When to buy at the posh end of the market!
Welcome to this edition of your PRO newsletter. Blakebrough is back with his latest blog. Simon Blakebrough, our Investment Broker, that is! This time round Simon looks at the luxury end of property markets...and an opportunity for you in Brasov, Romania...
What else do we have this week? Well, all Buy To Let landlords will be delighted by a new addition to our editorial team. Tony Booth, whose name some of you might recognise as one of our contributors over the last few months, has begun a Landlords' Clinic, inviting you to email him your queries, questions and experiences as a landlord. Check it out, I'm sure you'll find it very useful.
Our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Monitor returns for February, reporting on a massive amount of FDI into and, more importantly, between the CEE countries, there is good news for those looking to exit a mortgage and we look at raising the rent - without agreeing terms first!
There's also the usual round up of events, website changes, investment opportunities and, of course, exclusively to Lite members, Property Investment 101.
To jump to a section you want to read, click a link below:
This Week's Articles | On The Forums
Investment News | Event News
Blakebrough's Blog is our lead this week, focusing on luxury developments and when they offer the right opportunity to the savvy investor. To read the full article from Simon click the link on the left. In the meantime, let's take a look at the Landlords' Clinic, written by Tony Booth, author and member of the National Association of Estate Agents. In this, his first clinic, Tony looks at the imminent Tenancy Deposit Schemes and asks...are you ready for them? Here's a short extract from the Clinic:
"So, despite numerous delays and after what seems to have been an interminable consultation and contemplation period, tenancy deposit schemes (TDS's) are finally due to begin in April 2007."
"Once introduced, most landlords and their agents will be prohibited from accepting tenant deposits, unless they follow the strict regulations laid down by government."
"The anticipated main impact of TDS legislation is that it will reduce - if not completely eliminate - the longstanding history of complaints (from tenants) that landlords have a nasty habit of making unfair and exaggerated dilapidation deductions from the surety deposit at the end of a tenancy."
"This situation reminds me of what happens whenever a new tax law is introduced ... someone always pops out from the shadows claiming they have found a loophole."
"And even before TDS's are officially launched, several insurance companies have done exactly that, recognising there is money to be made by those who are inventive enough to find another way through the regulatory maze."
To read more - and to get some of your obvious questions answered - click here to enter the Landlords' Clinic.
If you would like to ask Tony anything landlord related or share your own experiences, you can email him at landlordsclinic@propertysecrets.net
Property MattersA landlord's personal view on the market
Exclusive Property Secrets PRO members
My Rafter Award for changing BTL strategies - and the winner is...
"Imagine your delight if you won the property equivalent of a Bafta award - we'll call it a Rafter - for the best kept buy to let in the UK..."
Click here to read more...
Did you know that lenders can no longer charge excessive closing fees? It's true! The government has told lenders that they can't impose fees at the end of the mortgage that are out of all proportion to the work required - how will this work in practice? Check out David Lawrenson's article to find out.
Finally, February's PS FDI Monitor reports increased FDI into - and now FDI flow across - the CEE region, showing a maturing and healthy environment for property investment...sound interesting? Of course it does, find out who is spending where here.
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.
Taxation and mortgages. That's been the Forum theme this week, with a smattering of other subjects thrown in for good measure. Here's a few topics that piqued my interest:
- Is It Really That Easy To Get A Mortgage In CEE? - posted by Mark
Mark asks a good and perfectly reasonable question. Having struggled in Hungary, he wonders if there's a difference elsewhere in CEE. Why not share your experiences?
- Slovakia Mortgage Borrowing Increase & Subsidies - posted by Huw
Huw brings us news from the FT that will make pleasant reading for those who have invested in Slovakia. Take a look, depending on your strategy, it could make a huge difference to you.
- Income Tax On Rental In Poland - posted by Mike M
This is proving to be a long running and interesting discussion first started by Mike at the start of the month. It's a subject that matters to all investors in Poland so check it out.
Other discussions of interest this week...
Congratulations to all those who managed to get a unit in Silesia Apartments. It proved to be extremely popular and was oversubscribed by more than two to one! All of you who missed out of course get a Priority Place to be used on any of our investment opportunities coming up in the next three months, ensuring you are at the top of the list when we come to allocating the units. Take a look at our latest deal now, Chancard Residence in Krakow, Poland.
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C H A N C A R D R E S I D E N C E
Krakow, Poland
» A much undervalued development in Poland's cultural capital
» Effective discount of approximately 6% with prices to rise by PLN500 / sqm (approx £85 / sqm) on issue of a building permit
» Ongoing massive FDI into Krakow supports long term growth and rental demand
» Ideal opportunity for both the first time investor and the portfolio builderwith a good balance of risk versus reward
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Click here to view the Investment Report |
Chancard Residence is an excellent opportunity to invest in the creative and cultural capital of Poland. With more than 100 research centres, 18 universities and 170,000 students at any time, Krakow can rightly claim to be the centre of learning and technology.
You can only get access to these units at these prices through Property Secrets.
We have reserved 32 units in this 147 unit development located just a few minutes walk from Future City and within easy reach of the city centre and a wide range of local amenities. Chancard Residence will attract well paid professionals and foreigners looking to live in an attractive area well connected to the city centre.
You can find out more about Chancard Residence by clicking here...
One week to go to both the Homebuyer Show at ExCeL and our next Investor Evening. As promised, here's a brief summary of what we have going on next weekend in London:
On The Stand
Stand 545B in the Overseas Property section near Seminar Theatre 3
- Book Launch: Property Management Secrets - 92 ways to actively manage property for maximum profit
- Book Shop: A selection of hard copy titles from our entire range for you to purchase
- All new investment opportunities in Poland, Romania and Czech Republic
- Sign up for a Property Secrets PRO membership!
At The Show
- Seminar 1: "Property Management Secrets - How to Manage your Property for Maximum Profits" with Christopher Browne, Property Journalist & Columnist
- Seminar 2: "Poland vs Romania - which is best to invest in?" with Simon Tweddle, Property Secrets Head of Research & Analysis
- Seminar 3: "Where will the Next Turbo-Charged Market in Eastern Europe be?" with Simon Tweddle, Property Secrets Head of Research & Analysis
In The Evening
Romania Revealed
- Interview with our Romanian partner and property finder, Tavi Bota
- Presentations from Property Secrets Analysts
- Preview of two Romania investment opportunities with Investment Broker Simon Blakebrough
You will have already had your invitation to the Investor Evening but we still have a few places left so if you wish to attend, click here to put your name on our guest list.
That's all for this week. Happy investing!
Cheers
Chief Executive Officer
Property Secrets
ES