Property markets are different all around the world. As everyone continues to use words like “global financial crisis” and “eurozone recession”, some countries have already begun to rebound, while others are well on their way to recovery. Picking the right place to invest, then, is vital to make the most of an economically uncertain time.
Not sure where to put your cash? Investment portal TheMoveChannel.com analyses enquiries on its portal this year and rounds up the top 10 investment hotspots of 2013 so far.
London, UK
UK property is enjoying a positive year of growth as first time buyers re-enter the market thanks to the support of government lending schemes. Driving the momentum is London, where prices and sales have rocketed ahead of the rest of the country. The reason? Investors from across the globe have piled into the capital, benefitting from capital gains, high rental demand and the stability of a financial safe haven.
Dubai, UAE
On the other side of the world lies another safe haven: Dubai. The emirate’s market has seen demand soar in the last 12 months from neighbouring states, while construction has resumed to bring new supply into the pipeline. Rents have risen by double digits since 2012, making buy to let prospects even more appealing. Indeed, Dubai accounts for 87 per cent of all UAE enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com.
The Algarve, Portugal
Brits have begun to go back to the beaches of The Algarve – and little surprise. Portugal’s holiday home hotspot is one of the areas where tourist appeal has not been affected by the eurozone slump. Thanks to low prices and the stunning shoreline, enquiries for Portuguese property has trebled across the three months to August 2013 on TheMoveChannel.com – and The Algarve accounts for over 60pc of the country’s activity.
Crete, Greece
Greek property has suffered some of the worst impacts of the recession, but opportunistic investors have begun to descend. The country’s lifestyle appeal has not faded and with house prices at affordable lows, islands like Crete, the most popular Greek property destination, are seeing a new surge in demand.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil is poised for big things. The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games have boosted the country’s international profile significantly, with hotspots such as Rio Grande do Norte enjoying a significant climb in lifestyle demand. For investors, though, Rio de Janeiro is the city is be: prices have already increased by 189 per cent since 2008. They are set to rise even higher.
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey’s coastal resorts of Alanya and Antalya are major attractions for overseas property hunters, but Istanbul is the prime target for investors: the city has seen values and sales soar thanks to the country’s booming economy, with businesses and buy to let investors both entering the market. Infrastructure improvements such as the Marmaray Project, completed in October 2013, are boosting its economic potential even further.
Murcia, Spain
When it comes to low prices, Spanish property is hard to beat: bargain holiday home hunters have continued to snap up real estate throughout the country’s downturn, but investors are returning too – particularly to Murcia. The region’s upcoming Paramount Theme Park is sparking price growth and demand, while the opening of the new airport will drive up tourist numbers too.
The Alps, France
A resort in The French Alps reopened in the summer this year to take advantage of good weather and high visitor demand – indeed, demand has also snowballed on TheMoveChannel.com, with one opportunity in The Three Valleys outstripping enquiries for even Spanish property.
North Dakota, USA
The Bakken Formation may sound like a mouthful, but investors have had no trouble gobbling up its affects on the local housing market: North Dakota’s population has exploded since the oil boom took hold, prompting developers to provide new accommodation to meet demand. Rental yields were high enough to take the highest number of enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com in May 2013.
Detroit, USA
Detroit’s filing for bankruptcy painted a gloomy economic picture for the media, but investors have treated it like a fresh slate, snapping up low-priced property to take advantage of high rental yields. Capital gains appreciation has played its part too, with property values already surging by over 70 per cent since 2011. The result may seem grim from afar, but up close is actually one of the 2013’s best buy to let opportunities.