Snehil Yadav

They say, real estate is having a moment – and rightly so. The two-year hiatus of the pandemic seems to be dissolving. The global real estate sector and that of India as well has gained immense momentum and confidence from investors and the public starting in mid-2022. It is safe to say that consumer sentiment toward real estate has bolstered owing to low-interest rates, initiatives by governments, and discounting strategies opted by builders. Needless to say, to celebrate this wave of enthusiasm in the sector, we felt obliged to talk about places that are tempting to explore and lucrative to invest in – and we come with places from around the world. Today, we analyse the top 10 places in the world to own real estate. Before we begin, let us remind you that our little analysis of these top 10 places is based on the most recent housing trends, rent pricing, economic growth, rate of appreciation, government support, and quality of life. 1) Venice Call it a miracle but the woes of the recent global pandemic have barely impacted the Italian real estate. Venice is an explorative market – including its most recent idea of renovation of its buildings to make them more durable and retain their essence. Venice attracts a lot of buyers as they immediately understand how the country behaves. Venice is a small world, nothing is too far away. You will not only find better value for your money but also own original properties dating back centuries. 2) Abu Dhabi Classy coupled with comfort is how we describe real estate in Abu Dhabi. That is not the best part, though. One of the main reasons why Abu Dhabi hits our list as the best place to buy real estate is the transparency and simplicity of the process. Buying properties is a piece of cake here. Documents are easy and free of jargon – the procedures are simple and clear with government intervention at all steps. Additionally, real estate is very diverse here and constantly multiplying. 3) Dubai The good old Dubai. Beats the likes of London and New York on many days. From the tallest tower to a man-made palm island to residential properties that define luxury and comfort – we wonder if there is anything that Dubai does not provide. Dubai offers superior gross yields ranging anywhere between 8% and an average return of 7.5% – thus prompting various global investors to buy properties here. You should hop on the train before it’s late. 4) Los Angeles If you thought Los Angeles is home to Hollywood movies and all the jazz – you might want to rethink. In the past decade, this city has become home to reputed colleges and top companies. This mammoth development has attracted refugees, builders, and investors alike. Very recently owing to its rich culture and development, Los Angeles has attracted a lot of Chinese capital. Los Angeles has also registered a boost in demand for office space and residential property. It is also touted as a millennial-friendly place and thus, one of the best places to buy real estate in 2023. 5) Mumbai City of dreams, dreamy coastlines, and of course the financial capital of India. Mumbai is India’s largest real estate market brimming with opportunities in office and commercial realms – including both luxurious and cost-effective housing options. We’d say right now is the best time to buy real estate in Mumbai – owing to various new projects marking their presence. As of late, Mumbai has also witnessed a spike in the working population curious to invest in residential properties. Corporate investments are also on the rise. 6) Panama One of our favourites and also one of the most exciting places to buy real estate. Panama is an impressive city for two major reasons – rental apartments and lucrative agricultural opportunities. In Panama, investors are betting on betting the dip. It is a buyer’s market this year – as it is bullish on rentals. Additionally, yields continue to be stronger because of low rents. What’s surprising is even while other markets in the same region have collapsed, Panama has managed to clock a steady growth. Stock market stuff aside, in short – Panama is a buyer favourite right now. Grab the opportunity while you can. 7) Portugal Ronaldo might just not be the best thing about Portugal. Its real estate market has caught global attention even before the pandemic. Some properties are priced at a rate that makes them a worthy investment. This year, we would recommend focusing on the lesser publicised areas of the Algarve coast and the Porto region north of Lisbon. Also, did you know that Portugal is one of those places where non-residents can easily get a mortgage without much hassle? 8) Turkey If you have been following the news, you’d know that Turkey is having a path-breaking year for property sales going up as high as 107% compared to pre-pandemic sales. And the majority of buyers are foreigners. Global investment and purchases of real estate have multiplied. Simultaneously, Turkey is fast becoming an attractive destination for work, living, and investment opportunities – making it one of the best places to buy real estate. 9) France Irrespective of the prices, our love affair with Paris will never end. A small piece of Parisian real estate is always a bucket list dream – both literally and wealth-wise. However, Paris is always welcoming global investors by offering relaxation and bargains. It is also yet another place where foreigners are seamlessly eligible for in-country financing. Also, Paris records historically low-interest rates for mortgages – for foreigners, as little as 2.05% with loan-to-values as high as 85%. Need we say more? 10) Dominican Republic Fun fact about The Dominican Republic – it was probably one of the first cities in the world to have immediately bounced back from the severe tourism blow by the global pandemic. And that says a lot about the place and its ability to

What happens when you hire an architect and offer him no limitations and a blank cheque? Well, the world becomes his oyster and the result is luxury real estate with detailed features carved to perfection – according to your tastes and fascination. In this case, what’s the limit? You want to have a golf course on your property – you get it. Want smart technology – at your service.  Well, bringing you out of this dream, we stated these examples because some of the costliest real estate properties have such amenities and more. But before that, where are these properties touted to be the costliest, most appealing ones? Well, without further ado, let us take you through the top 5 real estate properties around the world (and yes, you’ll find one from India as well – you probably know which one will make it to the list) 1) The Buckingham Palace – United Kingdom The most expensive house/palace will never be for sale (hopefully) but owned by King Charles III – the British monarch, Buckingham Palace is estimated to be priced at $4.9 billion dollars. It’s unfair to call it a house, because which house has 775 rooms? None that we know of. Spread over 77,000 square metres, the Palace also has a swimming pool and huge gardens that are open to the public. Additionally, it also has a surgery space for the Royal Family members and rumor has it that there are some secret rooms in the Palace not known to the public, built during the colonial era. Now that’s what makes Buckingham Palace the most interesting and expensive real estate in the world and shall remain one for years to come. 2) The Antilia – India Ah, the good old Antilia. We all have heard of its mighty structure priced at $2 billion. Owned by India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani and spread of 400,000 square feet, Anitila is the world’s most expensive private real estate property. We do not want to make you any more envious than you are, but – Antilia has 27 floors, and 6 floors alone are dedicated to the parking of cars owned by the wealthy family. Built with a mesh of both traditional and modern touch, Antilia houses a temple, swimming pool, 3 helipads, a yoga studio, a ballroom, a movie theater, an ice cream parlor, and also a room that generates ice if the weather gets too hot! 3) Villa Leopolda – France Located between two dreamy destinations of Monaco and Nice, and spread across 80,000 square feet – Villa Leopolda is the 3rd costliest real estate in the world and the 1st in Europe. Valued at $750 million and situated in all grandeur at French Riveria, Villa Leopolda was initially owned by King Leopold II of Belgium and ever since then, it has been passed off to prestigious owners, philanthropists, and others. The estate is also used by many Hollywood directors for their movies. The property boasts a huge swimming pool, numerous gardens, and aesthetic structures. It is managed by the descendants of Lily Safra – the philanthropist owner who died in July 2022. 4) Villa Les Cèdres – France Another costly yet charming real estate property located on French Riveria. They say this is for a king, perhaps because it was built by a king himself. Villa Les Cèdres was built in 1830 by the King of Belgium. This 18,000-square feet property is an artistic blend of ancient history, luxury, and comfort. Priced at $140 million, the villa houses 18 rooms, an ancient wood-designed library, a mammoth swimming pool, a pond, a chandelier-lit ballroom, 19th-century paintings, and a stable for horses. An Italian distiller named Davide Campari-Milano SpA is the current owner of the villa and thinks that the location and features of the villa will make it a historic residential sale. We say he is right in thinking so! 5) Four Fairfield Pond – USA This one is said to be a piece of Renaissance in the middle of the USA. Owned by an American billionaire, Ira Rennert, Four Fairfield is the most expensive house in all of the US and is built like an Italian structure spread across 63 acres. Valued at $250 million, this real estate property is as luxurious as it gets – with 21 bedrooms, a private basketball area, a bowling alley, a theater, a 91-foot-long dining room, a billiards room, two tennis and squash courts, and its own power plant. Anyway, what you should know about these costly real estate properties is that they are designed to be both breathtaking and withstand various calamities, such as earthquakes – and that is one more factor that makes them so lucrative for investments.  Also, why absorb all this knowledge all by yourself? Share it with your friends and comment which property you like most.

We study for 15 years and work for the next 40 – grow up, get married, have kids, and continue to provide for our families – all in the hope that we will, one day, have created enough wealth to retire in a comfortable and peaceful place. And why not? Having spent decades working – we deserve to harbour the fruits of our labour and a life well-lived. What should a life post-retirement look like? Nothing less than a long vacation, right? And for that to happen, selecting a city is very important. Do you know that Pune and Bangalore are the top choices as retirement homes for many people? Why, you ask? Let us delve into the intricacies of the details that make Pune and Bangalore a pensioner’s paradise. Pune, Maharashtra Pune is easily the most livable city in India. We don’t say it lightly. According to the Ease of Living Index, Pune is on the top when it comes to the best cities to retire and as per the Mercer Quality of Living Rankings, it ranks 145 – the second-highest score for an Indian city. Located in a flourishing area with close proximity to Mumbai – Pune’s cosmopolitan culture makes it a lucrative option for all age groups, especially those seeking retirement. With timely investments in a guaranteed income plan, you can save enough to buy a home in a city like Pune. Rental trends in Pune – Pune has a fairly low cost of living and a 2-bedroom apartment can range between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. Health & Wellness – Pune is home to popular hospitals like Aditya Birla Memorial, KEM Hospital, and Ruby Hall Clinic making it yet again a heaven for people seeking retirement. Other Features – Hill stations and the all-year-round pleasant weather offer a relaxing stay post-retirement. Moreover, there’s no dearth of transport and healthcare facilities. The quaint cafes, traditional food joints, historical sites, beautiful scenery, and lovely weather are sure to make you feel at home in your retirement years. Bangalore, Karnataka Bangalore is the city of lakes and hills and college students and good weather and senior citizens having tea and good food – and the list can go on. Bangalore offers an exciting social life and additionally, more opportunities for senior citizens to enjoy post-retirement such as going to the theatre, learning art, or just mindlessly visiting parks. Again, to back our claims – as per the Ease of Living Index, Bangalore has been declared the most livable city in the country. Accompanied by excellent weather all year round and lush greenery, Bangalore is just the place for senior citizens. Healthcare – Bangalore houses some of the best and most reputed multi-specialty hospitals such as Fortis, Manipal, Columbia Asia, Aster CMI, Apollo, and many others. All of these are within hand reach and thus make it easier for health checkups. Retirement-Friendly Gated Communities – Bangalore is not just a safe city for the youth, it caters to the checklists of ones seeking secure retirement (as if you haven’t taken enough stress all your life) Gated communities have been on the rise ever since Bangalore became the go-to city for citizens seeking retirement life. These communities ensure 24/7 security, fun activities, and other comfortable services. Well, now you know what to do if you are planning your retirement, and if you’re not – share this blog with someone who is near retirement and gift them these details that will help them make a wise choice. What are your retirement plans? Share with us in the comments below – we are eager to know!