Property Investment 2010 Property Secrets en-uk http://www.propertysecrets.net Property Investment Information You Profit From http://www.propertysecrets.net/images/pslogolarge.png http://www.propertysecrets.net 100 72 http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/how_to_avoid_inheritance_tax_on_overseas_property/2788.html Inheritance Tax (IHT) reaches far and wide, but there is a possible exception... The UK's tax system is a worldwide based system and thus whether income arises in the UK or elsewhere, and whether assets are located within the UK or elsewhere, is immaterial; all is brought within the charge to UK tax. This is true whether the tax is Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax or Inheritance Tax (IHT). http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/watch_out_for_the_capital_gains_tax_pitfalls_of_taking_in_lodgers/2787.html Taking in a lodger has distinct advantages financially, but can pose a problem for Capital Gains Tax (CGT)! Taking in a lodger has distinct advantages financially, but can pose a problem for Capital Gains Tax (CGT)! Record numbers of cash-conscious homeowners looking for help to pay the bills may find the lure of a tax-free income offered by the rent-a-room scheme attractive - but need to stop to think about the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) consequences of taking in lodgers. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/dying_without_a_will/2786.html Many people like to put off thoughts of their passing away, but if you die without having made a will the ones close to you may lose out. Have you ever considered what would happen to your property when you die? If you have made a will, there is every chance that the people you want to will get control of your estate, including your investment property. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/global_mortgage_update_july/2785.html Head of Overseas Mortgage Finder Geoff Simmonds brings you his latest updates and tips. From lowered interest rates in France to a recent boom in India. Geoff continues to provide expert advice and analysis every month. Over the past month many French lenders have lowered interest rates, meaning mortgages are now available from just 1.79% for foreign investors. France has always proven a popular destination amongst UK investors due to its close proximity to the UK. This is therefore great news for people who either currently own a French property, as it provides an opportunity for them to save money by remortgaging, or those thinking about buying a property in France, as they stand to spend a lot less on financing their investment. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/the_risk_of_subsidence_to_home_owners/2784.html There are many reasons for subsidence to affect your property but if you keep your eye out you can give yourself extra time to deal with the situation. Most property owners' insurance policies will include the risk of subsidence but, except when we have a sustained dry - or even wet - period, this is not something that many people think about. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/the_first_lng_terminal_for_central_europe/2783.html Plans for the LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminal to be built in the seaside town of Swinoujscie, in the North West of Poland close to the German border, finally seem to be making some progress. Plans for the LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminal to be built in the seaside town of Swinoujscie, in the North West of Poland close to the German border, finally seem to be making some progress. This is great news for Property Secrets investors who bought in the Platan and Baltic Park developments in Swinoujscie. The terminal will raise the profile of this area considerably and also provide a steady supply of construction worker tenants during the lengthy build phase. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/beware_of_squatters/2782.html No landlord likes having an empty property for an extended period of time but if that property attracts squatters there may be even bigger problems According to one leading UK insurance company, there could be as many as 20,000 squatters in the UK and, while this largely relates to residential property, commercial premises are by no means exempt. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/making_money_in_property_is_easy_just_like_losing_weight/2781.html For many people that consistently make money in property, or consistently keep their weight at their ideal weight it seems easy. Making money in Property is easy - Just like losing Weight For many people that consistently make money in property, or consistently keep their weight at their ideal weight it seems easy. You may not immediately see the correlation between the two, but there is a similar pattern to success in both. Both ways to succeed are relatively straightforward and yet most people get it wrong. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/landlords_role_as_an_employer/2780.html You may think your role as a landlord ends when you find a suitable tenant, but there are many ways in which you could be viewed as an employer You may think your role as a landlord ends when you find a suitable tenant, but there are many ways in which you could be viewed as an employer. http://www.propertysecrets.net/article/the_balkan_valve_onerous_block_maintenance_agreements_as_a_condition_of_purchase_in_bulgaria/2779.html Sailing in uncharted waters like the mariners of yore, maps of the known world encircled by fearsome monsters and dragons, i.e. most of the Bulgarian developers who provided off-plan units like so many commoditised plastic ducks of a production line! (Opinion piece, James Flint, Director www.sofiacasa.com ) Sailing in uncharted waters like the mariners of yore, maps of the known world encircled by fearsome monsters and dragons, i.e. most of the Bulgarian developers who provided off-plan units like so many commoditised plastic ducks of a production line! http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/psonproperty/why_buying_ugly_is_made_so_attractive/post-475.html The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors monthly survey of its Scottish members reveals the greatest degree of confidence for more than a year. Half of those who responded believe prices are rising, nearly all the rest say they are static. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/czech_point/affordability_of_prague_flats_reasonable_for_locals/post-474.html A recent study by International Real Estate Agency Gordon Rock compared the average income of residents of different cities in the world to the price of purchasing a 70 m2 flat in the same city. The results were surprising when compared with the situation in Prague and recent reports we have heard regarding a study from the Czech National Bank on Czech Republic property prices. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/currency_solutions/what_is_likely_to_happen_in_the_currency_markets_this_week_/post-473.html This week was meant to be all about the Euro… and potentially promised something of a boost. The first ever stress tests were completed on European banks and the results announced late on Friday. Market reaction to the stress test results however has not affected the Euro in a significant way so far. Whilst European Governments were hoping that the tests would shore up confidence in the Euro region most currency investors have decided that the tests themselves were flawed and not rigorous enough as only seven of the ninety-one banks tested failed the tests. So if you are either buying or selling any property in Europe over the coming months the message is that the Euro has not gained as much as anticipated and so far the movements are quite volatile so the Pound rate against the Euro is still doing well – the best move is to speak with a currency broker to get the best rates and decide whether to fix a rate in advance depending on the transfer you need. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/czech_point/how_to_pick_a_companylegal_team_to_represent_me_in_a_czech_republic_real_estate_purchase/post-472.html This is the critical question every investor needs to ask themselves. Forego this step and you set yourself up for a lot of stress and very probably, lost capital. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/psonproperty/scottish_property_market_moving_in_the_right_direction_/post-471.html The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors monthly survey of its Scottish members reveals the greatest degree of confidence for more than a year. Half of those who responded believe prices are rising, nearly all the rest say they are static. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/currency_solutions/pound_starting_to_show_the_strain/post-470.html The past week has seen some considerable shifts in the state of play with the currency markets.   The Pound has done a U-turn in its movements against several major currencies throughout the past week following its recent climbs against the Euro and US Dollar. Some negative news has emerged on the housing market by Rightmove which reveals that asking prices dropped in July for the first time since December. This has brought an abrupt halt to what seemed to be a recovering housing market and is likely to be due to budget cuts and tighter lending rules making consumers more nervous about buying property. In fact, the austerity measures and budget cutting of the emergency budget that at first gave the Pound a strong boost are beginning to be more widely debated. After the Chancellor’s meeting with EU officials last week, several economists have said that budget cutting alone is not enough to bring on the UK recovery and is starting to hinder growth. This sentiment seems to be weighing on the Pound which has started to drop against most major currencies – there was a great article in today’s Guardian covering the debate over cuts. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/czech_point/is_it_common_to_pay_a_deposit_when_purchasing_a_czech_property/post-469.html The short answer is yes, it is common but does not need to be done. Especially in the buyer’s market that we find ourselves in 2010. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/psonproperty/update_on_istanbul_brand_new_deal_coming_soon/post-468.html We had an excellent response to our last deal in Istanbul in March, and when we have looked at other markets to offer our next Overseas opportunity, we have struggled to match this! http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/czech_point/how_can_you_protect_your_money_during_the_purchase_of_a_czech_property/post-467.html As the purchaser only legally becomes the owner when they are registered as such in the Land Registry, there is a period between signing the purchase contracts and them actually becoming owner by registration. http://www.propertysecrets.net/blogs/currency_solutions/a_great_deal_of_interest_in_interest/post-466.html Focus was placed on the interest rates decision by the Bank of England which took place last Thursday. However, the latest decision to keep rates on hold at 0.5% is less important than the minutes due out later this month, which could give a clear indication of where Interest Rates are headed. Last month MPC member Andrew Spence spoke openly about his concerns about the decision to freeze interest rates because of the lingering risk of inflation.  With levels still above the 3% upper limit he may have a valid point to make.  However, on Friday the UK producer prices input and output figures were released and unexpectedly fell for the first time in 1 ½ years.  These reports have helped ease inflationary pressure and the new fiscal measurements will hopefully curb the threat of further inflation.