[size=75:18n4hyy9]novinite 14 April 2010

Bulgaria Sweeps Russian 'Homes Overseas' Awards

Three Bulgarian resort complexes have won awards at the first ever Russian International Competition for Best Vacation Properties.

A total of 250 property projects from various foreign destinations participated in the competition with 18 making the final cut.

All three Bulgarian finalists received a prize. The sea resort complex Santa Marina in Bulgaria's Black Sea town of Sozopol and the mountain complex Grand Manastira in the country's ski resort Pamporovo were awarded golds while the vacation village Orange County Beach & SPA Resort in Bulgaria's seaside town of Shkorpilovtsi received silver.

The Awards have been launched by the Independent Media Sanoma Magazines and are aimed to give a new push to the development of overseas property.

The organizers of the event admitted that Bulgaria remains on the top list of the Russian real estate market. This statement was later reconfirmed at the Award ceremony which took place in Moscow.

According to the Russian real estate agencies dealing with Bulgarian properties, the crisis had not affected negatively Russian interest in acquiring vacation properties in Bulgaria.

The same trend was demonstrated during this year's first expo of Bulgarian properties, recently held in Moscow. Potential buyers were offered different payment options and legal help. During the exhibit the direct sales have jumped 20% compared to 2009, BNR reports.