Growing demand for new family homes sees Millgate open show home in Wargrave on Saturday 17th November 2012

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Wargrave, a charming village in the heart of the quintessential English county of Berkshire where the River Loddon merges with the River Thames, is a growing community crying out for new family homes.

The first documented evidence of a settlement at Wargrave dates back to 1061 with the Doomsday Book recording a population of just 250.  Since then, the village has grown considerably and has proved especially popular with commuters working in west and central London as well as the local area.

Today Wargrave has a population in the region of 3,000 and with its terrific position in the M4 corridor and only 7 miles from Reading, it is easy to see why people aspire to live there.  The village affords very good access to the A4, leading in turn to the Thames Valley Park in East Reading, home to Microsoft, Oracle Software and BG as well as Maidenhead, Slough and Heathrow via the M4.

It is also ideal for families, as there is good provision of state schooling in the village with infant, junior and secondary schools all within walking distance of the new Millgate development. Close to Henley on Thames, the home of the Royal Regatta and Henley Festival of the Arts, Wargrave retains its attractive village character with numerous societies and local activities and the High Street has a number of inns and antique shops. 

Due to its obvious appeals, demand for housing in Wargrave remains high with demand exceeding supply. Indeed the latest research from Halifax indicates that rural house prices have outperformed those in urban areas since 2007 with the Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire which includes the village of Wargrave seeing house prices go up by £1,107 per month over the past decade. 

In response to this demand, award-winning local developers, Millgate are opening the doors to their new show-home on Victoria Road in central Wargrave on Saturday 17th November 2012. This brand new development of 8 three and four bedroom family village houses is situated in the raised area of Victoria Road.
Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate, comments:

“Finding just the right site is critical when it comes to building new homes.  And we have done just that at “Victoria Mews”, Wargrave.  This development is going to be a dream come true for eight fortunate buyers.  The houses are built with the highest specification and in a price range where we anticipate very strong demand.”
Joint Managing Director David Tate, appointed selling agent, expresses his thoughts on the new development:

“We are excited to be launching this new site for Millgate, their fourth in Wargrave following on from the fantastic success of Wargrave Park, a site of six luxury homes in the village centre. Previous sites in the village include large family homes at Wyatt Close and Harvest Place, so Victoria Mews will be welcomed by local buyers seeking Millgate quality at an affordable price.”

Each luxury family home has been built to include a garage, conservatory and balcony off one of the bedrooms.  The gardens are fully landscaped and this is undoubtedly one of the best residential locations in village of Wargrave. Price guide for the houses is £675,000 to £725,000. 

To find out more and register your interest in advance by contacting Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.     
 

Finding unique frontline property in Spain just got easier thanks to leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

Frontline properties in Spain are always in demand, however finding homes of any quality on a beach front location has always been difficult even for those with cash to burn. Now, leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España is happy to announce the pre-release of a unique first line development on the Spanish Mediterranean coast that won’t break the bank.

The first phase of La Vila Paradis in Villajoyosa, Costa Blanca will compromise of 27, two and three bedroom/two bathroom apartments, all with beautiful sea views and direct beach access.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager at Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“We are extremely excited about the La Vila Paradis development. At present, there are no first line developments with direct beach access going up on the Spanish Mediterranean coast – rest assured we are the only developer building beach front properties. In my time I can’t recall seeing anything similar to this plot of land in Spain and I’m very excited that we’ve managed to secure such a wonderful piece of land!

“Recently the Spanish government approved a change to the Coastal law of 1998 which ruled that thousands of Spanish homes developed on public coastline will be allowed to remain there for another 75 years. Many second hand front line properties built 20 years ago are up for sale but these are still difficult to get hold of. Unlike these older properties, our development will offer something that is not only new and affordable but also unique.”

Less commercialised than its cousin the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca is the second most popular choice for foreign buyers seeking second homes. In this regard, the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alberto Fabra recently revealed that Alicante has become the Spanish province with the largest number of foreign transactions, with almost 85%.

Pritchard remarks,

“With Alicante being such a popular choice for overseas buyers, it’s hardly surprising we are a little excited by our new development – our own sales reflect the Costa Blanca’s popularity and we are happy to report that we’ve seen a 76% increase on total property sales on the Costa Blanca until September 2012 compared to the same period last year.

“As well as this, Savills UK Second Home Abroad 2011 report explains that beach access is one of the most important factors governing choice of holiday home location, with 69% of holiday homes benefitting from proximity to the beach. We are confident that La Vila Paradis will go down a storm – we’ve already reserved six units!”

La Vila Paradis will benefit from a beautiful Mediterranean design and will be built with high specifications and qualities including modern stone tile floors, air conditioning and hot water with an energy saving solar thermal system.

Starting from just €249.000 the development rests within walking distance to local amenities and a 20 minute drive to Alicante city centre. The tram station is only 250 metres from the development and will take visitors to Alicante centre and up the coast as far as Denia.

For more information on this unique front line development on the Costa Blanca 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.
 

Holidays and short breaks away set to be main spending priority for British over 55s in 2013

by Charlotte Ashton France

Holidays will be the main spending priority for the over 55s next year according to a recent behaviour and travel survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

While the study shows that this age group are most positive about spending their cash on a vacation in 2013, the 18-34 age group highlighted saving for a new home or loan repayments as their main priority while mortgage repayments and home improvements were of most importance to those aged between 35-54 years.

Commenting on the findings, David Trunkfield, partner at PwC, explained: “The elderly and retired are the most positive about spending on holidays next year.  Consumers have also eased back a little from some of the more radical ‘coping strategies’ they have adopted to reduce holiday spending over the past three years.”

Interestingly, the PwC survey data discovered that the majority of those asked explained that they would prefer to reduce spending on clothes, shoes, takeaways and dining out if it meant they could still take a main vacation or short break.

Danny Silver, MD of ‘active living’ development for the over 50s, The Villages Group, France remarks,

“It’s remarkable to see just how much emphasis we Brits put on holidays and breaks away. It’s not really surprising considering the poor British weather and stressful lives we lead.

“The same attitude is also apparent in the over 55s it seems. Retirees have actually become wealthier over the past 30 years according to The Office of National Statistics (ONS); however British pensioners have been hit on their incomes – despairing at low annuity rates and food and bill costs rising above inflation.

“With this in mind many over 55s next year should look to make their holiday aboard a bit more permanent and relocate to South West France – the perfect way to relieve money woes and benefit from cheaper living costs and much needed sunshine!”

For those contemplating a move overseas, the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France could provide the answer. The Languedoc is one of the most visited parts of south west France often chosen for its climate, coast and countryside and as a result of Languedoc’s popularity, The Villages Group have just opened their first active living resort ‘Village’ for those over 50 to enjoy at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canal du Midi, one of Europe’s longest and widest canal systems.

The Villages Group provide a village community of around 107 villas on the banks of the Canal du Midi. This village affords full on-site amenities including tennis courts, indoor pool, gymnasium and quality entertainment programmes, perfect for living an active and fulfilling life within a community of like-minded individuals.

The Villages Group is now open for business. For more information on off plan sales please contact The Villages Group on + 33 1 4007 8625, email info@thevillagesgroup.com or visit www.thevillagesgroup.com.

Investors re-elect America Top of the Props

by Charlotte Ashton United States

Investors have re-elected America Top of the Props, reveals TheMoveChannel.com.

As millions of US residents rushed this morning to pick their President, buyers on the overseas property portal faced no such dilemma in October. Over one in five investors voted for US real estate without question last month, making it the most popular property destination in the world for the first time since December 2011.

The support for US property was so strong that not even Spain, America’s long-standing real estate rival, could compete. After seizing the top job back from the US at the start of 2012, Spanish property saw its biggest share of enquiries yet in September. But despite this late surge in the polls, votes for the US outstripped the eurozone’s most popular destination by 1.01 per cent last month, accounting for a record 20.91 per cent of all enquiries– the largest share ever recorded by a country since Top of the Props reports began.

Turnout was also strong for another young candidate, as investors came out in force for property in the United Arab Emirates. 1.38 per cent of enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com went to UAE real estate. It may be a small percentage but it was enough to push the market up the polls by five places, climbing into TheMoveChannel.com’s Top 10 for the first time, an overwhelming vote of confidence in the Emirates’ stable economy, reinforcing its status as a safe haven for investors.

But even as buyers turn to places as far-flung as Dubai, the world’s spotlight is trained on America. And thanks to key states such as Florida, TheMoveChannel.com’s property ballot only has one clear winner.

Director Dan Johnson comments: “Go back several years and US property always came out on top of TheMoveChannel.com’s polls. It is only in recent years that Spain and the eurozone have dominated the overseas real estate market.

“But over the past year, the US has become the main rival to Spain’s lifestyle appeal. It replaced France as buyers’ second favourite property destination several months ago. Now the country’s recovery is really gathering steam, that demand keeps on increasing. The country’s own figures say it all: sales are up; rental yields are up; housing starts are up; market confidence is up; and investors are hurrying because prices are rising too. Hurricane Sandy’s tragic destruction will set back short-term recovery in certain states on the East Coast, but the national real estate outlook remains positive.”

Johnson adds: “By re-electing Obama, voters are saying that they have faith in the President’s housing policy, that the Democrats are helping the economy to recover. Investors’ votes on TheMoveChannel.com show exactly the same thing. It may have been a closely fought contest, but this month’s Top of the Props is a landslide victory for property in the United States of America.”

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.

Property Inspector: Should you buy a haunted house?

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

TheMoveChannel.com’s Property Inspector, taking a closer look at global real estate each month.

Do haunted houses give you the creeps? Don’t be afraid of no ghosts, says TheMoveChannel.com’s Property Inspector, because they can be a spooktacular investment – as long as you don’t mind the odd bump in the night. 

In this month’s podcast, the Property Inspector interrogates psychic detective Bonnie Vent, whose website San Diego Paranormal Research allows owners of haunted houses to advertise their home for buyers interested in paranormal properties. And the smart money, Vent reveals, is in bed and breakfasts.

“I’ve had this real estate page up for about 6 years now,” she tells the Property Inspector, “and what I’ve noticed is that haunted bed and breakfasts are where there’s added value. To have a haunted reputation is always a good thing because people like the idea of coming to stay there. It’s very different to wanting to buy a haunted house and live there permanently until death do them part!”

Spooky Lawsuits

But ghosts in the attic can be a real estate curse as well as a blessing. When selling a property, paranormal activity can lead to legal complications – and, in some cases, lawsuits.

“There was a case in the UK, where I think people are much more open to these things than other places. This couple from another area bought a house and they were very excited because they got a great deal and they moved in and the neighbours all said: ‘Oh, so you’re the ones who bought the haunted house!’ Well, it was very commonly known in that area, so the buyers sued the sellers for not disclosing the information and they actually won the case. Not because it was haunted, the courts can’t decide that, but because it was widely known in the local community. So the buyers got out of the property deal.”

Indeed, in the USA, different states have different laws regarding the disclosure of information about properties for sale. Are sellers required to be honest about ghosts?

“There is no law that relates to haunted property,” explains Bonnie, “but there are laws about disclosure of murders and suicide and things of that nature. Now, for example, in the state of California, if there has been a death on the property within the last three years, you have to disclose that. They call them stigmatized homes.”

A little activity goes a long way

The legal euphemism may sound daft, but smart money is often attracted to houses with horrible histories, which tend to sell for less money. Is that discount a result of buyers negotiating, or do sellers have to lower the price to attract investors in the first place?

“If you already know it’s a stigmatized home, usually that’s the agent,” adds Bonnie. “They will go out and get consultants to do a valuation and they have all these formulas they use based upon what happened there.”

Of course, with that lower price comes a higher risk of living in a haunted home. But the odd floating table or two doesn’t bother some investors, she reveals:

“Some people will buy stigmatized homes, not caring or believing if that activity exists, but just to save money! A lot of people contacting me looking for haunted houses are actually looking for cheap houses. They say they’re OK with a little bit of activity as long as it’s Casper: The Friendly Ghost!”

She adds: “In San Diego, we had a very famous incident involving a mass suicide in a mansion and they reduced the value of the house over and over again but nobody wanted it because it had such a bad feel to it. Ultimately, they wound up destroying the house and building something else on the land.”

The Man in the Mirror…?

Sometimes, intrepid buyers can strike lucky and end up with a celebrity spirit under the stairs. Michael Jackson’s former house, which was recently sold, has been associated with paranormal activity ever since his death – something Bonnie has personal experience of.

“There have been reports of lights going on and off without anyone there and music coming out of the house,” she reveals. “A lot of people believe Michael is still there – and I’m one of them. I was in communication with Michael a couple of hours after he passed away. He asked me to take him to the house and walk him through it because he was still confused about what happened, but that’s easier said than done in the living world!”

But even the King of Pop’s ghost can’t stop the paranormal price drops. “They were asking $24m for the mansion,” continues Bonnie. “The purchase price was something between $17 and $20m.”

Not afraid to enter the world of haunted real estate? Bonnie Vent gives TheMoveChannel.com’s Property Inspector her top five tips to picking up paranormal property:

 

Paranormal Activity? 5 Key Tips to Buying a Haunted Home

Always look for logical explanations

“There are tried and true things that people report as paranormal activity. Usually it’s electrical, lights going off and on, that kind of thing. We’ve all grown up with spooky stories and we tend to jump to those as an explanation. On the other hand, it can be very basic things like the wiring’s bad in your house! You always want to look for logical explanations. I had one case where they were experiencing lights going off and on and they were scared, but actually they had a problem with ants. These ants were walking back and forth across an outlet and causing the lights to short circuit!”

Don’t just look at the property

“There are lots of factors you need to look at – it may not be the house, it may be the property it sits on. Paranormal activity could even be caused by people in the house. Poltergeist activity, for example, a lot of that comes with teenagers. They’re emotionally upset because of the hormones and that energy goes out into the atmosphere and lingers, because we’re made of energy as living beings. And the same is true of those that have passed over. They retain their personalities. Some like to linger because they really love their home and don’t want to leave and others have unfinished business or are looking for some form of resolution. It becomes a complicated issue when you sell the house because the new owner may come into the home and not experience anything whatsoever.”

Beware of spooky vibes – even in fake haunted houses

“I used to work with someone very heavily involved in the haunted house attraction industry. I went to a convention and talked to these people. They’re known as ‘haunters’.  Now, these haunters will look for spooky looking houses. You don’t have to be psychic to feel a spooky vibe and they look for that and augment it. So sometimes when you’re going through a fake haunted house, people have actual experiences… “

Be careful who you sue

“There was another case in the United States in New Jersey that wound up on a television show, and I think made the press in the UK too. It was the first case where someone sued over not being told that their house had paranormal activity. It was a rental case and the judge said there was no way the court could rule on whether the property was haunted or not – they lost the case and had to pay three months’ rent!”

Do your research

“If you’re trying to avoid a situation where maybe there’s something wrong with a property, then as always, if it looks too good to be true and the price is really cheap and you can’t figure out why, you might want to check the home’s history…”

Click here to listen to the full investigation, or subscribe to the TheMoveChannel.com’s podcast in iTunes.

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 45 Lafone Street, Shad Thames, London, SE1 2LX.

Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.

Property Inspector image courtesy of Snowshot.
 

Millgate launches revolutionary new iBook

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Millgate, the award winning luxury house builder in the South East of England has once again demonstrated their innovation within the industry through the creation of a construction iBook which is available for free at the Apple Store. 

The iBook is a sophisticated photographic and video portfolio of past projects, many of which have been award winners, with the latest stunning country mansions to be added in volume II which will be available by Christmas and features:

Highview Manor, Oxfordshire – an architectural jewel with commanding views to the North over Preservation Trust land towards the Oxford Spires and to the South backing onto ancient woodland and the Downs beyond.  This six bedroom house boasts an indoor swimming pool, tennis court and multi-gym, not to mention two acres of land, a four car garage and a detached two bedroom cottage set in the grounds.

Burford House, Berkshire – a commuters dream home, located in an idyllic semi-rural location within 3 miles of Beaconsfield, recently described as one of the most desirable towns in the country.

Millgate’s vision for the iBook was focussed on having the ability to showcase their past and present portfolio as well as cement trust with existing and future buyers.  As their homes have become ever more exclusive, buyers naturally take longer to commit to a sale and many are based overseas making the iBook an invaluable tool to visually show a potential new home to these clients.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director of Millgate, comments,

“We know that we build inspirational houses but getting that message across to someone in one viewing or perhaps who is based overseas is a challenge.  We feel that the iBook helps deliver our message of quality and luxury to our clients and partners in industry.”

Josh Linforth, Director of Social Zoo who created the iBook with Millgate comments,

“Social Zoo was delighted to assist Millgate Homes with their iBook, it was a pleasure to work with them and we enjoyed capturing their concept and absorbing their creative input to create a truly stunning iBook. The iBook now allows potential customers to tour their dream home and gain inspirational ideas. Having their iBook available on the Apple iBook store allows the prestigious homes to be viewed by an extremely wide audience.”

Since Millgate’s iBook was made available in late April of 2012, in this short period it has received nearly 300 downloads from a variety of different countries.

To view and download the Millgate iBook visit:  http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/millgate-homes/id534209272?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4%2522

If you would like any further information on the iBook contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

 

Barton Wyatt named ‘Best Surrey Estate Agent’ for the 7th time in 2012 UK Property Awards

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

For the 7th time running the high end family run estate agency, Barton Wyatt, took home the ‘Best Surrey Estate Agent’ title at the prestigious 2012 UK Property Awards last night. 

In association with Bloomberg TV and Google, the UK Property Awards is open to residential and commercial property professionals working throughout the UK, celebrating the very best in the industry.

Now in its 18th year, the awards ceremony has become recognised as the highest standard of excellence throughout the property world  and receiving one of these coveted awards is proof that Barton Wyatt are capable of outshining some very tough players within the highly competitive UK property arena.

James Wyatt, Partner of the multi award-winning estate agent located in leafy Surrey comments,

“I am thrilled to have been bestowed this fabulous award once again.  I have to congratulate my staff for their tireless efforts in providing a harmonious environment for both vendors and buyers, not to mention my outstanding lettings team. 

“We are very fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful part of the country, London is a quick commute and yet we still have acres and acres of green and pleasant land on our doorstep – all this certainly makes our job easier!”

The UK Property Awards are part of the long established International Property Awards and its award winners’ logo is recognised as a symbol of excellence throughout the global industry.

Later this year, the highest scoring winners from the UK Property Awards will compete against other winning companies from Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas and Arabia to find the ultimate World’s Best in each category.

Stuart Shield, president of the International Property Awards, says, “The quality of entries has been extremely high once again and there’s no doubt that any company to win one of these awards has shown exceptional levels of professionalism and competence in their respective field.”

For those looking to buy a slice of Surrey heaven from the award winning Barton Wyatt team why not take a look at how you can splash your cash:

Keepers Wood, Wentworth   £4,750.000 set within 0.7 acres of south facing rear gardens in a highly sought after road on the prestigious Wentworth Estate, in Virginia Water, Surrey.

Situated within the prestigious Wentworth Estate, this luxury family home offers extensive accommodation arranged over three floors and has been built to Octagon’s award winning standard of specification and finish.

Property includes marble-floored entrance hall, large combined kitchen / breakfast / family area with walk-in larder and second cloakroom.  Linked dining and drawing room opening onto terrace, a spacious guest cloakroom, TV end and study complete downstairs.

First floor has 4 en-suite bedrooms.  The master bedroom suite  is beautifully appointed and includes a centre, free standing bath, TV, bespoke twin basin vanity unit, super-sized walk in wet room and separate wc and bidet.  The master bedroom has double doors with a glass Juliet balcony overlooking the rear garden. Top floor has a further bedroom, bathroom and a leisure room with mini kitchen.

The Lake House, Windlesham £2,350,000.  A remarkable opportunity to own a lakeside home with its own private island, in a quiet exclusive cul-de-sac backing the Old Mile, close to Ascot Village Centre.  The property sits high and looks down onto a beautiful lake with wildlife wandering freely to the rear.  The current owners have significantly improved this property to give it a modern feel with the accommodation re-designed so it flows in a pleasant relaxing style. 

There is a lovely breakfast area and a second sitting room which overlooks the grounds and a private study to the front of the house. The first floor has five bedrooms including the excellent master suite with balcony overlooking the lake. Three bedrooms have en-suite and one family bathroom. 

The garden to the rear is mainly laid to lawn and meanders down to the water and there is an enclosed heated swimming pool with surrounding patio to one side of the house.

Mariners, Virginia Water £3,995,000   A newly built mansion house in a handsome Georgian style situated on the Wentworth Estate between the Wentworth Golf Club and the picturesque shopping parades of Virginia Water Village

Mariners is a newly built mansion house constructed by prestigious house builder Belvedere Homes in a handsome Georgian style with a contemporary internal finish. The tremendous kitchen/breakfast/family room is designed for the contemporary family lifestyle, a wonderful living and entertaining area. A further 3 reception rooms make up the downstairs.

Upstairs on the first floor are four bedroom suites with en-suite bath/shower rooms, the master having a dressing room and sitting room, opening on to a balcony overlooking the rear gardens. On the second floor is a further bedroom and bathroom suite and an adaptable room, ideal for a cinema or gym etc.

Over the three bay garage is a studio apartment with a small kitchenette and shower, ideal for staff or an au-pair. This is accessed separately by a staircase off the rear entrance lobby. Being south facing at the rear there is a tremendous feeling of light and spaciousness with large windows being a theme throughout the house.

For more information please contact the award-winning Surrey experts Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.
 

Calling all tenants – have you got the X Factor?

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

By 2016 demand for private rented accommodation could reach one in five households, resulting in a need for an additional 1.1 million rental homes, according to a recent report by Savills. With tenant demand sky high and fierce competition to secure a home, UK tenants need to present themselves in the most favorable light in order to secure a rental property.

James Davis, CEO of online lettings agent Upad and experienced landlord of 14 years comments,

“Demand for rental property just continues to rise; according to Cluttons, in London, rental demand will increase over the next decade but it looks unlikely that supply will match it and as a result, rents will continue to increase. With this in mind, competition among UK tenants is rife, it’s almost become like the X Factor so it is important that tenants realise what they need to do in order to ensure they’re picked.

“Upad received double the amount of calls from tenants last month compared to the start of the year and Rightmove’s rental stock is down c. 10% year on year. In September this year we had an average of 19 tenant enquiries for each property listed. This reflects the huge demand for rental properties and the key strength of Upad; generating tenant enquiries. Tenants need to act fast to put themselves in pole position.”

With monthly rents rising to an average £741 in England and Wales, a 3.2% increase on 2011 according to LSL Property Services, house and flat shares are becoming ever more popular as tenants seek out cheaper rooms.

Interestingly, according to SpareRoom.co.uk house shares with six or more bedrooms are the fastest growing property type in terms of supply and demand on their site and it’s easy to see why. According to rental figures from SpareRoom, UK room rents for two and three-bed flat and house shares cost an average £426 per month, while rooms in four to six bed house shares cost an average £397 per month. Meanwhile, a two bed flat share in London will cost around £809 per month but in a six bedroom house share it will cost just £710.

Davis remarks,

It’s interesting to see how tenants are trying to make savings. While living in a house share with five other people isn’t necessarily ideal for many, rents are often lower and bills are split between the household meaning that tenants will have more money in the bank every month. It’s easy to see why this is quickly becoming a favoured option for UK renters.

For UK tenants looking to make an impression, beat off competition and secure the perfect rental property why not take a look at Upad’s top tips.

1.    Get your response in fast

Not only will this give you the best chance of the property still being available, it makes you look organised and serious about the property. Being on time for the viewing is also essential.

2.    Talk to the Landlord

Always ensure you speak to the landlord on the phone before any viewing. This way you can make sure you´re a good match for the property before taking up everyone´s time.

3.    Have your key questions prepared
Showing you know what´s important about the property to you gives you a more professional image. It also ensures you don´t forget anything essential.

4.     Show appreciation of the property

Landlords will have invested time and energy (both emotional and physical) in their property. Telling them you love what they´ve done may go a long way in sealing the deal.

5.     Be open

The more you´re willing to share about your life, your income, your plans etc (within reason!) the more confident the landlord will be in trusting their property to you.

6.    Presentation

Don´t just make sure you´re smartly presented. This might sound strange but if you´re driving to the viewing make sure the car’s also clean and tidy. Many landlords will see how you keep your car as a good indication of how you´ll treat their beloved bricks and mortar.

As one of the UKs largest and fastest growing letting agencies, Upad specialise in helping professional tenants rent properties from landlords directly by allowing landlords to manage their own viewings. As a result, Upad receive around 20,000 tenant enquiries per month.

Upad offers a complete lettings service for a flat fee of only £299 (+ VAT) which includes professional photography and a floor plan, a ‘To Let’ board erected outside the property and advertising across all major UK lettings sites as well as comprehensive tenant referencing, drawing up of the tenancy agreement, deposit registration and crucially, rent collection. For more information please contact Upad, on 0333 240 1220. You can also visit www.upad.co.uk or the dedicated Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/upadUK.

Making history in 2012! Spain on track for best year ever in tourism revenues

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

In spite of concerns surrounding the Spanish economy this year, the nation has bounced back once again with 2012 predicted to be the best year ever in tourism revenues and second best in visitor numbers according to recent data.

According to the Bank of Spain, from January to July 2012 the resilient Iberian nation saw tourism revenues reach €23.877 million representing an increase of 0.6% compared to 2011 which was already a record year for Spain.

With this in mind, the average daily expenditure by foreign tourists visiting the country increased by 7% between January and August, reaching €107.

Meanwhile, when it comes to 2012 visitor numbers, Spain managed to close the best summer of its history with nearly 21.6 million visitors between June and August while official estimates show that 2012 will be the second best year for Spanish tourism with 58.1 million tourists, not far behind the record breaking 58.6 million visitors seen back in 2007.

Mark Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España comments,

“Whatever has been said about Spain, I don’t think anyone can argue that it’s lost its appeal as one of the world’s hottest tourist destinations. It’s really no surprise that foreign spending has increased in Spain this year particularly among British tourists who have been bagging more for their buck considering the strength on the pound over the euro.

“As well as positive tourism levels, property sales are also on the up. We at Taylor Wimpey España have seen an 22% increase in September sales over the same month in 2011 while on the Costa del Sol for example we’ve experienced an impressive 52% in total property sales so far this year compared to last.”

Indeed, when it comes to purchasing property, Spain still tops the chart according to a recent monthly analysis report by Rightmove Overseas, noting that the Costa Del Sol remains a firm favourite with potential British buyers with the well-known resorts of Marbella and Puerto Banus both increasing in property searches.

For property hunters looking for high quality affordable property, Taylor Wimpey España has some excellent properties on offer on the Costa del Sol at only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and half capital gains tax if you purchase before year end.

Los Arqueros Beach is a new residential complex of 24 apartments consisting of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, only four minutes away from the sea front promenade and 3 minutes from the ancient part of San Pedro de Alcantara, in the new expanding area towards Marbella beach and near Puerto Banus called the New Alcantara.

Costing from just €205.000 with only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and capital gains tax half if you purchase before year end, the apartments have wide terraces, spacious solarium and a swimming pool.

Avalon – Los Arqueros Golf is a new Taylor Wimpey development situated in one of the best areas of Marbella, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course and 20 minutes from Estepona. The residential complex has a natural charm with stunning sea and golf views, wide streets, communal swimming pool and beautiful gardens.

There are luxury 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses with 2 bathrooms costing from just €250.000 with only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and capital gains tax half if you purchase before year end. The complex features a communal swimming pool and gardens, underground parking and storage and is surrounded by a prestigious golf course with 18 holes.

For more information on buying on the Costa del Sol 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.
 

A country of contrasts: Albania offers excellent ski opportunities for those with a keen sense of adventure

by Charlotte Ashton Albania

With the European ski season fast approaching, snow sports addicts will be wondering where the best ski and snowboarding opportunities reside. For those looking to go off piste in search of something new and unspoiled this season, Albania offers a wealth of excellent ski opportunities.

As a country of contrasts, Albania has something to offer everyone whether it’s pristine beaches along the Adriatic coast or historical sites such as ancient Berat. However, one of the lesser known facts about the Balkan nation is its ski and snow sports opportunities with one of the best and most scenic of all regions being the striking Valbona Valley, in the Tropoja District of Northern Albania.

Perfect for those with a keen sense of adventure, skiing in Albania does not reflect typical Western style ski resorts. At Valbona Valley for example, there are no ski lifts or mountain rescue vehicles on the slopes. The village is quiet, with no shops, petrol stations or doctors surgeries and when it comes to food, the village relies on farming offering a traditional “back to basics” experience.

Ravin Maharajah, partner at leading Albanian resort Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa comments,

“Only 3 hours away from our development, the Valbona Valley is a must for those who wish to experience “authentic Albania”. The nation affords stunning geography with a number of excellent ski and snowboarding opportunities available on the northern and southern mountain chains. Mount Korab, the highest peak in Albania is certainly one to consider but it is important to remember that skiing in Albania is probably more suited to experienced snow sports fans. If it’s adventure you’re after, Albania has it all.”

With a superb location lying along both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania has a dry, temperate climate. At this time of year skiing in Albania could well be on the agenda, but winter conditions on the coast are generally mild with potential for visiting Albania’s beautiful beach locations.

Maharajah explains,

“The city of Durres in Albania reaches similar October temperatures as Malaga in Spain – just below 20 degrees. In November, Durres is on a par with St Tropez with temperatures reaching a pleasant 13 to 14 degrees. Albania is the perfect place to grab some winter sunshine, go for a coastal stroll and ski a few hours later – our development makes for a great winter hub.”

For those thinking about tapping into Albania´s property sector, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa offers a premium, exclusive beachfront product to investors who want the benefits of apartment and villa ownership including private gardens and terraces, exclusive services and more privacy as well as a range of facilities including private swimming pools, a BBQ area, tennis courts and superb restaurants for as little as €30,000.

For more information on owning a stunning apartment or villa in a country of contrasts, please contact Lalzit Bay on +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com.