May 2009 Update
Welcome

Welcome once more to the monthly update from ProVenture. We hope you find this short newsletter of interest and keeps you up-to-date with the property investment scene in Germany.
 
Kind Regards,
 
Mat
 
Please click on the following titles to read the content or scroll down to read the whole newsletter
  

 
Some roots?
 
 
ECB down to 1%
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
A Guide to Our Guide Prices
 

 
 
 3-4 Coming Soon
 
 
Your Life in Property...have you seen it?
 
 
 
 
  

 
German Economic Outlook
 
Germany continues to suffer from a drop in exports and is facing decisions regarding the basis of the economy and its reliance on manufacturing. It is being argued (Axel Weber, the president of the Bundesbank) that increased domestic consumer consumption has the capacity to minimise the effect of the downturn and an increased emphasis on the delivery of services would diversify the economy (away from the current emphasis on manufacturing). These changes will take time, a change in culture and political will.
 
In protecting the job market, the government-backed Kurzarbeit scheme helps workers and companies by allowing workers to go to shorter working weeks (typically 4-day week) with the government making up the majority of any wages lost due to working-time cuts. The scheme will run for 24 months and has been successful thus far in keeping job losses to a minimum.
Unemployment across the country currently stands at 8.3%.
 
Other “lead” indicators on the economy are staring to look positive with gains on the DAX index through the month.
 
Let's see if these take root in future months.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Finance Update

The ECB cut interest rates to 1% yesterday, the lowest since the currency was launched in 1999. The effect is yet to be seen on the 5 and 10 year swap rates, the rates banks use to determine the rates for the 5 & 10 year fix rates that most of our clients choose. Pay rates are now around 4.1% (5 year fix) and 4.8% (10 year fix) currently. If you are coming close to finalising a finance deal, the link below shows the daily swap rates very clearly and which way they are trending.
 
Favourable loan-to-value finance is still available for our clients up to 80% of the property value or purchase price paid.
 
The swap rate is at:
 
http://www.swap-rates.com/EUROSwap.html
 
 
 
 
 
Activity on the Ground 

 
During April, inspection trips to both Berlin and Leipzig were undertaken. A total of 6 clients from UK, Russia and Switzerland were introduced to some of our investments in the area. In terms of letting activity, Septima continued to have another busy month and signed an above average number of tenants last month. Confirming increased commercial activity and confidence in the city, Septima completed 2 commercial tenancy contracts in April after only 2 weeks of marketing.

Dates when both ProVenture and Septima staff are in Germany can be seen by clicking here
 

 

 
 
Top Tip – A Guide to Our Guide Prices

A feature of the properties that we bring to the market can be that a process of negotiation is required to achieve a sales price that proves acceptable to both buyer and seller. We always try to get the best price for our clients and we are very close to the market through our sales volume and attendance at public auctions etc. To provide clients with a good indication of the likely sales price (and yield on purchase) we take time to reflect on each property and set a “guide price” accordingly. On occasion, the price that the seller will accept is fixed and we will present it as such.
 
Over the past 12 months, the graph below shows the relation of sales price to the guide price we set. We usually get very close to the guide price although sometimes the eventual sales goes above or below for individual reasons.
 
Well done to the investor in September (you know who you are)!
 
Over the past year, the average sales price is 98.3% of our guide price quoted. We are very happy with this figure as we feel we are reflecting an accurate yield projection in our expose and web listings. As the market becomes firmer, particularly at the sub 500k Eur level, we will ensure we continue to set our guide prices at a level that is realistic and keeps pace with any market movements.
 
There is a lot of science behind how prices are set and we would be very happy to discuss this with you on an individual basis when taking an overview of the market or looking at offering on individual property. We hope to continue to price property that reflects a true guide to you as an investor and enables you to make decisions most effectively. Any suggestions from you as our client on how we price property are of course very welcome.

 




E-Book
 
For those of you who missed it, a free ebook has been published on the website. The E Book has been written to discuss the overall approaches to property investment, approaches that will prove successful regardless of the market conditions faced. A number of models are introduced to describe successful investment and property management strategies that we hope you will find useful. Also included are a number of links to websites that professional investors use day-to-day in determining areas to invest in.
 
To collect your FREE copy, please click here.
 
 

 
 
 
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