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Total returns in the UK and European commercial real estate markets are expected to weaken over the next five years, but there are segments that remain underappreciated. These offer attractive risk-adjusted returns today, the potential for future yield compression and diversification benefits. We believe one such area of the market to be UK retirement living. This sector benefits from favourable demographics as the UK population ages, rising expectations for quality of life in later years and the wealthy baby-boomer generation entering retirement. The investment case for UK retirement living Retirement living in the UK can be defined as the provision of permanent accommodation for over 65-year-olds, typically in a community setting. These are not care homes, but rather targeted at able-bodied, capital-rich couples or widow(er)s

The risk that the downturn in manufacturing might spread to the rest of the Eurozone economy has receded. Short-term indicators suggest that manufacturers’ export orders have stabilised and confidence among businesses in the services sector has increased since last September. Its forecast that the Eurozone economy will grow by 1.25% p.a. through 2020-2021, in line with recent progress. The main driver should be consumer spending, supported by higher real wages and increasing employment in the services sector. In addition, pressure from populist parties is likely to lead to higher government spending in France, Italy and Spain. Inflation in the Eurozone is likely to remain subdued at around 1% p.a. and its expected that the European Central Bank (ECB) will cut the deposit rate from -0.5%

The term mezzanine finance as used within the UK is a description given to a combination of debt and/or preferred equity financing. Whether you are an investor seeking to place an investment, or a borrower seeking to maximise investment into a business, mezzanine finance is a popular and attractive solution. Mezzanine lending is a sum lent or invested into a business on a junior basis that ranks in priority behind senior debt, but ahead of standard equity. By virtue of being subordinated to senior debt, which in itself often secures the main banking facility, the returns reflecting the risk are likely to be higher, proving the old adage: ‘a greater return for greater risk.’ What the funds raised are used for are largely immaterial, but

What is Mezzanine Finance? Mezzanine development finance is designed to act as a top-up loan, to bridge the gap between the developer’s available deposit and the loan available from the senior lender. Mezzanine funders will usually secure their position by taking a second charge over the development to ensure their capital is secure. By supplementing their borrowing with mezzanine finance, property developers can secure the highest return on investment, with the lowest deposit contribution. This financing option is generally used to reduce the deposit needed to undertake a property development project. Funding can be used to reduce deposits, to fund a gap in deposit, or to allow you to retain funds for future deals. 1 -Borrow up to 90% loan to cost 2- Terms from

If you are a property developer or business owner who is finding it difficult to raise the required funds to pay off an urgent HMRC tax demand then a bridging loan can be a highly practical and uniquely serviceable lifeline. Although there are various sets of circumstances where HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) may choose to grant you a payment extension – these are not always available and failure to pay your tax bill on time can result in very serious consequences. There are two situations where HMRC will expect and demand an immediate payment from you and these occur if: 1) HMRC think you can pay now. 2) HMRC are not convinced you can get your tax payments up to date. Either way, if