From Automotives to Autobots: Detroit walks the red carpet of transformation

by Charlotte Ashton United States

The Motor City of Detroit, Michigan, has long been used as a set for numerous Hollywood movies and television series primarily for its ability to transform its surroundings which was certainly one of the biggest attractions for Michael Bay’s latest and highly anticipated visual feast Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Released in British cinemas today, the landscape of Detroit provides an extraordinary location with abundant filming possibilities for Directors and movie Producers and has been the selected location not only for Bay’s third Autobot and Decepticon installment but for his very first Transformer movie back in 2007 with Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office stating,

“We were thrilled to have ´Transformers´ return to Michigan for ´Dark of the Moon´ and are looking forward to seeing the impact Michigan´s one-of-a-kind locations will have in the film.”

Indeed, Detroit chosen for its setting and variety of buildings and structures was also selected for its high number of acting extras ready and willing to take centre stage as well as its number 1 ranked Film and Television Production Incentive Program allowing productions to recoup 42% of their expenditure.

Of course, big bucks movies like ‘Dark of the Moon’ including the other 58 productions that were shot in the Motor City back in 2010, are helping Detroit get back on its feet after experiencing an automotive collapse from the economic downturn with the new Transformers film alone said to have hired 315 Michigan residents, a full time equivalent of 30 jobs according to The Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Places like Detroit and other parts of Michigan know the long-term economic benefits that filming locally can bring to the economy from job creation to increased tourist visits and as a result of Detroit’s new economic rising from film making, foreign investors have the city firmly in their sights as a lucrative destination in which to invest in property.

Alan Forsyth, Director of property investment experts, Property Secrets explains,

“Traditionally known as the automotive epicenter of America, Detroit has certainly shifted gears, seeking to steal the spotlight from Hollywood as a filmmaking hotspot.  It would seem that there is a lot of opportunity for the local community and indeed the economy to climb its way back to the top keeping spirits high and as Detroit continues to put itself on the map, investors will certainly be keen to get in on the action.

“Attracted by the incredible rental returns and low property prices which also allow Detroit residents to have the opportunity to live in safe, modernised, and affordable accommodation, we are offering 3 and 4 bedroom, fully refurbished houses to investors from just $40,500 with uniquely up to 50% finance available. These homes were selling 5-6 years ago for over $100,000 and it is just a matter of time before they fully recover, allowing our clients to gain substantially, through our relationship with the banks in USA.”

For more information on transforming Detroit into a property haven please contact Property Secrets on +44 (0)115 985 3963, email investments@propertysecrets.net or visit www.propertysecrets.net.
 

Manchester’s appeal as ‘top spot’ investment location to be enhanced by BBC move to MediaCityUK

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Manchester, known across the globe for having one of the world’s most famous football clubs, has come a long way over the years and is now firmly one of England biggest and most popular cities not just for football or leisure attractions like The Trafford Centre but for excellent property investment opportunities.

Currently, the Manchester metropolis is doing well on several fronts seeing an increase in turnover in retail businesses by 2.7% in the year up to March 2011 according to data from CityCo, in addition to the Civil Aviation Authority recently publishing new research showing a 12.8% increase in passenger numbers at Manchester Airport between February and March this year, a rise of 137,000 passengers, the highest monthly increase since May and June 2010.

Recently, the city of Manchester was dubbed a top spot for investment according to a report by Knight Frank suggesting that it is now one of the best cities with the strongest investment potential in the UK.

Alan Forsyth Director of property investment experts Property Secrets comments,

“Demand for new properties in prime locations experiencing strong economic growth and increased job opportunities such as Manchester is on the up, seeing increased numbers of people buying properties in the city, an attractive alternative market to London with property almost half the price of London’s. Certainly, we believe our high yielding properties, including our student accommodation developments located in excellent rental areas in Manchester are head and shoulders above similar developments in any other major city and will produce healthy positive monthly incomes.”

Indeed, Manchester’s appeal as a first rate investment location is likely to be further enhanced when the BBC vacate their west London Television Centre in Wood Lane, with several thousand members of staff moving to its new BBC North HQ in Salford in an attempt to make cost savings as well as improve relationships with audiences across the North of England. In fact, the first wave of BBC journalists have already transferred to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays the new home for the BBC and ITV as well as others to meet the specific needs of the media and creative industries as well as public audiences seeing BBC Breakfast, Sport, Learning, Media, Technology and Radio 5 departments move north.

Undeniably, this will spell great news for Salford and Manchester as a whole seeing greater business opportunities and an increased number of people looking for rental property generating a new age of property prosperity in the region.

Property experts, Property Secrets know only too well the excellent investment gains that can be obtained in Manchester and believes the city ticks all the boxes with a trendy development located only 5 minutes away from MediaCityUK.

Empress Mill located in Manchester consists of one, two and three bed duplex apartments based around the conversion of an existing mill building with a new build extension, totalling to 100 apartments with each apartment affording a large open plan living area, modern fitted kitchen, modern bathroom fittings and off street parking.

Located near to Manchester City Centre and close to a range of bars and restaurants, Empress Mill costing from just £65,000 for a one bedroom apartment has a long leasehold basis for a period of 125 years and has an estimated rental income potential of £500pcm with a yield of around 10% net offering a fantastic opportunity to invest in a lucrative and secure development in a hot investment spot destined to make significant returns.

For more information please contact Property Secrets on +44 (0)115 985 3963, email info@propertysecrets.net or visit www.propertysecrets.net.

A Phoenix from the ashes – Albania set to soar with 32% increase in tourism

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

Although still one of the very few European countries left to be explored, Albania is slowly but surely starting to gain a foothold in the lucrative tourism market, seeing 3.5 million visitors last year, an impressive increase of 32% over previous years and it looks as though Albanian authorities are maintaining a further positive outlook.

Endri Jorgoni, Chief of Cabinet in the Albanian Ministry of Culture and Tourism explains his optimism,

“Our expectations are based on the improvements we have done in infrastructure and improvements of the tourist environment in general."

As a tourist operator in the capital Tirana, Dritan Xhengo, has been in the industry for eight years and suggests that there has been an extraordinarily positive change compared to previous years mainly because Albania is cheap and can provide tourists, usually from Britain, Finland, Denmark and Italy, cultural tourism or archaeological tours away from the norm.

Property expert Ravin Maharajah explains why Albania was chosen as the destination for his new 5* resort development – Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa,

“We firmly believe that Albania is going to explode as a tourist destination in the next 5 years.  Due to join the EU in 2014, this country shows every positive sign of going the way other Southern European countries such as Croatia and Montenegro have over the past 10 years. For now, Albania benefits greatly by sitting outside the Euro and this means that the cost to our investors is hugely reduced.”

Indeed, Albania´s economy has improved substantially over recent years and has outperformed many other countries in the region with heavy infrastructure investment in the Balkan nation, including main road pathways. The 170km highway for instance linking Durres, the second largest city in Albania with Kosovo has provided a major corridor for transportation making connections to and from the area easier for residents and tourists alike as well as the Albanian airline Belle Air introducing a twice weekly direct flight from Stansted to the capital, Tirana, in addition to the daily BA flights from Gatwick.

Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, a beautiful beachfront development in Albania is fast becoming the buyer’s choice for a resort destination in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as an appealing investment choice.

Partner of Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa, Ravin Maharajah comments,

“At Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa we are offering knowledgeable investors the opportunity to become a part of this growth economy. Investors can purchase studios, one or two bedroom apartments or villas in a divine Mediterranean location from as little as €29,000, a fraction of the cost of buying a home in one of the more established European resorts, demonstrating to international buyers the huge opportunities that Albania presents. Owners also have the benefit of a fabulous beachfront holiday resort to enjoy with family and friends or to rent out to holiday makers.”

For more information contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on 0845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com
 

PIGS are passé; it’s time for Albania mania!

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

 

Maybe travelling to Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain has become a bit samey or perhaps the Euro has taken its toll on our ever stretched pockets? Maybe the British have become more intrepid as travellers and desire to expand their horizons away from ‘The English Pub’ on the Costas and fighting for a square inch of beach?
 
Whatever the reason there is no doubting that the Balkans are becoming a hot holiday destination within Europe with Albania causing quite a stir with very good reason.
 
Hailed as “one of this year’s most intriguing prospects” by the Financial Times and listed as the top European destination for 2011 by the auspicious Lonely Planet Guide, Albania, the land in which Norman Wisdom is revered, is receiving ever more interest. 
 
The portal ‘Homes Go Fast’ recently released figures that show enquiries for property in Albania are up 45% year-on-year, particularly astonishing when compared against other more established second home markets which at best have remained static or at worst seen decreases.
 
So just what is it that Albania is offering to make it so popular this summer?
 
ü      The weather – July and August have average temperatures of 30˚C and rainfall during those months is usually less than 50mm.
ü      The sea is the Adriatic or Ionian depending on how far south you might find yourself. Both of these offer clear waters easily reaching a very warm 27˚C in the summer
ü      The price – being not yet a Euro member and still an emerging country has proved advantageous with the cost of dining out significantly less in Albania. The Thomas Cook travel guide suggests a good meal in a restaurant will cost around £7.
 
 
But what about the family? Here are some highlights that should keep everyone happy.
 
The beautiful safe beaches with warm seas are sure to keep young children amused. For a guaranteed sandy beach then head for the north of Albania to Lalzit Bay for example. Here the opportunity to build endless sandcastles and paddle in the warm waters of the Adriatic will mean a perfect holiday for tired parents as well as the kids.
 
Older children will absolutely love the Aquadrom in Tirana. With four varied pools and plenty of adventure slides this will be a big hit with the family.  Alternatively for fun on dry land head towards one of Albania’s fabulous castles. Steeped in history and dating back as far as the 3rd century BC, these medieval gems will surely have children romping around the ramparts.
 
Almost every town in Albania has traditional fairground rides and the evening is the time to head for the centre of town. Traditionally in the evening Albanians will take a gentle stroll with their families along the Xhiro (promenade) and enjoy the balmy evening while the children get spoiled with ice cream and a ride on the carousel.
 
Teenagers can be notoriously hard to please but hopefully not in Albania. The larger beaches offer all you could want in the way of modern watersports. Snorkelling is good in the south around the rocky headlands with lots of opportunity for diving off rocks into the clear blue waters or just generally messing around in rock pools.
 
A four-wheel drive tour up country will have the whole family experiencing a terrific adrenalin rush or why not spend a day mountain biking and seeing the country from the saddle. If you are feeling hugely adventurous then white water rafting is also available in the spring / early summer.
 
The nightlife in Albania, it can be fair to say, hasn’t yet reached Western standards but the demand from the youth of Albania is ensuring rapid development. In the capital Tirana itself there are many night clubs and bars (karaoke bars are proving very popular!) and there are a growing number of sophisticated wine bars that are frequented by elite Albanians and overseas visitors.
 
If however you are holidaying along the coast then the night life will be more relaxed. Restaurants and bars provide excellent entertainment, often with local music and traditional dance to enjoy. But for young people the place to go is the beach. The port town of Durres is particularly renowned for beach parties which can go on to the early hours of the morning. 
 
Property expert, Ravin Maharajah comments on why they selected Albania as the destination for their new 5* development in Lalzit Bay:
 
“We firmly believe that Albania is going to explode as a tourist destination in the next 5 years. Due to join the EU in 2014, this country shows every positive sign of going the way other Southern European countries such as Croatia and Montenegro have over the past 10 years.
 
“Albania benefits greatly by sitting outside the Euro and this means that the cost to our investors is hugely reduced.  Buying an apartment or villa at Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa is farcheaper than buying the same property in Greece or Croatia. We have priced the development very realistically and it demonstrates to international buyers the huge opportunity that Albania poses – apartments starting from €29,000 is amazing value in this quality of resort.
 
“Currently there is every indication that our development will go through the major transition that the neighbouring countries have done and these properties will be worth a great deal more in the next 5 to 10 years – we are confident that investors should be able to make a very strong profit before the project is even finished.”
 
For more information on visiting and investing in Lalzit Bay please go to www.lalzitbay.com or call 0845 125 8600 today.
 
 

Invitation: Discover the Secret to Successful Property Investing – London 22nd June

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

7pm, Wednesday 22nd June 2011, Novotel, Euston, London

Well-respected property investment company and experienced buy-to-let investors, Property Secrets would like to invite you to an insightful property seminar this month in London.

Completely free and informal, the seminar will cover:

  • Current opportunities in the UK including the lucrative untapped market of student accommodation in Manchester and buy-to-let hotspot, Hull
  • Exciting new overseas investment opportunities including eco homes in Estonia and BMV property in Detroit
  • The team behind Property Secrets, the forward thinking property experts
  • Exclusive top tips on successful property investing
  • Networking opportunities with like-minded investors

Director Alan Forsyth and Portfolio Managers from the Property Secrets team will be on hand throughout the day to provide valuable one to one advice and private consultation slots are available starting early afternoon.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided with networking opportunities starting from 6pm and the seminar will commence at 7pm. Afterwards there will be the opportunity to join Property Secrets in the bar to discuss the day’s events.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about investing in property and gain valuable advice from one of the biggest specialists in the industry.

Places are limited so to reserve please RSVP before Monday 20th June to Charlotte Ashton on +44 (0) 207 952 7227 or c.ashton@abpropertymarketing.co.uk.

Estonia leads the way in Europe with the launch of new carbon negative homes

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Estonia is no longer Europe’s best kept secret, with increasing GDP growth, record numbers of tourists and a commitment to renewable energies and eco developments. The smallest of the Baltic countries is certainly making its presence felt.

According to Statistics Estonia, the government agency of the Ministry of Finance, Estonia’s GDP has increased by an impressive 8% in Q1 2011 compared to the same quarter last year, seeing exports of goods rise by 53% with most of the value added growth attributed to manufacturing. Moreover, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggests that Estonia’s economy may develop further with a 5.9% increase this year.

Alan Forsyth, Director of property investment experts, Property Secrets, which markets investment opportunities in Estonia comments,

“Estonia certainly has placed itself on the global investment radar. As well as the welcomed boost in GDP, the National Tourist Board recently announced that Estonia has seen a 41% increase in the number of UK visitors with a record number welcomed in Q1 2011.

“Additionally, more than 259,000 tourists stayed in hotels and other forms of accommodation between January and March this year, a 19% rise compared to the same time last year which could well be attributed to the fact that Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, has been voted European Capital of Culture 2011 as well as low cost airline EasyJet recently introducing flights to the Estonian capital from Liverpool making it easier to visit the Baltic country.”

Certainly, the growth in visitor numbers is excellent news, not only for the country’s economy but for potential property buyers as Estonia has seen an increase in population growth according to Statistics Estonia with the biggest attraction being the city of Tallinn, which was able to keep net migration positive for the second year in a row.

Of course, as the population of Estonia grows, a greater need for housing becomes more apparent. According to data from The Global Property Guide, property prices in Tallinn rose by 2.5% over the year-to-end Q1 2011 indicating that the housing market is sitting comfortably. This, along with the Estonian construction industry experiencing 34% year on year growth in the number of construction projects underway in Q1 2011 according to Statistics Estonia, paints a positive picture for potential property investors.

Most interestingly, research by KPMG has stated that Estonia is focussing heavily on eco developments, investing much of its European funding in projects with an environmental appeal. For instance, the production of electricity from renewable sources in Estonia in 2009 increased nearly threefold compared to the previous year according to Statistics Estonia and certainly, the government’s approval of the Estonian Renewable Energy Action Plan last year spanning until 2020, by which the share of renewable energy is thought to grow to at least 25% of all domestic consumption, will have triggered further eco efforts of housing developers.

Property Secrets have been insightful enough to delve into Estonia’s undoubtedly lucrative eco housing market and have a unique and truly sustainable development on offer.
Fully planned and carbon negative, Keble House, built in the beautiful residential complex Oxford Park and priced at only €107,307, with 20% covered by the developer, is the first of its type in Europe, offering a 2 bedroom natural wood terrace house with front and back garden and parking only 30 minutes’ drive from the border of the capital Tallinn.

The Oxford Park complex is the only new community development in Europe to plan its own independent renewable heat and electricity source (allowing it an A+ rating), based on clean biomass renewable energy, supplying all the properties through a smart grid, putting it well ahead of similar developments in the UK.
With a 5 year rental guarantee at 5% of purchase price this is the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards from Estonia’s emerging market by investing in a beautiful and sustainable eco-friendly property.

For further information please contact Property Secrets on +44 (0) 115 985 3963, email info@propertysecrets.net or visit www.propertysecrets.net.

Think green to future-proof your home in France

by Charlotte Ashton France

For most, buying a home abroad remains a significant, long-term commitment especially if mortgage finance is required, however how do you ensure that your dream property in France remains as wise a purchase in 20 years time as today?  According to experts, the best way to future-proof your French home is to think green.

Consideration for the environment and our impact upon it has become almost unavoidable in the 21st century. The UK has signed up to a variety of green legislation including the Renewable Heat Incentive due to be met this year, Building a Greener Future which proposes that all new homes be constructed to a ‘zero carbon’ standard by 2016 and Green Deal which will provide energy makeovers to some 14 million homes by 2020. In addition the UK and other Members States including France are committed to the Europe 2020 strategy which requires 20% of all energy needs to be sourced from renewables.

Charlie Williams, Business Development Manager of France’s leading eco-friendly leaseback property developer, Terresens, comments,

“Thinking green has gone beyond small scale recycling and taking fewer long haul flights. Housing is one of the main contributors to CO2 emissions and we have a moral and legal responsibility to consider sustainable eco-friendly alternatives for the properties we own.  With increasing levels of EU environmental legislation being passed, potential property buyers need to start planning now to ensure that their investments meet the criteria in years to come in order to avoid incurring heavy operating and possibly redevelopment costs later down the line.

“Indeed for those considering purchasing a leaseback property, where the value of the property is calculated on the income which the property is capable of producing, developments which lack high eco-ratings and sustainability features (and therefore have higher operating costs as a result) will start to trail behind with regards to rental growth and lead to adverse yield movements.” 
 
With energy costs, water management and waste disposal all becoming increasingly expensive, investors who buy sustainable eco-friendly properties, such as those provided by Terresens, will see lower CO2 production, lower operating costs and therefore higher income margin and increased property value. 

Anwar Harland-Khan, CEO of Sustain Worldwide, a membership organisation of global developers and professionals whose mission is to raise awareness, share vital knowledge and catalyse business growth in sustainable development, architecture, design and living, said:

“Undoubtedly, eco homes are the future of residential property worldwide. It stands to reason because the sustainable homes being built today are stylish, beautifully finished, warm and light spaces. Not only are they attractive, they are cheaper to run because they require less heating and cooling than a conventional house, they are better insulated and fitted out with ‘hands off’ energy saving applications. What’s more they will appreciate in value faster because eco homes are more ‘future proofed’ than a traditionally built existing house.”

With environmental impact at the very heart of Terresens, each luxurious development holds an ecological rating out of 150 enabling buyers to make an educated choice.  The luxurious 4* apartments of La Chapelle in the traditional Alpine village of Ste Foy for examples boast a rating of 112 due to the use of natural building materials, water retrieval and sustainable management. Similarly the completed Les Mazets de Ventoux residences in Malaucene scored an eco rating of 89 due to use of only natural products and eco friendly building principles such as bio paint, renewable electricity and treatment of green areas.

One common objection against eco homes is the perception of a higher price point; whilst this might be correct in some cases, Terresens ensures that all properties are priced in line with the current market. Properties in Les Mazets de Ventoux for example are available from €141,000 with an attractive 4.1% guaranteed index-linked return plus 3% cashback and due to the superior eco credentials, resale appeal is expected to be higher than traditional homes in the area.

And so with time marching ever on, it is imperative that investors think green today to future-proof their homes in France. For more information about investing in sustainable, eco friendly leaseback developments in France contact Terresens today on + 44 (0) 2030 101 110 or visit www.terresensleaseback.com.

Invitation: Discover the Secret to Successful Property Investing

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

7pm, Wednesday 15th June, Marriott hotel, 111 Glasgow Road, Edinburgh

 

Well-respected property investment company and experienced buy-to-let investors, Property Secrets would like to invite you to an insightful property seminar this month in Edinburgh.

Completely free and informal, the seminar will cover:

 

  •  Current opportunities in the UK including the lucrative untapped market of student accommodation in Manchester and buy-to-let hotspot, Hull

 

  •  Exciting new overseas investment opportunities including eco homes in Estonia and BMV property in Detroit

 

  •  The team behind Property Secrets, the forward thinking property experts

 

  • Exclusive top tips on successful property investing

 

  • Networking opportunities with like-minded investors

Director Alan Forsyth and Portfolio Managers from the Property Secrets team will be on hand throughout the day to provide valuable one to one advice and private consultation slots are available starting early afternoon.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided with networking opportunities starting from 6pm and the seminar will commence at 7pm. Afterwards there will be the opportunity to join Property Secrets in the bar to discuss the day’s events.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about investing in property and gain valuable advice from one of the biggest specialists in the industry.

Places are limited so to reserve please RSVP before Monday 13th June to Charlotte Ashton on +44 (0) 207 952 7227 or c.ashton@abpropertymarketing.co.uk.

 

Invitation: Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa Launch Party – Tirana, Albania

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

Thursday June 16th 2011, 7pm – 9pm; Hotel Rogner, Tirana

Brand new 5* residential and holiday resort, Lalzit Bay and Spa, situated on Albania’s stunning Adriatic coast would like to invite you to a fabulous launch party in Tirana on Thursday 16th June.

This launch party is ideal for potential buyers, journalists, marketing agents and existing investors.

You will be joining Lalzit Bay’s senior management team for a relaxed and enjoyable evening in the Hotel Rogner where you will be served complimentary drinks and canapés and given a short presentation on the resort.

Interest from overseas buyers has been particularly strong in recent months as the international press has highlighted Albania as one of Europe’s fastest growing tourist destinations, seeing healthy pre-sale reservations both locally and internationally.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about this lucrative investment opportunity on Albanian’s stunning Adriatic coast. Spaces are limited so please RSVP to info@lalzitbay.com or telephone +355 (0) 44 303 930 to qualify for a free parking space and a 5% discount if you reserve a property on the night.

Kind Regards,

The team at Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa

We love Liverpool! 62% of higher education students select the north-west city as the best place to study in the UK

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

It’s great news for potential investors in student accommodation as new data identifying the best places in the UK to be a student has just been released. Accommodationforstudents.com, the UK’s No 1 student accommodation website, conducted 46,000 student reviews across 62 university towns around the UK and found that 62% voted the city of Liverpool the best place to study.

Students were asked to rank the location of their university (out of 10) based on five different criteria – shops (supermarkets, corner shops, book shops, video shops), facilities (gyms, libraries, parks), transport links (buses, trams, trains, underground),  going out (restaurants, pubs, clubs) and  community (safety, student population, surroundings).

The findings obtained from the criteria show that although Newcastle took the title with an overall rating of 64% locations including Liverpool and Manchester weren’t too far behind, taking joint second place at 62%.

Ray Withers, Director of leading property investment agency, Property Frontiers which has successfully marketed numerous student accommodation projects in the city of Liverpool, comments,

“We are delighted that Liverpool, home to three of the country’s leading universities and around 53,000 students scored extremely well in the review. It’s not surprising that students enjoy Liverpool life. Voted European Capital of Culture in 2008, Liverpool has a huge selection of cultural and leisure activities to enjoy from music and the arts to the UNESCO listed waterfront and the all-important A-grade nightlife. It’s just a great place to study all round and we at Property Frontiers have certainly noted its potential.”

He continues,

“As demand for academic courses reaches record highs according to UCAS with nearly 700,000 university applications in 2010 alone, investors are quickly beginning to appreciate that the UK’s latest buy to let sector, student accommodation, is big business and can no longer be ignored.

“Data provided by Knight Frank 2010 indicate that rents in Liverpool in the last academic year, 2008/9 – 2009/10, increased by 13%, vastly exceeding the average 5% growth per annum seen nationally in the six years to 2008/9. And as Liverpool’s universities are expecting to attract even higher numbers of applicants for the next academic year, creating strong demand for student accommodation, shrewd buy-to-let investors will certainly not want to miss out.”

Many more young people are realising the value of higher education than ever before and Liverpool universities in particular have seen significant increases in applications between 2008 and 2010. According to statistics from UCAS, in 2008 The University of Liverpool had 27,465 applications which rose to 32,022 in 2010 while Liverpool John Moores University received 28,123 applicants in 2008 rising to 34,182 by 2010. In addition, Liverpool Hope University received 8,314 applications compared to 7,627 back in 2008 clearly indicating that more and more students are seeking degree courses year on year, pushing up the need for accommodation and increasing opportunities for buy-to-let investors.

Currently only 50% of all students in the UK have access to high quality purpose-built student accommodation according to the Knight Frank Student Report 2011 however more effort is being made to change this with The University of Liverpool planning to invest £600 million pounds in its facilities, including a £250 million pound redevelopment of the university’s student accommodation with the construction of a 710 bedroom development in the city centre campus already underway.

However, in spite of the university’s attempt to increase the level of available student accommodation the stock of new student housing will nevertheless remain limited with demand continuing to outstrip supply as increasing numbers of students from both home and overseas seek to attend universities in Liverpool and the UK placing increasing pressure on the housing supply. 

The emphasis has therefore now shifted to building new high quality private student housing developments such as Hatton Garden, the latest and most prestigious student project available through Property Frontiers.

The 98 private en-suite student rooms with flat screen TV and internet connection have excellent on-site facilities and will include sufficient kitchen space, communal lounges with 42 inch flat screen TVs on each floor, an on-site gymnasium, computer/media service centre, management office and laundry facilities.

Located in the heart of the city, minutes from John Moores University, Lime Street station and popular shops, restaurants and nightlife, Hatton Garden is everything a student could ever dream of and with rooms costing only £48,000, investors can expect weighty returns of 10.03% NET with the first year assured. Monthly rental income is to be paid from 1st March 2012.

For more information on this lucrative investment opportunity in Liverpool please call Property Frontiers today on +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com