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UK overseas buyers seeking retirement or investment made Spain the No.1 place for them to buy real estate abroad. It offered easy access by low cost airlines and affordable property as well as lower costs of living. 2009 saw a change in Spanish real estate fortunes and the withdrawal of the UK buyers interest on a huge scale.

It is fair to say that Spain's real estate market is in trouble with UK buyers. The Spanish property market has not only been victim of oversupply and house price falls but also a scandal concerning planning permissions reversals.

A survey by overseas property website Homesgofast.com found the number one concern for overseas buyers considering buying  real estate in Spain were fears over planning regulations.  

The survey targeted people that had inquired about buying a property in Spain over the last 12 months and received 1024 replies. 63% of respondents were located the UK. The results showed that second largest concern from buyers related to the decline in the Spanish property market and house values. The survey also uncovered a fear amongst international buyers concerning fraud and being victim of a scam

 The survey asked "what was the number one concern when considering buying a property in Spain"

Survey results

36% - Planning permission issues

23% - Spanish property market / decline in house values

19% - Fear of being subject to scam/fraud

14% - Currency exchange fluctuation uncertainty

8 % - Other

 In recent news around 800 British and Irish residents marched in Almeria after demolition orders were issued for eight expat-owned homes in the nearby town of Albox. The owners are appealing but it is feared many more homes are under threat after Spanish regional authorities' overruled planning permission. It is said that thousands of Britons have bought Spanish properties in good faith, only to find they were illegally built on protected land.  

Is this an opportunity for other regions?

Will the Spanish property market bounce back?

Portico Barbados luxury real estate like no other

Portico Barbados has been awarded the prestigious 2009 Best International Apartment by International Property Awards in association with CNBC Arabia, as well as two five star awards for Best Apartment in the Caribbean and Best Development on the Caribbean. Portico Barbados was also honoured with three prestigious five-star CNBC Americas Property Awards in 2008 for Best Architecture, Best Development and Best Apartment (Penthouse) in the Caribbean, Portico is distinguished by its outstanding finishes, revolutionary design and modern take on island living.

 Official The Best Apartments in the World

Front aspect of Portico		Rear view of apartments

Available are Ten luxurious units featuring 3,500 sq. ft. of living and breathing space

• three exceptional bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and spacious walk-in closets
• master features double glass doors opening to private terraces and views of the Caribbean sea
• fully-equipped open plan kitchens
• spacious living areas luxuriously appointe with marble floors in an ivory coloured anitque finish
• terrace with uninterrupted glass fronted balustrade and frameless sliding glass doors
• heated Jacuzzis
• underground parking
• 70 sq. ft. storage and wine facilities
• separate staff-lunch area, including changing rooms, lockers, bathroom and shower facilities.

 Video

 Prices start from USD$ 4,950,000

Learn More at International Real Estate Portal Homesgofast.com: Luxury Real Estate Barbados

A new way to buy property is in its infancy in the UK, buyers and the general public are not fully aware of this brand new option called Rent To Buy.

It's an exciting concept and I am not sure where else in the world people Rent To Buy  and the experiences that they have had. For me as an observer of everything real estate it seems like the silver bullet for those that cannot afford the huge deposits that are required today.

I believe that the Rent to Buy option is set to change the way buyers finance a purchase of their home and is set to take off in the UK, pundits are saying it is oneof the best ways to get on the property ladder .

So Why Rent to Buy?

The credit crunch has resulted in lenders becoming more stringent with their lending criteria. This has resulted in many people without large deposits or squeaky clean credit history unable to buy their own homes with a mortgage.

The Advantage of Rent To Buy

Makes the rent you pay turn into a worthwhile lump sum

Great for first time buyers

Ideal for those struggling to saving a deposit

Suitable for new Resident to the UK

Good for people with poor credit history or no credit track record

So what are the downsides?

Its difficult to find the disadvantages unless you know of any would be good to hear your comments

Note: Rent to buy is also known as  Rent Now Buy Later, Rent2Own,Rent-to-Own, Try Before You Buy,Rent and Own,Own Now Pay Later,

Great news from Florida for international real estate buyers and those seeking a lifestyle buy in the sunshine state. According to the Florida Realtors sales are on the up!

A total of 14,026 homes were sold in Florida during the month of November, compared to 8,694 a year earlier. There were a total of 4,889 condos sold in the month, more than double the 2,320 sold in November of 2008.

What may have driven this increase may be that in the month of November, 2009 the median sales price for existing homes in Florida was $139,000. That is a 12 percent decrease from the 2008 number, $158,000.

Some questions for Florida Realtors

The situation from my point of view living in the UK is not 100 per cent clear and it would be great to get some clarification:

Are prices now bottomed out in Florida?

Are distress sales driving the increase in activity?

Is this still a good time to buy or should overseas property investors hold on?

Is it one type of property that is selling well? if so what

Useful Resources

Find overseas property or promote your real estate to international buyers at www.Homesgofast.com

Florida realtor.com

 Floridahomes4sale.co.uk/

The UK and Canadian housing market is sending out some confusing messages and I am trying to get to the truth from Canadian Realtors on the ground.

The UK property market sent home owners confusing messages all through 2009 with steady house prices increases being announced nearly every month. For those selling a property in the UK they would have thought this was a great time. But alas they were wrong as buyers were not in their abundance and banks were holding on tightly to their funds. Property valuations were very conservative causing home owners to reduce their selling prices just to add to the confusion. The media reported on a strong housing market but meanwhile the UK was and still is in recession.

I now see the same type of mixed messages coming out of Canada albeit from an outsiders point of view. Canada's housing market for the entire 2009 was a very strong one. Estimates indicate that approximately 465,000 homes were sold via the MLS, an increase of 7 percent over 2008. Average home prices also rose, about 4 percent to CA$315,000.

Global Real Estate Report.

According to the latest report on real estate trends by Scotia Economics they say and I quote "Canada still leads the pack among the markets we track," said Adrienne Warren, Senior Economist, Scotia Economics. "Inflation-adjusted average home prices in the July to September period were up 11 per cent from the same quarter a year ago, a dramatic turnaround from the 10 per cent yearly decline recorded in the opening months of 2009. "

see entire report Scotia Bank Report

Some Questions About Canada's Housing Market

Is Canada suffering a shortage of homes for sale?

Are home owners avoiding selling owing to lack of confidence?

Has the Canadian governments attempts to kick start the market responsible for these impressive statistics?

Is the Canadian real estate market more robust than others if so why ?

Useful Resources

Buy Sell of Find property in Canada with Homesgofast.com international real estate portal.

Keep up to date with UK Housing Market news

Canadian Real Estate Association YouTube

The British love affair with French property is set to continue into 2010 but why do the Brits love France so much and can other regions pick up some tips? 

The number one reason is France is very easy to get to with an abundance of low cost flights to France. For those who prefer not too fly Brits can choose to arrive in France by land or sea. The second reason is the region offers a great choice from beach type property, rural areas, ski property to city apartments it seem France has it all. 

The housing market s stable without great price increases and get rich quick schemes. Property law is well established and has a proven track record so those adverse to risk feel safer to buy a property in France. 

A huge consideration is the French lifestyle.France has been named the best place to live for the fifth year in a row by the US magazine International Living. Every January the magazine produces a ranking quality of life in countries throughout the world. The publication specializes in overseas re-locations and is well aware of international real estate and local housing markets in many countries across the world. 

International Living ranked 194 countries for the 2010 edition in nine different categories. France received the highest marks for its healthcare system and freedom, and near the top for its infrastructure. The magazine praises Paris as offering the best of everything, as well as Corsica, Provence and several other popular regions.

French Guides and property. Lean more with a guide to Living in France at http://www.frenchentree.com or to find French Propertyfor sale at overseas property portal at HomesGoFast.com

Caribbean real estate is all about how you feel!

I know many Europeans reconsidering their investment plans for holiday homes and vacations are now looking at the Caribbean. With Arctic like conditions here in the UK it seems winter sun is what its all about.

I was asked where in the Caribbean would I recommend and for me its all about how you feel when you visit the various islands.

Some Caribbean islands have been dogged by violent crime and I have found a few that almost resent visitors. What is the point in buying a place where you don't feel comfortable. When it comes to sell your dream Caribbean real estate your buyers may also feel the same way. Tourism will plummet if the island has a nightmare reputation.

So go where you feel comfortable, and I don't mean to an expats community that locks you in from the locals. Gated communities are fine but are they hiding the real problem with the island, the people?

The Caribbean is offering buyers right now lower than ever prices and they will be keen for your money, so take my advice and check how do you feel before any commitment in the Caribbean

Useful Caribbean Real Estate Resources

Find Property for sale in:

• Antigua
• Barbados
• Bahamas
• St Lucia

Property in Brazil is all the talk for international investors but like many countries not all regions are equal and you need to tread carefully when considering a location. I am going to make your investment destination in Brazil easy by suggesting its best to invest in the North East Region of Brazil.

My recent visit to the North East region confirmed that exit strategies were as solid as a rock meaning when it came to sell your investment you have both local and international buyers to sell too.

City of Fortaleza

The northeast Brazilian region of Fortaleza in Ceara is my tip for the place to invest in Brazilian Real Estate . I recently visited the city which for me is the gateway to real estate bargains ideal for international property investors seeking low priced well placed land or real estate. 

Fortaleza, the fifth largest city in Brazil, is the capital of Ceara state. The city and state are located on the northeast coast of Brazil, just south of the Equator. Fortaleza is one of the most popular domestic tourist destinations, and is growing as an international tourist hot spot as well with over 250,000 visitors from abroad in 2009.

The city and its outlying areas have some of the best beaches in the world. The combination of warm, dry weather, great beaches and a modern city make for an ideal place to buy a holiday home or retirement villa, and the area continues to grow in popularity as an investment location.

The coming years should see Fortaleza and the surrounding area become even more popular than they are today.Find Investment property in Brazil

Video of Fortaleza