New ski apartments for sale in a residence de tourisme described by developer MGM as ‘state-of-the-art in terms of sustainability and fuel economy’ are to be built at Flaine in Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps.

MGM, which has signed-up to the principles of HQE (Haute Qualité Environmental) – the international construction industry’s high environmental quality standard which aims to integrate the principles of sustainable development defined at the 1992 Earth Summit – sees its latest new development at Flaine as the next significant step in its commitment to reduce energy consumption.

“This development is tipped to become a showcase of eco-friendly development and it will set the pace for future new developments by MGM,” says the company’s London-based sales consultant Richard Deans.

Le Centaure was designed by one of France’s leading architects, Christian Hauvette of Paris

Le Centaure will comprise 66 apartments ranging in size from 27 square metre studios to 75 square metre three-bedroom duplexes. They include apartments specially adapted for use by disabled occupiers. Features of these apartments include larger floor areas in all rooms, especially the bathrooms and toilets which will have hand rails to assist.

The Residence will incorporate an indoor swimming pool with floor-to-ceiling glazing to give dramatic views of a nearby mountain waterfall, as well as a sauna, Jacuzzi, steam and fitness rooms. A spa and beauty centre will have a variety of massages and body treatments on offer.

When it opens for business at the end of 2011, Le Centaure will be just 50 metres from the cable car lift to Les Grandes-Platières which boasts panoramic views of Mont Blanc at the start of the Cascades blue run down to Sixt-Fer à Cheval. At 14 km, this is one of the longest ski runs in the world, forming part of the 265 km network of pistes within the Grand Massif ski area.

Flaine, a 75-minute drive from Geneva Airport, is popular both for the ski season – with additional activities like ice driving on offer – and the summer where mountain bike rides and walks start on the doorstep.

Off-plan prices of the properties at Le Centaure start at €159,000 for a studio, rising to €426,000 for a three-bedroom duplex apartment.  The prices, which include parking, cellar storage and a ski locker, exclude VAT waived under the leaseback scheme.

Eco details of the Le Centaure development

For 20 years the firm has insulated the external walls of the homes it builds – despite the fact that, in France, this was not a legal requirement until 2007. The levels of both thermal and acoustic insulation installed by MGM exceed the standards demanded by French building standards.

Le Centaure has been planned so that the majority of the apartments are south-facing to maximise the use of natural light through glass-fronted balconies and big double-glazed windows.

Among other energy saving features are:

• lighting activated by movement detectors, switching off automatically when no-one is around
• low-energy light bulbs in communal areas
• geothermal heat pumps to extract and use energy which occurs naturally underground
• low-cost under-floor heating
• flow regulators on all taps.

During construction of Le Centaure, MGM will reduce the carbon emissions caused by transporting workers and materials to the site by engaging local contractors and sourcing local building materials like stone and timber from nearby quarries and sustainable forests.

All the building materials to be used have been closely scrutinised by energy-saving experts at MGM. Eco-friendly paint will be used on the external walls and the company has opted for timber window frames. This is because, while recognising that aluminium ones can be recycled in the longer term, the manufacturing process uses up to 1,000 times more energy than that for timber frames. During the construction process all waste materials will be carefully sorted on site and sent for recycling.

For more information about the properties available, call MGM’s UK office on 0207 4940706 or visit the website www.mgm-constructeur.com

CARIBBEAN

Old Bahama Bay

Barefoot elegance is to be found at Old Bahama Bay on Grand Bahama Island, in the heart of a thriving waterfront resort community. Extraordinary beaches, beautiful water and excellent fishing abound and Old Bahama Bay is a great getaway for tranquillity, relaxation and pampering. The resort also offers a full-service and official port-of-entry marina to Grand Bahama as well as a helipad with charter service available from Florida and state-of-the-art facilities.

Stunning oceanfront home-sites and beachfront condominiums are available from £300,000. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Bacolet Bay Resort & Spa, Grenada, Caribbean Bacolet Bay is a low density resort comprising villas and hotel cottages spread across 41 acres of tropical gardens on one of the less developed islands of the Caribbean, Grenada. Experience International offer one bedroom, separate dressing room, bathroom, plunge pool with waterfall feature and shaded terrace priced from £321,724. For more information on the four units remaining contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

PORTUGAL

Monte Rei

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, Eastern Algarve is a range of luxury apartments, large villas and plots of land available for development within this luxury development based around two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses.

Prices start at €995,000/ £894,300 to €1,830,000/ £1,644,564 and for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

This is a unique chance to be the first to view leading Indian developments

Hamptons International, one of the UK’s premier international residential agents, will be hosting an exclusive property event: ‘The India Property Show’ from 31st October – 1st November (10am-6pm) at its head office – 32 Grosvenor Square, London W1.

The property event will uncover some of the fantastic developments currently available for sale in India

Commonwealth Village

and will provide customers with the very latest information on India as well as the chance to discuss investment opportunities first hand with Hamptons International’s leading property experts.

Working in partnership with market-leading developers across India including – Emaar MGF, Spire Edge, AIPL, ANR Infrastructure, Santa Fe Realty, Ace Projects, Godrej and Wadhawa – the Hamptons International ‘India Property Show’ will showcase the very best and latest property available.

Many of the properties have not yet been released to market – so the event will offer visitors the chance to be one of the first to preview them.

Rob Bruce, Research Manager – Hamptons International comments “India offers a very exciting opportunity to buy into the new economic powerhouse and the fourth largest economy in the world with GDP accelerating year on year. Forecast growth in the Indian economy and the recovery of Indian real estate are driving rental yields equal to those in London, with average yields as high as 4.7% for New Delhi and Mumbai apartments.”

Dean Foley, International Sales Manager – Hamptons International, comments, “India has always been a major market for Hamptons International, given the UK’s long and close ties with this incredible country. We have certainly seen, over the last few months, an up-turn in the amount of transactions completing by our UK NRI clients due in part to long-term growth plans and affordable real estate. We anticipate this interest to go from strength to strength over the coming months and years.”

To register your interest for this exclusive event please contact Hamptons International on +44 (0) 20 3179 9900

The Cotton Bay Marina & Golf Resort – Sal, Cape Verde

Cotton Bay pool and villa

Luxury beachfront 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments and duplexes and 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom villas in Sal, Cape Verde in a stunning eco-complex boasting swimming pools, a green park and sports complex.

Prices for apartments start at £93,658/ €99,843 and villas start at £447,060/€476,584. For more information contact Experience International free on +44 (0)207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

Sierra Nabq, Sharm El Sheikh

Situated in an area of great historical interest and natural beauty this resort will attract buyers looking

Sierra Nabq

for sun or adventure. Sierra Nabq Resort is available as one, two and three bedroom apartments all overlooking pools and many offering a roof terrace or a private garden area. This complex benefits from ten swimming pools and is close to a hypermarket and shopping mall.

Property prices start from only 360,000 EGP (£40,380 Euro 44,050 approx.) to 800,000 EGP (£89,740 Euro 97,890 approx.) For more information on this first-class property contact Experience International free on +44 (0)207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com

Fijnbosch Estate, St Francis, South Africa

Luxurious 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom properties situated on the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in an exclusive gated community. Prices range from £142,680/€178,677 to £227,220/€284,500 and for more information please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Samanah Country Club, Marrakech

Samanah Country Club 2

Just 8km from Marrakech International Airport, Samanah Country Club includes a Jack Nicklaus-designed private 18-hole golf course and a range of 3- to 6-bedroom villas and riads, traditionally designed. Prices start from £284,554/ €357,000 to £1,723,674/ €2,162,000 and for more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Azulara, Funchal, Madeira

Azulara Resort comprises of 112 imaginatively designed apartments finished to the highest standards with enviable panoramic sea views. The 5-star resort affords all the luxury amenities Experience International clients would expect including a spa, gymnasium, swimming pools and exclusive Members Club.

This is a fresh opportunity to invest in the up-and-coming European market of Madeira. The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments range in price from €251,530 – €429,038.

For more information contact Experience International on 020 7321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com

Amendoeira Golf Resort, Alcantarilha, Algarve

Amendoeira Golf Resort

Two and three bed apartments and three, four or five bed villas set on the Amendoeira Golf Resort in Silves, against the magnificent Monchique Mountains. The resort boasts two golf courses, one of Nick Faldo design, and excellent facilities. Prices from €450,000/£426,294 to €1,800,000/£1,705,178. For more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bw-international.com

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Sixteen per cent of British expatriates are currently residing in France, followed by Spain at 10%. The most popular overseas destination for people to move to outside of Europe was the USA at eight per cent, followed by Australia at four per cent.

Most Popular Overseas Destinations Amongst British Expatriates

British Expatriates Living In France

Almost two thirds (67%) of British expatriates living in France are over the age of 55. One third (32%) were aged between 55 and 64 years of age.

Age of British Expatriates Living In France

Britons Buying Property In USA

Of those British expatriates living in the USA, half (50%) were aged between 45 and 64

Age of British Expatriates Living In USA

James Gairdner, marketing and product director at Halifax International, said: “European countries are popular among British expatriates living abroad, with France topping the polls, followed by Spain.

“Living, working or retiring abroad can mean a whole set of lifestyle changes, including an impact upon your financial affairs. Expatriates have different financial requirements and when moving abroad it is important to have the right products and services in place.”

Halifax International provides simple offshore savings to British expatriates through Internet and telephone banking services. The savings accounts are available in sterling, euros or US dollars and are specifically designed to meet the needs of British expatriates who are resident abroad

Halifax International is part of the Lloyds Banking Group

For more information please visit www.halifax-international.com or call 01534 846555.

An assortment of property goodies

205 Promenade des Anglais, Nice

205 Promenade des Anglais, Nice

An incredibly spacious 1 bedroom apartment in a Bourgeoisie style building on the prestigious Promenade des Anglais, Nice. The property has a large terrace, kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and WC.

The asking price is €594,000. For more information please contact Agence 107 Promenade on 00 33 4 93 44 83 83, email contact@107promenade.com or visit www.107promenade.com.

Eden Villas and Apartments, Zambrone, Calabria, Italy

Eden Villas and Apartments, Calabria, Italy

This private gated community is located on the hill top overlooking Zambrone in one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline on the “Coast of the Gods”  and the dramatic scenery of the Aeolian island. 1 bedroom apartments start from £99,417 / €109,635 and two bedroom detached villas from £168,369 / €185,674. For more information please contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

Vila Sol Spa & Golf Resort, Algarve, Portugal

Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort, Portugal

Apartments and land plots for sale on the exclusive Villa Sol Spa & Golf Resort where the excellent facilities include a 27-hole Donald Steel designed golf course, 2 tennis courts, swimming pools, spa, 6 restaurants and 2 bars. Prices range from €240,000/ £188,628 to €1,137,000/ £893,784. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Basic precautions

Bad news stories tend to arise only when buyers fail to take the most basic precautions. For example, one of the most elementary mistakes that careless buyers tend to make is to fail to check whether the property is still carrying any debts left over from the previous owner.
These can come from a number of different sources but they’ll hang like the proverbial millstone around the property – and your neck – unless you are very careful. The last thing you want, having just moved in, is to find yourself paying off someone else’s debts because you failed to ask a few simple questions. Of course, many people will follow up that statement with, “How can I ask questions if I don’t speak the language?” and the simple answer to that is, “You should have an independent legal and/or financial representative and he or she ought to speak the language of the country in which you are buying.” Buying a freehold property outside the UK can be fun and a sound investment but it’s sensible to ensure you have a legal and financial safety net.

Developing markets

In the last decade we all heard stories about how cheap properties were in what were called developing markets. This caused such a stir that people I’ve known for years rang me and one in particular said, “Come on, you write about overseas property. Why have you been keeping this to yourself all these years? Which is the best place to buy and how do we go about it?”
The answer is that yes, partly as a result of the international financial crisis, you can now buy properties in loads of countries for what seem like knock down prices. On the other hand, an English solicitor who works in the overseas property industry commented to me a couple of years ago, “Some people simply go abroad, see property they like, don’t check to see if they can get a mortgage; whether the property has full title deeds that will show that they have bought it and whether the person who sold it to them had any right to do so.”
It’s a shame to sound like a wet blanket because of course you can buy a home in an ever-increasing range of countries and end up with something that you will enjoy for years to come. But the fact is, as I said, you might well be walking into a barrel load of problems unless you expend the time and trouble to go through the process in the same way that you would back in the UK.”

Unusual destinations

I was writing about properties for sale in unusual destinations such as Northern Cyprus, even India as far back as 12 or 15 years ago. In the late 1980s I was commenting on the new phenomenon of Australians and New Zealanders buying holiday homes in Europe and Europeans looking for properties Down Under. The truth is that I know of people who bought in some pretty out-of-the-way places at that time who are perfectly happy. Let’s face it, in the 1950s and early 1960s you could have said that Spain and Portugal were emerging markets.
All property is cyclical, and what has tumbled down in price in the last 12 months will, eventually go back. And then we’ll see a rush to grab bargains – yet again. The golden rule to remember is: wherever you buy, only do it if you can really afford it. Take advice and ask questions. And it might be wise to leave your credit cards at home when you go on holiday – your plastic might be a touch too flexible for your own good.