International Property Journal - News and information on global property markets

Sifting through the rhetoric about declining growth rates and “easing” markets, the latest study of distressed commercial property reveals sharp divisions developing in global markets.

In particular, while the United States and western Europe continue to see substantial increased in distressed sales, Brazil, Russia, India and Hong Kong are among the markets showing signs of stabilization in foreclosures, according to the new survey by the RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Destinations in Belize, Nicaragua and Panama made AARP magazine’s latest list of top retirement spots.

The magazine’s criteria focused on “mostly warm and sunny, attractively affordable locales with good-to-excellent health care that are hospitable to Americans of retirement age.”

That makes many of the choices something of a no-brainer. And maybe the magazine’s criteria were not as “exacting” as it claims. Most represent the safe, easy choices beloved by retirees for years.

Atlantic Estates, a three-office operation in Portugal, was named Best Estate Agent in the annual OPP Industry Awards, presented during the OPPLive event in London last weekend. "Atlantic goes one step beyond to qualify buyers, PR and marketing is a strong point, and its geographical reach is widespread with a good mix of multi-lingual staff,” the judges said.

Property Frontiers was “highly commended” for its “excellent reputation in this market for honesty and transparency,” while Assetz was commended for protecting clients and “producing good marketing, clever use of database and roadshows, excellent PR; an impressive financial partner list and good contacts within the IFA industry.”