Since I just sold a flat in Berlin (my dad was using it until late last year) and since I am thinking of buying a place in a few years, I searched the Web for property and mortgage information, theoretical such. I found this interesting article from 2007 which gives an example of how circumstances can change. Don't bother reading the article itself, I will quote the relevant sections and numbers. http://drhousingbubble.blogspot.com/2007/07/foreclosure-story-how-does-process-look.html ...

First Impressions When I first tried to understand the market, apart from (what seems like the) basics like supply and demand and their immediate influence, I very quickly realised that the number one strategy to succeed was using, sorry: utilising, the services of government in the form of patents, land titles, corruption, and as a customer. I later learned, and I was happy about it too, that not all companies rely solely on such mechanisms. I learned about two further strategies that ...