SW postcodes remain popular as Fulham (SW6) is most searched in London for April

Fulham, SW6, was the most searched-for London postcode during April 2011, closely followed by N1 (Islington) and SW18 (Wandsworth) according to Savills analysis of prime property web searches. The top three positions were unchanged when Savills updated their analysis from the previous month.  These London postcodes are currently those experiencing the most global internet hits on Savills UK property search website.

April 2011 might be considered to have been ‘Worlds End’ for SW10 (Chelsea/West Brompton) as this district fell out of the top 20 to be replaced by St Johns Wood (NW8).  Other movers up the chart included Hampstead and Wandsworth Common while Clapham fell down the league table.

View the top twenty most searched London postcodes for Prime Residential property

“Most of London’s main prime locations are represented in the top 20,” says Yolande Barnes, head of Savills Residential Research. “Clearly there is strong demand for those locations in south-west London such as Wandsworth, Battersea and Balham that appeal most to domestic purchasers.”

The super prime locations of Chelsea, Notting Hill and Kensington are also well-represented although the ‘ultra prime’ locations of Mayfair/St James’s (W1) and Knightsbridge (SW1) are not.  “We think this is because these areas are dominated by overseas buyers. Foreigners will most certainly use the web to make a property search but they are less likely to know the postcode district and so search the most prime locations by name,” says Barnes.  “It is Brits – and more precisely, Londoners - who are most likely to know the quirky London postcode system.”

Among the 20 most searched for postcodes, the total number of searches in April was considerably down on the March level, by -28%. According to Savills agents, this may be due to a hike in stamp duty on expensive residences putting people off buying, but it is more likely a factor of the high number of public holidays in the month.  May is expected to see an uplift in activity Savills believes, as people return to their computer screens.