Bahraini Boost: Middle East money pours into Istanbul as property sales to foreigners hit record high

by Charly Turkey Universal21

Istanbul property sales to overseas buyers hit record peak, with increase of 56.7% in May 2015 compared to previous year (TurkStat)
Growing interest in Istanbul property projects from Bahraini buyers (Universal21)
Over 700% growth in number of Bahrain tourists visiting Turkey in past decade; new flights launched

Increasingly popular as one of the world’s hottest travel destinations, Turkey’s largest city of Istanbul is now also welcoming huge numbers of foreign buyers looking to make a savvy investment by buying into its property market. Latest figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute (Turkstat) uncover a surge in overseas purchasers in May this year, with an increase of 56.7% compared to the previous year, far outweighing the still impressive increase of 23.1% in the number of foreigners buying in Turkey overall, and registering a record level of sales.

Highlighting massive potential in terms of investment growth, as demand outstrips supply and new developments emerge to meet the rapidly increasing interest, there is one region that is particularly focussing on the Istanbul property market, increasing their interest and pouring money into the sector – Bahrain.

Leading property agency in Istanbul, Universal21, has certainly noticed this growing trend. Adil Yaman, Director of Universal21, explains more,

“The city is certainly seeing a Bahraini boost to its coffers as more and more investors recognise the open possibilities associated with buying property in Istanbul. With a rapidly expanding population and hugely increasing tourist market providing endless opportunities, now is certainly the time to purchase as part of the expanding property market and buyers from Bahrain are definitely seeing this, as has been shown in the growing numbers showing interest in our projects.”

In line with this increased Bahraini interest in Istanbul, the country’s national airline, Gulf Air, is adding new flights to its schedule from 11^th July, the result of which will mean up to 7 weekly flights to the city. This is in answer to the growing demand for such connections following an unprecedented increase in the number of Bahrain tourists visiting Turkey in recent years.

The past decade has seen a huge growth of over 700% in figures of Bahrain citizens arriving on Turkish shores, reaching the impressive rate of 24,305 in 2014 and these levels of touristic interest are only set to increase. This is especially true given Turkish Ambassador Hatun Demirer’s recent emphasis on the importance of the growing relations between the two nations. She commented,

“It is a source of pride for Turkey to attract an increasing number of Bahraini nationals to buy properties in Turkey either as holiday homes or for investment purposes. This is a clear indication of the confidence of Bahrainis in Turkey’s economy and a strong sign that they feel at home in Turkey.”

One such development that is attracting particular interest from overseas purchasers, and especially those from Middle East nations including Bahrain, is Universal21’s latest project, Diamond Residence.

Located in a quiet, relaxed area of the middle-class district of Old Beylikdüzü, Diamond Residence is just a 20-minute drive from the main Ataturk airport, a 10-minute walk from the major shopping centre of Marmara Park, and in close proximity to the beach and all amenities and restaurants.

Comprised of 148 beautifully-designed apartments of one, two and three bedrooms, there is a full range of excellent facilities available to ensure a luxurious and relaxed stay, including a fitness centre, vitamin bar, indoor swimming pool, children’s games room, cinema room and 24-hour security.

One bed apartments are priced from £57,000 / €78,000, with two bed apartments from £98,000 / €132,000. Find out about the rent guarantees offered to make this a perfect armchair investment!

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

Salubrious Sunningdale – where the homes and the golf are top of the range

by Charly United Kingdom Barton Wyatt

The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex is due to play out in July 2015
Tournament will be played over the historic Old Course for the first time since 2009, with many legends of the game set to compete
Barton Wyatt launching 10 luxury new apartments in Sunningdale with developer Halebourne Group.

Sunningdale is a large, quintessentially English village located in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire. Dotted with leafy lanes and large detached houses hiding behind foliage and gates it is just 24 miles west of London with a train station and direct link into London Waterloo, Due to its prime location, Sunningdale is a top spot for London commuters and is also favoured by international businessmen and women who need fast access to the UK’s airports.

Sunningdale has been home to many familiar names over the years – Dame Agatha Christie lived in Scotswood, a house on Devenish Avenue, which has now been transformed into luxury apartments. Other famous residents have included Gary Lineker, British pop group Five Star, Chesney Hawkes, Brian Blessed, Diana Dors and Billy Ocean.

The village is well known for its palatial properties including the Grade-II listed art deco mansion, Charters. Built in 1938 for industrialist Frank Parkinson, the house welcomed guests including Winston Churchill and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor before changing use, becoming a corporate headquarters and now a luxury apartment and spa complex.

Other notable properties include Coworth House, the late 18th century home of Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, which was later occupied by the Secretary of State for War in the early 20^th century as well as the British Ambassador to France. It is now the popular Coworth Park Hotel.

In addition to its property heritage, Sunningdale is best known for its golf courses.

Sunningdale Golf Club was founded by two brothers in 1900 and is home to two 18-hole courses. The Old Course was designed by Willie Park Jr and the New Course by Harry Colt. Sunningdale has hosted many prestigious tournaments including the British Masters, the Walker Cup, the Women’s British Open and the Senior Open Championship.

Sunningdale is also home to a second highly acclaimed club: Sunningdale Ladies. With a course also designed by Harry Colt, the club offers players a smaller but perfectly proportioned course. The patron is HRH The Duke of York and this land was once part of Windsor Forest.

July 23^rd – 26^th sees the return of the Senior Open Championship to Sunningdale Golf Club and with it a host of golfing greats who are all raving about being back in Berkshire for this competition.

Wales’ greatest ever golfer Ian Woosnam, former Masters Champion and world number one, says:

“It’s a course that I always love to play and I think it’s great for the Senior Open to go there. The crowds are going to be magnificent. Noone can complain because it’s such a lovely old golf course. It’s the sort of golf course, with the heather and everything, that you’ve got to keep it on the fairway, but it’s not a long golf course. You have to use the right clubs off the tee and they are very small greens so you have to be accurate as well.”

Golfer Sam Torrance also knows Sunningdale’s Old Course inside out, as a long-time member of the club.

“I love the golf course,” said Torrance. “I’ve been there for the last 44 years – I was assistant pro there in 1971 so there’s not a blade of grass that I’m not familiar with. I can’t wait to get out there.”

Torrance’s compatriot Colin Montgomerie is also thinking ahead to late July and what lies in store on the Old Course at the iconic Surrey venue:

“My first competitive round at Sunningdale was in 1987, which was the Walker Cup. Ever since I first played it I’ve loved the place and I’ve always said it’s a gorgeous place to be, not just to play golf but to walk round.”

With accolades such as this it is hardly surprising that Sunningdale, and in particular those houses that back onto the courses, are in such high demand.

James Wyatt, Partner of local estate agency Barton Wyatt, says:

“Finding homes in Sunningdale can be difficult. They just don’t come onto the market very often. Particularly the houses that adjoin the courses – these are highly valuable and prized by their owners.”

A local developer, Halebourne Group, is shortly to complete a stunning mansion that will launch as 10 new luxury apartments. Coming to the market at approximately £2-3 million for the two and three bedroom homes and two magnificent penthouses. James Wyatt continues:

“This majestic house is situated opposite the world famous Sunningdale golf course and will be the most fabulous opportunity for keen golfers to own their own tee-side seat at Sunningdale. We anticipate that these homes will be highly sought after by locals who are looking to downsize but remain in the area that they know and love.”

If you are looking for a slice of golfing action and would like more details on these apartments or other properties in the area contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

The Ridge, Sunningdale Anticipated launch price from £2,000,000

This stunning development will offer mansion block apartments in an exclusive setting. Each luxury apartment has secure basement parking, outside terraces and a superb interior specification. They will be available from spring 2016.

Editor’s notes:

An extract from “Golf Courses of the British Isles” by Bernard Darwin, describing a round at Sunningdale and published in 1910:

It was a long course, really a fearfully long course for an ordinary mortal.

And later:

If we have not been too frequently up to our necks in untrodden heather, nay, even if we have, we ought to have enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Overseas Property Show set to take Herts by storm this summer!

by Charly World IdealHomesInternational

Overseas Property Show coming to Watford, 4^th & 5^th July 2015
Cyprus is new addition to list of destinations for this year’s show
Free tickets available at theoverseaspropertyshow.com

Hertfordshire residents are gearing up for the arrival of the much-anticipated Overseas Property Show this July, with the Watford show tour dates just announced.

The Overseas Property Show is one of the most respected shows in the industry and has proven itself invaluable over the years as a means of connecting buyers with their dream homes abroad. The first six shows held in 2014 attracted more than 3,000 visitors, while the 2015 tour has already got off to a bumper start with the first show in Surrey at the end of June.

The Hertfordshire Overseas Property Show will take place at the Hilton Watford Hotel on Saturday 4^th and Sunday 5^th July. The show provides visitors with access to experts on buying and owning property in Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and the US. It is ideal for everyone, from those dreaming of owning property abroad to those with a string of holiday homes and rental properties, looking to add to their portfolio.

The free-to-attend Overseas Property Show includes everything from holiday apartments to retirement villas and primary residences, with experts on hand to answer questions and discuss the merits of buying in their country of expertise.

Tickets are free and available at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, will be available with his team to talk buyers through the advantages of property ownership in Portugal and how they can pick up that dream second home in the sunshine. Chris comments,

“Many people dream of owning a home overseas, but aren’t sure where to start. The Overseas Property Show provides the perfect resource for them, as well as an invaluable tool for those who already own overseas but want to purchase further properties or expand their portfolio into a new country.

“People want to own property overseas for all kinds of reasons, from straightforward holiday homes to rental businesses that generate an income. Many also want a dual purpose property, that they can use for holidays or rent out initially, then retire to in the future. At the Overseas Property Show we cater for all these buyers and more, sharing our knowledge and offering top tips and insights into the joys of owning property overseas with confidence.”

The Ideal Homes International team will also be on hand at the show, presenting visitors with a range of stunning properties in Cyprus. From frontline villas to luxurious city apartments, Cypriot property expert Maria McLaren will be available to talk visitors through their property ownership options in this fabulous country.

All are welcome at the Overseas Property Show. The doors at the Hilton Watford Hotel will open at 10.00 am and close at 6.00 pm on both 4^th and 5^th July.

For further details and to claim your free tickets, visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

In brands we trust – why an excellent reputation is just as important as excellent property

by Charly Spain Taylor Wimpey Espana

85% of relationships with enterprises to be managed without human interaction by 2020 (Gartner)
Customer satisfaction at Taylor Wimpey España running at 90% plus
New Jade Beach development will be one of most advanced on market (Taylor Wimpey España)

Selling property is about far more than just having nice houses on your books. This is doubly true if your buyers live in another country and you are selling off plan homes with the majority of the process conducted without any face-to-face interaction.

Yet this kind of selling relationship is the way of the future. According to Gartner, by 2020 customers will manage 85% of their relationships with enterprises without any human interaction, highlighting how essential it is to have a known and trusted brand, whichever industry you work in.

For those selling overseas real estate, this means a serious focus on web and social media presence. If you don’t have a first-rate website, packed with information and images of the properties you are selling, your potential customers will have moved on to your competitors’ sites before you know it. If you don’t also engage appropriately with social media, it can damage your company’s reputation and brand.

Companies these days need to be smart about their social media presence. A survey by Adroit Digital found that 60% of millennials in the US said that social advertising had the most influence over how they perceived a brand. Furthermore, 38% said they would be willing to leave a brand that they perceived to have bad ethics. The figures highlight the damage that one disgruntled customer with a Twitter account can do!

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, is well aware of the importance of his company’s brand when it comes to successfully selling luxury homes in Spain. He explains,

“We’ve worked hard over the last 50 years to ensure that Taylor Wimpey España’s name is synonymous with high spec, beautifully designed properties, excellent customer service and careful attention to detail. It’s the reason that we were able to weather the Spanish recession and carry on building during the country’s difficult years. We work on principles of honesty and trust with our customers and are running at a baseline satisfaction rate of 90% plus as a result.”

The company’s approach is in line with the thinking of the recent Madrid Real Estate Conference 2015. Juan Antonio Gomez-Pintado, president of the Association of Real Estate of Madrid (ASPRIMA), spoke of the responsibility that real estate entrepreneurs have to society and the need to use “innovation, transparency, energy efficiency and job creation” to ensure the future viability of the sector.

Taylor Wimpey España certainly ticks all of these boxes, from innovation in design through to a commitment to full compliance with the latest energy efficiency standards. At Avalon, near Marbella, traditional Mediterranean features are combined with contemporary design, resulting in an innovative development featuring some truly magnificent penthouses with terraces and pergolas. Underground parking and storage, a residents’ elevator and a stunning communal pool are all included, with prices starting from €310,000.

Jade Beach, just 100 m from the seafront promenade between Puerto Banus and San Pedro de Alcantara, also features an exciting design that maximises outdoor space. The two and three bedroom apartments feature motorised sun blinds and underfloor heating, as well as top of the range sliding windows in the living room. The development has been designed to be one of the most advanced properties on the market, in terms of both energy savings and its integrated home control capabilities. Prices are from €450,000.

Taylor Wimpey España’s approach certainly seems to be paying off. Dutch buyers Eef Meijer and Lydia Kosijungan, who purchased their property at Los Arqueros Beach last year, summed it up beautifully when they commented,

“Very good sales guy. He told us the truth, he gave honest information. No defects at delivery! Very well documentation. We are very satisfied with Taylor Wimpey. An example for many other companies.”

The value to customers of buying a second home overseas through a known and trusted brand is clear: they get a high quality home, delivered on time and without the risks of using an unknown and untested company. They also receive excellent customer service at every stage of the purchase process. The customer service element alone is so important: a study from Loyalty360 found that 66% of US consumers were willing to pay more for a product if the brand delivered a positive customer experience.

Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard concludes,

“We’ve put a lot of work into building a brand that people can trust. It’s a process that takes time and commitment but the result is well worth it. We look forward to many more years of delivering high quality homes and making buyers’ property ownership dreams come true.”

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.

How to buy an overseas property in 14 days

by Charly Italy Appassionata

Inspection trip to paperwork completion in just 14 days (Appassionata)
503,000 passengers pass through Ancona airport annually (Europe Airports)
Le Marche perfect for “so many different types of discovery” (Colleen Rouse)

A couple from Kent are challenging the perception that buying a property overseas is a huge undertaking that requires significant time, having just used their pension savings to purchase their Italian dream home in a timescale of only two weeks.

Colleen and Duncan Rouse had been waiting patiently for Duncan’s retirement before buying a property abroad, in order to make sure they had the time to use it properly. When his retirement finally happened, the couple decided they were done with waiting and prepared to put their pension to good use. They set off for their beloved Italy on an inspection trip to see luxury fractional ownership property Casa Tre Archi, in Le Marche.

Colleen recalls,

“The buying process was so straightforward and easy and was accomplished in just 14 days from our first overnight visit to Casa Tre Archi to completion and ownership. We have always loved the Italian people and the way of life. We love the landscape of Le Marche and its position, which offers beautiful countryside, hilltop towns and villages between the sea and the mountains, providing opportunities for so many different types of discovery. Also the convenience of having a number of airports within reasonable driving distance, offering a whole range of flights from and to the UK.”

Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, founder of family-run, Le Marche-based Appassionata, the company behind Casa Tre Archi, comments,

“One of the great joys of renovating properties in this area of Italy is that we can furnish and decorate the houses by working with local artisans who are the third, fourth or even fifth generation to run their business. It means that each of our holiday homes is filled with unique touches, from hand-painted wall tiles to individually crafted lamps, the techniques for which have been passed down through the family for generations.

“But that doesn’t mean that we have to run the paperwork side of the business in the same way. There’s a time and place for embracing modern efficiency! We want our owners to have a hassle-free buying experience so that they can begin to look forward to using the property as quickly as possible.”

This blending of modern convenience with ancient traditions is a core part of Appassionata’s recipe for success. After a quick and efficient journey to Italy thanks to the multiple routes into nearby Ancona airport (which Europe Airports reports is used by more than half a million passengers each year), owners love to indulge in long, relaxed dinners on the roof terrace of Casa Tre Archi, using ingredients like truffles and game that the rolling Le Marche farmland has supplied since time immemorial. Or perhaps stroll along the cobbled streets of the medieval town of Petritoli. As Colleen observes,

“We like the idea of living in a town where we can go out for a meal in one of the local restaurants and know that we can walk home. We live in a village in Kent where we have the pleasure to interact with people from all walks of life and we hope to be able to meet real people in Petritoli too.”

For those eager to share in the Italian dream, fractions in Casa Tre Archi are available from £70,000 for five weeks’ exclusive use per year.

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

We’re on our way to Wembley… but how will we get there?

by Charly United Kingdom Quintain

Wembley Park provides “zone 4 living, but with zone 2 transport connections” (Quintain)
Wembley Central Crossrail station a key part of area’s revitalization (Brent Council)
Residents set to benefit from Wembley’s new transport proposals

Wembley has a reputation as one of the most well connected places in London. Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at British-based developer, Quintain, recently described the Wembley Park area as, “zone 4 living, but with zone 2 transport connections.”

Thanks to the presence of The SSE Arena, Wembley, London Designer Outlet and Wembley connected by EE*, the area is experienced in managing flows of people quickly and efficiently through its transportation network.

And this is not just positive news for those visiting this exciting part of North West London but also for those who live and work in the area. Wembley Park residents enjoy superior connectivity provided by the Bakerloo, Jubilee and Metropolitan Underground lines (Baker Street in 13 mins), as well as a host of overground rail (London Marylebone in 9 minutes) and bus route options. The A406 means that even those who prefer to get around London by car have an established route into and out of Wembley Park.

While Wembley Park’s existing connections already make it one of London’s most accessible destinations, property buyers in the area have their eyes firmly on future plans so far as the transportation is concerned. Paul Hogarth, Head of Residential Sales at Quintain, the main driving force behind the regeneration of Wembley Park, comments,

“Varied and reliable transport links are essential to London residents and Wembley Park is in the fortunate position to be presented with not one but four potential new transportation systems over the coming years. There’s no way to know if all four will get the green light but certainly any new transport connections will bring great benefit to Wembley Park and its residents.”

Residents of Emerald Gardens, the current phase of contemporary apartments (delivered complete with secure underground parking in 2016 and available from £366,000) at North West Village, a significant scheme of more than 1,000 high quality new homes, private gardens, parks and outstanding facilities by Quintain, are just one group who will benefit from future transportation developments in Wembley Park.

Indeed buyers of the studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments will not only be eagerly anticipating the start of the Night Tube, set to operate the full length of the Jubilee Line, including Wembley Park station, 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturdays from 12^th September 2015 but also be keeping a close eye on plans for a Wembley Central Crossrail station, which is a key component of Brent Council’s backing for the Mayor of London’s regeneration plans for Old Oak and Park Royal.

Also under consideration for the Wembley area is London Mayor Boris Johnson’s R25 rail network. Blueprints are currently being drawn up for the orbital, metro-style railway, linking the inner suburbs. The ambitious project is part of the Mayor’s London Infrastructure 2050 plan, which has been created with a view to ensuring the capital’s continued success as a global destination, with investment of up to £1.3 trillion.

Other potential infrastructure developments include the West London Orbital (an addition to the current Underground network), which was first proposed in 2008 by the West London Business chamber of commerce group, and an orbital FastBus network. Though neither system is actively being taken forward at present, they demonstrate the potential that the area holds for additional connectivity, once Crossrail and the R25 rail network have been fully explored.

It remains to be seen which of the proposed schemes will win favour with planners and funders over the years ahead but as of today Wembley Park residents can still enjoy the excellent rail and road connections which have been catalysed by the new stadium, the revitalization of The SSE Arena, Wembley and creation of London Designer Outlet.

For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/ or call the team on 020 3151 8601.

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

Notes to editors

Established in 1992, Quintain is a London investment and development specialist, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Quintain seeks to create outstanding returns through investment in and development of property in London.

North West Village, located in NW London, is the new residential offering from Quintain and an integral element of their impressive Wembley Park master plan.

Emerald Gardens is the current phase of North West Village, a community of over 1,000 new homes, with local shops, restaurants and leisure spaces to add to the already exhilarating location that is Wembley Park. The one, two and three bedroom homes, the majority of which have private balconies or terraces, are set around an acre of private, landscaped courtyard gardens. Emerald Gardens also benefits from a gym, cinema room and 24 hour concierge.

Developed in conjunction with Keystone, a subsidiary of Keystone Group Holding AG, a Swiss real estate and private equity family office, Emerald Gardens is under construction and due for completion in 2016.

For further details, visit http://www.northwestvillage.com/ or call the team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Accessible Albania: Plans for new airport as tourism figures continue to rise

by Charly Albania Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa

World Bank projects annual economic growth rate of 3.5% for Albania until 2017
Albania tourism sector income increases by 13% in Q1 2015 vs Q1 2014 (Bank of Albania)
Albania’s Minister of Transport, confirms plans for a new international airport

Recent statistics released by The World Bank last week project Albania’s annual economic growth rate to stay at a healthy 3.5%, until at least 2017. The continued improvement of the country’s economy is predicted to be steady as the Balkan nation emerges as a top tourist destination in the Mediterranean.

According to the country’s national statistics office, INSTAT, the number of foreign visitors arriving in Albania for holidays and day trips in Q3 2014 had increased by an incredible 167% on the previous year. With forecasts suggesting this trend will continue and in order to accommodate the rising number of tourists wanting to experience Albania’s natural beauty and historic architecture, negotiations have begun to add another international airport to cater for the growing demand from tourists in Albania.

Arben Ahmetaj, Albania’s Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship has outlined the country’s commitment to developing its tourism sector and believes a new airport, located in the south of the nation, could help to attract a wider group of visitors, helping transform seasonal tourism into a more year round, elite industry.

Peter Walshe, Sales & Marketing Director of Albania’s first affordably luxurious resort, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa, comments on this latest proposal,

“The need to expand Albania’s accessibility through international travel highlights its increasing popularity as a tourist destination. With additional motorways and airports creating greater international travel options, and thus allowing more travellers to choose Albania, the tourism industry can expect a real period of growth. This new project has the ability to attract more and more tourists to Albania and we are very excited to be involved in the sector at such a progressive time.”

Indeed Bank of Albania’s most recent report shows that income generated by the tourism industry increased by 13% during the first quarter of 2015, in comparison with the same period last year. With this including both foreign and domestic tourism, it is the average expenditure of non-Albanian residents that has made the biggest impact with a growth of 7% since 2014, a positive and encouraging figure for those working in the tourist industry.

When organising a trip, either business or pleasure, one of the first things to research is flight availability and how easy it will be to arrive in the destination of choice. With interest in Albania as a to-visit destination on the rise from tourist markets including Northern Europe and the Middle East, Minister of Transport Edmond Haxhinasto is determined to appeal to more low cost airlines and provide an extensive timetable of international flights more suited to a mass target market.

With a new airport built in the south, international travellers can access all that Albania has to offer comfortably, making the rest of the country more accessible to the expanding tourism industry.

In answer to this growing tourist market, Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa strives to provide an array of options for prospective holiday makers and second home buyers. Their beautiful beachfront resort comprises of one and two bedroom apartments, three and four bedroom villas as well as a select number of five and six luxury freehold villas. Apartments are well designed and generously proportioned, while the villas are the height of luxury, each benefitting from the option of a private pool, with prices ranging from €50,000 for apartments and from just €180,000 for villas. Just 30 minutes from Tirana International Airport, the resort is the perfect location for beach holiday or to explore Albania’s entire coastline and stunning mountainous interior.

Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa also boasts an assortment of 5-star amenities including a beach club, tennis courts and a range of shops and eating and drinking facilities, alongside a 24 hour on-call medical service onsite and 24/7 security presence.

For more information, contact Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on +44 845 125 8600 or visit www.lalzitbay.com

Londoners seek refuge in Brighton for the perfect work/life balance

by Charly United Kingdom Property Frontiers

Record 250k Londoners moving out of the capital each year (ONS)
Brighton 2^nd in top 20 London commuter hotspots (Savills)
New park-side apartments in Brighton from £330k (Property Frontiers)

It’s commonly accepted that a good work/life balance is a key component of a happy life. So what do you do if you work in London but want a better quality of life than living in the big smoke can provide? Simple: you move to Brighton.

Londoners are leaving the capital in record numbers. Data from the Office for National Statistics has shown that around 250,000 per year are moving away from the city, with more affordable homes and proximity to good schools high up on the list of reasons for living.

Many of those leaving London intend to commute into the city for work from their new home, so a new report from Savills has examined the 20 top towns with good-value homes within an hour’s reach of London. Reading took the top spot, but Brighton came a close second, with its iconic seafront, liberal culture and bustling shopping streets giving jaded Londoners a new lease of life.

Ray Withers, Chief Executive of leading property investment specialists Property Frontiers, comments on the development,

“Life in London can be fabulous, but we’ve found a growing number of young professionals who want to combine a London salary with a home life that offers more than the big city can. Tenants are demanding luxury apartments with easy access to the sea and the green spaces of the South of England, with London less than an hour away by train.”

Brighton provides all this and more. It is renowned for being a welcoming and liberal place and has previously been voted the ‘UK’s coolest city.’ It is a city of firsts, having been the location of the UK’s first Green MP, first nudist beach and first same sex marriage. In the summer, its beaches and parks provide the perfect location for a picnic, a game of Frisbee or simply a snooze in the sun, while for those winter days it boasts the oldest working cinema in Europe, more restaurants per head than any UK city other than London and excellent shopping in the twisting maze of independent stores that make up the Lanes.

With so much to offer in its own right, as well as quick and easy access to London, Brighton truly does provide the best of both worlds. Demand for rental property there is fierce, creating an ideal environment for buy-to-let investors. Opposite the natural beauty of Preston Park, the Park View Apartments offer spacious, two bedroom/two bathroom apartments in a contemporary, boutique building that fits perfectly with the local environment. Executive tenants and young professionals will feel right at home with recessed LED lighting, under-floor heating and high gloss kitchens. Prices range from £330,000 to £420,000, with up to 4.7% yield expected.

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

Spanish real estate in depth – an insider’s perspective

by Charly Spain Taylor Wimpey Espana

Spanish residential real estate investment to grow 6.6% in 2016 (Banco de España)
Property values up 3.3% (Sociedad de Tasación)
Marbella property sales up 89% from 2008 to 2014 (Knight Frank)

The Spanish property market crisis is over. At least that’s what Banco de España is saying. Director of Studies José Luis Malo de Molina comments,

“The adjustment of the real estate sector is, in principle, complete.”

At the same time, Spain’s GDP has grown for seven consecutive quarters and recently even more than expected: 0.9% in Q1 2015, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Property values are also on the up, increasing by 3.3% in the last year, based on figures from the Sociedad de Tasación Residential Real Estate Trends Report for Q2 2015.

Yet the true picture of the Spanish real estate sector is far more complex than these stark facts imply. Regional variations are huge and the market remains sensitive to external influences, based on the large number of foreign buyers. The Marbella Real Estate Market Insight 2015 Report from Knight Frank, for example, reveals an increase in sales in Marbella of 89% between 2008 and 2014.

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

“There are pockets of real success in terms of the real estate market in Spain right now, but the picture is far from consistent. It’s still a delicate market and changes in FX rates, along with international politics, are likely to play a big role in how the market is shaped going forward. Buyers are focussing on coastal areas and there is a lot of money coming into Spain from overseas as foreign purchasers look to pick up bargain homes by the sea before prices rise much higher.”

Taylor Wimpey España is the driving force behind a number of high profile new developments on the Costa del Sol. Avalon, located in one of the most sought after areas of Marbella, next to the prestigious Los Arqueros Golf course, is a charming residential complex with wide streets, a large communal pool and stunning golf and sea views. The luxury two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses are synonymous with the opulence for which the area is known, though for an extremely reasonable starting price of just €310,000.

“Avalon is a great example of market forces in action,” continues Pritchard. “It shows just how much you can get for your money in Spain right now and this is precisely what foreign buyers are looking for – high spec properties that they can enjoy now but that also hold the potential for future capital growth. Many are looking at second homes that they can use for years and then eventually retire to, or else sell on at a profit many years from now.”

Domestic buyers are also helping to reinvigorate the Spanish real estate market and the combined effect of this with interest from overseas investors has led Banco de España to predict growth of 4.2% for residential investment over the course of this year, followed by growth of 6.6% in 2016. The bank’s José Luis Malo de Molina observes,

“Demand, supported by foreign purchases and, more recently, domestic interest, shows signs of stabilising.”

Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard adds,

“Although the upturn is still patchy, we are seeing more and more areas reporting price increases as each month’s figures come in. It seems reasonable that by the end of this year, if not early next year, Spain will be able to report growth in every region so far as residential property is concerned. There is still fragility within the market, but with each passing month it is looking more robust.”

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.

Potty about Pools

by Charly United Kingdom Barton Wyatt

Swimming burns anywhere from 500-650 calories per hour (medicinenet.com)
Regular swimming can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke as well as boosting mood and keeping weight under control (NHS)
1 in 4 homes for sale through Barton Wyatt boast swimming pools (Barton Wyatt)

“Open water swimming is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK which is why now is the perfect time to consider buying a house with a swimming pool.”

Says James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the leading prime estate agent in Virginia Water, Surrey.

“It seems to me that ever since David Walliams swam the length of the River Thames people have taken to swimming like ducks to water and it’s become a trendy way to keep fit” James continues. “Testament to our love of swimming here in Surrey, you can’t move at the weekends without bumping into a triathlon – particularly in the summer months!”

Although the name Virginia Water might suggest utopia for the avid swimmer, the man-made lake cannot itself be used for swimming leaving those more at home in the water looking for an alternative. For many this means purchasing a home complete with onsite swimming pool.

According to Barton Wyatt the number of houses coming onto the market in Virginia Water in 2015 with swimming pools has nearly doubled– with currently 1 in 4 homes for sale having either indoor or outdoor pools.

Swimming is unquestionably one of the finest ways to keep fit. Few, if any other, sports works as many muscle groups at the same time giving swimmers a total body workout every time they get in the pool. Swimming reduces the risk of illness, it keeps your body trim and is very low impact making it ideal for those of all ages.

James Wyatt, an avid swimmer himself, goes onto say:

“Swimming pools are one of those enigmas when it comes to selling houses. Buyers know that they can be hard work to look after but the lure of a pool in your back garden is often a clincher. The family turns up to view a property and once the children have seen the pool it’s almost impossible for them not to want it.”

So for those ready to take the plunge, here’s a selection of the finest homes available through Barton Wyatt with swimming pools:

Winbar, South Ascot £2,600,000

Entrance hall, Cloakroom, Dining room, Drawing room, Study, Utility, Conservatory, Five bedrooms (three en-suite) Family bathroom, Garage with separate guest/staff flat with living room/bedroom six and bathroom, Large outdoor area with swimming pool, BBQ, Jacuzzi, Kitchen, Large tiled terraced entertainment area and pool house, Gardens of 0.62 of an acre, Approximately 4,000 sq ft.

Roundbarrow House, Sunningdale £3,950,000

Seven bedrooms, Five bath/shower rooms, Second floor sitting room, Drawing room, Dining room, Sitting room, Kitchen/breakfast room, Games room, Basement plant room, Large two bay garage with one bedroom staff flat over, Swimming pool beautiful gardens amounting to approximately one acre in all.

The Ridge, Wentworth, Surrey £8,750,000

Six bedrooms with en-suite bath/shower rooms, four reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, entertainment room, cinema, staff kitchen/utility room, gymnasium/games room with adjoining shower room, double garage, outdoor swimming pool, gardens of approximately 1.1 acres facing south to the rear. A stunning Georgian style family home beautifully presented with high ceilings and large windows. The property is situated in the very heart of the Wentworth Estate backing onto the Executive Course and set in delightfully secluded gardens of approximately 1.5 acres with an outdoor swimming pool.

Broomfield House, Windlesham £4,350,000

Five bedrooms (three bedrooms with en-suite facilities, master with en-suite dressing room and bathroom) family bathroom, reception hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, family room, study, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, two cloakrooms, indoor swimming pool complex, triple garage with one bedroom staff flat above, tennis court, secluded landscaped gardens and grounds of approximately 1.68 acres.

For more details on these lavish homes with swimming pools contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

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