Viva el vino! Perfect Spanish homes for wine lovers as UNWTO raises a glass to wine tourism

Viva el vino! Perfect Spanish homes for wine lovers as UNWTO raises a glass to wine tourism

by Eleanor Spain
  • Inaugural UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism attracts delegates from nearly 50 countries
  • In Spain, well known La Rioja region is cheapest wine-producing area to buy in (Kyero.com)
  • Dominio de Pingus is Spain’s most expensive wine at $898 per bottle (Wine-Searcher)
  • Catalonian wine region will set oenophiles back the most when it comes to bricks & mortar (Kyero.com)

Wine tourism’s position as an important global element of gastronomic tourism has been cemented by the holding of the 1st UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in Georgia. The event attracted tourism experts, wine professionals and policy makers from nearly 50 countries, all looking to expand upon the considerable success of this global tourism sector.

Data compiled by leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com has revealed how wine tourism can play into other factors within a country, such as the property market. Kyero.com’s data reveals the ideal second home locations for all those with a love of Spanish wine.

The world’s third largest wine producer and its biggest wine exporter, Spain has earned a loyal following around the globe for its robust reds, crisp whites and delightfully drinkable rosé wines. Wine tourism in the country is popular among those who want to explore Iberia’s culinary delights. Now, Spanish wine lovers can take their passion one step further and pick up the perfect property as well as the perfect plonk, thanks to Kyero.com, the main source of trusted information on buying a home in Spain.

Martin Dell, Director of Kyero.com, comments,

“Many of those who visit Spain regularly delight in the country’s cuisine and particularly in the wines that are produced here. We wanted to take this one step further and look at how much it would cost to purchase a home in each of Spain’s main wine-producing regions. I think many people will be surprised to find out just how affordable it is to live in the perfect location for enjoying local Spanish wines within easy reach of the vineyards they came from.”

According to the Cámara de Valencia, La Rioja is “considered to be the foremost wine tourism destination in Spain and a world leader in the field.” The area is known for its vibrant and fruity and rosé wines and its distinctive, oak aged reds.

Yet according to the Kyero.com data, La Rioja is the joint cheapest wine region when it comes to purchasing property, coming in at an average of just €1,300 per square metre. Those on a budget can pick up a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment in the pretty city of Logroño – the autonomous community of La Rioja’s capital – for a mere €29,200. That’s the same price as just 70 bottles of the region’s priciest vintage, Contador.

Equally affordable, at €1,300 per square metre, is Cadiz province, in the Andalusia wine-producing region. Prices in the Andalusian city of Jerez de la Frontera – a name which fans of sherry will be familiar with – are even more affordable, at just €1,100 per square metre. But it’s not just bargain basement properties that can be picked up in Jerez. This six bedroom, three bathroom country house estate with swimming pool is priced at €768,750. The accommodation is split across two houses, with excellent equine facilities including stables, tack storage and a barn for hay and raising foals, as well as extensive meadowland and farmland.

Ourense province is the next cheapest wine region when it comes to property purchase prices, coming in at €1,400 per square metre. Home to the Ribeiro Wine Route and part of the autonomous community of Galicia, Ourense is known for its young, light wines full of fruity and floral notes. The whites are particularly good and make the perfect accompaniment to shellfish, cured meats and light cheeses – so perfect for an al fresco lunch in the Spanish sunshine.

Wine lovers looking for a base in Ourense will be delighted by this impressive, seven bedroom 19th century manor house, which comes with swimming pool, three car garage and plenty of land, including mature walnut, hazelnut, palm, oak, chestnut, magnolia, fig and cherry trees complete with automated irrigation system. The property is on the market for €450,000.

At the other end of the price scale in Ourense comes this two storey house with 70m2 vineyard for just €16,000. Needless to say the property could do with some work, but it does have running water and comes with five pieces of land that cover more than an acre, so would make an ideal project for someone looking to take their love of Spanish wine to the next level by owning their own vineyard.

Over in Burgos, one of just four provinces where Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero wines are produced, property prices reach an average of €1,450 per square metre, according to Kyero.com. The area has more than 170 wineries and 18,000 hectares of vineyards, according to Berry Bros & Rudd. The reds rival those produced in La Rioja, with no whites permitted.

The Ribera del Duero region is famed for being home to Spain’s most expensive wine: Dominio de Pingus, which has an average Wine-Searcher listing price of $898. Not only is the wine produced from a tiny plot of extremely low-yielding tempranillo grapes, but the loss of 75 cases of the already-rare vintage in a shipwreck in 1997 saw the price nearly double.

For less than the price of just 37 bottles of Pingus, oenophiles can pick up an 18th century country home surrounded by forest and rolling countryside in Burgos province. The €29,000 property includes three bedrooms and one bathroom. It is in need of total refurbishment. Two further houses on the same plot are for sale for €50,000, with the owners happy to negotiate for a quick sale, meaning a buyer with the right vision could bag an incredible bargain in this stunning region.

Vastly more expensive than the other regions is Spain’s priciest winemaking area: Barcelona province. Prices in the province as a whole are distorted by the high costs of real estate in the Catalonian capital city, meaning that the average price is €2,250 per square metre.

Catalonia’s wines are as fiercely independent as its people, according to Wine Enthusiast, with full-bodied reds coming from vines that soak up not just the sunshine but also the minerals of the granite, fractured slate and chalk soils in which they are grown.

Wine lovers looking to live close to the region’s vineyards will be delighted by this four bedroom country house with summer porch and pool at Vilafranca del Penedes, which is on the market for €450,000. The spectacular views extend for miles around – perfect for enjoying some of Spain’s best wines in the peace and fresh air of the countryside.

Buyers wanting their own vineyard, rather than a view of someone else’s, have plenty of choice in Spain. Commercial opportunities include this working Chantada vineyard registered on the Board of the Qualified Denomination of Origin Ribeira Sacra, complete with two storey property, for €120,000. An operational wine cooperative near Chantada is also for sale, priced at €450,000. The property comes complete with a hectare of vines and a vast array of modern equipment with a production capacity of 200,000 kg.

Those looking for a slightly smaller scale venture will be delighted by this two bedroom farmhouse with vineyard near Asco and the River Ebro, on the market for €169,000. A tasteful renovation has modernized the property while retaining the original features and there’s even a wine store outbuilding for storing wine produced from the vineyard. What oenophile could ask for more?

For further details on the perfect homes to buy in order to enjoy the wines of Spain, visit www.kyero.com.  

Investors jump through hoops for Hoola in the world’s greatest city for opportunity

Investors jump through hoops for Hoola in the world’s greatest city for opportunity

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • London retains status as world’s greatest city for opportunity (PriceWaterhouseCoopers)
  • Royal Docks transformation will deliver 24,000 new homes and 60,000 jobs (Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London)
  • New Hoola residential development provides sustainable living in the heart of a vibrant metropolis (Properties of the World)

A recent global ranking compiled by PriceWaterhouseCoopers has named London as the world’s greatest city for opportunity for the second year running. According to the report, the city’s innovation, economic clout and ease of doing business were just a handful of reasons why London remains on top.

The UK’s Brexit decision, far from being Armageddon has become one of many opportunities London can seize with PwC partner David Snell stating that the vote has created a “major opportunity” for the number one city to “work with regulators, investors and clients in order to shape a new rulebook to fit the new climate”.

London has forever been a city of innovation and the current multi-billion-pound regeneration of the Royal Docks in the east of the city is yet another opportunity for the UK capital to flourish.

The transformation, complete with Crossrail connections and Chinese company ABP London’s Asian Business District, is set to deliver 24,000 new homes and 60,000 jobs according to London’s former Mayor, Boris Johnson, who announced the proposals in March this year.

Jean Liggett, CEO of London-based visionary property consultancy Properties of the World comments,

“A lot has changed in the 161 years since the first of the Royal Docks was built. Today, the area is undergoing extensive regeneration that will transform it into a vibrant metropolis thanks to the upcoming Crossrail and Asian Business District drawing new developments and private investment in.

“Some may feel that the London market has peaked and this indeed might be true in prime central areas (zone 1) however, the Royal Docks is witnessing similar regeneration to that of the Canary Wharf which was transformed into the thriving financial district it is today. Rest assured that during and after the Royal Docks regeneration, property prices will inevitably shoot up making today the best time to invest in an opportunity.”

The opportunities that Jean alludes to include new developments such as Hoola, a sustainable residential complex in the heart of London’s Royal Docks. Available for a time-limited discounted price of £463,000, the 360 apartments will have as little environmental impact on the area as possible through the building’s insulation, as well as the use of surplus heat from the ExCel exhibition centre to provide Hoola’s heating and hot water.

The two vertically identical 23 and 24 storey towers boast stunning rippling glass balconies that surround the apartments as well as floor-to-ceiling windows providing breathtaking skyline views. Offering a range of studio, two, and three-bedroom apartments, each home will benefit from a range of facilities including a gym, resident’s business lounge and concierge services for added peace of mind. A spectacular garden is available to all residents; with soft and hard landscaping that includes semi-miniature trees and dramatic water features. Jean comments,

“Hoola is a stunning building – far superior to other high rise apartments that are being built in London. I was extremely impressed with the generous sizes of the apartments and their large balconies, tiled floors and under-floor heating. As one client said, ‘these are luxurious and spacious apartments that differ from the ‘boxes’ being sold in London.’ No surprises, he is buying. It is also only a 2 minute walk from the DLR.”

Situated within walking distance of London’s upcoming Crossrail, due to be running in 2018, and just minutes from London City Airport and the DLR, Hoola’s transport links are perfect for commuters, tourists and frequent travellers. The apartments are also a just few minutes’ walk away from the Royal Victoria Docks as well as exciting future proposals such as a floating shopping village.

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555

 

 

 

Has Brexit stopped Brits from buying?

Has Brexit stopped Brits from buying?

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Retail sales surge at fastest rate for 6 months (CBI)
  • Retail sales spiked 1.4% in July (ONS)
  • Brits expecting inflation of 2.2% over next 12 months (Bank of England)
  • Positive employment and GDP figures are giving Brits the confidence to keep buying (easyMarkets)

British shoppers defied Brexit fears over the summer, as retail sales surged at the fastest rate in six months, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI’s survey showed that 35% of retailers reported higher year-over-year sales volumes in August, compared to 26% who said sales were down.

The recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) report showed that retail sales spiked 1.4% in July after a 0.9% drop in June. That was the highest increase since the beginning of the year.

The pursuit of retail therapy may have contributed to slightly more upbeat inflation expectations over the short-term. UK consumer inflation expectations edged up in August but were unchanged over longer term horizons, according to the latest BOE/TNS Inflation Attitudes Survey. When asked about expected inflation one year from now, the median response from Britons was 2.2%, compared with 2% in May. Inflation expectations 12 months after that were also 2.2%, unchanged from the May survey.

There was a noticeable decline in five-year expectations to 3% from 3.4% in May. However, both estimates are well above the BOE’s target rate of 2%.

So why are British shoppers remaining so bold in the face of Brexit? Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets, explains,

“There are a number of reasons that the looming Brexit process has failed to stop Brits from shopping over the summer. We’ve seen a string of upbeat economic reports showing the UK has been absorbing the immediate shock of the Brexit vote and retail sales are the latest data to reinforce this positive message. Data on employment and gross domestic product have surprised to the upside in recent months, painting a picture of a sound economy with strong expectations. Consumers are feeling confident and as such see no reason to curb their spending, regardless of Brexit.”

Rising fuel prices helped push Britain’s inflation rate higher in July, which may have also provided a boost to short-term inflation expectations. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.6% in July, the ONS reported last month. The retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation strengthened to 1.9% from 1.6% in June.

The recent flow of positive economic reports has led some analysts to believe that the threat of Brexit was overhyped, but the Bank of England is not so certain. In August it slashed interest rates to a new record low of 0.25% and added £70 billion to its quantitative easing program in order to stabilize property prices and the overall economy. Clearly the bank is preparing for the worst and if their latest forecast is any indication, the post-Brexit blues are yet to come.

According to the CBI, the unexpected strength in retail sales over the summer stems from a weak British pound, which is making the UK a prime destination for tourists. However, the pound’s double-digit percentage drop since the referendum is also pushing up the price of imports, which will lead to higher inflation over the short-term. This partly explains the recent uptick in consumer inflation expectations. Time will tell whether it leads to an erosion of household purchasing power.

The UK has not yet formally withdrawn from the EU or even indicated its plans for doing so. World leaders have made it perfectly clear that they will not even consider negotiating a new trade deal with Downing Street until the UK and Brussels forge a new trade partnership. That’s precisely the message Prime Minister Theresa May received earlier this month at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China. As the political wrangling over Brexit ensues, it remains to be seen whether British shoppers will continue to hit the high street with such a strong degree of optimism.

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).

Take your September sun to new heights with these terrific terraces

Take your September sun to new heights with these terrific terraces

by Eleanor Portugal Spain United Kingdom , , , , ,

Make the most of this late September sun with a glass of bubbly and stunning views from these terrific terraces.

Herculaneum Quay, Liverpool

Residents will never want to leave these stunning waterfront apartments. Boasting marvelous views over the River Mersey, all apartments feature floor to ceiling glass with outdoor terraces and balconies to relax and take in the exquisite skyline.

Prices start at £107,130

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 20 7624 5555

Water Lane Apartments, Bristol

Whether you’re relaxing with a book, having a drink with some friends or working on an assignment, Water Lane’s pretty garden terrace allows university students to make the most of the Bristol sunshine. Other wonderful facilities include a private gym, on-site cinema, dinner party room and a club lounge for residents.

Prices start from £160 per week

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

Santa Ponsa Villa, Mallorca

With sunshine all year round and idyllic sea views, this wonderful terrace plays the perfect host for any occasion. Situated in the stunning Santa Ponsa area of Mallorca, the villa boasts 4 large en-suite bedrooms, a living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, private gardens and a pool.

Prices start at €1,395,000

For further details, visit www.kyero.com

Horizon Golf, Mijas, Costa del Sol

These beautiful homes afford spacious terraces perfect for al fresco dining where residents can enjoy breathtaking views of the prestigious Campo Asia golf course. All properties benefit from communal gardens and a swimming pool where you can enjoy bright Costa del Sol days and warm Mediterranean evenings.

Prices start at €267,000+VAT

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com

The Divine Collection, Digbeth, Birmingham

Soak up the last of the summer sun on The Divine Collection’s private roof garden. The grassy garden is perfect for entertaining friends or taking in a breath of fresh air. Comprised of a selection of 30 hand-picked apartments, The Divine Collection offers sophisticated, elegant homes with a spacious design and luxurious fit out.

Prices start at £159,500

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting http://www.propertyfrontiers.com/ or calling the team on +44 1865 202 700.

Luxury ocean view property, Salgados, Algarve

Prepare for stunning ocean views from this exquisite villa in the popular Salgados. The living areas of this luxurious villa lead out onto the terraces and gardens through floor to ceiling glass doors. On the second floor is a large south facing terrace offering wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean and pretty coastline for miles.

Prices start at €2,250,000

For more information, contact Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or visit http://www.idealhomesportugal.com

It’s back to school for investors as UK student accommodation “less vulnerable to Brexit shock” reports JLL

It’s back to school for investors as UK student accommodation “less vulnerable to Brexit shock” reports JLL

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • UK student property predicted to be “top of the asset class” for investors (JLL)
  • Enquiries for student property investments up 11% in H1 2016 (StudentProperty.Investments)
  • Salford PBSA student accommodation scene thrives offering 6.6% NET returns (Properties of the World)

With a record 493,100 individuals placed for the 2016/17 academic year (UCAS, 30/8/16), more students than ever are choosing the path of full-time higher education in the UK.

Since A-level results were announced, the experts at Jones Lang LaSallle (JLL) have released predictions that UK student property will be “top of the asset class” for investors with rental growth of up to 5% projected.

The JLL UK Student Housing Quarterly Bulletin (2016 Q2 Review) also stated that the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector looks “less vulnerable to the Brexit shock in comparison to other property sectors” with the student housing team projecting strong occupier and investment demand as well as student occupancy and appealing income growth for the new academic year.

Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property consultancy, Properties of the World, which has successfully sold numerous PBSA units across the UK, comments,

“The PBSA market has been rising exponentially for a number of years now with transaction volumes of £1 billion in 2011 growing to £5.7 billion in 2015 accordingly to the latest JLL data. Even with the uncertainty left by Brexit, the outlook for the UK student housing sector remains bright with JLL projecting transaction volumes of £3.5 billion this year. It’s time savvy UK property buyers got back to school and invested in PBSA.”

This positive outlook is echoed by Dan Johnson, Director of StudentProperty.Investments which has already seen a significant rise in student property investment enquiries this year. He comments,

“In H1 2016, we have seen a substantial 11% rise in overall enquiries for UK student property investments compared to the total number of enquiries received in 2015. Demand for student properties is not just from UK buyers but from all over the world as international investors seek to take advantage of a weak Pound and higher than average residential buy-to-let returns.”

One UK university city, named by Savills as offering “First Class” opportunities for student housing development, is Manchester. Home to one of the largest student populations in Europe, Greater Manchester ranked in StudentProperty.Investments’s top 10 most popular counties in England for student property investment in H1 2016 with enquiries in July rising 19% month-on-month along with the city of Salford.

Despite being home to 19,678 students (2015/16), university-operated accommodation at the University of Salford accounts for only 14% of rooms making new PBSA opportunities such as X1 The Campus, available to invest in through Properties of the World, more attractive than ever for both students and investors alike.

Situated right on the corner of the University of Salford Frederick Road Campus, X1 The Campus is within walking distance of an eclectic range of local pubs, bars, public transport (Salford Crescent station is just ten-minute’s walk away), green spaces and much more. Ideally located for Salford students, many of the department buildings where lectures are held are less than five minutes’ walk away from the stylish studios.

Attracting both UK and international students, X1 The Campus consists of 271 modern apartments across eight floors ranging from standard studios to stunning penthouse studios. All apartments are furnished to the highest of standards and boast a variety of exclusive facilities including a state-of-the-art private gymnasium, cinema room, laundry room and large common rooms, as well as secure bicycle storage and a management office for added peace of mind.

With prices starting at £89,995, X1 The Campus is offers a competitive, hassle-free buy-to-let opportunity, that is exempt from stamp duty, fully managed 24/7 with no additional costs and an estimated annual NET return of 6.6%. Completion is due in August, 2018 perfectly in time for the 2018/19 academic year.

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555

 

Where to buy in 2017? Follow May’s Metro Mayors!

Where to buy in 2017? Follow May’s Metro Mayors!

by Eleanor United Kingdom , ,
  • 7 UK regions seeking elected mayors in 2017 (Centre for Cities)
  • Watch the correlation between elected mayors and 2017 property hotspots (Property Frontiers)
  • Mayors’ power to make joined up decisions on housing, transport and skills will benefit cities (Surrenden Invest)
  • Stronger cities mean more choice for housing investment (Properties of the World)

2016 is a landmark year in terms of the UK’s devolution agenda. The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act received Royal Assent and came into force as law in the UK on 28 January 2016. The law allows for ‘combined authorities’ to take on greater powers than under previous legislation, provided they have an elected metro mayor in place. As a result, seven UK cities/areas are planning to elect mayors in May 2017, according to Centre for Cities.

Metro mayors will have the authority to manage their area with a far more localised approach than was previously possible. Their powers exceed those of regular councillors and they can thus have a wider impact. Ray Withers, CEO of Property Frontiers, offers investment properties such as The Divine Collection in cities like Birmingham, which will fall under the leadership of the West Midlands metro mayor when elected next year. He comments,

“The appointment of metro mayors could mean a significant boost to the property sectors in certain areas of the UK. The correlation between those areas electing mayors and the property hotspots of 2017 definitely bears watching.

“London is a prime example. We’ve seen mayors in the capital push through housing programmes that other cities could definitely benefit from. Sadiq Khan’s affordable housing programme is precisely the kind of move that can stimulate a local property market and it’s exciting that Birmingham and other large cities will soon be able to benefit from similar measures.”

As such, Birmingham is one property hotspot to watch in 2017. Liverpool, which will also be benefitting from an elected mayor, is another. Metro mayors will be able to set the strategic direction of their city/area in a way that knits together local housing, transport and skills.

Managing Director Jonathan Stephens, of Surrenden Invest, is excited about Liverpool’s potential under such an arrangement, with developments such as Strand Plaza looking to reap the benefits. He explains,

“The election of a metro mayor for the Liverpool City Region is excellent news. We’re anticipating a strong local impact, particularly as the mayor will be able to make joined up decisions about housing. Rather than relying solely on national decision makers or the whims of individual local authorities, Liverpool will be able to take a strategic approach to its own future. It will be a great time to be part of the property sector there – we’re definitely hoping for a mayor-inspired boom in this region.”

Stephens’ comments are echoed by those of Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World. With investment properties available in cities including Sunderland, Hartlepool and Manchester, all of which will fall under the remit of directly elected mayors come 2017, she is keen to see the impact that the new metro mayors will have. Liggett comments,

“The devolution of power to metro mayors could spell excellent news for local UK property markets. I’ll be watching all of the metro mayor regions closely during the latter half of 2017 to see what the mayors there can achieve in terms of creating local property hotspots. Ultimately, metro mayors should be able to make their cities more powerful and better cities are a good choice for housing investment. Smart investors will certainly be buying with metro mayor regions in mind as we head towards the elections in May.”

For more information, please contact:

Property Frontiers: +44 1865 202 700 or www.propertyfrontiers.com

Surrenden Invest: +44 203 3726 499 or www.surrendeninvest.com

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

Homes for music lovers

Homes for music lovers

by Eleanor World , , ,

Music is known for its power to uplift, calm, excite and sadden. It has such a powerful effect that it is used therapeutically for everything from helping to control emotions to lowering blood pressure through stress reduction programs.

Fans of particular artists will travel for hours to hear their favourite music live, with some even crossing international borders in order to hear a specific band. There are also those whose connection to music is so strong that it is a core component of their home life. As such, we’ve rounded up some homes with musical connections that will be perfect for music lovers in the UK and overseas!

Beats in Barcelona

Music lovers will be delighted by this Barcelona rental apartment, available through Spanish property portal Kyero.com for €2,500 pcm. With exposed brickwork and designer furnishings, the home offers the ultimate in city chic, complemented by a generously sized home studio complete with piano, keyboard, drum kit and mics. Its location in the trendy Poble-Sec neighbourhood means it is also perfectly located for those wishing to enjoy Barcelona’s jazz scene and nightlife. 

Musical Mijas

Elsewhere in Spain, those looking to buy rather than rent will be drawn to this luxurious beachfront villa in Mijas Costa, available through Ideal Homes International. Stunning landscaped gardens, 180° ocean views, a sizeable pool and direct beach access make this one of the most exclusive villas on the Costa del Sol. The décor inside is almost palatial, which is fitting as the villa has been used by royalty, presidents, billionaires and sheiks. Music lovers will be delighted to know that the villa was the location of One Direction’s debut performance in the X factor “judges’ houses” screening in 2010. Such a music connection doesn’t come cheap though – Villa Moana is on the market for an eye-watering €40 million.

Praising in Portugal

Over in Portugal, music fans can pick up their very own superstar’s villa, with Christian crooner Cliff Richard’s home and winery on the market for €9.5 million at Ideal Homes Portugal. The estate includes a four bedroom farmhouse, three bedroom cottage, double office with studio, modern five bedroom villa, onsite shop and wine tasting bar. The property comes complete with the winery’s equipment, materials, shares and stock. It also offers stunning views from its position at the top of Quinta do Miradouro, three swimming pools, tennis court, landscaped gardens and a roof terrace with tower viewing point. This is unquestionably one of the more unique wineries in the Algarve and the only one to enjoy such an impressive musical connection.

Let it be Liverpool

Back in the UK, musical connections don’t get much better than owning a piece of Beatles history in Liverpool. That’s precisely what is being offered by Property Frontiers at Liverpool’s Parker Street Residences. The buy-to-let apartments are located in the former Reece’s Ballroom, where John Lennon and first wife Cynthia held their wedding reception. Available from £69,950 for cash buyers, the city centre apartments offer yields of 8% NET with the option of assurance for five years.

So whether you’re an investor looking for healthy yields, a buyer after a dream second home or simply looking to spend a few months based in Barcelona, you can satisfy your musical side when picking up your property.

For more information, please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

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

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

Property Frontiers: +44 1865 202 700 or www.propertyfrontiers.com

How to get the best out of your PR agency

How to get the best out of your PR agency

by Eleanor Uncategorized

You might be forgiven for thinking that once you’ve read proposals, interviewed the best candidates and settled on your PR agency of choice, your work is done and that you can relax and enjoy the benefits that professional PR will bring to your brand.

Of course, that is an option, but you taking an active approach to engaging with your PR firm can reap big rewards, as Charlotte Ashton, Founder of property PR agency AB Property Marketing, explains,

“In PR, as in life, you get out what you put in. Companies who are proactive in working with their PR agency will definitely benefit from an enhanced service. PRs can only work with what they have, so a company that feeds their agency things like fresh statistics, information on new projects, research findings and exclusive insights will certainly reap the benefits of doing so.”

In the spirit of supporting every company to maximize its PR potential, AB Property Marketing has these 5 top tips to follow:

AB Property Marketing’s 5 top tips for getting the best out of your PR agency

1. Keep in touch

A quick regular call with your PR agency can do wonders. Be it weekly, fortnightly or monthly, all you need to do is pick up the phone and run through the highlights of what the company has been up to. A trained PR professional will focus in on the golden nuggets of information that will be a hit with the media and can then take them away and turn them into fabulous coverage while you’re getting on with the rest of your working week.

2. Be aware

Keep up to date with media coverage about your sector. You probably do so anyway, so simply consider the stories you’re reading from a media point of view: how is the journalist approaching the topic? What is their angle? What kind of comment has made it into the article from business leaders? Being aware of such considerations will help you to identify what to pass on to your PR agency, particularly when they come to you asking for commentary that has to be produced to a very tight deadline!

3. Be flexible

Think flexibly about how you can help the media. Journalists rely on accurate, timely information to write their features. Your PR agency may ask you to comment on a sector-wide issue rather than one specific to your company. Be flexible in your approach and consider how your knowledge is representative of your industry. Apply the lessons your business has learned to the wider sector, against the backdrop of your industry knowledge, and you are on the right path to becoming seen as an expert spokesperson.

4. Understand what PR is!

PR is not the same as advertising. If a journalist is looking for a comment, it’s usually about issues impacting on your sector. They’re not looking for one brief sentence on their chosen topic, followed by two lengthy paragraphs about your products. Give your expert opinion on the matter in question and leave it to your PR to work in a mention of your product or a link to your website!

5. Be responsive

When it comes to PR, the early bird really does get the worm. Journalists work to very tight deadlines and the faster they can be provided with reliable, insightful information, the better. With so many businesses competing in every sector these days, you will need to be fast and responsive in order to get the coverage you deserve. If you delay for a couple of days before providing comment in response to a request from your PR agency, it’s likely that a competitor will have pipped you to the post or that the article will already have been published.

Find out more at http://www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk/who-are-we/ or call 0845 054 7524.

 

 

 

It’s culture versus commerce on Liverpool’s Albert Dock these days

It’s culture versus commerce on Liverpool’s Albert Dock these days

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • 300 years have passed since the opening of Liverpool’s first wet dock
  • Demand for waterside living outstripping supply (Sotheby’s)
  • New residential developments continuing docks’ reputation for innovation (Prime Centrum)

Liverpool’s first commercial wet dock, The Old Dock, opened in 1715. Three centuries later, the city’s docks are undergoing a huge reawakening of interest thanks to the appeal of Liverpool’s waterfront not to traders but to investors.

Life on the docks in Liverpool these days offers an escape from the stresses and strains of city life. Waterside living is highly prized for the serenity that it brings, but it certainly hasn’t always been that way. When Albert Dock officially opened in 1846, the area was a bustling hub of goods, travellers and horses. The sounds and smells were intense, with goods arriving from around the world and others being shipped out, while travellers and migrants flitted around preparing for their journeys and new lives overseas.

Today, Albert Dock seems a calm oasis by comparison. It’s still a busy area, following the regeneration work that began in 1983, but these days the emphasis is on culture, the arts and on trend housing, as much as it is on shipping. The creation of the vast Liverpool2 deep-water shipping dock has kept the city’s docks true to their roots, but the presence of iconic attractions like the Tate Liverpool and the Beatles Story has brought a new sophistication to the area that is helping to draw they city’s bright young things to the area in search of homes.

Stuart Johnson, Business Development Manager at Prime Centrum, which is offering investment at Liverpool’s stunning new waterside development, Parliament Residence, comments,

“Liverpool’s docksides have seen a huge transformation in recent years. There’s always something going on there at the moment – I believe it’s a huge folk festival this week – which is making the area popular with city dwellers who want to be at the heart of the action. At the same time, the waterside manages to maintain a serenity that balances out the busy social life available. It’s a winning combination for many young professionals, which means that it’s also an important area for residential property investors.”

The importance of waterside locations is highlighted by auction house Sotheby’s, which points out that demand for such homes tends to outstrip supply, meaning that waterfront homes make an excellent investment, as they retain and increase their value over time. Rental demand is strong thanks to tenants seeking out the calming views and lifestyle benefits of such locations.

For many investors with an eye for future development, Liverpool Dock represents a particularly interesting prospect right now. Global investment company Aberdeen Asset Management has purchased the dock, including over 400,000 square feet of hotels, retail outlets, offices and leisure venues, from previous owners Arrowcroft, who owned it for 33 years. The sale price was agreed at £42.75 million and property investors are eager to see how the new owners – and their managing agent JLL – plan to improve the area further over the coming years.

The Albert Dock already has a reputation for innovation. It was the first structure in Britain made entirely from cast iron, brick and stone, to reduce the fire risk associated with wooden warehouses. It also featured the world’s earliest hydraulic warehouse hoists, making it the first non-combustible, enclosed dock warehouse system in the world.

Today, the Liverpool2 superport is continuing the maritime innovation, while the city council also looks to be moving forward with the next stage of planning for a new cruise terminal. On dry land, concept art showing the area in 2021 has focused on expanded pedestrian areas, pop up shop and exhibition venues and colourful seating areas. Meanwhile, property developers have taken up the challenge, developing some of the most attractive apartments in the city, offering waterside living to the new, trendy breed of Liverpool residents looking to get the most out of every moment of life in the city centre.

“Liverpool’s docksides have an exciting future to look forward to,” concludes Prime Centrum’s Stuart Johnson. “Their renaissance as one of the most exciting areas in the city to live is only just beginning – there’s a lot more to come!”

Investors wanting a piece of that future can invest in Parliament Residence from £109,900, enjoying a 22% early investor discount.

For further details please visit www.primecentrum.com, email enquiries@primecentrum.com or call 020 7183 6332.

 

UK second cities going for gold

UK second cities going for gold

by Eleanor United Kingdom
  • Liverpool and Birmingham among contenders to host Commonwealth Games in 2026
  • Commonwealth Games added £100m to Glasgow’s economy in 2012 (Scottish Government)
  • Second cities already winners in property investors’ eyes (Property Frontiers)

Now that the action-packed Rio 2016 Olympic Games has come to a close, thoughts are turning to the next major international sporting event – the Commonwealth Games. Gold Coast 2018, the 21st Commonwealth Games, will take place in Queensland, on Australia’s eastern coast. Four years, later, Durban in South Africa will host the 2022 Games.

Now the competition is hotting up between cities around the world to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the UK is going for gold!

Seven cities are currently considering bidding to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Of those, four are located in the UK (a fifth UK city, Cardiff, was planning to bid but pulled out due to uncertainty around funding post-Brexit). Other than the UK, only Edmonton in Canada, Auckland in New Zealand and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea have stepped forward as potential contenders.

The UK’s hunger to host the 2026 Games follows London’s highly successful hosting of the Olympic Games in 2012 and Glasgow’s superb hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Indeed, London is one of the cities bidding, along with Belfast, Birmingham and Liverpool.

Having seen the boost that London and Glasgow received from hosting the 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games, the bids from second tier cities like Birmingham and Liverpool make complete sense. The latest legacy report from the Scottish Government shows that £100m was added to Glasgow’s economy as a result of the experience, while official figures reveal that Scotland as a whole benefited from £282m worth of tourism.

Host cities continue to reap benefits for years to come. London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has provided Londoners with a whole new way to enjoy their city, while the capital’s new and improved sporting venues have left a world-class sporting legacy for all to enjoy.

Meanwhile Manchester, which hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, continues to enjoy the long-term benefits of doing so. The Games left the city with a range of outstanding sporting venues and cemented its reputation as a leading global city for sport. The City of Manchester Stadium, which cost £112m to build and hosted athletics and rugby, now hosts major sporting events and pop and rock concerts. The £3.5m Regional Athletics Arena has become Manchester’s premier athletics facility. The £32m Manchester Aquatics Centre has given the general public access to Olympic standard pools, as well as hosting international swimming and diving competitions and being the home of British Paralympic Swimming.

Visitor numbers to Manchester were around 18 million people per year in 2002. By 2014 (the latest year for which figures are available) that number had risen to 115 million visitors, according to Marketing Manchester. It is no wonder, then, that both Birmingham and Liverpool are keen to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Ray Withers, CEO of specialist international property investment company Property Frontiers, offers buy-to-let apartments for sale in both cities – the stunning Parker Street Residences in Liverpool (investment from £69,950) and the hand-picked Divine Collection in Birmingham (investment from £23,925). He comments,

“Birmingham and Liverpool would both make excellent venues for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The cities are already known on the international stage and have the potential to deliver an outstanding sporting experience in 2026. The chosen host city will benefit from a lasting legacy, from the addition and expansion of world-class facilities to increased global exposure and rising tourism numbers.”

Hosting a sporting event of this nature also provides a city with the chance to breathe new life into entire areas. Both Liverpool and Birmingham have already enjoyed significant spending on regeneration in recent years. Liverpool city centre, where Parker Street Residences enjoys a prime location, has become an increasingly sought after residential area, with young professionals looking to enjoy the benefits of city centre life. In Birmingham, it is the area of Digbeth that has become home to the city’s hottest urban lifestyle, with tenants flocking to contemporary apartments like those in the Divine Collection.

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting www.propertyfrontiers.com or calling the team on +44 1865 202 700.