Why are you buying the property?
Is this for retirement, a holiday home, a holiday home that you want to pay its way or a pure investment. If you are buying a property as an investment, see our Guide to Buying Property as an Investment.Which country and area will suit you best? If this is an investment, where are you likely to make the most money? Which type of property is best for you? Villa, apartment, townhouse. This is not always obvious. How are you going to pay for the property? Are you going to take out a mortgage? If so, where and for how much? What are you doing to guard against the risk of fluctuating exchange rates? How are you going to manage the property? If you want to let the property, who are your target tenants? Who will manage the lettings? How much money will you make? Who should be the legal owner of the property? The right choice here can save you £/€/$THOUSANDS, even on an ordinary holiday home. See below for more information.We will be happy to assist you with all of these issues.
Why Buy in Gambia
In the endless search for equity growth and rental yields property investors are searching further and further afield. Dubai, Bulgaria, Croatia and Turkey have all enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame as an overseas property hotspot and the markets there continue to thrive despite the threat of the bubble bursting. Costa de la Luz and Cape Verde are currently enjoying the limelight but a real opportunity lies on the West African coast in the former British colony of The Gambia. The Gambia is a 6 hour flight from London and has blossomed into a world class tourist resort over the last decade with five star hotels, fine dining, fantastic beaches, water sports, sports fishing and many other quality sporting and leisure pursuits. The Gambia is peaceful and stable. Crime rates and the cost of living are among the lowest in the world. Property ownership is part of the Gambian constitution and the conveyancing system is transparent and straightforward when done professionally. The Gambian government is totally committed to free enterprise. Luxury brand new four bedroom villas range from 80,000.00 GBP to 150,000.00 GBP dependant on location and proximity to the beaches. These properties can rent for up to 10,000.00 GBP per annum to United Nations or embassy staff. Building land is readily available and prices start from less than 1.00 GBP per square metre. Construction costs are a fraction of those in Europe and opportunities exist for commercial, residential, and tourist developments.
Utility Bills in the Gambia, and other Useful Information
Electricity is billed on a monthly basis with a minimum standing charge regardless of occupancy based on the electrical capacity of the property. Actual units of electricity used are paid on top of this standing charge. There are prepaid electricity meters available - Cash Power - where preferred.
Telephone access is provided by Gamtel (the equivalent of BT in the UK). They bill on a montly basis.
Mobile access is provided by Africel and Gamcel with Alcotel on its way. These only operate through the purchase of sim cards and top-up credit cards which are widely available. There is little to choose between these providers on pricing or reliability.
The internet is provided by both Quantum who offer Broadband and Gamtel who offer a dial-up connection. It should be noted that VOIP is illegal in the Gambia. The internet is also billed monthly.
Satelite TV is available with widely varying packages. Expect to pay equipment, installation and set up fees together with a monthly standing charge.
Other Useful Info
High calibre maids, gardeners and security staff are readily available, many with extensive experience gained in the luxury Gamban hotels. There are many European, Gambian and Arabic property maintenance firms with cost and quality varying considerably. We can provide suitable companies including references where necessary. As with most conveyancing transactions the purchase price is dependant upon a number of factors predominantly location, size and quality of the property/land being tendered.
There are annual payments for land rent and local taxes to be made. The land rent is a minimal fee and indicated on the lease document where the property is purchased as leasehold land.
Local rates are based on the rateable value of the land assessed by the Tax Office. The rateable value accounts for both the land and building value dependant upon type, location and use class. When this value is decided the Area Council determines the percentage to be charged for local rates. These rates are also minimal. .
Telephone access is provided by Gamtel (the equivalent of BT in the UK). They bill on a montly basis.
Mobile access is provided by Africel and Gamcel with Alcotel on its way. These only operate through the purchase of sim cards and top-up credit cards which are widely available. There is little to choose between these providers on pricing or reliability.
The internet is provided by both Quantum who offer Broadband and Gamtel who offer a dial-up connection. It should be noted that VOIP is illegal in the Gambia. The internet is also billed monthly.
Satelite TV is available with widely varying packages. Expect to pay equipment, installation and set up fees together with a monthly standing charge.
Other Useful Info
High calibre maids, gardeners and security staff are readily available, many with extensive experience gained in the luxury Gamban hotels. There are many European, Gambian and Arabic property maintenance firms with cost and quality varying considerably. We can provide suitable companies including references where necessary. As with most conveyancing transactions the purchase price is dependant upon a number of factors predominantly location, size and quality of the property/land being tendered.
There are annual payments for land rent and local taxes to be made. The land rent is a minimal fee and indicated on the lease document where the property is purchased as leasehold land.
Local rates are based on the rateable value of the land assessed by the Tax Office. The rateable value accounts for both the land and building value dependant upon type, location and use class. When this value is decided the Area Council determines the percentage to be charged for local rates. These rates are also minimal. .
General Summary of Fees
Total official costs involved in purchasing property should be around 1%.
Lawyer's fees - approx.10% of the selling price (dependant upon the solicitor's set fees).
Agents are paid by the seller unless otherwise agreed (approx. up to 10% of the purchase price)
Lawyer's fees - approx.10% of the selling price (dependant upon the solicitor's set fees).
Agents are paid by the seller unless otherwise agreed (approx. up to 10% of the purchase price)
Gambia Building Insurance
Building insurance is available and is recommended. Please contact us where necessary for further details.
http://Gambia-Holiday-News.co.uk
http://Gambia-Holiday-News.co.uk
Buying a Property In the Gambia?
Preparation - The Key Message
Going to look at properties should be the LAST stage in the process, not the first. The process of buying a property - whether for your personal use or as an investment - SHOULD start with thorough preparation. This will save to a lot of wasted time AND money. We STRONGLY recommend that you make contact with us BEFORE you go to look at any property. That way we can deal with all of the key issues (such as those listed below) calmly and clearly, before you get involved in the rush and pressure always associated with buying a specific property anywhere in the world.
Going to look at properties should be the LAST stage in the process, not the first. The process of buying a property - whether for your personal use or as an investment - SHOULD start with thorough preparation. This will save to a lot of wasted time AND money. We STRONGLY recommend that you make contact with us BEFORE you go to look at any property. That way we can deal with all of the key issues (such as those listed below) calmly and clearly, before you get involved in the rush and pressure always associated with buying a specific property anywhere in the world.
Gambia Holiday
We provide a wide range of business services, including direct access to the best and most comprehensive Gambia property sales and long term or holiday apartment rentals. With state of the art telecomunications, from our offices off Carnaby Street in London's West End and just off Karaiba Avenue in the Gambia we can advise and facilitate residential property purchases and sales, commercial property sales, rentals and leases, business start ups, transfers and marketing
Business int the Gambia
There are four essential elements needed for life in the Gambia: a good partner, an open mind, active enthusiasm and extreme patience. We can offer support, advice and provide a wide range of business services in the Gambia.
We can advise and facilitate buying off plan properties, residential property purchases and sales, commercial property sales, rentals and leases, business start ups, property transfers and online property marketing
We can help you analyse the factors that provide the context for planning effective business strategies, and in particular the analysis of those factors which give rise to opportunities and threats.
Eco-tourism: national heritage and others
Up-country tourism: motels, tourist camps,
Ground tour operators, river cruising
Hotel development: up-market 4-5 stars
For more information on any of our services or to send us any information or comments about the Gambia or our website, please contact us directly and a member of staff will respond shortly.
We can advise and facilitate buying off plan properties, residential property purchases and sales, commercial property sales, rentals and leases, business start ups, property transfers and online property marketing
We can help you analyse the factors that provide the context for planning effective business strategies, and in particular the analysis of those factors which give rise to opportunities and threats.
Eco-tourism: national heritage and others
Up-country tourism: motels, tourist camps,
Ground tour operators, river cruising
Hotel development: up-market 4-5 stars
For more information on any of our services or to send us any information or comments about the Gambia or our website, please contact us directly and a member of staff will respond shortly.
Gambia Holiday Lettings.
Want to market your holiday home?
Want to get it seen by holiday makers?
Want to maximise your rental income?
Want to get more holiday bookings?
Full page advert with your description and up to 6 photos for 12 months of great advertising. No commission - just £199 pa
You deal with the potential tenants and answer their questions personally.
You know your property best
Want to get it seen by holiday makers?
Want to maximise your rental income?
Want to get more holiday bookings?
Full page advert with your description and up to 6 photos for 12 months of great advertising. No commission - just £199 pa
You deal with the potential tenants and answer their questions personally.
You know your property best
Gambia Property Advertising and Marketing
Our property marketing service is simply the best way to advertise your property, holiday home or land for sale or to rent. We have been trading since 1997 and are Gambia's largest online estate agents. The number of visits is rapidly rising, which makes Gambia Holiday News one of the top real estate marketing sites in Africa and an undisputed number 1 in The Gambia. We estimate that the potential network exposure our property listings may receive from our partner property portals is in excess of 4 million users per month. Our philosophy is to take the latest technology and combine it with the best people to offer a superior full estate agency service.
Do you want to Buy Property in the Gambia
We offer a range of properties and land for sale throughout The Gambia. Click here to look at real estate, building land and properties, houses, homes and villas for sale in Banjul, Kololi, Kotu, Brufut, Sanyang, Bakau, Fajara, Senegambia,.The Gambia.
All available Gambian land or properties for sale are published on our website and details are readily available for you to download, print off or forward to a friend.
Our Gambia real estate news and sales list changes frequently and we recommend that you register with us so that we can look after you personally and contact you immediately that we are aware of a property that may meet your requirements
All available Gambian land or properties for sale are published on our website and details are readily available for you to download, print off or forward to a friend.
Our Gambia real estate news and sales list changes frequently and we recommend that you register with us so that we can look after you personally and contact you immediately that we are aware of a property that may meet your requirements
Gambia Property Marketing
Online Advertising: We fully maximise the online marketing of each property through the Property Portals, and this site through the leading search engines and popular internet sites. Once your advertisement goes ‘live’ on our web site, it will be promoted across all major search engines. This website was visited 50,000 times in 2006 by individual users actively seeking Gambian properties and Gambian Real Estate information.
Offline advertising: We offer the same offline advertising as a high street agent, including: 'For Sale' / 'To Let' Boards and Magazine Advertising. We have a min. of 1,000 users visiting our site each day - more than any Gambian estate agent?
Property Particulars: We understand that property buyers wish to make decisions online & sellers do not wish to have unqualified viewings. Therefore we include full property details: virtual tours, maps, measurements & extensive professional photographs.
'Live' Property: Buyers & Tenants require 'Live' up to date property lists. On this site our property searches are in real time. Our partner sites properties are updated at least once every day.
'Live' Applicants: The internet has enabled us to operate and utilise a dynamic database of hundreds of active Buyers & Tenants looking for holiday homes, investment or retirement properties or building land for sale in all areas of Gambia .
Offline advertising: We offer the same offline advertising as a high street agent, including: 'For Sale' / 'To Let' Boards and Magazine Advertising. We have a min. of 1,000 users visiting our site each day - more than any Gambian estate agent?
Property Particulars: We understand that property buyers wish to make decisions online & sellers do not wish to have unqualified viewings. Therefore we include full property details: virtual tours, maps, measurements & extensive professional photographs.
'Live' Property: Buyers & Tenants require 'Live' up to date property lists. On this site our property searches are in real time. Our partner sites properties are updated at least once every day.
'Live' Applicants: The internet has enabled us to operate and utilise a dynamic database of hundreds of active Buyers & Tenants looking for holiday homes, investment or retirement properties or building land for sale in all areas of Gambia .
Gambia Holiday Property
The Gambia is the next big thing, an emerging property market hot spot, a country that offers value for money and represent an opportunity for anyone looking for a good return on an overseas holiday apartment as a property investment or looking for a holiday home, guest house or retirement property.
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