Re. investing in US real estate

It is on everybody's mind but should nevertheless be said, a grossly undervalued US dollar could make US based investments doubly profitable for non US investors when the currency and real estate begin to appreciate in tandem.

This said, recent news concerning record commodity prices is leading many to believe that the US Federal reserve will not be able to keep cutting interest rates aggressively.

So US property might still be far from a bottom...

Neustria

Yes the North is the Turkish side - Tourist numbers are not that great in the main mainland Turks. However, rental market in Girne (Kyrenia) are good due to university students and casino workers.

North Cyprus has 7 universities and good knows how many casinos. But they both bring in about 80-90,000 people in a Country of about 200,000.

A 3 bedroom 120m2 apartment can be had for between £60 - 70,000 and rental is between £300 -£350 per month.

There is an issue regarding land title but you will be issued one. Most property is built on former Greek Cypriot land but is viewed as safe as the Turkish government have said they will pay any claims and there is now a Property Commission that is being used by the Greek Cypriots - Current owners not involved in process and pay nothing to the Greeks.

if you want any information I can put you in contact with somebody there as i was an agent there for 5 years. Moved to Turkey now which is also a great place to invest especially Istanbul and some developments near to the PGA golf courses under construction.

Why dont you try to find out more about Montenegrian coast.
Flats and land prices increased more than 100percent in last 12mths.
I have purchased a 500m2 lot of land (in august 2007) and price I paid was 20 000 euros. Now the same one costs 50 000 euros.
I have a local knowledge so I contacted the seller directly but the local agencies are taking appr.3 percent of agreed price.
Nobody can say exactly how long prices are going to increase but in my opinion the biggest boom is still to come.
Big difference in prices for flats houses and land are dependig of position (how far from the sea, seavew and lot of other things) but if you are luckie you can find what you want.
The best money making there, is to buy some land, build the big house or as many small appartements you can and sell it than.Some people made a milions like that.
EXAMPLE- price of land 500 m2--------------- 50 000 euros
taxes and building licence ---------- 20 000
800m2 cost of building(2 levels)----- 560 000
Total appr.------------------------- 630 000
This house or whatever you make is easily sold for 1 500 000 euros.
That makes your proffit of ...well calculate it your self.

Even if you decide just to buy a flat or house I am sure you will be amazed with wonderful nature and sea.
There are many Russians and British buying the property now, so go to some websites about Montenegrian coast and think about it.
Regards from Djani.

How is the market doing last month. I think june could bring another increase of prices.Do you agree?

Rgrds, Djani

Istanbul is surging ahead. The only reason i would be nervous in investing there is that i think it is due for a huge earthquake, at least i think its Istanbul. It may not happen for 100s of years but mabey it is something to consider?

The new build are fully earthquake protected - if anythink built to much concrete and steel.

Turkish Government after the big Earthquake in Izmit which killed 1,000's have sorted out the sharks developers.

I always thought that that was on of the problems to little or too much concrete and steel. Japan is really leading the way int this venture.

The current prediction is that a major earthquake will happen in Istanbul, knock 50,000 buildings and kill thousands with a magnitude between 6.5 and 7.5 in the next 30 years....very grim message but thats what is predicted.
Some of the beautiful historic old buildings and national treasures have undergone huge work in the foundations to pertect them but the city is at risk. And the government is still at the preliminary stages of action.

Also "About 12 percent of the city's buildings are "commercial mixed," meaning the ground floor is commercial and the upper floors are residential.

"These types of buildings are especially vulnerable to collapse because they have few walls on the ground floor to resist earthquakes," sciencedaily.com

I agree they will have major issues with many of the older building and many built prior to the Izmit earthquake. However, sice then they have really tightened the regulations.

ya the real investment here will be the developments that can withstand this sort of magnitude. Because it will happen soon. But its meant to happen in the next 30 years. The pressure points seems to be 15 km south of Istanbul. Good selling point here for Developers in proving earthquake proof Developments. It is meant to be a super quake.

There was a earthquake in Greece the other day - Think this area of the world is on a major fault line.

But as long as the developers follow the designs worked out by the civil engineers and don't cut corners think there will be no issues.

But where in the world is safe if a super earthquake happened - Most places have issues - some with rising seas - others turning to desert.