Speedy boarding and the future of overseas property

Stricken British Airways has had one strike and then one week of ashen disaster after the Icelandic volcano did, or did not - as this is now open to debate - closed down European airspace. At Amazing Resorts we saw a week of almost no activity in overseas property thanks to the latter and received delayed, irritable and not very interested visits because of the former. So for us expert expats it is no secret that there is a direct link between overseas property and the airlines.

Now we see that British Airways cabin crew are once again looking to strike and we sigh and look to the heavens (No pun intended!). We don't pretend to understand the beef that the cabin crew with their employers, but we do think that this whole episode is damaging the reputation and also the revenue and therefore survival of one of the world's best airlines. If they do not solve this then will the future of air travel be in the hands of Ryan Air and Easy Jet? Not that we have a problem with these airlines, but we would like the power of choice. Imagine the airports if none of the airlines had seat allocation. We could have a set of starting blocks just past passport control and perhaps throw in some obstacles for them while allowing for a glass tunnel where the speedy boarders will stroll past on the way to the gate.

Nope, it's not a future we would relish. Come on BA, get things sorted so we can settle down and receive contented passengers. After all, if you strike everytime the volcano is not bothering us we'll never get anywhere.

However, where ever you go, check out our destinations for great second homes and residences in the sun and above all,

Enjoy the journey!

Posted via email from amazingresorts's posterous

UK houses pricing in highest climb since June 2007

Nationwide, the UK Building Society, has announced that UK house prices have increased by 10.5%, the first time growth has reached double figures in almost three years.

This spells good news for the UK economy although some have suggested the price jump is down more to undersupply with steady demand than a true increase in property values.

"It's basic economics," Explained Tim Landseer Brooks, of Compass Amazing Resorts "If people do list their properties the supply drops which, in times of steady or increasing demand will cause an increase in price."

Simples? Perhaps, but in an ecomony that has been rife with bad news this type of report, whatever the reasoning behind it, is very welcome.

For those interested in buying property in Barcelona or Turkey, we have seen a sharp increase in sales over the last 6 weeks so we would recommend that people come out and view sooner rather than later.

Enjoy the journey!

Posted via email from amazingresorts's posterous

Spain's bad news could spell good news for UK buyers

This evening Standard & Poor has dropped Spain's credit rating once again. The wekaness of the Greek economy has been blamed for the reduction of Spain's rating from AA+ to AA. This is the second drop this year.

In spite of dropping the rating, S&P have said that they still regard Spain as stronger than neighbouring Portugal. Fitch has maintained their rating of Spain at AAA.

The impact of this news was a body blow to the Spanish stock exchange which fell 2.99% today.

However, this bad news will put pressure on the Spanish banks to release some of the distressed property stock they have been "hiding" in their books. This stock will, in turn, drive prices of other stock downwards and could set Spain up for a veritable feeding frenzy from foreign buyers.

So if you are in the market for property in Spain perhaps now is the time to browse for inspiration in http://www.amazingpropertyinspain.com/ or our newly launched http://www.amazingpropertyinmarbella.com/

Enjoy the journey!

Cyprus - An Amazing Island

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, covers an area of around 9,300 square kilometres and has a population of approximately one million. It is an island of contrasts, from alluring sandy beaches, vine clad slopes to fragrant mountain peaks and ancient ruins that stir the imagination. With its sub tropical climate; hot temperatures in the summer and the possibility to ski in the mountains in winter, Cyprus is a firm favourite as a choice for property investment.


Compass Amazing Resorts have some fantastic opportunities available in this magical destination. From beachfront apartments to country villas, we have handpicked the best of the best, with prices starting from an amazing £100,000:

Properties near Pafos with stunning swimming pool & gardens

Priced from just €115,000

Use our property search on our website to see this and many more amazing properties currently available on this charming Island.

Watch this "Air" Space!

Many years ago we were practically forced to learn not only how to write but also to at the very least attempt to pronounce the capital of Iceland - Reykjavik, pronounced "wreck-e-oh-vic". This was thanks to various European summits and agreements being hosted there.

Now thanks to something in Iceland there probably won't be any meetings hosted anywhere for the near future. The volcano in Iceland called, wait for it, Eyjafjallajokull, pronounced, er, Ayja, er, Ehyafall... er, this is worse than Google's text recognition! let's just call it Ayja, has stopped air traffic across Europe and therefore, for those of us in overseas property, we are also stopped. This week, of a potential twenty couples searching for their dream homes in our different destinations, only one have made it. Well, they didn't really make it, as such, they were already here. Clients visiting Barcelona for property were all grounded.

At Amazing Resorts we are not a hard sell company and are confident that these clients in Marbella today will be comfortable having ten sales staff show them around the beautiful resorts we have here!

As to Eyjafjallajokull, it continues to throw its plane grounding ash into the sky and therefore keep iceland on the map. Last year Iceland went spectacularly bankrupt, this year it may help push such venerable insitutions as British Airways over the edge and meanwhile we are all told to wait and see. So, our advice, watch this "air" space.

Spanish Banks set limits on new price drops.

In an interniew en the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo", the President of the Colegio General de los Colegios Oficiales de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria (COAPIS), Santiago Baena, declared that the price of property in Spain will not drop any further, and may even rise in some areas.

The bank in Spain has now become a strong player in the supply side of the market with property that has been repossessed from both developers and members of the public.

"Everthing has its limit" Mr. Baena esplained. "And the prices are about to reach rock bottom."

Reposessed property can not be sold below its mortgage value, a value that was originally a percentage of the sales price. Also developers can not apply further discounts to those already applied. Once they reach a certain point the very banks who finance them will take the property back rather than allow them apply deeper price cuts.

In this fierce debate of value versus price, we at Compass Amazing Resorts have one piece of advice: if you like what you find and you can afford to buy it at the given price, do so. The market is much more active now and people are losing deals because they hold out for even further discount.

"It has become a bit like a Dutch Auction," explains Tim Landseer Brooks, at Compass Headquarters in Regent Street. "Many people are waiting for the price on a particular unit to drop again because they know the property has been on the market for some time, then suddenly it is gone."

In the last two months Compass Amazing Resorts has seen a rise of more than 200% in property sales wehn compared to the same period of 2009.

"This is not a false spring," Says Tim. "This is a positive trend. Something that is good for the market."

If you are interested in Spanish property then please browse our property selection on http://www.propertyinbarcelona.co.uk
Have an Amazing day!

Jump in Spanish Property Sales

While true that it is easy for sales of property to experience positive changes when compared to last year, the jump in sales in February was far above the expected increase.

According to the Spanish National Institute for Statistics (INE)

After an increase, year on year, in January of only 2%, the number of homes sold in Spain in February 2010 compared to the same month last experienced a staggering 18.7% increase! It is thought this increase is a result of both renewed confidence in the market and also a decision by buyers to buy before the July 2010 increase in IVA (Spanish VAT) which will go up by 1%.

Good news then for a market that has been assailed by negativity for some time.

Here at Amazing Resorts we have also noticed a welcome jump in interest and also sales. Our site http://www.amazingpropertyinspain.com/ although only a few weeks old, has experienced a great number of "hits" and we already have clients booking trips to view properties that have been showcased there.

Our advice is to do like the Spanish and buy before July. Now is the time to take the plunge and buy your home abroad.

As usual you can drop us a line on info@amazingpropertyinspain.com

Have an Amazing evening.

Amazing Property in Spain launches new website

 We are pleased to announce that we have launched a new website to focus on the increasing demand for property in the Costa del Sol, with special emphasis on property in Marbella. Amazing Property in Marbella will showcase the very best, hand picked properties along the Costa del Sol. For clients demanding a careful selection of luxury property or the best bargains in quality units along the sunshine coast