LME Move and Cheap EPC Experts invests in new property services technology

Today market leading property services provider http://www.lmemove.com announced it’s investment in the latest real-time, interactive booking and messaging technology for it’s www.cheapepcexperts.co.uk website.

Operations Director, Emma Stanley, said, ‘ We are thrilled to be able to offer clients the instant booking and messaging facility on Cheap EPC Experts. As the site interfaces with a mix of both landlords, letting agents and individual home owners we wanted to incorporate a technology that works for everyone’s needs.  This booking and messaging solution is powerful.’

The platform not only enables landlords, letting agents and home owners to instantly order gas safety certificates, electrical inspection condition reports, EPCs, RICS Home Buyer Reports and Surveys and other associated property services. Crucially it also empowers them to set their own time and date for LME Move contractors to attend. Landlords, letting agents and home owners also receive text/SMS and e-mail alerts at the time of booking and also a few hours before the appointment time.

Commenting on this specific aspect Emma continued, ‘This facility reduces no-shows and missed appointments and helps keep our clients up to date and on top of their lettings legal compliance in their busy lives. So far all of our customers love it.’

As a key feature of the technology the platform enables users to receive and send messages about their booking to the LME Move team, cancel or re-arrange their appointment times and request further guidance or help.

In closing LME Moves’ International Marketing Director said, ‘ Once we have trialed the technology for the supply of property services such as our Nottingham cheap EPCs on www.cheapepcexperts.co.uk we will be rolling the technology out to all of our other clients within our group of companies and trading sites. Our new build developers are particularly keen to start using it.’

For further information on the range of property services or platform please contact info@lmemove.com. To see the facility in action for ordering RICS Surveys, Gas Safety Certificates, Electrical Inspection Condition Reports and EPCs head over to www.cheapepcexperts.co.uk

Carrie’s Spanish Property Blog – Where would we invest a million euros in 2016?

Where’s the hottest places to invest in Spain right now?

We think 2016 is going to be a very interesting year for the Spanish property market. The recovery is now well underway and gaining momentum, unemployment continues to fall and the economy is set to be the fastest growing of the “Big Four” euro economies over the next two years, according to the International Monetary Fund.

And, if you needed further convincing that 2016 is the year to invest in Spanish property, the OECD’s latest report on homes in Spain are currently undervalued by 26% makes for interesting reading:  www.telegraph.co.uk

Hot tips

The average price for property sales at Lucas Fox during 2015 was around the 1 million Euro mark, and we expect that figure to be more or less the same during 2016. We thought it would be a useful exercise to ask our regional directors where they would spend the money. So if you are thinking of investing in a Spanish home in the next 12 months, take heed..

Barcelona

“The so-called ‘Golden Square’ of Barcelona is a guaranteed location for property investment as it is highly sought after and located in the heart of the city centre.

Within this area, the prestigious main streets including Paseo de Gracia, Calle Balmes and Rambla Cataluña will never go out of fashion and currently still offer attractive prices, but they are beginning to gently increase since late 2014. We have some great New Development projects coming onto the market in and around these areas. I would purchase a couple of our apartments for sale on Calle Balmes 141 if I could. Ready-to-move-into and instant rental yield (5%)”

– Karen Storms, Sales Manager Lucas Fox Barcelona

Beautiful renovated apartments in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district

Costa Brava

“I would invest 1 million Euros in a sea view property somewhere between Begur and Calella de Palafrugell. From an investment point of view, it is hard to go wrong. Prices have dropped by 30% – 40% over the past 8 years yet this beautiful stretch of coastline will always be in demand from wealthy local and international clients.

Furthermore there is very little new construction so supply will never outstrip demand.  There are plenty of re-sale properties on the market in prime locations with great sea views. Many require renovation so it’s worth keeping some budget aside to upgrade the property, personalise and add value”

– Tom Maidment, Partner Lucas Fox Costa Brava

Charming south facing Costa Brava property to buy in Aiguablava with superb sea views

Maresme

“In today’s buyers market, if I had 1 million Euros to invest, I would focus on the one of the best locations of the Maresme Coast – Can Teixidó in Alella. This location is simply ideal, being conveniently located 15 miutes north of Barcelona city centre, a 5 minute drive to the new Hamelin-Laie International School and a short walk from El Masnou Marina.  The area offers fantastic Catalan and Spanish restaurants as well as pristine beaches, making this the perfect location to enjoy a “suburban” Mediterranean lifestyle!”

– Rafael Rosendo, Director Lucas Fox Maresme

6-bedroom villa for sale, located in Can Teixido, Alella, a short distance from Hamelin-Laie International School and 15 minutes from Barcelona City

Sitges

“If I had 1 million Euros to spend in the Sitges area I think the best investment would be to buy a good plot of land somewhere close to town, with incredible sea views such as Vallpineda, Levantina, Montgavina or Can Girona.

Then I would build a beautiful contemporary home designed and styled to my own personal taste. Not only would you end up with the home of your dreams but it would also be a great investment as it would cost you almost half of what a similar finished build would cost!”

– Rachel Haslam, Director Lucas Fox Sitges

Large plot of land with plans for a family home with great sea views in Vallpineda, Sitges

Valencia

“With 1 million Euros, I would purchase a renovated apartment within a Modernista building, located in the heart of the Pla del Remei, the most exclusive area in Valencia’s Eixample district and just steps from an iconic example of Valencian modernism, Colón Market.

It is one of the most sought after locations among foreign investors, whom quadrupled in number from 2011 to April 2014, elevating Valencia to 4th place nationally for foreign buyers. El Pla del Remei in particular, is ideal for those looking for a safe, good value long-term investment, and the exclusivity and tranquility that comes with living in the fashionable Eixample”

– Juan Luis Herrero, Director Lucas Fox Valencia

Beautiful, bright apartment for sale, situated in a period building in the neighbourhood of El Pla del Remei in Valencia’s Eixample district

Ibiza

“If I had 1 million Euros to invest in 2016, I would invest in an apartment somewhere along the ‘Golden Mile’ in Marina Botafoch, on the edge of Ibiza Town.

This strip is now THE summer destination and is heavily in demand with those who wish to rub shoulders with the world’s movers and shakers in renowned lavish establishments such as Lío, Heart, Cavalli, Cipriani, It and Pacha. Space is limited here and like Ibiza generally, prices are only going one way. Up!”

– Jason Ham, Head of Business Development

Fantastic 3-bedroom duplex penthouse in Marina Botafoch, Ibiza Town, with stunning sea views

Madrid

“With 1 million Euros, I would invest in a gem of an apartment to renovate in a classical building in Justicia, around Argensola and Plaza de Salesas. For this sum, you could buy a spacious property with plenty of character (200 – 225m2), situated in one of the most fashionable locations in the capital, next to boutiques and trendy restaurants, offering a superb lifestyle and future profit!”

– Rod Jamieson, Director Lucas Fox Madrid

Luxury 4-bedroom apartment in the gorgeous area of Justicia, right in the centre of Madrid

Marbella

“If I had to choose a location in which to invest 1 million Euros, it would have to be Estepona Town along the beachfront – probably the fastest up-and-coming area on the Costa del Sol. It has been labeled ‘the most attractive town’ on the Costa del Sol thanks to the likes of its narrow cobblestone streets and typical white houses covered in colourful flowers. There are some 30 golf courses in the direct vicinity, a charming marina with a yacht club, restaurants, as well as a local fishing port. Malaga Airport, Marbella, Tarifa and Seville, Gibraltar (Airport) and even Africa can easily be reached from there”

– Stephen Lahiri, Director Lucas Fox Marbella

Modern 3-bedroom villa close to the beach and amenities for sale off-plan in Estepona, 20 minutes from Puerto Banús

Carrie Frais is Head of Marketing & PR at Lucas Fox 

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Carrie’s Spanish Property Blog January 2016 – Where would we invest a million Euros in Spain?

We think 2016 is going to be a very interesting year for the Spanish property market. The recovery is now well underway and gaining momentum, unemployment continues to fall and the economy is set to be the fastest growing of the “Big Four” euro economies over the next two years, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Read more

Surrey’s property market is no Monkey business for Chinese buyers

February 8^th marks the start of the new Chinese Year – The Year of the Monkey

• Prime Surrey estate agent looks to the East as new buyers are attracted to Wentworth
• New Chinese school coming to North Surrey

February is an important month for the Chinese. February 8^th sees the start of the new Chinese Year – this year the naughty Monkey takes over from the staid Sheep.  The Chinese New Year also heralds the start of Golden Week in which many Chinese nationals take a week off, often overseas, to celebrate the start of their New Year.

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Sprinklers for converted and new Welsh homes affect landlords as of 1st January 2016

A new law requiring that all new and converted homes in Wales be fitted with sprinklers has come into force, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

CFOA Vice-President Dave Etheridge attended an event at the Welsh Senedd on January 12^th to celebrate the introduction of the new law. The event was hosted by Ann Jones AM, who was one of the key drivers behind the campaign to see the legislation introduced.

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This page is sponsored by www.lmemove.com – nationwide suppliers of landlords’ and letting agents’ compliance services . gas safety certificates . electrical safety certificates . sprinkler systems . carbon monoxide alarms . boiler services . legionella risk assessments . landlords’ warranties . EPCs . RICS Surveys . building, plumbing & electrical services

Affordability in the UK housing market has got worse and worse

Latest market view from not a yes mans economics

Yesterday I watched the UK Prime Minister David Cameron on BBC television as he made various claims about “affordable housing”.  The BBC itself summarised it thus.

“There should be both affordable housing for rent and to buy, Mr Cameron said, but “a shift towards more affordable housing to buy” was needed.

If this is to be the new government policy then it will represent an even larger U-Turn than the recent one on tax credits. This is because as I have covered frequently on here it has been government and Bank of England policy to drive house prices higher for quite some time now. Also along the way the Prime Minister contradicted the speech given by Chancellor George Osborne on Friday and which I analysed then.

I believe we are in the middle of a turnaround decade for Britain.

Mortgage terms are lengthening

This morning has seen a rather awkward development for the Prime Minister and it has been provided by research from the Halifax Building Society today which shows that mortgage terms are lengthening. From the Financial Times.

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Latest report from Kate Faulkner: Housing and Planning Bill: Good, bad and ugly!

Kate Faulkner of Property Checklists

According to the government, the Housing & Planning Bill will “transform generation rent into generation buy”. Is there any truth to this claim? Well, I’ve taken a look at the impact this bill is really going to have – the good, bad and ugly bits!

So you can pretty quickly work out this isn’t something that intends to help tenants at all and, as such, also doesn’t help buy-to-let investors. But developers and first-time buyers can look forward to a steady run over the next few years.

And although more new builds being planned will help boost agents’ business, the likely loss of buy-to-let business and the continued expectation of a lack of stock for buyers and rents means they will continue to take the brunt of the government’s and local authorities’ lack of ability to provide enough homes for population of the UK.

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This page is sponsored by www.lmemove.com – nationwide suppliers of landlords’ and letting agents’ compliance services . gas safety certificates . electrical safety certificates . carbon monoxide alarms . boiler services . legionella risk assessments . landlords’ warranties . EPCs . RICS Surveys . building, plumbing & electrical services

35 year mortgage repayment terms fast becoming the norm

A 35 year repayment term is fast becoming the norm for a first time buyer taking out a mortgage according to the FT.  This comes after reports that there were more than 300,000 first time buyers last year.  This is the second year on the spin where the 300,000 mark has been passed.

Excerpt of blog kindly shared by mortgagesblogged. Read full article

 

Help to Buy helps more than 60,000 people onto the property ladder

The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme helped more than 60,000 people onto the property ladder in Q3 2015, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Showing an annual increase of 4%, 81% of the purchases were made by first-time buyers, with 50,969 being first properties. Andy Frankish, NewHomes director at Mortgage Advice Bureau, said the scheme continues to reach its target audience of first-time buyers and commented on the new dedicated Help to Buy scheme for first-time buyers London.
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Help to Buy helps more than 60,000 people onto the property ladder

The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme helped more than 60,000 people onto the property ladder in Q3 2015, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Showing anannual increase of 4%, 81% of the purchases were made by first-time buyers, with 50,969 b eing first properties.

Andy Frankish, NewHomes director at Mortgage Advice Bureau, said the scheme continues to reach its target audience of first-time buyers and commented on the new dedicated Help to Buy scheme for first-time buyers London:

“The introduction next year of a dedicated Help to Buy scheme for London, with an increased 40% equity loan, will be welcome news for first-time buyers struggling to afford to buy in the capital. The scheme will require a maximum 55% mortgage, rather than one at 75% loan to value.”

“While the equity loan scheme is well ingrained in the sales of new homes, and continues to evolve in response to buyer’s needs, more creative solutions that address underlying problems to housing affordability must be developed in addition to targeted schemes.

The greater focus being placed on shared ownership will help, as will the creation of Starter Homes, but these will need the full support of lenders to have the desired effect. Increased housebuilding will eventually deliver more homeownership opportunities.”

Article kindly shared by Ryder & Dutton & Mortgage Advice Bureau