Residential real estate in Prague is expected to remain in strong demand through 2009 as the market will open up to more foreigners in May. Demand for households and flats will continue, though not at quite the same levels as in 2007 and the first half of 2008. Experts predict that demand will resemble that of 2005 and 2006, according to a report in Hospodářské noviny.   Reports indicate that as many...

Lisbon comes out near the top of the International Congress and Convention Association ranking of destinations for worldwide business events and is a popular place for companies and organizations to hold their events. In the most recent ranking from the ICCA, Lisbon came out in 6th place with 90 associated events last year.   Recent events in major years, such as Euro 2004 Football Championships and the...

Annual house prices in England and Wales fell by 12.2 per cent in November, according to the latest figures from Land Registry. The average house price is now £161,883 representing a monthly decrease of 1.9 per cent.London experienced an annual decrease in its average property value with a movement of –10.2 per cent, taking the average London house price to £317,101. Every region in England and Wales...

Towns that are located on the border between Austria and Slovakia are experiencing their own little boom in property sales and growth. The EU recently expanded the Schenegen Zone, which allows passport free travel across the border and has helped to grow this region. Additionally, reasonably priced property in the region makes it an attractive area for those who want their own property within these...

The historic Norblin factory in Poland is set for purchase by Art Norblin, a subsidiary of American real estate investment fund Patron Capital Partners. Art Norblin plans to renovate the property, which is in Warsaw’s Wola district at the intersection of ul. Prosta and ul. Zelazna. The group is currently planning to develop office and residential space on the site as well as have an industrial museum...

The Four Seasons Hotel Macau opened recently on Cotai Strip. This new hotel features serviced apartments, luxury shopping, a small casino and restaurants. It has 360 rooms and 84 suites as well as meeting space and a Four Seasons Spa.   The hotel’s interior design was done by Hirsch Bedner Associates and is a mix of contemporary design and old world styling. It is inspired by the Portuguese history of...

New licensing rules for real estate agents are being introduced in Dubai for 2009. A new agreement put forth by the Department of Development and Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority will make agents and their work more transparent. Those who currently operate a real estate brokerage or want to open a new agency will have to apply for a license and meet new criteria to operate. The aim of the new...

British Olympic gold medal cyclist Chris Hoy is buying a property along the beach in Brazil, which he plans to use as his off-season training base. The three-time Beijing gold medalist has a new villa in the Laguna Beach development in Tabatinga. This resort town is just outside of Natal, making it easy to get to and a perfect place for winter riding. It is on the waterfront and offers spectacular views of...

With winter upon us, it’s time to spot some stars on vacation in the Caribbean. Daniel Craig and his American girlfriend have been seen on the beach in St. Barts, while Lily Allen and her mum have been having some fun in the sun on Jamaica.   Craig and longtime girlfriend and American film producer Satsuki Mitchell have been seen with friends on St. Barts. The Caribbean island is a popular holiday spot...

Money magazine and CNN have come up with their annual list of the best places to live in the United States, and this year Plymouth, Minnesota comes out on top. The Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of 50,000 has just about everything, from great schools, affordable housing and lots to do. Fort Collins, Colorado comes in second with Naperville, Illinois taking third.   Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains...