Croatia has slipped of the overseas property radar of late due to the rise of other Eastern Europe nations jostling to steal the real estate media limelight. A surge in low cost travel to these nations and the expanding menu of ‘city-break’ destinations on offer has meant Croatia has become one might even say, mainstream. Eagerly awaiting almost certain accession to the European Union, Croatia has been busy building up a ‘classy’ tourism profile whilst other markets shout and scream about their bargain-basement offerings.

Currently Croatia’s rate of tourism growth exceeds that of any of its European competitors and is second only worldwide to China.  This growth is set to increase by an average of 6.9 % per year boosted by up market features in Marie Claire and on CNN which are building an international profile. The Croatia Tourist Board is marketing itself as “The Mediterranean as it once was“ offering Italianesque Continue reading ‘Croatian Sun markets Zagreb City living in Santa Domenica Complex’

We have hit our 16th podcast in the Nubricks Property Podcast series. This show is for those of you who enjoy crunching the numbers and this week’s guest is David Cox, who admits that his property investing misfortunes inspired him to create his own real estate company which gets to the financial heart of overseas property investment.

David Cox, Managing Director of Property Frontiers, states that many who like to refer to themselves as property market “Investors”, are far from it and infact are more likely to be “Property Speculators”. David makes it clear that whilst speculation, of course, has it’s place in a real estate investment strategy, but should not be the only form of property investing. Continue reading ‘Overseas Property Investment Podcast with David Cox’

Attracting travellers for centuries, Italy has built its reputation on rich cultural heritage, culinary pleasures and the quintessential dolce vita. The Tuscan sun has lured the likes of Prime Minster Tony Blair and Robert de Niro as the summer retreat of choice. As a dream destination, for many, the rolling ‘Toscana’ hills dotted with cypress trees contrasted against sun-baked russet terracotta villas remains a classic vision of one of the most beautiful corner’s Italy has on offer. Tuscany never disappoints, and year on year visitors come to the gastronomic heart of Italy for glorious skies, a tapestry of colours and the leisurely pace of traditional life. For those looking to make Italy and more precisely Tuscany their home in the sun, need look no further than La Tabaccaia. The site of a former tobacco warehouse is lovingly being restored to create a new development of 50 contemporary homes to rival the most stylish of Italian residences. Complementing their surroundings, garden apartments access the communal grounds and pool leisure facilities via patio doors whilst the larger 48 sqm upper level properties are accessed by a lift. These apartments feature a mezzanine Continue reading ‘La Tabaccaia a new build dream under the Tuscan Sun’

North Africa continues to raise its profile as an overseas property investment location and in turn new property in Morocco inevitably will offer investors a sound opportunity for medium to long term return on investment. Still considered an emerging real estate market, there has been considerable media hype regarding Moroccan new build projects as they launch and under the King of Morocco’s Azur 2010 plan, only the first of 6 key projects in different locations around Morocco is under construction. In addition, there are a host of new developments planned Continue reading ‘Kariat Smir Apartments may be closer than you think’

understand the impact of achieving a higher return on your real estate investments?

In the UK the outlook for residential property is for fairly poor yields for the foreseeable future and likely capital appreciation is limited if stable.By broadening your investments, through selling or remortgaging your existing UK property with the aim of achieving a 30% per year return on your money, what would kind of returns could you generate? Putting aside the taxation implications, which would apply to any standard investment, the value increase is probably more than you think……. Continue reading ‘How to increase your property investment returns and…’

My, how time flies and we are on to our 15th podcast in the Nubricks Property Podcast series. This show is real cracker and this week’s guest Chris Howard reveals an alternative approach to property investment with the potential to earn £2.75 million from an inital investment of £1k over 30 years, click here to see post. Chris Howard, Managing Director of 4:Property, explains rational behind his company strategy and the benefits of his alternative investment opportunities. In Podcast 15, Chris discusses the property opportunities that he thinks will provide long term gains including affordable homes in the UK and country hotspots such as Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Montenegro. The company also plans expansion to the state of New York early next year, an interesting twist. He gives an overview on why investing in property should be a good pension vehicle in tandem with the stock market, hedge funds etc. He also outlines the due diligence procedures that his company conducts when looking for development partners in new regions. Chris is in no doubt that IFA’s will become an ever more important route to market for overseas property, but reminds us that you should check that your IFA will give you advice about this subject as currently over 70% of IFA’s are reluctant to do so at present. Continue reading ‘Property Investment Podcast with Chris Howard’

This is the 14th edition of the Nubricks Property Podcast series. This week, we get insider knowledge on some of the emerging markets including Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovakia and Estonia from Jeremy Casey, Managing Director of The Right Move Abroad. In Podcast 14, Jeremy discusses why the great capitals of Eastern Europe; Bratislava, Sofia and Bucharest are worth a closer look. He gives an overview on Turkey’s real estate market potential being relatively new to the overseas property scene. Jeremy introduces Parnu, a beach resort in Estonia and gives his low-down on the Tatras mountains of Slovakia and how they are set to rival Bulgaria’s Bansko and may well become the ski resorts of the future. Continue reading ‘Emerging Property Markets Podcast with Jeremy Casey’

The £450 million Heart of Slough project is intended to become a leading European and national focus and cultural quarter for creative media information and communications industries by creating a mixed-use complex of world-class multi functional buildings, visual landmarks and an outstanding public space in the Thames Valley.

The HeART of Slough will:

• Create a major cultural quarter and be a showcase and celebration of cultural diversity for multi-cultural talent and for sustainable community living.
• Encourage the retention of SME, freelance and micro-business talent in the Slough and the Thames Valley
• Become a centre of R & D excellence for the creative, information and communications sectors to ensure multi-media and new technologies become embedded within the area and stimulate a flourishing local economy to create jobs and wealth
• Contribute to meeting serious South East housing shortages, in particularly in social and family housing
• Regenerate an area which, although apparently economically buoyant, has suffered
  long term long term decline to improve well being and prospects of the residents, particularly those from black and ethnic communities.

Continue reading ‘The Heart of Slough project aims to regenerate Slough town centre’