The relatively low cost of real estate is only one of the factors that allow us to talk about the prospects of the market. By and large, with the admission of Bulgaria into the European family, everything is just beginning. The investment climate in the country now allows for large and safe investments in a wide variety of sectors of the economy, including tourism development and housing construction. The market itself, after fantastic growth in 2003-2004, seems to have become more realistic. So Bulgaria is still at the top of all possible ratings of the countries most attractive for buying real estate.
Russians can find a lot of advantages in Bulgaria – it's historical proximity, common Slavic roots, an understandable language, not too far and not too expensive air travel… Nevertheless, the main advantage of Bulgarian resort complexes is the prices, which are still very affordable, especially against the background of the sharply increased cost of Moscow and Moscow region housing.
Near the Black Sea
The climate and lifestyle in different parts of the Bulgarian coast are not the same. In its northern part, you can relax on excellent sandy beaches with a calm sea. The most famous and lively resort here is Golden Sands, with famous mineral springs. The nearby resort of Saints Constantine and Elena is more calm, it is characterized by small towns with spa centers. Further south, the sea is warmer, cozy beaches are lost among rocky coves, and not far from the coast the Strandzha Mountains rise, covered with forests with rare plant species and many birds. Sunny Beach is located in this part of the coast – perhaps the most famous resort in Bulgaria, stretching from the town of Sveti Vlas in the north to the town of Nesebar in the south. Both of these places are very popular with investors.
"The real estate market of the coast depends on the tourist season," says Philippa Roberts from Barrasford and Bird. – The most popular time is the period from May to October. If an investor is going to earn income from renting real estate to tourists, then it is best to make purchases at resorts with spas, marinas and golf courses, thanks to which the season becomes longer."
It will be profitable to purchase real estate in the port city of Balchik, located north of Varna and not yet appreciated by investors. "The resort is developing and is aimed at investors buying high–quality real estate," says Martin Davis of Gascoignes International. "It is planned to build a new marina, several golf courses and chic restaurants on the coast." The Balchik Heights residential complex, located near the Balchik Botanical Garden and the yacht port, is now on the market. The complex consists of 260 apartments, it has a swimming pool and a gym. Property prices start from 39,000 euros for a studio and reach 120,000 euros for a three–bedroom penthouse. Investors are provided with apartment rental services.
Nearby, on a plateau with panoramic sea views, another luxury resort is being built – Lighthouse Golf Resort. The complex will consist of four residential areas, a marina is planned to be built in it, and an 18-hole golf course is being designed in its central part. At the initial stage of construction, one-bedroom apartments are priced from 49,000 euros, and two-bedroom apartments cost 105,000 euros.
To the south of Burgas, in a closed bay, there is a small ancient town of Sozopol. "The city is developing and becoming more popular among tourists and investors," said Scott Fenton–Palmer of the Sozopol Property Shop. "It is now planned to reconstruct the existing port, which will turn into a large marina, and it is also planned to build new residential areas." A studio in the city can be bought at a price of 27,000 euros, and a penthouse with a sea view costs from 120,000 euros. The city center is not being updated much yet, so there is a wider choice of real estate on the outskirts. A charming three-bedroom rural house in the town of Rosen, requiring minor cosmetic repairs, can be bought at a price of 52,000 euros.
"Complexes located on the same territory as five–star hotels are in great demand," says Olga Matrosova, head of the foreign real estate department at DeltaRealty. "Convenience lies primarily in the fact that the infrastructure of hotels, as well as the services of staff, solve many everyday problems related to both apartment care and life support." In addition, such offers are beneficial for those who intend to rent out their property. The contract may include a condition under which the owner transfers the apartments to the hotel for two years, subject to a guaranteed profit of at least 5-7%. After this period, the owner can either extend the contract or not.
The interest of Russian investors is increasingly focused on commercial facilities in Bulgaria, such as hotels and restaurants, as well as land plots for the construction of resort complexes or hotels. The profitability of these facilities is one of the highest in Europe. Hotels on the first line, with their own beach or yacht parking, are in particular demand. DeltaRealty has various offers in the widest price range – from 900,000 to 5.5 million euros. For example, an existing hotel in the resort town of Primorsko, with permission to build its own marina, can be purchased for 2 million euros, and a restaurant on Sunny Beach, with a modern, fully equipped kitchen, will cost up to 500,000 euros.
Mountains beckon
In recent years, ski resorts have been developing especially actively in Bulgaria. Their typical real estate offer is apartments that do not require special care and are aimed at the younger generation, for whom two factors are crucial – affordable price and proximity to ski slopes. "Real estate in resorts such as Bansko and Pamporovo now generates rental income of about 7% of the cost,– says Ali Ozturk from Regnum Homes. – This is comparable to the income from real estate on the coast. The advantage of ski resorts is that the demand for rental homes remains stable here all year round."
The main ski hit is the Bansko resort, with excellent infrastructure, a golf course designed by Jan Vuznam, and a magnificent equestrian center. "Land prices have doubled here since 2003," notes Ali Ozturk. – When Sofia was still being considered as a candidate for the 2014 Winter Olympics, the resort began to focus on the construction of higher-quality real estate, and the infrastructure was actively developing. New ski lifts have been built and a large-scale development program has been developed."
By May 2008, the construction of the luxury White Fir Valley Resort will be completed. Heated floors and high-tech equipment will be installed in all apartments of the residential complex. One-bedroom duplexes are priced from 95,000 euros. A wellness center, a nursery, and a concierge service will be located on the territory of the resort.
Another luxury resort, The Orchard, boasts not only good infrastructure, but also an ice rink, which is converted into tennis courts in summer, as well as a cinema. The residential complex is interestingly organized as an internal space for recreation, where residents can chat around a burning fireplace, and the area around the buildings. Studios at this resort are sold by Bulgarian Dreams for 47,000 euros, one-bedroom apartments cost from 80,000 euros.
Borovets, Bulgaria's oldest and largest resort, is located near the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains, at the foot of the highest peak in the country, Musala. The EU-funded Super Borovets project is currently underway in the area, which will transform the city's surroundings into a first-class ski and tourist resort. It is expected that the implementation of the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2009, will have a positive impact on the region as a whole.
"Now real estate in Borovets can be purchased for an average of 55,000 euros, and prices are gradually increasing," said Lewis Solomon from Balkan Property Services. "Many people purchase real estate for the purpose of renting out, as the tourist season continues here almost all year round." The ski slopes are divided into two sectors. In the higher sector, the trails run above forest level, there is excellent infrastructure, there are ski lifts, an excellent lighting system, thanks to which you can ski or snowboard at night.
Pamporovo– the sunniest mountain resort in Bulgaria, is located in the southeastern part of the Rodopi range. The nearest airport is a 1-hour drive away, in the city of Plovdiv. Orpheus Valley Apart Hotel complex with 200 luxury apartments is located in this resort near the ski lifts. The residential part of the complex consists of studios and spacious apartments with one or two bedrooms, the cost of which starts from 42,000 euros. A high-class Panorama complex is being built nearby, attractive for investment for further rental. Apartmentsпродаются компанией Bulgarian Venture по цене от 41 500 евро.
Небольшие по площади апартаменты на горнолыжных курортах обычно покупают, чтобы затем сдавать внаем. Для желающих проводить в своем доме значительную часть сезона больше подойдет покупка отдельного дома. Двухэтажные шале на курорте Forest Nook, расположенном в горах недалеко от Пампорово, стоят от 85 000 евро.
Столичная жизнь
Оживленная культурная жизнь, зеленые бульвары и просторные парки, а также горнолыжные курорты – все это привлекательные черты болгарской столицы Софии. Город бурно развивается, все более соответствуя статусу европейский столицы. Стоимость недвижимости в престижных районах Софии растет в среднем на 20% в год. «Сейчас появляется много новых возможностей и объектов для инвестиций, так как инвестиции поощряются администрацией города, есть дефицит качественной недвижимости среднего класса, и спрос постоянно растет», – говорит Дебора Фокс из компании Emerging Real Estate.
Болгарских инвесторов и иностранных покупателей в особенности привлекает несколько районов столицы. Особой популярностью пользуются район Витоша, с зелеными парками и видом на одноименную гору, а также район Иван Вазов, расположенный в непосредственной близости от центра столицы.
В тихом и зеленом районе Овча Купел апартаменты с одной спальней продаются компанией Biodar по цене 32 000 евро. Другой привлекательный для инвесторов комплекс, Dahlia Residence, расположен в районе Манастирски Ливадии, в 10 км от Витоши. Здесь предлагаются апартаменты с одной, двумя и тремя спальнями, их стоимость начинается от 33 000 евро. Управляющая компания готова предоставить услуги по сдаче недвижимости в аренду. Ну а в нескольких километрах от города можно купить дом в сельском стиле. Частично реконструированный традиционный дом с тремя спальнями, деревянными полами, балконами и просторным садом в местечке Своже стоит 50 000 евро.
В 22 км к югу от Софии, на высоте 1800 м над уровнем моря, расположен горнолыжный курорт Витоша. Горнолыжная федерация Австрии собирается вложить в развитие лыжной инфраструктуры курорта 20 млн евро. Учитывая, что курорт расположен всего в 15 мин. езды от аэропорта Софии, можно предположить, что цены на недвижимость здесь будут быстро расти.
На воды в Болгарию
В Болгарии существует тысячелетняя традиция бальнеологического лечения. Еще древние римляне строили здесь бани и использовали многочисленные горячие источники. Всего в стране насчитывается более 530 минеральных источников, десятки лиманных бань, грязевых и целебных торфяных залежей.
«На наш взгляд, одними из самых быстроразвивающихся бальнеологических курортов будут Велинград, Хисар и Сандански, – говорит Ирина Донских, генеральный директор компании «РосБолгар Эстейт». – Все они специализируются на профилактике желудочно-кишечных заболеваний, болезней сердечно-сосудистой системы, артритов, ревматизма, ожирения и много другого. Бальнеологические курорты имеют очень высокую инвестиционную привлекательность, поскольку владелец может получать доход в течение всего года. Пока же потенциальные инвесторы это недооценивают».
В очень удобно расположенном городе Велинград компания «РосБолгар Эстейт» предлагает жилье в бальнеологическом комплексе «Свети Спас», расположенном на берегу Чепинской реки, в непосредственной близости от известного минерального источника Родонова баня. «Отличительная особенность комплекса – великолепный оздоровительный и диагностический центр, развитая инфраструктура объектов отдыха и услуги по управлению комплексом», – говорит Ирина Донских.
Выбор недвижимости в Болгарии весьма широк. Можно купить сельский дом среди зеленых холмов, апартаменты на побережье или шале у подножия гор. Среди предложений – и апартаменты в строящихся современных комплексах, и дома в старых кварталах. В любом случае, если инвестор собирается сдавать собственность в аренду, ему стоит остановить свой выбор на популярных курортах с развитой инфраструктурой.
