Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Monaco Studio Breaks The Million Euro Level

by Roger Munns


While much of Europe could be on the edge of a property price recession, Monaco it seems knows no limits for her prices.

Prices have risen consistently in recent years, to the point where it overtook London early in 2007 to become the most expensive location in the world for real estate, with London overtaking Monaco again recently.

The studio is just 43m2 in size with a 15m2 terrace, and located in Jardin Exotique, an area of Monaco that becomes behind better known Monte Carlo and Fontvieille in popularity for potential Monaco property buyers.

Monte Carlo has traditionally been the first area most people ask for as it is so well known, while Fontvieille, which has its own harbour and hosts the annual Monaco Yacht Show is popular among business people as the heliport is based there.

Jardin Exotique is the highest area in Monaco, and most apartments enjoy good Mediterranean views.

Monaco is due to invest heavily in Jardin Exotique's infrastructure in the near future, making property there attractive to investors looking for property appreciation. Overall, it is possible that Monaco property prices could overtake London again in the coming months.

Monaco property prices are almost certain to rise in the short and medium term according to a Monaco travel guide, and possibly to the level where the cost per square foot will exceed that of London.

'Three years ago there were around six hundred properties to rent or buy in Monaco - that has declined since then to two hundred - but demand is as high as ever, pushing prices up more.', explain the travel guide.

With property prices in Monaco the second highest in Europe and one bedroom apartments after closing costs starting at around a million Euros, longer term the shortage of property in Monaco will be helped a new island being built off Monte Carlo.

It's thought unlikely that the new island will reduce prices much overall though, despite the increase in the number of property units available as Monaco property is always in demand.

Monaco property specialists believe that most new apartments will be sold to investors off plan well in advance of any building work starting.

'The problem with property in Monaco is not the lack of buyers', they say, 'but more the lack of good properties for buyers to choose from. Hopefully the new island will address that. Everyone in Monaco is aware of how important the environment is thanks to Prince Albert's initiatives in pushing it up the political agenda, and any new developments will be low rise. With the good weather in Monaco expect to see plenty of solar panels on the roofs to make the buildings energy efficient'.

It is possible that the new island will be incorporated into future Monaco Grand Prix, which could give more overtaking opportunities.

One Monaco property company reports that new enquiries are running at a high rate, with many buyers keen to buy now in case prices go up more, either for residency, or more commonly than before for investment.

In recent years the UK market has accounted for much of Monaco's property price rises, as the number of buyers has increased to 40 per cent of the total market, but in recent months buyers from other European countries and from further afield, Australia and Canada in particular have been noticeable.


About the Author
Monte Carlo and Monaco Real Estate are available at MonacoProperty.net

More information about Monaco and Monte Carlo which borders France including how to learn French are at YourMonaco.com

Friday, July 6, 2007

Andorra Real Estate 2007 Gets Tax Haven Boost

by Paul la Vella

More demand for residency in the European tax haven of Andorra has increased significantly in recent years, as rival tax haven Monaco has seen her property prices rise significantly.

And while property prices in Andorra have increased significantly as well, particularly in the last three years, it started from a much lower base than Monaco, and a property in Andorra still costs less than a quarter of that of Monaco.

The lowest price property in Andorra is currently a 38m2 studio apartment at 145,000 Euros, while in Monaco a 30m2 studio with a 7m2 balcony is on the market for 720,000 Euros.

Similarly, a three bedroom two bathroom 100m2 apartment in Andorra's prime ski village of Soldeu is being marketed at 395,000 Euros, while in Monaco 2,500,000 Euros is being asked for a slightly larger 108m2 two bedroom apartment in the Fontvieille district of the principality.

As well as lower cost property, Andorra has the added advantage over Monaco of lower closing costs - while Monaco is in double digits Andorra's is around six per cent.

One of the reasons for Monaco's soaring property prices has been the lack of new buildings and properties in recent years. Although some new building is currently taking place, the apartments will be for Monaco citizens rather than incoming residents, ensuring key workers can live as well as work in their home country.

A new island is planned to be built off Monte Carlo which will add housing stock for new residents, but this could be as much as ten year before it is ready.

The tax benefits of Andorra compare very well Monaco, with private banking, income and inheritance tax at zero, security and privacy achieved for high net worth individuals in both.

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. Many potential buyers stay in one of the hotels in Andorra while on a property inspection trip.

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 local travel guide YourAndorra.com 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 from Barcelona airport to Andorra's capital, Andorra la Vella.


About the Author
More details about property for sale in Andorra can be found at YourAndorra.com

Andorra is a well known European ski area, and as well as property the guide has Crystal Ski holiday news, with reviews of the new blackjack ski run, a map of Andorra and the weather for the ski resorts.

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