Why buy property in Portugal?

Why buy property in Portugal?
Buyers considering buying property in France and Spain need
to also take a good look at Portugal. The real estate
market in Portugal has been quietly booming and remains a
good strong place to invest in property abroad. For those
who are seeking Golf property Portugal is second to none.
The future is bright for Portuguese real estate as the
economy grows and direct inward investment in the property
market increases. So why else buy property in Portugal?

Portuguese investment property.

Portugal remains of consistent interest to overseas
property investors, those seeking a home for retirement and
second home buyer's .Despite strong competition from areas
such as France and Spain along with emerging markets such
as Bulgaria and Croatia .Portugal is particularly
attractive for buyers from the UK. The country's south
coast is one of the most popular with luxury resorts;
Algarve area is a firm favourite and provides steady
performance for buy-to-let investors.

Portugal is truly accessible.

Portugal ideal for investment as it is very easy to get to
& good communications are top class. All investors know
that the best overseas property destinations are the ones
that are accessible. Portugal is one such region it has a
National Airline called 'TAP Air Portugal' whose numerous
flights fly to Portugal from most cities in Europe.
Portugal benefits from several airports. The main airports
are Lisbon Faro and Porto

Growing economy.

A strong stable economy backed by EU investment is giving
Portugal a property market that has been quietly growing
Portugal an ideal place to invest in property. Some
locations in Portugal are producing wealth for property
owners from capital growth and rental yields said to be up
to 10%.The ever strengthening economy is backed by EU
funding and strong inward investment from tourism and
international investors. Portuguese property prices have
risen modestly in the past 18 months and the Algarve tends
to have the largest capital increases. Portugal has a good
infrastructure which has been progressively modernized.

Tax made easy in Portugal.

Portugal still remains a place where the tax planners can
thrive. It is still possible to buy property in Portugal
using offshore companies. This can help secure significant
tax advantages those investing in Portugal, resident or
not, can very often legally circumvent capital and transfer
taxes

Sunny Climate.

Summers are hot and dry throughout Portugal, particularly
in the Algarve, which experiences very little rain.
Portugal benefits from cool sea breezes in the long hot
summers. Winters vary depending in which region you in
however Golfers still make for the Portuguese shores all
year round.

Top location The Algarve Portugal.

With over 30 top golf courses The Algarve is attracting the
big spending Golfing community. The Algarve benefits from
sand beaches, scuba diving, waterskiing, sailing, tennis
centres, equestrian centres, casinos, Michelin star
restaurants, marinas Good health care, private clinics and
lots more! Keeping your cool buying abroad

My tips for buying overseas.

Don't rush. Get familiar with the location and the type of
properties you're considering. Research the residency rules
for non nationals. Know the people and the lifestyle. Get
advice from a reliable source. Select a reputable local
lawyer. Use respected real estate agents. Don't let
yourself be pressured by a pushy salesman. Independent
advice is the best advice. Consider your exit plans

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The Author of this article is Nicholas Marr his knowledge
is gained from numerous contacts within the overseas
property industry. He admits that he is learning everyday
from professionals that specialise in their regions. He is
founder and CEO to the overseas property portal at
http://www.homesgofast.com/Portugal/index.php

Business Financing and Residential Mortgage Loan Comparisons

Business Financing and Residential Mortgage Loan Comparisons
For investors primarily familiar with residential mortgage
financing, the early stages of considering business
financing options can produce many unpleasant surprises. By
reviewing the key points in this and related business
finance articles, the process of commercial real estate and
business opportunity investment financing should be more
successful and less stressful.

There are many critical differences between residential
real estate investing and commercial real estate investing.
Of the approximately 25 key business finance differences,
some key factors will be addressed in this business loan
report and other business financing factors will be
discussed in several separate articles.

With the increasingly chaotic investment climate for
residential financing in the United States, more
residential real estate investors are exploring commercial
real estate and business finance opportunities. It is
important for prospective commercial property owners,
business owners and business investors to educate
themselves about options for the business loan and
commercial mortgage environment they will be facing.

Personal Guarantors for Business Opportunity Financing and
Commercial Loan -

Even though a business is held under corporate ownership, a
personal guarantee from the principal owners is routinely
required for a commercial mortgage or business loan. This
also means that credit scores of the individual business
owners will be used as one of the factors to qualify for a
commercial loan. In general all individuals owning over 20%
of a business will typically be required to personally
guarantee a commercial loan.

Down Payment Requirements for Business Financing -

To purchase a business will typically require a business
loan down payment varying from 10% to 25% (more in some
cases). This amount will primarily vary according to credit
scores, type of business, business experience of the
borrower and whether business opportunity financing is
required.

Stated Income Business Finance Possibilities -

Stated income business loan options will eliminate the need
for a borrower to provide personal tax returns. However the
stated income business finance approach will not eliminate
the need to document income for the business being
purchased or refinanced. Unlike residential financing, no
documentation (no doc) loans are not available for a
commercial mortgage.

Commercial Mortgage and Business Opportunity Financing:
Size Limitations -

It is very difficult to obtain a commercial mortgage less
than $100,000. A normal maximum for a stated income
business loan and SBA loan situations is $2 million. A
number of other business finance programs are limited to $5
million.

Appraisals for a Commercial Mortgage or Business
Opportunity Financing -

Commercial real estate appraisals are much more expensive
and complex than residential appraisals and typically take
several weeks to complete. The basis for business loan and
commercial mortgage value is primarily based on the income
generated by the business rather than an analysis of
comparable properties prevalent with residential mortgage
loans.

Business Financing Interest Rates -

Interest rates for a business loan are generally higher
than residential financing and rates up to 13% and even
higher are possible. It is feasible to obtain both fixed
and variable commercial mortgage interest rates. Business
opportunity financing typically has interest rates 1-3%
higher than a comparable commercial real estate loan
situation.

Other Important Business Finance Differences -

As noted previously, there are too many differences between
residential financing and business finance situations to
describe adequately in one article. Some of the critical
issues discussed in separate reports are how to avoid
common business loan problems, SBA loan financing, balloon
and recall provisions for a commercial mortgage, business
opportunity financing and special purpose commercial
properties.

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Steve Bush is a business finance and commercial real estate
investment property loan expert. Find out more about
commercial mortgage - business opportunity loan strategies
recommended by AEX Commercial Financing Group at =>
http://www.real-estate-investment-property.com

Get the Train for Italian Investment Property

Get the Train for Italian Investment Property
Real estate in France experienced a piece-by-piece real
estate surge as its own high speed train system is put into
place. This is also referred to as the Ryan Air effect,
whereby values rise as budget airlines arrive. This is due
to the ease of getting to property that was once considered
in the middle of nowhere - or at least hard to get to.

The Italian high speed train service is known as the TAV in
Italy, which stands for treno ad alta velocità, or,
more generically, ES Itallia for Euro Star Italy. The high
speed route from Rome to Naples is nearly complete and
portions of the route from Turin to Milan are also open.
Another line from Milan to Rome is scheduled to open in
early 2009. The state train company, Trenitalia, has train
service throughout Italy to all major cities currently. The
high speed trains can run, and currently do, on several of
the main line tracks, but at reduced speeds not approaching
their 300 kph maximum. When the new lines are complete,
they will be able to whisk passengers between the major
cities throughout the country.

With the new lines and service, new stations are being
built and old ones renovated. Trenitalia is investing
€2.5 billion in new stations for Bologna, Naples and
Florence and renovations in Milan, Rome and Turin.
According to Carlo de Vito, who oversees the 2,400 stations
throughout the country for Trenitalia, the changes can have
a considerable impact: "A new station near the center of a
big city makes that area more appealing to the middle class
willing to commute, and the same will happen with the
high-speed train." He adds that ""When we open a new
station there is a 30 to 40 percent rise in real estate
values in just a few years." While property in Italy in
major cities is improving, some see the most potential for
cities that currently don't have the access of the big ones.

One such city is Genoa, the end of a planned Milan-Genoa
line. These cities don't have the easy and relatively
inexpensive access that the larger ones do. The new train
service, much like new low-fair air service, can help
newcomers get to the city and discover its charms and, more
importantly, its real estate.

So what is on offer in Italy? Italian farmhouses that
require renovation work, houses with rustic charm off plan
property at Lake Como or city apartments in Milan. There is
plenty on offer for the overseas buyers in Italy.

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Nicholas Marr is clearly an observer of life and front row
spectator of the events in the overseas property market. A
lifetime property investor his UK based company Marr
International runs the overseas property portal at
http://www.homesgofast.com/Italy/index.php