Sun, Jul 05 2009
In an article entitled On Course for a Building Bonanza, The Independent reported that Bulgaria's property boom continues.
Initially Bulgaria attracted investors with the low prices but is now moving up in the international property market.
Coastal resorts continue attracting the majority of buyers, the report said. Several major projects are carried out at the moment and promise to offer highest quality upon completion.
Some new developments focus on golf and luxury property, The Independent reported.
Investors that entered the country several years ago have seen high return rates. Buyers now are a bit more skeptical if the percentage remains just as high.
Market has calmed down but growth will continue in the future, agents said. One of the reasons for further development is Bulgaria's evolving tourism industry, the report said.
Interest in the capital of Sofia is growing, as well. While buyers with bigger budgets turn to coastal and ski resorts, one and two-bedroom apartments located in proximity to Vitosha mountain attract other foreign property buyers, The Independent said.
The project will be financed by the Bulgarian Bank for Development, and the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas, or Jessica Programme, although the report has so far failed to reveal the total cost of the vast enterprise.
The strategic plan envisages the conservation of the nature "for decades ahead", and it was formulated by a municipal team headed by professor Ivan Nikiforov, backed by Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev.
Once the overhaul and reconstruction of the Sofia–Vidin line is complete, it will cut travel time to three hours, as the train will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, shortening the journey to three hours.
Marriott however has made it clear that is not interested in investing in construction, but rather to occupy and manage existing buildings. Its strategy is to obtain management contracts.
Investors realise that it’s not viable to have a building remaining empty over the course of a year – so it's better for them to employ more flexibility to offset that loss.