New Zealand - Pacific Hideaway

September 01, 2010 - New Zealand

Comprising the North and South Islands and about the same land mass as Japan, New Zealand's strikingly varied landscape and near-mystical beauty has inspired artists and film- makers alike.

The country also offers a wide range of lifestyles, leisure activities and luxury lodgings from the bays around Auckland to the serene shores of Lake Wakatipu.

New Zealand is too often compared to its antipode outpost big brother, Australia.

Yet, having ranked ninth in the The Economist Quality of Life Index for 2009, ‘Kiwi Country' offers ample investment opportunities and its own range of lifestyle choices that enrapture urbanites and nature lovers alike.

Flagging demand for luxury property in Vietnam

August 31, 2010 - Vietnam

Developers of luxury apartment projects in Vietnam have had to shift their sales strategies in the face of flagging demand, according to real estate consulting and services firm Savills Vietnam.

Prior to the financial crisis, developers could sell units without much effort due to soaring demand, but they now had to turn to sales promotion programmes to turn over unit and meet sales targets, Savills said.

Indochina Land Ltd Co, developer of the Indochina Plaza Hanoi project, recently announced a trade promotion programme for customers who buy apartments in the Xuan Thuy Road complex.

Phuket property market to see continious improvement

August 31, 2010 - Phuket

Phuket's residential property market has shown signs of improvement in line with the global economic recovery, according to new research from Knight Frank Thailand.

The company's Managing Director Phanom Kanjanathiemthao said the market should see continuous improvement if not affected by any future political turmoil.

He said: "Although the market was slow in the second quarter due to the political situations, there was no new supply launched so it didn't affect the market much.

However, foreign investors and buyers have started making more inquiries for villas during the past two months".

Historic low borrowing rates for property investors in France

August 30, 2010 - France

The French property market has historically low fixed rate mortgage deals which are expected to remain low and even fall further, according to experts.

French mortgage specialist Athena Mortgages said it has seen a sharp rise in the number of enquiries in August from UK buyers looking to take advantage of the cheap fixed rate deals currently on offer.

Its experts predict that September could be an even busier month as rates are expected to fall even further.

As a result it has launched its lowest ever fixed rate deals, with 15 year fixed rates from 3.3%, 20 year fixed rates from 3.45%, and 25 year fixed rates from 3.60%, all at 80% LTV.

Property Ownership and Buying Procedures in JAPAN

August 23, 2010 - Japan

Freehold is the only type of property tenure in Japan. There is no equivalent system of leasehold property ownership.

There is a property holding system called land lease, but this applies only to the ownership of a building and not the land.

In addition, a "land lease" is granted only under the condition that the building is owned by a company or individual from the actual land owner.

Hong Kong Moves to Slow Property Market

August 17, 2010 - Hong Kong

After months of complaints and predictions of impending disaster, the Hong Kong government has taken steps to dampen the overheated property market.

The new measures include a restriction on flipping property, hoping to stem the quick resales favored by speculators.

The government also announced tightened mortgage requirements on luxury properties purchased as investments, as well as plans to auction three sites for future development.

China property prices to fall

August 13, 2010 - China

Residential property prices in China's major cities are expected to fall later this year because of the government's tightening campaign and a coming surge in housing supply, it is claimed.

The government will not end its clampdown on housing speculation even as the economy slows and developers who try to resist lowering prices are being unrealistic, according to Wang Shi, chairman of Vanke, the country's top listed developer.

‘Property prices in some cities have risen to levels unacceptable to the middle class. Many developers who do not cut prices now are making a bet on policy,' said Wang, suggesting that they were hoping that Beijing would back down on its property controls.

Thailand’s banks warned against property bubble complacency

August 13, 2010 - Thailand

Bank of Thailand Deputy Governor Krirk Vanikkul on Monday warned commercial banks not to be complacent about the risky property market bubble, saying the problem might occur in the near future.

Although the property sector bubble remains not worrying for now, commercial banks should not be too complacent because the problem can occur anytime in the future, he said.

What the banks should do now is to look after housing loan clients closely to ensure they have no problems repaying debts, and simultaneously oversee non-performing loans to contain any increase in the system.

Chinese banks cease loans to third home buyers

August 11, 2010 - China

Some banks in Beijing and Shanghai have voluntarily stopped granting loans to the third-house purchasers, according to a report by the Shanghai Securities News.

The report quoted a source as saying that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Agricultural Bank of China in Shanghai had suspended the lending to third-house buyers, and other banks are also following suit.

Magical Morocco

August 03, 2010 - Morocco

From the smells and sounds that suffuse the Medinas of Marrakech to spectacular treks past Berber villages, the colours and flavours of Morocco indulge the senses.

A popular holiday destination, the North African country also offers year-round sunshine, exclusive beach resorts, majestic riads and all the benefits of a European lifestyle - minus the price tag.

In recent years, Morocco has shot into the media spotlight as a celebrity getaway, where globetrotters like David and Victoria Beckham, Jude Law and George Clooney luxuriate on rich sandy beaches, lush golf courses and resorts such as the Mediterrania in Saidia.