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UK Property Outlook 2017

Categories:Reading and Research

Housing Shortage Continues to Drive UK Property Market Growth in 2017

Summary

Lack of housing in the UK remains the top driver of housing market growth in the UK
Property markets in regional cities like Manchester have surpassed London
UK student property remains resilient to Brexit, growth predicted to hit £45.8bn by Sept 2017
Brexit effects still muted, international investors have greater appetite for UK real estate

Image credit: http://bit.ly/2hNtoqD

The year 2016 was an eventful one for the UK property market, influenced significantly by changes to the stamp duty and Brexit. While these events will continue to underpin market growth in 2017, the critical lack of housing remains the market’s main driver, supporting property prices. This article highlights the various issues that will dominate the UK property landscape in 2017.

Brexit Aftershock – A Final Window of Opportunity

The market calmed down fairly quickly following the results of the EU Referendum. Fears of an immediate house price crash after Brexit have abated with overseas investors particularly gaining a strong appetite for UK real estate, fuelled by the drop in the pound. As 2017 reopens with the spectre of Article 50, we foresee the same uncertainty surrounding the property market following Brexit in 2016, remaining in 2017. PM Theresa May received landslide votes in Parliament on Feb 8 to trigger Article 50, yet this will not change the fact that Brexit shall be a long-drawn affair.

Appetite for UK property stands to remain strong among overseas investors during this window of uncertainty when the sterling remains at its lowest levels since 1985. The Bank of America has advised its clients that it expects the sterling to suffer one last plunge — its lowest — when Article 50 is invoked (expected end March) and that this will be the best time to buy the sterling as the currency will strengthen after official Brexit negotiations get underway. The bank believes the sterling will recover in a V-shape rebound and that currency markets will no longer react to Brexit following this.

We have always believed that London and the UK are resilient and will remain an important global landmark; the market shall right itself around and the pound will rise again once the chaos calms and uncertainty reduces. We anticipate that investment volumes will recover next year, but until then, now is a good time to invest in UK property while the pound is at its weakest.

 

UK Student Property Remains Top Investment Asset

Just as it did during the economic downturn, UK student accommodation is proving resilient to concerns about Brexit. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) reports that the number of students for 16/17 is set to exceed the previous year. While it may be that the weaker pound is more attractive to overseas students, it also proves the ongoing demand for UK higher education. JLL released research showing that at the start of the 2016/17 academic year, almost 522,000 students were enrolled on undergraduate courses at UK universities, an increase of more than 7,000 on 2015 while the number of acceptances of EU students rose by 8% y-o-y.

We strongly foresee that UK student accommodation is set to remain popular due to its recession-proof qualities, alongside supply still unable to keep up with demand across the UK. There will be growth in overseas investors due to the favourable exchange rate. Knight Frank predicts that UK’s purpose built student accommodation sector is set to reach a total value of £45.8bn by September 2017 while rental growth of 2.5% is expected. The sector has grown by 37% since 2014, from £30.9bn to £42.5bn, making it one of the fastest growing asset classes in the UK property market.

 

House Prices Continue to Increase

The UK housing market is a tough cookie, staying resilient in the toughest of times.

Figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for October 2016 showed that house prices across the UK grew 6.9% y-o-y. While this may be the lowest growth figures recorded since end 2015 (the market slowed mostly due to stamp duty and other tax changes), this is still strong growth nonetheless, driven by the general undersupply of housing across the UK. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) predicts that UK house price growth will slow down in 2017, but that the legacy of insufficient housing will see demand continue to outstrip supply, leading to a 3% rise over the year. The weaker pound will prove favourable to international investors.

 

Britain’s Crisis: Housing Remains Critically Undersupplied

Some 250,000 – 300,000 houses need to be built every single year to tackle soaring house prices and home shortage in England. The latest figures show that only 190,000 homes were added to England’s stock last year — the highest number since the financial crisis. With the current uncertain climate, there are fears that fewer homes will be built in 2017, with Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) suggesting that the number of housing starts (ie start building) could fall to 134,000 (from 147,880 in 2016).


Rents Continue Rising

Data from Savills shows house prices vs rental. Image credit: BBC

Despite the change in stamp duty affecting landlords, there remains a significant community of renters in the UK, due to the critical undersupply of housing and prices at inaccessible levels. Commentators predict rent rises of 2%-3% across the UK; Savills has forecast a rise of 2.5% in 2017, while in London the increase will be at 3% as more people share homes to split the cost. In fact, Savills has predicted that rents would rise faster than house prices i.e. at 19% between now and 2021 while house prices only rise by 13%. Rics suggests that rents will rise by about 5% p.a. for the next five years because of strong demand and shortage of properties.

PwC’s research into housing affordability for generation rent shows that buyers may now have to save for 19 years in order to buy their first home (assuming deposit is raised entirely from their own savings without family assistance). In 2000, the same group would have been able to buy after saving for just 6 years, and in 1990 it took only around 2 years.  PwC estimates a generation renter starting to save in 2016 can now buy in 2035. See our article: Britain, A Nation of Renters?

Manchester Knocks London Out in Price Growth

For the first time in 7 years, London is no longer within the top three growth regions in the UK as the effect of Brexit is more keenly felt in London. Regional cities like Manchester and Birmingham are in the spotlight due to better public realm improvements and more students choosing to stay and work in these cities. Manchester is leading the price growth among key cities in the UK, recording rises of 8.9% y-o-y as demand exceeds supply and unemployment falls. The outer boroughs of London are posting faster growth rates than the inner boroughs and this trend is looking to stay this year.

House price growth rates: inner vs outer London boroughs. Source & credit: CBRE

Rightmove’s most recent report, based on asking prices of properties for sale, shows a steady start to 2017’s housing market, with annual growth in the East and South-East regions of England significantly outpacing London and the South-West. Again, prices are being bolstered by a lack of housing, meaning that demand continues to outstrip supply.

Conclusion

There is strong potential in the UK real estate market as it is not as affected by Brexit as many think. UK student accommodation is a good investment asset as we see increased interest and investments into the sector, even from among our own clients. Key to strong returns is to buy in cities with  good universities and accommodation undersupply. For residential property, we have always maintained that Manchester is the city to focus on while outer boroughs of London, particularly East London (especially areas with Crossrail accessibility) will bring better returns than inner London.

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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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Adopt A Hope: The Rachel Siew Trust Fund

Categories:Reading and Research

RAISING FUNDS TO HELP RACHEL SIEW FUND HER LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT

The Rachel Siew Trust Fund (RSTF) was set up with the objective of raising funds for Rachel Siew, a gutsy 27-year-old born with MPS IVA (Morquio), to undergo Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) treatment. This treatment will save her life.

Imagine being born with a rare condition in which your bones, joints, kidneys and eyesight steadily deteriorate over time. A condition in which, without treatment, your chances of survival are slim because your organs will fail. And that, unfortunately, the treatment — which you cannot stop or the consequences would be damaging — costs more than RM1 million a year. Every year.

And what if your appeal for funding to governmental and private organisations alike, have been in vain? You have no choice but to fight for your life using all means possible because.

Meet Rachel Siew Suet Li, a 27-year-old battling Morquio syndrome. A cheerful dynamite of a woman standing at 92.5cm tall and weighing under 20kg, Rachel currently speaheads the ‘Adopt A Hope’ campaign to create greater awareness of her disease and raise funds for her yearly Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) via the Rachel Siew Trust Fund (RSTF). Treatment costs a staggering RM1.6 million per year and Siew is raising funds for her second year of treatment as countless visits to the Ministry of Health to plead for funding has been in vain. She is the second Morquio patient to receive this life-saving treatment in Malaysia. The treatment, once started, cannot be stopped as it will result in adverse effects.

“After more than 20 years of waiting for a ‘miracle’, there is now a treatment that can help prevent my condition from deteriorating further. This is a lifetime treatment and if I don’t set up my own trust fund and campaign for myself while appealing to the authorities, how am I going to continue my journey in life?” says Rachel, a law graduate.

A proud and moving moment for Rachel who graduated with flying colours from the University of Hertfordshire. Image credit: BAC

Rachel is inspiring and courageous, to say the least. She read Law in the University of Hertfordshire in England, fending for herself entirely and settling in well in spite of her limitations and being far from home. Till today, she stares each and every trial in the face and refuses to be daunted, holding firm to importance of self-acceptance and perseverence.

Rachel was formerly part of the Cornerstone International Properties family before moving on to work full-time as a Community Advocate of the Make It Right Movement (MIRM) powered by Brickfields Asia College (BAC).

Rachel Siew catching up with former colleague Virata at a recent party.

“I was blessed to gain employment at Cornerstone International Properties; they accepted me completely, including my limitations. When I was there, I never considered it as ‘going to work’, but like going back home because everyone there became a big part of my life — my family! It’s a struggle to get a job these days, what more for individuals with limitations like myself. I sent countless of CVs and got many rejections, while some never even responded. I hope other companies out there would consider offering employment to individuals with Morquio or other limitations. We may not be as fast as a fully-abled person, but with time and guidance, we will excel,” she says.

Rachel is in need of funds for her second year of treatment and we at Cornerstone International Properties are stepping up to support her. We have set up a crowdfunding platform as part of our effort to create awareness of Morquio Syndrome and raise funds for Rachel’s treatment. All proceeds go entirely to the Rachel Siew Trust Fund.

Independent: Rachel settled in well and managed everything on her own whilst reading Law at the University of Hertfordshire in England.

“Rachel was, and always will be part of our family. She is a bright, courageous and inspiring person who has given all of us in the CSI Prop family a greater appreciation for life and we want to help her as much as we can. We hope the crowdfunding platform will reach as many individuals as possible and that it will raise funds for her treatment. Rachel and those like her deserve support and a fighting chance for life,” said CSI Prop spokesperson Virata Thaivasigamony.

Please donate to the crowdfunding platform here <<insert link>> and join Rachel Siew in her quest to live a fulfilling life. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE RACHEL SIEW TRUST FUND. #RSTF #ThisIsMe

Here’s a link to the Rachel Siew Trust Fund: RSTF Facebook site

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The Right Time to Invest in Perth

Categories:Reading and Research
Artists impression pictures of the new footbridge to connect East Perth with the Burswood peninsula as part of the new Perth stadium project.
Source: Government of WA

“I like Perth and am thinking of investing in property there, but everyone says now’s a bad time. When is it a good time to invest?”

Here’s a valid and oft-asked question. True, the Perth property market has hit a low but could now be the best time to focus on the Perth property market? Our answer is: “YES”.

Questions will arise as to why now is a ‘bad’ time for investment, but here are 5 Reasons that challenges the status quo and explains why the time is NOW.

#1 Affordable prices. Big choices. Greater yield potential

The Perth property market is at the bottom of the current property cycle. Property prices here are among the most affordable of any capital city in mainland Australia, and half that of Sydney — perhaps the most affordable it has ever been. Perth residents are spending 21.5% of their monthly household income on mortgage repayments, the lowest in 10 years, says a report from Moody’s. By contrast, homeowners in Sydney are spendng 39% and 34% respectively of their income on mortgage. Simple math works out that you can buy more at $500K in Perth, with a pick from some of the most prime locations (compared to Melbourne or Sydney) and still likely achieve a discount off the listed price.

Once the property market starts to go up again, you stand to reap significant benefits. The market is already buzzing that Perth property market cycle will turn in 2017, with prices going up albeit at a slow and steady rate.

#2 Perth Economy – More than Just Mining

Western Australia is rich with resources in a region and world in need of iron ore, bauxite and liquefied natural gas. But Perth is more than a mineral supply; Western Australia is well positioned to serve as a base for military back operations and transportation and logistics businesses that service the western half of the continent.

Plans are afoot to bring a vibrance to the economy and transform Perth by 2021 thanks to several multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects:

  • New additions to Perth CBD & skyline to include apartment towers and a Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Elizabeth Quay, a public square and marketplace at the Perth City Link and a new museum in the cultural centre
  • A $12 billion boost to tourism by 2020 will see four new hotels built in the CBD, whilst suburbs such as Shenton Bay, Cottlesloe, Armadale, Gosnells and Butler, among others, would start to take shape as development stepped up along major transport routes.

But back to mining: both Pilbara Minerals and Altura Mining have announced plans to secure abandoned workers camps in Roy Hill for their future mining projects. Additionally, there is growing investment in lithium and the world’s premier producer of lithium concentrate from spodumene, Tianqi Lithium, has confirmed plans to build a $400-million lithium hydroxide plant in Kwinana which will create 500 jobs.

Estimated & projected population, larger Greater Capital Cities – 1973 to 2053. Source: ABS

#3 Growing Population

Perth today is like Sydney 20 years ago, some say. With the growth in infrastructure, the City of Perth’s population alone is forecast to grow from 22,324 last year to 27,317 in 2021. But that aside, Perth’s population is on a long-term upward trajectory with expert predictions that its population could be at least 3.9 million people or nearly double what it is today by 2050. Perth is expected to supersede Brisbane in becoming Australia’s third largest city by 2028 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ABS also predicts that Perth will grow at a rate of 187% between 2012 and 2061.

#4 Long Term Success

The west has gone through a number of cycles before, previously in the 1990s and then the early 2000s, with the last good year being 2012 during the mining boom (if you held property over the long term, you would have gained significant capital growth). Long-term residents and business operators well understand the west’s cycle of growth and development and realise how these cycles represent opportunity for expansion and investment.

Perth is now in a state of adjustment and has been since 2013. Experts are predicting the market will pick up in 2017 albeit at a slow pace, and savvy investors are taking their pick of properties in the city, in anticipation of growth. Nerida Conisbee, REA group chief economist says, “It’s not about the short term. Perth is for someone with a slightly stronger appetite for risk, but they’ve got a longer window for investment so it’s for someone on a high income, who is in a younger age bracket, someone who can absorb the first couple of years being slightly choppy in terms of performance.”

Artist impression of the Perth City Link project. Source: https://yhoo.it/2giZDic

#5 Jobs Growth

Yes, unemployment has taken a bit of a dip, but there are job opportunities on the cards, what with new infrastructure in the city, which includes a new sports stadium, road and rail upgrades, new social projects planned along the Swan River, among others (see #2). In September, recruitment specialists DFP Recruitment says there is a cause for cautious optimism after a 16.3% increase in job ads in WA (mainly in mining) over the past 12 months — the biggest growth of any state.

Conclusion: Buck the Trend

Most property investors follow the herd, investing in growth markets and competing with each other, causing prices to increase. Investing at the bottom of the cycle, with careful observation of the market, means you get substantial growth when the cycle peaks. Remember, all property markets go through cycles.

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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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Britain, a Nation of Renters?

Categories:Reading and Research
Image credit: http://bit.ly/2eThsCC

Home ownership across England was at its peak in April 2003, when 71% of households owned their homes, but the figure fell to 64% by February this year, according to a new report by the Resolution Foundation thinktank. The report also shows a big slump in home ownership in Greater Manchester and cities in Yorkshire and the West Midlands. This figure is the lowest since 1986, when home ownership levels were on the way up as a result of policies introduced by the Thatcher administration.

Today, the UK is populated by a generation of renters, with the number of UK households renting property having risen from 2.3 million in 2001 to 5.4 million in 2014 according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).

Here are 5 reasons why buy-to-let or rental property will remain crucial in the UK for some time to come:

Savills calculated the cost of buying vs renting a home. Image credit: http://on.ft.com/2eKm5kU

Reason #1: It’s about 20% cheaper to rent a home in the UK on a monthly basis than to buy (Savills)

Renting a home used to be 25% more expensive than owning back in 1996, but in 2007, it became 79% cheaper to rent than buy your own.  When the costs of capital repayments on a mortgage in Year 1 are factored in, costs rise and renting becomes significantly cheaper than buying on a month-to-month basis. In order for a first-time buyer’s monthly costs to be lower than the costs of renting, the purchaser would require, on average, a deposit of at least 39% of the value of the property, according to Savills’ calculations.

Growth in house prices vs wages in the UK as at Jan 2016: While UK house prices increased by 7.9% last year, figures from ONS show that the UK median wage increased by just 1.8%. This suggests that house prices are growing more than four times as fast as median wages. Source: ONS. Image credit: http://bit.ly/1SjLa5f

Reason #2: House prices too high in proportion to wage growth

Despite recent figures from mortgage lenders showing an increase in the number of loans taken out for house purchases (possibly due to low interest rates), the number of homes for sale is close to a record low, and prices continue rising.

A typical home in the UK now costs six times average annual earnings despite slowing house price inflation. According to Nationwide, house prices have risen by 20% over the last three years while wages rose by just 6%.  Meanwhile, prices in the capital are 9.2 times average earnings, while the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said 22% more surveyors in London expect sales to fall over the next three months. The last time prices/earnings ratio was so high was in March 2008. A ratio of 4.5 times a borrower’s income is regarded as the maximum that banks and building societies will agree to lend.

Over in Greater Manchester, the proportion of home owners dropped from 72% in April 2003 to 58% this year. According to financial analyst Louise Cooper, the average house price in England in 1986 was £38,000 but today it is £226,000 (Rightmove’s latest report on average asking prices for a home in England and Wales in October 2016 now stands at £309,122). And that over the same period, the average salary had only gone up 2.5 times. “Everyone says it is a London problem. It is not,” said Cooper.

Renting privately is now the norm, according to a PwC report, for those who cannot afford to buy but do not qualify for social housing. By 2025, PwC predicts that 7.2m households will be in rented accommodation, compared with 5.4m today and just 2.3m in 2001. Source: PwC. Image credit: Guardian http://bit.ly/2eTdslz

Reason #3: Private rented sector – biggest provider of rented homes

The private rented sector has taken over from councils and housing associations as the biggest provider of rented homes with prices paid by tenants in Britain increasing by 2.3% in the 12 months to Sept 2016, according to latest official data. The number of households renting from a private landlords stands at 4 million while the number of those renting from a council or housing association stands at 3.7 million. Statistics peg the number of renters in the UK at 5.4 million as at 2014, but Rics predicts that at least 1.8 million more households will be looking to rent rather than buy a home by 2025. An analysis published last year by PwC suggests that 7.2 million households will be in rented accommodation by 2025 compared with 5.4 million in 2015 and 2.3 million in 2001.

According to the English Housing Survey, four in 10 renters in the growing private rented sector do not expect to ever buy a house and of those who do, 44% expect to wait more than five years before they can afford it.

House building has abysmally failed to keep pace with Britain’s population explosion, a crisis that was further exacerbated following the financial crisis that induced a slump in house building as the graph shows the UK annual population change against annual new housing build completions. Data source: ONS. Image source: Market Oracle http://bit.ly/2fBK9Wc

Reason #4: The UK has an undersupply of housing

It is an old refrain, but the UK is facing a critical undersupply of housing even up till today. In late 2015, the BBC published an incriminating article on the shortage of housing in the UK, citing the Labour government’s failure to build 240,000 homes by 2016 — a target set in 2007. The Barker Review of Housing Supply had noted in 2005 that about 250,000 homes needed to be built every year to prevent spiralling house prices and a shortage of affordable homes. The closest the UK got to hitting the target was in 2006/07 when 219,000 homes were built. During the EU Referendum campaign, Brexit-backer Iain Duncan Smith said the UK would need to build 240 houses a day for 20 years to cope with increased demand, a claim that has been substantiated by the BBC. And the consequence of undersupply and high demand? Skyrocketing prices. With house prices at unaffordable rates, the only other option would be to rent.

Trivia 1: #DidYouKnow that for decades after WWII, the UK used to build more than 300,000 new homes a year? Now it’s about half that amount.

Trivia 2: In May 2014, BoE governor Mark Carney complained that housebuilding in the UK was half that of his native Canada despite the UK’s population being twice its size.

Home ownership is clearly declining among those within the younger age group. This is caused by a number of reasons including affordability and, increasingly, preference (lifestyle).

Reason #5: Lifestyle – the increasing preference for renting vs buying

While for some it is an economic choice, more are choosing to rent their homes over buying due to lifestyle. This shift is being prompted by younger workers today, also known as the Gen-Y demographic who are setting down later in life and changing jobs and careers with more regularity than their parents. This generation are marrying and having children later in life, allowing them the freedom to move as they want and when they want.

A research conducted by AXA discovered that less than 50% of the research participants are renting because they cannot afford it compared to the 67% in a study performed in 2013. The research revealed that many enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being mortgage-free. Thus the idea of being tied down to a mortgage and a single location is preventative for a workforce that wants to remain transient.

Conclusion

Owning property for rental in the UK is a good investment. It is important, however, to be aware of the costs involved and to be prudent about where you should invest in buy-to-let in order to maximise your returns.

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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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Will the Australian Property Market Crash?

Categories:Reading and Research
Is the Australian property market going to crash? Image credit: http://bit.ly/2f3ezlS

Word is going round again that the Australian property market is up for a crash. Over the last five years or so, this topic has been a popular refrain among doomsayers, yet Australia has managed to avoid the Global Financial Crisis and property prices have gone up, almost doubling in Sydney.

True, there has been a slight dip in investment now compared to last year, but the numbers are still strong according to CoreLogic RP Data’s latest report in October and FIRB’s latest annual report for the FYE 2014-2015, if that is anything to go by. Prices have continued to rise with Sydney and Melbourne leading the pack. And, for all the concerns that have been voiced, capital city auction clearance rates remain high, led by Sydney (>80%) and Melbourne (>70%).

Taking a step back, the prediction about a property crash is resultative of and/or predicated upon several factors including:

  • General unaffordability of property especially in Melbourne and Sydney
  • Tighter regulations on foreign property ownership in Australia
  • Lower rental yields
  • Tightening of lending policies to foreigners by Australia’s top banks
  • Property (over)supply in cities like Brisbane, Melbourne & Sydney

We’re not about to ‘cry wolf’ as the future of the Australian property market should be based on the history of its performance and on facts. Here’s our take on why the Australian property market won’t crash.

Fact #1: Robust Population

Australia has been charting robust population growth. From 2013 to 2016, its population increased by approximately 1 million! Part of this growth is attributable to immigration, with the large majority of immigrants moving to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. An increased population usually results in increased demand for housing. Logically, the reported oversupply of apartments should be absorbed by the incoming population.

Latest demographic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that over the 12 months, the national population increased by 1.4% which translates into an increase of 327,610 persons. Charting the growth is the state of Victoria, as Melbourne remains the powerhouse of population expansion in the country.

Latest figures released by Australian Bureau of Statitics in Sept 2016 show growth in population over the last 12 months, with Victoria charting the growth. Image credit: CoreLogic. Source: ABS& CoreLogic

Click here to WATCH a SPECIAL NEWS REPORT on the growing population of Melbourne.

Fact #2: Sound governance & banking system

The state governments of Victoria, NSW and Queensland have imposed stamp duty taxes on foreigners while the FIRB is now levying new fees on foreign buyers. In the meantime, Australia’s main banks have tightened lending policies to foreigners, at the same time that the Reserve Bank has cut interest rates — now at the lowest level on record. The tightening measures imposed by the government and financial sector is a means to keep a lid on house prices.

On the issue of rates reduction — it is a move to stimulate the property market. Reduced rates encourage more people to take loans and buy property. It seems unlikely that the bank will implement this if the property bubble was a concern as reduced interest rates will mean more people buy and prices rise further.

Fact #3: Fragmented market

Australia’s property market is fragmented. It is inaccurate to blanket the entire market as one, as each state is at its own stage of a property cycle. Even in each state, different segments of the markets behave differently.

Real case study

In Sept 2016, demand for houses and apartments nationally grew 3.1% and 1.9% respectively, yet it was dragged below April levels by a softening WA market. Demand was high, driven by Sydney and Melbourne, yet in WA there was reduced demand. And yet, despite the decline, pockets of Perth bucked the trend: demand for WA houses and apartments fell 6% and 2.9% respectively, but demand for dwellings was at 2.9% increase in September.

Fact #4: Investor Appetite

Offshore investor interest is still high despite the 4 main Australian banks pulling the brakes on lending to foreign buyers earlier this year, as other banks continue lending. HSBC, for example, is enjoying steady lending to foreigners especially with the cuts to interest rates this year. This is the 12th cut since 2011 and the lowest since. In addition, tightening governmental policies have done little to dim the allure of Australian properties among Asian investors.

Fact #5: Sound economy & low unemployment rate

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 5.6% in Sept 2016 – the lowest jobless rate since September 2013. Unemployment rates source: ABS. Image credit: Trading Economics

Australia generally enjoys a sound economy, despite the slight dip in its performance this year. But growth is poised to strengthen in 2017 as the nation continues to transition from a mining-based boom to non-resource drivers of growth. Australia currently enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in the last three years according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the government is expecting employment growth to remain solid.

Conclusion

The property market has always been a cyclical one. Too many doomsayers have come forth in the past, but none of their predictions have come to pass. This is not to say that everything is hunky-dory. Yes, we think there will problems — there will be a correction and moderation in certain segments of the housing market just as there had been before; as an example the CBDs in major cities like Melbourne and Sydney have already been correcting over the past few years (we have been advising clients to stay clear of the CBD if they are expecting strong short term capital growth). Yes, there is all that, but certainly not enough to cause the economy to implode.

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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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Emerging Trends 80 Days After Brexit

Categories:Reading and Research
Some 80 days have passed. What are the trends that have emerged in the property scene? Image credit: http://bit.ly/2cumEgw

It has been 2. 5 months since Brexit. By the end of Sept, the government will start to think steps to invoke Article 50, the ‘divorce process’ that will trigger the UK’s departure from the EU. The property market was among the sectors hit hardest by the referendum, with seven commercial property funds freezing trading within weeks, Reuters reports. However, some trends have emerged that allow for a better observation of the property sector, namely:

  • UK property market players and investors are still confident about the future prospects of the market. Regional cities like Manchester & Liverpool continue to outperform London
  • Alternative/specialist property like UK student property/purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and hotels gained greater traction among investors due to its long leases and liquid returns
  • Private rental sector remains significant as housing supply unable to keep up with demand

 

  1. Future prospects of the market looks good. Regional cities like Manchester & Liverpool outperform London

Indeed, the first post-Brexit updates from property companies indicated greater caution. However, property auctioneers Network Auctions said that in the months since Brexit, little has changed in terms of investor confidence. There has emerged conditions favourable to investors such as the low inflation and low interest rate. Overseas investors are also taking advantage of the low pound.

New data shows that the UK’s housing market, despite having slowed down, is showing signs of healthy activity and resilience.

Using data representative of 90% of properties in the UK’s market, it was observed that the total number of properties had risen on 8th August compared to 22nd June with 866,179 properties were for sale across the UK before the vote.  Readings on 8th August shows this number increased by 1.7% on the market, but with less properties under offer (decrease of 4.3%) versus pre-Brexit.

The average asking price for a UK property also rose by £1,040 from £240,470 on 25th July to £241,510 in August while the average asking price for all properties for sale on the market had increased by 3% to an average value of £247,026 in the same period.

The latest Hometrack UK Cities House Price Index reveals that amid the annual rate of house price inflation slowing down by 9.5% in July after 12 months of higher growth across 20 cities in the UK, this is not the case in the large regional cities in the north of England and Scotland. The rate of annual house price growth in the Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Nottingham continues to rise by 7% – 8%.

 

  1. Increased interest in alternative/specialist property sectors e.g. UK student property (PBSA)

Reuters reports that property investors are are now favouring alternative property such as student property (PBSA), hotels and hospitals. Alternatives accounted for 16% of the total UK property investment in July — an increase from 13% in Q2.

Office and retail total returns fell 3.7% and 3.2% respectively in July while returns from alternative assets were down by only 1.4% in recent months, said CBRE Group Inc. Additionally, CBRE also observed rental growth for alternative assets while traditional property assets saw none.

Alternatives have gained traction due to their long leases and steady tenants, and tend to be less risky and more defensive, compared to traditional commercial property like office and retail spaces.

The PBSA sector demonstrated its comparative resilience during the global financial crisis, showcasing its strong fundamentals. Earlier this month, the A-levels results announcement showed some 424,000 students receive confirmed places in their respective universities, with the number of EU students increasing by 11% to 26,800 despite fears. Note: the UK is not dependent on EU students who represent only around 6% of full-time students.

The sector will continue to remain resilient, with demand for well-located student housing schemes remaining strong,  as structural undersupply underpins rental growth (JLL UK Student Housing Quarterly Bulletin 2016 Q2 Review).

 

iii. Private rental sector significant as housing supply unable to keep up with demand

The proportion of private tenants rose from 11% in 2003 to 19% last year. In Greater Manchester, it rose from 6% to 20% over the same period.

Much has contributed to the private rental sector, such as the relative unaffordability of house prices which corresponds with an acute shortage in housing supply and social housing. The fall in home ownership, according to data from non-profit organisation Resolution Foundation, is at a 30-year low, and corresponded with the rise in renting from private landlords.

Following the Brexit vote, the rental market remains steady as rents, supply and tenant demand did not significantly change in July. The latest monthly report released by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) found that whilst just 12% of agents reported a dip in rent, a staggering three quarters (77%) saw no change in rental costs.

In a similar fashion, the supply of properties and demand for housing remained unchanged immediately after the vote as two-thirds (67%) of ARLA members reported no change in supply, and a further 64% reported no change in the number of prospective tenants looking for properties.

However, a shadow of ambiguity still hangs over the rental market as nearly half (45%) of letting agents witnessed uncertainty from landlords looking to let properties. Fewer entrants to the rental market could put further pressure on rents, as supply falls short of the substantial demand from tenants.

Looking forward, with the current lack of housing to buy, it does appear that the rental sector is going to remain significant for a while.

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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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London’s City in the East

Categories:Reading and Research

If you’ve been wandering around London recently, here’s one thing you would’ve probably noticed: the city is moving eastwards. Thanks, in part, to the London Olympics, the population is booming in east London with growth projections of a further 600,000 in the next 15 years. Today, more Londoners live to the east of the Tower Bridge than west of the city as a wave of regeneration sweeps the area.

Amazingly, east London – which encompasses Canary Wharf (London’s financial centre today) and the London Docklands – was once considered undesirable! It is now one of the city’s most eclectic spots, populated by finance sector workers; the design, digital and creative communities; and families. Transport for London has unveiled proposals for 13 new river crossings, most of which is in East London, beefing up the existing transport network which includes Crossrail links and the DLR.

A snapshot of numbers and plans in East London, courtesy of the London Mayor’s office.

According to Jones Lang Lasalle, property prices in East London for the year to Q1 2016 has shown a 7% growth compared to the city centre’s 1.3%. The chart below illustrates the price growth in various areas of London city.

During a recent trip, we explored East London by car, DLR/Tube and on foot. Signs of regenerative work are visible, particularly on the DLR and Tube rides from the heart of the city to the Excel International Convention Centre at the Royal Victoria Dock (travel time: 40 mins). A drive in the opposite direction on our return journey took about 40 mins in clear traffic – very similar to the time taken to drive/ride the LRT from Kelana Jaya to KLCC.

Canning Town: Signs of regeneration in East London are visible from the DLR.

Shadwell is also a place to watch. Walking from Limehouse Marina to Tower Bridge, we noticed this industrial area has seen an injection of residential developments along the main thoroughfare.

Telford Homes’ The Junction is currently under construction along the main thoroughfare of Shadwell.

London’s Docklands area, which includes the Limehouse Basin, Royal Victoria Dock, The Royal Albert Dock and Silverton Quays are transforming, too. The Royal Docks is set to be East London’s next first-time buyer hotspot with plans for 24,000 homes and 60,000 jobs to be created in the area. The Royal Albert Dock, particularly, will become London’s centre for Asian business thanks to the development of the Asian Business Port, creating 20,000 jobs, and generating £6bn to the London economy.

Construction of residences are still ongoing around the Royal Victoria Dock neighbourhood.

We spent some time at the Royal Victoria Dock, one of London’s fast-growing areas (Zone 3), which looks extremely promising.

The waterfront at Royal Victoria Dock is a fabulous place for the neighbouring community with wide pedestrian walks and spaces, beautiful apartments and greens.

The first of the royal docks, the Royal Victoria Dock has undergone massive regeneration and is extremely accessible by the Emirates Air Line (cable car), DLR, Underground and forthcoming Crossrail.

The Emirates Air Line is an attractive feature at the Royal Victoria Dock.

Residents living within the area enjoy access to the Thames waterfront and great quality of life minutes from the city centre, Canary Wharf, the O2 Arena, the forthcoming Asian Business Park and London Airport.

The O2 and cable cars can be seen from the Royal Victoria Dock waterfront.

The surrounding areas of Custom Excel is well established, with several hotels and waterfront residential apartments co-existing peacefully with the convention centre and commercial developments.

 

The DLR stops right in front of Excel London Convention Centre. Hop on and you’re in the heart of London in about 40 minutes – just about the time it takes to ride the LRT from Kelana Jaya to KLCC!

The forthcoming Crossrail will be a major game changer. Aside from increasing property values along the route, the Crossrail, which will also run through Canary Wharf and East London, will improve connectivity within the city. Travel time will be more efficient as the Crossrail connects Reading to Shenfield while Crossrail 2 runs from Broxbourne to Epsom.

The area is indeed looking up. With improved transport links and gentrification arising from infrastructural investments worth billions, East London is a place to watch.

To know what the government is doing for East London: http://bit.ly/2bY8G9w

East London’s post-Olympics boom towns: http://bit.ly/1SaQYNV

Numbers: Canning Town & Newham areas: http://bit.ly/1SaQYNV

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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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Property Purchase Tax in UK Relatively Low

Categories:Reading and Research

While Europe levies some of the highest property purchase taxes in the world, the UK has a relatively low property purchase tax.

Europe levies some of the highest taxes on the purchase of prime property, charging an average 4% in taxes on a purchase of US$1 million (equivalent £765,000), according to a new study released by UHY, an international accounting and consultancy network.

UHY says that major European economies including France (5.1%), Germany (5.0%), and Spain (8%) levy high property purchase taxes, while Belgium ranks the highest at a whopping 11.3% for real estate worth £765,000.

The United Kingdom, meanwhile, sports a relatively low property purchase tax at 3.5%. UK’s property purchase tax is lower than the European average (3.8%) and higher than the global average by only 0.2%. UK’s property purchase tax is also lower than Australia (4.8%), Pakistan (6.0%), India (5.0%) and Croatia (5.0%).

The low property purchase tax is a blessing for high-performing countries like the UK, which has an acute under supply of housing. Low property purchase tax also helps spur inward investment from foreign investors.

UHY says that although high property tax is an attractive source of revenue for governments, it could discourage labour market mobility and valuable overseas investment. Higher property purchase taxes also puts a strain on domestic buyers, who may not actually be particularly wealthy, given house price inflation in some locations over the last decade or two.

Article originally published at http://bit.ly/2a7XAyF

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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: UK Property Outlook

Categories:Reading and Research
Brexit: the UK has left the building. What is the UK property outlook post-Brexit? Image credit: http://bit.ly/29vbXHr

In a surprisingly historic and shocking move, the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23rd, throwing the global community and stock markets into a furor. But what next? How will Brexit impact the economic and political climate? As expected, plenty of conjecture has surfaced through the cracks. Our research team at CSI Prop cuts through the noise of speculation and presents an unbiased view of what the future holds for the UK economy and residential property market.

Political and financial uncertainty is affirmative, but nothing drastic as the world waits for Article 50 to kick off

As we had correctly predicted in our Brexit FAQ published before the Referendum, Brexit has caused uncertainty, resulting in a tumble in the pound. The housing market has slowed down, but not at any rate worth panicking over. With David Cameron’s resignation, Theresa May has been elected into office as new Prime Minister. Only after this can the government call for Article 50 to take effect.

Britain’s exit is not immediate

The Article 50 process, crudely put, is a divorce. It sets out the exit process for countries wanting to leave the EU, but because it is vague, member states need to enter into negotiations to thrash out the terms of any deal. A two-year window will begin immediately after Article 50 is invoked; this is when Britain will negotiate plans for its relationship with the EU, post-Brexit. The topics to be broached are wide and the terms of a deal will require the unanimous agreement of all 28 member states. This could take more than two years. In the meantime, Britain is still bound by the obligations and responsibilities of its membership with the EU.

Opportunity abounds amid risks

The immediate issues facing the UK is political rather than economic. As such, the political uncertainty could affect the economic climate. The UK government will try to mitigate disruptions and bring certainty to the financial markets as best as it can. Interest rates will likely remain lower for longer. In the short term, the uncertainty of UK’s future relationship with the EU will affect trade and consumer confidence, but this is unlikely to drag out into a blown-out recession as predicted by some naysayers. In short, the UK’s economy is in good health and will ride out the storm.

Ultimately, UK is home to 60 million wealthy consumers and a high-skilled workforce — something that will remain attractive to multinational companies across the globe. Coca-Cola and BMW will still want to access a market this big; skill-based employers such as PwC and Google will always want to access such a large pool of talent (source: Knight Frank).

Higher buying power for overseas investors as pound value falls. Pound to ringgit ratio equivalent to exchange rates after the last financial crisis in 2008.

While investment sentiment will be affected, UK will remain an attractive property investment destination. It looks increasingly likely that investment will be led by Asian and US investors.  With the fall in the pound, London – the most expensive property investment location in the UK – has become more affordable and overseas buyers now have significantly higher buying power. The media is rife with reports of shrewd investors seizing this sterling opportunity to invest in the market. Knight Frank reports that the sale of prime London real estate increased by 38% a week after Brexit!

At the time of publication, the pound to ringgit value stands at £1: RM5.18 representing a 14% drop. More significantly, the value of the pound against the US dollar has dropped to a 31-year low, at £1: US$1.28.

MYR-USD-to-GBP-ratio-csiprop.com
The devaluation of the pound is at a 31-year low against the USD and back within the 2008 rates against the MYR. Overseas investors now have a significantly increased buying power.

People looking to do business in the UK now have a more level playing field with the abolishment of EU red tape, making London an attractive place to invest again.

House prices to rise in the medium term

UK-housing-market-remain-strong-in-bad-times-csiprop
The UK housing market has performed well, rallying even in spite of the recessions over the years.

A general short-term slowdown in the housing market is expected. Developments that have not yet begun could be delayed pending more clarity. The slowdown in the residential market may be a good thing for first-time buyers as property becomes more affordable.

However, the fact remains that the inherent undersupply of housing in the UK will continue to underpin the market. The above chart demonstrates the growth in the UK housing market through the years even during the recessions. The general housing shortage means that prices should rise in the medium to long term as reticence by developers to commit to new builds, will make it harder for the government to achieve its target of building new homes by 2020. This will push house prices up and the cost of renting will rise across many parts of UK as demand from tenants increases whilst new housing supply falls.

Student property to remain resilient

UK student property proved its resilience by outperforming other assets  in weathering the past economic downturn. We are confident that it will ride the Brexit wave well as demand for higher education in the UK is unlikely to be directly affected due to (i) a more attractive exchange rate because of the drop in the pound for international students; (ii) unlikely change in domestic demand for higher education. Knight Frank anticipates that EU students may be required to pay full international rates, but noted that they only represent around 6% of the total full-time student population in the UK. The acute undersupply in purpose built student accommodation in the UK will continue to uphold market values.

UK economy to withstand the challenge

The UK has long been a global superpower with London as the world’s financial, education and cultural centre – even before it became a member of the EU. London will work towards negotiating its own treaties with the world and terms of exit with the EU. We see London’s position as the world’s financial centre wavering in the short term, but will regain its strength once the dust settles.

UK education will continue to hold its stead; we don’t foresee anyone waking up and saying, “I’m not going to study in the London School of Economics because the UK is no longer part of the EU.”

Summary

That Brexit has caused uncertainty in the housing and economic market, is undeniable. There are risks and opportunities, but the UK economy looks set to prevail. The business world will adapt and Britain’s policies and the flexible economy will help it right itself around. While there will be a slowdown in the housing market, this will only be in the short term as the lack of housing supply will not change overnight. Given the substantial shortage of housing across the UK, the residential housing market will remain a good investment in the long term even as student accommodation remains resilient.

Ultimately, Brexit has probably presented one of the best opportunities to invest in a UK property. In the long term, taking advantage of the current market will allow you to reap strong returns once the UK economy picks up again.

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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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Press Release – Silver Lining Behind Brexit for Malaysian Investors

Categories:Reading and Research

For Immediate Release

Silver Lining Behind Brexit for Malaysian Investors

European Referendum holds many advantages for Malaysian investors

Brexit-silver-lining-malaysian-investors-csiprop.com
The European Referendum holds many advantages for Malaysian investors. Image taken from: http://bit.ly/1U8K0dS

Investors of UK property can take comfort that there is a silver lining behind the impending European Referendum.

In the weeks leading up to Brexit, investors have been waiting with bated breath to see the outcome of the referendum on the UK economic and investments market should Britain exit the European Union (EU). Negative speculation has been rife with investors taking a wait and see approach, resulting in subdued demand in the property market especially in London.

For CSI Prop spokesperson Virata Thaivasigamony, however, Brexit offers a number of advantages to investors.

“True, the market has been subdued because of uncertainty leading up to the referendum. However, the Brexit uncertainty presents great buying opportunities especially for buyers from countries with weak exchange rates, for example, Malaysia. In this short term, there are amazing gains for investors as the weaker pound has worked to our advantage,” he said, adding that Britain has always enjoyed a strong and stable economy while London has been a leading global financial centre even before the EU was formed.

Cornerstone International is a leading real estate consultancy marketing foreign real estate to Malaysian investors. The company is based in Kuala Lumpur.

Research by JLL has revealed that some 58% of investors were on the hunt for opportunistic investments, with a number of Asia-based investors looking to capitalize on the weaker pound and slower property market.

While acknowledging that London will take a hit in the event of a Brexit, Virata is confident that the UK will regain its economic and political strength in due course.

“If Brexit occurs, there will be a period of uncertainty and the pound will take a beating. As a result, the UK will be ‘on sale’. Again this is advantageous to investors, particularly those investing in UK student property because UK education will remain strong regardless of Brexit. Malaysians and other foreigners including those from the EU will not stop sending their children to study in the UK – people still want a degree from a UK university,” he added.

The UK’s university system is oversubscribed with 7.3 applications from overseas for each EU student accepted in 2015 and 7.9 for each place accepted by a non-EU student. With demand in purpose built student accommodation superseding supply, the student accommodation market will be more resilient to Brexit than other commercial property even as the demand for UK education remains unabated.

A JLL survey had revealed that a significant number of UK investors remained confident of the student accommodation sector.

“Eventually the uncertainty from Britain’s exit will level off as London makes its own treaties with other countries. London will get back on its feet, and the pound will strengthen again, offering great returns to savvy investors who had taken advantage of the weaker pound. Irrespective of what happens on June 23rd, UK will remain a safe haven for investors,” said Virata, adding that UK is facing a general undersupply in housing.

Conversely, Virata foresees a rapid strengthening of the British currency if Britain chooses to remain in the EU, again benefiting savvy investors who had chosen to take advantage of the weaker pound.

Malaysia is the third largest investor to the UK and Australia property markets in 2014 and 2015, with Singapore and China in first and second place, respectively.

-ends.

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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