News

In the past decade, smart home technology started becoming more affordable and available to the public, gaining it a more modern and succinct term – “domotics.” In present-day Britain, nearly three quarters of homes have some form of smart technology, as explained in this previous article . Nearly half of all respondents who have adopted domotics cite the ability to...

According to research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), limited site availability and lack of financing are the main reasons for SME homebuilders not being able to increase the amount of homes built. The main points to pick up on from the report are...

As an asset for investment, residential property has always been seen as a strong option in Britain. There have been fluctuations along the journey, such as the crash in property prices in the early 90s, but otherwise it has offered excellent long-term returns. However, more recently the reputation of British residential property has...

According to new research by holiday company Contiki UK, millennials are more interested in travelling to New Zealand or South America than saving towards a deposit on a house, due to pessimism surrounding gaining footing on the property ladder.

If you haven't heard of it already, PropTech may be the future of everything real estate and is expanding at an exponential rate. Common transactions for the most traditional of assets could be transformed, including both renting and buying a property, cutting out the paperwork and digitalising the entire process. This could allow investors to...

Housebuilding has increased over the past few years, with the volume of new builds and properties that have been earmarked for construction on the up, but unfortunately housebuilding is still missing the Government's targets. Housing issues are the "biggest risk" to the economy according to Bank of England governor Mark Carney. There are not enough homes in Britain, and many of the ones available are...

The housing crisis has been a huge issue for quite some time now, especially in the South East. The Conservative party have pledged to build one million new homes by 2022, the same number that the Labour party aim for. According to ONS figures however, it is not certain whether even this will cover the shortage of homes, with London's housing deficit increasing from 139,919 in 2017 to...

The lack of available properties on the market has once again proven to be a blessing for those looking to sell their property, with prices rising at their fastest pace in January compared to the last 10 months, data from Nationwide indicates.

We have all heard the phrases: "the perfect family home", "suitable for downsizing", "a great starter apartment", whether it is in person or through the media. The question now becomes: is this concept of the property ladder, jumping from location to location, flat to house, owning more than one within a lifetime, still a viable concept? 86% of renters cannot...

Below you will find an update on a selection of our live developments, based on the quarterly reporting for Q4 2017. All projects remain on target to deliver or exceed their projected return on investment. Those clients who have invested in these sites...

The last few years have proven to be highly eventful for the property market and the economy in general, with the surprise EU referendum outcome causing high levels of uncertainty and volatility, as well as changes to stamp duty, which netted a record thirteen billion pounds for the taxman in 2017. According to property expert Allison Thompson, the managing director at Leaders, 2018 will...

The fourth Alternative finance report by Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance was released at the very end of 2017, revealing that the UK online market for alternative finance increased by 43% to £4.6 billion in...

The fear of a drop in the market is something embedded in most investors, especially with all of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. The key is to not panic and stay focused on your own long-term goals. In the case of market corrections, it tends to affect short-term traders more than those with a long-term horizon. Corrections in the market are...

This high-level overview covers the most recent quarterly reports (Q3) for the developments Homegrown have offered for investment on the platform in Norbury, Hackney Downs, Kilburn, Limehouse and London Fields. Investors in these sites have already been sent quarterly reports outlining the progress of the construction, sales, contractual status and finance, complete with photos of the site. Below you will find a short overview of each report.

New research from Alliance Trust Savings indicates that women under the age of 34 would rather save for holidays than for their own retirement. In fact, saving for retirement is fifth on the list of priorities for women under 34, versus third for older women. For older men, retirement is...

In 2016, researchers at Savills calculated that all of the world’s real estate totalled US$160 trillion. According to their more recent report, the figure increased in 2017 due to global asset price inflation.

For the average London resident who saves 10% of their salary, it would take 97 years to afford a London home. Home ownership is at a 30 year low, and according to Generation Rent, the number of private renters will surpass mortgage holders within the next...

According to the report, in 2039 the population will be 74 million. There will be a strong need for high quality housing. The current demand is for as many as 240,000 new homes per annum, but with little to no housing provided by the government, only 130,000 units are being delivered. The numbers explicitly indicate that the supply is...

Earlier this year, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) introduced more stringent criteria for buy-to-let investors seeking financial backing from standard lenders. The Prudential Regulation Authority, within the Bank of England, require companies within the financial services sector to have risk controls in place as well as sufficient...

According to a new report from the Parker Fitzgerald Group, a business management consultancy, the capital’s fintech sector is strong and could be the financial services industry’s saving grace. The UK’s economy has surpassed expectations after the referendum vote in 2016. Some maintain the view that London will still...

Millennials have been associated with ethical and sustainable investing more than any other generation. With highly topical and controversial issues such as climate change and the far reaching wealth gap between older generations, Generation Y are choosing where to invest more carefully.

According to research released recently by NAEA Propertymark, a professional body for estate agents, rental prices are predicted to increase in the next year. The forecast is supported by 59% of ARLA Propertymark letting agents, with only 19% predicting a decrease. At the same time, it is unclear whether rental stock will...

The property development industry is facing a dilemma as to whether old or new housing stock provides better sustainability and value. These refer to redevelopments and refurbishments versus constructing new-build property. The topic is especially relevant now, with increased scepticism over the government reaching its housebuilding target by 2020 and the possible effects of Brexit...

I absolutely love the concept of crowdfunding. When we first conceived the original idea for Homegrown, the concept of crowdfunding was very young in the UK, but it was already evident that it had the potential to change the way people invest in property. I knew that high net worth and institutional investors were actively...

Equity is a common method of investing into property development projects (see also our article on Mezzanine Finance). Put simply, an equity investment typically means buying shares in a newly formed company, set up to buy, develop and sell property, in return for...

We understand that the feeling of identifying a London property hotspot before the vast majority do is one of significant satisfaction. Areas once overlooked for their postcode are now being reconsidered by property investors. The Shard, among other factors, managed to turn Borough, London Bridge and Bermondsey into a triangle of property growth, and the 2012 Olympic games’ impacts on the surrounding areas in terms of culture, jobs and property are...

A lot of attention brought about by the housing crisis has been aimed at millennials, who are now spending triple the amount of income that their grandparents did on housing. David Willetts, former Conservative minister calls it a “housing catastrophe.” On the other hand, the other figure set to triple is the number of pensioners renting a property. The figure is expected to rise to...

The uncertainty following Brexit has most certainly been a recurring headline in 2017 that could likely follow on into 2018, but there are other...

Mezzanine finance is a common method of investing into a property development project. ‘Mezzanine’ funding means it sits between two other forms of funding - in this case senior debt and equity (commonly provided by the developer), similar to how a mezzanine floor sits between two other floors. It is a secured debt product which pays a fixed...

Homegrown has been featured in a multitude of highly popular publications. Click here to find out which ones.

Equity release has become a popular mortgaging option, with The Nationwide Building Society becoming the only mainstream high street mortgage lender to offer lifetime mortgages. In Q3 of 2017, £824 million worth of property has been accessed through equity release, an increase of 44% from Q3 2016.

The FCA is a regulatory body operating independent of the UK government, set up in April 2013 after the financial crisis, alongside the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee. Before the crisis and the formation of the FCA, the Financial Services Authority was the UK watchdog, formed in 1997 and modelled on US regulators. It was replaced with the FCA, PRA and Financial Policy Committee.

The concept of smart home technology has vastly changed in the past few decades. In general, New technology is integral to how properties are identified, marketed and sold by real estate agents, as smart home and eco-aware features become more important to buyers. Data collected this year shows that nearly three quarters of homeowners in the UK feature smart technology in their homes. Gone are the days of ...

Property is traditionally a very popular asset for investing . Investing in either commercial or residential property can prove to be lucrative, but as with any investment opportunity, there are also the necessary risks attached. For those looking to invest in property, one of the biggest considerations is whether to invest in residential or commercial opportunities and which path is right for you.

Real estate seemed to be a key area of focus in the report, as an industry that is truly benefitting from alternative financing, and the single most popular. According to the research, debt and equity crowdfunding for real estate totalled nearly £700 million in 2015.

We understand how important it is for parents to save for their children’s future. In fact, the average cost of raising one child from birth to age 21 has increased by 63% since 2003, to an unnerving £230,000, partly due to childcare and education costs, despite cutbacks in toys and food. With a quarter of 18 to 29 year-old Britons still living at home with their parents, costs up to the age of 21 are not the only ones to worry about, highlighting the importance of building a nest egg to give them a helping hand.

Evidence indicates that a successful marketing strategy is focused on people rather than any other element. This in part is due to personalisation. Every person is different, and looking for a property that will match their needs and persona. Whether you are buying or selling, it is crucial to pinpoint your property’s standout features, and make them the headline if you are a seller.

Falling average wages, average student debts of £50,000, inflation and sky-high property prices – investing is not something that is relevant in the minds of millennials. Like any change in circumstance, perspective is important. The following looks at the negative associations millennials have with the world of investment and how they can be overcome.

Alternative finance has emerged beyond the established financial system, facilitating transactions between funders and fundraisers online. Between 2012-14, the market size has more than doubled annually, from £267 million to £1.74 billion, contributing to the UK economy. The consumer now has increased power and choice with what to invest their money into while SMEs, entrepreneurs and charities are receiving financing which would have otherwise not been obtainable.

Property is a multi-billion pound industry that we are all involved in one way or another, but it has become dominated by large estate agents who are resisting to evolve against the problems facing UK housing. As we speak, there are thousands of entrepreneurial people in innovative companies in the early stages of development changing the very fabric of property investment.

Just 10% of under 35s on decent incomes will have the ability to join the property ladder in the next ten years, as home ownership becomes increasingly exclusive and expensive. As a housing gridlock ensues, more people are choosing to improve upon their current residence. Just under 20% of homeowners have earned a profit of £25,000-50,000 over the combined cost of buying and renovating. Below are a range of tips on how to increase the value of your home, listed from low to high in terms of the property funds you might have at your disposal.

Having a diversified property investment portfolio very much matters, particularly at this moment in time with the UK government negotiating the departure from the EU. Most economists are pessimistic about the aftermath of Brexit, making for volatility in the markets where certain investment sectors may be particularly affected – not to mention individual companies.

Statistics from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) earlier this year revealed that should the UK lose access to the single market, there would be a deficit of around 200,000 workers originating from within the European Union. Roughly 8% (176,000 individuals) of the current UK construction workforce are EU nationals.

The real estate industry is ready for change, and a wave of innovation has been long-awaited. Proptech is paving the way for increased efficiency and its continued improvements mean it could be here for a long time. Whilst the establishment will undoubtedly resist change, it is important to not under-estimate how far Proptech 3.0 could take us.

Crowdfunding has transformed traditional big outlay investments by seeking many potential funders to invest chosen amounts into business ventures. It has been seen to help many small businesses, projects and enterprises which may not have otherwise received funding from traditional sources such as banks.

Of all the asset classes, property is currently the world’s largest. In 2016, commercial property value grew by 7% and residential property by 5% worldwide . With this in mind, the lure of property investment is understandable. Investing in property can be lucrative, but it does come with risks. Each property project that you invest in needs to be something you believe in or something you feel is a sound investment. So, how can you make sure that you choose the right project for you?

Statistics suggest that the UK needs to build at least 250,000 new homes a year to keep up with ever growing demand. In the first quarter of 2017, 43,170 homes were started and 39,520 were completed, a 21% increase upon the previous year, but not nearly enough to meet the demand. In fact, 2014 housebuilding was at its lowest point since the 1920s.

With rising energy bills and uncontrollable household spending, it is time for a new standard in the construction industry. For years, eco-housing has been a niche market, saved for the forward- thinking & those with available property funds. No longer for the environmentalist, eco-housing is finally beginning to transform the landscape of the UK’s property & investment market with several eco-friendly villages leading the way.

The team at Homegrown are very happy to announce that we were recently featured in an article by The MailOnline/ThisIsMoney. The article is part of the Start-up Spotlight series, and includes an interview with our CEO, Anthony Rushworth.

With the Pension Freedom changes introduced in 2006 where over-55s now have control over their retirement savings, it has opened up the chance to diversify your pension pot further and expand your retirement income portfolio. As more and more people look to make use of pension fund flexibility, the allure of property is proving tempting indeed.

In recent years, we have seen explosive growth in the sector termed alternative finance, most notably crowdfunding. However, with the crowdfunding industry almost doubling year on year since 2015, is the term ‘alternative’ still acceptable? With the World Bank estimating that global investment in crowdfunding will reach $93 billion by 2025. Crowdfunding is certainly making headway into mainstream investment.

One of the most common questions we receive is about our investment criteria. In other words, how do we select projects for the Homegrown property crowdfunding platform? Learn more about our investment criteria in this article looking at our previous development opportunity in Kingston.

Deal Index, the intelligent data and private finance deal aggregator, published their research report ‘DEMOCRATISING FINANCE: Digital Real Estate Investment Demystified’ (July 2015). Homegrown were pleased to have contributed to the landmark report which provides valuable insight into the alternative finance industry and investment in property crowdfunding.

The housing supply in the UK is failing to keep up with housing demand. This we know. With a growing population, increasing rent rates and successive governments who have failed to effectively tackle the problem, the UK’s housing market is in urgent need of attention.

Centre for Cities, the research and policy institute, has published their research report ‘What investors want: a guide for cities’ (July 2017). Homegrown are pleased to have contributed to the much-anticipated report which provides valuable insight into what investors consider attractive in a city when making an investment in property and development.

We are very pleased to announce that we have concluded our seed investment round, raising over £350k that involved our highly successful Seedrs campaign which reached more than double its funding target. This will enable us to develop the company into our next phase of growth and we look forward to investing wisely as we expand the business on this journey.

We are delighted to announce the launch of our Homegrown: Property Development Investment - 10 Step Information Guide which can be downloaded above. We hope that both existing, as well as prospective investors will find this highly informative in reaching their decision to invest with us.

We are delighted to announce that our Seedrs campaign reached our funding target with over 1 month to go. We are currently in over-funding, so if you are interested in investing in the business please make sure that you do not miss out on this opportunity, as we will be closing the round very soon. In addition, we have received advance assurance from HMRC that investments will be EIS eligible.

There has been a significant amount focus on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes in the UK, particularly on additional properties outside of the main residence (e.g. buy-to-let). This has become incredibly important for investors, who in some cases have seen eye-watering increases of over 114%. An article in last weekend’s Telegraph has explored 8 ways that property investors can minimise this expense.

Thought provoking and very interesting debate at the Henry Stewart Property Finance Conference at Le Meridien hotel - Piccadilly, London. Homegrown CEO, Anthony Rushworth was a panel member discussing why crowdfunding is leading a shift in how property investing & deals are being done.

Homegrown was very honoured to be selected by IMD International, a leading business school based in Lausanne, Switzerland to present at its general management Foundations for Business Leadership (FBL) program. Homegrown CEO, Anthony Rushworth led the class of senior leaders in industry to discuss the current hot topics & themes of alternative finance and property investment crowdfunding.

Prime Minister, Theresa May & the Chancellor, Philip Hammond visited our office at Level39 last week. Choosing our hub as the location for their press conference is a ringing endorsement by the government for FinTech start-ups like Homegrown in the financial district at Canary Wharf. Unfortunately, we did not get the chance to tell them about our “strong & stable” investment returns!

Last month Homegrown moved into Level 39, in the iconic One Canada Square building in the heart of Canary Wharf. Level 39 is Europe's largest technology accelerator for Fintech, Retail, Cyber-Security and Future Cities technology companies.

After a successful launch of Homegrown, our property development crowdfunding platform, we are excited to announce that we are fundraising on the crowdfunding platform Seedrs to accelerate the growth of the business. In this article we look at 5 reasons to invest in Homegrown.

Up until recently, the buy-to-let market in the UK represented a shining beacon of light for investors in an uncertain economy.

But, the combination of rising stamp duty, the elimination of tax breaks, relatively weak house price growth forecasts, falling rental yields and increased regulation have made buy-to-let investments less appealing. So, does being a buy-to-let landlord still make sense?

Before and in the immediate aftermath of the UK’s decision to leave the EU there were many and wide-ranging views on the potential future impact of the vote on the UK property market and property investment, based on the limited information available. More than three months on we consider the latest data and market consensus of what Brexit might really mean for UK property.

Property Crowdfunding is one of the fastest growing areas of online investment in the UK (Source: Nesta, 2016). It allows individuals to invest equity into property developments with established small and medium sized developers through online platforms. This article focuses on the 5 key benefits of crowdfunding for property developments.

Ahead of the launch of our first new build development project on the platform we consider the different options that are available to property developers to finance a project, including for the very first time in the UK, the ability to raise finance through equity-crowdfunding.

After the Chancellor’s announcement in the Autumn Spending Review that investors will have to pay an additional 3% in stamp duty on B2L properties and second homes (from £40,000 upwards) from April 2016 (source: BBC News), the immediate reaction was that this may signal the beginning of the end for UK B2L. But is it too soon to be writing the B2L obituary?

The UK residential property sector remains an attractive investment proposition because of the current underlying market dynamics, historical outperformance of other investments and its diversification benefits compared with other asset classes, such as equities.