Beckton's local potential

Company director Terence Cooper, 31, has been snapping up properties in Thamesmead and Royal Docks for the past three years.

"Both areas are on the way up and still have a lot of potential. Transport links are improving all the time and investment is pouring into the Thames Gateway area," he says. His portfolio of nine apartments is a mixture of new and second-hand properties. Rental demand is mainly from Canary Wharf workers.

ANTHONY Hughes and fiancèe Kelly Mitchell paid £219,000 for their riverside apartment at Royal Artillery Quays, Woolwich.

"We have long-term plans to move back to Kelly's home town of Doncaster and want to make some money while we are in London," says Anthony, an IT analyst.

They have also bought an investment property at Priory Place, in nearby Abbey Wood. "As time goes on, we believe there will be a strong resale market."