Buying, selling and letting - March, 2008

Investors need to keep up with the latest tips and market information, particularly in this challenging climate. Johnny Turner sees what’s new on the bookshelves

In property investment, as with most pursuits, information is power. And the subject of bricks and mortar as money-making vehicle is one that has had a lot of attention in recent years.
In these days of crunchy credit, with many finding financing for buy-to-let ventures harder to come by, it is more important than ever that would-be investors read up on the best way to approach the market. Here are two newly released books are must-haves.

How To Make A Million From Property, by millionaire property developer Gary McCausland, explains how you can make your fortune from property in a falling market as well as in a rising one – in fact, he says, because so many panic at the first sign of inclement weather in the property market, it can be easier to pick up a bargain and therefore make money, during bad times.
Gary McCausland has over 20 years’ experience in the property business and has developed over £50 million worth of property in the last five years. In this passionate and opinionated guide, he shares his expertise and knowledge with first-time property developers, giving them insider advice and knowledge in order to help them avoid pitfalls and common errors.
McCausland outlines his six essential elements that each life-changing deal must have, including: a price that is substantially below market value; motivated sellers; a location that’s on the up; awareness of your target market; adding value; and rapid turnaround.
Belfast-born McCausland says, ‘I came across problems that I had no idea how to resolve when I first started. If I knew then what I know now, I’d be twice as rich.’
Published  on 17 March 2008 by Collins & Brown, priced at £10.99

From the Which? Essential Guides series comes Property Investor’s Handbook, a guide to making money in property that covers renovating for profit, buy-to-let, investing overseas, making money from land and more.
A wide range of considerations are covered here, from risk management to understanding the market, from the importance of exit and back-up plans to meeting your pension needs through property.
The book’s modern, simple design serves to make the various bits of information, whether served in bite-sized facts and figures or slightly longer descriptive passages, easy to follow, digest and act on. An indispensable guide for the investor, whatever investment type or investors’ level of expertise.
Property Investor’s Handbook, a Which? Essential guide, can be ordered on 01903 828557 (at £10.99, p&p free) or at which.co.uk/books, or bought from bookshops.

 

HotProperty.co.uk runs a national index every month that monitors agents’ confidence levels in relation to the previous month.

 

The February ACI shows that agents are very confident in the market this month and buyers seem to agree. We found over half of our users are still looking into investing in property, even despite reports the market is slowing down.

 

The February index found 73 percent of agents were more confident in the market than they were in January. This is a one percent increase in confidence from January.

 

HotProperty.co.uk managing director Shawn Luetchens commented:

 

“This month’s index shows that agents’ confidence in the market is stable. It goes to show that the massive leap in confidence we saw last month wasn’t just a reaction to the January market, which is traditionally a busy period.

 

“Consumers are also showing signs of confidence; our recent research found that 44 percent of buyers have not been put off investing in property by the current market.”

 

www.hotproperty.co.uk/aci

 

We check out some of the other green options on the market including carbon neutral homes and other nifty green features to make your new home guilt-free.

 

ruralZED™, a consortium of architects and specialist manufacturers at the cutting edge of the eco house-building industry, have launched the UK’s first affordable, carbon neutral house at the annual EcoBuild exhibition.

 

The house is the first durable laminated timber frame to incorporate high levels of thermal mass that will help keep residents cooler in summer and warmer in winter, state of the art energy saving building fabric, and enough building integrated renewable energy systems to achieve zero carbon status.

 

By using a frame and traditional materials, as opposed to plastic foam, the construction is both durable and avoids problems with off-gassing and poor indoor air quality that can be inherent with other modern construction techniques. Hence it also has none of the concerns with combustibility that have been encountered with plastic foam construction.

www.ruralzed.com

 

Candler Place, Twickenham

 

Michael Shanly Homes have gone beyond the call of duty with their Candler Place development.

 

Six of the homes have solar water heating via roof mounted evacuated tubes, which contribute to the properties domestic hot water supply. Other environmental features on the development include low emisity glazing (providing enhanced solar gain), the use of selected timbers from sustainable resources, dual flush 4/6L WC systems, energy efficient kitchen appliances (‘A’ rated where possible), bird boxes to all gardens and communal grounds, lockable cycle storage, communal water butts and solar powered bollard lighting to the external areas.

 

www.michaelshanly.co.uk

 

Aspect

Upton, Northhamptonshire

 

Aspect at Upton is a development of 26 three, four and five bedroom homes feature a wide range of environmentally friendly technologies.

 

There are roof mounted photovoltaic systems which will generate electricity     to assist power to individual homes and will allow unused power to be sold back to the National Grid. Fuel bills will also be reduced by the introduction of green roofs, acting as superior insulation, keeping homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. High efficiency boilers are assisted by solar thermal panels and      advanced combustion fireplaces powered by dry wood have been selected for optimum energy efficiency.     Harnessing natural resources also extends to rainwater harvesting for washing cars and watering gardens.

 

www.dwh.co.uk

Holborough

Snodland

 

Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd is the largest builder of timber frame Super E® homes in the world, with its Holborough development in Snodland leading the way in the energy saving stakes. The Super E® technology being used at Holborough creates a ‘sealed’ environment in homes.

 

This means warm air inside can’t escape through holes in windows and doors, or through the roof. The ‘sealed’ environment is achieved by using panels that are constructed under strict factory conditions for better quality control. Once in place, the panels provide an airtight setting and superb insulation.

 

The Super E® system also helps to regulate three other areas where heat is lost in the home, including the stack effect (when heat rises and cold air is sucked in), the flue effect (when warm air escapes up the chimney) and the wind effect (when a home is subjected to strong, cold winds).

 

In addition, Super E® technology employs a heat recovery ventilator that brings fresh air into the house and controls humidity. The old air leaving the building warms the incoming air, although it is never mixed. Therefore, the need for central heating is vastly reduced.!

 

www.holborough.co.uk

 

Campbell Square

Milton Keynes

 

The Campbell Square development in Milton Keynes boasts a sustainable design includeing renewable energy such as solar panels and environmentally friendly green roofing.

 

All the homes have superb facilities such as energy efficient white goods, low energy white downlighters and insulation which go beyond current building regulations. Some of the development's apartments can expect the solar panels to provide 40-50% of their hot water helping to reduce gas bills and carbon emissions.

 

The residences will comply with the EcoHomes excellence rating.

http://www.georgewimpey.co.uk/

New builds are now expected to be environmentally conscious – both during the build and in the features of the homes. We look at the winners of the annual New Homes Award Green Homes category.

 

Houses

 

 

PLATINUM - George Wimpey South Midlands - Oxley Woods

Oxley Woods makes a design statement through use of innovation and sustainable materials. The design, by world renowned architects Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners, perfectly complements the development’s woodland setting. The development began as a competition to design a home that would cost just £60,000.  These homes achieve the maximum National Home Energy Rating and a ‘Very Good’ EcoHomes classification as well as a 40 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared with a conventional new house of a similar size. Oxleywoods.com

 

 

GOLD - Ward Homes - Origins

Origins by Ward Homes is a unique development of homes in Ashford, Kent, including eight one-bedroom houses, nine two-bedroom houses and four three-bedroom houses. The homes have a range of eco-features including solar panels, efficient boilers, and water-saving devices and cycle storage units.  Wardhomes.co.uk.

 

 

 

SILVER  Hillreed Homes - Capell Gardens

Capell Gardens, is a development of 15 homes near Maidstone, Kent.  The homes boast a range of environmental innovations including loft insulation, double glazing, energy efficient appliances, low energy internal and external lighting, low emission and high efficient boilers.  Flow regulators on wash basin taps, showers and outside taps mnimisise water usage and as part of the service, Hillreed Homes provides all new home owners with an environmental best practice guidance welcome pack.  Hillreed.co.uk

 

Apartments

 

Green Homes

 

 

GOLD Bellway South East - Meridian South

Meridian South is a £100 regeneration project, the redevelopment of the former Hither Green Hospital in South London. The scheme, set south of Greenwich on the Meridian line, includes 544 apartments set across eight buildings.  The focal point of the development is a pedestrian piazza, while other amenities include a supermarket, restaurant and a leisure centre. Hither Green station provides a link to London Bridge, making a commute into the City quick and straightforward. Bellway.co.uk

 

 

 

SILVER Telford Homes  - Stradthaus

Stadthaus in Islington, is situated on Murray Grove, off Shepherdess Walk in N1, ideal for the City worker who wants to eliminate the hassle of car commuting and the relative unpredictability of the tube, and simply walk into work. It is an eco-friendly development, from it’s commute-free location to the secure bicycle storage, while also offering stylish simplicity and all modern comforts. Telfordhomes.plc.uk

 

 

PLATINUM Premier Properties - White Gables

White Gables has an Eco Home ‘excellent’ rating. The 14 luxury two-bedroom apartments host a number of energy-saving initiatives including solar heating and eco-friendly appliance and features. All apartments observe a below-average swelling emission rate with regard to CO² emissions.  It is also well located for reducing car commuting, with three main stations - South Croydon station and both East and West Croydon stations - within two miles.  Premier-properties.co.uk