Hi Escott

I did not realise you were also interested in SL. Have you been there?
Equity release? Is that the same as remortgaging a property to release some money? Thats what I'm doing to fund this SL development.

CS

I have not been to SL nor do I have any plans to go there. I am interested in all things I don't know which is a whole lot of things!

Here in the Dominican Republic interest rates are VERY HIGH and if I needed money I would take it out of the states instead of here. I have done 39 mortgages here in the last 5 years. Least I charged is 2 1/4 percent and the most was 3 percent but that is per month. I give only 40%LTV and that is MY LTV and not that of even a bank appraiser. I take title and give a contract sale back. Great business here.

I always had lines of credit on properties I owned in the States. That way I was always liquid enough to jump on a good deal.

I am investing right now in the Dominican Republic and doing very well as this market is rising fast and will continue for at least the next 2 years or more in my opinion for many reasons.

I am also studying Palm Beach County Florida and Atlanta Georgia. You won't believe what you can buy there NOW for little money. I figure to start picking up properties there in the next year or year and a half. That's when I think things will straighten out in the states.

I always find it a good time to buy when there is blood in the streets. I just want to wait long enough so that that blood isn't mine! lol

I haven't looked at SL and won't because of the questions that remain open regarding safety. I also wouldn't invest in an Islamic Country at this time for the same reasons. Just too unsettled for my comfort levels. I see big interests here by investors in areas I won't touch but that is what makes a ball game! Different strokes for different folks.

Buy low and sell high and the best of luck to you.

Escott

A couple of years ago I looked at getting a Malaysian mortgage but the interest rate offered to me by HSBC Malaysia was about 6.5% and there's a lot of paperwork and delays for foreigners to get a mortgage there. You can do it, it's just a hassle. More importantly, 6.5% was higher than I could get if I were to raise finance in the UK.

If you can raise finance in the UK on a property you already own, then that is probably your easiest option and you'll get a good interest rate.

I looked briefly at raising finance in the UK specifically for a home abroad. It's normally called an international mortage. The rate you are quoted is higher than the rate for a UK home, but it is an option.

This might help you get started (though I've never used this form myself):

Mortgages for Holiday Homes and other Property Abroad

The big banks are offering international mortgages more and more, but I don't think any of them cover Sri Lanka yet.

Lloyds TSB Offshore International Banking, International Mortgage Service

https://hsss1.hsbc.co.uk/imoServlet?START=true

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Hi,

With regard to Dubai, I know very little about the place other than the massive work being done, do you think there is any risk of the market being flooded any time in the future?
What would see as being the greatest risk involved with investing there, or what should I take particular care with?

Cheers,
Dean.

DUbai is your place to go --
Well to start with , from what I witnessed in Dubai, it is very different from the standard real estate markets as we know.
Even though prices are high on already completed ready projects, there is pleanty of opportunity in new ones that are underway .
There is absolutely no concern of market being flooded in the future since the incoming investments from foreign countries are enough to sustain growth for at least 20, 30 years .Foundations have been laid for 10 and 20 year long projects.
Since it is only from March 2006 that outsiders have been allowed to invest in Dubai, it is as if a flood gate has been opened up.
I myself went to see a typical scene when a new project is launched and open for booking to the public. There was a 4-5 hour wait and I came back after an hour.
If you want me to send you some websites to browse, I can do that .Please send me your email and I will be happy to send you details. I'm too excited about Dubai after seeing the scene there myself. I can send you contacts in Dubai if you want to go see there yourself.
Bye
Fahima
(91) 9941887721

Italy Italy Always Italy

Nothing draws me to invest in property in Dubai.

Building a modern city in a desert just doesn't make sense to me. There is very little fresh water, the temperature is incredibly hot and there is very little in the way of entertainment that is not man-made.

The city is so new that there is almost no historic buildings or cultural heritage. The city consumes an unsustainably large amount of electricity so that it's population can keep the air conditioners and desalination plants running.

I would not want to live in a place like that and I think most people will feel the same. Too hot, too manufactured, too false. What's more, property prices have already risen considerably.

Put it down to personal taste, but Dubai is not on my shortlist of places to invest in.

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Hi,

Well as about Bangalore (India) really offers good ROI. The real estate market has jumped high as 250% in the past 2 years. As well its Government has expanded its urban area by 2 folds from 220 sq kms to 650 sq kms last year which makes it the biggest city in the country. All the developments of these areas are nearing completion. As well the country's economy is growing @ 9% fro the past tow years. This city might be the best option as of now.

I can see why you dont really like Dubai , but it doesnt make a lot of sense to invest in something that only you like. If you want to catch fish , you use worms, not Big Macs because YOU personally dont like worms and prefer Big Macs! Dubai is where the world's money is pouring in and it would be wise to park your investment there. As for prices already being high, newer constructions offer very good rates. THe prices go up only after the launch -if you manage a prelaunch booking, your profit is already made.

I only buy where I like and I think stable. No offense but I will pass on profits in an islamic country at the moment. Never know when you can get on Osamas short list. Give me a place free of extremists of any sort for me to chose from.

IPO's use to be the flavor of the stock market until they weren't. Things change and until you can reliably predict the future I would stop reading your chrystal balls