We asked property experts Sarah Beeny, Raj Shastri, Gary  McCausland, Tony Bayliss and Arv Soar where they thought the UK property market was headed in the next 12 to 18 months. Here’s a taste of what they had to say:

“I started buying and selling property many, many years ago, but in more recent years people stopped seeing their home as a home but more as a commodity. That’s okay if that is your business and what you do as a living, but you have to make a distinction between something that is your home and something that’s bought as an investment.

“Mortgages are becoming more available again and there is certainly more liquidity in the property market now than there was at the end of last year.

“The problem with many house sellers today is that they are still expecting top prices when they are selling but desperately reduced prices if they want to buy. Things are starting to give, though, and people are starting to be more realistic. Mortgages are becoming more available again and there is certainly more liquidity in the property market now than there was at the end of last year.” Sarah Beeny

“My advice is to do what Phillip Green is trying to do – buying up half the High Street at low, low prices. In a few years’ time the question people will be asking is: ‘when did you get into property? 2009, wow, that was a great year to buy: 25% discounts, lowest ever interest rates, highly motivated sellers.’ Take advantage now ready for the next property boom which will make the next round of property millionaires.” Raj Shastri

 “…all the indicators are that the bank of England will be keeping interest rates low and lenders will eventually succumb to the pressure and start passing them on. In 2009, the cost of your mortgage should become cheaper – and lots more products on the market will mean that buying a home should become easier.

“The property market is forever turning and moving. It goes up and goes down but will eventually go up again. I think we’ll start to see shoots of recovery this year and prices bounce back in 2010.”
Gary McCausland

“My own portfolio was in the student market and if I were starting afresh today, I would still go for the same market because universities continue to expand and there is always a constant need for student accommodation. The returns from students are far higher than from families, with 8-12% still possible in the current climate. The key is to choose the right property in the right location.

“My advice would be to look for university towns or cities and find a property with potential for four or five study bedrooms within a five-minute walk of the main campus. Choose something which needs a bit of work, because these tend to be a lot cheaper and sellers will be desperate for a buyer.” Tony Bayliss

“I am finding investors are putting a lot more cash into each property purchase and have seen a marked increase in cash buyers. Investors are no longer leaving money in the bank due to poor returns and pensions are particularly affected so people are looking for positive income streams.

“Now is the time to buy and hold on to property! Values always do rise, as do rentals increase. The banks need to inject liquidity back into the market and the Government will hopefully force them to. The signs are that the property market will pick up in 2010. Property as a financial investment makes more sense now than ever.” Arv Soar

Want to know more? Read the experts’ property predictions in full on Primelocation.com.