United Kingdom property portal searches double

The number of British property buyers searching online for foreign real estate has doubled in the last year, according to the portal Primelocation International.

Enquiries on the site were 95% higher in March 2010 than a year earlier, with the top three locations of Spain, France and the US recording increases of 108%, 153% and 105% respectively.

Searches also increased on a monthly basis for most countries, with Bulgaria’s 11% decline the only fall out of the top ten most popular destinations.

Switzerland, which saw an annual increase in searches of 74%, re-entered the top ten for the first time since January, while Australia dropped out of the chart.

“Pent up demand now appears to be on the brink of converting into sales,”

“Several signs are now indicating that the economy may have escaped a double dip and be stabilising in earnest and potential buyers are picking up this optimism.”

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Anti smoking laws unsuccesful in Spain

There are now more smokers in Spain than when the 2006 anti-smoking legislation came into effect. Apparantly, 35% of Spaniards still smoke, however in other parts of Europe, there has been a large reduction in smokers, where the average number has fallen to 29%. It means that if the Government’s intention was to reduce the number of smokers with the current law, it has failed, although new tougher regulations banning smoking in all closed public spaces including all bars and restaurants is expected to come into force this summer with virtual zero tolerance.

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iPad now launched in Spain

Apple’s new computer, the iPad, has now arrived in stores in Spain amid great consumer expectation, with 300,000 sold the day it was launched in the USA and a million altogether over its first month on the market.

The price in Spain for this small touch-screen laptop, with no keyboard will be between 479 (16GB) and 779 euros ( 64GB).

Before the product is even available in the shops, various service providers have been advertising flat rates. Vodafone is offering two flat rates, one of 15e and the other of 32ea month. Movistar has three flat rates, and for those clients who already have mobile internet will be able to connect to the web via their iPad at no additional cost. For their part, Orange is offering two rates – a daily one of 3.5e and a monthly one of 35e – both on a contract basis.

Designed along similar lines as Apple’s highly successful iPhone, the iPad allows users to surf the Internet, read newspapers and electronic books, access their e-mail accounts, look at photos and videos in high definition and listen to music, as well as all the usual functions of a laptop.

The iPad is only 1.34cm thick, weighs 680g and has a battery that lasts for up to ten hours.

The iPad is being launched simultaneously in Germany, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the UK. There are plans to launch it in Austria, Belgium, Holland, Hong-Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico and Singapore later in July.

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Estate Agents reveal record demand for Canary Island repossions

Record numbers of Canary Island Estate Agents are clambering for repossessed properties, despite continuing economic woes.

However, the country’s economic position continues to slide amid concerns about national debt. The Bank of Spain was forced recently to seize control of regional savings bank CajaSur, the latest challenge to Spain’s battered financial sector since the collapse of the housing bubble.

However the good news is agents are adapting to the present economic situation. Southern Spain markets have seen a lot of small, new property agencies spring up recently, and many of them have restructured their business models to cope with a tougher climate and a lot of below market value deals.

“There are a lot of sharp young agencies out there now who have positioned their offerings very professionally. They are smaller and they approach the market in a much more appropriate way.”

That siad, Canary Island property companies need to rebuild trust with both buyers and foreign agents.

“There is a lot of demand but several parameters have to be just right for the sale to work, from finance the legalities of the sale.”

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Simply Red farewell tour in Tenerife

The contract for the extention and improvement to Corralejo harbour has been awarded and is expected to take two years to complete. The project will improve and extend the ferry piers, increase the number of moorings for pleasure craft and provide better boat yard facilities.

As well as the existing marina berths the new marina will provide 650 berths for yachts which will be sheltered behind a huge curved breakwater.

Corralejo harbour on the north coast of Fuerteventura is one of the busiest in the Canaries with close to a million passengers a year using the short ferry link to Lanzarote and the project will ensure that increasing passenger demand can be met. The harbour Playa Blanca in Lanzarote will also be extended and improved to allow easier access for the ferries whose entrance at the moment can only be described as tight.

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€15 Billion Austerity Plan Approved for Spain

The Spanish parliament has backed a 15bn-euro ($18.4bn; £13bn) austerity package by one vote as the country strives to cut its budget deficit.

The vote saw 169 in favour of the Socialist government’s austerity plan and 168 against, with 13 abstentions.

Spain announced the austerity package earlier this month. It includes wage cuts of 5% or more for civil servants and slashes public investment plans.

Spain hopes to rein in its deficit and ease fears of a Greek-style crisis.

A parliamentary defeat would have been a blow to the Socialist government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Spain’s programme is intended to reduce a deficit of 11% of GDP to 6% by 2011.

“The result is calming for the markets because a vote against would have been very worrying,” said a strategist at Citigroup.

Many Spaniards fear the effect the cuts will have on the economy, where the unemployment rate exceeds 20% – twice the eurozone average.

The country moved out of recession in the first quarter of this year, with growth of 0.1%.

The European Union has been anxious to see more fragile European economies, including Spain, Portugal and Greece, impose tougher austerity measures.

Before the vote, finance minister Elena Salgado had asked politicians to vote in favour, saying the measures were “painful but inevitable”.

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Faster internet coming to Canary Islands

Installation of the cable to improve computer connections in the Canary Islands is running on schedule.

The great demand on internet across the Canaries has caused a slowing down of services. Many new residents to the islands demand fast connections.

When asked a Mr Guy Peters who recently bought a property for sale in Playa Blanca said that ‘he does a lot of his work from his new villa in Faro Park and a fast internet connection is essential for him. He welcomes the new faster speeds coming soon’

According to the latest report by Carlos Alonso the Tenerifes councillor for the economy, the submarine cable link from Cadiz to Tenerife, La Palma and Gran Canaria should be completed in the first half of 2011. The new connection will mean a vast improvement in the number and quality of broad band connections on the islands and give support to new services and applications. The new connection is designed to make the Islands, the communications axis between Africa Europe and America.

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Renewed Interest in Costa Rican Realty

Renewed Interest in Costa Rican Reality

2010 has started well with renewed interest in the realty market in Costa Rica. After the quiet trading year of 2009 property pundits were expecting an increase as investors take advantage of reduced land and villa prices. This doesn’t compare to the recent years prior to the global economic crisis which were heady days that property regularly was sold for large percentage rises over short time periods, reality prices are now readjusting to more sober levels.

The effect of this is that some sellers have taken their properties out of the market place while in some other cases people have the necessity to sell due to financial pressures that they may have overstretched themselves with loans, etc, which creates the need to sell and list the property below market value, the term fire sale could be used.

This means there are some great deals for Costa Rica property real estate, of the like that haven’t been around for sometime.

Realtors are now busy showing properties to potential buyers and answering inquiries regarding reality. There has been good activity with closings on property, demonstrating that investors can see the opportunity and realize the possibilities. There are also people just waiting to take this opportunity to buy their Costa Rican vacation home, which makes it evident that even in the presently unsettled world of finance people are eager to get their place in the sun.

As property prices across Costa Rica have sobered emerging realty areas, due to improved communitcations are, and still to be found. Property pundits are backing these areas as appealing to the increasing niche markets. Figures are showing that real estate in Dominical, for example, is looking like a very healthy market in comparison to more established property areas across the country.

Conclusions:

Costa Rica is a fast emerging country that many United States Citizens have taken into their hearts. As we shrug off the recession of recent years it is countries like this that will see the benefits. After several years of very hard times people will be looking to get away and improve their standard of living. A holiday home in the tranquil country of Costa Rica could well perfectly foot this bill

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Dominical property as investment

Dominical is a very relaxed and tranquil beach resort in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica. The area attracts beach and nature lovers. The waves in Dominical are very good for surfing and attract surfers from all over the world. The Dominical beach is four kilometers long. There is accommodation, restaurants and bars to suit all budgets.

In the recent past Dominical town was pretty isolated due to bad roads, this has now changed. Paved roads arrived in Dominical a little while ago giving returning visitors year round access.

Many people have taken the area into their hearts and visit a few times a year. Eventually the idea of owning a property or piece of land in Dominical comes to mind. At the moment the area is still up and coming and investing in property should give a good return.

One good investment strategy is to buy a real estate in Dominical that you can use as your own holiday home. Then for the times that you are not using it rent it out as a holiday rental. Promoting your new villa in Dominical can be easily done via a few of the effective Costa Rican property web sites. Return on your investment can then be realized in three ways. One, by saving money on your own holiday accommodation. Two, by making an income via the holiday rentals. Three, via property value appreciation in the up and coming area of Costa Rica.

Internet is now available via GSM cell right across Costa Rica and Dominical. Many homes also now have access to land line internet connections, this making staying in touch with the office whilst away very easy. Many people that can work most of the time via the internet are totally relocating. Thus earning first world incomes with third world expenditure. Who say you cannot have your cake and eat it.

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Costa Rica property web site

Costa Rica is enjoying a solid and steady expansion in its property market. To help buyers to the area a new property portal has been released, www.costarica4property.com

The majority of property buyers coming to Costa Rica are from the United States. Costa Rica is only a short flight from almost any part of America. In just a few hours journey time surroundings can be changed from a busy, cold and stressful city scape to a tropical, warm, relaxing jungle paradise.

Costa Rica or the ‘Rich Coast’ has a lot to offer those seeking an affordable sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life. A quick flight to the international airport of San Jose, then another internal flight or drive and you are at a tropical beach with almost nobody around.

Until recently communications in Costa Rica were poor. Roads were bumpy and internet unknown. Things they are a changing. Roads are improving and internet coverage is nationwide.

As improvements are made so does interest in Costa Rica real estate.

Now a trip to Costa Rica does not mean a complete communication black out. All you need is a mobile phone plugged into you laptop and you are back in touch with the office, friends and family.

If you have made several trips to your favorite part of Costa Rica and thinking about buying your own house, apartment of piece of land then the new Costa Rica property portal of www.costarica4property.com has got all the facilities you need. There is a property search feature for a quick full database search. There is a ‘property finder’ service. If you cannot find what you are looking for just enter those details and let the local Realtor’s find it for you.

Costa Rica investment hot spots.

The upcoming areas in Costa Rica have been noticed to offer the best investment returns. Currently there is a lot of interest in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica. In these up and coming parts a piece of land for sale in Uvita, for example, is just a popular as a real estate in Uvita. This is thought to be because there are still limited supplies of finished houses, villas and apartments so new comers to the area are having to build there own dream home.

Uvita is enjoying such popularity not only because of its property and land prices but because of what it has to offer locally. The rocky outcrop known as the ‘Whales Tail’ on the beach provides protection from the large waves that hit the rest of the Costa Rican Pacific coastline. With this protection families can enjoy the beautiful beach without so much interference from large waves. A short walk down the beach and surf is up again.

Most of the land and property for sale in Uvita is to be found on the hillsides just inland from the beach. These afford spectacular views and cooler climates.

Twelve kilometers north along the coast road is the sleepy surf town of Dominical. On the development stakes real estate in Dominical is a little behind that of Uvita and therefore more affordable.

Dominical is a sleepy fishing and farming town. The surfing in this area is some of the best in Costa Rica. Powerful barreling beach break waves are the order of the day, and surf is up almost all year round.

All in all Costa Rica is a great place to buy a holiday home as prices are cheap and rising. Now is the time to get on the band wagon and find yourself not only a bargain property or piece of land but also a great investment for you and your family.

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