Growing food for those in need while growing your income – how agricultural investment in Senegal is leaving a long-term legacy

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
The world’s population is growing by almost 80 million people each year, which equates to approximately 150 more mouths to feed every minute,Mulberry Outlet UK according to the US Census Bureau. In West Africa, the population has doubled every 20 years since 1960.
  • World population growing by 150 people per minute (US Census Bureau)
  • Senegal imports 60% of all food stuffs
  • Over 1 million Senegalese food insecure (UN World Food Programme)
The result of these huge increases is a growing level of food insecurity in a number of African countries. In Senegal, for example, where agricultural production has lagged behind the growing population due to an increasingly urban lifestyle, over 1 million people are currently classed as food insecure according to the United Nations’ World Food Programme.
The situation has led to some exciting new investment opportunities for those looking to grow their good karma as well as their profits.
Ray Withers, Chief Executive of leading investment company Property Frontiers, explains,
“The demand for food in Senegal has risen dramatically in the past few decades, but agricultural production has not kept up. Senegal has seen movement towards a far more urban demographic in recent years, meaning a rising level of food needs to be imported each year in order to meet demand. In fact Senegal currently imports 60% of food stuffs, a staggering amount.
“For the Senegalese, this means rising prices, with many families able to afford less food now than they could last year. The result is growing food insecurity within the country, which is why we at Property Frontiers are so pleased to present our latest alternative investment opportunity.”
Mr Withers is referring to his company’s latest alternative investment opportunity, which he sees as one of the most exciting to have been made available for quite some time. The structured agricultural investment consists of a rotational farming system of three fast-growing and highly sought after crops – maize, onion and sweet potato. The crops are insured and re-insured by Swiss Re.
As well as providing much-needed food for the Senegalese, the investment will also create long-term jobs for the local community, with those involved learning life-long skills in farming, as well as the latest methods and techniques for increasing efficiency and boosting production levels.
As a socially responsible project with such a positive legacy, Property Frontiers’ Senegalese structured agricultural investment is causing quite a stir. With a low entry point (just £20,000 for membership of a UK company) and expected returns of 239% over 5 years, it’s clear to see why investors are lining up to be involved.
World food prices have remained at almost record levels since the dramatic increases of 2007/08, according to the World Bank’s Food Price Index, making the high level of food imports in Senegal an expensive and unsustainable practice. While government initiatives are attempting to address the problem, the solution is not yet in place, meaning structured agricultural investments are even more important in feeding and securing the future of families across Senegal.
For more information on how to be involved in this exciting new opportunity, call Property Frontiers on +44 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

Germany Leads Eurozone Out of Recession with €30 billion Commercial Property Market

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Property Frontiers are feeling pretty happy about the news that Germany and France are leading the Eurozone out of recession. Particularly Germany, which has seen its economy grow at its fastest pace for more than a year.

The property investment experts have had their eyes on the German market for a few months now due to its stable economy, strong growth and low unemployment rate. It ranked as the most popular country in the world in a BBC World Service poll; and as the most attractive destination for foreign investors in a 2013 Ernst & Young report. While Savills reports a 155% increase in German hotel investment alone.
Popping the corks for Germany’s impressive comeback
Figures released last week reveal that the German economy has expanded a further 0.7% in Q2 2013. France followed with 0.5%, beating economists’ expectations.
Carl Brzeski at multinational finance giant ING, comments: “Popping the corks. The German economy has staged an impressive comeback. The whole Eurozone is expected to emerge from an 18-month double dip recession.”
One reason for this is said to be a catch-up effort in construction, which contributed 0.3% to the growth. Another is export trade, which has always been one of Germany’s strong points.
Commercial property to hit €30 billion
It’s easy to see what makes German investment so attractive right now. Savills forecasts total turnover in the German commercial property market to hit the €30 billion mark in 2013, up from €25.3 billion the year before.
Savills says there is ongoing demand from risk-averse investors who are looking to buy assets which retain their value in economically challenging times. Around €12.5 billion was invested into commercial property during the first half of this year, making a 36% year-on-year rise.
Private investors and listed property companies each accounted for €1.3 billion and developers are also an active party, selling property worth over €2.3 billion. This is triple the total of the first six months of 2012, highlighting such strong demand.
An exceptional economic position
Marcus Lemli, head of both Savills Germany and European investment, explains: “Germany’s exceptional economic position is increasingly reflected on the local investment market and real estate as an asset class is becoming increasingly attractive.”
Matthias Pink, associate director of research at Savills Germany, adds: “Currently the German property market, with its manageable risk, is extremely liquid and never before has such a large amount of equity been available for investments into core product.”
Germany market the strongest performer on the continent
The recent RICS Global Commercial Property Survey also shows Germany and Belgium as the only European markets to record a positive increase in both occupier and investment commercial property during Q2 2013. As Europe’s largest economy, Germany continues to shine in terms of growth and sentiment within real estate, with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Investment Sentiment Index (ISI) also showing a growth from 18 to 22.
Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist for RICS, says: “The results of the survey show that the weak economic picture across much of Europe is continuing to be reflected in the lack of demand to occupy property space … [but] the German market continues to be the strongest performer on the continent.”
Join the party in Europe’s most enticing and reliable sector today
Ray Withers, Chief Executive at Property Frontiers comments,
“We have been backing Germany as an investment location for some time now and our top tip is currently hotel room investment. We particularly like the 4* Alpen Club in Bavaria, the most popular tourism destination in Germany. Rooms start from £47,198 and it comes with a 10 year fixed return leaseback and assured net yield averaging at 10.33%”
For more information contact Property Frontiers today on +44 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

Not only a tasty treat for pandas, bamboo provides the answer to rising global energy demands

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Concerns over energy provision and security remain high on the political agenda. With fuel prices set to rise due to instability in Egypt, environmentalists campaigning against shale gas fracking in the UK and activists even scaling London’s Shard in protest against oil and gas drilling in the Artic, never before has the drive for reliable and sustainable energy sources been so great.

•Global demand for biomass will double within 2 years alone (RISI & North American Bioenergy Studies)
•Biomass accounts for more than 75% of final energy consumption in sub-Saharan Africa
•Bamboo is the best source of biomass delivering a wide range of economic, social, environmental and financial returns
•Exclusive biomass investment seminar: Thursday 18th July 13.00 & 18.30, London 

One new renewable energy source which is meeting this demand is biomass, a biological material derived from plants primary which can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat or indirectly after converting to biofuel.
Indeed as population growth and economic development increase energy needs, the global demand for biomass, particularly for energy generation, is quite simply soaring.
In 2012 alone 4.36 million metric tons of biomass was shipped from the US to the EU according to the U.S. Industrial [biomass] Pellet Association and recent RISI and North American Bioenergy studies anticipate that global demand for biomass will double within 2 years alone, within 5 years reaching 37 million dry tonnes per year in Europe and 20 million dry tonnes in the USA. By 2020, the demand for biomass in Europe should reach 243 million dry tonnes with more than 77% of the overall demand coming from the energy sector.
Within the UK the positive role biomass can play has been recognised with Chancellor George Osborne committing £75 million to the conversion of the Drax coal-fired power station to biomass in his 2013 Budget.
Outside of the major Western markets, demand for biomass is also growing and changing in the nature of its supply. In sub-Saharan Africa, biomass accounts for more than 75% of final energy consumption with wood biomass the most common source of domestic fuel, but today it is increasingly being supplied from more sustainable sources such as green charcoal rather than through cutting of natural forests.
In South Africa alone, which is highly coal dependant, there is a rapid movement towards the use of biomass for heat and power. According to the Pew Clean Energy Report the country’s clean energy investment grew a mind-boggling 20,500% from 2011 with $5.5 billion invested in 2012, up from under $30 million the year before.
Ray Withers, Chief Executive of multi award-winning investment agency, Property Frontiers, comments,
“Biomass is attractive in a green energy mix because unlike intermittent renewable energy sources like wind or solar it provides stable baseload power. Global biomass power production is set to rise 9% per year but we must move away from our already challenged forests to finding other sustainable and efficient sources of biomass.”
High performing and fast growing sources of biomass have the edge in this rapidly evolving market place and as bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth with some species obtaining growth surges of 100cm per day, bamboo is now in favour not only with hungry pandas but biomass producers.
Thriving in some of the poorest, most degraded soils on earth with growth patterns which ensure sustainability and its ability to sequester four times more carbon that other timber, bamboo is fast becoming the biomass source of choice with commercial demand for the harvest from plantations such as the Kowie Farm on the Eastern Cape of South Africa at an all-time high.
The Kowie Bamboo Farm at Port Alfred covers some 482 hectares, divided into lots available for qualifying high net worth and sophisticated investors to purchase as a 15 year commercial land lease through Property Frontiers.
Each full hectare plot, priced at £25,700 consists of 400 individual Bambusa balcooa plants, or clumps which have already been planted, and if managed correctly is projected to return, through the pre-agreed sale of raw biomass, £110,705 gross over the 15 year lease period.
So with bamboo offering not only a wide range of economic, social, environmental and financial returns, contact Property Frontiers today on +44 1865 202 700, visit www.propertyfrontiers.com to find out more or join the free exclusive biomass investment seminar on Thursday 18th July, 1300 & 18.30 at the Hilton Park Lane, London, click here for tickets: http://propertyfrontiersbiomass2.eventbrite.co.uk/

Property Inspector: How to invest in land in 10 minutes

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom
TheMoveChannel.com’s Property Inspector, taking a closer look at global real estate each month.
In April, a building plot in the Cayman Islands took the highest number of enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com. In fact, three out of the 10 most popular listings were land investments, as investors seemed to turn away from property in search of more stable investments. With interest in land on the up, this month’s podcast explores the pros and pitfalls of land. Is the asset the answer to a post-crisis global economy? What is the best investment strategy?
The Inspector tracks down Ray Withers, CEO of investment agency Property Frontiers, to get some answers.

What kind of land opportunities are out there? 
There are two types of land we tend to get involved with: building plots and agricultural. You buy to either hold and sell on at capital appreciation or your build on it yourself, or there’s agricultural, which is more of a yield play, where you get a stable yield over typically a relatively medium to long term, 10 to 15 year period where the crop grows and you get a percentage of the harvest when it comes through.

There’s the perception of land as being a more stable asset than property. Is that true?
The reason we’ve been investing in building plots is it suits a lot of investors from a capital appreciation point of view. Ultimately, the value accrues on the land vs bricks and mortar. Of course, the cost of the building does change with inflation but that doesn’t in my opinion increase anywhere near as the property market in certain areas. For example, in the US where we’re doing a lot, many areas are appreciating miles or have already and they’ll have the prospect to appreciated because of the crash in 2007 or 2008, they’ve got the potential to increase miles ahead of inflation.

What about agricultural land?
Farmland at the moment is rushing ahead of all other assets. In the UK, values rose 8.2pc in 2012, according to Smiths Gore…
Fundamentally, there’s increase in industrialisation and population across the world. That means there’s an increased demand for commodities such as timber and food and the right classes can be lucrative, but you’ve got to look what’s out there and see how likely it is to do what it says on the tin.

What are the risks involved in investing in agricultural land?
You’ve got to be very careful where you buy and do your research. Fundamentally, there’s a global increase in industrialisation and population across the world meaning that there’s an increased demand for commodities such as timber and food and the right classes can indeed be lucrative, but you’ve got to check on the detail of what is being presented and see how likely it is to do what it says on the tin you need ask the question “is there likely to be strong demand for that asset in the future?
How can investors double-check to be on the safe side?
One of the key things is to do your own independent research on the company and people behind the land investment, do they have a solid track record and experience in this or at least a similar asset classes? What are the risks and what has been done to mitigate any risks? Where is the end market for the product and has this been quantified and demonstrated clearly?
Are there advantages of land investments over straight real estate investment?
As long as it has the relevant permissions in place, you’ve got more options of what you can do. So for example, an investment we’re doing at the moment in South Carolina, USA, most of the investors are choosing to buy and hold because the market is increasing or it’s hit rock bottom and is already increasing, but a couple are choosing to build. It gives you a number of options depending on what your exit strategy is.

As markets start to recover, in the US and UK particularly, there is a drive towards construction for new homes. Does that make now the best time invest in land?
Because of the fact the value accrues from the land itself, the key is buying at the right time. With the UK, there are opportunities, but the reason I’m putting my personal money and we’re working in the US is purely because the prices have fallen a lot over the past few years. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest now.

How much of your own money have your put in?
Well…
Click here to listen to the full investigation.
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.

 

Property investment rush on Grenada as Citizenship by Investment programme revived

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

The exquisite Caribbean island of Grenada is set to become the latest territory to offer residency through the revival of a Citizenship by Investment programme.

 

Already successfully adopted by nearby islands St Kitts and Dominica, this strategy will undoubtedly vastly increase popularity and levels of interest in the island offering property investors rights of citizenship along with the associated visa free travel benefits.
Ray Withers, CEO of multi award-winning international investment agency, Property Frontiers, comments,
“We have long been believers in the Grenada market which has performed well over recent years and continues to outpace its Caribbean rivals. However, the government recently announced a policy that is expected to drive unprecedented levels of growth – Citizenship by Investment.
“Due for approval this summer, the Citizenship by Investment programme will almost certainly boost property prices as investors from all over the world rush to snap up the limited supply of housing on the island. The world´s wealthiest are coming to Grenada so we are urging our clients to get there before them and reap the rewards!”
Predicted to be the fastest growing Caribbean market between 2011 & 2021 (WTTC), Grenada is located in the most southern point of the Grenadine Islands, only 12 degrees above the equator.  The island boasts secluded coves and hidden beaches, world-class diving and snorkelling in around the colourful reefs, hiking trails through the Etang National Park and untouched neighbouring islands. And the capital St. George’s boasts one of the best seafronts in the Caribbean as well as bustling spice markets, a historic fort, colourful houses, ancient stone buildings and the Carenage natural harbour.
Investors are eagerly snapping up investment opportunities on ‘The Spice Island’ due to the high hotel occupancy rates, spectacular scenery, and the fact that property investment in Grenada has excelled through the recession – inching up the league table of hot investment destinations by outdoing its Caribbean rivals.
One property development poised to benefit dramatically from this new Citizenship by Investment scheme is the 5* Bacolet Bay Beach Resort & Spa, located on a secluded 300m long stretch of sandy beach yet only 15 minutes from Grenada’s international airport.
Currently under construction and occupying a prime location at one of the highest points of the resort, the spacious Cinnamon Suites boast direct Caribbean Sea views and a world-class designed interior. Available at 25% below independent valuations, from $287,250 with a 3 year rental guarantee from 7.2% pa and 4 weeks personal usage, these luxurious hotel suites offer a solid yield through rental as a hotel property and a defined, realistic exit.
For more information on the impending Citizenship by Investment programme or how to invest in the Cinnamon Suites, contact Property Frontiers today on +44 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

155% increase in hotel investment in the most popular country in the world – Germany

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

With its chequered past and fondness for Speedos, Germany might not spring to mind as the most popular country in the world but according to this year’s annual Country Ratings Poll for the BBC World Service, this EU economic powerhouse takes top spot.

  • Germany named as most popular country in the world (BBC World Service poll)
  • Ranked Europe’s most attractive destination for foreign investors in 2013 (Ernst & Young)
  • 55% increase in German hotel investment in Q1 2013 vs Q1 2012 (Savills)

 

Surveying 26,000 people internationally, the BBC found that 59% rated Germany’s influence on the world as positive, three points higher than 2012.
The appeal of Europe’s most populous country was further echoed in Ernst & Young’s attractiveness survey Europe 2013 which saw Germany ranked as the continent’s most attractive destination by 38% of investors surveyed, ahead of neighbouring France and the UK. And indeed if foreign direct investment levels are an indication of investor confidence, then Germany presents a good bet with 624 FDI projects making it one of Europe’s top destinations (along with the UK).
Ray Withers, CEO of multi award-winning investment agency, Property Frontiers, comments,
“It’s all too easy to view Europe as a whole and assume that the economic crisis has affected each nation equally. It is simply not the case. Whilst the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain), France and number of other eastern European countries have entered recession, tough austerity measures by Chancellor Merkel have resulted low unemployment and robust growth, continuing to make Germany an attractive investment destination.”
The property market in particular is receiving high levels of investor interest with the CEO of Savills Germany, Marcus Lemli, stating that “Germany is currently the target of choice by many international investors…accounting for half of transaction volume last year.” Within the real estate arena, Savills also reported a 155% increase in German hotel investment in Q1 2013 compared to Q1 2012 suggesting a surge in interest in this lucrative asset class.
Ray Withers further comments,
“As an asset class, hotel room investment had previously been solely within the realms of institutional investors and funds but now we have structured an opportunity for individuals to own a hotel room and enjoy the high returns available.
“Our exclusive luxury 4* operational hotel room investment opportunity, AlpenClub, capitalises on the massive demand for accommodation in Bavaria, the most popular tourism destination in Germany. The initial allocation sold out within 18 days of launch and now due to client demand, a further allocation of 20 spacious rooms from £47,198 is now available offering a 10 year fixed return leaseback and assured NET yield averaging 10.33%.”
For more information about investing the hotel sector in the most popular country in the world, Germany, please contact Property Frontiers today on +44 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

Colliers names United States most attractive region to invest in for 2013

by Charlotte Ashton United States

The future is looking bright for the United States with President Obama back at the helm, positive GDP forecasts of 2%  growth in 2013, rising to 2.8% in 2014 (OECD Economic Outlook 2012) and the residential real estate market finally emerging from its recession hangover with the construction sector creating 30,000 new jobs in December 2012.

Global investor confidence is in fact so high at present that the experts at Colliers International in their Global Investor Sentiment Survey 2013 name the US as the most attractive region in which to invest immediately.

Continuing to beat off increasingly stiff competition from Canada, Western Europe, SE Asia and the BRIC nations, the world’s largest economy remains top choice for savvy investors, especially those keen to capitalise on its ever more appealing housing market.

Ray Withers, Chief Executive Officer of the multi award-winning international property investment agency, Property Frontiers, comments,

“We have for some time now been tracking the US residential market, from its peak in 2006 to its recession low and gradual recovery. We, along with many experts, firmly believe that the bottom of the market has been reached and that now is the time to invest.

“Indeed we are already seeing prices creep up with the Knight Frank Global House Price Index Q3 2012 revealing that prices are 3.6% higher than the same period in 2011 and vacancy rates are at their lowest since 2005. One sector of the market, previously owned homes, are in particularly high demand and are proving to be a stable investment with sales reaching a two year high in October last year according to the Trulia Housing Barometer.”

The experts at Global Property Guide also report on the US housing market recovery revealing in its Q3 2012 survey that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) seasonally-adjusted purchase-only house price index rose by 2.31% year-on-year in Q3 2012, the highest growth seen since Q2 2006.

Realtors on the ground are also seeing increased levels of buyer activity with the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Pending Homes Sales Index (which provides an early indicator of market activity) reporting an increase of 5.2% in October 2012, its highest level in 5 years.

However in addition to American nationals purchasing homes once again, the NAR also revealed the significant level of investor interest with 20% of all home sales in October last year made by this group. And it is investors such as the clients of Property Frontiers who are realising the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in the US market.

Ray Withers goes on to explain,
“There is indeed great potential in the US housing market but with seemingly endless low grade stock in poor locations often presenting itself as a ‘bargain’, investors can all too easily get it wrong. From experience we have learnt that the most successful approach is to work with reputable partners on the ground who will know the exact fabric of the local economy, the current demand for housing and the right homes to buy in the right neighbourhoods.

“In fact we have gone one stage further and taken all the stress out of buying in the US with our pioneering exclusive new investment opportunity which is 100% hands-free. Our partners on the ground across the US buy, renovate and sell property on your behalf enabling investors to enjoy fixed returns of up to 80% over 5 years, as well as a defined exit strategy and be reassured by the security offered by the FSA regulated UK Trustee.”

With investment available from as little as US$15,000, contact Property Frontiers today on 01865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com for more information.

You can also listen to their exclusive US housing market podcast here: http://www.propertyfrontiers.com/International-Real-Estate/Country/United-States/Florida/Middleton-May.aspx

Spice up your Christmas with a Cinnamon Suite in the Caribbean

by Charlotte Ashton Grenada

Tourism has long been the breadwinner for the Caribbean. Given tropical temperatures, sugar-like sandy beaches and a relaxed pace of life, it’s no wonder the Caribbean received 23.8 million global visitors in 2011, an increase of 3.3% over 2010 according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

 


With this in mind, winter sun-seekers now have a new opportunity to make an exclusive lifestyle investment in the luxury Cinnamon Suites, on the Caribbean island of Grenada, predicted to be the fastest growing market in the Caribbean between 2011 and 2021 according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

 


Part of Bacolet Bay Beach Resort and available through multi award-winning international property specialist Property Frontiers, these stunning 5* hotel suites offer attractive returns to investors with Chief Executive Ray Withers commenting,

 

“We have been at the forefront of the emerging market of hotel investments available to individual investors for a number of years now and identified Grenada as a fantastic place to invest back in 2005. Investing in the Cinnamon Suites will deliver owners value for money (properties are currently prices 30% below current valuation); potential for capital growth; a solid yield through rental as a hotel property and a defined, realistic exit.”

 

Bacolet Bay, with its secluded 300m long stretch of sandy beach, sits on the quiet southern shore of Grenada. It offers the peace of hidden luxury, away from the crowds visiting some of the larger Caribbean islands, but easily accessible from both the UK and the US. Regular direct flights are available and the Cinnamon Suites are located only 15 minutes from the island’s international airport.

 

Property Frontiers detailed local knowledge of the Caribbean; in particular Grenada means investors gain the peace of mind to buy with confidence with Withers remarking,

 

“Our exclusive deal provides $106,500 instant equity plus a guaranteed profit starting at $119,000 when the developer buys back at valuation price. With mortgage financing available, deposits from £46,000 and a 3 year rental guarantee more than covering the finance payments, I imagine units will be pretty popular with our investors.”

 

The Caribbean’s continuing presence as a top winter sun location, combined with this exclusive offer, make Grenada’s Cinnamon Suites the perfect lifestyle investment. 

 

For further information, please contact Property Frontiers on +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.


What a generous bunch you are! Over £7,000 raised at the Frontiers Foundation charity auction

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

As they say, charity begins at home and members of the overseas property industry did not disappoint with a staggering £7,750 raised for the Frontiers Foundation at a charity auction held at the OPP Gala Dinner earlier this week.

Hosted by guest auctioneer for the evening, Paul Owen, former Chief Executive of the AIPP and now Owner of sales training company, The Clear Path Company, the charity auction was a welcome addition to the prestigious OPP Awards of Excellence presentation ceremony.

Organised by the Frontiers Foundation, the charitable organisation founded by Ray Withers, Chief Executive of property investment agency Property Frontiers and Charlotte Ashton, MD of property PR agency, AB Property Marketing, the auction successfully raised the funds required to transform the Ket Wangi orphanage in Kenya, building 3 new classrooms and a toilet block.

Trustees of the Frontiers Foundations was overwhelmed with the generosity of the lots donated which included dinner in a top London restaurant, tickets to the Cartier polo, a professional photo shoot, signed novels, a weekend break in Cornwall, supercar track day and luxury holidays in Turkey / Florida and a French chateau! Sincere thanks go to Fish Market New Street, Barton Wyatt, Peter Ross, Transworld Publishers, Property Frontiers, Club La Costa and Barrasford & Bird for their generosity.

With spirits high and the wine flowing, bidding was prolific and at some points competitive but with each lot vastly exceeding its reserve, the target of £7,000 was smashed by the end of the evening.

Commenting on the success of the auction, Frontiers Foundation Trustee, Charlotte Ashton said,

“Tonight’s charity auction showed the very best side of the overseas property industry. Thanks go to Xavier Wiggins and the OPP team for allowing us to hold the auction, to all those fabulously generous companies who donated the lots and to all those who bidded, every penny raised will go directly to bettering the lives of the children of the Ket Wangi orphanage.”

Now that the required funds have been raised, the process of building the new classrooms and toilet block can begin and the Frontiers Foundation is already in contact with Emily Odera, Mother of the Ket Wangi orphanage regards the logistics and timings. Ray and Charlotte along with fellow Trustees are hoping to once again get their hands dirty by going out to Kenya and assisting with the construction work. Updates, pictures and progress reports can be found on the Frontiers Foundation Facebook page.

For more information about the Frontiers Foundation, the Ket Wangi orphanage or to find out how you can support the project please call +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit http://www.propertyfrontiers.com/who-we-are/frontiers-foundation.aspx.
 
 

Invest with only the best. Property Frontiers named Best Global Estate Agency 2012

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

In a glittering ceremony held last night in the City of London, overseas property experts, Property Frontiers were named as the Best Global Estate Agency in the OPP Awards for Excellence 2012.

Now in their 5th year, the OPP Awards celebrate the best developers, estate agents and associated companies working in the global cross border residential property industry and not content with being bestowed one accolade, Property Frontiers was also awarded gold in the Best Estate Agency Europe category.

Commenting on the company’s success, Chief Executive Ray Withers, says,

“I am truly delighted that all the hard work, professionalism and dedication of every member of the Property Frontiers team has been recognised once again by our peers in the industry. We pride ourselves on breaking boundaries and embracing new frontiers, always putting our clients at the very heart of what we do and I believe this is why 2012 has been one of our most successful years since forming in 2004.”

Property Frontiers holds an impressive track record having completed 3,500 property investment transactions for 1,300 clients over the last 8 years. The company has pioneered investment opportunities in emerging markets worldwide from Poland to China and Nicaragua as well as a wide variety of new and previously inaccessible asset classes including student accommodation, hotel investments and personal storage. 

These two latest awards from OPP will be welcome additions to the already impressive raft of accolades including AIPP’s Best Large Agent – Multi Country 2010, 2011 & 2012 and Best Staff Training 2010 & 2008 awards.

Ray Withers concludes,

“At a time when clients are increasingly cautious about making property investments, seeking safety and security at every turn, industry accolades such as the OPP Awards for Excellence are essential in highlighting companies which can be trusted to deliver and this is exactly what we do at Property Frontiers.”

For more information on Property Frontiers and the global property investment opportunities available contact Ray and the team today on +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.