Buying Off-Plan Property Investments

Buying off-plan is a unique way of getting the most out of property investment.

Off-plan property is sold to investors before any actual structure exists, meaning that investors gain from the capital growth of the property during its development phase.

Buying off-plan is harder and more risky because there are more variables to the purchase process. The risk is higher, but so are the financial rewards.

The secret is to do your own due dilligence and manage the risks of property investment by:

• Larning about the potential risks
  
• Pre-vetting properties before they are offered in order to calculate current market values
  
• Getting rental estimates based on real current local market conditions
  
• Finding expert local legal advisers and finance providers
  
• Keep up with the local property sales and rental markets.

Developing Pubs as Property Investments

Finding the perfect distressed or rundown pub for development does not happen by chance. The ability to determine your investment needs, identify problem areas and ask the right questions will help you make the right property investment choice before you proceed with any agreement.

The pub development team should include:

a quantity surveyor to ascertain costs of the pub conversionan
architect to design the pub conversion scheme, help secure planning consent, and possibly project manage it
an engineer to ensure you have a safe, structural solution
an estate agent to help you sell the finished product

Property Investments in Brentford

Brentford lies next to Ealing, with the two areas being separated by the A4 also known as the Great West Road.

Brentford is served by superb travel links with buses running to Greenford, Ealing, Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith. Brentford is also served by two main line train stations, Brentford and Isleworth, both of which offer the quickest route into the very heart of London. Although not served by any dedicated tube stations, Brentford is within easy commute of Hounslow East or Osterley tube station both of which run on the Piccadilly line to either Heathrow or Central London via Ealing.

In terms of Housing, Brentford is one of West London's most up and coming areas as well as containing one of the best examples of English architecture from several centuries ago in the form of the Butts.

The Butts consists of a street and a square of red brick houses developed around 1680 by William Parish Landlord of the nearby Red Lion Inn. The result is truly some of the most quintessentially attractive housing in West London, with the houses bearing comparisons in their modest way to the housing around Salisbury Cathedral.

The Butts also has the honour of being the former residence of the famous painter J.M.W.Turner.

More modern, accommodation is also being constructed on Brentford Dock, in the shape of several blocks of luxury apartments. These apartments offer some of the best views around, looking out over the Brentford section of the Canal and the mighty River Thames.

Property Investments Hampstead, London NW3

Hampstead was originally a small village overlooking London from its hilltop position and much of its great character - its old crooked houses, winding alleys and uneven pavements - are still there today. Hampstead has been home to many renowned writers and celebrities - Byron, Keats, H.G. Wells, George Orwell and Sigmund Freud all lived here and this trend is still there.

Today it is a fashionable area with numerous designer boutiques, excellent restaurants and continental-style street café bars.

Hampstead Heath, with its park land, woodland, sports fields, tennis courts, swimming pool and elegant gardens surrounding Kenwood House, is North London's answer to Hyde Park and, at 800 acres, is over double the size. Outdoor classical and jazz concerts are held throughout the summer in the natural amphitheatre in the grounds of Kenwood House.

Steeped in history and a favourite with the chattering classes and literati, Hampstead looks down from its lofty position on a hill above the rest of London, oozing affluence.

Although early records of Hampstead can be found as early as 986 and it is referred to in the Domesday Book 1086, the history of Hampstead is generally traced back to the 17th century.

Once renowned for its fashionable spa, the air of superiority still pervades its beautiful Georgian town houses and blossom-tree lined avenues.

Hampstead Heath

To the north and east of Hampstead, and separating it from Highgate, is London's largest ancient parkland, Hampstead Heath, which includes the well-known and legally-protected view of the London skyline from Parliament Hill. The Heath, an major place for Londoners to walk and "take the air", has three open-air public swimming ponds; one for men, one for women, and one for mixed bathing, which were originally reservoirs for drinking water.

Travel Links to Hampstead

Hampstead (Northern Line)

Hampstead Heath Railway Station

Motorway Junction M1 Junction 1

Airport London City

Property Investments Bayswater, London W2

In recent years Bayswater has attracted some of the overspill from Notting Hill and has a new injection of vitality. The whole area is opposite Kensington Gardens with Mayfair to the east and Notting Hill to the west. Bayswater in a stone's throw from Paddington and, hence, ideal for international commuting.

The area also offers an eclectic mix of restaurants offering foods from all over the World, situated mostly on Westbourne Grove, where the most reputable organic supermarket in Britain is also located there. The Porchester Baths are renowned for their steam rooms and Whiteleys houses high street shops, cafes as well as a multi-screen cinema.

Bayswater is named after Bayard's spring, and a waterway built in the area supplied the city with water from the 15th century. It didn't develop that quickly, because the presence of the gallows at what is today Marble Arch gave the area something of a formidable reputation! Although Bayswater expanded somewhat in the early 18th century, it wasn't until the gallows were removed in 1783 that the area really took off.

In the 19th century, Bayswater became quite a hip destination. Westbourne Terrace was known as "the finest street in London", and Westbourne Grove earned its reputation as a great shopping location (which it still has today). These days the area is home to so many hotels that in the summertime it can suffer from tourist overload, but if you escape from Queensway (either into a restaurant or along a side street) you'll probably get away unscathed!

In recent years Bayswater has attracted some of the overspill from Notting Hill and has a new injection of vitality. The whole area is opposite Kensington Gardens with Mayfair to the east and Notting Hill to the west. Bayswater in a stone's throw from Paddington and, hence, ideal for international commuting.

The area also offers an eclectic mix of restaurants offering foods from all over the World, situated mostly on Westbourne Grove, where the most reputable organic supermarket in Britain is also located there. The Porchester Baths are renowned for their steam rooms and Whiteleys houses high street shops, cafes as well as a multi-screen cinema.

Travel Links to Bayswater

Bayswater (Circle & District lines), Queensway (Central line)

Paddington Railway Station

Motorway Junction M1 Junction 1

Airport London City

Property Investments in Chelsea, London SW3 & SW10

Chelsea is a district of London, loosely defined by the area around the King's Road, beginning at Sloane Square at one end, and the "World's End" public house at the other, the River Thames and the Victorian artists' district to the south, and some parts between the King's Road and the Fulham Road.

The eastern boundary is defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above Sloane Square Underground and Counter's Creek provided the original western boundary. The district is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.Although the heady days of the Sixties are long gone the King's Road still retains its charm and character and is an excellent street for shopping. As a residential area Chelsea has a reputation for elegance and is therefore home to many a celebrity. The properties are smart and can command high rental figures.

Chelsea History

The King's Road was named for Charles II, recalling the king's private road from St James's Palace to Fulham, which was maintained until the reign of George IV. According to Encyclopædia Britannica "the better residential portion of Chelsea is the eastern, near Sloane Street and along the river; the western, extending north to Fulham Road, is mainly a poor quarter". And it is so today.

The memorials in the churchyard of St Luke near the river, known as the Old Church, illustrate much of the history of Chelsea. Chelsea was once famous for the manufacture of Chelsea buns (a Chelsea bun is made from a long strip of sweet dough tightly coiled, with currants trapped between the layers, and topped with sugar). Chelsea is still famous for its "Chelsea China" ware, though the works were sold in 1769, and moved to Derby. Examples of the original Chelsea ware fetch high values.

The best-known building is Chelsea Royal Hospital for invalid soldiers, set up by Charles II and opened in 1694. The beautifully proportioned building by Wren stands in extensive grounds. There was also until recently the Duke of York's Barracks off the King's Road, now a shopping mall.

Travel Links to Chelsea

Sloane Square (Circle & District lines), South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines), Gloucester Road (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines)

Clapham Common Railway Station

Motorway Junction M4 Junction 1

Airport London City