Property buyers flex their dollars as sterling approaches pre-Brexit levels

Pound passed $1.40 mark in February for first time since Brexit referendum (xe.com)
Turkish property buyers benefitting from the pound’s rise against the dollar (Spot Blue)
US & Caribbean properties proving particularly hot right now (InternationalPropertyForSale.com)

Over the past month, the pound’s value against the dollar has edged significantly closer to pre-Brexit levels.

February saw a high of $1.42, while at the time of writing the pound’s value stands at $1.37 (xe.com). While it may not have returned to the heady $1.49 that it was on the day of the Brexit referendum, the pound’s steady climb is excellent news for anyone with an eye on an overseas property.

A British buyer with £100,000 to spend will today have a budget of $137,000. This time last year, they would have had just $122,000. A buyer whose £1 million a year ago would have given them $1,220,000 will now have $1,370,000 to play with. Naturally, buyers of US and Caribbean dollar properties are delighted, but it’s also great news for those buying closer to home.

“Buyers purchasing homes in Turkey aren’t limited to conducting their transactions in lira or euros – they can also pay in dollars. Given the pound’s steady climb against the dollar, and its recent passing of the $1.40 mark for the first time since the Brexit referendum, this has opened up the Turkish market to British and international buyers looking to get maximum value from their overseas property purchase. In short, it’s a great time to buy.”

Julian Walker, MD, Spot Blue International Property

Award-winning Turkey property specialists Spot Blue are seeing sterling’s rise positively impact buyers of Turkish property in dollars at both ends of the price spectrum.

Turkish properties offer exceptional value at present; $151,206 is sufficient for a three-bedroom villa with communal pool just 7km from the coast. Meanwhile those with more to spend can enjoy serious luxury, with this six-bedroom, five-bathroom ultra-contemporary eco villa with private pool, priced at just $2,214,927.

The Turkish property market certainly seems to be benefitting. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, sales there increased by 1.7% in January 2018 when compared to January 2017.

The more traditional dollar-purchase locations of the US and the Caribbean also now offer British buyers more for their money. A spacious three-bedroom apartment in Orlando, with huge communal pool and landscaped gardens can be snapped up for just $134,900 through InternationalPropertyForSale.com. Over in Barbados, a lavish three-bedroom villa with sun terrace, private pool and garden costs just $850,000.

“It’s a fantastic time for those interested in US property to see how far their pounds will stretch at the moment. The ups and downs of the Brexit process are far from over, but we’ve seen a steady increase in the pound’s value against the dollar over the past year, which has put British buyers in a much stronger position and made US and Caribbean properties far more appealing in terms of their price tags.”

Julian Walker, MD, Spot Blue International Property

For further information about buying or selling property in Turkey, the US and the Caribbean please contact:

Spot Blue International Property

Tel: +44 (0)20 8339 6036

Email: info@spotblue.com

Website: www.spotblue.com and InternationalPropertyForSale.com

Notes to Editors:

Spot Blue International Property is one of the UK’s leading Turkish property agencies, with hundreds of properties regularly listed and updated on its website, www.spotblue.com. As well as helping developers promote their projects to the UK and other foreign markets, www.spotblue.com features properties for sale by private individuals. Spot Blue only promotes property of developers that pass its due diligence assessment. It also specialises in matching buyers with suitable properties and operates in all major resorts in Turkey. The company’s high profile in the UK means it is regularly quoted in the national press and invited to appear on panels at leading seminars and exhibitions.

InternationalPropertyForSale.com is owned by Spot Blue International Property, one of the UK’s leading international property specialists that markets hundreds of properties around the world across its portfolio of websites, which includes Turkish property site SpotBlue.com. As well as helping developers promote their projects to the UK and other foreign markets, www.spotblue.com features properties for sale by private individuals. Spot Blue International Property only promotes property of developers that pass its due diligence assessment. The company’s high profile in the UK means it is regularly quoted in the national press and invited to appear on panels at leading seminars and exhibitions.

Top 10 hottest homes perfect for a winter escape

by Priscillia Mudiaki Spain Thailand Turkey United States Property Frontiers, spot blue, Taylor Wimpey Espana

As freezing weather grips the country with recent snowfalls across UK, it’s time to escape somewhere warmer. There are plenty of winter sun destinations easily accessible for Brits such as Spain, Turkey or the USA being the obvious choices but there are some more exotic options available too.

To help, here is a selection of the 10 hottest homes on offer this winter – whether you are looking to invest into a luxury villa outside Europe or buy a second home in a jet-lag-free Mediterranean destination, we have it all!

Marina Golf, Mallorca (Spain)

The residential complex, developed by Taylor Wimpey España, has spacious 3 and 4 townhouses with private terraces and gardens surrounded by a solarium area with views over the Santa Ponsa golf course. It is in one the island’s most exclusive and in-demand areas. Prices start from €549.000 +VAT.

2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA)

Available through InternationalPropertyForSale.com investors can get these well-designed beachfront residences that boast a rich array of indoor and outdoor amenities such as a world-class spa. With its floor-to-ceiling windows offering breath-taking views over Atlantic Ocean and more, the properties have wonderful features. Prices start from £1,041,724.

3. Fumba Town, Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Exclusive to investment agency Property Frontiers, Fumba Town is a brand-new development of villas and apartments offering breath-taking sea views. Located close to the centre, the property offers the chance for residents to completely emerge within the paradisiac lifestyle on this African beach heaven. Prices start from £123,000.

4. La Vila Paradis, Costa Blanca (Spain)

With this development, Taylor Wimpey España gives the chance for residents to feel proud about living in an enviable beachfront location in Villajoysa. The 2 and 3 apartments are built to an excellent standard and include swimming pools, beautiful gardens and direct access to Paraiso beach. Prices start from €269,000 + VAT.

5. Westmoreland, St James (Barbados)

Elegant townhouse villas are available through InternationalPropertyForSale.com on Barbados’ stunning west coast benefitting from an all year-round tropical climate. Within this exclusive 5-bedroom development, each property has the option for a sun terrace with access to swimming pool, spacious rooms and other first-class features. Prices start from £1,085,909.

6. Becyk Villas, Antalya (Turkey)

This beautiful development, available through Spot Blue, is comprised of 2 bedrooms villas with large private terraces well situated within a relaxed mountainous environment. All villas are built in a traditional Turkish holiday home style and the time difference of just 3 hours make up for the 6-hour flight. Prices start from £69,000.

7. La Floresta Sur, Costa del Sol (Spain)

This Taylor Wimpey España residential development is unique as it is surrounded by a striking natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO in Marbella. Owners at La Floresta Sur will live in a healthy environment with better breathing, access to pure water and lots of trees for natural beauty. Prices start from €192,000 + VAT.

8. The Peak Towers, Pattaya (Thailand)

With this new 30 floor residential building located within a premium beach area, Property Frontiers is offering investors an excellent opportunity to expand their portfolio internationally. Residents will enjoy the Thai lifestyle living in a perfect environment to soak up on some warm tropical sun during winter. Prices start from £60,617.

9. Tamarin, Mauritius

Also available through InternationalPropertyForSale.co, this development of 25 apartments and penthouses, situated on the beautiful beach of Tamarin on the west coast of Mauritius, is surrounded by sea and mountain views. The properties are eco-friendly and have been designed modern and elegant featuring comfortable living experience. Prices start from £674,082.

10. Acquamarina, Mallorca (Spain)

With coastal properties always in high demand, Taylor Wimpey España has unveiled the brand-new development Acquamarina which offers 2 bedroom apartments designed with pure Mediterranean style architecture, where the predominant colour is white. Prices from £214,000.

Is oil on the brink of ending its three-year bear run?

by Louise United Arab Emirates United States

Prices have peaked this year at $57.59 per barrel
3 years of price falls may mean a drop in US shale production is on the cards
Power consolidation moves in the Middle East could signal supply interruptions

At the end of October, US crude oil inventories hurt WTI oil once again as it came in higher than expected at 0.9 million barrels, as opposed to the -2.6million barrels. This oversupply has been hurting WTI and Brent Oil since the end of June 2014.

Due mainly to US shale, there has been an abundance of oil. This has pressured prices lower. In fact, they have collapsed by more than 50% from the peaks of early 2014.

Reacting to the weaker prices, OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) and other oil producing countries such as Russia agreed to cut production until the end of March 2018. This move injected a bit of life into oil, which bounced back from its lows of $26 per barrel. Throughout 2017 it has traded between $42 per barrel and this year’s high (so far) of $57.59 per barrel.

“The reason behind the current stable mood now there is fear that a lack of supply which could push prices higher. The ever-influential Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that he backs extending OPEC production cuts past the original date of March 2018. Nor is he the only voice calling for the extension of production cuts: Russian President Vladimir Putin has also backed an extension to the end of 2018 at the very least.

“With both these dominant political figures supporting this move when OPEC meets this month, it will indeed signal a continuation in limiting the supply of crude oil.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

Adding to the mix is the latest unrest in the Middle East, which has injected even more upward momentum to oil prices. Over the weekend, a number of Saudi princes and leading businessmen were arrested by the Saudi authorities on corruption charges. This move has been seen by outsiders as the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidating his power as he attempts to make massive constitutional changes to the country.

Tensions in the region have increased further with a statement made by top Saudi Ministers, who have said that Lebanon has declared war on the Kingdom, and further sabre rattling with Iran. These latest developments are destabilizing the region, with oil prices clearly benefitting.

“There is also another factor to be taken into consideration on why oil prices seem to be rising. In fact, oil may now be at the end of its three-year bear run. Although US shale is expected to continue to increasing healthy production, some believe that the three years of falling oil prices has meant a decrease in investment into production. This could cause further drops in supply. Along with the slow improvement in the world economy, demand for oil could increase. This will in turn not only support oil prices, but could even boost them to $65 per barrel in the long-term.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

At the end of the day, having suffered for three years, maybe it’s time for oil to have a bit of break.

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).

Top of the Props: Foreign buyers flock to US property

by Georgina United Kingdom United States top of the props

US top of charts in 4 of last 6 months

Cyprus now 3^rd most popular, 2^nd month in top 5
France takes 4^th following election
Canada climbs back into top 10

Foreign buyers continue to flock to US property in 2017, reveals TheMoveChannel.com’s latest Top of the Props index. The USA accounted for 1 in 12 enquiries on the portal in May, stealing the top spot back from Spain.

America has consistently been one of the most sought-after destinations among foreign investors in recent years, ranking number one in TheMoveChannel.com’s Top of the Props charts for four of the last six months. After months of battling Spain for the coveted first place, the USA once again came out on top in May, pushing its rival down into second. The country made up 8.44 per cent of all enquires on the international portal in May, up from 4.87 per cent in April.

Spain’s share of enquiries fell from 10.4 per cent in April to 4.31 per cent, although its share remained higher than a year ago (4.03 per cent). Interest also grew year-on-year in Cypriot property, with the island’s share of activity soaring from 0.38 per cent in May 2016 to 3.35 per cent in May 2017. This is the third month in a row that enquiries have increased for real estate in Cyprus, as buyers continue to return to the island. Cyprus is now the third most popular destination on TheMoveChannel.com, marking its second month in the Top 5.

In mainland Europe, France enjoyed a flurry of activity following Macron’s election victory, climbing five positions to seize fourth place. French property accounted for 2.63 per cent of enquiries in May, up from 1.67 per cent in April. The Top 5 was completed by the UAE, which also surged five places up the chart to re-enter the top tier, accounting for 2.12 per cent of enquiries.

Portugal, meanwhile, slipped two places into sixth, accounting for 1.85 per cent of enquiries. Bulgaria also dropped seven places in the charts, but remained in the Top 10, after a significant increase in interest from buyers in the last year. Eighth place Italy’s share of enquiries dipped from 1.91 per cent to 1.69 per cent, but the country remains in the same place as a year ago. Interest climbed in Canadian real estate, which rose nine places into seventh. This is its 2nd month ranking in the Top 10 this year, after interest weakened in the second half of 2016, following the introduction of a tax on foreign buyers in the Vancouver region.

The rise of the USA occurs as the National Association of Realtors forecasts that foreign buyers and immigration are expected to drive future demand for housing in the country. This week has also seen the Federal Reserve decide to raise interest rates for the second time this year, with another hike potentially on the cards before the end of 2017.

TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson comments: “America’s housing market continues to enjoy a strong and stable recovery in the eyes of investors. As demand outstrips supply across most of the country, property prices have now risen year-on-year for 62 months in a row, according to the National Association of Realtors. Buoyed by the positive sentiment in the US economy, with the Federal Reserve raising rates for the third time in seven months this week, the country’s investment appeal shows no sign of fading. Florida, California, New York and Texas are all popular among foreign buyers, but with the dollar strong against other currencies, enquiries from investors on TheMoveChannel.com are fuelled primarily by interest in Detroit and Florida, where prices remain below their previous peaks, despite strong capital growth in the last year.”

Click here to see the full top 40 property destinations for June 2017.

— ENDS –

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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– Gossip, lists and other property chit chat

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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

Top of the Props: Overseas interest strengthens in Cyprus

by Charly Cyprus United States World The Move Channel

Cyprus re-enters Top 10 destinations
Enquiries for Cypriot property up 50pc in Q1 2017
USA number one property market for overseas buyers

Overseas interest in Cyprus strengthened in March, reveals TheMoveChannel.com’s latest Top of the Props index. The country re-entered the top 10 most popular countries on the portal for the third time in six months, becoming the sixth most sought-after destination.

Foreign buyers returned to the island’s property market at the end of 2016, with enquiries rising 22 per cent in the second half of the year. After 2016’s strong finish, enquiries faltered at the start of 2017, but buyers are now showing signs of returning in greater numbers. In real terms, enquiries for Cypriot property rose by more than 50 per cent in Q1 2017 compared to Q4 2016. The country accounted for 3.03 per cent of enquiries, its highest share in two years.

Interest also increased in Croatia, which climbed the Top of the Props charts to become the seventh most popular country on TheMoveChannel.com. This is the country’s first time inside the Top 15 since October 2016.

Demand dipped for property in Spain, although the country held on to second place, behind returning number one destination the USA. US real estate accounted for 7.89 per cent of all enquiries, ahead of Spain’s 6.01 per cent. France and Italy also saw their share of enquiries decrease slightly, slipping to eighth and ninth place in the Top of the Props table respectively. Portugal held on to its fourth spot, with 3.96 per cent of enquiries.

The coveted third place was stolen by Indonesia, which accounted for 5.98 per cent of activity. Indonesian interest was driven primarily by a resort on Gili Air, as the development tapped into rising demand for real estate from international investors. The more traditional safe haven of Germany, meanwhile, maintained its position in 10th place.

“The USA and Spain have been battling to be top dog on TheMoveChannel.com for a long time,” commented TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson. “With prices climbing and sentiment in the USA’s economy staying positive, America remains an attractive market for international buyers. Spain’s appeal is still strong, although with the UK triggering Article 50 in March, British buyers may have postponed any enquiries last month to wait and see how negotiations with the EU begin. With the country making up the three most-searched locations on TheMoveChannel.com in Q1 2017, however, international interest from a diverse range of nationalities evidently remains high.

“Foreign demand for Cypriot real estate is showing signs of strengthening again in 2017. Interest climbed in the final months of 2016, possibly fuelled by buyers racing to beat the deadline for a Capital Gains Tax incentive at the end of the year. Interest softened at the start of 2017, but enquiries have grown once more in March, without the impetus of the tax deadline. With prices bottoming out and climbing across almost all regions, according to multiple indices, conditions in the island’s market are certainly improving, which is beginning to bring back investors. The island’s Golden Visa scheme is also helping to drive recovering demand, with buyers on TheMoveChannel.com particularly interested in citizenship investment opportunities.”

Click here to see the full top 40 property destinations for March 2017.

— ENDS –

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

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

——————————-

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

——————————-

– 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

——————————-

Feature property listings in your publication!

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

A tale of two central banks – what the latest interest rate decisions mean for investors

by Charly United Kingdom United States easyMarkets

Federal Reserve rate rise signals confidence in US economy
Bank of England continues to hold rates in anticipation of Brexit
Property, bonds and currency investments all impacted by latest decisions (easyMarkets)

It’s been decision time for two central banks this week. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates in the US to 1.00%, which didn’t surprise anyone as it was in line with expectations. Stocks rose and the dollar slid as a result. Now, the Bank of England hasn’t surprised anyone either, by keeping interest rates in the UK at 0.25%.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ The opening line from Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A tale of two cities’ has always been a favorite of mine. Over the last 48 hours, we haven’t seen either the best or worst but we’ve certainly seen interesting times as we have had two very different decisions from two different central banks.”

James Trescothick, Reputation and Education Manager, easyMarkets

But our main protagonists haven’t always announced decisions which met expectations, and those kinds of surprises tend have a big effect on markets.

Just a couple of years ago, there was talk of a race to see whether the UK or the US would raise interest rates first. However, rapid political and economic change meant that though the US economy has carried on its revival after the 2008 financial crisis, the UK economy has stumbled into uncertainty as a result of the Brexit vote.

Interest rate decisions affect different types of investments in different ways, so the team at forex and CFD broker easyMarkets has put together a quick guide on how each type of investment correlates to interest rate decisions.

The easyMarkets guide to investment and interest rates

The currency market

One of the strongest influences that drives the forex markets is interest rate decisions, for two main reasons. First, the higher the interest rate, the higher the rate of return on the investment. Higher interest rates can attract foreign investment, which then increases demand and causes the value of that country’s currency to rise.

Second, for day traders, higher interest rates are often seen as an indication of the perceived strength of a country’s economy. This can mean that the country’s currency can gain strength against another country’s currency, if that economy isn’t considered as strong or as stable, hence the potential to make gains in the change of currency movements.

The aforementioned is why, when a nation’s economy is under pressure, a government or central bank can choose to implement a loose monetary policy, by either increasing the supply of money or decreasing interest rates to encourage borrowing. This tends to make credit cheaper and in turn potentially create more spending and economic growth.

The opposite course of action – a tight monetary policy – sees the central bank constrict spending in an economy either because it views the economy to be growing too quickly, or to slow down inflation. Central banks do this by raising interest rates.

Day traders look for hints for when these two different policies may occur to help them speculate on when a currency may decrease or increase against another.

Bonds

There is an inverse relationship between bond prices and interest rates. Bond prices tend to fall when interest rates rise, and rise when interest rates fall.

The reason for this is simple. One way for corporations and governments to raise capital is by selling bonds. Higher interest rates make the cost of borrowing more expensive, which tends to lower the demand for lower-yield bonds. Hence their price tends to drop.

When interest rates fall, so does the cost of borrowing, which usually leads to more companies issuing new bonds for growth. This tends to increases demand for higher-yield bonds, which can then push bond prices to rise.

Property investment

Generally speaking, a raise in interest rates means borrowing becomes more expensive, while an interest rate cut means borrowing becomes cheaper. When it comes to property investors, a change in interest rates can change the value of monthly mortgage repayments.

Logically, when interest rates are low and borrowing is cheaper, property investors are incentivized to purchase new properties. When interest rates are high, they will be less likely purchase, as mortgage payments would be higher.

“Interest changes influence different markets in different ways. Indeed, markets can sometimes be affected by the mere speculation of interest rate decisions, before the actual decisions have been made. A good percentage of market movements throughout the year can thus be attributed to interest rates. Thus, regardless of your investment choices or style, interest rates should be of interest to you.”

James Trescothick, easyMarkets

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). Blue Capital Markets Limited

Top of the Props: Foreign buyers go back to Greece

by Charly Greece Italy United States World The Move Channel

Greece now 4^th most popular country
Interest in Greek property at six-month high
Italy climbs to third place and Spain holds on to second
Investors return to Canada after recent dip in popularity

Foreign property buyers are going back to Greece at the start of 2017, reveals TheMoveChannel.com’s Top of the Props index. The country was the fourth most popular country on the international property portal in January 2017, its first time in the Top 10 in six months.

Greece stormed the charts at the start of the new year, rising 18 places to overtake Portugal in the monthly report. Greek real estate received 2.1 per cent of all enquiries on the international portal during January. This is the country’s highest share of enquiries since August 2013, when it accounted for 3.26 per cent of all enquiries. Greece’s last time in the Top 10 was in July 2016, when it was ranked ninth, with 1.39 per cent of enquiries.

Italy also enjoyed rising overseas interest, climbing five places in the Top of the props chart to be the third most sought-after destination. Italian real estate accounted for 5.97 per cent of January’s enquiries, up from 1.59 per cent in December 2016 and its highest share since August 2012 (6.12 per cent).

Spain held on to second place, confirming the country’s continuing appeal to foreign investors. Portugal rose one place into fifth, increasing its share of enquiries from 1.92 per cent to 2.02 per cent. France slipped into ninth, but remained in the Top 10 for the 17th month in a row, just above Thailand and just below Germany.

After a dip in popularity, following the introduction of Vancouver’s foreign buyer tax last August, Canada saw investors return, with the country climbing into sixth place.

The USA remained the most popular destination on TheMoveChannel.com for the seventh consecutive month, accounting for one in every six enquiries (14.65 per cent).

“After a brief rekindling of interest last summer, the start of 2017 showed signs of overseas demand for Greek property flickering back to life,” comments TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson.

“Interest was not just contained to one area, but across several regions, with enquiries soaring for property in the North Aegean, Crete, the South Aegean and Attica.

“After a year of political uncertainty elsewhere, talk of national debt and a potential ‘Grexit’ is back in the headlines in 2017, but Greece’s lifestyle appeal has not gone away. In fact, it is more affordable than ever, after house prices have dropped for the last eight years in a row. In 2016, however, they fell 2.2 per cent, the smallest decrease recorded since 2009. With the rate of decline slowing, and owning a holiday home now an attractive alternative to renting, foreign interest in Greek real estate may be showing the first signs of a gradual rebound.”

“US property remains one of the most appealing in the world,” adds Mr. Johnson. “The country’s economy, regardless of its political situation, is stable, with the Federal Reserve still on course to raise interest rates again this year. The country’s economic conditions may be the opposite of Greece, but their popularity shares one key factor: the low price of Greek real estate maximises the potential yield available from rental income, while in the US, investors are racing to find the best possible returns, before property values climb too high.”

Click here to see the full top 40 property destinations for January 2017.

— ENDS –

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

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

——————————-

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

——————————-

– 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

——————————-

Feature property listings in your publication!

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

Trumping the markets – what impact has the new US President had in his first month in office?

by Charly United States easyMarkets

Gold trading at an impressive $1,235.60 OZ (easyMarkets)
SP500 trading at an all-time high
US Dollar Index performing strongly at 101.63

It may hard to believe, but the drama and turmoil circling 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have not been around forever – Donald Trump has only officially been installed in the White House as 45^th President of the United States for one month!

“The past month has been a carnival, with a parade of Trump’s statements and decisions, from the immigration ban to his latest talk of a fictional terrorist incident in Sweden. It wouldn’t be too shocking if the next big headline was ‘Trump has appointed a horse to a major role in his cabinet,’ after some of the announcements over the last month.”

James Trescothick, Reputation and Education Manager at forex and CFD broker easyMarkets

So, what impact has all of this had on the markets?

Following Trump’s surprise election win in November, the US dollar (USD) and the markets soared. The SP500 reportedly had the strongest run from a president’s first-term win since John F Kennedy. But now that Trump is actually sitting in the Oval Office, how has the market been reacting?

US dollar

Looking at the US Dollar Index (USDX), we may get a better idea of how the USD has fared. The US Dollar Index measures the value of the USD against a basket of six other major currencies (EUR, JPY, GBP, CAD, SEK, CHF). The index moves higher when the USD gains strength against these other currencies, and vice versa.

The USDX closed at around 100.55 on 20 January 2017, when Trump was sworn in. Since that date it has dropped to 99.20, before rebounding to around 101.75. At the time of writing, it is trading around 101.63.

Was it the Trump effect?

He would most certainly love to say he is the reason behind the strength of the currency, but the fact is that on the same day, a bout of positive US economic data was released. Also on that day, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testified on monetary policy and raised expectations for an interest-rate hike in March, which may have had a positive effect on the USD.

Gold

Any trader worth their weight in gold would tell you that the yellow metal is a safe haven and a hedge against inflation. A safe haven is an asset which investors flock to for safety when there is uncertainty in the markets. Trump’s win in November pushed gold prices higher before collapsing to around $1,123.36 OZ. Since the beginning of the year, however, it has managed to bounce back and is currently trading at around $1,235.60 OZ.

Was it the Trump effect?

“It is a consensus of opinion that political risk, which has risen considerably since Trump’s election, has made gold shine to many investors, and talk of uncertainty is keeping the yellow metal in demand. Some could argue that this is simply a repeat of 2016, when gold also started on a bull run, however it seems more likely that Trump has played a role in this one.”

James Trescothick, Reputation and Education Manager, easyMarkets

The stock market

The stock market, unlike gold, tends to rise when there is risk appetite and opportunism. Since the November election results, the stock market has seen gains, and the momentum has continued, with the SP500 trading at an all-time high.

Was it the Trump effect?

Well, Wall Street has actually referred to these recent highs as “the Trump rally,” which started in November. You may also credit a healthy labour market and expectations of an upcoming rate hike in the US for this move. However, it does seem that the market is also pricing in that Trump will push through corporate tax reforms and cut regulations, which in turn will boost US business.

He may or may not go through with the reforms. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say he has played a role in market movements over the past 30 days, and wherever you stand on the new POTUS, these past 31 days have not been without their fair share of action!

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 fully understand the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Please refer to our full risk disclaimer. Easy Forex Trading Ltd (CySEC – License Number 079/07).

The political wildcard: What is Trump’s US presidential nomination doing to financial markets?

by Eleanor United States easyMarkets

Donald Trump highlights benefits of weaker dollar
Wall Street in the process of recording 4^th consecutive quarter of earnings decline
S&P 500 Index has averaged 9.7% CAGR under Democrats and 6.7% under Republicans
easyMarkets warns against Trump’s ‘wildcard factor’ on financial markets

Stocks, currencies and bonds are all sensitive to political change and a US presidential election is always a period of uncertainty for the markets. So how are the various markets likely to be impacted by the run up to the 2016 US presidential election, which takes place on 8 November?

Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, believes that the wildcard factor of Donald Trump in this year’s election could have a big impact on the US economy. He explains,

“The rise of an anti-establishment candidate like Donald Trump speaks volumes about the desire for change in the US. Party-line politics have been left behind, with Trump standing out as a self-financed candidate who isn’t beholden to any special interest groups and doesn’t plan on following the usual script that most successful candidates use to reach the White House. This independence is both refreshing and worrying when it comes to the financial markets, as there are a lot of unknown factors at play, which could serve to make investors nervous over the coming months.”

Donald Trump’s musings on economic change and policy, should he become president, have already caused a stir. He has floated the idea of replacing Janet Yellen as Chair of the Federal Reserve and has highlighted the benefits of a weak dollar, commenting,

“While there are certain benefits, it sounds better to have a strong dollar than it actuality it is.”

Currency intervention is a risky business. A weaker dollar could benefit US multinationals, which have been struggling of late in the face of the greenback’s strength: Wall Street is in the process of recording its fourth consecutive quarter of earnings decline, in the face of weak international demand. However, currency intervention could easily prompt countries with a history of intervention, such as Japan, China and South Korea, to introduce additional measures to make their currencies more competitive.

In true establishment fashion, Mrs. Clinton has refused to make explicit comments on how to handle currency devaluation.

The US’s international trading position could also be under threat from Donald Trump’s approach to trade deals. His hardball approach includes large tariffs on imports, which could lead to both rising prices for consumers and tariff retaliation from other countries, making US exports less attractive. Trump’s planned major overhaul of US-China trade relations is also likely to cause a shift in the status quo. He has commented that he is not, “too afraid to protect and advance American interests and to challenge China to live up to its obligations.” However, the businessman has also promised to “win more” deals and successful negotiations certainly have the potential to strengthen the US’s trade position.

The uncertainty created by an upcoming election often weighs most heavily on stocks. Uncertainty is the bane of the financial markets, and investors react in unpredictable ways when they’re worried about the future. Investors are already wary of healthcare stocks, which Donald Trump’s repeatedly mentioned repeal of the Affordable Care Act could throw into a tailspin.

Hilary Clinton, as the establishment candidate, certainly has the backing of Wall Street, which has provided her with huge donations in support of her candidacy. She has said nothing that would be considered risky to the stock market and the support of Wall Street indicates a strong preference from financiers for the status quo, rather than the unknown.

However, it’s also a possibility that the huge corporate tax cuts proposed by Donald Trump could bolster US companies’ profitability and thus support stocks. John Stoltzfus of Oppenheimer comments,

“Markets always worry when uncertainty is a factor, and it is unclear which policies Trump would execute if elected. However, I’d expect him to enact policies that reflect his ability to successfully negotiate with people. He relies on good relationships with politicians and Wall Street, and I don’t expect that to change.”

Trump’s aggressive tax cuts could actually lead to massive growth in US GDP, with higher wages and more plentiful jobs. On the flip side, the tax cuts could reduce federal revenues by more than $10 trillion, leading to a massive deficit that could result in creditors demanding higher interest rates on US bonds. A promised overhaul of the tax code, including a one-time repatriation of corporate profits held overseas at a much lower tax rate could be extremely beneficial. The last such repatriation amnesty, in 2005, saw the dollar rise by 5%.

While it’s impossible to see the future, history has shown that US stocks perform better under Democratic administrations. The S&P 500 Index has averaged a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% under Democratic regimes versus 6.7% under Republican ones, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence figures. easyMarkets’ Nikolas Xenofontos adds,

“Analysis has also shown that the third year of a president’s office normally yields the highest average return. That means that those looking to the future can expect a strong US economy in 2018 and 2019, if historical patterns are borne out, regardless of who is elected this November. Having said which, the wildcard factor of Donald Trump really is something to watch – his success so far is shifting the fundamentals of US politics and nothing is certain as this election progresses!”

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).

London versus the world! What can you get abroad for the price of an average property in the capital?

by Charly Portugal Spain United States Ideal Homes International, Ideal Homes Portugal, Kyero.com, Taylor Wimpey Espana

Average London house price is £514,097 (Gov.uk)
This is enough for 3 detached villas with pools in Spain, with €80k change (Kyero.com)
Or 2 5-bedroom resort homes with pools in Florida (Ideal Homes International)
Cliff-top townhouses with infinity pool in Mallorca also an option (Taylor Wimpey España)

According to the UK government’s December 2015 House Price Index, the average property in London now costs £514,097. Based on a quick Rightmove search, £514,097 is enough to purchase a new build one bedroom flat in Newham, a two bedroom flat in a converted house in Acton or a four bedroom mid-terrace house in Tottenham in need of some serious modernisation.

But what could you get for the same money overseas? £514,097 is worth just over €656,151, or USD $743,053, at today’s exchange rate, which opens up a wealth of property options to those looking to buy on the continent or even further afield.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,

“There are some fantastic bargains to be had when it comes to overseas property at the moment. Portugal and Spain are offering incredible value for money and are just a short hop on a plane from the UK, making them ideal locations for second homes or investment properties that you want to keep a close eye on. For fans of the US, Florida is also offering some serious bargains and is a perennially popular destination thanks to its winning combination of sun, sea and theme parks.”

In Portugal, €650,000 is enough for a four/five bedroom villa in the hills at Soalheira, 10 minutes from the beaches and golf courses of Vilamoura and just two minutes from the town of Loulé. The villa comes complete with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, pergola sunbathing area, pool house and gardener’s bathroom, two double garages, ocean views, grill house with sink, fridge and BBQ, cinema room, wood burning fire and under-floor heating in the two bathrooms. A far cry from a run-down terraced house in Tottenham!

For beach bunnies, the Spanish island of Mallorca is the ideal location. There, €625,000 will buy a premium frontline townhouse with incredible sea views, close to the golf courses and marina of Porto Cristo. There are just seven spacious three bedroom townhouses on the Cala Magrana Mar development, from leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which also benefits from a communal infinity pool and sunbathing area, designer fixtures and fittings and the latest security features.

Another option for those with €650,000 to spend is to invest in more than one property, which is easily achievable for this budget in both Portugal and Spain. Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, comments,

“It’s staggering what you can get in Spain for the price of an average London property. Those looking for rental investments can pick up a whole string of properties in idyllic coastal locations for that kind of money.”

In the pretty seaside town of Javea, for example, detached villas with pools can be bought off plan for £189,800, with scope for the buyer to personalise the layout, with the build completed within 5-7 months. Instead of a one bedroom flat in E16, a buyer could pick up three of these villas and still have €80,000 left in his pocket.

Over in America, a buyer can easily pick up two five bedroom villas with pools in the hugely popular Kissimmee area of Florida for $743,053, the equivalent price of the average London home. Resort homes with screened in pool and spas in gated communities just a few miles from Walt Disney World are available for between $350,000 and $450,000. Certainly food for thought for all those thinking about buying a home in London at the moment!

For more information please contact:

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

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

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Category: United States

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