Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world”.
This advice has motivated many to invest in property as it is considered a solid, trusted and reliable lifetime investment. Many Britons, through successful property investment abroad, have come to enjoy increased financial independence. Such investments were once thought of as a ‘preserve of the wealthy’ but easier access to credit allowed many to start small and build successful property investment portfolios abroad.
Portugal, France, Spain and the US have long been hotspots for many Britons seeking a vacation home or a lucrative financial investment. The UKs partcipation in this market, however, is slowing as a result of the credit crunch, which makes it difficult for many buyers to get an international mortgage or a property finance deal.
In Portugal, a top ten destination for UK property investment, development and inquiries continue at a steady pace, but British partcipation has slowed since September. The Times reports that British investors and individual buyers are “waiting longer before they take the plunge”. But this has not stopped Portugese development. There are currently 15 projects under construction with several others expected to commence shortly. At the moment, investment in Portuguese property is coming mainly from Russia, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
Italy has always been a favourite for property investment as well. The country’s new Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has indicated that he intends to come through on his campaign promise to abolish the country’s main property tax. This would likely improve Italy’s property investment climate. Linda Travella of Italian property agents Casa Travella stated that “When people look to buy abroad they rarely take into consideration such things as Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax”. These can make a big difference in the long-term value of their investement. In Italy, after five years of ownership, the owner would no longer be charged capital gains tax on their property. This makes the country ripe for foreign property investment, she argues.
The trend continues in the Caribbean as well where development projects and investment are continuing steadily. As indicated in the Global Property Guide last month, “The depreciation of the US dollar against major currencies such as the British pound and the euro, has made Caribbean properties more attractive from a European point of view”. Countries that are linked with the US dollar are becoming much more affordable, allowing European buyers to access prime beachfront property at significantly lower rates. While the prices may still be considered high for many, the Guide continues, “Caribbean properties are now considerably cheaper than coastal properties in Mediterranean Europe”.
The global property market is becoming much more affordable in the wake of economic and political change. Whether the UK economy will allow residents to take advantage of these changes remains to be seen.
