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‘We’re dealing with some of the most beautiful and interesting properties in the world – it’s like selling masterpieces,’ James Mackenzie says of his role as Strutt & Parker’s senior director and country head, specialising in waterside homes.

He saw a 332 per cent increase in enquiries in January. Buyers, he says, ‘have decided that there’s no excuse not to take on the next step and have stopped waiting for politics and economics to change’.

Mackenzie cut his teeth at Savills at the turn of the millennium. ‘You used to follow wherever Waitrose was being set up, to see if the housing market was improving. Now you look and see where Soho House are opening next.’