Birmingham lines up post-Brexit housing plan, with a little help from its friends in China

Birmingham lines up post-Brexit housing plan, with a little help from its friends in China

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom
  • Birmingham population grew 9.5% in past decade (Census data)
  • Country Garden to invest £2 billion in Birmingham projects
  • UK is most popular destination in Europe for FDI (Department for International Trade)
  • HS2 and Birmingham Smithfield redevelopment are key opportunities (Property Frontiers)

As the youngest city in Europe, with 50% of its population under the age of 30, Birmingham is a city full of drive, ambition and entrepreneurialism. This is already clear from the city’s booming life science, creative and tech industries. Now, Birmingham is lining up to show the rest of Britain’s cities how to future-proof against the coming economic uncertainty when the UK finally begins the formal process of leaving the EU.

Birmingham’s attractions as a place to live and work mean that its population is booming. According to Census data, the city’s population grew by nearly 100,000 in the decade to 2015, equating to a 9.5% increase. With people continuing to be drawn to the city, planners believe that 80,000 new housing units will be required by 2030. Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy has taken matters in hand and has just spent a week courting investors in China and Hong Kong.

The trade mission has yielded impressive results, with Chinese property developer Country Garden pledging to invest £2 billion in Birmingham’s economy over the coming years. Housing stock and projects related to the HS2 railway have been identified as top priorities.

Councillor Clancy sees Chinese interest in Birmingham as a key means by which the city will secure its economy (so far as possible) to weather the Brexit storm. He comments,

“There may be a downturn next year, or the year after, there might even be a recession and I want to ensure, like London did last time, that we come out of the recession ahead of the rest.

“For that, we need to have the capital ready to come in and projects ready to go.”

Britain’s uncoupling from the EU may be a painful process for the country’s economy, but investment from overseas can help to soften the blow. Pre-Brexit vote figures from the Department for International Trade have shown that the UK is the most popular destination in Europe for foreign direct investment, with the 2015/16 financial year seeing 2,213 inward investment projects secured, an 11% rise on 2014/15. It is Birmingham’s hope that the continuation of such investment will ease the Brexit process.

Even before the Councillor’s visit to China and Hong Kong, Chinese interest in Birmingham investments was already high. Ray Withers, CEO of Property Frontiers, comments,

“Birmingham is a city packed with potential. It’s not just HS2 that’s drawing investors in. There are some fantastic regeneration projects underway, like the Birmingham Smithfield masterplan, which will see a vast area of the city centre brought up to date, creating a vibrant, modern area for Birmingham’s markets. Chinese investors are keen to be involved in the future of such a leading city and we’ve seen interest in everything from flats to football as part of this trend.”

Property Frontiers’ latest Birmingham development, The Divine Collection, has certainly piqued the interest of Chinese investors: so far 50% of Property Frontiers’ apartments in the building have been reserved by Chinese buyers. Priced from £165,000, the hand-picked selection of apartments offer buy-to-let investors the very best that the development has to offer. Residents will be able to enjoy the 483 sqm roof terrace with city views, as well as their beautifully finished individual apartments in the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham’s most on-trend location.

For more information about investing in Birmingham’s Divine Collection, contact Property Frontiers or call +44 1865 202 700.

Why this Aussie entrepreneur is still bullish about British bricks & mortar post Brexit

Why this Aussie entrepreneur is still bullish about British bricks & mortar post Brexit

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Investorist Founder launches B Round Capital Raising to fund continued global expansion
  • B2B trading platform eyes new office in Northern Powerhouse city of Manchester
  • Investorist takes advantage of FX rates buying Pounds ahead of UK cash flow requirements

It’s been almost three months since Britain decided and the property industry is still trying to interpret the impact that Brexit is going to have, both the short and more long-term effects.

However, amongst the array of predictions, both positive and negative, Investorist Founder and CEO, Jon Ellis, is optimistic regarding the UK’s post Brexit off plan property market.

Launched in 2013 in Jon’s home city of Melbourne, Australia, Investorist specialise in off plan property providing an online, global B2B marketplace. With projects all over the world, and offices in Australia, China, Singapore, United States, Vietnam and the UK, Investorist is the leading property network and management tool connecting thousands of property professionals globally.

Indeed, so confident is Founder Jon Ellis in the potential held within UK property, that he has just launched a B Round Capital Raising to fund Investorist’s continued global expansion with an emphasis on further growth in the UK market, an office in Manchester and continued expansion of the London team.

Jon explains more,

“With our strong focus on the UK market, Investorist is buying Pounds ahead of its cash flow requirements in the country. We believe it is currently an excellent time to invest in the British currency and therefore in the country’s diverse property market.

“At Investorist, we still consider the UK to be at the centre of all things Europe and I believe it will remain as the HQ for all EMEA property happenings. We have certainly noticed a heightened interest in the UK market which is leading to new opportunities being uncovered. There are a range of property-related investment sectors strengthening in confidence, for example the serviced apartment model and the hotel market are both standing out as prime investment prospects.”

Jon is a successful property marketing expert, who has developed and executed marketing strategies for over 100 property developments in Australia and overseas markets. Jon led a bootstrapped team to build Investorist.com, the world’s first B2B off plan property portal and developed the sophisticated software that manages these complex transactions ahead of raising close to $4.5m from members to expand the platform globally.

Jon’s idea developed into a brilliant proptech solution to industry-wide problems globally: lack of transparency, sales duplication and geographical and language barriers. This success has enabled Investorist to become the go-to technology for those working in off plan property, constantly connecting people across the globe in order to achieve individual success.

To find out more about Investorist and the services they provide, please visit http://www.investorist.co.uk/

Investors jump through hoops for Hoola in the world’s greatest city for opportunity

Investors jump through hoops for Hoola in the world’s greatest city for opportunity

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • London retains status as world’s greatest city for opportunity (PriceWaterhouseCoopers)
  • Royal Docks transformation will deliver 24,000 new homes and 60,000 jobs (Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London)
  • New Hoola residential development provides sustainable living in the heart of a vibrant metropolis (Properties of the World)

A recent global ranking compiled by PriceWaterhouseCoopers has named London as the world’s greatest city for opportunity for the second year running. According to the report, the city’s innovation, economic clout and ease of doing business were just a handful of reasons why London remains on top.

The UK’s Brexit decision, far from being Armageddon has become one of many opportunities London can seize with PwC partner David Snell stating that the vote has created a “major opportunity” for the number one city to “work with regulators, investors and clients in order to shape a new rulebook to fit the new climate”.

London has forever been a city of innovation and the current multi-billion-pound regeneration of the Royal Docks in the east of the city is yet another opportunity for the UK capital to flourish.

The transformation, complete with Crossrail connections and Chinese company ABP London’s Asian Business District, is set to deliver 24,000 new homes and 60,000 jobs according to London’s former Mayor, Boris Johnson, who announced the proposals in March this year.

Jean Liggett, CEO of London-based visionary property consultancy Properties of the World comments,

“A lot has changed in the 161 years since the first of the Royal Docks was built. Today, the area is undergoing extensive regeneration that will transform it into a vibrant metropolis thanks to the upcoming Crossrail and Asian Business District drawing new developments and private investment in.

“Some may feel that the London market has peaked and this indeed might be true in prime central areas (zone 1) however, the Royal Docks is witnessing similar regeneration to that of the Canary Wharf which was transformed into the thriving financial district it is today. Rest assured that during and after the Royal Docks regeneration, property prices will inevitably shoot up making today the best time to invest in an opportunity.”

The opportunities that Jean alludes to include new developments such as Hoola, a sustainable residential complex in the heart of London’s Royal Docks. Available for a time-limited discounted price of £463,000, the 360 apartments will have as little environmental impact on the area as possible through the building’s insulation, as well as the use of surplus heat from the ExCel exhibition centre to provide Hoola’s heating and hot water.

The two vertically identical 23 and 24 storey towers boast stunning rippling glass balconies that surround the apartments as well as floor-to-ceiling windows providing breathtaking skyline views. Offering a range of studio, two, and three-bedroom apartments, each home will benefit from a range of facilities including a gym, resident’s business lounge and concierge services for added peace of mind. A spectacular garden is available to all residents; with soft and hard landscaping that includes semi-miniature trees and dramatic water features. Jean comments,

“Hoola is a stunning building – far superior to other high rise apartments that are being built in London. I was extremely impressed with the generous sizes of the apartments and their large balconies, tiled floors and under-floor heating. As one client said, ‘these are luxurious and spacious apartments that differ from the ‘boxes’ being sold in London.’ No surprises, he is buying. It is also only a 2 minute walk from the DLR.”

Situated within walking distance of London’s upcoming Crossrail, due to be running in 2018, and just minutes from London City Airport and the DLR, Hoola’s transport links are perfect for commuters, tourists and frequent travellers. The apartments are also a just few minutes’ walk away from the Royal Victoria Docks as well as exciting future proposals such as a floating shopping village.

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

 

 

 

Has Brexit stopped Brits from buying?

Has Brexit stopped Brits from buying?

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Retail sales surge at fastest rate for 6 months (CBI)
  • Retail sales spiked 1.4% in July (ONS)
  • Brits expecting inflation of 2.2% over next 12 months (Bank of England)
  • Positive employment and GDP figures are giving Brits the confidence to keep buying (easyMarkets)

British shoppers defied Brexit fears over the summer, as retail sales surged at the fastest rate in six months, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI’s survey showed that 35% of retailers reported higher year-over-year sales volumes in August, compared to 26% who said sales were down.

The recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) report showed that retail sales spiked 1.4% in July after a 0.9% drop in June. That was the highest increase since the beginning of the year.

The pursuit of retail therapy may have contributed to slightly more upbeat inflation expectations over the short-term. UK consumer inflation expectations edged up in August but were unchanged over longer term horizons, according to the latest BOE/TNS Inflation Attitudes Survey. When asked about expected inflation one year from now, the median response from Britons was 2.2%, compared with 2% in May. Inflation expectations 12 months after that were also 2.2%, unchanged from the May survey.

There was a noticeable decline in five-year expectations to 3% from 3.4% in May. However, both estimates are well above the BOE’s target rate of 2%.

So why are British shoppers remaining so bold in the face of Brexit? Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets, explains,

“There are a number of reasons that the looming Brexit process has failed to stop Brits from shopping over the summer. We’ve seen a string of upbeat economic reports showing the UK has been absorbing the immediate shock of the Brexit vote and retail sales are the latest data to reinforce this positive message. Data on employment and gross domestic product have surprised to the upside in recent months, painting a picture of a sound economy with strong expectations. Consumers are feeling confident and as such see no reason to curb their spending, regardless of Brexit.”

Rising fuel prices helped push Britain’s inflation rate higher in July, which may have also provided a boost to short-term inflation expectations. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.6% in July, the ONS reported last month. The retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation strengthened to 1.9% from 1.6% in June.

The recent flow of positive economic reports has led some analysts to believe that the threat of Brexit was overhyped, but the Bank of England is not so certain. In August it slashed interest rates to a new record low of 0.25% and added £70 billion to its quantitative easing program in order to stabilize property prices and the overall economy. Clearly the bank is preparing for the worst and if their latest forecast is any indication, the post-Brexit blues are yet to come.

According to the CBI, the unexpected strength in retail sales over the summer stems from a weak British pound, which is making the UK a prime destination for tourists. However, the pound’s double-digit percentage drop since the referendum is also pushing up the price of imports, which will lead to higher inflation over the short-term. This partly explains the recent uptick in consumer inflation expectations. Time will tell whether it leads to an erosion of household purchasing power.

The UK has not yet formally withdrawn from the EU or even indicated its plans for doing so. World leaders have made it perfectly clear that they will not even consider negotiating a new trade deal with Downing Street until the UK and Brussels forge a new trade partnership. That’s precisely the message Prime Minister Theresa May received earlier this month at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. As the political wrangling over Brexit ensues, it remains to be seen whether British shoppers will continue to hit the high street with such a strong degree of optimism.

For further details visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

Take your September sun to new heights with these terrific terraces

Take your September sun to new heights with these terrific terraces

by Eleanor Portugal Spain United Kingdom , , , , ,

Make the most of this late September sun with a glass of bubbly and stunning views from these terrific terraces.

Herculaneum Quay, Liverpool

Residents will never want to leave these stunning waterfront apartments. Boasting marvelous views over the River Mersey, all apartments feature floor to ceiling glass with outdoor terraces and balconies to relax and take in the exquisite skyline.

Prices start at £107,130

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

Water Lane Apartments, Bristol

Whether you’re relaxing with a book, having a drink with some friends or working on an assignment, Water Lane’s pretty garden terrace allows university students to make the most of the Bristol sunshine. Other wonderful facilities include a private gym, on-site cinema, dinner party room and a club lounge for residents.

Prices start from £160 per week

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on +44 1235 250 140

Santa Ponsa Villa, Mallorca

With sunshine all year round and idyllic sea views, this wonderful terrace plays the perfect host for any occasion. Situated in the stunning Santa Ponsa area of Mallorca, the villa boasts 4 large en-suite bedrooms, a living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, private gardens and a pool.

Prices start at €1,395,000

For further details, visit www.kyero.com

Horizon Golf, Mijas, Costa del Sol

These beautiful homes afford spacious terraces perfect for al fresco dining where residents can enjoy breathtaking views of the prestigious Campo Asia golf course. All properties benefit from communal gardens and a swimming pool where you can enjoy bright Costa del Sol days and warm Mediterranean evenings.

Prices start at €267,000+VAT

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com

The Divine Collection, Digbeth, Birmingham

Soak up the last of the summer sun on The Divine Collection’s private roof garden. The grassy garden is perfect for entertaining friends or taking in a breath of fresh air. Comprised of a selection of 30 hand-picked apartments, The Divine Collection offers sophisticated, elegant homes with a spacious design and luxurious fit out.

Prices start at £159,500

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

Luxury ocean view property, Salgados, Algarve

Prepare for stunning ocean views from this exquisite villa in the popular Salgados. The living areas of this luxurious villa lead out onto the terraces and gardens through floor to ceiling glass doors. On the second floor is a large south facing terrace offering wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean and pretty coastline for miles.

Prices start at €2,250,000

For more information, contact Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or visit http://www.idealhomesportugal.com

Innovative new dealCancellation product from easyMarkets to democratise trading like never before

Innovative new dealCancellation product from easyMarkets to democratise trading like never before

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom
  • 66.6% of traders are NT (intuitive-thinking) types (Elite Trader)
  • dealCancellation breaks through psychological barriers to trading for the masses (easyMarkets)
  • Making trading accessible to all has never been closer (easyMarkets)

 

Trading is an exciting business and one that requires a particular combination of determination, drive and daring. A survey by Elite Trader found that 66.6% of traders were classed as NT (intuitive-thinking) when it came to their Myers-Briggs classification. Other personality types were far less likely to become traders: just 3.1% of traders were SP (sensing–perceiving), 6.3% were SJ (sensing-judging) and 12.2% were NF (intuitive-feeling). The poll shows clearly the link between successful trading and certain personality traits.

The risk involved in trading has traditionally been seen as the reason why the industry tends to attract only a certain type of individual. However, a game changing new product from pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets is about to turn that on its head: dealCancellation allows clients to ‘cancel’ losing deals within an hour after opening them and have their original investment refunded. The new tool incurs a fee of a few pips when the deal is opened, but provides the trader with the opportunity to save much more by cancelling the losing trade.

Nikos Antoniades, CEO of easyMarkets comments,

“This is a bold new feature that no one else is offering. Essentially it means that you can open a deal and if the deal starts losing, you can cancel it and have your losses returned. It’s as simple as that.”

dealCancellation follows 13 years of innovation from easyMarkets, which has been seeking to democratise trading since 2003. The company was the first to offer a web-based platform, credit card funding, no minimum deposits and great trading conditions including free guaranteed stop loss and tight fixed spreads.

Director of Risk Management Nikolas Xenofontos sees dealCancellation as the logical next step. He explains,

“We believe in making trading accessible to all. It’s a principal that we’ve stayed true to since the company was founded. dealCancellation means that the psychology of trading has shifted. It allows individuals who are more risk averse than the typical trader to have the confidence to trade, as they know they can cancel a losing trade within an hour of making it. This knowledge provides significant reassurance, particularly to those who are new to trading and those with a cautious approach to it. dealCancellation also provides more experienced traders with the confidence to up the stakes in their trades.”

dealCancellation will be available to all easyMarkets traders from 20 September 2016.

For further details visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

dealCancellation© Option is an ORE patent pending under the patent “Easy Cancellation Option” application number 62334455.

It’s back to school for investors as UK student accommodation “less vulnerable to Brexit shock” reports JLL

It’s back to school for investors as UK student accommodation “less vulnerable to Brexit shock” reports JLL

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • UK student property predicted to be “top of the asset class” for investors (JLL)
  • Enquiries for student property investments up 11% in H1 2016 (StudentProperty.Investments)
  • Salford PBSA student accommodation scene thrives offering 6.6% NET returns (Properties of the World)

With a record 493,100 individuals placed for the 2016/17 academic year (UCAS, 30/8/16), more students than ever are choosing the path of full-time higher education in the UK.

Since A-level results were announced, the experts at Jones Lang LaSallle (JLL) have released predictions that UK student property will be “top of the asset class” for investors with rental growth of up to 5% projected.

The JLL UK Student Housing Quarterly Bulletin (2016 Q2 Review) also stated that the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector looks “less vulnerable to the Brexit shock in comparison to other property sectors” with the student housing team projecting strong occupier and investment demand as well as student occupancy and appealing income growth for the new academic year.

Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property consultancy, Properties of the World, which has successfully sold numerous PBSA units across the UK, comments,

“The PBSA market has been rising exponentially for a number of years now with transaction volumes of £1 billion in 2011 growing to £5.7 billion in 2015 accordingly to the latest JLL data. Even with the uncertainty left by Brexit, the outlook for the UK student housing sector remains bright with JLL projecting transaction volumes of £3.5 billion this year. It’s time savvy UK property buyers got back to school and invested in PBSA.”

This positive outlook is echoed by Dan Johnson, Director of StudentProperty.Investments which has already seen a significant rise in student property investment enquiries this year. He comments,

“In H1 2016, we have seen a substantial 11% rise in overall enquiries for UK student property investments compared to the total number of enquiries received in 2015. Demand for student properties is not just from UK buyers but from all over the world as international investors seek to take advantage of a weak Pound and higher than average residential buy-to-let returns.”

One UK university city, named by Savills as offering “First Class” opportunities for student housing development, is Manchester. Home to one of the largest student populations in Europe, Greater Manchester ranked in StudentProperty.Investments’s top 10 most popular counties in England for student property investment in H1 2016 with enquiries in July rising 19% month-on-month along with the city of Salford.

Despite being home to 19,678 students (2015/16), university-operated accommodation at the University of Salford accounts for only 14% of rooms making new PBSA opportunities such as X1 The Campus, available to invest in through Properties of the World, more attractive than ever for both students and investors alike.

Situated right on the corner of the University of Salford Frederick Road Campus, X1 The Campus is within walking distance of an eclectic range of local pubs, bars, public transport (Salford Crescent station is just ten-minute’s walk away), green spaces and much more. Ideally located for Salford students, many of the department buildings where lectures are held are less than five minutes’ walk away from the stylish studios.

Attracting both UK and international students, X1 The Campus consists of 271 modern apartments across eight floors ranging from standard studios to stunning penthouse studios. All apartments are furnished to the highest of standards and boast a variety of exclusive facilities including a state-of-the-art private gymnasium, cinema room, laundry room and large common rooms, as well as secure bicycle storage and a management office for added peace of mind.

With prices starting at £89,995, X1 The Campus is offers a competitive, hassle-free buy-to-let opportunity, that is exempt from stamp duty, fully managed 24/7 with no additional costs and an estimated annual NET return of 6.6%. Completion is due in August, 2018 perfectly in time for the 2018/19 academic year.

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

 

UK’s most liveable city, Manchester sets its sights on the world, from tourists to property investors

UK’s most liveable city, Manchester sets its sights on the world, from tourists to property investors

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom
  • New direct flights to connect Manchester with Houston, Phuket, Mauritius, Goa and San Francisco
  • Manchester highlighted as UK’s most liveable city (Economist Intelligence Unit)
  • Strong economy and professional workforce make Manchester ideal for buy-to-let investors (Surrenden Invest)

Manchester has once more been declared the UK’s best city to live in, beating its rival northern powerhouses and London in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Ranking.

The city also made it into the top 50 most liveable cities on the planet, with everything from safety, the environment and healthcare to infrastructure and educational resources considered.

Manchester’s growing population certainly supports the Economist’s ranking. According to government figures, Greater Manchester’s population is swelling by nearly 50 people per day. World Population Review names Manchester as the sixth largest city in the UK, the second most populous urban area and the third largest city economy.

Nor is it just Manchester’s permanent population that has swelled in recent years. Visitor numbers reached 115 million during 2014, according to Marketing Manchester, an increase of nearly 100 million visitors since 2002, when the city attracted 18 million annually.

A sweet sound, musical tourism is an increasingly important part of Manchester’s offering. In 2015, live music events were attended by 1.9 million visitors, 700,000 of whom travelled to the city from elsewhere. The events added more than £140 million to the city’s economy, based on figures from Oxford Economics for UK Music.

New flights are opening Manchester up to international tourists as well. Direct flights between Manchester and China became available in June 2016, with the city’s tourism venues and organisations encouraged to take China Welcome Training in order to make the most of this new source of visitors.

Singapore Airlines is also adding a new route, with its first transatlantic flight from the UK departing from Manchester to Houston on 30 October 2016. Direct routes to Phuket, Mauritius and Goa are also expected to come online this winter, thanks to Thomson Airlines.

The expansion of routes and capacity will continue into 2017. Emirates has announced plans to deploy a third double decker aircraft for its thrice weekly flights between Manchester and Dubai from 1 January, replacing the current single decker craft and increasing capacity by 2,198 seats per week. Manchester is already the second most popular UK airport for Emirates’ passengers, with only London Gatwick proving busier. 2017 will also see Virgin Atlantic launch the first direct flight between Manchester and San Francisco.

International interest in Manchester is set to continue booming, with so many new routes available, but not all those heading to (or just looking at) Manchester from overseas are content with a holiday.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest, explains,

“Manchester is one of the most popular locations in the UK when it comes to foreign direct investment and when it comes to property investment, it’s the most popular city in northern England. It’s a great city to live in, is well connected (and due to be more so once the western leg of the HS2 rail link comes into play) and has a wealth of economic opportunities for professional tenants, which is a really important factor when it comes to buy-to-let property investment.

“And of course the post-Brexit dip in sterling’s value has made property in the city even more attractive to those buying in other currencies.”

Professional opportunities in Manchester include everything from the creative industries to new technology. Manchester Science Partnerships announced in July 2016 that it was committing £60 million of investment in its biomedical centre of excellence, Citylabs, which it runs in partnership with Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The move will create some 750 jobs and is representative of companies’ confidence in Manchester’s credentials as a strong economy with plenty of scope for expansion and a deep local talent pool.

The need to house those talented professionals is what has made Manchester such a popular location with buy-to-let investors. The city came top for rental yield in England and Wales between 2010 and 2016, according to LendInvest’s Buy To Let Index, with an average yield of 6.8% over the period.

According to Surrenden Invest’s Jonathan Stephens, investors (both domestic and overseas) are keen to snap up off plan properties in key areas of the city, such as the new Halo development on Simpson Street. The combination of prime central location, allocated parking, landscaped courtyard and beautifully styled apartments is proving popular with investors looking for strong returns.

One Cross Street has also caught investors’ attention. Prices for this city centre development range from £225,000 to £245,000, with 6.2% NET assured return and completion due later this year. The highly sought after period conversion will blend character features with contemporary city living.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

Where to buy in 2017? Follow May’s Metro Mayors!

Where to buy in 2017? Follow May’s Metro Mayors!

by Eleanor United Kingdom , ,
  • 7 UK regions seeking elected mayors in 2017 (Centre for Cities)
  • Watch the correlation between elected mayors and 2017 property hotspots (Property Frontiers)
  • Mayors’ power to make joined up decisions on housing, transport and skills will benefit cities (Surrenden Invest)
  • Stronger cities mean more choice for housing investment (Properties of the World)

2016 is a landmark year in terms of the UK’s devolution agenda. The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act received Royal Assent and came into force as law in the UK on 28 January 2016. The law allows for ‘combined authorities’ to take on greater powers than under previous legislation, provided they have an elected metro mayor in place. As a result, seven UK cities/areas are planning to elect mayors in May 2017, according to Centre for Cities.

Metro mayors will have the authority to manage their area with a far more localised approach than was previously possible. Their powers exceed those of regular councillors and they can thus have a wider impact. Ray Withers, CEO of Property Frontiers, offers investment properties such as The Divine Collection in cities like Birmingham, which will fall under the leadership of the West Midlands metro mayor when elected next year. He comments,

“The appointment of metro mayors could mean a significant boost to the property sectors in certain areas of the UK. The correlation between those areas electing mayors and the property hotspots of 2017 definitely bears watching.

“London is a prime example. We’ve seen mayors in the capital push through housing programmes that other cities could definitely benefit from. Sadiq Khan’s affordable housing programme is precisely the kind of move that can stimulate a local property market and it’s exciting that Birmingham and other large cities will soon be able to benefit from similar measures.”

As such, Birmingham is one property hotspot to watch in 2017. Liverpool, which will also be benefitting from an elected mayor, is another. Metro mayors will be able to set the strategic direction of their city/area in a way that knits together local housing, transport and skills.

Managing Director Jonathan Stephens, of Surrenden Invest, is excited about Liverpool’s potential under such an arrangement, with developments such as Strand Plaza looking to reap the benefits. He explains,

“The election of a metro mayor for the Liverpool City Region is excellent news. We’re anticipating a strong local impact, particularly as the mayor will be able to make joined up decisions about housing. Rather than relying solely on national decision makers or the whims of individual local authorities, Liverpool will be able to take a strategic approach to its own future. It will be a great time to be part of the property sector there – we’re definitely hoping for a mayor-inspired boom in this region.”

Stephens’ comments are echoed by those of Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World. With investment properties available in cities including Sunderland, Hartlepool and Manchester, all of which will fall under the remit of directly elected mayors come 2017, she is keen to see the impact that the new metro mayors will have. Liggett comments,

“The devolution of power to metro mayors could spell excellent news for local UK property markets. I’ll be watching all of the metro mayor regions closely during the latter half of 2017 to see what the mayors there can achieve in terms of creating local property hotspots. Ultimately, metro mayors should be able to make their cities more powerful and better cities are a good choice for housing investment. Smart investors will certainly be buying with metro mayor regions in mind as we head towards the elections in May.”

For more information, please contact:

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

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

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

Manchester better value than Melbourne and Miami for off-plan property

Manchester better value than Melbourne and Miami for off-plan property

by Charly United Kingdom World
  • Post-Brexit Manchester offers better value than Melbourne and Miami (Investorist)
  • Manchester remains UK’s best city (Economist)
  • London Bureaux de Change selling Euros for 99 cents to £1 (Caxton FX)

Post-Brexit Manchester offers better value when it comes to residential off-plan property investment than either Melbourne or Miami, new data from revolutionary trading platform Investorist has revealed.

The company’s listings have shown that a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment of approximately 70 sqm can be purchased off-plan for £234,000. An equivalent apartment in central Melbourne would set an investor back about £256,000. Miami was the most expensive of the three, with a comparable property costing around £360,000.

Manchester has just been recognized by the Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Survey as the UK’s best city and one of the top 50 cities globally. Not only is it an excellent investment choice due to its value, but the fall of sterling since the UK’s Brexit vote has opened the country up to investors who previously considered it too expensive.

Jon Ellis, Founder and CEO for Investorist, comments,

“The drop in sterling represents a huge opportunity for those looking to enter the UK market much more affordably than before the referendum. While prime central London is still considered expensive and many believe it is oversupplied in terms of residential stock, the northern powerhouses of Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham are all shining on the international investment stage right now.”

Investorist is the global marketplace for the off- plan property industry. The company’s UK branch (it also has offices in the US, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Australia, where it was founded) experienced an immediate increase in enquiries from foreign investors after the Brexit decision.

Buyers from China and the Middle East were particularly keen to take advantage of sterling’s decline and avail themselves of off plan investment properties that had effectively had their value slashed overnight.

“The decision to leave the EU created a number of opportunities for investors thanks to the reaction of currency markets,” continues Investorist’s Jon Ellis. “Interestingly, we’ve found that certain countries have shown a preference for particular UK cities. Liverpool, for example, is proving popular with investors from the United Arab Emirates. Brexit really has created some major opportunities for those looking to get in on the UK’s residential property market.”

The pound plummeted in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit decision and has declined further since, reaching its lowest level in three years on 15 August 2016. It has fallen 12% against the Euro and around 10% against the US dollar, with currency company Caxton FX reporting that two airport Bureaux de Change were selling Euros at 99 cents to the pound in mid-August.

This new economic era has highlighted the importance of the UK’s post Brexit property market, with Investorist standing at the forefront of those committing to the sector.

For more information, contact Investorist by visiting www.investorist.co.uk or calling the team on +44 (0)203 761 7380.