Open trade and international standards have helped to increase competitiveness, with international trade barriers eased by new laws and regulations. Inward foreign investment has been encouraged.

Cairo, the capital, the Arab World’s largest and Africa’s most populous city could reap the benefits.

With its mix of historical and modern cultural sights, including the Pyramids, the Sphinx, Saladin’s Citadel and the Old City, Cairo is nicknamed “The City of A Thousand Minarets”. Located on the banks and islands of the River Nile in the north of Egypt, the oldest part of the city is east of the river, and the city gradually spreads west, taking in agricultural lands next to the Nile.

While eastern Cairo is filled with hundreds of ancient mosques, the western part is dominated by government buildings and modern architecture.

Egypt has some compelling economic factors:

• Free EU trade agreement signed and in place
• Increasing real GPD growth 7.2% pa in 2007
• GDP forecast at 7.5% in 2008
• Inflation dropped from 18.1% in 2004 to 3.1% in 2006
• Steady annual growth in tourism: a growing market for investment

With an excellent climate to boot, look out for more developments coming soon in Egypt.

Egypt looks good for future opportunities is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: Cairo property, Egypt, Old City Cairo, The City of A Thousand Minarets

Interest rates are low – yes, like they are in the US and the UK, but inflation is stable and employment levels are rising better than ever before. Brazil is the most stable country in South America and produces over 40 per cent of Latin America’s GDP; it is now in ninth position for purchasing power in the world. Add to that political stability, infrastructure investment, an abundance of natural resources, booming tourism and an enviable climate, and it is easy to see why the country is doing so well.

Such good indicators have encouraged foreigners to invest in the country. Investors from the US have already begun to invest in the Brazilian property market as property in their own country proved too risky. Now Europeans are beginning to follow suit.

With domestic wealth increasing, the demand for property is growing at its fastest rate ever in the country, with more and more Brazilians getting on their own property ladder. Developers are struggling to keep up with demand. Foreigners getting in on the act now – still early adopters – should see the value of their property rise considerably in the coming years.

Here are some key economic facts about Brazil:

· It is one of the four BRIC nations expected to become world economic superpowers in the future (along with Russia, India and Chima)

· It is self-sufficient in natural resources

· It has a trade surplus and the third highest economic growth in the world (behind China and India)

· There is 64 per cent projected growth of the middle classes

· Cost of living is a quarter of that in UK/ Europe

More on Brazil and its developments to come soon.

Brazil is ripe for investment is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: Brazil, Brazil for Investments, BRIC

Top of the pile is PANAMA. It has a strong economy, a favourable tax regime, and businesses are attracted by its offshore banking facilities. This makes it attractive for property investors, who can choose between offices, beachside resorts, and hotel occupancy deals. By the way in the UK, if you are taking coals to Newcastle – you might be interested in Cheap accommodation Newcastle

In second place is Kuala Lumpur in MALAYSIA. It’s a booming city, with property that’s still affordable, and can be reached fairly easily by budget airlines (always a key factor in property prices for UK investors).

Next comes Brazil. It’s a vast country, so it’s best to narrow it down to the north-eastern city area of Natal, with clean air and much untouched space, as well as a warm year-round climate and miles of sandy beaches. Also, the city of Sao Paulo has high demand for quality accommodation in a large and growing city.

In fourth place is the High Tatras mountain region of Slovakia with winter sports in winter, and golfing, walking and other nature-related activities in the summer.

Coming next is the United States, tipped because property prices could be about to bottom out. In Florida, apartments are going for 54 per cent less than launch price, and offer an instant six per cent return.

Sixth in the list is the UK. Again, here, property prices might soon bottom out, and for overseas investors the weak pound will make property look attractive. To overseas investors, property in the UK looks to be 54 per cent cheaper than 12 months ago.

Property hotspots for 2009 is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: hotspot property, X hotspot property 2009

A new project, Modransky Haj in Prague gives property investors a chance to become part of the Eastern European property market. With a good record in recent years of capital growth and rental income, Prague is well positioned to ride out the global credit crunch and give investors a good return.

Developers Quinlan are introducing a new residential project called Modranský Háj in Prague. The project offers a combination of modern, well-designed residential accommodation in an exceptional location not far from the centre of Prague – yet with nature on its doorstep.

The development will consist of homes on small streets among landscaped squares and low-rise houses. The whole project will be built  with an infrastructure which creates a practical and comfortable living environment. Modransky Haj is situated just next to a large forest ‘Modranska rokle – Cholupice’ which brings ideal conditions for family living.

Mod?anský Háj will offer excellent build quality, well-designed dwellings, private garages and terraces, balconies or gardens with many opportunities for free time activities in safe and private surroundings.

The development is located in area Prague 12, just 15 minutes from the centre of Prague, but with a forest right next door. The whole development is surrounded by greenery and paved sidewalks, there will be a children`s playground as well as retail services. Prague 12 will be a popular district in Prague thanks to its location near the Vltava river, woodlands, golf courses and its easy access to the main highways.

Financing

• Reservation fee of 50,000 CZK plus VAT
• 15% of the purchase price at signing of future purchase agreement
• 85% of the purchase price at signing of purchase contract

Apartments
selection from 1kk (studio) to 3kk (2 bedrooms)
choice between balcony, terrace or garden
cellar and underground parking with each unit

Gallery Houses
3kk (2 bedrooms with one en-suite)
choice of private garden or roof terrace
cellar and underground parking with each unit

Villa Houses
2kk (1 bedroom) with private one car garage, terrace and/or garden
4kk (3 bedrooms with one en-suite), private two-car garage, storage room and garden

Semi-detached Houses
5kk (4 bedrooms with one en-suite)
two car garage with spacious storage room
private garden facing directly to the woodlands

See www.europeanpropertypurchases.com for more information on Modransky Haj in Prague

Modransky Haj in Prague offers a great opportunity is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: czech republic, Modransky Haj, prague

Prague

Capital city Prague is a wonderful place, with buildings hundreds of years old remaining untouched by the wars that have run through the country. The River Vltava separates the medieval town on the east bank from the steep bank on the west with cobbled streets, museums, cathedral and royal palace. Now these beautiful buildings are being joined by new developments as old Communist blocks are torn down.

Prague for Investors

Demand from foreign investors for property has steadily increased, and Prague has become attraction for investors, not only because of its tourist attraction for a second home, but also for its rental possibilities. Prices in Prague have almost doubled in the last two or three years, so now investors are looking further afield for bargains.

The district of Beroun is in the south-west part of Central Bohemia near to Prague. It has excellent links to the capital by road and rail. The beautiful region has varied landscape and can boast of the prestigious golf course near Karlstejn Castle. Only 25km from Prague, but with a country feel, the region is expected to boom in the next few years, with the overspill of Prague workers looking for commuter areas. Beroun fits the bill. Companies such as Lidl, Hypernova, Skoda, Kia Motors, Best Western Hotels, Kaufland, Delvita, Billa, Ceskomoravsky Cement, Kostal, Tipsport, Linde Frigera and Hornschuh all have a presence in Beroun and there is also an Ikea store close by on the D5 highway. Beroun is one of the fastest growing regions in the Czech Republic with property prices conservatively estimated to be rising at 15% per annum.

The Mill at Janska

A new development just 2km east of Beroun is The Mill at Janska. Only a short walk from local amenities including shops, schools, railway and bus stations, restaurants and several factories it is perfect for rentals to the local market.

This is a conversion project from an old mill. The development will consist of 24 units (16 studio apartments, seven one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment), all including fully fitted kitchens, bathrooms and floor covering in the purchase price, as is one parking space per apartment. Each unit is offered with an optional two-year 6% rental guarantee, assuring you of a rental income each month. The minimum deposit required is just 50,000 CZK exchange of contracts—this is just £1,600 at the current exchange rate. The Mill is due for completion at the end of March 2009 and tenants are already lined up to move in to the property—showing just how high demand is for these modern properties in the area. The beautiful high ceilings and fantastic views of the stunning countryside in Beroun makes this project in particular a sought after investment.

Prices for studio apartments start at around £45,000, and can be bought for a total capital outlay of just over £7,000.

These won’t last long.

Czech Republic gives excellent value for property investment is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

Technorati Tags: czech republic, prague, The Mill at Janska