Why you should be a journalist’s flexible friend…

Why you should be a journalist’s flexible friend…

by Charly World

Everyone would like to get their company, its products or services into a wide range of publications and the best way to achieve this is to be as flexible and open as possible to the needs of the media, whether it is in print, online or broadcast.

Whilst it is obviously important to remember who your target audience are and to ensure that you’re speaking to them, wherever possible in media relations, it is key to try not to pigeon-hole yourself. When spreading the message of your property company and products or services, it is important to consider what the appetite in the media currently is. And this is where a good PR agency comes in, one that will have their finger on the pulse of what is topical and trending in the press.

Naturally, we would all like to steer the media in what they’re talking about (and a good PR person occasionally can), but it is essential to remember that publications, and in turn the journalists themselves, will have their own agenda and topics that they want to cover – and you need to make sure that you’re a part of that!

The best way to do this, working with a PR pro, is to think outside the box and be prepared to provide comment and details that may relate to the wider market place or subjects of current, topical interest. Sometimes this will relate to an area that your company is not so specifically prevalent in but you should not shy away from this. Don’t be afraid to offer an opinion and let your voice be heard!

Not only will this mean that you are likely to gain a greater amount of media coverage, in a wider range of outlets, but it will also strengthen your position as a voice of authority in the industry. This can only be a good thing for adding value to your brand and positioning your company in a place of trust in the market.

Charlotte Ashton, Managing Director of leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing, explains the importance of this,

“Whilst it is always important to narrow down your brand values, key customer base and what you stand for before starting on the PR journey, it is also key to not approach it in a blinkered way. Instead, learn to be flexible to a journalist’s needs and you will soon find that you are getting far more exposure than you would have done if you had remained shut off to slightly left-field opportunities. Be open-minded and confident in what you can offer the media and you will soon see the benefits.”

Commenting on issues that are slightly outside of your usual sphere may seem at first glance to be working against the brand message, but providing your product isn’t tied specifically to a certain audience (for example retirement properties) then this does not have to be the case. For example, you may be offering investment properties, aimed primarily at the buy-to-let market, but make sure you’re also talking to your normal buyer on the street. This is especially the case when in some respects all properties purchased in a growing market could be considered an investment anyhow!

Although this may feel initially outside of your comfort zone, your public relations manager will make sure that your brand and company values are never sacrificed. They will achieve this by always providing the correct context and a constant strapline to describe what your company stands for and does when having conversations with journalists.

So now is the time to start limbering up – aim to become a flexible friend to the media, help wherever possible with comment and opinion and you will soon become one of the prominent voices in the industry.

To start your very own PR conversation today, visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk or call AB Property Marketing on 0845 054 7524.

Brexit debate’s impact on FX rates already having knock on effect on overseas holiday home market

Brexit debate’s impact on FX rates already having knock on effect on overseas holiday home market

by Charly United Kingdom World
  • Opinion polls currently showing 52% of people in favour of Britain remaining in the EU (What UK Thinks)
  • Many UK buyers of overseas property adopting a ‘watch and wait’ approach (easyMarkets)
  • Changing FX rate can mean gaining or losing thousands of euros in a matter of days when buying a second home overseas (easyMarkets)

From UK-based business owners trading overseas to individual savers looking to purchase a second home abroad, all eyes are on the ‘Brexit’ debate when it comes to the potential impact on currency exchange rates.

Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, explains,

“Brexit isn’t just about the impact that Britain leaving the EU could have on exchange rates in the event of an ‘out’ vote, it’s about the effect that the uncertainty around the whole process is already having on exchange rates. Sterling has already been influenced by the Brexit debate and will continue to be as the referendum approaches. There’s a real sense of caution afoot at the moment. We’re noticing everyone from holiday home buyers (or would-be buyers) to business owners is taking a ‘watch and wait’ approach and there are going to be some interesting market movements as 23 June approaches.”

The case of second home buyers is a particularly interesting one. Since the referendum’s announcement, sterling has weakened and recovered on more than one occasion as a direct result of Brexit developments. At the time of writing it is trading at levels seen before the announcement, reflecting a range-bound path that sterling is expected to maintain against its peers until a clear indication as to the outcome of the referendum is known.

A second home buyer who exchanged £200,000 for euros on 19/02/16, would have found himself with €258,906 to spend on his dream home overseas. However, had he made the exchange on 21/02/16, he would have had just €256,213: as loss of €2,693 in just two days.

“Brexit may have a big impact on the purchase of overseas property,” continues easyMarket’s Nikolas. “Many potential buyers are pausing their plans until later in the year, waiting to be certain of the outcome of the referendum before they go ahead and invest their capital in a second home abroad. Turbulent exchange rates and the uncertainty over factors like freedom of movement are likely to put the brakes on the overseas property market for the coming months, so far as UK buyers are concerned.”

Of course it won’t be a case of the market simply stalling until 23 June and then picking up again post-referendum. Some buyers will judge the likely outcome for themselves well in advance and act accordingly. Others will wait until the weeks before, when a clearer indication of the outcome can be predicted, although the UK’s 2015 election demonstrated that opinion polls don’t always get it right. Currently the What UK Thinks: EU Poll of Polls is showing 52% for the ‘remain’ camp and 48% for the ‘leave.’ The figures have moved no more than three percentage points further apart for the past six months.

In all likelihood, the anticipation of an exit vote would be likely to weaken the pound, while a predicted vote to remain in the EU would be expected to seriously strengthen sterling’s position across the board. In the meantime, all eyes will remain on the exchange rate as the referendum date approaches.

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).

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

by Charly Portugal Spain Turkey World , , , ,
  • 51% of England & Wales is now single (ONS)
  • 24% of overseas travel is by solo tourists (Visa)
  • Perfect holiday homes for singletons available from €75k (Ideal Homes International)

In 2015 the Office for National Statistics released figures that showed that 51% of the population in England and Wales is single. The demography of these nations has shifted significantly over the past decade and companies and services are racing to keep up with the new shape of modern society. So why are single person supplements of between 10% and 100% of the standard accommodation rate still so widely used by the travel industry?

“It’s not a system that meets the needs of today’s travellers,” comments Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com. “In both the rental and the sales sides of our business we’ve seen the impact of the growth in single travellers. The industry needs to catch up or risk missing out on a key emerging market.”

The 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions Study found that 24% of people travelled alone on their most recent foreign holiday. It’s a rapidly growing sector. Indeed, some singletons are already taking matters into their own hands and shunning hotels and their single supplements in favour of second homes of their own overseas.

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

“Property prices in destinations like Portugal are so affordable right now that it’s perfectly possible to pick up a holiday home on a single income. Second homes are definitely no longer just the preserve of wealthy couples entering their retirement years.”

In Portugal, a beautifully refurbished townhouse in the heart of the historic town of Silves can be bought for just €75,000. Single buyers with a bit more cash to spend have a vast range of options available to them. One upscale five-star resort and spa complex in the popular Algarve town of Carvoeiro is offering one bedroom apartments with lush outdoor gardens from €260,000.

Singletons looking to travel a little further afield are discovering the delights of beach resorts around the globe. Over in Istanbul, the prime seaside district of Beylikduzu, Gurpinar is home to the beautifully designed Rose Residence, available through Universal21. With shops and restaurants on the doorstep, the beach just a few minutes away (top floor apartments enjoy fabulous sea views) and pool and health club facilities on site, the apartments are perfect for active solo travellers looking for a base in this bustling city.

Of course, it’s not just young singletons who are travelling overseas on their own these days. An increasing number of older travellers – both married and single – are choosing to holiday solo as a means of escaping the noise of modern life for a short while. Golf resorts can be a popular choice for this demographic, particularly when you consider what you can get for your money in sun-kissed destinations like Spain.

Leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España offers a range of apartments and townhouses in popular Spanish locations. At Brisas de Alenda Golf, near Elche on the Costa Blanca, a three bedroom townhouse costs just €145,000. The private, tranquil development offers high spec homes, excellent golfing facilities, private gardens, a swimming pool and access to the Alenda Golf complex’s small supermarket, restaurant, bar, clubhouse centre and paddle tennis courts. It’s an ideal location for solo travellers looking for peace and relaxation, all within an easy flight from the UK.

The trend for solo travel looks set to continue growing, at least for the foreseeable future, and with such a range of affordable holiday homes available to single buyers across Europe, it is reasonable to expect that overseas estates agents will increasingly be looking to capture the attention of this rapidly emerging market.

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

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

Universal21: 0203 287 8700 or visit www.universal21.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.

My first year in PR with AB Property Marketing

My first year in PR with AB Property Marketing

by Charly World

If asked to describe my first year in PR in just three words it would be enlightening, challenging and rewarding. With no real preconceived expectations, other than the offering of a more creative work environment, I started my role at AB Property Marketing eager to experience all that was involved in the world of property PR.

As someone who has always loved to learn new things, this year has definitely allowed me to absorb a wealth of industry knowledge and a much greater understanding of exactly what a role in PR entails.

Contrary to popular belief it is not all lovely long lunches and business days out, although we have been lucky enough to enjoy a few as a team, but long days of research, writing, client relations, rewriting, communicating with journalists and everything in between. The team of ABPM ladies work diligently to develop professional relationships, create the best opportunities and achieve the results that our clients have come to expect from us.

I’m first to admit how much I love having a calendar in front of me with the month’s schedule outlined, but the first lesson I learnt in PR is that although a to-do list is wonderful, it’s better to expect the unexpected. Between breaking news, newly released data, urgent requests and client needs, daily tasks are always subject to change. Adaptability and flexibility are key to a successful PR team. Being able to reshuffle your own personal workload, as well as aiding your colleagues, in order to meet deadlines is a much needed skill and one to master sooner rather than later.

The second lesson learnt during my introduction to the PR world is the importance of keeping up to date with the news, both general and industry specific in relation to your company’s specialist subject. Property is an essential commodity for everyone and is subsequently a topic that is discussed frequently in the media by all, from industry experts to government officials. The better informed you are about the latest market news, the more relevant and interesting your press releases and pitches will be. Those with their fingers on the pulse are often the people that can provide reaction and comment quickly and efficiently which will give your clients a significant advantage in a busy arena.

My third, and probably most valuable, lesson from my first year within PR is that in order to be effective in your role and achieve results, you must think outside the box. At AB Property Marketing we have taken this one step further, there is no box. With no boundaries or restrictions and no thought too eccentric to discuss, we have the freedom to form innovative ideas and create unique and original material for our clients.

Recently, whilst trying to join the dots from a Shakespearean inspired butterfly farm in Istanbul, to Shakespeare’s upcoming birthday anniversary, to a new residential property development launching in the city, I realised that my first year in PR has made quite an impact. Having felt like one of the team from the very beginning, I now feel confident and comfortable in my abilities and look forward to the future challenges and lessons learnt over this next year. After all, the world of PR is evolving and every day brings something new to discover.

For more information about the world of property PR and the work of Charly and the other ABPM ladies, get in touch today on 0845 054 7542 or visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk.

Meet the man at the top – introducing easyMarkets CEO Nikos Antoniades

Meet the man at the top – introducing easyMarkets CEO Nikos Antoniades

by Charly World

Online trading services provider easyMarkets has been going from strength to strength under the leadership of CEO Nikos Antoniades. After nearly two years at the helm, Nikos reflects on the highlights of his tenure, the diversity of his staff team and the importance of being happy at work.

1. How long have you been CEO of easyMarkets and how has the company developed under your leadership?

I stepped into the role of CEO in June 2014. A lot has gone on in that time. We developed and launched our new website, blog and trading platform. We also enhanced the number of markets our clients can trade and upgraded our brand from easy-forex to easyMarkets to reflect that.

On an operational level we’ve moved towards a greater focus on Business Intelligence and automation. We reorganised our client-facing teams into three categories – globally based call centre staff that provide first point of contact with the client; client relationship managers that train and support our traders; and VIP relationship managers that provide a highly individualised level of service.

From a marketing perspective we refocused on more direct acquisition via online channels through to a comprehensive content management strategy to provide high-quality content.

We also restructured our partner programme and are soon launching our new forexAffiliate site for introducing brokers and online affiliates. We’ve become more competitive with our compensation packages and offer more tools and widgets for the partners to promote us.

2. What were your aims and ambitions when you took over as CEO for the company? Have you achieved them yet?

Every CEO comes into a company knowing they can bring certain values and standards with them. I’m a numbers guy and I need supporting data to make decisions, whether they impact on the business today or in 3 years’ time. And each company needs different approaches depending on where they are in their life-cycle. My aims are to solidify our foundations, streamline our operations, be more data driven and introduce automation so we can better focus our energies on delivering what traders need.

So far I’m satisfied with our progress. The foundations for a lot of the above have been laid and we’re already beginning to see the fruits of our labours across all our key operational metrics.

3. One of the first things many people notice about the easyMarkets team is its diversity. What do you think that having so many nations represented in the staff team brings to the company? How do you celebrate the team’s diversity within the office environment?

Our clients are based in over 160 countries around the world. We need the talent and skills in our employees to reach, engage and retain those clients. It makes for a vibrant and diverse office environment and personally I love it. I love the unique perspectives brought to the table and I particularly enjoy the many celebrations we have – including celebrating the Chinese Moon Festival, the Polish national day and our Brits this year celebrated Pancake Day. Recently we celebrated carnival which kicked off with a BBQ at work and was followed by a week of dressing up in costumes. Most of the celebrations are around food – who can complain?

4. What are the most important values in the modern workplace and why?

Be happy to come to work. Try to provide a satisfying work environment where innovation and initiative are encouraged and where no one is afraid to make a mistake – cos that’s usually when we learn the most.

5. How do you feel that the world of investment is changing – does each new generation of traders expect more than the last?

There’s a lot more knowledge about the industry than before. Traders are demanding better technology, responsive mobile friendly platforms and a wider product offering. They’re also more educated about regulations and their rights – which is a good thing in my view.

6. easyMarkets has recently rolled out a great new brand identity. What’s next for the company?

We’ve rolled out a lot of new products and features recently and we’ll be looking to optimise them. We want to provide the best risk management platform for our clients so more safety features for when they trade are on the way. We’re developing a new trading app that will enable us to engage even more with our clients. And we’re investigating the introduction of individual stock trading – that’s a really exciting new project but quite a few months away yet.

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 10 press release writing tips – keep your copy at the top of its game

Top 10 press release writing tips – keep your copy at the top of its game

by Kate United Kingdom World

Part of a successful PR campaign is the production of well-crafted, engaging press releases that present your brand and product to the world. Writing a press release can be an immensely rewarding task when it generates column inches and sales enquiries.

The experts at leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing, share their top 10 tips on how to write a successful press release.

  1. Know your message

When faced with a new service or product, ask questions. Ask questions until you run out of air and can’t think of anything else to ask. It’s how you gain a full understanding of the service / product and the message you want to convey to the world about it. Without clarity on this, your press release is doomed from the start.

  1. Know your audience

Equally important is understanding for whom you are writing. If you have visions of featuring in luxury publications but you’re emphasising their product’s affordability and lack of exclusivity, your message won’t be getting across to the right people. Target your writing to the audience likely to buy the service/ product, as well as to the journalists who have the power to reach that audience.

  1. Love your product

It’s not enough to just know your product; you have to feel it. In fact, you have to love it. Your passion (or lack thereof) for your subject matter will show in your writing. If you want your readers to love your service or product, then you have to convey to them why they should, so let your passion flow into your copy to truly inspire those who read your work.

  1. Do your homework

You’ll want to link your press release to relevant statistics and research, to back up and give weight to the information that you are presenting. Credibility is king, so get stuck in online and find original, just-published reports and datasets that you can use to present new and exciting information in your client’s press release. Don’t regurgitate old figures and always track down and check the source report.

  1. Banish waffle

The internet has done miraculous things in terms of sharing knowledge around the world and connecting people with information. It has also reduced our attention spans dramatically. If a headline and first sentence doesn’t grab a reader, they will be on to the next link in a flash. So banish waffle from your copy. Keep it simple, clear and on point. If you want to witter on, write a novel!

  1. Think human

People love to read about people. It’s why so many celebrity magazines exist. We are fascinated by the lives of others and social media has made these lives accessible in a way that has never previously been possible. When it comes to your service or product, think about the human element. Include a case study of someone who has benefitted from it and give the reader someone to relate to.

  1. Be bold

Be bold. Be exciting. Be innovative. Use fresh data, new ideas and interesting concepts. Whatever you do, don’t let your content feel boring or stale. There’s a huge world of content out there. If you want readers to notice yours, it needs to be a cut above the rest.

  1. Don’t proofread your own work

The human brain has a well-documented ability to read what it thinks should be in a word or sentence, rather than what actually is. This is particularly true when you are rereading something that you have written yourself – the brain can skip over errors as it knows what the sentence should say and not what it does say. The moral? Always opt for a fresh pair of eyes and get someone else to proofread your work.

  1. Know when to write

Get to know your circadian rhythms and find the best time of day to let the muse take you. If you’re at your best in the mornings, write then, or if you’re a night owl then adjust your schedule accordingly. Don’t force the words if they don’t come easily – step back and let your subconscious work out the knots and you’ll find your writing flows more freely as a result. Unless, of course, you’re on a tight deadline in which case grab a double shot latte and knuckle down!

  1. Never be complacent

No matter how good the press release that you’ve just written is, the next one can always be better. Writing is a craft that can be improved over time, just like any other skill. So seek to make each press release you write the best one yet.

For all your property marketing and public relations needs, contact AB Property Marketing on +44 845 054 7524 or visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk

The impact of Brexit on overseas property investment

The impact of Brexit on overseas property investment

by Charly World
  • Global real estate reaches value of $217 trillion (Savills)
  • Brexit debate impacts doubly on overseas property investment (easyMarkets)
  • Sterling down 20% against its high of 1.7159 in July 2014

With the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU now looming, the financial impact of the uncertainty is already being felt. From the value of the pound to the state of the stock market, the Brexit debate is posing challenges for the UK.

One area with the potential to suffer particularly from the uncertainty of the Brexit question is overseas property investment. Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, observes,

“Overseas property investment is likely to suffer doubly as a result of the discussions around Britain’s EU membership. The decreased value of the pound means that buyers can get less for their money, meaning some will hold off from an overseas property purchase until sterling recovers. Meanwhile others will pause until the outcome of the referendum is known. Buying a holiday home in Europe that you plan to retire to one day doesn’t have quite the same appeal when you don’t know whether you’ll still have the freedom to move to that country when the time to collect your pension comes.”

The referendum has already hurt sterling, with the pound falling to a seven-year low against the US dollar on 21 February. In fact, the pound lost 1% against all 16 of its major trading peers, while the pound-to-dollar exchange rate reduced by more than 5% in the first two months of 2016 and is down a massive 20% since its high of 1.7159 in July 2014.

Should Britain actually leave the EU, Swiss bank UBS has projected that the move might drive the pound down to parity with the euro. This would have a major impact on the number of Brits buying property overseas, with many opting to wait until the pound recovers, which few analysts are predicting would happen anytime soon.

One approach to overcoming the lingering uncertainty is to hedge against undesirable movements in exchange rates by using options. easyMarket’s Nikolas explains,

“Say you’ve arranged to buy an apartment in Spain that costs €100,000 and you agreed to pay for it in 4 weeks’ time, using your savings of £78,600. This means that you need the EUR/GBP exchange rate to be below 0.7860 in order to insure the full €100,000 for the purchase. If for example the exchange rate rises to 0.9000 in 4 weeks, your £78,600 will be worth only €87,000.

“By purchasing a ‘call option’ with a four-week duration and strike rate of 0.7860 you can ensure that if the EUR/GBP exchange rate in four weeks is above 0.7860, you will be able to cover the deficit with the profit made on the call option. In case the exchange rate after four weeks is lower than 0.7860, and hence the current market rate is better for you, you will let your call option expire without exercising it as your savings will be enough to cover the property cost in euros. You will only lose the small premium you paid for the option/hedge but profit from a better exchange rate.”

Of course the global property market is about much more than just UK buyers. According to Savills, residential real estate around the world has a value of $162 trillion, including $54 trillion of investable real estate and $108 trillion of non-investable. The firm calculated that global property value in 2015 amounted to 2.7 times global GDP, observing in its Around the World in Dollars and Cents report that property accounted for around 60% of all mainstream global assets.

While a Brexit would not impact massively on such large scale figures, the local impact on the overseas property market – particularly in popular locations such as Spain and France – would certainly be felt. Indeed, the ongoing Brexit debate means that the market is already facing a great deal more uncertainty than it was just a few short weeks ago.

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).

Bagging bargains in Iberia – Holiday homes for under £100k

Bagging bargains in Iberia – Holiday homes for under £100k

by Charly World
  • Portugal named top global location to get on the property ladder (Everything Overseas)
  • First line Spanish golf properties available from €49k (Ideal Homes International)
  • Homes in swanky Algarve tourist locations affordable for €110k (Ideal Homes Portugal)

The days of holiday homes being the sole domain of Hollywood A-listers and the well-to-do are long gone. With property prices in Spain and Portugal still offering incredible value compared to those in the UK, ownership overseas is more achievable than ever.

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

“Although Spain and Portugal have seen house prices increasing steadily for some time now, there are a plethora of bargains to be picked up in both countries. Many holiday home buyers are amazed at how much they can get for their money. Clients come to us looking for an apartment with a pool by the sea for under £100k and are delighted with the extensive choice we present them with.”

Spain has more to offer those looking for the very cheapest second homes within easy reach of the UK. Keen golfers looking for a bolthole in the sun will be delighted to find they can pick up a first line Costa Blanca golf bungalow for just €49,000. And buyers who prefer the water over the fairways only need to spend a little more – €55,000 will buy a Costa Blanca apartment with pool just 300m from the beach.

While neither property promises the height of luxury, it can’t be denied that a second home in the Spanish sunshine for under £50,000 is rather tempting!

For buyers with up to £100,000 to spend (around €130,000, according to XE), the choice of properties is extensive. Ideal Homes International currently has 265 listings at or below that price in Spain alone. At the upper end of the price bracket, coming in at €130,000 on the nose, is a brand new, two bedroom townhouse in Torrevieja, in the southern Costa Blanca. Part of a gated community, the house comes fully furnished and enjoys a large private garden and solarium. There’s also a communal pool for cooling down after those long, hot summer days.

Or head to the beautiful expanse of Poniente Beach for spectacular sea views from your living room window, for just €129,800. One bedroom apartments in Edificio Don Miguel Angel come complete with communal swimming pool and tennis courts, as well as enjoying a fantastic location.

In neighbouring Portugal, the choice of properties at or below €130,000 is also extensive. The popular Algarve region is ideal for those looking for easy access from the UK and property prices are so low that Everything Overseas recently crowned Portugal the world’s top place to get on the housing ladder.

In the bustling town of Portimão, just minutes from the stunning beach of Praia do Vau, a top floor apartment with views of the Monchique Mountains can be had for just €115,000. Landscaped gardens with a children’s play area, tennis courts, barbecue facilities and swimming pools provide an excellent setting for this spacious property.

The upscale resort of Vilamoura is also perfectly achievable on a budget, with a generously proportioned and recently remodelled studio apartment with communal pool close to golf and beaches available for €110,000.

“£100k goes a very long way in both Spain and Portugal,” concludes Ideal Homes International’s Chris White. “You can enjoy a choice of location and features for that price, from a swanky studio in a popular tourist location to a two bedroom home somewhere more laid back and authentic. It’s definitely a buyer’s market so far as bagging bargains in Iberia is concerned.”

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

A Golden Week for gold, or just for Chinese workers?

A Golden Week for gold, or just for Chinese workers?

by Charly World
  • Last Golden Week saw China’s gold imports hit 10 month high (Hong Kong Census and Statistics Dept)
  • Yuan-denominated gold fix could lead to long-term price rally
  • 2016 could be the year for gold market bulls (easyMarkets)

From 9-13 February, the Spring Festival Golden Week will see hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens down tools and enjoy a week’s well-earned holiday, following Chinese New Year on 8 February. To welcome in the year of the monkey, families will enjoy firework displays, feasting and the exchange of gifts.

The economic impact of giving around 770 million people a week off work is staggering. The surge in travel and tourism bookings made by Chinese citizens is rivalled only by that which occurs during the country’s National Day Golden Week, which takes place from 2-7 October. There’s also a sharp rise in the purchase of food, decorations, clothing and gifts.

Gold is one item that benefitted from 2015’s October Golden Week, with net imports from Hong Kong (the main conduit) reaching a ten month high during September, at 97.242 tonnes according to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department.

China’s relationship with gold and its impact on the price of gold is a complex one. Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, explains,

“China’s Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) is the world’s fourth largest for global gold transactions, trading around 75 tonnes per day but the country’s pricing power has struggled to compete with the older institutions of London and New York. The SGE is aiming to change that through the yuan-denominated gold index, which could mark 2016 out as the year for gold market bulls.”

The volatility of Chinese markets has also impacted on the price and popularity of gold over the past year and is likely to continue to do so during 2016. Safe-haven buying demand is a powerful influencer and many analysts are excited about gold’s prospects for the next 12 months.

Of course, demand for gold is about far more than just China. The fall of the other BRIC economies, the global commodities rout and (most recently) the Federal Reserve’s actual and planned incremental interest rate increases have all played their part in gold’s decline from its heady all time high of $1,920 per ounce in September 2011.

Despite so many negative factors, 2016 could mark a turning point for gold. While it remains to be seen whether the current rally is just a short term one, or the start of a longer term trend, it is a rally nonetheless, and investors and analysts are watching gold carefully as Golden Week approaches. 2016 could just be the year that gold begins to shine once more.

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. EF Worldwide Ltd

Overseas Property Show has Birmingham in its sights once more for 2016 tour

Overseas Property Show has Birmingham in its sights once more for 2016 tour

by Charly World
  • First Birmingham show of 2016 tour to be held on Sat 6th and Sun 7th February
  • Birmingham highlighted as top destination for 2015 show
  • As seen on SKY TV, MORE4 HD, CH4 and HOME CH

The hugely successful Overseas Property Show is opening its doors to the public once more, as the 2016 UK tour kicks off, following an excellent round of shows in 2015. Birmingham’s Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport has been chosen to host the second show of the 2016 tour, which will take place on Sat 6th and Sun 7th February.

The free to attend Overseas Property Show, as seen on SKY TV, MORE4 HD, CH4 and HOME CH, is the opportunity for individuals to explore their dream of home ownership overseas, by talking to property experts from around the world at a convenient local venue. Birmingham was the show’s most-visited city during 2015 and the first 2016 show there looks set to be even bigger and better than those held last year.

The 2016 Overseas Property Show will focus largely on properties from Portugal, Spain and Florida, with a handful of opportunities in countries like Italy and Cyprus thrown in for good measure.

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, which exhibited at every show last year and plans to do so again this year, comments,

“The Overseas Property Show is a great way to connect with people looking to purchase property overseas. Some are after a second home, others are looking for an investment property and others want to take the plunge and start a new life abroad. Whatever the motive, it’s always a really useful experience for them to have access to experts in overseas property ownership. We’re also on hand to answer lifestyle questions too – anything from the price of milk to local food specialities!”

This expertise is invaluable to many of those looking to find out more about owning a home overseas, as is the broad range of properties on offer. Buyers can enjoy browsing a wide range of beachfront apartments, golf villas, resort villas and country retreats, along with a number of entirely unique homes, such as a renovated windmill in Portugal’s central Algarve.

So whether it’s advice, guidance, a second home or even a commercial property investment that you’re after, the Overseas Property Show is the place to be in Birmingham this 6-7 February.

Tickets are free to obtain and full details can be found at www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

“The 2016 tour is going to be fantastic,” concludes Chris White. “The team is really excited about these bumper shows and we are delighted to be able to reach out to more individuals and enable them to pursue their dream of owning property overseas.”

For further details visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com, call (0800) 133 7644 / +351 289 513 434 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com.