by Paul la Vella
Houses and ski apartments in Andorra, second only to Monaco in popularity among Europe's tax havens, have risen consistently over the last decade by an average of ten per cent a year, and in the last two years by over fifteen per cent.
But a lack of snow and tourists in December and January has stopped the rise in its tracks, according to Andorra property companies.
'We normally seen an influx of buyers from the first week of December through to mid April who want to buy ski apartments, but it has been very slow this year,' they comment, adding 'It's been an unusual ski season as there was next to no snow between December and mid January. A lot of tourists, some of whom end up buying a property in Andorra, delayed their visit or went elsewhere.'
Andorra has unusually high demand for property as there are three streams of buyers:
An active local market, international buyers looking for residency in a tax haven that offers residents a zero rated tax rate, and second home buyers looking for Andorra skiing holiday property.
And it is the second home buyers, mainly for ski properties, that has seen the Andorra property market stopped in its tracks - for six weeks at least.
One of the highest rises in recent years was the 19 per cent increase in property values in 2005, with the 2006 increase expected to be not far behind at around 15 per cent.
Andorra Real Estate
As well as being a top ski destination, Andorra is also a tax haven, with many people moving to the country to benefit from her income tax free status.
Buying a property in Andorra is often seen as a route to residency, which entitles people to live in Andorra and benefit from her tax haven status.
To obtain residency in Andorra, applications need to be submitted in Catalan. A notarised copy of the applicants passport, birth certificate and a certificate of good conduct from the home country are submitted at the same time. According to a local travel guide residency normally takes between three and six months to be approved.
Once residency is granted, residents are supposed to spend six months a year in Andorra, but this isn't policed.
One of the drawbacks for those looking to become a resident in a tax haven when considering Andorra has been that the country has no airport of its own, and is unlikely to have ine future given that it is located in the Pyrenees. The nearest airports are Barcelona and Toulouse.
Recent improvements in the road from Barcelona to Andorra though have cut the travelling time by some thirty minutes to two hours fifteen minutes.
'Given the tax advantages Andorra has', note the Andorra guide, 'A two and a quarter hour trip to the nearest international airport could be viewed as a small price to pay for those who will be saving substantial amounts of money in tax.'
About the Author
YourAndorra is a travel guide for Andorra, and includes hotels in Andorra, the ski resorts, late deals for Andorra holidays , a map, how to get to Andorra, and the latest Andorra weather
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Euro Ski Slump Turns Andorra Family Friendly For 2008 Season
by Paul la Vella
European ski holiday country Andorra has transformed her holiday image over the last 20 years from a 'poor man's Switzerland' to a fully functional ski country able to compete with other European countries during the December to April European ski season.
So successful has the transformation been that nearly ten million tourists visit the country each year, with a blip this year after later than normal snow fall.
And for next year's ski season Andorra has opened a new family friendly ski park in Arinsal, moving away further still from her old image of a cheap and cheerful ski holiday for 18-30 year olds to one that caters well for all.
The snow park includes a conveyor belt and a game zone, designed to give children confidence before they ski and use the chair lifts.
Well known ski villages in Andorra include Soldeu and Ordino as well as Arinsal.
Other new developments in Andorra for the 2007 ski season include a 540 space underground car park in La Massana close to the cable car, and an extension of the beginners area in Arinsal.
Commenting on the new facilities, an Andorra travel guide claims that the investment in Andorra's infrastructure is ongoing, and will allow Andorra to compete with other ski areas in Europe for years to come.
Looking Forward
As well as being a top ski destination, Andorra is also a tax haven, with many people moving to the country to benefit from her income tax free status.
Property prices have risen dramatically over the last ten years, and according to Andorra real estate specialists two bedroom apartments now start from around 250,000 Euros.
Buying a property in Andorra is often seen as a route to residency, which entitles people to live in Andorra and benefit from her tax haven status.
To obtain residency in Andorra, applications need to be submitted in Catalan. A notarised copy of the applicants passport, birth certificate and a certificate of good conduct from the home country are submitted at the same time. Residency normally takes between three and six months to be approved.
Once residency is granted, residents are supposed to spend six months a year in Andorra, but this isn't policed.
One of the drawbacks for those looking to become a resident in a tax haven when considering Andorra has been that the country has no airport of its own, and is unlikely to have in the future given that it is located in the Pyrenees. The nearest airports are Barcelona and Toulouse.
But recent improvements in the road from Barcelona to Andorra though have cut the travelling time by some thirty minutes to two hours fifteen minutes.
'Given the tax advantages Andorra has', note the travel guide, 'A two and a quarter hour trip to the nearest international airport could be viewed as a small price to pay for those who will be saving substantial amounts of money in tax. Especially when you consider that their properties could be rising in value quite significantly in the years to come, and for those who like skiing it's a holiday and tax haven rolled into one.'
About the Author
For more details about Andorra, including the Soldeu ski resort, hotels and expedia ski holidays visit YourAndorra.com
European ski holiday country Andorra has transformed her holiday image over the last 20 years from a 'poor man's Switzerland' to a fully functional ski country able to compete with other European countries during the December to April European ski season.
So successful has the transformation been that nearly ten million tourists visit the country each year, with a blip this year after later than normal snow fall.
And for next year's ski season Andorra has opened a new family friendly ski park in Arinsal, moving away further still from her old image of a cheap and cheerful ski holiday for 18-30 year olds to one that caters well for all.
The snow park includes a conveyor belt and a game zone, designed to give children confidence before they ski and use the chair lifts.
Well known ski villages in Andorra include Soldeu and Ordino as well as Arinsal.
Other new developments in Andorra for the 2007 ski season include a 540 space underground car park in La Massana close to the cable car, and an extension of the beginners area in Arinsal.
Commenting on the new facilities, an Andorra travel guide claims that the investment in Andorra's infrastructure is ongoing, and will allow Andorra to compete with other ski areas in Europe for years to come.
Looking Forward
As well as being a top ski destination, Andorra is also a tax haven, with many people moving to the country to benefit from her income tax free status.
Property prices have risen dramatically over the last ten years, and according to Andorra real estate specialists two bedroom apartments now start from around 250,000 Euros.
Buying a property in Andorra is often seen as a route to residency, which entitles people to live in Andorra and benefit from her tax haven status.
To obtain residency in Andorra, applications need to be submitted in Catalan. A notarised copy of the applicants passport, birth certificate and a certificate of good conduct from the home country are submitted at the same time. Residency normally takes between three and six months to be approved.
Once residency is granted, residents are supposed to spend six months a year in Andorra, but this isn't policed.
One of the drawbacks for those looking to become a resident in a tax haven when considering Andorra has been that the country has no airport of its own, and is unlikely to have in the future given that it is located in the Pyrenees. The nearest airports are Barcelona and Toulouse.
But recent improvements in the road from Barcelona to Andorra though have cut the travelling time by some thirty minutes to two hours fifteen minutes.
'Given the tax advantages Andorra has', note the travel guide, 'A two and a quarter hour trip to the nearest international airport could be viewed as a small price to pay for those who will be saving substantial amounts of money in tax. Especially when you consider that their properties could be rising in value quite significantly in the years to come, and for those who like skiing it's a holiday and tax haven rolled into one.'
About the Author
For more details about Andorra, including the Soldeu ski resort, hotels and expedia ski holidays visit YourAndorra.com
Friday, May 4, 2007
Arizona Real Estate: Looking For Paradise - Try Arizona's Valley
By Reg Gustin
Always Entertaining – Always Fun – Great Place to Live Arizona has become a Mecca for anyone looking for opportunity – whether it’s a chance to find a great job, a nice home, enjoy beautiful weather, or an opportunity to partake in the amazing scenery, there’s something for everyone. Arizona has seen a phenomenal growth in population over the past decade. Arizona attracts millions of visitors each year, and as these visitors realize the unique opportunities in Arizona, they come back to stay.
Arizona has grown into quite the entertainment capital. If you like professional sports, you’ll find lots of options in Phoenix. There are professional sports teams for baseball, basketball, football, Women’s basketball, even hockey. Arizona is also the sight of spring training for a number of professional baseball teams. For the true baseball fanatic, there’s nothing more fun than taking in several preseason baseball games, while also getting a little sun and breaks from dreary winter.
Arizona is a golfer’s paradise. With over 325 golf courses you can find a tee time whenever you’d like. In fact, Arizona has 100 golf courses that are rated as some of the best courses in the world. There are two tournaments sponsored by the PGA and LPGA each year. Golf tournaments are a major draw for tourists. Of course, one of the prime draws to Arizona is the incredible natural environment. Not only can you count on incredible sunny days, but you have some of the most scenic, unsurpassed parks in the world. Arizona, the Grand Canyon state, offers truly spectacular vistas, with opportunities, to hike and rock climb.
Arizona is a little bit like Brigadoon – visitors fall in love with the open beauty, the incredible weather, the friendly people and the endless choices of entertainment. As a result, the population just keeps skyrocketing. And real estate sales are keeping pace with the influx of people. In fact, Arizona may see steady increases in home prices, but it still represents one of the most affordable places to live. For families that have been priced out of the home market in other parts of the country, Arizona can be a haven. New home buyers are finding homes that are not only affordable, but that their money goes further than ever. You’re able to more house for your money than almost any other major metropolitan area.
Central Arizona offers visitors and residents a great deal of diversity. The population of the area is diverse and balanced. There are many employment opportunities for highly educated and for blue collar employees and lots in between. This valley might not be the land of milk and honey, but it certainly offers people a rare opportunity to own a home, start a new life, find amazing career and live in an area that offers great diversity and entertainment.
Reg Gustin is a senior loan officer with Sun American Mortgage and specializes in helping families and their financial lending needs. Click here and get a free copy of The Greater Phoenix Area Housing Appreciation Report, as compiled by Arizona State University with your free subscription to his monthly ezine, Arizona Fun Facts.
Always Entertaining – Always Fun – Great Place to Live Arizona has become a Mecca for anyone looking for opportunity – whether it’s a chance to find a great job, a nice home, enjoy beautiful weather, or an opportunity to partake in the amazing scenery, there’s something for everyone. Arizona has seen a phenomenal growth in population over the past decade. Arizona attracts millions of visitors each year, and as these visitors realize the unique opportunities in Arizona, they come back to stay.
Arizona has grown into quite the entertainment capital. If you like professional sports, you’ll find lots of options in Phoenix. There are professional sports teams for baseball, basketball, football, Women’s basketball, even hockey. Arizona is also the sight of spring training for a number of professional baseball teams. For the true baseball fanatic, there’s nothing more fun than taking in several preseason baseball games, while also getting a little sun and breaks from dreary winter.
Arizona is a golfer’s paradise. With over 325 golf courses you can find a tee time whenever you’d like. In fact, Arizona has 100 golf courses that are rated as some of the best courses in the world. There are two tournaments sponsored by the PGA and LPGA each year. Golf tournaments are a major draw for tourists. Of course, one of the prime draws to Arizona is the incredible natural environment. Not only can you count on incredible sunny days, but you have some of the most scenic, unsurpassed parks in the world. Arizona, the Grand Canyon state, offers truly spectacular vistas, with opportunities, to hike and rock climb.
Arizona is a little bit like Brigadoon – visitors fall in love with the open beauty, the incredible weather, the friendly people and the endless choices of entertainment. As a result, the population just keeps skyrocketing. And real estate sales are keeping pace with the influx of people. In fact, Arizona may see steady increases in home prices, but it still represents one of the most affordable places to live. For families that have been priced out of the home market in other parts of the country, Arizona can be a haven. New home buyers are finding homes that are not only affordable, but that their money goes further than ever. You’re able to more house for your money than almost any other major metropolitan area.
Central Arizona offers visitors and residents a great deal of diversity. The population of the area is diverse and balanced. There are many employment opportunities for highly educated and for blue collar employees and lots in between. This valley might not be the land of milk and honey, but it certainly offers people a rare opportunity to own a home, start a new life, find amazing career and live in an area that offers great diversity and entertainment.
Reg Gustin is a senior loan officer with Sun American Mortgage and specializes in helping families and their financial lending needs. Click here and get a free copy of The Greater Phoenix Area Housing Appreciation Report, as compiled by Arizona State University with your free subscription to his monthly ezine, Arizona Fun Facts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
earn money online-|-
lawyer-|-acne-|-sinus-|-|-cancer treatment-|-
health-|-