Overseas Property Show launches 2015 national tour as highest FX rate for 8 years makes Brits eager to buy abroad

penthouse apartment with pool and BBQ area in PortugalThe hugely successful Overseas Property Show has just announced its 2015 tour dates. With a total of 12 shows planned up and down the nation, this year's tour will be bigger and better than ever.

In 2014, 3000 visitors attended the shows, which showcase properties from the sun-drenched paradises of Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and Florida. The 2015 events are set to attract way in excess of this number, as Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, which will be exhibiting at every show, comments,

"Everything about the Overseas Property Show this year is going to be bigger and better than ever before. We've got more tour dates, more properties and more experts on hand to provide advice. We're expecting a huge turnout this year."

Value of second homes overseas revealed as 91% of holidaymakers opt for repeat destination breaks

Value of second homes overseas revealed as 91% of holidaymakers opt for repeat destination breaksAlmost all UK workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday per year, though that can include bank holidays. With so little precious time to spare, is it any wonder that the latest survey from Staysure.com has revealed that as a nation we opt for the comfort of a known quantity when it comes to holidaying overseas?

The Staysure research has revealed that 91% of Britons prefer to visit the same holiday destination repeatedly, with one in five returning to the same place within the course of a year.

Can't sell your Algarve villa? Innovative help is at hand

villaWith circa 22,500 properties currently available for sale in the Algarve (Source: Rightmove Overseas, 30th May 2015) there are a lot of frustrated sellers looking for an alternative solution to the traditional selling process.

Mark Dunsmore, Founder and Managing Director of Goliath Property Solutions, believes his company has come up with the answer - an alternative solution which is fast becoming the method of choice for sellers across Europe who are looking for a solution which generates an excellent monthly income, removes all property related expenditure and secures a sale at the end!

A "solution" for property owners with AL licenses...

A "solution" for property owners with AL licenses...Reader's comment sumbitted by Gavin Middleton from 'Rent in the Algarve':

   "The bottom line is that if you make the public aware to look out for "AL" and point out the reasons for doing so, not only could the tourism business suffer, but it would also be pretty damming for the big advertising sites - financially of course.

The "gentle gentle" approach of little "reminders" to the Owners (in the local press) of what the consequences may be for non-AL compliance, seems to be the preferred method of gradually "persuading" Owners to comply, but it is going to take a very long time, especially all the while that the Owners can't see any evidence that the legislation is being policed.

Property buyers shrug off Greek crisis

Property buyers shrug off Greek crisisProperty buyers are shrugging off any concerns surrounding the Greek bailout crisis, according to TheMoveChannel.com. The portal's latest Hotspots Index reveals that Europe has never been more attractive to house-hunters, with Greece joining the Top 5 hotspots in Q2 2015 for the first time.

Huge rise in Algarve 'local lettings' - most of them illegal

benagilPortuguese holidaymakers again have fallen in love with the Algarve, but prefer renting apartments and villas rather than staying in hotels.

Albufeira is the most popular municipality, followed by Loulé, Portimão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António but those booking their holidays are unaware or unconcerned that the accommodation selected is neither registered nor compliant with the laws of the land.

Algarve is the preference of foreigners buying homes

ERAIn the first 6 months of 2015 the Algarve was the country’s most searched area in ERA Portugal agencies, for the purchase of houses by foreign customers. 60 percent of these buyers, mostly French and English, chose to buy a villa and invested, on average, 250 thousand euros, generally paid in cash.

Top tips for selling your Algarve property

Top tips for selling your Algarve property UnpublishedAs the Algarve puts itself up for sale, local award-winning agent Ideal Homes Portugal reveals top selling tips

The just-released June 2015 RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey (PHMS) has shown that the Algarve is leading the country in terms of putting its property on the market.