Overseas - Eco investments

For those looking for a greener lifestyle will be spoilt for choice with the developments says Amandas Shiel

Sweden
Over the past couple of years Sweden has emerged as one of the best value second home property markets in Europe. With prices beginning as low as just £28,000 for a well built property in the beautiful southern Swedish countryside it is little wonder why this country is attracting more and more Brits.
The cost of living is very similar to that of the UK and coupled with a good quality of life in a spacious and healthy countryside it makes Sweden hard to beat. With residents benefiting from a world class health service, excellent transport facilities and cheap flights from the UK it's easy to see why Sweden is proving such a winner to second home buyers.
For further details on buying a property in Sweden visit Crane International Properties Ltd Swedish Homes website at swedishhomes.co.uk.

Skelleftea, Sweden
This unique log house is constructed from Russian pine and offers the highest specifications with larger than normal sized timber providing a higher level of insulation and low carbon emission. The house boasts an expensive eco heating system, triple glazing throughout and 95mm insulation on the inside.
The bespoke build boasts stunning rooms enhanced with high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows for panoramic views. The main house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms and there is also a spacious two-bedroom apartment.
The area itself is perfect for outdoor pursuits including skiing, canoeing kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, tennis, sailing and fishing. The nearby town offers restaurants, bars and theatres to three indoor shopping centres.
Priced at £1,057,193 approx/€1,400,000. Furniture and a wide variety of sports equipment are included in the price.
Contact Unique Living on 0845 430 0185 or visit uniqueliving.com.

Wroclaw, Poland
Mosaic House is made up of a total of 122 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 35 of which have been purchased by Property Investment Portfolio (PIP) to offer to potential investors in the UK.
Wroclaw can be easily reached by air or train.  
Mosaic House is due for completion in July 2008 and the apartments are currently being sold off-plan to investors for between £67,000 (one-bed) and £94,000 (two-bed). Investors are being offered up to 100 per cent financing, with discounts already secured – something which is unique for overseas investors buying in Poland.
PIP has an English speaking expert team in place in Poland to handle any buying and rental problems, and letting arrangements have already been established with local agents.
Call 0115 928 9333 or visit propertyinvestmentportfolio.com.

Óbidos, Portugal
Quintas de Óbidos is an exclusive new development incorporating 79 luxurious villas.
There are 16 styles of villa, each set in approximately 1.3 acres (5,200 m2) of private gardens and grounds, planted with centuries-old olive trees, Jacarandas and pine trees. The villas are architecturally designed to reflect their Portuguese heritage and each incorporates approx 8,500 sq ft (800 m2) of living space.
Onsite facilities include an equestrian centre and an exclusive country club which boasts a wide range of amenities. A championship golf course is situated just 300 metres from the entrance of the resort.
Quintas de Óbidos has been carefully planned so that it has minimal impact on the environment, integrating with the glorious surrounding nature. A series of fresh water lakes have been incorporated within the landscape to provide natural wildlife habitats. The development also benefits from extensive walkways which snake around the borders of the lakes.
Quintas de Óbidos is situated on the edge of the Óbidos Lagoon, one of the most desirable locations of the Silver Coast, a short distance from the medieval town of Óbidos. The region offers unique character which is rich in culture and natural beauty, with good access to Lisbon which can be reached in less than an hour.
Prices range from €1.4 to €1.8 million euros, including villa, swimming pool, landscaped gardens and grounds.
For further information visit qdo.pt or call +351 22 606 15 40. The UK selling agent Knight Frank can be contacted on 020 7629 8171.

Moulin de la Pauze, Dordogne, France 
Located in a very quiet area between Brantôme and Ribérac, this restored old mill sits in extensive grounds measuring 1863m².      
The interior boasts an open plan kitchen/sitting/dining room with fireplace and laundry room on the ground floor. Upstairs consists of a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, two bedrooms, a family bathroom and WC.
The outside space includes a heated swimming pool with salted water and an outbuilding with a carport. This area can be easily reached by Eurostar and the TGV.
Priced at €345,000 including agent’s fees. 
For more details visit Sifex at sifex.co.uk or call 0207 384 1200. Alternatively, visit the French Connection at valora.fr  (property ref no 5240) or call +33 5 53 900649.