Budapest: the New Prague for Real Estate Investors

When Hungary and the Czech Republic joined the European Union back in 2004 they set the standards for economic achievement that the rest of the new entrants could only dream of achieving. 

Both Hungary and the Czech Republic not only embraced their new membership status, they went out of their way to create an environment so conducive for inward investment that both countries are now thriving.

As has been well documented, the stunning Czech Republic city of Prague became of such intense interest to international real estate investors even before the Republic joined the EU because it boasts almost inimitable charm, attraction and opportunity.  I say ‘almost’ inimitable because Hungary’s capital city of Budapest is equally well endowed with stunning ancient architecture, cultural attraction and a unique and timeless appeal.

As a direct result Budapest is suddenly becoming one of the hottest European cities for tourism and the business environment is so buoyant right now that the numbers of expatriates heading to the city for work is at an all time high.  These factors mean that the demand for real estate to rent is outstripping the current supply of well located and appointed property and prices in Budapest are starting to soar.

Where once Prague was the European capital city attracting the most overseas real estate investor interest, Budapest is now surpassing the investor levels Prague has enjoyed.  And one of the real reasons for this is the fact that property prices in Budapest are up to 25% less than those in Prague, and the past couple of years have seen price gains in the most desirable districts of Budapest reach 15% annually.

The opportunity to profit to the max is huge currently, but at the same time the window of opportunity is likely to be narrow for those wishing to buy into the projected period of rapid growth.  Those real estate investors who are buying right now have the strongest chance of realizing the greatest gains.  Over the medium term the demand for property in Budapest will not slacken but the property price margin increases will slow down as prices reach parity with the Czech Republic.

After this period of time it is likely that prices will continue to rise in line with local affordability and that potential rental income will still be impressive.  This will continue to bring investors to the market place which means an investor can purchase in Budapest with confidence that he will be able to resell his real estate assets when the time is right for him to release the gains he has accrued.

If you compare the potential fortunes of Budapest with Prague you will see just how much room there is in the market for growth and return, and how far demand can actually go for property for sale and rent in this stunningly beautiful Hungarian city.

Brazil: The Latest Exciting Emerging Real Estate Market

Since 2003 the Brazilian Government have committed to making major fiscal, political and fundamental changes to the country to improve the entire environment for foreign direct investment, as a result GDP growth rate is up, inflation is down and real estate prices are beginning to soar as overseas interest in the stunningly beautiful and amazingly diverse country of Brazil is intensifying.

Because Brazil is such a large country covering such a huge landmass it traverses many different geographic, environmental and climatic changes and offers a lifestyle alternative to suit everyone.  The appeal of the country is immediately obvious to anyone who travels to Brazil on holiday and because the path has been smoothed for foreign freehold ownership of real estate in Brazil, more and more people who visit the country are choosing to buy a holiday home or investment property in the country.

The most popular area with holiday makers, second homers and now retirees is the north east of Brazil where the weather is at its best and where the coastal regions are home to stunning palm fringed beaches and growing communities of expatriates who are enjoying the laid back, low cost lifestyle they can achieve in Brazil.

It is in this part of the country that real estate prices are really starting to go up.  The demand for real estate to buy and let is growing rapidly and the purchasing power of those overseas investors entering the market place is strong enough to support property price increases.

Anyone considering the world’s emerging real estate markets for maximum opportunity will find what they’re looking for in Brazil. The country has an active commercial property market, an active tourism market and local and overseas demand for housing is strong, therefore sufficient demand for real estate in Brazil exists creating the perfect environment for profit and gains. 

A final additional tick in the suitability box for Brazil as a destination for investment is the fact that the real estate buying process for foreign purchasers is straightforward, and additional taxes and fees associated with purchasing and owning property or land in Brazil are very low.

10 Tips for Successful Real Estate Property Investment

Just because real estate prices seem to have hit a temporary ceiling in many countries around the world, that doesn’t mean that profits from property investments are hard to come by.

Even during a real estate market slowdown, stagnation or depression profits can be made locally and overseas.  This article shows you the top ten tips that real estate investors apply to their property portfolio building strategy to ensure success from their investments.

1)    Research the curve - the concept of a property market cycle existing is not myth it’s a fact and is generally accepted to be based on a price-income relationship.  Check the recent historical price data for properties in the area of the country you’re considering purchasing in and try to determine the overall feel in the market for prices currently.  Are prices rising, are prices falling or have they reached a peak.  You need to know where the curve of the property market cycle is at in your preferred investment area.

2)    Get ahead of the curve – as a basic rule of thumb, professional real estate property investors seek to buy ahead of the curve.  If a market is rising they will try and target up and coming areas, areas that are close to locations that have peaked, areas close to locations experiencing redevelopment or investment.  These areas will most likely become ‘the next big thing’ and those who by in before the trend will stand to make the most gains.  As a market is stagnating or falling many successful investors target areas that enjoyed the best levels of growth, yields and profits very early on in the previous cycle because these areas will most likely be the first areas to become profitable as the cycle begins turning towards positive once more.

3)    Know your market – who are you buying property for?  Are you buying to let to young executives, purchasing for renovation to resell to a family market or purchasing jet to let real estate for short term rental to holiday makers?  Think about your market before you make a purchase.  Know what they look for in a property and ensure that is what you are going to be offering them

4)    Think further afield – there are emerging real estate property markets around the world where countries’ economies are going from strength to strength, where a growing tourism sector is pushing up demand or where constitutional legislation has been or is about to be changed to allow for foreign freehold ownership of property for example.  Look further afield than your own back yard for your next property investment and diversify that real estate portfolio for maximum success.

5)    Purchase price – set yourself a budget that will realistically allow you to purchase what you’re looking for and profit from that purchase either through capital gains or rental yield.

6)    Entry costs – research fees, charges and all expenses you will incur when you buy your property – they differ from country to country and sometimes even from state to state.  In Turkey for example you should add on an additional 5% of the purchase price for all fees, in Spain you will need to factor in an average of 10% and in Germany fees and charges can be in excess of 20%.  Know how much you will have to incur and factor this amount into your budget to avoid any nasty surprises and to ensure your investment can become profitable.

7)    Capital growth potential – what factors point to the potential profitability of your real estate property investment?  If you’re looking overseas at an emerging market, which economic or social indicators exist to suggest that property prices will increase?  If you’re buying to let out are there any indications to suggest that demand for rental accommodation will remain strong, increase or even decline?  Think about what you want to achieve from your investment and then research and find out whether your expectations are realistic.

8)    Exit costs – if you will incur substantial capital gains taxation liability if you sell your property investment for profit, will that render the investment profitless?  In Spain a foreign buyer can incur up to 35% capital gains tax, in Turkey on the other hand property sales are capital gains tax free if the underlying real estate has been owned for four or more years.

9)    Profit margins – what levels of capital growth can you realistically gain on your property investment or how much rental income can you generate?  Work out these facts and then work backwards towards your initial budget to work out your potential profit margins.  At all times you have to keep the bigger picture in mind to ensure that your real estate investment has good potential for profit.

10)    Think long term – unless you’re buying property off plan and intending to flip it for resale and profit before completion you should view real estate investment as a long term investment.  Real estate is a slow to liquidate asset, cash tied up in property is not simple to free up.  Take a long term approach to your property portfolio and give your assets time to increase in value before cashing them in for profit.