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Germany: top of the props

Catherine Deshayes

According to a yearly European survey, Germany is the best country in Europe for property investors in the current market.

Investors, especially those looking for long term prospects, should look to Germany, according to the European Property Market Relative Attractiveness report from Invista Real Estate Investment Management.

The survey, which ranks European countries according to risk adjusted performance prospects over the next five years, ranked Germany as number one.

Italy, France and the Benelux countries followed in its wake, whilst Spain, Ireland, Hungary and Portugal were far lower on the list.  

Germany moved up from seventh place last year knocking the UK market off its first place ranking.

Investors could pick up a bargain in East Germany, where property prices in cities such as Berlin and Dresden are up to 30 per cent lower than the rest of the country, meaning that they can often offer the best deals.

Dresden, destroyed in the fire bombing of World War II, has been rebuilt and has clawed back some of its former beauty.

In 2004, UNESCO declared Dresden and the surrounding area of the Elbe valley a World Heritage Site, while a flourishing cultural scene and burgeoning technological sector point to a sustainable future for the Saxon capital.

The city of Leipzig has a thriving student community of 40,000 and excellent research facilities for medicine and biology should attract more people to this city over time.

Germany and Italy are regarded as reliable prospects because of their diversified investment opportunities and also returns can be enhanced over the medium term through active asset management.

To browse German property for sale, visit germany.themovechannel.com/