Safestore Self Storage

Join an expat group when moving abroad

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Brits looking to move overseas can adjust to their new life by joining an expat group, InternationalLiving.com has suggested.

According to Jennifer Stevens, executive editor at InternationalLiving.com, those who join such groups are able to integrate a lot better into a foreign country.

"Over the years, the people who I have seen that have been the most successful overseas are people who have friends from both of those groups," she said.

"They aren't people who only socialise with expats, but also are friends with locals."

This allows them to assimilate into the community, meaning they feel less like a visitor and like they are in someone else's country – "they feel part of that country".

Moving abroad might not be everyone's cup of tea, Ms Stevens added, but there is nothing to worry about – many destinations are very welcoming.

"A sense of adventure certainly [serves] people well," she said. "You don't have to have the genes of Indiana Jones to find you can create an enjoyable and enriching life overseas."

Brits looking to keep a base in the UK can benefit from a self storage unit – keep some possessions in there to make life easier when travelling back.

Posted by Fiona Mayers

Looking for self storage in Manchester Central? Contact us free on 0800 444 800 now.

LED is a 'good lighting option'

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

People can benefit from LED lighting in the home because they are both low maintenance and energy saving, according to DFX Technology.

A spokesman for DFX Technology, which designs and manufactures industrial control, communications and lighting equipment throughout the world in many different market sectors, explained that the average power consumption of LED lights results in a 50 per cent energy saving.

"A prison would also be looking to reduce the maintenance because it is quite difficult to physically go in and change the lamps in cells and high security areas," explained the spokesman.

Businesses too can enjoy the benefits of LED lighting to cut costs in areas that won't impact on their core work. In fact, LED lighting is doing plenty to revitalise certain areas of industry.

The average power consumption of them compared to the light that it would be replacing results in about a 50 per cent energy saving.

"Lots of big companies now are creating new positions such as energy managers, where their sole target is to literally save power and money for the company, while reducing their carbon footprint at the same time," the spokesman explained.

Investors 'withdraw' into core markets

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

UK property investors have "retreated" into core markets in response to the ongoing economic problems, Aberdeen Asset Management has observed.

These core markets are in London – both offices and residential – and the south-east, explained Richard Gale, head of property multi-manager at the global investment management group.

"There is an argument to say that some of these prices are quite significantly above what one would expect on a fundamental basis," he stated.

"In terms of risk aversion, there is a big gap between prime and secondary assets, development starts are significantly lower and debt for real estate is pretty expensive and hard to source."

Mr Gale commented that investors are looking for "security of income" – this is the most important thing to them, especially with regards to inflation protection.

He equated a good environment to be the ability to get hold of RPI (retail price index) with "secured covenants".

Savills: Pendulum swings into tenants hands

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Tenants have more negotiating power than ever before, according Savills.

Matt Oakley, director of commercial research at the global property provider, went so far as to say that landlords are in fact "doing what tenants want".

"The biggest gripe with the British leasing system is that lease lengths tend to be long and fairly inflexible, he said.

"Four years into a property market downturn the ball is firmly in the tenants' hands, so if you are prepared to sign a lease, you have a lot more power in that negotiation."

He added that if people are looking to obtain a lease of less than five years in a location devoid of "significant competition", there is a very good chance a landlord will agree to flattering terms.

The simple reason for this is that rent over a short period of time is better than no rent.

"It is just a reflection of the pendulum swinging firmly into the tenants' hands," Mr Oakley concluded.

A self storage unit can help people with have lots of belongings and are only looking for a short-term lease – it saves them having to keep moving things around.

Posted by Fiona Mayers

Looking for storage in Liverpool? Contact us free on 0800 444 800 now.

Lots of new developments for green products

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

High-performance timber windows and doors and mechanical ventilation heat recovery are some of the most in-demand energy efficient products, according to the Green Building Store.

Other equally sought after products include water-saving urinals and low-flush toilets, explained Mike Shufflebotham, sales manager at the Green Building Store.

"We concentrate on saving energy and saving water, rather than replacing energy and recycling water," he stated, highlighting the distinct strategy it has with regards to sustainable living in both homes and offices.

Mr Shufflebotham also went on to say that people are becoming greener – it's on their "agenda".

"But it is more on the monetary side of thing than anything to do with CO2," he clarified.

"It tends to be from the monetary element that they look at it and the long-term saving of money."

Landlords can 'benefit' from contents insurance

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It is worthwhile for landlords to take out contents insurance, especially if they have in their possession a certain number of furnishings.

David Lawrenson, private rented sector expert at LettingFocus.com, stated that this would be, in some instances, an additional insurance to building insurance, which in itself can contain cover for some contents.

"A lot of landlords do have a very small level of furnishings in their property so that they can get their ten per cent wear and tear allowance," he said.

"If they have got a flat and are letting it out, then there would be some degree of cover under the freeholder's block insurance policy, but sometimes they can be a little bit limited in terms of some of the degrees of protection."

Landlords can protect their excess furnishings by housing them in a safe and secure self storage unit.

Posted by Graeme Pieterson

Looking for self storage in Milton Keynes? Contact us free on 0800 444 800 now.

The creative power of DIY

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

DIY allows people the freedom to be creative within their own homes, according to an expert.

Paul Minderides, a professional tradesman from Wickes, added that DIY also gives people an opportunity to get their hands dirty where they "don't usually".

"So to then incorporate some artistic venture within that, it is fantastic to hear that people are doing that," he said.

"If we take painting as an example, if you really cover up well – so cover your carpets, and move your furniture from the room, then you can have a lot more fun painting."

Mr Minderides also cast attention to the ease at which a new economical radiator can be fitted in the home.

"Changing a radiator doesn't even involve draining the system at all, you just lock the house off, you can remove the radiator, make sure you don't spill any water and fit the new radiator, tighten it up, fill the system back up," he explained.

In fact, Mr Minderides went so far as to say that every "keen DIYer" should be able to do this.

A self storage unit is ideal during renovation and decoration – a great place to store valuables.

Posted by Fiona Mayers

Looking for self storage in Birmingham? Contact us free on 0800 444 800 now.

Paint is a 'cheap way' to transform your home

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Homeowners hoping to make a difference to the aesthetic of their property on a budget need only look to paint, according to a chartered psychologist.

Dr David Lewis, founder and director of research at the independent research consultancy Mindlab International, added that not only does painting a room save you plenty of cash, it can also "transform your whole outlook on life".

The best-selling author and award winning broadcaster said: "These days everybody is counting every penny and if you are going to do a makeover to a room, rather than throw out all the old furnishings and have to buy new stuff that is going to cost you a lot of money, a few pounds spent on paint and a bit of time can transform a room."

His comments come on the back of recent comments from the National Home Improvement Council about the detrimental impact the stagnated UK economy is having on home improvement.

A self storage unit is a great place to store paint, brushes and other decorating equipment.

Looking for self storage in Leeds Central? Contact us free on 0800 444 800 now.

Posted by Paul Governor

Twin university cities 'good for student property'

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cities that have "twin universities" are a good place to invest in student properties, according to Savills.

Marcus Roberts, director of student investment and development at the property provider, said that because there is a "double fit of full-time students" in cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool, there are opportunities in student accommodation.

"It is very much down to looking at where the particular opportunity is located and therefore, going forward, what pressure that particular scheme might put on other blocks of accommodation," he added.

"If the opportunity that you are looking at is closer to the university campus, then [students] are probably a little lazy still and therefore would rather live closer to the campus than a 25-minute walk away."

Mr Roberts went on to say that there are a number of cities throughout the UK where it could be argued that the market has become saturated.

However, he explained, that doesn't mean that opportunities are lacking – so long as investors scale down on what it is they are looking for.

"50 to 150 beds – closer in to the university campuses that actually, from an investment perspective, would work very well because of the proximity to the campus and the type of accommodation that you could provide," he expanded.

Students can keep their rooms clutter free by investing in a self storage unit.

Posted by Paul Governor

Long-term forecast for commercial property values is good

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The long-term outlook for commercial property capital values looks to be healthy, according to DTZ.

In terms of a five-year period, Hans Vrensen, global head of research at the property advisor, stated that capital values will remain "resilient".

"In Europe, we see some of the industrial or logistic sectors being negatively impacted, but pretty much across the board globally we are expecting capital values to be resilient," he added.

"That should be some comfort to us. We do expect to see some big winners and losers inside each of the regions over this five-year term."

Mr Vrensen said that last year he saw a nine per cent increase in transaction volumes, which was the product of a capital value recovery.

There will be, he projects, a "temporary pause" because transaction activity will decrease by six per cent, but it will pick up again next year.

A self storage unit is a brilliant addition to a property portfolio, allowing people to enjoy an easier working life by housing everything in an accessible space.

Posted by Fiona Mayers

Looking for storage in Central Glasgow? Contact us free on 0800 444 800 now.

Posted by Graeme Pieterson