Latest news with #HouseHunters
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Why US residents want to move to UK and where they are targeting
Rightmove has reported a significant increase in inquiries from US -based house hunters about UK properties, with a 19% rise compared to the same period last year. This surge, covering January to early May 2025, marks the highest level of US inquiries since 2017. Rightmove suggests this increased interest may be linked to global economic uncertainty following US President Donald Trump 's tariff announcements. Edinburgh has emerged as the most popular location for US buyers, followed by various areas within London. The data encompasses inquiries from those looking to relocate, purchase second homes, or invest in buy-to-let properties in the UK. This trend reflects the potential impact of international economic shifts on the UK property market. However, Rightmove said the US-based inquiries it is seeing are mainly relating to smaller homes with two bedrooms or fewer, suggesting that Americans are seeing UK properties as a possible opportunity for an investment or holiday home, rather than a permanent relocation. The website also said that the US house hunter focus on Scotland marks a departure from the longer-term trend, with London having typically generated the most interest from US buyers over the past 10 years. It suggested that lower property prices in Scotland may be attracting some potential buyers. As well as Edinburgh, Glasgow is also one of the most common locations for inquiries from the US. Glasgow currently sits above the London boroughs of Islington and Kensington and Chelsea for US house hunter inquiries. Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: 'President Trump's tariff announcements have led to more economic uncertainty globally, and we're starting to see some of the effects of this on the UK property market. 'Whether it's because the UK is seen as a more stable investment opportunity, or whether some buyers are considering a permanent move across the Atlantic, we're seeing an increase in inquiries from the US. While a really interesting trend, it's important to note that only a very small percentage of all UK inquiries come from the US.' Toby Leek, president of property professionals' body NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) Propertymark, said parts of the UK 'come at an affordable price for many overseas buyers', as well as being picturesque. He said: 'Scotland is likely to be particularly popular due to its scenic landscapes and the fact that the average home is around £100,000 less compared to that in England. 'In some ways, those who are looking for a rural escape may see this as providing more for their money.' Glynn Gibb, regional director at property firm John D Wood & Co, said: 'We've certainly seen a steady rise in inquiries from American buyers in prime central London, particularly over the past 12 months. 'While it's not a dramatic uptick, there's a noticeable trend of high net worth individuals looking to move capital into what they see as a safe and stable market. 'For many US clients, London represents both a safe haven and a strategic investment.' He added: 'London's culture and global connectivity make it an ideal springboard to Europe and beyond. Many are basing themselves here temporarily – often staying with friends – while they work out how long they plan to stay. 'For those expecting to remain less than five years, renting can often make more financial sense, especially when stamp duty is taken into account.' The 10 areas of the UK where US residents want to move to Here are the top 10 UK locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove, with the top locations for 2025 so far followed by the 2014-2024 long-term average in brackets: 1. Edinburgh, Scotland (Westminster, London) 2. Westminster, London (Edinburgh, Scotland) 3. Camden, London (Kensington and Chelsea, London) 4. Glasgow, Scotland (Camden, London) 5. Islington, London (Glasgow, Scotland) 6. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Cornwall, South West England) 7. Highland, Scotland (Highland, Scotland) 8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland (Argyll and Bute, Scotland) 9. Fife, Scotland (Fife, Scotland)
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's an opportunity to show some hope': Hit housing show finally lands in Australia
Like many young Australians, The Project panellist Georgie Tunny never expected to own a home. But that didn't stop her and her flatmates from obsessively watching the American reality series House Hunters, running since 1999 and more than 200 seasons, and its spin-off, House Hunters International. These days, The Project panellist is happily installed in the Melbourne house she purchased in 2021 with her fiance, singer and actor Rob Mills, and feels qualified to narrate the inaugural House Hunters Australia on Ten. 'There's a script, but I can add my own little touch,' says Tunny. 'I have sat watching House Hunters on my couch and just essentially Goggleboxing what was going on. So this felt like that. I found it so fun.' Like the original, the series follows prospective buyers as they are introduced to three listings in their desired location and price range. There's no obligation to buy, of course, but it boosts the feel-good factor if they can chant 'we bought a house!' in unison at episode's end. Much of the mild dramatic tension comes from style clashes, something to which Tunny could relate. 'Robert and I probably would have benefited from a show like House Hunters because it forces you to say exactly what you're looking for and be really upfront with each other,' she says. 'When we first started dating, Robert was into the Scandi vibe – minimalist, lots of blues and greys, not too much clutter. I am more of a maximalist when it comes to a house looking like it's been lived in. I don't want it to look like an art gallery. So we've been trying to find a middle ground. I'm introducing more colour to him – a lot more textures, and a lot more knick-knacks because I have a lot of stuff.' Although they competed together in Ten's Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition, Tunny isn't sure they would actually make such a compatible team on House Hunters: 'I think we might have killed each other.'
The Age
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘It's an opportunity to show some hope': Hit housing show finally lands in Australia
Like many young Australians, The Project panellist Georgie Tunny never expected to own a home. But that didn't stop her and her flatmates from obsessively watching the American reality series House Hunters, running since 1999 and more than 200 seasons, and its spin-off, House Hunters International. These days, The Project panellist is happily installed in the Melbourne house she purchased in 2021 with her fiance, singer and actor Rob Mills, and feels qualified to narrate the inaugural House Hunters Australia on Ten. 'There's a script, but I can add my own little touch,' says Tunny. 'I have sat watching House Hunters on my couch and just essentially Goggleboxing what was going on. So this felt like that. I found it so fun.' Like the original, the series follows prospective buyers as they are introduced to three listings in their desired location and price range. There's no obligation to buy, of course, but it boosts the feel-good factor if they can chant 'we bought a house!' in unison at episode's end. Much of the mild dramatic tension comes from style clashes, something to which Tunny could relate. 'Robert and I probably would have benefited from a show like House Hunters because it forces you to say exactly what you're looking for and be really upfront with each other,' she says. 'When we first started dating, Robert was into the Scandi vibe – minimalist, lots of blues and greys, not too much clutter. I am more of a maximalist when it comes to a house looking like it's been lived in. I don't want it to look like an art gallery. So we've been trying to find a middle ground. I'm introducing more colour to him – a lot more textures, and a lot more knick-knacks because I have a lot of stuff.' Although they competed together in Ten's Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition, Tunny isn't sure they would actually make such a compatible team on House Hunters: 'I think we might have killed each other.'
Los Angeles Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Costa Mesa's retail landmark Triangle Square to be featured on Travel Channel
Costa Mesa's iconic Triangle Square will soon take a turn in the national spotlight, as a handful of tenants at the 200,000-square-foot retail complex will be featured in a segment airing on the Travel Channel Friday. Hosted by Holly McDonald — a Costa Mesa resident and agent in Compass Real Estate's Newport Beach office — the roughly 5-minute segment is set to air at 7 a.m., spotlighting upscale Western-themed steakhouse Westwood Coast along with other restaurants and entertainment destinations at the center. Since last fall, McDonald has produced a string of episodic features on area neighborhoods, cultural institutions and hot spots as a Southern California host for 'American Dream,' a national real estate and lifestyle show streaming on Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Roku and other outlets. Past installments have focused on trendy milkshake bar the Straw and Costa Mesa's South Coast Metro Area, while McDonald is working on another show about an upcoming push-ups for charity event to raise money for veterans. 'They deal with a variety of different things, but they're all positive and uplifting sides of the area,' said McDonald, a former producer of HGTV's 'House Hunters.' 'I scout out the stories and the locations — I'm pretty much doing all of it.' The segment featuring Triangle Square, McDonald's first to be picked up and broadcast on the Travel Channel so far, came out of a desire to explore a place that is familiar to many but has gone through some changes since it first opened in 1992. 'Obviously, Triangle Square is a landmark here in Costa Mesa. And it's kind of undergoing a renaissance right now,' McDonald said. '[But] if people just drive by, they may not know what's going on inside. It's more than just nightlife, but I don't think people realize that.' In a sit-down interview, Westwood Coast General Manager Michael Ruiz explains the increasing popularity of Western-themed entertainment in Orange County, particularly country line dancing, and why Costa Mesa was an ideal spot for the San Francisco eatery's sister restaurant. The segment also depicts scenes from Prince Street Pizza, La Vida Cantina, Cafe Sevilla and Tavern & Bowl, giving viewers a taste of a now fully-occupied retail space. It's a great way to showcase the progress that's been made at the center in recent years, according to Charity Dahlke, a property manager for Cannon TTM, which purchased Triangle Square in 2017. The owners had big plans for the property and were making major upgrades just before the COVID pandemic hit, changing consumers' shopping behavior and impacting the center's progress. Only now is that bigger vision starting to come to life, Dahlke said Wednesday. And the added exposure from McDonald's 'American Dream,' which focuses on the different kinds of elevated experiences visitors can have at the center, only serves to further that cause. 'Triangle Square has definitely gone through a bit of a metamorphosis lately,' the property manager said. 'This used to be a crown jewel in Costa Mesa, and now the owners are dedicated to getting this jewel back to where it was.'
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Project star lands major TV gig after shakeup at the embattled current affairs show
Georgie Tunny is making moves in the TV world. The Project star has landed a new gig narrating the upcoming series of House Hunters Australia. The 34-year-old said she is utterly delighted to be part of the Aussie version of the US show. 'I have been such a fan of House Hunters for years, so when the opportunity came up for there to be an Australian series, I was just excited that I might be able to watch it' she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. 'And now being involved and narrating it, it's a pinch-me moment.' Georgie says that she and her fiance Rob Mills tune into the USA version together at home after growing up watching the series with her family. 'I would force Rob to watch it as well and now he's fall in love with it too,' she said. Georgie's new job comes after staffing changes at The Project after a few years of strife at the current affairs show. In January, Channel Ten confirmed a beloved member of The Project panel will not be returning to the program in 2025, as the network continues to make shock changes to the panel show. Ten confirmed that comedian Michael Hing, 39, would no longer be part of the show this year, after he joined the series in 2023 as a co-panelist. 'For the last two years, we have loved Michael Hing's quick wit and hosting hijinks as a regular on The Project,' the network said in a statement. 'We wish Michael every success for his nationwide stand-up tour and look forward to welcoming him back to the desk between gigs in 2025.' Hing also confirmed the news on social media, revealing he was focused on preparing for his stand-up comedy tour of Australia from February to July. His most recent appearance on the long-running series was in mid-November. The network also revealed that The Project panel would be reduced to three co-panelists on Fridays. 'In 2025, The Project is doing Fridays differently! From late February, join Rove McManus, Georgie Tunny and Susie Youssef at The Project desk every Friday night, as the working week wraps up and the weekend fun begins. 'Expect the same dose of wit, charm and newsy goodness, but with a little more space for those unexpected, spontaneous moments that only a Friday night can bring. It's the perfect end to the week.' The network did not reveal the reasons behind why it was reducing its panel, but it may be a cost-cutting measure that coincides with Rove McManus' pledge to make the Friday episodes less news-focused. McManus has been involved with The Project since it began in 2009, as he helped create the series through his production company Roving Enterprises, which continues to develop it. In October, the veteran presenter made a huge announcement about his future on the hit Channel Ten current affairs show in a rare sit-down interview. The comedian was asked about his upcoming projects during a candid chat with Jordy Lucas and Alexandria Funnell on their That's Showbiz, Baby podcast. Admitting he had many 'irons in the fire', the triple Gold Logie winner then teased that his role at The Project could become permanent. Rove has done numerous stints as a guest presenter on the show over the years and returned once again in 2023, but didn't expect it to become a more permanent gig. 'I kind of stumbled back into it. It wasn't my decision to come back, I was asked and I thought I was just filling in for a couple of months at the end of last year,' he began. 'And then it was like: 'do you want to keep going into this year?', and now we're talking about next year. Channel Ten also announced they will begin uploading entire episodes of The Project to YouTube in 2025. Producers revealed the major change with a post on The Project's social media, including a link to the show's dedicated YouTube channel. 'New for 2025: You can watch The Project in full on You Tube,' the network announcement said. A recent episode featuring segments on the Golden Globes and comedian Akmal Saleh was seen in full on the platform. The long-running current affairs program is known to cut a high profile on social media sharing excerpts and segments to platforms including X and Instagram. The panel show has also undergone an audience decline ever since changing up its format. The ratings woes coincide with growing criticism of The Project's left-wing bias and departures of several high-profile hosts, including Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Lisa Wilkinson.
