A new trend is emerging for those who own property in the country looking for affordable boltholes in London. In recent years country dwellers were put off by prices in the capital but now their dream of owning something in town is increasingly within reach – country mice are encouraged by price drops of, in some cases, as much as a third.

‘Despite preconceptions that the market is being saturated with dollars and Euros, Brits with money sitting in the bank are now very much in the market to buy in London,’ says Charlotte de Silva of Property Vision London (020 7823 8388). ‘Sensibly-priced good quality stock is selling fast at the asking price. Most buyers are looking for a pied-a-terre or a second home for the family and future generations.’

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