A year ago, there was a lot of noise: interest rates, inflation, political uncertainty, changing legislation - plenty of reasons for people to sit on their hands. However, our experience through 2025 was a resilient and adaptable property market that quietly got on with it.

2025 was about being realistic, moving quickly and doing the job properly.

An adaptable mindset

The biggest change was mindset.

Buyers didn’t disappear - they just became way more cautious. Transactions were still happening, but only where pricing made sense. Sellers who listened, adjusted and were prepared to meet the market sold well. Those who didn’t… waited.

In the investment market, income-producing stock in strong locations continued to attract strong interest, particularly from long-term investors. The days of speculative pricing were gone, but fair value deals sold to serious buyers.

Demand from tenants for both residential and most commercial types remained strong throughout the year.

Despite economic pressures and uncertainty, businesses kept expanding, relocating and upgrading. Health, fitness, medical, creative and industrial occupiers were particularly active, where office occupiers were few a far between.

The common theme? Tenants want best in class, ready to move into space, in good locations.

It is this market where strong agency skills and accurate advice really makes the difference.

Commercial Lettings

Commercial Lettings was a standout in 2025.

Dutch & Dutch’s commercial agency team completed 62 deals with:

  • An average annual rent of £80,000 per annum
  • A top rent of £1,310,000 per annum
  • An average letting time of just 18 days from marketing to acceptable offer made.

Testament to our team’s experience in marketing strategy and accurate pricing.

Commercial Sales

Commercia Sales were steady and consistent across the year.

Dutch & Dutch’s commercial agency team completed 20 freehold sales through 2025, achieving:

  • An average sale price of £1.37 m
  • A highest sale price of £19.1 m
  • 99.5% of asking price achieved on average
  • An average of 95 days (around 13 weeks) from offer agreed to exchange of contracts

Given how cautious lenders and buyers have been, those figures matter. They show that when deals are structured properly and pricing is realistic deals happen.
Hitting 2026 running…

One of the things we enjoy most about commercial property is the variety.

This year we acted on everything from a Grade II listed GP surgery, world-class gym, yoga and pilates studios, martial arts centre, golf facility, dental and medical surgeries, warehouses, joinery workshops, retailers, pubs, churches, offices, industrial buildings, labs and creative spaces.

We can’t wait to bring the same enthusiasm and great ideas into 2026