International Buyers

Property buyers and high net-worth individuals from Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand seek overseas property, and some investment organisations are helping such buyers in the foreign markets. Hong Kong and China Buyers are optimistic about UK property, supported by softening currency, falling stocks, rising borrowing costs and new opportunities.  

These buyers mostly go for Australian or UK property. Australian investment requires one to pay vacancy and application fees and undergo the allotment process per quota. Cities such as Bangkok and Tokyo are already offering high-priced properties. The UK offers reliable property, and many Asian visitors to the country see huge potential in the market. 

Asian Buyers in Manchester and Liverpool

The UK offers attractive long-term rental yields of up to 3 per cent and accessibility to university education, appraisal and higher ROI. Rich buyers from Asia believe one can trust UK property markets compared to other regions. 

Manchester and Liverpool are the fastest growing cities in Europe, with a population of 572,000. Growth in real estate in Liverpool was recorded at 7.5 per cent, while the prices remain at £120,100. The city is seen as buy-to-let capital due to exceptional offers.

Manchester offers growth at 6.8 per cent, and in the last few years, the business opportunities grew more than three times as compared to the national average. In addition, Manchester property growth is highly strong, where about 40 per cent of the total population holds a degree. 

A report published by the State of the City claims the number of active businesses grew in the city by 18 per cent in 2015-2016. In addition, at least 69 per cent of the university graduates stay back in the city to start their career and up to 36 per cent return to the city for further studies.

September Markets

In September, housing prices grew in the UK at a rate of 1 per cent. However, markets offer opportunities for first-time buyers to get the desired deal. On average, smaller properties and two bedrooms buy-to-let take 58 days to sell across all areas. 

Higher tax, i.e. increase in stamp duties and politico-economic concerns, have been responsible for inadequate response in some areas, where the data claims the landlords are happy as the new buyers or buy to let mortgage approvals reduced 14 per cent in the current year, and by 50 per cent in the last three years.  

From April 2019, the overseas investors will have to pay CGT up to 9 per cent of the profits earned through the sale of commercial properties.
Buyers are driven by volatile stock markets and low buyer sentiments, while international buyers exploring high-growth foreign regions seek property in the UK. Currently, the asking prices are low by 30 per cent in certain property markets. 

Manchester is one of the key growing regions with the highest yields where the report by Juwai dot com found a 200 per cent increase in demand in August this year compared to last year. Emoov figures find the demand for UK property increased 39 per cent in Q3 due to higher demands from the overseas buyers, where the increase was 6 per cent y-o-y.

To know more about UK properties, click Hamilton International Estates (www.hamiltoninternationalestates.com)