Latest News
07-August-2008
Romania Impresses the Best
Romania is making its mark with all the right people and institutions. Standard & Poor, the financial evaluation agency, have recently upgraded Romania’s banking industry risk assessment profile, reflecting the healthy growth and profitability of the ba
Interview with James Gonzalez
Property Investment News
Property Boom Boosts Bank Balances
Whilst many countries around the world are facing financial turmoil, there is one market in particular rising high above the economic storms providing rich pickings for thousands of investors.
The USA economy that hangs in the balance, could have affected neighbouring countries, but has in fact, had very little impact on the emerging Latin American economy.
Structural changes to Brazil’s economy are creating huge interest. The introduction of credit facilities such as personal loans and mortgage lending have pushed house prices up in both the domestic and commercial sectors. Designer shops are springing up all over major cities and over 60,000 new millionaires have emerged in the last year alone.
Morgan Stanley’s Emerging Markets Index now rates the Brazilian market as the largest emerging market and the discovery of oil reserves gives the country added income opportunities. As the global financial markets stand in awe at the country’s array of commodities, its booming property market and tamed inflation, Brazil is well on the path to becoming an investor’s dream.
The bullish economy is naturally driving the Brazil property investment market. The housing shortage, which currently stands at 8 million, means demand is outstripping supply and as the population in and around the main towns and cities increase, so too does the requirement for more accommodation. Quality resorts and developments are under construction in and around the north east coast, most notably in Natal, in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte region.
Obelisk client, Alan Roberts, who purchased property in Natal in 2007, comments, "I considered going into buy-to-let in this country (UK), but was concerned about continued good returns. I think the recent sub-prime crisis shows that my fears were well-founded."
International sports icons, such as Rubens Barrichello and David Beckham, are both contributing considerably to the development of Natal. Barrichello’s new motor sports attraction and The David Beckham Academy will create heightened interest from international tourism. The worldwide awareness, created by these two projects alone, will not only add value to property in Natal, but will also increase demand for holiday rentals from the international and domestic tourism markets.
Property investment prospects have increased further in Natal after it was announced that the city is earmarked to host games in the 2014 Brazilian World Cup and Natal is expected to gain from a proposed development of a brand new football stadium.
Ten new golf courses are also planned and over US$1.8 billion worth of investment for new hotels and resorts in Natal indicate that levels of development funding are vast. In preparation, Natal's airport renovation and expansion, due to complete in 2010, will be able to receive 5 million passengers, making it the largest airport in South America.
James Gonzalez, Market Analyst at Obelisk comments, "The outlook for Brazil's property market has been very buoyant for some time now. The news regarding the World Cup has heightened international interest and many areas, including Natal, have already seen the price per square metre increase by US$150."
Healthy economic growth, plentiful natural resources and an increase in disposable incomes, show that the carnival is just beginning for Brazil and Natal property investment.
Romania Impresses the Best
Romania is making its mark with all the right people and institutions. Standard & Poor, the financial evaluation agency, have recently upgraded Romania’s banking industry risk assessment profile, reflecting the healthy growth and profitability of the ba
Albania Poised for Property Boom
Albania is a relatively young hopeful among Europe’s emerging property markets. The country, which only broke free from communist rule in 1992, has been working hard to make itself an attractive destination for overseas property investors.
Panama’s Tax Breaks and Booming Economy
Those thinking of investing in the Republic of Panama had two pieces of encouraging news recently.
Spain Cleans Up Its Act
The Spanish property sector has recently come under increasing pressure to make its real estate sector more transparent, and according to international property consultants, Jones Lang LaSalle, that is exactly what it has done.
Brazil’s New Millionaires
According to the latest wealth report by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini, the number of Brazilians worth more than US$1 million leapt up by more than 19% in 2007 to 143,000.
Invest with the Best in Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Obelisk is pleased to announce the launch of the Fontana Residence, located in one of the world’s most dynamic investment destinations.
The Time’s Ripe for Tunisia Property Investment
The June 2008 International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Tunisia has revealed extremely promising figures.
Boost for Foreign Investors in Romania
As the government set the stage to further open up foreign investment in Romania, so the prestigious Forbes magazine released their list of best countries for business.
Record GDP Growth for Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s GDP growth reached record levels of 7% during the first 6 months of 2008, according to a report by Macro Watch, a group formed by the Open Society Institute (OSI) in Sofia.
The Only Way is Up for Uruguay Property Investment
Often overshadowed by its larger and louder neighbours, Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay has so far largely escaped the world’s attention when it comes to property investment.
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