Overseas Property

Commercial property upswing continues

The commercial property upswing continued in to 2010 with Latin America and Asia leading the way says the latest RICS Global Property Survey.

Expats achieve a better quality of life

Nine out of 10 British expatriates (89%) believe they enjoy a better quality of life abroad according to the third annual NatWest International Personal Banking (NatWest IPB) Quality of Life Report.

Spanish property market begins its price-driven recovery

Spain’s National Statistics Institute reported on 13 April 2010 that house sales have risen at their fastest rate since records began in 2007. February’s sales were up 18.7% on the previous month with 51,343 properties changing hands. Is this the first real sign of recovery? Costa Cálida based estate agents Mercers certainly think so.

Holiday home dreams in tatters? Speak to reclaimyourdeposit.com

A five-figure deposit on an overseas home is a sizeable chunk of money to lose. The bitter pill is even harder to swallow when that overseas home was earmarked as ‘pension substitute’ or ‘kids’ inheritance’.

Young workers ‘semi-grating' to escape recession

Young workers are ‘semi-grating' to escape the economic downturn - rather than leave the UK for good; over 5.5 million are considering boomerang breaks abroad, according to new research.

British developer goes green in Turkey

Whilst Britain created the world’s first environment ministry back in 1970, Turkey only established its Environment Ministry in 1991 and has some catching up to do on environmental policy – particularly when it comes to housing.

Curtain falls on a windy second Gibraltar International Boat Show

Building on the back of a positive inaugural Show in 2009, the 2010 Gibraltar International Boat Show running from 8 to 11 April was designed to offer even better value and deliver a more comprehensive programme to satisfy both exhibitors and the visiting public. The only factor beyond the organiser’s control was the influence of Mother Nature.

Reducing the cost of overseas property ownership

Four fifths (85%) of overseas property owners say the cost of maintaining their property has gone up in the last 12 months and over a fifth (21%) are struggling to meet the increased costs, according to latest research from currency specialists HiFX.

Confidence returning to overseas property market

There’s a growing feeling of confidence amongst prospective overseas property buyers, according to Conti, the overseas mortgage specialist. It’s just had its busiest month for almost a year in terms of mortgage ‘go aheads’, the point where prospective buyers take their mortgage quotes through to the application stage. These increased by 48 per cent during March, compared with the previous monthly average.

NatWest Gibraltar gets a premium makeover from DigiGlass

Specialist print company DigiGlass has provided the new NatWest Premium Banking brand in Gibraltar with a makeover of their Line Wall Road branch.

How to renovate a listed building in France

Many people dream of purchasing a dilapidated chateau, mill or 16th century cottage and lovingly restoring it to its former glory with style and taste. While this idle daydream absolutely has the potential to become a reality, it does require careful planning as there are strict regulations governing the preservation and renovation of properties classed as “monuments historiques”. Don’t be put off – if you do your homework, that shabby chateau in Charente can be yours.