If you are considering moving to mainland Europe, the first places you might consider are the likes of France and Spain. Both of these countries are hot and sunny throughout the year and have a nice gentle way of life. Maybe you would think further afield to Italy, or opt for Portugal instead. However, it is unlikely that you would consider Germany. Germany is rarely discussed when it comes to moving abroad or property development. This is the main reason why it could be a good idea to explore developments and property investment opportunities there.

Germany’s off plan property developments are largely untapped by people living outside the country and can be bought for far cheaper than the equivalent in Spain, France and Italy. In fact, it is possible to buy a studio or apartment in Germany for approximately £75,000, depending on the exchange rate. The value for money is fantastic given the prime locations of many of the new property developments there. German developers tend to make sure that the new builds are as appealing as possible to individuals looking to invest and often handpick the land they build on.

One development in particular may just interest you!

Adlershof, Berlin

The Adlershof development in Berlin is just beginning to go up, having passed the planning stage, and the models look absolutely amazing! They combine practicality with a degree of luxury that is not usually associated with living in Germany, but should be as of now!

Adlershof is located on a science retail park right next door to one of the best universities in Berlin. The transport links to the area are excellent with the Brandenberg airport being located just 6 miles away and the existing road links to the university being well established. With an easy way of getting in and out of the area, Adlershof is perfectly located for property investment opportunities.

The studio flats and apartments themselves are magnificent. There are 183 apartments and studios so the development is not big enough to put anyone off. Instead, the building has been planned with communal terraces to promote a community feel. When this is combined with its proximity to the university, it is easy to guess that the planners had adult academics in mind and you would be forgiven for thinking that this project would turn into a student dorm. However, a five-year rental asset management programme is in place to keep the apartments and studios as exclusive as possible!

The studio flats and apartments may be just what you are looking for, whether you plan to buy to let or use the property yourself. The huge windows in every apartment make the living areas light and airy and all lead onto a private balcony. Although they look out over the university, escaping to the landscaped gardens on the roof can give you everything you need in the way of a beautiful view!

All in all, Adlershof in Berlin is a great new development that could potentially provide an excellent investment for you, whether you are to use it privately or rent it out.

If you are having a hard time believing me, then take a look for yourself!

Technorati Tags: Adlershof real estate, Adlershof property, Germany real estate, Germany property, real estate, real-estate, off plan property, off plan, property investment, real estate investment

The number of IT parks across India is increasing day by day, but Technopark Kerala continues to expand and lead as a leading IT park in India after over a decade of operation. Launched in 1990, Technopark located at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, started its operations in 1995. In 2007, with the opening of its ‘Tejaswini’ building, comprising of 850,000 square feet, Technopark was promoted to the status of single largest (in terms of area) IT park in India. Technopark Kerala also has the credit for the highest rate of IT exports (70%).

Technopark Campus - Phase I, home to IT/ITES companies from the U.S, Europe, India and elsewhere

Spread across 300 acres of land, Technopark has a space of 3.5 million square feet for over 140 companies functioning from the campus. The companies functioning here include CMM Level 5, CMM Level 3 and several ISO 9001 certified companies. Several global majors including Infosys, TCS, Ernst & Young, Tata Elxsi and Mc Kinsey function from the Technopark campus in Thiruvananthapuram. Technopark has buildings named Nila, Bhavani, Gayatri, Chandragiri, Pampa, Periyar and Tejaswini apart from the buildings owned by IT companies.

During Technopark’s first year 1994-95, there were only five companies employing 5,000 professionals and occupying with 70,963 square feet. The growth rate has since multiplied in little over a decade to 17,000.

When the construction of another 1.20 million square feet is complete, an additional 15, 000 professionals will join the Technopark campus, bringing the total workforce in the IT Park to around 32,000.

Expansion on roll at Technopark - Phase II & III

In the second construction phase at Technopark Kerala, 50 acres are allotted to Infosys and 36 acres to UST Global. Infosys’s proposed 2.5 million square feet of office space will accommodate 15,000 professionals.

UST Global is creating a 1,600,000 square foot campus, scheduled to be completed by 2011; of which 600,000 square feet will be completed within a year. The first phase of UST Global will accommodate 5,000 professionals; the second and third phases will have a seating capacity to accommodate 3,000 and 2,000 professionals respectively.

The land acquisition for the third phase comprising of 100 acres land is close to completion and Larsen & Turbo and Rahejas are planning major property developments within and around Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram.

With the completion of the second phase and third phase, total employment is expected to be 35,000.

Technocity - Phase IV of Technopark Campus

Known as the 4^th phase of Technopark Kerala is Technocity, a 500-acre campus, four kilometers away from Technopark. The proposed full-fledged township will accommodate IT/ITES, biotechnology and nanotechnology industrial units.

M.Vasudevan, Senior Manager of Business Development at Technopark Kerala points out that Technocity will function as a knowledge base, which will house multiplex, commercial space and residential apartments, educational institutions, banking facilities.

Technocity will open employment opportunities for around 200,000 people. As per current estimates, the expected investment is close to Indian Rupees 6,000 Crores (Over US$ 1.5 billion). Completion of land acquisition of Technocity will bring Technopark Kerala to a total of over 850 acres, turning the IT Park into one of India’s largest IT satellite townships.

The factors that make Technopark Kerala stay in the lead

Multiple factors contribute to the reason for Technopark’s success story. In a recent survey, Thiruvananthapuram was rated as the best 2^nd tier metro with IT/ITES infrastructure in India. And the city is second in terms of availability of human talent.

Close proximity to several colleges including both engineering and non-engineering colleges makes Technopark Kerala a strategic location to set up business and thereby recruit employees from nearby localities. And Kerala’s 100% literacy rate adds even more value! What’s more, Technopark is also referred to as the greenest IT park in India.

Entrepreneur Kenney Jacob, Co-founder, Torque (functioning from Technopark)/ MobME, cites, Quiet working environment, very cooperative officials, easy access to airport and close proximity to National Highway 47, rich talent pool, low costs (compared to cities like Kochi and Bangalore) as the main reasons to why one should chose Technopark Kerala for setting up business.

Witnessing the growth Technopark has seen over the years one has to agree that this is definitely one of the best IT parks in India. And the ongoing and upcoming developments in the various phases of Technopark are a goldmine of opportunities for those looking for a sound property investment in India.

Technorati Tags: Technopark Kerala, Technopark Thiruvananthapuram, Technopark Trivandrum, India real estate, India property, real estate, real-estate, off plan property, off plan, property investment, real estate investment

If you’re tired of cookie-cutter neighborhoods, long commutes to work, and stress everywhere in between, you are not alone. More and more, Canadians are seeking more innovative, rejuvenating alternatives to suit their always-on-the-go lifestyles.

Property buyers search for stress-free homes

It used to be that “home” was synonymous with “relaxation.” However, as residential communities get further and further away from city cores, the long drive to and from the office can be extremely aggravating. Many new houses these days are also crammed to compensate for the massive growth that is occurring in many Canadian cities, and their floor plans are often less than original.

Dissatisfaction among buyers over their choices of living spaces has caused some Canadian property builders to rethink their development strategies. Rather than simply putting up dozens of the same old houses, they are designing entire neighborhoods to meet the needs of Canadians who would prefer a more serene and more satisfying place to call home.

Property developers help Canadians find balance

Rather than living in one place and working miles and miles away from there, the latest trend in property development is incorporating the main elements of a balanced life - work and play - into one neighborhood. The result is appealing: houses have interesting layouts to suit a variety of buyer lifestyles and work opportunities are close by, eliminating the need to for harrowing, disgruntling commutes.

In addition, there are often many different entertainment activities right in the development, from restaurants, bars, and theaters to hiking trails, parks, and golf courses. Some of these communities even host special events for their residents, such as cooking classes, language seminars, and movie nights.

Rockyview, Alberta welcomes Harmony

Close both to the stunning Rocky Mountains and the bustling city of Calgary, there is a new development going up by Bordeaux Developments in Rockview, Alberta that is all about helping people attain the “Zen lifestyle” that is currently so sought after. This new property development is called “Harmony,” and the name truly reflects what the development aims to achieve: a balanced combination of life, work, and play that satisfies the soul. The community of Harmony stretches out over 1700 acres and provides ample opportunity to live, relax, and earn a living.

Neighborhoods like Harmony offer a holistic way of life that many Canadians are finding a welcome change from the frantic pace of their former routines. As life gets more stressful, it’s only natural that the demand for a better living solution increases.

Property developers are doing their best to meet the needs of buyers by providing a healthier, well-rounded, and more relaxed lifestyle. In these new neighborhoods, it’s all about balance.

Technorati Tags: Zen living, Canada real estate, Canada property, real estate, real-estate, off plan property, off plan, property investment, real estate investment

Rudrapur is a picture postcard town in India, surrounded by beautiful hills, lush greenery and picturesque mountains. This sleepy little town was best known as the “Gateway to Kumaon Hills.”

But recently, Rudrapur is making waves as an exciting property destination, with many upcoming commercial and residential projects.

Where is Rudrapur?

This charming town is in the Udham Singh Nagar District in the state of Uttranchal in India. It is a small place - and many Indians would not be able to correctly pinpoint its exact location.

However, real estate experts are of the opinion that Rudrapur is all set to give a tough competition to the established property market in nearby Gurgaon. The great thing about Rudrapur is that the property prices are still to peak, so you can easily expect 25 to 40 percent price escalations in the next 1 to 2 years.

What makes Rudrapur a good place for property investment?

Rudrapur stands out as a good city for property investment because of its excellent infrastructure, which is otherwise a problem in some other cities in India. Both water and electricity are available in abundance in Rudrapur, and the government has planned 10 more power projects to ensure a steady electricity supply for years to come.

The state government is also actively promoting property development in Rudrapur. It has declared Rudrapur as a non-tariff area for central excise, custom and sales tax duties for 10 years.

The considerable savings in taxes makes Rudrapur an attractive destination for big corporations and businesses. Established multinationals and Indian companies like Nestle, Tata, Britannia, Dabur, Honda, Bajaj, Parle, Jindal, Mahindra & Mahindra and Voltas are expected to invest over Rs 30000 Crore (approximately 6200 million USD) in the region.

Business growth in turn has a positive effect on real estate development. Rohtas Goel, managing director of Omaxe Construction Limited, a leading property developer in India, says, “The tax breaks have facilitated the overall economic development of Rudrapur. It has attracted several corporates to open their offices, eventually triggering a rise in demand for housing and commercial complexes.”

Rudrapur real estate projects

Some big national and international property developers who have projects in Rudrapur include the Omaxe Group, Sherya Developwell, Samiah International Builders, and Weltech Builders. The Samiah Group is developing an ambitious project called NRI Lake City, a high-end residential complex. Omaxe Riviera is another upcoming residential project by the prestigious Omaxe Group.

Things to remember before buying a property in Rudrapur

Rudrapur has many projects where you can take your pick from residential single unit houses, villas, penthouses and plots. Before actually purchasing the property, do a thorough research on the credibility of the builder and the finer points of the real estate project.

If you are planning to stay in the property you purchase, or even for best resale potential, choose projects that provide services like a reverse osmosis filtration system, power backup, sound infrastructure, clubhouses, and other recreational facilities.

A good quality project developed by a reputed builder will go a long way towards generating above-average returns on your real estate investment in Rudrapur.

Technorati Tags: India real estate, India property, real estate, real-estate, off plan property, off plan, property investment, real estate investment

A major infrastructure project to streamline transport to the north-western suburbs of Sydney will create better links to new housing developments earmarked for the district.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced the A$12 bilion plan, which would see a high-speed metro built from the outlying suburb of Rouse Hill, channelling through the north-west and Hills district, and delivering commuters to Sydney’s CBD by 2017.

In a region that has historically had underdeveloped public transport options, the new metro-link promises to halve the current travel time on some trips, and fill an important gap in the Sydney’s infrastructure to one of the fastest growing regions.

New-build property to boom in growth corridor

The north-west district, which takes in the major centres of Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Penrith, will be the fastest growing part of Sydney over the next 25 years.

Almost 100,000 new jobs are predicted for the region by 2031 and some 140,000 new homes are likely to be built according to the State Government’s metropolitan strategy.

20,000 of these homes are expected to occupy greenfield sites, 60,000 on vacant sites in already existing suburbs and the remainder as knock-down and rebuild projects in older suburbs.

Public transport options appeal to home owners

They are a group of commuters known as the “squinters” - drivers leaving their western suburb homes at dawn, travelling east towards the rising sun, and returning home at sunset. And until now, they have been forced into their cars because of slow trains and buses that fail to adequately link to some outer suburbs.

With rising petrol costs, currently nudging A$1.50 per litre, and the high cost of using private toll-roads such as the Hills M2 and Lane Cove Tunnel to travel from the suburbs to the city, family budgets are stretched by the lack of public transport options in the north-west region.

In some parts of the north-west, just 4% of regular commuters catch public transport to work, compared to upwards of 25% in other suburbs.

Presently it takes 90 minutes to travel by public transport from the farthest point of the proposed 17-station metro, Rouse Hill, to the Sydney CBD, a journey of 45km. On the metro, it would take 43 minutes.

Property investors to benefit from better connections

The proposed metro in Sydney will have access points at Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Norwest business park, the Hills Centre, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Epping, Denistone East, Top Ryde, Gladesville, Henley, Drummoyne, Rozelle, Pyrmont and three stops in the Sydney CBD.

LendLease is selling apartments and homes off the plan at The New Rouse Hill, a development with 1800 new homes and 34 hectares of parks and open space, at a location that is near the proposed metro line.

Mirvac has created the Chelsea Gardens community at Castle Hill, with 63 designer homes currently in the first stage of development.

Kellyville is the location for the world’s largest home display village, HomeWorld, with 35 builders displaying more than 120 home designs available for construction. As new designs are created, developers sell the existing display homes to create an extension to the suburb of Kellyville.

An Exceland Property Group development at Drummoyne, The Odeon, offers 37 apartments many with water views in a boutique development comprising executive offices and a retail plaza.

The benefits are abundant for the savvy investor to buy into this region ahead of a significant period of growth.

Technorati Tags: Sydney real estate,   Sydney property, Australia real estate, Australia property,   real estate,   real-estate,   off plan property,   off plan,   property investment,   real estate investment

India with its ancient civilization and many religions has long been considered as a prime spiritual destination. Foreigners have for years been drawn to India to seek inner peace and to look for spiritual guidance. It was this search for spiritual guidance that drew the Beatles to India in 1968, as they visited to the holy city of Rishikesh located on the banks of the Ganges where their guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who died earlier this year was based.

Similarly in the early 1980’s the provocative Indian mystic and spiritual leader and self proclaimed god who preached free love, Osho Bhagwan Rajneesh also drew hordes to westerners to his commune located in prime residential area of Pune-Koregaon Park. Nowadays apart from the teachings of ‘gurus’ like Deepak Chopra, Sri Sri Ravishankar yoga centers and ayurvedic spas also draw foreigners to the various spiritual centers located all over India.

Growth of religious tourism and religious centers

Religious tourism in India has been growing exponentially over the years and traditional religious centers in North India such as Vrindavan, Mathura, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Ajmer, Amritsar, Nasik and the southern holy cities of Tirupati and Guruvayoor have all become real estate hot spots that have attracted the attention of leading developers in the country.

In some of the above mentioned places real estate prices have shot up by almost 400%. Take the case of Guruvayoor, a small town in the state of Kerala where prices of property have increased from Rs.700 (US$17.39) per sq ft in 1990 to Rs.2500 ($62) per sq ft in 2007. This is because the demand for residential property has increased greatly in this tiny town, home to the much-revered Sri Krishna Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Retirement homes and weekend getaways

It is not only foreigners who are drawn to these religious cities but many local Indians and non-resident Indians also look at buying future post-retirement homes or weekend getaways. For instance, the city of Mathura is well located on the Delhi - Mumbai rail route and is easily accessible from the cities of Delhi, Agra and Gurgaon by road and hence this much frequented pilgrimage destination is now also a weekend getaway option for the spiritually-minded residents of these cities.

The many new developments located in these religious tourism centers have a perfect blend of modern amenities like golf courses, billiard rooms, tennis courts, Ayurvedic spas, yoga centers, clubs and swimming pools to fulfill the various needs of modern spiritual living.

Some new developments in various religious centers in India

Rishikesh Real Estate

This temple city which is located in the verdant foothills of the Himalayas has the holy Ganges River which flows through it. This spiritual city was also recently featured in a documentary on India called a Journey of a Lifetime produced for the Discovery Channel by Hollywood actor Jeremy Piven.

Rishikesh is one of the favored destinations of many foreigners who travel to India as it has an abundance of ashrams, holistic spas, inner healing and yoga centers located within its environs. In fact Rishikesh is widely regarded as the yoga capital of India and it has thus witnessed a steady increase in the demand for quality housing over the years.

In response to this demand the AEZ group of companies has launched a residential project in Rishikesh called Aloha Rishikesh. This complex, which will be a gated community, is being built on international lines and specifications and represents an ideal blend of spiritual living and modern facilities. The Aloha Rishikesh project will consist of 178 fully furnished residential units with the following common amenities:-

• An international level spa, pool and health club facility
• A yoga and aerobic centre
• An Ayurvedic Rejuvenation centre with meditation and naturopathy facilities
• A library and multi-media centre
• Vegetarian food outlets and convenience shopping outlets located within the complex boundaries
• A laundry facility
• A doctor will on call with medical facilities

The Aloha Rishikesh complex will also be able to provide arrangements rrangements for adventure sports like rock climbing, river rafting, boating, trekking all of which are located within accessible distance from the development. It will also be able to organize special arrangements for various religious pilgrimages such as Char Dham Yatra, Hemkunt Sahib, and Haridwar.

Current prices for units in Aloha Rishikesh range from 17 lakhs ($42,000) to 66 lakhs ($163,000)

Vrindavan and Mathura real estate

Located at a distance of 140 km from the India´s capital Delhi, the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, which are both associated with Lord Krishna, have witnessed the launch of the development of a number of townships in recent years. These township development projects have a combined investment of approximately Rs.15000 crores ($3.71 billion)

Sun City developers are in the process of constructing a self sufficient township set over 2500 acres on National Highway no.8 towards the city of Vrindavan. This township is being developed to showcase the cultural and mythological significance of Mathura and Vrindavan and it will feature a theme city, a tourism city and a knowledge city.

Another developer called Shri Group is developing a multiple townships in the Mathura Vrindavan region as well. Some of the Shri Group’s largely high end developments are Radha Puram Estate, Shri Brij Vasundhara township, Shri Radha Puram, Radha Orchids, Radha Farms and Radha Highway Farms.

Other developers like Pushpanjali Constructions and Prabahatam Buildwell have also announced residential projects in the highly desirable region of the twin cities of Mathura and Virindavan.

Ajmer developments

The town of Ajmer located in Rajasthan is a major spiritual and religious center as it has the world renowned Sufi shrine Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti located within its boundaries.

Ajmer is also located in close proximity to the holy Hindu town of Pushkar which is the site of a famous temple dedicated to Lord Brahma.

Pushkar, also plays host to hordes of visitors from all over the world each year who come to Pushkar for the annual Pushkar Fair.

All these factors have led the premier Indian development company Omaxe to invest in the creation of a 440 acre integrated township called Omaxe City on the Jaipur - Ajmer expressway. This township which consists of more than 2000 residential units is being developed with a host of international facilities to tap into tourist traffic of Ajmer.

Technorati Tags: India real estate, India property, real estate, real-estate, off plan property, off plan, property investment, real estate investment

Neatly positioned at the halfway point between two boom areas of off-plan property investment - the Middle East and Western Europe - Turkey isn’t necessarily a country associated with real estate opportunities.

But interest in Spanish property, which grew into interest in off-plan opportunity in Eastern Europe, particularly Bulgaria and parts of the Balkans, is apparently spreading east, where off-plan prices are among the lowest on the continent.

Traditionally seen as ‘where worlds collide’, Turkey has a rich, diverse culture thanks to its position between Europe and the Middle East.

A predominantly Muslim country, Turkey benefits from eastern and western influences thanks to the westernisation of the Ottoman Empire. Home to around 70million people, it boasts Turkish baths, famed markets and, surprisingly to some, skiing as well as world-class beaches.

Mortgage restriction lifted

Turkey is not yet an EU member state, with negotiations dating back decades, although theoretically the country could join the EU in 2013. However, some officials put the timeline at more likely 15 to 20 years (PDF), meaning this spike in the value of any new property might not arrive for some time.

However, EU membership or not, there are some excellent opportunities springing up, and, as Turkey does start to advance its application, value is likely to increase steadily.

While Turkey has just banned foreign companies from property speculation in the country, nothing has changed for the individual property investor. In fact, a long-standing turn-off for investors, restrictions on foreigners taking out Turkish mortgages, were lifted a year ago by the Turkish government.

Apartments at £30,000

There are now a host of apartment deals available in Turkey, with prices starting around the £30,000 per unit mark.

The Viewpoint, Fethiye, is a typical example. A development of 310 apartments, one to three-bed, overlooking Fethiye, it will include a communal pool, 24-hour security, a bar and restaurant, sauna and fitness centre, with easy access to the town centre - hard to resist at a starting price of £41,700 per unit.

According to the shelteroffshore.com blog, Istanbul is a good spot for instant gains on your sale price. Apartments in Istanbul Kozyatagi, close to the business district of the capital, are therefore hot property and two-bed apartments here are £55,000 to include security, indoor pool and private parking.

With some firms claiming £40,000 ‘worst case’ scenario profits on £80,000 investments in apartments, sky high could be the way to go, with similar developments in Buyukcekmece, Istanbul, offering one to two-bedroom apartments at a jaw-dropping £29,000 apiece. With 1,285 units available in this development, to be completed in May 2009, a bulk investment could mean bulk profit.

If flats are not your thing, £65,000 will bring a beachside villa in Akbuk, near a planned marina. Part of a new development, White Beach Village, a private beach is only a few minutes away and the sea is always in view thanks to a sloping design.

Bodrum is a popular development spot and Bodrum Yalikavak is a hot spot for bargain off-plan villas. Here, £67,000 will get you a sea view two-bed villa 200m from the sea. Again security, a communal pool and private parking are as standard.

Big gains for smaller budgets

Of course, EU membership aside, there are some factors the shrewd investor will want to take into consideration before buying property in Turkey.

For starters there is a three percent value tax, a one-off payment on completion of the deal. Then there are solicitor fees, starting at about £200, plus other factors such as earthquake insurance, compulsory in Turkey.

Due to the new mortgage law only being a year old, the mortgage market in Turkey is limited, although developing rapidly. Also, there is no ‘cooling off ‘period after signing your reservation contract in Turkey. As a foreigner, you will also need ‘Military Permission’ in order to own a home, though this is not usually a problem - it ensures owners are right and proper people and are not buying property in a militarily sensitive area.

However, these factors and the usual checks aside, Turkey is undoubtedly a prime spot for property investment, particularly for those with a limited budget looking for off-plan developments. The recent law changes, particularly in relation to ownership and mortgages, now make the country more than just a western holidaymaker hot-spot but a genuine area of opportunity for off-plan property investors.

According to some real estate analysts, the market for high-end, luxury condominium units in southern Florida is thriving. The upscale Trump Hollywood project, in Hollywood Beach, is one excellent example. With easy access to all the attractions of both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, the 40-story glass tower offers 200 homes; each of them has private elevator service, breathtaking views and access to a perfect beach. The shared amenities include a beach-front pool deck and concierge and valet service.

The value of the US dollar has plummeted relative to other international currencies, which is an open invitation for real estate investors from Canada and Europe to take a good look at properties in the area. Still, many pre-construction properties in the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami areas are holding their value, so buyers must put forth some effort and shop around to find an exceptional deal.

Counties on the Grow

Young families and professionals may not be in the market for a beach-front condo right now, but that does not mean they cannot take advantage of the many opportunities available to investors throughout the United States. According to a study recently published on Forbes.com, there are several places in the US that are worth a look today.

The online source recently evaluated every county in the United States in an attempt to find communities that have an expanding job market, potential for increased income and more or less stable real estate markets. Their findings? There are a number of excellent locations throughout the country that fit that description; among the top ten counties are Stafford County in Virginia; Forsyth County in Georgia, and Charles County in Maryland.

Stafford County, Virginia is located midway between Washington, D.C., and the state capitol in Richmond. Rich in history, the area today offers a good job base and ample access to recreational resources for residents who enjoy boating, fishing, golf and other forms of outdoor recreation. A number of builders have pre-construction off plan property deals available for investors.

Forsyth County in Georgia recently celebrated its 175^th birthday. The county’s physical attributes are almost irresistible: gorgeous fall foliage, rippling streams, brilliant sunsets, and delicate spring blossoms are sensory delights. The healthy local job market and close proximity to Atlanta are additional draws. Buyers and investors can find new builds and pre-construction properties in a wide range of prices. If you have a family, take a look at Vickery Village - a self-contained community within the larger community of Cumming.

Officials in Maryland’s Charles County are actively pursuing partnerships to bring business and industry to the area. While they know a strong economic base is essential for the welfare of residents, they are equally proud of the wealth of their natural attractions. Close to Washington, D.C., real estate in Charles County is both desirable and affordable.

If you’ve been dreaming of owning a property in the United States, you might want to strike while the iron is hot and the dollar is low - and looking at some of these interesting opportunities could be a very good way to start.

There’s good news for current and prospective property owners in Montenegro: new direct flights from London Stanstead to Tivet will be commencing in May.

Until now there have only been direct flights from the UK as far as Dubrovnik in Croatia, meaning that anyone travelling there had to arrange another means of transport to complete their journey to Montenegro. Although doable, it was a bit more of a hassle and may have put some people off buying here.

The new flights from Stanstead being launched by Montenegro Airlines will start on 4^th May 2008 and are expected to cost approximately £220. They may also be launching direct flights from London Gatwick in June.

The news about the flight introductions was welcomed by real estate experts. “The introduction of direct flights from London to Tivat is the news that Montenegro property buyers have been waiting for,” said Justin Faiz, managing director of Pluto Developments.

“Apart from increasing the ease by which property owners can visit, the new routes are expected to bolster the popularity of Montenegro as a tourist destination. The World Travel and Tourism Council has ranked it top, alongside China and India, in terms of anticipated visitor number growth,” he said.

He also adds that’s it’s likely to have a good influence on property rentals. “The positive effect on rental demand from the new flights (yields of up to 7%), combined with new laws to make land purchases easier and strong demand from Russia, should see the market buoyant even as a global slowdown takes hold.”

If you’re interested in exploring property options in Montenegro, Pluto Developments are currently marketing a new development. The Acacia Hill Apartments are located in Djenovici, a quiet fishing village on the Adriatic Coast, and consist of 36 two, three and four bedroom apartments in four buildings.

It looks like there is no real estate downturn in the UK after all … well at least in the St. James district of London, England anyways. A flat at 8 St James’s Square, located near both Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street recently sold off plan, reportedly for the amazing price of over 115 million pounds! The asking price for the next most expensive flat, located at One Hyde Park in London, is considerably less - at 100 million pounds.

The most expensive flat in the world

A former office building, originally constructed in the 1930s, will be home to this remarkably expensive flat and another five luxury apartments. Achilleas Kallakis’s Pacific Group is responsible for converting this building into the flats, which will vary in size from 3,600 sq feet to 9,150 square feet. Besides apartments, the building will also house a restaurant and bar on the ground floor.

Why did the St. James flat sell for so much?

Well, it appears that the main reason why this flat sold for such a high price is a simple case of supply and demand. Many people - those who can afford it that is - wish to own property in this prestigious area of London. Since it has been eight long years since a comparable St. James flat went on the market, this luxury apartment managed to sell for between 115 and 120 million pounds. In other words, luxury accommodations in ultra-exclusive areas will continue to sell for generous amounts - in spite of less than favourable real estate and economic conditions.

Ever popular St. James

St. James is bordered by Piccadilly, the Mall, and Green Park. Ever since Henry VIII built St James’s Palace in the 1530s, this area of London has been a popular locale. St. James Square, itself, was one of London’s very first squares and as such, this area was laid out in the 1670s. Famous landmarks in the general St. James neighbourhood include Spencer House, Bridgewater House, Marlborough House, Christie’s Auctions House, BP Corporate Headquarters and more.