Investors Feelilng More at Home in Real Estate

Reading through the many international property publications and blogs, is proving to be a happier experience of late, especially where luxury homes are concerned. Not surprisingly, the more volatile the European money markets appear to be, the greater the interest in solid and trustworthy high-end real estate properties as a long term investment.

Life on the Go - part III

I know the sun is out and summer heat is here to stay. No one wants to think about this year's unending downpoor - but as soon as I caught a glimpse of this, I knew it needed sharing.

Savvy Property Investers Look to the Algarve

In their annual Prime International Residential Index, Knight Frank nominates the best worldwide locations for the savvy investor to buy property that is currently at a low, but that is guaranteed to bounce back. The Algarve, Portugal is topped only by Dubai. Its naturally beauty, reliably sunny climate and its EU membership are some of the points in favor of a sure return to profitable prices.

Positive Outlook for Design Resorts

According to the IMF's Bi-annual report World Economic Outlook, world wide growth is expected for 2010 and 2011 - but the rates at which economies grow and recover will vary widely. While mature economies including Europe and the United States are expected to grow on average between 1 and 3 pp, emerging economies, including Brazil and Angola are forecast at close to and over 5 percentage points. Cape Verde too, while indexed to the Euro, continues to present interesting growth perspectives.

Life on the Go - Part II

Is it just me, or does life really seem to be getting easier?
Alot of thought is being put into the increasing number of peole who don´t live in one home, but seem to live between homes, speeding from one location to another where improvisation is sometimes the name of the game!

Sunshine Season!

The sun is finally beginning to shine across Europe, which means the ladies, especially those planning to spend their summer in beach homes, are beginning to fret about getting into their bikinis. This blog is the most entertaining food blog I know, and it also has a great list of salad recepies, guarenteed to make for more entertaining food than cucumber and lettuce.

Corsino Fortes, Podcast Poetry

The Poetry Translation website features podcasts of o 200 poems written by contemporary African, Asian and Latin American poets translated into English. Follow this link to hear the beautifully melodic poetry of Corsino Fortes, an Ambassador, a lawyer, a teacher and a poet from Cape Verde.

Overseas Property On the Up

According to a recent article in Overseas Property Mall, sales of overseas property have been increasing gradually since last April. With the lifestyle/luxury properties segment leading the way in established markets. international real estate portals also report a 25 to 60% increase in searches, giving professionals in the sector good reason to believe the overseas property market is opening up in general.

A Must Read for Real Estate Fanatics!

Combining our love of real estate literature, celebrity lifestyle and a phenomenal sense of humour, this has become one of my favorite blogs to follow. Get pictures, floorplans, price tags and often enough a fowarding address for your favorite celebrity's pads, second homes, estates they leave to their ex's and just about any other real estate property they may own!

Overseas Property Trends

Following tax rate increases, announced 50% of income tax-rates and clamp downs in the U.K, upscale real estate agents and law firms report that there is a “wealth exodus” taking place in the U.K. As published in the 2010 issue of OPP (Overseas Property Professional) Magazine, England’s wealthiest are out to buy new permanent addresses. Traditional European tax havens such as Switzerland and Monaco are always sought after, but changes in the tax regime are generating much buzz around upmakrt properties in Portugal, which also benefits from its reputation as a landmark retirement destination.
Click here to read the full article.

A Home for Everybody in Cape Verde

According to a study completed in 2008, the archipelago of Cape Verde has a shortage of over 80 thousand homes. The government has recently announced the creation of a program entitlesd Casa para Todos, (a Home for Everybody), which aims to tackle the shortage in housing on the archipelago which is estimated to be of over 80 thousand residences short.
The government plans to build eight-thousand social houses and rehabilitating close to 15,000 others until 2011.
Cape Verde may recieve the first installment of a special credit line made available by the chinese goverment as early as this year. The enitirity of this credit line will go towards real estate construction costs for those in Cape Verde in need.

Strategic Plan for Increasing Tourism

The Cape Verde government has recently announced a strategic plan for 2010 through 2013 to increase tourism on the archipelago of Cape Verde. The number of visitors are expected to increase to over 500 thousand per year, up 200 thousand from the current numbers.

Upbeat Growth Forecasts!

In his first conference of 2010 IMF Managing Director, Dominique Strause-Kahn stated that recovery from the economic crises has been significantly faster than expected. The International Monetary Fund will be publishing updated growth forecasts later this month, which Strausse- Kahn revealed will be upbeat for investors.

Oh the weather outside is frightful....

If you still question the idea of having a second home abroad, and how much you would use it, take the image above into account.

Cape Verde. Its the closest Tropical Destination!

Luanda Real Estate Market

Luanda's Institute of Urban Planning licensed more than 1063 million meters square of construction in 2008. Residential real estate in Luanda dominated the licensed construction, followed by office and commercial properties.

To stay current of the fast growing property market in Luanda, look for a new monthly report published by Prime Yield consulting firm.

Cape Verde "Credible and Useful"

The vision, determination and courage generally recogninzed in Cape Verde by the International Community at large, have earned it the status of a "credible and useful", states the Portuguese Ambassador to Cape Verde Graça Guimarães in a two page interview printed in the Portuguese daily financial newspaper OJE. She further describes the archipelago as a strategic partner for Portugal and the European Union and as such a natural destination for small and medium size companies.

Expresso das Ilhas - 8th Anniversary

We would like to "take a post" to congratulate Expresso das Ilhas, Cape Verde's leading weekly newspaper for its 8th year in circulation! Through the years they have been for us an informative and accurate source on all things Cape Verde!

If you happen to be in Cape Verde this week, you should try to attend their international conference on Communication, taking place Thursday December 10, at hotel Trópico in Cidade da Praia.

We wish them continued success!

Christmas Decor for All of Your Homes!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Here are some of our favorite home decoration ideas for this Christmas. From the summer home abroad original decor, the all out festivity home, the Mediterranean property Christmas feast to a neutral classic Christmas anywhere anytime design!

Ponta Bicuda Update

Due to the incongruous lawsuit filed by an alleged wife of the former owner of Ponta Bicuda, and to the fact that the decision is now being appealed at the Cape Verde Supreme Court, construction in Ponta Bicuda has been irreversibly delayed. As such, Vilas Oceanicas has been forced to revise the completion date, and in an effort to minimize any harmful consequences to clients, a compensation plan has been devised that encompasses everyone who is wholly compliant with their contractual obligations. To implement this compensation plan and ensure the feasibility of the project, our venture partners and property investors must be in agreement with the completion date set forth and the compensation plan, as requested by the financial entity.

We take this opportunity to reiterate that given the circumstances in which the Sales Deed was signed, the good standing relationship with the former owner of the land, and the presence of the proper administrative authorities involved in formalizing the deal, there was no reason to anticipate any such event. In fact, in July 2009, the Court declared that the arguments presented by the plaintiff were unsubstantiated, and confirmed the evident validity of the transaction. As such, Vilas Oceânicas has no reservations about qualifying this legal proceeding and everything surrounding it, as unforeseeable and unavoidable, and further, contradictory to the company’s demonstrated up-standing, diligent and forthright behaviour.

With every reason to believe that the Cape Verde Supreme Court will once again rule in favour of Villas Oceanicas, and thus in favour of Ponta Bicuda and all of those involved with the development, it is now crucial for everyone to formalize their approval of the postponed completion date and compensation program. Not doing so may bring a substantial decline in value to the property, translating into substantial losses for all. Presently, this plan substantiates the only viable way to keep the project going, and lack of complete support could deter every effort made, on the part of Vilas Oceanicas, as well as the substantial amount of clients already on board.

A prompt return to construction, is in effect, the only outcome that will benefit all of us. We strongly urge everyone to formally express their consent so that we can continue to make Ponta Bicuda the most desirable Development in Cape Verde.

World's Most Expensive Real Estate Properties

Avenue Princesse Grace in Monaco, according to a recent Luxury Property report is the world's most expensive street, and houses some of the most stunning real estate properties money can buy. What is the price of a property here? Depends on the size, but the investment would set you back € 126,845.56 per sq/m! If you find it a little extravagant, browse through the less expensive neighborhoods that comprise the top 10 list of the most expensive streets, worldwide.