Just 3% of property professionals are most confident in the prospects of buy-to-let this year, suggesting many regard the current environment to be hostile towards investors.
Instead, half (50%) have most confidence in the first-time buyer sector, followed by new build (18%).
The webinar poll was conducted by Countrywide Surveying Services, a provider of valuation panel management and property risk services.
Matthew Cumber, managing director at Countrywide Surveying Services, said: “These insights paint a picture of a market that is still navigating economic pressures and grappling with fundamental issues but is starting to see signs of stabilisation and resilience.
“It’s encouraging to see such strong confidence emerging towards first-time buyers and new build, but the message from the industry is clear in that affordability and housing supply must be prioritised if we want to see sustainable growth.
“Our role is to continue supporting informed decisions and facilitating honest conversations across the sector, and we’re proud that our webinar series is helping to lead that dialogue and shape the right conversations across the industry.”
Affordability is viewed as the biggest concern (38%), followed by continuing to reduce interest rates (38%) and a establishing a Help to Buy replacement (11%).
Professionals are cynical about the Labour government’s housebuilding ambitions, which include producing 1.5 million new homes over the course of the parliament.
When asked whether they believed the government would hit its targets in 2025, 74% of respondents said no, compared to just 26% who said yes.