England vs France. Who will emerge not only as rugby champions but winners in the lucrative property field?
This Saturday, the deeply competitive relationship between England and France will be on full display at the Rugby World Cup quarter final in New Zealand. But whilst we deliberate over who will emerge triumphant from the rugby pitch, we also might like to consider who is currently winning in today’s property field.
On home turf, Britain has displayed its fighting spirit, battling against the waves of economic hardship felt across global property markets. Based on the latest data from The Halifax, house prices in cities across the UK are, in general, 7% higher than their county average with the average house price across the tracked UK cities rising 65% over 10 years from £104,681 in August 2001 to £172,917 in August 2011.
Meanwhile, demand for rental property in London has sky rocketed with some properties achieving a record £55,000 per week. Enticed by an average income of £713 a month in the UK and strong rental demand, Buy-to-Let investors have been snapping up properties across the country favouring London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool locations. Lucrative opportunities are rife with investment agencies such as Property Frontiers offering a 10% net rental income (assured for 3 years) at Candia Tower just north of Liverpool city centre for example.
Ray Withers Director of UK buy-to-let property investment experts, Property Frontiers, comments,
“The UK is still recognised as one of the most resilient and reliable markets in Europe. Although we have been hit hard, the UK is still a hub for opportunity with one of the best financial and economic institutions in the world. Indeed, we are one of the most visited nations on the planet and what we lack in sunshine we make up for in culture, history, entertainment and investment opportunities.
“Indeed, Britain’s B2L property market is in full bloom, offering higher rental yields than our French counterparts making the UK, in my opinion, investment property champions.”
When it comes to luxury dwellings, the Land of Hope and Glory evokes a genuine sense of prestige and sophistication above its other European counterparts with Forbes indicating that of the world’s 214 new billionaires, 32 are located in Britain.
Wealth has spread in the UK, particularly to rural enclaves with areas such as Buckinghamshire and Surrey booming in property sales of over £1 million. For sheer indulgence, family run estate agency Barton Wyatt located in popular Virginia Water, north Surrey who has recently experienced a 116% increase in sales is offering September House, a stunning 6 bedroom property on the renowned Wentworth Estate for £6,500,000.
While the UK affords superb Buy-to-Let opportunities and rural luxury for the wealthy does France have what it takes to drop kick Britain’s property market into the sin bin?
As a fabled land of good food and wine, France has topped the charts in the 2011 Quality of Life Index compiled by comparison website uSwitch for a third time in a row. Although the findings show that UK incomes are around £6,780 more a year than our French neighbours, France benefits from having the highest life expectancy (81.9 years), enjoys 2,124 hours of sunshine a year and spends the highest proportion of its GDP (14.1%) on health.
With this in mind, lifestyle has remained one of the key considerations for buying property so it is hardly surprising that France has become the top destination for UK buyers looking to buy a second home abroad according to research by Savills International.
Business Development Manager, Charlie Williams of Terresens, France’s leading eco-friendly property developer comments,
“France quite simply has the best lifestyle in Europe, if not the world and is no surprise that buyers want to soak up the benefits of buying French property considering the World Travel Organisation in 2010 identified France as the most popular country for tourism, with 78.95 million visitors.
“The great thing about France is there are plenty of options for second-homes in a variety of living environments from peaceful rural surrounding to great ski locations as well as stunning coastal sites and trendy urban cities. However, according to a new survey commissioned for Knight Frank´s annual Private View magazine, a fifth of respondents asked desired a property in the snow for their picture-perfect second-home. This puts our new luxury ski property, Les Balcons de la Chapelle, in a favourable position and its prestigious location in Meribel, ranked one of the 50 most expensive locations for residential property in the world by the Knight Frank Prime Residential Index (2010) shows that France can compete in the ranks of luxury, class and sophistication as well as, if not better than the UK can.”
Buyers attracted to the French way of life continue to invest in the country’s stable economy and also the French leaseback programme where investors become the freehold owners and are guaranteed rental income averages between 3 to 5% for 18 years +, offering a veritable tax-friendly pension alternative.
Indeed, having just been completely renovated to a very high standard Le Centaure in Belle Plagne from Terresens situated in the heart of the French Alps, affording stunning studios to 3 bedroom apartments and great views of Mont Blanc from the pistes, guarantees a rental income of up to 4.10%. In comparison to the 10% net rental income offered by the likes of UK experts Property Frontiers for example, this French offering may not seem as alluring. However, leaseback properties such as Le Centaure more than make up for this by not only having a management team handle the rental process, on-going upkeep and repairs (free of charge), but by allowing the buyer to utilise the property themselves at certain times of the year. Le Centaure in Belle Plagne offers a minimum 6 weeks personal usage which can be swapped with other developments in other resorts if a change of scenery is desired. These 6 weeks on their own hold significant value, highlighting an attractive benefit for potential property hunters.
So for those looking to score big in the property market why not consider the UK or France as a perfect property location, although who wins, you decide!
Editors Notes
Candia Tower Apartments, Liverpool
The perfect buy-to-let investment opportunity located just north of Liverpool city centre is a prestigious development comprised of 128 quality 3 bedroom apartments priced at £69,000. Set within a private gated community, this buy-to-let development includes an on-site gymnasium, management office, on-site security, CCTV and dedicated parking space with each unit, all purpose-built and decorated to a high-quality standard.
For more information on this not to be missed but to let opportunity please contact Property Frontiers on +44 (0) 1865 202700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.
September House, Wentworth,
Situated on the renowned Wentworth Estate, September House is a magnificent stately residence that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style. Six bedroom suites, reception hall, three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast/family room, utility room, boot room, indoor swimming pool complex, staff accommodation, triple garage, beautifully maintained gardens.
This property is price at £6,500,000. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
Les Balcons de la Chapelle, Meribel
The limited number of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments and chalets of Les Balcons de la Chapelle occupy a prime location, just a short walk from the ski lifts, shops and restaurants and command incredible unobstructed views out over the mountains. Available fully furnished to your specification, these luxurious residences afford stunning views over the valley and la Chapelle Notre Dame costing from €560,000.
To find out more about Les Balcons de la Chapelle in Meribel, contact the developer Terresens on + 44 (0) 203 101 110 or visit www.terresensproperties.com.
Le Centaure in Belle Plagne, Savoie
Le Centaure Belle Plagne is a beautiful character resort situated in an ideal location in the heart of the French Alps in the Savoie, providing anything from studios to 3 bedroom apartments which are spacious and bright as well as offering a range of luxurious facilities dedicated to wellness and relaxation such as an indoor heated swimming pool, massage room and Turkish bath.
With two 3,000m peaks, Le Centaure Belle Plagne utilises the slopes of Les Arcs, Peisey-vallandry and La Plagne, offering more than 420km of slopes to cater to all levels of skier. For non-skiers and après ski there is a wide range of activities including snowmobiling, bobsleighing and paragliding.
A guaranteed rental income of up to 4.10 % and 6 weeks personal usage, prices start from €190,748 excl. VAT.
To find out more about Le Centaure in Belle Plagne contact the developer Terresens on + 44 (0) 203 101 110 or visit www.terresensproperties.com