Brexit

The conservative use of debt by commercial property investors has reduced the likelihood of boom-and-bust, but the market is becoming more intricate in this elongated cycle.

Laurus Property Partners has set up shop in London with the hiring of former Lloyds banker Andrew Wheldon.

Real estate debt is a “great place to hide out” at this stage of the cycle, attendees at JLL’s UK predictions event heard.

Debt providers will see rising interest rates, slower growth in European markets and more political uncertainty in 2019.

Building a resilient portfolio with a focus on income is what will drive outperformance in the next stage of the cycle, the Swiss bank says.

An uptick in acquisition financing, borrowers addressing debt needs ahead of Brexit, and an aversion to lending to retail are among the trends emerging from the latest report on UK property lending.

In little more than seven months, the UK leaves the European Union. Real estate lenders are keeping their cool.

In the face of headwinds including Brexit, rate rises and high street woes, these trends show there is still a strong appetite to provide debt.

The German bank has posted an overall 24% year-on-year drop in new business as it maintains a ‘selective stance’ in financing markets.

The refinancing of Milton Park, a science and business park in Oxfordshire, represents the private lender’s largest single facility in Europe to date.