The price of prime central London property is growing at its fastest rate for five years, according to one leading estate agent. Knight Frank reports that prime property prices in central London rose almost 15 per cent year-on-year in April, the 16th consecutive monthly rise and the highest jump for five years. Liam Bailey, head of residential research at Knight Frank, said that the boom was actually...

The sale of South African land to foreigners will be among the key issues on the agenda at the country's annual Top Property Conference. The two-day event on June 7th and 8th in Johannesburg will attract leading executives and foreign property investors and will compare property to other investment vehicles in South Africa. Other topics up for discussion include inner city rejuvenation and the global rise...

Qatar-based Barwa Real Estate Company has agreed to purchase a plot of land for its landmark Al Khor Resort project. The resort will offer people looking to buy property overseas with a range of options, including residential apartments, bungalows and beach chalets. The completed resort will also boast hotels, a marina and leisure and sports facilities including an 18-hole golf course. The site for the...

Asteco, the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has appointed a new head of its investment agency for the Middle East region. Simon Gray is from the UK originally, but also brings management experience from positions in the Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong property markets. His role as head of investment will involve the management of assets for VIP clients in all property...

Sunny Spain currently accounts for more than a quarter of all the second homes owned outside the UK. The latest Official Social Trends Report states that 27 per cent of British second overseas properties are located in Spain, with demand fuelled by cheap flights and Euro mortgages, according to Banco Halifax Hispania, Spain's division of the lender Halifax. New airports and routes to the country mean that...

Property in the north of Malaysia will take the stage at the Penang International Property and Lifestyle Expo 2006 (PIP 2006), to be held later this month. Housing and commercial property from around 43 developers will be showcased and sold, estimated to be worth approximately RM4 billion in Malaysian currency. While Penang's cyber-city status is expected to prove a draw to foreign companies in search of...

Europe's property sector is the new investment 'frontier', leading international experts have claimed. With opportunities remaining in eastern and western Europe despite an extended period of growth in the last decade, ING Real Estate's European research and strategy managing director Ian Whittock, says there are gains to be made. In an interview with the Australian, Mr Whittock made clear the potential...

Barclays Bank has launched mortgages in Dubai specifically aimed at capturing the growing overseas property market for investors. As the property market booms, investors can now obtain a buy-to-let, owner-occupier or off-plan mortgage and get an approval within 24 hours. Such is the international appeal of Dubai, the mortgages are available in local dirhams, pounds sterling, euros or dollars and the bank...

South African financial figures remain upbeat about future prospects for those looking to buy abroad, especially in the commercial property market sector. John Loos, of the country's First National Bank (FNB), said that he expects real economic growth of up to five per cent for the next decade, offering a sound base for property investment. He said that the FNB base case "is not one of rising interest...

The Middle East's property market is continuing to attract attention from investors following a decade of high-level investment in the region. Projects such as the Princess Tower, which is set to become the world's tallest building and the modern Al-Salam City show that the region is to continue to hold fresh attractions for investors. Property developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are leading the...