Latest News

The Cleveland Clinic, things you didn’t know and how the brand is putting Cleveland on the Global map.

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit, multi-specialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Today, with nearly 1,300 beds on Cleveland Clinic main campus and 6,026 beds system-wide, Cleveland Clinic provides safer care for more people in more places than ever before. Owned and operated by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, an Ohio nonprofit corporation established in 1921, it runs a 170 acre campus in Cleveland, as well as 11 regional hospitals and 19 family health centres in northeast Ohio, and hospitals in Florida and Nevada. Outside the United States, Cleveland Clinic also operates the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi hospital and a sports medicine clinic in Toronto. Cleveland Clinic is consistently ranked as one of the best hospitals in the United States. In 2018-2019, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Cleveland Clinic as the number 2 hospital in the Best Hospitals Honor Roll, as it was nationally ranked in 14 adult and 10 paediatric specialties. Cleveland Clinic’s cardiology program has ranked No. 1 in the nation since 1995. Cleveland Clinic patents & innovation : Cleveland Clinic, the renowned hospital and medical research centre is also entering the venture capital business, in a manner of speaking. To be sure, Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit organisation. But it’s a well-heeled one, with more than $12 billion in assets, according to its most recent financials. What’s more, the organisation has always been savvy about the intellectual property and innovation potential residing under its roof. Since 2000, when it launched its Cleveland Clinic Innovations division, CCI has secured more than 660 patents and spun off 76 companies. CCI investing $500,000 of its own cash into Tatara Vascular, a startup which makes a coronary guide wire. Combined with $1 million in investment from partners operating under CCI’s umbrella in the project, the total investment has reached $1.5 million. The Cleveland Clinic Global Brand : Currently, more than half of Cleveland Clinic’s patients come to its main campus from outside Ohio. To grow these numbers, and to increase the organisation’s name recognition and national presence, Cleveland Clinic has undertaken a national marketing campaign. This has involved strengthening the Cleveland Clinic brand across all of its facilities, turning the organisation from a local medical centre to a nationally-recognised brand of healthcare. Along with robust branding efforts, Cleveland Clinic has led the way in measuring and publicising its outcomes. This has helped it land bundled payment arrangements with some of the country’s largest employers, such as home improvement giant Lowe’s, based in Mooresville, N.C., and Chicago-based Boeing, which sought top quality for employees’ more expensive and invasive procedures, such as heart surgery. Globally, the Clinic is building a seven-story, 185,000-square-foot cancer centre at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled to open in 2022. They are also building Cleveland Clinic London, a 200-bed facility near Buckingham Palace, set to open in spring 2021. Cleveland Clinic is also working with Luye Medical Group on the Shanghai Luye Lilan Hospital in Shanghai, China. The new hospital, set to open to patients in 2024, is the first project by Cleveland Clinic Connected, an international affiliation program the Cleveland-based system launched. Cleveland Clinic, A Vital Local Economic Force : Economic and Fiscal Impact reports shows that by fulfilling its mission, Cleveland Clinic also serves as a powerful economic engine in the communities it serves. As the largest employer in Northeast Ohio and the second largest in Ohio, Cleveland Clinic has made significant contributions to the state and local economies, totalling $17.8 billion in 2016. The activities of Cleveland Clinic also supported more than 119,000 Ohio jobs, representing more than $7.5 billion in total earnings. Cleveland Clinic Florida, one of the largest employers in Broward County, had a total economic output of up to $1.2 billion, including 7,450 jobs and $426 million in wages and benefits. Cleveland Clinic Student Housing program : Obviously hundreds of Students attend The Cleveland Clinic every year and the Clinic provides On-campus housing. This housing is available only for medical students enrolled in their elective program. The bed rate is $500 per student and the accommodation includes a double-occupancy room, refrigerator, microwave and shared bathroom. So for 2 students $1,000 for one room. For this reason many students and also employees elect to find alternative private rental accommodation in the local areas such as Hough, Fairfax, Glenville, St Clair Superior, and Mt Pleasant. This enables students and Clinic employees to find much larger accommodation and also at cheaper expense. Cleveland Clinic actually works with reputable local Real Estate companies and has an alternative student housing program to help students arrange their housing needs. Whether it’s for the short term (up to one year) or long term (one to five years), Cleveland Clinic helps find housing accommodation in the surrounding area. The property has to be reviewed and meet certain standards, very much like the Section 8 standards. The rental contract is between the student and the rental agent. So if you are a future student on The Cleveland Clinic, Ohio or will be shortly moving to Cleveland to work at the Cleveland Clinic and you need quality rental accommodation then contact Global Investments today. A special thank You : On a last note we must give thanks for the great work Cleveland Clinic are doing in the fight with the current Global Covid 19 crisis, leading the way in providing urgently needed testing, please see the following link from the Daily Mail online as of today April 2nd : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8104803/Top-hospital-Cleveland-Clinic-develops-coronavirus-test-deliver-results-EIGHT-HOURS.html

Section 8, A Buyers Guide

History of Section 8 Public housing dates back to the Great Depression era when the U.S. government started building multiple unit facilities to house poor and needy families. By the 1960s, the federal government had amended the original public housing plan to allow low-income families to live outside of the public housing system in privately owned rental properties. Under the Section 23 program, the government negotiated the rent between the landlord and the tenant. In the 1970s, the government dropped the Section 23 program and adopted the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, giving both landlords and tenants more freedom. What Is Section 8? The Section 8 program helps low-income, elderly, and disabled tenants afford decent and safe housing outside of the public housing system. With traditional housing assistance, many of these renters had to live in public housing facilities often located in rougher neighbourhoods, with very few other housing options. Using the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, tenants receive a housing voucher they can use for any privately owned apartment, townhouse, or house that has qualified for the Section 8 program. To start working with the Section 8 program, landlords and tenants must receive approval from the local housing authority. Requirements to become a Section 8 housing landlord and qualifications for renters vary by area. Approved applicants are put on a waiting list, unless housing is immediately available. Public housing agencies can give some preference to families that are homeless, living in substandard housing, involuntarily displaced, or paying more than half of their income on rent. Landlords, tenants, and the public housing agency then enter into a contract that outlines the roles and responsibilities for each of the parties involved. How Section 8 Works Each year, every state receives a block grant from the federal government to cover housing assistance costs. The states use a portion of this funding to cover the cost of the Section 8 program and to pay for a portion of the tenant’s rent and utility costs. Usually, the housing authority will pay around 70% of the tenant’s costs but in many cases can pay 100% of the tenant’s costs. As an example, consider a Section 8 tenant who has a monthly rent of $700 and averages $150 a month in utility expenses. Based on the 70% calculation, the housing authority would pay $630 of the tenant’s living expenses each month, divided between the landlord and the utility company. The tenant will then pay the remaining 30%. Investors misconception regarding Section 8 tenants The Section 8 program can benefit both landlords and tenants. Many investors have the misconception that Section 8 tenants are of lower quality than private renters and that they mistreat the properties. The reality is there are many benefits to an investor having a Section 8 tenant and this simply is not the case. Firstly with a Housing Choice Voucher, tenants can rent houses and apartments in safe areas they would not have been able to afford without assistance, and use their remaining income to pay for other necessities. Section 8 tenants like any private tenant are looking for an affordable property in a good location. Secondly, regardless of your property agent doing all the necessary due diligence on a private tenant there can still be the possibility that they become a bad tenant. If a private tenant is evicted from the property they will just move on to the next one. If a Section 8 tenant becomes a bad tenant they can and almost certainly will lose their Section 8 voucher. If you are removed from the Section 8 program, the federal government will not help pay your rent and you will be responsible for paying the full amount of the rent and you will still be evicted from the property. Most common reasons for losing your Section 8 voucher are: … Not paying rent on time. Not keeping utilities like gas, electric, or water on in the unit or you have been convicted of certain violent crimes, certain types of fraud, drug trafficking. Global Investments advice & Honest assessment The simple fact is a Section 8 tenant has a lot more to lose than a private tenant if they abuse the property or generally become a bad tenant. The majority of our investors have very little problems with Section 8 tenants, however it is fair to point one very important factor, cost, your property will need to be maintained to a “ Section 8 standard “ One of the main reasons Global Investments are the number 1 overseas agent for investment properties in the USA, and the reason why we are still in business after 7 years and over 4000 sales is our strict company model. Each and every property our clients reserve are all subject to a full independent inspection. Our inspection will highlight any major issues or repairs we feel needed to be up to rental ready standard regardless if there is a tenant already in place or not. However a rent ready standard and a Section 8 approved standard are two separate things. If you wish for the property to be up to Section 8 standards then buyers may wish or decide to spend a small amount more on the property to comply with the City’s regulations and this is good advice. In the long run with any buy to let property the peace of mind that you should minimise any repairs bills means a more stable ROI and a more stress free hand off investment. Purchasing renovated or updated properties may cost a few thousand dollars more but worth every penny in the long run. Do not be tempted by cheap alternative properties online that do not have warranty deeds and may need a huge amount of repair work. As the old saying goes and is very true, you get what you pay for. If you would like receive a selection of our Section 8 listings in the US please email: [email protected]

Rental property investment could be the safer option in today’s struggling stock market

With COVID-19 causing unrest and uncertainty across the globe, investors could benefit from a bricks and mortar solution to their concerns. Coronavirus is dominating every headline and every conversation, and seems set to do so for the foreseeable future. This has left people around the globe concerned and confused, following official measures such as regular hand-washing working from home and self-isolation. Everything from the healthcare industry to the corporate world has been hugely impacted by the spread of COVID-19, so it’s no surprise that investors are feeling more than a little cautious at the minute when it comes to putting their money down. This can be seen most clearly in the stock market. The FTSE100, NASDAQ and Dow Jones have all seen catastrophic drops recent weeks, crashing harder than we have seen this century. So, for those looking to find a safe home for their money and an astute investment, many investors are looking for something more concrete: buy-to-let property. Could this be the solution for your investment concerns? We’re going to take a closer look at the situation surrounding the coronavirus, the stock market and rental property investment. COVID-19: the impact on the stock market The word ‘disaster’ has been thrown around a lot recently when describing the state of global stock markets. More than once, stock market commentators have compared the current situation to the devastating US stock market crash of 1987. Just a few days ago — on 12th March — the Dow Jones industrial average declined 2,353 points in what was called a “historic selloff” by The New York Post, one which hadn’t occurred since Black Monday in 1987. Black Monday was the name given to 19th October 1987, when the stock market dropped by 22%. The Dow index closed that day at 1,738.74, down 508 points for the session. To put that in perspective: on 16th March 2020, the Dow fell a record-breaking 2,997 points. Investors are turning to rental property As the coronavirus continues to dominate, Global Investments Incorporated have received a significant number of enquiries for US buy to let properties. These enquiries are coming from all over the world, from areas like Dubai, Singapore, the UK and France. This growth in interest can be seen as investors look to put their money in something demonstrating greater stability right now. “ In these trying times, we’re all looking for something to anchor us. This is true of our investments too, which is why increasing numbers of people are opting for bricks and mortar investments instead, particularly single and multi-family homes under good management. “ Mike Moodie . CEO Global Investments Incorporated. Why choose buy to let? Property investment offers two distinct forms of revenue — a monthly rental income from those letting the property and of course, the lump sum received when a property sells in the future with potential capital appreciation. Buy-to-let investment is seen as a longer-term process, which, considering today’s climate, is a good thing. The coming weeks and months may be uncertain for us all, but one thing is for sure : people will still need property both during and following the coronavirus outbreak. Property investment means putting money into something tangible — something that can be seen, touched and experienced by both yourself and others. In times of uncertainty, there is comfort in knowing that your money is yielding a strong return and growing in value as the months and years pass. Looking to take advantage of buy to let opportunities? Speak to a member of our team today and we’ll help guide you through the process. Email Mike or any of his team at Global at [email protected]

HOW CAN I GET THE BEST FX RATES FOR MY PROPERTY PURCHASE

With the current volatility in the stock and FX markets and in times of uncertainty it’s vital to ensure you are speaking with a specialist, not only to obtain the best guidance, but also the reassurance to know you are making the right choices when changing your currency. Just like the stock markets, the currency markets have become increasingly volatile. The US Dollar, Japanese Yen and Swiss Franc have all benefited as investors look for safe-havens to park their money whilst riding out the crisis. This week the GBP/USD exchange rate fell to a low not seen since 1985. GBP/EUR continues to remain suppressed, whilst EUR/USD to its weakest point since 2017. The situation is ever-changing, and continued volatility is to be expected. For those sending money to the USA to buy property, make investments or to friends and family, the current exchange rates can be challenging, which is why we want to introduce you to our trusted partner The good news is that when you’re rents are brought back from the US you will see a gain as well. For the last 40 years, Moneycorp have been helping customers make the most out of their currency payments. Together with better exchange rates than most banks, offering you immediate savings, their expert traders are available to talk through current market conditions, giving you the confidence to transfer your money at the right time. You can find out more about their service from any of the team at Global Investments, or to discuss an upcoming transfer or simply just have a chat about currency expectations, please email [email protected] and we can send you a direct introduction where you can speak to a specialist and set up your own account.

Overseas Investors Plunge into the US Housing Market as a Coronavirus safe Haven

In the past few weeks Global Investments Incorporated has seen huge traffic on their website and a large increase in enquires for US buy to let properties. The majority of enquiries are coming from areas like Dubai, Singapore and the UK. Many investors from France as well. So mainly overseas and not domestic US Buyers. The Manchester based firm believe that the increase in traffic and enquiries is down to the overseas buyers looking to invest Capital into what is perceived to be a more stable market that is not having much effect from then virus. Investors from all of the Globe are looking for the calm in the Coronavirus storm, and it seems that US residential real estate could be the answer. Specifically single and multi family homes that are under good management. Global Investments Incorporated have been selling single and multi family homes in areas like Detroit, Cleveland, St Louis and Up state NY for the past 8 years. They also offer management and accountancy services so its a real hands off investment for the buyer. In the past few weeks the company has seen a massive increase in enquiries. CEO Mike Moodie said that that he feels this is a direct result of the coronavirus. “ I think it may be people looking to invest capital into what maybe perceived as more stable areas that don’t have as much as an affect like the stock market currently.“ Mike added “ I think people are looking at bricks and mortar as a hard and more safe asset to buy right now. Real estate in general is not directly related to the stock market. Also in general the US housing market has always tended to do quite well in times of market volatility. “ “ And it’s not just buyers from the likes of Asia etc. We have seen an increase in traffic and enquiries from areas like the UK, France and also some parts of the US and South America.” Global Investments are currently selling houses mainly in Cleveland Ohio, Detroit and St Louis. For further information please email Mike or any of the team at Global at [email protected]

Why invest in Student Buy to Let Property

Global Investments has been leading the way in the buy to let market in the USA for the last 8 years with more than 5000 sales completed. Now Global Investments are offering unique investment opportunities to our global investor database in the UK student buy to let market. We thought it best to explain in this blog the main reasons and the benefits we feel that makes the increasing market of Student accommodation here the UK an attractive proposition for the savvy investor. Today it is difficult to find investment assets that pay a decent income. There’s no value in putting your cash in the bank thats for sure. The dividend yield on the FTSE 100 is a measly 3.66%. One of the reasons for Global Investments success is that we reach out to the extremely wealthy investors but also the first time property investors who do not wish to gamble and spend huge amounts of capital but are equally looking for a good yield with relative safety. Our USA investment market continues to be popular due to the minimal financial input to purchase a property in certain states. Being a UK company many of our investors have tended to shy away from UK property in the past mainly due to the cost of UK property with low yields available. Most would require finance that would also ultimately eat away at the yield potential. Fortunately there is now a great alternative for these investors. Large developers in the UK are building dedicated luxury student accommodation projects. The result is a secure UK property investment with guaranteed rental income with attractive yields but more importantly at a low entry level of capital investment. The following are the top 5 reasons why we feel investing in student UK but to let property makes sense : 1. Student numbers are soaring The UK is arguably the number 1 Country that many overseas students look at for the best in further education. Our Universities are second to none and students from all over the world, especially China and the Far East are increasing year after year. The UK is consistently increasing in popularity to international students, with thousands of ambitious students choosing to pursue their qualification in one of the many top-notch UK universities. With its world-recognised universities, culturally diverse environment, and highly-skilled academic staff, the UK is truly the epitome of academic success. There are more young people entering further education than ever. According to 2018/2019 statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, there are currently 485,645 international students pursuing their degree in the UK. The number has experienced an increase from the previous year statistics which encompassed a total of 458,520. The trend indicates that numbers will continue to rise and all of whom need accommodation. 2. Universities can’t keep up with the demand for accommodation Traditionally, students would stay in halls of residence at the university in which they studied. But with the soaring demand, there simply aren’t enough rooms available on campus. Many universities now only allow first-year students to stay in their halls of residence. Even so, many first-year students won’t get a room. Second-year students and beyond partner up with their friends and rent private accommodation. 3. Student accommodation is recession-proof People don’t stop going to university during a recession. In fact, the opposite is probably true. When fewer jobs are available, school leavers are more likely to consider a course of study. So, student accommodation is recession-proof, providing a greater certainty of income for the buy-to-let investor. 4. Purpose-built student accommodation is attractive Purpose-built student accommodation provides all the benefits of living in halls of residence. For example, there are common rooms, Wi-Fi, and study areas. The best are only a few minutes’ walk from the university, and close to local nightlife, shops, and work opportunities. If you invest in purpose-built student accommodation, you eliminate many of the disadvantages of HMO v BTL investment while retaining the benefits of higher yield and shorter void periods. With a good track record to back up the yields going forward, purpose built student accommodation that is already up and running gives investors certainty they’re craving. 5. Your property investment is managed Custom-built student accommodation usually includes property management. It may be provided by the university itself, or by the building administrators. You benefit from ‘boots-on-the ground’ investment management that is active and proactive. So to sum up, For a beginner property investor, the dynamics of student accommodation provide a greater certainty of income. The yield may be a little less than a more risky purchase but the current projects that Global Investments have acquired offer great yields of up to 10% with full management in the best locations, a truly worry free hands off investment. For more details contact us now…..

The 2020 USA HOUSING REBOUND

If you have been reading our news articles over the last few months you would have seen that inventory levels are becoming an issue for the US housing market. The solid economy and strong employment numbers are starting to fuel US housing sales, mortgage rates dropped below 4% this past year in the U.S, and this opened the door for many people to refinance current loans. One comment which may seem a bit excessive was made by realtor.com, they predict residential property inventory to “evaporate” in 2020., they state ”it will make it more challenging for buyers to find a home despite attractive interest rates,” the Santa Clara, Cal.-based company states. The driving force behind this evaporation is “Millennials” their buying behaviour has become more aggressive as they want to invest now as the market is rising. Apparently, younger buyers are eschewing inner-city living and have their sights set on 1,800 square-foot homes in the suburbs, with good neighborhoods and decent schools. It is predicted that Millennials will take more mortgages than any other group in 2020. According to other US property sites we are on the brink of “bidding wars” thanks to low mortgage rates and thin residential housing inventories, sellers can expect bidding wars in 2020, Redfin reports. “Low mortgage rates will continue to strengthen home buying demand, but due to a lack of new homes for sale and homeowners staying put longer, there will be fewer homes on the market in 2020 than in the past five years,” the company predicts. “More demand and less supply mean bidding wars will rebound in the first quarter.” While this all seems very positive for the active investor today we must watch the market closely in 2021 onwards as low montage rates are what fuelled the last crash in 2008. CNN stated at the being of the year that Inventories in the U.S. housing market are at multi-year lows. They state that the U.S. housing market is riding high right now but we need to keep an eye on what could be around the corner. The National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose to 76 in December— the highest reading in two decades. Taken at face value, the data suggest that the US housing market is on track for continued strength. The same argument is being voiced by Forbes, they state 2020 will be a challenging year for the housing market. On the one side, there’s a strong US economy that has driven the unemployment rate to record low levels, boosting disposable income, which makes a bullish case. Then, there are low mortgage rates and housing shortages, which add to the bullish sentiment.The Case Shiller Home Price Index in the US reached an all-time high of 218.27 Index Points in September of 2019, making it difficult for first-time home-buyers to afford a home. But maybe we should be listening to Fannie Mae (The Federal National Mortgage Association) as they are the ones on the front line when it comes to mortgages. They state that “Housing will recession-proof the U.S. economy in 2020” The U.S. housing market will be an “engine of growth” for the economy in 2020, dispelling the risk of recession, according to Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan. “Housing appears poised to take a leading role in real GDP growth over the forecast horizon for the first time in years,” Duncan said. “We now expect single-family housing starts and sales of new homes to increase substantially.” “We now expect single-family housing starts and sales of new homes to increase substantially, aided by a large uptick in new construction as builders work to replenish inventories,” Duncan said. “Despite the expected increase in the pace of construction, the supply of homes for sale remains tight and strong demand for housing is continuing to drive home prices higher.” No matter which opinion you take or which voice you listen to it is clear that 2020 is going to be a very active year for the US housing market, some say the biggest in 10 years. We have seen this first hand with our inventory levels, properties are being sold quicker now than in 2018 and 2019 as prices seem to be creeping up especially in the likes of St Louis and Cleveland. If you would like to see our latest US inventory please email [email protected]

IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN AS TEMPERATURES DROP IN PARTS OF THE USA.

SPEAK TO YOUR LOCAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND ENSURE YOUR PROPERTY IS SAFE DURING THE WINTER MONTH. As the weather is starting to turn cool in Northeast Ohio, we at Global Investments Incorporated are advising all our clients to think about winterising you’re vacant property. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide full of ways to winterise and prevent damage during the cold months. INSPECT INSULATION Most likely your house is already insulated, but have you looked closely at where and how much there is? Many times attics have minimal insulation as builders work only on meeting the minimum requirements. Since heat rises, improving the insulation in the attic can make your heating more efficient. Another area to consider is the basement. While most basement ceilings aren’t insulated, when the temperatures drop plenty of cold air can come in through the floor and ceilings. So make sure you take the time to consider your insulation! FIX DRAFTS We’ve all been next to a drafty window before, and felt just how much cold air can come through a poorly sealed opening. Keep the cold out and the heat in by checking your windows and doors. You can add weather stripping and caulk to areas that could use improvement. Door draft stoppers are another easy and inexpensive way to keep the cold out. Whether you buy a stopper at the store or use a rolled up towel, it’s easy to feel the difference when drafts are plugged up. PREVENT FROZEN PIPES There are a lot of ways that winter weather can make life difficult for property owners. But a frozen pipe bursting can cause an especially big headache. Preventing pipes from freezing is relatively simple though. First make sure outside faucets are shut off and covered. While you’re outside, you can also caulk any cracks or holes near the pipes. You can cheaply and quickly add insulation sleeves to exposed pipes or pipes in cooler areas. And if the cold temperatures get extreme, turn on an indoor faucet to a lukewarm drip. If the building is vacant, or has unused areas, it’s wise to drain the system completely and add an antifreeze. CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS The crisp autumn is the perfect time to clean out your property’s gutters. Dirt, leaves, acorns and other debris clogging your gutters isn’t just a problem when it rains. In the winter months, when roofs are covered in snow, the inner layer can melt and it needs somewhere to drain – and preferably not into your roof! Another wintertime gutter problem can be ice dams forming. Ice dams cause the same problem as debris, filling your gutter and leaving the water nowhere to go. The Insurance Institute for Home & Business Safety is a good source for more info on ice dams and how to prevent them. Owning property is never risk free, and keeping up with maintenance comes with the territory. Hopefully this guide has been helpful and answered some of your winterizing questions. Feel free to contact us or your management company to find out more and also make sure that your house is getting the required service.

2020 Guide to St. Louis Real Estate

Nestled on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River sits the vibrant gateway to the West, St. Louis. Known for beer, barbecue, and the Blues, this town boasts the kind of appeal that makes it an ideal real estate investment market. With a growing population working in the tech and creative sectors, and anchored by established brands like Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, and Emerson Electric, St. Louis seamlessly blends the new economy with powerhouse Fortune 500 entities. All of those companies translate into a highly skilled and educated workforce with money to spend. We’ve put together your guide to the St. Louis real estate market, including both the current investment scene and future potential over the next year. You may just find that St. Louis is exactly the growth opportunity you’ve been looking for. Global Investments have noticed many similarities in St. Louis that has made the Cleveland market in the last few years extremely strong for Real Estate investment. An influx of creative and tech workers fleeing the more expensive coastal cities will translate into steady growth for the Saint Louis metro area over the next several years. This increase, along with new corporate campuses in the city centre, is expected to result in a significant rental market and increasing property appreciation. With high home prices keeping investors out of markets all over the US, the St. Louis housing market remains one of the more affordable cities in the country. Like Cleveland Ohio, here you can get a single family or multi family home for well under the national average, translating into solid ROI Obviously price is important however one of the main reasons Global Investments are recommending St Louis as the next “ Cleveland” is the strong rental market. Again we have noticed many similarities in these two cities that result in a good rental stability. There is a changing nature of Millennials when it comes to renting rather than owning which is increasing the rental demand in the city, we covered this in a previous Cleveland blog last year : Rental market in Cleveland and Baltimore gets even stronger Cleveland has the University Circle but St Louis also has a reputation as one of the country’s best markets for recent college graduates. St. Louis promises to be a winner with young, educated professionals with high income potential. The growth of the tech and biotech industries here, alongside the already-established corporate infrastructure, offers an appealing place for these Millennial and Gen-Z graduates to put down roots. As development continues to expand throughout the city’s central corridor, many of these young professionals will delay home buying in order to decide which part of the city they want to settle in. Along with their natural tendency to delay marriage, home purchases, and other major life changes, this means a growing group of potential tenants and the rental market in general. The large university population here is another large market predominantly made up of renters. With almost 20 colleges and universities located in and around the city, there is a perpetual need for quality rental housing. Future projects and investment in the City There are also many projects in the pipeline for the city of St Louis that will certainly increase its popularity and increase the house prices which is great for investors looking for capital appreciation. Here is just a few to mention : St. Louis Aquarium The much-anticipated aquarium, slated to open inside Union Station next month, will be home to more than 13,000 aquatic animals, including 60 sharks and rays. The $187 million project also includes the new 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a carousel, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a mirror maze, a ropes course, a train park, and several restaurants. The project created 500 construction jobs and is expected to bring more than 100 permanent positions. NGA West The $1.7 billion project is the largest federal investment project in St. Louis history. Managed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Air Force, the 97-acre campus in North St. Louis is being called a game-changer for the intelligence community. Slated to be operational in 2025, it will feature a 712,000-square-foot office building with a garage, visitor centre, and inspection facility. Square The company, founded by St. Louis natives Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, will relocate its St. Louis offices from Cortex to the former 235,000-square-foot St. Louis Post-Dispatch headquarters downtown. The move will allow the tech company to expand its workforce from 500 people to as many as 1,400. City Foundry Set to open next summer across from IKEA in Midtown, the $220 million project is transforming the former Century Electric Company site into an entertainment destination, including a food hall featuring 20 kitchens, a bar, and 500 seats. Fresh Thyme grocery plans to open its seventh local store on site, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will offer a unique theatre experience. Major League Soccer Stadium Located just west of Union Station, the proposed modern stadium will house St. Louis’ forthcoming MLS team. The partially covered sports facility will seat 22,500–25,500 visitors, with entrances on all four sides and an angular canopy—constructed of translucent material that’ll allow light to pass through—to protect fans from the elements. Armory District The historic Armory building was once home to the 138th Infantry of the Missouri National Guard, years before hosting tennis championships and legendary concerts. Soon, the space will find new life, thanks to a $47.1 million overhaul yielding 250,000 square feet of creative office space, a restaurant, and a greenway path connection. Ballpark Village Phase 2 The slogan for the downtown development’s $260 million second phase: “We’re bringing the village to Ballpark Village.” The project includes the Live! by Loews hotel, a Class A office building, retail, restaurant, and entertainment space, and a 29-story high-rise luxury residential tower, One Cardinal Way, scheduled for completion in 2020. The project is expected to create 1,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs. So if you are interested in learning

GLOBAL INVESTMENTS LAUNCH NEW RESIDENTIAL AND STUDENT UK INVESTMENTS DUE TO HUGE DEMAND FROM THE OVERSEAS MARKET

Global Investments Incorporated have been the market leader for the last 8 years in the USA buy to let market and this month they will be launching their own UK Buy to Let products starting with some excellent student accommodation in Sheffield. With prices starting from around £80,000 and net returns as high as 10% the Manchester based firm is excited about their first venture into the UK market. There are many reasons why Overseas Investors are looking at the UK now with many student and residential properties being offered for as little as 50k sterling with steady and assured net returns from large Developers. Also with the pound expected to take a hit over the coming months due to the UKs final exit from the European Union this would mean that the overseas buyer will get more “ Bang for their Buck “ as they say, making this a great time to capitalise on a growing market with some great investment opportunities available. There are many reasons why Overseas Investors are looking at the UK as a potential market to invest in. Whether planning for retirement or opening a second income, investing into property in parts of the UK offers fantastic returns with huge potential for growth at the same time. The last 10 years has seen many people’s life savings stagnate, with record low interest rates being offered by banks. With house prices substantially lower in certain parts of the UK like Sheffield and parts of the North of England this market is accessible for many people who view property as a way to increase their wealth and give an excellent residual income. The company are speaking to some of the leading suppliers of these types of residential and student buy to let houses which will make this market accessible for many of their Investors that have already invested in the US and are now looking at acquiring a tangible asset here in the UK. See some details on the 2 areas that the Manchester based firm will be launching in the coming months. Sheffield – With house prices in Sheffield still at the lower end of the scale compared to most UK cities, this could prove a great location for the first time investor. Property prices have grown by 19.5% since 2014 and an incredible 223% over then last 20 years with huge growth still expected in 2020 and onwards. However its the rental yields that form the biggest attraction. Currently sitting on 7.3% as an average. With a £480 Million Revamp of the cities shopping district vastly improving its amenities, Sheffield’s attraction is only set to continue to grow with tenants, investors, students and visitors alike. Cardiff – The Welsh Capital is certainly one to watch in the coming year. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, recent regeneration and improvements to infrastructure, namely the new South Wales Metro, have improved connectivity and boosted sector and jobs growth in the city. Average rental yields in many parts of the city are between 6-8% and with its population tipped to grow the fastest of most UK cities over the next 20 years, demand looks set to continue to sore. Cardiff should be on any investors hot list for 2020. We asked CEO Mike Moodie why after eight years in the US have they decided to enter the UK and why start with the North of England. Mike added. “ Well this was a very easy decision. Firstly our sales and marketing operation is based here in the UK so we are here on the ground. Yes the US is still an incredibly strong market for us but we have many of our overseas investors telling us that they want to invest in the UK and can we assist them as they want to do business with the company that they already know and trust. Also the fact that the exchange rates will give our buyers outside of the UK more value at this time means it’s a great time for us to start. We have signed up exclusive agreements with some of the top suppliers of residential and student let companies so we will have some of the best products in the market today to offer our investors. Just like we do in the USA. We will also offer the same service as we do in the US meaning that we will have full on the ground management and after sales meaning these investments will be as hands off as possible for our clients. “ “ We are excited about this new venture and believe this will offer our existing investors and new investors a very safe and secure way of entering the UK market at very reasonable prices. “ – Mike Moodie – CEO Global Investments Incorporated. If you would like more information about these UK buy to let opportunities please email Mike or any of the team at Global at [email protected]