Sim Property Group is active in numerous countries worldwide, particularly in Central & Eastern
European where we have offices in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria.
We take a sensible and long term view of world markets and don't get caught up in hype and spurious information:
1. we spend a lot of time
2. we then choose the best markets in which to
3. and subsequently source the best
Below is a snap shot of our view on the main worldwide residential buy-to-let property investment markets.
This gives a useful overview of world markets, however, each market has its own advantages/disadvantages/peculiarities
and we'd be happy to provide more detailed information, views and analysis on request.
| Rating |
Country |
Comments |
| 3.5 ↑ | Canada |
Strong economy, particular opportunities in Alberta province. Prices have fallen, but medium term potential is very strong.
|
| 3.5 ↔ | Czech Republic |
Probably the best property investment market in Europe right now.
Market has fallen but expected to grow strongly again, rents have fallen but have stablisied, best finance in CEE, low buying costs, low risk and strong economic fundamentals.
|
| 3.5 ↔ | Norway |
Strong well managed economy, well educated peaceful population. Large oil, forestry, fishing reserves. Doing well in current commodities boom.
|
| 3.5 ↔ | Panama |
Strong economy, tax haven, large investment, good mortgages, high growth. The market has been knocked by the fallout in the US but it is still probably the best property investment location in Central America.
|
| 3.5 ↑ | Turkey |
Large potential but a lot of risks (both political, social and economic). Mortgage finance is available and improving.
Great demographics and potential, watch this space.
|
| 3 ↑ | Brazil |
Brazil is booming and has huge potential in the cities, still risky and signs of overheating. Avoid coastal developments. Limited mortgages for foreigners is the biggest downside. Massive medium term potential (assuming the commodities supercycle continues).
|
| 3 ↔ ↓ | USA |
Huge fallout from the credit crunch. Market falling in many areas.
Weak dollar and low interest rates. Look out for buying opportunities, but beware of a weakening dollar and further market declines.
|
| 3 ↔ ↓ | UK |
Prices flat, lots of uncertainty in the market. Offplan BTL market in trouble. Large government debt and rising unemployment. Buying opportunities in selected areas (eg in London). Rents rising but prices could still fall.
|
| 3 ↔ ↓ | Bulgaria |
Avoid the coasts and ski resorts. Major cities have good potential. Still oversupply risk and low rents. Finance is available. Low cost buying opportunities abound for cash buyers.
|
| 3 ↔ | Poland |
From 2004 - 2007 Poland was probably the best performing property market in Europe.
2008-2009 growth has slowed and gone into reverse..
We believe the medium term fundamentals are still better than most in the region and there may be buying opportunities.
|
| 3 ↔ | Slovakia |
Prices fell from 2007 to 2010. No signs the market is picking up yet and some oversupply remains a problem.
|
| 3 ↑ | Philippines |
Large growing population, economic development and relatively low prices. Expect this market to continue to grow steadily.
|
| 3 ↑ | Australia |
Strong economy, prices have risen substantially over recent years. Some market stabilisation and prices are likely to continue to grow as confidence returns to the market and the commodities boom continues (beware of the market top).
|
| 3 ↑ | Singapore |
High prices led to rapid price falls. Risky for foreigners if not living in the region. Prices now coming back strongly.
|
| 2.5 ↔ ↑ | Croatia |
Not in the EU - yet. Finance for foreigners is poor.
Economic still has a way to go and property prices are already high.
|
| 2.5 ↓ | Cyprus |
Perhaps one of the better sunshine destination markets.
Good finance, now in the Euro. Market has become oversupplied and prices are falling.
|
| 2.5 ↔ | Montenegro |
A small and risky market with potential if economic improvements continue.
|
| 2.5 ↑ |
Albania |
The Albanian property market has a lot of potential, prices are low and economic and structural reforms are making good progress.
Some mortgage finance is available. High risk but high reward market. Risk of oversupply.
|
| 2.5 ↑ | Hong Kong |
Classic boom and bust market in Asia. Market hit a peak in 2008, followed by price falls. Expect strong future growth.
|
| 2.5 ↑ | Malaysia |
Relatively low prices, booming economy, not without its risks for foreign investors.
|
| 2.5 ↔ | New Zealand |
One of the most overvalued property markets in the world. No room for further growth in the short term.
|
| 2.5 ↔ ↑ | Romania |
Large potential but still many risks (economic and property market speculation). The market is a mess.
No mortgage finance. Huge price falls. Potential for the future but too early.
|
| 2.5 ↔ ↑ | Hungary |
Economic and political instability. Low growth rates, market oversupplied, poor finance for foreigners. Could have good potential if it can ever sort itself out.
|
| 2.5 ↓ | Latvia |
Large economic risks. Market overheated, prices now falling heavily. Poor rental market. Finance conditions toughening. Low prices could offer a great buying opportunity.
|
| 2.5 ↔ | Slovenia |
Small but strong economy, high taxes and regulation. No mortgages for foreigners. Prices came down a lot in 2008-2009. Will take time to come back.
|
| 2.5 ↔ | Thailand |
A popular tourist destination which has also attracted is fair share of FDI. Current political and economic
uncertainty. Restrictions for foreign investors.
|
| 2.5 ↑ | India |
Has huge potential if you know what you're doing. Great demographics and economic growth. But lack of finance, regulation changes makes it quite high risk.
|
| 2.5 ↑ | China |
Booming economy but not a free market, very high risk. Prices fell heavily in 2008 & 2009. Massive future potential plus strengthening currency. Risk of a short term bubble, beware of government intervention.
|
| 2.5 ↔ | South Africa |
Over recent years there has been huge growth. There are still many risks and prices now are quite high.
Finance for foreigners is not great.
|
| 2 ↔ | Ukraine |
Huge potential, but prices can be quite high and have fallen a lot. Market not so transparent. Finance not great for foreigners. Land could be a good bet.
|
| 2 ↔ | Serbia |
Too many political and economic problems, high risk. Prices quite high. No finance for foreigners.
|
| 2 ↓ | Spain |
Huge boom over the last 20 years has come to an end with high prices and oversupply. Not a positive future outlook.
|
| 2 ↑ | Argentina |
Still risky and prices not low enough to compensate. Mortgages for foreigners difficult. Property market outlook uncertain, but economically has potential to do well.
|
| 2 ↑ | Mongolia |
Huge natural resources, but lack of skills. Low property taxes. Large potential and high rental yields.
|
| 2 ↑ | Vietnam |
Has potential but still quite risky. Economy improving rapidly. Good demographics.
|
| 2 ↑ | Cambodia |
A true emerging market. Economy is growing rapidly but still development is in its infancy.
Phnom Penh will look completely different in 5 years time. Increased regulation will protect investors.
New laws expected to allow property ownership directly. Higher risk but could have high returns.
|
| 2 ↔ | Bosnia |
Still has political and economic problems. Potential for the future but avoid for the moment.
|
| 2 ↔ | Germany |
Low prices but poor growth due to poor economy and lack of confidence.
Buying costs are high and mortgage finance is poor.
|
| 2 ↔ | Morocco |
Risky. Economy needs to improve and middle classes grow to support a true market.
|
| 2 ↔ ↓ | Ireland |
What has been a great investment market has now hit a peak and prices are falling. Little scope for growth in the short term especially with the economy in trouble.
|
| 1.5 ↔ | Russia |
Too high risk for most. No finance for foreigners. Huge natural resources and potential for the future.
|
| 1.5 ↔ ↑ | Japan |
Still has economic problems. Prices have fallen a lot of the last 10 years, though risks still abound.
|
| 1.5 ↑ | Egypt |
High risk, political unstable region. No mortgage finance. That said one of the better countries in the region
if you can handle the higher risk.
|
| 1.5 ↔ | United Arab Emirates |
Huge building boom, fundamentals hard to determine. Not a free market, controlled by the state. Investor driven market. In a state of collapse.
|
That said, in many markets, particularly mature ones like the US & UK, buying opportunities will always exist for the professional investor
who know their home town well.
Other markets may take more time to change, but when they do they can boom quickly.
