Investing your hard-won SSIA in property is still one of the top options out there. But now that Irish prices have spiralled beyond the average person’s budget and the exorbitant stamp duty investors must pay, many are looking beyond these shores when starting or improving their property portfolio. Countries such as France, Hungary, and the UK are favoured by many SSIA holders seeking a secure location in which to place their dosh. France is one of the most popular countries where investments are being made, mainly because it offers investors a special scheme, which guarantees rental income for a minimum of nine years. This scheme, known as leaseback or Residence de Tourisme, is witnessing phenomenal interest from Irish investors. In short when you purchase a leaseback property you become the freehold owner of the property, you sign a purchase contract and a lease contract to hand over the property to a professional management company for a minimum period of nine years. In return you get a discount of 19.6 percent in the form of VAT (one does not have to be registered for VAT in Ireland) and a yield (rent) which can vary from 5.5 percent down to three percent depending on the personal use if any on offer. All these properties are fully furnished and most come with parking. An example of such leasebacks on offer through property paths is ‘Residence des Ramparts’ in the medieval city of Carcassonne. Here one can purchase a fully-furnished holiday apartment which also allows two weeks personal use. Prices are from €110,000 euro excluding VAT and yields are up to 4.5 percent index-linked. The Residence des Remparts is fully enclosed, there is a lift in each building, all the apartments have fully equipped kitchens and are fitted with reversible air conditioning, wood joinery and French windows. The residence will be serviced by one of France’s top management companies. Rental return will be 4.5 percent without any occupancy and four percent with two weeks personal use. Ryanair fly direct from Shannon to Carcassonne. Property Paths also assists clients when seeking finance in France. Through our mortgage brokers in Paris we have access to 20 banks and can get clients variable or fixed rate mortgages with rates fixed for 20 years as low as 4.8 percent. Interest-only mortgages are now becoming very popular with Irish investors who see their French property purchase purely as investment. Budapest, Hungary, a city with over two million people, is also a popular choice of Irish property investors. Property price increases are inevitable in this city with prices still as low as 55,000 euro excl. fees. One such development is Karolyi Gardens, District four and only mins form Vaci street in district 5. A perfect development for those seeking to get on the property ladder or for those investors who are looking to diversify their portfolio. With prices from €50,298 together with excellent payment terms, pay 20% now and the remainder on completion makes Karolyi ideal for investors. So for as little as 10,056 euro plus fees this studio apartment can be yours and will be completed in 18-24 months. In fact most developments in Budapest are now being sold with similar payment terms. With such generous payment options very little initial capital is required, yet allowing for considerable capital appreciation during the build period. Karolyi Gardens is a safe city centre investment located mins form the Danube, in the EU’s most thriving new capital. Hungarian finance is also available at rates of approx six percent. Property Paths has now teamed up with a leading real estate company in the UK, who are independent land development specialists. Hence we are proud to offer investors land/sites with the potential to deliver maximum returns for our clients. These being commercial properties, one could investigate the potential of setting up a property pension. For a relatively small sum, anyone can now purchase land, benefiting from rising values and acquiring an asset which can be used as a pension or passed from generation to generation. For example located in Newtown on Ouse, 7 miles from York are eight acres of land for sale at 10,000 STG / 15,044 EURO per 1,000 sq ft. A highly commutable location, within an exclusive residential suburb and seven miles north of York. The site benefits from existing housing on two sides. Excellent transport links to the York ring road, the town centre via the A19, easy access to the A59 and A1 (M), the M1 and M62 and within easy reach of Leeds Bradford international airport make any investment here a worthwhile consideration. Average house prices currently 15 percent above national average: source: bbc.co.uk For further details on any of the above and more investment opportunities please log onto www.propertypaths.com . Email: info@propertypaths.com or call Anita on (087) 633 6284.
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