Overseas-Homes-Direct.com - International Property Hotspots

We have now launched our new website www.overseas-homes-direct.com. Overseas-homes-direct.com has over 500 pages of information dedicated to anyone interested in either investment property overseas or overseas property as a main residence:

• Visitor information - Where to go and what to see.
• Buying property abroad - Including property hotspots, market reports and information on the popular regions to buy overseas property.
• Investment property overseas - Including rental properties, buying off-plan, and registration to our investor club.
• Living, working and emigrating - Information on finding work, buying a business and living abroad. Also features on education and healthcare with case studies and real life experiences
• Finance and legal guides - Including a comparison of UK and overseas mortgages, taxation, currency issues, the buying process, legal services plus avoiding inheritance tax
• Resources - Including FAQs, diary of events and useful websites for buying property abroad.

Top destinations for UK property buyers

Spanish property - still top of the property hotspots

Costa del Sol
The original package holiday destination, has 100 miles of sandy beaches, and is only 2 hours away from the UK. Half a million Brits have bought here. Over the years has proven to be one of THE great property investments. Has started to become pricey, especially along the coast, but property prices start to drop as you move further inland, into the inland villages. As the routes to the once remote areas are built, the inland areas become more accessible and more appealing.

Barcelona
The party capital of Europe. One of the most expensive places to buy property in Europe. Small city centre apartment costs minimum of £160,000. Prices have doubled in past 5 years. Market still booming, lots of flights from the UK.

Tervel, Spain
The cheapest place to buy in Spain. Mixture of villages, Moorish architecture, slow pace of life. As little as £3,000 for a renovation project, habitable village houses start at £18,000. Prices projected to double in next two years.

French Property - number 2 for UK buyers wanting a more traditional lifestyle

French Riviera
Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco. Is experiencing a revival. Cost of living high (cup of coffee £10). Upwards of £1M for a gorgeous house in a good location. Property prices rise by 10% a year. Nearby Marseilles is on the up and costs a third less. Prices there start at £150,000 and have increased by 60% in the last 3 years.

Normandy
Property costs as little as a quarter as on the south cost of England, £60,000 gets a superb rural cottage. Proximity to the UK and much lower prices mean lots of Brits have their main residence there, and commute back to the UK for work. Market is still rising steadily. Climate, however, not that much better than the UK.

Limousin, South-West France
Known as France’s Cinderella, next to the Dordogne, very rural, pretty and picturesque. Has the lowest property prices in France. Prices have risen by a third in the last two years and are still rising.

Florida property - take advantage of the weak dollar and great prices for UK buyers 
The no 1 long-haul destination for British buyers. Ideal for the family, with numerous theme parks and sandy beaches, and low cost of living. £200,000 villa can generate £15,000 of rental income a year.

Dubai property - tax haven and great rental returns
The ultimate city of tomorrow, tax free lifestyle, new buildings sell out as fast as they’re built. Studios available from £40,000. Buy before 2006, when all the major developments are scheduled for completion.

Bulgaria property - rapid growth in property prices
Same lower prices as Tervel, but has plenty of beaches too. Has all the trappings of a Mediterranean resort, but much cheaper. Typically prices start at £20,000 for coastal properties. Cost of living is cheap. Prices even cheaper in the countryside – houses can be purchased for around £6,000. EU accession expected in 2007, which is driving the market. Not as easy to get to as the Costa del Sol, but cheaper.

Italy - a more sophisticated market - or a rural renovation

Tuscany 
Prices have doubled in the past 5 years, and the market is still strong. Nearby Umbria and Le Marche are cheaper.

Portugual -

The Algarve
Only 2½ hours away, has wonderful beaches, golf courses, climate. Lots of flights from the UK, sun shines for more than 300 days a year. Rental season runs from February – November. £100,000 for bungalow with shared pool in Albufeira. £150,000 for townhouse further west in Quinto de Lago, the golf resort for the rich and famous. Has a proven track record and delivers all round potential. 25% – 30% yearly increases in prices. Head to the east, where the new opportunities will be. Typical prices have increased 50% in the last two years. Or head into the Algarve hills, where prices are even cheaper, but it’s much quieter, more rural, and more Portuguese.

Turkey

Close to 1000 miles of Mediterranean coastline. Great value property, unparalleled investment potential. Prices have increased by 600% in past three years. 2 bedroomed apartments on the coast start from £25,000. Property cheaper than it was five years ago due to a currency collapse. Prices will rocket if allowed to join the EU.

Cyprus

Former British colony. Gorgeous beaches, relaxed lifestyle, most people speak English, drive on the left of the road. 60,000 Brits have bought there, which is pushing prices up. 2 bedroomed apartments from £70,000. Prices expected to double in next 3 years. Property prices in the Turkish (northern) half can be half that of the south. Could be problems in the future if the island is reunified, in which case the north will lose out, especially as regards proof of ownership, papers etc.

Popular emigration destinations

Down Under (Australia and New Zealand)
Australia is a real ‘young persons’ place. Average house price is around £120,000. But, property market is slowing.
New Zealand has cooler temperature. Prices around a quarter cheaper then Australia, and has third highest rate of year on year gains in the world.

Cape Town
Dramatic landscapes as diverse as its people. Has one of the liveliest property markets in the world. Prices have risen by 50% in some cases in the last year. Prices start at £60,000. Fast gaining a reputation for its party scene, is becoming very trendy and hip. However, there are risks with crime and danger, which keep prices down. Will play host to the Football World Cup in 2010, other places which have hosted this have experienced tremendous price rises.

Emerging markets

Marrakech (Morocco)
Celebrities leading the way with buying property here. Key hotspot is inside the Medina, inside the City walls. A modernised Riad costs from £100,000. Prices have risen 200% in the last 3 years. Be adventurous – there are bargains to be had, and don’t be afraid to haggle. Investment potential looks excellent – an investment for the adventurous.

Cape Verdi
The ‘new Canary Islands’. 1 hour south of the Canaries. Has good beaches, surf and weather. Multi million pound investment programme is in place. 2 bedroomed townhouses near beach cost from £50,000. Like the Canaries of 30 years ago and ripe for development. Infrastructure is still basic, no direct flights available from the UK. Will ‘sail’ when these are in place/available.

Caribbean - St Kitts and Nevis
Good bargains to be had, with great returns. Sugar plantations are being sold to developers for development. Typical costs are £44,000 for a half acre plot, with £100,000 to build a decent property on it. Prices have risen by 300% in the last 5 years.

Croatia
In some areas prices have doubled year on year. £80,000 buys a stunning stone house. Pace is quickening as Croatia heads towards EU entry in 2008. Montenegro, just south of Croatia, up and coming, and much cheaper. Once considered to be the St Tropez of the Mediterranean, £50,000 for a stone house or modern beach-front apartment. 

Slovenia
Beautiful country, like a giant adventure playground. 1 bed flats cost as little as £45,000. Once complex buying process has been simplified. Many flights from the UK.