CROATIA REAL ESTATE NEWS

CEE property investment doubles year-on-year

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:18:00 +0000

Wednesday 25 January 2012
Commercial property investment volumes in Central and Eastern Europe
(CEE) reached more than €11.2 billion by the end of December 2011 –
twice the volume when compared to 2010, according to the latest data
from CBRE.

Prime yields are expected to remain solid in markets such as Poland and
the Czech Republic.
Significant deal flow in Russia during December 2011 pushed CEE property
investment volumes over the €10 billion mark, which resulted in the
third strongest year in CEE history. The strong finish in the final
quarter of 2011 (Q4 2011) confirms the expectations CBRE had at the
start of December that several pending transactions would close by the
year-end. Of particular note was the closing of the Galeria center, a
large mall in St. Petersburg, for over €800 million.

Low levels of property investment activity were recorded in South
Eastern Europe (SEE), with Serbia and Ukraine not seeing a single
institutional transaction during 2011. However, increased investment
activity has been visible in the Hungarian and Slovak commercial real
estate investment markets in recent months.

This trend is likely to continue, especially in Budapest, since the core
segment of the market has remained mostly illiquid thus far and occupier
market fundamentals have remained occupier friendly. In total,
investment volumes in Hungary increased from around €180 million in 2010
to over €600 million in 2011.

Patrick O'Gorman, Director of CEE Capital Markets, CBRE, commented:
"There is some willingness to invest in Hungary, despite recent
increasing unrest in the country, but it remains to be seen how this
trend will continue with current negotiations with the International
Monetary Fund underway and limited financing available.

"Refinancing of current loan agreements and potential partnerships
between owners and opportunistic investors may lead to further deal flow
in 2012."

Despite the fact that in some Western European markets yields have
turned the corner, prime yields are expected to remain solid in markets
such as Poland and the Czech Republic based on strong demand and income
growth, while increasing bond yields and the poor performance of the
Forint are weakening fundamentals in Hungary.

Jos Tromp, Head of CEE Research & Consultancy, CBRE, commented: "Based
on the property transactions under way, 2012 is already following a
similar pattern to 2011. The search for security is set to continue and
lack of product availability at the top-end of the market may start
pushing money into the core markets such as Poland and the Czech
Republic, depending on how the general economic sentiment unfolds.

"Generally, financing will remain the key factor in determining which
way markets move in 2012."

Source: CBRE

Real estate price increase in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:14:00 +0000

What's is happening in the real estate market at the coast of Dalmatia and in Istria? Does the announcement of EU entry in 2013 have an effect already. The first signals are there, and the're very clear.

"The best you can do is to buy a house when prices are at their lowest, and subsequently benefit from the price increase". This mantrum is often heard. But how do you know if the price is at its lowest? And then: are we talking about the price of property in general, or just about specific types of locations? How do you actually know if prices reached the bottom? That's valuable knowledge and international congresses and opinion makers remain undecided when it comes to Europe as a whole. Europe's real estate market is still the toy of the global financial crisis. Instability rules and gets in the mind of the people, who, as a result, don't know where to bank.

Considering that the current crisis hits every market, investors search for unique competitive factors. One positive indicator has the potential to lift one market above the other. Croatia has two: the slow yet stable growth of its economy and the accession to the EU. Both factors, and some characteristics of the Croatian second-home market, form the basis for the prediction that the second home real estate market will show rising prices in the summer of 2012.

Like any other emerging market, Croatia is relatively more dependant on 'direct foreign investment': investments from abroad. Croatia's star had just started rising after the war. The fallout of global investments affects an emerging market more than other economies, hence the slow recovery of Croatia's economomy. Croatia showed, in the first quarter of 2011, still a negative GDP (Gross domestic product). Leading credit advisors now predict that the last quarter of 2011 will show an increase again of 1%.

The date of accession to the EU is set at 2013. Officially. This is an important step and sufficient security for multinationals to expand quickly into the country. Investment funds and banks base most investment decisions on numbers and indicators. 'Being in the EU' raises these indicators and one can already see international banks opening their first offices in Croatia. EU accession will make it easier for any EU citizen to obtain a mortgage with a competitive interest rate (currently there are just a few banks who rule this mortgage market, and their rates are high). In addition, a number of laws lining up with EU law, make it easier to purchase (invest in) apartments or houses even in touristic zones (currently this is only possible in assigned residential zones). This will have a consistently positive effect on the market (more buyers), therefor on prices. But with a delay.

The crisis began to show its full extent in 2009. Due to the sudden absence of UK- and Irish buyers (Europe's largest second home buyers) the market came to a stand still. Dutch, Belgians and Scandinavians were still active, which has to do with another investment mentality. On average, a second home hunter takes one year to find his dream home. There were no houses hunters around anymore in 2009, which resulted in estate agents having virtually nothing to do in 2010. As a result, the prices dropped in that year 2010. Burza Nekretnine and Fillipovic Advisory are two domestic bodies that publish price movement of all real estate. Investors from abroad prefer to look at the core of this second home market, only the type of property that has always moved well: new apartments by the sea and single-family-houses with sea view in Dalmatia or scenic view in Istria. Apartmani-buildings are kept out this equation since the demand for this type of property had already decreased before signals of the crisis. So just the good properties, with nothing wrong about them, started dropping their prices in 2010 with, in average, 25%. Properties with a special characteristic: like newly built seaview houses or properties on the first line to the sea, dropped prices with 10%.

These figures are really significant: Croatia's real estate prices fell back to where they were at the start of the market's boom! This attracts investors of a different kind: people who are really looking to put their money in a stable investment: to save it for their future, for their children's future. These are different kind of people then those who were just hunting for a place in the sun: who just wanted to escape from Northern Europe's bad weather.

The summer of 2011 is over now, and along the entire coast of Croatia the market has shown great movement. Most real estate agents did good business again. Taken into consideration the fact that this market responds to changes in one year, the expectancy that prices will rise in 2012 is considerate. What can we expect to happen?

First of all, in the spring of 2012, it will not be easy to negotiate low prices anymore. Then the special discounted properties will not be present on the market anymore. Then the indicator of average asking prices will move up slowly. One should always consider that the investors in this market are still 90% foreigners, and that the sellers are families, people who owned that plot of land or property for many years, some even built that house by themselves. So unlike Spain, Portugal or Turkey where the market mainly consists of mass resort development, Croatia is a country of small interventions on a community scale. Prices respond to the market, and in Croatia they also respond to the seasons of the year. The summer is Croatia's economic high season!

No one has a crystal ball, so no one can predict what will happen. One can only rely on hard facts and on real figures. Croatia has now, within Europe, a unique position through its accession to the EU. This fact was in recent history the strongest catalist for price increases in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. There the opportunity that invstors are looking for presents itself. It's nothing grand, nor is it the next golden investment tip; it's just a unique indicator that gives Croatia a competitive edge for investors seeking growth.

This article was written by Middelland Croatia, an Amsterdam and Split based real estate advisory who have been assisting Dutch and Belgium investors with their entry to Croatia's 'second-home' real estate market since 2005. This article was published before, in Dutch language, in Mondi, Benelux's leading second-home magazine.

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:12:00 +0000

Source: www.globalpropertyguide.com

Croatia's referendum gave 'yes' to the EU

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:45:00 +0000

Reuters

ZAGREB - Croatia voted on Sunday to join the European Union next year, shrugging off concerns over the economic turmoil in the bloc and fears that membership will compromise its hard-won sovereignty.

Provided all 27 member states ratify its accession, the Adriatic state will enter the EU on July 1, 2013, more than two decades after breaking away from socialist Yugoslavia and fighting a 1991-95 war to secure independence.

It will become the second former Yugoslav republic to join the EU, following Slovenia in 2004.

Sixty-six percent ticked "Yes" in the referendum, the state electoral commission said with almost all votes counted.

"This is a historic moment, and could be a turning point in our history," Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic told reporters.

Turnout, however, was low, at 44 percent of eligible voters, well below the resounding votes of many former communist countries that joined in 2004 and 2007.

That figure appeared to reflect widespread uncertainty among Croats over what membership will really mean.

But the result suggested the EU had not completely lost its appeal in the struggling western Balkans despite the debt crisis that is threatening the single currency.

Many Croats hope accession will mark a clear break with the region's recent past of war and nationalism, and help its weak economy through EU funds and full access to the bloc's common market.

The slow pace of reform in the rest of the western Balkans, and waning enthusiasm within the EU for further enlargement, mean other countries in Croatia's neighborhood - such as Serbia, Bosnia and Albania - will wait years before they too can join. Tiny Montenegro on the Adriatic coast is next in line.

"GREAT RELIEF"

"I feel great relief, for me, for my children," said bank worker Jasna Maric, 43. "Only fifteen years ago, we were still killing each other here, so this was a strategic decision."

Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic, though visibly delighted, sounded a note of caution:

"With this, we leave behind political instability, but the rest will depend on our ability and creativity," Pusic said. "Our chances will be better, but no one will do the job for us."

Croatia saw strong growth in the past decade on the back of foreign lending and waves of tourists to its Adriatic coast, but its economy has been hit hard by the global economic crisis.

It will have to work hard to make its public finances sustainable before it is allowed to join the euro zone, which analysts say is unlikely in the next five years.

Its gross domestic product per capita is 61 percent of the EU average.

Analysts and government officials had warned that rejection of EU accession on Sunday would have hit the country's credit rating, deterred investors and further dampened any prospect of a quick economic recovery.

Modern Istrian Villa for sale

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:23:00 +0000

A newly built, splendidly designed 3 bed room modern villa with a swimming pool and immense view over the Istrian rolling hills, in the vicinity of Sveti Lovrec.

Located in beatifull part of Istria, in a small hamlet with high quality, up-level villa's in traditional style with a mix of Croatian and foreign owners. A wrought-iron fence opens to the property. The back of the house was designed to be closed, with thick walls, towards the 3-double private parking lot. Once you enter the house it becomes clear that all the openness is positioned towards the garden and the view over the countryside. Spacious living room and dinging area, open kitchen with kitchen island and top quality fittings and fixtures,

A door leads to a corridor with the private area of the house, that is also designed for spending you holidays: 2x bed room with 2 separate, small bath rooms. 1 extra bed room with private master bath room including bath tub, A covered patio terrace links these rooms. All rooms have double doors opening to the garden. Further, the house has 2x storage space, one is accessible from outside. This layout is ideal when the owner decides to rent out the property and wishes to lock off private possessions,

Asking price: 350.000,00 EUR

Middelland advices 300.000 EUR

INFRASTRUCTURE: separate water connection, separate electrical connection, septic tank, telephone connection, highspeed internet, sat tv, available, video door phone, fenced yard, outdoor lighting, gate with remote opening. Electric underfloor heating in bathrooms, fireplace, air-conditioned with cold- or hot inverter.

town center 1 km, sea 20 km, beach 20 km, shop 1 km, catering facility 1 km, airport 40 km. Nett floor Area: 145,60 m. Plot area: 1.700,00 m

download all information on this villa for sale: www.middellandcroatia.com/devs/modern_istria_villa.pdf

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM CROATIA

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:07:00 +0000

We look back at a great year and end this business year with solid feeling that Middelland has been of proper benefit to its customers. The general feeling in the market has been, also throughout 2011, that the world was reluctant to invest. But the clients of Middelland, who purchased their dream home or land plot at the coast of Croatia this year, carried out one communal thought: 'what should we be waiting for'?
Croatia's market is recovering, slowly but steadily. No overproduction here, no crazy impossible resorts, just a pristine coastline within one day driving distance and a EU entry just around the corner. And with most of the gold-digging agents now vanished from the field, one can expect the highest quality of advice and real knowledge as a guide towards finding your dream home too.
To give you this knowledge too, we publish a series of market reports for your convenience, or for reading on the sofa during the holidays... preparing for great steps to take in 2012! The team of Middelland will be there too. We wish you a merry christmas and an exciting 2012.

Click here to find the reports

Tomorrow, Croatia will sign its EU accession treaty

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:14:00 +0000

TheAccession Treaty between Croatia and EU will be signed on December 9 inBrusseles, on the eve of the summit of leader sof 27 EU countries where Croatia will, for the first time, be invited to attend as an observer.

Croatia will sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union on Friday, and will become the bloc's full member on 1 July 2013. Until then, Croatia will have observer status in EU institutions, while its status of a candidate country will change to that of an acceding country.

During an hour-long ceremony, scheduled to start at 0930 hours in Brussels, the treaty will be signed by Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, and by the EU heads of state or government.

At the beginning of the ceremony, brief speeches will be delivered by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country is holding the EU rotating presidency, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek as well as by Josipovic and Kosor.

After the signing ceremony, a photo session will be held and after that a regular summit of EU leaders will begin, with Croatia attending for the first time as an observer.

According to the document, Croatia becomes a full member of the EU on 1 July 2013, after Zagreb holds a referendum on the matter and EU member-states ratify the treaty.

Until 1 July 2013, Croatia will have observers in EU institutions. During this process, Croatia will be informed and consulted about new laws being adopted by the EU. Croatia can also contribute to the elaboration of laws and regulations but cannot vote on them until it becomes a full member.

Croatian ambassadors to third countries will be invited to meetings of their peers from the 27 EU member states.

With Croatia's admission to the European Union, the Union's Delegation in Zagreb will become the European Commission's office.

The Treaty of Accession is written in the 23 official languages of the EU and in Croatian, which will become the 24th official language of the Union on 1 July 2013.

Two documents are to be signed on Friday: the Treaty of Accession and the Final Act, a final political document of the intergovernmental conference which includes all that was agreed upon during the negotiating process.

After that, the treaty is to be ratified by all EU member states, and in Croatia its citizens will express their view on the matter at a referendum.

The treaty stipulates that the deadline for depositing ratification documents to the Italian government, the depositary of the agreement, is 30 June 2013, and admission is scheduled for 1 July 2013 when Croatia is to become the 28th member of the bloc.

The Treaty of Accession is the result of negotiations that lasted five years and eight months. They were opened on 3 October 2005 and finalised with the closing of the last policy chapters on 30 June 2011.

The negotiations were conducted on 33 chapters, or policy areas which a candidate country is required to adjust to EU standards. There are two more policy chapters -- Institutions (Policy Chapter No. 34) and Other Issues (No. 35) -- but they are not subject to negotiation.

Under Chapter No. 35, the European Commission is expected to carry out a monitoring process, as has been the case with other acceding countries, in order to see whether Croatia is fulfilling its obligations in the run-up to full membership.

In the spring of 2012, the EC will publish monitoring tables for three policy chapters -- Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, Competition Policy, and Justice, Freedom and Security. In the autumn, a comprehensive report on monitoring will be published regarding all policy chapters.

Chapter No. 34 defines the participation of Croatian representatives in EU institutions and agencies and designates Croatian as a new official language of the EU starting from Croatia's entry into the bloc.

Under Chapter No. 33 (Finance and Budgetary Provisions), Croatia can expect to have some 800 million euros at its disposal from the EU budget in the first six months of its membership. The funds cannot be drawn immediately but can be used over a longer period of time for the implementation of long-term projects.

New Year in Dubrovnik

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:29:00 +0000

The Dubrovnik Sungarden Residences Resort offer a great deal for spending your new years eve in warmer weather and the luxury that comes with the Radisson Blu standard.

Clients of Middelland can take advantage of this program to view the new resort and its investment opportunities. Contact Middelland Croatia directly to get a quotation for staying in the hotel or directly in one of the finished apartments.

click on the image above to read the electronic New Years brochure.

Middelland advisor to Dutch investor group in developing a golf resort on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia.

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:10:00 +0000

A 200 ha site, situated in the hearth of Dalmatia, the most sought after province of Croatia, with 2 international airports within 30 min. distance, national parks and 3 UNESCO world heritage sites within 1 hour distance. Croatia is, today, among the fastest growing tourism destinations in Europe, yet because of ecological laws enforced in 2004, the region still has no golf courses. Croatian government has emphasised the importance of golf by adopting a 'Golf Law', that now opens doors to foreign investors.

The Dalmatian will be a 36 hole golf course that will host the first Croatian Open and is designed to become a PGA championship course. There will be a 5-star deluxe hotel on site with 200 keys and various types of real estate, as well as a medical center, spa facilities, conference center, sports center and commercial activities, creating a destination that will blend into the local economical and ecological structure of the region.

The site has been investigated on its water resources, ground structure, geography and manifests the very best location in Dalmatia to build for- and play golf.

The initiative holders are inviting investors to join in, either as 'first line investor' today (all work untill obtaining the land title) or as 'second line investor' through an investment fund by purchasing participations. Potential profit and annual return on investment are calculated at the financial chapter at the end of this brochure.

Croatia's imminent membership to the EU, expected in 2013, will enhance its attraction for investors, boosting the economy. Today is the time to benefit from one of Europe's new countries, on the moment right before markets recover, and this country enters its age of prosperity in the EU.

INVESTOR EVENT

On behalf of Wittens Investments we invite our clients to the informative evening in March 2012

As Croatian accession to the European Union is now very likely to occur in 2012 -2013, now is the time to invest in Croatia's sustainable future. With tourism as one of the main contributors to the GDP of Croatia, the Croatian government is set on attracting, supporting and promoting golf throughout the country. To this date , however, Croatia still has only 7 golf courses. The government has taken various actions to promote golf, like the creation of a Golf Law in 2009 which opened the door to foreign investors. Middelland works as consultant for the Wittens Investment project team, that are developing a Golf Resort on the coast in Dalmatia. As of now the Wittens Investments project is on the list of high priority projects in Croatia and directly supported by the government. The developers has an exciting new concept for Golf Resorts and they are, before anything, severely enthousiastic golfers. The developer is organising its first call for investors to join in the project. Investors can step into the project today, or later, as various investor friendly exits have been established. 28th of February they organise an informative evening where Middelland will elabourate on the real estate situation in Croatia.

WHERE AND WHEN ?

An investors meeting will be held in the start of March 2012

Date: to follow

Time: to follow

WHAT DOES THIS PROJECT OFFER?

A unique and sustainable resort concept with medical center, sea- and golf front real estate bringing buzz to these shores 12 months a year. The project is actively supported by the Croatian government, supported by the PGA European Tour.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

The early project stage brings a high profit potential. Risk profile: profits with relatively low downsize risk. Clear exit points for investors. Certain privileges investors regarding Real Estate. Croatian EU accession nearby, which means possible higher return on investment.

Middelland Croatia
nick@middellandcroatia.com
020 7725652

Commercial investments in Croatia

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:40:00 +0000

Since 2005 Middelland has been one of Croatia's most active real estate agents. Our office in Split is not only sourcing properties by the sea, but also investment projects of larger scale.

Next to secondhome searching, Middelland advises to investors and funds on their Croatian real estate porfolio. The current expanding tourism market, the ever growing demand for high quality accommodation, combined with current market conditions, attract direct foreign investment from all over the world. Middelland has, in its portfolio, various hotel sites, offices, supermarkets or calls for funding for other real estate projects. In a country about to enter the EU (2013 is the set date) these investments can offer the security of profit where the rest of Europe can't.

We do not publish these projects online. Please fill out our contact form to receive an extract of our investments portfolio.

Prijzen in Kroatie (update)

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:39:00 +0000

uit: Mondi Magazine

In West Europa vindt men veel aanbod van herenboerderijen of villa's, die ooit gebouwd werden door een welvarende middenklasse of grootgrond bezitters. Doordat Kroatië deze welvarende periode veel minder heeft meegemaakt, mede door 40 jaar socialisme waarin er geen sprake was van grootgrondbezit, treft men in Kroatië een heel ander soort aanbod aan. De meeste huizen zijn gebouwd in de periode nadat het socialisme werd opgeheven en Kroatië opeens een enorme sprong in welvaart meemaakte. Veel van die huizen zijn ambachtelijk gebouwd, maar vooral in de populaire badplaatsen zijn het ook uitingen van de eigenaar zijn 'hobbyisme'. Tot enkele jaren geleden gold immers dat, wie zijn huis niet afbouwde, geen belasting betaalde.

"Men vindt vooral veel kleine traditionele huizen en dichtbebouwde dorpskernen en hier en daar een statig landhuis aan zee of een palazzo in de oude binnenstad. Uitzondering hierop vormt de voormalig Italiaanse regio Istrië. Hier vind je grote boerderijen, opgeknapt of nog te renoveren en nieuwe villa's die geheel in die stijl zijn gebouwd. Vooral in de binnenlanden, heuvels, Mirna Vallei. Qua bouwstijl en geografie lijkt deze streek dan ook op Toscane.
Het een en ander is nu in snel tempo aan het veranderen en leidt tot de vraag wat te kopen in Kroatië 'vandaag de dag?'.

Budget tot 150.000 euro
Een één tot tweeslaapkamer appartement met zeezicht, op loopafstand van zee. Maar de keuze is beperkt; er is meer keuze in traditionele huizen zonder zeezicht. Het aanbod is afhankelijk van welke staat van renovatie men wenst. Totaal gerenoveerd, of in zeer goede staat verkerend, koop je een kleine twee slaapkamerwoning. Bijvoorbeeld een zogenaamde 'Kamena Kuce', een traditioneel huis van het typische beige-witte natuursteen, met oranje-rood dak en witte of groene luiken. Het aanbod is echter groter en kwalitatief beter geworden sinds de crisis.

Van 150.000 – 250.000 euro
Voor dit budget koopt men een mooi appartement op korte loopafstand van zee, met zeezicht. In Dalmatië is daarbij het aanbod ruimer dan in Istrië. Het schiereiland Istrië heeft twee kusten: de westkust en de zuid-oostkust. De westkust is vrij vlak waardoor je alleen op de eerste rij aan zee goed zeezicht hebt. Pas circa tien kilometer van zee vandaan beginnen de heuvels en ook daar heeft men zeezicht, zij het in de verre verte. Langs deze kust is het moeilijk om een appartement te vinden met echt goed zeezicht. Midden- en Zuid- Dalmatië heeft een meer bergachtige kust, waardoor je meer keuze hebt in huizen met zeezicht. Meer keuze dus een grotere kans van slagen. Een villa met zeezicht is ook mogelijk in deze prijsklasse. Maar geen luxe villa met zwembad. Men moet er rekening mee houden dat bijvoorbeeld de staat van de woning niet perfect is of dat het huis qua indeling (nog) geen zomerverblijf is.

Veel huizen zijn ingedeeld in twee of meer appartementen. Er zijn ook af en toe renovatieobjecten te koop direct aan het water, soms zelfs met eigen aanlegsteiger in de zin van een betonnen pier. Deze huizen zijn gebouwd van dikke natuursteen, dus solide, en zijn, eenmaal gerestaureerd, zeer gewild.

Van 250.000 – 400.000 euro
Het is al mogelijk om het ultieme vastgoed te vinden voor dit budget: een huis eerstelijn aan zee met 'de voeten in het water'. Het aanbod van deze huizen is echter niet groot. De fysieke kustlijn is namelijk altijd publiek gebied. Locaties waar de kustlijn van nature moeilijk begaanbaar is voor het publiek worden veelal beschouwd als toplocaties, daar men hier de meeste privacy heeft.
Voor dit budget koopt men in Dalmatië een villa met zeezicht langs de gehele kust en op loopafstand van zee. Ook In Istrië langs de westkust, maar dan wel op een afstand van 10 km van zee. Aan de Zuid-Oostkust van istrië vindt men deze op 15 minuten loopafstand van zee. Een andere mogelijkheid binnen dit budget is de aankoop van een luxe appartement in één van de resorts die nieuw ontwikkeld worden in Kroatie.

Van 400.000 euro tot 650.000 EUR
Om een paar voorbeelden te noemen; een penthouse in een luxe 5-sterren resort, een villa direct aan het water gelegen, een gerenoveerde villa met zwembad en vol zeezicht, onroerend goed in de toplocaties van Kroatie of een reeds gerenoveerde bed&breakfast. Dit is de prijsklasse waarin veel mogelijk is in Kroatie. Het is daarom eenvoudiger te beschrijven wat men NIET kan kopen voor deze prijs:
Boven dit budget vallen: een geheel gerenoveerde moderne villa eerstelijn aan zee, een villa nabij of met uitzicht op de steden Dubrovnik, Opatija of Split, een villa in Hvar of een villa eerstelijn aan zee op het eiland Hvar".

Conde Nast 2011: Croatian Island of Hvar in Europe's Top Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:00:00 +0000

The island of Hvar's high profile tourist season continues as it is voted in Europe's Top Ten Islands by in the Conde Nast 2011 Reader's Choice Awards.
The beauty and quality of tourism offer of the island of Hvar was once again recognised in the prestigious Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards on October 11, 2011, as Croatia's premier island was voted the eighth most best island in Europe.

Record Number of Votes Cast
The awards, announced in New York are now in their 24th year, and a record 28,876 readers cast more than eight million votes for the 2011 winners, ranking the world's best cities, islands, cruise lines, hotels, airlines and resorts. A full breakdown of all the winners will appear in the November edition of the upmarket travel magazine.

read more

Read more at Suite101: Conde Nast 2011: Croatian Island of Hvar in Europe's Top Ten | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/news/conde-nast-2011-croatian-island-of-hvar-in-europes-top-ten-a392741#ixzz1aUtTpQBk

VIEWING WEEKENDS TO ISTRIA

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:52:00 +0000

It is still fantastic weather in Croatia and we would kindly like to invite you to come an see the Mali Kosi project, as well as some comparably hot properties throughout the whole region of Istria. And we will help you organise a ticket, hotel, rental car....

You would like to visit the project, but you wonder:

To what airport should I fly?
Where can I find good plane tickets for good prices?
Where should I book a hotel?
Will I need a car, where should i book it?

Well these are questions we deal with every week, on behalf of our clients. If you consider coming to Croatia, then why not let us give you a travel proposal. We will advice you the best flights and give you a total price quotation for your trip.

click here to fill out your preferred travel dates and let us make you a quotation

SOME TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS TO BE IN ISTRIA SOON

(price indications based on 2 persons)

Or take a look at www.bravofly.com for multiple flight options

THE “NEW TUSCANY”

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:34:00 +0000

The secret's out about Croatia's spectacular Dalmatian coastline, but Istria—the peninsula bordering Sloveniaand a quick hop from Italy's Trieste—is starting to lure American travelers to its Adriatic beaches and verdant interior that's been christened the "new Tuscany." The vibe here is decidedly Italian. You'll find lots of prosciutto and local wines on the menu, and Italian is the second language. In fact, the ancient Romans were so besotted with Istria that they called it the "terra magica." But a big difference from the Italian boot: the tourist crowds and prices. Hilltop villages are yours for the strolling, truffles, yours for the foraging.

For tours to Croatia, consider booking an itinerary with Kompas US. Since the 1980s when Kompas was the official tour operator to the former Yugoslavia, the company has evolved into a multi-country supplier of escorted tours and group tours to Central and Southern Europe. Its core business is selling Croatia to U.S. tour operators and travel agencies.

Nick Jaksic, vice president sales and marketing at Kompas in Fort Lauderdale, says that Kompas "offers a number of impressive four- and five-star hotels for its groups in Istria like the Kempinski Umag, Sole Garden Istria in Umag, Monte Mulini Rovinj, and the Molindrio Laguna Hotel Porec." Tiana Maretic, an Istria native who works with Kompas France, likes the Valsabbion Hotel in Pula "because of its high quality food—the best-rated restaurant in Croatia according to GaultMillau." She lists three "must-visit" places in central Istria, where wine routes and olive oil factories delight foodies: "Hum, the smallest town in the world, Motovun famous for its film festival, and Roc for its music festival.

article from:

Emerging Destinations in Europe, Part Two

September 27, 2011By: Mary Winston Nicklinhttp://www.travelagentcentral.com/croatia/emerging-destinations-europe-part-two-31086

Croatia's European Union membership will effect only coastal real estate prices

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:32:00 +0000

Croatia's European Union membership will have little effect on real estate prices on mainland Croatia, the majority of Croatia's agencies agree reports Croatian Times.

Only those doing business in the coastal areas such as Croatia's Istria (north) and Split-Dalmatia County (south) believe prices will be significantly different once Croatia becomes a fully fledged member.

These are the results of the latest survey of more than 100 real estate agencies throughout Croatia conducted by real estate portal CentarNekretnina.net.

Half of the agencies (51 per cent) believe that apartment prices are likely to go down in this year, with an estimated drop of eight per cent on average. House prices are expected to go up again in summer 2012.
Expectations differ somewhat according to the region.

Veelzijdig Kroatië

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:29:00 +0000

Veelzijdig Kroatië

Kroatië is bij uitstek het land waar je nog een huis direct aan zee kunt kopen. De natuurlijke stroming in de Middellandse Zee voert glashelder water langs de Kroatische kust van zuid naar noord. De oorlog zorgde ervoor dan het land pas 6 jaar geleden aan een opmars als tweedehuizenmarkt is begonnen. Voordeel van deze late opkomst is dat Kroatië nu één van de modernste kadasters van Europa bezit en de kust niet geheel is volgebouwd door projectontwikkelaars. Er wordt in dit land, wat een ecologische koers in heeft gezet, maar beperkt gebouwd en met name kleinschalige initiatieven. De regering spreekt expliciet haar afwijkende koers van Turkije en Spanje uit.

Vanwege strenge ecologische wetten die wildbouw tegengaan is, in vergelijking met andere Europese landen, het aanbod in Kroatië erg klein. Het betreft veel kleine traditionele huizen en dichtbebouwde dorpskernen, veelal ambachtelijk gebouwd. Hier en daar een statig landhuis aan zee of een palazzo in de oude binnenstad. Uitzondering hierop vormt de voormalig Italiaanse regio Istrië. Hier vindt men grote boerderijen en nieuwe villa’s die, vooral in de binnenlanden, geheel in Italiaanse stijl zijn gebouwd. Toplocaties zijn de beste koop, deze vindt men aan de oostkust van Istrië, Zadar, Sibenik-tot-Trogir, Omis Riviera, op de eilanden Hvar, Brac en Solta, en in Dubrovnik. De beste ligging is daarbij eerstelijns-aan-zee en is dé waardevaste factor bij uitstek bij de aanschaf van onroerend goed.

Eilanden
Naast het vasteland kent Kroatië ook eilanden die gelegen zijn in de Adriatische Zee. Van deze 1244 eilanden zijn slechts 50 eilanden bewoond. De meest bekende eilanden hiervan zijn Cres (bekend door de vele dolfijnen die het eiland omringen; Brac, Hvar en Vis in Midden-Dalmatië, Mljet en Korcula welke laatste behoort tot de Zuid-Dalmatische eilanden.

Hvar
Kroatië kent verschillende microklimaten en de meeste zonuren vindt men op het eiland Hvar, het lavendeleiland, gelegen voor de kust van Split. Het is één van de grootste eilanden van Kroatië en loopt parallel aan de kust van het vasteland tot bijna aan Zuid- Kroatië. Dit eiland heeft ongeveer 11.500 inwoners. Hvar is een bergachtig eiland met relatief slechte wegen. Het eiland is circa 70 kilometer lang en maximaal 10 kilometer breed. Naast fijne stranden kent Hvar veel pittoreske dorpjes in het binnenland en veel lavendelweiden. Naast lavendel zijn ook de geuren van rozemarijn en salie goed te ruiken op dit eiland. Deze kruiden vormen tevens een belangrijk ingrediënt in de Kroatische keuken en zijn naast olijven, vijgen, druiven en amandelen een voornaam handelsproduct.

De mondaine stad Hvar
De stad Hvar is de belangrijkste toeristische trekpleister van het eiland. Het is een mondaine havenstad met een indrukwekkende historische stadskern gelegen op het westelijke gedeelte van het eiland. Op het Sveti Stjepanplein in de middeleeuwse benedenstad is de mooie Sint Stefanuskathedraal met zijn rijk versierde Renaissance kenmerken te vinden. In de straatjes rond het Sveti Stjepanplein vindt men vele witte patriciërshuizen. Dit stadsgedeelte behoort tot de oorspronkelijke bovenstad en is volledig door stadsmuren ommuurd. Vanuit het 16-eeuwse Španjola Fort met middeleeuwse kerkers is het uitzicht over Hvar en de naburige Pakleni Eilanden adembenemend. Hvar-stad is al jaren een hotspot voor de Europese jetset en is de plek waar men in de zomer beroemdheden spot. In de haven liggen de jachten van vier verdiepingen hoog met de achterzijde naar de kade te pronken en in de baai liggen de 'te grote' exemplaren waarvan de naam te lezen is op de bijbootjes. Overdag ligt men aan één van de vele baaitjes, sommige geheel verlaten of op één van de Pakleni eilandjes direct voor de stad Hvar, bereikbaar per taxiboot of een lokale visser. Het onbewoonde eilandje Jerolim is inmiddels uitgegroeid tot een hotspot voor LGB toeristen uit de hele wereld.

Stari Grad
De tweede stad op het eiland Hvar is Starigrad , gelegen aan een rustige baai in het noordwesten van het eiland en op slechts 20 autominuten van Hvar. Aan de kade van de haven zijn veel terrasjes te vinden maar de echte charme van Starigrad ontdekt men in de pittoreske straten. Vooral in het zuidelijk stadsgedeelte zijn er mooie patriciërshuizen die met kleurrijke bloemen versierd zijn. Ook ziet men hier een bijzonder natuurlijk verschijnsel: Door de aantrekkingskracht van zon en maan stijgt het water soms opeens heel snel, versterkt door de ligging aan een lange diepe baai, kan het zeewater hier binnen enkele tientallen minuten een meter stijgen. Al sinds de oudheid zorgt een vernuftig systeem van kanalen ervoor dat het water door het hele stadje geleid wordt en wordt opgevangen. Absolute must in dit stadje is een bezoek aan het Palazzo Tvrdalj, ooit de 'gepimpte' villa van de zestieneeuwse dichter Hektorovic met, voor die tijd, zeer expressieve kunst en een eigen visbassin in de binnentuin.

Deze bijdrage werd mede mogelijk gemaakt door Nick van den Bichelaer, Middelland Croatia en is eerder gepubliceerd in Second Home magazine, voorjaar 2011.

Housing loans for foreigners / mortgage for EU citizens

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Download directly the housing loan offer for a Mali Kosi Seaview villa

We waited before posting this information, and we needed to test the information given to us, but we can now announce that Erste Bank, one of Croatia's largest banks, with its holding listed at the Vienna stock exchange, is offering housing loans to EU citizens who wish to buy a property in Croatia.

The product 'Erste Housing Loan for foreigners', in short

interest rates: ca. 6,5 - 7 %
amount of loan possible: up to 100% of property price
repayment period: 20 years
type of loan: annuity (fixed monthly payment, including a part re-payment and a part interest)

Download the full mortgage conditions here

Our findings and advice, in short

Current interest rates are still high in comparison to EU rates. As soon as Croatia enters the EU we expect that rates will lower as a result of direct competition from other foreign banks on the Croatian market.
A 100% loan demands an deposit (on a blocked bank account) from the client. Effectively, it is wise to take a maximum loan of 70% of the property price, in such case there is no deposit demanded by the bank.
attached calculation show that, when one chooses a loan of 50% of the purchase price, the costs of the mortgage are still less than the profit from renting out. This, particularly, makes your second home an interesting investment where the rental business pays for the costs.
Take into consideration that the domestic en international (second homes) markets are two different things in Croatia. The prices of coastal real estate are subject to international demand, rather than from domestic demand. The easier availability of mortgages for foreigner will have a positive effect on those house prices.

Mali Kosi Seaview Villa Project

For the Mali Kosi Seaview villa's we have calculated an example situation. A 3 bed room villa with full sea view can be purchased for EUR 263.000. Including all purchase costs, and making use of a housing loan from Erste Bank for 50% of the purchase price, an investment is needed of only EUR 150.000

own investment needed for purchasing a 3 bed room, sea view villa: EUR 150.000

annual rental income: EUR 23.000
annual costs (incl. mortgage costs+re-payment): EUR 20.500
annual profit: EUR 2.500

Download the complete loan offer for a Mali Kosi Seaview villa

Invest now in Croatia, right before the country enters into the EU (2013; set date for EU entry)!

please send me the full details

Croatia tourism figures up in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:58:00 +0000

(AFP)
ZAGREB — Croatian tourism is on track for a record-breaking year, with an eight percent increase in visitors since January, the tourism minister said Wednesday.
"If we talk about numbers of visits and overnight stays, this is certainly the most successful year in Croatia's tourism," a key segment of the Adriatic country's recession-hit economy, Tourism Minister Damir Bajs told national TV.
During the January-July period 6.2 million tourists visited Croatia, ministry figures showed, an eight percent increase on the same period in 2010, or an extra 450,000 tourists.
In July alone, some three million tourists were recorded in Croatia, 4.8 percent more than the same month last year.
Tourists accounted for 19.8 million overnight stays, a 3-percent increase compared with the same period in 2010.
Last year 10.6 million tourists visited Croatia, mainly enjoying the Adriatic coast in July and August, while tourism-generated income stood at 6.24 billion euros ($8.9 billion).
The tourism industry makes up around 18 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
After a continuous rise in tourist numbers since the end of the 1991-1995 war, Croatia registered a fall of 2.5 percent in 2009 when the country fought a recession.
Despite improvements last year, it has since then only seen quarterly growth once -- 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2010.
The former Yugoslav republic is set to join the European Union in mid-2013.

The Yacht Week - Official Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:31:00 +0000

European elite delighted with Istria

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Businessmen and noblemen from throughout Europe have discovered an untouched tourism haven in Istria and there are building or restoring luxurious villas for themselves and their guests

article by: Stanko Boric

Western Europeans, particularly Brits, Germans, Austrians, Italians and Scandinavians have discovered Istria, and are buying homes there for two to three times less than the cost in Tuscany or Provence – regions Istria has been compared to. Andreas von Bismarck, one of the heirs of Otto von Bismarck, first Chancellor of the united Germany bought and restored a house in Vizinada. Though we found Bismarck at the house, he declined to speak with us. The house of the “king of pudding and baking powder” Richard Oetker is in the village Prascari near Visnjan. Oetker spent more than two years restoring the house and, like other wealthy people, he has had the entire estate covered with alarms and security cameras to protect his privacy.

Scottish landowner, Lord Alexandar McEwan, has a true castle in Oprtalj, which he made from a classical Istrian house. When Lord McEwan is residing there, both the Scottish and Croatian flags are hung out, and while he is away the house is rented out from 1220 to 2870 euro per week, depending on the time of year. Twenty kilometres from the von Bismarck home is the home where Formula 1 star Ralf Schumacher vacations. The extra luxurious home is in the village of Kaligarici and can only be reached via a gravel road. It is not known whether this house is owned by Schumacher or a friend of his, however the race car driver frequently spends time here. In the very centre of Istria, in the village Pajci near Tinjan, Baron Friedrich Mayer-Meinhof from Salzburg has a large estate.

The most spectacular view though is reserved for Irish producer and president of the Motovun Film Festival Mike Downey. From the terrace of his home in Grimaldi, the view stretches out over Butoniga Lake and the surrounding areas. Like McEwan's, Downey's house is also available for rent, from 1000 to 2150 euro per week.

In addition to the wealthy who visit Istria during the summer, members of the middle class have decided to make Istria their home. Among them is a couple from Holland, Sande Jan Worst and Minke van Ingen, who moved to the village Valenti in central Istria six years ago. Their home can only be reached via a very steep and almost inaccessible gravel road. “When we showed relatives and friends photographs of the ruins of the house and estate we sold our home in Holland for, they said we were crazy. Now, they all visit us and want to stay as long as possible,” says Minke with a smile. Her husband Jan has found work in Croatia with a German investor. Minke says that they have excellent relations wit the locals, who were quick to lend a helping hand when they first arrived. They visit Holland twice a year, but feel no nostalgia for the life they left behind. “We do miss the cultural life a little, for there is no theatre, cinema or other entertainment here, but what is hardest for us is that there are no English newspapers available here.” However, they say that the peace that they've found is priceless.

Among those who've decided to buy property in Motovun are Sofie Aller Anderson and her boyfriend Carsten Fromberg, both from Denmark. Fromberg is a film and theatre director and was a professor at the Danish School of Film until 2003. “Carsten visited the Motovun Film Festival and lead workshops for many years. We both loved the town and, together with our friend Robin Engelhart, found this stone house and decided to buy it,” said Sofie, who we found in the midst of renovating the old house in the centre of Motovun. “There's a lot of work to do, but we wanted to renovate the house to our liking,” says Sofie, who added that she's delighted with Istria.

The average Istrian stone house in need of renovation has a living space of 111 m2 and an average price of 49,000 euro, meaning that a square meter of Istrian stone houses is worth an average of 442 euro/m2. Meanwhile, the price of already renovated stone houses is about 165 times more expensive. The renovated houses have an average living space of 158 m2 and an average price of 185,000 euro or exactly 1168 euro/m2. Andrija Colak, co-founder and general manager of the specialized property sales guide InfoNekretnina is very well acquainted with the property market there, and he says that the price of renovating a house depends on many factors and can range from 400 to 700 euro per square meter.

“About 60,000 euro needs to be invested into the average house with 111 m2, meaning that the purchase and renovation of the house requires about 110,000 euro. It is important to note that the adaptation of such a house requires the help of an architect and verification of the plans by the Croatian State Conservation Institute to ensure that the adaptation is in line with traditional construction. With respect to the adaptation of stone houses, more than 60% of the requests come from foreign citizens, mostly from the UK,” says Colak.

Interest in investing in old rural Istrian houses has been climbing for the past fifteen years and has jumped in the last five years, thanks mostly to good marketing by the local tourist board. Statistics say that the ratio of domestic to foreign buyers of land in the interior of Istria is 70:30 in favour of Croatian buyers, however the real reason for this is that a large number of foreigners buy property through Croatian citizens.

“Istria is seen as the new Tuscany, only with much lower prices and a large supply of available property. Istria is new in the world and people are just starting to discover it, which is much more interesting to foreigners than Spain or the less attractive Turkey. This has created great demand for property which, for the local population, was more or less worthless until recently. Then foreigners suddenly started offering prices that were unthinkable for that kind of property. Therefore, the reasons for this interest are primarily the geographical position of Istria, which lies in the very heart of Europe, the authentic property foreigners want to buy because they are unique in the world and the low cost of property,” says Colak.

Architect Dean Peteh claims that in the beginning, the Germans, Austrians and Italians showed the most interest in stone houses, while now the majority of investors are coming from Great Britain. “There are two kinds of buyers, those who know Istria and want it to become their second home and those who want to invest in Istria. There are more and more of the second type in Istria; the majority are English who spend about 15 days a year in Istria and rent out the property at 150 to 800 euro a day for the rest of the year. In this way, they get a quick return on their investment and gain ownership over property that is only going to grow in value,” says Peteh.

The average buyer of Istrian stone houses is a member of the middle upper class, an intellectual, lover of nature and gastronomy. Considering that Istria is still not as popular as Tuscany or Provence, there is still a large number of abandoned and free properties that are reasonable investments. “The biggest problem is that the majority of these properties do not have clean ownership papers, this is very difficult to find. For that reason, and due to the high criteria of the buyers, it is now more common for new stone houses to be built in the native Istrian style. Here there is a danger of the 'Tuscanization' of Istria, as investors want to achieve architecture that will be impressive to their friends and neighbours. Architects are the ones to model their desires into a form that will be in line with the history and architecture of Istria,” says Peteh.

Today, the majority are building stone villas, though there are more and more successful attempts to combine modern architecture with the architecture of this region. “It is not easy to build a rural urban in Istria, as the Istrian house is a poor house. Modern Istrian stone villas today have spacious rooms, pools, satellite antennas and air conditions, and it is very difficult to combine the image of an idyllic poor Istrian house with the need for a comfortable country life in a villa. Therefore, this form is yet to be evolved. We wouldn't want copies of villas from Spain, France or Italy to be built here, a new form a residential living in Istria needs to be formed,” says Peteh.

Authentic Dalmatian stone house-stylishly renovated and recently reduced to E140K

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:47:00 +0000

scroll down to view some movies, filmed while walking through the house

Region: Peljesac Peninsula
Town: Orebic
Location: Sea View
Size: 120sqm

click here to request more info on this property

or mail us to receive the full info package

Description:

Authentic Dalmatian stone house-stylishly renovated and priced to sell. The house was purchased in 2002 by a British couple and was completely rennovated.It was valued last year at over 200,0000 euros so represents excellent value. The price includes fixtures and fittings. Nestling at the base of Mount Ilija this traditional stone house is just 700 metres from the seafront at Orebic town. The house is 200 years old ,mountain spring water feeds the taps in the kitchen and the neighbours produce wine on the premises.

The ground floor features the hall the dining room and the bathroom and a kitchen.
On the first floor are 3 double bedrooms-one of which lets out onto a shady small garden area.
The top floor is the main lounge and balcony which runs the entire width of the house that has views of Korcula island. This room also has a shower room and toilet.

Location:
The house is a quiet hamlet with just 4 houses so it is lovely to sit outside the actual house. Usually the owners set up their table here to eat here in the evenings.

There are lots of places to wander to from your own doorstep as well.
The 3-hour hike to the top of Mount Ilja starts from just outside and provides stunning views of Korcula Island.
According to the Lonely Planet "Orebic has the best beaches in Southern Dalmatia - wide sandy coves bordered by groves of tamarisk and pine".

In the price is a large secure garage and drive way with room for 2 cars.
The price also includes a tennis court sized piece of land ,50 yards from the house-this could become a swimming pool or even a small vineyard.

Price: 140,000 €

view from the terrace

one of the 3 bed rooms

sea view from the largest terrace

The kitchen is a traditional Dalmatian design for a kitchen which means its the stand alone building opposite the front door. Last year a stairs was added to this building and railings and this created a lovely sun deck/terrace.

click here to request more info on this property

or mail us to receive the full info package

Croatia Presses Ahead for 2013 EU Entry - Invest Now?

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Croatia's lengthy negotiations to join the EU were finally concluded June 30 after just shy of 6 years (talks started October 3 2005). According to experts on the issue, this makes July 2013 a likely timeframe for Croatia to become the 28th member of the European Union. We all know that EU accession has a tendency to bring fantastic growth to property prices, so, with this now on the cards for Croatia should property investors one and all be booking flights to this Adriatic paradise?

Normally my answer to that question would be an almost unequivocal yes, but in the case of Croatia it is a yes with caveats.

What Makes Croatia Different?

Croatia has already had a day under the impeding-accession-sun. Everyone expected Croatia to achieve membership by 2008. As a result investors poured into the country thinking that this was their chance to make the gains seen by those who had invested in Estonia, Bulgaria and Ukraine as they headed for accession.

This caused prices to grow rapidly, and then the market suffered when Slovenia blocked Croatia's accession on the grounds that the agreement could be prejudicial to their dispute over borders. Its suffering was compounded by the international financial crisis.

Prices rise on EU accession because prices in the countries that are joining are usually much lower than the rest of the EU, and there is a natural balancing process of as people flow to and fro across the borders renting, buying and selling property. But Croatian prices are not that much lower than the rest of the EU because of the escalation already seen.

And it Still Might Not Join This Time

Even after Croatia signs the accession treaty, and if it is signed by all member states (including France and Austria), the Croatian government is putting it to a referendum. The Croatian people are a predominantly disillusioned bunch right now, and a lot of this is directed at Europe. However, most analysts agree that they are far more likely to vote yes than no.

What, So We Shouldn't Invest Then?
To say that we shouldn't invest in Croatia would be foolhardy; in fact we can't even say that the opportunity is less significant than it was in 2007. Like most of Europe, Croatia property prices have crashed. The tourism sector didn't fare too well either, but things are picking up now. Global tourism is once again growing, the global population is growing and no one likes an overcrowded beach, even if it is on the Mediterranean coast. Thus more and more tourists are spreading out from the hotspots causing continually rising tourism in places like Croatia.

As I always say and especially now, property investments should be looked at on the strength of individual opportunities, not countries. If you can get in and buy a top quality villa on the Mediterranean Coast at a bargain basement price it will enjoy rising occupancy as the tourism market grows. Buying at a low price into a property with rising yields makes it a near certainty that it will grow in capital value as well.

Article supplied by Liam Bailey on behalf of Novrealty, an overseas property agent with a difference; a company focussed on making buying property abroad as easy as it should be.

Villa nestled in the hills with view to Oprtalj

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:54:00 +0000

Nowhere is the former Italian influence so obvious as in 'Portole' (now: Oprtalj). This villa is located on the hill just across. The owner has not yet offered this house to any other agent, giving you, as our client, a unique opportunity to purchase one of Istria's most beatifull villa's. The garden in front of the house disappears in the hills' horizon, leaving an unblocked, majestic view to the 'Tuscan' town of Oprtalj.

The price is very low for what is offered: The villa is accessed from the gate, and a driveway leading to the garage + tool room. Next to the garage is the large living-kitchen. A corridor leads to the down stairs study, that can also be used as TV-room or guest room. There is a bath room with toilet on the other end of the corridor. An outdoors patio with very large massive wooden dining table offers outdoors dining in the shade with that immense view over the valley and Oprtalj. Upstairs are two more bed rooms and a second bath room. A terrace and small fountain in front of the house flow over into a meticilously maintained lawn that stretches all the way to the edge of the hill. Build with the highest of material standards, includes an alarm system. Nearest neighbour: 120 mtr away down the hill. Distance to the sea: 18 km.

Asking: EUR 230.000, we advice an offer of EUR 200.000

unfortunately these pictures were made with no clear sky conditions. However we wanted to just photograph the house and send it out to our clients as quick as possible. Once you are here, and standing in the garden, you will understand the true value of this house.

Call us to arrange a viewing: +385(0)21770701
see more contact details here

driveway that ends at the villa

from the back of the villa, towards Oprtalj

from the garden with the fruit trees, towards the house

from the back of the villa to Oprtalj

the garden on the richt of the house, with left: the patio

Oprtalj

Novigrad, the nearest seaside city: with its historic and new part an ideal destination for shopping

photo taken from the road to Oprtalj, in the middle-right is the villa

Novigrad

a villa nearby Oprtalj: this area is received as the Tuscany of Croatia, with splendid rental villa's that make this region a world-class destination

Porec, one of Istria's largest cities

view from Oprtalj to the surrounding hills

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:13:00 +0000

Dear Dutch business community; dear friends,

The Economic Section  would like to take this opportunity to inform you about an upcoming interesting unique regional design event called Design Day / D-Day in Zagreb supported by the Royal Dutch Embassy in Croatia: an event that gathers young designers and students from different countries and backgrounds, raising  awareness about the value of conceptual design and its importance for society. 

This annual event organized by the Croatian Designers Association (HDD) will take place on 11/12 June 2011 in Zagreb, in the abandoned Old Slaughterhouse in Heinzelova street . It is an intense and refreshing mixture of creativity, education, networking and fun, involving designers exhibitions, a design market, movie screenings, lectures, a design contest, a DJ, mobile cooking and much more….
It will be “spiced up” by the participation of two prominent design experts from Netherlands – Chris Kabel, a well-known product designer who works with brands like Droog Design, Royal VKB, More Development and Moooi, and Louise Schouwenberg, lecturer at the famous Design Academy Eindhoven and contributing editor of the leading international interior design magazine FRAME.

The Embassy as well as the organizers are confident that the guest speakers’ presentations on commercial product design and the development of the well-renowned Dutch conceptual design tradition will be of interest for both the design community and the larger visiting public.
More information about the event can be found on http://www.dan-d.info/en/.


Best regards

Economic and Commercial Affairs
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 
Medvescak 56 10 000 Zagreb Croatia
Tel: +385 1 4642 235
Fax: +385 1 4642 231
E-mail:zeljka.pesut@minbuza.nl
www.netherlandsembassy.hr

Sea View / 3 bed rooms / low price !

noreply@blogger.com (Middelland Croatia) — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:00:00 +0000

This newly build villa with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, garage, landscaped garden and sea views is part of a setting of a few newly builti villa's. The property is located only 12km from the sea, in the rolling hills of Istria. on walking distance from the beautiful village of Vodnjan, known for its spring water and fantastic wines. 15 km from the airport, 5 km from a very good restaurant, 100 mtr from the town center.. Just one problem… this is the only one available so you will have to move fast.

173,78m2 living area

416m2 of land area

Ground floor (105,01m2): bathroom, stairs, kitchen/dining room, utility, pantry, terrace, covered terrace, and garage

First floor (68,77m2): 2 bedrooms, master bedroom, bathroom, stairs, pantry, balconyand two terraces

Finishing: Ceramic tiling. Parquet wooden flooring. Wooden joinery. Double-glazing, swimming pool, private gated entrance, front driveway, parking area, barbecue area, garage and landscaped garden

Looking at location, quality, sqm’s of property and price this is a fantastic opportunity!!

Asking: EUR 248.000

click on the movie below to walk through the property