New options for foreign real estate investment

Dubai will showcase penthouses and beachfront villas in the US, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Spain, Malaysia and Singapore, among other locations.

The IPS show this year will feature international projects spanning the globe — from plush penthouse to luxurious beachfront villas, the options are unlimited.

Choice Properties International specialises in projects in Florida, Cyprus and Spain. According to Neil Woodward, President, Florida Choice, the US property market is undergoing a recession which makes it the ideal time to find a bargain. "We are offering great deals on fully furnished town homes of 1,700 square feet in Orlando beginning from $165,000 and detached villas from $250,000," he says. Choice also has a range of properties in Cyprus and Spain.

"We have a number of apartments, town homes and villas in Pathos, Cyprus. The Cyprian market is in its nascent stage and with the introduction of the euro from January 1, it is predicted the more gains will be seen in the next two years. The island proximity to the Middle East and its laid back style make Cyprus a wonderful choice for second homes and investment," says Woodard.

The Corcoran Group is the one of the largest residential real estate firms in New York City. Gabriel Bedoya, Vice President, Corcoran Group will represent the company at IPS with an exclusive collection of freehold properties in New York and Miami. "We have a sizeable inventory representing 35 New York and 25 Miami luxury properties, off plan and newly constructed," says Woodard. Bedoya is also working with several institutional investors from the GCC on the purchase of blocks of apartments in New York and Miami. "These investors are taking advantage of the lower dollar and of motivated US sellers, following a trend of an increase of acquisitions by foreigners of all nationalities who see a benefit in owning freehold properties in the New York and Miami markets and the diversification of their investments portfolios," he says.

Corcoran's portfolio of properties at the International Property also includes two private islands offered for $52 million and $109 million respectively; the largest cattle ranch in the US near Reno, Nevada, with 208,000 hectares that comes with a price tag of $22 million; Aventura Bay, an island in south Florida spanning 3.25 million hectares and an exclusive beachfront enclave, the St. Regis Resort & Residences located in Fort Lauderdale. "St. Regis Resort & Residence's three all-glass towers will rise 27 stories above nice acres of lushly landscaped gardens and 1,000 entrances, security, valet and covered parking, as well as access to all anticipatory services provided by the St. Regis Hotel," says Bedoya.

Singapore based TG Development is offering SkyPark@Somerset, a freehold project in district 09 of Singapore and two projects at Balmoral Road and Sentosa Cove. SkyPark@Somerset is a 33-storey apartment building with 27 duplex units and two penthouses. Balmoral Road has duplex units with beautiful sky terraces. These units are located near the high-end residential neighbourhood of Anderson Road and Ardmore Park. Sentosa Cove are waterfront residences with a waterway facility for boats.

When completed, WCT Land Berhad's latest project — the Paradigm — is set to change the skyline of Petaling Jaya. Petaling Jaya is a city located 15 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur city centre, the capital of Malaysia. The Paradigm will merge business, with retail, dining and entertainment options. The Paradigm is made up of three main components — the escalade corporate office towers, the ascent corporate suites and the paradigm mall.

BDM Real Estate Brokers are showcasing a number of exclusive developments located in Bodrum and Fethiye on the south-west coast of Turkey.

A majority of BDM's properties are located all across the picturesque harbour of Port Göcek which is on the south-west of Turkey's coastline. Principally a yachting centre bustling with activity during the summer season, the bays of Göcek have some of the most beautiful and historical sites in the region.

BDM's Vineyards project in Göcek is situated close to a hillside and is surrounded by a pine forest. This unique site comprises of 35 properties which house a variety of affordable villas and apartment.

Arabian Property Development is currently developing luxurious residences on an area of 235,000 square metres consisting of 210 various sized villas and townhouses located on the main road to 6th October City, a municipality located 20 kilometres southwest of downtown Cairo, Egypt.