What’s the story? Property Market headlines – July 2026.

Behind this month's headlines lies a common theme: positioning for the future.

Whether it’s policymakers searching for ways to increase housing supply, landlords reshaping their portfolios, or buyers looking for value in slower-moving markets, the focus is increasingly on identifying opportunities today that could pay off tomorrow.

Here are some of the stories Together contributed to during July.

Burnham the builder: can British housebuilders deliver his ambition?

First seen in the Financial Times

Andy Burnham may be fresh through the door at No.10 (or should that be No.10 North?), but July has already sparked plenty of debate across the property industry about his plans for housing.

The big question is whether the new Prime Minister can deliver the 1.5 million homes target set out in Labour's election manifesto.

A key part of Burnham's strategy is unlocking publicly owned brownfield land for residential development. However, research by Together, using data from property platform Searchland, suggests that releasing all suitable public-sector brownfield sites nationally would only create capacity for between 187,000 and 207,000 new homes.

The analysis also highlighted significant regional differences. Local authorities including Barking and Dagenham, Salford, Birmingham and Manchester were found to have surplus brownfield capacity relative to local housing need. In contrast, areas such as Stratford-on-Avon, Darlington and even Westminster showed no brownfield capacity at all.

Commenting on the findings, Together's Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Etchells said: "Brownfield development has an important role to play in increasing housing supply, but our research shows it cannot be the entire solution. If the Government is serious about meeting its ambitious housebuilding targets, it will need to work closely with the private sector to ensure viable development opportunities exist across a range of sites and locations."

What it signals: The housing debate is moving beyond targets and towards delivery. Brownfield land can help boost housing supply, but the data suggests Britain will need a broader housebuilding strategy if it hopes to get anywhere close to 1.5 million new homes. The findings suggest that hitting Labour's target will depend as much on unlocking viable development opportunities across the country as setting ambitious housing goals.

Three-quarters of landlords want to refinance this year, says Together

First seen in Mortgage Strategy

Now that the Renters' Rights Act has been in force for several months, we're beginning to see its impact on landlords.

Some industry sources point to smaller and older landlords leaving the market, with Savills reporting that 250,000 former rental properties were put up for sale in the past 12 months. However, Together's research suggests many investors remain committed to the sector, with 76% of landlords surveyed saying they plan to refinance within the next year.

While headlines have focused on landlords exiting the sector, the data suggests many are entering a new phase of portfolio optimisation instead.

For many landlords, refinancing can be used to restructure and consolidate borrowing across multiple properties, helping to simplify portfolio management and, in some cases, release equity for further purchases or property upgrades ahead of future EPC requirements.

What it signals: Together’s Chief Strategy Officer Russell Anderson explains: “The fact that more than three-quarters of landlords are considering refinancing across their portfolios to fund further investment demonstrates the resilience of the UK buy-to-let sector.

“Rather than sitting on existing assets, many investors are looking to release equity and reinvest, signalling confidence in future market opportunities. They are also seeking finance across their entire existing portfolios to expand their property ambitions.”

Your expert guide to snapping up a Home Counties property bargain

First seen in The Daily Mail

With average property prices rising by just £2,000 over the past 4 years (less than 1%), it seems as though the Home Counties property market has stalled.

However, this article suggests that could be great news for buyers looking to ‘swoop’ in on property bargains in London’s attractive commuter belt and highlights the locations where buyers may find better value for money.

Scott Clay, Private Clients Director at Together, explains:

“The Home Counties have quietly stalled but for buyers, that’s where the opportunity lies. The typical commuter-belt home sold for around £398,000 last year, barely more than the £396,000 it fetched in 2022.

“That’s a rise of less than 1% in three years, and once inflation is stripped out values have effectively drifted lower, meaning buyers are no longer chasing a market that’s running away from them.

“The pace of the market in these counties has also slowed considerably. Homes are now taking over 100 days to sell, up from just 75 at the peak, and around 121,000 changed hands last year against nearly 192,000 during the 2021 rush.”

What it signals:

Scott explains: “This means that sellers no longer hold all the cards, a big shift since 2021. In today’s market, committed buyers have real room to view, negotiate and buy well rather than being rushed into a scramble.

“And there’s a foothold across the whole region. A typical home in Surrey now tops £497,000, while in East Sussex it’s £332,000, a spread of more than £160,000 along the same commuter belt, with something to suit a wide range of budgets.

“With prices steady and sellers more willing to deal, buyers who get their finance in place early are in a strong position to move on their terms.”

So, what’s the story?

July's headlines show a property market focused on progress, whether that's delivering new homes, restructuring property portfolios or taking advantage of a more balanced market.

The common thread is that opportunities still exist, but success increasingly depends on having the right strategy, the right finance and the confidence to act when conditions are in your favour.

Want to be part of the conversation? Speak to our team to see how we can support your next move, whether that's funding a development, refinancing a portfolio, buying your own home or investing in your next opportunity.