Ho ho homes near Christmas markets

Ho ho homes near Christmas markets

by Charlotte Ashton France United Kingdom
  • UK Christmas markets generate more than £250 million in visitor spending for the towns that host them (Nabma)
  • Christmas markets add to a city’s attractions and property market (Properties of the World)
  • Homes near Christmas markets attract keen interest at this time of year (Surrenden Invest)

 

As December arrives in all its festive glory, Christmas markets pop up all over the UK. Offering seasonal tastes and gifts to shoppers in the run up to the big day, these markets provide a delightful experience that contrasts to the usual high street madness that is Christmas shopping in the UK.

Research by the Nabma ROI team has shown that Christmas markets bring significant benefits to the towns that host them – generating more than £250 million in visitor spending at the markets, as well as positively impacting spending in other stores within the town. They can also have a positive impact on the local property market.

 “There are many factors that make a town or city a desirable place to live and this includes the range of amenities. Once a location establishes itself as offering an enticing Christmas market each year, that becomes part of the overall attraction to the area – and the more attractive an area, the more success those investing in its property market can enjoy.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

 

In light of the arrival of Christmas markets on the UK scene once more, we’ve included a round-up of the top properties near each market. We’ve even thrown in a couple of examples across the Channel, for property buyers looking for a French take on the festive season.

London

London offers a range of Christmas markets, from Winter Wonderland to the stalls of the South Bank. This year, Hampstead Village will host its first Christmas fair, transforming the entire high street into a magical Christmas experience.

Those looking to pick up property as well as presents should check out Four 5 Two from Bellis Homes: 13 superb, balconied apartments with park views in a prominent Hampstead location. Prices from £xxxx.

Birmingham

Already a mecca for shoppers, Birmingham ups its game each December with the largest German market located outside of Germany or Austria. Mulled wine, craft beers and Christmas crafts are the order of the day, as visitors soak up the festive atmosphere.

Property investors can enjoy the well-located B5 Southside development from Surrenden Invest: contemporary rental apartments just five minutes’ walk from New Street Station. Prices from £155,000.

Manchester

With an extensive market in front of the town hall that attracts millions of visitors each year, and a large ice rink for seasonal frolics, Manchester certainly can’t be accused of not getting into the Christmas spirit.

When it comes to homes near Manchester’s Christmas markets, it has to be Danforth Apartments from Properties of the World, just minutes from the city centre: 113 stylish homes within the village-like environment of Fortis Quay. Prices from £124,995.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s Christmas market always brings festive magic to the heart of the city, as twinkling fairly lights light shoppers’ path around its winter huts. Food, jewellery, arts, crafts and clothes from four continents mean that shoppers looking for alternative Christmas gifts have plenty of inspiration.

Perfectly positioned for access to the city’s Christmas market is The North House from Surrenden Invest: high-end apartments designed with professional urban tenants firmly in mind. Prices from £120,000.

Halifax

The recently renovated and re-opened Piece Hall in Halifax will this year host a spectacular Christmas extravaganza, including a carefully hand-picked festive market packed with local Yorkshire retailers and gourmet food providers.

Property investors need look no further than the nearby Martins Mill from Property Frontiers: a selection of one and two bedroom apartments in a stunning, six-storey converted mill. Prices from £64,950.

Paris

Paris, like London, offers a wealth of festive fun for Christmas shoppers. The crafts, gifts and hot spiced wine on offer around the Sacré-Coeur at Montmatre are one of the highlights of the season.

Those looking for a place to rest their head after a long day’s shopping will be delighted by this studio apartment from FrenchEntrée, just moments from the Sacré-Coeur. Priced at €165,000.

The Alps

Of course, for some, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a good helping of snow. The Christmas market at Courchevel offers a snowy winter wonderland for shoppers looking for beautiful decorations and seasonal delicacies.

Property buyers looking to pick up a home in Courchevel will enjoy these luxurious ski apartments available through SkiingProperty.com: 14 two-bedroom apartments with communal pool, just 10 minutes’ walk from the nearest shops and slopes. Prices from £660,591.

 

With many Christmas markets already in full swing, it’s time to wrap up warm and enjoy the best of the festive shopping season, whether you’re looking for presents or properties!

“Homes by Christmas markets always attract keen interest at this time of year, whether they’re investment properties or those for sale to owner-occupiers. Christmas markets give these properties a little something that other homes don’t have and many buyers are keen to take that into account when making their purchase.”

Jonathan Stephens, CEO, Surrenden Invest

 

For more information, please contact:

Bellis Homes: 01279 424 733 or www.bellishomes.co.uk

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

Properties of the World: +44 (0) 20 7624 5555 or www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk

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

FrenchEntrée: +44 (0)1225 463752 or www.frenchentree.com

SkiingProperty.com: +44 20 8150 9502 or www.skiingproperty.com

 

Why just stock up on wine for Christmas, when you could own an entire vineyard?

Why just stock up on wine for Christmas, when you could own an entire vineyard?

by Charlotte Ashton France
  • British buyers continue to lead hunt for vineyards (FrenchEntrée)
  • Bordeaux region is most popular region in France to buy a vineyard
  • Vineyards are available for every budget, from €360,000 to €50,000,000

New figures from premium French property agents FrenchEntrée have revealed that UK buyers just can’t get enough when it comes to French vineyards.

Over the past six months British buyers have topped the table of those looking to snap up vineyards, accounting for 44% of all enquiries through FrenchEntrée. They were followed by enquiries from the US (18%), China (8%) and Russia (4%). (While FrenchEntrée specialises in Anglophone buyers, these latter two nationalities both play key roles in the overall vineyard market.)

“Demand for vineyards has never dropped – quite the opposite. We’ve seen demand rise consistently over many years and there are several reasons for this. Tax-wise, France offers a number of advantages, particularly when you take into account inheritance tax. As many of those who purchase a vineyard are retirees looking for a better lifestyle, this can play an important role in their purchasing decisions.”

Annick Dauchy, Property Business Development Manager, FrenchEntrée

 

According to FrenchEntrée, vineyards are also popular with corporate buyers looking to add to their portfolio. A few million euros is apparently a small price to pay for the prestige of owning a vineyard in the South of France.

Of course, you don’t need millions to pick up a vineyard. The properties attracting enquiries through FrenchEntrée between May and October 2017 ranged in value from €360,000 to €50 million.

Bordeaux is the most popular area for those seeking their own slice of traditional French countryside, with 35% of enquirers looking to buy vineyards there. The region offers the highest supply of vineyards and can thus cater to a wider range of budgets and tastes than other areas.

Provence follows, with 25% of enquiries, then Nouvelle Aquitaine (20% – excluding Bordeaux) and Languedoc Roussillon (16%). While the absence of Burgundy from the figures may be surprising, this is due to the difficulties that buyers face obtaining vineyards in this region. Land and properties tend to be handed down through the generations, leaving the area all but closed to foreign buyers.

“Much of the time, the decision on which area to buy in is led by budget. You can still pick up a vineyard in the Bordeaux or Languedoc area for less than €2 million. The quantity of vineyards available in France means that buyers have plenty of choice – there’s a property to suit each buyer’s individual circumstances.”

 Annick Dauchy, Property Business Development Manager, FrenchEntrée

 

The majority of new vineyard owners tend to know little about caring for vines or making wine. Their experience usually starts at the point the cork comes out of the bottle. However, with many sellers happy to stay on and coach the new owners, this is rarely a problem. Employee teams tend to stay on as well, giving the newly installed owners instant access to knowledgeable workers who can assist them in their endeavour.

When it comes to buying, vineyards tend to be a cash market. 81% of prospective buyers coming to FrenchEntrée in the past six months planned to fund their purchase with cash. The fact that it’s almost impossible to get a mortgage for a vineyard is the main factor behind this. Banks are hesitant to lend on vineyards as they view them as a business investment. As such, buyers with no experience or proven track record of running vineyards soon find themselves out on a limb. Of course, it is possible to treat a vineyard as an investment, but the money is usually made by buying, running the estate well for several years as part of a strategic marketing plan, and then selling it on for a profit.

 

Vineyards on the market:

Those with plenty to spend might enjoy this €13 million 19th century vineyard with chateau in Montpellier, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The three-storey chateau comes with 165 hectares, vaulted reception rooms, its own swimming pool and a Roman chapel from the 9th/10th century.

For those with a more modest budget, €400,000 is sufficient to pick up a characterful, seven-bedroom home with surrounding vineyard and two on-site cottages, which together provide a further three bedrooms. With just three hectares of vines, this is a perfect ‘starter’ vineyard for those looking to get a taste of the lifestyle and understand what’s involved (most vineyards have at least 15 hectares of vines).

Buyers somewhere between those two price brackets have plenty of options. For €3.4 million, they can enjoy a magnificent 18th century vineyard with chateau set in the heart of the Rhône valley.

For further information, contact FrenchEntrée on +44 (0)1225 463752 or propertysales@frenchentree.com. You can also visit https://www.frenchentree.com/property-for-sale/.

 

As London falls, prime Paris pulls buyers across the Channel

As London falls, prime Paris pulls buyers across the Channel

by Charlotte Ashton France
  • London property transactions down 17% since 2015 (Hometrack)
  • Brexit and Macron combining to push buyers from London to Paris (FrenchEntrée)
  • France moved ahead of Germany for venture capital investment in 2016 (Atomico)

London and Paris used to vie for the attention of prime property buyers. However, it seems that a combination of factors is increasingly positioning Paris ahead of London as the place where wealthy buyers want to pick up a luxury home.

In the UK, London has struggled to market itself to would-be home buyers ever since the country decided to leave the EU and the ongoing saga of the Brexit process is doing nothing to reassure wealthy buyers.

According to Hometrack, property turnover in the British capital has dropped by 17% since 2015. Meanwhile, recent figures from Acadata and LSL Property Services show that London property prices fell by 2.7% in September – their sharpest pace of decline since 2009.

Over in France, Paris is enjoying quite the opposite effect. While the UK’s politics are in disarray, France is enjoying the benefits of the Macron effect. The dynamic new President’s confidence is serving to inspire a new era in French politics – and in Paris’ property market.

Apartment prices in the French capital rose by 5.5% in the year to Q1 2017, according to La Chambre des Notaires de Paris. They are expected to continue their steep rise in the wake of Macron’s election in May. Demand is also up, with a record 848,000 housing transactions in 2016, based on figures from the European Central Bank. In Paris, the spike in demand was reflected in a 23% rise in the number of apartments sold in the year to Q1 2017. In Ile-de-France, that figure rose to 32%, according to La Chambre des Notaires de Paris.

The Macron effect is also spurring on residential construction in Paris, with the number of dwellings authorized up by 6.7% year on year in July 2017, according to L’INSEE.

“We’ve seen a notable uptick in appetite for French property in the past few months, particularly in and around Paris. Second home buyers are keen to take advantage of President Macron’s commitment to reduce taxes for property owners. At the same time, Paris offers a great deal of stability that London no longer can, which is extremely attractive to buyers from overseas.”

 Annick Dauchy, Property Business Development Manager, FrenchEntrée

 

Overseas buyers in Paris hail from around the world. Russian buyers can’t get enough of the French capital at the moment, while US buyers are also active in the £1 million plus market, according to premium French property agents FrenchEntrée.

Le Marais is the most sought after arrondissement by this group, who love its village-like vibe. The Haut-Marais area, close to Republique Metro and further away from the river is a hip and happening base for fashionistas and trend setters, with a vibrant atmosphere and bustling nightlife. An active local mayor ensures plenty of cultural and community events, creating a fabulously unique atmosphere. The area’s popularity has pushed prices up – buyers need to budget around €12,500 per square metre as a base point (compared to €8,450 for Paris as a whole). They also need to move quickly if they’re to have any hope of snapping up one of the area’s hugely sought after studio apartments.

Buyers from the Middle East, meanwhile, love the glitz and glamour of the 8th arrondissement. In addition, buyers from the UK and elsewhere in Europe have been looking at Paris with fresh interest since President Macron took the helm.

Macron’s commitment to reduce property taxes is not the only draw. His pro-business approach is working in conjunction with the new French Tech Visa and Station F (the largest start-up campus on the planet) to attract new wealth and energy to Paris.

France has already moved ahead of Germany in terms of the amount of venture capital it is attracting, with Atomico reporting that venture capitalists invested £2 billion in France last year, and just £1.6 billion in Germany. The UK is still ahead of France (with venture capital investment of £4.7 billion in 2016), but the phenomenal acceleration of investment in France means that it has a realistic chance of catching up very quickly.

With Paris positioned as one of the world’s leading cities for business, wealthy buyers are keen to pick up appropriately grand properties there – and Paris certainly doesn’t disappoint in this respect.

An elegant, four-bedroom apartment in the 9th arrondissement will set buyers back a cool €2.69 million, while a stunning loft apartment can be had for just €1.9 million. Buyers looking for a blank canvas to imprint their own style then this duplex apartment just steps from the Palais de l’Elysée is ideal at €570,000.

 “One of the countless charms of Paris is its ability to appeal to buyers of all tastes. It has something for everyone, from homes dripping with old world grandeur to ultra-modern conversions that are perfect for leading tech entrepreneurs. In addition, now looks like a great time to buy, with prices beginning to increase steadily in value thanks to the dual effect of Brexit and Macron.”

Annick Dauchy, Property Business Development Manager, FrenchEntrée

For further information, contact FrenchEntrée on +44 (0)1225 463752 or propertysales@frenchentree.com. You can also visit https://www.frenchentree.com/property-for-sale/.

Chamonix price rises continue to draw in property buyers from around the world

Chamonix price rises continue to draw in property buyers from around the world

by Charlotte Ashton France
  • Rising property values and rental incomes continuing to draw buyers to Chamonix (FrenchEntrée)
  • 38% of foreign investment in French property is focused on The Alps (BNP Paribas)
  • Chamonix, Les Praz and Les Moussoux at heart of recent price rises (FrenchEntrée)

Since it hosted the first ever Winter Olympic Games way back in 1924, the town of Chamonix has been synonymous with skiing during the winter months. However, the area’s growing year-round appeal and rising property values means that it’s no longer just powder-hounds who are taking an interest in this breathtakingly beautiful pocket of France.

“As Chamonix maintains its reputation as a year-round destination, we’ve seen a marked increase in buyers looking to part-fund their holiday home investment through its rental potential. Values in prime areas of the valley are rising swiftly and the promising underlying rental value is opening the area up to an array of new buyers.”

Annick Dauchy, Property Business Development Manager, FrenchEntrée

Premium French property agents FrenchEntrée cite chalets and luxurious apartments in Les Praz and Les Bois as the most sought-after properties at present. Buyers are looking to combine a second home investment with good rental potential in order to cover some of their costs through the income that can be made from the property.

Capital gains are also a consideration, with Chamonix, Les Praz and Les Moussoux all enjoying price rises at present, while values in Les Houches, Taconnaz and Les Bossons all retain their value.

Chamonix is about so much more than just winter sports. Aside from the obvious charms of the ski season, the town offers an attractive and well-visited destination, no matter the season. The stunning heights of Mont Blanc provide an incredible backdrop to the town, while abundant flowers both in and around Chamonix provide a beautiful contrast to the mountain’s pristine white slopes. Whether they’re exploring by foot, bike, skis or snowboard, Chamonix has the power to take visitors’ breath away with its staggering beauty.

The town enjoys good access from Geneva airport and offers a wide range of properties for sale. During the summer months, hiking and mountain biking are both popular, while the local culture, Savoyard fare and a range of festivals and events ensure there is always something on hand to enjoy.

The most common properties available are apartments ranging in value from €350,000 to €650,000. Two- and three-bedroom chalets are also popular and can command asking prices of anything from €1.3m to €2m.

Those looking for a particularly impressive abode can pick up a six-bedroom, five-bathroom chalet with pool in a superb setting for a cool €6.3m. Meanwhile, a four-bedroom chalet can command anything up to €3,870 per week in rent over the peak of the winter season.

Of course, property investment in the Alps is nothing new. Sales in the area account for 38% of foreign investment in French property, according to BNP Paribas’ mid-2016 market update. However, the recent rise in rental potential is driving a new wave of interest in the Chamonix area in particular.

“Buyers are definitely waking up to the fact that their property can work for them when they’re not using it. With low interest rates added into the mix at the moment, Chamonix has become far more accessible to those looking to pick up the perfect second home.”

Annick Dauchy, Property Business Development Manager, FrenchEntrée

For further information, contact FrenchEntrée on +44 (0)1225 463752 or propertysales@frenchentree.com. You can also visit www.frenchentree.com.

Resorts with altitude and easy access remain most sought-after in 2017-18 season

Resorts with altitude and easy access remain most sought-after in 2017-18 season

by Georgina France United Kingdom World

Access, length of ski season and altitude should be key considerations of international investors choosing a resort for their perfect ski home this season, said new-build ski specialist Skiingproperty.com in October.

 

“The Savoie region in the French Alps, in particular, is home to established high altitude resorts with excellent skiing and easy access from the UK and Europe,” said Skiingproperty.com director Julian Walker. “These resorts include Tignes, Val d’Isère, Courchevel and Méribel. We also recommend Alpe d’Huez a little further south.”

 

Tignes Part of the Savoie department’s Espace Killy ski area, with its 300 kilometres of slopes reaching from 1,550m to 3,456m, Tignes is made up of four villages, each at different altitudes. The highest is Val Claret (2,300m), followed by the main village at Le Lac (2,100m) and further down are Tignes Les Boisses (or Tignes 1800) and Tignes Les Brévières. The Grande Motte glacier, which offers summer skiing, is accessed via Val Claret. Transfers to the resort from Geneva and Lyon are around two-and-a-half hours, or two hours from Chambéry. Skiingproperty.com has luxury chalets in Tignes available off-plan from €2.28million.

 

Val d’Isère

The other half of the Espace Killy ski area, the lively resort of Val d’Isère lies at an altitude of 1,850 metres. The resort is about to benefit from a major €200million regeneration project, which follows the opening last year of a €16-million two-year redevelopment of the Solaise area directly above the resort, which includes a new mid-mountain station at 2,500 metres. Transfers to the resort from Geneva and Lyon are around two-and-a-half hours, or two hours from Chambéry. Skiingproperty.com has luxury three-bedroom apartments in Val d’Isère available off-plan from €923,000.

 

Méribel Located in Savoie and part of the Les Trois Vallées ski area, the largest in the world, the heart of picturesque Méribel lies at 1,450 metres but its chalet developments rise up the side of the valley to 1,700 metres. There is also a satellite resort, Méribel-Mottaret at 1,750 metres. A favourite with British homeowners, skiers there can be on slopes at well over 2,000 metres in no time, from which they can link into Les Trois Vallées’ 600kms of slopes. Transfers to the resort from Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon are around two hours, or 75 minutes from Chambéry. Skiingproperty.com has off-plan apartments in Méribel available from €1.09million.

 

Courchevel One of the Alps’ most upmarket resorts and also within Les Trois Vallées, Courchevel is a collection of linked villages at different altitudes. The main village and lift hub is Courchevel 1,850, named after its altitude. A little lower is Courchevel Moriond (1,650), then Courchevel Village (1,550) and then Courchevel Le Praz (1,300). Courchevel has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other resort in the French Alps and recently opened a £50-million water park. Transfers to the resort from Lyon and Geneva are around two hours, or 75 minutes from Chambéry. Skiingproperty.com has off-plan apartments in Courchevel available from €776,000.

 

Alpe d’Huez Located in the Isère department, the resort of Alpe d’Huez sits at an altitude of 1,860 metres. Its 250 kilometres of slopes, which comprise France’s fifth largest ski area and include the longest black run in the Alps, range from 1,100 metres up to 3,330 metres. A long ski season, typically from early December until late April, is guaranteed thanks to the glacier there. The nearest airport at Grenoble is just 90 minutes’ drive away. Skiingproperty.com has off-plan apartments in Alpe d’Huez available from €315,000.

 

ENDS

For further information or to enquire about properties in the French Alps:

Julian Walker

SkiingProperty.com

Tel:+442081509502

Email: info@skiingproperty.com

Website: www.skiingproperty.com

 

 About Skiingproperty.com

Skiingproperty.com, which is owned and operated by international property specialist Spot Blue International Property, works with developers in the French and Swiss Alps to promote new and off-plan developments to the UK and wider international market. Since its foundation in 2003, Spot Blue International Property has established itself as a leading international property specialist and is a member of the AIPP and NAEA. The company’s high profile in the UK and worldwide means it is regularly quoted in the national press and invited to appear on panels at leading seminars and exhibitions.

 

What does Merkel’s hollow victory mean for the EU?

What does Merkel’s hollow victory mean for the EU?

by Louise France Germany Italy Uncategorized
  • Angela Merkel’s fourth term win was not the victory the market was hoping for
  • 13% of voters backed the anti-Euro AFD (Alternative for Germany)
  • Euro trading at 30-day low as a result

Following the twists and turns of 2016, this year started with much apprehension that the populous vote, which saw the surprise Brexit result and Trump’s ascension to the White House, would continue and spread throughout Europe.

First there was the Dutch election, with the controversial anti-EU candidate Geert Wilders at one point fancied to be the winner. As election day got nearer, his popularity amongst the voters vanished and he eventually lost. Big sigh of relief.

Then there was the French general election. Enter Marine Le Pen, another anti-EU politician with very strong right wing beliefs, who promised to call France’s very own referendum on EU membership if she won. She didn’t. Instead, Emmanuel Macron become President and the fear that the plague of populism would spread diminished. The Euro vs the USD skyrocketed on confidence that the EU will live on.

Combined with Mario Draghi’s more hawkish tone in his ECB press conferences, where he dropped hints that the end of the central bank’s net asset purchases may happen sooner rather than later, EUR/USD soared to the highest levels since January 2015.

Of course there was the German election on the horizon but good old Angela would have no problem with that. Right?

angela-2689111_1920

On Monday 25 September the market woke up to an Angela Merkel victory, but not the victory she and the market was hoping for.  Mrs Merkel had won a fourth term, however it was her party’s worst result in almost 70 years and she now needs to form a coalition. Not only that but more worrying rival party the AFD (Alternative for Germany), which is very anti-immigration and Islam and indeed the Euro, won 13% of the vote. It’s the first far right party to win a seat in Parliament in more than 40 years.

“Mrs Merkel now has to form a coalition, which won’t be an easy task. Germany could face months of negotiations as one is formed. Whoever is chosen to partner with Merkel will provide the political direction not only for Germany but also the EU and immigration.

“At the same time, Angela Merkel’s weaker positon will also make new efforts to work with French President Emmanuel Macron on Euro-area integration very difficult.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

 

As news spread of a disappointing victory, the EUR/USD opened with a gap lower, dropping from Fridays closing price of 1.19473 to 1.19143.  It continued to decline in both the European and North America sessions and as of the time of writing is trading at a 30 day low of 1.18145.  The EUR/GBP came under further pressure and as time of writing is currently trading around 0.87618.

After concerns of the Dutch and French elections vanished there was hope that political stability in the bloc was pretty secure and the surprises that were experienced and shocked the market in 2016 had gone, but Sunday’s election outcome has once again filled the air with uncertainty.

“This sudden turn in AFD winning as much as 13% of vote (bearing in mind the party itself only came into existence five years ago) shows that there is a swathe of voters upset with Merkel’s stance on immigration. It underlines that one of the great dangers to the European Union is indeed politics and general elections. In the current climate they have become incredibly unpredictable and dangerous to its actual existence.  AFD’s success in the election goes to show that the fear of immigration is still being used as a key tool in the black art of politics to cause upset and surprise.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

 

Italy’s general election is due by the end of May 2018. There are concerns that Northern League and the Five Star Movement – both Eurosceptic parties – could fare quite well.  The Five Star movement is gaining momentum in the opinion polls and the Northern League recently won local elections in Genoa and L’Aquila.

Italy’s economy the third biggest in the Eurozone is shaky at best with 11% unemployment and national debt at 133% of GDP. There is also a fascinating debate in Italy about the country stepping away from the Euro and introducing a parallel currency alongside it.

“Though the end of May seems a long way away, you may certainly expect the market to start to focus on this general election. With what happened in Germany at the weekend, you may expect bouts of uncertainty about the outcome and how it will affect the European Union.

“The feel good factor that was felt across the bloc after Emmanuel Macron’s election victory seems to have diminished. Though the Euro is still currently enjoying a bull run, which started following Macron’s win in France, the fear and concern which the market felt at the beginning of the year could start to return as we see out 2017 and prepare for what 2018 will throw at us.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

About easyMarkets

easyMarkets® is an online pioneer market maker established in 2001. We’ve made trading markets as easy as possible with proprietary mobile, web and desktop platforms. Traders enjoy full markets access with a simple and powerful approach to CFD’s, forex and options trading.

easyMarkets® is part of an international network with offices in Europe, Asia and Australia.

 

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).

 

Vamos a España ! : Avec Taylor Wimpey España acheter une résidence secondaire est un rêve accessible

Vamos a España ! : Avec Taylor Wimpey España acheter une résidence secondaire est un rêve accessible

by Priscillia Mudiaki France Spain ,
Qui n’a pas rêvé un jour de posséder une maison à l’étranger pour y passer ses vacances ? Si beaucoup y pensent, peu passent à l’acte. Toutefois, depuis que l’immobilier espagnol relève la tête, les pays francophones se ruent sur les résidences secondaires en Espagne. 
Soleil tapant permanent, plages, mers chaudes et cultures semblables … les francophones en Europe raffolent de l’Espagne. L’arrivée en masse des touristes en Espagne a d’ailleurs augmenté de 16% en avril dernier.
Les Français ont été 1.13 millions à s’y rendent, soit 4.8% de plus par rapport à l’année dernière. Quant aux Suisses, ils étaient 219 milles, soit 43% de plus par rapport à l’année dernière !
Les Francophones reviennent souvent dans la péninsule ibérique avec l’envie d’y acheter une résidence secondaire. En effet, les prix de la pierre sur le sol espagnol séduit de plus en plus hors des frontières et convainquent les acquéreurs francophones.
Selon les chiffres officiels du bureau d’enregistrement espagnol, pas moins de 3.423 Belges ont acquis une maison de vacances en Espagne l’an dernier. C’est à peine moins que les Français (4.321).
D’après Taylor Wimpey España,  premier promoteur immobilier en Espagne, Costa Blanca et Costa del Sol cartonnent pour ces acquéreurs.
« L’an dernier, le nombre d’investisseurs Belges en particulier qui ont acheté une résidence secondaire en Espagne avait augmenté de 43%. Les Belges sont friands de la Costa Blanca parce que la région offre des opportunités incroyables pour passer des vacances agréables. De plus en plus de Français s’intéressent à la zone. L’amour des francophones pour la pierre espagnole est loin d’avoir faiblit. »
 
Marc Pritchard, Directeur Marketing de Taylor Wimpey España
A l’approche des vacances d’été, le rêve d’une propriété au soleil taraude les francophones. Avec Taylor Wimpey España, acheter une maison secondaire à Costa Blanca (ou même dans la Costa del Sol ou sur l’ile de Majorque) est un rêve accessible.
Ceux en quête d’exotisme peuvent acquérir les nouveaux appartements éblouissants de La Recoleta situes à seulement deux minutes de la plage dans la région d’Alicante. Disponibles à partir de 184.000€, les appartements à deux ou trois chambres de La Recoleta ont tout ce qui fait rêver : des terrasses et jardins privés, un design intérieur bien conçu et une vue à couper le souffle sur la mer Méditerranée.
La proximité des plages et de l’aéroport international Alicante font des appartements de Taylor Wimpey España l’une des meilleurs options de résidence secondaire à acquérir en Costa Blanca.
Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter s’il vous plait Taylor Wimpey España maintenant le 0034 971 70 69 72 ou visitez le site http://taylorwimpeyspain.com/fr/ pour plus d’informations.
England wins Euro 2016 real estate cup

England wins Euro 2016 real estate cup

by Eleanor France Spain Turkey United Kingdom
  • Turkey tops house price growth in Europe
  • Spain leads foreign buyer demand
  • Spain, England, Turkey and France go through to semi-finals
  • England beats France thanks to rising property values

They may not be the favourites to win Euro 2016, but when it comes to real estate, this is England’s year. Property portal TheMoveChannel.com pitted the housing markets of the 24 countries against each other in a property tournament to end all property tournaments.

The site compared each country across three key categories: house price growth in the 12 months to Q1 2016, using Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index, the number of properties listed for sale on the international site, and demand from investors, measured by the number of enquiries from buyers on TheMoveChannel.com in the 12 months to June 2016.

Combined, the factors give a rounded portrait of a country’s property market, from overall health to investment potential.

Click here to see the full infographic.

Turkey tops house price table

In terms of house prices, Turkey’s property market is number one in Europe. According to Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index, the country has seen property values soar 15.3 per cent in the year to Q1 2016, ahead of Sweden (12.9 per cent) and Austria (7.6 per cent).

Turkey has enjoyed the strongest house price growth in the world for the last three quarters in a row, fuelled by the country’s rapidly growing population, ongoing infrastructure development and high demand.

Spain leads foreign investment league

Spain is the most popular destination in Europe for foreign buyers, attracting the highest number of enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com in the year to 2016. It is followed by investor favourites Portugal, France, Turkey and Italy. Italy is also the country with the most properties for sale on the site as of June 2016, ahead of England, Spain, France and Portugal.

Quarter-Finals: Battle of the holiday home hotspots

Following the format of the Euro 2016 tournament, the categories were used to determine the top performers from each group, before progressing through the knockout stages of the competition.

In the quarter-finals, Spain slipped past Switzerland through sheer force of buyer demand; England advanced over Portugal due to stronger price growth and a higher inventory of homes for sale; Turkey triumphed over Germany, thanks to its unbeatable house price growth; and France flew past Austria, boosted by its lifestyle appeal.

Semi-Finals: Familiar favourites triumph

While Spain is the most popular destination in Europe on TheMoveChannel.com, England edged past its continental cousin, powered by its stronger house price growth (5.3 per cent versus 2.4 per cent) and a higher number of properties for sale, making it easier for investors to find an opportunity.

France’s house price growth may be low compared to Turkey’s (0.5 per cent versus 15.3 per cent), but with French mortgage rates at record lows, demand for the country’s real estate is hard to match, with France receiving 27 per cent more enquiries in the year to June 2016.

Final: England knocks out France

England’s housing market puts 50 years of hurt to rest with a victory over the Euro 2016 hosts. Due to a chronic lack of supply, England’s property values have been accelerating for some time. In the 12 months to June 2016, prices have risen 5.3 per cent, according to Knight Frank, compared to France’s 0.5 per cent. England also has more properties for sale. France, however, scores a consolation goal with a higher level of buyer interest, primarily because of people searching for property in the UK in general, instead of specifically in England.

 

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

Founded in 1999, www.TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 1.4 million listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.

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Do you need comment or statistics for an international real estate article? Our experienced editorial team and management are happy to collate data, provide example properties, or offer insightful comment to support your publication.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

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Feature property listings in your publication!

Our technical team has developed a great new solution for content publishers that allows the addition of high impact advertising units, which can be configured to show property listings, relevant to a type of property, country, region or a specific location.

 

There are 2 types of implementation:

  • Standard Ad Units: These show in 120,600, 160×600, 300×150, 300×250, 300×500, 300×750 and 728×90 formats, with a varying number of listings showing in each version.
  • Dynamic Portfolio: This is a completely configurable panel, where you can choose the number of columns and rows, plus the size of the listings and dedicate a section of a page, or even a whole page to a set of properties.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

Foodies fill their Basque-ts with bargain properties

Foodies fill their Basque-ts with bargain properties

by Charly France Spain
  • 10% of world’s top 50 restaurants in the Basque Country (Euromonitor)
  • Locals swapping pricey properties for fabulous food (Kyero.com)
  • Just 1,600 Brits live in the Southern Basque Country at present (Ministry of Employment and Social Security)

The Basque Country, spread across France and Spain in the Western Pyrenees, is a region with a well-known and fascinating political and historical story. But these days, the area also has a growing reputation as one of Europe’s most tantalising locations for foodies.

Basque Country cuisine draws elements from both Spanish and French cooking, blending them in ways that delight the taste-buds and draw in gourmet travellers from across the world. According to El Pais, the cuisine blends traditional methods, seasonal local ingredients and imaginative technical know-how in order to create something truly special.

The Southern Basque Country, consisting of the three provinces of Álava, Biscay, Gipuzkoa, the two enclaves (Enclave of Treviño and Valle de Villaverde) and the Chartered Community of Navarre, contains half of Spain’s eight restaurants with three Michelin stars. Three are in Gipuzkoa and one in Biscay. Not only that, but five of the world’s 50 best restaurants, according to the Euromonitor Consumer Lifestyles in Spain Aug 2015 report, are located in the Basque Country. Astonishingly, that’s as many as can be found in the whole of France.

The Basque city of San Sebastian is gourmet paradise, with a total of 16 Michelin stars awarded to restaurants in the city and its outlying areas. According to Euromonitor, no other area on Earth can claim to have such a density of Michelin stars.

But foodie heaven comes at a price. According to data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), although the Basque cost of living is spot on the national average for Spain, the cost of food and drink there is well above average.

At the three Michelin starred Arzakis, a meal can cost around €200 per head. Interestingly, the restaurant’s clientele consists largely of local middle class families, rather than the super-rich, according to Arzakis’ proprietor. Gourmet tourists are also drawn to Arzakis and the Basque Country’s other three starred establishments.

So how is it that locals can afford to splurge regularly on such fabulous and expensive food? Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents, explains,

“It’s interesting in the Southern Basque Country to see that despite the average cost of living, property is 9% cheaper than the average cost across Spain, according to the INE House Price Index. It seems that locals – and second home owners – are balancing out their big food budgets by saving on property.”

Spain’s Basque Country regions are still relatively un-discovered (at least compared with the Costas) when it comes to British home owners. According to the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Security, there are just 1,600 Brits among the 56,000 foreign residents of the Southern Basque Country, with the majority being made up of Portuguese and Romanian settlers.

However, with the area’s fast-growing reputation as one of the tastiest places on the planet, Brits looking for a second home in Spain and thinking with their stomachs may well be inspired to head north instead of south in increasing numbers over the years ahead!

For further details on properties to rent and buy across Spain, visit www.kyero.com.

Hotspots Index: Rome leads European property rebound

Hotspots Index: Rome leads European property rebound

by Kate Cyprus France Greece Italy Portugal Spain
  • Rome most searched-for property location in the world
  • Portugal home to 14 of 50 most searched-for hotspots
  • France, Greece and Cyprus all in top 10

Rome is leading the rebound in demand for European property, reveals new research from TheMoveChannel.com. The portal’s latest interactive Hotspots Index shows that the Italian capital was the most searched-for location in the world in Q1 2015, as overseas buyers flock to the continent.

Rome accounted for 1.48 per cent of location searches in the first three months of the year, climbing one spot in TheMoveChannel.com’s Hotspots Index from Q4 2014. Rome is the first of two Italian hotspots in the Top 10, with Como sliding one place from the previous quarter to seventh place.

Spain soared into the silver spot, with Malaga climbing three places to become the second most searched-for location. While interest surged in the Costa del Sol, demand for the Balearics also boomed, with Mallorca leaping 10 places in the Index to become the third most popular hotspot. Malaga and Mallorca accounted for 1.45 per cent and 1.02 per cent of searches in Q1 2015 respectively.

Portugal followed closely in fourth place, as Albufeira accounted for 0.96 per cent of location searches in the three months to March 2015. With property prices now showing their first signs of rising following the recession, and the Golden Visa scheme encouraging investment from outside of the EU, the Portuguese property market is now the most widely sought-after on TheMoveChannel.com: the country was home to 14 out of the Top 50 hotspots in Q1 2015, up from 11 in Q4 2014.

Spain and Portugal have both enjoyed record levels of enquiries in the past six months, but demand for European property is now spreading across the continent. France made its debut entry in the Hotspots Index Top 10, as the Dordogne received the sixth biggest share of searches (0.81 per cent). Greece also entered the Top 10 for the first time: Corfu jumped 19 places in the chart into eight place.

TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson comments: “Europe has never been more attractive to overseas buyers than it is now. Mortgage rates are low in France, prices are rising in Portugal, and Spain’s market has bottomed out. With the pound at a seven-year high against the euro, spending power for Brits is exceptionally strong. Greece now accounts for six of the Top 50 hotspots – up from four in Q4 2014. The country’s economic uncertainty could be bad news for the euro, but it is certainly good news for buyers.”

The full top 50 hotspots on TheMoveChannel.com in Q1 2015 is available here.

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

Founded in 1999, www.TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 800,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.
——————————-
Do you need comment or statistics for an international real estate article? Our experienced editorial team and management are happy to collate data, provide example properties, or offer insightful comment to support your publication.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221
——————————-
Sign up to our Daily International Property Newsletter:

– Daily updates on property market news headlines
– Quirky stories from around the world of property
– Hot properties being launched internationally
– Useful guides, surveys, research and trends
– Gossip, lists and other property chit chat

Sign up here: http://www.themovechannel.com/my/subscriptions/
——————————-
Feature property listings in your publication!

Our technical team has developed a great new solution for content publishers that allows the addition of high impact advertising units, which can be configured to show property listings, relevant to a type of property, country, region or a specific location.

There are 2 types of implementation:

  • Standard Ad Units: These show in 120,600, 160×600, 300×150, 300×250, 300×500, 300×750 and 728×90 formats, with a varying number of listings showing in each version.
  • Dynamic Portfolio: This is a completely configurable panel, where you can choose the number of columns and rows, plus the size of the listings and dedicate a section of a page, or even a whole page to a set of properties.

Please contact Ian Spencer on ian.spencer@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7224