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Month: <span>April 2016</span>
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Foreign Investment in Australia Property at Record High

Categories:Reading and Research

Approvals for foreign investment in Australian property hit a record high of  A$61bn, an increase of 75% in the 2014-15 financial year, possibly accounting for approximately a quarter of new developments Down Under.

This increase is on the back of a 102% spike on the year before.

The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) records 36,841 (60% more than FYE 2013-14) applications by non-citizens and non-permanent residents to buy residential properties, representing 81% of total value of residential building approvals in 2014-15.

According to UBS economists, 75% of these new properties are located in NSW and Victoria, with data strongly suggesting that most were concentrated in the inner-city high-rise markets of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

“From these approvals, it is estimated that roughly about 1 in 3 convert into actual investment which means foreign investment accounts for about 25% of the new developments in Australia. The highest proportion of real estate investments by foreigners into Australia comes from China while Singaporeans and Malaysians have also been identified as some of the top investors in Australian residential real estate,” said CSI Prop spokesperson Virata Thaivasigamony.

“Australia’s popularity amongst investors is not unfounded due to its sound economy and policies. However, investors should study the markets well and find out which states and sectors general investment monies are going into before putting money down on property for investment. We place a lot of emphasis on research and we cannot stress more how important knowing the market is.”

Newsflash: Victoria Doubles Foreign Buyer Stamp Duty

“Victoria’s surcharge on foreign owners of residential real estate has been in effect since July 2015, but it has had little impact on foreign demand. Similarly, we don’t see a significant impact with this new surcharge increase, but we are bracing ourselves for a surge in demand over the next two months as investors rush to save on the surcharge hike,” said Virata.

With the increase in foreign investment in property in Victoria, the government is taking action to ensure foreign buyers of residential real estate contribute their fair share to the liveability of the state.

To this end, the Australian government is increasing stamp duty surcharge on foreign buyers of residential property from 3% to 7%, applicable to contracts signed on or after 1 July 2016.

Additionally, land tax surcharge on absentee owners will also rise from 0.5% to 1.5% from the 2017 land tax year.

“Australia is headed for an election and one of the biggest challenges the government faces is the complaint from voters that foreigners are buying and pushing up prices; this could be a form of appeasement.

“Victoria’s surcharge on foreign owners of residential real estate has been in effect since July 2015, but it has had little impact on foreign demand. Similarly, we don’t see a significant impact with this new surcharge increase, but we are bracing ourselves for a surge in demand over the next two months as investors rush to save on the surcharge hike,” said Virata.

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Gen-Y: The Future of the UK Property Market

Categories:Reading and Research

Part 1 of our Manchester series underscores research highlighting Manchester as the UK’s no. 1 property investment hotspot in the next 10 years. In Part 2, we discuss why Manchester is poised to have the strongest rental market in the UK.


Video credit: Select Property Group

According to Savills, demand for rented accommodation has increased by 17,500 households per month over the past decade to 2014. This demand for rented homes is set to rise by more than 1 million households over the next 5 years.

The private rented sector in Manchester is slated to boom with over 10,000 new build-to-rent units are due to be built over the next few years. This is due largely to the Mancunian city’s largest concentration of young working adults, i.e. the Generation Y.

7 Reasons Why Generation Y is the Future of the UK’s Property Market – Select Property Group

  • They do not want to be tied down with long-term mortgages
  • Career-focused; they stay in roles for shorter lengths of time as they progress later in life
  • Prefer to live in dense, diverse urban villages
  • Demand ceaseless access to technology and fast-paced information
  • Professional and educated with a good work-life balance
  • Value practical amenities that make living easier
  • No expectation to own a property – success is defined in other ways

#DidYouKnow that Manchester is home to over 60% more 25- to 29-year-olds than the national average? (source: Manchester Property Guide 2015)

Manchester has the youngest working demographic in the whole of the UK.

Why is Manchester the Fasting Growing Generation Y City

  • The city’s population is rising quicker than any city outside of London and 2.85 million people will live there by 2025 – 89% of this new population is Generation Y.
  • It means over 60% more 25 to 29-year-olds live in Manchester than the UK average. This Generation Y market accounts for 22% of Manchester’s overall total population, almost 4 times the national average
  • A huge 85% of people living in Manchester city centre now privately rent and 70% of the population is classed as BINKY – Big Income, No Kids Yet
  • 58% of graduates from the Greater Manchester universities enter employment in the local area. That’s almost 20,000 new workers a year. Every year.
  • Aspirational and career-focused young people are naturally drawn 70,000 new jobs will be available to them over the next decade.
  • City targets state Manchester needs 4,000 new units a year to house its rapidly growing Generation Y market. Only 1,417 annual units are set for delivery over the next eight years. Two-thirds of this supply is still subject to planning.

This post is originally published by Select Property Group.

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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VITA Student – APR 2016

Categories:Construction Updates
VITA Student housing has 5-star ranking across the UK. All projects are built with students in mind and furnished with quality fittings and furniture. Photo Credit: Select Property Group

Buyers of VITA Student Projects will be pleased to know that the construction of the building is on track. For a detailed update on construction works up to February 2016, kindly click on the image below. Once you have done that, you may enlarge the page by double-clicking on the image.

For our clients who purchased VITA York, here is a drone video recording detailing the construction site and what has been done so far:

Cornerstone International Properties is the exclusive marketing agent for Select Property projects (VITA Newcastle, VITA Glasgow, VITA York & Affinity Living Riverside) in Malaysia. VITA Student is a 5-star ranked student accommodation project in the UK, with projects in top student cities in the UK including Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow & York.

VITA Student is developed by Select Property Group.

For more details on Select Property Group projects, contact 016-228 9150 or 016-228 8691.

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Manchester: Best Property Investment Yields

Categories:Reading and Research

In Part 1 of our Manchester series, we discuss the facts & figures that make Manchester THE top city for investment in the UK. The numbers don’t lie.
Photo credit: Select Property Group

The investment landscape in the UK is changing. The focus has moved from London as the go-to destination for investment and the UK’s largest economic gains, to Manchester.

With the highest yields and critical undersupply of housing in the Northern Powerhouse on the back of significant investments by the government, Manchester’s growth is just beginning. Today, Manchester is at the top of the league in annual rental increases in the UK and, with a rapidly expanding population comprising greatly of the youngest demographics in the country, Manchester is the best place for property investment.

In fact, property advisor JLL has predicted that house prices in Manchester will increase by 26.4% in the next 5 years, with 5.5% growth over the course of 2016.

Trust the facts. Here are 10 reasons why you should invest in Manchester:

1  Manchester has secured £8.2 billion of investment over the past decade, more than Birmingham’s £6.5 billion or Glasgow’s £5.3 billion – CBRE, Jan 2016

2  HSBC ranked Manchester as the UK’s no. 1 city for property investment yields in 2015, thanks to average annual returns of 8% – HSBC, 2015

3  Since 2010, average annual yields in Manchester have risen by 6.02%, the highest in the UK. In comparison, yields in London rose by just 4.71% during this period

4  Manchester named as UK’s top property investment hotspot in the next decade – House Simple

5  Manchester is a young community, with over 60% more 25- to 29-year-olds living there than the national average. These people need rental accommodation – Manchester Property Guide 2015

6  Manchester has a higher job growth rate than London, recording a 47% increase job advertisements in April 2015 alone compared to 42% in London. 70,000 new jobs will be created by Greater Manchester’s financial and professional services sector by 2025 – CV Library & BNY Mellon

7  Manchester was named the best UK city to live in for the second consecutive year – EIU Global Liveability Survey 2015

8  Manchester’s population expected to grow by 125,000 to 2.87 million in the next decade – ONS

9  With the redevelopment of transport systems, more than 15 million people can reach the city in less than 45 minutes by 2025 – up from 7 million currently – BNY Mellon

10  Greater Manchester to get its own directly-elected mayor, with the region receiving £1 billion worth of devolved powers from the UK government. This will enable Manchester to hold new freedoms to better control its own budgets and will be able to dictate which areas need the most investment on a regional level.

In Part 2 of our Manchester series, we explore the influx of Generation Y in the city and how it contributes to greater demand for rental housing. Stay tuned!

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Brexit and the Foreign Property Investor

Categories:Reading and Research
Photo credit: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/

The looming Brexit referendum is sending property investors into a bit of a worry whirl. What are the implications?

Come June 23, UK citizens will vote on whether the nation should withdraw from the European Union. While there is still time before that happens, the uncertainty is a cause for concern across all industries in the UK. Here’s a Brexit FAQ specially for investors looking to invest in property in the UK.

What is Brexit?

Brexit refers to the campaign for a British Exit from the European Union, to end control by Brussels and give Britain the freedom to manage its own affairs. The referendum takes place on June 23. Currently, both factions are almost equally matched, with the pro-Europeans slightly ahead.

What are the general economic implications of the current lead-up to Brexit on the UK?

Clearly, the uncertainty has directly affected the market, resulting in, among others, (i) the drop of the British pound, (ii) the slide of share prices (iii) some major international investors withholding from committing to luxury property until after the referendum, (iv) some contracts exchanged on UK deals being conditional on a vote to remain, and (v) softening of business confidence.

What if UK exits the EU?

There is uncertainty over what would happen if the UK withdraws from the EU as Brexit is a future hypothetical event and largely lacks definition. In the short-term after the exit, we foresee a period of uncertainty as new terms of engagement with Europe are worked out. The UK economy may suffer in that short-term, but we are confident that it will right itself in time. The British pound will also weaken in the short term, but rise soon enough once the market acclimatizes to the situation.

How will UK and London’s global standing be impacted by Brexit?

The UK was a global economic superpower and London one of the world’s strongest financial centres even before it became part of the EU. We are confident the UK will eventually find its footing again should it exit the EU. Reports have also shown that investors are generally more positive about the longer term state of a UK out of Europe.

Will Brexit affect housing in the UK?

There is no serious economic analysis to suggest that all trade with the EU would cease in the event of Brexit. The most immediate and significant slowdown in investment would be pre- and potentially post-Brexit, due to uncertainty of the former and instability of the latter.

The value of the pound will likely diminish in the short term and there is risk of a sharp change in interest rates which could cause the housing market to soften. However, the UK is already facing a shortage in housing now, which won’t change in the event of a Brexit.

The possibility of dropping prices or a cheaper pound allows some investors to take advantage of less competitive processes as the property industry will bounce back in the long term, resulting in higher yields.  For foreign investors, a softer sterling means they can get more for their money, while the immediate instability in the market would mean the chance to invest in property that is highly likely to recover at a later date.

London’s housing market would be impacted significantly, but if you’ve always wanted to buy property in London, this is the time. As explained above, we are confident it will eventually find its footing again as London had always been a financial capital even before it entered the EU.

What if the UK remains in the Euro Zone?

The British pound will strengthen substantially as the market has priced in the uncertainty resulting from Brexit, which has resulted in the weaker currency in recent months.

Conclusion

The Brexit referendum has created a temporary situation of a weak pound which has paved the way for a tremendous buying opportunity for foreign investors compared to early 2015. The current exchange rate is at RM5.50 : £1 compared to RM6.80 : £1 as at late 2015. This is a one-time opportunity for foreign investors to take advantage of the situation.

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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The Silver Lining Behind Perth Property

Categories:Reading and Research
Imagine owning a home just within walking distance from Cottlesloe Beach in Perth, Australia. It’s a buyers market now, and chances are, you can! Photo Credit: http://www.bosso.com.au/portfolio/cottlesloe-beach/

With property prices softened, buyers can now call the shots, purchasing real estate in some of the best suburbs at lowered prices. Strategic purchases will yield better returns and result in greater appreciation when the property market escalates.

The Perth property market has been on a decline over the last few years, but it may be that the market has bottomed out. Official figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Perth’s residential property prices jumped 0.5% in the December quarter, ending the ongoing trend of sliding property prices recorded since late 2013.

That said, industry observers are remaining conservative, predicting a mild rise in prices (or for some, not at all) in 2016. Still, as they say, behind every cloud is a silver lining. It is now a buyers’ market in Perth and, coupled with low interest rates, a great time to shop for real estate. In time, when the market recovers, property is bound to see a corresponding rise in value.

What you COULD get with $A1million

So what can you get with A$1 million in West Australia today? Most likely an impressive 2-storey house near the city, acreage in the east or a beachfront cottage in the South West, reports the West Australian.

  • In Perth North – $999K buys a 4-bedroom, 2-storey house 10km from the city in Stirling.
  • In Perth South – $999K buys a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom townhouse with a shared tennis court.
  • In Perth Southwest – $1 million could get you a beachfront property.
  • In Mosman Park – traditionally one of Perth’s most expensive suburbs – you could get a home for below $1 million.

What you SHOULD get with A$1 million

If you’re looking to take advantage of the market and get a better long term investment, a wise move would be to buy in sought-after suburbs that have seen a temporary softening in price instead of splurging on bigger and fancier homes.

There are predictions that older entry-level properties in suburbs like East Fremantle and Wembley Downs in the $550,000-plus range will see capital growth of up to 10% in the next 12-18 months.

“We are firm believers that location plays a big role in your investment. It makes logical sense to pay for a good location that has lots of potential for growth,” says CSI Prop spokesperson Virata Thaivasigamony.

“We like areas with infrastructural growth and job employment like Atwell, but we also see the potential in established locations like Cottlesloe, West Perth and Southwest Perth where capital appreciation is concerned. Of course, it is the buying motive will guide the purchase at the end of the day. The important thing is to speak to people who know the market, consult your own tax advisors, do your research,” he adds.

Are you watching the Perth suburbs? Here’s a list of bargain buy suburbs courtesy of Realestate.com.au:

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260

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Parliament Place – FEB 2016

Categories:Construction Updates

Buyers of Parliament Place will be pleased to know that the construction of the building is on track. For a detailed breakdown of construction up to February 2016, kindly click on the image below. Once you have done that, you may enlarge the report by double-clicking on the image.

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CSI Prop proudly promotes international investment property with high yields at low risk. Our portfolio comprises residential property in cities across the United Kingdom (London, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Glasgow, Scotland; Sheffield, etc); Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) and Thailand (Bangkok). Our projects are concentrated in high-growth areas with great educational, infrastructural and job growth potentials. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of our clients by helping them achieve their investment goals through strong market research backed by third party experts. 

Disclaimer: CSI Prop does not provide tax & legal advice and accepts no liability. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for a thorough review.

Need advice or clarification? Call us for more information and/or to find out about our projects! Hotline: 03-2162 2260