As the property market cools, diversified portfolios of financial assets show their strength.
Article last updated 3 July 2025.
Is the UK property boom behind us? For decades, property has been a cornerstone of British wealth-building, with house prices rising much faster than inflation. But the landscape has shifted dramatically.
Our latest research, Don’t bet the house, reveals that the era of rapid house price growth from around 1980, which helped previous generations build wealth, was the product of a unique set of conditions – which have now passed. Since 2016, UK property price growth has barely kept pace with inflation, and in London, the slowdown has been even sharper.
Several powerful forces have reshaped the market:
If you’re relying on property as your primary investment vehicle, it could be time to reconsider. A diversified portfolio of financial assets has showed itself to offer a stronger chance of achieving your long-term financial goals.
It’s important to remember that past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance. With investing your capital is at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment.
This in-depth report examines over a century of housing and investment data, challenging long-held beliefs about bricks and mortar. Discover how changing market forces and new economic realities affect your property investments, and why diversification matters more than ever.
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