Laber property of the month

Walk with Belair: Super spacious St.Julians Apartment

Located a stone’s throw away from the luscious waters of Spinola Bay, this luxury fifth floor, designer-finished apartment forming part of this smart block is just the ticket if you have always wanted to live in the very heart of St Julian’s.

Within walking distance to all sorts of entertainment and amenities, whether its retail shops, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, pubs, night clubs or enjoying the day at the beach side, this property has it all and is surrounded by hustling and bustling city life.

The property comprises a large open plan fully-equipped combined kitchen/dining area which leads onto a spacious terrace with a view of the sea… ideal for dining al fresco – perfect for those special Maltese balmy summer nights.

The super-spacious apartment also boasts a very large separate living/sitting area in the centre of the property which breaks off the corridor to the sleeping quarters.

The property – which originally had three double bedrooms – has been transformed into an extremely spacious two double bedroom (both with ensuite bathrooms) with the master suite enjoying a stunning large custom-made walk-in wardrobe.

A car space with storage cabinet is also included – a must for this locality!

More information about the apartment may be found here.

Bringing the Belair team closer to you than ever before – now you can speak to Belair agents face to face, from the comfort and safety of your own home with Talk with Belair.

 

Interview

Walk With Belair – Sliema Seafront Apartment

 

Watch: A perfect Sliema seafront home of your very own ( Filming and editing by Sara Salfia - Newsbook )

Sliema is the ideal place to be if you want to be close to all amenities… and if you love the sea. And this superbly and tastefully finished, and fully furnished 260sqm seafront apartment not only enjoys a superb layout, but also boasts of a gorgeous sea view.

When you walk into this highly-finished elevated ground floor apartment you cannot help but be impressed with the spacious combined living room and dining room, with walkout onto a large front terrace ideal for dining al fresco.

The airy apartment also comprises a separate fully equipped kitchen with island, study area, three large double bedrooms (the main enjoying ensuite facilities and a walk-in-wardrobe) and an extra living space / reading area, as well as an extremely spacious back yard of approximately 50sqm ideal for entertaining and which can easily accommodate a splash pool.

The property has been recently refurbished from top to bottom with high-end products and furnishings from top quality brands and includes, concealed, energy efficient air-conditioning throughout, two bathrooms, solid internal doors and heavy-duty apertures.

It also boasts a fully-refurbished washroom at roof level and an optional street level two-car lock up garage (at an extra cost) with 13-course high ceilings just around the corner, with potential for commercial use.

According to Director at Belair Sliema Ltd Gavin Salomone Reynaud, this super property is suitable for an elderly couple downsizing and wanting the Sliema lifestyle with walks on the promenade and all facilities found at walking distance.

Walk With Belair’s Property of the Month is made possible by our collaboration with www.newsbook.com.mt

More info about the apartment may be found here

Furniture delivery by 2 men

Online stores that deliver Furniture in Malta

12 Maltese Online stores that deliver furniture in Malta, furnishings & home decor

 

Online shopping in Malta is skyrocketing in popularity, and it’s no longer just limited to takeaways and small goods; today you can from the comfort of your phone or laptop easily order a wall-unit or wardrobe, have it delivered to your doorstep, and in many cases, assembled. Of course, it doesn’t need to be said: the emergence (and re-emergence) of Covid-19 has also accelerated our shift towards online shopping.

In this article, we go over 11 Maltese furniture and furnishings stores which now allow you to not only explore their catalogue online, but will also give you the option to pay for products electronically and then have them delivered to the address you choose. The process of ordering furniture online and getting it delivered is fairly straightforward: Browse, customise, add the items you want in your shopping cart, register an account (which usually only takes a couple of minutes), and order away or ‘check-out’.

There’s a number of non-local online stores that will deliver furniture to Malta, but for this article, we’re focusing on stores and companies that operate in Malta.

There’s a number of advantages to staying local, such as assembly, easy communication, and guaranteed after-sales service.

1. Megastore

Megastore is a dedicated concierge service for furniture in Malta – in other words, you select the products you want and they’ll arrange the purchase for you from the brands they’ve partnered with. 

Thanks to their partnership with global brands such as IKEA, Neiden and Annons, Megastore have a seriously extensive range of products for the home, encompassing everything from interior and exterior furniture to health and beauty products, toys, electronics, car accessories to gardening equipment.

If you’re a do-it-yourself fan, Megastore also offers a large range of individual furniture components.

They have a 4.9 out of 5 rating based on the opinion of 417 people on Facebook. Check their Facebook page here.

2. JYSK

JYSK is a Scandinavian international retail chain that sells ‘everything for the home’, from furniture, homeware to furnishings.

JYSK is owned by the original founder, Lars Larsen, who is known throughout Denmark as the country’s leading merchant who always has ‘a great offer’. And true to this, you’ll find that they frequently run great discounts on products in their catalogue. JYSK also has a physical store in Triq Il-Mosta, Ħal Lija.

To keep an eye out on their offers, you can follow their Facebook page here. They have a 4.9 out of 5 star rating based on the opinion of 91 people on Facebook, and a star rating of 4.4 based on google reviews.

3. Maltashopper

Maltashopperis an 8 year old family business that makes available products from IKEA, Maison du Monde (a top favourite amongst designers) and Bricoman. To ensure you make the right order, you can get their professionals to measure your space and help you make the purchase. Moreover, they’ll not only deliver but also assemble furniture right at your home upon request

Another noteworthy service for furniture in Malta, Maltashopper provides is the possibility of delivering any furniture you buy from Catania. In other words, you can go to Catania, buy the furniture, and then have Maltashopper deliver the items to you. They have a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on the opinion of 194 people on Facebook.

4. Homemate

Malta’s largest Home Improvement Centre is now online!

At Homemate, you can find a wide range of products spread across categories that are related to home improvement, from bathroom accessories to bathrooms, paints to coving, curtains and accessories to textiles, bedding, power tools to hand tools, household appliances to a wide range of dining ware, plastic ware, kitchen and cleaning, toys to children’s products amongst others.

Homemate is especially ideal for DIY lovers, making available a vast range of furniture components, tools, timber, metals and more. With over 64000 followers, they are the most popular online store on this list on Facebook.

They have a star rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on the opinion of 2567 reviewers on google.

5. The Atrium

The team at the Atrium shops worldwide to source out a vast range to bring furniture in Malta and accessories for all tastes and budgets.

Bedroom suites, kitchens, outdoor furniture, living & dining rooms, domestic appliances, lighting, flooring, cookware, linen, wardrobes, office desks and chairs, – you name it, the Atrium’s either got it – or can get it for you. 

You can find The Atrium at Giovanni Felice Street in Birkirkara. The Atrium has a 4.3 star rating based on the opinion of 1011 google reviews. Click here to go to their Facebook page.

6. Form

If you’re looking for a store with a more defined focus, thenFormis definitely worth a look.. Their range is not as broad in scope as some of the other stores in this list (you’re not going to find car accessories); instead Form focuses on curating a catalogue of high-quality furniture, and has been doing so since its inception in 1947. Form sources most of its products from internationally recognized brands such as Natuzzi ItaliaRimadesioJesseEuromobilDunlopillo.

You can find Form in Valley Road, Msida. They have a star rating of 4.3 based on 48 google reviews, and a 5 star rating onFacebookbased on the opinion of 7 people.

7. MaltaFurniture Ltd

MaltaFurniture‘s online range includes products from IKEA, CASA (renowned for their homeware) and Keller (highly regarded for their kitchens across Europe). Malta Furniture Ltd also operates its own brand, 2nd Life. All 2nd Life furniture is made from recycled materials, and handmade in their workshop. 2nd Life creates custom-made furniture and furnishings, from bar tables, dining tables, desks, coffee tables, bathroom vanities, or any other piece of furniture.Check out their Facebook page here.

You can visit their showroom in Ħaż-Żebbuġ. Malta Furniture Ltd has a store rating of 4.2 based on 5 google reviews. We concede that’s not a lot of reviews, but on the flip side, Malta Furniture Ltd’s posts get more engagement and positive comments than most other stores, which we believe is just as good as an indicator of great quality.

 

8. Orienta

Established in 1992,Orientaquickly became Malta’s go-to place for exclusively oriental furniture and giftware. Since then, Orienta has expanded its range, adding classical, contemporary and modern furniture as well as customized and stylish Italian Kitchens by Spagnol Cucine. Orienta’s collection is eclectic and unique, bold and beautiful, so if you’re looking to add something a little different for your space, Orienta is definitely worth checking out.

Orienta showrooms are situated in Lija, Ta Qali, and Victoria Gozo.

Orienta has a star rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on the opinion of 14 people on Facebook and a rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on 92 Google reviews.

9. Low Cost Furniture

As one might conclude from their name, LowCostFurniture is dedicated to making available furniture that’s good quality but won’t break the bank.

Their catalogue is supplied by Fairdeal furniture, a well-recognised brand in Malta, and their range includes – but is not limited to – bedrooms, sofas, kitchens, wall units, tables, and chairs.

Low Cost Furniture’s team are available to assemble furniture at an extra charge. They have a 3.4 star rating based on the opinion of 33 Google reviews.

10. Ferracasa

Ferracasa has a diverse range of outdoor and leisure furniture, furnishings, houseware, kitchenware, small electrical appliances and giftware.

They also have a showroom in Lija, Hamrun and Mriehel.

Check out their Facebook page here. Ferracasa got a star rating of 4.8 based on 25 Google reviews.

11. Hometrends

Hometrend‘s online shop offers a diverse range of fireplaces and heating appliances, outdoor, Spa and BBQ furniture, as well as everything you could want for your dining, kitchen and living spaces. They also have a selection of more decorate elements for the home.

Hometrends – babyandkids is another online store operated by Hometrends that’s dedicated entirely to products for kids, babies and new parents. If you want a closer look, this shop is located in San Gwann.

On Facebook, they have a star rating of 4.6 out of 5 Based on the opinion of 20 people. They also have a star rating of 4.2 based on 136 Google reviews.

12. Malta Design

Malta-Design is a Maltese leader for distribution and installation of indoor and outdoor high-end furnitures. Malta Design has contacts with all the manufacturing plants to bring you the solutions you need. Specialists in the distribution and installation of furniture direct from the best brands/industries. 

Their online store operates through a cart system and they promise to deliver within 24hrs from payment. 

Malta Design distributes European premium furniture brands to meet and satisfy all your projects.
To contact their sales force and build a customized project, here is their e-mail:sales@malta-design.com
Article about Covid and property market

Covid-19 Maltese Property Market Reaction

 

How has the Maltese property market been reacting to the Covid-19 pandemic?

by Ian Casolani

 

2020 has obviously been a surreal and challenging year for everyone, no matter what sector one works in, or walk of life they come from. Yet, when considering what Malta, as well as the rest of the world is passing through, the Maltese property market has surprisingly still fared relatively well, although buyers’ attitude and the overall trend has changed and is more reflective of what we have been going through. 

Whereas until mid-2019, buyers in general were picking up pretty much any property they could get their hands onto, often rushing into a purchase just to feel that they are playing the property game, this year that has changed significantly. The Maltese property market has been witnessing increased activity from end users and “real” home buyers. Those looking for a residence, have been taking advantage of the price corrections taking place, as well as the incentives and measures put in place by government earlier this year. Houses with outdoor space, as well as penthouses due to their large terraces, have probably witnessed more demand and activity than the rest of the market and this is primarily down to the fact that many have come to appreciate the value of outdoor space, after having lived through recent Covid restrictions and restricted lifestyle. 

Furthermore, buyers are now thankfully more attentive and diligent in their property search and purchase, which is unfortunately something you see much less of, when the market is booming. This indicates that buyers are monitoring the market more, they are aware of price corrections on property that fit within their search criteria and ensuring that they buy at the right price. The more experienced buyers will not rush into a decision if they are not convinced of the property value, while on the contrary they will typically be quicker to react, if they sense they have found the right buy.

The recent fiscal measures introduced by government, whereby one pays a lower stamp duty when purchasing and a lower tax rate when selling (on the first €400k), have seemed to achieve the desired effect. Those buyers waiting around or procrastinating on their property move, have now been encouraged to make things happen faster and likewise sellers who might have been sticking to their price or waiting for better times, have in some cases been encouraged to bite the bullet and take advantage of the lower tax rate on their sale. 

This pandemic has put many things into perspective and has opened people’s eyes to many realities that might have been taken for granted before. No matter what though, property will always remain the solid investment it is known to be, more so in Malta than anywhere else. Saying that, in an ideal world buyers will continue to be diligent and do their homework properly before buying, rather than rush into a deal simply to feel that they are also playing the game…..as sometimes happens!

Likewise, keen vendors need to acknowledge and often accept the reality of the market and more importantly the real value of their property, if they are really serious about selling. Those who do so and who price their property correctly, are the ones who ultimately sell their property within an acceptable time frame. On the other hand, those vendors who keep living in denial of this reality, are those that waste time and energy hoping for a sale, while anyway having to eventually succumb to the real value of their property.

The year or two ahead will be challenging across the board and this will ultimately also end up affecting the property market in one way or another. This does not simply boil down to Covid-19, but also down to other socio, political and economic issues. Like in anything else, this will differentiate the serious/professional players from those overnight, pop-up developers or agents. Unfortunately, those who possibly over-extended themselves in one way or other over recent years, are likely to be the worst hit, which in turn, however, will possibly provide opportunity to those who have forecasted this scenario a while back. That’s the way the world spins, it won’t be the first time and definitely not the last!

Click here to view this article in Oh My Malta!

 

Malta budget image

Property Related Budget Measures 2021

 

What you need to know: 

 

·   With effect from 20 October 2020, first time buyers will be exempt from duty on the first €200,000, increased from €175,000.

 

·  The rate of duty on the acquisition of residential properties shall be reduced to 3.5% on the first €200,000 for second time buyers.

 

·   The rate of 3.5% shall also be applicable on the first €200,000 on inheritance of their own residential property.

 

·   The duty free portion on the donation of property by parents to their children for the latter to use as their residence shall increase from €200,000 to €250,000. Amounts in excess of €250,000 shall be subject to duty at the rate of 3.5%.

 

·   The reduced income tax and duty rates on the inter-vivos transfer of immovable property in Malta of 5% and 1.5% respectively for the first €400,000 will continue on promises of sale agreements registered by 31 March 2021 provided that the contract is entered into by 31 December 2021.

 

·   During 2021, all profits derived from the assignment of rights on a promise of sale relating to immovable property will be taxed at a final tax rate of 15% increased from the first €100,000.

 

·   Extension of emphyteusis on commercial properties will be possible to the extent that there will be investment on the property.

 

·   A new Authority regulating the construction industry will be established as from 2022 with the primary aim to safeguard the local environment and reduce accidents on construction sites. This Authority will be responsible to issue the necessary regulations and standards required within this industry. Decisions may be contested with an independent tribunal to be set-up. A new Compensation Fund will also be formed to provide redress for any damages suffered as a result of any accidents.

 

 

 

Porperties

Belair and The Real Estate course

 

– Written by Jean Camilleri

Covid-19 is imposing a number of unexpected challenges to our industry but has also provided opportunities for Belair management and associates to unite, recalibrate and direct our energies and focus to a Covid-conscious market.

At long last, the estate agency industry is finally on track to being regulated and licensed. Belair Property have welcomed and embraced this, seeing the industry will have a better-defined structure, complimented by good practice will ensure more peace of mind to clients.

As a consequence, all directors, management, as well as all agents will have to be qualified to operate in the field. The industry yearns to regain well-earned respect that over the years has diminished due to poor choices of representatives who have tarnished a reputation that is so crucial to have when dealing in life-changing transactions.

IDEA Academy was appointed by Belair Property to conduct the courses that will serve as an accredited qualification to obtain the Real Estate License which is due to come into force in December 2021.

The course comprised of 4 modules that included Communications, Legislation, Finances, and Processes & Procedures. Each module required 15 hour lectures spread over a period of 5 lessons and capped off with an open book exam. Approximately 50 hours of study time was recommended to prepare for each exam.  

The lessons were hosted on ZOOM which worked remarkably well. Many had reservations about online lessons but once set up, everyone quickly adapted and found the platform served its purpose well.

The lecturers appointed by IDEA Academy were professional and even inspirational. All agents looked forward to the lessons and open dialogue, industry knowledge, motivation and a team spirit was crucial at times when we could barely operate and go about our usual work.

We are confident to say, that the courses instigated much needed change to mentalities whilst educating us on essential information that should be known and well-practised by all who operate in this industry.

The course is most definitely not a walk in the park. One needs to be focused and dedicated to giving the time and attention that it requires. Thankfully all our agents succeeded in passing with remarkably high results, which we at Belair are all proud of.

We trust and hope that each institute that provides such courses for this qualification keeps the excellent standard that IDEA Academy had done with us. Belair Property continues to invest heavily in training our staff, which most definitely serves to provide clients with an optimum and professional service that Belair has always been known for.

 

 

Rent contract with keys

Malta Rent Law 2020 – All you need to know

It’s been 9 months now since the new Malta rent law came into effect, and I bet you are wondering what’s really changed. 

Well! Here’s the lowdown:

All private residential lease contracts after the entry into force of the Act must be registered.  This also applies to all renewals of existing lease contracts. All contracts of private residential leases which are not registered in accordance with the provisions of the Act shall be null and void. Lease agreements entered into after 1st June 1995 and which would be still in force on 1st Jan 2021 must also be registered.

It is the duty of the Lessor to register the contract with the Housing Authority within 10 days of the commencement of the lease and an administrative fee is to be paid.  If the lessor fails to register the lease as required, the lessee shall have the right to register the contract himself and is entitled to claim the administrative fee.  A separate application fee will be required for every registration.

The registration of the lease must include a declaration of the security deposit held by the lessor together with a presentation of an inventory.

 

Download the The new rent law in brief here.

 

Blog Belair

Real Estate in this Covid world

An interesting interview on ‘ Real Estate in this Covid world ’, organised by NEWSBOOK and featuring three established leaders on the local real estate scene, which also includes our MD, Ian Casolani.

 

What changes have local companies made to cope with these unusual times? How is the economy going to survive? And what are the things that local businesses can do to stay ahead of the curve?

In the Newsbook.com.mt series ‘Business Talks’, Coryse Borg speaks to a number of movers and shakers in various spheres, such as banking, retail, real estate, events co-ordinators and more.

According to data by the Malta Developers Association, July was the best month in the past years when it comes to the number of promises of sales made on property. Preliminary data shows that more than 1,600 promises of sale were registered last month, with a total value exceeding €330 million. This puts July 2020 as one of the best months since 2017.

In this edition, Borg speaks to Frank Salt Director Douglas Salt, Remax CEO/Managing Director Kevin Buttigieg and Belair Managing Director Ian Casolani about whether they have seen a difference between business pre- and during-COVID and what they think will happen if this current situation goes on for more than the next few months.

“It is quite upsetting… after having thrown hundreds of thousands of euros to sustain our operations, that certain sectors were allowed to act in an irresponsible manner”

“Our biggest challenge was keeping the team focused, motivated and positive,” Casolani said, “because contrary to what many might think, not everyone in property makes millions every day. You get agents who are earning an average wage, they have their bills to pay… there were even psychological struggles that people had to deal with.”

“We got no aid at the height of the pandemic, and we were told to use our own resources, which we did,” Salt said, “and it is quite upsetting at this stage, after having thrown hundreds of thousands of euros to sustain our operations, that certain sectors were allowed to act in an irresponsible manner.”

“I think everybody is in a confused situation. As a Maltese public, I think we can do without parties for another six months and see if this thing can clear itself out,” said Buttigieg, “Everyone likes a party; I’m one of them! But unfortunately… when you’re a small island like us, it’s easy to win with our numbers, but is even easier to lose with our numbers.

 

UK nationals’ residence status following Brexit

In view of the UK’s withdrawal ( Brexit ) from the EU, UK nationals and their family members residing in Malta, shall continue to do so on the conditions provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement and national legislation.

In this regard, the Government of Malta has published a legal notice which regulates UK nationals’ residence status following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

UK nationals, who will be residing in Malta on the basis of their Treaty rights as EU nationals prior to or on the last day of the transition period, will be entitled to continue to reside in Malta and move freely in and out of the country, as well as other associated rights, as specified in the Agreement. The said rights also extend to family members, who fall under the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement. However, family members, other than children, will only be covered by the provisions of this Agreement if their relationship would have commenced before the end of the transition period.

UK nationals settling in Malta during the transition period (between 1st February 2020 and 31st December 2020, unless the UK and EU agree to extend this period) may apply for their new residence status after three (3) months of their arrival in Malta and before 30th June 2021.

UK nationals and their family members who were not residing in Malta prior to the withdrawal date but will be arriving in the country by 31st December 2020 will also benefit from the rights provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement.

Applicants who have the right to commence residence after 31st December 2020 must submit their application either within three (3) months of their arrival in Malta or before 30th June 2021, whichever is later.

Identity Malta will be reaching out to all potential beneficiaries who have a valid residence document. The application process to change one’s status will be staggered and there will be no processing fees when applying for the new document. Applicants will be required to personally submit their application by calling at Identity Malta’s Expatriates Unit in Valley Road, Msida on the dates indicated in the letter they will be receiving. Applicants residing in Gozo would need to apply at the e-Residence Unit, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo.

In this regard, a residence document valid for a period of 10 years will be issued to the said beneficiaries and will be automatically renewed on application, provided that the relative conditions remain satisfied.

The existing document shall continue to remain valid until the new residence document is issued.

UK nationals and their family members arriving in Malta during the transition period may set an appointment by email on brexit.ima@gov.mt and subsequently submit their application in person at the Expatriates Unit EU Section, Valley Road, Msida, Floor 2. (Source: Identity Malta 31.01.2020)

Correction in property prices expected to continue post-pandemic

A survey on the Maltese property market during Covid-19 shows that most people believe it will take over a year for the Maltese economy to recover and property prices will be affected.

Increased affordability is what property buyers and renters have to look forward to in the coming months, according to a new survey released by Belair Property together with Anchovy/Onest Data.

The survey was conducted between the 24th April and 5th May 2020, and it reveals insight into current and future perceptions of Maltese property in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With over 1,000 respondents, including property owners, tenants, landlords and banks across Malta and Gozo, the survey presents views from a cross-section of the Maltese general public. The hope is that the survey’s powerful revelations can be used to take informed decisions in the property market in the months to come.

“This survey clearly shows a general – and justified – perception that especially in certain segments, the real estate market was overheated pre-Covid,” explains Ian Casolani, Managing Director of Belair Property, “The market needed to be more realistic, and we were in fact already seeing price corrections before the pandemic hit. What we’ll see now is the market continuing to settle.

 

 

“In certain sectors, property prices will continue to level out and become more affordable. An optimistic view would be that Covid-19 is correcting property prices, bringing them closer to a property’s real value. At the end of the day, the price of the property is what people are prepared to pay for it. This is why, when investing, we say it is all about ‘location, location, location’, because in top locations there is always healthy demand vs supply. As a result, these properties tend to keep their value, even when the rest are levelling out or, in some areas, dropping.”

With almost half of the survey’s respondents showing scepticism about the Maltese economy recovering in less than a year, this kind of affordability is at the forefront of strategic investment decisions in property. For example, the survey shows that a large portion (over 50 percent) of respondents would need to see a price drop of between 15 percent and 30 percent to be tempted to buy property, and 74 percent of landlords fear for the future of the rental market in Malta.

 

 

“Malta’s rate of recovery is evidently a debatable point, but it’s clear that people don’t expect it to be quick,” Casolani continues, “Due to redundancies in the service industries, many foreign workers left Malta during the pandemic, leaving rental properties empty. This has severely impacted the rental market. In addition, some landlords have generously reduced rents to help tenants through the crisis, and they’re keeping rents low to attract new tenants.

“The survey shows, however, that other landlords are willing to wait out this period of uncertainty rather than reduce their asking price, even though they believe that reducing their asking price would increase their rate of rental. All in all, I believe that as long as the Government takes the hard – but crucial – decisions needed to restore Malta’s credibility on all fronts, the coming year will be a good time for expats to return to the island. We’ll then see the levels of property rentals return to what we’re used to.”

 

 

The role played by banks in the property market has been a hot topic over recent months. The survey reveals that 68 percent of respondents feel their bank has not supported them enough during the crisis, and 43 percent believe banks should establish a Covid-19 credit policy.

“Banks have been helpful from the start of the pandemic by, for example, launching beneficial measures regarding mortgage repayments,” explains Edward Grech, a former banker and consultant, “However, given the responses to the survey, the message may not have come across to the general public. This may be because banks have been reluctant to reduce fees and interest further because, after all, that is a bank’s primary source of income.

“During the Covid-19 period, people have sought less help from banks. For example, requests for home loans have dropped by about 40 percent. The government’s incentives for first-time buyers and buyers for investment and rental purposes will likely see this downward trend reversed. But there remains a lot of uncertainty, as we can see from the survey’s results. That said, barring a second wave of the pandemic, I think we can expect people to return to work, foreign workers to come back to Malta, and the lettings market to start looking up.”

For a copy of the results from the ‘Maltese Property Market During Covid-19’ survey, click here or on tel. no: 2011 8000 for more information.