Leicester top of the class for student property

Leicester top of the class for student property

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Leicester most popular city for student property investment
  • East Midlands home to fastest-growing student population
  • Investment interest up 11pc in 2016

Leicester is top of the class for student property, reveals new research from StudentProperty.Investments. The city is the most popular among investors, according to the portal, which specialises in student accommodation, accounting for one in six enquiries this year.

The research arrives as students across the country have left home behind for the first time to begin their studies. According to UCAS, admissions to UK universities have risen 1 per cent for the 2016/17 academic year, compared to the previous year.

The East Midlands is home to one of the fastest growing student populations, with admissions up 3 per cent year-on-year. The region is also home to two of the most popular cities for student property investors, with Loughborough accounting for 1 in 20 enquiries on StudentProperty.Investments.

Regional cities are the most attractive cities for investors, with Bradford (14 per cent of enquiries), Newcastle (13 per cent) and Preston (8 per cent) completing the portal’s top five hotspots. Indeed, the most popular regions for investors are Staffordshire (17 per cent), West Yorkshire (16 per cent), Leicestershire (12 per cent), Lancashire (11 per cent) and Merseyside (10 per cent), all seeing higher demand than London.

“London remains one of the world’s most popular cities to study, but there are more opportunities for development and expansion in the UK’s regional markets,” explains Dan Johnson, Director of StudentProperty.Investments. “With economies in the Midlands and the Northern Powerhouse enjoying stronger growth than the capital, cities such as Leicester, Liverpool and Newcastle are attracting students for lifestyle reasons and lower costs of living, but also for job opportunities after graduating.”

Going back to school is not just for students, though, as investment continues to climb in purpose-built university accommodation. According to JLL, the student accommodation market is now worth $200 billion globally, while direct investment in the UK sector has risen from £500 million in 2010 to a record £5.7 billion in 2015.

“Student housing has emerged as a mainstream real estate asset class in recent years,” confirms Johnson. “There is still not enough supply to meet demand for accommodation, which means that regions such as the East Midlands, where admissions are rising, continue to offer strong rental yields for the housing that is available.”

“The UK’s growing student population highlights how reliable the sector has become,” continues Johnson. “Student housing is counter-cyclical, with even the recent global financial crisis only driving more young people to turn to universities. Student property has weathered the storm, something that has made it increasingly attractive in the light of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. Uncertainty may impact other assets, but student property is widely perceived as ‘Brexit-proof’. In the first half of 2016, visits to StudentProperty.Investments surged 11 per cent year-on-year and demand shows no sign of stopping.”

For more information, visit http://www.studentproperty.investments.

 

About StudentProperty.Investments

Dedicated to the booming student housing sector, StudentProperty.Investments allows investors to search and compare dozens of student accommodation investment opportunities.

StudentProperty.Investments is an international property operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.

To invest or not to invest… that is the Brexit brainteaser

To invest or not to invest… that is the Brexit brainteaser

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Pound lingering at record lows
  • British property c. 20% cheaper than before the referendum for buyers with dollars
  • Demand up in September but average stocks on agents’ books close to historic lows (RICS)

With the pound lingering at record lows and UK politics changing by the day, British buyers and international investors alike are rightly wondering where the property market is heading.

While they don’t have a crystal ball, the experts at Property Frontiers are feeling increasingly confident in their answer to the question they’ve been hearing most lately: “Should I invest now, or wait and see?”

The answer of course depends on your individual circumstances, but the evidence is mounting in favour of moving now.

Property Frontiers CEO Ray Withers explains,

“Brexit is undoubtedly a game-changer, and when the playing field shifts like that, it creates opportunities to get ahead as well as potential pitfalls. Some investors thrive on situations like these, hunting uncertainty around the world, while others let themselves be paralysed into not investing at all. I wouldn’t particularly recommend either course, but there is a happy medium.”

The clearest reason the UK falls into this category at the moment is sterling’s recent plunge: the currency play represents a huge opportunity for international investors. Heated debate about whether the pound will climb, settle, or fall further is pure speculation. It is a fact, on the other hand, that British property is around 20% cheaper than it was before the referendum for buyers with dollars and/or many other currencies, especially those pegged to the dollar (e.g. BHD, HKD, QAR, SAR and AED). Savings of that magnitude may render further gambling – in the form of delaying an investment – unnecessarily risky.

Delaying in order to beat the pound could go either way. Delaying in order to beat the property market, however, is very wishful thinking. Every week, more and more statistics confirm the industry consensus that (barring a full-blown recession) house prices are not going to get any cheaper any time soon, and the fundamentals in most markets still point to chronic undersupply.

Last week the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its latest house price index, which reports price increases in the year to August 2016 of 8.4%, up from 8% in July and never dropping below 7% this year. Even the Nationwide index, based on less optimistic survey data (rather than actual registered sales), reports that the worst monthly change since the referendum was a 0.2% increase (in July, just after the vote).

Property Frontiers’ Ray Withers continues,

“In my view, what we have seen in the past few months is a temporary slowdown in a long period of excellent growth underpinned by strong fundamentals. This plateau offers a vanishing window of opportunity before prices ramp up again, and even if we get more surprises next year they may not offer anything better.”

A new RICS survey reports that demand ticked up in September while average stocks on property agents’ books were close to historic lows. August’s drop in mortgage rates should also boost demand and support price levels. And whether values increase substantially or not, in a super-low interest world, British rental yields remain amongst the strongest across many markets. RICS has further identified a “critical rental shortage” in the UK, predicting 1.8m more households will be looking to rent rather than buy a home by 2025, while Countrywide forecasts a 4% increase in rents in 2017 and again in 2018.

As the best and brightest of the industry rubbed shoulders at MIPIM last week, congregating under the banner “extraordinary times, extraordinary returns?” investors will do well to remember that there are certainly profits to be had in the UK market and to be wary of dismissing making a move due to volatility. Property is still among the safest and most stable of many asset classes, and now remains a favourable time for those that have cash (especially in different currencies) and are seeking long term investment opportunities.

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting www.propertyfrontiers.com or calling +44 1865 202 700.

 

In a class of its own: £1.9 billion invested in UK student accommodation in 2016

In a class of its own: £1.9 billion invested in UK student accommodation in 2016

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • £1.9 billion invested into UK student accommodation (Jan – Aug 2016, Savills)
  • UK “most in-demand destination for global cross-border institutional and private capital” (Savills)
  • Student accommodation scene in Bradford offering an 8% NET returns (Properties of the World)

The latest Savills Spotlight on World Student Housing (2016/17) report has revealed that once again student accommodation is in a class of its own, no longer a “niche investment opportunity” but a global asset class.

Of the USD $8 billion invested globally in the first eight months of the year, over 30%, USD $2.5 billion (£1.9 billion) has been invested in UK student accommodation cementing the domestic student accommodation market’s maturity and attractiveness.

Indeed, it is not only domestic investors piling into the UK student accommodation market but overseas buyers also with Savills stating that the UK was “by far the most in-demand destination for global cross-border institutional and private capital.” Over the last 3 years alone, the UK sector has attracted a whopping USD $9 billion in inbound investment.

Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World, which has successfully sold countless student property investments across the UK, comments,

“The student accommodation market, especially in the UK, has truly come into its own in the last few years. Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) now houses just over 30% of full-time students in the UK, some half a million beds, but this is still not enough.

“Public institutions and the UK’s universities simply cannot meet the demand from today’s ever growing number of students for good quality housing and so it is left to operators in the private sector to build the beds which in turn offers opportunity for savvy private investors.”

And even Brexit uncertainty does not appear to be denting confidence in UK student accommodation. In fact, the fall of sterling has made studying in the UK cheaper for overseas students and buying PBSA more affordable for overseas investors.

Jean continues, “student accommodation is still seen as a stable income-producing asset and if anything, in the face of Brexit, it’s in a great position to benefit from a rise in investor appetites during times of economic and market uncertainty.”

But what and where should investors buy?

With 21st century students demanding more for their money, Jean advises her clients to consider PBSA developments with additional facilities and on-site amenities. One such example is The Dye Works, located overlooking the University of Bradford campus.

Situated only a one-minute walk from the main Bradford University Campus, The Advanced Technology Centre and Bradford College’s David Hockney Campus, Dye Works is ideally located for discerning students. Centrally located in Bradford’s purpose built Learning Quarter, students will have direct access to the university campus as well as a variety of retail outlets and public transport links. Dye Works will also house a number of students from Bradford College, one of the largest colleges in the UK.

With the University of Bradford named in the top 200 of the world’s most international universities 2016, the city attracts students from across the globe with Dye Works catering for local and international students alike. The university projects a 30% increase in the number of students by 2024 making Dye Works a perfect opportunity for investment in an expanding sector.

All apartments are self-contained with spacious double beds, en-suite bathrooms, fully furnished kitchens and plenty of work and storage space. Other features include large communal spaces for students to socialise, table tennis, pool table, games consoles, televisions and Wi-Fi throughout.

This contemporary student accommodation scheme offers a highly competitive three year fixed annual income return of 8%, with a 6% coupon during the construction period. A limited number of self-contained stylish studios are available for investment for a pre-launch discount price of £55,000 with no stamp duty due.

Dye Works is the sister student accommodation to Campus House (overlooking Bradford University campus). Properties of the World sold over one third of the self-contained large studios at Campus House in 2014. It continues to achieve close to 100% occupancy, and is a favourite particularly amongst post-graduate and international students.

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or phone +44 (0)20 7624 5555

60 Seconds with Jean Liggett, CEO and Founder of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World

60 Seconds with Jean Liggett, CEO and Founder of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World

by Eleanor United Kingdom

After spending 20 years in the media industry, you founded Properties of the World back in 2011. What made you swap journalism and advertising for bricks and mortar?

I enjoyed working in the media but felt it was time for a change. I’ve always loved architecture and buildings and can remember being in Venice with my family when I was 15 years old and finding I preferred looking at the buildings as opposed to the paintings! I wanted to take control and stop working for large organisations as well as have the freedom to set my own rules and raise the bar on what other property agents were doing.

What makes Properties of the World stand out from other investment agencies in the market?

At Properties of the World we ensure that we visit each of the developments we offer and share our experience of the visit. We avoid using CGI images and share real pictures of the properties and surrounding areas. Our team has years of combined experience in blue chip organisations – finance, insurance, recruitment, management consulting and the media – which truly sets us apart from the average agency. Most importantly our buyers say we have a highly personalised approach and feel we become friends with them over time.

Talk us through a typical day at your St John’s Wood HQ?

It’s a real team effort. We check our emails to ensure we are up to date with client enquiries, then the sales team meet to review where each of our clients are at. I regularly meet with Jade, our Marketing and Communications Manager to discuss media coverage, promotions, lead generation and online activities. I also speak to developers and prospective partners to ensure existing projects are on track as well as source fresh opportunities.

What has been your biggest challenge over the last 5 years in property?

My biggest challenge was deciding to employ staff. Until March 2014 I was doing everything myself and I wanted to ensure that I had enough revenue to pay an employee before I employed them. My mother wanted me to stop working 24/7 and offered to lend me some money to help pay an employee’s wages. Well it worked; within two weeks of my first employee Beverly being at the company, we made three sales and things took off from there.

Property has traditionally been a male dominated industry, how have you found being a woman in property?

I don’t think about myself as being a ‘woman in property’. I just happen to be a woman. Perhaps, this is a function of how I was raised by my parents who encouraged me to go for anything I wanted to. When I worked at EMAP in Peterborough on the motoring and motorcycling magazines, there were almost all men working there. I quickly got used to mucking around with the chaps and gender was never anything to go by when determining someone’s skills or capabilities.

Properties of the World offers a range of investment opportunities across the UK, what types of properties and locations would you recommend investors to consider in 2017?

In an uncertain climate following the UK’s Brexit decision I would recommend hotels and care homes. In times of economic and market uncertainty, these two property classes provide certainty and security for investors. To list just a few reasons why; these types of investments provide a fixed rate of return over 10 years, have a considerably higher yield than residential buy to lets of up to 10%, and incur no extra costs during ownership. Investing in a hotel room or care room will give the investor peace of mind as they are exempt from stamp duty and are fully managed which mitigates risk.

What opportunities have you invested in personally and why?

I invested in a hotel room at Llandudno Bay Hotel in Llandudno, a World Heritage seaside town in North Wales that attracts visitors all year around. The property was being converted into a four-star hotel of which there was a shortage and the returns were excellent at 10%. It was also fully managed with no extra costs incurred during ownership. To me, it was a no-brainer.

If you could give investors one piece of advice, what would it be?

To be open-minded about what they’d consider purchasing. Buyers tend to stick to one type of property purchase such as a residential buy-to-let, yet their investment objectives can be better met by buying into say, the commercial property sector.

Lastly, you are originally from across the Pond, what do you miss most about the USA?

I miss seeing my friends and family and just how friendly and open Americans are – you can make a friend in the time it’s taken to read this interview!

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555

New Healthcare Market Review reveals elderly personal care sector creating exciting investment opportunities and defying Brexit

New Healthcare Market Review reveals elderly personal care sector creating exciting investment opportunities and defying Brexit

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Personal care sector occupancy at 91.7% in H1 2016 (Colliers International)
  • Long-term stability and excellent prospects are a win with investors (Properties of the World)
  • Income up and costs down across personal care sector (Colliers International)

The newly released Colliers International Healthcare Market Review 2016 has provided the very latest insights into the healthcare property and business sector, revealing that the personal care sector performed well over the past year, with total income levels reaching a new high while costs have fallen.

Rising occupancy levels of personal care services for elderly people were behind the trend, with the elderly care sector seeing occupancy rates of 91.0% or higher for all types of provision in H1 2016.

Average weekly fees were also up for the personal care sector, rising to £536 per week in H1 2016 from £526 per week in H2 2015. At the same time, payroll costs fell from 51.0% of total revenue in H2 2015 to 50.7% in H1 2016 and non-payroll costs dropped from 17.1% to 17.0%.

Jean Liggett, Founder and Managing Director of Properties of the World, comments,

“The personal care sector is attracting keen interest from investors thanks to its long-term stability and excellent future prospects. The UK has an ageing population and thus healthcare properties are becoming an increasingly popular asset class.

“As the Colliers Healthcare Market Review points out, the statistical stability of such investments is incredibly appealing. The industry is growing and adapting to the changing needs of the population and investors are in a position to take full advantage of the new breed of provision that is coming online.”

Wagon’s Way near Sunderland, which is available for investment from £58,500, is representative of this new style of elderly care provision. The 58 bed, high quality, nursing and dementia specific care home is the latest offering from a developer that is meeting and exceeding Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements across its extensive provision.

Already open and operational, Wagon’s Way provides a modern twist on vintage décor, along with a host of touches designed to make life easier and happier for residents, such as cherished photographs on key boxes by bedroom doors rather than impersonal (and easily forgettable) numbers.

The dual appeal to investors in developments such as Wagon’s Way lies in the profitability of the investment (circa 8% NET rental returns for 25 years) and in the ethical considerations. The innovative investment model means that everyone wins: the investor, the residents, their families, the community, the care professionals and the CQC. It’s investment that really does make a difference.

While the impact of the UK’s Brexit vote is still very fresh, the Healthcare Market Review certainly points to healthcare investments standing up well, particularly when compared with other sectors. The report concludes that, “the long-income prospect and underlying stability of demand remain intact.” As the report observes, the UK’s political maneuverings do not affect the infrastructure required to meet the needs of its ageing population, and therein lies the final piece of the puzzle, making healthcare sector investments one of the most attractive asset classes over the longer term.

For further details visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk, email info@propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call the team on +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

The North heads South to MIPIM en masse to corner new real estate business opportunities

The North heads South to MIPIM en masse to corner new real estate business opportunities

by Eleanor United Kingdom , ,
  • Manchester offering strong returns on stylish homes (Surrenden Invest)
  • Northern cities providing something ‘a cut above the average’ (Properties of the World)
  • Liverpool flagged as 2017 property investment hotspot (Property Frontiers)

The much celebrated MIPIM UK property industry extravaganza will take place at London’s Olympia from 19-21 October 2016.

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, will be among those attending, along with a strong contingent of his peers from the North of England. The Northern team will be attending en masse in order to show that the North remains open for business, despite the ongoing distraction of Brexit. Bernstein comments,

“MIPIM is the first major real estate event since the EU referendum and I’m looking forward to reinforcing the importance of Manchester and the north to the UK economy. The event will be a great opportunity to discover the diverse investment and development opportunities the north has to offer.”

Manchester is certainly generating some interesting real estate investment opportunities at present. In a prime position in the heart of the city, Halo epitomises the kind of modern, luxury development that investors are keen to be profit from and tenants are keen to rent. The high profile development boasts 66 stylish apartments, with projected 6.2% NET yield through Surrenden Invest.

Manchester, along with Birmingham and London, sits among Europe’s 20 largest cities, according to Centre for Cities. Investment opportunities there are attracting both domestic and international interest. Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World, offers several opportunities to investors keen to pick up northern real estate. She agrees that contemporary developments with a luxurious feel are prime targets for investors, commenting,

“Northern UK cities offer rich pickings right now when it comes to real estate opportunities. Buyers are looking for something a cut above the average in excellent locations. Popular properties are those that are well located for both local employment opportunities and retail and leisure amenities. Salford Quays is precisely the kind of area that investors can’t get enough of.”

The popularity of design-led apartments such as those at The Element add weight to Liggett’s words. The stylish homes offer urban convenience at every turn, from their prime Salford Quays location to the availability of on-site parking – an important consideration that is often bypassed by such central city developments. Apartments at The Element start from £112,970 and offer 7% NET assured returns for two years.

But it’s not just Manchester’s real estate that has got investors so excited about opportunities in the North. Ray Withers, CEO of Property Frontiers, explains,

“We’re seeing a lot of interest in the property investment opportunities available in Liverpool right now. Liverpool is a growing city and centrally located accommodation that offers something unique is winning over a lot of interest from investors. Liverpool’s prices are still a little below their 2007 peak and a lot of those in the industry are flagging it up as an investment hotspot for 2017.”

Withers cites Parker Street Residences as an example of the kind of property that stands out from the crowd. Located within the central, L1 postcode area, the development has blended the exterior façade of the former Reece’s Ballroom with an ultra-contemporary interior. As well as a low entry point (studios are priced from £69,950 for cash buyers) and yields of 8% NET, investors can enjoy owning their own piece of Beatles history, as Reece’s was the location of John Lennon’s first wedding reception.

International and local investors flock to MIPIM UK every year for just these kind of investment opportunities and the message at the October show from the North of England will be clear: the real estate sector in the North is alive and well.

For more information, please contact:

Surrenden Invest: +44 203 3726 499 or www.surrendeninvest.com

Properties of the World: +44 20 7624 5555 or www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk

Property Frontiers: +44 1865 202 700 or www.propertyfrontiers.com

Hotel hotspots for 2017 – what’s around the corner for the UK’s hotel sector?

Hotel hotspots for 2017 – what’s around the corner for the UK’s hotel sector?

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Regional hotels to hit record-breaking 77% occupancy in 2017 (PwC)
  • Brexit creating double boon for UK hotel sector (Properties of the World)
  • 10.45 million overnight trips made by Brits to Wales in 2015 (Welsh Government)

Britain’s hotel sector has been riding the wave of the Brexit vote for three months now, with domestic staycations on the up and many European travellers rushing to the UK as a result of finding their euros are suddenly go a lot further.

But will the trend last? Are hotel investments a wise move as we head into 2017?

The latest industry figures and projections certainly seem to indicate that the hotel sector – at least in certain areas – is looking forward to a strong 2017. PwC has projected record occupancy levels for regional hotels over the year ahead and revenue per available room (RevPAR) of 2.3% even in the face of the anticipated economic slowdown. An increase in domestic travel and the weak pound has led the company to predict a record occupancy of 77% for provincial hotels during 2017.

Figures from ContentSquare highlight the increased European appetite for British hotels, one of the driving factors behind the rosy outlook for the sector. Their analysis has shown that the average spend on holiday packages to the UK booked through online travel agents by Europeans following the Brexit vote rose by 38%, while searches for UK destinations increased by 10%.

The UK hotel sector is certainly working hard to respond to the increased demand. STR’s August 2016 pipeline report revealed that the UK has more hotel rooms under construction currently than any other country in Europe. Meanwhile figures from AM:PM have shown that the number of new hotel rooms opening in the UK in 2016 looks set to reach its highest level for four years.

Jean Liggett, Founder and Managing Director of Properties of the World, which is offering hotel room investments at Caer Rhun Hall Hotel in Wales from £75,000, emphasises the dual role that Brexit has played in boosting the sector,

“The impact of Brexit has been a double boon for the UK’s hotel industry. European visitors are keen to head to the UK while it’s cheaper for them to do so and cautious domestic holidaymakers are opting for staycations while they wait for the Brexit dust to settle. Spikes in demand from two different sources are always good news and the hotel sector, particularly in the regions, is looking forward to a strong year ahead in 2017.”

The first rooms at the stunning, grade II listed Elizabethan-style Caer Rhun Hall are due to come online in 2017, with investors able to choose from 14 room types with returns of circa 10% per annum. The lack of stamp duty on hotel room investments has made this a popular asset class, particularly as the UK’s stamp duty changes earlier this year made buy-to-let investment a less profitable venture than once it was.

Wales is certainly a popular destination for staycation-ers in the UK. British residents made 10.45 million overnight trips to Wales during 2015, 60% of them for a holiday according to government figures, with an associated spend of £1,975 million. Wales also welcomed 970,000 visitors from overseas during 2015, with an associated spend of £410 million.

“Look at it from any angle and hotel investment makes sense right now, particularly regional hotel investment” concludes Properties of the World’s Jean Liggett. “London may be facing declining occupancy and decreasing RevPAR over the coming year, but it’s full steam ahead in the regions for the foreseeable future!”

For further details visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk, email info@propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call the team on +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

Ethical property investment: Can your money do more?

Ethical property investment: Can your money do more?

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Green and ethical retail funds account for £15 billion of UK investment (EIRIS)
  • Ethical investment accounts for around 1.2% of all funds (Investment Management Association)
  • Ethical property investment set to go mainstream as investors no longer need to balance ethics with their bottom line (Properties of the World)

“Ethical investment is not a new concept in the UK, but it could well be on the brink of a revolution that will see a sharp and sudden rise in popularity.”

According to Jean Liggett, Founder and Managing Director of Properties of the World, ethical investment in the UK is long overdue a shakeup.

While investors have had access to ethical funds since 1984, uptake has remained low, at a fairly static rate of around 1.2% of all money invested in funds for the last decade or so, according to the Investment Management Association. Indeed, figures from sustainable investment research specialists EIRIS released in 2015 indicate that total investment in green and ethical retail funds in the UK was just over £15 billion: a drop in the ocean when one considers the overall investment picture.

But this formerly ‘niche’ form of investment could be about to hit the mainstream. Jean Liggett explains,

“A lot of ethical investment opportunities relate to particular causes or to the environment. That’s a great idea, but it relies on the investor being interested in those particular causes over and above the attractions of making money elsewhere.

“What we’re seeing now – and where Properties of the World is seeking to lead the way – is a new breed of ethical investment opportunity that appeals to a far broader pool of investors. We’re working with regular property investors looking to make their money do more – a stable, profitable investment with ethical benefits included.”

Bricks, mortar and ethics is not a new concept and there have been some notable successes, mainly in the form of companies providing office space for third sector and community organisations, but again the target market was restricted. The beauty of new ethical investment opportunities, according to Liggett, is that they don’t differ from those that are, well, less ethical.

A regular property investor, for example, looks for healthy yields. An investment offering circa 8% NET rental returns for 25 years holds instant appeal. A low price point (say, £58,500) and a developer with established credentials further add to the attractions. Indeed, many investors in the Wagon’s Way care home in northern England don’t even discover the ethical element of the investment until they’ve already been won over by the numbers.

At the same time, investors ‘with a conscience’ are pushing for property investments that stand out from the crowd based on their social or ethical credentials. At Wagon’s Way, the concept is simple: everybody wins. The 58 bed, high quality, nursing and dementia specific care home from Qualia Care Developments is raising the bar for standards of care for elderly individuals with dementia, regularly exceeding the requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC – the UK government regulatory body for care homes).

Qualia Care specializes in purchasing purpose-built, completed facilities in the North of England and using private funds to renovate and reinvigorate them. When an investor purchases a room, they buy a 125-year leasehold with a fixed rental. The money enables Qualia Care to renovate to an extremely high standard to make the home available to elderly residents who would otherwise be unlikely to be able to afford such a superb standard of care. The investor wins and so does the resident.

Incidentally, so does the local authority and the government, which is faced with an ageing population and the fact that a longer life doesn’t always mean a better standard of living.

In the area of northern England in which Wagon’s Way is based, one in four people will be aged 65+ by 2050, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics. That’s an increase of 56.3% since 2012. Meanwhile the Alzheimer’s Society has reported that the 850,000 UK residents with dementia in 2015 is on track to grow to more than 1 million by 2025 and to over 2 million by 2051.

Demand for high quality care is set to continue increasing and the government needs to find new ways to fund it in order to provide dignity for all in later life. The increasing engagement of property investors with the care sector has certainly come at the right time.

“It’s one of those rare moments when everything comes together at once to usher in the start of a new era,” concludes Properties of the World’s Jean Liggett. “We’ve seen the ethical property sector in Australia really flourish over the last few years and now it’s the UK’s time to shine. Let’s shake up the concept of mainstream property investment by showing that every investor can afford to have decent ethics, without it being at the expense of their bottom line.”

For further details visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk, email info@propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call the team on +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

“Immediate lift” of Oxford property prices to result from new direct high speed rail connection with London

“Immediate lift” of Oxford property prices to result from new direct high speed rail connection with London

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Direct high speed London-Oxford connection to launch on 12 December (Chiltern Railways)
  • Journey time of 60 mins will “make Oxford an even better proposition for commuters” (Property Frontiers)
  • 100,000 new homes required across Oxfordshire by 2031 (Oxfordshire Growth Board)

Oxford-based property expert Ray Withers, CEO of Property Frontiers, has expressed anticipation of an immediate lift in house prices in the city, in light of the news that the new direct high speed rail line between Oxford and London Marylebone will be open and operational from 12 December.

Withers explains,

“The new line will provide an enormous boost to both cities. Everyone in the Oxford area will benefit from improved connectivity and less congestion, and I expect property values in the centre to get an immediate lift as Oxford will be more accessible for those who work near Marylebone/West end.

“We’ve already seen a dramatic upswing in property prices in places like Kidlington near to Oxford Parkway, the most recent station to open on this line and although Oxford has been voted one of the most expensive places to live, I think this will bolster prices further.

“This project promises to make Oxford an even better proposition for commuters and businesses with close links to the capital, but it will also hugely open up central Oxford and the Cotswolds to Londoners to take advantage of the culture and natural beauty on offer here.”

The direct high speed connection between Oxford and London has been eagerly awaited. The railway line took some £320 million to complete and included the opening of Oxford Parkway station in October 2015. The final track installations needed to enable the direct connection to London sought to convert an old branch line into a 100 mph mainline. With the work complete, Chiltern Railway services has been able to timetable the first trains for 12 December, just in time for Oxford’s residents to pop into the capital for a spot of Christmas shopping.

With a journey time of just 60 minutes and two trains per hour, the newly opened line will certainly be an early Christmas present for those living in Oxford and working in London, providing them with an alternative to the oft-congested M40 and A40. The A40 stretch between London and Oxford topped Ultimate Directory’s list of the UK’s busiest roads, alongside the M25. By relieving some of the pressure on the road network, the new train line is tipped to provide a further boost to Oxford’s credentials as a commuter city for the capital (in addition to the city’s own countless charms).

Housing in Oxford is something of a contentious issue. Nobody seems to disagree with the fact that more houses are needed. Oxford City Council’s growth strategy states that 24,000-32,000 new homes are needed between 2011 and 2031, while the Oxfordshire Growth Board has stated that 100,000 new homes are required across the county as a whole in that timescale.

The controversy arises when it comes to planning precisely where to locate those new homes. 14,300 of the new homes needed in Oxford have been assigned to be built in the local authorities surrounding the city, as Oxford itself is struggling to find the space to meet demand thanks to its large swathes of protected land and the need to protect its internationally recognised skyline of ‘dreaming spires,’ as christened by the Victorian poet Matthew Arnold.

The new train line is set to create even more demand for homes in Oxford, with the city expected to return to property hotspot status as a result. House prices in the city have already risen by 27.5% in the past five years, according to Zoopla. With the new train line opening towards the end of this year, homeowners in the city can reasonably expect to look forward to another substantial boost.

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting www.propertyfrontiers.com or calling the team on +44 1865 202 700.

Andalucian Open returns to ‘Costa del Golf’ as golfers go in search of the perfect pad close to the fairway

Andalucian Open returns to ‘Costa del Golf’ as golfers go in search of the perfect pad close to the fairway

by Eleanor Spain
  • 68% of golf courses in Spain directly or indirectly linked with a real estate development (Real Federación Española de Golf)
  • Time it takes to sell a property in the Costa del Sol has reduced by over half (Aguirre Newman)
  • Taylor Wimpey España open new show home at Horizon Golf development in Mijas

The prestigious Andalucian Open is returning to one of Europe’s most idyllic golfing destinations, the Costa del Sol, this September.

The event, held between 22nd and 25th September, is set to be broadcasted to over 100 countries and will see pro golfers Lydia Ko and Michele Wie go head to head. Having hosted over fifty tournaments in the last four decades, this region of Spain is more than prepared for the thousands of visitors due to attend this prestigious event.

As the Costa del Sol continues to host international events, the golfing prowess of the area is causing local property to become increasingly desirable to fans of the sport. The latest figures released by the Real Federación Española de Golf show that 68% of golf courses in Spain now have a direct or indirect link with a real estate development and it seems those situated on the Costa del Sol are firm favourites.

According to the most recent statistics from property consulting agency Aguirre Newman, the time it takes for a property to go on the market for sale in Spain and then be purchased by a buyer has been reduced by more than half this year. Further emphasising the growing demand is the number of new builds being introduced to the market which has increased by nearly 5% in comparison with 2015 figures. The first rise of this kind since 2007.

Seeking to provide the perfect property for golf lovers, leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España has recently announced that the highly anticipated show house within their Horizon Golf community is now available to view.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España believes golf properties are favourable with holiday home buyers and investors alike. He explains,

“For fans of the sport, golf properties provide the idyllic base for any holiday or retirement plans with high quality facilities right on the doorstep. Buyers should consider properties near a golf course that is also considered a resort, offering an array of additional facilities to keep the non-golf players in the party equally as happy. Down on the Costa del Sol, also known as the ‘Costa del Golf’, the plentiful sunshine and dry, warm days allow for visits throughout every season or equally an exciting rental opportunity.”

Situated in the beautiful valley of Mijas, Horizon Golf is Taylor Wimpey de España’s second development at La Cala Resort within the complex’s famous Campo Asia golf course. With prices starting from €267,000+VAT, the private gated development offers 55 terraced homes, all with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a cloakroom, as well as 48 2 or 3 bedroom apartments.

Residents will enjoy stunning panoramic views over the golf course and La Cala de Mijas with each property. Horizon Golf features luxury finishes including fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, designer bathrooms, bedrooms with motorized blinds and secure, fully lined wardrobes.

All properties benefit from 24-hour security, communal gardens and swimming pool, as well as three 18-hole golf courses, a hydrotherapy centre and spa, La Cala Golf Academy school and an array of sports facilities all close by. Residents can reach the beautiful beaches of the Costa del Sol in just 10 minutes, with Malaga airport only 30 minutes away.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.