0

The latest property market analysis by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has taken a look at both the residential and commercial property markets and how both are currently performing for those considering an investment but unsure which path to take.

The analysis shows that when it comes to the initial cost of investing, the average residential property requires a budget of £259,850. However, with an average value of £454,384, a commercial investment will require a budget some 75% larger on average.

Where stock availability is concerned, the residential market also offers up far greater choice with 541,966 listings versus just 12,022 across the commercial space.

LIS Show – MPU

The value of the market is also more substantial, worth an estimated £251.5bn while the commercial market comes in at almost £9bn in value.

London and the South East rank top for resi stock availability, accounting for 19% of all listings, with the East of England (12%) also seeing a large number.

Those eyeing a commercial investment are better placed investing in the South West and North West, accounting for 12.9% and 12% of all commercial stock respectively.

London ranks third with 11% of all commercial properties in the capital.

While the commercial sector may be smaller in both volume of stock and values it could prove the better option for the individual investor.

On average across the UK, a commercial investment will bring a yield of 10.7%, while the average residential property offers a yield of just 3.7%.

Currently, Scotland and the North West offer the highest residential yields at 4.4% and 4.3%, while Scotland is also home to the highest commercial yield at 20.4%, along with the South West (13.7%).

Both regions are also home to the largest gap between the average residential yield and the average commercial yield.

Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented:

“It’s fair to say that both the residential and commercial markets have been impacted by the pandemic and so it’s hard for investors to know where to put their money at present.”

“But tough times can also bring great opportunity and with the country now reopening from both a professional and social standpoint, both sectors are set to see a return to health over the coming months.

There are a plethora of factors to consider from your initial investment level, which sector to choose and the ongoing requirements, capital gains potential, as well as the regional disparities across these sectors in each region of the UK.

While a commercial investment may offer a higher yield, the recovery timeline as a result of the pandemic is set to stretch on far longer than that of the residential rental market and residential property investment remains by far the dominant force where availability, affordability and total sector value is concerned.

However, commercial investment can provide a more hands-off approach for those doing so through a third-party platform, while the amateur buy-to-let landlord is sure to spend more time sorting out tenant issues and so on.

The best approach is a balanced portfolio and one that considers the pros and cons of each market from both a residential and commercial standpoint.”

Table shows the current average asking price, value of the market, number of properties and proportion of total properties across both the commercial and residential markets
Region Resi number of properties Resi asking price Est total value % of market Comm number of properties Comm asking price Est total value % of market
London 103,471 £1,048,760 £108,516,245,960 19.1% 1,331 £1,526,731 £2,032,078,961 11.1%
South East 103,293 £454,581 £46,955,035,233 19.1% 1,172 £2,032,700 £2,382,324,400 9.7%
East Midlands 35,842 £275,169 £9,862,607,298 6.6% 780 £972,202 £758,317,560 6.5%
East of England 65,333 £365,714 £23,893,192,762 12.1% 741 £645,600 £478,389,600 6.2%
North East 22,423 £202,181 £4,533,504,563 4.1% 783 £347,866 £272,379,078 6.5%
North West 48,599 £227,049 £11,034,354,351 9.0% 1,438 £429,830 £618,095,540 12.0%
South West 49,629 £403,642 £20,032,348,818 9.2% 1,547 £534,867 £827,439,249 12.9%
West Midlands 36,619 £289,322 £10,594,682,318 6.8% 1,175 £478,938 £562,752,150 9.8%
Yorkshire and The Humber 29,099 £201,512 £5,863,797,688 5.4% 1,152 £330,030 £380,194,560 9.6%
Scotland 25,310 £191,332 £4,842,612,920 4.7% 1,110 £305,749 £339,381,390 9.2%
Wales 21,372 £244,530 £5,226,095,160 3.9% 768 £417,946 £320,982,528 6.4%
Northern Ireland 976 £184,416 £179,990,016 0.2% 25 £396,942 £9,923,550 0.2%
United Kingdom 541,966 £259,850 £251,534,467,087 100.0% 12,022 £454,384 £8,982,258,566 100.0%
Table shows the current average yield across both the commercial and residential markets
Region Resi asking price Resi asking rent pm Resi average yield Comm asking price Comm asking rent pm Comm average yield
Scotland £191,332 £706 4.4% £305,749 £5,204 20.4%
South West £403,642 £1,031 3.1% £534,867 £6,097 13.7%
Yorkshire and The Humber £201,512 £633 3.8% £330,030 £3,549 12.9%
Northern Ireland £184,416 £277 1.8% £396,942 £3,605 10.9%
Wales £244,530 £806 4.0% £417,946 £3,597 10.3%
West Midlands £289,322 £810 3.4% £478,938 £3,692 9.3%
North East £202,181 £667 4.0% £347,866 £2,570 8.9%
North West £227,049 £810 4.3% £429,830 £3,168 8.8%
East of England £365,714 £1,057 3.5% £645,600 £4,377 8.1%
London £1,048,760 £2,643 3.0% £1,526,731 £9,681 7.6%
East Midlands £275,169 £802 3.5% £972,202 £5,053 6.2%
South East £454,581 £1,356 3.6% £2,032,700 £7,848 4.6%
United Kingdom £302,577 £869 3.4% £317,890 £5,204 19.6%
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Stay informed with our leading property sector news, delivered free to your inbox. 
Subscribe
Your information will be used to subscribe you to our newsletter and send you relevant email communications. View our Privacy Policy
Property Notify
Property Notify is a leading property sector publisher reporting on breaking news and political changes affecting the UK property industry, in addition to finance, tax and investment coverage we provide a hub to explore, contribute, invest in and celebrate the property industry. - Read more.

    The Kensington Neighbourhood Leading the Prime Property Resurgence with £1m Jump in House Prices

    Previous article

    First-Time Buyers Scheme Now Open for Bids from House Builders

    Next article

    You may also like

    Comments

    Leave a reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *