The latter part of 2012 could be the right time to invest in real estate in Panama, with one expert in the country expecting property prices to begin to rise from 2013.

In an article for The Panama Report, Kent Davis, from Panama Equity Real Estate, explained that values are likely to fall by between 10 and 20 per cent in Panama City this year, largely as a result of the number of construction projects coming to an end.

However, he went on to predict that prices will pick up again in 2013, and this will happen "in a manner never seen before due in part to a completely modernised transport system and increased revenue from an expanded Panama Canal".

Mr Davis added it will "most definitely be a buyer's market" in the country over the next 12 months, highlighting areas such as Amador Causeway and the beach district near San Carlos as places where price appreciation is most likely.

Earlier this month, features editor of Caribbean World Magazine Sarah Woods suggested Bocas del Toro in Panama could be a good place to look for a real estate investment.

She stated: "Pretty much the entire Caribbean is good value right now", adding many buyers are turning to the southern and central regions along the Caribbean Sea with the aim of finding "dirt-cheap deals".
 

When Spanish financial institutions begin to sell-off their real estate portfolios, the price of buying a home in the nation is likely to fall.

This is the assertion of economy minister Luis de Guindos, who told state broadcaster TVE many residential properties held by the country's banks are not going to market because they are not being valued correctly, Bloomberg reported.

He added when they are put up for sale at their true worth "we'll find that the price of housing in Spain will fall more, there'll be an adjustment and it will be more available for a lot more people," the news agency quoted Mr de Guindos as saying.

The publication cited data from the Bank of Spain, which shows financial organisations in the country hold around €176 billion (£147 billion) of "troubled" Spanish real estate assets on their books.

According to the most recent figures published by Tinsa, the value of property in Spain fell by 8.1 per cent over the course of 2011.

Capitals and major cities experienced the biggest decline in prices, sliding by 9.1 per cent between December last year and the same month in 2010.
 

The value of real estate transactions completed in Abu Dhabi in 2011 reached AED 42.9 billion (£7.5 billion), authorities in the emirate have revealed.

Adel Hussain, a media consultant for the municipality, told Gulf News that this represents a five per cent increase compared to the volume of deals recorded in 2010.

Acting executive director of municipal services Awaidah Al Qubaisi told the publication there is now more positive sentiment surrounding property in Abu Dhabi than there was 12 months ago.

"There was increased investor confidence last year in the Abu Dhabi economy, which resulted in the high number of transactions. The municipality has also worked to simplify transaction processes," he stated.

Earlier this month, Jones Lang LaSalle predicted there will be a greater volume of property deals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2012 than in 2011, as a growing number of high net worth individuals and private investors are showing an interest in the UAE's residential market.

New research has revealed the value of Bulgarian property fell by between five and ten per cent in 2011, compared to 2010.

Propertywire reported on the data, which was gathered from brokers operating in the nation, noting that the situation is not expected to change over the course of the next 12 months.

Operations director at a Bulgarian real estate firm Polina Stoikova told the publication that the greatest demand is for properties in a low price bracket that are located in major cities.

Bansko, a ski resort, is one of the places that has experienced some of the biggest falls, with real estate values there sliding by 25 per cent during 2011, the news provider revealed.

In addition, an article in Focus earlier this month cited a study published by Presa Daily, which found home loans in Bulgaria have become more accessible.

According to the research, last year it was possible to obtain finance of between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of a residential property's value, while interest rates on mortgages have fallen and are now close to their 2008 level.
 

There continues to be an appetite among investors for luxury real estate in Spain, one agency has revealed.

Lucas Fox International Properties announced this week that 2011 was its "most successful operational year to date", with the firm citing its strong client base and portfolio of desirable assets among the factors that have helped it perform well.

Aimar Valls, head of commercial and investment property at the organisation, commented: "In the last year we have received a dramatic rise in both the quantity and quality of enquiries for commercial and investment property."

He added real estate in central Barcelona is particularly sought after, with hotel developments and tourist apartment rentals among the main targets for investors.

Director of Lucas Fox Alex Vaughan highlighted the company's strong position at the start of 2012, explaining that more than 5,000 active buyers have registered with the firm.

Interest in Spanish property is coming from investors based all over the world, including those in Russia, China, Scandinavia and the US, he added.

Earlier this month, International Property Success stressed Marbella and Murcia are among the top locations to consider when searching for a real estate investment in Spain.