A common code of practice and charter for estate agents selling overseas property has been agreed upon by the National Association of Estate Agents and the Federation of Overseas Property Developers Agents and Consultants.

Ian Tonge, chairman of the NAEA International Division, said, "With overseas property an increasingly popular part of our members' portfolios, this Common Code gives the public an easy way to find a high quality service that's more than just fine words."

As a further boost, subject to ratification at forthcoming meetings, both FIABCI (the International Real Estate Federation) with members in 70 countries world-wide and the CEI (Confédération Européenne de l'Immobilier) with members across 13 European countries will also sign up to the Common Code. This will create a massive world-wide network of independent specialists who deal ethically and professionally with every aspect of clients' needs related to residential and commercial property abroad.

Prices of resale homes in Spain are rising faster than those for new-builds for the first time in a decade.

New home prices in Spain rose by 16.19% last year on average, according to the latest figures from the Spanish College of Registered Homeowners, but used or second-hand homes increased by 17.35% while new houses or apartments went up by 14.5%.

Member banks of the Confederación de Española de Cajas de Ahorros (CECA) are forecasting equity growth of 12% for 2005 and 2006.

The CECA banks, who between them hold 68% of all mortgages in Spain, confirmed that second-hand or used homes were the most popular section of the market, adding up to 57% of transactions.

Permanent resident Visas in Qatar.

For the first time in the Gulf, Qatar is offering permanent residence visas to foreigners who buy freehold properties.

"We have already begun offering permanent residence visas to foreign buyers of properties in Qatar. The visa is issued for [an] unlimited period, not like some others who issue it for a limited period and the buyer has to continuously renew it," says Akbar Al Baker, chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority.

He adds: "The permanent residence visa that we are offering is linked to the tenure of the property. So the investor remains a permanent resident as long as he owns that property," he said.

Dubai already offers freehold properties, while Oman has also announced plans to develop and offer the same.

Al Baker went on to explain that Qatar was planning to reform property and tourism regulations to spur growth.

Brits abroad increase.

Official figures show that 630,000 British families bought property overseas in 2003, 14% higher than the previous year. Research conducted by the Fresh Start Show reveals that almost three-quarters of young professionals are planning to live overseas at some point in their future.

Nick Clark, Managing Director of Fresh Start, comments: "A key factor for many people buying a holiday home or permanent residence overseas is the improvement in their quality of life. It is clear that with better weather and more public holidays, destinations such as Spain, France and Florida have a lot to offer British property buyers."

Rising overseas property prices.

Research from foreign exchange firm Moneycorp found that the average Spanish house price had surged 89% to £119,519 (€173,900) over the past four years, it found, while properties in certain regions of France had soared by as much as 144%.

In Spain, Malaga was found to have experienced the greatest surge - up 144% at £132,715 (€193,100) - followed by Alicante, where the average property was now worth £136,247 (€198,239), up 119% since 2001.

Montpellier saw the steepest increase in France. There, property prices have jumped 144% to £147,291 (€214,309). La Rochelle, meanwhile, saw a 126% lift to £132,619 (€192,960).