Building, but not as you know it!

If you’d have asked me 25 years (or so) ago whilst studying graphic design at York Technical College what the similarities are between graphic designers and builders, I would have probably struggled to give you an answer. In actual fact there are many similarities between builders and the specialist area of design that I chose to go into, which is branding.

similarities with building?

For one, brands are built, and like anything that is built it needs strong foundations upon which to sit. Meticulous planning takes place before any sketches and designs are even considered and of course there is tea, plenty of tea to be drunk to aid the process and whether you’re a designer or a builder a good old cup of Rosie Lee never goes a miss! The resulting end product for both a new build house or extension and a brand creation deliver equally rewarding feelings of satisfaction and both have a very tangible end result.

Recent projects in the construction sector

The reason I was asked to contribute to Andrew’s guest blog series wasn’t based on the similarities I’ve mentioned above but because in recent times I have delivered branding projects to a number of companies from within the building and construction industry. From small independent, family-run building firms through to Architects and brickwork specialists, estate agents and one off marketing campaigns for select developments.

In an ever increasing visual world more and more building and construction firms are becoming aware of the need for a professional brand and company image. Rocking up on site in a battered Transit van is no longer the norm and builders are well and truly on board with ensuring that their image is up to scratch.

What is a brand?

A brand can consist of a simple logo but quite often it is much more than just that - from the tone of voice and carefully selected words that are used through to colour schemes, imagery and website. Each of the aforementioned items work together to build a brand. So, why is a brand so important to a builder? Well, in truth, a brand is important to all businesses and it should be seen as an investment but within the building and construction industry there are numerous specialist areas that are quite different from each other. Most builders and construction firms have a clear idea of where their specialisms lie and when they are working solely within that field is when they are at their most productive, most profitable even. However, because many firms do not have a clear and well defined brand image or even a brand at all then they cannot convey what their specialism is and this can be off-putting to clients as most clients these days want to work with ‘Specialists’. This will either result in a lack of work in general or not enough of the right type of work.

How do we design a brand?

First and foremost when a branding project is commissioned we ask a selection of questions which will need to be answered in order to identify what the business does, what it wants to do, how it is perceived by its customers and how it wants to be perceived by its customers. This all comes back to the planning and once completed the brand creation can begin. The end results will always produce a stunning looking piece of corporate identity but quite often it will also give the business owner a clearer picture and vision that might previously have been missing. When the brand has been launched, with the right marketing strategy the company will begin to be known as a specialist in their field of whatever that may be. This will result in companies being more aligned to their preferred clients and undertaking their preferred projects based on size or skill-set.

Contact Us

If this sounds familiar to you then please contact me for an in-depth chat about how we can help your construction company to attract more of the right type of clients.

Drop me an email to: mark@ocmdesign.co.uk and I will arrange to call you for a chat about how we can help you.

The benefits of investing in professional photography for your projects

There are clear benefits to investing in professional photography for your commercial and residential projects.

So here we’ve highlighted numerous benefits to your business of using a professional photographer. 

Stand out from your competitors and let your project do the talking

In a fast paced world you need to stand out and be noticed – professional images will help you do this.  After all you have worked hard to finalise your build, so getting the very best quality images to show this off is a clear benefit for you to win more similar projects.  It will also help you to stand out from your competitors by making your projects and your business look more professional.

First impressions matter

Official studies suggest that it only take 50 milliseconds for someone to form an opinion on your website so make sure yours is the right one by using professional photography of you and your projects. 

Websites and social media posts with images are also proven to get more views and clicks – we see this time and again with our clients, so by using professional shots this will be further enhanced.   

Creativity - Understanding of space and light

By using a professional photographer you are not only hiring a professional who has the right equipment, you are also tapping into their creativity.  Great photographers have a keen eye, and understand the best angles to use, and can also identify the details in your space that really stand out. 

Flexibility of equipment 

Most property & interior photographers have an array of equipment including the obvious high-resolution cameras, a choice of lenses, tripods, and additional lighting where required.  Using a wide-angle lens will enhance your interior space, as we can show more of a room in one simple image.  Additionally, making the most of tripods is essential to the overall image quality, especially where natural light is low, which can often be the case indoors.  

Post production editing

Of course taking the photo is only half the job.  When you engage a professional photographer to shoot your property & interior projects, the images need to be processed afterwards.  The images will be developed and enhanced appropriately, to bring out the best in the shot and make your space look the very best it can.  At La Vue Photographique, we crop all photos to the best final image and always adjust the light and colour to enhance the photograph to deliver the highest quality image for you to use.

A cost-effective solution! 

And finally by engaging a professional and really thinking about what you need your project photos for, you will come away with a suite of photographs that you can use for months and even years to come.  Just think how many times you want images of your projects for your new business pitch, or to update your website, or simply to get attention on social media.  Imagine having a bank of well thought out images of your best projects that you can dip into, safe in the knowledge they are unique to your business and fully legal to use.  They’ll give the best impression of your projects and help you secure more business – which is ultimately your end goal. 

Finally…

Professional photography of your projects will help you enhance your business profile, get the best shots of your projects, and will ultimately help you to win more business.

If you’d like some help with your projects, then just get in touch.  We work on projects across Yorkshire & the UK, and we’d love to see how we can help you. 

Contact Us

Angela & Daniel – La Vue Photographique

hello@lavuephotographique.co.uk

07380169196

A picture paints a thousand words - Damian Bramley - DJB Photography Ltd

Marketing Photography

“A picture paints a thousand words” I believe this to be true, non more so that in marketing photography.  Marketing photographing is specifically to help businesses increase their credibility and visibility.  It can show them to be a leader in their field, showing off their work to the very best, to attract the clients they want to work with, to ultimately help them grow their business.  Business owners are often very talented and great at what they do, but not always great at showing off the quality of their work and getting across how good they are.

When looking at your website:

• Does it say what your USP is?

• Does is reflect your brand?

• Do you have a distinctive brand?

• How can you differentiate yourself?

• What is your Conversion Rate?

You can have all the traffic in the World visiting your website but if the website does not engage and impress the viewer they will not take that next step and contact you.  Professional tailored photography can significantly help increase your conversion rate, making a company much more credible to portray they are experts in their industry.

Marketing your business, your brand, and you.

What makes you unique?

What makes someone want to buy from you?

What is your USP?

For most small businesses what makes them stand out is a personal service and a better quality of product or service.  It is often about attention to detail.  Ultimately it is likely to be because of ‘YOU’.  You are the one a consumer has chosen to buy from, not simply because they are in the market for what you do, but you offer something more or different to any other company you are in competition with.  You go that extra mile.  You exceed a persons expectations of what they expect from the service you provide.

Interiors and Architectural Photography

People in the design industry such as bespoke kitchen companies, interiors designers, and architects understand the benefits of quality professional photography to show off their designs to their very best.  Interiors and Architectural photography is not just about pretty pictures.  It is about ‘selling a lifestyle’.  It is ‘aspirational’.  It is ‘emotional’.  Good quality photography should allow the viewer to envisage themselves in that room, sat having a drink of wine, reading a book, listening to music, entertaining with guests, or cooking a meal in the kitchen.  I spend time dressing a room, tidying a room to give the right impression.  My clients are offering a high quality product or service.  It is often an aspirational product or service, and it is emotion that will often be a deciding factor as to whether someone will buy from them.   Understanding what a company wants from their photography, what they want to say in the message they want to convey, and who they are trying to attract, will determine the photographs I take and the ideas I will come up with in my marketing photography.

Stock Images

Companies using stock images do not necessarily represent a business as well as they may think.  Although stock photographs are usually of a high quality and standard, but they do not portray that personal look and feel.  They often give a business a much more corporate appearance, often making a business look much larger than it is, but ofter to the detriment of those clients looking for a high quality of service and a personal service.  Personalised professional photography is often overlooked by companies in its promotion.

What makes me different is that I believe photography is more than just pretty pictures, particularly in marketing and PR photography.  Photographs should tell a story and give a feeling that encourages a positive action.  I offer a personal service and believe in giving optimum quality with great attention to detail and standard of service.  I find out about a client, what a client wants, what message they want to convey, who they want to attract, who their main competitors are and where they want to use the photographs.  I offer suggestions and ideas to get them thinking about something different, and I focus on the end goal.  There has to be a reason for marketing and PR photography, and it is my job to ensure that reason is fulfilled as best it can be.  Ultimately I offer great quality photography with my own unique and innovative style

Contact

Damian James Bramley, DJB Photography Ltd, Marketing and PR Photography

damian@djbphotography.com

What they don’t want you to know about property investing!

What do Lomot Properties offer?

I own a property investment company, we buy run down buildings which we renovate and rent out.  We work with investors looking for great returns on their capital but want to invest in low risk projects.  We typically pay 10% per annum and with a minimum investment of £10,000 its very accessible to individuals who are tired of not earning anything from their bank.  Its the perfect hands-off investment vehicle for those short on time but looking for fixed returns.

How I started my property journey

I started in property around 2006 and for me the landscape has changed drastically since then, in particular I think it is incredibly challenging for those who want to invest in property on the side while working or running a business full time.  The government have put measures in place to limit profits for private landlords, leaving many looking to purchase 1 or 2 properties as a ‘pension pot’ scratching their heads and wondering if it’s worth it? 

Why invest instead of buying a buy-to-let

Many would-be landlords contact us for advice and are not aware that if they buy an investment property in their personal name, they can no longer deduct the mortgage interest payments from their rental income as a legitimate expense.  Many are not making a profit on their BTL but instead are having to pay for the pleasure of renting a property out.  It’s a tough pill to swallow when you consider approximately 75% of all rented properties in the UK are provided by the private sector and not the government.

Over the last 10 years there have been changes in legislation for landlords resulting in additional costs.  Its estimated that the average cost to run a standard BTL will cost a landlord approximately £1,000 a year per property before they place a tenant.  Once rented, there are costs associated with repairs, maintenance and fines imposed if landlords are not compliant which can run into the £1,000’s.

The challenges of being a property investor

However, its not all doom and gloom of course!  Property investing when done right can provide individuals with financial freedom which is what most of us aspire to.  I built my portfolio starting with HMOs before adding BTLs and commercial properties and this allowed me to ‘retire’ aged 32yrs.

Over the years I’ve done everything myself from renovating properties to finding and managing my tenants.  I’ve heard every excuse from tenants and dealt with all sorts of situations; tenants with mental health issues, illegal activities, tenants running businesses from the property or leaving mid-tenancy and having to pursue them for costs through the courts.  

When you are a landlord you see the best and the worst of human behaviour. Most of my properties are now managed by agents, however, I still have to be contactable 24/7  to deal with issues; once you’re a property investor you’re never off the clock!  If you’re looking for a 9-5 lifestyle, property investing probably isn’t for you!

What is the solution?

Today everyone out there is or can be a property investor and it’s a tough industry so you have to be mindful of how you invest your hard earned money.  Many companies promote ‘get rich from property’ promising the world but often failing to deliver. 

I have worked with a number of landlords who have fell foul of the basics and we’ve helped them to rebuild their portfolio so its manageable and most importantly, making them profitable again, but its not a quick turnaround.  I’ve also met so many landlords who have built sizable portfolios only to lose it all because they lost control of their business. 

This is one of the reasons we set up the investment arm of our company; it allows individuals who are cash rich but time (and knowledge) poor to invest in property passively, they receive all of the gains with none of the risk or demands on their time.  Our armchair investors benefit from a passive income and as Warren Buffet says ‘you want to be earning while you sleep’.  What could be sweeter? and there are not many better ways of doing this than through property investing.

Find out more

If you are interested in investing with Sara, or know someone who may be, then get in touch via email at sara.poskitt@lomot.co.uk

The role of a project manager on a construction site

General Builder vs Main Contractor

Question - If you were looking to complete a building project would you look for a Builder or a Main Contractor?

I guess it would depend on the size and scope of the project in mind but employing a Main Contractor would bring you into the world of a tailored project managed service.

At Earlswood Construction we use effective management techniques benefiting the Client by increasing the potential for successful project completion on time, within budget, and to the highest quality.

What is project management?

Project management is a professional service offered by Main Contractors, such as Earlswood, across all elements of the construction process, overseeing Planning, Design, Pre-Construction, Construction and Handover of each project.

We look to optimise the best industry practices, decisive management and decision making together with effective project control and reporting methods.

On larger projects a project manager’s services are even more vital due to the increase risks and potential problems which could arise.

Managing the programme

We continually look into 2-8 weeks ahead and put action plans in place to ensure that each delivery element has an owner and that it will be delivered on time. Any potentially issue can then be reviewed, analysed and resolved prior to it being an actual issue effecting the process of the build.

The use of a countdown to completion tracker is another great method of control we use when we are heading to completion and each task or milestone is critical. We also engage with the client at this point as some of the tasks or milestones could be assigned to them such as removal dates etc.

Is it more expensive?

Obviously, there is an increase in cost for these services however if you engage with your main contractor early enough in the process you can benefit from our knowledge and experience to find money and time saving opportunities without compromising quality.

What now?

If you think that your project could benefit from our bespoke project management service, please do not hesitate to contact:

Earlswood Construction Ltd

enquiries@earlswood-construction.co.uk

01937 865450

Property Maintenance - By OKS Construction

Who are we

At OKS Construction we provide a range of building services across the UK.

Through our experience in construction, renovations and refurbishments, in and out of homes, offices and Hotels we have seen a lot of what I am going to talk about today. Our vast expertise also means that we do cover both domestic and commercial building requirements. All work is provided by our qualified, proficient and trustworthy team,  within OKS Construction.

We have worked in Harrogate, York, the surrounding Yorkshire areas and also provide our services to locations across the UK.

But before you choose any company to carry out major work, try doing these simple steps to make sure your home or premises are well maintained.

Keep It Clean

First of all, let’s look at the simplest thing you can do as a homeowner to ensure your home is a safe and healthy place is to keep your house clean. This way there will be no build-up of rubbish that invites unwanted guests into the home, it keeps everything clear so no harmful bacteria can grow, and it ensures you have a nice calming space that doesn’t affect your mental health. Even if you run around the house once a week with a cloth and a  Hoover, then you’d be surprised at what a difference it makes.

Fire Alarm

If you’re asleep and there is a fire downstairs how are you going to know about it?

This is why the fire alarm or smoke detector was invented, so when it detects even the slightest bit of smoke it lets out an unholy noise to make you aware of its presence. 1 in 4 houses currently doesn’t have a smoke alarm that works so it’s pointless even having it installed. Please go and check your smoke alarms once a week to ensure they are working, it takes a few seconds and results in you being much safer.

Carbon Monoxide

CO is a gas that is colourless and odourless, a combination that can provide deadly results. It’s best to have Carbon Monoxide alarms near the bedrooms of anyone sleeping in the house or you might find out your family is being poisoned too late. CO affects oxygen from getting to the heart and the brain, meaning in young children it can stop the development of these two critical organs. Stay safe and have some alarms placed around your house.

Window Locks

There are so many cases each year of people, mainly children, falling out of windows above the first floor of their house. This is down to the fact that children are curious and want to find out about things by doing them. In this case, it’s not the best that a child is learning that falling out a window is painful by actually doing it so getting some safety precautions in place is the best thing you can do. Research the best childproof locks and install them on your windows to avoid catastrophic situations.

Pests

One of the worst things you can let into your house is pests. These come in all shapes and sizes from bugs to rats. Make sure that all of your unused or unwanted food is stored safely or thrown away sensibly and it will reduce.

As for the smaller pests, as long as you can keep the place clean, then the risk of an infestation will be lower.

Maintenance

If there’s anything you need to fix then get it done as soon as you can, being on top of any maintenance will ensure that the house is safer physically to be in. If your chimney is leaking, then there are chances of smoke coming into your house, if you fix it as soon as you realise then you’ll have less chance of smoke getting in.

Having a safe and clean home is essential to good living, you’ll feel better mentally and physically. Stay on top of any jobs you need to do and the most important thing is to keep your house clean, if you can do that then the rest will seem pretty easy.

Contact us

To reach us either check out our website https://oksconstructionltd.co.uk/

Or give us a call on 07795 328 263

If you’d prefer an email then try info@oksconstructionltd.co.uk

LEEDS BUILDER BUILDS £1.3M HOUSE FROM PAPER

Could this be the most profitable way to make money in the property industry?

Running a business in the property industry can be tough - there’s never enough profit!

Wouldn’t 20% more profit be nice?

How about 50% more?

Or even 100% more?

That’s exactly what Bob is doing, and all his industry friends - Estate Agents, Architects, Landlords, Letting Agents… -  are starting to catch on, and discovering how they can make more money from it too.

Bob’s discovered how he can use paper, yes - paper, to make more money from his house builds.

So, how does it work?

Bob from Leeds runs a domestic construction company. 3 months ago he was fed up with his shockingly low profit margins, and just wished he could make more money in the property industry.

Bob called his mate, Andy the Architect, and asked him if he knew of any new ways to make more money from his house builds. Andy told him that he had to speak to a guy who goes by the name, The Mailman.

“This guy promises to give you £5 for every £1 you give him. All you do is use paper to build more houses,” Andy said.

Bob was compelled to find out more, so he gave The Mailman a call.

“That’s right,” The Mailman said. “I’ll give you at least £5 for every £1 you give me.”

Bob was hooked, and gave The Mailman £5000.

“Thanks Bob, leave it with me.”

6 weeks later, Bob had booked 2 house extensions worth £120k and a new build house worth £1.3million. This was worth well over £100k profit in total.

He called up The Mailman and asked him how he’d done it.

“Direct mail, Bob, physical mail through the post - paper! You see, while everyone else is relying on word of mouth or overused digital strategies, we created a powerful, targeted marketing campaign and send it to all of your prospects - We helped you build you more houses, from paper.”

All of Bob’s friends in the property industry quickly caught on and have started to make more money, from paper.

Today, Bob is in the Caribbean, drinking Pina Coladas, sitting on his paper boat.

So what next?

Do you run a business in the property industry and want to make more money?

Do you want your profits to be guaranteed?

You have to talk to The Mailman.

At The Mailman, we help business owners make more money and stand out from their competitors by using creative direct mail marketing. We save you the time and energy by creating your campaigns, managing them, and completing the fulfilment and distribution.

All of our packages come with a guaranteed return on investment and we work on no minimum commitment, 30-day rolling contracts - if we’re not getting you results you shouldn’t have to keep working with us; if we’re getting you great results, you’d be crazy to stop working with us.

Are you in a position to take on more business? Give us a call today on 01423 582010.

Alexis Nicolaidis - V A Heritage Interior Design

Uniquely different interior design. 

V A Heritage is an interior design practice which pushes boundaries in a modern way whilst respecting the past. It is the love of the craftsmanship that adorns our period and listed properties which tells a story and remains dear to our hearts that drives us forward. It is what makes us want to care for these old treasures but also what makes us want to incorporate period detailing into newer properties, creating something uniquely different and completely personal for our clients.

Our Approach

All buildings excite us - old, new, residential, commercial, stately homes, holiday homes, offices or restaurants - and our approach is always the same. We want to get to know our clients, to understand what makes them tick and identify the person they want their property to reflect. We couple this with understanding what makes their building special and one of a kind. We want to know the past stories the period or listed property has to tell us and the stories you wish to create going forward. We lovingly respect it, we work with it and ensure that whatever makes the building special is retained whilst injecting the clients' personality into it and adapting it to modern life. When it comes to newer properties, we bring a uniquely different perspective to it by adding elements of the past, blending them with contemporary pieces to create harmony and interest. 

Our Services

We offer a range of services to help clients get the most out of their property. Services include design consultation, design concepts and presentation boards, spatial planning, feasibility studies, product selection and sourcing, project management and installation supervision. Every client and every building is different so we tailor the approach we take.

If you are embarking on a project we would love to hear from you. In particular we would love to work with:

• Estate Agents who are struggling to sell a property because the decor does not show the property in its best light or a recent buyer needs advice on how they can make their new home work for them and see past the previous owners tastes. We would like to help you sell the property or help the new buyer make informed decisions on what to do with their new home before investing any more money in it. 

• Architects who need support in translating a vision and taking their design beyond the bricks and mortar by adding the internal aesthetics and detailing. We appreciate that architects often offer interior design services but time commitments may be working against you on a project. We would love to work with you from the outset to help ensure the design is fully realised. 

• Property developers and builders who need help in creating appealing designs to enable you to sell or rent out your properties either in the residential or commercial space. 

• Specialists such as Architectural Historians, Planning Consultants, Landscape Gardeners as well as crafts people who have been commissioned to work on a project who feel their client could benefit from the services of an Interior Designer to ensure the full potential of the building is released. 

Details of our services and a portfolio of work can be found on our website www.vaheritage.co.uk

To contact Alexis, email studio@vaheritage.co.uk

Claire Hattam - Planning House

People and Places…it’s that simple!

People are passionate about the places they live and planning is often seen as somewhat of a maze or a barrier, but it doesn’t have to be.

If you’re confused or intimated by the legislation, types of permissions and all the buzz words, then Planning House can unravel the red tape, simplify the jargon and de-mystify the planning system. We are so determined to make everything simpler for everyone we produced a set of free downloadable e-books called ‘The Basics’. These give you the information you need, in easy-to-understand terms, without the unnecessary waffle.

When to use a town planning consultant

Not all proposals need to have a Town Planning Consultant on board, we’ve set out the 8 Steps to Choosing a Planning Consultant to make sure you, firstly, need to instruct one and, secondly, find one which is the best fit for you and your development project.

If you do need a consultant we’re here to help. In a nutshell, Planning House is an independent town planning consultancy based in the North East, which offers a professional and knowledgeable service to meet clients’ needs and development aspirations. We embrace a pragmatic approach by providing realistic and tailored town planning advice to help clients secure planning consents for a wide range of development projects across the country. We provide a comprehensive range of professional planning services and are proud that our wealth of experience combined with our friendly and prompt service is recognised by our clients. At the end of the day town planning is about people and places, which is something we ensure is reflected in the way we work.

Why us?

Planning House is quite unique in the fact that all of the team has a background in Local Authorities, some may say we are ‘Gamekeepers turned Poachers’. This means that we not only have valuable ‘insider knowledge’ to benefit our clients, but we also have the contacts to help make the planning process run more smoothly and, as we know the system from both sides, we can apply our unique experience to hopefully secure success!

We also firmly believe in the importance of meaningful engagement as a way of getting successful outcomes and delivering high-quality schemes. Our working lives have taught us that, to get a job done and well, you need to speak to the right people at the right times to get the right information. To us honest and open communication critical because frank discussions and listening to others is usually the best way to overcome a planning problem and progress projects. With this shared outlook and our personable approach we can have this with professional peers and clients alike.

The fact that we all work flexible hours from home offices, during a national pandemic and any other time, we believe makes us more responsive to clients than other town planning consultants. Many companies claim to put their ‘clients first’, but this is truly at the heart of everything we do. Each member of the team brings their own valuable expertise and adds different dimensions to the Planning House offer.

Find out more

If you want to find out more about Planning House then feel free to meet the team or connect with us on LinkedIn. We genuinely love what we do and want to help where ever we can so, if you have any planning matters you would like to discuss, please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!

 Helen Heward (Associate), Chris Pipe (Founder/ Director) and Claire Hattam (Senior Town Planning Consultant).

Simon Roberts - Henton's Tax Specialists

The Joy of Tax

In my 16 years of being a tax adviser, it is a rare occasion I meet a property client with straight forward tax affairs. The pressure of building, development or tenants often means that tax becomes something of an afterthought. Some of the most capable people in property development and investment have invariably come unstuck and have seen the profits of their project evaporate.

Tax and property are a little like oil and water, they just do not mix. Unlike other sectors, tax on property is not always something that is intuitive and the tax on a transaction does not always make sense.

There is really a requirement for the investor or the adviser to understand the rules. When I say this, I mean all the rules.

Simon Roberts - Property Tax Specialist

The misconceptions

Who would have thought that you might have to pay SDLT when you gift a property to a company you own, but not if you gift it to a spouse? Why would a developer be able to reclaim VAT he incurs on a floorboard but not a fridge? Why would a divorcing couple be able to swap properties tax free if neither of them is going to live in the properties for 7 years, but not 5 years? Why is a zero rated supply at 0% considered a taxable supply, but an exempt supply at 0% is not?

The examples above are by no means an exhaustive list and over the years I and many other tax advisers have had to develop a skill employed when meeting property people for the first time. This skill does not have a name, but it can loosely be described as trying not to flinch when people tell you what they have already done. It is not as easy as it sounds. The size of the problem you now suspect can sometimes make your eyes water. Knowing you will have to break the bad news weighs heavily on you.

How Hentons can help

For the lucky ones, we can intervene before things go too badly wrong, but others have to learn from their mistakes the hard way. Having to explain the unanticipated tax bill is never a joyous task and reactions vary wildly. No one has keeled over yet, but some have looked like they were not far off.

However, I would never want to use tax as a reason to dissuade people from investing in property. There are so many great ways to generate financial reward from property businesses and property professionals contribute to society in a big way.  I would just tell people to learn about the system or hire someone who knows it well.

Hentons acts for many property clients and have an extremely healthy practice, looking after owner managed businesses and high net worth individuals. Our property clients range from the first-time landlord to the professional housebuilder to the developer converting offices into residences and everything in between. We act for clients all over the country but concentrate our efforts on Yorkshire and London. My partners and I will always be happy to discuss your business or project.

Contact Us

To speak with us about your tax commitments why not contact Simon at simonr@hentons.com or to find out more about the company visit www.hentons.com

Property Investment: Getting the ‘Legals’ Right

I regularly advise Property Investors on the correct way to structure their portfolios and investments so as to ensure that they are protected legally but also that the structure suits there long term aims whilst also mitigating tax liabilities where possible.

The difficulty many investors face is that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution and really depends on a number of factors. I have also seen investors get these issues very wrong resulting in investors losing money or paying more tax than necessary.

There are also different considerations for if you are a developer building properties to an investor investing cash or if you are a deal sourcer or a hybrid of any of the above.

The purpose of this article is to look at some of the different structures or terminology used, where to use these structures or contracts and where to avoid them.

SPV – Special Purchase Vehicle

Regardless of your strategy, for many, the most efficient way to buy, develop or flip properties is through a limited company or a series of limited companies.

A Limited Company is registered with Companies House and it is necessary to comply with various statutory duties, such as filing annual accounts but there are a number of advantages to this structure as follows:

a)    It can be more tax efficient to receive dividends from a limited company in respect of ongoing rental incomes.

b)    You can hold a single property in each different SPV which means you can have more flexible ownership structures with different business partners for different developments.

c)    You can create a holding company structure so that the risk sits with the ‘trading’ SPV but the profits filter up to the holding company as well as tax efficiencies.

d)    It can be significantly cheaper to buy or sell a property as the sale or purchase of the shares in a company because stamp duty on the purchase of shares is charged at 0.5% which is far lower than stamp duty land tax and also saves on further HMLR fees.

e)    If you build a portfolio of properties in one company, it may be easier to sell the company as a going concern in future to facilitate the sale of the portfolio rather than selling the properties individually saving on legal fees, HMLR fees and stamp duty.

f)     You can create ownership dependent on the level of investment in the business and this can be adjusted more easily than amendments to HMLR.

Joint Venture

I speak to a lot of people who talk about entering into a ‘joint venture’. A Joint Venture in a legal sense is fairly distinct and many people referring to a joint venture are often talking about creating an SPV with a shareholders agreement.

Joint Ventures are more common where, for example, one party owns or buys the land or building and they partner up with a builder or developer to redevelop or build the properties with each side sharing the proceeds.

Joint Venture Agreements can be extremely complex and need careful consideration to deal with issues such as risk, costs and expenses such as planning, utilities and similar as well as allowing for the possibility of the parties being unable to sell or refinance the project.

These types of arrangements may be suitable for instance where a farmer has a disused barn or building which needs redeveloping and can be a great way to share the risk of a development.

Loan Agreements

Increasingly I see situations whereby one party, an investor, loans money, potentially out of a pension, to a developer or property investor for a specific purpose, for instance to purchase a property or redevelop a property.

It is important that these agreements are properly drawn up so that both sides are protected and understand matters such as the interest payable, when repayment is due and the ramifications of failing to repay the capital within the period. Failure to properly document this can lead to complications.

It is also necessary to agree what security, if any, is to be provided by the borrower.

Legal Charge

A legal charge is a formal charge on the property, similar to a mortgage. Where there is a first charge mortgage, it is possible to create a second charge but the consent of the first charge lender will be required.

The beneficiary of a legal charge has priority on the proceeds of any sale of the property and is the normal way by which a loan agreement is secured.

Debenture

Where funds are being loaned to a Company, it may also be advisable to also put a debenture in place on the Company. A Debenture is a form of legal charge on all, or some of, the assets of the company, which can include any tangible property.

A Debenture may be a suitable alternative, or additional, security to a legal charge.

Family Investment Companies

Many investors want to build portfolios with a view to their spouses, children and grandchildren benefitting from this.

The difficulty however is that property related tax is complex and pure property companies (where the principle purpose of the company is to hold property) will not ordinarily qualify for Business Property Relief (‘BPR’).

Consequently complex planning is often required to ensure that an investors loved ones received the maximum benefit and the investor, of their estate, pays as little tax as possible. This may involve a number of strategies including setting up trusts, holding companies or separate trading businesses such as lettings and management companies or development and constructions companies such as to maximise BPR.

The above issues are complex and often require planning. Whilst Property Lawyers will advise investors on the transactions associated with land, it is often the role of someone like myself, a Corporate/Commercial lawyer, to advise on the best way to structure such portfolios.

Final Word

The best advice ultimately is to seek professional advice as correct advice will often look at your longer term strategy and this may in fact change as your lifestyle changes.

Richard Coulthard

Partner and Head of Corporate

Ison Harrison Solicitors

Richard is Partner at Ison Harrison Solicitors, based at 14 offices in Yorkshire. Richard has a particular specialism in advising investors and developers on corporate structure and governance in property based businesses.

Richard.Coulthard@isonharrison.co.uk

Sandra - Your Property Sourcing Ltd

Post Covid Property Market

Every market has its challenges and property market is no different. As the market has been recovering since the property demand fell by 70% in March, many property owners, landlords and buyers found themselves in difficult situations wanting to progress with the transactions but lacking time, resources or support to do so.

What is property Sourcing

Where can you find support? As property owners are face challenges resulting in the need to sell their property quickly, companies such as Your Property Sourcing can do that hassle free and also provide a range of personalised referral service to probate and family lawyers, mental health support specialists and others, which is often in line with the reason for sale. While landlords can benefit from a confidential sale.

When it comes to property investing, time is of essence. However, many investors have little or no time to search for investment properties, because it takes hours spent on research, liaising with agents and vendors as well as going to viewings. Your Property Sourcing can save valuable time doing the work for them finding investment properties, doing thorough due diligence to help property investors create wealth via bespoke property sourcing and consulting.

What are the important factors

In the current market a lot of property investors are interested in long-term returns and decent profit margins. Finding land for development or converting commercial space to residential property are popular investment choices, which also come with challenges. The question is what are the things property developers and investors should take in to account when planning for such projects?

1.       Finding the deal that stacks up. In the best-case scenario, it can take days, if not weeks, searching for a plot of land or commercial property suitable to invest in. If you value your time, you may want to have the right people by your side to do the work for you.

2.       Access to the right people. When planning to undertake a project, having the right people supporting the project is absolutely essential. Make sure you work with experienced architects and builders that completed similar projects.

3.       Location. This plays a key part in the process. The secret is to find those goldmine areas where the new build or converted properties would be in demand.

How we can help

Having all of the above figured out is not an easy task and therefore, we are here to help you. EDG Architecture and Your Property Sourcing can save you numerous hours in all the above and more by utilising our experience, knowledge of the market and wide network of professionals and workers in the industry. Here’s how you can benefit:

·         Saving your valuable time by finding investments based on your requirements

·         Providing you with access to a wide network of professionals

·         Saving your money and crunching the numbers for you

·         Saving hours of research and due diligence for you

·         Being honest and transparent in every step

·         Finding opportunities with justifiable returns

Contact Us

To find out more about our valuable service, why not contact Sandra today on 07311 794554 or email@yourpropertysourcing.com

If you’d like to knoe more about out service, visit our website at www.yourpropertysourcing.com

Property Businesses Have a Story to Tell

Storytelling isn’t just bound up in books or confined to the classroom. We live our lives as storytellers.

Think back to your first day in business. Could you have imagined what was to come? The strokes of luck; the sleepless nights; the dream customer; the despair… and all of those conversations, emails, phone calls in between. Storytelling isn’t apart from us; it is a part of us.

Where facts and figures merely inform, words add value; emotion; intimacy; they help your prospective customers to relate to your business and its services. 

Artus: Articulating Your Message

At Artus, we articulate your business’ message through storytelling. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for any business, and so a tailored solution is essential.

Through our bespoke copywriting services, we help businesses like yours to successfully convey their message – whether online or in print. With an emphasis on research, we take the time to understand your business’ vision, values and voice before working with you to generate content ideas.

Just as authors write their stories in a particular genre for a specific group of people, we consider your business’ target audience when planning your copy. This ensures your message is delivered in an accessible way; we strip away jargon and other language that may distract or confuse your audience.

Your Website: Your Shop Window

Your business’ website serves as your shop window. It is there not just to tell people about your products and services, it exists to show them your professionalism and particular areas of expertise. For that reason, professionally written content can elevate your credibility and visibility, whilst allowing you to share valuable insights with potential customers.

We weave a subtle marketing element through our clients’ copy to ensure their website attracts and retains attention, leading them towards that all-important call to action. Whilst our copy is written with an emphasis on engagement, keywords, phrases and copy structure are taken into account too to ensure your business reaps the rewards of a strong search engine ranking.

Why Do I Need to Blog?

Regular blogging is an important aspect of any marketing strategy – and not just for SEO (search engine optimisation) purposes. Search engines such as Google love websites to be updated regularly with fresh content, but blogging also serves to educate your clients and add insight – highlighting your business’ unique differentiating factors. Blogs can be written to answer FAQs, talk about current industry news or as case studies to highlight a recent customer experience. Furthermore, blog content can be repurposed into short-form social media posts!

We also recognise the potential within a well-crafted sales letter to deliver your business results. We work with you to create targeted copy that engages from the first sentence to drive your prospects to book a meeting or pick up the phone!

Driving Success in the Property Industry

Over the last two years, we’ve helped a variety of businesses in the property sector to improve their marketing efforts and sell more; from estate agents and interior designers to solicitors and architects.

We love nothing more than connecting with new people and learning all about their story; whether or not we help to tell that story through our marketing services is another question altogether!

Given the competition within the property sector, it has never been more important to ensure your business’ vision is always in focus, its values understood, and its voice clearly heard.

Find Out more

Contact Zach Greaves to find out more:

Artus Digital Marketing
artusdigital.com
07845182632 

Book a meeting with me here