A useful article, and good timing! From the graphs I can hazard a few conclusions too: a) that growth in the analyzed areas is greater than that for Prague as a whole, which means that growth in other areas was less (even below 0?) b) the difference in the rates of growth between the different areas is not that great - they all followed the rough trend. A reasonable conclusion might be then that if you're in it for the long term (10 years), whether you bjy in Karlin or Holesovice might not matter too much. If you are interested in the shorter term, it might matter. An aside: what has struck me is that flats are more expensive than I expected. A 1 bed room flat just off Leith Walk in Edinburgh will cost about 120K right now. A similar size flat in Prague (2+1, with a living room and kitchen, 75m2) in upper Zizkov or Holesovice seems to cost 3.5 million, ie cc90K. Well, it is true that the Czechs live in smaller houses (the equivilant flat in Prague will not have a separate kitchen and be about 50m2) and that the above areas in Prague are nearer to the centre than Leith Walk is to Princes Street. But I was struck by how close the prices were, and this is with Edinburgh, the most expensive city in Edinburgh. Prague is not cheap.

For me, and anyone else looking to buy independently in Prague, a further set of figures would be invaluable. The analysis done by Eric shows trends in specific neighbourhoods over the recent past in terms of their percentage growth. Would be it be possible to give us some statistics to show how prices themselves have moved, and, more importantly, what a reasonable price in these same neighbourhoods now is? Eric must have used prices per metre squared to get his statistics - so ball-park figures of what average prices /m2 now are for Karlin, Holesovice, (Letna please?), Stare Mesto, Zizkov and Vinohrady would be super!

Prague prices: Correct, Prague is not a cheap city, even though the Czech Republic is cheap as a country. Rents are not high either, and the landlord is expected to pay the electricity etc - not the tenant. However, remember that the Czech Republic is a country where investors can afford a tougher combination of high price and low rent. This is because the cost of mortgage finance is significantly lower than in the UK. Your rental yield only has to compare to the mortgage interest rate, for the business case to stack up. The best Prague mortgage I was offered this afternoon, was 3.39% for 100% LTV over 30 years. That's not bad. Alan.

Alan, do you mind saying who the mortgage is with and the broker? Huw

Huw, I know there are several banks which publish terms for foreigners but they sometimes provide better terms for specialist brokers who feed them a certain volume of enquiries. The broker was Czech Finance on czechfinance.co.uk even though the terms shown on that website are not quite as generous as the 100% ones I know they can get now. Better check with them.

3.39%! Wow that seems very low. I've just been offered 4.77% @ 90% LTV although it is 5 year fixed.

Hi Faz. would you mind saying from w here you got yr mortgage from as I am also looking for one. Ta Lynn

Hi Lynn, I used Paul Wild @ scfinance. Very helpful and no complaints at all with their service.

I used SC finance too (Paul and Hana) and they were very helpful and accomodating. They have been very patient have provided more assistance than the average mortgae broker, giving reguar updates on the situation as things progress. I recommend them for the service quality alone.

Hi. Yes I agree that Hana and Paul are very good. Unfortunately,I was unable to get a mortgage with them in Bratislava whre it proved too difficult with the banks.I just hope I have better luck in Prague