Greece: Greece is the word - Steve Dawkins, Own Property Worldwide

Mamma Mia, Greece is the word…

ABBA are not the first image that spring to mind when you think of the enchanting Greek islands, but the phenomenal worldwide success of the film Mamma Mia has prompted savvy property investors to turn their attentions to the Greek islands where the hit movie was filmed.

Greece has always been a popular holiday destination due to its picturesque white washed villages, fishing harbours, colourful nightlife, pure white sand beaches and countless historical sites. Property prices here have risen steadily over the past few years, avoiding the much hyped property booms of nearby countries that are now seeing substantial losses. It is this stable property market coupled with high rental and tourism demand that makes Greece such an exciting property prospect.

As the clocks go back this month and the whole country is plunged into gloomy darkness by 4pm, a piece of paradise less than four hours away could be yours from just £21,000. Let Own Property Worldwide bring you a ray of sunshine as we highlight the beautiful Greek island of Samos as a superb place to invest your hard earned cash. The eight largest Greek Island, Samos is famous for the production and quality of its wine and the popularity of the island is growing all the time. The landscape here is breathtaking, with two mountains creating a stunning backdrop along the coastline. Samos had the largest ancient temple in Greece so there are incredible ruins dotted around the island and with two cities there are plenty of shops, restaurants and waterfront bars with pretty fishing villages leading to cobbled backstreets.

Own Property Worldwide has sourced a 50% below market value (BMV) development on Samos that will have you singing “Gimme Gimme Gimme” all the way to the airport! Currently in the off plan stages of development and due for completion in 2011, Halycon Hills Spa & Marina Resort will be a world class five star resort, with the added benefit of being the only other five star hotel on an island where demand for luxury accommodation is growing exponentially. This front line development will be finished to an exceptional standard with features including a world class spa, marina, tennis courts, gymnasium, a number of bars and restaurants plus a signature fine dining restaurant.

Halycon Hills is a unique concept within the property market. Many residential complexes are sold ‘off plan’ around the world, however this development is different. It will be a first class hotel managed by a leading hotel operator, giving investors complete peace of mind as they not only benefit from the growth in the property’s value but also profit from the returns of the revenue generated by the hotel.

Property at the resort is currently available at 50% below market value. Additional financial benefits include an 8% rental guarantee for two years post completion and guaranteed finance. Purchasers need only pay a deposit of 15%, from £26,400, to secure a full property at Halcyon Hills but potential buyers can also buy a fraction of a property from just £21,000. This is full title ownership, split into 1/12ths, making luxury property ownership in Greece economical in both time and money.

Samos

Samos is easy to get to with direct flights leaving from the UK in peak season. There are also connecting flights from Athens as well as two ferry terminals. Despite the fact that Greece is the third most popular country among British holiday makers, its tight grip on the building of new developments means the country hasn’t seen the same kind of holiday home explosion as Spain, Portugal or France. Luckily, this means Samos will always retain its untouched beauty and a coastline not blighted by the sight of endless cranes and building sites. Instead, the hillsides here drop straight into crystal clear Aegan waters.

I can’t promise you will see Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep wandering past while belting out the best of ABBA while on the island but Samos is definitely a place that whispers “Take A Chance On Me” offering everything you could want from an overseas investment and more…

Steve Dawkins

Steve Dawkins is regarded as a leading figure in the international property sector and is Managing Director of Own Property Worldwide Ltd (OPW), an international and UK property brokerage. The primary focus of OPW is to source and promote below market value (BMV) properties and negotiate the sale of distressed residential opportunities in locations as diverse as Marbella, Dubai, Portugal, France and the USA.