Bansko is a magnet for buyersBansko is a Bulgarian location that works well for foreign buyers, whether they are purchasing a holiday home or purely as an investment. The focus here is on sport and wellbeing, with plenty of skiing and golf, along with a wide range of ways to spoil and pamper yourself.
Canny buyers should have a look at St John Park Spa and Wellness Centre, an exclusive development of 150 luxury apartments situated on a hilltop right next to Pirin Mountain in this picturesque mountain resort. Due for completion in January 2008, the development is currently on the market through Emerging Real Estate.
Thanks to its enviable location, Bankso is an ideal base for both winter and summer visitors. St John Park is perfectly placed to access the 65 kilometres of marked ski runs which have a guaranteed season from mid-December to the end of April, thanks to the resort’s numerous snow cannons. Meanwhile, in the summer there is an abundance of outdoor activities with hiking, mountain biking, riding and whitewater rafting all close by in the beautiful Pirin National Park. There’s even an Ian Woosnam golf course under construction just three kilometres away.
With this year-round appeal, all apartments in the development have a potential capital growth of 15 to 20 per cent and an anticipated rental return of approximately nine per cent per year. With properties starting at just €45,000, interest from potential buyers has already been strong. As most buyers will purchase off plan, a simple payment schedule is available which spreads the cost from initial reservation to the completion date; purchasing this way can also maximise yields.
The Mayor of Bansko has recently announced plans for a new airport which will make the resort event more accessible to holidaymakers. However, the town is situated just 160km from the main airport in the capital city Sofia, which has direct flights to the UK.
Set within 19,000 sq m of lush landscaped gardens, all apartments; which vary from studios to three bedroom properties, benefit from a best-practice building guarantee and have the same sumptuous finish you’d expect from a five-star hotel. Most also boast a terrace and fireplace and all have a luxury fully fitted bathroom. For the more indulgent buyer, there’s even the option to install a sauna – ideal for easing those aching legs and backs after a hard day pounding the mountains.
On-site recreational facilities include; a free shuttle bus to the lifts, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a multi-sport all weather arena and a floodlit ice rink. The Spa and Wellness Centre, to which all owners and visitors have access, features a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a variety of complimentary treatments. There’s also a large terrace restaurant with stunning views of Pirin Mountain.
Deborah Fox, managing director of Emerging Real Estate says,‘In the last few years Bulgaria has really grabbed the attention of the international property investor market. Its popularity has grown year on year and by the end of 2005, 77 per cent more Brits had purchased property here than the year before. It’s great to see Bansko is now really leading the pack thanks, in large, to the €200 million which has been invested in the town over the last five years. It’s a charming resort which has the potential to become one of Europe’s leading ski centres, thanks to its mountain peaks reaching some 2,560 metres!
‘Other factors, including Bulgaria’s entry into the EU (set for 2007), the addition of flights from UK regional airports and its bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2014, mean the market looks certain to meet the analysts’ predictions of a 15-20 per cent annual rise in property prices in the next five years.’
For further information on St John Park Spa and Wellness Centre, interested investors should contact Emerging Real Estate on 0845 601 7293.