Managing Director Of Emerging Markets Understood Ltd. On Bulgarias Luxury Sector 14/03/2008
Simon Feek, Managing Director of Emerging Markets Understood Ltd., appraises Bulgaria's luxury sector  "For real estate to be considered "luxurious", it must possess the following attributes: -Desirable location -High specification design (high building cost) -Well-planned facilities' management model (to maintain and service property) -Desirable "lifestyle services" (concierge, other hotel services, fitness, etc) -Desirable "options" - placing a personal stamp on the property such as bespoke kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms. -Desirable price (this is usually above the market average, without being extortionate,  so demonstrating commitment to comfort). Most domestic buyers seem to believe - falsely - that "new" equals luxury. They should exercise care, particularly with... more

Hotel Businesses In Bulgarias Winter Resorts Face Problems Due To Lack Of Snow 12/03/2008
Owners offered five hotels for sale in the beginning of the week in Bansko winter resort. Warm weather and the lack of proper skiing conditions affected seriously hotel businesses in Bulgaria's winter resorts, imoti.net reported. Increasing number of hotels has been offered for sale already. Most investors took loans to construct hotels and the snowless winter proved fatal for their business plans, mediapool.bg reported. Nearly 55 hotels are already offered for sale in the Bansko region. The average price is 700 euro per sq m. Some of the more expensive offers reach 1100 to 1200 euro per sq m. Real estate agents said that it was uncertain if investors would show interest in such offers. International tourism tendencies show that more people are interested in smaller... more

The Upside Of A Crisis 21/04/2008
Banks in Bulgaria are starting to reap the benefits from the global financial turmoil. Within a risk-averse environment, they are increasingly looking as the lesser evil to investors on the lookout for financing. Bank loans – a first for REITs In a latest swing of developments, a score of real estate investment trusts (REITs) announced that this year they would be turning to banks when seeking funds to finance their projects. Previously, the investment source for REITs was always the capital market, analysts noted. Prime Property BG, a company investing in residential and office developments in Sofia and countrywide, will avoid the bourse for the first time ever and finance 70 per cent of its 64 million leva project with a loan from a local lender, the company’s chief executive... more