• HS3 to result in 36% fall in Liverpool unemployment by 2030 (JLL)
• 82% of Liverpool businesses foresee economic growth over next 5 years (Liverpool Business Survey)
• L1 buy-to-let apartments available from just £68,198 (Property Frontiers)

The Northern Powerhouse report, launched by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin last week, represents the most exciting thing to have happened to the north of England’s railways in decades and analysis from JLL has shown that Liverpool looks set to be its greatest beneficiary.

Looking ahead as far as 2030, the JLL report has projected that unemployment in Liverpool will fall by 36% as a result of the planned HS3 rail network, which will stretch across the Pennines and connect the cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Hull and Newcastle. Speeds of up to 140 mph mean that travellers could be whisked from Liverpool to Manchester in as little as 20 minutes.

The impact on Liverpool’s unemployment rate is the most dramatic drop of any of the cities to be connected by the HS3 line, but the good news doesn’t end there. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is also set to improve its travel offering, with plans for a hub link to Heathrow under consideration. If they go ahead, the plans would mean that business and leisure passengers could benefit from access to global flights through Heathrow, with a huge boost to Liverpool’s economy anticipated as a result.

With economic growth being a key driver of a robust property market, the transportation plans are excellent news for Liverpool’s accommodation sector, as Ray Withers, Chief Executive of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, explains,

“Liverpool is one of the most exciting cities in the north in terms of property investment right now. With the HS3 rail network plans and the hub link between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and London Heathrow, Liverpool is facing increased employment and enhanced prosperity. These factors lead to greater demand for premium housing, so now is the perfect time to invest.”

High end apartments such as those at Parker Street are particularly popular with buy-to-let investors looking for the optimum combination of sought after, city centre location and healthy yield. The high spec studios and one bedroom apartments are available from £68,198, with 8% NET yield for cash buyers. Their L1 location ensures that tenant demand is strong and that rental income is thus at a premium rate.

Liverpool has already enjoyed the impact of some transportation infrastructure improvements, with the initial part of the refurbishment of Merseyrail’s five underground loop line stations already complete. The final station to be refurbished, Moorfields, will see work start next month, with the £8 million work completing the overall £40 million of the network’s upgrade.

Improving infrastructure and brightening economic prospects have served to make Liverpool’s businesses much happier and more confident over the past year. The 2014/2015 Liverpool Business Survey found that 76% of businesses scored Liverpool either four or five out of five, with 82% predicting economic growth over the next five years.

Of course, happy companies mean happy workers and happy workers demand high quality accommodation. Thankfully, with developments such as Parker Street bringing in investment and driving up standards in the private rented sector, that is just what Liverpool’s residents are going to get.

For further details, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• 54% of people see property as a better investment than a pension (Property Moose)
• 16% of those taking their entire pension pot plan to put it into property (Hargreaves Lansdown)
• Liverpool buy-to-let property available to silver landlords from just £64,950 (Property Frontiers)

As March marches onward pensions freedom day is drawing ever closer and the UK buy-to-let sector is tingling in anticipation of a surge of silver landlords ready to put their pensions into property. The pension reforms due to come into force on 6 April 2015 will represent the biggest shakeup to the way retirees manage their future for decades.

While nobody can say for sure what the impact of pensions freedom day will be, indications are that around 200,000 individuals are planning to cash in their entire pension pot, according to Hargreaves Lansdown. Some 21% intend to spend their hard earned savings on a holiday, while 13% plan to pay off debts and 12% will use the money for home improvements.

Around 16% plan to reinvest in property, with the UK’s already booming buy-to-let market looking like a tempting prospect for many of those who are new to property investment.

The timing of pensions freedom day could not be better for those wishing to become silver landlords. A survey published by Property Moose last year found that 54% of respondents felt that residential property was a better investment option than a pension, versus 11% who saw a pension as the better option. Now, that 54% have the chance to put their opinions into practice.

Ray Withers, Chief Executive of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, is looking forward to April with anticipation. He comments,

“It’s excellent news that the UK’s pension holders are finally being given the freedom to spend their life savings as they see fit. Too many have been trapped in annuities over the years that mean they have to spend their retirement watching every penny. Now, retirees can choose to make their money work for them however they wish and the UK’s buy-to-let sector looks certain to be one of the beneficiaries of the situation.”

Buy-to-let opportunities in and around London are in abundance, but many pensioners may not be able to afford the price premium that the capital commands, or may wish to spread their funds across several lower priced properties rather than just one in London. For these buyers, the UK’s second tier cities provide some excellent opportunities.

In Liverpool luxury apartments in the sought after L1 postcode area of the city centre can be snapped up from £64,950. Property Frontiers is offering 91 studio suites and one bedroom apartments in the iconic former Reeces Ballroom building (where John Lennon held his wedding reception), in a fully managed investment opportunity with 6% net yield assured for five years.

In Belfast, where brisk market conditions saw price rises of 4.9% in the past year according to ONS figures, buy-to-let properties in the strategically located development at The Sandford can be had from just £108,100. With Northern Ireland’s house prices still around 45% below their 2007 peak based on ONS figures, many silver landlords will be looking to play the long game and enjoy capital growth with a Belfast property, as well as regular rental income.

The full impact of pensions freedom day will only be known months or even years from now, once the dust has settled, but in the near future, the buy-to-let sector and all those who are a part of it are bracing themselves for a surge in those looking to put their pension into property in order to turn it into pounds.

For further details, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• Less than 1% of tourists in Grenada are Chinese (United Damei Group)
• Grenada and China mark 10 years of resumed diplomatic relations
• Property investment on the ‘Spice Island’ from $77,500 deposit (Property Frontiers)

This April, Grenada and China will celebrate ten years of resumed diplomatic relations, yet Grenada remains a largely undiscovered gem by Chinese travellers. Now, the Spice Island is looking to tap into the Chinese tourism market as well as bringing investors into the fold.

A Caribbean gem

Grenada is one of the Caribbean’s most stunning destinations, with powder-soft white sand, clear crystal waters and a fantastic climate. The island has a reputation as a luxury retreat for travellers looking to experience the exclusivity of the Caribbean in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Its visitors hail mainly from Europe, the US and Canada. Indeed, Leo Qin of United Damei Group observes,

“Presently, over 90% of tourists in Grenada are from Europe, America and Canada. We realised that less than 1% of the Chinese market knows about Grenada. China is a tremendous and fast-growing market. With developments between China and Grenada expected in the future, China will be our biggest tourism export market.”

From tourists to investors

But it is not just Chinese tourists that Grenada is seeking, explains Ray Withers, Chief Executive of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers,

“As such a fantastic holiday destination, Grenada offers some excellent resort investment opportunities and many Chinese investors are just beginning to look to the Caribbean and discover the potential there.”

Withers cites Bacolet Bay as the perfect example of an investment opportunity on the Spice Island. The five star sea view Cinnamon Suites at Bacolet Bay are attracting investors with deposits from as little as $77,500 and an average projected NET yield per annum of 10.5%.

The Cinnamon Suites offer a triple incentive to wealthy Chinese investors. Not only do they offer excellent yields, but investors can enjoy four weeks’ personal usage, including one week during high season. Additionally, Grenada resurrected its citizenship by investment law in 2013, with citizenship available to those investing $500,000 or more in real estate.

“Grenada really does offer everything to investors,” continues Property Frontiers’ Ray Withers, “And Bacolet Bay in particular is an attractive prospect. The fact that investors can enjoy the property themselves is a fantastic lifestyle benefit, which coupled with the impressive projected yield makes this a lovely opportunity for those looking to be part of the luxury Caribbean travel market.”

Grenada will be represented at IT&CM China 2015 in order to raise its profile as a tourism and investment destination. With so much going for it, it will be interesting to see how such a move will impact on the Spice Island’s visitor demographic over the years ahead.

For further details, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• Property prices up 12% in Salford Quays during H1 2014 (Zoopla)
• New waterfront investment properties from £126k (Property Frontiers)
• 1,000 relocated staff poised to drive prices up further (BBC)

Salford is an area with a fascinating history. Located on the Greater Manchester waterfront, it was home to Manchester Docks until 1982, when the closure of the dockyard resulted in some 3,000 job losses. Since then, Salford Quays has undergone massive regeneration and emerged like a phoenix from the ashes as one of the UK’s top property hotspots.

According to Zoopla, Salford’s property price rises even outpaced those of London during the first half of 2014, with a 12% hike in prices positioning Salford as having the fastest rising home values in the UK.

One of the key factors behind this success is Salford’s growing reputation as the UK’s most exciting new media destination. When the BBC decided to relocate thousands of its staff there and open MediaCityUK, demand for property rocketed and Salford hasn’t looked back since.

“Salford Quays is definitely the place to be within Greater Manchester,” comments Ray Withers, Chief Executive of leading property investment firm Property Frontiers. “Visually, the area is simply stunning, blending contemporary architecture with a delightful waterfront setting. It’s a great place to hang out too, with independent stores, coffee shops and plentiful other attractions.”

The BBC may have propelled Salford onto the national stage rather suddenly, but the city has wasted no time in using its newfound fame to the full. Indeed, plans are in place to establish it as ‘the South Bank of the North’ thanks to its particular blend of cultural and business prowess.

The latest regeneration work in Salford Quays will see an iconic commercial waterfront building turned into 60 uniquely designed duplex apartments and mews homes with fabulous views across the water. The development – Custom Quay – will feature a communal roof garden with panoramic views and within easy access of the tram, MediaCityUK and the Lowry Centre.

Prices at Custom Quay start at just £126,000, which is excellent value for one of the UK’s most exciting property hotspots. Property Frontiers clients can also enjoy LTV finance of up to 75%, as well as 6.5% yields with a full management option.

With a further 1,000 BBC staff still due to relocate to Salford, pressure on local housing stock is set to increase dramatically in the near future and prices are likely to continue soaring for some time to come. Many savvy buy-to-let property investors have already added one or more Salford properties to their portfolios and have been delighted to see their capital grow so quickly over such a short space of time.

With further price rises anticipated, those who have yet to purchase their Salford property still have time, though they will need to act fast in order to take full advantage of the area’s potential. Thankfully, Custom Quay affords property investors a way to do just that.

For further details, contact Property Frontiers or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• 85% of UK property investors to expand portfolios over next 5 years (The Property Hub)
• Manchester, Liverpool, Oxfordshire and Northern Ireland are the domestic markets to watch in 2015 (Property Frontiers)
• Dublin, Barcelona and Africa set to tempt overseas investors (Property Frontiers)

What a year 2014 was for property investment! Then UK buy-to-let market flourished like never before and specialist property investment company Property Frontiers was right at the heart of the boom, offering clients a wide range of leading buy-to-let opportunities, from luxury apartments in Oxfordshire to perfect commuter homes in Harrow on the Hill.

Building on the success of 2014, 2015 already looks set to be another exciting year both for Property Frontiers and for the sector as a whole. According to a survey from The Property Hub, an impressive 85% of UK property investors are planning to expand their property portfolios in the next five years. With 2015 kicking off this substantial period of expansion for the UK property investment sector, the opportunities are boundless, as Property Frontiers’ Chief Executive Ray Withers explains,

“We’re seeing more and more property investors turning to the UK to make their money. UK buy-to-let property was one of the investment highlights of 2014 and it looks set to be even stronger in 2015. This asset class is perfect for investors with varying sums of capital, thanks to the range of properties and locations available. It means that buy-to-let investment properties have attracted everyone from investors with just that one property in their portfolio to large-scale buyers with an array of homes.”

Property Frontiers will be starting the year with the completion of construction work at its Trinity Court site in the heart of Oxford, where investment in the apartments begins at just £187,500. Then as the year progresses they plan to reveal a number of new buy-to-let opportunities, all with the Property Frontiers signature combination of excellent location and high spec finish. It’s a combo that the company has found works extremely well – it appeals to clients as an investment prospect and young professionals love to rent such homes, providing stable, long-term income for investors.

Every year, Property Frontiers publishes its predictions for the coming 12 months and 2015 is no exception. The focus in the predictions for 2015 remains on the UK market, as buy-to-let opportunities there are still far from reaching their peak.

The recent Platinum Property Partners survey found that some 23% of landlords plan to expand their portfolio by one more property in 2015 alone, while 14% will be looking to increase it by two more. The potential in this sector remains huge. In particular, Northern Ireland, Oxfordshire, Liverpool and Manchester will be the markets to watch in 2015. While other cities will also offer some excellent opportunities, these four are likely to be the investment hotspots of the year, according to the expert analysts at Property Frontiers.

Looking overseas, both Dublin and Barcelona present interesting prospects so far as property investment is concerned in 2015 while outside of Europe, Africa probably offers the best overseas opportunities. Property Frontiers has a structured agricultural investment opportunity in Senegal, for example, which offers expected returns of 239% over five years.

Property investment in Africa is also likely to be big news this year. Growth in middle class households, fuelled by the growth of Africa’s mining and agriculture industries, is leading to a shift in the housing market, while high end accommodation in cities such as Kampala and Luanda is experiencing unprecedented demand.

One thing is certain for 2015 – wherever the best property investment opportunities are, Property Frontiers will be there leading the field.

For further details, contact Property Frontiers, register to receive the 2015 predictions report or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• 55,000 new homes per year to be built until 2020 (HM Treasury)
• Bicester to see 13,000 new homes built as UK’s next garden city project (HM Treasury)
• Brand new luxury B2L apartments in Bicester available from £184,950 (Property Frontiers)

The Government has confirmed the location of its second garden city – the historic market town of Bicester in Oxfordshire. Best known for its extensive retail offering, Bicester is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic towns in the county.

The garden city initiative is based on the concept used previously in the creation of Milton Keynes. Essentially, it sees a planned community developed through the building of housing in a carefully designed layout, packed with parks, trees and other greenery. Ebbsfleet in Kent had been chosen as the first of the government’s modern garden cities and now Bicester has been selected as the second.

Community planning in this way is nothing new, as the development of Milton Keynes is testament to. It is one of the ways in which the government ensures that there is sufficient housing stock for the UK’s exponentially increasing population through its National Infrastructure Plan. Chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, comments,

“New houses support economic growth and are a crucial element of a fair society, so I’ve prioritised the investment of almost £2bn to ensure we can build on average 55,000 new homes a year until 2020.”

13,000 of those new homes will be in Bicester, with a new railway station planned as well in order to serve the expanded population. But it is not solely through government efforts that Bicester will be adding to its housing stock, as Ray Withers, Chief Executive of Property Frontiers, explains,

“Any city can only grow to its full potential through a mixture of public and private initiatives and Bicester is no exception. The government has ambitious plans for the town, but the housing shortfall needs to be addressed now, not just in the future. That’s why companies such as Property Frontiers are working with local developers to ensure that high quality accommodation arrives in Bicester as soon as possible.”

Property Frontiers, which specialises in buy-to-let opportunities in leading UK cities, has announced the launch of a new development in the heart of Bicester. As with all of the company’s investment opportunities, Westbury Court, located within the £70 million redeveloped Pioneer Square will consist of high spec apartments that are perfect for young professionals either working in Bicester or commuting into Oxford or London. Withers comments,

“One of the key features we look for with each of our buy-to-let developments is its proximity to transport hubs. A good location is essential for attracting professional tenants, so we assess each opportunity in terms of both its connections for work purposes and also for leisure time. That way tenants have the perfect blend of everything they need to access right on their doorstep.”

Westbury Court will allow property investors interested in profiting from buy-to-let homes in the UK’s leading cities an early chance to be a part of Bicester’s future, and with such ambitious plans in place, it’s certain that that future is going to be an exciting one. Prices start at £184,950 with 75% LTV mortgage finance available and in excess of 6% yield expected.

For further details, contact Property Frontiers or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• Best Agency – Europe – Gold
• Best Property Investment Advisor – Silver
• Best Global Agency – Silver

The glitz and glamour of the OPP Awards for Excellence ceremony is an event to which all those in the overseas property sector look forward each year. The gala dinner provides a rare opportunity for all those in the industry to gather together and discuss the past year’s successes with like-minded individuals.

The event also sees industry leaders recognised and rewarded for their hard work over the past 12 months, with awards covering 30 different categories. This year, specialist property investment company Property Frontiers was delighted to receive awards in three categories:

Best Agency – Europe – Gold

Best Property Investment Advisor – Silver

Best Global Agency – Silver

Ray Withers, Chief Executive of Property Frontiers, comments on his company’s success,

“It was wonderful to receive not one but three awards at this year’s OPP Awards for Excellence event. The team here at Property Frontiers has worked incredibly hard this year and it’s been a fantastic 2014 for the company. We’ve sourced some amazing opportunities for our clients, particularly buy-to-let opportunities in the UK.

“When you’ve been this busy it can sometimes be difficult to pause and evaluate your successes, but this is exactly what the OPP event has allowed us to do. The dinner and awards ceremony gave me the chance to reflect on just how far the company has come in the past year and inspired me to achieve even more during 2015.

“Our focus at Property Frontiers is always on our clients and on ensuring that we present them with nothing but the best investment opportunities. Taking home three OPP Awards for Excellence has confirmed that we have got it right when it comes to this ethos. I am delighted with such an accomplishment.”

In such a dynamic sector, award winners come and go and there were a surprising number of new entrants to the industry taking home awards at the 2014 ceremony. However, the inclusion of Property Frontiers in three of the 30 categories shows that there is still plenty of merit in providing solid investment opportunities as one of the sector’s core players. It is a position that the company plans to maintain as it heads into 2015, as Withers concludes,

“We have some big plans in place for 2015. With such a fantastic appetite for buy-to-let investments in the UK we’ve got some particularly exciting opportunities lined up in some really hot new locations. Of course I’m keeping one eye on overseas developments as well, looking out for that signature blend of security and strong returns that is perfect for Property Frontiers’ clients. 2014 was a great year for us, but 2015 is going to be even better. I’ve never been more excited about the future.”

For further details, contact Property Frontiers or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• Asking prices in Harrow up 15% (Home.co.uk)
• Private rented sector to account for 24% of households by 2019 (Savills)
• Harrow property investment from £210k (Property Frontiers)

Nestled to the north west of London is the large, family-oriented area of Harrow. Comprising South Harrow, West Harrow, North Harrow and Harrow on the Hill, this green, spacious urban village is packed full of family homes and leading schools.

A shifting landscape

Harrow is also home to a growing body of young professionals, who are demanding a new kind of accommodation in the area. Ray Withers, Chief Executive of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, which has just launched an exclusive new development in Harrow, Carnegie House, explains,

“Harrow’s young professionals are changing the face of accommodation in the area. Many are choosing to rent rather than buy, in order to have a more flexible lifestyle and avoid the commitments and expense that home ownership entails. They want to rent high spec apartments in convenient locations and being only 16 minutes from London Marylebone, Harrow is just that.”

Prices that pack a punch

Harrow is attractive to property investors as well as to families and young professionals. Asking prices there have risen by 15% in the year to November 2014, according to Home.co.uk, while the average rent stands at £1,374 pcm. With strong demand for rented accommodation (Savills’ most recent report has identified the private rented sector as likely to account for 24% of households by 2019), investors are looking to Harrow as a means of generating solid yields while growing their capital.

In addition to its convenience for commuters heading into London, Harrow’s huge regeneration scheme is attracting property investors who want to be involved in an up and coming urban village. With 135,000 square feet of new shops, a school, a health centre and £10 million worth of infrastructure improvements, the scheme is set to add substantially to Harrow’s already impressive offering.

London for less

“Harrow offers the dynamism of investment in a London property market, alongside the solid prospects that one might expect from a housing market elsewhere,” Property Frontiers’ Ray Withers continues. “It offers plentiful green spaces as well, thanks to the conservation area and verdant parkland. First-class shopping and dining facilities are also in place, making Harrow an ideal location for those looking for an apartment that is both convenient for work and well located for leisure activities.”

Compared with a number of areas of London, Harrow offers property investors a way to become involved in the London market for less than they might expect. Property Frontiers’ new development of apartments, for example, has a starting price of just £210,000, with anticipated yields in excess of 5%.

For further details, contact Property Frontiers or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.

• One bedroom properties generate rental yields of 5.9% (LendInvest)
• Liverpool and Oxford among best UK buy-to-let investment areas (HSBC)
• Ten tenants chase every London rental vacancy (Wriglesworth Consultancy)

As experts in the UK buy-to-let property sector, Property Frontiers have for many years been offering the best property investment deals to their clients. Now, the newly released October LendInvest Buy-To-Let Index has confirmed the company’s approach and focus.

The LendInvest figures show that average rental yields for one bedroom buy-to-let properties in the UK far outstrip those for larger (three bedroom) properties. One bedroom properties earned investors average rental yields of 5.9% p.a., two bedroom properties brought in 5.2% and three bedroom properties dropped to 4.6%.

Bigger isn’t always better

Property Frontiers Chief Executive Ray Withers comments,

“We have for years endeavoured to present the best of the UK’s one bedroom buy-to-let investments to our clients, rather than more substantial three and four bedroom properties, as our experience and knowledge of the sector had shown us that those were the properties likely to generate the most impressive returns. It is gratifying to see that LendInvest’s research has shown this to be the case.

“We have also found that city centre studio apartments offer excellent returns and both these and one bedroom apartments have proven particularly popular with investors looking to diversify their portfolios with a range of high yielding properties in key UK cities.”

The other side of the coin

The LendInvest report shows that it is not just rental income that investors have gained. The average buy-to-let property has achieved capital gains of 2.5% p.a. over the last four years, according to the October data. It is this combination of capital growth and attractive yields that have caused so many investors to turn to buy-to-let as the way to make their money work harder for them.

Of course, as ever with property investment, location is king. HSBC’s figures earlier this year highlighted the UK’s top areas for buy-to-let investment. Liverpool and Oxford were among the top ten locations in the country for rental yields, generating gross rental yields of 6.5% and 7.02% respectively. Property Frontiers has one and two bedroom apartments ready for investment in both cities.

HSBC’s head of mortgages Peter Dockar, comments,

“House prices in the top-yielding locations – while still out of reach among many first time buyers – are relatively affordable for landlords investing in property and the demand from young professionals has pushed up rents and driven up the returns.

“London is often seen as the haven of property investment with many believing the streets are paved with gold. However, while the highest rents in the country are an attractive draw for landlords, high house prices in the capital squeeze yields and limit the returns available. As a result, returns can often be far more attractive in other areas so it certainly pays for landlords to do their research.”

Of course London is still an extremely attractive location for buy-to-let investors, with the LendInvest October figures highlighting several of the capital’s postcodes as generating the most impressive returns. A new report from Wriglesworth has emphasised the reason behind London’s exceptional returns, showing that an average of 10 tenants are chasing every rental vacancy.

Property Frontiers is, naturally, at the forefront of the buy-to-let housing market in London, as well as other major cities. The company’s superb Rise @ Deptford development is just 6 minutes from London Bridge and offers a limited number of two bedroom apartments to investors. With a dedicated concierge facility and communal roof terrace, the building is set to be one of the area’s most iconic sites.

For further details, contact Property Frontiers or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.