ARCHIVE Development Securities Competition, How do we keep investors interested in UK property

This competition has now closed.

Thank you to everyone that entered - it has been our best competition so far. You can read about the winners here.

Designing Buildings Wiki and Development Securities PLC are looking for short, fresh ideas from all disciplines in response to the question:

How do we keep investors interested in UK property?

We want short answers, not long essays, and you don’t need to be a seasoned property professional to enter. All we want is original thinking. The winner will get £500 and will be invited to Development Securities offices to see how they keep their investors interested in property.

Entering is simple – you can do it in 2 mins. All you have to do is register and type your idea into the box at the bottom where it says ‘MORE ABOUT ME’. That’s it. If you want to change your idea, just log in, and click ‘EDIT MY PROFILE’.

The competition closes at midnight on Thursday 12 December 2013.

If you are already registered, just log in and edit your profile.

A bit more detail about the question

When the credit crunch hit, investors made for their usual safe havens; the bond markets and property. But as the recovery sets in, they may opt for higher-returning assets instead. When times are good, property can seem too expensive for the risk profile; illiquid, inflexible and too long term. So what can the property industry do to position itself ahead of other markets competing for funds?

We need you to think about the drivers behind the decision to invest and come up with fresh thinking about what we can do now to make sure UK property is seen as a good investment in years to come. Here are some questions to get you thinking:

• How can the banks be persuaded to lend again?
• What will happen when interest rates begin to creep up?
• Is London becoming a bubble, and one that might burst?
• Crossrail is predicted to increase the value of residential and commercial real estate along its route by £5.5 billion - how can we spread the joy around the rest of the UK unless we invest in projects like HS2?
• What effect will the US have when it turns off the QE tap?
• Will the Eurozone become more stable, and so reverse safe-haven flows?
• What will happen if we leave the EU?
• What about the impact of oil prices and the global equity market?

Julian Barwick, Director, Development Securities said: “We need to harness the creative thinking of practitioners if the UK is to succeed in the global market. This competition is about harvesting good ideas and a bit of crystal ball gazing. We are looking for free and lateral thought, particularly from those with a fresh view.”

Entries will be judged by representatives of Designing Buildings Wiki and Development Securities PLC, based on originality, practicality and compliance with the competition terms and conditions.

If you’ve got any questions, email us at [email protected].

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