Leading property consultancy Cluttons is bringing a unique global real estate exhibition to Bahrain this weekend, providing investors and homebuyers with the chance to view a selection of attractive international investment opportunities to suit a range of budgets and needs.

The first-of-its-kind event will feature different types of properties from around the world that have been carefully selected by Cluttons’ residential experts to appeal to investors and homebuyers in the Middle East.

These include apartments near Hyde Park Central London, prime New York real estate, high yield apartments in fast growing Manchester, gated villas in Dubai, Sharjah’s first masterplanned development, luxury villas next to a championship golf course in Spain, luxury residences in Turkey, Brazil, Miami (US) and citizenship by investment and visa free travel for purchases in St Kitts, West Indies.

Visitors to the exhibition can pre-book appointments or attend the roadshow at their convenience to speak with advisors from around the world.

An exclusive global property seminar for Bahrain's Capital Club members will kick-start the four-day event on March 18 where Cluttons will discuss new research on the drivers of demand, and impact of global economics on property markets.

The roadshow will then move to the Intercontinental Hotel on March 19 and 20, before going on display at City Centre Bahrain on March 21, for people to browse at their leisure.  

Joanna Leverett, the head of international residential markets at Cluttons, said: "Following the fluctuation in global real estate markets, there are now major opportunities for Middle East buyers to look at international diversification of their property portfolios."

"Over the past year, we have recorded strong Middle East investor interest in mature and stable markets as a safe haven for funds, while there is also significant interest in markets offering price growth opportunities, now that markets such as Dubai have stabilised," remarked Leverett.

"Such purchases can offer good rental yields while also acting as an additional home for personal use. Markets such as London are relatively risk free and have a track record of providing strong capital value, while Manchester offers affordability with properties around $200,000 with high returns and yields of around six to eight per cent in a fast growing market," she added.

According to her, the benefits of investing internationally can vary from country to country but one area of interest to many Middle East buyers is citizenship by investment.

"Our event will feature Kitittian Hill in St Kitts for example, where the purchase of a property worth over $400,000 qualifies the investor and their family for citizenship of St Kitts. This enables visa free travel to over 120 countries around the world," explained Leverett.

"Rental yields on properties in St Kitts currently stand at approximately four per cent and it is certainly a destination that we believe Middle East investors would be very interested to find out more about," she added.

The properties being showcased range from exclusive New York residences such as the United Nations Plaza building in New York. This is the first residential tower in the US designed by world-renowned Foster + Partners. The project is being developed by Zeckendorf Development with Global Holdings.

Commenting on event, William L Zeckendorf, co-chairman of Zeckendorf Development, said: “We are excited to bring our exclusive opportunity to Bahrain. With a location facing one of the most famous and important buildings in the world, 50 United nations Plaza will attract considerable interest from buyers in the Middle East who recognise this opportunity in New York City to own a home created by one of today’s renowned architectural firms.

"The collaboration sets new standards for luxury living and creates one of the most memorable residential buildings in the world establishing a new presence among New York’s iconic towers.”

The other properties that will be showcased during the event include Macka Residences managed by Kempinski and the interior designed by Armani/Casa, Turkey, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, Kitittian Hill, St Kitts, PGA Catalunya, Spain, London, Axis Tower, Manchester and Albury Park, UK.

Cluttons head of Bahrain Harry Goodson-Wickes said: "With a presence in the Middle East for more than 40 years, we understand the requirements of investors and buyers in Bahrain and the wider region. For this event, we have put together a portfolio of international real estate that we believe will attract their interest."

"In the coming years, we expect an increase in the amount of transactions from Middle East investors in second homes and buy-to-let investments, and this event will be a platform for investors to explore a variety of options all under one roof," he added.-TradeArabia News Service