Buy-to-let demand predicted to soar with each new generation

by Charly United Kingdom Surrenden

Fewer than half of those born in 1990 will own their own home by age 40 (Savills)
Custom House Crossrail station area prices to rise by 40.5% by 2020 (JLL)
Riverside buy-to-let apartments available from £390k (Surrenden Invest)

Newly released data from Savills has thrown into stark relief the pace at which home ownership is falling in the UK. Issue three of the Residential Property Focus 2015 reveals both the rate at which home ownership has fallen since 1960 and the rate at which it is projected to go on falling for those born in the 1980s and 1990s.

According to the Savills figures, 53% of those born in 1960 could look forward to owning their own home by the age of 30, rising to 71% by the age of 40 and 79% by the age of 50. This compares to just 35% of those born in 1980 and 26% (projected) of those born in 1990 being able to own their own home by age 30. And it is clear with these figures that it is the 1990 cohort that is set to suffer the most. By age 40, the majority of the group will be in rented accommodation, with just 47% predicted to own their own home.

Of course, falling homeownership levels aren’t bad news for everyone. The figures paint a promising picture of a profitable future for the UK’s buy-to-let sector. Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, a London-based property consultancy specialising in high yielding buy-to-let investments, explains,

“Quite simply, falling rates of homeownership mean rising rates of renters, so the growing situation in the UK creates a substantial opportunity for those looking to make their money work for them by investing in residential real estate. Of course, alongside this it is important to remember that the area in which you invest is important too – a few miles difference, particularly in major cities like London, Manchester and Liverpool, can have a big impact on yields.”

This is particularly true of London properties. House prices are projected to rise by 21.5% in central London and by 18.2% in outer London over the next five years, according to Savills. Yet figures from JLL predict rises of nearly double those averages by 2020 in many areas of the capital, all good news for those able to buy.

Yet there are even more substantial profits to be found for those savvy investors who look carefully. Property around the new Custom House Crossrail station, for example, is projected to rise in value by 40.5% over the next five years, based on the JLL forecasts, with the same area expected to achieve rental price growth in excess of 28% by 2020.

Royal Victoria Residence is located just minutes from the planned Custom House Crossrail station. The superior one, two and three bedroom apartments, due for completion towards the end of 2017, will benefit from premium amenities, including a 24-hour concierge service. Curved balconies, views of the Thames and Canary Wharf and sleek interiors are bound to prove popular with the demands of modern tenants, making this one of London’s key riverside investment opportunities over the coming years. Prices range from £390,186 to £854,459.

Soaring levels of investment in London’s Royal Docks are also likely to impact positively on property prices over the coming years. Surrenden Invest’s Jonathan Stephens comments,

“The revitalisation programme for the area around London’s historic Royal Docks is massive. There are some vast mixed-use projects underway and others still under discussion. Royal Wharf at £3.5 billion, for example, and Silvertown Quays at £1.5 billion are going to have a huge impact on local employment levels and economic output growth. Altogether some £22 billion of investment potential has been identified in the area.”

The intense redevelopment makes the Royal Victoria Residence an even more exciting prospect for buy-to-let investors. Certainly with the rate of home ownership projected to continue falling over the years ahead, it will be developments like this that make up the future of London’s housing market.

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

Sun, sea, sand and shops – second home owners enjoy retail therapy in Alicante

by Charly Spain Taylor Wimpey Espana

Spanish government focuses on retail to end tourism bipolarity (Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, Deputy PM)
Alicante is 5^th most popular shopping tourism destination in Spain (New Era of Retail Travel)
Alicante second homes available from just €175k (Taylor Wimpey España)

Spain has enjoyed a record-breaking summer, with some 54.4 million foreign visits in the first nine months of 2015, up 3.8% on the year before, according to the Industry, Energy and Tourism Ministry. But now that the summer season is at an end and the holidaymakers are back at work in their home countries, has Spain accepted that the rush of visitors is over for another year?

Far from it! Instead, Spain is increasingly being seen as the ideal European country in which to enjoy a spot of shopping tourism. The value of Christmas shopping in luring customers from overseas has certainly not been lost on the Iberian country, as Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria explains,

“We have to open the riches of tourism to other sectors of the economy to end the bipolarity and seasonal nature posed by alternatives such as the sun and beach.”

The capital, Madrid, is already a well established international shopping destination. According to Xinhua news agency, it is the fifth most popular city in Europe in terms of spending by non-European visitors (after London, Paris, Barcelona and Istanbul). Yet Spain is now keen to promote shopping tourism across the country.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“Spain is a great destination for shopping, whether it’s in the run-up to Christmas or at any other time of year. In the south of the country, Alicante is a particularly attractive destination when it comes to high-end clothes and luxury items like watches and jewellery. There’s a wide variety of choice, from huge shopping malls to tiny boutique stores.”

Alicante is Spain’s fifth most popular city for shopping tourism at present, according to the ‘New Era of Retail Travel’ report presented at the recent shopping tourism conference in Madrid. The report has also projected that shopping tourism revenue in Spain could increase to as much as €5 billion in the next four years. With government attention focused so strongly on it, those who own holiday homes close to key shopping tourism cities can certainly look forward to even greater variety of choice over the years to come.

Many buyers of Taylor Wimpey España’s holiday homes along the Costa Blanca indulge in retail therapy as part of their regular visits to Spain. Those buying at La Recoleta III, at Punta Prima, Torrevieja, for example, realise that it is the ideal base for enjoying the best that Alicante has to offer. The high spec homes are available from just €175,000 for two bedrooms and each property comes with a generously sized terrace, for enjoying the fantastic climate year-round. The uniquely designed penthouses also feature solariums and outstanding views.

La Vila Paradis at Vilajoyosa is another great choice for those looking to explore the area, being just 20 minutes from central Alicante. The two and three bedroom apartments enjoy beautiful views over the beach and sea and the ground floor units feature private gardens. Like all of Taylor Wimpey España’s developments, La Vila Paradis benefits from a communal pool and pretty, shared gardens. Prices start at €248,000.

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.

Berlin is booming as the German capital enjoys its time to shine

by Charly Germany Property Frontiers

Berlin rated top 2015 investment prospect (PWC)
Residential property investment topped €2.2 billion in H1 2015 (JLL)
20,000 new homes needed this year in Berlin to meet demand (Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development)

The face of Berlin is changing. The German capital is increasingly becoming seen as Europe’s go-to city for bright young things, creative start-ups and anyone who’s anyone in the tech sector. In addition to its business offering, it has a thriving social scene, a great retail offering and a vast array of cultural attractions.

Such a dynamic business environment with strong demand for rental properties has begun to attract serious numbers of investors to Berlin. According to the PWC Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe 2015 report, the city was rated the top for investment prospects in 2015. Such is the popularity of Berlin’s combination of inexpensive assets and development opportunities that it has knocked Munich off the top spot. Furthermore, Berlin now stands as Europe’s third most active real estate market, according to the PWC data.

Ray Withers, CEO of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, spotted Berlin’s potential some time ago. Property Frontiers is offering investment at Stadtpark Steglitz, located in one of south west Berlin’s affluent areas. The residential apartments are perfectly suited to Berlin’s young, ambitious population, offering modern living solutions with open plan, spacious living areas. Prices start from €153,670, with gross yields up to 5.6% realistically expected and no capital gains tax if the property is held from more than 10 years.

Ray Withers comments,

“Berlin is racing ahead of other European cities in terms of its ability to attract young, talented entrepreneurs and the impact of these bright young things on the city’s demographics is far from negligible. They’re breathing new life into Berlin and drawing in investment capital from around the globe.”

According to JLL, residential properties in Berlin attracted more than €2.2 billion of investment during H1 2015, up more than four times on the same period in 2014. Demand for property is high as a result of the city’s growing population. According to the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, 20,000 new homes are needed this year in order to keep up with demand. Yet in Berlin, as in many other cities in Germany and across Europe, supply is struggling to keep pace with demand.

The situation presents one of those fantastic investment opportunities that is perfect for real estate investors looking for a hands-off property investment in a hotspot that is packed with potential. The volume of new start-ups, tech and media companies in Berlin promises big things for the city’s future and savyy investors are racing to be part of the action.

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

Overseas Property Show adds Dublin date to 2015 tour

by Charly World Ideal Homes Portugal

Dublin date added to tour, on 22 and 23 November 2015
Bumper show to feature properties in Portugal, Spain, Florida and more
Hundreds of visitors have already flocked to other locations

Following the huge success of its 2015 UK tour to date, the Overseas Property Show has just announced the addition of a Dublin show, on 22 and 23 November. The free to attend show will be held at the Royal Dublin Society, presenting local residents with the opportunity to explore their dream of home ownership overseas.

Featuring properties from Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and Florida, the Overseas Property Show will provide attendees with access to information on a huge range of homes, from studio apartments overlooking the sea to colossal villas in prime golf course locations.

The event will include seminars covering a wide range of aspects of buying overseas, including:

Avoiding the pitfalls of buying abroad
The legal process of buying abroad
Country comparison
Currency

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, which has exhibited at every show this year, comments,

“It’s been a fantastic year to be part of the Overseas Property Show. We’ve seen individual shows attracting in excess of 800 visitors this year and we’re really excited to be able to add Dublin to the list of cities that we will visit before the year is out.

“The beauty of the Overseas Property Show is the no-pressure approach. It’s a chance for all those planning or even just vaguely imagining owning a home overseas to come along and find out more about international property ownership. There are experts on hand to speak not just about property, but also about the legal aspects of overseas ownership and what it’s like to actually live in another country.”

This expertise has been invaluable to many of those looking to find out more about owning a second home overseas, buying commercial premises abroad and/or making the move to live permanently elsewhere as an expat. Even those with no desire to leave the UK can benefit from attending, as rental properties in European hotspots can be an excellent way to generate income and enjoy capital growth over the longer-term.

So whether it’s advice, guidance, a second home or even a commercial property investment that you’re after, the Overseas Property Show is the place to be in Dublin this 22-23 November. From a four bedroom villa enjoying panoramic sea and country views in Portugal, to a detached home with shared pool on a small complex in Cyprus, to a contemporary four bedroom townhouse near to Walt Disney World in Florida, the Overseas Property Show has it all.

Tickets are free to obtain and full details can be found at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

“It’s going to be a great show to bring to Dublin,” concludes Chris White. “The team is really excited about this bumper event and we are delighted to be able to assist plenty more visitors in pursuing their dream of owning property overseas.”

For further details visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com, call (0800) 133 7644 / +351 289 513 434 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

New Belfast date added to Overseas Property Show 2015 tour

by Charly World Ideal Homes Portugal, Overseas Property Show

Belfast date added to tour, on 20 and 21 November 2015
Bumper show to feature properties in Portugal, Spain, Florida and more
Hundreds of visitors have already flocked to other locations

Following the huge success of its 2015 UK tour to date, the Overseas Property Show has just announced the addition of a Belfast show, on 20 and 21 November. The free to attend show will be held at the King’s Hall Conference Centre, presenting local residents with the opportunity to explore their dream of home ownership overseas.

The event will include seminars covering a wide range of aspects of buying overseas, including:

Avoiding the pitfalls of buying abroad
The legal process of buying abroad
Country comparison
Currency

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, which has exhibited at every show this year, comments,

“It’s been a fantastic year to be part of the Overseas Property Show. We’ve seen individual shows attracting in excess of 800 visitors this year and we’re really excited to be able to add Belfast to the list of cities that we will visit before the year is out.

So whether it’s advice, guidance, a second home or even a commercial property investment that you’re after, the Overseas Property Show is the place to be in Belfast this 20-21 November. From a four bedroom villa enjoying panoramic sea and country views in Portugal, to a detached home with shared pool on a small complex in Cyprus, to a contemporary four bedroom townhouse near to Walt Disney World in Florida, the Overseas Property Show has it all.

Tickets are free to obtain and full details can be found at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

“It’s going to be a great show to bring to Belfast,” concludes Chris White. “The team is really excited about this bumper event and we are delighted to be able to assist plenty more visitors in pursuing their dream of owning property overseas.”

For further details visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com, call (0800) 133 7644 / +351 289 513 434 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

Why buying a Spanish second home can pay dividends

by Charly Spain Taylor Wimpey Espana

7% of UK citizens own a second home, compared to 20.4% in Spain and 32.8% in Greece (RE/MAX)
Second home ownership inversely proportional to a country’s wealth in Europe (RE/MAX)
Free furniture pack for all Costa Blanca homes at La Recoleta III (Taylor Wimpey España)

There is an interesting paradox in levels of second home ownership across Europe. Greek citizens are six times more likely to own a second home than Germans. The Spanish, Portuguese and Italians also have far higher levels of second home ownership that Europe’s wealthier nations.

According to the figures from RE/MAX Europe, just 5.4% of Germans own a second home. The figure rises to 15.2% in Italy, 17% in Portugal, 20.4% in Spain and 32.8% in Greece. Yet, in the UK, only 7% of citizens enjoy second home ownership. The data casts an interesting new light on how a ‘wealthy’ country is viewed. Is the German citizen who spends five days a week stuck in an office but has lots of shiny gadgets truly wealthier than the Greek one in his second home in the country, harvesting and preserving olives, figs and pomegranates grown on his own land?

Certainly second home ownership brings with it a host of lifestyle benefits. In Spain, those living in the city are most likely to purchase a second home, as a means of escaping the nine to five and spending quality time with loved ones, often in peaceful rural areas or by the coast.

For second home owners from countries such as the UK, better weather is often a draw and Spain is a perennially popular choice of location for such a purchase. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“UK buyers have a long-term love of Spain when it comes to second home ownership. The beauty of areas like the Costa Blanca, with its seemingly endless stretches of white sand and glorious sunshine, exerts a charm that gets under the skin. Buying a second home there represents a significant shift in lifestyle – it’s about enjoying more of what Europe, and life, has to offer.”

Buying a second home can also be a shrewd financial move, particularly in times of record low interest rates. When buying overseas, it’s always a good idea to purchase a home directly from a reputable developer with a strong track record. Doing so means you know what you are buying into in terms of quality, which is particularly important when purchasing a home in another country.

Buying direct from the developer can also have added benefits. At La Recoleta III from Taylor Wimpey España, just two minutes from the beach and enjoying stunning sea views, the high spec apartments offer precisely the kind of quality finish for which second home buyers are looking. Each apartment enjoys generously proportioned outdoor areas (either garden or terrace, depending on the floor), high end appliances and its own secure, underground parking space.

Not only that, but apartments at La Recoleta III, which are available from €175,000 for a two bedroom home, currently also offer a free furniture pack. The limited time offer runs until 31 December 2015 (or sooner if the last remaining properties at this popular development sell out before then). It means that buyers can enjoy a stylish and tastefully furnished home, without spending a penny more than the purchase price. This is ideal for buyers who want to enjoy their Spanish second home from the outset and not spend their first holiday in it traipsing round furniture stores looking at cushions, when they could be relaxing on the terrace with a cool drink.

It all goes back to lifestyle benefits and having more time to enjoy what the world has to offer and it can certainly be seen as area where much can be learnt from the Spanish approach.

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.

London property prices rise by £5 an hour as Ilford emerges as new city hotspot

by Charly United Kingdom Surrenden

London property value increasing by almost £5 per hour (Urban.co.uk)
Ilford property prices tipped by rise by 40.7% by 2020 (JLL)
Average property investment yields up 2.7% over the past year (ONS)

Whilst property prices across the UK are known to be rising, in some cases sharply, the highly profitable bubble that is the London market has been highlighted with the release of new data. Data released by The Land Registry has been calculated by Urban.co.uk to reveal that properties in London are increasing in value by almost £5 per hour, providing investors with an impressive income stream.

With interest rates on many forms of savings at a record low, the attraction of making £4.99 every waking hour (plus £40 or so while you sleep) are not to being ignored by many savvy buyers. But is the pace of the market sustainable?

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, a London-based property consultancy specialising in high yielding buy-to-let investments, believes so. He explains,

“London is such a demand-driven market that it operates almost entirely independently of anywhere else in the UK. There’s a lack of physical space for new build properties and those that are being built cannot keep up with the rate at which they are being demanded. Nor is the issue likely to go away any time soon. In fact, with the huge growth in the UK’s population, the situation is set to be exacerbated further still.”

Stephens is referring to the projection from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that the UK population will surpass 70 million in the next 12 years. An increase of 4.4 million people by 2027, when the housing market is already creaking at the seams, London is likely to absorb a large proportion of the increase.

The average property price in the capital, of £499,999, is more than double the average of the rest of the country. Sophisticated investors are using this price point as a guide when it comes to purchasing properties with good prospects for capital growth.

Surrenden Invest’s Horizon London in Ilford is one such project that is precisely what investors in the capital are looking for, with the one and two bedroom apartments ranging in price from £225,727 to £498,925. According to Jonathan Stephens, Ilford is one of London’s most interesting hotspots right now,

“Ilford offers excellent value for property investors, with average prices there some 34.1% lower than the London average. With the advent of Crossrail we’re expecting a big increase in property prices in coming years and Ilford’s population growth is further enhancing the situation. The population is expected to grow by 22.5% by 2028 and house prices are forecast to increase by 40.7% by 2020, according to JLL. This makes for an extremely interesting time to be a part of Ilford’s property market and savvy investors are snapping property up apace.”

Ilford is one of the areas included in London Mayor Boris Johnson’s recently released ‘City in the East’ masterplan, which examines factors such as Crossrail and HS1 and their impact. From any angle, Ilford is set to experience an intense period of change, with many investors keen to be a part of the story sooner rather than later.

The other element to the UK’s residential real estate story, at least so far as buy-to-let investors are concerned, is of course yields. Across the UK, yields have risen by 2.7% over the past year, according to the ONS, and the improved potential for returns is encouraging ever greater numbers of individuals to turn to developments such as Horizon London to achieve a healthy income.

With London prices progressing on an upward trajectory, and setting new records all the while, Ilford is a key location for future growth and now is the time to get on board.

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

Latest Kyero.com data reveals soaring confidence in Spanish property market

by Charly Spain Kyero.com

3% of Spanish estate agents report increasing confidence
1% indicate an increase in sales
Just 3.4% report falling foreign buyer numbers

The latest Agent Confidence Survey from Spanish property portal Kyero.com has revealed soaring confidence in the Spanish property market. Of the 408 Spanish-speaking and English-speaking agents interviewed by the portal, 74.3% reported feeling more confident now that they did this time last year. A further 22.1% reported feeling the same level of confidence.

At the same time, a high volume of agents also reported a rise in sales over the past year, with 58.1% reporting an increase and a further 36.0% reporting the same level of sales as this time last year.

The Agent Confidence Survey from Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents, is one of the most important indicators of market sentiment across Spain. Director Martin Dell comments on the figures,

“It is fantastic to see how resoundingly confidence has surged back into the Spanish property market over the past 12 months. Across the board we are seeing indicators that the market’s recovery is very much on course and the Agent Confidence Survey has shown that the majority of agents have faith in the direction that things are headed.”

Official figures from the Ministry of Development show that property transactions in Spain were up 22.11% in Q2 2015 on the previous quarter and up 13.91% annually. Prices have also risen, according to the General Council of Spanish Notaries, with the data showing annual increase of 4.01% to Q2 2015.

International buyers have played an important role in the market’s recovery, accounting for between 15% and 20% of the total number of property transactions conducted since the start of 2013. Their relevance has not gone unnoticed by agents, many of who have specifically sought to court foreign nationals as part of their sales strategy over the past year.

“Overseas buyers remain a core component of the Spanish real estate sector’s recovery,” continues Kyero.com’s Martin Dell. “We saw an initial surge in foreign buyers looking to pick up properties at rock bottom prices. Now, it’s more about buyers who are attracted to the increased stability of the Spanish market once more, though of course great prices also remain a key draw. It’s a customer group that’s going to remain important to Spanish real estate agents well into 2016 and beyond.”

A quick search on Kyero.com reveals just how low prices still are across Spain. The portal lists well over 5,000 properties available for less than €50,000, including country houses and apartments with shared pools. Compared with prices in the UK, where the average home costs £186,553 according to the Land Registry House Price Index, property in Spain offers an incredibly affordable way to own a second home in the sunshine.

The Agent Confidence Survey reinforces the importance of foreign buyers, with some 63.2% of agents reporting an increase in the number of foreign buyers compared with this time last year. Only 3.4% of agents reported a drop in foreign buyer numbers.

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

Charlotte emerges as 2016 property hotspot

by Charly United States Property Frontiers

Charlotte ranked 3^rd out of all US cities (PWC)
City is one of ‘best places for business and careers’ (Forbes)
Charlotte flagged as top 2016 property investment hotspot (Property Frontiers)

Charlotte, North Carolina, has emerged as one of the key property hotspots in the US for 2016. The thriving metropolis has been ranked third out of the nation’s cities in PWC’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate United States and Canada 2016.

Known as the Queen City, having been named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who became Britain’s queen consort the year before the city was founded, Charlotte is the second largest city in the south-eastern US and the second largest banking centre in the country. Bank of America has its headquarters there, while Wells Fargo uses the city as the base for its east coast operations.

With a healthy mix of service sector companies, industry and technology, Charlotte has a strong economic base as well as a thriving sports and social scene. The city has been on the rise for some time. From 2000-2008 it was ranked the 60^th fastest growing city in the US. Last year, it had shot far enough up the ranking to take the number three spot, according to Census data. In 2013, the city received a further boost, with Forbes listing it as one of the Best Places for Business and Careers.

Now, the PWC Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2016 report has once more shone the spotlight on Charlotte’s potential, highlighting it as one of the country’s most dynamic real estate hotspots. Ray Withers, CEO of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, comments,

“We’ve been involved in Charlotte’s property market for some time, as demand for good quality rental accommodation is high both within the city and the surrounding area. Investors from around the world are keen to pick up buy-to-let property in the US right now and Charlotte is one of the key urban areas offering the perfect combination of good value purchase prices and healthy demand from tenants.”

Property Frontiers is already offering investors the opportunity to purchase buy-to-let apartments at Chandler Oaks, just over an hour from Charlotte in the South Carolina city of Gaffney. The fully tenanted homes are priced from $48,671 for a one bedroom apartment. More than 70% of the properties have already been snapped up by investors keen to benefit from the liquidity of the US residential market.

With investor demand so strong for property in the area – and likely to become even more so in light of the PWC report – Property Frontiers has sourced a further development, within the Charlotte Metropolitan Area itself. CEO Ray Withers confirms,

“We are very shortly due to launch a fabulous opportunity at Circle Oaks Village, just 20 minutes from Charlotte, allowing investors to tap into the city’s real estate market and to be part of the future of one of the most active and exciting locations in the US. Property Frontiers has been planning the launch of this development for some time and it’s excellent that the just-published PWC report has confirmed that once more we are at the forefront of where investors want to be when it comes to global buy-to-let property markets.”

Circle Oaks Village is a collection of refurbished and fully tenanted apartments within easy reach of local business districts, schools and recreational facilities. The one, two and three bedroom apartments are spread across 29 buildings, on 13 acres of land. Investment is from just $77,727, with a management company contribution of 40% paid on closing, giving the management company the right to lease the property for the next five years. This means an investment price from only $46,636, with minimum guaranteed returns of up to 18.08% NET on capital invested for the first five years.

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

Is Americans’ enduring romantic notion of Italy fact or fantasy?

by Charly Italy Appassionata

US visitors make up 17.8% of tourist accommodation bookings in Europe (Eurostat)
Property enquiries in Le Marche, Italy, up 45% (Gate-Away.com)
Le Marche offers the romance of traditional Italian life and values (Appassionata)

It’s a classic image – the sprawling, multi-generational Italian family all gathering around the dinner table outdoors in the sunshine to break bread together, with nothing but birdsong, olive trees and blue sky in the background. But is it the real deal in this day and age?

“Yes, absolutely!” laughs Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, owner of local fractional ownership business Appassionata. “Particularly in largely rural areas like Le Marche, where family life is still a core part of society’s values. Here, life is about good food and good company under the warmth of the sun.”

This is one reason that Italy is so enduringly popular with visitors from the US. According to Travelzoo, the country is the friendliest destination in Europe to visit. Meanwhile the Globus Time to Tour survey highlights how keen Americans are to find out if the real Italy is equal to their romantic notions, finding that 93% of people take holidays in order to experience the places they’ve only read about, including the culture and the food.

Indeed, the whole of Europe benefits from US visitors. According to Eurostat, visitors from the US make up 17.8% of tourist accommodation nights within the EU, the largest of any national group from outside Europe.

Nor is it just hotel accommodation that Americans are interested in today. According to Italian property portal Gate-Away.com, when it comes to the Le Marche region of Italy, buyers from the US account for 12.79% of requests for property, second only to those from the UK (20.83%). The figures are set against a backdrop of growing interest in Le Marche from all angles – January to September 2015 saw a 45% increase in the number of enquiries for property in the region from international home buyers, compared to the same period the year before.

“Le Marche is definitely becoming better known,” continues Appassionata’s Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs. “But it’s growing in popularity at a sustainable pace. Visitors are keen to share the secrets of this wonderful region, but are selective about doing so. It’s as though all those who arrive here are determined to keep it to themselves, avoiding the kind of mass tourism that has descended on parts of neighbouring Tuscany.”

Part of Le Marche’s charm is its blending of romantic landscapes with fresh, seasonal cuisine and the kind of charm that is hard to put into words but that speaks to you as you sip a rich, strong expresso while the local church bell tolls and a gaggle of happily chattering Italian children pass the tiny café in which you are sitting.

American romance novelist and TV soap opera writer Leah Laiman has sought to capture the essential spirit of Le Marche in her latest novel, Lingua Terra. The book tells the tale of an American woman who moves to Le Marche for a year after losing her job in New York. The romantic tale is interspersed with recipes from Michelin-starred Le Marche chef Lucio Pompili. It’s an unusual combination – a romance novel and a collection of local recipes – but one that somehow feels entirely right to those who are familiar with the region.

American buyers – and indeed those from elsewhere in the world – looking to own their own slice of Le Marche have been delighted to come across the Appassionata team. Family-run and passionate about Italy, Appassionata restores and renovates tumbledown Italian properties, turning them into stylish fractional ownership holiday homes. Buyers receive a one tenth share, entitling them to five weeks’ use of the property per year. Just like a property that is owned outright, the share can be passed down to the next generation as an inheritance. However, unlike with a fully owned second home, buyers don’t need to worry about cleaning and maintaining the property when they’re not using it as all of that is taken care of by the Appassionata team.

As Le Marche continues to enchant visitors from the US, demand is rising for Appassionata’s properties. Their third luxurious holiday home, Casa Tre Archi, has just three fractions still available, priced from £75,000. The three bedroom property fits perfectly with that enduring romantic image of Italy, from the traditional touches in the spacious interior to the large roof terrace that is perfect for al fresco family meals in the sunshine, against the backdrop of the gently rolling hills.

For more information visit www.appassionata.com or contact the Appassionata team on +39 33154 13225.

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