Elisha Burberry asked:


Wigan in the north-west of England has been identified as an investment property hotspot by property experts Frank Knight, who believe that the £700 million of regeneration funds due to be invested in the area over the next decade, will drive the town’s success.

The area offers many factors that Frank Knight believes are ideal to encourage property investment, such as the building of business and retail parks and plans for new residential developments and leisure facilities. Given that Wigan’s heritage, as with most of the North-West, was based around heavy industry there is plenty of scope to transform the largely industrial landscape and offer a bright, modern future which is encouraging news to both residents and potential investors.

Wigan Councillor John O’Neill, who has championed the regeneration cause for the town, says that the private sector is already aware of the development potential and has started investing. He said: “This news is quite significant for any town, but particularly for Wigan, which has traditionally been seen as an industrial area. Over £700 million is due to be invested in Wigan Borough over the next ten years encompassing everything from new business parks to retail and leisure facilities to residential developments.”

The research carried out by Frank Knight provided evidence that the north-west in general is continuing to provide better than average returns with towns such as Warrington, Preston and Bolton as well as Wigan offering the strongest returns. Investment in industrial buildings is providing slightly better returns than that in retail premises, and demand is constant, especially from overseas buyers and big institutions. Abid Jaffry, head of investment for the North West at Frank Knight, said: “Commercial property continues to attract money from a number of sources and continues to give excellent returns over the medium and long term.”

He continues: “Service sector growth is a key driver leading to an increase in demand for quality office space and industrial accommodation around the key centres of Liverpool, Manchester and Preston. They are magnets for investment as rents have grown steadily, particularly in the office market.”

With interest rates edging higher and inflation now seemingly under control Knight Frank expect the UK economy to continue its expansion throughout 2007 and 2008. The figures from their review of commercial property investment bear out that optimism; in the year to April 2007, returns from all sectors stood at 14.8%. Granted, that was a reduction on the 12-year high of 21.6% in July 2006, but is still significantly outperforming returns from gilts and equities over medium and long term, encouraging news and one of the reasons why investment in Wigan is looking such an attractive proposition.



Delores

mikesun27 asked:


I am going to buy a rental property for investment (a Condo, in the range of $150,000 to $250,000). I am not familiar with San Jose area. Could any one tell me what are the best neighborhoods and/or which neighborhoods should I avoid in San Jose?

Lloyd

K Damian Qualter BA MBA asked:


Property In Liverpool

Property investment in Liverpool, brings you onto the doorstep and into the vibrant community and vast landscape of property offerings in the big metropolitan city of Liverpool. Here, there are real cultural and estate movements underfoot. A whole range of physical, economical, social and environmental changes are happening, to revitalize this historic city . It is breathing life into what the European commission has toted typically, as a socially deprived neighborhood and community. The time is now for prospective homeowners, investors, developers and even non-resident investors to get involved to optimize this growth and initiative, by investing in property in Liverpool.

True examples of this are The Liverpool Neighbourhood Regeneration Programme (LNRP) and affiliated initiatives that are transforming the inner city core, from heart to outskirt. The Liverpool City Council describes it as an innovative approach to tackling the problems faced by the most deprived communities in the City. Drawing also on the European funding or approximately £34million from the Merseyside Objective 1 Programme, this area will see a definite upswing, as different players start to address key regeneration priorities. This will certainly drive property values up and owning property in Liverpool becomes a smart investment decision, almost overnight!

This has huge application and implication for property development and property investment in the city of Liverpool, off-pan purchases, buy to let and other iterations to balance your investment portfolio. The implied growth and new development projects infuse into this local economy, will translate in higher property values and potential for profit, especially if you get in early.

There are many government-assisted housing projects, choice based let, housing allocations, rent, resale and new developments in town and outskirts, as well as surrounding areas alike. Liverpool is known for its shopping, waterfront and impressive architecture, and yes of course, do not forget the sports! From Albert Dock, Church Street and Bold Street to Paddy’s Market, known as the birthplace of The Beatles and the home of Liverpool Football Club, you have lots of neighborhoods and property in Liverpool, to choose from.

It is known throughout the world as one of the most popular places in England to visit and they have a plan in place to become the first city of offer totally free internet access ‘on every street corner’ – being totally connected and free of charge – a modern icon. Chosen as the 2008 European City of Culture Liverpool also offers lots of short and medium term property investments options, within easy reach of even the non-resident property investor. It is hard to imagine anyone not wanting to be part of the pulsing UK city and choosing more often to own property in Liverpool, even if not for their own residential purposes, but as income properties.

Property management and residential let in Liverpool, is very popular. This great UK city sports and specializes in affordable housing, making it a priority and a buy to let paradise. Its slightly bigger neighbouring city, Manchester, is also attracting lots of attention, but at the same time also local opportunity and employment, away from Liverpool. This is happening in particularly the banking and service industries, but tides are also constantly changing, opening the doors that much wider for property investment in Liverpool and upgrade or even new construction projects, which all bring life back to old run-down areas. With it increased property values and the potential for profit taking and appreciation, growth and investment dollars.

In the past, the docks closed and diminished some of the mainstream income for many, causing unemployment and layoffs. Today the landscape is shifting. Warehouse apartments in Liverpool’s China town, offers great opportunity for creative and savvy investors, as would the north docks lofts. All these factors will drive property values up in the next five years, making it even more attractive for potential investors.



Derrick

Bishy asked:


I have seen a lot of publicity about property investment in Dubai. I like the city and would love to get a home there but the publicity seems too good to be true, has anyone bought a home in Dubai or heard of any fraud or something?

Lydia