#298

This is our monthly roundup of news affecting UK Property investors.

This month's news items:

1. UK House Prices Falling
   • UK house prices have dropped for the third consecutive month, with the Halifax House Price Index reporting a 0.1% decline, bringing the average home price to just under £299,000. 
2. House Price Gap Between London and Other UK Cities Narrowing
   • The Financial Times reports that the gap between London house prices and other UK cities is the narrowest since 2009
3. London Flats Underperforming
   • Flats in London, especially small ones, are performing poorly, with nearly half now selling for less than their previous purchase price—even for properties bought 20 years ago.
4. Landlord Demand and Supply Trends
   • According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), 77% of landlords saw strong tenant demand in late 2025. But while tenant demand rises supply is falling due to landlords selling up.
5. Top 10 Most Livable Cities for Expats

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We discuss:

1. UK Property Prices Fall for Third Straight Month
2. Halifax House Price Index Reports 0.1% Drop
3. Average UK Property Price Now Under £299,000
4. House Price Indices Exclude Cash Buyer Transactions
5. Savills Revises 2026 UK Property Price Forecast
6. 6% Swing in Savills UK Property Predictions
7. Impact of Global Events on UK Property Market
8. Opportunities for UK Property Buyers Amidst Downturn
9. UK Property Prices Cheapest in 20 Years (Inflation-Adjusted)
10. Myths About the “Average” UK Property
11. London vs. UK Cities: Property Price Gap Narrows
12. Manchester Property Prices Surge 71% in a Decade
13. London Property Prices Up Only 9% Since 2016
14. Flats in London Selling Below Purchase Price
15. Two and Three Bed Flats in London Lose Value
16. Inner London Flats Drop 6% in Selling Price
17. UK Landlords Reporting Strong Tenant Demand
18. Landlords Selling More UK Property Than Buying
19. Government Data: UK Rental Property Supply Decreases
20. Top 10 Most Liveable Cities for Expats Announced

Keywords

UK property, UK property news, UK property market, UK house prices, UK property investment, Expat property UK, UK property trends, London property prices, UK property market forecast, UK housing market update, Buy property UK, UK landlords, UK real estate, UK home prices, Property prices London, UK buy-to-let, UK property podcast, News affecting UK property for expats, UK property prices fall 2024, Savills UK house price prediction 2026, Best cities for expat property investment UK, UK flats selling below purchase price, London flat prices 2024, Rising tenant demand in UK rental market, Affordable UK cities for property investment, Effects of inflation on UK property values, Selling UK property as an expat landlord, Expat guide to UK property market, How to invest in UK property from abroad, Liveable cities for expats in UK, UK property market after covid, NRLA landlord market data UK

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#297

Imagine a world where almost nothing is leasehold.

Where one missing toilet can change how a whole deal is valued

And where pre-auction bargains are the norm

In this episode, I talk to Scottish investor and auctioneer Luis Guarín of Prime Property Auctions  about:

• How the Scottish market really works, 
• Why home reports can be both a blessing and a problem
• How traders are making serious money under the tax threshold

If you invest in the UK, you need to understand Scotland.

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We discuss:

• Scottish Market: Key Differences from UK Property Scene
• Leasehold vs. Freehold: Why Scotland Stands Out
• Articles of Roup: Unique Scottish Property Auction Contracts
• Home Reports: Compulsory for Scottish Property Sales
• How To Avoid Home Reports in Scotland
• Impact of Home Reports on UK Property Valuations
• Trading Property Below Stamp Duty Threshold in Scotland
• Fast-Track Selling Process for UK Property Auctions
• Timed Online Auctions vs. Live Auctions in UK Property
• Pre-Auction Offers: Securing UK Property Bargains Early
• Guide Price Strategies for UK Property Auctions
• Role of Factors in Scottish Freehold Flats
• Navigating Factoring Companies in UK Property Investments
• Motivated Sellers: How to Spot Them in Auctions
• Landlord Challenges in Scottish UK Property Market
• Exit Trends for Small UK Property Landlords
• Rise of Large Portfolio Investors in Scottish Property
• Sourcing Property Deals and Referral Fees Explained
• SNP Policies: Tenant First Refusal in UK Property Sales
• Stamp Duty and LBTT: Comparing UK and Scottish Property Taxes

Keywords

UK property, UK property investment, Scotland property market, UK property auction, Expat property investment, Scotland property auctions, Scottish home report, Freehold vs leasehold UK, LBTT Scotland (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax), Stamp duty UK, Buy to let Scotland, Overseas property investors UK, Scottish rental regulations, Property sourcing UK, Property factoring Scotland, How does the home report work in Scottish property, Differences between Scottish and English property auctions, Investing in freehold flats in Scotland, Stamp duty vs LBTT for expat investors, Working with property sourcers in Scotland, Best places for cash property purchases under £40,000 UK, Impact of rent caps on Scottish landlords, Selling tenanted property at auction in Scotland, Tips for buying property at auction as an expat, Advantages of investing north of Newcastle in UK property

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#296

In this month’s Mortgage Monday, Shaz Ahmed, founder of Elan Property Finance (better known as @Whereshaz), returns for his regular lending update.

With interest rates holding steady after the latest Bank of England meeting, Shaz explores what this means for borrowers.

And we disuss the shifting landscape of mortgage rates and fees, and Shaz offers insights on choosing between different lending products. 

We also look at the impact of the Renters Rights Act

And we discuss the rise in alternative letting strategies like Serviced Acommodation and social housing

Finally, we highlight the latest news from the specialist lending market following the collapse of specialist bridging lender Market Financial Solutions (MFS)

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We discuss:

1. UK Property Podcast: Expat Property Story Mortgage Monday
2. Bank of England Interest Rate Decision Impact on UK Property
3. UK Property Market: Inflation, Recession, and Interest Rates
4. Mortgage Rate Predictions for UK Property Investors
5. Swap Rates Trends Affecting UK Property Lending
6. Two-Year UK Mortgage Rates: Current Market Analysis
7. Five-Year Fixed Rate Mortgages in UK Property Market
8. Rising Mortgage Product Fees for UK Property Loans
9. Should UK Landlords Choose Low Rate or Low Fee Mortgages?
10. UK Property Refinancing: Two-Year vs Five-Year Deals
11. Impact of Property Renovation on UK Mortgage Choices
12. Cash Flow vs Leverage Strategies in UK Property Mortgage
13. Commercial Mortgages for UK HMOs: Expert Advice
14. Tracker Mortgages Trending in UK Property Finance
15. Early Repayment Charges on UK Property Tracker Mortgages
16. Renters Right Act Implementation in UK Property Market
17. Airbnb and Alternative Lettings for UK Properties
18. Social Housing Contracts: UK Property Lending Concerns
19. Risks of Misclassifying Tenants as Guests in UK Property
20. MFS Collapse: Effects on UK Specialist Lending Markets

Keywords

UK property, UK property market, UK property investment, UK mortgages, UK property finance, Buy-to-let UK, UK property lending, Mortgage rates UK, UK property investors, UK rental market, UK property podcast, Expat UK property, UK property recession, UK housing market, Remortgage UK, UK property trends, UK fixed rate mortgage, UK tracker mortgage, UK property law, Renters Rights Act UK, How does the Bank of England base rate affect UK property?, Mortgage options for UK property investors, Is it better to choose a five-year fixed mortgage in the UK?, Impact of UK politics on mortgage rates, Buy, refurbish, refinance strategy in UK property, Social housing investment UK advantages and risks, Airbnb and alternative letting strategies for UK landlords, What fees are involved in UK property mortgages?, Best tracker mortgages for UK rental properties, Expat investors navigating UK property finance, Challenges with specialist and bridging lenders in UK property, Importance of lender quality for UK property finance, Impact of the Renters Rights Act on UK landlords, How to ensure compliance as a UK landlord, Risks of changing letting strategies for UK mortgages

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#295

Do you get frustrated, spending hour upon hour trawling through property portals ooking for a deal, only to find there’s lots of other investors chasing the same lead?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find deals that have little or no competition?

In this episode, we’re plugging another gap in the archives as we tackle long-term empty homes.

Simon Taylor is founder of Empty Property Hunters, a business that finds long‑term empty homes across the UK, tracks down the owners, and helps bring those properties back into use through quick, off‑market sales.

Download and listen to see how you can do it too.

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We discuss:

• How to Find Off-Market UK Property Deals
• Challenges of UK Property Portals for Investors
• Understanding Long-Term Empty Homes in the UK
• UK Property Expert Simon Taylor’s Background
• Business Model for Sourcing UK Empty Properties
• Incentivising Lead Submission in UK Property Market
• Methods to Track UK Property Owners
• Using Genealogy for UK Property Owner Tracing
• Common Reasons Homes Become Empty in the UK
• Probate and UK Property Investment Challenges
• Techniques for Detecting Vacant UK Properties
• Role of Delivery Drivers in UK Property Sourcing
• Conversion Rates for UK Property Leads
• Joint Ventures in UK Property Investment
• Exit Strategies for UK Property Investments
• Pricing Model for UK Property Acquisition
• Fast Exchange Process in UK Property Deals
• DIY Tips for UK Property Investors Overseas
• Compliance and Data Protection in UK Property Deals
• Importance of Follow-Up for UK Property Investment

Keywords

UK property, UK property investment, UK property market, UK real estate, UK property deals, UK property sourcing, Buying property in the UK, UK property investors, UK vacant homes, UK empty homes, UK property strategies, UK direct to vendor, Remote property investment UK, UK property refurbishment, How to find off-market property deals in the UK, Investing in long term empty homes UK, Bringing empty homes back to market UK, Step-by-step guide to sourcing UK property remotely, Tips for overseas investors in UK property, UK property finder services for expats, How to contact owners of empty homes in the UK, UK property joint ventures for remote investors, Tools for identifying empty properties in the UK, How to do due diligence on UK property deals remotely

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#294

This episode is our monthly review of what's going on in the world of UK Property auctions, featuring Jay Howard from Hammered Auctions

The three main topics tackled are:

• EIG's latest figures which reveal that auction activity rose 9.5% year-on-year but the percentage of lots sold in April 2025 has decreased slightly compared to the April 2025.
• Seasonal trends and how they're changing
• Auctions in the North-West

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We also discuss:

1. UK Property Auctions Activity Up 9.5% Year on Year
2. Residential Lots Sold in UK Property Auctions Rise 8.1%
3. UK Auction Sales Hit £5.9 Billion in 2025
4. Decrease in UK Property Lots Sold Percentage in April
5. Regional UK Property Auction Trends for 2026
6. COVID Impact on UK Property Auction Growth
7. Accessibility of UK Property Auctions Post-Pandemic
8. More UK Properties Offered at Auction in 2026
9. UK Auction Market Volume Outpaces Last Year
10. Challenges Facing UK Auction Properties with Tenanted Flats
11. UK Commercial Property at Auction Facing Hesitancy
12. May vs April: Best Months for UK Property Auctions
13. Seasonal Trends in UK Property Auction Market
14. Holiday Periods Impact UK Auction Buying Behaviour
15. Technology and Automation Shaping UK Property Auctions
16. UK Property Market Shifting Towards Data-Driven Sales
17. Comparing UK Auction and Private Treaty Property Markets
18. Northwest UK Property Auction Listings Surge in April
19. Key Auctioneers in Northwest UK Property Market
20. Liverpool Treated as Distinct UK Property Auction Market

Keywords

UK property, UK property auctions, UK residential property market, UK commercial property, UK auction market trends, UK property investment, Property auctions in the UK, UK real estate market report, Buying property at auction UK, UK auction activity statistics, UK auction house companies, Property investment UK, UK auctioneers, UK housing market 2026, How to buy property at auction in the UK, Best months to buy property at UK auctions, UK auction market growth since COVID, Selling property at UK auction, Differences between UK property auction houses, Regional auction trends UK (e.g., Northwest, London, Northern Ireland), Increasing number of lots in UK property auctions 2026, Percentage of properties sold at auction UK statistics, UK rental investment opportunities in auction properties, Accessibility of online UK property auctions, Effects of seasonal trends on UK property auctions, Challenges of investing in tenanted properties at auction UK, Property trading strategies UK auctions, Most active property auction regions in the UK, Top auctioneers in Northwest UK property market

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#293

In today’s show, I have an imaginary 3 bed semi I’m looking to sell at auction for profit.

Helping me to maximise my gain is Olivia Boulting, also known as The Queen of the Gavel, Regional Manager and Auctioneer for Auction House South West.

This episode is jam packed with fantastic advice on how to get the best results at auction as a seller.

As a result, there's plenty to learn for buyers too!

Olivia is also host of a new podcast with ex guest Jade from Docuwise called TheAuction Edit.

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We discuss:

1. UK Property Auction vs Traditional Sale: Key Differences
2. Setting Guide Price and Reserve for UK Property Auctions
3. Attracting Multiple Bidders for UK Property Success
4. Banded Guide Price Strategy in UK Property Auctions
5. Preparing UK Property for Sale: Photos and Marketing
6. Video Tours and Drone Footage for UK Property Listings
7. Legal Pack Essentials for UK Property Auctions
8. Search Pack Timelines in Selling UK Property
9. Environmental Searches: Radon Issues in Southwest UK
10. Maximising UK Property Price: Auction House Tips
11. Managing Completion Timescales for UK Property Auctions
12. Fee Structures: Seller vs Buyer Costs in UK Property
13. Anti-Embarrassment Clauses in UK Property Sales
14. Drip Feeding Legal Pack to Attract UK Property Buyers
15. Post-Auction Sales Strategies for UK Property
16. Selling UK Property Prior to Auction: When and Why
17. The Impact of Auctioneer Skills on UK Property Price
18. Choosing the Best Auction House to Sell UK Property
19. Regional Differences in UK Property Auction Practices
20. Live Stream vs Timed Auctions for UK Property Sales

Keywords

UK property, UK property auction, Sell property UK, UK property market, Selling property at auction UK, UK estate agents, Auction house UK, Property auction process UK, Guide price UK auction, Reserve price UK auction, UK property marketing, Legal pack property auction UK, UK property completion timescales, How to sell a house at auction in the UK, Maximising price at UK property auction, Best auction houses for property in the UK, Preparing a legal pack for UK property auction, Difference between guide price and reserve price UK auction, Marketing strategies for property auction UK, Post-auction property sales UK, Selling probate property at auction UK, Attracting remote buyers to UK property auctions, Common mistakes in UK auction legal packs, Impact of reserve price on UK auction success, Typical fees for selling property at auction UK, Fastest way to sell property in the UK, Banded guide price UK auction, Selling a three bed semi at auction in Plymouth

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#292

Once a month I’m joined by Darren McNeill from our sponsors FMP to look back at a deal he sourced for a client 5 years ago.

This month, we discuss a deal in Bacup, Lancashire OL13 8BS

Finnigan McNeill Property specialise in high-yielding turnkey properties in the Northwest for under 125K.

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We discuss:

1. FMP’s focus on UK buy-to-let properties
2. Back-to-back terraced houses explained in UK property context
3. Property deal review: Holmes Lane, Bacup, UK
4. Two-bedroom terraces in the UK property market
5. UK property purchase price: £65,000 in 2021
6. Rental forecast vs. actual rents UK property
7. Attic bedrooms in UK back-to-back homes
8. UK property on three floors: Investment benefits
9. UK rental market: £525 achieved over £475 forecast
10. FMP information sheets for UK property investors
11. Five and ten-year UK property forecasting
12. Key UK property market statistics and EPC data
13. Bacup UK property price growth since 2017
14. UK capital growth: 37% in Bacup since 2020
15. UK rental yields: North West outperforming national average
16. UK property yields: FMP targets 9–10% minimum
17. Capital growth surprise in Northern UK property
18. UK cash flow vs. capital growth investment strategy
19. Burnley: Top UK property investment location
20. Burnley’s regeneration and impact on UK property values

Keywords

UK property, UK property investment, UK property market, Buy to let UK, Northwest property investment, Greater Manchester property, Burnley property investment, Bacup property market, UK rental yields, UK capital growth, Buy to let under 125,000, UK property cash flow, Rental Barometer Fleet Mortgages, UK landlord advice, Back to back terrace property UK, Burnley buy to let opportunities, Northwest England investment properties, UK two bedroom rental yields, Holmes Lane Bacup property, UK property investment for expats, Best areas to invest in Northwest UK, University of Central Lancashire property investment, UK property projections and forecasting, UK property remortgage rates, UK property information sheets for landlords

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

We've released 278 episodes since our last trailer.

So it's time for a refresh.

We're also starting a YouTube channel to show short video clips from our more recent episodes.

Details to follow later.

#291

Lucian Cook is Head of Residential Research at Savills.

In this episode, Lucian demystifies UK property data, market cycles, and regional growth trends. 

Listen in full to learn where to collect data andhow to interpret it.

You will also gain expert insights on how to understand regional market cycles and navigate current trends in UK property.

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We discuss:

1. AI’s Impact on UK Property Market Research
2. UK Property Data Interpretation More Important Than Raw Access
3. Comparing Nationwide, ONS, and Halifax UK House Price Indexes
4. Strengths and Weaknesses of UK Property Data Sources
5. Understanding RICS Residential Market Survey for UK Investors
6. Analysing UK Mortgage Approvals and Market Trends
7. Tracking UK Private Rented Sector Supply and Demand
8. Volatility in Monthly UK House Price Data
9. Regional Differences: London vs. Midlands and Northern UK
10. Yield Analysis for UK Buy-to-Let Property Investors
11. Impact of UK Government Policy on Housing Market
12. Role of First Time Buyers in UK Property Trends
13. Bank of Mum and Dad’s Influence in UK Housing
14. Manchester’s Rising Role in the UK Property Market
15. Importance of Demographic Data in UK Housing Research
16. UK Housing Cycle Predictions and Black Swan Events
17. Private Rented Sector Changes Post-Renters Reform Act
18. Effects of Geopolitical Events on UK Property Market
19. Barriers to Homeownership and UK Property Affordability
20. How to Assess Local Demand in UK Property Investment

Keywords

UK property podcast, UK housing market podcast, UK real estate podcast, property investment podcast UK, buy-to-let podcast UK, UK property market insights, UK house prices podcast, expat property podcast UK, UK property news podcast, residential property podcast UK, UK property trends podcast, UK property research podcast, UK property cycle podcast, UK landlord podcast, UK rental market podcast, UK property data podcast, UK housing forecast podcast, first-time buyer podcast UK, best property podcast UK, UK property expert interviews, UK property analysis podcast, Savills property podcast UK, UK property investment advice podcast, UK housing policy podcast, UK private rented sector podcast, UK regional property podcast

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory

#290

This is our monthly roundup of news affecting UK Property investors.

This month's news

1. Bridging Boom: UK Short-Term Finance Sector Rockets to £10 Billion—What’s Driving the Surge?
   
   
2. 30-Year Gilt Yields Hit Century High—Could This Signal Trouble for UK Mortgages and House Prices?
   
   
3. Hong Kong Buyers Dominate UK Property Market—But Some Face Massive Losses in Off-Plan Scandal
   
   
4. Landlords Flee UK Rental Market: New Data Reveals Record Sell-Off Amid Incoming Legislation Changes

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In this episode:

1. UK Bridging Finance Hits £10 Billion in 2025
2. Growth Trends in UK Short-Term Property Finance
3. Bridging Loans Shift from Last Resort to Mainstream
4. Increased Regulation in UK Bridging Sector
5. Higher Borrowing Costs Impact UK Property Transactions
6. 30-Year Gilt Yields Hit Century-High in UK
7. Gilt Yields and Their Influence on UK Mortgages
8. Rising Swap Rates Affect UK Fixed Mortgage Prices
9. High Gilt Yields Pressure UK Property Prices
10. Public Debt Impacts UK Economy and Housing Market
11. UK Property Market Faces Political and Economic Uncertainty
12. Hong Kong Buyers Dominate Overseas UK Property Ownership
13. Overseas Property Buyers in England and Wales by Numbers
14. UK Off-Plan Property Risks for Hong Kong Investors
15. X1 Manchester Waters Failure Hits Global UK Property Investors
16. Surge in UK Buy-to-Let Properties for Sale
17. Landlords Respond to Renters Rights Act by Exiting Market
18. London Leads in UK Former Rentals Entering Market
19. Regulatory Changes Force UK Landlords to Reassess Investments
20. Renters Rights Act Alters UK Landlord Tenant Selection Criteria

Keywords

uk property, uk property news, uk property market, uk property investment, uk property podcast, uk buy to let, uk real estate, uk property cycle, uk property trends, uk property prices, uk rental market, uk property investors, uk property finance, uk housing market, uk mortgage rates, uk property regulations, uk property bridging loans, uk property for expats, uk property sales, Long-Tail Keywords, news for uk property investors, uk property bridging finance trends, uk property market for expats, impact of gilt yields on uk property, uk property investor podcast, how interest rates affect uk property prices, uk overseas property buyers statistics, uk property cycle Savills insights, buy to let property sales uk, effect of Renters Rights act on uk landlords, uk property renovation finance, international investors in uk property 2026, uk property for hong kong buyers, uk property cash buyers opportunities, uk property landlord regulations 2026, uk property forecasts for remote investors, uk mortgage rates and housing market, uk government policies on property markets, uk property evictions and homelessness, best uk cities for property investment 2026

Check out our new YouTube Channel @ExpatPropertyStory