The Teddington Tug-of-War: Why Bricks are Beating Blocks in TW11 9 Right Now
If you were to walk down Langham Road or peer over the garden fences in Holmesdale Road today, you might think the property world is spinning along just as it always has. But here is a prediction that might make you spill your morning tea: we are witnessing a massive split in how different homes are behaving, and for the first time in a long time, the humble terraced house is wearing the crown while the flat is feeling the pinch.
Did you know that since 2019, if you bought a terraced house in TW11 9, your home’s value has hopped up by a staggering £78,698? Yet, in that same window of time, someone owning a flat has seen their value dip by over £114,000. That is a swing of nearly £200,000 between two neighbours just based on the shape of their front door!
The Big Picture: Why the National Mood Matters
You might wonder why things are moving so differently. It all comes down to the "big levers" controlled by the Bank of England. Right now, the base rate is sitting at 3.75%. While that’s much better than it was a year ago, it still means borrowing money is more expensive than it used to be.
When things get pricier, people get picky. Locally, we are in a "buyer’s market." With 20 months of homes currently sitting on the shelves (what we call inventory), there is no rush. This gives buyers the power to say, "I want a garden, not just a balcony." This "dash for space" is why houses are holding their own while flats are struggling to keep up.
The Great TW11 9 Price Gap
Let’s look at what people are actually paying to live in our lovely corner of the world, from the leafy streets of Munster Road to the quiet corners of King Edwards Grove.
The ladder here has some very tall rungs. The average asking price across the whole of TW11 9 is £931,658. If you are looking at a terraced home, you’re looking at breaking the million-pound mark (£1,006,674). But here’s the kicker: a flat averages out at just £416,488.
The gap between a flat and a terraced house is now nearly £600,000. That isn't just a "bit of extra space"—that is the price of a whole second home in some parts of the country!
7 Years of Winners and Losers
When we look back seven years, the story gets even more dramatic:
- Terraced Houses: Up 8.5%. They are the gold medal winners.
- The Area Average: Down 5.8%.
- Flats: Down 21.5%.
Why have flats lagged? Nationally, inflation is at 2.8% and earnings are growing at 3.5%. People have a little more in their pay packets, so they are stretching to buy "forever homes" with gardens rather than "starter homes." This leaves flats sitting on the market longer, which pushes their prices down.
What should you do?
If you own a house (Detached, Semi, or Terrace): You are sitting on a very solid asset. Even though the wider market is a bit slow, people still desperately want houses in TW11 9. You are in a position of strength.
If you own a flat: It might feel a bit scary seeing those numbers, but remember, property is a long game. If you don't need to move, holding onto it until interest rates drop further is a smart move.
If you are a first-time buyer: This is your "golden ticket" moment. Because flats have come down in price so much, you can get into the TW11 9 postcode for a lot less than your older siblings could have a few years ago.
Looking Ahead
For the next 12 months, I expect the "gap" to stay wide. As long as mortgage approvals stay around the 58,200 mark nationally, we’ll see steady interest in family homes. The "smart money" right now? It’s in those flats. They represent incredible value, and eventually, the pendulum will swing back.