Sam Bolton MRICS’ Post

How do you stand out in an oversupplied PBSA market? That’s the question we got asked by our clients. They are needing a competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace. Those familiar with Colchester student housing will know that over 1,000 new ensuite beds have come to market over the last few years causing a fair amount of oversupply. With a low occupancy rate in 2023/24 of around 60%, as operational advisers to the asset we were tasked with identifying a strategy to compete with more modern, high amenity schemes locally. As always we took a forensic approach, investigating reviews and feedback from students and examining data and competitors. We then formulated a strategy to improve our ensuite bedroom stock, providing a ‘USP’ which set them apart from the competition. By installing a combi microwave and a fridge into each ensuite room and positioning the marketing of the units as a deluxe ‘micro studio’, we provided something different to the rest of the Colchester market. Prior to clearing, we managed to secure 95% occupancy for the site and as a result have managed to increase revenue by over 60%.  This is a major success for our client as we know Colchester is still a challenging market. If you are the owner of operational real estate and are struggling with occupancy this year, small changes can make a big differences to your leasing velocity and AREA are well positioned to review your assets and provide advice on how they can be optimised and marketed to achieve results that surpass expectations and provide you with significant competitive advantage. #property #ukproperty #alternatives #alternativeassets #beds #livingsector #PBSA #studentaccommodation #microstudio #increasingincome #rentalgrowth #opre #operatingassets #operationaloversight #addingvalue #Colchester #refurbishment #institutions #assetmanagement #assetmanagers #investors #forensicapproach #competitiveadvantage

🏠 Attention HMO Owners! 🏠 In these times of rising living costs and economic uncertainty, owning an HMO brings great opportunities with high occupancy rates and increased demand for rooms. If you've noticed a surge in room rents lately, you're not alone! According to Spareroom's March 2024 report, availability across the UK has dropped significantly, leading to fierce competition for rental properties. Now's the perfect time to focus on maintaining your occupancy levels and keeping those rooms filled. Here are some simple tips to help you out: 1. Stay on top of maintenance issues promptly. Effective communication and proactive management can make a huge difference in retaining tenants. 2. Show appreciation to loyal tenants with small gifts or vouchers. A little gesture goes a long way in fostering goodwill. 3. Regularly seek feedback from your tenants to improve your services and address any concerns promptly. 4. With energy costs rising, be transparent about any necessary rent adjustments and offer incentives to ease the transition for your tenants. Remember, happy tenants mean steady cash flow! 🤝💰 #HMO #LandlordTips #TenantRetention

📊 Exeter HMO Market Insights 📊 🔍 Our latest analysis reveals some key trends in the Exeter HMO rental market, using data from both Spare Room and Right move. Here's what we found: 1️⃣ Supply vs Demand (March–October): Exeter boasts a large stock of HMO properties across the city. According to Spare Room data, for most of the year, the supply of available rooms outweighs demand, giving tenants plenty of options to choose from. 2️⃣ Surge in Listings (October): Right move data consistently shows a spike in student HMO rooms becoming available in October. This is when landlords start securing tenants for the next academic year, resulting in a flood of new listings. 🏡 What does this mean for landlords? With such a competitive market, standing out is crucial. Offering high-quality accommodation and ensuring your adverts (photos, staging, and descriptions) are eye-catching will make all the difference in attracting tenants. Stay ahead of the market—make your property the one people want! 💼✨ #ExeterRentals #HMO #StudentAccommodation #PropertyManagement #Exeter

Thinking of Converting Your Property into an HMO? Here’s What You Need to Know About the C4 Use Class 🏠 In the UK, the C4 use class is designated for properties set up as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), where three to six unrelated tenants share essential facilities. Understanding the C4 classification is key for landlords and investors looking to cater to the growing demand for shared housing. Here’s what defines a C4 property and why it matters: 🔹 1. What Is a C4 Property? C4 properties are structured for shared living, providing communal spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike C3 properties (single households), C4 properties accommodate tenants with individual tenancy agreements but shared facilities. 🔹 2. Who Benefits from C4 Properties? Ideal for students, young professionals, and individuals seeking affordability, C4 properties are popular in urban areas close to amenities and public transport. This flexible living arrangement balances privacy with shared costs, making it appealing for budget-conscious renters. 🔹 3. Compliance Essentials for C4 C4 properties have specific standards to ensure tenant safety: Fire Safety: Smoke alarms, fire doors, and escape routes are mandatory. Room Size: Each room must meet minimum size standards, ensuring comfort and compliance. Shared Space Maintenance: Communal areas must be regularly maintained for a safe, healthy living environment. 🔗 Curious about compliance requirements for C4 properties? Download our free guide [https://lnkd.in/e4j_AfJA to guide] for a checklist on meeting HMO standards in the UK. Considering a C4 conversion? Contact us for expert guidance on navigating HMO compliance and maximizing your investment potential. Visit: www.plandome.co.uk #C4UseClass #HMO #SharedLiving #PropertyInvestment #UKCompliance #RealEstate #AffordableHousing #RentalMarket

Cain International partners with OLYMPIAN HOMES LIMITED to expand PBSA platform with St James House redevelopment in Bristol 🤝🏘️ Alternative asset manager Cain International which specialists in real estate investment solutions, has acquired St James House in Bristol which it will redevelop with Olympian Homes. The scheme, set to be the tallest in Bristol at 28 storeys, will provide 574 beds and bring Cain’s Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) equity platform to a total gross development value of approximately £800 million. This represents the delivery of 3,000 beds across the UK, following the development of five PBSA assets completed in 2023. Developed by Olympian Homes, St James House will comprise two towers: one featuring 442 beds, and the other offering 132 larger co-living units. The asset will include approximately 15,000 sqft of premium amenity space, including a cinema room, a fitness suite, study areas, a games room, and group dining facilities. The development is targeting BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Platinum certifications. Completion is targeted for the 2028/29 academic year. RG Group have been appointed to deliver the scheme, further extending the relationship between Olympian & RG group. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/e3gfDXqm Herbert Smith Freehills, Colliers, JLL #partnership #construction #property #international #residentialproperty #realestate #bristolnews #bristolhour #businessnews #businessintelligence

Praxis has acquired 25.5ha at Kings Hill, adding 46,451m2 of mixed-use commercial space to its UK portfolio. #PraxisAcquisition #KingsHill #MixedUseDevelopment #CommercialSpace #UKRealEstate #UrbanRedevelopment #PraxisPortfolio #SustainableGrowth #PropertyInvestment #RealEstateNews #europere #topstory #property #story #news #Europe #europerealestate https://lnkd.in/dGWraYYG

Manchester has become a prime location for property investors, offering impressive growth potential and high rental yields. With average house prices at £234,841 (as of January 2023) and a predicted house price growth of 18.8% by 2026, the city is showing strong future prospects. The average rental yield in the city centre is a lucrative 9.5%, making it an attractive destination for buy-to-let investments. Manchester's diverse attractions, from the iconic Old Trafford stadium to the vibrant Northern Quarter, continue to draw students, professionals, and tenants, adding to its growing city centre population, which is increasing at a steady 0.76%. If you're looking for a high-growth investment opportunity, Manchester's property market is one to watch. Contact john@cardinalrock.co.uk for more information #ManchesterProperty #BuyToLet #RealEstateInvesting #RentalYields #PropertyInvestment #cardinalrock #UKproperty #propertyinvestment #buytolet #realestate 

At APEX - America Property Expo in NYC, Simon Ziff says South Florida is the hottest market in the country. One asset class is particularly hot: Build to rent model, where developers build single family homes or even entire communities of homes, with the intention of renting out every unit to tenants looking to rent long-term. BTR is an asset class that is easily converted to sell unlike the office sector where conversion to another asset class, multifamily, for example, is a very difficult and costly conversion. Other commercial real estate asset classes that Simon finds lucrative are student housing, solar/energy, and shopping centers where a premium is available in the financing. Multifamily is tight, he said. Simon says that 90% of the deals his office receives are summarily turned down because they don’t meet the criteria that Ackman-Ziff has set, such as the client has to have the deal done, must control the deal, have prior experience in that level of financing and must give Ackman-Ziff an exclusive in raising the capital. Plug: Simon is teaching a class at WRES Schack Institute of Real Estate, NYU with Associate Dean Marc Norman where students can share beer or wine after class. There’s a Zoom version of the class but the students have to supply their own beverage.

Despite the overwhelming majority of public speakers speaking in favor of eliminating parking minimums at last week's City Plan Commission hearing, commissioners voted to keep the public hearing open until a special meeting on Thursday, January 16. As reported by Amber Gaudet of The Dallas Morning News, a single surface lot parking spot can cost as much as $10,000 to construct once land value is factored in, estimates show, and up to $50,000 in a garage. Those costs can get passed down to consumers in the form of higher rents, home prices and retail costs. Thank you, David Lehde, Director of Government Affairs at the Dallas Builders Association, for stating on the record “It’s important to note that we do not see this as taking away parking spaces. Rather it frees up staff, the city and the development sector to better appropriate parking as needed, especially for multifamily developments. … Our members will still be providing parking; that is simply due to market demand." 🔗: https://bit.ly/4g2u6xC

Half the year left. Imagine it without... 🔸Void periods 🔹Being hassled by demanding tenants 🔸Unexpected repairs 🔹Over-spending on maintenance 🔸Rising utility bills eating your profit margin Imagine all this taken care of and you're still making a healthy profit! 💰 We understand it's not always easy looking after HMO properties - they can be time consuming, expensive and full of unexpected surprises... So we're here to help! Our company ✨specialises✨ in the long-term and fully inclusive management of multi-let properties like yours and we pride ourselves on providing REAL hands-off and hassle-free investing to landlords like you! Without lifting a finger, our clients get: one regular payment every month, a 'property refresh' service, a 'HMO health check', minor maintenance cover, and many other benefits for up to 5 years!! 😍 If this sounds like something you'd be interested in or you'd like to find out more information, please get in touch via... 📲 Message @thepropertyplaybookltd 📞 0151-203-3606 💌 hello@thepropertyplaybook.co.uk 🌐 https://lnkd.in/ejQTqDZM Your Property, Our Passion 🏠💛 #hmo #property #propertyinvestment #propertyinvestor #ukproperty #buytolet #propertymanagement #realestate #landlords #propertydevelopment #propertymanager #propertyinvesting #coliving #investment #landlord #lettings #rent #interiordesign #propertymarket #propertybusiness #propertyuk #houseshare #wirral #chester #liverpool #maximiseroi #wirral #chesterrentals #merseysideproperty