There was a great Article in Arabian Business on 3rd June 2024 talking about UK real estate mentioning that London is top choice for UAE investors with Manchester, Birmingham interest increasing.
Here is the article in full, in general the UK as a whole is a safe haven for property investors from the middle east, Here at Global Investments, we have several UK property Investment Opportunities for the Middle East Investor. Please contact one of our Property Experts to discover the options.
Starting with London. There are several key factors contributing to London’s allure, including its robust infrastructure, thriving economic environment, and rich cultural heritage
The London property market has emerged as an attractive investment sector for GCC investors, especially from Saudi Arabia and UAE, said Adam Price, CEO of Select Property.
“London’s appeal to UAE investors underscores its long-standing reputation as a stable and lucrative market for international property investment,” he said.
Price highlighted several key factors contributing to London’s allure, including its robust infrastructure, thriving economic environment, and rich cultural heritage. These elements, he noted, make London a prime destination for investors seeking capital growth and secure returns.
According to a new survey by Barratt London, London emerged as the most popular destination for real estate investment, for UAE investors, as compared to other property hubs around the world.
The survey revealed that over 69 percent of investors picked London as their top choice from a list of 10 global capital cities.
Following London, New York and Singapore took the second and third spot on the rankings.
“The findings suggest that London is a reliable and secure option for UAE property investors, providing them with profitable investment prospects and opportunities for capital growth,” Stuart Leslie, International Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt London said.
Additionally, the surge was driven by attractive mortgage rates and a weakening British pound against the US dollar, making properties in the UK capital appealing to investors from the GCC region.
Leslie further suggested that GCC investors looking to buy real estate in London should consider features such as green spaces and transport links.
“Choosing to purchase a home overseas can be an exciting journey. This study has revealed some interesting insights into some key elements that GCC investors should consider,” he said.
Manchester, Birmingham – Rising to the ranks…………However, Price also pointed out that London is not the only UK city attracting significant interest from GCC investors, particularly those from Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the UAE. “In fact, GCC investors, those from KSA and the UAE in particular, have noticed increased ROI in developments in other established UK areas like Manchester and Birmingham.”
“While London remains a prime destination, we have observed that GCC investors are increasingly turning their attention to other established UK areas like Manchester and Birmingham,” Price noted.
Manchester has experienced a rise in property values, with an increase of 13 percent over the past five years. Similarly, Birmingham has seen average rents soar by 16.7 percent in 2023 alone. These cities, Price noted, are becoming increasingly sought after for their potential to deliver strong returns on investment.
According to research by Joseph Mews, a property investment firm in the UK, the best places to invest in 2024 included Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.
Best places to invest in UK 2024
- Birmingham
Average property price: £244,741
Average monthly rent: £1,232
Average rental yield: 6%
Price growth prediction (2023-2027): 19.2 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2027): 19.3 percent
- Derby
Average property price: £229,437
Average monthly rent: £836
Average rental yield: 4.4 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2027): 20.5 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 12 percent
- Leeds
Average property price: £248,931
Average monthly rent: £1,341
Average rental yield: 6.5 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2027): 14.2 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 15.9 percent
- Manchester
Average property price: £251,038
Average monthly rent: £1,515
Average rental yield: 7.2 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2027): 19.3 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2027): 21.6 percent
- Sheffield
Average property price: £244,682
Average monthly rent: £924
Average rental yield: 4.5 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2026): 11.7 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 11.5 percent - Liverpool
Average property price: £191,335
Average monthly rent: £920
Average rental yield: 5.8 percent
Price growth prediction(2023-2027): 11.9 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2027): 15.9 percent
- Newcastle
Average property price: £221,796
Average monthly rent: £1,200
Average rental yield: 6.5 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2026): 13.5 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 12.38 percent
- Leicester
Average property price: £264,558
Average monthly rent: £1,235
Average rental yield: 5.6 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2026): 17.5 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 45 percent
- Nottingham
Average property price: £262,461
Average monthly rent: £1,227
Average rental yield: 5.6 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2026): 17.5 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 35.41 percent
- Glasgow
Average property price: £226,741
Average monthly rent: £1,141
Average rental yield: 6 percent
Price growth prediction (2023-2026): 14.2 percent
Rental growth prediction (2023-2026): 15.3 percent - Last year, Bloomberg reported that investors from the Middle East saw a massive surge in prime real estate properties located in central London. The figures hit a four-year high following the weakening currency rate.
- Buyers from the region accounted for up to 11 percent of transactions in the capital, some located in London’s most prestigious areas.
- Understanding the dynamics of the best places to invest in UK property involves a comprehensive look at several factors, including past performance, current returns, and future potential, experts say.
- Key considerations such as property prices, rental yields, tenant demand, transport links, employment opportunities, population growth, and affordability help shape the investment landscape.
- “More than ever, now is the best time to invest in property. With interest rates lowering as 2024 progresses, and the market continuing to grow, many investors are considering where to invest in UK property,” the Joseph Mews report affirmed.
Here at Global Investments, we have several UK property Investment Opportunities for the Middle East Investor. Please contact one of our Property Experts to discover the options.
Credit to Arabian Business Magazine on line
