Overseas - Tuesday, September 04, 2007

India is the place to buy for investors who want a good price and an exotic locale. The market is opening up, and as the commercial future of the country gets brighter and brighter, so will the opportunities for buy-to-let purchasers.In Goa, you will find 60km of silken sands, allowing the perfect place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Cooled by sea breezes and surrounded by perfect turquoise waters, Goa is famed for its safe and tranquil beaches. Calangute and Candolim are extremely popular tourist havens, while Baga, to the north, offers a slower pace of life mixed with the convenience of modern hotels, restaurants and bars. In the southern most part of the territory, the Dona Paula, Vagator and Chapora beaches are also worth a visit. David Stanley Redfern Ltd offers investment properties dotted the length and breadth of Goa, including the Braganza World resort, which represents a very economical investment option: in fact, prices start at just £5,520!

The development has claimed a countryside location but remains centrally placed close to the beaches of Baga, Calangute and Candolim. At the other end of the scale, the brand new Goa Raj development sits in the heart of Goa, only minutes away from world-class dining and cosmopolitan nightlife. With prices for luxury four-bedroom villas starting at a still-affordable £63,250, the spacious 159.71 m sq properties are an excellent choice for first-time investors.

 Find out more about these and other Goa properties by visiting davidstanleyredfern.com.Meanwhile, in cosmopolitan Mumbai, Essential Worldwide has taken the gamble out of property investment with a guaranteed rental package at the five-star Green Valley resort. This master-planned development will consist of 2,900 units with an exclusive garden on an expanse of 220 acres, situated away from the hustle and bustle of the city and encased with a lush, leafy haven. Green Valley is a wholly residential project constructed by the same renowned developers responsible for Dubai Sports City. There is a seven per cent rental guarantee of seven per cent of the purchase price per year, offered over five years. Says Tim Tolbert, sales and marketing director of Essential Worldwide, the resort is ‘expected to enjoy high rental demands thanks to the growing economy and increasingly high visitor numbers to India’.The rental guarantee offer also applies at Essential Worldwide’s luxurious Cape Corinth waterfront oasis in subtropical Goa. Set over three floors, the Cape Corinth apartments are finished to the highest standards ready for immediate occupation. Find out more about India property and Essential Worldwide’s guaranteed rental programme at essentialww.com.

Amanda Shiel looks at developments ideally suited to specific purchaser groups

The adventurer - Egypt

Blessed with year-round sunshine as well as a cooling breeze, visitors pour into Sahl Hasheesh 365 days a year. It is rapidly becoming a top destination for wind related sports and scuba diving, and for the golf enthusiasts, eight courses are currently being built.  
One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are available for purchase, together with two-, three-, four-, five- and seven-bedroom detached villas/palaces. For more information about the Palm Beach Piazza or other developments in Sahl Hasheesh please contact Egypt Revealed on 0845 054 8697 or visit www.egypt-revealed.com.

The luxury lifestyle - Dubai

Al Waha Villas, set amongst lush landscaped gardens in a secure gated community, offers the prestige and glamour associated with Harrods and the sophisticated Dubai lifestyle. For a limited period buyers will be able to purchase a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom villas. All properties include two parking spaces, large balconies and terraces.
Two-bedroom villas priced £242,547, three-bedroom villas from £571,816 and four bedroom villas are available £604,336 (prices dependent on exchange rates). For more information regarding the exclusive Dubai Properties Harrods promotion, call Harrods Estates on 020 7893 8933 or visit harrodsestates.com. Alternatively, visit the promotion at the Harrods store until 31 August.

Holidaymakers who want to buy - Spain

Accountants Ian and Jeanette Brown wanted to find a holiday home where they could relax away from the pressures of work. They found their ideal property at La Heredia de Monte Mayor, in the Andalucia district of Spain, where they have bought a two-bedroom townhouse.
Jeanette, 47, said: ‘I do a lot of travelling with my job – albeit in the UK. The idea of having a base abroad where we could escape for holidays and long weekends began to appeal more and more.’
Ian, 51, and Jeanette visit their townhouse once every five weeks, on average – and as well as proper holidays and they like to take advantage of the long bank holiday weekends at Easter and in May.
‘We don’t rent our house out to other people, but we do take friends and family with us sometimes,’ said Jeanette. ‘For us, we don’t look at the house as a ‘quick buck investment’ – it is just meant to be a holiday home.’
Townhouses start at €695,000 (two-bed/two bath) and range to €995,000 (four-bed/four bath). Villas start at €930,000 (four-bed/four bath) and range to €1,050,000 (four-bed/four bath). Visit www.laperlainternationalliving.com

Investment – Cape Verde   

The Cotton Bay Golf and Resort in the Algodoeiro region on the south-west coast of Sal will have 10 key residential areas - all sympathetically designed to reflect the Cape Verdean culture and personality with an emphasis on open spaces and light.  
Many of the villas in the development will enjoy an enviable front line beach location and will range in size from 120m² to 350m² with two-, three-, four- or five-bedrooms. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes include gardens and terraces on the ground floor, terraces on the first and second floors and a communal swimming pool.
Prices start at €124,000.
Emerging Real Estate offer a simple and structured payment plan to investors. Contact Emerging Real Estate on 0845 601 7293 or visit emergingrealestate.com.

Retirement – Spain

Costa Tropical enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year and in wintertime temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees centigrade. The area has much to offer retirees, including an excellent health service, good roads and a super infrastructure.  
Apartments can start from as little as €85,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in Coastal Melicena and villas start from €150,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse near Almunecar.
For more details contact Eden Villas on 01382 568 183 or visit edenvillas.co.uk.

Whether you want to relax or indulge in a bit of sport you’ll be spoilt of choice with these developments, says Amanda Shiel.

Ontario, Canada

Red Leaves in Muskoka, Ontario, is one of Canada’s fastest growing property hotspots on the shores of Lakes Rosseau and Muskoka.
All of the properties at Red Leaves are finished to the same exacting standards. Frank Nicholson has been commissioned to complete the interior design of The Rosseau, including all of the communal areas. Each suite will blend traditional Muskoka cottage life with cutting-edge design and technology, including granite counter tops, flat-screen plasma TVs and a fireplace. In addition, all suites come complete with satellite TV, high-speed internet access, towels, kitchen utensils and even a corkscrew!  
The five star resort is the perfect destination for a second home or holiday at any time of year; it is  just 2 hours north of Toronto and offers year-round facilities, entertainment and activities. These include the Nick Faldo-designed championship golf course ‘The Rock’, kayaking, waterskiing, water tubing, cruises and fishing on a mile of waterfront. There are also swimming pools, including an indoor water park, tennis courts, a fitness room, sauna and spa, in addition to hiking, mountain biking and in winter; cross country skiing, snow tubing and snowmobiling in a 700 acre nature reserve. A museum, theatre, marina and four-season village with stunning shops and memorable restaurants are also nearby.   
UK investors at Red Leaves are afforded the same legal safeguards as any Canadian citizen and there is no stamp duty to pay.
Prices range from £143,900 to £473,000. For further information, visit redleavesmuskoka.co.uk or call 0845 130 8768.

Bansko and Pamporovo, Bulgaria

Cedar Lodge III in Bankso is five star scheme consisting of 77 apartments. On-site facilities include an indoor swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, ski-room, 24 hour security, coffee shop and a fully licensed bar and lounge area. Emulating Alpine mountain lodges, each property features wooden balconies with open plan interiors and spectacular views across the Pirin Mountains.
Cedar Heights in nearby Pamporovo is located on a sweeping hillside surrounded by virgin pine forest. The development offers unparalleled on-site facilities, panoramic views across the Rhodopi Mountains and access to the excellent piste and lift system of Pamporovo located under 5 minutes away.
Prices for apartments at Cedar Lodge start at €35,000 (£23,333) for a studio, €59,598 (£41,102) for a one-bedroom and €130,410 (£89,938) for a two-bedroom. Prices at Cedar Heights start from €46,559 (£32,100) for one bedroom apartment. Contact Bulgarian Dreams on 020 7614 1240 or visit bulgariandreams.com.

Mont Tremblant, Canada

Le Grand Lodge is a four-season lakeside resort located in Mont Tremblant and consists of 45 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Studios will offer two beds, a fully-fitted kitchen, bathroom and a colour TV. One- and two-bedroom apartments include two beds, sofa bed, two fully- fitted bathrooms, a fully-fitted kitchen and a colour TV.
Residents will be able to canoe and kayak in Lac Tremblant and there are six 18-hole award-winning golf courses close by. The resort also boasts a spa with pool, steam room, sauna and gym. The resort is just 75 minutes from Montreal, 90 minutes from Newark and Toronto and 120 minutes from Ottowa.
Prices start at CAD$165,000 (approx. UK£70,815.)
Call Overseas Homesearch on 0800 6520 769 or visit overseashomesearch.co.uk.

Canmore, Canada

Three Sisters Mountain Village is a world-class, four-season alpine resort community covering approximately 2,000 acres of land within the Town of Canmore, Alberta, located in the Bow River Valley at the foot of the Canadian Rockies.

The resort provides 365 days of high-altitude adventure. Residents and visitors can enjoy world-class golf, hiking, biking, fishing and climbing, as well as downhill, heli and Nordic skiing.
Planning is underway for two amenity rich public villages, The Sanctuary at Three Sisters and The Village at Three Sisters, which will provide a range of cafes, restaurants, galleries, shopping, recreational outfitters and luxury spa facilities. The developers creating this community are offering a wide range of properties, including detached family homes, townhouses, ‘lock up and leave’ apartments, and mountain chalets – something for virtually every taste and stage in life. Apartments cost from $580,000 to $2 million CAD (approx £253,126 to £872,850).
Call Newfound Property International 020 8605 9550 or visit newfoundproperty.com  

Chamonix, French Alps

Positioned at the heart of the French Alps, Chamonix has been a favoured Alpine destination for decades. Chamonix has it all: excellent skiing, some of the best walking and cycling and a range of restaurants and bars that can fulfil any après-ski requirement.
The development is designed and constructed by one of the regions most respected developers. The Grosset Janin brothers have been creating dream alpine homes for three generations and Les Chalets de la Tannerie maintains this tradition.

Authentically presented, the development is made up of a chalet of three apartments, a chalet of two apartments and a bespoke stand-alone chalet. Each apartment of two, three or four bedrooms has its own terrace and spectacular views on the Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi.
Apartments at Les Chalets de la Tannerie are priced from £638,000. Call Chesterton International on 0207 201 2070 or visit chesterton.co.uk.

Au Coeur de Samoens, French Alps

Part of 'Le Grand Massif', Samoens is a traditional French alpine village that dates back to the 9th Century. With 265km of slopes and activities all year round, Samoens has something to offer all the family.
Situated in the heart of Samoens the development consists of two luxury south facing chalets with views on the Plateaux de Saix. Four two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom apartments are available. Each come with underground parking, ski lockers and space for a private sauna.
Priced from £385,000. Call Chesterton International on 0207 201 2070 or visit chesterton.co.uk.

Vicky McElhinney & Nikki Cartmill, BulgariaBest friends Vicky McElhinney, teacher and writer, and Nikki Cartmill, restauranteur and property developer, are two friends who decided to one day leave Northern Ireland and head towards the Balkan mountains following a rumour of properties which could be bought at €2,000 each in a country they had never been to. Leaving their husbands behind, they set off and ended up buying not one but two houses each in Bulgaria, and went on to write a book about their adventures. Here is their story.The BeginningVicky was bored at work when she found a seemingly unbelievable offer of dirt cheap properties in Bulgaria on the internet. Calling her friend Nikki, the pair hopped on a plane to Sofia, leaving their bemused husbands at home. Heading to Veliko Turnovo, the women started house-hunting. Driving through snow-bound countryside, the women describe the scenery as "straight out of a Grimms' Brothers tales.It was in the north central village of Malinovo that the ladies bought houses. Although not the homes they had first seen on the website, they were delighted with the two properties in the hills above the Yantra river. Each property cost €4,100.

Nikki opted for a 1930s single-storey, three-room house set back from the road, with two outhouses and a garden. Vicky's was a two-storey 1940s house on the village green. Shaking hands on the village green, they had made their purchases. Although first attracted by the house prices, the ladies soon fell in love with the country too. Says Vicky, "We weren't about to buy if we didn't like the country. Luckily it is magical, so we did." All it took was another trip to set up limited companies and the properties were theirs.Second HomesOn their next visit, a couple of months later, the women returned to complete the legal formalities and decided to carry on with their spending spree. Buying another house, this time Nikki bought a €14,000 traditional Bulgarian stone-built house in the archtectural reserve and film-set location of 200-year old Staro Stefanavo, a holiday spot for Sofia's rich and famous. Nikki rang her husband on the golf course to tell him the good news. Not to be outdone, Vicky then went home, surfed the internet and bought a 200-year-old cottage in the hamlet of Bulgarene, near Lovech, for €3,000.Having added a wet-room, septic tank, had new flooring installed and old ceilings restored, both Vicky and Nikki adore their new houses right on the Stara Planina, in the Balkans.

They stay there with husbands and various friends and relatives forextended stays. Says Nikki, "We have lovely views wherever you look, friendly neighbours and dirt cheap food and wine. The worst bits are the unbearable humidity in August coupled with water being cut off, flies and having to go back to England."Although there are ex-pat communities in nearby villages, the pair try to mix in the immediate community. Says Nikki, "Language is the biggest difficulty for us. But newcomers are made very welcome. We are, after all, great entertainment value." Vicky has had such a good time, in fact, that she has written a book about her experiences, called The Big Bulgarian Adventure, writing under the pseudonym Sue Seddon. Bulgaria is becoming increasingly popular, with more and more Britons looking to buy property abroad. The girls feel the area is great for buying a second home. "It's still really cheap," says Vicky, "and will go up again when buying land is easier." So will they be looking at any more houses? "We'll stop at the two each for now!" comes the answer.

Property PalsThe pair are now Property Pals and use their experience and now extensive local knowledge to hand hold others through what can be a very frustrating purchasing process. Says Nikki, "We have many local contacts such as reliable, honest and thorough builders and a good, helpful translator. We also have a good knowledge of local suppliers, where to eat and shop, entertainment, sightseeing, spas and ski slopes nearby."
Hugo Raymond, Founder of myPropertyPal.com says, "We are delighted to welcome Vicky and Nikki to MyPropertyPal.com to look after inland Bulgaria. They will indeed complement the strong service facility being provided by PropertyPal Budge in the south, and their combined experience ensures MyPropertyPal.com will offer the best Bulgarian information available on the World Wide Web."

See mypropertypal.com  

Cuenca – A Great Place To Hang Out    

You’ve probably heard of the hanging gardens of Babylon, but have you heard of the hanging houses of Cuenca?

About 140km south east of Madrid and north west of Valencia lies the historic city of Cuenca. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its wealth of monuments, it is best known for its nationally famous “casas colgadas” or hanging houses.

Originally built in the 14th century, these four houses literally hang on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the river Huécar gorge. In fact the name of the city might originate from the Latin “conca” meaning “river basin” which refers to the canyon made by the rivers Júcar and Huécar.

The walled city incorporates a variety of styles and periods, including the 12th century cathedral, convents from the 16th to 18th centuries, the ruins of a Moorish castle, the ancient Kunka fortress and mediaeval cobbled streets.

30km outside the city, the Cuenca Mountains are home to a series of bizarrely shaped rock formations known as the Enchanted City. Wind and water have eroded the huge limestone rocks into shapes which resemble animals, objects and human figures.

Besides the unusual and historic, the province now has another string to its bow. According to the latest Spanish House Price Index from Kyero.com, Cuenca is now the least expensive Spanish province in which to buy property. With the average property price being a mere €41,000, 84% below the national average of €250,000, Cuenca certainly offers value for money.

Martin Dell, MD of Kyero.com, comments, “Cuenca province is ideal for those looking for Spain’s best kept secret. The region has been virtually untouched by tourism and still retains its authentic Spanish charm. Properties available here are mostly in need of renovation giving the purchasers the ideal opportunity to create their perfect home in the sun. We at Kyero.com are receiving more and more enquiries for properties in Cuenca and expect the bargain prices not to last for long, especially as tourists are being attracted to the Villar de Olalla Golf Club, 5km outside Cuenca city, and the new casino and leisure complex due to open in 2008 in Castilla-La Mancha.”

For more information about properties available in Cuenca, visit www.kyero.com

Desert Spring, At Almanzora, Almeria, Spain    

Desert Springs Golf Resort in Almanzora, Almeria has been featured heavily on the overseas property portal www.property-abroad.com as a result of a successful awareness trip to the resort in July 2007.

"Desert Springs - a fabulous golf resort set amongst rugged desert lanscape yet filled with lush vegetation and the beautiful emerald green fairways of the 72 par international championship Indiana golf course. A golfers paradise in the middle of an oasis that is Almanzora."

Desert Springs Golf Property - apartments, townhouses, country cottages, villas and country homes - a choice of suitable properties and lifestyles to suit all budgets. Golf and leisure facilities compliment the properties on show and property management and rental facilities are available from within the resort.

An all year round golfing facility with quality properties not too far from the beach. Property owners include renowned athletes and sports stars keen to enjoy the resorts facilities.

The resort also features Europe’s only world class championship desert golf course, the stunning, 72 par, USGA specification championship desert Indiana course provides a unique golfing experience. What’s more its Golf Academy has unsurpassed facilities to help golfers to improve all aspects of their game; after all this was the Overseas Home of The English Golf Union and is the current home of the Welsh Ladies Golf Union.

The Sierra Club provides tennis, paddle, beach volleyball, a superbly equipped aerobic gymnasium, jogging and trim trails, mountain biking and football. This is the Spanish Home of double Olympic Champion and resort resident, Daley Thompson’s, “Daley Training” Fitness Programme.

All sorts of other activities are available locally; trail riding, horse riding lessons, cricket coaching, sailing, diving, snorkelling, fishing, caving and off-road driving.

Property-Abroad.com will be featuring the development long term in line with its future growth and encourages potential investors to look closely at some of the exceptional opportunities on offer.

Since joining the EU interest in Bulgaria has soared. Amanda Shiel takes at look at what’s on offer in this picturesque country

Case Study
 
After Vicky McElhinney found a seemingly unbelievable offer of cheap properties in Bulgaria online, she promptly called her best friend Nikki Cartmill. Wanting to investigate further, the pair hopped on a plane to Sofia leaving their bemused husbands at home in Northern Ireland.
Driving through the snow-bound countryside, they headed towards Veliko Turnovo were they started house-hunting. They both found houses in the north central village of Malinovo and although they were not the homes they had initially seen on the website, they were delighted with their purchases. Cartmill opted for a 1930s single-storey, three-room house set back from the road, with two outhouses and a garden. McElhinney’s was a two-storey 1940s house on the village green. Although first attracted by the house prices (both cost €4,100), the ladies soon fell in love with the country. McElhinney comments: ‘We weren't about to buy if we didn't like the country. Luckily it’s magical here, so we did.’
They visited again a couple of months later to complete the legal formalities on their house purchases and decided to carry on with their spending spree. This time Cartmill bought a €14,000 traditional Bulgarian stone-built house in Staro Stefanavo, a holiday spot for Sofia's rich and famous. Not to be outdone, McElhinney went home to Northern Ireland and bought a 200-year-old cottage in the hamlet of Bulgarene, near Lovech, for €3,000 that she found on the internet.Both McElhinney and Cartmill adore their new houses in the Balkans. Cartmill said, ‘We have lovely views wherever you look, friendly neighbours and dirt cheap food and wine.’
Although there are ex-pat communities in nearby villages, the pair try to mix in the immediate community. ‘Language is the biggest difficulty for us,’ says Cartmill. ‘But newcomers are made very welcome.’
Bulgaria is becoming increasingly popular and McElhinney and Cartmill feel the area is great for buying a second home. ‘It's still really cheap,’ comments McElhinney who had such a good experience in Bulgaria that she has written a book called The Big Bulgarian Adventure (written under  pseudonym Sue Seddon).
And do they have plans to buy anymore homes? ‘We’ll leave it at two for now,’ they say.
The Big Bulgarian Adventure is on sale at £9.50; email vicky@mypropertypal.com to order a copy. See mypropertypal.com for further information about Bulgaria

Central Planina

SimpliBulgaria’s Geshaview ruro-treat in Central Planina (near the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnova) is a unique development consisting of 147 luxury five star properties.
Featuring a mix of detached houses, apartments, mews homes and townhouses, Geshaview has stunning views and offers a huge variety of sporting facilities including climbing, riding and sky diving. There will also be a hotel, bars, craft studios, shops, an art gallery, organic restaurants, a natural swimming pool, health centre and spa facility with secluded woodland jacuzzis.  
Local tourist attractions include the Roman ruins, Nikopolis Adistrum;  the Central Balkan National Park and the Dryanova Monastery.  Nearby Gorna airport should soon be accepting international flights, including those from low cost carriers – the current nearest options being either Varna or Sofia.
Geshaview studio apartments start at £32,000 and town houses and mews homes cost from £85,000. Due for completion in 2008.
Contact SimpliBulgaria on  0114 252 5060 or see SimpliBulgaria.com.

Balchik

Windows to Paradise is a select development of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Situated on the Black Sea Coast at Balchik, the development is located on a stepped site directly overlooking the sea and sits adjacent to one of the Gary Player courses. The facilities at the scheme include several outdoor swimming pools, full spa centre with indoor pool, steam bath, sauna, Jacuzzi and children’s pool. Set within landscaped botanical gardens, the scheme also features a restaurant and fully licensed bar, shops, a supermarket and a wine cellar.
Prices at phase three start from €38,546.63 (£26,583.88) for a studio apartment, €57,902.13 (£39,932.50) for a one-bedroom apartment and €81,769.50 (£56,392.76) for a two-bedroom apartment.  For further sales information contact Bulgarian Dreams on 020 7614 1240 or visit bulgariandreams.com.

Tankovo

Located near the village of Tankovo, Tankovo Mews provides a traditional style Bulgarian home with the quality and safety of 21st Century living on the outskirts of the cosmopolitan resort of Sunny Beach and medieval town of Nessebar.
Tankovo Mews provides a village setting in a courtyard house concept, with a communal swimming pool and public pavilion.  The Kableshkovo Golf and entertainment complex - an exclusive development featuring a prestigious 18 hole golf course with swimming pools, a horse-back riding track, tennis courts, a casino, a soccer pitch and polo grounds, is under development 3km away.
Available properties include four-bedroom villas with heated swimming pool priced from £159,516, three-bedroom villas with plunge pool priced from £123,958 and two-bedroom villas with Jacuzzi priced from £94,766.
For more details visit buyland.co.uk.

Nessebar

Set on the rolling hills just outside of Nessebar, Nexus provides a village setting in a courtyard house concept with 24-hour security and pedestrianised inner roads, giving a safe haven for the village. The central plaza with its communal swimming pool and public pavilion allow residents the option to socialise with other village residents or stay within their own private villas.
Available properties include four-bedroom villas with heated swimming pool priced from £145,547, three-bedroom villas with plunge pool priced from £119,381, two-bedroom villas with Jacuzzi priced from £102,246, one-bedroom apartments priced from £26,899 and studio apartments priced from £19,669. For more details, visit buyland.co.uk.

Case study 

Pensioners live the high-life in Bulgaria
30,000 Britons already own homes in this country, according to the Bulgarian government. And with UK citizens now able to get their pensions paid in Bulgaria, the number of those living or investing in the country is set to rise.
For 66-year-old Alan Lowe and his wife Carol, 58, from Dundee, it was the ideal choice. They moved to Bulgaria in May 2006, to Kozarevo – about 10kms from a main town – and the price of the property was just £19,500.
Carol says, ‘It’s not a quick and easy decision to leave all the comforts of home, family and friends especially when you are a bit older.
‘But, with a mortgage to pay back home, along with the crippling council tax and expensive electricity and gas bills, it was getting difficult and our pension wouldn’t go far in the UK.’
Alan adds, ‘Money had to be the deciding factor and Bulgaria is the country which met our limited pension budget.
“The price of the house included all costs – solicitors, notary, translation of the documents and so on was all included in the price and renovation is going to cost money but it’s affordable.’
Case study courtesy of Quest Bulgaria

Airline announces flights to Sofia

Easyjet will be offering direct, scheduled flights from Gatwick to Sofia, Bulgaria from 6 November 2007. Flights from the major no-frills airline are expected to prompt other low-costs carriers to follow suit encouraging increased travel to the country.
Easyjet will fly three times per week from London Gatwick to Sofia on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The average prices for a return trip in November is just over £50 per person including taxes and charges.
Robert Jenkin, managing director of UK estate agent Bulgarian Dreams, is thrilled by the announcement and comments: ‘The increase in direct flights to Bulgaria is a testament to the country’s ongoing popularity and proven investment – something we have been keen to see implemented since we first began operating in Bulgaria in 2002. Bulgaria offers some of the best value for money in Europe – particularly after joining the EU in January 2007.’

Florida doesn’t just boast some of the best holiday attractions. Those looking to invest in the area will find it has fantastic homes too, says Amanda Shiel

Florida, also known as the sunshine state, enjoys a subtropical climate that lasts all year. The attractions and amenities are numerous – tourists and locals enjoy world-class golf courses, fine eateries, nightlife and the world famous theme parks. The area is not just a popular holiday destination; Florida is the place of choice for many investors looking to buy overseas.  

Watersong in Orlando offers a therapeutic escape from lively tradition of other Orlando destinations. The homes feature beautiful Mediterranean style exteriors and barrel tile roofs. Backyards will offer a private space and interiors will include tiled floors in kitchen and bathroom areas as well as gas washers and dryers. The community will be gated and have concierge services and the outdoor amenities will include a community pool (and a lot for the tots), an exercise room and a cyber café. The development is located just minutes from Disney World and other world class attractions. Four- and five-bedroom town houses are available, priced between $269,900 and $359,900.

Situated just north of Naples, the luxury community at Miromar Lakes has the unique distinction of 700 acres of aquamarine freshwater. Miromar Lakes offers residents the benefit of a private beach front, Arthur Hills signature championship golf course, world-class European-style Miromar spa and exquisite dining. The community has the added distinction of aquamarine freshwater lakes.
The undeniable focal point is the unparalleled Miromar Beach Club. Framed by nearly two miles of private white sandy beach, the beach club also has a huge zero infinity pool, the largest in south-west Florida, and a large whirlpool.

The fantastic luxury detached villas at this development, which offer one- and four- bedrooms and one to three bathrooms, offer something to suit all needs. Crafted in a distinctive style, they have easy access to the golf course and lakes and many boast golf course or waterfront views. They represent the very best of holiday living, with enough room to spend time in comfort and to enjoy all the amenities of this exciting area.

Residents and visitors can take a jungle safari, go bird watching in the everglades, collect shells along Marco and Sanibel Island, or charter a boat for fishing in the gulf. One- to four-bedrooms are available, priced from $500,000 - $6,000,000.

While increases in prices in the French property market have slowed, there is still upward movement. This is notably the case in the cities such as Lyon and Strasbourg, as well as in coastal areas where a real shortage of accommodation is apparent.The market slowed off in the run-up to the French presidential election, which is a normal occurrence, but has since picked up.
The future looks promising property-wise due to new president Mr Sarkozy’s planned reforms. For those purchasing their main property of residence he has introduced a tax reduction of 20 per cent of the mortgage interest paid annually up to €1,500 per year per couple, or €750 per year for a single person during the first five years after the purchase and of the mortgage. Inheritance tax has also changed, with the surviving spouse no longer paying inheritance tax. Mr Sarkozy wishes to encourage French residents to purchase property and to become a nation of home owners like the UK.These reforms are expected to boost the French property market in the coming years as more and more people are encouraged to purchase property, which will also attract foreign investment. This coupled with French lenders improved flexibility and less rigid approach will allow more people to purchase a property.
In 2005 the average age of people purchasing an apartment was 43.5 according to the French chamber of notaries.Eighteen per cent of our clients are aged between 30 and 35 and live in the South East, so it just shows that more and more young professionals are highly attracted to the property market despite the ups and downs we have seen over recent years.With the famous ‘loi littoral’ in France, developers are not allowed to build on the coastline and therefore developments on the beachfront are extremely rare and sought after. Despite a general slow down in the French market, coastal areas are continuing to see the highest increase in property prices, as buyers rush to secure property as a main place of residence or a holiday home, but also with the outside interest of foreign purchasers such as the Brits.

YFP is currently selling a beachfront development in the Atlantic resort of Mimizan Plage, where prices rose by 12 per cent last year alone and are expected to continue to increase with the current trend in France for coastal properties, fiscal advantages and also the improvements of the resort itself. Prices start from €181,400. Bordeaux and Biarritz airports are both less than 90 minutes away and are serviced by Easyjet and Ryanair.Loire Atlantique and Southern Brittany are also coastal hotspots, property prices rose by an average of 21 per cent in 2006 in the area surrounding La Baule. A lack of properties on sale in the Morbihan area means that prices are tending to rise rapidly as it is a sought after area. Your French Property is marketing properties for sale in a delightful seaside residence just 20 metres from the beach, located on the Presqu'île de Quiberon in Brittany. Prices start from €205,500.France remains a popular destination for tourists from the UK and Ireland due to its proximity and flights with low cost airlines. We are seeing more and more requests for new build coastal properties as opposed to existing houses and renovation projects, as new build properties present a good solution for those looking for a holiday home due to the low maintenance and building guarantees offered.France has everything a Brit could ever dream of.
Forty-five per cent of our clients buy in France because of the fantastic lifestyle that it has to offer, not to mention the amazing climate compared to the UK’s unpredictable weather (particularly this year’s tragic monsoon summer).With Sarkozy’s changes, prices on the up and property bargains still to be had France is still a viable and stable option for British buyers to look into when in search of a long-term investment.For more information contact Your French Property on 01793 610947 or visit your-french-property.co.uk

Residence la Pinede, Le Bacares, Languedoc Roussillon

Residence le Pinede on the shores of the Mediterranean is made up of 15 three-bedroom villas with garages, terraces and private gardens, along with 41 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
The attractive fishing port of Le Bacares is a year-round tourist attraction, easily accessible through low budget airlines, which is creating a big demand for rental accommodation. The increase in property prices in the Languedoc area has been in the region of ten per cent annually over the last few years compared to a national average of seven per cent.

All the properties are available either as a traditional holiday home or as an investment opportunity through the Assetz Leaseback scheme, costing from €119,500 (£81,577).
Under the Assetz scheme, investors would claim back VAT on the property purchase and receive a five per cent guaranteed rental yield for five years, with all administration fees, taxes and insurance paid, along with three weeks’ free usage and a 15 per cent discount on the public tariff at other times. Following this period the management company would continue to rent the property out for another four years, should the investor wish to do so.
For further information, contact Assetz on 0161 456 4000 or visit assetz.co.uk.

Amanda Shiel looks at a selection of desirable overseas homes that boast views over some of the finest seas

(Mediterranean / Aegean Sea) Turkey

Artev Homes currently offers three sites in the area surrounding Bodrum. And with each of these, the developer’s very low-cost optional rental service makes investing easy. Not only will Artev use its best efforts to see that your property is rented, but it will also act as a full-service maintenance provider: maid service and inventory checks between guests, key handover and 24-hour reception facilities are part of the Artev Homes rentals plan – all for a £200 annual registration fee.Guests at Hillside will experience what Nihat Uğur, rental supervisor for Artev Homes, calls ‘a hotel system. We are the only ones in Turkey who do this.’Although there is no guaranteed rental income, Artev calculates that buyers will see an annual return of five per cent of their purchase price at its Hillside Garden development. This scheme is a collection of 144 apartments and 40 villas near Yalikavak, about 19km from Bodrum and about 45 minutes from Bodrum airport. These properties are extremely family-friendly, with a wide range of activities for both children and grown-ups. There are ten communal pools, as well as tennis courts and a life-size chess set. The site also boasts a restaurant and gym.The development offers beautiful views across the bay towards Karlak – and there are both sandy and pebble beaches nearby.
Golf courses are also plentiful nearby.

This is a wonderful environment in which to forget work stress and unwind with your family or friends.Hillside Garden is well over 80 per cent sold, a testament to the impressive investment package these properties represent. Near Didim, just a shuttle boat from popular Bozric, Artev Homes offers Apollonia, which will be a perfect idyll for those who want a quiet holiday. Off-plan sales are brisk, and this development, according to Uğur, ‘appeals to both investors and those who plan to settle’. Apollonia will have apartments, link-attached homes and town houses. ‘Seventy per cent of people who buy here are investors,’ he says. ‘The other 30 per cent buy here to live here, maybe six months here and six months in the UK.’This part of the coast enjoys particularly pleasant weather; its low humidity means those who suffer from asthma and other breathing difficulties are particularly keen on the area.

The shallow sandy beach is also a calm, friendly bathing place, and Artev is extending the existing beach inland to create an approximately 400m x 30m area of white sand between the sea and the properties. The beach will be private to the development.Every apartment has a sea view of some kind – a truly excellent draw for holidaymakers and investors alike. Completion is due in May 2009 and already over half are sold. Three-bedroom villas with two-and-a-half baths are priced from around £100,000. The properties are being marketed in The Netherlands, Russia and Scandinavia as well as the UK.Contact The Superior Group on freephone 0800 195 7233 or visit superiorworldwide.com.

(Black Sea) Bulgaria

Just minutes from the centre of Balchik, Waterside Quay offers secluded and rare, front-line marina property set on the famous White Lagoon in Balchik, with 60 luxury apartments having uninterrupted sea views. Facilities at the development include a fabulous rooftop swimming pool, gym, and waterside restaurant and bar. Residents can take a water taxi from the private marina to nearby Balchik for a stroll along the promenade and a delicious meal of the day’s catch at a local fish restaurant.
Prices are from €92,750 (£63,965) for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment and  €128,350 (£88,517) for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. Contact Bulgarian Dreams on 020 7614 1240 or visit bulgariandreams.com.

(Atlantic Ocean) Cape Verde

Cotton Bay Golf and Resort in the Algodoeiro region on the south-west coast of Sal has been designed with an awareness of the environment and it is bordered by palm-fringed beaches and clear blue seas and enjoys year round sunshine.

The development will have 10 key residential areas - all sympathetically designed to reflect the Cape Verdean culture and personality with an emphasis on open spaces and light.  
Many of the villas will enjoy an enviable front line beach location and will range in size from 120sq metres to 350sq metres with two-, three-, four- or five-bedrooms. There will be one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes with gardens and terraces on the ground floor, terraces on the first and second floors and a communal swimming pool.
Prices start at €124,000. A simple and structured payment plan is in place to ensure investors enjoy a hassle free purchase process.
Call Emerging Real Estate on 0845 601 7293 or visit emergingrealestate.com.

(Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas) Italy

The Calabria region of Italy is a sun-bathed coastal area nestling in Italy’s ‘toe’ and surrounded by warm seas on its three coastlines.

Santa Venere, a private gated development of luxury apartments, is located in the heart of Vibo Marina, close to the resort of Tropea and within easy reach of the airport.
Visitors can choose to wile away their time in the stylish marina with its host of luxury yachts, in the quaint local bars and trattorias or on the immaculate sandy beaches or hidden coves.
These two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments are set in tended green gardens. There are a wide range of amenities available, including a swimming pool, restaurant and entertainment available on-site. Prices start from £91,946 (€135,482).
Fioribello is situated within a few minutes’ drive of Tropea’s shopping and historic districts, as well as some of the best beaches in the region. Located close to the port city of Pizzo and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the development comprises of one- and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. Each boasts a balcony looking onto the gulf of Santa Eufemia as well as traditional Italian tiling throughout. Prices start from £61,300 (€90,340).
For further details on either of these developments, visit mrioverseasproperty.com.

(Mediterranean) Spain

La Zagaleta, the former private estate of Saudi entrepreneur Adnan Khashoggi, is a highly elite community covering almost 900 hectares and is one of the last remaining private natural reserves in the whole of the region.  Set in the Benahavís Hills at 450 metres above sea level, the views of the Rock of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa are priceless.

La Zagaleta owners and their guests are able to indulge in the definitive Country Club lifestyle.  The development offers three private lakes, tennis courts and a clubhouse. Khashoggi’s former private home is now a member’s only restaurant, bowling alley, clay pigeon range, swimming pool and billiard room.  There is also a private riding club boasting pure Arab and Spanish horses, four arenas, livery for the club’s horses as well as stabling for privately owned horses.
La Zagaleta has twin gated guarded entrances, on-site administration offices, catering and banking services plus an operational heliport for the chopper.

Examples of homes include H31, a four bedroom property built on a magnificent elevated plot, priced at 5.9 million euros and C1-10, a Villarroel designed property comprising three main bedrooms and two guest bedrooms, priced at 8.5 million euros.
Individual plots are available at La Zagaleta. Prices start from 750,000 euros for 4,000m².
Contact Carrington Estates on 00 34 952 810 868 / 00 34 952 778 244, UK Local Rate 0845 094 1168 or visit carrington-estates.com.  

Buyers are hip to the wonderful islands of the Caribbean. Johnny Turner sees what’s on the market in some of the more sumptuous locations

The Landings is an award-winning five-star development of waterfront luxury homes on Rodney Bay, in the thriving north west of St Lucia. Its freehold residences are built around a private yacht harbour on one of the finest beaches in St Lucia. Properties overlook either the beach or the harbour with views over Rodney Bay and the calm Caribbean Sea.

More than just a residential development The Landings is a resort with an extensive range of on site facilities. A concierge service will ensure that every owner’s whim is catered for, from ensuring their fridge is stocked prior to their arrival to organising a babysitter or booking a massage. Amenities on site will include yacht mooring and slips, beach club, water sports, sunset lounge located on the pier, a gourmet restaurant, fitness club, luxury spa and salon, swimming pools, boutique, tennis courts and resort reception area. Owners at The Landings also have membership of the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club, which is a five minutes drive from the resort.

Since its launch in January 2005 The Landings has won two highly coveted Bentley International Property Awards for ‘Best Marina Development’ and ‘Best Caribbean Development.

There is a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, built in a traditional Caribbean architectural style and fronting the beach, marina or channel. Apartment and balcony sizes are generous, with many properties having balconies at the front and rear of the property for alfresco dining and enjoying sunset cocktails. A one-bedroom apartment offers an overall space of 1,300 sq ft, a two bedroom 1,850 sq ft and a three bedroom apartment 2,640 sq ft. All are finished in high-quality materials such as stainless steel, exotic wood, imported tiles and stone. Air conditioning will be fitted as standard throughout.

Interiors have been designed by award-winning designer Alex Chapman & Associates, whose work includes the exclusive Cotton House resort on Mustique and the Trump Riverside development in New York.  Owners have the choice of two bathroom/kitchen and general finish packages with the option to upgrade to alternative finishes and fittings. Also, the properties will be built to internationally accepted hurricane, seismic and general building codes.
Residences at The Landings are priced from $595,000 to $1.69 million. Call 0870 3891936 or see thelandingsstlucia.com.

Award-winning developer SANDS Caribbean has launched the first phase of their Adam’s Bay Luxury Beach Club resort on the island of Bequia. The island is located eight miles south of St Vincent and has been described as an undiscovered treasure in The Grenadines.

The Adams Bay resort offers a range of properties including traditional Caribbean ‘Gingerbread’ cottages located on the white sand beach, luxury hillside villas with elevated ocean views and on the ridge top sumptuous Ridge Residences with views over the beach, the Grenadines, Port Elizabeth and St Vincent.
The Adams Bay Luxury Beach Club resort has been designed with the entire family in mind, providing a variety of services and activities that will keep residents and guests entertained from sunrise to sunset.
The Beach Club features an a la carte restaurant, beach bar/restaurant, children’s play areas and club and a stunning beach with Grenadine views. There is also a boutique shopping area with a number of everyday convenience stores and a spa treatment area. Other amenities include tennis courts, boat/dock and outstanding fishing and diving.

Bequia’s average daytime temperature varies between 24ºC  and 30ºC. Like its Caribbean neighbours, the island sees the usual season cycle. Its dry – and ultimately peak – season runs from December through to April, after which the rainy period sets in from May until June.
Bequia’s clear, warm waters and tropical inhabitants provide the perfect environment for diving and snorkelling, while the Atlantic breezes make sailing, windsurfing and kayaking equally popular past times. The interior mountains and moor lands of the island also offer exceptional hiking opportunities. Alternatively, joining the locals for a laid back session of fishing is also an option.
Bequia is reached by air from North America and Europe through six major gateways: Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia, Puerto Rico and Trinidad. Bequia is a short 25- to 30-minute flight from most of these hubs. The resort is situated two minutes from the airport.
Two- and three-bedroom beach cottages at Adams Bay are now available from $704,000.

Recently drawing the tourists and raising its profile by hosting the Cricket World Cup, the Caribbean offers both sports lovers and sun lovers alike a fabulous holiday destination. For those looking to find a ‘great catch’ off the cricket field, the Caribbean presents an exciting opportunity for investment. Real estate in the Caribbean and Central America can offer the serious investor many opportunities to make substantial gains on their investment in just a few years. Real estate prices on many islands continue to increase each year, but many great bargains can still to be found.

St Lucia

Located between Martinique and St. Vincent, St. Lucia covers 238 square miles. This is a physically dramatic Caribbean island, with dense tropical forests, the towering peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, a volcano, sulphur springs, mineral baths and secluded beaches.
 
St. Lucia's early history is sketchy; there is some debate as to whether the island was discovered by Columbus in 1503, or by his map maker Juan de la Cosa in 1499. The French eventually settled the island in 1650, but were constantly challenged by the British which meant that St. Lucia changed flags 14 times before the British finally triumphed in 1803. The French influence is still very evident in the culture, the language spoken (Patois, a Creole-like dialect) and local cooking which still has French derivations. St. Lucia still remained British through to 1979, when it became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations.

St. Lucia presents what by most opinions is now a rarity in the Caribbean: a natural wonderland of lush, mountainous topography and a mostly undeveloped island. Currently, St. Lucia's commodities are simple: ubiquitous coconut palms, banana plantations, and radiant colors.

Development is certainly occurring, but the island will continue offering raw beauty for many years to come.

Ocean Breeze Villas

One of the most spectacular of the Superior developments, homes at OceanBreeze offer spectacular views, peace and tranquility and a glorious tropical setting. Each detached villa is designed in a distinctive Mediterranean Andalusian style with great emphasis put on quality, elegance and finish. Plot sizes are very generous and are typically between a quarter and one third acre in size. All villas come with the option of a private swimming pool with a variety of designs and sizes to choose from. There is a choice of 13 villa styles to choose from and in addition Superior can also design a custom villa for those with their own design concept.

Prices start at £150,000.

Call Superior on +44 (0)870 7504477 or by email at info@superiorworld.com

Often, owning a second property abroad means flying – and the more you fly, the more the environment suffers. Amanda Shiel sees what’s available for those who want to own abroad without leaving a huge carbon footprint.

The French Alps

MGM Constructeur is offering the jet-set life without the need for a jet. Set in the Alpine town of Bourg St Maurice, the location is very near a choice of skiing meccas. Le Coeur d’Or is a superb leaseback residence of 45 apartments in a stylish contemporary architecture. The location, just ten minutes’ walk from the town centre, is superb.

Bourg St Maurice is a popular ‘hub’ served by coach services to popular ski resorts – notably Tignes, Val d’Isere, la Rosiere, Vallandry and La Plagne.
The green benefits of investing here are set to improve dramatically later this year when work is completed on London’s new St Pancras International terminal. The station will become the departure point for faster Eurostar journeys to France which, during the ski season, will include a weekly direct service to Bourg St Maurice.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments are furnished and include ski lockers and cellars. Each also comes with an outside parking space. Besides the residences, the building will also feature a bowling centre, a cinema, a brasserie-restaurant, shops and conference rooms.
Prices for these leaseback-only properties range from €143,000 to €421,000 excluding VAT. Completion is expected in late 2008. Interested investors should call 020 7494 0706 or visit mgm-constructeur.com.

Luxury on the high seas

Four Seasons, a 48,600-ton 719-foot luxury vessel, will feature an exclusive fully private international residential community. Scheduled for delivery in 2010, it will offer 112 wholly owned private residences providing one-, two-, three-, or four-bedrooms with the onboard benefits and amenities of the legendary service of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

The epitome of oceanfront living, Four Seasons will provide owners with an unparalleled home and travel lifestyle. Elegant fully furnished residences and penthouses, designed by Tillberg Design US   and ranging in size from 800 to over 7,000 square feet, will include floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious living room areas with sea views, master bedroom suites with walk-in dressing rooms, expansive terraces, walk-in closets and a full-size gourmet kitchen.

The ship offers sophisticated travelers an expansive array of onboard activities and entertainment, including the 11,000sq ft Four Seasons Spa and fitness facility, a European-styled promenade offering exclusive merchandise from many high end and well known retailers and a gourmet market.
Whether traveling for several weeks or year-round aboard the 13-deck Four Seasons, owners will tour some of the world’s most vibrant cities and exotic ports of call without ever leaving home.
International sales of the ocean residences will commence on 16th May 2007.

Prices start from £1.875m for a one-bedroom apartment ranging up to £7.417m for a four-bedroom apartment. A four-bedroom triplex penthouse is priced at £20m. Service charges start from £52,500 per annum. Contact David Vaughan at Savills International on 020 7016 3814 or visit savills.com/fsor.

Eastern Europe, once almost a no-go area, is now a must-buy destination for British buyers. Amanda Shiel looks at what’s on the market

Former Communist countries are among the most popular buying zones for UK investors. With low prices and scope for growth, these newly flowering countries, increasingly accepted by the EU, are proving very successful.

Bulgaria

Developers are touting ‘five-star resorts’ all over the world but what really constitutes five star and in whose eyes? Dream Homes WorldWide is confidently promoting Sunset Resort, ten minutes’ from Bourgas International Airport on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast, as the only genuine five-star development in the area.

Hotel classification systems only came in after the Second World War triggered by efforts from National Tourist Boards, and it took its time, by 1970 only five European countries had national classification systems, but by 1980 this had increased to 22 European countries and 60 worldwide. Frustratingly for the consumer, hotel grading systems will never be uniform across the board, national expectations are just so different. The Brits demand a cooked breakfast, the French long for a bidet, the Portuguese want a selection of cigars at reception, the Dutch love their towels whilst the Americans are partial to an ice machine. Star ratings can be confusing and misleading to say the least.

Adam Godwin, Marketing Manager of Dream Homes WorldWide comments, “In the overseas property market consumers face the same conundrum. Developers are touting ‘five star resorts’ all over the world but what really constitutes five star and in whose eyes? We are confidently promoting Sunset Resort, ten minutes’ from Bourgas International Airport on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast, as the only genuine five star development in the area. Taking into account ‘fixtures’ and ‘feel’, Sunset Resort leaves its competition in the shade, they simply cannot compare on facilities, service, comfort, location and architectural style.”

Sunset Resort is the largest resort on the Black Sea coast with almost 800 units and occupies 400 metres of sandy coastline which, with virtually no currents, has an unblemished reputation for safety. With indoor pools, outdoor pools, lazy pools, waterslides and direct access to nature’s own, the sea, water lovers will be in paradise, whilst on dry land Sunset Resort also boasts restaurants, cafés, bars, a casino, shops, beauty salon, conference facilities, Spa, gymnasium, tennis courts and a kindergarten, to name but a few. Sunset Resort is only 10 minutes drive from Bourgas International Airport and 2km from the centre of Pomorie, a town famous for its mud spas, fruit, vegetables and wineries - all thanks to rich, fertile soil.

Phase two properties at Sunset Resort are all one bedroom apartments which will be fully fitted and furnished and ready for immediate occupation. Boasting spacious private terraces, remote control air conditioning units, custom-built kitchens complete with white goods and large bathrooms, there is a full rental scheme that guarantees a net annual return of 5.5% for three years, all this on prices starting from £75,100.

Payment terms £700 deposit, 40% at contract, 20% on completion of rough construction and 40% on completion estimated for April 2008.

Dream Homes Worldwide can be contacted on UK freephone 08000 193 847 or telephone 00 34 952 908 803 email enquiry@dreamhomesww.com or view www.dreamhomesww.com

Info on the Black Sea Coast
The coastline has 220km of sandy beaches, 10 of which hold the prestigious Blue Flag accolade as well as one Blue Flag rated marina. The climate is temperate and warm between April and October making the area a perennial favourite with Russia’s elite. The Sea is low in salt, has negligible tides or currents and is ideal for safe bathing. New golf courses are being built around established resorts, including those designed by Gary Player and Ian Woosnam, in order to cater to the lucrative golfing market. Carriers including WizzAir (Luton), Excel (Gatwick, Manchester), Thomsonfly (most UK airports) and My Travel (Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Gatwick) all have direct flights into Bourgas International Airport.

Poland

Warsaw has been one of the world’s premier places to invest for several years now. During 2003, property prices in Poland actually fell, which provided a head start for investors. Poland’s European Union accession in 2004 lead to a large amount of government funding, a booming economy and an increase of industry to Warsaw, the country’s business and political hub, generating a large number of new jobs. More and more people migrated to Warsaw in search of these jobs, increasing population levels, reducing unemployment and creating an excess of disposable income.

The recent introduction of mortgages in Poland meant that locals could obtain 100% loan to value finance. This availability of cheap credit, combined with low property prices and an excess of disposable income, drove demand for property up in Poland and Warsaw in particular. The country was experiencing relatively slow supply due to an archaic planning system and the combination of this high demand and restricted supply, resulted in the perfect conditions for large and sustained increases in property prices. Today, prices have more than doubled in Warsaw since EU accession and growth has returned to normal levels, which leaves us wondering if the market has room to continue growing and whether it will remain one of the premier places to invest going forward.

Simon Tweddle, Chief Analyst at Property Secrets comments;
“Although property in Warsaw is less affordable today than it was a year ago, I believe the fundamentals of the market are still strong and we will see long term sustained growth of 10-20% per annum over the next five to ten years.”

“The economy is still performing well and unemployment is falling. Mortgages have become slightly more expensive recently, but rates are still low and not high enough to put any serious brakes on the housing boom.”

Simon adds; “The 19 billion euros the government plans to spend, as a result of hosting the Euro 2012 football championships, will not only improve the country’s economic infrastructure and regenerate its cities, but will also put further strains on the cost of building materials and labour – again putting upward pressure on property prices.”

“The supply and demand dynamics of the market are out of balance (in our favour) and I believe we will continue to see good (approx 15% per annum on average), long term growth in the maturing Warsaw property market for very low risk.”

Some of the less popular areas of Warsaw are undergoing significant regeneration which is where the most capital growth is anticipated over the next few years. Wola, is not a particularly attractive area of Warsaw but low prices, massive infrastructure improvements and its proximity to the centre make it a great long term investment location. This can also be said of Praga on the other side of the river. Praga North is attracting lots of artists and is expected to be a very trendy place to live in the near future. In the short to medium term, the areas around the planned new metro line are where good growth levels are expected, such as Bemowo and Bielany, which are already showing very positive signs.

In conclusion, Simon adds; “Warsaw is a great long-term, low-risk bet. The fundamentals are still strong and the market is not likely to go away any time soon. The city centre is very expensive and growth is likely to be low relative to the rest of the city, although it would provide a good, low-risk, steady, long-term growth investment area. Some of the more outlying districts, which will benefit from new metro lines and roads, are likely to provide the highest growth rates medium to long term.”

“Warsaw still provides the property investor with a great mix of relative risk and relative reward. An investment in Warsaw, I believe, should be part of any serious Central and Eastern European property investor’s portfolio and is a buy now opportunity – before prices rise still further.”

Romania

Romania is a fast growing country which is attracting interest from UK investors keen to be on the first rung in a country with enormous capital growth potential.

“Britons are discovering that Europe’s Eastern frontier has much to offer”, says Anda Giorgio of Romanian Property Connections Ltd, specialist in Romania and members of FOPDAC (Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants).

What is also attracting investors is The Marisia EcoSpa Resort which is being built to British standards right down to three pin plug sockets! The resort is being constructed to be as ecologically sensitive and sustainable as possible. The whole resort will provide log cabins from sustainable forestry with underfloor heating from woodchip fired boilers. Using a variety of energy solutions the resort will offer solar and wind power to rainwater entrapment and grey water recycling.

Marisia EcoSpa hopes to be an important example of a sustainable business model in this fast developing new EU member state. The resort is located in the Mures River Valley area of Ideciu de Jos chosen because of its unique magnesic muds and chlorosodic mineral waters.

“The Marisia Eco-Spa Resort represents a marvellous opportunity for Britons looking for a sound investment in holiday property abroad”, continues Anda “It is perfect as an investment in the booming Romanian market for domestic tourism and Transylvania’s emergence as an international holiday destination and property investment hotspot”.

Steve Emmett, Chairman of FOPDAC says,” As with all emerging countries there is an element of speculation. Unlike more traditional investment countries such as Spain and Portugal there is no record of capital growth or rental returns but nevertheless as Europe opens up, there are opportunities for speculative investment which could prove dramatically beneficial.

FOPDAC has been operating over 30 years and all our members are carefully vetted so that a buyer committing their finances know that the company with whom they are dealing has passed our stringent criteria. The Federation was formed to protect purchasers from unscrupulous agents and developers and its importance within the industry has never been so great.


We ensure that members satisfy the committee as to their suitability and thereby ensure that purchasers are protected”.

FOPDAC
www.fopdac.com
0208 941 5588

Romanian Property Connections Ltd
0208 748 5868
www.romanianhomes.com

Hungary

Central Passage is a prestige development in the heart of downtown Budapatest.
This development consists of 270 units and was released to the market in 2005.
Last month all 270 units had been reserved but 16 units are back on the market as a result of a cancellation.
The area around this part of Kiraly Street is going to become the hop part of town as a result of a number (All sold) of flagship developments. When all these units are completed, and the luxury ground floor shops and restaurants start to make their mark, we think there will be dramatic price increases in this small chic area.
This is an opportunity to find an apartment or studio in the bustling, cultured, city of Budapest, home to warm thermal baths, busy markets and stunning architecture.
A 10% deposit will secure these apartments.
Available individually or as a bulk purchase.
The Central Passage Budapest building is 7 storeys tall; highly individual in architectural style and situated at the very centre of the city (at number 8, Király Street - located in the privileged zone of Pest) it will be a welcome addition to the skyline.
Once completed, it will cover a total of 16.103 square metres, with 271 top quality homes. Central Passage Budapest offers a range of flats and apartments (1, 2, and 3 bedrooms) ranging from 34 to 112 square metres, all with garage parking. The building will also include a shopping mall and offices on the ground and mezzanine floors.
The range of options makes it possible for buyers to choose the home that best suits their needs: studio flats with different sized balconies, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, also to be built with balconies, and 3-bedroom flats for families or those who love large spaces.
Buyers may purchase garage parking spaces for each flat if they wish. For more information call
01787 269 137
hungarian-investments.com.

Amanda Shiel looks at some stunning developments that not only boast tranquil surroundings but offer some top notch golfing facilities too

Pezula Resort, South Africa

Located on the eastern head of Knysna on South Africa's famous Garden Route, Pezula is surrounded by rugged cliffs, ancient forests and sheltered beaches, with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, the Knysna Lagoon and the 18-hole Pezula Championship Golf Course.
The golf course is set against the gentle background of the Outeniqua Mountains and encompasses a protected nature reserve and forest. Ronald Fream and David Dale of GolfPlan USA designed the course in a combination of the Scottish links style and the parkland style.
Plots still available at the resort; residents can choose their own architect and contractor but must submit plans to the Pezula Group for approval prior to any work being undertaken. This is to ensure that buildings maintain the high design standards of the resort and uphold the regard given to the environment.
Prices range from ZAR 1,300,000 to ZAR 4,300,000 (approx £91,950 to £304,150). The cost of homes built on these plots is then dependent upon the type and size of structure the owner wishes to build and will vary accordingly.

For more information contact the Pezula Group on +27 44 302 5332 or visit pezula.com

Parque da Floresta, Western Algarve, Portugal

Parque da Floresta, on the borders of the Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve, has its own golf academy, spa and full range of sporting facilities. This includes the two latest phases that make up Quinta da Encosta Velha and overlook the front nine holes of the golf course. 
The golf course was designed by distinguished Spanish architect Pepe Gonzalez and opened in 1987 and features a demanding layout. With no two holes the same, the 9th hole (525m par 5) is the course’s most challenging with the approach shot to the pin being over a creek to a highly- elevated green.
Two-, three- and four-bedroom golf village houses are available with access to five communal swimming pools, each with a private garden, starting from €397,500 (approx. £261,000). Three-, four- and five-bedroom villas each with a private pool and garden start from €650,000 (approx. £450,000).

Contact Vigia Property Sales UK on 01223 316820 or visit parquedafloresta.com.

Royal Oaks Estates & Golf Club, New Brunswick, Canada

The first exclusive residential golf community in New Brunswick, Royal Oaks Estates & Golf Club is an award-winning golf development situated just outside Moncton which combines all the attributes of luxurious living with the beautiful surroundings of a championship golf course.
Designed by renowned golf course architect, Rees Jones, Royal Oaks Golf Club is an 18-hole par 72, links-style layout championship golf course measuring 7,103 yards in length. The course features tees and greens, strategic bunkering, demanding approaches and has an award- winning practice and teaching facility – all complemented by turf conditions which rival the best in the world. 

Plots start from £25,000 and an apart-hotel unit is available from CAD$214,200 (approx £94,260).
For more information on Royal Oaks Estates & Golf Club, contact Chesterton International on 0207 201 2078 and visit chesterton.co.uk.

Three Sisters Mountain Village, Alberta, Canada

Three Sisters Mountain Village is a four-season alpine resort community covering approximately 2,000 acres of land within the town of Canmore. It is located in the Bow River Valley at the foot of the Canadian Rockies, five minutes east of Banff National Park and an hour’s drive west of Calgary.
The developers creating this community are offering a wide range of properties, including detached family homes, townhouses, apartments and mountain chalets.
The Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, designed by Gary Browning, features an 18-hole course that plays to a par-72 and provides mountain views every step of the way. Measuring some 7,195 yards from the back tees, the course provides vistas of the Rocky Mountains and offers 18 expertly-designed holes that wind through some of the world’s most spectacular terrain, creating a unique golfing experience. Featuring exposed bedrock formations, rock outcrops, rolling creeks, towering firs and lakes, it provides an engrossing round for every level of golfer.

Prices start at CAD $580,000 (approx £253,126).
Contact Newfound Property International on +44 (0) 20 8605 or see newfoundproperty.com.

Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club, Costa del Sol, Spain

The 900-acre La Heredia de Monte Mayor, Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club development is spread over two valleys in the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja on the cosmopolitan Costa del Sol. La Heredia will comprise of 135 two-, three- and four-bedroom luxury townhouses, each of which will have a unique design. Property features will include fireplaces, double-glazing, underfloor heating with climate control, garage space and storage space.
Created in 1989 by Jose Gancedo, the course is maintained in immaculate condition and is quite unlike any other course anywhere in the country. Monte Mayor’s tricky layout over mountainous terrain rewards the bold and the accurate. The course runs through a mountain valley, with ravines and gullies, winding streams, raised tees and fairways set on a broad plateau all part of the course.
Among the tests at Monte Mayor is the 385 yard, par-4 seventh.

Prices at Monte Mayor start at €695,000 (approx. £472,223).
Call La Perla International Living on 00 31 20 589 40 70 or visit laperlainternationalliving.com.

San Donato, Abruzzo, Italy

San Donato is located 850 metres above sea level and is surrounded by a residential village just 10 minutes from the historic city of l’Aquilay. Positioned in a valley in the Italian Apennine Mountains with a backdrop of trees and mountains, the location of San Donato golf course is certainly striking. The rolling terrain, tight tricky greens, as well as placed hazards and trees, mean that the course is challenging to the experienced golfer and playable to the novice.
Residences at San Donato comprise 100 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurants, bars, a golf pro-shop and clubhouse. Owners are offered a discounted fee for golf course membership and green fees. Owners also have access to all on-site facilities. Prices at San Donato Golf start at £76,000 going up to £239,900. Completion is expected in March 2009.

For more information contact Overseas Homesearch on +44 (0) 800 652 0769 or visit             
overseashomesearch.co.uk.

Royal Mougins, France

This two double bedroom fully furnished villa on the Royal Mougins golf course includes a couple’s membership to the exclusive course.
Established in 1993, the privately owned club boasts a par 71 championship course over 6556 yards and is consistently ranked amoungst the world's best courses. The course and its facilities are located in the Medieval village of Mougins, just 10 minutes from Cannes and 20 from Nice's airport. The Provencal landscape is dominated by olive trees on ancient stone wall terraces and as such creates a playing field of spectacular natural beauty.

Besides the golf, members will benefit from the additional club facilities including a swimming pool, tennis courts, fine dining restaurants and the soon to be completed spa.
Priced at €651,000. Contact 01959 561737 or visit TotallyRiviera.com.