Property in Albania

Albania's government has told the International Herald Tribune that it has taken out a 66.2 million euro loan from the Japanese government to modernise and overhaul its canal system and build a sewage treatment plant. The deal, which gives Albania a forty year period to repay the loan, was signed June 30 2008.

This is just the latest in a series of major financial commitments made by the Albanian government, including a 25million euro loan from Austria at the beginning of last month to help Albania meet its requirements for EU entry, and another major loan taken by the Duress port authority from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to renovate the existing quays and build a new terminal at Albania's largest port.

All loans taken out by Albania are directed at improving the country's infrastructure with a view to aiding its flourishing track record for economic growth, which has been almost constant since it left Communism behind in 1992. It is a testament to Albania's economic performance since 1992 that it is taking out loans as oppose to receiving grants, it has had the economic power to take out such loans since the World Bank upped its designation to a middle-income country in 2007.
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The Albanian government has an exemplary record for managing the country's economy, maintaining strong growth while keeping inflation low. The fact that it is taking out these major loans is a major indication of their forecast for the Albanian economy, which they clearly expect to continue growing strongly. And they are not the only ones; David Stanley Redfern's head of international research, said:
"Albania is one of the best places in the world to make a long-term property investment, not only is the government proving their competence time and time again by generating substantial economic growth in its own right while maintaining low inflation. But Albania is all set to become a full member of the EU in 2014, EU loans during this period will bolster the economy and continually aide schemes to develop the infrastructure, which then aides further economic growth, and then Albania's economy will be further boosted by reduced trade tariffs, repatriations from Albanian's going abroad to work, and a whole host of other benefits of EU membership."

One impressive factor that has come from Albania's economic growth of this decade is that a quarter of the population's poorest were brought out of poverty between 2002 and 2006, and unemployment continues to fall, at the same time as wages rise.

As Albania's internal wealth and affluence continues to rise, living costs rise, and property values are continuously pushed up. But another benefit is that there will be plenty of Albanian's looking for homes, when investors decide to collect on their long-term investment gains. All round Albania is perfect.

Find out more about Albania and property investment.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to media@davidstanleyredfern.com

The Balkans, a region once known as a hotbed of crime and violence, has become one of the safest zones in Europe according to the United Nations.

"The vicious circle of political instability leading to crime, and vice versa, that plagued the Balkans in the 1990s has been broken," said Antonio Maria Costa, head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The bloody breakup of former Yugoslavia - the worst carnage in Europe since World War II - left the region in turmoil throughout the 1990s, but a United Nations report says the levels of crime against people and property are now lower in the Balkans than in Western Europe.

The United Nations report says this trend of reduced crime is likely to continue as the region lacks the usual factors that lead to crime elsewhere in the world: mass poverty, income inequality, runaway urbanisation and large-scale youth unemployment.

David Stanley Redfern have properties in two Balkan countries, Albania and Montenegro. And with both countries on the road to EU accession, their property markets are safe too.

The Albanian property market is among the cheapest places in Europe to buy property, and since the market has become the focus for international investors the country has enjoyed solid capital appreciation figures. Buyers of Albanian property can expect 5-7 percent rental yields and 10-15 percent capital appreciation, perhaps even rising to 30 percent when Albania enters the EU.

David Stanley Redfern is in the unique position of having property in the most promising and sought after areas of Albania; the area surrounding Tirana's artificial lake and the first ever development in the Fresku District of Tirana near the Dajti Mountain.

Montenegro is also progressing towards EU accession. Rental yields of up to 10 percent can be achieved in popular tourist areas, and prices are expected to grow in value by 15-20 percent per year.

David Stanley Redfern have three off-plan developments in tourist hotspots. The Acacia Hills development consists of one two and three bedroom apartments in an astonishing location overlooking the Bay of Kotor on the massively popular Montenegro coast. Also overlooking the open sea are sea-facing terraces in a new off-plan development located in the village of Zambelici, on the beautiful peninsular of Lustica.

While The Lakeside Park development is on the banks of Lake Slano surrounded by wilderness, yet only 5 minutes drive from Montenegro's second biggest town, Niksic.

Find out more about Albanian property.

Find out more about Montenegro property.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to: media@davidstanleyredfern.com.

The David Stanley Redfern sales team has revealed that Albania is the most popular location with investors in 2008 so far. Surprisingly investors are drawn to the safety of Albania property, based on the fact that EU money, stabilising the country and ensuring the economic growth of late continues on its path to becoming a full member of the EU in 2014, ensure property prices are almost certain to grow considerably over the next 5-10 years. Another, more obvious reason for the popularity of Albania property is the fact that it is among the cheapest in Europe, and its proximity to Greece and other popular location gives away the glorious climate.

Tirana property is particularly popular, and the area around Tirana's artificial lake is a particularly popular area within Tirana. On a recent fact-finding mission to Albania, David Stanley Redfern's operations manager brought new developments back and also ordered that some be removed from the website for various reasons. This means that David Stanley Redfern's Albania property is now nothing but the best investment property in Tirana.

Though more properties will be added soon, David Stanley Redfern are currently offering three Albania properties, all of which are in Tirana, and 2 of 3 in the sought after Lake District.

The newest development is right on top of Tirana's artificial lake, and back on to a second lake, which is currently dry, but will soon be a fantastic waterscape. The Twin Lake development is an off-plan complex of 1 bedroom apartments with prices starting from just £40,000.

David Stanley Redfern's other Tirana Lake District property is the aptly named Lake District residence, again it is an off-plan complex of 1 bedroom apartments, priced from £56,000.

Last but not least is the Dajti Views development, a little further back from the lake, but with the added extra of being a short way from the lift up the Dajti Mountain, which is very popular with tourists. Dajti Views has fantastic views of the mountains, and of Tirana Lake, and you can get a 1 bedroom apartment in the development for just £26,000.

Find out more about property in Albania.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to media@davidstanleyredfern.com

At April's NATO meeting in Bucharest, U.S./Russia relations caught the international spotlight, but property investors should have been watching the other news. NATO extended a full invitation to Albania and Croatia to join the fold.

This is a major step in Albania's integration into Europe, and a pivotal point in its path to achieving full membership to the European Union. Though, much work is necessary on the part of Albania, the invitation proves that the steps already taken have been the right ones, and that the desire is there to do everything necessary to achieve full EU membership as soon as possible.

Due to its growth, potential and having things like NATO and EU membership on the horizon, Albania has become property investor's favourite within Europe. Head of International research for David Stanley Redfern put forward a possible reason for Albania's current popularity.

"In the last 2-3 years Albania has put political and ethnic tensions behind it and began to see some really solid economic growth, with around 8% GDP growth on average. I personally believe watching other countries in the region like Bulgaria and Montenegro start to flourish on the international investment stage, triggered the government and the entire population to take the necessary steps to end the tension for the good of them all. Albania has been growing even on its own strengths, but EU grants and loans to help prepare the country for full membership will only generate even greater growth."

He continued: "In that respect, the long road and work needed to gain EU entry is actually good for property investors, because property bought now at low prices, will continue to grow in value throughout the period when EU money is bolstering economic growth in the country. This makes Albania a safe investment destination, even in the face of global adversity."

David Stanley Redfern have several affordable Albania properties, and all are in prime locations. Three of them are in and around Tirana's popular artificial lake, one of which also has views of the Dajti Mountains. And another is in Saranda, overlooking Saranda Bay and with views out across to the Greek Island of Corfu, while property is only a fraction of the price.

Find out more about Albania property.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to: media@davidstanleyredfern.com

David Stanley Redfern are so fired up about Albania's potential as a new emerging market that they have just added two very rare property investment opportunities to their books. Keen to let investors get a piece of Albania's rapidly expanding market, DSR are offering properties onto the market before site-plans, final details on prices or the range of apartment sizes are available. The opportunity is simple, book your piece of Albanian action by paying the 3000 Euro reservation fee, and choose your apartment when full details become available.

I doubt this would even be possible were it not for David Stanley Redfern's reputation for client security and stringent due-diligence procedures that prevent unsafe opportunities from gaining the DSR brand of approval. Here's why it isn't such a big ask:

The properties are in two of Albania's most promising locations, one is in possibly the most promising location:

Saranda Mount on Albania's long popular Adriatic coastline. Sitting on a hill most of the population of Saranda (including buyers in the Saranda Mount development) enjoy views across the beautiful Saranda Bay to the Island of Corfu. Property prices in Saranda are around 25% lower than similar properties a stone's throw away on the popular Greek island -- what's more the area is equally rich in history and culture.

The Jimmy Complex is in the rapidly expanding Albania capital. Tirana is the cheapest capital in which to buy a property, and its culturally diverse environment, and level of EU funding going into the infrastructure and facilities, corporate investment and Albania's aforementioned range of undiscovered historical sites will turn Tirana into a must visit destination within Europe.

It is always difficult to predict capital appreciation for a market that springs onto the global scene such as Albania has, but in Albania this is not a bad thing. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and it hasn't attracted global attention because of it's tumultuous past; the problems with Albanian and Kosovo having over it like a dark cloud. The reason Albania has leaped up and made the world take notice is because recently it has made huge steps in resolving those issues using democratic reforms and systems. It is now a safe country to go on holiday to, and once tourism starts to increase, generally everything else follows:

Increasing flights increases access to the country, budget airlines make it cheap to fly there and the low living costs make the whole holiday cheap. Therefore people can have a holiday in Albania, who otherwise mightn't have been able to afford a holiday abroad. This gets the tour operators interested and before you know it you have major hotels employing locals and the economy is then regenerating itself. The newly employed people get better wages, which they then can put into either rented accommodation or buying their own houses.

Somewhere along that process overseas property companies like David Stanley Redfern start snapping up investment opportunities in the emerging country. Once property there starts to attract global attention, prices go up automatically; as houses have once had to be affordable for the local population, will now see the prices rise to more like what they are worth to westerners with more money -- in other words closer to their real value.

Other factors that trigger capital appreciation, are the increasing cost of building materials as the economy develops, on top of that house builders will need to start paying their tradesmen and laborers higher wages to keep up with the increased living costs.

In short, an emerging market like Albania is just that emerging. Once a market starts to gain the name "emerging market" the chances are that prices are already beginning to rise, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Therefore the key is to get in early, hence these new opportunities from David Stanley Redfern, allowing people to get in first for maximum gains.

Find out more about Albania investment property

It's commonly thought throughout the overseas property investment marketplace that Europe has few remaining opportune locations from which to reap a worthy reward. This year, Albania could be the country to disprove that preconception. It's true that more and more investors are looking further afield to the emerging property markets of what were once considered as being 'exotic' countries, like Thailand, Morocco, Philippines and Malaysia to name but a few. And whilst the indisputable facts prove the profitability of those markets, there's one greatly overlooked yet clear contender for the title of Europe's number one money maker of 2008.

Newcomers to the property investment arena like Montenegro, Switzerland, Ukraine and Finland have outperformed their European counterparts in recent years and in some cases still do. Long established investment heavyweights like Italy, Spain, France and Germany have perhaps been neglected, with the term 'emerging market' stirring frenzy amongst avaricious investors looking for the next big thing.

Interest in Albania's property market is slowly but surely becoming widespread. Overseas property investment specialist David Stanley Redfern commented on Albanian investment:

"Albania has fast become a realistic and affordable option for novice and savvy investors from around the world. Rising tourism has led to increased demand for quality accommodation, which has prompted an upturn in property construction to meet the increased demand"

Eastern Europe is a massively overlooked part of the world with an enigmatic timelessness that put simply, goes criminally underappreciated. And its there we find a country that borders both Adriatic and Ionian Seas and neighbours Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Greece. Under three hours away from Western Europe via any direct flight, we find low cost Albania and its many beneficial attributes. Albania's low profile is set to stand proud amidst its 'equals' with its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) unification later this year and upcoming European Union (EU) membership of 2014.

If we strive beyond any commonplace misconceptions relating to Albania and focus in on its rewarding aspects specific to property investment, we just might be more than a little surprised. With the exception of agricultural land which can be leased for ninety nine year periods, Albanian property purchase is predominantly free from restriction and open to both native and foreign investors alike, as it is for private or professional purposes. It undercuts any local European property prices and despite applicable public notary fees of around 1% and minimal capital gains tax, there's no transfer, inheritance, state or wealth tax, no withholding tax on repatriation or value added tax (VAT) attached to any transaction.

Capital appreciation has been known to reach 30%, tourism figures have shown increases as high as 10% and by 2008 has equated to over one million economy boosting pounds. Albania's gross domestic product (GDP) is certainly set to rise from its already strong annual 6% growth and Albania's steadily rising foreign direct investment (FDI) has exceeded the two hundred million pound mark this year.

Last but not least, the forty million pound expansion of Tirana International Airport now sees British Airways operating regular flights into Albania, with twenty nine worldwide destinations also available through other agents.

About David Stanley Redfern

David Stanley Redfern is one of the U.K.'s leading overseas property investment specialists. The reasons for this are an incomparable range of international properties spanning 40 destinations worldwide, and unrivalled customer care, which lasts long after the purchase has been completed. Experienced, professional staff and membership to the overseas property market's regulatory body, as well as their stringent due diligence procedures gives buyers the confidence that any purchase with David Stanley Redfern is a safe one.

Media enquiries should be directed to: media@davidstanleyredfern.com

Recently Albania has put itself firmly on the map, both as an increasingly popular tourism destination, and an emerging market on the international property investment scene. Things that shrewd investors and experts in the field like David Stanley Redfern look for are rapid growth, and/or reasons and factors that make rapid growth in the near future probable. In the case of Albania, these factors include: entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization later this year, into the European Union in 2014, and of course rising tourism, growing by 10% per year.

Other major advantages Albania offers investors are the lack of restrictions on foreign ownership of property, the only restrictions being that foreigners can only make a commercial investment if its value exceeds three times the cost of the land, and foreigners cannot buy agricultural land - they can however lease it for 99 years. Also worth a mention is that Albania is already attracting some of the major European banks, which will make financing an investment easier.

Albania also has many tax advantages like the lack of capital gains tax, no withholding tax, no inheritance tax, no Value Added Tax on property purchases, no state or wealth taxes and no transfer tax. The total round-trip transaction cost is also very low, with less than 1% going on public notary fees.

Albania's potential for growth is definitely among its biggest attractions: Gross Domestic Product growth is an almost incredible 6% and likely to accelerate, and capital appreciation can reach up to 30% depending on the investment.

As always, with a finger on the pulse of international property markets, David Stanley Redfern had to give their clients the chance to get a piece of the Albanian action. David Redfern told me why:

"Just as the other Eastern European States hit us hard and fast with their capital growth, we believe Albania will do the same. It is becoming a pattern, these under-developed states, that were once surrounded by similarly under-developed neighbouring states, see their neighbours jumping onto the international tourism and property markets with a bang, and start to take steps rapidly to ensure that they are not left behind. They have a lot of room to work with; property prices and living costs are generally low, which become immediate selling points to tourists and to overseas property investors. Their generally good climate, which is always big business in the tourism industry, means their low prices make them a low cost alternative to some of Europe's hottest tourist destinations."

David Stanley Redfern are offering investors the chance to get in on the action with 1-2 bedroom apartments in the Shengjin Beach development. Starting from £32,088, most of the apartments enjoy sea views and will be supplied finished with ceramic tiling, electrical and plumbing connections ready for installation. The development is two buildings frontline to the beach, both have lifts, the ground floors will be retail units and there is a communal garden to the rear. Activities in and around the development include, surfing, windsurfing, beach volleyball, skiing, caving, trekking and sampling the variety of restaurants and bars from the diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds in the area.

A few years ago Albania was a destination very few people (if any) would consider a holiday destination, but huge advances in democracy and development in the last few years have made Albania not only an attractive holiday destination but a very affordable one.

Albania: "it's a place where history is still waiting to be discovered", wrote Matt Gross in the December 14 edition of the French newspaper: The International Herald Tribune. In two paragraphs about Albania's history he had me wanting to drop everything and jump on a plane. Something that exponentially growing numbers of tourists are doing year upon year.

Undoubtedly not all those tourists will be going in search of the history, the climate is another big plus point. The quickest way I can introduce you to the tourism extraordinaire that is Albania is to tell you that you can rent a double room in a good hotel in Albania's Sarande for the equivalent of around £20, from where you can also take a short hydrofoil ride to the Greek Island and tourist hot-spot of Corfu.

This is symbolic of another tourist attracting feature of Albania, it's cheap. For decades Albania has been one of the poorest states in Europe and so on holiday there you will, as I said enjoy the temperatures and sunshine of Greece for a fraction of the cost.

Call David Stanley Redfern today for a free no-obligation chat.

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