The concept of rent-to-buy schemes is not new, yet in the current real estate climate their attraction and availability is starting to generate a renewed interest. The process of the scheme is very self explanatory, yet several issues need to be considered prior to entering into a contract.

Essentially potential buyers enter a rental contract, with the intention to purchase the property at the end of a specified time period. The monthly rental payments are then taken into consideration to use in part or entirely towards the purchasing price of the property.

As the majority of real estate has been positioned in a seller’s market for most of the past decade, rent-to-buy schemes have not been successful, as they were not beneficial to both parties involved. The current market situation is seeing many properties spending excessive amounts of time on the market, leading to sellers becoming desperate to consider alternative options to achieve a sale. (more…)

Purchasing an overseas property for investment can reap excellent returns in comparison to various other forms of investments, provided suitable research is carried out. Selecting the correct growth market for short, medium or long term investments is essential to enable the intended returns.

Along with the capital appreciation gained from the growth in the particular chosen market, further returns can be obtained from rental income. Buying a property with the intention to place it onto the rental market can produce strong yield returns in the most sought after markets.

Areas with strong rental demand for short term letting options are normally within regions with tourist attractions. Tourism stability is essential for ensuring the maximum potential yield returns from an investment property. The length of the rental seasons determines the financial potential from short term letting property, with the highest gains obtainable during the peak seasons. (more…)

Tunisia’s emerging real estate opportunities are quietly making an impact, as growing numbers of buyers begin to discover the attractions of this truly unique market. Having been relatively overlooked in the few years the market has been open to foreign investment, Tunisia features fantastic potential to attract huge demand in the near future.

The hidden gem of North Africa managed to withhold from mass international demand while the domestic market developed and stabilised. Prior to allowing foreign property investors to enter the market, the Tunisian government created a regulation to ensure a minimum of 75% domestic home ownership in the country. The current position of private home ownership in Tunisia is remarkably now the highest in the world.

Avoiding the domestic sector from being priced out of the market, Tunisian real estate now presents a unique emerging market with internal stability prepared for high growth. Exceptionally low priced property is generating strong capital growth returns with year-round rental potential. Buy-to-let investors are taking an interest, as the rise in tourism shows mass market opportunities. Attracted to the Mediterranean features, five-star resort towns, stunning beaches and diverse cultural aspects, Tunisian tourism is gaining credibility to the ever expanding market. (more…)

Investors previously interested in the Dubai real estate market are now looking into Turkey for the economic stability, strong mid to long term growth potential, stability of the overall market, lifestyle similarities, attractive short to mid haul flight options and overall confidence in the market.

Interest continues in the Dubai real estate market, yet not at the same pace as in recent years. The downturn of the market has lead to potential Dubai property investors considering other markets showing stronger growth potential and stability.

The drop in sales over the past two years has lead to a surplus of units available and a subsequent drop in property prices. While the lower cost of units provide incentive to some potential buyers, others with an interest in the market are holding back to avoid further potential losses. (more…)

As the end date for the 2009 US tax credit nears, the nation waits to hear the outcome of the government’s decision whether to extend the credit an additional six months, or maintain the original completion date.

The credit was designed to further boost the real estate market through the worst of the financial crisis, offering incentives for the majority of buyers wishing to enter the market. While the credit has been available to all homebuyers with a gross income of up to $75,000, the final date for accessing the credit is November 30. As sales contracts can take up to 60 days to complete, time is running out for buyers wishing to take advantage of the credit.

Tax credits for real estate purchases are not a new addition to the US property market, yet the 2009 credit opportunity featured various distinct advantages in comparison to previous credits. Buyers who had obtained the 2008 credit were able to receive up to a maximum of $7,500 and were required to repay the credit over a 15 year period. (more…)

Investing in property in overseas markets has become increasingly popular over the past decade, with many buyers receiving excellent returns over relatively short periods of time. The buy-to-let market has developed into an exceptional international sector, increasingly fuelled by the ever growing mass tourism market.

Developing from holiday home ownership into a market of its own, buy-to-let properties have also gained attraction from those previously keen on timeshare, yet without the excessive costs, restrictions, bad reputation and best of all, the ability to own the property outright. Far from being viewed as a second home to upkeep, many buy-to-let properties in various overseas markets have extensive services in place, enabling an income generating investment with little or no maintenance.

Property management companies in place to look after the property, advertise for tenants and even pay necessary bills have made the distance of the buy-to-let property from the owner’s home location irrelevant. Many developers offer full furnishing packages included in the purchase price, along with guaranteed rental schemes, further assisting investors to never need to lift a finger in order to prepare the property for rental. (more…)

Brazil has long been synonymous with a relaxed lifestyle in idyllic surrounds, living up to the expectations of visitors and investors alike. The attraction of the Brazilian real estate market has developed over the years with incredible strength, proving to be an optimum emerging market option.

Brazil’s real estate market and economy continue to strive towards its full potential, offering various distinct advantages. These advantages are continuously proving their capability for assisting the country to reach an exceptional position in the world market. Many features and benefits of the Brazilian market generate interest from a variety of investors, with the strongest attractions being in the following areas:

Reformed Economy and Political Environment

Over recent years Brazil has started to emerge as a potential super power in the world’s economic market. Unlike many other developing nations, Brazil is not solely reliant upon growth in tourism to achieve economic growth. As a nation rich in oil reserves and bio fuels, maximising the full potential of the country’s economy can produce incredible financial wealth.

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While not the capital of Turkey, Istanbul is the largest city and the financial, industrial and cultural centre of the country. With a continuously growing population of over 12.5 million, Istanbul is the 5^th largest city in the world. Surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn, the Bosporus Strait and the Black Sea, Istanbul is connected extensively with sea ports.

Famous for being the only city in the world situated on two continents, Istanbul truly does bring together the East and the West. Around 70% of the population live of the European side, yet the city is well connected by highways and ferry routes to the Asian side. In fact, the commuter ferrying between both sides of Istanbul fortify the city in both business and tourism. The extensive land and sea routes connected through Istanbul create an economic centre for the country, along with international connections for foreign trade routes.

Istanbul has a long history dating back to the Copper Age where human settlements have dated back to around 6500BC. During its extensive history, Istanbul has been a capital city and centre of several empires including the Roman Empire, the East Roman Empire, the Latin Empire and most recently the Ottoman Empire. Only in 1923 with the forming of the Republic of Turkey was the capital city moved from Istanbul to Ankara. (more…)

Kusadasi is a unique tourist township along Turkey’s Aegean coastline, where the local population expands ten-fold during the summer months. The modern, European style resort town of 50,000 is heavily reliant upon the tourism trade generated from cruise ships. Arriving to the local port, cruise ships assist with the growth of the local population to around 500,000 every summer.

Included in the population growth are Turkish employees who head to the town each year for the extensive variety of employment in the service sector. Located between another popular resort town of Bodrum to the south and the large city of Izmir to the north, Kusadasi is a favoured destination for many holiday makers visiting Turkey.

The picturesque town features a stunning turquoise bay in front, backed by the Kaz Dagi Mountain behind. Exceptionally well connected to the surrounding main towns and the rest of Turkey, Kusadasi can be accessed by either the Izmir or Bodrum international airports. There are also daily ferry services from the Kusadasi port to the nearby Greek Island of Samos. (more…)

Nestled on the southern Aegean coast of the Bodrum Peninsula, facing the Greek Island of Kos is the Turkish town of Bodrum. Featuring a notably predominant artistic and intellectual recent history, the area is currently growing, adopting a variety of European expats attracted to the climate, lifestyle and investment potential of the area.

Historically known as Halicarnassus of Caria, the town of Bodrum has a long, largely peaceful history based around the port area. For many years the port of Bodrum was the most important in the region, yet these days the area is more aimed towards yachting tourism and fishing.

The Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world was constructed in Bodrum. Many of the marble blocks used in its construction were later used to fortify the Bodrum Castle where they can still be seen today. Constructed in the 15^th century the Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of St. Peter, is a prominent landmark of the town and one of the last remaining examples of Crusader architecture. A further attraction of the Bodrum Castle is the inclusion of an Underwater Archaeology Museum and hosting for events such as cultural festivals throughout the year. (more…)