Investment Property For Sale - Worst Investments Ever or Biggest Missed Opportunities ?

We are constantly being approached by agents and developers with property for sale, or developments that need an infusion of capital. Some of them are potential investment opportunities, but some of them………. Well, no one in their right mind would consider some of them. Many of these come from “developing” countries, and are barely intelligible.

But we thought a fun post with a few of them would be in order. And if you are thinking of dropping us a line with your “opportunity,” please remember to put it in English and at least have some sort of business plan already formulated. We don’t respond well to Internet speak either. “ur sur 2b intrst in this wonfl prprty,” doesn’t get our attention. At least not in a good way.

Luxury Real Estate Development in Pakistan

Chinese Influenced Villa in Pakistan

This one dropped through my inbox with the following message - “For our upcoming luxury real estate project planned on motorway through exclusive ingterchange we seek equity investment from some dubal based property investment co. can you people help us in this regard. IF yes than we can share our business plan with you. please visit our site for details.”

Now the “business plan” was a reasonable sales pitch ( ignoring the occasional spelling mistake) but one thing it wasn’t was a business plan. Zero financial information, zero projected income from the project. Absolutely nothing other than a sales pitch for “luxury redefined” in Zarkon Hills for villas such as the “Residence SUZHOU,” which is apparently, “Chinese Forbidden City,” influenced.

Obviously some trouble has been taken with the drawing of these villas, and other in the proposed devlopment include:

• SAN LORENZO , inspired from the Renaissance style;
• CASA RABAT, simplicity drawn from North African architecture; Casa Rabat offers a cool tranquill surrounding with series of delighting features.
• MEXICANA, Casa Mexicana is a Spanish colonial inspired villa using bold colours and striking shapes to refer back to the Mediterranean influences ;
• VENTURA , a lavish open plan design;
• PEBBLE BEACH , a compact contemporary plan; While the appearance may be traditional, Zarkon Manor is filled with luxuries of modern living
• PALM SPRING, of traditional appearance yet with luxurious modern living;

And if you think you might be interested in a Chinese influenced Villa in the middle of Pakistan - here is a link. I especially liked the “Quality of Life” pitch. “Quality of life is what you deserve. You’ve earned it, crave it, and now it’s time you enjoyed it. Zarkon Hills is not just a statement of your success; it’s an investment in the well being of you, your family and the future. While it’s still possible, maybe you should take ownership of your part of Zarkon Hills.”

I think the company concerned has actually built one project, Zarkon Plaza, which, according to their website is an “upscale center hosts international food chains such as KFC and Subway plus many other restaurants such as café bonito, texas steak house and namak mandi. Besides your shopping needs are also fulfilled here with branded and variety shops as Nike, cross roads, junaid jamshed, ECS and a department store sheikhs’s mall. It also offers jewelery and cosmetics. Thus you will find your shopping experience at zarkon plaza 1 as simply delightful.”

Nice to know KFC is such a trusted brand in Pakistan

Land For Five Star Hotel in Sri Lanka

Airport Garden Hotel Sri Lanka

Now, I may be missing out on the best investment opportunity this side of buying Manhattan from the Native American Indians for a handful of beads here, but I am going to share -

I have very nice land in Sri lanka and located 500m from colombo airport. It is three side covered from nice lagoon and one side from Air Port garden hotel. Govenmern has alocated this area for tourism industry. We have already got all relervent approvals from government to put up fivestar class hotel.ny Investor who like to invest this project we are willing to sell our land. Just he can start construction of hotel. We made architectural plans as well.

tks & rgds,

buddhi

Unfortunately, the specified website http://landforsaleinsrilanka.com is not functioning, and the sender of this one declined to send any more information. I am assuming the 500 m is meters not miles. Last time I was in Sri Lanka, it didn’t strike me as being 500 miles wide. Interested parties feel free to drop me a line and I will pass on your details.

Amazon Rain Forest

Some time ago, we covered the World’s most unusual properties for sale which included a 1.2 million acre stretch of the Amazon forest. This is still for sale apparently. I got a lot of messages saying that this should not be put up for sale for “exploitation,” and I agree with that sentiment. The price is $100 million, so if any one has that amount of money lying around, drop me a line and I will secure the property with a guarantee to leave it intact.

Amazon Forest for Sale

Island in Zambia

Island for sale in Zambia

Offered with the description “Island of Prestine African Bush On Lake Kariba” $2.8 million will get you 44 hectares of unspoiled African bush in the middle of the largest man-made lake in Africa. As an incentive, the Zambian government has agreed to a tax-free import of $440,000 worth of equipment to get you started. Best described as “out-of-the-way,” Lake Kariba is almost in the middle of southern Africa. Map

There are many Islands for sale and this is a good guide - Buying a private Island.

Health Resort in Georgia (Russia version)

Lounging on the Magnetized Sand with Cows for company

Photo Credit

If the credit “crisis” was not in full swing, this one might actually be a potential opportunity. But, once a again, I am going to share, that’s what a nice guy I am. That and the fact that I have zero chance of raising the $35 million it would take to buy this and the $50 million needed to develop it. This is the message:

Dear friends,

First of all we would like to hail to you and say best wishes, health and success in your business life. We would like to inform you about that we are partners of health resort «UREKI» and have decision to sell splendid resort complex «UREKI», Settlement «UREKI» situates at the beaches of Black Sea of city Ureki. Before the privatization it was a government residence. Originality of resort complex is that this place has treatment-climatically reasons. This place is near Sea breeze, where is situated pine forest, and Sea beach has magnetize sand, that is best for treatment of nerves, bones which has no analogical into the world. The ground is dry the whole territory is 165 000 kw/ meter, and has 7 cottage and hotel with 40 room. this place is border to other beach with 5 000 kw/meter, which for today rented by government for long time rent suggested for us. On that territory it is possible to build health treatment complex, This place is situated not far away from central auto and rail way places. (see Ureki) Not far away (3-5) km. is other resort Kobuleti. Documentation suggested territory is registered according of Georgian legislation and it is not a sport object, This place is under our ownership and we have documentation of ownership. Privatized at name of one our partner. We would like to mark also that for today at the beaches of black sea near that place is also other our private place, The price of that is 35 000 000 USA DOL In that case if your commercial interest is about to buy that place we can show documentation and view in Tbilisi.

Not a bad message, but the response I got when I inquired was indecipherable. Still if you fancy $35 million worth of magnetic sand on the Black Sea and can speak Russian, drop me a line.

Marina in Amherstburg

Amherstburg Marina

Much to the annoyance of the local inhabitants, Amhersburg’s city council has decided to unload their loss-making marina. As if anyone has ever heard of a government running anything that actually made money The optimistic council men believe they can unload the debt-ridden Marina for it’s assessed value of $450,000. ($500,000 less than the current debt)  Given recent falls in real estate values, I would hazard a guess it is worth more like $200K, but if you are interested, let me know. The marina represents the only public water access in the town, so it is an odd choice to offer it for sale. The Windsor Star has a full report.

One thing to remember amidst all the government-generated bullshit about the foreclosure mess and financial bailouts is this -

The US government now owns all this. Everything. The Federal government effectively owns all the foreclosed properties in the United States. Either directly, or indirectly though Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the banks they now own. Which means they have some “interesting” properties for sale. Here are a few of my favorites. Make your own mind up as to whether they may be a good investment property or not.

Conneaut Harbor West Pierhead Light House

Conneaut Light

Hmmm. Tough choice. Should I buy the magnetic sand or the lighthouse in the middle of a breakwater on Lake Erie? Well, if you decide the lighthouse is for you, this is where to bid - Conneaut Lighthouse auction. No bids have been recieved as yet, so you might be picking up the bargain of the century….

Frying Pan Light Station, North Carolina

Sold AS-IS and WHERE-IS

I have no idea why I find these so fascinating, but “Frying Pan,” is a steel oil drilling platform, known as a ‘Texas Tower’ on top of four steel legs that has been modified to be used as a lighthouse. It marks the shoal at the confluence of the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The eighty-foot light tower was built in Louisiana and brought by barge to Frying Pan Shoals in 1966. Prior to the erection of the light tower, lightships had marked the shoal for approximately 100 years. The platform consists of two floors. The sub-floor is a living area of approximately 5,000 square ft. that includes bedrooms, kitchen, office, storage area, recreation area and toilet facilities.

Access to the light station is limited because the heliport is not structurally sound. An inspection is not possible and the light tower is being offered “as is and where is”. :)  Details and bids here - Frying Pan for sale

If you should decide that any of these are potential investment properties, good luck in your up-coming venture. And on a lighter note, if any of you are wondering where the world seems to be headed, with the US government propping up banks at the cost of the man in the street, - read this - A good recession.