Overseas Property Investment

Spain Tops British Investors Property Destination List

2012-04-27T10:12:00.000+01:00

For the past 50 years we Brits have had a love affair with the Spanish costas and Balearic islands, reports the Independent

"A home from home for many, Spain's climate, infrastructure, ease of access from the UK, combined with good hospitals and healthcare system, political stability, timeless tourism appeal and affordable housing market draws buyers in their droves," says Marc Pritchard from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey España.

There is a huge oversupply of newbuild and off-plan properties, so there are big discounts up for grabs but remember to pick carefully. There are many horror stories of Brits who saw their homes bulldozed because cowboy builders and planning officials didn't obtain valid building licences. if countries like Spain were to leave the euro and return to a devalued national currency, foreign investors could come unstuck.

Spain also continues to be the most popular holiday destination for Brits over the Easter period with data from Carhiremarket.com revealing that from the 31st March to 15th April, 35% of UK holiday makers hiring a car through the company booked a holiday to Spain, reports A Place in the Sun.

The news is positive for those looking to rent out their property in Spain, showing that our appetite for sun, sea and sangria has not disappeared despite the global economic crisis. Almost 2.8 million foreign tourists arrived in Spain in January this year, of which 19.1% were Brits. This was a 4.6% increase on January 2011.

For all you needs if you are buying renting or letting property in Marbella you should check out the Marbella Directory which will give you the details of estate agents, freight and transport companies, healthcare,industrial supplies, cars and classified ads. If you are already a member of the Marbella Community, with something to say, follow the link to become an author and add your article to the directory.

International Real Estate Professional Study

2012-02-29T09:19:00.000+00:00

International Business Times reports;
A survey of more than 360 internationally renowned real estate professionals, including investors, developers, property company representatives, lenders, brokers and consultants has revealed the emerging top earners for the real estate sector in 2012.

Residential real estate is the second top investment for the year 2012 across the Asia Pacific Region, the study revealed.

It said that in spite the weak global housing market this year better prospects are to be seen in 2012, although caution and planning are still the keys to success.

Apartments. Interviewees favoured investing in multifamily property development, which can be class A, value-enhance class B, develop from scratch, purchase in infill areas, acquire in gateway cities, or hold in lower-growth markets. "Even buy class C and upgrade, spend a little more, hold a little longer-demand will be there."

The only caveat: avoid severely affected housing markets where a surfeit of empty single-family homes will compete as rentals.

Fortress Malls, Infill Shopping Centres. Aptly named fortress malls, near upscale suburban neighbourhoods and strategic highway intersections, continue to concentrate the top brand chains and attract more shoppers away from their weakening competition-centres situated near older or more commodity class housing districts. These types of property development attract necessity shoppers to anchored centres with leading supermarket and drug store chains. Investors are in for steady cash flows.

Coastal Port Industrial Space. Global trade will power export activity around the nation's primary seaboard ports, where traditional big-box warehouse distribution assets rebound after experiencing uncomfortably high vacancies. All eyes focus on which East Coast cities can position themselves to capture Pacific container-ship traffic slated to come through a widened Panama Canal in 2014. Some winners will turn into new industrial hubs, but first need to dredge harbor channels to handle deep-hulled vessels. Miami, Charleston, Savannah, and Norfolk look like prime contenders, and New York/New Jersey will not be left out. Houston should pick up business along the Gulf Coast.

Business Center Hotels. ULI and PwC said that 2012 will be within that the point in the real estate market cycle where lodging makes sense. But only the major 24-hour cities attract consistently strong combinations of business and tourist travelers to sustain occupancies and advance room rates during the week, as well as into weekends. Middle-market hotels without food and beverage service lure budget-conscious travelers without outsized operation overheads, enhancing bottom-line results.

Hertfordshire Property For Redevelopment

2011-09-06T12:41:00.003+01:00

Hertfordshire Property Refurbishment for Sale, Barnet

Hadley Wood
Camlet Way
Barnet
Hertfordshire
EN4

Gross Site Area: 6500 sq/ft*

£ 900,000 Freehold

This impressive property is well placed within reach of the local shops and restaurants in Hadley Wood.

Additional amenities are provided at High Barnet and Potters Bar. Hadley Wood mainline train station provides easy access into London (Kings Cross / Moorgate). Alternatively, the commuter has a choice between High Barnet underground station (Northern Line) and Cockfosters (Piccadilly Line).

The M25 and A1 are also within close proximity.

This property has substantial potential for rededevelopment into a single family dwelling behind a private gated environment. It is situated in a quiet position on Camlet Way one of the most sought after roads in the locality.

The site measures approximately 6,500 sq.ft and has the benefit of a large detached triple garage with residential accommodation above. This building measures approximately 1,800sq.ft. and has substantial potential for extension and redevelopment into a much larger luxury home subject to gaining the appropraite Local Authority consents.

Please contact us in the office for further information or to arrange a viewing.

Buy To Let Mortgages on the increase

2011-06-14T19:01:00.001+01:00

The buy-to-let mortgage market continues to show signs of improvement with an increase in the number of lenders and products available to landlords. At the time of writing NetRent Mortgages had 364 buy-to-let rates available, compared with just 296 at the beginning of April (an increase of 23 per cent).

More lenders are coming back into the buy-to-let market and demand for buy-to-let mortgages is increasing month by month.

UK Pubs For Sale: Freehold Pubs For Sale: Swansea Pub for Sale, Abertwe SA3

2011-06-10T22:58:00.000+01:00

UK Pubs For Sale: Freehold Pubs For Sale: Swansea Pub for Sale, Abertwe SA3: "Abertwe Pub for Sale, Swansea Pilot Inn Mumbles Road Mumbles, Swansea Abertawe SA3 Ground floor footplate: 2111 sq/ft* £ ..."

NetRent News Blog: The Damage That Some Tenants Do

2011-04-12T22:05:00.000+01:00

NetRent News Blog: The Damage That Some Tenants Do: "Today NetRent.co.uk launches a new campaign called The Damage that Some Tenants Do. This is aimed at highlighting the damage that some tenan..."

Gunjur Villa with Pool for Rent - Gunjur, Gambia

2011-04-05T15:03:00.003+01:00

Situated at Gunjur only 30 minutes from Banjul Airport, The Gambia, and a short walk from the beach, Arijaana Villa provides an idyllic location for a relaxed holiday break

This beautiful Villa was completed in 2007 to a high specification, has its own private pool, beautifully maintained gardens and sleeps six persons in spacious comfort.Arijaana Villa is eco friendly using solar energy to provide the power for its modern facilities including satellite TV and wet room, fresh water comes direct from the borehole.Many interesting activities and places are accessible from Arijaana Villa and there is a variety of dining available locally.

There is a helpful management team available from the local village where the renowned friendly local Gambian welcome awaits. Included is a car and driver to take care of your inclusive airport transfers and is available for further hire at reasonable cost for trips/tours etc.Based on full occupancy.

Arijaana Villa is available at prices starting from £450 per week, one third deposit is required on booking, with the balance payable six weeks prior to reservation date.Arijaana Villa is available at prices starting from £450 per week, one third deposit is required on booking, with the balance payable six weeks prior to reservation date.

To reserve, or for any further information on holidays or investments contact

info@gambianvillas.net

T +44 (0)1458 250828

M +44 (0)7760588637

Property Investment Opportunities in North East Brazil Popular with Brits

2010-11-25T16:14:00.004+00:00

More people may be considering a mortgage for overseas property in Brazil as the country grows in popularity, both as a tourist destination and with investors.

Glauco Chris Fuzinatto, UK and Ireland director at the Brazilian Tourist Office, said the north-east of the country is becoming more popular with Brits and that investment opportunities are opening up.

A key point for growth is the development of new flight routes into the country, so that accessibility improves, he said, noting that this is now happening in various parts of Brazil.
"One important element for it becoming your second home is the accessibility. If it is easy for you to get there, then it's easier for you to buy a property as your holiday home or second home," he said.

The country is experiencing tourism growth as well, Mr Fuzinatto said, noting that there is still potential for further expansion.

Earlier this month, head of overseas at Rightmove, Robin Wilson, said that there is "a lot of buzz" about Brazil as an investment location at the moment, but suggested that those considering a mortgage abroad should work with a forex dealer to ensure they limit their risk.

London Mews House for Sale

2010-11-23T15:58:00.000+00:00

Marylebone Mews House for Sale

Salisbury Place is a quiet mews sandwiched between Upper Montague Street & Gloucester Place off the Marylebone Road.

The property benefits from the vast array of excellent shops, cafes and eateries found within the area, with Oxford Street and Baker Street also close by. Transport links include Baker Street Underground Station & Marylebone Overground Station.

Planning permission has been granted for the conversion of this existing double garage into a residential dwelling (Studio flat)

Central London Mews House for Sale

Turkish Government Promoting Foreign Property Investment in Turkey

2010-11-21T16:12:00.000+00:00

A healthy 32,000 overseas property buyers from the UK have now invested in Turkey according to recent figures from the Turkish General Directorate of Land Registry.

And with plans now approved for the country’s biggest ever airport to be built on the outskirts of Istanbul, it will be easier than ever for fly to let customers to access rentals in the area.

Describing the wave of investment as “remarkable,” Suleyman Akbay of Oceanwide Properties said: “There are many advantages to purchasing a property in Turkey, including the fact that there aren’t any capital gains taxes to be paid if the property is owned for more than five years.

“Recently approved new mortgage laws too make it easier to purchase overseas homes in Turkey and prices are extraordinarily low compared to many other European countries.”

The Turkish Government is actively promoting foreign investment and is concentrating hard on new infrastructure projects such as improved roads, airports and telecoms.

UK Property Development Opportunity West Hampstead London

2010-10-22T10:37:00.002+01:00

UK Property Development Opportunity West Hampstead London

West Hampstead Community Centre
Mill Lane
London
Greater London
NW6
£ 825,000 Freehold

Property located in a parade of shops between Ravenshaw Street and Broomsleigh Street, close to excellent local shopping and transport services.

It comprises 2 Intercommunicating Terrace Properties with D1 Use and an outbuilding to the rear.

The property is suitable for continued D1 use but also a planning application has been submitted to reconfigure the property into retail + 6 residential units. Inc;

- Ground floor retail unit (approx 320 sq.ft)
- Seperate front entrance to 4 residential units (2 x studio flats and 2 x 2-bedroom flats)
- Gated entrance leading to courtyard accessing a 1-bed LG floor flat and a self contained 2 storey 1-bedroom house with parking.

The existing accommodation comprises:

Second Floor Front Room 12' 10" x 15' 0" into Alcoves. Rear Room 9' 1" x 8' 11" into Alcoves. Through Room 26' 3" x 14' 11 narrowing to 11' 10".

First Floor - Front Room 12' 11" x 15' 0" into Alcoves. Rear Room 8' 9" x 12' 11". Through Room 26' 3" x 14' 11 narrowing to 11' 10".

Ground Floor Shop 10' 3" widening to 12' 5" x 26' 5" depth WC, wash hand basin.

Basement Front Room 12' 4" x 14' 2" Rear Room 11' 6" x 12' 9"

Two Storey Outbuilding at Rear comprising: Ground Floor 16' 2" x 11' 5" . Addition Room 6' 0" x 14' 5". First Floor 16' 2" x 11' 5". Ground Floor Office 12' 6" x 13' 0". Gas-fired central heating (not tested). Double gates with vehicular access under archway to Yard at rear.

West Hampstead property Development Opportunity

Kent Building Land With Planning Permission For Sale

2010-10-17T10:41:00.000+01:00

Former Service Station for Sale as Building Land

Chatham
Dock Road
Chatham
Kent
ME4

GIA: 18167 sq/ft*

£ 750,000 + VAT Freehold

The development is situated on Dock Road giving easy access to motorway links, the Town Centre and Mainline Railway Station.Dockside Outlet Centre with its selection of shops, bars and restaurants.

The site is a former service station which is now cleared.

Planning permission has been granted for the erection of 17 flats and 7 town houses.

Kent Building Land With Planning Permission For Sale

New Foreign Buyers in New York City

2010-10-10T10:34:00.000+01:00

South Americans are replacing Middle East investors and Russian oligarchs as key real estate buyers in New York City, agents say.

International buyers usually account for anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of property buyers in the city, which attracts a global array of investors and second-home buyers. Even through the economic struggles of the last 18 months, Realtors reported a steady stream of international clients looking for bargains.

But the buyers have changed in recent months, a New York Times article suggests.

“Foreigners are once again buying in Manhattan, energizing the still-fragile market. In recent months, according to brokers and developers, the money has been just as likely to come from South America or Mexico as Europe or the Middle East.”

Cuban Property; 99 year Leases for Luxury Villas and Holiday Homes

2010-10-02T11:22:00.002+01:00

Foreign real estate investors in Cuba are being granted leases on government land for up to 99 years in a move that could see a raft of luxury villas, holidays homes and golf courses being built.

Developers have been urging the Cuban government to open up to foreign investment and more and more tourists are arriving on the Caribbean island.

A new law published last week loosened property rules to allow 99 year leases for foreigners as part of a package of measures introduced by President Raul Castro to scale back the state’s near total dominance of the economy while attempting to generate new revenue for a government short on cash.

One developer, Canadian based Leisure Canada, is pleased by the move. It wants to build hotels, villas and two golf courses on a beach in Jibocoa, 40 miles east of the capital Havana.

Overseas Property Investment Rises as Interest rates remain Low and Stable

2010-10-01T10:01:00.000+01:00

An estate agent survey revealed that overseas property investment is currently at its highest point since April. In fact, 72% of properties owners interviewed in the survey were confident that now is a good time to investigate overseas property investment.

Over half of the survey’s respondents believe that interest rates will remain fixed for the next year. That means stable mortgage borrowing rates, making it easier to refinance a UK home to fund overseas property investment. This is a significant change, as a survey conducted in April revealed 79% of homeowners expected interest rates to rise in the near future.

Currently, popular locations for overseas property investment include Brazil, Spain, the United States and the Caribbean. Brazil in particular has seen an increase in demand for overseas property investment from the UK. Properties in the north east of Brazil offer good value and are becoming especially popular, as the cities of Natal and Recife would be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Overseas property in Brazil is also attracting foreign investment due to the upcoming hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

While it seems likely that interest rates will hold steady, the property market is unpredictable at best, and it remains to be seen whether British enthusiasm for overseas property investment continues to grow in the coming months.

Student Accommodation in University Towns

2010-09-28T09:52:00.000+01:00

Freehold Properties: Freehold Pubs For Sale: Student Accommodation in University Towns: "A Level results are out today, and all over the country 18 year olds are finding out whether they have made the grade for their chosen unive..."

London property company collapses into administration

2010-07-28T13:13:00.000+01:00

A London property business selling and developing overseas homes has collapsed into administration.

It is thought that creditors could include many British buyers who have put down substantial deposits for properties that have yet to be finished.

Aston Lloyd & Partners International, together with its sister company Aston Hotel Sofia, specialised in ‘emerging markets’ such as Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovakia and Northern Cyprus.

At the time of administration, Aston had over €70m-worth of developments under management including properties ranging from luxury villas to a four-star hotel, with sites in various stages of development.

Real estate in emerging economies outperform Eurozone and UK

2010-07-26T13:12:00.000+01:00

Property markets in the more dynamic economies of South America, Asia and Eastern Europe are outperforming those in the UK and Eurozone, says the RICS Global Property Survey for Q2 2010.

Occupier demand is rising in the majority of countries across the globe with the notable exception of the UK and Eurozone countries where the tough measures that have been taken to reduce fiscal deficits appear to be having a more pronounced impact on the appetite of businesses to take up new space.

Significantly, France is bucking the negative Eurozone trend with more material signs of an upturn in sentiment towards real estate reflecting, in part, the relatively resilient performance from the domestic economy. Significantly, surveyors in the US reported a rise in tenant demand across all three sectors for the first time in three years.

Brazil is leading the way with the net balance of surveyors reporting a rise in occupier demand moving from 70 percent to 85 percent with markets in Peru and China also performing well. By way of contrast, demand in the UK turned negative for the first time in a year with the net balance falling from a positive 14 percent to a negative 4 percent while the net balances in Spain, Germany and Greece are all in negative territory.

Transactions fell in the UK for the first time in a year with the net balance of surveyors reporting a fall in activity sliding from a positive 24 percent to a negative 5 percent. More surveyors again reported a drop (than a rise) in activity in the UAE and Greece.

Indicators in China still remain strong despite measures introduced by the Chinese government to address the property boom. Indicators for occupier demand, rental expectations and the number of investment bidders per property all remain firmly in positive territory.

Elsewhere in Asia, the latest numbers from India suggest a strong showing from real estate in the second quarter despite the increase in interest rates.

Looking forward into the third quarter of 2010, sentiment towards capital values is particularly strong in France, Peru and Brazil while surveyors are most optimistic on rental increases in Brazil, Hong Kong and Peru.

Other key points include:

• New development starts are rising in Brazil, Peru and Argentina
• Surveyors report first declines in Japanese yields since 2007 on uptick in investment demand
• Investment bidders per property rose at a faster pace in the US
• Capital values are still declining in Ireland, Spain and Greece
• Occupier enquiries are strong in Brazil and Republic of Ireland
• UAE indicators are less negative than in Q1
• Rents are now increasing in the Ukraine

The real estate world continues to be split broadly speaking between the emerging and developed economies. Strong growth in many of the former, including the likes of Brazil, Hong Kong and India, is continuing to boost demand for new space from occupiers as well as encouraging investment activity. Meanwhile in many of the latter, fiscal retrenchment allied to bank deleveraging continues to place significant obstacles in the way of a meaningful recovery in the commercial property market.”
Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist

Gambia Buying in The Gambia: Architect Designed House For Sale

2010-05-12T10:26:00.000+01:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Architect Designed House For Sale

Bijilo 5 bed House for rent

2010-05-10T16:20:00.000+01:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Bijilo 5 bed House for rent

Foreign Property Investors Committed to the US but London Emerges as Top Spot,

2010-01-27T10:25:00.001+00:00

Foreign investors in real estate are committed to the US as their preferred property investment opportunity, it is claimed in a new survey.

The sentiment is underscored by a dramatic increase in the number of respondents identifying the US as best for capital appreciation. Over half, some 51%, said so in the 18th annual survey from the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE). This is up from 37% in 2008, 26% in 2007 and 23% in 2006.

The survey of the association's 200 members that own more than $842 billion of real estate globally including $304 billion in the US, also found that the last time respondents' perceptions for US real estate were this strong was in 2003 when the percentage was also 51.

The UK is the second best investment prospect for capital appreciation, receiving 30% of votes, with China in third at 10%.

'Although foreign investors expressed every intent to resume investing in 2009, like everyone else, their plans were sidelined by a paralyzed marketplace with no precedent and limited investment opportunities,' said Werner Sohier, AFIRE chairman.

'However, new money is becoming available and the survey points to an increased focus and interest in a few select markets for 2010, especially London and in the US, where prospects appear to be brightening,' he added.

Investors also said that they plan to increase US allocations above 2009 levels by 62% for equity and 83% for debt and at least half the survey respondents report a stronger appetite for both debt and equity investments in the US than in other countries.

US cities representing the best investment opportunities were named as Washington DC in first place followed by New York, San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles in fifth place.

The top five emerging markets were named as China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Turkey. However green attributes are becoming more influential. Some 14% said green issues significantly influence their decision‐making when considering a property while 70% said green attributes were somewhat of an influence. In the 2009 survey, the numbers were 12% and 60% respectively.

World Cup Impact on Property Investment

2009-10-28T13:09:00.000+00:00

From the opulent millionaires' row on Cape Town's beachfront to the modest homes of Soweto township, South Africans are dreaming of a bonanza of cash from next year's World Cup.

Some are preparing to move out of their homes in the hope of renting them to well-heeled visitors for a one-month flood of foreign cash.

Prices for some private apartments in Johannesburg and elsewhere have rocketed recently to three, four and even six times normal, even before most fans have decided where to stay.

In Cape Town's "golden mile" along the beach, some owners of luxurious mansions overlooking the sea and Table Mountain were looking for rents of 90,000 rand ($12,100) or more per day, said Samuel Seeff, one of South Africa's top estate agents.

Such homes, offered to big corporations and in particular World Cup sponsors, would house five or more executives and provide swimming pools, jacuzzis, home theatres and decks from which to admire the stunning views, he said.

The spectacular houses are also protected from South Africa's frighteningly violent criminals with state-of-the-art security measures that are routine among the wealthy here.

At the opposite end of the scale, owners who converted their houses into bed and breakfasts in the historic center of Soweto township are also expecting plenty of World Cup tourists next June and July, but plan to charge as little as 350 rand ($47) per night, with none of the huge price hikes seen elsewhere.

"I don't have World Cup rates," said Dolly Hlophe, who runs a neat bed and breakfast from her home, shaded by a beautifully tended garden on a street in Soweto near Archbishop Desmond Tutu's home.

BIG PROFITS

Although big profits are undoubtedly there to be had -- 450,000 visitors are expected for the World Cup -- experts say the hopes of some property owners could be misplaced as demand slumps below expectations in certain cities, depending on where big teams such as Brazil, England and Germany play.

Like everything else about the World Cup, including plans for where to deploy a fleet of planes, trains and buses, everything is hanging on the tournament draw on December 4, when the location of each team's first-round matches will be decided.

Even before the draw, authorities and some more thoughtful South Africans are worried that too much greed will alienate the visitors and dash hopes that a successful World Cup will stimulate a flood of future tourists by introducing fans to spectacular sights from game parks to glorious beaches.

Commercial Investment Property Overseas: London Property Investment; London Rental Property Market Remains Bouyant

2009-10-05T14:07:00.000+01:00

Commercial Investment Property Overseas: London Property Investment; London Rental Property Market Remains Bouyant

European Property Market

2009-10-05T13:53:00.000+01:00

RICS has launched the 2009 version of the European Housing Review with an event at the National Liberal Club in London. The Review is now in its eleventh year and draws together what is happening in residential property markets across Europe. It paints a gloomy picture of Europe’s housing market in 2008 and key points include:
• House prices are static or falling across Europe
• The chances of core European housing markets escaping marked downturns in 2009 are now slim
• House prices in 2008 fell significantly in 2008 in central and eastern Europe, Ireland, France, the UK and amongst Nordic countries
• Markets are experiencing rapid falling demand due to the impact of the credit crunch and recession in major economies
• New build markets in the major cities of central and Eastern Europe are at a standstill with a rising tide of unsold properties.
What can we do to address these problems? RICS is calling for action from Governments to increase the supply of mortgage lending. There must be more Government guarantees for mortgage backed securities, as recommended by the Crosby Review in the UK. Banks that have been nationalised or have greater levels of state control in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands must also be used to provide a sensible increase in access to credit.
Other steps can also be taken including the establishment of Government supported savings schemes for first time buyers where buyers are encouraged to save a deposit which is topped up by a Government contribution. There must also be a greater use of shared equity and rent to buy schemes.

RICS published a 15 point plan in September 2008 outlining key measures we believe will help the residential property market.
Hopefully if action can be taken by Governments across Europe, the 2010 European Housing Review will start to show some signs of recovery.
http://www.rics.org/ASPNetForums/blogs/padefaultaspx/archive/2009/03/05/gloomy-housing-markets-across-europe.aspx

Munich overtakes London as top European property destination

2009-10-01T11:19:00.000+01:00

Munich, followed by Paris, have emerged as the two most attractive European cities for property investment for commercial real estate owners and investors on a medium term outlook, as per LaSalle Investment Management’s eleventh.
European Regional Economic Growth Index, according to a report in the Financial Times.
While London’s size and wealth kept it in the top 10, it was knocked from the top spot for the first time since 2005 - underlining the city’s exposure to the financial downturn relative to rival business hubs.
http://www.wealth-bulletin.com/portfolio/content/1055268273/