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Alex Markham's avatar

Thanks for writing this blog! I've really enjoyed reading your topical insights at the top of each post, even though I have no connection to London. Is there is a middle ground to sell share thoughts but save the time formatting and gathering links? Or do small bits adhoc and try not to be perfectionist about it?

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TheInvestor's avatar

Thanks Alex. To be honest I like the format as it is, and I expect the links are a big reason for the appeal versus my musings. ;) "Perfectionist" hits hard for me -- this is what has made Weekend Reading on my Monevator site a one-two-day job. Ho hum!

With all that said I plan on keeping the 'musings' part intact with the ad hoc posts. It's really the weekly schedule I have to get off, for now. Let's see how it goes.

Thanks for the nice words!

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Delta Hedge's avatar

Thanks @TI. It's been fun to read. Thank you for putting in both the effort and the time, and for such a diverse range of links and takes. Hope that your own property journey works out too. You may be right on a pending London property renaissance; or, at least, a bit early, but still directionally right. If I had to bet long term (30 years) it would be on Super Prime central and reassuring old money outer areas like Richmond. It always seems worst just before it gets better. On propety taxes, one thing seems reasonably clear. They can't keep squeezing London landlords given that the numbers already don't stack whether up levered or unlevered.

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Neural Foundry's avatar

Your observation abot the market freezing ahead of budget day is spot on. It's remarkable how much fear can drive inativity even when the most severe outcomes seem unlikely. The Council Tax angle is intresting because it feels like one of those stealth taxes that could actually materialize given its political easier than capital gains on primary residences.

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TheInvestor's avatar

Yes, it'd be very easy especially as they won't have to revalue anything. They can just mandate an extra multiple on one or two top bands, and trust that most people won't be very affected. I think average home owners in London will be entitled to say that's not fair, but I suppose in the long run it could curb house prices at the top…

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Neural Foundry's avatar

Good stuff, subscribed

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Delta Hedge's avatar

Apols: should have typed "don't stack up whether levered or unlevered". No edit function after posting. Thanks again for your insightful writing here, and for the excellent w/e property links.

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TheInvestor's avatar

Cheers @DH, thanks as ever for the nice words and the support. And I would love to move to Richmond, too. Especially if they can quieten the planes!

That said I do fret about what the arrival of mass driverless transport is going to do to cities. I think it could go either way.

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