Cumberland Properties

Cumberland Landscaping & Design

Turkey is highly regarded for its flora and fauna and has almost as many species of wild flowers as the rest of Europe combined. With 9000 species already identified, more than one third are native to the country and many are not to be found anywhere else on earth. This gives a rich and diverse selection of natural plant life both to choose from and inspire us.

Being green and eco-friendly is now near the top of everyone’s agenda and it had not gone unnoticed at Cumberland Properties. After constructing and selling property in Turkey for many years we had already implemented measures to use during our building processes to become more environmentally friendly but here is a look at something else we have developed in an effort to build long-term green sustainability.

After the overwhelming success of our in-house nursery we decided to expand our operations and create Cumberland Landscaping & Design. This was not an easy task, as our plans for expansion had outgrown our existing nursery so consequently a search began to locate a site with the perfect growing conditions. A local couple were drawn to our attention both of which had green fingers and handily knew of an area of disused farmland close to their home. We ended up purchasing half an acre (approximately 2000 square metres) and work began, we couldn’t have been happier.

The location couldn’t have been more ideal, as you travel around Turkey the most common landscape you will see is called “Steppe” and is characterised by the diversity of life that it sustains. In the spring especially, the rolling landscape is carpeted in a multicoloured profusion of delicate featured but hardy flowers bringing the county-side to life. Here in the Mediterranean Floral Area the mild climate enables the valleys and lowlands to grow a range of tropical fruit and the Aegean region in particular is known for its olives, grapes and cotton. This is the perfect eco-system for us to cultivate the plants and flowers we need.

Cumberland Landscaping & Design is near a very small village called Sazkoy located in the beautiful green valley of the Mumcular municipality, about 10 miles inland from Bodrum. This area is where most of the peninsulas agricultural farming takes place due to a dam constructed in the late 80’s on the Kocadere River. This feeds into state water channels that run along the valley floor and adjacent to our land providing an excellent system of irrigation in an area where rainwater is scarce.

Development at Cumberland Landscaping & Design began at the end of 2008 bringing in water and electric utilities and the construction of basic facilities. Next we erected two large greenhouses and with the addition of our own small irrigation system they are now home to a variety of plants. Now this site is self-sustaining we will be using it for all our future developments.

Currently at Cumberland Landscaping & Design we have almost 20,000 flowers, shrubs, trees and herbs being grown simultaneously. Palm trees from seeds, basils, daises, cacti, roses and banana trees are the more recognisable names but the majority are local flowers and perennial plants that help us achieve a constant stream of blooms in our gardens.

Our team of gardeners are constantly on the go, maintaining the site is highly labour intensive; plant care requires constant attention, good judgment and manual dexterity. Luckily our local couple have two life times of experience to call upon and an unbounded knowledge of the native flora and fauna of Turkey and, most importantly, specifically the Bodrum peninsula.

Looking to the future, with the recent appointment of Gözde Tavaslı we are looking to her unique talents in both design and horticulture to take Cumberland Landscaping & Design to it’s next level as, in addition to overseeing the sites day to day operations, she will be implementing the extension of our range of services to a wider clientele on a consultancy basis.

So from humble beginnings, whilst exploring various methods of reducing our impact on the local eco-system, Cumberland Properties implemented the idea of establishing our own greenhouse, that in turn developed into a nursery and due – in no uncertain terms – to it’s success, not only in lowering our costs and removing the need to have foliage transported in, but in supplying other developers, today Cumberland Landscaping & Design is a profitable business in its own right, selling plants and flowers and serving the local and wider community.

So Cumberland discovered one of the most instant ways to reduce our own carbon footprint was one of the simplest – just grow some plants.

For more information contact: gozde@cumberlandproperties.net
or visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

Turkey An Affordable Alternative For Expats

Over two thirds (75 percent) of expatriate Britons living in EU countries are considering returning to the UK due to the effects of the economic crisis according to a recent survey.

Fears over job security falling European property prices and the strength of the Euro are forcing many to reconsider their options according to a poll commissioned by Moneycorp the UK foreign exchange specialist.

250 in-depth telephone interviews were conducted last month and the findings indicated that 70 percent of those interviewed were now considering packing up and going home.

Job security was the most common concern with 35 percent worried about losing their job.

Falling European property prices was the second major concern closely followed by the strength of the Euro that for many paid in sterling has meant a dramatic cut in income or pensions.

Britons living in Spain where the recession is biting hardest for expatriates are the most worried about losing their jobs with 41 percent afraid they will be affected by the Spanish unemployment rate that currently stands at 18 percent.

More than a quarter (28 percent) of British expatriate living in Spain and more than one third (33 percent) of those living in Germany claim a sterling pension and rely on it as their main income.

An average of 70 percent have repatriation in mind says the survey while more than a third in some EU counties say they are definitely going back to the UK – including 38 percent of British expats in Germany, 37 percent in Spain, 34 percent in Italy and 33 percent in France.

David Kerns, Head of Private Clients at Moneycorp, said: “Our research highlights the real impact of the downturn for Britons living abroad”.

However, Turkey remains outside the EU affording the British in particular especially attractive exchange rates when compared to their European counterparts. This makes Turkey an affordable alternative to the more established retirement destinations such as Spain. Turkey already has a burgeoning British expat community.

Property in Turkey whether you are looking for Turkish property for sale or simply rentals in Turkey currently represents fantastic value for money. Furthermore, Turkey continues to enjoy sustainable growth in its property market with both domestic and international demand underpinning the market. Returns for rentals in Turkey remain strong.

Simultaneously, the strength of Turkey’s underlying economy and continued growth in tourism bolsters the case for considering Turkey as a real alternative retirement destination.

Turkey’s accession to full membership of the EU continues apace, increasing confidence amongst many Europeans in Turkey as a stable retirement destination.

For more information visit: www.moneycorp.com

Merrill Lynch Say Turkey May Be Next Brazil

The Turkish economy will probably grow 4.5 percent in 2010 according to research by Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.

 “If the real interest rates continue to be around 4 to 5 percent then Turkey has a huge growth potential and it can be the next Brazil,” said Türker Hamzaoğlu, a Merrill Lynch economist for emerging economies in Eastern Europe the Middle East and Africa, or EEMEA region, in a press conference in Istanbul on Thursday.

“Brazil saw huge growth after the 2001 crisis. Maybe Turkey does not have valuable underground resources, but instead of this, it has low real interest rates,” Hamzaoğlu said.

 

Another advantage Turkey has is its strong banking system and a large upside potential on mortgages, according to Hamzaoğlu. In the long run, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are “likely to be success stories,” Hamzaoğlu said.

 

“When we compare these to European countries demographically we see that competitiveness is robust in EEMEA countries. The young and unsaturated population in developing countries has potential. Turkey should make use of this.”

 Hamzaoğlu also said the budget deficit situation is improving in Turkey. The gap that stood at 6.5 percent of the gross domestic product this year is expected to decrease to 5.6 percent of the GDP in 2010, he said. “The recovery will be seen more effectively in Turkey, as the indebtedness rates of households are lower compared to other EEMEA countries,” Hamzaoğlu added. Household debt in Turkey is 13 percent of GDP, according to the report.

 

From now on Turkey does not need to sign a standby deal with the International Monetary Fund, Hamzaoğlu said. “Emerging economies are recovering. There is no need for a standby.”

 

Inflation in EEMEA economies will stand at current rates or even decrease, according to the Merrill Lynch report.

 

The U.S. finance giant predicts the global economy to grow by 4.3 percent in 2010, with consumer spending and borrowing expected to rise as the threat of unemployment wanes and household incomes recover. “The surprise of the year may be a rally in the U.S. dollar,” said Bill O’Neill, a portfolio strategist at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

 

“Brazil, Russia, India and China (or BRIC) currencies have the upside versus the euro.” The U.S. dollar has lost 4.8 percent against the euro this year.

 

For more information visit: www.turkeydailynews.com

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