Houses or flats and Czech options
Welcome to this edition of your PRO newsletter. We've got some great advice, a word of warning and the usual Property Matters column for our UK landlords and investors, while those of you with an interest in European markets will be interested to hear about a new, easier and cheaper route into buying in the Czech Republic. Of course, that's not all, we have another investment opportunity, a really thriving Discussion Forum to delve into and the latest PS Events news.
We'd better get on with it!
To jump to a section you want to read, click a link below:
This Week's Articles | On The Forums
Investment News | Event News
Property MattersA landlord's personal view on the market
Exclusive Property Secrets PRO members
In the dog house - a word of warning about pet rentals
"When I told some friends that I'd let a flat to a couple with a small whippet they said: 'You'll get letters you know. People who live in blocks of flats are terrible about other people's pets. They'll say the dog keeps them awake at night and upsets the children.'"
Click here to read more...
Over in the Czech Republic things just got a whole lot easier for the property investor! It's now possible to invest in property using an EU card and without setting up your own company in the country - and believe me, that is a big step forward! So first of all, how do you go about applying for an EU card, secondly, is it the right thing to do, and thirdly what are you supposed to do with your existing SRO should you have one?
Questions I, as Jednatel of my own Czech company, want answers to! Well, our in-depth article - you can read it here - answers some of those questions and we'll be publishing a follow up next week with even more information. So if you've bought in the Czech Republic before and have wanted to again, are just now looking at it or have previously ruled it out as far too much hassle, take another look - it may well be worth your while.
Colin Davison of Cranleys Chartered Accountants is joined this week by offshore tax expert Graham Arnott in his column A Question of Tax. They discuss a surprising option for those looking at offshore Trusts - namely New Zealand! Have you thought of going "Down Under" for a bit of tax relief? See what Graham has to say in this week's article...
So you've decided to join thousands of others and start your own investment portfolio and you're looking to buying an investment property. But what do you go for - a house or a flat? Both have their advantages...and disadvantages. Tony Booth, one of our property professionals, weighs up the pros and cons. Here are a few of his thoughts:
"Apartments are certainly much more popular with the mobile population of many inner city locations. Career orientated young professionals require the flexibility and ease provided by an apartment. Some also enjoy the status symbol of chic and fashionable style living that a modern apartment bestows on its occupier. Others just want the freedom to socialise away from their accommodation rather than in it, thus space becomes irrelevant and less is preferable for these busy individuals."
"Houses gain in popularity out of city centres. Additional living space and a garden become important elements for couples that have or are planning to have a family. Others aspire to live on their own 'estate', without having to take into account or be irritated by those living above or below them."
To read the rest, including a clear and concise table of advantages and disadvantages of both types of property, click here now.
Bet you never thought the English language could cost you money did you? Well, if the Government's latest plans are anything to go by, it just might. In our article, Language Barrier, Tony Booth reveals that the Government may decide to penalise ethnic minorities who refuse to learn English by cutting benefits - this could have an impact on the rental income for some landlords. Check out the full article for more...
Where is the next big growth in the buy to let market likely to come from? Perhaps surprisingly given the fragmentation of society, it could well be families offering a bright future for BTL landlords. David Lawrenson takes a closer look.
Property Secrets PRO members can read reaction from industry experts and experienced investors to many of our articles on the Property Secrets Discussion Forums.
Exclusive to PRO members, the Property Secrets Discussion Forums are a great place to chat with like-minded investors and get advice and opinion on property issues, including where to buy, what to buy, taxation, finance and property management.
The Czech Republic has featured very heavily on the Forums this week, prompted by our recent articles and the latest news on how much easier it has become to invest there (see This Week's Articles). Here's a few I've picked out:
- CZ SRO - posted by Faz
Purchased with an SRO, then as an individual in the Czech Republic? If so, Faz wants to know what you did with your SRO!
- Czech cards - It's now a whole lot easier to buy property in the Czech Republic - posted by Peter Bennett, PS COO
Our article on EU cards and the like has prompted our Chief Operating Officer Peter Bennett to ask if anyone has applied for one, and what their experiences were. I'd like to know myself, too, so do let us know!
- Bouncing Czech - The Czech Republic Is BACK! - posted by Simon
The original discussion continues off the back of our article proclaiming the return of the Czech Republic as an investment hotspot! There are a lot of factors being discussed in this topic, take a look for yourself and please add your own thoughts.
Other discussions of interest this week...
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S I L E S I A A P A R T M E N T S
Gliwice, Poland
» First new residential development in the university city of Gliwice expected to attract huge local demand on release
» We have access to units before release to market; prices could jump 50% in the next few months if our experience in Lodz is repeated
» Prices lower than market value by up to 5% (worth £1,800 on average) and strong yields
» Low prices starting from £18,929 for 1 bed apartments in city centre location
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Click here to view the Investment Report |
Gliwice (pronounced Gla-veet-sa) is an ideal opportunity to invest in the first of Polands third tier cities before they boom. Silesia Apartments is your opportunity to invest before an expected surge in prices. You can only get access to these units at these prices through Property Secrets.
Our development in Lodz, called Cotton Mill, was the first of its kind in the city; its prices went on to increase dramatically in the 3 months after release to market. If this experience is repeated in Silesia Apartments then investors can expect to make substantial returns. With average prices much lower than other Polish cities and with Silesia Apartments being the first of its kind in the city demand is expected to be huge. Prices in Gliwice are starting from a low base and are currently growing at around 2% per month and we expect this rate to surge over the coming months.
We have reserved 29 units in this 50 unit development located just a street away from the prestigious Silesian University of Technology and within easy reach of a wide range of local amenities.
You can find out more about Silesia Apartments by clicking here...
We're just a couple of weeks away now from our first exhibition of the year, the Homebuyer Show at ExCeL in London, March 2nd-4th. We sent an invitation out to you earlier this week so you could join us and I hope we see you there. As I said last week, we're on Stand 545B in the Overseas Property section near Seminar Theatre 3.
I also mentioned that we'll be holding some seminars. Well, I can reveal we'll be doing three different ones, held by experts in the relevant fields. One will cover Poland and Romania, another where we think the next turbo-charged property markets will be and finally a Property Management Secrets seminar...come along to find out more!
Don't forget, we now have an events page on the website - you can find it here, under the Investments drop down menu. At the moment it contains our Investor Evening calendar and a calendar of all the property related exhibitions, shows and events worldwide that we know of and track...and intend to attend! Take a look.
That's all for this week. Happy investing!
Cheers
Chief Executive Officer
Property Secrets
ES