The capital accounted for 25% of all international enquiries, up from 21% a year earlier. Hamptons said London’s slower price growth had helped improve its relative value. Average property values in the capital are now 3%, or £18,000, below 2022 levels, while Inner London prices are 7%, or about £50,300, lower over the same period.
Among North American buyers, 28% were searching in London, compared with 24% last year and 17% five years ago.
However, demand from this group is less focused on prime central London than in previous cycles. Hamptons said 5% of North American applicants were looking in prime central London, down from 13% at the market peak in 2013. The average budget for a North American buyer in prime central London was £2.35 million, compared with £1.25 million across London as a whole.
Outside London, international demand fell in every region. The largest declines were recorded in Wales, down 27%, Scotland, down 26%, and the South West, down 20%.
Change in the number of overseas-based applicant registrations (Q1 2026 v Q1 2025) 
Source: Hamptons research using Connells Group data