It was February when I had the first press conference of the year. Except the journalists that day, I had also invited some experts on online Real Estate business, plus some bloggers on this field. Finally the ones who honored my invitation were Mrs Maria Seder Neda, Chief Editor of the very well known www.imopedia.ro and author of the blog www.imopedia.ro/msn (some of her… plenty activities), Mr Catalin Zafiu, Executive Director of http://realestate.doingbusiness.ro/en/ and author of the blog http://zaffcat.blogspot.com/ and Ionut Budoi, General Secretary of UNAI and author of the blog http://www.ionutbutoi.blogspot.com/ [...]
“Why did the banks go after the poor Greeks, Daddy?”
Too many people keep asking me every day what is happening with Greece and lies beneath the surface we all see. On March 5th one of the most serious British journalists, Mr John Lichfield, wrote an interesting analysis about this issue in Independent, one of the leading English newspapers. As you will read, things are not so simple as they look like and problems are not solved with any “easy solution”. For those of you who can read behind the lines, Romania’s scenario has many similar factors with the Greek one. Enjoy! A lesson, son, in crisis and paradox Why did the banks go after the poor Greeks, [...]
At Cannes for MIPIM 2010What do the international investors think about Romania?
Filed Under: Business environment, Events, My company, Real Estate Adventures / Lessons from Exhibitions on Mar 16, 2010 @ 12:01 AM
Mipim 2010 exclusive photos coverage The plane from Bucharest to Rome and then Nice was not full. People are not smiling and don’t look eager to arrive at Cannes, our destination. The Romanian “community” is not exactly what one could describe as “loud”. Just one residential developer (Panhol group) with future projects. Also one design and construction firm (Sommering). There is no architectural firm exhibiting with a stand. Thank God there are still several representatives of multinational companies who join their common stands together with their colleagues from all around the world. But as [...]
Tips about buying new apartments:5. Introducing the 7 “mothers in law”: Many possible problems to protect from
Investment in a new apartment is one of the most important moments in the economic life of each and every one of us. Statistics say that we usually buy 1 – 3 dwellings during our life, so every mistake counts. Some people consider that buying an apartment in a new block is easy, some others consider it a very difficult task to accomplish. It is definitely better than an old property, but it is not always so simple. New apartments include many new parameters, which you must know and analyze before you proceed. There are solutions for everything but they require your attention, time and careful decisions. [...]
Memories from Cannes (2008)
Filed Under: Noticing more than I should, Real Estate Adventures / Lessons from Exhibitions on Mar 14, 2010 @ 12:10 AM
(All time classic) My company MORE Real Estate Services proudly represented Romania during MIPIM 2008. MIPIM, the no.1 Real Estate exhibition worldwide, took place at Cannes from 11th to 15th of March. There were plenty of Romanian companies there (8) plus the municipality of Bucharest had its own stand, promoting the city and the country in general. Overall Sometimes it was difficult to speak with everyone who was interested in Romania! More than 145 meeting reports, many other people who left unhappy, a real… fest! The interest for Romania was very strong, but I doubt if it will remain [...]
The Italian, the Greek, the old man from Timisoara and the gypsy fugitive
(part 2, to read part 1, please press here) Describing the procedure… It was not difficult for me to guess that the discussion was about the property in the expensive area. That “opportunity of a lifetime”, offered to me by the Greek. After I ordered my usual still water (the bored assistant brought a very cold bottle, so I could not drink it) we were ready to listen to the “facts”. “The old man is ready to die…” “…who is the old man?” “Elias, please, Elias, don’t interrupt”, my Italian client asked me to let the gypsy gentleman narrate his story. “The old man is ready to die. I [...]
The Italian, the Greek, the old man from Timisoara and the gypsy fugitive
“I am sorry, are you Greek?” I turned around to the voice behind me at the queue. I saw a man asking me in Greek about my nationality. “As I am talking Greek, it is probable, no?” “I do not want to sound rude, but I heard your discussion over the phone. You work in Real Estate, yes?” “Indeed”. “In a big company?” “Not really, I started by myself about one and a half year ago and my company’s size is quite small. But we try to be the most efficient though”. His instant silence allowed me to study him. Quite short, definitely over 50 years old. (Successfully) painted black hair. Thinner than a traffic [...]
Client asks: “Why do the Real Estate agents treat us with fite?”
I have been telling you many times that the market will not revive if we continue to be the same ones we were, doing the same mistakes. I also never stop stressing that the main principal should be: “Client is the King”. But even now, during this major crisis, it looks like people don’t change. I have received several messages by investors who feel disappointed by the behavior of the Real Estate agents (or consultants) towards them. I chose this email of a lady who already invested in the market and I will reply to her. “Why do the Real Estate agents treat us with FITE?” “…I have a question: [...]
Q: How did 2012 start for the residential market in Iasi?
Dan Mihoci: The real estate market is headed towards normalcy, without “sentimental” pretentions of the seller or unfounded requests from buyers with an evident need for consultancy, for both buyers and sellers. Despite the bad weather and the economic and political instability, the real estate market is an interesting chapter for everyone.
Q: In 2011, the year started with a high level of interest but few transactions. How did the market evolve ... 
