Investment Property

As the cliché goes: location, location, location. No doubt you have heard this many times before. It is for good reason that that this popular saying has gained such publicity. Indeed, the location of an investment  property is on of the single most important issues that determines and will determine the ongoing and increasing value of it. This is especially the case for a primary home. Nevertheless, real estate investing, you are able to venture away from the cliché.

While location is a prevailing factor in investment property purchases it is not the single overriding issue on which to base a decision. Furthermore, this is even more the case if the property is not a first home but rather an additional property bought purely as an investment not as a home for you and your family.

There are several ways of selecting an investment location. The following are the methods used by many to research and buy an investment property:

1. Be up to date on real estate news. The best way to do this is do read local newspapers and subscribe to Google alerts. By subscribing through key words to Google alert, the latest articles relevant to you will be directed immediately to your email in box. Furthermore, if you know somebody living in the area you wish to purchase your investment property question them about the atmosphere in that location.

2. Check out if there is much movement such as more people coming rather than going. A good place to find out this type of information is through local real estate agents and property managers. They can act as a mole who is up to date on the local going ons in real estate in the area you are hoping to invest.

3. Be up to date with investment property reports. For example you can purchase or subscribe to  the National Review of Real Estate Markets report. While the report may cost more than your average magazine, nonetheless the information it reflects is invaluable when investing you money and making crucial decisions in the property arena.

4. It is highly recommended to visit the area and spend some time where you wish to make your investment. Whether you plan on investing locally, nationally or internationally, it is best to have a personal idea on the location and the people there.

5. Know that an investment in property is a major undertaking and commitment that you should be ready to be highly involved in, in order to reap the best rewards.

Buying a second home to use as an investment property is a pragmatic step to financial security. Real estate has helped make people very rich. So why shouldn’t everyone get on the bandwagon and earn some money through this channel? However fruitful such an investment sounds, it is nevertheless encouraged to do much research and take precautions and intensive planning. Making a home investment is a sure way to build up your financial value as well as your overall equity.

The future value of your home or investment property can be increased by making improvements and important renovations. Renting a home does require maintaining its condition and ensuring that everything is fixed and working. This will maintain and even raise the renting value of a home. Nevertheless it is important to maintain as much reason when approaching the idea of renovating your home. As the many reality television programs suggest, major home make overs can radically change the look of your house. However, they can also come with a high price tag and a lot of added hassles and headaches. The best is to maintain reasonable goals in regards to any renovations you are likely to undertake. Furthermore, your additions and alterations have to remain within the reasonable asking price of the property or potential interest will be lost. The work should remain classy and not be outrages as this too can put many buyers off.

For those fixing their apartments to be rented should take a different tactic to those renovating their apartments for sale. As a landlord you should renovate enough so the apartment is simple and well done. This will help maximize its appeal to potential tenants and the average renter. A thoughtful renovation that creates an area that is clean, where all the parts and pieces work as they are supposed to and appeals to tenants, will be able to rent out their investment property easily and for maximum returns as well as higher class tenants

While the ideal renter is someone who is neat, careful, quiet and pays their rent on time, these can often be more difficult to come buy. Until then you will probably have to go through a plethora of renters in order to find you long-term ideal tenant who will look after your apartment. The best arrangement is when your rent pays off the total amount of the mortgage required each year. In this way you will be able to accrue equity for the investment property.

Making an investment is far more than simply handing over lots of your money and hoping for the best. In fact, large investments carry with them certain specific rules and general processes and guidelines that help you ensure that you put your money in safe, profitable locations. For those interested in investing in real estate aka investment property, it is imperative to know what the initial investments will be.

For those hoping to buy a home the initial investments will begin soon after the first contract has been signed.

Real estate investments will demand, in general practice, that you place an initial down payment towards the investment property. This money belongs to the person selling the home and is a set and agreed amount.

The amount goes towards your credit and the investment. For those with additional cash, it is recommended to use this money in order to make the down payment as it will benefit you with final approval for the loan to be received for purchasing the rest of the home.

Additional investments include the team you will have to pay in order to inspect and verify the value and quality of the property.  For example, it is important to have a home inspector view the investment property prior to purchasing. Similarly, there will be many fees linked to those helping with the related paperwork and contracts. Each of the people involved will require their fees or some percentage in the property itself. House hunting will take a slice out of your bank account, especially with all the additional initial investments and unexpected expenses, it is important to make this part of your investment calculations.

It is imperative to decide on a specific and affordable sum of money when purchasing you first home. Likewise, you will need to know how much is demanded in a down payment for additional investment properties. In this way you will be able to maintain financial security always.

The dream of owning your own home needs to be realized in a proper, rational and pragmatic fashion. This will help you not only create the home you desire, but keep you financially floating rather than sinking.

Looking for some R&R in the sun?  Need a carefree place to get away from it all but without sacrificing all the amenities and services you’ve come to rely upon?  Need some scenic ocean views to clear your head?  If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then Houses for sale in Cyprus represent a great opportunity for you to get just what you need.  At Cyprus apartment holidays, there are no long lines to wait in for breakfast, no rushing back for dinnertime, and no overpriced over-the-top luxury hotels to contend with.  Instead, when you take a Cyprus apartments vacation, you get plenty of sun, rest, scenery, tranquility, comfort and freedom.  With all these features, it’s hard to pass up Houses for sale in Cyprus holidays.

A holiday in Houses for sale in Cyprus gets you all the modern conveniences a home can offer plus a whole lot more.  All homes, at the very minimum, have air conditioning installed in the bedrooms and on many properties air conditioning is a standard feature.   Also, most apartments have fully-fitted kitchens and washing machines for those of you who either prefer or, out of necessity, need to do some in-house cooking and washing.  Houses for sale in Cyprus offers a real home-away-from- home holiday experience for families where they don’t have to contend with already-determined meal plans and meal times or disruptions in personal plans.

Fortunately, Houses for sale in Cyprus are plentiful all over Cyprus’ coastal resorts, as well as in picturesque villages where you can experience authentic Cypriot village life. Cypriots spend a great deal of time outdoors because of the fantastic climate (over 320 days of sunshine), which is why you’ll find that the majority of Houses for sale in Cyprus have large balconies or sun terraces. In fact, the balcony is where most people in Cyprus enjoy their meal times and where they do most of their cooking (barbequing). There are many Houses for sale in Cyprus that even have built-in barbecues on the terrace and since the climate is almost always perfect you never need worry about your meal plans being ruined because of the weather.
Almost all of the modern property complexes include a large pool area with plenty of room for sun bathing and chilling out.  Kids can have fun in the water while you sip a cool drink and lounge nearby.  The community atmosphere in these complexes is warm and friendly as well so don’t be surprised at how easy it is to strike up a friendship with some of the other residents of the complex, many who will have made Cyprus their permanent retirement home. A great many of the Houses for sale in Cyprus belong to private individuals and many of them purchased the property for themselves, but rent them out to help cover day-to-day costs of ownership or even as help towards a mortgage payment.
Without a doubt, you’ll never forget a holiday in Houses for sale in Cyprus and you’ll likely find yourself coming back to this beautiful island paradise year after year.  The people are friendly, the climate is perfect, and the life-style pace is just right. Now is the time to consider Houses for sale in Cyprus for your holiday. Don’t wait a minute longer to enjoy Cyprus!

The Problem:

Charles and Geraldine Cooper are considering purchasing retirement property in Cyprus but are wondering if the cost of a villa there is too expensive and whether such a purchase is a good investment.

The Coopers are in their late fifties and have been promising themselves a retirement home abroad.  The Coopers aren’t looking for a permanent residence abroad, only a place where they can visit for extended lengths of time.  This is what started them looking at Houses for Sale in Cyprus.  The Coopers own a mail order company and have worked very hard for many years running the business.  The motivating factor behind all the hard work has been a villa in the sunshine as a reward.  While not quite ready to retire, they are slowing down and have been letting their son gradually take over the business.  Hence, their heightened interest in purchasing a dream retirement home.  The rising overseas real estate prices is also fueling that interest.

The Coopers have noted that prices seem to have increased the most in Spain, Italy, Cyprus, and Portugal, causing them to consider some of the newer popular destinations such as Bulgaria and Croatia.  They did look at Houses for Sale in Cyprus along the Algarve and the Spanish Costas but prices there have gone up so much that most homes are now out of the Cooper’s price range, which is around £70,000 - £75,000 maximum.

After going to a Houses for Sale in Cyprus exhibition, however, the Coopers reported seeing some lovely homes available in Croatia and Turkey with prices that were extremely competitive.  The homes looked like they offered excellent value for the money. The problem the Coopers are wrestling with is whether these countries are safe for investment and whether purchasing real estate there is a good move.

The Advice:

At first glance, Bulgaria, Croatia and Turkey and other such countries seem like they offer good value for your money so it’s not surprising that the Coopers expressed an interest in them.  The problem with investing in many of these countries is the lack of developed infrastructure.

A good suggestion for the Coopers would be for them to take a trip to one of the countries in which they are considering a real estate purchase and examine the existing infrastructure (e.g., medical facilities, roads and highways, and general services).  While the first few days of sitting in a shady cafe overlooking a sun-drenched fishing harbor might be charming, the charm will wear off rather quickly if that’s all there is.

A no less significant consideration regarding Houses for Sale in Cyprus is the winter climate.  Many of these other countries have very harsh winter climates, which would make traveling and touring difficult during the winter months.

The phrase ‘Value for money’ is commonly bantered about but it needs to be put into the larger context.  Even if the home looks nice and has a great view, its value is greatly diminished when there are frequent disruptions in services, very few English-speaking inhabitants, and difficult roads to traverse just to get there.  The investment aspect is also an important consideration – many of these emerging countries have unstable economies.

This isn’t to say that these emerging states aren’t worth a look-see, but it should be countered with a visit to a popular investment country like Spain or Cyprus.  The Coopers might feel as if they can’t afford property in these countries but there are, in fact, a number of very attractive Houses for Sale in Cyprus that can be bought within their budget with far fewer ‘unknowns’. And, Cyprus has been tried and tested by British buyers for a number of years.

Once perceived as just another tourist destination, Cyprus has evolved into much more, thanks to the approaching EU enlargement.  For a potential half - billion people, Cyprus is now a place to work, raise a family, operate a business and retire.

This new vision of Cyprus has construction companies working around the clock, new roads and marinas under construction, more EU companies looking at the Cypriot market, and increasing numbers of young EU citizens migrating there.  Also, the government is planning to introduce VAT on property purchases.  In other words, Cyprus Real Estate is on the rise.

According to current Cyprus law, a non-Cypriot can purchase as much Cyprus Real Estate as he likes but he’s only permitted to transfer one house or one plot of land up to 4,000 sq. meters in his own name.  Also, Cabinet approval is required before the deed can be transferred.  The exception to this is if the person has lived and worked on the island for many years, in which case he might be granted permission to own a second home.

This restriction may soon be lifted, however, once EU accession is complete.  At that point every EU citizen will be allowed to work, settle and move freely in the EU.  Nevertheless, Cyprus has negotiated a transitional period for the next five years regarding the lifting of restrictions on secondary residences.  In other words, EU citizens will still not have exactly the same rights as Cypriots when it comes to owning property on the island until 2009.

Loizou, a property analyst, believes that Cyprus Real Estate prices could jump by 30 – 50% by then. “There will be a huge rush to buy before VAT comes on. But the freedom of movement and labor that comes with EU accession will increase demand for Cyprus Real Estate considerably,” he said. “At the moment, only foreign retirees buy property for their own use. Once restrictions are lifted we will have a younger generation of purchasers wanting to work here, investors buying up houses and leasing them, companies investing provident funds, and eight new member states with no sea and sun. That’s millions of people,” Loizou added.

Loizou also pointed out that EU accession would open Cyprus Real Estate to a market with a high standard of living, making leisure time cheaper for its citizens. “Air fares will eventually go down with cheap, no frill flights, like EasyJet, coming to Cyprus. This removes a major obstacle to Cyprus. It also means another boost to the Cyprus Real Estate market. Prices will not be falling,” he said.

“Prices will continue to go up. There’s a lot of construction activity and infrastructure development at the moment. Not only is Cyprus becoming a top destination for retirement, but also, younger people are coming here because they see it as an investment,” said Hadjikyriakou.

Loizou also noted that the government’s plan to impose a VAT on property purchases will also cause an increase in property prices: “VAT is going to cause us a lot of problems. But we don’t have a choice; we have to impose VAT on property purchases. The government might abolish transfer fees to offset VAT, but they only account for 5-8 per cent. Compare that to 15 per cent. Buying will definitely be more expensive,” said Loizou.

Regarding the transitional period for VAT on land purchases and the fact that full VAT will have to be paid on houses from the time of accession on May 1, Loizou believes it will hurt locals:

“This is bad news for locals. If you own property, it might be worth more, but once you sell it, other properties will be just as expensive,” warned Loizou. “Cyprus Real Estate Prices will increase gradually, at least by 20-30 per cent by 2009. But if you add five per cent related inflation to the increase in demand from EU countries as we come nearer to 2009, because there is less risk in buying two years before the restrictions are lifted, then prices are more likely to rise by 50 per cent,” he said, adding, “after 2009, God help us.”

Hadjikyriakou contends that the government should step in if Cypriots can’t compete in the property market. “Many Cypriots cannot afford it. Those that don’t already have property will find it very difficult. Newlyweds are also having a hard time and are obliged to rent where possible. The government is not helping.”

According to one government source, presently there is no plan to eliminate transfer fees as a balance against VAT.  “This issue was not raised during the tax reforms and currently there are no plans to do that. But that doesn’t mean it wont be addressed in the future.” The source emphasized that the reduced interest rates did help alleviate the rising prices. “One can see interest rates further decreasing or staying at current low levels. This should help people who wish to buy residences.”

Of course, if a solution to the Cyprus Real Estate problem is found, the perspective on these problems will be different.

“It depends on what type of solution we end up with. Other things being equal, and if they give back Varosha, then there will be a shift in the population which could lead to stagnation in property prices in residential areas,” said Loizou.

The Annan plan is not yet in effect and it’s still not clear whether the plan would restrict Turkish Cypriots from moving to the south and Greek Cypriots from moving the north. It’s also unclear whether EU citizens will face similar restrictions.

“If the Europeans can buy in the north freely, then they are more likely to do so. But an overall solution will encourage investment both in the north and south,” said Loizou. “Overall, it could lead to two or three years of price stagnation in the Cyprus Real Estate market in the south. It all depends on the solution. It will take years to sort out the land and property issue. However, there will be a gradual, not major effect.”

As things stand now, a wait-and-see approach seems best.  A sudden rush to buy immovable property could cause dramatic price increases and the implications of the VAT are still not completely clear.

Ever since Cypriots from the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) voted in favor of the Annan Plan and the peaceful reunification of Cyprus in 2004, Cyprus Real Estate in North Cyprus has been booming.  The real estate boom has also been bolstered by EU aid to Cyprus and an increase in foreign direct investment.

Since 2004, property investment in North Cyprus has been steadily increasing, as has the amount of government spending on infrastructure and amenity improvement and development.
All indicators point to a long-term upward trend in Cyprus Real Estate prices in North Cyprus.

Corresponding to this real estate boom, Cyprus Real Estate offers a myriad of investment opportunities in North Cyprus ranging in size from off plan residential apartments starting at GBP 50,000 to a 400 berth marina requiring an investment of over GBP 90 million.  Most investors are interested in residential properties off plan for both capital appreciation and rental yield.

Tourist areas in North Cyprus are presently experiencing the greatest property demand, a trend that will likely continue since UK-based tourist companies such as ‘Going Places’ have agreed to display TRNC brochures and the city of London itself is advertising North Cyprus on buses and in underground rail stations.  The heightened awareness of this beautiful Mediterranean destination created by all this focus is causing an even greater increase in the number of tourists visiting the region (and it’s already been on the rise for the last five years).  Increased tourism will serve to intensify the demand for short-term villa and apartment rentals from which Cyprus Real Estate investors could profit.

The rental industry will also benefit from the five major universities located in North Cyprus.  These universities all saw increases in their student population, which means there will be an increased need for accommodations (especially since the amount of campus-based student accommodation is limited).  This presents very promising residential and commercial investment opportunities for Cyprus Real Estate investors.

Another significant commercial venture in need of investment is the 400-berth marina, mentioned above.  This development plan has permission to incorporate a 5-star hotel and casino and waterfront villas and apartments.  The entire development is to be located in Esentepe, east of North Cyprus’ main resort town of Kyrenia (Girne).  Smaller ventures in North Cyprus requiring investment, such as the Ottoman Palace hotel in Girne, are also available.

The choice and opportunity for growth and strong yield that North Cyprus offers Cyprus Real Estate investors has so much potential, the intense worldwide media attention that the TRNC has attracted should come as no surprise.  Neither should the growing number of potential investors that are now flocking towards North Cyprus.

Cyprus property is a hot item on the real estate market and analysts predict that this trend will continue for some time to come.  Even with the growing number of houses under construction, it does not appear that supply will outstrip demand anytime soon.  If you’ve been thinking of purchasing Cyprus property, now is a great time to do it – before prices become too prohibitive.  Don’t get left behind like many investors did when Spanish real estate prices skyrocketed.  A lot of real estate investors hesitated about getting in on the ground floor of the real estate boom in Spain and have regretted it ever since.

Fortunately, for interested Cyprus property investors, there are a large number of houses and villas all over the island from which to choose.  Both apartments and luxury residences are plentiful and easy to find.  In fact, the choice can sometimes be overwhelming, and, since there are literally hundreds of real estate agents as well as developers in Cyprus, it’s important that you get a handle on the real estate situation there before you begin your search.  Furthermore, as is true with everything else in life, there are good and bad real estate agents to be found so shop around until you find someone you feel you can trust.  As a rule, however, Cyprus property companies have a solid reputation when it comes to dealing with non-Cypriots.

Another fortunate aspect of buying Cyprus properties is that many Cypriots speak English as a second language.  Moreover, since all of the solicitors and property agencies have English-speaking staff, there’s very little likelihood that you’ll experience any communication problems during business transactions.  Yet another favorable aspect is that, as a result of Britain’s occupation of Cyprus up until the 1960s, Cyprus’ legal system closely resembles the UK’s legal system.  There are, however, two differences that you should know about: 1) As a non-resident of Cyprus you are limited to owning only one piece of property on the island, although this restriction may quite possibly be lifted in the future, and 2) in the event that you do purchase a brand new Cyprus property, you will most likely not receive your title deeds for up to five years after the project has been completed. There are a couple of reasons for this delay and they are detailed below.

Typically, when a Cyprus property developer purchases land for development, only one title deed is issued for the entire plot.  Only after the plot has been divided and the construction project completed, is the developer issued title deeds for individual pieces of property.  Of course, this won’t happen until all the houses have been built and all the roads have been completed.  At this point, the developer will apply to the land office for the deeds and a full survey will be conducted of the whole development to ensure that all of the work carried out complies with the original planning application.  For this reason, owners of these new properties are advised not to make any structural changes to the property before the deeds have been completed.  If someone does make structural changes before the deeds have been issued, it may jeopardize the chances of getting the deeds for all the properties that are part of the development.

The long wait until you get your property deed for a brand new Cyprus property makes it vitally important that a contract be drawn up between the developer and yourself.  The contract guarantees your entitlement to the house even though initially the developer is the only one holding a deed.  This procedure may also apply to the purchase of a Cyprus property that is five years old or under for which title deeds have not yet been transferred.  In fact, many sellers have been shocked to find out that developers require a fee of approximately three thousand Cypriot pounds so that a replacement contract for a new buyer can be drawn up.  The purchaser of such resale properties, however, is not required to contribute towards the cost of the replacement contract.

Hopefully you will find the information that has been provided on the Cyprus property market useful.  There are additional factors to take into consideration when purchasing property in Cyprus as well, such as the availability of finance in Cyprus and the costs associated with property ownership etc.  Banks in Cyprus are eager, perhaps more than ever, before to make loans for property purchases to non-residents.  Plus, the cost of living is significantly less in Cyprus than it is in the UK or other parts of Europe.  With this in mind, we wish you good luck in your house hunting endeavor and enjoyable times in Cyprus.

If you are looking for a good investment, then Cyprus Property for golf is, without a doubt, one of the very best investments you could make.  Already booming, the Cyprus property market is just getting stronger and purchasing golfing property on the sunny, beautiful island of Cyprus is a surefire way to take advantage of that market.   Whether you’re interested in a purchase for your own personal use or one that could take advantage of the rental market on this holiday island paradise, a Cyprus property investment will work in your favor every time.  Even if the purchase is for personal use, you can always subsidize it by renting it out to tourists when you’re not using it.

The center of Cyprus golfing is in the Paphos area, which boasts several excellent golf courses. Because Paphos has international standing as a year-round resort and an excellent reputation for superb golf courses, Cyprus properties in Paphos are amongst the highest in all of Cyprus, which makes Cyprus Properties there a hot real estate value. Comparable resorts and locations in Spain and Portugal are still much higher, however, which means that Paphos is still an excellent investment choice.   Moreover, it is estimated that prices will continue to rise for some time so it’s not too late to get in on this opportunity.

With the airport only minutes away and great highway access, golf property in Cyprus is every golfer’s dream-come-true.  Fortunately for interested investors, there are plenty of properties still available and new developments are sprouting up everywhere.  If you are attracted to both golfing and a holiday atmosphere, you might want to consider Coral Bay, which is just on the outskirts of Paphos.  Coral Bay has bars, restaurants, and endless sandy beaches and is a popular destination for all tourists in Cyprus.  Owning property in Coral Bay means that you have easy access to the golf courses as well as rental property located in an area that is attractive to tourists.

Paphos may not be the only golfing resort town in Cyprus worth investing in, however, as rumor has it that there is a proposal on the table for a huge golfing and leisure development in Larnaca, Cyprus.  Golfers looking for a great Cyprus property investment might just want to check this out since a golfing resort in Larnaca might surpass anything a golfing fan could imagine, and it represents an awesome investment opportunity.  Larnaca is not only a fabulous resort town and tourist attraction, but it is also a major town in its own right.  There is a vibrant business community, a busy marina, a commercial port, and plenty of shops and restaurants for tourists to enjoy.  The main airport is located nearby and you can use the conveniently located coastal highway to visit just about any place you might want.

This is truly a golfer’s paradise. It has all the sun, sea, golf, and relaxation you could want and, compared to other areas in Cyprus, the property prices are still quite reasonable since development of the golf complex is not yet underway.  Undoubtedly, though, property prices will skyrocket once plans are cleared and development begins.  In sum, if you’re a golf lover that’s also looking for a good investment, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime — if you get in on it now.

Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase and enjoy a new Cyprus Property!

There are an endless number of reasons to buy Cyprus Properties, not the least of which is Cyprus’ location.  It’s located half way between the UK and Dubai so when you purchase Cyprus Properties you not only get a great investment, but you also get a convenient vacation home as well.  Cyprus is a safe and scenic island with an ideal climate, changing seasons, fresh air, friendly people, and a sense of culture and history.

How has the entry of Cyprus in the EU affected the purchasing of Cyprus Properties?
On the May 1st, 2004, Cyprus became an official member of the EU.  This was a historical event for Cyprus that benefited Cyprus in many ways.  Not only did the value of Cyprus Properties increase before the entry date, so did the number of people looking to buy in Cyprus (especially people from the UK).  Plus, EU membership means that citizens of any EU state will automatically have the right to work in Cyprus and receive their social security and other benefits from other EU states.
Is buy-to-let a good option in Cyprus Properties right now?
Yes, it’s a good option because Cyprus has a strong seasonal market for short-term lets.  If, for example, you were to make a 30% down payment on a property and then let that property for only 35 weeks, 66%of the mortgage on the property would already paid – and that’s based on a 10-year term!  In other words, in a very short time, that purchase becomes self-funding. Even better, the property becomes available for your own use once it’s vacated.  Moreover, flights from northern Europe are experiencing a price decrease, making Cyprus Properties an even more popular vacation destination, which, in turn, creates an even stronger letting market.

What are the benefits of investing in Cyprus Properties?
Because many investors have taken a hit in the stock market in recent years, property has automatically become an attractive investment.  Plus, Cyprus is indisputably one of the best places to invest in property.  This is largely due to Cyprus’ membership in the EU, which will likely increase the capital value of Cyprus Properties over the next few years. Rental returns are also strong and will probably become even stronger, making property investments in Cyprus even more financially appealing.

What kind of return can I expect on my investment?
This question is difficult to answer because there are so many factors affecting investment returns.  Like any real estate investment, it depends on location, timing (when you buy and sell), and the type of property purchased.  A rough estimate suggests that clients expect annual gains of 15-25% over the next 1-5 years.  The ‘gearing effect’ of buying with a mortgage must also be taken into consideration, as it could produce a much higher return on the actual capital invested.  Obviously, there are no guarantees on any investment, but Cyprus Properties definitely offers one of the most attractive investment opportunities around.

How can you be so certain that prices will rise in the coming year?
Cyprus’ entry into the EU has made the price increase a virtual certainty.
So why are people waiting?
There are basically two reasons:  First, some investors insist on buying a mortgage from a UK provider so these people are waiting for The Abbey and the Halifax to start offering mortgages for Cyprus.  Second, many investors from the UK that already own property in Cyprus are interested in buying more property on the island but are restricted to buying only one property by law.  With Cyprus’ entry into the EU, however, those restrictions should be removed and then interested parties will be able to buy more properties.

What is the average cost of a property?
This is another difficult question to answer because so many factors are involved.  A better question to ask would be what is the price range.  The price range of real estate in Cyprus is wide, starting at £40,000 for apartments, £70,000 for beach Cyprus Properties, and £90,000 for villas.  The old real estate axiom applies to Cyprus too: ‘location, location, location’.  Some buyers get excited about a villa with a breathtaking view of the sea that can be had for £180,000 while others might prefer something in the Aphrodite Hills development.  This is a resort with a championship golf course, a health spa, and a tennis academy.  When you buy here you are buying into a certain lifestyle.  Prices start at £150,000 but can exceed £400,000 for a premium villa with pool.  Of course, any of the same types of properties in Spain or Portugal would cost a great deal more – another reason why we are seeing so much interest in Cyprus Properties.