International Property News

Bulgaria will pull in more EU investors, says expert

Bulgaria's entry into the EU has boosted the confidence of overseas investors in the real estate sector, one expert has said.

According to Andrew MacDowall, editorial manager of the Oxford Business Group in Bulgaria, 29 per cent of real estate sales in the country are made to foreigners, mainly the British and Irish....
Monday, April 30, 2007

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Spanish property market 'will bounce back'

Recent forecasts of house price falls in Spain will not impact upon the average British investor, according to one property specialist.

Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, believes that a property price correction will lead to a healthier housing market and steady growth in the long-term....
Monday, April 30, 2007

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Phuket property market 'is recovering well'

Despite the damage caused by the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, the real estate market on the Thai island of Phuket is pulling in foreign investors, a property website has said.

According to Thailand Real Estate & Property Guide, overseas and Thai investors are pushing up land and property prices as the tourism sector starts to improve

Real-estate consultants have said that investment from foreigners is continuing to outpace local interest, while at the same time, tourists flock to the island's beaches and are staying for longer than did before the tsunami disaster....
Monday, April 30, 2007

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Burgundy ripe with developable properties

The outstanding investment potential of the Burgundy region of the south of France is often overlooked by short-sighted investors, according to a spokesperson for property specialists Rightmove.

Local competition for investors in the Burgundy property market is curbed because purchase prices are often too high for French citizens looking for a home....
Friday, April 27, 2007

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Long-term investment opportunities possible in Spain

In spite of anxiety about the possibility of a coming Spanish property crash, buying a house there now remains a good proposition for the long-term, according to some market analysts.

Economists at Lombard Street Research this week warned that the Spanish housing market was "about to implode" under the pressure of over-investment and excessive supply....
Friday, April 27, 2007

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'French dream could soon match that of Spain'

Market activity across the Channel is starting to increase the possibility of there being a "French property dream", according to one expert.

British buyers, who are increasingly favouring France as a destination for property investment are now looking to France, says Rightmove....
Friday, April 27, 2007

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Low living costs in Bulgaria 'pulling in the tourists'

Bulgaria is becoming a popular choice for British travellers because of its low cost of living, a new study has shown.

According to the Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer, Bulgaria is significantly cheaper than most other European holiday destinations....
Thursday, April 26, 2007

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Cape Verde 'could be the next Spain'

The islands of Cape Verde could be destined to become the next Spain, an investment firm has said.

According to Majestic Group Investments, seasoned property investors who have benefited from the lucrative French and Spanish markets are seeking new countries to invest in, such as Cape Verde....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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Banco Halifax Hispania launches "switch and save" deal

Banco Halifax Hispania has launched a new "switch and save" service, enabling British expatriates with Spanish property to transfer their mortgage to the bank without paying any switching costs....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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Moneycorp full of praise for Cyprus market

The property market in Cyprus has been "something of a phenomenon in recent years", according to one expert.

Vasilios Dimarakis, head of overseas operations at foreign exchange firm Moneycorp, which has just opened a new office in Cyprus, has said that the country exhibits stable but healthy growth....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

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Savvy investors 'should look to inland Spain'

Investors in Spanish property are being urged to look inland to find the best hotspots.

According to website Easier Property, Spain is still the top choice for overseas buyers, but the coasts have become overcrowded and overbuilt....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

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Real estate figures show Spain 'is at the top of the game'

Investor returns in the Spanish real estate market are continuing to accelerate, new figures have shown.

According to Investment Property Databank (IPD), returns in Spain grew by 17.4 per cent last year....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

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Turkey is a good place to business, say investors

A new survey has highlighted Turkey as a dynamic market for investors, due to the country's strong market opportunities and economic stability.

According to the 2007 Survey on Business and Investment Climate in Turkey, conducted by GfK Turkiye for the American Business Forum in Turkey, 96 percent of investors believe that Turkey has "great" market potential....
Monday, April 23, 2007

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Beware of currency fluctuations, investors warned

Britons who have bought an overseas property and are leaving the UK to live there are being urged to take steps to protect their finances.

In response to statistics from the Office for National Statistics that show over 500 Brits are leaving the country every day, currency specialists HiFX is warning that currency fluctuations could erode a buyer's assets....
Monday, April 23, 2007

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Eastern Europe is not a "horse-and-cart economy"

Many UK buyers think of eastern European countries, such as Bulgaria, as "horse-and-cart economies" but are slowly wising up to the potential investment opportunities, according to Offplan Millionaire....
Monday, April 23, 2007

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Overseas home purchases 'driven by investment hopes'

A total of 53 per cent of Brits who buy a property overseas do so for investment purposes, a new survey has revealed.

According to joint research by Savills and holiday-rentals.co.uk, investment motives are a key driver in the acquisition of an overseas home, with rental potential being the most important financial consideration....
Friday, April 20, 2007

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Property firm reports "increased activity" in Brazil

An overseas property portal that promotes international real estate has reported increased activity in the Brazilian market.

Homesgofast.com said that the property market in Brazil is changing as buyers move away from off-plan investments in favour of land purchases....
Friday, April 20, 2007

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Equest Balkan Property benefits from buoyant Bulgaria market

Cheap property in Bulgaria has boosted the fortunes of a Balkan property company, a British newspaper has claimed.

According to the Independent, Equest Balkan Property "is fast becoming one of the biggest players in the Balkan commercial property arena" after it released its full-year results....
Friday, April 20, 2007

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New finance law 'will open up Turkish market'

Investing in Turkey is set to become more popular following changes in the country's laws, an online estate agent has said.

According to RightmoveOverseas, the introduction of mortgages for non-residents will result in an influx of foreigners buying homes on the Turkish coast....
Thursday, April 19, 2007

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Act now to benefit from strong pound, investors told

With the pound now at 2 USD level for first time in 15 years, British investors planning to buy property in countries where the dollar is the currency of choice should seek advice on how best to take advantage of the exchange rate....
Thursday, April 19, 2007

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Australia scores well in property rights league table

When it comes to legal rights and protection, Australia is one of the best countries in the world to invest in property, a new survey has revealed.

According to latest International Property Rights Index, Australia is in the top ten nations that have the best protection rules....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

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Malaysia announces property investment measures

The Malaysian government has announced new measures in order to boost investment in the country's property sector.

One of the strategies is to speed up approvals for development applications from three or five years to six months....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

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Overseas property ? "pure" investment or lifestyle choice?

There are normally two reasons why people buy overseas property ? "pure" investment or those buying for "lifestyle" reasons, according to property consultancy Knight Frank.

Liam Bailey, head of residential research, believes that people are either looking to buy somewhere that will outperform the UK investment market or are buying a property to use as a holiday home "and then with an eye to retirement"....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

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1 in 4 property enquiries 'are about France'

France accounted for more than a quarter of overseas property enquiries in March, a new survey has found.

According to currency specialists HiFX, 27 per cent of enquiries from Brits looking for an overseas property were in regard to France....
Tuesday, April 17, 2007

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Brazil is 'a pleasant surprise' for investors

A strengthening currency and low property prices are attracting British investors to the Brazilian market, a real estate portal has said.

According to Homesgofast.com, land in Brazil is "unbelievably cheap", while the real estate market is also performing well....
Tuesday, April 17, 2007

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Don't get stung in Spain, investors told

Investors who rush over to Spain "to make their fortune" are being urged to seek professional advice, according to 1st Property Investment.

Managing director Andy Smith said that many Brits buy a property in Spain without proper preparation and get "stung" by the lack of transparency in many investments and transactions....
Monday, April 16, 2007

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Interest in Australian property on the up, says survey

Australia is proving to be a popular destination with those Brits who are hoping to buy an overseas property, a new survey has revealed.

According to the latest HiFX Global Property Hotspot study, the percentage of enquiries regarding an Australian purchase has doubled since the beginning of the year....
Monday, April 16, 2007

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Brazilian beach-front land 'a hit with investors'

There has been growing activity from foreign investors in the Brazilian property market in the last 12 months, Homesgofast.com has said.

According to Nicholas Marr, spokesperson for the online firm, investments in land, particularly beach-front land, is becoming increasingly popular, while off-plan investments are now less favoured....
Monday, April 16, 2007

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Spanish property firm extends its overseas portfolio

The Sara Service Spain, a Spanish property listings web site, has added overseas investment developments and homes to its online portfolio of property in Spain, it has emerged.

Property investors can now avail themselves of a wide range of international investment opportunities ranging from Italy to Malaysia to Brazil....
Friday, April 13, 2007

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Holidaymakers 'should invest in favourite locations'

Brits who repeatedly return to the same region for their holidays might do well to invest in a second home, according to MRI Overseas Property.

Research by the firm has shown that Brits spend a total of £65 billion on holidays every year and almost 73 per cent return to the same place at least twice....
Friday, April 13, 2007

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Spanish investors 'could be due a refund'

British investors who have paid money towards capital gains tax for a property that they sold in Spain could be in a position to receive a refund should the move collapse, one firm has said.

Property vendor Valuvillas has welcomed news that the Spanish government has significantly reduced the levels of capital gains on property sales conducted by foreign investors....
Friday, April 13, 2007

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Luxury property in Bulgaria 'has longevity'

Investors are increasingly snapping up luxury properties because they have the longevity to appeal to other buyers in secondary and resale markets, according to real estate company MRI Overseas Property....
Thursday, April 12, 2007

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Property markets in eastern Europe 'on the rise'

Eastern Europe is still "embryonic" when it comes to property investment, but the market is set to mature, according to consultancy Knight Frank.

Although the likes of Spain, France, Italy and Portugal still dominate the overseas property investment market, UK buyers are increasingly looking eastwards to Bulgaria when the market is already established....
Thursday, April 12, 2007

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Off-plan investments in Spain 'still attractive'

Buying properties overseas for the purpose of renting them out is a great opportunity for investors, one organisation has said.

According to Sara Service Spain, buying properties in Europe, especially Mediterranean areas, is still popular with investors....
Thursday, April 12, 2007

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Overseas investors 'to benefit from property tax changes'

The idea of buying an overseas residence through a company will become even more popular following a tax u-turn by the government, a property firm has said.

According to Assetz, chancellor Gordon Brown's latest Budget reveals that the government is set to scrap UK tax on property bought through a company....
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

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Cape Verde investors 'enjoying large returns'

One of the main reasons to buy property in Cape Verde is the potential for large capital returns, according to escapes2.com.

The overseas property website said that capital growth on the islands is running at 15 per cent, while rental opportunities are as strong as they are on the Canary Islands....
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

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Investors looking to eastern Europe 'as alternative to UK'

Soaring property prices in the UK mean that investors are being compelled to look overseas for more affordable investments, Savills has said.

According to the property advisor, booming property prices in most British cities have led to "investor caution", with some investors already priced out of the market....
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

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Investors given Spanish off-plan purchase advice

British property investors are being told it is essential that legal advice is sought and a bank guarantee is given to safe-guard against any problem with foreign off-plan projects.

According to PropertyAbroad....
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

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Cape Verde 'a golfing hotspot'

Cape Verde is hoping that a multi-million pound investment in five new golf resorts will help to give tourism in the area a welcome boost and draw new investors to the area.

Three times major winner Ernie Els and six times major winner Nick Faldo will help to design the new golf resorts as part of a £1....
Thursday, April 05, 2007

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Cyprus an attractive market for the over-50s

Northern Cyprus is becoming a property hotspot for the over 50s, according to a leading overseas property expert.

With tourist numbers in the area growing "year on year", Investors Provident said that the north of the island is attracting many more Brits looking to retire....
Thursday, April 05, 2007

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Risk adverse investors 'choose France'

Brits looking to play it safe should look to France as a destination for a solid property investment, according to a leading overseas property company.

Research from Invest in Property reveals that France is the ideal location for older or more risk adverse investors with limited investment capital as well as those with little or no risk capital at all....
Thursday, April 05, 2007

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North Cyprus 'more appealing than the south'

Northern Cyprus is proving to be a far more attractive destination for property investors than the south of the country, one expert said.

According to Hetal Shah, the director of Investors Provident, property in the north is a lot cheaper than it is in the south....
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

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Don't take risks when buying Spanish property, investors told

The consequences of not seeking legal advice when buying a house, apartment or villa in Spain are "just not worth it", a property website has warned.

According to Property Abroad, the most important part of buying a property in Spain is making sure you understand the documents that are being signed and that a translation is available....
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

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Thailand an 'attractive long-haul investment prospect'

British property investors should seriously consider expanding their horizons and choose a more far-flung destination to enhance their portfolio, an expert has said.

Peter Conradi, editor of the Sunday Times property section, has said that long-haul destinations such as Thailand are particularly attractive because they offer cheap property prices, a long rental season and affordable flight access....
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

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First-timers 'opting for European markets'

Europe is more of an attractive option than Australia for first-time buyers looking to buy property abroad because of its location and stable markets, according to BuyAssociation.

The property website said that first-time buyers who are buying overseas generally stick "closer to home" because it easier to monitor the application process in a country like Spain....
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

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Bulgaria emerges as an investment favourite

Bulgaria has emerged as the latest European hotspot for British investors hoping to buy an overseas property, a new report has revealed.

According to Moneycorp's new Foreign Focus Index (FFI), 12 per cent of Brits buying abroad are seriously considering Bulgaria and are spending around 90,000 EUR (£61,000) on a typical property....
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

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Don't go it alone, Spanish buyers told

Buyers of Spanish property are being urged to prepare their investment carefully and employ a good lawyer or use a member of Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC), a website has advised....
Monday, April 02, 2007

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Australian market popular but difficult, says expert

The Australian market is proving very popular with UK property buyers looking to emigrate, despite a general lack of knowledge about the investment process, according to a spokesman from BuyAssociation....
Monday, April 02, 2007

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