From Society Talks “UK Real Estate: Why timing is everything right now”

Insights from Society’s November webinar hosted by Jeffrey Asselstine, featuring Eunus Ali (FPI London), Noah Aribi (Select Property Group Manchester), and Afsor Ullah (Druces LLP London).

In November, Society International Real Estate hosted a focused and timely conversation on one of the world’s most closely analysed markets: the United Kingdom. With interest rates shifting, regulatory frameworks evolving, and global investors reassessing their strategies, timing has become the defining variable shaping cross‑border acquisitions.

Guided by Jeffrey Asselstine, co-Founder and Managing Director of Society International Real Estate, the webinar brought together three distinct vantage points:
– Eunus Ali of FPI London, offering investor‑driven insight
– Noah Aribi of Select Property Group Manchester, providing a developer’s perspective on regional demand
– Afsor Ullah of Druces LLP London, delivering legal clarity on structuring and compliance

This combination offered a rare 360‑degree perspective: brokerage insight, developer intelligence, and legal clarity. Together, they explored why the UK continues to attract international capital and how timing can dramatically influence both opportunity and outcome. The full webinar is available below.

Key Takeaways

1. Timing is a strategic differentiator
Market cycles, interest rate movements, and currency shifts have created windows of opportunity for investors who are prepared to act decisively.

2. The UK remains a global safe haven
Despite political and economic fluctuations, the UK continues to offer transparency, stability, and long‑term value — qualities that global investors consistently seek.

3. Regional markets show powerful fundamentals
Noah Aribi highlighted Manchester’s strong demand for high‑quality residential and purpose‑built accommodation, driven by demographic growth and sustained undersupply.

4. Legal structuring shapes investment success
Afsor Ullah emphasized the importance of early legal planning, from ownership vehicles to tax considerations, to protect investors and streamline transactions.

5. Cross‑border buyers are returning with confidence
Eunus Ali noted renewed interest from the Middle East and Asia, driven by lifestyle migration, education pathways, and portfolio diversification.

6. Prime and purpose‑built assets outperform
Both London’s core districts and Manchester’s high‑growth zones continue to show resilience, supported by limited supply and strong rental fundamentals.

7. Currency dynamics create additional value
Favorable exchange rates in late 2024 and early 2025 enhanced purchasing power for non‑GBP buyers, reinforcing the importance of timing.

Speaker & Host Spotlights

Host

Jeffrey Asselstine
Society International Real Estate
Founder and Managing Director, guiding the conversation with a strategic focus on cross‑border investment, market timing, and the evolving role of global real estate advisory.

Speakers

Eunus Ali
FPI, London
A specialist in international property investment, offering grounded insight into buyer motivations, market timing, and the expectations of globally mobile clients.

Noah Aribi
Select Property Group, Manchester
Representing one of the UK’s leading developers, Noah brings a development‑driven perspective on regional demand, supply constraints, and the performance of residential and purpose‑built accommodation across Manchester’s high‑growth districts.

Afsor Ullah
Druces LLP, London
A respected legal advisor in UK real estate, offering clarity on structuring, compliance, and the regulatory frameworks that shape cross‑border investment decisions.

Closing Reflection

The UK market continues to evolve, but its fundamentals remain compelling. As the webinar demonstrated, timing is not simply about entering the market at the “right moment”, it is about preparation, insight, and the ability to act with confidence. With perspectives from brokerage, development, and legal advisory, this conversation underscores why the UK remains a landscape of opportunity for global investors, and how Society continues to illuminate that path with clarity and expertise.

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