2025 was a year that ended with one of the biggest residential auctions of all time, raising £77M and a long awaited cut to interest rates – this is typically the catalyst that the commercial market needs to drive demand. As we review last year we also make our informed predictions of what 2026 holds.

Both Auctioneers discuss the different forces driving the buyers and sellers, with a significant increase in Housing Associations and REITS selling last year, which is likely to continue and some new overseas buyers buying in to commercial assets for the first time. Is that a turning point in the market? There is a lot to cover.

“So much is moving in the wider Residential market”, says Seb Verity who reflects on his normal wide range of topics from the impact of rising obsolescence in all its forms, to what is holding back the Government’s new build targets.

The entire panel conclude the episode with their thoughts on how they would invest £5m in their markets and why.

In this episode of Allsop's PropChat, valuation partner Ed Dunningham hosts a discussion with John Banbury and Ryan Stanton - experts from the Business Rates Team. The conversation begins with a brief update of the impact of the Budget. Listeners can expect expert insights into the effect of the new multipliers and Rateable Values on business rates liabilities and how they may in turn create opportunities in the investment market.

Follow Allsop and our speakers Ed Dunningham, John Banbury and Ryan Stanton on social media.

Ed Dunningham

LinkedIn/Ed Dunningham

John Banbury

LinkedIn/John Banbury

Ryan Stanton

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If you have a question relating to one of our podcasts or have any suggestions of themes you would like us to cover, please email podcasts@allsop.co.uk

The podcast presented here is for general guidance and represents opinions of our teams based on the property market at the time of recording.

All details are correct at time of recording

George, Adam and Ben explore the story of this progress, the key moments, their most memorable auction purchase and several hints and tips for active investors in today’s market, where opportunities remain to be taken.

Whilst the team of 30 is still active in the auction sector, their appetite for deals spreads further afield.

Harkalm are typically investing £60-£70m annually into 30 or so mostly vacant properties to re position to clients and occupiers needs across several sectors. Having started on the High Street with national bookmakers like Coral, they work across many sectors from convenience stores and nurseries, now including drive through developments and a new and interesting expertise providing Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools.

All of their experience is focussed on creating institutional grade investment property to hold or trade on to a very receptive Private Investor market.

Following some advice from a business coach who said “you can’t run a supermarket or cornershop practices” they have captured the process for themselves. The market knowledge which they have leveraged so well over the years has now been integrated in their own in house “dating site” for buildings and tenants with the help of specialist data scientist working in house.

To close we ask how each of them would invest a £5m windfall in today’s market, for themselves and secondly for a passive investor seeking safe income and wealth preservation.

Get in touch or follow Allsop or our speakers George Walker, Adam Harvey and Ben Sarner.

George Walker

george.walker@allsop.co.uk

LinkedIn/George Walker

Adam Harvey

aharvey@harkalm.com

LinkedIn/Adam Harvey

Ben Sarner

bsarner@harkalm.com

LinkedIn/Ben Sarner

Allsop
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Don't forget, if you’ve enjoyed listening, please rate us and consider writing a review.

If you have a question relating to one of our podcasts or have any suggestions of themes you would like us to cover, please email podcasts@allsop.co.uk

The podcast presented here is for general guidance and represents opinions of our teams based on the property market at the time of recording.

All details are correct at time of recording