Photo courtesy of SBA73

What seemed unthinkable only twelve or so months ago seems to be happening in 2008: German property is finally on the up.

Continue reading ‘German Property Market Gains’

Research recently released by leading real estate services and money management firm, Jones Lang LaSalle, at this month’s Expo Real 2007 in Munich, suggests that significant worries over the state of Germany’s property market may have been premature, with significant action taking place in Germany’s secondary cities as well as in Berlin, which has seen a turnaround in its property market in the past few months.

Continue reading ‘Property Investment In Germany Looks Positive’

Courtesy of Stuckincustoms

Germany is legendary for its arts, culture and incredible landscapes.  From the splendour of Bavaria to the cosmopolitan flavour of Berlin, Germany appeals to holidaymakers, expatriates, business persons, retirees and most especially investors.

Continue reading ‘A Guide to Property Investment Germany’

Leaving the laid back nature of Holland behind us, we make forth for the structure and efficiency of Germany finding ourselves 2.5 hours later in Düsseldorf. A precursor stopover prior to taking the DBAutozug (German’s Car Train network) to Salzburg which puts us closer to the starting point of the Eastern European leg our tour.
Continue reading ‘A Date in Dusseldorf’

The first day of the New Year is a double celebratory date as is marks the half-century of the EU since the Treaty of Rome. Fifty years ago, on 25 March 1957 France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg founded the European Economic Community, the main forebear of the EU. Monday, January 1st 2007 was also the start date for Germany’s presidency of the G8 whose summit will be held this year in Heliendamm and also as leader of the Council of the European Union which rotates between its now 27 members. Germany takes over from Finland and will pass on the role to Portugal on 1st July 2007 and then Slovenia who will take over on 1st January 2008 and together share the trio presidency for 2007/2008 period.

Slovenia marks the start of the 2007 by becoming the thirteenth country to join the euro and the single currency’s first expansion following its introduction in January 2002 which brings the Eurozone population to more than 316 million. The country’s changeover operation looks set to be smooth however Slovenians are urged to beware of price rises. Today 1 € or Euro is worth 239,640 SIT or Slovenian Tolar.

During its six month presidency Germany aims to make headway reviving the planned EU constitution which it believes will be a framework for Europe in the future to tackle the challenges of globalization and international trade. With a new leader Angela Merkel and an economy on the up, Germany’s prospects for 2007 look favourable.

As Munich continues to grow in popularity and property investor eyes are on Germany, there is an increasing shortage of modern affordable housing in Munich city.

It is no wonder therefore that the German’s are busy developing a solution. Enter the m-ch or micro compact home, the conclusion of a research project at Technical University Munich to design a 2.6m cube dwelling. Prof. Richard Horden initiated the project with his team of students and assistants in 2001 in response to another housing shortage: the university has about 90,000 students and just 10,000 flats. Japanese tea-house architecture was the seed of inspiration for this collaboration between TUM and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Continue reading ‘The micro compact home is a Munich housing masterpiece’

So we move to Munich, which according to Heinrich Heine some 150 years ago “Nestles between art and beer like a village between hills.” With the advent, of the World Cup 2006 my guess is that more beer is the order of the day than art. Continue reading ‘A Munich housing shortage keeps property demand high’

As this Friday sees the start of the World Cup 2006 Quarter finals, we thought we should feature the capital city of Berlin, whose at their new-look, 76,000-capacity Olympiastadion sees host country Germany take on favorites Argentina.

Berlin is similar to London, in that it houses a collection of communities rather than a mass of people. However matters were complicated by nearly 30 years of division by the Wall, which has created big differences between east and west. Look east and to the riskier former communist areas of Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg. Whilst prospects are good, risk is higher as unemployment in higher in this area which is somewhat higgledy-piggledy in its development partly due to the legacy of the fall of the Wall. Totally renovated luxurious apartment buildings can often be found alongside collapsed ruins which can be off-putting however does leave room for the area to grow and gentrify itself. Continue reading ‘Berlin Property Investment Booms’