Q+A With Lori We spoke to Lori about the new office, her thoughts on UK property investment opportunities, and what Dubai investors can expect from working with her on their buy-to-let venture.
1. What excites you most about leading RWinvest’s new Dubai office?
There’s so much to be excited about! It’s our first international office and Dubai is an incredible place to start. We’ve had fantastic success across the GCC already, and having a local presence means we can make an even bigger impact, and service our clients better, so I’m really excited to grow the RWinvest brand even further.
What excites me personally is being part of a new chapter, after 21 years of the business! It’s a huge step forward for RWinvest, and I’m looking forward to growing the team, building on existing relationships and nurturing new ones. Dubai is brilliant for networking; I think it will be exciting to collaborate with introducers too!
2. For Middle East clients looking at the UK for the first time, which locations and asset types do you see as the strongest right now, and why?
This is interesting because we’ve seen a shift in perspective over the last decade. Where previously, GCC clients were mainly investing for ‘statement’ and therefore looking at high ticket purchases in London, they’re now investing smarter and looking for the best returns.
For someone looking at the UK for the first time, Liverpool and Manchester are considered investment hotspots, historically offering some of the highest yields and capital growth while being forecast to continue to perform.
With regards to asset type, looking at new residential developments where you have the option to rent out short-term and maximise yield can be a good option. A property with luxury facilities can achieve higher rents, and I know GCC clients have high standards (every building has a pool and gym) so our new/off-plan developments are not only familiar, but more importantly, work from an investment perspective.
In short, Liverpool and Manchester are great locations to consider, and new build apartments with short-term letting options are an excellent asset type right now due to the high rental yields they can produce.
3. What common misconceptions do international investors have about the UK market, and how do you help them navigate these?
Because the UK has robust legal framework and tax regulations, some international investors can feel overwhelmed.
We have experience in simplifying these complexities and working with clients from all over the world. Once everything is made clear, clients are pleasantly surprised about how straightforward and quick the purchase process actually can be, and tax isn’t as scary as they first thought!
Another misconception is that off-plan is risky in the UK, and that is largely because of developer track records in other countries. We work exclusively with trusted developers and thoroughly vet each project, so investors can trust their property will be delivered on time, on budget, and can take advantage of the potential growth, without unnecessary worry. Transparency is key, so every client can review the developer’s track record.
And finally, it’s surprising how many investors don’t realise they can leverage with a non-resident mortgage! We can introduce specialist lenders who cater to international clients. This opens investment opportunities without needing as much cash up front. Some clients have been able to spread their funds across multiple properties and start building their portfolio faster, and other clients have been able to invest in high-quality property that would have been out of reach as a cash buyer.
4. Looking ahead 5–10 years, where do you see the biggest opportunities in UK property for your Dubai investors?
I always say, ‘regeneration works hand in hand with property demand and growth’ so I’d suggest looking into key cities undergoing development.
Liverpool and Manchester, as I said earlier, are already considered hotspot locations and that is largely because of the regeneration taking place across the cities. Looking ahead, I see Liverpool offering a huge opportunity because it’s still in the early stages of regeneration, with £billions of investment still to come. Interestingly, I’d look further out of Manchester and more towards Greater Manchester in areas like Trafford and Salford, where there’s an opportunity to invest ahead of the curve.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester quoted: “This could be the biggest regeneration project in the North of England that we will ever see” when talking about the regeneration plans for Trafford, so this is a huge opportunity for Dubai/GCC investors.
Warrington, on the other hand, can be considered a bit of a hidden gem right now. It’s probably not on the radar for a lot of Dubai/GCC investors, but it’s growing steadily and forecast to excel. The town offers affordable options with great potential as regeneration spills out from bigger cities nearby.
There’s a stream of regeneration projects underway and even more set to take place that will have an enormous impact on the property market, so I see this as an interesting place to look at for investments for many years to come.
5. What can investors expect after reaching out to you about investing in the UK?
Initially, we will arrange a call or face-to-face meeting. Before we look at specific properties, we will discuss their investment goals and requirements as well as their long-term plan. This is so important and often overlooked!
After this, we can tailor a specific strategy and share opportunities that suit the investor’s needs. They can expect a clear, informative and supportive journey from start to finish.
