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Economic turmoil – where now?
This last year's economic meltdown has had a disastrous effect on the property markets world-wide with a record amount of repossessions in America and prices plummeting in many places. It is no doubt that this crisis is unprecedented, but are we now starting to see the first green shoots of a recovery, or will things get a lot worse before they get better?
The Cyprus issue – many obstacles to overcome
The 1974 coup attempt by Greek Cypriot nationalists and the Turkish army invasion that followed still casts its shadow over the divided island of Cyprus today. Unless a solution is found it will continue to darken people's lives and the dividing line that runs through the landscape like a scar, won't get a chance to heal. But now the Cyprus problem is once more back on the agenda, with the continuing talks between the North and the South. We talk to Arne Strand from the Norwegian Peace Research organisation PRIO about the current situation and what hope there is for a reunification.
Thailand – the investors are failing
Even the 'land of smiles' hasn't escaped the global financial crisis with the country's property market now being described as completely 'dead'. The economic cooling down as well as the unstable political situation in Thailand, has resulted in a large number of investors withdrawing from planned construction projects. The investor Sten Ture Jensen has put his project on ice and the Scandinavian investor group Thai Estate Scandinavia, abandoned a project to the value of nearly 200 million kroners, reports the website Property Report.
An Oasis in France
When you need a place to rest, to cool down, a place to eat well, to quench your thirst and build up mentally and physically, it is easy to think of such a place as an oasis. The small town of La Napoule on the French Riviera has just such a place. It lies secluded in the quarter behind the beach promenade, and of course, it is called L'Oasis. And what an oasis it is!
In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
For more than two thousand years Alexander the Great has excited the imagination of people around the globe. I became fascinated by Alexander some 18 years ago, when a school teacher unravelled a map of the classical world and traced the outline of his journey. Who could not be intrigued by a man who inspired his soldiers to march for 12 years, beyond the known ends of the earth.
Southern France – a safe haven for investment
The housing market on the French Riviera with places like Antibes, Nice, Juan Les Pins, Cannes, Mougins and Valbonne, has traditionally been characterized by stability and an average double digit rise in property value during the last 7 years. But even this market is not completely unaffected by what happens in the rest of the world, and late autumn 2008 saw a decrease in sales for both new and older properties alike. But prices still remained good, and statistics for December 2008, showed the ever popular Cannes to only have a price fall of 1%.
Damac properties are building Tarin Hills, a gated complex of style and luxury, while Sigma International Construction are building an American village. Where are they building? No, it is not Dubai, but Erbil, the city that is considered capital of the emerging state of Kurdistan in Northern Iraq.Could this be the new hot location, or just hot air?
A short time ago, Dubai was the location to invest in property. 15% of all cranes in the world were in use here as the state turned into the biggest development site on the planet. Projects of astounding proportions were underway.
Yet all this has come crashing down. At a time when there is talk in the West of the green shoots of recovery, is this once star player of the property market still barren ground?
In 2007 Bulgaria was the place to invest in land and property. The country was being touted as the new and exciting market, from being the new summer and winter holiday location, to the centre for Eastern European commerce. Property prices were cheap and the tourists were arriving in droves.
Korineum Golf and Country Club is at the moment the only 18 hole golf course in North Cyprus. Add to that the spectacular views which in themselves are enough to take your breath away even before you hit the first ball.