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Posts Tagged ‘Residential’

London and Monaco are Europeâ??s Most Expensive Cities for Residential Property Buyers

January 20th, 2010 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

London and Monaco are Europeâ??s most expensive cities for residential property buyers. Prices in the Baltics have risen to the same level as capitals such as Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Stockholm, Vienna, and Frankfurt.

High rewards await property investors in some parts of Europe, according to the Global Property Guide, a residential real estate research organization (www.globalpropertyguide.com). Rental yields for apartments in several Eastern European capitals are above 10%.

Rental apartments in Moldovaâ??s capital city Chisinau can be expected to yield annual rental returns of around 14.13%; in Polandâ??s capital Warsaw, 13.28%; in Bulgariaâ??s capital Sofia, 10.56%; and in Slovakiaâ??s capital Bratislava, 10.06%. The higher risks of Eastern Europe may be a factor in these returns (corruption, political instability, etc).

But risks are not the only factor. The Global Property Guide believes that the relatively recent arrival of the market economy, high interest rates, and relatively undeveloped mortgage markets, largely explain the low prices in the east. To illustrate, it would surely be hard to label the historic city of Bratislava, Slovakia, as a high-risk location, yet the rental income returns are excellent.

Western Europe generally suffers from another, different disadvantage: High taxation. There are high rental income returns to be earned in Amsterdam and Paris (8.25% in both), in Munich (7.80%) and Brussels (7.53%). But all four cities are high tax environments (but so too is Poland).

Property in Prime Central London returns surprisingly high rental yields, at 7.13%. Note that this â??Primeâ? category encompasses relatively a narrow group of super-luxury apartments in absolutely prime areas (Belgravia, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge). The high returns in these select super-central locations contrast with the significantly lower rental yields (5.79%) available in Central Londonâ??s other luxury areas (Kensington, Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, St Johns Wood, Highgate, Islington, Highbury, and Primrose Hill). Europeâ??s most expensive cities

The tiny principality of Monaco is the most expensive location to buy an apartment in Europe at around â?¬24,900 per square metre (sq. m.).

Closely on its tail is Prime Central London, where 120 sq. m. super-luxury apartments can cost £1,170,000 (â?¬1,742,656) or £9,750 (â?¬14,522) per sq. m. Apartments of 120 sq. m. in other luxury areas of Central London are likely to cost £580,000 or £4,833 per sq. m. (â?¬863,880 or â?¬7,199). The large difference is explained by Londonâ??s highly segmented top-end market, with super-luxury apartments in absolutely prime areas commanding considerable premiums.

Paris and Amsterdam follow London. A 120 sq. m. apartment in either of these cities has an average purchase price of â?¬800,000 (â?¬6,667 per sq. m.).

Moscow is Europeâ??s sixth most expensive capital for buyers of residential property. And though apartments in Moscow can be rather rewarding for buyers in terms of rental income returns, investors should be aware of the high risks (purchases are cash-based, and the authorities can suddenly turn hostile).

Dublin makes an appearance among Europeâ??s most expensive cities in 10th place, with a high end 120 sq. m. apartment on average costing around â?¬600,000.

The Baltics, till recently Europeâ??s hottest residential investment destination, are now expensive. A high-end apartment in Central Vilnius, Lithuania will cost on average around â?¬3,792 per sq. m (â?¬455,000 for 120 sq. m.).

Latvia follows closely with high-end apartments in Central Riga costing an average of â?¬3,020 pr sq. m. Rental yields in the Baltics have also dropped to very low levels.

There are still some very inexpensive capitals in Europe. Berlin, in particular (â?¬3,167 per sq. m.), is now experiencing inflows of foreign money in response to its relatively low prices.

Even less expensive are:

Slovakiaâ??s Bratislava (â?¬1,292 per sq. m.)

Polandâ??s Warsaw (â?¬1,175 per sq. m.)

Macedoniaâ??s Skopje (â?¬1,125 per sq. m.)

Moldovaâ??s Chisinau (â?¬917 per sq. m.) Rental returns cannot fall forever

As 2007 dawns, rental returns are lower in most locations than they have been for 20 or more years.

Nowhere in Europe are rents keeping pace with the continued strong rise in property prices. Residential real estate prices are at historical peaks in almost all countries in Europe, except Germany and Switzerland.

This is cause for concern. At the Global Property Guide, we informally consider a danger signal to be rental returns of around 4% or below.

Several European capitals offer rental income yields around or below this 4% level. In example is Madrid, where rental returns are now at only 3.15%. Rental yields in Monaco are the lowest in Europe at around 2.43%. See tables at:http://globalpropertyguide.com//articleread.php?article_id=82&cid=

In a Constantly Evolving City, Builders West London Play a Very Important Part

November 22nd, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

London is one of the most thriving property markets in the world and expectations are that it will evolve dramatically over the next decade. London Builders have their hands full with providing housing and commercial venues for people who want to enjoy the excitement of the metropolis. Some people however prefer quiet and peaceful surroundings. Builders west London are ready to make their suburban dreams come true, as west London offers beautiful residential neighborhoods and a lively economical setting.

In a big city like London it is impossible not to find a place that resembles your dream neighborhood. For those who love the buzz of the metropolis, property in central London is the way to go. When living in the middle of it all excitement is right around the corner, whether it’s a restaurant or a museum, it is impossible to feel bored. Living in the centre is a great opportunity if you are interested in the city’s cultural life. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy peace and quiet in London, the suburban area is what you are looking for. The suburbs of London are ideal for families with children and still keep you in touch with the large urban area without being crowded. Whether it’s one or the other you prefer, London builders will be more than happy to give you the assistance you need.

When considering building in London, whether a commercial or a residential construction, it is important you first do your homework. Any of the London builders will tell you that construction is a feat of multitasking and planning is the first step for a successful execution. The builder must first take care of the design and execution of the infrastructure. It is important that he makes thorough scheduling and budgeting while also taking into consideration the environmental impact, the construction site safety, the availability of the materials and any other inconveniences that may occur. The constructor must also designate a supervising team including a project manager, architect and design engineer. Although most of the planning is done in an office, every construction requires a large number of laborers to complete the physical task. Make sure you discuss the number of laborers with the project manager before getting started and remember that the more workers, the faster the job is completed.

West London is probably one of the best locations for building, as the terrain is mostly flat, except the northern edges. The builders west London take advantage of it to the fullest and have an important contribution to the transforming of this part of London in one of the most beautifully developed. West London can be divided into inner west London and outer west London. The inner side is close to central London and includes the fashionable residential area of Notting Hill and the renowned antique market at Portobello Road. In some cases, Kensington and Chelsea are considered part of central London instead of the western side and they represent the most expensive residential areas in the United Kingdom. Many of the construction works of the builders in west London take place in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, which is a high-density residential and commercial area. Outer west London has a more reduced population density, typical for a suburban area. This part of London includes the Cheswick and Richmond districts, the latter being very popular with the tourists in the summer. Moving westwards you find Brentford, a popular area for offices and business venues and the popular residential area of Ealing. According to property experts now is the time to build in the west London area, especially Notting Hill, so many builders in west London are prepared to inform you on London’s construction hot-spots.

With the upcoming Olympic Games in 2012 and increasing real-estate investments in London, there’s no wonder why the city is expected to evolve dramatically. London Builders are prepared to evolve with the city, coming up with new solutions for possible problems. Builders west London will especially profit from recent developments as the western side of the capital is one of the most popular residential and commercial areas today.

London and Monaco are Europeâ??s Most Expensive Cities for Residential Property Buyers

November 18th, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

London and Monaco are Europeâ??s most expensive cities for residential property buyers. Prices in the Baltics have risen to the same level as capitals such as Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Stockholm, Vienna, and Frankfurt.

High rewards await property investors in some parts of Europe, according to the Global Property Guide, a residential real estate research organization (www.globalpropertyguide.com). Rental yields for apartments in several Eastern European capitals are above 10%.

Rental apartments in Moldovaâ??s capital city Chisinau can be expected to yield annual rental returns of around 14.13%; in Polandâ??s capital Warsaw, 13.28%; in Bulgariaâ??s capital Sofia, 10.56%; and in Slovakiaâ??s capital Bratislava, 10.06%. The higher risks of Eastern Europe may be a factor in these returns (corruption, political instability, etc).

But risks are not the only factor. The Global Property Guide believes that the relatively recent arrival of the market economy, high interest rates, and relatively undeveloped mortgage markets, largely explain the low prices in the east. To illustrate, it would surely be hard to label the historic city of Bratislava, Slovakia, as a high-risk location, yet the rental income returns are excellent.

Western Europe generally suffers from another, different disadvantage: High taxation. There are high rental income returns to be earned in Amsterdam and Paris (8.25% in both), in Munich (7.80%) and Brussels (7.53%). But all four cities are high tax environments (but so too is Poland).

Property in Prime Central London returns surprisingly high rental yields, at 7.13%. Note that this â??Primeâ? category encompasses relatively a narrow group of super-luxury apartments in absolutely prime areas (Belgravia, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge). The high returns in these select super-central locations contrast with the significantly lower rental yields (5.79%) available in Central Londonâ??s other luxury areas (Kensington, Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, St Johns Wood, Highgate, Islington, Highbury, and Primrose Hill). Europeâ??s most expensive cities

The tiny principality of Monaco is the most expensive location to buy an apartment in Europe at around â?¬24,900 per square metre (sq. m.).

Closely on its tail is Prime Central London, where 120 sq. m. super-luxury apartments can cost £1,170,000 (â?¬1,742,656) or £9,750 (â?¬14,522) per sq. m. Apartments of 120 sq. m. in other luxury areas of Central London are likely to cost £580,000 or £4,833 per sq. m. (â?¬863,880 or â?¬7,199). The large difference is explained by Londonâ??s highly segmented top-end market, with super-luxury apartments in absolutely prime areas commanding considerable premiums.

Paris and Amsterdam follow London. A 120 sq. m. apartment in either of these cities has an average purchase price of â?¬800,000 (â?¬6,667 per sq. m.).

Moscow is Europeâ??s sixth most expensive capital for buyers of residential property. And though apartments in Moscow can be rather rewarding for buyers in terms of rental income returns, investors should be aware of the high risks (purchases are cash-based, and the authorities can suddenly turn hostile).

Dublin makes an appearance among Europeâ??s most expensive cities in 10th place, with a high end 120 sq. m. apartment on average costing around â?¬600,000.

The Baltics, till recently Europeâ??s hottest residential investment destination, are now expensive. A high-end apartment in Central Vilnius, Lithuania will cost on average around â?¬3,792 per sq. m (â?¬455,000 for 120 sq. m.).

Latvia follows closely with high-end apartments in Central Riga costing an average of â?¬3,020 pr sq. m. Rental yields in the Baltics have also dropped to very low levels.

There are still some very inexpensive capitals in Europe. Berlin, in particular (â?¬3,167 per sq. m.), is now experiencing inflows of foreign money in response to its relatively low prices.

Even less expensive are:

Slovakiaâ??s Bratislava (â?¬1,292 per sq. m.)

Polandâ??s Warsaw (â?¬1,175 per sq. m.)

Macedoniaâ??s Skopje (â?¬1,125 per sq. m.)

Moldovaâ??s Chisinau (â?¬917 per sq. m.) Rental returns cannot fall forever

As 2007 dawns, rental returns are lower in most locations than they have been for 20 or more years.

Nowhere in Europe are rents keeping pace with the continued strong rise in property prices. Residential real estate prices are at historical peaks in almost all countries in Europe, except Germany and Switzerland.

This is cause for concern. At the Global Property Guide, we informally consider a danger signal to be rental returns of around 4% or below.

Several European capitals offer rental income yields around or below this 4% level. In example is Madrid, where rental returns are now at only 3.15%. Rental yields in Monaco are the lowest in Europe at around 2.43%. See tables at:http://globalpropertyguide.com//articleread.php?article_id=82&cid=

Commercial Property & Real Estate Investment in China

October 26th, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

China is an incredible country with a number of attractions to boast of. This favorite destination offers investors, tourists, and prospective residents a wealth of opportunities. Before 1990s, there were only few office buildings, commercial properties and housing units in the country. But the country has now undergone tremendous changes and you can see high-rise condominiums, luxury apartments, and commercial buildings dominating the skyline of China.
All of the destinations in the country including Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin are hotspots for investing in all types of properties. Beijing, the capital and seat of administration, has a population of 13.5 million people. Shanghai (16.4 million) is considered as the financial capital of the country, and it is also home to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Shanghai has been chosen as the venue for some parts of the 2008 Olympics. Investing in Chinese properties can certainly fetch you handsome returns.
There are several reasons why savvy investors are attracted to invest in the country’s real estate. China is one of the world’s fastest growing economies. With the formation of the World Trade Organization, the country has emerged as the leader of the global economy.
Property prices in many of the Chinese cities are one third of the prices of world’s leading cities such as New York, London and Tokyo, as a result of the huge number of direct foreign investments every year. The crime rates in China are very low, In contrast to other countries in Asia. This has made China a safe place to live in. To crown it all, China is welcoming foreigners wholeheartedly. Westerners are attracted to the country in large numbers thanks to the highly educated, amicable, and well mannered Chinese people.
Investors interested in entering the Chinese property markets can be classified into institutional investors, commercial property investors, and residential property investors. Institutional investors are interested in investing in multistoried office complexes and latest retail units, owing to their high demand and potential for shortage in future.
Commercial property investors invest mostly in properties such as office spaces, hotels, warehouses and commercial lands. Residential property investors largely invest in residential properties such as houses, single detached houses, townhouses, villas, condominiums, apartments, and serviced apartments. Many people invest in these properties with a view to sell them in future when their prices rise, and there are others who invest in these properties to rent them out and reap high profits.
The price of a property in China depends on many factors such as the nature of the property and the location. For example, a standard apartment in Shanghai costs about 20000 Renminbi (people’s money) per square meter. However, the price of a Chinese serviced apartment with high end amenities ranges between 25000 and 30000 RMB per square meter. Real estates around city centers or near transportation hubs are always likely become the most valuable. In China there is a growing demand for retail and industrial space, as more and more Chinese citizens move to urban areas seeking jobs.
If you are interested in real estate in China you can either directly invest in the property itself or through a Real Estate Investment Trust. An REIT is an investment firm specializing in real state business. It is a commercial organization that handles real estate portfolio in order to make profits. REITs engage in owning and operating income-generating real estate properties such as apartments, shopping centers, condos, hotels, offices, and warehouses. They offer investors financial instruments of the nature of mutual funds. While mutual funds focus on stocks, REITs concentrate on real estate.
One of greatest benefits of investing through a real estate investment trust is that it brings huge tax benefits, as investors are exempted from paying any tax over the dividends. Another great benefit in investing through REITs is that you can trade your assets just like stocks. Yet another advantage of investing through REIT is that no minimum amount has been fixed for the investment.
There are a number of real estate firms to help you find your dream property in China. They offer a range of real estate services such as market analysis, property search, advertising and negotiation with sellers. Most of these real estate firms provide services of professional attorneys to verify the authenticity of documents.

The Real Estate in China Is Booming

October 16th, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

China is an incredible destination that provides tourists, investors, and prospective residents with a wealth of opportunities. From 1949 when the Communists took over the country to 1990s, there were only few office set ups and housing units in China. But, the country has now changed tremendously, and one can see high-rise commercial buildings and luxury apartment blocks dominating the skyline of China.
All of the destinations in China, especially Beijing and Shanghai, are considered hotspots for investing in real estate, no matter it is residential or commercial properties. When Beijing is the capital and the seat of administration in the country, Shanghai is regarded as the trade as well as financial center of the country, and is home to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Investing in Shanghai property market can undoubtedly fetch handsome returns in the form of rental income, since it is highly westernized because of its long tradition of international trade as well as European influence.
Now we will discuss some of the prime reasons that attract savvy investors to invest in China real estate, which include:
- First of all, China boasts of one of the world’s fastest growing economies
- With the set up of the World Trade Organization, China has now become the leader of the global economy
- Real estate prices in many of the cities in China such as Shanghai are presently one third of other world’s global cities such as New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. This is perhaps due to the explosive number of foreign direct investments per year
- Shanghai in China has been chosen as the venue to host some parts of the 2008 Olympics
- In contrast to other countries in Asia, China has very low crime rates. This in turn makes the country a safe place to live in
- Above all, the country is welcoming for westerners due to highly educated, amicable, and well mannered Chinese people
Investors interested in investing in property markets are categorized into institutional investors, commercial property investors, and residential property investors. Institutional investors fall under the category who is interested in investing in high rise office complexes as well as latest retail units, due to their increased demand and chances of shortage in future.
In the case of commercial property investors, they invest largely in properties such as small office spaces and commercial lands. When comes to residential property investors, they mostly invest in residential properties including villas, condominiums, apartments, single detached houses, townhouses, and serviced apartments. Some may invest in these properties to sell them in future when their prices rise, while some invest them in order to rent it out and yield good profits.
The price of a property in China varies depending upon the nature of the property and the area where it is situated. For instance, a standard apartment in Puxi near Shanghai is about RMB 20000 per square meters. On the other hand, the price of a serviced apartment attached with high end amenities and facilities may go up to RMB 30000 per square meters. According to certain recent reports, the price of a 60 square meters studio in one of the posh areas in the country starts from about 90,000 Pounds.
People who are interested in real estate in China can either invest it in property itself or via a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust), which in turn is a firm that invests its assets in real estate holdings. One of the prime benefits of investing through REIT is that they offer tremendous tax benefits, since investors need not have to pay any tax over the dividends. Another great benefit is that investors can buy or sell them just like stocks. Above all, no minimum amount has been set in order to invest in a real estate investment trust.
There are a number of real estate firms in the scenario in order to help you find your dream property in China. These firms undertake a range of services in connection with real estate, such as, market analysis, advertising, negotiation with sellers, and providing the services of professional attorneys in order to check the authenticity of documents pertaining to property.