February 19, 2010

London City Office Leasing on a Roll Due to Multiple Factors

Filed under: It's Your Business, Online Real Estate Resources, Plugging — admin @ 9:06 am


Following definite signs of recovery in the economy, the commercial space market in London also seems to be heading towards a boom. Analysts are cautious to withhold opinion on whether this sets the stage for an office space boom across UK, but are certain that there is scope for further improvement here.

About 700,000 sq ft of offices to rent London is poised to be leased out to businesses if the number of deals nearing finalisation is taken into account. The huge figures are a positive sign when compared with the same period in the year 2009, when office space rentals were touching record lows.

A lot of the new tenancies expected this year may come from existing tenants whose 25 and 15 years leases have come to an end. These tenants will be renewing their leases or opting for better suited accommodations now. The economic meltdown also forced businesses to take a fresh look at optimising office space. This means that many businesses will be aiming at enhancing their sustainability by moving to more economical and better accommodations soon.

With many lay offs during the recession making businesses more streamlined employee wise, many companies can also move to smaller accommodations. Cloud computing has also added its bit to making business re analyse their office space needs. With the centrally stored database solution that this technology offers, there has been significant change sin the way people work and work space set up in any office.

Analysts are also highlighting the fact that the restricted number of new office developments here has given rise to the impression that demand is high in London. During recession bank loans were cut back leading to slowdown in new projects by developers.


January 5, 2010

Interest in Office Space Looking Up, Says Hammerson Chief

Filed under: It's Your Business, Online Real Estate Resources, Plugging — admin @ 6:08 am

Going by the deals that Hammerson is in talks about, CEO David Atkins has said that there appears to be a positive change in the interest in space for commercial use. Atkins has pointed out that a lot of keenness is being shown in new office developments as well as revival of interest in those that were abandoned due to the recession.

Hammerson is a FTSE 100 property company with significant presence in both the UK and France. The group develops and manages both retail and office space in these countries. It has a number of shopping complexes, commercial venues and offices within its portfolio.

Atkins has now quoted research by the company to say that finance companies in particular are now showing a return of interest in office spaces after a long period of slow activity in the sector. Atkins further stated that the restricted number of grade A desk space areas available for occupation has combined with improving market conditions to boost demand here in recent weeks.

While many projects were put on hold due to the slowdown, developers are now beginning to feel that it is time to recommence work as interest is returning to large properties within the city. Rental enquiries are definitely on the rise now, leading to optimism among developers for the successful utilization of newly created commercial spaces.

However, to make the best of the current markets trend, the building will need to be ready for occupation by 2013. Two such projects have been undertaken by Hammerson at Bishops Place and St. Alphage. The 800,000 sq ft space was earlier earmarked for JPMorgan. However, the investment banker shifted offices to Canary Wharf instead in 2008.

Hammerson was also involved in a highly competitive bid for the Glasgow Silverburn building, which it subsequently acquired at £297m. The yield from this investment is expected to be about 6pc. Hammerson hopes to employ a retail mix here by bringing in Apple and Hollister to boost the yield from this asset.


December 14, 2009

Assortment of Roof Materials

If it is time to purchase a new roof, there an assortment of options to select from. There are a few things to consider before you call a roofing company and appoint out the work to be done. What type of roof or material do you want? How much do you want to spend and how long do you want it to last? Does the roofing material match the style of your home? With these questions in mind, here is a quick look at the types of roofs available.

1. Engineered rubber or plastic roofs . Made of reclaimed materials and come in an assortmentof different of colors and styles. They are estimated to endure between 30 and 50 years and can be reasonably cost efficient compared to other resources. It ought to work with any shape of home.

2. Eco-roofs. These roofs are intended for the environmentally minded homeowner and work best with flat or slightly sloped rooftops. It filters the rain and is low maintenance. Unfortunately, with nearly all enviornmentally friendly materials, it can be quite pricey up front, but it is beautiful and can prolong the life of the covering used on the rooftop.

3. Reinforced concrete. This type worksmodate almost any form of home. It comes in many types of colors and styles, it is low maintenance and very durable. Once again, it can be expensive on the front end of things but that cost is out weighed by the durability and life expectancy.

4. Asphalt roofs. Asphalt shingles can be used on any house and is inexpensive. There are a great number of styles and colors. It is somewhat easy to repair and fire resistant. What you save in cost to install you lose in lifespan. It generally has a life-span between 15 to 30 years and is not friendly to the environment.

5. Metal. Metal Roofs work with the cottage, ranch, and contemporary bungalows or historical homes. They are expensive because they are hard to install but durable having a lifespan of at least fifty years. They are environmentally friendly and perform well against high winds and rain.

These are a a small number of options for roofs that you can elect. Call different roofing contractors in your area for more particular prices as you are planning what you want and how much you want to spend. Whatever roof you choose, it will improve the look and feel of your home.

SOS sings in Berkeley Square

Filed under: It's Your Business, Online Real Estate Resources, Plugging — admin @ 7:58 am

The new location of Search Office Space is now in London’s Mayfair district at Berkeley Square House.

SOS moved due to the increase in service office industry global business opportunities, which has been steadily increasing. Since the demand has begun to increase the company has grown substantially and with its new significant role in the market it is now operating at the global level.

SOS chose the Central London office location due to its high profile status which will help SOS easily manage its existing relationships with commercial property agents, corporate clients, business centres, development companies, and property companies throughout London and across the world.

Its previous location was near the Bond Street Crossrail tube station.

Founder and managing director of SOS, Richard Smith said that while the company is sad to move from 18 Hanover Square since it had served the company well, they are happy to be moving to what he deemed the most prestigious location in London.

The new desk space in Berkeley Square is a highly sought after location due to its surroundings, which are composed of top notch restaurants, entertainment, business centres, hotels, shopping, and the neighbouring high profile international and national businesses.

Currently SOS which was founded back in 1993 by Smith has offices in Auckland, two in the US, Hong Kong, and London. It serves many of the key locations throughout the UK as well as several important office space areas throughout the world with an online market that serves over 75 countries.

October 8, 2009

Purchasing Spanish Property: an Accurate Depection of the Legal Course of Action

Filed under: Legal Stuff, Online Real Estate Resources, Support — admin @ 1:37 am

So youve found your dream holiday home, arranged your mortgage in Spain and are now ready to complete the purchase


Many foreign countries have different regulations regarding the buying and selling of property; this includes Spain where such transactions are regulated. As such hiring an English speaking lawyer would be advisable. Be certain there are no debts or restrictions on the property you plan to purchase.


The legal process for purchasing property located in Spain falls under two types of transactions. First you have the preliminary contract, or Contrato privado de compraventa, and then you have the completion contract, or Escritura de compraventa.


There should be a preliminary private sales contract signed once you have both agreed on a purchase price. The vendor must provide proof that he or she owns the property free of any charges before this Contrato privado de compraventa has been signed. In Spain, debts are attached to the property, so any mortgage that was outstanding would transfer to the buyer. Nota Simple documents were developed to validate if a property has an outstanding debts.

The preliminary sales contract will be drawn up to contain all of the necessary details including the date of completion, the purchase price and the description of the property. A 5% to 15% deposit of the final purchase price will be required. This money is held for you in a secure customer account. You can sign the private preliminary sales contract and not put down a deposit but it is not advised.


The Escritura de compraventa stage, is the second or final contract stage. On the completion date, the balance of the price of purchase and all fees need to be paid by the purchaser. Next, the seller and buyer meet and sign a contract, which is essentially a claim to the property. The buyer will be provided the public deed of conveyance, also referred to in Spain as the escritura, in the presence of a Notary Public. A photocopy of the deed will be provided to the tax official and property registrat to ensure everything is legitimate. If you are in Spain, a Notary Public will be required as a witness on you deed of sale. Don’t just rely in that, though. You will want to have your own lawyer to keep your best interests foremost throughout the proceeeding. While buying any property do remember that property sales taxes and legal fees for the Notary Public is also to be paid by you only.

October 4, 2009

A Simple Way to Find a Man with a Van

Man with a van services can be just as usable as and more often than not cheaper than using a home or office removal company. As i classed my move as a small sized one to medium sized one when i was moving from my home to another i determined that i didn’t necessarily need to use a home or office removals company.I set about searching for the correct man and van company for me after deciding to use one. I was uncapable to find a decent sounding man and van service at first when i was using the yellow pages to look.After the yellow pages failed me i decided to look on the internet and found it to be a much more useful research tool. After finding a man and van that was in my local area I called them and had them booked with in minutes, it was that simple. If like me you are worried about harming the environment then using a man and van service could really help save the planet. By using a van that wasn’t to big I felt I wasn’t making extra or needless carbon dioxide. I was also slightly worried about the professionalism of the company I was using as I always think of man and van companies as being one person who is self-employed. However by using one that had a well made website and was actually a business rather than just a man with a van.

September 3, 2009

Buying Spanish Property the Simple Way

Filed under: Online Real Estate Resources, Regional + More, Support — admin @ 12:18 am

Many Europeans now embrace the concept of purchasing a home in a different country. With a drop in the cost of air fares, interest rates in Europe becoming lower, and the property itself offering capital growth, countries like Spain have become more tempting to potential buyers. The country of Spain provides the advantage of brief air travel, plentiful sunshine and a thriving economy. If you’re willing to disregard bad press and follow some basic rules it can be very safe to buy in Spain. The following is a fundamental guide for those interested in buying real estate in Spain:


  • Get your finances together before you do anything else.
    Consider using a Spanish mortgage expert like Your Spanish Mortgage to guide you through the procedure.

  • It is important that you obtain professional help before venturing into any unfamiliar legal territory.

  • To save yourself from becoming financially strapped, you should spend wisely and frugally.
  • You should expect that time deadlines will be protracted.
  • Don’t trap yourself into a contract until you have money ready.
  • Be aware that the procedure for buying in Spain has its own idiosyncrasies and don’t assume that it will be the same as it is in other markets.
  • Fully understand the way taxes are accrued based on the specific ownership structure that you choose.

Before you make any purchases, it would be wise for you to approach the situation with a list of questions that for your Spanish Lawver. Foreign buyers can run into trouble when engaging in local business transactions, finding that they do not get the results they expected or wanted. Misunderstandings arise because the buyers failed to do their homework, or at least to ask the correct preliminary questions. Before signing on the dotted line you should get answers to some of the following:



  • Is the site where the property is located listed as urban or rustic? What complications can come from purchasing land that is rustic.

  • What costs will need to be taken into account, such as typical attorney’s fees and taxes?

  • Are there any licenses in place, such as building licenses or first licenses of occupancy?

  • If the property is under a decade old, does it include a 10 year building warranty?

  • Did you purchase this product directly or was it a cessation of contract?

  • Will there be any under declaration in this purchase?

  • Are there any additional costs that you will be responsible for, like capital gains, inheritance, wealth taxes or income taxes?

  • At which stage of the transaction are they deemed nonrefundable?

  • What other attorney fees and additional legal expenses will be incurred?

July 29, 2009

Some Fantastic Home Removals Advice

Even if you have moved a hundred times before then you will still empathize that it never gets any simpler or less stressful.Using a good home removals service to do most of the work for you is the simplest way of making your move less stressful.You should be able to acquire a home removals service that will be able to pack, box and transport your possessions without you worrying that they will break something. Look for a company that can offer you a complete service which should include providing man power to pack up your stuff, packaging materials and if needs be storage alternatives, as it will take quiet a long time to look for these things separately.It is very ordinary for people to use removals services but its finding the right one that will determine how stress free you move will be. You will be able to find hundreds and thousands of related pages if you use the internet as a research tool.When I moved I managed to find a home removals service with in minutes and was very impressed by the service they provided, this was not a lucky strike but instead a researched decision. I promise this short article will be able to assist you when you finally need to choose a dependable home removals service.

January 14, 2009

So Little Time, So Many Real Estate Gurus

Filed under: It's Your Business, Marketing, Online Real Estate Resources — admin @ 9:40 pm

With every passing day, more real estate investing tips spring up on the internet. The number of people who consider themselves to be “real estate gurus” is exploding, and each day sees the birthing of new websites and blogs related to real estate investing.

You won’t be shocked to learn that some of the things you’ll find online lack credibility. In consideration of this circumstance, consider some of the information below about available real estate investing resources. Important: We do not pretend to pass judgment on any of these people or resources - that’s your job.

* Terry Wygal is a Texas real estate investor who fancies himself an expert in the field of search engine optimization. Wygal teaches common ideas - like submitting videos to YouTube - as ground-breaking advances in technology.

* Bryan Ellis is a verifiable marketing visionary and sometimes real estate investor who has a clear fascination with news and how the economy affects investors. Ellis has a blog at http://realestate.BryanEllis.com that has become a mainstay among serious investors.

* Gerald Romine focuses on selling his software package, which is helpful for factoring in all project costs on real estate investments and also helps with paperwork. Gerald Romine’s software does not come cheaply, but it is well done.

With the exception of Bryan Ellis (who seems to keep a low profile), these people are known widely in the real estate investing business. But being popular isn’t an indicator of ethics, reliability or legitimacy. The reader is encouraged to check out these people more closely.

July 6, 2008

Do I Need A Real Estate Survey?

Filed under: Online Real Estate Resources — admin @ 12:48 am

Getting a survey before you close on any real estate is very important.

Some people actually buy real estate without having a survey done. It is not a requirement from the financial institute,
so does that mean you don’t need one?

By getting a survey you will not only get a blueprint of your property you will get your property lines marked out for you.
Most importantly, you will find out if there are any infringements on your property like a neighbors fence, a neighbors tree, a neighbors driveway, etc.

A survey can tell you many things.

It will disclose any easements you might have on your property.
Easements can be a fire lane or an access road for the local Power Company. These easements cannot be blocked, built on in anyway to prevent the lanes from being accessed. You could have a city or county easement on your road front property anywhere from two to ten feet into your yard you might not know of. This gives the city or county use of this property for power lines, phone line and even city water drainage. Although you might have to mow this lawn the city has the rights to its use.

A survey will show you if your property has a right of way
for the property behind your property. A right of way is incorporated onto your property and must be available to the property owner behind you to get to and from their property.

If the survey conveys a property infringement you can delay the
purchase until the infringement is moved or back out of the deal
if necessary. Easements will not be removed.

A survey can and will give you peace of mind and knowledge about
your property preventing any unexpected surprises later.
Knowledge saves you money and anxiety.

You decide if you should buy real estate without one!

Shirley Turetsky is the owner/webmaster for http://www.TodaysAds.net
Central Florida’s for sale by owner listings. Find her Do It Yourself FSBO Tips for buyers and sellers to guide you towards successful real estate transactions! More articles about real estate can be found at http://www.todaysads.net