Hello Everyone,

Firstly I would like to take a minute to introduce myself. My name is Andy, I am an 18 year old college student currently residing in Bristol, UK. I am very interested in many aspects of property, investing, developing and even construction.

In September of this year I am hoping to goto university to do a Degree in Property Development and I hope this can really give me that push to get things going!

It looks like this forum is going to be my home for a while now whilst I read up on as much as I can!

Basically, I have a few questions for you all! Starting off easy!

First question is, When and How did you get involved in Property Investment, and how would someone my age go about getting involved!

Second is almost going to make me look stupid, I hope it doesn't , How many types of Property Investment are there, as I do know a fair bit but not as much as I want to know yet!

By the second question I just mean things like refurbs, buy to let etc, I have heard of around 3-5 different methods in investing in property.

I am on this forum to learn and apologise if I ask a few too many questions at times, I am not here to waste anyones time, I just want to start young and create solid foundations for my future and family.

I greatly appreciate any replies you have and would love to hear your opinion, do you think I am out of my league wanting to start at this age? Just be honest!

Lastly, I look forward to many great chats with you all, everyone seems great from what I have read on here so far!

Many Thanks

Andy

The Uk is really a bad place to be investing at the moment. Its all about property abroad

I can see where you are coming from, and understand what you have to say!

Just looking at the state or everything makes it seem critical, for example the amount of repossesions recorded in 2007, up at least 20% than the year before, it is only going to increase in this years figures. It just shows the spiralling state of the UK in general.

Does anyone have any opinions on other comments and questions made in my first post?

Thanks

Andy

AndyH, there are a host of different options but the two aims are 1. to cover your outgoings and most importantly to create equity through capital appreciation. This can be achieved in the UK as easily as overseas BUT there is no get-rich-quick set of commandments!! It primarily about attitude to risk - the greater the risk the greater the opportunity and a very personal view of the market (listening of course to everything everyone else has to say. Emerging markets supported by buyers from the UK are good but equally some countries have very strong domestic markets or might be deemed 'emerging' by western buyers but already have very strong markets from Asia. Malaysia is a prime example, new on the scene to Europe but very established in Asia and the Far East. Back to the UK who would have foreseen that Northern Ireland, in particular places like Newry, would have seen the spectacular growth they have enjoyed over the last couple of years. So regretfully there is not a one-size fits all answer, but if you need more advice give me a shout!

Ok PropertyBuccaneer sounds good! There are as you say a vast number of oppourtunities arising in european markets, but the question is what places offer a safe route, i.e. with laws.

I am the sort of person that is not afraid of risk, I feel I have nerves of steel when it comes to things like that and in order to gain a potentially big reward, I am happy to take the risk involved.

What you say at the end of that post actually was leading me to one of my next questions, regarding a mentor, is there anyone well established that is willing to run over a few things with me, be it raising capital, understanding markets etc.

This forum has already been an absolutely great resource for me in the 24 hours that I have been signed up.

Thank you for the replies so far, keep them coming!

Andy

AndyH, Pleased to help any way I can but work commitments mean I cannot guarantee to be on hand for a quick response. In terms of your own investment try to make sure it is a balanced portfolio combining some 'steady-eddie' markets (France is a good bet - President Sarkosy holds Thatcherite views to stimulate economic growth on the back of increased home ownership, supported by a highly legislated property system, equally the French have a history of rental so you may be able to rent fairly easily within the domestic market and if Sarkosy has any influence see Capital growth from what is quite an affordable base at the moment) with higher risk opportunities - take a look at places like Montenegro, Lithuania or even Italy (but I suggest avoiding Calabria where there seems to be one or two issues at present). Coming back to the UK and picking up on your own thoughts about repossession rates even these offer great opportunities for the savvy investor. Building Societies put 'repos' back on the market at keen prices for a quick recoup of their funds. Make friends with local estate agents and be amongst the first to hear of repossessions in your Town (Andrews, Besley Hill and Ocean are good independent Bristol-based agents).
When exploring a higher risk opportunity get the agent/developer to disclose all due-diligence/title etc and always use a good lawyer. Remember sometimes the best investment opportunities are those that come to the market pre-release and off-plan where all the documentation may not be in place. Again it pays to get on board with a good agent who, if they are worth their salt, will know the developer and be able to provide you with the confidence you need to take a punt. Happy hunting!!

AndyH,

Bottom line - you are a student, with no regular income. Your chance of raising finance (other than friends and family) is zero. Study the markets, make paper investments and see whether you would have made or lost over time. Then when you do have finance you will be.t better placed to invest it. Don't worry about 'missing the boat'. They come along regularly over time. The current uncertainty in financial circles will affect ALL property markets, in my opinion.

Start off investing close to home. Forget overseas and don't touch off-plan in the present climate.

See if you can borrow from your family to buy a property to live in whilst studying and let out the other rooms to cover the mortgage. By the time you qualify the market may have picked up and you will have some equity. If it hasn't you are no worse off, but you do have an assett.

There is no getrichquick solution.

Lysos,

I can definetly see where you are coming from and appreciate your opinion greatly!

Finance shouldn't be too much of a problem as I have sources of money from online businesses. You have marked out some clear cut and precise points there and I like it, I agree with you about 'missing the boat' and I'm not ever going to consider myself in that situation anyway, as a savvy investor can make his moneys worth in any situation.

I am not looking to get in to property at my age as a 'get rich quick' solution to everything in life, I am looking not only to secure a proporous career in the industry but to create a solid foundation in which to live and support a family

propertybuccaneer, some interesting areas bought up there, I would like to discuss a bit more with you, I will send you through a pm later today.

If anyone has skype and is willing to have a little chat on there, please do send me through a pm with your id and I will add you!

It's great to get peoples opinions on this situation, what would you do at my age?

Kepp it coming!

My advice is to follow the guidance given by Lysos. If I didn't know better, I'd think I'd written Lysos' reply to you myself!
You sound full of verve and I wish you EVERY success. The idea of doing a degree in property development did make me smile - whatever next, a degree in playing the casinos?!
Good luck,
Michele

__________________
Michele Andrew
Editor of Square Foot Magazine

Hi everyone,

For those that are interested, I have a few months before I finish my BSc of property development (not Bristol).

Despite what some may think the degree is not as mickey mouse as it seems. The degree is RICS (Royal Institute of chartered surveyors)accredited as is the Bristol one from what I can only asume. The degree is not focused on knocking down walls and putting new carpets in and selling for a profit a few weeks later!

There are some technical elements throughout the whole degree, and could probably best be summed up within the valuation subjects. I am not talking about residential 'comparable' values either which someone working as an agent could do after ten mins of research.

The degree sets us up (once graduated) to go into the workplace to study/work towards our APC (Assesment of Professional Competence). Once completed and you pass you become a chartered surveyor.

PS does anyone know of a forum for property proffesionals, I can't seem to find one and need to ask some pressing questions about my future career. Unfortunately the property industry is going through some lean times in terms of grad recruitment!!

Cheers