http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/travel/swiss-on-a-roll.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/swiss-on-a-roll.html Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Of course, watching people spend a hot summer's day running around a football pitch may not immediately bring to mind the thought of life on the pistes in a chalet surrounding by snow and skis. But the mountains will not be far away, even if their snow levels are less than in winter, or indeed of a few years ago.

Discussing this matter, Laurence Ceder wall, manager of Swiss property firm Sunday Homes, suggested that the higher profile enjoyed by the country this summer may have some impact.

He said: "I am absolutely convinced that holiday visitors, or at least some of them, might consider buying, certainly if they regularly visit Switzerland. For example, ski holiday makers will find it more interesting to own a place with all its benefits, including capital appreciation, good rental yield, tax advantages and possibly resell later on, than renting someone else's place over and over. That would also imply that they stay in their own property rather than in someone
else's."

Mr Ceder wall added that while he wasn't so sure about how much football fans might like winter sports, the Alps would offer plenty for both summer and winter activities, while some of the sportsmen themselves might be tempted by the possibilities (something a number of motor racing drivers, including Britain's Lewis Hamilton, have already done).

Of course, this attraction may be a second-hand vibe for Britons merely watching on the TV, while tournament co-hosts Austria will of course share the limelight. But the second point, regarding the non-winter aspects of the Alps, may be a critical issue, with the image of busy mountain resorts in the summer potentially dispelling fears that investing in ski areas could be a bad long-term move as global warming takes hold.

This matters because scientists are sure the eventual death of skiing in the Alps is on the way, albeit not for decades and not if solutions are found to stop or at least slow the process. Research by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research published in New Scientist recently said the end of the sport in the Alps could occur by 2060.

This was based on a comparison between the number of says when it was possible to undertake activities such as building a snowman or skiing downhill during the last 20 years and the period between 1948 and 1987, Snowboard Club UK have reported. During this time, for instance, the average number of days suitable for cross-country skiing per winter at 1,300 metres fell from 55 to 38.

For this reason, year-round attractions are being seen as a solution, reports Ski Property Investments, noting that golf courses, spas and other facilities are being added. It also notes that in any case a bad run of winters has long been possible, citing 1987 to 1990 as being particularly poor for winter sports.

Therefore it may, as Ski Property Investments also stated, be that for those who wish to invest in Swiss Alpine propertythe key is not necessarily to invest at higher altitudes where there is a greater chance of snow, but to look at those places which can attract visitors in the summer as well. Such locations could be lucrative for buy-to-let at all times of the year irrespective of the climate. Perhaps some Britons will choose to invest this way, meaning that at least someone from these shores will be scoring in Switzerland this summer.

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/still-strong-at-both-ends.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/still-strong-at-both-ends.html Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Ulster, as it happens, has now started to see prices fall substantially, which may be attributed in no small part to the downturn in the economy and housing market of the Republic, meaning the price of second homes in the north is no longer subject to the boom generated from the erstwhile Celtic Tiger.

For London and the south-east, the situation is a little more varied, with the capital itself showing a decline in prices that contrasts notably with the neighbouring south-east region. Set against the backdrop of a 0.2 per cent overall drop in prices across England and Wales in April according to the Land Registry figures published last week, London saw prices dip by 0.5 per cent. While that was far from being the worst performance of any region (once again Wales and the midlands did worse), the south-east was the best performing part of the country with a rise of 0.5 per cent.

Today further evidence of a continued positive performance in the south-east region emerged from Smartnewhomes.com, which deals specifically in new-build property. It noted that in April the region accounted for 36 per cent of new homes for sale and saw prices in this segment of the market jump by 1.9 per cent.

Smartnewhomes.com stated that these figures were achieved through a combination of continued demand for larger family homes and a recovery in the popularity of apartments. Reflecting on this, managing director David Bexon said: "Apartments still remain a popular home choice in some regions, as indicated by increased demand and strong prices in the south east."

Mr Bexon went on to suggest that a recovery in the mortgage market and more buyer incentives would help improve what is currently a far from buoyant apartment market in some other parts of the country, such as the oversupplied northern cities. But the fact that apartments in the south seem to be doing better than elsewhere at present may further suggest that this part of the country remains a stronger performer than most.

Of course, the Land Registry figures do not cover Scotland, but the performance of the Scottish property market has remained solid, according to the latest Halifax figures, which showed a 0.2 per cent rise in prices in the first quarter of 2008.

The main explanation for this, experts said, was affordability. Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's chief economist, told Reuters: "Scotland's housing market is in the strongest position in the UK and will be more resilient, mainly because of affordability," a view echoed by Sheemah Shah of Capital Economics, although she said this simply meant a smaller drop in prices over this year and next than in the UK as a whole.

Nonetheless, the view of analysts remains upbeat and was further elaborated on at the weekend by Mark Hordern, spokesman for Glasgow Solicitors Property Centre.

Writing in the Sunday Herald, Mr Hordern explained that the average price-to-income ratio in Scotland is 3.51, compared with 4.05 across the country. Furthermore, he noted, the average Scottish house price has risen more slowly than elsewhere (£85,000 in the last decade against the national average of £130,000).

It was for these reasons, Mr Hordern said, that Scotland was the one region of Britain not to see house prices fall on a year-on-year basis in the slump of 1989 to 1993 and was less prone to a slump now.

Thus while it may no longer be the case that double-digit house price inflation will appear in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the UK, it seems that the strongest markets remain as they were, which in turn could make them the best places to invest ahead of the recovery, however soon that may be.

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/paying-the-flat-rate.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/paying-the-flat-rate.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Today, both in Manchester and Leeds, the tallest buildings are at least partially residential. In the former, the city center residential population has gone from a few hundred in the early 1990s to over 20,000 now. Furthermore, new apartment blocks are still being built, not just in the city center but in surrounding areas as well.

Such projects were commissioned in the recent past, when the property boom was still continuing apace and the potential value of an investment in a city centre flat was high. Subsequently, as the credit crunch struck, all the talk was of how oversupply had set in and prices for apartments were falling.

Yet for investors looking at this sector now, it may be important to check exactly what the situation may be in different parts of the country. Yesterday new homes firm Smartnewhomes.com said that new build apartments in the south-east region were bouncing back, unlike their all too plentiful northern counterparts.

David Bexon, the managing director of the firm, commented: "Apartments still remain a popular home choice in some regions, as indicated by increased demand and strong prices in the South East. However, current issues of oversupply in some northern locations have led to a dip in prices in these areas over the short term."

He predicted that this would change as mortgage conditions improve, allowing apartments to do better everywhere, but the synopsis Mr Bexon offered would suggest that for now the south-east is a good place to invest in apartments, even if nowhere else.

In the north, prices are indeed dropping. In one of the latest northern project to be completed, the Beehive mixed-use development in Bradford's Learning Quarter, the firm behind the scheme, McGinnis Developments, has set the prices of some of the 185 available units as low as £55,000 for a studio apartment Leeds, the Business Desk reports.

Stating that these were the lowest home prices available anywhere in Yorkshire since 2001, the company's development director John Paul McGinnis acknowledged that they were determined by an "ever-tightening market".

As a result, the firm has announced that it was looking to provide "much-needed affordability", adding: "We want The Beehive to be successful and we believe, with the pricing structure we have announced, there will be a lot of interest from owner-occupiers looking for a stylish home while studying and for local people to get their first affordable foot on the property ladder."

So while McGinnis prices the Beehive low to achieve sales, investors must decide whether such properties could rise in value as Mr Bexon suggests, or whether they will remain comparatively cheap. Part of the answer in Bradford may be how it, along with other cities, comes through any coming economic storm.

Then, of course, there is London. Arsenal Football Club may not be everyone's idea of a landlord, but, the Times reports, it took the decision to develop its old Highbury Stadium as flats when it moved home to the Emirates Stadium two years ago. In theory, location was no problem as Highbury is in a densely populated area with easy access to central London via Arsenal tube station on the Piccadilly Line.

As it happens, the report noted, all but two of the 600 apartments varying in price between £250,000 and £1.5 million have been sold as just two buyers have walked away. Moreover, a club spokesman has said no problems are expected when more apartments are completed - and fina payments due - in August. On this evidence it would appear that, so far at least, well-located apartments in London are continuing to attract a healthy level of demand. But investors may need top keep a close eye on trends in the months ahead.

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/where-now.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/where-now.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Such a point was made by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), whose chief executive Peter Bolton King said: "The national sales figures do not tell the whole story. We know from our members that the picture is still very regional with some areas continuing to do better than others."

Notwithstanding the fact that it does not include Scotland and is a month behind, the Land registry figures for England and Wales released today appear to justify this contention. Overall the dip in prices in April was small at 0.2 per cent, while the annual figure is still one of an increase, albeit 2.7 per cent compared with 3.6 per cent in March. But when the region-by-region breakdown is given, a picture of variance emerges. Of the ten regions, five saw increases in prices and
five saw falls.

Those that fell included the usual suspects of Wales and the two midlands regions. But it also showed a drop in London of 0.5 per cent, a contrast with the neighbouring south-east's position as the region with the largest increase at 0.5 per cent and a possible indicator of the peculiar effect on the capital of the hit taken by the financial sector in the credit crunch.

Perhaps just as significant is the position of the north-east as the region with the second highest rise at 0.4 per cent, possibly indicating that the 2.4 per cent surge in prices recorded in March was not quite the blip some may have considered it. Given that the average house price in the region - £131,796 - is lower than the other nine, it may be that those investing in property either for residential or rental purposes are attracted by the lower cost at a time when finance for purchases is harder to get.

At the same time, this may be part of a longer-term trend, in the same way that Scottish prices have risen strongly from a low base in recent years. One example of this in the region may be Seaham, a small town in County Durham on the North Sea Coast. Research by HBOS based on Land Registry figures published this week revealed that it was the seaside town with the highest long-term increases over the five years between 2002 and 2007, at 193 per cent. Despite this, the average price there at the end of the period was still £126,348, well below the national average even if it was above the county average (which according to the Land Registry now stands at £118,974).

The experience of Wales, the second cheapest region, suggests that having a low price base does not guarantee increases in price. But it may be that where this has been happening investors can find the bargains with the most potential to go on rising in value no matter what other regions are doing. An analysis based on how each region, area or even town is doing may have plenty of merit in these uncertain times.

In today's world Property investment is an excellent investment option especially investment in UK.

--
Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/iberian-alternative.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/iberian-alternative.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
To do this, however, may be to miss out on what Portugal has to offer. According to Simon Walker, sales director for overseas property investor portal Off Plan International, there are plenty of opportunities in the country, both of the off-plan and new build variety.

Listing the country as "definitely one of the alternatives" to Spain, he explained that it was unlikely to emulate the error of over development that has afflicted some regions in its neighbour.

He said: "It's less likely to be overbuilt and overdeveloped, it's less likely purely because of the physical size of the country. But mistakes can be made because people jump on the bandwagon so, as always with overseas property, you need to be careful and do some good research."

One obvious variation in property was between the coast and inland, with British investors tending to go for the former - where the buy-to-let holiday market is - and the latter consequently offering more bargains as demand is lower.

Mr Walker listed Lagos and Albufeira as key locations in which to invest, but some may wish to consider areas that may be boosted by the increase in golf tourist facilities.

This week the Independent reported that this market is still performing well in popular tourist hotspots like the Algarve, which it said has 32 golf courses and 18 more in the pipeline.

The Silver Coast has also been coming to the attention of investors in recent years, but the Algarve is still in top spot. Portugal Property agency Winkworth Portugal believes this will not change, with managing director Mary Mangan telling the paper: "The Algarve is where most people work or have invested in businesses, and there's a solid established expat working community. The Silver Coast is still very much an emerging market with all that that brings with it."

Overall, the increase in property prices in Portugal in recent years appears to indicate a fairly stable market. This was certainly the view of Shelter Offshore, which has reported that in the five years to 2007 the rise in prices was around 17 per cent, according to data from Portugal's national institute of statistics.

While Shelter Offshore suggested this was not such great news for anyone hoping to unearth a bargain in the Algarve or the major cities of Lisbon and Porto, it suggested there was a solid and sound market, with plenty of good deals to be found in other seaside locations such as Alentejo. If Portugal as a whole is an alternative to Spain, within the country there are alternatives as well.

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/investing/sea-the-investment-potential.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/investing/sea-the-investment-potential.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
But while many could see property in locations such as such as Cornish coastal towns with good surf as an ideal place to find holiday lets, there is also the question of housing value. A survey by HBOS, based on Land Registry statistics, showed different trends in terms of house price rises.

During 2007, Rock was certainly not a hard place for those selling a home to make a profit, with the Cornish resort seeing a 28 per cent increase in prices from £282,097 to £361,838. This was followed by Sandbanks in Dorset, whose famous residents include FA Cup winning manager Harry Redknapp at 22 per cent, then another Cornish town, Fowey, at 20 per cent.

As well as seeing bigger increases, the south-west also included nine of the ten most expensive seaside towns (Milford-on-Sea in Hampshire being the exception), with Sandbanks leading the way at £628,014.

Yet longer-term trends suggest a slightly different picture. Although the southernmost three regions with coasts (south-east, south-west and east) had 13 of the 25 top risers in 2007, Rock was alone in being in the top 25 over the previous five years. Here, locations in Wales and the northern regions dominated. The top location for this long-term increase was Seaham in County Durham at 193 per cent, although the price remains a comparatively modest £126,348.

This figure indicates a different longer-term pattern to the one prevalent in 2007, while the lower prices in northern and Welsh areas bears comparison with recent trends showing Scottish homes to be growing faster in price than those in England but remaining cheaper because they started from a lower base.

Therefore those looking at buying properties may find that they can buy expensively in the south-west and make a good profit, but it may also be the case that longer-term trends could see a smaller outlay bringing in a proportionately greater return over a longer period. The latter may be a better move in the current uncertain climate.

A further survey indicates another factor which investors may need to consider. Property portal Hotproperty.co.uk found in a survey that more than half of buyers (52 per cent) would pay a premium of ten per cent for a home with a sea view. One in five was willing to pay 20 per cent more and major clients director Nick Leeming said three per cent were ready to pay up to 45 per cent more.

Given this, investors may wish to be careful when making a choice. Plenty of homes in seaside towns do not actually offer a sea view. On the basis of this survey, investors who carefully choose their seaside town on the basis of price trends could look at other characteristics of a property, such as transport links and the proximity of amenities, but still be in error if they buy a property with no view of anything between the land and the sky.

In today's world Property investment is an excellent investment option especially investment in UK.

--
Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/does-the-rain-in-spain-fall-mainly-on-the-property-market.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/does-the-rain-in-spain-fall-mainly-on-the-property-market.html Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Earlier this year, A Place in the Sun magazine placed the Mediterranean country firmly in the top spot regarding overseas property purchases for the second year running, while the most recent figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government indicate that Spain is the destination of choice for more than one-third (34 per cent) of Britons with second homes.

But recent media reports have been casting a bit of a shadow on future potential in this historically reliable market. For example, a new report from retail analysts Verdict Research suggested that the era of "rapid house price inflation" in the Spanish property market has finally reached an end, with the market actually going "into reverse".

Meanwhile, research from currency specialist HiFX has found that interest in European property investment in a variety of locations has flagged recently as the euro has increased in strength against the pound. Mark Bodega, director of the firm, explained that people buying in sterling may be deterred by increased costs and are waiting for the balance to tip in the opposite direction.

He also raised concerns about oversupply in Spain as an issue affecting the market, saying that it "has ... been particularly badly hit, with talk of falling Spain property prices, especially in the over-supplied Costa regions, making new buyers wary of investing in the country".

Remi Gashi, Spanish mortgage consultant for Savills Private Finance, echoed Mr Bodega's comments, explaining that "a question of control and regulation" was impacting upon Spanish property prices. He said that "something like 900,000 permits for new
builds" were issued in 2007, which may not be reflective of the market demand. "If they continue oversupplying, then eventually the prices will be pushed down," he warned.

However, does the current situation provide enough evidence to give prospective property investors reason to pause? The answer, it seems, is that it depends. The days of making easy money may be over, but if property is seen as a long-term investment, the popularity of Spain is likely continue to guarantee returns for some years into the future.

Mr Gashi emphasised that these predictions should not lead property investors to believe that buyers and holidaymakers are losing interest in the country. It is "still one of the biggest destinations for holidaymakers" and has a climate that makes people "still want to buy there", he remarked.

"They're going to get millions and millions of people going there [to Spain] - that's hardly going to change," he added.

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/inland-spain-offers-new-alternatives.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/inland-spain-offers-new-alternatives.html Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Of course, such a case is an extreme one, perhaps predictably making the news agency's "oddly enough" section. But for those who want to buy a house rather than just a raffle ticket, many agents are said to be offering some interesting incentives to possible buyers. Homes Worldwide recently relayed the news that Spanish property portal kyero.com had reported some agents offering free gifts, easy payment facilities and even lotteries (though perhaps not with a flat near
Madrid as the prize). Homes Worldwide suggested that those buying in Spain should look beyond these to more tangible advantages, such as thestatus of Spain at present as a buyer's market in which negotiating a price downwards is eminently possible.

The question may remain, however, where do people now wish to buy property in Spain? According to the International Property Market 2007 survey from the Association of International Property Professionals the country remained top of the list for UK buyers overseas in 2007 at 25.4 per cent. This was down from 31.6 per cent in 2006, but it may be debatable whether this is due to the attractiveness of new markets such as Cape Verde and India or a decline in the attractiveness of traditional
Spanish markets such as the Costas.

Even if the latter is correct, it appears golf tourism remains a good draw. Reporting on the proliferation of courses and their associated property across the Iberian Peninsula, the Independent noted that in Costa del Sol property locations such as Estepona, golfing apartments start at £146,666. The paper notes that this sector is still expanding, with the Almeira region's six existing golf resorts set to double.

For some investors, however, the greatest attraction may be in an area not filled with ex-pats. Paul Bradley, spokesperson for the Spanish Property Owners Guild, said that such areas do exist inland from the "oversaturated" coast.



Even some of these areas can have their traditional idyll encroached upon by Anglicisation. One example he gave was La Vinuela, a place which lies 20 miles from Malaga and has many charms, but also plenty of Britons, whose presence has prompted the arrival of British pubs, farmers markets selling familiar food and commonplace accents.

He said: "Every where you go there are British registered vehicles and accents wafting around the village street from Scotland, Ireland, Manchester and Kensington."

However, he noted, investors in property who want to escape all this can do so very easily, adding: "But another ten miles up the road, in Zaffaraya, it is purely Spanish. You can guess where I go."

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/mortgage/property-investors-seek-better-deals.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/mortgage/property-investors-seek-better-deals.html Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The latest must-read data to arrive today is the British Bankers' Association's (BBA) April lending figures. According to the BBA, gross lending last month increased by seven per cent to £17.8 billion, up from £16.6 billion in March. At first, this may sound like a positive trend for home buying, but upon further examination it is revealed that the number of loans approved for new house purchases was still 40 per cent lower than the same month in 2007.

It seems that potential homebuyers - including prospective property investors - may be showing reluctance to purchase new homes due to a number of factors, such as stricter mortgage lending criteria and rising household bills and costs.

So what type of activity is buoying lending to higher figures? The answer seems to be current homeowners and investors who are seeking better deals. In contrast to a rather weak showing for new home mortgages, a grand total of 74,722 remortgage deals were approved in April - a 24 per cent rise on the previous month.

David Dooks, the BBA's statistics director, cited an "active remortgaging market" as proof that "the mainstream mortgage market has not ground to a halt". And, in fact, separate research conducted by Paragon Mortgages this month supports his comments, revealing that landlords are continuing to seek the best deals for their property investments.

This study found that 45 per cent of buy-to-let mortgages taken out during the first three months of 2008 were arranged for the purpose of remortgaging property. In addition, 34 per cent of this type of home loan were directed at
property investors who were adding to their portfolios. Meanwhile, only 16 per cent of buy-to-let mortgages were taken out by new investors during this period.

Paragon said that the data indicates the long-term attitude that many landlords have towards their investments. Nigel Terrington, chief executive of Paragon Group, said at the time that "these landlords represent the core of the buy-to-let market - they are investors that base their purchase decisions on proven tenant demand for long-term returns rather than speculative investment for a quick profit".

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/investing/a-very-nice-investment.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/investing/a-very-nice-investment.html Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Around 60,000 passengers can be carried via the Tramway de Nice, according to the Telegraph. As a result of the tram, which was one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, the city centre has experienced some positive regeneration - with enhanced features including an attractive new pedestrian piazza and additional car-free zones.

Perhaps more importantly, certain areas and suburbs that were previously inaccessible have been opened up, creating some less expensive alternatives for property investors.

"The tram has had a huge effect. The further inland you head from the Med, the lower the prices, so Nice is now more affordable to the average buyer," Boz Gill, the Nice-based agent for French specialist VEF, told the Telegraph. He described some "lovely old buildings" that were previously considered too far from the centre and are now more likely to attract interest from buyers.

Claire Healy of Attika International echoed these comments and told the publication that further tram lines planned for the next five years are set to create even more investment opportunities in what is recognised as one of the most affordable areas to buy on the Riviera.

She said that "even the expensive areas around the Carré d'Or, Quartier des Musiciens and the port are much cheaper than the best spots in Cannes", while sites near the station could also be appealing. The new tram lines could mean "even more outlying areas will benefit from the Nice effect", Ms Healy added.

With its improved transport links in place and more on the horizon, investment in Nice property France shows no sign of slowing. According to Nick Dowlatshahi, managing director of Leapfrog properties, Nice and the rest of the French Riviera have a lasting appeal for investors, who are drawn to the area "even in quite slow, difficult times".

He explained that this area of the country - and Nice in particular - is popular among French as well as British buyers, who are willing to pay large sums for the right investment. Speaking about cities on the Riviera in general, Mr Dowlatshahi said: "They've got so many nice beaches, they have got a lot of attractions there and they have got an excellent transport system.

"It's got a special atmosphere in the Cote d'Azur Nice property which you don't find anywhere else."

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Jim Barnaby is a real estate investment broker and successful property investment adviser delivering research and selected UK and overseas property investment solutions with experience in spanish properties, french property investment, German property, Cyprus holiday homes, Property in Cape Verde, German property investment, cape verde property buy to let property.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>