Q: If you had 100.000 euro, what would you invest it in: gold, silver, the stock market, real estate, your own business?  IP: Certainly not in silver or gold. In my opinion, the price is high. It might go up but I don't find it comfortable to buy something when it's reached a historical price. I'd rather let someone smarter than I get rich from such investments.  The stock market is an option, but not with a larger capital than 20-30% of the total amount you have. Real estate is an option as well but you need a strategy, you shouldn't buy "anything".  The [...]

  Q: Real Estate is Good, a nice message, a commendable initiative, investing your time to better the image of an entire industry. But it doesn’t seem to be enough, what should we do to involve the final consumer, the agent’s client? A recent study from the UK shows that the image problem of this profession is present in Great Britain as well, real estate agents being one of the least respected professions. What can we do to change the mentality at this level, the client’s? IP: I can mention many ways in which mentalities can be changed but the most efficient one would [...]

Q: What type of real estate investments do you think are the most profitable long term for a buyer with a budget of 100.000 euro? IP: I will prepare an analysis on my blog, concerning this topic. The main question is what type of investor you are. The same medicine isn’t appropriate for every patient. In any scenario, because of the troubled times we live in, I’d suggest you put 30-50% of your capital in the back, in a 3-6 month deposit. There are options for real estate investments, stock options or other types of investments and if you give me more details on your investment profile, [...]

Q: After three years, if we’re to speak the truth, the houses and apartments in Romania still have a yield rate of 300-400% in ten years. A 2 room apartment that you could buy for 18-20.000 in 2000-2002, is sold today for 60.000, and this after the big crisis. Can we actually talk about a true crisis, in the present situation? IP: To be able to calculate, let’s compare the prices of 2011 with the ones in 2001. Let’s assume that the prices of 2001 were at about 20.000 euro  (for a 2 room apartment, in Bucharest) and that the prices of today are at the 60.000 euro level. 1. [...]

Q: Since the illusion that the “Prima Casa 4” program could reduce the huge prices, in relation to the income of the Romanian people, has been shattered. Since the media manipulators have disappeared and since nothing gets sold for more then 8-900E, why do you continue to show a real estate indicator of over 1000E per sq.m.? Why am I not finding here the most professional evaluation for 2011, done by impartial specialist? IP: If you know the right indicator I would be delighted to find out what they are. Until then, the only instrument we have in order to check the direction in which [...]

  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? [...]