Posts from — October 2007

Why Canada?

Increasing numbers of British people are choosing Canada as the location for their second home, attracted by its spectacular scenery, laid-back lifestyle, political and social stability and the strength of sterling against the Canadian dollar. Easier travel and increasing coverage by low-cost airlines are also considerations, as is the fact that Canada’s international homes market is still young and developers seeking to attract British buyers therefore have to provide good value.

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Why Montenegro?

Having suffered great hardship during the Balkan Conflict of the 1990s, Montenegro is now undergoing a period of change and economic growth. It is a candidate for EU accession, and already receives generous EU funding, which is enabling it to overhaul its ailing infrastructure.

These factors, combined with deep blue seas, beautiful beaches, pristine lakes and rivers, rugged mountains, lush green forests, picturesque villages and well-preserved medieval towns, have led to resurgence in tourism, which in turn has created the conditions for an emerging property market.

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When the first full-speed Eurostars set off from their new London home at St Pancras two weeks ago, there was much hullabaloo about the new two-hour, 15-minute journey time to Paris. The even shorter hop to Brussels was overlooked in the excitement - but not by all.
  
Increasing numbers of canny Brits have quietly realised that the new golden age of fast train travel has brought the Belgian capital closer to London than such commuter stalwarts as Poole, Cheltenham and York. Sleek, modern trains will whisk passengers between the two capitals in just one hour 51 minutes, making Brussels suddenly a whole new lifestyle option.

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Annual Changes (June quarter 2006 to June quarter 2007) “Over the twelve months to June quarter 2007, preliminary estimates show that established house prices rose 9.2%. Annually, house prices rose in Brisbane (+15.7%), Perth (+15.3%), Adelaide (+11.7%), Melbourne (+11.5%), Hobart (+9.7%), Canberra (+9.0%), Darwin (+7.4%), and Sydney (+3.0%). The movement in the established house price index between March quarters 2006 and 2007 has been revised from the first estimate, an increase of 8.6%, to an increase of 9.9%.”

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