News

Hitler's hideout hits the market

Ivan Radford — 18/11/2011 12:41:00

Hitler's secret hideout is now for sale, if you believe the conspiracy theorists. The Inalco mansion, located on Argentina's coast, is thought by some to be the place where Adolf Hitler lived with Eva Braun after faking his death at the end of World War II.

The property was built in 1943 and designed by architect Alejandro Bustillo, who according to Gizmodo, also built residences for other SS officers. The mansion, 231 metres from the road, is hidden in 452 acres of forest on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Alongside 900 metres of sandy beaches, it boasts a wooden pier with a boat ramp and, says Spanish site Perfil, space for a seaplane.

The lot was originally purchased by Enrique Garcia Merou, a lawyer with connections to companies that allegedly helped Nazis to escape to Argentina after the war. Merou hired Bustillo to design the property, which is strangely similar (in both location and layout) to The Berghof, Hitler's home in the Alps. Merou even imported Swiss cows to fill the land around the property.

Bustillo's design is oddly similar to The Berghof
(Photo Credit: Perfil.com)

Merou finally sold the villa to Jorge Antonio, Argentina's representative for Mercedes Benz. Since then, the house has frequently passed hands, eventually falling to banker Jose Rafael Trozzo in 1970. Trozzo invested in several pieces of real estate at the time, including a hotel next door to the villa, which was owned by John Mahler.

Mahler later turned out to be the fake identity used by Reinhard Kopps, a former Nazi lieutenant.

Hitler faked his death and fled to Nahuel Huapi, say rumours
(View Larger Map)

Now, the Trozzo family is selling the property, prompting a resurgence of the rumours surrounding Hitler's ownership, spurred on by the book Grey Wolf: The Escape of Adolf Hitler.

If the legends are true, then the Inalco mansion is a unique piece of real estate. For those convinced by all the suspicious coincidences surrounding the property, you can now buy Hitler's secret hideout for just £18.75 million. For everyone else, the listing on Liderkey describes the estate as "ideal for tourism developments".

Interested in owning a unique piece of property history?

Browse our listings of unusual overseas property, some of which may or may not have been owned by Hitler:

http://www.themovechannel.com/property/unique_property/

Top 10 houses that look like cakes

admin — 16/09/2011 11:04:00

Photo credit: Jo

It's National Cupcake Week in the UK and to celebrate, TheMoveChannel.com has combined its hunger for overseas property with its appetite for cake and combined it into one sweet list. From all around the world, here are the top 10 buildings that look like cakes.

1. San Francisco, USA

Photo credit: Jinx McCombs

This house, located on Fulton St near Golden Gate Park, boasts gingerbread house-style roofing, with a pebbled chimney to add to the effect. It's almost as yummy as some of the bargain properties currently available in Florida (which are easily reached by bus).

2. Ponce, Puerto Rico

Photo credit: Jose Oquendo

The Casa Wiechers-Villaronga is a Neo-Classical mansion from 1911. Designed by original owner Alfredo Wiechers Pierettiand and later restored in the 1960s, it now serves (rather fittingly) as the Museum of Puerto Rican Architecture. The delicate fence and elegant pillars are a tasty addition to the property, but the tiny peaks on the roof are the icing on the cake.

3. Rome, Italy

Photo credit: Glen Scarborough

No list of buildings that look like cakes would be complete without the Victor Emmanuel Monument in Rome. Built in 1935 to celebrate Emmanuel, the first king of unified Italy, its multiple pillars and semi-circle shape have led to disdain from many local residents, who refer to it as "The Typewriter". International tourists are closer to the mark with their nickname: "The Wedding Cake".

4. Barcelona, Spain

Photo credit: Isaac Bordas

Park Güell in Barcelona is a striking showcase for the work of architect Antoni Gaudí. Originally part of a failed housing estate, it was declared a monument of national historical interest in the 1960s and now provides Spain's most unique municipal garden.

5. Salta, Argentina

Photo credit: Mary Dimonaco

Salta may be Argentina's eighth largest city, but it boasts this impressive cathedral in its centre. Another Neo-Classical design, the cathedral is as pink as any fondant icing could wish to be.

6. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Photo credit: Jo

This home is located close to Jandia in Fuerteventura, Spain. Thanks to its bumpy design and white decorations, it is universally known as the "Icing House". Its owners are reportedly baffled by the number of people who stop outside to take photos.

7. Virginia, USA

Photo credit: David Hoffman

In 1918, this brick house was built by G. T. Lester in Martinsville, Virginia. Like the Victor Emmanuel Monument in Rome, it is often referred to as "The Wedding Cake House" because of its tall arches, crenellated parapet, white brickwork and layered structure.

8. Madrid, Spain

Photo credit: Doug

The sadly inedible Edificio Grassy holds the prestigious address of 1 Gran Via, the heart of the busy shopping district in Spain's capital city. Built in the early 1900s, it's topped by a cupola with a distinctly cake-like quality.

9. Valencia, Spain

Photo credit: Elem

Thanks to the country's VAT cuts, the appetising Spanish property market holds many delectable discounts. But it also holds this layered building in Valencia's Pla del Real district. Framed by the country's typically clear blue sky, it really does look like the miniature cake replica of a much bigger building.

10. London, UK

Photo credit: Ray Wewerka

You don't have to leave the UK to see one particular building. Lit up at night, The O2 in London often resembles a birthday cake covered in candles. But like most of the prime property in London at the moment, the price tag would be hard to digest.

Hungry for property abroad?

Browse our mouth-watering listings of houses, villas, and other overseas property:

http://www.themovechannel.com/property/all/

BA looks to Caribbean in new summer schedule

Sarah Kendell — 01/04/2011 10:10:00

British Airways will shift its focus away from the US and toward the lush tropical islands of the Caribbean in this summer's cross-Atlantic flight schedule, with increased services to Barbados, San Juan, St Lucia and Puerto Rico set to give property owners on the islands a hefty boost to rental income.

The national carrier's new summer flights reflect a changing of the game in the tourist industry over in the Americas - while it's lessened flights to Orlando, BA has stepped up services to up and coming growth markets like Buenos Aires in Argentina and the all-inclusive resort hub of Cancun in Mexico, as well as its increased services to the Caribbean.

The increase in flights to the islands of Barbados, St Lucia and Puerto Rico, despite the recent announcement of a rise in fuel duty for Caribbean flights, reflect the airline's confidence in the region as an attractive tourist destination for Brits. The establishment of many high-end luxury developments on the islands in recent years, such as Barbados' Portico, has seen demand amongst the wealthy continue to grow despite the economic downturn.

"During an economic downturn or market swing, it is always the exclusive locations that win through first", said Kieran Kelly of locally based property firm Cluttons Barbados. "Barbados is a great place to own a holiday home or investment property: the people are lovely; the economy is stable; the pure, white sandy beaches are heaven and the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea provide many with the opportunity to truly relax and escape the world's woes." With two more chances per week for BA customers to get down to their Barbadian escape, business should certainly be booming.

Interested in property in the Caribbean?
Browse our listings of apartments, houses and other properties for sale in the Caribbean here: http://caribbean.themovechannel.com/property/all/

Take the Che Guevara tourist trail

Catherine Deshayes — 02/06/2010 11:14:00

Ernesto "Che" Guevara fought to overthrow corrupt capitalism and is now to be immortalised further with a tourist route taking in the Latin American countries he touched during his life...

The new tourist trail spans three countries - Argentina, Cuba and Bolivia - and takes in the sites at which he was born, fought and died. The ‘Caminos del Che' Trail will allow Guevara fans to retrace the footsteps of the most famous face to adorn T-shirts all over the world.

Interest in Guevara has increased of late as Latin American countries celebrate the bicentennial of earlier revolutions that led to independence from Spain.

Tourism officials from each of the three countries are working together to ensure that the new trail is a fitting tribute to Argentinian Guevara, who is already a major tourism draw in His home country with visitors flocking to see his birthplace and his family's plantation.

Although Argentina and Cuba already receive a lot of tourists in search of Che, the addition of Bolivia adds to the experience by tracing the last part of his short life.

"Everybody has heard of Che Guevara but not many people associate him with Bolivia, so it is a real opportunity to learn more about different stages in his life," said Laura Rendell-Dunn from Journey Latin America. The film The Motorcycle Diaries showed the world Che's journey through Latin America.

Bolivia's tourist route follows Guevara's path through the jungle to Higuera, the town where he was killed, and Valle Grande, where he was buried with six other fighters until 1997, when the bodies were exhumed and taken to Cuba.

Diego Conca, who coordinates Argentina's portion of the Che trail, said, "We aren't looking to commodify him - he's not a product that's for sale," said inaugurated last year.

"His journey transformed him, and we think that following this route can also be transformative for tourists," he added.

Che was killed in a failed mission to foment an uprising in Bolivia, after joining the Castro brothers' uprising in Cuba where they established a communist regime.

Check out homes for sale all across Argentina at http://argentina.themovechannel.com/

The very best investments

Catherine Deshayes — 06/01/2009 13:23:00

Back by popular demand! TheMoveChannel has relaunched its investment property site, which is the very best place to find a whole host of fabulous investment opportunities and check out the most popular investment deals of the day...

2009 - The year of opportunity for property investors.

If your New Years resolution is to make your mark in the property investment arena, log onto Investment.themovechannel.com and check out our new, improved investment site.

There is a huge range of properties available, ranging from serviced apartments in Northamptonshire to palatial mansions in New York State, meaning there is something to suit everyone's taste, no matter how diverse.

To make tracking down that perfect property even easier, you can search by property type - from condo hotel to repossession to off plan - or search under investment features - from student buy to let to tourist rentals or best rental yield.

Dan Johnson, Director of TheMoveChannel.com, said, "Trends in the investment property market are always on the move and we needed to update the properties and categories on our investment site to keep up.

"Five years ago, very few people had heard about investing in probate property and BMV was not an acronym that was widely understood.

"We now have a flexible platform that allows us to add and remove categories as the market comes up with new classifications and types of property," added Mr Johnson.

It's back!

Check out the ‘Most popular investments' section, which acts as a barometer for which investment opportunities are of most interest to potential purchasers.

This is an extremely useful tool when considering which investment to go for, or when deciding which of your opportunities to advertise.

Currently sitting in the top spot is a three-bedroom mid terraced house in Manchester for £80,000, with the 25 per cent deposit paid, cashback, positive cashflow and instant equity of £20,000.

So what are you waiting for? Take 2009 by the horns and see what's on offer.

Picture by imageafter

South America and Indonesia "prime" for fractional

admin — 03/10/2011 10:11:00

Fractional opportunities are ripe in markets around the Americas and Indonesia, according to industry experts.

Speaking at the RDO Conference this week, Gregg Anderson, global vice president for The Registry Collection, said: From Brazil and Argentina to Bermuda and Bali, there are many locations prime for fractional development.”

However, Anderson warned that repeat popularity in these destinations needs to take off before fractional projects should be initiated. “You can’t create a fractional resort and a popular destination at the same time,” he added.

The comments came at a fractional debate during the RDO Conference, chaired by Philip Bacon, managing director in London and Spain of HVS.

Source: OPP.org.uk

New service could link Buenos Aires and Montevideo by train

admin — 05/09/2011 07:15:00

Leaders in Argentina and Uruguay took the first steps to inaugurating a new rail link between their two countries this week, in a move that could make travel around South America far easier.

On August 29 Argentina's President Cristina Fernández met Uruguayan counterpart José Mujica to launch a new project to launch regular passenger services between their respective countries, beginning with a new route set to start next week.

The meeting took place at Salto, the site of a historic link between the two countries which the presidents reinaugurated.

Railway Gazette reports that the new route will cover some 810 kilometers between Pilar in Buenos Aires and Paso de los Toros in Uruguay, beginning with weekly services which will switch to daily in December.

Source: The Independent

A million acres of agricultural land in Argentina for sale

admin — 23/08/2011 06:52:00

Estancia Punta del Agua, the largest ever block of freehold land to come onto the market in Argentina is being sold by a London based agent.

The estate in San Juan province in the north west of the country is currently owned by a family company and is described as having enormous potential for agricultural or eco power possibilities.

It is vast, almost a million acres, and is located on the National Route 150, connecting major ports on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. It is crossed by three major rivers in the Andean Valle del Rio Bermejo and is three and a half times the size of Hong Kong.

Agents Savills say that the region of Argentina in which the Estancia is located provides more than 25% of the national Gross Domestic Product, 30% of the national agricultural export, 45% of its cattle stocks and 80% of agricultural machinery production.

Source: PropertyWire.com

Latin American and Caribbean Growth forecast to be 4.7%

Sarah Kendell — 14/07/2011 12:00:00

According to an ECLAC report, in 2011 Latin America and the Caribbean will maintain the recovery that began in the second half of 2009 following the international economic crisis, and will grow by 4.7% thanks to the boost of internal demand.

In the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2010-2011, presented today by the Executive Secretary of the United Nations body, Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC points out that this growth implies a 3.6% rise in per capital GDP, and declares that the current situation calls for close attention to be paid to the macroeconomic policy challenges that will be facing the region.

Ms. Bárcena wonders "How prepared is Latin America and the Caribbean for managing economic growth? We must recover the fiscal space in order to be able to take measures to ensure sustained growth with productive employment and equality".

In 2011, regional growth is mainly being driven by private consumption, which is attributable to improved labour indicators and increased credit. At the same time, the fact that idle productive capacity is being used up to sustain internal demand is pushing up investment, which is benefiting from greater credit availability to return to pre-crisis levels.

According to the report, growth will also have a positive impact on the region's labour market, which means that the unemployment rate may fall from 7.3% in 2010 to between 6.7% and 7% in 2011.

As in previous years, the region has three tier growth. On the one hand, the highest growth rates are in South America, which will grow by 5.1% in 2011, on the back of a significant improvement in its terms of trade by virtue of higher prices for its commodity exports (its specialization) . Meanwhile, Central America will grow by 4.3% and the Caribbean by 1.9%.

In terms of countries, the fastest growing this year will be Panama (8.5%), followed by Argentina (8.3%), Haiti (8.0%) and Peru (7.1%). They are followed by Uruguay with 6.8%, Ecuador (6.4%), Chile (6.3%) and Paraguay (5.7%). At the same time, Brazil and Mexico will grow by 4.0%, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by 4.5% and Colombia by 5.3%.

In the Economic Survey 2010-2011, ECLAC states that rising international food and fuel prices, in a context of higher internal demand, have given rise to inflationary pressures. As a result, several of the region's countries have toughened their monetary policy, which has increased the difference between internal and international interest rates. In a context characterized by extremely high external liquidity, this may lead to exchange rate appreciation in the region.

Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to grow by 4.1% in 2012, which is the equivalent of a 3.0% rise in per capita GDP, although much uncertainty remains in the light of the situation in the rest of the world.

In its report, ECLAC highlights the macroeconomic policy challenges facing the region's government in a context of high commodity prices, considerable international liquidity and the robustness of certain Latin American economies.

In the current scenario, the region's attractiveness to capital inflows and appreciation pressure on local currencies could be of benefit in the short term by helping to relieve poverty and bring down food prices. However, this situation involves a series of risks and difficulties.

First, the region becomes vulnerable to speculative capital movements in the quest for short-term gains, and this may create bubbles in the prices of financial assets and property markets.

Second, high international liquidity pushes down real exchange rates while pushing up commodity prices (which encourages intensive specialization in commodity exports and production). This increases the vulnerability of the region's economies to external shocks and creates greater investment volatility, thereby negatively affecting the capacity to grow, generate productive employment and reduce inequality.

According to ECLAC, the region's economic authorities should implement measures to contain currency appreciation by combining foreign exchange market interventions, checks on capital inflows and financial regulations. Such measures would be boosted by an accompanying fiscal policy aimed at increasing public sector savings.

Lastly, the report points out the uncertainties in the international economy, particularly in the United States, Europe and Japan, and the possibility of a worsening international climate limiting the region's growth potential. It is therefore advisable to take advantage of the current favourable conditions to recover the policy space that was lost in the crisis.

Falkland Islands seek tourists to boost economy

admin — 25/05/2011 06:51:00

Lorraine McGill scanned the South Atlantic Ocean from her window, the morning sun shining in her brown eyes.

"Sometimes they come right up to the garden, and you find the little fellows burrowing under the plants," she said about the playful penguins near her house in the Falkland Islands.

The view wasn't always so tranquil. She recalled an incident three decades ago when an Argentine soldier aimed a gun at her and "gave me such a fright."

Such contradictions aren't unusual in the Falklands, a British territory off the east coast of Argentina.

Source: Gulfnews.com

UK-Argentina direct flights set to boost tourism

admin — 03/03/2011 13:39:00

The "Paris of South America", Buenos Aires, is set to receive a boost this year as a new daily non-stop service from London, operated by British Airways, will commence from March 27th. Previously BA flights to the capital of Argentina involved a connection in Sao Paulo but due to passenger demand a new direct flight will be introduced making it even easier to reach South America's second largest metropolitan area.

In the decade since the economic crisis of 2001, Argentina has worked hard to establish economic prosperity, boasting five straight years of 9% GDP growth through 2007 and impressive GDP of 8% for 2010. The nation's booming economy, primarily based on agricultural and natural resource exports, manufacturing and telecommunications has attracted significant levels of foreign direct investment.

Labelled by the Financial Times as "China's New Investment Frontier", Argentina has seen levels of Chinese investment go from millions to US$ 2.45 billion in the last decade. In addition the tourism sector is also rapidly expanding; the Argentine Ministry of Tourism expected more than 5 million foreigners to visit the country in 2010, 15.5% more than in 2009, generating revenue of US$470 billion.

This increase in tourism numbers is in turn having a positive effect on Argentina's housing market. Identified as a "future high growth luxury residential market" by the Knight Frank Global Property Wealth Survey 2010 and one of the "most favourable destinations" for hotel investment in 2011 by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, the South American hotspot of Argentina offers a wealth of opportunity both for domestic and international property buyers.

Demand for high quality accommodation around Buenos Aires is particularly high with country clubs proving popular both as retreats for city workers but also permanent residences in their own right. Offering the best of both worlds, country clubs such as the 5* Camino Real Polo & Country Club located just 35 minutes from Buenos Aires, allow residents to enjoy the true Argentinian countryside, first class on-site amenities and easy access to the city for work.

Source: Experience International

Cheap development deals to be had in Argentina

admin — 01/02/2011 10:51:00

During my travels in Northwestern Argentina, I looked at two planned communities that really caught my attention. The one I’m going to tell you about today is a small project—the most affordable I’ve seen—sited alongside a river, and offering very affordable lots.

The La Pedrera project is located just outside of Salta, the provincial capital. The project is on a small river—more of a creek—with towering eucalyptus trees on its banks.

The project has about five acres of green park space, and comes with underground electricity and water. Otherwise, it’s what I call “amenity-free”…which means negligible maintenance fees. This is a situation I like if I’m not living there full time.

But the real shock was the price. Lots at La Pedrera cost between $11,000 and $14,000 (they’re priced by the square meter) and there’s no premium for riverside lots. They will even finance 50% of the cost…so you’re in the door for less than $6,000. This is unbeatable.

The developer is a husband/wife team, and I think this is their first development. They’re not promising much in the way of infrastructure…just underground water and electricity. And those were almost finished when I was there. Three homes are already under construction.

Top hotel investment markets in Latin America revealed

Steph Engall — 06/10/2010 14:04:00

A report has noted Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima and Santiago as four of the most favourable destinations for hotel investment in South America for 2011...

The list, compiled by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, was based on the strong demand fundamentals driving the markets and potential for investment-grade branded supply. While Brazil, South America's largest economy by a wide margin and most populous nation, offers the largest array of opportunities for growth, a number of cities in other countries beyond Brazil boast strong demand fundamentals and a favourable investment environment which is resulting in real estate opportunities.

"Real GDP in these countries is set to increase by a compound annual growth rate of four percent or more through 2015--well above growth rate projections for most mature markets" said Ricardo Mader, executive vice president for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in São Paulo.

Santiago has become a preferred destination for hotel investment due to the country's relatively sophisticated capital markets. Santiago has often been the test market for the introduction of an international brand to South America. As such, the city comprises the highest number of international-grade, four-and five-star hotel rooms of the four cities in the report.

Buenos Aires is the second largest metropolitan area in South America after São Paulo. "Though the hotel market experienced significant declines in performance in 2009, visitation trends and economic fundamentals are rebounding and investors continue to seek investments in Buenos Aires on a selective basis," said Clay Dickinson, executive vice president for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Bogotá, the main gateway to Colombia and the distribution hub for tourism within the country, is experiencing growing demand for hotels. Colombia finds itself on a solid path of recovery. In year-to-date July 2010, over the same prior-year period, RevPAR at Bogotá hotels rose by four percent, according to Cotelco.

Lima has seen a lesser degree of international hotel development and the market still lacks the depth of international hotel brands seen in Buenos Aires and Santiago. "Over the next three years, the city of close to nine million residents is expected to see the addition of just three institutional-grade four- and five-star hotels" said Liliana Ribeiro, vice president for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in São Paulo.

Domestic and international hotel investors should keep these cities on their radar as their economic and demographic trends continue to strengthen, resulting in a number of exciting hotel investment prospects.

Source: Real Estate Channel

Foreign buyers finding the American dream

Steph Engall — 05/10/2010 13:17:00

Investors from as far as Argentina, Canada, Colombia, France and Israel, Italy, Norway and Venezuela have flooded Miami looking for property deals, making up almost 90 percent of the buyers...

The Viceroy, a swish condominium complex in downtown Miami, has seen 262 of its 372 units sold since January. Its story is playing out across Miami. Individual investors from across the globe are swarming the city's sales offices to get in on what they see as one of the greatest real estate fire-sales in the history of the United States.

At one time, these people would have invested in the U.S. stock market. Now they see the opportunity of a lifetime in the nation's debilitated housing market. The idea is to rent out the properties and then sell them once the economy turns around.

The math is seductive: Prices at the Viceroy are roughly 52 percent off the 2007 peak. Units once sold for as much as $670 a square foot. Today, the average price is $319.

"I have never seen such a high concentration of foreign nationals acquiring real estate," says Peter Zalewski, who has been in real estate for 15 years and founded Condo Vultures, a consulting and brokerage firm. "Eighty percent of the sales in downtown Miami are foreign-based. This is unprecedented."

Miami is hardly the only hot spot for buyers from outside the United States. Real estate brokers say they've seen a surge in Washington, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

"It's a positive in a sea of negatives," says Jonathan Miller, the chief executive of Miller Samuel, a real estate consulting firm in New York.

For the international investor class, the United States' bloated inventory of homes, high unemployment and weak currency make for an unusually attractive buyer's market.

Source: Associated Press

Siesta hotel to open

Catherine Deshayes — 20/07/2010 13:19:00

If you saw a hotel offering bookings by the hour, you would probably question its respectability. But new accommodation in Argentina is doing just that - with a view to helping people enjoy a siesta...

Rather than just advertising the usual overnight stays, the establishment in Buenos Aires is also offering time out for people to enjoy the tradition of an afternoon nap.

Although siestas used to be common in Spanish-speaking countries, the practice has all but died out.

However, the hotel's director Viviana Vega is aiming to change all that with the first dedicated 'siestario'.

At the Selfishness Siesta Hotel, snoozers can choose the soft music, coloured lighting and calming fragrances, before catching up on their 40 winks.

They are gently woken with a herbal tea before being sent out into the world refreshed and rejuvinated - a good hotel promise if ever there was one.

Selfishness is cleverly situated near the major Galerias Pacifico shopping centre - perhaps suspecting that those indulging in a little retail therapy may need to take the weight off their feet.

It is also relatively close to some interesting tourist hotspots including The Lancaster Hotel where Graham Greene penned The Honorary Consul and the busy pedestrianised Florida street.

Foreign tourists wishing to sample a siesta after a morning of trekking around the attractions should be warned a nap will set them back around £20 - perhaps a stirring cup of South American coffee will do the trick after all.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Savvy investors eye South America

Catherine Deshayes — 10/03/2010 09:48:00

Brazil and Argentina are currently property investment hotspots, claims one overseas property expert.

According to Worldwide Investments spokesperson, Anna Thompson, investors would do well to consider developing economies for growth opportunities as opposed to traditional markets. She explained: "South American economies are especially developing well by comparison to mature economies in Europe. What's more, countries such as Brazil and Argentina offer particular opportunities in land investments on top of property investments."

Brazil is already established as one of the leading emerging markets. According to Mrs. Thompson, "South America is currently a popular property investment hotspot, and Brazil is no exception. Fantastic beaches, exceptional culture, and host for the football World Cup in 2014, there are plenty of reasons to want property in Brazil."

Mrs. Thompson says that Worldwide Investments are especially recommending clients look to Argentina, "We believe that for purely investment purposes it is worth analysing Argentina. Argentina has long been an investment hotspot for some of the world's wealthiest people. It has some of the world's most fertile land and an abundance of natural resources.

"Many billionaires own real estate in thriving Buenos Aires or in the beautiful Patagonia region. Savvy investors are coming to realise that Argentina has a lot to offer." Find out more: Investment property in Argentina and agricultural land for sale.

Source: www.worldwideinvestments.co.uk

A better 2010 for Argentina?

Catherine Deshayes — 08/03/2010 11:54:00

After a tumultuous 2009, Argentina can look forward to a better 2010 for the housing market and the economy, it has been claimed.

Argentina saw stable house prices in 2009, but transactions in Buenos Aires, the capital, declined 26% from January to October 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, according to Reporte Inmobiliario.

The global economic slowdown combined with the effects of A(H1N1) flu virus on tourism led to the decline in real estate sales.

Almost all real estate transactions are done in cash, usually in US dollars (with some in euro), as the mortgage market collapsed in the 2002 crisis. The use of cash in property transactions insulates the housing market from interest rate changes. Hence, there are rarely huge house price increases, and there are also no dramatic price falls.

Real estate activity started to pick up with the global economic recovery in the latter part of 2009. The improvement is expected to continue in 2010. It is also hoped that tourism to Argentina will be boosted by Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

A spokesperson for Global Property Guide commented: "Although 2010 is expected to be better than 2009, a rerun of the double-digit house price increases during 2005-2007 is unlikely. The IMF forecasts GDP growth of 1.5% in 2010 and 2.5% in 2011. Inflation is officially expected to be around 5%, slightly lower than the 5.5% in 2009, but then few people believe these figures".

Source: www.globalpropertyguide.com

How to...rent in Buenos Aires

Catherine Deshayes — 18/11/2009 10:53:00

How's this for a dream job - Margaret Summerfield has travelled extensively in Central and South America, scouting real estate opportunities for Pathfinder, so in this article she tells TheMoveChannel.com all about how to choose the right rental property in Buenos Aires...

The first time I looked for a short-term rental apartment in Buenos Aires, I was surprised for a number of reasons.

The first was the large quantity of apartments available-195 on one website alone.

The second surprise was the rental prices-from as little as $515 a month for a studio. The 1-bedroom apartment I chose was $900 a month. These prices are remarkably low for a short-term rental in a "branded" world capital...that is, a city with "brand name recognition", like London, Paris, or New York.

The third surprise-and the most significant for the property investor-is that long-term rental properties are now out-performing short-term rentals in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires is a world-class capital. It boasts a wealth of cultural activities, fine dining, and countless shopping options. And my apartment was in a prime area of the city. So why was it only costing $900 a month? This price is significantly lower than similar short-term rentals I'd found in Brazil, Panama, or Uruguay.

I initially thought that the apartment had some hideous flaw I didn't know about. But it didn't. It turned out to be pretty much perfect. And my $900 rent included all utilities, and the rental management fee. But this whole experience got me thinking about rental yields in Buenos Aires. If I buy an apartment in this city, will it generate a healthy rental income-or pay for itself? I decided to investigate the rental market more closely.

I compared three apartments in different locations that I would happily live in, asking a local property management expert for potential monthly rental figures.

As it turns out, my initial intuition was correct.

The double whammy of the global economic slowdown and swine flu has impacted tourism in Buenos Aires badly this year. So with the current reduced occupancy rates-now hovering at around 50%-the projected gross yearly rent from all three apartments is now the same for long-term or short-term lets.

But there's even more to consider in favour of the long-term lease.

There's increased demand for long-term lets in Buenos Aires. Long-term lets here average two years. And during this time, the long-term lessee would pay for utilities, and there would be no monthly property management fee or cleaning costs. The apartments would rent unfurnished, also cutting overheads. All of this boosts the rental yield significantly.

Let's take a look at my three sample properties.

The first apartment was in Palermo, a trendy, upscale location, with many leafy parks. Palermo's locals hang out in the parks, exercising, socializing and relaxing. They people-watch, sipping coffee in fashionable sidewalk cafes. The 111-square meter, 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartment had a list price of £172,855, reflecting the area's chic status. It would rent for £1,014 a month, long-term. That gives a gross rental yield of 7.03%.

The second apartment was roughly the same size, 2-bedroom and 2-bath, furnished, at £193,719. The apartment was beautiful, French-style, 110 years old, and situated in Recoleta. There's a luxurious feel to Recoleta. It's traditionally been the prestigious home to Buenos Aires's sophisticated, well-heeled residents. Tourists also come here, mainly to Recoleta Cemetery...the final resting place of Evita (Eva Peron), arguably the most famous Argentine.

This apartment could rent short-term or long-term. The monthly rental income would be £1,252 in either case. Renting it long-term would give a yield of 7.75%...and you wouldn't have the additional cleaning and utility costs associated with short-term rentals, or the worry of variable occupancy rates.

The third apartment was the largest, with 289 square meters, in Montserrat-and the lowest-priced, at £110,271. This district houses some of the most important buildings in the city, but retains a bohemian feel. Rented long-term, unfurnished, the rent would be £894 a month. That equates to a respectable 9.72% gross yield.

The results indicate that the traditional investment play of buying an apartment purely for short-term rental income in Buenos Aires does not make financial sense in today's market. Long-term rentals are a more attractive option.

Buenos Aires will always have an appeal for visitors, and I expect the current downturn in tourist numbers to pick up eventually. If I owned a short-term rental apartment here, I would switch to a long-term rental for twelve months. The apartment would generate a decent return...and if short-term rental demand increased significantly, I could go back to short-term rental as soon as the lease expired.

PS: I'm still waiting to see which way Argentina's economy swings before committing to an investment property purchase, though. At the end of this year, we should have a much clearer idea of that.

Picture by everystock

Feeling the beat in San Telmo

Catherine Deshayes — 11/11/2009 10:22:00

How's this for a dream job - Margaret Summerfield has travelled extensively in Central and South America, scouting real estate opportunities for Pathfinder, so in this article she tells TheMoveChannel.com all about San Telmo - an affordable Buenos Aires neighbourhood on the rise...

San Telmo is my favourite spot in Buenos Aires. It's popular not just with me...but with tourists and artists, too. And property prices are rising thanks to this newfound popularity. It wasn't always this way, though.

The areas ranked as Buenos Aires' most desirable have changed over the years. As happens in cities around the world, a prime location is semi-abandoned and falls into disrepair, until a new generation sees the potential and the area becomes chic again.

This process is particularly noticeable in San Telmo.

San Telmo is Buenos Aires' oldest barrio (neighbourhood). Known as San Pedro Heights in the 17th century, it was home to dockworkers and brick makers. The vibe was industrial, not trendy or upscale. In the 1800s, improvements in the district started attracting wealthier families. They built imposing homes, and the area became desirable for the middle and upper classes.

A cholera outbreak in 1871 changed this upward trend. The wealthy families abandoned San Telmo. Their large homes gradually fell into disrepair, eventually becoming tenements, housing waves of Italian, English and Russian immigrants.

The district then became bohemian, drawing in artists, and a cultural crowd. The restoration of the tenements to their former glory began in the 1980s.

Today, San Telmo is a mix of art galleries, museums, cafes, and antique shops. The vibe is tango-visit any weekend and you're likely to catch a live performance, often in the street.

Plaza Dorrego is the centrepiece of San Telmo. At the weekend, the streets fill with stalls selling art and antiques, street entertainers, tango dancers, and a sea of tourists and browsers. If you're a lover of antiques, whether it's glass, ceramics or twentieth-century furniture, San Telmo has what you're looking for.

The restaurants and cafes here describe themselves as "authentic", many serving traditional fare. When you visit, have a coffee in Bar Plaza Dorrego, one of the older bars in Buenos Aires, and soak up the relaxed, historic atmosphere of times past, to the sound of classic tango.

For me the attractions of San Telmo are many. I like the style of the older buildings; a contrast to Buenos Aires' high rises. I enjoy the lively plazas, and the bohemian atmosphere. Then there's the antique shops...I could spend weeks trawling through those.

The fact that properties can cost less than a £600 a square meter adds to San Telmo's charms. That's half what you'd pay in other desirable locations in Buenos Aires.

A 3-bedroom apartment with 110 square meters, in a light, airy building, was £78,430 (£713 a square meter). A beautiful French-style apartment of 141 square meters was £84,460 (£600 a square meter).

A stylish penthouse apartment was my favorite-166 square meters for £111,605 (£672 a square meter). It's already nicely renovated, bright, and with a huge open living space. This apartment's remodelling made a focus of the double-height ceilings, and there was a spacious outdoor terrace...perfect for alfresco dining.

The broker had a 12-room boutique hotel too, a massive 860 square meters, for £350,000 (£407 a square meter). This gem of a building had an amazing lobby, double-height ceilings, and original wood and tiled floors. This must have been one of the original imposing homes from the 1800s, built as a symbol of the taste, aspirations and wealth of its owners.

As well as costing significantly less than period properties in other parts of Buenos Aires, San Telmo's colonial properties cost less than half what you'd pay for a similar property in Casco Viejo, Panama, or Cartagena, Colombia. And San Telmo's charms easily match these better-known destinations. I expect that the best period properties in San Telmo will be snapped up over the next couple of years, by a new generation of buyers who see this neighbourhood's potential-in the same way the wealthy families did, more than 150 years ago.

Picture by Sarah and Iain

Argentina: With crisis comes opportunity

Catherine Deshayes — 29/10/2009 11:27:00

How's this for a dream job - Margaret Summerfield has travelled extensively in Central and South America, scouting real estate opportunities for Pathfinder, so in this article she tells TheMoveChannel.com all about Argentina…

I left Uruguay on a brilliant morning, to take the relaxing ferry ride across the river to Argentina…the next stop on my six-month real estate scouting trip. I confess that one reason for coming was to re-visit the fun and bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires. But more importantly, I needed to get a handle on the current economic crisis, and see how it could influence property prices.

Over the past year, the news headlines seem to carry a constant stream of bad news from Argentina. The government nationalized pension funds and the flagship airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas. And Argentina has limited access to international credit, thanks to outstanding judgments from their last default in 2001.

Export duties and taxes were increased to stabilize food prices, but this—along with a drought—caused a drop in agricultural production and significant social unrest. The government then called for early elections, but this backfired too…they fared badly and ended up losing power in congress.

Most predictions forecast an economic slowdown—but not a crash on the scale of 1999-2001. It’s likely that we’ll find out soon, as late-2009 is a key deadline, with around $20 billion of debt servicing due. But despite the doom and gloom headlines, the unsinkable Buenos Aires carries on. Founded by the Spanish, the city evolved into Argentina’s political, financial and economic centre. Its style and charm remind me of Paris. Classical and Art Deco-style buildings grace the wide tree-lined avenues and plazas.

The landscaped parks are perfect for exercising, relaxing, and enjoying life. You’ll have to thread your way through the crowds on Avenida Florida, the main shopping street. I love the fact that this city is large enough that you can find all kinds of specialty shops.

For example, I came across a shop called Mr. Brush that stocks nothing but brushes, from toothbrushes to hairbrushes to scrubbing brushes, in bewildering varieties. You’ll see a million and one confiterias (selling delicious pastries), tiny hardware stores, art galleries, shops selling hand-made suits and luxurious leather bags and gourmet Italian ice-cream. Weekends are the best time to explore the city.

The streets are empty, and you can wander along at an unhurried pace, noticing shops and restaurants you’d never see through the crowds during the week. Avenida 9 de Julio occasionally blocks off some lanes for events promoting exercise and well-being—boxercise marathons seem popular.

You’ll find eateries on every corner…basic pizza parlours, upscale steak houses, fashionable cafes…many with sidewalk seating, perfect for watching the world go by. Cafes are an institution here, each with its own clientele and atmosphere. Founded in 1858, Café Tortoni’s famous patrons included writers and poets, among them Jorge Luis Borges, and Luigi Pirandello. If you’re looking for entertainment, you can catch one of the many live tango shows.

Buenos Aires has a reputation as a party city—and enough bars and nightclubs to live up to that reputation. The thriving cultural scene here is most evident in the sculpture-filled parks in Palermo, and the prestigious Teatro Colón, one of the world’s great opera houses. The city has numerous museums, and preserved homes of both artists and art collectors.

The feeling of culture and history is hard to escape: even the apartment building I rented was on the site where Jorge Luis Borges was born. The city’s neighbourhoods share many of the same characteristics, but each has a unique ambiance…from the chic Palermo, the exclusive Recoleta, and the historic San Telmo.

My take on the current economic climate is this: Buenos Aires will always have an intrinsic value. It’s a world-class capital city, with a unique appeal, and people are always going to want to live here. An economic slowdown won’t change that. And Buenos Aires’s past history shows us that a crisis here can bring lucrative opportunities for foreign investors, with sharp dips and quick recoveries.

But would I buy here right now? That’s what I’m here to find out. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be looking at long term and short term rentals, some of Buenos Aires’s most popular markets, and a popular seashore getaway.

Next week, I’ll compare three apartments in different areas of Buenos Aires—and take a closer look at the rental market.

Picture by zabara_tango

The big freeze

Catherine Deshayes — 18/06/2009 09:25:00

Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier is one of only a few ice fields worldwide that have withstood rising global temperatures...

Nourished by Andean snowmelt, the glacier constantly grows even as it spawns icebergs the size of apartment buildings into a frigid lake, maintaining a nearly perfect equilibrium since measurements began more than a century ago.

"We're not sure why this happens," said Andres Rivera, a glacialist with the Centre for Scientific Studies in Valdivia, Chile.

"But not all glaciers respond equally to climate change."

Viewed at a safe distance on cruise boats or the wooden observation deck just beyond the glacier's leading edge, Perito Moreno's jagged surface radiates a brilliant white in the strong Patagonian sun. Submerged sections glow deep blue.

And when the wind blows in a cloud cover, the five-kilometre-wide glacier seems to glow from within as the surrounding mountains and water turn a meditative grey.

Every few years, Perito Moreno expands enough to touch a point of land across Lake Argentina, cutting the nation's largest freshwater lake in half and forming an ice dam as it presses against the shore.

The water on one side of the dam surges against the glacier, up to 60 metres above lake level, until it breaks the ice wall with a thunderous crash, drowning the applause of hundreds of tourists.

"It's like a massive building falling all of the sudden," said park ranger Javier D'Angelo, who experienced the rupture in 2008 and 1998.

The rupture is a reminder that while Perito Moreno appears to be a vast, 30-kilometre-long frozen river, it's a dynamic icescape that moves and cracks unexpectedly.

"The glacier has a lot of life," said Luli Gavina, who leads mini-treks across the glacier's snow fields.

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz

Come in from the cold

Catherine Deshayes — 26/01/2009 10:44:00

The breathtaking scenery of the Perito Moreno Glacier could inspire many tourists to visit Argentina this year, it has been suggested...

Identified as one of the world's most beautiful places by the Telegraph newspaper this week, the glacier is 18 miles long and can be found in Patagonia's Los Glaciares national park.

According to the newspaper, the glacier offers "spectacular scenery, even by Patagonian standards" and visits can be combined with a trip to other must-see places such as the Torres del Paine national park in Chile.

The Perito Moreno is up to 2,300 ft deep and is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Icefield.

Shelter Offshore recently described Argentina, along with neighbouring country Brazil, as one of this year's emerging markets for affordable properties.

The website described the two nations as "stunning havens for those who love fabulous properties, wide open spaces and gorgeous countryside".

Source: Ready2invest

Global phenomenon

Catherine Deshayes — 11/11/2008 10:45:00

Worsening economic conditions have now taken a toll on almost every commercial property market in the world, according to a global survey of real estate surveyors...

The past few months have seen a sharp deterioration in performance and demand for real estate in many regions that had previously appeared resilient to the credit crisis, in particular parts of Asia and Eastern Europe.

The slump in commercial property is well established in mature markets such as the UK and US, but a report today from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors shows that there are few property markets in the world that remain unscathed by the economic crisis.

The net balance of movements in global rents turned negative for the first time in the survey's history, led by weakness in the US, Japan, Spain, Ireland and India, while property values also worsened markedly in the third quarter.

The report, which measured sentiment among surveyors about the value and tenant demand for property, singles out the Indian market as being particularly hard hit. The region has attracted many overseas investors hoping to tap into the property needs of a previously booming economy.

Rising interest rates, higher inflation and a lack of liquidity is affecting confidence in the country, says the report, and 45 per cent more surveyors reported a fall in occupier demand compared with six per cent in the last quarter. The balance of surveyors reporting investor purchases plummeted from zero to minus 73.

The biggest slump in capital values has been in Eastern Europe, a marked turnaround considering expectations of growth only three months ago.

Source: The Financial Times

New property sites launched

Catherine Deshayes — 10/10/2008 09:49:00

TheMoveChannel.com, the leading international property portal, announces the launch of over 80 country specific property sites...

Each country site features in depth property listings that can be filtered by a multi criteria search engine. The investment opportunities listed include both residential and commercial properties, land and more unique property types.

Developers, estate agents and private owners who advertise with TheMovechannel.com will double their exposure by appearing on both the main TheMovechannel.com international property portal and the relevant country portal that their properties are located in. Advertisers however will not be charged any fee for this additional coverage.

Buyers can gain a valuable insight into countries through the dedicated country news, features, email newsletters plus online buying and selling guides.

Dan Johnson, Managing Director, comments, "We've recognised in the toughening real estate market, investors are adopting a more sophisticated and informed buying process.

"The new portals not only provide detailed information on the property stock available in a particular country but also fill in the gaps in investors' knowledge of a market through reference materials and frequent news updates," added Mr Johnson.

Source: www.themovechannel.com

Latin America: Argentina - Worth a Gamble?

Jude Buttle — 30/09/2008 10:54:00

In our fourth instalment on Latin America, we assess the country where the tango was born and passions run high... Argentina.

Country Overview

Argentina sits in the southern part of South America and is the second largest country on the continent, after Brazil.

In January 2002, the Argentine currency was disassociated from the US dollar, allowing the peso to fall freely. The country suffered a brief period of social chaos, poverty and an inflation rate of 26 per cent.

Since then, Argentina has been cleaning up its act and is now one of the fastest growing countries in Latin America and its GDP continues to rise. It registered an estimated GDP per capita growth of 40.6 per cent from 2002 to 2007. This in turn encouraged the real estate market, which is rapidly rising, mainly due to a number of foreign investments.

There are no restrictions on foreigners who wish to purchase property in Argentina. They only need to obtain a CDI (tax ID) number from the government to be able to invest.

The result of the economy's expansion has been a strong increase in the demand for residential property and the average price of apartments in the capital city of Buenos Aires rose 13 per cent in 2007, according to economic and real estate newspaper Reporte Inmobiliario, which maintains a database of Buenos Aires residential property prices.

Residential rents have been rising even faster than residential prices in Buenos Aires, according to officially-published CPI data. The rental values are expected to continue moving upwards, partly because it is extremely difficult for people on a middle income to get mortgage finance for their first home.

Last year also saw a number of new constructions and rapidly rising building costs, as the price of land increased dramatically. Higher costs are pushing developers to build smaller units, with the fastest growth at the lower end of the market.

2008 is expected to see some slowdown in the market with the introduction of a policy stipulating that new housing projects must apply for a feasibility study. New developments have also met resistance in some up-market areas, magnifying the reasons to build in poorer neighbourhoods.

Since the calamities of 2002, Argentina's property market is currently flourishing and investors are snapping up bargains. Although there is definitely good investment potential, due diligence is required as Argentina's international real estate market is still in its infancy.

Property Info

Entry level - An off-plan development that offers an excellent opportunity to invest in an apartment in central Buenos Aires. There is a five year guaranteed rental of 10% per annum, but for those investors wanting to take advantage of rising capital appreciation, there is an option to sell their apartment prior to completion. Price for the studio flat is £29,870.

Mainstream - An exquisitely appointed three bed townhouse opposite a lovely park in San Rafael's most exclusive area. With large windows, beautiful tiles and La Pacho wood, the house is tastefully designed and also has an enclosed and spacious garden. Price £214,600.

Top of the range - Two stunning houses set in their own grounds with electric gates, swimming pool and tennis court, in the picturesque Mendoza region. The main house entrance is through large wooden double doors into a beautiful reception area complete with small bar. Walking past the grand piano brings you into a tiled living/dining area with glass doors looking out towards the swimming pool. Price £325,650.

Search for property in Argentina

If you are looking for property in Argentina for sale such as villas, apartments or other types of real estate, why not check out TheMoveChannel.com Argentina, which has a large number of listings from Argentine estate agents and developers selling properties in the area: http://argentina.themovechannel.com/

Photo by ♣ ℓ u m i è r e ♣

No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon the photo image.

Latin America: Worth a Gamble?

Jude Buttle — 01/09/2008 00:06:00

In these times of property concern, buyers are more cautious than ever before shelling out on an investment. However, Latin America, an area known for wars, coups and government corruption, is now attracting a number of shrewd investors. In a new series we look at some of the countries being considered and ask... is it worth a flutter in Latin America, or when the chips are down are the odds too great?

Photo by Phil Romans

Cause for Concern

Real estate investors seeking safer property havens for their capital in these troubled times, may not have contemplated Latin America - until now.

With a history of hyper-inflation, coups, dictatorships, corruption, drug lords, kidnapping and social disparity, it has not always been the most suitable area of the world in which to purchase property.

Latin Lovers

But the region's growing economies, recent political stability and an increase in tourism, mean that savvy investors are snapping up homes there, from holiday villas on Uruguay's beaches to high-rise flats in Panama and Mexico.

Latin America is high on glamour but low on costs - a luxurious lifestyle at half the price - the perfect cocktail for any would-be investor.

There are definitely bargains to be had; for just £27,000 you can buy a stylish flat near the beach in Brazil or an apartment in central Buenos Aires. Yet concerns exist that over development and unrealistic sales targets can often lead to poor-quality construction and a surplus of unsold property.

Growing Pains

Globalization is lifting Latin America to lofty heights and the reward for sound economic policies is evident.

The devaluation of the local currency for countries such as Argentina and Uruguay forced them to have an economic overhaul, which ultimately gave them a more stable economy. Peru has generated 9% growth at least partly by imitating Chile's budget restraint and free-market reforms. Colombia's success on terror and sound macro-management has bought huge pay-offs in company profitability, capital investment, and exports. In Panama, the government is enlarging the canal and creating a Dubai-like off-shore-centre.

A Place to Rest

There is an increase in the amount of retirees that head towards Latin American destinations, particularly from the US, where many look to retire to Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama.

Be Wary of False Profits

But be cautious of the possibility of some inexperienced developers looking to entice foreign investors with portentous promises and inverted incentives. Potential buyers need to be cautious and research the sites and companies they could be dealing with.

So, with that in mind, in the next instalment we will take a look at one of the countries in Latin America and assess if it is worth a wager or best avoided.

Search for property for sale in Latin America

Property for sale in Brazil

Property for sale in Argentina

Property for sale in Panama

South America: the breadbasket of the world?

Dan Johnson — 11/08/2008 11:34:00

As global food prices rise relentlessly, agricultural land is starting to be seen as the ideal addition to any investment portfolio.

With growing food prices rarely out of the news, agricultural land owners will continue to profit - the global population is estimated to increase by 75 million people every year and the need for food will only increase.

South America is often viewed as the bread basket of the world; now even more so. Argentina and Brazil are both massive exporters of the soft commodities the world needs.

Argentina is the main supplier to the EU of soft commodities, and in 2006 it signed trade agreements with China and India to supply each of those growing economies with crops.

Greengold Capital offers the investor the chance to benefit from the continued rise in arable land prices, without tying the investor in for long periods.

A three year investment will give the investor a 48% capital return net of local tax. The simplicity of the investment also appeals to investors as everything is fully managed, so they are not going to have to plough through paperwork.

Many of the UK leading Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) providers are allowing SIPP holders to put it into their pension.

Project Manager Stefan Raywood said, “The response has been amazing, investors are very positive about investing in agriculture and with the current rise in food costs likely to continue, who wouldn’t want to profit?

“Greengold Capital has really caught the attention of our city based clients, who have been our biggest respondents,” added Mr. Raywood.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has recently invested in 30,000 hectares of farm land in Sudan, which is seen as the first step of ensuring food security for the emirate.

"This news is not surprising as agricultural land is very valuable, and continuing to rise in price. I expect we will see far more of this type of news story in the coming months.”

Greengold Capital is an ideal addition to any investor’s portfolio. The investment starts at £20,000. For investments over £100,000 the returns increase to a net profit of 51%.

Contact: Worldwide Investments info@worldwideinvestments.co.uk 0845 833 4725

Experts praise ‘economical’ Argentina

Jaimie Kanwar — 05/08/2008 00:00:00

Argentina is growing in stature as a credible investment destination, claims one expert.

According to Emma Holifield of Property Frontiers, Investment in the Argentinean market represents ‘good value for money’ and may present ‘a more economical alternative to Eastern Europe’, in which some places are ‘touted at prices above their worth’.

Ms Holified continued: "A high standard of living, stable inflation and a growing economy have created a growing middle class with a large amount of disposable income to spend on second homes.

“And the fact that there is already strong local demand for property, without real bank financing, coupled with the relative lack of mass foreign investment and growing tourism suggests that the future potential of market growth is high."

Strong economic growth

Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern, further enthused: "Most people investing in Argentina currently are buying a holiday home with a view to letting it when not in use, and these buyers have nothing to worry about from the change in government.

“The rental market, especially in the popular areas like Buenos Aeries will continue to be strong, and the average rental yield will remain an exceptional 10% - again in Buenos Aeries.

“Economic growth will continue to be strong in the short-term because the new President continued many of the policies that so rapidly turned the Argentinean economy round from its disaster and has seen it grow incredibly.

Extraordinary GDP growth

Mr Bailey Added: ”The continuance of these policies also means that if price controls will need to be introduced and managed very skillfully to bring Argentina's spiralling inflation rates under control, and to ensure the transition from extraordinarily high GDP growth to a more sustainable level is a smooth one.

“People making a long term investment should not take Argentina off their short-list either though, because Argentina has what it takes to become as popular with tourists as Spain, and that kind of popularity will see growth in the property market for many years to come".

Forget Me Not: 5 Reasons to Remember Buenos Aires

Jude Buttle — 02/07/2008 17:47:00

Buenos Aires is a city full of passion and vitality, the birth place of the tango and the playing field of Diego Maradona. We take a look at just five reasons why this Latin capital is worth making a song and dance about.

The Obelisk of Buenos Aires

1. Weather - a spring in your step.

The weather in Buenos Aires - which in English means fair winds - is lovely, especially in the spring time. Around November it is glorious, with mild temperatures and blossoming flowers and trees all over the city, making the place feel radiant and alive.

Buenos Aires has a humid subtropical climate and the average temperature is 17.6 °C. The summer months of December, January and February are the hottest, averaging around a sumptuous 30 °C (86 °F).

2. Tango - the heat is on.

Tango music was born in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, notably in the brothels of the Junín y Lavalle district and other rundown areas.

Its sensual dance moves were seen as too sexy and provocative until adopted by the Parisian high society in the 1920's and then the rest of the world followed step.

Tango has evolved throughout the years and is now expressed in a variety of ways, by means of its music, its songs, and its dance. In its infancy, Tango was played without lyrics and was only instrumental; then the dance became a major factor and suddenly the music had voice.

The dance developed in response to many cultural elements, such as the crowding of the venue and the style of the clothing. The techniques are mostly danced in either open embrace, where lead and follow connect at arms length, or close embrace, where the lead and follow connect chest-to-chest.

Today, there are many tango dance styles, including, Argentine Tango, Uruguayan Tango, Ballroom tango (American and International styles), Finnish Tango and vintage tangos. In Buenos Aires tango schools and academies are very popular and popping up all over the place for those looking to learn the techniques, improve fitness or just feel the heat.

3. Football - more than just a game.

More like a religion in this part of the world, the Argentines are extremely passionate about football and support their local teams vehemently.

Buenos Aires has the highest concentration of football teams of any city in the world (featuring no less than 24 professional clubs), with many of its teams playing in the major league.

The best-known rivalry is the one between Boca Juniors and River Plate; a match between these two teams was named as one of the "50 sporting things you must do before you die" by The Observer.

Other major clubs include San Lorenzo de Almagro, Vélez Sársfield, Argentinos Juniors and Huracán.

The most famous football player to come from Buenos Aires (born in the Greater Buenos Aires area) is the legendary Diego Armando Maradona, acclaimed as one of the greatest players ever to lace up a pair of football boots.

Maradona will be remembered most for his wonder goal against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, as well as the cheating handball goal, which he claimed was ‘the hand of God.' He played for both Argentinos and Boca Juniors, before moving to Europe to further his career.

4. Horses - a breed apart.

Argentines' have always been crazy about thoroughbreds, and this can be seen in a number of events in Buenos Aires.

Horse racing at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo racetrack, polo in the Campo Argentino de Polo and pato, a kind of basketball played on horseback that was declared the national game in 1953.

5. Beef - rarely off the menu.

Argentina may be a vegetarian's nightmare, but it is heaven for dedicated carnivores. The country has the highest per capita meat consumption in the world and locals boast that when you get a good steak in Argentina, there is no finer.

When Europeans first settled in Argentina and brought their cattle with them, the cows thrived on the rich grasses of the Pampas. No hormone shots or special feeds were necessary to make Argentine cattle the superb animals they are. And nowhere will you find bigger, better, juicier, tastier and tenderer steaks than in the top Parrillas (steak houses) of Buenos Aires.

Conclusion

A place that is vogue and vibrant, Buenos Aires is the hub of Argentina and becoming the focal point for numerous tourists hoping to catch some of the city's style and passion.

Search for property in Argentina

Property for sale in Buenos Aires

Project Greengold - One year on

Jaimie Kanwar — 11/06/2008 00:00:00

Property services group movewithus is celebrating the success of its popular development ‘Project Greengold’…

In June 2007, movewithus, the UK’s leading property services group, launched Project Greengold, an investment project designed to capitalise on the growing demand for arable land. The first three stages of the investment sold out within months and in response, movewithus launched two new Greengold investments - ‘Optimum’ and ‘Premium’.

This month, Project Greengold celebrates its first anniversary and the earliest investors receive their first annual rental payments. The development has proven so popular that more than 15% of its clients have returned to reinvest. Many of the UK’s leading SIPP providers have allowed clients to invest personally, via their SIPPs.

Unique opportunity to invest

The current phase of the investment, Greengold Optimum, offers a unique opportunity to invest in new arable farmland in the North West Region of Argentina. The annual returns paid to investors, net of all costs and fees, start at 10% of the initial investment, rising annually by one percent each year to a maximum of 20%. Investors can exit after four, eight or twelve years, with up to 80% capital appreciation. The minimum investment is £20,000 but investors can put forward as much as £1 million in either USD, Euros or Sterling.

Optimum’s sister investment, Greengold Premium, still has limited plots available. Although there is a minimum investment of £25,000 (or Euro / USD equivalent), there is no maximum. The annual return paid to investors, net of all costs and fees, is 10% of their investment. Investors can exit after five or ten years, receiving the market value of the land with a minimum of 20% capital gain in five years and 50% capital gain in ten years. Investors can also arrange a private sale at any time.

The investment case for arable land in Argentina is convincing. Current macro-economic factors including record oil prices and a worldwide food shortage have increased demand for crops which can be harvested as a source of food, animal feed and bio-fuels.

Economic indicators suggest that investors in arable land are well placed to profit from a global oil shortage and the projected rise in reliance on bio-fuels. In most of the established oil fields throughout the world, production is reaching its peak and large oil companies are less willing to invest in oil exploration in politically unstable areas.

Opportunities selling out fast

The rising GDP of developing countries like China and India means a proportionally larger and more affluent middle class with more disposable income. This, in turn, increases demand for meat and food staples such as rice.

Opportunities in Optimum are selling out fast and Premium has only ten plots remaining. movewithus is already looking to release further Greengold investments and look forward to developing this unique structured investment in the future.

For more information, please visit www.movewithus.co.uk/investor

Movie magic in Hollywood, Argentina

Jaimie Kanwar — 16/04/2008 00:00:00

Buenos Aires is apparently developing into one of the world's great cities, on a par with L.A. and Madrid...

People who invested in Spain years ago have made a fortune both in rental yields and capital appreciation, but as Spain's downturn in popularity continues and the other countries attract more and more of the sun-chasers, shrewd property investors should be on the look-out for the next Spain, and that could well be Argentina, claims Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern.

Mr Bailey commented: “Buenos Aires is becoming ‘a smaller version of Hollywood’. After the economic boom, the city began to rival Madrid and Toronto as a low cost but fantastic location for film and T.V sets, consequently attracting many T.V. and Movie production companies.

“The bulk of that action has centred on Palermo Viejo, which is now known as Palermo Hollywood and even has its own Soho. Those knowledgeable in the area's property market compare Palermo Viejo to Manhattan's lower east side, as it develops into one of the most ‘hip’ districts in Buenos Aires, with things like Tango dance clubs, smart boutiques, and coffee shops that could also bring comparisons to Venice”

Living costs are far lower in Argentina than in Spain which means tourists can have a far cheaper holiday. Rental yields are already around the 10% mark, and capital appreciation is conservatively estimated at 15%.

Mr Bailey concluded: “There are no restrictions on foreign ownership other than needing a tax number. Speaking of which, Argentina has excellent tax benefits: no Capital Gains Tax and no inheritance or gift tax. Rental tax is 21% of the gross annual income for non-residents, and an additional 21% if monthly income exceeds 1500 Argentina Peso's (approx £250)”.

Argentina is ‘BTL heaven’

Jaimie Kanwar — 07/04/2008 00:00:00

Argentina is one of the best countries in the world for BTL, claims one company…

Hot weather, glorious beaches, and as a city Buenos Aeries is one of the world's most famous cities. Touring Latin America is becoming a very popular holiday, seeing things like rain-forests, enjoying the humid heat as oppose to the dry heat of say the Costa's and the great cities like San Jose and Buenos Aeries as well as Costa Rica's volcanoes and rich bio-diversity.

Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern, enthused: "Most people investing in Argentina currently are buying a holiday home with a view to letting it when not in use, and these buyers have nothing to worry about from the change in government.

“The Rental market, especially in the popular areas like Buenos Aeries will continue to be strong, and the average rental yield will remain an exceptional 10% - again in Buenos Aeries.

Strong economic growth

Mr Bailey added: “Economic growth will continue to be strong in the short-term because the new President continued many of the policies that so rapidly turned the Argentinean economy round from its disaster and has seen it grow incredibly.

”But the continuance of these policies also means that if price controls will need to be introduced and managed very skilfully to bring Argentina's spiralling inflation rates under control, and to ensure the transition from extraordinarily high GDP growth to a more sustainable level is a smooth one."

Make a ‘small fortune’ in Argentina

Jaimie Kanwar — 27/03/2008 00:00:00

Argentina has certain attractions that make it an irresistible investment location, claims one expert…

Liam Bailey of David Stanley Redfern, explained: “Argentina could offer property investors the chance to make a small fortune. The country is increasingly popular with tourists, anyone with a holiday home to rent out in the country should see their profits increase. Living costs are far lower in Argentina than in Spain which means tourists can have a far cheaper holiday. Rental yields are already around the ten per cent mark, and capital appreciation is conservatively estimated at 15 per cent."

Mr Bailey added: “While there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Argentina, investors will need to register for tax. The country has no capital gains, inheritance or gift tax and rental tax is 21 per cent of gross annual income”.

Unlock the potential of Greengold Premium

Jaimie Kanwar — 18/03/2008 00:00:00

Greengold Premium offers investors the chance to take advantage of record food prices and the growing market for soft commodities by investing in prime arable farmland near Buenos Aires in Argentina...

Over the past six months, we’ve seen wheat prices rise to their highest point since records began – twice the average of the past 25 years. In previous years, food price growth was caused by a scarcity of supply, due to unpredictable factors like crop failure or irregular harvests.

However, this time it’s being caused by sustainable economic factors, meaning high prices which are set to keep rising. India and China, two of the most populous nations in the world, are seeing an enormous increase in personal wealth. Higher incomes mean more money spent on food, especially meat products. In 1985, the average Chinese consumer ate 20kg of meat a year; now he eats more than 50kg.

Greengold Premium land can be used to grow crops for animal feed and food production, enabling investors to reap the rewards of this growing demand.

Lucrative proposition

For a minimum of £25,000/$50,000, investors receive an annual return of 10% of their initial investment, with the opportunity to exit after five or ten years and receive the market value of the land. Capital appreciation of 20% is guaranteed after five years and 50% after ten, but in reality, growth is expected to be much higher. Investors can arrange a private sale of their plot at any time.

movewithus perform an extraordinary amount of due diligence before committing to a foreign investment. Not only is Greengold Premium secure, it has been personally advocated by independent SIPP providers, who are notorious for their aversion to the risks associated with foreign investments.

Robin King, movewithus founding director, said: “In terms of security and expected returns, we feel that Argentinean land is the number one investment on the market today. Greengold Premium, the latest phase in our popular ‘Project Greengold’ development, is a perfect example. It’s a safe and lucrative proposition for first time investors and a sound, hassle-free proposition for those with a larger investment portfolio.”

For more information on Greengold Premium, please visit www.movewithus.co.uk/greengoldpremium

South America ‘on fire’ in 2008

Jaimie Kanwar — 18/02/2008 00:00:00

Brazil, Panama and Argentina could be the hottest property hotspots this year, claim BuyAssociation magazine...

The property investment experts recommend some of the key economies on the continent for their investment potential, suggesting they could prove "interesting" in 2008. "From an investment point of view there are a few areas next year. When you look at Latin America there's Panama, which is still quite exciting," said Paul Collins overseas property editor of BuyAssociation.

Foreign source income is not taxable in Panama, which has been attracting high wealth individuals and retirees recently, who also enjoy excellent incentives. "There is also Belize, where there are a lot of retirement developments. It is also good in terms of having tax advantages," continued Mr Collins.

"The other one that looks very interesting for next year is Argentina. They have just had a change of government, which could bode well too."

Such destinations are also becoming increasingly accessible. "With South America there are more and more direct flights going there all the time anyway and you also have the US market, which you can rent to, particularly with places like Brazil," continued Mr Collins.

However, established destinations closer to home could also prove alluring in the near future. "Places like Morocco and some places in central and Eastern Europe will continue to attract investment, particularly because of the holiday market," said Mr Collins.

Argentina’s best kept secret

Jaimie Kanwar — 08/02/2008 00:00:00

Argentina has a tourism secret that has Europe looking over its shoulder…

As the last lift draws to a halt towering above the receding slopes and the après ski is in full swing, most skiers clustered on mountains across Europe will already be dreaming of the white snowcaps a year away.

However what they don’t know is that property investors have already started their snow-booted journey to Argentina to kick off the ski season at one of the championship resorts…in June. With tourism and the property market expanding in Argentina, investors are sure to return home with more than just goggle eyes.

Argentina, probably better known for its horseback riding than its slaloms, has several international quality ski centres in the Andes mountain range with state-of-the-art lifts and infrastructure.

Beginners can take advantage of the ski schools run by professional instructors and more advanced skiers and boarders can take to the slopes of varying levels of difficulty.

Valle de Las Lenas, close to the regional capital of Mendoza, at its highest point reaches 3,340m (11,253ft) and with 13 ski lifts, beginners through to expert skiers can traverse the slopes from early June to mid October*.

Excellent infrastructure

This resort is one of the main ski and snow board resorts in the country; it has a slalom stadium and 27 authorised runs with a maximum ski-able length of 7,050m, including one of the longest runs for intermediate levels in the world.

Las Lenas, although over 1,000km from Buenos Aires, is serviced with regular direct flights from the capital to Malargüe airport where visitors can take a shuttle bus to the heart of the resort.

Catedral Alta Patagonia in the Bariloche Region shares the same long season as Valle de Las Lenas. It has an excellent lift infrastructure including an aerial tramway as well as an extensive snowmaking system to ensure skiers can make the most of the resort throughout the season. Its highest point reaches 2,050m (6,725ft).

These two international resorts highlight the possibility for taking to the snow in Argentina; there are dozens more resorts stretching the length of the country catering for every level of skier**.

Tourism and Argentina’s ‘great outdoors’

The mountains are undoubtedly the highlight of Argentina’s ‘great outdoors’ but if skiing isn’t your thing then you can try your hand at climbing, hiking, horseback riding, hang-gliding, paragliding, hot air ballooning, rafting, kayaking or canoeing.

Argentina offers a wide range of tourist attractions, which is something that the Government of Argentina is planning on expanding in the years to come as well as the continued development of the fashionable party capital Buenos Aires.

Tourist numbers have increased year on year by around 10% since 2003, with Argentina proving particularly popular with British visitors. In 2006, 4.1 million visitors were expected in Argentina, worth an estimated £1.9bn to the national economy indicating that tourism is big business.

In 2005 it was reported that the tourist sector accounted for the third most important source of foreign exchange revenue, amounting to USD 2.6 billion and employing 1.5 million people.

International investment into the country is also strong; investment comes mainly from USA and Spain as well as large firms such as American Airlines, BP, British Gas, Carrefour, CitiGroup, Coca-Cola, Federal Express, Fiat, Ford, Four Seasons, General Motors and PriceWaterhouseCoopers bringing with them demands for employee accommodation as well as contributing to the economy and developing infrastructure.

Perfect recipe for buy-to-let success

For the keen property investor, this ever-expanding tourist sector coupled with resorts and infrastructure already in place, means that Argentina is the perfect recipe for buy-to-let success.

The construction boom has already begun with a huge increased demand for property. During 2006, construction growth reached 21.2 per cent, however prices in prime real estate locations are still only one-tenth of what they are in the United States and Europe.

Buenos Aires, one of the worlds fastest growing economies (8.5 per cent in 2006***) and sometimes know as the ‘Paris of South America’, is the main target for overseas property investors. There is a strong rental demand from the Argentinians as prices have increased beyond their purchasing means.

Demand varies across the year especially in popular tourist locations and academic regions with a high volume of students. ReporteInmobiliaro.com gives us an idea of rent across the capital; a two room apartment will have an average monthly rent of AR$ 900 in Recoleta whereas in Belgrano it will range from AR$ 550 to AR$ 2000 a month.

Niche investment markets a 'growth area'

While real estate investment in Buenos Aires is strong, the niche investment markets including the ski regions is a growth area. Kevin Prior, Sales Director of Obelisk International comments, “Argentina on the whole is an excellent destination for real estate investors to consider.

With a great deal of property investment being directed at emerging eastern Europe, it is essential to maintain a diverse property portfolio and South America is certainly a market to help achieve this.”

“Economic growth is high and the potential for buy-to-let investments in the city and the popular tourist resorts, including the ski locations, present exciting opportunities.”

For more information, visiti http://www.obeliskinternational.com

IMF: World economy in 'turmoil'

Jaimie Kanwar — 04/02/2008 00:00:00

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of impending ‘global economic slowdown’…

But the revised predictions are still well short of being a global recession. The IMF's chief economist calls it a significant global slowdown. For the major developed economies, the IMF predicts continued, but much weaker, growth this year.

The new forecast for global economic growth this year is 4.1%, after nearly 5% last year. There is a very sluggish period ahead for the main rich countries. By the final quarter of this year, annual growth in the US will be below 1%, according to the IMF.

Developing economies are predicted to grow more slowly than last year, though still quite robustly in many cases. The report also warns of risks from financial market turmoil, which could mean 2008 turns out worse than its main forecast.

Those problems could affect spending in the rich countries and make for more significant spillovers to developing countries. In any event, the IMF's economists said that talk of de-coupling - the idea that the world is independent of what happens in the US - was "greatly exaggerated".

One exception to the pattern of slowing growth in the forecast is Africa. IMF economists say that reflects high prices for many of the commodities exported by African countries, improved economic polices and the fact that the continent is less exposed than Asia, for example, to problems in international financial markets.