Buy-to-Rent Houses in Pontefract

We have 5 and 6 bedroom houses available for purchase in Pontefract:

• Incentives Of 23%
• Incentives Of £38,398
• Market Price £166,950
• Investor Price £128,552
• Yield Up To 11.9%
• 4 Bed Potential Rental Income £1126.66 PCM
• 5 Bed Potential Rental Income £1408.33 PCM
• Parking
• Simultaneous Exchange & Completion
• Ready July 2008

To take advantage of this investment opportunity call our office on 01202 744824 Paul on 07969038638.

Click here for further details of this Seakers Property

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Click here to find out more about property investment with Seakers

The Local Area
Pontefract is a town in the county of West Yorkshire, England, near the A1 (or Great North Road), the M62 motorway, and Castleford. It is one of the five towns in the borough of Wakefield and has a population of approximately 30,000. Pontefract’s motto is Post mortem patris pro filio, Latin for “After the death of the father, support the son”, a reference to Civil War Royalist sympathies.

Pontefract today
Pontefract has been a market town since, at least, the Middle Ages; the main market days are Wednesday and Saturday, with a smaller market on Fridays. There is also a covered market, which is open all week, except Thursday afternoons and Sundays. Thursday afternoon is half-day closing in Pontefract. The town is called Ponte/Ponty by its citizens and sometimes jokingly referred to as Ponte Carlo, in reference to Monte Carlo. This theme is continued in the affectionate name for a local development of bars in the xscape complex, Glasshoughton between Pontefract and Castleford, referred to locally as ‘Cas Vegas’. The local Member of Parliament is Labour MP Yvette Cooper, for Pontefract and Castleford. In her maiden speech, the MP said of the town: ‘The House must not misunderstand me. It is true that my constituency is plagued by unemployment, but I represent hard-working people who are proud of their strong communities and who have fought hard across generations to defend them. They are proud of their socialist traditions, and have fought for a better future for their children and their grandchildren. In the middle ages, that early egalitarian, the real Robin Hood, lived, so we maintain, in the vale of Wentbridge to the south of Pontefract. It was a great base from which to hassle the travelling fat cats on the Great North road.’
Pontefract’s deep, sandy soil makes it one of the few British places in which liquorice can be successfully grown. The town has a liquorice-sweet industry; and the famous Pontefract Cakes are still produced, though the liquorice plant itself is no longer grown there. The town’s two liquorice factories are owned by Haribo (formerly known as Dunhills) and Monkhill Confectionery [part of the Cadbury's Group](formerly known as Wilkinson’s), respectively. A Liquorice Festival is held each year. Poet laureate Sir John Betjeman wrote a poem entitled “The Liquorice Fields at Pontefract”.

Specification

• Full Security system
• Gas fired central heating
• Upvc soffits and facias
• High security double glazed windows and doors
• Halogen low voltage down lighting to kitchen and hallway
• Fitted appliances including oven, hob, extractor hood, fridge, freezer and dishwasher
• Full tiling between worktops and wall units
• Molded doors with matching skirting
• High rated high efficiency condensing boilers
• Fully turfed gardens
• Bathroom fittings with white suite, vanity unit and tiling

Residential Property in Vancouver

The pre-sales and assignments of new condos in downtown Vancouver are showing prices between $500 to $750 or more per square foot. Vancouver prices are way higher than new condos selling in downtown Toronto. In comparison, a home buyer can buy a new condo in downtown Toronto for $300 to $350 per square foot.

The run up in the house prices in Vancouver over the past 5 years is unprecedented. Many housing market analysts are cautious that property values could be over-priced. The hot housing market has drawn in a lot of buyers. Speculators and investors are capitalizing on the market buying up presale new condos with the hope of selling them for a profit later.

Real estate prices in Vancouver have reach a level when home affordbility becomes a problem. Increasingly, more people are questioning the ability of the market to sustain the present pace of price increases. The fundamentals supporting the present real estate boom in Canada are strong. The rate of price appreciation will moderate in the next few quarters due to moderation in demand for housing.

The housing market will be more balanced, and for home buyers contemplating whether to buy or not to buy, their decision should be based on their own comfort level.

Property Investment in Sheffield

Seakers property have investment opportunities in Sheffield:

• Incentives Of £29,485
• Market Price From £125,000
• Investor Price From £100,000
• Rental Assessment 1 Bed £495-£525
• Rental Assessment 2 Bed £550-£575
• Parking
• Secure Gated Entrance
• White Goods Included
• Simultaneous Exchange & Completion
• Ready Now

To take advantage of this investment opportunity call our office on 01202 744824 Paul on 07969038638.

Click here for further details of this Seakers Property

Click here to register with Seakers Property Group

Click here to find out more about property investment with Seakers

Information about Sheffield

Today’s Economy
The city once spearheaded the knowledge advances which gave it preeminence in steel and cutlery production, today the transfer of technology from Sheffield’s universities is guaranteeing Sheffield’s continuing industrial and commercial evolution, creating cutting-edge enterprises across the city. High technology businesses such as the US company Fluent, Inc., for example, have chosen Sheffield as the centre for their international operations and so has, specialists in semiconductor design for the home automation, commercial building automation, and industrial process monitoring and control markets.

Insight Enterprises will invest £50m in a new European headquarters in the city resulting in 1700 jobs over the 2005-2008 period, while Boeing, through its collaboration with the University of Sheffield will be at the centre of an Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) on the edge of the City, home to a cluster of businesses in the advanced manufacturing sector. Other areas of employment include call centres, the City Council, universities and hospitals.

After many years of decline there are now signs that the Sheffield economy is seeing a revival. The 2004 Barclays Bank Financial Planning study revealed that, in 2003, the Sheffield district of Hallam was the highest ranking area outside London for overall wealth, the proportion of people earning over £60,000 a year standing at almost 12%. An survey by revealed that Sheffield was the fastest growing city outside of London for office and residential space and rents during the second half of 2004.

Regeneration and Development
Several organisations have been created in the past 20 years with the purpose of regenerating Sheffield’s economy. The Sheffield Development Corporation was established in 1988 in order to regenerate Lower Don Valley area of Sheffield , which had been the location of much of the city’s traditional industry.

In its 11 year existence it replaced much of the derelict land with new business ventures, the most famous project being the creation of Meadowhall shopping centre. More recently a new city economic development company, Creative Sheffield, has been established and, in April 2007, Sheffield First for Investment, Sheffield One and the Cultural Industries Quarter Agency were all integrated into the one organisation. Sheffield also home to UK Steel Enterprise the regeneration and is Enterprise, investment subsidiary of Corus Group plc.

Like other major cities in the United Kingdom, Sheffield is undergoing large-scale redevelopment. Some of the projects proposed or currently under construction in Sheffield are the & health improvement of Sheffield Midland Station, the New Retail Quarter, Victoria Quays and Riverside Exchange, and the redevelopment of The Moor shopping district.

As well as these large-scale projects, there are lots of other public works buildings, luxury accommodation and office space being built in the city. The city centre population is expected to increase from 5,000 in 2005 to 15,000 by 2015. £250 million pounds has also been invested in the city during the first half of 2005.

Property Investment in Belize

With the weather in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in Belize similar to that on offer in Southern Florida, with the cost of living still a fraction of what you can expect to pay in the UK, US or Canada and with the standard of living rapidly improving without impacting on the laid back, traditional way of life in this beautiful, fun and relaxed town, we think it’s about time you checked out San Pedro property in Belize especially if you’re looking for the ultimate in holiday or retirement real estate.

You may well have heard of Ambergris Caye – a popular island in Northern Belize just a stone’s throw away from Mexico and home to some amazing diving, great nightlife and many fantastic people – but did you know that San Pedro is really the only main town on the island worth talking about? And did you know that despite the fact that real estate prices are rising rapidly you can still negotiate a bargain deal? All of these facts are true and this is why we’re showcasing San Pedro property in Belize for you today – because it is lesser known but it might just suit you if you want an escape and a way back to the best things in life!

In San Pedro the main form of transport is a golf cart, many of the side streets are sand covered, the main roads are dirt tracks and the airport is more of a landing strip than an international affair. Shops and businesses open when they feel like it and remain open late into the day, restaurants range from simple family businesses offering excellent fresh, local cuisine to the new breed which are slightly more sophisticated in décor and which have a relatively decent wine list and which have set up now that tourism numbers in San Pedro are rising fast.

The range of hotels available used to be the cheap backpacker types but now that more and more tourists are visiting Belize annually and are making the trip up to Ambergris there has been a steady development of a slightly more sophisticated type of hotel with large swimming pools, kids clubs and so on – and you can even rent stunning villa homes on the beach for a few weeks at a time to get to know the area and determine whether you could see yourself sunning yourself and soaking up the amazing atmosphere in San Pedro.

In terms of the real estate in Belize for sale in San Pedro – because the resort town’s number one industry has turned into tourism in recent years, naturally there has been a steady influx of those determined not to leave Ambergris Caye behind which has resulted in a surge in demand for property for sale. South of San Pedro the development of residential real estate is quite intense but in the town itself they are managing to curb any form of high rise building which means the natural lines and feel of San Pedro are preserved.

You may chose an apartment for sale just out of town in a development with shared facilities – there’s a 2 bed 2 bath condo available right now with communal pool and direct beach access for sale for USD 295,000 for example. You may choose a run down town house and renovate it and put your mark on it – although these are getting harder to find! Or you might of course choose a mansion like one that’s come on to the market recently that comprises of 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, an infinity pool and direct beach access – it’s on the market for 2.8 million US dollars mind you!

Whatever it is you’re looking for in terms of real estate – one thing’s for certain, if you want to live in a location where traditional values still exist, where commercialisation has yet to impact, where the standard of living is high for a relatively low cost of living and where there is a genuine feeling of community, check out San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in Belize.

Freehold Houses in the Cotswolds

We have five freehold houses available in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

• Incentives Of 20%
• Incentives Up To £59,000
• Market Price From £295,000
• Investor Price From £236,000
• Potential Rental Income 5 Bed £1625 PCM
• Parking
• Freehold
• Ready June 2008

To take advantage of this investment opportunity call our office on 01202744824 Paul on 07969038638.

Click here for more details of this Seakers Property investment opportunity

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Local Area
Bourton Chase is situated on the outskirts of the picturesque chocolate box Cotswold town of Bourton on the Water close to open countryside and within easy driving distance of Stratford upon Avon, Oxford and Cheltenham.
The area has a thriving local community and with both primary and secondary schools it is an ideal family location. The town is served by a good selection of local shops, including two supermarkets and well equipped leisure centre. There is a large superstore based a few minutes drive away in Stow on the Wold. There is a mainline railway station at nearby Moreton in Marsh which gives access to London Paddington in 80 minutes.

Keep your home pest free

Effective pest control is a requirement for most buildings and especially at home and those places where food is stored or prepared. Effective methods of control can employ high technology ultrasonic, electro-magnets or even electrocution methods! There are, however, many simple products and solutions to eradicate domestic pests e.g. rats, mice (especially house mice), moles and squirrels.

Once such pests have been eliminated it is wise to prevent their re-entry into a building. Blocking all possible entrances such as holes created by broken bricks and air vents is essential – and it is worth noting that mice can pass through a hole no larger than the thickness of a pencil! Carefully check all round your home for all the small holes that could be an entrance for a mouse.

Holes in brickwork can be filled in with cement or plaster and airbricks can be covered with wire mesh or a commercial product such as MouseMesh.

This preventative approach has the added advantage of being a humane way to avoid domestic pests since it obviates the need to use poisons and traps. Equally you do not need to experience the very unpleasant task of removing the dead house mice from mouse traps. If you use humane mouse traps you do not have to take the house mice the required two miles away from your home to ensure it does not scamper back.

Whilst we are often berated for closing the stable door after the horse has bolted it is good advice to bolt household entry routes after the mice have been routed!

Freehold Property in Leeds

Freehold Property in Leeds

• Developer List Price From £149,995
• Investor Price From £124,426
• Incentives Up To £67,999
• Incentives Of 17%
• Yield Up To 8.7%
• 4 , 5 & 6 Bedroom Houses
• Recently Refurbished
• Freehold
• Fully HMO Compliance
• Prime Student Location
• Rental Guaranteed Until End Dec 08

Local Area Information

It’s easy to see why so many people have fallen for Leeds. Rich in history and culture but thoroughly modern, it’s known as the capital of England’s regenerated North.

But rather than reinvent itself, Leeds has built on its great industrial heritage, keeping the character of the city alive – creating a vibrant, diverse and captivating place to live and work.

So now there’s more than 4.3 million square feet of retail space, as well as the beautiful architectural surroundings of places like the Victoria Quarter, Corn Exchange, Headrow Centre and The Light.

The variety of shopping has made Leeds the Knightsbridge of the North. Harvey Nichols, Vivien Westwood, Louis Vuitton to name a few.

There’s also a nightlife to rival any city in Europe. From some of the nation’s coolest bars and restaurants to truly legendary clubs, you’re never far from a party.

And if you’re looking for a little more calm, Leeds has a wealth of green spaces, superb museums and world class sporting venues – while Bronte country and the Yorkshire Dales are just a short journey away.

In other words, life in Leeds makes you feel more alive than anywhere else.

Click here for more details of this Seakers Property Investment Opportunity

Click here for more details of Seakers Property

Click here to register with Seakers Property

To take advantage of this investment opportunity call our office on 01202 744824 or Paul on 07969 038638.

Advice for New Landlords

In the UK, everyday more and more new landlords are tempted into the buy-to-let investment sector not only by a range of new and competitive products by the mortgage lenders but also by the success stories of the other property investors.  The buy-to-let mortgages are now a lot easier to obtain and a lot more competitive compared to five or six years ago.

Although traditionally the lenders required a 130% rental to mortgage repayment ratio to secure a margin of safety during the vacant periods, some lenders are now allowing the predicted rental income to be 100% of the mortgage repayments. There are even products out there that require no indication of rental income.

The financial experts seem to be divided about these new products in the marketplace. Some experts argue that a lot of the novice landlords may be badly exposed by further interest rate rises that are widely forecasted for the rest of 2007 and potentially in 2008 too.  According to this group of experts this situation is creating a lot of high risk investors that will be adversely affected by even marginal interest rate increases and this could potentially be the downfall of the buy-to-let investments in this country. Whereas the others argue that “when used properly by the experienced landlords”, these products do offer a lot of choice and flexibility, which can only strengthen the buy-to-let market.

Overall, it is down to the individual landlord to decide how much risk they wish to take but general advice to any newlandlords would be to seek independent financial advice from the experts before making any such decisions.

Investment Opportunity in East Sussex

Seakers Property have a 3 bedroom house available in East Sussex for purchase using shared equity

• Price £156,000
• Home-Buyer Ready Awaiting Investor
• 75% Share Available
• No Voids
• No Tenants
• No Letting Agents
• Low Deposit
• No Stamp Duty

To take advantage of this investment opportunity call our office on 01202 744824 Paul on 07969038638.

Click here for further details of this Seakers Property

Home Information Packs (HIPS)

The looming introduction of home information packs (Hips) will no doubt have had many property investors and landlords scratching their chins and wondering whether they would cost more than they could possible save.

While the packs might be a welcome boost for landlords looking to expand their portfolio, those aiming to sell off a few properties could have regarded them as one extra headache.

Now, however, the government has announced that the much-maligned Hips will be postponed until August 1st 2007 at the earliest – a decision which has been greeted with open arms and derision in equal measure.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) – the members of which are responsible for 98 per cent of residential mortgage lending – has urged the government to take a long hard look at Hips before deciding whether they really are the best measure to reform a home buying process that leaves many first-time buyers grasping at thin air when trying to get a foothold on the slippery property ladder.

While cautiously supporting the energy performance certificate, the body’s director general Michael Coogan warned that the industry is now more doubtful than ever as to the likelihood of their success, if introduced.

“This cannot be an appropriate way to make policy,” he remarked.

“With the fundamental lack of confidence that now exists in them [Hips], we urge the government to ditch the gold-plating and concentrate on better ways of delivering its objectives.”

However, the CML criticism pales in comparison with the stinging barbs which have come the government’s way from Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at moneysupermarket.com. The finance expert accused the government of adding “confusion to chaos” and called for it to “scrap the whole concept” of Hips.

“Since watering down the legislation it has become nothing but a political slurry and the most unsupported piece of legislation I have known,” said Ms Cuming.

The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp), on the other hand, has officially registered its “utter disappointment” that the legislation will not come into force as planned. Having been a stalwart supporter of the packs throughout the criticism and raised eyebrows they have faced, Ahipp’s director general Mike Ockenden claims that it is consumers and the environment who will pay the cost of the government’s delay.

According to Mr Ockenden, the packs would have been a great boost to both those involved in the buying and selling processes, with further time and money to be wasted until they are implemented.

So whether landlords are for or against the packs, it seems the inevitability of one eventually having to deal with them in some regard may just have become a lot less so.