Is it the right time to buy property in London?

The latest data released today by property consultant Knight Frank shows that high end residential property prices in prime central London fell for the fourth consecutive month in October.

The 0.2% reversal in property prices in areas such as Belgravia, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge means that average residential prices in that region are now 1% below June.

However, despite the recent price falls the annual growth figure equates to 12% in the 12 months to the end of October due to strong growth over the first half of 2010, illustrating the strength of the London property market.

With good prospects for good medium term capital growth in prime London's property market, is now the right to take advantage of the slowdown and buy a new home in London? Many overseas nationals ceratinly seem to think so.

Liam Bailey, head of Knight Frank Residential Research, commented: "It is fairly clear where the short term direction of the London market is headed. Demand for property has fallen back over recent months and supply has risen - these broad trends have acted to push prices lower over recent months and it seem likely that this trend has some way to go. It would be wrong to be universally gloomy, London is a market that attracts demand from across the globe and for a variety of reasons.

"There is some indication of prices holding up in the locations where foreign demand is strongest, in particular in Kensington and Chelsea, both areas where prices began to rise again in October after small declines in the previous three months.

"While European demand has been subdued in recent months, with Eurozone buyer registrations down by 34% in October (compared to October 2009). Interest from Asia, Russia, the Middle East, Canada and Brazil was on the rise.

"The outlook for central London remains relatively positive compared to the rest of the UK market, due to the unusual confluence of circumstances which play out in this market - with foreign buyers joined by City Bonus money by the year end.

"While bonuses are expected to be more varied this year compared to last year, there is very early evidence of bonus buyers coming into the market to look at available stock. Our expectation is that bonus buyers will not rush into the market in November and December, but that we will see a more delayed process with the market strengthening in January and February as these buyers wait to gauge the short term direction of the market."