The Investor Lab State of the Market: How to Win in the Toughest Conditions in a Decade
Dec 13, 2025
Sean Simpson, Head of Property at Dashdot, shares insights on navigating today's volatile property market. He explains why traditional buying strategies are failing, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new supply and demand dynamics. Sean reveals that nearly 90% of successful acquisitions are off-market, and discusses the rising demand for affordable homes. He offers practical protocols for confident buying, while warning against emotional decisions. Prepare for 2026's competitive landscape with Sean's tactical checklist to secure properties effectively.
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National Averages Mask Local Heat
- National averages hide intense local demand and extreme competition in many regional markets.
- Buyers face 8–10 offers commonly, so surface stats mislead real buying conditions.
Off‑Market Is The New Market
- Off-market sourcing has become the primary way to secure properties amid fierce competition.
- Dashdot bought roughly 90% of recent acquisitions originally off-market to avoid impossible on-market battles.
Affordable Band Carries Most Demand
- The affordable segment (sub‑$700k) now attracts first‑home buyers, downsizers and huge investor inflows.
- That concentrated demand compresses supply and intensifies bidding in the lower price bands.