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!

Second Homes turn to Primary Homes

Recession, new tax band (50% for those earning £150,000.00) and an over all better quality of life are some of the most compelling reasons stated by almost half of the British working population (45%) which according to a recent survey consider relocating abroad. A significant number pointed out, under the better quality of life category, that housing in the U.S., Australia and Europe is by and large less expensive. Many of those are gloating over the real estate investment they made overseas. Unlike others they know they can rent their properties at home and relocate to their chosen dream house without concerns of applying for mortgages, international tax laws etc..

Jose Maria Neves Doctor Honoris Causa

José Maria Neves, Prime Minister of Cape Verde, recognized as one of Africa’s foremost leaders, will be receiving an honorary doctor of law degree from the University of Rhode Island in recognition for his excellent performance as the archipelago’s leader, and specifically, his role in promoting education through important partnerships between the University of Cape Verde and other institutions worldwide. Rhode Island University’s publication also praises the Prime Minister for his anti-crises measures which have minimized Cape Verde’s vulnerability to the world economic downturn, thereby fostering international credibility which enables foreign investment, largely in the tourism sector and second home real estate, to continue its growth trajectory.

Easter Weekend Weather Report!

Feast your eyes on the dream Cape Verde Easter weekend weather and compare it to the London forecast. If you own property in Cape Verde and have made this your new Easter holiday tradition - give yourself a pat on the back. If you craftily booked yourself a tropical get a way break to Praia, Cape Verde do not miss the opportunity to look around at some of the properties available in the capital city of the archipelago. Ponta Bicuda offeres a wide range of houses and apartments which can be used as second homes, or as real estate investment.

Diving in Cape Verde

If hiking in the tropical mountains of Cidade da Praia is not your thing, yet visiting the historical sites is not exciting enough, head down to the shores of the Ponta Bicuda beach where steps away from the city's most exclusive real estate investment site, Nuno Pereira and his team have made quite a different type of investment - under water.

With the most up to date equipment for hire and a complete list of PADI courses on offer (from beginners to masters), you don't need to have experience to enjoy this natural resource. If you have experience you can choose from up to 10 of the best diving spots nearby the city of Praia, where you will have the chance to see some of the best known fish swimming the Cape Verdean waters. Those may include grouper, tuna, mackerel, trumpet fish and several different species of tropical reef fish. With luck, you may see dolphins, turtles and even whales. Be aware that you are also likely to encounter some anchors which might have been laying in the bottom of the sea for centuries having likely been lost by the Portuguese trading ships.

Cape Verde Growing Number of Visitors

In a study launched recently by the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) Cape Verde is on the TOP 10 list in terms of the countries where the number of foreign visitors is growing. Due to the growing touristic market and an ever more interesting investment property offer, the WTTC anticipates that Cape Verde will rank 6th in terms of growth in the number of visitors.

High Marks for Cape Verde

The Heritage Foundation (a Washington DC Think Tank) and WSJ Index of Economic Freedom Report for 2009 was released earlier this month. It came as no surprise that Cape Verde continues on the rise. Although its best mark was in the category of Monetary Freedom where Cape Verde scored a whopping 76.9, where it really did exceptionally well was in the category of Property Rights, scoring an awesome 70.00 points, where the overall (179 countries) average was 44.0. An added bonus is that Cape Verde came in ahead of some of its main competitors when it comes to attracting European investment in second homes abroad and residential tourism – Poland, Greece, Egypt and Tunisia.

Looking Ahead and Holding Steady

Cape Verde’s politicians have to this point been very smart in their dealings with the international community, and from the overseas property market perspective, the archipelago is firmly on the map.
- Tourist numbers are still climbing
- Overseas investment is too
- Cape Verde has embraced as many international organizations as it can
- Infrastructures are tangibly developing (roads, transport, services, education, health...)
- And the government is now in the process of approving tax cuts and maximizing fiscal benefits for home owners, in an effort not only to shield from the crises, but indeed to take any advantage that can be gained from it.
CV 's Prime Minister José Maria Neves now urges business owners and investors in Cape Verde to do their part; innovate, provide quality goods and services and invest in an ever promising future!

Investing in Cape Verde - Wise Move

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Property Frontiers, highly rated international property analysts, hail Santiago, Cape verde as a hot spot for investment "Investing in Santiago is a wise move". On the whole Cape Verde is enthusiastically described as an attractive and growing destination, with stable government and steady financial growth, stressing as another factor of stability the fact that its Escudo is indexed to the Euro. In reference to Santiago specifically, it describes the island as the most cosmopolitan desitination which among other attributes, should provide strong returns as it is anticipated to the focal point of the archipelago's booming tourism industry.

"The Amazing thing about Cape Verde is that it has not been discovered earlier”

Here are just a few of the statements which can be heard on Jo Sinnott's "Next Big Thing", series aired on U.K. Real Estate TV

· Caribbean style beaches, rich history, laidback lifestyle and vibrant cosmopolitan community
· For those looking to invest, Cape Verde is limitless
· Buying property is straightforward, with a strong legal system which protects property investors
· Quality and sustainability are key for the growth of Cape Verde.

Britons Still Buying Abroad!

A study conducted by the real estate firm Savills and the travel agents Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, suggests that Britons who own property overseas were not questioning their decision to buy a second home abroad, despite steep rises in the cost in airfare to reach those destinations (66%). Furthermore Savills’ director of research points out that the number of British second homeowners buying property in exotic locations is rising. She believes that buying an overseas property, both for leisure and investment purposes, remains a key aspiration for many Britons, who are first and foremost attracted by the prices of property outside the UK.

Around 35,000 properties have been purchased in the past 12 months. 67% of all purchases falling into the leisure, and those buying purely for investment accounting for the remaining .
17% of purchases.

Rental Returns and guarantees - Ponta Bicuda

I’ve had a very interesting evening last night with a friend who works for a European hotel powerhouse. We’ve used our time to discuss developments, returns and rental revenues in two different fronts; the hotel and the residential.
The hotel is simple and straightforward: the income depends on the hotel quality, on the capacity to generate revenues from tourism, business and city travel – the glass is most of the times half full with the sales to professional operators (tourist packages, meetings, symposiums and so on), creaming the milk for the other half with direct sales and more expensive channels.
The residential is a different issue: One can’t guarantee a steady income, as there are no professional structure to half fill the glass. It always depends on the local rental market for permanent residents and on the weekly rental for tourists, and the weekly rental depend on factors like cheap flights availability (on the hotel packages this is not an issue because the flight is part of the package and was previously negotiated for a cheap price), knowledge of the place and management quality.
I am glad we have the five star Tiara hotels on our Ponta Bicuda resort; otherwise it would be impossible to guarantee a steady income. I just don’t comment on the way some do it!

Gearing Up!

Thanks to Helder Ribeiro, Design Resorts who has just returned from a long stay in Cape Verde and has brought us all the "in-loco" information, with pictures to boot!
It seems like all of Cape Verde is gearing up for the changes that are so iminent right now. For example, in order to adequately handle all the new visitors expected to start landing at The International Airport in Santiago Island, construction works are taking place to enlarge the VIP terminal and add a new parking facility. Completion is expected before year-end.

The Cape Verde government as well as the Fond Regional de Development de la CEDEAO are underwriting the costs for constructions.

Golf is HAPPENING in Cape Verde

Golf in Cape Verde is happening! By the time the Tedju and Cor di Mar Tiara Hotels are ready, the Island of Santiago will have two top quality golf courses, potentially becoming a top quality golf destination.
Golf swings at Ponta Bicuda! A 9 whole Pitch and Putt course has been a part of the project since its inception, and has been a point of attraction for golf lovers everywhere.
Ponta Bicuda pitches in for Golf! Before projects began for Ponta Bicuda, we were already partnering with the Portuguese Golf Federation and involved in competitions such as the Penina and the Open, and in Golf events including, the very successful Golf Fair in Cascais. In 2008 our commitment to golf remains, having sponsored 5 tournaments in Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima, in Tavira, Algarve.

Rhetorical question

I woke up this morning thinking how lucky I am. I love my job and I really believe on what we’re doing!
I work for a company that is investing in the right places. We’re now receiving the dividends on the, at the time, bold decision of investing outside Europe.
The western economies are in the middle of an “old people” turmoil: the fundamentals are good, but the confidence in the future is lower than most of us can remember. The BRIC’s are growing with confidence and with market solidity.
The oil is more expensive? Who cares, for most of the new users in the emerging (growing) world it’s the first time they can afford a car. For them, it’s the difference between non consumption and consumption. For the westerners, and in spite of all the current ominous malthusians, the economies are far less oil and natural resources dependent than they were 15 years ago. Brazil is the new player in the energy ground, with oil, sugar cane growing like a weed and 8% of the farming land in the world (Petrobras is now bigger than General Motors, sorry lads). The economy is growing at a two digit rate and the best part is the reflection in my own paycheck!
Those who think that Brazil is still a third world fragile economy should look again... for S&P the investment grade (BBB) is now, and other agencies are expected to follow. In Cape Verde a growth above 7.5% is not bad for 2008.
Should I invest my savings in Europe or in the next big thing?

Marianne Myles, Newly Appointed US Ambassador to Cape Verde

Marianne Myles, has just been appointed Ambassador of the USA to Cape Verde. In her confirmation hearing before the US Senate she referred to the Archipelago as a “success story.” Among contributing factors the Ambassador listed the fact that Cape Verde is one of the oldest democracies in the African Continent, that it maintains political stability and that to keep corruption levels down, the transparency levels have been elevated. She adds that Cape Verde has come along way in matters relating to human rights, civil liberty, and government effectiveness and accountability.

The Ambassador went on to highlight Cape Verde’s strategic position in the North – South Maritime routes, and the potential it has to become the transatlantic bridge for tourism, commerce and investment.

Better capital gains on properties abroad

Discover Ponta Bicuda and make a great investment. Enjoy the future!
"The current credit crunch is having some surprising effects, not least on the property market. In the UK, building societies are reporting a slowing of sales and a decrease in property values with the market bracing itself for a further decline under the threat of more rises in the mortgage rate. However, this is not worldwide. There are many countries that have reported no defining change to property values and in some cases homes are rising at a remarkable rate, making them excellent for investment.

Take for instance, Cape Verde, a cluster of Caribbean style islands off the West coast of Africa and within a 5 hour flight time from the UK. "

Source at "Easier"

Invest your money

There's a strong correlation between economic growth and capital gains in real estate.

• The expected growth for the EU for 2008 is below 2.5%.
• The expected growth in Cape Verde is above 7.5%....

Easy, isn't it?