My Big Real Estate Regret 🏠

[@HouseJawn]

So glad you came back to host this show, it wasn't the same without ya

[@cedricdellafaille1361]

Wasn't he always the host?

[@Yahweh-dn9cv]

@@cedricdellafaille1361he had his staff members do some episodes in 2023,the 1st half

[@flowbrandz316]

Yeah, if Andrew ever wants to fully step away, he'll need to hire a personality from the Anglosphere.

[@MgtowRubicon]

Memento Mori: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure; these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." -- Steve Jobs

[@gdbrojus]

I gotta put some thought to that man

[@sebastianmontalvo4545]

My stoic friend

[@d.f.9064]

At 60, suddenly making plans to build a new house and especially, planting trees, seems like a waste of time as I don't have that much time left. Changed my focus.

[@ninapetrov1724]

I did a similar thing. Moved to Montenegro 2 years ago, looking for my "perfect home". I moved to Kotor in the Boka Bay (renting), and I was searching for a villa (to buy) on Luštica - just like a place with a small coast where I could keep my boat, something cute. My problem with this area now is everything is getting ridiculously urbanized - you no longer have the "peace and quiet" that you came here for in the first place. And on top of that, so many people moved here after the Russia-Ukraine war, buying houses and flats, that the prices have gone up so much since I arrived. After 2.5 years now, I am moving to Belgrade where I am purchasing an apartment, thinking how I can always come to Montenegro on a vacation and rent a deluxe place for a week or so.

[@d.f.9064]

Thank you for your insight.

[@SabineWald_NowHere]

I started travelling and have been introduced to Montenegro just over two weeks ago. I stayed in Budva, Herceg Novi and Ulcinj. I went to Ulcinj as someone suggested that it was much quieter than the rest of the coast. However, it seemed a bit scary for a solo female traveller and you have to drive to get around. I agree that it is very crowded even outside of the season. I had enough of Budva noise and the worst driving I've seen since Italy. I am in the capitol of MN atm, Podgorica and am enjoying this beautiful city, an hour drive to the coast. However, their driving truly disturbs me. I had a few close calls as a pedestrian while crossing the road, even on the green light. I am thinking about Belgrade next.

[@homeschooledaroundtheworld4660]

In light of what happened recently to the Spanish traveler in India, now a victim of gang rape, would you please dedicate a video to “go where you are treated best” for female investors?? Thank you Andrew!!! Your community really appreciate all the work you do.

[@cantatanoir6850]

From that standpoint countries of Central Europe with a relatively small amount of immigrants like Slovenia would be good bet.

[@ashog1426]

Not india? Lol

[@hubbabubba9695]

Malta. English speaking, low taxes and one of the safest countries on the planet for women.

[@kriskemp]

avoid the places flooded with illegal immigrants

[@JRPLawyeress1]

That’s a great question. Terrible story about Spanish tourist.

[@JessicaT10118]

Building is a pain in the US. I cant imagine overseas. When we move to Europe, we are buying off the secondary market and calling it a day. Life is too short to deal with contractors and construction ever again.

[@jos_t_band3912]

Depends. Sweden is not Spain is not Germany.

[@mandrews1245]

Renting is not a bad thing. I've rented and owned alternating back and forth for 50 years. At one point I rented 3 apartments in 3 cities as well as owning and occupying 2 homes in different countries. I travelled extensively for business and got fed up lugging suitcases around. It was easier to have an apartment with all my things there when I arrived. (I'm not counting the additional rented apartment for my daughter attending University). Around age 48, settled into having one home in each country. Everything was duplicated right down to golf clubs and memberships in both locations. I was fortunate to retire at 50. At age 60 pared down to one home. At age 75, sold that larger home and set out to rent again. I've never looked at renting as transient living. Never had a lease for less than 5 years. Renting never stopped me from decorating or even replacing appliances. But this time, my daughter was insistent I move in with her and her family. She has a large home so privacy and independence would not be an issue. Now at 78, I'm happy to have my own apartment within my daughter's home. I can cook and entertain and have all the freedom I desire. Even a back yard and BBQ. There are some added bonuses: I get to see my grandkids regularly. Just walk across the courtyard. The dog however doesn't wait for me and drops by everyday for her hugs. AND I have a daughter who insists on doing my grocery shopping, puts my trash out, and drives me to any appointment or event I want to attend. I still have my own car, but promised myself decades ago at age 80 I would stop driving... so I'm still on target to achieve that goal. Renting or owning is just your mindset.... You can make anyplace your home!

[@JRPLawyeress1]

Wow. What a wonderful daughter you brought up. Well done! Congratulations. Having wonderful kids is a true blessing.

[@Kuk0san]

Sounds like you won at life man enjoy your peaceful twilight years, you've earned it!

[@emdumont]

These days, there are few countries where senseless bureaucracy does not get in the way of building or renovating. I bought and renovated 2 adjacent ruins in Spain. The pruchase price was low. I wasted 3 years of my life navigating insane bureaucracy, a small fortune, lost my temper far too many times over the endless minutiae imposed by semi-literate bureaucrats. We have neighbors who waited 6 and 8 years for building permits. I don't regret it - regret is a waste of energy - BUT nothing will convince me to build or renovate a house anywhere in Europe ever again. Life is way too short for such lunacy. Good luck in Greece. I know folks whose dream projects transmogrified into decades of living hell.

[@intellectualgladiata]

I think Montenegro will continue to do better but I cannot for the life of me understand why they want to pursue going down the path of becoming an EU nation and already letting Brussels dictate things like higher taxes.

[@bobdublin825]

Security protection. More than likely

[@mbrady2329]

Obvious trade advantages for a small country, along with farming subsidies.

[@davymac92]

@@bobdublin825 They're already in NATO.

[@bobdublin825]

@@davymac92 since when? I live in 🇺🇸, didn’t know tbh

[@davymac92]

@bobdublin825 since 2017, I believe. Pretty much every European country is in NATO except Ukraine, Austria, Serbia, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and Moldova and one or two others I can't think of off the top of my head.

[@CryptoGrit]

Serbia, Montenegro and Balkan are in general like that unfortnetly... you can't know things front and its hard to get clarity on things...

[@MrVibriocholerae]

Its sad but true. Greece is very much the same (im greek). Very risky for foreign investors unless you know the right people

[@xxxs8309]

Building from scratch is a massive headache

[@sophiad4430]

especially in places like Europe.

[@tommie6936]

11:12 I'd say living in an apartment is actually more chill, as you've got so many more things to worry about in a villa.

[@ApplesOranges123]

Love the honesty. I thought this was going to be Clickbait and the biggest regret was that you didn’t do it sooner…. A common trope. Best wishes, Danny.

[@msbeecee1]

He's amazingly honest & forthcoming!! Love this guy.

[@ben_dixon]

Just pressed play and I expected the same.

[@yosefnwabuko334]

Spoken like a true Libra. Go where the aesthetics are on point. I love it.

[@keepdreaming227]

Andrew, if you want to get things done it’s called bribes., especially if the government room is a bunch of guys hanging out smoking

[@mandrews1245]

You just say.... "If I can get my permit approved by the end of the month, I'm willing to pay a cash bonus"... It has always worked for me... No payment until after the task has been completed!

[@FinancialFreedomLifestyle]

Thank you for sharing! Love your content.

[@nomadcapitalist]

So glad! 😊

[@davidsimos]

Great video, that footage of Montenegro makes me want to visit Kotor. I can't wait for some videos of your search for Greek property. I've been there twice in the last five years and am planning another summer trip in August. I rarely visit a town/village/city I have been before because there is so much to see in Greece (this includes neglecting my parents' small villages ... sorry relatives😬). I imagine the same will be true for you as you search for the part of Greece that captures your heart while on a holiday. This would then become the part of Greece you could see yourself living in for months on end and the property search begins. Another consideration is that the travel times aren't excessive if you've got a Greek home and want to explore another island for a few days. I'll follow this journey closely and be fascinated for your thoughts on a city called Nafplio, which has captured my heart despite it not having the best beaches (which I thought was 'my thing')...turns out I love the lively little Venetian ports of Greece and Nafplio is my favourite. Thanks again for all the content over the years Andrew 🙏☺

[@Holdeenio]

Appreciate the update on Montenegro. Since you got married I imagine you’re spending more time in Malaysia and haven’t heard you mention Montenegro much since. I know very little about it but Greece sounds like it could be a good fast follower if you did liquidate your assets there. For research purposes if nothing else.

[@emilypaisley9440]

We all do the best we can at a given time. No one knows the future.

[@jamalgreen3056]

I would’ve picked Greece too instead I think the overall space in Greece there is more space as far as land.The second thing is Greece produces more resources and raw materials within the country so it is easier to get certain things plus they will be cheaper than in Montenegro 🇲🇪.

[@mva6044]

Not what I thought this was going to be about (yes exit from montenegro, but not due to upcoming accession into the EU). For those on a tighter budget and with less discerning tastes than Sir Andrew to furnish your apartment, may I suggest IKEA? They have a delivery center just a hop & a step over the Croatian border near Dubrovnik.

[@sasamilic720]

Montenegro is really a place where it helps to know the language and to have connections. There are various private services that do things like import furniture from Western Europe

[@erik_saulkalns]

Very interesting, personally been spending prolonged time in Montenegro now and what you said is exactly correct. I immediately felt this directness of their culture, overall things are chill yet the people are also direct and intense at the same time. Also the atmosphere of how things look and are organized is immediately noticeable as soon as you cross from Croatia in the "EU" to Montenegro, night and day difference especially in infrastructure.

[@nmnopnonld3ti]

I love this guy and his view of the world even if I cannot afford at all his lifestyle. Thank you for being on KZbin. My dream is to live like you.

[@nomadcapitalist]

Thank you for your kind words! It means a lot to hear that you appreciate the content.

[@mattanderson6672]

Thanks Andrew!!!

[@yokoschroder314]

Ohhh Andrew, although you are lucky with the appreciation of the land, but I think you were little bit naive too, going into that project. The “South” has a relaxed lifestyle and everyone in Europe knows their motto: “ If I don’t come by today, then I will come by tomorrow. If I don’t come by tomorrow, then I will come by next week. If I don’t come by next week, then likely I will not come by at all.”

[@jennycurtis4447]

Missed you! Glad you’re back!

[@stedmays2768]

TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD, THAT IS THE QUESTION.........A debate that many people with sizable assets and business portfolios have --- is it worth it to contribute the time and energy and go through the inevitable frustration it takes to build? If the answer is not a resounding yes, don't do it.

[@stedmays2768]

@dingdong8242 Location is, of course, always a huge factor.

[@mandrews1245]

Oh yes, if only the decision was based on logic and not emotion....Many times I've bought and renovated, plus designed and built, once acting as my own general contractor. Don't build unless: -- you have 25% more money than you budgeted; -- you hire the BEST architect and check them, their staff, their business, and client references and verify if there were any problems getting approvals and permits; -- you are prepared to spend much more time planning than anticipated and not willing to authorize 'change orders. List: needs, wants and future.... -- you ensure home and windows are oriented to the movement of the sun; -- you make all decisions during construction within a day or every delay will cost you more money; -- you pay monthly as invoiced and only as the work has been done, initially having advanced only enough to buy materials; -- you do not live in your home if your renovating. You can't afford to renovate if you can't rent elsewhere for the many months renovations will take; -- you hold back 10% until the final walk thru inspection and those items have been fixed. -- You should now be able to part with your architect and construction crew being on friendly terms.

[@rajm2626]

Lovely St. Lucia pin, Andrew!

[@dakota-rt8kd]

Confusing times, indeed. While, am always up for any adventures. So, many, geopolitically, changes are presently, taking place, worldwide and people being , so wishy washy, from one day to the otherwise; sunrise. It's an understatement for me to be saying, that my head, it's spinning in trying to figured, things out...😅 Thank You! 😊

[@Quaarlos]

Good story thank you!

[@37tara]

Greece is beautiful and a great choice ❤

[@PavelOskov]

In Greece is recommend to visit Kalamata

[@bdflavors1347]

What is the source of your funds? Going all the way back....work? entrepreneurship? inheritance?

[@d.f.9064]

Not polite to ask.

[@baronbattles4681]

You are right owning has its advantages, but possessions possess. Renting means you pay someone else to have the headaches of that asset. Plus it means you can easily change. Plus, if you only plan a few weeks or months in a place every year, perhaps you can work a deal with the owner on a regular basis? And as you have said having your wealth generating interest income may even cover your rent, and what you loose is the inflation gains and taxes it creates. Pencil it out and you might find renting isn’t always the worst way to operate. Some people even find relationships with hotel chains and their deals fantastic ways to live.

[@mandrews1245]

You're right. I did a deal with a large chain where I guaranteed them occupancy of 15 days a month in one of their hotels across the country, and I got a substantial discount. I finally gave it up because I was tired of lugging luggage. But it was a good financial deal. Then I started renting apartments with 6 month and annual leases and found that was good as well and I could leave my belongings and have them when I returned.

[@saigonexile531]

Greece would be nice.........on my bucket list.

[@gtsaliba]

Dont sell the land. Dont build anything. Keep things simple. Do what youve always done.

[@Pajtim2023]

For example, if you build a villa in Albania, they brought lotta Italian structures for kitchen for bathrooms. It will be way easier to build it there in Montenegro

[@catsfive]

I am now a client, so don't go looking me up and hating on me, BUT, this is interesting and a very different video. You're just sort of sharing your preferences, it's an interesting way to view someone

[@SabineWald_NowHere]

I started travelling around Europe for the past few years since I had enough of Australia, Melbourne and its lockdown craziness. Coincidentally, I am in MN atm. I was surprised how much I liked its people but I think that they might have one of the world's worst drivers. The drivers won't stop even if you have a green light or have stepped on a crossing. Their coastal towns like Budva, Herceg Novi and Boka are stunning but are way too crowded, way too noisy, even outside of season. It's a madness. I am in Podgorica right now and think it's a cute town. Again, I hate the driving here for some reason. I have also noticed tensions between Serbs and Montenegrin. I met more Russians than the locals too. I feel that Serbs might aim for their coast. Things do not look good from that perspective. I might be wrong but there could be another war in these areas. There are too many nationalists preying to make their territory bigger. In the current Schengen area the country I most appreciated was Hungary. Budapest is not only one of the most beautiful cities in the world, still quite cheap to live in but also the safest for us solo travellers. They didn't let the illegal immigration in and I hope it stays that way. I avoid Sweden, Germany, Austria and parts of Italy for this reason. I felt the worst as a woman in Vienna where I had a close call walking 5 min from the station to my apartment. The next town to check out might be Belgrade in Serbia then Istanbul or similar, not after I check out the rural areas of Montenegro. Thank you for the insights.

[@joannewolfe5688]

I found this video quite entertaining.

[@gtsaliba]

It will all go to shit when the war starts, dont tire yourself thinking about it, just stay comfortable, keep it simple

[@NapoleonDynamyte]

I’m buying in Greece. Will be my future retirement home. It doesn’t get much better than that.

[@d.f.9064]

I thought a lot about Montenegro. So many good and positive things, but it is too close for comfort to the Kosovo and Serbia conflict, and the Bosnia conflict wasnt all that long ago either. Then theres the Russian and Ukrainian outcasts aaaannd I'm out.

[@jesseaguirre5113]

How can we find your Pinterest board?

[@jaredsmith4281]

I feel like you learned a lot from that experience so probably not a huge regret. Just a learning experience.

[@regimesoftruth]

With the cash open a 3x lev long on btc for 6 months. Then buy montenegro.

[@FreshTuna]

😂

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

If you invest a trillion USD you'll get like 6 trillion USD and then you can buy all of Montenegro.

[@FreshTuna]

@fjorddenierbear4832 Albania costs like half price so just buy Albania instead

[@regimesoftruth]

good points @@FreshTuna

[@msbeecee1]

I totally agree 🎉 I wanted to scream at him: buy BTC w it!

[@chicago9458]

“I got hos in different area code” is what you’ve been doing all these years! Enjoining yourselves

[@TheronGBurrough]

Bit of a giggle hearing you describe how both you and the Montenegrans can be a handful to work with. 🙂

[@thealternativecontrarian9936]

why didn't you show us this property, some interior shots would be nice.

[@msbeecee1]

Did u listen to the video? It's only LAND right now...he was thinking abt building a property but realized it would be not worth the headache

[@thealternativecontrarian9936]

@@msbeecee1I didn't catch that part

[@msbeecee1]

@thealternativecontrarian9936 glad I could help ! 😜

[@jsbarto1]

I am very much inclined to go where, as Andrew puts it, "things work." I already have the Irish passport I got years ago myself due to my maternal ancestry. So for me, Switzerland is on my short list for a place to live longer term outside the USA for a number of reasons.Too bad Switzerland is landlocked, though I guess Lake Geneva is the stand-in for the seaside. I visited Greece 20 years ago for the 2004 Summer Olympics, so I experienced a "clean and efficient" Athens. Maybe I should visit other spots in Greece for the seaside ambiance. A former BF's parents wintered in Portugal back in the 70s for a number of years, and they loved it, so maybe that's another possibility for a visit...

[@sambryner6466]

NO RAGRETS

[@tedrick4713]

Your business is helping people move abroad, building units in a foreign country will sap you're energy chasing contractors and distract you from your core business. Sell it and move on. You will be a happy a year from now!!!

[@mandrews1245]

Humans live in cycles, but most don't realize it. As we age and our priorities change we shed the things we no longer want. You are now at an age and time where wife and family will become your main focus for next decade or so.

[@mbrady2329]

Andrew, at risk of asking a daft / naive question, have you not tried having items delivered to an address in Croatia instead, and having them transported over the border by road? Or am I missing some vital pieces of the puzzle here?

[@sasamilic720]

You can definitely get what you want in Montenegro but it involves time, money, and having connections

[@bobdublin825]

Great story

[@ThiefKingofLegend]

Why wouldn't you own property in Spain?

[@8d4o0c4]

Spain is great, but it is not the place to go for efficiency or organization.

[@tommie6936]

okupas..

[@gall6336]

Taxes!

[@dntstpmving]

Buildin for 1400€ is cheap. In Germany you need more than 3500

[@yessikanegron1906]

Andrew, why would you not consider buying property in Spain?

[@nadpul]

Is putting €400k in a bank in Greece a good idea to get residency? If so do they give a good rate? Any recommendations?

[@NapoleonDynamyte]

FIP visa: make more than 2,000 euro per month or the Golden Visa: Buy a home for more than 250,000 euros.

[@kdjeffery]

€1.4k psm is incredibly low, we’re building a house at ~€4.5k psm at the moment, that’s not including the plot.

[@kdjeffery]

@PatRisberg Do you mean per square metre, or per square foot? You could prob do the groundworks and foundation slab for $350/per square metre, but building a complete house with walls, windows roof, bathrooms, kitchen, heating, lighting, flooring etc. seems a bit unrealistic.

[@kdjeffery]

@PatRisberg Surreal! $50k for a home, that's a good night out here ;)

[@kdjeffery]

@PatRisberg so cheap, you are very lucky.

[@patrickwilliam3322]

That's ridiculously expensive. That's like $1M for a 2000 sq ft house. Not including land? Unless it's ultra ultra lux, you're getting ripped off, sorry. In the US I could build for well under $100 per square foot.

[@patrickwilliam3322]

@@kdjeffery You're a cornball. Obviously you're rich and you know it's extremely expensive, but pretending it's normal. Weird...

[@natalliacharnenka9469]

You should consider North Cyprus. It’s as beautiful as Montenegro, but much warmer and the sea is amazing to swim for more than half a year: from may till mid-November at least. Montenegro season ends in September and the winter is terrible with no central heating. And cheaper than Montenegro for sure

[@msbeecee1]

Wow sounds great 🎉

[@jsc2606]

just beware of banks there as they were the first to take a percentage of peoples money without warning. other than that cyprus is a beautiful country.

[@gall6336]

N Cyprus is stolen land and the UN dont even recognise it! Only Turkey recognises N Cyprus.

[@mandrews1245]

I'm pressing to get two of my grandchildren dual citizenship with Cyprus via their father. He left when he was 17 and can't understand why I want this for them, but he is agreeing to make sure it happens.

[@antoinetteandrzejewski6893]

What are your thoughts regarding Prospera, Honduras.

[@nadpul]

By the way, good decision about not building in Montenegro.

[@cyclopes82]

So why wouldn't you build in Spain?

[@tsp7517]

Why not going to Cyprus?

[@oceanwave4142]

Have you entered the same country twice in the same year with a different nationality passport? Isn't that close to a guarantee that you'd get interrogated?

[@Rainy_Day12234]

In small towns across Latin America you just build.

[@dgoullet1]

All your assumptions go out of the window when you have a family 😅

[@mandrews1245]

I laugh when you say that. My husband always told the boys their last words should always be," Yes Dear!" Remember a happy wife brings a happy life".... They are all grown now with kids of their own. They have great lives with long and happy marriages.

[@jameswalker366]

You bought something in One & Only? 😉

[@alphacic9806]

You made a mistake u should buy property in turkey/bodrum instead in Istanbul

[@tonyn3227]

montenegro is so overpriced,

[@EMan-cu5zo]

Just curious if you have any kids? If so what ages are they?

[@msbeecee1]

I think he has a young daughter (like

[@nomadcapitalist]

No, I don't.

[@pat564]

If it takes you two years for your order to arrive from a EU country then it’s time to move on.

[@SaadonAksah]

This is a rich man problem 😂

[@Rainy_Day12234]

I hear Turkey is nice.

[@EvgenyUskov]

you need to buy property in Russia

[@d.f.9064]

I hear there's a lot of single women there.

[@mandrews1245]

@@d.f.9064 -- Yes, that's true, but Putin has declared 2024 as year of the "Family". I think he is expecting those getting leave to increase the population,,,

[@EvgenyUskov]

@@d.f.9064 you need to watch mainstream media less

[@anthonydowling3356]

I guess you will never end up living in a bash then lol (a homeless persons make shift tent ) .Some of us live in the real World .