Setting Up for Success in 2026

A Strategic Guide for Property Investors

As we look ahead to 2026, the most successful property investors will be those who plan

with intent, structure their portfolios carefully and act decisively when opportunities arise -

even against a backdrop of continued economic and political uncertainty. Now is the time to

lay the foundations.

Portfolio Planning with Purpose

Start by revisiting your portfolio goals:

● How many properties do you want to acquire in 2026?

● What asset types best support those goals?

● Are you focused on income, capital growth or a blend of both?

Clarity at this stage allows every decision that follows to align with your long-term strategy,

helping to avoid reactive choices driven by short-term noise rather than long-term outcomes.

Acquisition Strategy: Focus on Going Concerns

With contractor costs high and availability limited, many investors are prioritising assets that

offer immediate income and operational stability, including:

● HMOs with stable tenancies

● Multi-unit freeholds

● Mixed-use properties

● Small portfolios (6+ units)

These assets provide cashflow from day one, allow for strategic upgrades to be planned at

future refinance points, rather than relying on heavy upfront works during periods of cost

inflation.

Finance Planning: Rates, Leverage and Refinancing

Finance remains one of the most powerful tools in an investor’s strategy - and one of the

most common areas where long-term performance is either strengthened or undermined.

Key considerations include:

● Reviewing current lending across the portfolio

● Planning refinancing timelines well in advance

● Ensuring leverage levels remain sustainable

● Aligning borrowing structures with acquisition and exit goals

In an environment where entry costs remain higher, disciplined finance planning and liquidity

management can make a material difference to long-term returns and portfolio resilience.

Build a Strong Deal Pipeline

The most successful investors are rarely reactive - they build pipelines.

This means:

● Staying close to trusted agents, brokers and sourcing channels

● Tracking opportunities consistently, even when not actively buying

● Being positioned to move quickly when the right asset appears

Momentum is built and maintained. When others pause, prepared investors are able to act

with confidence.

Plan, Then Execute

2026 will reward investors who combine clear planning with decisive execution.

Planning draws opportunity in. Execution is what converts it into results.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

As the new year approaches, now is the ideal time to:

● Finalise your 2026 investment plan

● Stress test your portfolio against different market scenarios

● Identify priority acquisition targets

● Ensure your strategy aligns with an evolving market environment

For investors serious about scaling in 2026, working with the right advisory team is not about

chasing opportunity - it is about managing risk, protecting momentum and executing with

clarity.

Here’s to a successful, strategic and confident New Year.