The French show 2011 which took place at Earls Court last week has reported a huge increase in numbers on its 2010 show with 17400 visitors over the 3 days. The organisers were pleased with the result particularly as this was the first year they had introduced payment for entry to the event.

Exhibitors at the event reported that it had been the busiest show they had attended in a number of years and felt it demonstrated that it was a good sign the French property market was going to have a busy year.

If you are looking to purchase in France now is a good time to start looking at your finance options particularly with the fantastic fixed rates available at present, contact us now to speak to an underwriter and find out more details.

 Investment opportunities at Dunas Beach Resort and Spa for all SIPPs and sizes

SIPPs* remain a very effective way of investing in overseas property. We realise client�s pensions come in all shapes and sizes which is why we believe the 50% share ownership option detailed below opens up the investment opportunities at Dunas Beach to many more of your clients.

A big opportunity for smaller pension funds 

It�s very simple. Your client uses their SIPP pension fund to buy a 50% share a Dunas Beach Resort property. The full list price may be too high but with 50% share ownership, this immediately lowers the level of investment required whilst still within the tax efficient SIPP.**

This example is based on a 45% deposit option, which after allowing for SIPP costs means that clients with a fund value as low as �29,990 can access the investment opportunities at Dunas Beach. For this particular apartment in Block 3, the developer also pays 6% p.a interest on the deposit, adding to the SIPP fund value during the 2 year build.

At completion, the SIPP can borrow 50% of its value leaving, in this example, a further cash investment required from your client. This will of course attract tax relief at the highest rate.

If your client�s fund is slightly larger they could opt for the 65% deposit option. In addition to the example above your client will receive a 5% discount on their share of the purchase price, leaving only a 30% balance payment which is settled from the SIPP borrowing less than 50% of its value.

The overall effect of the higher fund value, the 6% p.a interest on deposit and the 5% purchase price discount means that your client does not need to invest further to complete.

* All clients should seek independent financial advice. Exclusive SIPPs, our specialist SIPP adviser are able to provide a full analysis and advice recommendation for your clients. **All �/Euro exchange rate calculations are at 1.2. This may fluctuate between initial investment and completion. List prices are correct at time of publication.

Confidence in the French property market by non residents continues to be high based on statistics released by one of the leading French banks. The figures show that 57% of non-residents think that this is the right time to invest in France and 80% of purchasers consider the investment to have either no risk or very little risk. 54% of foreign buyers take out a mortgage for their French purchase with the top areas preferred by purchases being in the South and South East and in most areas the UK remains the leading non resident purchaser followed closely by Belgium and Portugal.

With a stable housing market, mortgage rates lower than available in the UK and Northern France being within commuting distance of the UK, France is proving to be a poplar destination for an investor.

Viva Costa partners with Mortgage Brain

Viva Costa International and Mortgage Brain have today announced an affinity partnership, with the launch of Viva Costa's overseas products now showing on the all new Mortgage Brain. This news follows the recent acquisition of an equity stake in Viva Costa International last month by Michael Clapper, the founder and former group chief executive at Enterprise Group.

Viva Costa International is established as one of UK's leading providers of overseas mortgages for brokers and their clients, with access to exclusive funding lines and products from many of the world's largest overseas lenders.

Adrian Holland, Managing Director at Viva Costa International said, Mortgage Brain's new system is extremely impressive and we therefore feel now is the perfect time to formalise a partnership to promote and illustrate our overseas products on the new system. We have recently seen a flood of overseas remortgage applications, particularly in Spain and France where savings are significant, and brokers can now produce full product quotes on Mortgage Brain for the first time, making it even easier to do business with us.

Mike Raybone, Head of Operations at Mortgage Brain said, We have seen some exciting developments at Viva Costa in recent weeks and firmly believe the overseas market presents real and significant opportunities for brokers now and in the future. Our partnership with Viva Costa is therefore an excellent development for the users of Mortgage Brain.

The structure of the French mortgage market contributes to the economy's overall stability.  Over 80% of all owner-occupied dwellings are mortgaged. More than 80% of housing loans are fixed-rate mortgages. Around 85% to 90% of new housing loans have an initial rate of fixation of more than one year. It's this stability in the French market place which makes purchasing in France a sound investment. France weathered the World financial crisis well with property prices only dropping a fraction compared to the rest of the world and has already seen property prices rising quarter on quarter since mid 2009.

If your clients are looking to purchase in France it makes sense for them to have discussed the finance first so they know what they can afford, if you don't arrange it before they go they the French estate will.

The Spanish market place continues its recovery and remains the most popular destination for people to purchase their dream homes. According to the Spanish statistics office, the INE, sales of Spanish property were up 9% this March compared to last March. This is an increase of only half that seen in February (18.7%) but does point to a continued increase in sales of Spanish property.

Foreigners are thought to be behind a substantial part of the recovery, with agents and developers in the Marbella property market reporting increases of 150% over last year in sales to foreigners. Spain has excellent transport link to the UK with daily flights from most regional airports. The banks are offering some excellent mortgage products with highly competitive rates available for purchase, re-finance and capital raising which is helping to drive the mortgage market. Many of your clients will be looking to either buy or re-finance their Spanish property and it will be fresh in their mind as they return from the half term break so don't miss your opportunity.

Despite unremitting gloom in America's worst hit corners, the nationwide US property market is showing fragile, flickering signs of life as buyers are tempted by a glut of bank-owned foreclosed property available at dirt cheap prices, although a high percentage of these are Condo's which are still very difficult to mortgage. If you want to buy in the US now is an excellent time to be looking.

Lenders are starting to release their strangle hold of the mortgage market with lending criteria starting to get easier although the rates for Non Residents are still not as attractive as the resident market and no self cert products exist. The US lenders are still very efficient in their processing of a case, we have just had a completion of a $850,000 which has only taken 3 weeks from application to completion. With rates starting form 6% and loan to values as high as 70% the market place is very attractive for an investor.

Turkey is still proving to be a popular destination for the holiday maker and investor alike. With over 25 million tourists visiting each year and a huge population of 70+ million the developers have been kept busy with the demand for property. Unlike some countries where property is built for the International buyer, Turkey builds for the local market making re sale of property easier as there is a strong internal property market and re re-sales are not reliant on the international investor. As visitor numbers grow rental returns from property remain good and with the summer's being longer and a very low cost of living Turkey is becoming a popular second home and retirement destination.

The Property Market for international buyers is still in its infancy, property sales to non residents started in 2003 with mortgages not becoming available until 2007, with properties still being sold from around 30,000 the Turkish market is set to remain high on peoples radars.

Michael Clapper - the founder and group chief executive of Enterprise Group - is back in the broker services market having acquired an equity stake in Viva Costa International Mortgages Ltd, via his investment vehicle Clapper Ventures LLP.

Viva Costa International was formed in 2005 and has grown to become one of the UK's market leaders for overseas mortgages and property sales, with offices in the UK and Spain. Viva Costa International is appointed to the panels of most of the UK's major adviser networks, including Openwork, Home of Choice, Positive Solutions, Mortgagenext  and provides advisers with simple access to overseas mortgage products and reputable property developers across a vast range of countries.  Their service allows advisers to submit an initial enquiry, receive a quote to gain client acceptance, and then leave the rest of the work to Viva.

In November last year, Viva Costa International launched a Franchise model, allowing Franchisees to provide a localised Viva service to brokers across regions in the UK. There are now 9 live franchisees with a further 5 going live in March.

Clapper said, "Adrian and his team have done an excellent job in establishing Viva Costa International as one of the most respected brands in the sector, with extensive secured distribution and a very attractive Franchise model which has already gained significant traction."

"I believe the market for overseas mortgages and property sales is now set for significant growth, so much so that I've invested in it! Very low interest rates from overseas lenders, who are crucially both willing and able to lend, coupled with some superb investment opportunities appearing in countries like Cape Verde make this a very attractive combination in the current climate.  Most clients with an existing overseas mortgage can often save a small fortune with a remortgage, so brokers should be exploring these areas with their clients and Viva's service makes it very easy for them to do so".

Adrian Holland, Managing director at Viva Costa International said, "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Michael as both an investor and adviser. Most people are aware that he founded and grew what became a Fast Track 100 business and one of the UK's largest distributors of mortgage and loans. His experience will be invaluable in ensuring we meet our ambitious plans to become the service provider of choice for all mortgages and property overseas."