Black Sea | Property Markets

Black Sea: Property Markets

Albania

Albania has been highlighted as a market to watch as growth of foreign property investment increases in the Eastern European bloc, where discerning investors are on the constant lookout for the next hot market. Albania has been mentioned, as massive EU investment is being made into the country in preparation for its accession to the European Union in 2014, reassuring investors considering the market to include into their property portfolio.

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian property market is showing signs to be at an ideal stage of the emerging market property cycle for investment, where the initial stages of development, characterised by high risk and profitability, may have passed, but moving into a period associated with greatest growth. Contributing factors to the development of the property market include the country’s accession to the European Union and its increasing popularity.
Georgia

As Georgia’s economic and tourist activity strengthens, the country’s property market is likely to experience similar development. The country has already attracted the attention of Rakeen Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirate state owned real estate development arm. The organisation has set aside $3 billion for the specific objective of overseas investment, of which half - $1.5 billion - will be invested into three projects in Georgia. Reports have been made of an $800 million project of a new town in the Georgian capital covering 20 million square feet.

Romania

Romania has received widespread positive media coverage as one of Europe’s best options for property investment. A study carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers, reported in 2006 that house prices in the country are expected to quadruple within a decade. It placed Romania as number one in their top twenty best places to make money on property in the next ten years, due to the country’s extremely good economic prospects as well as the "massive returns" expected to follow its regeneration and infrastructural investments as a new member of the EU. The report forecast a huge 414% return on investment, the increase largely due to the impact of EU membership on the property market. Property prices rose by a staggering 27% within the first quarter of 2007, presenting property investors with a fantastic potential for capital growth in the future.

Russia

Russia’s economic performance has been nothing short of impressive since the 1998 crisis, showing exceptional macroeconomic stability in terms of strong budgetary and current account surpluses. According to Merrill Lynch’s emerging markets report, Russia is one of the most important destinations for investment in the Eastern European region, indicating the greatest beneficiaries to be banks, real estate, building materials and insurance companies.

Ukraine

According to Knight Frank, the Ukraine is one of the most promising property markets in the world, with some property values rising by a remarkable 600% over the past three years since the ‘velvet revolution’ brought true democracy to the country. The Ukrainian property boom has been underway for several years, according to Kiev real estate agents ‘In Real’. Global Property Guide reported that house prices in Kiev have risen by an impressive 70% during the past year.