Why We’re Still Backing the North: Long-Term Value in the Regions

PropInvest Co.
Aug 5, 2025
3 min read

At PropInvest, we don’t chase hype. We pursue value, and right now, there’s no region offering more long-term potential than the North of England.

While headlines often focus on London’s volatility or the Southeast’s price ceiling, we’re staying laser-focused on areas that offer sustainable growth, genuine affordability gaps, and strong fundamentals for future demand.

Here’s why our pipeline, and our confidence, remains firmly rooted in the regions.

1. Affordability Gaps = Room to Grow

The average house price in many Northern cities still sits well below the national average, not because demand is lacking, but because the market hasn’t fully caught up to its potential.

In places like South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire, buyers can still access homes under £200,000, often in areas with growing commuter appeal, improving infrastructure, and regeneration-led investment.

For investors, that affordability gap translates to two things:

Headroom for capital appreciation
A broad pool of end-buyers and renters

We're not banking on a boom. We're banking on logical progression, and in these regions, that growth story is far from over.

2. Commuter Belts Are Expanding Outward

As remote and hybrid work continue to reshape how we live and commute, demand is shifting. Buyers no longer need to be 20 minutes from a city centre, but they still want access, amenities, and quality of life.

That’s where the North excels.

From leafy village locations within 30-45 minutes of Manchester or Leeds, to former mill towns seeing inward investment, we’re seeing consistent demand from:

First-time buyers priced out of city centres
Young families looking for space and schools
Renters seeking quality housing stock in better-value locations

We target sites that are 1–2 steps ahead of the mainstream market, not remote, but not saturated either. That’s the sweet spot.

3. Planning-Positive Councils Make a Big Difference

Not all councils are created equal. And over the years, we’ve built strong relationships with planning departments that are open to:

Creative use of land
SME-led development
Brownfield regeneration
Class Q or permitted development opportunities

Councils in many Northern districts understand the need for housing delivery, and crucially, the economic benefit of unlocking land that’s been underutilised for years.

We actively prioritise sites in planning-positive boroughs, where our track record and transparency count for something. It’s a relationship game, and we play it well.

4. Regeneration is Creating Real Ripple Effects

You can’t ignore what’s happening in places like Bradford, Doncaster, or Wakefield, multi-million-pound investment is being poured into infrastructure, transport, and local economy strategies. The North isn’t just surviving, it’s being reshaped for the future.

From HS2 knock-on effects to town centre revitalisation plans, these regeneration efforts don’t just create jobs, they create lasting demand for quality housing.

That’s why we look beyond postcode, and dig into what’s happening on the ground.

5. Lower Barriers = Higher ROIs

From a pure investment lens, the North allows us, and our JV partners, to:

Enter projects at lower capital outlay
Achieve strong GDV-to-cost ratios
Diversify portfolios with less exposure per asset

That creates flexibility, and helps us keep moving even in cautious markets. It also allows for phased builds, multiple exits, and controlled scaling, which aligns with how we operate as a business.

When prices are high, you’re buying hope. When prices are still sensible, you’re buying logic.