Property is back on investors’ agendas – and with housebuilders announcing profits this results season, the spring may be a good time to trade. Last year saw a surge in popularity in property investment with retail investors. Funds investing in property were the best-selling sector in October and November, according to the Investment Management Association, with inflows in November the highest since the previous property boom in March 2007.
But open-ended property funds have proven a risky way to gain exposure to the sector. Many retail funds shut their doors to investors in 2007 and 2008 and sold properties in order to meet requests for cash from their investors.
