Golf Real Estate: For the Love of the Game

by Cyndi Gerken

Since 1456, when the first game was recorded in Edinburgh, golf has been creating some of world's most loyal fans and devotees. But we've come a long way from that crude beginning where players spent their time hitting a rock around on the craggy moors with a well-shaped stick. The Journal of Sports Sciences reports that there are now 30,000 golf courses and 55 million people who play golf worldwide. Over the centuries, players traded in the well-shaped sticks for drivers, irons, wedges, hybrids, and putters. We now have professionally designed courses, state-of-the-art gear, international tournaments and celebrities. For those who really love the game however, perhaps the greatest modern golf invention is the golf community: a place to call home where the whole neighborhood celebrates the game as seriously as players do.

These communities offer the best professionally-designed courses all within a three iron/driver's distance from your front lawn. Often attracting celebrities and professional golf players, the challenging courses will test even the most experienced golfers. Still, there's enough variety in the courses to keep both avid and amateur golfers entertained. Residents don't need to be semi-pro, nor do they have to dumb it down. A range of challenges will keep it interesting for everyone - so feel free to invite your favorite non-golfing friends and relatives over. They might catch the bug too and end up as your neighbors!

With expansive greens and manicured fairways, golf communities offer residents generous and peaceful landscapes, a chance to get out and get active and social opportunities not present in many modern communities. Let's face it, getting out on the green is good for you. Whether you're doing the whole 18 or you're just out for a quick 9 holes before running an errand, walking the course is an excellent way to relieve stress, stay in shape and keep your mind sharp.

Fortunately for most, a huge portion of American golf real estate is found in locations where the weather's good all year round giving golfers time on the links even in December. This is great news for most players who know that once you've caught the bug, love of the game persists in spite of calendars. Regardless of skill level, devoted golfers can make it out whenever the time is right for them, "hitting the greens" as much as possible without weather interference or long distances to travel.

With the enduring popularity of the sport, it's not surprising that golf real estate is also popular. With no shortage of people to play with and all the amenities of a luxurious country club, homes in golf communities will remain a good investment for years to come. Gated security, spas, pools, pro-shops, and communal areas add to both the community spirit and luxury of the lifestyle. But make no mistake, bells and whistles aside, these communities will always hinge on the one thing residents never tire of - the love of the game.

About the Author
Cyndi Gerken is a Rancho Mirage realtor dealing exclusively in Thunderbird Golf Real Estate. Visit him at www.thunderbirdonly.com to search golf properties in Southern California.

Real Estate in Andorra - The Euro Tax Haven Threat

By Roger Munns

Both Monaco and Andorra’s property prices have seen a levelling off this year, according to Tribune Properties, but say this can be explained by factors other than the new EU directive. Tribune say that in Monaco the passing of Prince Rainier earlier this year cast a shadow over the Principality, while in Andorra the local market has slowed as Andorrans struggle to keep up with the price of property, fuelled by buyers from around the world seeking residency.

..
Two other factors have contributed to the slow down in the first half of the year which could be reversed in the second half – the absence of UK buyers awaiting the outcome of their election in May which saw the Labour Government returned for a historic third term with Tony Blair as Prime Minister and possible tax rises in the pipeline, and buyers holding US dollars who were hit by the rise in value of the Euro – which has now peaked following the EU Constitution ‘No’ votes in France and The Netherlands in June.

.. Both Andorra and Monaco require new residents to live there for six months a year to maintain their residency (but Andorra doesn’t police this once residency is granted).

Andorra property prices start from just over 200,000 Euros for a one bedroom apartment, while Monaco is more expensive with one bedroom apartments from around 600,000 Euros.

Travel real estate: Why the Talk about Panama Real Estate?

by Laurie Cooper

From news reports to travel magazines, there has been a lot of buzz lately about real estate in Panama, South America. More and more Americans are choosing Panama not just as a travel destination, but as a second home or retirement destination. Not the typical Latin American country, Panama boasts excellent medical care, modern roads, and a communication infrastructure comparable to that of the United States while maintaining a lower cost of living. Here we examine some of the reasons Panama real estate is on the rise, and increasingly chosen as the ideal setting by Americans looking to invest in a vacation or permanent home.

A significant contributor to Panama's popularity as a site for real estate development is its stable economy. The U.S. dollar has been the legal tender of Panama for over one hundred years, though in Panama you will hear the dollar called the Balboa. The use of U.S. currency eliminates the hassle and risk associated with currency exchange for Americans, and gives them a convenient and comfortable means of purchasing goods and services in Panama. The famous Panama Canal is a mainstay in world commerce, and provides the country of Panama with worldly status, steady revenue and jobs for its people. The consistent flow of revenue generated by the canal gives the Panama economy stability even during times of uncertainty in other parts of Latin America. With a multibillion dollar expansion of the canal planned in coming years, the strength of Panama's economy is not expected to decline anytime soon.

Panama has numerous programs in place to encourage investments in real estate by foreigners. Foreign Panama real estate investors are given the same rights and protection as native investors in Panama under the Investment Stability Law, and tax benefits are available for new investments by foreigners. Special discounts and other incentives are given to foreign retirees who relocate to Panama. Additionally, Panama does not collect taxes from residents on foreign earned income.

Aside from its economic and legal benefits, Panama is a beautiful, natural paradise that has enticed many travelers to make the permanent move to Panama for years. From a city condominium in the midst of the bustle to a serene, remote beach property or getaway in the mountains, Panama offers variety of affordable real estate options to suit all personalities and lifestyles. The experience of one visit to Panama is enough to understand firsthand why so many people continue to visit, move to and invest in Panama.

About the Author
About the Author: Laurie Cooper, of Cpanama Real Estate Corp., is an expert on Panama real estate. For more information, please visit http://www.cpanama.com