London property is infamously expensive. The chances are that in order to find an apartment that suits all of your requirements in terms of location and size you will need to pay through the nose, and this fact is driving more and more people into the out-lying suburbs where prices are more or less manageable.

However, with some patience and determination, it is possible to find a decent property in London if you follow a few simple guidelines. To begin with, you need to decide if you want to rent or to buy. Weigh up the pros and cons of each: these will be linked to factors such as whether or not property is saleable at the time and, of course, whether or not you can afford to purchase.

From here, it is necessary that you investigate as many areas of the city as you can. You may have your heart set on a certain district but try to keep an open mind. You may be surprised at how much you like a region you previously believed to be unfeasible.

Remember to look at things like transport lines and amenities. You need to know how easy it would be to commute across the city, if that’s where you work, and also who would be providing your water, gas and electricity in that area of the city.

Finally, you should consider enlisting the help of a decent estate agent. Employing a professional will give you quick access to properties as they come onto the market and this will increase your chances of finding somewhere within our price range and in an area that you like.