So, where do we go from here? After the astronomical increase in real estate values throughout Florida during 2004 and 2005, the flow of sales has slowed down to a mere trickle. All of a suddden it's a buyer's market with a huge number of sellers competing against each other.
The result of course is that prices are no longer going up - which is great for buyers looking for a vacation home at this time!

For investors not wanting to make personal use of a property here, however, the opportunities in central Florida are not what they have been in recent years and for the time being it may be better to look further afield for some promising real estate investments!

In my opinion (and that of many at the moment!) the place to buy real estate at the moment is in the "New Europe", those countries which have just joined the EC, the European Union. Cities such as Budapest in Hungary, Bratislava in Slovakia and Prague in the Czech Republic are just three cities where real estate is definately on the up and up at the moment. Also, the more recognized property market in Germany must surely be on the turn again soon - prices there are ridiculously low in comparison to what they were when compared to other Western European nations a decade ago and now that the economy is showing signs of regaining its mighty strength, prices there are sure to increase. In the shadow of Germany, Austria will as always follow suit and there are some wonderful properties there to be snapped up.

I have made purchases myself in these areas and am more than happy to share the knowledge I have gained in the process with any others who may be interested.

Contact: John Lance at john@johnlancerealty.com for further information on any of these opportunities.