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The buy-to-let locations landlords can invest in for as little as £25,000

Landlords enjoyed record-breaking rental growth last year, boosting yields and putting the property market on the radar of investors looking to diversify their portfolio. But investing in the buy-to-let sector has become increasingly fraught with regulatory pitfalls and higher borrowing costs thanks to inflated interest rates.

The sector has been losing more investors than it has attracted since 2016, when a three percentage point stamp duty surcharge was introduced for additional properties. The tapering of mortgage interest tax relief on buy-to-lets followed soon afterwards.

For those willing to navigate the complex rules, buy-to-let is a familiar option which if done properly gives investors two sets of returns; rental income and capital growth of their underlying asset.

Where to start? Here, we take a look at the best places to invest with a cash budget of £25,000, enough to cover a 25pc deposit and stamp duty, using data from Hamptons estate agency.

In the three locations below, an initial £25,000 investment would produce an average gross yield of more than 9pc – significantly more than the target 4pc rate of income from a typical pension pot in drawdown.

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Where £25k will earn you the highest returns

Hartlepool and County Durham

The highest yielding location for landlords with £25,000 to spend in England and Wales is Hartlepool in north east England. Yields are generally highest where house prices are lowest. Cheaper property prices and high tenant demand in the North have boosted rental returns, making it a popular region with investors.

The port of Hartlepool is a rental hotspot for modest budgets, with an average gross yield of 9.7pc. A typical flat in the area costs £68,130, meaning landlords will need £17,030 for a 25pc deposit and a further £2,044 to pay stamp duty. They can expect an average yield of 11pc on their investment, one of the highest on this property type in the country.

Recent house price growth means an average terraced house in Hartlepool no longer falls within a £25,000 investment, but is still within reach for those who can afford to stretch their budget a little further. A typical terraced house in the area costs £95,100, requiring a £23,780 deposit and £2,853 for the stamp duty bill. It equals an upfront investment of £26,630 and would yield an average gross yield of 9.2pc.

Paul Gough of We Love Renters, a property management company in Hartlepool, said there were three main tenant demographics that landlords had targeted in the town in recent years.

Two or three-bedroom houses for families were very popular among investors, said Mr Gough, who owns a portfolio of properties in the area.

He added: “Old Victorian houses which can be developed into one-bed apartments have also become increasingly popular, as they are perfect for single male tenants. Short-term lets for contractors have also taken off in a big way.

“There has been a lot of government money directed towards the wider Teesside region over the past year and there are thousands of contractors in the area.

“These workers often live elsewhere in the country but are staying in Hartlepool for weeks at a time. They don’t want to be paying hotel prices, so short-term bedsits for anywhere from a few nights to six months are in high demand.”

Investors can expect rental income before expenses of £7,494 a year from an average flat in the town and £8,794 from a terraced house, according to Hamptons.

Next door in County Durham investors can find the second highest yields for a budget of £25,000 in the country. Landlords with a modest investment can achieve an average gross yield of 9.2pc, or higher if they invest in a cheaper property type.

The average flat here costs £76,020 according to Hamptons, more expensive than nearby Hartlepool. Landlords would need a combined £21,290 to cover a deposit and stamp duty and could expect a typical double-digit yield of 10.3pc.

A terraced house in County Durham is also out of reach to a landlord with £25,000, although possible if they have a few thousands pounds more to invest.

A property of this size costs an average of £100,880 in the area, requiring a £25,220 deposit and £3,026 stamp duty bill – £28,250 in total. Landlords renting out a typical house here can expect an average yield of 8.7pc.

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Blaenau Gwent

The borough of Blaenau Gwent has the highest rental yield in Wales for investors with a £25,000 budget, at an average gross rate of 9.1pc.

A £25,000 budget would be enough to cover the £17,660 deposit on an average flat in the area, plus £2,119 in stamp duty. Landlords can expect an average yield of 10.3pc on a flat and £7,239 in annual rental income, before any costs are deducted.

Investors would need more than 60pc more to invest in a terraced house in Blaenau Gwent, where property values have risen in recent years. At a typical price of £117,060, the upfront cost of investing in a terraced house is £32,780 to cover a 25pc deposit and stamp duty bill, according to Hamptons.

Landlords can expect higher rental income from a terraced house, an average of £10,088 a year – but yields will be lower because of the bigger initial investment, at an average of 8.6pc.

By Rachel Mortimer

Source: msn.com

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Less Affluent Areas Driving Rental Growth for UK Expat and Foreign National Investors

Huge Rise in the Number of Rental Households.
With fewer young people buying a home, the number of privately rented households has grown by 1.12 million or 29% in the last decade. This is compared to only a 6% increase in the number of households generally. Clearly then, there is a disproportionate rise in the number of people renting compared to the general growth of households. ‘This rise in rental demand and consequential growth in the rental sector has led to huge profits for UK expat and foreign national landlords over the years’ says Stuart Marshall of Liquid Expat Mortgages.

‘But recent data from real estate agent, Hamptons International, suggests that understanding the causes of this rise in the number of privately rented households might be key to making a profitable investment in 2023.’

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Less Affluent Areas Seeing Bigger Increases in Rental Households.
Much of the reason for the rise in the number of rental homes is to do with the tighter lending criteria introduced in the aftermath of the global financial crash. These tighter criteria put homeownership out of reach for many people with either low deposits or below average incomes. As a result, home ownership has become most difficult in less affluent areas.

This is supported by Hamptons’ data which shows that the growth in the number of privately rented households between 2011 and 2021 was highest in the most deprived 10% of areas in the country. Accordingly, 23% of households in this poorest 10% now rent their home privately – an increase of 5% from 10 years ago. Expanding the focus further shows that 60% of privately rented homes are in the bottom 50% of affluent areas.

Less Affluent Areas to Drive Rental Growth.
‘But why should this matter for UK expat and foreign national investors? Well, choosing the right area is one of the most important parts of an investment journey and will go a great way to determining the success or failure of the investment venture. With rents rising so much in recent years, choosing an area with high rental demand will be incredibly important and lead to big profits for UK expat and foreign national investors. If less affluent areas are performing better when it comes to rental demand, then UK expat and foreign national investors would be wise to look in these areas when buying a property as they are more likely to make a larger profit.

To put in perspective how profitable these less affluent areas are from an investment standpoint, rents paid in the 10% of most deprived areas have doubled between 2012 and 2022, to 5.4bn. Because of these factors, it’s likely that the less affluent areas of the UK will continue to drive rental growth throughout 2023 and become the ‘investment hotspots’ of the future.’

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Properties in Less Affluent Areas Accessible with UK Expat and Foreign National Mortgage Products.
‘Further, properties in these less affluent areas are far more affordable than in many other areas of the country and are more likely to turn a profit more quickly than properties in other areas’ adds Stuart Marshall. ‘This can prove to be incredibly fruitful for UK expat and foreign national investors and is especially true for UK expat and foreign national investors utilising UK expat and foreign national mortgage products. These products can help investors to spread the cost of their investment and with property prices skewing lower in the less affluent areas, UK expat and foreign national mortgage products can be incredibly powerful, even enabling discerning investors to buy a portfolio of properties.’

‘Less affluent areas are also becoming more popular for buyers as high mortgage rates push people to look to more affordable areas and towards smaller properties. This means that UK expat and foreign national investments made in these areas are also likely to see big capital gains alongside high rental profits. This comes at a great time for UK expat and foreign national investors as buy-to-let mortgage choice is at its highest since before former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget. The market is also commonly seeing improved choice for buyers while sellers are accepting average discounts of 4.5% or £14,100 off their asking prices.’

Source: EIN News

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London’s Luxury Residential Market Booms Defying UK’s Home Sales Slowdown

Even though the UK is now seeing the steepest slump in property prices since the 2008 financial crisis, London’s luxury residences are managing to defy Britain’s housing market downturn, reported The Business Times.

Fifteen homes in Central London valued at £5 million or higher were registered as sold in the fourth quarter of 2022—which is 63% higher than the pre-pandemic average, according to researcher LonRes. “It’s not surprising, therefore, that it tempted would-be sellers to put their homes onto the market,” said Anthony Payne, managing director at LonRes.

UK Housing Market Poised for Disruption

The UK’s housing market is facing a ‘perfect’ storm as it tries to eke out growth while coping with the surging cost of living, hiking mortgage and inflation rates, and the risk of recession.

The result: rapid cooling in property demand and sales activities leading to a selloff in the UK’s housing market.

Let’s look at how much the British housing market and buyer demand have been impacted by current economic setbacks:

  • British home prices slid in December 2022 by the most in 13 years and are predicted to slip by a whopping 20% in 2023 if the UK’s base rate continues to hike, according to The Guardian.
  • The Bank of England has been raising the base since the beginning of 2022 as part of its effort to return inflation to its 2% target level. The bank rate has gone up to an annual rate of 4.0% in February 2023—a jump of 0.5% from 3.5% in December 2022.
  • On the other hand, surveyors registered a net balance of -47% for new buyer inquiries in January 2023, plunging from -40% in December 2022.

In such a circumstance, analysts have unanimously agreed that the UK’s property market is facing more turbulence this year.

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Wealthy Buyers Are Snapping Up London’s Luxury Property

Despite the present economic upset throughout Britain, luxury sales in London are skyrocketing, outshining the UK’s housing market.

But why?

First off, even though the interest rate and mortgage rate have hit an all-time high this year, millionaires and elites are less likely to get affected by the impacts of the increase, as they’re less dependent on borrowing.

Secondly, Britain’s pound continues to tumble sharply against the US dollar, dropping a full cent to around $1.20.

Part of the weakness of the pound sterling is the increase in power of the US dollar which is attracting more international investors and wealthy buyers to flock to London’s priciest homes.

Case in point: In the first half of 2022, overseas buyers purchased 48% of the total luxury home purchases in Prime London—a jump from 13% from 2021.

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That said, the demand for luxury property management services offered by agencies like The London Management Company is getting a push, with ultra-high-net-worth buyers investing in upscale properties in Central London.

Offering bespoke services—from maintenance to upkeep and housekeeping—a class-leading agency ensures a client’s luxury property is well-managed, squeaky clean, and always ready for their arrival.

However, in the final quarter of last year, home sale activities decreased in Greater London due to climbing mortgage rates, soaring inflation, and high base rates.

“The final quarter of the year saw a change of direction,” stated the managing director at LonRes. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on how the market unfolds in the months ahead.”

Wrapping Up

Outperforming Britain’s housing market, London’s luxury houses are seeing substantial growth this year.

Source: Digital Journal

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Double stamp duty surcharge for overseas buyers to ‘level’ UK property market for locals, urges lobby group

The UK government should double the stamp duty surcharge overseas buyers must pay when purchasing a property in England, an industry lobby group has said.

The National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) said doubling the stamp duty surcharge would “level the playing field” amid an influx of “wealthy foreign buyers”.

Under current rules, overseas buyers must pay an extra two per cent surcharge for a house they are going to live in, and an extra five per cent for any property that will not be their main home.

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However, the lobby group urged the government to double the two per cent surcharge, in arguing foreign buyers from “high income and low tax locations” are pushing up UK property prices.

The group added that the “collapse in sterling” after Liz Truss’ mini-budget created a “huge discount” for overseas buyers as it warned an increase in the surcharge is needed to fix housing “inequalities”.

Jonathan Rolande, a spokesperson for the NAPB said: “Foreign ownership is reducing available stock in the sales and rental sector and pushing up prices”.

He noted that hiking the surcharge would also “bring in additional funds for the treasury” as he said the UK government needs to “think bigger” in their approach to the housing market.

The calls come as figures show almost 250,000 UK properties worth a combined sum of £90.7bn are currently owned by overseas nationals.

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London continues to be the top destination for foreign buyers, with 85,451 properties in the UK’s capital owned by those from overseas.

Inside London, Westminster remains the top destination for overseas buyers, with £1.8bn worth of homes owned by foreign owners, while Kensington & Chelsea took second place with £10.7bn.

By Louis Goss

Source: CITY A.M.

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Weak Pound Encouraging Overseas Investors To Buy UK Property

When the mini-budget tanked the pound to record lows against the dollar, overseas buyers again began circling UK property in increasing numbers.

While many overseas investors are better off when buying UK property compared to the start of 2022, the same is not true for domestic buyers who are contending with a number of difficulties including energy prices, high inflation and heightened interest rates.

For those foreign nationals paying in US Dollars, the average UK home now costs 14.8% less, with the average London property costing 16.5% less.

The huge savings UK expat and foreign national investors are making because of a weak pound are doing a great deal to offset the rising mortgage rates.

A weak pound is encouraging overseas investors to buy UK property for comparatively cheaper prices as domestic buyer competition wanes.

Domestic investors will be forced to watch on as house prices continue to climb while the weakening pound is presenting excellent investment opportunities for UK expat and foreign national investors.

Economic and political turbulence has continually contributed to a weaker pound in recent times. When the mini-budget tanked the pound to record lows against the dollar, overseas buyers again began circling in increasing numbers. And though the turbulence seems to be stabilising somewhat, international buyers are still keen to purchase UK property. Here’s why it’s important for UK expat and foreign national investors.

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What Does a Weak Pound Mean for Overseas Investors?

For those foreign nationals paying in US Dollars, the average UK home now costs 14.8% less, with the average London property costing 16.5% less. ‘This is the kind of difference that currency fluctuations can make’ says Stuart Marshall of Liquid Expat Mortgages. ‘While domestic buyers will feel the effects of a weak pound across the board on any imported item them buy, a weak pound is leaving property comparatively cheaper despite house price growth. For example, in London, prices have risen by 4.9% so far in 2022. However, foreign nationals buying in US dollars are paying a sixth less than at the start of 2022. Buyers in the UAE are benefitting to almost the same degree saving 14.5% on the average UK property and 16.2% on the average London property, while buyers are saving 13.9% and 15.6% in their native currency.’

What Does a Weak Pound Mean for Domestic Buyers?

Domestic investors will be forced to watch on as house prices continue to climb while the weakening pound is presenting excellent investment opportunities for UK expat and foreign national investors. While many overseas investors are better off when buying UK property compared to the start of 2022, the same is not true for domestic buyers who are contending with a number of difficulties including energy prices, high inflation, heightened interest rates and low confidence in the economy and housing market.

Domestic buyers will see their buying power reduced further, as their day to day lives become more expensive since the weak pound will mean that imports cost more. This, in turn, pushes up inflation and is likely to cause interest rates to be raised again in an effort to curb soaring inflation.

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The Bigger Picture.

‘Of course, currency rates are not the be-all-end-all, but they are certainly a big win for UK expat and foreign national investors. However, the huge savings they are making because of a weak pound are doing a great deal to offset the rising mortgage rates. And while the higher mortgage rates are adding to the cost of investment, rental profits are also incredibly high due to the large numbers in the rental market. In fact, each property available to rent currently has 11 prospective renters trying to secure tenancy on the property. This competition is pushing up rental prices and rental profits for discerning investors and these higher yields are also lessening the effects of the higher mortgage rates.’

‘Because of the dampened domestic market, UK expat and foreign national investors are also finding it easier to pick up a bargain as the number of properties on the market has been growing over the spring and summer, leading to greater choice, slower sales, and an increased number of price reductions. Further, though house price appreciation over the pandemic is translating to affordability constraints now for domestic buyers, the types of properties that are popular for UK expat and foreign national investors are quite different. Namely, many UK expats and foreign nationals have been opting to invest in city centre flats, as these properties are particularly popular in the rental market. This is good news, considering the fact that the average house price has grown five times more than the average cost of a flat since 2020.’

‘Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that UK expat and foreign national investors will be shopping in a different mortgage market than domestic investors. While domestic buyers saw a third of all mortgage products removed from the market after the mini-budget, the UK expat and foreign national mortgage market is constantly trying to introduce new products to meet specific customer demand. With the weak pound lending strength to overseas buyers, it’s likely that lenders will be trying to introduce new products to entice business from this lucrative sector. This means that UK expat and foreign national investors will frequently see lower rates and better deals, compared to domestic investors.’

‘Investing in UK property is one of the best financial decisions that UK expat and foreign national investors can make – and the enduring popularity of this form of investment is testament to this. The weak pound is only making this proposition more inviting and, along with a competitive UK expat and foreign national mortgage market, is doing a lot to offset the damage done by house prices and mortgage rates. For canny UK expat and foreign national investors, it’s important to keep track of the market developments as things are changing every day, and the turbulent political scene is influencing a lot. For example, the recently announced stamp duty break is good news for first-time UK expat and foreign national investors and will further add fuel to the investment fire. A specialist UK expat or foreign national mortgage broker can help their clients to keep abreast of this situation and invest at the perfect time for them.’

Source: MENAFN

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Prime house price five-year forecast revised

Savills has released a revised five-year forecast for the UK’s prime housing markets, reflecting strong levels of activity in prime central London and prime regional markets, but also a backdrop of international and domestic uncertainty.

While the shape of recovery remains broadly as previously forecast in November 2021, the long-awaited bounce in values in prime central London has been pushed out to 2023. The firm expects prime central London’s house prices to grow 4% across 2022 (down from 8% previously forecast in November 2021). This reflects a slower pace of return of international buyers than anticipated, as well as the war on Ukraine and current domestic political instability which have caused a degree of caution that is constraining price growth.

Savills expects a more significant recovery in 2023, and has forecast growth of 7% (up from 4%), with the pace of demand from overseas expected to increase.

Over the next five-years, prices in prime central London are expected to rise by a total of 21.6%, despite a slight slowing of growth in the run-up to the expected general election in 2024.

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“Strong activity over the past six months, the relative value on offer and the prospects for global wealth generation together give us confidence that prime central London will continue to recover steadily over the next couple of years,” comments Frances McDonald, research analyst at Savills.

“However, the pace of return of international buyers has so far been slow, holding back the more rapid recovery we had previously anticipated. Early indicators suggest that things should improve over the second half of the year and into 2023, as high-net-worth buyers have gradually started to return to traditional prime postcodes such as Chelsea, Belgravia, Kensington, Mayfair, Notting Hill and Holland Park over the past three-months, boosting the outlook for price growth beyond this year.”

“In the longer term, requirements to register beneficial ownership of homes held in offshore vehicles have the potential to curb some demand amongst a limited number of buyers in the longer term. But, while historically there have been many benefits to using offshore vehicles to hold UK property, the tax advantages have largely already been removed. As such, we have only slightly reduced our outlook for prices over the next five years,” continues McDonald

In the more domestic markets of outer prime London, continued unmet demand from those looking to upsize and a lack of suitable stock will support price growth in the short term. Savills has forecast that price growth in these markets will average +5% in 2022.

But while the prime markets (broadly the top 5%-10% by value) are generally more resilient to interest rate rises and the increased cost of debt, they are not completely immune. Savills expects to see signs of price sensitivity creep into the market over the next six months, resulting in slower growth from 2023 onwards. This is expected to cap price growth at 13.6% over the five years to the end of 2026.

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“Over the medium term, the return of workers to the capital will fuel demand. Even as hybrid working becomes more conventional, workers still value proximity to the office and some of those who bought a home in the country during the pandemic are realising the need for a pied-à-terre, further supporting demand for flats,” continues McDonald.

“From 2023 onwards we are forecasting slightly lower levels of price growth with rising pressure on buyers’ spending power, though the effect of earlier than expected interest rate rises is likely to be offset by an easing in mortgage regulation and an increased flow of capital coming out of central London.”

Scotland, the Midlands and the North expected to perform the strongest in the long term

Following two years of unprecedented price growth (+16% since March 2020), the pace of growth in the prime regional markets has started to slow. However, activity continues to be strong and there remains an imbalance between supply and demand across much of the market, which will support price growth in the immediate future.

Savills forecasts that prime regional markets will grow by an average of 5% in 2022, led by growth in London’s suburbs (6%), with prices growing more steadily thereafter (18.8% over the five years to the end of 2026).

“Growth in the medium term will depend largely on further interest rate rises and the rising cost of living which will limit buyers’ spending power. This will have the most significant impact on markets where buyers typically take on more debt.

“As a result, we are likely to see a continued slowing of growth towards the end of this year, and whilst we are not expecting a significant correction in price levels, realistic pricing from vendors will once more become all-important. This will be particularly true for markets which have seen the strongest growth since the start of the pandemic, namely London’s suburbs and the coastal and rural markets in the south of England which performed phenomenally over the course of the pandemic,” concludes Savills’ Frances McDonald.

Longer term, the prime markets of Scotland, the Midlands and the North of England are expected to perform the strongest, due to greater capacity for growth (compared with those in the South). Savills has forecast 21.7% and 22.8% total growth over the next five years.

By MARC DA SILVA

Source: Property Industry Eye

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Hull investment on the up as overseas buyers snap up Anlaby Road property

A Chinese businessman has snapped up a high-end residential complex in Hull in the latest example of foreign investment in the city.

Anchor House has been sold by Hull property company, Westfield Homebuyers, the multi-million-pound deal being handled by city legal firm, James Legal.

Westfield founder Mike Clayton purchased the iconic property, in Anlaby Road, from a housing association at auction five years ago and spent the following year on a refurbishment that transformed it into a high-quality rental complex that is now home to a range of young professionals, including medical staff working at Hull Royal Infirmary and visitors to some of Hull’s major industrial employers.

Mike said: “It had been used to house tenants with a variety of issues, and so was built from concrete and steel to withstand vandalism, arson and other issues, giving it a very institutional feel.

“We took it back to brick inside and created a suite of high-end flats and studio apartments, as well as putting in communal cooking, garden and barbecuing areas, and even a gym and sauna.”

It was Mike’s long-term passion for property that inspired the qualified chartered surveyor to take on what proved to be a tough but rewarding project.

Anchor House is now at the epicentre of Hull’s ongoing regeneration, with MyPad Accommodation acting as management agent for the building, but Mike, who is entering semi-retirement, has now sold the complex almost fully let and was not surprised that it was an overseas buyer.

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“Hull represents a really good investment compared to traditional hubs like London, Manchester or Leeds, because property remains relatively good value here, while still returning solid rental yields, particularly with interest rates on traditional savings still historically low,” he said.

Dealing with an international purchase in the midst of a global pandemic was no mean feat, however, the transaction taking longer than the anticipated three weeks – the deal eventually went through after about six months.

Simon Young, managing director of James Legal, said: “We take great pride in supporting major projects like this which are key to the city’s infrastructure and ongoing development.

“It’s the latest example of how our team regularly pull out every stop to get transactions over the line for our clients, even in the most challenging circumstances – in this case, in the midst of a historic global pandemic.”

Danny Gough, managing director of MyPad, said: “This deal was a fantastic development for all the companies involved, and indeed for Hull as a city.

“MyPad will continue to manage Anchor House for this overseas buyer, who I understand hopes this will be the first of many similar investments in this locality.

“And he’s not the only one, we’re seeing many similar enquiries, week-on-week, from foreign investors who like the look of what Hull and surrounding area has to offer.”

By Deborah Hall

Source: Hull Live

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Property investment in 2021. A year of new opportunities?

There are reasons to be optimistic over property investment in 2021 and the UK market moving forward, according to Paresh Raja.

It’s safe to say that there will seldom be another year like 2020. It seemed like there was be no end to the unprecedented developments that caught businesses, consumers, and investors completely off guard. Of course, the primary instigator of said uncertainty was the Covid-19 pandemic; an ongoing crisis that governments worldwide are still clambering to tackle.

A few weeks into 2021, however, and it seemed as though we may soon be entering the period of post-Covid-19 recovery. As the UK prepares to come out from under strict lockdown, the rollout of the AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer/Biotech vaccines signifies the beginning of a transition back to normality.

But how should investors be preparing for the “new normal”? Which asset classes are set for impressive performances over the coming 12 months, and which may struggle to adapt to the post-Covid-19 era?

Commentators and investment advisors remain divided on the answers to these questions. What I’m interested in, however, is how the British real estate market will perform in 2021.

As numerous assets struggled to handle the unprecedented uncertainty imbued into the markets due to Covid-19, British property was able to easily hold its value; and even post record gains.

In November the average price of a residential property in the UK experienced its highest level of growth seen since 2015, according to Nationwide signifying a marked end to the previous four years of property price stagnation. Again, according to the building society annual house price growth rebounded to 6.9% from 6.4% in January, prices were up 0.7% month-on-month, more than erasing the small decline seen in January.

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So, looking ahead, can the UK property market maintain this momentum? Can investors look forward to another year of gains for British property owners? Or could future unforeseen developments knock the industry off course, reversing the gains seen last year?

Life under lockdown

The UK’s third wave of Covid-19 resulted in a third national lockdown being declared at the beginning of 2021, concurrent with the UK’s departure from the EU. Such a state of affairs meant that, for the month of January at least, we were unlikely to see the high rates of transactional activity recorded last year. Although prospective buyers can still move home, the added logistical complications of doing so during lockdown means that a slight property market slowdown is likely.

I believe that there is a strong chance that 2021 may even surpass 2020 in positive property sector growth. After the current lockdown passes, I am confident that the high levels of activity seen last year will continue; further increasing the average price of UK property.

Investors should take note. In December, Rightmove predicted house price growth of 4% over the coming 12 months, citing the knock-on effects of lockdown as a motivator for prospective buyers. Having spent the majority of last year home-bound, they claim, UK homeowners will be desperate to move home to larger lodgings; a trend that Rightmove believes will easily offset any negative market developments. Based on my experience, I consider such an analysis to hold some truth. As such, I can’t imagine that any negative repercussions of the UK’s EU departure will seriously deter investment into British real estate to any measurable extent, at least in the short to medium term.

But, as with any potential investment, there are still risks involved. The aforementioned unprecedented market uncertainty in 2020 meant that many UK lenders had to withdraw their mortgage products from the shelves and imposed meticulous loan application review processes. Consequently, many saw elongated mortgage deployment times, and even increased rates of application rejections.

Those hoping to profit from any potential 2021 UK property price growth, then, would do well to seek out alternative lenders with in-house credit lines to ensure they can easily close on transactions. We have seen increased demand for our bridging loans from buyers, investors, and their brokers needing tailored, quick finance solutions for their property dealings. Unless traditional lenders successfully adapt to the new normal soon, I can only foresee this trend continuing.

SDLT changing soon

One of the reasons so many people were eager to purchase property last year was due to the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) holiday, which allowed them to knock up to £15,000 off the SDLT fee on any given property transaction.

This policy is now due to end on 31 March 2021, despite some calls from within the industry for it to be extended. As such, property professionals and commentators alike are expecting a surge in demand for property before this key date. The reason is simple: investors eager to capitalise on future UK property price growth will understandably wish to avoid the additional SDLT tax that property transactions after this deadline will incur.

For overseas buyers and investors, the incentive to complete on property transactions is doubly important due to another upcoming change to SDLT: the 2% overseas-buyer surcharge.

This new policy, due to be implemented on 1 April, will impose an additional 2% tax on property purchases for buyers who aren’t already UK residents. For said buyers, then, the difference in potential SDLT bills on transactions before and after these dates will be substantial; meaning that a rush to finish such transactions soon is expected. Given the tight deadline, property investors will prioritise lenders that can approve applications in good time and quickly deploy loans to successful applicants.

Investors should take note of the points highlighted above, as there are great reasons to be optimistic about the performance of the UK’s property market moving forward. If there are any key lessons that investors should take away from 2020, it is that you should never underestimate the resilience of bricks and mortar. Demand is clearly rife, which means we are set for another 12 months of busy marketing activity.

By Paresh Raja

Source: WI

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Revealed – where are the best places for property investment overseas?

Purchasing an overseas property can be daunting and complicated at the best of times, and this is even more so the case with the economic and travel uncertainty caused by the ongoing global pandemic.

According to the research team at online letting agency Mashroom, choosing the right location is the best place to start for successful property investment.

The agency has revealed which cities across Europe are the best cities for those looking to invest their money in real estate, with the capital of Norway, Oslo, maybe surprisingly landing at the top of the list due to its pro-landlord laws and high rental prices.

The city has the second-highest rental rates across Europe, with landlords charging an average of €25.30 (£22.82) per square metre.

For overseas buyers, London is often seen as a safe haven and it landed in second place in Mashroom’s list. The capital city has the third-highest rental rates in Europe, averaging at €20.10 (£18.13), and – something that many London landlords might dispute – the city also had the strongest pro-landlord laws out of all the cities in Europe, scoring 2 on the GlobalPropertyGuide.

Below, you can see the top 10 cities in Europe for property investment:

  1. Oslo
  2. London
  3. Paris (inside)
  4. Copenhagen
  5. Amsterdam
  6. Madrid
  7. Warsaw
  8. Prague
  9. Rome
  10. Brussels

For its report, Mashroom looked at the cities with the strongest pro-landlord laws in place and the average rental rates in each city, and ranked them accordingly.

Luxury resort releases its annual report

Sticking with overseas property and the news that Quinta do Lago, the exclusive residential resort situated in the Algarve, has released its annual real estate market report. Following careful evaluation from February 2020 to February 2021, the report revealed a significant rise in virgin plot sales, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19.

Sales at Quinta do Lago’s virgin plot development, San Lorenzo North, have doubled when compared to 2019 while enquiries have grown by nearly half (47%). Some 65% of the plot site is now sold with seven villas now fully built. Plot prices have reached an ‘impressive starting price’ of €3.2 million, up by 26% over the past seven years.

In addition, despite the pandemic, Quinta do Lago Real Estate witnessed a 52% increase in the number of leads this January, when compared with the start of 2020. The resort has also welcomed a 300% increase in sales at the beginning of this year.

“Our buyers invest in Quinta do Lago because they have trust in our luxury market and quality offering and currently, we are continuing to receive a steady stream of interest and enquiries,” Sean Moriarty, chief executive of Quinta do Lago, said.

“Our virgin plot sales at our exclusive development, San Lorenzo North, have been performing extremely well with a 100% increase in sales. This is the largest demand we have seen and ultimately comes down to flexibility – San Lorenzo North offers buyers’ the chance to build their own home tailored to their unique demands, which have never mattered more than in the last year. We are not anticipating any significant increases in property prices due to the impact of Covid-19.”

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Emerging property trends

Like many other parts of the world, Quinta do Lago has seen a change in buyer priorities and demands. Buyers are now more demanding when choosing a property due to the increased amount of time spent at home, with a second home no longer viewed as a lock-up-and-leave bolthole but a safe space for someone to base themselves more permanently.

Because of the huge increase in working from home, high-speed internet is now a necessity and the importance of being located near to a top international school is also on the increase.

People are now changing the way they buy and view properties, too, with buying remotely becoming far more commonplace. Quinta do Lago Real Estate reported fewer property tours pre-purchase (due to travel restrictions, one site visit will now close a deal as opposed to three).

Unsurprisingly, there has also been more demand for real estate technology and digital tools, for example 3D guided virtual tours, to give people a good indication of the home they are going to buy without actually having to be there.

When it comes to buyer nationality, the UK continues to be Quinta do Lago’s strongest market despite the twin challenges of Covid and Brexit.

There has also been growing interest from the domestic market, increasing from 11% to 20%, while other feeder markets include Ireland. Interest from Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland is also continuing to grow.

Quinta do Lago has also found that the average age of buyers at the resort is falling significantly as it becomes a more family-focused and lifestyle destination. Since Covid, there has been a growth in enquiries from young families and three-generational families who are looking to move to a safe community with green, open space.

Lastly, the demand for the Golden Visa scheme remains low in this part of the Algarve – which will be disqualified from the scheme from the start of next year anyway – with more buyer interest in the tax benefits granted by Portuguese legislation, such as via the NHR scheme.

What are the investment opportunities?

Despite Covid-19, the team at Quinta do Lago say the last year saw fantastic investment opportunities at the luxury resort, with the estate utilising the quieter time to improve and enhance their offering.

This included a new real estate project, Wyndham Grand Algarve Residences, on which Quinta do Lago Real Estate has been appointed the sole local agent.

Popular seafood restaurant Casa do Lago also received a £1.25 million (€1.4 million) renovation and the golfing resort’s renowned South Course saw a £7 million (€8 million) investment. Following on from the launch of the Quinta Farm back in 2019, the resort has also announced a new sustainability strategy in the form of new measures ‘that will foster nature, conserve resources and support the community’.

With a property market that is continuously developing, Quinta do Lago boasts a variety of luxury homes including new builds, re-sales and rentals. All feature ‘top-of-the-range amenities and beautiful, high specification interiors’.

The area remains a low-rise, low density and ecologically driven region, consistent with its original masterplan, established more than 45 years ago.

To ensure this is preserved, careful building restrictions are in place which means new developments are limited to just 9% amongst 2,000 acres of terrain and three renowned golf courses, all situated in the protected nature reserve of Ria Formosa.

“Covid-19 is going to affect our view of modern living and more importantly, our priorities. British buyers are giving even more value to nature, green living, safe spaces, and low-density environments,” Moriarty added.

“The Algarve, and especially Quinta do Lago, lends itself perfectly to this new approach. Nestled within the privacy and security of the Ria Formosa nature reserve, we enable families, friends and individuals to live a clean, heathy and active outdoor lifestyle all year round. We are committed to providing people with an opportunity to invest in their lives, improve their quality of living and reconnect with the natural world and for these reasons, I think our future is very bright.”

It’s expected to be announced today by the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, that Portugal will be removed from the government’s red list of countries from which travel is severely restricted, as case numbers in the country have fallen swiftly – along with hospitalisations, deaths and patients in intensive care. The Algarve, for example, recently went nearly one week without a Covid-related death.

Portugal has been placed on the red list since it was launched in mid-January, largely because of its close relations with Brazil – source of a ‘variant of concern’. While international travel is banned in the UK until May 17, there is hope that travel between the two countries may now become easier this summer.

By Matthew Lane

Source: Property Investor Today

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UK named top hotspot for property investment by overseas investors

Overseas investors ranked the UK as the best residential property investment hotspot for 2021. What makes investing in UK property so appealing?

For a number of years, the UK property market has been a prime target for overseas investors, and this has continued at strong levels. Property investors from Asia, Europe and the US have particularly seen UK property as a solid investment choice in the past few years.

Recently, the UK was even named the top global property investment hotspot in a survey by international law firm DLA Piper. Of the 500 high-net-worth investors and asset managers surveyed, 33% said they wish to invest in UK property during 2021.

Investors headquartered in China and the US ranked the UK as the best for residential property investment. And investors in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy named the UK the third best place for property investment.

Olaf Schmidt from DLA Piper comments: “The UK remains an attractive market for investment also post-Brexit which should provide confirmation and reassurance that the UK is a vital hub for activity and growth.”

Investors continue to be optimistic

Despite uncertainty still surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic, investors remain optimistic about property investment. DLA Piper’s survey revealed more than half of respondents feel positive about the outlook of the European property investment market. Additionally, only 11% feel negative.

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Investors also shared why they remain so optimistic. The most common reasons stated were because of high demand and a shortfall in supply, strong yields and attractive prices.

Additionally, another recent study revealed nearly half of buy-to-let investors in the UK are remaining positive about the year ahead. According to Property Master, only 10% plan to exit the sector in 2021. And nearly 70% said they are not planning to sell their properties.

UK property market remains appealing

Foreign buyers and investors have been snapping up property across the UK before the additional 2% stamp duty surcharge comes into effect for overseas-based investors in April. However, many feel the stamp duty surcharge will unlikely deter overseas buyers in the future.

The fall in sterling, low mortgage rates and the UK’s strong property market will more than make up for this additional tax. The sector has strong long-term prospects for capital appreciation and increasing rental demand. And many overseas investors view the UK property market as a safe haven.

Additionally, interest from Hong Kong buyers and investors is set to surge with a new special visa opening to British National Overseas passport holders in Hong Kong on 31st January. This will likely lead to a significant number of Hong Kong residents emigrating to the UK and investing in property.

Throughout 2021, overseas and foreign investors are expected to continue investing in UK property at strong levels. In recent years, the UK property market has remained robust even during political and economic unease. Because of the sector’s resilience, overseas investors will continue snapping up UK property, even with the continued uncertainty of COVID-19.

Source: Buy Association