PR: What are the biggest opportunities you see for landlords and investors in the current property market—and how can they capitalise on them?
GW: I’d say short-term rentals are a big opportunity right now. Airbnb’s and holiday lets are still in huge demand - in the right areas. Areas with consistent weekend traffic, such as tourist spots or city-break locations, are where landlords can often earn more than they would from a standard long-term let.
As long as you are a bit strategic with it - making sure the numbers still work once extra costs are factored in and putting a little effort into making the place feel like somewhere people genuinely want to stay (nicely presented, easy check-in, solid Wi-Fi, etc.) then short-term lets can be a really strong way to increase income.
PR: How has investor behaviour changed over the past 12 months, and what trends do you expect to shape the sector in 2026?
GW: I think property investors have become more focused on diversification and income over the past year. Because of higher costs and more pressure on profit margins, many are looking at diversifying their portfolio - short-term lets like Airbnb’s are a prime example of this.
I’ve also noticed more investors taking a longer-term view by holding onto assets for longer and putting more emphasis on steady cash flow.
I expect that investors prioritising yield and “futureproofing” properties will be a trend that continues throughout the year.
PR: What’s your view on the shift toward professionalisation in the landlord sector, and how can smaller investors stay competitive?
GW: It can only be a good thing that landlords are becoming more professional, as it raises standards across the board and ultimately benefits tenants.
For smaller investors, I would say staying competitive is really about being more selective: choosing properties in areas with strong and consistent demand and taking a long-term view.
PR: Where do you think landlords should be focusing their attention right now—whether it’s location, property type, or tenant demographics?
GW: It's all of the above, but really it comes down to demand and affordability.
Landlords should be focusing on locations where people genuinely want to live and where rents are realistic for the local market. Choose property types that suit today’s tenants and will stay rentable long-term, rather than taking a gamble on something niche.
PR: If you could give one piece of advice to landlords looking to grow or futureproof their portfolio, what would it be?
GW: My tip would be to do your due diligence properly and buy with a long-term plan. Don’t just purchase something just because it fits your budget; make sure it works as an investment too - with strong demand and at a rent level that fits the local market.
