Albania is increasingly looking like a good place for foreign property investors to buy property in. According to Albania’s Central Bank, economic growth in the second quarter of 2011 will be around 3.4%, the same level registered in Q1 2011 with a forecast of lower inflation for the remainder of the year.

Over the last ten years, Albania’s economy has seen real GDP growth and, despite the economic downturn in 2008, is one of only two countries in Europe that not only recorded economic growth of 0.4% in Q1 2009 but also an impressive 6% growth from 2001-10 – meaning Albania can boast one of the strongest performances in Europe.  Read more... (252 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

The Spanish Government has announced new measures to help boost the new build property market in Spain with IVA (VAT) havled from 8pc to 4pc.

This IVA reduction will apply until the 31st December 2011 and will hopefully boost the flagging new build Spanish property market,

Minister of Development Jose Blanco explained that the IVA cut was to help revive the Spanish construction sector and help to create jobs in an area hit hard by the recession.

Property purchasers have welcome the news – as the Spanish IVA reduction can mean a large saving. Buying a €200,000 property will see €8,000 saved.

For property investors looking to purchase real estate or property in Brazil, look no further than the state of Rio Grande do Norte in the north east of the country.

According to TheMoveChannel, the state of Rio Grande do Norte is the most sought after areas for property investors in the last 12 months. The name means “Great River of the North” and refers to the mouth of the Potengi River. This river is home to Natal city, one of the most favoured areas for overseas property investors.  Read more... (230 words, estimated 55 secs reading time)

BuyingForeignProperty.com takes a closer look at property investment hotspot, Méribel.

Méribel, best known for being a top winter ski destination, transforms into a totally different kind of playground in the summer months, providing intense scenery covered in brightly coloured flowers and rich green trees all lit up by the sparkling sunshine. Yet remarkably, this Alpine hotspot remains a relatively undiscovered summertime land with many being unaware of the vast and varied outdoor activities that Méribel has to offer.  Read more... (806 words, 1 image, estimated 3:13 mins reading time)

Albania looks set to be one of the next property investment hotspot, with it looking likely that many property investors in the country may be people looking to retire to Albania.

France and Spain have traditionally been the two countries that people retire to – particularly the British. However recently, many retirees are looking further afield and Albania is a country which has garnered much interest – thanks in part due to the cheaper property prices when compared to France and Spain.  Read more... (237 words, 1 image, estimated 57 secs reading time)

Experts have warned that Brits are being priced out of London housing by rich Chinese property investors.

Over the last two months Chinese buyers are said to have spent £120 million on property in the capital city according to estate agent Knight Frank. One in three buyers of newly built homes in Canary Wharf’s financial district are said to have been snapped up by buyers from China and Hong Kong.

The reason for the big interest in London property by the Chinese is the value of the pound coupled with low interest rates. UK property developers are also strongly marketing their properties overseas, particularly in the Far East, meaning more and more people are becoming interested in London property.  Read more... (288 words, 1 image, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

May saw a surge in French leaseback enquiries after the French government announced a second homes tax.

French property company, Pierre & Vacances (P&V), saw a major surge in leaseback enquiries during May from British investors following news that the French government plans to impose a 20% property tax from January next year on non-resident second homeowners.

Following the announcement of the proposals in early May, the number of enquiries for leaseback properties last month was more than double that of April as Britons interested in buying a property in France looked at options that are immune to this new tax.  Read more... (502 words, 1 image, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)