Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Why Mezzanine and Equity Finance are in High Demand

After highlighting an acute equity shortage in last month’s Industry Insights, it’s no surprise that demand for mezzanine and equity finance is on the up amongst property investors. As more borrowers look to plug the gap, now is the time to get to grips with this type of funding.

Industry Insights

Property Development's Next Chapter: Navigating the Liquidity Crunch

After discussing how slow transaction cycles are restricting businesses, we’re now exploring another issue property investors face - a liquidity crunch. Higher interest rates (even with the latest base rate decrease) translate to larger equity inputs on every deal with debt attached. But despite the lack of liquidity, opportunities are out there. 

Industry Insights

The Business Killer: Are Extended Transaction Cycles Here to Stay?

Talking to industry colleagues, from lenders, brokers, agents & investors, everyone is asking the same question: Why are property transactions taking so long to complete?

And is this the new normal?

Industry Insights

As the housing crisis continues, has hope sprung in commercial property?

The UK’s housing shortage continues to drive problems throughout the market, from affordability to homelessness, spurring private ventures into action. Meanwhile, could commercial mortgage arrears signify the next opportunity?

Industry Insights

Why the HMO and BTR markets are soaring

Are we out of the woods yet? Well, not really – recession, living costs and mortgage prices continue to hold back the property market. But relaxation of PDR rules has come just at the right time to capitalise on the soaring HMO and BTR sectors.

Industry Insights

Industry Insights (January 2024)

2023 ended on a high, and forecasts for the new year ahead indicate more stability, reduced borrowing costs and a handle on inflation. Will it all be plain sailing though, as markets navigate another devastating war, major global elections and the risk of recession not quite quashed?

Industry Insights

Industry Insights (December 2023)

After housing was notably absent from October’s Tory party conference, the Autumn Statement featured funding and reforms to boost development. But is it enough to reverse the impact of multiple failed policies, chronic austerity-driven underfunding of planning departments, NIMBY backbench-pressure, see-sawing housing targets and a merry-go-round of housing ministers?

Industry Insights

Industry Insights (September 2023)

A halt to interest rate rises, a decrease in inflation and a resilience amongst mortgaged homeowners to stave off the bank’s bailiffs. Are things looking up? Read this month’s Industry Insights to find out why we believe now is the time for the savviest investors to grab opportunities.

Industry Insights

Why Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) Trumps Profit

Embracing an inner chameleon helps developers to continually adapt to market conditions, but in today’s climate should property investors and developers change how they measure a successful project? This month’s Industry Insights looks at why some property businesses are now focusing on Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) rather than profitability.

Industry Insights

Industry Insights (July 2023)

Planning permission: the dreaded process that's deterring more and more property developers. With recent reports showing drastic drops in applications in England, this month’s Industry Insights looks at the stats and the consequent effect on the future housing market.

Industry Insights

Navigating a volatile market, a word of caution & some exciting industry innovation

Opinions, forecasts and predictions continue to see-saw around the UK economy with the latest figures released last month now showing that annual inflation in April was higher than expected at 8.7%. 

Industry Insights

Industry Insights (April 2023)

On April 19th the ONS published its most recent report on property market activity. Despite four consecutive months of house price falls, the data reveals a stoic resilience within the UK property market.