There has been a rise in the number of Russians buying property in Bulgaria, which is helping support the country's housing market. Speaking to The New York Times, Stanislav Petrov, sales manager for Select Properties Bulgaria, stated Russians now account for around 80 per cent of foreign investors in the nation's real estate sector. He told the news provider approximately 15 per cent of transactions were completed by overseas buyers in the second quarter of this year, an increase on the eight per cent recorded in the same period in 2009. International investors are targeting Bulgaria's coastal areas, as well as the foothills of Vitosha Mountain, in their search for property, according to Mr Petrov. Last month, manager at Bulgarian Property Experts Gemma Tippler commented that interest in the country's real estate sector is "hitting all-time highs". She added housing values are expected to increase in the coming years, particularly if Bulgaria is accepted into the European Union.   - PropertyShowrooms.com