Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa Real Estate Investor Magazine - June 2017 | Page 61

ADVERTORIAL IP Global is an end-to-end property investment company that sources worldwide real estate with growth potential. The distinctive IP Global model offers early-stage financial commitment to developers and enables international investors to strengthen their portfolios through property. IP Global’s team of international property professionals are experts in every aspect of their field. The IP Global approach uses rigorous research to identify opportunities and streamlines the entire process of property investment. IP Global is dedicated to building long-lasting partnerships and makes a strong financial commitment to every investment property it recommends. Further south in the West Midlands sits Birmingham – the UK’s largest city after London by population (1.1 million) and set to expand – with 12.2% more people expected between 2012 and 2032. Its central location means that 90% of the UK population is within a four hour commute of the city. It is home to over 75 000 companies including 1 190 international firms – the largest concentration of businesses outside of London. In 2016 there was a 37% increase in business start-ups with over 50 000 new city centre jobs set before 2030. A key driver of Birmingham’s future growth is the upgrade of the UK’s national rail network. High Speed 2 will bring London within 49 minutes and significantly cut journey times to Edinburgh, www.reimag.co.za Newcastle and Manchester. The project is also expected to deliver a GBP1.3 billion boost for local economy with over 30 000 new homes needed by 2031. All this adds up to excellent projections for property price growth in the city. 2014 to 2016 saw Birmingham property prices grow by 11.4% and looking ahead, 21.7% capital growth is expected between 2017 and 2021. High demand saw average rents increase by 3.2% in 2016, with rental growth forecast at 17.6% between 2017 and 2021. As demand continues to rise across the UK’s regional cities, we’re seeing some very attractive opportunities for investors to enter these burgeoning markets. JUNE 2017 SA Real Estate Investor 59