Operating in the UAE since 1988, Sherwoods helps clients around the region find properties in the UK. Through its offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha and London, Sherwoods provides a one-stop service for clients looking to buy or sell property. Sherwood's wide range of services includes property searches, mortgages, re-mortgages, legal, tax, insurance, estate-planning, portfolio-management and property management including letting and maintenance.
"Predominantly, demand is for southeast England. We are also looking around the country for opportunities for capital growth; London is not the only area where property values are increasing. Over the last three years, we have sourced properties in Leeds, York, Manchester and Birmingham," says Mark Evans, Sales Manager.
To promote properties in the UK, Sherwoods organises roadshows, with developers, and will be exhibiting throughout the GCC in April with Berkeley Homes and Knight Frank agents, showcasing a selection of London properties. Details for the Middle East tour are as follows:
Abu Dhabi - Beach Rotana Hotel. April 10 and 11, 10am-8pm
* Dubai - Emirates Towers. April 14 10am-8pm, April 15 noon-8pm, April 16 10am-8pm
* Doha - Ramada Hotel. April 21 10am-8pm, April 22 noon-8pm
* Oman - Grand Hyatt Muscat. April 21 10am-8pm, April 22 noon-8pm
Sherwoods also organises its own exhibitions, combining different projects from UK, France, Spain, Australia and Dubai. Sherwoods also has strong affiliations in several countries. It is investigating the Malaysian property market and is launching a 'first of its kind' development in Morocco in April - apartments from 95,000 euros, villas from 240,000 euros. Road shows are held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and one of the other GCC countries. "Our road shows receive great response as we can facilitate one-on-one meetings. We are also able to advise clients on the benefits of investing in various countries, and what each country has to offer. This way we can steer them in the right direction according to budget and term of investment."
From an investment point of view, clients generally look for apartments because of low maintenance costs. "The cost of apartments could vary from £100,000-£1 million, depending on location and size. As opposed to clients buying property for private use, investors often buy property off-plan after receiving details of the finished project through computer-generated images and documented specifications.
"Though property owners don't get immigration rights directly, anybody can buy property in UK for investment. For people looking to invest, UK offers many advantages - safe economy, strong currency, long-term off-plan purchase, only 10 per cent deposit, 90 per cent on completion, strong potential of capital growth due to supply and demand. Also currently non-resident buyers don't pay capital gains tax. I think these are enough reasons for people to continue to invest in the country," says Evans.
