property-investment

As our Managing Director revealed in a recent interview, GRE Assets has strict criteria for identifying a new investment location – affordability, good transport connections and an extensive regeneration programme.

Another key factor in ensuring success both as a company and for our clients is investing at the right time. We achieve this by choosing a time when housing demand is high but supply is low, as this helps achieve the best return on investment for investors and homebuyers when they come to resell.

In this blog post, we have identified some of the best emerging towns and cities, which we believe should be considered as a property investment opportunity – Basildon, Chatham, and Bracknell.

 

Basildon

One of Essex’s largest towns, Basildon has a fast-growing population thanks to residents and businesses moving to the area. It offers excellent road and rail connectivity, close to the London Orbital Motorway (M25) and Dartford Crossing, as well as only 34 minutes by train to London making it popular amongst commuters.

There has been plenty of regeneration progress over the past few months in Basildon, with major projects completed or taking a step forward. For instance, South Essex College’s new Centre for Digital Technologies was completed in September 2020 and offers state-of-the-art facilities specially equipped for the IT and digital industries. Currently under construction, East Square is set to provide a new leisure space including a 10 screen multi-cinema and restaurants in the town centre.

Outline planning permission has also been granted for Eastgate Quarter, a mixed-use town centre development that will include up to 2,800 new homes, as well as retail, leisure, commercial and restaurant space. As part of the Basildon Masterplan, there are £600 million proposals to reinvigorate the town centre, which will include the construction of the South Essex Arena and a youth centre.

 

Chatham

With Medway bidding to be UK City of Culture 2025, the area is progressing at a phenomenal rate and Chatham is at the heart of it. It certainly meets our investment criteria offering affordability, connectivity, and regeneration in abundance.

Major projects include Chatham Waterfront, which will deliver 175 homes, restaurants and cafes and new parkland space. Multi-million pound plans were also recently revealed to transform the nearby Mountbatten House site into luxury apartments including a rooftop dining space and public realm.

 

Bracknell

Situated in the commuter belt less than an hour from London, but considerably more affordable, the Berkshire town of Bracknell is growing in popularity as a place to live.

Over £770 million has been invested into Bracknell including town centre improvements making it ‘one of the largest urban regeneration schemes built in the UK.’ Projects include the £1.3 million redevelopment of the Bracknell Bus Station and £13.3 million refurbishment of leisure facilities at Coral Reef Waterworld.

In its UK Residential Market Forecast 2020-2024, Knight Frank has forecast a 17% price growth for the region in the five years to 2024, so the Bracknell property market is certainly one to watch.

 

GRE Assets has been delivering high quality, well connected homes in the UK and Spain since 2006.