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Property investment stats for South Woodford, East London

A complete guide to property investment in South Woodford.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

South Woodford offers a blend of stability and modest growth, attracting both families and professionals. The area’s housing market is relatively liquid, with properties typically spending 48 days on the market and annual sales reaching 258. Investors will note a strong rental market, with the private rented sector in the 86th percentile compared to the rest of Britain, which is high but typical for London. Affordability is challenging by national standards but aligns with London norms, as shown by a 6.1 price-to-income ratio and a 26.4% rent-to-income ratio.

Rental yields are healthy at 5.5%, and capital growth has been positive over both one and three years, at 4.4% and 3.9%, respectively. The area also boasts a highly educated and professional population, with both metrics in the 90th percentile, adding to its long-term appeal.

Image of South Woodford, East London

Key investment stats for South Woodford

Median price per sq ft

£602 / sq ft

Average rental yield

5.5%

Capital growth (1y)

4.4%

Sales in past year

258

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in South Woodford

Live prices in South Woodford, East London

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£400,000

25% of properties below...

£319,998

75% of properties below...

£745,000

Most expensive property

£3,300,000

Live listings

151

Median days on market

48

Should you invest in South Woodford?

Opportunities

  • Rental yields are robust at 5.5%, with the top-performing postcode district offering 5.6%.
  • The area’s high proportion of professional and degree-educated residents (both in the 90th percentile) supports demand for quality rental accommodation.
  • Liquidity is reasonable, with homes typically selling in 48 days and a median achieved price only -£5,000 (the typical achieved discount) below asking, suggesting realistic pricing and steady demand.

Risks

  • Affordability remains a challenge, with a 6.1 price-to-income ratio and a 26.4% rent-to-income ratio, which could limit future price growth relative to incomes.
  • The area’s high proportion of private renters (86th percentile) may expose investors to regulatory changes or shifts in rental demand.
  • Capital growth has been steady but not spectacular, with annualised growth over three years at 1.3%, so investors seeking rapid appreciation may be underwhelmed.

Outlook

The outlook for South Woodford is stable, with steady demand from both renters and buyers. The area’s high educational attainment and professional workforce underpin long-term resilience, even if short-term growth is moderate. Rental yields are likely to remain attractive, particularly given the ongoing strength of the private rented sector and current asking rents for both houses and flats.

While affordability pressures are unlikely to ease, this is par for the course in London and does not appear to be putting off buyers or tenants. Investors should expect incremental rather than dramatic capital appreciation, but the combination of liquidity, rental demand and a professional demographic makes South Woodford a dependable choice for those seeking a low-drama, long-term investment.

Live properties in South Woodford

Investment properties in South Woodford, East London

3 bedroom apartment for sale
50% below median price

£260,000 - Offers in Excess of

3 bedroom apartment for sale

Hermitage Court, Woodford Road, Lon...

Properties needing refurbishment in South Woodford, East London
Needs Refurb
1 bedroom flat for sale
On market for 174 days

£298,000

1 bedroom flat for sale

Osprey Close, Wanstead

Slow to sell properties in South Woodford, East London
Slow to Sell
1 bedroom apartment for sale
Reduced by 20%

£160,000 - Offers Over

1 bedroom apartment for sale

Ullswater Court, Glebelands Avenue,...

Big price drop properties in South Woodford, East London
Big Price Drop
2 bedroom retirement property for sale
60% below median price

£225,000

2 bedroom retirement property for sale

High Road, South Woodford, E18

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in South Woodford, East London
Low Price per Sq Ft
1 bedroom flat for sale
39% below median price

£180,000 - Guide Price

1 bedroom flat for sale

High Road, London, E18

Auction properties in South Woodford, East London
Auction

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Seller's market

The market favours sellers, with buyers often forced above asking.

Headline stats

• Median discount: -£5,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £7,490 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £15,000 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of -1.1%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 1.7%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 3.0%

Best places to invest in South Woodford

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1E185.6%1.3%£601 / sq ft

Data sources

GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:

  • HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.

  • Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.

  • GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.

  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.

  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.

Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.