Britain is Drawing Nearer to a Rake Hike Environment

Sam Allcock

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26 June 2017

Britain is Drawing Nearer to a Rake Hike Environment

Last week, the global financial markets had a rude awakening suggesting that the Bank of England might soon be heading towards a decision to raise interest rates. Three policymakers in the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to support an increase in Interest rates in June. The policymakers namely; Kristin Forbes, Ian McCafferty, and Michael Saunders voted to raise interest rates from 0.25% to 0.50%.

Of course, the vote was not enough to compel the Bank of England to raise rates because the MPC had eight members and the other 5 members didn’t vote to support the rate hike. Yet, the 5:3 vote is the closest that the Bank of England has come to raising interest rates since 2007; hence, we can reasonably conclude that policymakers are bullish about the prospects of UK’s economy.

A new Bank of England policymaker leaning towards a rate hike

Fresh news out of the market indicates that one of the economists that voted against the rate hike last week is leaning towards support an increase in interest rates next month. Andy Haldane, chief economist at Bank of England has said that he will vote to support an increase in interest rates soon enough. Stewart Howell an analyst at Lionexo observes that “the news caused the Pound Sterling to climb up 0.42% to $1.2684 to suggest that London is optimistic about what an increase in interest rates might mean for the economy.”

Mr. Haldane decided to support the rate hike in a speech nothing that “having weighed the evidence, I think that the balance of risks associated with tightening ‘too early’, on the one hand, and ‘too late’, on the other, has swung materially towards the latter in the past six to nine months.”

The rate hike is not yet a done deal

Based on the current state of things, we can expect the MPC to be spilt 4:4 when the rate hike decision comes up for a vote in August. If the rate hike vote is hung (as you can expect in a 4:4 vote) the Bank of England governor will have the deciding vote.

The MPC should have nine members but deputy governor Charlotte Hogg who resigned in the first quarter of the year is yet to be replaced. If her replacement is named before the August meeting, the MPC will have nine member and we might have a significant vote for or against the rate hike.

Nevertheless, it is also important to note that Kristin Forbes who is spearheading the charge for the rate hike will leave the Monetary Policy Committee at the end of this month. Silvana Tenreyro will be replacing Ms. Forbes in the MPC – London will expect Ms Tenreyro to vote in support of the rate hike but nothing is certain until she casts her vote.

Another factor that could derail the rate hike train is the possibility that Mr. Haldane might change his mind about supporting the increase in interest rates. In 2014, Mr. Haldane said he’ll support an increase in rates but he changed his mind later noting that the available economic data has become gloomier. Hence, we would to wait see what actually happens in the next four weeks before we know how the Bank of England is likely to act on Interest rates.

Is the Sterling Suffering Over Political Uncertainty?

Economics

ABC Staff

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26 June 2017

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Is the Sterling Suffering Over Political Uncertainty?

One of the tried-and-tested rules of the financial industry is that political uncertainty tends to weigh heavily upon currencies. A stark illustration of this concept can be seen in the falling value of the sterling due to recent election results and a hung parliament. One of the main issues is how much power the Conservative Party will retain, as many investors felt that they would have been able to provide more economic stability during Brexit negotiations. So, what are some of the primary factors that have caused the pound to fall and what can we expect in the coming months?

What Do We Know So Far?

There is no doubt that the pound has been in the doldrums when compared to other benchmark currencies such as the United States dollar and the euro. To put this into perspective, its value has fallen no less than 14% since the results of the 2016 Brexit vote. This movement is primarily thought to be the result of reactions to a “hard” Brexit; a withdrawal process that will be fraught with difficult negotiations and uncertainty over future trade arrangements. It is also believed that the pound will remain particularly weak against the value of the euro.

Why Such Negativity?

Political instability and an overall lack of clarity are the two main driving factors behind such investor sentiment. Many feel that Theresa May is not in a strong position and therefore, infighting may continue for some time. The so-called bottom line is that investors are simply not willing to place their confidence into the pound until more clarity is offered by the UK government.

On the other side of the proverbial coin, recent movements suggest that the FTSE 250 is trailing behind the FTSE 100. As the 250 is a strong barometer in regards to the British economy, this may be a further hint that domestic businesses are in for a rough time. As if these observations were not enough, financial powerhouse Moody’s recently suggested that their overall outlook for the value of the pound is bearish as they are likewise considering future political uncertainty. Currency traders will obviously listen closely to such conclusions, as these types of announcements can quickly evolve into self-fulfilling prophecies.

The Overall Domestic Psychology

Although much of the fiscal spotlight has been placed upon political deadlocks that still need to be broken, the impact of the private sector cannot be overstated. It is no secret that many businesses felt that the pound would fare poorly immediately after the election, particularly if no clear majority won. Pre-election surveys illustrated this fact, It was found that 46% of Londoners employed in private sector felt that the pound would fall substantially after the election.

The problem with this viewpoint is that such individuals are much more likely to curtail their spending habits until more stability materialises. Unfortunately, this might have a knock-on effect and cause the pound to fall even further before it encounters some form of baseline support.

What Can We Expect?

The value of the pound will not fall infinitely. Once post-election Brexit plans are clarified, we should certainly see some form of stability. It is also worth mentioning that a weaker pound could very well present attractive investment opportunities for those who are dealing in dollars and euros. Although this may not exactly represent the financial silver lining that the private sector has been hoping for, it is nonetheless a perspective to consider.

The future value of the pound will obviously reflect the state of political negotiations as well as overall investor sentiment. When greed enters into the marketplace, financial experts will always tighten their budgets. In some ways, such a negative movement is perfectly logical when we consider the current situation.

Website Launch Sees E-Commerce Retailer Happy Beds Unveil Innovative New Features

Sam Allcock

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24 June 2017

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Website Launch Sees E-Commerce Retailer Happy Beds Unveil Innovative New Features

Newly-launched website includes Build Your Own Bed tool, adaptable product information and a lifestyle blog that aims to take the bed retail business to “the next level”.

Online retailer Happy Beds launched their new website this week, with the Manchester-based business looking to continue its expansion into one of the UK’s most prominent bed brands.

Launched in 2010, the bed and mattress business quickly began seeing consistent growth and now enjoys an annual turnover of £3m, all without outside investment and stiff competition from established brands such as Dreams and Benson for Beds.

Welsh web developers Elevate Web, known for their work with brands such as Peacocks, Go Outdoors and Jane Norman, built the site alongside Liberty, a Cardiff-based digital marketing agency noted for their work with Not On the High Street and Benefit Cosmetics.

A central feature of the new site is the bespoke bed builder tool, which allows users to customise their own bespoke divan bed, with the image adjusting in tune with the customer’s choices. Alongside this, the site also boasts a mattress tension adjuster that will give recommendations based on the user’s weight and personal preferences.

As mentioned, the site also features a lifestyle guide known as ‘The Comfort Zone’, where Happy Beds’ own sleep specialist, Joy Richards, provides advice and guidance on subjects ranging from lifestyle to mattress guides.

Happy Beds owner Rex is excited by the possibilities of the new site and its ability to build upon the growth already made. He stated that:

“We wanted to create an ‘in-store’ experience online. Buying a bed is such a personal, important purchase that it’s important to give customers as much information as possible.

The Bed Builder and the Mattress Tension guides give shoppers a more interactive experience than they could get on any other eCommerce store, which is really exciting. It’s often said that beds and mattresses must be tested in person before being bought, but I think the levels of detail on our new site disproves that.

I’m so proud of the progress that our team has made in such a short space of time. We’re ambitious and we want to take the brand to the next level, and this new website will help us do just that.”

About Happy Beds

Originally founded as a third-party seller on Amazon and eBay by owner Rex in 2010, Happy Beds quickly grew and its own domain www.happybeds.co.uk was launched in 2012.

All products are made to order and shipped from the Happy Beds hub in Manchester, and the business garners an annual turnover of £3m with over 20 full-time staff members on board.

For more information about Happy Beds, or for further quotes, please contact Kristina Salmane at kristina@happybeds.co.uk.

Nearly 5,000 Homes Have Now Been Bought Using Help-to-Buy Wales

Sam Allcock

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22 June 2017

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Nearly 5,000 Homes Have Now Been Bought Using Help-to-Buy Wales

Statistics reveal 4,797 Welsh homes have been bought using the Government Help-to-Buy scheme since its introduction in January 2014.

Howells Solicitors, a legal firm based in South Wales, has utilised data released by StatsWales to shine a light on the scheme and how young people are purchasing property across Wales.

Where Are First Time Buyers Setting Up Home?

Both Newport and Flintshire have seen high uptake of the scheme since its implementation, with 848 and 577 purchases respectively. Whereas the lowest number of Welsh properties bought using Help to Buy can be seen in Ceredigion, the Isle of Anglesey and Blaenau Gwent.

Examining the data from the ‘Help to Buy Scheme Transactions Record March 2017’, 104 homes in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, have been bought using the scheme, whereas Swansea recorded 305.

What Type of Properties Are Being Bought Using Help to Buy Wales?

The most common type of home bought through the scheme was a three bedroom property (2,415 bought to date), with four bedrooms placing second most popular (1,501 bought to date).

At the opposite ends of the scale, just 92 one bedroom properties have been bought in Wales through the government scheme (a third of which were in Cardiff), and 26 five bedroom property sales have been completed.

What Does the Future Hold for Help to Buy in Wales?

Of the almost 5,000 completed Help to Buy cases to date in Wales, Howells Solicitors have completed 1,146 of them – equating to over 23% of all cases, the most out of any UK law firm.

Commenting on the positive impact the scheme has had for first time buyers, Philip Howells, co-founding director of Howells Solicitors said:

“The financial assistance provided by the scheme has enabled first time buyers to enter the housing market at a time when lending criteria had been significantly tightened following changes to legislation regarding the financial services industry.

“The scheme has been very successful and well received by home buyers and those involved in the house buying industry. It provided a much-needed boost at the right time.

“Help to Buy ISAs and Help to Buy equity loans are now providing other options for first time buyers and, with the Lifetime ISA being launched just last month, this continued financial assistance will be of benefit.”

Map created by Howells Solicitors. Data provided by StatsWales.

About Howells Solicitors:
Howells Solicitors is one of the leading conveyancing law firms in Wales with six local offices across locations such as Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.

Why You Should Have Account with FCA UK Regulated Forex Brokers

Finance

Elliot

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20 June 2017

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Why You Should Have Account with FCA UK Regulated Forex Brokers

In the U.K., the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the independent body that is vested with the responsibility of overseeing and regulating the operations of financial services companies, including the forex brokers. The FCA, formerly known by the name the Financial Services Authority (FSA), was set up in 2013 on the basis of the UK Government’s finding that the FSA was not adequately equipped to deal with financial irregularities. The agency’s inadequacy became very evident during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

The FCA is not dependent on Government funds to carry out its functions. However, the agency is answerable both to the Treasury and the Parliament. The FCA operates with the help of membership fees paid by financial companies that are registered with the agency and by raising funds through other channels. As a result, the FCA is forced to maintain a fair code of conduct as far as all the firms providing financial services to residents in the country.

FCA Regulation – How Does It Work?

The FCA has been vested with a great deal of power to ensure that all financial services companies operating in the UK follow certain operating standards. The FCA can revoke the licenses financial services companies, scrutinize promotional and marketing material, audit the accounts of companies, and make sure that the clients get a fair deal when availing the services of these financial companies. The agency is also given the power to suspend the activities of any firm for a period of up to one year if allegations of fraudulent activities are raised against the company. The agency also has the power to suspend licenses of companies indefinitely if they feel it is necessary. As a result, firms that operate under the regulatory purview of the FCA would often ensure the safety and security of their clients. They will never work against the interests of their clients.

FCA Regulated Forex Brokers Are Reliable

A forex broker in the UK is required to be licensed and regulated by the FCA as per the law. As such, the FCA regulated forex brokers are highly reliable because they are bound to follow or comply with the various laws that are outlined in the code of conduct section of the 2012 Financial Services Act. Further, the FCA has the freedom to amend the laws as and when they deem necessary so as to safeguard the interests of the traders and investors.

FCA Regulation – Benefits To Customers

As the regulating authority for overseeing the functioning of financial companies, including forex brokers, the FCA’s main focus is protecting traders against different types of frauds as well as financial crimes. Further, the FCA guarantees the market integrity by monitoring the activities of all of the registered financial service providers and ensuring the health of the U.K. financial system.

Additionally, the FCA promotes healthy competition within the market by enabling companies to attract customers in a fair and honest manner. Moreover, the agency enforces stringent rules and carefully monitors the activities of the members so that the companies do not take advantage of the loopholes in the system.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have some idea as to the FCA operates, let us understand the three reasons why you should have FCA, UK regulated forex brokers:
#1: An FCA regulated forex broker in the UK is obliged to provide customer-centric services
You can expect regulated brokers to treat you fairly and without any discrimination, ensure clear communication and cater to your needs rather than focusing on their profits.
You cannot expect unregulated brokers to behave in the same manner. Sometimes, even the most highly recommended but unregulated brokers do not serve their customers properly.

#2: The FCA provides a solution to globalization
Globalization has resulted in rogue brokers setting up operations in the U.K. The FCA works with overseas regulators to curtail the activities of such brokers.

#3: An FCA regulated forex broker in the UK is accountable
The regulated forex brokers in the U.K. are required to comply with certain standards set by the FCA to maintain their status. Although the agency cannot guarantee total protection, those brokers that do not comply with the regulatory requirements are held accountable for their actions.

In order to sustain your forex trading business, you need to protect your hard earned money. It is, therefore, imperative that you work with an FCA regulated forex broker in the UK so as to achieve your financial goals.

Forex Trading Industry Statistics 2017

Finance

Sam Allcock

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20 June 2017

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What are the main forex industry stats for 2017, and why are these statistics important to you as a trader? This article spells out some of the little known facts about the forex market.

Introduction

What is the forex market? The forex market is not just a place where currencies are bought and sold on a daily basis. Sure it is a market for that activity, but it goes far beyond merely buying and selling currencies. The forex market is indeed a large market that brings together central banks, investment banks, commercial banks, hedge funds, retail traders, technology providers, statisticians, quants, software developers, analysts, just to name a few. It is therefore an entire industry which supports at least 20 different professions. This is just how large this industry is. So when talking about the forex industry statistics for 2017, it is important to know what industries within the industry, is represented in the stats that will be presented.

So what are the industry statistics for the forex market in 2017? Let’s take it from one sector in the forex industry to another.

Forex Daily Turnover

This is obviously the first place to start. How much money moves around the forex market on a daily basis? According to the last triennial survey of the Bank of International Settlement (BIS), the size of the forex market turnover as at 2016 was $5.2trillion. This makes the forex market the biggest financial market in the world.

However, after years of massive growth spurred by the deregulation of the market and entrance of all types of new technology, statistics also show that the forex market is actually shrinking. Coalition, a top industry analytics firm, also reports that trade volumes across the major trading hubs are down, and the number of people employed at trading desks is also falling. What could be responsible? Experts cite increasingly tougher regulations, as well as industry readjustments in the face of some major market-moving events such as the January 15, 2015 Swiss National Bank move. Lower interest rates which have made carry trade opportunities hard to come by have also been implicated.

The sheer size of the forex market means that it is still a place brimming with opportunities not just for traders, but for those offering value-added services to segments of the market.

Forex Market Technology

Under the forex market technology segment, we have the following:

Trading technology – trading platforms.
Trading technology – automated trading software and algorithmic trading solutions.

The market technology segment of the forex market is usually provided by smaller companies which service the retail and institutional ends of the market. On the retail end, we have the retail trading platforms (MT4/MT5, NinjaTrader, TradeStation, JForex, etc) as well as the various expert advisors and indicators. What has been the trend in the usage of the technology solutions behind the forex market?

Trading Platforms

When it comes to retail forex trading, the most popular platform is the MetaTrader4 platform. It has been so successful that the successor to this platform, the MT5, has been unable to capture the market share that the MT4 has occupied for so many years.

Forex robots

Many more users are turning to trading robots to perform their trades for them. Not only is the number of traders using algorithmic software and retail forex robots increasing, the usage of trading software has also brought in traders from age groups that were not active in the market several years ago. A report from Fortune.com shows that college kids are now trading with robots from their dorm rooms.

This information shows clearly that the use of technology is far outweighing human input when it comes to performing trades. With the appropriate technology, traders can get better fills, faster executions and more efficient trade management.

The Currencies

When it comes to currency analytics in the forex market, the data that most traders would be interested in are as follows:

What currencies are the most traded currencies in the forex market? This is important because the costs of trading these currencies are lower, and market movements tend to be more predictable.
What currencies trended the most, and which ones are the most trending right now? This is important information for long term traders.

The US Dollar is still the most traded currency in the world, followed by the Euro, the Japanese Yen, British Pound, Australian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, Mexican Peso, Chinese Yuan (RMB) and New Zealand Dollar, in that order. You can get the exact statistics for the most traded currencies from this authoritative source.

The most traded currencies tend to have more liquidity, more volatility and therefore more tradable opportunities at lower spreads.

Major Institutional Players

Most of the market volume in the forex market is generated by the big banks, who are also the liquidity providers. Institutional trading accounts for 94.5% of forex market volume. In terms of forex liquidity, Deutsche Bank holds the largest market volume, providing up to 21% of the market liquidity.

Generally speaking, there is a lot of competition from prime brokers to provide their clients with better tools for trading, trade execution and reporting. These tools can be used not just to trade spot forex, but also forex forwards, non-deliverable forward contracts (NDFs), forex swaps as well as FX options.

There is a lot to be explored in the forex market, and it is left for traders to discover what these opportunities are so that they can maximize their possibility of making good returns on their investments.

Walking the Fine Line Between Consumer Confidence and Irrational Exuberance

Business

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16 June 2017

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Walking the Fine Line Between Consumer Confidence and Irrational Exuberance

As the UK economy continues to lurch down a frequently bumpy road, striving to keep the last financial meltdown in the rearview mirror, British consumers are doing their part to plump up the economy. Banks and other financial services providers are trying to make things easier for consumers through lower interest rates and the return of no-deposit residential mortgages, though of course they are motivated by their own bottom lines. All told, the economy today is very much a mixture of good news and bad news, but it can be mostly good news to consumers who are smart about spending and borrowing. The trick is to strike a balance between confidence and irrational exuberance, and that isn’t always easy.

Brexit, Schmexit: uncertainty hasn’t stopped Brits from whipping out the plastic

For many months the Government and various media sources have been making a big fuss about the anxiety over the EU referendum in June, with the Government claiming that the uncertainty over Brexit has been hurting the economy. But you’d never know that from the behaviour of British shoppers, who spent a record £9.6 billion on credit cards in April, according to the British Bankers’ Association. The uptick is an indicator of growing consumer confidence, which at this point apparently hasn’t quite crossed the line to irrational exuberance, being that consumers appeared to be spending within their means. Borrowers for the most part have paid back what they owed and credit card debt on the whole didn’t increase in April.

But it’s not all cheery news. Despite the seemingly good news in April, the total burden of credit card debt and other types of personal debt have risen over the past year. Economists have warned that this level of borrowing “cannot be sustained in the long run,” and ultimately, those debts will have to be repaid. According to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), if the current trend isn’t reversed, UK households are on course to spend more than they earn for the rest of the decade.

In order to avert the inevitable crisis should the trend continue, there is a good chance that the Bank of England will find it necessary to take measures to discourage consumers from incurring more unsecured personal debt, such as (finally) raising the interest rates. Sir Jon Cunliffe, the Bank’s deputy governor for financial stability, has made it clear that policymakers remain “vigilant” to risks, and that they will act quickly if there are indications that credit growth is approaching unsustainable levels. The Financial Policy Committee, responsible for maintaining UK financial stability, has already taken steps to rein-in mortgage lending, and will probably be assigned the authority necessary to slow activity in the rapidly growing buy-to-let property market.

Moreover, consumers are still struggling to save money, which further exacerbates the problem. Historically, April has been the month in which the highest levels of savings have occurred, but in April of 2016, savings in tax-free Isas amoumted to only £2.1bn: the lowest level in the British Bankers’ Association’s records, which have been documented since 2006.

So while it’s encouraging to see people out shopping again, it would be wise for all of us to occasionally glance at that image in the rearview mirror, and check to see if it is drawing closer. As George Santayana so wisely stated, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

Good news for borrowers, but with a few caveats

As indicated above, however, it’s not all bad news for consumers. Although interest rates will inevitably rise sooner or later (as we’ve been hearing for a couple of years now), they’re at record lows right now. And “right now” pretty well describes the priorities of people for whom credit has been unavailable for a long time. As improved credit opportunities came about at what is generously described as a glacial pace, lenders responded by coming up with lending plans that meet the needs of even those would-be borrowers who have less-than-perfect credit histories.

Given the overall uncertainty of the economy as well as the additional risk inherent in lending to such borrowers, interest rates for some of these loans have been higher than those charged for more traditional loans. Lenders have adjusted the amount of interest and fees charged to remain competitive, so it behooves the prospective borrower to carefully evaluate the rates and terms offered by different lenders to find the loan that best suits their needs. Websites such as readies.co.uk provide the means to obtain a side-by-side comparison of different types of loans from multiple lenders, saving borrowers from the potentially arduous process of doing a comprehensive comparison on their own.

Beware of offers that sound too good to be true

In every market, when demand outstrips available supply, enterprising businesses will rush in to fill the void in hopes of increasing their bottom line. The lending industry is no different, and in response to credit being essentially unavailable from traditional lenders following the financial crisis, alternative lending sources and products appeared to fill consumers’ needs.

Unfortunately, not all the newly-established lenders and plans were particularly good for the borrowers, and many people who availed themselves of the new credit found themselves in a credit quagmire in short order. Eventually, the government stepped in with regulatory stipulations that served to weed out the more unscrupulous lenders and the credit traps they had laid. The companies that remained have proved highly profitable, which naturally drew the attention of the traditional lending institutions who saw millions of pounds slip through their fingers and into the upstart businesses.

Even such venerable institutions as HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, and the Royal Bank of Scotland have begun offering some of the higher-risk but higher-profit margin loans that had previously been provided only by the alternative lenders. And some analysts see this as a march toward the same kind of high-risk lending that had done such great harm to the world’s economy less than a decade previously. For the borrower, it becomes more essential than ever to fully understand the finer points of any debt before incurring it. The once-valid assumption that a specific credit product is a good choice because it is offered by a well-known and trusted institution might no longer be correct. It is up to the consumer to educate him or herself before taking on additional debt.

By all means be a confident consumer, but do so with an eye to your future solvency. Be a smart buyer and, whether you’re looking for a mortgage, a car loan or a personal loan, be a smart borrower. And if you’re not saving, do whatever you can to start doing so. Brexit or not, much of your financial future is in your own hands.

Smartphone technology – how can it be used to save landlords time, money, and stress?

Sam Allcock

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16 June 2017

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Smartphone technology – how can it be used to save landlords time, money, and stress?

Managing property is challenging; a lot more challenging than meets the eye. Landlords and property managers spend a lot of time handing paperwork, collecting rent, finding tenants (and evicting bad ones), and making sure each and every one of those tenants are comfortable. Time is of the essence in the real estate business, and sadly compromise is often not accepted. The good news is there are ways to make property management easier.

Advanced technology is now used and widely accepted in a wealth of domains. So why shouldn’t it be used to help landlords stay more organized, save time & money, and cut back of stress, too? Smartphone technology is an innovative approach to managing property and streamlining the process. Which apps should you be using to stay more organized?

Buildium

Buildium packs exceptional functionalities that landlords can use to keep things organized when managing properties. Among some of its core features, we should mention online work orders, online rent collection, special tools for sharing and storing documents, and some very useful accounting features that are very easy to use. Furthermore, Buildium has great vacancy marketing and tenant screening capabilities. It’s literally impossible to get confused with this app as there’s plenty of help you can get by using the customer support features provides. There are explicit tutorials landlords can watch to learn how to use Buildium.

AppFolio

AppFolio is one of the most complex and detailed apps for property management on the market. It can be used for collecting rent and paying vendors. Also, tenants can perform maintenance requests and then landlords can ask maintenance workers to do the work while tracking their progress. With AppFolio generating reports has never been easier. However what makes the app unique is its mobility feature. Since people today barely use computers, AppFolio is perfectly optimized for smart devices, including smartphones. It can be used anytime and from anywhere because the platform is 100% mobile responsive.

TenantCloud

Even though TenantCloud is not as complex and detailed as Buildium and AppFolio, it’s worth mentioning because it’s free for up 75 units. Everything you want to use after downloading the app doesn’t cost anything. With TenantCloud you can collect rent and assess applicant screening portals, as well as benefit from basic reporting and accounting features. If you don’t plan on handling that many properties and you have a limited budget, this is the perfect piece of software for managing your properties.

Rent Manager

Unlike the apps we mentioned above, Rent Manager is one of the most customizable. Everything within the app can be tailored-made to match with your demands and preferences. However, it is not a property management app for beginners. It has a more tech allure, and it’s remote desktop-based and not browser-based. As for the design, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see that Rent Manager is extremely intuitive. At first, it might seem a little overwhelming but it’s worth giving a try. Users will have to pay $75/month to use the app.

Keeping an eye on the trends

In the property management business, owning and managing properties is useless if you don’t have tenants to keep those properties occupied so that you can make a profit. Marketing properties online is fundamental, and advanced technology can help streamline the process. Generating listings can now be done with just a click of a button. However, only the best property management softwares help keep things afloat. We live in a world of gadgets and smart devices, so it’s no wonder that the real estate business is changing.

Leaving aside the ability of an app to help keep things organized, it’s very important for landlords to generate reports, store important documents, and keep their books. This can be done with advanced technology, as well. The best type of software should be intuitive. That’s because not everyone understand complex, techy-programs and apps. Before making your pick, assess them carefully. Most apps feature free trials that you can use free of charge to see if they match with your demands. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter whether you’re aiming at villas for sale or you just want to buy property to rent. The goal is to make the most of technology by using to your advantage.

Pre-holiday airport tips to save you money

Elliot

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15 June 2017

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Pre-holiday airport tips to save you money

To have the best low-budget holiday possible, it’s important to always consider and avoid unnecessary purchases at the airport.

That’s according to the penny-pinching gurus at PromotionalCodes.org.uk, who have shared their best pre-holiday airport hacks to save you money before you jet off on holiday.

The handy tips include asking for water on the plane, flying red eye and checking out hotel amenities.

Also featured are renting a driveway to park on, bringing your snacks and investing in a portable charger.

They’ve also emphasised how you can prepare to dodge any additional costs once you’re abroad, like downloading maps to avoid data charges and using public transport from the airport as opposed to a taxi.

Other hacks include taking a child’s car seat to avoid hire costs, flying on the red eye and always asking if there’s a chance of a free upgrade.

Darren Williams from PromotionalCodes.org.uk said: “Most people always think about the costs of booking your holiday and expenses whilst you’re out there.

“But airports are sometimes the worst places for making you shell out when you don’t need to.

“There are also certain things that aren’t made aware to flyers that you are well within your rights to ask for, like water or taking a car seat.

“Our tips should help you cut down those annoying costs you normally shell out for, saving you more money for your trip.”

Here are the sites’ top tips for saving money at the airport.

Ask for water on the plane

Don’t fork out for bottled water on the plane. If you take an empty bottle through customs you can ask your air steward to fill it up for you on your flight.

Park on a driveway

If you’re driving to the airport, ditch the pricey car park and check out locals’ driveways. Many rent them out for holidaymakers to leave their car there for a few days at a much more competitive price.

At YourParkingSpace.co.uk you can find thousands of locals’ driveways near the airport with pricing, that you can pre book for peace of mind.

Do your research to avoid baggage charges

You’d be surprised by how much hotels will provide for you, so make sure you do your research before cramming in your hair dryer and extra towels.

Weigh your bags at home

It’s not worth risking it so plonk your suitcase on some scales to weigh it before you go to avoid any fees.

Buy snacks before you get to the airport

Dry snacks like crisps and biscuits can be taken on the plane so stock up before you’re roped into expensive airport offerings.

Don’t be afraid to ask for free things

If you’re holidaying to celebrate a special event like a wedding or birthday, tell the airline staff. They may be willing the upgrade you for free. If you’re travelling alone it’s easier to upgrade you too so it’s always worth asking. The worst that will happen is a polite no.

Using a carrier for your pet

Even the best-behaved pets can get upset while traveling to a new place or being exposed to new people, sounds or smells. An airline-approved carrier will give you peace of mind when traveling with your pet. It does not only protect your pet from distraction during travel, it also provides them with a cozy little den in which they can retreat from the outside world.

Skip the taxi

When you arrive at your destination within sociable hours, don’t just hop in a taxi but check out public transport options as well. If there’s a metro or bus service, that will be cheaper than a cab.

Download Google maps offline

If you’re on a phone contract with limited data or that charges more for use abroad, download all the maps you think you will need before you set off. Screen shot them then you can use them as you please when you’re away.

Check currency rates in advance

Try not to leave it to the last minute to get your cash for your holiday. Getting currency converted at a better rate will save you a fortune so do your research sooner rather than later.

Book somewhere with breakfast included

Paying that little extra for breakfast may be worth it. If it’s buffet style you can stock up for lunch to save you spending more money on that.

Fly red eye

If you don’t mind travelling late at night, book a red eye flight. Not only will it be cheaper but also the airport will be quieter at that time meaning shorter queues and less stress.

Pack a child’s car seat for free

If you’re going to be using a car with your little one whilst you’re on holiday, you’ll need a car seat. Most places charge on average up to £5/per day to hire but you can avoid this by just taking your own. Most airlines will allow this in addition to your luggage and you can even use it on the plane.

Speak to your bank and credit card providers

Some branches don’t charge for transactions abroad but some do or will shut down your card if they think there’s suspicious activity. Give them a call before you go to let them know and they should be able to advise you on the best way to pay while you’re away.

ENDS

4 Tips for Buying Property in the Caribbean

Holidays

Sam Allcock

-

14 June 2017

0

4 Tips for Buying Property in the Caribbean

Investing in property on the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean has long been considered the reserve of the rich and famous. Not anymore—there’s never been a better time to buy a second home in the Caribbean.

Investing in emerging international property markets is always a balancing act between increased risk and potential reward. However, there is a plentitude of Caribbean investment opportunities and there is no reason why an investment can’t be safe and profitable.

The Caribbean summons strong imagery for many people looking for a place in the sun; the Independent calls the region a true getaway destination with a hint of home from home. Whether you’re looking to move to the Caribbean permanently or for your next investment opportunity, these tips should make the process easier and clearer.

1: Decide why you’re buying the property

First things first. Before you buy the property, you must decide why you’re buying the property. If you want to start a new life on an island, you’ll be looking for a property to make your home. Are you moving for work? You might look for an office or commercial location to do business. Or are you just looking to add to your property portfolio? All of these factors will determine the type of property you choose to invest in.

2: Broaden your horizons in your research

The National Association of Realtors state “the economic, political, and social environments of the different Caribbean island nations vary greatly in their impact on real estate.” To find the perfect property for you, you must first find the right island. You may look for a strong quality of life, or average property prices, an economy that is doing well, or the most affordable way of life – all of which differ across the islands in the region.

The Caribbean is a region of around 40 million people and each country is unique – economically, politically and culturally. For example, English is the most widely spoken language in Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago to name just a few. In Haiti and Guadeloupe, French is most widely spoken and in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, Spanish is the official language. These are important considerations to bear in mind when choosing a place you plan to live or conduct business deals in.

3: Look for government-approved real estate opportunities

There a number of Caribbean investment opportunities available through citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes. CBI is a way for high net worth individuals to gain citizenship in a country by making a financial contribution to the local economy. Often, this involves government-backed real estate projects.

Dominica is one such country that invites investments that “will generate sustained economic growth and prosperity, and create jobs and business opportunities for their people.” A minimum sum of US$200,000 is required for a qualifying investment in real estate, which includes, for example, shares of the Tranquility Beach Resort, a project run by Curio – A Collection by Hilton, one of the world’s most successful luxury hotel operators.

4: Remember You Are Buying in Paradise

1st Day of Summer, a blog about Caribbean island life, suggests that “when you buy a home in the Caribbean, buy it because you want to spend an amazing time there with family and friends. The return on investment is all those incredible, precious moments” – and we agree. Remember that when you buy in the Caribbean, you buy in one of the most spectacular locations in the world. It will leave you with unparalleled memories, no matter what your primary purchasing goal is.

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