Advice for UKC looking to bring Filipino wife and baby to UK

[eideus]

Hi all,
I'm looking into bringing my Filipino wife and baby back to the UK with me (I'm currently in the Philippines) to live. I own a large house in the UK but don't currently have an income. Will the house help towards to the £18,600 I need to sponsor them or would it be better to sell it and use the cash as "cash savings" towards to the sponsorship.

OR

Should I attempt the Surinder Singh route and go via Ireland? I'm an ex-carpenter so could probably go self-employed whilst there. Is this still a valid route with all the recent changes?

Thanks in advance,
Eideus.