Czech republic property - Czech republic property
for sale
Property
in the Czech Republic
The
Czech Republic as we know it has only been in existence
since 1993, but in this short time its economy and property market have
come on in leaps and bounds. And the Czeh Republic’s accession
to the EU in 2004 has further strengthened its economic health. The
modernisation of this former Easter Bloc country began back in 1989,
when the Velvet Revolution saw Czecheslovakia oust its Communist leadership
and end its association with the USSR. Four years later, the Czech
Republic and Slovakia separated and became
independent countries in their own rights.
The Czech Republic’s property market can now be effectively divided
into two zones: Prague and everywhere else. Prague’s legion of
overseas companies and foreign workers, plus a booming tourism industry,
have combined to create a capital city with an average wage that’s
50 per cent higher than the national figure. And consequently this wealth
is reflected in Prague’s property market. The districts of Prague
are referred to by number; the most popular with ex-pats tend to be
the stylish, cosmopolitan Vinohrady district (Prague 2 and 3), the slightly
cheaper Dejvice (Prague 6) and Vrsovice (Prague 10)
districts. Property values in these areas have been rising steadily
by around 15 per cent per annum. To give an example of Prague’s
ascendancy, a one-bedroom flat in the town centre will set you back
around £70,000, whereas a similar apartment in the centre of the
Czech Republic’s second city, Brno, will cost closer to £40,000.
There’s
a current trend among Czech nationals to migrate from the countryside
towards the larger urbanisations, where rental costs are higher but
salaries are better. This means two things for the foreign property
investor: there are plenty of buy-to-let opportunities in cities such
as Prague and Brno, but there are also a whole host
of bargain-basement countryside properties ripe for development. With
luxury ski chalets, Baroque castles and chic city pads all a cheap two-hour
flight away, what are you waiting for?
Airports:
Prague Ruzyne/Brno