I have been carrying out due dilligence on various countries with the view to making my next property investment. I have been looking at Romania, and would like a bit of input from you guys: 1) Firstly, what is the overall opinion on the Romanian property market as a whole? 2) What is seen as the ideal investment type ie appartments, ski chalets, villas etc? 3)Where is the optimum location ie Capital city, city centre, holiday resorts or skiing? All input on this market is greatly appreciated.

Hi Ken I went last week to Bucharest and bought 2 apartments, 1 studio and 1 bed in the centre of the city. Based on my research and my visit I feel this market offers huge potential and I planning to sell other property in order to buy further in Romania.

Hi Loretta, If you don't mind, I would like to hear more about your purchases in Bucharest. Presumably they were secondary market apartments. What kind of condition were they in? How was the purchasing experience for you? How many apartments did you view? Was your agent helpful, or did you feel as if you were being pressurised or manipulated? If you don't mind, could you give us an idea of the price per m2 that you paid? Can you give more details about the location? Also, how do you feel about the rental prospects? I am asking all these questions because I wonder whether off-plan developments are being sold at inflated prices at present because of the interest from abroad. I have bought secondary market apartments in Bratislava that I am happy with, and I think perhaps it might be best to do the same in Bucharest.

Minsk I agree and if I had my time again I would have bought in the old town in Prague and Krakow rather than new build. I've also gone down this route in Bratislava having realised my mistake. So on this basis I would also be much more interested in older apartments in Romania (historic that is not panelaks) than off plan. I don't know much about Bucharest and would be interested to hear more as well. Huw

Hi Minsk I bought 2 off plan properties - price 1400 and 1500 E per m2 plus VAT, garage and agents fee. I bought these because new builds are so desireable as the vast majority of people in Bucharest live in the old apartments and want a modern place. I was told that I was buying at about 10% below the price sold to locals. Anyway if not I'm sure that prices will go up and I'll see a good return. Rental potential very good - expect at least 8%. Let me know if you require any other info. Loretta

Hi Huw Good point, but the older apartments I saw were in just such poor condition or had just been built so poorly that I wouldn't risk it. I'm sure if I had had longer there I could have found something but in the centre the prices are just very high and i decided to buy based on a central location. Loretta

Thanks Loretta, Where is the development located? (I still have my street map from last time I visited).

Did you buy new build units in Krakow through PS? Surely you've got to be happy with the gains they've achieved? I certainly wish I hadn't missed out.

Hi. Im also interested in this information also. Additionally-could you tell me minsk, how did you find apartment buying in bratislava? Could I ask which agent you used please. Thanks ivan

Hi Minsk I bought Garden Heights in Krakow through PS and according to PS Stats the price has only risen 1% in 8 months. I went against my better judgement and didn't visit before buying so there's obviously some 'negative' reason why there hasn't been any significant price increase, considering central apartments have doubled in price during the past year. Maybe an older central apartment would have been a wiser choice but then you have investments of large chunks of time to consider and without the 'safety net' that PS provides.