http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/ News RSS feed http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/images/aquavista_rss.jpg http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=241 The Portuguese Islands of Madeira and Porto Santo lie 565 kms of the North African Coast. The unspoilt gem which is Porto Santo boasts a 9 km beach of silver white sand and is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Only a four hour flight from the UK this island offers the perfect destination for a "get away from it all" holiday home that can be used in both the winter and the summer with a tropical climate of between 19 and 30 C all year round. Until recently the only way to access Porto Santo was from Madeira but this summer flights have started from Gatwick and now Stansted with Easyjet. The landscape is similar to Tenerife and is called the "golden isle" full of warm shades of brown and yellow in total contrast the the lush and tropical vegetation of its larger neighbour Madeira. These two island compliment each other beautifully. There has been a substantial donation of EU monies to both Madeira and Porto Santo in the last few years. Both islands boast golf courses and offer many different watersports including windsurfing, water skiing and diving. The Hotels are world class and exclusive but still affordable and the food is excellent. Porto Santo is due for some wonderful developments over the next few years and with the sun shining both winter and summer makes it an ideal place for investment. 04 Jul 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=239 Ryanair is running a short term offer of return flights from Stanstead to Salzburg including all fees and taxes for just GBP10 return per person. Book today and stay at Aquavista's own hotel in Eben in the heart of Salzburgerland ski region of Sportwelt Amade for just EUR30 per person per night and view properties in Austria for a very low price. A typical 2 night inspection trip would cost just GBP60 per person! 29 May 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=240 If you are looking for a stunning traditional chalet in a picture book Austrian ski resort, look no further. We rarely have properties available in Filzmoos and when we do they are snapped up very quickly. Property AV3518 is a beautiful traditional Austrian chalet with an additional one bedroom apartment in the basement. Situated on the mountain side just a few metres from a ski slope it has fabulous views across the valley and the opposing ski slopes. Filzmoos is a charming picturesque, chocolate-box Austrian town, located very close to the Dachstein Glacier and 10 minutes from Flachau and the Sport Amade region. Salzburg Airport is a 50 minute journey. The price of the property is EUR725,000 and has 5 bedrooms, 4 in the main house and 1 in the apartment. Please contact immediately if you are interested in this property to arrange a viewing. Note that Aquavista has its own Hotel in Eben, a village next to Filzmoos and we also have an exclusive rentals and property management company who only provide services for our clients. 29 May 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=238 Aquavista is delighted to offer this fantastic new development in Altinkum. With beautiful sea views and nestling between the ancient Temple of Apollo in the small town of Didim and the sandy beaches of the lively resort of Altinkum is the latest development from one of the leading developers that it is our privilege to work with. Their properties are always built to the highest standards with very generously proportioned rooms, and this latest development is no exception. It has stunning indoor and outdoor pools, a fully equipped gym, beautiful landscaped gardens, sunbathing terraces, an "on-site" shop, cafe bar with full restaurant facilities and to complete the luxury a cleaning, laundry and ironing service and a "shuttle" bus service three times a day to and from the resort. The new Didim Marina will be completed and open in the Autumn of 2008 which will give a sophisticated ambience to the area with lovely restaurants and shops and a Yacht Club. The properties come with full white goods and air conditioning to each bedroom. The starting price is £35,000 off-plan and a "Show Home" can be seen on the development adjacent to this one. Priced from £35,000 for 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment £49.00 all inclusive inspection trips for this project and others by this developer 16 May 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=237 Aquavista is delighted to announce a new partnership in Madeira to offer fantastic villas and apartments for sale. This quality developer has a fantastic portfolio of off-plan developments around the main Island of Madeira. For further details please contact us. 15 May 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=236 Important news for people who sold property in Spain between March 2004 and December 2006. Although Aquavista does not currently sell property in Spain, many of our clients have previously owned property in Spain and we feel it important to get this news to them: From the Sunday Times - 13/4/08: THOUSANDS of Britons who profited by selling property in Spain between March 2004 and December 2006 could be owed a 20% tax rebate from the Spanish government. Refunds could total more than £50m, according to a Spanish lawyer, and translate to about £11,000 for each claimant. The European Commission has ruled that Spain contravened European Union legislation by charging foreign non-residents a higher rate than Spanish nationals. Those who sold a home before changes to the rules last year were charged the Spanish nonresidents’ tax rate of 35% on any capital gains instead of the Spanish flat rate of 15%. About 4,500 British people, plus thousands more in other European countries, can now try to reclaim the difference, plus interest, from the Spanish authorities. Emilio Alvarez of the firm Costa, Alvarez, Manglano & Associates, is helping them to reclaim their money. He has already helped around 70 UK customers file a claim, he said. The currency specialist HiFX said at a conservative estimate, Britons are each due £8,300 in overpaid capital gains tax. Add to that interest of around 6% from when the tax was paid and those who made gains on Spanish property could be owed almost £11,000. “A change in the law at the start of 2007, which saw the standard capital gains tax for non-residents being brought in line, passed by largely unnoticed,” said Alvarez. “This tax trap is thought to have affected hundreds of thousands across Europe and in the UK. Although a final judgment on payouts could take years, Alvarez said those affected need to put in a claim now to avoid falling outside the four-year registration period. For more information, go to www.spanishtaxreclaim.co.uk or telephone 0845 6803849. 18 Apr 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=235 Turkey were delighted to receive this prestigious award at the beginning of the year from IAGTO in association with Hertz in Cancun Mexico to mark the recognition of their outstanding golf courses in Belek. See the IAGTO website www.iagto.com IAGTO is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry and these IAGTO Awards serve to award a few exceptional contributions to the golf industry. The Awards also serve to encourage private and public sector organisations to work closely together in the development of new and existing gold destinations. On receiving the Gold Destination of the Year for Europe, Ali Sahin, Director of Golf at the Cornelia Golf Club and IAGTO Turkey Chapter Chairman said "We are very proud and happy to win this award. The award means we have acheieved something because we have worked very hard over the last 10 years. We started off with just one course in Turkey and we now have fourteen. Over the next two or three years there will be about 30 courses throughout Turkey" The golf courses in Turkey are stunning. The greens are beautifully kept and are all designed by leading European golfers, Nick Faldo being one of them. Aside from the actual courses the Club houses are majestic and luxurious and cater to your every whim. The Turkish pride themselves on their hospitality and this can be found in abundance at all their golf courses. The green fees are reasonable and with the wonderful weather golf can be enjoyed all the year round. Property prices are still sensible in Belek, the prime golfing location with twelve golf courses, and here you will find beautiful beaches and wonderful restaurants and hospitality and being only twenty minutes from the airport at Antalya makes it an ideal destination for golf and leisure. 03 Apr 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=234 After several years of requests for separate flights to and from Turkey, Flythomascook.com and Easyjet are offering single flights. This will have a huge impact on people wanting to go and view properties but not take a week away. Easyjet have one way flights from March through to October to Dalaman and Flythomascook.com are offering Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya from April through November. Effectively this means you could start your travels flying into Izmir and cover the whole of the coastal towns and fly home from Antalya! The Turkish property market offers excellent value for money within some stunning areas. Turkey is a beautiful country with a very exciting culture and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This together with a sound infrastructure i.e. transport, good roads, sound health care, international restaurants, excellent shopping and a strong tourist economy helping the rental market and mortgage availability it becomes a good investment. Indeed it has been placed third in the breakdown of where people most want to buy rising from eighth position last year according to a well-known industry magazine. We have an extensive range of properties from all areas. From Cesme, a very sophisticated resort near to Izmir, all the way along the coast to Belek with its 12 immaculate and reasonably priced golf courses. Please give us a call to chat through your requirements and request a tailor-made portfolio. 19 Mar 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=232 The mortgage market has moved rapidly in the past year, with 8 Turkish Banks now offering mortgages to overseas property buyers. At Aquavista we provide mortgage products via a specialist broker who it best suited to offer best deals and lead you through the entire process. There are currently 2 types of mortgage products available: MORTGAGE PRODUCT A: Up to 100% Loan to Value (LTV) * completed property Up to 100% LTV * Equity release & Re Mortgage available Off-plan for available for approved projects with stage payments (LTV varies per project) Security of loan taken on Turkish property Currency: Euro Repayment only 1 year fixed 6.9%; 3 year fixed 7.2%; 5 year Fixed 7.5% Term: Minimum 5 years; Maximum of 20 years Minimum EUR25,000; No Maximum Self Employed & Retirees Accepted 24-70 years of age ( must be repaid before 75 years of age) Eligible to private individuals resident in the UK and Northern Ireland, Holland, Germany, Belgium (also foreigners living in Turkey) Applications can be submitted up to 4 months prior to property completion Natural Disaster insurance & Building insurances are compulsory Life Insurance NOT mandatory Bank will carry out valuation, upfront fee of EUR400 Notes: Must have clean credit file (Experian or Equifax) Bank arrangement fee can be included in loan if required (2% or EUR1,250 minimum) Early repayment: 10% per year without penalty. Otherwise; difference in the interest rate when new rates are lower * 100% LTV is based on Execution Value Fees: Client needs to budget anywhere from GBP1500 to GBP1900 approximately for all mortgage related fees (Banks, Brokerage & valuations, etc. Fees will be fully itemised in clients Mortgage outline document) Also note client should budget for OFFICIAL CHARGES. Other costs will be the commissions clients will be paying to the estate agent (ranging from 1% to 3%), fees for lawyers (again approximately around 1%) & some other small charges for the local services. ID & Financials Required: Standard required documents (Others may be needed by underwriting) * Copy valid ID (drivers license excluded) * Past two years P60 statements * Employers reference letter * Two months most recent salary slips * Pension award letter (for retired individuals) * Two months most recent bank statements (all pages) * If renting, 12 months cancelled rent checks * Mortgage payment statement and life insurance payment * Fully executed divorce decree (if applicable) * UK Credit report * Copy of the "Tapu" (Registration of ownership at the Office of Land Registry) * Copy of the "Iskan ruhsati" aka "Yapi Kullanma Izin Belgesi" (Certificate of Permission for Building Using) * Copy of the Purchase Agreement Self Employed applicants (Others may be needed by underwriting) * Copy valid ID (drivers license excluded) * Three years signed personal tax returns * Last three years corporate returns as well as a year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet * Two months most recent bank statements (all pages) * If renting, 12 months canceled rent checks * Mortgage payment statement and life insurance payment * Fully executed divorce decree (if applicable) * UK Credit report * Copy of the "Tapu" (Registration of ownership at the Office of Land Registry) * Copy of the "Iskan ruhsati" aka "Yapi Kullanma Izin Belgesi" (Certificate of Permission for Building Using) * Copy of the Purchase Agreement MORTGAGE PRODUCT B: Max 75% Loan to Value; Currently 8% standard variable (buy to let will be 8.5%) Term of loan is up to 15 years; **Completed projects & off plan projects 6 months from completion Security of loan taken on Turkish property UK & Northern Ireland citizens; No min or max loan value; Age from 18 years old can apply, no max age limit Note: GBP475 early repayment costs if paid fully within the first three years (nothing afterwards). ** This bank as yet is not in the position to offer off-plan mortgages, however they are prepared to assist us by giving a Formal Letter of Approval (subject to successful valuation and underwriting) that will last for 6 months (extended after 180 days, whereby military approval, completion of property, Life insurance will need to be met to extend the loan to the six months. During this period, either the Banks off-plan product will become available (which is their plan) or that the client’s project will be completed within 6 months time frame, and the extended formal loan letter of offer will suffice. Fees: Client needs to budget anywhere from GBP1500 to GBP1900 approximately for all mortgage related fees (Banks, Brokerage & valuations, etc. Fees will be fully itemized in clients Mortgage outline document) Also note client should budget for OFFICIAL CHARGES. Other costs will be the commissions clients will be paying to the estate agent (ranging from 1% to 3%), fees for lawyers (again approximately around 1%) & some other small charges for the local services. Great features of this product explained: The advantages of this particular lender is that they will 1) be doing initial processing of applications via a UK office 2) with English speaking staff 3) no minimum loan or maximum loan values 4) Any UK resident over 18 is eligible 5) penalty fees are minimal for early exit 6) one of the five top banks in Turkey 7) Clients with properties still being constructed, and have a completion date within 6 months can now be eligible to receive a mortgage, & security of loan taken over Turkish property ID & Financials Required: is as follows; 1)Proof of ID Valid Passport(s) or UK Driving license(s). If copies are provided these must be certified by an authorised person (your lawyer, or local official, or your bank) 2)Proof of Address(es) utility bills (except mobile phone bills), dated in the last 3 months 3)Proof of income Last 3 months’ pay slips, or other official form of documentation (where possible), and latest P60. If self – employed a copy of the latest tax return, & last 3 years’ audited accounts with a letter from your accountant confirming the profit figures 4) Bank Statements Dated within the last 3 months,& including details of the applicant(s) 22 Feb 2008 http://www.worldpropertyshop.com/news.php?nID=231 *Update* Aquavista and Austria in Daily Mail 22nd February 2008 and the Daily Telegraph on the 9th January. The basis of the Daily Telegraph article was regarding buying property in Austria and heavily featuring Aquavista. The essence of the article was highlighting that prices in other ski resorts, which have been hotly tipped over the past few years, have risen such that Austria now appears very inexpensive, even in comparison with much small resorts resorts in places like Bulgaria. With demand growing at a very steady rate, prices in Austria are also rising. The Daily Mail article was of a similar nature with the undervalue and growing interest in property in Austria being highlighted. Again Aquavista was highlighted as the leading property agency in Austria with the greatest selection of properties available, both new-build and resale. The article featured 3 of our properties, although by the time the article went to press we had indeed sold 2 of the properties. Austria is just one and half hours from the UK and the number of flights by low cost airlines has doubled in the past 3 years. Austria offers some of the best skiing in Europe, all year round attractions, low crime rates and is very keen on protecting its environment. 21 Feb 2008