Malta Real Estate Increase Highest In Europe

Malta Real Estate Increase Highest In Europe
By: Roger Munns

The Mediterranean island of has recorded the strongest growth in property prices from countries in the European Union, and recent news could help see property inflation in double figures for the next few years.

Figures released by the European Mortgage Federation show 's rise of over eighteen per cent was higher than both France and Spain.

Two EU countries, Germany and Austria, saw house prices drop, while Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands were barely into positive territory.

And property insiders on the island are predicting that strong growth could be around for a few years yet, giving the potential to be seen by investors as a good place to buy.

Tribune Properties who specialise in property for sale in report that the first quarter of 2006 has seen a good level of activity, with the top end of the market seeing particularly good performance levels.

'The first couple of weeks of January were slower than the same period last year' comments Michael Johnson, Tribune's Managing Director, 'but since then the number of sales has matched last year - a very good one - but villas with an asking price of a million Euros and more has seen increased activity, and a good number of sales'.

Hotels and Holidays

The independent information site for holidays and hotels in http://www.yourmalta.com also report increased interest in their property pages compared to the first quarter of 2005, with the number of page views increasing by nearly a third.

Sustained property inflation at levels seen in are rarely seen in other countries, but new economic activity on the island could see property demand at good levels for some years to come.

A new 'Smart City' is planned which could see competing with the rest of Europe as a business destination for internet and other high-tech companies. English is spoken fluently in , and coupled with relatively low salaries locally it is hoped that inward investment and 5000 new jobs will help the Maltese economy which in turn will boost the property, hotel and holiday markets.

The tourist industry is vital to 's economy, and it is hoped that the arrival of low cost airlines providing new flights to will benefit the holidays industry as well as the many hotels in .

If can combine the attractions of a Mediterranean holiday island with a modern infrastructure and high tech friendly business in a low tax environment, today's property prices could look like a bargain in five years time.

The introduction of low cost flights to from the UK will open up the possibility of more buyers looking at the island for holiday homes that could be used for long weekends, and the hotels industry could reap the benefits of the 3 and 4 day tourist seeing the island as a viable place to visit.

has traditionally seen the majority of her visitors from the UK, but this could be changing to a more diverse mix in future years.

Last year saw a record number of visitors from Italy, and increased enquiries have been received at estate agents across the island from Scandanvia, Holland, France and Belgium, helping to increase the demand for properties.

After some years of wondering how would fit into the modern world, property agents, hotel owners and the holidays industry are beginning to see the future with some optimism.