Morocco remains an excellent country to buy property in with the number of tourists increasing by 6 percent last year despite the global economic crisis. By comparison, similar holiday destinations such as Spain and Tunisia saw the numbers of visitors decline.
In the past decade, Morocco has managed to double tourist income and there has been heavy investment in holiday properties over this period. The government are doing their bit by actively encouraging foreign investments to help raise up local living standards. Read more... (250 words, 1 image, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)
The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept Eurozone interest rates at 1% for the eighth month in a row.
The decision comes as little surprise with many economists predicting the interest rate hold.
John Busby, director, French mortgage specialists Athena Mortgages, comments, “Another month, and as predicted another hold. It’s a prudent decision, as 2010 kicks off with the European economy facing a difficult year. Read more... (226 words, 1 image, estimated 54 secs reading time)
Many people are considering renting out their holiday homes, but how do you go about it? Even if you have the most beautiful holiday home in the world, it will take some effort to get it marketed properly to ensure that holidaymakers rent your holiday property out.
Firstly, you need to ensure that the holiday home is in good decorative order throughout and meets any local health and safety regulations. It is better to have fairly neutral furnishings and decorations to ensure that you don’t put people off. Your holiday home should also not be cluttered by lots of personalised effects – some decoration is required however anything personal like family photos or expensive heirlooms should be locked away out of sight. It is also good to have clean, matching crockery. Read more... (912 words, estimated 3:39 mins reading time)
Marc Jackson can sell his luxury £1.8 million home to anyone in the world in the next six weeks. But in February 2010, the door closes and no foreigner will ever be able to buy it thanks to changes in the law coming into effect in February
That’s because Marc has been living in the house he built himself since it was first completed 11 months ago. In six weeks’ time, Australian law will re-classify it as an established property. Established properties are only allowed to be sold to Australians or New Zealanders. Read more... (617 words, 1 image, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)
The tallest building in the world opens in Dubai for business this week. The Burj Dubai is at least 2,683 feet from base to tip – over half a mile high and more than 1,000 feet higher than it’s nearest rival, the Taipei 101.
The steel-ribbed, glass-clad structure also boasts the highest swimming pool in the world which is based on the 76th floor. There are plans for the world’s highest place of worship with a mosque on the 158th floor. Read more... (258 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
The saga of British expats being threatened with having their homes bulldozed continues after police turned up on the doorstep of around a dozen homes just before Christmas to serve them with demolition notices. The properties have been set for demolition in early spring unless a last ditch appeal succeeds.
The pair of Spanish homes in question are near Albox in Almeria in south-east Spain. The local town hall had initially issued building licenses for the properties however court action by a higher regional government led to the licenses being nullified. Read more... (291 words, 1 image, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
