Property investors should consider community-focussed properties

Property investors should consider investing in property that has a community spirit.

According to leading overseas property expert Giles Gale, people are less taken by properties in isolated complexes and those investing in property in Spain or Italy should consider houses and flats that are more integrated into the local way of life.

Mr Gale told the Daily Telegraph that the more people than ever before who live or holiday abroad have a grasp of the local language and expect properties that are not housed in "English ghettos".

He cites the example of a major, integrated golf-resort housing tract in Portugal, which has performed well during the recent economic turmoil.

"Prices on the resort have barely fallen as a consequence, with villas costing from £750,000, unlike the secondary golf resorts in the Algarve. Prices have fallen there by 30 per cent," he told the news provider.

According to Shelter Offshore, demand for holiday homes in France is consistently strong, but investors have to hunt for bargains.

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