Ten takeaways from the Savills insight evening

The event brought together clients, advisers, and market professionals to hear first-hand commentary from Lucian Cook and Clare Bailey – two of the UK’s leading real estate researchers. Their presentations offered a data-driven and clear-eyed view of both the residential and commercial markets: realistic about current conditions, but with signs of progress and opportunity ahead.

Here are his ten takeaways from the evening.

1. The housing market has stabilised – but not recovered

Lucian was clear: the market is no longer in a correction phase, but it is not yet showing strong signs of acceleration.

2. Mortgage conditions are improving at the margins

Affordability continues to challenge buyers, but fixed-rate pressure has eased slightly, and changes to stress testing have started to unlock opportunity – especially for first-time buyers.

3. Confidence, not cost, is the limiting factor

Many investors are holding back due to political and macroeconomic uncertainty. Even when deals stack up, the hesitation is often more behavioural than financial.

4. Landlords are consolidating, not fleeing

Despite headlines, landlords are not exiting en masse. The message from Savills was one of repositioning  – portfolios being refined, adapted, and in some cases, upgraded.

5. Prime central London is presenting selective opportunities

Pricing remains subdued in parts of the prime market, which may offer long-term buyers an entry point – especially those less exposed to short-term tax or policy swings.

6. Offices are recovering – but only the best

Clare Bailey highlighted strong demand for well-located, ESG-compliant offices. Poorer-quality stock continues to struggle, reinforcing the divide between Grade A and the rest.

7. Refurbishment is the dominant theme

With development constrained by cost, planning, and policy, investors are increasingly focused on refurbishment and repositioning of existing stock.

8. Retail is showing signs of resilience

While the structural shift in retail continues, there are signs of stabilisation in core locations, particularly where retail has adapted to changing consumer behaviours.

9. Logistics remains attractive – but more selective

Demand persists, but at a more sustainable pace. Design quality and location are now key differentiators in an increasingly discerning market.

10. Professionalisation is driving market behaviour

A common thread across both residential and commercial markets was the increasing professionalism of landlords, investors, and occupiers – from compliance to financing to exit planning.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Arbuthnot Latham.