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The real estate sector that is slowly recovering from the economic downturn received an unexpected boost with a new acquisition by British Land in London’s West End area. The investment from the real estate group comes after a gap of 2 years since the onset of recession in 2007, British Land had chosen to keep a low profile and in a cautious business approach avoided any large exposure to the volatile markets.

Recent signs show an increasing demand for commercial space and a rekindling of interest in lettings. This trend has encouraged real estate investors to make fresh investments in commercial property. The acquisition by British Land at 39 Victoria Street came with a price tag of £40.35m, making this the largest single investment in London over the last one year. Following the deal, British Land share prices zoomed to 492p.

The premises will be let out to Bank of America, who has signed a lease of tenancy valid upto July of 2012, with rent payable at £47 per square foot. The bank does not intend to use it as its own offices, but will rent desk space to nine other tenants.

British land sources called the new acquisition a valuable asset in their portfolio. The presence of the real estate group in the West End will be greatly strengthened by this acquisition. September was a good month for real estate markets, as it registered a high 1.1 pc month on month gain in property values.

The constriction of the Columbus Tower project, which is expected to have office and residential spaces in addition to a 192-room hotel, has been approved by London mayor Boris Johnson.

Until recently, the power to reject or approve buildings rested solely with the Tower Hamlets Council. The plans for this project had already been presented to the Council but were rejected. Councillors had quoted adverse effects on nearby premises as the reason for disallowing the construction of the Tower. The proposed construction site falls very near to the Canary Wharf area, which is the financial hub of London city.

With new planning powers vested on him, Mayor Johnson can now act independently of the Council to approve buildings, which he feels can make a positive contribution to the growth of the city’s economy. The mayor remarked that he expects the new construction to bring increased growth to the Isle of Dogs. The nearby Canary Wharf area will also benefit from this ambitious project, he said.

A major argument in favour of the construction is the financial contribution of £4m, which will be used towards the development of the much-awaited Crossrail project. A further £1 million will go towards reducing the cost of living here. With an estimated outlay of £450m, the tower will loom large over the London skyline. It will measure 237 metres in height and have more than 60 storeys.

If you need to check out desk space or, shared office space, Desk Space Genie is a marketplace for companies with extra desk space and people looking to rent a desk. So to carry out a quick and easy search for 100s of desks to rent in London and all major UK cities, take a look at their website.

Many UK and North European citizens are finding the idea of purchasing overseas more attractive and achievable. Because these properties offer a good level of capital growth, lower airfares and low European interest rates have made buying in countries like Spain more attractive. The country of Spain provides the advantage of brief air travel, plentiful sunshine and a thriving economy. purchasing in Spain may have gotten some bad press recently, but it can be safe if you follow some underlying rules. The following is a fundamental guide for those interested in buying real estate in Spain:

• Arrange your finances first.
  Use an expert in Spanish mortgages to help you.


• Seek out legal advice before signing any documents.
  


• Avoid overstretching yourself financially.
• You should expect that time deadlines will be extended.
  
• Don’t trap yourself into a contract until you have money ready.
  
• The Spanish purchase procedure is not the same as it is in the UK and other places
• Make sure you completely comprehend how taxes are incurred depending on the type of ownership status you select If you don?t seek expertadvice

There have been many instances where international buyers have been unable to get the results they seek because they didn’t know what questions to ask. Before you sign a contract, you need to think about the next few questions, and others that you may have:

• Is the site where the property is located listed as urban or rustic? What complications can come from purchasing land that is rustic.


• What costs will need to be taken into account, such as typical attorney’s fees and taxes?


• Are there any licenses in place, such as building licenses or first licenses of occupancy?




• Is this transaction being made with a direct purchase or is it part of a termination of deed?


• In this specific purchase, will any be under declaration?


• Be sure to ask what extra costs you might be liable for, such as taxes on capital gains, inheritance taxes or income tax.


• Are there any unforeseen deposits to pay? At what point in the process are they considered nonrefundable?


• What other attorney fees and additional legal expenses will be incurred?

if you are moving home you will know it is really disagreeable and more frequently than not really bothersome as well.Employing a removals company is a good way to remove some of the work and strain from moving. if your move isn’t a big one so a small or average sized one then you should think about maybe employing a man and van.These services are really trustworthy and usually cheaper than using a large removals business. a man and van service will utilize a smaller van when carrying out your move, so if you decide to use one you will also be assisting to salvage the environment as the smaller van will make less carbon dioxide.i would suggest that you try and match the size of your move and the size of the van or truck that you will be using.To remove the pressure from the individual that is moving merely use a man and van service.if you want addible services such as packaging materials and warehousing alternatives then the best man and van services should be able to offer this to you.to find a good man and van company that you think will be able to carry out the move that you are arranging then i would suggest using the internet to find one.I based my choice on the way their website looked and the professionalism of there employs when I phoned them to book them for my move. I hope these tips will help you to find the right man and van service for you.

One of the most picturesque islands in the Southeastern US is Seabrook Island. Located just minutes from the South Carolina shore near Charleston, Seabrook is a very special private resort island. If you are interested in knowing more, why not take a look at Seabrook, S.C. real estate.

If you understand what makes a home truly wonderful, you will see instantly that the homes on Seabrook Island are quite out of the ordinary. Indeed, who would say no to living on a private resort island? When you buy Seabrook, S.C. real estate you will become part of this fabulous, relaxing lifestyle. You will be surrounded by magnificent beaches and other exclusive amenities.

All the properties on Seabrook Island match their glorious setting. The homes are spacious and well-appointed, and the facilities provided are second to none. Golfers have several different world-class golf courses to select from, while horse lovers can use the equestrian center, which is among the best in the country. You will always find interesting activities on the island.

When you start to explore Seabrook, S.C. real estate, you will see that this is no ordinary place to live or vacation. When you purchase a home here, you are investing for the future, but you are also becoming part of a strong community with a sense of purpose. This is what a great real estate investment is all about!

Investing in land has proven to be one of the best ways to create personal wealth over the years.

It’s not surprising that over 20% of the UK’s top 100 richest people are landowners and have made substantial profits from land banking.

Until recently though, it was hard for the smaller investor to take advantage of land banking, now a number of companies have opened up this investment to a wider audience.

What is Land Banking?

Land banking simply involves the acquisition of land, which does not enjoy planning consent, in advance of expanding urbanization. The price of an open space plot, not immediately subject to urban development pressures is low. When urban expansion occurs the land rises in value when planning consent is granted.

The way to make big capital gains in land banking, involves buying land in specific areas in the hope of future development.

Advantages of Investing in Land

Land is real. Unlike shares, land for sale is tangible - it can be visited, seen and walked upon.

Land is a finite resource. The key to land investing is to buy in countries with a shortage of land and a growing economy and population that will make prime land locations rise in price as they are developed.

Land is a cheap method of investment in comparison with other forms of investment such as property.

Land increases in value consistently year after year in many countries, due to demand outstripping supply and from land gaining planning permission to have houses built on it.

Land Location is the Key to Profits

To make money in land banking, investors need to invest in the right location at the right time. One of the best locations in the world is the UK, with an average growth rate of 926% over 20 years. This is the average increase in land prices, but with careful selection, many investors have made much more.

The equity markets, banks, bonds, precious metals, antiques, art and foreign currency have all had their highs and lows, but land has continued to rise in value, and nothing shows that this will slow down.

The Government’s independent research has highlighted that the UK is suffering from an acute housing shortage primarily caused by immigration, life expectancy and the rise of single person households.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, has responded by changing planning policy, allowing the promotion of more land for residential development.

Keep in mind 926% is an average of all land, but with careful plot selection much bigger gains can be made.

How you can Benefit from Land Banking

The way to make big capital gains in land banking, involves buying land in specific areas in the hope of future development and many companies are offering the following services:

1. They aim to identify prime undeveloped land that can be used for future development, and buy strategically placed land that has not yet received planning permission.

2. These plots are then sub-divided into affordable plots and offered to investors.

3. The company then promotes the site to gain planning permission.

4. Once planning is achieved, all parties are contractually bound to sell their plots at full market value, and within a set timeframe, giving a maximum return to all investors.

If you want solid long term capital gains then you need to know more about land banking.

To learn more about investing in UK land and other low risk high return land investments please visit our web site: http://www.lpgroupinternational.com

Property Index have a range of properties for sale in Spain, from villas to apartments.

Although PropertyIndex.com is actually a new kid on the block house, they were registered in March 2007, they have gained in reputation very quickly. Actually, they are a unbelievably incomplex house exclusively focused on offering expert advice to every customer designing to buy, sell, rent etc. land in a global environment. They pledge to assist you pinpoint exactly what’s required fast and, naturally, without hassle. Real property is up for grabs in a wide selection of areas across the globe these days, possibly the coolest area being real property available for sale in Spain. It’s easy as pie to tally the fabulous real estate available in Spain, the rationale for picking real property here is a combination of the houses and apartments for sale and the chance of being able to live with such a spirited, fervent and lively population.

It is one of the most popular areas these days, and in view of the scenic splendor and the climate surrounding you all year, how can you go wrong. Real property in Spain is rich in history, this area of the world has been and is still home to a good number of indigenous nations. Just 30 years ago you would find only very few of Britishers looking for real estate in Spain. Ask everyone who has chosen to remove to Spain and they will be certain to substantiate this. Some people would tend to view it as a fairly insignificant rage and others tend to view it as a that’s more or less an obsession! People who are interested in moving here may range from young couples looking for an exciting new life perspective to senior citizens who want to settle down and enjoy themselves.

There might well be obstructions when purchasing real estate abroad: it stands to reason that there are 100s of steps whether strategizing, touring or buying and completing. Even if one single action is missed that is liable to initiate sweeping obstructions plus, of course, critically, loss in financial terms. Obviously, as is to be assumed with this popular place, real estate can be costly in this place which is, of course, absolutely because of the top demand. Despite this the property buyer is spoilt for choice in a destination so rich in happy geography and view. It’s got almost all a buyer might possibly wish for etc.

Well, let’s examine this information, one piece at a time. The
first piece to examine is the basis for the desired interest
only mortgage product. What type of investor is looking for the
interest only mortgage? Many of your real estate investors are
business people, looking for a way to maximize their profit,
while minimizing their capital investment.

It is for these investors that the interest only mortgage
options should be used. The borrowers are business people, with
business plans, and enough knowledge about the workings of
commercial and mortgage loans, to understand a good investment
from a bad one. The commercial mortgage industry is a huge
market and the interest only mortgage product serves this market
segment well.

Today, however, we live in a society that encourages instant
gratification, and the concept of me, me, and me. In this
society of self, this new player has emerged, the interest only
mortgage, and he’s a big hit with those self-gratifiers. The
interest only mortgage allows a buyer to purchase more for less.
More house for less money is the concept being used to sell this
interest only product to the average consumer, and I don’t think
impulse buying is a good thing when it comes to your mortgage.
An interest only mortgage cannot serve a good purpose, except
for the right consumers under the right circumstances. Those
circumstances are few, and the average consumer doesn’t fit into
the category most of the time.

The interest only mortgage is not a risky move, if you’re
business oriented, with a business purpose, beyond that of
living above your financial means.

I still am not an advocate of the interest only mortgage, but
for some situations they are the best option. In a business
setting, when many factors have been thoroughly discussed, and
the interest only option has proven itself to be the best
choice, I think the interest only mortgage should be used. But
this option should remain as the knowledge of many other
financial options among the masses, virtually unknown.

A tool being used by many commercial lenders to offset the risk
involved with the commercial interest only mortgages is known as
LIBOR. The LIBOR has traditionally affected more of the
commercial market than the private sector. As the private market
moves into a bigger risk sector than ever before, the LIBOR will
loom as a larger figure in the ratio used to determine the
interest to risk factor that your local banker, mortgage
company, or finance company will assume. The interest only
mortgage option is a bit riskier than the traditional mortgage
products, in that it requires little or no down payment, and
over the course of the mortgage, the interest is the only
initial monies collected. That means at the end of the term, say
5 years for most, the buyer still owes the same amount of
principal.

This is where LIBOR begins to play a bigger picture. Commercial
loans, primarily an investment tool, have traditionally been
considered the bigger risk, since these loans weren’t providing
housing for the borrower. These new age borrowers aren’t really
that committed to these homes, either. Most are using the
interest only option as an economical and inexpensive way to
fund their ability to turn a profit with little or no
investment. Each option means a bigger risk for the lender; and
LIBOR helps to set risk percentages and provide stable financing
options for the lender. The commercial interest only LIBOR
mortgages are for commercial borrowers. These borrowers are
investing in residential unit complexes. In other words, they’re
borrowing to buy apartment complexes, not individual homes;
nonetheless, they too are being offered the interest only
options and the interest rate for these commercial interest
mortgages is set by the LIBOR rate plus a certain percentage
above. It is for these commercial investors that the interest
only loan options should be used. The borrowers are business
people, with business plans, and enough knowledge about the
workings of commercial mortgage loans, to understand a good
investment versus an impossible dream.

A New Way to Own a Vacation Home - For the Select Few: Fractional ownership of vacation homes, also called private residence clubs, is a relatively new concept that allows you to enjoy four to 12 weeks of home ownership privileges per year at an upscale, luxury resort but at a fraction of the cost of whole ownership.

If you want to own an impressive second home complete with personalized services and located in an expensive resort area but can’t quite justify the expense because you’ll only be using it a few weeks or months of the year, this type of real estate arrangement may appeal to you.

Amenities Galore

Most private residence clubs offer extensive amenities. These may include an extravagant clubhouse and spa, plus five-star hotel services, the kind you couldn’t expect to have in a wholly-owned vacation home, high-end condo or timeshare.

Imagine this: You are going on vacation and you call ahead to the staff at your private residence club home. At your request, the staff shops for your groceries, dry-cleans your clothing, makes your restaurant reservations, heats your private splash pool, and places knick-knacks and favorite pictures of family members around your residence. You are met at the airport by a staff person who shuttles you to your home where a just-detailed Jaguar is sitting in your parking space for use at your disposal.

Get the picture? Private residence clubs are NOT your ordinary second home.

Outstanding Locations

Fractionals or residence clubs have sprung up in exclusive, world-class resort destinations worldwide. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Puerta Vallarta and Mexico are popular locations.

In the U.S., the first fractionals were in major ski areas out west, particularly Colorado where real estate was so costly that wholly-owned second homes were out of the question for most people. Eventually they spread to northeastern ski areas. Since then fractionals have begun appearing in golf-oriented communities like Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and popular beach states like Florida.

Some of the most popular fractionals can be found in Jupiter, FL; Aspen Highlands, Bachelor Gulch, and Aspen Snowmass, CO; Lake Tahoe, CA; and Whistler, British Columbia. Fractionals located in the U.S. usually offer good access to major airports that allows for easy transportation arrangements.

Management by Five-Star Companies

The key to the success of fractionals is their professional management. Most are operated by well-respected hospitality companies known worldwide for their world-class resorts. Among them are Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Starwood, Intrawest and Millennium, brands known for their five-star services and amenities.

Hassle-free Ownership

Part of the appeal of fractionals is that they are completely hassle free. In addition to having a staff for personalized service at your disposal, at a private residence club you never have to worry about repairs, maintenance or housekeeping. Everything is included in the price and annual fees and taken care of by the professional management company.

Appreciation Potential

To date there have been very few fractional resort developments. The demand is high. As a result, it is likely there will be substantial appreciation, rather than the depreciation that usually occurs with timeshares.

Real estate experts say that the outlook for investment appreciation appears excellent. You can expect at the very least an appreciation parity against other real estate in the resort area in which the fractional is located.

Prices

To buy a fractional, you pay a one-time purchase price and then a yearly upkeep fee that covers all of the expenses associated with property ownership and its use and services.

What do fractionals cost? Prices vary based on the size, amenities and location of the individual property. But most are in the $100,000-$500,000 range. Keep in mind that these are truly top-of-the-line homes that would cost you two to five times as much if purchased outright as wholly-owned vacation homes.

Comparison of Fractionals to Timeshares

How do fractionals compare with timeshares? They really don’t. Fractionals are far more exclusive and include many more luxury amenities and services than timeshares. They tend to be larger homes, usually three to five bedrooms. Timeshares usually allow you use for just one to two weeks per year. Fractionals offer from two to 13 weeks, and those don’t necessarily have to be consecutive weeks. Pick the weeks you want.
With regard to financing, obtaining a bank or mortgage company loan on a timeshare is difficult. Rates are high, regardless of how good your credit. That’s because it’s a well-known fact that most timeshares depreciate over time. Conversely, banks and mortgage firms consider fractionals to be appreciating assets and will often treat them like any other second-home purchase.

Why do fractionals tend to appreciate while timeshares usually depreciate? There are a couple of reasons. With fractionals, more of the buyer’s dollar goes to high quality finishes and “bricks and mortar” vs. sales commissions which can be as high as 40%-50% with timeshares.
Furthermore, timeshare values have historically been poor because of the large number of resales on the market, not to mention a continuous stream of new developments. The fact is the secondary market for timeshares has never really developed.

Conversely, there are a limited number of fractionals on the market. Most likely, that number will stay small because fractionals are built in only the very best, most highly desirable locations. Therefore, demand outpaces supply and results in property appreciation.
Comparison of Fractionals to Condo Hotels

Fractionals (private residence clubs) differ from condo hotels in that you have a set amount of time when you can use your vacation home. Condo hotels are in fact, condos located within hotels. You can use your unit whenever you want, and place it in the rental program when not using it. Fractionals do not offer rental program participation.

Fractionals tend to be larger than most condo hotel units. Most fractionals offer three to five bedrooms, while most condo hotel units are studios, one bedrooms or two bedrooms. Currently, most condo hotels are located in Miami and other surrounding cities in South Florida. Fractionals are most prevalent on the West Coast, particularly in ski areas. However, both types of real estate are rapidly gaining popularity and soon there will likely be more of a supply across the country to meet the growing demand.

For more information on fractional ownership in private residence clubs and on condo hotels, including listings and photos of available properties, visit www.condohotelcenter.com.

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Joel Greene is the President of Condo Hotel Center located in Miami Florida which specializes in the sale of condo hotels and private residence clubs. Visit his information-packed web site, www.condohotelcenter.com, for more details on these unique real estate products and to see listings, photos and prices for condo hotels and private residence clubs. You can also sign up for his free Property Alert newsletter to be notified when new properties come on the market.

Finding the right buy to let mortgage is crucial to your success as a property investor. Unlike other forms of investment, a lot of the money you put into a buy-to-let property is likely to be borrowed. Over the last few years, the buy to let mortgage market has boomed, and borrowing money to invest in this way has become easier than ever. There are a number of different buy to let mortgage products available from fixed rates, discounted variable rates, discounted rates and so on. Different products may be suitable for different investment properties.

However it is very important that you get the correct guidance with your finance. Questions that are worth considering when finding a suitable buy to let mortgage:

1. Do they have access to lots of different products in the market place?

2. Do they have the ability to create a long term property development strategy for you?

3. Are they able to secure Exclusive Products?

4. Are they able to arrange mortgages within 10 working days?

Most lenders will offer a maximum loan of 85% requiring you to fund at least a 15% deposit. The buy to let mortgage industry is very competitive with new products being launched on a very regular basis.
Some brokers may charge a brokerage fee up to 2% to arrange the finance for you but don’t let this put you off because if they do have the ability to secure exclusive products for you, it could be very beneficial to your cashflow as a landlord. Plus, if they are able to reach formal mortgage offer stage in a very short space of time, this could result in you being able to secure property at very competitive prices if you have the ability to tell the vendor that you can have the deal completed within a matter of a few weeks.

As an experienced property investor for more than a decade, it becomes clearer all the time for the importance of finding a good buy to let mortgage provider. Learn how to find the best buy to let mortgage products as they can result in the make or break of your profit margins when dealing in property investment. Learn more at http://www.buytolet4sale.com