Liverpool passes with flying colours in student accommodation investment sector
With the start of a new semester looming in September and the ever increasing number of students attending university each year, now is the perfect time to for investors to dive into the highly lucrative waters of student accommodation with plenty of opportunities in the North West city of Liverpool.
Recently, data collected by Accommodationforstudents.com the No 1 student accommodation website found that 62% of the 46,000 students reviewed in their survey voted the city of Liverpool the best place to study while The Times Good University Guide 2012 recorded a student satisfaction rate of 77 for The University of Liverpool with Liverpool John Moores University closely following behind, attaining a satisfaction ranking of 74.
Certainly, more young people are realising the value of higher education than ever before and Liverpool universities in particular have seen significant increases in applications, rising 17% from 27,465 applications in 2008 to 32,022 in 2010 for The University of Liverpool while Liverpool John Moores University received 28,123 applicants in 2008 rising by 22% to 34,182 by 2010 according to UCAS.
Moreover, Liverpool John Moores University were recently delighted when over 60% more student visitors attended their recent Open Day last week compared to the same time last year and certainly the new deal struck by Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Council to provide £400,000 per year towards the running costs of local authority facilities in return for free student and university staff access to Liverpool council-run gyms and pools will create a unique selling point for future students and exciting news for potential student buy to let investors.
Indeed, Liverpool John Moores University in particular has partnerships with private accommodation providers to make sure that all new students are guaranteed accommodation, even if they enter through the clearing process.
Ray Withers, Director of leading property investment agency, Property Frontiers which has successfully marketed numerous student accommodation projects in the city of Liverpool, comments,
“Demand for academic courses is soaring with nearly 700,000 university applications in 2010 alone and although The University of Liverpool is investing around £600 million in upgrades of which around £250 million will be spent on building a 710 bedroom development in the city centre campus, new student housing nevertheless remains limited with demand continuing to outstrip supply.
“There are well over 20,000 students at The University of Liverpool with only 3,300 university provided accommodation spaces available while Liverpool John Moores only has 3,300 spaces for its 23,000 plus students indicating great opportunities for new high-quality private student housing developments.”
It is for these reasons that investors are quickly beginning to appreciate the UK’s latest buy to let sector, student accommodation as a solid, lucrative and hassle fee investment especially considering students and young singles are said to generate the highest yields with houses for students producing and average yield of 6.45% according to leading buy to let mortgage provider, Paragon.
Leading property investment agency, Property Frontiers believe the student accommodation sector has become a critical component of a balanced investment portfolio and have a desirable and elegant student accommodation development offering 100 stunning en-suite rooms in Liverpool from only £48,000 with an above average 10.03% NET yield – assured in year 1.
Centrally located, St. Andrews Place set in a beautiful 18th Century grade II listed building is adjacent to Liverpool John Moores University and close to Liverpool Lime Street station and all the shops, restaurants and nightlife the city centre has to offer, perfect for student life.
For those looking to generate an exceptionally high rental income look no further than the student accommodation market in Liverpool and call Property Frontiers today on +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.