From December to the end of February, we have seen a remarkable change in sentiment in the UK residential property market. Four of the five property indices monitored by our benchmark index, LSL Acadata, reported average house prices reached new record highs. According to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey, buyer enquiries, agreed sales and new instructions all rose over the month extending a run since December 2019. Near term sales expectations remained positive for the 5th month running.

We have seen a remarkable change in sentiment in the UK residential property market.

According to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey, buyer enquiries, agreed sales and new instructions all rose over the month and all respondents remain upbeat on the outlook for sales in the coming year. In that more positive context, the TM home investor fund recorded its second month of upward valuations in the property portfolio. In December, our holdings in Manchester were valued upwards and in January our independent valuer increased valuations on all our units in Wembley. In total we hold 39 units across these two sites totalling 20% of the overall property portfolio.

Furthermore, following positive inflows of new investment into the fund, it will shortly complete on a purchase of 13 three-bedroom new-build houses in Smethwick, West Midlands for c. £2.9 million. Completion is scheduled for the end of February on 11 of these, with the remainder in April or early May. This development is a good fit in terms of our investment strategy – we favour the Midlands as a region, and the development is near a new Super Hospital and a 6-minute train journey to Birmingham New Street Station. We aim to make a further acquisition of up to £2 million in the coming months, and these acquisitions will bring the cash levels back into our target range of 10-15%.