IN FOCUS
has no annual property tax. Buyers pay everything up front, once, at transfer. “Moreover, the standard of medical care across Thailand is very high and costs are extremely reasonable. This has helped to make the country a popular destination for medical tourists and retirement. Together with its reputation for international schools and [as] a haven for IT nomads, Thailand ranks top for comprehensive value and an all-in-one starter and retirement investment,” finishes Peter. Dear old Blighty But sun, sand and surf aren’t for everyone. Notably, even with Brexit set to have an enormous impact on London next year (despite the official word from The City of London), the UK capital remains the world’s single most popular investment location.
according to Knight Frank data) the door has swung wide open for alternative locations in the so-called Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine. Major infrastructure (high speed rail links, new airports) and business development commitments have put Manchester (home of the new BBC studio), Birmingham (HSBC, Deutsche Bank and PWC headquarters), Liverpool and Leeds on investor radar for their stellar capital appreciation and up to 5% rental yields. Second tier UK is attracting Londoners too, and graduates are remaining both for growth potential and for a higher, affordable standard of living.
either volatile or underperforming – and so “for mere mortals such as us, it represents serious risk,” says Andrew. “Property in comparison is a stable asset class within strong markets and provides a stable income… Working with an expert in the market allows you to build a portfolio that meets your investment goals, whether that is a leaning towards capital growth, income or a mixture of both.”
Traditional investments like bonds and equity markets are currently
“A lot of investors see Brexit as an opportunity. They don’t necessarily see the politics as anything negative,” says Mei Wong, Knight Frank’s executive director, head of international residential sales. “They just want to make sure they’ll continually get tenants, a reasonable rent, a good price and so on.” Consistent undersupply, widespread public-private regeneration that boosts surrounding area prices and a mature and transparent legal infrastructure have set the bar for all investment markets, and on a cultural front, what Andrew refers to as “Generation Rent” has become a key rental sector driver, creating a viable tenant pool for owners.
FIND IT
The UK ticks all the boxes, and with London having peaked (prices dropped 0.4% last quarter
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BuyAssociation, www.buyassociation.co.uk Colliers International, www.colliers.com Forest Hill Real Estate, foresthill.com Knight Frank. www.knightfrank.com Plover Cove, www.plovercove.com
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November 2018 www.arounddb.com