News - Archive for May 2010

Volatile European Currency Markets to Remain

The unpredictable currency markets over the past month have kept traders entertained and many economists are predicting that more volatility is to come. The euro in particular has been attracting much sceptical feeling, with fears that some European leaders are not fully supportive of the recent bailout measures....

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) were originally introduced to the market in the US in 1960 and have been around ever since, gradually making their way to destinations further afield. Basically, a REIT can be described as a company that manages a portfolio of real estate to earn a profit for its shareholders....

Recently released figures by the federal government in Australia have led to calls from many to tighten restrictions on overseas investors in the country. The body has revealed that during 2009, foreign property investment accounted for....

Finally, the new Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition has published its after-election manifesto. It is a sizable document which offers a selection of prospective policies, promises and pledges which it hopes the electorate will welcome with open arms....

Property investment can be a profitable business.... if you get it right. Many have made mistakes and lost money instead of gaining from their ventures. We list the top 5 common mistakes made so hopefully you can be more assured of a profitable property investment.....

Individuals are returning to the Portuguese market and looking to invest in property following the influx of distressed bargain hunters that flooded the country last year. Agents and developers are beginning to report a shift in demographics in line with economic recovery....

Understanding Capital Gains Tax

May 22nd is the day that all UK-based property investors are likely to be waiting for with bated breath after new chancellor George Osborne announced that the first Lib Dem/Conservative emergency Budget will be held on that date....

What to do in a Volatile Market

The global economic crisis has meant that the markets have experienced their fair share of knocks and bruises over the last year. The term market volatility has been bandied about on a regular basis and an increasing number of investors have now become aware of the dangers that they can face....

To avoid sinning when investing in property, try to follow these 10 commandments and you should be on your way to a heavenly investment experience. The following points are a simple guide on what should be taken into consideration before investing in property for the first time.

Europe was the welcome beneficiary of measures to protect the zone's most indebted nations earlier this month. In the latest attempt to ward off fears surrounding the Greek economic crisis and restore faith in European markets, the European Union has stepped in with a huge bailout proposal that is designed to protect its vulnerable economies....

Finally, a bit of positive news comes out of the US property market, as the latest statistics released by RealtyTrac show that, for the first time in 40 months, foreclosures have fallen in April in comparison to last year....

Is Dubai on the Road to Recovery?

The most recent information relating to the property market in Dubai has hinted that recovery may be on the cards. Colliers International has reported that real estate values in the region climbed four per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter, but what does this mean in real terms for real estate investors?

Property prices in the Asia-Pacific region are performing strongly at the moment, putting European and North American markets to shame with their price rises and rapid development. The recent Knight Frank Global Real Estate Market report said that the region had generally rebounded well - especially in the second half of last year - after experiencing a slowdown in trade during the latter part of 2008 and early 2009....

UK Coalition Formed – What Now?

With the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats now snugly installed at Number 10 amid widely ranging opinions from the press speculating on how long the coalition will last, announcements on the UK economy are flooding the press as David Cameron and Nick Clegg set about the British economy with their financial hatchets.

The pound has had a torrid time of late, its value reached a record low in March - against the Australian and Canadian dollar - after the financial markets feared Britain was heading towards its first minority government since 1974....

Stock market investing

Investing in the stock market has long been considered to be a successful method of securing returns that can far outweigh ones that can be gained from a traditional bank or building society....

The Future of Buy to Let in the UK

Recently, landlords have been faced with an uncertain market as pressures on the economy have led to falling property values and expensive mortgage repayments. The pressure placed on the Buy to Let market was further compounded after the chancellor used the Budget to promise to make buying property easier for first-time buyers, which sparked fears that renting could be set to go out of fashion....

Australian Budget Breakdown 2010

Australia has shown very positive growth in the investment property sector in recent years, both for residents and foreigners (until recently introduced legislation). We bring you the highlights of Australia’s budget announced earlier today to show what is happening in a developed economy that for all intents and purposes, is fast outgrowing everyone else in the midst of a global recession.

Any investors with a keen eye will have noticed that Australia's property market has been enjoying significant price rises over the past few years. A rising population and lack of new builds is helping to ensure that the majority of individuals who purchased real estate in the country can now expect to enjoy significant returns....

Gold as an Investment

Gold has long been held as a popular vehicle for investment by numerous speculators. Many individuals purchase the precious metal because it is generally viewed as being a safe investment.....

Mortgages and the economy

As economic conditions progress and regress over time, homeowners are often the ones who feel the effect. With the property market and home loans directly tied to the prosperity of a country's economy it is important for savvy investors to ensure that they are clued up before they enter the market....

After one of the most hotly contested and publicised general elections in decades, the UK economy emerges today with no one at the helm. Whilst technically at the time of writing, Gordon Brown still reigns at Number 10 as the current Prime Minister, the UK is now in a situation, as suspected, of having a hung Parliament.

A strong exchange rate will normally lead to an increase in activity from overseas property investors as they look to capitalise on the potential to get 'more property for their money'. Essentially, a country's exchange rate is influenced by the demand for the currency in international markets....

The US property market has long been a favourite destination for investors, with its diverse mix of property and climate combined with an ever-popular tourism market making it a favoured destination for professional and amateur investors....

The global economic crisis has had a profound effect on a number of property hotspots around the world. With recession tends to come a doom and gloom environment for a country's real estate market, but opportunities can also present themselves for savvy investors looking to exploit the fall in prices....

All about Buy to Let investment

The Buy to Let market in the UK is continuing to post improvements and provide investors with a viable opportunity to make a profit, it has been claimed. According to Mortgages for Business, there are an increasing number of chances for individuals to gain access to finance and those with good credit and organisation can take advantage of the current market....

Brazilian property investment

According to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, developing economies in Latin America and Asia have been demonstrating confidence about their future, with the markets leading the way in terms of the property and economic revival....

Understanding Stock Market Crashes

Understanding how and why stock market crashes occur is an important thing for any investor to know, to ensure that they are well prepared should the worst happen....

Saving and Investing Explained

When planning your finances it is important that you understand the similarities and differences between saving and investing your money. It can be argued that both the practices complement each other, with savings being used as a means for investment in most cases....

Diversification is the key to protection – A phrase often heard in the investment world when it comes to spreading risk. We take a look at some of the more diverse property based investments and explain a little more about alternative property investment strategies.