Overseas Real Estate Investment Hot Spots for 2008

With oil prices almost touching $100 a barrel, the Iranian leadership still belligerent, the US still in the Iraqi quagmire, the sub-prime rates influencing the world largest economy the investment opportunities are fast shrinking. Even the Federal Reserve Board believes the economy is looking at a long period of slow growth. Sub prime mortgages and collateralized debt market is chaotic. Most sectors are in the negative territory, except the multinationals in the technology sectors that seem to fare better. Investors are sure to experience painful hits to their earnings. Investing in real estate overseas is a good idea in these circumstances as some of the emerging markets are changing fast and offering a more than good returns on your investment.

Some of the top places that are attracting global investors in the real estate sector are:

Thailand: Political crisis and the weakening of the Baht have led to a fall in the property prices. This has made investment in real estate an attractive proposition. Thailand is one of the most breathtaking destinations with its white beaches, blue waters, rain forests and fascinating wild life. It is a tourist magnet and attracts visitors from all over the globe. Investing in modern villas, flats will fetch extremely good returns as the property prices are increasing. Properties can be rented to tourists; rents are going up by as much as 15% year on year basis. Investment climate in Thailand is one of the best in the world, it also has a robust economy, and another important factor to consider is that foreign investors don't have to pay capital gains tax. Thailand unarguably is one of the most attractive destinations for real estate investors.

Morocco: Exotic North African country bordering Algeria, Mauritania, and Spain. A culturally diverse place with beautiful monuments and mosques, it has sun-baked beaches, vast coastline, hike-worthy hills, dense forests, apart from beautifully laid out parks and gardens. It is going to be the most sought after destinations for travelers from Europe and Asia. Tourism is going to be the growth that will drive the Moroccan economy. Massive influx of cash rich tourists from Europe offers huge investment opportunities in 5 star hotels, resorts, villas, golf courses and associated infrastructure. It is estimated that by 2010 Morocco will attract more than 10million tourists and holiday takers. Moroccan government has announced a 5-year tax-free holiday on income from renting properties. It makes sense to buy real estate in Morocco before the boom.

Dominican Republic: This Latin American country, that boasts heavy weight tourist attractions like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Cuba as neighbors, is an underdeveloped but fast emerging tourist hot spot in the Caribbean. The never-ending beaches on the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, dense forests, mountainous landscape and rich biodiversity combined with the availability of low cost labor make it an attractive investment destination. The government is actively promoting foreign direct investment in the hospitality and real estate sectors.

Property purchase laws are friendly and straightforward making investment in this sector highly rewarding. In the coming years, there is going to be a huge demand for quality hotels, spas, golf courses, luxury villas, and apartments to cater to the ever-swelling flood of tourists from North America and Europe. Investors can take advantage of these opportunities.