JDmatt1:

I think you are very disrespectful in your creating the impression that all agents are liars, when you say don't listen to agents that tell you prices will triple in the next three years.

I work for overseas property agent David Stanley Redfern, and we would not lie to our clients about an areas growth potential as we intend to maintain our good reputation and this requires utmost honesty at all times.

I strongly believe that property prices in some areas in Albania could, not triple but easily double in the next 4-5 years. Albania, like many Eastern European states are taking off because of their adriatic coastlines and proximity to established markets. The established markets give a good guide as to how the emerging markets will perform in the coming years.

Tour operators and tourists are looking increasingly looking for places off the beaten track, that they haven't been to before and often where they can holiday the cheapest, the emerging markets of Eastern Europe tick all those boxes. Albania is also beggining to attract big business because of its central location and because the buinesses can be set up and run very cheaply. Business is the biggest advantage to the capital Tirana, and as business and tourism develops Albania's economy and the infrastructure is developed it will be attractive to yet more business. As the market and economy continues to grow it may also start to attract some of the major retail chains.

As business develops in the capital, more and more Albanian's get jobs, possibly with substantially higher wages, either at the start or through promotion. This spreadng of afluence puts up living costs, wages and house prices follow.

Like I said business is developing in the capital and growing tourism is making an impact on the coastal areas.

Saranda is a great example, you can see the Greek island of Corfu out across Saranda bay, but property is a fraction of the price for a similar climate and coastline. Club MEd has just bought land beside Saranda, and as the infrasturcture develops it will begin to rival Greece as a holiday destination, as this growth into a popular tourism destination house prices in the area will grow rapidly. Growing tourism breathes life into an area, hotels, B&B's novelty shops, even small street stalls can make a healthy living again spreading afluence in the coastla areas upping living costs, wages and house prices.

The very fact that Albania has leapt onto the global property investment scene will cause prices to rise, as they have previously had to be affordable only to the locals, their value now starts to climb to what they are worth to people with more money, in line with the rises that come from rising afluence in Albania's general population.