Bargain Holiday Properties now Available in Bulgaria

The asking prices of holiday homes in the large resorts in Bulgaria are now at their lowest level for four years. Compared with data from Q3 2008, prices of apartments in Sunny Beach have decreased by around 45%. Through 2010 and into the summer of 2011 the average asking price was Euro 750 per sq. metre, with an average apartment priced at Euro 51400. Today, though, deals are being concluded at Euro 515 per sq. metre and an average apartment price or Euro 32400.

It is currently Russian clients that are most interested in beach properties and they are picking up extremely good bargain offers of finished, furnished and ready to move in apartments at prices up to around Euro 40000. The Russians have been the main buyers of holiday apartments in the last couple of years and this trend is set to continue through 2012. However, foreign buyers from other countries, mainly the UK, the Netherlands and Romania are now returning in growing numbers to the Bulgarian property market.

This overall pattern is similar for ski resort holiday homes, where prices of properties have fallen by about 25% in the last year.

As a comparison with the beach resorts, data from Property Partners BG shows that the highest prices of properties in Bansko, the largest ski resort in Bulgaria, were registered in 2008 and, since then, overall asking prices have fallen by more than 50%. The average asking price in Bansko, today is about Euro 680 to Euro 710 per sq. metre. However, deals are currently being concluded at Euro 500 per sq. metre.

Summarising this data, David Livingstone, CEO of MovetoBg.com, points out that there is nowhere else in Europe where beach and ski holiday apartments can be purchased at such attractive prices. "This pricing model has resulted from Bulgaria's position as the EU country least affected by the global financial crisis .. and it offers a unique opportunity to the wise investor looking for today's best value property purchases."

Related articles:
Time to Buy in Bulgaria's Recovering Property Market
Brits Searching for Bargains in Bulgaria's Property Market
Experts Agree that Property Market has Bottomed Out
Bulgarian Property Prices Reach Their Baseline

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Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
Property Partners BG - and Twitter @PropertyPtnrsBG - or on Facebook
MakeYourMoneyGoFurther - and Twitter @MoneyGoFurther - or on Facebook

Bargain Properties Being Snapped up in All Areas of Bulgaria

The average price of a home in the Yambol and Elhovo region - about 100 Km inland from the coast - was around €10000 in Q3 and Q4 2011. There were also property purchases concluded with offers as low as €5000.

With a little more to spend on your Bulgarian property, inland areas near the coastal resort cities of Bourgas and Varna .. or near the cities of Plovdiv, Sliven, Stara Zagora and Veliko Tarnovo are popular. In these areas, prices ranged from €15000 to €45000.

And apartments in the ski resorts – which can be purchased fully furnished in operating developments – were selling in Q4 for €33000 to €35000.

Sunny Beach was the most popular coastal location for property buyers with most deals in the €17000 to €25000 range and few sales above €30,000.

For details of bargain properties for sale all over Bulgaria, visit the Property Partners BG website .. and to find out about the full step-by-step process for buying a property in Bulgaria, check the Buyers Guide section at MovetoBg.com

Related articles:
Look Inland for Today's Bulgarian Treasures
Bulgarian Property Prices Reach Their Baseline
Brits Searching for Bargains in Bulgaria's Property Market
Time to Buy in Bulgaria's Recovering Property Market
Bulgaria Gateway Property Market Analysis - Q1 2011

Read more on our websites ...
MovetoBG.com - and Twitter @MovetoBG
Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
Property Partners BG - and Twitter @PropertyPtnrsBG - or on Facebook
MakeYourMoneyGoFurther - and Twitter @MoneyGoFurther - or on Facebook

Bansko Apartments Now Available at 50% of 2008 Prices

Apartments in Bansko, Bulgaria’s biggest and most popular ski resort, are now available to purchase at up to 50 percent less than in 2008, according to the latest data from leading real estate agent, Bulgarian Properties.

Property in Bulgaria - Today's Top Listings

Living in Bulgaria - Today's Top Stories

The report reveals that apartments in Bansko have halved in price over the past three years, attracting interest from buyers looking for affordable winter property. In the first eight months of 2011, apartments in Bansko were sold at an average of 760 euros per square metre and the index value of Bansko property is now at 51.3 compared with that of November 2008, when the index value was at a peak of 100.

Bansko is leading the way on the ski slopes, with prices in Borovets and Pamporovo showing reductions of between 20 - 30%. And the property bargains are not limited only to the ski resorts. Bulgarian beach property has also been snapped up by astute buyers at the lowest prices the market has witnessed in recent years.

Having regained its position as a top ten world destination in August, Bulgaria is still at number eight in TheMoveChannel’s Top of the Props report for September and is continuing to attract growing interest from foreign property buyers.

As the summer season comes to an end, though, buyers begin to think of colder climates and, while the Alps will always remain a firm favourite for ski fanatics, they may face new competition from the Balkans. Bargain ski properties for sale in Bulgaria are now, once again, firmly on the 'must-see' agenda.

Related articles:
Bulgaria Holds Top-10 Spot in Property Purchase Favourites
Bulgaria's Q2 Property Sales Rocket by 48%
Experts Agree that Property Market has Bottomed Out
Bulgarian Property Prices Reach Their Baseline
Time to Buy in Bulgaria's Recovering Property Market

Read more on our websites ...
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Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
Property Partners BG - and Twitter @PropertyPtnrsBG - or on Facebook

FeedWind

Bulgaria - Number 1 Destination for Summer 2011

July's Family Holiday Report for the best value summer 2011 holiday by Post Office Travel Money has identified Bulgaria as the number one European family holiday destinations.

Property in Bulgaria - Today's Top Listings

Living in Bulgaria - Today's Top Stories

In the survey of prices across 13 European destinations the Post Office Travel Money report concludes that, if you are planning a family holiday in Europe this summer you will find that prices can vary quite dramatically in the eurozone and other top resorts.

Despite UK sterling having weakened against the euro, there is good value
to be found in Europe but the report warns that splashing out on kids’ beach items like jelly shoes, ice-cream and pedalo rides could bust the family budget in some destinations.

The survey considered prices in two categories - The Beach Barometer of must-have items and a typical list of additional holiday costs. Bulgaria proved to be the top value destination in both categories.

Key findings from the survey include:

• Bulgaria is this summer’s best value destination, overtaking Portugal’s Algarve
  to regain top position
• Portugal and Spain are best-value for eurozone countries but both are considerably more expensive than Bulgaria
• The Beach Barometer of ‘must-have’ beach items could add over £90 to the weekly budget in some destinations
• Family meals are cheapest in Portugal – under half the cost of
  Corfu, Croatia and Italy

Survey Data relates to exchange rates on 4 July 2011 and a full copy of the report can be viewed here

Related Articles:
Bulgaria's Summer Bookings up by 30 percent
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Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
Property Partners BG - and Twitter @PropertyPtnrsBG - or on Facebook

FeedWind

Consumer Watchdog Opens Offices at Beach Resorts

The Bulgarian Commission for Consumer Protection (KZP) is opening seven new offices at summer resorts, where tourists will be able to file complaints. The offices are expected to shorten the time for KZP to respond to complaints since inspectors will be able to issue sanctions on the spot.

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Living in Bulgaria - Today's Top Stories

The offices will be located at the largest Bulgarian summer resorts of: Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena, Sozopol, Primorsko, and the Black Sea cities of Varna and Burgas and will be available to holidaymakers for emergencies or to file claims about cuatomer service violations at hotels, food and entertainment establishments.

This will give KZP an opportunity to monitor more closely services and goods offered at beach resorts while the presence of inspectors will make hotel and restaurant owners and merchants more likely to focus on improving service for tourists.

Related Articles:
Bulgaria's Summer Bookings up by 30 percent
Bulgaria 2nd best Value Destination for Tourists
Tourist numbers up for start of 2011

Read more on our websites ...
MovetoBG.com - and Twitter @MovetoBG
Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
Property Partners BG - and Twitter @PropertyPtnrsBG - or on Facebook

FeedWind

Bulgaria Set for Massive Tourism Growth in 2011

Adding to the growing portfolio of positive forecsats for tourism in 2011, the Black Sea coast is now predicted to have one of its most successful seasons ever with many UK travel companies highlighting Bulgaria as their biggest growth area in recent years.

Property in Bulgaria - Today's Top Listings

Living in Bulgaria - Today's Top Stories

While European travellers have become increasingly wary of traditional Mediterranean summer beach holiday destinations, Bulgaria has seen massive growth in tourist numbers since the global slump in 2008 - 2009. International statistics site Euromonitor.com state that visitors to Bulgaria are already up by some 25% in 2011 from 2010, despite the economic climate where the traditional holiday destinations like Spain are reporting negative growth in their tourist industry. The beach destinations of Sunny Beach, Sozopol, Nessebar and Golden Sands are attracting visitors from all over Europe while Bourgas and Varna are attracting increasing numbers of city break travellers.

For those seeking a summer holiday that is not overly expensive, Bulgaria hits the mark every time. A survey recently carried out by numbeo.com showed that Sofia was nearly 40% less expensive on restaurant bills than Seville in Spain and nearly 10% less on grocery prices. Similarly, this year's survey from Post Office Money Travel rates Bulgaria as the 2nd bast value-for-money tourist destination in Europe. So in an increasingly price sensitive market, Bulgaria is more than holding its own in terms of value and competitiveness for accommodation, holiday expenses, food, drink and attraction costs.

Bulgaria will benefit in 2011 from a larger share of travel companies budgets, as they once again include Bulgaria within their core beach holiday destinations. Matt Hall, Head of Product for LowcostHolidays.com has commented that, "Bulgaria holiday bookings are up 100% year on year and with an active marketing campaign in place, expected bookings for summer 2011 holidays to Bulgaria are forecast to grow by a further 200%".

With low cost airlines such as Wizzair and Ryanair increasing their flight routes, access to Bulgaria's resort destinations is now more affordable and more accessible than ever before and holidays to Bulgaria are once again becoming the best value for money option for a summer beach holiday.

Related Articles:
Bulgaria's Summer Bookings up by 30 percent
Bulgaria 2nd best Value Destination for Tourists
Tourist numbers up for start of 2011

Read more on our websites ...
MovetoBG.com - and Twitter @MovetoBG
Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
Property Partners BG - and Twitter @PropertyPtnrsBG - or on Facebook

FeedWind

Bulgarian Key Resort Areas Gain New Status

Bulgaria's main national resorts will be declared 'Settlements with particular status' and will have a new regime of unified urban planning and management.

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Ivo Marinov, said "These settlements will include the beach resorts of Sunny Beach, Albena, Golden Sands and Dunes - and the ski centres of Borovets, Bansko and Pamporovo, among others".

Currently, ownership of the local infrastructure and facilities varies from resort to resort. The largest Bulgarian summer resort of Sunny Beach, for instance, is a public association with a 75% Government stake and 25% belonging to minority shareholders. The Albena infrastructure has one owner, while Golden Sands belongs to a consortium of different hotel proprietors. In Borovets the ski facilities are owned by the Borosport company while the infrastructure belongs to the municipality, whereas facilities at Pamporovo are shared between the municipalities of Chepelare and Smolyan. Marinov pointed out that within the new plan all the main resorts will have a common organisation.

The Deputy Minister also stated that that the cabinet is considering the elimination of resort tax for hotels during seasonal periods when they are not in use.

Our aim is to provide a single source of information, advice and practical help for everybody visiting Bulgaria. So, whether you are planning a relaxing holiday break, a travel adventure, a fact-finding trip for your property purchase - or if you are thinking of moving here permanently, we recommend that you visit our websites at:

MovetoBG.com - and Twitter @MovetoBG
for comprehensive information, advice and assistance

Bulgaria Gateway - and Twitter @BulgariaGateway
for accommodation options, resources and services

Property Partners BG - and Twitter @Prop_PartnersBG - or on Facebook
for all the latest real estate listings and offers of properties for sale

Bulgaria's Summer Bookings up by 30 percent

Book early ... or you could be too late. That's the advice from tourism experts in Bulgaria for everybody planning a beach holiday or a visit to an inland Spa & Wellness resort.

Specialists in the sector point out that, even now, there are very few vacancies left for first line accommodation on the beach. By offering prices at 15-20% lower than last year, most hotel owners have sold out all their early bookings and are already asking slightly higher prices for the rooms that are still vacant. Forecasts as a whole for the summer indicate higher tourist numbers and an increase in charter flights from Russia and Western Europe.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ivo Marinov commented that the expected increase of tourists visiting Bulgaria this summer will come from Germany, Russia and the Scandinavian countries. This is indirectly confirmed by early bookings from Russian tourists which have tripled compared to 2010. The overall increase in tourist flow from Russia to Bulgaria is expected to be around 30% compared with summer 2010. The Regional Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners are also forecasting that there will be 20-25% more tourists staying in the hotels along Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast compared with last year.

Travel agents say that the unsettled situation in the Middle East is leading to higher interest in Eastern European destinations and part of the tourist flow is expected to shift to Bulgaria. The main reason for Bulgaria as a logical choice is that most tourists re-considering their holidays will prefer to exchange resorts in places such as Egypt with those offering holidays in the same price segment … and that's just what Bulgaria offers.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Bulgarian Beach Resorts Expect Russian Tourists Invasion

A record number of Bulgarian visa applications from Russian citizens will be processed for the summer season 2011, according to information from the Bulgarian Consular Office at the Embassy in Moscow.

The forecast is also for a very early start of the 2011 season - no later than the end of April, the beginning of May.

This is the second year in a row with a sky-rocketing number of Russian applications for Bulgarian tourist visas. Since the beginning of 2011, Bulgaria has logged about 21,000 such applications – which is 50% more than the same period of 2010, and twice as many compared with 2009. The Consular Office in Moscow plans to increase the number of employees processing the documents in order to handle the demand.

Bulgarian hotel owners are also expecting a large influx of Russian tourists ... but say that visa delays are the main hurdle to an even greater expansion of Russian visitors in the Bulgarian tourist market.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

It’s that time of year - again …

April is the month when thoughts inevitably start to turn seasonal. The pleasures of the festive season are now a fading memory and the impetus of your Easter celebrations has begun to wane. The weather’s changing but it can still be cold and grey and dismal. The annual routine has taken hold again and another long year stretches ahead … But, Hey! Spring is here, and the promise of your summer fun in the sun is not far behind.

So what’s it going to be for you this year? Where will you be catching your rays?

Well, according to all the forecasts, it seems that most of you will be somewhere on the Black Sea coast - the 380 kilometres of craggy headlands, natural dunes, secluded coves and Blue Flag beaches that link Bulgaria with Romania in the north and Turkey in the south. Travel operators across Europe now boast the Black Sea as one of the best value destinations in their portfolios and holidays to the beach resorts are selling better than ever before - in more countries than ever before. So far this year, the tourist industry has reported an 8% increase in ski holidays; a year-on-year increase of 7% in Culture Tourism; and a flood of early sun-seekers to the resorts at Albena and Golden Sands. As a result, the industry is forecasting a progressive return to the numbers of you that that will be visiting the coast this year.

And not only for your annual get-away. Many of you who already know about Bulgaria - and know about the incredibly low prices now in place following the recent economic turmoil - will be making 2010 the year that you turn your knowledge into decision-making and purchase your holiday home, your retirement base or your investment property here. Many more of you, perhaps visiting for the first time, will be so captivated by your experience and so impressed by the scale and the quality of everything that’s going on, that you will do the same.

How do we know this? Well - because that's just what you're doing right now. About 70% of the hotels in the Golden Sands resort have opened for guests and many of the larger hotels are already fully booked. Tour operators are expecting higher visitor numbers this year, not least because they are running more specific and more targeted offers. And more importantly, this increase in visitors to Bulgaria is being accompanied by an even greater increase in completed property deals. Following the typically flat period of January and February, the volume of deals for March reached a record high since the beginning of the financial crisis, with a growth of 50% compared with the average monthly levels in the last year.

That’s why we think that now is the right time to bring you a selection of current property listings for city homes, apartments, village houses and land plots on the coast and within easy travelling distance inland - all currently available, with more in the pipeline ...

So, we look forward to seeing you in the summer …

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Tourists Flood Bulgaria's Golden Sands Resort for Easter

Some 20 000 tourists are spending the Easter holidays in the top Bulgarian Black Sea resort Golden Sands.

The tourists are mostly from Bucharest and have been attracted to the Bulgarian seaside by the competitive all-inclusive package – three nights for EUR 100.

About 70% of the hotels in the Golden Sands resort have opened for the Easter holidays, the BNT reported, and many of the larger hotels are fully booked.

In this early phase of the season,the hotels will be welcoming tourists until April 10th and will then be closed in order to prepare for the summer season which starts on May 1st.

About one million Romanians came to Bulgaria for a vacation in 2009 making up the largest group of foreign tourists. An even greater number of Romanians are expected to visit Bulgaria in 2010 prompting the Bulgarian tour operators to prepare offers targeting them directly.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway

Yahoo! Travel Magazine Ranks Bulgaria among Top 10 Destinations

Bulgaria is among the top 10 most affordable destinations in the world according to the German-language Yahoo! Travel Magazine.

The other countries where Europeans can go a long way with their Euro for a memorable holiday are Malaysia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Croatia, Turkey, Egypt and Hungary.

Bulgaria expects a significant influx of tourists around the Easter Holidays and travel analysts are predicting that in 2010 the tourist industry will return to its pre-crisis levels with growing interest towards event tourism.

The beach resort of Albena, which is the largest of those closest to the Bulgarian - Romanian border, expects about 3000 visitors over the Easter holidays and the smaller resorts on the northern Black Sea coast also anticipate filling their hotels by offering discounts and bonuses.

200 tourists are expected in the town of Balchik while 50% of the beds of the vacation village adjacent to the beautiful Balchik Palace are already taken. The management expect to reach full capacity with Romanians driving to the resort without reservations.

Resorts on the southern Black Sea coast are also expecting high bookings with guests from Romania, Western Europe and Russia.

For advice, assistance and information about Moving to Bulgaria, we recommend that you visit our website at MovetoBG.com - and for accommodation options, resources and services, we suggest Bulgaria Gateway