When talk turns to property investment in the UAE, Dubai is usually the main topic of conversation. However, recently the tiny emirate of Ajman - which it would be fair to say that a few years ago, no one had even heard of - is starting to be mentioned as the next big thing.

A superb two bedroom villa property for only £149,794

With a land area of just 260km2 it’s hardly surprising that this compact emirate has been overlooked by many, but to avid investors in Ajman property, size matters not a jot.

Ajman’s low property prices which average around 650 (AED) per square foot, compared to Dubai where the average price is nearer 1600 (AED) per square foot, are attracting ever-increasing numbers of investors.

Ajman’s proximity to Dubai is also seen as a major plus point; many of the new wave of property developments are situated close to the Emirates Road which means that Dubai International Airport is reachable within 25 minutes, with Dubai’s headline-grabbing tourist draws only a short car journey away.

Add to this the prospect of the new Dubai Metro system being extended to link to Ajman, the massive port redevelopment and the millions of dollars of investment by the Government of Ajman into a raft of major infrastructure projects, and it’s easy to see why this dynamic emirate is finding favour with switched-on investors.

Arguably, two of the most appealing new property offerings are the Burj ul Ain Tower and the Chapal Flora Residences, both of which are located conveniently close to the Emirates Road.

Stylish, studios at the Burj ul Ain are available for just £41,321 (GBP). One bedroom apartments start at £61,589 and two bedroom units can be bought for only £90,859. Burj ul Ain properties also come with an unprecedented 9.69% rental guarantee, making them an ideal purchase for buy-to-let investors.

Although villa properties in Ajman are relatively rare and as such, much sought-after, it’s possible to pick up a two bedroom, two bathroom villa with private covered parking at the Chapal Flora Residences (pictured) for as little as £149,794.

Ajman may never rival Dubai in terms of fame and glamour, but with such advantageous property prices, convenient closeness to Dubai and a forward thinking government eager to attract inward investment, Ajman is beginning to make its mark on the world of international property investment.

For more information on the properties mentioned, call (00 34) 952 765 993

Egypt Property Report 27th August 2008 -

Overseas investors should look outside the eurozone for property bargains as the euro rises in value against the weakening pound.

Investors should broaden their horizons

Property within the Euro zone is becoming increasingly expensive for UK investors, as the pound continues to fall against the euro, currently sitting at euro 1.26 to £1.

If investors consider properties in countries which are outside the zone, they will get far better value for money.

Holidaymakers are also far less likely to travel to countries within the eurozone while the currency is so strong against the pound, thus reducing demand for rental properties and impacting rental yields.

Stephen Smith, Sales and Marketing Director of Egyptian property developer West Side Village, said, “Investors would be wise to seek destinations outside the zone, where they will be more likely to afford quality investment properties in good locations, maximising their rental opportunities.

“Destinations which are served by regular cheap flights, preferably within a five hour flying time of London, such as Egypt, Turkey, Morocco or Croatia are ideal.

“With property prices falling in the UK, now is a good time to diversify into an emerging market overseas, which can offer high capital growth and strong yields.

“Investors should carefully research the best destination for them, taking into account currency exchange rates, tax laws, tourist levels and the potential for growth,” Mr Smith added.

Source: themovechannel.com

Buyers of Ajman property are now virtually guaranteed a residency visa after the enactment of a recent government initiative aimed at clarifying and simplifying the whole process.

Reassuring News

Investors in Ajman properties will be given visas provided sub-developers give assurance to that effect to master developers.

The visa is issued once the buyer or investor gains procession of the property and the developer issues a no objection letter. It is believed that the issuing of the no objection letter will be a formality.

Several leading Ajman property developers have already announced that they will be signing pacts with master developers for the issuance of the residence visas. Visas are valid for one year and can be renewed on an annual basis. The cost of the visa is set at 1500 Dhs - £220 (GBP).

With properties in Ajman costing at least 35% less than those in nearby Dubai, the easing of visa restrictions looks set to further enhance the emirate in the eyes of switched-on international property investors.

New developments such as the keenly priced Lake Signature Tower which is part of a major real estate project just 25 minutes drive from Dubai are already attracting buyers seduced by an entry level price of just £36,100 (GBP) for high-spec studio apartments.

The assurance of a residency visa coupled with low prices is sure to make Ajman the place to invest for many years to come.

Ajman Property Report: 20th August 2008

Egyptian property Report 14th August 2008

Europes second biggest tour operator today announced that bookings for holidays in Egypt next winter and summer were up on this year’s numbers. Whilst the strong euro seems to be putting many people of European holidays the demand in Egypt continues to rise. This summer’s bookings to Egypt were up 15% from last year and bookings to Egypt this winter are up 25%.

Egypt: A Buoyant Market

The Egyptian Tourist Authority has spent heavily on marketing campaigns in Europe and the US to attract greater numbers of tourists and the campaign looks to have been largely successful. A parallel campaign run throughout the Middle East highlighted the attraction of Egypt to Middle Eastern visitors and resulted in an 89% increase in visitors from Qatar alone.

London based DDB International was awarded the contract to handle all of Egypt’s tourism marketing with a budget set at $40 million a year. The aim of the campaign is to achieve the government’s stated target of 16 million visitors per year, up from 8 million in 2004.

Almost two thirds of visitors were from Europe and many highlighted the great value of holidays in Egypt where many holiday items were less than half the price of established destinations such as Spain and France.

The Daily Telegraph recently highlighted the year round warm climate and the growing popularity of Egypt as a winter sun and beach destination and suggested that investors in property in Egypt could reap substantial returns as Egypt property is low priced yet offers extremely good rental yields.

Michael Kent, Managing Director of Egyptian property specialists Arabian Sands, commented, “Egypt is entering a new phase of economic development with fewer restrictions and concrete government plans to improve the ageing transport infrastructure. Combine this with the most spectacular historical sites and a year round warm climate and all the conditions for serious growth in tourism numbers are there.”

Investors wishing to take advantage of these conditions are urged to consider the Tranquilla Town Apartments in Hurghada currently being marketed by Arabian Sands. Comprising of one, two and three bedroom residential units, the apartments which were built in 1996, are currently undergoing major upgrading to the highest European standards. Once the sale of each apartment is agreed, the upgrading work will commence and the property will be ready to use in just six months.

“The beauty of this investment is that not only do you get a fantastic location but also you’ll be ahead of the game and earning rental income in six months” added Mr Kent.

Prices for an apartment start from only £24,600 – please contact info@arabiansands.com for more details or look here

The first phase of the new, $3.3 billion (USD) Ajman International Airport is scheduled for completion by 2011. The airport is to be built by a Spanish consortium, Groupo Inmobiliario Whitelake and when finished the huge, six million square metre site will include residential and business areas, a free zone and aircraft maintenance facilities.

Ajman property: The new destination of choice for UAE investors

The airport will be the UAE’s 4th major airport, and when fully operational, is expected to serve 1 million passengers a year, as well as handling over 400,000 tonnes of air cargo.

It is envisaged that the airport will target low-cost carriers which will be welcome news to investors in Ajman property - Real estate located within a 45 minute drive of an airport, typically receive a 20% price uplift whenever budget carriers announce new routes to the destination.

Construction is due to commence by the second half of 2008, and subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Authority. the project will be executed in two phases.