The Alila Villas Bintan resort will be constructed to strict Earthcheck environmental standards

Alila Hotels & Resorts is to open two new properties in Indonesia in 2014 – Alila Villas Bintan and Alila Seminyak in Bali. Ground breaking ceremonies have been held at both properties as work gets underway with both scheduled to launch in 2014.

Set in a beautiful hillside location on the idyllic Lagoi Bay on Pulau Bintan only 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore, Alila Villas Bintan will become the third addition to the Alila Villas brand, which has established itself as a leader in design and style at award-winning sister properties Alila Villas Soori and Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali.

Developed by Bukit Uluwatu Villa and designed by architectural firm WOHA, which gained international acclaim for the design of Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Villas Bintan will also be constructed to strict Earthcheck environmental standards, merging with the island’s natural landscape of palm fringed beaches, pristine forest, secluded coves and the South China sea.

The 14.4 hectare gated development will comprise 12, three-bedroom beachfront residences and a luxury boutique resort with 52, one- and two-bedroom guest villas and state-of-the-art resort facilities.

Key to the development will be ‘The Village’ an additional four-hectare hub for arts, culture, culinary and wellness activities for guests and visitors alike.

World class resorts

The resort pool at Alila Villas Bintan

Two- and three-bedroom villas at Alila Villas Bintan are now available for purchase from US$ 1,800,000. Attractive ownership options are also available including revenue sharing and the possibility to the sell the unit back to the developer at the original purchase price.

Alila Hotels & Resorts’ second project, Alila Seminyak, will become the fifth Alila managed property on the island, will be set in the hippest hub of Bali and is planned to be a prime beach frontage resort comprising of 72 suites, 69 residences, extensive events space, a Spa Alila and restaurants. The resort will be distinguished by its innovative design and architecture based on a rice paddy field concept, with green spaces dominating the interiors and exteriors to create both a natural and stylish oasis.

Mark Edleson, President of Alila Hotels & Resorts commented: “We are delighted to have made these first important steps in adding two new world-class resorts to our portfolio. Our growth is centred around finding interesting environments and cultures in which to sensitively develop properties that are in tune with the physical environments and both our expansion in Bali and first foray onto Bintan suit this perfectly.”

For further information visit http://www.alilavillasbintan.com and www.alilahotels.com

Lifestyle Collection

The exterior of a two bedroom property at Alila Villas Bintan

Alila Hotels and Resorts offer stylish, relaxing environments with different lifestyle concepts and guest experiences that are continuously redefined by the latest developments in design and living. The name Alila is derived from Sanskrit meaning ‘surprise’.

Alila Villas represent Alila’s new generation of luxurious yet sustainable developments in some of the most spectacular locations offering an unprecedented level of private space, design and architecture, personalised hospitality and destination experiences that set it apart.

Designed by award-winning teams of architects, interior designers and artisans, an Alila Villas project is the only brand that is designed, built and operated to Earth Check standards – integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of its environment.

Currently, Alila is continuing to develop new hotels and resorts in China, India, Indonesia, Indochina, Oman, Vietnam and Portugal.

Travellers should make sure they have plenty of time to apply for visas when they are journeying outside the EU

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), the long-stay airport parking specialist, is helping UK holidaymakers plan ahead by compiling a comprehensive guide highlighting the requirements and costs of tourist visas for the major holiday destinations outside the EU. The research is available in the Know Before You Go section of the website at www.aph.com/visaregulations.

It compares visa regulations for UK nationals, including how to apply, the cost to process the application and the period of cover for the visa. The table also details how long travellers will have to wait for documents and visas to be processed, thereby helping travellers plan how far in advance visas should be applied for.

Of the 18 countries featured in the research, nine were found to require visitors to obtain a visa (or the necessary documents such as the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, ESTA) before travelling to destinations including Australia, Cambodia, China, Russia and Turkey. Countries such as Kenya and Mauritius, however, allow visitors to obtain visas upon entry into the country.

With regards to the processing of visas, holidaymakers looking to travel to Russia, Australia, China will need to plan far in advance with the processing time taking up to 10 working days, 14 working days and one month accordingly.

Not many of the destinations were found to offer online applications which enable travellers to complete and receive confirmation almost immediately. Cambodia and the USA are the only two countries allowing online submissions.

For Single Entry Visas valid for under 30 days, there is no cost when travelling to Madagascar and Thailand but a charge of £20 when travelling to Nepal.

The cost of visas was found to vary greatly, with Cambodia charging £13 for the E-Visa when purchased with a credit card and Australia offering the eVisitor visa for free. When travelling to China, the Single Entry Tourist Visa and Multiple Entry Tourist Visa cost £30 and £150 but for the same visas to Egypt, travellers will pay £15 and £18.

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK’s award-winning airport parking operator and booking agency. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. Furthermore, APH is also a carbon-balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit: www.aph.com

Jabbakam keeps an eye on your home when you're not there

This is a concern for many of those who own a home abroad. It’s a quick way to lose friends if you’re forever asking them to pop in every other day to check on the security of your new home. Until recently, homeowners would have to wait until they got off the plane and opened their front door to find out how things really were.

It was when James Wickes woke up at 4am to find four men trying to break into his house that things started to change. He looked into the CCTV market, thought it was expensive, complicated and technologically past it and he invented something that wasn’t.

If you want to make sure your home’s safe and secure while you’re away or simply playing a round of golf, a Jabbakam can act as your eyes and ears. It’s a simple plug and play IP security camera, which works hand-in-hand with a social networking site, much like Facebook.

This may be his first, and last, screen appearance

• Jabbakam is an online system, much like Facebook, for managing camera networks – a social network for community safety and a natural progression from neighbourhood watch.
• Jabbakam allows users to view recorded footage remotely, on Internet-connected PCs, laptops, smartphones or PDAs, with a secure platform that ensures only authorised network members can view the footage they have been given permission to view.
• Community-installed cameras aren’t as though Big Brother and the State are watching you. Rather, it’s the community itself making the environment safe by deterring unwanted activity.
• The uses for Jabbakam are endless. Imagine you set up a network for your exotic car lovers group on Facebook. You could organise a ‘follow the sun’ security watch on your, and other people’s cars, which would be entirely run over the Internet. A guy in Mumbai could watch things for you during the night, and you could do the same for someone else in Michigan during the day.

Jabbakam has a wide range of uses but above all, it’s one piece of technology that really gives you peace of mind.

To find out more go to www.jabbakam.com. The unit costs £59.95

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The Main Stage at A Place in the Sun Live is the heart of the exhibition, with interviews and top tips from television presenters Amanda, Jasmine and Jonnie as well as other experts from the world of overseas property on buying your home abroad.

The Buying Advice Seminar Theatre brings together developers, agents, consuls and lawyers in panel Q&A sessions, so is the place to go armed with your questions about buying abroad. There’s a packed schedule of sessions throughout each day, covering different countries and topics to help you make the most out of your property overseas.

There are also series of country-themed villages and pavilion areas within the show with dedicated seminar theatres, where you can get specific advice on the most popular destinations to buy a property abroad.

The French Village in association with the experts on France, French-Property.com and sponsored by Halo Financial has its own dedicated seminar theatre and is surrounded by agents selling property from all four corners of France. Plus there are experts on tax, healthcare and all the other important topics you need your questions answered on before buying a property in France.

The Portuguese Pavilion in association with the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce will showcase properties from the Algarve, Silver and Green Coasts. The Pavilion is hosted by bilingual Portuguese property owner Christina Hippisley, who will be joined by other experts from the Portuguese property industry, who can answer all your questions about what its like to buy a property and live in Portugal.

The Florida Pavilion at A Place in the Sun Live is a dedicated area featuring hundreds of properties for sale from both coasts of Florida and features its very own dedicated seminar theatre. There will be a collection of licensed realtors along with experts that can advise you on rentals, currency and legal issues.

The Italian Pavilion in association with the Italian Chamber of Commerce visits our Earls Court show for the first time and is home to a selection of agents and developers from across Italy. There will be a dedicated seminar theatre with sessions from experts on the property market in Italy, where you can learn about everything from the buying process to the intricacies of the Italian tax system. Come prepared with your questions to make the most of your day.

Click here to get your free tickets worth £12 each:

 http://www.aplaceinthesun.com/etickets/homesandtravel.html

You may have as many free tickets as you like, but you must complete and print a ticket for each person.

Azuri will become a truly Mauritian, ocean front village

Azuri is a development project in Mauritius which is under the umbrella of Haute Rive Holdings Ltd. This is a joint venture between the Indian Ocean Real Estate Company (IOREC) and Flacq United Estates (FUEL).

Azuri offers potential purchasers the opportunity to invest in Mauritian property at a price that has not previously been possible, by offering investment at the earliest stage. At present, Azuri is a masterplan for a 420 acre site providing a luxurious ocean front setting, forest and agricultural land only 25 kilometres from the capitol Port Louis.

The Vision

The masterplan for Azuri took nearly two years to prepare and will create a truly Mauritian, ocean front village. The developers have sought to create a new village providing education, hospitality, leisure and commercial facilities built around luxury residences. Azuri aims to be an evolving community of both year-round residents and seasonal guest. Azuri is not just a holiday destination but also a place to call home and will provide the ultimate experience for anyone in search of a better way of living.

IRS residential

An initial community of 169 foreign ownership qualified townhouses, penthouses and apartments in landscaped grounds, with basement car parking, moorings, club memberships and swimming pools, together with access to a wide variety of leisure activities both on and off site.

Local residential

Local Mauritians will benefit from a mixture of 100 townhouses and apartment units, clustered around communal garden areas, with dedicated car parking and boat mooring facilities.

The Centara Grand Azuri Resort and Spa

An 85 bedroom five star boutique hotel in the heart of the new ocean front village will provide the perfect place for visitors to stay. In addition, it will create jobs for local people.

Education

The interior of an apartment at Azuri

The Azuri village is not just a place for a holiday. It is also a place to live. A new international school will be established on the site to provide first class primary and secondary educational facilities to residents. The Azuri team is currently working with a variety of top Boarding Schools in the United Kingdom to transform Azuri into the most desirable area for education in both Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region.

Retail & restaurant

The island has recently become duty-free and the government plans to transform the island into a magnet for shoppers. The first phase of the scheme will provide essential amenities that will include new retail, restaurants and cafés to support residents and visitors.

Marine and leisure activities

In respect to the marine environment, there are to be six distinctive environments within 500 metres of the site, comprising the river area above the weir, the river estuary, the beach front, a protected lagoon and the areas inside and outside the reef. The site benefits from the island’s flora and fauna, creating a diverse environment for people both young and old to enjoy. Leisure activities will range from a relaxing picnic, a game of pétanque or scenic hiking to high-octane sports such as horse riding, mountain biking, “Go Aping” and quad biking.

Improved infrastructure

All residents will receive resort membership packages to the world renowned Le Touessrok Hotel’s international championship golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer, and voted one of the top 10 courses in the world by ‘Golf Magazine’

The north of Mauritius benefits from a modern road network unlike the area to the south of Port Louis. As such, journey times are far quicker and offer easy access to the extensive range of facilities and activities in the north and east of the island. Port Louis, the hub for business and commerce on the island, can be reached in only 35 minutes.

Automatic Mauritian residency

Buyers will receive automatic Mauritian residency by acquiring a property under an Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS). Launched in 2002 to allow foreigners to own property in Mauritius, the IRS properties must form part of an approved development, built to international standards, with world-class amenities and facilities. The acquisition of a property for residential purposes by a foreigner under the IRS rules, allows the purchaser, and his/her dependent family, to reside in Mauritius for as long as they retain ownership. To qualify buyers must acquire freehold property off-plan or during the construction phase with a minimum investment of USD 500,000.

A unique investment

Despite Mauritius having nearly 200 kilometres of coastline, only a very small percentage remains as freehold and Azuri is one of a few locations in Mauritius where freehold property can be acquired. Foreign buyers will be able to invest in IRS properties at a price that is significantly below the average price for other IRS properties on the island. They will be able to become a Mauritian resident a price that is more affordable, with prices at Azuri staring from USD 500,000 to USD 800,000 compared to an average price for other IRS properties on the island of around USD 1.6 million.

Strong economy and tax haven

Strong economic growth has rapidly increased average incomes and Mauritius now has the sixth highest GDP per capita in Africa

With a population of around 1.25 million, Mauritius is a serene tropical island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. Once under British rule, the island’s official language is English. Since its independence in 1968, Mauritius has evolved into a safe, politically stable nation, governed under democracy. Over the years Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally-based economy to a middle-income economy which has diversified to incorporate thriving industrial, financial, and tourism sectors.

Mauritius has achieved successful social-economic development by adopting an approach to economic liberalism that includes poorer sections of society. The approach includes programmes such as the IRS, which provide affordable housing and employment opportunities for local people. The island has many tax benefits. There is no capital gains tax, inheritance tax or wealth tax and the island has benefited in recent years by becoming completely duty-free, paving the way for the island’s transformation into a shopping Mecca.

Investors only have to pay a modest 15 percent on chargeable income when letting properties and a land transfer tax of USD 50,000 when selling. Mauritius has also become a popular country through which to invest into India due to the capital gains tax shelter on the divestment of equity in Indian companies by Mauritian residents (article 13 of the India-Mauritius Tax Treaty).

To enquire about buying an IRS property at Azuri, contact Hamptons International at  http://www.azuri.mu/.

Commented Louise Reynolds of Property Venture®, ”As the only country in the European Union not to go into recession, when all the others did, Poland represents a safe-haven economy, which is politically stable and has a buoyant property market. So much so, that even China is investing in the country, with the leading firm in printing cylinders, Shanxi Yuncheng Plate Making Group, building premises there”.

Low labour costs and proximity to important markets are making Central and Eastern Europe an attractive manufacturing destination and Poland is key to this. In the major cities, English is widely spoken and there is a highly skilled workforce in the main conurbations working in white-collar industries, like IT, Accountancy and Law. Likewise, the building industry is in demand as the country gears up for the UEFA 2012 Football Championships and is building stadia and improving the infrastructure.

Krakow Brewery conversion

Property prices have appreciated in stronger European countries like Poland, whose economic growth stands at 8.1%. Continued inward investment and international employers seeking to bring subsidiaries to Poland, recruiting more people in city centres and special economic zones, like Krakow and Łodz, creates rising demand for property. Property prices grew by over 8% in 2010 at a time when the UK was barely averaging 1% property price appreciation.

Poland is expecting GDP growth of over 3.5% in 2011. Property investors, seeking capital growth and promising rental prospects should think about Poland. Currently a city-centre development in Krakow offering pre-sale prices, offers yields of 8% and solid capital growth. Prices start at £64,000 for a 1-bed apartment.

“It is not your traditional second holiday home destination, but makes a great choice for an investment property. One of the main city centres such as Warsaw or Krakow, has a great deal to offer. Krakow, for example, is very popular as a city centre break, given all its historic connections.

“There is a complex property story within the European continent and within each country. So Europe is not an entirely low-growth property zone,” concludes Reynolds.

For more information contact Property Venture® at: http://www.property-venture.com

Local markets are a great way of getting to know a new country

Relocating overseas is an exciting experience, yet the flurry of preparation beforehand can overshadow one crucial consideration – how to give your relocation the best chance of succeeding. While there is no way of guaranteeing its success, there are steps you can take to give yourself the best possible start. Kimberley Millhouse, Senior Move Manager at Crown Relocations, has put together some practical tips.

Before you go…

Research

Time is a luxury that many people don’t have in abundance when it comes to relocating, but the more time you can put aside to do some research, the better. While the thought might be off-putting, it will pay dividends later on and help you to avoid mistakes.

Consider what you would set-up if you moved house in the UK, such as a phone line, utilities and council tax, and find out what information you will be required to provide in order to do this in your new location.

Finding local places of interest

Locating places in advance that you will need to visit once you have arrived, such as a supermarket, can be a great time and stress saver. It would be worthwhile marking them on a map so that you can find your way around when you’re out and about. Crucially, it also means you won’t need to rely on the Internet when you arrive. After all, it could take some time to organise phone lines and Internet access for your new home.

This is also a useful way to help you establish elements of your current lifestyle that you wish to continue, such as going to a gym, cinema or restaurants. Doing the activities that you are used to will help you to avoid feeling homesick. If you do find yourself feeling down or disappointed about the relocation, try to be realistic about the issues you are facing and don’t stay at home. Find places you enjoy and establish routines that will work for you.

Learn about your new country

Don't be afraid to try new food and drink

It is perfectly natural to experience culture shock when you arrive so it can be very beneficial to prepare yourself for those differences. You may think that some countries have similar cultures to the UK, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel the effects of culture shock. No matter how alike the countries are, it can often help to take part in an inter-cultural training course to get a true understanding of the new culture.

The more you know about your new surroundings the better placed you will be to connect with local people and understand the way the country is governed. If you can, visiting your new location before you move will also help you to know what to expect.

Explore every opportunity for employment

Whether you’re relocating on your own or with your family, arranging a job from afar can be tricky, but don’t give up hope. The benefits of a stable job are clear. If you are employed in your new location, you will become accustomed to the local area much more quickly. Working will help you to establish a degree of routine and will build upon your personal contacts. Try to keep focused on what you would like to do.

Finding the perfect pad

You will feel more settled if you have somewhere to call your own, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy a house – certainly not immediately. If you’re relocating on your own and don’t like the thought of renting a property by yourself, look on websites for potential house shares.

Remember to take into account the local area when choosing your new home. Making sure you pick somewhere that has easy access to your job, suitable schools and the local amenities will allow you to familiarise yourself with the area more quickly and get used to your surroundings.

Secure school places

Do try and learn the language!

Routines can be very important for children so attending school shortly after you arrive can help both you and your children to establish a routine and settle in. By arranging a school for your child before the relocation, you will avoid a last minute panic to find somewhere suitable when you arrive.

If you have time to visit schools in the area, you will have a chance to explore the facilities, meet the teachers and get a feel for what kind of school you want your child to attend.

Once you have arrived…

Explore

Once you are over the jet lag, you will undoubtedly be excited and full of enthusiasm about your new destination. You really should harness this energy as much as possible – now is the time to get your map out and explore the local area. This will immediately give you a sense of where you are, which will help to build your feelings of comfort and familiarity.

Don’t let distance keep you apart

Keeping in touch with loved ones can help to reduce the feeling of homesickness which is crucial when you first relocate. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of low cost, quick and user-friendly ways to maintain contact.

The Internet is a great way of keeping the cost of staying in touch down. Software such as Skype allows you to phone people through the Internet so you can make free calls for as long as you like and, if they have a webcam, you will be able to see whoever you’re talking to.

Social networking websites such as Facebook allow you to share photos, have live chats and catch up on what is happening back home. Make sure you keep your profile up-to-date so your loved ones back home can see what you are up to and in turn, keep you posted on the latest from them.

Join expat groups

Simply put, there is nothing quite like research to set your relocation in the right direction

Investigate local expat groups and, when you arrive, make an effort to join as many as possible. The members of these groups can be a vital source of encouragement, practical assistance and information to help you settle in.

Expat groups can also be a great way to build your support network and make friends, which can be particularly important if you are in a country with a different first language to your own. Expats will be able to help you practice the language, as well as learn the local culture. What’s more, you can use their experiences of local services, from dentists to tap classes, to find out the best places to use.

Remember – they have been through the same process as you and will therefore know and understand what you are going through, as well as the needs you might have. Don’t be shy about asking for help.

Make it work for you

Seek as much assistance as you can to help to ease the burden and get your friends and family involved in the process – they will be more than happy to help you get the best start you can.

For more ideas about what you should think about for your relocation, head to www.moveoverseas.co.uk/mymove for an interactive planner and get started on that to-do list.

Aires Pollensa apartments, just minutes from the beach. Thanks to the motorway from the island capital, Palma de Mallorca, the properties are around 30 minutes driving time from the airport

The capital city of Spain, Madrid, may be well known for its searing summer heat but this year’s hottest Spanish destination, in terms of property that is, could well be the Balearic island of Mallorca, according to Taylor Wimpey de España.

Ignacio Osle, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey de España, explains: “Over the last 12 months we have seen both visitor numbers and enquiries for property on Mallorca rise steadily. Buyers from the UK and Europe are not only looking at the traditional property hotspots on the mainland but further afield to Spain’s stunning islands such as Mallorca.”

Leading Spanish cities

And it’s not hard to see why this charming Mediterranean island is so popular. Mallorca offers something for everyone from amazing sandy beaches to stunning scenery, idyllic coves to traditional architecture and a wide range of sports and leisure activities.

Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, has also recently been voted one of the five leading Spanish cities for travel and tourism in 2010 by Exceltur.

Over 21 million passengers pass through Son San Joan airport at Palma de Mallorca every year, making it Spain’s third busiest airport and in summer, the busiest. In response to demand from the public, numerous airlines have increased frequency and started new routes to the island making accessibility even easier.

Taylor Wimpey de España are launching two new residential developments, Aires de Pollensa and a new phase at Los Altos del Golf in Andratx

Eastern Airways will be launching new weekly direct flights from London Oxford Airport to Palma this June, easyJet is now operating a new flight from Manchester, tickets are on sale with Jet2.com from Glasgow to Palma and budget airline Ryanair will commence routes from Birmingham to the island this summer as well as a new national route from its base in Alicante.

In addition to passengers coming to the island by air, Mallorca is also seeing significant numbers of visitor arrivals by sea with Palma receiving over 500 cruise ships last year, carrying some 1.3 million passengers. Docking in Palma has become so popular in fact that a designated berth is under construction at a cost of some 28 million euros by the Port Authority in the Poniente docks to accommodate up to five of the larger vessels.

The Balearic property market remains robust with a 145% increase in property sales in 2010 compared to 2009 recorded by the Public Works Ministry and Mallorca itself has the second highest average asking price in Spain at €428,300 according to the latest Kyero.com Spanish House Price Index (Q1 2011).

Interest is already high

Asking prices however have fallen over the last 24 months as the market has realigned and affordable properties are available. Taylor Wimpey de España, for example, are launching two superb new residential developments, Aires de Pollensa, just minutes from Pollensa beach in the north of the island and in respond to client demand, a new phase at Los Altos del Golf in Andratx, in the south west.

Both developments offer a very high standard of build, with spacious 2-bedroom apartments at Aires de Pollensa available from €260,000 and large detached 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom properties in one of Mallorca’s most exclusive areas at Los Altos del Golf available from €505,000.

Just launched to the market, interest in these developments is already high. For more information, contact Taylor Wimpey de España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you live outside the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

The attractive area of Mazarron is popular with both Spanish holidaymakers and foreigners

In an official function on Friday 25 March, the masterplan for the first Paramount Pictures-branded Theme Park in Europe was unveiled. Attended by the Executive Vice President for Licensing at Paramount Pictures Michael Bartok, President of the Region of Murcia Ramón Luis Valcárcel and President for Murcia’s Flagship Projects Jesus Samper, the ceremony revealed 2015 as the expected opening date for the hugely significant project.

Destined for a 158-hectare site on the Mazarron/Alhama de Murcia border some 15 minutes from the beach and marina resort of Puerto de Mazarron, this major investment will be zoned into different thematic areas inspired by the likes of Star Trek, Titanic and Mission Impossible, plus a much larger ‘Lifestyle Centre’ with no less than two five-star hotels, three of four-star status and several more three-star resorts. Also announced were themed shopping malls, restaurants, bars and clubs, a conference centre with the largest meeting room capacity in Murcia – over 3,000 seats – and an open-air auditorium to host 15,000 people.

Chris Mercer, Director of Murcia-based Mercers headquartered in Mazarron, comments: “It’s a huge privilege for the region to be the recipient of a landmark Theme Park in the local area that will rival Disneyland Paris and attract millions of visitors each year. It’s also highly encouraging to follow the progress that has been made on the masterplan in terms of design, investment and timescales. Samper estimated on Friday that the project would directly create 10,000 construction jobs and upon opening, many more.

“Undoubtedly Paramount will have a positive effect locally – not least on the property market and house values. We have been through some hard times but Paramount’s confidence and faith proves that the lure and attraction of Spain will prevail.”

Mercer continued: “During the construction phase, which we now know is four years plus, there will not be any momentous shift in house prices – especially as Spain as a whole continues to undergo a tough correction process. However, I also think it’s fairly safe to say that prices will not fall further in this area and, for those waiting to invest on the sidelines, my advice is simply not to wait any longer.

“Prices will inevitably start to rise as this project gets off the ground and, rather like those fortunate enough to purchase holiday rental property close to Florida’s Disney World, the Camposol Golf development will directly benefit from having a leisure attraction of this stature quite literally on the doorstep – though comfortingly not on-site.”

The Fortuna property comes complete with its own pool

Indeed Executive Vice President Michael Bartok reiterated that Spain was ‘key’ to his company and highlighted Murcia’s 300 sunny days each year as a major bonus. Meanwhile President of the Region of Murcia Ramón Luis Valcárcel stated that he felt that in times of crisis what you cannot do is ‘stand still’ and: “While the road is tough, the outcome is sure.” It is reported that Flagship Projects and Paramount Pictures have signed the license agreement for 30 years – renewable for an unspecified period.

On the market locally are:

Fortuna, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia

60m² two-bedroom, one-bathroom property on a substantial 350m² plot complete with private seven metre by three metre swimming pool. The home has a considerable underbuild suitable for extra living space or a workshop area that opens on to the garden filled with many varieties of fruit trees. The property itself is fully furnished and has a conservatory, gazebo, private rooftop solarium, grills on all windows and doors, fireplace, ceiling fans and a roller driveway gate.

Price 94,995 euros (approx 83,457 GBP)

Neptuno-style villa is a well-maintained three-bedroom detached property of 86m² set on a plot of 290m² that has been modernised and redecorated

Neptuno, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia

Well-maintained three-bedroom detached Neptuno-style villa of 86m² set on a plot of 290m² that has been modernised and redecorated by the current owners. The ground floor has two-bedrooms, one en-suite, plus a further shower room, alongside a lounge with fireplace and kitchen fitted with white goods. Upstairs the third-bedroom is also en-suite and has air-conditioning as well as French doors leading to the rooftop solarium with impressive mountain views. The villa is sold with furniture to include a large flatscreen TV connected to satellite channels. The garden is lovingly cared for and has both off-road parking and a swimming pool.

Price 159,000 euros (approx 139,689 GBP)

Contact Mercers Costa Cálida on 00 34 968 199 188, UK Local Rate 0845 017 7805, email sales@spanishproperty.co.uk or visit www.spanishproperty.co.uk.

Follow some simple guidelines and you can buy your ideal home abroad successfully

Spending money on overseas property, whether as a business investment or as an individual looking for a home abroad, involves the same guidelines. Ensuring you invest your money in property successfully means gathering as much knowledge of the subject as possible. Research is vital and there are some very simple guidelines that need to be followed, what and wherever you are buying.

The reality is that if you follow these guidelines you should come out ahead of the game. It’s inevitable that there are times when the unforeseen happens and the only thing to do then is to ride out the storm but, if you’ve bought your property correctly, you should come out in good shape when things improve.

Certainly there are hotspots in buying bricks and mortar. The first countries that attracted investment some 50 years were: Spain, Portugal, France and Italy and they are still among the market leaders. Then Florida came on stream but it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that interest turned to other areas.

Since 2000, investors have looked at destinations as far apart as Berlin and the Cape Verde Islands while today, there’s a great deal of interest among property investors and individual buyers in Argentina Turkey, Brazil and Thailand.

Guidelines for buying a home abroad:

• Wherever you are planning to look for a property, drill down from country to region to local area. Take time, do your research, don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Where you choose should be affected by accessibility. You should take into account the location of airports, motorways, ferries and rail networks.
• When you’ve identified your ideal country and region, go there. It’s all very well to do your research on the Internet but don’t even consider buying without visiting the area at least once. Nothing beats getting your feet on the ground. If you are looking for an individual property, you’ll really need to  consider what you want – a home in a city, an apartment, a house, in the country, ski slopes, the beach or town with land or garden, with swimming pool?
• Don’t make hasty decisions. Make your own mind up. Be hard nosed about the process. Do your homework.
• When you’ve identified the area, begin visiting towns, villages and developments. Make sure you include in your research: property exhibitions, magazines, go online and begin talking to local agents. Do not buy anything without seeing it – that may sound simplistic but it’s amazing how many people have bought sight unseen (or site unseen) and regretted it later.
• Involve your family in the search. If you’ve decided to move permanently, begin to calculate what you’ll need to take, what to sell and if you’ve got kids, what you’ll do about finding schools.
• Once you’ve found your ideal property, you’ll need to identify legal and financial advisors. Above all, they must be totally independent of the estate agent, the developer or the vendor and dedicated only to you. Otherwise, you could find yourself with major problems.
• Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions such as: are there any debts attached to the property? In some countries, the debts remain with the property and the last thing you’ll want is to inherit them. Do make sure your lawyer checks that the property has clear title.
• Don’t forget to take into account all the additional costs. These range from legal and Notary fees to local taxes, national taxes, the costs of removals, buying new furnishings and health insurance.
• Finally, don’t neglect to think about your exit strategy. At least consider the possibility that you could want to sell at some point in the future. How would you do it, who would your potential purchasers be and how would you market the property?