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The great German giveaway

Brassic Brits can find unbelievable property bargains in Germany, reveals one company.

With the average house price well over £200,000 in the UK (£350,000 in London), paying £14,000 for a twenty bedroom guesthouse with two bowling alleys may seem like an elaborate April fools joke. Yet across Germany a range of huge properties, from detached houses to converted barns and mills, are being auctioned for less than £20,000.

Property auction expert Andrew Binstock of SKB Auctions explained: “There are huge properties all over Germany being auctioned for small sums of money. One semi detached building with three flats going up for auction next month with no reserve price. If only one person bids £10 that’s what it could go for!”

Among recent properties that have been put up for auction include:

- 20 bedroom guesthouse, numerous function rooms and two bowling alleys. Located in a small town near the Czech border in an attractive cobbled square. Guide price £14,000+.

- Detached mill building with two apartments and storage rooms located in Saxony, surrounded by lakes in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Guide price £15,000+.

- Detached house arranged as four self contained flats. Situated in the centre of the village of Lenne, nestled in the valley mountain ranges. Guide price £16,000+.

Binstock adds: “Many of these properties are located in east Germany – an area which most of us normally associate with the cold war, industrial factories and the Berlin wall. In fact many of these properties are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty. For £200,000 most would struggle to find a one bedroom apartment in London – at these rates you could practically buy a village”.