"With strong ongoing interest in new investments and a majority planning to use bridging or development finance again this year, demand for flexible, short-term funding is set to remain a core part of the property investment landscape"
- Thomas Cantor - West One Loans
Despite ongoing uncertainty across the market, 75% of high-net-worth investors surveyed said they intend to use short-term finance as part of their investment strategy in the next 12 months.
The survey, conducted with 320 experienced investors, also found that 59% have maintained consistent investment activity over the past two years, with a further 10% increasing their level of activity despite market volatility.
Specialist finance has been a key enabler, with 67% of respondents using bridging or development finance, or both, over the last 24 months. Speed and flexibility remain top priorities.
Among bridging finance users, the ability to access funding quickly was the most cited benefit (33%), followed by the flexibility to act on time-sensitive opportunities (26%). For those using development finance, 21% pointed to faster funding times, while another 21% valued the potential for stronger returns on larger projects.
Investor sentiment remains cautious. Just 4% of those surveyed described current market conditions as “very positive”, while 9% felt optimistic. The majority expressed caution (29%), uncertainty (20%) or negativity (15%).
The main concerns cited were economic instability (26%), political uncertainty (20%), and rising construction costs (13%), in addition to regulatory changes and interest rate pressure.
Still, the appetite for future investment remains resilient. More than a quarter of investors (27%) are actively planning new projects in 2025, with a further 22% open to investing depending on how the market evolves. Buy-to-let and refurbishment schemes remain the most popular strategies.
“The past two years have tested even the most experienced property investors, but the response has not been to retreat," comments Thomas Cantor, Co-Head of short-term finance at West One Loans. "Instead, many have used specialist finance to adapt quickly, unlock capital, and act decisively in a changing market.
"With strong ongoing interest in new investments and a majority planning to use bridging or development finance again this year, demand for flexible, short-term funding is set to remain a core part of the property investment landscape.”
