Investments that are as safe as houses
TUMULTUOUS financial markets have not turned off the property investor. Indeed, the luxury London and world cities markets are booming.
Catherine Cockcroft of estate agent Aylesford says: “Investing in bricks and mortar has proved to be a reliable asset because stocks and shares are extremely unsteady, interest on savings is nominal and a reasonable pension is looking unlikely in years to come.”
No wonder then that the Property Investor Show – the annual gathering for property investors and landlords – is back in town next week. And we are promised that this year it’s going to be bigger than ever. It will even be sporting an Indian pavilion, where developers and agents from mainstream Goa to niche markets such as Gurgoan will be out in force, ready and willing to give comment and advice on the market.
There will also be Sipp Zone, dealing with property for self-invested personal pensions, catering to investors after strong but reliable returns. Cockcroft says that renting can deliver a gross yield of around 3.5 per cent: “Much healthier than the typical interest rates offered by banks.”
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
There will be a focus on student accommodation too. Dave Burgess, who is marketing his firm the Hotel Investment Company at the show, says he’s going to be there because the student accommodation market shows no sign of declining and many investors haven’t realised this yet. “In fact, the provision of accommodation is likely to increasingly be the preserve of the private sector since universities will be concentrating their resources on their core business – the provision of good quality teaching and research.”
The Property Investor Show & OPP Live 2011 show will take place in the ExCel centre, London on 13-15 October 2011. To find out more visit: www.propertyinvestor.co.uk/london.