Award-winning British house builder’s Recession Busting Strategy pays off with 25% increase in turnover reported

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Bucking the downward trend experienced by many British house builders in the last 12 months, luxury residential developer, Millgate Homes – Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2012 winners – has reported a 25% increase in turnover for the last financial year suggesting that their Recession Busting Strategy has been a qualified success.

The Berkshire based developer, which celebrates 25 years as the best in British house building, saw turnover rise from £45 million to £60 million in 2011/12 despite the UK being in recession with the company’s strategic move to building larger, higher value detached family homes credited for the 25% increase.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Director of Millgate Homes, explains,

“Some 18 months ago, as the British economy dipped further, we saw contraction in some sectors of our market such as 3 bedroom homes and apartments around the £500,000 to £750,000 mark. Not happy to simply survive the recession but thrive, Millgate Homes, adopted a Recession Busting Strategy focusing energies upon the larger, detached luxury family home market within which remained great demand.

“In 2011/12 Millgate Homes completed some 45 luxury properties, the same number as in the previous financial year yet, due to the type of properties now being constructed, typically detached 5 bedroom homes, our average sale price has risen from around £1 million to £1.34 million.”

One such Millgate Homes property which embeds this new direction is Beech House in Boar’s Hill Park, Oxfordshire. Named as the Best Family Home (over £1 million) in last week’s auspicious Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2012, Beech House combines classic design with modern contemporary elegance.

Idyllically situated with commanding views across the Oxfordshire countryside towards the Spires of Oxford, Beech House is the dream home for today’s modern family. Comprising 4 large bedrooms plus the Millgate Homes signature Master Suite, sanctuary for adults complete with living area, en-suite bathroom, dressing room and separate terrace overlooking the stunning landscaped grounds, swimming pool and summer house.

Sold within days of being released to market fully dressed and landscaped, Jonathan Cranley comments on the appeal of Beech House,

“We have spent a great deal of time and energy making Beech House the ideal, traditional family home. Moving away from the sometimes cold and austere mega mansions seen in other parts of the country with their white marble hallways, imposing staircases and modular interiors, we have worked hard to understand how today’s family uses their home, incorporating features such as wood flooring and soft interiors to create a welcoming atmosphere. Our attention to detail is what sets us apart with only the highest quality materials, appliances and interiors featured as the discerning buyers at this end of the market would expect.”

Building upon the clear success experienced in 2011/12, Millgate Homes remains committed to its new ethos with the show house at St John’s House, an elegant detached 5 bedroom country home located in Bourne End in Buckinghamshire on the market for £3.25 million, now open and further luxury family homes in Surrey and Oxfordshire planned for release in the second half of 2012.

For more information about Millgate Homes or to view video tours of the award-winning Beech House and St John’s House call today on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Positive economic forecast from IMF increases investor confidence in Albania

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

While the Albanian economy grew by an impressive 3.8% in Q4-2011 compared to the same period in 2010 according to recent data from INSTAT there is no denying that the Eurozone debt crisis has hindered economic activity in most other euro nations.

Thankfully, while the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has predicted that real GDP growth in the euro area will perk up to 0.9% by 2013, Albania’s economy is predicted to go beyond that, picking up by 1.7% next year according to recent forecasts from the IMF.

Indeed, Albania, possibly one of the most misjudged nations in Europe will be hoping to utilise this positive news to attract more visitors and investors to its stunning Mediterranean coastline. In fact, Albania’s Ministry of Tourism has already begun creating a national tourism strategy for 2013-2020 with the local government, tour operators and civil society representatives.

Ravin Maharajah, Partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, the 5* luxury residential development located on Albania’s hotly tipped Adriatic coastline comments,

“Things are looking up for Albania on what has been a slow economic ride for practically every nation in Europe thus far, and we are certain that this news will further boost confidence.

Tourism in Albania continues to grow – over 4 million visitors came in 2011 and given the positive news from the IMF, property investors will be looking for credible investment opportunities to take advantage of this growth.

We are seeing British buyers with an eye on the Euro exchange rate snapping up some real bargains given the weakened Euro and strengthening Pound.

Even though Albania is not in the Euro, we list prices in Euros and as a result, a €115,000 villa apartment in Lalzit Bay Resort now costs £92,000 compared to £105,000 just 6 months ago.”

But it’s not just Britons showing an interest in Albania. Closer to home, Turkish business representatives showed great interest in the nation last month at the first Turkish-Albanian Forum of Business and Economy. In a bid to promote greater economic cooperation among the two historically linked nations, Turkish Economy Minister Rifat Hisarciklioglu commented on the successful reforms of the Albanian government which have permitted Albania to maintain a positive performance over the weaker international trend during the global crisis consequently improving Albania’s image among Turkish and global investors.

Maharajah comments,

“In keeping with investment forums, Lalzit Bay sponsored the UK – Albania investment forum held in London last month. The high level, targeted event included senior government ministers and international business leaders all focused on ways to produce greater emphasis on business and investment opportunities in the tourism sector and other attractive areas of investment in Albania including energy, construction and mining. We were delighted with the turnout and the feedback showed that UK investors are really looking toward the nation for new untapped investment opportunities with a particular focus on energy and property.”

For those thinking about tapping into Albania’s property market, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa offers a premium, exclusive product to investors who want the benefits of villa ownership including private gardens and terraces, exclusive services and more privacy as well as a range of facilities including private swimming pools, a BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants for as little as €30,000.

For those thinking about investing in a rental property in one of the best performing growth markets in South Eastern Europe, look no further than the stunning apartments and villas at Lalzit Bay Resort.

For more information on owning a stunning apartment or villa in one of the best performing growth markets in South Eastern Europe, please contact Lalzit Bay on +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

 

Property Inspector: What happens if Greece leaves the euro?

by Charlotte Ashton Greece

TheMoveChannel.com’s Property Inspector, taking a closer look at global real estate.

In this month’s podcast, the Property Inspector investigates his biggest mystery yet: the ongoing financial crisis and the rumours of Greece’s exit from the euro. Will the country really leave the single currency? What does that mean for real estate markets? Could it be the end of the world – or even worse, the end of buying property?

The inspector tracks down Ross Michaelides from Buy and Sell Estate Agency in Crete to uncover the answers.

How is Crete’s property market faring in the recession?

“Crete and especially the area we operate in (Agios Nikolaos) is affected by the current Greek recession to far less an extent than other areas in the country. The local economy depends on high quality tourist services and agriculture and is not as dependent on the state economics as other areas. “

How would Greece’s exit from the eurozone affect the market?

“In my opinion it will be good for overseas homeowners. People who have incomes in Sterling or euro and live in a country that has Drachmas will enjoy a better lifestyle for less money. Services and goods are bound to be cheaper and foreign home owners who live and work in our area will also see an increase in business as a return to the Drachma will affect tourism positively.”

What would happen to house prices on the island?

“House prices in our area would not be influenced by this change as much as they will in the rest of the country. The reason is that property is owned by people of various nationalities who tend to price their properties according to the currency and economic situation back home rather than the situation in the local market. For example, properties owned by British citizens in our area that have been put on the market for sale are cheaper than properties owned by Greeks or other Europeans as the British will benefit from the drop of the pound to the euro in the last 5 years.

“There will be quite a few bargains on the market nonetheless but this is already happening as a result of the austerity measures currently taking place in the country.”

You mention bargains – if Greece adopts the Drachma and the currency weakens, will that make the property market more attractive?

“I believe it will. One of the discouraging factors for potential overseas home buyers in our area has been the high cost of living – caused to a high extent by the expensive euro. A return to the Drachma will be a blow to the quality of living for the majority of Greeks and for many companies doing business here but for a homeowner or potential homeowner this could prove a blessing. “

The investigation then led to Mike Saunders, Marketing Director of Greek building company Snobby Homes. The Property Inspector interrogates him on the likelihood of Greece’s decision to depart from the single currency.

Mike, what is the chance of this actually happening? Could Greece leave the eurozone?

“Greece leaving the EU may be a possibility, but it is most definitely NOT a probability – no more than Spain and Italy going back to the Peseta and Lira. Polls show 77% of Greeks want to remain in the EU and have endured three years of extreme austerity. However, during all this time there has been no strategy implemented for growth and consequently the population has been void of all hope. The recent election was a wake-up call for the two main parties to get their act together.”

What kind of effect would Greece leaving the euro have upon foreign property buyers?

“The consensus in Europe now seems to be that growth and austerity measures should be considered in tandem, rather than just total focus on cuts and the EU are gradually working to that effect.  Thus, the question of what COULD happen is purely scaremongering and does nothing at all to promote buying property overseas. Where is the sense in putting off potential purchasers from buying property in Greece or anywhere else in Europe?”

While speculation may not help market confidence, there is still the wider financial impact the situation could have upon the continent’s property markets. The Property Inspector quizzes Robin Haynes, Managing Director of Currency Index, to determine the state of the single currency.

If – and this is a big if – Greece does leave the euro, what happens?

“Who knows? It’s an unprecedented situation. There’s no way that’s been worked out yet for them to leave, but there’s still a month before the Greece elections and I’m sure the European authorities are putting contingency plans in place in case an anti-austerity government is elected, which is when you could possibly be looking at the scenario. “

How could it affect other countries?

“For the rest of the eurozone, it’s hard to know. There is an argument that says like a pack of animals, if the weakest is killed off the rest will become stronger. We have seen the euro strengthen a little bit just after these rumours started to become more realistic, but it depends on how the markets see the Greek withdrawal and how it could affect the rest of the currency zone.”

There are already signs in the UK that mortgage lending is down as well as home buying, both of which are being attributed to the lack of confidence as a result of the eurozone economic climate. How much would Greece leaving the single currency affect the UK?

“Our financial system is exposed to European debt and European banks, but again it depends on how well contained it is within Greece. If it looks like it could spread and Spain may be the new Greece and Portugal may be the new Spain, it could start to affect our economy more than if there’s a managed exit and the problems in other, weaker countries are more contained.”

Could it be good news for property buyers – or would it just be bad news for sellers?

“It could be. You could see very cheap property and holidays and so on in Greece for buyers in the coming months. If you hold assets there, they would devalue relative to the pound but would still have a value in the Greek system. Of course, if you’re selling a property that might be a big concern. There are ways you can hedge your bets a little bit – for example, you can fix your exchange rates in advance with a currency broker, so if you have got money or assets in Greece you’re thinking of bringing them back, it may be worth talking to a broker in advance of the elections to work out your options and protect yourself from any potential devaluation.”

What about those who have money saved in Greek banks?

“The banking system won’t be allowed to collapse. Throughout all the eurozone problems and the financial crisis, no depositor has lost any money in the banks as yet, so I’m sure that will continue to be the case. It’s also worth knowing that if you’re holding money in a British bank, even euros, they’re also covered by the FSA Financial Services Compensation Scheme so there’s no need to panic about money disappearing in the banking system – it’s just a case of making sure you’re not exposed to exchange rates moving against you.”

As the euro has weakened in recent months, British property buyers have already been able to save several per cent on the price of a house in, say, Spain. If the single currency keeps getting weaker as the Greece situation plays out, does any of this benefit UK investors?

“If the euro were to weaken in the coming weeks, you would assume that would be a temporary movement, but if you were thinking of buying a property within a year, you could fix an exchange rate based on what the market does in the next couple of weeks and secure a really good rate that could make your property cheaper when you do buy it in the coming months.”

Listen to the full investigation here.

Notes to Editors

Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with than 400,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

The website address is http://www.TheMoveChannel.com  and the office address is 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN

Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.

Bamboo – the alternative investment that actually delivers as Founder Members receive returns

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

With neither stocks nor bonds still not attractive enough to tempt investors, ever increasing monies are being allocated, not only on an institutional but individual level, to alternative investments.

Viewed as an essential element of a diverse and thus robust investment portfolio, more and more high net worth individuals, such as the 48% of those surveyed by the US Institute for Private Investors, are intending to move away from stock markets and instead increase their allocation in alternative investments such as commodities.

Indeed in these uncertain economic times it is reassuring to invest in a physical commodity, one which, due to its unprecedented demand, actually delivers and this tangibility is the beauty of investing in bamboo.

Dubbed the ‘Timber of the 21st Century’, bamboo is one of the most robust materials on the planet, it even has a higher tensile strength than steel! With a multitude of diverse uses from scaffolding to plywood, flooring, decking, furniture, bicycles, planes and even clothes, bamboo is quite simply, as the BBC stated recently “the next super-material”.

But not only is bamboo set to become the sustainable timber source for the future, this wonder plant is also one alternative investment that actually delivers with Founder Members of EcoInvestments bamboo plantation investment receiving their first year’s returns on time.

Over 150 savvy clients who invested in the initial 400 hectare bamboo plantation in Nicaragua, Central America, are now enjoying a 7% NET return on their investment for the first year with much higher returns due to arrive in later years.

Commenting on the successful delivery of returns, Marcus Vassiliou, Sales Manager of EcoInvestments, said:

“With so many alternative and ethical investments available to investors from carbon credits to agricultural land, bio fuels and solar panels, it can be difficult to choose the right one but my advice is to check the track record. Is the investment delivering what it claims? Who are the team behind the project? Are returns being paid in full and on time? What do existing investors have to say?

“As both a shareholder in EcoInvestments and an investor in the Founder Members phase, I am delighted to report that our bamboo investment is delivering what we promised – on time and in full. Having been out to Nicaragua and seen the plantation, and indeed my hectare of bamboo in person, I have complete confidence in the owners and operators, EcoPlanet Bamboo and am looking forward to receiving higher returns as forecast in future years.”

Even though the hugely successful and proven Founder Members program is full, it is still possible to profit from bamboo. Investors can turn £22,084 into £54,116* uncapped through the new 8 year bamboo package from EcoInvestments, offering annualised forecast returns of over 18%.

For more information about making an alternative investment and the merits of bamboo contact Marcus Vassiliou today on +44 (0) 20 3012 0306 or visit www.ecoinvestments.co.uk.

 

Publishers adopt ‘digital first’ approach as print readership forecast to fall to 25% by 2020

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

“There will be no newspapers in ten years’ time” – these are the words of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, pointing to internet competition and government overregulation as factors leading to the demise of print media. Indeed, as a generation that relies on technology and the internet, utilising an abundance of digital media platforms be they smartphones or Kindles to access information, is print media gradually becoming redundant?

Johnston Press Plc, one of the top community media organisations in the UK thinks so predicting a significant decrease in its print media audience. Shrinking from 11 million print users down to just 8 million by 2020, Johnston estimates digital media will be king, growing its digital audience from its current level of 10 million to 20 million over the next 8 years.

Going one stage further, Johnston expects that around 75% of people will access its news content via digital products such as smartphones while print readership will drop from 90% to a mere 25% by 2020. It is for this reason that Johnston expects all of its titles to lead with a ‘digital first’ approach with only a few print products lingering in its future.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, Gannet, the publisher of USA Today as well as a number of smaller American newspapers displayed disappointing earnings for its old-media holdings seeing a 33% decline in quarterly profits while ad revenue fell 7% in the newspaper division over the past year. While the big players in print media such as the New York Times have experienced a long and fruitful existence, competition from online media such as AOL’s Huffington Post is fierce, stealing away traditional media users by offering easy to access bite size snippets of news information. With this in mind, Gannett reported a 9.4% rise in digital revenue in its most recent quarter further highlighting the growing popularity of the digital media platforms.

Charlotte Ashton, MD of leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing Ltd, comments,

“While there is no denying the tactile appeal of holding a newspaper in your hand, digital advances have given rise not just to new ways of accessing information but how companies do business. There are now numerous ways we can share news with the world and as a result, information now flows more quickly and freely than ever before. Instead of relying on the morning newspaper we can access a constant stream of material via our PCs, smartphones or tablets anywhere and at any time.”

Indeed, there is no doubt that print publications have felt the burn from the steady decline in readership levels; even high profile newspapers such as The Times have set up online pay systems to view content as a way of ensuring success while a number of UK magazines have ceased their production completely or moved to the online world.

Ashton remarks,
“In today’s digital world it’s essential that businesses embrace this revolution to stay ahead of the game – we have already seen a number of property print publications move to digital realms with titles such as What House Magazine and Homes Overseas embracing the online world.

“Indeed, there remain a lot of people who want to keep print press alive and well. The sector which has sustained itself for hundreds of years will always have a following however the digital age has given rise to the way information is offered, perceived and experienced – it has a far greater reach so it is important that media agencies look at ways to convert written material into electronic form. Thankfully plenty of forward thinking print publications are already building their digital brands but it will be interesting to see what the print landscape will look like in the near future.”

For more information on e-news and online PR, contact AB Property Marketing on 0845 054 7524 or visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk.

Publishers adopt ‘digital first’ approach as print readership forecast to fall to 25% by 2020

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

“There will be no newspapers in ten years’ time” – these are the words of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, pointing to internet competition and government overregulation as factors leading to the demise of print media. Indeed, as a generation that relies on technology and the internet, utilising an abundance of digital media platforms be they smartphones or Kindles to access information, is print media gradually becoming redundant?

Johnston Press Plc, one of the top community media organisations in the UK thinks so predicting a significant decrease in its print media audience. Shrinking from 11 million print users down to just 8 million by 2020, Johnston estimates digital media will be king, growing its digital audience from its current level of 10 million to 20 million over the next 8 years.

Going one stage further, Johnston expects that around 75% of people will access its news content via digital products such as smartphones while print readership will drop from 90% to a mere 25% by 2020. It is for this reason that Johnston expects all of its titles to lead with a ‘digital first’ approach with only a few print products lingering in its future.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, Gannet, the publisher of USA Today as well as a number of smaller American newspapers displayed disappointing earnings for its old-media holdings seeing a 33% decline in quarterly profits while ad revenue fell 7% in the newspaper division over the past year. While the big players in print media such as the New York Times have experienced a long and fruitful existence, competition from online media such as AOL’s Huffington Post is fierce, stealing away traditional media users by offering easy to access bite size snippets of news information. With this in mind, Gannett reported a 9.4% rise in digital revenue in its most recent quarter further highlighting the growing popularity of the digital media platforms.

Charlotte Ashton, MD of leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing Ltd, comments,

“While there is no denying the tactile appeal of holding a newspaper in your hand, digital advances have given rise not just to new ways of accessing information but how companies do business. There are now numerous ways we can share news with the world and as a result, information now flows more quickly and freely than ever before. Instead of relying on the morning newspaper we can access a constant stream of material via our PCs, smartphones or tablets anywhere and at any time.”

Indeed, there is no doubt that print publications have felt the burn from the steady decline in readership levels; even high profile newspapers such as The Times have set up online pay systems to view content as a way of ensuring success while a number of UK magazines have ceased their production completely or moved to the online world.

Ashton remarks,

“In today’s digital world it’s essential that businesses embrace this revolution to stay ahead of the game – we have already seen a number of property print publications move to digital realms with titles such as What House Magazine and Homes Overseas embracing the online world.

“Indeed, there remain a lot of people who want to keep print press alive and well. The sector which has sustained itself for hundreds of years will always have a following however the digital age has given rise to the way information is offered, perceived and experienced – it has a far greater reach so it is important that media agencies look at ways to convert written material into electronic form. Thankfully plenty of forward thinking print publications are already building their digital brands but it will be interesting to see what the print landscape will look like in the near future.”

For more information on e-news and online PR, contact AB Property Marketing on 0845 054 7524 or visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk.

 

Infographic – Cyprus: At a Glance

by Charlotte Ashton Cyprus

Paphos is the most popular place in Cyprus’ property market, according to TheMoveChannel.com’s latest At a Glance infographic.

The region has always been a hotspot for foreign investment and the overseas portal’s infographic, based upon activity in the last 12 months, shows that almost one-third of buyers are not afraid to stick with somewhere familiar: Paphos attracted 32.77 per cent of all Cyprus property enquiries.

Limasol is the second favourite area, accounting for 21.85 per cent of enquiries since May 2011. Larnaca and Famagusta generated equal levels of interest, taking 13.45 per cent and 13.34 per cent respectively. Nicosia follows close behind them, accounting for 11.24 per cent of demand, but it is a long way from Paphos, which received almost triple the number of enquiries.

The least popular district by a significant margin is Kyrenia, in Northern Cyprus, which was responsible for only 7.35 per cent of activity on the portal during the last year. This lack of interest is the result of a lack of sellers as opposed to buyers; the majority of Northern Cyprus property listed on TheMoveChannel.com falls within Famagusta, suggesting that there are not many homeowners in Kyrenia looking to move but also that tourist developments tend to be in other regions.

Indeed, the Top 10 Cyprus locations searched for by buyers all fall outside of Kyrenia. Unsurprisingly, the three largest cities in the country attracted the most attention, with Limassol and Larnaca ahead of the capital Nicosia. Paphos’ most popular place, Peyia, came in fourth, but the region accounts for three of the Top 10 destinations, reinforcing its high profile with buyers.

The infographic also displays the search behaviour of buyers over the last year. Users looking for Cyprus real estate in Google tend to search between May and July, most commonly using the phrase “Cyprus property”. Like the other traditional markets depicted by the At a Glance infographics, the most widely targeted type of property is “houses for sale in Cyprus”. Indeed, between the months of August and October last year, the demand for houses was so strong that it generated as many Google searches as the general phrase “property in Cyprus”.

Editor Ivan Radford comments: “It’s no secret that the official Cyprus property sales figures have decreased as the global financial climate worsens. In times of economic uncertainty, buyers frequently turn to familiar property hotspots for investment opportunities. With Paphos visibly the most popular region on the infographic, Cyprus is no exception. Indeed, the most commonly searched-for destinations in the country are almost all towns and resorts on the coast, which emphasises the importance of tourist demand for both lifestyle buyers and investors.

“The biggest surprise is that while international demand has reportedly decreased, searches in Google for ‘Cyprus property’ have stayed relatively constant. The phrase appeared in 1,300 searches in April 2012 compared to 1,900 in May last year; a sizeable drop of 32 per cent but one that, compared to national statistics, should perhaps be sharper.

“The At a Glance infographic illustrates a lot of things we already know about Cyprus’ property market, but the interesting thing it shows is that while demand for Cypriot real estate has apparently disappeared, buyer interest still seems to be strong.”

Click here for the full infographic.

Notes to Editors

Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with than 400,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

The website address is http://www.themovechannel.com and the office address is 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.

Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.
 

Leading online estate agent, My Online Estate Agent, appoints AB Property Marketing Ltd

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

10 years ago when AB Property Marketing’s (ABPM) MD, Charlotte Ashton, began her career in property marketing, the world was a different place. Properties were bought and sold using traditional methods; by appointing the local high street estate agent, putting a For Sale board outside and maybe some print adverts in the local paper.

  • 33 million British adults used the internet daily in 2012 (ONS)
  • 92% of property searches start online (Rightmove)
  • My Online Estate Agent offers unbeatable fixed listing fee of £249 and no commission

But then we entered the 21stcentury.com. It’s doubtful that Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web back in 1989, had any idea what impact his brainchild would have on our lives but with 33 million Britons using the internet daily in 2012, double the number 6 years ago according to data from the ONS, a life purely offline almost seems #unimaginable.

From emailing friends and family to reading the news, doing our banking, ordering the weekly shop or even finding a home, the internet has become our first port of call. In fact 92% of property searches start online with portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla, Prime Location and many more attracting millions of eyeballs daily.

Going one step further and fully embracing the power of the internet in today’s property market, Londoner Richard Patterson has combined his experience as a landlord and online technical skills to create My Online Estate Agent.

Richard comments,
“Having been a landlord for 7 years now, I’ve had my fair share of experiences of dealing with high street estate agents. All too often I’ve been disappointed by the level of service offered and frustrated by the high fees charged, especially when you end up doing the work, such as showing prospective buyers and tenants around, yourself!

“Sick of agents not turning up, being hung over, late, rude or just damn right unhelpful, I wanted to offer an alternative; a service which combines all the benefits of a quality high street agent but embraces the ease and efficiency of the internet and gets results, all for a tiny fraction of the cost.”

My Online Estate Agent offers a fully comprehensive estate agent service (with the exception of arranging viewings which today many vendors prefer to undertake themselves) which includes a home visit to take professional photographs of the property and floor plan measurements, arranging and gathering feedback on viewings, negotiating offers and instructing solicitors all for an unbeatable fixed price upfront of £249 and no commission.

Properties are advertised on their extensive partner network of over 120 websites including Rightmove, Zoopla, Find a Property, Prime Location, Homes 24, Globrix, Find a New Home, Property Finder, Gum Tree etc and since launching only 12 months ago, My Online Estate Agent is already one of the largest operators with over 400 sales and letting properties on the market across the UK.

With numerous happy clients already My Online Estate Agent has appointed leading property PR agency, ABPM to spread the word further both to the on and offline communities.

Commenting on the appointment,Charlotte Ashton,says,
“Whilst the property market as a whole has been somewhat lethargic to embracing the internet, there has indeed been a marked shift in the last year or so with more and more buyers and sellers using online services such as My Online Estate Agent to achieve their goals. In these times of austerity, vendors are even more cautious of high agent fees and if they can achieve the same results whilst enjoying a good level of service then I can only see online estate agency services becoming even more popular.”

Vendors and landlords can list their properties directly online at My Online Estate Agent but in keeping with the team’s awareness that almost half of the British population, 48%, use social networking sites (ONS 2012) you can also Like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Google+.

Richard Patterson is available for market comment and can be reached on Richard@myonlineestateagent.comor for more information on this superb low cost, fixed online estate agency service please visit www.myonlineestateagent.com or call 0845 434 6080.

Westward Ho! wins gold in 2012 Good Beach Guide

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

The 2012 Good Beach Guide has just been released and it’s all smiles in North Devon as Westward Ho! beach has been awarded the top gold rating.

Compiled by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), a charity which undertakes thorough checks on all stretches of UK coastline annually, the 2012 Good Beach Guide awarded a record number of beaches, 516 – an 8% increase on 2011, the highest gold accolade for water quality and cleanliness.
Nick Spence, Director of established UK holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, which operates the West Beach Resort just 50m from Westward Ho! beach, comments:
“There is no-one more pleased to see Westward Ho beach retain its gold accolade than the local people of Westward Ho! A small seaside community on the north Devon coast, Westward Ho! really cares about its environment and wants to treat visitors to the very best holiday experience possible. 
“The sandy beach at Westward Ho! is so expansive at 2 miles long that it is almost impossible to ever feel crowded. The facilities are perfect for ensuring a day of comfort, there are WC’s, showers, bars, restaurants and endless ice cream outlets. The council here does a terrific job of ensuring the beach is free from rubbish and from May through to the end of September there are lifeguards doing a very important job keeping everyone safe in the water.”
Worthy winners of the top Good Beach Guide award, Westward Ho! sets itself apart by the sea-bound swimming pool at one end which is built into the rocks and which at high tide disappears under the sea. There are superb rock pools and streams which appear at low tide which keep the children occupied for hours. There is also a kite surfing area and Westward Ho! beach is fast becoming a hot spot in the south west for this thrilling water sport.
As the 2012 Good Beach Guide proves, the UK has an abundance of world class beaches. Being an island you are never more than 2 hours from a beach and with over 11,000 miles of coastline surrounding British shores there is ample choice.
Devon and Cornwall boast a high number of beaches in areas of outstanding natural beauty, one of the many reasons why over the number of second and holiday homes in these counties has peaked at 26,000 and house prices have remained strong. Indeed with staycations becoming increasingly popular and the Olympic Games bringing millions of visitors to our shores, there has never been a better time to buy property in the South West of England.
For those interested in owning a home just 50m from the award winning Westward Ho! beach, then why not consider West Beach Resort? These luxurious 2 bedroom apartments afford direct sea views with all mod cons such as solid oak kitchens, under floor heating and rainfall showers. They also enjoy the latest modern technology in the form of air-sourced heat pumps; wired and wireless internet access and VOIP phone systems.
 
Available for an affordable £189,950, contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com for more information.

Property Secrets sponsors rare sporting occasion between micronation Sealand and the Chagos Islands

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Leading property developers and estate agents Property Secrets will be sponsoring tomorrow’s international football match between the world’s smallest nation Sealand, based on a former military fortress island in the North Sea just six miles of the coast of Suffolk and the national team of the Chagos Islands located in the Indian Ocean approximately 500 kilometres south of the Maldives.

Kicking off at the home of Godalming Town FC, Surrey at 2:30pm tomorrow, the most unusual of matches has been authorised as a recognised international fixture by the Nouvelle-Federation Board, the non FIFA governing body.

Prince Regent Michael of Sealand comments,

“The Principality of Sealand is pleased to announce that our Football Association has arranged an international football match against the Chagos Islands and we wish them every success. We are extremely excited about tomorrow’s match and as we say in Sealand, e mare libertas!”

Meanwhile the opposition Herold Mandarin, President of Chagos Island’s Football Association had this to say:

“Not only are we proud to be playing another international football match, but we are even more excited to be battling it out against Sealand. Indeed, this is another chance to shine the spotlight firmly on Chagos and help propel the team onto the international stage. It’s all an opportunity to tell people about the history and the people from this relatively unknown land. I invite all Chagossians and those who support us to come to tomorrow’s match.”

Commenting on this rare occasion, Director Alan Forsyth of Nottingham based Property Secrets  states:

“This was an opportunity we just couldn’t resist.  As keen sport fans ourselves, the opportunity to sponsor a very uncommon and historic international football match was something we were very keen to be involved in. We are certain that tomorrow will be an exciting day and we are very much looking forward to being part of the event.”

For sporting fans, friends of Sealand and those wanting to witness a rare footballing event, why not grab a ticket and come along. Tickets cost £3 and include a match programme and access to the bar after the game to watch the FA Cup Final.

If you are local and would like to get your hands on a free ticket please contact Property Secrets today on 0115 9853963 or email service@propertysecrets.net. Tickets are limited so get in quick!

Editors Notes

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