Thinking of adding a commercial property to your portfolio? Here are some of the things you should consider before making an offer. Choosing to buy retail space, whether it is to be let out by you or to be used in your own business, can be risky if you don’t
The decision to build a pipeline is usually based on the necessity of transport over a long distance. Most likely, a type of liquid or gas will be transported. Examples can be oil, natural gas, water or even steam. The purpose can be commercial or private. The raw material and
Statistically, the United Kingdom’s population has increased by 7% in the last decade, increasing to just over sixty three million according to a recent census. With reported falling property prices and low interest rates, now may seem like the intelligent time to invest in buying a property in the UK.
Sporting arenas are interesting places from an architect’s point of view. You have to build something which is capable of holding thousands of people and catering to any needs they must have. On top of this, many sporting arenas around the world have their own little quirks about their construction
The materials with which a property has been constructed are of utmost importance to mortgage lenders and, therefore, you, the buyer, as well. Before falling desperately in love with a property, try to think rationally and consider how challenging it may be to find a willing mortgage lender, as well
When a land dispute comes up, you need to act fast but remember to stay calm. Find out our top tips for settling land disputes here in this article. Tips For Settling Land Disputes No one wants to have to deal with a land dispute but it can happen to
In most cases, purchasing real estate properties represents one of the most expensive transactions done by a person and, when involved in this, it is necessary to verify all the aspects of the respective property as some sellers can engage in various frauds, from minor matters (such as not disclosing
When you are investing in commercial property for your business, you need to make sure that you know what you are doing. Find out more here. The Guide To Buying Your First Commercial Property When it comes to investing in your first commercial property, there is a lot to consider.
Moving is often described as one of the most stressful things you can do in life, especially if you have come to be settled in one place and have picked up a lot of possessions without realising. These must all be gotten rid of or moved. Below are some of
Construction industry veterans know that finance is a bull that all firms must wrestle with on a regular basis. Unlike other start-ups (in the digital realm for instance) construction start-ups face large overheads and low margins meaning that it can take years and years until they are able to turn
Thinking of adding a commercial property to your portfolio? Here are some of the things you should consider before making an offer. Choosing to buy retail space, whether it is to be let out by you or to be used in your own business, can be risky if you don’t entirely know what you are doing. Here are some of the things which you need to know about if you are considering buying commercial property in 2019. Find the Right Solicitor If you are thinking about starting a property portfolio, you should search for a firm of commercial property solicitors to help you out. They will be the legal experts you need to find the perfect property. With the help of the right firm, you may even find legal advice for a whole range of different topics. You could find people willing to help with commercial taxation or even acquiring any permits or licenses your commercial space needs. Building a legal team who can help you out with all your legal needs from within the same firm will prove invaluable, as you know that all your concerns can be handled internally by a group of colleagues. Is It in a Good Location? Location is everything for a business. Is it located on a high street or in some other commercial zone? You can guess that this will get it the traffic it needs to support a business. Buying a commercial property which is a little out the way can be risky, unless you plan to open a business which would suit this type of location. Finally, you should always take a look at the building’s access. What are the streets around the property like, and is there good access to major roads? These are all questions you need to ask. Look at the Building’s Amenities When you have a property in mind, you should take a look at what else you can get with it. Does it have a designated parking area your customers can use? If it is part of a wider retail complex, what benefits do you get as an owner? You should also check out whether or not the property has any licenses or permits and whether you need to apply for them. For example, a cafe might need a certification of hygiene from the local council before they are able to open for business. How Much Renovation Does It Need? Obviously, either you or your tenant will renovate the property to best suit the business going in there. However, you should make sure that all the basic amenities are in place before the renovation begins. If it is an older business you have purchased, how safe is the wiring? When was the last time that a complete refit took place? These are the questions you need answers to before you commit to buying a property for commercial purposes. If it does not match the local building regulations then you will need to fix this before you allow a business to occupy the space. Follow these tips and it won’t be long before you have found the perfect business to add to your property portfolio!
The decision to build a pipeline is usually based on the necessity of transport over a long distance. Most likely, a type of liquid or gas will be transported. Examples can be oil, natural gas, water or even steam. The purpose can be commercial or private. The raw material and the distance are relevant for the choice of the right material. Choosing the right material is critical to the success of the construction. Fortunately, there are websites available online to help with this task. They offer a huge variety of different materials and shapes. The different stages As already mentioned, pipelines are built for transport and resemble an assembly line. Often pipeline construction projects are consistent with manageable segments, the so-called “spreads”. Each segment then becomes a specific part of the finished pipeline. Firstly, it is common practice to carry out a pre-construction inventory that allows the localisation of supply lines, etc. At this stage, the centre line and the outer boundaries of the pipeline are also defined. Secondly, some grubbing-up and planning must be carried out in order to install temporary erosion control measures. The topsoil will then be removed by continuing the excavation of the pipe trench. After much of the soil has been excavated, individual pipe connections are placed near the trench before the tube bending machine is used to create the desired pipe shapes for adaptation to the pipeline. At this stage, once the tubes have been aligned, it is time to weld them together. The pipeline must be inspected thoroughly at this stage to ensure that the entire length of the pipeline is not leaking. The pipeline is then covered again with soil and after a test run the pipeline should be ready to be put in operation. As always, protective measures are required from an ecological point of view. The example of steel pipes One type of pipe that might be used when constructing a pipeline is steel pipes. Steel is a durable and sturdy material and steel pipes in particular are customisable,rendering them useful for a variety of applications. Steel pipes come in different shapes, lengths and thicknesses and are truly a unique material which may be used for many purposes. Keep an eye on the market When constructing a pipeline, a reliable and cost-effective material is essential. The search for the right material therefore requires some considerations. It is a good start to find out about the shapes and materials on the market. However, in order to find the best possible solution, expert opinions may be required, so it is advisable to consult experts before building a pipeline.
Statistically, the United Kingdom’s population has increased by 7% in the last decade, increasing to just over sixty three million according to a recent census. With reported falling property prices and low interest rates, now may seem like the intelligent time to invest in buying a property in the UK. However, with the uncertainty of Brexit, and the statistic of just 285,000 properties being bought with cash alone in 2018, it begs the question, are investors hesitant to buy UK properties? Below are just a few reasons why people may be hesitant to invest in a UK property in 2019: The current and near-future UK economy has to be considered It was shown that economic growth slowed at the end of 2018. Although it’s expected to recover in 2019, it’s set to remain sluggish throughout the upcoming year. Changes to taxes act as a negative for certain It’s predicted that mortgage interest relief is set to be capped at the basic rate of 20% by April 2020. Foreign investors are particularly hesitant to buy in the In the past, a lot of wealth has previously been poured into the UK by China, Arabic countries and Russia alike. The income of this has drastically slowed down, due to the fear of current political change in the UK. The weaker UK pound is also something to be With this pushing up the price of goods imported from abroad, it will inevitably feed into higher inflation rates. Then of course, there is the 3% stamp duty surcharge on second homes for those considering a buy to let Landlords can no longer claim full tax relief on mortgage interest. Interest rates themselves are set to rise to the highest level in a decade since the financial crash, increasing from 0.25% to 75%. Brexit is something that cannot be ignored, and the Bank of England predict that the impact of the UK leaving the EU could be highly significant for the housing If a “no deal” Brexit is chosen, house prices are predicted to fall by 30%, which compares with the drop of 17% in the average UK property as a result of the financial crisis ten years ago. Again, it also comes back to the political and financial uncertainty of the UK at present, and how this will potentially discourage foreign investors. However: Some of these aspects could actually be seen as advantageous for new and experienced investors alike. Despite there being undeniable risks, it is true that with interest rates being at an all time low, borrowing is actually cheaper. Mortgage payments being low, increases the amount that monthly rent can be charged for, and subsequently landlords are earning a higher rental The UK is actually the top European city for property There are alternative options for investors, like quick sale companies such as ReadySteadySell; if they end up looking for a quick cash sale, or are alternatively looking to make a purchase of the same. Cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds are flourishing like never London no longer has the monopoly, as many places up North are regenerating. Birmingham alone has gone through a complete transformation, costing over £500 million in development. Educationally, of the top universities in the world, 16 are in the With record levels of population growth, it seems the UK will continue to grow and flourish. If statistics are correct, it’s set that 20% of the population will rent in the next five years, so now is a good time to invest in a buy-to-let Although there undoubtedly pros and cons to be considered before investing in a UK property, it’s fair to say there are significant arguments for both sides. As with any investment, there are risks and pay-offs, so are investors hesitant to invest in UK properties? The debate is ongoing.
Sporting arenas are interesting places from an architect’s point of view. You have to build something which is capable of holding thousands of people and catering to any needs they must have. On top of this, many sporting arenas around the world have their own little quirks about their construction so here are some of our favourites. La Bombonera Boca Juniors are one of the most popular football teams in Argentina. They are loved by many and their matches always receive a flurry of support and bets from people wanting them to do well, so how about you try your luck at NetBet sport to score a big wager on their next important match. While three sides have the usual tiered seating we see in stadiums all over the world, the fourth side has what is referred to as the “flat” stand. Instead of pushing back, the three tiers of the flat stand are vertical and it can often give the impression that Boca fans are going to dive forward onto the pitch. Victoria Park The Highland home of the football team Ross County might seem ordinary enough to a passer-by or even a football fanatic, however, when you compare its seating capacity to the nearby town of Dingwall, something crops up which is quite amusing. Victoria Park draws crowds of supporters in from all over Ross-shire and so the stadium can support over 6500 fans. Meanwhile, Dingwall has a population of 5491, according to the 2011 census. It’s amusing to think that an entire town can comfortably fit inside the seats of its football stadium and still have plenty of room. The Water Cube Head to the Olympic Park in Beijing and you will be confronted by the Beijing National Aquatics Center, or as it is colloquially known, the Water Cube. The design of this interesting building was chosen from an international competition and, as the name suggests, it resembles a cube of water. The unique pattern to the walls and ceiling makes for a very interesting viewing, whether you are inside the building or out. In addition to its use for the water events in the 2008 Summer Olympics, it will host the curling events of the 2022 Winter Games. The Taiwan National Stadium If you head to the national stadium of Taiwan, you will be confronted by a blue-grey structure half-curving around the stadium itself. This is supposed to resemble a dragon and is the brainchild of architect Toyo Ito. The blue-grey structure is actually thousands of solar panels and they provide 100% of the stadium’s energy in addition to being hooked up to the country’s national grid. Therefore, they can seep off any extra energy for locals to use whenever there is not a match playing. Most people are too focused on what is happening during the games to pay attention to the building they are in, however, this can result in you missing out on some fantastic quirks the architects have put in. Head down to your local sporting arena today and see what you can find out about it. It might be small but there will be something there.
The materials with which a property has been constructed are of utmost importance to mortgage lenders and, therefore, you, the buyer, as well. Before falling desperately in love with a property, try to think rationally and consider how challenging it may be to find a willing mortgage lender, as well as a company to provide buildings insurance. What is a non-standard building? A non-standard building, also known as non-traditional, is one constructed using non-typical materials or methods whereas a standard building is generally defined as a home that has brick or stone walls and a tiled or slate roof. Examples: Pre-fabricated steel (prefab) Wood/timber (e.g. timber frame) Thatched roofs Corrugated iron Glass (walls and roofs) Concrete Wattle and daub Asbestos Certain flats (for example, those above shops) Listed properties Eco homes, ones deemed to be kinder to the environment in terms of construction and utilities, can also fall into this category, depending on the materials and methods used. Why can non-standard buildings be so problematic? Non-standard buildings can be pleasing to look at, but less pleasing when it comes to finding the perfect lender. Often the methods used are outdated or the materials are susceptible to damage from the elements, for example, during storms. Many pre-fabricated steel properties in the UK were not intended to be long-term dwellings, rather a post-second world war housing crisis solution for replacing houses, which had been damaged or destroyed by bombs. There was a shortage of traditional building materials and a desperate need for social housing. The concrete used tends to crumble with age, and the steel can corrode and suffer metal fatigue over time; it is almost impossible to predict when this may happen and, indeed, if the process has already begun. For these reasons, mortgage lenders can be reluctant to offer financial support readily. However, your story does not have to end here, unless you would like it to. I’ve already fallen in love with a non-standard property. What can I do now? First of all, decide if buying, rather than renting, a house is for you. In each area of the country, buying is cheaper than renting, but it might not be the perfect time for you to buy. If buying is your final decision, ensure that you compare mortgage rates regularly. This will allow you to see which mortgage providers will lend against the precise materials with which a home has been built, and find the best deals specifically for you. It is important to take into account that many buyers are put off purchasing a non-standard dwelling for the reasons listed above. You certainly could use this to your advantage and offer (once you have consulted mortgage lenders) accordingly. Furthermore, there are ways to adapt your non-standard dwellings to ensure it is likely to withstand severe weather conditions. Although an expensive process, concrete panels can be removed and replaced with a brick alternative, meaning the property is able to be mortgaged more easily.
When a land dispute comes up, you need to act fast but remember to stay calm. Find out our top tips for settling land disputes here in this article. Tips For Settling Land Disputes No one wants to have to deal with a land dispute but it can happen to the best of neighbours in a blink of an eye. Solving a land dispute is relatively easy, if you know about the steps that you need to take to keep things as civil as possible. Here, we are going to give you some of our tips for settling land disputes. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more about this sort of issue. Talk To Your Neighbour One of the most important things that you can do to solve a land dispute is to talk to your neighbour. Often, things get mis-communicated and this escalates the problem even further. If you take the time to discuss the matter carefully and ensure that everyone knows the facts – this can help to solve things a lot quicker; try to organise a meeting before you get in touch with a solicitor. This way, you might be able to settle the issue before things need to go any further. Gather Your Documents When the land dispute first happens, you might need to produce some sort of documentation to prove that you own a certain part of the land. To prove this, you will need to gather documents that include the deeds or the map created by a surveyor. Make sure that you have these documents handy to ensure that everything plays out the way it should. Contact A Solicitor If things get a little more serious then we suggest that you get in contact with a solicitor who specialises in land disputes. Finding the right solicitor can help you to ensure that you get what you deserve and that things remain civil between you and your neighbour. Make sure that you do your research and find a solicitor with experience in these matters as this way, you can settle the dispute a lot faster. Stay Calm While it can be easy for these sorts of issues to cause a lot of tension, you need to try and stay calm throughout the process. Getting angry at your neighbour who might have misunderstood the situation is not going to get you anywhere faster. Make sure that you are honest about the land that you own and be calm when speaking to your neighbour. This way, you won’t ruin your relationship and cause more problems for your family or your land further down the line. Final Verdict Land disputes can be extremely hard to navigate when you don’t have much experience in this area. For this reason, we suggest that you take on board the tips that we have given you in this article. Make sure to always stay calm and have a chat with your neighbour about the issue. If you need to go as far as getting a solicitor, then you should make sure that you choose one that is experienced in land disputes. This way you can settle the dispute in no time at all.
In most cases, purchasing real estate properties represents one of the most expensive transactions done by a person and, when involved in this, it is necessary to verify all the aspects of the respective property as some sellers can engage in various frauds, from minor matters (such as not disclosing different flaws of the property) to selling properties that do not exist or which they do not own. Thus, as a buyer, it is compulsory to verify the property’s title report, which provides a clear image of the respective real estate. At the same time, the buyer should also examine the property as some sellers will typically not disclose small problems the property has; in this sense, it is recommended to do the due diligence procedures. Real estate frauds are not done only by the sellers, the real estate brokers can also engage in various forms of frauds in order to gain money out of the respective transaction. Thus, one of the most common ways through which real estate agents scam the clients is by adding non-existing fees to the respective transactions, especially when the buyer is not fully aware on all the types of taxes and fees applicable to the sale procedure. When engaging in purchasing a real estate property, in order to avoid any fraud, it is recommended to receive legal assistance from persons with experience in this field and who can assess the legal situation of the purchase process as, for example, in certain cases, the real estate agent can mislead the possible buyer by not disclosing relevant matters related to the property’s documents. Thus, one of the most efficient ways to avoid real estate frauds is by observing the legal procedures available in a given jurisdiction, the taxes and fees applicable by the law, the rights and obligations of all the parties included in the transaction. With the rise of the internet, real estate properties available for sale can now be advertised online and numerous persons have become the victims of various scams; regardless of how a person finds an attractive real estate offer, it is absolutely necessary to meet the owner and see the property, prior to signing any documents. Sellers can also request a higher price than the market valuation price and this can be done by providing fake documents stating that the property’s assets value more than they actually do, this being a common real estate scam.
When you are investing in commercial property for your business, you need to make sure that you know what you are doing. Find out more here. The Guide To Buying Your First Commercial Property When it comes to investing in your first commercial property, there is a lot to consider. This is often a really big investment and you need to make sure that you are making the right decision. There are many things to consider including your budget, due diligence and potential profit. To help you with this, we have put together a guide on buying your first commercial property. Keep reading to find out more. Figure Out Your Budget Before you even think about investing your money in commercial property, you need to know exactly how much you have to spend on the investment. You’ll find that commercial property will vary a lot in price and it ultimately comes down to the size and purpose of the space that you need. It is really important that you know how much you are going to spend on the investment before you move onto the next step. Research The Market The next step in investing in your first piece of commercial property is to do some research on the market. You should know all about the types of properties on offer and how much you should expect to pay for them. Make sure to look at trends, things that might affect the property landscape and much more. Getting Expert Help When you start viewing properties for your investment, you need to make sure that you have some professional commercial property conveyancers on hand to help you out. Your solicitor will make sure that all of the legal issues are handled and that the offer goes through and you get your keys to your new property. Make sure to ask around and find the right solicitor for this investment as this decision isn’t to be taken lightly. Make Sure You Have The Funds To invest in commercial property, you are going to need to make sure that you have the right financing in place. You might need to take a mortgage out for this property on top of your current mortgage for your home. It is a good idea to get a rough idea of the mortgage that you can take out before you even go about looking for commercial properties to invest in. With a mortgage in place, you can then make an offer and get started. Think About ROI Our final tip for those who are thinking about investing in commercial property is to consider the ROI. These types of properties tend to have a lot more potential in terms of getting a better price than what you paid for it when the time comes. Consider investing in a property that you are willing to work on as this will give you the greatest ROI. You’ll need to put a lot of effort into identifying these high-return property investment opportunities, but the results will be more than worth it. With the returns you see, you’ll get a significant amount of profit out of it, so the time investment will pay off. If you are going to invest in a property in the near future for commercial purposes, make sure to take on board all of the tips that we have given you. This way, you’ll be able to get started on making money and will be more likely to get a greater ROI in the future.
Moving is often described as one of the most stressful things you can do in life, especially if you have come to be settled in one place and have picked up a lot of possessions without realising. These must all be gotten rid of or moved. Below are some of the best ways to take the stress out of moving. Go minimalist while you sort your possessions It is easy when moving to be intimidated and to just jump right in and try getting everything packed up room by room without a plan beyond, for example, “kitchen, bathroom, bedroom”. However, if you go down this route then it is likely that after one day’s packing you will find that you have half the house still to do the next day but no cutlery, cooking equipment or toothbrush! To avoid being short of the essentials, plan a minimalist survival kit for a couple of days, of the kind you might take on a camping trip: toiletries bag, plate, cup and fork, phone, phone charger and headphones. This is just an example list, but consider what you can go without. If you are happy to order takeaway or a delivery service that means you can pack away all crockery and your microwave. If you need tea or coffee to get through the day, you can either keep your kettle out through the packing process and pack it last, or hold off and get coffee later in the day made somewhere else. If you are travelling to another country you should get rid of any unnecessary belongings since long distance moving companies are more expensive than local ones for transport space. See what you can live without Moving house will always take work, but you can make it a chance to declutter and make your new home a tidier place. Once you have your necessities sorted for the sorting and packing process, go through your house room by room, starting by the place you go least often and think carefully about how much you use each of its contents. If for example you bought an exercise bike that does not get much use, you may want to think about whether your new house puts you at a distance to cycle to the shops, or even to work. Selling and giving away old possessions is easier than ever in this day and age as you can give things of decent quality away to either charity shops or online sharing services. If you find it hard to get rid of something try picturing where in your new home it would conveniently go. If it is hard to imagine this can be a sign the item should go. If you start in the room you visit least you will likely get into the mindset of shedding things as you go through the house and come to items you have more of a sentimental attachment to but do not use. Find the best, most efficient movers in your area When you are ready to move, with the things you need and want, don’t leave the move up to chance. Use a comparison site such as compare the man and van to ensure you get trusted and reliable movers who handle your belongings with care. These services can also give you a clearer idea of the average prices of movers in your area, so you can spot a good deal.
Construction industry veterans know that finance is a bull that all firms must wrestle with on a regular basis. Unlike other start-ups (in the digital realm for instance) construction start-ups face large overheads and low margins meaning that it can take years and years until they are able to turn a healthy profit. The key to survival lies in knowing what financial products are on the market and how to use them strategically. With this in mind, let’s dive deep into development finance with help from finance experts at Lending Expert. What is development finance? Development finance is a short term loan product that is targeted at residential property development. It is usually based on the project’s gross development value; that is to say the market value of the fully constructed or refurbished property. Like most loans it is paid back in stages, but unlike most loans it is paid out in instalments too. Imagine that you have a property which you want to develop into 4 apartments. Each of these apartments will have a market value of £250,000 so your gross development value will be £1 million. Of this, a developer can apply for a development loan of up to 60% of GDV and up to 75% of total costs including purchase price and build costs. How does it work? Development finances is divided into several instalments; The facility- This is the start-up capital usually used to purchase the property or plot for development or property and begin work however the developer is still expected to make their own contribution to the purchase price. A facility is usually no more than 50% of the purchase price. Conversion or refurbishment costs- Once work has begun the lender will usually dispatch a Quantity Surveyor who will check on the development in progress then send a written report back to the lender. Funds will then usually be advanced within 24-28 hours. Generally, refurbishment costs will be split into 4 instalments. What’s the difference between development finance and a bridging loan? Because both are short term loans to help bolster or supplement a construction firms own contributions without crippling their cash flow it’s easy to confuse development finance with a bridging loan. However, bridging loans differ from development finance in a number of ways. A bridging loan will typically also be up to 60% of a project’s Gross Development Value. However, unlike development finance a bridging loan will be a one-off advance. Bridging loans are often used on non-mortgageable properties (i.e. those that do not have facilities a property needs in order to be eligible to be mortgaged such as a sink or a bathroom). Some developers also use bridging finance to give them the liquidity that they need for a competitive edge that allows them to outbid rival firms who would need to mortgage a property. Once again, success depends upon learning all that there is to know about a financial product and making an informed decision as to which is best to leverage for the unique needs of a given project.