Property investments

Property investments have become an increasingly popular form of investment whether to be used as a second home, as an investment for retirement or as a buy-to-let investment, the rates of return on property investments have been so strong over the last ten years or so that property investments are no longer seen as an alternative investment.

There are a huge variety of property investment companies to choose from and an almost limitless choice of types of properties in all sorts of locations. Another option is to invest in a property fund. These aim to provide long term capital growth by investing in a portfolio of properties which can include commercial property, housing or retail developments.

Real estate investment trusts (REIT’s) are trusts that own and manage investment property and are a mechanism for invest in property which offers certain tax liability benefits. REITs have been extremely popular in the United States and have since made their way over the Atlantic with the introduction of UK REITs in 2007.

	What are alternative investments? Simon Greenspan, former futures trader at Tullett Brown, explains the concept of Alternative Investments and why they are so important to a diverse portfolio.
	Legal & General Investments cuts Initial Service Charge In a boost to customers, Legal & General Investments has announced that it has reduced its Initial Service Charge (ISC) to zero per cent.
	Rics: UK property market stable going into 2012 The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) latest monthly report shows a stable level of inquiries and flat sales expectations for the 1st quarter of 2012.
	RICS reports increased demand for UK property in November The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) report on the UK property market for November shows an increase in new property inquiries for the 3rd month in a row.
	Buying a UK property is £116 a month cheaper than renting Low mortgage rates and falling property prices mean it is £116 a month cheaper to own your own home than rent, if you can raise the deposit to get on the property ladder.