The sky’s the limit! FDI set to pour into Turkey as national carrier unveils new UAE flights

by Charly Turkey Universal21

Turkish Airlines increase number of daily flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai
New direct flight routes make Istanbul more desirable as property investment location (Universal21)
Istanbul New Airport to generate over 200 new routes flying to 350 worldwide destinations

Turkish Airlines has launched daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul, almost doubling the weekly flight frequency from four to seven services. The winner of the ‘Best Airline in Europe’ award at the 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Turkey’s leading carrier has also unveiled additional flights to Dubai, increasing its capacity on routes to the most populous city in the UAE by nearly 50%.

A bold move that indicates growing confidence in the market, strengthening the direct flight routes between Istanbul and the UAE will inevitably support direct investment routes between the two nations, increasing foreign direct investment (FDI).

Establishing a greater physical connection between Istanbul and central cities within the UAE could create an array of opportunities for potential investors looking to Turkey, particularly in relation to the country’s thriving property market. Additional flights suggest an increase in demand and with holiday and business travel to Istanbul growing, so too will its attraction as a viable investment destination.

Adil Yaman, Director of Universal 21, the largest management company based in Istanbul, is confident in Turkey’s blossoming relationship with the UAE and all it has to offer both parties. He comments,

“We speak with potential investors from UAE nations on a regular basis and would expect their interest in Istanbul’s housing market to continue to grow throughout this year. The new direct flight routes make Turkey, and Istanbul especially, far more accessible to these nations and therefore even more desirable as a property investment location.”

Istanbul Ataturk Airport, the home hub for national carrier, Turkish Airlines, is now Europe’s third busiest airport according to the latest traffic figures released by anna.aero, a leading provider of airline network news and analysis. Their data for 2015 revealed that Istanbul Ataturk’s passenger numbers have grown by a colossal 164% since 2007.

This significant increase of activity at Istanbul Ataturk is paving the way for the construction of Istanbul’s aptly named New Airport, set to become one of the biggest and busiest international airports in the world. Once the fourth and final phase of construction is finished in 2028 it will boast six runways, generate over 200 new routes with flights to 350 destinations and an annual capacity of 200 million passengers, more than double that of Dubai International Airport’s 2015 record of 78 million passengers.

As the only city in the world to occupy two continents, Istanbul’s location will allow the New Airport to serve as the biggest interchange between Europe and Asia. Adil Yaman, believes that this location is key to Istanbul’s increasing popularity, he explains more,

“Istanbul’s prime location will enable the new airport to prosper as an international hub, connecting the East with the West in one outstanding structure that offers world class service and amenities. Transport links to the area of the new airport are excellent and do not suffer from the common congestion found in central areas of Istanbul. This makes property in districts like the middle class neighbourhood of Beylikdüzü even more attractive to investors. As Istanbul becomes even more accessible to a global audience, we would expect the building of this new airport to spark a heightened interest in the investment opportunities available in the city.”

Universal21’s most recent development is the Crest Plaza Residence, situated in the Beylikdüzü area of Istanbul. Crest Plaza Residence is well-located for both transport links and amenities, with the beach just a ten-minute drive away and Ataturk airport and Istanbul’s New Airport only a 20 minute drive away.

Formed of two blocks of 11 floors and a total of 199 apartments, Crest Plaza Residence boasts a wide range of facilities including fitness centre, swimming pool, Turkish bath, steam room, sauna, health club, cinema room, meeting room, BBQ terrace, games room, library and children’s playground.

Starting at £60,000, a range of spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments are available, with the additional choice of duplex roof apartments. All either overlook the landscaped gardens or a newly appointed park soon to be completed and the project also has the benefit of 24-hour security.

For more information about Universal21, visit www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.

It’s time to go mad for buy-to-lets in Madrid!

by Charly Spain Kyero

Madrid property prices down 18.35% in a single year (Kyero.com)
Rents up by 6.3% (Fotocasa)
Madrid is most liquid market of Spain’s big cities (Tinsa)

Leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents, has highlighted Madrid as one of Spain’s most exciting property markets for overseas property buyers.

Martin Dell, Kyero.com’s Director, explains,

“We’re seeing a really unique situation in Madrid right now, with a range of factors combining to make the city a particularly exciting prospect for those looking to purchase a holiday home that’s also an investment. Not only can they benefit from owning a second home for their own use in this vibrant and exciting city, but the prospects for renting it out are excellent.”

Madrid’s property market has been on its own particular rollercoaster ride of late. In 2015, Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index placed Spain’s capital second in Europe for luxury home price growth. Tinsa went on to report in late 2015 that Madrid had the most liquid market of Spain’s five largest cities, with the average property taking just 6.1 months to sell (by way of comparison, it was 14.3 months in Valencia).

However, according to the latest Madrid market report from data.kyero.com, home values in Madrid are down 18.35% on the same time last year, having fallen to a median price of €445,000 in February 2016.

The fall in prices means that Madrid’s property market is offering a great deal more for the money than it was a year ago, and for buyers paying in sterling the ongoing strength of the pound against the euro paints an even more positive picture.

At the same time as prices have fallen in Madrid, rents have been on the rise, increasing by 6.3% in the year to November 2015, according to Fotocasa , and positioning Madrid as the second most expensive place to rent in the country.

Lowered prices and higher rents are a great combination for those looking for a holiday home that they can also rent out and Madrid is offering the perfect storm of these factors, making now the ideal time to purchase a buy-to-let.

Low prices also mean the potential for capital growth, a situation which David Beckham enjoyed when he sold his Madrid mansion in 2015, making a £1 million profit in the eight years since he bought it.

While Becks might have sold up and moved on, those buying property in Madrid still have the chance to rub shoulders with plenty of other celebrities, including clusters of Real Madrid players who have adopted the La Finca and La Moraleja areas of the city as their home turf. Research from Promora has shown that owning a modern and spacious home is top of the priority list so far as Real Madrid players are concerned, followed by a quiet and private location, a house with top security measures and space for a home gym.

Professional footballers’ budgets may be a little higher than for most of those buying a second home, but the wealth of property available in Madrid certainly provides plenty of choice, regardless of how much a buyer has available to spend. At least, it does for those buyers who are prepared to act fast and take advantage of the city’s lowered prices, before they start to rise again!

For further details on properties to buy and rent in Madrid and other parts of Spain, visit www.kyero.com. For the latest data on the state of the Spanish property market, visit https://data.kyero.com.

How Lead Galaxy helped Shankly Hotel score major sales success

by Charly United Kingdom LeadGalaxy, TheMoveChannel

Real estate marketing specialist Lead Galaxy helped a hotel in Liverpool score a major success and sell out in a matter of months.

The football-themed Shankly Hotel, named after the famous manager Bill Shankly, features a mix of suites and studios, boasting 50-inch TVs, whirlpool spa baths and free Wi-Fi, plus a gym, a 500-capacity conference centre and a museum containing Shankly memorabilia from his career in the 60s and 70s. It has been so well received that it has been ranked Liverpool’s number one hotel on TripAdvisor since opening in 2015.

The rooms, with an average selling price of £95,000 and guaranteed 10.5 per cent return over 10 years, were snapped up by investors in 22 different countries, led by the UK, Europe and South East Asia.

Lead Galaxy teamed up with site owner Signature Living, trusted local market specialist Ascot property and lead sales agent United Property to help sell out all 93 units.

Using a variety of digital channels to provide high quality leads to the agents selling the project, Lead Galaxy had an immediate impact when it kicked off its marketing activity in April 2015.

Over six months, Lead Galaxy generated a total of 982 leads and 25 sales. Campaigns through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google AdWords, Bing ads, email, portal listings and phone calls all contributed to the winning performance, with a conversion rate of 2.55 per cent.

OPP Ventures, which the company acquired in 2014, also distributed the project to industry players, signing up 112 agents in 40 countries.

“Our role is to amplify the success of the sales agents we work with, fuelling them with high quality leads to convert into deals,” explains Dan Johnson, CEO of Lead Galaxy. “In 2016, we plan to work with more agents in different markets and languages, so we can increase the speed, shorten the project timeframe and relentlessly scale our virtual sales capacity.”

“Having a trusted team that takes care of the sales and marketing means that there’s much more time to focus on delivering a ¬first-class guest experience, which is what I’m most passionate about,” comments Lawrence Kenwright, owner of Signature Living. “The Shankly has been a great success – so much so that we’re moving our offices from the hotel to create another 30 rooms!”

To see a full infographic breaking down the Shankly Hotel’s sales, visit http://tinyurl.com/shanklyhotel.

For more details on Lead Galaxy’s range of marketing services, visit www.leadgalaxy.com.

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

Founded in 1999, www.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.

TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.

Gulf buyers lead the way as Turkey’s foreign housing market soars

by Charly Turkey

House sales to foreigners in Turkey increased by 20.4% in 2015 compared to previous year (TurkStat)
Gulf buyers top the list, accounting for 39.5% of total overseas sales (TurkStat)
Foreign housing market predicted to grow 5%-6% this year (The Association of Real Estate Investment Companies in Turkey)

According to the latest figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), house sales to foreigners increased by a remarkable 20.4% in 2015 compared to the previous year and it is buyers from the Arab Gulf nations that are at the front of the queue for properties.

Responsible for a substantial 39.5% of all sales to international buyers, the top three nations investing in Turkey’s real estate today have been revealed as Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Iraqi citizens purchased the highest proportion, with a total of 4,228 sales, significantly more than any other nation, with Saudi residents ranking second with 2,704 sales. This renewed influx of Gulf buyers highlights Turkey’s ever growing appeal as a hotspot for property investment.

With savvy international buyers looking to Turkey, it is the city of Istanbul that is currently attracting the greatest amount of attention. Istanbul claimed the number one spot as the province with the most sales to foreign buyers in 2015, with a substantial 34.3% increase on the previous year’s figures.

Adil Yaman, Director of Universal 21, the largest management company based in Istanbul, comments,

“2015 was a strong year for international sales in the Istanbul property market and we are confident that the trend will continue throughout this year. Whilst buyers from Gulf States have long been the top nationality purchasing properties within our Istanbul projects, we have seen a recent spark of interest from the region as they recognise the extensive opportunities the city has to offer. We expect these nations to lead sales once again in 2016.”

The Association of Real Estate Investment Companies in Turkey (GYODER) is also predicting a prosperous 2016, with a 5%-6% growth indicated for foreign real estate sales in Turkey this year. Demonstrating that international demand for Turkish property is only growing stronger, and with key Gulf nations leading the way in investment, the future is incredibly bright.

Situated in the Beylikdüzü district of Istanbul, Crest Plaza Residence recently launched by Universal21 offers an ideal investment opportunity for 2016. Just a 20 minute drive from Ataturk international airport, the new third airport, and a few minutes from six universities, The Tuyap exhibition centre and the seaside, Crest Plaza Residence is well located for both transport links and amenities.

The development offers spacious living and benefits from an array of facilities that include a fitness centre, swimming pool, Turkish bath, steam room, sauna, and health club. With a range of large sized one, two and duplex apartments, prices start from just £60,000. A continual huge demand for rental properties in this area and ever increasing prices makes this is a very attractive step into the Istanbul market and in one of the fastest growth areas currently in the World.

For more information about Universal21, visit www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.

Completed 3 bed Spanish properties emerge as ideal holiday home for 2016

by Charly Spain Taylor Wimpey Espana

Popularity of three bedroom properties set to increase in 2016 (Aliseda Inmobiliaria)
There is a demand within the Spanish market for a finished property product (Samuel Población, CBRE)
Taylor Wimpey España launch new 3-bed Marina Golf development in Mallorca

The ideal holiday home for 2016 has been revealed with the release of new Spanish market analysis by Aliseda Inmobiliaria. The company, experts in the management of Spanish real estate assets, have shown that 2016 will be the year for the three bed property, as part of their ’10 Real Estate Trends for 2016’.

The study, highlighting the top trends for Spain’s housing market this year, has revealed that more and more people are looking for this size of property in this popular second home destination as it provides an added sense of luxury, saying “the feeling of luxury begins with space”.

This desire for additional space has led to an influx of construction activity in Spain, with the New Year sparking numerous new project launches. According to a survey by CBRE, this year will see more than twice the number of homes being built than in the past two years combined. The majority of the survey respondents believe that this will be in the region of between 100,000 and 175,000 units, a figure significantly higher than the 35,000 construction starts in 2014.

Samuel Población, National Director of CBRE Residential in Spain, believes that the type of property ‘on trend’ for 2016 can be defined further still. He says that “there is demand for the finished product [inspiring] active promoters to produce new housing.” This certainly appears to be the case as the Spanish property market is set for a remarkable transformation.

With the ideal holiday home for 2016 emerging as a finished, 3 bedroom property, leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España is answering this growing market demand, by launching a new development of their own on the beautiful island of Mallorca.

The new Marina Golf residential complex is a Mediterranean style village consisting solely of spacious, 3 bedroom properties all with private terraces, gardens and private parking spaces. In the communal area there is a swimming pool, for the exclusive use of owners, surrounded by a solarium area with views over the golf course and a large communal garden.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, believes this increase in construction is a positive indication for the market’s growing success and is excited about all the new project has to offer. He comments,

“With the demand for Spanish property regaining momentum and set to thrive in 2016, we are thrilled to be expanding our offering in Mallorca. We have definitely experienced a growth of interest both in mainland Spain and Mallorca, especially in relation to our three bedroom properties. They often provide additional space, both interior and exterior, which offers buyers a greater sense of luxury and ultimately freedom with how the property can be used. This is fantastic for families and for those looking to have friends come and stay.”

Every townhouse on the Marina Golf complex has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, with air conditioning, under floor heating in the bathrooms, double-glazing, a security door, TV aerial and satellite dish. In order to ensure the maximum amount of light, the properties are southwest facing and have several terrace areas so the sun can be enjoyed for most of the day. All the properties also have large gardens where you can enjoy sunny Mallorca days and warm Mediterranean evenings.

Marina Golf benefits from an idyllic location, surrounded by some of the top golf clubs on the island including Golf Santa Ponsa I, II and III, which are right next to the development, as well as Golf de Andratx, Golf de Poniente and Bendinat Golf. It is also near the coast, in an area dotted with beautiful coves and beaches and some of the island’s most exclusive marinas such as the Puerto Adriano, designed by Philippe Starck, which is just 1.5 km away and has a wide variety of elegant bars and restaurants and some of the most exclusive designer stores.

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

Last homes available at Emerald Gardens as Wembley Park proves a hit with Londoners

by Charly United Kingdom Quintain

Only 25 apartments remaining at Emerald Gardens
Brand new development just 12 minutes from central London by Tube
Part of the vibrant Wembley Park lifestyle destination
Outside space found to be one of most popular selling points

Developer Quintain is delighted with the popularity of its homes at Emerald Gardens, the latest new apartments to be delivered by the developer at London’s Wembley Park. The final allocation of apartments was released at the start of 2016 and Quintain has seen strong interest from owner-occupiers looking to purchase and move into their new homes within a matter of weeks. The first completions are expected in spring 2016.

Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at Quintain, comments:

“Emerald Gardens has proven particularly popular with Londoners looking for contemporary homes in the capital. We are delighted to offer the final allocation of homes, launching in spring 2016, giving would-be residents a range of options, from tranquil apartments overlooking the courtyard and gardens, to stylish residences for those wanting a view of Wembley Stadium’s iconic arch along with the all buzz and excitement that Wembley Park has to offer.”

The final 25 apartments include studios, one and two bedroom homes. The differing sizes and aspects epitomise the level of choice that Quintain has sought to introduce at all stages of the development: Wembley Park offers something for everyone.

Not only are the apartments ideally positioned for access to central London (Baker Street is 12 minutes away on the Underground, Bond Street and King’s Cross 19 minutes), but they also enjoy an impressive setting within Wembley Park. The area is fast becoming London’s most sought after new district, with residential accommodation balanced perfectly by shopping and leisure facilities. The SSE Arena, Wembley Stadium* and the popular London Designer Outlet shopping centre, complete with nine screen cinema, mean that entertainment options abound.

Emerald Gardens is at the forefront Wembley Park’s accommodation offering. Almost an acre of landscaped greenery surrounds the modern apartments, bringing a green haven into the big city for residents’ enjoyment. The grounds benefit from architecturally designed landscaping, with peaceful areas including mature trees and a water feature, in a nod to Wembley Park’s green and leafy Victorian past.

The stylish homes at Emerald Gardens are available from £305,000 and benefit from a 24 hour concierge service, cinema room, club lounge and private gym (opening autumn 2016). Underground parking and, for residents at Cedar House, the option of additional secure storage space in the ground floor, are available at additional cost.

Quintain’s work at Wembley Park has spanned over a decade, breathing new life into the area and building a thriving community as well as homes, leisure facilities and other amenities. The chance to purchase one of the last remaining homes at Emerald Gardens is not expected to last for long, given the speed with which the apartments have been snapped up to date.

Quintain’s Paul Hogarth continues:

“The outside space has been one of the most popular features at Emerald Gardens. Nearly every apartment benefits from an outdoor area in the form of a balcony, patio or terrace. Then there are the extensive grounds, gardens and a water feature for the residents to enjoy, as well as a 13^th level roof terrace for residents’ use that provides a spectacular vista of the Wembley skyline and iconic Wembley Stadium. However you like to enjoy the sunshine in London – running, eating al fresco or just relaxing with a book – Emerald Gardens provides the space to do so in style.”

For more information, visit www.northwestvillage.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601. Viewings of the on-site show apartment are available from February 2016 for those seeking the first opportunity to visit the site

* Wembley Stadium is the property of The FA Group and run by Wembley National Stadium Limited, a subsidiary of The Football Association.

London versus the world! What can you get abroad for the price of an average property in the capital?

by Charly Portugal Spain United States Ideal Homes International, Ideal Homes Portugal, Kyero.com, Taylor Wimpey Espana

Average London house price is £514,097 (Gov.uk)
This is enough for 3 detached villas with pools in Spain, with €80k change (Kyero.com)
Or 2 5-bedroom resort homes with pools in Florida (Ideal Homes International)
Cliff-top townhouses with infinity pool in Mallorca also an option (Taylor Wimpey España)

According to the UK government’s December 2015 House Price Index, the average property in London now costs £514,097. Based on a quick Rightmove search, £514,097 is enough to purchase a new build one bedroom flat in Newham, a two bedroom flat in a converted house in Acton or a four bedroom mid-terrace house in Tottenham in need of some serious modernisation.

But what could you get for the same money overseas? £514,097 is worth just over €656,151, or USD $743,053, at today’s exchange rate, which opens up a wealth of property options to those looking to buy on the continent or even further afield.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,

“There are some fantastic bargains to be had when it comes to overseas property at the moment. Portugal and Spain are offering incredible value for money and are just a short hop on a plane from the UK, making them ideal locations for second homes or investment properties that you want to keep a close eye on. For fans of the US, Florida is also offering some serious bargains and is a perennially popular destination thanks to its winning combination of sun, sea and theme parks.”

In Portugal, €650,000 is enough for a four/five bedroom villa in the hills at Soalheira, 10 minutes from the beaches and golf courses of Vilamoura and just two minutes from the town of Loulé. The villa comes complete with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, pergola sunbathing area, pool house and gardener’s bathroom, two double garages, ocean views, grill house with sink, fridge and BBQ, cinema room, wood burning fire and under-floor heating in the two bathrooms. A far cry from a run-down terraced house in Tottenham!

For beach bunnies, the Spanish island of Mallorca is the ideal location. There, €625,000 will buy a premium frontline townhouse with incredible sea views, close to the golf courses and marina of Porto Cristo. There are just seven spacious three bedroom townhouses on the Cala Magrana Mar development, from leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which also benefits from a communal infinity pool and sunbathing area, designer fixtures and fittings and the latest security features.

Another option for those with €650,000 to spend is to invest in more than one property, which is easily achievable for this budget in both Portugal and Spain. Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, comments,

“It’s staggering what you can get in Spain for the price of an average London property. Those looking for rental investments can pick up a whole string of properties in idyllic coastal locations for that kind of money.”

In the pretty seaside town of Javea, for example, detached villas with pools can be bought off plan for £189,800, with scope for the buyer to personalise the layout, with the build completed within 5-7 months. Instead of a one bedroom flat in E16, a buyer could pick up three of these villas and still have €80,000 left in his pocket.

Over in America, a buyer can easily pick up two five bedroom villas with pools in the hugely popular Kissimmee area of Florida for $743,053, the equivalent price of the average London home. Resort homes with screened in pool and spas in gated communities just a few miles from Walt Disney World are available for between $350,000 and $450,000. Certainly food for thought for all those thinking about buying a home in London at the moment!

For more information please contact:

Ideal Homes: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk or www.idealhomesportugal.com

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Living at Wembley Park – an evolution not a revolution

by Charly United Kingdom Quintain

Wembley Park residents’ feedback influential in enhancing future apartment design
Greenery and storage found to be top priorities
First new homes at Wembley Park since 2010 available from just £305,000

The new apartment buildings springing up at Wembley Park have firmly caught the eyes of Londoners looking for stylish, contemporary homes at mid-market prices. Developer Quintain has been careful to listen and understand what Londoners want – and to design each new phase of the expansive site in North West London with this in mind.

Quintain’s Head of Residential Sales, Paul Hogarth, explains,

“We want to ensure that Wembley Park is an area that provides homes for Londoners. We’re shaping the design of the site to meet their needs and in response to their direct feedback. It means that each new phase of housing has evolved from the one preceding, with residents able to contribute to the plans, allowing them to shape the environment in which they live in.”

The Emerald Gardens phase of the development, which has just seen the final allocation of one, two and three bedroom apartments released to the market, is a prime example of how consultation has been used to improve the offering at Wembley Park. Quintain consulted with and listened to residents already living in two earlier residential projects on the site when designing Emerald Gardens, which resulted in a number of additions to the plans.

A wide-ranging and comprehensive design brief was produced. Group feedback sessions and one-to-one interviews were then held with the owners and tenants of previously purchased Quintain homes. Consultation also took place with the Wembley Park Residential lettings team, who deal with residents’ feedback every day. As an on-site team who know Wembley Park inside out and deal with residents daily, the lettings staff were perfectly positions to contribute to the evolution of the next phase of the development.

The result was a number of changes designed to make Emerald Gardens even better than the (already excellent) previous phases. The near-acre of gardens around Emerald Gardens was one result. So much green open space as part of a London development is extremely rare and has helped to shape a truly unique offering at Emerald Gardens. Additionally, the apartment buildings were left unconnected, creating even more of an open feel to the development.

Architects GRID were keen to support Quintain’s goal of challenging perceptions and reflecting owners’ needs with storage another area that benefited from their evolutionary design approach. Emerald Gardens now includes an array of internal storage options, based around the three principles of storage: primary, secondary and tertiary.

For primary storage of everyday household items such as pantry supplies and toiletries, they introduced full height recessed mirrored cabinets in bathrooms and plentiful storage in kitchen cupboards. Secondary storage (for items used weekly, such as umbrellas, ironing boards and vacuum cleaners), GRID built in generous cupboards in each apartment’s hall. And for tertiary storage items that are used less frequently (suitcases, sports equipment) there are secure lockers for residents in the basement.

The result of GRID’s work has been an ideal balance between the desire for space and comfort and the need to quickly and easily access the many possessions that are an essential part of modern-day life. It is a point that Quintain was keen to pursue, as the company’s Paul Hogarth explains:

“For many developers, efficiency and optimization drive the design, and can lead to a compromised living space for the resident, with storage space often overlooked. The result is homes that feel cluttered and untidy from the moment you move in, and there’s a clear link between a cluttered home environment and heightened stress levels. We’ve addressed this at Emerald Gardens by listening responding and adapting to customers feedback allowing us to deliver to residents the space they need to live comfortably while still having easy access to their belongings.”

The Alto Apartments phase of Wembley Park has also benefited from this evolutionary design approach. The residents’ only courtyard garden and beautiful new London square, Elvin Gardens, are in response to residents’ direct feedback on their enjoyment of the existing green spaces. Alto will also benefit from the inclusion of the community hall on site upon completion in 2017, to further residents’ engagement with their local area.

With each new phase planned by Quintain at Wembley Park, design and specification are carefully examined to see where improvements can be made. This enables the continual evolution of the site, creating homes that perfectly suit the needs of Londoners at every stage.

Prices at Emerald Gardens start at £305,000 with first completions due Spring 2016. Apartments at Alto are available from £415,000.

For more information and to book a visit to the newly launched show apartments, visit www.northwestvillage.com, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Europe’s hottest property investment opportunities

by Charly Portugal Spain Ideal Homes International

Head to Spain and Portugal for Europe’s best investment opportunities (Ideal Homes International)
Spanish property market undervalued by 26% (OED)
Lisbon visitor numbers up 42% since 2011 (MasterCard Global Destination Index)
Resale properties account for 76% of Spanish sales (Ideal Homes International)

“Spain and Portugal are ripe for property investment this year. Iberia is definitely the place to be looking right now.”

So speaks Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, when asked about his recommendations for places to invest in property within Europe. He continues,

“2016 is a tale of capital cities and beaches when it comes to property investment. In Portugal it’s Lisbon that is offering some of the most enticing opportunities, while in Spain the sun-kissed Costas are definitely the places to find the ideal investment property.”

Portugal’s Lisbon was highlighted recently as one of the highest ranked cities in Europe for property investment, with PwC and the Urban Land Institute’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate report awarding it seventh place overall. The city is know for its rich history, fabulous architecture and late-night party scene. It is a major tourist destination, attracting some 3.5 million visitors per year. In fact, the MasterCard Global Destination Index revealed that Lisbon has the fourth highest growth rate for foreign visitors in Europe. Since 2011, the city’s visitor numbers have risen by 42%.

Lisbon offers vast choice when it comes to property investment. Buyers can choose from stunning contemporary apartments in the heart of the city to luxury condominium townhouses with pools, tennis courts and a host of other facilities.

Meanwhile over in Spain it is all about the Costas when it comes to property investment. The Costa Blanca is awash with high quality properties at great prices, including beachfront apartments that are ripe for investment. Over on the Costa Cálida buyers can choose anything from spacious villas to off-plan townhouses.

Spain and Portugal’s position as top investment destinations is lent further weight by the findings of the Organisation for Economic Development, which has examined property markets around the world to find those that are the most overvalued and the most undervalued. Southern Europe, including Portugal and Spain, was found to have some of the lowest price property. Spain’s property market was noted as being undervalued by 26%, Portugal’s as by just over 7%.

According to Ideal Homes International, it is resale properties that British buyers are most interested in in Spain right now. Resale properties account for 76% of sales, compared with just 24% for new builds. While new build developments remain popular with buyers from Scandinavia and Belgium, many Brits are looking for resale townhouses and apartments that they can invest in as a nest egg for their golden years, as well as for properties that can earn them income as holiday lets.

“There are some serious bargains to be had in Iberia at the moment,” concludes Ideal Homes International’s Chris White. “Portugal and Spain offer a wealth of great opportunities for buyers looking for investment properties, as both enjoy thriving tourist markets, meaning there is good scope for profiting from a rental property. Of course, both countries are also fantastic places to visit, so there are lifestyle benefits as well as potential financial benefits to be had from owning a second home in them.”

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

Satisfaction to the maximum: Leading Spanish agent comes highly recommended

by Charly Spain Taylor Wimpey Espana

100% of Taylor Wimpey España customers would recommend to a friend (Taylor Wimpey España)
Recommendations from family, colleagues and friends ranked most trustworthy information source (Nielsen)
74% of consumers identify word-of-mouth as key influencer (Ogilvy, Google and TNS)

The most recent figures released by Taylor Wimpey España highlight the success of their renowned customer service, with 86.7% of customers noting that they were very satisfied with the process in November 2015. This figure remained in the high 80s, month to month throughout 2015, emphasising the steadfast nature of Taylor Wimpey España’s customer satisfaction levels.

Another outstanding statistic uncovered by the latest figures is that last year 100% of Taylor Wimpey España customers would recommend them to a friend. According to a survey conducted by Nielsen, 84% of consumers say they either ‘completely’ or ‘somewhat’ trust recommendations from family, colleagues, and friends about products. This ranks these recommendations as the most trustworthy information source.

A joint study constructed by Ogilvy, Google and TNS revealed that 74% of consumers identify word-of-mouth as a key influencer in their purchasing decision. This shows just how essential customer recommendations are to any business and Taylor Wimpey España’s 100% success rate in this area suggests that a very positive year lies ahead.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, is immensely proud of the company’s track record for customer satisfaction, he explains,

“It is extremely important to us that our customers feel like they are being supported through every stage of the buying process, including remaining approachable and accommodating even after the sale has been completed and the property is being used. Our expert customer services team is currently expanding, with a real focus on ensuring that each individual customer feels the benefits of buying their Spanish property with Taylor Wimpey España.”

Anthony and Maria from London, recently purchased a holiday home with Taylor Wimpey España on Spain’s beautiful Costa del Sol and were extremely pleased with the service they received. They explain,

“All members of the Taylor Wimpey España sales and administration team were most helpful and their willingness to take a flexible approach to accommodating our requirements meant that our experience was very satisfying. The legal formalities were handled promptly and efficiently, which helped to avoid the stress that often occurs when purchasing a property, particularly when buying abroad.”

One of Taylor Wimpey España’s exclusive residences on the inviting Costa Blanca is Brisas de Alenda Golf. This private complex of key ready, three bedroom townhouses is located in a peaceful area adjacent to the Alenda Golf Course, whilst the beautiful beaches of Alicante and Alicante’s international airport are just 15 minutes away.

Starting from €155,000+VAT, all the Brisas de Alenda Golf townhouses have fully-furnished kitchens, air-conditioning and fitted wardrobes. Each property is split across 2 storeys with 2 bathrooms and 1 additional toilet, as well as a terrace, private garden area and parking space.

Perfect for all day dining, the terraces are either surrounded by the spectacular Sierra de las Aguilas Mountains, or the stunning views over the golf course, to which some of the properties have direct access. Other onsite facilities include a communal swimming pool and club house as well as a gym, bar and restaurant.

For more information, contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +34 971 70 69 72.

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