Cu ce contributie vine “Prima Casa II” pe piata?

Citeam pe www.capital.ro despre regulamentul aplicabil de acum inainte. (Puteti vedea de asemenea si la http://www.capital.ro/articol/prima-casa-in-grup-garantie-de-75-000-de-euro-pentru-fiecare-asociat-131961.html). Pe scurt, noile conditii sunt urmatoarele:

• 60.000 de euro garantia oferita de Stat pentru apartamentele din cladirile vechi si locuintele din proiectele noi, a caror constructie a demarat deja.
• 70.000 de euro garantia oferita pentru locuintele care urmeaza sa se construiasca (proiecte noi).
• 75.000 de euro cand 7 sau mai multe persoane se asociaza pentru a dezvolta un proiect impreuna.
• De asemenea, Prima Casa va fi valabila si pentru apartamentele ANL (Agentia Nationala a Locuintelor). (In acest fel Statul va garanta pentru proprietati care se vor vinde, urmand ca veniturile obtinute din vanzarea acestora sa fie incasate tot de catre… Stat!)

Asociatiile: o idee noua si interesanta de dezbatut…

Toate celelalte sunt cunoscute si au fost dezbatute deja mai mult sau mai putin. Vreau sa ma axez pe ideea asociatiilor, concept autentic romanesc. Chiar si numai auzid de aceasta propunere au fost multi cei care m-au intrebat “ce semnifica acest lucru? Ca va trebui sa aplic impreuna cu alti 6 necunoscuti pentru a putea obtine o garantiie mai mare de la Stat?”

Este adevarat ca nu sunt multe asociatii astazi, formate din 7 sau mai multi indivizi care sa dezvolte un proiect impreuna. Exista uniunile sindicale ale unor categorii sociale (profesori, functionari publici etc), dar acestea sunt cu totul altceva. Daca nu ma insel, aceasta noua idee se refera la asocierea a sapte sau mai multe persoane private. De ce este aceasta o noutate? De ce nu a fost dezvoltata in toti acesti ani?

Romanii: se asociaza foarte greu…

Exista variate opinii pe aceasta tema, si va voi prezenta cateva dintre ele:

• Din nefericire, societatea din Romania (si in special societatea din Bucuresti) pare sa fie construita asemanator multor alte societati post comuniste. Oamenii sunt in general egoisti, fiecare se ajuta doar pe sine insusi (si / sau familia sa) si nimeni nu are incredere in nimeni altcineva.
• Rezultatele acestui mod de abordare sunt vizibile aproape in tot ce se intampla in jurul dumneavoastra. De la cuvinte si actiuni. Cunosc sute de romani care se plang ca ceilalti sunt “nesimtiti” si pe care ii vad facand exact lucrurile de care se plang (atunci cand altcineva le face).
• Prin urmare increderea este un element care lipseste acestei societati. Este acesta un lucru bun? Sau rau? Corect? Sau gresit? Este un fapt si de obicei cand cineva este deschis si are o atitudine pozitiva fata de ceilalti, este considerat “naiv” si “prost, o victima care parca cere sa fie pacalita”.
• (Toate acestea se intalnesc mai ales in partea de Sud a tarii. Cu cat ne indepartam mai mult de Bucuresti cu atat intalnim mai rar acest mod de abordare).
• Toata lumea se comporta ca si cum le-ar sti pe toate indiferent despre ce este vorba. Astfel ca este normal ca acelasi fenomen sa se manifeste si in domeniul imobiliar. Sau cel putin se intalnea, pana acum doi ani, inainte sa inceapa criza.
• Astfel, cum ar putea cineva spera sa aduca la aceeasi masa atat de multi oameni, cu opinii, prejudecati si dorinte diferite pentru a-i face sa se asocieze? Pare imposibil…
• (Intre noi fie vorba, nu ii acuz. A trai intr-o asemenea societate te face sa te adaptezi pentru a te proteja cat mai bine cu putinta.)

Asociatiile: Ce se doreste pentru renumita clasa a… “oamenilor normali”

Aceasta nu este o masura luata pentru cei bogati. Nici pentru cei saraci. Vizeaza in mod direct asa numitii “oameni normali”, clasa de mijloc a tarii. Poate ca si pe cei care se plang ca sunt taxati suplimentar atunci cand vor sa cumpere un apartament sau o casa construita de altcineva. Aceasta este sansa lor. Daca se vor asocial, acestia vor putea sa:

• Aiba acces la fonduri mai mari.
• Economiseasca bani, evitand profiturile dezvoltatorului.
• Negocieze costurile mai bine.
• Isi aleaga prietenii cu care vor locui in urmatorii ani.
• Isi schimbe viata, imbunatatindu-si nivelul de trai.
• Invete sa colaboreze, sa ia decizii la comun, sa fie responsabili pentru actiunile lor, sa creeze un plan si sa il implementeze.

Sau… vom fi martorii a nenumarate confruntari legale intre acestia, in cazul in care cineva va incerca sa il pacaleasca pe celalalt. Eu sper ca nu, dar cu siguranta vor fi destui celor carora le vor veni idei “gresite”.

Ce lipseste (dupa umila mea parere)

Pentru ca aceasta masura sa aiba efecte cat mai bune, sunt cateva sfaturi care ar putea ajuta la obtinerea de rezultate in avantajul tuturor celor implicati:

• O lege speciala - directiva care sa specifice toate detaliile unei asocieri de asemenea natura. Daca o lege este prea mult, atunci sa fie o propunere oficiala din partea Statului, care sa aiba cateva variante. Oamenii ar trebui sa fie informati pentru ca apoi sa aleaga ceea ce le place.
• Cateva cursuri speciale pentru avocati si notari (20 - 30 de ore) pentru a intelege cum se procedeaza cu aceste asociatii noi. Numele celor care vor participa la aceste cursuri ar trebui sa fie facute publice pentru ca oamenii sa stie cine sunt primii “experti” care ii pot ajuta.
• Acelasi tip de cursuri pentru consultanti (20 - 30 de ore), avand in vedere ca exista posibilitatea necesitatii trasarii unui buget, sa invete sa adune oferte si sa le compare etc. Poate ca exista persoane care doresc sa se asocieze si nu au cunostinte despre aceste detalii. Niste consultanti bine pregatiti ii pot ajuta.

Fie ca va produce rezultate sau nu, ideea este buna

Nu il cunosc pe ministru. Dar ideea pe care a propus-o este buna. Urmatorul nivel la  la care trebuie sa acceada societatea romaneasca esta cresterea nivelului de profesionalism, oamenii trebuie capete incredere unii in ceilalti putin mai mult si astfel sa se respecte reciproc mai mult. Ce initiativa ar fi mai potrivita pentru acest lucru daca nu aceea de a le oferi posibilitatea sa economiseasca bani printr-o asociere?

Masura este benefica. Nu stiu daca va reusi sa introduca in vocabularul pietei imobiliare din Romania cuvantul “asociere”. Nu sunt sigur nici daca va functiona in societatea de astazi, dar cu siguranta este directia potrivita. Din mai multe motive, dar mai ales unul: cred cu tarie ca romanii sunt MULT mai buni decat asa cum se descriu reciproc. Ma aflu aici deoarece cred in valorile si avantajele tarii si in locuitorii acesteia. A sosit momentul sa li se dea sansa sa demonstreze si ei acest lucru.

PS. Declar ca nu sunt implicat in viata politica din Romania. Nu cunosc niciun politician si nu am dusmani sau prieteni printre acestia. Textul de mai sus este doar o explicatie a masurilor anuntate, la care se adauga si rezultatele pe care le prevad eu ca aceste masuri le vor aduce. Acest lucru nu inseamna ca sunt impotriva sau ca sustin Guvernul sau pe oricine altcineva.

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What does “Prima Casa II” bring to the market?

I was reading www.capital.ro about the regulations from now on. (You can also check at http://www.capital.ro/articol/prima-casa-in-grup-garantie-de-75-000-de-euro-pentru-fiecare-asociat-131961.html). In brief the new conditions are:

• 60.000 euro guarantee for apartments in old buildings and dwellings in new projects, which have already started.
• 70,000 euro guarantee for dwellings that are planned to be built (new projects)
• 75.000 euro when there is an association of minimum seven persons, who will develop a project together.
• Also, Prima Casa will be available for the apartments of ANL (National Housing Agency) as well. (Like this the State will guarantee for properties which will be sold and the… State will receive the income!)

Associations: An interesting new idea to debate upon…

All the rest are known and more or less discussed. I want to focus on the idea of associations, something genuine for Romania. Even by hearing this project, many people asked me “what does it mean? That I will have to apply together with another six strangers, in order to have a bigger guarantee by the State?”

It is true that there are not many associations today, formed by seven or more individuals who will develop a project together. There are the unions of several categories of people (teachers, public servants etc), but this is something else. If I am not wrong, this new idea describes the association of seven or more private people. Why is it new? Why wasn’t it developed all these years?

Romanians: Very difficult to associate…

There are many opinions, I will tell you some of them:

• Unfortunately the Romanian society (especially the society of Bucharest) looks like having been built like many other post communist ones. People are usually selfish, everyone is helping only himself (and / or his family) and noone trusts anyone else.
• You can see the results of this approach in almost everything around you. From words and actions. I know hundreds of Romanians who complain that the others are “nesimtiti” (without feelings) and I notice them doing exactly the same actions for which they complain (when someone else does).
• Thus trust is an element which is missing from this society. Is it good? Or bad? Right? Or wrong? It is a fact and usually when someone is open and positive to others, he is considered “naïve” and “stupid, victim waiting to be tricked”.
• (All these actions happen especially in the Southern part of the country. The more you drive away from Bucharest, the less you see them).
• In almost everything, everyone behaves like he knows all. So it is normal the same to happen in Real Estate too. At least it happened until two years ago, before the crisis to start.
• So, how could someone hope to put on the same table so many people with different opinions, prejudices and wishes, in order to initiate them to associate? Sounds impossible…
• (Between you and me, I don’t blame them. Living in a society like this makes you adjust and protect yourself in the best way you can.)

Associations: What do they mean for the famous class of… “normal people”?

This is not a measure for the rich. Neither for the poor ones. It targets directly to the so called “normal people”, the middle class of the country. Maybe also the ones who complain that they are overcharged when they want to buy an apartment or house developed by someone else. Now they have their chance. If they will associate, they will:

• Access bigger funds.
• Save money, avoiding the profits of a developer.
• Negotiate the costs better.
• Choose their friends, with who they will live together in the years to come.
• Change their life and improve its quality.
• Learn to collaborate, decide together with others, be responsible for their actions, create a plan and implement it.

Or… we will witness endless legal battles between them, if one will try to trick the other. I hope not, but for sure there will be plenty of people who will come up with “wrong” ideas.

What is missing (in my humble opinion)

In order this measure to have better effects, there are few tips which could really help to bring results for everyone involved:

• A special law - directive which will specify all the details of an association like this. If it is too much to be a law, an official proposal by the State, with several variants. People should know and then they can choose whatever they like.
• Some special classes for lawyers  and notaries (20 - 30 hours), just to understand this new procedure of associations. The ones attending these classes should be announced, in order for the people to know who are the first “experts” to help them.
• Same classes for consultants (20 - 30 hours), as there might be a need to draft a budget, learn how you collect offers and then compare them etc. Maybe there are people who want to associate and they don’t know these details. Some trained consultants can help.

Either it will bring results or not, the idea is correct

I don’t know the minister. But the idea he introduced is correct. The next level for the Romanian society is indeed to increase the level of professionalism, people to trust each other a bit more and like this to respect each other a bit more. What is better initiative for this, than the possibility of saving money by associating together?

The measure is good. I don’t know if it will succeed to introduce in the vocabulary of the Romanian Real Estate market the word “association”. I am not sure if it will work in today’s society, but it is definitely on the right direction. For many reasons, but especially for one: I strongly believe that Romanians are MUCH better than how they describe each other. I am here because I believe in the values and advantages of the country and its people. It is time for them to have the chance to prove it too.

PS. I declare that I am not involved into Romanian politics. I don’t know any politician and I don’t have any friends or enemies between them. The text above is just the explanation of the announced measures, plus the results I predict these measures will bring. This does not mean that I am against or that I support the Government or anyone else.

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Investitorii straini nu gandesc precum cei romani

Pentru ca acestia nu au aceeasi modalitate de gandire ca si cei romani. Au preocupari, sentimente, prioritati, optiuni diferite… Unii ar putea sa ii injure din aceasta cauza si sa le spuna “daca asa gandesti, intoarce-te in tara ta, nu iti impui tu regulile la noi, facem ce vrem in tara noastra”. Dar cei care sunt capabili sa poarte o discutie serioasa despre investitii si progresul real al acestei tari binecuvantate ar trebui sa tina cont de faptul ca strainii au asteptari diferite fata de cele ale romanilor.

Investitorii straini au fost pusi in aceeasi categorie cu “admiratorii de vitrine ”, escrocii si “practicantii turismului sexual ”

Foarte putini romani au luat in considerare varianta de a face investitii in afara si sunt chiar  si mai putini cei care au dus la bun sfarsit o tranzactie. De aceea nu multi sunt pregatiti pentru a impartasi si explica si altora prin ce au trebuit sa treaca inainte de a finaliza o tranzactie inafara tarii lor. Dimpotriva, sunt sute de mii care au intalnit investitori straini de toate felurile. Dar s-a creat o confuzie, asa cum se intampla de obicei. Investitorii seriosi au fost pusi in aceeasi categorie cu  “admiratorii de vitrine”, escrocii si “practicantii turismului sexual”, astfel ca in final milioane de romani (nu toti) si-au creat o impresie gresita despre toata lumea.

Cum sunt perceputi strainii de catre o parte a societatii romanesti

Au incercat romanii vreodata sa intelelaga un investitor strain, modul lui de gandire, grijile si temerile sale? Sau pentru majoritatea dintre ei totul este simplu ? “Strainii vin in Romania pentru ca noi avem cele mai bune proprietati. Iar cum ei vor beneficia oricum de profituri uriase” (o perceptie comuna), “trebuie sa plateasca sume uriase si sa nu se astepte sa auda adevarul. In cele din urma, au bani, deci ar trebui sa ii intelelaga si pe cei care au mai mare nevoie de acesti bani!”

Imi pare rau sa va dezamagesc pe unii dintre dumneavoastra, dar acest lucru nici nu corespunde realitatii dupa cum in aceeasi masura nici nu reprezinta o abordare sanatoasa. Chiar daca a functionat cativa ani. (Multumesc Domnului ca nu toti cei de aici gandesc astfel.  Acest lucru a salvat tara de la cea mai dificila “barfa”).

Cel putin 30% dintre investitorii straini au ramas blocati sau au pierdut bani

Cel putin 30% dintre investitorii care au venit in Romania au avut parte de o poveste nefericita. Isi doreau ceva clar iar uneori li s-au promis multe lucruri. Dar au ajuns sa fie pacaliti, pierzand nu doar profiturile, ci si capitalul investit. Au fost blocati intr-o investitie gresita.  Si-au pus increderea in niste consultanti care nu o meritau si au ajuns sa aiba probleme. Unii au gasit o solutie la problema lor, cu ajutorul unor consultanti mai seriosi. Altii au dat de probleme si mai mari si astazi nu fac decat sa astepte ca piata sa isi revina.

- Evident, fiecare este raspunzator pentru actiunile sale.

- Evident, multi investitori au pierdut bani pentru ca au incercat sa fie “destepti” sau au vrut sa ii pacaleasca pe ceilalti.

- Evident, printre acestia veti putea gasi un numar important de persoane care au creat probleme si romanilor.

Ce isi doresc investitorii straini?

Dar daca ne dorim ca Romania sa se ridice din nou, avem nevoie ca investitori seriosi sa investeasca aici. Unii care vin cu un plan, il implementeaza facand investitii si asteapta sa obtina profituri. Profituri suficiente care sa le sustina decizia de a veni aici. Acestea persoane nu inteleg toate minciunile “dulci”, amanarile si povestile inventate. Ei isi doresc :

• Un cadru legal clar.
• Documente si reguli ale jocului clare.
• Persoane serioase cu care sa faca afaceri.
• Proprietari, consultanti, arhitecti, avocati, contabili (etc) care sa isi respecte cuvantul dat.
• Preturi bune si oportunitati. “daca trebuie sa cumpar scump, pot sa o fac si la mine in tara, nu am nevoie sa zbor pana aici” spun ei.
• (Gresesc acestia cu ceva? Dumneavoastra ati calatori intr-o alta tara pentru a cumpara ceva mai scump decat in Romania?)

Nimeni nu forteaza pe nimeni sa isi vanda proprietatea la un pret redus. Dar daca acesta doreste sa vanda, ar trebui sa urmeze standardele de astazi ale pietei. Intre timp, de la toti ceilalti “factori” implicati intr-o tranzactie (incepand cu brokerii si consultantii imobiliari pana la ultima persoana implicata) se asteapta sa respecte investitorii mult mai mult decat au facut-o pana acum.

Are motivele lui sa fie suspicios, dovediti-i ca se inseala

Am stat de vorba cu multi dintre prietenii mei romani pe aceasta tema. Cu majoritatea dintre ei, de obicei ajungem la urmatoarea concluzie: ei se opresc la exemplul de comportament nepotrivit al unor “investitori” straini si in opinia lor acest lucru justifica faptul ca acel strain a ajuns sa aiba cine stie ce probleme. Dar adevarul este unul singur: ne asteptam ca acesti straini sa investesca banii LOR in Romania. Si nu invers.

Puteti intodeauna sa aveti o retinere fata de un strain, mai ales daca ati avut experiente neplacute in trecut. Dar dovediti-i ca nu are niciciun motiv pentru care sa va perceapa ca pe dusmanul lui. Aratati-i ca se inseala si ca dumneavoastra puteti fi colaboratorul lui serios, de incredere, indiferent de care este gradul dumneavoastra de implicare intr-o tranzactie. Veti fi mai apreciat decat va asteptati. Dar daca sunteti de parere ca dumneavoastra sunteti regele iar el trebuie sa va prezinte omagiile, jocul e ca si pierdut.

Clientul este Regele. Aceasta tara are nevoie de investitorii straini si asa cum acestia ar trebui sa respecte Romania, pe romani si regulile acestei societati, cer si ei la randul lor sa fie respectati. Este chiar atat de dificil?

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Foreign investors don’t think like Romanians do

Because they do not think like Romanians do. They have different worries, feelings, priorities, options… Some people may curse them for all these and tell them “if this is the way you think, go back to your country, you will not establish your norms to us, we do whatever we want in our country”. But the ones who are able to have a serious discussion about investments and the real progress of this blessed country, should know that foreigners expect completely different things comparing to what Romanians have in mind.

Serious foreign investors have been mixed up with “window shoppers”, crooks and “sex tourists”

There are very few Romanians who have thought about investing abroad and even less who concluded a transaction. This is why there are not a lot of people ready to teach and explain to the others all they passed through before they concluded an investment out of their country. On the contrary there are hundreds of thousands who met foreign investors of all kinds. But there was a confusion, as it usually happens. Serious investors were mixed up with “window shoppers”, crooks and “sex tourists”, so in the end some millions of Romanians (not all) created a kind of wrong impression about everyone.

The perception of foreigners, according to part of Romanian society

Have the Romanians ever tried to understand a foreign investor and his thoughts, worries and fears? Or for most of them everything is simple? “Foreigners come in Romania because we have the best properties. As they will have huge profits anyway” (common perception), “they have to pay a lot to everyone and they should not expect to hear the truth. In the end of the day, they have money, so they should also try to understand the ones who need this money more!”

Sorry to disappoint some of you, but neither this is the reality, nor this is a healthy approach. Even if it worked for some years. (Thank God not everyone here thinks like this. This is what saved the country from the worst possible “word of mouth”)

At least 30% of foreign investors got blocked or lost money

A sad story has happened to a big number, 30% at least, of investors who came in Romania. They wanted something clear, sometimes they were promised a lot. But they ended up being tricked, having lost not only their profits, but also their capital. They were blocked in a wrong investment. They trusted consultants who did not deserve it and they ended up being in trouble. Some of them found a way to solve their problem, using the help of more serious consultants. Some others entered into bigger trouble and today they just wait the market to return.

- Of course everyone is responsible for what he does.

- Of course many investors lost money because they tried to be “smart” or they wanted to trick the others.

- Of course between them you may find a serious number of people who caused problems to Romanians too.

What do foreign investors want?

But if we want Romania to rise again, we need the serious investors to invest here. The ones who come with a plan, implement it by investing and then they expect profits. Sufficient profits which will sustain their decision to come here. These people don’t understand all the “sweet” lies, delays and stories. They want:

• Clear legal framework.
• Clear papers and rules of the game
• Serious people to deal with.
• Owners, consultants, architects, lawyers, accountants (etc) who keep their word.
• Good prices and opportunities. “If it is to buy expensive, I can do it at my home country too, I don’t need to fly till here” they say.
• (Are they wrong? Would you travel to another country so as to buy something more expensive than Romania?)

No one forces anyone else to sell his property at low cost. But if he wants to sell, he should follow today’s market standards. Meanwhile, all the other “factors” of a deal (starting with the Real Estate brokers and consultants until everyone else involved) are expected to respect the investors much more than they did until today.

He has his reasons to be suspicious, prove to him that he is wrong

I have discussed with an endless number of Romanian friends of mine about this issue. With most of them, we end up like this: They stop at the wrong behavior of some foreign “investors” and in their eyes this justifies whatever trouble this foreigner entered into. But the truth is one: We expect from these foreigners to invest THEIR money to Romania. Not vice versa.

You can always remain reserved towards a foreigner, especially if you had bad experience in the past. But try to prove to him that he has no right to see you as his enemy. Show him that he is wrong and you can be his serious, trustworthy collaborator, no matter what your involvement in a deal is. You will be more appreciated than you expect. But if you believe that you are the king and he has to salute you, the game is lost.

Client is the King. Foreign investors are needed in this country and as they should respect Romania, Romanians and the rules of this society, they demand to be respected as well. Is it so difficult?

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1. Cereti arhitectului sa verifice cladirea atat prin interior cat si prin exterior

In primul rand, atunci cand cereti arhitectului (sau altui expert) sa verifice apartamentul, il veti ruga sa arunce o privire si asupra cladirii, atat prin interior cat si in imprejurimi. Am evitat sa cumpar un “apartament excelent” intr-o zona foarte buna cand arhitectul mi-a aratat ca prezenta fisuri de 5 - 7 cm latime. Acestea erau in spatele cladirii. Proprietarul s-a suparat ca le-am gasit…

2. “Ciclul de viata” al unei cladiri este de 30 - 40 de ani

Da, exact asa cum ati citit. Acest lucru este valabil chiar si pentru cladirile din zilele noastre, la care se mai pot adauga 10 ani in cazul unor cladiri construite corespunzator (in cazul a 20 - 30% dintre proiecte). Ce se intampla dupa aceasta perioada? Este necesara o consolidare altfel atat valoarea cat si rezistenta acesteia se vor diminua.

3. Aflati daca a fost consolidata cladirea

Daca va intereseaza achizitionarea unei cladiri vechi, interesati-va daca aceasta a fost consolidata. De obicei acest lucru nu se intampla sau a fost doar planificata. Cineva va trebui sa suporte aceste cheltuieli si (supriza!) acest cineva sunteti dumneavoastra, impreuna cu ceilalti proprietari de apartamente din cladire.

4. Sunt multe cladiri vechi la care se poate observa structura de otel iesind prin ciment

Lucru vizibil cu ochiul liber! Daca intalniti aceasta situatie, e de preferat sa fugiti. Aveti deja problemele dumneavoastra, nu aveti nevoie de una in plus. Cladirea necesita o consolidare serioasa a structurii si o “cosmetizare”. Fara acestea, va asumati un risc. Ocupandu-va dumneavoastra de problema, nu faceti decat sa investiti o suma in plus intr-o proprietate foarte veche.

(Calitatea constructiei este intotdeauna importanta. Puteti vedea cateva sfaturi in legatura cu aceasta: http://www.realinromania-blog.com/sfaturi-la-cumpararea-apartamentelor-noi1-calitatea-proasta-a-constructiei/)

5. Bancile prefera cladirile care nu sunt mai vechi de 30 de ani

Daca stati de vorba cu bancherii, acestia va vor confirma toate cele de mai sus si va vor spune ca de obicei nu ofera finantare pentru apartamente mai vechi de 30 de ani. Ei stiu ceva mai bine aceste lucruri, avand in vedere ca risca banii bancii.

(Mai multe despre banci si cum sa va protejati de costurile mari ale acestora: http://www.realinromania-blog.com/sfaturi-in-cumpararea-de-apartamente-noi2-cum-sa-abordam-relatia-cu-bancile-si-costurile-lor-ascunse/)

6. 30 + 25 = 55 (V-ati gandit vreodata la acest lucru?)

Astfel daca dorit sa investiti intr-un apartament care are deja 30 de ani, va rog sa nu uitati ca in momentul in care va lua sfarsit perioada de creditare (peste aproximativ 25 - 30 de ani) acest apartament va avea 55 de ani iar varsta lui se va reflecta in valorea sa.

7. Verificati daca nu exista posibilitatea ca si cladirea sa fie marcata cu “bulina rosie”

Dupa cutremurul din 1977, exista inca sute de cladiri care sunt astfel insemnate, ceea ce inseamna ca exista posibilitatea ca aceasta sa cada la urmatoarea cutremurare a pamantului. Companiile de asigurari nu asigura niciodata o cladire cu bulina rosie. Daca va spune cineva contrariul, va minte.

8. Sunteti siguri ca in cladire vi se pun la dispozitie toate facilitatile? Unele dintre ele nu au un sistem de incalzire corespunzator, sau mai cine stie ce, din 1.000 de posibile motive. Faceti o lista si puneti intrebari. Mai bine sa pareti “ciudati” decat sa va blestemati singuri cand va trebui sa faceti dus cu apa rece “pentru ca, desi dumneavoastra ati inlocuit toate tevile sistemului, vecinul are inca probleme cu ale lui. Si acesta nu vrea sa isi sparga peretii pentru a le repara.”

9. Daca se intampla ca si cladirea sa arate ca… “o ferma porcina”, cu o casa a scarilor murdara, tevi rupte, urat mirositoare etc., dar apartamentul arata bine fiind nou renovat, mai ganditi-va o data: Veti avea un sentiment de neliniste pana in momentul in care veti iesi de acolo, si pe deasupra va trebui sa munciti la a-l convinge pe cel care va dori sa cumpere apartamentul de la dumneavoastra. Sunteti pe deasupra adult. Va puteti imagina cu usurinta de ce acest loc a ajuns intr-un asa stadiu.

10. Intrebati-va arhitectul despre perioada in care a fost construita cladirea si despre zona in care este situat

Nu sunt un expert in acest domeniu, dar mi s-a intamplat  sa aud de multe ori  ca “in acea perioada constructiile erau realizate corespunzator” sau ca “in aceasta zona constructiile au fost realizate corespunzator”. In 80% dintre cazuri, acestia nu va vor spune lucruri pe care nu le stiati deja. Dar cei 20% pot face diferenta.

10 + 1. Dupa cum arata de la distanta, v-ar placea sa va petreceti o mare parte din viata in aceasta cladire?

Stiu ca poate parea o intrebare simpla si evidenta. Dar jumatate dintre prietenii mei nu si-au adresat-o. Bine, doriti sa va cumparati un apartament nou, gasiti cladirea ca fiind “aceptabila”, totul este asa cum va asteptati sa fie. De ce nu traversati strada sa aruncati o privire asupra cladirii? Veti avea aceasta priveliste zi si noapte pe parcursul urmatorilor ani.

(Si care ar trebui sa fie criteriile in alegerea unui apartament nou? http://www.realinromania-blog.com/sfaturi-la-cumpararea-apartamentelor-noi3-care-ar-trebui-sa-fie-criteriile-in-alegerea-unui-apartament/)

Luni, 15 Martie:

La cumpararea apartamentelor noi: evitati capcanele si schimbati-va viata pentru totdeauna

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1. Ask your architect to check the building inside out

First of all, when you will ask your architect (or other expert) to inspect the apartment, you will also ask him to have a look at the building, inside and around. I avoided buying an “excellent apartment” in very good area, as the architect showed me the scratches of 5 - 7 centimeters width. They were in the back of the building. The owner was upset because we found them…

2. A “building’s circle of life” is 30 - 40 years

Yes, exactly as you read it. This is viable even for today’s buildings, extended for one more decade when the construction is good (20 - 30% of projects). What happens after this period? It requires consolidation, either wise its value and endurance will be diminished.

3. Find out if the building was consolidated.

If you are interested in buying an old building, find out if the building was consolidated. Usually it is not, or it was just planned to be. Someone will have to support these costs and (surprise!) this someone is you, together with the other owners of apartments in this building.

4. There are many old buildings where you can see the steel coming out of cement structure

And this is visible to your eyes! If you see this, you’d better run. You already have your own problems, you don’t want one more. The building requires serious structural reinforcement and “make up”. Without it, you risk. Doing it, you invest an extra amount on a very old property.

(Quality of construction is always important. Check out the tips about it: http://www.realinromania-blog.com/tips-about-buying-new-apartments1-bad-quality-of-construction/)

5. Banks prefer buildings which are no more than 30 years old.

If you discuss with bankers, they will confirm all the above and they will tell you that they usually don’t finance apartments older than 30 years. They know something better, as they risk their bank’s money.

(More about Banks and how to protect from high costs charged by them: http://www.realinromania-blog.com/tips-about-buying-new-apartments2-how-to-deal-with-the-banks-and-their-hidden-costs-3/)

6. 30 + 25 = 55 (Have you thought of that?)

So if you wish to invest in an apartment already 30 years old, please do not forget that when your housing loan will expire (in about 25 - 30 years from now) this apartment will be 55 years old and its value will reflect to this age.

7. Check for potential “red bullet” status.

After the earthquake of 1977, there are still hundreds of buildings with this sign, which means that the building may fall at the next tremble of the ground. The insurance companies never insure a building with red bullet. If someone tells you the opposite, he is a liar.

8. Are you sure that the building has all the basic facilities at your disposal? Some of them don’t have proper heating, or whatever else, for 1.000 reasons. Make a list and ask. You should better sound “weird” than to curse yourself when you will have shower with cold water “because even if you replaced all the pipes and systems, there are still problems at the neighbor’s home. And he doesn’t want to break his wall so as to fix them”.

9. If the building looks like a… “pig farm”, with dirty staircase, destroyed pipes, bad smell etc, but the apartment looks good as it was renovated, think twice: You will not feel good while you will be out of there, plus you will suffer to convince the next one to buy it from you. Also, you are an adult. You can easily figure out why this place ended up in this status.

10. Ask your architect for periods and areas

I am not an expert on this, but I have heard many times “that period the constructions were good” or “in this area the buildings were better built”. 80% he will not tell you something you don’t know. But this 20% can make the difference.

10 + 1. As you see it from across the street, do you like to spend a serious part of your life into it?

I know it sounds as a simple and obvious question. But half of my friends who bought old apartments did not do it. Ok, you want to buy the apartment, you find the building “acceptable”, everything is how you expect it to be. Why don’t you go across the street and look at the building? You will be watching this view every day and night over the following years to come.

(And what should be the criteria to choose an apartment? http://www.realinromania-blog.com/tips-about-buying-new-apartments3-what-should-be-the-criteria-to-choose-an-apartment/)

On Monday, 15^th of March:

Buying new apartments: Avoid the traps and change your life for good

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Eu sunt originar din Katerini, un oras grecesc de dimensiuni medii, asa ca sunt de parere ca pot intelege pe toti romanii care vin in Bucuresti dintr-un oras mai mic de provincie. Mi se intampla sa le cunosc profilul psihologic si chiar abordarea lor fata de viata. Probabil ca acesta este motivul pentru care am mai multi prieteni care se incadreaza in aceasta categorie. Acum am cu unul mai putin. Si nu mi-e rusine sa va fac si dumneavoastra cunoscut motivul, pentru ca astfel sa protejez poate pe altcineva…

Apartament dublu sau triplu ca si dimensiune…

Este angajatul unei companii importante, cu un salariu lunar de 5.000 de euro. A pornit foarte de jos si sotia lui vine dintr-o familie saraca si ea. Astazi, cand milioane de persoane din toata lumea isi pierd locurile de munca, el doarme linistit, stiind ca pozitia si salariul lui sunt protejate de rezultatele muncii sale. Totul este in regula? Ei bine, nu…

S-au hotarat sa incerce sa faca primul lor copil. Si pe langa intentia de laudat, s-au ivit si problemele. “Nu mai pot locui in 70 m.p., am nevoie de cel putin 150 - 200, mai ales pentru atunci cand se va naste copilul. Muncesti din greu. De ce faci asta daca nu pentru a ne bucura de un apartament mai mare, mai frumos, intr-o zona care se potriveste cu profilul nostru si pozitia pe care o ocupam in societate?”. Asta mi-a spus ea, Ilias. Si are dreptate pana la un punct”.

O negociere dura, seminar pe aceasta tema…

“Deci ce vei face?” “Ea a gasit deja un apartament intr-o zona foarte frumoasa, unul foarte dragut. Proprietarul ni-l va vinde noua pentru numai 550.000 de euro” “Uau, dar chiar ai reusit sa il pacalesti la negociere” “Nu eu, sotia mea. Ea l-a gasit, a mers la vizionare si a negociat pretul. De la 580.000 a obtinut 550.000 de euro”. “Minunat, ar trebui sa tina training-uri si sa ne invete pe toti despre cum se negociaza in mod corect. Si ce intentionezi sa faci?” “Caut imprumuturi pentru a-l obtine” “Vorbesti serios?” “Bineinteles. Si ma voi folosi de toate relatiile mele, astfel incat sa nu fiu nevoit sa platesc mai mult de 4.300 de euro pe luna si sa pot supravietui din restul de 700″. “Esti nebun? Ar trebui… sa fii arestat pentru felul in care gandesti…” Dupa ce am avut o discutie cu el in termeni mai putin politicosi, s-a razgandit si s-a intors acasa la sotia sa pentru a o convinge…

Niciuna dintre solutii nu a functionat…

“Ce pot sa fac? Decizia nu imi apartine. Ne-am certat rau de tot si mi-a spus in cele din urma ca eu nu o iubesc si nu ma gandesc la copilul nostru”. “Ati adoptat unul?” “Nu, termina cu prostiile, cel pe care ni-l dorim. Sunt disperat, nu stiu ce sa fac”. “Vrei o solutie drastica, sau vrei doar sa auzi cuvinte dragute?” .”Sa incepem cu cele drastice…”

“Stai jos si explica-i ca este periculos pentru familia voastra sa cheltuiti mai mult de 30 - 35% din venitul vostru pe un credit imobiliar, mai ales cand ea nu lucreaza. Este mai bine sa folositi restul banilor in alte scopuri, pentru a calatori impreuna in jurul lumii spre exemplu”. “Va trebui sa procedez astfel, altceva?”

“Spune-i ca exista posibilitatea ca tu sa fii concediat sau poate va trebui sa accepti sa lucrezi pentru un salariu mai mic”. “Ea spune ca nu ii pasa si ca nu poate sa mai astepte. Altceva?”

“In acest caz, cauta un “palat” mai mic, care sa se incadreze intr-un buget de 200.000 - 250.000 de euro cel mult. Vei avea de unde sa alegi astazi si dobanda ta va fi rezonabila”. “Altceva?”

“Vom avea cea mai frumoasa casa”

A inceput sa imi spuna ca… “Stii… cu cat ma gandesc mai mult la asta… cu atat gasesc ca ideea nu este atat de rea. Va aduce valoare adaugata vietii mele si de asemenea si pretigiului meu in societate”. “Dar iti vei pune in pericol viitorul, cariera, viata, totul. Si vei ramane blocat intr-un apartament scump, obligat sa iti dai aproape intreg venitul lunar pe parcursul celei mai grave crize din ultimele decenii”.
In cele din urma am inteles ca probabil a pozat in victima, desi nu era cazul deloc,  si a fost de acord cu sotia sa. Am incercat sa il salvez, asa cum as fi facut pentru oricare dintre prietenii mei. I-am cerut pana si sa il intalnesc impreuna cu sotia sa. “Si ce daca? Daca se va intampla ca sotul meu sa isi piarda locul de munca in viitor, vom vedea atunci. Acum vom avea cea mai frumoasa casa dintre toate”, mi-a raspuns ea dupa toate argumentele pe care i le-am prezentat. Se pare ca aproape toate cuplurile din cercul lor de prieteni isi cumparasera proprietati scumpe in trecut iar ei nu o facusera = rusine mare…

Cateva mii de persoane blocate de incapacitatea de plata a ratelor pe care nu si le mai permit

In prezent acestia negociaza detaliile finale cu proprietarul. Sunt suparati pe mine, avand in vedere ca am fost singurul care nu i-a felicitat pentru alegerea excelenta pe care au facut-o.

Acest prieten al meu nu este singurul in aceasta situatie… Se pare ca sunt inca multi cei care nu si-au invatat lectia aici in Romania. Refuza sa acorde importanta cuvenita situatiei finaciare actuale, sunt concentrati doar pe cum pot trai bine ACUM, fara sa le pese de ziua de maine.

Este amuzant, dar se pare ca eu imi fac mai multe griji pentru viitorul familiei fostului meu prieten decat el insusi. Nu i-a pasat suficient incat sa observe ca in jurul nostru sunt deja mai multe sute de persoane blocate in urmatoarea sitatie: “cu o rata lunara scumpa la un apartament pentru urmatorii 10 - 30 de ani, coroborata cu o rata scumpa si ea la masina, in vreme ce ei abia reusesc sa supravietuiasca”. Astfel au devenit vulnerabili din aceleasi motive cu acest cuplu despre care v-am vorbit.

Acest model consumerist nu mai functioneaza

In analizele de piata pe care le citesc, de cele mai multe ori nu mi se intampla sa citesc despre faptul ca problema nu se rezolva impartind bani oamenilor astazi, ci daca initiem din nou consumul sanatos. Modelul consumerist “Imi vand viitorul pentru a putea trai bine astazi” nu mai functioneaza si va aduce si mai multe probleme Romaniei in viitorul apropiat.

“Veti vedea” la fel cum si Madonna spune in cantecul ei…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa_9CEhM0EQ)

Comentarii la acest articol:

Adrian

Citesc regulat blogul tau si mi se pare chiar bun (sunt din Cluj). Felicitari si tine-o tot asa J.

Nu pot sa cred ca mai sunt oameni cu o astfel de mentalitate astazi. Sunt uimit; ma gandeam ca evenimentele ultimilor ani au deschis ochii multora dintre noi - mai ales celor cu studii superioare si/sau salarii mari..

Un alt lucru pe care il gasesc interesant este ca inca exista banci dispuse sa  acorde astfel de imprumuturi pentru un apartament supra-evaluat.
Ei bine… stiti ce se spune: se naste cate unul la 30 de minute.

Nicole
Domnule Ilias,
Sunt de parere ca in cele din urma astfel de oameni vor avea de suferit.

Desi uneori cei mai multi dintre ei au relatiile necesare, cunosc oamenii potrivit care sa ii ii ajute cu un job mai bun sau sa le ofere o alta modalitate de salvare. Pentru ca vedeti dumneavoastra, asa cum spune un proverb romanesc:”Ban la ban trage si..paduche la paduche”.

Cunosc si eu o familie care se afla intr-o situatie similara, dar acestia fac fata destul de bine desi le este greu.
Sa te intinzi mai mult decat iti permite plapuma!
Probabil ca acest lucru se intampla cand ai multi bani, vrei din ce in e mai mult pentru binele tau aparent.

Le urez success!

Toate cele bune Dumneavoastra,
Nico

BladHaund
Imi vine ata de greu sa inteleg cum se face ca el castiga atat de multi bani si totusi da dovada de abilitati de planificare financiara atat de slabe. Sunt tentat sa ma intreb daca risca bunurile si finantele angajatorilor lui la fel cum face cu cele proprii? Sau poate ca e vreun inventator ciudat iar partea financiara este lasata pe mainile unor persoane mai realiste… Fara sa  mai mentionez ca “planul” sau financiar  ar fi trebuit sa ii permita sa economiseasca doar 1 (unul!) an si sa cumpere proprietatea foarte scumpa pe care si-o doreste fara sa mai acceseze vreun imprumut. Dar probabil ca anul trecut castiga doar 500 de euroJ.(n.a.: lunar)

Geretus

Tipul asta castiga 5.000 de euro/luna si se gandeste sa cheltuiasca 4.300 pe rata la creditul imobiliar… Suna nebunesc…
Ce parere aveti atunci despre cei care castiga ~1.000 de euro/ luna si au de achitat rate de aproximativ 900 de euro/ luna (masina, apartament etc - ce naiba… puteau face asta in urma cu 2 ani)…
Dar uups, cei 1.000 de euro/ luna (incasati in RON bineinteles) astazi reprezinta ~800 de euro/ luna…

Ce spuneti despre asta…

Si revenind la tipul din povestea ta… 550.000 de euro pentru un apartament in zilele noastre pare putin nebunesc…

Mircea Popescu
Serios vorbind, acesta este cel mai greoi blog pe care l-am vazut in ultima vreme

Marian
Ii doresc sa aiba ghinion. Ii doresc sa i se reduca salariul sau sa isi piarda locul de munca. Ar trebui sa fie un semnal de alarma pentru el.

Lupinsangerat

@bladhaund: Vrei sa spui sa economiseasca doar 10 ani!

Oricum, sunt de parere ca toti cei care au ceva bani ar trebui sa se uite la declaratia publica de avere a Alexandrei Gatex, ex-CEO Unilever, acum consilierul Presedintelui. Cu un salariu lunar de 18.000 de euro, locuieste intr-un apartament sa spunem, de 400.000 de euro, are economii de 400.000 de euro si datorii catre banca de 200.000 de euro. Uite asta e un exemplu de planificare financiara sanatoasa si Ilia, intreaba-i pe fostii tai prieteni daca ei sunt de parere ca ar trebui sa locuiasca intr-un apartament mai scump decat cel al ex-CEO-ului Unilever.

Iulian

Mandria lor e cel mai mare dusman al lor. Au o casa, un loc de munca, se au unul pe celalat, si totusi nu pot fi fericiti. Mandria nu le da voie. Intre timp viata trece pe langa ei. Aceasta este povestea omului de dinainte ca Biblia sa fi fost scrisa. Cititi despre izgonirea lui Adam si a Evei din Rai… exact aceeasi poveste! Nu trebuie sa fii suficient de intelept pentru a intelege acea istorisire simpla si sa castigi 5.000 de euro/ luna. Pace.

Emil

Prietenul tau ar trebui sa divorteze curand… “sotia” lui il vede ca pe o “sursa” si probabil donatorul de sperma. Daca ar fi tinut la el nu l-ar fi santajat sa intre in faliment: cand auziti “nu ma iubesti daca nu…”, fugiti.

Ubu
De fapt ceea ce face el are logica, luand in considerare rata de crestere a salariilor dar si a pretului proprietatilor pe parcursul boom-ului din Romania. Face o investitie care cel mai probabil isi va dubla valoarea in urmatorii 10 ani, in vreme ce salariul lui, dupa ce va trece criza, va incepe din nou sa creasca cu aproximativ 15% pe an (au fost ani cand salariile au crescut cu 25%, astfel incat acest procent nu este atat de mare acum). In acelasi timp, poti duce un trai destul de comfortabil cu 700 de euro in Romania la care se aduga eventual bonusurile de performanta, cu vacante de vara si de iarna in Romania (nu in Sinaia sau in Mamaia, dar la Borsa sau Sulina) si cu mancare gatita in casa si produse de calitate din piata de la tarani.

Ironics
Sunt de parere ca au pierdut contactul cu realitatea; cand castigi banii astia probabil ca esti orbit. Ma tem ca pericolul aici il constituie atitudinea sotiei.

Cristi
Imi vine greu sa cred ce fel de prieteni aiJ

De fapt, povestea in sinea ei este greu de crezut dar, probabil ca background-ul tau de jurnalist te-a determinat sa “infloresti” putin povestea pentru a preveni astfel de situatii in viitor.

Oricum, sunt de parere ca vremurile chiar nu mai sunt aceleasi… nu prea mai sunt tranzactii la preturi de 550.000 de euro in Bucuresti.

Toate cele bune,

C.

Cristina

M-ai facut sa zambesc. Multumesc! Si eu am astfel de prieteni. Este stilul romanilor, nu este nimic ce poate fi corectat. Stii zicala: “Traieste intens, mori repede!”

Felicitari pentru blog!

Cristina

Peter Fogarty

Ironic, dar multi romani isi duc viata asa… Eu locuiesc intr-o zona extraordinara a Bucurestiului - dar conduc o mizerie de masina… Multi locuiesc in zone mizere si conduc masini din clasa de varf… Daca mi-as fi permis, as fi dat bani pentru a ma muta intr-o zona decenta, mai mult decat as fi facut-o pentru a-mi lua o masina decenta… Are doar un comportament tipic romanesc, si atat. 

Toto
Hihi aceasta imi aminteste de o replica din filmul “My big fat Greek Wedding”: Grecoaicele, daca nu cicalesc pe cineva, MOR!

Someone
Pun sincer la indoiala inteligenta prietenului tau. Pentru cineva care are un asa venit in tara asta, nu este prea inteligent. Cu tot cu sotia lui.

Desi intentiile tale sunt bune.

More »

Double or triple size of apartment…
He works in a big company, with a salary of 5.000 euro / month. He started from very low and his wife is also coming from a poor family. Today, while millions of people all around the world are losing their jobs, he is sleeping peacefully, knowing that his work and salary are well protected, because of the results he has. Is everything ok? Well no…

They decided to try to have their first child. And along with this nice intention, the problems appeared too. “I cant live anymore at 70 sq.m., I need at least 150 - 200, especially when we will have a baby. You are working so hard. Why do you do this, if you can not enjoy a larger, more beautiful apartment in an area which suits our profile and our position in society?“. This is what she told me, Ilia. And she is right up to a point”.

A tough negotiation, template for seminars…
“So what will you do?” “She has found an apartment in a very nice area, a really cute one. The owner will sell it to us only for 550.000 euro” “Wow, so you really managed to steal him during negotiation” “Well not me, my wife. She found it, saw it and negotiated the price. From 580.000, she obtained 550.000 euro”. “Great, she should be a trainer, teaching all of us how the correct negotiations should be done. So, what are you planning to do?” “I am collecting loans, so as to obtain it” “Are you serious?” “Ofcourse. And I will use all my connections, so as to pay not more than 4.300 euro / month, so as to be able to live with the rest 700“. “Are you nuts? You should be… arrested for the way you are thinking…” After I talked to him using very bad words, he changed his mind and went back home to convince his wife…

None of the solutions worked…
“What to do? It is not my decision. We had a huge fight and she told me in the end that I don’t love her and I don’t take into consideration our baby“. “Did you adopt one?” “No, cut the crap, the one we want to have. I am desperate, I don’t know what to do”. “Do you want drastical solutions, or just to hear nice words?” “Let us start with the drastical ones…”

“Sit down with her and explain that it is dangerous for your family to spend more than 30 - 35% of your income for a housing loan, especially when she doesn’t work. It is better to use the rest of the money in other directions, so as to travel together around the world”. “I will have to do this anyway, anything else?”
“Tell her that you may be fired, or you may have to accept a lower salary in your work”. “She says she doesn’t care and she can not wait anymore. Anything else?”
“In this case, find a smaller “palace”, with a budget of 200.000  - 250.000 euro maximum. You will have plenty of choices today and your installment will be reasonable”. “Anything else?”

“We will have the best home of all”
He started telling me that… “You know… the more I think about it… the more I find the idea not so bad. It will provide added value to my life and also to my prestige in society“. “But you will risk your future, your career, your life, everything. And you will be blocked in an expensive apartment, having to pay almost all your money every month, during the worst crisis in the last decades“.
In the end I understood that he probably agreed with his wife and he pretended the victim, although he was not. I tried to save him, as I would do this for any friend of mine. I even asked to meet him together with his wife. “So what? If it happens for my husband to lose his job in the future, we will see then. Now we will have the best home of all“, she replied to me after all my arguments. Apparently almost all their circle of friendly couples have bought expensive properties in the past and they did not = big shame…

Several thousands of people blocked in expensive installments they can not afford
These days they negotiate the final details with the owner of the property. They are upset on me, as I was the only one who didn’t tell them congratulations for the excellent choice.
This friend is not the only one… It looks that there are still a lot of people who did not learn their lesson here in Romania. They refuse to respect today’s bad financial situation, they are focused only on how they will live good NOW, without to care about tomorrow.
It is funny, but it seems that I am more worried for my ex friend than himself for the future of his family. He didn’t care to notice that there already several thousands of people around us, blocked in the following situation: “having an expensive installment for apartment for the next 10 - 30 years, matching it with an expensive installment for car, while they barely manage to survive”. They became vulnerable for similar reasons with this couple.

This consumption model doesn’t work anymore
When I read analyses about the market, most of the times I don’t read that the problem is not solved if we spread money to people today, but if we initiate the healthy consumption to be activated again. The consumption model “I sell my future so as to live good today” doesn’t work anymore and it will bring many more problems to Romania in the near future.
“You’ll see”, as also Madonna sings…(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa_9CEhM0EQ)

Comments to this article:

• Adrian

I read your blog regularly and I find it quite good (I live in Cluj). Congratulations and keep up the good work :).
I cannot believe that there are people who think like that today. I’m astonished; I thought the last years events opened up the eyes for a lot of people - especially for those highly trained/paid.
Another thing I find interesting is that there are still banks willing to loan that kind of money for an over-evaluated apartment.
Well…you know what they say: there’s one born every 30 minutes.

Nicole
Mr Ilias,
I think that in the end these kind of people will suffer.
Although sometimes most of these people have the right connections, know the right people who can help them with a better job or another way to save them. Because you see, as a romanian proverb says “Ban la ban trage si..paduche la paduche”.
I also know a familly in almost same situation but they are surviving quite Ok although is hard.
To lay down more than the blanket allows you!
Probablly this is happening when you have lots of money, you want more and more for your apparently benefit.
I wish them good luck!

All the best to you,
Nico

BladHaund
I can hardly understand how come he is earning such a big salary and yet he shows such poor financial planing abilities. I am inclined to wonder, does he risk the assets and finances of his employers the same way he does his own? Or perhaps he is just a odd inventor and the financial work is left to more reality-oriented people… Not to mention that the financial “plan” he has come up with should have enabled him to save for just 1 (one!) year and buy the very expensive property he desires with no loan required. But perhaps last year he was earning just 500 euro :-).

Geretus
This guy earns 5000 eur/mth and he thinks to spend 4300 for the mortgage rate… Sounds crazy…
What do you think than about the guys who are earning ~ 1000 eur/mth and they have to pay rates of about 900 eur/mth (car, apartment etc - what the hell… they could do it 2 years ago)…
But oops, their 1000 eur/mth (cashed in RON of course) today means ~ 800 eur/mth..
How about that…
Now back to your guy… 550.000 EUR for an apartment in these days sounds a little bit crazy

Mircea Popescu
This is seriously the heaviest engrish blog I’ve seen recently.

Marian
I wish him bad luck. I wish him to get a salary reduction or to lose his job. That should be a wake-up call for him.

Lupinsangerat

@bladhaund You mean save for just 10 years!
Anyway, I think all people that have some money should look at the public wealth statement of Alexandra Gatex ex-CEO Unilever, now advisor to the President. With a monthly salary of EUR 18,000 she lives in a, say, 400,000 euro apartment has savings of about 400,000 euro and bank debts of 200,000 euros. Now that’s some healthy planning and Ilia, ask your ex-friends if they think they should live in a place more expensive than the one the 10 ex-CEO of Unilever lives in.

Iulian
Their pride is their worst enemy. They have a home, a job, each other, yet they can’t be happy. Pride won’t let them. Meanwhile life is passing by. This is the story of man since long before the bible was written. Read about Adam and Eve’s exit from heaven… exact same story! You don’t need to be wise enough to understand that simple tale in order to make 5000 Euro a month. Peace.

Emil
Your friend should get a divorce soon … his “wife” sees in him only the provider and probably the sperm donor. If she cared about him she would not have blackmailed him into certain bankruptcy: when you hear “you don’t love me if you don’t …”, run.

Ubu
Actually what he does makes sense, considering the rate at which the wages but also the price of properties grow during boom times in Romania. He’s making an investment that will most likely double in value in the next 10 years, while his wage, after the crisis will pass, will start to grow again at a rate of around 15% per year (there were years when wages grew by 25%, so that percentage is actually not that big). At the same time, you can live quite comfortably with 700 euros in Romania plus eventual performance bonuses, with summer and winter time vacations in Romania (not Sinaia or Mamaia, but in Borsa or Sulina) and with home cooking and eating good quality food from the peasant markets.

Ironics
I believe they lost contact with reality; when you earn this kind of money you probably get blinded. The danger here is the wife’s attitude, I’m afraid.

Cristi
I can hardly believe what kind of friends you have

In fact, the story itself is unbelievable but, probably your jurnalistic background forced you to pump a little bit the story to prevent this kind of situations.
Anyway, I think that times really changed… there are bearly no transactions at 550.000 euros in Bucharest.

Regards,
C

Stefan
Ground ZERO solution: kick out the stupid bitch! Probably he could find a younger, smarter, better looking one, with 1/4 of the money :). But probably he is not so smart, so he will mess up his entire life, for a cunt. And when the money runs out, she will live him in no time. 550k for an apartment in Bucharest - there are a lot of funny people living in this world :). Good luck!

Cristina
You’ve made me smile .Thank you ! I have friends like that. It’s the Romanian way , there’s nothing to correct .You know the saying : “Live fast, die young!”

Congrats on your blog!

Cristina

Peter Fogarty
Ironically lots of Romanians live life like this… I live in a great area of Bucharest - but drive a crap car… Lots of people live in crap areas and drive top of the range cars… If I had the money, I would have spent it on getting into a decent area, rather than a decent car… He is very Romanian in his outlook, that is all.

Toto
Hihi this reminds me of something that was said in My big fat Greek Wedding: Greek women, if they are not nagging somebody, THEY DIE!

Someone
I sincerely doubt about your friend’s intelligence. For someone who earns so much money in this country, he isn’t too clever. Along with his wife.
Though your intentions are good.

Tudor
The gentleman fully deserves what will happen to him.
Romania’s full of decent people who can’t get jobs because a peasant came from Dorohoi ( that’s very much up north ) to Bucharest, licked ass making his way to the top and now blocks others.

Thank you God for bringing equity to life!

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Versiunea romaneasca a lui “Mr. Big”

Intreaga situatie parea sa nu aibe o solutie, cum se intampla de obicei atunci cand faci afaceri cu intermediari neseriosi. Pana intr-o buna zi, cand mi-a sunat telefonul. “Domnule Ilias, dumneavoastra sunteti?” mi-a vorbit o voce din trecut care care a reinviat anumite amintiri si experiente. La acel moment nu vorbeam romaneste atat de bine, dar l-am inteles cand mi-a spus: “Mi-au ciripit niste pasarele. Si mi-au spus ca esti interesat de terenuri cu vedere la Casa Poporului. De ce nu ai apelat la mine de la bun inceput?” Am stabilit o intalnire pentru ziua urmatoare la mine la birou.

Acesta a venit insotit de inca o persoana. “Simpaticul” meu Mr. Big… eram atat de fericit sa pot sta din nou de vorba cu unul dintre primii oameni neseriosi cu care am avut de-a face in Romania. L-am analizat din cap pana in picioare. (Lucru care nu mi-a luat prea mult timp, presupunanad ca nu masoara mai mult de 1,55 m inaltime). Purta blugi si camasa la moda (dar ieftina) si pantofi de culoarea neidentificabila a … noroiului. Mi-a strans mana cu toata puterea lui, asa cum obisnuia sa o faca, si mi-a zambit, permitandu-mi astfel sa ii admir dantura “perfecta”(care cel mai probabil fusese spalata ultima data pe vremea cand Elena Ceausescu a primit distinctia din partea Reginei Angliei). Dar caracteristicile lui deosebite au fost intotdeauna chelia si vocea lui ascutita. De aceea oamenii ii spuneau “Mr. Big”. “Ilia, stii de ce este curajos si vorbeste in felul in care o face? “Mr. Big” a lucrat inainte pentru Stat, de aceea are atata curaj”.

O discutie suprarealista si “faimosul” proprietar

Discutia cu “Mr Big” era intotdeauna suprarealista si nu aveam niciun motiv sa schimbam acest obicei placut. La inceput mi-a cerut sa ii platesc lui bani pentru consultanta. “Daca nu, nu iti dau niciun fel de informatie”. Apoi a incercat sa “imi vanda mie informatie”. Dupa aceea s-a prefacut suparat pentru ca vorbisem cu atat de multi intermediari, “cu totii neseriosi”. (la vremea aceea ma imaginam deschizand un dictionar, cautand cuvantul “serios”. Si in dreptul acestuia sa fie afisata poza lui “Mr Big”, zambind, chelios, si cu dintii lui maro).

“O sa va pun in directa legatura cu proprietarul”. “Bine, acum mai stam de vorba. Dar as prefera sa vad documentele proprietatii mai intai”. “Acest lucru nu se poate. Proprietarul este o persoana renumita in Romania. Veti vedea hartiile cand va veti intalni cu acesta si atunci veti intelege”. “Este ceva ilegal in toata povestea asta? Daca da, te rog sa nu ma implicit si pe mine”. “Ilegal, oh Doamne, dar ce spuneti? Ti-am propus eu vreodata ceva ilegal?” “Aproape de fiecare data, de aceea nu am reusit sa incheiem niciodata vreo tranzactie. Ilegal sau scump”. “Tu esti cel care nu este serios, dar voi trece cu vederea aceasta slabiciune a ta. In concluzie, vrei sa il cunosti pe proprietar sau nu?” “Da”.  “Bine, ramane pe maine atunci”

Avocatul din Cluj…

O zi… doua… o saptamana… 10 zile… Dupa o perioada de tacere, “Mr Big” a reaparut. “Asa cum ti-am promis, te sun pentru a aranja intalnirea cu proprietarul. Dar pentru ca acesta este o persoana importanta si cunoscuta, trebuie sa te supui verificarilor avocatului acestuia mai intai. Va veni direct de la Cluj si vrea sa va intalniti maine la ora 11:30, la Hotelul Sofitel. Vine special pentru tine, sa fii acolo”. (Hotelul Pullman, la vremea aceea inca Sofitel). “Spune-i sa aduca si documentele proprietatii”. “Bineinteles”.

In acelasi hotel avea loc si o expozitie de imobiliare. Februarie 2007, la 5 luni dupa ce am primit informatia initiala, imi savuram sucul proaspat de portocale in cafeneaua de la Sofitel, undeva langa pian. Vorbeam la telefon si nu am realizat ca trecuse timpul, fara ca avocatul sa apara. In cele din urma a venit. Imbracat intr-un costum scump, si o cravata galbena(!). Abia mi-a soptit numele lui mic si a cerut discretie totala.. Imi vorbea numai in soapta pronuntand fiecare cuvant rar si suficient de clar. “Clientul meu nu este cineva cu care te intalnesti in fiecare zi. Ar trebui sa fii pregatit pentru o astfel de intalnire”. “Te referi la faptul ca ar trebui sa mai pierd din greutate inainte de intalnirea cu el?” ” O sa fii surprins. Acum trebuie sa fug, altfel voi pierde urmatoarea cursa de intoarcere spre Cluj”. (Chiar si-a inchipuit ca am crezut asta?)

“Mr Big” preia controlul situatiei

Apoi iarasi liniste. O saptamana… doua saptamani… trei saptamani… (asta este de fapt secretul, sa te faca sa alergi tu dupa ei). Intre timp au aparut multi alti intermediari, cu aceeasi poveste despre “o proprietate” etc. Asfel ca, in cele din urma, am cazut prada tentatiei si am intrebat pe cineva. Realitatea mi-a confirmat un fapt de care eram deja sigur: nimic nu era serios, si pe deasupra nu exista nicio sansa ca acest teren sa primeasca autorizatie de constructie. De aceea replica data de mine ultimilor 3 intermediari care mi-au oferit terenul a fost “ca nu ma intereseaza proprietatile false”. Cred ca acesta a fost semnul la care “Mr Big” trebuia sa isi faca din nou aparitia. M-a sunat, foarte suparat fiind, si mi-a spus: “Ei, grec viclean” ( cu cat incearca cineva sa ma pacaleasca mai mult, cu atat mai mult ma numeste pe mine viclean sau isi aminteste ca sunt grec)… “vorbesti prea mult si multe persoane sunt suparate. Astazi este marti. Joi megem sa ne intalnim cu proprietarul. Esti pregatit?” “Intotdeauna”.

Intalnirea “secreta” din Parcul Herastrau

“Nu vei spune nimanui unde vei merge si cu cine urmeaza sa te intalnesti. Vii pana la Soseaua Nordului si mai conduci cateva sute de metri”… gandindu-ma la explicatiile lui, ii spuneam colegului meu cum sa ajungem la punctul de intalnire. M-am gandit la mine si am inceput sa rad: “Daca nu ii crezi, de ce te-ai imbracat atat de bine?” M-am oprit inainte de a da ocazia colegului meu sa isi inchipuie ca mi-am pierdut si ultima farama de creier ramasa…

Joi dupa amiaza, inceput de primavara. Am intrat in restaurant, care era gol in acel moment. “Mr Big” era asezat la o masa, cu o bere in fata. Statea de vorba cu o doamna foarte grasa si urata. S-a ridicat pentru a-mi ura bun venit, printr-o imbratisare.(”Suntem filmati cumva?” m-am gandit eu…) M-a prezentat doamnei. Pentru o clipa am incetat sa il mai ascult. Doamna purta un tricou simplu, de culoare gri, care se chinuia sa pastreze in interior intreg continutul sau.. Parul ei lung era “natural” (nici periat - nici spalat) iar mainile tradau o persoana ca a muncit din greu in viata. “…doamna de aici este administratorul companiei care detine terenurile” a concluzionat “Mr Big”. “Dar trebuia sa ma intalnesc cu proprietarul”. “Acesta este ocupat, vei discuta cu dansa”.

“Uite ce, tarane, daca ai  bani, cumperi terenurile. Dar esti un las”

Am fost intrebat daca doresc sa comand ceva. “Apa plata”, ca de obicei. A inceput sa imi povesteasca despre cum a fost construit Palatul Parlamentului si a trebuit sa o intrerup pentru a ne concentra pe ceea ce aveam noi de facut. (Pe deasupra imi venea si destul de greu sa urmaresc ce spune, avand in vedere nivelul meu de intelegere a limbii romane.) “Acesta este un plan, acestea sunt proprietatile. Am si un Certificat de Urbanism. Daca aveti bani, veti construi chiar vis-à-vis de Casa Poporului, sau cum ii spuneti voi, Palatul Parlamentului”. “Dar adresa este alta; documentele nu fac referire la terenul despre care vorbim noi. Unde este proprietarul?” Ea s-a inrosit de furie… “Uite ce, tarane, daca ai bani cumperi terenurile,. Dar esti un las. In ce te priveste, nu exista niciun proprietar. Eu sunt cea care decide”. Mi-am intors privirea inspre “Mr Big” , care devenise “Mr. Small” pe loc…

“Mie mi s-au spus lucruri total diferite”. “Atunci pleaca si nu imi mai pierde vremea, in fiecare zi intalnesc lasi ca si tine”. “Mr. Small” era palid si nu mai rostea niciun cuvant. M-am uitat in ochii ei. Era atat de mandra ca vorbise astfel unui strain. Cred ca a avut un orgasm mental cand a facut-o. Nu i-am raspuns. M-am ridicat si m-am indreptat inspre iesire, dar inainte de deschide usa, a venit dupa mine un chelner: “Nu ati achitata apa” a tipat el pentru o sticla de apa pe care nu o desfacusem. I-am dat 5 ron si am iesit.

“Ai inteles gresit”

Cand cineva incearca sa te pacaleasca si nu reuseste, de obicei nu iti mai raspunde la telefoane. Asa ca nu m-am deranjat sa  il mai sun pe “Mr. Small”. Mi-a aparut in cale dupa un an si cand a realizat ca eu sunt cel care reprezenta cumparatorul intr-o anumita tranzactie, a plecat imediat si i-a vorbit de rau proprietarului despre mine. In 2009, cand l-am intalnit undeva din pura coincidenta, a indraznit sa imi spuna: “Stii, ai inteles gresit atunci”. Da…

PS.1. In realitate: Cineva se folosea de orice minciuna posibila pentru a gasi o victima si sa vanda acest teren, situat in cu totul alta parte. Acesta promisese 10% comision tuturor acestor intermediari si dorea sa isi faca aparitia doar la semnarea contractului final. Din nefericire pentru el (si din fericire pentru aceasta tara) nu a reusit.

PS.2. Nu toti “intermediarii” sunt asa. Am intalnit si o mica parte de oameni seriosi. Dar daca ti se intampla sa intalnesti 20, 17 - 18 dintre ei se vor asemana cu acesta sau vor fi si mai rai. Nu incercati sa va ganditi cum de se gandesc ca va pot pacali. Au facut-o in trecut, este singurul fel in care stiu ei sa isi faca treaba.

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The Romanian reply to “Mr Big”

The whole situation was leading to a dead end, as it usually happens when you mess with unserious intermediates. Until one day, when my telephone rang. “Mister Ilias, is it you?” I heard a voice from the past, waking up memories and experiences. My Romanian was not so good at that time, but I understood him saying: “Some birds sing. And they say that you are interested in the lands with view to The House of People. Why didn’t you come to me from the very beginning?” The meeting was set for the day after, at my office.

He arrived together with someone else. My “sweet” Mr Big… I was so happy to talk again to one of the first unserious guys I met in Romania. My eyes explored him from his toes to his head. (I didn’t need a lot of time for that, I guess he is not more than 1.55 meters tall). He was dressed in blue jeans and a fancy (but cheap) shirt, with his shoes having the unidentified color of… dirt. He shook my hand with all his power, as he used to and he smiled, allowing me to watch his “perfect” dentition (I guess it was brushed for the last time when Elena Ceausescu had received the award by the English Queen). But his characteristic was always his bald head and his sharp way of talking. This is why people were calling him “Mr Big”. “Ilia, do you know why he is brave and talks like this? “Mr Big” used to work for the State, this is why he has the guts”.

A surrealistic discussion and the “famous” owner

The discussion with “Mr Big” was always surrealistic and there was no reason to change this nice habit. In the beginning he asked me to pay him money for consulting. “If not, I don’t tell you anything at all”. Then he tried to “sell to me information”. After he pretended that he got upset because I spoke with so many intermediates, “all of them are unserious”. (at that time I imagined me opening a dictionary, searching for the word “serious”. And when I would have found it, to notice next to it the photo of “Mr Big”, smiling with bald head and his brown teeth).

“I will bring you in direct access with the owner”. “Good, now we are talking. But I would prefer to see the papers firstly”. “This is not possible. The owner is a very famous Romanian person. You will see the papers when you will meet him and you will understand”. “Is there anything illegal into all these? If yes, please include me out”. “Illegal, Oh my God, what are you talking about? Did I ever present to you something illegal?” “Almost always, this is why we didn’t finalize any transaction together. Illegal or expensive”. “You are the one who is not serious, but I will bypass this weakness of yours. So, do you want to meet the owner or not?” “Yes”. “Ok, tomorrow”.

The lawyer from Cluj…

One day… two… one week… ten days… After a silent period, “Mr Big” appeared again. “As I promised to you, I call you in order to arrange the meeting with the owner. But because he is very important and famous, you have to be checked firstly by his lawyer. He will come directly from Cluj, to meet you tomorrow at 11.30, at Sofitel Hotel. He comes just for you, be there”. (Hotel Pullman used to be branded as Sofitel at that time). “Tell him to come with the papers too”. “Ok, of course”.

There was a Real Estate exhibition held in the same hotel. February 2007, five months after the initial information, I was drinking my fresh orange juice sitting at Sofitel’s café, close to piano. I was talking over the phone and didn’t notice that time had passed without the lawyer to appear. In the end, he came. Dressed in an expensive suit, with a yellow (!) tie. He barely told me his small name and asked for complete discretion. He was whispering to me, stating each word slowly and clear enough. “My client is not someone you meet every day. You should be ready for such a meeting”. “Do you mean that I am fat and I have to lose weight before meeting him?” “You will be surprised. And now I have to run, because I will lose the next plane back to Cluj”. (Did he really think that I believed this?)

“Mister Big” takes the situation under control

Then silence again. One week… two weeks… three weeks… (this is the catch, to make you run behind them). Several other intermediates appeared meanwhile, saying the same story regarding “a property” etc. So, after all, I got tempted and asked some people. The reality was exactly what I was sure of: There was nothing serious, plus there would be no chance for this land to receive an authorization to build. This is why I replied to the last 3 intermediates who offered me the plot “that I am not interested in fake properties”. I guess this was the sign for “Mr Big” to appear again. He called me, really upset, and told me: “Ok, sneaky Greek” (the more someone tries to trick me, the more he calls me sneaky or he remembers I am Greek)… “you talk too much and a lot of people are upset. Today we have Tuesday. On Thursday we go to meet the owner. Are you ready?” “Always”.

The “secret” meeting at Herastrau Park

“You will not tell to anyone where you go and who you will meet. You will come to Soseaua Nordului and drive for some hundreds of meters”… having in mind his description, I was telling to my colleague how to reach the meeting point. I looked at myself and I started laughing: “As you don’t believe them, why are you dressed so good?” I stopped before my colleague would consider that I lost even the small portion of brain left in my head…

Thursday afternoon, in the beginning of Spring. I entered in the restaurant, which was empty at that time. “Mr Big” was sitting on a table, having in front of him one beer. He was discussing with an ugly very fat lady. He stood up to welcome me, hugging me also. (”Am I videotaped?” I thought…) He introduced me to the lady. For a moment I stopped listening to him. She was wearing a simple grey t-shirt which struggled to keep inside all its content. Her long hair was “natural” (not brushed - not washed) and her hands showed someone who really worked in her life. “… the lady here is the administrator of the company to whom the lands belong” “Mr Big” concluded. “But I was supposed to meet the owner”. “He is busy, you will speak with her”.

“Look, peasant, if you have money, you buy the lands. But you are a coward”

I was asked to order something. “Still water”, as usual. She started with some stories regarding how the Parliament Palace was built, I had to interrupt her so as to focus on our work. (Plus it was difficult for me to follow, with my poor Romanian). “This is a sketch, these are the properties. I have also a certificate of Urbanism. If you have money, you will build just across the House of People, how you call it, the Parliament Palace”. “But the address is different; the papers don’t refer to the lands we were talking about. Where is the owner?” She became red from anger… “Look, peasant, if you have money, you buy the lands. But you are a coward. There is no owner for you, nothing. I am the one who decides”. I turned my head to “Mr Big”, who had become “Mr Small” at that moment…

“I was informed for completely different things”. “Then go away and don’t lose my time, I meet every day cowards like you”. “Mr Small” was white and didn’t spell one word. I looked at her eyes. She felt so proud for talking like this to a foreigner. I guess she had a mental orgasm doing it. I didn’t reply. I stood up and walked to the door, but before to open it, a waiter ran behind me: “You didn’t pay your water” he screamed for the bottle I didn’t open. I gave him 5 ron and stepped out.

“You did not understand good”

When someone tries to trick you and he does not succeed, he usually stops replying to your calls. So I didn’t bother calling “Mr Small” anymore. He appeared in front of me after one year and when he realized that I was the one representing the buyer in a deal, he left immediately and spoke bad about me to the owner. It was 2009 when I met him somewhere by coincidence and he dared to tell me: “You know, back then you did not understand good”. Yeah…

PS.1. The reality: Someone was using all possible lies in order to find a victim and sell his land, located elsewhere. He promised 10% commission to all these intermediates and wanted to appear only during the final contract. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for this country) he did not succeed.

PS.2. Not all “intermediates” are like this. I have also met a small minority of serious people. But if you meet 20 of this race, 17 - 18 will be similar or even worse. Don’t wonder how they think they can trick you. They did it in the past, this is the only way of work they know.

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