London offers good buy-to-let property investment opportunities, expert claims

A leading South African property investment company believes the UK is one of the best places to buy property at the moment.

The current global economic environment has left investors wary about where to put their money due to lingering subprime concerns and high inflation, according to Scott Picken, chief executive of the International Property Solutions company.

'I think the most important thing with the UK is there's a lot of uncertainty at the moment. Mortgages have come down 70% in the last 12 months, and they expect transaction values are going to decrease from 2007 to 2008 to as little as 17%. The most important thing with the UK market is the fundamentals are in place and demand outstrips supply. I'd say if someone is taking a medium to long-term view they can make good and wise and studious investment for the future,' he added.

Picken, who heads up the company's London office, said that speaking to others in the industry it is clear that a lot of foreign investors are talking advantage of the uncertainty in the UK. 'A third of the property transactions in the last quarter in London have actually been foreign internationals investing in London,' he said.

Pubs for Sale in England and Wales

Licensed property agent, Paramount Investments, which in the past has bought and sold pubs for the likes of Punch Taverns and Admiral Taverns, has revealed it has slashed the asking prices of around 130 pubs, some by up to 50 per cent.

The agent said it had also taken around 100 pubs from an unnamed seller – though it is believed to be Admiral Taverns – with many being sold at “massively reduced prices”.

The 100 new pubs came on to the market last week.

Thirteen of them carry freehold price-tags of £115,000 or less - with one Caerffili (Caerphilly) pub on offer at a staggeringly low £50,000 (freehold).

They are located all over England and Wales.

Run down buildings in need of repair, renovation, refurbishment or restoration

As a property investment or development opportunity, empty city and town centre freehold pubs in England, Scotland and Wales may present excellent value. These type of freehold pubs often occupy prime locations with spacious yards, gardens and out buildings and offer excellent change of use and property re-development opportunities. research run down property for sale,

Property Investment in Capital Cities

We believe that to make the very most from a property investment, a would-be buyer should look to urban centres rather than to holiday hot spots. While appreciating that in many traditional – and emerging - lifestyle markets there is still a buck to be made, it is away from the sun, sea, sand and snow that one can find the most profitable properties, and the most secure investments.

Consider this: for the first time in human history, over 50% of the people on this planet – in other words, well over three billion individuals - now live in urban areas. Cities are expanding at a faster rate than ever before; tens of millions of people each and every year move from rural locations into towns and cities, driven by the need for employment, resources and a better way of life.

In China alone, the equivalent of a city the size of Manchester needs to be constructed every single month to cope with the immense exodus from the countryside, and this situation is mirrored in almost every other country on Earth.

Demand for urban property has never been higher – and will continue to grow for decades. If the worlds leading economies take the hit which has looked on the cards for a while now, one of the first sectors to suffer will be the leisure and tourism industry.

Less spending money means fewer holidays; fewer holidays mean fewer holidaymakers; fewer holidaymakers mean a substantial drop in rental income – and for those reliant on that rental income to pay a mortgage the consequences could be catastrophic.

How to get the best price for your property

As the housing market cools, it's natural to assume that adjusting your price expectations is the only way to sell your property. Despite growing numbers of properties languishing on some Estate Agents books, there are still encouraging signs that sellers can achieve prices comparable with the boom.

So how is it done?

Here are some considerations for selling in a tougher market:

1. You do need to get your pricing right. No, we're not advocating that you sell below market price. But half the battle in today's market is attracting interested buyers.

Work with your Estate Agent to assess local market conditions and ensure your price is going to attract interest and encourage buyers to compete.

2. Take a long hard look at the condition of your property. If the front door needs a lick of paint, or the garden needs tidying up to improve your 'curb appeal' take action now.

3. Sometimes completing those DIY jobs may not be a good idea. In a tough housing market, buyers are attracted to properties where they can see a return on their investment. If your home has the potential for a loft conversion or extension, consider getting planning permission to make it more saleable.

4. Make your property sparkle. Freshen the carpets, polish the floors, replace broken and damaged floor tiles and don't underestimate the value of a fresh coat of white paint!

Abbey reduce rates again

Abbey have today made their twenty-sixth mortgage re-price of the year, with the announcement that they are to cut the cost of their two, three and five-year fixed rates.

The UK’s second largest lender, Abbey is responding to the news that Halifax reduced their mortgages by up to 0.35% last week. This is the first time in the last twelve months that competition for mortgage business has started to hot up.

Simon Tyler, Managing Director of Chase De Vere says: “After a massive drop in lending, the big banks and building societies are now extremely keen to lend funds to the right borrowers and, they will do it at extremely competitive rates. “Chase De Vere has access to some fantastic exclusive deals.

There are now real savings to be made by those looking to remortgage”.

21/08/08

Buying a Property in St John's Wood, London

Over the past 10 years St John's Wood has become increasingly popular with American families relocating to London who are drawn by its quiet leafy streets and green boundaries, its convenient location and the ever popular American School in London. St John's Wood estate agents - Paramount Properties - list exclusive apartments, villas, substantial semis, cottages, mansion blocks and modern property developments.

This prized north-west suburban enclave with its metropolitan vibe and village atmosphere attracts a vast number of senior executives from the financial world whose lives are made easier by the Jubilee line's direct route from St John's Wood to Canary Wharf, or by changing once on the underground, they can get to the financial heart of London in the City. The West End is less than two miles away.

The education of their children is always a concern for families moving internationally and the American School in London in Loudoun Road adds to the appeal of St John's Wood as an area of choice. The locals are impressed with the American kids who are lively yet well mannered and extremely sociable.

Regent's Park has a great jogging circuit and picnic areas, as well as tennis courts, boating lakes and an outdoor theatre. Lord's, the world's most famous cricket ground brings a very British feel to the area on match days when hoards of fans descend with picnic baskets, white slacks, blazers and panama hats!

If you are old enough to remember the zebra crossing cover on one of the Beatle's albums, you can recreate the photo yourself by going down to the famous Abbey Road Studios. Sir Paul McCartney has lived in the area for many years and is often seen browsing round the library in the High Street or the home made cake shop in Charlbert Street.

St John's Wood also boasts a boutique filled High Street, plenty of good newsagents with international publications, a family butchers on the High Street and a renowned fishmongers, Browns, on Charlbert Street.

Weather permitting many of the restaurants provide ‘al fresco' dining.