Development sales and marketing specialist business Site Sales, is on a significant growth drive throughout North London and the Home Counties, with the aim of selling 2,000 properties a year by 2025. The business is already widely known with a significant number of partnerships including Housing Associations, local councils, registered charities and developers and a proven track record in sales delivery. Formed over two decades ago by Murray Smith, Site Sales started with just three members of staff, helping in selling land and providing sales and marketing services in London and the South-East. An ambitious, forward-thinking company, it first worked with the likes of Persimmon and Laing, before embarking on its first landmark scheme, Stratford Eye for L&Q. Fast forward 20 (+ – CHECK) years and the company now employs approximately 60 staff and has sold over 3,000 homes equating to £1.4bn worth of property over the past five years. As part of its expansion, Site Sales has recently made several key appointments including: Emma Jefferson who joined as Partnerships Director following 6 years’ experience at New London Architecture, Crissi Russo, Sales manager who joins from LB of Southwark, Alexandra Fitzpatrick Sales Manager specialising in the customer journey, and Martin Fillery Director of Southern Home Counties. Martin joins from Complete Moves and comes with over 18 years’ experience in the industry. Murray Smith, Founder and Managing Director, comments: “Our aim at Site Sales is to provide a full range of exemplary development, sales and marketing services to support any client in their development ambitions – across London and the Home Counties. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, we are pleased to have driven successful sales for a broad range of clients across both the private and affordable housing sectors. Buyer confidence is gaining strength and we are launching two big schemes in Barnet and Canning Town which will deliver over 300 units between them alone. He continues: “The company will aim for steady growth – as well as expanding the Southern Home Counties, we will establish a Northern Home Counties division. As always, our business is fuelled by delivering a high-quality service to all our clients. Our committed staff have over 100 year’s sales experience between them, dedicated to our client’s needs.” Over the years, Site Sales has been an integral part of the evolution of the ‘not for profit’ sector and has assisted many organisations on their individual paths into speculative development, as well as having many private developer clients. The team has worked for 20 regional councils and 14 different Housing Associations including 9 of the 12 G15 Housing Associations, working on projects with all tenures. Murray adds: “We have worked for 24 different clients on 105 different schemes – much of our business has been repeat. Our clients know us and trust that our highly experienced and expertly trained staff will deliver above and beyond their expectations, from site acquisition to sales and aftercare.” Historically, Site Sales has worked on numerous landmark schemes (704 units at Athletes Village, dispatched in 18 months, among many others) and continues to do so. Today, Site Sales is marketing a range of developments throughout London and the South East, including Park View Place in Tottenham, August fields, a Guinness Homes development in Newhaven, Optivo a collection of 63 mixed-tenure homes in Battle, Old Farm Place a range of homes by BexleyCo Homes in Sidcup.

The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed how the new-build market has outperformed the rest both where price growth and price premiums are concerned since the turn of the Millenium. The average homeowner is thought to spend 21 years in a home on average, so Warwick Estates analysed new-build and existing house prices between 2000 and 2021 and found that across England and Wales, the average new-build has increased in value considerably. In 2000, the average new-build cost £92,234, but today, this has increased to £343,185 – a 272% increase. While the existing market has also seen impressive growth, the average house price has increased by just 254% in comparison. The premium attached to new-build homes has also jumped by some margin. In 2000, the average new-build home cost £17,805 more than the average existing property. Today, this premium has climbed to £79,426. London has seen the biggest jump in new-build values, up from an average of £133,568 in 2000, to £525,927 – a 294% increase and 19% more than the existing market where prices are up 275%. The East Midlands (290%) and the East of England (290%) have also seen some of the largest increases and have also outperformed the existing market to the largest extent, with a 27% and 26% respective difference in price growth during this time. However, all areas of England and Wales have seen new-build house price growth not only exceed 200% since the start of the new Millennium but also outpace the existing market. The East of England has also seen the largest increase in new-build premiums. In 2000, new-builds were valued £19,345 higher than existing homes, but today this has climbed to £97,435 – a £78,090 increase. The East Midlands (£73,222), the West Midlands (£66,255) and the South West (£60,998) have also seen the premium attached to new-build homes climb by more than £60,000 in the last two decades. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “New-build homes have always commanded a premium and this premium has climbed considerably in the last two decades as house prices have risen, but also the quality and offering of the new-build sector has evolved. While getting a foot on the new-build ladder may present a tougher task for aspirational homeowners initially, they are far more likely to see their investment not only hold its value but increase at a greater rate than the existing market. So it can be well worth the additional initial financial investment for those with a long-term view of homeownership.” Table shows the increase in the average value of new-build and existing homes between 2000 and 2021 Location Average NB house price (Mar 2021) Change – 2000 to 2021 (£) Change – 2000 to 2021 (%) Average Existing house price (Mar 2021) Change – 2000 to 2021 (£) Change – 2000 to 2021 (%) London £525,927 £392,359 294% £503,386 £369,173 275% Yorkshire and The Humber £243,791 £180,320 284% £181,826 £131,985 265% East of England £404,852 £300,939 290% £307,417 £222,849 264% East Midlands £302,701 £225,162 290% £209,735 £151,941 263% North West £262,731 £192,821 276% £184,362 £133,006 259% Wales £252,646 £182,754 261% £182,699 £131,557 257% West Midlands Region £305,790 £217,404 246% £214,363 £151,150 239% South West £348,888 £250,269 254% £281,886 £198,732 239% South East £420,199 £298,520 245% £344,314 £237,522 222% North East £217,985 £147,457 209% £138,631 £91,648 195% England and Wales £343,185 £250,951 272% £263,760 £189,330 254% Data sourced from the Land Registry House Price Index – New-build vs Existing (March 2000 to March 2021 – latest available)               Table shows the new-build price premium in 2000 and 2021 and the change between the two Location Average NB house price (Mar 2000) Average Existing house price (Mar 2000) NB price premium (2000) Average NB house price (Mar 2021) Average Existing house price (Mar 2021) NB price premium (2021) Change in NB premium (£) East of England £103,913 £84,568 £19,345 £404,852 £307,417 £97,435 £78,090 East Midlands £77,539 £57,794 £19,744 £302,701 £209,735 £92,966 £73,222 West Midlands Region £88,386 £63,213 £25,173 £305,790 £214,363 £91,427 £66,255 South East £121,678 £106,792 £14,887 £420,199 £344,314 £75,885 £60,998 North West £69,910 £51,357 £18,553 £262,731 £184,362 £78,368 £59,815 North East £70,528 £46,982 £23,546 £217,985 £138,631 £79,355 £55,809 South West £98,618 £83,154 £15,464 £348,888 £281,886 £67,002 £51,538 Wales £69,892 £51,142 £18,750 £252,646 £182,699 £69,947 £51,197 Yorkshire and The Humber £63,471 £49,841 £13,630 £243,791 £181,826 £61,966 £48,335 London £133,568 £134,213 -£645 £525,927 £503,386 £22,541 £23,186 England and Wales £92,234 £74,430 £17,805 £343,185 £263,760 £79,426 £61,621 Data sourced from the Land Registry House Price Index – New-build vs Existing (March 2000 to March 2021 – latest available)                

From vineyards and tennis courts, to heated pools and huge cinema rooms, the UK’s most expensive properties benefit from perks that the majority of us could only dream of, but where exactly are the priciest properties on sale in the UK currently located? Using its new Lustworthy Listings explorer, an online tool that lets users input any postcode in order to discover the most expensive properties for sale in the area, the mortgage experts at money.co.uk have pulled together a list of the costliest abodes currently available to purchase. 1.London – 8-bed terraced townhouse: £77,500,000 Sitting on Belgrave Square, the stunningly decadent eight-bed terraced townhouse boasts scenic views from its balcony and roof terrace, and is currently the most expensive publicly listed home for sale on the UK market. In order to enjoy the outdoor surroundings, residents have the option of either accessing the exclusive Belgrave Square Gardens or using their own private garden to relax in. With on-street parking (gold dust in Central London), residents can even pull right up to the door of their property after a long day taking in the beauty of the UK capital. Nearby: Knightsbridge is a short stroll away, where residents can treat themselves to such high-end eating establishments as Zuma London and the Harrods Tea Room. The bustling Sloane Street is also a stone’s throw away, lined with luxury boutiques and exclusive shopping stores. Buckingham Palace is just a four-minute drive away if the lucky owners ever feel like leaving the luxury of their £77m home and visiting one worth a staggering £4.9 billion. Mortgage deposit: £7,750,000 Monthly repayments: £231,055 2.Leeds – 8-bed Grade II country house: £3,500,000 This recently renovated Grade II listed Georgian country house combines unique period features – which date back to 1750 – with modern technology and interiors. Nestled away privately on Scotland Lane, Horsforth, its long driveway leads up to the estate through the immaculate private grounds that are just under seven acres. Designed for entertaining and hosting, the house boasts a cinema room, wine cellar, gym, large car garage and an annexe/guest wing for visiting friends and family. But unless you’re invited in or can afford the hefty £3.5 million price tag, this is the closest you’ll get to seeing it, as it’s safely guarded by an electronic gate system and state of the art security cameras. Nearby: The town of Horsforth has a variety of bars and restaurants to explore and caters to all tastes, from independent Greek tavernas to Italian trattorias. Leeds City Centre is only five miles away, where you can visit Trinity Shopping Centre. The Yorkshire Dales are also close by for long walks out in the fresh air to get back to nature. For international travellers and jetsetters, there is also the benefit of Leeds Bradford Airport being located a two-minute drive away from the house. Mortgage deposit: £350,000 Monthly repayments: £10,434 3.Nottingham- 8-bed architect-designed house: £2,950,000 This unique, architect-designed house is another one of the most expensive properties in the UK. It lies on the highly sought after location of Melton Road, Edwalton, and combines privacy with the convenience of being close to West Bridgford. The four-floor property features a grand reception room, leisure facilities, eight bedrooms, including guest accommodation on the second floor with a large bedroom, en suite and an open plan living/dining/kitchen. The wrap-around balcony encasing the property measures over 1,200 sq ft in length, and makes the perfect setting for relaxing and taking in views of the sunset. Unsurprisingly, the home comes equipped with a variety of high tech perks. As well as a video entry gate system and CCTV to keep residents safer, there are also remote-activated blinds, an air handling/recovery system, and a Sonos Sound System to provide musical entertainment across every room. Nearby: The City Ground, home to the Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, is just 7.3 miles away. Also nearby is the world-famous cricketing landmark Trent Bridge, built in 1838 and the third oldest Test ground in the world. West Bridgford has plenty of quality restaurants to choose from, with delicious tapas at Escabeche and gastropub The Tailors Arms among the most popular. Nottingham City Centre and its wealth of shops, bars and restaurants is also located just 8.7 miles from the home. Mortgage deposit: £295,000 Monthly repayments: £8,795