5 resolutions to make you more money in 2017

5 resolutions to make you more money in 2017

by Charly United Kingdom World
  • Trading no longer just for the chosen few
  • Vast online Learn Centre from easyMarkets equips newbie traders with the info they need to get started
  • Markets more sensitive than ever to global events in 2017

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to mean pain and deprivation. If hitting the gym more and eating or drinking less don’t appeal, there are much more interesting alternatives available. With that in mind, here are five New Year’s resolutions from Evdokia Pitsillidou, Director of Risk Management at pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets.

  1. Trade!

“We want 2017 to be the year that everyone can test out their skills as a trader and find out if making money through trading can revolutionise their personal finances,” explains Pitsillidou. “We’re constantly looking for new and innovative ways to democratise trading. Being able to improve your finances through trading shouldn’t be an avenue open only to the chosen few.”

  1. Learn

Jumping headlong into trading without knowing what you’re doing probably isn’t the most sensible of plans. As Evdokia Pitsillidou observes,

“Taking a studied approach and using resources such as the easyMarkets Learn Centre is much more likely to result in outcomes that are beneficial to your cash-flow! So resolve to learn the basics before plunging into trading in order to maximise your effectiveness.”

  1. Proceed with caution

When trying anything for the first time, a cautious approach is always good. To empower those new to trading to proceed with caution, easyMarkets has introduced the dealCancellation tool. This innovative produce allows traders to cancel a losing deal within 60 minutes of making it – perfect for those still learning the ropes and wanting an extra layer of risk mitigation at their disposal.

  1. Read the news

Global markets have never been more sensitive to political happenings, so keeping abreast of the news is essential for anyone who plans to take up trading in 2017. The unfolding of the Brexit process in particular is likely to be of keen interest to those looking to trade currency pairs over the months ahead.

  1. Think big

It’s not just politicians who can create headaches (and opportunities) for traders. Everything from weather patterns to shifting global consumption patterns can impact on the price of commodities and the value of currencies. As easyMarkets’ Evdokia Pitsillidou points out,

“You really do have to keep your finger on the global pulse if you’re serious about trading. Of course, you’re not alone. We provide detailed market news reports and real-time trading charts to share our expert knowledge with all those who want to profit from trading, whether they’re old hands or complete newbies. This is knowledge that we want everyone to be able to use to their own advantage.”

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.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).

Traders’ Guide to Financial Fitness in 2017

Traders’ Guide to Financial Fitness in 2017

by Charly United Kingdom World

From the Desk of Evdokia Pitsillidou, Head of Risk Management at easyMarkets.

2016 was a highly unpredictable year for the financial markets. Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi were just some of the major headlines that drove the markets this year. These and several other developments will be at the centre of the 2017 financial storm. Against this backdrop, we decided to give traders five tips to prioritise financial fitness in 2017.

Diversify

Diversification is one of those recommendations we hear ad nauseam, mostly because it’s true and we rarely ever do it. Financial diversification – the process of allocating capital in a way that reduces risk exposure to one particular asset or market might be the key to financial fitness in 2017 and beyond. EasyMarkets has done just about everything to increase traders’ ability to diversify their investments. We have over 300 markets to choose from, so there’s no excuse to put all your eggs in one basket. Forex, commodities, stock indices and contracts for difference (CFDs) are just some of the markets you may use to achieve diversification.

Monitor the Economic Calendar

Today’s financial markets are highly market driven. A high-profile news event, economic data release or monetary policy decision may set the market ablaze. Traders must be able to anticipate these moves in advance and prepare accordingly. Luckily, this isn’t particularly difficult to do. Start off by glancing at the economic calendar every day before you start trading. Monitor it carefully every single day for potentially volatile events, then research those events to get a sense of what might transpire.

Prioritise Risk Management

In the world of trading, you must manage risks to experience rewards. Risk management should be part of every fit trader’s regimen. This includes employing tools that may help you minimise loss and lock-in profit. Guaranteed stop loss, negative balance protection and take-profit orders might therefore be part of your everyday vocabulary. EasyMarkets took risk management a step further in 2016 by introducing dealCancellation, a tool that allows traders to cancel a losing position within 60 minutes and have any losses returned for a small fee.

Discovering Volatility

Volatility is the ugly step-sister of the trading world that many market participants simply don’t want to talk about. Unfortunately, ignoring volatility won’t make it go away. In the era of high-frequency trading, computer-based algorithms and globalized markets, volatility is here to stay. Rather than be afraid of it, learn to trade it. The CBOE VIX (a.k.a. the “fear index”) allows traders to trade volatility tied to the S&P 500 – Wall Street’s foremost stock index. Put simply, volatility usually moves in the opposite direction of the S&P 500,[1] giving you ample opportunity to buy and sell volatility. EasyMarkets recently added the VXX Fear Index CFD to its MT4 platform. Give it a shot if you’re interested in trading volatile market-moving events.

Be Skeptical

The final piece of advice on the road to financial fitness is skepticism. Be sure to have lots of it as a trader, as your day might be filled with sifting through fear mongering, poor analysis and a heavily biased media. Skepticism has a lot of unique advantages in the financial markets. Chiefly, it may help you avoid herd mentality, or the irrational euphoria that gets traders to do silly things just because others are also doing it. Herd mentality has led to massive asset bubbles and more devastating market crashes. It is the bane of the financial markets, and should be avoided at all costs. Since there’s no single tool or strategy that will overcome it, your best defence might be a healthy dose of skepticism.

A regimen centered on diversification, risk management, research and skepticism might help you become financially fit in 2017. Remember: trading is a marathon, not a race. Just as crash diets never work, the same applies to trading. Learn to pace yourself and don’t be afraid to embrace new markets and strategies in 2017. This is especially true if what you’ve done before hasn’t brought you success. After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results.

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.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).

[1] CBOE. The Relationship of the SPX and the VIX Index.

The true taste of a Spanish Christmas

The true taste of a Spanish Christmas

by Charly Spain
  • 83% of Spanish say Christmas is too focused on spending money (ING)
  • Mantecados recognised as the essential dessert for those spending Christmas in Spain
  • Stylish second homes available from €145k for the ultimate Spanish festive season (Taylor Wimpey España)

Owning a second home overseas provides the chance to experience a country in a way that just holidaying there rarely does. With your own home you can live, cook, eat, drink and be merry in just the same way as the locals do – something which is impossible from even the largest of hotel rooms.

In Spain, owning a property to spend the Christmas holidays in means feasting in true Spanish style. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“In the UK, Christmas is a much more commercial holiday than it is in Spain. The UK’s emphasis on gift buying is much greater – here it is more about investing time in making intricate meals and spending precious moments with family. It’s a very different kind of holiday season and one that feels really special to experience: it’s less about money and more about family time.”

In the most recent ING International Survey for Christmas 2016, respondents were asked if Christmas is too focused on spending money. And across Europe 70% answered yes, with a substantial 83% agreeing in Spain, higher than any other country featured in the report. The figures also revealed that 42% of people in Europe agree with the statement “I feel forced to spend money at Christmas”, again with the largest share in Spain at 57%.

Spending Christmas with family and loved ones is an important tradition in Spain and with such a strong emphasis on food and drink to accompany these gatherings, many of those with a second home there delight in experimenting with local dishes in the kitchen over the holiday season.

The feasting begins in earnest on Christmas Eve night – La Noche Buena – when families gather together to dine at length over the course of the evening, often spending hours at the table and finishing past midnight.

Shellfish, Iberian ham, garlicky mushrooms, grilled shrimp, garlic soup, clams with salsa verde, roast lamb, roast suckling pig, lobster stew… the list of delicious delights is long and complex. Nor do the Spanish neglect the sweeter side of the culinary spectrum when it comes to Christmas dishes.

Mantecados, mainly produced in the quaint little town of Estepa in the region of Andalusia, are a baked mixture of toasted wheat flour, sugar, pork lard, cinnamon and roasted almonds. There are different varieties depending on the extra ingredients that may be added, for example cocoa, lemon peel or sesame seeds.

For those looking to experience the true taste of Spain this Christmas, Taylor Wimpey España is offering a range of homes for sale 150 km to the Mantecados heartland in Andalusia. Set in beautiful surroundings declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the new phase of La Floresta Sur is situated only a short drive away from Elviria and its beach, close to Marbella and Malaga.

Designed in a typical Mediterranean style, from just €190,000 +VAT, the 2 and 3 bed apartments and penthouses include an Italian-designed integrated kitchen with Silestone worktops, perfect for creating a spectacular Spanish feast, thermal and acoustic insulation and air-conditioning. Benefitting from stunning views towards the oak and pine forest as well as towards the sea, the resort boasts communal swimming pools, landscaped gardens and external private parking.

With large terraces on which to enjoy the beautiful sea views, La Floresta Sur is a ten minute drive from two of the best known golf courses on the Costa del Sol, La Cala Golf Resort and Santa Maria Golf, and has direct access to El Soto Golf Club. It is also just a few minutes from the exclusive Nikki Beach Club.

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.

Dress to kill in 2017 – Why interior design will be the secret weapon to achieving sales targets

Dress to kill in 2017 – Why interior design will be the secret weapon to achieving sales targets

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Sub-£2m properties to receive huge boost from interior design in 2017 (Alexander James)
  • Specialist interior design to increase by 20% in 10 years (Brandon Gaille)
  • “Design is at the crux of how we live, work, and play” (ASID)

According to property industry experts, one of the leading trends in 2017 will be the emergence of interior design agencies in unexpected places. While hotels and new home developers have long employed the unique talents of those with the vision to transform their properties’ interiors, 2017 will be the year that interior design goes mainstream.

Robert Walker, Managing Director from Alexander James Interior Design explains,

“We are working with a growing number of clients who, just a couple of years ago, never imagined they would be employing professional designers to create beautiful interiors for their properties. Interior design used to be the preserve of the largest of companies. Now, there’s a growing trend for smaller developers to use interior design to boost the value of their property.

“Be they for sale or rent, dressing your units at any price level will be the path to success in 2017. It’ll be the secret weapon to achieving those sales targets.”

Developers of private rented sector (PRS) housing and high end purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) will be particularly drawn to the use of interior designers in 2017, according to the team at Alexander James.

Albury Park Mansion in Surrey highlights the value of the trend towards professional interior design. One apartment in the prestigious Grade 2 listed building saw a staggering 65% increase in value after being professionally dressed by the Alexander James team.

As well as the obvious monetary benefits, a growing appreciation of the value of interior design is another factor behind the trend. According to the American Society of Interior Designers,

“Effective interior design makes workers more efficient, helps students learn, and helps everyone get and stay healthy; it helps us have fun, age gracefully, and connect with family. Design is at the crux of how we live, work, and play.”

The growth of the PRS and the booming PBSA sectors in the UK represent a plethora of new opportunities for developers, but also increased competition. Those that stand out from the crowd are constantly seeking new ways to ensure that their properties turn heads. In 2017, interior design will play a key role in that.

Marketing expert Brandon Gaille believes that specialised interior design businesses will grow by around 20% over the coming decade, compared with a 13% increase in interior design jobs. This is reflective of the spreading interest that smaller developers, builders and private individuals have in using interior design services to create more saleable homes.

Alexander James’ Robert comments,

“There’s a real push from those with properties in the sub-£2 million price bracket to use interior designers at the moment and this trend looks set to grow in 2017. Whether it’s city apartments for sale or rent, or luxury student digs that need to beat the competition, interior designers have never been more sought after. 2017 is the year to think ironically ‘outside the box’ when it comes to interiors!”

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

Make a mint from your armchair in 2017 – the perfect New Year personal finance resolution

Make a mint from your armchair in 2017 – the perfect New Year personal finance resolution

by Charly Uncategorized United Kingdom World
  • easyMarkets trading platform offers more choice than ever before
  • Market-leading dealCancellation tool allows people to recoup losses within an hour of making a trade
  • Democratisation of trading allows individuals to keep pace with the rapidly changing world

The arrival of a New Year is always a good time to try out a new venture, focus on self-improvement and assess one’s personal finances. From losing weight to finally taking home improvements that have been needed for a while, New Year – and the traditional resolutions that accompany it – is a symbol of fresh starts.

For 2017, pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets has come up with a simple way for individuals to take on a new venture at the same time as tackling their personal finances in a different way. Evdokia Pitsillidou, easyMarkets’ Director of Risk Management, explains,

“For 2017, we’ve made it easier than ever for individuals to learn to trade from the comfort of their armchairs. Our goal has always been to democratise trading and for 2017 we’re offering a host of incentives and great features that open up trading to all those who fancy trying their hand at it.”

The 2017 easyMarkets platform is offering traders a 30-50% bonus on their first deposit (up to $2,000), the ability to trade on multiple devices (laptop, PC, tablet and smartphone) and more products to trade than ever before. Those trading on easyMarkets have a choice of 115 currency pairs, 21 metals pairs, 12 commodities, 14 indices and 27 options pairs. Day trading, forward deals, pending orders and options are all available through the site.

As such an array of possibilities may seem bewildering to budding traders, the easyMarkets team has provided an extensive knowledge centre as part of its site. Educational videos, weekly hot topics features and comprehensive eBooks all mean that those who are new to trading can start 2017 armed with the knowledge they need to starting playing the markets. Trading tool such as trading charts, live currency rates and a trade simulator all make it even easier.

The UK’s political and economic environment in 2017 looks possibly volatile, as the ongoing Brexit process continues to have an impact on the country. The triggering of Article 50 will no doubt send ripples through the markets and many traders may be poised to take advantage of that fact. Now, those seeking a new approach to their personal finances in 2017 may also look to benefit from the tumultuous situation.

Even the most cautious traders have been considered as part of the easyMarkets offering, with late 2016 seeing the launch of the market-leading dealCancellation tool. With dealCancellation, traders have 60 minutes to cancel a losing trade – so if things don’t pan out as expected immediately after their trade, they have the option to turn back time and have any losses returned.

The world is changing fast. 2017 is the year for those who want to get ahead to adapt and change with it.

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.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).

New Year, new investment – the most intriguing asset classes of 2017

New Year, new investment – the most intriguing asset classes of 2017

by Charly United Kingdom World , , ,
  • Care homes and hotel investments set to make their mark in the New Year (Properties of the World)
  • Commodity trading will attract a host of new traders in 2017 (easyMarkets)
  • Buy-to-let continues to entice virgin property investors (Surrenden Invest)
  • Undiscovered areas of Spain tipped for growth in 2017 (Kyero.com)

New Year is almost upon us – time to turn over a new leaf. For investors, New Year can serve as the inspiration for broadening their portfolio and discovering the benefits of new asset classes. In that vein, let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing asset classes and investment models of 2017.

Jean Liggett, pioneering CEO of Properties of the World, is quick to promote the benefits of care home investment in 2017. She explains,

“We’re going to see care home investment taking off in a big way in 2017. It’s an interesting asset class as it’s one of those rare investment models where absolutely everyone wins. The UK’s population is ageing and we need to build more care homes, providing superior accommodation that affords comfort and dignity to our citizens as they age.”

Investing in a care home can provide individuals with impressive returns. Wagon’s Way in Tyne and Wear, which is available for investment from £58,500, offers circa 8% NET rental returns for 25 years. The sustainable investment model carefully balances the needs of the investor, those living in care, their families, the community, care professionals and the Care Quality Commission (the UK’s regulatory body for care homes). This ethical balance makes care homes a particularly intriguing asset class for 2017.

Hotel investment is also coming into its own. At Caer Rhun Hall Hotel in Conwy, North Wales (rooms available from £75,000), investors have the chance to pick up an asset that will not only generate strong returns (circa 10% per annum) but will also afford them personal usage. There’s also a 125% developer buy-back option for investors’ peace of mind. With a renewed focus on staycations in the UK, hotel investment in 2017 could be big news indeed.

Investing in commodities may also be an exciting option in 2017, according to Evdokia Pitsillidou, Director of Risk Management and pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets. She comments,

“Trading is no longer something that’s only for fulltime traders working in the City. Increasing numbers of individuals are looking to trade for themselves and the appeal of commodities and metals is strong, particularly for those who are new to trading. Gold and wheat are two investments to watch in early 2017, though of course investors need to do their own analysis before they try their hand at trading.”

Naturally, existing strong asset classes will continue to be popular in 2017. Despite the government tinkering with landlords’ incomes through changes to stamp duty and tax on second homes, UK buy-to-let remains a popular way for virgin investors to profit from property. Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, comments,

“The UK’s housing crisis is still far from resolved. The country has been working hard to increase the rate at which it has been building homes and the latest purchasing managers’ index shows that construction reached a nine-month high in November. Despite this, the Federation of Master Builders has reported that 87% of local authorities don’t believe they will hit the government’s housebuilding targets by 2020. This means that buy-to-let still presents a huge opportunity for those looking to invest in property for the first time.”

Artillery House in Manchester city centre is an excellent example of the kind of property that is attracting virgin buy-to-let investors in large numbers. With 7.5% NET assured return, a comprehensive management programme and a Q4 2017 delivery target with apartments fully furnished and ready to rent, this kind of development allows investors to be truly hands-off.

Finally for 2017, there’s holiday homes as an intriguing asset class. While the concept of buying a holiday home predates even air travel, what’s exciting about 2017 is the range of destinations available. Richard Speigal, Head of Research at leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com has flagged Oliva as an interesting choice for 2017. He explains,

“In terms of broadening the story, I’d pick Oliva out right now. Alicante has long been the epicentre of British buyer activity, but Kyero saw a shift northwards in 2016 to the neighbouring province of Valencia. The reasons are nicely told in the small coastal village of Oliva.

“We were alerted to something happening when the town appeared for 3 months running in our ‘trending destinations’ list, having attracted over 1,500 enquiries since July. For its size, Oliva is punching way above its weight and it seems post-Brexit buyers may have sensed an opportunity, as prices there have been slower to recover than in other areas of Spain. With six miles of beautiful coastline, a cosmopolitan vibe, two international airports an hour away (Valencia and Alicante) and the potential for capital growth, Oliva ticks all the boxes for investment potential in 2017.”

Whether it’s an entirely new asset class or a new opportunity in an established investment model, there’s no doubt that 2017 is going to be an exciting year for investors.

 

For more information, please contact:

Properties of the World: +44 20 7624 5555 or www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk

Surrenden Invest: 0203 3726 499 or www.surrendeninvest.com

easyMarkets: +44 203 1500 748 or www.easymarkets.com

Kyero: www.kyero.com

 

Is Brexit driving up the cost of Christmas dinner?

Is Brexit driving up the cost of Christmas dinner?

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Fluctuating commodity prices and FX rates set to make Christmas dinner more expensive (easyMarkets)
  • Cost of Christmas pudding ingredients up by 21% (Mintec)
  • Arabica coffee beans up 43% when accounting for sterling’s depreciation (easyMarkets)

The press has been awash with reports that Brexit will lead to rising food prices in the UK. There have also been entirely contradictory reports stating that Brexit presents an opportunity for food prices in the UK to decrease, with the Institute of Economic Affairs reporting that by avoiding the EU’s “costly agricultural regulations,” the UK could enjoy easier access to food from around the world and lower prices.

So will Christmas dinner this year cost more or less?

Evdokia Pitsillidou, Risk Management Associate at pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets has been exploring that very question. She explains,

“Sterling’s depreciation is certainly having an impact. We’ve already seen electronics firms like Apple and Electrolux raising their prices. Apple Mac prices have risen by up to £500 in the UK, following a hike in October, and Electrolux announced a 10% increase for home appliances.

“We’ve also seen food prices rising, with the infamous ‘Marmitegate’ row between Tesco and Unilever seeing Tesco flex its giant corporate muscles in order to try and keep costs down. Walkers and Birdseye have also announced price rises, with others tipped to follow, while other firms are reducing the size of their goods in order to maintain steady prices – so consumers receive less for the same money.”

Walkers has cited “fluctuating foreign exchange rates” as a direct cause for its 10% price hike on crisps. Clearly the impact of Brexit on food prices is being felt. The tumbling pound has caused local distributors and consumers to have to pay more for the same goods, as their local currency has less value. However, the UK’s decision to leave the EU is far from the only factor at play when it comes to food prices.

When it comes to the traditional Christmas day roast, livestock prices are lower on a yearly basis, although for meat-eaters in Britain the price declines have been cancelled out by sterling’s depreciation. Still, meat has at least not increased in price for the holiday season – at least not yet, though prices began to rise in November, so any further steep increases could potentially impact on the Christmas day feasting.

Globally, wheat and maize have reduced in price, which is good news for those loading up the Christmas table with stuffing and bread sauce.

When it comes to sweet treats, however, mince pies, Christmas puddings and Christmas cake are all set to cost more this year. The rising prices of raisins, sugar, butter and chocolate will all be felt when it comes to dessert time this festive season. According to commodity data firm Mintec, the cost of Christmas pudding ingredients is up by 21% in total.

Coffee is also more expensive, with Arabica coffee beans up 20% in the global market (due to drought-related crop losses and lower supply) and a whopping 43% in sterling terms to account for the currency’s depreciation. So those looking for a strong cup of coffee to stave off the impact of Christmas-related partying, or to keep them awake after the excesses of the Christmas meal, might find that their coffee is costing them quite a bit more.

Even Santa’s glass of milk could be more expensive this year, as a result of the rebound in dairy prices over the past few weeks. The bi-weekly Global Dairy Trade auction in New Zealand saw dairy prices up slightly for the year-to-date, so that Christmas cheese board won’t be quite as reasonable as last year’s.

easyMarkets’ Evdokia Pitsillidou concludes,

“There’s been some significant fluctuations in the price of commodities over the past year and, on balance, it looks as though the Christmas dinner table could well cost shoppers more this year. Rising food prices are not good news for families over the festive season, but keeping costs low by buying local produce wherever possible is one way to combat the increases. The impact of Brexit on food prices over the longer term will become clearer once Article 50 is triggered by the UK government and trade negotiations begin in earnest. Until then it’s time to eat, drink and by merry. Although maybe to eat and drink a little less than last Christmas!”

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.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).

UK planning the main barrier to development of affordable student accommodation schemes

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Collegiate AC lays out vision for the future of UK student accommodation
  • University funding cuts and student grants mean new solutions required
  • Planning regulations pose greatest threat to affordable student housing

Luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC has laid out its vision of a future where high quality student housing is available for all.

Universities and students have faced a number of financial challenges in recent years. The 2014/15 academic year saw university teaching budgets slashed by almost 6% as the Higher Education Funding Council for England sought to reduce costs.

This year, students themselves have been hit in the pocket by the government’s scrapping of maintenance grants. With universities able to raise their tuition fees above the rate of inflation from 2017/18, students’ ability to afford their education doesn’t look set to get any easier anytime soon.

How, then, is a company known for providing high-end accommodation seeking to create a more affordable university accommodation landscape for all?

Collegiate CEO Heriberto Cuanalo comments,

“Higher education is increasingly important and increasingly expensive, creating serious challenges for many of our young people. One of those challenges is about choice and affordability of high quality student housing. Collegiate delivers market-leading assets that set high standards for the student experience, and we see the development of greater choice in the marketplace as a positive factor.

“However, we’re also working with individual universities to enable them to implement some of our class-leading designs into university projects, helping to develop more affordable beds through refurbishment and upgrade programmes.”

Cuanalo himself has seen university accommodation from all angles, completing an undergraduate degree and later a postgraduate degree, by which time he was working alongside his studies to pay his tuition fees, cover his rent and feed and clothe his three young children. Those children have now themselves attended university, while Cuanalo has worked as a university lecturer. He is certainly familiar with some of the challenges faced by the accommodation sector.

One of the main barriers to the development of more affordable contemporary student accommodation schemes, according to Collegiate, is the UK planning system. Inflated land values make it all but impossible for the private sector to build cheaper accommodation, while the universities themselves are entirely priced out of the market.

One solution is the work being undertaken by Collegiate and others to translate the innovations in their schemes into more affordable developments by using advances in technology and achieving economies of scale. As choice within the marketplace grows, led by higher-end schemes, their standards and design will be replicated at lower cost throughout the sector.

As Cuanalo explains,

“Premium schemes are not the problem. They often set new standards and technologies that cheaper schemes can follow. What we need is more investment and supply at the more affordable end of the market; we all recognise that there is a larger market at a cheaper level.

“The solution is to deregulate planning to free up supply and accelerate the availability of high quality accommodation choices within the investment market, focusing on where the greatest opportunity lies as competition increases. That is how efficient markets work, but with the barriers presented by unhelpful planning regulations they will always face artificially high costs.”

The government also has its role to play in working to create a new economic climate in which grants are once more available to students from low income families and students can look forward to the prospect of high-paying jobs to help them repay their debts. The Brexit process is set to create both challenges and opportunities in this respect.

As Collegiate’s Eri Cuanalo concludes,

“We have the chance to develop into a truly advanced economy of high-skilled workers. We need to back that progress through appropriate policies that allow the UK’s higher education sector to flourish in all respects. The future is bright if we don’t limit it.”

For more information, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

UK-Spain flight market ranked largest in Europe as Brits seek out winter sun fix

UK-Spain flight market ranked largest in Europe as Brits seek out winter sun fix

by Charly Spain
  • The UK-Spain market is the biggest European country pairing this winter by flights and seats (OAG)
  • Compared with last winter, UK-Spain market has grown by over 12% (OAG)
  • Taylor Wimpey España answers demand for Spanish shores with new phase of Torrevieja development

Spain has always been a popular destination for British holidaymakers all year round and according to the latest Official Airline Guide (OAG) data, the UK-Spain market is the largest European country pairing this winter season.

Compared to last year’s winter months, the market has grown by over 12% for the number of seats and flights between Spain and the UK suggesting that more and more Brits looking for winter sun are choosing Spain as their desired destination.

The pairing between the UK and Spain being named as the largest in Europe is not only good for the airlines but also positive news for the Spanish property market, as Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“The increase in the number of flights and seats available between Spain and the UK reaffirms the high demand for the Spanish sunshine as Brits seek an escape from the dreary winter weather at home.

“With short haul flights from the UK to Spain proving the most popular routes in Europe, Taylor Wimpey España are ready to accommodate this winter sun demand with the launch of a new residential phase on the La Recoleta III development in Torrevieja.

“This area of the Costa Blanca is particularly popular due to the excellent climate and transportation links as well as the range of available watersports including windsurfing, sailing and paragliding that can be enjoyed all year round.”

The new phase of apartments are exclusively located just 2 minutes from Punta Prima beach and present the ideal break from the British winter. La Recoleta’s Mediterranean style buildings enjoy wide avenues leading down to the sea, along with immaculate garden areas and well-run services that make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the fantastic Spanish climate.

Starting from €189,000+VAT, the 2 and 3 bedroom apartments enjoy a well-designed layout with private terraces and beautiful views over the sea, the swimming pool and private gardens of the development. The penthouses also include solariums and outstanding views.

Punta Prima is a wonderful location right by the sea; Torrevieja is only 10 minutes away by car and is one of the favoured destinations of the Costa Blanca. Communications are excellent by road and the El Altet International Airport (Alicante) is only 45 minutes away, while the San Javier Airport, Murcia, is around 30 minutes away.

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.

Top trends for property portals in 2017 from Kyero.com

Top trends for property portals in 2017 from Kyero.com

by Charly Spain World
  • Portals need to embrace technology to boost the customer experience
  • At the same time, sticking to the basics is essential – portals exist so that people can find properties!
  • Big data analysis to reap impressive rewards
  • Virtual reality is one to watch – but not for 2017

With the impact of technological developments and political events making global property markets ever more sensitive, portals are having to stay at the top of their game in order to succeed. Spanish property portal Kyero.com is one of those at the forefront of the industry. Record-breaking monthly figures are backed up by significantly increased market share. In fact, the portal now outperforms its nearest competitor at a rate of four to one, based on search activity*.

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at Kyero.com, offers market-leading insights into top trends for property portals in 2017, based on the company’s extensive success in 2016.

Top trends for property portals in 2017, from Kyero.com

  1. Get smarter

2017 will be all about getting smarter. This means evolving from the core out. Internally, portals need to be able to perform up-to-the-minute data analysis in order to identify trends, hotspots and buyer preferences. This will give them leading insights into the markets they serve. This can be shared with those listing on the portal, to better inform how they shape the properties they offer and increase their chances of a successful sale.

Externally, the user interface needs to be clean and clear, offering a range of services that make the most of evolving property technology, while also remaining simple to use.

At Kyero.com, this means improving the property selection while continuing to make the portal increasingly easy to use.

  1. Be true to your values

Kyero.com was established with a simple mission: to help buyers find beautiful property in Spain. As technology expands and the march of big data continues, it can be easy for portals to lose sight of their original intentions. However, without that initial mission fixed firmly in mind, property portals may be in danger of delivering fantastic insights into user trends, at the same time as watching the numbers of those users dwindle.

Therefore, the focus should be an ongoing war on “feature bloat.” Portals should concentrate on solving the core user problem in ever faster and more elegant ways. Help people find the right house: that’s a portal’s job – no more, and no less.

  1. Make big data your friend

One of the biggest challenges of 2017 for property portals is data. Modern websites produce voluminous amounts of it. Then there’s market statistics from government open data sources. Data tells portals where buyers are looking, how much they’re prepared to pay, where they’re from and what their tastes are.

The trick is figuring out how to analyse this data and act upon what it reveals. Kyero.com has spent the last year learning to do this better. The result for the portal’s audience is both obvious and invisible. Property recommendations are becoming increasingly accurate, at the same time as Kyero.com is helping buyers to get the best deal by sharing insights into the local market.

A final word…

One trend to watch, but that isn’t expected to fully take off until at least 2018, is virtual reality (VR). Real estate watchers are understandably excited about virtual reality technology. After all, who wouldn’t be excited about viewing houses without all the inconvenience of actually going there?

Unfortunately, the technology is still way behind its promises. Kyero.com has tested the latest equipment, but found that the scanning systems are still cumbersome to use, with poor quality results produced. Consumer availability is also difficult: there just aren’t many people with an Oculus Rift in the house. As Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal concludes,

“VR is certainly one to watch, but it isn’t for 2017. Property portals would be wiser spending the year improving what they do best: finding property.”

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.  

 

* Rightmove Overseas reported a rate in Spain of over 500 leads per day in June 2016, or around 15,000 per month, compared with Kyero.com’s 62,596 per month (September 2016).