2015’s greatest financial market shock

2015’s greatest financial market shock

by Charly World
  • China’s stocks climbed more than 59% before the market stalled
  • Chinese GDP growth still projected to be between 6.8% and 7.1% this year
  • Chinese GDP to keep growing until at least 2060 (OECD)

No year is ever entirely smooth for global financial markets and 2015 has certainly been no exception. Markets fluctuated between euphoria and dismay, with the Chinese stock market generating its fair share of both.

Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easy-forex, comments,

“China has been the scene of possibly the greatest shock to financial markets in 2015. Prices in Shanghai hit a six year high in the spring, with investors clamouring for more exposure to Chinese markets. The result was a climb of more than 59%, but when the Chinese economy stumbled, the picture changed very quickly.”

While Europe and the United States where pumping money into the market to boost liquidity, China decided it needed to repatriate some of its capital, by selling off its US treasury holdings. This effectively began quantitative tightening and before long investor demand for Chinese stocks had plummeted, with values declining rapidly.

As growth began to stall, with the purchasing manager’s indices beginning to show contraction, the slides increased. Suddenly China’s euphoric first half of the year had turned to a tale of shrinking trade data (both imports and exports) and tumbling prices. A wave of selling and negative sentiment in late August followed multiple attempts by regulators to stem the tide of stock liquidation.

Investors were prevented from shorting stocks and at one period stock trading was halted. Stocks dropped more than 43%.

It was then that the People’s Bank of China came in with another rate cut. The bank dropped its benchmark rate and reduced reserve requirements. Almost before anyone could blink, Black Monday came along, with the market experiencing one of the biggest crashes of recent years.

Chinese stocks continue to gyrate and it will be some time before they stabilize, but the long-term outlook isn’t too glum. Certainly, China’s economy is contracting, but GDP growth is still expected to be somewhere between 6.8% (International Monetary Fund figure) and 7.1% (World Bank figure) for 2015. The International Monetary Fund has projected that it will dip to a low of 6.0% in 2017, before beginning to rise again. Even the OECD’s long-term forecast doesn’t see growth falling below 1.55% in the next 45 years. Easy-forex’s Nikolas Xenofontos concludes,

“The future for China does look broadly positive, but then it did right up until the moment the market crashed so spectacularly earlier in 2015. It just goes to show how quickly things can alter in such a complex and ever-changing world. I don’t think anyone would have predicted at the start of the year that China would be the scene of the world’s greatest financial shock in 2015.”

For further details visit www.easy-forex.com, email pr@easy-forex.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

Which came first, the roads or the roofs? Why infrastructure is increasingly being demanded before housing

Which came first, the roads or the roofs? Why infrastructure is increasingly being demanded before housing

by Charly United Kingdom
  • UK homebuyers frustrated by unfinished roads and lack of street lighting
  • Wembley Park demonstrates the value of providing infrastructure before housing
  • Pienna Apartments offer homes for Londoners from £415,000

Up and down the country there is an ongoing debate regarding new build residential sites, we know we need many more new homes but should the roads or the roofs come first?

Increasingly, buyers of new build homes are emphasising the importance of key infrastructure elements such as roads being in place before they purchase their property. Across the UK, buyers are complaining about lack of streetlights, hazardous incomplete pavements and unfinished roads that lead to flooding and other problems.

The issue is exacerbated by the current legislation. Councils can ask developers to enter into a Section 38 Agreement in order to ensure that roads are finished to an agreed standard, but they cannot force developers to do so, resulting in many buyers of new build homes ending up frustrated that their roads, pavements and streetlights sometimes remain unfinished years after they have purchased their new property.

At Wembley Park in north-west London, developer Quintain has turned the situation on its head. The massive revitalisation of Wembley Park will see some 5,000 new homes added to the area in total, several hundred of which have already been built, sold and are occupied.

Quintain’s COO, James Saunders, comments,

“One of the many unique features of Wembley Park is the fact that the area has an incredible infrastructure already in place, so we’ve got new build apartments going up while excellent transport connections and local facilities already exist. Of course, we’re adding to those facilities all the time, with beautiful gardens and even a brand new London Square, but Wembley Park is definitely a prime example of the benefits of infrastructure preceding housing.”

The SSE Arena, Wembley (with a capacity of 12,500) and Wembley Stadium* (with a capacity of 90,000), have together ensured that Wembley Park is an area that is already more than fit for purpose when it comes to its transportation infrastructure. It means that whilst technically in Zone 4, residents can travel in to central London and out to the shires incredibly quickly. On event days, 100 trains per hour run through the three Wembley stations that service the stadium.

Wembley Park also offers an excellent array of shops, schools and restaurants, as well as its impressive transport credentials. London Designer Outlet draws in shoppers and diners from across London and the surrounding areas, while local residents and workers delight in the weekly gourmet food market.

In the heart of such excellent and established infrastructure, the homes for Londoners that are springing up have been understandably popular. At the beautiful Pienna Apartments building, which is part of Alto Apartments, one bedroom apartments are available from £415,000 and two bedrooms from £550,000. Almost every apartment enjoys its own private outdoor space or balcony, while a residents-only courtyard garden offers a further means of enjoying the great outdoors. An on-site gym with spa treatment rooms, a concierge service and car club membership are all included in the price.

Wembley Park epitomises the benefits of taking a proactive approach to development and ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to provide home owners with true satisfaction from the moment they move in.

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

 

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

New Student Property Investment Portal Launches

New Student Property Investment Portal Launches

by Charly United Kingdom

Lead Galaxy has launched the first ever student property investment comparison portal.

Dedicated to the booming student housing sector, www.StudentProperty.Investments allows investors to search and compare dozens of student accommodation investment opportunities.

The site’s stripped down interface makes it easy to locate the newest and best opportunities in the sector. An innovative smart table allows investors to find and compare properties by yield, terms, buyback or starting prices. Results can quickly be filtered before making an enquiry about multiple listings with a single click. The intuitive, responsive design means that the site is available on the go on any mobile device, offering the most specialised information to the widest possible audience of international investors.

With investment in UK university accommodation reaching a record $6.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2015 (Savills), the site contains everything investors need to capitalise on interest in this investment category. For novices, an exclusive mini guide is also available to download for free from the site, offering comprehensive information about investing in student accommodation, from advantages and disadvantages of the sector to how to choose the best deal.

CEO Dan Johnson said: “This new site will be a focal point for our marketing activity in relation to this category of investment. We think it’s a neat way to compare the deals that are on the market, using the deal attributes that are most important to investors. While it’s undoubtedly a useful tool for developers looking to benchmark their product against the market, it’s particularly useful for investors looking to compare the key metrics of the deals that are on the market.”

For more information, visit www.studentproperty.investments.

To advertise your property or development, contact Lead Galaxy on 0207 952 7653.

 

Ends

For further comment, please contact:

Dan Johnson, CEO

OPP Ventures

Lead Galaxy.com

TheMoveChannel.com

Tel: 0044 (0)207 952 7650

Email: dan.johnson@leadgalaxy.com

Address: 24 Jack’s Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN

The best places to buy holiday homes in 2016

The best places to buy holiday homes in 2016

by Charly World , , ,
  • Got €50k? Head to Spain (Kyero.com)
  • For €100k seek out the Cypriot sun (Ideal Homes International)
  • Make Portugal your choice for €150k (Ideal Homes Portugal)
  • Try island living with €200k or more

The turning of the year is always a good time to start dreaming of sun-drenched beaches, the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore and lazy evenings spent eating al fresco while a warm breeze rustles through the leaves of nearby citrus trees. It’s a particularly popular pastime in the UK, where it can rain for days on end while plentiful sunshine is available less than three hours away by plane.

Europe’s attractions are many and varied for those looking to pick up a dream holiday home and you don’t need a huge stack of cash in order to turn the dream into a reality. Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, comments,

“There are thousands of Spanish properties available for under €50k. Nor are they just remote country houses in need of vast repairs. €50k gives you plenty of choice in Spain these days. You can pick up a three bedroom townhouse, a six bedroom country cottage or a city apartment with a shared pool – there are literally thousands of possibilities.”

For buyers looking to spend closer to €100k, Cyprus offers excellent value for money. Ideal Homes International offers a range of properties in good locations for that amount, including this light and airy two bedroom apartment in Pafos with shared pool. Founding Director Chris White observes,

“Cyprus has got some real bargains at the moment and the stunning climate is perfect for those looking for a holiday retreat away from the rain and cold back home. The market is unlikely to move much over the next few months, which means UK buyers can take their time to research the area they would like to own in without fear of getting priced out of the market while they do.”

Chris White also runs boutique estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal and has chosen to make Portugal his home. It is there that he recommends buyers with €150k look for their dream holiday home in 2016.

Portugal’s Algarve is easily reachable from airports all over the UK and offers in excess of 300 days of sunshine annually, making it an ideal year-round destination for second home owners. €150k is enough for a two bedroom apartment with huge terrace and garden in the popular city of Portimão, or a three bedroom duplex with pool in Albufeira.

But when it comes to spending €200k or more, it has to be island living, says Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España. A resident of the Balearic Islands himself, Marc explains,

“There’s nothing like owning property in an island location for achieving ultimate relaxation, which is precisely what a holiday home should provide. For many people the sea has a calming effect and Mallorca’s plentiful restaurants, shops, beaches, golf courses and marinas really do offer something to suit all tastes.”

Taylor Wimpey España offers a range of stunning holiday homes on Mallorca, from two bedroom apartments with direct beach access from €235k at Costa Beach, to spectacular frontline townhouses with cliff top communal infinity pool from €625k at Cala Magrana Mar.

With such a wealth of property available so close to home, it’s clear that short-haul European destinations are going to enjoy immense popularity during 2016 when it comes to holiday home ownership overseas.

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

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.

Green living in the big city – Horizon London showcases sustainable building

Green living in the big city – Horizon London showcases sustainable building

by Charly United Kingdom
  • 16% of people would withdraw an offer on a property with a low energy efficiency rating (Populus)
  • Climate change key cause of conflict in Syria (Prince Charles)
  • Horizon London showcasing sustainable city living (Surrenden Invest)

Green living is becoming increasingly important to homebuyers. In a recent survey by Populus, 16% of respondents said that a low energy efficiency rating would be sufficient for them to withdraw their offer on a property. A further 23% said that poor energy efficiency would lead them to reduce their offer by hundreds of pounds, while 36% would reduce it by thousands.

It is a message that has not been lost on the UK. From the government’s solar panels initiative to the academics at De Montfort University who are trialling a revolutionary eco heating system, which essentially stores heat in the garden soil during the summer for use during the winter, the housing market is buzzing with new ways to make the residential accommodation leaner and greener.

But it’s not just country piles with huge gardens that can take advantage of innovative modern solutions to saving energy. A new building – Horizon London – is showcasing sustainable living in the big city. Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of London-based property consultancy Surrenden Invest, explains,

“Horizon London is, quite simply, the building of the future when it comes to city life. Every element of the building has been carefully planned with sustainability in mind. This isn’t just a token nod to greener living, but a fully-fledged commitment to creating the kind of apartments that people can be proud to own due to their sustainable credentials.”

Located in Ilford, just a few minutes’ walk from Seven Kings station and 10-12 minutes’ walk from Ilford Station, Horizon London offers sustainable living for a sustainable community. The building’s ‘living’ walls not only create a stunning visual effect, but offer a range of benefits. According to Green Over Grey, living walls improve air quality, provide buildings with a shield from sun, rain and thermal fluctuations, reduce stress, enhance wellbeing and dampen noise pollution. They also enhance a property’s value by being in tune with future demand.

Horizon London also features photovoltaic cells on the upper levels, rainwater harvesting and a centralised heating system. These features work in tandem with the building’s smart design to ensure that fewer resources are used when compared with similar buildings that have not incorporated sustainability into their design. Essentially, Horizon London consumes less energy and less heat escapes the building.

As well as enticing investors looking for a modern, socially responsible way into the UK’s booming buy-to-let market, Horizon London’s green features are also appealing to tenants. The living walls create a beautiful backdrop to daily life, while the fact that less heat escapes the building means that resident’s energy bills are reduced.

“What we’re seeing at Horizon London is seriously sophisticated sustainable design coming to life,” continues Surrenden Invest’s Jonathan Stephens. “Each element of the building has been designed to work in harmony with the others. It’s about taking a holistic approach to sustainability and creating something that is superior to the sum of its parts, even when each of those component parts is already an excellent feature. Investors have been absolutely delighted with the result.”

The impact of climate change is still poorly understood around the world, but there is a growing body of evidence to show that its impact is not just a threat to the future, but a very real force behind global unrest today. A study by the University of California found that greenhouse gas emissions exacerbated the drought in Syria from 2006-2010. The drought led to mass movement of people from the country to the cities, even as food stocks dwindled and prices rose. Though there were other factors contributing to the conflict there, the role that climate change played is not to be underestimated according to sources as diverse as Prince Charles and political activist Charlotte Church.

It can be hard to recognise the full impact of buying into a sustainable future today, but it is actually possible to demonstrate a chain of events that starts with buildings like Horizon London and ends with fewer lives being lost around the world. Now that’s a truly sustainable commitment to a better world.

Prices at Horizon London range from £233,000 to £515,000.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

Feliz Navidad: Have yourself a sunny little Spanish Christmas!

Feliz Navidad: Have yourself a sunny little Spanish Christmas!

by Charly Spain
  • Average Christmas temperature in Spain of 12°C in December, with just 5 days of rain (Holiday Weather)
  • 71% of festive holidaymakers are aged 51+ (Holiday Hypermarket)
  • Spanish house prices up 6.6% in a year (Spanish Registrars’ Association)

There are many reasons to own a second home in Spain and at this time of year, with the weather closing in in the UK, one of the most tantalising Spanish draws is undoubtedly the weather. According to Holiday Weather, the Costa Blanca enjoys an average temperature of 12°C during December, with an average of just five rainy days in December, compared to an average of 17 days for the festive period in London.

But the weather isn’t the only reason that second home buyers look to Spain over the winter months, as Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“Many of our buyers over the autumn period have been purchasing with a view to spending Christmas in their new home in Spain. It’s why key ready properties at developments like La Recoleta III are so sought after. Spending Christmas overseas in a hotel can be nice, but to truly experience a Spanish Christmas you need to have your own kitchen, to commit to the seasonal feasting in true Iberian style, and your own living room to decorate in the traditional way.”

Beachfront apartments at La Recoleta III are available from €185,000 for two bedrooms. Just an hour from Alicante Airport, the apartments offer spacious surroundings with high spec fixtures and fittings.  The Mediterranean style buildings are set in pretty grounds, with fantastic sea views. Each apartments has its own private outdoor space and the development also features a pool for residents’ use.

The Christmas season in Spain traditionally begins on 8 December. According to The History of Christmas, one tradition is to fill shoes with straw or barley for tired camels that have to carry their riders throughout the night. Overnight, the straw or barley is replaced by gifts. A similar tradition takes place on 6 January, when shoes are left on balconies to be filled with gifts by the Wise Men.

Research by Holiday Hypermarket has found that 71% of festive holidaymakers are aged 51 or more, a demographic that fits well with owning property overseas. A nest egg in the sunshine that can serve as a main residence when retirement comes around is an excellent way to plan for the future – and can provide a host of cherished memories for family holidays and trips with friends even without plans for longer-term occupation.

With house prices up 6.6% in the past year, according to the Spanish Registrars’ Association, there is a sound financial case for property ownership in Spain as well. The sun has been shining on the Spanish housing market of late and buyers from overseas have been keen to be a part of it. Foreign demand rose by 20% in Q3 2015 when compared with a year earlier, according to the Spanish Property Register, while British demand rose by a staggering 53%.

Yet prices remain extremely reasonable. At Brisas de Alenda Golf, near Elche, a three bedroom townhouse costs from just €155,000. The complex includes an array of private gardens, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, a supermarket and a bilingual (Spanish/English) school, all just 15 minutes from the stunning beaches of Alicante.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

‘Saint’ Nik’s top picks for investing in commodities in 2016

‘Saint’ Nik’s top picks for investing in commodities in 2016

by Charly World
  • Gold bulls wake up
  • Oil bears roar into 2016
  • Copper calls it quits

It’s that time of year when children up and down the country are getting excited about Saint Nick’s imminent annual trip down the chimney with his sack of toys. But it’s not just Father Christmas who is spreading seasonal goodwill. In the spirit of the season, Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easy-forex has shared his top picks for investing in commodities in 2016. He comments,

“There are three commodities to watch closely as we head into 2016: gold, oil and copper. They bear watching for very different reasons, but all three may have an influence on global financial markets over the year ahead.”

2015 has not been kind to gold and as we head into the expected US rate hike in December, things are looking even worse (the better than expected US jobs data from November was enough to convince investors that a rate hike is certain). The result was a multi-year low for gold of $1,075 per ounce – down 9% in just two weeks.

Gold rallied as a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November, with investors rushing for the shiny safe haven and pushing the price back up past the $1,200 mark and confidence around the precious metal has remained surprisingly high. Increasingly, investors are taking the view that gold really can’t fall much more than it has, even in the face of rising interest rates.

The result is likely to be one of two scenarios. Either the Fed doesn’t increase rates, which is bullish for gold, or rates are increased but the hike has been expected for so long that decreases have already been priced in. After an awful 2015, 2016 may just be gold’s year.

While 2016 is looking positive for gold, the opposite can be said for oil. The global glut has seen prices dip below the $40 per barrel mark on numerous occasions and current stockpiles are in the region of three billion barrels. Easy-forex’s Nikolas Xenofontos observes,

“Demand for oil is rising, especially with 7% growth forecast for India, but output is rising too. With US shale outputs, OPEC keeping up supply and the expectation of Iran oil entering the markets, even turbulence in the Middle East and ongoing terrorist events are unlikely to save oil prices from new lows during 2016.”

Copper’s outlook is also bearish for 2016. Prices have halved since the highs seen in 2011, with falling Chinese demand having a huge impact. China consumes 40% of the world’s copper and also influences global metal prices through speculation. With demand for copper (which is used mainly in wiring) at such a low ebb, prices will need to continue falling enough to stimulate rebalancing. Until then, it’s bears for the red metal.

For further details visit www.easy-forex.com, email pr@easy-forex.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

10 years on, the overseas property market resets itself

10 years on, the overseas property market resets itself

by Charly Cyprus Portugal Spain United States World ,
  • Portuguese property prices due to rise 5% p.a. for next 5 years (RICS/Ci)
  • Florida property values up 8.2% over past year (Zillow)
  • Portugal, Spain and Florida are hot picks for 2016 (Ideal Homes International)

Over the past decade, the landscape of the overseas property market has changed vastly. Property entrepreneur and Founding Director of Ideal Homes Portugal and Ideal Homes International Chris White has been selling property through the good times and the bad. After a turbulent 10 years, he believes the overseas property market has finally reset itself – and that now is the time to look to the future.

In Portugal, where Chris White is based, the market crashed spectacularly following the events of 2006/07, along with residential real estate markets around the world. Lesser estate agents would have crumbled (many did) but Ideal Homes Portugal stuck with the market through the hard times and came out the other side even stronger. Today, the flourishing agency employs 35 staff, selling properties across the Algarve as well as in the capital Lisbon.

Chris comments,

“There were some tough years in the middle of the past decade, but it’s wonderful to see the Portuguese property market back on an even keel again now. Prices look set to rise at a comfortable rate over the next few years. I’d say capital growth of 3-5% per year should be achievable for those who invest in the market during 2016.”

Data from the RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey concurs. The August 2015 report suggested that prices would increase by roughly 5% per annum over the next five years. At present, a lovely two bedroom townhouse with private pool in Quinta do Lago can be picked up for €375,000.

Spain, as well as Portugal, has seen its property market reset itself over the past decade, although prices in Spain have been slower to recover. For buyers in 2016, this presents an excellent opportunity, according to Ideal Homes International’s Chris,

“Prices are rising in Spain, but many areas are still priced below their peak. There aren’t as many opportunities there as there were a year or two ago, but Spain is certainly still a good bet if you’re looking for a real estate market that has the potential to keep expanding over the next few years. The Costa Blanca would be my particular tip for those looking for a second home in the sun that can double as a savvy investment.”

At Orihuela, two bedroom/two bathroom off plan apartments are available from €129,900. Due for completion in December 2016, the apartments will each feature two large terraces, as well as community gardens, sea views and two large swimming pools (one heated).

Florida is another area that’s now back in the game, according to Ideal Homes International. A modern, four bedroom townhouse in Kissimmee, ideally located for access to Walt Disney World, costs just $285,000 (€252,000). Part of an exclusive gated community, the home includes a private pool area, screened in patio and comes fully furnished.

Prices in Florida have risen by 8.2% over the past year, according to Zillow, while data from the National Association of Realtors in June 2015 showed the US market passing its 2006 peak to reach record highs.

Back in Europe, the other country that Chris White of Ideal Homes International has flagged up for attention is Cyprus. Chris comments,

“Cyprus is an interesting prospect as a place to buy a holiday home in 2016. The market there has been incredibly quiet there this year and we don’t expect huge increases in prices over the next 12-24 months. However, what Cyprus does have to offer is fantastic value for money. If you’re looking for somewhere with great weather where your money can go a lot further, then Aphrodite’s isle is an excellent choice.”

As an example, a two bedroom villa in Konia, on a small complex of just six homes with a shared pool, can be picked up for €149,000.

For further details call Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email enquiries@idealhomesportugal.com or visit www.idealhomesportugal.com.

High-tech holiday homes, at your command from 2,000 miles away!

High-tech holiday homes, at your command from 2,000 miles away!

by Charly Turkey
  • 28% of people would find a property with connected technology more desirable (Barclays Mortgages ‘Digital Homes Report’)
  • Solar panels rated top smart aspect for buyers of new homes (Barclays Mortgages ‘Digital Homes Report’)
  • Oceanic Bayview Villas in Istanbul the first technological eco home in Istanbul (Universal21)

The modern age could be said to be defined by connectivity: social media has made a multitude of interactions commonplace, Wi-Fi in public places is becoming increasingly the norm, Google is now the go-to for providing the answer to any debate. And this connectedness is now extending its reach to the modern day home.

The newly released Barclays Mortgages ‘Digital Homes Report’, produced in partnership with YouGov, has revealed that 28% of people would find a property more desirable if it had connected technology, with 41% stating that they already in fact have what could be described as such in their current property. In fact for today’s owners, the ability to control their heating via a smart thermostat was their top want of the moment, with 23% stating this.

Looking to 2016 and beyond, it seems therefore, that the technological ‘smart’ home is the house of the future, with the Digital Homes Report showing that for those searching for their next property, solar panels would sway their decision to the largest extent (for some 31%), tying together the technological and green concepts, followed by fibre optic broadband in second place with 21% and a smart security alarm in third position with 19% of votes.

This approach to the latest cutting-edge homes does not end with UK homes, however. In fact, some overseas locations can be seen to be paving the way in this field with their contemporary method of housebuilding. Adil Yaman, Director of Universal21, the largest management company in Istanbul, explains more,

“It is easy to assume that the US or the UK are the only nations to be paving the way in the development of the technological homes of the future, but Turkey, and the cultural melting pot that is Istanbul in particular, is also surging ahead on this front. Utilising features such as systems to control heating, lighting and music at the touch of a button, this type of property makes modern living easy and seamless.

“This is especially useful for those who are buying a holiday home overseas, as the new technology means that the integrated home systems can be controlled remotely, even when the property is vacant. This really is the future for modern-day properties and for those designs at the cutting edge today, the future is now!”

One such project that is at the forefront of the ‘smart’ holiday home is Universal21’s Oceanic Bayview Villas. With 66% of those surveyed by the Digital Homes Report confirming that they would like to have smart technology installed by someone else in their property, to save having to do it themselves, this cutting-edge design comes ready-smart.

This four to seven bedroom villa design features intelligent, automation systems to command every device in the home using an iPad, iPhone or the internet. This means that one button can control the lights both inside the house and garden, room and flooring temperatures, music system and even curtains, amongst other features. The property also incorporates a multitude of eco features – from recycling rainwater from the concave roofs, using three solar panels and wind turbines to generate power (saving between 30-60% on annual electricity consumption), special profile panoramic windows, heat pumps, LED lighting, and heat and water insulation – meaning that it is the first of its kind in the city.

Situated in Alkent, an area on the outskirts of Istanbul bristling with luxury developments, Oceanic Bayview Villas are just 20 minutes from Ataturk International Airport and five minutes from Buyukcekmece Marina.

Built across three floors, the villa also features a beautifully-designed mezzanine over the main lounge which overlooks the lake through large panoramic windows, providing an impressive sense of space, a games/cinema room, Jacuzzi room and servant quarters, whilst being surrounded by a large garden, private swimming pool and triple garage. There is also a magnificent clubhouse close-by that boasts additional facilities including sauna, fitness, steam baths and a large outdoor pool. Villas are available from $1,595,000.

For more information, contact Universal21 on 0203 287 8700 or visit www.universal21.com

The year the world moved to Berlin

The year the world moved to Berlin

by Charly Germany
  • Berlin apartment prices up 21% in a year (CBRE)
  • City population growing at twice the rate expected (Berlin Senate)
  • Berlin one of top European residential property investment hotspots for 2016 (Property Frontiers)

25 years ago, the world watched in wonder as the first pieces of the Berlin wall came down and the broken city began a long healing process to make it whole once more. Now, no longer content to view this vibrant city from afar, it seems the world has decided to move to Berlin!

The Berlin senate revealed over the summer of 2015 that the city’s growth is double the rate that city planners had expected and prepared for. Berlin’s population was expected to swell by 250,000 people between 2011 and 2030. Now, city planners believe that number will be added by 2019. In 2014 alone, the population grew by 44,700.

City development senator Andreas Geisel has described the growth as “a great blessing” but it has also put pressure on infrastructure, with the need for housing increasingly sharply as a result.

For owners of residential property in Berlin, the city’s newfound popularity has led to some interesting developments. CBRE’s Global living: A city by city guide reports that average values for apartment buildings have risen by 21% in a single year. Rents have also shot up, by 5.7% over the past year (compared with 3.6% nationally).

Ray Withers, CEO of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, which is offering high specification buy-to-let apartments in the city at Stadtpark Steglitz from €153,670, comments,

“We’re seeing some rapid shifts in Berlin’s property market after almost two decades of very little activity. It’s an exciting time to be part of the market there and property investors around the world are looking to Berlin as one of Europe’s top residential real estate investment destinations. Berlin looks set to be one of Europe’s most dominant cities during 2016 so far as residential investment is concerned.”

As well as a vibrant arts scene and rapidly growing reputation as Europe’s hottest start-up hub, Berlin offers a low cost of living compared to many European cities. Rents are less than a quarter of the price they are in London: around £405 in Berlin compared to £2,080 in the English capital, according to CBRE. At the same time, the city’s economy is growing (CBRE cites projected growth of 2.6% for 2015) at a strong and sustainable pace.

With 81.2% of the city’s population opting to rent their property (compared with 51.3% nationally) Berlin represents a huge opportunity for buy-to-let investors looking to pick up a residential investment in a European hotspot. The high spec apartments at Stadtpark Steglitz present the perfect opportunity, located in an affluent area of the south western part of the city, with up to 5.6% yield and excellent capital growth expected.

For further details, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com or call the team on +44 1865 202 700.