Guide to Property for Sale or Rent

Save about 190,000 euros! This has got to be the biggest bargain Spanish property available.

About 40% off the list price for this cheap Spanish property on Polaris World, La Torre development.

Now only 280,000 euros. It should be 470,000. It´s a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa on a corner plot. The villa is key ready.

Conditions: A 10,000 euro deposit secures the purchase and completion must take place in 14 days. If you are looking for a cheap, bargain, Spanish property… this is surely it!

Spain: 0034 950 473192 as to speak to Antony or email.

UK: 01480 434290, ask to speak to Zoe

MORE POLARIS WORLD information here. 

We have one more cheap Spanish property on Polaris World, La Torre, with the same conditions. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, also on a corner plot. Now just 215,000 euros.

1st line golf properties near the sea are extremely rare.

Gatehouse International have released just 34 duplexes on an exclusive golf development on the Costa Almeria. To our knowledge, this is the only frontline golf development offering sea views in Spain. The development of frontline golf properties is close to the scenic beachfront town of Mojacar.

There are 3 styles to choose from. Each duplex is frontline to the golf course and has its own garden and there is a communal pool. All have rooftop solariums, which have even more benefit when you know that Costa Almeria enjoys about 320 sunny days each year! It´s reputed that the sea is the warmest in the Mediterranean on this coast as well.

The golf frontline properties range from 130 Square metres to 117 and have a choice of 3 or 4 bedrooms. These uniquely positioned properties can be purchased with a 15,000 Euro down payment. The balance can be paid for with a pre-arranged Spanish Mortgage, subject to status.

(Type 1) Casa Verde, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Roof solarium, Garden. From just 375,680 Euros

(Type 2) Casa Mar, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Roof solarium, Garden. From just 400,000 euros.

(Type 3) Casa Sol, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Roof solarium, Garden. From just 416,000 euros.

For more information on these 1st line golf and seaview properties and a brochure:

call 0034 950 473192 or email us here.

How to buy Euros. If you live outside the ‘Euro zone’ and you need to buy Euros, there are various options available to you:

- Use your local Bank. You can walk in, buy euros at the published rate, and walk out. Or, for larger sums, you could request a transfer to be made after the bank has exchanged your currency to euros. Either way, this is likely to be an expensive option. Local banks tend to make large profits on the published rate of exchange, and, they charge to transfer the money for you!
- You could buy your euros from one of those kiosks you see at the airport. These are great if you have a relatively small amount of cash, but the exchange rate generally offered will give you less euros for your currency unit.
- The answer is to use a specialist currency exchange broker. They exchange so much currency, as it’s all they do. As a consequence, they buy money at a cheap rate and only make a very small margin on top.

If you are looking to buy euros, for anything such as buying a house, boat, car, then start by getting a quote from a currency dealer. It’s quick and you are likely to get many more euros on the currency exchange.
For advice on this 0044 7802 520 370

or visit:

Currency Exchange and Currency transfers for your Property Purchase Abroad.

The Foreign Exchange market is the world’s largest financial market, in excess of 1.5 trillion US dollars are being exchanged daily.

The process of Foreign exchange transfers couldn’t be easier. and as most services - money transfer is a free service with our Foreign Exchange partner. However, be aware that some companies make charges for transfering money abroad.

Here is a simple 3 step guide:

Step 1. Open an account

Complete an application form and ensure you have usually two forms of ID: (1) photographic (2) proof of residence.

Call 01480 434290 and ask to open an account, or open one here:

Step 2. Buy your currency

Speak to a currency dealer and they will give you the current market rate. If you are happy with the quotation they will buy the currency on your behalf. This trade is usually confirmed in writing by way of a deal receipt and usually provides instructions on how, when, and where to make payment for your currency.

Step 3. Get your currency

Once cleared funds are received by your dealer, they will promptly transfer your exchanged currency to any bank account of your choice, worldwide, the same day.

Other than just choosing any particular day to exchange your money, you could choose other dates to make the currency exchange. It may be that you have decided to buy a new property that won’t need the final balance to be paid until 18 month’s time. In this case, it may suit you to do a ’spot deal’ today for the deposit and arrange for a ‘forward deal’ for the final balance. By doing this, you will have just ‘fixed’ the purchase price to your home currency and will have ensured that you don’t get caught out by a weakening home currency, or a strengthening one in the country of your purchase. This can save people thousands.

Here are 4 basic types of transaction:

• Spot Contract
A spot contract is undertaken when you buy currency at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction and make payment within two working days. This transaction is typically used for deposit payments on property or for full payment if the funds to pay for the transaction are available.

• Forward Currency Contracts
A forward contract is undertaken when you fix the exchange rate now for a specific date from one to 24 months in the future. As an example, your final payment for a home abroad may be the equivalent of £100,000. You could fix that exchange rate today with a small deposit, and pay for the bulk of that transaction at the completion of the forward contract. To guarantee the exchange rate, private clients will have to pay for at least 10% of the value straight away (a margin deposit) and the balance on or before the maturity of the contract.

• Time-Option Forward Contracts
You may also reserve a time-option forward contract. This contract allows greater flexibility in paying. For example, a property developer may give you a date of December 2008 as an approximate completion date but may tell you it could take a bit longer. Your dealer may recommend that you set a date for your forward contract of February 2009 and you are free to settle that contract anytime before the maturity date with no penalty.

• Limit Order
Limit Orders allow a client to set the rate at that which they would like to exchange their currency. Our foreign Exchange partner will monitor the market for you and if the rate can be achieved, we will purchase the currency on your behalf. We would then notify you of the due date for your payment. This is particularly important for contracts of substantial value where a small currency fluctuation may have huge implications.
Getting Started

If you would like further information please call our Private Client Desk on 01480 434290. You may also register online with us. We will contact you to activate your account. In order to complete the registration process, we require two forms of identification. Please also provide us with a copy of your passport or driving licence and a utility bill, council tax bill or landline telephone bill with your address.

Mallorca Property market - 2008 PredictionsThe Mallorca real estate market seems to have weathered the global ‘cash crisis’ well so far. Mainland Spain has seen a steady decline in buyers from the heady heights of early 2007. Of course, there are exceptions, as Polaris World in the Murcia region continues to sell well.

Unlike parts of mainland Spain, Mallorca has not suffered from an over-supply of speculative builds. As a consequence, demand, especially for quality apartments, is in balance with or exceeding supply. Coupled with the lack of good plots and restrictions on licences, prices for quality property in sought after locations are still likely to rise 7-10%, depending on area.

Quarterly statistics released by the Spanish Ministry of Housing bear out this trend. Furthermore, although housing starts throughout Spain had fallen generally by 33-37% in the 2nd quarter of 2007 (and by as much as 64% in Andalusia), planning approvals in the Balearics actually rose by 21% in the same period.

Beach front and Golf Front line property will remain an excellent investment, even more so if there is direct sea access, as coastal authorities are tightening up. They are not introducing new laws, simply implementing existing ones. Quality builds and properties in prime locations will continue to be in demand. Simply put, any property for sale in Mallorca with a prime view will always sell, and there will always be someone prepared to pay for the best.

The Ministry of Transport has allocated about half its annual budget to extend the rail network link from Palma via Inca and Manacor to Arta. Unlike Pollensa or Cala D’Or, which are popular with UK tour operators and villa rental companies, the north east of the island around Arta is not well known amongst UK buyers. Prices are still 10-15% cheaper than elsewhere, but not for long.

Lower priced properties will continue to find buyers, provided they remain at the lower level. Mallorca is an ‘aspirational’ buy and the lower priced properties will always be in demand. The middle priced Mallorcan property owners will need to be more patient than usual this year, and the higher priced luxury Mallorcan Villas will always find buyers.

Property in Mallorca is not cheap - the type of investors attracted to the island is driven mainly by lifestyle changes rather than for short term profit. Together with all the benefits of buying in Spain in general - short flight times from European destinations, an outdoor lifestyle, a safe child and family friendly culture - Mallorca offers that bit more. Mallorca seems to offer so much more than it’s immediate competitors.

View properties for sale in Mallorca

Save Money On Currency Exchange.Gatehouse International has partnered with a well known Foreign Exchange dealership in order that our customers can have the benefit of the Best possible rates at any time, with the least inconvenience.

We aim to provide the very best exchange rates, therefore saving you money. Our Foreign Exchange partners will designate you your own currency dealer who will guide you through the whole transaction and explain the various methods of purchasing foreign currency, to help you get that better exchange rate!

If you are even considering buying in a currency that is different from your source bank, it will be worth your while just getting a free quote from one of our Partner’s dealers, at no cost to you.
Foreign Exchange prices vary every few seconds. Over a very short period, the price of your chosen home can vary wildly. By the time that you come to complete the purchase, we have known people to have lost out by as much as £10,000 just due to exchange rate fluctuation! Of course, prices can go up as well as down. However, in order to minimise the risk, we recommend that all clients at least register with us and get a quote today so that they can compare it with their bank.

Once you’ve decided on your dream property, you may possibly need foreign currency to make your purchase. Gatehouse International can provide you with:

• Superior commercial foreign exchange rates
• No fees or commission
• No telegraphic transfer costs
• Your own currency dealer
• Forward buying of currency
• Opening of foreign bank accounts
• Regular monthly payments for pensions and mortgages.

More on this …

Discounted International Property from Blue Smile

Blue Smile Property provides discounted overseas property in Cyprus, Albania and Romania for Investors and Overseas Property Purchasers. Specialising in international investment properties and buy to let property with low deposits. We also offer a comprehensive lettings and property management service.

When people need to sell their house they are often facing lots of problems. When they need to sell their property and get cash for it, that means even more problems. Problems with selling your house are normal and happen to every homeowner who decides to sell. We buy houses all over the nation and are headquartered in Charlotte NC. We buy homes when you need to sell your house fast. Let us assist you in selling your home no matter what you need to sell it for. Here are some reasons that can make you want to sell your home fast:

- going through a divorce
- relocating
- job transfer
- you are facing foreclosure
- need cash in a hurry
- want to save your credit
- don’t want to waste time on the hassle of listing your home with a realtor
- you want to sell now
- your home  needs to many repairs to put it on the market

All these reasons and so many more are completely understandable. At Cash Home Buyers we can help you!
We make a detailed description after evaluating your property. We buy homes in all sorts of conditions: great, bad, large, small, beautiful, ugly houses. It doesn’t matter. We help you sell your house so you can move on and give instant cash in return for your home. We offer you a fair and decent price. All the work will be done by us from the moment you decide to sell us your house. Our professionals keep an steady eye on the real estate market, so they know what they are doing. We have a team of motivated sellers that can guarantee you fast home sale. If you are looking for a hassle-free quick house sale, you have come to the right place. Fill out our online form and before you know it your house is sold!

Polaris World property is a company that promotes, develops and builds a comprehensive concept: resorts with golf courses. The firm manages services of the entire resort, not just the housing-related, which makes the homes and their setting a great investment.Currently, two resorts are fully operational with four more underway, making Polaris World property a leader in Residential Tourism. These Polaris resorts are an invitation to discover a world full of conveniences for the client: daily press, supermarkets, catering, car hire, travel, mini club, gardening, cleaning service, decorating, telecommunications, and more. Endless possibilities in an ideal setting to practice your sporting activities.

Read the rest of this entry »

You may not have heard of ‘Let to Buy’, but it’s been around as a way of letting your existing home, to buy another, since the 1990’s. As the property sales market continues at a slow rate, more and more people are approaching letting agents for valuations, based on continuous lets for a ‘let to buy’ move.

There are many reasons to take up the option of ‘Let to Buy’. You may have to move with your job, you may need to move to a larger home because of a growing family, you may have specific requirements like the need for a garage to house your car. Whatever the reason, ‘Let to Buy’ could be the answer. One big advantage of ‘letting to buy’ is the possibility of getting a bargain on your purchase while riding out the current slow market on your sale until the market strengthens again.

Before we create a rush to our door, there are some factors to consider.
- If your property is leasehold, you will need to ensure you are allowed to rent out your existing property.
- You will need to have permission from your existing lender to rent the property out.
- You will have to inform your insurers for buildings and contents insurance.
The first step should be to have a rental assessment done. If your property rental value doesn’t match the amount required to make the move, it’s not worth going to the next step. Additionally, take advice from the rental agent about the ‘rentability’ of your property. Will it rent out consistently? Will the property rent for more with modest changes like re-decoration?

Having got a rental assessment, your next step is to get some professional advice from a qualified mortgage broker. Eligibility is dependent upon the proposed rental income on your current property being sufficient to cover the cost of your existing mortgage. Lenders offering this type of loan will usually exclude the existing mortgage from their calculations and offer you a mortgage for a new property based on normal income multiples. This means you can have two mortgages at normal residential rates, thereby avoiding ‘buy to let’ deals which often involve slightly higher rates.

Apart from getting you the home that you want, there are ways of reducing your tax bill. Think about using an agent to find and manage tenants. The fee will be between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of your rent, but the cost will be tax-deductible. Also, ask an accountant how to minimise CGT if you let your property for three years or more.

Professional, free, rental assessments are available at Gatehouse Estates Property Management in Godmanchester for ‘Huntingdonshire’ and Cambridgeshire.

01480 433933.  www.gatehouserental.co.uk