UK property industry gets up CLOSE and personal with Build to Rent

UK property industry gets up CLOSE and personal with Build to Rent

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom ,

Over 100 of the UK property industry’s finest, along with high profile provocateurs and enablers from other sectors, met at Dartmouth House, Mayfair yesterday for the inaugural CLOSE event.

Organised and hosted by Naomi Cleaver, design consultant, writer and broadcaster, together with Phillippa Hardman, Founder & MD of on-site gym and well-being consultancy RCH, CLOSE: Build to Rent & the New Community delivered a symposium on the emerging revolution in the way we live today.

“Build to Rent is a paradigm shift in the way we live today and as pressures on population and space grow, we find ourselves living in ever closer proximity with others. Build to Rent delivers one solution to our 21st century housing needs but I believe it’s critical that the needs and desires of those living within these newly created communities are thoroughly and sensitively studied through discourse at events such as CLOSE.”

Naomi Cleaver, Design Consultant, Writer & Broadcaster

 A series of carefully selected speakers took to the podium to share their views and experiences of Build to Rent and community. Below were their headline messages:

Debra Yudolph, Founder SAY Property Consulting: A survey of 1,000 people revealed the chasm in perception and attitude towards Build to Rent between the public and the industry.

Karl Kalcher, MD of MindFolio: Work needs to be done to address Build to Rent’s primary target audience, young professionals and millennials and their inherently negative view about renting.

Jenni Carbins, International Placemaking Strategist, Mark London: Investment in commercial spaces and public realm within Build to Rent developments is on the rise. Placemaking creates value for tenants and the bottom line.

Phillippa Hardman, Founder & MD, RCH: The UK is at the forefront of global wellness which is driving demand for onsite fitness & wellbeing facilities. Virtual training and group exercise are top trends.

James Lynch, Fforest: From art graduate Shoreditch property developer to advocate of living in the thick of nature, the built environment is only as potent as its place in nature.

Rev Alan Gyle, Vicar, St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge: Turns out that De La Soul were right, 3 is the magic number when it comes to community. Engaging in triadic discourse between investors, Build to Rent developers and tenants is key to creating for the needs of tomorrow.

Gerard Greene, CEO & Founder, Society: There is a very real absence of technology in Build to Rent yet it can be successfully used as an enabler for the creation of, and engagement in new societies.

Siobhan Frost, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Tee & Frost: Creation of a Build to Rent brand is more than just an attractive logo but a strategic process which should be engaged in from the very start.

Tim Lowe, Founder & Director, Lowe Guardians: The repurposing of vacant space in the heart of cities through guardian tenants offers a real solution to housing shortage and offers compelling lessons in creating genuine communities.

Peter York, Social Commentator & Author: The voice of reason – think beyond the ghastly marketing language of Build to Rent; creating communities is hard work! Oh and never include a laminate floor in a development, you’re only one step away from a prison.

Over cocktails and canapés in the courtyard afterwards, feedback was heartening:

“It is hard to think of an industry event that dares to treat the audience to such a spectrum of impressions, from the very tangible to the quite philosophical.”

Karl Kalcher, MindFolio Ltd

 “ Thoughtful and provocative. An imaginative, eclectic cast of speakers who have left me with a lot to think about. We need to have more conversations like this and then put these great ideas into practice.”

Andrei Popovici, Real estate developer, UK & US

 “Brave and stimulating. We in the construction and property industry need to connect with the people we are designing and building homes and CLOSE was truly mind expanding.”

 Nick Riley, Whittam Cox Architects

 For more information on CLOSE: Build to Rent & The New Community, key takeaways, the speakers and details of the next event, please contact Naomi Cleaver on contact@naomicleaver.com or visit http://naomicleaver.com/of Phillippa Hardman on 020 8789 9600 or visit http://www.rawcorporatehealth.com/.

Stylish staycations: How to style your UK holiday home to maximize summer rental returns

Stylish staycations: How to style your UK holiday home to maximize summer rental returns

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom ,
  • Stylish holiday homes can command higher rents (Alexander James Interior Design)
  • Owners need to focus on practicality as well as style
  • Fabulous photographs are key to attracting higher paying holidaymakers

Holidaymakers are more likely to rent a property if it looks good, so it’s important to take care when furnishing and styling a holiday home in order to maximize its rental income potential.

However, the experts at Alexander James Interior Design point out that practicality is a key consideration too:

“When considering the décor of your holiday let, you need to think not only of the appeal of the interior décor but also the practicalities of it. It needs to be easy to maintain. Paint is much easier to clean and touch up than wallpaper, wood/laminate/tiled floors rather than carpet.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

According to the Alexander James team, there are 10 things that holidaymakers are looking for from a rental property:

  1. Are dogs are allowed? There are plenty of people with dogs in the UK who want to take their furry friend away with them.
  2. Nice linen. The White Company bed linen and towels, with wool throws and cushions is ideal.
  3. Tech. That includes iPod docs, Sonos sound systems and TVs with freeview and Netflix.
  4. Wi-Fi. This is a non-negotiable in this day and age.
  5. Kitchen comforts. Holidays should be about relaxation and doing as little as possible, so dishwashers, Nespresso machines and the like are rapidly becoming essential.
  6. Good quality china and glassware. Chipped and scratched Ikea white plates won’t cut it!
  7. Parking
  8. Outside space. This should ideally include a BBQ area with plentiful seating.
  9. Comfy mattresses.
  10. A welcome hamper. These are becoming increasingly common, with guests expecting a few essentials upon arrival (wine, bread, milk and butter as a bare minimum).

Owners who can tick off all ten of these are onto a winning combination, but their work still isn’t done.

“Think about your furniture layouts. Is it a two bedroom cottage that sleeps four? Then make sure you have enough seating in the lounge for four people without it being overcrowded.

“Bedrooms that you can change from two single beds that can be zipped together to create a double are very appealing to potential renters, as this provides greater flexibility. And certainly don’t just use old bits of missed matched furniture left over from you home that you would otherwise throw out!”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

Styling a holiday let as a boutique-style retreat that looks amazing in photographs will set it apart from the competition and enable its owners to charge a higher rent.

Therefore, when taking photographs of a holiday property, it’s important to use props to stage it. For example, don’t just take a picture of the bathroom – first light candles around a bubble-filled bath, add a few designer beauty products and place a stack of big, fluffy white towels in the shot. In the kitchen, dress the table with cream teas. Beds are a quick win here too – use plush-looking linen, throws and cushions, then add a breakfast tray complete with croissants, jam and fresh orange juice.

The key is for owners to ensure that anyone viewing the photographs will instantly be able to imagine themselves in the property. Those lacking in inspiration can look at holiday let websites like Unique Homestays and Boutique Retreats for ideas on how to style their photographs. The Alexander James Interior Design team would also be happy to help!

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk, email info@aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

A sacred conversion – Bellis Homes brings Grade II listed convent school house back to life

A sacred conversion – Bellis Homes brings Grade II listed convent school house back to life

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom ,

A recent survey undertaken by RICS and YouGov identified that 9 out of 10 British people think that historic buildings are a symbol of national heritage, with 89% believing it is of a high importance to protect them.

Mill Hill in Barnet, North London is home to several historic buildings worthy of protection. One of London’s hidden gems, oozing with historic flavor, the village-cum-suburb of Mill Hill is ideally situated between Finchley and Edgware and is said to be the London district most influenced by the Christian faith.

This Christian influence can be clearly seen in the historic Rosary Manor Estate in the heart of Mill Hill village.

An altered house of late 17th-century origin, Rosary Manor was purchased by The Sisters of Charity St Vincent in 1887 and expanded it into a convent. The neighbouring St Vincent’s Roman Catholic School opened in 1896 and was run until 2007.

Now, the abandoned schoolhouse and West Lodge (a detached property left in a dilapidated state) is set to be brought back into use by luxury housebuilder Bellis Homes through the development of 11 high quality apartments and a detached house for completion in 2018.

As well as being a Grade II Listed building, the Rosary Manor Estate is ideally located within the Green Belt, the North Barnet Area of Special Character and Mill Hill Conservation Area.

It is understood that Charles II often visited the estate in the 16th century to shoot on the grounds and on Milespit-Hill, there is the non-denominational Mill Hill cemetery which was formerly known as the ‘Paddington District Cemetery’ where the iconic 1960’s pop singer Billy Fury is buried!

“We are seeing more and more clients interested in converted historical properties and the stunning architectural qualities they carry. They want all the charm and character of an older property yet all the convenience and amenities of a new build home. Rosary Manor offers the best of both worlds and with such stunning views out across green fields to London and rich history, we know this conversion will be in high demand.”

Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes

The 11 apartments range between 1 and 3 bedrooms and between 1,800 sqft and 4,000sqft. Bellis Homes has submitted a further application to provide roof terraces on several of the units which will offer spectacular views across the Mill Hill countryside towards the City of London.

In addition to this, Rosary Manor residents will also be able to enjoy large communal grounds, architectural detail, high ceilings and allocated parking spaces. Mill Hill East underground station is close by served by the Northern Line and Mill Hill Broadway station also easily accessible making the location perfect for those who want the balance city and countryside living.

Apartments at Rosary Manor are available from £1.1 million – £4 million, for more information, contact Bellis Homes on 01279 424 733 or visit www.bellishomes.co.uk.

Make a splash this summer in the Venice of the North with the brand new Royal Canal Works

Make a splash this summer in the Venice of the North with the brand new Royal Canal Works

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom ,
  • Manchester house prices predicted to grow 28.2% by 2021 (Hometrack)
  • Around 4,000 jobs set to be created in the Manchester region over the next 5 years (Savills)
  • Up to 25% boost in house prices from the restoration of canals (Canal & River Trust)
  • Waterside living in Manchester from just £105,000 (Surrenden Invest)

Growing faster than any other city in the UK, it is predicted that house prices in Manchester will grow by an impressive 28.2% by 2021 according to Hometrack.

In addition to residential property growth, Manchester is expected to see faster office-based growth employment than Greater London and all key UK regional cities over the next five years reports Savills.

Increasing demands from a range of sectors such as media and technology are estimated to create around 4,000 jobs in the Manchester region over the next 10 years, with demand for housing also rising in line with this progression.

With one of the highest population densities outside the capital, living space within Manchester is at a premium forcing housebuilders to seek alternative areas of the city within which to build new homes.

Known as the “Venice of the North” due to its miles of canals (including the 36-mile long, 19th century Manchester Ship Canal which at the time was the largest river navigation canal in the world), Manchester holds a long and affectionate history with its waterways and now views them as pivotal to the making of the city once again.

Millions have been spent on clearing and restoring Manchester’s waterways, enabling formerly derelict canal side land to be put back into use thus creating communities with space, leisure activities and high living standards.

Indeed, a report by Dr Nicholas Falk for URBED found that the urban waterfront is a vital part of national heritage and the Canal and River Trust suggest that property values can be boosted by as much as 25% from the restoration of canals.

“Waterfront living provides welcome breathing space for people living in overcrowded communities. Living on a canal has and always will hold great appeal; the calming nature of being close to the water combined with the leisure activities available makes homes such as those at Royal Canal Works a true urban oasis.”

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director, Surrenden Invest

Royal Canal Works, available through leading investment agency Surrenden Invest, is a brand-new canal side development adjacent to the tranquil suburb of Choltorn – one of the most sought after areas to live in southern Manchester.

A stunning contemporary collection of 43 beautifully appointed one and two bedroom apartments with private terraces and waterfront views, Royal Canal Works offers architecturally landscaped gardens and a courtyard along with secure parking and CCTV.

Being just 15 minutes from the city centre, Royal Canal Works boasts city standard living but all of the perks of life in the suburbs. The apartments are expected to be highly prized by families and young professionals who have been priced out of the city centre but are not prepared to compromise their standard of accommodation.

Apartments are available from just £105,000 with an attractive 6% NET yield. For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

Property buyers increasingly drawn to Liverpool’s magnetic North

Property buyers increasingly drawn to Liverpool’s magnetic North

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom ,
  • Liverpool named top place to invest in the UK with up to 8% NET yields (Private Finance)
  • Liverpool offers low average rents and house prices (Private Finance)
  • Eldon Grove, offering 7% NET yield for 2 years, attracting investors to north Liverpool (Aspen Woolf)

More and more property investors have been steering towards the north for great investment opportunities.

Latest research by mortgage brokers Private Finance has revealed Liverpool to be the next hotspot for property buyers, naming it the best place in the UK to invest.

The study also found that Liverpool can offer net yields of up to 8% once mortgage costs are taken into account. Not only does the Northern Powerhouse city benefit from such attractive returns but it also boasts low average house prices (£122,283) and strong rents (£1,021 pcm).

Indeed, Liverpool is proving to be a promising market in all aspects with the recently appointed Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, calling for the government to prioritise rail investment in the north by committing to building the HS3 rail link, also known as Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Other recent investment in Liverpool’s connectivity is already yielding positive results as the city’s extremely popular cruise terminal broke records on its 10-year anniversary this month contributing £1.5 boost to Liverpool’s tourism economy.

Further reports also stand testament to Liverpool’s magnetic appeal with the city experiencing a boom in the buy-to-let market as demand for quality rental accommodation continues to vastly outweigh supply.

The Mistoria Group revealed a surge of tenant demand at 19% year on year with an average of 6.6 tenants chasing every shared room of a new rental property in the city. A trend also being seen by leading buy-to-let investment agency, Aspen Woolf.

“We are seeing no end of interest in the Liverpool investment market with over 70% of all enquires are for the city. Whilst the city centre remains popular, we are seeing more and more investors being drawn to the northern areas such as Vauxhall where prices are lower yet demand and rental returns remain high. Our Eldon Grove project in the heart of Vauxhall is just that and with a 2-year guarantee of 7% NET rental income, it really is a market-leading investment opportunity”

Oliver Ramsden, Founder & Director, Aspen Woolf

 

Eldon Grove provided some of the best pre-war social housing built by Liverpool city council, setting a new standard for the whole country which it was officially opened by the Countess of Derby in 1912. The layout, with its central square, well-maintained garden and bandstand, along with the chocolate-box look, helped create a vibrant community, lifting up some of Liverpool’s poorest residents.

Falling into disrepair, Eldon Grove is now being brought back to life 100 years later. Incorporating three original Grade II-listed blocks alongside three newly built blocks of stylish and contemporary apartments, New Eldon Grove has been carefully designed to preserve the heritage of the site while serving the needs of a new generation. Comprised of 45 apartments including 1,2 and 3 bedroom units, New Eldon Grove is set within peaceful surroundings of inner city Vauxhall (where once the late Cilla Black called home) yet on the edge of the vibrant Liverpool city centre.

Apartments situated in the original blocks have been re-imagined for 21st century living, with fully modernised fitted kitchens and bathrooms, while benefiting from the character of the Tudor buildings, with mullioned bay windows and their own front doors leading from the external walkways.

New Eldon Grove residents will also benefit from a community garden and shared landscaping, as well as parking, bicycle storage and secured entrance hallways. From just £94,950, with ready to rent furniture packs available, New Eldon Grove provides investors with an assured 2-year NET rental of 7%.

For more information, visit http://www.aspenwoolf.co.uk/ or contact Aspen Woolf on +44 203 176 0060.

Aqua Platinum reports boom in home spa market

Aqua Platinum reports boom in home spa market

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
  • Global wellness industry now worth $3.7 trillion per year (Global Wellness Institute)
  • Elite athletes like Andy Murray spreading knowledge of how to achieve wellness
  • Bio-saunas, Russian banyas & aquarium walls hottest at home spa trends for 2017

The Global Wellness Institute reports that the global wellness industry is a $3.7 trillion market and high end swimming pool design and build company Aqua Platinum has revealed that consumers are taking an ever more educated approach to their wellness.

“The wellness and vitality industry has boomed in recent years and as the range of products and experiences on offer has expanded, so too has consumers’ curiosity. As we become more appreciative of the value of wellness to our daily lives, consumers are educating themselves on how best they can take advantage of both ancient traditions and modern technology.”

Aqua Platinum spokesperson

The sauna is a prime example. The centuries-old Finnish concept, present in almost every Finnish home, has long been a favourite of spa-goers in the UK.

Now, increasing numbers of UK homeowners are opting for one as part of a personal suite of spa facilities, along with a plunge pool (maintained at 5-10°C) that they can jump into immediately afterwards, for maximum benefit.

This combining of treatments in order to use them most effectively is catching on. Heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, tennis player Andy Murray and runners Paula Radcliffe and Mo Farah are among several elite athletes who have spoken out about the benefits of ice-cold water on muscles and blood flow.

Consumers are also becoming interested in different sauna styles. While the hot, dry, atmosphere of the Finnish sauna has long been popular, cooler, wetter bio-saunas are now very on trend, along with the Russian banya (a high humidity room that is similar in many ways to a bio-sauna).

“It’s not just about having an indoor pool any more. Those who are committed to their health and wellbeing are opting for saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, plunge pools, experience showers and spa pools with volcano jets and sprays for back, neck and shoulder massage. It’s about blending scientific advances in fields like sports exercise with ancient relaxation wisdom to create the ultimate bespoke vitality experience in your own home.”

Aqua Platinum spokesperson

The mixture of traditions and environments allows for some exciting design elements. Saunas remain simple in their presentation, with wood and natural stone constituting their main elements. Soft lighting is concealed beneath benches and backrests, while fibre optics can provide a delightful twinkly effect in the ceiling.

One more modern design feature that is becoming increasingly popular in home spas as well as many hotel spas is an aquarium wall. According to Allan N. Schwartz, PhD, “fish tanks are a wonderful way to further reduce anxiety and stress” when combined with other stress-busting activities. Aquarium walls are the ideal example of blending ancient relaxation knowledge such as this with modern design techniques.

As the high-end home spa market expands, so too do the range of facilities and treatments that are on offer. It was once enough to have an indoor pool. That’s now only the beginning.

For more information, call 0203 362 0442 or visit www.aquaplatinumprojects.co.uk.

Andalucia attracts the most Spanish house hunters

Andalucia attracts the most Spanish house hunters

by Charlotte Ashton Spain
Andalucia attracts the most buyers of Spanish property, according to new research from TheMoveChannel.com. The portal´s infographic, which compares activity in the last 12 months with two years ago, reveals that Andalucia has overtaken Valencia as the number one place to buy property in Spain.
Andalucia accounted for one in three property enquiries in the 12 months between February 2013 and January 2014, an increase from the previous At a Glance infographic, which saw the region receive 30.84 per cent of enquiries between February 2011 and January 2012. Two years ago, the Community of Valencia dominated enquiries, with a 32.24 per cent share of activity. Now, the region accounts for one in four enquiries (25.41 per cent).
Murcia remains the third most popular area of Spain among house hunters, with its share of enquiries actually increasing over two years from 19.04 per cent to 20.28 per cent.
Together, the three regions show that the buyers still have a clear favourite corner of the country: even though they now prefer the south coast of Spain to the west, buyers are mostly interested in property in the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa de la Luz.
Buyers are also increasingly keen to seek sun and sand away from mainland Spain: the Canary Islands account for 9.48 per cent of enquiries, up from 7.35 per cent to years ago, making them the fourth most popular region of Spain. The Balearic Islands, on the other hand, have seen their share of enquiries fall from 5.13 per cent to 3.59 per cent.
Some things do not change: international buyers still prefer real estate closer to the coast, with even high profile inland areas such as Madrid accounting for just 0.26 per cent of enquiries. Nonetheless, buyer interest is spreading across Spain: apart from six regions, every area of Spain has seen enquiries increase since 2012.
The Valencian Community Valencia continued to dominate property searches, accounting for four of the 10 most looked-for locations, ahead of Andalucia´s three. While Denia and Xabia led the region´s popularity in 2012, though, now Valencia´s appeal is driven by Torrevieja and Benidorm. Torrevieja is the most sought-after city in Spain, attracting 3.15 per cent of searches, ahead of third place Benidorm (1.79 per cent) and seventh place Denia (1.46 per cent). Estepona was the second most sought-after location, while Marbella was the target of the fourth highest number of searches (2.26 per cent).
Catalonia, Castile and León and Murcia all made it into the top 10 searched-for locations, with El Raso enjoying the biggest rise in searches. The city accounted for no searches whatsoever two years ago, but now makes up 1.51 per cent of searches on TheMoveChannel.com, as buyers look all over the Costa Blanca for bargains.
The infographic also records search behaviour from property buyers on Google. Over the past two years, internet searches for “property in Spain” have multiplied by an average of eight times. Buyers now prefer to search for “property in Spain” rather than “Spanish property”, although the latter also saw the number of searches rise by an average of 50 per cent. “Houses for sale in Spain” remain the most searched-for type of property.
Editor Ivan Radford:
“What a difference two years makes. Our second in a series of “Two Years On” infographics shows that buyers of Spanish property remain committed to the Costas, but are starting to look further south. Interestingly, Andalucia, which received the highest number of enquiries, is also the area of Spain with the most property listings on TheMoveChannel.com. The average price of a two-bed apartment in Valencia is cheaper, at £104,240 compared to £278,111 in Andalucia, which suggests that quality is perhaps being prioritised over value, with Estepona and Marbella some of the most popular places to buy.
“With the majority of regions all enjoying rising numbers of enquiries and Google searches for ‘property in Spain’ soaring 800 per cent, TheMoveChannel.com´s infographic paints a brighter picture of a property market compared to two years ago, where low prices are attracting more buyers – and a hint of a widespread recovery may be beginning to appear.”
Click here to see the full infographic.
 
 
Notes to Editors
Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 800,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.
The website address ishttp://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.
Lettings agents charging £210m in tenant fees each year

Lettings agents charging £210m in tenant fees each year

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Following yesterday’s vote by MPs to reject a ban on letting agent fees to tenants and the government’s announcement regarding greater transparency of fees, research by the UK’s largest online letting agent sheds light on just how urgently the reform is needed, including how £210 million is charged by agents to tenants in fees each year.

Last month Upad asked 740 tenants who had recently moved about their experiences. They found that a third rated high street lettings agents as either ‘poor’ or ‘terrible’ and only a third rated their experience ‘good’.
On average, those tenants surveyed had been charged £210 in “admin” fees. With over 1 million tenancies created in the UK each year, tenants are being charged at least £210 million in “admin” fees. Many agents charge further renewal fees on the anniversary of the tenancy.

The research also revealed that half of all tenants were not made aware of the costs of letting before they viewed a property and that 70% had not met their landlord before moving in.

The importance of today’s announcements was further highlighted by the research’s additional findings, which revealed that 29% of tenants think getting rid of the administration, reservation and contract writing fees charged by agents is the No.1 element they would change about renting. A further 19% said the cost of renting was the most important issue. The third most important issue, highlighted by some 17% of respondents, was ‘poor agents’.

“Our research shows that the high fees charged by letting agents to tenants are seen by many of today’s ‘generation rent’ as unacceptable, particularly given the already high costs of paying rent and providing deposits upfront.” says James Davis, founder and CEO of.

The company, which lets over 1,000 properties a month and enables landlords to manage their properties directly, offers the services of a traditional high street lettings agent but at a fraction of the cost for both tenants and landlords.

Note: Amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill voted on yesterday in parliament and tabled by Labour follows last year’s OFT reports into the lettings industry which examined nearly 4,000 complaints by landlords and tenants about letting agents. Some 30% of these complaints were about fees and charges while 23% were complaints about poor service from agents.

Links:
OFT Report: http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/markets-work/lettings/oft1479.pdf

Notes to editors
Upad has taken the traditional high street lettings agent model and deconstructed it. Like the dating and travel categories before it, Upad empowers the customer with all the tools and support they need to self-manage their properties. Upad.co.uk offers immediate cost savings over using a traditional agent and offers landlords the largest online property distribution platform, ensuring extensive exposure for their properties – thereby maximising tenant leads. Tenants find a great choice of properties from professional landlords, and are treated openly and fairly throughout.

In September 2013, Upad reached its 6,000th transacted landlord and continues to grow exponentially every quarter as it drives true change in the lettings market.

Positive Portugal: Buyer confidence up as new property show announced

Positive Portugal: Buyer confidence up as new property show announced

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

The newly released RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey has recorded a positive rise in buyer confidence in the Portuguese housing market, as well as property sales in the country, showing that Brits are again looking to European shores when buying property overseas.

  • Growing interest in Portuguese property from prospective buyers; rise in number of properties sold (RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey)
  • The Overseas Property Show Friday 16th to Monday 19th May 2014 at National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
  • Tony and Belle Birkbeck, from Epsom, Surrey, recognise benefits of visiting show and bought in Portugal

The Survey, which covers estate agents and developers who operate in the Portuguese residential sales market, highlighted a growing interest from buyers in property for sale in the country, with increasing numbers of new buyer enquiries. Not only this, but the survey also revealed that there had been a moderate rise in the numbers of properties sold in the country as well as steady activity in the lettings market.   Having been party to the downturn in the global housing market, these are all positive signs that the industry is again on the up, reflected also in the announcement of a new property show in the UK, focussing on the options available to buy in key overseas markets including Portugal.

The Overseas Property Show, taking place from 16th – 19th May at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham will give people the chance to find out about the types of properties being offered on foreign shores and will see a host of overseas property experts on hand to answer any questions about purchasing property overseas.   The show will provide important assistance on every aspect associated with buying outside of the UK, from currency to mortgages to legal requirements, providing advice for those considering purchasing as an investment option, holiday home or even for relocation reasons.

Chris White, Director of The Overseas Property Show, explains,   “The fact that prices remain affordable in many overseas markets, yet with increasing buyer confidence, means that now is a fantastic time to look at buying that dream home abroad. We hope that through The Overseas Property Show, those considering making such a purchase, for whatever reason – be it personal or financial – will feel empowered through the knowledge that they gain after talking to our experts. Our aim is to make the process easy and stress-free, and the Property Show educational and fun!”

Covering the popular markets of Portugal, Spain, Italy and Florida in the US, The Overseas Property Show will also offer visitors the chance to learn about the types of apartments and villas available in the locations covered and the property bargains on offer, starting at as little as €79,000.

Tony and Belle Birkbeck, from Epsom in Surrey, know only too well the benefits of visiting a property show, having purchased their perfect overseas home after visiting an exhibition in London last year. The couple bought a holiday home in Portugal after holidaying there for many years and deciding they wanted their own bolt-hole in the sun to escape to for rest and relaxation.   Tony explains how a visit to a property show helped them to make their dream a reality,

“I wasn’t really thinking about buying a holiday home but watching ‘A Place in the Sun’ with my wife got the cogs turning. Out of the blue I got an email regarding a property show in London and as I happened to be in London when the show was on we set off to see what is was all about.

“We ended up buying through Ideal Homes International who were incredibly helpful. From meeting the staff from at the show who started our journey of finding the perfect property, the whole of the team has shown a professional and accommodating manner throughout. We are over the moon with our new home!”

Ideal Homes International will be one of the companies represented at The Overseas Property Show and tickets for the event are free. Open into the evening, from 10.30am until 7.00pm (6.00pm on the Monday), there is plenty of opportunity to visit the show, which is being held in the Museum’s ‘Bracebridge Suite’.

To reserve free tickets for The Overseas Property Show, call 0800 133 7644 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com or for more information, visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com 

Relax to the max in Latin America with wellness tourism on the rise

Relax to the max in Latin America with wellness tourism on the rise

by Charlotte Ashton Belize

Latin America is set to steam ahead in the coming years with its share of the ‘wellness’ tourism industry, according to new figures released by the Global Wellness Tourism Congress (GWTC), part of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI).

  • Latin American wellness tourism to grow by 13.4% annually (Global Wellness Tourism Congress)
  • Region’s market share predicted to reach $42billion
  • Baymen Resort and Spa in Belize is a luxury hotel focussed on relaxation and rejuvenation 

The figures, from the ‘Global Wellness Tourism Economy Report’ which monitors the growth of this increasing sector, reveal that Latin America (a region that covers Mexico/the Caribbean and Central and South America) is on the up, with a notable 13.4% annual growth predicted until 2017. These figures put Latin America behind only the Middle East in terms of wellness tourism growth, outperforming the long-established regions of the US and Germany, on track to record just 5% annual growth, as well as the predicted global average of 9.9%.

 

Wellness tourism is described as ‘all travel associated with enhancing one´s personal well-being’ and can encompass aspects such as spas, retreats, fitness facilities, yoga and beauty. It is a large part of the travel industry, currently taking up one in every seven tourist dollars, and sure to be a sector to watch for continued future growth as people work longer hours and focus their free time increasingly on relaxation and rejuvenation.

 

Taking Latin America’s market share to a predicted $42billion, one resort that is certain to enhance this figure is The Baymen Resort and Spa in the Cayo region of Belize. This luxurious rainforest resort has ‘wellness’ at its heart and features a sumptuous spa with infinity pool and hot tub, fed by stunning natural Maya spring pools and waterfall.

 

The Baymen’s eco-credentials are also central to its feeling of wellbeing, with the majority of the lodge sitting amongst the rainforest canopy, and an infinity pool that appears to float like a tablet of water suspended in mid-air, allowing guests to feel as though they are truly part of nature, making it easy to unwind.

 

Wolf Worster, MD of Wolf Wörster Associates, Inc, the global property consultancy specialising in the sale and rental of ultra-luxury villas in some of the world’s most sought-after locations, who are marketing The Baymen, explains,

 

“With the everyday stresses of modern life getting increasingly intense, it is no surprise that wellness tourism is on the up and with a great deal to offer the discerning traveller searching for true relaxation, it is easy to see why Latin America’s slice of this market is growing too. Belize is one location that is rich in ‘wellness’ attributes – a warm and sunny climate, a wealth of natural features, amazing wildlife – and it is these factors combined with the development’s focus on luxurious relaxation and revitalisation that make The Baymen the perfect wellness retreat.”

 

With a choice of deluxe suites or two-bed suites available, each individual residence encompasses the notion of old world colonial charm, with four-poster beds, the highest quality finishes, stunning bathrooms with indoor and outdoor shower areas, and a large outside deck, all utilising natural materials of the highest specification.

 

Investing in a property at The Baymen provides above-average potential to benefit from the growing wellness tourism market, but also the opportunity to use the hotel, or Belize Ocean Club (one of the other properties in the Wolf Wörster Associates, Inc collection) for 30 days personal use annually.

 

To find out more about The Baymen Lodge and Spa, visit www.thebaymen.com or contact Wolf Wörster Associates, Inc on free-phone 0808 169 6526 or  info@thebaymen.com

 

To discover Belize Ocean Club, which is part of the 30 days personal use, visit www.belizeoceanclub.com