Purchasing property
outside
the Euro Zone
The Euro Zone is the name given
to the 15 European Union member states officially involved
in a currency union and which all use the Euro as their
sole sanctioned currency.
 The
main aim behind the creation of the Euro currency was the
creation of greater political solidarity within the EU,
but by having a common currency participating member states
have additional benefits such as the elimination of currency
fluctuation risks, transparency of pricing, reduced transaction
costs and increased market expansion opportunities for greater
inter-Europe trade.
The introduction of the Euro as a physical currency back
in 2002 went quite smoothly, and until now the Euro Zone
enjoyed a relatively strong and stable economy.
However, some experts believe those seeking the best value
for money in the current climate in terms of the property
they can buy, the Euro Zone is not necessarily the best
place to be looking. The strength of the Euro against both
the pound and the dollar has some say, taken the shine off
the traditional overseas property markets in countries such
as Spain, France and Italy.
Plus Europe’s worrying state of stagflation, (stagnant
growth combined with inflation), is causing concerns about
the overall Euro Zone economy and member nation’s
forecasts for the near-term, an increasing number of astute
buyers are looking further afield to see where the better
property deals are to be purchased and where a more affordable
lifestyle can be enjoyed. Below are some key markets to
consider:
 Turkey
According to Dominic Whiting from Buying
In Turkey Collection, Turkey is an exceptionally good choice
for those who specifically want the ease and affordability
of European accessibility but who want to buy outside the
euro zone and its current economic instability.
He said: “The cost of living in Turkey and the cost
of buying property is a fraction of what it is across the
Euro Zone, and what’s more, as Turkey aligns itself
for ultimate EU entry, anyone buying in Turkey today is
essentially gaining all the benefits of a European purchase
without the resultant economic headaches caused by a strong
euro and high levels of inflation.”
Buying In Turkey Collection has for example, Dream Village,
a development of one, two and three-bedroom apartments,
duplexes and villas with private gardens and swimming pools
set in the area of Tuzla on the Bodrum peninsular. Conveniently
close to the golf courses and airport, the prices start
from £59,000 / €75,000.
Spot Blue has a villa development for sale in Gocek close
to the local marina and with their own private swimming
pools, parking and gardens at prices from £115,000
/ €160,000.
USA
Thanks to the US dollar’s demise against the pound,
America is certainly a favourite with British buyers looking
to get more for their money abroad. However, pockets of
the American housing market are to be avoided as over supply
and lack of mortgage financing is stifling potential at
least for the short-term. Astute buyers are looking for
dollar priced property in locations where there is reason
for strong and increasing demand.
Canada
 If America does not appeal because its economy is suffering,
John Prior, MD of Undiscovered Properties argues that there
is only one alternative worth considering, Canada.
To suit someone seeking attractive property for both lifestyle
and potential rental reasons, the Louisbourg Resort Golf
and Spa might be the answer.
The resort has The Fortress18-hole championship golf course,
complemented by a par 3 18-hole course, both designed by
Nick Faldo. Located on the island of Cape Breton, Louisbourg
is just 2km from the shore and close to the mountains so
that residents can enjoy everything from fishing, whale
watching, hunting, watersports, skiing, diving, snowmobiling
and hiking.
The properties that are available for sale will be built
to the architectural preference of the purchaser with 2,
3 and 4 bedroom styles available with a range of 8 architectural
designs to choose from. Each lodge property comes with a
basement, sauna and Jacuzzi. Prices start from £215,000
/ Canadian $438,512.
Bahrain
Those who have seen how the Middle Eastern property market
in Dubai has rocketed and who want to get in on the next
wave of property success in the region are targeting Bahrain.
Barton Wyatt International is marketing Riffa Views, the
first residential golf resort in Bahrain. There are 870
high-end villas all set around the Colin Montgomerie designed
18-hole championship golf course. For sale are a range of
townhouses and villas with between 2 and 5 bedrooms.
Riffa Views include a country club with a Boris Becker tennis
academy, a health centre, community centres and sports and
outdoor leisure activities including hiking and bike trails
and water sports. Other features include a shopping mall
and Fun Land for the children. Prices start from £260,000
/ €342,200 through to £1,800,000 / €2,300,100.
Isla Margarita
Isla Margarita in the Caribbean is, according to Mark Andrew
from Emerging Earth, property an island that is particularly
attractive for British and European buyers because some
of its best property projects such as Caracola Beach and
Spa Resort are soon to be priced in the weak American dollar.
He said: “Isla Margarita is just the perfect location
for an investment property in a rapidly up and coming resort.
The island benefits from the fact it is outside the hurricane
zone yet well within the Caribbean and therefore of maximum
appeal to all those going in search of warm seas, perfect
soft sand and an ideal climate for most of the year.”
The island is seeing massive increases in tourism numbers
and there are tax breaks for buyers plus insurance bond
backed guaranteed rental returns of 7 percent pa for 10
years. Properties for sale are apartments and duplexes.
There are on site restaurants, bars, swimming pools, chill-out
areas, a spa, gymnasium, beauty salon, high-end retail outlets
and landscaped gardens.
All apartments are 1 or 2 bedroom, come fully furnished
and are also SIPP qualifying for British buyers who want
to include property within their pension. Prices start from
€79,000 / £63,000 and are soon to be available
in US dollars.
 Egypt
Egypt offers European and British buyers one of the closest
locations to Europe and the Euro Zone with year round sunshine,
which has helped Egypt emerge as a tourism and property
hotspot.
The Egyptian property market can be considered young in
terms of international investor interest, and the nation
certainly offers buyers a chance to get in now and potentially
profit for the longer terms as tourism arrivals are set
to increase over the coming decade. For sale in Egypt from
Experience International and located on the Red Sea Coast
15 minutes from Hurghada International Airport is the Veranda
project.
Veranda, situated on a white sandy beach, is a gated resort
with 24-hour security and a wide range of facilities including
swimming pools with waterfalls, tennis courts, restaurants,
a luxury spa, a gym and a cocktail lounge.
Properties range from one and two bedroom apartments to
three bedroom townhouses and four bedroom villas. Prices
start from £60,750 and allow the British buyer to
secure their purchase in pounds sterling.
Malaysia
Also from Experience International is an opportunity in
Malaysia which is a nation emerging as one of the strongest
economies in Asia with growing tourism appeal.
The level of tourism demand presents Fly to Let investors
with the chance to profit from rental returns, and it has
ongoing property based interest from affluent expats seeking
property for sale giving any buyer a strong exit strategy.
Experience International has a development for sale called
Golden Palm Tree Water Villa in Sepang. It is located on
what has been dubbed ‘the longest coastal paradise
in Asia,’ the Golden Palm development is an exotic
Gold Coast resort with properties having the unique architectural
feature of being situated on stilts and being constructed
out over the sea.
Facilities include swimming pools, a gym, spa and a library.
Prices start from £147,709.
 Brazil
Brazil is buzzing both economically and in terms of the
attention it is receiving from overseas investors. In southern
Brazil the Rio de Janeiro housing market is proving massively
popular with investors seeking long-term rental units, and
in Northern Brazil on the East coast the tourism market
is booming.
The accessibility of the destination has already massively
improved, and as a new international airport is nearing
completion, so savvy investors know that the record growth
the market in the region of Rio Grande do Norte has already
seen will very likely continue as the region opens up to
even greater numbers of visitors.
The Pipa Hills resort from Experience International comprises
of 3 bedroom villas set in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
and 200 metres from the centre of the town of Pipa Beach.
The development is also very close to Pipa’s pristine
beach and it has luxury amenities such as a lagoon, swimming
pools, bars and restaurants all on site. Prices start from
£131,152.
Botswana
For investors seeking an alternative market opportunity
the Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness Reserve is a unique
investment opportunity in the heart of the southern African
country of Botswana.
The reserve covers an expanse of over 80,000 acres with
various lodges located throughout the reserve – but
the properties themselves are just a slice of what the project
offers purchasers. As an investor into the reserve one contributes
to a unique and internationally acclaimed ecosystem model
that Limpopo-Lipadi’s founders hope will set the standard
in conservation sustainability in the 21st century.
An investor into the project effectively owns part of the
game and wilderness reserve and can visit as often as they
like, be part of the decision making process of the reserve
or just simply enjoy the many diverse ecosystems.
Investment capital will be used for everything from further
land purchase to the development of the lodges, camps and
two commercial tourism properties for the introduction of
paying guests to the reserve.
There are different levels of investment involvement that
one can commit to from a purely financial point of view,
entry level investment is $195,000, but the difference that
you can practically make and the benefits that you can personally
witness and enjoy are limitless.
 Thailand
The appeal of Thailand is indisputable which is why it has
an incredibly strong tourism market.
Buyers who want to tap into the high-end might like to consider
The Village development on the Maphrao Island, Coconut Island,
Thailand. The luxurious property development has been carefully
designed to ensure that all properties enjoy views of the
Indian Ocean whilst at the same time homes are situated
around waterways and palm groves.
The Village is a haven for water sports lovers, with its
own pier for boating enthusiasts and it has boat storage
and quick launch facilities.
Fishing, diving, snorkelling and general exploration of
the Phuket Islands are also activities available from the
resort development. Phuket’s golf courses are a short
boat ride away, and the resort has a private beach for sunset
walks, all day sunbathing and swimming.
Prices for a sea view villa with two bedrooms, two en-suite
bathrooms, one guest bathroom, a spacious living area and
swimming pool start from £302,950 / 18,950,000 THB
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