According to the Global Real Estate Index report 2012 published by the International Living magazine, Murcia is one of the most promising property markets of the world. The region ranked No. 22 among the 27 areas selected as being the "most attractive" and "potentially lucrative" in the world and, along with Dublin and Paris are the only European destinations appearing in the report. Several areas of Ecuador, Brazil and Uruguay, Costa Rica and Panama monopolise the top of the list, which is headed by the northern coast of Ecuador, Tulum (Mexico), southern Costa Rica, the beaches of Las Terrenas (Dominican Republic) and Iracema, in Fortaleza (Brazil).

The locations were selected for "the value of the investment required, potential appreciation, ease of purchase and transactions costs," and rated from 0 to 100 in each case.

Following this criteria, the northern part of Ecuador is considered the most interesting, especially for its "extremely low prices" and "good quality of housing stock," where it is possible to buy luxury homes for just $135,000, and plots of land from $31,000. "It is one of the most beautiful corners of the Pacific coast," said author of the report, Ronan McMahon. "Up until last year, from Quito, it took over 8 hours to get there. Now, thanks to the new road, it takes only three hours."

Another of the outstanding locations is southern Costa Rica, where Mel Gibson has just acquired a large and expensive property – where the publication shows it to be a country with a very affordable housing market.

No matter the political party in government, the tropical countries of Central and northern South America (particularly Uruguay) are generally noted for their low prices and promising future revaluation.

In the Asian region, the best markets are no longer in China or Singapore, but in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

The report nominates Murcia and Dublin as the leading examples from the "depressed areas" in the "strangled Eurozone", with the region of Murcia standing out for its affordability and ease of market access.

The Murcia housing market gains points for international investors or, at least among those on the lookout for hot spots in the market.

According to the International Property Success website, there are at least seven reasons to consider the Costa Calida as an investment location. For starters, prices have fallen 60% from their highs of 2007, and the 'stock' has already been reduced by 50%, which will soon lead to an increase in prices.

El Mundo reported that another curious plus point for Murcia is the 'Paramount effect', the theme park to be built in the coming years in Mazarron. According to a study carried out in Dallas, homes surrounding a theme park are likely to increase in value by around 22%.