Could This Be the Future of Property Ownership?
Could This Be the Future of Property Ownership?
After 25 years in the property industry, one thing still baffles me: how outdated and stressful the process of selling a home remains. we’re still stuck in a painfully slow property system. Nothing is guaranteed until the exchange of contracts—and even then, there’s that lingering anxiety until completion. It’s a cycle of uncertainty that most of us simply accept.
Over the years, I’ve seen countless attempts to fix this broken process. Speed it up. Make it more efficient. But most solutions hit the same wall: cost. Homeowners don’t want to spend money unless they’re 100% committed to moving most of the time, and in the England and Wales, many are just dipping a toe in the water to see what happens. It’s how our market behaves—tentative and cautious.
But recently, something has captured my attention. A new innovation—already here and ready to be embraced—that could completely transform how we own, manage, and trade property. It’s called tokenisation, and it’s built on blockchain technology. Yes, I’m talking about using NFTs—not for artwork or digital collectibles, but for property.
What Is Property Tokenisation?
Picture this: your home’s value is broken down into digital tokens. Each token represents a slice of the equity in your property. You can hold them, sell them, gift them, or buy them back—just like shares in a company.
Now imagine you’ve lived in your family home for 40 years. You don’t want to sell it, but you’re financially stretched. Instead of taking out an expensive equity release loan—with interest that eats away at your legacy—you could simply sell a portion of your property tokens. Even better, your family could invest in those tokens, helping you release cash while keeping ownership close to home.
It’s property ownership on your terms.
How Does It Work?
Here’s a simplified version of how the process could play out:
Legal Wrapper: Your home is placed into a legal entity—usually an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle)—that holds the title.
Token Minting: Digital tokens are created to represent shares in the property.
Equity Release: You sell some of these tokens to investors (or even family), releasing cash.
Ongoing Control: You still live in the home, and you can buy back tokens over time if you choose.
This unlocks liquidity without selling your home, borrowing from banks, or losing control.
Why This Matters
Liquidity: You can access the value locked in your home, quickly and securely.
Inclusivity: Investors—large and small—can access property markets without needing hundreds of thousands in capital.
Efficiency: Smart contracts could one day handle ownership transfers, income sharing, and even legal compliance automatically.
The Regulatory Road Ahead
As with any emerging technology, this space will require thoughtful regulation. Ownership laws, data security, taxation, and consumer protection all need to evolve alongside the tech. But the potential is clear, and it’s growing fast.
The Bigger Picture
To some, this might still sound like sci-fi. But with blockchain already reshaping industries from finance to logistics, property is next. The technology exists. The need exists. All that’s left is adoption—and that starts with open conversations.
Tokenisation could take property from an outdated, paper-heavy industry to a digital-first, efficient ecosystem. One where transactions are faster, ownership is clearer, and equity is truly flexible.
If you’re curious about how this might apply—whether you’re an owner, investor, or just someone watching the horizon—get in touch. I’d be keen to hear your feedback. Could this be the future?