Mark Twain penned these words more than 100 years ago and those who heeded his advice are financially richer because of it. Buying land remains an excellent investment option. While the value of property may be in flux, farmland is soaring. According to 2009 figures from land agent Savills, the price of English farmland has risen by a staggering 30% since December 2008 and is now nearly 50% higher than it was in June that year. It is double what it was three years ago and experts suggest land will go up another 15% by the end of 2009 - slower growth than before but a return on investment not to be sniffed at. Owning land is no longer the personal prerogative of large corporations, aristocrats or wealthy developers with inside knowledge. With the decision to own land, and assisted by expert advice, anyone can take advantage of these superb investment opportunities.
Why Invest in Land?
Land is a finite resource: demand will always outstrip supply, and for this reason alone it will increase in value. But its appeal goes further than that – land is tangible. While stocks, shares and bonds have their place in any sound investment portfolio, owning a piece of land has a more romantic allure. It can be viewed, visited and walked on, and its future can be shaped. There is no denying the housing shortage gripping the UK. Staggering statistics on the millions of homes that need building to meet population demand hit our headlines on a regular basis.
There are 60 million acres of land in England, Wales and Scotland and 90 per cent of us live on less than 10 per cent of the land available (source: The Times 2006). In order to meet this housing shortfall more and more Greenfield land is being granted planning permission, what this means is more and more landowners are reaping the very lucrative benefits.
The Government is committed to meeting housing demands and we are committed to assisting our clients to make sure they benefit from this opportunity. We will identify sites in areas that have been, or are to be, targeted over the next decade or more, for housing development. We will acquire this land and make it available for purchase, investment or as an inheritance for future generations.
EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST
World wide Resource provides a professional, honest and bespoke service to clients looking to expand their investment portfolio with the acquisition of land in Britain. Regardless of their experience, our tailored service engenders confidence in our clients who all share a desire for profitable opportunities.
At World Wide Resource we are here to help guide our private clients as they take their first steps in acquiring land. We do this by sourcing and purchasing undeveloped land and then helping them enter this low risk, yet highly profitable market.
Until recently, this has been a market that has remained the exclusive domain of large corporations and developers.
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NEWS RESOURCES
Is Britain Full?
BBC's Panorama investigates just how overcrowded the UK actually is. The latest official population projection has it rising over the next twenty years to 70 million. If it does, everybody will feel the effects - from where we live to where our kids go to school.
Watch the full video here. PANORAMA BBC SPECIAL
"Average UK land prices between 1983 and 2002 have increased by 808 percent" (BBC News Service 22/02/03)
“The number of new homes ‘needs to more than double’ to meet population demand by 2031 . . . meaning more than 200,000 new homes would need to be built every year.”
Daily Telegraph, March 2009
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The World Wide Resource Difference
At World Wide Rersource our goal is to offer the very best investment land on the UK market. We promise that not only has intricate due diligence has been completed on the land, but local councils have already expressed an initial interest in the land. As house prices have been falling to record lows, we’ve been taking advantage by purchasing land from companies and major land owners as they look to reduce their land holdings and increase their cash reserves.
We aim to only offer land that has either:
*been acquired from a National Homebuilders Company
*already achieved planning permission
*been listed within the councils’ planning boundaries
*been listed within a Major Development Area (MDA)
*has direct road access, close proximity to amenities and has access to necessary utilities 
Forging a relationship with our clients that is based on trust, integrity and professionalism is of the utmost important to us - we view this as a co-dependant relationship.
We endeavour to provide the latest advice on fluctuating markets and promise to keep our clients informed with regular updates. We undertake to act in the most professional manner, keeping our clients’ best interests at the forefront of our attention.
LAND AVAILABLE
More About Us
Investing is all about confidence, which is why at World Wide Resource we only offer the most prestigious investment land on the UK market. Although we have history on our side, land is considered to be one of the safest investments to date. World Wide Resource has a wealth of experience in buying and selling land. Although land has outperformed every investment to date and continually increases in value, we pride ourselves on sourcing land that has pleasantly surprised even the most seasoned of land buyers and investors alike.
We aim to be the foremost name in UK land investments. When you think land acquisition, you will immediately think to contact World Wide Resource.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
Even in uncertain financial times land prices in Britain increase steadily year on year. Over the past 20 years, land across the UK has increased in value by more than 800%. As land becomes scarcer – as it does with every passing year – its value increases. It’s simple economics. What is more difficult is pinpointing the most lucrative areas with the greatest potential for future development. At World Wide Resource we have a dedicated professional acquisitions team working six days a week to find land in these Major Development Areas (MDAs). We also highly value our dedicated solicitors who handle the legal requirements for us. As an added bonus, all fees are paid by World Wide Resource on your behalf. All you pay for is your land, and our solicitors transfer the HM Land Registry deeds into your name.Keeping ahead of the game in this lucrative market is our aim. You’ll have an appointed broker who will keep you informed of the market and any exciting new opportunities. World Wide Resource has a land acquisitions division which provides blue-chip land investment opportunities for investors, who want to think outside the square, and want more from their current investments. World Wide Resource works with partners and offers land which has excellent potential for development, and makes opportunities available to suit individual clients’ needs.
LAND OFFERS A SUPERB OPPORTUNITY TO DIVERSIFY YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
The price of farmland is rising at its fastest rate for more than 30 years as wealthy city dwellers and overseas buyers seek a slice of England. Jittery investors rush to move their money away from the volatility and uncertainty of stocks and shares because of the global credit crunch, and seek the safety that land has always offered. Now land is available as a safe and rewarding investment for everyone. Whether you’re a novice investor or entrepreneur, you can trust land to perform as it’s always done, after all history does tend to repeat itself.
World Wide Resource provides a professional, honest and bespoke service to clients looking to expand their investment portfolio with the acquisition of land in Britain. Regardless of their experience, our tailored service engenders confidence in our clients who all share a desire for profitable opportunities. The Government needs millions of new homes built over the coming years in order to meet demand, which puts UK land investors in a highly favourable position. The knock on effect will see land increasing in desirability and additional planning permission granted to meet their targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why buy land?
Land is just one of a number of ways of investing your money and should form part of any well-balanced portfolio. An investment in land is low risk and offers high returns on future sale or development.
Do I own the land?
Yes. Each plot of land has its own Title Deeds of Ownership, which will be transferred upon full receipt of the required funds. New title deeds will be issued in your name from HM Land Registry.
Where do we source our land?
As some of the UK’s largest home and development firms struggle with falling house prices, they’ve been forced to release some of their assets. Knowledge is power and World Wide Resourcehave been able to take advantage of some of the most prestigious development land on today’s market.
Why should I buy land without planning permission?
Land without planning permission is a fraction of the price of land with planning permission. Upon change of usage being granted, there is an immediate substantial increase in the value of the land.
How often do opportunities to get planning approval arise?
The Government is committed to meeting the country’s housing needs and has said more than 200,000 new homes are required every year until 2031 to meet population demands, thus meaning 4,400,000 new homes need to be built. It has also made headway in making the planning process easier and quicker.
Is gaining planning permission guaranteed?
No, we cannot guarantee that planning approval will be granted. Our team of experts concentrates on acquiring land in prime locations where the Government has given priority for house building. But remember you do not have to acquire planning permission before you sell. Even without planning permission you’re likely to see your plots value increase in the long-term.
Can I resell the land at any time?
Yes. You hold the title deeds and may resell to anyone, including builders, developers or other landowners, at any time without restrictions. However, in our opinion if you decide to sell before planning permission has been granted, you will not be maximising your lands full investment opportunity.
How can I see the exact location of your site without visiting in person?
For your convenience detailed satellite photos are provided for every site, alternatively you can view aerial photos and map locations of all available sites by visiting the following websites: getmapping.com, multimap, Google Maps or Google Earth and entering the postal code.
If land is such a good investment, why isn't it more popular with financial advisers?
Historically, Independent Financial Advisors have only suggested financial products within their realm of expertise. Furthermore, "Tied Agents" can only suggest something they are obligated to promote. So, in our experience, unless a Financial Advisor can financially benefit by suggesting a product, they don't. Obviously our clients are more than welcome to consult their own financial advisors before embarking upon purchase of land from our company. World Wide Resource is not able, nor purports, to give financial advice to its clients.
What about tax?
When purchasing land under a certain value there is no stamp duty applied. For UK residents who wish to resell after change of usage has been granted, taxation remains the responsibility of the client.
How much profit can I make?
Potential profit is determined by the location and desirability of the land. This is why we focus on the South of England and Major Development Areas (MDAs).
What is an uplift clause?
Some of our land is sold with what is known as an 'uplift clause'. If this is the case, it will be made clear to you before you purchase the land.
An uplift clause allows a previous seller of a piece of land e.g. Taylor Wimpey, not World Wide Resource to receive a percentage of any increase in value of the land due to any planning permission subsequently being granted within a specified number of years from the date of completion. The precise terms will depend on the specific clause, you’ll be advised of any specific details prior to purchase.
The advantage of land with an uplift clause is that it allows the investor to attain the land at a lower purchase price compared to land sold that has already gained permission. The fact that the land may contain such a clause is normally a good indicator that the land will perform well as it is a sign that someone (e.g. Taylor Wimpey) believes the land has potential. However, the vendor is only entitled to a percentage of the difference between the original sale price, and the new one, after development.
LEGAL INFORMATION/POINTS OF CLARIFICATION
The name of the business is World Wide Resource. The company is registered globally.
All information provided by World Wide Resource is done so in good faith.
World Wide Resource sells individual plots of land. It does not sell shares in a plot of land.
World Wide Resource will arrange for the transfer of the legal title to the plot of land into the name of the purchaser.
World Wide Resource retains no legal interest or benefit in the individual plots of land that it sells and its terms of sale confer no benefit on World Wide Resource.
Once World Wide Resource has sold a plot of land the purchaser is free to retain, use or dispose of the land as he sees fit (subject to any existing covenants or other rule of law).
World Wide Resource does not operate or promote a “property investment club” or any other form of “collective investment scheme”. Specifically, World Wide Resource does not seek to obtain planning permission on behalf of purchasers of plots of land (whether collectively or individually) or provide an ongoing management service in relation to the plots of land that it sells.
Arranging for investment in plots of land by itself is not a regulated activity under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as plots of land are not of themselves specified investments.
World Wide Resource is not authorised by the Financial Service Authority, as its activities do not require such authorisation or fall within the remit of FSA regulation. This is because World Wide Resource neither promotes/operates a collective investment scheme nor carries out a specified investment activity
http://fsahandbook.info/FSA/html/handbook/PERG/11/3#DES4
FURTHER READING
News: What happens if Britain's population hits 70 million? 21/04/2010
So is Britain getting full?
With immigration projected to drive two thirds of our population growth, the polls suggest voters think the answer is "Yes". Next to the economy, immigration is the second most important issue, beyond even crime and the NHS. In last week's televised election debate, all three main party leaders said they would be tough on immigration. The Office of National Statistics say that over the next two decades the UK population is on course to grow by eight million to 70m. That is roughly the equivalent of adding eight new cities, each the size of Birmingham.
Quality of life
If that happens it will have profound implications for public policy: England expects to take 90% of that growth. Yet, aside from Malta, England is already the most densely populated country in Europe, according to UK and UN statistics.Where will all the new houses and shops be built? And from where will come the tens of billions to build the infrastructure - the sewers, water treatment plants, power stations, railways lines, roads, schools, and hospitals? This, at a time when we are about to enter one of the most deep and sustained periods of public spending cuts in our history. Most of the new homes are needed because more people are living longer or alone. But four of out of every 10 new households will be accounted for by immigration - the only factor amenable to government control.
How might our quality of life be affected?
Many of us could end up feeling distinctly squashed - new houses being built today already have the smallest dimensions in Europe. The average commuting time to work is now among Europe's longest. That is likely to grow as the number of households forming continues to out pace new home completions, driving up the price of properties and forcing people further from major towns and cities. For families not able to buy or rent privately, our growing population and the mass sale of the most desirable socially rented homes have contributed to an acute shortage of council housing.In the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, up to 600 families compete for every three-bed home that becomes available. Katy Thorndike has been on the waiting list for more suitable accommodation for herself and her five children for five years. Her flat is riddled with damp and when it rains she says the carpets squelch. She was born and raised locally but she believes migrant families have been getting preferential treatment.
Bovis bets on recovery as it re-enters land market 04/01/2010
Bovis is to start buying land again despite a pre-tax loss of £8.6m in the first half, the housebuilder said yesterday. The troubles in the property market in the first six months of 2009 pushed the group's revenues down by 18 per cent to £123m, dragging profits down by more than 190 per cent and into the red.
The company is "cautiously optimistic" about the housing market, on the strength of six consecutive months of escalating mortgage approvals and three months of rising prices. But any recovery remains precarious.
David Ritchie, the Bovis chief executive, said: "Mortgage approvals are still less than half the 2007 rate, so we have to recognise that this is still a fragile market, and it wouldn't take much in the way of bad news for people's confidence to be knocked back."
Until the economy is on a surer footing, the housing sector will remain similarly uncertain. "We have not yet seen the full impact of unemployment, and things like interest rate policy may also have an impact of future affordability," Mr Ritchie said. "So we are not calling the market either way, but we are in an odd period where there is stability in the market and it looks like good news, but the sector is not out of the woods."
Against the background of a depressed but stabilising market, Bovis is now ready to start buying more land. The company has no debts and saw cash flow of £94m in the first half, thanks to a strategy to sell off its inventory, putting it in a good position to invest.
British Land signals property revival 17/11/2009
LONDON (Reuters) - British Land posted its first rise in net asset value since 2007 on Tuesday, fuelling hopes that the billions of pounds of distressed property loans jamming bank balance sheets may not be as toxic as first feared.
The bluechip real estate company (BLND.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said its net asset value rose 3.1 percent to 372 pence a share in its fiscal second quarter, trimming the fall since March to 6.5 percent.
Some 70 percent of its 8.3 billion pound property portfolio has increased in value since June, underlining a remarkable turn in sentiment towards UK real estate after more than two years of plunging prices.
"If you look at these results, it's a testimony to the quality of our portfolio and strength of management," Chief Executive Chris Grigg told a conference call.
"You'll start to see us being busy in the market over the next 12-24 months," he said.
British Land is set to join dozens of cash-rich funds in an increasingly competitive UK real estate market, where a lack of supply has sent prices upward since September.
Flows into unlisted UK property funds hit 704 million pounds in the third quarter, the largest quarterly amount in two years, data from the Association of Real Estate Funds showed earlier this month.
Former banker Grigg, who next month has led British Land for a year, said he was "running the slide rule" over about 2 billion pounds of investment opportunities and was awaiting responses on offers to buy about 500 million pounds of new assets.
These bids include an offer for the Silverburn shopping mall near Glasgow, although Grigg was tight-lipped on speculation the company was in pole position to secure the centre for about 290 million pounds.
He said the company was still committed to examining opportunities for expansion in continental Europe, as revealed in an interview with Reuters on November 4.
"We have about 3 percent of our assets in Europe today, those assets are in out-of-town retail and there's a real and clear synergy between that business and our domestic UK business," said Grigg.
"That said, timing is important in the European market and we are conscious that valuations may not be at the same point in the cycle as they are in the UK," he said.
British Land's shares were trading 2.9 percent down to 489 pence by 8:43 a.m. as cautious investors took profits following the upbeat results.
"NAV at 372 pence is above 363 pence consensus and in line with our 375 pence estimate," Evolution Securities analyst Harry Stokes told Reuters.
"We are still on track for a 450 pence end-March NAV estimate, meaning the shares aren't trading at as great a premium as some may think. With a bid for Minerva at 50 pence, the real estate sector is looking very attractive right now."
British Land's portfolio mark-up comes days after benchmark compiler Investment Property Databank said average commercial property values rose 1.9 percent in October, the highest monthly increase in nearly four years.
UK commercial property prices have risen 3.2 percent between September 1 and October 31, IPD said.
These rises come in spite of challenging conditions in property rental markets, as cash strapped businesses look to squeeze operational costs against tough economic headwinds.
Bucking this trend, British Land posted 0.7 percent like-for-like rental income growth against a 1.4 percent benchmark decline as tracked by Investment Property Databank.
Its portfolio remained 94 percent let, with 98 percent of income secure for a further three years. The percentage of its income from tenants in administration also shrunk to 0.8 percent from 1.8 percent in March.
The board has recommended a 6.5 pence second-quarter dividend, matching the first-quarter payout, which was distributed last week.
Last Wednesday, Toby Courtauld, chief executive of London landlord Great Portland Estates (GPOR.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said property prices would not experience a sustained recovery until rents improved, which was unlikely before the second half of 2010.
Farmland values rose by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2010
English farmland continues upbeat performance in 2010 as investors and overseas buyers return to market.
Key highlights:
English farmland values rose by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2010. This takes growth over the past 12 months to 15.5%, according to the latest results of the Knight Frank Farmland Index.
The average price of farmland is at the highest level recorded by the index.
Prices are being driven up by a continuing shortage of supply and increased interest from overseas buyers and investors.
The amount of farmland publicly advertised for sale so far this year has fallen by almost 20%.
Values are predicted to rise further during 2010.
Andrew Shirley, head of rural land research at Knight Frank, commented:
“The strong performance of the English farmland market that we saw at the end of the last decade has continued this year. Average prices have risen by 5.4% so far this year and we predict they could rise by a further 10% during the rest of 2010.
“A shortage of farmland for sale, combined with demand from investors and overseas buyers, has helped to ensure values continue to rise. According to the Knight Frank Farmland index, demand over the past 12 months has increased by 10%, while supply has fallen by 13%. The volume of farmland advertised in Farmers Weekly magazine has already dropped by 18% so far this year, compared with the same period in 2009.
“Investors, including those from overseas, are becoming more active in the market and, along with lifestyle buyers, accounted for virtually all of Knight Frank’s farmland sales so far this year. Despite its recent price growth, the ongoing weakness of Sterling means property assets in the UK look very good value to those buying in other currencies.
“Interestingly, there appears to be no pattern in the location of overseas buyers, unlike the last decade when we saw large numbers of investors and farmers from Ireland and Scandinavia in the market. Buyers this year have, so far, come from countries covering three different continents.
“A forthcoming General Election can add an element of uncertainty to the farmland market as buyers wait to see if there is likely to be any change to the tax reliefs associated with farmland ownership. Alastair Darling, however, left Agricultural Property Relief unchanged in last week’s budget and it would seem unlikely that the Conservative Party would treat APR differently if it was elected.
“It is generally acknowledged that economic confidence in the UK will take a hit if we end up with a hung parliament. If this, however, leads to a further weakening of Sterling it could make investing in English farmland even more attractive to buyers from overseas.”
Knight Frank, 31 Mar 2010
County council being recommended to make agricultural land key part of investment plans
Farm land across the UK could be on the shopping list for Cambridgeshire County Council's pension fund.
Although the pension portfolio doesn't include any of the 33,000 acres now owned by the county council, the team running the fund believe Cambridgeshire's expertise can be put to good use.
David Nuttycombe, head of strategy and estates, will tell the pensions committee: "In terms of market turmoil, as has been the case recently, land investments have performed better than equities.
"Investment in agricultural land has traditionally been seen as steady but unexciting when compared with equities and other investments but a safe haven in times of trouble."
He believes "investment trends" will respond to concerns about growing populations and the increasing demand for food and bio fuels and climate change impacting agricultural land and its productivity.
Cambridgeshire County Council's in house successful management of agricultural land, with a proven track record, could be tapped into "to manage the operational activities" says Mr Nuttycombe.
He points out that UK agricultural land has shown an "attractive and stable return" over the last ten years.
"There are sound reasons for concluding that the land market and investment return will remain strong," he will tell the pensions committee on March 9.
Options for consideration include buying traditional estates which are already let out, acquiring other let estates from other county councils, buying freehold land for short term letting pending its release for development, buying land next to existing county council holdings, or any combination of the above.
"Whichever option is selected, clear investment criteria must be determined at the outset," says Mr Nuttycombe. This will include threshold rates for acquisition.
www.wisbech-standard, 02 Mar 2010
Buying land remains an excellent investment option. 15/11/2009
While the value of property may be in flux, land is soaring. According to 2009 figures from land agent Savills, the price of English land has risen by a staggering 30% since December 2008 and is now nearly 50% higher than it was in June that year. It is double what it was three years ago and experts suggest land will go up another 15% by the end of 2010 - slower growth than before but a return on investment not to be sniffed at. Owning land is no longer the personal prerogative of large corporations, aristocrats or wealthy developers with inside knowledge. With the decision to own land, and assisted by expert advice, anyone can take advantage of these superb investment opportunities.
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