Real Estate

Hamptons International, a premier property services company with a strong geographic presence in the Middle East and North Africa region, is showcasing a wide range of elegantly designed and conveniently located properties in the United Kingdom (UK) that will appeal to an increasing number of discerning GCC buyers, at The Palace Downtown Dubai hotel on May 19 and 20, 2015.

The Collection is a unique event that highlights a range of new developments in the UK, and drives sales conversions for active buyers and investors, especially those who are based in the Middle East region. The very best property from across Hamptons network are included and exhibited as part of the showcase, which tours three cities London, Hong Kong and Dubai.

More than 96 properties are part of The Collection, which have a combined worth of over AED 1.5 billion, with the residences starting from AED 2.9 million to over AED 45.7 million. Several of these properties are located in some of the UKs most sought-after locations such as 1 Sheffield Terrace, Kensington; 1 Westbourne Park Gardens, Notting Hill; Greystones, The Warren, Radlett, Hertfordshire; Harvest House, Near Henley, Oxfordshire; and 3 Kings Road, Richmond, Surrey.

Andrew Phillips, Regional Sales Director at Hamptons International, said: Described often as the Eighth Emirate, London is one of the most desirable cities for investors from the UAE and the wider GCC region. Apart from the citys appeal as a popular tourist destination, London is also a preferred place for education and business & cultural partnerships for residents of the region. The Collection showcases homes that are ideally placed to add to the convenience of buyers here, who now also have the benefit of drawing on strong dollar rates.

He added: Organising the roadshow in Dubai, one of only three cities that we are hosting the event, is a testament to the robust demand we have from residents here. The Collection will be the gateway for GCC residents to own and invest in homes in London, which continues to attract young, educated and tech-savvy people and sustains a thriving economy that presents some of the best opportunities in the world for employment, leisure, sport, cultural activities and entrepreneurial advancement.

The Collection allows buy-to-let investors and home-owner occupiers an opportunity to view some of the most beautiful properties on offer in London and the South East of England locations that are highly preferred by investors from the Middle East.

According to estimates by the UK Government, over 48,000 visas granted to those traveling from the Middle East in 2014 - an 11% increase on 2013. The number of Middle Eastern buyers across Hamptons London network has also increased over the last 12 months, from 2.5% of sales to 4% of sales in 2015. In the prime central London markets of Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Kensington and Chelsea, Middle Eastern buyers made up 11% of sales over the last 12 months, a 46% increase on a year ago.

Over 350,000 children from overseas receive a UK education at an independent school. More than 24,000 of them have parents living abroad (up 15% from 2007). The South and South West of England attract the greatest number of overseas students. Two thirds of universities with more than 10% overseas students are located in the South and South West of the country. Over the last 10 years the number of post graduate awards going to students from the Middle East has almost tripled.

Hamptons International research shows that properties located close to independent schools and universities hold value and recover faster than average UK properties. In 2014, the average property price stood at AED 992,000 while the average property price within a two mile radius of an independent school was over AED 2 million. In London property prices are on average 30% higher than at the peak of the market in 2007, but for those homes close to an independent school they are 66% higher.

London has been crowned the most popular tourist destination in the world and has attracted a record breaking 18.7 million visits from overseas in 2014 with 8 out of 10 visitors saying culture and heritage are the main reasons for their visit. Crucially, London was voted Best City for Culture 2014 at the inaugural Leading Culture Destinations Awards.

For further information about The Collection event, please visit www.hamptons.co.uk/the-collection or contact Hamptons MENA offices in the UAE on (800 4267 8667) or email: enquires@hamptons.ae.

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