Ski and sea homes in Italy

It’s perfectly possible to have a holiday home in Southern Europe in order to enjoy quality skiing, especially if we’re talking about Italy. The reality is that if you are in the north of Italy, including northern Tuscany (near Pistoia you can ski in Abetone), you are likely to be only a short drive from some excellent and enjoyable pistes that will provide great skiing.

If you have your home in Liguria at, for example, the Dominio San Sebastiano Resort in Bergeggi, you could be in the ski area around Cuneo (to mention just one destination in Prato Nevoso) in little more than one hour by car.

Luca Catalano of Realitalia says: “In reality you could enjoy a weekend at your sea view Spa at Dominio San Sebastiano Resort in Bergeggi, swimming in the heated open air seafront swimming pool on the Friday, followed by Saturday spent skiing on the slopes and you could still be back in the evening for a relaxing sauna.”

One of the largest ski areas in Italy, Via Lattea, which hosted the 2006 Winter Olympic, is home to around 400 kilometres of pistes. This is a really grown-up ski resort if you consider that, for example, Val d'Isere in France, accounts for some 300 kilometres of pistes

Dominio San Sebastiano is a holiday home resort promoted by Realitalia, a company specialising in high quality new builds and renovations throughout Italy, all backed up by an exemplary concierge service and professional letting management.

Since Dominio San Sebastiano is a holiday home resort, it offers the opportunity to get rental guarantee arrangements for those who are after an income from their overseas home and are looking to purchase with a mortgage, since rates are very low and the euro is strong against the pound sterling.

The resort is perched on the Bergeggi Hills overlooking the clear blue Mediterranean and sits within a lush four hectare Mediterranean park. It is just 40 minutes from Genoa airport and just under two hours by car from Nice and Milan.

This brand new, eco resort comprises one and two bedroom apartments and villas. All have views of the peaceful bay and have easy access to the private beach which can be reached on foot. Local shops and cafés in the town that are close by make this an ideal holiday destination.

There are a number of attractions nearby including archaeological sites, golf courses and with an attractive drive, you can be in the south of France in a relatively short time. There are also opportunities for trekking, cycling and bird watching.

Don’t forget that this is a year-round destination with skiing at Limone Piemonte and Prato Nevoso around one to one and a half hours away.

Concluded Luca: “This is a destination for all seasons. Dominio San Sebastiano makes an excellent holiday home both for personal use and letting, and enables owners to maximise on their property investment by reducing periods throughout the year when their property is empty.”

Currently, prices at Dominio San Sebastiano, Liguria, Northern Italy are:

• one bedroom flats (gardens and terraces) from £ 300,000
• two bedroom flats (garden and terraces) from £ 500,000
• villas (gardens) from £ 600,000

Contact Realitalia at www.realitalia.co.uk or call them on 0870 8909936 for more information

Realitalia are members of the UK Green Building Council and the company signed the 2016 Commitment to build zero carbon emission homes by 2016.

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Avoid travel nightmares this Christmas with advice from www.aph.com

Winter's arrived...

It doesn’t matter where you’re going, what the season is, whether there’ll be snow and skis or sand and sea, there are certain basic rules it’s worth heeding. Along with the early skiers, many sunshine-starved families who opted for a UK ‘raincation’ during the summer will be heading for more reliable climates this Christmas break.

As a result, UK airports promise to be busy despite the economic woes. Airport Parking and Hotels (APH), the long-stay airport parking expert is offering travellers a selection of top tips to make sure they have a fuss-free, festive break.

The family-friendly top tips include the following:

• Check that your passports are still valid – for some countries it must be valid for six months after the date of travel, and remember, children’s passports do not last 10 years like adults.

• Make sure you have travel insurance and if travelling in the EU then obtain and take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

• Make copies of important documents and take one copy and leave one copy with a close friend or relative, or subscribe to and load them onto the ‘APH Online Safe’ in case bags get stolen or lost.

• Shop around for the best rates on foreign currency or purchase a pre-paid currency card – don’t wait until you get to the airport to buy your currency.

• Heading for the sun at this time of year means you may be travelling to more exotic destinations so check which inoculations are necessary for that country.

• Pack a foreign plug adapter.

• Charge iPod and camera batteries the night before departing

• Check that suitcase weight and dimensions conform to your airline’s rules.

• Check-in online, 24 hours before flying to avoid check-in fees at the airport.

• Print out flight e-tickets.

• Reserve seats on the plane.

• Cancel the milk and papers and make sure your central heating is on the ‘frost protection’ setting.

• If you have a very early start, consider an airport hotel the night before. This year Hotel and Parking packages are even better value and offer great peace of mind.

• If not, set a back up alarm clock to make sure you wake up for early departures.

• Make sure your car is prepared for the journey to the airport – for example, check tyres, battery and screen washer fluid.

• Double check the booking if you have arranged a taxi to take you to the airport and be sure you have a contact number if they fail to show up at the agreed time.
  

  The Mediterranean is beautiful at any time of year - but don't forget to copy your travel documents

APH offers parking at all major UK airports, ports and Eurotunnel terminals plus airport hotels packaged with parking, airport lounges, travel insurance, car hire and holiday taxis. APH is also a carbon-balanced company and has, through the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of Belize rainforest.

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stay in Southwold over Christmas

Southwold sits on the edge of East Anglia. Facing out into the North Sea, this small town has attracted generation after generation of visitors.They come as children, grow up, have children of their own, introduce them to the pleasures of crabbing, sandcastles and as they in their turn, reach adulthood, the local beer. Finally many of those same people choose to retire to the town.

The weather can be changeable. One of the pleasures of Southwold is that you’ll find real old-fashioned seasons – really cold winters where you’ll need several layers of clothing, mild spring days with the promise of better things to come, baking hot summers with blissful long days on the beach and with the coming of September, there’ll be misty mornings where you’ll glad to stay indoors or lunch in a pub.

There can be only be a handful of places in the UK that provoke, almost without exception, the reaction: “Oh what a wonderful place, so charming, so… special.” Southwold is one such place. And it’s not just the rather more senior generation that responds like that. The town attracts families of all ages.

It’s been a family favourite for several decades, and as children grow up and have kids of their own, so another generation returns to the beaches, the annual crabbing competitions, the ferry across the river, Adnams ales and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet anywhere. In the summer, parking can become a distinct problem and the sensible visitor leaves his or her car on the outskirts or near the Common where there’s plenty of space. At the moment, residents only have to struggle with parking during the summer months and then only in the streets around the High Street.

The High Street

These days, the shops range from smart delis to uber chic women’s boutiques, but there are plenty of old friends such as the Amber Shop, Denny of Southwold and Bookthrift that blend in with the quiet nostalgia of the Market Square.

Property prices

In earlier real estate downturns, property prices in the town stayed fairly level, dropping only slightly and once again, this seems to be true. Southwold is definitely a desirable niche for homebuyers and while some homes get stuck in the estate agents’ windows for a while, on the whole there’s quite a decent turnover of houses and flats.

A 4-bedroom terraced house at the pier end of town sold recently for £500,000 while a 2-bedroom first floor flat overlooking South Green is on the market for a guide price of £410,000. Renting and buying beach huts is certainly a costly affair with prices for one of the larger huts starting anywhere in the region of £40-50,000.

A family home

Southwold seems to have a micro-climate. Drive round Ipswich on the A14 on a horrible day with a gale blowing, the rain lashing down, the windscreen wipers fighting all the way. Then take the A12 north east towards Lowestoft and you’ll notice a definite brightening of the sky.

It’s about 30 miles from Ipswich to Southwold and by the time you go over the level crossing at Darsham the rain will probably have ceased and the wind eased off. Turn right onto the B1126 and head towards Reydon and then Southwold and very often the sky will have cleared and the lighthouse will have appeared in the distance. In the winter, it does snow occasionally and it can certainly be cold. But a glass of mulled wine and the turning of the Southwold Christmas lights in early December is a great way to start the holiday season.

Fancy Christmas in the heart of Southwold?

If you hurry you could still book ‘The Drift’ (sleeps 8). Spacious, comfortable with open fires, wood burning stove (plus CH), piano and a Xmas tree included! Call Acanthus on 01502 724033

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

UK & Overseas Property News

By the seaside

The Emerald Heights freehold properties in the lush serenity of southern Mauritius, has set a benchmark of quality in one of the last remaining sanctuaries in the world.

Emerald Heights, Mauritius

First phase releases introduced exclusively in the UK by international agent, Erna Low Property, includes over 30 sumptuous one, two and three bedroom apartments with shared pools; two, three and four bedroom detached villas with private gardens and waterfall pools set within an abundance of tropical landscaping.

Designed and constructed to international specifications, these exceptional properties feature hardwood flooring; spacious, open-plan living accommodation; stunning architectural features such as the octagonal entrance atrium and staircase in villa properties; Villeroy & Boch bathroom suites; modern fitted kitchens with island units; air conditioning, satellite TV, broadband connection and 24-hour security.

Properties at Emerald Heights are affordable with apartments starting from Euros 275,000, and villas from Euros 895,000 inclusive of furniture package, taxes and fees. Situated on the edge of the stunning Black River Gorges National Park in the Mont Blanc valley, the Emerald Heights community is served by the Trapiche Centre which is richly appointed with boutiques, themed bars and restaurants, gourmet deli and quality food store. The Centre also offers a professionally equipped gym, treatment rooms for massage and therapy, and many leisure and relaxation opportunities.

Owners of properties at Emerald Heights have unlimited access to the 5-star facilities of the private Emerald Lagoon Beach Club only 10km away by private shuttle service. Ownership also qualifies for privilege membership of the world-renowned Mauritius Gymkhana Club, an exceptional 18-hole international course, while the 18-hole, par 72 championship course at Chateau du Golf at Bel Ombre is only 12km away by shuttle.

Access to Mauritius is easy with direct flights from 38 international cities. Emerald Heights, being the closest property development to the Island’s airport, is approximately 40 minutes transfer from Mauritius International Airport. For more information, contact Francois Marchand, Sales and Project Manager, Erna Low Property. Francois.marchand@ernalowproperty.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 7590 1624

‘Try before you buy’ new homes in Manchester

In a housing market fraught with insecurities which has left those wanting to move on feeling trapped, homebuyers in Manchester are taking advantage of a new initiative – ‘Try Before you Buy’ – that lets tenants build up a deposit through their rent money whilst testing out their potential new pad. The pilot scheme, available at ISIS Waterside Regeneration development Islington Wharf, is winning over increasing numbers of prospective buyers and this month secured its first purchase for one tenant after four months’ rental, having agreed the purchase price at the outset.

Hollie Reynolds, sales and customer care manager at ISIS commented: “We are very pleased at customers’ response to the scheme. ‘Try Before you Buy’ works because it taps into two of our clients main concerns – saving a deposit and uncertainty about property values in the current market. You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it and we believe the same approach should be applied when buying a home.”

First to convert from tenant to owner is Simon Tonkinson 40, a record and CD distributor who moved to Islington Wharf in January. Increasingly frustrated at paying ‘dead money’ on rent, Simon decided to purchase after viewing dozens of places.

He commented: “There is no other scheme like this. It has enabled me to live close to the city centre which I hadn’t really considered to be an affordable possibility. I fell for Islington Wharf as I can enjoy the benefits of city centre living which includes a pleasant four minute walk to work along the canal, and I am always recommending it to friends so I hope they follow my lead soon.”

slington Wharf has over 40 apartment variations ranging from one bed apartments to a four bed family duplex, many with private gardens and also a communal garden – a modern village green – in an area that already has in place a new health centre ready to support a new community. Future plans for the area include a new school, children’s play area, crèche, shops and work recently began on site for a new Metrolink connection at Islington Wharf, due to open in 2011. http://www.islingtonwharf.co.uk.co.uk, or call 08701 622522

Safe as houses

Despite the gloomy economic environment of the last year and the retrenchment of the overseas property market, Spain has managed to retain its allure for Britons seeking a home in the sun. However, for the property industry in Spain to take off once again there are a number of ‘boulders on the runway’ that have to be removed, a challenge which is now being taken up by an alliance of Taylor Woodrow de España and international accreditation specialists, Safe Buying Experience.

The ‘boulders’ which are holding back the Spanish property market include a lack of trust surrounding the legal title of any property following the well publicised land grab scares, the notional increase in prices resulting from changes in the exchange rate, the fear of substandard construction work, and the lack of available finance.

Taylor Woodrow de Españas’ Calpesol development in Costa Blanca

As the only major UK house builder operating in Spain, Taylor Woodrow de España, has a head start over other developers in being able to begin to address the challenges and show that Spain still offers fantastic opportunities for those seeking to buy property abroad. As a UK company committed to the high quality of workmanship in the building of its homes, Taylor Woodrow de España can offer its customers peace of mind that anything they buy will be built to an exacting standard.

In order to allay the fears generated through the extensive coverage of Britons who had lost their holiday homes through the so called ‘land grab’ policies of some of Spain’s regional legislators, Taylor Woodrow de España have teamed up with Safe Buying Experience (SBE). SBE offers an independent accreditation service to developers in Spain and Portugal effectively guaranteeing that every Taylor Woodrow de España property has the correct legal title, conforms to planning and building regulations and that buyers are not burdened with a poor or unenforceable contract after handing over a reservation deposit.

The founders of SBE come from a long and distinguished background of law, management and financial services. They recognise that, in an increasingly sophisticated market, buyers seek upfront reassurance that their dream home is everything they believe it to be. Every Taylor Woodrow property in Spain now comes with full SBE accreditation.

The developer currently has a range of Safe Buying Experience endorsed quality homes available in Mallorca, the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, starting from 173,531€. For further information on Taylor Woodrow de España and the developments available please call 08000 121 020 or visit http://www.taylorwoodrow.es/ If you want further information regarding the Safe Buying Experience accreditation scheme please visit http://www.safebuyingexperience.com/

Hotels for sale

Jerez real estate agents, Mercers, have two city centre residences on their books which will allow you to do just that. The first is for those who like to work smart and is ready to go whilst the second is for those who like to work hard and is ready for renovation. Both have enough period flair and exquisite detailing to satisfy even the late ‘King of Hoteliers and Hotelier of Kings’.

A gorgeous hallway in Jerez

Easy to reach, for nationals and northern Europeans alike, Jerez’s modernized International Airport is set to serve four million passengers each year by 2012 and crucially will have its own AVE (bullet train) station connecting it to Spain’s major cities. Would-be hoteliers have little to fear, Jerez has earned its place on Spain’s cultural tourism map.

In order to hit the (cobbled) ground running, Mercer’s recommends a ten-bedroom, turn of the 20th century guest house set in a charming narrow street in the heart of town. Only one minute from Jerez’s central shopping district, Calle Larga, this Parisian-style boutique hotel has been welcoming paying guests for a number of years.

Excellent value for money considering the city-centre location, the ten bedrooms and six bathrooms are arranged over three floors while there is a shady courtyard patio at ground floor level. The recently reduced price now stands at 599,000 euros, down from 850,000 euros. (Quote ref: Jer 113) The kind of renovation project that Michelangelo would’ve liked to have got stuck into is a vintage family home dating back to 1858 and the belle of Mercer’s books

One step across the threshold and the typically Andalucian courtyard with its grandiose main staircase, pillars, arches, beveling, cornicing, coving and Frank Lloyd-Wright inspired stained glass will already have the imagination running wild. Inside, many of the rooms have Arab-esque stucco detailing, intricate tiling as well as the most incredible hand-painted ceilings with frescoes of countryside landscapes. Counting at least seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens and six iron-railed balconies, this precious part of Jerez’s history is built over 847m² to include a private rooftop terrace with potential penthouse suite. A rear garden and garage complete the scene for an idyllic city centre destination hotel.

Although technically priceless, this gem has been reduced from 1,000,000 euros to a give-away 850,000 euros. (Quote ref Jer 137) Contact Mercers on 00 34 956 329 572, UK local rate 0845 017 7805, email jerez@spanishproperty.co.uk or visit http://www.spanishproperty.co.uk.