International Property

Finding Real Estate in Puerto Rico

Finding Real Estate in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico real estate may vary in value according to where in particular on the island it is purchased, but it should be noted by prospective or imminent purchasers that significant concerns have been raised regarding the subject of Puerto Rico real estate. 
 
 
People who purchase Puerto Rico real estate should thus be aware that they may be vulnerable to a significant loss of value in the property which they purchase and thus to the financial investment which they have made. Cautions over the Puerto Rico real estate market were issued in a strong form in 2009, following the lapse of an 18-month period in which price and market value had been noted as being widely depressed.
 
 
 
The Puerto Rico real estate market, in accordance with overall real estate market trends, had seen a strong period for value in the early years of the 21st century. It first began to decline along with the Puerto Rico economy as a whole in 2007. 
 
 
In this period, it was first noted that Puerto Rico real estate could no longer be sold on the market unless its price was first dropped to a point beyond the initial value of the real estate price or the desired profit of the seller. The 2008 period for Puerto Rico real estate sales saw, for instance, a drop in the price at which four-bedroom San Juan residences could be sold, to a degree of nearly 8%. 2009’s first quarter saw almost 40% reduced sales for Puerto Rico real estate.

Finding Real Estate in Singapore

Finding Real Estate in Singapore

The purchase of property in Singapore, such as in the form of Singapore real estate, should only occur, according to most of the recommendations which have been issued on this matter, after people have apprised themselves of the required regulations and procedures involved with Singapore property laws. In this regard, people buying property in Singapore in the form of a permanent residence should be aware of which of the three possible options for buying a house they are using. 
 
 
In this regard, people can gain complete and permanent rights to Singapore real estate by securing the title of a freehold to the Singapore property. Alternately, people can secure property in Singapore as a leasehold, as can last for varying periods of time, or estates in perpetuity, which on a permanent basis will involve paying a quit rent fee.
 
 
 
In regard to the financial wisdom of purchasing Singapore real estate, particularly if this Singapore property purchase is for financial rather than residential purposes, and in the short rather than long term, prospective buyers should know of the cautions which have been issued by real estate guides and experts on this subject. 
 
 
Warnings have been issued that a Singapore real estate bubble may have formed, this in regard to the recent period in which Singapore property value was very high in the eyes of buyers. In order to forestall a drastic reduction in the value of property in Singapore, the Singapore government has adopted measures to prevent a Singapore real estate bubble from occurring.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in the Bahamas

Finding Real Estate in the Bahamas

The Bahamas real estate market has been most noted for the popularity of this area as a destination for visitors. In this regard, the country’s government and real estate market participants have recently spoken of a particularly robust era for Bahamas real estate purchases and sales having emerged. Investment interests in Bahamas real estate has been attributed, in general, to the awareness that more people are coming to the area via cruise ship than has ever been the case. Specifically, the Bahamas real estate market as well as the related tourism industry became widely aware in 2010 that the country has seemed to under-perform in the past in regard to cruise ship visitors due to only counting visitors when they first made port in the country. In contrast, other popular destination points for cruise ship visitors are known to count such tourists whenever they enter the particular country or region.

 

Bahamas real estate may thus appreciate in value due to the increasing and possibly increasing popularity of the tourism destination. Some real estate market observers have connected this improvement in fortunes to the part of the global economic recession, as a positive rather than negative factor. In this vie, Bahamas real estate and tourism sites have attracted more visitors than usual due to the relatively low cost involved in visiting the nation in comparison to that involved in visiting other countries. Bahamas real estate may thus attract a new drive for investment, both in existing areas as well in new real estate projects.

 

Finding Real Estate in Portugal

Finding Real Estate in Portugal

Portugal property and real estate has been noted as a relatively untapped area of the overall European real estate market, which has generally been noted for being heavily invested in and bought up, and in this regard Portuguese property has been noted as a possible new focus for buyers. 
 
 
Portugal property can vary in price according to the area, in which it is found, with some better-known areas also having higher prices on average than areas of Portuguese property which have continued to be less used and explored by outsiders.
 
 
 
Portugal property purchases, particularly in the case of the seller, buyer or both being foreign to the nation, should take place only with the benefit of a full understanding of Portuguese property law and the ways, in particular, in which it differs from that of the buyer or seller’s home country. Some of the popular regions for Portugal property purchases include the Algarve, which is noted as a retirement and vacation destination which has become popular among foreigners. 
 
 
To a similar end, coastal areas of Portuguese property are also noted for their popularity and their correspondingly high prices and high level of visibility in the overall Portugal property market. Portugal property can come in such forms as old, traditional-style residences, such as in fishing villages on the coast, or in the form of more recently constructed residences, such as might be built near golf courses. People considering a Portuguese property transaction should be sure to secure a notary’s services.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in France

Finding Real Estate in France

Individuals from outside France who are interested in making investments in French property, such as in the form of Paris real estate or home for sale in France elsewhere, should apprise themselves of the laws regarding property for sale in France. In this regard, it should be noted that French property does not typically become valuable at a rate far above the effects of inflation of the currency market. 
 
 
Property for sale in France is typically noted for a degree of financial stability felt by many economists to exceed that of other nations’ economies. That being said, Paris real estate and elsewhere in the county may impose significant rental costs on the purchaser, if that is the form in which it is offered.
 
 
 
In terms of the market of property for sale in France, economists believe that economic conditions favor those offering homes for sale in France or Paris real estate, as opposed to the bargaining power currently held by prospective or would-be purchasers. French property offered in the form of different components of the same piece of Paris real estate or French property elsewhere tends to be offered along a co-ownership model. 
 
 
In the cases of full homes for sale in France, deeds to French property need to prove back a thirty year period. Land registries hold the deeds to Paris real estate or homes for sale in France elsewhere. The purchase of property for sale in France should make sure as to which present components of the property are included.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in the Dominican Republic

Finding Real Estate in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic real estate should be understood as being located on the larger island known geographically as Hispaniola, which also includes the political entity of the country of Haiti. In a larger context, Dominican Republic real estate can be identified as being part of the Caribbean archipelago of the Greater Antilles. Investment in Dominican Republic real estate can vary according both to economic conditions in the country and in the United States, as one of the largest sources for financial resources to be directed toward this location.
 
 
 
From 2003 to 2010, Dominican Republic real estate was noted as changing positively and gradually in cost. Positive improvements in Dominican Republic real estate has included both newly constructed or developed areas and buildings and real estate being resold to new owners. In this regard, a major role in Dominican Republic real estate has been reserved for buyers from the United States and Canada with enough funds to purchase vacation or secondary residences. Dominican Republic real estate tends to be particularly valuable in terms of its proximity to the ocean.
 
 
 
Concerns have been raised about the future stability of Dominican Republic real estate when compared to the economic disruptions experienced in the large buyers’ markets of the United States. Proponents for Dominican Republic real estate have pointed out that the unstable mortgage-backed securities heavily used in the United States have yet to make heavy inroads into Dominican Republic real estate, thus providing against one significant source for financial disruptions.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in Jamaica

Finding Real Estate in Jamaica

Jamaica real estate can be noted as being located on an island, one which is 145 miles long and is made up of 4300 square miles. Located in the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica property can further be noted as being 120 miles to the west of the island of Hispaniola, on which the Dominican Republic and Haiti are situated, and to being 90 miles to the south of Cuba. Jamaica real estate is, furthermore, part of the Greater Antilles, as includes the previously mentioned locations as well as Puerto Rico and constitutes the large majority of West Indies land.
 
 
 
Jamaica real estate has been noted for having experienced a financial downturn in 2010, particularly due to a warning issued by the State Department of the United States government against travel to the area, which cut down particularly on rental of Jamaica property by U.S. residents. An especially strong blow to Jamaica real estate, specifically on the rate of U.S. and otherwise foreign investment in it, arose from drug-related violence in Kingston triggered by attempts to serve an arrest warrant for the reputed drug lord Christopher Coke. 
 
 
The fear of violent crime has ensured that the Jamaica property most often considered for purchase by outsiders has been in well-guarded gated communities, contributing largely to the cost of Jamaica real estate. The Jamaica real estate market in general has been greatly and adversely affected by high levels of inflation. Jamaica property purchases accordingly began a dip in 2009 which has continued.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in Bali

Finding Real Estate in Bali

The prospective purchasers of Bali real estate should be aware that this purchase will take place on an island, one which is a part of the political entity of Indonesia. Furthermore, Bali real estate is located, geographically, as part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, namely the furthest western point of that string of islands. Bali is also, again in political terms, an Indonesian province.
 
 
 
One major factor in the market for Bali real estate is the availability of funds for investment from investors from elsewhere, as well as the willingness of such investors to contribute funds for the purchase of Bali real estate. In this regard, the selling and purchasing of Bali real estate was noted as having been adversely affected by the overall financial downturn as occurred throughout the world. 
 
 
That being said, economists felt that, while Bali real estate was not being purchased in the same volume as when the world economy was functioning more successfully, Bali real estate had remained healthier than in many countries. In order to explain why this was the case, economists and businesspeople have pointed to the fact that Bali real estate purchases by people from outside Indonesia are not heavily funded, which has ensured that the reduction in credit’s availability impacted the market less. 
 
 
 
That being said, Bali real estate above the $750,000 price range is noted as not doing as well in the period following the economic downturn. As an alternative to luxury Bali real estate, non-Indonesians also commonly live in Jakarta for the business opportunities.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in Caribbean

Finding Real Estate in Caribbean

Caribbean real estate is a large category for property purchases, as can be understood principally in reference to the area in and around the Caribbean Sea, as comprises both coastal regions and islands. Caribbean real estate can be in the collection of islands and other small bodies of land, including over 7,000 different pieces of land, known as the West Indies. Caribbean real estate is generally understood as being in North America.
 
 
 
Concerns have been raised for the future of Caribbean real estate due to the performance of one specific use for such property, that of hotels. Caribbean real estate tends to be most highly valued in regard to the natural beauty and temperate conditions identified with and typically found of the area. In this regard, the Caribbean real estate market as a whole was alarmed during 2009 when the related area of lodging, as has generally served a thriving and significant tourist market, experienced a drop in revenue nearing 20% of its normal and expected financial rewards. 
 
 
For this reason, it is felt that Caribbean real estate may be highly responsive to and damaged by the long-term trends for problems in the functioning of the world’s economy. That being said, comparisons of dropping prices for Caribbean hotels to those experienced by U.S.-based operators found that Caribbean locations fared less badly. Developers of Caribbean real estate and proponents for the overall market have thus argued that the overall strength of Caribbean real estate should return at some point.
 
 

Finding Real Estate in Ecuador

Finding Real Estate in EcuadorPeople interested in the subject of Ecuador real estate can refer to the fact that this county is located in South America. Further on the field of Ecuador real estate, it can be noted that Ecuador and Chile are unique among South American nations in not bordering on Brazil.

Ecuador real estate can include, as well as mainland areas, the region of the Galapagos Islands. These are located some 620 miles away from Ecuador as a whole, in a westerly direction.

Ecuador real estate has been noted for being relatively cheap and easy to purchase for outsiders. In this regard, Ecuador real estate observers have contended that beachfront Ecuador real estate can be picked up in good condition with a cost to buyers not exceeding that of $12,000.

Colonial-era Ecuador real estate, moreover, has been found to have been offered in some cases for a cost less than $25,000. Increasing the attractiveness of Ecuador real estate to outsiders, the rate of taxation in the country is low, while the nation is generally regarded as welcoming to outsiders.

In the Ecuador real estate market area, the city of Cuenca has been noted as a particularly and increasingly popular option for people to move to, and for providing an array of positive living condition factors, including well developed local infrastructure and a lack of violent crime.

Cuenca is located, as may be of interest for prospective investors or retirees considering a move, in the southern part of the county.