Today's hot news: invest in bargain bricks and mortar

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Interest rates on your hard-earned savings have now crashed. So why not be in the vanguard with the clever investors and buy property, get the market moving, and begin to feel confident that when the market comes back you will be sitting on a nice little earner.

Negotiating on property prices is the new blood sport across London. Estate agents are already reporting more interest.

If we are going to take advantage of anyone's pain it should be the new homes builders. If we have a Mr Nasty moment remember how many fat years they had at your expense.

Our property expert David Spittles went on a tour of new homes on offer and discovered staggering reductions. Central London apartments last year costing £342,000 are now selling for £250,000.

A 10 per cent reduction of £50,000 is just the starting point on any negotiation for a new home of £500,000.

Barratt is making no bones about offering a fire-sale of properties. Managing director Adam Laurance said: "We want everyone to know they can buy at today's prices, not last year's prices."

House builders are making no secret of their plight. Taylor-Wimpey is promoting a "one day only, change your life", deal across the Home Counties.

At the Edge, in Edgware, Bryant Homes is offering a special half-price deal to first time buyers who have a minimum of five per cent deposit.

A £189,000 one-bedroom flat has been cut to £89,975. That is a remarkable piece of evidence that house builders have been brought to their knees.

Fire sales are fine sales for Londoners. With no houses being built, your profit on your property will be even more substantial, even in the medium-term investment bracket of five years.

A lot of people saw this crash coming. They rented to wait for the property freefall. But you can wait too long. Now is the time to buy.