In just 2 weeks time, the great and the good of the overseas property industry will be getting their glad rags on and making their way to the auspicious OPPLive 2013 Gala Dinner.

Held at the Natural History Museum, one of the finest buildings in Central London on Wednesday 27th November 2013, attendees of the OPPLive Gala Dinner will read as a “Who’s Who?” of the industry as developers, agents and international property professionals alike gather for an evening of celebration.

Marking the close of the first day of the OPPLive 2013 event, the Gala Dinner will also reveal the winners of the OPP Awards of Excellence 2013 and host, for the second year running the Frontiers Foundation charity auction.

Xavier Wiggins, Founder and Organiser of OPPLive, comments,

“In 2012 our prestigious social networking event, the OPP Gala Dinner, made a spectacular return after a three year break. As well as playing host to the annual OPP Awards for Excellence, the OPP Gala Dinner is an excellent opportunity to entertain existing and new partners and also to host your colleagues in an environment of fun and networking.

With over 400 guests already confirmed, superb food, drink and entertainment lined up, the 2013 OPP Gala Dinner is sure to be a glittering event not to be missed.

The evening will also host the Frontiers Foundation Charity Auction for the second year running. Following last years highly successful auction which raised £7,750 for a Kenyan orphanage, this year the Frontiers Foundation Trustees are raising the bar, aiming to reach a staggering £10,000 for a very worthwhile schools project in Nepal.

With well-known industry personality Paul Owen of Sales Talent Spotters as auctioneer and some superb lots available including fine dining vouchers courtesy of Gaucho, a Methuselah of champagne donated by Barton Wyatt, use of a London black cab from Rightmove, premiership football tickets from SmartCurrency Exchange and a weekend in Cyprus courtesy of Property Frontiers plus many more, guests are reminded to bring their chequebooks!

For more information and to purchase your OPP Gala Dinner 2013 tickets or indeed reserve a table, visit http://www.opp-connect.com/awards/index.php/opp-gala-dinner-tickets

With only 8 weeks until the opening of the overseas property industry’s biggest and best trade event, OPPLive, we speak with official co-sponsor, Smart Currency Exchange.

One of the fastest growing currency exchange specialists in the UK founded in 2004, the Smart Team focus on helping clients to effectively and efficiently send and receive payments internationally – an essential part of the international property buying process.

Striving to save their clients substantial amounts of money – especially when compared to banks – Smart also help clients to manage their risk associated to foreign currency movements. Now in their second year of sponsorship of OPPLive and the Awards of Excellence we hear from Jana Korpova, Head of Business Development, a well-known personality in the overseas property arena, about what being an official sponsor means to her and the Smart Team:

Smart Currency is a lead sponsor of OPPLive, when and how did you first hear about the show?

I first visited the show when I joined Smart Currency Exchange in 2007. Since then I’ve never missed an opportunity to either visit, exhibit or be a panellist at one of the many seminars. OPPLive really is more than an exhibition – it is a hub where professional, likeminded people working in overseas property can meet, do business and compare experiences. I would recommend attending to anyone who is looking for partners or is interested in what industry leaders have to say about the industry’s latest trends.

You’ve sponsored a number of other industry events in the past, so what made you choose to support OPPLive?

Smart sponsored OPPLive and its Awards last year and found it well worth it. As well as it being our way of giving something back to the industry and the OPP media platform, we see it as a great flag-waving exercise. Business to business partnerships and understanding what making our industry tick are crucial to the on-going success of Smart, so we want people to see our brand and name, and know we’re open for business. I think most people reading this will understand how valuable good partnerships have become over the last few years, given how tough the economic environment has been.

Why do you feel that it’s important for Smart to be a sponsor?

Personally, I believe that our partnerships with the industry leaders such as Rightmove, A Place in the Sun and indeed OPP are key to us achieving our vision, namely to become the UK’s number one foreign exchange provider for private individuals buying property or moving abroad. Sponsorship of the industry’s most recognised awards plays a key role in the message that Smart wishes to send out to everyone: We are proud to talk property before currency.

What do you hope to gain from sponsorship / exhibiting at the show?

In terms of business opportunities, I would like to see our business development team speaking with as many trade partners as possible. Our approach to potential partnerships is about much more than just gaining access to new clients’ databases, it is more consultative and long-term. It is important for us to understand how successful the industry professionals are, what their problems are and how we can help them. I hope my team will gain a lot of industry insight at the show and that conversely, other exhibitors, as well as visitors, will find our own information and talking to us both useful and interesting.

Do you think that sponsorships still have a place in property marketing today?

Previous to sponsoring OPPLive, I was sceptical about its long-term value and how it would assist us in marketing Smart and our partnership programme. But following the success we have had, I believe that sponsorship does have a place in property marketing. However, there is a fine balance between just paying for your brand to be displayed and being a true sponsor that believes and supports the industry on a day to day basis.

As a sponsor, how else will Smart be involved in the event?

Smart will have a stand at OPPLive, where we will be offering the chance to speak to potential partners about how they currently work with currency firms, what they ultimately would like to be achieving and how we could assist them. We all know that there are many FX companies operating in the overseas property industry, but only a few actually make extra effort to support their partners in achieving their goals, which are typically linked to selling more properties, getting more clients and adding value to the service they offer. At Smart we do our best to understand each individual partner’s needs and support them as best we can.

Why do you think international property professionals should attend OPPLive?

It’s a great place to network, meet like-minded companies and explore new opportunities for growing your business – or even set up a business – in the overseas property industry. It’s also fun and insightful bringing together visitors and exhibitors from all over the world.

Do you have any top tips for your fellow exhibitors?

The most important thing is to be enthusiastic and open minded to any propositions or ideas coming from either fellow exhibitors or visitors. The industry has suffered in the past few years, but there are reasons why this show is going to be a great place to share ideas and enter into great partnerships.

And here’s a practical tip from me, one I forget time and time again – ladies, wear flat shoes. It is going to be a long day followed by a great night at the awards, so bring flat shoes for the day and heels for the night!

OPPLive will be held on 27^th and 28^th November 2013 at Central Hall, Westminster, London with delegate passes are now available to purchases online at http://www.opp-live.com/buy-delegatepasses/. 

The number of people working from home in the UK has increased by 13 per cent in the last 5 years according to a new TUC analysis of official figures assembled to mark National Work From Home Day, organised by WorkWise UK.

• Number of people in UK working from home up 13% in last 5 years (Labour Force Survey)
• Majority of new homeworking jobs created have gone to women
•  By 2015 1.5 billion people will be undertaking mobile working (IDF)

The TUC analysis of unpublished data from the Labour Force Survey reveals that just over 4 million employees usually worked at home in 2012, a rise of 470,000 since 2007, with many millions more occasionally work from home. Geographically the South East, Scotland and Wales have seen the sharpest rise in homeworking over the last 5 years.

The report went onto state that nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of people who work from home are male with an increasing number of women making this choice. The research also showed that the majority of homeworking jobs created in the last 5 years have gone to women.

Further recent research from the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI) involving 55 UK companies found over 60 per cent believe a quarter of their staff will be making the most of mobile working practices in the next half a decade. Looking globally the International Data Forecast (IDF) predicts that by 2015, there will be 1.5 billion people across the world undertaking mobile working.

The Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer famously banned working from home earlier this year as she believes that the best ideas happen when workers are face to face and have the ability to collaborate with each other.  But it turns out that remote workers are more engaged according to Scott Edinger from Edinger Consulting Group.

So what does all this mean for us?

The problem that many will face when considering working from home is a reliable broadband connection and having the space to accommodate all the paraphernalia that goes with the 9 to 5.

Twitter enthusiasts will have regularly seen #wfh (working from home) where tweeters are happily munching on cupcakes, cuddling the cat and enjoying their favourite station on the digital radio without interference from traditional ‘colleagues’.

But the cold reality of home working comes down to comfort, space and the ability to shut the door and return to ‘home life’ at the end of your working day.  If your house is to become for work and for pleasure then it needs to be able to accommodate both without one part infringing on the other.

With the rise in popularity of working from home, house builders, retailers and interior designers have become incredibly inventive about creating work space in the home.

Many retailers are able to provide dinky desk arrangements to fit in the corners of a spare room, in alcoves and under bunk beds.  Some families have installed multiple desk suites in a room, creating space for Mum, Dad and the kids to all work/study together.

Richard Patterson, Director of My Online Estate Agent comments on requests he sees from buyers,

“Many purchasers are looking for an area in the home that is dedicated to ‘work’.  They are looking for a room where they can install filling cabinets, shelves, desks, an office chair and all essential Wi-Fi kit.  Most of our clients are content to ‘make do’ with turning over a spare room for this purpose although some need much larger spaces.”

Partner of award winning Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt, James Wyatt comments,

“A good number of our clients have added a garden studio to their homes.  In Virginia Water there is often ample space in the garden and the choice of garden rooms is becoming far wider.  These multi-functional ‘sheds’ can be as simple or as sophisticated as you desire, from a plain insulated cabin arrangement to an all-singing, all-dancing heated, plumbed and networked suite that includes a bathroom, soft seating area and a small kitchen.  Clients working from home include architects that need huge drawing desks, Pilates instructors seeking floor space and beauticians who want an aesthetically pleasing and peaceful environment.”

Luxury developer, Millgate, create homes that already incorporate modern day working areas.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director explains,

“It is an essential today for most of our clients to have a spacious area to work from home; many are international business men/women who often work remotely at all hours of the day.  We endeavour to always include a room designed for this purpose with numerous electrical sockets and communication ports, a pleasing view and away from the noisy hub of the house.  Some of our homes afford rooms over the garages and these make excellent home offices; within these we create a large ‘living’ area, a bathroom and fully fitted kitchen enabling independence from the main house during the work day.”

Gallery of homes of the market that would be perfect for working from home:

Tavistock, Virginia Water, Surrey                             £1,995,000

This house has recently been subject to a complete modernisation programme including new heating system, rewiring, a magnificent new kitchen and luxurious bathroom suites throughout. The spacious accommodation is set over just two floors with generous room sizes and is well suited to contemporary family lifestyle with an enormous kitchen/breakfast/conservatory area, ideal for entertaining.

The house has a quiet study off the main entrance hall.  Being south facing, the house is incredibly light, with large windows and spaciousness being very much a theme throughout the property.

The rear of the house faces due south and has a lovely open view.

For more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Alderbourne Place, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire                    £2,100,000

Alderbourne Place enjoys a perfect blend of seclusion and comfort which offers the best of town and country living, nestled in rolling green-belt countryside.  This fabulous new development consists of 8 impressive country homes and 4 town houses reflecting meticulous attention to detail with architectural integrity, yet again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

The town house have been snapped up already but country homes with spacious studies are available from £2,100,000.  For further information or to arrange a viewing on 0118 934 3344or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Henley Road, Haslemere, Surrey                                                             £685,000             

This lovely 4 bedroom 2 bathroom detached period cottage has been renovated and extended by its present owners to create a unique reverse level home.  If you think you might need working from home facilities for more than one of you then this property is perfect – it has a studio annexe, double garage and a garden office. The original part of the house is thought to be around 300 years old and retains a great deal of its original charm. The house sits in a wonderful elevated position with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

For more information please contact My Online Estate Agent on 0845 257 1101 or visit

http://www.myonlineestateagent.com/for-sale/surrey/haslemere/henley-1913/

Waterford House, Wentworth Estate
£4,250,000

Waterford House is superbly situated within the Wentworth Estate on arguably one of the most prestigious roads within Wentworth. Both the Wentworth clubhouse and the village are within easy walking distance.   This house has plentiful accommodation with five bedroom suites, five reception rooms, cinema room, games room and a three car garage.

If you are working from home within the main house there is study and a studio annexe sits over the garage which could be used as an office.

For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit http://www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Geers Farm, Heathfield, Sussex
£640,000             

An beautiful detached 5 bed period house oozing with character.  Parts of the house date back to 1450 when it owned all the land in the vicinity surrounded by woodland and wheat fields. Geers Farm is privately located in its own large garden with access via a long drive and electrically operated gates. The house has been extensively refurbished and re-modelled by the current owners and is now presented in superb order throughout.

A welcoming entrance hall with slate flooring and under floor heating leading into a spacious utility and separate kitchen. A magnificent Drawing room with stable door to garden and sun terrace, heavily timbered and with fine large inglenook fireplace and raised brick hearth and with French doors opening directly onto the large patio.

The first floor the property has two ´wings´ leading off to the newer part of the building is a large open plan reception area with oak floorboards and double doors to a decked balcony terrace which leads down to the rear garden.

The triple integral garage would make the perfect spot to develop an area to work from home.  There is lapsed planning permission to convert all of the garages.  And whilst this work is being carried out why not use one of the 5 bedrooms as an office.

For more information please contact My Online Estate Agent on 0845 257 1101 or visit http://www.myonlineestateagent.com/for-sale/east-sussex/heathfield/pook-reed-lane-1911/

Holland Place Sunninghill, Berkshire
Guide Price from £3,500,000

Three luxury contemporary private residences in soon to be completed in a gated private road.  The houses are located just two miles from Ascot High Street in the picturesque village of Sunninghill.

These 6 bedroom residences each sit within substantial landscaped grounds, reflecting meticulous attention to detail in design, specification and architectural integrity – again setting the benchmark for building excellence.  Well thought out studies are on the ground floor of each home and large media rooms in the roof give options for setting out your home.

For more information contact Millgate on 01189 343344 or visit www.millgatehome.co.uk

With event sponsorship a proven brand building and lead generation exercise and OPPLive being the world’s biggest expo for international property professionals, it is no wonder that organizer Xavier Wiggins was overwhelmed with offers for this year’s show.

With already twice as many entries as last year, the 2013 OPP Awards are proving popular with those in the international property industry. So popular in fact that, due to demand, the entry deadline for this year’s wards has been extended to Friday 16th August 2013.

Earlier this month, Detroit became the biggest US city in history to file for bankruptcy after the city clocked up an estimated total deficit of $18.5 billion. As the application awaits approval, TheMoveChannel.com’s podcast asks what is next for Detroit.

–    Bankruptcy offers “fresh start” for Detroit, say estate agents
–    Bankruptcy is “exactly what Detroit needs – it couldn’t continue on this path”
–    Property prices predicted to rise in certain locations
–    Values up 13pc in last 12 months, 30pc below market peak
–    3 US cities filed for bankruptcy last year; all have seen house prices rebound
–    “The population has declined, but so has the size of the city… There are some streets where people just don’t go.”

The Property Inspector interrogates Chris Stead, Director of Property Investment House, who specialise in Detroit real estate, to find out where Motor City goes from here.

Click here to listen to the full investigation.

$18.5 billion. It’s a big number. Was it expected?
“Certainly, it is a big number and Detroit is obviously well documented now for being the biggest city in the US to file for bankruptcy. For people on the ground, the whispers have been going around for a number of years that it was on the cards. And yes, although the figure is a big one, $9 billion, just over half of the total debt is legacy costs. One of the reasons why Emergency Manager Kevin Orr decided to go this route is it gives the city a chance for the majority of this debt to be sort of taken off.”

So this is a chance for a fresh start?

“If it goes according to plan, Detroit will be coming back a lot stronger and leaner, which is the whole point of a bankruptcy.”

It’s better to be honest about the level of deficit rather than just pretend everything’s fine…

“And they have been for decades – that’s been the problem. They have been going on and hoping things will get better. The reality is that if you don’t do something about it, it can’t get better. So Kevin Orr had very little option: this is exactly what Detroit needs – it couldn’t continue on this path, it was getting deeper into debt. To file for bankruptcy and wipe the slate clean is certainly the way to go.”

Detroit isn’t the first city to file for bankruptcy…

“It’s just the largest. Three cities in California lastyear filed for bankruptcy and their housing markets have all rebounded very strongly. San Bernardino filed in August 2012, house prices increased just over 30pc year on year. Stockton was another. They filed in June 2012 and house prices there rose 24pc year on year. Mammoth Lakes was the other one and a year later their house prices were 13 per cent higher. So there is no correlation between a bankrupt city and a housing decline. It looks like it tends to go the other way. It’s the uncertainty that doesn’t drive growth. If you take that off the table that will give a lot of confidence to local people and investors from other states and other countries.”

There have been a lot of foreclosures in Detroit. A house last year was up for sale for just $1…

“It’s well documented that there are parts that you wouldn’t want to buy in! There are some streets and neighbourhoods where people just don’t go. There are a lot of homes that are rundown and vacant. Those homes, you could sell them for $1 all day long, because no one wants to buy them. Nobody wants to live there. If you want to make money in the Detroit market, and wherever you buy, it’s about the location. Certainly, he houses that we offer at Property Investment House are good houses on good streets in good neighbourhoods. When we advertise them for rent, we get 20 to 30 phone calls from people wanting to live there.”

Is that tenant demand still high, despite the population drop? The population was at 2 million in the 1950s. Now, it’s nearer to 700,000. There are something like 78,000 abandoned buildings…

“If you think the population has declined, so has the size of the city. There are blocks that the city has already allocated to rezoning and demolishing. What I will also say, again, just like in London and other parts of the world after the recession, a lot of people lost their jobs. They were forced into rented accommodation. Rental demand has been very strong because the majority of tenants cannot qualify for a mortgage because the banks aren’t actively lending. That’s why there’s a real opportunity for investors who have the liquid cash to go in and buy a home. These homes are solid brick homes – the first time we went to Detroit we were very pleasantly surprised by the leafy streets and how well the homes are built.”

Rewind 12 months and in July 2012 house prices climbed by 12.2 per cent year-on-year. What’s happened since then? Have they continued to climb?

“Absolutely. They’ve grown around 13 per cent in the last year but are still excellent value at 65% to 70% of the peak of the market. We believe, and a lot of wealth businessmen in the area are seeing, this is a buying opportunity.”

Do you think house prices will drop again if the bankruptcy application is approved?

“A temporary blip maybe, for a few months, who knows? But again, if you look at the three cities that filed in California last year, certainly on a 12 month chart whether there was a little dip or not, the 12-month chart shows they rebounded upwards of 13 and 30pc. There’s nothing to suggest that house prices will come down at all in the next six to 12 months.”

Subscribe to the TheMoveChannel.com´s podcast in iTunes.

Notes to Editors

Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with than 400,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

The website address is http://www.themovechannel.com and the office address is 24 Jack´s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.
Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.

“A mainstream global asset class worth an estimated US$200 billion” is how Philip Hillman, Global Student Housing Co-ordinator at Jones Lang LaSalle and confirmed speaker at OPPLive´s Global Student Accommodation Forum describes today´s student housing market.