http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news-feed BuyAssociation News en-gb http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/images/en/BA-logo-with-wording-small.jpg http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news-feed http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/has-the-downturn-reached-dubai-9634.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/has-the-downturn-reached-dubai-9634.html
According to one agent, the price of a four-bedroom villa on the Palm Jumeirah is now 10 million UAE dirhams, compared to 15 million dirhams in September. The price drop is being attributed for a large part to the difficulty many buyers are finding sourcing mortgage finance in Dubai.

Dubai’s Islamic mortgage lender Amlak said last week that it was suspending new loans as the property sector shows signs of slowing down, and even those using western banks to finance their purchase are finding that the banks are tightening lending restrictions and being increasingly selective of customers to wh...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/dubai--russia-and-slovakia-show-growth-9612.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/dubai--russia-and-slovakia-show-growth-9612.html
The big headline came from the fact the global house prices fell in the past three months for the first time since records began. The survey, carried out by the global property consultancy each quarter, showed an across the board drop in house prices of 0.3 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2008. This is the first time a drop has been recorded, despite the fact that year-on-year figures showed a 3.8 per cent growth in prices.

The big winners in the price stakes over the past 12 months have been Dubai, showing an incredible 76 per cent rise in prices; Slovakia (31 per cent); Russia (27 per cent) and Ukraine (25 per cent). One of the surprise packages of those countries with rising prices over the past year was Bulgaria, showing a price rise of 26.8 Per cent on las...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/france/enter-le-raffle-in-france-9399.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/france/enter-le-raffle-in-france-9399.html
The four-bedroom property in a village just a few miles from the vibrant and bustling city of Montpellier has been renovated by the current owners who are keen to pass the property on to other people who are equally passionate about living in this authentic setting. The French couple who currently own the property have devised a special ‘spot the ball’ competition to decide the winner after the 30th June 2009 closing date.

Julien and Florence Salanave, founders of the concept of ‘selling’ their property in this way, have come up with an extensive set of rules and regulations for this competition – partly to make sure they are covered under the strict rules of the gaming and gambling laws, and partly ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/brazil/olympian-plumps-for-brazil-9358.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/brazil/olympian-plumps-for-brazil-9358.html
Chris Hoy, who won three gold medals in the track cycling events in Beijing, has bought a property on the Laguna Beach development in Tabatinga in the Natal region. With the north east of Brazil just a six-hour flight away, buying property in Brazil makes sense from a lifestyle point of view as well as for investment.

“Laguna Beach has everything I am looking for in a high quality investment property,” Ch...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/dubai-laws-aim-at-stability-9168.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/dubai-laws-aim-at-stability-9168.html
Three new laws have taken effect in the past few weeks, and all were published on 31st August. The laws concern the areas of off-plan sales, mortgage laws and property disputes.

Law 13, covering the sale of off-plan property in Dubai, states that all transactions must be registered with the Dubai Land Department. This means that developers can no longer launch and sell developments before they have taken possession of the land and been granted the necessary building permits. “Whereas previously you had some developers launching and advertising projects for sale before they had even taken p...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/poland/poland-promises-8989.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/poland/poland-promises-8989.html
The Daily Mail today reports that up to 100,000 Poles left this country in the past year to return home to Eastern Europe, having either accomplished the economic aims they set out to achieve, or in search of better opportunities back at home. While this might be dismaying news for anyone looking to get any decent plumbing work done in the next few months, for the thousands of British investors who have bought property in Poland, it could represent a significant opportunity.

A significant proportion of the returnees will doubtless go back to the family home and be able to live a little more comfortably with their earnings from the UK, but others w...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/aipp-rewards-service-8943.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/aipp-rewards-service-8943.html BuyAssociation.co.uk’s Property Editor Paul Collins was one of the independent judges, were launched this year by industry association the AIPP, with the aim of improving standards of customer service across the international property market.

In focusing the awards on customer service, staff training and marketing transparency, the AIPP is aiming to drive standards in the industry higher. Rewarding those who provide exceptional levels of service to their customers are rewarded while also being held up as an example to the rest of the market.

Judged in two stages, to a set of independently-agreed benchmarks, the awards were judged firstly by a panel of industry experts and secondly, by impartial professionals with some knowledge of property. ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/can-spain-save-the-economy-8902.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/can-spain-save-the-economy-8902.html
The Spanish government estimates that some 108 million of the highest-denomination currency in circulation is held by private citizens, and are searching for a way to pump this extra liquidity back into the banking system. Blaming the phenomenon on a traditional mistrust of the banking system (who’s laughing at their backward ways now?) and a ‘relaxed’ attitude to tax laws, Spanish authorities think their citizens have up to €54 billion stashed away in €500 notes and circulating in the country, outside of the banking economy.

It has long been a known (but definitely illegal) practice for property deals to be con...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/the-xl-effect-8605.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/the-xl-effect-8605.html
While the effects on the travel industry and those holidaymakers left without their bookings have been profound, there is also a knock-on effect for the world of overseas property. Many owners use airlines like XL to get to their properties overseas, and the sudden loss of the easiest route between the UK and your base abroad can leave you wondering what to do for the future.

For the most part, the collapse of XL has removed an option for those who travelled r...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/legal-expert-identifies-opportunities-8547.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/legal-expert-identifies-opportunities-8547.html
On the day after announcing that his company, The International Law Partnership, was joining forces with Italian law specialists Giambrone Law to provide the public with an even more extensive range of services in the UK and overseas from 1st November, Mr. Howell was optimistic about the prospects for those buying overseas. He pointed out that cautious and informed optimism was the order of the day, rather than the blind optimism that has previously marked the international property market.

Mr. Howell identified France as one of the best markets for growth in the next few months, citing the ‘Sarkozy Effect’ as revitalising t...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/italy/property-in-italy-for--1-8492.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/italy/property-in-italy-for--1-8492.html
Much of the local population moved away following the earthquake, but the picturesque town sits between two rivers and close to the Mediterranean coast, and was once the headquarters of Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1860.

Mr. Sgarbi explained to the BBC website that the town council currently owns many of the houses. “There are 3,700 houses owned by the council, almost all in the old town, that are in danger of falling down – of crumbling and dying.” The goal of the offer is to attract people who have the means and the local sensibility to restore the houses in...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/millionaire-life-for--25-8308.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/millionaire-life-for--25-8308.html
But before you start to rush for the wallet and reach for the phone, the deal is not quite as simple as it sounds. While the eight-bedroom villa and the adjoining Wild West Ranch tourist attraction will be given to someone who has paid just £25, they will be one of 200,000 punters hoping to be given the keys to the property. Owner Wayne Connell is selling 200,000 prize draw tickets at £25 each for the property.

This means that he should be able to raise enough money from the ticket sales to cover the costs of the £1 million villa and the tourist business next door valued at £4 million. The self-made millionaire is selling up in order to move to the US with his family in order to be ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/buyers-stay-confident-8225.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/buyers-stay-confident-8225.html
The survey, conducted last month, questioned over 1,500 overseas property owners about their motivations and intentions for buying, as well as their feelings on the rising costs of fuel and the property slump in the UK. Amongst other things, it revealed that the lower cost of property overseas than in the UK had been a key driver in their decision to head for the overseas market.

The revelation that a rise in travel costs due to a ‘green tax’ or fuel duty increasing would not deter the majority of buyers is somewhat surprising, and should reassure the airline who are predicting a serious downturn in sales and passenger numbers in the coming months.

Jacqui Daly, Director Savills Research comments, "Whils...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/brits-behaving-worse-abroad-8169.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/brits-behaving-worse-abroad-8169.html
In Spain alone, the number of Briton arrested rose by nearly a third to 2,032. Spain also accounted for the most passports lost (6,710) and the highest number of hospital admissions (695). This figure should be viewed in the context of the estimated 17 million Brits who traveled to Spain in the past year, the most popular destination for UK travelers in the world.

Cyprus has the highest proportion of arrests compared to visitor numbers, and Thailand the highest number of injuries or deaths among tourists – much of which is put down to the notoriously-dangerous roads. France, with a reputation for quieter, more civilized holidays, saw the sharpest increase in arrests, up 42 per cent. This, however, comes against a background of just 153 arrests in total among 15 million visitors fr...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/security-in-spain-8112.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/security-in-spain-8112.html
Long ago, the distinctions between those buying for investment or for leisure paled into insignificance compared to the possibility of losing the property which has been paid for in greater or lesser part as property developers and agents on the Iberian peninsular went bust with increasing regularity. Everyone, it seems, is hanging on to find out if their off-plan property is to be the next project that is threatened with lying incomplete and in the hands of administrators while their deposits and staged payments are left hanging in the ether.

A few weeks ago, an industry already on the ropes was dealt a real body blow with the announcement of the failure of Martinsa-Fadesa, one of the biggest ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/brits-in-spain-turn-to-the-law-8010.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/brits-in-spain-turn-to-the-law-8010.html
Martin de la Herran, of the Spanish law firm Abolex, told the Daily Telegraph: "I've now got dozens of British clients who all want to know where they stand." The problems associated with companies going to the wall as the global economic slowdown advances across Europe are largely to blame, and buyers are seeking to start proceedings as quickly as possible to recover much-needed funds.

Many buyers will see their development left half-built, or will never see anything more th...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/ftbs-look-overseas-to-beat-crunch-7921.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/ftbs-look-overseas-to-beat-crunch-7921.html
This indicates the appetite of the British buyer remains strong, and that people are still prepared to take on the burden of owning a property in the current market instability, so long as they see the property and the market as representing good value.

The gloomy news for the UK property market continues, with the survey of FTBs showing that a third of those questioned have been refused a mortgage in the past six months. This backs up figures from th...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/ryanair-cuts-flights-7906.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/ryanair-cuts-flights-7906.html
The plans to scale back services through the quieter winter months are likely to result in the loss of some 150 jobs at Ryanair, some of which will come through the introduction of a new automated check-in service which has been planned for months.

According to Ryanair chairman Mr. O’Leary, 15 of the 43 aircraft based at its hub in Stansted will be grounded from November until March in preparation for lower passenger volumes through the winter months. This is common practice among airlines, but Ryanair is having to ground eight more aircraft than last year as fuel prices bite into profit margins and passenger numbers. In addition, four of the 22 aircraft based a...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/avoid-atm-bandits-in-spain-7889.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/avoid-atm-bandits-in-spain-7889.html
Confusing new messages are being put onto ATM machines to offer clients the use of DCC, or Dynamic Currency Conversion, and according to The Guardian, the system will almost always result in the bank making money from the customer. The system, which is already in place in many shops and restaurants, allows users the option of paying for goods in Sterling. While an attractive way of keeping track of spending while overseas, the exchange rate used is poor and there are high transaction costs which are funnelled back to the retailer.

Following a trial period with Santander, DC...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/cyprus/cyprus-dispute-taken-to-the-streets-7873.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/cyprus/cyprus-dispute-taken-to-the-streets-7873.html
Conor O’Dwyer has written to Cypriot president Demetris Christofias asking for justice in his continuing dispute with property developers. Mr O’Dwyer bought a property from a developer two years ago, and then complained that they were in breach of contract on a number of matters. The developer then allegedly unilaterally cancelled his contract and kept his £75,000, reselling the property in the process.

The developers have alleged that O’Dwyer masterminded a plan to extort a newer and more expensive property from them, as well as exorbitant damages. The case is yet to reach the courts in Cyprus, as is the case of assault on O’Dwyer as a result of him being beaten up last January. He had gone to Frenaros to take picture...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/albania/albania-gains-interest-7858.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/albania/albania-gains-interest-7858.html
Albania and Croatia both signed new membership agreements as the latest stage in joining the military alliance of NATO. Completion of this stage of the process means that both nations should be inducted to full membership status early next year, following the mandatory ratification of the membership by the parliaments of both countries.

In addition to this political boost, seen by some as an early stage of getting EU membership, Albania has recently revealed the discovery of an oilfield in the north west of the country that is believed to hold 490 million barrels of original oil. This site, reports trade magazine The Overseas Property Professional, is expected to contribute a large amount to the inward and state investment in Albania that...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/brits-fail-to-learn-lingo-or-insure-7787.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/brits-fail-to-learn-lingo-or-insure-7787.html
The survey, carried out among the customers Laterooms.com, one of the leading accommodation websites in the UK, found that 54 per cent of Brits, some 25 million people, are unable to recognize even the most basic phrases in the language of their destination. Furthermore, 81 per cent of those who do not speak the language refuse to take a dictionary or phrase book with them, and 33 per cent rely entirely upon the goodwill of bi-lingual locals to speak English.

While this is embarrassing for us as a nation, the survey revealed some of the more comical ways in which the British public t...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/easyjet-adds-manchester-routes-7785.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/easyjet-adds-manchester-routes-7785.html
The new routes, to Geneva and Sofia, will begin on the 11th and 12th December and give skiers access to the French and Swiss Alps, as well as the Pirin range in Bulgaria with the resorts of Bansko and Pamporovo nearby. This gives overseas property buyers in the French mountains and in Bulgaria another travel option from the north west of England, and shows the demand in both the property and travel sectors from this part of the country.

easyJet UK commercial manager Carly Brear said, “These two new routes from Manchester are further proof that there is demand for direct low-fare services from the north west to Europe. Geneva has proved an extremely ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/news/service-makes-a-mark-in-the-air-7714.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/news/service-makes-a-mark-in-the-air-7714.html
Palmair European, which carries just 70,000 passengers a year, came in joint third position with Air New Zealand and behind Jet Airways and Singapore
Airlines in the Which? poll in which 70 airlines were rated for the overall travelling experience and value for money.

Palmair employs around 50 staff, in contrast to the huge workforces of the multi-national and flag-carrying airlines, and has a number of unique features and habits that have clearly caught the imagination of the flying public. For example, instead of surly check-in staff, the airline has a member of staff who personally greets every single passenger at the airport and draws up the seating plan from her kitchen table the night before the flight. Forget an ugly bun-fight just to make ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/news/brits-sell-as-france-prices-drop-7712.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/news/brits-sell-as-france-prices-drop-7712.html
While there is no doubt that global economic conditions are not helping housing markets in Europe’s developed markets, it is the highly-favourable exchange rate of the Euro that is leading to British sellers accepting prices below the potential market value of their property in order to cash in now.

While the news is good for buyers currently looking for a property on the other side of La Manche, estate agents are fearful of this rapid reversal of a market that was weathering the storms in real estate felt further south in Europe surprisingly well. The sellers who currently have property on the market are being tempted with offers that are 20 to 30 per cent below their asking price as they feel they will make up the deficit in the strong Euro/Sterling exch...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/buying-for-rental-on-the-up-7674.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/buying-for-rental-on-the-up-7674.html
This shift in the intentions of the average overseas property buyer can be attributed to both a change in how people view their second home overseas as an investment and income generator, rather than a second home exclusively; and to the increasing need among buyers to supplement their income to make sure they can cover mortgage and running costs on one or more properties.

The last survey quoted by the specialist holiday rentals website is the 2006 Mintel report on the Market for Homes & Housing. This showed that just 20 per cent of overseas property buyers had t...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/insurance-gets-confused-7653.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/insurance-gets-confused-7653.html
The new offering, in conjunction with overseas insurance specialist Hiscox, is intended to make getting insurance on overseas property much easier and less-daunting for buyers, avoiding as it does the need for knowledge of the foreign legal systems or translating contracts and policies from local insurers. Insurance for overseas homes is one of the most overlooked aspects of the property buying process abroad, but in many ways is even more important than in the UK as holiday homes can be left unoccupied for months at a time.

Carlton Hood, chief executive officer, Confused.com, said, “Confused.com is committed to providing a first-class service and the additio...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/australia/oz-still-attracts-expats-7633.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/australia/oz-still-attracts-expats-7633.html
Removals firm Allied Pickfords has revealed that more people than ever before are looking to leave the UK for good, and that Australia is the most popular destination. This puts it ahead of some of the other popular migration destinations such as Spain and Cyprus.

A spokesman for the firm said that Australia remained a ‘firm favourite’ for British expats, but that people were prepared to live in ‘all parts of the globe’. Additional figures from the company show that Australian cities are the most attractive destinations for expat buyers, with Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane the most popular.

In addition to this, figures...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/moscow-and-dubai-look-to-rotate-7613.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/moscow-and-dubai-look-to-rotate-7613.html
Architect David Fisher has submitted designs for the world’s first rotating towers to be built in the two cities, with completion of the first project expected in 2010. The rotation of the towers will involve each individual floor moving independently, and is to be controlled from a central computer intended to make a changing shape of fluid design from the outside.

The towers, which are to be made from pre-fabricated floors constructed in Italy and arranged around a static concrete core, will be 80 stories tall in Dubai, and 70 stories in...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/dubai-leaps-ahead-7610.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/dubai-leaps-ahead-7610.html
Experts are putting the steep rise in prices in the Emirate down to a market that is free of the ravages of the credit crunch afflicting the US and the UK, and a shortage of available property to satisfy investors and expats alike. This rise in prices is the strongest growth in the Dubai property market since 2004, and is predicted to continue through the summer of 2008.

While there are still huge building sites in Dubai, and the property market had previously shown some signs of becoming overheated, it seems that the summer months will see little in the way of a reduction in demand. At the same ti...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/brits-lap-up-life-abroad-7452.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/brits-lap-up-life-abroad-7452.html
The first of the stereotypes to be challenged in the survey is that of ignorant Brits refusing to mix with the local population and speaking loudly and slowly in English in shops, bars and restaurants. More than a third of those in the survey have made new friends since moving abroad, and 28 per cent making the effort to learn the local language in order to integrate into the community.

The social aspect of moving overseas is one of the major factors in the report, but the influence of a change of lifestyle on the general wellbeing of those questioned also significant. More than one fifth of the responde...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/currency-offers-for-buyers-7409.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/currency-offers-for-buyers-7409.html
The decline of Sterling against the Euro has seen the rate of exchange fall to such an extent as to make one Pound worth just €1.25, compared to around €1.50 a year ago. This in turn makes the price of properties in the Eurozone significantly higher, thus restricting what buyers are able to afford.

Developers in both Turkey and Spain have introduced fixed Euro rates to reassure buyers that they are getting the best deals available. In Spain, Titan Properties has put a r...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/brad-and-brits-in-dubai-7328.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/dubai/brad-and-brits-in-dubai-7328.html
Architecture has long been a passion for Pitt, and he says that this project will be his first foray into hands-on design. The 800-room luxury hotel is to be ‘socially conscious’ and an example in environmental sustainability, according to the developer, Zabeel Properties. Although details are currently unconfirmed for the precise location and other features to be included around the hotel complex, Pitt and the team of design consultants will have said to “expect something that is not only stunning to look at, but will also be an incredible attraction to visit or stay at.”

This development also underpins the actor’s fascination with architecture and structural design, which he says has been a...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/what-if-we-had-joined-the-euro-7306.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/what-if-we-had-joined-the-euro-7306.html
But with the current credit crunch affecting global markets, and the state of the UK housing industry increasingly a cause for concern, would we be in a better situation had we taken the plunge into the Eurozone? This question has today been posed by the Independent commentator Sean O’Grady, and it raises some interesting issues not only for the UK economy, it also gives some clues as to the future of the overseas property market in our sister countries who have adopted the Euro.

Firstly, we could easily have been part of the Eurozone, despite the strength of th...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/slovakia/slovakia-heads-for-eurozone-7265.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/slovakia/slovakia-heads-for-eurozone-7265.html
Following its accession to the European Union in 2004, Slovakia has been developing and adapting to independence and free-market trade. Joining the Euro will bring a higher degree of economic stability, increase trade with the rest of the continent, and should open up the property market further for overseas buyers.

Along with the growth in GDP and in foreign direct investment into the country, moving across to the Euro will bring down transaction costs for overseas buyers in the market, and should open up even more finance options in the fledgling mortgage industry.

Bratislava has been a popular destination for investment buyers since Slovakia ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/party-ruins--4-million-villa-7266.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/party-ruins--4-million-villa-7266.html
The family villa, on the exclusive El Paraiso development near Marbella, was invaded by up to 400 teenagers from all over the Costa del Sol and trashed. Extensive damage was caused throughout the property, up to £6,000 worth of jewellery was stolen and the police were called to search everyone leaving the premises. The mother of the teenager was present throughout the party, but was powerless to prevent the damage or theft from so many youngsters.

Jodie Hudson had advertised the party on her Facebook and ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/spain-declares-a-problem-7228.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/spain-declares-a-problem-7228.html property in Spain is growing as pressure on prices forces developers to sell for lower values, unwittingly putting their buyers at risk of fines from the Spanish Revenue Department.

Although the issue of under-declaration of property value has been one that has blighted resales of property in Spain for many years as sellers attempt to avoid paying the capital gains tax on their investment to the true value of the property, this is the first time that the issue has come up with new-build properties.

To give an example of how the new, tough market conditions have brought under-declaration into the new-build market, if a villa is sold on a development for €200,000, buyers will pay €40,000 deposit as 20 per cent of the purchase price. If those buyers then face difficulties that force them to pull out...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/aipp-lays-down-the-law-7205.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/aipp-lays-down-the-law-7205.html
On the contrary, according to recent figures from the AIPP. They have detailed the totals of complaints, hearings and fines levied against members according to the code of conduct of the Association. While the AIPP exists as a professional body to work with its membership to improve their standing in the industry, many of the main pillars of the code of conduct revolve around the fair treatment and completion of due diligence in order to make the buying process as honest and as transparent as possible for the public.

The figures show that to date, the AIPP has received 85 complaints from the public against its members. Inevitably, some of these complaints can and have been resolve...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/environment/new-green-standards-launched-7150.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/environment/new-green-standards-launched-7150.html
Next month will see the launch of the GREEN Building Standard, and independent mark to help buyers through the maze of claims of environmental credentials and some of the more confusing jargon used by agents and developers in promoting their projects.

Individual developments will be awarded bronze, silver, gold or platinum Standards to mark out the extent and effectiveness of the environmental and sustainable features of the development to allow them to make an informed decision in line with their own individual demands as a consumer.

Launched in response to a shift in the buying habits and requirements of overseas property clients, the GREEN Building Standard has been set up by Green Horizons, a division of overseas property network Blue Horizons, and will judge projects b...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/spain--perfect-or-pained-7128.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/spain/spain--perfect-or-pained-7128.html
Research from Spanish property portal Kyero.com has suggested that property prices in Spain are now 3.6 per cent lower than they were at this time last year, meaning that for people who want to have somewhere to live in Iberia, this could be the time to make sure you are getting more for your money than was previously possible.

At the same time, the website notes, the cost of buying a property in Spain is now about 16 per cent higher than it was at the beginning of the year, due to the strong performance of the Euro in money markets against Sterling.

For property developers and agents in Spain, this makes it a particularly difficult time as although price...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/germany/hammer-to-fall-on-german-bargains-7065.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/germany/hammer-to-fall-on-german-bargains-7065.html
Now a company in Germany is offering properties across the country at auction, and the prices will be enough to make anyone cough into their stein. With average UK house prices over £200,000 and first time buyers struggling to afford even the smallest flats and houses, the idea of a 20-room guesthouse with two bowling alleys for as little as £14,000 seems like it must be a joke.

However, it is real, as are the rest of the whole range of houses available in the SKB auctions for under £20,000. Among the other properties that are available to buy outright for the same price as a modest deposit in London are a detached mill building with two flats surrounded by lakes in Saxony for a guide price of £15,000 and a detac...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/canada/canada-s-cheers-and-beers-7041.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/canada/canada-s-cheers-and-beers-7041.html
John Molson moved from Lincolnshire to Canada at the age of 18, fell in love with Quebec and then established the Molson brewery on the banks of the St Lawrence at Montreal in 1786. A well-known and highly-respected philanthropist, he became one of the most famous names in Canada.

He also made his family home in nearby Mont Tremblant, an area that has become the focus of much of the property development on the eastern side of Canada. Mont Tremblant itself is one of the highest peaks in the Laurentian mountains, and is also one of the best ski resorts in the eastern half of North America. So good is the skiing around Mont Tremblant, in fact, that Ski Magazine has named it the...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/careers-attract-brits-to-leave-7019.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/general/careers-attract-brits-to-leave-7019.html
The Natwest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Report has pinpointed this new trend among British workers, which is changing the profile of the typical expatriate, but also points out that many workers do return to the UK, bringing back enhanced skill-sets and wider experience.

The survey, undertaken alongside the Centre for Future Studies, spoke to a cross-section of British citizens who have left the UK, and uncovered a ‘talent drain’ to foreign countries. According to the study, up to two-thirds of the 200,000 people who left the UK to live abroad in 2006 did so to work overseas. Of those surveyed 42 per cent were professional or management-level employees, and a further 25 per cent were employed in other functions.

The survey also shows that the typical expat profile has c...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/italy/tastebud-tourists-in-italy-6787.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/italy/tastebud-tourists-in-italy-6787.html
Alison Couper, communications manager at Expedia.co.uk, explained, “Our survey reveals that more than one in ten holidaymakers follow their taste buds when booking a trip overseas. People want to sample authentic Italian food in the place it was created.

”Tourists are breaking away from stereotypical food staples while on holiday, becoming more dedicated to immersing themselves in the home-grown local cuisine."

Italy has always been a strong draw for tourists, and this could This potentially enhance Italy's appeal among overseas international investors.

Italy's appeal to foreign property buyers was recently highlighted by NuWire Investor, which said demand for accommodation in popular tourist spots makes it a particularly good investment.

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http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/turkey/turkey-changes-laws--but-calm-urged-6744.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/turkey/turkey-changes-laws--but-calm-urged-6744.html
The issuing of title deeds to foreign buyers has been temporarily suspended in Turkey while two controversial clauses in the country’s property law, which relate to property sales to foreigners, are amended.

The Turkish Constitutional Court ordered the halt from 16th April to allow the re-drafting of legislation to address concerns that foreign-owned companies are buying up huge tracts of agricultural land, particularly in the east of the country. Foreign nationals are already restricted from buying land and property in rural areas, but under the proposed amendments, the same ban will apply to foreign-owned companies.

Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey Guide, commented, “This freeze is an inconvenience for anyone ready to complete on a property now, as they will have to wait until the new law is passed by July 16th, but the changes in legislation will have no affec...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/florida/bag-a-florida-bargain-at-auction-6681.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/florida/bag-a-florida-bargain-at-auction-6681.html
The highest bidder for the properties in the sale will get the deal, no matter how low that bid is – and the last auction resulted in successful bids for two British buyers who got a great property deal even without the help of the favourable exchange rate. One buyer got a three-bedroom apartment in Naples for £100,000, just half of the list price of $399,000 (£200,000), while another Brit bought a three-bedroom condo in New Smyrna for £135,000.

This auction will be taking place on 19th April, starting at 11am, and will be for 25 townhouses at The Residences development at Turnbull Bay in New Smyrna Beach on Florida’s east coast. All of the two- and three-bedroom townhouses...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/golf/turkey-goes-for-golf-6680.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/golf/turkey-goes-for-golf-6680.html
The Turkish Golf Federation has plans to build 100 new golf courses to add to Turkey’s current tally of less than 20. Golf tourism is already experiencing strong growth in Turkey and revenues should hit 500 million euros by 2010, but now Turkey really means business and intends to take on golf giant Spain head-to-head, with the Aegean province of Mugla as its secret weapon.

There were 359 federated golf courses in Spain at last count, around 60 of these concentrated along the Costa del Sol generating 900 million euros for the Málaga province in 2006.

It’s clear that Turkey has some catching up to do but with one and a half times the area, a similar climate thanks to sharing the same latitude, one of the fastest growing tourist industries on the planet (18.5 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2006 leapt to 23.8 million in 2007, a 29 per cent increase) and true determination and focus right from the top, you wo...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/turkey/istanbul-bullish-6642.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/turkey/istanbul-bullish-6642.html
This is according to PriceWaterhouse Coopers and the Urban Land Institute, who have officially named Istanbul as the second best place to invest in property, behind Moscow.

According to Turkey’s Land Registry General Directorate, 73,000 foreigners now own property in Turkey, with 8,830 buying in Istanbul. Rental yields are reaching up to 7.6 per cent for apartments in the city centre, while the Global Property Guide has revealed that developments in the suburbs are giving returns of up to 8.8 per cent.

Demand is being driven by Istanbul’s domestic and international population, which is growing at 1.5 per cent a year, giving year-round rental opportunities for buy-to-let investors.

Julian Walker, of Turkey property specialists Spot Blue, commented: “Investors are scrambling to have their own square metres in Istanbul because they feel confident of the city’s excellent rental returns.

...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/portugal/portugal-learns-from-spain-6620.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/portugal/portugal-learns-from-spain-6620.html
Shawn Luetchens, Managing Director of Hotproperty.com, believes that the Portugal is ‘less prone to making the kind of errors that have taken place in Spain’, adding: “Portugal is very conscious of the international perception of its property scene.

"As well as ensuring developments are high quality, overdevelopment is being carefully avoided in locations such as the Algarve while important infrastructure is being enhanced, such as water facilities in areas with many new golf courses".

Mr Luetchens concluded: "Portugal's infrastructure is constantly improving and issues such as water usage are given high importance. This bodes well, particularly for a country that is building so many golf developments."

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The research discovered that properties bought as second homes within 10 miles of an airport served by a low-cost carrier is valued at 39 per cent higher than property further away. In addition, the survey discovered that those properties closer to the airports benefitted from earning up to 30 per cent more in rental income for their owners even when they weren’t living there themselves.

These figures seem to confirm, and put a statistic to, what has widely be known in the overseas property industry – that the low-cost carriers and their route planning has a huge effect on the property market in a given area. In some cases, it has even been seen that the airline routes are the driver behind the expansion of ...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/argentina/argentina-barges-btl-6533.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/argentina/argentina-barges-btl-6533.html
Hot weather, glorious beaches, and one of the world's most famous cities, Buenos Aires. Touring Latin America is becoming a very popular holiday, seeing rain-forests, enjoying the humid heat and the great cities like San Jose and Buenos Aires as well as Costa Rica's volcanoes and rich bio-diversity.

Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern, enthused: "Most people investing in Argentina currently are buying a holiday home with a view to letting it when not using it themselves, and these buyers have nothing to worry about from the recent change in government.

“The Rental market, especially in the popular areas like Buenos Aires will continue to be strong, and the average rental yield will remain an exceptional 10 per cent - again in Buenos Aires.

Mr Bailey added, “Economic growth will continue to be strong in the short-term because the new President continued many of the policies that so...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/news/developers-offering-free-holidays-in-florida-6491.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/news/developers-offering-free-holidays-in-florida-6491.html
According to The British Homes Group (BHG), A free family holiday to Orlando, worth up to $7,500, is being given away by a mortgage broker to encourage people to buy a home in Florida.

The free holiday includes: return airfares, limousine transfers, three nights in a 4-bedroom luxurious, fully-furnished town home (with the option to extend the stay at a special rate), car rental, VIP property tour and Day passes to a local theme park.

Investors taking up this enticing offer will stay at Paradise Palms in Kissimmee, Florida, a development of two-story town houses that come with private, screened, heated swimming pools. Prices start from $357,990 (£180,364) for a 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom home.

Other promotion incentives include a $10,000 reduction on the current price of the property and a $6,000 allowance towards mortgage closing costs (legal fees). For the British buyer, the value of...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/currencies-send-tourists-long-haul-6469.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/currency/currencies-send-tourists-long-haul-6469.html
South Africa, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia and the US have shown strong gains for the Pound in the past year in terms of exchange rates, seemingly in response to the continuing strength of the Euro against the Pound. Over the same time, the UAE Dirham has remained at a constant level.

The report also shows that in the run up to Easter, sales of the US Dollar showed an increase of 23 per cent in a month and 48 per cent in the week before Easter. The UAE Dirham also sold 46 per cent more in March 2008 compared to the previous month, and 27 per cent more Hong Kong Dollars.

It appears that UK travelers are keen to ma...]]> http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/france/france-the-best-in-the-world-6466.html http://www.buyassociation.co.uk/property/news/france/france-the-best-in-the-world-6466.html
The survey, which looked at the quality of life in 192 different countries, placed Switzerland in second place, with the US third. The UK was to be found languishing in a lowly 37th place on the list with Mexico, Monaco, Brazil, Croatia, Slovakia and Estonia.

International Living judge the countries in the survey based on their cost of living; leisure and culture; economy; environment; freedom; health; infrastructure; risk & safety; and climate. Scores out of 100 were given for each of these criteria to come up with the final ranking.

Although this kind of study can give a genuine idea of the quality of life in each of the countries surveyed, it is necessarily a subjective way of looking at the way of life in each countr.