Silvertree will be visually striking and wrapped with curved aluminum bands on two sides that will provide solar shading and electrical power from embedded photovoltaic panels and solar water heating.

STOP PRESS

Cross Thames cable car news drives ‘new Canary Wharf’

The announcement that constructor Mace has landed a £50.5m contract to build and operate a cable car across the Thames, from the O2 Arena in Greenwich to the Excel Centre in the Royal Docks, has further boosted the claims made for the Royal Docks as being a new Canary Wharf in the making.

The cable car is expected to be opened prior to the 2012 Olympic Games, whose main stadium is located within half a mile of the terminus at the Royal Docks. The cable car project is only one facet of the regeneration of the area. A new Crossrail Custom House station is being built, expansion plans for nearby London City Airport are underway, and a £30m Siemens Expo building is in development.

Silvertree, a landmark 24-storey ‘green’ apartment tower, is spearheading innovative residential development in the Royal Docks. Granted planning approval only last month, the £80m development will commence construction in summer 2011, and will be completed in late 2012.

Set on the waterfront overlooking the Royal Victoria Docks, the eye-catching eco tower will be home to 161 high quality, state-of-the-art one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as retail, office and commercial units, and a café located on the ground floor. The tower will be the most significant new residential development yet in the London Borough of Newham. Apartment prices start from £250,000.

Richard Hywel Evans of Studio RHE, the award-winning architect who has designed Silvertree, said: “The tower is a super cool, post-crunch design that raises the benchmark for living and eco friendly architecture in Docklands. Silvertree’s solar PV panels, use of ground source and biomass to generate heat combined with high levels of thermal insulation mean not only will it feel comfortable to live in but it will also cost residents very little to run. It takes contemporary apartment living in London to new heights.”

Silvertree will also be directly connected with the City of London and beyond to Heathrow.

Silvertree will be situated just half a mile from the Olympic Stadium, and has excellent travel connectivity due to the implementation of several new transport projects. The project will be located near the point where the new Thames crossing cable car, which links Greenwich with the Royal Docks, and the new Crossrail Custom House station are being built. Silvertree will also be directly connected with the City of London and beyond to Heathrow. The existing Royal Victoria DLR station connects Silvertree to Canary Wharf, with Stratford main line station within 15 minutes by rail. London City Airport is two stops away on the DLR.

Set on the waterfront overlooking the Royal Victoria Docks, adjacent to the £35 million Siemens Expo building, Silvertree will have large roof terraces and communal gardens opening on to the dockside. To ensure residents will enjoy a high quality of life, Silvertree will be built to Design for Life standards, as well as to Code for Sustainable Homes level 4, well in advance of statutory requirements to do so.

London Mayor Boris Johnson’s office has endorsed Silvertree as a significant new development for London. John East, Director Planning and Development Services for the London Borough of Newman, said: “We are very positive about the scheme. Supported by CABE, it has the potential to set a new standard for residential design in the Royal Docks, which we welcome.”

When completed it will form one element of a cluster of new buildings, alongside the £30m Siemens Sustainability Centre and the new cable car access point linking The Royals and Greenwich.”

Enquiries: Knight Frank 020 7718 5220 www.KnightFrank.com

Majestic Ocean Plaza in Gibraltar

In a rare opportunity, a handful of high floor two and three bedroom apartments in Ocean Village’s Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas have been released back to the market for sale. Priced to sell from just £295,000, many are fully furnished with incredible views of Gibraltar and across to Africa. Since being released last week, seven properties have sold while the remaining ones are not expected to sit around for very long.

Brian Stevendale, Sales & Marketing Director for Ocean Village explains: “Currently there are no new residential schemes in progress within Gibraltar to meet a growing demand from people continually relocating to the Rock. These tend to be a mixture of buyers and those initially rent. Our strongest customers are local Gibraltarians who wish to live in Ocean Village and local investors who buy-to-let to the newcomers.

“We tend to sell out well before completion – both Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas were 80 per cent sold on the first day of launch – this leaves a dilemma for those seeking upscale property. Our re-released 15th and 16th floor apartments are proving extremely interesting.”

Ocean Village was voted Best High Rise Development in Europe at the 2010 European Residential Property Awards in association with Bloomberg Television and it goes on to represent the continent in the World’s Best Finals at the end of November. “This reinforces that Gibraltar is indeed the success we all know it to be on a global stage,” explains Brian.

New residents

The residential Plazas at Ocean Village attract an elite set of buyers from within the Rock and across the world, including many extremely wealthy individuals who cannot resist the fiscal advantages of becoming resident in Gibraltar. Ocean Village also ticks boxes for new residents of Gibraltar who have relocated to work in the many gaming, financial services and entertainment enterprises attracted by the Rock’s low-tax environment.

A view of an apartment at Ocean Village, Gibraltar

This final market will only get larger as projects such as the 15,000m² World Trade Centre Gibraltar, another Ocean Village venture, come to fruition.

Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas deliver accommodation with high spec fixtures and fittings alongside abundant on-site facilities from Jacuzzis to an oasis of seven swimming pools and a state-of-the-art Health Club to secure underground parking.

On top, residents are able to savor all the action within Ocean Village’s confines such as the Gala Casino, fine dining in a wide range of restaurants and the ultimate in status symbols – a berth for the mega-yacht

For further information on both property and berths contact Ocean Village’s Sales & Marketing Director Brian Stevendale on brian.stevendale@oceanvillage.gi or visit www.oceanvillage.gi.

In the 2010 European Residential Property Awards in association with Bloomberg Television, Ocean Village:

·     Best High Rise Development EUROPE

·     Best High Rise Development Gibraltar – Five Star

·     Best Marina Development Gibraltar – Highly Commended

It would be difficult to leave this magical view

Foreign visitors’ penchant to invest in bricks and mortar in the most sought-after areas is on the up. In the rather ‘soggy’ aftermath of the global recession, is the high-end seafront property not affected?

Audrey Matthews, director of Ronnie Matthews Estates which specialises in waterfront and seaboard properties along the Atlantic coastline says: “There was definitely a hiatus in the last year in the exponential growth in property prices we were experiencing. But it was the least affected area, stabilising rather than dropping in price.

“The property interest has been kickstarted again by South Africa’s recent showcase – The World Cup 2010. Afro-pessimism was replaced by a general feeling of goodwill and although there are still enormous challenges in this country, it has not seen such positive international press for a very long time.”

Matthews adds that although the property market can be described as ‘buoyant’ on the coastline, the buyer is more cautious and the growth expectation more realistic and rational than witnessed a few years ago. She adds, “Buyers are approaching the investment in this kind of property in a scientific, rather than emotional way. They look at investment and yields and weigh it up against alternative investment avenues and then they buy.”

Aspirational lifestyle

More often than not, these are properties on the coast with magnificent sea views and within walking distance of the beach. Not only is it an aspirational lifestyle for many, but also offers an exceptional long-term investment opportunity. The Atlantic Seaboard is a favourite.

These spectacular penthouses are very much ‘next generation’ and blend in with the environment

It is prime coastal property in Cape Town – a picturesque sweep of coastline where the Twelve Apostle mountain range slopes down to meet the ocean on the western side of the Cape peninsula. The rich cultural heritage and diversity adds piquancy to the Cape and offers property buyers ideal holiday and rental options on their properties.

And it’s not just the areas like Clifton, Camps Bay, Bakoven and Bantry Bay that are coveted by foreigners and locals alike. “The area around Mouille Point between Granger Bay and Sea Point have joined the ranks of blue chip investment and the demand has totally outstripped the supply.”

Slow but steady economic expansion in South Africa is fuelling the strong demand for more holiday properties, while increased international tourism is being boosted by government incentives to encourage further foreign investors into the country.

This is partly due to the fact that many Europeans consider Cape Town to be not only a destination for holidays, but also the place of choice for retirement or permanent homes. Here they find a wide range of well-priced properties in beautiful coastal resorts. High rental demands due to the rapidly expanding growth in tourism, coupled with the exchange rate between the South African Rand and other major currencies favours property purchase.

Capital economic growth is predicted to maintain a steady rate and keep stable over the next ten years. Developers are adding to investment incentive by guaranteeing rental returns for periods to encourage investment. One example is Ebb Tide in Bali Bay located in the prime position in Bakoven on the Atlantic seaboard. These spectacular penthouses designed by Greg Wright, are ‘next generation’ and blend in seamlessly with the environment.

Rental division

Capital growth and a yield based on conservative and realistic projections is topped with finance schemes i.e. different deposit structures based on 8% guaranteed rental return for two years. For this reason the investment needs little subsidising and can quite quickly be paid off.

Furthermore, a ‘hassle free’ investment is offered for the first two years as the developers guarantee the yield and hand the investment over in perfect condition after two years, then Ronnie Matthews Estates supports the rental thereafter with their in-house rental division and forward marketing strategy plan.

The Ebb Tide apartments are stylish, serviced, more often than not have a concierge and generally offer a far more relaxing environment than the relative austerity of a hotel

Ronnie Matthews Estates has noticed a growing trend among wealthy travellers to choose private, fully serviced luxury apartments over the standard mass offerings that the big hotel groups offer and investors are buying them. Not only are luxury apartments like these generally much better appointed but they also allow you more privacy and flexibility, whether you want to enjoy sundowners or relax between business meetings.

Ebb Tide was developed by Old Town Investments with over a 20-year proven track record, and they are offering a five-year building guarantee from DDC.

Two units are available:

102 – 203m2 – 2-beds, 2-baths, infinity rim flow pool, two parking bays, one storeroom, fully furnished

202 – 282m2 – 3-beds, 3-baths, infinity glass rim flow pool, two parking bays, one storeroom, fully furnished

Ebb Tide was also designed as an environmentally friendly ‘green building’, complete with solar heating and special power-saving technology.

For more information go online at: www.ronniematthewsestates.co.za

Brazil is rapidly becoming one of the major international destinations for property investors

Estate agents in Brazil are finding their profession both fun and rewarding at the moment. Soaring economic growth (8.8% GDP for Q2 2010 – higher than anticipated) coupled with progressive government programmes aimed to give low-income families easier access to mortgages means that there are literally queues of people signing up for off-plan property. Foreign investors could well take note.

With interest rates plummeting into single figures in 2010, mortgage lending has risen by 77% during the first half of the year in comparison with 2009. As a result, the construction industry has outpaced GDP by growing 15% over the same period. But experts are adamant that this is not the onset of an unsustainable property bubble. For they have had the benefit of learning from the rest of the world.

Samantha Gore, sales manager for Brazil real estate specialists www.uv10.com, explains: “Brazil is not the US and neither is it Bulgaria, Spain or Dubai. While US banks granted up to 130% loan-to-value, in Brazil these rates are being curbed to a far more sensible average of 60%. While the booms of Bulgaria, Spain and Dubai were fuelled by, and dependent on, foreign speculators and holiday home hunters, the future of Brazil’s property market is assured by its own population.”

Samantha continues: “Brazil’s Real Estate Developer’s Association states that eight million families, or 30 million people, do not have their own house to live in and are currently renting sub-standard accommodation. This need, along with subsidised mortgages for poor Brazilians, will generate demand for new homes for at least the next 15 years. uv10’s clients have little to fear when investing in off-plan property targeted to this ownership-hungry audience.”

A burgeoning aspirational middle-class combined with new access to mortgages adds up to unprecedented house buying with many climbing up the property ladder and fighting for the best locations. According to www.uv10.com it is this sector of the market where foreigners should be investing for the best exit strategy and massive profits. In Natal (capital of Rio Grande do Norte) there is only one ‘best area’ and that is Petrópolis.

Samantha explains: “We work with a developer that has been established for 20 years and who offers off-plan properties well under market value to foreign investors as they pay quicker and in full – 100% throughout construction. This enables the developer to roll funds into his next project. They will also, with the help of a network of local agents, either organise the resale of your property to the local market or rent it out – with or without a rental guarantee, as you wish. As we’re talking about city centre locations, neither the market price nor rental income is speculative but instead reflect thorough market studies.”

An impression of the new project, Edificio Dr Geraldo Furtado

The new project, Dr Geraldo Furtado, consists of 86 units with just four apartments per floor. Above the ninth storey the incredible coastline will come into view – just 1,200 metres away.

Designed with city workers in mind, the two- and three-bedroom properties are complemented by a convenient array of upmarket on-site facilities that will include underground parking, a communal swimming pool and barbecue area, pool bar, sauna, games room, laundry, reception and 24-hour gated security.

In a privileged city hotspot, residents can combine the arts, great restaurants and Mall shopping with lazy days on the local Praia do Meio beach. Natal’s main business district is easily accessible while Ponta Negra, the area’s famous 4km-long dune beach, is a short drive down the coastal road.

Prices for available units start from 152,000 Reais (approx. £57,000) with an optional four-year 6% rental guarantee and with work already underway on the site, payment terms are spread until completion in January 2013.

On completion, investors have the option to either sell for profit or hang on and enjoy a rental income. Owners can choose between a hassle-free four-year 6% rental guarantee or use the developer’s rental management team and expect returns of 10% net each year. Selling or renting will bring even higher profits during FIFA World Cup year 2014 as Natal’s brand new 45,000 capacity Estadio das Dunas will be located 5km from Dr Geraldo Furtado.

Both www.uv10.com and the developer are members of the Association of International Property Professionals (www.aipp.org.uk) which provides added reassurance.

Visit www.uv10.com or telephone UK local rate +44 (0)845 643 1036 for more information

Mallorca is home to fabulous properties and the Global Ocean Race

Already renowned as a luxury location favoured by the yachting and sailing communities with classy restaurants, gorgeous properties and, of course, the magical Mediterranean, Mallorca has just been named as the start and finish of the Global Ocean Race 2011-12.

With over twenty entries from at least eleven nations it puts the Island on a new international stage. Although many boating enthusiasts are attracted by the facilities, many more stay for the beautiful climate, excellent food and luxury premium property close to the marinas.

Now, the Great Race announcement looks set to start another race in property as rental prospects surrounding the event begin to climb and Mallorca is firmly back in holiday home purchaser’s sights. Visitors will be clamouring to stay close to the Spanish Island’s shoreline in locations including Puerto Portals.

Mallorca is particularly proud of it coastline and puts a great deal of effort into maintaining and improving its beaches and marinas. This year eighteen marinas have been awarded a Blue Flag, one more than last year. Spain as a whole has been given more awards than any other nation with a total of 605 and according to the Association for Environmental Education the Balearic Islands have secured the largest increase this year across the whole country with eighty-five in total.

Mild winter climate

There are many popular leisure activities on offer in the area of Puerto Portals such as scuba diving, water-skiing and of course sailing, all of which are year-round hobbies in Mallorca with its mild winter climate. For those who prefer to keep their feet on terra firma there are also activities such as beach volleyball and cycling.

The traditional Spanish celebrations throughout the year are events not to be missed, when locals and visitors alike all come together on prominent religious dates in the Baleares and across Spain.

The increasing attention that Mallorca is receiving has pushed up visitor numbers markedly throughout the years. In 1960, the island received 500,000 visitors but by 1997 this had increased to 6.7 million.

Today, around 23 million passengers pass through Palma de Mallorca Airport each year with an additional one and a half million arriving by sea. With such a demand on the island, more than half of the population works in the tourist sector, accounting for approximately eighty per cent of the Mallorca’s GDP.

Mallorca’s property market

The tourism sector will put huge efforts into the opening and closing ceremonies for the Great Ocean Race in Mallorca. With support from Government bodies and corporate partners, the build-up to the start and finish of the race will be spectacular.

The island is highly regarded in the world of water sports and already hosts premium yacht racing events such as the Copa del Rey, the Palma Velas as well as the Superyacht Cup. It has high-quality marine services, great sailing conditions, stunning scenery, a rich maritime history and a lively onshore scene.

More and more people are choosing to enjoy life in the Balearic island of Mallorca

Taylor Wimpey, which has over fifty years of property development experience in Mallorca, has just completed a new residential complex close to the marina in Puerto Portals. Victor Sague, the sales and marketing director says: “The local area is already noted for being fashionable and desirable for boat owners and beach lovers alike.

“News of the Great Ocean Race will only increase demand for this attractive location. With one year to go until the race begins, savvy buyers have the opportunity to purchase a holiday home.

“Mallorca’s property market has not been affected by the recession in comparison with some regions in mainland Spain mainly due to the lack of stock available compared to the demand for homes on the island. Spain as a whole is a very fragmented market and good locations and quality property will always sell well whatever the market conditions. International events just add to their appeal.”

Portals, Puerto Portals, Mallorca

This new residential complex consists of seven spacious 3-bedroom properties of approximately 143 m2 with 34 m2 terraces. The complex has private underground parking spaces, lush communal gardens and a communal swimming pool.

The ground floor properties have a private patio area and the rest have spacious terraces. The properties provide fully equipped and furnished kitchens and the Royal Bendinat Golf, whose president is King Juan Carlos I of Spain is close by.

Taylor Wimpey de España’s luxury apartment complex is connected by road to Palma de Mallorca by the Ma-1 motorway and is only 15 minutes drive away. It is also close to the Son Sant Joan international airport, with excellent connections to UK and most European cities. These properties are available now from €600,000.

Contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.

Tamarisk is a gated development of just 21 two-bedroom apartments by MJH Executive Homes

Driving along the South Coast, it’s easy to miss the seaside villages tucked away off the main road – and this is certainly the case with East Preston in West Sussex. Located just over 17 miles from Brighton and Chichester town centres and less than six miles from Worthing and Littlehampton.

East Preston has sufficient shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants to meet everyday needs and it’s a great place to relax – perfect for anyone looking for a new home or a weekend retreat. There’s sailing – with a dinghy club based on a stretch of the beach – and tennis at the local lawn tennis club. Other social and sporting opportunities for all ages range from badminton and bowling to football and the WI!

Follow the signs to Tamarisk in East Preston and another surprise awaits you. Tamarisk is a beautifully designed, gated development of just 21, two-bedroom apartments in the heart of the village. Each apartment features a high quality specification from MJH Executive Homes.

Several of the designer kitchens have glass block walling providing plenty of natural light and each is fitted with a full range of integrated appliances. Bathrooms include waterfall taps and Porcelanosa tiling and many of the properties have a terrace or balcony to make the most of the sea air and warmer weather.

Prices at Tamarisk currently start from just £224,950 for a two-bedroom apartment which represents excellent value for money, particularly when you consider the cost of similar properties in nearby Brighton. Road links are excellent and there’s a railway station at nearby Angmering, which makes commuting easy.

Whether you’re looking for a new place to live or a weekend and holiday retreat, Tamarisk hold the key. Call selling agents Graham Butt on 01903 772345 or visit the website www.mjh-homes.co.uk/tamarisk for more information.

Secure homes in North Wiltshire

Squires Court is set in what was once part of the grounds of Westrop House, a nineteenth-century manor built by Squire William Cowdy

Highworth, a small but bustling market town with a charming market square, an unspoilt atmosphere and a rich sense of history, is located in North Wiltshire, close to the Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire borders. Faringdon and Lechlade are within easy reach, Swindon is less than eight miles away and Cirencester approximately 15 miles away.

The town offers excellent shopping facilities, a weekly market, plenty of places to eat and drink, a library, sports facilities, an arts centre, golf and bowls clubs and even a choral society. Junction 15 of the M4 is only about eight miles away and from Swindon Central Station you can reach London Paddington in less than an hour.

The Archstone sales team expected a good response to the launch of Squires Court but the new over 55s development proved even more popular than anticipated. Two new homes have been sold and a further two reservations have already been taken.

Location and style have both played a part in this sales success. Set within attractive landscaped gardens, Squires Court is located in Oak Drive just minutes from the charming traditional high street and is also around the corner from the beautiful fifteenth-century church of St Michael, just one of Highworth’s historical treasures.

In keeping with the history-steeped atmosphere of the area, Squires Court is set in what was once part of the grounds of Westrop House, a nineteenth-century manor built by Squire William Cowdy. With nine, two- and three-bedroom cottages and four, two-bedroom apartments, Squires Court is small enough to provide a sense of ‘exclusivity’ but large enough to generate a real sense of community.

These new homes are fitted with high quality fixtures and fittings. They offer excellent value for money, with the apartments starting from just £264,950 and the cottages from £389,950.

One of the benefits of living at Squires Court is that there’s an estate manager on hand to deal with the day-to-day administration of the development, organise the gardening and maintenance of the communal areas and generally to be on hand to offer help and advice when needed.

For further information, call 07771 980312 or visit the website on www.archstone.co.uk.

Four bedroom El Paso country cottages

In the past 10 weeks, the Cheltenham-based Almanzora Group has successfully sold brand new freehold properties at an average rate of more than three per week at Desert Springs, in the Almeria region of south-east Spain, and in two nearby locations – on the beach at Playa Marques and in the traditional Spanish fishing village of Villaricos.

“We adjusted prices to take account of currency exchange rates and the current market situation, and the result has been a steadily rising flow of enquires and sales,” reports the group’s sales and marketing manager, Simon Coaker. “Now we expect a further surge in sales following the news that Spain’s Banco de Andalucia has selected these developments as the flagships for the launch of its new mortgage offer. This could open the floodgates in terms of property sales in 2010.”

The Banco de Andalucía SA, which serves Andalusia’s eight provinces and operates more than 300 branches, is more than 80 per cent owned by one of Spain’s top and most conservative of banks, Banco Popular Español.

Available on holiday homes and investment properties ranging from apartments, townhouses and cottages to villas and country houses, the 100 per cent mortgages based on independent valuations undertaken by the bank are available to Spanish nationals and overseas purchasers alike.

100 per cent mortgages based on independent valuations are available on Las Sierras Apartments

“In some cases, the mortgage available is larger than the amount actually payable by the purchaser,” says Simon. “This is because, following last year’s price reductions, the current prices of a number of properties are actually lower than the bank valuations.”

Once in a lifetime opportunities

This is the catalyst which will accelerate demand to levels which make price rises inevitable sooner rather than later, predicts Simon, who has just unveiled a portfolio of selected properties offered at exclusive prices – some with as much as 55 per cent off the list price. He describes them as ‘once in a lifetime opportunities for would-be second-home owners.’

The new 100 per cent mortgages can be paid off over periods of up to 35 years at interest rates as low as 2.7 per cent. On this basis, repayments on the mortgage for a €178,000 two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Desert Springs would be only €400 per month. Repayments are even lower during the first two years when interest-only payments are required.

For investors who place their properties in the year-round rental pool at Desert Springs, the mortgage repayments will be offset by the income which can be achieved – typically €294 per week for a one-bedroom apartment based on two people sharing in the low season, rising to €462 in the high season. These figures are net rental income, after deduction of the charges made by the tour operators marketing properties for holidays.

“Investors will be reassured by the fact that, throughout 2009, our holiday rentals business at Desert Springs held up well with more than 48 per cent occupancy in that type of apartment,” reports Simon. “This reflects the awareness and popularity of the resort for golf breaks and family holidays, backed by a high level of recommendations to friends by property owners and guests, many of whom return year after year.

The popularity of holidays at Desert Springs – which has increased this year with the addition of the resort to the destinations offered and booked by James Villa Holidays, the UK’s leading villa holiday specialist – has prompted expansion of the number of properties in the resort’s rental pool for 2010, in order to keep pace with demand.

In addition to the 18-hole championship golf course at Desert Springs, other facilities which make it a popular choice for holidays and short breaks include its award-winning El Torrente restaurant and the Croc Restaurant – part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club – as well as the 18-hole championship golf course, day spa, sports club, tennis and paddle courts.

Added Simon: “We are now at the very bottom of the cycle. Properties discounted to 55 per cent of previous values are priced more or less at the basic cost of their construction alone, excluding land and finance, so these levels will not fall further. We are seeing the start of the next stage of the process we predicted back in 2008. We said then that ‘the Spanish wheel will finally turn’ with the overall property market.”

“Over the years, the property market in Spain – especially the ‘investment’ market – has proved to be extremely cyclical. It is inevitable that, with the ready availability of 100 per cent mortgages, demand will soon start pushing prices up again, so clearly now is the time to buy.”

For more information, call The Almanzora Group on: 01242 680116 or visit the website, www.almanzora.com

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.

Simon and Donna on the balcony of their new home

“We had always been fans of new build homes when purchasing properties in the UK and were keen to carry on down this route when house hunting in Spain,” said Donna. “We wanted to deal with a UK house builder for added security and Taylor Woodrow de España fitted the bill.”

A quality two bedroom apartment

The couple had initially looked at homes built by Taylor Woodrow de España when they first started their search in 2004 but had found that the homes were a little out of their price range. Roll on four years and a downturn in the economic climate and the homes were no longer out of reach. In fact they could now afford a quality two bedroom apartment rather than the one bedroom apartment they had previously purchased off-plan.

Simon comments: “We are now the proud owners of a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment at El Bosque de la Mairena that is situated in a fantastic location, within close proximity to Marbella. We are truly delighted.”

The El Bosque de la Mairena development on the Costa del Sol

El Bosque de la Mairena in Elviria is a residential complex built in the style of a Mediterranean village in a peaceful setting but at the same time located only seven kilometres from Elviria beach to the east of Marbella. The two and three bedroom apartments available at the development vary in size between 83.5m2 and 113.20 m2 and boast generous terraces with views of cork tree woods and the sea. Additionally, the homes come complete with a communal pool, gardens and external parking spaces.

“As soon as we visited the development we immediately fell in love with it,” explains Simon. “This is a small community located in a perfect position allowing us to benefit from the best of both worlds – beautiful views of the forest and sea, away from the hustle and bustle, but at the same time within close proximity to Marbella. Additionally, the apartments are built to a high specification and benefit from a nice spacious layout – perfect for the needs of our family. Last but not least, the development is set within a gated community providing extra security for people who wish to use the apartments as a second home.”

It took the Jordans 12 weeks to complete on the purchase of their apartment. Simon and Donna have now owned their holiday home for over eight months and have been making great use of it. Simon concludes: “In 2009, we have visited our home at least six times whether it be for a long weekend, in the half term or with another family member.  We are getting to know our neighbours and there seems to be a lovely mix of people.”
Prices at El Bosque de la Mairena start at €173,000.

All of Taylor Woodrow de España’s quality homes are endorsed by Safe Buying Experience. This partnership with the international accreditation scheme provides a double reassurance to buyers of a Taylor Woodrow de España home as they are guaranteed a quality home complete with independent endorsement as to its ‘integrity, legality and safety’.

For further information on Taylor Woodrow de España and the developments available please call 08000 121 020 or visit http://www.taylorwoodrow.es/

House prices in Switzerland have increased this year by more than 4%, according to figures from the Swiss National Bank.
Single-family homes increased by 4.5% in the year from January 2009, and resale rental apartments rose 4.3%.

A 3-bedroom duplex apartment in Ovronnaz, Canton Valais, Switzerland

Andrew Hawkins, head of international at Chesterton Humberts, believes these increases stem from: “A controlled market where ownership is highly regulated and a corresponding level of supply and demand. Switzerland didn’t have a price boom, unlike markets such as the UK or Spain.
“The continued interest from non-resident foreigners has kept house prices rising at a manageable amount. Also, as the economic crisis hit, locals transferred overseas investments into the more stable local property market, driving prices up at a steady level.”

Foreign property laws
While Switzerland has traditionally been difficult to buy into because of the federal government’s system for issuing permits, from 2010 each canton will have the power to set its own foreign property laws.
“Giving cantons the responsibility for making their own property acquisition rules is a positive for foreign buyers,” says Andrew. “We expect faster transfer times for property titles, making property ownership easier and therefore more desirable, so we expect that prices will continue to steadily increase.”

Fully furnished chalet, Vercorin, Canton Valais, Switzerland

Chesterton Humberts sells a range of property in Switzerland, including:

•    A three-bedroom chalet designed in traditional Swiss style, with modern interiors. This chalet is located in one of the highest spots in Vercorin and offers unparalleled views over the Rhone Valley from Sierre to Sion. The chalet has two terraces, including one with Jacuzzi. Price: CHF 2,000,000 (approx. UK£ 1,118,637).

For more information, call: Chesterton Humberts – Tel: 020 3040 8210 or on-line at: www.chestertonhumberts.com

Post Office launches new international bank to bank money transfers

Transferring money between UK and overseas bank accounts is set to become significantly easier following the launch of the new Post Office® Overseas Property Money Transfer service.

The new service offers customers peace of mind by enabling them to fix at a favourable rate of exchange for up to a year, giving valuable protection against volatile currency fluctuations. And because the Post Office offers this service online, people can transfer money from the comfort of their own home to wherever they need it to be in the world.

Anyone needing to transfer money to an overseas bank account can benefit from the service. It’s ideal for:
•    Repayments on a foreign mortgage
•    Deposits or costs associated with buying, selling or maintaining a property abroad and paying utility bills
•    Bringing money back to the UK after sale of an overseas property
•    One off payments such as a wedding venue or emigration
•    Regular payments – transfer pensions, salaries or even school fees, removing the hassle and expense of frequent individual transactions from a bank.

The Post Office Overseas Property Money Transfer service offers competitive exchange rates, with 0 per cent commission and no hidden charges, plus it will reimburse customers for any charges that the destination bank may impose, meaning that customers can expect to save hundreds of pounds a year*.

Buying in bulk

Sarah Munro, Post Office head of money transfers, said: “Until now, many users of international bank to bank money transfer services have found it to be an expensive business, with limited options for small transfers.  They have often been unable to capitalise on the great rates offered by currency specialists because they weren’t buying in bulk.  And they were also at the mercy of volatile currency markets, making it harder to get the most from their money.

“The Post Office Overseas Property Money Transfer service offers customers the ability to fix at a competitive exchange rate, giving them peace of mind for up to a year, which is a real advantage in current markets.  We calculate that with 0% commission and our competitive exchange rates we will be saving customers a serious amount of money if they’ve just sold their house or are paying a deposit on a new property.”

For anyone wanting to make a cash money transfer abroad, the Post Office still provides the MoneyGram service. This offers cash transfers to over 176,000 destinations worldwide from any one of 11,500 Post Office branches.

Anyone wanting to find out more about Post Office Overseas Property Money Transfer should go to www.postoffice.co.uk/moneytransfers or by calling 0800 180 4702. Transfers must be a minimum of £500 and are limited to £10,000 online. There’s no transaction limit for transfers made over the telephone. The Post Office Overseas Property Money Transfer service is provided by HiFX PLC.

Based on a monthly transfer of £700 over a year customers could save £528 by going to the Post Office:
High Street Bank
Monthly Transfer fee £30 = £360.00
Post Office
No charge

High Street Bank
Commission 1.5% = £126.00
Post Office
No commission

High Street Bank
Receiving charges up to 0.5% = £42.00
Post Office
No charge

High Street Bank
Total bank charges £44.00 = £528.00
Post Office
Free

Golf fanatics flock to Turkey

Turkey provides some of the newest and most exciting courses, many being championship level and most within easy reach of each other. Golfers have realised the tremendous benefit of 300 days of sunshine a year with the average temperature even in December, of 16 degrees centigrade.

Now the European Challenge tour will be played in Turkey in 2010 at the Carya Golf Club which was established in 2008 and in Belek the World Amateur Golf Championship is to be held in 2012.

Turkey was awarded “Best Golf Destination in Europe 2008” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) putting Turkey ahead of other European golf hotspots including Spain and Scotland. “This is largely due to Belek, the home of championship golf in Turkey”, says Robert Nixon, executive director, Nirvana International. “This is a beautiful region enhanced with beautifully maintained, top quality golf courses, making it a golfer’s paradise”.

Ideal for renting

Taking Belek as a prime example of golf courses available, there’s the Tat Golf Club, The Gloria Golf Resort, The Robinson Club, Nobilis, Cornelia Nick Faldo course and Papillon Golf course which is a new Colin Montgomerie Golf Course. In addition there is Kaya Eagles Golf club and Lykia Links Golf and of course the National Golf Course.

NIRVANA golf 7 Gem Golf Villas

It’s worthwhile considering the possibility of owning a property there. You could buy as part of a syndicate or for personal use and of course, such a property in a prime location is ideal for renting when not in personal use.

Belek is an ideal spot for relaxation and is famed for its pine trees which fill the air with a glorious scent with plenty to do including yachting, windsurfing, scuba diving, walking, bird watching and exploring the area’s rich history. The mountains too are easily reached and there is even the opportunity to go skiing 120km away at Saklikent Ski Resort.  There are also some superb beaches dotted along this coastline.

Currently being offered is an exclusive development of brand new homes at Gem Golf Villas in Belek located in the heart of championship golf in Turkey and just 500 metres from the National Golf Club and close to the Sueno Golf Club.

Year round flights

There’s a choice of two different house types (Villa A and B) all immaculately presented and built to a high standard. Villa A has a slightly bigger floor area than Villa B. 14 of the villas are offered with a shared pool with seven of the homes having private pool and parking. The development is surrounded by attractive landscaped grounds. There is 24-hour security on site and Gem Golf Villas is close to Belek beach, mini market and shopping mall. Belek town is 2 km from the resort and offers many shops and restaurants. Antalya is 30 minutes drive. There is a shuttle bus service for transfer to golf courses, beach or Belek town centre. Antalya Airport, which provides all year round flights to and from the UK, is just 25 minutes drive away and transfers are provided.

Gem Golf Villas, Belek.

Prices

Detached villas with four bedrooms and two bathrooms (1 en-suite)

Type A – some with private pool start from £200,000

Type B – villas with shared pool start from £180,000

Contact Nirvana International on: 01189 744 950/955 or at www.nirvanainternational.com

Nirvana International is a member of AIPP and NAEA International incorporating FOPDAC.