buy berlin apartments

How Germany's south became the backbone of a vibrant economy

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:01:00 +0000

It is hard to imagine now that southern Germany – Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria – was very poor in the 19th century, a largely agricultural area little touched by industrialisation. After the second world war, when hard graft and financial aid via the Marshall plan resulted in Germany's "Wirtschaftswunder" (economic miracle), the region rose to become the country's economic powerhouse.

Today the south is Germany's most prosperous part and home to tens of thousands of small and medium-sized privately-owned companies – known as the Mittelstand – hi-tech clusters and household names such as Daimler and Bosch. (more)

German finmin upbeat on economy in budget debate

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:16:00 +0000

BERLIN, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Germany's economy is cooling but fears of a sharp slowdown are overblown and there are few downside risks to the government's forecast for 0.7 percent growth this year, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told lawmakers on Tuesday. Opening a parliamentary debate on the draft 2013 budget with a bullish speech, Schaeuble said Europe's largest economy had become more resilient to shocks such as the global slowdown thanks to structural reforms and policies.

Germany, seen as the sick man of Europe 10 years ago, now has the lowest jobless rate since reunification in 1991 and the highest employment levels in its history, Schaeuble said. "That we are better positioned is not only obvious in (these labour market developments), but something more fundamental has changed and that gives us all confidence, also for future developments," he told the Bundestag lower house of parliament. (more)

German-American Economic Ties Strengthened by Machines

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:25:00 +0000

BERLIN and CHICAGO, September 9, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The German and American machinery industries are more interlocked than ever. Demand for German machines in the USA, Canada, and Mexico have grown by 25 percent since the beginning of the year, according to a recent report from Germany's VDMA industry association. And with 56 projects in 5 years, the USA is the number one investor country in Germany's machinery and equipment industry, a further sign of strong business ties. Germany Trade & Invest will have representatives at this year's IMTS in Chicago from September 10-15 to highlight business opportunities for international companies in Germany. (more)

Germany Leads With Its Goal of 100 Percent Renewable Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Germany is demonstrating steady progress in unshackling itself from fossil fuel dependence by converting to renewable energy sources. Polls show that more than 80 percent of the nation favors development of homegrown wind, sun and geothermal energy alternatives and escape from importing the bulk of oil, gas or uranium from foreign sources. In economic terms, Germany is an early adopter. The large industrial power, second after China, takes on risks and costs of an untested technology. But it also shapes the world market, setting standards and a global example on energy security – not to mention creating thousands of clean-power jobs or saving countless lives by reducing pollution and conflicts over fossil fuels. Uranium, like oil or gas, is limited in supply, even though prices are temporarily low. The government's delay in phasing out large, highly profitable nuclear power stations will slow investment in fledgling solar and wind industries – adding more uncertainty to the globe’s energy future. (more)

Germany is the new retail expansion hotspot

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:08:00 +0000

A report by Barclays says that Germany figures as their favourite site for overseas expansion, beating China and Australia. Also, two thirds of British retailers expect their overseas sales to increase in the coming five years.

Richard Lowe, head of retail & wholesale at Barclays, have said that most British retailers favour Germany because the climate is much similar to Britain, so money or energy need not be spent on reinventing designs. Another possibility also cannot be discarded, that in the recessionary environment, the German economy is doing comparatively better. (more)

Ugly No Barrier for Apartment Sales in German Boom: Mortgages

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:56:00 +0000

With small windows, low ceilings and drab facades, the concrete apartment blocks favored by East Germany’s communist regime are known as Plattenbauten for their prefabricated panel construction. Now they are hot properties, caught up in a German real estate boom driven by foreign investors seeking a safe place to put their money.

A sale of 38,000 Dresden apartments owned by Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG), many in the socialist-era estates, may be Germany’s next big residential deal after firms including New York-based Blackstone Group LP (BX) and Cerberus Capital Management LP made purchases that included Plattenbauten this year. (more)

Rent Berlin - Property to Rent in Berlin

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:39:00 +0000

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You are new in the city and don't know Berlin that well. It’s not a problem you will be taken care of personally by a member of our team, who will answer your questions, organise viewing appointments for you and help with information regarding the city and rental contract in English. (more)

German Housewife Hailed as Euro Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:57:00 +0000

STUTTGART, Germany — As a simmering euro crisis threatens to boil over, European leaders are again focusing their attention on Germany, widely regarded as the only country that could save the currency union. Opposition to debt runs deep in the country.

In the parks of Stuttgart, the regional capital of Swabia, there are few signs of a crisis, and the economy is growing. (more)

BBI in the news again - From NY Times- Affluent Buyers Seek a Piece of Berlin's Past

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:59:00 +0000

... Darrell Smith, whose company Buy Berlin focuses on helping foreigners find properties in the city, said it had become more difficult to find high-quality historic apartments over the past year because demand had skyrocketed. “Basically, the demand is being driven by more people wanting vacants because they want to take advantage of touristy areas,” he said, noting a move away from the tradition of buying occupied apartments and continuing to collect rent from the existing tenants. (more)

BBI in the news again - From NY Times- Affluent Buyers Seek a Piece of Berlin's Past

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:55:00 +0000

German home approvals up 4.9 percent in first half of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:22:00 +0000

Aug 17 (Reuters) - German authorities gave out 4.9 percent more house building permits in the first half of 2012 than in the same period a year ago, a sign that the construction industry in Europe's largest economy may be riding out the euro zone debt crisis. German authorities issued 114,000 permits in the first six months of this year, more than in any period since the first half of 2006, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed on Friday.(more)

Residential portfolio transaction focus on Berlin and NRW

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:55:00 +0000

...German investors account for 67.1 percent of the sales volume
German investors represented the largest investor group in the first half of 2012, accounting for 85.7% of the transactions or 67.1% of the volume. However, international investors also continue to play a special role. Before the financial crisis in 2007, foreign investors were still responsible for 38.4 percent of all portfolio transactions, but this share had fallen to 19.8 percent in 2011. In the first half of 2012, the foreign investor share fell further to 14.3 percent. Nevertheless, this still amounts to 32.9 percent of the volume or 29.3 percent of the traded residential units. (more)

Property prices soar but 'no danger of bubble'

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Low interest rates and the flight to property in a time of economic uncertainty have led to rocketing German property prices, particularly Berlin and Hamburg – but there seems to be little danger of a market bubble.

Although Germany has traditionally been a country where people rent rather than buy, and there are laws designed to prevent property speculation, the housing market has boomed over the last few years.

The Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) said that the average annual price increase of 4.5 percent since 2010 was well above inflation rates.

It examined prices in five large German cities over the last few years, showing a 39 percent increase in Berlin prices between 2003 and 2011 – and a 31 percent increase in Hamburg in the same period. Munich prices have risen by 23 percent in that period, while those in Frankfurt have increased by 14 percent and in Cologne by 10.5 percent. (more)

News and Comment: Germany set to reach investment total of €10 billion this year

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:14:00 +0000

The German residential portfolios market is on track to reach a total turnover of €10 billion, predicts Savills.
These are properties bought in bulk as investments.

The firm’s data shows that €6.13 billion has already been invested in the first six months of this year. This total is the highest in five years and marks a 75% rise on H1 2011.
The number of transacted units almost doubled in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year, rising from 64,266 to 119,500 units, according to Savills data. This was largely accounted for by a small number of very large transactions. (more)

Bundesbank Says German Economy Probably Grew in Second Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:14:00 +0000

The Bundesbank said the German economy, Europe’s largest, probably expanded moderately in the second quarter as construction and services growth offset weaker industrial production.

“According to available indicators, the German economy should have grown at a moderate pace in the spring,” the Frankfurt-based Bundesbank said in its monthly report today. “The outlook for further economic developments is subject to high uncertainty.” (more)

Bundesbank Says German Economy Probably Grew in Second Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:13:00 +0000

The Bundesbank said the German economy, Europe’s largest, probably expanded moderately in the second quarter as construction and services growth offset weaker industrial production.

Bundesbank Says German Economy Probably Grew in Second Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:09:00 +0000

The Bundesbank said the German economy, Europe’s largest, probably expanded moderately in the second quarter as construction and services growth offset weaker industrial production.

Buoyant German economy driving consulting growth

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:30:00 +0000

LONDON -- A new Source (Sourceforconsulting.com) EMEI report(1), launched this month, has found the consulting market across 11 major markets in Europe, the Middle East and India was worth €26.4 billion in 2011, up just under 4 per cent on the previous year. Levels of growth in emerging markets significantly outperformed those in most mature western consulting markets.

While the levels of growth were highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Russia (both at around 20 per cent), it was the German market, already the second biggest in the region (behind the UK) which had the most positive impact on the market, growing by just over 7 per cent. (more)

Property investors look to East Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Fast becoming Europe’s coolest metropolis, Germany’s new-look capital Berlin is setting a precedent in more ways than one. Heightened real estate activity there has spread across neighbouring states, with the former Iron Curtain regions of Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony Anhalt all being seen as new pockets of potential.

“Cities with a growing nucleus of ‘sunrise industries’, in innovative sectors such as new technologies and renewable energy, are going from strength to strength,” explains Ingo Arlt of Berlin-based estate agent GMBH. “These medium-sized urban hubs not only have vibrant cultures and rapidly growing labour markets; property prices also remain a good 30-40 per cent below western German equivalents, with rent levels steadily gaining ground attracting yield-focused investors.” (more)

Property investors look to East Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:38:00 +0000

News alert: Germany real estate investment doubles from H1 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:29:00 +0000

Investment in German real estate reached €6.6 billion in the first half of 2012, according to realtor Cushman and Wakefield.

The total is double that of the first half of 2011 and already exceeds 2011's full-year total of €6.2 billion. Both Cushman and Wakefield and CBRE expect this year's total transactions to reach at least €10 billion.

C&W reported that 23 portfolios with over 250 housing units were transacted, falling from 43 in the first half of 2011. However, the number of units transacted rose by 96% to 133,000 – a result of several large transactions. (more)

German industry gets surprise euro zone boost

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:23:00 +0000

(Reuters) - German industrial orders unexpectedly rose in May as demand from its euro zone peers picked up, suggesting Europe's largest economy remains resilient although economists warned greater demand from the single currency bloc would be short-lived.

Seasonally and price-adjusted order intake climbed 0.6 percent on the month, data from the Economy Ministry showed on Thursday, well above the mid-range forecast in a Reuters poll of 37 economists for orders to remain unchanged on the month.

Orders were boosted by a rebound in demand from the euro zone, with contracts in the single currency bloc up 7.7 percent overall due to a number of large orders. (more)

Germans savour success as euro storm brews

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:33:00 +0000

From where he is standing, it is hard to imagine sunnier economic weather. His firm has recently created nearly 3 000 new jobs at home and abroad – where it has been expanding in non-euro zone countries such as Poland and Turkey – and expects sales to rise this year.

“The feeling of looming crisis that people have is still vague, undefined,” said Frobel. “And you see this in their continued willingness to go out and buy.”

Hanover, a bustling industrial and trading hub in northern Germany, is a world away from the recession engulfing Greece, Spain and other parts of Europe. Life, for Germans, is as it should be. Unemployment is at 20-year lows and exports are at record levels. (more)

German consumer morale unexpectedly improves - GfK

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:34:00 +0000

BERLIN, June 26 (Reuters) - Consumer morale in Germany unexpectedly edged up going into July on improving income expectations, but worries over the euro zone crisis risk hurting consumption in the months ahead, a survey by GfK market research group showed on Tuesday.

Other recent data has suggested Europe's biggest economy is losing stamina as austerity measures and worries over the crisis hit investment and exports.

The forward-looking consumer sentiment indicator, however, rose to 5.8 heading into July from 5.7 in June, bolstered by a jump in income expectations to 40.1 from 32.0. The reading bucked expectations in a Reuters poll of 24 economists for a drop to 5.6. (more)

UK inward investment to be overtaken by Germany in 2 years Read more: http://www.economicvoice.com/uk-inward-investment-to-be-overtaken-by-germany-in-2-years/50030277#ixzz1yL7aR6es

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Jones) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:10:00 +0000

London, Wednesday 20 June 2012: The UK remains Europe’s top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) but will lose its crown to Germany within two years unless action is taken, according to Ernst & Young’s annual UK Attractiveness Survey out today.

The report, which analyses inward investment and the attitudes of global investors, shows that the UK attracted 679 projects in 2011 creating nearly 30,000 jobs.

However, the UK suffered a 7% decline in overall projects, with financial services investment, a traditional source of FDI, dropping by 15%. In contrast, Germany’s share of overall inward investment rose by 15% – leaving it only 2% behind the UK. For the first time in 15 years Germany secured a higher share of manufacturing projects and overtook the UK in securing investment from Japan. Germany also swept up investment from the BRIC countries, winning twice as many FDI projects from Chinese businesses. (more)