It would have been even more interesting if figures for Slovak Republic had been included.

Dave, I was about to post the same thing. Was there no FDI in Slovakia or have PS just lost interest there? Huw

what's fdi?

Good question! Message to PS not to make assumptions! It's Foreign Direct Investment (unless I've been labouring under a misapprehension). Huw

I agree! I am youngish and in the process of buying my first property now. I am also buying a flat in Poland and possibly another investment soon. Please remember that some of us are very new to this and though lots of the info is in the PS booklets- it's always difficult at first. I like the information that goes to Lite members via e.mail (Property Investor 101)with five questions answered each week. Shame we can't view it in this website too.

...comments, gents. Rest assured, they're noted and will be addressed. As for the original question re: Slovak Republic, the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment - correct!) Monitor is a round up of the biggest, best and/or most publicised - in other words, we take note of what we hear and once a month pull it all together for you. Not for a second do we claim it to be EVERYTHING that's happened and we really do invite you to add your own news on this forum.

IBK, You said in your post that you are about to purchase a flat in Poland. Can I ask, r u sourcing the flat through Property Secrets or did u locate it urself. How is the deal working out for you? Is it giving u a positive cashflow. I ask this because every deal I have reviewed in Poland is yielding a negative cashflow.

Hi Ken, Yes through Property Secrets, but is off plan and won't complete for another year. Not expecting positive cashflow and will need some cash for first year. Am hoping when up and running it will break even and can sit back and wait for capital gain. I think the next mission is going to be getting a mortgage. It's all a huge learning experience for me but i'm enjoying it. Sorry i can't be more help but it's still early days. All i can say is that i've found the info on this website invaluable and the process with PS so far straightforward! And Ben- don't assume i'm a gent ;-) Ibk

Hi Ken I don't believe you can buy a positive cashflow off plan property in Poland today - hence, it is a function of the market - when you have massive price increases - you get negative cashflow on your investment - at least in the first few years. We expect the rental market to 'correct' when growth slows from 30%++ to more like 10 to 15% (which is where we expect the long term average to settle) - but this is like a tipping point - one day it will happen - we just don't really know when. So, plan for some negative cashflow and don't over invest - but there is nothing inherantly worrying about this as the cashflow will correct itself sooner or later (sooner if the price growth slows - later if it keeps on booming - both scenarios are attractive to the long term investor!). Cheers Neil

Hi Dave Interesting... We debated whether to release an FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) update - on the basis that it could NEVER be complete.... hence, we should probably include a health warning at the top to say this is an incomplete measure of FDI.... We still believe that this information is valuable as is... And also we know that a complete 100% accurate measure of FDI would be massively expensive to compile (and would be a seperate busines publishing business in its own right). Hope this helps put things in context. Cheers Neil ps. Has anyone seen / heard of reports of new FDI to Slovakia recently? If so, we'd like to pick up on them...