Residential Property Review – January 2025

What to expect in 2025…  Property experts Savills are hopeful that 2025 will be a positive year for the housing market, despite some challenges.     The average house price is expected to increase by 4% over the course of this year, partly due to improved mortgage affordability restoring confidence among potential buyers. In 2024, performance in […]

Commercial Property Market Review – January 2025

Commercial property outlook for 2025  According to Savills, the outlook is for increased stability in the UK commercial property market for 2025, following a 20% rise in investment volumes for the office and industrial sectors in 2024.    With two Bank Rate reductions and expectations of further cuts, borrowing costs look set to decrease, enhancing investor […]

Preparing for the longevity megatrend in an uncertain world

Preparing for the longevity megatrend in an uncertain world

As a new year dawns and we ponder what the next 12 months may hold for us as individuals and investors, one thing is for certain – some familiar challenges lie ahead.  The International Monetary Fund (IMF)1 unveiled its latest economic assessment the week prior to the US election, proclaiming a period of ‘stable but […]

Record sales in 2024 and a surge expected in early 2025

Record sales in 2024 and a surge expected in early 2025

In the latter part of 2024, the UK housing market experienced robust sales momentum, driven largely by higher disposable incomes and easing rates on some mortgages. What can we expect for the housing market as we enter 2025?  Last year marked the highest level of new sales since late 2020, with house prices rising modestly […]

Economic Review December 2024

Headline inflation at eight-month high  Release of the latest inflation statistics showed consumer prices are now rising at their fastest rate since March 2024, while last month also saw Bank of England (BoE) policymakers become more divided over the need to cut interest rates.  Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the […]

How to align wealth and purpose

Purpose has lately become a buzzword for investors and companies. Whether ‘mission-oriented’ investing excites you or makes you want to run for the hills, aligning your wealth with your values and interests can bring rich rewards.  Give and grow  Historically, wealthy people wanting to make a difference have done so through philanthropy. In response to […]

Ambitious sellers beware!

Selling a house is the biggest financial deal many people will ever make. Understandably, sellers want to get the best possible price; new research1 has cautioned, however, that aiming too high is not without risk.  Discount dangers  Analysis by Rightmove of sales over the past five years has revealed the risks associated with pricing your […]

Hopeful FTBs consider buying with friend or sibling

Did you know that 46% of aspiring first-time buyers would consider buying a home with a friend or sibling to help them get onto the property ladder?1  Most people (62%) would ideally like to purchase a home with a partner; however, many have been forced to look at alternative options. The main reason for considering […]

Get into the savings habit to enhance your wellbeing

A report from UK Savings Week shows that having a savings habit improves wellbeing.  Savers on the lowest incomes were found to benefit the most from regularly putting money aside, with 53% of this group reporting that they are satisfied with their life. However, only 40% of low-income non-savers could say the same1.  Interestingly, low-income […]