The Property Investor

What exactly is a leaseback property? Any property that is fully fitted and furnished, let out on a temporary basis and which provides hotel type services such as managed reception, breakfast and laundry facilities is a leaseback property. It can be a holiday, business, student or senior citizen’s residence.
Leaseback is the English translation of ‘LMNP’ (non professional lessor of furnished accommodation) and refers to a tax status rather than to the property itself.
A property purchased under the LMNP tax status is a small business and as such, will fall under French commercial law, with a special provision made by the government to encourage this type of investment by rendering the income from the property tax-free.
Why is a leaseback property such a good investment? Because you can offset all the property related-expenses against the rental income generated by your leaseback property, the income will generally be tax-free and this is what makes the scheme so attractive to French and foreign investors alike.
Thanks to this, the income can be used in its entirety to repay the mortgage and once this is paid off, investors will benefit from a supplementary income. For a (deductible) fee, your French accountant will ensure that all your expenses are taken into account.
Don’t forget also that you’ll be receiving a full refund of the 19.6% VAT, which effectively amounts to a 16.4% discount on the value of the property.
Why does the French government offer so many incentives to purchase this type of property?
Some of the most exquisitely beautiful and picturesque areas of France, where it would have been impossible to find suitable holiday accommodation for a family only a few years ago, now offer a variety of quality lodgings with top class facilities.
In cities where it was extremely difficult to find short term rentals for business travellers or individuals who don’t wish to stay in a hotel, the demand for this type of housing well exceeds the offer – and the government estimates that 200, 000 beds will be required in senior citizens’ residences and an additional 200, 000 in student lodgings in the coming 20 years.
Thanks to the French leaseback scheme, the majority of the accommodation on offer in French ski and coastal resorts is owned by French citizens and tax-payers.
When considering a property investment, it is very important to consult a qualified professional who will be able to advise you on all the aspects of your purchase, including the careful choice of location and management company. To protect your statutory rights, it is advisable to purchase through a licensed French agent who holds professional liability insurance.
A leaseback property is generally thought of as a long-term investment designed to provide additional retirement income for its owner. It is possible however, to sell the property at any time and most developers have an in-house sales office that can help with this. If the property is well-located, run by a strong management company and the asking price is fair, you will have no trouble at all selling your property.
Capital growth is steady and regular throughout France, particularly in the coastal and ski resorts and the property market remains secure in this country. Just beware of extravagant promises: 20% yearly capital appreciation is not realistic.
A French leaseback property without personal occupancy hovers around 5%, in addition to the constant appreciation of your invested capital: an ideal way to invest now towards your pension and to build up your family’s property portfolio.
While some properties are for investment only, others will include a personal occupancy allowance and your investment can double up as a holiday home. In most cases, you will be able to exchange your weeks of personal use for use of any other property run by the same management company, effectively enabling you to spend your holidays in a different area of the country every year, without any additional expense.

With so many different types of property for sale on the market today the choice can be head-spinning. There are various considerations that must be made when choosing a property, naturally taste is probably the biggest factor but sale price and maintenance costs should also be carefully considered.
Luckily in the UK we have a wealth of property for sale ranging from listed buildings, mock Tudor and art deco premises all the way up to modern builds. All have their own benefits and downsides, making the choice of which to move into difficult. Hopefully this article will help ease that choice.
Listed buildings are categorised in various grades, these types of property are considered to be of special interest and subsequently making any alterations to them may not be possible. If you manage to find a listed property for sale and wish to buy it, benefits include a home that is distinctive and full of character. The property may even be a piece of the nation’s history, so your residence can be seen as working towards the heritage of the country.
There are downsides however; often buildings of considerable age can mean high maintenance costs that are unapparent at the time of sale. Sewers and foundations may also be susceptible to problems, while updating them with electrics and heating systems can be costly and time consuming.
During your hunt for a home you may well find many thatched properties for sale. This type of property offers the ‘olde worlde’ look and can be considered quintessentially English. The timeless qualities are combined with a close to nature feeling that only owning a thatched property can bring. Many have been critical of the maintenance costs for a thatched house but these have been overestimated.
An entire re-thatch will only need doing every fifty years with some materials, even using less hardy materials the lifespan is typically thirty years. The only problems are the amount of thatchers in operation and the time it can take to thatch a roof. Be sure when looking at thatched houses up for sale to find out when the property was last thatched.
A Georgian property is perfect for family living; the materials used in their construction are robust and hardwearing. Ample living space is provided in Georgian homes as they were once the homesteads of the wealthier members of society. Townhouses usually have high ceilings and large rooms. Basements are often commonplace and windows let in generous amounts of light.
On the other hand if you do see one of these properties for sale and decide to buy, heating costs should be considered as the large rooms and inefficient insulation make having a warm house expensive. Some maybe listed limiting ways in which you can alter the property and damp can be a problem. For an opulent lifestyle however, they are unrivalled.
Skipping forward to more modern times, the twenties and thirties saw frenetic building in a period blighted by the effects of war. Urban expansion exploded and the suburbs grew immensely as huge numbers of properties were constructed and put up for sale to the people who wanted to leave city centres. Some of the houses are fine examples of art deco design and hence residents tend to take care of these artistic premises.
Maintenance is a concern as using similar materials is vital to maintain the period look. Modernist properties have some of the largest problems with flat roofs and curved glass that are a nightmare to replace. Because of the speed of expansion, workmanship may not be of the highest quality either.
There are many new properties for sale that consist of flats and apartments that suit contemporary living. Space age kitchens and bathrooms as well as technological equipment make this type of property comfortable and usable. Unfortunately they are expensive and smaller than previous homes, whilst upgrading the technology can also be expensive. Added to this, a modern property can be soulless and unattached.
Ultimately however it is down to personal choice which type of property you would like to buy; there are other types for sale that are not included in this article and choosing the right one for you will lead to a happy home life and enjoyable living for years to come.

Slovenia property has been forecast to grow by 280% over the next decade and has been named one of the top ten investment property destinations in the world. Here we will look at how to choose a Slovenia estate agent and a property that’s just right for you…

Go Direct

there are lots of “middlemen” offering Slovenia property for sale and most are not regulated by local law. You should only deal with a regulated Slovenia estate agent who will govern by a set of rules and regulations to make sure you receive the best possible service from them.

Local Knowledge

Many companies that act as middlemen are interested in selling their own properties on which they have the highest profit margin. These may of course not be the best properties for you, in light of your objectives and investment aims.

Use an estate agent which knows the areas you are looking at buying in and make sure they have in depth local knowledge.

What do you Want?

What actually do you want from your property in Slovenia? Are you buying for capital growth, rental income, or a combination of the two?

Try and match your objectives with a location that can deliver what you want and find an agent to help guide you and find the best properties.

You should not simply rely on the agents view or a written report. As with any form of property buying, you should go to the area and see it for yourself. Make sure you do your research and that means a visit to the area you are buying in.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, try and look at a few different properties on your visit and maximize your time.

The Buying Process

Will take around a month to complete and is relatively straightforward. Please find below a summary of the process of buying property in Slovenia

On any property you will need to pay a 10% deposit which if the seller decides not to proceed (for any reason whatsoever) then you will receive double your deposit back from the seller – this is required under local law. If you decide not to proceed, the seller will keep the 10% deposit you put down.

Mortgages are now available to foreign nationals and most Slovenia estate agents will be able to arrange finance for you. SKB Banka are now offering 50% mortgages, secured on the Slovenia property itself not on your other investment properties or principle residence.

When you buy your property you will need to produce your passport and obtain yourself a tax number, as well as an EMSO number, both are needed to complete any property purchase. This should take about a week.

Make sure you use a local Lawyer to check all paperwork, ownership details and contracts, who is familiar with local laws and regulations and don’t try and do it yourself. While an additional expense its money well spent and can save you money and problems further down the line.

Exchange Rates

When completing the purchase you will need to convert your funds to local currency and you should shop around there are dramatic differences in rates. There are also many specialist foreign exchange companies to help you and in many instances they will probably offer you a better rate than your bank.

You should set up a local bank account, so you can meet all your obligations easily when you’re out of the country. Accounts can be done on the same day and all you will need is your passport and acceptable ID.

Property Management

You can also get Slovenian estate agents who offer a management service to deal with rentals and tenants while you are out of the country making sure the property is making money and is looked after.

There are plenty of Slovenia estate agents offering Slovenia Property for sale and choosing the right one is essential in terms of – maximizing your investment and making sure it’s a lucrative and enjoyable purchase.

Spanish property provides a great opportunity to invest and earn a profit in a short time frame. In Spanish property for sale you will get each type of properties such as for holiday home or retirement property. Rates raises as the beaches become nearer but in past few years the rates are slowed down. The charming beauty of Spain and the lovely weather make it ideal for holiday homes, retirement homes or as an appreciating investment. So ensure first you buy your own Spanish property for sale while it is still cost-effective.Spanish property for sale offers you a rich database of all varieties of properties with all amenities of modern lifestyle to traditional old looking home which can suits your needs. If you are seeking such Spanish properties for sale you can access them easily right from your home through the help of web. And the best thing of online property sale is that you can compare the property prices and choose out of them with nominal rate and your suitability. Spanish real estate has a big network of online databases as it the most demanding place in Europe. Especially, UK people love to buy home here at the best possible prices.While to buy a property in Spain you don’t have to be a Spanish citizen. Spanish laws allow overseas investors to invest in Spanish properties. It is now simpler than ever to clear up the formalities and have a ideally suited Spanish property for your dream home. But investing in a big amount always is precautious about the correct investment deal and legal paperwork’s.I will recommend you to consult a Spanish solicitor while purchasing a Spanish property from sales. He wills advice you how to find the right property without high pressure sales pitch. Property investments in Spain yield a great rental income and major capital growth. Concerns like off plan property developments, road links and infrastructures, plans by the low cost airlines to make available cheap flights, property rates trends and competition from other countries should all be taken into thoughtfulness.Purchasing from Spanish property sale without taking expert advice and guidance is like a road traffic accident in the offing to happen. The problem is if you make a fault, there will be no special calamity solicitor capable to step in and help you claim return.

Property letting has become a major part of the housing industry and this is because of a number of reasons. Due to property development increasing more and more and rising house prices, many people have turned to renting and lettings as a more practical and cheap option for the short term.
This means that the property letting part of the market has become more competitive recently due to the large influx of people wanting to rent a property rather than buying outright. Many people that are now wanting to buy a property on the market are choosing to enter property development. This is where someone invests in a property which needs some substantial work on it. This can be external, internal or both. This can take some time however and some people invest a lot of money into a property to make sure it’s ready to sell/let. But the key area is getting all of the money back that you put into the property.
There is a risk when selling the property that you may not receive all of your money back. This is where the property letting area of the market comes in handy, this is because the investor has a lot more chance of retaining the money put into the property as there is no limit to how many tenants he wishes to have at the house.
Although this may take some time to retain the money there is also the choice of selling the property after you have had several tenants staying at the house. This means you could make extra profit on top of the rent you have received and it is a much more efficient way of claiming back the money you put into the house.
The property letting market may also attract a different type of customer to people that want to buy the house outright. For example a student that has just left university and has student loans and debts to pay off will be wanting to look for a place to rent while they can repay the loans in good time.
Another reason may be that they simply cannot afford the very steep prices of buying a house straight away. This would be an ideal customer to target with your letting property that you have developed. An example of someone that would want to buy a house outright on the other hand is a married couple with two children and who have stable jobs. This family would not be looking to rent a property but to buy one outright to have enough space and no monthly payments.
Property letting doesn’t only stick to the UK however, as many people have bought properties abroad and have developed them up to a standard where tenants can be able to stay as accommodation. Typical countries that have been introduced to property development include Croatia and the Czech Republic. This allows British and foreign holiday makers alike to use the accommodation to stay in when visiting these countries either for a holiday or business trip. Due to the exchange rates as well people are choosing these countries due to the fact that houses are much cheaper as the pound is worth a lot of the local currency.
Overall the property letting market is becoming very competitive and many people are turning to this part of the market due to the profit being made from this sector already.