The interest rate question really comes down to two parts - at least it does for property investors: short term movements and long-term trends.

Short-term movements can spell excellent opportunities for investors; long-term trends can help direct strategic decisions.

• Short-term changes - these are corrective measures in response to data - create the best opportunities when rates rise and market sentiment weakens AND this is combined with a traditionally slack time for selling - the autumn and winter.
• Long term interest rate trends involve the macro view of the world economy and how in synch the UK economy is with the global interest rate cycle, and the global economy (and interest rates) are dominated by what the Fed in the US does - there's no getting away from this.

So, first, our conclusions, and then the reasons.

The bottom line here is that we believe, firmly, that the interest rate outlook, short term and long term, looks good for anyone either with a property investment portfolio, or anyone thinking of making some purchases.