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Australia 'gaining popularity for buy-to-let investment'

Australia is getting more popular among buy-to-let investors in Britain, an expert claimed today.



Jeremy Knight, of worldwide property group Knight Knox International, said that landlords are attracted to the "stable, secure market" in the island nation.

"The reason [properties] sell well as a buy-to-let investment is because the rents stack up quite well - the rental yield relative to the price of the property is quite good," he explained, adding that the market is "even more stable" than the UK.

In addition to value for money, Australia also offers tax efficiency and a steady stream of immigrants as potential tenants, he added.

Regarding which areas to invest in, Mr Knight advises that Perth and Sydney have already experienced a boom, resulting in currently high prices.

The best deal at the moment is Adelaide, an area which "hasn't had its huge growth yet" and which he cites as the cheapest state capital in Australia.

A four-bedroom detached house with a double garage could be purchased for £104,000 in the city, according to Mr Knight.

This area could also be attractive to Britons looking to emigrate, he remarked, explaining: "If you were English and wanted a better chance of getting into Australia, then you'd go for Adelaide and the south Australian states."

Australians lead Oscars style

She may not have been an Oscar winner this time round, but Nicole Kidman has topped a poll for being the best-dressed woman at the awards ceremony last month.

Despite competition from a bevy of some of the world's most stunning actresses, the star was rated the most stylish for her red Balenciaga dress with an unusual halter-neck bow design.

Closely behind the Australian beauty came the star of Volver Penelope Cruz, who was voted into second place in the hellomagazine.com poll for her romantic pink strapless Versace dress with a long, flowing train.

Placed third by readers, meanwhile, was fellow Australian Cate Blanchett, in a grey, one-shouldered jewelled Armani frock, while 61-year-old Helen Mirren added to her Best Actress accolade by being rated fourth, thanks to her gold Christian Lacroix dress.

Seeing what the celebrities are wearing on the red carpet is always a central part of the Oscars magic and for some, is more important than the awards themselves.

However, not all the stars are celebrated for their style choices, with one example this year being Best Supporting Actress winner Jennifer Hudson. The Dreamgirls actress's brown Oscar De La Renta gown and gold bolero jacket were widely criticised by commentators.

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