What Is In Affordable Homeowner's Insurance In Louisiana

Since the disasters caused by Hurricane Katrina, many Louisiana homeowners have scurried to purchase Louisiana homeowner’s insurance, or to make changes to their existing Louisiana homeowner’s insurance policies. If you’re one of the Louisiana homeowners who hasn’t yet taken action to better protect your home and possession, there’s no time like the present to get started.

Most Louisiana homeowner’s insurance companies don’t offer flood protection – a coverage you definitely need when hurricanes and other severe storms hit. Luckily, you can purchase Louisiana flood insurance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NPIF). Simply visit their websites, check out the coverage they offer, and give them a call to speak to a live representative.

But Louisiana’s home owner’s insurance shouldn’t focus solely on repairing the water damage your home sustains, should it? There are many factors to consider when you’re purchasing your Louisiana homeowner’s insurance policy – factors that go beyond frame and structure damage, as well as damage to everyday items such as furniture, dishes, clothing, etc.

As you’re determining the kind of Louisiana homeowner’s insurance policy to purchase, keep the following additional coverage options in mind:

• Expensive items such as jewelry and fur
• Electronic items including cameras, computers, printers and scanners
• Passports and travel or event tickets
• Deeds
• Musical instruments

Sure, you can store your valuables in the bank, but do you really want to travel to the bank each time you need your passport? Ask your Louisiana homeowner’s insurance representative, or the representatives of the various Louisiana homeowner’s insurance companies you are considering, about the kinds of coverage options the company offers.

Of course, the additional coverage options will vary from insurance company to insurance company. If you have any of these items, or similar items, and you want to protect them, choose a Louisiana homeowner’s insurance company that offers you the option of purchasing add-ons to your insurance policy.

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Using Online Resources To Refinance Your Louisiana Mortgage After Bankruptcy

Thinking about refinancing your Louisiana mortgage after bankruptcy? If so, head for the web. The Internet will prove to be your best resource during the refinancing process. Here are just a few of the things you can do online before applying for a Louisiana mortgage refinance after bankruptcy:

Get Your Credit Report
Anytime you apply for a loan, you should pull a copy of your credit report to see what lenders will be looking at. This is especially true if you are applying for a Louisisana mortgage refinance after bankruptcy. You can visit the website set up by the three major credit reporting bureaus or you can sign up with one of the many companies that offer credit report services.

Estimate the Value of Your Home
For the most part, home values in Louisiana have substantially increased in the last few years. To get an estimate of how much your home is worth today, you can use one of the many home value calculators that can be found online. These calculators allow you to punch in your address and/or zip code and pertinent information about the property. In the end, you will be given a roundabout estimate of your home's value. This information will prove to be very important when determining whether or not you can refinance your mortgage after bankruptcy.

Estimate the Cost of Your Loan
Before getting a post-bankruptcy Louisiana mortgage refinance, you need to find out how much the loan is going to cost you. The two main costs involved will be your interest rate and the fees you have to pay at closing. There are several different sites dedicated to providing this information to Louisiana borrowers. Take advantage of it and use these sites to research the affordability factor of a Louisiana mortgage refinance after bankruptcy.

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Natural Disaster Leads To Leaner Restrictions On Louisiana Bankruptcy

Hurricane Katrina formed during the Atlantic Hurricane season and devastated New Orleans and all of the Coast of Louisiana. Loss of property and life caused a change in the lives of those living along the coastline. Due to the massive destruction, for those people filing bankruptcy in Louisiana leaner restrictions will be allotted.

The new bankruptcy forms will still be filled out but specific restrictions will be set aside, such as the use of the means test that is now state law. In October of 2005 a bankruptcy act requiring credit counseling and a means test evaluation were passed in several states. These requirements however are being waived in order to show sympathy and to provide aid for the numerous families affected by Katrina.

There are specific assets that are to be exempt. Assets are divided into nine categories including homestead, insurance, miscellaneous, personal property, public benefits, tools of the trade and wages. These exemptions vary between states. Though there are variations on bankruptcy laws and procedures, the overall process is the same. Evaluations are performed where finances including income, assets and debt are reviewed in order to decide on chapter eligibility. Once this is completed a bankruptcy judge will review this information and he or she makes the final decision. Bankruptcy is mainly an administrative process and is completed mostly outside of the physical court. In order to understand your specific eligibility for a bankruptcy claim in Louisiana contact a Louisiana bankruptcy attorney for a free evaluation and bankruptcy guidance.

Bankruptcy gives those who were suffering financial chaos a fresh start, a type of new financial beginning. After bankruptcy has been filed and all of your debts have been discharged you should allow yourself to stop thinking about your credit history and instead focus on your financial present. Law can in fact report bankruptcy on your credit report for a total of 10 years from the filing of your case. Past delinquencies as well as the bankruptcy can be reported on your credit report, but by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the discharged debts must be reported at a zero balance showing that the debtor no longer has any ties to those past debts. So even though your credit history may show you’re past financial flaws, remember they are PAST financial flaws.

Keeping the focus that you have a fresh start is what should be your drive to keeping your credit clean. Bankruptcy is not a shameful event. There are life occurrences that can lead towards bankruptcy. Letting go of the bankruptcy and discharged debts is the first step in your new beginning. Your next step is to use common sense in how you spend your money. After bankruptcy companies will still send credit cards and loan offers to you. It is wise to distance yourself from debt creators. If you choose to receive a credit card, do so with only a single credit card. Do not max out the cards limit and pay the bill off on time monthly. This will begin a new payment history that will begin a clean credit history. Keep this same focus with all of your spending and payments and your past history will haunt you no more. Your present history will be your focus and will help you to maintain a clean credit goal.

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Louisiana Real Estate – A French Influence

Obviously, Louisiana had a rough year in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. The state will recover as will Louisiana real estate.

Louisiana

Louisiana has obviously been in the news because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. To say the entire episode is a tragedy is to understate the obvious. Louisiana is a state that has overcome problems before and it will do it again. For the purposes of this article, I am going to discuss the state pre-hurricane because, frankly, the state will recover within a year or so. It has done it before.

Louisiana is a state with an absolute ton of character. In fact, you will find no other state in the country that can match it. There is a heavy French influence and the people, towns and cities are eclectic to say the least. From plantations to Mardi Gras to funky little towns to incredible food and music, Louisiana is state that can capture your imagination.

New Orleans

Yes, New Orleans took a beating in the hurricane and subsequent flooding. This was not the first hurricane to cause damage and the city will recover. If you base your opinion of the city on the things you saw on the television or heard in the media, you are making a mistake. This is a city with extremes in many areas, from food to music to lifestyles and so on.

New Orleans is like no other city in the country. Here you will find fire-eaters and street artists, old river steamboats, food to die for, old plantation homes and a music scene that can’t be beat. The French Quarter is beautiful and chaotic, particularly during Mardi Gras. Walking through the city, you’ll find little street markets, walk up eateries and eclectic little spots like the Voodoo Museum. The redeveloped River Walk area on the Mississippi River is a good spot to while away the hours as are the tours around the city. Keep in mind, New Orleans is the home of author Anne Rice and the location of her Vampire Chronicles book series. Words will never accurately describe New Orleans, it is just a place you have to investigate. You will either love the chaos or hate it.

Baton Rouge

The state capitol of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is New Orleans without the edge. An easygoing city with a heavy French influence, the city feels more like a place you could actually live in compared to New Orleans. Although the city was hit by Hurricane Katrina, it did not suffer the devastation seen in other locations. Home to Louisiana State University, the city has a college feel with college football being the name of the game.

Louisiana Real Estate

Obviously, figures for Louisiana real estate are irrelevant following the events of this year. Generally, single-family homes averaged $200,000 throughout the state prior to the hurricane. Appreciation rates were also a modest 6.5 percent.

If there is a silver lining to Hurricane Katrina, it is the redevelopment that will occur throughout the state. Hundreds of billions of dollars are flowing into the state, which will lead to a major makeover. New Orleans, in particular, is going to get a major face-lift with as many as 40,000 structures being replaced. As things settle down, real estate opportunities may be plentiful.

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Louisiana Mortgage - What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home in Louisiana

Maybe you’re buying your first home in Louisiana, or perhaps you’re relocating to Louisiana from another state. Either way, it’s important that you educate yourself on Louisiana home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you’ll need to know before buying a home in Louisiana:

After Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in the summer of 2005, the entire state of Louisiana was made eligible for public assistance. However, the southern half of Louisiana incurred the majority of damage. Housing prices in the undamaged parts of Louisiana surged 20% as evacuees rushed to purchase new homes.

The median value of a home in Louisiana is currently $85,000; however, it is expected that this amount will rise due to the increase in home prices post-Hurricane Katrina. Newly-constructed homes in damaged areas are expected to be worth much more than they were before they were damaged. Additionally, current interest rates in Louisiana are above the national average.

Louisiana state law does not allow the issuance of home equity lines of credit. It prohibits prepayment penalties and reduced rate options on adjustable-rate mortgages and fixed-period adjustable-rate mortgages. Louisiana also has a Residential Mortgage Lending Act that sets lending conditions on mortgage companies in an attempt to counteract predatory lending.

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Louisiana Home Owner Insurance Quote

Given the still recent attack of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it caused for so many Louisiana home owners, you need to get a Louisiana home owner insurance quote now if you have not already gotten one.

Flood insurance must be purchased from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With that in mind, it is important to realize that there are safety precautions you can take to better protect your home against the storms, high winds, and flooding associated with hurricanes as well as general “bad weather” that often hits southern states like Louisiana.

Consider the following repairs and upgrades before you head out to get your Louisiana home owner insurance quote:

• Replace or repair your roof with sturdy materials. High winds will rip a poorly installed roof, or a roof made of weak material, right off your home.

• Install windows made of durable materials. Not only does this help keep your windows from being blown into your home, but it also helps keep other debris from being blown into the open space your windows leave behind. Some Louisiana home owner insurance companies recommend installing storm shutters – ask your insurance company about these.

• All doors made of glass, such as patio doors or deck doors, should meet the safety standards set forth by the home owner insurance company.

• There should never be any debris lying around in the yard. This debris could be swept up and blown into your home or your neighbor’s home.

• Remove any trees and bushes that are too close to your home for your comfort.

Your insurance agent will have more suggestions for safeguarding your home against the dangerous weather sometimes experienced by Louisiana residents. A home owner insurance policy in Louisiana does not have to be expensive; ask about these safeguarding tips when you shop for your Louisiana home owner insurance quote.

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Find A Cheap Home Owner's Insurance Quote In Louisiana

Louisiana homes are prone to wind and water damage as the state is at high risk for hurricanes and rain storms. Therefore, Louisiana home owners must make sure their homes are as wind- and water-resistant as possible. Home owner insurance companies are going to look at several factors regarding these kinds of resistance as they determine a Louisiana home owner insurance quote.

After you are moved in and settled, you have no control over the age of your home; however, you do have control over the condition of your home. Many old homes are prone to more damage than newer homes, so you have to make sure your old home is well-maintained. Make all necessary repairs and replacements before you search for your Louisiana home owner insurance quote. By doing this, you are more likely to get a cheap home owner insurance quote. Take into consideration your roof and your plumbing and electrical systems, as these factors can cause additional water damage as well as fire damage. Make sure your windows and doors are sturdy, as well.

Once your home is as hurricane- and storm-resistant as it can be, start thinking about other safety factors. Fire damage isn’t always caused by a faulty electrical system. Install smoke alarms in each room throughout your home, and keep the appropriate number of fire extinguishers depending on the size of your home. Do you feel that your home is as burglar-proof as it can be? Install an anti-theft system in your home. Replace weak doors and locks with thicker, sturdier doors and dead bolt locks. Make sure the locks on all of your windows work, and that there are no cracks or openings in your windows.

Your Louisiana home owner insurance quote will depend on each of these factors. Take care of them. Make repairs and replacements, and take extra safety precautions, before you start shopping for a Louisiana home owner insurance quote.

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The Unstoppable Rise of the Bulgarian Property Market

A look at why the investment real estate market in Bulgaria is so popular and so successful.

What is it about Bulgaria that has attracted thousands of property investors to commit to the country? 

Why does the Bulgarian real estate sector appeal so greatly to so many people? 

And what is causing the continuous flow of new investment into the country?

These are all questions that those external to the unstoppable Bulgarian real estate market need answering!

Well, the reasons for the popularity of Bulgaria’s property market are manifold and this article will guide you to an understanding of the main factors driving the ongoing success of the Bulgarian real estate sector.

Bulgaria is on track for EU accession – that means that it is about to gain full membership of the European Union either in 2007 or 2008.  When the country is a member it will benefit from freer trading rights, it will easily attract more foreign direct investment, more companies will set up offices and bases in the country and as a result employment opportunities will increase and overall the local Bulgarian economy will benefit positively. 

Because Bulgaria is not yet in the EU however, many investors are buying property in Bulgaria now to benefit from the economic improvements that the country will enjoy once it does become a member.  These economic improvements will likely translate into higher property prices in the real estate sector, therefore those who buy now believe that they will benefit from the greatest price gains and make the maximum profits and enjoy the longest period of growth.

Until Bulgaria does join the EU its property ownership laws are not in line with those of other EU countries which means that there is an element of risk to the whole property buying process which artificially keeps real estate prices low – as with any type of investment, the greater the potential risk the greater the potential profit.  Therefore those who are not risk averse can see that the artificially deflated prices present them with even more opportunity for profit over the medium term.

Finally, property prices in Bulgaria may be artificially deflated but they are starting from a low position anyway because the country is just beginning to emerge into a first world country with first world infrastructure – as and when it joins the EU it will most likely make further leaps forward in terms of its development and this will make the country more attractive to more people which will increase the demand for real estate which will push up the prices for property and those who buy before this predicted boom will be able to reap the greatest rewards!  And that is why the appeal of Bulgarian real estate market is so intense with property investors right now.

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The Bulgarian property market. Fantastic choices- Fantastic returns

Bulgaria is currently the European property investment hotspot. Prices are rising steadily at 30% per annum and are expected to leap forward when the country becomes a full member of the EU in 2007.

Bulgaria is a truly remarkable country with a varied terrain. Not only can it offer city, coastal, mountain and rural properties but the vast amount of real estate that is available to buy, also comes with prices that will fit into everybody's budget.

Coastal properties.

The waters of the Black Sea are actually warmer than those of the along the Spanish mainland throughout the summer months. Popular investment locations are Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Varna. Up and coming destinations include Nessebar St. Vlas and Balchik.

The developments that are on offer are predominantly designed as seaside holiday apartments. However there is also now a fast-growing golfing market that is being catered for with new developments either in construction or planned. Prices can be from as low as £20,000 for a studio apartment to £100,000 for detached villas on the golf resorts. Instant equity and guaranteed rental are also available in certain complexes.

City apartments.

Sofia as the capital and Plovdiv as the second city, are the two main areas for growth. Real estate in Sofia is currently around 25% of the cost of other European capital cities. Plovdiv is even cheaper, with prices around €400 to €500 per square metre.

The cities offer an excellent investment choice, with good rental expected from companies relocating to Bulgaria. Corporate lettings can offer consistent guaranteed rental with minimum risk. Prices range from around £30,000 for an apartment on the outskirts of town to over £100,000 for a city centre apartment with excellent facilities. These prices are considerably cheaper than other properties for sale across Europe.

Rural investments.

The countryside really does offer the cheapest real estate. Bulgaria is a magnificently beautiful country. Roughly the same size as the UK, the country has a total population of less than 8,000,000. The infrastructure can pose a problem in more isolated areas, and price increases will probably take longer than the more popular destinations. Nonetheless, detached properties with acres of land are readily available for less than £10,000.

Mountain and skiing real estate.

Bulgaria has three main ski resorts. Borovetz, and Bansko and Pamporovo. The ski season is the longest in mainland Europe. From an investment point of view, the mountaini resorts probably offer the best opportunity for a huge capital gains. The mountains only offer a small, defined area for the development. Once all the available land is built upon, all the existing properties will attract the highest premiums.

Much more informal than other European ski destinations, the Bulgarian resorts offer real value for money. Skiers and snowboarders, appalled by the exorbitant prices charged, especially in France or Austria, will be pleasantly surprised by the ridiculously cheap prices, in all the Balkan resorts. A pint of beer is around 80p and a three- course dinner with a bottle of wine is under six pounds.

The properties available also echo the fantastic value for money, at 60-70% cheaper than other European equivalents. Studio apartments are readily available for less than £30,000 as are two-bedroom apartments in the £60-£80,000 region. The ski season for 2006/2007 is already 75% booked and for those owning property, rental income is virtually assured.

In conclusion, Bulgaria offers a viable investment alternative for everybody. Even with the meanest budget of under £10,000, a fast appreciating property can be bought. For those looking to build an expansive portfolio, all the regions offer fantastic value for money and will return considerable capital gains over the coming years.

www.investmentpropertybg.com offer a full range of properties, that cover all areas of the Bulgaria market. Their advice and services are free. and with vast experience in the marketplace, With offices both in the UK and Bulgaria, they have a wealth of experience and handle all aspects of Bulgarian property investment.

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Investing in Bulgarian Property - The Fast Track to Huge Capital Gains

There are amazing profits to be made in the Bulgarian property market. Careful research can even uncover properties that offer instant equity and guaranteed returns.

Bulgaria is currently the EU investment hotspot. The prospect of capital gains of 30% per annum, and the cheapest property in Europe is attracting investors from across the globe.

Millions of euros are being spent each and every month by investors eager to cash in and this is set to continue unabated, with the prospect of full EU accession in 2007. Entry into the European Community always prompts massive price increases, with 100% capital gains in a single year, quite commonplace.

All property types in Bulgaria offer incredible value for money and are experiencing good capital gains across the board. However, with careful research, unbelievable opportunities are to be found in this booming market.

The sheer volume of properties can offer a bewildering choice and in any region or resort the asking price of the properties on sale can vary massively. It is vital to accurately gauge the market value of each particular area.

In the off plan market especially, developers will launch their new projects with introductory discounts to stimulate sales. Properties are available with discounts of up to 20%.

The property for sale in Bulgaria is primarily designed for the holiday trade and corporate letting market. Forward thinking developers, have already begun to sign agreements with major holiday companies and corporations for letting the properties they are building. The income generated is then passed to the purchaser, as a further inducement to stimulate sales.

There are currently deals available which will offer anything between 2% to 15% as a guaranteed rental.

Bulgaria offers the best investment opportunity around today. The low cost of entry, consistent prices rises and the expected capital gains surge from EU accession next year, provide an irresistible mix for the property novice and seasoned investor alike.

investmentpropertybg.com/">www.investmentpropertybg.com offer a free service to locate either resale or off plan properties, with prices that range from under £10,000. With offices both in the UK and Bulgaria they have a wealth of local knowledge and a massive portfolio to choose from.

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Good time for real estate Investment gains in Bulgaria

As you may or may not be aware, the real estate market in Bulgaria which is a part of Southeast Europe, has been changed over the past several months. To buy property in Bulgaria is surely a lifetime investment.

Bulgaria is a country blessed with great geographical atmosphere. Three mountain ranges run through the country (Stara Planina-The Balkans, The Pirin and the Rhodopes) offering wonderful conditions for skiing in the winter season. The Bulgarian Black sea coast offers a lot of picturesque spots for traveling and spending a nice holiday. You can also practice many outdoor activities like trekking and hiking, horse back riding, bird watching, swimming, skiing, climbing, hunting, fishing... Thinking of relaxing - amazing nature, sunny beaches, healing spas, monasteries and churches, hospitable towns and villages...

The Republic of Bulgaria covers an area of 110,910 square miles with a population of over 7 million. It boasts 354km of dramatic coastline along the non-tidal Black Sea. Its tourist industry is flourishing as people flock to the clear waters of the Black Sea and temperatures that beat the Mediterranean in the summer months.

Interest in beautiful Bulgaria has been growing rapidly as investors look this for the next ‘big thing’. The country is on course to enter the EU - European Union in 2007 and is predicted to see steady & fairly large increases in property prices over the coming years as a result money to develop its banks, telecommunications and transport is being splashed around. New Embassies, offices, conference centres, hotels and motorways are being built and international firms are moving to the Sofia, capital of Bulgaria. In short, these days Bulgaria offers an almost unrivalled quality of life and investment opportunity.

There are four international airports in Bulgaria - Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Bourgas and as such is ready for the tourism explosion which is expected here.

The city of Varna is the biggest city at the Bulgarian Black sea coast, situated at the Bay of Varna and offers unlimited number of accommodation facilities, for rent and for sale. The city is surrounded by lots of gardens, vineyards and deciduous groves. museums, the Cathedral of the Holly Mother, the Dolphin show, the Aquarium deserve a very special attention.

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Buying property in Bulgaria

A look at one of Eastern Europe's most talked about emerging property markets.

Bulgaria has attracted a lot of attention over the last two years, as foreign buyers and investors flock to its emerging property market. In 2004, foreigners invested over Euro 500 million  in Bulgarian property, compared to Euro 98 million in 2003.  Frequently listed in the top 20 places to buy a foreign property, Bulgaria is now firmly on the property investment map.

With EU entry forecast for 2007 investors are keen to buy into the Bulgarian market to reap the inevitable rewards of capital appreciation and establish a rental income in a country that has demonstrated increasing tourism over the last few years.  In the first 6 months of 2005 alone, over 2.7 million tourists visited Bulgaria; with a 42% increase in the number of British tourists.  By 2020 the World Trade Organisation has predicted that the number of foreign tourists visiting the country will increase to 10 million.

The most popular regions for foreign property investors can be broadly categorised into 3 sectors: the Black Sea Coast, Sofia and the mountain ski-resorts.  Other buyers are attracted by the old houses inland that can start from as little as £1,700 and the medieval charm of picturesque cities and villages like Veliko Turnovo, Arbanassi and Tryavna in central Bulgaria.

Enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year, boasting a coastline that stretches over 380km, spectacular mountains, eco-tourism and some of the most affordable property in Europe, there is no wonder that Bulgaria is attracting such interest. Property prices in some regions have doubled in the space of the last two years alone – though new apartments on the coast are still available from as little as £20,000.

Despite recent bad press about developers and estate agents in Bulgaria over-estimating rental returns and exaggerating capital growth rates, Bulgarian property remains under-valued and is a good investment.

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Buying older property in Bulgaria - An insiders guide

Ebay may not be the first place one may look for an overseas property, but quite a few are sold each week on Ebay. Platinum Powerseller and Ebay certified education specialist Aaron Sneddon runs through the basics of buying property abvroad on Ebay.

Bulgaria is a big country, despite what some sellers will say there are actually still plenty of properties around to buy at really good prices. Places still cheap include Razgrad and Dobrich which I happen to think are only long term investments, I think they are very poor areas often with not much going for them, not the sort of place where you want to leave an empty house, even empty I have had windows stolen, doors etc even from an empty house.

Although on Ebay some sellers say "Near the sea" you wouldn’t exactly call 34 Miles from Brighton near the sea, besides the sea isn’t everything and in Bulgaria winters don’t help the coastal areas considering that temperatures in winter is similar to London in winter. On the note of the sea, note that there has been a barrage of oversubscriptions to new apartments and houses by the sea, so rentals may be hard because there is simply too many properties by the sea for rent - Some developers are offering guaranteed rental, but these promises are rarely stood by. Buying plots by the sea is equally risky, with Natura 2000 allowing only certain parts to be built on; many speculators who bought land a while back are seething because what was once a development opportunity has now become pretty much a nature reserve. Prices are way huge beside the sea anyway, compared to the market price increases of inland property. Remember, Bulgaria is not Spain; Bulgaria is Bulgaria with its seasons, hot and cold. Nessebar is an exception to my rule, totally stunning, if you can buy there, buy.

In my view, Ski properties are good, but watch out because there have been some flouting of planning laws to get rich quick, so if you don’t do your homework you may just see your dream holiday home getting pulled down before you can say resell. Buying near or in the "established" (I’m saying established because these places haven’t got started yet, I recommend doing some homework and buying in or near these areas).


Although a big sprawl with little thought to planning and streetscape, I think central Sofia is a good investment right now. Given that it is the capital city of Bulgaria, its expanding airport and wealth concentration, I think it’s a safe bet, but be careful because prices are hiking quickly. There is some great architecture in Sofia, so if you can dodge the raging traffic, don’t forget to go have a look. Buying in towns and villages around Sofia, especially to the West, may be a good idea, think Surrey to London.

 Around cities like Veliko Tarnovo, Rousse and Vratza are a good buy. Make sure things are happening in the villages (New houses, renovations, flash cars etc) before buying there, otherwise take a long term view as your property value flourishes slowly.

Picturesque Vratza (Just over 70 Miles to the North East of Sofia) has the backdrop of the Vratza Balkan (Huge mountain range) and Leva River running to the front of the city.

Veliko Tarnovo with its amazing Tzarevetz Castle (Watch the famous light show) and Great River Yantra running through the city is a great city with a huge amount of things to do for everyone.
Rousse is the gateway between Romania and Bulgaria. In my opinion, Rousse is a hotcake of the future, along with Veliko Tarnovo (Which in my opinion is a better place to invest in)
Don’t let the prices you see guide you to what the prices are and will be when you get to Bulgaria. Prices on EBay, on catalogues and anywhere else vary wildly, so there is no guide price etc for property in Bulgaria.

Quick tips:

Local prices are often different from so called tourist prices - Don’t look like a tourist and you minimise on paying like a tourist.

Don’t make decisions on the spot, take your time. Buy what you like, in an area you like with the money you would like to spend - Not the max you can

Remember - Bulgaria is not cheap, it’s only cheap to us, so don’t go saying "£5000, that’s cheap" because the estate agent may just think you have loads more to spend and price the houses as he wishes.

When buying, see if there is a regional airport, while it may not be operational now or small, it may expand in the future; think Luton, Inverness and Stansted before they became international airports.

Make sure there are "things" around your village or town to make it an interesting place for renting or prospective future buyers, is there a mountain nearby, a ski range (Or future ski range)

When you are looking for a Bulgarian property, especially since distance buying at auction, you need to look closely at the photos to see if the house you are looking at is the one you really want.

Bulgarian properties were built without much planning in the past, generally they have been built by local (Often unskilled) tradesmen using traditional teqniques that are sometimes forbidden in todays cautious building world.

When looking at photos of houses at auction, check:

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Buying A Property In Bulgaria - What To Expect

It is great that you have decided to buy or invest in property that is in Bulgaria, but you may not know what to expect.  When buying in Bulgaria, you can expect a lot of things, from great priced real estate to a variety of types of real estate to buy.  Bulgaria is a land full of property waiting to be invested in, that is what you can expect when buying in Bulgaria,

Depending on what city in Bulgaria you are choosing to get property in can vastly change the type of property available.  For instance, if you were to get property in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, then you would most likely be looking for apartments or maybe a house, since Sofia is the most developed property market in Bulgaria.  Now, there is a broader range of what to expect on a real estate market through out Bulgaria and is as follow:

Beach apartments:  One area in Bulgaria is known as Sunny Beach, it is an international beach resort. There is private land hear to build apartments or holiday villages.  Of course, this means that there are apartments available for rent or you could buy one and rent it out.  There are other beach resorts in Bulgaria where the same sort of real estate market is, just not to the same potential as Sunny Beach. 

Ski Resorts:  Of course there are ski resorts in the mountains of Bulgaria.  These are probably the most difficult to obtain property in, but it is possible to find it in some resorts.  Your best bet here is to buy some residential property in one the neighboring villages and rent or live in it there. 

Let’s not forget to mention the properties available on the Black Sea.  This does fall under the category of beach apartments, and Sunny Beach is one of the resorts on the coast of the Black sea.  The reason in mentioning this is that you may be able to find some great summer houses along the coast of Bulgaria.  If you do not want to visit it yourself, you can always rent out your summer house.

Residential Real Estate:  there are houses, apartments, condominiums, and more.  Depending on your current citizen status, you could even buy some land and build a house in Bulgaria.  All of these types of residential properties can be for sale or for rent, heck you can even buy your property and put it up for rent.  It all depends on what you are looking for and what your needs are.

When buying in Bulgaria you can expect a wide range of property to be available, some at reasonable prices and others a little high priced.  It all depends on what you want and where you want it.  Rest assured, your real estate dreams can come true when you are buying in Bulgaria because of the vast number of properties and property types that are available. When buying in Bulgaria you can expect anything.

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Bulgarian Houses Bulgarian Real Estate Your Top Investment

Quest Bulgaria takes a look at the reality of re-sales of property in Bulgaria and how much your property might be worth.

Bulgarian Properties

Knight Frank, one of the UK's most respected residential and commercial property consultancies, recently published a report stating that high increases in residential property prices placed Bulgaria in second place in a world table highlighting property price increases during the second quarter of 2007. The report stated prices increased by 27.1%, so does this mean my house is now worth around £44,000 more than it was when I put it on the market at the start of the year? Should I be increasing the price in line with market trends?

A report by another reputable company, real estate consultants, Colliers, reported similar trends in Bulgarian property but focussed more on the fact that it was the number of buildings constructed. The mountain resorts showed 50% increases and the Black Sea coast 39%. How easy it is to read this statement in relation to prices increasing rather than that of the rate of build and to neglect the part of Colliers report, which states that overall sales prices have "remained unchanged for the past half year as supply continues to outpace demand."

Bulgarian Houses

The reality of the situation is that most reports measure Bulgaria's property market success in terms of price increases or build rates and neglect the fact that in Bulgaria, the real estate market is unregulated and the seller puts the price tag on their property. The valuation process goes something like this, "Ivan across the road has advertised his house for sale at 20,000 euro, so my house must be worth 30,000 euro because it is bigger."

Another form of valuation has resulted from towns and in particular villages adopting unofficial rates. All it takes is a professional developer to move into the area and the price they charge for their properties, usually a cost per square metre, becomes the official standard.

Top Invest

The village of Rogachevo on the Northern Black Sea coast is a prime example. Bulgarian Land Development Plc, a newly incorporated company now listed on the AIM stock market, has started the construction of a six million euro apartment and villa complex just outside of the village. The price of the property in the development ranges from between 750 to 1,200 euro per sq.m. The conclusion amongst people wishing to resell properties in the village is, "my property is now worth at least 750 euros a square metre." The fact that property up for resale may not have the same scenic outlook, modern facilities or luxurious design is irrelevant to the sellers. Bulgarian sellers have little experience of the property market because until a few years ago there was little demand. Consequently, they are unused to working to the laws of supply and demand. Many British sellers, who hail from a mature property market are lost without the skills of a valuer and stamp a price on their resale based on the following equation:

original cost + renovation costs + local market rates +desired profit =resale price

Yet, as everyone who emigrated here on the lure of cheap property and a fast buck now knows, the resale market is slow and underdeveloped. Apartment blocks are shooting up at a rapid pace giving new buyers lots of choice in both price and design. Renovated houses are two a penny and who wants to buy a renovated traditional build in the middle of nowhere, when they have so many well-designed new builds to choose? At the moment, it is safe to say, that in Bulgaria, supply far exceeds demand in terms of land and property.

The picture is not one of doom and gloom, but of caution rather than crash. The market is far from a crash, if it was, you would not see UK currency speculator Joe Lewis, investing 70 million pounds in the Bulgarian property market. And he is not alone, Israeli construction and investment company BSR Europe recently bought around 80,000 sq.m of land in Bulgaria for 37 million euro. Gardens Group is investing 400 million euro in a 600,000 sq.m development Lozen, a village close to Sofia.

A source from Raiffeisen real estates said that most sales over the last 2 years are from re-sale clients. Most of theses people bought land or property, sat on it for at least three years and are now re-selling for profits between 20 and 50%. This is easy to achieve when looking at properties at the low end of the market; recently Raiffeisen sold a property, which the client bought for 10,000 euro and sold for 15,000, but the demand for rural renovation projects has declined. Land re-sales are lucrative if the location is good. Apparently, there is good demand for regulated land, close to the coast. Again, patience is the key. Raiffeisen have dealt with re-sellers who bought land in 2004 at 10 euro per sq.m and sold it in October 2007 for 25 euro per sq.m.

British buyers have a "rising property" mentality. They expect property to increase dramatically in value as it has done over the last seven years in the UK. In this sense, they are not in tune with the rest of Europe; most of mainland Europe look at their property as their home, whereas the British view their property as a way to make money. Their foray into the Bulgarian property market has left many disappointed, because lead on by media hype, they expected the market to earn them vast profits in a short space of time as had happened in the UK. The lack of regulation in the Bulgarian real estate market has meant that the seller is in charge of valuing their own property and often they choose an inflated sales figure rather than checking actual market rates for re-sales.

Property prices have increased in the last two years. Belinda Knowles (42), a trainee solicitor from Dulwich, bought her one-bedroom apartment in Golden Sands resort off-plan for 40,000 euro. It took two years to complete the project and she has just spent her first summer enjoying the fruits of her investment. A one bed roomed apartment in her block now costs 60,000 euro - a staggering growth of 50% - if she could sell her own. "I think the market is inflated by unscrupulous real estate agents. I'm certain that if I put my apartment up for sale at this price I would be left disappointed for two reasons. Why would someone buy my apartment when they can by a brand new one for the same price and if the demand is so great, why haven't all of the apartments been sold?" Fortunately, Belinda bought her apartment as a long-term investment. "I have two teenage children and package holidays abroad were becoming ridiculously expensive. The children are also getting to the age where they would prefer to come on holiday with their friends rather than with me. I wanted to save money in the long-term by having a place abroad that the whole family could use via the low cost airline network and I wanted to be sure that it would be a safe place for my children to stay alone with their friends. Golden Sands is ideal. We get cheap flights with Wizz and British Airways from Gatwick which means we can come over more regularly and the nightclubs here are not filled with drug-taking louts, so I have no qualms about letting my kids go out." She also knows that by the time they have out-grown Bulgaria, the apartment will yield a good return on her investment. "In ten years time, when my children have their own lives and means of support, they may not want to spend their leisure time here. I'm sure that with the rate of investment going into the country at the moment, my apartment will sell at a higher rate than I paid for it and I will have saved money in the long run by not having to fork out for package holiday fees."

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Bulgarian accession to the EU. The green light for the serious investor?

Bulgaria has recently met all the causes and articles for accession to the EU. Full entry is scheduled for early 2007.  The country will immediately benefit from worldwide acceptance and a massive investment from the European Community.

Bulgaria is at present a relatively poor country.  The average monthly wage is just €280. Membership of the European Community will ensure that the transportation network, domestic and commercial utilities sector, labour rates as well as the fiscal and banking systems will all be brought into line to mirror their more prosperous European neighbours.

With the increasing prosperity, along will come the private and corporate investors eager to cash in on the country's new found wealth.  Over the past three to four years, Bulgaria has seen consistent rises in the property market between 20 to 30%.  A few pioneering investors have taken advantage of this increase but have tended to be either the long-term corporate investor or highly speculative property gambler.

Entry into the European Union have seen the property prices of new member countries almost double within a one to two year period.  Ireland, Hungary, and even Spain are prime examples of this phenomenon.

Bulgaria is set to be no different.  Property prices and the cost of living are amongst the lowest right across the European states.  Massive price increases are predicted within the next 12 to 18 months to echo prices amongst other member states.

The country itself offers a vast selection of city, coastal, mountain and rural investment opportunities. 

Sofia, the capital, is experiencing massive corporate investment from companies relocating to take advantage of the low labour and rental cost:

The Black Sea Coast, with resorts such as Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and St. Vlas, experiences higher summer water temperatures than the Mediterranean along the Spanish mainland. Tourism is increasing massively year on year as is the number of  visitors investing their own home in the sun.

The mountain resorts, Borovetz, Pamporovo and Bansko offer the longest ski season in the whole of Europe. Prices for ski apartments are around 70% cheaper than other popular European resorts and property purchases are booming.

Existing rural properties can often be purchased for less than the price of a car. Hardy purchasers can expect huge bargains, huge potential and tiny prices.

Many experts agree with www.investmentpropertybg.com that prices are due to surge over the coming months in anticipation of accession. Returning holidaymakers, impressed by the value for money and excellent selection of properties that Bulgaria offers, will further fuel the property boom. The time for the serious investor to take advantage is now.

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Bulgaria’s Hottest Property Spots

A look at Bulgaria’s most popular place to buy real estate, and a few rising stars.

Hot-spots
Sunny Beach
The country’s largest package holiday resort has a good beach with excellent leisure facilities, entertainment and activities. It is close to Bourgas’ international airport and has been a focus for building and buyer interest, although over-development is becoming a problem, with a glut of new properties meaning unreliable rental returns.

Golden Sands
A large package resort with a good beach and facilities set in pretty surroundings on the forested coast north of Varna. Easy access to Varna airport and the city. Strict building controls have limited development and ensure strong demand for property.

Bansko
The country’s largest ski resort, which is enjoying major infrastructural investment, including a new golf course. The negative impact of rapid development could be reduced by a clamp-down on new developments in the area.

Pamporovo
European’s most southerly ski-resort is increasingly popular with the British

Veliko Tarnovo
The picturesque countryside around this historic city is the target for a growing number of foreign buyers looking for peaceful rural retreats and renovation properties. The beautiful scenery has led the area to be dubbed “Bulgaria’s Tuscany”.

Sofia
Renovation properties and off-plan developments in the country’s capital are popular with investment buyers for their solid rental returns and capital appreciation.

Rising Stars

Balchik
A small seaside town, north of Varna, that is near a new golf course development. Easy access to Varna city and its airport.

Byalla
A quiet beach resort favoured by Bulgarian holidaymakers, which is set in beautiful countryside halfway between Bourgas and Varna.

Ruse
Provincial city on the Danube that has a hinterland of unspoilt countryside dotted with villages.

Sozopol
An atmospheric seaside town with good beaches that is close to Bourgas airport.

Borovets
A small ski resort near Sofia that has been slated for major investment.

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BULGARIA - The Hype, False Urgency and Exaggerated Returns

Over the last few years there has been an unprecedented level of interest in property investment in Bulgaria. This has led to numerous real estate agents popping up both in the UK and in Bulgaria. Hype and over inflated capital appreciation figures have been rife.

Did you see the episode of the BBC2 program 'How to pay off your mortgage in 2 years'. In this episode the man of the family travelled to Bansko, Bulgaria looking for an investment property. I am not sure of how much he had to spend but he was taken to view a number of properties by an agent from an 'un-named' agency and charged a whopping 1000 Euros for the privilege of doing so. Now this in itself should have started alarm bells ringing.

Many agencies in Bulgaria, both Bulgarian and British owned charge a viewing fee. Some charge a set fee for a day's viewing while some  charge per mile you need to drive to view properties. Now why should you pay for the privilege of looking at properties you are considering buying. The reasoning behind this practice seems to be that there are so many time wasters just viewing properties when they have no real intention of buying anything. But how true is this? Most foreigners going to Bulgaria have at least some interest in investing in property over there as they have all been bombarded with the same hype over the last couple of years.

So this guy I mentioned above settled on a couple of properties that were of particular interest - a new build apartment and a house in a village about 5-10km away from Bansko.

The guy was told by the agent that these types of houses hardly appear on the market and that the one he was interested in would be sold within a couple of weeks so he needed to find the deposit and put it down to reserve the property straight away.

To clinch the deal the agent told the guy that if he bought the property now he would make a profit of an unbelievable £175,000 in a couple of years. Something along the lines of a 200 - 300% increase in value!

Well the guy fell for it, hook, line and sinker. If he had had the thousands of pounds for the deposit in his pocket, he would have handed it over to the agent straight away.

Luckily he didn't and so he flew back home and after discussing the matter with his family, he had second thoughts and decided not to pursue the house in Bansko. In fact I think he went on to buy a house for renovation in the UK.

However, this is so typical of the tactics used by unscrupulous agents in Bulgaria and other countries to try and get you to part with your hard earned cash.

They will try and make you think properties are in short supply, that they will be snapped up by another buyer almost immediately and talk of totally unrealsitic gains. You can avoid being taken for a ride by doing your research and not rushing into anything.

There are plenty of properties available, yes prices are rising a little but is it not better to end up paying a tiny bit more for taking your time and finding out the facts first than rush into something you may regret later.

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Bulgaria – The Best Property Investment In The EU.

Bulgaria is the fastest growing property market in the EU with the cheapest prices.  A fantastic opportunity to build your valuable property portfolio with prices from under £10,000, that should grow annually by at least 30%.

Investing in real estate is regarded as probably the safest and most consistent way to increase your capital. Worldwide property investment is no longer the preserve of the super rich or readily connected but with the event of the internet and a simplified banking system, is open to all of us. Massive fortunes are built and grown through property investment and the sheer size of the global market offers the chance to build a property portfolio with even if you have the smallest budget. Emerging markets and the ready availability of cheap investments, can be you’re your pension plan and a source of regular income. The key is identifying the fastest appreciating areas with affordable property that will offer consistent growth and huge capital returns. Currently, in the European market, Bulgaria is the current hotspot with an average growth rate of 30% with the cheapest property prices in the EU. There are several other countries in the EU, which attract foreign investment for a variety of reasons. None, however, can rival the sheer number of factors, which makes Bulgaria an irresistible, safe and compelling location for your investment capital:

• The cheapest cost of living in the EU-- 50p for a beer and less than £5 for a three course dinner are prime examples of why more and more holidaymakers and repeat visitors are flocking to the country
• The cheapest real estate in Europe-- you can buy a detached house in the country with land for less than £10,000!
• Outstanding natural beauty-- where else can you find 220km of sandy beaches, 1700 hours of sunshine a year and the longest ski season in Europe?
• Ease of Access-- Bulgaria is approximately three hours from the UK by plane with all the low cost airlines now scheduled to fly there
• Increasing exposure-- All the major tour operators now offer packages to Bulgaria at roughly 30-40% the cost of the Spanish or Portuguese equivalent
• Rapidly growing marketplace-- Visitor numbers and potential buyers are growing at over 20% per annum
• Sustained economic growth-- Bulgaria is experiencing one of the best GDP growth rates in Europe at 4.7% per annum
• Stable currency-- the Bulgarian Lev is pegged to the Euro
• Stable political and religious communities-- Bulgaria is a full member of NATO has no history of civil upheaval and no questions over land ownership
• Booming house prices-- 30% growth rates are the norm, your money would have appreciated by over 50% in key areas in the last year
• Full membership of the EU-- Bulgaria will become a full member of the EU in 2007. This international acceptance will promote massive government investment and expansion, accelerate the growth of the country and ensure the highest capital growth and rental yields for your Bulgarian property

Property prices are continually rising and will surge with full membership of the European Union. You can invest now in either off-plan developments or existing resale properties at bargain prices that are approximately 25% of Spanish, French, Italian or Portuguese alternatives. The next few years will increase the value of your property to fantastic heights. Mark Emerson is the sales director for Investment Property BG Ltd. The company specialises in high return investment property in all areas of the Bulgaria marketplace with prices from under £10,000. You can obtain a free copy of their investment guide ‘5 Reasons You Must Invest In Bulgaria Now’ and access their properties at http://www.investmentpropertybg.com/. 

Bulgaria Property, Bulgaria Investment Property, Bulgaria Real Estate, Investment Property, International Real Estate, Bulgaria Offplan, Investment Opportunity, International Investment Opportunity, International Property
 

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“The Best Comes With The Lowest” with cheap secured loans"

Cheap secured loans are provided against any collateral. If you want to go for the loans that will be suitable for your pocket, then cheap personal loans are the best option for you.

Are you searching a loan that would be relatively cheap? If yes, then your search ends here, as cheap secured loans are specially customized for you.

Cheap secured loans are offered against any collateral. It could be real estate, automobiles or some other valuable assets. Generally, with cheap secured loans, the ranges of borrowed amount are from £3,000 to £75,000. But, in case of greater amount, lenders will check the worth of your collateral. If your collateral has higher value then, lenders will not only be willing to offer higher amount but also a lower interest rate. Even cheap secured loans are available for a comfortable duration of up to 25 years and you can pay off the installments either monthly or quarterly.

Cheap secured loans however are offered at better terms and conditions that suit the borrower’s requirement. The interest rate of cheap secured loans varies from individual to individual. For a regular income earner, a lower monthly loan will help in saving a big sum of money. On the other hand, for a person whose monthly income is not stable, a loan with flexible monthly payments such as overpayments, underpayments or payment holiday will be highly suitable.

Nevertheless, cheap secured loans are obtainable against your valuable collateral. And for that, in case you fail to repay that can put your collateral in danger. So, before applying, you will have to calculate the amount you want to borrow as a loan. Needless to say, should borrow the exact amount, as borrowing a larger amount may become a huge financial burden in future.


Now the question is how can you get a cheap secured loan. It is a bit tough as many lenders offer cheap secured loans to lure people. But in reality, these loans are not at all cheap. Don’t worry. With some effort, you will be able to get a cheap secured loan. First of all, list your requirement- decide the amount you want to borrow, how long would you like the repayment period to be, what amount of monthly installment are you comfortable with.

Next step is choosing lenders. Besides traditional lenders, you can opt for online cheap secured loans. Even, finding an online cheap secured loan is easier- Just a click brings all data within a minute. And last but not the list, comparative judgment of various quotes will help you to get the best deal.


“The best comes with the lowest”- this line is truly applicable for cheap secured loans. Like other secured loans, cheap secured loans provide same facilities at cheap rate. It’s a favorable opportunity that will suit your pocket.

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