September Top of the Props

Online, October 22, 2009 (Newswire.com) - France

The credit crunch has worried even the most hardened investors and that meant many were looking once more to traditionally 'safer' investment options and established markets, such as France and Spain.

International mortgage firm Conti found that interest in French properties accounted for by far the most information requests so far this year, signaling that investors are still in love with the cosmopolitan country.

And it's not only those investors hunting out residential bargains either - international commercial property investors looking for prime assets are beginning to target France.

The country is fast emerging as the second-most popular market after the UK following a static first quarter as a result of the ongoing hangover from and continual effects of the economic crisis.

The French investment market is now on the move again, with investment levels doubling in the second quarter of this year, the biggest increase for that period in Europe.

There were three retail deals in that period valued at more than €100 million and the third quarter is looking promising too.

France has held up better than many other markets in Europe, with capital returns falling by six per cent last year, far less than in the UK, where they fell by a whopping 26 per cent.

France is also a country that is known for low volatility when it comes to investing, even in its capital Paris.

Check out French properties for sale at http://france.themovechannel.com/

Cyprus

Cyprus claimed sixth place in September's chart and the country looks set to take an even higher footing in the near future with the opening of the new and improved Larnaka International airport- a real boon for the Cyprus tourist industry and economy.

Larnaka International Airport is due to open on 7th November this year and the anticipated rise in tourist numbers and boost to the economy couldn't have come at a better time as the country tries to shrug off the lingering effects of the global economic crisis.

The multimillion pound international airport additions will open next month, following the largest construction project of its kind in the Republic.

Androulla Christodoulou, Head of Services of Civil Aviation at Larnaka International Airport, said, "The Airport will give the island's economy a new impetus amidst the economic crisis and will significantly help the economic and tourist development in general."

The Finance Minister of Cyprus has positive news too - he predicted that the country will see growth of 3.7 per cent by the end of this year as well as see full employment and lowered inflation.

Minster Charilaos Stavrakis also allayed fears that the Cypriot Government would try and hold down new development projects, noting that there are many large scale developments planned, including huge changes to infrastructure around Nicosia and of course Larnaka's airport.

Check out properties for sale in Cyprus at http://cyprus.themovechannel.com/

Other movers and shakers

Although the USA was pushed down from second place in September's Top of the Props chart, it still fared well and claimed third place. Portugal remained in the same position as in August, taking fourth place, and Turkey remained in the middle of the ranks in fifth place.

Cyprus moved up one place and took sixth place, pushing August's number six - Italy - into eighth place.

Lucky number seven was claimed by Egypt in September's chart, with Bulgaria and Greece rounding off the chart in ninth and tenth places respectively.

For more information on properties in France and the property market in general, please visit http://france.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

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