Polands Interest Rates Cut

Poland’s central bank recently cut its benchmark interest rate by 0.25% to 5.75%, joining a number of emerging markets that have lowered rates recently in a move to bolster economic growth.

Most analysts expected the National Bank of Poland to leave rates unchanged. This was the central bank’s first move since it raised interest rates by 0.25% in June. Following the rate cut, the Polish zloty edged up +0.4% against the euro.

Win Thin, senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers, said: “Retail sales and industrial production have slowed sharply in recent months, so the need to ease is clearly there. Indeed, the entire region will continue to cut rates as we move into 2009, especially after the surprise cuts by Hungary and Turkey earlier this month.”

Several emerging markets have cut rates in recent days, as the global financial crisis continues to take a significant toll on their economies.

Poland Property for Sale
Gorczewska Park, Poland, Warsaw.

1 bedroom Apartments, 47sqm

Price: € 132,418 Reference No: Warsaw JWC005

Górczewska Park is modern housing estate in Wola Quarter of Warsaw. Situated between Górczewska and Olbrachta Streets in Warsaw. Created by the best architects. This location will become the most attractive part of the Warsaw owing to vicinity of shopping and entertainment centre and planned underground station. The best investment! Promotional prices! Following stages of the planned construction final: 2nd 2009.

North Cyprus as the new European Emerging Market

Buying investment property in North Cyprus is becoming increasingly popular for overseas property investors, and several reasons for this boom in investment can be identified, reasons that go beyond explaining the interest of individual buyers purchasing investment property and make clear the surge in property development by companies eager to cement their position in the rejuvenated North Cyprus property market early.

The backdrop against which the current boom in both property and land values, along with the number of investors being attracted to the North Cyprus property market, should be explained is the revived push toward reunification that the election of Demetris Christofias to the presidency of the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus this February.

House prices in Northern Cyprus - which has been separated from the southern Republic of Cyprus since the Turkish military intervention of 1974 - are far far lower than those in the rest of Cyprus and lower still than those in other popular holiday destinations where investment in overseas property has followed the holiday makers.

The disparity in prices is largely due to the division in the island, a division which has limited the trade and development opportunities that have been attracted to the island, thus constraining property prices as well as every other aspect of the cost of living in North Cyprus - a cost which is extremely favourable to those people not looking to purchase an investment property but rather to buy their dream second, or even retirement home.

With reunification house prices between the disparate property markets of the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus will consolidate, meaning that property in Northern Cyprus currently valued at, on average for a two bedded villa, around £110,000, will shoot upward to approach those house prices on the same island - but just the other side of the Green Line - which are, on average, almost double those in the North. What this means for property investors is that North Cyprus property investments stand out against the stalling, matured markets that characterise Europe generally.

Not only that but the North Cyprus property market specifically stands out to investors from the UK, as property in North Cyprus is purchased in pound Sterling as opposed to the Euro. For investors thinking about making an overseas property investment this is a huge boon, as the exchange rates have not be too kind for those purchasing Euros for pounds for a little while now.

Of course, rising property prices are not entirely reliant on reunification, although it is undeniable that investors wishing to see the steepest returns on their investment will do so in a post reunification Cyprus. The general attitude to the current round of reunification talks is that the poses the best chance yet for the island to reunify.

Only this week the immediate possibility of a reunified island cane to the fore of the news when the Greek Cypriot Minister for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Antonis Paschalides commented on the initiation of attempts to find natural gas reserves - reportedly by 2012 - and how this endeavour reflected on the diplomatic attempts between Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus.

France Property Investment Market Remains Stable

France has seen such continued – if steady – increases in property values, mainly because it never really became swept up in the overseas investment boom. In the last 2-3 years thousands of savvy people with a pound to spare decided to put their money into overseas property, but did so, mainly in off-plan properties in emerging markets where prices were incredibly low, and the opportunity presented itself for immediate high-level gains and incredible rental yields. France never exactly offered an abundance of these properties, and so has and will remain to be one of the favorite places for people [especially Brits] buying a resale property as a holiday home.

Why You Should Buy Now; Overseas Property For Sale in the Credit Crunch

It is possible to make money whatever the state of the economy. In fact, some of the most lucrative deals have been achieved in a struggling economy; the opportunities are always there if you have the requisite knowledge.It must also be a buyers market; as the property and financial markets slow down at home and abroad, more people are putting their properties on the market and the developers are offering their 'special' deals and discounts. If you are prepared to be brave in negotiations now may be the time for you.
It could also be the time to be bolder in you outlook on destinations. Have a closer look at the less obvious choices; Cape Verde instead of The Canary Islands, Morocco instead of Spain, Dubai instead of Florida; the Gambia instead of the Carribean. In some of the emerging markets around the world, the property market is stable and even growing. Getting in at the very bottom, buying land or off-plan, means less outlay at the start and a better return on your investment in the end.

Even with the old favourites it is worth looking further afield than the usual options; new build leaseback property in Corsica instead of the Gite in Provence, land with plans in the Caymen Islands instead of the villa in Barbados, a beach house in Belize instead of the apartment in Cancun. Of course land only, off plan and leaseback are all going to be long term projects, though investments can be realised before the property is built, or at the end of the guarenteed rental income period.

When you are feeling the pinch at home it is often cheaper to be living abroad. The cost of fuel, heating and eating can be considerably cheaper in Europe, and yu can minimise the effeect of the strong Euro by taking a Euro mortgage, taking advantage of the lower interest rate and avoiding the problems of fluctuation in the currency market.

Property values abroad still represent excellent value for money in comparison to the UK market, even with falling property prices. For a first time buyer overseas property may be the best way to get your feet on the property ladder.

What Is A Leaseback Property?

While the UK property market is experiencing tough times, there are other areas for investment which are booming. It has been estimated that UK buyers will invest 22.8 billion pounds in this year alone.

The French leaseback scheme was introduced over 30 years ago to help alleviate the growing problem of 'not enough tourist property' to service demand (France is the Number 1 visited country on the planet) Typically bought by the French themselves as a way of boosting their pensions, the leaseback properties bacame popular with UK investors around 5 years ago when the mortgage rules were relaxed.

The most popular areas are the Cote d'Azur, French Alps and Paris as these are the most visited areas in France and solid places to invest. The programme has proved immensely popular because it is government backed; not only do the French Government grant the planning licences for leasebacks, but they re-fund the entire VAT to the client (this is almost equal to the client's entire deposit) as a reward for allowing the property to be used for year round rentals. Along with the guarenteed rents, it's a huge incentive that makes the investment hard to beat.On the finance side, mortgages are lower than the UK and you can normally fix your rate for the entire term of the mortgage.


A French Leaseback property is also a great way to invest in the European property as your investment is totally hands free; it can be totally managed, fully maintained and all rents are totally guarenteed, you can even take a Euro mortgage. It should be seen as a medium to long term investment that forms part of your property pension. The fully managed aspect means that you can invest and relax. Should you want to take up the optional lifestyle investment which gives up to 2 weeks personal usage a year, France is well served by all the economy airlines.

French Leasebacks at the NEC A Place in The Sun Show

There were the obvious investments about again for those of us who often go to these shows.There were fewer stalls, but enough punters to mean you had to queue for a coffee. Taylor Woodrow were slashing the prices of their Spanish property. The Dubai offers were tempting as usual. The Argentina wine region of Mendoza was as off plan as it could be, and very interesting.

But for closer to home, and for the fainthearted, and the highlight of my day was the French leaseback at Evian-les-bains. Having spent a night at the Casino in Evian-Les-Bains for my 36th Birthday I can recommend it. Its a very exclusive and beautiful destination on the shores of Lake Geneva and at the foot of the Alps. The Highlights of the offer are these;
Leaseback rental of up to 4.5% for 11 years, 11 months
Developer pays the VAT, meaning a very low deposit
Fixed Euro mortgagerates available (subject to status)
Fully furnished, Fully maintained and Fully managed
Flexible personal usage packages available Freehold Purchase.

France has not always been the first choice of the British Property Investor, but scare stories about Spain, overdevelopment in other favourite destinations like Bulgaria and the Algarve may mean you need to look at your old age pension a bit differently; If you are prepared to be in it for the long term this is pretty close to a sure thing.

Oil, Gas and Investment in The Premiership

The English Football Premiership news last weekend and to the end of the transfer window on Monday night, had nothing to do with football. The Premiership is the new battlefield for the oil rich billionaires.

Abu Dhabi United agreed to buy Manchester City from Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister and within hours of the deal, the new owners had snatched Robinho, the Brazilian forward, from Real Madrid from under Chelseas nose, for a record fee of over £30 million. Chelsea, of course is owned by Roman Abrahmovic, the Russian oil billionaire, who bought the best and acheived Premiership success in his second year as Chairman. Well done Roman. Its been done before by millionaires (Blackburn Rovers and JJB Sports Chairman Jack Walker) but money does not always produce a team, good looking football or success.

At this time Manchester City fans will just be happy with 'financial stability' and at least a trophy. Noel Gallagher, Oasis songwriter and reknowned City fan revelled in the fact that every time a Utd fan fills their car with petrol, they will be supporting the City Transfer fund ! A successful year for City in the past has been one where they have beaten Man Utd. Maybe, if the interest in this new investment is sustained, Manchester City will be the new Chelsea, threatening Utd in the Premiership and in the Champions League. Roman abramovich is not always in attendance at Chelsea games these days and perhaps this lack of interest is reflected in the results; second in every competition last season.

In their haste to show their committment to their investment t Abu Dhabi Utd almost succeeded in stealing Dimitar Berbatov from under Manchester United's nose. Relieved but worried Man Utd fans mumbled something about cash not buying class or history. Deep down they must be worried. How can the US owners, the Glazer family, compete with the massive financial surpluses of the fast-growing, oil exporting investors from the Middle East. and Russia?

Diversification of Abu Dhabi business interests from property in the Emirates to football in England is dabbling, with the sums of cash involved being small change. But I doubt Manchester City was 'their team' last season, and hope they take care with an institution which is so dear to so many.