A
couple of months ago the Russians were known as generous purchasers of elite real
estate abroad. Situation with the market of foreign "elite" is explained by
Viacheslav Leibman in the interview to M2.
Vyacheslav Leybman - managing
partner of the Mirax Group Corporation. He is a manager of the Astra Montenegro
project which is being implemented by the corporation in Montenegro.
- Are there people in
Russia who still want to invest money in real estate abroad? If it is so, why
do they do this and what are they guided by? Is it more investment
accommodation (to save money) or, as earlier, a second home for present Russian
buyers?
- Nowadays, real estate
purchase offers abroad are more profitable, both concerning prices and amount
of interesting variants. Judging by our experience, people, who buy real estate
abroad, first of all choose a second home, quiet and comfortable harbor, where
their children and parents may have a rest, where they may spend their time. At
the same time this real estate can be a reliable source of capital investment.
Purchase of an apartment or a villa will result in some income. Buying elite real
estate, for example, in the Astra Montenegro on the coast of the Adriatic Sea,
you will actually become a co-owner of a five-star hotel, and we will act as a
manager.
- Please, tell us, if a
Russian buyer of elite real estate abroad has changed in connection with the world
financial crisis (socially, in terms of occupation, income)?
- It should be noted that
Russian buyers have become more hard-to-please in connection with the world
financial crisis. Now elite houses should include all necessary things for
complete and active life of both adults and children: fitness centers,
spa-salons, restaurants and shops, recreation and entertainment areas. But it's
very important that additional service system does not influence total cost of real
estate abroad.
- Are there any changes
in the factors identifying degree of "elitness" of real estate abroad? What
world regions do Russians buyers of elite real estate prefer most of all?
- Location and quality of
a building has always been the key criterion identifying degree of "elitness" of
a house or a complex. But nowadays developed infrastructure, apartment service
(cleaning, post and meal delivery), transport availability, distance to airport
and sea (if it is resort real estate) are of great importance. Today the
Russians prefer Balkans, Croatia, and Montenegro for buying elite real estate.
Premium class real estate costs much less in these countries, than, for
example, in France or Italy. In addition, these countries are congenial to us, and
their cultures are very similar to ours.
- What is the situation
with prices for elite real estate abroad? Are they rising or stable? Have exposition
or selling terms of elite real estate abroad increased?
- If we would talk
specifically about Montenegro, particularly about our project, Astra
Montenegro, then our prices are €6-8 thousand for 1 m2. Prices have
not been planned to fall. It is predetermined by uniqueness of our complex. Of
course, the amount of consumers has decreased, but we suppose that this number
will increase starting from next January and up to opening of the swimming
season. The crisis has even an advantage: for example, building material cost
has decreased incredibly.
- What projects does the
Mirax offer? Are they sought for by the customers? What is the progress of building
or selling? And, sorry for this question, are there any prerequisites for freezing
the projects?
- The Mirax has been
specializing in implementation of international unique projects for a long
time. In fact, our city-club Astra Montenegro is one of the best
foreign projects of our corporation. This project is being built according the approved
plan in spite of crisis. The first building stage will be completed in time.
And our clients will move in their new apartments by the beginning of
summertime. | 
