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Showing posts from October, 2005

Wellingborough estate agents

If you are looking for professional estate agency services in Northamptonshire, Mackenzie Ward operate as letting agents in Northampton and estate agents in Wellingborough. They specialise in property marketing and offer a great range of real estate across the UK. MacKenzie Ward Estate Agents sell and let homes to prospective clients throughout Northamptonshire as a county. With a beautifully presented brochure as standard with digital imaging to enhance special features, coupled with the newly redesigned website, MacKenzie Ward provide detail property presentation in Wellingborough.

Surveyors warn of property spree

New pension rules could prompt investors to embark on a £24bn spending spree on buy-to-lets and second homes, according to a respected property organisation. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' predictions will fuel the debate over a new tax break that will allow well-off individuals to buy residential property at a fraction of its real cost. From April, holders of self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) can spend their pension pots on buy-to-let and holiday homes tax-free. More here .

SIPP carefully

Investors who are hoping to dip their hands into the property markets courtesy the self-invested personal pension ( Sipp ) scheme would do better to check the antecedents of some firms that claim to offer them the best deals, say analysts. “A-Day”, as the 6th of April has been dubbed is bound to trigger a rush to the property market and investors could be duped if they are not careful. April 6 is the day when the new rules come into effect. David Baker, director of James Hay, the UK’s largest Sipp provider says that it is very difficult to investigate if the firms are indeed above board, “We have had some e-mails from companies with odd sounding names saying they are specialists in a certain area and wanting to offer our clients the benefits of their property services in Bulgaria or wherever. If they are UK-based we try to meet them. But if not it is difficult to know if they are responsible or rogues. We can’t investigate them.” More here .

Sydney's most expensive holiday home

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NUDGE nudge, wink wink, say no more – John Cleese is in for a Christmas holiday cracker up at Palm Beach this festive season. But for a whopping $38,000 a week, locals would be best inclined not to mention the war when the classic British comedian hits town in December. Cleese will become the latest celebrity tenant of Hawaii-based businessman Ian Joye, whose stunning property Kalua is reportedly Sydney's most expensive holiday home. More here .

Property mortgage market in Dubai

As the mortgage business proves to be successful in Dubai , more banks are likely to enter the market, especially once the property law comes into force. With the increasing number of banks entering the mortgage market the competition will increase, leading to lower interest rates, industry experts say. Almost at its third anniversary, the freehold Dubai property market has already generated an active mortgage market, with more than half a dozen players offering both fixed and variable rate products. Banks and other financial institutions are gearing up by exploring the advantages of the freehold property market, with half a dozen financing institutions, including four major banks, namely Dubai Islamic Bank, Mashreqbank, Rakbank and HSBC in addition to Emaar’s financing arm Amlak, establishing their supremacy in the field and offering ‘home loans’ to potential buyers. More here .

Luxury hotels in London

Coming to London? Looking for a luxury hotel? You could always try the UK Hotelshop . They have a variety of luxury hotels in London plus a great range of UK hotels. You can also try their short breaks recommendations as well as a variety of s hort breaks at top theme parks and attractions around the UK .

The Greek golf holiday market

Greece can immediately expect 3.5 billion euros in domestic and foreign investment in the creation of at least 17 golf courses, if all projects proceed as the government hopes. "This country will be the most important golf tourism market in the Mediterranean in the next 10 years," says Johann Peter Bachmann, CEO of Swiss Golf Invest AG, one of the foreign companies investing billions of euros in Greece, particularly in popular tourism destinations . This development becomes more important when one considers that a modern golf course has a major impact on a region's property market. Courses usually come with hotels, housing units, conference centers and marinas, therefore becoming complete tourism resorts, creating jobs and lifting the price of properties in those areas. At the same time golf is a crucial element toward the viability of those investments, as this is a basic condition for a hotel unit to enter the winter plans of major tour operators. This way tourism i

Overseas property action

Residential sales may be flagging and house prices falling, but as a nation Britain is much in love with property investment as ever. Almost £44bn has been invested in this area in the past year, 25% higher than 12 months ago with forecasted total investment returns of between 12-13% this year. There are actually few onshore, authorised commercial property funds. Under old rules, regulated funds had to hold a minimum of 20% in cash, property-related assets, or government or public sector securities. This helps maintain liquidity if investors want out, but it does little to maximise the benefits of exposure to bricks and mortar. But the rules are being rewritten to allow 100% exposure to property within UK-based funds. Not only that, the Government is set to launch REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts). Widely available in the US , Australia , France and Holland , these offer tax advantages and simple access to property funds, both residential and commercial. More here .

Property in France

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Have you just started house hunting in France ? Are you still thinking about it? Or are you just looking to let for the summer? First you need to find an online source to wet your appetite but ultimately the only way to appreciate the property is to see it; so its always best to arrange a viewing and make your own inqueries. You can start by searching the Archer Immobilier property portfolio. Always good to start with a licensed French Estate Agents involved in the marketing and sale of French properties over the past 5 years. Their portfolio is currently concentrated in the South-West area: Poitou - Charente - Dordogne - Limousin . They offer a wide range of properties including farmhouses , village houses , vineyards châteaux , bars, restaurants and campsites. They can guide and assist you throughout all your property transactions, utilising reliable contacts which include, notaries , geometers , architects , and mortgage advisers . Moreover, they can provide an efficient service

Holiday letting is a hot topic

The debate began in Public Forum, Australia with Long Beach people in particular expressing concern at the proposed amendment. Jim Flynn, president of Long Beach Area Improvement Group said that body had for some time been asking Council to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the lack of controls on what he described as a commercial-type industry being conducted in residential areas... holiday letting . "We are continuously being reminded of the benefits to the economy of holiday-makers," he said. "However, many tenants from these places are causing great concern to permanent residents because of anti-social behaviour and a total disregard for their privacy and well-being." He said the lack of controls on such premises contrasted with the stringent requirements imposed on bed and breakfast establishment where the operators were actually in residence. Another Long Beach resident, Tom Hayes, spoke of an experience when he went outside at about 1.30 one morning to inv

Cyprus property gains from UK pension change

An expected rise in second-home property market following changes to the UK pensions system has prompted the establishment of a new company in Cyprus. The O'Garra Group will be one of the first on the island to provide professional advice and investment management services to UK taxpayers who will, for the first time, be able to purchase residential property within a private pension fund. Proposed changes to self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) in effect from 2006 will mean that UK taxpayers will be able to control their own pension investments and will be able to use it to purchase residential property. The changes come into effect on April 6, 2006 but the new rules can be taken advantage of immediately. The O’Garra Group is a family-owned professional services company with the principal offices located in Limassol, Cyprus. The company aims to guide individuals easily and securely through the processes involved in realizing their dream of owning a second home in the sun, and

New Sipp rules and the housing market

Allowing residential property to be held as part of a self-invested personal pension is unlikely to alter the buy-to-let market, claims Landlord Mortgages. "A relatively small proportion of the population will take advantage of the new rules after ‘A’ Day simply because it is too costly". Legislation that comes into effect after 6 April allows a consumer to use their pension fund to purchase a buy-to-let property with the added advantage of being able to borrow up to an additional 50% from their pension fund to do so. Read more.

Calgary property market

Halloween might be three weeks away, but when it comes to describing the current real estate environment in Calgary , Canada scary fits the bill. Properties are changing hands at eye-popping prices that are surprising even the most seasoned players in the business. As it stands, five million square feet of office space complete with office furniture are expected to be completed in the next five years in both Calgary and Toronto . This fact tells two tales when one looks at it in percentage terms: The five million square feet in Toronto is 6.7 per cent of current rentable space, while in Calgary it's 16.1 per cent. Read more.

Holidays in Ayia Napa

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The Grecian Park hotel is situated next to the National Park, gifted with breathtaking views of the glorious Cape Greco and within 5 minutes drive from Ayia Napa and Protaras and 50 minutes drive from Larnaca Airport , the Grecian Park hotel is one of the privileged hotels on the island of Cyprus. It's location is unique. An architecturally striking creation designed to provide pleasure, comfort and relaxation. A 480 bed hotel with all rooms and suites enjoying sea, pool or park view. It's a five star hotel incorporating excellent cuisine, exclusive entertainment and many recreational facilities. All rooms and suites are fully furnished to meet the expectations of the most demanding travelers. With air-conditioning, private WC, private balcony, bath/shower, satellite TV, hairdryer, mini-bar, direct dial telephone, private safe, coffee & tea making facilities, three channel radio, taped music and superb materials there are few features, if any missing from the package. The

Overseas property investment for profit

According to new research the majority of jet to let property investors consider rental income the main reason for buying overseas property. The attitude contrasts with UK buy to let property investment market, where only one in every 12 landlords considers rental income alone the main reason for entering the market. Of the 50,000 investors and non-investors surveyed, 60% said that rental income was the most important factor in their decision to buy property in another country. 21% of respondents said that their property investment was intended as retirement home, with just 19% saying that they used their property only as a holiday home. Full article here .

Level of home equity release climbing

BRITONS are unlocking the money tied up in their property at the fastest rate since the end of 2003. Owners withdrew £8.71 billion of equity from their homes between April and June, according to the Bank of England, which represented an increase on the £6.44bn unlocked from property during the first quarter of this year. Experts said the rebound could indicate the housing market was stabilising following the recent downturn. Read more .

The Cyprus property boom

The property investment boom in Cyprus is experiencing a sharp slowdown to let prices on the island achieve parity with equivalent property in Spain. The sudden change has been revealed by a property survey in the Financial Mirror, Cyprus's leading business and finance newspaper. Rather than exploring new and less stable markets however, the majority of property development seems to be returning to the traditional Costas. Property investment is primarily leaking back towards Spain , suggesting that the strength of the economy and infrastructure is the most important factor in jet to let investment decisions rather than seeking out, low prices at any cost in less stable east European markets. Full article .

Villas in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is an ideal holiday spot and one of the most enjoyable of the Spanish Islands. The climate is dominated by the North Eastern Trade Winds and the warm Canary Stream, producing glorious summer temperatures all year round. Attractions include the fabulous beaches, restaurants and bars, old fishing villages and the beautiful scenery of the Timanfaya National Park , to name just a few. There are numerous organised activities available on the island including golf, tennis, diving, wind-surfing as well as various walks that allow you to explore more of the natural habitat of the island. Villas in Lanzarote offer arrangements for a wide range of luxury accomodation on the island both in the area of Puerto Del Carmen and in Playa Blanca . You can book trips and tours and arrange pick up and drop off points. To find information on these excursions in your villa you can contact the staff for more details. If you wish to follow one of the organised walks in the National Park, you will