Where the London property competition is hot

Offers are coming in at a few per cent below asking price, whereas at the start of the year they would have been 10 per cent below or more.

Belsize Park

A popular area of stuccoed early Victorian homes. Some properties are changing hands for as much as £15,000 over the asking price.

Brockley

A leafy area of Lewisham where stock is selling fast but prices have not yet started to take off.

Bromley

Agents say the number of instructions has trebled and prices have stopped falling.

Chelsea

Seen a huge turnaround, particularly in the £500,000 to £2 million bracket. Many foreigners are taking advantage of the weak pound.

Crouch End

The north London market has seen a return of interest. Prices have stopped falling.

Enfield

First-time buyers have returned but still a lack of homes for sale.

Wimbledon

Prices are still poised for take-off rather than rising.