Peruvian Property Market Continues to Perform Strongly

The property market in Peru has been performing strongly for a couple of years, and this is largely due to strong economic growth in the country. In 2010 GDP grew by 8.8%, while in 2011 it grew by 6.9%.

According to figures from Peru Tinsa, the average price of homes sold in the Lima metropolitan area increased by 19.9% last year to reach $99,449. Residential sales increased by 52.2% in 2011 compared to 2010, and there was a 31.57% increase in the area sold.

All the indications are that the property market will continue to perform strongly this year due to lower mortgage rates, the strong economy, and improved public investment. Most of the new developments are concentrating on higher end property, but the best-selling homes in Lima are priced between $30,000 and $50,000.

By January this year Peru had seen 29 consecutive months of economic expansion, as GDP was up 5.38% compared to the same period last year, and is predicted to grow by 5.7% this year. Much of this increase is due to the strength of the Chinese economy, as the demand for raw materials such as copper is huge.

Peru has made sure that its export market remains competitive, as the Central Reserve Bank of Peru has intervened to make sure the currency doesn't appreciate too much. Last year saw the inauguration of Ollanta Humala, as the 94th president of Peru, and though there were initial concerns as to how he would lead the country, it seems as if he is following the same democratic and highly successful path as the Brazilian president. This means he is dedicated towards modernising the economy while maintaining a strong social commitment.

Property Investors Becoming Increasingly Interested in Italy

According to a recent report, property investors are becoming increasingly interested in purchasing homes in Italy, and the current climate is especially good for British investors due to the strength of the pound against the euro.

Last year Umbria and Tuscany were especially popular amongst international buyers, and the regions saw increased activity. Most of the buyers were from the Eurozone, from Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. This year is likely to see something of a reversal due to the decline in the Euro.

During the last year or so the number of buyers looking for property in Italy has increased substantially, although prices of luxury homes in Tuscany and Umbria dropped by nearly 5% which is thought to be due to the weak global economy, and the Eurozone debt crisis.

Most international buyers are interested in luxury properties priced between €5 million and €15 million, as well as those at the lower end of the market price between €500,000 and €1.5 million. New properties coming onto the market are being priced accurately which is increasing buyer confidence, as well as helping to promote these areas as being some of the best residential property markets in Europe.

Tuscany and Umbria have traditionally always been popular amongst the British, and property in Umbria tends to be slightly cheaper than Tuscany. However Chianti is becoming increasingly popular as it is a picturesque rural area. Other areas attracting interest include Florence and Val d’Orca. Property prices in Italy are expected to remain largely stable this year, and there's no chance of a property glut as new developments are tightly regulated so demand will be higher than supply.

British Virgin Islands Feel Little Impact from the Global Economic Crisis

The British Virgin Islands have seen little impact on property prices from the global economic crisis as prices of luxury property have remained largely unchanged in recent years and are expected to continue to hold up well.

This is partially due to the nature of the market, as the British Virgin Islands consists of around 50 islands and islets, and due to strict planning regulations, there is a distinct lack of high-density development.

Around 60% of luxury homes are bought by European buyers, and there are also a considerable number of US buyers. During the latter half of 2011, some owners of luxury property revised their selling prices downwards, resulting in renewed interest from purchasers.

The British Virgin Islands is relatively well insulated against fluctuations in the market as most of the purchases are lifestyle driven, and the small size of the market has helped to keep prices high.

Most of the residents are wealthy, and it's a rarity for anyone to be forced to sell. As such most are prepared to wait for more favourable conditions before putting their homes on the market. Compared to neighbouring islands, where high-density residential resorts have struggled to sell during the past four years, the British Virgin Islands have suffered only slight price falls.

The islands attract high net worth individuals as they have a reputation as being a low tax jurisdiction, and residents aren't liable for death duties, capital gains, corporation, income, or wealth taxes. As always, waterfront property is the most attractive, and homes with private moorings are particularly sought after.

Property Prices in the East End Have Increased by £800 a Month since July 2005

In July 2005 London was awarded the Olympic Games, and now with just five months ago Lloyds TSB has revealed that house prices in the area around the main site have increased by around 30% since London's successful bid.

The average home cost £268,884 last November which is an increase of £62,739 since July 2005, equating to a very nice average monthly rise of £815. In comparison homes in England and Wales have risen by 25% during the same period, which equates to a monthly increase of £611.

Prices in eight out of the 14 postal districts closest to the Olympic Park have increased by at least 20% since July 2005, with Dalston and Homerton seeing the fastest price growth as each have recorded average increases of around 55% for that time period. Shoreditch came a close second with properties increasing by an average of 47% while in comparison Stratford which is the closest to Olympic construction activity has seen prices increased by just 13%, to reach an average of £227,893.

Prices in London have increased by an average of 5.4% during the last 12 months, and just two of the postal districts closest to the Olympic sites have exceeded this increase. Prices in Dalston increased by 10.3%, while prices in Clapton rose by 7.1%, but prices in Bethnal Green fell by an average of 5.2%. In spite of the massive increases seen over the last few years the typical house price in postal areas closest to the Olympic sites is still 22% below the London average of £342,551.

The most affordable homes can be found in Plaistow where the average house costs £188,760, which is 45% below the average London price. In contrast homes in Dalston cost £359,436, and it is the most expensive site closest to the Olympics.

Norwegian Homes Are the Greenest in the World

Research by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has shown that Norway is the top country in the world for reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. Brazil is second, while the UK comes in third, but apparently there is still considerable room for improvement. Australia and China come in fourth and fifth, but Russia Luxembourg and Canada are bottom of the list, with Greece and South Africa just above them.

Although the bottom of the list shows little movement, there has been considerable change in the middle ranking is. Between 2008 and 2010, Finland, Sweden, France, the USA, Belgium and the Slovak Republic have made improvements, while India, Italy and Ireland have slipped further down the rankings.

The RICS Global Zero Carbon Capacity Index has looked at 34 individual countries over the last three years to see how they are progressing in their carbon reduction policies.

The UK has a considerable number of carbon reduction policies in place which accounts for its high ranking in the index, but doesn't do so well in the residential sector where it remains one of the worst performers, although it is gradually improving. Norway has been top of the ranking for three years running, but Brazil has moved up six places due to its high contribution of renewable energy and low energy use. In contrast,

Germany has slipped down the rankings due to its poor performance in residential energy use and is now the fifth worst performer. This particular index has remained pretty stable from year to year due to the lead time and investment required in renewable energy infrastructure to make any appreciable difference to a country's energy use.

Malaysians Taking Advantage of Exchange Rates to Buy up Properties Abroad

Malaysians are taking advantage of favourable exchange rates to buy properties abroad, especially in Britain and the United States where the value of sterling and the dollar has declined over recent months.

Apparently several major estate agents who market international properties have noticed the number of Malaysian buyers has been increasing steadily over the last three years, with figures peaking during the first six months of this year.

It's not just favourable exchange rates which make overseas property so attractive to them, as property prices in Malaysia are soaring, especially in the major cities and towns. This has led those with cash to spare to look towards other countries where prices have dropped significantly over the last few years, and which offer much better value.

London is perennially popular, as are university towns in the US as they offer great rental potential. Properties in Florida, Michigan and Las Vegas are proving to be very popular as they yield higher returns, especially in the case of Florida and Michigan, as both these states have a high student population.

Most Malaysians are buying property for rental purposes, although they are able to stay in the country so long as they have the necessary visa.

Australia is also proving popular, in spite of the strength of the Australian dollar, as the property market is seen as being stable and offering good returns on investments.

The country is proving to be particularly popular with young Malaysian professionals who are looking to diversify their investments and achieve early financial freedom. The majority of properties sold to overseas buyers cost between AU$500,000 and AU$800,000.

Now's the Time to Buy Property in the US

According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index, affordability in the United States is now at a 20 year high, with an incredible 75% of homes in the country being affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,200.

Even though homes are affordable to the majority of the population, and interest rates are at an all-time low, and the housing market is still being held back by constraints on credit and worries over the economy. In spite of this some housing markets in the country are beginning to stabilise and there are some signs of green shoots.

The most affordable area in the US is the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman area which is on the Ohio and Pennsylvania border. An amazing 94% of homes here are within reach of those earning a median income. Other areas showing high affordability include Lakeland-Winter Haven in Florida and Syracuse in New York.

All these factors make the US extremely attractive to investors, especially as the number of renters is rising.

There are signs that increasing numbers of first-time investors are choosing to dip a toe into the market, and while it is a good time to buy, those new to the property investing game should be aware of the potential pitfalls and should make sure they only invest in an area that they know reasonably well, and that they investigate the local rental market thoroughly before committing to their purchase.

While the market is good for investors, those who are unable to pay in cash are also facing problems finding funding. According to the National Association of Realtors, 19% of homes sold during May and June were sold to investors, up from 13% on the previous year.

Increased Demand for US Holiday Homes

Although house prices in many regions of the US are still falling, the luxury holiday home sector is proving to be far more resilient. A number of estate agents are reporting that they are receiving far more enquiries than they have had for years.

It certainly looks like a good time to buy provided you intend to invest for the long term, as property which was once out of reach to many is now far more affordable. A three-bedroom home in Vail, Colorado which changed hands for $3.3 million in 2008, was sold in February for just $2.5 million.

Another property on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina previously sold in June 2006 for $1.2 million, was bought for just $750,000 in April this year.

Overall the average price for holiday homes was $150,000 in 2010, which is a reduction of around 25% since 2006, however homes in the multimillion dollar range have fared much better, and this sector is recovering much more quickly.

The recovery of the second homes market hasn't gone unnoticed, as on Palm Beach Island, Florida, sales have increased by 50% to the year ending June 30, while sales in the Hamptons have risen by 59% during the second quarter compared to a year earlier. Sales in Aspen, Colorado have increased by 10% to the year ending May 31.

In spite of these figures being very encouraging, there is no suggestion of a property boom, as the types of properties which are selling well are those located near water or near ski slopes. Properties in less desirable areas are still taking a long time to sell. Another problem is financing, as banks tend to be much warier about second home mortgages, particularly the so-called "jumbo" loans which are more than federally guaranteed limits.

View America property for sale

Florida Property Market Continues to Show Signs of Improvement

The Florida property market continues to show signs of life, as sales of condominiums in Miami have increased by 46% over the last year, and sales of family homes have improved by 20%.

In May, sales of condominiums increased by 1.1% on April while house sales increased by a respectable 5.4%, according to a report from Miami’s Association of Realtors. An incredible 60% of closed sales were cash transactions, while international sales accounted for 60% of this figure. International sales accounted for 90% of new construction sales.

It’s not just Miami that is seeing a turnaround in the market, as sales throughout the whole state have increased. Condo sales have increased by 17%, while single family home sales have increased by 3%.

According to Jack Levine, chairman of the National Association of Realtors, the performance of the housing market in Miami is exceeding expectations, with sales now at their highest levels since the boom years.

At the moment there is just a 7.4 month’s supply of housing, as both international and American buyers take advantage of bargain prices. However the high number of foreclosures and short sales is continuing to have an effect on the market, as 57% of all closed sales during April were distressed in some way.

The good news is that prices seem to be gradually recovering in Miami, as even though prices for single family homes in May were 8% lower than a year ago, they had increased by 7% from the previous month. Condominium prices were 1% lower compared with a year earlier, but had increased by 7.4 compared with April.

View property for sale in America including in Orlando and the rest of Florida.

Rising Interest Rates are Unlikely to Affect Brazilian Home Sales

Brazil's third largest homebuilder says Brazil property sales are unlikely to be affected by increased borrowing costs so long as the interest rate is kept below 14%.

Duilio Calciolari is the new chief executive officer of Gafisa SA. which is Brazil's third largest homebuilder, and doesn't feel there should be any significant impact if rates go up to 14% to control inflation.

The bank has already raised interest rates to 12%, but employment is extremely strong and banks are becoming ever more willing to finance mortgages. An estimated 9.1 million Brazilians intend to buy property this year, all of which bodes extremely well for Gafisa.

The unemployment rate in Brazil hit a record low in December at just 5.7%, and was 6.5% in March which is the lowest ever recorded rate for that month. The Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff recently said that the economy is near full employment.

However as the economy continues to expand, the rate of inflation is also accelerating and is now running at 6.51% which is the highest rate since 2005 and above the target range set by the government. A recent central bank survey of 100 economists revealed that most expect the interest rates to end the year at 12.5%.

Mortgage lending grew by 51% in 2010, compared with a 2.6% decline in the US and a 12% increase in Mexico. Property prices have risen significantly since 2008, with prices increasing by 113% in Rio de Janeiro and 91% in São Paulo. In spite of these hefty increases Calciolari doesn't think the housing market is at any risk of a bubble and the prices are just a structural correction due to the increasing mortgage market.

Property Sales in Phoenix Rise to Record Highs

The number of sales in Phoenix has risen to a record high during the first quarter of 2011, largely due to cash buyers and investors purchasing distressed property. Foreclosure sales and short sales are still accounting for a huge portion of the market and the median sale price is still dropping.

Sales figures for March showed that 10,352 new and resale properties were bought which is up a staggering 44.3% from the previous month, and 7.5% from March 2010 according to DataQuick who track property trends nationally through public property records.

It's normal to see a sharp rise in sales between February and March as the property buying season gets underway in earnest, but this year's increase is larger than normal. The average increase would be about 30% according to records kept by DataQuick since 1994. The March sales figures were the highest for that particular month since March 2007 and are just 1% short of the average number of sales for this month.

In spite of this, sales of new properties are at their lowest levels for 14 years as builders are unable to compete with bargain priced foreclosure properties.

A huge 41.2% of all property transactions in March were for homes costing less than $100,000 which is up from 40% in February and 30.6% in March last year. Property investors bought 47.1% of homes sold in Phoenix, and this is the highest level for any time during the last decade.

The median price of property in Phoenix was $119,000 which is down 11.9% from March 2010. Foreclosure sales accounted for 53.1% of property purchases in March, down from 66.2% in March 2009.

View property for sale in America

Making your money go further in Ecuador

Ecuador is not somewhere that is widely considered by investors, but has much to offer, not least a lifestyle that has been compared to California in the fifties.

Ecuador coastlines are some of the world’s most unspoiled and affordable, yet they still offer all the modern amenities such as shopping malls, good restaurants and medical clinics.

Little wonder then, that Ecuador is fast being discovered by overseas buyers, many of whom are from the US, lured in by the cheap cost of living and low priced property. In Ecuador it is possible to buy a retirement residency on an income of just $800 a month. This status has a long list of discounts attached, some of which can be as much as 50%, including reduced air fares, goods and services.

The city of Salinas -- Ecuador’s biggest city -- is 90 miles from Guayaquil, and is a popular holiday spot with native Ecuadorians. It has great facilities for boating including  a yacht club, as well as surfing, sunbathing and fishing, and ample opportunities for fine dining in the evenings.

It has a mixture of neighbourhoods, with the north being more vibrant, while the south is quieter and more family oriented. It’s possible to buy an apartment close to the beach and an exclusive yacht club for $124,0000 which is just over $100 per square foot.  The same price will buy a three bedroom, three bathroom hilltop house with ocean views in nearby Ballenita.

For just a little more ($170,000), it’s possible to buy a 3410 square feet home with five bedrooms and access to a pool, not to mention gorgeous ocean views. With prices like these it is easy to see why this place has such appeal for retirees.

Overseas Property Investors Returning to Market Says Lloyds TSB

Lloyds TSB International research reports that overseas property investors sat out some during the recession, but with property prices falling and falling, many of them are now beginning to re-enter the market having much more confidence and finding some amazing deals.

Some British investors have held off during the last three years, watching as some property prices have fallen up to 40 percent. Research reveals that sales are still sluggish in some areas, but optimism remains that sales will pick up as more investors enter the market.

According to the National Federation of Estate Agents in France, property prices in France increased in 2010, which is the first time since 2007 that values have gone up. Additionally, the Germany real estate group, IVG, reports from the latest research that Spain’s property market is expected to recover at a quicker pace than the rest of the economy.

Barry Luhmann, head of lending at Lloyds TSB International, states that some of the markets that were hot in 2007, such as Spain and the US, are now full of deeply discounted deals.

Spain’s average housing prices have decreased 23 percent since the 2007 peak, although key tourist destinations such as Ibiza and Costa Blanca have seen as much as a 40 percent decrease. Such declines in prices have British buyers evaluating their finances and the market much more seriously.

As the economy improves, investment interest will increase not just in Spain, but all around the world. As the economy shows more signs of stability, the real estate sector will see noticeable, positive changes as well.

Brazil Property Attracts Increasing Investment

If you’ve been keeping up with Brazil the past year or so then you’ll already know that with a booming and growing economy, the property market has been the source of great interest in overseas property investors.

Recently, it has been reported that Brazil’s government is ensuring that the growth of the economy will remain stable by taking steps to keep it sustainable. It has also been reported that the government is planning on $30 billion in cuts, which will result in a reduction in defense spending as well as the hiring of civil servants coming to a halt.

With Brazil’s exploding and excessive growth, cuts are necessary to keep the country at a sustainable level. Guido Mantego, Brazil’s Finance minister, stated that the cuts are aimed at slowing down the growth but not too much as to stop the growth completely.

Brazil’s economy grew by 7.5 percent in 2010 and inflation is rising. The country has been very popular globally, with property investors taking notice and investing in the country hoping to increase the value of their investment portfolios significantly.

Experts anticipate that the expanding economy and property market will continue to be favorable for the next five to ten years. Additionally, the Property Price Index will soon be out, which will compare different types of properties in Brazil, such as residential and commercial. Experts believe that this index will be key to monitoring the market and help avoid bubbles and property crashes in the future.

Has the Bulgarian Property Market Bottomed?

Experts are claiming that the Bulgarian property market may have bottomed, making now a good time to reconsider property investment in the country. The market has had a tough time, arguably one of the toughest, not least because its downturn started well before the rest of us. This has led to prices falling up to 50% in the coastal resorts, and 20% in the cities according to those behind the claims. Not that I disagree.

Has the market bottomed? I don’t know and the truth is no one will ever really know when a market hits its absolute rock bottom, in fact by the time we realise that it has we will be the latecomers who have long missed the worm. The best way is to make your own judgements based on growth potential, value for money and macro-economic fundamentals.

In Bulgaria we certainly have low prices, in fact according to the Global Property Guide property  prices in Sofia are currently around 1,759 EUR per sqm, compared to 2,354 EUR per sqm in Belgrade, Serbia, 2,406 EUR per sqm in Vilnius Lituania, and 2,748  in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

This would seem to suggest that Sofia property, and that of other parts of Bulgaria is running undervalue. However, Bulgaria’s downturn bit first because of oversupply and the deep recession and drop in foreign demand caused by the global financial crisis certainly never helped that. So, it may well be the time to buy in some places, but I would still be inclined to do some length research into supply and demand in any areas I looked at.

View Bulgaria property for sale

Brazil Property Enjoying Sustainable Growth

While some countries have suffered heavily as real estate bubble’s were abruptly popped, other’s have remained stable and stayed on track for a steady trajectory of long term growth.

Brazil property is a prime example of this. Throughout 2009 when we all had realised the hopes that most emerging markets would avoid property market crashes were in vain, Brazil was frequently mentioned as a hotbed of potential growth, with big names like Sam Snell acting as patron saints.

The latest big name to put his weight behind Brazil as a property investment hotspot is Donald Trump, who has just entered into a joint property development venture in the country, and told the Los Angeles Times that he felt investing in the country to be a safe bet.

Another, Warren Buffet stated to Fox News that Brazil could just become “one of the world’s greatest investment opportunities in modern times.”

The former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was highly committed to fuelling growth in the property and housing market. His increasing the maximum mortgage repayment term from 12 to 30 years, and the Minha Casa Minha Vida (My House My Life) scheme, have helped the youngest and those on a low income to buy a house.

It is predicted that the Brazilian economy will have grown 7.5% in 2010, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. 100 economists recently predicted that growth will slow next year, to a still-very-strong 4.5%. With da-Silva's protégé having taken the helm experts predict this growth to continue being channelled into housing market growth.

Foreclosures Make for Hot Florida Property Investments

Ocala, Florida has seen home prices drop lately and the sales of single- family homes have increased as the abundance of foreclosures abound. With the struggling economy and higher unemployment rate, it seems as if now is the time for those wanting to relocate to Florida to purchase that retirement or winter home.

It appears that property prices for residential homes last month in Marion County were at levels that we haven’t seen since the 1990’s. The average median home price decreased from $87,800 in November 2009 to $75,900 in November 2010. That is a significant 14 percent drop and the biggest percentage drop in the Florida metropolitan area.

The home prices in Ocala have been decreasing for about three years now due to the recession and double digits unemployment rate. Home investors at home and abroad are taking advantage of the price decline and buying up investment properties. According to MLS surveys, just last month in November, realtors sold 269 residential homes compared to 251 a year ago in 2009. That is a 7 percent increase in sales mainly due to the amount of foreclosures on the market. The past year has seen many more foreclosures and distressed sales due to the struggling economy.

Almost 630 homes were on the foreclosure list in November, which equals out to one in every 251 homes were looking at foreclosure. With so many foreclosures, investors have taken advantage of such a prime market to buy up homes for short or long term rentals in the hopes of gaining significant returns in the future.

Malaysian Property Market Recovering Rapidly

Malaysia’s property market anticipates growth in the upcoming year as the economy enjoys stability and growth as well, peaking the interest of overseas investors. This is good news for Malaysia as much of the world has been hit pretty hard by economic struggles.

The Fourth Malaysian Property Summit is scheduled to be held on January 18^th, 2011 in Kuala Lumpur and will include various speakers from fields such as developers, property owners, bankers, investors, and economists. Talk of property investment potential will likely be a main topic.

James Wong, a property consultant, says that there is a huge demand for property in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. As property prices rise, it is important that the government come up with incentives to boost income to help the growth of the economy as property market and the economy oftentimes go hand in hand.

It will be essential that the Economic Transformation Programme set clear guidelines on Private Finance Initiatives so that proper funding can come from private initiatives.

It is reported that market prices have set record highs and the interest rates remain low presently. Investors from all over the world are interested in this prime location. Chinese investors already invest highly in Australia and Singapore and buyers are hopeful that they will be seeing more of such investors in Malaysia. Along with China, investors from Singaporean and Hong Kong are also interested in Malaysian properties.

It will be interesting to see just how much growth Malaysia will see in the upcoming year.

Investors Seek next Hotspot as Thai Property Recovers

We are all hearing about the revival of Asian property markets, and while much less talked about than China and India we know from recent reports that Thailand is now starting to see its share of this revival.

In the early-mid noughties when the great global property boom was finding its feet, Thailand was powering out of the Asian economic crash and Bangkok property prices were among the fastest growing in the world.

While Bangkok property is still expensive and thought to be on its money if not a little over valued, people are finding investment opportunities in new areas as they seek to find the Bangkok of this economic recovery.

Pattaya is definitely a contender to this throne. Pattaya is exactly what we are looking for in an Asian investment hotspot, it is an urban/suburban area, set to grow into a metropolis and with demand for housing growing far more quickly than supply. Oh, and property is cheap.

Take the new development from Azure Overseas, Art on the Hill is an equisite development offering fully-furnished 1 bedroom apartments in the Pratumnak district of Pattaya from £21,000. The development, which is located just 5 minutes from downtown Pattaya is complete with:

• Rooftop Pool
• Secure Underground Parking
• 24 Hour Security
• Modern Design
• 400 Meters from Pratumnak's best beaches
• Family Friendly Neighbourhood
• Close to all local shops and amenities

Distressed US Investment Property Supplies Increasing

Sales of distressed and bank owned property accounted for some 24% of all US home sales in the second quarter, down from 31% in the first quarter, according to the latest data from Realty Trac.

Of this bank owned properties accounted for 15% of home sales in the second quarter, and properties in some stage of mortgage distress for 9% of sales. This is down from 19% and 12% respectively in the first quarter.

This shows that sales are dropping. But the number of properties sold after receiving a default or auction notice was up 5% from the previous quarter, although it was 20% lower than last year. This would seem to suggest that supply may be rising.

Discounts on distressed and repossessed US properties are also falling, which also suggests that supply may be rising. According to the Realty Trac data, the average discount on sales of properties in default or scheduled for auction was 13% in the second quarter, down from 16% in the first quarter, and 19% in the second quarter of last year.

The average discount on bank owned properties in the second quarter stayed at the running average of 31%.

While supply of distressed and repossessed US properties rising is bad news for the US housing market, because their heavily discounted sale prices are factored into future valuations of other houses in the area, it is not such bad news for the droves of investors from across America and around the world who are getting some seriously good deals on US property.

Azure Overseas are currently marketing the Village at Town Center, a development of luxury condos just a few minutes away from Orlando's main attractions. The price of just £47k for a 3 bedroom unit is evidence of the fantastic investment potential of discounted US properties. Think of the yield you could make renting that out on a PPPN basis.