France is contemplating new laws which would see overseas property investors hit with hefty bills.

France is hoping to bring in a new tax equal to 20 percent of the property’s rental value, applicable to absent overseas property investors. The new tax is designed to help reduce France’s 176 million Euro annual budget deficit.

Although EU member states are free to set their own taxes, there are laws which cover the free movement of capital within the EU. Some experts believe that the draft law may limit this free movement of capital and thus may not be allowed to go ahead.  Read more... (199 words, 1 image, estimated 48 secs reading time)

The real estate market in Florida has undeniably been in decline since the heady boom years of 2006/7 however with property prices now reaching levels seen nearly a decade ago, it is savvy international buy-to-let investors who are snapping up prime properties at bargain prices.

Floridian property experts Property Frontiers believe that the sunshine state has finally reached the bottom of the cycle and that home prices will slowly but surely begin to once again increase. This feeling is echoed by the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) who has reported a 24% increase in existing home sales in March 2011 compared to the same time last year.  Read more... (601 words, 1 image, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)

Location Focus: The Turkish city of Bahcesehir is one of the hottest places to buy investment property.

Turkey is currently the hottest destination for travel and property, the 16th largest economy in the world which welcomes 30 million tourists per year and rising according to ABTA. The economic powerhouse of Istanbul is the destination in Turkey ranking as the number 1 city for new property acquisitions and developments according to the latest Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report Europe from PwC and the Urban Land Institute. And Bahcesehir is the hot new destination in Istanbul for property investment with a growing university, high demand from the middle classes for quality property and impressive transport links to the central business district.  Read more... (621 words, 1 image, estimated 2:29 mins reading time)

Eurostar has revealed that they are hoping to extend their network of trains in Europe. Amongst the new hoped-for destinations is the South of France.

Eurostar already runs trains into Paris from London, however the addition of new French destinations could be good news for overseas property investors who have already purchased in France. The extra routes would likely see an increase in tourism in the local areas and therefore help stabilise and improve local rental and sale prices due to extra demand.  Read more... (208 words, 1 image, estimated 50 secs reading time)

“DON’T BUY IN BRAZIL” says AIPP Award-winning agent specialising in Brazil

Brazil specialist agent SPC Overseas has won the coveted AIPP award for Best Small Agent 2011 by warning potential clients not to buy property in the South American country.

Anthony Fernandes, director of SPC Overseas says: “Brazil Buyers Beware! There are a huge number of projects springing up in Brazil and many simply “don’t make the investment grade”.  Read more... (654 words, estimated 2:37 mins reading time)

Prices of homes in Florida are at their lowest for 13 years. Figures out this week from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association show that Orlando’s median home price in January 2011 sank to $94,950 – its lowest level since November 1997.

Cheap cash deals are driving more than half the sales. The Orlando Sentinel reports: “Usually a drop in prices means a boost in sales, but January’s total was down sharply from December, which is the historical pattern. Only 1,950 sales were recorded for the month by the local Realtors group, down 21 percent the previous month and the slowest month in a year.  Read more... (593 words, 2 images, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

The Spanish government estimates there are 700,000 unsold new-build houses across the country currently on the market thanks to a massive oversupply of houses. So does this mean that property investors will be able to pick up a Spanish property investment bargain?

Spain has long been a popular destination for British expats who have looked to the country for their retirement years. The strong demand for housing led to a buoyant Spanish property market.  Read more... (400 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)