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JUNE 2012 | www.opp.org.uk Contents ON THE RECORD THIS MONTH...


“Now that Turkey has opened the possiblity of investment from the Middle East and the GCC countries we feel that it is important for our company to remain at the forefront of our industry by attracting interest from these nationalities.” Erdal Tatlici, Managing Director, Turkish Property Centre Agent Profi le: PAGE 46


“The property industry in Portugal and, in particular, the banks, have got to face up to their problems more directly than they have done so far. I don’t think we are anything like as bad as Spain but we did go too far and build too much in the late 90s and early part of this century.” Rosemary de Rougemont, Senior Partner, Neville de Rougemont The Last Word: PAGE 62


THREE WISE MEN: IS THE EURO DEAD? (PAGE 42)


Is the Euro fi nished? With Greece driting ever-closer to default and an exit from the common currency, would this be the mortal blow? Does it even matter? How will it aff ect the international property market, and in turn, how will it aff ect you and your business? At fi rst glance, the Euro seems important for the industry. A large percentage of people buying overseas property live in eurozone countries. Many of the main property markets are within it, too. Even nations outside the eurozone can be linked to it, formally and informally. Who will invest in the eurozone now? With this and many more factors in the mix, we asked our experts independently for their answers. None knows the views of the others before giving their opinion. The results may surprise you.


PRACTISE PERFECTION KNOW THE AGENTS 07


EDITORIAL COMMENT The times are still changing


08-09 NEWS: WORLD ROUND-UP The month’s biggest stories at a glance


10-11 TOP TEN OPP looks at the month’s biggest industry stories 13 14 16 19 20


OVERVIEW How can you tell what is right from wrong?


BUSINESS: ONLINE What is driving the enquiry surge at Rightmove?


YOUR SHOUT Russia’s investment potential is there to see


SPANISH OUTLOOK What is the real story behind the Iberian nation?


TURKISH OUTLOOK How will a new law change open up new markets?


23-24 GLOBAL PROPERTY GUIDE A look at the world’s key property market data


26 27 28


TRAINING How can sales training boost your business?


TECHNOLOGY Stop worrying and recognise the potential


LEASE/PURCHASE OPTIONS Will new fi nancing models revolutionise the sector?


30-32 GET INVOLVED How writing for and working with OPP can benefi t you


34-35 LETTER FROM BEIJING A local Chinese agent off ers his advice


38-41 OPP AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2011 Who won best aff ordable and best luxury developer?


42-43 FEATURES: THREE WISE MEN OPP asks the experts: “Is the Euro dead?”


45 46 47 48 49 51


26 | Why is sales ability often taken for granted in the international property arena? How can you improve?


DEVELOPING QUALITY


34 | What advice does Jack Dong of Amrealty have for international property providers looking to China?


WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? 53


BUSINESS: SOCIAL MEDIA How can you make the most of Twitter and Facebook?


AGENT PROFILE Turkish Property Centre boss is feeling positive


AUSTRALIAN OUTLOOK Debunking the shortage myth


SUSTAINABILITY Why green is golden for London property


RUSSIAN OUTLOOK Why Russians could be your next target market


CANADIAN OUTLOOK How two blocks could spark a rental revolution


VISAS What is out there and why should you know of them?


54-55 MORTGAGES: SPAIN Data and comment from specialists Connect Overseas


56-57 FOREX: WHY IT MATTERS Why should you care about currency fl uctuations?


58 59 61


TOURISM: MONTENEGRO What is driving this fast-growing destination?


GLOBAL STATISTICS The World Travel & Tourism Council’s data table


PEOPLE: MOVERS & SHAKERS/DIARY DATES Key appointments and industry events


62-63 THE LAST WORD: ROSEMARY DE ROUGEMONT Head of leading Portuguese law fi rm speaks to OPP


64 65


38 | Who won the best luxury and aff ordable developer awards in 2011...and why?


65 | As an agent, what should you do if a Cape Verdean developer isn’t delivering what he has promised?


66


COMING UP: NEXT MONTH A sneak preview of the next issue of OPP


FEATURES: PROBLEM PAGE What do you do if your developer is underperforming?


BAD GUYS? OPP gets to the bottom of industry disputes


CONTENTS


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