The Day of Bansko
On the 5th October 2008 Bansko will be celebrating 96 years of liberation; once part of the Ottoman Empire, Bansko was incorporated into Bulgaria in 1912 after the first Balkan War. The town has enjoyed a colourful past and now stands today as one of the most popular ski resorts in Bulgaria and south west Europe.
“Situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and only 160km from Sofia the capital of Bulgaria, Bansko is a popular town with a decade of history as a winter resort” says Steve Worboys, Director of Experience International, a specialist property agency for Bulgaria. “Bansko is well known for its reliable snow which sees the local ski season run from Christmas to Easter.”
Bansko celebrates its day of independence with various cultural activities throughout the town and following on from the annual jazz festival that is held in August, the community is happy to get together to celebrate another exciting event.
Samantha and Paul Griffiths from Watford, Hertfordshire purchased a studio apartment in a 5* development in Bansko through Experience International. “We really like Bansko and have friends that have bought in the same resort as us,” says Samantha, “We look forward to some fun winter breaks with them at the resort getting to know the area and the people better. It really is a great place and we can also see the rental potential which was something that drew us to this particular development.”
As Bansko day approaches it is still positive to see that demand for second properties in Bulgaria is not waning. According to data published on www.aplaceinthesun.com over 14,500 Britons purchased property in Bulgaria last year, bringing the overall total to 40,000 to date.
Nick Barnes, Head of International Research, Knight Frank, comments from the recently released global statistics: “The Knight Frank Global House Price Index shows that global house price inflation is continuing to fall back, with much of continental Europe now seeing low or negative growth. Nevertheless, performance is very varied, with prices still rising rapidly in several locations in Asia and Eastern Europe. Bulgaria is at the head of this list, where values have grown at 32.3% over the past year, and have now risen by 68% over the past two years.”
Steve Worboys concludes: “The Sofia News Agency has reported an increase in property investment for the beginning of 2008; we are certainly receiving a lot of interest still for Bulgaria from holiday home buyers as well as investors. As Bulgaria prepares for its winter season we are expectant that buyers will again be looking for ski properties in the mountains alongside people like Samantha and Paul who chose Bansko as a prime investment for some great winter holidays and as well as rental opportunities.”
For more information on buying in Bulgaria call Experience International on 0800 6120901 or visit www.experience-international.com.