Industrial Developments in The Slovak Republic

Three new stretches of highway were put into operation on December 11, the Pravda Daily reported on December 12. Construction of two of them was launched by the previous government of Mikuláš Dzurinda, while construction of the third was launched nine years ago. The most important stretch is a 7.5-kilometre section from Hričovské Podhradie to Žilina-Strážov, which cost about Sk5.3 billion. It was built in a record short time of two years.

GETRAG Ford Transmissions Slovakia officially opened its new transmission factory in the Kechnec industrial park in eastern Slovakia on November 22. This is the first factory of the international transmission systems producer, and it will introduce a new technology to make dual clutch transmissions, the SITA newswire wrote.

“Through the introduction of a new technology, we are entering the automatic transmission market,” said the company’s executive director, Mihir Kotecha. “We are thus opening opportunities for the significant growth of our company and our partners, meaning customers and suppliers in Kechnec, Košice Region and Slovakia.”

The Kechnec-based plant is planned to produce 110,000 gearboxes for cars and 100,000 motorcycle transmissions each year. It will hire up to 450 employees. The plant’s production capacity is to reach 220,000 transmissions a year by 2010. By that year, Getrag Ford plans to create another 300 jobs, mainly in technical professions. Construction on the plant started in July 2005 and cost €300 million (Sk10 billion). Production of motorcycle transmissions for BMW and Harley Davidson started in November 2006.

The internet bank mBank officially launched operations in Slovakia through its website during the last weekend of November. The virtual bank, which is a retail electronic banking division of one of the biggest Polish financial institutions, BRE Bank SA, plans to win at least 100,000 clients by the end of 2010. It expects to provide about €500 million (Sk16.6 billion) in loans and roughly €91.1 million in client deposits, the SITA newswire reported.

Investment Opportunity – Commercial Repossession in West Byfleet

Seakers UK Property Group have a repossessed commercial property for sale in West Byfleet

• 25% BMV, SURREY
• Incentives Of 25%
• Incentives Of £50,000
• Market Price From £200,000
• Investor Price From £150,000
• Potential Rental Income £3,750 PCM
• Good Yard & Parking To The Front
• Property Is Capable Of Sub-Division
• Close To Byfleet & Junction 11 Of The M25
• Ready Now

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To take advantage of this investment opportunity call our office on 01202 744884 or Paul on 07969 038638.

Description

• Ground Floor
• 439.68 Sq M – 4,733 Sq Ft
• Workshop area which could be developed for office use.
• First Floor
• 439.68 Sq M – 4,733 Sq Ft
• Split into 11 offices from 200Sq Ft, suitable for Multiple Company Occupancy.
• Total Floor Area 879.36 – 9,466

Local Area
The West Byfleet area includes the village centre next to West Byfleet station and the surrounding residential area, built during the inter war period. West Byfleet is located to the west of the M25 motorway, which separates it from Byfleet. Many of the residential areas with fewer houses have considerable character while the housing to the north of the station is generally older.

The focus of the Local Plan for West Byfleet and the surrounding area is on protecting the environment and ensuring that any new development is in keeping with the existing character of the area. As a result, development of a modest scale, appropriate to the area concerned, will be permitted in the village centre and existing residential areas, while important open spaces and historic buildings will be protected. Only very limited types of building will be permitted in the Green Belt, including buildings for sport, agriculture and house extensions.

The following includes a brief description of some elements of the main features of the West Byfleet area together with more general information and the relevant Local Plan polices.

West Byfleet village centre is the second largest shopping centre in the Borough after Woking town centre. The centre in 1999 had over 90 businesses including a range of shops, offices, banks and restaurants.

The centre is focused around Old Woking Road/Parvis Road, Station Approach and the Railway Station. Two shopping parades in Station Approach and Rosemount Parade have a very distinctive architectural character (Arts and Crafts) and have been designated as Conservation Areas by the Council to protect this. The Local Plan:

• Seeks environmental improvements and better access to the centre. These will be in keeping with the Council’s own programme of improvements which have included repaving, new signs and landscaping.
• Encourages small office, shop, leisure and community developments.
• Allows the change of use of shops to other uses appropriate to the area (financial services and restaurants/takeaways) which maintain the economic health of the centre, provided it does not involve the loss of the supermarket which plays an anchor role in the centre and that an adequate range of shops remain.

The Camphill Industrial Estate provides a range of local employment opportunities. This is an important industrial area which should be retained. However, some of the buildings may require redevelopment to provide suitable accommodation for the needs of modern businesses.

The Local Plan identifies the former MoD site at Broadoaks, Parvis Road for potential redevelopment to provide modern offices. Proposals will however need to respect the Listed Buildings on the site and its open character. Local Plan policies:

• Allow industrial or warehousing development at Camphill Industrial Estate provided it does not harm the environment of the area.
• Allow the redevelopment of existing employment sites elsewhere in the area to provide suitable modern business accommodation. These should be broadly similar in scale to the existing buildings.
• Will not permit the loss of any existing employment sites unless the business activity adversely affects local residents. In such cases a less harmful employment activity or housing will be permitted.
• Allows office redevelopment at Broadoaks provided it has no greater impact on the open character of the Green Belt than the existing buildings. A planning application has been submitted for an office redevelopment of the site to provide around 18,000 sq.m. of floorspace (194,000 sq.ft.). Following a Public Inquiry, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions granted planning permission for this redevelopment in December 2000

Property Investment in Belize

With the weather in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in Belize similar to that on offer in Southern Florida, with the cost of living still a fraction of what you can expect to pay in the UK, US or Canada and with the standard of living rapidly improving without impacting on the laid back, traditional way of life in this beautiful, fun and relaxed town, we think it’s about time you checked out San Pedro property in Belize especially if you’re looking for the ultimate in holiday or retirement real estate.

You may well have heard of Ambergris Caye – a popular island in Northern Belize just a stone’s throw away from Mexico and home to some amazing diving, great nightlife and many fantastic people – but did you know that San Pedro is really the only main town on the island worth talking about? And did you know that despite the fact that real estate prices are rising rapidly you can still negotiate a bargain deal? All of these facts are true and this is why we’re showcasing San Pedro property in Belize for you today – because it is lesser known but it might just suit you if you want an escape and a way back to the best things in life!

In San Pedro the main form of transport is a golf cart, many of the side streets are sand covered, the main roads are dirt tracks and the airport is more of a landing strip than an international affair. Shops and businesses open when they feel like it and remain open late into the day, restaurants range from simple family businesses offering excellent fresh, local cuisine to the new breed which are slightly more sophisticated in décor and which have a relatively decent wine list and which have set up now that tourism numbers in San Pedro are rising fast.

The range of hotels available used to be the cheap backpacker types but now that more and more tourists are visiting Belize annually and are making the trip up to Ambergris there has been a steady development of a slightly more sophisticated type of hotel with large swimming pools, kids clubs and so on – and you can even rent stunning villa homes on the beach for a few weeks at a time to get to know the area and determine whether you could see yourself sunning yourself and soaking up the amazing atmosphere in San Pedro.

In terms of the real estate in Belize for sale in San Pedro – because the resort town’s number one industry has turned into tourism in recent years, naturally there has been a steady influx of those determined not to leave Ambergris Caye behind which has resulted in a surge in demand for property for sale. South of San Pedro the development of residential real estate is quite intense but in the town itself they are managing to curb any form of high rise building which means the natural lines and feel of San Pedro are preserved.

You may chose an apartment for sale just out of town in a development with shared facilities – there’s a 2 bed 2 bath condo available right now with communal pool and direct beach access for sale for USD 295,000 for example. You may choose a run down town house and renovate it and put your mark on it – although these are getting harder to find! Or you might of course choose a mansion like one that’s come on to the market recently that comprises of 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, an infinity pool and direct beach access – it’s on the market for 2.8 million US dollars mind you!

Whatever it is you’re looking for in terms of real estate – one thing’s for certain, if you want to live in a location where traditional values still exist, where commercialisation has yet to impact, where the standard of living is high for a relatively low cost of living and where there is a genuine feeling of community, check out San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in Belize.

Keep your home pest free

Effective pest control is a requirement for most buildings and especially at home and those places where food is stored or prepared. Effective methods of control can employ high technology ultrasonic, electro-magnets or even electrocution methods! There are, however, many simple products and solutions to eradicate domestic pests e.g. rats, mice (especially house mice), moles and squirrels.

Once such pests have been eliminated it is wise to prevent their re-entry into a building. Blocking all possible entrances such as holes created by broken bricks and air vents is essential – and it is worth noting that mice can pass through a hole no larger than the thickness of a pencil! Carefully check all round your home for all the small holes that could be an entrance for a mouse.

Holes in brickwork can be filled in with cement or plaster and airbricks can be covered with wire mesh or a commercial product such as MouseMesh.

This preventative approach has the added advantage of being a humane way to avoid domestic pests since it obviates the need to use poisons and traps. Equally you do not need to experience the very unpleasant task of removing the dead house mice from mouse traps. If you use humane mouse traps you do not have to take the house mice the required two miles away from your home to ensure it does not scamper back.

Whilst we are often berated for closing the stable door after the horse has bolted it is good advice to bolt household entry routes after the mice have been routed!

Advice for New Landlords

In the UK, everyday more and more new landlords are tempted into the buy-to-let investment sector not only by a range of new and competitive products by the mortgage lenders but also by the success stories of the other property investors.  The buy-to-let mortgages are now a lot easier to obtain and a lot more competitive compared to five or six years ago.

Although traditionally the lenders required a 130% rental to mortgage repayment ratio to secure a margin of safety during the vacant periods, some lenders are now allowing the predicted rental income to be 100% of the mortgage repayments. There are even products out there that require no indication of rental income.

The financial experts seem to be divided about these new products in the marketplace. Some experts argue that a lot of the novice landlords may be badly exposed by further interest rate rises that are widely forecasted for the rest of 2007 and potentially in 2008 too.  According to this group of experts this situation is creating a lot of high risk investors that will be adversely affected by even marginal interest rate increases and this could potentially be the downfall of the buy-to-let investments in this country. Whereas the others argue that “when used properly by the experienced landlords”, these products do offer a lot of choice and flexibility, which can only strengthen the buy-to-let market.

Overall, it is down to the individual landlord to decide how much risk they wish to take but general advice to any newlandlords would be to seek independent financial advice from the experts before making any such decisions.

Invest in Student Housing

STUDENT VILLIAGE IN SHEFFIELD – NEW & RECENTLY REFURBISHED

• Developer List Price From £200,000
• Investor Price From £170,000
• Incentives Up To £35,625
• Incentives Of 15%
• Yield Up To 8.7%
• 4 & 5 Bedroom Houses
• Fully HMO Compliance
• Prime Student Location
• CCTV Cameras
• Managed Broadband
• Caretaker On Site
• Development Of On Site Shop Proposed
• Rental Guaranteed Until End December 2008
• Simultaneous Exchange & Completion
• Ready April 2008

Local Area Information
Sheffield is England’s fourth-largest city, with the wealth of facilities you would expect to find in a major city – yet it’s compact, friendly and accessible.

We are a family-friendly city with a prosperous economy and relatively low cost of living. The area is bursting with culture and entertainment, including award-winning theatres, museums and galleries. Our night life is also legendary with a wealth of clubs and live music venues.
Where is Sheffield?
Sheffield is in South Yorkshire, in the north of England. It is close to Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham and the Peak District.

It is the greenest city in England, with 150 woodlands and 50 public parks. Crime statistics show it is also one of the UK’s safest cities.

Sheffield has excellent rail links to all major cities. You can be in Leeds or Manchester by train in about an hour, and London in under 2.5 hours.

The University and Sheffield
Home to two universities with more than 40,000 students, Sheffield is one of the country’s most popular student destinations.

The city centre is within easy walking distance of the University campus and accommodation. There isn’t really a separate campus as such and you’ll find that University life is very much integrated with the day-to-day life of the city.
Public Transport
Trams and buses are a popular and cheap way to travel around the city. There is a tram stop for the University so it’s easy to get to us from the city centre and railway station.

Although buses and trams are frequent, many people also choose to walk and cycle.

Find out more about this investment opportunity from Seakers Property

Investing in Cape Verde

Those looking to invest in property overseas may have many priorities in mind, but if the list combines sunny climate, accessibility and an almost untouched market, Cape Verde may just offer the best combination.

A group of small Atlantic islands situated off the west African coast, the former Portuguese colony could be about to open up to British investors in a big way. The reason for this, reports Homes Worldwide, is that the island of Boa Vista is about to open a new airport, which will be served by direct flights from Gatwick from July 10th.

As well as being accessible, the website also notes that there are plenty of beachfront properties available along the 55km of white sandy beaches.

Boa Vista, therefore, could be one of the next big investment destinations. But it is not the only potential attraction among these islands in the sun.

For those who want to be nearer the heart of the action, the capital, Praia, also has an international airport and is served by both Heathrow and Gatwick. Described by Cape Verde Adventure as “a true paradise to discover and enjoy” with plenty of tourism and property investment opportunities, Praia, lying at the southern tip of San Tiago Island, is a commercial centre, port and beach resort all in one. Even the name means “beach” in Portuguese.

Other islands offer different features. While lacking international airports and thus requiring other means of travel such as boat, the northern and southern archipelagos still plenty of lush scenery, beaches and surrounding azure ocean to impress visitors, even if some might be a little wary of spending time on Fogo on account of Mount Fogo, the only geologically active hotspot among these volcanic islands.

Cape Verde enjoys one advantage many of its continental African neighbours do not, emerging from its one-party status when it became independent in 1975 to become a stable democracy, with a two-party system, a free press and all the other necessary instruments of state and law to maintain it as such.

The culture of the islands reflects a mixture of African and Portuguese influences, with Cape Verde Creole and Portuguese being the main languages and this interesting combination providing another attraction for tourists.

With such an array of attractions, if Cape Verde in general and Boa Vista in particular are hidden gems waiting to be discovered by many investors, they may not be for much longer.

More Details

Property in Lanzarote

Despite the credit crunch and apparent downturn in general consumer confidence in the UK demand for Lanzarote property remains buoyant. According to figures recently released by the islands leading dedicated property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook.

A detailed analysis of 636 property for sale enquiries received during January and February 2008 revealed that overseas investors are still actively searching for Lanzarote property. And that apartment and studio properties were the main focus of interest. Accounting for 88% of all enquires received.

Suggesting that recent changes in market conditions have definitely stifled demand for the more expensive properties currently on the market. Whilst investors instead turn to lower-risk and lower-cost options.

This conclusion is further supported by the fact that 83% of all enquiries were for properties priced €300,000 or below. With properties priced below €150,000 attracting 43% of all enquiries. Whilst anything priced above the €500,000 mark proved to be of interest to just 3% of all overseas investors.

The islands oldest resort – Puerto del Carmen – is currently driving the market. Accounting for 43% of all property enquiries received during January and February 2008. With Costa Teguise recording 30% and Playa Blanca trailing in third place with 19%. Reflecting the fact that Puerto del Carmen is currently enjoying a real boom in popularity with Irish investors. As the island has become the most popular tourist destination in Spain with residents of the Republic.

However, Playa Blanca remains the most popular spot on the island for anyone searching for a villa investment –generating five times more demand than closest resort rival Costa Teguise. This is attributable to the fact that Lanzarote´s newest resort boasts many more better value villa properties than any other location on the island.

Property Investment in India

For every seller there is a buyer, and other investors have rushed forward to buy these properties, often at record prices. But as the consensus builds that the housing market has become seriously overvalued, some are asking whether the same might be true of all property investors. The answer matters not just to the individual and institutional investors who are committing ever-greater sums to real estate, but also to the growing number of companies who are using their valuable property to obtain cheap financing.

Improving occupancy levels mean higher income. People often forget that income goes up faster than occupancy. Furthermore, the market does not suffer from excess construction. The most part real estate did not get overbuilt before the last downturn. Treason is that banks have become more conservative in their lending, requiring developers to show that their buildings will be fully leased.

Commercial real estate is a lease claim on the same companies that make up the S&P 500. If a company runs out of cash, it will always pay its rent before it pays a dividend and will usually pay rent before it makes debt payments. Real estate has a risk profile closer to bonds, but it’s trading as if it’s equity. While higher rates can dampen the real estate market by raising borrowing costs, rates remain at historic lows. The Federal Reserve has signaled its intention to increase rates gradually; about a quarter points per quarter, but this may not be enough to ward off buyers.

The establishment of several IT and port-based infrastructure led to large scale construction activity in and around the city. Kochi witnessed economic stagnation in the years following India’s independence. The city’s economic recovery gathered momentum after economic reforms in India introduced by the central government in the mid-1990s. Since 2000, the service sector has revitalized the city’s stagnant economy. The establishment of several industrial parks based on Information technology (IT) and other port based infrastructure triggered a construction and realty boom in the city. Over the years, Kochi has witnessed rapid commercialization, and has today grown into the commercial capital of Kerala.

An Investment Opportunity in London

Seakers Property have 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available in London – in Whitechapel. The main features are as follows:

• Incentives Of 10 %
• Incentives Up To £47,500
• Market Price From £330,000
• Investor Price From £297,000
• 2 Bed Rental Assessment £350 PW
• 3 Bed Rental Assessment £450 PW
• 4 Miles From The Heart Of The Capital
• Whitechapel Tube Station Less Than 0.5 Miles
• Near The Royal London Hospital
• Ready April/May 08

• Click here for further details of this investment opportunity
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• Click here to find out more about Seakers Property

To find out more about this investment opportunity call our office on 01202 890 804 or call Paul on 07969 038 638