• Home
•  » Property Investment News

2010 Property Investment

With the start of the new year and decade come the predictions for the best overseas property investment destinations. To help you to decide where to put your money, the market research team at Obelisk has come up with their forecasts for 2010.

Among the established favourites, Obelisk sees a mixed bag. Florida and Spain are two unknowns. Florida real estate is still losing value and may continue to do so for at least the next six months. Property in Spain could bring up some bargains as house prices are widely expected to fall further during 2010, but don't expect prices for luxury property in Marbella and Mallorca to drop considerably. Experts also warn that many homes in Spain are still over-valued.

North of the Pyrenees, France looks to offer a stable property market this year, confirming its status as a perennial favourite with British buyers of foreign property. When it comes to islands, Malta may be one to watch over the next 12 months. The island has seen an increase in flights, both holiday and business. The property market in Malta and demand for homes remained steady in 2009. In addition, the limited supply of land on the island means that homes on Malta will always hold their value.

If snow is your thing, property investment in ski resorts is well worth investigating. Chalets and apartments in resorts in Austria, France and Italy - and even the more expensive Switzerland - represent good value and offer plenty of buy-to-let potential. Still in colder climates, Scandinavian countries may be worth a look. All except Denmark experienced property prices increases in 2009.

On the other side of the globe, both the Australian and New Zealand property markets are currently doing well after slight hiccups during 2008 and 2009. However, distance and residence visa restrictions mean Down Under is not as practical as other overseas property investment destinations unless you're planning a permanent move there.

On home ground, experts are divided. Some predict flat prices or price drops in the UK property market during 2010 owing to over-supply and lack of mortgages. Others believe the housing market will recover this year. In any case, Obelisk predicts three sectors will thrive - Central London where cash-rich foreigners taking advantage of the weak pound continue to snap up high-end properties; regions set to benefit from improvements in infrastructure (e.g. the high-speed train links in Kent and the areas on the future high-speed train between London and Scotland); and the very buoyant buy-to-let sector.

Among the emerging markets, Obelisk finds another mixed bag. Some such as Bulgaria and the Baltic States are conspicuously absent from most 2010 overseas property investment tip lists. Dubai - whose price nosedives of up to 84% last year make it perhaps the most spectacular example of a burst property bubble - is another absentee. Frequent changes in regulations for foreigners buying property in China and the restrictions on foreign buyers in India (only Indian nationals may purchase property) mean these BRIC giants do not rank as Obelisk recommendations.

On the other hand, some emerging markets are more than up and coming. Property in Indonesia and Malaysia is slowly but surely making an indelible mark on the radar. And Brazil real estate is now firmly established as a market to be in (Brazil is the Homesoverseas top tip for 2010).

Of all the property investment destinations, Obelisk is recommending Brazil as the top spot for 2010. We believe that the combination of a strong economy, firm democracy, rising consumer wealth and top sporting events means that Brazil is currently the biggest and brightest market on the globe.

 

« Back

Other Property Investment News