3rd March 2006
Looking for a solid investment? The newly built property market is a good bet, says Johnny Turner
Investors make up a large segment of today's purchasers, and this shows no sign of abating. Those in the market for a buy-to-let investment will want a property that ticks a number of boxes. The home should involve minimal capital outlay and ongoing maintenance, be attractive to goodquality tenants and have good prospects for capital growth in the mid- to long-term.
There are many developments currently on the market that offer excellent newly built properties fulfilling these criteria and more. One such scheme is Rydon Homes' Nordic Apartments, where a stunning new twobedroom show apartment has opened.
Located on the fifth floor of the Ikon building, one of three buildings at the stylish, modern new scheme, the show apartment offers 677 sq ft of accommodation. The kitchen is openplan to the living area, which leads out onto a balcony providing stunning views of the City.
The kitchens at Nordic Apartments mixes practicality with contemporary simplicity and style. Elegant and versatile storage is combined with attractive details, including laminate work surfaces with glass up stands, integrated appliances to include oven, hob, hood, combi microwave, fridge freezer, dishwasher, washer dryer and waste disposal.
The master bedroom offers fitted wardrobes as well as an en-suite facility; the second bedroom, which is also a double room, has fitted wardrobes and access to a separate bathroom.
Located just 400 metres from the River Thames and just 20 minutes' walk from Canary Wharf, this collection of 97 one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments is also only 800m along Cable Street from Shadwell DLR station. From this convenient connection, City workers and West End revellers alike will find it very easy to get to their destination.
The new marketing suite and show apartment at the Nordic Apartments is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and at other times strictly by appointment.
Prices start at £189,950. To find out more call 020 7780 1580 or see nordic-cool.co.uk.
George Wimpey South Midlands' Pages Priory development in Leighton Buzzard presents investors with high-quality properties that offer excellent rental opportunities. Availability includes a range of attractive two-bedroom apartments at prices starting from just £142,950.
These thoughtfully designed apartments benefit from spacious layouts and are all finished to a high standard specification, including double glazing, audio entry system and a fitted kitchen with built-in stainless steel oven, hob, hood and washer/dryer.
Another appealing feature for those in the rental market is the development's excellent transport links. Tenants want a home that is well-connected to a choice of work destinations, and Pages Priory fits the bill. Leighton Buzzard rail station offers regular services to London and the North, and the A5 and M1 are within easy reach, putting London just over 40 miles away by road.
The development is set in a convenient location just over a mile from Leighton Buzzard town centre, which combines the character of a traditional market town with the convenience of modern-day facilities.
The town benefits from a wide range of amenities a including a wide selection of shops, banks, a Post Office, a library and theatre with cinema, contemporary bars, restaurants, and a leisure centre with swimming pool.
Find out more about Pages Priory by visiting the sales centre, which is located off Johnson Drive and open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm. Call 01525 850949.
Imagine Homes introduces a novel approach to buying as an investment. Those who want to buy a property to let but want to minimise the risk involved will be interested in Imagine's 'buy already let' method. Whether you are a regular property investor or are looking to get a first rung on the investment property ladder, Imagine Homes has a unique approach to help you build or start your investment property portfolio.
With Imagine Homes you can buy a brand new property already tenanted, with two years' rental income at 15 per cent of the purchase price guaranteed - in other words, you buy already let. The buyer gets a cash lump sum equal to 7.5 per cent of your property's value paid to you annually, upfront, over the two-year period.
Imagine Homes' portfolio is chosen for high rental yields and capital growth potential. The company will pay the legal fees, find a tenant and manage it. After two years, you can inherit Imagine's tenant, sell the property, rent it out or just move in.
One particular development for sale by Imagine Homes is City Tower@Canary Wharf, a cascading 16-storey development in a prime location near Canary Wharf. Specification is high in these luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments, and tenants will love the excellent connections to a myriad of workplaces and nightlife possibilities.
And the prices, from £239,500, are also a pleasant surprise. Call 0800 0194 094.
Aria is Higgins Homes' smart collection of just ten one- and two-bedroom apartments in a striking modern building in Newbury Park, Essex.
The location is superb, and prospective tenants will be impressed by the ease of commuting into the capital. Within walking distance of Newbury Park tube station, Aria offers residents a direct journey into the City and West End. The specification is elegant and up-to-the-minute, with kitchens by Urban Myth and featuring stainless steel Smeg appliances, and bathrooms with simple white Ideal Standard sanitaryware.
The final one-bedroom first-floor apartment is priced at £179,950; there are also two two-bedroom ground-floor apartments priced at £224,950 and £227,950. These prices are less five per cent assisted deposit subject to use of our recommended financial advisors and 21-day exchange of contracts.
The sales and marketing suite is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Contact 020 3022 9009 for further information.
Investors flock to each new Telford Homes site, and it's no wonder. Telford is known for providing apartments that are well priced, well located and highly specified - and therefore attractive to tenants. Equinox, located at Island Gardens at the tip of the Isle of Dogs, exhibits truly impressive buy-tolet credentials.
Equinox is an exceptional six-storey tower and four-storey main building offering 63 private sale one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses.
Sheena Ellwood, Sales & Marketing Director at Telford Homes, says, 'Equinox provides purchasers with the opportunity to live in a highly desirable location near to both local amenities and the world-famous historic landmarks of Greenwich. The Greenwich Foot Tunnel means that residents are just a short walk away from all this cultural area has to offer, as it leads under the Thames and exits just in front of the famous tea clipper the Cutty Sark.
Alternatively, for all business executives, London's business hubs of Canary Wharf and The City are very easily accessible. The development itself includes three new commercial units to add to the existing convenience shops and smaller local businesses.'
Situated at the very tip of the Isle of Dogs, the development is within easy reach of the business districts of Canary Wharf and The City of London - served by the Docklands Light Railway system, with the Island Gardens station being located directly opposite the scheme and offering direct connections to Canary Wharf (within ten minutes) and The City (within 18 minutes).
With some of the properties facing towards the historical riverfront of Greenwich, Equinox provides an attractive opportunity for all those who want to buy in a unique setting close to the River Thames.
Across the river there are plentiful shopping opportunities available in Greenwich, which is just a short walking distance through the foot tunnel located just 100m from the development or in nearby Canary Wharf which has a wonderful variety of fashion boutiques, restaurants and nightlife.
Equinox also has a number of nurseries and schools in the neighbourhood, as well as medical centres and the George Green Sports Centre, which is within two minutes walking distance.
The scheme is built to an impeccable standard typical, of Telford Homes with its high quality specification and excellent attention to detail. Some apartments benefit from open plan kitchen/living areas that extend out to spacious balconies or terraces, whilst a select few also include terraces accessible from the main bedroom.
The contemporary kitchens come complete with German Systemat units from London designer, Urban Myth and feature integrated Smeg and Siemens appliances including oven, hob, extractor hood, washer/dryer, fridge/freezer and dishwasher.
All bathrooms and ensuites feature pure white bathroom suites by Villeroy & Boch finished with polished chrome fittings by Grohe, towel rail radiators, large tiled-in mirrors and contemporary ceramic wall and floor tiling.
Prices at Equinox start from £230,000 for a one bedroom apartment and £340,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information call the sales centre, open daily from 10.30am to 6.00pm, on 020 7537 2302 or visit telfordhomes.plc.uk.
The homes at Redrow Homes' St Catherine's Wood in Camberley offer not only great living accommodation but also a great investment opportunity.
These exclusive two-bedroom apartments are located behind secure electronic gates and each apartment has a car parking space - very important in attracting tenants. Located a short walk from the town centre and train station, St Catherine's Wood is ideal for London commuters. Journey times from Camberley station into Waterloo are just over an hour. For motorists there is easy access to the A30 and M3, while the M25 is only ten miles away and offers an easy link to Gatwick Airport.
For more information regarding the investorfriendly apartments at St Catherine's Wood call 01276 462815.