This special mid-year 2023 edition of the annual Billionaire Buyers in
London survey by Beauchamp Estates has looked at sales of luxury residential
properties valued over £15 million between January and May 2023, compared to the
same period in 2022, analysing deals data from LONRES and the agency’s own in-
house deals data and local market intelligence. 

Beauchamp Estates say that it has been a busy start to the year in the ultra-prime
residential market in London, between January to May 2023 there have been £340
million worth of deals agreed for the sale of ultra-prime homes in Prime Central
London priced above £15 million.  

Beauchamp Estates highlight that this is down on the £404 million worth of £15
million plus deals agreed in 2022 over the same period, but underline that the steady
flow of deals during the first half of this year indicate that there remains a sustained
and healthy appetite amongst the world’s super rich for buying trophy homes in the
UK capital.

Beauchamp Estates observe that the most striking trend in London’s ultra-prime
residential market during the first half of 2023 is that the size and value of luxury
London homes being purchased, including houses, mansions and apartments, is
significantly up on 2022.

Beauchamp Estates reveal that during the first five months of 2022 the average size
of £15 million plus house being purchased was 7,000 sqft, whilst during the same
period in 2023 the houses being purchased average 11,200 sqft, almost double the
size.

The acquisition of larger properties has raised the average value of the £15 million
plus deals being recorded, in the first part of 2022 the average price of the properties
being acquired was £21 million, this year that figure has risen to £30 million.

Likewise the average size of apartment and penthouse being acquired has also
risen, up from 4,844 sqft in the first half of last year to 5,232 sqft this year. The
average price has risen from £22 million in 2022 to £25 million for 2023.

Beauchamp Estates believe that the London houses and apartments being
purchased at values above £15 million this year are larger in size because the
majority of purchasers are buying as their primary residence, hence they are wanting
larger and therefore more expensive properties. Last year the majority were buying
London homes that were their second, third, fourth or fifth property, not their primary
residence.

Beauchamp Estates observe that during the first half of 2022 Belgravia and
Knightsbridge were the two top locations for ultra-prime home sales, during the first
half of 2023 it is Mayfair and Hyde Park which have dominated the deals
marketplace and seen the highest number of sales agreed. The average £ per sqft
value being achieved on these ultra-prime deals in the first half of 2023 is just over
£3,100 per sqft, virtually unchanged from 2022.  

Beauchamp Estates say that the £15 million plus residential market in London is
currently being driven by buyers and applicants from Britain, India, America,
Malaysia and China. The gradual return of buyers from Asia marks the start of a
return to normal international trading patterns following the disruption to global travel
and commerce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gary Hersham, Founding Director of Beauchamp Estates says: “During the first
five months of 2023 there has effectively been two billionaire buyer property deals
per month in Central London. The size and value of luxury London homes being
purchased is significantly up on 2022, the houses being acquired currently average
11,200 sqft, almost double the size of the properties bought last year. There remains
a sustained and healthy appetite amongst the world’s super rich for buying trophy
homes in the UK capital.”

Marcus O’Brien, Head of Beauchamp Estates Private Office says: “The UK
economy is expected to grow steadily from 2024 onwards and over the next five
years most analysts anticipate Prime London average prices to rise by around 20%.
Compare this projected growth against global stock markets, which are volatile, and
investments in the new tech and digital company sectors, where returns have been
mixed. The price of gold has also risen more modestly in the last few years. This is
why London real estate continues to attract the global super-rich.”

Beauchamp Estates has had an extremely good and busy start to 2023 in terms of
sales deals. In Primrose Hill Beauchamp Estates has recently sold Hollywood film
producer Tim Burton’s former London mansion for £17.5 million, one of the biggest
sales in the local marketplace. Similarly in Mayfair the agency has sold an apartment
close to Claridges Hotel for £9 million and in Bayswater an unmodernised townhouse
for £6.5 million.

Because the £15 million plus sector of the London marketplace is particularly
buoyant at present Beauchamp Estates are currently handling a vast number of
instructions where each have sales asking prices of over £40 million.

Current ultra-prime sales instructions being managed by Beauchamp Estates
include 2-8a Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge, a mega-mansion providing 62,000 sqft
of living space with a guide price of £225 million; a 30,000 sqft main house and
mews house on Avenue Road, with a private art gallery and a spectacular swimming
pool room featuring a 30ft high ceiling with a guide price of £110 million; Denham
Place, a Grade I Listed 28,525 sqft private palace set in 43 acres of parkland with a
guide price of £75 million and Grafton Street, a 14,000 sqft mansion, formerly the
global headquarters of Gucci, which has an asking price of £55 million.

For further information on Beauchamp Estates Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 7722 or
visit www.beauchamp.com

The post Billionaires Are Buying Even Larger and More Luxurious Homes in London first appeared on Property Insider.

Middlesbrough is the cheapest city to buy a property, however it has the highest crime rate 

Plymouth is the best city to move to for friendly neighbours 

The safety and community aspect of a neighbourhood is a significant deciding factor when moving home, alongside other major considerations like the location, cost of property and local amenities. To highlight some of the most desirable places to live in the UK, Swann Security has investigated crime rates and property prices, as well as nationwide survey data about people’s relationships with their neighbours.  

The best areas to move to for community spirit 

Plymouth: The residents of Plymouth are most likely to say they get along well with their neighbours, and the city also has the most community events of all UK cities. 

Belfast: Belfast comes in second place, with 69% stating they get along well with their neighbours. They’re also one of the top two cities that say everyone in the local area knows each other, alongside Plymouth. 

Cardiff: Cardiff ranks third for friendly neighbours, with 67.5% saying they have a good relationship with them. Of all UK cities, they’re also the most likely to socialise with their neighbours. 

Edinburgh: Putting the Scottish capital in fourth position, 66.7% of Edinburgh residents get along well with their neighbours. 50% also say that people look out for each other in the local community. 

Liverpool: Liverpool ranks fifth for friendly neighbours with 65.1% saying they have a good relationship. 3 in 5 (55.8%) also use social media to connect with their community. 

The safest areas in the UK 

York: With just 60.6 crimes per 1,000 people, this makes York the safest city in terms of crime. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for fresh air, thanks to its abundance of green spaces and low pollution levels.  

Poole: The second safest city in the UK with 70.69 crimes per 1,000 people is Poole, which also has the largest natural harbour in the whole of Europe.  

Swindon: Coming in third, Swindon has 73.04 crimes per 1,000 people. If you’re an art fan, the Swindon Museum & Art Gallery is home to one of the best collections of 20^th century British art outside of London.  

Coventry: Ranking as fourth safest with 74.04 crimes per 1,000 people, Coventry also has one of the shortest average commute times in the UK, at 44 minutes daily. 

Swansea: Swansea has a crime rate of 77.75 per 1,000 people. Known for being lively and fun, there’s plenty to do in and around the city. 

The areas with the highest crime in the UK 

Middlesbrough: Unfortunately, Middlesbrough has the highest crime rate in the UK, at 160.92 per 1,000 people. This said, it is on the small side with a population of only 177.5k, bringing down total crime figures in comparison to larger cities. 

Manchester: Manchester has the second highest crime rate with 159.38 crimes per 1,000 people. But if you’re a foodie, you’ll love that it has more restaurants than any other city after London. 

Kingston Upon Hull: Ranking third with 149.08 crimes per 1,000 people, Hull also has the second lowest average rent price of all UK cities.  

Bradford: Bradford sits in fourth place with 130.87 crimes per 1,000 people. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy trip to work, Bradford offers the shortest average commute time at 39 minutes a day. 

Norwich: Norwich has a crime rate of 128.98 per 1,000 people, but as the most complete medieval city in the UK, it’s also steeped in exciting history.  

While property price and local attractions can make certain parts of the UK desirable places to live, if feeling safe and welcome in your local area is a deciding factor for your move, you may want to consider some of the low-crime cities listed above. A recent study by Swann investigated the sense of community spirit in cities across the UK. You can find out more about the tightest knit communities here. 

Sources 

Relationship with neighbours and community: Data is based on results from a survey of 2,019 British adults 

Crime rates

Property prices 

Commute time  

The post The Best UK Areas to Invest in a Property in 2022 first appeared on Property Insider.

Coronavirus has caused tenants as well as buyers to reassess their priorities. Out are cramped flats in crowded cities. And in are rural locations. These offer work from home potential, more outdoor space and less crowded public places.

To help buy to let investors capitalise on these new priorities PaTMa Property Prospector has crunched the numbers. To find out exactly where landlords can find the best rural letting yields in the country.

1. Parton & Distington, Cumbria

Between Whitehaven and Workington and within reach of both Carlisle and the Lake District National Park. Parton and Distington offer the best rural yields anywhere in England. Here investors might expect to earn a full 8.52% annual return on their investment.

2. Flimby, Ellenborough & Broughton Moor, Cumbria

Staying in Cumbria but this time closer to the seaside town of Maryport. This very rural area overlooking the Solway Firth should provide rural investors with a healthy 7.87% letting yield.

3. Loftus & Skinningrove, Cleveland

On the Cleveland coast and a short distance from the seaside towns of Whitby, Saltburn and the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Loftus and Skinningrove offer a buy to let return of around 7.67%.

4. Shildon, County Durham

Located in semi-rural County Durham yet easily accessible by the A1(M) for travel across the north east. Shildon can offer property investors a solid 7.2% annual income.

5. Torpoint, Cornwall

Just across the River Tamar from the city of Plymouth and easily reachable by ferry Torpoint offers a healthy 6.88% return. The Rame Head Heritage Coast and some of Cornwall’s best-but-least-known seaside villages are just 15 minutes away.

6. Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland

Located on the rugged Northumberland coast, but just 23 minutes drive from Newcastle upon Tyne. The seaside town of Newbiggin offers investors a yield of 6.33%.

7. Askam & Dalton North, Cumbria

North of the busy town of Barrow in Furness but within just a few miles of the Lake District National Park and the Cumbria coast. 6.32% is available to investors in Askam & Dalton.

8. Longtown & Border, Cumbria

A short drive from the border city of Carlisle, the M6 motorway and the Scottish Border. The wide open spaces around Longtown can reward investors with an average 5.66% return.

9. Grimethorpe & Brierley, South Yorkshire

This former coalfield area is surprisingly rural. With miles of open countryside, yet has great access to the M1, A1 and A1(M) for those travelling around South Yorkshire. Grimethorpe near Barnsley can also offer investors a 5.66% annual return on their money.

10. Hoo Peninsula, Medway, Kent

This backwater within north Kent still has easy access to both Gravesend and the Medway towns. London can be reached in around an hour by train to St. Pancras. Investors should be looking to earn around 5.52% here.

About our results. Locations have been selected from the top 50 rural areas (using MSOA11 areas) in England sorted by the average (median) yield available on the market at time of preparation. The market used is a sample of property listings from Rightmove. Yield is estimated from the property asking price and an estimate rent for a property of that size and type in the given area.

Our data has been collected using PaTMa Property Prospector. PaTMa Property Prospector software helps property investors find and analyse the very best new property investment opportunities. PaTMa works by collecting, analysing and presenting complex data in a clear and simple way. It helps investors be better organised, find the best investment opportunities more easily, and saving time and money in the process.

You can find out more about PaTMa Property Prospector, and claim a free trial, here.

The post 10 Top Yielding Rural Property Hotspots first appeared on Property Insider.

Every cloud has a silver lining and where the property market is concerned, London’s recent stagnation and downturn in some areas has had an unprecedented and unpredicted outcome for some of the UK’s regions.

Whilst London’s price growth honeymoon might seem to be coming to a halt, at least for the time being, it’s simply made way for some, much smaller, areas that have until now sat in the capital’s shadow.

With significant regeneration programs underway or in the pipeline, good travel connections to key towns and cities and good property price growth, these areas are fast transforming into thriving residential and commercial centres where people want to live, work and play.

For investors looking to diversify their property portfolio or invest for a lower premium and incur less stamp duty land tax than the traditional London model allows, these areas hold serious potential. What’s more, due to fast increasing demand and, like much of the UK, a shortage of new homes, they also offer higher relative yields – important for those looking for a monthly income from their investment.

SevenCapital has identified five emerging hotspots to look out for in 2020:

1.Bracknell:

A tech hub in its own right, being home to the likes of HP, Dell and Hitachi, Bracknell offers its own thriving business community, alongside fast, direct connections to London and other key destinations, but with a much lower price tag. Bracknell’s average property price is circa £370,000 – around half that of that of the capital, and far less than other surrounding areas including Wokingham (circa £480,000) and Ascot (circa £870,000). Current developments include SevenCapital’s The Grand Exchange, which offers a state-of-the-art communal workspace, residents gym and bookable treatments rooms to name just a few modern features. Bracknell was also recently named in The Times as one of Britain’s most thriving communities.

Property price growth since 2014: 20.77%

2.Slough:

With average house prices currently at around £345,000, Slough is around £200,000 less than neighbouring Windsor and circa half the price of London. If you consider that Slough is also home to the largest concentration of global headquarters outside London, include O2 and Mars, and is currently enjoying more than £1billion in regeneration projects, alongside the anticipated arrival of Crossrail, it’s easy to see why Slough’s reputation as a top commuter town has soared. Around 46% of homes rented in Slough are to London leavers. New developments include New Eton House.

Property price growth since 2014: 18.14%

3.Stevenage:

The first new town in the UK, Stevenage still sits at the lower end of the price scale for commuter locations, with average sold prices of around £293,000. Whilst it’s not on the scale of Slough, it is home to GSK’s largest research and development site, amongst other large employers, and is home to the primary innovation and technology centre in Hertfordshire.

It also sits just 25 minutes by train into London’s Kings Cross, where Google is set to move into its new £1 billion headquarters in the coming years. Crucially for the town itself, Stevenage is undergoing a £1 billion regeneration project, which includes a £350 million town centre regeneration project, set to begin in 2020.

Property price growth since 2014: 20.77%

4.Northampton:

Sat almost equidistant between Birmingham and London, Northampton’s location offers commuters the best of both worlds with an affordable price tag. It’s also enjoyed some of the highest (and fastest) house price growth, with prices increasing by 5.3% over the past 12 months. If its designs on receiving the ‘Future High Streets’ fund and Towns Fund go as planned, it could be in for a £50 million regeneration boost from the government, which is certain to attract more businesses, visitors and residents alike.

Property price growth since 2014: 23.8%

5.Milton Keynes:

The centre of the Oxford to Cambridge arc, Milton Keynes is also just 33 minutes by train from London and is listed as one of the top ten locations for house price growth according to recent Hometrack reports. With the third highest number of business start-ups per 10,000 of the UK population and strong economic performance, Milton Keynes is a key member of the Fast Growth Cities group that has resulted in nearly 20% of its workforce joining the knowledge sector.

It’s no wonder then that the city is expected to double its population to 500,000 by 2050.

Property price growth since 2014: 21.12%

Whilst these areas may not have been traditionally thought of as premium property investment locations, they are fast becoming recognised as up-and-coming hotspots with strong growth potential, which, in an increasingly diverse property market, could hold the key to future success.

For more information on SevenCapital visit www.sevencapital.com. 

The post Five Emerging Resi Hotspots To Watch In 2020 first appeared on Property Insider.

59% of all those surveyed who invest, say they invest in property. Of these, just under one quarter (23%) work in IT and Telecoms, with those who work in finance-based professions the second most prolific property investors, with a fifth (19%) from this sector confirming they invest in property.

At the other end of the scale, those least likely to invest in property were revealed as those working in Arts and Culture, with just under 3% of all property investors hailing from this sector. In fact, property investment as a proportion amongst all investors from an Arts and Culture background was lower overall, with less than one in four choosing property, compared to more than half of investors from all other sectors.

It’s no surprise that financiers are one of the more likely professions to invest in property, perhaps being perceived as experts in this field and growing wealth through a portfolio of different types of investment. However, what is it that those in the technology industry – the fastest growing industry, known for disrupting many other industries – see in old fashioned bricks and mortar as a good investment?

Is it a coincidence that these interesting statistics come at the same time it is revealed that the UK’s tech industry has secured record levels of foreign investment – overtaking the US for the amount of investment per capita – and UK PropTech has finally begun to gain ground?

Andy Foote, director at SevenCapital comments: “The easy correlation would be that property, requiring a higher initial investment but that over the long-term has the potential to deliver the highest, stable yield, may be more quickly accessible to the industries that are doing well financially. However, maybe there’s a closer correlation between fast growing, disrupter industries identifying with the need for a tried and tested foundation, recognising the importance and somewhat solidity of a traditionally and arguable more stable investment.

“On the other hand, given the tech industry’s natural stance as a leader of innovation, certainly in recent years proving the power technology offers to move and improve other industries, are those in this industry ahead of the game with future trends? Whilst we’ve seen increased nervousness around property investment over recent years due to various tax changes and, for some cases, the uncertainty of Brexit, could it be that those working on transforming the industry through tech advancements have more confidence in how the market will perform in the future? It’s certainly an interesting concept.”

IT and Telecoms and Finance industries were also the most confident about property investment in the future.

The survey was carried out amongst 450 HNWIs – defined as earning above £100,000 per year, across the UK, Hong Kong, UAE and South Africa.

For more information on SevenCapital visit www.sevencapital.com. 

The post Is The Tech Industry Prop-ing Up Real Estate Investment ? first appeared on Property Insider.

“Brexit featured heavily in the results of our survey, in which we asked franchisees for their views on whether they thought rents are likely to rise or fall in 2019, and their predictions on house prices.” confirms Belvoir CEO Dorian Gonsalves. “In addition to Brexit, our franchisees referred to other reasons including lack of supply and affordability.  Typically, uncertainty about the future of the housing market results in three things – low numbers of transactions, price stagnation or falls, and rents struggling to rise, even where demand is higher than supply. However our survey suggests that rents in 2019 may break from past trends, with the majority of offices predicting rental increases or static rents, primarily due to government legislation and shortage of supply. In contrast to this, they are expecting a decrease in house prices.

“Out of four offices surveyed in the North West i.e. Belvoir Warrington, Belvoir Bolton, Belvoir Burnley and Belvoir Wirral, all offices are forecasting that rents will increase or stay the same in 2019 due to increased landlord costs from increased legislation and potentially the tenant fee ban. In the South East, we surveyed nine Belvoir offices, with six predicting that rents will decrease or remain the same, and eight offices predicting a fall in house prices in that region.

“As an example, Belvoir Tunbrige Wells, in the South East, reported that political uncertainty is prohibiting people from putting their properties on the market, and therefore stocks are low. People who have already put their houses on the market in this region are unable to find anything suitable to buy, resulting in an increase in the number of people looking for rented property in the three-bed plus family market.

“Feedback from our Belvoir Tadley office, which is also in the South East, states that the underlying fear of a substantial negative blow to house prices due to Brexit will cause an influx of new instructions, which in turn will push down prices overall.

“However, the Belvoir Doncaster office in Yorkshire, is much more optimistic about the market, as there is substantial investment planned for the region, and our franchisee forecasts a good return on investment.

“It is not easy to forecast rental prices and house prices for the year ahead, but political uncertainty is making it even more difficult, with Parliament failing to agree on the next steps for Britain. However, Belvoir franchisees know their own areas extremely well, and are in an excellent position to be able to advise on local market conditions and those areas that have the best opportunities for investment.

“For this reason we are advising anyone who is in the process of deciding whether to buy, sell, invest or rent, to make contact with their local agent. At Belvoir, we believe that ‘Property is Personal’ and our franchisees are fully committed to working with people to help them make the right decisions for themselves and their families.”

Rents:

14% of franchisees expect rents to fall in 2019.

27% of franchisees expect no change in 2019.

59% of franchisees expect rents to rise in 2019.

House prices:

40% of offices expect prices to fall in 2019.

23% of offices expect house prices to rise in 2019.

37% of offices expect house prices to remain the same in 2019.

Snapshot of views from Belvoir offices across the country:

Belvoir Sleaford (East Midlands)

“Due to the tenant fee ban we believe that rents will go up by 3-6% in 2019. Due to Brexit, we believe that prices will drop slightly as buyer confidence is low.”

Belvoir Stratford-upon-Avon (West Midlands)

“Brexit is having a catastrophic effect on buyer confidence.”

Belvoir Uxbridge (London)

“In the last two years prices in our borough have stayed the same (circa 1% increase PA). So predictions of more of the same are safe – but could easily prove wide of the mark. Brexit uncertainty and overpricing concerns weigh down on the economic success and long-term prosperity of the West London area and its attractiveness to commuters seeking homes close to employment in the borough and into London.”

Belvoir Doncaster (Yorkshire)

“Investment in the area on infrastructure and by large multinational companies is strong in and around Doncaster. Plans for the Northern Powerhouse are very substantial in the next two to three years, as are the plans for the Doncaster Sheffield airport. Employment prospects are good with wage growth likely, in particular in the distribution sector. Yield on investment is still strong in Doncaster. House builders are building many new developments in 2019; their research must stack up! For the above reasons investors are still buying in Doncaster so I do not see prices falling.”

Belvoir Tadley (South East)

“We believe that the underlying fear of a substantial negative blow to house prices due to Brexit will cause an influx of new instructions which in turn will push down prices overall.”

Belvoir Tunbridge Wells (South East)

“Political uncertainty is stopping people from putting their properties on the market, thus stocks are low. Those who are on the market can’t find anything to buy so we are see an increase in people looking for rented in the family market (three-bed plus).”

The post Belvoir Survey Confirms Negative Impact of Brexit Uncertainty first appeared on Property Insider.

There are a couple of reasons why we think the wider north west is good for property investment: Firstly, property prices are well below the national average in many parts of the wider region, and that offers opportunity for good rental yields. Secondly, many of these locations are very well connected to Manchester, and so well positioned to likely strong future economic growth in Manchester itself.

Here are six north west property investment locations we think are worth considering:

Bolton

Bolton and its surrounding borough has a population of 262,400. Once a major textile town, with the industry employing a third of the population at peak, significant employers now include paper manufacturing, packaging, transportation, steel and construction as well as service industries such as call centres and IT.

The town centre will benefit from a new £48m public transport hub and a number of regeneration schemes to make it more appealing for shopping and leisure. Logistics North at junction 3 M61 is one of the largest new distribution and logistics sites in the north west.

Bolton is one of the few regional towns to have a university. The University of Bolton was established in 2004 and has 13,000 students. Around 75% of students are drawn from the surrounding area.

Oldham

Oldham has an area population of 103,000. The town is acknowledged as being one of the first industrialised towns in the world and was a major centre for the textile industry. Although a separate borough the town now has strong commercial and employment links with Manchester seven miles away. It now has a direct tram link into Manchester city centre.

Oldham retains some significant industrial employment with several large private sector employers in publishing, healthcare, food processing and electronics. Retailing and the public sector are also major employers.

Rochdale

Rochdale has a borough population of 206,500 and the local authority predicts that the population will rise by 5% by 2021. Like nearby Oldham Rochdale was one of the first industrialised textile towns. Manufacturing is still a significant employer, employing around 17% of the work force, with the next largest employer being healthcare (12%). A local authority report says that 44% of the workforce travel out of the town to work, mainly to Manchester, 10 miles away.

Rochdale benefits from close proximity to the M62 and M66. The 170ha Kingsway business park at junction 21 M62 will continue to be developed for the next 10-15 years, and is projected to have the capacity to employ 7,250 people and create 1,750 indirect jobs. Rochdale has a direct tram line to Oldham and on to Manchester, and there are plans to electrify the currently ‘slow’ transpennine line from Manchester Victoria to Bradford which passes through the town.

St. Helens

St. Helens has a borough population of around 100,000 and officially comprises part of the Liverpool Urban Area, with which it now has strong commercial and employment links.

Traditionally a mining and industrial (glassmaking) centre the town still retains a number of significant industrial employers. Other large employers are the local authority and the educational sector. The local authority is promoting the town as a centre for business to exploit its strategic position in the centre of the M6, M62, M57 and M58 motorway box.

Warrington

Warrington was designated a new town in 1968, since when the population has doubled to almost 200,000. It benefits from a strategic location at the junction of the west coast main line and Liverpool-Manchester railways, and the M6 and M62 motorways. As such it has become a major centre for retail and distribution with several large developments (including the first IKEA and largest Marks & Spencer in the UK) over the last 25 years.

A 2014 report from the Centre for Cities ranks Warrington as amongst the top 10 fastest growing economies in the UK. A number of development schemes are ongoing. The Omega site on junction 8 of the M62 is a scheme to develop Europe’s largest business park in phases over the next 30 years. Some projections have suggested it will create 24,000 jobs.

The average property price in Warrington perhaps indicates the economic and employment potential here, being significantly higher than most other north west towns.

Wigan

Wigan has a population of 81,203 (borough population 305,600) and although equidistant between Liverpool and Manchester is one of the ten boroughs that comprise Greater Manchester.

Traditionally a mining and mill town the economy diversified in the 20th century. Manufacturing is still a significant industry and the town’s Heinz factory is one of the largest food manufacturing centres in Europe.

Here’s a Property Insider briefing you might find useful if you’re interested in investing in this region: The Alien’s Guide To Investing In Property Up North

If you’re looking for value, we’d also suggest you read The Pros and Cons of Investing In Cheap Property

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The post Six property investment opportunities in the north west first appeared on Property Insider.

In February 1997, the average property price in London was just £107,829. Jump forward 20 years to February 2017 and the average price stands at £638,368 – a huge £530,539 in capital growth.

City of Westminster has seen house prices hike up a mammoth 784.27% over the past two decades, the fastest pace of price growth of any borough in London.

Second is east London’s Hackney. Property prices here have grown by a staggering 678.95%, from just £75,210 in 1997 to £585,848 in February this year.

Have London house prices reached their peak?

Robert Nichols, Managing Director of Portico, says:

“According to Land Registry figures, despite a 4.6% year on year average price increase from January ‘16 to January ’17 across the London boroughs, 8 out of the 33 boroughs saw house prices decrease. Transactions across Greater London are critically low, and high-end home sales and property prices have fallen most sharply in London’s exclusive neighbourhoods.”

The agent’s data reveals that outer London house prices may not have reached their peak however.

According to Land Registry figures, property prices in Barking and Dagenham experienced a healthy 13.23% price growth year on year from February ’16 to February ’17.

Outer London boroughs Croydon (12.54%), Merton (12.23%), Newham (11.35%) and Haringey (11.33%) also experienced strong year on year property price growth.

Mark Lawrinson, Regional Director of Portico estate agents, says:

 “If you want to invest in London property and benefit from capital appreciation, location is absolutely key. Buy in areas that are experiencing infrastructure investment or regeneration, that offer healthy yields so mortgage repayments aren’t a problem. As London has proven in the past when it bounced back from the recession, it’s an extremely resilient city, so if you are buying with a medium to long-term view then your investment as a business or home is safe.

”

The post London House Prices Rise 489% in Last 20 Years: And Prices Are Still Increasing! first appeared on Property Insider.

South east commuter towns can offer opportunities for investors. There is usually good tenant and buyer demand from those looking to commute to London. Prospects for capital appreciation are usually good. And, as prices are lower than the capital, it is still possible to find good yields.

In this report we will look at investment prospects in a number of south east commuter towns and current average property values in them.

Our thoughts. Property Insider opinion. Firstly, it’s important to realise that the south east area around London is a large and very varied area. Travel time, not just distance, to London is what is really important to commuters. But apart from that ‘desirability’ varies a great deal too. Some locations are much more sought after by commuters, leading to buoyant property prices and rents. Others are less so, and prices and rents may look something of a bargain, but often do not enjoy the same level of popularity with commuters.

Basingstoke. Once thought of as low cost commuter location, the one-time new town of Basingstoke has a buoyant local property market of its own. Several large company headquarters and easy access to the M3 make it an employment hotspot in its own right.

Travel time to London: 44 minutes.

Brighton. Brighton has come to be regarded as something of an extended London suburb, as commuters have moved in alongside second home owners, retirees and locals, all impacting local property prices. Improved Thameslink services by 2018 are likely to make the city more attractive as a commuter location.

Travel time to London: 51 minutes.

Cambridge. You can read Property Insider’s report on investing in Cambridge here: Cambridge property report.

Travel time to London: 48 minutes.

Colchester. Although 60 miles from London good transport connections and proximity to Stansted Airport have made it popular with commuters. The ONS rates Colchester as one of England’s fastest growing towns, and significant housing development is planned for the area. Local prices still look good value for the south east.

Travel time to London: 51 minutes.

Chelmsford. Is currently one of London’s less well known commuter locations, although recent figures suggest that 15,000 commuters travel into the capital by rail alone every day. Chelsmford ranks highly for new business start-ups and there are plans to develop around 40,000 new homes in the area over the next decade.

Travel time to London: 34 minutes.

Crawley. Originally a new town intended to accommodate 50,000, the population is now around 100,000. A new neighbourhood is now under development and there are plans for further significant housing development. The local economy is closely linked to Gatwick Airport. Local prices still look attractive for a south east location.

Travel time to London: 44 minutes.

Guildford. Guildford is a well established commuter location and consistently scores highly in the ‘best places to live’. It is a commercial centre, home to high profile multinational companies, creating high demand in the local property market.

Travel time to London: 34 minutes.

Luton. Although often dismissed by many commuters as an unfashionable location, low (for the south east) property prices work in Luton’s favour, as does access to the M1 and rail access to the town. New Thameslink services in 2018 and upcoming electrification of the Midland Main line railway will make Luton even more accessible. And don’t forget the town’s airport is the UK’s fifth largest.

Travel time to London: 26 minutes.

Maidstone. Paradoxically, local rail links to the capital were downgraded when the HS1 Channel Tunnel-London rail link opened. This made Maidstone less commutable – with local newspapers reporting cases of  some commuters moving as a result. The local property market is driven by those who appreciate its rural yet not isolated location and good area schools.

Travel time to London: 58 minutes.

Milton Keynes. Since being designated a new town in the 60s, to handle overspill from London, Milton Keynes has since proved to be a popular residential location in its own right, growing from a population of approximately 200,000 in 2001 to 240,000 today. A number of areas have been designated for expansion of the town and some estimates suggest 40,000 new homes will be built by 2026, with a possible future doubling of the population. Prices suggest good value for an expanding south east location.

Travel time to London: 35 minutes.

Oxford. You can read Property Insider’s report on investing in Oxford here: Oxford property report.

Travel time to London: 57 minutes.

Reading. Reading is one of the UK’s largest IT hubs and the UK base for a number of multinational companies. The town has undergone extensive housing and commercial development over the last three decades, benefiting from its strategic position alongside the Great Western main line and the M4. Electrification of the main line and connection to the Crossrail network in 2018 are likely to have a significant impact on the property market here.

Travel time to London: 29 minutes.

Slough. You can read Property Insider’s report on investing in Slough here: Slough Property Report.

Finally, a few things to bear in mind when looking to invest in commuter towns:

* Actual travel to work time is more important than distance to London. It can be well worth watching for new, faster transport connections that will make an area more commutable.

* Commuting costs are also very relevant. Most commuters travel by rail so rising rail fares can affect commuter interest in an area. Also consider the quality of service.

* Quality of life is a factor too. Many commuters prefer to live outside London and not simply because prices are lower. School quality and a family environment are highly sought after by family buyers as well as younger couples looking to the future.

* Commuter towns have a local property market too. For example, some have universities or a proliferation of corporate headquarters which also have a direct impact on prices and letting potential.

The post Investing In South East Commuter Towns first appeared on Property Insider.

Here are some facts intending investors will find it useful to know about Leeds, West Yorkshire:

1. Leeds is one of the largest cities in the UK, after Birmingham and Manchester, with a population of 750,000. The Leeds City Region is one of the largest urban areas in the UK with a population of over 3m.

2. In common with much of the rest of the UK the population here is growing quickly, leading to increasing demand for housing. Figures from the Office for National Statistics predict Leeds’ population will increase by a fifth by 2035.

3. Leeds has the biggest economy in the Yorkshire & Humberside region by far. Figures from the Leeds Observatory says that the city economy is worth around £21bn and forecasts it will grow by 12.4% over the next five years.

4. Most of Yorkshire & Humberside’s executive and professional employment opportunities are based in or around Leeds, making it the region’s largest centre for commuting. The economy was traditionally based on heavy industry but financial and professional services, digital and information services, precision manufacturing, health and innovation, and food and drink are now key areas for employment.

The city is also a major centre for retail employment, with a second new upscale shopping centre – Victoria Gate – having recently opened.

5. Leeds is the second largest economy (the first being Manchester) within the so-called Northern Powerhouse – a project to combine the separate economies of the north of England.

6. In common with many areas outside the south east jobs growth in Leeds has been slow over the last decade – employment levels in 2014 were similar to those in 2004.

However, the local Strategic Economic Plan aims, agreed with the government in 2014, aims to create 62,000 additional jobs here by 2021.

7. The Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone located to the east of the city centre is one of the largest regeneration areas in the country. It is forecast 9,500 jobs will be created here over the next few years. When the area is fully developed it could support additional 40,000 jobs.

8. In common with many other parts of the country there’s a significant housing shortage across Leeds, with insufficient social and private housing to satisfy current demand. Leeds City Council’s latest Development Plan says that at least 66,000 new homes will be needed over the next 15 years to satisfy demand. Currently new house building levels are falling far short of that target.

9. Demand for student accommodation is an important factor in the property markets of most cities. Leeds is a major university city. There are around 60,000 students studying at three large universities here including the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. There are also around 6,000 overseas students arriving to study each year at the University of Leeds alone.

Leeds is popular with students from the south of England who are attracted, in part, by housing and living costs that are substantially lower than the south.

10. Yorkshire and Humberside generally is one of the cheapest places in the country to invest in property. Prices here are well behind both London and the national average. Property prices vary very considerably across the city however. The cheapest property in Leeds currently listed on Zoopla is £35,000, while the most expensive is £1.1m.

11. In common with property prices, rents in Leeds are also lower than the national average. The current average monthly rent across the UK (excluding London) is around £800 pcm. In Yorkshire and Humber the current average monthly rent is around 20% less at £640.

12. Property prices across both Yorkshire & Humberside are currently rising around 5% a year according to the Land Registry and Leeds prices rose 5.7% over the year. So prospects for modest capital appreciation are still good.

If you are interested in investing in property in Leeds you might find this guide useful: Where To Invest In Leeds.

If you are interested in investing in other towns and cities in West Yorkshire you may find this report interesting: Where To Invest In West Yorkshire.

The post 12 Things Property Investors Should Know About …. Leeds first appeared on Property Insider.