TOPICS
Forecasts
Property market forecasts: data-led outlooks of real estate market performance.
Our real estate market forecasts translate macroeconomic signals, transactional evidence and structural trends into a into a data-led outlook of residential and commercial market performance.
We produce regularly updated UK residential real estate market forecasts, predicting sales and rental market growth across the UK and prime London and country markets. Our commercial property forecasts are anchored by our flagship Active Capital [link] research, connecting global capital flows to sector-level performance.
Our forecasts support investors, developers, lenders, occupiers and policymakers who need a clear view of where markets are heading.
Our regular update predicting house price and rental market growth in the UK.
Active Capital
Capturing the views and investment intentions of 119 of the world’s largest global real estate investors, tracking $144bn of capital.
Active Capital
Active Capital: Halftime notes through a UK lens
At the halfway point in the year, we revisit our 2026 conclusions through a UK lens, set against the resignation of PM Keir Starmer.
26 June 2026
Active Capital
Welcome to the Knight Frank Active Capital Survey 2026
Investor sentiment is shifting from caution to conviction following higher interest rates, pricing uncertainty and constrained liquidity.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
Top themes: Seven forces shaping capital decisions in 2026
The Active Capital Survey 2026 identifies seven tightly clustered forces that will define investment decisions in the year ahead.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
The Knight Frank Active Capital Survey 2026: How investors plan to deploy $144bn
The survey reveals how capital flows, sector priorities and strategic positioning will shape 2026.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
Sector strategy for 2026: Offices to anchor allocations as demographics and technology drive diversification
Offices will be the top targeted sector in 2026. Investors will likely focus on prime assets in core CBDs where there is income resilience.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
Investor opportunities: Prime offices, repricing plays and structural growth sectors
Respondents to the survey identify three dominant opportunity clusters shaping investor strategy for the year ahead.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
From core to complexity: What investor hurdle rates tell us about 2026
Investor hurdle rates follow a hierarchy across strategies. The gap shows liquidity, complexity, execution risk and market volatility.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
Core capital returns: The outlook for core liquidity, recovery and strategy in 2026
Core investment is set to regain momentum, driven by stabilising debt, narrowing bid–ask spreads and improving return profiles.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
Capital strategies: Defensive anchors, opportunistic plays and the rise of partnerships
The Active Capital Survey 2026 indicates an investor base delicately balanced between caution and conviction.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
Capital on the move: How optimistic investors are targeting direct commercial real estate in 2026
How optimistic investors are targeting direct commercial real estate in 2026.
20 January 2026
Active Capital
What are the capital trends shaping commercial real estate?
Our Knight Frank Active Capital research forecasts global cross-border capital flows across key sector and investor types, tracking opportunities for 2024.
25 March 2024
Energy & Sustainability
ESG strategies differ among investor types
Here we delve deeper into the results of our ESG Property Investor Survey and analyse nuances among investor types and focus.
01 November 2023
Active Capital
Regional outlooks: real estate capital flows in 2023
We analyse the effects of the current market volatility on capital flows, region by region.
26 January 2023
Data Centres
Future trends and innovation in real estate investment
Investors must be primed for the sixth innovation wave. From data centres to flexible working spaces, opportunities abound.
26 January 2023
Active Capital
Forecasting global cross-border capital flows
The Capital Gravity model forms a cornerstone of our Active Capital research. Now in its sixth year, we’ve employed the latest machine learning and regression techniques alongside unique datasets to predict where real estate capital will flow in 2023 and beyond.
26 January 2023
Active Capital
The global rise of sustainable finance
A year on since we highlighted the rise of sustainable financing as a fundamental driver of investment resilience, sustainable lending has continued to develop at pace across the globe.
22 November 2021
Active Capital
The search for sustainably led cities
Investors are increasingly mindful of ESG considerations, whether at an individual building, portfolio, or corporate level. This is the result of both a rapid uptick in the benchmarking of ESG metrics and a desire to mitigate exposure to climate risk.
22 November 2021
Active Capital
Forecasting global cross-border capital flows
Our Capital Gravity model forms one of the cornerstones of our Active Capital research. Now in its sixth year, we have used the latest machine learning techniques and unique datasets to predict where real estate capital will flow in 2022 and beyond.
22 November 2021
Active Capital
Why now is a good time to invest in real estate; the fund management view
This article originally featured in Active Capital 2019.Tom Bill, Head of London Residential Research talks with a number of funds to gauge their view on the market and the evolving role of real estate
15 October 2021
Active Capital
Active Capital in 60 seconds
This time last year, we introduced Active Capital through the lens of immense uncertainty and unprecedented shock. Now, thanks to the rollout of a global vaccination programme, markets are cautiously optimistic. Indeed, our forecasts show that cross-border investment is back with a bang.
29 September 2021
Leading indicators
Our weekly update tracking market metrics, including interest rate expectations, inflation, and other key macroeconomic signals.
Our latest research
Forecasts
UK Housing Market Forecast: Q2 2026
We have revised down our near-term house price forecasts but have become more positive over the five-year horizon.
27 April 2026
Economy
What’s in the Mix for ’26?
UK Capital Markets: 2026 is shaping up to be a year of no quick tricks, selective picks and a curated mix.
07 January 2026
Forecasts
UK Housing Market Forecast: September 2025
Pre-Budget nerves and high levels of supply mean we have downgraded our price forecasts. Meanwhile, our rental expectations have edged higher due to ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
15 September 2025
Forecasts
UK Cities DNA Compendium: The regional renaissance shaping the future of UK cities
08 April 2025
Forecasts
60 Second Property Digest – house price forecasts, evolving offices, and ski index results
23 November 2023
Global outlook
Which global cities lead our prime residential price forecast for 2023 and 2024?
15 August 2023
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