Commercial awareness goes beyond reading the news. In our case, it’s about understanding how what happens in the world influences the built environment and the people who work within it. Employers often look for this quality because it shows that you can connect the dots between business, policy, and people.
For example, you might know that interest rates have increased, but what does that mean for developers, investors, or first-time buyers? You might hear that National Insurance has risen, but how does that affect how companies hire, or how you approach your own job search? Thinking in this way helps you move from memorising information to analysing and applying it.
This section helps you build that skill. The goal is to read regularly, form opinions, and practise talking about what you learn. You will start to notice patterns, question decisions, and develop a stronger understanding of how the sector works.
Below are trusted sources to follow. Most are free or allow a few articles per month once you create an account.
BE News
Website: benews.co.uk
What it covers: Development, construction, planning, sustainability, and people working in the built environment.
Access: Free and open after creating an account.
Property Week
Website: propertyweek.com
What it covers: Investment, development, offices, retail, logistics, and housing across the UK.
Access: Limited free articles each month once you create an account. Full access needs a subscription.
Estates Gazette (EG)
Website: estatesgazette.co.uk
What it covers: Market analysis, data, and deals within UK property. Also home to EG Jobs and the Estates Gazette Awards.
Access: Subscription-based, with selected free articles and useful insights shared on social media.
Bisnow
Website: bisnow.com/london
What it covers: Commercial real estate news, leadership interviews, and insights across UK cities.
Access: Free account required, limited amount of reads per month.
PropertyWire
Website: propertywire.com
What it covers: UK and international residential property news, investment, and policy updates.
Access: Free and open access, registration optional.
Property Industry Eye
Website: propertyindustryeye.com
What it covers: News and opinion from across the residential property sector, including agency, lettings, regulation, and market trends.
Access: Free and open access.
Green Street
Website: greenstreet.com
What it covers: Economic analysis, REITs, and global investment insights used by institutional investors.
Access: Paid-subscription-only (very expensive), but headlines are public and can guide your research on free platforms.
How to Use These Resources
Reading only makes a difference when you connect what you learn to real-world outcomes. As you go through articles, ask yourself:
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What is driving this story – is it political, economic, or social factors?
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Who gains or loses from the outcome?
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How might this affect businesses or the companies I’m interested in?
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Could this influence hiring, investment, or the types of projects being delivered?
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What questions or opinions would I raise about this in a discussion or interview?
Read one or two articles each week and write a few lines on what stood out and why it matters. With time, you will notice how your understanding deepens and how much more confidently you can discuss industry issues.
