Reports

The post-pandemic outlook of the UK commercial property market

Almost every industry felt the impact of Covid-19. The commercial property market was no exception. How will it cope in a post-covid world? Find out here where the demand will be.

Gazumped Britain III: Uncovering the Challenges Facing Homebuyers

In the third installment of our ‘Gazumped Britain’ research, we have surveyed over 500 UK adults who bought a residential property in England or Wales within the past decade. This report will explore, how prevalent gazumping remains, the main causes and ramifications of being gazumped, and what can be done to tackle the issue.

How can the UK Bridging Industry help the property market go green?

Climate change is affecting all industries, and the bridging market is no exception. But how can we work together to help landlords meet their EPC regulation deadline and increase a property’s energy efficiency? Find out here…

What should we expect from the UK property market in 2022?

At the start of 2022, inquiries around whether the property market’s performance from the past 12 months can be sustained naturally started to surface. To find the answers, we commissioned an independent survey among 2,001 UK adults at the start of January 2022. The research provides a timely insight into how we can expect to see the property market evolve in the year to come.

Housing crisis report 2021

The housing crisis is one of the most significant societal issues affecting the UK. A lack of available housing – particularly affordable housing – has resulted in rent and house prices rising sharply over many decades. In turn, millions of people across the UK are living in unsuitable accommodation, while many millions more are unable to purchase their own property.

15 years of Market Financial Solutions

Fifteen might not be considered an old age for a business, but in the bridging sector it is. While today the industry is home to a vast number of short-term lenders across the UK, in 2006 there were very few companies specialising in bridging finance; Market Financial Solutions (MFS) was one of them.

Buy-to-let in focus

How the sector has responded during the Covid-19 Pandemic?

How has the UK bridging industry fared during the Covid-19 pandemic?

No industry has been immune to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The property market and, by extension the bridging loan sector, have certainly faced their challenges.

Diversity in financial services

The debate surrounding diversity within the financial services sector, or lack thereof, has been raging for some time.

Five years since the EU referendum

On 23 June 2016, the UK voted narrowly in favour of leaving the European Union (EU). The referendum remains a landmark moment in the UK’s modern history, with the aftereffects still being felt.

The homebuyer wishlist 2021

Our timely research delves into the factors that matter most to UK homebuyers and how their priorities have changed as a result of the pandemic. Further, the results are compared with a survey MFS commissioned in the summer of 2019, offering a clear overview of how the property buying market has evolved over the past two years.

Understanding clients’ need in 2021

After the tumultuous year that was 2020, investors, businesses, and consumers are hoping the coming 12 months will be a year of positive transition and change.

The future of housing market

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, leading the UK to enter its first lockdown, many were concerned about the lasting impacts this would have on the property industry. Yet despite the constant fear that house prices would plummet, the housing market retained a 5-year high and property value rose at a steady rate.

2020: A year of challenges and achievements

There is no denying that 2020 has been one of the most eventful, unpredictable years in recent history. It will be remembered as a time when a virus first discovered in China would eventually bring the globe to a standstill.

The housing crisis in 2020: opening the market to new opportunities

The pandemic has presented unique challenges for the country that go beyond the initial health concerns. It has drastically affected the performance of different sectors, like hospitality and retail. In the same instance, the government has been actively attempting to encourage consumer spending and investment activity to ensure the economic impact of the pandemic is limited as much as possible.

Unlocking property investment opportunities

Since the introduction of social distancing measures in response to the pandemic, the behaviours of businesses, investors and consumers have changed dramatically. Even as the country slowly transitions out of lockdown, the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has made many people naturally hesitant when it comes to making significant financial decisions.

Transitioning out of lockdown: preparing for the ‘new normal’

The “new normal” is a term frequently used to acknowledge the permanent changes to society brought about by the pandemic. It is wrong to assume that things will simply return to the way they were at the beginning of the year, even as the virus abates. At MFS we see this as an opportunity for the bridging sector to take a step back, critically review current practices and update existing processes so that borrowers, brokers and indeed lenders can benefit in the long-term.

A transition out of lockdown: an update from Market Financial Solutions

After more than three months in lockdown, Boris Johnson declared on Tuesday 23rd June that the national hibernation is beginning to come to an end. In an attempt to reignite national productivity, social distancing measures are slowly being lifted so that more…

Covid-19 and the UK property market – an update

It has been over two months since the UK Government announced the implementation of social distancing measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Since then, businesses have been forced to reorganise the way they operate and ensure they are in a position to continue serving the needs of their clients. This has proved challenging for some, particularly those operating in the property sector.

Stamp Duty Land Tax: What property investors need to know

In this guide, Market Financial Solutions outlines some of the most significant changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) over the years and the current state of the market. We also explore important factors for investors to consider before making a property purchase in the UK, as well as potential stamp duty reforms on the horizon.

What can we expect from the UK property market in 2020?

The New Year is upon us, which mean property investors will likely be wondering what 2020 has in store. For some, there may be a sense of frustration that Brexit uncertainty lingers on as it did in 2019. However, there is a marked difference from 12 months ago; now, after a strong performance in the December 2019
General Election, the Conservative Party has a majority in the House of Commons.

Gazumped Britain II: uncovering the challenges facing UK homebuyers

Three years after first exploring this issue, bridging lender MFS has surveyed more than 750 UK homebuyers to uncover just how prevalent gazumping is and what can be done to stop it. The report also explores the significant financial and emotional cost of being gazumped on a property purchase.

The UK homebuyer wishlist 2019

Between August and September 2019, MFS commissioned an independent survey of more than 1,000 UK-based homebuyers and property investors to discover the factors that matter most to people when hunting for a house or flat to buy. To read the results, be sure to download MFS’ new report ‘The UK Homebuyer Wish List’

How new prime minister Boris Johnson may affect investors and the UK property market

As an experienced bridging lender, we have been keeping an eager eye on the impact our new Prime minister will have on the property market. To ensure our clients and investors are fully aware of the implications stemming from the current political and economic climate MFS’s factsheet will reveal what Boris Johnson’s proposed plans are for the property and finance markets, supported by expert industry analysis from our experienced team.

Rental market reforms: How are UK landlords responding?

The UK’s property market has long been a sought-after destination for domestic investors. The combination of long-term capital growth of bricks and mortar assets, along with the regular rental income the properties generate, makes them attractive for investors seeking a range of different financial outcomes.

MFS’ final report of the year summary

Reviewing how 2018 has unfolded, MFS’ final report of the year summarises the key trends that have shaped the property sector. By calling on some of the standout findings of our unique investor research, this resource offers valuable insight into how 2018’s major events have affected brokers and property buyers.

Collapsed Property Sales is on the rise

To understand why the number of collapsed property sales is on the rise, Market Financial Solutions has surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults to uncover the common reasons leading to a house purchase falling through. With access to finance being identified as a key barrier, the findings also reveal how the UK perceives alternative finance opportunities as a way of avoiding collapsed property chains.

How are UK property buyers financing their purchase?

The UK’s property investor intentions 2018

Gazumped Britain I: UK property buyers pipped to the post

Inherited property: the future of UK homeownership