HOUSE HUNTING FOR THE RICH

Politicians and the mass media commenting on the present economic crisis like to use words like "we are all in this together" and "we must tighten our belts", but this doesn't apply to the owning class when it comes to buying houses. 'According to Gary Hersham, managing director of Beauchamps Estates, the top level of the market has risen sharply since the recession hit the rest of Britain. "Whereas two years ago, sales peaked at about £45m, there have been three sales above £100m in the past 12 months. What you have to understand about the extremely rich is that if they want to buy something, they just buy it." (Sunday Times, 29 September) RD