Q: Where can I find statistics regarding the real estate prices in the country?  IP: It's a good question. Imobiliare.ro has an excelent project with the "real estate index", that can show us the trend for the prices in the entire country. These are not the final prices of all transactions but the asking prices. This means that the real prices are 10-20% are smaller but the trend is clear and this can help us draw conclusions. If someone else has better ideas, I would be happy to hear them. – the question was asked during the q&a sessin organized by imobiliare.ro [...]

    Q:  I want to buy a house in Bucharest. The one that fits best with the needs of my family is located in Ferentari! My sister does not want to help be buy this house because it's in FERENTARI! What is the mystery behind this neighborhood???  IP: Well, this is a controversial subject. Ferenarti has a very bad reputation and is regarded as one of the worst neighborhoods in Bucharest. I know people that live there and have never had problems but then there are others that have all sorts of stories. But before you make up your mind, I suggest you invest a week or [...]

  Q: What fine would I receive if I broke down a wall and I don’t have cadstre and approval? IP: For this type of situation you should talk to the authorities or with someone that knows what fines are given in this type of situation. On a general note: you can’t imagine how many transactions were blocked or annulled because the owners didn’t have a valid cadastre paper or a Land Registry. Having all the documents of a property in order is not just an “option”, it’s an investment for you and your family. – the question was asked during the q&a session [...]

  Q: How much would a 2 room apartment in a cheaper area of Bucharest, cost? Or a land to build a house in a cheaper area? IP: In Ferentari you can find lands with 20-50 euro/sq.m. There are apartments on the edge of Giurgiului Road (in buildings that look like they’ve been bombed) that cost less than 20.000 euro. But, between us, why don’t you continue renting for a few years and then buy something in a better area? Sometimes the cheapest option can become the most expensive.  – the question was asked during the q&a session organized by imobiliare.ro -  [...]

  Q: I want to buy an apartment in Iasi. What should I know before buying it since I grew up in the country and don’t really know? IP: I wrote an entire book about this! Tens of answers regarding all the aspects that you should know before buying a property. I apologize but I can’t reproduce everything here! A few advices: – The lowest price is not always the best – Take into account the cost of the renovations – Buy what you need, not what others tell you is best (FOR THEM) to buy – Be patient, it’s going to take some time before you find something that matches what [...]

  Q: How can you evaluate a real estate agent’s professionalism on the first phone conversation? IP: Firstly, he has to answer the phone! There are many who, simply, do not do this … Afterwards: – Is he polite? – Is he arrogant? – Does he know the property you are interested in? – Does he guide efficiently in order for you to receive all the information you may need? – Can he answer questions? – Do you feel like he knows what he’s talking about? – Does he call you back if he promised to? – Does he set up a meeting at his office before you go see the property? [...]