Posts tagged: property

Need Office Space? You May Not Have Considered These Points

business office spaceWhen your business needs office space, you need to consider a lot of things. The decisions you make here are going to affect your finances in the long run. One of the problems here is that you may not know exactly how many things you need to consider here.

The first thing you should do is check your finances. You need to see how much capital you have immediately available. You should work out how much profit you’re looking to make in the next few months. You should review your company’s credit score to assess your suitability for a business loan. All of these things will be integral to the decision you make.

Here are the things you need to think about when you’re deciding to make a move to a new office.

Do you need office space?

Let’s say you’re a startup company and you’re all currently working from home. Obviously, the dream here is to have a nice office space for yourself eventually. Having your own office for your own company is such a thrill. It;s easy to see why people are so eager to get office space. But you need to think about this decision carefully. Do you really need the office space? It can cost quite a bit of money, especially if you’re in urban business areas. It may be smarter for you to continue to use your virtual office setup while you save even more money for your business.

Maybe you’ve already got a company in an office. Why are you considering a new office? If your company has hit a sweet spot of profit recently and you’re just buying a new office to splash cash, think twice. Don’t go making frivolous purchases! You should really only be moving office if there is a specific problem with your new one. If you’re expanding too fast and have employees sharing desks, then it’s time to move.

Where should you get your office space?

It’s not just about the office itself. The location of the office is extremely important to consider. Let’s say you’re looking for office space in prestigious business areas like London and New York City. This is a smart decision, in most aspects. But offices in these areas can have quite a hefty price tag. You should consider what profit you stand to make with this move and weigh that against this cost.

Of course, you may not want to go for a slightly cheaper office in a much less desirable location. You may end up in a lease contract that has you stuck in that office for longer than you’d want. In other words, be careful when it comes to compromise. You don’t want to get yourself stuck in one place and, as a result, missing opportunities for offices in really prestigious places. Added prestige make it much easier to get business going with potential clients!

Should you buy or rent?

With cost in mind, you should also work out if you’re going to buy the space or rent it. On the buying side, it may be much better for you to be the landlord of your office space than some other party. You also won’t fall victim to egregious rental rate increases. Some specialized equipment may require you to own the property, too.

Of course, if you don’t have the available capital, then you’ll have to rent. That, or just keep saving money! Work out what your business can afford and what it deserves. Strike as close a balance of the two as possible.

Make Investment Property Work For You

property investmentsIf you are thinking about a property investment, then you are in good company. Many canny investors have come the conclusion that this combination of investment and return is a solid way forward. Given that interest rates are stuck in low gear for the foreseeable future it seems like a no-brainer in financial terms.

The property market is still relatively strong. With a high demand and low supply, this is not going to change anytime soon. This means that the rental market is buoyant, and as long as you buy the right property you should have no trouble is achieving a high occupancy rate. To make a success of your venture, it can be good to learn from the experiences of others who have made it work for them.

Buy the right property

This will in part be down to the amount of money you have available or the credit that you can raise. You need to make sure that you are investing in a property that will make a viable letting project. Most property investors will look for property that is relatively inexpensive so as to maximise their returns. You could buy a new property off the plans, or you could seek to make more capital gain by buying a property that needs some renovation. This will, however, be more work.

You could choose between an apartment or flat, or a small house. Individual rooms could be let to working professionals or even students. Look in areas where demand for apartments from these groups is growing. You can let on a short term basis or over a longer period. If you are targeting the student market then you will have to bear in mind you will have a higher turnover which might mean more administration. If you are letting to families, you are more likely to have longer term tenants.

The right property will be in an area where there is likely to be high rental demand. For most that will mean buying a property in a busy and thriving city, or at least in a town that has good commuter access. Look to vibrant areas where there is investment and growth. Cities around the world that offer these conditions include cities in New Zealand such as Auckland and Adelaide in Australia. Thriving hubs such as Singapore and London are still experiencing growth and offer opportunities.

Get the right agency involved.

As an investor, you are making a financial decision so it is not even necessary for you to live in the area, as your property can be handled easily by an agency. It will be much better for you if you work with a reputable local agency. They will have a lot of experience in finding the right tenants for you. They will be able to handle all the contracts and even collect the rent. They will also be in able to let you know what your responsibilities are in terms of maintenance and provide local contractors to do any work for you.

Property investment nationally and internationally is proving to be a viable and reliable prospect. As long as you buy the right property and choose a reputable agent and there is no reason it should not work for you.

5 Reasons Why NRIs Should Invest in Mumbai Real Estate

real estate investmentThe real estate sector has always seen growth in Mumbai, but this growth has only started to accelerate of late.Despite the slump in global markets, real estate still continues to do well in Mumbai and property prices keep rising. The city’s real estate has been attracting a lot of foreign investment and not surprisingly,Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are most interested in investing in the financial capital of the country.

NRIs have always been inclined to buying property in the overseas market, with some of the most popular locations including the likes of London, New York, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Mumbai’s real estate market has become increasingly important in the global scenario however, and lots more Indians are looking to invest in the city.

If you are an NRI there are plenty of good reasons to invest in Mumbai’s real estate:

1. Easy Buying:

Developers have made registration, payments, and the buying process for the NRIs a lot simpler. Interested investors also get to monitor the development of the property easily.

2. Discounts:

When NRIs make bulk or group purchases in the city, they are benefitted with sizeable discounts. Bulk purchases help developers as this maintains healthy cash flow. It also decreases the cost of acquisition for them and increases their turnover. Good cash flow also makes it easier to achieve timely completion of projects, attracting still more buyers. For this reason, builders offer bulk buyers payment flexibility along with discounts.

3. Cheap:

The Indian rupee has been depreciating. This makes the properties in India cheaper for NRIs.

4. Favourable Market:

While policy changes have given the city a more business friendly outlook, most economists also view the markets favourably and foresee growth in the coming years. Government initiatives like smart cities and other projects have also spurred growth, attracted heavy foreign investment, and have helped boost the city’s infrastructure.

5. Dual Benefits:

Buying a home in your own country doesn’t just cater to your emotional connection, but it is also financially viable. By buying property here, you can feel closer to home and also feel secure in the knowledge that you have a home to return to, should the need ever arise.At the same time, the positive market trends also offer investors the promise of big returns.

As per the findings of an Assocham survey, Indian real estate builders are expecting a rise of 35% in NRI inquiries, ascompared to the previous year’s 18%. This is because NRIs are anticipating more reforms and benefits. Most working professionals prefer mid-segment projects, while big industrialists are keen on luxury projects. Mumbai’s real estate market is big enough to cater to all of these segments and with its constant growth, the returns are only likely to entice further investment.

Properties would be focussed in one of the Biggest Real Estate Exhibitions

Real estate property plansReal estate is quite an important part of our journey as civilised human beings. The reason herein is that shelter is quite a basic human need and it has been the same for centuries. Nowadays we have huge properties which are bought not only for staying purposes but also as part of investment. Property returns are very high and people can earn a lot of money by just buying a flat in a developing area. The money doubles and even multiplies up to many times if you invest it correctly. Yes, there had come a time in the United States when real estate decelerated and the worth went down in leaps. However, India is far from that phase.

To understand the importance of real estate you need to study the number of real estate projects popping up daily. This shows that there is ample demand in the market for developers to build so many projects. For a proper idea, go to the property expo in Mumbai. You would be amazed to see the number of builders who have formed their stalls here to give you property advice.

The MCHI in Mumbai

There is an exhibition of real estate going on in Mumbai which is better known as MCHI and is CREDAI accredited. This MCHI-CREDAI Mumbai is quite a big deal in itself as this is a silver jubilee celebration and is an amalgamation of the best minds in real estate construction. All the properties which are out for sale would be vying for a top spot in this real estate expo. It is a two way benefit for both buyers as well as those selling. There is a good opportunity for sale and the amount of sale that happens in this kind of a platform is usually more than the usual for some stalwarts.

The buyers gain in a way that they have many more people to talk to and resolve doubts that they might have had. They could also have access to banking professionals in this real estate expo and they could seek guidance for loan options. Since the expo is CREDAI certified, it makes no sense to doubt any of the participating builders for they are only the best.

In conclusion

Go and visit this property exhibition as it is one of a kind. You will surely be amazed to see the various kinds of projects here and might get more options than what you had previously. Talking to others in the same situation might help you learn more and save yourself from committing mistakes. Mumbai has undoubtedly wooed us with this gesture and we would recommend the rest of the country to follow in the same steps.

The number of families at war over wills is at an all-time high – but at what cost?

The Real Cost of Lengthy Legal DisputesDealing with a loved one’s will can be a difficult and emotional process, even more so if we feel people feel that they have been treated unfairly in that will. Recently, more and more of us are finding ourselves caught up in disputes over inheritances. While calling in the lawyers can seem like the only way to resolve things, that too can affect how much money people end up with. Legal fees can eat away at an estate – sometimes leaving families with no inheritance to speak of at all.

Straight from the pages of a novel

A plot point in Charles Dickens’ novel Bleak House centres on a family at war over a will. The Jarndyce’s eventually spend more in legal fees than the entire value of the estate that they are fighting over. When Dickens wrote his novel, it was an observation of the flawed Victorian legal system. While this particular dispute was born from a man’s imagination, real families are finding their selves in legal battles that are all too similar.

Cases like this have made it into the news

Just a couple of years ago, it was revealed that the family of Peter Ustinov were still battling over his estate nine years after his death. It’s hard to think there would be much left for them after almost a decade of lawyer’s fees and other costs. One can also imagine the huge emotional strain it would put on a family too.

Dealing with a will often comes hand in hand with the loss of a loved one, an emotionally charged situation at the best of times – so it’s not surprising that disputes can happen. Could a family such as Ustinov’s ever recover from almost a decade of warring with each other though? Sadly, it’s hard to imagine their relationship being able to withstand that kind of strain. It’s not just the rich and famous getting caught up in these kind of disputes though – it’s happening to more and more normal families too.

Protecting yourself

An estate that seems simple can still throw up some problems, especially as the laws surrounding wills are so complex. An executor of a will can find themselves being targeted by beneficiaries, estate creditors and other officials. So how can people protect themselves from such costly legal battles? Executor’s insurance grants protection to the executor of a will. Covering you in a wide ranges of scenarios, it can halt a potentially costly legal battle in its tracks. This will then allow you to get on with the task at hand without the worry of facing legal action.

Don’t throw it all away

It’s human nature to fight for what we believe is rightfully ours, and a dispute such as the one regarding Peter Ustinov’s estate proves no differently. What some of us are doing though, is throwing any potential inheritance away by getting caught up in lengthy and costly legal battles; battles that not only ruin bank balances, but family relationships too. With the right protection though, these kinds of battles can be avoided. Losing a loved one is hard enough – so it seems ridiculous that so many of us are then going on to squander their last gift to us in the courtroom.

Peter Collins is a director at LFC Risk and Insurance, an Essex company that provides business and individuals with bespoke insurance and risk management solutions.