Editorial staff
Why Property Still Appeals
Traditionally, property sees far less in the way of day-to-day fluctuations. Prices may rise and fall, but they tend to do so more slowly. There's the psychological comfort, too. Tangible assets - buildings that you can actually see - create a sense of security purely through their physical existence.
There's also an economic argument for investing in property as a safe option. People will always need homes. The global population is increasing - at a rate of around 70 million annually - and along with it, the demand for housing. Average UK monthly rent increases have slowed over the last two years, but are still strong. Averages increased by 4.0%, to £1,368 during 2025.
Despite only slow growth in house prices over 2025, fuelled by uncertainty and interest rates, moderate growth is predicted for 2026. Trends suggest we can expect to see house price growth of between 1-4%.
With property versus other investments, however, there's also the question of liquidity.
The Liquidity Challenge
One of the biggest challenges as a property investor is maintaining liquidity. Tradeables like crypto offer incredibly high liquidity. Conversion to cash is nearly instant and is possible 24 hours a day, faster even than stocks and shares, which rely on the markets being open. For property, it's traditionally been a much longer process.
Emerging models such as real-estate tokenization are beginning to address this. They work by dividing ownership into smaller, tradable units. This allows investors to access capital without disposing of an entire asset. However, these structures are still developing and are not yet widely adopted across the market.
Property cash buyers help to access money held in property quickly. They allow sellers to bypass the traditional route and avoid chains, viewings, and last-minute issues. This pathway can mean cash in the bank in as little as seven days.
Rethinking Property Strategy for 2026
UK house prices are expected to grow moderately over the next year. Rental increases are also modest - predicted to be around 2%. This means returns will depend more on strong income discipline and tight cost control, rather than rising property values.
Borrowing costs are still relatively high compared to recent years. The Bank of England is holding its base rate at 3.75% after a series of reductions. This continues to affect financing structures and overall yields.
A more deliberate approach is needed. Review property holdings against wider portfolio goals, such as income stability, sensitivity to interest rates, and access to capital. Decisions about whether to hold, refinance, or sell are now driven more by current cash flow than by expectations of short-term price growth.
Editorial staff
