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All Forum Posts by: Shane Barone

Shane Barone has started 7 posts and replied 30 times.

Post: Legal entities in Germany / berlin

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Hi Hugi, The plan is to be there during the Cisco Live event in Mid February. I will certainly get back to you with dates/times!

Post: Legal entities in Germany / berlin

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Hey Hugues,

It's been a while, hope you are doing well. It depends on what type of structure you are looking at and of course specific to what your goals of the structure you want. I just had a very informative meeting with a tax strategist/ real estate business consultant regarding this exact topic. 

The types of structures I am familiar with, for private and commercial use are:

GBR: (Legal Contracted Private partnership)

Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts

https://www.frankfurt-main.ihk.de/english/business...

KG: Kommanditgesellschaft (Limited business Partnership)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kommanditgesellschaf...

and of course GmbH: (LLC)

Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesellschaft_mit_bes...

Interesting topics, but I think it depends on what you are looking to achieve with your legal structure.

Shane

Post: BiggerPockets German Users on board?

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Christoph,

I considered purchasing the property in which I managed, however, as you know the price per Qm is outrageous at the moment in this area. Additionally, as I am attempting now to sell the property, I see it as a conflict of interest if I try to purchase from the owner. Had the prices not been so high, I would naturally purchase the property and continue to rent to Americans or Mercedes Engineers in the area. 

I am very interested in Direct Mailing but have not sent any here in Germany. I often receive blanket flyers from local Maklers, but nothing which I would consider property specific or directed marketing. 

Post: Meetup in Munich, Germany

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Oh I'm sorry I just noticed the event details.. I'm already booked this weekend! Thanks for creating though!

Post: Meetup in Munich, Germany

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Greeting, sounds interesting. I would be interested in meeting with some like minded individuals. Are you planning near term? I'm located about five hours north in Wiesbaden.

Post: BiggerPockets German Users on board?

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

I am also familiar with the Aalen, Ellwangen area of Baden-Wuertenburg area. I have always found it difficult as an outsider to find property in this area. The typical locations in my area to find property (immobilienscout24, immonet, usw.) generally do not have a lot of supply down there! I'm thinking the newspaper is still a legit place to locate property outside of the obvious word of mouth. 

What is your main strategy for finding invest opportunities in BW and how long have you been doing this? 

Also, I have been looking for a while now, but have not found concrete answers to direct mailing in Germany? Have you used or heard of direct mailing here? Thanks!

Shane

Post: BiggerPockets German Users on board?

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Greetings Christoph,

Nice to meet you. I am currently working on the completion of a touch-up/rehab on a penthouse apartment in Sindelfingen. The apartment has been rented to Americans for over 7 years with steady growth and future potential. The Apartment is situated about 1 Km away from the Mercedes factory and over the past three years have increased their engineer support in the area. 

I really think this is a good location to invest and own property at the moment. I have been managing this property for the past three years but the owner is now finishing up his ten years of ownership and will be selling in April. I plan on putting the apartment on the market to sell in December once all renovations are complete. 

Have you ever considered renting to Americans in the area? If so or are already, have you had and experience with the management side, or contractual writings? 

Nice to hear from you!

Shane

Post: New Member in Wiesbaden Germany area

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Greetings Beth,

Very interesting to know you have worked with out of country investors before. To be honest, I have not put a lot of thought into investing back in my home town. I have been working my angle here in Europe primarily because I know the market, as tough as it can be. 

Surely the land you have listed is zoned for something which could be quite lucrative in the area? Have any investors considered the property you have for development yet? It looks like it may have water front?

Post: Foreign Transactions Fees, currency conversion rates

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

For those of you who do any business internationally, you will always run across the issue of converting currency. If you plan on moving any amount of money, (with limits of up to 49,999 currently) you should be not being using traditional banks to accomplish this. You will not receive the mid market rate and you will be charged the banks conversion rate, potentially costing you thousands of lost dollars

I personally was victim to this for many years, while earning US dollars and having expenses and bills in Euros. However, a few months ago, I have learned of the platform which allows peer to peer currency conversion. Transferwise only takes a very small fee to conduct the transfers and give you the actual mid market rate. 

I have used Transferwise to transfer sums ranging from 2000 to 40000 USD and have never had any problems and have saved thousands in lost banks fees. One must only have a bank account number in each area where that currency will be held. Highly recommended from this user!

Check out transferwise.com

Post: New Member in Wiesbaden Germany area

Shane BaronePosted
  • Property Manager
  • Oestrich Winkel, Hessen
  • Posts 31
  • Votes 9

Hey awesome to meet you too Luke. I am super excited to see how many people are investing and in the market from the Eau Claire area. A simple search for Eau Claire presents so many people. While my family is still back in the EC region, I have no experience with the market there, but does still seem interesting. It does look like there is stiff competition, specially with any student housing. 

How is it going there for you and what it your take on the markets availability in the area? Prime for buy/hold, flipping options available or land purchases? What seems to be bringing in returns these days?