It has been very interesting reading all the comments and thoughts under the different topic headings. Although it seems the majority of the discussions relate to mid to long term investment property purchase, however, we are looking / require details on developing using our own construction team, which we have been developing in the UK over the last 3-4 years.
We are looking to relocate to an area abroad with the potential of renovation works on a small build scale of between 8-16 weeks per project.
If you have any suggestions as to which countries might be worth reviewing as we intend within the next 3-4 weeks to go on a research trip.
dont tread on any toes as locals in some countries wont be too happy about a bunch of foreigners moving in, buying up, renovating and then selling to perhaps other foreigners without anything money going into the local economy. if these are your plans you have to be more respectful of where you are going to. there are real people that live in other countries just like us. what would you think if some one did this to your neighbourhood
Had you considered remaining UK-based? The people who built our garden decking have half their examples based on foreign properties. UK owners deal with them in the UK, and then they go out with all the materials etc. to work on these people's foreign properties. Virtually no need to deal with locals, and less likely to antagonise local artisans. Perhaps not a model for complete build projects, but for major maintenance and improvements?
Otherwise my first reaction is that you might have a load of problems - especially in France, where they will probably do everything they can to shut you down. Elsewhere, this work can be seasonal - I know in the Alps that artisans and builders often switch to completely different jobs during the winter. i.e. there's not as much work around as the summer activity would imply, even accounting for seasonal differences.
Penny, I can put you into some contacts for Croatia if you think that it is a viable option. There's lots of building works going on at the moment, along the coast and in the capital, Zagreb.
I bought a place last year through an estate agent (www.domusproperty.co.uk) they have lots of property land on their books.
There is a very good return on investment especially with the pending announcement for their entrey into the EU. Now is the time to buy/build!
Originally posted by jimandpaul: dont tread on any toes as locals in some countries wont be too happy about a bunch of foreigners moving in, buying up, renovating and then selling to perhaps other foreigners without anything money going into the local economy. if these are your plans you have to be more respectful of where you are going to. there are real people that live in other countries just like us. what would you think if some one did this to your neighbourhood
hi its carol new member as i seid i have bought an old barn just out side eurfurt holzussra i have read some coments on german builders hiking up there charges to brits id this true and can you recomend a team to us thanks carol
hi jim and paul i have read posts that sugest that german builders will hike up the price to none germans we wil need a team to help us renovate in holzussra erfurt can you recomend somone thanks carol new member
I didnt use an arcitect Im doing most of it myself, but on the subect of biulders. try this it worked a treat for me. for work that not too big get a qoute or two from local firms. the fact that you have arrived in town will escape nobodys attention. they will be knocking at the door for work (times are hard for many) select one lot for a small job and stump up the money, then turn them down for the next. after a while they will come back saying can they work for you. hey now your the Boss of thier little company (they must be small) and you can pay them 5 euros an hour plus materials. a bit naughty but loads cheaper. I have people that do work for me who would jump at the chance of more down by erfurt (are you NSE or W of erfurt. one word of warning though is dont let a firm work on the house when your not there or the price will rise and be there to guide and supervise. If you make friends then you can work on a favour for a favour basis. If you need electrics done then I can help you out as this and plumbing are the big ones.
as Dominic Diamond once said when renovation in Glasgow "If you dont make a plan then nothing can go wrong". that was just before it all went pear shaped
hi jim thanks for that a bit of relief we are or will be n/w 60k from erfurt help with electrics would be great feeling a little better now is that part of germany good can i also ask we are bringing x2 horses semi retired cant leave them needto find grazing shelter farrier or black smith would it be hard to buy some aces for grazing or renting sorry to keep asking you questions but do not have anyone we know oer there are you from glasgow jim can we leave our e mail address on a message or is it not allowed would be easier have to trawl on this site to talk to you were are you based your house seems realy nice have you been there long carol
ive had a quick search for the location of holzussra. are you sure where it is as you said 60k nw of erfurt. i make it just south of weimar which is a lovely place. if this is it head north towards quefurt and my place is along the way. in the middle of a forest beginning with Z. Imgoing back over on the 4th or so for a few weeks and if you want any pictures of your place let me know. I,ll also ask questions to my local bob the baumeister for you if you want ? I know its a pain to chat this way but Im not sure what personal details we can give here. land for the horses ? may be better to rent to keep cost down at first
Carol. Personal recommendation for a builder counts for a lot especially if you are not absolutely sure of what the process is. Depending on how much you wish to spend I would also advise having a project manager. The only time I didn't use one because I thought I was such a smart arse and could do it all myself - guess what the inevitable happened and I wwent way over budget and the work came in late - the know on to this was I ended up with one very cheesed off client and he had every reason to be. My right hand man who I always use for builds/renos in Germany unfortunately works for another company and I always now sub-contract to him and he supplies the builders materials etc. I guess the nearest British job descriptions for him would be clerk of works. He's done everything from Schlosses for the state, with UN and eu money to little old pubs with my money. If you are going to refurb a denkmal prop take extra care in getting it right. I absolutely guarantee if you don't have everything exactly the way they have instructed you or your manager to do it they will frown harshly and it will cost you more money than you have nightmares about. It's all quite a simple though sometimes lengthy process and something you should seek advice about but don't let it put you off the end results will put a smile on your face. If you have a denkmal that is. If not you must just make sure you stay within the minimal safety and building regs and you will be fine. Almost any reputable builder will be au fait. Get a quote from a couple of builders but don't just compare the price. To begin with choose one who you feel comfortable with, if you get bad vibes there's probably a good reason. Unfortunately, and I hate having to say this, choose one you can communicate clearly with. I hate it because I feel it is our duty to speak German and not for the Germans to speak English - though many do Take a peek at my last post on the east of Java topic I have answered much of this question on that post. If, as Jim suggests your property is near Weimar you're in for a treat the whole area is lovely - Good luck
Originally posted by jimandpaul: ive had a quick search for the location of holzussra. are you sure where it is as you said 60k nw of erfurt. i make it just south of weimar which is a lovely place. if this is it head north towards quefurt and my place is along the way. in the middle of a forest beginning with Z. Imgoing back over on the 4th or so for a few weeks and if you want any pictures of your place let me know. I,ll also ask questions to my local bob the baumeister for you if you want ? I know its a pain to chat this way but Im not sure what personal details we can give here. land for the horses ? may be better to rent to keep cost down at first
Jim/Carol there is a way to communicate and not get cut off from what is a useful source of advice. I have in the past posted on a site called housepricecrash do a google search and it'll come up. Look for overseas investment property. When you sign up you can leave your contact details or even post your e-mails with no problems. Be aware - because you can post details it tends to attract a different sort of poster than here. It's for that reason I stopped and use this instead. It, alas is full of agents and sharks hyping up all sorts of nonsense and get rich quick schemes. Though there are those who like me tried to keep it on a level keel - it got too much effort and I got fed up having to defend myself but use it to serve your purpose - you don't have to be a regular if you find it not to your taste
Originally posted by jimandpaul: ive had a quick search for the location of holzussra. are you sure where it is as you said 60k nw of erfurt. i make it just south of weimar which is a lovely place. if this is it head north towards quefurt and my place is along the way. in the middle of a forest beginning with Z. Imgoing back over on the 4th or so for a few weeks and if you want any hi pictures of your place let me know. I,ll also ask questions to my local bob the baumeister for you if you want ? I know its a pain to chat this way but Im not sure what personal details we can give here. land for the horses ? may be better to rent to keep cost down at first hi its carol got it slightly wrong its 57 kin a northerly direction from capital eurfurt that would be very nice to get some more shots of the place
Originally posted by jimandpaul: vets bills are a quarter of what we pay here. based on my old cats at least
thanks jim still need to locate somone who has hoses inthat area or local farmer for grazing if you could ask those individuals that would be a great help
holzussra, sorry google's mistake. there are 2 places with this name. got yours now. just south of the A38 near nordhausen. if you have the post code can you see it on google earth. I now know another brit who's bought in mucheln just east of me.(we met a the Leipig auction last year) same situation as you carol. bought blind, hasent been over yet. waiting for me to get the hot water on and make the beds so he can somewhere to stay. take care about the offer of a management company.. I know this is only useful perhaps when you cant speak german and you have bought a house with tennants in. if not then its better to get over there, makes friends and just ask for help every time an official letter lands on your door mat that you dont understand.
Originally posted by jimandpaul: holzussra, sorry google's mistake. there are 2 places with this name. got yours now. just south of the A38 near nordhausen. if you have the post code can you see it on google earth. I now know another brit who's bought in mucheln just east of me.(we met a the Leipig auction last year) same situation as you carol. bought blind, hasent been over yet. waiting for me to get the hot water on and make the beds so he can somewhere to stay. take care about the offer of a management company.. I know this is only useful perhaps when you cant speak german and you have bought a house with tennants in. if not then its better to get over there, makes friends and just ask for help every time an official letter lands on your door mat that you dont understand.
yes we may be asking for bed an board to no no only joking id there cheap accomodation in that are or may buy caravan
Originally posted by jimandpaul: holzussra, sorry google's mistake. there are 2 places with this name. got yours now. just south of the A38 near nordhausen. if you have the post code can you see it on google earth. I now know another brit who's bought in mucheln just east of me.(we met a the Leipig auction last year) same situation as you carol. bought blind, hasent been over yet. waiting for me to get the hot water on and make the beds so he can somewhere to stay. take care about the offer of a management company.. I know this is only useful perhaps when you cant speak german and you have bought a house with tennants in. if not then its better to get over there, makes friends and just ask for help every time an official letter lands on your door mat that you dont understand.
yes we may be asking for bed an board to no no only joking id there cheap accomodation in that are or may buy caravan
just read my post think you need to be dislexic to read it any way dislexia rules ok i type to fast have no patiance for this type of comunication carol
Originally posted by jimandpaul: if not then its better to get over there, makes friends and just ask for help every time an official letter lands on your door mat that you dont understand.
Yes, there are Anglo/German groups in Germany and it could be worth finding one, for all sorts of reasons . I assume some of the bigger cities in the area will have them.
Originally posted by jimandpaul: if not then its better to get over there, makes friends and just ask for help every time an official letter lands on your door mat that you dont understand.
Yes, there are Anglo/German groups in Germany and it could be worth finding one, for all sorts of reasons . I assume some of the bigger cities in the area will have them.
thanks carol would i do a ordinary search i am not that computor savy hate trham realy all this help is shern
Originally posted by jimandpaul: ive had a quick search for the location of holzussra. are you sure where it is as you said 60k nw of erfurt. i make it just south of weimar which is a lovely place. if this is it head north towards quefurt and my place is along the way. in the middle of a forest beginning with Z. Imgoing back over on the 4th or so for a few weeks and if you want any pictures of your place let me know. I,ll also ask questions to my local bob the baumeister for you if you want ? I know its a pain to chat this way but Im not sure what personal details we can give here. land for the horses ? may be better to rent to keep cost down at first hi jim its carol tried to tex no avail see nettle cottages some contact imfo there for me have not hered you post for a while carol
. I assume some of the bigger cities in the area will have them.