2013 – The Year of the Optimum Tenant

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Publication of the long awaited 2011 England & Wales census figures painted an accurate picture of the UK housing market today and indeed how it has changed over the last decade.

 

The 6% drop in home ownership (with a mortgage or loan) from 8.4 million in 2001 to 7.6 million in 2011 and the simultaneous 6% increase in those renting from a private landlord or letting agency (3.6 million as of 2011) highlighted the ever increasing barriers to home ownership, especially amongst “Generation Rent”, as well as revealing a real shift in the attitudes towards renting in the UK with it no longer seen as just a step on the road to buying but a long term life choice for many.
But what does 2013 and indeed the next decade have in store for the UK rental market? We asked lettings expert and hands-on landlord, James Davis, CEO of Upad, to look into his crystal ball and offer his predictions.
“2012 was another good year for UK landlords in general. The continued lack of access to mortgage financing kept first time buyer levels low and demand for rental accommodation high, especially in the Capital where now almost 1 in 4 people rent. Having said that, new landlords keep to get a slice of the action may too have been negatively affected by the on-going recession, not finding it easy to secure the buy-to-let financing required to start or expand their portfolios.
“We too at Upad had a very busy year with a near 50% increase in the quantity of tenant enquiries during 2012. The average Upad landlord now gets 20+ tenant enquiries per property which might sound wonderful but in reality reveals the extent of competition amongst tenants for rental properties. In fact, I would say that tenant enquiries at this level can also be negative for landlords, almost becoming an irritant for those involved.
“With that in mind I suspect that 2013 will be the year when landlords seek quality rather than quantity when it comes to choosing tenants. Those who will look after their property, pay the rent on time and in full and be responsible renters are sure to be preferred by landlords and I foresee full tenant referencing and rent guarantee agreements becoming the norm in 2013.
“One of the biggest trends we saw in 2012 was a shift in landlord behaviour; the acceleration away from traditional agents to self-managing channels as landlords become more demanding in terms of levels of service and keen to maximise yields. Online classified listing sites, catering for the self-managing landlord have doubled their business in the last 18 months whilst market leading portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla have seen a 10% decrease in stock levels this year as landlords look to ‘go it alone’.
“As more and more landlords do ‘go solo’ however, so the calls for regulation increase. At present neither letting agents nor landlords are required to be regulated putting tenants in often precarious positions and whilst the government has made no official plans for regulation, some such as Boris Johnson and his new “London Rental Standard” scheme, the private renting licence coming into force in Newham as of 1st January 2013 and indeed us here at Upad, are calling for landlords to act more responsibly.
“As a landlord myself, what will I be doing in 2013? Well, as ever I’m keeping a firm eye on interest rates as they are only going to go one way and sooner rather than later I suspect. In terms of expanding my portfolio, I’ll be looking at towns and cities such as Oxford, Brighton, Swansea and Leeds for example but ensuring that I don’t overpay on acquisitions and seek both capital growth and rental income potential.
“Speaking to a number of my tenants, as rents across the UK continue to rise, this is starting to affect the percentage of their salaries spent on rent. There will inevitably come a tipping point where rents will become unaffordable and landlords should be aware of this. Indeed we at Upad have seen landlord confidence fall by 8% since the start of the year and concerns over rent arrears and defaults due to job insecurity and rising rent costs coupled with increasing mortgage payments are very real for today’s landlord.
“If I was a tenant? Well with the level of competition in the marketplace at present, I would do everything within my power to present myself as the optimum tenant. Ensure a clean credit history, be presentable, genuine and responsible. I would build a relationship with the landlord based on trust and transparency and at all times be honest about my situation. It’s not all a one-way street however as due to sheer volume, tenants in the UK have an ever louder voice, just make sure you use it wisely.
“So as we end another hectic year at Upad HQ, having let over 5,000 properties and generated over 120,000 tenant enquiries, we welcome 2013 with our eye wide open to the issues faced by both landlords and tenants.”
For more information or expert comment from James Davis, please contact Upad today on 0333 240 1220 or visit www.upad.co.uk

At a Glance: Pattaya property twice as popular as Phuket

by Charlotte Ashton World
Property in Pattaya is almost three times more popular than property in Phuket, according to TheMoveChannel.com´s latest At a Glance report.
The infographic, which depicts activity on the overseas portal over the last 12 months, shows that the Chon Buri hotspot accounted for one-third (32.9 per cent) of all searches for Thai real estate – almost three times as many as the city of Phuket (13.51 per cent).
Phuket and Pattaya have long rivalled each other for investors´ attention, but the latter’s beaches attracted more interest than the former’s nightlife in the 12 months from December 2011. Both cities dwarf the capital of Bangkok, which accounted for only 5.38 per cent of searches by buyers, making it the sixth most popular destination in the country.
When it comes to enquiries, though, the infographic paints a different picture, with Phuket responsible for the most buyer activity.
Property in the province of Phuket generated 44.1 per cent of enquiries, ahead of Chon Buri, which received 42.9 per cent.
Again, both areas eclipse Bangkok, which took just 0.18 per cent of enquiries, highlighting the dominance of the two tourist hotspots. Indeed, the closest competition facing the pair is the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, which accounted for 5.22 per cent of buyer enquiries. The beach resort of Hua Hin is the main attraction in Prachuap, accounting for 10.91 per cent of searches on the site. But Patong Beach is not far behind, with Phuket´s island coastline responsible for 6.62 per cent of searches.
The At a Glance infographic also analyses investor behaviour on Google over the last year. Buyers most commonly search for “Thailand property” and “property in Thailand”, with activity steadily rising throughout 2012. “Houses for sale in Thailand” are the most popular type of property, which may come as some surprise given the number of condos on the market, but while house searches remained static from May 2012 onwards, searches for “Thailand apartments” showed signs of increasing.
Editor Ivan Radford comments:
“Phuket and Pattaya have been duking it out for years now on TheMoveChannel.com and the At a Glance infographic gives a clear picture of which is more popular: buyers are committed to purchasing property in Phuket, but the age-old appeal of a seaside home means that the majority still look to Pattaya first. The beach resort´s profile would have been boosted further by the fact that it remained unaffected by last year´s floods.”
“But that might change next year. In 2011, the province of Chonburi took the highest number of enquiries on the portal (39.1 per cent vs. 30.4 per cent), only for Phuket to steal the title this year by a margin of 1.2 per cent. Chonburi´s enquiries peaked in April 2012 before steadily decreasing, while Phuket´s enquiries remained steady throughout the year. Is it simply because Phuket had higher quality properties on the market? Or with the country´s housing market back at full speed after the flooding, are buyers finding a new favourite?
“Judging by the data so far, Phuket is currently on track to become 2013´s most searched-for destination in Thailand. Will Pattaya fight back? Either way, one thing that isn´t in question is the country´s popularity: enquiries for Thai real estate on TheMoveChannel.com have almost trebled since 2010 and with searches for property in Thailand increasing on Google, demand is only set to keep on climbing.”
Click here to see the full infographic – http://www.themovechannel.com/news/2c572e21-515c/
Notes to Editors
Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with than 400,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.
The website address is http://www.themovechannel.com and the office address is 24 Jack´s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.
Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.

One to watch: Albania named as must-visit destination of 2013

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

Albania, which this year celebrates its centenary of independence, has been named as a must-visit destination of 2013 with adventure holiday company ‘G Adventures’ adding the Balkan nation to next year’s brochure for the first time and top travel bloggers ranking the country one of the ‘Top 13 destinations for travel in 2013.’

 

Attracting over 4 million visitors last year and with arrivals up by 277,000 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, the outlook for Albania’s tourism market is positive with the little known Balkan nation emerging as a fashionable destination to explore in 2013.

 

Indeed Aldo Bumci, Minister of Tourism in Albania, is committed to developing this lucrative sector (which accounted for 11% of GDP in 2011) and is currently drawing up a national strategy for coordinating tourism activities over the next 10 years which aims to ensure the sustainable long-term development of tourism in the country.

 

Visitors to Albania in 2013 will also be able to benefit from recent foreign direct investment into the country. World Bank financing has helped repair and construct over 1,700 km of rural roads and 1,300 km of national roads which has considerably improved accessibility across the land as well as bringing about brought positive changes in access to health, postal and banking services for the local population.

 

As has been witnessed in many other European countries, in tandem with tourism growth comes development of the real estate market and Albania is no exception. Those operating within this emerging marketplace such as Ravin Maharajah, Partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on the Adriatic coast, have seen an explosion of interest for new, western style quality properties in prime locations not least accelerated by the depreciation of the Euro which many developers sell properties. 

 

Ravin Maharajah comments,

 

“The weakening of the Euro and general caution about investing within the Euro-zone has actually been advantageous for us. We have experienced an increase in UK and indeed Western European buyers wanting to take advantage of the amazing value properties at Lalzit Bay. Indeed Albania now being ranked by Forbes as one of the ‘Best Countries of Business’ has boosted buyer confidence further.”

 

For those wishing to snap up a bargain luxury property on Albania’s hotly tipped Adriatic coastline in 2013, why not take a look at Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa?

 

Only moments away from the beach, the stunning resort apartments and villas are designed to be the ultimate beach properties in Albania affording private swimming pools, landscaped gardens tennis courts and beach bars and restaurants. Apartments are priced from just €30,000 and luxury villas from €230,000 Deluxe apartments start at €80,000.

 

For more information on the Adriatic’s secret jewel please contact Lalzit Bay on +44(0)845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.

Millgate reveals their Top 5 Home Counties Hot Spots for 2013

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

 

Record property prices in London, combined with the last two years of falling house prices in the Home Counties, are set to create a series of property hotspots around the Capital in 2013 according to multi award-winning house builder, Millgate.
Smart buyers will look to invest early to take advantage of the price rises likely to result from the swelling demand for properties in the Home Counties, as increasing numbers of London home-owners seek to sell up and retreat to the countryside.
There is already serious demand for high-end country homes, with many would-be buyers in recent years having been forced into rented accommodation while they look for their dream purchase. Millgate has identified five key areas in which to buy in 2013. Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director at Millgate, explains:
‘With transport infrastructure improvements and the continuing popularity of country schools, demand for luxury properties in the Home Counties continues to outstrip supply. The appeal of country life but with easy access to the Capital looks set to drive up prices in a select number of hotspots during the coming year.’
Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire is one such area. The village is renowned as one of England’s most exclusive places to live. It is 25 minutes from London by rail, 14 miles from Heathrow airport and has several independent schools located nearby.
The continuing reputation of Gerrards Cross as one of the most affluent areas of the country makes it an excellent place in which to invest and Millgate has developed a stunning portfolio in the area. The eagerly anticipated eight impressive country homes and four town houses at Fulmer Road for example will reflect Millgate’s renowned meticulous attention to detail when they launch in February 2013.
Another area to watch is the appealing town of Farnham, Surrey. Packed with historic buildings and close to ruins such as Waverley Abbey, the town is just 42 miles southwest of London. It has an air of country charm, with passageways leading to hidden gardens, all overlooked by the imposing Farnham Castle.
Only two years since Millgate completed three luxury houses in Farnham, planning permission has once again been granted due to surging buyer demand for the company´s modern classic homes.  Construction of three detached country mansions, located in the fashionable Lower Bourne End, is already underway with completion set for summer 2013.
 
Also within Surrey,
Millgate has highlighted the delightful town of Oxted as its third recommended place to invest in 2013. This upmarket area is one of the most sought-after places for property in the country. Millgate’s exclusive Trevereux development will feature three new-build detached homes and seven refurbished apartments, on the site of the former Charing Cross hospital convalescence home. In keeping with the house builder’s reputation for excellence, all properties will showcase ultra-contemporary design while blending attractively with the local area. 
Another one to watch will be the idyllic village of Walton on the Hill in Surrey, midway between Epsom and Reigate, the site of Millgate’s collection of six timeless five-bedroom homes, due to launch in Spring 2013. The archetypal English village, Walton on the Hill is the perfect base for rural life. 15,000 acres of picturesque heathland surround the village, which in true English fashion contains a large pond, a green, a cluster of shops and a pretty church.
Walton on the Hill’s location within 15 miles of London, and only four miles from the M25, make Millgate’s exclusive properties here an intelligent investment for anyone looking to combine country living with access to the city.
The final Home Counties hotspot for 2013 is Ascot in Berkshire, 25 miles west of London. Famed as the location of the prestigious Ascot Racecourse, the village epitomises English country living. Here Millgate has acquired the site of Westbrook House, former home of film star Rita Hayworth.
Millgate has consulted extensively with local residents on the development and has designed its plans to suit their requirements. The construction work will see the rundown Westbrook House replaced by 14 luxury apartments with basement parking, perfect for those seeking country life just a stone’s throw from London. As Millgate’s Jonathan Cranley summarises:
‘This broad portfolio of impressive developments affords plenty of choice to intelligent investors looking to find their dream country home in some of England’s most exclusive areas in the year ahead.’
To find out more, register your interest by contacting Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Millgate appoints agent to sell country houses in Surrey

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

 

Walton on the Hill is a deliciously English village tucked away behind Box Hill. This sleepy bit of Surrey hit the big-time this summer with the long distance cycle race climbing the ferociously steep zigzag on Box Hill and then sweeping down through Headley and Mickleham.
Nestled just beyond this lies Walton-on-the-Hill, with its gorgeous village pond, local pubs and small school. In many respects Walton-on-the-Hill is the archetypal English village.
The Romans are known to have settled here in the 1st century AD and the village church of St Peter dates back to the 12th century with an 800 year old font. Local legend has it that the manor house was visited by Henry VIII, and his wife Anne of Cleves is also thought to have stayed here.
With all this history it is little surprise that Walton-on-the-hill has become a terrific place to settle in Surrey. The road links to the A3, M25 and M23 are very quick. Jump on a train at Tadworth (1 mile) and you will be in London Bridge or London Victoria in 45 minutes. 
Walton Heath is known for its outstanding natural beauty and championship golf courses – Walton Heath hosts some high profile tournaments each year, notably it is a venue for US Open qualifying as well as providing the challenge for the South of England Open Amateur Championship. In 2011. The Senior Open Championship took place there which brought back to Walton Heath many of the 1981 Ryder Cup team.
Walton Heath and nearby Headley offers excellent heathland turf for the equestrian, and there are several livery stables nearby. The famous Derby racecourse at Epsom Downs is just 2 miles away.
Millgate Homes are building six sumptuous detached houses in a quiet road and have appointed Richard Saunders Estate Agency to sell this exclusive collection oftimeless five bedroom houses in a Hurst Drive which is close to the popular village of Walton-on-the-Hill.
 
Richard Saunders is a leading firm of estate agents, setting new higher standards of client service and marketing with unrivalled local expertise.
The owner Richard Saunders commented on their appointment:
“Having represented Millgate Homes recently, I am really excited about their six new houses in Walton on the Hill.  Millgate Homes build beautiful homes, and always seem to predict what buyers are really looking for.  I expect the houses will be further examples of Millgate excellence.”
Guide price from £1,800,000 the homes will offer a matchless specification including an extensive kitchen and spacious family room and orangery, 5 bedrooms, 3 with en-suites plus a family bathroom and double garage
For more information contact Millgate Homes on 0118 934 3344or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Swap Christmas pud for paella and spend Christmas in the Costa del Sol with Taylor Wimpey España

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

Swap Christmas pud for paella and spend Christmas in the Costa del Sol with Taylor Wimpey España.

We all love the festive season but Christmas time doesn’t need to mean grim weather and unbearably crowded shopping expeditions. This year why not opt for a bit of sunshine and vitamin D in your Christmas stocking? 
 
Indeed, more and more Brits are swapping their snowmen for sandcastles with research conducted by my Travel Cash, a prepaid MasterCard currency card provider, revealing that of those spending Christmas week abroad, 24% opted for the popular holiday and second home destination of Spain.
 
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,
 
“In the first two weeks of December alone we have seen a 116% increase in sales compared with last year and enjoyed a record sales increase of 145% in November, up 17% overall from January to November 2012.
 
“The demand for properties in Spain seems set to continue throughout the festive season despite the economic downturn.”
 
It may only be 2 hours by plane from the UK but Christmas in Spain is quite a different experience. The southern areas such as the Costa del Sol in particular have plenty to offer; why not forget the traditional turkey blowout and opt for grilled ‘cigalas’ (crayfish) instead, washed down with a few glasses of Cava?
 
For those looking to ditch the thermals and snow boots, the Costa del Sol climate is ideal. Surrounded by the Sierra Bermeja mountain range, blocking any cold gusts, the wintertime in this area is very mild with hours of sunshine and highs of 17ºC not uncommon in even the coolest month of January. 
 
So for those looking to swap Christmas pud for paella this year, look no further than the new Los Arqueros Beach development. 
 
This superb new residential complex of 24 apartments consisting of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, solarium and good sized terrace, is only 4 minute walk away from the sea front promenade and 3 minutes from the ancient part of San Pedro de Alcántara. 
 
Its privileged position allows it to be surrounded by 5 km of the best areas of entertainment,Marbella’s sunny beaches, fun and glamour of Puerto Banus and the 12 best golf courses on Costa del Sol. 
 
From just €195.000 plus only 4% VAT and half capital gains tax until the end of 2012, Christmas in the Costa del Sol is definitely not to be missed! 
 
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244
 

Good food, fine wine and sunnier climes, it´s no wonder France is a top emigration destination!

by Charlotte Ashton France

Many house hunters are still keen on buying homes in Europe despite the euro-zone crisis, with French property topping the list. Around one in four prospective buyers (23%) are trying to buy something across the English Channel according to the latest HiFX Property Hotspots report. 

  

Retired Brits in particular seem to be keen to make the move overseas. According to the Home Office “Emigration from the UK” Research Report 68 (Nov 2012) around 4,000 to 8,000 retired British people emigrate each year with France proving a top destination for this age group.

 

And indeed unlike their younger counterparts, long-term migrants were more common amongst those going to France. 75 per cent of British citizens emigrating across the Channel reported that they intended to stay for more than four years. 

 

Danny Silver, expert in French real estate and MD of The Villages Group, comments,

 

"With more and more people looking to move abroad for their golden years, seeking lower living costs and a better quality of life, France remains a popular destination.

 

"It goes without saying that the superior climate, especially in the south, the relaxed lifestyle and easy access by road, rail, sea and air has boosted emigration to France and with the weakening of the Euro plus no capital gains tax, potential buyers are able to get more for their money!"

  

Indeed researchers King et al. in 2000 found that retirement emigration to southern Europe was primarily fuelled by the difference in property prices and familiarity with the area due to British mass tourism, with the main reasons given by retirees for migrating being to enjoy the better climate and physical environment of the area, while still being within easy access to the UK.

  

Home to the world´s largest single wine-producing region, over 300 days of sunshine per annum and a coastline that stretches all the way from the Camargue down to the Spanish border, the southern Languedoc-Roussillon region has plenty going for it.

 

Well served by low-cost flights into Montpellier, Nîmes, Carcassonne, Perpignan, Béziers and (just over the Spanish border) Girona, and a high-speed TGV train connection to Paris. It´s no surprise that a good number of foreigners have already settled here.

 

Further capitalising on this demand, The Villages Group has chosen the stunning Canal du Midi area, nestled in the beautiful Languedoc region, as the site of the first active living resort in the country dedicated to the over 50´s.

 

Designed for living, The Villages offers one-level eco-friendly homes set within an outstanding natural environment with full on-site amenities including tennis courts, indoor pool, gymnasium and a quality entertainment programmes.

 

This concept will provide a fresh alternative to buying abroad for the older generation, offering a unique lifestyle choice for the active 50+´s.

 

For more information please contact The Villages Group on + 33 1 4007 8625, email villages@pdfparis.com or visitwww.thevillagesgroup.com.

Back in Belgravia – SW1, Property Hotspot in 2013

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

 

London remains one of the coolest cities in the world to live in and to visit.
Unsurprisingly the Capital enjoyed a bumper year in 2012 being ranked #1 in the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice awards, playing host to many of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, not to mention the Summer Olympic Games which saw hotels packed to gunnels and the Tube full to bursting.
But the party is far from over with Belgravia SW1 the super sexy spot to be seen in in 2013. 
Parts of SW1 previously under the radar, are now making the news on a regular basis. This tucked away area of London is rapidly changing with billions of pounds being investing into the infrastructure of Victoria Station and the development of the Victoria Circle, heads are turning to this exclusively fashionable part of town.
The first women-only private members club in London opened its doors in a luxury grade II listing building in Belgravia which set tongues wagging and now the high end international hotel group, Marbella Club has just acquired the historic Tophams Hotel as they continue to target prime areas in the city where they anticipate to see growth and opportunities in the luxury hotel sector. 
Significant investment into a number of streets to smarten them up and attract a wealthier clientele has also been seen in the area. Elizabeth Street for example recently underwent a face lift and is now known as the very centre of sophistication with designer fashion stores such as Philip Treacy, Jenny Packham and Allegra Hicks.
Indeed Belgravia has been home to many government buildings such as New Scotland Yard and City Hall but this area is now attracting many of the UK’s leading private businesses. Companies including Google, Burberry, Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo and Microsoft have selected Belgravia as the location of their headquarters, a real nod to the exclusivity of the area.
From a property perspective, prices across London continue to outstrip the rest of the UK not least boosted by the Euro crisis which has seen increasing numbers of foreign buyers flood into London look for an investment safe haven. The latest Knight Frank figures show that annual growth for the Capital is now 9.4% with prime Central London residential stock 47% higher in November than in the same month in 2011.
The rental market too is equally strong with the average rent in Greater London rising to £1,240 in October 2012 according to an index compiled by HomeLet, up 32% from October 2009 when rents averaged £940 per month.
London Victoria train station too, located in the heart of Belgravia has been blessed with a vast injection of cash. In August 2009, the Secretary of State for Transport granted Transport for London (TFL) planning permission for the redevelopment of Victoria station which will result in 50% additional capacity, 9 new escalators, new interchange tunnels and improved, step free access. The upgrade will relieve congestion which often results in total chaos at the station and will greatly improve links between National Rail, the Tube and Victoria soach station.
The announcement of this vast development incited others to redevelop. Victoria Circle, the island opposite Victoria station, is the biggest project in the area. This £1 billion scheme is set to be delivered in 2 phases and scheduled for completion in 2018, the 6 acre site will include five new buildings providing 910,000 sq ft of residential, retail and office space along with a mix of public amenities.
Actively supporting this redevelopment of SW1 is one of the UK´s leading private equity property investment companies, Oakvest Ltd. This established development company has acquired Grosvenor Gardens House, a stunning 18th century mansion block just across from Victoria Circle.
Oakvest aim is to return this iconic property, reputedly where the Queen Mother was born, to its former glory with planning submitted and set for approval in January 2013. Working with renowned developers Medici they will see the serviced offices which currently occupy the building transformed into 42 luxury apartments, wellness centre and spa, concierge, business meeting areas, a cinema room and underground parking.
For more information contact Oakvest on +44 (0)207 811 3855 or visit www.oakvest.co.uk.

35 % of Brits to buy abroad within the next two years with Spain top of the list

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

With the financial crisis making real estate in Spain more affordable than ever, the number of people looking to snap up a bargain Spanish property is ever increasing.

 

Indeed, the volume of foreigners buying property in Spain has increased by 18.0% from last year as reported by online Spanish news portal, Invertia.

 

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for Taylor Wimpey España commented,

 

"Improvement of sales in the Spanish property market has primarily come from developments in coastal areas such as Andalucía, with buyer´s request´s to live in close proximity to a beach coming top of the list followed closely by a golf course.

 

"In November 2012 alone we saw sales increase 144% compared to October. Here at Taylor Wimpey España we are able to meet the needs of customers not only because many of our properties are located in these popular areas but because we can deliver high quality properties for every budget."

  

According to the Kyero Spanish House Price Index H1 2012, Alicante and the Costa Blanca continue to be the most attractive areas for foreign buyers with Malaga following closely behind, generating almost 20% of enquiries.

 

The most popular properties enquired about were apartments (35%) followed by villas (30%) and in terms of size, both 3-bed properties and 2-bed properties were of equal appeal to foreign buyers, each with 32% of total enquiries.

 

Current conditions show that Spain is truly a buyer´s market – good news for the 35 per cent of UK adults (HiFX.co.uk) looking to buy a property abroad within the next one to two years.

 

Property buyers wishing to soak up the sun in the Costa del Sol should look no further than La Floresta de le Mairena. 

 

Costing from just 178.000€ at only 4% VAT until the end 2012, these 2 bed apartments set in beautiful surroundings, boasting 2 swimming pools, landscaped gardens and stunning views towards the oak and pine forest as well as towards the sea, provides everything a potential buyer could want and more.

 

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244      

 

Top of the Props: Buyers feel Hungary for the first time

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Hungary entered TheMoveChannel.com’s top 10 property destinations for the first time last month, according to the latest Top of the Props report. The country was one of the biggest climbers in the overseas portal’s rankings, rising nine places to become the tenth most popular country with real estate buyers.

 

Hungary accounted for 2.28 per cent of all enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com in November. Its share of enquiries only rose by 1.38 per cent, but that small increase was enough for the country to overtake fellow climber Germany (up by 10 places to 14th) and familiar markets such as Greece and Thailand. Indeed, Hungary received more enquiries than Bulgaria, which has been a regular presence in TheMoveChannel.com’s top 10 since it broke through in summer2011.
 
 
France saw a similar jump in interest, with its share of enquiries increasing by 1.3 per cent. That rise proved equally decisive, as France leapfrogged Portugal to seize third place behind investor favourite Spain. Following the USA’s surprise takeover at the top of the table in October, Spanish property saw its popularity slip again, losing 4.9 per cent of enquiries. Indeed, real estate in Spain accounted for 15 per cent of enquiries, the lowest share recorded by the country since February 2012.
 
 
That dip, combined with France’s rise in popularity, was enough to see the gap between the long-standing eurozone rivals more than halve from 10.8 per cent (October 2012) to 4.53 per cent.
 
 
 
As the end of a financially turbulent year approaches, small shifts in buyer demand are enough to see significant reshuffles in the Top of the Props rankings. Indeed, Cape Verde’s enquiries increased by just 2.01 per cent, causing the country to catapult back into the Top of the Props top 10 – the third time it has been in the top rankings in the last 14 months.
 
 
But a surge in appetite for property in Hungary caused the biggest rumble in the charts. 
 
 
Jean Liggett, Director of Properties of the World, explains the country’s growing appeal:
 
 
“It is not surprising that Hungary has popped into the top 10. Unlike the traditional second home investments including Spain, Portugal and Florida, Hungary has a stable property market where there are no big peaks and troughs, just a very steady growth.
 
 
“Importantly, the growing middle classes in Hungary and its seven adjacent countries of Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia make Hungary an ideal holiday destination as well as an investment opportunity. The middle class of this region like to go on holiday and buy properties in their back yard.”
 
 
The Hungarian government is also focusing on boosting tourism to attract investment into the country, Liggett adds. 
 
 
“With Hungary, one is buying into a whole new culture that is unique in Europe. Thermal therapeutic waters there have created a medical and wellness tourism, which, along with the history, wine and friendly locals, will help Hungary to grow in popularity over the next decade.
 
 
“One of the newest resorts to be developed with this template is Saloc International Resort & Spa situated at Egerszalok in the heart of a famous wine region. The UK based company is developing a resort that will include a Hotel Spa based on calcium thermal waters, sports, a leisure and wellness centre as well as offering a high return for investors.”
 
 
The full breakdown of the top 40 is as follows:
 
 
 
Notes to Editors  
 
 
Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with than 400,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.  
 
 
The website address is http://www.TheMoveChannel.com and the office address is 24 Jack´s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.
 
 
Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.