The property market in Cyprus received a much-needed boost as house sales rose year-on-year in January.

Investors may be interested in figures released by the Cyprus Department of Lands and Surveys, which show that sales increased by 24 per cent last month.

Popular areas included the country's capital city Nicosia, port city Limassol and coastal city Paphos.

Chairman of the Pancyprian Association of Real Estate Agents, Solomon Kourouklides, told StockWatch: "The latest increase is attributable to the opportunities in the market.

"Many Cypriot individuals and investors buy properties from non-Cypriots or Cypriots that cannot pay off their loans."

However, Mr Kourouklides warned that these opportunities will not last forever and attention should be drawn to the fact that sales fell by 84 per cent in 2009 compared with 2007.

Some developers have been offering discounts of up to 30 per cent on properties in an attempt to lure investors back to the market.

The Bank of Cyprus has agreed to a loan to construct a new marina in Limassol.

The Akamas Peninsula in western Cyprus is set to become a favourite among property investors, it has been claimed.

According to a report in British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, new transport links combined with the area's natural beauty are attracting developers building beachfront homes.

A new road which will connect the peninsula to Paphos and its international airport - to be completed around 2011 - could lure potential tourists and investors.

Furthermore, the author of the article highlights the attention Akamas was attracting from "boutique developers", who are looking to rival luxurious homes found in southern France or on the Balearic coastlines.

Andreas Andreou from Cybarco explained that individuals could find something previously unavailable in the country.

"There hasn't been much choice for buyers looking for well-designed premium properties before in Cyprus," he told the paper.

Meanwhile, the Cypriot government has given permission for 14 new golf courses to be built on the island, something which is likely to tempt both tourists and investors.

The increase in the number of budget flights and tourists travelling to Turkey will have a large impact on its property market, it has been claimed.

Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, told online community portal Didim Today that the country's rising appeal represents great news for the property sector.

Many airlines have increased the number of flights they offer to the country in order to keep up with demand.

He argues that this will boost activity in the market and contribute towards a speedy economic recovery.

"More budget flight options, particularly from regional airports, and the growing number of British tourists holidaying in Turkey is excellent news for the property sector and promises to add to the country's appeal with home buyers," he told the portal.

British property investors can capitalise on the fact that Turkey lies outside the eurozone, with the GBP performing well against the Turkish lira.

The banks hold the key to the success of Bulgaria's property market in 2010, it has been reported.

According to a report by Bulgarian news provider the Sofia Echo, one of the country's leading real estate companies, Address, has claimed the banks' decision whether or not to implement a foreclosing policy will have a major impact on the property market.

Alongside foreign investors, banks have played a major part in the real estate boom seen in Bulgaria in the previous five years.

Experts have predicted that foreclosures would lead to a significant drop in real estate prices, similar to the situation in the US.

The Sofia Echo quoted Address as saying that by holding onto defaulted loan properties they risked losing investors.

Bulgaria also benefits from not being a eurozone country and current exchange rates between the Bulgarian lev and the GBP are very favourable towards UK buyers, allowing them to get more for their money.

The Egyptian property market is benefitting from a combination of low prices, a weak currency and massive economic growth, it has been claimed.

Property portal Property Abroad has made the claims amid speculation that Egypt is going to be one of the most popular markets in the world in 2010.

The portal say that investors in the country are benefiting from higher yields on property, made available because new resorts - capitalising on the tourism influx - are taking advantage of the increasing demand from overseas.

"Egypt also benefits from the fact that it is a young market, born out of the budget flight-fuelled property and tourism booms," the website reports.

"Emerging regions have also become home to a series of apartment-hotel investment products, which are a proven story in the world of private property investment."

Plans have been announced to build a new terminal at the international airport in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.