Case Study - British investor bought-sold a rental apartment in Bucharest 2007-25

Back in 2007, I decided to invest in a property in Bucharest, drawn in by the promise of high returns and a growing real estate market. Through a chain of UK and Romanian-based British real estate agencies, I purchased a flat in Topaz, Greenfield Residence. At the time, I trusted their recommendations and went ahead with their suggested legal services, furniture packages, and additional costs. Unfortunately, I soon realized that I had overpaid for everything. The apartment was priced higher than market value, and the furniture and legal services were similarly overpriced.

Renting out the unit turned out to be far more challenging than I had anticipated. The initial agency I worked with struggled to find long-term tenants, and whenever they did, the property often sat vacant between leases. Maintenance was another nightmare, with high costs and constant issues that never seemed to be fully resolved. The frustration of managing the property from abroad, coupled with the ongoing expenses, made it feel like a poor investment.

In 2009, after several years of difficulties, I switched to White Mountain Property for property management. This decision turned out to be a game-changer. White Mountain Property quickly assessed the apartment's condition, organized all necessary repairs, and ensured that the work was done economically and durably. They took the time to maintain the flat properly, addressing issues proactively instead of letting them escalate.

Over time, things improved significantly. Since 2009, my property has consistently been rented out with minimal void periods. The rental yields have been decent, and any maintenance issues have been resolved within a reasonable timeframe. Of course, there were occasional hiccups, particularly with contractors not always keeping their promises, but these were minor in the grand scheme of things. White Mountain Property remained professional and ensured that things were set right as quickly as possible.

Recently, I decided it was time to sell the property. Given my initial experience, I was cautious, but White Mountain Property once again proved to be the right choice. They found a buyer within a reasonable time frame and handled the entire process efficiently. Unlike my initial purchase experience, this sale was smooth, professional, and at the correct market value. After 18 years of ownership, I walked away with respectable growth on my investment, thanks to the steady rental income and capital appreciation.

Reflecting on my experience, I can confidently say that switching to White Mountain Property was the best decision I made regarding this investment. They turned what initially felt like a bad buy into a profitable and stress-free long-term investment. If I ever consider another property investment in Romania, I know exactly who I’ll trust to manage it.