Real Estate Hotspots From Around The World

We have already investigated the massive potential behind real estate investment within Japan. In many countries, real estate as an investment has stagnated. The major boom in many markets has already happened and some countries are close to being in a bubble.

However, there remain some global real estate hotspots that are still experiencing promising returns from property investment. We look at some of these now:

Bulgaria

Bulgaria has emerged as a property hotspot in recent times. The main reasons are it’s location as a pleasant holiday destination (with good prospects for those who want either a beach holiday or a ski holiday) coupled with it’s acceptance into the EU. Situated on the Black Sea, Bulgaria has seen a throng of new coastal property developments aimed with the holiday crowd in mind. The ski crowd are also well catered for with it’s abundance of mountains with areas such as Bansko, Borovets and Mount Vitosha all offering decent ski facilities.

Bulgaria’s status as a democratic state is a fairly recent one – formerly a part of the soviet union Bulgaria turned to the EU in the 1990’s and has enjoyed periods of economic prosperity ever since – this of course has has a massive impact on the property market there.

At the moment Bulgaria appeals more to the property investor than to those looking to relocate.

Greece

The main attractions of Greece lie in the wonderful beaches and delightful villages that are available to the property hunter. Crete is one of the more popular destinations for property hunters – it is one of the largest of the Greek islands and is very popular with elderly people looking to relocate for retirement. The cost of living in Greece remains relatively low (almost half that of the UK by comparison).

Consequently, there are no shortage of quality properties targeting the beach & other scenic areas of beauty. The properties that are near the coast tend to fetch premium prices. It’s also worth remembering that some of those old and charming village type houses may seem very attractive to the eye but could require some element of renovation – the problem being that remodelling property in Greece can be difficult to obtain planning permission for.

Cyprus

Quaint Cyprus has a nice mix of sun kissed beaches, colourful towns and villages and impressive mountains. It has a deep history and has been a popular European holiday destination for quite some time.

Property in Cyprus has experienced significant growth in recent times given the scenic beauty and laid back lifestyle the country offers. This has led to numerous new property development projects offering a quality mix of apartments as well as villas.

Some of the more popular destinations to buy in Cyprus are Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia (the capital).

Italy

A romantic, vibrant and scenic country, Italy has been a tourist hotspot for decades. Unlike Greece, Spain, Bulgaria & some other European property hotspots Italy can be extremely expensive to live in.

Despite this, Italy remains one of the popular countries that people choose to purchase property in – especially places such as Pisa and Florence. Puglia has also gained popularity in recent times.

Portugal

Portugal neighbours Spain geographically and also matches it by way of it’s pleasant beaches and a diversity of landscapes including mountains, forests and valleys. However, Portugal still remains less expensive in terms of property than Spain making it a hotspot for both those looking for investments as well as those wanting to relocate. Many visitors to Portugal also comment on the easy going lifestyle (cheaper cost of living) and the friendly nature of the locals.

The most popular property location in Portugal is the Algarve, offering some wonderful beaches and pleasant weather all year around. Portugal is also a favourite European destination among golfers with some outstanding courses on display. Plenty of cheap flights are also available to Portugal within Europe, Faro being one of the main destinations. Given these factors, investors often see quality yields on their holiday home rentals. Other destinations that are popular in Portugal include Lisbon, and the historic town of Loule – Oporto is also gaining a reputation as being the new Algarve.

Mexico

Mexico City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with a population of over 22 million and while some parts of the country still has problems with poverty, other areas are absolutely flourishing. New housing developments as well as hotel complexes are being built in droves as investors recognise the growth potential of the country. The mix of pleasant beaches and historical landmarks means it will always be seen as a tourist hotspot. One of the most sought after places to buy in is Puerto Vallarta – it has a huge number of trendy bars, restaurants and a very trendy nightlife scene plus a wonderful beach area and year-long sunshine.

Dubai

Dubai has seen an incredible amount of growth in it’s property market – it is a part of the UAE (Unite Arab Emirates) and is situated along the Arabian Peninsula & Arabian Gulf Coast. It has a reputation as being one of the most westernised arab destinations and has some stunning beaches and coral reefs that are enjoyed by the many tourists that visit each year. Geographically, Dubai also has desert land as well as the impressive Hajar Mountains. Dubai is also the financial centre in all of the middle east.

One of the remarkable things about Dubai is it’s ability to attract tourists from the world over – this is not only due to it’s warm weather and lush beaches but also the throngs of top class hotels that are available to tourists.

New developments continue to spring up all over Dubai, and the variety suits all tastes and budgets.

Some Final Words…

Investment is a funny thing. Most people follow the herd because it gives them a sense of security – they often depend upon the financial media to provide them with information and analysis to make their decisions.

The problem of course is that by the time a good investment gets publicity in the mainstream financial media much of the boom will already have been enjoyed by others.

So what’s the answer? Your own analysis and education is one. Another is developing the mindset of a successful investor. Develop an investment strategy that works for you. Don’t just read the mainstream publications – open your eyes and see what else is out there!

Here are some final thoughts that you may want to take on board before venturing out to evaluate investments:

• Is It Hated? If So LOVE It! Some of the best opportunities come along when a potential investment is so hated and unpopular that no-one wants to touch it. These investments can be snapped up at bargain basement prices (although you do need to identify when a potential uptrend may be starting) and when the boom comes it’s possible to make incredible gains. Nothing is loved forever, and neither is anything hated forever.

• What’s The TREND? Trends are powerful things. Both uptrends and downtrends can defy all logic – momentum is a very difficult thing to break. When you’re considering an investment you have to ask yourself in what direction is the trend and how strong is the momentum. An understanding of technical analysis will help you identify trends.

One highly powerful investment technique is finding hated investments that are dirt cheap and hated – and getting in just as it starts on an uptrend. Of course, this is never as easy as it may sound. But if the numbers are genuinely valuable, then sooner or later the market will wake up and the bull run will start.

The market always corrects itself at some point.

I wish you the very best of luck with your investments.

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