A Year in Review - what did you miss?

A Year in Review - what did you miss?

It's been a busy but incredibly interesting year in the world of property investment. If you're as passionate about it as we are, then you can't have helped but be fascinated by the amazingly quick changes we've seen in Central & Eastern Europe - not to mention the panic and uncertainty caused by the credit crunch.

So just what have we seen in the last 12 months?

Well, you can't ignore the credit crunch, can you! Sparked by subprime lending in the US, it's causing concern the world over. It's not yet clear to what extent it's going to affect investors, but already banks and building societies are tightening up their lending criteria.

It may be a long time before we understand who will be affected most and 2008 will prove to be just as interesting as 2007 in this regard. Property Secrets will, of course, be following events closely.

In CEE we've seen price growth in Poland slow down but, crucially, growth in rentals and rental prices rise. This is great news for our Polish investors, helping them to cover those mortage repayments.

We expect price growth to kick in again in 12-24 months time, much as we've seen this year in the Czech Republic. That is a market that has proved very popular in 2007 with investors like yourself. Both Prague and Brno opportunities were snapped up, with third tier cities like Hradec Kralove now begining to show the type of growth we're all after.

Romania continues to go from strength to strength with second and third tier cities joining Bucharest as attractive investment locations and we finally moved into Bulgaria this year, focussing on Sofia and NOT the beach and ski resorts. We've made our thoughts on that sort of investment more than clear this year!

For a full rundown on the year, do read my "End of Term" report.

As for Property Secrets, we've published a hell of a lot over a wide range of subjects and markets, including articles, books, Property Market Profiles and Investment Decision Makers. Here's the highlights from 2007.

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and here's to a happy New Year and prosperous 2008!

Cheers

Chief Executive Officer
Property Secrets

2007's Best Articles - as voted for by you!

Based on how many views an article has had, how many 'useful' ratings and what response it may have had on the Community Forums, these are the very best articles from the last 12 months:

January

Blakebrough's Blog: Investment Dreamers

I opened a newspaper the other day and found it contained a pullout: 'Property Investment Overseas Special'. And, obviously, I had a glance through it. Actually, a glance was enough.

February

Barking Up the Right Tree - One way to spot a property hotspot

The London borough of Barking has all the right ingredients, according to a new and innovative approach to forecasting.

March

Dubai or Not Dubai? Is this market hot - or just hype?

What is it that so many investors find so attractive about the property market in Dubai - and have they got it right? Tony Booth investigates...

April

Debt bomb! Are property markets around the world about to crash?

Property Secrets' chief analyst Simon Tweddle takes an objective look at the evidence...

May

Taken on Trust - Super landlord Mike Stimpson offers some down to earth tips from the top for property investors

Continuing our series on successful BTL investors, we talk to Mike Stimpson who has a 300-property portfolio - and hasn't taken a deposit in 50 years! Mike also offers his strategy for a possible price correction in the UK...

June

Deal Killers - What makes me decide to say NO to a property deal (and why I'd be rubbish at selling ski chalets in Bulgaria)

It's been suggested to me that it might be useful to investors not only to see the reasons why we have picked a deal, but also to understand why we reject the vast majority of the deals we are offered...

July

How to make money in the UK property market - NOW!

The Lewis Report: Property Secrets CEO takes a close look at the UK property market - and how to go about making it work for you...

August

Brickbats for Berlin? Is the German capital an investor's dream or just an urban myth?

Berlin is flavour of the month in the German property market and, while the brochures make it seem appealing, do the figures really add up?

September

Credit crunch - What does it mean for property investors and what should you do if they need to re-mortgage?

The sub prime mortgage crisis in the US has pushed up the cost of money for lenders, leading them to raise the risk premium on mortgage rates. So even though the UK base rate has been held, mortgage rates are still on the rise.

October

Read Property Secrets' 2008 market forecasts in full - as featured in the Sunday Times!

As quoted in The Sunday Times this past weekend, our property price forecasts for 2008 - in case you missed them.

November

Scrap the tax - The calls to end BTL tax concessions get louder

The influential Institute of Directors is calling for the scrapping of mortgage interest tax concessions - will it happen?

December

Taking a break, P1 - Polish property prices growth is slowing and rents are on the rise...what's the best strategy for investors?

I opened a newspaper the other day and found it contained a pullout: 'Property Investment Overseas Special'. And, obviously, I had a glance through it. Actually, a glance was enough.

CITY PARK
Brno, Czech Republic

City Park Investment Report

EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 4th

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» City Park has been valued at an estimated 9.2% below market valuation in an independent valuation

» Prestigious location in the Villa District, an established upper middle class residential area

» Exclusive deal for Property Secrets' clients - the rest of the development sold out to the local market within two months

» Prime commuter area - 10 minutes to the city centre and just five minutes from the D1 Motorway to Prague, Vienna and Bratislava

Find Out More & Register Your Interest »

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