Making money.

[hoyin]

All good to see lots are involved in the property market. Unfortunately I am at the other end of the market. The one who you use for little money and then make more money from our ideas. Yes I am an architect. Always wanted to do something for myself - but always seem to be too busy doing it for other people.

 

[Kazzer]

Got a solid tip for Cheltenham in 10 days time or so ..... if anyones keen ...

Work in construction and looking for plots of development land Bristol/Gloucester area - this would be our first venture - this will probably be to large for us - but would be interested
in the details.

Karen

 

[Steve GS]

All good to see lots are involved in the property market. Unfortunately I am at the other end of the market. The one who you use for little money and then make more money from our ideas. Yes I am an architect. Always wanted to do something for myself - but always seem to be too busy doing it for other people.

I've yet to see a poor architect. I've just gave one a couple of grand for some drawings. I know a lot of architects project run now so they keep in with the build, and make a bit more on top. Now the biggest con is the party wall surveyor, he just had £1400 for a quick visit and will come back when I've done my build for another.

 

[hoyin]

True whilst not poor, you don't often see a rich one. I think the hourly rate we are expected to charge is quite low. Especially after having to study for 7 years and the responsibilities you have to undertake.

Whilst they may charge for the drawings there is a lot of additional thinking time and it is not often the value a good architect can bring is accounted for in the fee.

Shouldn't grumble though. At least they have a job!

 

[D Walker]

Got a solid tip for Cheltenham in 10 days time or so ..... if anyones keen ...

Fangio - how would that work?
Dave.

 

[Steve GS]

True whilst not poor, you don't often see a rich one. I think the hourly rate we are expected to charge is quite low. Especially after having to study for 7 years and the responsibilities you have to undertake.

Whilst they may charge for the drawings there is a lot of additional thinking time and it is not often the value a good architect can bring is accounted for in the fee.

Shouldn't grumble though. At least they have a job!

I think that 7 year training pen pushers talk about to justify there fees is over stated to learn a trade go to collage 3 years that doesn't make you a tradesmen. 5 plus years on site after that. then your getting there. Another 5 years you should be a master at your trade and be able to overcome any problems. My rant for the day.

 

[rockits]

I've been training for the 20 years and still learning! Getting there now though

 

[hilts uk]

355's and 348's are one of the few Ferrari models which haven't risen in value, most other have doubled in last 2/3 years. e.g. 308's and 328's now range from £60k to £180k. In the Maser world I have been looking to buy a 70's ear car as they are so limited in number. But prices have risen a lot - Meraks are £25k-50k. Bora's and Khamsin's are £70k-£150k if you can find one. Personally I would buy an anniversary spyder for long term investment. Only 180 made and convertibles always outperform hard tops in long term.

 

[MAF260]

...355's and 348's are one of the few Ferrari models which haven't risen in value...

I disagree. The 355 has been steadily increasing for some time - the cheapest on Autotrader is £50k, some listed at £70k/£80k. There was a time when you could get into a decent car for £35k and a cheap one could be had for just £25k. The 348 is seen by many as an inferior model and prices matched that view for a long time. A decent one was £20k not that long ago but 355 values are dragging them up to £30k and beyond.

 

[Classico]

Real Estate all the way.

A lot of variables that you need to do your due diligence with, but nothing too hard if you're prepared to put in the time to research market values/forecast growth.

Depends where you're investing (city, suburb etc).

Whether it's houses, semis, apartments etc, in general, over time, it's a a no lose situation. "Safe as Houses" as they say.

Has worked well personally speaking.

 

[TridentTested]

This has been an interesting thread.

I'm also a regular reader of some investment boards, like MSE for example. Over there the question "I'm due to inherit 'x', should I buy some investment properties?" pops up regularly. When it does it is mostly dismissed. There are one or two 'property heads' who talk about how much they've made from property but most of the well respected contributors will explain at length why property is a bad idea and historically equities out-perform property every time.

I find it interesting that the Maserati owning community goes against this accepted wisdom. Could it be that the majority of owners are 'self-made' and are by nature willing to plough their own furrow?

Intriguing.

 

[lofty]

I don't know enough about the stock market to risk all my money, so while property gives me my main source of income I do invest smallish amount in various funds, stocks and shares ISA's, and put money into pensions which I guess are investing in similar funds. I think the safest bet is to spread your money around, all you eggs in one basket is probably not a good idea. While investing I also like to live a little, I'm 46 now, my Dad was killed when he was 43, he had quite a nice little pension that he'd saved but it didn't do him much good, there has to be a balance for saving for a rainy day/retirement but leaving enough to have a nice life while we are lucky enough to be here.

 

[mjheathcote]

I don't know enough about the stock market to risk all my money, so while property gives me my main source of income I do invest smallish amount in various funds, stocks and shares ISA's, and put money into pensions which I guess are investing in similar funds. I think the safest bet is to spread your money around, all you eggs in one basket is probably not a good idea. While investing I also like to live a little, I'm 46 now, my Dad was killed when he was 43, he had quite a nice little pension that he'd saved but it didn't do him much good, there has to be a balance for saving for a rainy day/retirement but leaving enough to have a nice life while we are lucky enough to be here.

So true, too many friends and work colleagues have made 60 to then die of heart attacks or cancer, with grand plans for when they retire, only not to make it.

 

[TridentTested]

While investing I also like to live a little

Wise words. I'm now older than my dad was when he succumbed to cancer. I have investments and I have planning in place for my kid's future if I pop my clogs tomorrow but I do agree with living a little too.

Maserati ownership most probably means all of us on here subscribe to this philosophy - otherwise I'd have a Yaris parked downstairs.

 

[alfi boy]

Wise words. I'm now older than my dad was when he succumbed to cancer. I have investments and I have planning in place for my kid's future if I pop my clogs tomorrow but I do agree with living a little too.

Maserati ownership most probably means all of us on here subscribe to this philosophy - otherwise I'd have a Yaris parked downstairs.

My reasoning exactly, a little bit of everything can be good for you and fair to others around you.

 

[TridentTested]

I've yet to see a poor architect. I've just gave one a couple of grand for some drawings.

A bit of wishful 'the grass is always greener' thinking there I'm afraid.

I'm not an architect but work in a related field and have worked alongside architects and other building consultants for the last thirty years.

Today's Sunday Times reports the average architect's salary is £38,000, it puts them £1k above the average teacher's salary, and everyone acknowledges teachers are underpaid. Then you have to bear in mind while there are architects like Sir Norman Foster and Sir Richard Rogers who are earning millions there are no teachers who earn millions, therefore to average out at £38,000 means there must be an awful lot earning LESS than that.

You study for seven years, you beg steal or borrow an internship (unpaid) for some years more, you finally get a paid job in your mid-thirties, maybe on £18,000 pa, and you work sixty or seventy hours a week to climb the ladder.

No sir, I certainly won't be encouraging my kid to become one.

 

[CatmanV2]

But the life of a pen pusher is easy!

C

 

[Felonious Crud]

But the life of a pen pusher is easy!

C

It's the pen I feel sorry for, C.

 

[CatmanV2]

It's the pen I feel sorry for, C.

Rather depends on where we push it, surely?

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

Does anyone actually push a pen anymore?

Key tapper would be the modern equivalent I guess?