Low prices and good rental returns

But what does that mean in real terms? Well, with the extraordinary rates currently being offered on off-plan property, you can easily pick up a two-bedroom apartment in the Larnaca area for CY£100,000 with a mortgage entailing monthly payments of roughly CY£500. In high season, that apartment will fetch at least CY£400 per week so, even if you decide to lower the rent in order to guarantee maximum occupancy or look for a long-term rental – a much lower rate but ensuring that the apartment is continually occupied – your mortgage is covered with ease. And all the while, your investment is maturing while you pay nothing.

Selling on your investment

The last big question – is there an easy exit strategy or, put more simply, do you know exactly who will buy your property and why when you’re ready to sell? In many ways, this is also connected to the reasons for your property increasing in value too, as both concern those age-old profitability cornerstones of supply and demand. In Cyprus, both work to your advantage.

Building restrictions means no over crowding

In short, Cyprus is an island and only a small amount of land is suitable for building on, which is carefully controlled by the government, with developments rarely permitted to be over two storeys in height. So that takes care of supply.

Strong domestic resale market

Demand comes in the form of both locals and foreigners. Just over one million people currently live on the island and the Cypriot government predicts that, by 2013, that figure will have trebled. Therefore, the domestic re-sale market alone provides you with a fine exit strategy.

The perfect place to retire

Then you need to factor in the overseas market. Future investors, those looking for a holiday home, rental opportunity and retirees will all be attracted to Cyprus for many years to come – banks, lawyers and a standard of living very similar to the UK, but with the weather and landscape of a Mediterranean island. Over 60,000 Brits already live in Cyprus and, for all the factors that have already been explained, that figure is set to rise dramatically.