Q: Greece, Spain, Italy, Hungary … even France and Austria, maybe even the UK, are all affected by the crisis. How much longer can Romania hang on? What are the advantages and disadvantages we have? As a simple citizen, can we really be thinking of an acquisition under these terms? What does the expert think? IP: I know that my Romanian friends love complaining and saying that nothing is good in this country. But I see Romania as a country with a healthy macro-economy and a stable economy. There are many problems of course, but on the other hand, Mr. Isarescu is the one whom all foreigners [...]
Should I give these people a chance to be hired?
My company has once again started a procedure to enlarge its team, in order to support our ambitious business plans for this year. New domains of activity, major events etc. require more colleagues to implement them with success. This is why we posted 4 announcements and we started checking candidates… A young gentleman wants to be hired… In the very first hours after the job posts were published, I received a message sent to my company’s email: "I know it might be too forwards, but don’t you have some job openings? ( student, 20 )" Some “professionals” [...]
28.02.2012: Q&A of the day
Q: I would like to buy an apartment in the near future and I’m thinking of enlisting the help of a real estate agency. Unfortunately, I only vaguely know what their duties should be and I’d like to know what my rightful requirements in this collaboration should be. IP: Firstly, you don’t only need a real estate broker or consultant. You are, probably, also going to need the services of a lawyer, an engineer or an architect (I’m not even going to mention the other professionals that are involved in the inspection of a property before the actual transaction). A real [...]
Ernst&Young: Legislative summary no.1 January 2012
Tonight I would like to show you a legislative summary I have received from Ernst&Young, a global leader in Assurance, Tax, Transactions and Advisory services. Below you will find important fiscal and legal data concerning different topics, information that I think could prove valuable in your next endeavors. In this issue: · Fiscal Code Norms · Fiscal Procedure Code · Annual profits tax return · [...]
Romanian Real Estate 2007 vs. Romanian Green Energy 2012. 4 major differences between 2 “golden periods”
Filed Under: Uncategorized on Feb 28, 2012 @ 9:00 AM
A large portion (more than half) of foreign investors targeting Romania this year, will invest in the Green Energy sector. The investments will be spread throughout all energy segments: wind, solar, hydro and biomass, since each of them appears to offer highly attractive returns on investment. It is true that the situation and investment climate has some common characteristics with and reminds me of the “golden period” of investments in Romanian Real Estate pre 2008. However, I believe that there are significant differences in the way that the 2012 Romanian Green Energy investment [...]
27.02.2012: Q&A of the day
Q: What is the optimum time of recovery for an investments for an apartment ment for rent? IP: I’d say 10-12 years (8-10%) but, even better, 16-20 years (aprox. 6%). Depending on the property, investment strategy and many more. Be aware of the fact that when we do the numbers, we take into consideration the entire price, not only the one paid to the owner. You have to add taxes, the cost of renovation, etc. In plus for the annual income, you have to deduct from the rent any costs and taxes that you have. Then you will have your answer. – the question was asked during the [...]
Don’t forget the business plan too!
I found a leaflet a few days ago. It belongs to an NGO that is “training people to become entrepreneurs”. I read it carefully, especially because it was addressed to women. I was curious to find out what advice Romanian ladies receive, in order to enter the business world. Unfortunately I was disappointed. “You need to have a vision, to work hard, be patient” and many other nice and sweet words, encouraging the reader to feel good. But there was nothing regarding the basics: A carefully chosen idea and a business plan! We are living in 2012. It is really interesting [...]
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 ... 
Worrying trend for the UK Retail sector
This evening I would like to present to you an article I received in the Reuters Real Estate newsletter, regarding the retail sector in the UK, reporting the closing of no less than 14 stores in one day! Will this trend continue to 2012? UK retailers closed 14 stores a day in 2011 – study LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s multiple retailers closed 14 stores a day on average across the country in 2011, according to data compiled on behalf of PwC by the Local Data Company (LDC). The data revealed that across multiple retailers in 500 town centres there was a net reduction [...]