PRPLife Market Commentary
A Year Defined by Uncertainty
No one expected this.
In 2020, global markets were hit with historic volatility. The COVID 19 pandemic triggered lockdowns, slowed economies, closed borders, and shook up nearly every industry. Investors watched as entire sectors collapsed, central banks intervened, and headlines shifted from crisis to confusion overnight.
With that came a common and understandable question:
Should I wait?
It felt safer to pause, to stay liquid, to hold off on any financial decisions until things settled.
But those who waited missed something important. While the noise continued, some assets kept working. Quietly. Consistently. With purpose.
Real Estate Did Not Disappear. It Shifted.
At PRPLife, we spent the first half of 2020 closely tracking what was changing, and what was still producing income.
Certain types of real estate remained steady, even in the storm:
- Residential rentals in smaller, high demand cities where people relocated during remote work.
- Warehousing and logistics spaces that supported the rise of ecommerce.
- Affordable housing properties with essential service tenants.
- Secondary cities that offered space, stability, and long term value.
Instead of running from the real estate market, we shifted our focus within it. That allowed us to keep portfolios stable, productive, and relevant.
The Common Objection: “Now Is Not the Time”
We heard this from investors across the board:
“It is too risky. Too unstable. I would rather wait.”
That makes sense emotionally. But financially, waiting is not neutral.
While money sat in accounts earning near zero, well positioned properties quietly continued to generate income. Even during the pandemic, assets anchored in real demand did their job.
The key is not timing the market. It is choosing assets that work through the cycle—not just when things are perfect.
Our Real Estate Strategy During COVID
To protect investors and adapt to new conditions, we took several steps:
- Focused on smaller, essential housing markets with local rental demand
- Avoided retail, commercial office space, and hospitality tied to lockdown restrictions
- Targeted properties with high occupancy and minimal turnover
- Increased visibility for all investors through the PRPLife dashboard
- Kept the entry point accessible at £500, so action could still be taken without financial strain
Real estate did not need to be abandoned. It needed to be reframed.
Why Real Assets Still Matter
This year reminded us that not all volatility is visible. Markets may swing, but the real loss often happens in the background, when capital stays still.
Cash lost value. Stocks bounced unpredictably. But assets that served daily human needs—like housing, energy, and healthcare, remained useful. And in many cases, profitable.
That is the principle we continue to build on.
Final Word
2020 has made people more cautious, and for good reason. But caution is not the same as inaction.
If you are thinking long term, then real estate still deserves a place in your portfolio. The key is choosing the right structure, the right locations, and the right partners.
At PRPLife, we are not here to predict the future. We are here to help you prepare for it, starting with assets that continue to produce, even in the most unpredictable conditions.
Visit PRPLife.com to learn more about how we are investing through the pandemic, and how you can begin building with us.
