Sunderland: The wonderland of student accommodation investment as university applications jump 35%
As a land of contrast, sitting on the mouth of the river Wear, the north eastern city of Sunderland effortlessly balances buzzing urban life with a peaceful landscape of luscious green countryside and picturesque coastal views. It’s hardly surprising then that Sunderland, with its enviable location is fast becoming a highly sought after property hotspot for homemakers and students alike.
Sunderland has an ever improving quality of life, certainly one of its biggest appeals, with a proposed £1 million investment being injected into the city over the next few years seeing new housing developments emerge left, right and centre.
Indeed, this year’s new £8.5 million science complex at the University of Sunderland has brought major health benefits with a ‘real time’ impact to the north east as well as the new Sunderland Software City programme, aiming to inspire and support the growth of the Software Industry over the next few years in an attempt to make the North East the best place to do business in the international software arena – certainly an excellent step for the economic health of the region.
Moreover, the north east city is creating quite a name for itself through association with worldwide superstars with famous sporting athlete Michael Johnson receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Sunderland for his outstanding contribution and ambassadorial role in the world of athletics with Johnson stating:
“I am delighted to be associated with the University of Sunderland. I have always been involved in athletics at the elite end and the support that universities generally give to future stars while they are at college is excellent. Sunderland is no exception – you just have to look at the campus.”
And an impressive campus it is, voted in the past as having the most satisfied students in the north east region according to a National Student Survey as well as a commendable score of 78 in the recent student satisfaction rankings according to The Times Good University Guide 2012 – a very useful knowledge source for potential buy to let property investors considering the student accommodation market is currently said to be the single largest untapped real estate market in Western Europe providing some of the biggest and most lucrative investment opportunities in the world.
Over the past three years student applications to The University of Sunderland home to around 18,000 students have risen substantially with 9,875 applications in 2008 jumping by 35% to 13,363 applications in 2010 according to data from UCAS.
Of course, as the city continues to prosper adding a greater deal of wealth to the metropolis, an increased strain on the demand for property, in particular student accommodation becomes more apparent especially seeing as Sunderland already has few dedicated student halls offering affordable single student rooms.
Alan Forsyth, Director of highly respected property investment agency, Property Secrets comments,
“Sunderland has undergone a period of massive regeneration in recent years and with a bright future ahead, this market is ready for the taking. Certainly, affordable student accommodation in Sunderland is in high demand and currently there is a huge opportunity for investors to be involved in this lucrative market with our two new purpose built student accommodation developments in Sunderland priced 25% below current valuation, offering a 1 year rental guarantee and 9-11% net yields per annum.”
Buy-to-let property experts, Property Secrets, has recognised Sunderland’s potential and has Rectory Lodge, a purpose built fully furnished modern 26 en suite student bedroom development and West lodge, a gorgeous mansion with large rooms and 4 very large living rooms on offer priced between £33-35,000 only a minute from The University of Sunderland and just six minutes from the impressive city centre.
For more information on investing in the new forward thinking city of Sunderland please contact Property Secrets on +44 (0)115 985 3963, email info@propertysecrets.net or visit www.propertysecrets.net.