Overseas Property Investment

BRAZIL - POISED AND READY TO GO!

2008-05-08T03:23:00.000-07:00

I’ve just come back from an interesting trip to Brazil. As the writer for propertyshowrooms.com and IPIN’s latest promotions in this awe-inspiringly vast country, it was with great excitement that I could at last ‘put a face to Natal.’ So, donned as a typical package holidaymaker to Natal, I was intrigued to get a first-hand view on just what this growing tourism region of Brazil has in store.

Natal’s Augusto Severo International Airport, being one of the nearest points to Europe in the entire country, makes the Natal area an easy to reach destination, despite an 8 hour Thomsonfly journey with two six-year olds and their patient parents – that’s another story.

Late night arrival at the hotel, conveniently only about 30 minutes bus journey from the airport, was impressive, with efficient reception staff waiting at the desk and delicious fruit cocktails and coconut milk served on silver trays by waiting staff. Parque de Costeira is a beautiful, beachfront, all-inclusive hotel with every facility you could hope for: various bars (including one in the swimming pool!); three restaurants; a gym; a jacuzzi; a water slide in one of the three pools; live shows at night and, thankfully, even the prerequisite kids’ club! What I am saying is that many of the hotels here are well equipped for today’s exacting package holidaymakers. A stunning white sandy beach and warm waters stretch along the palm fringed coastal strip to Punta Negra, the nearest up-and-coming tourist town only 1 km from the hotel. If it’s not a walk along the beach you’re after, there’s a regular bus service from outside the hotel into town. Indeed, all the ingredients are in place to make this an excellent holiday destination.

But one thing that really struck me without fail, over and over again throughout my stay was that Brazil is not yet ‘there’ in terms of the luxury eco-tourism it is so keen to promote. Maybe this is because I caught my glimpse of the market still so early, but for whatever reason, Brazil is still ‘raw’ with some way still to go. Many investors claim that this is therefore the best time to buy in Brazil. After all, it’s a time when all the necessary ingredients are ready and waiting to create the masterpiece: Natal’s brand new road bridge and good roads are a clear indication of its growing transport infrastructure and direct budget flights to Natal, along with superb beaches, lagoons, sand dunes and mangroves, a vibrant culture, and a strong economy all provide the ingredients so essential to successful investment in emerging tourism and property markets.

Some pundits claim that Natal investment is already ‘old hat’. Indeed prices have gone up but, on the ground, you are constantly reminded of the journey Natal is still to make to become a polished tourism success - this in itself merits a closer look by shrewd property investors.

Still today the locals try to entice you with cheap imported souvenirs. We were also shocked to see that during an excursion to Natal’s stunning Parque de las Dunas there were camel rides being offered to the tourists. These non-indigenous creatures looked as out of place here as the Chinese sunglasses and Indian clothing that the smiling beach vendors so keenly touted. The people never hustle or pressurise tourists. They are generally very polite, smiling and friendly, not yet tainted by the spoils of mass tourism; nevertheless, these were such endearing traits, compared with locals in many other world tourism hotspots.

Natal and its people of course deserve to get there in terms of quality tourism. Strict government initiatives are apparently in place to restrict over-development, encouraging eco-friendliness on all counts – sadly corruption is ever-present and eco directives are not always respected, according to some locals’ opinions. Nevertheless, at the IPIN approved Jacuma Beach Resort, which we visited during a sand dune buggy trip, was described by our driver as undergoing meticulous planning and permission processes, while many environmentalists are ensuring it does not interfere with the wonders of the natural beauty in which it is set.

All around Jacuma, the beach is sheer paradise and, unlike in many other areas near Natal city, large, up-market holiday villas unobtrusively dot this part of the coastline, underlining the relative prestige of this particular location. Once the resort is completed, it is clear prices will be rocketing.

A few metres from the resort, we had a fantastic lunch at ‘Naf Naf’, a charming beach restaurant, where we ate the best fresh Brazilian fish and meat recipes we had tasted during our visit – a welcome break from the adequate mass-produced Brazilian-style cuisine at the hotel. Then, back into the dune buggy for more off-road experiences on sand - we careered up dunes, down dunes and through lagoons; a truly memorable and breathtaking experience!

Like so many burgeoning tourism spots, such as the Costa del Sol thirty years ago, Brazil shows every sign of enjoying similar levels of success in the future. Just as soon as the brunt of the global recession abates, Brazil will be ready and set to go. Today’s early investors will be the ones to reap the highest returns from Natal’s quietly emerging tourism market.

WHY BUY IN THE CARIBBEAN?

2008-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

The Caribbean has long been a major player in the world of luxury tourism. Due to its great diversity spanning some 7,000 different islands and reefs, the Caribbean arguably has something to offer all types of investors, whatever their budgets. Multi-million dollar options can be purchased in Barbados while highly affordable alternatives on other islands such as Turks & Caicos and Isla Margarita suit a different type of investor eager also to benefit from the off-shore tax haven status and duty-free shopping paradises such locations have to offer.

With a fantastic, sunny climate and dream-like beaches, property in The Caribbean satisfies many holidaymakers and real estate investors looking for exquisite surroundings in which to buy or rent property.

Why The Caribbean?

Growing Economic Prospects

The rise of tourism on many of the Caribbean islands has been a major factor in sparking a resulting growth in many other domestic industries, namely the construction industry along with many other related service enterprises. Eg. Aruba now has five times the hotel capacity it had in 1985 and its construction trade is flourishing.

Off-shore banking is also an important part of Caribbean commerce, particularly in The Bahamas and Aruba.

Despite the world's largest petroleum refinery facilities at Saint Croix and Aruba, these still rank below tourism in terms of profitability - in the US Virgin Islands, tourism generates 70% of the island's employment and accounts for over 70% the GDP. It is also of great importance on the Island of Margarita, an area where the government is currently focusing much attention.

Sheer Luxury

The Caribbean clearly targets high-end tourist markets; luxury resorts and award-winning hotels can be found on many of the islands, eg. Jamaica, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, to name but a few. Places like Parrot Cay and Point Grace on Turks & Caicos were featured in the 2006 Condé Nast Traveller Gold List, and the Ritz-Carlton on West Caicos is also sure to bring even more well-heeled visitors to the islands.

Investment in holiday rental properties and hotel- related property is a highly lucrative option on these islands. Meanwhile, the Caribbean is where millionaires acquire whole islands for themselves, often creating their own paradise which is then rented out to the ultra wealthy of the world.

Many great sporting facilities are widely available, including scuba diving, surfing and golf courses help to attract some 2 million tourists annually to the islands.

Idyllic Weather

Tropical rain forests, still, glassy lagoons and wind and waves – all types of weather can easily be found in the Caribbean to suit all tastes. Essentially, prevailing conditions on most Caribbean islands fall somewhere between Aruba's dry and Dominica's misty weather patterns, and many have more than one climate and ecosystem. Temperatures on the islands fluctuate between lows of 64ºF in January to 90 ºF in July. You are advised to check up on your particular island’s risk of hurricanes. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with the majority hitting in September.

Easy Access

By far the most popular way to arrive on the islands is by air and many flights, particularly from the USA are non-stop to the Caribbean, typically to San Jaun or St Thomas. Many of the smaller islands have basic airports, meaning a walk to the airport terminal from the runway. Small Caribbean airlines connect to the islands with regular scheduled flights.

The Caribbean is also famous for its cruises and dozens of cruise lines offer a wide variety of packages.

A Buoyant & Varied Market

Caribbean property for sale and rent comes in many forms; from houses, villas, apartments and condos to land, farms or even private islands farms. Commercial and investment property is also a potentially beneficial option due to the fact that all sectors of the property market in the Caribbean continue to grow, with property prices generally on a steady increase. Many wise investors see now as the time to invest before Caribbean prices go up further, as they have done on the already more established islands such as Barbados. European investors are also profiting from the fact that sterling and the euro continue to strengthen, allowing even greater purchasing power.

Dramatic price increases are being experienced, stemming from the growing popularity of the entire region, and islands like St.Lucia and Dominican Republic are receiving huge levels of foreign investment and benefiting from exceedingly high returns of investment, sometimes as much as 100% in the first year.

Looking to Rent?

2008-05-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

Renting Homes Abroad

Renting property abroad is more popular than ever with increasing numbers of people renting a holiday home instead of booking a hotel.

If you're planning a self catering holiday or looking for a long-term rental property, ask yourself the following before you do so:

Location! Location! Location!

Do you prefer the town or country?

Do you want to be inland or on the coast?

How far is the property from the airport and is it easy to drive to?

Where's the nearest public transport, how often does it run, what time does it end?

Do you want to be isolated or in the thick of it? (Most people prefer to be within about an hour's travel time of a town.)

How much outside space do you want?

How close do you want to be to your neighbours?

How close do you want to be to shops, bars and restaurants?

How far is the beach?

How far is it to sports facilities, golf, tennis, swimming, and so on?

How good are the local health and social services?

Arts and entertainment - what's available in the area?

Neighbours - what are they like and how often do you want to see them?

ELEGANT SHOPPING IN CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR, SPAIN

2008-05-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

Blue Sotogrande - Elegant Shopping on Gibraltar's Doorstep

Unmistakable cachet, inimitable style and quality living have all become hallmarks of the Sotogrande we know and love today. With this in mind, “Blue Sotogrande” is now hot on the lips of many of Sotogrande’s movers and shakers: deemed to be the long-awaited answer to a somewhat stagnant shopping scene in Sotogrande, this exclusive project is set to attract a well-heeled local and jet-set clientele, and is hotly tipped to boost Sotogrande Port far beyond the realms of the somewhat jaded commercial centres of Puerto Banús and Marbella.

As with much-talked-about subjects, Blue Sotogrande has been rumoured to be many things, which of course it is: we explore the answers to some of Sotogrande residents’ main reservations and queries, and put you right on some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the project…

Just what is Blue Sotogrande?

Essentially, Blue Sotogrande is to be a luxury pedestrianised shopping village, comprising 41 designer boutiques. Elegant bars and restaurants will also be providing a touch of modern class to life in Sotogrande Port.

The concept is to create a more sophisticated alternative to other overcrowded hotspots in southern Spain, capturing interest from within a 2 hour’s drive radius from Seville to Malaga and bringing a much needed touch of retail prestige to Sotogrande.

Gavin Gallagher, CEO of Galdevar Properties S.L, Sotogrande, has a strong history in creating luxury commercial centres and he is very excited about Blue Sotogrande, his first marina project. The 37 million Euro project is backed by an Irish consortium of investors, fully versed in the intricacies of top design quality and meticulous attention to detail. Gallagher is convinced the project, “will be putting the heart into Sotogrande Port, giving the area the lifestyle it cries out for”. However, Gavin Gallagher promises to steer well clear of fast food outlets, noisy bars and lap dancing clubs, insisting Blue Sotogrande will not lose one iota of its classy glamour, as Puerto Banús has sadly done today.

Each and every retail unit at Blue Sotogrande will boast a waterfront terrace overlooking a beautiful waterfront promenade and fronting the fine line-up of glamorous super yachts adorning Sotogrande Port. The existing canal is even being extended to allow extra mooring facilities for visitors, making Blue Sotogrande just a convenient hop away from your boat.

Another celebrated feature of Blue Sotogrande is its carefully planned ease of access to the shopping outlets: no more cobble stones, tucked away courtyards and steps to hinder baby buggies and wheelchairs. Units will be well-designed and easy to reach, providing modern convenience and exclusivity to your Sotogrande shopping experience.

What facilities can we expect from Blue Sotogrande?

As to be expected, facilities will be top-notch, in keeping with the up-market nature of the Sotogrande population. You can expect to find most of the top-end international fashion brands from outlets offering jewellery, shoes, handbags, perfumes, childrens clothing, lingerie, flowers, books and mobile phones, to a hairdresser and beauty parlour, banks and a pharmacy.

Restaurants, cafes and bars will be located on the western end of the complex, catching the evening sun and allowing you to sip a drink while pondering the magnificent sunset across the marina.

The leasehold shop tenants will be carefully vetted and selected as Blue Sotogrande aims to provide luxury shopping outlets to complement one another and offer the widest possible selection of quality products for its customers.

The entire area also offers ample opportunities for tennis and water sports, as well as world-class polo at Santa Maria. Top golfing facilities on Sotogrande’s courses, including the prestigious Valderrama Club, are but minutes away, making the Blue Sotogrande yet another up-market facility to satisfy residents and holiday makers alike. This is expected to be a welcome service for local residents, avoiding the current need to get into the car and cross the road to find the facilities they need.

When is it due to open?

Building work is due for completion in December 2008 but the official grand opening is set for Easter 2009.

Meanwhile, a flamboyant PR programme is in the making, dedicated to transforming Blue Sotogrande from December 2008 into a sophisticated social hub with a jazz and blues festival, fashion shows, art exhibitions, sporting events, street theatre and even a classic car competition. Gavin, himself an amateur triathlete, is also in talks with the Spanish Triathlon Federation to bring an event to the Port, offering further exposure to the project and the Sotogrande area as a whole.

Will it cause unnecessary congestion to our tranquil port area?

This is a carefully planned project, designed to have only a positive impact on the port.

Blue Sotogrande will be essentially car-free: traffic will arrive via a new feeder road from the N340 that will take you straight to the shopping village’s underground parking facilities. Even delivery trucks will enter their own underground section, allowing for drop-offs with the no congestion, noise or inconvenience to residents or shoppers.

Above the shopping village, a new development of 196 apartments is also being built. The underground commercial car park (317 spaces) will be completely separate from the residential car park (250), assuring complete privacy and security for all residents.

How will the local population be able to sustain such a commercial complex in Sotogrande?

Current indications show that a commercial complex such as Blue Sotogrande has been truly lacking in an area with the great spending power of Sotogrande.

Sotogrande Port is in fact the largest leisure marina in Southern Spain, with no less than 1,400 berths. Meanwhile its 65 existing commercial units are disjointedly interspersed amongst the courtyards, and are almost purely limited to real estate or yacht broker services; as such they can’t therefore be perceived as serving the retail needs of Sotogrande’s residents.

Sotogrande’s population currently tops 30,000 residents, with numbers expanding greatly during the summer season. Blue Sotogrande will be promoted in all the major population centres within 2 hours drive from the Port. Since the completion of the new motorway, the permanent population living within a 20 minute drive of the Port has of course rocketed, encompassing over 400,000, while some 1.7 million potential customers now live within a one-hour’s radius. Blue Sotogrande will be a perfectly viable shopping excursion for all those willing to take a short drive to enjoy the sheer exclusivity that Blue Sotogrande will provide.

Sotogrande School, undersubscribed as little as eight years ago, now has waiting lists and, as a result, a new senior school is under construction to double student intake to 1,500. All these demographic figures bode very well for such a ground-breaking commercial enterprise in Sotogrande.

CONVERT MORE SITE VISITORS TO CLIENTS!

2008-01-28T06:29:00.000-08:00

Good WORDS enhance the strength and credibility of your website

Many companies now recognise the immense value of professionally written web content. In fact marketing teams are today encouraging them to update the look and feel of their sites to create sharper, cleaner messages, combined with more informative content in order to attract vital targeted traffic.

Some businesses are still woefully indifferent to the importance of professionally written content as a business generating tool. They spend thousands on setting up the site and on marketing and advertising budgets, yet choose to overlook the power of professionally written copy, often tackling the job themselves.

Why employ a writer?

According to a recent online survey, a mere 6% of website owners employ professional writing services, while 74.9% choose to do so themselves with reasons such as “I don’t want to spend the money” or “no one knows my businesses like I do”.

We believe it’s difficult to be completely objective and informative about a business you’re so closely involved in. Subjective web copy will reduce your company’s credibility, while a fresh eye and a new perspective from outside will do quite the opposite. Unemotional, engaging and informative content will go a long way to expose all your company’s unique selling points clearly and concisely.

TheWebWriter is already witnessing a distinct shift in interest from traditional hard copy towards web content and within a short time, more businesses will be relying on professional web copy in much the same way as they have done hard copy over the years.

As companies seek greater online presence through Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), they are at last beginning to take web-related copy more seriously. Style, readability and information quality are now seen as key factors in their drive to impress all visitors.

Key points:

· Well written web copy builds confidence in your company as trustworthy and professional. It could therefore result in valuable business, direct from your site

· Visitors will stay on your site and read further if it’s deemed to be well written, in-depth and informative. They may even bookmark or link it, thereby increasing usage and exposure

· Readers could well recommend your site to their friends and colleagues, steadily increasing valuable traffic

· Effective web copy reaches your target audience and therefore boosts your business potential

· High quality, relevant web copy helps generate your desired traffic

· Fresh, content-rich copy improves your site’s SEO, so vital to its online success

Remember, a well written website is one of the most powerful and state of the-art of business mediums available today, reaching a competitive and global audience, 24 hours a day, every day.

First impressions count!

Your website is the place where many customer relationships begin. Just like a first meeting, discerning visitors clicking onto your website notice poor writing, grammar, punctuation or badly organised copy. Rightly or wrongly, they make instant judgments, based on the strength of what they first see and read. These visitors are as quick to click out of a poorly written site as they are to click into it.

Nielsen/Net Ratings, global leaders in media research, likens web visitors to television viewers: it’s not a matter of if they flick through to a channel, but rather whether they stay tuned. TheWebWriter is dedicated to making your target audience stay “tuned” to your site for long enough to make a difference.
http://http://www.thewebwriter.es/

PRIME LONDON PROPERTY SET FOR STRONG 2008

2007-12-06T05:21:00.000-08:00

Prime central London Properties will continue to see healthy price growth over the course of 2008 even as the rest of the UK property market slows down, Savills has said.

The firm has pointed to early evidence showing that the centre of the capital has not yet been badly affected by the current slowdown as a sign that it will remain robust next year.Continued interest from overseas investors will also help boost the market, with general trends showing that there will be a "flight to quality" in the coming months.

"We're predicting growth in the prime central London market of about five per cent next year… To date, you haven't seen the reduction in prices or indeed the slowing in growth rates in London to anything like the same degree as some of the other areas in the country," revealed Lucian Cook, Savills director of research.

"One of the big differentials between [commuter zones] and prime central London is that prime central London continues to be supported by this significant influx of overseas wealth," Mr Cook added.

http://news.hotproperty.co.uk/

BE AWARE OF LOCAL IHT!

2007-11-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Investors in foreign property should make sure they understand the rules surrounding inheritance tax (IHT) in the country they are looking to buy in, an expert has said.

Director at independent financial advisers Calculis Alex Pegley said that even properties in locations popular with Brits buying abroad, such as Spain and France, had a different IHT system.

Beneficiaries of estates including foreign property assets could face paying the tax in both countries, he said.

Recently in Britain, chancellor Alistair Darling announced that he was raising the IHT threshold for couples to £600,000.

The Conservative party had previously unveiled its proposals to raise the IHT band in to £1 million pounds, at its annual party conference. "The key thing that people need to be aware of is the tax is constructed in a different way abroad," said Mr Pegley. "People aren't seeking advice on the overseas situation."

He suggested that people could benefit from consulting a financial adviser or accountant to clarify their situation.

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/

ITALIAN HOUSE PRICES SET TO GROW FURTHER

2007-11-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

Property values in Italy are likely to keep increasing during the next few years, according to experts.Independent analysts at Amberlamb stated that the country's housing market had enjoyed a period of consistent growth and that this trend was set to continue.

The organisation said that by the end of 2007, property values in Italy would have risen by almost 30 billion euros in the last six years.

Rhiannon Williamson, director of Amberlamb, commented: "The market is still supporting overall capital appreciation."

She added that overseas property investors were increasing looking at areas such as Calabria, located in the south of the country.

The surge of interest in the province was largely attributed to budget airlines, as they had only recently begun offering direct flights from the UK.

Calabria has been widely cited as a good option for overseas investors by many sector analysts and experts, including real estate specialist Marco Rossi. Speaking recently to the Daily Record, he said the province's property market was growing fast, although some bargains were still available.
http://www.ready2invest.co.uk/

UK DOWNTURN BOOSTS OVERSEAS MARKET

2007-11-23T02:02:00.000-08:00

For years, overseas property markets have been earning high returns, often far greater than those to be achieved in the UK.

This ongoing trend is of course being boosted by the current slump in the UK property market. Its knock-on effect for the overseas market is set to be highly positive as more buyers are now looking to find better investments on foreign shores. Meanwhile, a growing market is brewing for those investors who have already bought property overseas and are now looking for buyers to snap up their off-plan contracts or re-sale properties.

In past years, overseas property has been largely reserved for wealthy buyers, purchasing investment properties or holiday homes abroad, but today the British economy is dictating a further shift from this trend towards overseas investments from all walks of life. There has been a significant increase also in the number of first time buyers who are obliged to buy more affordable property abroad initially, in a bid to take an otherwise unachievable first step onto the property ladder.

With the failing of UK pensions and stocks and shares as investment vehicles, the trend for overseas bricks and mortar has never been stronger. Indeed, today's Northern Rock crisis highlights a global lending market crisis; US banks are tightening their purse strings over sub-prime lending that has been seriously shrinking liquidity for borrowers in the UK.

Resort properties near golf and beach facilities with long tourist seasons are firm favourites for. Many over-hyped European destinations are featuring in today’s media but caution needs to be applied in areas where supply is clearly going to outweigh demand.

Carefully researched, affordable property in up-and-coming areas is proving to be a wiser choice, while it’s also important to remember that your ideal holiday destination may not necessarily offer the best returns: cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin or Budapest are offering high capital appreciation and rental yields over the medium to long term, and you will normally find options to suit most budgets. At best, property in the UK is currently offering approx. 8% p.a. growth, while cities such as Berlin will produce double these figures.

Tina Andlaw

BRAZIL TOURIST VISITORS UP

2007-11-23T01:22:00.000-08:00

According to figures released by the national tourism institute tourism visitor numbers to Brazil climbed in October, showing a 15.2% year-on-year increase, stats which bring good tidings for early bird investors into the country’s developing second home property market.

With 552,520 people arriving in the country, Brazil saw an increase from the 479,550 who visited the South American nation in previous October of 2006.

Many of those travellers arriving into Brazil arrived via regular flights operating to the country, some 18% more than the year earlier indicating a growing trend of package tourism visitors. The tourism institute said that this represented the second consecutive month in which the rate of growth was greater than the general average.

Despite international arrivals topping the 6.3m mark in 2006, the country’s tourism industry is predicting total number of visitors in 2007 should well exceed that of last year based on the current performance of Brazil’s travel industry so far this year.

Home to such iconic tourist locations as the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, and Copacabana beach, Brazil is the largest country in South America and will enjoy a further boost over the coming years with the build up to its role as host nation of the 2014 World Cup enjoying a tourism and real estate boom as travellers and property investors the world over seek new emerging destinations.
http://www.nubricks.com/

POLAND TAKES-OFF WITH NEW AIR ROUTES

2007-11-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

by Tina Andlaw

Poland may not exactly top the charts in terms of holiday hotspots, but it’s a fact that the property market here has been flourishing like never before. The introduction of Ryanair’s direct services to Bydgoszcz, Lodz, Poznan, Rzeszow and Katowice and easyJet flights to Warsaw, Gdansk and Krakow will further boost the country’s success as a strong investment arena.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors looked at the rates of house price growth in 26 European countries and found that all but two saw values increase during the year. Poland was the star performer, with prices rising a healthy 33% in 2006 (after having jumped 28% in 2005). Indeed, currency specialist HIFX has said that enquiries into Poland have been increasing each month – tripling since July – and the launch of new budget airline routes is likely to fuel this demand.

According to Savills, the average price of a property within ten miles of an airport served by a low-cost airline is generally 39% higher than those properties the same distance from other airports without budget carriers.

Poland takes-off

A cheap, well skilled, educated workforce continues to attract foreign companies to locate their businesses in EU cities such as Warsaw and Krakow. Since accession in 2004, foreign purchasers have been on the increase in the cities, cashing in on the situation while supply is still unable to keep up with demand. As a result prices are creeping upwards and investment growth potential still remains high. Many shrewd investors from Spain, Israel, Ireland and the UK have been purchasing packages of 20 to 50 units in one development and making the most of lucrative gains.

The EU has also decided to allocate €66.5bn of funds for Poland between 2007 and 2013. This is the highest budget allowed to any of the accession countries that joined the EU along with Poland in 2004, a fact which increases investor confidence and optimism in Poland’s prospects for economic growth.

Euro 2012 is an opportunity for Warsaw to promote itself in Europe and more importantly to improve and develop the city's infrastructure. This will include the construction of a second metro line, the renovation of railway stations and the extension of airport services.

According to the 2007 report issued by Ernst&Young, Poland is the seventh most desirable country in the world for foreign investment, behind such superpowers as China and the USA. Despite Germany and Great Britain ranking more highly in Europe, Poland continues to impress as an attractive investment destination in Central and Eastern Europe.

MOST POPULAR OVERSEAS PROPERTY DESTINATION - FRANCE

2007-11-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

France has seen an upsurge in popularity among those looking for property abroad, as improved transport links make the country more attractive to investors.

That is according to new research released by currency conversion specialists HiFX.

The country saw a 17 per cent increase in the number of property enquiries between August and September, and now accounts for some 28 per cent of all enquiries made to HiFX.

“France has always been a popular holiday home destination for Brits who enjoy the more relaxed French way of life,” said Mark Bodega, director at HiFX.

“However, it is now increasingly feasible for buyers to have the best of both worlds, living permanently in what was a holiday home and commuting back to the UK when necessary.”

The increase in popularity is attributes to faster rail connections between France and the UK by HiFX.

The new High Speed One section of the Eurostar line opened earlier this year - spanning the 68 miles from the entrance to the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone to St Pancreas in central London station – cutting journey times between the two capitals by 20 minutes.

Spain, the long-time front runner, has slipped to second place during September, and now receives 25 per cent of all property enquiries.

Portugal, Poland and Cyprus also saw their share of overseas property enquiries increase, with Poland now accounting for 12 per cent of all enquiries.

But it is France which has emerged as the frontrunner.

“We’ve noticed a particular rise in the number of people who perhaps spend two or three days a week working in the UK and the rest of the time living in their permanent homes in France,” said Mr Bodega.

“Property prices in France are around 30 per cent lower than those in the UK and those in the Pas de Calais region are typically a third less than in the rest of France.”

According to the Future Forum thinktank, 20 per cent of those moving to France plan to commute back to the UK.
http://www.aboutproperty.co.uk

NEW AIRPORT SET TO OPEN IN CAPE VERDE

2007-11-07T00:28:00.000-08:00

A new airport is has opened in overseas property hotspot Cape Verde.

The archipelago has become a popular investment location for Europeans and Americans looking for overseas property in the last five years and the country is now set to receive a further boost.

Boa Vista International Airport has opened on the island of Boa Vista, one of the 20 or so islands comprising Cape Verde.

The country's prime minister, José Maria Neves, opened the new airport as part of the government’s strategic programme to improve the local infrastructure and increase accessibility for the tourist industry.

The new airport offers a further inducement to invest in the islands - which are already proving attractive to investors with low entry costs and rental yields of up to nine per cent, according to overseas property investment analysts Assetz.

http://www.aboutproperty.co.uk

TURKEY IS TOP TEN PROPERTY DESTINATION

2007-10-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

Turkey is among the top ten destinations for those looking to invest in overseas property, according to one independent property advisor.

Paul Collins of Buy Association, an impartial organisation which offers overseas property advice, has named a number of factors which make Turkey a popular destination for those buying a home abroad.

He said Turkey had long been a favourite with British tourists and that regular, affordable air routes to gateways in the country had contributed to its popularity.

"There's a really big history of British tourists going there on holiday - we've been going there for 30-40 years - so that really helps," explained Mr Collins.

"Not only because people within resorts in Turkey are used to Brits going over there all the time, there are also regular flights and so on, so it makes it quite easy," he added.Homes Worldwide estimates the number of Brits owning property in Turkey at 17,000.

This article was brought to you by Nirvana International - Specialists in Property in Turkey

EASY ACCESS BRINGS MORE BUYERS

2007-10-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Faster trains to the Alps and direct flights to Cape Verde make buying more tempting.

Snow train coming
Eurostar trains from the new St Pancras International Terminal will mean faster access to ski chalets near Bourg St Maurice, the transport "hub" in the French Alps.

MGM is building apartments in the town centre, five minutes' walk (make that 10 if you're carrying skis) from the station. Le Grand Coeur will comprise four traditional-style chalets and 63 apartments, most with balconies giving mountain views.

First-class sking can be had nearby at Les Arcs (seven minutes by funicular railway), as well as Tignes, Val d'Isère and La Plagne.
Contact 020 7494 0706, http://www.mgm-constructeur.com/

Road to Santiago
From next week, you will be able to fly direct from the UK to Santiago, largest of the Cape Verde islands, west of Africa. A one-hour time difference means no jet lag, which ought to sugar the pill of a flight clocking in at five and a half hours.

The island was recently ranked top in an Expedia poll of tourist hotspots. But if you don't want to come home once your two weeks are up, then you could always invest there.

Sambala Resort is a development of colonial-style houses set along eight kilometres of virgin Atlantic coastline. The site, due to open next year, will incorporate villas, a hotel, golf, game-fishing and diving facilities. Phase One has sold out already, but the developers are keen to woo investors for Phase Two.
Contact http://www.sambaladevelopments.com/

Salt of the earth
In keeping with the Mauritian government's pledge to keep its tourism and investors "high-end, low-impact", it is restricting overseas owners to a minimum spend of $500,000. The first development since the ruling is Les Salines, on the west coast on the site of historic salt pans.
Prices for the luxury beachside homes, to be designed using traditional materials such as thatch, shingle tiles and wood, start at $848,000 (£418,350).

The resort claims that it will regenerate coastal forest and restore 1830s fortifications.
Contact http://www.lessalines.mu/, http://www.hamptons-int.com/

BRAZIL'S BOOMING TOURISM

2007-10-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

Many factors are aiding profits for Brazil property investment: increasing tourism- foreign direct investment, and land prices.

Brazil's tourism industry is booming with a 134% increase. Going forward, the government is focused on reaching a target of 9 million tourists each year.

With more and more people visiting the country, the demand for short-term rentals is also increasing, further stimulating demand for Brazil property investment.

A large number of quality resorts and developments are currently under construction in and around the north east coast, more notably in Natal and Maceio. However, there is still a shortfall in the housing market, with demand outstripping supply, equating to a shortage of approximate 8 million properties.

Foreigners have fuelled a real-estate boom, buying farmland along Brazil's expanding agricultural frontier and second homes along the north eastern coast.

Rolf Hackbart, President of Incra comments, "Foreigners have fuelled a real-estate boom, buying farmland along Brazil's expanding agricultural frontier and second homes along the north eastern coast,"

http://www.obeliskinternational.com/

SOUTH AFRICA ATTRACTING "ADVENTUROUS" INVESTORS

2007-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Investors looking further afield than more traditional overseas property markets are turning to South Africa, according to one expert.

Heath Adamson, sales and marketing director for International Property Solutions, said that the country was on the of the least expensive property markets in the world.

While South Africa offers a variety of attractions, Mr Adamson suggested many investors are looking for somewhere "a bit more exciting" to buy property.

"Our enquiries come from people who have visited the country and generally one visit is normally enough to win people over," he commented.

According to figures published by the South African government's statistics office, the value of recorded building plans rose by 16.3 per cent during the first eight months of 2006, compared with the same period in 2005.

Paul Collins, overseas editor of BuyAssociation, recently said that there were "more extensive" opportunities to make money from property investments overseas than in the UK.
http://www.fairinvestment.co.uk/

BUYING PROPERTY ABROAD?

2007-09-15T07:08:00.001-07:00

by Tina Andlaw

Purchasing property abroad is more popular than ever. If you’re buying a dream holiday home, buy-to-let investment or even moving lock, stock and barrel to the sun, our guide to buying property abroad will help you to address some important issues:

Avoid the Pitfalls

Before you even start looking for a property, it's worth asking yourself a few basic questions, which should save you time and money in the long run:

Do you prefer the town or country?

Do you want to be inland or on the coast?

Do you want to be isolated or in the thick of the action? Most people prefer to be within no more than an hour's travel time of a town and, if buying inland from coastal resorts, within 10 minutes of the beach.

Do you really want a renovation property? Who will be overseeing the work?

Will you really be using your holiday home as often as you dream?

If you wish to rent out your property, who will your renters be? Is there a good management agent in your area?

How much outside space do you want/can you maintain it?

Who are your neighbours and how close do you want to be to them?

Is there any other construction planned for the area and how will it effect you?

How close do you want to be to shops, bars and restaurants?

Where's the nearest public transport and how often does it run?

How close are you to the nearest airport? How much are flights to your chosen location?

How far is it to sports facilities, golf, tennis, swimming etc,?

How good are the local health and social services?

Arts and entertainment - what's available in the area?

How much are similar properties in your chosen area? Are you buying at above or below market value?

Have you done your sums? Be fully aware of all costs and payments due, particularly with off-plan purchase; ensure you will be able to pay the final installment should you be unable to sell on prior to completion.

Ensure you are making a good currency exchange on the day of transfer of funds. This can be done by choosing a professional money exchange broker to deal with the transaction.

Due Diligence

Information is power so when buying something as expensive and important as property, be sure you’re in full possession of all the facts.

· In the case of off-plan development, just who are the developers? Do they have a proven track record and are they providing you with a bona fide bank guarantee and insurance should the project fold?

· Be sure your particular off-plan property can be sold on prior to completion without penalty, as this is not always the case on every development and some will not publicise this fact to purchasers. You’ll be better off with your options left open so it’s advisable to avoid developments where selling on is not possible. Be aware that some developers say you can sell before completion but include a clause in the contract stating you may sell on only when they have sold all the other apartments within the development.

You may not be allowed to sell for a lower price than the remaining apartments, or they may require you to sell through the developer’s sales office who will then charge huge fees for the privilege! Developers normally charge 1-2% to transfer paperwork from one name to another and this is normally paid by the purchaser.

· Ownership is a key issue, especially in places such as Spain where land irregularities have been well-publicised, but it’s also of concern in other locations such as Bulgaria and Turkey and Hungary. Whether you’re purchasing a new or resale property, make entirely sure the person selling the property is indeed the owner of the property and the land by arranging to do a search at the local Land Registry. You can save legal fees by doing this in person.

· Some developers will offer pre-arranged mortgages as part of the off-plan deal. You’re not obliged to take this mortgage, although you will probably save some arrangement costs if you do so. It’s always wise to exercise caution and get competitive quotes from other mortgage suppliers before simply taking the Developer´s option.

Professional Advice

Qualified professionals are highly recommended to protect your interests and make the purchase of your new home a stress-free experience. Estate agents are a good source of advice but only negotiate with the ones that are officially registered and hold a license. Ensure you have a good lawyer with an excellent command of English and the native tongue to deal with all the unforeseen regulations in your country of choice. For example, did you know that if you're buying property in Spain you'll need to make out a will in Spanish before going ahead, and that you can inherit debts from a previous vendor?

Costs

Before you have decided on a property it's important to be fully aware of the legal process and costs involved in your purchase. Obtain professional advice and check your finances, while taking account of these additional costs.
Be well prepared with your finances; taxes can be high when buying property. Set up a direct debit from a native or local bank account to pay for bills. Be careful not to miss payments and read those red letters as foreign banks are not lenient with those who don't pay up in time. If you're considering renting out the property when it's empty, bear in mind that advertising in the UK for a property abroad could result in tax demands from both the English and foreign authorities.

Making an Offer

Make your offer in writing if possible (of course, subject to contract), and include not only the price, but also the amount of deposit, when you're prepared to pay it, when you expect to complete, what you understand to be included in the price (for example furniture and fittings if applicable) and, an often neglected point, that all machinery equipment and installations are in normal working order.
http://www.8gentdirectory.com/

BARCLAYS NOTES OVERSEAS PROPERTY BOOM

2007-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

The increase in Britons purchasing holiday homes is leading to about £4 billion of 'free holidays', Barclays claims.

According to overseas property arm Barclays Buying Abroad, an increasing number of consumers are taking advantage of friends' and family's second homes in order to go on budget vacations.

More than two-fifths (41 per cent) of UK citizens now regularly pay for flights only when going on holiday - with 13 per cent remaining friends in part due to the availability of the accommodation - the study shows.

"Buying abroad either as a permanent home or a holiday destination is now easier than ever before," asserts head of Barclays Buying Abroad Richard Exton.

"The market is flourishing and many more Brits are taking the plunge and purchasing."

Figures recently published by Barclays Buying Abroad showed that the number of overseas properties purchased by Britons has doubled in the past year - with the heavy summer rainfall identified as a likely cause.

MORTGAGES IN FRANCE FROM BRITISH BANKS

2007-08-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

France is one of the most popular European countries with British second home buyers – in part because of the geographic location of each nation in relation to the other – and in part because there is just something about the French culture, way of life and stunning countryside that appeals to the British mentality.

Now, if you’re considering relocating to France chances are you have an awful lot to get your head round such as finding the right location to live in, hunting for that dream home, seeking for information about the buying process – oh and learning French! Well, here’s some information for you to get your head round that will probably please you – it’s possible to get mortgages in France from British banks. This makes at least one of the most significant parts of your property process that much simpler!

Probably because the British affinity with France is just strong (I know, I know, there’s a rivalry as well as an affinity!), British banks have had a presence in France for a considerable amount of time in the mortgage market. One of the longest serving British banks offering mortgages in France is Barclays. Barclays have pretty much captured the European mortgage market for Brits buying abroad because they have made the most effort to offer the best service.

With Barclays’ mortgages in France you don’t just get an application form to fill in and then an impersonal decision based on fixed criteria – you get a one stop mortgage, money and relocation shop and a personal adviser to help you every step of the way.
Basically Barclays do have set criteria that a mortgage applicant should fulfil to get accepted – but in reality their mortgages and their lending decisions are flexible and based far more on what their client market demands than what ‘set in stone’ lending criteria dictate.
On top of offering mortgages in France for British buyers, Barclays will also sort out a British purchaser’s banking and savings accounts in France as well, they’ll provide detailed information about the buying process, they’ll offer ongoing personalised support to the applicant/customer and they have a wealth of local knowledge of the French property market which a potential buyer can really draw on.

The fact that you can get mortgages in France from British banks means that Brits now find it so much easier to determine what they can borrow from the comfort of their own home in the UK. This then means you know in advance what you can spend on your French property and you can conduct all of the boring but essential transactions and form filling duties from the UK before travelling to France for the nicer parts of the property buying process such as hunting for that dream French home.

If you click here, you are redirected to Barclays’ website where you complete your brief contact details and then an adviser will call you back and discuss how the bank can help you.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/

DUBAI PROPERTY EXECUTIVES TELL ALL

2007-07-26T01:01:00.001-07:00

Speculation about the bubble bursting in the Dubai real estate market owing to oversupply has led to concerns by overseas property investors. In 2010 the number of homes in the region is set to double to 530,000. The commercial sector is also expanding at a rapid rate with office space set to triple, so who is going to buy all this real estate? Dubai Property Executives explain how Dubai is as good as it gets with a huge future for investors in Dubai property.

Recent interviews with some of the most influential leaders in Dubai real estate reveal a completely different perspective. The July 07 edition of Estates Gazette Magazine http://www.estategazettesgroup/ reports on the views of executives from Jones Lang Le Salle, Nakheel and Dubai Properties.

Nakheel Chief Executive Chris O’Donnell ‘People do get a little concerned about Dubai, thinking we are just building and hoping we will sell the product on completion. But we sell product prior to starting construction. Everything you see at Palm Jumeriah has been sold” The Australian born CEO goes on to explain that his company will not commence a project until it has reached a threshold percentage that gives them a cash flow to enable them to build.

Property Developers Dubai Properties Chief Executive Mohammed Binbrek “We do not begin until the units are sold and then we ask for a 70% deposit.” When asked if he thought the Dubai market would crash with so much construction he replied “ Around 40% of the population is under 20 add this factor to a population that is growing it implies much more houses.

Jones Lang LaSalle executive Mark Thomas specialises in the residential market his response to worries concerning over supply was “We are asked that every day the answer is that demand from overseas is still coming. What has happened is price appreciation has slowed from 30 to 40 per cent to 10% per year. Land sale prices are holding up and are active”

Nicholas Marr CEO of international real estate portal Homesgofast.com “Dubai remains an exciting place to invest with huge potential. The market is no where near its peak; you just need to see what is planned for Dubai. A new giant airport, the worlds tallest buildings, a business area bought out by multi national companies, the worlds first sports city, theme parks set to challenge Disney in Florida to name but a few. International investors have largely paid cash for their Dubai Property and this makes them more resilient than in most markets.”

The current rental yields on Dubai real estate are high by global standards at 7-10 per cent which reflect the fact that this is a new and immature market. In the long run a return to rental yields more in line with comparable international markets should be expected.

http://www.homesgofast.com/

2007-07-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

BULGARIA'S SOFIA SET TO BE A NEW OVERSEAS PROPERTY HOTSPOT
04/07/2007

Bulgaria’s capital city, Sofia, could be the next big thing in property investment, according to independent European property investment analysts, Property Secrets.

Although Bulgaria has been pegged as one of Europe’s best investment opportunities for the last few years, there has always been a focus on coastal and ski resorts. But now, says Property Secrets, it is the cities that are big news.“We believe the real opportunity in Bulgaria lies, as it does in other markets in central and Eastern Europe, in the cities, and in particular Sofia,” says Property Secrets.“Demand for property in the cities is driven by three factors: the emerging middle classes who provide the demand for modern apartments, plus increasing affluence coupled with the supply of capital in the form of mortgage lending.

We are currently seeing all these trends in Sofia.”Property Secrets says it believes there are a number of factors why Bulgaria - communist until 1989 - in particular has become such a good investment, which include the country’s stable political, economic and social climate and the fact it has some of the lowest operational costs and tax rates in Europe. “The property boom started in Sofia, and then moved to the coast - Varna - and the ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo followed,” says Property Secrets, “And we believe there is great potential for sustainable long term growth in Bulgaria, especially in Sofia and other key cities. “At Property Secrets we see great potential in Sofia as a property investment hot spot for the future.

All the fundamental factors are in place for Sofia to grow in the same way as other emerging CEE cities have previously done.“Old stock and limited supply of new developments will see increased growth in 2007. If mortgage lending continues to grow at such rapid rates as previously, the amount of lending in absolute terms will quickly reach a critical mass to drive price growth very fast indeed.”

http://www.fairinvestment.co.uk/

BRITS LOOKING AT MORE "EXOTIC" OVERSEAS PROPERTY

2007-07-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

04 July 2007

Improving travel networks have meant that people wishing to invest in foreign property are shifting their attention away from traditional destinations, it has been claimed.While "exotic" locations may primarily be the domain of professional investors at the moment, people looking to buy holiday homes or places for retirement may soon join them as air travel becomes more convenient, Investors Provident has said.

According to the property company, investors are turning their attention to locations such as Morocco and Egypt, which may also mean that more opportunities are created for people looking to buy permanent residences in established countries such as France and Spain.
"People are considering far-out locations - especially with air travel becoming cheaper as well. People are willing to travel more," said Hetal Shah, director of Investors Provident.
Recent research by Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking found that the overseas property market has seen an influx of "dream-chasers" in recent years - people who are looking to buy abroad for lifestyle rather than investment reasons.

http://www.safestore.co.uk/

Thailand - Today a Strong Investment Opportunity

2007-07-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Thailand's successful recovery from the devastating Tsunami in December 2004 highlights its steady economic growth, substantial inward foreign investment and the elevated interest in the country as an investment location.

Two and a half years since the devastating Tsunami of the Indian Ocean in December 2004, Thailand has progressively recovered its former economic vigour, strengthened by increased government spending, moderate export growth, real GDP growth of 4.5% (in 2005) and substantial inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). Recent economic growth in Thailand registered a healthy 4.3% increased growth in the fourth quarter of 2006 and first quarter of 2007, surpassing more moderate predictions of 4%.

In a further illustration of the resurgence of this Asian Dragon foreign investment has played a crucial role in the recuperation of the region, with investment levels serving as a key indicator to whether a country's economic and political situation is heading in the right direction. Thailand received US$7.9 billion in FDI inflows during 2006, a startling 213% increase on 2005 net figures of US$3.7 billion.

Although investment levels are expected to reduce slightly in 2007, there is continued interest in Thailand as an investment opportunity, partly due to the country's strength in skill based production, which it holds an advantage over China and Vietnam. Additionally, the Thai Board of Investment has already approved 181 foreign investments equating to US$2 billion between January and May this year. The value of these investments is 65% higher in comparison to the same period in 2006.

Thailand's solid economy coupled with its renowned reputation as an attractive tourist destination is having a positive affect on the Thai property market, providing some excellent opportunities for the overseas property investor. Particular popularity is currently seen in resort developments, not only with foreign buyers but also Thai residents, both nationals and the thriving Ex-Pat community, giving an inherent exit strategy for those investors looking to buy and sell for pure capital appreciation. Buy and hold investors can be just as confident as rental yields have been steadily growing for apartments and condominiums in key areas and cities.

The country's significant economic and political stability places Thailand firmly on the radar for further, substantial foreign investment and as a prime destination offering attractive overseas real estate investment opportunities for a broad range of investors.
http://www.obeliskinternational.com/

LOW HOUSE PRICES IN AUSTRALIA

2007-06-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

As more and more Britons choose to look beyond the traditional foreign holiday hotspots of France and Spain for a holiday home, so the southern hemisphere has experienced a surge in demand, Escapes2.com has revealed.

The stability of the country together with the fact that buyers do not have a language barrier to cross have made Australia an attractive prospect for British investors.

The comments follow a recent survey by HiFX Global Property Hotspot which revealed the number of enquiries about investing in Australia had doubled since last year.

Paul McMullan, web manager for Escapes2.com, said the Australian property market was "driven largely by price"."You're looking at £100,000 for a three or four bedroom house in certain areas."

And those longing for some luxury in the Antipodean sun will not be disappointed: "You can get a three bed detached house with a pool for about £150,000 in Australia. In the UK you'd probably struggle to get a terraced house for that," Mr McMullan said.