UK PROPERTY MARKET BUST OR STALLED???

As the UK property market is very much in the news at the moment, this post is very well timed.  There are some very honest and informative views on the sector, the economy and the outlook for the UK, as well as mention of buying a hotel room for let! There is no doubt that the UK sector will at best pull back and at worst, crash.  There are some very interesting points raised including the fact that UK sub-prime is near non-existent and we have the Olympics on the way – all factors which should ensure the markets are insulated somewhat.

The UK property market is a very tricky one to call partly because prices have risen so much over the last few years, and income is now out of line with house prices.  However, because fewer new home buyers are able to purchase a home outright, we are seeing massive demand in housing association stocks – where buyers receive financial assistance in exchange for a stake in their property.  This area is the foundation behind much of the recent rise and much of the expected support for the market, although some pull back appears inevitable in the short term – but hopefully not a crash! 

Low Cost Flights to Hurghada - help needed

This post is predominately about the need to ensure you have affordable transport links to any area in which you are looking to invest – in this instance Hurghada in Egypt.  There is much mention of how flight costs change throughout the year and one person has hit the mark perfectly – unless there are cheap transport links to a particular market then this can seriously reduce the number of potential investors and visitors.  However, to be fair to the travel companies they need to see the interest in an area before they can finance a transport link, otherwise it would be uneconomical.  This post also seems to have turned in to a travel log!

This post more than many highlights the need for cheap and direct travel to your investment market, otherwise the non-property costs can really reduce both your ability to visit and the number of visitors from your country (or any other country with no transport link). One salesman made an interesting point whereby it would be interesting to target specific countries where transport links are already in place – e.g. Germany is mentioned as having cheap links to Egypt.  There are many factors which make a property market attractive, and transport links are one of the main ones – if nobody can get there, how do you expect to generate interest?

Difference's between Morocco and the Red Sea

While the question roughly translates into a comparison between Morocco and Egypt, 99% of the posts are talking about Morocco and the potential for the future.  It seems from what has been posted that the country has all of the hallmarks of a potentially lucrative property market – transport links, cheap cost of living, strong rental market and great weather! Morocco has become one of the more fashionable areas to consider over the last few weeks and there seems to be a definite move in that direction, with many developments to choose from.  A young market which is very much on the up and opening up to the potential for overseas investors.

Morocco seems to be one of the new hotspots of 2007 which looks like continuing well into 2008 if the interest is anything to go by.  Cheap transport links, a low cost of living, a vibrant new build market and a growing tourism sector all bode well for the future.  The country seemed to have been shunned for many years, but recent developments and an expanding economy have seen major growth in the country.  A very interesting location, not without risks, but offering the potential for substantial long term capital growth.  Foreign investment in the country seems to be very much in its infancy, but that looks like changing very very soon.

Off Plan In Cyprus - Still Worth It??

While there have been some positive posts on Cyprus of late, this particular thread seems to bring out a number of negative factors which investors need to consider.  These include the low wages in the area, poor resale market, potential problems with developers and low rental figures.  There is no doubt that the country is still growing after being released from its effective international isolation by recently introduced direct transport links, there is still much work to be done.  The property market seems to have pushed ahead a little too quickly when compared to the economy and general levels of wealth in the area.  Will the transport links bring in new visitors? Yes.  Will they be enough to transform the economy? That remains to be seen.

While it is refreshing to see positive comments on new markets and new areas of the world, it is still beneficial to talk about the negative aspects of any market and bring yourself back down to earth.  Cyprus is a divided country which has prompted much positive comment of late, and while there is no doubt that the property market is growing, it may be a little ahead of itself at the moment.  This post also highlights the fact that any property market needs a strong economy as support, as well as an improving standard of living.  New markets can often benefit from a new rush of interest but it is not too long before reality hits home.  One to keep a close eye on. 

Is Turkey the new Spain?

Even though the post is something of a tongue in cheek comparison between Turkey and the areas of Spain which have been over run with British tourists and investors, it is quite an interesting point to make.  While some may shake their heads at the comparison there is no doubt that Turkey has moved up some what in the world of UK tourist destinations.  UK investors have also been actively looking at Turkey as a growth property market for the future and there is on doubt that an increase in British tourists is a massive plus point for any investor.  Whether Turkey will be the next Spain remains to be seen, but it is definitely on the hit list for many UK travellers.

Turkey now boasts some of the best tourist coastal resorts in the market today, and we have seen a steady increase in the number of UK visitors over the last decade.  While some may mock the comparison to Spain, there is no doubt that tourism has been the springboard of many a property market – Spain being the obvious comparison.  Areas where properties can easily be rented out will always attract interest, although there are also many other factors to consider.  Turkey is a country which has seen recent economic growth and a greater level of participation in the international arena – all great signs for any potential property investor.  While cheap properties are now harder to come by, there is still great potential in the country.