Investment watch: lifestyle buyers bounce back
- Spain makes up two of top 10 most popular listings in November
- 4 out of top 10 listings located by the beach, as buyers search for winter sun
- Student property one of most consistent assets in 2014
La Manga, Spain Photo: Javier Medina M
TheMoveChannel.com's latest Investment Watch report reveals that half of the portal's most popular listings in November were lifestyle opportunities, as house hunters resurfaced to find winter sun. Spain topped their Christmas wishlist, accounting for two of the top 10 listings.
The most popular listing in November was a wind energy investment in the UK, which promised returns of 10 per cent per annum on £5,000. While this combination of low entry cost and high yield has proven popular throughout 2014, the gradual recovery of markets around the world has seen demand return for residential property, which is now able to offer strong returns to rival more specialist opportunities.
Investment income remains a top priority for many buyers, with five of the top 10 investment properties offering strong returns. Student accommodation earned the eighth highest number of enquiries in November 2014, its advertised yield of 10% NET per annum emphasising the strenghth of the sector. Student property has now appeared in the Investment Watch chart for 13 months in a row, making it the one of the most consistent sectors on the international portal.
A Lancashire care home received the fourth biggest response last month, ahead of a building plot in Bulgaria, which generated the seventh largest number of enquiries. The top 10 was completed by buy-to-let apartments in Liverpool, which promised 6% NET yield per year.
Director Dan Johnson comments: "Only three months ago, London was dominating investment activity on TheMoveChannel.com. While the UK still accounted for five of the most popular listings in November, though, they were located in regional cities, emphasising just how favourable conditions are outside of the capital. Caution surrounding the 2015 election, combined with cooling London property prices, are all helping to contribute to the weakening of interest in London."
After a year where activity has been primarily driven by investment activity, November also saw lifestyle buyers return with a vengeance on TheMoveChannel.com. As the cold nights draw in, buyers headed straight to the beach, with coastal propertes accounting for four of the top 10 listings.
A condo in Thailand was the sixth most popular property on the site. The property, sold directly by a private owner online without an estate agent, emphasises the growing popularity of do-it-yourself home selling, as well as the enduring overseas appeal of Thailand's stunning Coast.
Buyers also flocked to Egypt, with a resort in Hurghada offering beach properties with terraces from only £6,760. In fifth place was Belfast, where apartments were available for £108,100.
The most popular lifestyle destination, though, was Spain. In a month where the country accounted for 1 in 10 of all enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com, the most popular Spanish property was located in the resort of La Manga Club, where apartments are available at 40 to 50 per cent below their peak selling value. Demand for La Manga Club property was so strong that the resort accounted for two of the top 10 most popular listings in November 2014. Combined, they received more enquiries than any other property on TheMoveChannel.com.
Director Dan Johnson adds: "Spain has always been a favourite among overseas buyers, but this year has seen activity really increase in the country. The popularity of La Manga highlights the potential of the Murcia region, where the much-anticipated Paramount Theme Park is still expected to boost prices and demand in coming years.
"Spain's equal appeal to investors and lifetyle buyers is not unique: 2014 has been a year of recovery for many property markets, even with the continuing economic concerns within the eurozone. As a result, residential property in certain countries is now as attractive as more specialist investment opportunities. Nine of November's top 10 listings on TheMoveChannel.com were priced under £100,000, with only one of the five lifestyle properties priced above that threshold, underscoring the affordability of residential real estate, even when compared to alternative assets or other schemes. These low prices, combined with improving market conditions, make capital growth a promising opportunity for long-term returns. Ireland, for example, now has the fastest growing house prices in the world, according to Knight Frank, while statistics suggest that Spain's property values are finally bottoming out. The chance to earn some money while still getting your share of winter sun? What more could you want for Christmas?!"
Notes to Editors
About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com
Founded in 1999, www.TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 800,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.
TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.
The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.
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