Wednesday, August 27, 2008

With Encouraging Tourist Figures, Majorca Hasn T Been Resting On Her Laurels

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Spain s Majorca real estate has been popular for several decades now, with many Europeans who have holidayed on the Spanish island deciding to buy a second home for holidays, or for retirement, a business. Official figures for Majorca holidays this year indicate an increase in tourist numbers by between five and seven per cent.



Prices have risen on the island as buyers- mainly British and German- have moved in, but there are mixed signals coming from the property and tourist sectors, which could see a freeze in Majorca property inflation, and possibly even a dip in prices in the near future. And it is from the pool of holidaymakers where property sales often happen a few months later, as some visitors like the island so much they decide to look into buying an apartment or villa, with some even retiring to the island, or buying a business. Cheap Majorca flights have been running for some years now, and even with increased air tax in the UK, Majorca is easily accessible from more than a dozen airports in the UK for property owners and tourists alike, with a flight time of under two hours, allowing a market for weekend homes for overseas property buyers. With the increase in visitor numbers, property demand should in theory be good. Although one of the earliest package holiday destinations with tour companies, Majorca has had new competition in recent years from the former Soviet Bloc countries in Eastern Europe, that are now able to offer cheap holidays to the British market, and for the property market countries like Croatia and Bulgaria have been able to offer apartments and villas at a fraction of the price Majorca can offer. Domestic Market.


In response, the island has fought back showing it s not just the weather in Majorca that attracts property buyers, but a well established market with the infrastructure in place to protect overseas investors money. Any slow down or possible reversal of property prices could be welcomed by the local Majorca population. This has led to some protests, with a demonstration against plans for more development in Majorca being held earlier in the year, with the belief that developers will destroy what is left of Majorca s open spaces, and rendering the map of Majorca unrecognisable in years to come. They have seen the price of property in Majorca escalate, and many have been priced out of buying their own home. With encouraging tourist figures, Majorca hasn t been resting on her laurels. Similarly, neighbouring island Menorca is hosting a Classic Yachts weekend, with entrants expected from across Europe, with the event boosting occupancy for Majorca hotels. This summer s SuperCup yachting event has seen the appointed of an experenced race organiser, in an attempt to make the event more high profile.


Of the three Balearic Islands, Ibiza comes top for spending per tourist according to official recent statistics, reaching nearly a hundred Euros a day per tourist, and Menorca third, with Majorca second. Current prices for property in Majorca include brand new 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartments in Puerto Pollensa at 285, a country house, 000 Euros with its own pool at 1, 000 Euros, 500, and a three bedroom three bathroom villa with its own pool at 900, 00

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Buying Properties Such As A Mallorca Country House Is Extremely Popular Especially Among Retired Couples Who Find Spain A Great Place To Live - Melody Silvis's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Spanish authorities have declared that more than 140, 000 people from UK alone are living in Spain, with the vast majority owning Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Mallorca properties. Truth be told, who can resist beautiful beaches, sun throughout the year and one of the lowest costs of living in Europe?

How Can You Reach The Agent - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

It seems like buying a home in El Centro should be easy, right? Unfortunately, if you aren t represented in the sales process, your real estate purchase can become a real nightmare.

For Example, If A Housing Area Is Depreciating, It My Justify Asking For A Lower Price - Finance and Real Estate:

Real estate is one of the most expensive things that people buy. V. s and even cars.

Monday, August 25, 2008

RSH Purchasers Have Become Major Components In The Tourism And Property Markets In Spain, Florida And Australia S Gold Coast

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

For the last 30 years South East Asian countries have competed to attract tourists.



Part of this strategy is to attract retirement and second home( RSH) purchasers, according to a recent report from CB Richard Ellis Thailand. Today the focus is on quality not just quantity. RSH purchasers have become major components in the tourism and property markets in Spain, Florida and Australia s gold coast. Competition between countries is intensifying but significant obstacles still remain in particular foreign ownership of property, availability of property loans for foreigner, and visas. The RSH market is growing in South East Asia. The benefits of the RSH market are that once a property is purchased, repeat visits by the buyer are guaranteed avoiding the growing competition to attract tourists.


Thailand has been at the forefront of retirement and second home development centred in Phuket and the Andaman coast, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Cha Am, and Koh Samui. The length of stay is longer and more money is spent on local goods and services. Thailand offers an attractive combination of quality of living compared to cost but still has restrictive property ownership rules. Malaysia has been the most aggressive country in providing an attractive property ownership, property financing and visa structure. Thailand is facing growing competition from Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, Malaysia to attract RSH purchasers. The" Malaysia My Second Home Programme" allows foreign ownership of land with houses, the ability for foreigners to borrow money to fund a property purchase and a ten year visa.


Singapore as well as developing two integrated resorts with casinos to attract visitors also has Sentosa Cove, a resort development aimed specifically at foreigners. In 2006, 8, 700 people had successfully applied for the" Malaysia My Second Home Programme" . Overseas buyers are permitted to own a 99- year lease for land with houses. Vietnam allows foreigners 50- year leases. This is the only place in Singapore where foreign land ownership is permitted although there is no restriction on foreign ownership of condominium developments. The RSH market is destined to grow driven not only by expatriates working in Asia, but also by Asian buyers. These medical tourists could also become RSH purchasers particularly as countries like India look at relaxing controls on investment overseas. "Thailand faces growing competition to attract RSH purchasers from other countries that can offer an attractive combination of quality and cost of living.


Thailand has enjoyed huge growth in medical tourism driven by Middle East and South Asian demand for good quality, reasonably priced medical care. This competition means that, in order to succeed, countries will have to offer attractive property ownership, property financing and visa regulations, " according to Mr. Thailand has introduced a retirement visa and about 12, 000 foreigners had successfully applied in the first seven months of 200 The RSH market will to continue to grow. James Pitchon, Executive Director at CB Richard Ellis Thailand. The strongest growth will be from Asian buyers. India has also relaxed its conditions for its nationals investing overseas.


In 2007, the Korean government relaxed conditions for Korean nationals investing in property overseas and CB Richard Ellis has already seen an increase in Korean demand for Thai property. As the market becomes more competitive countries will need to examine property ownership and financing restrictions as well as visa policies to fully benefit from the booming RSH market.

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What Would Cause A Property To Be Under Rented - Finance and Real Estate:

A common mistake of investors is the way they evaluate a potential investment properties.

How Do Home Buyers Get Caught In This Trap - Tanya Tremble's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Buying a home shouldn t be a hassle, time consuming, an aggravation, or costly. The reasons why?

Perhaps You Will Even Turn Around And Sell The Investment Property, Either Way You Will Be Getting Your Moneys Worth Out Of It - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

So after many months or even years of thinking and after reading tons of tips for buying investment property abroad you have finally decided to buy the investment property abroad.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

The Best Places To Live In Galveston County Are The First Three Or Four Blocks Away From The Beach

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

Galveston is attracting alot of attention as a buyers market both for first time home buyers and more well- funded property investors. This is an indication of the stability of the property market in the best places to live in Galveston County, which is a result of the remarkably stable pricing of properties in the general area around Houston, Austin and Dallas.



The recent housing crisis has brought the prices of property down in many areas across the country, but property prices in some of the best places to live in Galveston County have been relatively unaffected. All of these areas are enjoying a buffer against falling property prices in the market in general. One of the main reasons first time buyers choose to settle in Galveston is that they get access to some of the best schools in Texas. While this does make some of the property in these areas expensive, you know that there will be plenty of future growth on any property you buy in Galveston. Some of these schools have long histories of providing the best education available for your children. Although the local government are planning on closing a few schools, there are still more than enough public and private schools available.


There are private and public schools which all have sterling reputations, and it s not only the best Galveston county neighborhoods who get access to the top schools. The closures are designed to focus teaching and administrative manpower in the schools where it will be most effective. Most of these homes go on the market for over one million, but most of them can be found under one and a half million. The historic mansions on 21st street that you see lining up along this stunning avenue were once the homes of generals, governors and members of government during and after the civil war, and are all chock full of character. Although these are high prices to pay for an historic mansion, these homes don t come on the market very often. If you are moving to Galveston for employment reasons, then you will be happy to know that there are a lot of opportunities in the area for anyone qualified in any medical profession, service and tourism, education.


If you want a beautiful historic home in one of the best new places to live in the US, then you should definitely look at some of the properties in the best Galveston County neighborhoods. The proximity of Galveston to the beach makes this county an excellent place to work in tourist industries, and the beach sees a lot more traffic than many of the other beaches in Texas. It does get hot, it is Texas after all, but being near the ocean definitely helps. If you don t like the heat, but still want to move to Texas, then Galveston is definitely a good choice. The best places to live in Galveston County are the first three or four blocks away from the beach. One of the things that attract a lot of low end buyers to Galveston County is the fact that unless you buy in the best places to live in Galveston County the houses are extremely inexpensive. These areas do suffer from slight humidity in the mornings but during the day they are at least ten degrees cooler than a few miles inland.


Unfortunately, they are usually" fixer- uppers" that require a bit of hard work and a bit of cash to turn them into dream homes. In general, Galveston has something for everyone. If you want to buy a decent size property with loads of potential, then Galveston is one of the best new places to live in the United States. Whether you are looking for a low- priced beach condominium, a family home or a large estate there are always bargains going if you look hard enough. Depending on your price range, you can find some really incredible deals on undervalued homes, or you can make a good long term investment in some of the best places to live in Galveston County.

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First, It May Affect The Agent Fee You Pay - Finance and Real Estate:

Buying or selling a home is a big task best put into the hands of an expert. If you re considering working with a professional for your transaction, you should visit with at least three before choosing.

Reassure The Seller Of Your Ability To Close - Finance and Real Estate:

The goal in a real estate negotiation is to reach a good agreement- one in which the underlying interests of both buyer and seller are met. Many of our real estate clients have been experienced negotiators in other industries, and we have learned from their skill and experience.

Sometimes The Process Of Locating A Private Property To Buy Or Rent Is Very Frustrating - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Sometimes the process of locating a private property to buy or rent is very frustrating.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Spain Has Something For Everyone

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

If you have the eye to appreciate beauty, then Spain is just the place you would want to stay in. And probably that is the reason why Spain has gained so much popularity as a holiday destination.



Spain has something for everyone. In fact, Spain is rated among the top three countries tourists would want to visit for holiday or for buying houses and villas. Different investors come here with different plans. If you intend to stay in Spain or simply invest in properties in the country, then you have a number of options to choose from- you can buy villas in Spain, beach houses and, penthouses resorts, luxury apartments and, golf resorts just about anything. For those who want to stay here and spend quality time in the country, there are a number of beautiful locations the country can offer. White beaches and a warm climate all year round is the perfect getaway for those who want some peace and relaxation. Balearic Islands and Canary Islands of Spain have been top scorers with people who love the sea and sand.


Life here can be so enchanting that you would never want to leave this place. Play to your heart s content, and play again, get tired. On the other hand, we have golf resorts- a true heaven for the lover of the royal sport. With acres and acres of land dedicated to golf, you would surely fall in love with the place. You can buy villas in Spain both in beach resorts as well as golf resorts. There are emerald green patches of land, manicured to give you ultimate experience of your beloved game. Plus, you can also buy luxury villas and penthouses in other parts of Spain.


Take a short trip to this side of Europe and discover new opportunities and ways of living life.

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French Place Is A Great Austin Neighborhood Without - Finance and Real Estate:

Nestled in central Austin between Airport Boulevard and Manor Road lies the quiet yet vibrant neighborhood of French Place. While French Place s houses are generally no more than two to three bedrooms, many houses have interesting add- ons to enhance functionality without resorting to cookie- cutter remodels.

How Long Have You Lived In Your Home - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Dallas houses have a great future ahead of them due to the boom times the Dallas economy is facing at the moment. If your home were in one of these suburbs of Dallas- Keller, Coppell, Colleyville, Lewisville, Las Colinas, South Lake, Carrollton, Highland Park, The Colony, University Park, Allen, Frisco, and Plano( among many others) - you will find that the crime rate is actually much lower here than the US- wide average.

Water Problems Again - Lesa Kimberlin's Finance and Real Estate blog:

I always advise any home purchaser to get a professional home inspection. So why not get in the habit of looking for those tell- tale red flags for yourself anytime you are looking at property for sale.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Competition Grows In Bangkok S Serviced Apartment Sector

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

CB Richard Ellis reported that according to the latest figures from the Alien occupational Control Division, Department of Employment there were 65, 337 expatriates based in Bangkok with work permits as at August 200This represents a 19% increase on the total in August 200 The growth in expatriates has increased demand for residential rental accommodation in Bangkok both for apartments and condominiums.



Some expatriates whose place of work is outside of Bangkok for example on an industrial estate will live in Bangkok and commute to their place of work. The work permit figures exclude diplomatic and United Nations staff and the 52, 045 expatriates with work permits for locations outside of Bangkok. Japanese nationals account for 22% of work permits in Bangkok followed by Indians( 12% ) Chinese( 9% ), and British( 8% ). There are13, 347 condominium units under construction and CB Richard Ellis estimates that 40- 50% of these new condominium units could be available for rent. CB Richard Ellis forecasts that there will be limited new apartment supply in the Central Business Districts with only about 870 units under construction. Much of the existing supply of apartments and condominiums is now more than ten years old and CB Richard Ellis classifies many of these as being grade B in terms of quality. Theerathorn Prapunpong, Associate Director and head of Residential Leasing Services at CB Richard Ellis.


Rents for grade A or luxury condominiums and apartments have been rising at a faster rate than grade B developments. "We see the gap between grade A and grade B rentals increasing, " said Mr. CB Richard Ellis is seeing strong demand for well designed new projects especially mid size three bedroom units of between 150- 220 square metres which are achieving rentals of 70, 000- 85, 000 baht per month. Much of the demand for this development has come from Japanese tenants who have been paying average rents of between 60, 000- 80, 000 baht per month for 2 and 3 bedroom units of 91- 150 square metres. Queens Park View Residence a 36 unit new development recently completed on Sukhumvit Soi 24 is already 83% occupied. CB Richard Ellis expects that demand from tenants will continue to be strong for well located, well designed apartment and condominium developments in Bangkok s prime locations. The total supply of serviced apartment units in Bangkok grew by 11% on an annual basis and occupancy rates dropped by 8% , according to CB Richard Ellis. Competition grows in Bangkok s Serviced Apartment Sector.


Owners were able to increase rental rates for grade A serviced apartments but at a slower rate. The total supply of serviced apartments increased to 8, 744 units a further 3, 500 units are under construction and more projects are at the planning stage. Future supply will continue to increase which could put downward pressure on both occupancy and achieved room rates. Most of the new supply will be grade A in terms of quality. Average rents increased by 2- 3% for grade A developments on a year on year basis the growth rate in rentals has slowed due to the increase in supply. Occupancy increased slightly quarter on quarter but fell year on year from 88% to 81% .


CB Richard Ellis believes that based on the forecast increase in supply competition will increase. The Sathorn area appears to be the most competitive location at the present time rental rates have fallen by about 7% year on year and occupancy by about 18% year on year. Much of the new supply is grade A in terms of quality and will be managed by international operators and this will put pressure on older developments.

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You Are Responsible For The Upkeep Of The House, Its Exterior And Yard, If Any - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Many people don t realize that there is a big difference between buying a condo and buying a house. When you buy a house, you are purchasing not only the actual home, you are also purchasing the land it sits on.

Cancun Has Many Other Factors Going For It - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Cancun has some of the world s most scenic white sand beaches with crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The Orlando Condo Market Is Continuously Developing, Providing Its Clients A Variety Of Condos - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Nowadays, those interested in buying a new condominium have a variety of choices at their disposal.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

There Is No Better Place Than Home

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

There is no better place than home. Your home provides you with all your needs and fulfills your wants.



Whether you live in Paris, Switzerland, London, Tokyo or Los Angeles, your heart always longs for your home. No place can replace your sweet home. Your ideal home must meet all your needs so it s necessary to do a lot of shopping until you find the place that s just right. It is paradise for you. The best way to be assured that you ll find your dream home is to compare several homes shown to you by different agents. It is very difficult to find everything you want in a particular home.


It will enable you to zero in on the positive and the negative points of each. Begin my checking the design and size of the structure and note if it will enable you to fulfill your wants and needs. When looking for a home, it is tempting to buy something that has some of the features you like, but it is advisable to wait, and continue looking until you find the home that has all, or most of the features you require. If not, renovation may help. For instance, sometimes, when shopping, it is tempting to sacrifice your preference in terms of number of rooms because of something else you like in the home. An older home that has a good floor plan, has the right square footage, and also the right number of rooms could be ideal, but not attractive because it is outdated.


Don t be afraid to buy a home that has a good floorplan, and all of the square footage you need, just because the house is old, or is in need of remodeling. Be prepared to spend time remodeling, or hire a contractor to make small changes that will make the home liveable, and also a place that you will want to stay long term. You may want to add a garden to outdoor enjoyment. The size of your home must be big enough to live comfortably. Color also plays a very important role mentally. There should be enough bedrooms and bathrooms for the members of your family to live comfortably. You may dislike the color of your roof, exterior, interior, or carpet.


There should be proper garage and basement space for extra storage. Apart from the home itself, you may need to check out the various amenities and facilities in the surrounding area like parks, children s entertainment centers, school, proximity of office, market, proper drainage systems, bank, well- built area roads and smooth traffic, and proximity to public transportation.

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Owning A Home Can Be Difficult At Times - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Like many financial decisions their are pros and cons of moving into the real estate market.

Real Estate Agents Too Specialize In Buying And Selling Of Certain Types Of Real Estate - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

Finding the right real estate deal can be challenging, sometimes no matter how hard one tries it requires a little more expertise to figure out how one can buy the house of his/ her dreams without spending a large chunk of their savings.

This Has Been Said To Lead To Britons Being Forced To Accept That They Are Probably Unable To Afford The Type Of Property They Would Like Or In The Area They Would Wish To Live In - Finance and Real Estate Articles:

Prospective first- time buyers in London are struggling even more to get into the housing market, an industry expert has claimed. Consequently, Ms John reported that due to the increased amount of time it takes to put money away to meet property deposits and secured loan costs, combined with recent interest rate rises by the Bank of England, "houses are even less affordable for first- time buyers so they are being kicked out of the market altogether" .

Monday, August 18, 2008

You Don T Have To Have A Title In Order To Profit From Real Estate

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

You don t have to have a title in order to profit from real estate.



All you have to do is know exactly where to find the market at. In fact, even if you are not an investor, realtor or someone who has studied the market, you can still profit from real estate. By doing this, you will have the chance to put some extra change in your pocket. You can profit by renting or leasing space out to others, fixing a property and re- selling it, or by using it for a need that you see in a community. Investing in real estate is as simple as finding a place that you like and deciding to use it for something outside of your living room. No matter what you want to invest in, you can be sure to earn a profit after you have found the right space and location for your investment. You want to first think about the investments that you can make at first that will benefit the most.


When you are considering investments that you will want to make, you will want to also consider the types of risks you are willing to take with the investments. Usually, it will take time to begin making the money back, so your financial situation will need to be stable and you should never go out of your means. If you are keeping up with the real estate market, you will know when it is a good time to sell and when it is better to hold onto what you have. Many times, profiting from real estate simply means having the ability to invest in your own home, than sell it for a higher price when the market is better. This is an easy way to build up your investment and move into something better. By finding what is out there and making the right investments, you will easily be able to turn real estate into a living.


No matter how large or small, there is always a way to benefit off of living space. When you have something, you want to make sure that you keep it. One of the ways that you can ensure protection of your property is by asset protection. By investing in the right types of protection and insuring your real estate property and the things that you hold inside of it, you will have the ability to keep the things that are valuable or have the ability to replace them. Asset protection is a plan that is designed to protect your real estate and the things that you own inside of the real estate. If you are just looking into asset protection, you will want to look at possible options through your own investigation or through talking to a lawyer. If any type of financial disaster occurs, you will have replacements and ways to ensure that the value of your property isn t lost, even if something unexpected happens.


An analysis will be taken of the amount of money that you can protect as well as how your valuables are linked to the demographics of the area. Once the assessments have been made, you will be given an estimate of how much money you can receive in protection as well as the programs that may be best for you.