Contrary to fears that the property market has cooled a survey conducted by the Homebuyer and Property Investor Show (7-9 March, ExCel, London) reveals that over 70% of active investors* are still planning to buy a property for investment purposes this year...

Despite the recent uncertainty in the property market, the majority of homeowners planning to buy a property this year are motivated by investment opportunities, with buy-to-let properties accounting for 49% of intended purchases and 40% of investors planning to buy with capital growth potential in mind (graph 1).

Graph 1. To show reasons for those planning to buy a property in 2008

Choosing to look to the future rather than be perturbed by the present, homebuyers are keeping the long-term benefits of property investment in mind. Of those polled, 69% said they were relying on either their own home (22%) or buy-to-let investments (47%) as the source of their future wealth (graph 2).  .

Graph 2. To show expected sources of future wealth

Nick Clark, managing director of The Homebuyer Show, comments: “Despite many reports to the contrary, there is undeniable confidence in the property market.  Well-informed, forward looking, serious investors are looking to capitalise on the current market, and with interest rates expected to fall in the coming months this really is an opportune time for investment.  People need to look at property as a long term investment.”