Can't buy in UK - so where else?

BrandNewDay

bandraoi wrote: »

You obviously have some spare money, but not enough spare money to buy a house so what you're looking to do is make an investment. What I don't understand is why you're limiting yourself to an investment in a house.

Houses as investments are awkward things, it costs alot of money and time to get into - estate agents fees, stamp duty, solicitors etc., it also costs you time and money while you actually own the property too - finding tenants, taking care of maintenance, insurance etc. Houses as investments can be great, but it's usually over the medium and long term, when the wasted time and money of setting up and closing down can be offset against the gains made.

There are far better financial investments to be made, particularly in the short and medium term. If you want to take a gamble (equivalent to buying in Bulgaria) then maybe look at some of the less certain shares, but try talking to an investment expert instead of an estate agent.

This says it better than I could have... the OP said, "I don't have a pension, so I need to buy property." Thre's no reason you can't have a pension. And, if you're not crazy about the pension schemes currently offered, you can simply invest in all sorts of equities. Property can be a great investment, but it's not historically shown to be the BEST investment. And, it's much less liquid, much harder to maintain, than a stock portfolio. Easier to buy, too. No need to take out a loan, you just buy what you can afford at the moment and add on whenever you can/want.

You can buy shares very cheaply online via Halifax. You can invest in an index tracking fund very cheaply, too. You can split your money and allocate it between various markets and vehicles. You can mix it up between low risk (government bonds) and high risk (Emerging markets/diamond mines) If one isn't working for you, you can change directions pretty easily. With the Internet, managing these things requires very few middlemen and it's almost instant. I can't imagine trying to deal with foreign EA's and tennants.

Guy_Montag

I think all us priced out people need to get ourselves into the investments forum & have a wee look round.

Generali

OOI, what happens with shared ownership if the value of the place drops? Does the other equity holder take a proportional hit?

lynzpower

Generali wrote: »

OOI, what happens with shared ownership if the value of the place drops? Does the other equity holder take a proportional hit?

yep course they do

Generali

Guy_Montag wrote: »

I think all us priced out people need to get ourselves into the investments forum & have a wee look round.

This is a cracking book on investment. You don't need much maths and it's a pretty easy read. Probably best to read this afterwards.

A word to the wise. Beware investment advice on the internet. There's a lot of ramping going on.

BrandNewDay

Generali wrote: »

This is a cracking book on investment. You don't need much maths and it's a pretty easy read. Probably best to read this afterwards.

A word to the wise. Beware investment advice on the internet. There's a lot of ramping going on.

I agree on A Random Walk Down Wallstreet. Not only is it fun and easy to read, there's such relief in discovering that the easiest way to invest - index tracking funds - is also your best bet, financially.

EagerLearner

Hi all, thanks for the info and thoughts.

Will try to answer all questions -
- Ideally would like to stay in Sussex area - my grandparents lived here, my mum also did at one point and I have for 12 years now, I don't think I should be forced out of my own area just because others have come in with more money from other locations - we will stay here and see what happens. Plus, with my new business, I can't afford to up sticks at the mo as all my clients are local.
- Re shared ownership sorry it was late and I'd had a long day - we do know the system and we have in fact a brochure at home from Moat(?) on that very thing - although it;s on the backburner for now until we know what the interest rates are doing. Certainly for this year we won't be buying.
- We are already investing in funds which has been very exciting and very scary too. At the moment I have taken a very risky stance, buying funds in emerging markets, specialist and Asia pacific exc Japan. I desperately want UK and Europe but it seems that the interest rates and possibility to make money are less in these markets - by all means if anyone wants to suggest a selection of funds, I will do my own research and take it from there to form my own opinions. I read a book recently called 'The Undercover Investor' which was very good for a beginner but also got more complex as you got more into it. Will look into the books recommended here. At the moment reading a book called 'Blink' by Malcolm Gladwell which is amazing (he wrote 'The Tipping Point' which is one of my favourite books, highly recommend it).
- Anyway - off to get depressed about my investment funds!

EagerLearner

Re: A Random Walk Down Wall St - is it worth getting the very latest edition, or will one from 1997 do?

BrandNewDay

EagerLearner wrote: »

Re: A Random Walk Down Wall St - is it worth getting the very latest edition, or will one from 1997 do?

The most recent edition has good stuff on the most recent stock market crash - showing how the dot.com craze was no different than the South Seas (I think that's what it was called?) bubble. I'd recommend it.

Conrad

RHemmings wrote: »

When Morocco came up before, some people posted awful experiences that they had there. I think it unlikely that Morocco will become the holiday destination that your plan assumes that it will.

A typical 'kneejerk' ill informed response you give.

With any Human endeavour a proportion of people will always have a negative experience, as mature adults we should recognise this before forming an opinion. As an example 1 Man will tell you Barclays service is awful another will sing thier praises.

Those who make careful studies before investing will know Morocco's 10 year plan is robust and extraordinarily thorough and will result in Morocco becomming a key middle class tourist destination by 2011, as you will see.

A 'kneejerk' Daily Mail type person will always defer to negative mind images and be unable to recognise change in motion.