The decision is expected to increase trade between the two nations & has excited tourism operators, as it will go into effect prior to the start of the summer season.

After the initial protocol to lift joint visa regulations was signed on 12 May 2010, today the Re Admission Agreement, considered the final stage in the process, was signed between Turkey & Russia.

According to the Russian Embassy visa regulations should be lifted between the two countries in one to two months time.

Now, not only will businessmen be able to travel freely without the burden of obtaining visas, but the practice is also expected to positively affect tourism between the two nations. Last year alone, three million Russian tourists vacationed in Turkey.

Cumberland Properties welcomes the news, as making travel easier between the two countries will undoubtedly increase the number of rental enquiries to Seaview Regency Prestige, already popular with Russian tourists if the 2010 season is anything to go by, commented Cumberland Properties rentals manager Utku Karamanlioglu.

He added that the prospect of owning a Turkish property, whether as a holiday home, or a property investment in Turkey would now become even more attractive to Russian property investors keen to capitalise on the growing number of Russian tourists visiting the Bodrum peninsula.

Cumberland Properties have recently sold a significant quantity of Turkish property at its popular Woodland Regency development to Russian nationals both as Turkish holiday homes & also as Turkish property investment.

Following Cumberland Properties successful debut at the Moscow International Property Show last November Cumberland are planning to have a presence at the forthcoming DOMEXPO to be held at Gostiny Dvor, just 200 meters from Red Square, Moscow, between Thursday, 24 February – Sunday, 27 February 2011.

For further information:

Elena Sikorsky elena@cumberlandproperties.net London office [Наш русскоговорящий сотрудник]

Selim Sirri selim@cumberlandproperties.net London office

Volkan Akgözlü volkan@cumberlandproperties.net Bodrum office

Utku Karamanlioglu utku@cumberlandproperties.net Bodrum office

Source: Sabah

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Tim said, “Being a footballer you don’t always know when you’re going to be able to get away, this is ideal.”

Tim emphasised that the best option was Turkey & Bodrum, “It’s five minutes from Bodrum airport, so I can take in some sun, play a bit of golf & fly my family over from Australia for a holiday to.”

Tim explained some of the reasons for choosing Turkey; beautiful geographical location, fantastic climate – weather & beaches, good food & a great tourist industry which is booming; “It is not to far either from Galatasaray who my mate Harry Kewell plays for so I will be able to go & watch him.”

He added “I have travelled all over the world & Turkey has got to be one of the most beautiful place I have been, there are not only places like Bodrum, but Istanbul to, with so much to see; it is a great place to have a holiday home.”

Tim paid around 200,000 GBP for his property but there are many apartments & villas in Bodrum. Tim added that his Turkish villa is big & light & the living area is “summer living” to include all the comforts, which suits him being an Australian.

Tim who is interested in real estate added that it was not just about money & investment; he wanted to enjoy the luxury lifestyle as well.

Tim is in good company as Andy Johnson, striker for English premier league team Fulham, also has property in Bodrum.

If football’s not your thing & although he might be retired from boxing, Ricky ‘the hitman’ Hatton could still knock you over with his sheer enthusiasm for his latest property venture.

“I bought a villa off-plan near Bodrum in Turkey two years ago & now I want to build a training camp there as well”, says the 31-year-old former world champion.

“I’m building a stable of about 25 fighters & the place will be ideal for them. It’s hilly, which will be great for their road work, the heat will help them acclimatise for fights abroad, & the golf makes it an ideal place to chill after a fight.”

If this all reads like the familiar story of the retired fighter rushing to spend his hard-won fortune then think again — Hatton is no fool with his money.

Managed by his father, Ray, he has his own leisurewear range & is now moving into the management & promotion side of boxing — hence his plans for the training camp in Bodrum.

He has been typically canny with his property dealings. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom villa in Bodrum comes with its own swimming pool & cost just 159,000 GBP.

Up until recently Hatton lived in a modest semi-detached house in Hyde, Manchester, where he was brought up. It was only when fans took to looking through his windows that he decided on something rather more private.

So he bought a far larger £750,000 home a few streets away in Gee Cross, put in a swimming pool & games room & built a high surrounding wall.

Hatton now lets the semi in Hyde & lives in the new house with his girlfriend. He also has a holiday villa in Tenerife. Considering that he is believed to be worth around £25 million, it is hardly an extravagant portfolio.

Hatton, a fierce Manchester City supporter, has always remained true to his roots & it was family holidays in Bodrum that first brought him to the Bodrum peninsula.

“I used to come here with my parents & my brother & now that I could be described as retired from the ring, I want to spend time here with my girlfriend & my own little boy, Campbell”, he says. “I just can’t get over how much the place has changed. There are golf courses galore & Bodrum is absolutely beautiful.”

The part of Bodrum where Hatton has chosen to invest is undergoing a £4.1 billion development “Golf is the driving force behind it,” say English estate agents Savills.

“You can get phenomenal value for money in terms of property in Turkey & can also let your Turkish property ten months of the year quite easily.”

The Ankara government is behind this golfing boom. Areas have been identified for up to 100 new courses to be built by 2014 & the policy is already paying dividends.

The prices might sound low, but don’t imagine Bodrum is a cheap & cheerful part of Turkey. It is a favourite holiday spot for wealthy types from Istanbul. In Yalikavak, its plushest suburb, the prices of some modern houses start at more than 1.5 million GBP & mansions sell for 6 million GBP & above.

Investing in Turkey appears to have been a shrewd move on Hatton’s part. With its population of 73 million & growing, there is a significant shortage of housing & this should maintain demand & ensure prices continue to appreciate. The Turkish real estate & construction sector grew by 21.9% in the second quarter of 2010. These types of statistics have increased confidence in the Turkish real estate & construction sectors, & English investors are gravitating toward Turkey to take advantage after the financial crisis.

Turkey is also economically sound, having come out of the recession relatively unscathed, largely thanks to not being in the Euro-zone. It is the 15th-largest economy in the world & would be the sixth largest in the European Union if, as expected, it is granted full membership by 2020.

Turkey is the centre of attraction for property investment especially for European investors after the global financial crisis.

Is golf much of an attraction to Ricky Hatton when he visits Bodrum? “To be honest with you, I just hack around the course — I’m not very good,” he says.

“But I find it relaxing. And one thing is for sure — it’s a damn sight less painful than fighting.”

Sources: Milliyet, Haber, Daily Mail.

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Cities are the great engines of growth in the world economy. Istanbul, with income growth of 5.5% & employment growth of 7.3% over the past year, is currently the world’s best-performing city, according to a new report by the Brookings Institution & the London School of Economics.

The report ranks 150 cities from across the globe according to growth in gross value added per person (a proxy for income) & employment. The 150 metropolitan areas represented just 12% of the world’s population but accounted for 46% of the world’s GDP in 2007.

Some cities have plunged in the rankings since the “Great Recession”. Dubai & Dublin, the second & sixth best-performing cities respectively between 1993 & 2007, now rank as the most stagnant.

Source: The Economist

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

At the press conference Mr. Ozgur Ozaslan, Turkey’s Deputy Undersecretary Responsible for Tourism, announced that Turkey had not experienced any reduction in its tourist arrivals in the past two years unlike many other countries.

Indeed, by welcoming over 27 million visitors to its shores in 2009, Turkey achieved an increase of 2.8% in visitor numbers positioning it as the only country to benefit from a growth in inbound tourist numbers in 2009.

Growth looks set to be even more spectacular during 2010 according to the early figures which reveal over 23 million visitors arriving in Turkey in the first nine months of the year, extrapolated, a year on year increase in tourist arrivals of 6%.

Turkey’s success has also been reflected in winning various tourism awards to include being voted “Favourite Destination” in the 2010 Reader’s Travel Awards by the readers of the world famous Condé Nast Traveller UK magazine & numerous World Travel - European Awards it has received this year.

Istanbul, the European Capital of Culture for 2010, has also staged countless arts & cultural festivals, activities & concerts & has acted as host to a succession of world sports events such as the FIBA world basketball championships & Formula 1 events.

In a continuation of Turkey’s emerging role in the sports world the Universiad Winter Games will be held in Erzurum, Turkey’s centre of winter sports, between 27 January – 6 February 2011, & the 11^th European Youth Olympic Festival [EYOF] the only all-European multi-sport event will be held in Trabzon between 23 - 30 July 2011.

In London to receive the Chatham House Statesman of the Year Award 2010 from the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II, Turkish President Mr. Abdullah Gul will be opening the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centre in November 2010, [Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centres have opened in Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania, Egypt, Macedonia & Kazakhstan. Plans are underway for new centres in other countries including Germany, France, Kosovo, Syria & Russia], in addition to the Mimar Sinan exhibition held at the Royal Institute of British Architects [RIBA] dedicated to the chief Ottoman royal architect during the 16th century. His most famous work being the Suleiman Mosque in Istanbul.

Mimar Sinan [1490 – 1578] was the chief Ottoman architect & civil engineer to sultans Suleiman I, Selim II & Murad III. He was responsible for the construction of more than three hundred major structures amongst other more modest projects.

President Gul stated that “Mimar Sinan is a part of Ottoman & Turkish culture & a part of the common heritage we share with countries from Romania to Saudi Arabia, from Greece to Israel.”

The WTM Turkey press conference was attended by Mr. Ozgur Ozaslan, Deputy Undersecretary Responsible for Tourism; Mr. Cumhur Guven Tasbasi, General Director for Promotion; Mr. Levent Demirel, Deputy General Director - all from the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism & Mr. Irfan Onal, Director, Turkish Culture & Tourism Office UK.

Additionally, Turkish Members of Parliament, Provincial Governors & representatives of the tourism industry also attended WTM this year.

There were also special head-to-head sessions with senior representatives from the Mugla & Antalya regions & a series of high-level meetings throughout the four days.

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Economists & writers will long argue about the causes & consequences of the economic crisis, but a real estate business has no such luxury as time for reflection.

An increasing number of events dedicated to the elite segment of real estate are proving the fact – the crisis has been overcome & a new era has been ushered in.

Positive changes in the market have already activated its most reliable sector - luxury property. Cumberland Properties participated in the XV International Property Show in Moscow, which is closing the season of presentations in real estate this year.

Keeping with tradition aiGroup invited exhibitors to the shopping centre “Tishinka” in the centre of the Russian capital, where 184 companies from 40 countries brought fresh designs for the demanding Russian client. Around 8,000 visitors, among which friends & partners of Cumberland Properties, were asking questions of real estate companies’ representatives & choosing the most suitable offers during the two show days.

As president of aiGroup Kim Waddoup remarked, “there is yet no better tool for investment than property, especially an overseas property”.

This year has significantly expanded the selection of geography. Five to six years ago Russians were buying real estate mainly in Europe - in Spain, France & the UK. Today there is hardly an island left where footprints of a Russian buyer won’t be found. Distances do not confuse Russians. However, their neighbours, Bulgaria, Finland, Montenegro & Turkey remain the favourites & are constantly strengthening their positions.

Surprisingly the economic crisis has had a beneficial impact on the overseas segment of real estate. In the context of inflation, the need to invest, or simply a desire to secure financial assets, it has prompted many Russians to refer to such a reliable instrument as property ownership abroad.

This was evidenced by a significant number of interested visitors, investors & potential buyers at the Moscow International Property Show this year.

Russians & representatives of other CIS countries are not only aware of what it is to invest in real estate, they also believe this sector to be the most profitable to invest in.

That’s why Cumberland Properties who have long specialised in the design, construction & provision of exquisite interiors to their exclusive properties in Turkey, decided to offer the market a few new projects at the Moscow International Property Show where Cumberland’s Woodland Regency development was the most admired of all.

While the name of Cumberland is becoming familiar to the sophisticated ear of the discerning Russian buyer our team continues to work on the next set of fabulous ideas.

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Even though the real estate sector continues to feel the negative after effects of the global financial crisis and is expected to regain pre-crisis levels by as late as 2012, sales of property in Turkey rose by 24% in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year thanks to several incentives, Today’s Zaman reports, quoting Real Estate Investing Partners Association (GYODER) President Turgay Tanes as saying.

Delivering a speech at a press conference called to present the association’s recently released report on the sector, Tanes said that real estate in Turkey had been one of the sectors that was anticipated to have been hit most severely by the global financial crisis.

However, he noted, the sector saw a 24% rise in housing sales figures in the January -September period of 2009 over the same period of 2008.

The fact that demand for property in Turkey, both domestically and internationally, remains strong is partly fuelled by the burgeoning tourist industry and strong overseas investment in Turkey maintaining demand, consequently this will have helped to deflect the worst impact of the crisis and continues to underpin the market.

These figures are certainly bourn out by Cumberland Properties own experiences of sales of property in Bodrum for the period.

To a great extent the Bodrum peninsular remains immune from the negative effects of the crisis due to its preferred location. Unequivocally the favoured holiday destination both domestically and internationally the peninsular benefits from its designation as a protected area; the Turkish Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture has issued a White Paper that lays out specific guidelines limiting the density of construction in order to retain the authenticity of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines.

Buildings may only be 2 storeys high and must be whitewashed, maintaining the region’s authentic and picturesque identity. Furthermore, only 20% of the land in Bodrum can be built on, thus ensuring that its diverse range of wildlife together with its unique natural beauty will be protected for generations to come.

Cumberland Properties can further endorse these findings having already sold a number of properties at Woodland Regency in the first week of January 2010 and are currently experiencing a significant increase, over the same period last year, in enquiries for both property for sale in Bodrum and rentals in Bodrum, having already secured a number of reservations for the ever popular Seaview Regency Prestige

For further information on Yali Seaside Residence contact: Volkan

Source: ANSAmed.

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Turkey is learning from the mistakes of Spain by guaranteeing that its immaculate coastline remains unspoilt.

This is undeniably a crucial step on the way to Turkey becoming a principal destination for overseas buyers.

The Turkish Government has certainly decided that the Spanish construction approach is not their chosen method of development.

The measures that they have taken in restricting and regulating coastal construction will give Turkey a head start in the global market for property investors and holiday-home buyers.

Unlike Spain’s Costa del Sol, obstructed by towering architecture, the Bodrum Peninsula in Southwest Turkey is a protected area; buildings can only be two storeys high and must be whitewashed, giving the region an authentic and picturesque identity. Furthermore, only 20% of the land in Bodrum can be built on, thus ensuring that its exquisite range of wildlife and natural beauty will be protected for generations to come.

Other advantages of the area include the availability of affordable property, advances in tourism, a low cost of living and quality healthcare.

However, what really sets Turkey apart is the security of investment. The Spanish Government permitted the construction of resorts too close to the beach or on land that had not been acquired by the seller. The corruption involved provoked international outrage as people had entrusted their lifetime savings, only to find that some developments had been illegitimately constructed and were under serious threat.

Turkey is often compared to Spain more than 20 years ago; the coastline is intact and the beaches uncontaminated. Tourism is increasing yet building is restricted enough to enable the growth of coastal resorts without damaging the country’s natural beauty.

A White Paper has been issued by the Turkish Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture that sets out guidelines that intend to limit the density of construction and retain the authenticity of major tourist areas covering the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines.

Cumberland Properties has been nationally recognised as a green company that operates in the Bodrum area. They own three developments on the Bodrum Peninsula, all of which are excellently located and proud to maintain the area’s nature and wildlife. The unique Woodland Regency development is set in the heart of a tranquil pine forest and the development was constructed around the trees; not a single one was damaged in the process. The exceptionally built villas and apartments are in extremely high demand. The development boasts two large, communal swimming pools, a golf putting area and outdoor playground, an exclusive spa and fitness area and 24 hour security.

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

This expansion has been fuelled, in part, by an increase in demand from other local developers and wholesalers who clearly envy our green fingers!

With the appointment of Gözde Tavaslı we aim not only to expand our business to cater for this sector of the market but also to extend our services into the wider community by the provision of a retail outlet.

Gözde will also be lending her services and considerable expertise by offering her services not only within Cumberland but also on a consultancy basis.

For more information contact: gozde@cumberlandproperties.net

or visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Turkey itself is in the midst of a property boom. Turkey’s current accession talks for membership of the EU, with likely inclusion as a full member in the near future, are progressing at a meteoric pace and are adding to the burgeoning interest in the Turkish property market.

Turkish property still offers massive potential for returns on investment. Last year property prices rose by circa 50% with a proportionate increase in people looking to purchase homes in Turkey. This year has seen prices increase by a further 30%. This extra demand is set to push prices up significantly and further underpins the market.

Since its application for EU membership, Turkey has received a host of foreign investment that will contribute to fast improvements to its infrastructure in readiness for EU inclusion over the next ten years. Already improvements are in evidence, with the recent refurbishment of the main road between Milas-Bodrum Airport and Bodrum. Additionally, there has been further investment from both Europe and Russia in relation to the respective Nabucco and South Stream pipeline projects.

Corporate investors are creating new resorts, golf courses and other tourist facilities and these are clear indications of a growing tourist economy that will continue to boost capital growth for today’s property investments.

The most popular spots for tourism and property purchase are along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts and over the past eighteen months, the number of Britons owning property in Turkey has increased by more than 200%. It is now possible for foreigners to obtain local mortgages, further encouraging this emerging market.

It’s not just property investors who are showing a strong interest in Turkish property at the current time. Due to the low cost of living and beautiful natural resources Turkey is also an appealing location for second homes and a popular retirement destination for many Europeans.

The most popular searches for Turkey property are for Bodrum property.

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Boysanoglu said that construction and real estate in Turkey are the first to be affected by economic crises and recover less quickly than other sectors.

The negative impact of the last financial crisis, which began in 2001, to affect property in Turkey lasted at most a year, he said. Housing sales fell resulting in significant drops in housing prices, Boysanoglu stated.

The prices are now at their minimum, he added. The sector cannot sustain itself with these prices, however, after depleting existing stock, prices will rise again by the second half of 2010, he asserted.

However, property in Bodrum has been virtually immune from the negative outfall of the Economic crisis. Protected, as Turkey’s favoured holiday destination amongst the indigenous population and continuing to enjoy an increasingly burgeoning international tourist industry, underpinned by preferential exchange rates, especially for the British, now is certainly an ideal time to be considering property in Bodrum.

Following the success of their 2009 seasons both Thomas Cook and TUI have announced plans to increase their services to Turkey in 2010 over and beyond the increases they both implemented during last year.

easyJet have also announced they are to launch a further five routes to Turkey during 2010.

Already Cumberland Properties have been fielding a significant increase in enquiries for both property rentals in Bodrum and property for sale in Bodrum, fuelled in part by the atrocious weather conditions currently being experienced in Western Europe but also the realisation by many prospective investors, whether they are families looking to secure a good deal on a holiday home or individuals wishing to add value to their international property portfolios, that 2010 represents perfect timing for property investment in Turkey.

Building on the success of 2009 where they sold ten times the properties they did during 2008, Cumberland Properties have already sold two properties from their popular Woodland Regency project and taken a number of reservations for the exquisite Seaview Regency Prestige and we’re not out of the first week of January yet!

For further information visit: Cumberland Properties

Source: ANSAmed

Bodrum Properties © 2012 | 0 yorum | yazının devamı »