PROPERTY BLOGS
Scottish Property Update: Light Eco Homes
Scottish Property Update: Light Eco Homes You have to cross the water to the Isle of Bute to find some of the most futuristic "social housing" in Scotland. There I discovered David Reynolds and his two-year-old son Kieran building a jigsaw in a pool of sunlight. In 25 years' time Kieran will have moved onto bigger things - like his ...
Read MoreRetiring to Spain with your pension
Retiring to Spain with your pension Answer: Andrew Swallow from Swallow Financial Planning replies: You are lucky to be retiring at age 48! If you take the tax-free lump sum and you move to Spain you will be subject to Spanish income tax as you will be resident in Spain but domiciled in England. As for the pension, you can ...
Read MoreOwning Property in Thailand
Owning Property in Thailand Ownership of Land in Thailand Ownership of land in Thailand is governed by the land Code BE 2497 (1954), the Civil and Commercial Code, Land Reform for Agriculture Act BE 2518 (1975) and the regulations set forth by the Ministry of the Interior. Although Thai law stipulates that a foreigner may not own land in Thailand ...
Read MoreWorld Cup Base Rate Results!
World Cup Base Rate Results! In the spirit of World Cup Fever the team at the publication Mortgage Edge have put together a table of fixtures of Mortgage Base rates for the top ten countries featuring in the World Cup. The list is featured below: ...
Read MoreIndia Update: Real Estate more red hot than you might think!
India Update: Real Estate more red hot than you might think! Indian property sector red-hot, by Siddharth Srivastava NEW DELHI - Unlike the volatile stock market, the Indian real estate sector continues to boom. Two recent land deals have brought the red-hot segment into focus. The Ahmedabad-based Adani Group has finalized India's largest land deal with Housing Development and Infrastructure ...
Read MoreInvestors urged to look further afield
Investors urged to look further afield Investors in overseas property are moving away from the holiday homes market towards property in less traditional countries, Prestige has claimed. The international property investment and development organisation said destinations in Central Eastern Europe were becoming 'solid' residential hotspots. Warsaw topped its International Hotspots Index, while Sofia and Budapest were also among its top ...
Read MoreCyprus Property: New Investment for Cypriot Properties
Cyprus Property: New Investment for Cypriot Properties The investment specialist said it was approached by a group of investors wanting to pool around £10 million capital into a new Cypriot fund. The group was seeking a property expert to oversee its launch and advise on its investment strategy. Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, commented: "It seems professional investors with ...
Read MoreCosta Rica Update: large scale developments planned
Costa Rica Update: large scale developments planned Costa Rica Set for Huge New Development Projects The Pacific coast hot spot of Costa Rica received a massive boost last week with the announcement of two huge new tourist and residential resorts. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts are launching a 225-hectare development in the north-western province of Guanacaste, including a 214-room and 100-suite ...
Read MoreReal Estate / Properties in US very popular with Brits
Real Estate / Properties in US very popular with Brits The United States has shot to number two in the league of countries where Brits are investing in overseas property, according to new research. While Spain is the number one location for overseas property purchases, a biannual survey for A Place in the Sun Live reveals that the US has ...
Read MoreUK Buy To Let Comments
UK Buy To Let Comments Landlords predict "significant" rise in house prices. Buy-to-let landlords are expecting to see a significant increase in house prices over the next 12 months, the latest survey from Mortgage Trust reveals. Of the 90% of respondents who expect house prices to rise over the coming year, just over half (53%) expect an increase between 3% ...
Read MoreNew Costa Blanca / Costa Calida Off Plan Property Discounts, Spain
New Costa Blanca / Costa Calida Off Plan Property Discounts, Spain Just released are the next round of developments for www.CostaHomesDirect.com the exclusive Spanish off plan investment property specialist. All the other properties in Spain featured by this company on their website have sold out and so the next release of very cheap off plan homes has been released. Starting ...
Read MoreGlobal Holidaymakers, think again!
Global Holidaymakers, think again! Been there, seen that, it's a snip. Really? June Field offers sober advice to holidaymakers now contemplating buying a home abroad Stop right there. Think again, very carefully. What are the factors you should weigh up before you rush into buying a property overseas? Here are a few basic guidelines for the innocent abroad. Before you ...
Read MoreNew York, Marketwatch, 60% of US property investors to invest outside USA!
New York, Marketwatch, 60% of US property investors to invest outside USA! The Bryan Cave Real Estate Executives Forecast Survey found 61% of real estate professionals plan to park cash outside the U.S., with the greatest interest being in Mexico and China. The survey, which polled 343 professionals, including public and private real estate company executives, investors, opportunity funds, commercial ...
Read MoreBrits still very keen to purchase overseas
Brits still very keen to purchase overseas One third of Brits want to buy property abroad Almost one third of Britons (29%) are interested in buying property abroad or moving abroad, according to new research from the Spanish arm of Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage lender. When asked where they would most like to live overseas, Britons ranked America and ...
Read MoreUS Fastest growing housing markets
US Fastest growing housing markets The market's housing stock expanded by 14.8 percent, or 5,000 units, in the 12 months ended July 1, 2005, the most recent data available. Three of the top four fastest-growing counties were in Florida, with Sumter County - 12.8 percent growth - at No. 2. Pinal County, Arizona, was third with a 10.2 percent increase, ...
Read MoreWildlife Property Developments in South Africa
Wildlife Property Developments in South Africa Property resorts in South Africa are giving wildlife lovers the chance to live inside the animal kingdom - without disturbing the environment. By Nicola Venning and Eluned Price Fledgling nature parks borne out of redundant sugar and timber plantations are growing up alongside a new breed of environmentally conscious property resort. They offer a ...
Read MoreUK: London new homes prices soaring!
UK: London new homes prices soaring! SmartNewHomes.com said current migration out of the city could be a result of this price growth, as buyers at the mid to lower end of the property ladder are being priced out of the capital. While the average price of a new home in many regions across the UK is down from the same ...
Read MoreScottish Prices Are Still Rising
Scottish Prices Are Still Rising The Scottish rise in house prices has slowed after the boom of last year, but prices across Scotland are still rising however, according to Lloyds TSB Scotland. In the 3 months to 30th April 2006, the quarterly price rise index for Scottish property rose by 4% to give an average house price of £133,968. Average ...
Read MoreUK Buy To Let Landlords tempting fate with new licence scheme!
UK Buy To Let Landlords tempting fate with new licence scheme! In some areas of the country it is understood that local authorities have received applications in respect of fewer than 5% of rented properties that require a licence. The deadline to acquire a licence is 6 July 2006. For the best Buy to Let Mortgages www.MortgageShop.com are recommended. The ...
Read MoreUK Base Rate News
UK Base Rate News The MPC’s decision to raise the base rate by 25bps to 4.75% was not such a surprise as it would have been two or three months ago. The rise in consumer price inflation in June to 2.5% will have raised the MPC’s fears that control over inflation is not as tight as desired. The Minutes of ...
Read MoreScottish house prices still rising
Scottish house prices still rising House prices across Scotland are still rising despite the house price boom being over, according to the latest Lloyds TSB Scotland House Price Monitor. In the three months to 31 July 2006, the quarterly price index for the average domestic property in Scotland rose by 1.1% to give an average mix-adjusted Scottish house price of ...
Read MoreTop European Tourist Destinations
Top European Tourist Destinations When buying a property abroad you must take into account the popularity of the country and location. This is particularly important if you are planning to let the property; it will also be important when you come to sell the property. My advice is to buy in a country that is popular with tourists. Spain and ...
Read MoreWhich? releases buying abroad guide!
Which? releases buying abroad guide! Which? the consumers association has published a guide for overseas property investors, which warns of the dangers of inadequate planning. It said with the number of UK residents who own a second home overseas increasing each year, its new Buying Property Aboard guide provides important information. People need to make sure that they use reputable ...
Read MoreChannel 4: A “luxury” Place In The Sun: £1,000,000 property hunters!
Channel 4: A "luxury" Place In The Sun: £1,000,000 property hunters! www.OverseasPropertyOnline.com are happy to assist vendors or buyers in contacting channel 4. JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Site Information Property Info Links Useful Links Site Information Property Info Links Useful Links JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Site Information Property Info Links Useful Links
Read MoreOverseas Investors Exchange Rate Warning
Overseas Investors Exchange Rate Warning Overseas investors warned to watch exchange rate Investors buying property overseas should take notice of recent currency exchange rate swings in the United States and Turkey, Assetz has warned. Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, commented: “Those looking to invest in the US and Turkey can learn a valuable lesson in the benefit of using ...
Read MoreBulgaria retains overseas property hotspot position
Bulgaria retains overseas property hotspot position Research from property investment specialist Assetz shows Bulgaria has lengthened its lead over other overseas hotspots rising from a 116% return on cash invested in March to 137%. Borrowing in Bulgaria is cheaper than it was in the spring, with mortgage rates having fallen from 7% to 5.95%. Deposits required have also dropped from ...
Read MoreInvestors overlooking local overseas b2l markets, says Assetz
Investors overlooking local overseas b2l markets, says Assetz Most British investors are missing a trick by focusing solely on holiday lets when buying overseas, Assetz research reveals. Assetz said that much more reliable returns with a lot less work can be gained by investing in properties to let to the local market. There is a common misconception that overseas property ...
Read MoreUK Property Update: House prices up for fifth consecutive month, says RICS
UK Property Update: House prices up for fifth consecutive month, says RICS House prices rose for the fifth consecutive month in August - up at the fastest pace since May 2004, RICS’ housing market survey reveals. A total of 35% more chartered surveyors reported a rise than fall in August, up from 30% in July. RICS estate agents reported that ...
Read MoreOpening A Spanish Bank Account
Opening A Spanish Bank Account Opening a bank account in Spain is relatively easy and most of the banks in areas where there are a lot of foreign residents cater for people who do not speak Spanish. www.OverseasPropertyOnline.com offer assistance in obtaining bank accounts whilst you are out of Spain. • Resident account. You can open an account in Euros ...
Read MoreLondon house prices rise to highest levels
London house prices rise to highest levels London house prices increased by 1% in September to £250,907, latest data from haart estate agents reveals. Properties in South West London remain the most expensive at £285,080. The survey also showed first-time buyer levels dropped 1% to 28% of the market share. The data reveals that the average London house price has ...
Read MoreMoneyfacts criticises UK government over homebuy scheme
Moneyfacts criticises UK government over homebuy scheme The government's new shared equity homebuy mortgage has been described as a "half-hearted" attempt to solve the homeownership crisis. Julia Harris, mortgage analyst at moneyfacts.co.uk, said: "Any initiative which encourages and helps first-time buyers onto the property ladder is welcome. But this new government backed scheme seems to be a half-hearted approach to ...
Read MoreUK Property: Stamp duty, towns suffering from thresholds
UK Property: Stamp duty, towns suffering from thresholds Halifax said the typical home buyer in these towns will be faced with a stamp duty bill of at least £7,500. In July 1997, when the £250,000 stamp duty threshold was introduced, there were no towns with an average house price above the £250,000 threshold. In 2001, there were 18 towns (4%) ...
Read MoreUK Property: Carbon Emissions Update
UK Property: Carbon Emissions Update Mike Ockenden, director-general of (AHIIPP), said: "The introduction of the EPC will provide every homebuyer with a comprehensive report on the cost of running their potential new home – information that up until now has not been readily available. The certificates, along with additional incentives suggested by the Minister (Yvette Cooper), such as green mortgages ...
Read MoreAverage house price hits £197,000 in August, says DCLG
Average house price hits £197,000 in August, says DCLG The mix-adjusted average UK house price in August 2006 stood at £197,631 - up from £194,454 in July 2006, latest figures from the Department for Communites and Local Goverment (DCLG) reveals. UK annual house price inflation in August 2006 was 7.7%, up from 6.0% in July 2006, obviously great news for ...
Read MoreBulgarian Property Update: 40% increase in Britons looking to buy in Bulgaria
Bulgarian Property Update: 40% increase in Britons looking to buy in Bulgaria The percentage of Britons looking to buy in Bulgaria has increased by 40% in September, the latest Global Property Hot Spots by currency specialist HIFX reveals. It said investment in Bulgaria and Romania has risen in popularity following the European Commission’s announcement that both countries will be admitted ...
Read MoreEconomy faces climate ‘calamity’
Economy faces climate 'calamity' A 700-page Government report on climate change has predicted the 'biggest global economic crash since the 1930s' - paving the way for a host of new green taxes. Heavy taxes being pushed for by ministers include VAT on airline tickets, duty on aviation fuel and higher air passenger duty - together raising the price of a ...
Read MoreUK Mortgage Approvals Update
UK Mortgage Approvals Update Mortgage approvals are running at their highest level for two years, according to official figures. The Bank of England said that 126,000 mortgages were approved for home purchase in September - up 6,000 on the previous month. The figure exceeds some analyst expectations and is yet another sign of the UK's buoyant housing market. Maybe it's ...
Read MoreUK Property Update: Affordable eco-homes showcased in North Norfolk
UK Property Update: Affordable eco-homes showcased in North Norfolk Broadland Housing A Broadland Housing Association community in rural North Norfolk has been showcased as a best practice example of designing energy efficiency into new homes. They were highlighted during a tour of properties by North Norfolk District Council's strategic housing working group. Old Forge Close, in the village of Trunch, ...
Read MoreOverseas Property Purchase Currency Update
Overseas Property Purchase Currency Update www.OverseasPropertyOnline.com have launched a new plan for property buyers. They have linked up with the leading currency transfer providers, to launch a regular payments plan, which they have claimed will save all property prurchasers abroad money when making regular payments abroad. Homeowners in particular are being stung with transfer fees of up to £39 and ...
Read MoreMost popular areas in Spain for overseas buyers announced
Most popular areas in Spain for overseas buyers announced Property buyers in Spain prefer the Regions of Murcia and Valencia According to figures released this week by the Spanish Housing Ministery, Murcia and Valencia have overtaken the Costa del Sol to become the most popular areas among non-Spanish property buyers. In the second quarter of 2006, 11.7 percent of all ...
Read MoreGlobal Property Growth Update Table
Global Property Growth Update Table Annualised property price growth by Country for 2006 first quarter: Table source: Knight Frank For European and indeed Global Properties www.OverseasPropertyOnline.com JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Site Information Property Info Links Useful Links Site Information Property Info Links Useful Links JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Site Information Property Info Links Useful Links
Read MorePolish property is apparently a hot topic for UK buyers
Polish property is apparently a hot topic for UK buyers An increase in the number of UK nationals purchasing property in Poland has been reported. According to overseas mortgage brokers, property investments in some Polish areas have seen increases in value of up to 20% over the past few months. They predict the trend of foreign nationals buying residential property ...
Read MoreGreek Update: Greece attracts increasing interest
Greek Update: Greece attracts increasing interest UK investors have shown overwhelming interest in a new opportunity in the Greek Islands, according to property specialists servicing the market. They claimed it has been flooded with inquiries since it launched its service in Crete, Santorini and Paros recently. A spokeswoman for the firm said it was fully booked for inspection trips with ...
Read MoreDemand for quality investment is on the up
Demand for quality investment is on the up Demand for second homes and increased interest in quality investments is driving a strong European property market, two new reports have claimed. Knight Frank's European Residential Market report suggests the appetite for second homes continues unabated in the region, and Aberdeen Property Investors said it expects strong growth from the European property ...
Read MoreUK Property Update: Market towns see sharp rise in house prices
UK Property Update: Market towns see sharp rise in house prices The popularity of English market towns has increased with 70% of these towns seeing stronger house price growth than the English average over the past five years, research from Halifax Estate Agents reveals. Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire is the most expensive market town with an average price of £574,211, followed ...
Read MoreSpanish Inheritance Tax Information
Spanish Inheritance Tax Information Option 1: Buy jointly with future inheritors This option has the advantage that it does not require any special arrangements to be in place prior to completing, making it a straight purchase, and IHT is reduced in the proportion of the ownership share. Option 2: Sell the Property to Future Inheritors If the property is already ...
Read MoreSpain Takes Top Place?
Spain Takes Top Place? In recent research by Halifax Hispania it has shown a trend that buying a property in Spain is no longer only a luxury afforded by Britons who are heading into retirement. In a survey Spain was voted the most popular European destination. Of those surveyed nearly seven out of ten people who would most like to ...
Read MoreUK Property Update: New affordable ‘green’ homes for Brixton
UK Property Update: New affordable ‘green’ homes for Brixton Brixton Water Lane Brixton residents are set to benefit from the arrival of over 30 much-needed affordable homes after Genesis Housing Group received planning permission for a scheme in Brixton Water Lane. The 31 homes, which will be the first to be developed by Genesis Housing Group in the borough, will ...
Read MoreUK Property Update: Average house price rises £1,500 in September
UK Property Update: Average house price rises £1,500 in September The average UK house price in September stood at £198,552 - up from £197,009 in August 2006, latest data from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) reveals. The UK annual house price inflation rate for the 3 months to September 2006 was 7.1%, and 7.8% in London. DCLG ...
Read MoreForeign mortgage loans to be restricted by Polish regulator
Foreign mortgage loans to be restricted by Polish regulator Polands chief finance regulator plans to limit foreign exchange mortgage loans. This could lead to UK and other European investors (Irish) being discouraged from this region which has seen very good growth in recent years. Polands mortgage regulator had expressed concerns that the increase in foreign exhange loans could have a ...
Read MoreUK Property Update: Borrowers willing to pay premium for spa town properties
UK Property Update: Borrowers willing to pay premium for spa town properties Research from Halifax Estate Agents highlights that home buyers are prepared to pay a premium to live in a spa town. All 18 spa towns have higher average house prices than their region, while 16 out of 18 spa towns have higher average house prices than the neighbouring ...
Read MoreCurrency Exchange Update: Emigrating Brits “waste up to £900m”
Currency Exchange Update: Emigrating Brits “waste up to £900m” Brits emigrating abroad could collectively be losing as much as £900 million a year by relying on high street banks that are cashing in by offering unfavourable exchange rates, warns the currency specialist department of www.OverseasPropertyOnline.com. Each year approximately 90,000 British families leave the UK to live overseas, lured by the ...
Read MoreUK Property: House price rise fastest in four years
UK Property: House price rise fastest in four years House prices rose at the fastest pace in more than four years in October with the lack of available housing continuing to drive the trend upwards, according to a new report today. According to the survey of members, London and the South East continued to lead the charge, with house prices ...
Read MoreDespite cracks, Europe’s housing market is built to last
Despite cracks, Europe's housing market is built to last LONDON (Reuters) - Expected interest rate rises will not cause significant damage to Europe's housing market, even though small cracks are starting to appear in parts of Spain and Ireland where supply has surged, property experts say. "The general outlook for the European housing market is still pretty good," said Simon ...
Read MoreSpanish Property Building, from a plot of land.
Spanish Property Building, from a plot of land. When you have finished the purchase of the plot the next step is to get an architect to design and make drawings of the property. The drawings need to get approved by the board of architects (colegio de arcitectos), and are needed to present the application for the building license. The architect ...
Read MoreA little place in the snow?
A Little Place in the Snow? A second home in the mountains is every skier's dream. There is an avalanche of new property options, but rising prices - and temperatures - make it hard to choose. Nicola Venning offers a buyer's guide to resorts worldwide In pictures: properties for sale in ski resorts A snow home in the mountains is ...
Read MoreUK Update: IHT-hit areas double in five years
UK Update: IHT-hit areas double in five years The number of postcode districts with average house prices above the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold has more than doubled in the past five years, Halifax says. The average house price in 236 (11%) postcode districts in England and Wales is now above the IHT threshold compared to 117 (6%) postcode districts five ...
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