Fri, Feb 10 2012
Bulgaria and Latvia are among the destinations pointed as the next big thing in the property investment market.
UK's advice website BuyAssociation spokesman Paul Collins told Real Estate TV that these destinations offered the best potential returns in longer term.
Economic and tourism growth potential in Bulgaria and Latvia was "at a steady but assured pace."
Collins said that many of the countries which joined the EU over the past several years are showing strong economic performance.
According to Collins 2007 will of key importance for those who invested in Bulgarian property and will show the returns and eventual profit rates.
Brokers expected significant property market growth resulting from Bulgaria's EU accession.
Britons had more trust in overseas properties than they had in the past, Real Estate TV said.
Average market prices of homes in Sofia fell by one per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, according to the Raiffeisen Real Estate Index, as quoted by Klasa daily.
Proportionately, the number of transactions in leva increased as people reacted to speculation that the euro would disappear.
Nearly all banks are ready to finance between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the price of a home, provided it is a good building in a large city, Bulgarian daily says.
Property prices in Bulgaria were five to 10 per cent lower in 2011 than in 2010, while initial estimates for this year are that they will remain largely unchanged, with transactions remaining at ‘crisis levels’.
Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia ranks 17th, report says, quoting Global Property Guide.