag behind GU25 in 14th and 16th place

Property owners in GU25 (Virginia Water, Surrey) have hit the jackpot once again being ranked one of the highest value areas for property outside London.

Extraordinary that this sleepy enclave, just 45 minutes outside of central London has beaten West Kensington, Paddington, Fulham and Chiswick – all areas of London that attract big money buyers.

Virginia Water resident and property expert, James Wyatt of Barton Wyatt has a view on these eye-watering figures released this week by Zoopla,

“As with all data it is a snapshot in time and it just so happens that there has been some big money changing hands on the property front around here recently. The number of units selling is comparatively small compared to London as a whole but the value of each property transaction has been very, very large.”

The next postcode down the list that was not within London itself was KT11 which includes the footballers’ havens of Cobham and Esher. This salubrious postcode saw the average property value changing hands at £1,021,435 according to Zoopla, in the last year.

It is Virginia Water however that wins the Surrey Pricing Award at a hefty £1,211,271 average property price and also boasting a 11.8% increase in a year.

This is great news for property owners in the area.  James Wyatt, who resides in one of the premier roads in the village and says,

“We are waiting in keen interest for the outcome of the General Election.  It is all well and good to be living in a wealthy area such as Virginia Water but if Labour get their way then the dreaded Mansion Tax is going to be felt very hard around here.

“Houses are selling like hot cakes in the price bracket up to £1.5 million but after that it is a lottery.  Certainly a few more lottery winners around here would be helpful to get the million pound plus market moving again.”

For example local developer Bridgewater New Homes Limited have just completed a delightful detached home within a one-acre plot on the Wentworth Estate.  Wyatt says:  “A year ago this house would have been snapped up very quickly – new homes were being fought over by international buyers. At £4.5 million it is extremely well priced on an estate where houses go for up to £30 million.”

With 5 weeks to go until the election, estate agents in the South East of England that are focused on the prime sector are holding their breath with anticipation.  A conservative win and life will continue as normal.  But if Labour wins then this will write a completely different story for the millionaire property owners and the real winners here will be the people that are cruising comfortably under the £2 million mansion tax threshold.

Wyatt says:

“There has never been an election that will decide our fate more than this one.  We found the changes in the stamp duty quite onerous but the mansion tax will be a whole different level of pain for many.  I have many elderly clients that have been quietly living out their days in Wentworth, they might live in large houses but they will shudder to pay these taxes and I worry what will be their outcome.”

Silverwood, Wentworth Surrey                                                £4,600,000

Silverwood is a uniquely designed brand new residence which has been constructed to an excellent standard to provide bright & airy, adaptable living and entertainment accommodation.

The property is situated in a tranquil location on the main island of Wentworth.

Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, entrance hall, cloakroom, five reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, annexe, cinema room, games room, triple garage, gardens of approximately one acre.

A brand new Georgian style home built by award winning Developer Bridgwater New Homes Ltd arranged over three floors and situated on Wentworth Estate in grounds of one acre.

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.