November 14, 2012
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) says it is concerned that some homeowners are being urged to take out a mortgage secured against their UK property to fund an investment in an overseas development.
The regulator has received reports that people ...
FSA warning on investment in overseas eco development
Permalink: FSA warning on investment in overseas eco development
by Gill Montia
October 31, 2011
Tax cheats who own overseas property are being targeted by a new team of investigators and specialists at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The 200-strong team began work this month, using assessment techniques to identify areas where wealthy individuals may be ...
HMRC gets to work on overseas properties
Permalink: HMRC gets to work on overseas properties
by Gill Montia
July 20, 2011
Spanish house prices registered a 6.6% year-on-year decline in June, compared with an annual fall of 5.9% in May.
According to the latest IMIE house price index from real estate valuation specialist, Tinsa, the cumulative decline now stands at ...
Spanish house prices down 22% on 2007 peak
Permalink: Spanish house prices down 22% on 2007 peak
by Gill Montia
May 19, 2011
New research from Aviva UK Health indicates that the British sense of humour, favourite TV shows and the nation's food and drink rank among the top 10 reason for not relocating overseas.
The findings come from ...
Brits reveal top ten reasons for not moving abroad
Permalink: Brits reveal top ten reasons for not moving abroad
by Gill Montia
September 16, 2010
Conti has reported that France is more popular than ever for Britons buying abroad.
According to the overseas mortgage specialist, the country has taken a 43% share of its mortgage enquiries so far this year, representing a 12% rise on ...
France more popular than ever Brits buying abroad
Permalink: France more popular than ever Brits buying abroad
by Gill Montia
August 9, 2010
Standard Life has identified the top retirement hotspots outside the UK, as follows: Spain, France, USA, Canada, Ireland.
However, the insurer reminds would-be ex-pats that their UK state pension may not rise once living abroad, meaning that 20 years down the ...
State pension alert on overseas retirement plans
Permalink: State pension alert on overseas retirement plans
by Gill Montia
July 29, 2010
The Capital Gains Tax hike and the start of the summer holiday season have had no real impact on interest in international property.
According to the latest Primelocation International Search Index, total searches for overseas property were down 7% in June but ...
Economic doldrums drive international property interest
Permalink: Economic doldrums drive international property interest
by Gill Montia
July 14, 2010
One third of all those considering buying property abroad are looking to emigrate permanently, according to recent research by Primelocation International.
In a survey of over 1,500 people, 33% said that a desire to relocate abroad permanently was behind ...
A third of overseas property searchers looking to emigrate
Permalink: A third of overseas property searchers looking to emigrate
by Gill Montia
June 29, 2010
Overseas mortgage specialist, Conti, is offering one of its lowest rates ever for properties in France, at 1.95%.
According to the firm, France has always been a safe haven for overseas buyers because of its relatively stable property market ...
Conti offers 1.95% euro mortgage on French properties
Permalink: Conti offers 1.95% euro mortgage on French properties
by Gill Montia
June 15, 2010
Searches for international property increased by 109% between May 2009 and May 2010, according to Primelocation.com.
Month-on-month searches were up 3%, with eight of the top-ten countries registering an increase in interest and Spain regaining the top spot from France.
The two ...
Interest in international property remains high
Permalink: Interest in international property remains high
by Gill Montia
June 10, 2010
Overseas mortgage specialist, Conti, is convinced that UK overseas property investors who took out euro-denominated mortgages earlier this year are already seeing the benefits.
Such a move would not only have allowed them to take advantage of cheap interest rates, but could ...
Euro mortgages entice overseas property investors
Permalink: Euro mortgages entice overseas property investors
by Gill Montia
June 1, 2010
Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have joined forces with Spanish bank, Caja Mediterraneo (CAM), to give Britons thinking of buying a property in Spain the opportunity to rent before they buy.
In addition, the scheme allows for rent to be discounted from the purchase price ...
Rent-before-you-buy offer for Spain
Permalink: Rent-before-you-buy offer for Spain
by Gill Montia
May 19, 2010
A new iPhone application has been launched by HomesGoFast.com, allowing iPhone users to find properties for sale in over 70 countries.
Claiming an industry first, the property portal says the app gives access to a database of 300,000 listings from international real estate agents, ...
HomesGoFast.com launches iPhone app
Permalink: HomesGoFast.com launches iPhone app
by Gill Montia
May 18, 2010
Searches for international property increased by 111% between April 2009 and 2010, according to Primelocation.com.
However, the property portal also reports that searches were down by 4% on March, with only three top-ten countries seeing a rise in interest.
A number of events, notably ...
International property investors maintain momentum
Permalink: International property investors maintain momentum
by Gill Montia
May 4, 2010
The dream of owning a property abroad remains high on the agenda for many Britons, according to Primelocation International.
The property portal has reported a 95% year-on-year rise in online searches, as confidence in the economic recovery strengthens.
Searches jumped 14% in March alone, with ...
Overseas property searches double
Permalink: Overseas property searches double
by Gill Montia
April 26, 2010
Nine out of ten British expatriates say moving overseas has given them a better quality of life.
According to research by NatWest International, a good life/work balance under-girds the sentiment, with 87% of respondents rating their personal balance in these ...
Expat lifestyle “sunnier in more ways than one”
Permalink: Expat lifestyle “sunnier in more ways than one”
by Gill Montia
Overseas property investors recover their passion
Permalink: Overseas property investors recover their passion
by Gill Montia
April 22, 2010
Knight Frank has published its latest Global House Price Index covering the final quarter of 2009.
According to the estate agent, almost half of the locations included saw growth last year; Asia Pacific led the way with prices increasing by 8%, on ...
Global house price recovery “somewhat shaky”
Permalink: Global house price recovery “somewhat shaky”
by Gill Montia
April 20, 2010
Spain saw a slight easing of the downward pressures on its housing market during the first three months of 2010.
According to the Spanish Housing Ministry, prices fell by an average 4.5% year-on-year, compared with an annual fall 6.2% in the final quarter ...
Spanish house price rout slows
Permalink: Spanish house price rout slows
by Gill Montia
April 8, 2010
Confidence is growing amongst prospective overseas property investors, with foreign mortgage specialist, Conti, reporting its busiest month for almost a year.
In March, the number of prospective buyers taking their mortgage quotes through to the application stage increased by 48%, compared with ...
Overseas property investors rush for mortgages
Permalink: Overseas property investors rush for mortgages
by Gill Montia
