Edinburgh, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/08/2013 -- Student investment accommodation is an asset class that is "safe as houses" says UK property expert.

Peter Grant, CEO of Edinburgh-based Grant Property, adds: "It is no secret that the UK higher education system is oversubscribed with only 10 places to every 14 applicants. In 2011 alone there were 7.75 per cent more students accepted into university compared to 2007.

"With the increase of student placements comes a strong demand for good accommodation. At present the availability of HMO properties does not mirror the volume of students taking up courses in UK universities, which is why investors are snapping up investment properties. Demand has reached fever pitch, meaning investment yields are up and rents continue to rise in line with inflation."

According to CBRE (a Fortune 500 property company), in the first half of 2012 almost £800m was invested in student housing in the UK, which is more than double the £375m invested in the same period in 2011. Occupancy in Grant Property is currently sitting at 100% in prime areas as there is a shortfall in private rental homes in all major UK cities.

Moreover, overseas applicants demonstrate that the recent increase in university fees has had no bearing on the student investment property sector since applicants from abroad snap up the places others simply cannot afford.

"There is little to no risk involved in investing in this kind of asset class because there will always be students waiting with baited breath to snap up a decent home during their studies.

"My suggestion to property investors would be to ignore the negative headlines about student fees going up when thinking about renting out your portfolio. There will always be high demand for student accommodation in the UK because it is home to some of the most sought after universities in the world and students from overseas are quite literally falling over themselves to get an education here. That coupled with the weak pound is making it nigh on impossible to see a disadvantage for foreign students to come to Britain. This reliability is exactly what investors are looking for," continued Grant.

For further information on Grant Property contact the head office: 0131 220 6360 or visit www.grantpropertyinvestment.com

Further information on CBRE can be found at www.cbre.co.uk

For more media information contact:
Pamela McDade
3x1 Public Relations
Email: pmcdade@3x1.com
Tel: 0141 221 0707

About Grant Property
Grant Property is an ARLA registered letting agent and specialist in helping people invest in residential property.

The company has an unrivaled track record in providing property management solutions to landlords based both within the UK and overseas.

Since its inception in 1997, founder Peter Grant and wife Colette have built the company from the ground up. The duo developed the organization based on an ethos of stepping into the customers' shoes and delivering a service suited to their individual needs.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Edinburgh, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/06/2013 -- One of the UK's leading property investment and management companies has secured 50 new foreign clients following a road-trip in the Middle East last month (November).

Peter Grant, CEO of Edinburgh headquartered Grant Property has made a number of visits to the region, securing business in Singapore, Hong Kong and Qatar, developing a client base of ex-pats and foreign investors looking to acquire UK properties.

Grant's new clients have already invested more than £1m in properties in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Stirling. The high student population of these major cities has created a large and lucrative tenant pool, and the investors are seeing the potential for growth.

On returning from his recent trip, Grant said: "Investors in the Middle East know a good deal when they see one. That's why I have come back from my trip with a large number of new clients.

"While many people here have been put off by the state of the Euro-zone and various other economic factors which pose an unrealistic threat in my view, those in the Middle East have capitalized on what is being propagated as a stagnant market.

"For these clients I assess, buy, renovate, furnish, market and manage properties to ensure they make a significant return. There are great deals to be had at the moment because with fewer people buying to let, there is a shortage of quality rental properties.

"Property prices in the UK have remained stable since 2008. And the fact that people are crying out for quality rental properties across all the major UK cities make it an opportunity that shouldn't be overlooked."

Recent figures reported by the Nationwide House Price Index showed that UK house prices rose by 0.6% in October this year; however, the average house price is still only £164,153. Prices are down 0.9% compared to the same time last year, displaying a picture of relative stability. These figures, coupled by high occupancy rates in rental properties across major cities, have made the UK an attractive target for overseas investors.

"I am confident that more foreign investors will come to us in the near future because the UK property market sits head and shoulders above counterparts in Europe in terms of return on investment. These people can expect yields of around 8% on properties in major cities in the UK because where there are students, there are tenants."

For further information on Grant Property contact the head office: 0131 220 6360 or visit www.grantpropertyinvestment.co.uk

For more media information, please contact:
Pamela McDade
3x1 Public Relations
Email: pmcdade@3x1.com
Tel: 0141 221 0707

About Grant Property
Grant Property is an ARLA accredited company which specialist in helping people invest in residential property.

The award winning company has an unrivaled track record in providing property investment and management solutions in 12 UK cities, to landlords based both within the UK and overseas.

Since its inception in 1997, founder Peter Grant, along with wife Colette, have built the company from the ground up. The duo developed the organization based on an ethos of stepping into the customers' shoes and delivering a service suited to their individual needs.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Edinburgh, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/06/2013 -- - Foreign investors deem Scottish residential rental property market recession proof

- Scots should take advantage of £80bn Gov Funding for Lending Scheme and invest

- Average house price in Scotland is £113,417 compared to UK average £161,346

Smart property investors from the Middle and Far East are taking advantage of Scotland's static housing market according to property investment experts in Edinburgh.

Grant Property, operating from offices in Edinburgh and across the UK, has welcomed a number of new clients from overseas all looking to capitalise on Scotland's "recession proof rental property sector."

Peter Grant, CEO of Edinburgh head-quartered Grant Property says: "We've experienced significant growth in the investment side of our business. This is due to overseas investors returning to the buy to let sector showing that their confidence in the market has been restored. However Scots' are not as quick to snap up great deals on their doorstep.

"There's no denying that general investor confidence had been subdued due to the financial and Euro crises. However what has remained consistent throughout is smart investors' bullish approach to buying to let. These people have kept their heads despite what's being reported on European and global markets and have made their money as a result.

"To me and to these smart investors who have kept their cool, residential rental property in Scotland has remained recession proof."

At the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008 property prices fell by around 20 per cent. Following the initial dip, prices rose by 10 per cent and have remained relatively static since.

The team at Grant Property believe that property is far more resilient and less volatile than any other stock because there is less risk attached.

A survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in July 2012 showed that house prices across Scotland continued to drop last month (June) with 24 per cent more surveyors reporting price falls rather than rises.

These figures are not ideal for first-time-buyers trying to get their foot on the property ladder, however The Royal Bank of Scotland is now utilising the Bank of England's Funding for Lending Scheme to cut mortgage rates for people in the UK. Details of the scheme were unveiled this month with the aim of providing banks with up to £80bn of cheap loans for customers in the form of business loans and mortgages.

The joint Bank of England and Treasury initiative is designed to protect banks from higher funding costs as a result of the Eurozone crisis, which will allow them to lend more.

At present – according to the Halifax House Price Index – the average house price in the UK is £161,346 compared to a Scottish average of £113,417. This price difference coupled by high occupancy rates in rental properties across major cities has made Scotland an attractive target for overseas investors.

"There is no recession in the rental market. Occupancy is at record levels, and we're renting properties faster than we can take them on. Rents are rising year on year and 62 per cent of tenants expect rents to rise again in the next 12 months because there is a shortage of supply in the rental property market.

"Scots should look to mimic the behaviour of these overseas investors and make the most of what's on their doorstep," concludes Peter.

As of next month (August) banks will be able to access up to 5 per cent of their existing loan books through cheap funds, meaning that there will be more mortgage funds available for people in Scotland and across the UK to develop their own rental property portfolio in Scotland.

For further information on Grant Property contact the head office: 0131 220 6360 or visit www.grantproperty.com

About Grant Property
Grant Property is an ARLA registered letting agent and specialist in helping people invest in residential property.

The company has an unrivalled track record in providing property management solutions to landlords based both within the UK and overseas.

Since its inception in 1997 founder Peter Grant, along with wife Colette have built the company from the ground up. The duo developed the organisation based on an ethos of stepping into the customers' shoes and delivering a service suited to their individual needs.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Edinburgh, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/27/2012 -- Grant Property Investment is proud to offer a range of investment services to clients who wish to take advantage of the lucrative UK property investment market. Property investment arrangements available through Grant include buy-to-let, student housing, and commercial to residential property investments. The company also helps clients purchase prime residential and distressed properties.

In addition to facilitating property investments, Grant provides a complete range of property management services. These include comprehensive property renovations and furnishing solutions, always suited to the client's budget. Grant's property management methods generally result in occupancy of 95 to 100 percent.

For further information about the services provided by Grant Property Investment, please visit the company's website at http://www.grantpropertyinvestment.co.uk or call +44 (0)131 2473131. Prospective clients can also sign up for a free newsletter.

About Grant Property Investment
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, with locations across the UK and worldwide, Grant Property Investment has provided its award-winning investment and management services to clients in thirty countries. To date, nearly 2000 properties have been sourced, renovated, and rented due to the efforts of Grant Property Investment. Formed in 1997, the company is committed to environmentally friendly business practices and maintains accreditation with the ARLA and many other regulatory bodies.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm