Profiting from Property in a Recession by Graham Norwood

This book gives budding property developers and investors all they need to know to profit from property. The author offers a new twist on buy-to-let and shows how the market for renting to some groups is expanding even in these tough times.

Overseas opportunities are examined too, identifying which countries offer the best opportunities to buy cheap, let and then sell. For investors willing to get their hands dirty there is also an explanation of exactly how to pursue a self-build or renovation project and sell at a profit with advice on finding the right craftsmen, writing contracts and monitoring progress, plus selecting the best estate agent. This book also looks at how amateur investors can enter the complicated commercial sector of shops and offices, and touches upon property investment trusts for those with faith in the stock market. Getting a lodger as a good source of tax-free income is also demonstrated.

About the Author
Graham Norwood is a freelance property writer contributing regularly to the Financial Times, the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail, The Guardian and The Observer. He writes a weekly column on global property issues for Emirates Business 24/7, frequently appears in The Wall Street Journal and is a regular contributor to Estates Gazette and other industry publications.

RRP: £19.99
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Product details

* Paperback: 150 pages
* Publisher: Estates Gazette (1 Jul 2009)
* Language English
* ISBN-10: 0728205750
* ISBN-13: 978-0728205758

Click here to find out more about ‘Profiting from Property in a Recession’

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5 Myth Busting Tips To Consider When Designing & Building Your Own Conservatory

A few years ago a conservatory was classed a luxury that was enjoyed by a few. Nowadays it appears that almost every other home has one. With the cost of moving increasing and the present economic climate, the conservatory is becoming increasingly popular with families that wish to improve their lifestyle and their home.

There are a number of specialist companies that will supply a D.I.Y. package for a conservatory that can be erected and installed on a prepared base. Most suppliers will even supply the required drawings and installation instructions for the DIY enthusiast who wishes to add a conservatory to their property. One thing that I must add is that almost everyone I have spoke to have said that they use their conservatory far more than they though they would. It has been their best investment on their property and they wished it was bigger!

Before you start planning you dream conservatory let’s get rid of five myths that people seem to think about conservatories;- Read the rest of this entry »

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Bought a home but don’t have the money to do it up?

Homeowners - The BBC needs YOU

• Scraped together enough cash to buy a place but don’t have the money to do it up?

• … Or do you and your other half have different ideas about how your home should look?

BBC Three are looking for couples who own their own place and would love the chance to give their home a facelift.

To apply or for more information get in contact ASAP:
Email: homes@renegadepictures.co.uk
Call: 020 7479 4210

NB. NB: To apply you must be the owner or mortgage payer at the property. You should not be living as a tenant in a rented property or be part of a shared ownership scheme that requires another party’s consent to carry out any form of alteration (large or small).

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Re-launch of Homebuilding & Renovating Property Show

Eastern Counties Homeowners Set to Benefit from Re-launch of Property Show

Would-be renovators and self-builders should see 2009 as an excellent time to start a building project. For renovators and self-builders in the East of England, the re-launch of The Eastern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on at exec Peterborough on 30 and 31 May, means the best advice and information is now available to help make the most of their homes.

The recent success of The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show clearly indicates that many homeowners are looking to build their way out of the recession. There could well be an increase in the 20,000 each year who currently achieve this goal as they take advantage of the availability of more plots and contractors as well as competitive pricing. Homeowners looking to improve rather than move could also take advantage of keen prices in the current economic climate to make significant savings on their budgets if they plan carefully, shop around and do their homework.

Whether you are renovating, extending, building or wanting to make the most of your home, now is a great time to visit The Eastern Homebuilding & Renovating Show. Re-launched by popular demand and housed in the fabulous new facilities at exec Peterborough, the Show offers over 80 exhibitors, 36 free seminars and masterclasses over the two days as well as the opportunity to ‘Ask the Experts’.

Bring your plans, outline drawings or just your ideas and speak to one of the many experts at the Show. Michael Holmes, TV presenter and editor in Chief of Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, will be heading up a team of experts specialising in renovating, design, planning, self-building, and greener living.

The Eastern Homebuilding & Renovating Show is on at exec Peterborough on 30 and 31 May. For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk.

Tickets are £5 in advance by calling 0871 945 4547 or £8 on the door.

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KEVIN MCCLOUD launches the Grand Designs Great British Refurb Campaign

TV presenter and eco-pioneer, Kevin McCloud, is launching a nationwide campaign to urge the Government to help people to undertake energy-efficient green refurbishments in their homes

Kevin McCloud will launch the Grand Designs Great British Refurb campaign at Grand Designs Live London on Saturday 25 April, with backing from Grand Designs Magazine, the Energy Saving Trust, the UK Green Building Council and WWF.

The campaign urges the UK public to take positive action by signing a petition that will ask the Government to do more to help consumers finance the green refurbishment of their own homes. Twenty seven per cent of carbon emissions come from energy used in the home.

The campaign wants the Government to:

· Offer householders new ways to pay for green refurbishment, which would significantly reduce upfront costs and instead spread them over a longer period of time.

· Provide better financial incentives for householders to refurbish their homes to make them greener and more energy efficient, through substantial government grants, subsidies or Read the rest of this entry »

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Your DIY Bank Holiday Weekend Starts here…

Can you believe it’s the first of May already?

No doubt you’re all getting ready for the Bank Holiday weekend. If you’re not battling through the traffic to trying to get away from it all, maybe you’re going to be at home getting to grips with the odd DIY job around the house. Eager to get started on a project that you have been planning for a while. On the other hand you may need inspiration or the odd tip to get you started. Whatever your plans and whatever you do, keep us updated in the forums. We need you as members to add to the forums and ask, advise or tell us about your DIY projects, no matter how big or small. Are you a new member? If so tell ua about yourself or your business.

You will notice that we have added three new forum categories dedicated to ‘Carpentry, Joinery and Woodwork’, ‘DIY Disasters’ and a ‘Monthly Competition‘ for you to tell about your projects and upload your pictures to show us your work. Why not keep us updated on how things are going? There’s a prize of a voucher for the best post of the month.

We have added new pages too, for example ‘Bookshelf‘ where you can order some the latest and greatest DIY and Home Improvement books on the market. Free DIY Video tutorials, I know that they are from over the pond but the info does apply here in the UK. ‘DIY LInks‘ is the page where we link to websites that we feel may be of use to our members. Any comments on the minor changes air them on our here on your forum!

Have a great Bank Holiday Weekend and keep in touch!

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Surging Consumer Interest in Home Renovation and DIY

Broadcaster UKTV has launched a dedicated homes portal in an attempt to tap into surging consumer interest in home renovation and DIY.

The site, lovehome.co.uk, features content on interior design and DIY, how-to guides, social sharing facilities and user-generated content to provide users with a content hub for all things home related.

The launch comes at key time for the homes and gardens category, which is seeing a surge in interest from people looking at home improvement as the property market continues to decline. Searches for DIY and home improvement content increased by 40% between March 2008 and March 2009, according to Hitwise, as consumers focus on improving their existing homes rather than moving house.

The UKTV portal is part of the broadcaster’s Home channel brand, which launched its Read the rest of this entry »

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New look TV channel packed with inspirational home and gardens programming

Home launches at 9am on Thursday 30th April 2009.

Home (currently known as UKTV Style) will be a new look channel packed with inspirational home and gardens programming. Other home grown commissions, such as Celebrity Fantasy Homes with Gaby Roslin, Love The Place You’re In with Gordon Whistance and Gutted with Mark Durden Smith will play alongside the phenomenally successful US show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and popular series including DIY SOS, Escape To The Country, and Ground Force. Home promises a welcome refuge with energetic, stylish and motivating programming that shows viewers how to enjoy and maximise their space, both inside and out.

Celebrity Fantasy Homes – exclusive to Home

Celebrity Fantasy Homes follows famous house hunters in search of their dream properties in the UK and abroad. Gaby Roslin (Children in Need, The Big Breakfast) takes celebrity property hunters David Gest, Lady Victoria Hervey, Brendon Cole, Lee Sharpe, Sherri Hewson, the Right Said Fred brothers and Mica Paris to view four prospective properties. Each programme is dedicated to a different celebrity taking viewers to fantasy properties spanning London, Spain, Sardinia, the Home Counties, Windsor and Cambridge.

Live the dream, catch Celebrity Fantasy Homes from Thursday 30th April at 9pm on Home.

Gutted – exclusive to Home,Mondays at 10am from May 4th

Mark Durden-Smith lifts the lid on Britain’s most cluttered houses and targets hoarding homeowners in Gutted!

From rooms filled to the rafters with junk or families in desperate need of extra space, Mark and the team come to the rescue in Gutted.

Families fed up with sharing their space with a load of old tat nominate an un-suspecting hoarder who gets the fright of their life when they return home to find all of their worldly possessions missing and their house stripped bare! Briefly they breathe a sigh of relief when they learn their belongings are safely stored in a removal van parked outside. However, to win their possessions back the ‘Guttees’ have to remember everything they own… AND correctly answer a question about the item…

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Planning & Fitting A New Kitchen

Dream Kitchens

Because you probably will only buy a new kitchen once or twice in your life, you will need all the help you can get. Especially with the ever changing trends and the home improvement and cookery programmes on television it becomes more and more difficult to make a sound choice. This step-by-step decision planner will help you on your way to your dream kitchen.

Importance of Planning your Kitchen

First it is important to choose whether you want a fitted kitchen or a freestanding kitchen. If you choose for a fitted kitchen, you will make the most of your space, as all the difficult corners can be hidden and used for storage. You can choose for flat pack, rigid or Read the rest of this entry »

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Make The Most Of Your Outdoor Space

No money to extend and not the right time to move? Perhaps by revitalising your outdoor space you could make your home work better for you this summer.

As the weather gets warmer, adding a patio or decking can create an outdoor eating area, outside playroom or even a place where the children can do their homework - freeing up overcrowded kitchen and living areas.

The best way forward is to put some ideas on paper and talk to a local builder about putting it into action. Builders can Read the rest of this entry »

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