Recent news and survey results released by Master Builders Australia, the prime construction and building trade group in the country, indicate that new home starts are slowing and construction industry hopes are suffering. The latest Master Builders Australia’s National Survey of Building and Construction revealed the fourth consecutive fall in builder sentiment in the June quarter. In other news...

For international property investors looking for a prime opportunity, old Lisbon offers rows of buildings ready for new uses. There are many picturesque buildings available for purchase along the streets and amongst the old architecture of the city. Recently, actor John Malkovich has brought a bit of Hollywood atmosphere to the Santa Apolónia district with his restaurant Bica do Sapato, in which he is a...

The latest figures from the French Tourism Ministry show that the country remains the number one destination worldwide for tourists. This is good news for overseas property investors, as demand for rental property is solid and the overall numbers of tourists are increasing. While the numbers are strong, the Ministry is targeting new sources of tourists to visit the country in coming years.   Figures for...

The government of Abu Dhabi recently bought a 90% stake in New York City’s famed Chrysler Building, according to news reports in the New York Times. Tishman Speyer Properties, which owns the ground underneath the art deco skyscraper, will still have a controlling interest in the property.   The 77-story tower, which was opened in 1930, has long been one of Manhattan’s prime properties. Some of the...

While the government and tourism officials of Cyprus seek to boost interest in their country for tourists and property investors, the latest statistics show that tourism is on the rise. Over 2.4 million people visit southern Cyprus each year, bringing in over £1.7 billion in revenue to the country.   While Cyprus has long been a popular destination for holiday travelers, it is an ideal place for property...

It’s the time of year when everybody who is anybody takes a holiday, and Forbes has produced their list of top destinations for celebrities. These celebrity hotspots are located around the globe, with some in large cities and some in hard to find spots.    The Setai Luxury Hotel in Miami has a virtual celebrity wing, so that stars such as U2 and Bono don’t have to be seen and bothered to enjoy the...

Spain’s National Institute of Statistics show a fall in mortgage approvals for Lanzorote during the first quarter of 2008,  Lanzarote property prices are starting to soften and the housing market has now become a buyers market.    For over a decade property on this small speck of Spain, located just 62 miles off the coast of Africa, has been a hot favourite with overseas investors. As this enviable...

The New Zealand property market is in the midst of a 16 year low in sales, and much like the United States and the UK has become a great market for buyers. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard has predicted that house prices will fall 7.7% this year, and other predict even more of a drop into 2009. While sales are stagnating and prices falling, the rental market is doing quite well as demand...

The little known Turkish resort town of Ozdere is set to become the country’s next property hotspot, according to industry experts. Turkish citizens are currently snapping up property in this Aegean town between Izmir and Kusadasi. Prices in Ozdere are still well below other popular resort towns, so it is currently a bargain for investors.   Ozdere is located on a long stretch of unspoiled coastline...

According to Ernst & Young’s European Attractiveness Survey 2008, Poland is the top European location for new foreign investment. 834 international investors were surveyed by Ernst & Young, with 18% of them indicating they would invest or consider investing in Poland in the future. The investors came from a total of 43 different countries around the world.   Poland ranked second in the survey in...