Hot Property in Albania

Albania Investment Property: The Next Big Thing

2009-01-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

Recently Albania has put itself firmly on the map, both as an increasingly popular tourism destination, and an emerging market on the international property investment scene. Things that shrewd investors and experts in the field like David Stanley Redfern Ltd look for are rapid growth, and/or reasons and factors that make rapid growth in the near future probable. In the case of Albania, these factors include: entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization later this year, into the European Union in 2014, and of course rising tourism, growing by 10% per year.

Other major advantages Albania offers investors are the lack of restrictions on foreign ownership of property, the only restrictions being that foreigners can only make a commercial investment if its value exceeds three times the cost of the land, and foreigners cannot buy agricultural land – they can however lease it for 99 years. Also worth a mention is that Albania is already attracting some of the major European banks, which will make financing an investment easier.

Albania also has many tax advantages like the lack of capital gains tax, no withholding tax, no inheritance tax, no Value Added Tax on property purchases, no state or wealth taxes and no transfer tax. The total round-trip transaction cost is also very low, with less than 1% going on public notary fees.

Albania's potential for growth is definitely among its biggest attractions: Gross Domestic Product growth is an almost incredible 6% and likely to accelerate, and capital appreciation can reach up to 30% depending on the investment.

As always, with a finger on the pulse of international property markets, David Stanley Redfern Ltd had to give their clients the chance to get a piece of the Albanian action. David Redfern told me why:

"Just as the other Eastern European States hit us hard and fast with their capital growth, we believe Albania will do the same. It is becoming a pattern, these under-developed states, that were once surrounded by similarly under-developed neighbouring states, see their neighbours jumping onto the international tourism and property markets with a bang, and start to take steps rapidly to ensure that they are not left behind. They have a lot of room to work with; property prices and living costs are generally low, which become immediate selling points to tourists and to overseas property investors. Their generally good climate, which is always big business in the tourism industry, means their low prices make them a low cost alternative to some of Europe's hottest tourist destinations."

David Stanley Redfern Ltd are offering investors the chance to get in on the action with 1-2 bedroom apartments in the Shengjin Beach development. Starting from £32,088, most of the apartments enjoy sea views and will be supplied finished with ceramic tiling, electrical and plumbing connections ready for installation. The development is two buildings frontline to the beach, both have lifts, the ground floors will be retail units and there is a communal garden to the rear. Activities in and around the development include, surfing, windsurfing, beach volleyball, skiing, caving, trekking and sampling the variety of restaurants and bars from the diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds in the area.

A few years ago Albania was a destination very few people (if any) would consider a holiday destination, but huge advances in democracy and development in the last few years have made Albania not only an attractive holiday destination but a very affordable one.

Albania: "it's a place where history is still waiting to be discovered", wrote Matt Gross in the December 14 edition of the French newspaper: The International Herald Tribune. In two paragraphs about Albania's history he had me wanting to drop everything and jump on a plane. Something that exponentially growing numbers of tourists are doing year upon year.

Undoubtedly not all those tourists will be going in search of the history, the climate is another big plus point. The quickest way I can introduce you to the tourism extraordinaire that is Albania is to tell you that you can rent a double room in a good hotel in Albania's Sarande for the equivalent of around £20, from where you can also take a short hydrofoil ride to the Greek Island and tourist hot-spot of Corfu.

This is symbolic of another tourist attracting feature of Albania, it's cheap. For decades Albania has been one of the poorest states in Europe and so on holiday there you will, as I said enjoy the temperatures and sunshine of Greece for a fraction of the cost.

Call David Stanley Redfern today for a free no-obligation chat.

Find out more about David Stanley Redfern Ltd's investment properties in Albania at:
http://www.davidstanleyredfern.com/investment-property/albania/

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body: the Association for International Property Professionals, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to Liam Bailey: media@davidstanleyredfern.com.

Invest in Albania's Long-Term Growth and Stability

2008-07-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Albania's government has told the International Herald Tribune that it has taken out a 66.2 million euro loan from the Japanese government to modernise and overhaul its canal system and build a sewage treatment plant. The deal, which gives Albania a forty year period to repay the loan, was signed June 30 2008.

This is just the latest in a series of major financial commitments made by the Albanian government, including a 25million euro loan from Austria at the beginning of last month to help Albania meet its requirements for EU entry, and another major loan taken by the Duress port authority from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to renovate the existing quays and build a new terminal at Albania's largest port.

All loans taken out by Albania are directed at improving the country's infrastructure with a view to aiding its flourishing track record for economic growth, which has been almost constant since it left Communism behind in 1992. It is a testament to Albania's economic performance since 1992 that it is taking out loans as oppose to receiving grants, it has had the economic power to take out such loans since the World Bank upped its designation to a middle-income country in 2007.

The Albanian government has an exemplary record for managing the country's economy, maintaining strong growth while keeping inflation low. The fact that it is taking out these major loans is a major indication of their forecast for the Albanian economy, which they clearly expect to continue growing strongly. And they are not the only ones; David Stanley Redfern's head of international research Liam Bailey, said:
"Albania is one of the best places in the world to make a long-term property investment, not only is the government proving their competence time and time again by generating substantial economic growth in its own right while maintaining low inflation. But Albania is all set to become a full member of the EU in 2014, EU loans during this period will bolster the economy and continually aide schemes to develop the infrastructure, which then aides further economic growth, and then Albania's economy will be further boosted by reduced trade tariffs, repatriations from Albanian's going abroad to work, and a whole host of other benefits of EU membership."

One impressive factor that has come from Albania's economic growth of this decade is that a quarter of the population's poorest were brought out of poverty between 2002 and 2006, and unemployment continues to fall, at the same time as wages rise. As Albania's internal wealth and affluence continues to rise, living costs rise, and property values are continuously pushed up. But another benefit is that there will be plenty of Albanian's looking for homes, when investors decide to collect on their long-term investment gains. All round Albania is perfect.

Find out more about Albania and property investment.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body: the Association for International Property Professionals, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to Liam Bailey at media@davidstanleyredfern.com

Albania and Montenegro: Safer than Western Europe

2008-07-06T05:11:00.000-07:00

The Balkans, a region once known as a hotbed of crime and violence, has become one of the safest zones in Europe according to the United Nations.

"The vicious circle of political instability leading to crime, and vice versa, that plagued the Balkans in the 1990s has been broken," said Antonio Maria Costa, head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The bloody breakup of former Yugoslavia — the worst carnage in Europe since World War II — left the region in turmoil throughout the 1990s, but a United Nations report says the levels of crime against people and property are now lower in the Balkans than in Western Europe.

The United Nations report says this trend of reduced crime is likely to continue as the region lacks the usual factors that lead to crime elsewhere in the world: mass poverty, income inequality, runaway urbanisation and large-scale youth unemployment.
David Stanley Redfern Ltd have properties in two Balkan countries, Albania and Montenegro. And with both countries on the road to EU accession, their property markets are safe too.

The Albanian property market is among the cheapest places in Europe to buy property, and since the market has become the focus for international investors the country has enjoyed solid capital appreciation figures. Buyers of Albanian property can expect 5-7 percent rental yields and 10-15 percent capital appreciation, perhaps even rising to 30 percent when Albania enters the EU.

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is in the unique position of having property in the most promising and sought after areas of Albania; the area surrounding Tirana's artificial lake and the first ever development in the Fresku District of Tirana near the Dajti Mountain.

Montenegro is also progressing towards EU accession. Rental yields of up to 10 percent can be achieved in popular tourist areas, and prices are expected to grow in value by 15-20 percent per year.

David Stanley Redfern Ltd have three off-plan developments in tourist hotspots. The Acacia Hills development consists of one two and three bedroom apartments in an astonishing location overlooking the Bay of Kotor on the massively popular Montenegro coast. Also overlooking the open sea are sea-facing terraces in a new off-plan development located in the village of Zambelici, on the beautiful peninsular of Lustica. While The Lakeside Park development is on the banks of Lake Slano surrounded by wilderness, yet only 5 minutes drive from Montenegro’s second biggest town, Niksic.

Find out more about Albanian property.

Find out more about Montenegro property.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body: the Association for International Property Professionals, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to Liam Bailey: media@davidstanleyredfern.com.

Albania Property Most Popular in 2008 so far

2008-06-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

The David Stanley Redfern Ltd sales team has revealed that Albania is the most popular location with investors in 2008 so far. Surprisingly investors are drawn to the safety of Albania property, based on the fact that EU money, stabilising the country and ensuring the economic growth of late continues on its path to becoming a full member of the EU in 2014, ensure property prices are almost certain to grow considerably over the next 5-10 years. Another, more obvious reason for the popularity of Albania property is the fact that it is among the cheapest in Europe, and its proximity to Greece and other popular location gives away the glorious climate.

Tirana property is particularly popular, and the area around Tirana's artificial lake is a particularly popular area within Tirana. On a recent fact-finding mission to Albania, David Stanley Redfern's operations manager Jason Killingback brought new developments back and also ordered that some be removed from the website for various reasons. This means that David Stanley Redfern's Albania property is now nothing but the best investment property in Tirana.

Though more properties will be added soon, David Stanley Redfern are currently offering three Albania properties, all of which are in Tirana, and 2 of 3 in the sought after Lake District.

The newest development is right on top of Tirana's artificial lake, and back on to a second lake, which is currently dry, but will soon be a fantastic waterscape. The Twin Lake development is an off-plan complex of 1 bedroom apartments with prices starting from just £40,000.

David Stanley Redfern's other Tirana Lake District property is the aptly named Lake District residence, again it is an off-plan complex of 1 bedroom apartments, priced from £56,000.

Last but not least is the Dajti Views development, a little further back from the lake, but with the added extra of being a short way from the lift up the Dajti Mountain, which is very popular with tourists. Dajti Views has fantastic views of the mountains, and of Tirana Lake, and you can get a 1 bedroom apartment in the development for just £26,000.

Find out more about property in Albania.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body: the Association for International Property Professionals, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to Liam Bailey at media@davidstanleyredfern.com

New Dominican Republic Property Bargain of the Year

2008-06-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Recent David Stanley Redfern Ltd press releases displayed how Isla Margarita has overtaken the Dominican Republic as the cheapest place to buy a Caribbean property. However the newest Dominican Republic property to come onto DSR's has proven their findings to be wrong. Jason Killingback, operations manager for the overseas property company was smirking as he said:

"Yeah, unbelievable, I know Liam Bailey hates me right now, because it is him who's gone on record as saying Margarita is the cheapest place to get a Caribbean property, and then I go and source luxury Dominican Republic apartments at 7 grand cheaper. But in actual fact we were all pleasantly surprised by the new property. When we started researching Margarita, the price of property there being lower than the previously cheaper Dominican Republic, was one of the biggest factors in us entering the Margarita market, that and massively rising tourism. Who could have predicted one of the biggest bargains in overseas property coming onto the market just a few weeks later?"

"I don't hate Jason for getting the new development," added Bailey, "in fact I'm completely chuffed about it, whether it left me with egg on my face or not. 1 bedroom apartments in a luxury, fully equipped resort, just a 5 minute walk from one of Dominican's most popular beaches, Sosua, are good news for everyone in the company, and all our clients."

Jason and Liam were referring to the Apartment-Hotel Complex in Dominican Republic Sosua, a development of fully serviced studio apartments priced from just £24,000. The complex is a long-standing and successful resort, the fact that it isn't off-plan makes the low prices even more on an astonishing bargain.

The hotel has average occupancy of 75% due to under supply of quality rented accommodation in the area. The stable rental income which comes from a popular resort such as this practically guarantees a quick and profitable sale for pure investors, and a very successful endeavour for holiday home investors.

Find out more about Dominican Republic property.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body: the Association for International Property Professionals, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to Liam Bailey at media@davidstanleyredfern.com

Property Investors See Great Things in Albania's Future

2008-05-05T03:09:00.000-07:00

At April's NATO meeting in Bucharest, U.S./Russia relations caught the international spotlight, but property investors should have been watching the other news. NATO extended a full invitation to Albania and Croatia to join the fold.

This is a major step in Albania's integration into Europe, and a pivotal point in its path to achieving full membership to the European Union. Though, much work is necessary on the part of Albania, the invitation proves that the steps already taken have been the right ones, and that the desire is there to do everything necessary to achieve full EU membership as soon as possible.

Due to its growth, potential and having things like NATO and EU membership on the horizon, Albania has become property investor's favourite within Europe. Liam Bailey Head of International research for David Stanley Redfern put forward a possible reason for Albania's current popularity.

"In the last 2-3 years Albania has put political and ethnic tensions behind it and began to see some really solid economic growth, with around 8% GDP growth on average. I personally believe watching other countries in the region like Bulgaria and Montenegro start to flourish on the international investment stage, triggered the government and the entire population to take the necessary steps to end the tension for the good of them all. Albania has been growing even on its own strengths, but EU grants and loans to help prepare the country for full membership will only generate even greater growth."

Liam continued: "In that respect, the long road and work needed to gain EU entry is actually good for property investors, because property bought now at low prices, will continue to grow in value throughout the period when EU money is bolstering economic growth in the country. This makes Albania a safe investment destination, even in the face of global adversity."

David Stanley Redfern Ltd have several affordable Albania properties, and all are in prime locations. Three of them are in and around Tirana's popular artificial lake, one of which also has views of the Dajti Mountains. And another is in Saranda, overlooking Saranda Bay and with views out across to the Greek Island of Corfu, while property is only a fraction of the price.

Find out more about Albania property.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body: the Association for International Property Professionals, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to Liam Bailey: media@davidstanleyredfern.com