Is property still Britain’s best investment? | Marianna Hunt, Fidelity

For generations, owning a home has been at the heart of the British dream, the ultimate sign of financial success and stability. But in 2025, is property still the sure-fire investment it’s cracked up to be? In this episode of the Mouthy Money Podcast, hosts Edmund Greaves and Chris Tuite are joined by Marianna Hunt, Associate Director at Fidelity International, to dig into the numbers behind the nation’s love affair with bricks and mortar.Marianna shares eye-opening new research revealing that UK property has lost money in real terms over the past few years when inflation is factored in. She explains why the old mantra of “my home is my pension” could leave people exposed and why a mix of pensions, ISAs, and global investments may be a smarter way to build long-term wealth.Together, the trio explore how cultural attitudes, rising interest rates and shifting affordability have reshaped the property market. They also discuss the emotional side of home ownership, from the security it brings to the stress of tying up all your savings in one asset.💬 In this episode:Why property isn’t the guaranteed win many believeHow homeownership fits into a balanced financial planThe real returns on property vs global stocksWhy Brits invest so little outside of housingSimple, practical tips for diversifying your moneyIf you’ve ever wondered whether buying a house is the best route to financial freedom, or if your “property-as-pension” plan still stacks up, this is essential listening for anyone thinking seriously about money, housing and their future.⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Intro03:09 - Chris and Ed’s view of their properties08:50 - The truth about property as an investment12:45 - “My property is my pension”?16:10 - Diversifying beyond bricks and mortar19:50 - Why Brits love property so much25:40 - Building a balanced financial plan30:10 - Final thoughtsCONNECT WITH USThank you for watching our video! If you enjoyed this, please give it a LIKE, SHARE it with your friends, and SUBSCRIBE to our channel for more about money.Discover more at https://www.mouthymoney.co.uk and subscribe to our weekly newsletter too.Have questions or suggestions? Drop them in the comments below - we’d love to hear from you! Or contact us at ⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠DISCLAIMERThis video is produced for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, mortgage or other forms of financial advice. If in any doubt about the themes expressed, consider consulting with a regulated financial professional for your own personal situation. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you started with. Investments are speculative and can be affected by volatility. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. For more information visit ⁠⁠⁠www.fca.org.uk/investsmart⁠Please note, video captions are auto-generated and may not be 100% accurate.