Typically, the best investment opportunities in London centre around areas with planned redevelopment or transport hub improvements are expected. This means looking beyond areas like Chelsea where considerable investment has already been placed, and looking at areas like Croydon, Battersea, and Twickenham. If you are looking to invest in real estate, use a local estate agent like Featherstone Leigh that enables you to pick the ideal property in up and coming areas.

Croydon

Four years ago, Croydon was the epicentre of the London riots, and no sensible investor would have considered adding property in this area to their portfolio. However, since then, plans for large shopping complexes, extensive housing projects, and further development of the “Silicon Valley of South London” have been announced and details finalised. Croydon has already seen double figure rises in real estate value, and this will soar further as developments open. Family homes are currently inexpensive to purchase, but may not remain that way for long.

Camberwell

Camberwell already has a number of housing developments that have been given the green light, and there are proposals to extend the Bakerloo Line to Camberwell, which would further increase the demand for property in this area. Popular with students, Camberwell’s two primary schools have been declared outstanding by Ofsted and family homes are likely to increase in value in the coming years.

Battersea

Battersea, in general, is undergoing some considerable regeneration, but of particular note is Nine Elms. Two tube stations, 16,000 new homes, and the United States Embassy will all be introduced to the area as part of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, announced in 2010 as a means of regenerating the area around the former Battersea Power Station. Luxury apartments are also being put up around the area, and Battersea itself is already seeing an increase in property prices. With 3,000 new homes being made available as part of affordable housing schemes, young families and first time buyers are the target markets to aim for in Nine Elms.

Twickenham

It is less than 100 days to the Rugby World Cup, when Twickenham will be firmly planted in the limelight. It has convenient access to transport hubs, and a surprisingly diverse range of properties that make it popular with everybody from first time buyers to large families. Twickenham does require a relatively sizeable budget, but should return that investment with aplomb.

Whitechapel

Many buyers refuse to consider areas of East London like Whitechapel but, in reality, this is where some of the greatest potential can be found. Whitechapel has already seen some redevelopment and new building projects completed and there are more on the horizon. The area offers easy access to central London and could make large returns for properties targeted at first time buyers and young professionals.