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Demand for high end properties in Venice up 20% year on year
Enquiries for prime real estate in Venice have increased by 20% year on year with demand particularly for centrally located properties, according to a new report. The market in Venice is very active at the moment, especially at the top end with rich buyers seeking prestige properties finished to the highest of standards, says Ann-Marie Doyle of Sotheby’s International Realty. Buyers increasingly favour turn-key solutions over restoration projects and those from the UK, France, Germany and Austria have been key players in the Venetian market for years and this international interest has remained strong. ‘However, this year we have seen a noticeable rise in demand for prime properties priced between €3 million and €10 million. Notably, US buyers are now returning to the market due to the advantageous exchange rates,’ she explained. An example is Palazzo Molin, a 15th century residential conversion which has been converted into 17 highly specified apartments that combine classic Venetian architecture with contemporary design located minutes from landmarks such as Piazza San Marco and the Fenice Opera House. Apartments in the historic palace have been bought as second homes and buy to let investments with 50% now sold. ‘Whilst Venice is not a traditional buy to let location, it is a city where buyers can have the best of both worlds in terms of a second home in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, as well as strong rental investment potential,’ said Doyle. ‘There is an ever-increasing demand for prestige short term rental apartments in Venice and this, coupled with the shortfall of top quality apartments that appeal to a sophisticated international clientele, is driving the high end rental market,’ she explained. ‘Visitors, and indeed buyers, come to Venice for its rich cultural offering, and events such as the Biennale reaffirm its timeless global appeal,’ she added. Continue reading
Flagship UK Help to Buy scheme reaches 100,000
Help to Buy, the UK government’s flagship housing scheme, has helped almost 100,000 people buy a new home since it was introduced, the latest data shows. Since the launch of the Help to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee schemes some 80% of scheme completions have been made by first time buyers, with more expected when the government’s Help to Buy ISA launches this autumn. The data also shows that the average house price was £184,000, significantly below the national average, almost 94,000 people have bought a home through the scheme, 95% of Help to Buy completions took place outside of London and over half of Help to Buy completions have been for new build homes. The Help to Buy equity loan scheme and the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee were launched in 2013 to support buyers who could pay a mortgage, but couldn’t afford the high deposits demanded by lenders in the wake of the financial crisis. Together with the government’s Help to Buy NewBuy scheme, which offered 95% mortgages for those buying new build properties, the number of new home owners has reached 99,601. The scheme also continues to benefit first time buyers overwhelmingly, with the vast majority of sales outside of London and at prices well below the national average, officials said, adding that Help to Buy is also ensuring the long term health of the housing market by increasing housing supply, stimulating home building. Over half of the homes bought through Help to Buy are new build properties, helping to contribute to the 41% rise in private house building in England since the launch of Help to Buy. With almost all completions outside London, the highest number of homes have been through the mortgage guarantee scheme in the North West region. The equity loan scheme for new build properties is particularly high in the South East region. Figures for the mortgage guarantee scheme also show completions have been least concentrated in regions where house price growth is highest. In London the scheme makes up just 1% of all mortgage lending compared to an average of 3% across the country. ‘The government’s Help to Buy scheme has now helped nearly 100,000 people across the UK achieve their aspiration of buying a new or bigger home and I’m looking forward to these numbers growing even more with the launch of the new Help to Buy ISA this autumn, which will ensure that first time buyers saving for a deposit get an additional boost from the government,’ said Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. ‘Key to our long term plan is providing economic security for people at every stage in life. The security of owning your own home is a big part of this, which is where Help to Buy comes in. It’s also boosting the economy more widely by driving an increase in house building in Britain, ensuring long-term housing supply and creating jobs,’ he added. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said that anyone who… Continue reading
