Buy-to-let makes way for buy-to-NET as April tax changes approach

Buy-to-let makes way for buy-to-NET as April tax changes approach

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom
  • “Buy cheap and buy smart” to lessen impact of tax changes (Properties of the World)
  • 440,000 landlords could move up a tax bracket in April (National Landlord’s Association)
  • Cash is king when it comes to beating new taxation rules (Properties of the World)

It’s fair to say that buy-to-let investors haven’t had the easiest time of it in recent years. With the government squeezing an increasing amount of tax out of them, the National Landlord’s Association has estimated that some 440,000 landlords will find themselves pushed up a tax bracket next month.

So, will the April tax changes finally ring the death knell for buy-to-let? Not according to industry experts…

“Yes, the taxation landscape for buy-to-let investors is becoming harsher, but there’s still plenty of profit to be made for those looking in the right places. Investors need to focus on buying to NET profits by seeking out developments with strong yields. The right properties can still produce healthy returns. Instead of the death of buy-to-let, we’re seeing the birth of buy-to-NET.”

Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy Properties of the World

Landlords have already swallowed the 3% stamp duty land tax on second homes that was introduced in April 2016. Now, from April 2017, they’ll see the tax relief from their finance costs phased out, with the percentage of these costs deductible from rental income dropping by 25% per year until it reaches 0% in the 2020 to 2021 financial year.

The restricted finance costs include interest on mortgages, loans, and overdrafts, including borrowing used to buy furnishings, as well as to cover the purchase cost of the property. For those already in possession of one or more buy-to-let properties purchased on finance, the change means a gradual reduction in profitability over the coming four years.

So what can potential landlords do?

“The simple answer is to buy with cash and thus avoid the tax relief deductions entirely. However, that’s not always an ideal solution for some investors. For those still using mortgage or other finance to purchase a buy-to-let property, the best plan is to buy as if it’s 2021.

Calculate the property’s yield based on the end of the phasing in period in order to ensure that it will still be a profitable venture once the tax changes are fully implemented. Work out now whether the changes will push you up a tax bracket and make your investment decision with full knowledge of that fact.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

There are certainly still plenty of options available to investors looking to avoid being stung by April’s taxation changes. Purchasing lower cost properties that are more achievable as cash purchases is one strategy.

At Victoria House in Liverpool, superb penthouse apartments are available from as little as £68,750. Such a purchase may well prove a better longer-term prospect than opting for an investment of double that value (or more), which would require borrowing.

Opting for a city flagged as a hotspot is another good approach. HSBC has identified Manchester as one of the UK’s top four buy-to-let hotspots, while Jones Lang LaSalle has projected that house prices there will rise by 4.5% per year for the next five years. Such strong figures can serve to offset reductions in tax relief for investors interested in properties there, such as the brand new development at Barrel Yard.

“Really it’s about going back to basics. Buy cheap and buy smart. Don’t be deterred by the spectre of increasing taxation – those who plan carefully should be able to minimise the impact of April’s tax changes and ensure they still buy to net a healthy profit.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

For more information, visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

The lights are always on at Collegiate AC

The lights are always on at Collegiate AC

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom
  • Collegiate AC launch 24/7 concierge service paralleling the very best hotels
  • Concierge teams take grocery deliveries, supply free popcorn and arrange taster sessions from local restaurants
  • “With staff on call when students need them most, the Collegiate 24/7 concierges set us apart from our competitors” (Collegiate AC) 

Heading off to university is a once in a lifetime opportunity and for many students it means living independently for the first time without Mum and Dad on hand to help with those everyday life tasks.Those looking for that ‘helping hand’ and extra level of support can now turn to Collegiate AC accommodation and its brand new 24/7 concierge service.

Committed to ‘superior living’, Collegiate AC sites across the UK boast amazing facilities with extra sparkle and a welcoming and friendly concierge team on hand to make students feel right at home.

The monotonous chore of food shopping is made a lot easier when the concierge team are available 24 hours a day to sign and collect your online ordered food. Not only will the concierge team take delivery but sites such as Nova in Nottingham, Eclipse in Cardiff and Plummer House in Newcastle all feature on-site cold rooms in which the food deliveries are stored until residents can collect them.

The Collegiate concierge teams are also on hand to supply the food and drink needs of student life. With complimentary popcorn – essential to fully enjoying the latest Netflix installation on the large HD projector screen – in the private cinema rooms on site.

The team will arrange private events such as cocktails evenings and taster sessions from the local restaurants, all in the comfort of the development. With state-of-the-art kitchens, private dinner party rooms, luxurious lounges and games booths, there is a deluxe space on-site with an event to match.

“The launch of our 24-hour on-site concierge service will ensure that Collegiate residences feel safe, secure and as homely as possible for those living away from their families. With staff on call when students need them most, the Collegiate 24/7 concierges set us apart from our competitors. When locked out or simply in need of a chat, the team are here to help and are chosen for their kind and thorough nature making Collegiate the place to call home.”

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate AC

The residence that offer this brand new 5* conscierge service also include Fusion Tower in Bristol, Ernest Place in Durham, Eclipse in Cardiff and Pennine House in Leeds. One of the many Collegiate AC residence featuring the new concierge service is Crown House in Sheffield. The brand new Crown House raises the bar for student accommodation, ushering in a new standard of sophistication never before seen in the UK.

This prime position student property is set in lively West Bar, close to the heart of Sheffield’s urban centre and is a short stroll to both university campuses. It is part of the Prestige Collection that mix prestigious studios with inspired social spaces, Crown House brings more to student life.

From £150 per week, it’s stunning facilities include an on-site private fitness suite, private dinner party room, BBQ and alfresco dining area, private cinema room, gaming booths, flexible lounge area and state-of-the-art study zones. With a 24/7 concierge team and 300mb/s ultra fast Wi-Fi it really is the 21st Century student experience.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

How can agents get the most out of their property portal in 2017?

How can agents get the most out of their property portal in 2017?

by Sophie Evans Spain

·         62% of people factor in portal usage when selecting an agent (Harris Interactive)

·         Extra effort with images can generate 54% more leads (Kyero.com)

·         55% of visitors spend under 15 seconds on the websites they visit (Chartbeat)

Property portals are big business. Research by Harris Interactive found that 47% of the UK population used a property search website in the year to April 2016. Not only that, but 62% reported that the portals on which an agent advertises would be a factor in their selection of an agent when selling or letting their home.

Clearly, agents who are smart in their use of property portals stand to gain a great deal of business, both from those selling and letting their properties and from those looking to buy. As such, Spanish property portal Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 properties each month, has analysed buyer enquiries in depth in order to produce a list of quick wins for agents using property portals in 2017. The site’s newly updated agent dashboard is transparency in action.

Kyero.com’s Head of Research Richard Speigal comments,

“Agents who maximize their use of portals have a lot to gain. That maximization doesn’t have to be time consuming or difficult – usually it just means adjusting a couple of procedures. For a small investment of time, the benefits can be huge.”

Top tips for getting the most out of your property portal from Kyero.com

1.       Presentation is key

According to Chartbeat, 55% of visitors spend under 15 seconds on the websites they visit. That’s not a lot of time for visitors to read detailed property descriptions! It will be a property’s images that initially capture a visitor’s attention, so agents should ensure that corners aren’t cut when it comes to photography. Quite simply, the best looking properties generate the most buyer enquiries. Kyero.com’s research has shown that agents who make the extra effort when it comes to imagery generate 54% more leads. That’s quite a result from paying a little extra attention to a few snaps!

2.       Use data to your advantage

Property portals have access to a vast amount of data – on popular locations, buyer trends, average prices and more. Kyero.com invites all agents who list properties on the portal to use that data freely. Head of Research Richard Speigal explains how this is beginning to change the conversation between vendors and agents,

“Transparent, data-based reporting has had some interesting results in Spain. Many Spanish vendors had a difficult time adjusting to the property crash. They became wedded to unrealistically high prices and this cluttered the market with unsellable property. This left agents with a tough dilemma – if they were too honest on (low) pricing, vendors simply went to other agents who were prepared to give a higher valuation. Alternatively, if they priced too high, they were stuck with a stagnant portfolio they couldn’t sell.

“Being able to quote Kyero.com’s numbers about what was selling, in which areas and at what price, meant that all parties could be better informed. This kept negotiations realistic.”

3.       Make conversation

Feedback from agents is an essential tool for operating a popular and easy-to-use property portal, according to the team at Kyero.com. Agents who want to get the most out of their portal in 2017 should let the portal know if they encounter any snags when listing properties, or have ideas about how things could work faster. No portal wants to make it difficult for agents to list properties, so agents who raise ideas for improvements are valuable to those who run the portal.

 

Kyero.com has incorporated user feedback into its newly launched agent interface. The results have been extremely well received thus far, with agents reacting positively to the changes.

4.       Be clear and concise

Remembering how little time agents have to capture viewers’ interest online, it’s essential to be clear and concise when listing a property’s details. A good approach is to try and include all the headline features in the first two or three sentences of the description. If those features are exciting enough, the visitor may well read on.

As Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal advises,

“If you have a villa that has a spa, a wine cellar or a cinema room, be sure to shout about it early on in the description. Don’t bury it at the end of the copy or you may well have missed your chance to excite the viewer with that piece of information. Remember, too, that writing for the web should always be in short paragraphs and that bullet points are your friend when it comes to online audiences.”

5.       Look at each listing with a buyer’s eyes

Finally, agents are advised to check over their listings with a buyer’s eyes. A surprising number of properties are not listed correctly when it comes to price, amenities, number of bedrooms, property type and so forth. If those details aren’t correct, fewer potential buyers will find that property online. Thus agents need to step into the buyer’s shoes and review their listings critically to ensure that every last detail is perfect.

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.

Passenger numbers go sky high as Spanish airports enjoy best year in history

Passenger numbers go sky high as Spanish airports enjoy best year in history

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • 161.7 million international travellers and 67.5 million domestic passengers passed through Spanish airports in 2016 (Aena)
  • Alicante-Elche airport enjoyed a historical 2016 with 12.3 million passengers (Aena)
  • Spain welcomed record 75.6 million foreign tourists in 2016 (INE)
  • Taylor Wimpey España’s La Recoleta III and Panorama Mar new developments are ideally located on the beachfront and close to the record breaking Alicante International Airport

Spain enjoyed a record breaking 2016 when it came to the number of travellers visiting the country by air according to the latest figures from Aena, the state trading company which manages Spanish airports.

161.7 million International travellers passed through Spanish airports last year, confirming its global reputation for connectivity with 67.5 million domestic passengers also travelling during the same period. In particular, Alicante-Elche airport in the popular south-east of the country recorded a historic high in 2016, handling 12.3 million passengers, an increase of 1.7 million passengers in a single year. Interestingly, almost half (42%) of the passengers through Alicante-Elche were from the UK, indicating that the pull for British tourists to the Costa Blanca remains strong.

And even in the face of Brexit, the outlook remains bright with budget airline Jet2 announcing that between April and November this year, they will increase flights by 40% from 9 destinations in the UK including London-Stansted, Edinburgh and Leeds to Alicante-Elche airport, reaching a peak of 93 flights per week in high season.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, the renowned housebuilder which has operated successfully in Spain since 1958, has observed first-hand the rising numbers of both flights and passengers entering Spain by air over the last year.

“Living here in Spain and travelling frequently myself both for work and pleasure, you can just see that the airports are busier. More flights, especially from the UK and Northern Europe, bigger aircraft and higher passenger numbers are being witnessed which, in my opinion, is a very positive indicator of the health of the country’s tourism sector.

“Not only did the airports enjoy a record 2016 but Spain overall welcomed the most foreign tourists ever last year, some 75.6 million according to the latest INE data which is an impressive 10.3% increase year on year and we look forward to welcoming even more in 2017.”

Inextricably linked to accessibility and tourism, Spain’s holiday home sector is also optimistic for another good year in 2017. As Marc Pritchard explains,

“As we reported last month, the Spanish market during 2016 was positive for us here at Taylor Wimpey España with an order book increase of 8.5% and completions up 21% on 2015 figures. The latest airport and tourism figures, combined with sentiment here on the ground means that our outlook for 2017 is positive, especially for the Costa Blanca, despite wider macroeconomic uncertainty created by the EU referendum result.”

Taylor Wimpey España are committed to an optimistic 2017 and are therefore launching new developments; Panorama Mar and La Recoleta III.

Property buyers wishing to soak up the sun in the fantastic region of Alicante then look no further than La Recoleta III. This site is near the beachfront with access to the sea and beach just a few metres away, with the Costa Blanca, famed for its fabulous white sandy beaches.

La Recoleta’s Mediterranean style buildings, wide avenues leading down to the sea, immaculate garden areas and well-run services make this a perfect place to relax and enjoy the fantastic climate all year around.

With prices starting from just €194,000 +VAT, the 2 or 3 bed apartments have a well-designed layout, each with a private terrace. Enjoy beautiful views over the sea, the pool and private gardens of the development. The unique penthouses include solariums and outstanding views and to top it off, Alicante’s International airport is just a one hour drive.

Taylor Wimpey España’s complex, Panorama Mar, is a new first line development, situated on Punta Prima Beach in Torrevieja. This private residential complex offers an array of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, all designed for both comfort and convenience, with 2 bathrooms and an underground parking space. Each apartment in the first phase is south facing and therefore blessed with spacious terraces and stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea.

With prices starting from just €234,000 +VAT, every resident is granted direct access to the beach promenade. Alicante’s International Airport is just 45 minutes away and Punta Prima is also blessed with excellent transport links.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +34 971 706 972.

Follow Cupid’s arrow to star-studded Mallorca this Valentine’s Day

Follow Cupid’s arrow to star-studded Mallorca this Valentine’s Day

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • Mallorca welcomes a wealth of famous faces from James Blunt to the Beckhams
  • “Mallorca has a special hold on me as the place where I met my wife and where my family and I call home” (Marc Pritchard, Taylor Wimpey España)
  • Follow in the sandy footprints of today’s elite with Taylor Wimpey España array of properties to fall in love with on Mallorca

The Balearic island of Mallorca has attracted the world’s rich and famous for centuries. Its picture postcard scenery has become a sublime setting of both inspiration and relaxation for those in the spotlight, emerging as the perfect romantic getaway destination.

Spain’s most international tennis player, Rafal Nadal often returns home to Mallorca to relax with girlfriend Xisca; look out for his silhouette sailing around the island which also hosted the popular ITV show, Love Island and the hit BBC drama, The Night Manager.

Singer-songwriter James Blunt not only celebrated his wedding on Mallorca but continues to be a frequent visitor to the island with his wife, Sofia. They wanted to show their affection for the island by making sure that their big day gave back, buying the bridal gown from Mallorquin designer Rosa Esteva and using Palma based event planners to organise the celebration.

The Beckhams are the most recent celebrity couple to fall in love with the island and they know how to celebrate their love for one another in style. The luxurious setting of Mallorca is where the world’s power couple now enjoy time away from their star-studded lifestyle.

It is clear that Mallorca is the top destination for a romantic getaway and Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, for leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, agrees as he himself fell in love with the island when he first visited on a family holiday in 1975.

He comments, “Having visited a great number of Spanish destinations, Mallorca has a special hold on me. It’s where I met my wife, started my career in property, and it’s the place my family and I call home.

“There are many reasons why Mallorca has a unique and romantic feel; the coastline is truly stunning with an amazing 200 beaches, many of which boast Blue Flags, all over the island. It is also an absolute paradise for nature lovers, my favourite is the Tramuntana mountains. Nothing beats taking my motorbike up through the winding mountain roads to enjoy the most breath-taking views and see the local wildlife at the weekend.

“Mallorca is an island full of life; the capital Palma plays host to half of the island’s population offering style, sophistication and a buzzing nightlife. The Mallorquin people are passionate and I have no doubt that the island will steal your heart just as its stolen mine.”

For those ready to follow in the sandy footprints of today’s elite, leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España offer an array of properties perfect for an A-list romantic retreat. The Marina Golf complex is less than 30 minutes from the capital Palma and is located next to the celebrated Santa Ponsa III Golf Club.

This new Mediterranean style village has spacious townhouses with private terraces, gardens and allocated parking spaces. In the communal area there is a swimming pool for the exclusive use of owners, surrounded by a solarium with views over the golf course and a large communal garden.

Prices start from just €600,000 +VAT and every townhouse has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, with air conditioning, under floor heating in the bathrooms, double-glazing, a security door, TV aerial and satellite dish. In order to ensure the maximum amount of light the properties are southwest facing and have several terrace areas so the sun can be enjoyed for most of the day.

Santa Ponsa is surrounded by some of the top golf clubs on the island including Golf Santa Ponsa I, II and III. It is also near the coast, in an area dotted with beautiful coves and beaches and some of the island’s most exclusive marinas such as the Puerto Adriano. Designed by Philippe Starck and just 1.5 km away, Puerto Adriano has a wide variety of elegant bars and restaurants ideal for that much needed date night.

For those with a more modest budget, Taylor Wimpey España’s most recent development is the gorgeous Bahia Sant Pere. The development is situated in the traditional north east coastal village of Colonia de Sant Pere, perfect for those wanting a more rural escape.

Less than an hour from Palma’s international airport and only a short distance from the local fishing port and Mallorca’s golden coastline. From just €215,000 +VAT all apartments have two bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen with breakfast bar and the use of a private parking space. Each resident will have access to the development’s two swimming pools and luscious communal gardens.

Known for its outstanding natural beauty, the village of Colonia de Sant Pere allows visitors to experience the more rustic side of Mallorca, being the perfect location to enjoy both the stunning landscape of the mountains of the Peninsula de LLevant Natural Park and the beautiful coast with the white sandy beach of Sa Canova.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Brits look to Spain to bag a bargain holiday home in 2017

Brits look to Spain to bag a bargain holiday home in 2017

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • 37% of Brits currently regretting their Christmas spending (Nationwide)
  • Bargain hunting particularly important to second home buyers in the New Year (Kyero.com)
  • Playa del Ingles and Almeria named top destinations for making a saving (Kyero.com)

According to Nationwide, 37% of Brits will currently be regretting the amount they have spent over Christmas, while 19% will still be paying off their festive spending in March. Across Europe, Christmas spending was projected to hit £77.56 billion in 2016, based on research by the Centre for Retail Research and RetailMeNot. Meanwhile, while in the US, Deloitte’s 2016 Holiday Survey predicted that spending would pass the $1 trillion mark.

Whatever the total cost of the holiday season, the early months of the New Year are certainly a time when bargain hunting becomes a priority for many. Whether it’s the weekly shop or something altogether larger – such as a holiday home overseas – achieving value for money in January and February is a serious business.

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at Spanish property portal Kyero.com, comments,

“Clearly, everyone who buys a second home wants that property to be good value, but at the start of the year we see a particular emphasis on bargain hunting. Buyers are looking for properties that offer something exceptional for the money. Price reductions, even small ones, can make for quick sales at this time of year, as buyers are keen to snap up homes that mean they can make a saving while still achieving their dream of owning abroad.”

Those looking for a bargain holiday home would do well to make use of Kyero.com’s extensive data on market trends to scour Spain for the best areas to pick up under-valued property. The portal offers a dedicated data site to enable this (data.kyero.com) and also regularly reviews their latest search data for the most up and coming areas and those places where prices are lagging behind the national average.

Right now, Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria is the place to buy for those looking for an up and coming area. Enquiries for properties in the Canary Islands always rise in the winter months, but 2017 has seen Playa del Ingles knock Torrevieja off the top spot of Kyero.com’s trending locations list for the first time ever.

The average property price in Playa del Ingles is €165,000, against €249,000 nationally, making it ideal for bargain hunters looking for all the benefits of Spanish property ownership but without the usual price tag.

For buyers looking for an area lagging behind the rest of the market, Almeria province is an excellent choice. Prices there are currently averaging €129,000 – nearly half the national average.

Despite a spike in sales since the Brexit vote, prices in Almeria have yet to catch up to those in the rest of Spain, creating excellent potential for future capital gains. Mojacar (average property price €165,000), Albox (€126,000) and Palomares (€84,000) are the three top spots, according to Kyero.com’s data.

Of course, discounted properties can be found in many areas of Spain, by those who know where to look. This spacious, three-bedroom frontline beach penthouse in Estepona has been reduced by a staggering €250,000, to €999,000.

Buyers looking for something more traditional can enjoy a €20,000 discount on this five-bedroom cortijo with private pool and terraces, now just €130,000. Meanwhile golfers can take advantage of the €40,000 discount on this three-bedroom villa near La Marquesa, now priced at €159,000.

“Spain offers something for everyone when it comes to bargain hunting,” concludes Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal. “There are plenty of price reductions available to buyers right now and some fantastic areas that offer excellent potential. It’s a buyer’s market for Brits looking to pick up a bargain holiday home.”

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.

Sun shines on the Costa Blanca as property sales soar 91% in 2016

Sun shines on the Costa Blanca as property sales soar 91% in 2016

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • British buyers increase by 60% on the Costa Blanca in just 12 months (Taylor Wimpey España)
  • Spanish buyers grow by 260% as demand for property on the Costa Blanca soars (Taylor Wimpey España)
  • “We are delighted to present Arenal Dream after the success of its neighbouring development, Jardín del Mar, which has now completely sold out” (Taylor Wimpey España)

Taylor Wimpey España has confirmed an encouraging trend within the Spanish property market’s recovery with the leading homebuilder seeing sales on the Costa Blanca rise by a significant 91% last year.

Positive news for the expat community was also reported with sales to British buyers increasing by 60% in comparison to 2015, however, it is domestic buyers that are leading the charge towards the Costa Blanca.

Property transactions by Spanish buyers have grown by an incredible 260% during the last 12 months on the Costa Blanca as they reignite their love for Spain’s white coast.

This excitement surrounding the Costa Blanca property market has definitely driven demand for property in the area and Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, believes this trend is set to continue throughout 2017. He explains,

“As both domestic and overseas buyers return to the Spanish market, the Costa Blanca is once again emerging as the firm favourite. It’s sought after sunshine, chiseled coastline and laidback lifestyle has granted the region a new lease of life and second home buyers are showing a real desire to be a part of it.

“In response to buyer demand, we are delighted to be presenting our new development, Arenal Dream, to the market. Especially after the success of its neighbouring development, Jardín del Mar, which has now completely sold out in less than a year.”

Situated only 300 metres from the beach of El Arenal, awarded with a Blue Flag and one of the best beaches in the Valencian Community, the stunning development consists of 47 properties, comprised of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Luxurious communal areas include a swimming pool and luscious gardens creating a beautiful environment in which to relax.

With prices starting from just €220,000+VAT, all residents can enjoy the spacious terraces integrated as part of the living room which benefit from natural light through large French windows. Each property includes an underground parking space and ground floor apartments also offer private gardens to the front and rear. It is a privileged location with many services within walking distance such as leisure amenities, restaurants, banks and supermarkets.

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.

Interior design resolutions: 2017 is the year to ‘think pretty’ says Alexander James Interior Design

Interior design resolutions: 2017 is the year to ‘think pretty’ says Alexander James Interior Design

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom
  • Impact of external influences on inner peace more widely appreciated
  • Demand for professional interior design in sub £2 million homes on the up
  • Homeowners, sellers and landlords all looking to use interior design to their advantage

 

Many people are glad to see the back of 2016, heralding 2017 as a fresh start, with all the promise that a new year brings. Achieving inner strength and peace are high up the priority list for many working diligently on their New Year’s resolutions, but there’s more to inner peace than eating kale and enjoying regular yoga sessions, as Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James Interior Design, reveals,

 

“The look and feel of a property has a huge impact on how those who live there feel. An expert interior design service can transform a ‘nice’ home into a real sanctuary – a place of calm that helps you to shrug off the cares of the world the moment you close the front door. Many people work hard at self-improvement during January in order to feel healthier and happier, but don’t appreciate how much of a difference changes within the home can make.”

 

According to the team of experts at Alexander James, who have more than 20 years’ experience of interior architecture, the benefits of interior design are gradually extending their reach. The sub £2 million property market is booming when it comes to demand from new clients, particularly in London and other large cities across the UK. Homeowners are beginning to appreciate the serenity that interior design can bring – a message that the Alexander James team is keen to spread more widely.

 

Stacey Sibley continues,

 

“Homeowners have an unprecedented opportunity to access interior architecture expertise as the market expands to bring beautiful interiors to a broader client base. We’re seeing rising demand from individual property owners seeking to give their home the interior it deserves, as well as from those looking to maximise their home’s sale value. Interior design for rental property also looks set to expand rapidly in 2017, with landlords keen to boost their yields by offering homes that stand out from the crowd.”

 

The natural hues and warming tones and textures of 2017’s top interior design trends should certainly appeal to those looking to make their home (and their life) more tranquil as part of their 2017 New Year’s resolutions. Natural woods and pastel tones will create personal havens for those seeking the path to inner peace this year.

 

Alexander James Interior Design has showcased this beautifully at this modern, rustic barn in Surrey. The stunning building has been dressed in a way that highlights its outstanding features, at the same time as creating a serene, welcoming home.

 

As 2017 gets underway, those seeking inner peace as part of their New Year’s resolutions would do well to turn to interior design in order to achieve it!

 

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

Students kick-start a healthy 2017 with cooking and cardio

Students kick-start a healthy 2017 with cooking and cardio

by Sophie Evans Uncategorized
  • Most popular 2017 resolution is to achieve a healthier lifestyle (American Express)
  • Third of Brits set goals to exercise more and 30% plan to eat better (American Express)
  • Free fitness, dance and “get fit after Christmas” sessions in state-of-the-art gyms available at Collegiate AC accommodation

According to new research from American Express the most popular New Year’s resolution set for 2017 was to achieve a healthier lifestyle, with a third of Brits setting goals to exercise more and a further 30% planning to eat better.

Amongst the health conscious are today’s students, eager to achieve both their health and academic goals in order to make the most of their university experience. With increasing pressure to attain top grades, a well-balanced body, mind and soul is becoming essential for students, at any level of study.

Providing students with the facilities essential for maintaining a healthier lifestyle, Collegiate AC the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, installs high-tech kitchen appliances to give their residents the opportunity to cook meals from scratch.

And with tea and coffee prepared at the start of each day by the 24/7 concierge at the Nova residence in Nottingham, students are able to get ready for a day of lectures with ease.

Collegiate’s Saxon Court property in Reading also benefits from an exclusive dinner party room to host friends and put their healthy cooking skills to the test, providing a fun and relaxing evening in.

As well as altering food options, many New Year’s resolutions begin with a trip to the gym. To inspire students to make time for a fitness regime, regardless of skill level, most Collegiate AC residences offer on-site gym facilities, including Water Lane Apartments in Bristol, Nova in Nottingham and Gateway Apartments in Edinburgh.

In Newcastle, Plummer House provide classes such as Dance, Bootcamp and spinning classes all included with the rate.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains the advantages of having additional facilities available onsite that enhance a balanced lifestyle,

“Many of our residents have said that the range of additional facilities available in our properties enhances their student experience and provides them with the tools they need to lead a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is using the space to experiment in the kitchen, working up a sweat in the gym or letting off steam by exchanging stories in the common room, we believe that these aspects are of key importance.

“This is especially important after the Christmas break when getting back into the routine of healthy eating and exercising before January exams is important. At Collegiate AC, we take into careful consideration exactly what students need and for instance at Fusion Tower, Bristol, we have an onsite personal trainer that has arranged ‘get fit after Christmas’ group sessions in the on-site state-of-the-art gym.”

Evidence shows, according to findings by mobile health and fitness company HealthifyMe, approximately 82% of people didn’t stick to their New Year’s fitness resolution for more than a week on the app in 2016. It is crucial therefore that your surroundings help motivate your goals and Collegiate AC are the perfect accommodation for focused and well-rounded student-living.

Fusion Tower is a fine example of facilities that help maintain a balanced lifestyle. On-site facilities include a cinema, private gym, club lounge and a resident’s bar as well as a choice of generously-sized rooms, along with high-speed broadband, Wi-Fi and 24-hour security and CCTV.

From £134 per week, Fusion Tower has an incredible city-centre location, perfect for enjoying the wealth of culture and entertainment that Bristol has to offer, with a range of accommodation available from studios to five-bed apartments.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

Spain’s laidback lifestyle lures second home buyers

Spain’s laidback lifestyle lures second home buyers

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • Spain has second best life expectancy on the planet (OECD)
  • More than 15,000 people over the age of 100 live in Spain (OECD)
  • “Many move to Spain for a healthier, happier way of life” (Taylor Wimpey España)

The average person born in Spain today can expect to live to the ripe old age of 83.3 years according to the latest data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Home to more than 15,000 people aged over 100 years, Spain officially has the second best life expectancy on the planet, just behind Japan. In comparison, those that live in the UK and Ireland have a lower average life expectancy than most of Western Europe and Scandinavia, at 81.4 years.

The main reasons suggested for Spain’s impressive life expectancy are the more relaxed lifestyle, keeping active and strong family connections.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España and long term Spanish residents comments on the attraction of Spain as a destination,

“The relaxed lifestyle of sea, sunshine and siestas is what draws many Brits to Spanish shores. Life here is very different from the UK; there is greater focus on quality living, getting out and enjoying the natural environment and regularly taking the time to share good food with friends and family.

“That’s not to say that this way of life comes at the cost of 21st century living – far from it! Here in Spain we enjoy every technology available in the rest of Europe and operate some of the most successful companies in the world. It’s just about balance.”

Indeed, a lower cost of living and higher amount of paid leave than in the UK make finding that balance between work and play easier in Spain, not to mention the Mediterranean climate which offers significantly greater inspiration to keep fit and healthy year round

Pritchard continues,

“Having lived and worked in Spain for over 20 years now, raising my family here on Mallorca, I know firsthand why the Spanish way of life is so appealing and I speak to many clients looking to realise that dream lifestyle. Quality of life is becoming an ever growing driver for Brits buying second homes abroad with many moving to Spain for a healthier, happier way of life.”

For those lured by the laidback Spanish lifestyle, Taylor Wimpey España has a range of superb properties in a variety of prime locations to choose from.

Panorama Mar for example is Taylor Wimpey España’s newest frontline development, situated on Punta Prima Beach in Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca. This private residential complex offers an array of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, all designed for both comfort and convenience. Each apartment in the first phase is south facing and therefore blessed with spacious terraces and stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea to relax and unwind with friends and visiting family.

With prices starting from just €234,000 + VAT, every Panorama Mar resident will be able to use the three communal swimming pools and Jacuzzi facility, as well as being granted direct access to the beach promenade.

Whilst being an area of natural beauty, situated right on the waterfront, Punta Prima is also blessed with excellent transport links. The San Javier Airport in Murcia is only a 30-minute drive and Alicante’s International Airport is just 45 minutes away with regular direct flights to a choice of UK airports.

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.