Traffic Down - interest fading?
That's my impression
====================

Funny, isnt it?
Now that it is very apparent that UK property is sliding in value,
people seem to be losing interest in overseas property investments too

I could not agree less! We see large numbers of investors from the UK in the Berlin property market recently. Most of them fortunately not on the "free inspection flight ticket" with the "...you better sign now of it will be gone befor we reach the next crossing". Educated search for a save investment is what we see.
There are great opportunities especially at the entry level from 30,000 GBP up. When doing the yield calculation it very important to know all the cost that will come your way after the purchase as much as before.

So I really can't confirm fading interest - at least not for Berlin.

Where are Brits going to take the money from?

Last I check there was no HPI in UK so no MEW and 30K personal loans are hard to get.

As Berlin property sells in Euro (so it is 25% mode expensive than last year in Pounds) and Berlin is not a retirement place, I do not think people are interested in buyinmg there.

So take your claims somewhere else.

I love you Catara, you really have a negative view of everything. For cynics like me, you slagging off every perceived investment under the sun is a breathe of fresh air amongst all those international agents who promise the earth and deliver nothing.

But, wait a minute! Surely there are some genuine investment opportunities out there, and maybe it´s just the greedy banks who got stuffed in this alledged sub-prime crisis and there are some genuine investors still looking for an investment vehicle through property.

I stepped away from marketing in the UK almost a year ago - because everybody is scared of what they read in the Daily Mail. I now do my marketing in Europe and Asia, where the sub-prime "crisis" is of little consequence and something that happened (deservedly) in the UK and USA.

It´s a big world and there won´t be a worldwide recession just because USA spends too much on guns. The traffic issue is because the HPC forum is a .co.uk site. If it was a .pk, .in, .cn, .com.my, .jp or just .com - it would get more traffic from the rest of the world. Now, I know that it is only the English that invest overseas. G*d knows, the English created the commonwealth, invented the steam engine and some other things, and they are probably the most gullable nation in the world (we-have-to-invade-Iraq-because-there-might-be-some-bad-things-going-on-and-we`re-not-really-americas- puppet). Look at the investment going into pieces of grass in Brazil - I´ve got a nice back garden. Would you like to buy a small piece of it for $20.000? I promise you a rental yield on my piece of grass. Why not stop there? I have built (this is a lie) a "superb" north facing apartment complex in Hurghada. It´s only £20K for a room and nobody will ever come and stay there because it won´t see the sun unless there is a polar shift! However, I promise you (this is a lie also) 15% guaranteed rental yield per year - sign up now."Nobody wants to see the sun in Egypt - everybody looks for the shade"

Sorry, I´m ranting now.

My point is that people in the UK do not want to look for anything beyond the Isle of Wight because they are scared - a little short of credit maybe - but mostly scared. Tey´ve seen their mates, their family and the people on forums (and I´m not knocking this) screwed by companies offering completely unjustified growth and rental yields. So, if you are an agent - go and pitch on another forum (If you are a Damac agent Totallyproperty is a good one - they all mingle there), if you are an investor who wants the truth, this forum is pretty good, if you are a nw investor who wants to make some money - ignore Catara inasmuch as you would somebody promising the earth and go and do your own research.

I believe I have ranted enough

What about ignoring Andyk2? He seems to be drunk when he writes on Forums...

Like I said - You have a negative view of everything

I do not have a negative view of drinking. Not at all.

AHA!!! - no.....I was starting to think that too Andy, but...TA!RA!!! finally catara confesses to what gets him going.....see Cyprus, Slovakia Turkey thread...posted today by the man himself no less!!!

Sorry if I looked like a total negativist.

But I do not believe in purchasing in places heavily advertised. I think that the best places to buy and the right time to buy is when everybody says that it is stupid to do so. That is a sign of approaching or being at the bottom.

I think that in 2008 the only places which are approaching bottom are some places which sell in Dollars . They are possibly not so bad deals for British buyers.

In 2009, some European places might become OK-ish if the Pound recovers. I believe that the Pound is more or less at a bottom versus Euro, but I would not bet much on this.

I bought the properties in Romania long ago, when they were dirt cheap. Unfortunately I do not see any more dirt cheap European markets (maybe Albania but I do not know much about how secure an investment could be there).


Egypt is not bad. I was looking at Marsa Alam area. Sharm is not very cheap and I did not like much Hurghada when I visited there.

Brazil is a beautiful country. I bought some land in Canoa Quebrada and in Muriu (near the Natal Golf), I might build something there if I shall have time to stay at the location for more than 3 months. The big problem with Brazil is the infinite availability of oceanfront which will keep prices low unless millions of baby boomers decide to retire there...

I am prepare to believe that Germany, and Berlin in particular,
may prove to be an exception to a general rule

catara...forgive me if i come over all faint.....2 very positive postings .. in 2 days!!! very interesting to hear your thoughts though