Source: GlobeSt.com
Archive for March, 2006
Moroccan Government Signs $9B Deals
by Overseas Property Mall on Friday, March 31st, 2006 in Morocco Property, Property Industry News
Buyers hunt piste of the action
by Overseas Property Mall on Friday, March 31st, 2006 in UK Overseas Property Trends
Source: thisismoney.co.uk
France and Spain top with overseas property buyers
by Overseas Property Mall on Friday, March 31st, 2006 in French Property, Overseas Property Trends, Spanish Property
France and Spain remain the most popular choice for overseas property buyers, according to a new survey.
This is because the majority of British overseas property buyers are ‘traditionalists’ who see their overseas purchase either as a holiday home or somewhere to retire to.
But a growing number of more adventurous Brits and hot spot investors are driving up the popularity of more far-flung destinations like Canada, Bulgaria and New Zealand.
Foreign currency specialist HIFX reports that France and Spain made up almost half (43 per cent) of all its currency transactions for buying property abroad in March.
Australia was in third place with 11 per cent of transactions, followed by Bulgaria (ten per cent), USA (four per cent), Canada (two per cent) and South Africa (one per cent).
The majority of Brits are looking for an overseas property that can be used for regular holidays, is easily rentable, with cheap flights, and offers a quick escape to the sun.
Those considering retiring abroad are also looking for a well established expat community to help them feel at home.
But HIFX has identified a more adventurous group of Brits – the adventurers – who are buying overseas property in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
This group does not mind travelling long distances in search of a more exotic location than the traditionalists, and often consider emigrating to their holiday home at some point.
For this reason they do not want the hassle of a language barrier and are seeking somewhere that is culturally similar to that of the UK.
A further group of Brits – hot spot investors – are buying overseas property primarily for financial gain.
They are looking to places like Bulgaria and Dubai, which could offer excellent investment returns because they are up-and-coming holiday destinations and have rising house prices.
HIFX marketing director Mark Bodega said: “People buy abroad for many different reasons but they tend to fall into three main categories.
“For some it’s an emotional decision based on a lifelong dream, for others it’s an exciting step into the unknown and for some it’s simply a financial investment.”
Source: AboutProperty.co.uk
The Observer launches Sunday property supplement
by Overseas Property Mall on Sunday, March 26th, 2006 in UK Overseas Property Trends, UK Property
LONDON – The Observer will unveil a new Sunday property supplement on March 26, aimed at readers looking to buy property at home and abroad. Property, edited by Observer journalist Jill Insley, is planned as a five times a year full-colour supplement and will be published to coincide with peak times in the property market, beginning with the start of spring, a traditionally busy period in the market.
The Observer says Property will include practical advice on a range of issues affecting the property market, including eco-friendly housing, urban regeneration, student accommodation and buying abroad. Articles on luxury homes in Morocco and Bulgaria are likely to feature in the early editions.
Stuart Taylor, commercial director at Guardian Newspapers, said: “This vibrant new property supplement draws upon the editorial strength of The Observer to give advertisers a chance to reach a previously untapped element of the property market.” The Observer Property supplement will also be published on May 7, May 28, September 10 and October 29.
It follows The Telegraph’s recent London Property supplement aimed at buyers in London and the South East.
Homebuyer wooed by mystery buyer
by Overseas Property Mall on Sunday, March 26th, 2006 in Property Exhibitions & Events, UK Overseas Property Trends
Exhibitions company Homebuyer Events, which organises exhibitions for residential property investors, is considering a sale of the business, the Daily Telegraph has learnt.
It is understood that Homebuyer Events has appointed corporate finance boutique Media Mergers to advise the company on a potential sale following an unsolicited approach from a mystery buyer. Sources said the company is likely have an operating profit of around £2m and could be sold for £15m-£20m.
Homebuyer Events, which organises exhibitions in London, Manchester and Scotland, was founded by entrepreneurs Nick Clark and Michael Bridge in the early 1990s. Mr Bridge has since left the company but remains a shareholder.
Potential buyers for the company could include business-to-business publishers such as Centaur, United Business Media and Emap, according to banking sources. DMG World Media, DMGT’s exhibitions division, was also tipped as a potential acquirer.
Approximately 50pc of Homebuyer Event’s shows are dedicated to overseas property investing, which has become increasingly popular among Britons.
Source: Ben Harrington Telegraph
France remains a top choice for investors
by Overseas Property Mall on Sunday, March 26th, 2006 in French Property
In recent years, there has undoubtedly been a significant shift in investment attitudes within the UK, with a growing number now prepared to buy property in emerging markets.
With Bulgaria attracting a huge amount of interest from investors keen on making the most of the forthcoming accession to the European Union, it is perhaps unsurprising that it has almost stolen the thunder from some of the more traditional investment choices.
Regularly compared to Spain in the 1980s, Bulgaria certainly has huge potential for growth, helped by the fact that it now has an enviable reputation not only for the beauty of the Black Sea resorts but also for its stunning ski slopes.
Nonetheless, France should not be ignored, according to property developer Trisha Mason, not least because it is a much more stable market.
“Fashion has pointed to such countries as Bulgaria or Romania where the entry price is a lot lower but where there is no clear exit strategy,” wrote Ms Mason in an article for 999 Today.
“Whilst such emerging markets may be interesting for a good value holiday home, for the property investor they could be a cause of concern,” she suggested.
Many investors would dispute the claim, and there are certainly numerous case studies of individuals making huge gains on their investments in Bulgaria.
At the same time, however, it is undeniable that France represents the safer bet at the moment and it is certainly a choice that boasts several advantages over its European rivals.
Primarily, according to Ms Mason, France has a stable market and also has a proven track record. Property investors, while notoriously keen on speculating, also like to see evidence of former growth and France can certainly illustrate this.
Last year, the country enjoyed capital growth of around 15 per cent, while experts are predicting a further nine to 11 per cent growth this year. While some areas in Bulgaria are likely to see growth well in excess of this figure, the unpredictability of the market means that the risk factor is fairly high.
Ms Mason has also pointed to the fact that France has extremely good rental investment potential, because of its status as a leading country for tourism. When investors consider the fact that there is continuously high demand for property in France, it is difficult to argue with the fact that it remains a European hotspot.
A further advantage of France is the leaseback scheme, which has been supported by Assetz managing director Stuart Law. It was originally conceived in an attempt to boost tourism and construction in the country and it has developed into a favourite investment policy for many from the UK in particular.
As recapped by Ms Mason, the French government will refund the VAT of 19.6 per cent after the contract is signed, while investors also have the advantage of being able to rely on the rental company to look after the property in terms of cleaning and maintenance.
With freehold property available as well, France certainly offers an impressive range of options for investors and there is no doubting its status as a leading European investment choice.
At the same time, savvy property investors will be keeping a close eye on Bulgaria and other emerging markets, with most analysts expecting significant growth within the next decade.
Source: Assetz News
Huge turnout at Homebuyer Show
by Overseas Property Mall on Sunday, March 26th, 2006 in Property Exhibitions & Events
MORE THAN 20,000 people visited one of the UK’s biggest overseas property shows, where North Cyprus and Turkey were among the most represented locations. Around 20 firms selling property in North Cyprus and Turkey were represented in the ‘Turkish Village’ at the Homebuyer show, held at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands at the weekend.
Prominent property developers on display included North Cyprus International, Noyanlar Construction, Levent Homes and Construction, Regnum and Seacliff Village. Jeff Osborne, Sales Manager of Levent Homes and Construction told the London Turkish Gazette: “We’ve had a lot of interest today. Each day of the exhibition is different.
We tend to get the more serious buyers visiting on a Friday, when they know there will be fewer people, so more time to talk to developers. Often Friday visitors have taken a day off work to come and look at the different properties and locations. Weekends tend to be busier, but also attract a lot of browsers.” Jamie Lester, Director of North Cyprus International said: “I first started looking at developing in North Cyprus during the referendum in 2004. The political climate and recent developments have shown it to be an emerging market… and it helps that it’s very beautiful.”
Source: Londra Gazete



