Any questions: Inheritance April 2011

Our experts answer your questions on inheritance: My mother (a widow) has lived in the Costa Blanca since November 2004. She is a UK passport holder but a Spanish resident. She has made a will in both the UK and Spain. She has no mortgage and very little money in a Spanish bank account - all her savings are in the UK. She is the sole person on the deeds to her property. I have heard that the Spanish government would be entitled to 40 per cent of the value of her home on her death. Is this correct? Also how does this affect my Mum's savings?

31 March 2011

Any questions: Mortgages April 2011

My wife and I are planning to move to France. In order to do this, we need to sell our house in Sussex and use the proceeds to fund our French home. However, if we can we would prefer to wait until - hopefully - the Pound strengthens against the Euro before we sell up. Is there any way we can arrange things so we can do this and still secure a French mortgage?

31 March 2011

Any questions: Rentals April 2011

Our experts answer your questions on rentals: I've heard that the taxation rules for furnished holiday homes are due to change in the next budget. Could you shed some light on this for me?

31 March 2011

USA property sales fall to lowest level since 1960's

USA property sales dropped to the lowest level since the 1960's, according to the latest figures released by the Commerce Department, indicating that...

31 March 2011

New series of A Place in the Sun: Home or Away? airs this Friday

The new series of A Place in the Sun: Home or Away? airs tomorrow evening on Channel 4 as Jonnie and Jasmine go at it again, pitting the ideas of home or away to...

30 March 2011

Portugal property prices could fall 20%

Portugal property prices could fall by up to 20 per cent between now and the end of 2012, as a consequence of the economic turmoil in the country, according to...

30 March 2011

Europe’s tallest residential building opens in Istanbul

A new residential skyscraper in Istanbul, which developers claim is the tallest in Europe, has been inaugurated by Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

30 March 2011

Dubai property prices to continue falling

The average price of a home in Dubai fell by 1.7 per cent in February and could depreciate by up to 30 per cent over the next two years, indicating that the worst of the emirate's property market downturn is far from over.

29 March 2011

Spain property building levels slow

The number of homes constructed in Spain fell by 33 per cent in 2010 compared to the previous year, which is good news for the country's property market, according to the latest figures from...

29 March 2011