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Confidence returns to market

Brisk Markets in Spain, France, U.K and Italy

SPAIN - Affordable European Haven

FRANCE - The Good Life..More Affordable Than Ever

Eight questions to ask when choosing an international school for your kids

International Perspectives In Real Estate - Global News Briefs

Brisk Markets in Spain, France, U.K. and Italy

The Spanish residential markets showed continuous strong demand in spite of forecasts. The number of transactions has not decreased, indicating that there is still a real demand that supports economic growth. The government has announced it intends to pass legislation aimed at slowing down the increased cost of living.

The French real estate market is in good shape, enjoying very low interest rates and a strong demand. Factors possibly affecting the market now include further reductions of interest rates; uncertainty about the impact of proposed reforms of PEL, a home buyers saving scheme, which limits a subsidy award to the purchase of a house or an apartment; and constraints caused by diagnosis of lead, asbestos and termites.

Inconsistencies in government policy in the Irish residential market remained evident. Government anti-investment measures, which had let to huge increases in residential rents in recent years, were reversed at the start of the year and led to an immediate relief of rental pressures.

This is a positive year for the residential real estate market in Italy, continuing a trend that started in the late 1990s. The demand for residential real estate has been especially solid for well-situated buildings and apartments in good neighborhoods with particular distinguishing qualities. The measurements of growth can be seen not only in prices, but also in number of transactions (up 7% to 8%) and in the average time needed to sell a residential property (three to four months in 40% of the cases.)

During 2002, house prices in the UK rose sharply, up 28% by the end of the year. The main factor causing the surge in prices was that interest rates remained at a 48 year low of 4% throughout the year, an economic strategy of the Bank of England to buttress the economy against the downturn in the global economy. Robustness in the domestic economy caused the labor market to hold up well, and unemployment at the lowest level since the mid 1970s - two factors that kept consumers in an upbeat mood, providing a strong backdrop for housing demand. Meanwhile, property inventories on estate agents' books for sale were very low, keeping the market tight and adding to price pressures.

Confidence returns to market

Agents in London report increased confidence in the market.

Tony Steer of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, Islington comments, "We have had a record sales month, with 15 to 18% increase in the number of sales compared with the rest of this year. The level of instructions is strong and the number of offers received has been phenomenal, as more buyers are actively looking. Proprieties within the £250,000 and £300,000 price bracket, two-bedroom flats, apartments and maisonettes continue to be most in demand and a rising number of first time buyers are looking to purchase.

Sarah Shelley, of Knight Frank in Wapping says, "The market picked up mid-May and we are now in the situation where stock is dwindling particularly above £500,000.

"But we do have a fair amount in the £300,000 to £400,000 bracket,: Shelley adds. However, she warns that "correct pricing is still very important."

"Applications are continuing to register," according to Conrad Mazen of Copping Joyce in Islington "and now that any 'jitters' over falling prices seem to have been removed, we can hopefully move forward and have a positive autumn."

Rebecca Harris at Stirling Ackroyd in the City believes that there is "a shortage of good quality stock, particularly in the £400,000 to £500,000 range. The applicant level is definitely on the up, with people in good buying positions, but they will not even look at proprieties they consider to be overpriced."

Michael Lowdon at Chesterton suggests the property market in Shad Thames continues to improve. "The goal posts of applicants' budgets are widening for the first time in many months. We are experiencing more demand for two-bed properties between £300,000 and £400,000."

"The Canary Wharf market has shown a definite increase in confidence over the last month, stemming from a boost in confidence from the financial sector," confirms Richard Pine Coffin, of Alan Selby. "It might take a while to filter through, but a general lack of good quality property coming on to the market is continuing to keep the market steady."

FRANCE - The Good Life..More Affordable Than Ever

La Belle France has more than its fair share of seductive assets-not the least of which are art and culture, cuisine and wine, history and landscape, haute couture, and style.

Whether you're looking to relocate or retire to Europe, or simply planning an extended adventure, France should be at the top of your list of possibilities. It has all the ingredients that we at International Living look for: a moderate climate..unspoiled countryside..a rich culture..excellent healthcare..colorful traditions and history..And, of course, the sophistication of Paris-arguably the world's most romantic and beautiful city. It's not surprising that France is the world's favorite destination, receiving in excess of 70 million overseas visitors each year.

If you are contemplating a new live in Europe, you'll find that few other European countries can match what France has to offer..especially when considering price. The choice of properties selling for less than $100,000 is incredible. And we're not just talking about ruins and renovation projects. The trickiest thing will be deciding which bit of France holds the most appeal for you. For some, it's the wild, rocky shores of Celtic Brittany, steeped in old ways and traditions. Others cannot resist the allure of sun-drenched Provence, a beautiful region of hill towns and lavender fields, fringed by the turquoise sea and shady palm trees of Cote d'Azur.

Then there's the Dordogne department in Aquitaine, a lush land of castles and quaint little villages that still seem to be sleeping their way through the Middle Ages. If you dream of shopping daily in an open-air market, you'll be in paradise here.

France-a summary of the regions

Including the Mediterranean island of Corsica, metropolitan (mainland) France is divided into 22 separate regions. These regions are further subdivided into departments, the French equivalent of counties. Although France attracts many American buyers, vast tracts of it receive little attention...so don't just concentrate on the places that guide-books give most weight to.

Paris real estate sampler

If Paris is unfamiliar to you, some discussion of its layout will help. The River Seine divides the city into two areas, the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and the Right Bank (Rive Droite). Although the terms are "right" and "left", the Left Bank is sough of the river and the Right Bank is north, because of the geographic crook of the Seine. The arrondissements are numbered in a spiral shape, starting at the center with "1" and continuing around to the right and around. Low-numbered arrondissements (the 1st to the 7th) are most central. The west of the city is made up of the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements; the 9th, 10th, 18th and 19th are to the north; the 11th, 12th, and 20th are to the east; the 13th, 14th, and 15th are to the south.

The most expensive district in Paris is the vivant and trendy 6th, followed by the 7th near the Eiffel Tower. Whether you're looking to rent or buy, the stylish apartments of the 6th change hands for large sums. A gallery browser's paradise, the area takes in St.-Germain-des-Pres and the Jardin du Luxembourg. As most guidebooks will tell you, St.-Germain-des-Pres was the birthplace of existentialism. Literary pilgrims still flock to visit the cafes such as Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore, where Jean-Paul Sarte and Simone de Beauvoir held court. Apartments in the 6th can cost as much as $6,700 per square meter ($623 per square foot.)

Le Marais, particularly the northern section (the 3rd arrondissement), has become one of Paris' wisest investments. Prices rose 15% over the course of one year (1999 to 2000). Les Marais is one of the oldest areas of Paris, heavily spotted with 17th century hotel particulars which have been renovated into chic apartments. Sundays, all of Paris visits Le Marais for its collection of fine museums and the boutiques and restaurants remaining open, a tradition from its Jewish roots.

Provence and the Cote d'Azur

Apartment living is the norm here, but not all dwellings are in newly built towers or apartment blocks. Buildings range from the Belle Epoque edifices of Nice to small lo-rise residences in parkland complexes, many with pools and tennis courts. For $66,000 you could buy a 969 square foot two bedroom duplex apartment in Salernes, the center for the production of the famous hexagonal Provencal floor-tiles known as tomettes. It is squeezed between the hills and so enjoys an agreeable climate for most of the year. There is a market twice a week under the plane trees in the Village Square. The apartment also has a living room with a fireplace and exposed beams.

Luxurious villas in prime costal locations are naturally very expensive, but not everyone wants a mansion costing $2.5 million. Beyond the main Riviera hotspots, you can pick up small villas with pools for less than $270,000. Strung out between Hyeres and the Italian border, 26 resorts line this turquoise coast of rust-colored cliffs.

Behind Nice in the hills, only 30 minutes from Nice airport, there are some bargains to be found. Grasse is becomming less industrial and more residential, so if you don't have to work or commute or be too close to major cities, you can find a 1,300 square foot villa with olive trees and lots of land for about $200,000.

If you move away from the major cities and the coast, the prices drastically drop. For some buyers, the hilly Provence hinterland of vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages are even more attractive. Even the south of France has forgotten pockets where, un-renovated village houses sell for next-to-nothing

What about Brittany?

In Dinan, in northern Brittany, a detached 818 square foot stone and slate property, situated in a hamlet, in a peaceful setting with a garden area of 559 square meters, with an outbuilding and Dutch barn, water and electricity, no cesspit, and a roof in good condition, concrete floor, no heating, a kitchen with a fireplace, one bedroom and a huge cellar. Price $48,400.

Another bargain property is located near the little town of Uzel, 20 minutes south of St. Brieuc. this charming stone and slate "old cafe," situated in a hamlet, in a peaceful setting, with a garden area of 600 square meters. There is an outbuilding attached to the property and no bathroom, so it clearly needs modernization, but the kitchen has a fireplace. Price: $41,800.

The "other" South of France

The sun-drenched region of Languedoc-Roussillon borders Spain and has everything buyers could wish for. The high speed train goes from Paris to Montpellier in about three hours. Parisians may own vacation homes and come for weekends and holidays. Hence, they compete with foreign buyers for inexpensive second properties. Still, properties are affordable. For example, a two bedroom 540 square foot apartment, in the Montpellier suburb of Celleneuve, costs $39,500.

The buying process

The first thing to consider when buying property is: don't rush in. There are more than enough French castles, farmhouses, and village houses on the market for everyone. The supply is not going to dry up suddenly. Take your time. visit a range of properties for an idea of prices. Clearly, you want to get as much mason as possible for your dollars. And note: It's quite acceptable to make an offer, however not ridiculously lower than the asking price. Culturally, the French are not hagglers. Away from the really high profile areas, houses often sell for less than their listing price.

The second thing is engaging your own property attorney (notaire) who speaks both English and French, is a must. You may wonder why when you find out that only one notaire is needed to handle property conveyance. You might think: "Why go to the additional expense when France's house-buying system doesn't require you to engage a lawyer from the private sector?" First of all the good news is that when there are two notaries, they split the fees so it is no extra cost for the parties. Also, although it's not necessary, it is in your best interest. Indeed, the notaire is a governmental official with a wide range of prerogatives and is also a lawyer advising his or her clients. And you may be happy of his help, as he will guide you through the paperwork and might have all the legal documentation translated for you before you are required to sign anything. In other words, whether there is one or two notaries, you want your notaire to be part of the process. The thing is..have you asked the right questions before parting with your 10% deposit? Do you know if the town hall has plans for a landfill site or nuclear power station nextdoor to your newly purchased property? And is the house in as good condition as it appears? Standards contracts in France state that you are purchasing property "as seen". You have no recourse against the vendor if you later discover that the house is heaving with woodworm and dry rot. To be safe, arrange a survey and make it a condition of the contract that you must be happy with the findings of the survey. A surveyor is unusual in France. Therefore, you will need to find either an architect or a general contractor who is willing to act in this capacity.

With a carefully written contract, if a house isn't in good shape, you'll be entitled to withdraw and get your deposit back. The function of a government notaire is only to make sure that the sale of property is completed under French law. As state officials, they are acting on behalf of both purchaser and seller. They are under no obligation to draw your attention to any potential problem areas.

International Perspectives In Real Estate - Global News Briefs

Canada - Despite the rising Canadian dollar, still a good value against the US dollar, Americans continued to pursue real estate opportunities in Canada, especially Montreal and Charlottetown. In Vancouver, investors returned in force in 2003, snapping up condominiums and single-family homes, following a noticeable absence from the market for several years. Ottawa, Regina and Victoria report strong condominium activity as well.

Eight questions to ask when choosing an international school for your kids

A couple of years ago, I decided to work as an English-language teacher as a way to support myself and begin a new life outside the United States.

Like most of the teachers at the school where I work, I had no background in education. I took the job because I needed a paycheck and liked working with children. I've stayed because I know that I won't be able to find another job that leaves me so much time off to explore the new country where I now live.

Not the ideal place for children

The school where I teach is one of the most exclusive, high-priced schools in the area. Yet, frankly, I wouldn't recommend it as the ideal place to educate your children.

Having experienced this situation firsthand, I have compiled a list of eight things parents should look for when evaluating an international school - including questions that I wish parents would ask me, questions that would reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the school where I work.

Before enrolling your child in a school outside the United States, you should ask:

1. What is the academic culture in the country where I live/plan to live?

It is often helpful to understand the academic culture in the country where you will be living, to know how well the schools in that country teach different subjects. The Program for International Student Assessment compares educational standards in 32 countries. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the public schools in general will give you a good idea of what to look for, even in you are considering a private school.

2. Is the school affiliated with any international organizations?

There are often advantages to being affiliated with an international program. If your family makes international moves frequently, enrolling your child in schools throughout the world that belong to the same international organization can give their education some continuity. The International Baccalaureate Organization is growing quickly and seems to be increasingly respected in the United States.

Keeping in mind that schools affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization are required to pay to train their teachers in the International Baccalaureate system. They are also required to pay fees for the children in the program. Students fees may reflect these additional costs.

Other international programs include the AP Program. Like the International Baccalaureate Organization, the AP Program offers its own diploma and the International General Certificate of secondary education.

3. How are the teachers hired in this school (related questions are: What experience do the teachers have? Are the teachers certified?)

I am often surprised that I have a degree in education, yet they have never asked me about my academic background. Parents have the right to know whether teachers have a general background in education, teaching certificates, or have taken specialized courses in the educational philosophy of the school.

In many countries, teachers must have some qualification to teach. In England and Wales for example, teachers at public primary and secondary schools are required to have only Qualified Teachers status, but in other countries, there are no standard educational requirements for teachers at all. Of course, a teaching certificate or education degree may become less important if the teacher has many years of teaching experience.

4. How are teachers at this school evaluated and what is the student-adult ratio?

When teachers are not evaluated, they are left unaccountable for their work. At the school where I work, this lack of accountability has created gaps in the curriculum, because the teachers do not know what the students did the year before, nor do they know what the students will be expected to do the following year.

In the country where I live, labor is less expensive than in the United States. As a result, many schools can afford a large staff. When you are looking for a school for young children, a large staff can be a great advantage. If there are several adults available to change a diaper, for example, chances are your baby will be changed more frequently. Keep in mind that while there may be many teachers' aides and other helpers, they may have less training than the teacher and may be less accountable for what happens in the classroom.

5. What are the class expectations?

If the school curriculum is planned, the teacher should be able to tell you what the children learn throughout the school year. Teachers at many schools could show the parents plans that their school requires them to create - written plans for their class, approved by their supervisor for every day of the school year.

6. Is the school prepared for emergencies?

Many countries have well-developed and well-enforced safety rules for schools. England and Wales, for example, have a uniform set of standards for health-related issues in schools. The Department for Education and Employment even provides guidelines covering the contents of first-aid kids and the training that staff should have to deal with medical emergencies.

7. What languages do the teachers speak? What languages are generally spoken among the students?

Language is a great concern for families living outside of their native countries. While many parents want their children to learn foreign languages in school, families that make international moves often prefer to keep their children in English-language schools, to provide some continuity to their education. If you are interested in a respected English-language institution, you may want to consider an American-sponsored elementary or secondary school overseas.

8. Does this school come recommended by my home country?

For more information on international schools, Foreign Service parents from the United States can obtain information from the Government Department of State Family Liaison Office. More specific information about international schools from the U.S. Department of State is also available through the Office of Overseas Schools. Families from Canada may be interested in the Foreign Service Youth Foundation. The European Council of International Schools, offers a school directory for expatriate parents.

SPAIN - Affordable European Haven

While prices have been climbing, and the local economy has been booming in recent years, Spain is still one of the most beautiful - and least expensive - places to live and travel in Europe.

When most people think of Spain, they think of the beach-rich south, particularly the Costa del Sol, one of the most traveled resort areas in the world.

Yes, much of the Costa del Sol is jammed with condos, casinos, and package holidayers. But Spain's Mediterranean coast is long...and along it are still many quiet enclaves and small, undiscovered villages. Spain, in general, has low crime rates, good healthcare, and excellent year-round weather. You need to act quickly, however, if you think Spain might be a good place to invest...or to live, either full-or part-time. Prices in this country have been creeping higher for the past four or five years.

Here, we will explore opportunities for city living in barcelona, one of the liveliest cities in Europe. Barcelona is not cheap, but it's a bargain compared with other European cities such as London, Paris and Dublin.

We'll also introduce you to the nearby labyrinthine city of Girona.. Catalan's "other" city, more affordable than Barcelona.

Along Spain's Mediterranean coast, we'll ignore the Costa del Sol and take you instead to the Costa Brava (which is not all spoiled beyond redemption), the Costa de la Luz, and the Cabo de Gata; where the prices are lower than in the Costa del Sol...and the beaches are emptier.

Spain's electric Barcelona

There's something electric about port cities..and Barcelona in Spain's Cataluna (Catalonia) province is definitely high voltage.

A wonderful city..but to buy a home there? As I discovered...it's not cheap. Even a parking space can cost $16,000 or $17,000.

Prices rose 12% last year and are still rising. Investment prospects seem good, but it takes money to get onto Barcelona's property ladder. For example, a 750-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment close to the Sagrada Familia costs $140,000. In the Bario Gotic district, on Via Laietana, a 2,150-square-foot, three-bedroom apartment costs $235,000.

Faced with Barcelona prices (and traffic bedlam), potential foreign buyers often opt to live outside the city-the southern end of the Costa Brava is only an hour's drive. However, if you're determined to buy here, Gracia district, north of Eixample, is appealing. To get there, take the Metro to Fontana in the neighborhood's heart.

Parla angles?

A warning: It's incredibly difficult to find Barcelona realtors who speak English. Realtors will give listings, but with rock-solid local interest, they can afford to ignore the language skills needed to attract international clients.

Further complicating matters, most people in Catalonia use Catalan rather than standard Spanish. Signs don't point to la playa (the beach). Here it's la platja. Milky coffee isn't cafe con leche, it's cafe amb llet. And a street isn't a calle - it's a carrer.

Gracia is like Amsterdam's Jordan district, fashionable among arty types and gay couples. To me, though, it seemed pleasingly old-fashioned and working class, with lots of sensible shops selling shoes, books and electrical goods rather than drippy-hippy craft work. In a good building, an 860-square-foot apartment goes for around $200,000.

If you're not fussy about surroundings, two-bedroom apartment in laundry-hanging-from-the-balcony- blocks go for $90,000.

Opera, food and fun

So, you see, it's not cheap. But don't let that stop you from enjoying Spain's fizziest city. After all, if you buy a home nearby you'll be visiting on a regular basis.

In just three days, I managed to pack in all the things that make Barcelona such a crowd-pleaser. I meandered down Las Ramblas with its birdsellers and all-night news stands..sipped cava (Catalan champagne) in the Cafe de l'Opera..went up the mosaic towers of Gaudi's temple to Sagrada Familia..wandered the Bario Gotic's twisty streets..ate a $10 menu del dia at a fish restaurant in working-class Barcelonaeta. I drooled over the foodstuffs in Boqueria market and then drooled even more over a $140 pink handbag at the sparkling Maremagnum waterfront center. I'm not going to pretend I staggered back at dawn after a night's clubbing, but I did treat myself to an opera at Teatre Liceu.

Eating out in neighborhood restaurants is both a pleasure and a tremendous value. In Taberna del Cura, Carrer Gran de Gracia 83, the five-course menue del dia costs just $5.60. Five courses isn't a misprint. Bean soup, baked eggplant, fried squid rings, tuna salad, and creme caramel...I could barely move. When you've had your fill of Barcelona (literally), you can head away to enjoy the Costa Brava..or Spain's "Wild Coast," as it's known.

A fraction of Barcelona's prices

Although it plays second fiddle to Barcelona, don't miss Girona. This Cataluna's second-largest metropolis (88,000 people), and it's got everything I always hoped to find in a medieval Spanish city: ghosts, shadows, and mysteries.

Walled Girona is one of Spain's unsung cities. It should be on the same pedestal as Seville and Granada.

A lost world of porticoes arcades and labyrinthine alley-ways, the old city is cut off from its modern suburbs by the Onyar River. I spent an evening wandering it's lamp-lit back alleys and passages, the narrowest, steepest, and most atmospheric I've ever seen. Best of all, hardly any tourists.

The medieval streets twist tortuously toward the Call, Girona's old Jewish quarter, which bears the memories of persecution. A large Jewish community lived here for more than 600 years, until the time of the Inquisition and mass expulsions. The Moors once controlled the city, and the Arab Baths remain.

The other reason to visit Girona is this: Prices for masias (farmhouses) in the surrounding countryside are substantially cheaper than nearer the coast. As it's almost 40 miles to the nearest Costa Brava beaches, a different price structure applies.

Un restored farmhouses in the Girona hinterland can be had for $100,000. Those that have been restored start at $185,000. That's less than half what similar properties within 10 miles of the coast. you won't get sea views, but there's a fantastic trade-off: a lookout over the snow-capped Pyrenees.

Palamos...a real town

Another likeable part of the Costa Brava is Palamos and its satellite villages of Sa Forsa and Sant Antoni de Calonge. This is more south central, just over an hour on the autopista (motorway) from Barcelona.

Despite its pristine golden beach, I didn't like Platja d'Aro. Too big, too touristy, and with a skyline resembling Miami beach.

Seven miles north, Palamos is a real town with a working port and evening fish market. Good quality two-bedroom apartments here sell for $60,000 to $70,000. In the hills above Palamos, toward the medieval village of Calonge, small villas with swimming pools generally cost between $130,000 and $140,000. They're five miles from the coast but have spectacular views. You can buy resales or build new, which generally takes between eight to ten months.

Depending on location, 4,300 sq foot plots fetch $14,000 to $83,500. Building costs average $80 to $145 per square foot.

Top two pics

Two spots on Spain's coast should be considered if you're looking for good value and relatively little development Costa de la Luz and the Cabo de Gata.

About 500 miles south of the Costa Brava is the Almerian costal region, including the Cabo de Gata national park, with some of Spain's most beautiful least crowded beaches. This section of Andalucia is one of the dries in Spain. It looks and feels like you're in the deserts of the western United States. And, in fact, Hollywood used this area in the 1960's and '70's as a location for shooting Westerns. Local gypsies played the Indians and Mexicans, while Clint Eastwood , Raquel Welch and others played the good guys.

To reach this area from the main costal road, you pass towering cliffs, volcanic rocks, sand dunes, and dry, parched earth. It takes 40-minutes to drive from the main road, the E-15 through the national park, to this area's most prosperous and hit town, San Jose.