Costa Rica posts rising tourism figures

From January-May 2008 foreign arrivals to Costa Rica increased 16 percent from the same period in 2007, according to the Ministry of Tourism in San José.

The upswing represented an additional 133,000 foreign visitors over the period, taking the total to 987,000 arrivals.



The US remains the main country of origin, accounting for 54 percent of arrivals, followed by Europe with 17 percent.



The Ministry of Tourism stated that recession in the US had not affected the propensity of high and middle income earners visiting Costa Rica. Nor have increased airline prices dissuaded European travellers.



While the world economics forum has ranked Costa Rica as the number one nation in Latin America in terms of tourism – the second successive year that Costa Rica has occupied top spot.

Costa Rica registered 1.9 million foreign visitors in 2007, generating US$1.92 billion in tourism receipts.



And research from the overseas property specialist, David Stanley Redfern, shows that despite Costa Rica’s semi-mature market, wisely chosen property has plenty of growth potential.



The country’s diverse economy is one of the strongest in Latin America and is likely to continue growing irrespective of global markets – the World Economic Forum has just ranked Costa Rica as the second most favourable Latin American country in terms of trade.



Add to this Costa Rica’s huge tourism industry and property can be expected to grow by more than 15 percent in the coming years, and possibly by as much as 20-25 percent per year for the next three. The large number of tourist arrivals means property is likely to fetch rental yields of 10 percent or more.



David Stanley Redfern offers property only 90 minutes from San Jose’s international airport, on Jaco Beach. Planned by talented designers, the development boasts contemporary architecture inspired by the concepts of tropical minimalism and is one of the few beach front properties in Costa Rica that is fully titled. Due to recent government regulations it is also likely to be the only property on the beach.



Find out more about Off Plan Property and Emerging Property Markets.

About DSR Asset Management Ltd

DSR is an overseas property investment specialist, working directly with developers in more than forty countries. All properties are exclusive to DSR , giving an unparalleled selection of resale and new builds.

Please direct all media queries, requests for press information and editorial details, to media@davidstanleyredfern.com

David Redfern is the director of DSR Asset Management Ltd an overseas property investment specialist. David works closely with developers in more than forty countries and oversees the DSR education programme which lectures individuals and organisations on property investment. Advertise Your Private Overseas Property

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Asia's Branded Condotels: DSR Take the Good and Leave the Bad

A new trend is currently sweeping Asia's property investment scene: branded condo-hotels, where investors are paying more than the market value for the safety and marketing power of global corporation branding. David Stanley Redfern have not been left behind, having just added two such developments in the Philippines to their books, but with one key difference, the properties are not priced above their market value.



The Ultima Residencies Ramos Tower offers fully serviced, and fully managed studio apartments from just £15,000 – clearly not above market value given their location amid the Cebu real estate boom. In typical Condotel style, owners can choose to take the rental guarantee, in which their condo becomes part of the hotel, and part of the income pooling scheme. Participants get 30 days free use of their condo and are still expected to receive a 12% rental yield, based on 60% occupancy of the remaining 335 days.



The second Condotel development added to the David Stanley Redfern portfolio is on the lush tropical island of Boracay. Near the vibrant station 2, in close proximity to all the bars, nightspots and other amenities, as well as 2 beaches and the police station, the Crown Regency resort offers studio apartments from £51,000.



The head of international research for David Stanley Redfern explained why the new Condotels are becoming so popular:

"The new wave of Condotel popularity sweeping Asia is really no surprise. Many of today's property investors are young people making holiday home investments, branded Condotels offer the perfect hassle free holiday home investment."



"There is also absolutely no risk with the investments," he continued "because the size of the brand you are buying into gives security with regards that the building will definitely be completed, while the level of research that they will have done into the market before deciding to build there means that buyers can bank on them achieving high occupancy, and thus decent rental yields for them.



"There is also no danger of them losing their money, because as part of the agreement, you can sell back to the hotel after an agreed period for the price you paid, or let them put it on the open market, or do the latter yourself. So, if the property has grown in value, you sell and collect the profit, but if the resale market has dropped you can take out the money you put in and live to fight another day."



Find out more about Philippine properties and buying property in the Philippines.

About DSR Asset Management Ltd

DSR is an overseas property investment specialist, working directly with developers in more than forty countries. All properties are exclusive to DSR , giving an unparalleled selection of resale and new builds.

Please direct all media queries, requests for press information and editorial details, to media@davidstanleyredfern.com

David Redfern is the director of DSR Asset Management Ltd an overseas property investment specialist. David works closely with developers in more than forty countries and oversees the DSR education programme which lectures individuals and organisations on property investment. Advertise Your Private Overseas Property

FootPrints SEO is search engine marketing and online marketing agency based in the UK.

© 2009 Footprints-SEO.com

Dominican Republic Property – Perfect All-Round

Dominican Republic property is attracting masses of media attention at the moment along with several other Caribbean islands and sun-drenched coastal locations around the world that offer similarly affordable properties. A recent David Stanley Redfern release announced that the Dominican Republic had retaken the top spot of having the most affordable Caribbean properties, and focussed on that point, without giving any real details of the bargain property.



The apartment-hotel complex offers studio apartments from £24,000 in Sosua, one of the Dominican Republic's most popular areas with tourists. The complex, only a five minute walk from the beach is a long-standing, reputable and extremely popular resort, which readily enjoys occupancy rates of 80% and above.



Taking that with a pinch of salt as reader probably will, even with only 50% occupancy and at below the going rate for rentals on similar properties in the area, a rental yield of 12% is easily attainable for pure investors. Holiday home investors should still be able to take an 8% yield, obviously depending on how many weeks of the year they use it themselves, or offer it to friends etc.



The Dominican Republic is definitely a rising star, with low living costs it offers the opportunity of a cheap Caribbean holiday, and with major operators like Thomsons opening new Dominican Republic packages, serving their platinum range no less, global tourist are quickly cottoning on to Dominican charm and tourism is rising quickly.



Emerging markets where growth is fuelled by massively rising tourism numbers tend to be best for short-term investment, because people who fall in love with a place tend to buy resale properties in their favourite spots, with cost often coming as a second consideration. This is great news for the investors who get in early, as strong demand in the resale market makes it easier for them to collect the return on their investment. Not to mention tourism demand pushing up rental yields.



Of course business fuelled markets have the same benefits of affluence spreading through the communities, who then have money to spend on their own homes, but this process takes longer, and that is why these markets tend to be suggested for long-term investment.



Dominican Republic is showing all the right signs of being incredibly profitable for short-term investment, but is also suitable for long-term investors, who will collect healthy rental yields for as long as they choose before reselling.

Find out more about Dominican Republic property and buying property in Dominican Republic.

About DSR Asset Management Ltd

DSR is an overseas property investment specialist, working directly with developers in more than forty countries. All properties are exclusive to DSR , giving an unparalleled selection of resale and new builds.

Please direct all media queries, requests for press information and editorial details, to media@davidstanleyredfern.com

David Redfern is the director of DSR Asset Management Ltd an overseas property investment specialist. David works closely with developers in more than forty countries and oversees the DSR education programme which lectures individuals and organisations on property investment. Advertise Your Private Overseas Property

FootPrints SEO is search engine marketing and online marketing agency based in the UK.

© 2009 Footprints-SEO.com

Dominican Republic: Cheapest Property in the Caribbean

According to independent investment analysis, the Dominican Republic is the most affordable market out of 20 Caribbean countries assessed: Bermuda, was the most expensive at $7,861 per square metre, compared with Dominican Republic’s $1,324 per square metre.



Tourism arrivals to the Dominican Republic in the first four months of 2008 have also grown by 5.6 percent when compared to the year before. The number of tourists rose by around 84 thousand bringing the total for the period to 1.6 million. And the tourist influx is expected to continue increasing at a steady pace for the foreseeable future.



The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that the tourist industry will contribute 16 percent to GDP in 2008, and currently one out of every seven people in the country are employed in tourism related jobs. Around 35 percent of total export earnings for 2008 are expected to come from international visitor related transactions.



In terms of GDP, the Dominican Republic is one of the most stable Caribbean economies. Its telephone and internet infrastructure in metropolitan and tourist areas are well developed and reliable. Its substantial local agricultural and manufacturing industry results in much less costly imports than some alternative Caribbean island destinations, meaning a lower cost of living. And the country is a stable democracy with a foreign investment friendly outlook.



The Dominican Republic real estate market has also shown impressive growth over the past few years with the government enacting laws that protect the rights of international property owners and investors. And unlike some other Caribbean countries, investors don’t have to become a citizen or a resident to purchase property.



The message from analysts is buy now as the prices won’t last forever and property is expected to see 10-20 percent capital appreciation and 8-10 percent rental yields.



David Stanley Redfern, the overseas property specialists, have three properties in the Dominican Republic. The Apart-hotel Sosua Plaza contains 32m² studios, each with private balcony overlooking the pool in a well maintained gated hotel complex. All apartments are equipped with kitchenette, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, phone, and cable TV. Prices start at £24,000.



The Sousa Development contains a range of fully refurbished and furnished one bedroom apartments in a stunning complex surrounding a spectacular pool. Its hillside position offer ocean views from the higher floors and all apartments have living rooms, fully installed kitchens, bathroom, bedroom and terrace. Prices start from £30,000.



The Oasis Cabarete is an ocean front development offering one, two and three bedroom private residences within an enclosed community with private entrance and 24hr security surrounded by miles of deserted beaches. Inside, winding paths take you through lush landscape to natural waterfalls and two pools, Jacuzzi, fountains, restaurant, bar, surf shop, sun deck or private beach. Prices start at £67,000.



Find out more about Dominican Republic property and buying property in Dominican Republic.

About DSR Asset Management Ltd

DSR is an overseas property investment specialist, working directly with developers in more than forty countries. All properties are exclusive to DSR , giving an unparalleled selection of resale and new builds.

Please direct all media queries, requests for press information and editorial details, to media@davidstanleyredfern.com

David Redfern is the director of DSR Asset Management Ltd an overseas property investment specialist. David works closely with developers in more than forty countries and oversees the DSR education programme which lectures individuals and organisations on property investment. Advertise Your Private Overseas Property

FootPrints SEO is search engine marketing and online marketing agency based in the UK.

© 2009 Footprints-SEO.com