Vietnam Property Investment

As with most things it is the ratio of supply and demand which affects pricing. It seems that Dubais property boom has been far too efficient in supplying the demand for new properties and you can now see Dubai property for sale at much reduced prices, even listed as distressed, by the big developers. Dubai is very 2006.

If youve had enough of city life, golf, shopping for gold and skiing in the desert (still sounds OK mind)it may be time to look further afield. For 2009 we need to find a destination where demand for residential property far outstrips supply, a country where in the 21st century 3 or even 4 generations no longer want to live together, and a country which is emerging as an alternative to Thailand for tourism and overseas property investment.

Vietnam fits the bill and offers cities, beaches, 3,444 km of coastline, forests and mountains, championship golf courses and history from the iron age through French colonial rule to the post Vietnam War reconstruction and development. Its economic growth had been among the highest in the world in the past decade and Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization in 2007 and has become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008.
The Vietnamese government is targeting an economic growth rate of 7.5-8% during the next four years,and is commited to policies to attract trade, commerce and to open the economy and the country up to external investment,

Baghdad Property Markets Emerging

Today I heard that property prices in Baghdad were rising due to the new feeling of security and stabilty. House prices in some areas of central Baghdad had gone up by 50% and rents have almost doubled in the past year. While bombings and assainations continue, though not at the same rate as at the peak of the Suni Shiite warring in the city, the atmosphere is calm enough to encourage the return of many of the refugees who had fled the troubles in 2005-2007, all of who are looking for property- the UN refugee agency expects that 500,000 will come back this year if the violence stays at present levels. the property boom is even headed as "Sky Rocketing Baghdad Property Prices" on http://www.islamonline.net/ I am not sure there will be a rush for overseas property investors to Iraq. As with most things it is the ratio of supply and demand which affects pricing. It seems that Dubais property boom has been far too efficient in supplying the demand for new properties and you can now see Dubai property for sale at much reduced prices, even listed as distressed, by the big developers.

Tunisia – Dubai of the Mediterranean?

Tunisia does not trip off the tongue for overseas property investment and is currently mightily overshadowed by near neighbours Morocco and Egypt in the property press, however with the presence of major Middle East property investors, mainly from Dubai and other UAE nations, the country is set to make a big impact. Property prices are low, even as low as Morocco was five years ago, and the country feels exotic yet European, affordable yet upper-class and will appeal to a broad spectrum of end users. The bonus is that unlike some far-flung destinations, a property in Tunisia is both a future income generator as well as being close enough to actually hop on a plane and enjoy the wonderful beaches and culture,

North Africa’s smallest nation, Tunisia, has a Mediterranean-facing coastline and lies directly south of Italy’s Sardinia tucked between Algeria on the west and Libya to the east. Thanks to a sharp right-angle turn on its shoreline, Tunisia has 1,400km of coastline and it is this asset, together with its strategic location, which has propelled the nation on to the global stage and attracted considerable foreign investment, particularly from the Middle East.

A colourful hotchpotch of architecture from Roman ruins to nineteenth century French colonial boulevards and a patchwork of landscapes from cork oak forests through to olive groves, vineyards and mile-upon-mile of undulating Sahara desert, Tunisia more than makes up for its size in terms of diversity. The sandy beaches front an impressive infrastructure of luxurious hotels, modern international airports, chic boutiques and jet-set marinas whilst the barren south has long-been the chosen setting for blockbusting films including Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Minghella’s The English Patient.

Life in Tunisia is very relaxed, tolerant and open. Women’s rights are better catered to than anywhere else in the Arabic world allowing western-style clothing, participation in sport and no barriers to taking part in business or Government at a senior level. Alcohol is freely available and widely drunk by locals and tourists alike.

As tourism becomes more important, leisure facilities are springing up at a significant rate, particularly around the honeypot resorts of Hammamet and Monastir, and Tunisia now boasts six golf courses, two of which have 27-holes, international diving centres and plenty of yachting clubs. Two significant projects currently underway, Mediterranean Gate ‘Century’ City and Tunis Sports City, both funded by Dubai investment at 25 billion USD and 5 billion USD respectively, will bring further golf courses and marinas, world-class sporting academies, Olympic grade facilities, business and leisure hubs as well as thousands of residential units and hotel beds.

While buying a property in Tunisia may not be the obvious choice, expect nothing short of positive global headlines and economic fortune from Tunisia over the coming years, and your investment will be rewarded in spades.

As sterling struggles, Britons are selling their places abroad to buy cheaply at home in the UK

Zoe Dare Hall for the Daily Mail reports that prices of holiday homes across the Continent have been plummeting as the tap of British buyers was abruptly switched off last autumn.

New- build properties marketed purely for the British and Irish markets are the worst hit, but anyone owning a holiday home that might appeal to local buyers will clean up given the collapse of sterling against the euro .

Foreign exchange specialist Caxton FX reports an 89 per cent increase in the number of British clients repatriating funds in the past three months of last year - mainly from people selling Spanish holiday homes. People are discounting their properties by 20- 25 per cent, as they can recoup the difference when they transfer their funds back to the UK. The falling pound has presented an excellent opportunity for buyers repatriating money.There are also a high number of transactions from British holiday home- owners in France, where property prices have remained more stable than elsewhere in Europe.The Algarve is also seeing high numbers of British homeowners willing to take a hit on their asking price if they are bringing their euro profits home.

Great deals for Cash Buyers in Spain

2008 was a pretty bad year for Spanish property and things look like they are going to get a lot worse before they get better. This is the first time that we have seen year on year price falls in the official index since the market started to slump in the second half of 2007.

Officially, at least, nominal property prices have not fallen since 1993.

Average property prices fell almost everywhere, though prices were still creeping up in the provinces of Sevilla (+3.4%), Cadiz (+3%), Valencia (+0.9%), and Extremadura (+0.1%), if you believe the government’s figures.

Values fell the most in the province of Madrid (-7.6%), followed by Murcia (-5.8%), Tenerife (-5.8%), and Castellon (-5.3%).

Over 10 years, however, Spanish property values are still 215% higher in Andalucía, 211% in Murcia, and 200% in the Balearics.

Property prices on the Spanish Mediterranean coast fell by 14.3% in 2008, according to the latest monthly Spanish house price index published by Tinsa, one of Spain’s leading appraisal companies.

The fall applies to both newly built and resale properties, so this is the first closely-watched index to show big falls for newly built property.

So what do all these statistics mean for potential property buyers in Spain well according to Susana Suspenda, the Marketing and Operations manager for Spanish Hot Properties

“Cash buyers should be getting a great deal in 2009 and its probably the best time to buy property in Spain with buyers moving in this year picking up the best value in distressed property sales and hugely discounted new developments from developers in trouble”.

Buenos Aires Barrios and Vineyard Villas Emerging

Wherever you look in the overseas investment property blogging world or the new holiday alternatives for beach, city or ski, eco tourism or wine tasting and steak eating, there is a new destination popping up - Argentina. Argentina stretches alongside Chile, 4000Km from Bolivia in the north to the very tip of South America at Tierra Del Fuego. In that expanse you can find the Andes, the Iguazu Falls, the Perito Moreno Glacier, arid desert plains, vineyards and lush farmland. Argentina is classified as an upper middle class income economy by the world bank and has the highest human developement index score in Latin America. An emerging market with first world credentials for the overseas investor.

I have spotted very different investment opportunities; safe as houses early investment in developments, with 100% return guarenteed in 3 years through developer buyout, or hotels for sale in Buenos Aires. I liked the look of the swankier areas (Barrios) of the capital which would be the affordable equivalent of having an apartment if the West End; Palermo is a large and lively barrio in Buenos Aires which was originally built around beautiful parks as a playground for Argentina's elite.This is a typical property for sale in Palermo.

Palermo Apartment for Sale 110sqm

A French style 2 bedroom apartment at 1900 Santa Fe Avenue in Palermo, Argentina

Features

Fireplace imported from Italy.
Bright and quiet.
Double glass in the windows.
Renovated master bathroom, with marble and jacuzzi.

2009 Property Investment Overseas Top Ten

Country Life the home of premium property has the list all drawn up;

1 Paris
Paris was recently voted best risk adjusted investment location by PricewaterhouseCooper. It is the most visited city in the world and well placed to weather the current recession. In Paris, location is everything. The third and fourth arrondissements are good areas to search, with heavy rental demand and reasonable prices compared to the more fashionable sixth.

2 Miami
The city was heavily hit by the property crash, and you can pick up good, central homes at half the price they were a year ago. Property is being sold at less than the amount it cost to build it – always a good test of value. Experts think the bottom of the Miami market has been reached – or nearly reached – so it is a good time to buy for capital growth in the mid-term. Buyers must choose well and a sensible rate of return – 4-5% - should be possible.

3 London
There are startling bargains to be had in the English capital. Riverside apartments are being shifted at half their original value, and they should let well until a capital gain is made. Another plus is that there are no currency exchange risks to worry about if you invest in London.

4 Berlin
Berlin has in fact proved to be an unexpected top destination for investment for the last two years. Property prices fell sharply with reunification and Berlin is a place where locals still predominantly rent, thus a supply of middle-class tenants. Taking a 5-10 year view, Berlin is a fantastic investment spot.


5 Spain
Despite recent problems, Spain will always be the nearest destination where you can guarantee good weather for most of the year and the infrastructure can support large numbers of British retirees. The overpriced market has, in effect, collapsed. Now spectacular bargains are available.

6 Distressed sales
Many people are in financial difficulty and are desperate to sell. Investment properties not pulling in a quick profit can be picked up at give-away prices. Another variation is to buy heavily discounted units direct from the developer.

7 Repossession
As ghoulish as this might appear, you can get hold of true bargains once homes are repossessed by banks. But, you need local advice and you should inspect the property before purchasing. Buying a repossession at auction can be expensive and it might be better dealing direct with the bank.

8 Investment in developers
Rather than buying a property with all the attendant worries, you can instead make a welcome fixed interest investment with a developer. Your money will be tied up for only a couple of years, but obviously you need to check out the status of the developer to ensure your money will be safe.

9 Commercial property in Slovakia
It may sound strange, but Slovakia has one of the most successful economies in Europe and is a recent entrant to the EU. Whether you are investing in a small corner shop or a warehouse, prices are competitive and returns good.

10 Morocco
A more adventurous location, but Morocco appeals for several reasons: it is close, French-speaking and has good weather almost all year round. The Moroccan government has made a commitment to improve the country’s infrastructure and there are three different markets here: on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and in Marrakech

There were also very cheap flights with the budget airlines to Morrocco last Autumn so it is not so far out of the way, no jet lag and a flight time similar to Cyprus. Morrocco is also building golf resorts and gated community resorts, so its safe but with that element of the new and unknown. If I were going to Africa though I would cost in the extra flight time and cost and go for the Gambia.