October 11, 2007
The romance of Italy lures Brits: BELLA ITALIA
For many years now, Tuscany has been a favorite of many British expatriates who are looking to purchase real estate in Italy. Many are looking for country houses and rustic farm houses in the Lucca, Florence and Siena triangle. But due to the high demand and the availability of low cost flights to Pisa, these places are becoming expensive choices.
For a cheaper alternative, house hunters are looking at neighboring Umbria, although prices there have also shot up in recent years. Their popularity with tourists makes Umbria’s holiday rental market strong. A three-bedroom property can start at £400,000. Le Marche, known as the ‘new Tuscany and Umbria’, is said to be the next big thing in the property market in spite of the fact that the region is still not an established tourist destination. This Italian pride is situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains. The enchanting rural area with its unique landscape is home to olive groves, medieval towns, rolling hills, snow-capped mountains and long sandy beaches. Residents and visitors will also enjoy the cultural and culinary delights and a wealth of art and architecture within its borders.
Posted on: Italy
Winter break in the Florida sunshine: Winter warmer
More and more people are flocking to the Sunshine State during the cold unbearable seasons of the UK. “My wife Jean and I have spent five winters in Orlando, Florida, so far,” shares Peter Stanhope from York. “The time we tend to spend in the state varies from three to five months, either in one stretch or split into two visits with a return to York to spend Christmas and New Year with our family and friends. We usually go out in early November and stay right through to the end of March, just before the Easter rush, returning to York in the spring with a beautiful yellow carpet of daffodils blooming on our ancient city walls to welcome us back.” Stanhope believes that winter is the best time to visit Florida “as there is none of the humidity or the bugs that you get in the summer, and no hurricanes either!”
Posted on: Florida
French property: Quality over quantity
A recent report has predicted that the number of UK residents relocating to France will double in 2007.
The French Property Market Report 2006/2007 - compiled by property specialists VEF - indicated that two main factors are promoting this exodus: (1) the search for a better quality of life and (2) the fact that more people know of somebody who has moved to France and made it work.
“Many soon-to-be young families are seeking to replicate some of the good things about life in their home countries,” said VEF Founder and Managing Director Trisha Mason. “They will be looking for small town settings and easy access to all the facilities demanded by the average French buyer, but there will be competition between the overseas and French buyers to purchase properties in various parts of France.”
Posted on: France
October 10, 2007
Essential Financial Aspects of Property in Portugal
When buying a property in Portugal, it is quite advisable that you need to establish a good working relationship with a credible lawyer who will show you the rounds and talk to you about other information in buying a property in this country. In Portugal, you should expect to pay around 4 percent to 5 percent of a property’s purchase price in legal fees which would include not only your lawyer’s fees but also those of the land registry fees and the notano.
Once you have purchase a property in Portugal, you will be responsible for the transfer tax as well which is known as imposto municipal sobre as transmissoes and which is computed through the sliding scale which is dependent on the market value of the property that you have purchased. The value would be around 0 – 8 percent and if your budget is at the most high, then there is no reason for you not to have any shock!
Posted on: Portugal
Energy efficient France
France is the first EU country to roll out the new EU Regulations concerning Energy Efficient Homes. This will also become mandatory when selling a home in the UK next summer.
“France has already implemented the directive from the EU that states home owners must have a Certificate of Energy Efficiency for the property before it can be sold”, says Keith Baker of Croft Baker & Co, a member of the Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC).
The form is technical and extends to four pages. It must be completed by a surveyor who has been trained specifically for this purpose. The Energy Certificate points out where the property is failing and lists the work required to rectify, although this is not law and does not have to be carried out.
Posted on: France
Portugal
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), they expect that Portugal can make a speedy economic recovery in 2006 and 2007. The country’s economy still remains brittle and growth is still expected to remain below the two percent in two years. This is according to the OECD.
With these predictions, there is the widening of the gap in living standards with other advanced economies. OECD also estimated that the Portugal’s GDP growth would average as much as 1.7 percent for the whole eurozone as a whole.
With this recent finding that Portugal is having a very much owner occupation throughout the whole Europe, there is also a highly growing percentage of being ruined vacant dwellings which is very much due from the migration from the rural areas to the urban areas.
Posted on: Portugal
October 9, 2007
Property for Sale in Aveiro Portugal
An Atlantic Ocean seaside and port town, the city of Aveiro is the capital of the Aveiro municipality in North West Portugal which is becoming more and more popular with foreigners and tourists and it serves as an escape from the ever-growing number of golf resorts and seaside resorts in Portugal.
Property which is for sale in Alveiro – both the city and the municipality – includes a traditional fisherman’s cottage or house, well situated villas which is accessible to beaches and cottages and views of the sea and surrounding countryside and property prices in this region are quite competitive.
The Aveiro municipality is situated to the north of the Silver Coast region of Portugal, an area so vastly famous for those seeking a getaway in the beaches and seaside resorts, historic and cultural pride, and sumptuous meals to suit your palate. It is also one of the most interesting and wonderful places to stay in.
Posted on: Portugal
The Secret of Quinta do Lago Golf Property in Portugal
In a luscious and vast forest in the Algarve region lies one of the best hot spots in the world where you can easily mingle with the rich and famous in which they own several properties there, where property owners can exclusively stay in their properties and relax without the concern of security, an embracing plan of nature to digest all property owners of their time and see the beauty of a revitalizing nature, and a haven for golfers everywhere in the world which hosts an array of leisure and sport facilities and it is quite one of the most wonderful places in the world.
And for people who haven’t been here, get ready for a bountiful place in paradise, one where you can easily forget your problems and just dabble with the beauty of nature. This article introduces the wonders and beauty of Quinta de Lago, an exclusive golf property in Portugal, and if you think that this country still doesn’t have anything to offer in terms of real estate, then better think again!
Posted on: Portugal
Where to buy an overseas property for leisure: Florida
According to David Fuller of World of Property, many work to invest on homes abroad so that they can have a place to escape and distress when the everyday demands of life becomes too much to bear. For this reason, many choose to make the most of their well deserved vacation time. Fuller suggests to buy a home in a resort purposely designed to cater to a leisurely lifestyle. Citrus Hills in Florida is one such place. A relaxing round of gold in the morning, a soothing afternoon at the spa and an interesting evening at the movies at the Citrus Hills will guarantee to wash your worries away.
Posted on: Florida
October 6, 2007
Cyprus: Limassol to Agia Napa uncovered
From the racy party district of Agia Napa to the peace and tranquillity of Zyyi, this area of Cyrpus has it all.
“Yiasou!” locals will bellow heartily. It means ‘welcome’ in Cypriot and no matter how long one has lived or visited Cyprus it’s hard not to feel the genuine warmth of the people there. Residents of the roughly 100 kilometre stretch of coast from Limassol to Agia Napa are no exception. However, one will come to realise the friendly atmosphere is the only thing that remains the same as one travels up the south-east coast. The contrast between the lively, 24-hour party district of Agia Napa and tranquil Zyyi is just one example one is likely to find on the part of the island. Perhaps the staggering differences encountered are reasons this coastal region is so popular with tourists and the thousands of foreign property owners who make it their home.
Posted on: Cyprus
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