Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September 2015

HAS THE TIME THE COME UNDER UNDER THETO MOVE YOUR MONEY OFFSHORE? SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT WHY UKARE PROPERTY PROVIDES THE PERFECT WHY SOUTH AFRICANS WHY ARE SOUTH AFRICANS HEDGE AGAINST AN EVER-WEAKENING RAND. BUYING BUYING UK UK PROPERTY? PROPERTY? The randmonths, recentlythere’s hit all-time lows against thethedollar andofthe pound, In recent been a distinct surge in number South Africans In recent months, there’s been a distinct surge in the number of South Africans prompting many South Africans to consider an international investment. heading to the shores of Britain in search of a rand hedging asset.What’s driven heading to the shores of Britain in search of a rand hedging asset.What’s driven Butdemand why areformany choosing this UK real estate?to spend their money specifically on UK property? this demand for UK real estate? RETURNS IN A CURRENCY A REASSURING ASSET RETURNS IN A CURRENCY WITH VOLATILITY IN A LOW STABLE POLITICAL WITH LOW VOLATILITY AND ECONOMIC Currency concerns are one of the Currency concerns are one of the ENVIRONMENT most important considerations most important for South African considerations investors, with forglobal South African with As uncertainty reigns,some the UK many preferring to investors, possess many preferring toto possess some continues to be a beacon of stability international assets minimise international assets to minimise and security forto the world’s investors. their exposure domestic currency their exposure to domestic currency changes. South Africans know the importance changes. For although property of aexample, strong currency better than most For example, although property prices in South Africa have increased after the rand fell to record lows prices in the South have increased by 27% in lastAfrica fourthe years, the against the dollar and pound. by 27% in the lastslide fouragainst years, the rand’s continuing the rand’s leading continuing against the world’s means Growth figures currencies withslide domestic property world’s leading currencies means that in apaint wider context, should a international positive picture – South that in aproperty wider

Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September 2015 | Page 62