Bodrum

Sports celebrities in Bodrum

Australian Tim Cahill, midfielder for the English premier league team Everton, recently bought land where he has had built an elite villa in Bodrum. He said of his villa & Bodrum, “It’s a very good property investment in Turkey, holiday home & a great place to play golf.”

Tim said, “Being a footballer you don’t always know when you’re going to be able to get away, this is ideal.”

Tim emphasised that the best option was Turkey & Bodrum, “It’s five minutes from Bodrum airport, so I can take in some sun, play a bit of golf & fly my family over from Australia for a holiday to.”

Tim explained some of the reasons for choosing Turkey; beautiful geographical location, fantastic climate – weather & beaches, good food & a great tourist industry which is booming; “It is not to far either from Galatasaray who my mate Harry Kewell plays for so I will be able to go & watch him.”

He added “I have travelled all over the world & Turkey has got to be one of the most beautiful place I have been, there are not only places like Bodrum, but Istanbul to, with so much to see; it is a great place to have a holiday home.”

Tim paid around 200,000 GBP for his property but there are many apartments & villas in Bodrum. Tim added that his Turkish villa is big & light & the living area is “summer living” to include all the comforts, which suits him being an Australian.

Tim who is interested in real estate added that it was not just about money & investment; he wanted to enjoy the luxury lifestyle as well.

Tim is in good company as Andy Johnson, striker for English premier league team Fulham, also has property in Bodrum.

If football’s not your thing & although he might be retired from boxing, Ricky ‘the hitman’ Hatton could still knock you over with his sheer enthusiasm for his latest property venture.

“I bought a villa off-plan near Bodrum in Turkey two years ago & now I want to build a training camp there as well”, says the 31-year-old former world champion.

“I’m building a stable of about 25 fighters & the place will be ideal for them. It’s hilly, which will be great for their road work, the heat will help them acclimatise for fights abroad, & the golf makes it an ideal place to chill after a fight.”

If this all reads like the familiar story of the retired fighter rushing to spend his hard-won fortune then think again — Hatton is no fool with his money.

Managed by his father, Ray, he has his own leisurewear range & is now moving into the management & promotion side of boxing — hence his plans for the training camp in Bodrum.

He has been typically canny with his property dealings. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom villa in Bodrum comes with its own swimming pool & cost just 159,000 GBP.

Up until recently Hatton lived in a modest semi-detached house in Hyde, Manchester, where he was brought up. It was only when fans took to looking through his windows that he decided on something rather more private.

So he bought a far larger £750,000 home a few streets away in Gee Cross, put in a swimming pool & games room & built a high surrounding wall.

Hatton now lets the semi in Hyde & lives in the new house with his girlfriend. He also has a holiday villa in Tenerife. Considering that he is believed to be worth around £25 million, it is hardly an extravagant portfolio.

Hatton, a fierce Manchester City supporter, has always remained true to his roots & it was family holidays in Bodrum that first brought him to the Bodrum peninsula.

“I used to come here with my parents & my brother & now that I could be described as retired from the ring, I want to spend time here with my girlfriend & my own little boy, Campbell”, he says. “I just can’t get over how much the place has changed. There are golf courses galore & Bodrum is absolutely beautiful.”

The part of Bodrum where Hatton has chosen to invest is undergoing a £4.1 billion development “Golf is the driving force behind it,” say English estate agents Savills.

“You can get phenomenal value for money in terms of property in Turkey & can also let your Turkish property ten months of the year quite easily.”

The Ankara government is behind this golfing boom. Areas have been identified for up to 100 new courses to be built by 2014 & the policy is already paying dividends.

The prices might sound low, but don’t imagine Bodrum is a cheap & cheerful part of Turkey. It is a favourite holiday spot for wealthy types from Istanbul. In Yalikavak, its plushest suburb, the prices of some modern houses start at more than 1.5 million GBP & mansions sell for 6 million GBP & above.

Investing in Turkey appears to have been a shrewd move on Hatton’s part. With its population of 73 million & growing, there is a significant shortage of housing & this should maintain demand & ensure prices continue to appreciate. The Turkish real estate & construction sector grew by 21.9% in the second quarter of 2010. These types of statistics have increased confidence in the Turkish real estate & construction sectors, & English investors are gravitating toward Turkey to take advantage after the financial crisis.

Turkey is also economically sound, having come out of the recession relatively unscathed, largely thanks to not being in the Euro-zone. It is the 15th-largest economy in the world & would be the sixth largest in the European Union if, as expected, it is granted full membership by 2020.

Turkey is the centre of attraction for property investment especially for European investors after the global financial crisis.

Is golf much of an attraction to Ricky Hatton when he visits Bodrum? “To be honest with you, I just hack around the course — I’m not very good,” he says.

“But I find it relaxing. And one thing is for sure — it’s a damn sight less painful than fighting.”

Sources: Milliyet, Haber, Daily Mail.

Christmas for Turkey: Istanbul World’s Best-Performing City

How the world’s cities have fared since the financial crisis hit in 2007

Cities are the great engines of growth in the world economy. Istanbul, with income growth of 5.5% & employment growth of 7.3% over the past year, is currently the world’s best-performing city, according to a new report by the Brookings Institution & the London School of Economics.

The report ranks 150 cities from across the globe according to growth in gross value added per person (a proxy for income) & employment. The 150 metropolitan areas represented just 12% of the world’s population but accounted for 46% of the world’s GDP in 2007.

Some cities have plunged in the rankings since the “Great Recession”. Dubai & Dublin, the second & sixth best-performing cities respectively between 1993 & 2007, now rank as the most stagnant.

Source: The Economist

Bodrum Foundation Helps Disabled

A foundation established 13 years ago by volunteers in the popular resort town of Bodrum has created a source of 4 million Turkish Liras for the education of the disabled in the region. Bodrum Health Foundation, or BSV, was established in 1996 with 36 members & considered its first priority to provide care for disabled children. Purpose built, in 2002, Begonvil Education & Rehabilitation Centre was constructed on 10,000 square meters of land provided by Turgutreis Municipality.

Speaking at a dinner party organized to mark the 13th anniversary of the foundation’s establishment, foundation president Ahmet Biçer said over 140 disabled people have been educated with the financial support of 4 million liras. “Close your eyes for 30 seconds & imagine yourself or one of the people you know is disabled,” Biçer told an audience of 400 guests, including 50 overseas nationals living in Bodrum.

“The founders of this foundation set out with this philosophy & created a chance of high-standard education & rehabilitation for 140 disabled people. These people, who created this organization without expecting anything in return but the happiness of the children, are the real heroes of Bodrum.”

Biçer said the foundation hopes to complete a new workshop for the disabled next year with an estimated investment of 450,000 Turkish Liras.

According to the information on the foundation’s Web site, Begonvil Special Education & Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children provides trainable mentally impaired children, autistic children & those with physical disabilities in the 0-18 age group with one-on-one & group education. The centre has professional training rooms, a library, a lounge, a kitchen & a dining hall.

The interior of the centre has been designed to provide disabled individuals with safe & easy mobility. In the gardens, there is an agricultural rehabilitation area, a playground, swimming pool & Jacuzzi. Presently, 90 physically & mentally disabled individuals are provided with services at the rehabilitation centre.

One-on-one education is given in five main fields: physical development, self-care skills, mental development, emotional & social development, & language development.

Fields defined in accordance with the child’s needs are supported with group education. The children who have completed their basic development can start academic education, receive training for independent living, & attend vocational education workshops. During the workshops making galoshes, ceramics, accessories & souvenirs develops the children’s manual skills.

The aim of these endeavours is to support the disabled children’s personal & social life skills so as to increase their self-confidence & motivation & to enable them to become independent, self-contained individuals with an improved sense of self-worth.

Because education & rehabilitation cannot be solely indoor activities, picnics, excursions, trekking & activities in the sea are considered to be crucial endeavours that foster harmony between disabled individuals & society. Therefore, the rehabilitation centre organizes many outdoor activities that children can attend together with their parents.

Television & radio programs are prepared & panel discussions are held to inform the public & to raise awareness. The newspaper of the foundation, Gökkuşağı (The Rainbow) is published every two months & delivered to 3,000 locations in Istanbul & 2,500 in Bodrum.

Physiotherapy for children with mobility problems

Physiotherapists at the centre rehabilitate mobility problems of children who suffer from certain disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, motor mental retardation, & Down’s syndrome. In addition, in accordance with the needs of children with other disabilities, programs for individual, group or home exercise are offered.

The aim of the therapy programs is to minimize the mobility problems of the children & to help them gain maximum independence in daily life. Therapy sessions are held with the full support & cooperation of the families.

Education & rehabilitation of children with a diagnosis from a fully equipped state hospital & a medical report from the hospital board can register for the centre where they are given meticulous care by a team of specialists. The team includes physiotherapists, special education teachers, ceramics teachers, & child development & education teachers. Moreover, specialists in music & folk dance volunteer & also support the centre.

To spread the workload, the foundation & the rehabilitation centre depend on the help of volunteers. The social committee, which consists of volunteers from all over the Bodrum Peninsula, work all year round for the betterment of the foundation. The activities of the committee include organizing fairs & benefit dinners, working on projects with similar institutions, & preparing programs to raise public awareness.

Source: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com

Cumberland Design & Construction News

Never a dull moment at Cumberland, this autumn, and throughout the winter, will see the continued development through to completion of our Woodland Regency site.

Due to local legislation that is defined by the council and designed to protect tourism, there are restrictions placed on builders and developers; limiting the scope of works that may be carried out during the “high season”, in order to preserve the peace and tranquillity normally associated with the Bodrum peninsula.

Consequently, this is our busiest period of the year on the construction side of our operation and every minute counts.

By the time you arrive for your well-earned break or holiday every trace of our busy winter schedule will have been removed. The paint will be dry, the lawns watered and the sun loungers set-out around the poolside just waiting for you to recline, relax, rejuvenate and enjoy a long, cool refreshing drink in the beautifully secluded surroundings of the olive and pine tree forest in which our exceptional Woodland Regency development is set.

But right now things are moving apace and we’d like to take you on a quick tour of exactly what we’re up to here at Woodland Regency.

No one wants to holiday under a cluster of electric cables strung from unsightly pylons do they? So they just had to go. You will see from the photos that the original pylons have been replaced for a more aesthetically pleasing variety – if such a thing is possible when it comes to electric pylons – and the old cables replaced for the new armoured type and rerouted around the perimeter of the site. Consequently, Woodland Regency is now cable free both above and below ground. This has the dual benefit of both improving safety and improving the aesthetics in order not to detract from the natural beauty of the locale.

Our old warehouse has been dismantled and donated to Konacık council. We understand that a portion of it will be used for storage, however – more interestingly – and more in keeping with Cumberland Properties philosophy – the majority of it will be re-erected, refurbished and reused to provide an adult education centre that will be run by, and for, the local community. It is planned that a considerable number of socially orientated courses will be made available to the surrounding populous. Cumberland Properties would like to wish all those involved the very best in all their endeavours.

The area created by the clearance of our old warehouse will allow work to progress on the footings and necessary groundwork for 3 further C-type units. Each finely crafted and exquisitely finished apartment will comprise of 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and feature an open-plan ground floor that combines the kitchen / breakfast bar with the dining and living space to create a wonderfully fresh ambiance. Each of these will occupy a 1,141 sq ft plot, to include terraces, and will have a floor area of 670 sq ft set out over 2 floors.

Whilst we’ve had trucks and JCB’s roaming around the site this has provided an opportune moment for work to continue on the provision and extension of drainage to the new and existing units respectively.

We have also taken delivery of a considerable amount of topsoil, ready for Cumberland Landscaping & Design to get to work with, in addition to that already available on site.

On the lighter side of things, relatively speaking, work continues with the installation of staircases, balustrades and aluminium windows and doors to the existing units.

All finished off with a lick of paint to keep the site presentable whilst our work continues.

For more information contact: volkan@cumberlandproperties.net

or visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

Things That Go Bump In The Night

A 200-year-old building that was under protection due to its historic value & located in Bodrum Gümüşlük district was knocked down in the night, authorities said.

Three people, a bulldozer operator & his two assistants, were taken into custody by gendarmerie forces for being involved in the incident.

The 90-square-meter house, which belongs to a Turkish tourism investor, was located in a 600-square-meter garden.

Neighbours called the gendarmerie hot line because the house was on the preservation list of the Cultural & Natural Heritage Conservation Board.

Gendarmerie officials learned at the scene that bulldozer operator Cengiz Kalman, who knocked down the building, did not have any authorization or license for the operation. “Two people came to me & asked me to knock down the house as they would start new construction,” Kalman said in his testimony. “They would pay us in the morning. We did not know who owned the house.” Kalman & his two assistants were later released by the court pending trial.

Ergun Berksoy, the owner of the house, had no information regarding the demolition & will press charges against the perpetrators, said Murat Duru, the head of a hotel owned by Berksoy. “Berksoy spends most of the year in the United States,” said Duru. “He was shocked to learn that the house had been knocked down. We have no idea who did it & why.”

Gümüşlük Mayor Mehmet Tire said it was not a municipal operation. “We did not order such a demolition, & even if we had done it, we would have done it during the daytime. I also wonder why they did this,” he said.

Source: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com

2010 A Year Of ‘Hope’ Say Businessmen

As the global economy is showing signs of recovery from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, indications abound that 2010 will be a year when the recovery kicks in, especially in Turkey, where signs that a recovery is picking up pace revealed themselves towards the end of 2009.

The crisis hit fundamental economic indicators like production, exports, investments and unemployment, leading to massive stimulus packages taken by nations looking to protect themselves from economic freefall.

The speed at which governments enacted such measures was unprecedented, and possibly saved the global economy from falling into a further global slump rivalling the turbulent times of the 1920s.

The upturn in economic conditions in Turkey in the last quarter of the year has left many wondering whether the worst is over, and whether 2010 will make up for the losses in 2009.

Although Turkey’s Medium-Term Economic Program (MTEP) released by the government predicted a return to growth in 2010, some in the business world are calling this overly optimistic, while others are saying that the government should aim even higher.

Regardless of the exact numbers, the Turkish business world, having seen the recent rays of hope in the economy, is hopeful about the coming year.

For more information visit: www.sabahenglish.com

Bodrum Tipped As Double Rental Prospect

It has been stated that the Turkish Aegean Peninsula of Bodrum provides a dual incentive to investors.

Both buyers and investors hoping to rent out property can benefit from the fact that the area boasts both a domestic and an international market for tourist rentals.

This is due to the fact that the peninsula is the preferred Turkish holiday destination not only for the Turks but also by tourists visiting from Britain, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

Hannah Gelbart of Cumberland Properties, a property developer that owns three developments within the Bodrum Peninsula, affirms that “more than 50% of our buyers come from Ankara and Istanbul.”

Bodrum has a great many attractions, including cultural and historic features such as Bodrum Castle and the remains of the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. It is also famed for its stunning marina, whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets and elegant boutiques.

Furthermore, its Underwater Archaeological Museum that is housed in Bodrum Castle is recognised as the best of its type in the world. It was the wealth of marine artefacts recovered locally that originally inspired the commissioning of the museum.

Diving for antiquities remains a firm favourite amongst the more adventurous tourists. The area boasts a full range of water sports from a gentle paddle or a trip out on a pedalo – for the less adventurous – through to parasailing and scuba diving courses all that can be arranged locally.

Recent studies in and around the area have noted that crime rates are minimal, as indeed is the cost of living. English is widely spoken throughout the region. During the summer months you could almost be forgiven for thinking it was the first language.

English pounds sterling, Euros, Dollars and obviously Turkish Lira are all in circulation during the summer months and are readily accepted in most local shops and markets. Although be prepared to have your change given in Turkish Lira. The UK especially continues to benefit from superb exchange rates virtually doubling your money.

Bodrum has been recently tipped as one of Turkey’s property hotspots for buyers in 2010, along with fellow Turkish resorts Altinkum and Dalaman.

easyJet Launch 5 Routes For 2010

EasyJet, one of the worlds leading low-cost airlines, will place a stronger focus on Turkey in the coming year by launching five more routes to Turkey, as the country has a promising aviation sector, Peter Voets, the company’s Switzerland, Austria and Eastern Europe marketing manager, has said.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Voets noted that Turkey has one of the fastest growing aviation sectors in Europe. The inclination of individuals toward travelling in recent years has played an important role in this growth, he remarked, adding that easyJet cannot remain indifferent to this potential.

“Low fare flights in Turkey have a big potential even though their market share is only 3%.”

Voets, noting that the Turkish market can easily adapt to low fare flights, said customers are more budget conscious – especially during the economic crisis.

EasyJet, the fourth-largest airline in Turkey in terms of seating capacity, has a market share of 7%, he said.

Source: ANSAmed

Brits To Travel More In 2010

Holidays are considered to be the best part of the year for people in the UK, a price comparison website has claimed.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at travelsupermarket.com, said that Britons are more likely to give up spending on items such as a new sofa than cut back on holidays.

He said that a “work hard, party hard” culture is prevalent among people at the moment, with many consumers making holidays into the ‘highlight’ of their year.

“Brits will give up all sorts of things in order to save up and spend on a trip or a series of trips as a reward for working hard during the year – time off gives us the opportunity to rest, relax, party or indulge in our interests, with more and more of us taking activity breaks, whether they are cultural, sporty or family-orientated”, Mr Atkinson added

A newly completed project of 13 two storey detached villas and 6 three storey semi-detached villas all of which have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and represent exceptional value for rentals in Bodrum.

Set on a gently slopping hill, in a jewel of a bay called Küçükbük – conveniently located just outside Gündoğan town centre. This quiet bay is renowned for its crystal clear sea, traditional gulets, cafés, bars and beachfront restaurants. Gündoğan town is famous for its local fish restaurants and readily accessible amenities including: ATM’s, bakeries, pharmacies and supermarkets.

The accommodation comprises: an impressive double height entrance door with wooden doors and a floating modern portico above. From the front door there is a fitted storage area to the left and ahead you can see through the hall and out through glass doors into the garden; on the ground floor to the right there is a guest bathroom and a double bedroom, to the left you enter the spacious kitchen / dining area opening into the living area with double doors to a large private garden.

A recent report from Travelzoo revealed that 42 percent of Brits plan to travel more in 2010 compared to 2009.

Visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

Turkish Government And Local Municipalities Limit Density Of Construction

Turkey is learning from the mistakes of Spain by guaranteeing that its immaculate coastline remains unspoilt.

This is undeniably a crucial step on the way to Turkey becoming a principal destination for overseas buyers.

The Turkish Government has certainly decided that the Spanish construction approach is not their chosen method of development.

The measures that they have taken in restricting and regulating coastal construction will give Turkey a head start in the global market for property investors and holiday-home buyers.

Unlike Spain’s Costa del Sol, obstructed by towering architecture, the Bodrum Peninsula in Southwest Turkey is a protected area; buildings can only be two storeys high and must be whitewashed, giving the region an authentic and picturesque identity.  Furthermore, only 20% of the land in Bodrum can be built on, thus ensuring that its exquisite range of wildlife and natural beauty will be protected for generations to come.

Other advantages of the area include the availability of affordable property, advances in tourism, a low cost of living and quality healthcare.

However, what really sets Turkey apart is the security of investment. The Spanish Government permitted the construction of resorts too close to the beach or on land that had not been acquired by the seller. The corruption involved provoked international outrage as people had entrusted their lifetime savings, only to find that some developments had been illegitimately constructed and were under serious threat.

Turkey is often compared to Spain more than 20 years ago; the coastline is intact and the beaches uncontaminated. Tourism is increasing yet building is restricted enough to enable the growth of coastal resorts without damaging the country’s natural beauty.

A White Paper has been issued by the Turkish Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture that sets out guidelines that intend to limit the density of construction and retain the authenticity of major tourist areas covering the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines.

Cumberland Properties has been nationally recognised as a green company that operates in the Bodrum area. They own three developments on the Bodrum Peninsula, all of which are excellently located and proud to maintain the area’s nature and wildlife. The unique Woodland Regency development is set in the heart of a tranquil pine forest and the development was constructed around the trees; not a single one was damaged in the process. The exceptionally built villas and apartments are in extremely high demand. The development boasts two large, communal swimming pools, a golf putting area and outdoor playground, an exclusive spa and fitness area and 24 hour security.

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