Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tamarindo Costa Rica Real Estate

Today, the market for real estate in Tamarindo, Costa Rica is scorching hot, and it is not hard to see why. Investors from all over the world, as well as people looking for their fantasy holiday retreat or retirement sanctuary, are drawn to this little beach town in Guanacaste, for many reasons.

Like most of Costa Rica, it has magnificent beaches known for their world-class surf and pleasant year-round sunshine. Its flawless pure white sand stretches three and a half kilometers long, and harmonizes with the clear azure waters of the Pacific. Perfect for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling and sport fishing, Tamarindo is undoubtedly a place where dream vacations are made. It is also here that you can try the world-renowned jungle boat ride, where a small group of tourists are transported on skiffs to a nearby mangrove forest with various species of mammals, reptiles and birds waiting to be seen. Moreover, the beaches of Tamarindo are also known the world over to be a protected nesting ground for the giant leatherback turtle. These are just a few of the reasons why tourists flock to this world-famous travel destination, and it is ideal for honeymoons, weddings, and other such holidays for families, couples and friends.

In addition to this, Tamarindo comes complete with conveniences such as banks, grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants catering to all sorts of tastes, hotels and accommodations for any budget, laundromats, internet cafes, miscellaneous and specialty shops, pharmacies, medical clinics, art galleries, hardware stores, real estate offices, and a school. It also has a golf courses, specifically at the Hacienda Pinilla and Conchal. Most of these came together with the commercial boom that Tamarindo has seen in the last year, which ushered in more commercial centers such as banks, restaurants, shops, and the like.

This picturesque vacation spot is the most accessible among those located along the Costa Rican northern Pacific coastline. It has its own landing field from which two airlines, SANSA and Nature Air, which fly to and from the Costa Rican capital San Jose several times daily. Also, private charter flights are available upon request. There is also an international airport located a mere 45-minute drive away. Other ways to get around include scheduled buses and cars for rent.

Understandably, the prices of real estate in Tamarindo are a bit high. But with such a hot market for rental and resale of realty, this still makes for an extremely worthwhile venture. In fact, real estate in Tamarindo continues to be at the top of the list for preferred speculations. Currently, condominiums are all the rage in the local real estate souk, especially since Tamarindo has developed and grown significantly in the last few years. And yet despite the growth, with all units being sold right off the bat and some even before construction is completed, the demand for condominiums remains at an all-time high.

Although beachfront property is practically nil in Tamarindo nowadays, not counting the few prime lots that sell for a minimum of about $1000 per square meter, there still remain a premium selection of rest houses and retirement homes, plus highly lucrative hotels, bed and breakfasts, and the like.

Obviously, such first-rate real estate will reap tremendous gains over the next few years.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Property Hot Spots On the Island of Fire

The market for property for sale in Lanzarote is driven by tourism. And despite the current credit crunch and economic downturn visitor numbers to this small speck of Spain – which lies just 70 miles off the coast of Africa – have actually increased by around 8% during the first half of 2008.

As a result of this buoyant tourist market (over 1 million British and Irish visitors visited during 2007 alone) property on the island remains an attractive proposition for overseas investors. Not least as owners of holiday rental properties can enjoy year round rental returns thanks to the island’s incredibly clement climate. With temperatures never dropping below 20C even in the depths of winter.

So where are the current hot spots for investors on the Island of Fire?

Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the spot where tourism really took of on Lanzarote. And this former fishing village is still the islands most popular resort today – thanks in no small part to a 6km stretch of golden sands which acts as a magnet for tourists.

Puerto del Carmen was developed in the 1970´s – with the bulk of building stock given over to apartments and apart hotels, rather than hotels and villas.

The resort is currently undergoing something of a renaissance as the local authorities are planning to improve the infrastructure and overall tourist experience by pedestrianising the entire sea front. A long awaited new golf course is also set to open just outside Puerto del Carmen this summer – which is expected to attract more moneyed tourists to the resort.

Property prices here still remain well below the average for other Spanish sunspots – with basic one bedroom holiday apartments, ideal for rental – available from as little as €80,000. Owners can expect rental returns in the region of €300 per week.

Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is Lanzarote´s newest resort – and was developed along very different lines to Puerto del Carmen. With luxury hotels and villas at the forefront of the planning mix.

Despite the fact that Playa Blanca only started to evolve apace during the 1990´s it is already well established as the islands second most popular resort. Due to the fact that it enjoys the best micro-climate on Lanzarote thanks to its location at the southern tip of the island. And also boasts the best beaches – namely the six beautiful coves at Papagayo.

Construction and development here has grown apace over the last decade and as a result property prices have remained below the norm for the rest of the island. With investors able to pick up two bedroom villas with private swimming pools from as little as €250,000. Rental returns are equally attractive – with even the most basic holiday villa with pool commanding a weekly rate of €550 plus.

Puerto Calero
Puerto Calero is Lanzarote´s upmarket marina resort. And is an exclusive residential enclave – boasting some of the islands most impressive properties.

The marina was developed under the aegis of Pepe Calero back in the 1980´s and today is firmly established as one of the most attractive harbours in the Canaries. Attracting a multitude of millionaires and their yachts.

Property here is certainly at the high end of the market. As there is a limited supply of luxury villas available – with very few coming onto the market. Those that do command prices of €750,000 upwards – and show no sign of depreciation even under current market conditions.

Browse more Lanzarote property by visiting Lanzarote Guidebook – which features a selection of over 2300 properties for sale across the island

Santa Barbara Real Estate

Santa Barbara City in the state of California is the county seat of the Santa Barbara County in the United States.

Santa Barbara lies approximately 100 miles from the city of Los Angeles in the state of California. Various parks make up Santa Barbara, including Alameda Park, Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardes, West Beach, Andree Clark Bird Refuge and Parma Park, just to name a few. One can also appreciate other open spaces, such as the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the Painted Cave National Historic Landmark and Rattlesnake Canyon.

Santa Barbara is actually a popular destination for tourists all over the world. Its attractive Mediterranean weather and the wonderful beaches along the Pacific coast make it a favorite spot among beach lovers. There are numerous destinations that one can visit while in Santa Barbara City. The Mission Santa Barbara is a much loved area for the religious individuals visiting the city. Other places to visit include the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and the Presidio of Santa Barbara. Other places to visit in the city of Santa Barbara include Stearns Wharf, Moreton Bay Fig, Burton Mound, El Paseo Shopping Mall and Carillo Adobe, just to name a few of them.

Santa Barbara has quite an artistic community, and museums can be found dotted all over the place. These include the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and the Contemporary Arts Forum. There are also art locations in the University Art Museum, which is located on the University of California Santa Barbara campus.

International events that tend to attract millions of tourists yearly also occur in the city of Santa Barbara. Among these is the yearly Fiesta, also known as the Old Spanish Days, which includes a procession of women called Las Senoritas and Flower Girls. Another event is the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, where artists and craftsmen from all over the county of Santa Barbara display their various works. The Summer Solstice Parade, where costumes and floats parade throughout the city of Santa Barbara, is also a favorite attraction.

The real estate in Santa Barbara City and County is still buzzing, amidst the continuing afford ability crisis going on throughout the state of California. Recently, a new real estate policy was approved by the Santa Barbara County. The new policy states that 1.5% of the plan assets must be invested in real estate. For those looking for commercial areas in Santa Barbara, State Street is a good place to start. Other places to consider in the city of Santa Barbara include Paseo Nuevo, Highway 101 and De La Guerra Street.

Santa Barbara is not only a place enjoyed by tourists. Many people working in Los Angeles are finding the comfort and quiet of a beach destination to their liking, making them choose to live in Santa Barbara and commute to their workplace instead. Combined with the relatively cheaper real estate, Santa Barbara becomes a very attractive place, not only for the rich, but more so for the typical middle-class American.