Not a good time to leave Britain

The pound is weaker than it has been for a long time against the currencies of OZ and NZ so for anyone looking at heading downunder, the prospect of swapping your hard earned (or not so hard earned if you were willing to get into property before 2003!) sterling for downunder dollars is a poor one.

However it might be hard lines for those leaving Britain but for those who are thinking of coming back to our green and unpleasant land then there has never been a better time.

The only negative is that once you get back to blighty you wont be able to afford anything other than some slave box to live in!

Struggling to sell your Spanish property?

If so, don’t feel overwhelmed if your house has been on the market for several months with no buyers. There are many people across Spain facing the same problems. One problem that sellers have come up against is that their local agents are no longer there! With the recent credit crunch and issues with sterling falling against other currencies, many agents have simply shut up shop, leaving their vendors ‘lost’ for what to do.

So, what can you do? Well, first let’s look at some statistics. The latest index of property prices in Spain shows that they have plummeted over the last 12 months with those on the Costas falling at almost double the national average. Prices on the Spanish Mediterranean coast fell by 8.3% over 12 months to the end of August, according to figures just released by Tinsa, one of Spain’s leading appraisal companies.

This compares with an average drop of 4.6% for the whole of Spain. The figures cover both newly built and resale property prices, but do not take into account consumer price inflation. So making an adjustment to include consumer price inflation, which was 4.9% in August, in real terms coastal property prices have fallen by 13.2% over 12 months and those for the whole of Spain by 9.5%.

Brits targeted for illegal Spanish Property

A development, being built by one of the largest and most distinguished development companies on the Costa del Sol, is just a three-minute walk from Marbella town centre.

The apartments in Banana Beach consist of one, two, three and four bedrooms, fitted to the very highest standards possible.” Sounds great doesn’t it? You’d never guess from this glowing description that the Banana Beach development was built illegally and has been condemned to demolition.

Despite this, the properties are being advertised on websites targeting UK buyers

If you are heading to spain then ensure you have travel insurance that covers your stay.

Australia is to grow with record population boom

Australia econmoy is on the verge of booming for years to come with a a predicted population boom!
The country saw a 2.1 per cent rise in its population in the year to March, official figures have revealed, the fastest on record and the largest current growth rate of an advanced economy, Reuters reports.

Such a trend could see a 60 per cent population increase in the population over four years and chief economist at CommSec James Craig said this would directly impact on the property sector.

He stated: “More people translates to increased spending and demand for homes and as a result, increased momentum for our economy.”

Such a situation could mean those who buy homes in Australia find the price gradually rising, particularly if the increase in supply fails to keep up with demand.

Australia is the most popular choice for Britons keen to move abroad to work, a recent survey showed.

Money exchange firm Foreign Currency Direct established that 20 per cent of those thinking of seeking a job

British Largest Immigrant Group in Australia

The number of Brits immigrating to Australia is on the rise, reaching higher levels than ever before, new government statistics have revealed.

2008 saw the highest level of immigration to Australia’s since the late 1960s, with 23,236 out of the 149,365 permanent migrants coming from Britain.

The 2006 Australian census showed that around 5 million people were born outside the country, representing nearly a quarter of the Australian population. British expats make up a significant proportion of this figure, with estimates suggesting that 1,153,264 British born citizens now live in Australia.

Australia is an appealing emigration destination for a number of reasons; the relaxed lifestyle and warm climate, along with lower property prices and living costs.

Additionally, there are good job opportunities in a number of sectors - occupations currently in the Migraton Occupations demand list include Accountants, Architects, IT Professionals, Healthcare Professionals, and Chefs.

British Expat Numbers on the Rise

The number of UK nationals moving abroad has increased by 24 per cent in a year, with almost 400,000 people emigrating abroad from Britain in 2008. Perhaps hoping to escape the effects of the recession, a total of 395,000 people left the UK during 2008,  compared with 318,000 in 2007.

According to the Office of National Statistics, approximately 158,000 British citizens left the country last year to join the expat community overseas, the majority moving to Australia through the Australian General Skilled Migration Programme. Other popular destinations include New Zealand, Spain, France and the United States.

The remaining 237,000 were foreigners returning home or leaving for other countries.

These new figures suggest that, on average, three Britons are leaving the country every minute, and that under Labour government since 1997 around two million UK citizens have emigrated, representing the fastest rate of emigration since the First World War.

British Expats needed and successful in New Zealand

Officials in New Zealand have been quick to confirm that the country still needs foreign migrants. Rising unemployment in the south pacific islands sparked rumours that immigrants were to be sent home. Whilst Immigration New Zealand manager Steve Cantlon has admitted that the country understandably gives its nationals the first available jobs, he has also said that “New Zealand still needs skilled migrants.”

Economic decline has forced New Zealand to reduce the amount of trades it considers to be ‘in need’ of. The country has compiled new long-term skill shortage lists, hoping to attract more electricians, builders and mechanics.

And with British expatriates one of the most successful immigrants to New Zealand, the future looks good for British migration. A New Zealand Department of Labour study has show that Brits, along with Australians, secured more professional jobs and are bringing in higher incomes than all other expats - in fact, more than half of immigrants from the UK aged 25 to 54 reached the highest pay bracket in the country.

More and more Brits looking at Canada

With a strong economy Canada is becoming a popular place with out of work Britons despite the climate which is too hot in the summer and way too cold in the winter!

Increasing numbers of UK nationals have become permanent residents in Canada, up from 5,199 in 2003 to 8,128 in 2007. Though it has not escaped the global downturn, the International Monetary Fund has identified Canada’s economy as one which will recover strongly and quicker than others, thanks largely to a boom in sectors such as technology.

Those qualifying for any of the 38 listed occupations, including financial auditor and cook, may have their visa applications prioritised, while rugged provinces such as Alberta also need workers in a range of sectors.

11 Millions Brits thinking of leaving!

New research has found that a whopping 11 million Brits are thinking of taking a job overseas within the next two years - a significant dent in the population - and a fifth of those would choose a new life down under…

Britain is experiencing the greatest exodus of its own nationals in recent history while immigration is at unprecedented levels, new figures show.

In 2007, 207,000 British citizens - one every three minutes - left the country and currency specialist has revealed that one in four working Brits are now looking to leave the country for sunnier climes and better job opportunities.

If you are thinking of visiting Australia then you should take out travel insurance over 75 as the medicare might not cover you for everything.

Be careful where you get your immigation advice

If an onshore adviser acting on behalf of an immigration client is not on the Register of licensed advisers (or not exempt), their application will be returned failed lodgement, and we will advise the Registrar of the Immigration Advisers Authority. Advisers who are awaiting a licensing decision from the Registrar are considered unlicensed.

From 4 May 2010, offshore advisers giving advice to people seeking visas or permits will also have to be licensed.