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Brazil hailed as an exciting opportunity for buy to let property investors
Brazil is one of the world’s most exciting emerging property markets for investors looking for buy to let real estate that brings in a regular income, according to a new report. The report highlights how this years FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games means that the country will attract more visitors which increases rental prospects in the major cities, especially those hosting these sporting events. The information in the report from Colordarcy is gathered from several independent sources, to give a clear overview of the main property hotspots and the kind of returns investors can expect, according to managing director Loxley McKenzie. ‘With an economy that has grown rapidly, Brazil looks set to continue offering investors high emerging market returns at low risk. Our latest report is designed to give investors, who may not be too familiar with Brazil, advice on where and how to invest,’ he added. Overall the outlook for property prices in Brazil will depend on how many people want a particular property and what they are prepared to pay for it, according to the report. When it come to rents at the moment the volume of rental properties in major cities is very low and vacancy rates are only 10%, according to real estate portal Zap Imoveis. ‘This creates an unique opportunity in Brazil property and see rental yields of 8% to 11% per annum and an increase in the price of property of between 10% and 15% per annum,' the report says. ‘In the major cities young professionals are struggling to afford the kind of prices now being asked for properties in good areas and even with the mortgage rates falling into single figures, affordability is unlikely to improve,’ it claims. ‘As a result those who purchase buy to let properties in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia are cashing in by doubling the rent when tenants come to renew their contracts,’ it adds. The report suggests that the most attractive investments in terms of yields are smaller one and two bedroom apartments in new developments. 'Despite the shortage of rental properties, older developments that lack modern amenities are unlikely to see the dramatic increases in rents seen in new developments,’ the report explains. ‘A 50 square meter apartment will generate yields of 9.6% whereas larger units would be 5.4% to 7.2%. Apartments in the suburbs of Sao Paulo offer yields of between 4% and 8% and in more central areas close to transport links yields can be up to 11%, making it one of the world’s most attractive destinations for buy to let investors,’ it adds. When it comes to looking ahead the report points out that some of the dramatic increases in property prices seen since 2009 are now beginning to stabilise, adding that this is not a surprise as construction has accelerate to meet demand. Indeed, in 2013 price growth slowed from around 20% year on year to 12% and 10% to 12% is forecast for 2014. It also points… Continue reading
UK property prices up 6.8% year on year, latest ONS data shows
UK house prices increased by 6.8% in January compared with a year earlier, taking the average home price to £254,000, according to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). This is a monthly increase of 5.5% compared to December 2013 and the price growth was seen across all parts of the UK. House prices grew by 7.1% in England, 6.9% in Wales, 1.4% in Scotland and 2.7% in Northern Ireland. London is again showing the highest growth at 13.2%, followed by the South East at 7.1% and the West Midlands at 5.3%. Excluding London and the South East, UK house prices increased by 3.8% in the 12 months to January 2014. The data also shows that on a seasonally adjusted basis, average house prices increased by 0.6% between December 2013 and January 2014. It means that first time buyers, regarded as an essential part of the property market recovery, are paying more. The ONS figures show that in January prices paid by first time buyers were 7.6% higher on average than in January 2013. For existing owners prices increased by 6.5% for the same period. According to Peter Rollings, chief executive officer of Marsh & Parsons, with the average UK house price now over £250,000, it means that the bulk of transactions are within the 3% stamp duty tax band and this will provide yet more ammunition for critics who believe the Chancellor played a bad hand by not reforming stamp duty thresholds in last week’s budget. ‘The London property market is still soaring ahead, with a 13.2% annual house price increase which dwarfs that in the rest of the UK. The average property price in the capital is now over three times that in the North East. Unwavering demand from UK and overseas buyers is a key ingredient behind this rate of growth, and Prime London property continues to be a Mecca for property investment,’ he explained. ‘And with pensioners now freed from the shackles of annuity, the buy to let market could become a Holy Grail for retirement, offering unrivalled tax efficient investment,’ he added. David Newnes, director of Your Move and Reeds Rains, part of LSL Property Services, pointed out that momentum is growing as lending has increased substantially in the last yea. ‘This is largely thanks to the combination of consumer confidence, an array of attractive mortgage deals and a real willingness on the part of banks to lend to borrowers with smaller deposits,’ he said. ‘Pricing is being driven by greater lending availability, positive consumer sentiment as the jobs market continues to improve along with the wider economy. Cheaper rates and increased high LTV lending has encouraged more first time buyers to invest in property,’ he added. But he warned that rising demand for housing must be matched with rising supply if the government is to bring the cost of housing within the reach of first time buyers. In the context of the cost of living crisis which has been central in the… Continue reading
Detailed figures reveal the success of UK’s Help to Buy scheme
Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed his government’s flagship Help to Buy scheme which aids people buying a new home, as a great success after figures show over 17,000 benefitted in the months since its launch. Figures shows that it is overwhelmingly benefiting first time buyers and contrary to critics it is not benefitting people in London and the South East with the vast majority of buyers outside these areas. The newly published figures reveal that 17,395 people have already bought a home through Help to Buy and the number of aspiring homeowners using the scheme continues to grow. Over 80% of sales were to people taking their first step onto the housing ladder with 89% part of the equity loan scheme and 82% the mortgage guarantee scheme. The highest number of people buying a home through the mortgage guarantee scheme is in the Scotland and the North West, while the equity loan part for new build properties, was at its highest in the South East. But overall some 77% of those supported by Help to Buy were from outside London and the South East, 85% for Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee completions. ‘Help to Buy is a key part of our long term economic plan, giving thousands more people the security and independence that comes from owning their own home,’ said Cameron. His officials pointed out that Help to Buy continues to support responsible lending, with the average cost of a house bought under the mortgage guarantee at £148,048 and the average cost of a house bought under the equity loan scheme at £203,137, both of which remains below the UK average house price. An average house price bought under Help to Buy as a whole costs £194,992. The data also shows that the mortgage guarantee continues to be a success with home buyers, with completions tripling from 750 to over 2,500 in just over one month and mortgage lenders from both ends of the scale continuing to see strong demand. Two of the largest lenders, Lloyds and RBS have received 9,569 applications, and one of the smallest lenders in the scheme, Aldermore has received 2,313. The figures were published after the announcement confirmed in last week’s Budget that the equity loan part of the scheme has been extended to 2020. That means a further £6 billion to help 120,000 more households buy a new build home. There are currently 10,424 reservations already in the pipeline. Continue reading
