Annualised return shows an investment’s overall performance as if the return had been earned at a steady rate each year.

An asset class is a category of investments that share similar characteristics and behave in comparable ways in the market. Each class groups together assets that are governed by the same rules, risk factors, and expected returns.

Below Market Value (BMV) describes a property purchased for less than its current market value.

Build-to-Rent (BTR) developments are residential properties specifically constructed to be owned and managed as rental properties, rather than sold to individual buyers.

Buy-to-let (BTL) is when you purchase a property specifically to rent it out to tenants, rather than to live in it yourself.

Capital appreciation refers to the increase in the value of an asset over time. In property investment, it is the amount by which a property’s market value rises above its original purchase price.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax you pay on the profit (or “gain”) you make when you sell an asset that has increased in value, like a buy-to-let property, second home, or land. You are taxed only on the gain, not the total sale price.

Capital growth is the increase in the value of an asset over time. In property investment, it refers to how much a property appreciates in value from the price you paid for it to its current or future market value.

A Collective Investment Scheme is an arrangement where multiple investors pool their money into a shared fund, which is then professionally managed.

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a method used to estimate the current market value of a property by comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold, are currently for sale, or were listed but didn’t sell.

Corporation tax is the tax that limited companies pay on their profits in the UK.

Diversification is an investment strategy that spreads capital across different assets, sectors, or markets to reduce risk and improve the balance between stability and returns.

A family office is a private organisation that manages the wealth, investments, and affairs of one or more high-net-worth families.

A financial asset is anything you own that has monetary value and can be converted into cash, such as shares in companies, government or corporate bonds, savings accounts, or investment funds.

The Financial Conduct Authority is the UK's financial services regulator. It oversees firms that offer financial products and services.

A fully managed investment is when a professional company takes care of every aspect of your investment on your behalf - from purchase to ongoing management.

Gross Development Value (GDV) is the total estimated market value of a property development project when it's finished and ready to sell or let.

Gross rate of return is the total percentage gain an investment produces over a given period, before any costs, taxes, or fees are deducted.

Gross yield tells you how much annual rental income a property generates relative to its purchase price or market value, expressed as a percentage.

A hedge is an investment position that offsets potential losses elsewhere in your portfolio. In property investment, it's a way to reduce your exposure to adverse market movements, currency fluctuations, or interest rate changes.

A High-Net-Worth Investor (HNWI) is an individual with significant financial assets, typically defined by wealth managers, banks, and regulators as holding liquid investable assets of £1 million or more (excluding their primary residence) or holds net assets valued at £250,000 or more.

Home equity means the portion of a property you truly own, after subtracting any outstanding mortgage or loans secured against it. It’s the difference between the property’s current market value and the amount you still owe to the lender.

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property rented out by three or more people who are not from the same household (e.g. not family) but share facilities like a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.

Income Tax is the tax charged on money you earn, including salary, dividends, pensions, and income from property. For property investors in the UK, this means tax is payable on rental income after allowable expenses have been deducted.

An institutional investor is an organisation that invests large sums of money on behalf of others, like pension funds, insurance companies, banks, investment funds, or charities.

Know Your Client (KYC) is the process of verifying the identity of a client before doing business with them.

Net profit is the total amount an investor earns from a property after all expenses, taxes, and costs have been deducted from their total income. It represents the real, take-home return from an investment rather than the theoretical or gross income.

Net yield is the percentage return an investor receives from a property after deducting all running costs from the rental income.

Occupancy level refers to the proportion of rentable units in a property or portfolio that are currently occupied by paying tenants, expressed as a percentage.

Buying off-plan means purchasing a property before it has been built, or sometimes while it's still under construction

Open Market Value (OMV) is the price a property would likely sell for if it were put up for sale under normal conditions, when both the buyer and seller understand the market, are not under pressure, and agree on a fair deal.

A property portfolio is a collection of investment properties held by a single investor, company, or fund.

PBSA are residential developments designed and constructed specifically for university students.

Residential property investments involve buying houses, flats, or other living spaces to earn rental income or benefit from their value increasing over time. These properties are typically let to individuals or families for long-term accommodation.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax you pay to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when you buy property or land in England or Northern Ireland over a certain price.

Student property investments involve purchasing or funding accommodation specifically designed for students, typically located in or near university towns and cities.

A void period is the length of time a rental property sits empty between tenants and generates no rental income.

In property and investment terms, yield refers to the income generated from an investment, expressed as a percentage of its value.