Asian property options

Istanbul - Where to Invest and Why?

2008-08-21T03:49:00.001-07:00

Istanbul is a famous metropolis situated in the center of the ancient world amongst historical ruins and amazing natural scenery. It's the only city in the world that is established on both the continents of Asia and Europe, and divided by the narrow sea passage of the magnificent Bosphorus. With more than 2,500 years of history, and the creation of strategic embrace of sea and land, it has become a major center for trade.
Istanbul is situated on a peninsula, bordering its 3 sides is the Marmara Sea, Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It has been a capital of three Empires, namely the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Turks, over a span of 1600 years, whilst changing hands of over 120 Sultans and Emperors. Historical Istanbul is the only city in the world that is unique to these characteristics.
It's a place where the center of Turkey's import and export, entertainment, culture, education, shopping, tourism and arts activities reside. Istanbul is becoming more and more colorful in its rich social, cultural and trade activities. It is also, by far the most liveliest region in the real estate sector.
If the real estate market has slowed down in parallel with both the Turkish and Global markets, there is certainly no drop in prices in the most expensive districts of Istanbul. New residential projects are surfacing in the districts that have carried their expensive, high-end position and appearance for many years, tying in new residential developments. Many of these added neighborhoods are mainly on the Asian side of Istanbul. The neighborhoods of Acarlar and Cavusbasi in the district of Beykoz are attracting attention with rental rates of 4,000 YTL (aprx. €2,100) per month. According to research, 11 of the 20 additional neighborhoods are within the district of Besiktas. It has been established that the average monthly rental rates in Besiktas are 2,161 YTL (aprx. €1,150).
The land prices continue to rise in Istanbul and its surrounding regions; the economic heart of Turkey. The market is drawing attention as the land prices in USD, have increased 10 fold within the last 3 years. Land in the regions offering the least rewards are even doubling. The return on land is therefore much higher than the dollar, gold and stock exchange. One of the reasons for the price increases is due to the upcoming planning permissions that will be applied within many new areas of Istanbul. The investors are in search for land for the purpose of constructing residential developments and shopping centres, but as land is somewhat scarce, there is not a lot of production gonig on, and the existing regions are making the premiums.
The most valuable route from the prospective of land, is the Levent-Maslak line. Generally the best premiums for land in Turkey is in this region.
The district of Riva is ahead again as the shinning star in the last period. Real estate experts state that this will be one of the regions as the center of attention in the coming years. It is already begun attracting foreign investors.
Nowadays, residential developments, apart hotels and luxury homes are what's in style. The preferred locations are in the city centres. The attraction of city centres is due to its higher level of prestige, very good sales potential and profit margins.
The districts offering the highest returns in the Asian side of Istanbul are: Cekmekoy, Alemdag, Sarigazi, Omerli, Maltepe, Kartal, Pendik, Kurtkoy, and Gebze. On the European side of Istanbul are the districts of Sariyer, Zekeriyakoy, Catalca, Silivri, Beylikduzu, Beyoglu, Kagithane, Gaziosmanpasa, and Dolapdere.
An example of a new district on the rise, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, presenting a contemporary city planning, is Kurtkoy. With its infrastructure in place; from the prespective of its stable ground, Kurtkoy is considered one of the most secure places against earthquakes. In a very short period of time, Kurtkoy will become one of the newer districts of attention because of its International airport, marinas, 3rd largest exhibition centre and industrial facilities. Kurtkoy reached its fame, as the region that holds the distance between laps at the Formula 1 Istanbul Park racetrack.
Protecting Istanbul's metropolitan build and natural beauty, situated along the coast, Tuzla is another district grabbing the attention of investors. Based on rental income, Tuzla is one of two regions that offers capital returns within 13 years and 11 months, according to experts. In the last little while, the rental housing prices are becoming comparable to other luxury districts. With its modern city structures, Tuzla is also becoming an attraction with investors in the last periods.
Recently another region in Istanbul that has drawn attention in real estate investments, offering very good premiums, is Beylikduzu. This region has built up an excellent variety of residential projects in the last period. The rapidly increasing shopping centres has made the region centrally appealling.
Atasehir has proven its quality since it won the International award "City within a City" in 1996. Situated on the Asian side of Istanbul, Atasehir is a modern living centre. It addresses higher income individuals and families with its luxury housing. Due to its large variety of developments, it'is quite easy to find a property suitable to many different interests.
Lastly, the district of Nisantasi, with its rich history and social mosaic and rich displays, continues to hold its place as being the most prominent district of Istanbul. The most expensive rental rates in Turkey are in this district. No matter how high the rental rates are in Nisantasi, it carries the feature of being Istanbul's most pretigious housing areas.
While extensively following the Istanbul real estate market trends, euroMedt has conducted indepth research on these premium making regions. For more information and a list of our private development offers from these areas, please contact us with your inquiries.
http://www.euromedt-turkey.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yasemin_Tuncbilek

Luxury Villas in Thailand

2008-03-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Thailand has, over the past few years, seen a large increase in the number of private villas available for holiday rent. Here we investigate the villa market, and make our recommendations as to how to find and book a villa, and where to stay on your next holiday.

These alternatives to hotel or resort accommodation often offer exceptional quality and high standards, but a number of very second rate properties are also broadly advertised on the internet and in some cases offer no more than a room in a tired condominium in a poor location: it is important for the holidaymaker to know how to find an appropriate villa, and to understand the pricing structures generally in place, in order to be sure of securing an enjoyable, clean and properly serviced villa at the right price.

It is perfectly possible to rent your own villa in Thailand for your holiday and to enjoy not only superior accommodation, but also a plethora of services, at rates that in fact make such a holiday the sensible alternative to booking a room - or indeed, for those with friends and family, a number of rooms - in a resort.

Why Thailand?

Thailand is a perfect destination for those who wish to rent their own house or villa, for a number of reasons:

- the Thais are widely recognized as a welcoming, smiling people

- The kingdom's cuisine is world-renowned; whilst most visitors will know the famous dishes such as Tom Yam Kung, the variety of cuisines and regional specialties is great, and even a serious glutton would have trouble trying to experience the exhaustive array of Thai food dishes in just one stay.

- Thailand is a shopper's paradise, offering unique silks, handcrafted furniture and a plethora of exotic items at a fraction of the cost of such goods in the West. Clothes, leather goods and decorative items are often at the top of the visitor's shopping list.

- Thailand offers exceptional value for money: even five star hotels cost a fraction of what they do not only in the West but even in other Asian capitals such as Hong Kong or Singapore.

- Thailand welcomes millions of visitors to its shores annually, and personal safety is generally excellent. Any reported crimes tend to be minor, involving jewellery scams and the like, but the more experienced traveler is hardly likely to fall for these. Most visitors will feel infinitely safer in Thailand than they ever would in equivalent capitals such as London, Paris, New York etc.

Which Thai region should I visit?

The visitor to Thailand today is spoiled for choice, with villas available throughout the kingdom.For shorter stays, we would recommend a single destination stay, so that you can avoid the hassles of travelling and fully explore your chosen location. For longer stays, why not combine a stay in two very different locations, allowing you a greater exposure to the country and its diversity, whilst taking advantage of its inexpensive domestic travel networks? (see below)

Thailand is generally divided into four main regions.

Bangkok and the central Plains

Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis which, despite its famous gridlocked traffic and teeming streets, offers a great variety of things to do and to discover, to those with patience and a will to explore. The restaurants in Bangkok are second to none, whether you seek Thai or foreign cuisines, and its weekend and other markets deserve to be explored, as do many of its lesser know temples. A cruise on the Chaophraya river - perhaps by privately chartered long-tail boat - is an excellent way of seeing much of the city without being reduced to tears by the traffic.

The North

The North of the country is home to cities such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. With tropical jungles and hills, the North attracts those looking to go trekking or seek out places of natural beauty. Do try to avoid the larger cities, as tourism is so developed here that you run the risk of simply being "processed" through a number of popular elephant camps and well-trodden hill tribe treks...

The Northeast

The Northeast is the largest region of the kingdom, yet has been largely untouched by tourism. The Northeast (or isan) is the rice-bowl of the country, and is predominantly agricultural, producing rice, sugarcane, tapioca, eucalyptus and, increasingly, rubber. Major centres include Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, and the mighty Mekong river twists along this region's borders. The people here are perhaps the most open and fun-loving in the country, perhaps because their lives are based on village traditions where overt consumerism has been much slower to advance than in the other booming parts of the nation. Travel to the Northeast is recommended for those looking for a unique experience, to get away from the tourist crowds, and to immerse themselves in something new.

The South

The south of Thailand is renowned for its famous beaches and seaside resorts, such as Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. Some of the country's most expensive holiday villas are found here. Travellers should be aware of the security issues in the south of the country and avoid journeys to the southernmost provinces: your local government's website will post updated advisories with travel recommendations and warnings.

The vacation villa market

Holiday villas in Thailand tend to fall into one of two categories. They are either privately owned, self-contained homes, or villa units forming part of a resort complex. These are quite different propositions!

Resort Villas

The resort-centred villa essentially comprises a resort's superior room inventory, and will be priced accordingly. In many cases, these villas will have been professionally designed by the hotel designer itself, and then sold to a third party buyer, who in turn joins the letting pool operated by the developer to provide a return on investment on the villa buyer's acquisition.

The advantage here is that the villa occupants will generally be able to avail themselves of the additional facilities or services provided by the resort, albeit at resort prices. The disadvantage is that, for those seeking a more genuine experience, they will find themselves simply a guests within a resort complex, and considered as additional - if well-paying "keys".

Private stand-alone villas

Private villas are generally second homes owned by individuals, located on an individually-held land plot.

These may be rented "as is", with the guests picking up the keys at the start of the trip and returning them at the end, either with or without a cleaning or security deposit. Alternatively, the villa may have its own staff, generally living off property but available throughout your stay to take care of cleaning, laundry, cooking or local visits etc.

Whether you choose a resort villa or privately held property, you should expect to pay a partial deposit at the time of booking, either by credit card guarantee or by a wire transfer.

Tried and Tested

We tried a number of villa vacations in Thailand, and below highlight one resort villa and one private villa - each offering an exceptional holiday but altogether different experiences.

Green Gecko, Northeast Thailand

Green Gecko is a privately owned villa located on a large country estate, surrounded by woodlands, plantations and rice paddies in the heart of Thailand's rural northeast, near a town called Udon Thani. Free airport transfers were arranged from the airport, which is accessible via a 50 minute flight from Bangkok on Thai Airways, or budget airlines Nok Air or Air Asia.

In contrast to more mainstream locations, our stay here allowed us to discover and experience the real Thailand, off the beaten tourist track.

The villa's architecture was traditionally Thai: an impressive wooden staircase led up to the raised and enclosed wooden deck, where our delightful private swimming pool was located, with bucolic views of the surrounding countryside and the evening sunsets. The steeply pitched roofs made of terracotta tiles gave the house an almost temple like appearance. A raised and covered "sala" here offered protection from the strong midday sun and became our favourite spot, with its views over the pool.

Accessible from the deck in two separate buildings were the two bedrooms (each air-conditioned), as well as the living and dining room and kitchens. The master bedroom had a sturdy teak four-poster, king sized bed, with a cotton duvet and feather pillows, a large adjoining bathroom and WC and an outside garden shower. The second bedroom had a queen sized four poster, again with a spacious adjoining bathroom / WC.

The main air-conditioned building housed a dining room with a dining table and seating for six, a living room with comfortable sofas and views onto the pool deck, and a sunken area decorated with futons for lounging in front of the large screen LCD television (complete with a separate high-end home theatre system and international satellite channels). Leading off from this area (behind sliding wooden panels) was an additional WC, and a fully equipped Western kitchen (with built in microwave, oven etc), that in turn led out to a stainless steel Thai kitchen.

We must confess that this all looked very user-friendly, but that we never used the kitchens - with the exception of helping ourselves to a few iced beers from the refrigerator! As the owner is a former chef, he prepares all his guests' meals throughout their stay, varying the spiciness or composition of these to his guests' tastes. We were delighted to be shown around the gardens to collect a number of herbs and spices, which we were then shown how to spirit into deliciously fresh and tangy Northeastern dishes. We tried the classics too: Thai food certainly is mouth-watering, and staying at a villa like this where all meals are prepared for you, by a chef who is willing to share his secrets, was a boon!

We spent a good deal of time just lazing by the pool in complete privacy, but also enjoyed a number of excursions with our hosts to experience some of the sights and sounds of the Northeast. These included a spectacular trip in a small wooden boat, across a lake that was fundamentally a vast expanse of pink lotus flowers, interrupted only by the occasional fisherman or wallowing water buffalo (marriage propositioners, take note!) We also visited a local museum that seemed to denominate Thailand as the home of the bronze age, and a number of rowdy, colourful local festivals and wet markets, as well as silk and cobra farms. But our lasting impression was one of rural simplicity and ever-friendly locals, keen to ensure we enjoyed our stay and sample an unending variety of indigenous foods and drinks!

Green Gecko may be booked for stays of 2 nights or more via their website, where availability and rates may be checked online (from around US$280 including all transfers, service and meals.)

Green Gecko
134 Moo 13
Baan Um Jaan
Tabol Um Jaan

A. Prajak Sinlapakhom
Udon Thani
41110 Thailand www.thaivillarent.com

Green Gecko's sister property, Gecko Villa (www.geckovilla.com) offers a cheaper three bedroomed alternative to those on a tighter budget (from around US$160.)

The Villas at Napasai, Southern Thailand

The villas at Napasai are located within the seafront resort complex on the luxury North coast of the island of Koh Samui, in Thailand's southern province of Surat Thani. Koh Samui is accessible via Bangkok Airways from Bangkok, with flights taking approximately one hour (depending or aircraft chosen).

The resort is part of Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises: as such, both the villa and the resort were professionally managed, and we were able to choose between cooking up our own Thai meals after a visit to the local markets, or to simply walk to the resort's excellent Thai restaurant in the evening.

The villas themselves were located at one end of the property, stunningly sandwiched between a steep hillside behind our house and the sea in front. Each of the villas is tiered down the hillside to the seafront. We stayed in a two bedroom villa, but three bedroom properties were also available. Beyond the two well-appointed bedrooms, our property had a spacious living and dining room with its own kitchen, a maid's room, and, at the ground level, a private swimming pool and "chill-out" area. The main living room was well furnished and had a DVD player, satellite TV, and charming sea view balcony, where we spent most evenings.

The island of Koh Samui is a major international tourism hub and as such plenty of activities are available for the guest, from exploring waterfalls, to elephant rides, paintball, sea sports, diving, fishing, golf etc. The hotel also offers boating activities, Thai cooking classes, tennis courts, a fitness centre and a spa.

We booked online at the hotel's own internet site, taking advantage of a special offer. Rates for a two bedroom villa are seasonal and start at around US$850 per night, including complimentary American breakfast.

Napasai
65/10 Baan Tai
Maenam
Koh Samui
Surat Thani 84330
Thailand Tel: (66-77) 42 92 00
Fax: (66-77) 42 92 01

www.napasai.com

Finding your Thai Villa on the internet

Choosing an appropriate holiday villa on the internet is easy using Google, Yahoo, MSN etc. Remember:

- Play with your search terms: use more specific words to help you drill down to receive a more "targeted" property. "Rural villa with pool Thailand" or "seafront Samui private villa" will give a more specific set of results than will the generic "Thailand Villa", and will be less likely to return a listings site.

- Where possible, book directly with the property owner rather than via a listings site - in all likelihood such a listings site will be charging a commission on top of the normal rate.

- Don't be afraid to ask for references.

- Travel in the off season, and book early. Book ahead, as when a standalone villa is booked - it is booked!

- Make sure the property you choose has a telephone and address listed.

- Travel somewhere different! What makes a stay in a private villa memorable is the way it can take you out of the tourist centres to enjoy a more authentic holiday.

Thailand's Airlines

Thailand's flag carrier offers numerous domestic flights, but travelers "in the know" will turn to the local discount airlines. These offer frequent flights at a fraction of the price and in relative comfort. Try Nok Air or Air Asia. Koh Samui is served by the "boutique airline" Bangkok Air.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Santini

The Two Faces of Thailand's Property Market

2008-03-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

Potential investors who are currently considering an overseas property purchase in Asia, will probably have Thailand on their short-list at the outset, but upon looking into it will find that property investment in Thailand is currently a two sided coin:

On the one hand Bangkok has recently been listed among the top twenty tourism destinations in the world, which should make a property investment there a good one. Dig a little deeper however and you find that capital appreciation, -- previously strong in Thailand -- along with all factors to be considered before investing, have been detrimentally affected by the recent political turmoil, namely the September 2006 coup.

Never the less Thailand is still among the best Asian countries for foreigners to invest in, there is no inheritance tax or gift tax, capital gains tax is charged like income tax at the standard rate, and foreigners can own condominiums freehold. There are other ways for foreigners to buy in Thailand but a condominium purchase is the easiest. And even with the political turmoil as it is rental yields are still around the 8% mark in top tourist destination, Bangkok.

Another rising star in Asia's tourism industry is the Thai island of Koh Samui,which has been largely unaffected by turmoil on the mainland, and where potential investors will find mostly resort property.

As tourism expands on the island, and it begins to attract more of the high end market, as oppose to primarily back-packers, these resort villa properties can fetch yields of 10-12% quite easily, and capital appreciation is conservatively estimated at around the 15%-20% mark.

Total transaction costs are a moderate 10% - 12.3% in Thailand, but there is a little complication over the computation of buying costs; specific business tax and stamp duty are paid on whatever is higher, declared or assessed value -- both parties must have their own solicitor.

Overall a Thailand property investment can be a very rewarding endeavour, especially if you are purchasing a holiday home with a view to renting it out when not in use.

Liam Bailey is media relations executive with David Stanley Redfern Ltd. He runs the blogs: Emigration Now and Emerging Markets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liam_Bailey

Why On Earth Invest in Thailand's Bangkok?

2008-03-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

Thailand investment potential for overseas property buyers are enormous. Expanding tourism, easy accessibility and low property prices make for an investors paradise.

Thai culture has always been greatly influenced by China and India giving an exotic blend for which The Kingdom of Thailand has become famous. Buyers in Thailand tend to be mostly investors who are looking to cash in on the booming tourist industry however with increasing demand this is set to change.

Overseas investors will be pleased that Bangkok recently opened a new airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), often called New Bangkok International Airport, which is 25 kilometers east of downtown. This facility has flights from all over the world on most major airlines. The old international airport, Don Muang (DMK), is open for limited domestic flights.

The Bangkok real estate market is one of the best for international investors who are interested in the Asian market. Research shows that the property market here is much more affordable than other south Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Bangkok has a very nice climate year round and is also close to many recreational activities, such as beaches and tropical resorts.

Because of low labour costs and relatively inexpensive housing, many multinational corporations have made Bangkok one of their overseas homes. This has, in turn, drawn a lot of international businessmen and expatriates to the city looking for high quality housing at reasonable prices. There continues to be a healthy demand for property, meaning that investments should continue to rise in value for the foreseeable future.

The city is one of contrasts, with its fast growing urban skyline and many old temples and historical sights. It is also growing increasingly cosmopolitan with high end shopping, entertainment and fine dining. Because of Thailand's strict foreign ownership laws, apartments and condominiums are the option of choice for most international property seekers in Bangkok.

The new property available in Bangkok is attractive to in the middle and upper-middle income buyers. These properties are typically one and two bedroom units ranging in size between 45 square meters to 80 square meters. Moving up towards the high-end market, new additions were seen in the Sathorn, Silom and Sukhumvit areas, with the majority of condo units offered being two and three bedrooms from 90 square meters to 190 square meters.

My other tip for the top in Thailand is the city of Pattaya which is to be found on the east coast of Tourism in this area appears to be increasing year on year. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand 5.8 million people visited Pattaya in 2006. The combination of its big, wide beaches, water sports, interesting attractions, sightseeing, shopping, makes Pattaya's a great place to buy property in Thailand.

In summary Thailand offers a host of opportunities for the international real estate investor.

Buying property in Thailand needs advice and research author Nicholas Marr has done this working with numerous real estate agents around the world including agents in Thailand means that his articles are informative and up to date http://thailand.homesgofast.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Marr

MALAYSIA: An Asian Retirement Paradise

2008-01-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Asia's best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions.

A sizable enclave of foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians) live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and you'll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools.

Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines) all within a few hour's travel from Malaysia, but with miles of white sand coastline, tropical islands, and beachfront property galore, it has all the makings of a fairy-tale setting.

Despite being the capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and sidewalks and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Home to the tallest building in the world, there are also FedEx and UPS offices, international banks, English cinemas and bookstores, western-style supermarkets, French and German bakeries, Chinese, Indian, and Italian restaurants, gourmet coffee, Cuban cigars, Internet cafés and some of the best shopping in the world!

One of the few things that lend a "Third-world" feel to the capital are the open-air night market, where local merchants peddle everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to meat and fish, to exotic animals and traditional handicrafts.

All the major newspapers are available at newsstands, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Cable and satellite TV provides access to a wide variety of English-language programming, including CNN, the Discovery Channel, Filmnet and many more.

Despite the local Muslim population not drinking alcohol, Kuala Lumpur has some of the liveliest nightlife in the region and there are more than a fair share of clubs and bars, where tourists, expatriates and locals alike mingle and party. Though the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, great tolerance is shown for other religions, with many beliefs being represented and their adherents practicing openly, including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and Jews (the nearest synagogue is in neighboring Singapore).

Compared with other major Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. Even in the over-priced tourist spots you can get a good meal for two for around $20. Outside of these places, a 3-course meal for two with all the trimmings, including drinks, will set you back no more than $10…a doctor's visit $8 to $15 and live-in domestic help $200 a month.

Rental properties are readily available and not overly expensive by American or European standards. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month, with 3-bedroom houses starting at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or the luxurious suburban homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.

Other properties recently on offer include:

A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 725-square-foot apartment with a dining room, a kitchen, ceiling fans, a walk-in closet, and parking, costs $45,215.

A small two-story bungalow with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room going for $35,700.

A penthouse apartment, close to downtown, with a sea-view and a 350-sqare-foot terrace. It comes fully furnished and has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a dining room. The asking price? $75,000.

A spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2500-square-foot condominium with a large living room, an elegant dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a pantry, for $125,250.

Though there are expensive restaurants and accommodations, there's simply no reason for you to check into a five-star hotel when you can stay in a clean, friendly hotel in the city center for $40 a night where every meal costs less than $5 per person.

CRIME-FREE AND FOREIGNER FRIENDLY

Of course, cheap living shouldn't be the only deciding factor when choosing a new home. As well as being very affordable, Malaysia is safe.The government's real no tolerance policy means street crime is virtually nonexistent.

The Malaysian government, through its "Silver-Haired Program," offers expatriate resident retirees extremely attractive benefits. Outside of nationals of Israel and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the program is open to citizens of most countries. To qualify, you need only be over 50, show you can bring a guaranteed income of about $1300 per month into Malaysia (or open a savings account in Malaysia with $40,000), and have a local sponsor (which can easily be arranged).

Penang, a small island off the northwest coast, has been called the "Pearl of the Orient" and its beaches are a favorite tourist destination. The coastline is also dotted with many small, quiet seaside villages. The tropical rainforests and jungles offer many opportunities for exploring lush mountains, trekking through the jungle, or even taking a riverboat safari. The bountiful sea surrounding Malaysia provides for some of the best scuba diving and fishing anywhere in the world (Malaysia's seas are home to the Black Marlin, tuna, mackerel, sailfish, barracuda and a host of other species).

PRACTICAL BENEFITS

Medical care is good, with excellent hospitals and clinics in all the major towns. Doctors speak English, and the majority gained their qualifications in Western Europe or North America.

Although foreign residents must arrange private health insurance, visiting tourists who have an accident are entitled to free emergency treatment in public hospitals. A consultation with a private doctor in most cases will cost just $8 to $15.

When it comes to banking, management methods and the range of services offered closely follow the British model. Plus, most major world banks have full-service branches in Malaysia.

Many expatriates living here off investment income keep their cash growing tax free in Labuan, an offshore tax haven administered by Malaysia, and then bring into the mainland what's needed for living expenses. Labuan is also perfect for anyone looking for a private, offshore bank account, a tax-free corporation, a trust, or other offshore structures.

Led by Malaysian Airlines, the national carrier, the island is served by many major airlines, linking it the world through its international airports. A good network of modern roads covers the distances between towns, and Malaysian telecommunications are among the best in the world.

If you've ever thought about living overseas, you owe it to yourself to investigate Malaysia.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 by Shannon Roxborough

Shannon Roxborough is an international lifestyle expert with close to 20 years experience. He has helped hundreds of clients with overseas living, retirement and travel matters. Visit his website at: www.TheGlobalLife.net

askinternational@aol.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Roxborough

Reasons To Invest In Mumbai Property Market

2008-01-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

India is the largest country of south Asian region. Its economy has shown a constant upward trend in the last decade or so. Most of this gain in economy is started after India emerged as one of the I.T giant of the world. The positive effects of this development in economy of the country are perceptible in every business sector including the property market. Mumbai, which is acknowledged as the commercial capital of the India, has gained the attention of the investors of the world together with those who prefer to invest in property market.

But what could the main reason behind Mumbai becoming investor’s paradise in India? The answer is simple one. The market of Mumbai offers high investment returns to the investors including real estate investors. This is the core reason why Mumbai is exerting a pull on investors from all over the India and world alike. Real estate investors do have adequate incentives to invest in the Mumbai property market. Currently it is the most populated city of India and Mumbai and its suburbs encompass the second-biggest urban agglomeration in the world after Tokyo. And the rate, at which its population is budding, points toward the increase in the demand for both commercial and residential properties in Mumbai.

At present, there are mixtures of giant residential and commercial projects in the phase of development and many more in the channel. This indicates towards the amount of profit which is there in the Mumbai property industry. Various multinational companies and financial institutions are based in Mumbai and more are planning to come here to invest. So the demand for property in Mumbai is not going to decrease. And people here have enough money to buy properties in Mumbai as it is referred as the ‘New York of India’.

Mumbai has a chance for people from every class of the society to invest in property market. As a middle class man you can purchase a few apartments in Mumbai and then you can make money by renting them. If you are looking to invest in property market of Mumbai then you are better advised to buy property in Navi Mumbai or in any other suburb of Mumbai (like Worli, Bandra, and Parel etc.) as property here are relatively cheaper. Investors are targeting Navi Mumbai because the prices here are on the increase. It is a newly developed area just across the harbor. Navi and other suburbs are ideal places for you if you are planning to buy residential property in Mumbai.

As for as the investment in commercial properties in Mumbai is concern, you have all promises of gaining a good investment return on your side. Indian government has taken some good steps in this regard. Relaxation in the strict Foreign Direct Investment regime has proved a massive support for foreign investors. More companies have come forward to invest in India. They have taken up thousands of square feet of commercial properties in Mumbai and this demand is ever increasing.

If you are preparing to buy or sell properties in Mumbai, then best thing you can do is to hire the services of any property agency. If you are short on time then there are many property agencies like Better Homes India that provide online services. Hiring the services of a property agency can help you in grasping the best deal for you in limited time.

About The Author:
Daniel Marshell is senior real estate consultant associated with Better Homes India, a leading real estate firm in Mumbai, India. He has more than 25 years of first hand experience of working in Mumbai Real Estate Market. He deals in buying and selling of commercial and residential property in Mumbai along with long and short term rental in Mumbai and its suburbs. His firm Better Homes India also offers online real estate services in Mumbai. For more information about Daniel and his associated firm please visit http://www.bhomes.com/india

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Condo Investment in Bangkok

2008-01-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

Despite recent political uncertainties, many buyers are looking for a condominium for personal use that can be later sold or rented out, resulting in healthy returns.

International property consultants, CB Richard Ellis advise that purchasing a condominium could be one of the safest investments buys in the Thai market right now for foreigners in light of political and economic uncertainties falling interest rates, the downturn of the stock market, and the falling yields of government bonds.

Foreign purchasers wanting to own condominiums in Thailand are permitted to buy freehold condominium units, but the building must not exceed 49% of the foreign ownership ratio of the condominium and the purchase must be in cash.

According to the latest survey conducted by CBRE. The total stock of existing condominiums in Bangkok is 48,128 units as of the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 9.53% or 4188 units. In terms of area, 21.4% are in the Central Business District area. (Silom, Sathorn and Suan Plu Roads), 4.4% in Central Lumpini, (Wireless, Ploenchit, Langsuan and Rajdami Roads), 34.6% in Sukumvit (Sukumvit Soi 1-63 and Sukumvit Soi 2-44), 8.2% in Pathumwan (Phaayathai and Phaholyothin Roads) and 29.6% in Riverside. (Rama lll, Charoen Krung and Charoen Nakon Roads).

The luxury and high-end of the market is a good investment option say CBRE, as there will be limited supply in the future. In 2005 there were 1788 newly launched units positioned at the luxury and high end of the market. While there were 1097 newly launched units in 2006, representing a significant increase of 38.6%. It is expected in 2007 that there will be a similar number of new luxury and high-end condominium launches as there were in 2006.

“Luxury and high-end condominium units in downtown Bangkok, have been attracting a huge amount of interest from long-term investors. Even though the market has slowed down as a result of the political and economic situation,” said Aliwassa Pathnadabutr, managing director of CBRE Thailand.

“However, over the past few years’ long-term investors, who made profits from reselling or earning rental income from their units, have remained keen to purchase condominium properties in Bangkok because of their understanding and confidence in the market. Based on their experience, they are satisfied with investment returns in the form of capital appreciation and rental yields of 5-7%, which is higher than the current deposit account interest rate of 3.5%.”

The picture is not all rosy. Investors in the luxury and high-end markets are not only concerned about their finances, but lack confidence in the market because of negative factors in the political scene, the economy, and in society.

The middle end of the market is dominated by Thai buyers and investors. This was proved by the success of many projects such as Villa Ratchewi by TCC Capital Land, and Life Rachada-LadPrao by Asian Property Development. However Aliwassa says that the large number of new launches in the middle to low end of the market may lead to an oversupply at some stage. In 2005 there were 2688. newly launched units positioned at the middle to the lower end of the market and located in downtown Bangkok. While there were 7630 newly launched units in the downtown area of Bangkok in 2006 representing a soar of 184%. In the first quarter of 2007 alone, 1367 new units were announced.

So with the middle end of the market running the risk of oversupply. The luxury segment appears to be investor's best bet.

CB Richard Ellis, forecasts that there will be a limited supply of luxury and high-end condominium units. Whilst demand for residential condominiums for long-term investment will continue to be strong, particularly among those projects located in the CBD or along mass transit routes.

Prices will rise further especially for those units that meet the standards required by the luxury and high-end markets, and are of investment grade. With sustained yields of 5- 7% and improved historical capital gains acquired condominium units in prime positions are proving to be an attractive long-term investment choice for both Thai and foreign investors in the current economic conditions said Aliwassa.

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India - The Real Estate Player

2008-01-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

In the new millennia of real estate India has emerged as strong, swift and bold player. Industry expert's believe that the Indian real estate has huge demand potential in almost every sector, be it commercial, residential or retail.

"India is the most exciting real estate market in Asia," says Michael Smith, head of Asian real estate investment banking at Goldman Sachs. "It's one of the last major countries in Asia with an improving market."

The Real Estate explosion

This spurt of growth in the Indian real estate is in large part due to the by the burgeoning outsourcing and information technology (IT) industry. By 2010, the IT sector alone is expected to require 150 million sq.ft. Of space across major cities .New companies means new offices, houses, shops in short commercial, residential and retail space.

This growth is facilitated by favorable demographics, increasing purchasing power, existence of customer-friendly banks and housing finance companies, professionalism in real estate and reforms initiated by the Government to attract global investors. People have more purchasing power and exposure to organized retail formats has redefined the consumption pattern. Even small towns want to emulate the culture of their big city cousins. As a result, retail projects have been mushrooming across even B-grade cities.

This new way of life has quite drastically changed the face of India's real estate, may it be the city centers the urban areas or the new yuppie towns. Small shops, old fashioned bungalows and office blocks have all changed into luxurious apartments, with club-houses, pools and sprawling greens. Instead of small shops we have humongous sprawling malls and office complexes.

The Global Effect

When Farallon Capital Management, a U.S. hedge fund, and its joint-venture partner, Indiabulls, snapped up an 11-acre property in central Mumbai in March 2005 for $54.5 million an acre, the purchase was called an act of idiocy by local developers. A few months later, when the same joint venture offered $95.5 million an acre for a nearby property, this was the second-lowest bid.

The first dynamic impact that announced a global change in the Indian real estate sector came when the Government introduced new policies in February 2005. It allowed 100 per cent foreign investments in construction projects with fast-track approvals. But the fatal attraction for foreign investors was the potential investment returns of 25 per cent or more in Indian projects that were nearly impossible to achieve in the US and European markets today.

Industry sources more than 90 foreign investors are already in the country tapping into the real estate investment avenues in India. Dozens of US funds are being raised for investments in Indian realty. Those raising the funds include Blackstone Group (US$ 1 billion) Goldman Sachs (US$ 1 billion), Citigroup Property Investors (US$ 125 million), Morgan Stanley (US$ 70 million) and GE Commercial Finance Real Estate (US$ 63 million) JP Morgan, Warburg Pincus, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Colony Capital and Starwood Capital, and believe it or not this is just the tip of the ice-berg.

Morgan Stanley closed a deal worth about US$ 150 million with Oberoi Constructions in Mumbai. The Nakheel Group in Dubai entered into a US$ 10 billion deal with DLF for residential projects in Tier I and II cities. This was followed by three financial institutions -- Khaleej Finance and Investment (KFI) from Bahrain, Kuwait Investment Company (KIC) and Kuwait Finance House (KFH) -- from the Middle East promoting a US$ 200 million fund for investing in India.

Players At Home

Investors back home have also sat and started taking active participation in the real estate segment. Indian financial institutions are competing with each other. Prominent companies promoting real estate funds in India are HDFC Property Fund, DHFL Venture Capital Fund, Kotak Mahindra Realty Fund, Kshitij Venture Capital Fund and ICICI's real estate fund, India Advantage Fund.

The Tata group has also joined hands with private equity firm, Xander, to raise US$ 1 billion for an institutional retail real estate fund. DLF has raised US$ 2.24 billion in the country's largest initial public offering and has also entered into a joint venture agreement with Indian pharmaceutical major Ranbaxy group company Fortis Healthcare to set up hospitals across the country with investments of about US$ 1.5 billion.

Conclusion

But with the boom comes the crunch, property prices in India are rising fast, real fast and not just in the biggest cities. As the tech boom spreads across the country, and as more Indians buy homes, and as the economy grows at faster than 8% a year, real estate is attracting more investors, many of them from abroad.

It is really no longer going to be cheap or easy to be a player in the Indian Real Estate Game.

Rahul Boss is a promotional writer having deep knowledge of Real Estate Player India. Now he moves to Retail Shopping Center Developer India.

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