US home prices increase 4.4%

The US National Home Price Index rose 4.4 per cent across the second quarter of 2010, according to Standard & Poor's latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices.

This followed a drop of 2.8 per cent in the first three months of the year and puts US property prices 3.6 per cent higher than a year ago.

Of the 20 cities included in the index, 15 saw a year-on-year increase in property prices, with San Francisco and San Diego showing the biggest leaps of 14 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.

David M Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor's, said: "Even with concerns about near term developments, we recognize that the housing market is in better shape than this time last year. Further, California's cities have moved from some of the hardest hit to three of the four leading cities based on year-over-year gains."

Last week, Mayfair International Realty said that the US offers some good opportunities for British property investors as home sales in the nation are currently slowing.
 

Florida property finding favour with overseas buyers

Florida property is back in favour with British buyers, according to Orlando-based firm Coldwell Banker Feltrim.

Speaking to A Place in the Sun magazine, the company's chief executive officer Garrett Kenny said that the state's reputation as a tourist hotspot makes it a popular destination for Brits wanting to buy property abroad.

"Now is a great time to buy property in Florida as prices have fallen by as much as 50 per cent in some cases and some condos are now selling for less than they cost to build. With prices so low there is nowhere for them to go but up," he said.

Mr Kenny added that savvy investors could buy a modern family home in Florida near the world-class theme parks, golf courses and natural wonders for much less than the cost of an average home in the UK.

Earlier this month, Shelter Offshore suggested that Florida property can offer solid rental returns from holidaymakers and can also be bought at bargain prices.
 

UK house prices drop in August

UK house prices fell during August, according to figures from Hometrack.

The property intelligence group's data highlights that the average house price dropped 0.3 per cent across the month to £158,300, following a 0.1 per cent decline in July.

August's drop has been attributed to a fall in the number of people looking for a new home.

Richard Donnell, director of research at Hometrack, said: "The unmistakable fact is that the availability of homes for sale has improved markedly and this has reduced the support for house prices provided by the scarcity of housing for sale over 2009 and early 2010. This comes at a time when there is growing weakness on the demand side - a weakness which represents more than just a seasonal blip."

However, recent research conducted by economists at Oxford Economics suggested that a shortage of new homes being built over the next few years will lead to house price growth, meaning people should act quickly if they want to invest in UK property.

The researchers stated that average residential prices will increase by 7.5 per cent this year.
 

Turkey 'a magnet for holidaymakers'

Turkey has been described as a "magnet for holidaymakers", which is great news for anyone thinking of buying property in the nation.

The Daily Mail recently featured an article on Turkey, suggesting that the nation's Turquoise Coast is particularly popular with property buyers as it offers beautiful surroundings and value for money when compared with some other holiday hotspots.

Speaking to the newspaper, Angela Campbell of Properties Away said that UK buyers also like the fact they can buy Turkish property in sterling, as the strength of the euro is putting them off many other nations.

The newspaper suggested that the country is popular with both private buyers and investors looking to generate rental income.

Select Resorts recently stated that Turkey is one of the most exciting markets for property investors, having seen a significant increase in sales over the past two years.

The firm also stated that property prices in the region remain good value.
 

Turkey offers 'an exciting real estate market'

Turkey offers one of the most exciting overseas property markets for investors, it has been claimed.

According to Select Resorts, the Turkish property market has seen significant growth in the past two years, with sales increasing by approximately 20 per cent and real estate prices remaining much lower than other popular holiday destinations.

Turkey's young population, strong government and good geographical location are all key factors in encouraging people to buy real estate in Mugla or consider Antalya real estate listings.

The firm's director Pauline Bonnani said: "The Turkish property market is going from strength to strength and has been recently thriving at the expense of Greece, Cyprus, Spain and France, with individuals able to enjoy a similar standard of living at a reduced cost."

Recent figures from Turkey's Culture and Tourism Office highlighted that the nation has seen rising demand from holidaymakers in recent months.

Data from the Turkish Directorate General of State Airports Authority also highlighted that Turkey's airports welcomed 44.6 million passengers in the first half of 2010.
 

Bulgaria launching tourist campaign

The Bulgarian Ministry of Economy is launching a new international campaign to attract more tourists to the nation.

It will begin next month and will see Euronews, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel and Eurosport airing advertisements about Bulgaria, reports the Sofia Echo.

The clips will be aired 3,166 times in total between September 6th and December 26th and from January 31st until March 27th 2011.

It is estimated that some 608 million European households will see the adverts, which is good news for people with Khaskovo property or property in Dobrich which they hope to rent out to holidaymakers.

The campaign is worth around 7.5 million leva and will focus on the country's summer and winter tourist destinations, environmental and rural tourism and the country's cultural historic heritage.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Sofia International Airport in Bulgaria saw a 12 per cent increase in passenger numbers in July compared with the previous year.
 

Spain's GDP on the up

Spain has started on the road to economic recovery, with the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) rising 0.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2010, which is good news for anyone hoping to find a home in Murcia.

The latest figures confirmed provisional data from the National Statistics Institute released earlier this month and mark the nation's second quarter of growth following a 0.1 per cent increase in GDP in the first three months of the year.

According to government predictions, the Spanish economy will contract by 0.3 per cent over the course of 2010, but expand by 1.3 per cent during 2011.

However, Spain's economic issues have done little to dampen investors' enthusiasm for property in the nation.

Les Calvert, director of Property Abroad, recently stated that there are many investment opportunities in the country, especially as there are a lot of repossessed and distressed properties on the market currently.
 

Property in Cyprus 'a dream for many Brits'

The promise of year round sun and a culture of respecting older members of society mean that property in Cyprus is a dream for many people, it has been claimed.

According to a recent article in the Daily Telegraph, despite the effects of the global economic downturn and the issues regarding title deeds in the country, Cyprus remains a firm favourite for property investors.

The newspaper recommended that people search real estate in Larnaca, a coastal region which is popular with tourists, and also praised Paphos, which is the location of a number of luxury villas, and the harbour town of Kyrenia.

This week, budget airline Ryanair stated that it has not ruled out launching flights to Cyprus from the UK, which would be good news for anyone with property in the nation.

According to Travel Mole, the operator is keen to launch flights from Stansted, however, reports in the trade press have suggested that tour operators had persuaded the Cypriot authorities not to offer the airline discounted airport fees.
 

Brazil 'one of the hottest emerging markets in the world'

Brazil has been dubbed "one of the hottest emerging markets in the world"; anyone looking to buy property in Mato Grosso will be pleased to hear.

Brazil experienced one of the shortest recessions in the world and was one of the countries to recover from the global economic downturn fastest.

"We all used to say that Brazil would avoid the recession, and the fact that it didn't was a shock at first. But when just a couple of months later the recovery began and has since strengthened, Brazil has come out in a stronger position," Property Abroad stated.

It added that the nation's middle class population is growing rapidly and there is a shortage of affordable housing, meaning savvy investors are snapping up properties to fill this gap.

The firm continued to say that property in Brazil offers real investment potential as the country's prestige and reputation grows.

Danilo Canuto, executive director of the Association for Real Estate and Tourism Development (ADIT), recently told the Brazil Investment Guide that anyone looking to invest in Brazilian property should look at cities which are connected to the sporting events soon to be taking place in the nation, including the 2014 football World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.
 

Australian property offering increased returns

Returns from Australian property investments jumped nearly six-fold over the second quarter of the year, according to figures from property research firm IPD.

Total returns for all property types, including income and capital, rose from one per cent in the year to March 2010 to 5.9 per cent in the year to June, reports Reuters.

"It came from a pull back in negative capital growth," said Anthony De Francesco, IPD managing director for Australia and New Zealand. "We will continue to see upswings but the pace will be moderate, in line with the general softening in the economy."

He added that annualised capital returns should return to positive next quarter after hitting -6.1 per cent in June 2009.

Earlier this month, figures from Australia's Bureau of Statistics highlighted that residential property prices in the nation have increased by almost 20 per cent in the past year.

According to a report from Property Wire, quarterly growth to June stood at 3.1 per cent, while annually the increase reached 18.4 per cent.
 

US property 'offers a good buying opportunity for Brits'

US property offers a good buying opportunity for Brits, according to one expert, people looking for Florida property may be interested to hear.

According to Mayfair International Realty, there are bargains to be had in the nation, with figures showing that home sales in the US are slowing, meaning people are open to offers from buyers.

Annette Reeve, director of Mayfair International Realty, said: "The concept still is that house prices there are low and maybe people are going to go out there thinking: 'Oh good, I'll get a bargain'. If vendors are reading these reports and then a Brit comes in and says: 'Here's my money. Take it or leave it', maybe they will get a good buy and maybe the sellers will take a bit of a drop."

She added that reports of falling house sales are unlikely to put Brits off buying property in the US, however, she advised that their purchases should be reasonably priced.

Figures from the National Association of Realtors highlighted that US existing home sales fell by 27.2 per cent in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.83 million units.

This follows a drop of 25.5 per cent over the past year.
 

Established countries dominate property searches

Spain, France, the US, Italy and Portugal account for the vast majority of all property searches, according to figures from Primelocation International.

The nations were involved in 91 per cent of searches made via the company, demonstrating that property in Sicily, Florida property and Aquitaine real estate listings are still popular with buyers, reports Property Talk Live.

This new figure is compared to 77 per cent of searches two years ago, suggesting people are favouring more established destinations over emerging countries.

Ann Wright, international development manager of Primelocation International, told the news provider: "The continuing high levels of interest in international property remain stable, despite the fact that the July holiday season would normally see people drawn away from property searches. The flipside of that is the clear trend of potential buyers favouring the more established holiday destinations."

Earlier this month, Les Calvert, director of Property Abroad, said that Spain offers property investors lots of opportunities.
 

US commercial property market prices dropping

US commercial property prices have dropped to nearly half the levels seen at the height of the real estate boom, meaning savvy investors looking for Florida property could bag a bargain.

The latest commercial property price index from Moody's found that nationally, prices dropped by 9.1 per cent in June compared to the previous year. The rate also dropped 0.9 per cent over the first half of the year.

Moody's managing director Nick Levidy said that the price falls may help meet rising demand.

"The increase in dollar volume in each of the past two months, taken together with this month's 43 per cent increase in the number of repeat sale transactions, may be an early indication that buyers and sellers are starting to agree on market-clearing prices. 

"If this is in fact occurring, we would expect transaction volumes to rise steadily and price volatility to ebb in the months to come," he added.

Earlier this month, DTZ's Fair Value Index highlighted that US prime commercial property is very fairly priced compared to that in Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

 

Thai economy shows significant growth

The Thai economy grew by 9.1 per cent in the second quarter of the year, according to the latest figures, which could be good news for anyone looking for property in Chon Buri.

This was compared to 12 per cent growth in the first three months of the year and came amid political violence and protests in April and May.

High global demand boosted exports from the country, which grew by 42 per cent in the three months to June, fuelled mainly by shipments of auto parts and electrical appliances.

Investment also grew, following five consecutive quarters of contracting.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Asia Pacific region is leading the global property recovery, with recovery in Europe and America being more laboured.

According to the second quarter International Residential Review from Chesterton Humberts, recovery in the region is being fuelled by both lifestyle and investment buyers, with demand remaining "firm".
 

UK proving popular with buy-to-let investors

The UK is proving increasingly popular with buy-to-let property investors, it has been claimed.

According to furniture solutions provider Fully Furnished, a growing number of overseas investors are looking at property in the UK, and London in particular, as confidence improves.

"Although still faced with its challenges, there is more confidence currently in the UK property market and demand for rental properties remains very strong. Recognising the increase in rents now being achieved, we are seeing more international investors than ever choosing to make an investment purchase in our capital city," the firm's managing director Alec Watt stated.

Last week, it was reported that house prices in London have fallen during August, wiping out gains made in the first half of the year.

According to the Rightmove real estate index, asking prices in the capital city fell 4.1 per cent to an average of £405,058, marking the biggest drop in two years.
 

Rural French property 'experiencing peaks and troughs'

Property in the French countryside is experiencing peaks and troughs, according to the latest French Rural Property Index.

The data from Sextant French Properties highlights that the average property price across 12 regions dropped 0.4 per cent in August 2010, compared with July 2010.

However, this represents a 13.69 per cent increase over the past ten months and a number of regions, including Aquitaine, Centre, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord Pas-de-Calais and Normandy all saw their prices rise.

In particular, there is good news for people with Midi-Pyrenees property listings as the average price in the region has increased 32 per cent from October 2009 to €428,554.

For people looking to invest their cash in French property, the firm recommends Languedoc, which is one of the sunniest regions and has seen modest price rises of 2.83 per cent since October last year, and Limousin, which has seen prices drop 7.55 per cent in the past nine months.

Shelter Offshore recently said that property in France represents an evergreen investment.
 

Construction in Bulgaria 'on the road to recovery'

The number of construction permits issued in Bulgaria increased in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the first three months of the year, according to figures from the National Statistics Institute.

In news which may interest those looking for property in Burgas or homes for sale in Blagoevgrad, the data highlights that 1,441 residential permits were issued between April and June 2010 for a total of 3,933 apartments, reports the Novinite.

This represents increases of 46 per cent and 41 per cent respectively, compared with January to March 2010. However, it marked drops of 21 per cent and 13 per cent year-on-year.
In particular, construction is picking up in the Varna region, where 176 permits were issued, followed by city of Sofia, the Burgas region, the Plovdiv region and the Sofia region.

The highest number of residential units will be built in Varna, followed by Blagoevgrad, Sofia and Plovdiv.

Earlier this month, data from the National Statistical Institute highlighted that house prices fell during the second quarter of 2010 by an average of 0.8 per cent.
 

New York's property market 'booming'

New York's residential property market is booming, with mortgage rates in the state currently a historically low levels.

According to Pamela Liebman, chief executive officer of The Corcoran Group, New York's largest residential estate agency, the mortgage market situation in the city has caused a surge in investor activity.

"Right now we are actually experiencing a pretty strong market... A lot of activity, a lot of signing contracts," she told the Associated Press.

A new report from the Real Estate Board of New York showed that the total value of New York house sales in the state climbed by 72 per cent to $7.6 billion (£4.9 billion) during the second quarter of 2010 when compared with the equivalent period of last year.

However, Matt Hackett, underwriting manager at Equity Now, told the news provider: "Mortgage guidelines have tightened tremendously in the last three years. So even while [interest] rates are very low, it is still harder for a lot of people to qualify for a mortgage."

According to DTZ's Fair Value Index, US prime commercial property is still attractively priced.

Property prices decline as English-speaking population ages

Property prices in English-speaking countries could decline as the global population begins to age, it has been claimed.

According to new research from the Bank for International Settlements, house prices are affected by people's consumption and saving patterns, which change as populations age.

Economist Elod Takats, author of the bank's latest study, said: "If the economy is ageing, i.e. the subsequent young generation is relatively smaller, then asset prices decline."

He claimed that the fall in asset prices would be particularly noticeable in English-speaking, developed, western nations - which highlights the benefits of investing in foreign property in non-English-speaking regions, such as Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria.

"In the past 40 years, [developed] economies have experienced the positive impact of ageing. As baby boomers reached working age and started buying housing, they pushed up property prices," Mr Takats said.

In the short-term, the picture is very different, however, with property prices in Australia soaring by almost 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

Property sales continue to fall in Bulgaria

The number of property sales taking place in Bulgaria continued to fall in the second quarter of this year.

According to Balkans.com, however, the fall in residential sales was negligible - good news for investors with property in the country.

Sales actually dropped by 0.8 per cent during the three months to the end of June.

This rate of decline is a marked improvement on the 2.3 per cent fall witnessed in the first quarter of the year.

The slowing decline of investment property sales in Bulgaria could signal a recovery in the country's property market.

Balkans.com, claimed that many investors are unwilling to buy off-plan residential properties in Bulgaria at the moment, which in turn is driving demand for apartments on the country's "second-hand market".

According to Moneycorp, one in four first-time buyers are looking to invest their cash in overseas property as opposed to a home in the UK.

Property investors should consider community-focussed properties

Property investors should consider investing in property that has a community spirit.

According to leading overseas property expert Giles Gale, people are less taken by properties in isolated complexes and those investing in property in Spain or Italy should consider houses and flats that are more integrated into the local way of life.

Mr Gale told the Daily Telegraph that the more people than ever before who live or holiday abroad have a grasp of the local language and expect properties that are not housed in "English ghettos".

He cites the example of a major, integrated golf-resort housing tract in Portugal, which has performed well during the recent economic turmoil.

"Prices on the resort have barely fallen as a consequence, with villas costing from £750,000, unlike the secondary golf resorts in the Algarve. Prices have fallen there by 30 per cent," he told the news provider.

According to Shelter Offshore, demand for holiday homes in France is consistently strong, but investors have to hunt for bargains.

Australian property investors 'should consider worst-case scenarios'

All investors looking to buy Australian property should consider every financial scenario they could possibly face, an expert has advised.

James Thomson, editor of SmartCompany, has suggested that people take these into account when making property decisions no matter how unlikely the circumstances they are contemplating.

He said that investors should actually consider how their equity position would be affected if house prices were to crash by anywhere up to ten per cent, or whether mortgage rates were to be hiked by as much as five per cent.

Mr Thomson said: "A bit of personal stress testing will go a long way."

He asserted: "Economy-wide comparisons of debt to equity ratios, income to house prices, and metropolitan and regional prices are important to watch, particularly where they may impact economic growth."

Earlier this month, BuyAssociation editor Paul Collins warned foreign property buyers to get advice about moving overseas in order to obtain homes in the most lucrative areas.

Australian property is 'a stable investment'

Property investors looking for strong, consistent performance from their portfolios should consider investing in Australian property.

According to recent research from MoneyCorp, Australian property is a top choice for British investors for a number of reasons.

The firm claims that the clement weather, the Australian lifestyle and the country's stable economic outlook during the recent global downturn have all played a part in Australia's strong property performance.

Commenting on the pros and cons of investing in Australian property, Shelter Offshore said: "Property in Australia does not constitute a bargain in relative terms - however, it can represent a good, solid long-term buy if researched well.

"Location is an important consideration as is over supply - but for Brits also thinking of moving to Australia, buying a home there is almost a no brainer."

Australia's Bureau of Statistics recently published figures showing that average property prices in the country have risen by 20 per cent in the past year. 

US commercial property 'attractively priced'

US prime commercial property is attractively priced, according to DTZ's Fair Value Index.

The nation was given a "hot" rating of 89 on a scale of zero to 100, compared to Europe's "warm" 49 and the UK's "cold" 38. Asia Pacific was also deemed "hot" with a rating of 67.

This suggested that commercial property in the US is more attractively priced on a five-year horizon than other regions.

"The indices are based on a quantified assessment of whether pricing in 180 individual markets (defined by city and sector) is attractive to investors, and signal to investors which regions and sectors offer the best value," DTZ said.

Any regions rated "hot" are those where properties are valued at least five per cent below fair value over the five-year time frame.

Earlier this month, Capital Economics tipped France and Germany as hotspots for commercial property investment, saying they stand out in terms of economic conditions and pricing.
 

Spanish property 'has reached lowest price of the recession'

The Spanish property market's prices peaked in 2006 and have fallen during the recession, which could make now the perfect time to buy.

The New York Times has highlighted the fact that people will now be able to buy a house in the Barcelona area for between ten and 30 per cent less than it would have cost prior to the downturn.

Mark Stucklin, a real estate industry expert, tells the news provider that property prices have probably fallen by as much as they are going to, although the Spanish market is nowhere near a rebound.

According to the news provider, the majority of buyers in Barcelona are local, with only ten per cent coming from outside of the country.

This could be good news for Brits, as a recent survey found that 57 per cent intend to retire overseas, with a quarter of these aiming to spend their final years in Spain.
 

Property bargains available in the US

There are property bargains available in the US for savvy investors, it has been claimed.

According to Shelter Offshore, since the property market in the US crashed significantly there are numerous cheap properties available to people who know what to look for.

In particular, the company suggested that Florida property can offer solid rental returns from holidaymakers, although people will face high competition for tenants.

Alternatively, people can invest in property within reach of a central business district in an affluent town or city, where they will be able to attract professional and corporate interest.

"You need to research your property choice carefully and ensure you're not buying in a depressed and unattractive area, or a location where there is saturation in terms of the supply of rental real estate," it concluded.

Recent data from Prime Location detailed by Property Talk Live highlighted that people investing in Florida property can get more for their money than if they were to spend the same sum in the UK.
 

Sofia airport attracts 12% more passengers

Sofia International Airport in Bulgaria saw an increase in passenger numbers in July, with 12 per cent more people travelling through it compared to the same month last year.

Some 327,100 passengers travelled via the airport, which also marks a ten per cent increase compared to July 2008, suggesting that the region's tourism industry is going strong, which is good news for anyone with Sofiya property.

The number of flights taking off from the airport also increased, with 4,353 flights being registered across the month, a five per cent increase compared to July 2009.

Bulgaria's popularity with holidaymakers was also highlighted by recent figures which show that the number of tourists visiting the Black Sea coast has increased by ten per cent compared with July and August 2009.

According to the Union of Owners of Nesebar, the region is attracting holidaymakers as it offers better value for money than countries such as Greece and Turkey, reports Novinite.
 

Brazil 'offers potential for property investors'

People looking for property in Mato Grosso will be pleased to hear that one expert has said Brazil offers lots of potential to investors.

According to Les Calvert, director of Property Abroad, countries which are showing good economic growth are ripe for investment, Brazil among them.

"For investment purposes, it is a growing economy, prices are still reasonable and there is definitely a market there for Brazil," he stated.

Mr Calvert added that there is also a lot of investment potential in Europe, however, it can sometimes be difficult to "cherry pick" the right properties.

Mr Calvert's comments came after research from the Worldwide Property Group found that 80 per cent of people surveyed in the 45-54 age group are currently considering buying property abroad.

The research also found that confidence in property as an investment is currently strong, as it is thought to offer greater stability than other investment options such as stocks and shares.
 

Over half of Brits 'to retire abroad'

Just 43 per cent of Brits plan on living in the UK once they leave work, compared to 87 per cent of Spaniards and 81 per cent of French people who plan to remain in their home countries.

The research found that one in four retirees hope to spend their later years in Spain, meaning many people could be hoping to find a home in Murcia in the coming years.

Other retirement hotspots for Brits searching for somewhere warm to spend their later years include the US, Australia and France.

"Not surprisingly, most people want to spend their retirement predominantly in countries with good weather and good social and government benefits, and ideally close enough so they can get home quickly if they need to," says Oliver Rowlands, head of retirement at Aon Consulting.

Previous research from Standard Life also highlighted Spain's popularity with UK retirees.

However, the firm advised anyone moving abroad to do their research into welfare rights and healthcare costs before taking the plunge.
 

Property in France an evergreen investment

French real estate is an "excellent purchase" when approached in the right manner, people undertaking a search for properties in Languedoc-Roussillon will be pleased to hear.

According to Shelter Offshore, demand for holiday homes in France is strong and consistent, meaning people should have no trouble renting out their Rhone-Alpes property to holidaymakers.

The firm also stated that well-priced property is still available in France, although people will have to hunt for bargains and then negotiate hard to get the best deals.

"You will probably have to be prepared to update and upgrade any real estate you do buy to make it appealing to rental tenants if you want to enjoy the best returns. However, an investment in a property in France can be a very slow burning, steady commitment that can return you decent capital appreciation as well as rental income," the company added.

Last week, data from Chesterton Humberts highlighted that the most popular areas of France for second home owners are Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, followed by Languedoc-Roussillon and Rhone-Alpes.
 

New York tourism is booming

Tourism in New York is booming, which is good news for anyone considering property investment in the US.

Official figures show that 47.5 million people are expected to visit the Big Apple this year, marking a four per cent rise compared to 2009.

It is also half a million more than the record high seen in 2008 and would make New York the most visited city in the US.

Some 23.5 million holidaymakers visited the city in the first six months of the year.

Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, is aiming to attract 50 million visitors to the city by 2012.

"We are on course to have another record-setting year," Mr Bloomberg told the New York Post.

"New York is the aspirational destination around the world. It really is."

Earlier this week, the Zillow Home Value Index highlighted that property values in the US are moving towards stabilisation, despite real estate values dropping in the second quarter of 2010.
 

Asia Pacific 'leading global real estate recovery'

The Asia Pacific region is leading the global property market recovery, which could be good news for anyone interested in property in Malaysia.

According to the second quarter International Residential Review from Chesterton Humberts, an increase in high worth individuals has helped fuel recovery in the region, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia and China.

"Disparities in the performance of global residential markets remain apparent in the post-recession era. The star performers are in the Asia Pacific region while recovery in Europe and North America is more laboured with transaction volumes remaining well below pre-recession levels," said Andrew Hawkins, head of international at Chesteron Humberts.

He added that appetite for prime residential property both for lifestyle and investment reasons remains "firm".

Earlier this year, Property Abroad stated that Malaysia's property market could benefit from the nation's strong tourism industry and the fact that its economy is recovering at a quicker pace than many other countries.
 

French property market 'in recovery'

The French property market is showing signs of recovery, according to the latest data from Chesterton Humberts.

In the 12 months to March 2010, the average price of new single family homes rose by 5.9 per cent, while new apartment prices were up 6.9 per cent.

However, prices for resold family homes rose by just 2.6 per cent.

The report also highlighted that the most popular region for foreign second home owners was Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, followed by Languedoc-Roussillon and Rhone-Alpes.

Overall, foreign ownership of second homes has risen by over 50 per cent since 1997, people thinking about investing in French property may be interested to know.

"The outlook for the remainder of 2010 is likely to be characterised by a slow but gradual improvement in both demand and firming of prices," the report concluded.

Last month, France's Chamber of Notaries revealed that Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice and Paris all experienced appreciation of property values during the first three months of 2010.
 

Brits get more for their money with Florida property

Brits get more for their money if they buy property in the US rather than the UK, it has been claimed.

Data from Prime Location detailed by Property Talk Live highlighted that people investing in Florida property can get a four to five bedroom home with two reception rooms, two bathrooms and a garden with a pool for the same price as a three bedroom semi in Manchester.

It was also highlighted that Brits could get a three bedroom villa in Portugal or a two bedroom apartment in Siena in Italy for the same sum.

Ann Wright, international development manager at Prime Location, told the news provider: "The gradually growing strength of the pound and low interest rates are also contributing to Brits' decision to buy abroad.

"The traditional and established markets being looked at are likely to return to healthy growth and offer stability over the longer term but it goes without saying that caution and research remain key for any international property purchase."

Recent research by Moneycorp highlighted that one in four first-time buyers are looking to invest their cash in overseas property rather than homes in the UK.
 

Tourists attracted to Balearic Islands' sun and heritage

The combination of sunshine, culture and heritage mean that the Balearic Islands are a long-time favourite with holidaymakers, it has been claimed.

According to Govern de les Illes Balears, the islands experience 300 days of sunshine a year and also boast an array of natural wonders which keep people returning to the holiday hotspot, anyone renting out property to holidaymakers may be interested to hear.

It stated that in addition to the islands' natural appeal, there are an array of tourist attractions and activities, such as golf, diving and cycling, available.

The islands' popularity is also demonstrated by the number of celebrities who regularly visit, including Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer and Elle MacPherson.

Michelle Obama is the most recent famous face to have enjoyed a stay on the islands, when she and her daughters recently holidayed in Mallorca.

The publicity surrounding the islands, coupled with their appeal to holidaymakers, may lead to an increase in people trying to find property in Balearic Islands.
 

Australia property prices soar 20%

Residential property prices in Australia have increased by almost 20 per cent in the past 12 months, according to latest figures from the nation's Bureau of Statistics.

Quarterly growth to June stood at 3.1 per cent, while annually the increase reached 18.4 per cent.

Property investors may be interested to hear that Melbourne saw the most significant growth over the 12 months, at 24 per cent, followed by Sydney, Canberra and Darwin, reports Property Wire.

However, a slowdown is expected in the coming months, with the RP Data Index showing that average house prices had fallen slightly after 17 months of consecutive gains.

Last month, A Place in the Sun reported that property prices in some parts of Australia may be close to peaking and as such are likely to start falling soon.

It added that downward pressure will be placed on the market due to an increased number of properties becoming available for purchase.
 

Spain offers 'lots of opportunities for investment'

Spain offers 'lots of opportunity for property investment', it has been claimed.

According to Les Calvert, director of Property Abroad, while the market has changed in recent years there are still good investments for anyone searching for Andalucia property or hoping to find a home in Murcia.

"Obviously the property market in Spain has moved tremendously over the last few years. There are an awful lot of repossessed distressed properties on the market, so for a buyer there an awful lot of opportunities out there," he said.

He added that people need to look carefully at properties on offer and assess why they are distressed – if it is the area or just the owner's personal circumstances.

"I am fairly optimistic about the market in general. There can be a lot of good buys out there," Mr Calvert concluded.

Figures from the National Statistics Institute released on August 10th 2010 show that Spanish house sales fell by 1.3 per cent in June 2010 but have still risen by seven per cent in the past year.
 

New ski train 'to boost property investment in France'

A new ski train between the UK and the Alps is likely to boost property investment in France, it has been claimed.

Its ease of accessibility is one of the reasons France is particularly popular with UK investors and the new winter service is likely to increase interest further.

Charlie Williams, French property expert at Experience International, said: "The French Alps have and always will offer the finest skiing in Europe in my opinion. Ski property with quick and easy access from the UK is in particularly high demand and the news that you can go from London to the Alps in seven hours spells good news for owners; I fully expect demand and subsequently property values to rise."

The winter Eurostar service will begin on December 19th and will travel from St Pancras and Ashford International to Moutiers, Aime-La-Plage and Bourg St Maurice.

Earlier this month, managing director of French Travel Service Bill Smallwood said that the Eurostar has boosted France's popularity as a holiday destination as people can easily enjoy a comfortable and scenic trip to the nation.
 

First-time buyers looking at property investment abroad

One in four first-time buyers are looking invest their cash in overseas property rather than homes in the UK, according to new research.

A study commissioned by Moneycorp highlighted that vitality in the market has put 34 per cent of buyers off UK property, with many looking to countries with stronger economies, such as Australia, instead.

David Kerns, money-dealing manager at Moneycorp, told the Telegraph: "This is due in part to the high costs of UK housing, which has recovered over 12 per cent since the lows seen in 2008, making it far harder to get onto the UK property ladder."

Recent research from Standard Life found that older Brits are also looking at property investment overseas, with many people choosing to retire abroad.

In particular, Spain was a firm favourite with over 65s due to its warm climate, while France, the US, Canada and New Zealand were also selected as retirement hotspots.
 

US property market 'heading for stabilisation'

While residential real estate values in the US dropped in the second quarter of 2010, prices are moving towards stabilisation, it has been claimed.

The latest Zillow Home Value Index highlighted that prices fell 0.6 per cent compared to the first quarter of the year, with the national rate of decline slowing for the second consecutive month, which is good news for people interested in investing in US property.

It was also found that conditions varied greatly across the nation, with 27.8 per cent of the Californian markets tracked by Zillow showing an increase in prices.

"Nationally, home values are moving in the right direction as rates of decline continue to slow," commented Zillow chief economist Stan Humphries.

However, he suggested that there is still some uncertainty about how home values will respond once government incentives have been removed.

Last week, Adam Samuel, director of Nubricks, said that investors looking to America should be keeping an eye on Florida property.
 

Turkey 'in high demand with tourists'

Turkey has seen rising demand from holidaymakers in recent months, according to the nation's Culture and Tourism Office, which could be good news for people who have invested in property in the country.

Irfan Onal, director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office UK, said that not only is Istanbul proving to be a city break hotspot, but people are also travelling to less well known areas to sample the natural delights and water sports on offer.

He added that this popularity has led to several airlines increasing the number of flights to Turkey they offer, which could also benefit people with Antalya real estate listings.

Figures released by the Turkish Directorate General of State Airports Authority in July highlight that Turkey's airports welcomed 44.6 million passengers in the first half of 2010, marking a 24 per cent increase in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year.

According to data from the Turkish General Directorate of Land Registry, 32,000 Britons now own property in the country.
 

Protests have 'not impacted on Thai property market'

The protests which took place in Bangkok earlier this year have had little effect on the Thai real estate market, property investors will be interested to hear.

According to CB Richard Ellis, there has been little change in the property sector in recent months, and real estate developers are again marketing new projects, reports Property Community.

"There are limited investment choices in Thailand, the stock market is seen as being volatile, the fixed income market is very small and so money is being driven to the property market," said the firm's executive director James Pitchon.

"Interest rates are going to have to rise substantially before people decide that keeping money in the bank on deposit is better idea than investing in property."

Last month, Property Abroad suggested that Thailand's property market could benefit from the political turmoil, with the issues within the nation creating a low-cost environment which will appeal to savvy buyers and is likely to lead to some good yields.
 

France and Germany tipped for commercial property investment

France and Germany have been tipped as hotspots for commercial property investment by Capital Economics.

Ed Stansfield, a property economist at the firm, said that France, along with the Nordic countries, stands out in terms of economic conditions and pricing.

 This means investors could be advised to keep an eye out for Midi-Pyrenees property listings and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur property for sale.

"Germany, from a purely top-down macroeconomic performance point of view, is going to be one of the best performing economies in Europe over the next couple of years," Mr Stansfield added.

"A lot of the data would suggest that the correction was very modest and therefore there is not a lot of potential for an upswing but, as a solid income producing investment, I think German property has got some attractions as well."

Mr Stansfield added that investors should be wary about buying property in nations which have an unstable economy at the moment.

Recent research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors highlighted that real estate professionals in 14 out of the 25 nations it surveyed thought that the number of distressed properties coming to the global commercial property market will continue to grow over the next three months.
 

America 'attracting attention from property investors'

The US is attracting the attention of property investors seeking bargains, it has been claimed.

A recent article in the Daily Mail suggested that brave investors are snapping up foreclosures, including cheap Florida property, for very competitive prices.

Speaking to the newspaper, Caroline Carrara of WWM Realtors in Florida said: "Foreclosure properties are priced aggressively to sell fast because banks aren't interested in owning, managing and paying taxes and maintenance."

One area which is proving popular with property investors is Detroit, with one real estate expert stating that there is huge rental demand in the city due to its thriving businesses and large population.

Last week, Marc Da-Silva, editor of property investment magazine Homes Overseas and freelance writer for What House, said that the strengthening pound means that there is a "real opportunity" for UK property investors to pick up bargain property in the US.

He added that buyers should ensure they pay attention to currency fluctuations as well as property prices.
 

Spanish property market 'stabilising'

Spanish property prices are stabilising, according to latest figures from the Spanish Property Market General Index, which could be good news for anyone wanting to find a home in Murcia.

The index, which is published by Tinsa, reached 1908 points in June, down just 0.4 per cent compared to May, reports Property Community.

In addition, real estate experts based in the country have suggested that the market is improving and figures from the National Institute of Statistics indicate that the market expanded 10.6 per cent in May compared with the same month in 2009.

Sales in Huelva, Catalonia and the Canary Islands showed the most improvement, increasing by 50 per cent, 26 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

Last week, research by Standard Life highlighted that Spain's sunny climate and laid back lifestyle have made it a firm favourite with retirees, which could benefit people with Andalucia property.
 

Cape Verde proving popular with tourists

Passenger traffic at Cape Verde's airports rose 5.6 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2010, according to latest figures, which could be of interest to people considering investment property in the nation.

The statistics, which were detailed in the Semana newspaper, highlighted that a total of 726,279 passengers travelled through the nation's airports over the six-month period.

In particular, Sal airport attracted the most passengers, with 254,674 people travelling via it, including 154,431 international passengers, reports the Macau Hub.

The UK shared the second highest amount of traffic with Cape Verde, with 54,545 passengers travelling between the nations, marking a year-on-year rise of 40.3 per cent.

Last month, the Global Property Guide reported that buyer confidence is rising in Cape Verde, with real estate agents reporting increased activity and interest among international property investors.

In particular, the country is appealing to European buyers due to its accessibility and investor-friendly policies.
 

Spain 'a top retirement hotspot'

Spain is a top retirement hotspot, according to new research.

A study by Standard Life found that the nation is a firm favourite with Brits wanting to spend their later years in a warmer climate, which could be good news for anyone with Andalucia property.

Other nations which proved popular with retirees included France, the US, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.

Standard Life advised anyone wanting to move abroad that they should do their research first and seek financial advice concerning transferring their pension overseas.

It is also essential to do thorough research into healthcare costs and welfare rights.

Last month, research by cheapflights.co.uk highlighted that Spain is still a top holiday destination for British travellers who can't resist the nation's warm temperatures, beautiful beaches and relaxed pace of life.

The comparison site said that the country's four main resorts of Malaga, Alicante, Palma and Tenerife are ideal for holidaymakers on a budget.
 

Ryanair flights to Bulgaria confirmed

Budget airline Ryanair has confirmed that it will be commencing flights between London Stansted airport and Plovdiv in Bulgaria from November this year.

It will be the first time Ryanair has operated flights to Bulgaria from Stansted.

The announcement will come as good news to anyone considering property investment in Bulgaria as it could help boost tourism to the country.

Flights will run between the two cities twice weekly and it has been forecast that if the route is successful, over 200,000 passengers could be travelling via it by 2013.

In a media statement quoted by the Sofia Echo, the airline said: "Ryanair is delighted to announce its first Bulgarian connection from London Stansted to Plovdiv to provide Bulgarian consumers and British visitors the guaranteed lowest fares from/to Bulgaria."

"The new route will ensure that Plovdiv and its regional tourism will develop further," it added.

People interested in Lovech real estate or Gabrovo property in Bulgaria may wish to take advantage of falling property prices in the nation.

House prices fell 0.8 per cent during the second quarter of 2010 compared with the previous three months, according to figures from the National Statistical Institute reported by Property Wire.
 

Foreign property buyers should 'get the right advice'

People investing in property abroad should ensure they consult the right people and pick homes located in lucrative locations, it has been claimed.

According to Paul Collins, editor at the BuyAssociation, many people fall into the trap of picking property that is isolated, which can easily reduce return-on-investment.

He claimed that all property buyers should ensure their investment is within reach of adequate local facilities such as healthcare clinics, shops and leisure centres - local knowledge that is often available through firms specialising in foreign property sales.
Mr Collins added that another common problem facing those considering buying property abroad is the local legal system.

"Something we come up against time and time again is people having used the same lawyer as their developer or the seller of the house and run in to all sorts of problems that way," Mr Collins concluded.

Overseas property searches dropped between May and June of this year, but were still up of 2009 figures by 138 per cent, according to new research from Primelocation.com.

UK property prices to rise by four per cent in 2010

Those considering investment in UK property may be interested to learn that prices are predicted to increase by four per cent during 2010.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) recently predicted the UK property market will see prices rise by four per cent this year in its Consumer and Housing Prospects report. It also stated this increase would continue to 2014 due to a shortage in available property.

Despite other forecasters predicting a "double dip" in the British housing market, CEBR, which works to provide businesses with economic solutions, is confident that short supply and high demand will enable prices to rise year-on-year to 2014.

Report author Benjamin Williamson said: "While we see a double?dip in house prices as being completely avoidable, this does not mean that we will see a return to dizzying house prices any time soon. Our forecasts show that house prices are unlikely to reach 2007 levels before 2013."