The fact that property values started to level off ahead of the credit crunch, leads us to believe that it will be properties that will come out of it first. The market has yet to digest completely the combined effects of mortgage famine and higher deposits requirements from first time buyers, but the latest announcement from the government, releasing new capital through Quantitative Easing, should help the situation further, with loans finally reaching businesses and individuals.

When this crunch finally comes to and end, it will be a much healthier situation for everybody, with loans being offered to individuals who can afford the repayments and banks loaning money from funds deposited by savers, as things used to be. There are signs of increased activity in the market place with the number of sales steadily increasing, which is encouraging. If this is the beginning of the end, despite this being in the worst recession since 1930, then properties will have fared much better then most other type of investments! Property values abroad have mirrored the UK position to some extent.

The domestic markets in France, Italy, Portugal and Spain have seen values drop less then 5%, as the banks on the continent are generally much more cautious with their lending. Prices of second homes, generally bought by UK individuals and other northern Europeans, have seen bigger drops, especially in some parts of Spain which are badly affected by the large surplus of built properties, however the increased values of the € and the $ versus the £, have largely made up for the reduced values with the additional advantage of free holidays and rental income!

A property is something tangible, something you can see, feel, use or rent out, an investment that most people understand. And now, with such low rates of return from banks and building societies, it still remains one of the most attractive options for investors who know what they are looking for.

If you are looking for a good investment or indeed a nice lifestyle property the new development at Oceans Edge St Kitts is a great start.  This new Caribbean resort development offers stunning beach front property, great value, as well as additional perks including tax advantages and economic citizenship.