Personal Investment Research

Real Estate Investment Analysis

Value plays with appreciation focus · $300-500K all-in · Zero operational involvement

Investment Constraints

Total Budget$300,000 – $500,000 USD (all-in)
Buyer ProfileFrench national, Lebanon resident, no salary income
Primary ObjectiveCapital appreciation (value play)
Rent RequirementCovers all expenses (cash-flow neutral+)
Operational InvolvementZERO — fully outsourced PM
Time Horizon5-10 years minimum hold

Markets Analyzed

MarketVerdictTotal ReturnAnnual Tax BurdenKey Catalyst
Larnaca, Cyprus Invest ~6.5% p.a. ~EUR 700/yr EUR 1.2B marina, structural foreign demand
Georgetown, TX Invest (Cash) ~4-6% p.a. ~$9,800/yr Samsung $37-44B fab, supplier ecosystem
Raleigh, NC Watch ~6-7% p.a. ~$3,200/yr Research Triangle, Apple $1B campus
Austin, TX Over Budget ~$10,500+/yr Median $525K+ exceeds $500K ceiling
Beirut, Lebanon Pass ~$200/yr Banking collapse, no PM ecosystem

5 & 10-Year ROI Projection

Net returns after all ongoing expenses (PM, tax, insurance, maintenance, vacancy) and estimated exit taxes. Cash purchase, no leverage.

MarketAll-In CostAnnual NOI5yr Value5yr Net Profit10yr Value10yr Net ProfitTotal Return
Larnaca, CY EUR 373,500 EUR 6,726 EUR 446,800 ~EUR 122,000 EUR 570,100 ~EUR 265,000 ~6.5%
Raleigh, NC $400,000 $9,700 $473,000 ~$110,000 $590,000 ~$240,000 ~6.4%
Georgetown, TX $410,000 $5,613 $462,000 ~$82,000 $563,000 ~$177,000 ~4.5%
Austin, TX Over budget — median $525K+ exceeds $500K ceiling. Georgetown is the Austin-area play at the right price.
Beirut, LB Pass — banking system collapse, no PM ecosystem, unreliable property rights enforcement. Systemic risk eliminates despite low entry prices.
Conclusion: Larnaca and Raleigh project similar total returns (~6.5%), but Larnaca wins on tax efficiency (EUR 31K vs ~$120K total tax/admin over 10 years) and operational simplicity (no LLC/ITIN/CPA). Georgetown delivers lower net returns due to Texas property tax drag (~$75-120K over 10 years). Austin is over budget; Beirut is eliminated on systemic risk.

Selected Candidates — Larnaca, Cyprus

Screened 2026-02-20 via Chrome. 18 original → 1 survived → fresh Bazaraki search found 4 more. 5 verified resale listings.

PropertyPriceBedsSizeEUR/sqmAreaYearGross YieldContact
Land of Tomorrow PH EUR 310,000 3 / 2 150 sqm 2,067 Port/Centre 1998 5.8% DOM Real Estate
+357 24 022 445
WA: +357 96 577 799
Mackenzie Sea Views EUR 239,000 2 77 sqm 3,104 Mackenzie 2010 6.4% CIC Properties
+357 24 652 999
Mackenzie Furnished EUR 230,000 2 82 sqm 2,805 Mackenzie Resale 6.6% Kalogirou RE
+357 24 003 723
Mackenzie 2-Bed EUR 185,000 2 68 sqm 2,721 Mackenzie 2004 8.3% Kalogirou RE
+357 24 003 723
Mackenzie Budget EUR 175,000 2 75 sqm 2,333 Mackenzie 1995 8.7% Zourides RE
+357 24 828 877

Selected Candidates — Georgetown, TX

Top picks from the Georgetown analysis. Prices and HOA may change — verify before contacting.

PropertyPriceBed/BaSqftTypeHOAEst. RentGross Yield
1108 Ascot St $305,0003/21,538Resale (2002)TBD$1,9507.7%
1629 Four Waters Loop $353,9904/32,022New (Lennar)~$120/mo$2,2007.5%
116 Sapling Dew Dr $367,9904/3.52,363New (Lennar)~$120/mo$2,3007.5%
624 Saturnia Dr $375,0004/32,190Resale (2020)~$100/mo$2,2507.2%
HOA is deducted from NOI, not from gross yield. Gross yield = annual rent / purchase price (before any expenses). See the ROI sections in each market tab for net returns after all costs including HOA.

Methodology: 7-Pillar Framework

Every market is assessed on 7 pillars: Macro Fundamentals, Catalysts, Supply & Demand, Price History, Rental Market, Operations, and Tax & Legal. Each pillar receives a STRONG / NEUTRAL / WEAK rating with supporting data.

Key principle: Buy where fundamental catalysts will drive price up. Rent is a carry trade, not the thesis. Wisdom checks on every property: land-to-structure ratio, plumbing material/age, foundation, flood zone, HOA restrictions, insurance trends.

Glossary

Gross Yield
Annual gross rent / purchase price. Before any expenses. Used in listing comparison tables to compare properties apples-to-apples.
NOI
Net Operating Income. Gross rent minus all operating expenses (vacancy, PM, property tax, insurance, maintenance, HOA). Does NOT include appreciation or exit taxes.
Cap Rate
NOI / purchase price. The property's return from rent alone, after expenses. Industry-standard measure.
Cash-on-Cash
NOI / total investment (purchase + closing costs + repairs). Like cap rate but accounts for the full all-in cost.
Total Return
Cash-on-cash + estimated annual appreciation. The headline number. Used in the Markets Analyzed and ROI Projection tables.
HOA
Homeowners Association fee. Monthly charge for community amenities and maintenance. Deducted from NOI, not from gross yield. Common in TX master-planned communities ($100-150/mo). Rare in Cyprus apartments.

Quick Comparison

DimensionLarnaca CYGeorgetown TXRaleigh NCAustin TXBeirut LB
Budget buys2-3 bed apt, 80-150 sqm, seafront3-4 bed SFH, new build3-4 bed SFH, 1,500-2,200 sqftOver budget ($525K+)2-3 bed apt, Achrafieh/Verdun
Gross yield~4-4.5%~6.5%~6.3%6-8% (collection risk)
Annual property taxEUR 300 (~0.09%)$7,300 (1.9%)$3,200 (0.85%)~$10,500 (2.0%)~$200
Tax at sale~6% effectiveFIRPTA 15% + ~20%FIRPTA 15% + ~20%FIRPTA 15% + ~20%~0%
Ownership complexityPersonal, minimalLLC + ITIN + CPALLC + ITIN + CPALLC + ITIN + CPAPersonal, simple
Appreciation outlook5-8%/yr3-5%/yr4-6%/yr3-5% (correcting)Flat to negative
Flight from Lebanon1.5 hours14 hours14+ hours14 hours0 hours
Disaster / systemic riskLowHail, foundationLow-moderateHail, foundationBanking collapse, political
Market Analysis

Georgetown, Texas

Fastest-growing US city · Samsung catalyst · $320-420K target range
INVEST (Cash Purchase Only) 8-16% below 2022 peak, buyer's market, Samsung supplier ecosystem, fully outsourceable. Leverage not recommended at 7%+ rates.

Pillar Ratings

1. Macro Fundamentals
Strong
Pop +66-70% since 2020 (114K est.), #1 fastest-growing US city 3yrs running. Median HH income $91,857.
2. Catalysts
Strong
Samsung $37-44B Taylor fab (15mi). Pegatron + Compal in Georgetown ($70M, 200+ jobs). $920M Wilco investment. $260M road projects.
3. Supply & Demand
Neutral
5.0 months inventory, 61.6% sellers cutting prices. Buyer's market = opportunity. 2,166 permits in 2024.
4. Price & Valuation
Neutral
Median $411K, down from $488K peak. 10yr CAGR 7.15%. P/R ratio 15-17 (buy territory for long holds).
5. Rental Market
Neutral
3BR SFH: $2,100-2,200/mo. Vacancy ~5%. Rents bottoming after -18% from 2022 peak. 30-day lease-up.
6. Operations
Strong
Stone Oak PM: 7% fee, month-to-month. TX eviction: 3-4 weeks (new SB 38 summary judgment). Pro-landlord state.
7. Tax & Legal
Neutral
Property tax ~1.92% (no MUD). 871(d) election → near-zero income tax w/ depreciation. FIRPTA 15% at sale. LLC required.

Market Snapshot

Price

Median sold (Oct 2025)$411,000 (-3.3% YoY)
Price/sqft$202-206
2022 peak$487,900
Current vs peak-8% to -16%
List-to-sale ratio94.3%
Price-to-rent ratio15-17

Market Dynamics

Days on market68-90
Months of inventory5.0
Active listings1,756
Sellers cutting price61.6%
Avg price reduction~$42,000
Population (2025)~114,687

Top Listings ($305-420K)

Listings via Zillow/Redfin/builder sites, Feb 2026. Prices and HOA change — verify before contacting.

AddressPriceBed/BaSqftTypeCommunityHOAEst. RentGross Yield
1108 Ascot St $305,0003/21,538Resale (2002)Georgetown CrossingTBD$1,9507.7%
KB Overlook Ranch $306,9953/21,477New (KB)Overlook Ranch~$100/mo$1,9007.4%
2228 Singletree Bnd $339,9003/21,511ResaleLively Ranch~$120/mo$2,0507.2%
1629 Four Waters Loop $353,9904/32,022New (Lennar)Lively Ranch~$120/mo$2,2007.5%
1125 Nesting Bird Dr $361,9904/21,430New (Lennar)Woodfield Preserve~$120/mo$2,0006.6%
2417 Four Waters Loop $362,9904/21,815New (2024)Lively Ranch~$120/mo$2,1507.1%
116 Sapling Dew Dr $367,9904/3.52,363New (Lennar)Woodfield Preserve~$120/mo$2,3007.5%
260 Rivers Edge Dr $374,9903/21,751NewRivers Edge~$100/mo$2,1006.7%
624 Saturnia Dr $375,0004/32,190Resale (2020)Rancho Sienna~$100/mo$2,2507.2%
401 Peace Pipe Way $390,0003/21,535Resale (2020)Riverview~$120/mo$2,1006.5%
121 Pentro Path $399,9504/32,096Resale (2022)78626~$100/mo$2,2006.6%
Builder incentives (Feb 2026): DR Horton: $50 earnest + up to $6K closing cost help. Lennar and KB Home also offering incentives. Negotiate — 94.3% list-to-sale ratio means 5-6% below ask is normal.

ROI: Cash Purchase at $380K

Annual Cash Flow

Gross rent ($2,150/mo)$25,800
Vacancy (5%)-$1,290
PM (8%)-$1,961
Property tax-$7,296
Insurance-$2,500
Maintenance (1.5%)-$5,700
HOA-$1,440
NOI$5,613/yr

Returns

Total invested$410,000
Cap rate1.5%
Cash-on-cash1.4%
+ 4% appreciation+3.7%
Total return~5.1% p.a.
5yr value (4% apprec.)$462,000
5yr net profit~$80,000
10yr value$563,000
10yr net profit~$177,000
Leverage not recommended. DSCR loan at 7.25% = -$18K/yr negative cash flow. Cash only. Revisit if rates drop below 5.5%.

Tax Structure

Ongoing

Property tax~$7,300/yr on $380K
Rental income tax~$0 via 871(d) + depreciation
TX state income taxNone
EntityUS LLC required
Annual admin~$2,000-3,000 (CPA + agent)

At Sale

FIRPTA withholding15% of gross proceeds
Actual CGT~20% on net gain
France-US treatyNo double tax
Refund likely?Yes

Catalysts

Samsung Ecosystem

Samsung Taylor investment$37-44B
Distance15 miles east
CHIPS Act$4B+ federal + $250M state
Risk productionH2 2026
Jobs20,000+ direct + indirect

Supplier Ecosystem

Pegatron (Taiwan)$35M, 100+ jobs, Georgetown
Compal (Taiwan)$35M, 100+ jobs, Georgetown
Wilco EDP total$920M, 12 companies
Infrastructure$260M road projects
Comparable: Intel Ohio → 30-40% residential increase. TSMC Arizona → 20%+ annual appreciation projected. Georgetown is in the quieter second wave.

Where to Search

Market Analysis

Larnaca, Cyprus

7-Pillar Assessment · Research date: Feb 2026
INVEST STRONG on 6/7 pillars. 25-33% below Limassol, 8-deep catalyst stack, structural foreign demand, near-zero tax. Buy resale 2-3 bed near seafront.

Pillar Ratings

1. Macro Fundamentals
Strong
GDP 3.9% (4x EU avg), unemployment 4.3%, budget surplus +4.3%, debt falling. Standout EU economy.
2. Catalysts
Strong
8-deep: EUR 1.2B marina, airport expansion, foreign demand (1,573 IL+LB transactions/2024), Limassol spillover, golden visa, Aphrodite gas, tech hub, coastal road.
3. Supply & Demand
Strong
+19% transaction growth (strongest district). Mid-range undersupplied despite construction surge.
4. Price & Valuation
Neutral+
EUR 3,403/sqm centre (25-33% below Limassol). Apartments +18.1% YoY. Competitive vs Med peers.
5. Rental Market
Strong
4-4.5% gross yield, ~4% vacancy (tight), rents +3-6%. 2-bed EUR 1,274/mo. Long-term rental preferred.
6. Operations
Strong
PM ecosystem mature (~10% fee). Remote ownership via POA. Landlord-friendly post-1995 law.
7. Tax & Legal
Very Strong
Near-zero property tax. 2.65% effective rental tax (GHS only). CGT inflation-indexed. EU citizen = no restrictions.

Key Data

Price

Centre (EUR/sqm)EUR 3,403
Outside centreEUR ~1,900
Median listingEUR 330,000
Apartment growth+18.1% YoY
vs. Limassol25-33% cheaper

Rental

2-bed apartmentEUR 1,274/mo
3-bed houseEUR 1,498/mo
Gross yield4.0-4.5%
Vacancy~4% (tight)
Rent growth+3-6% YoY

ROI: EUR 350K Resale 2-Bed Apartment

Annual Cash Flow

Gross rent (EUR 1,300/mo)EUR 15,600
Vacancy (5%)-EUR 780
PM (10% + VAT)-EUR 1,731
Municipal fees-EUR 300
Insurance-EUR 400
Maintenance (1.5%)-EUR 5,250
GHS (2.65%)-EUR 413
NOIEUR 6,726/yr

Returns

Total investedEUR 373,500
Cap rate1.9%
Cash-on-cash1.8%
+ 5% appreciation+4.7%
Total return~6.5% p.a.
5yr valueEUR 446,800
5yr net profit~EUR 121,700
10yr valueEUR 570,100
10yr net profit~EUR 265,400
Buy RESALE, not new-build. 19% VAT on new-builds = EUR 66,500 on a EUR 350K property. Resale: ~EUR 7,000 in transfer fees. Save EUR 59,500 on day one.

Tax Structure (Henry's Profile)

French passport + Lebanon residence = near-optimal. Only Cyprus tax applies. Effective rental income tax: 2.65% (GHS only). Lebanon doesn't tax foreign income. France has no claim (not tax-resident).
TaxRateNotes
Annual Property TaxEUR 150-400/yrAbolished 2017
Income Tax on Rent0%Below EUR 22K threshold after deductions
GHS2.65%On gross rental income
CGT at Sale~6% effective20% on real gains, inflation-indexed, EUR 30K exemption
VAT (new-build)19%AVOID — buy resale
Stamp DutyAbolishedJan 2026

Catalysts

CatalystScaleStatus
Marina/Port RedevelopmentEUR 1.2BRe-tendering
Airport ExpansionEUR 170MIn progress
Foreign Demand (IL+LB)1,573 transactions/2024Structural
Limassol Spillover25-33% cheaperActive
Golden Visa FloorEUR 300K minPermanent
Aphrodite GasUSD 4B planFID 2027
Tech Hub3,000+ SMEsGrowing
Coastal RoadPhase CCompleting 2026
Property Search

Larnaca Listings

Resale only (no 19% VAT) · EUR 200-400K · Feb 2026

Neighborhoods

AreaEUR/sqmForecastProfile
Mackenzie2,500-3,0006-8%Premium beachfront, highest growth
Finikoudes2,000-2,5003-5%Tourist centre, beachfront promenade
Dhekelia Road2,000-2,5004-6%Seafront strip, marina proximity
Drosia~1,8005-7%Growing residential, 5 min to centre
Kamares1,500-1,8003-5%Near Salt Lake, good access
Livadia~1,5004-6%Emerging — oil facility demolition catalyst

Screening Results

Screened 2026-02-20: 18 original listings → 1 survived (17 removed). Fresh Bazaraki search found 4 more Mackenzie resale listings. 5 verified total.
1. Land of Tomorrow — 3-Bed Penthouse (Port/Centre)
3 bed / 2 bath · 150 sqm · 5th floor · Built 1998
Sea viewsFurnishedFireplaceAC all roomsElevatorCovered parking
EUR 310,000
EUR 2,067/sqm — lowest price per sqm of all listings. 300m from sea, near Radisson Blu & Larnaca Port. 17 photos. Largest unit.
Est. RentEUR 1,498/mo (3-bed)
NOIEUR 9,220/yr
Total Return (5% apprec.)~7.7% p.a.
Contact: DOM Real Estate · +357 24 022 445 · WhatsApp: +357 96 577 799 · Telegram: @DmitriiDOMLarnaca · info@dom.com.cy
2. Mackenzie Sea Views — 2-Bed (Mackenzie)
2 bed · 77 sqm · Built 2010
Sea viewsMackenzie beachfront area16 photos
EUR 239,000
EUR 3,104/sqm — newest building in the set (2010). Sea views in premium Mackenzie location (6-8% growth forecast). Higher EUR/sqm but modern construction = lower maintenance risk.
Est. RentEUR 1,274/mo (2-bed)
NOIEUR 5,586/yr
Total Return (5% apprec.)~7.3% p.a.
Contact: CIC Properties · +357 24 652 999
3. Mackenzie Furnished — 2-Bed (Mackenzie)
2 bed · 82 sqm · Resale, Furnished
FurnishedParkingMackenzie15 photos
EUR 230,000
EUR 2,805/sqm — furnished saves EUR 5-10K setup cost. Good size (82 sqm) for a 2-bed. Mid-range price in Mackenzie.
Est. RentEUR 1,274/mo (2-bed)
NOIEUR 5,586/yr
Total Return (5% apprec.)~7.4% p.a.
Contact: Kalogirou Real Estate · +357 24 003 723
4. Mackenzie 2-Bed — Best % Return (Mackenzie)
2 bed · 68 sqm · Built 2004
Mackenzie10 photos
EUR 185,000
EUR 2,721/sqm — low entry price in a premium area means highest percentage return. Compact at 68 sqm but 2004 build is solid. Lowest total investment = lowest risk.
Est. RentEUR 1,274/mo (2-bed)
NOIEUR 5,586/yr
Total Return (5% apprec.)~7.8% p.a.
Contact: Kalogirou Real Estate · +357 24 003 723
5. Mackenzie Budget — Cheapest Entry (Mackenzie)
2 bed · 75 sqm · Built 1995 · Unfurnished
Mackenzie9 photosNeeds furnishing
EUR 175,000
EUR 2,333/sqm — lowest EUR/sqm among Mackenzie listings. Built 1995 = plumbing/electrical inspection essential. Unfurnished = budget EUR 5-10K extra. Best value if reno cost stays low.
Est. RentEUR 1,274/mo (2-bed)
NOIEUR 5,586/yr
Total Return (5% apprec.)~7.7% p.a.
Contact: Zourides Real Estate · +357 24 828 877 · +357 99 688 078 · zourides@propertydirectcy.com

Search Platforms

PlatformBest ForLink
BazarakiLargest classifieds, most listingsbazaraki.com
dom.com.cyMarket analysis, detailed listingsdom.com.cy
Spitogatos"Reduced price" filterspitogatos.gr
RightmoveUK-facing, good comparisonsrightmove.co.uk
Market Comparison

Head-to-Head: All Markets

5-city comparison for a French national / Lebanon resident · $300-500K budget

Quantitative Comparison

FactorLarnaca, CYGeorgetown, TXRaleigh, NCAustin, TXBeirut, LB
VerdictInvestInvest (Cash)WatchOver BudgetPass
Entry PriceEUR 175-310K$307-400K$320-420K$525K+ median$150-250K
Annual Property TaxEUR 150-400/yr~$7,300 (1.9%)~$3,200 (0.85%)~$10,500 (2.0%)~$200
Rental Income Tax2.65% (GHS only)~$0 (871d + depr.)~$0 (871d + depr.)~$0 (871d + depr.)~0% effective
Capital Gains at Sale~6% effectiveFIRPTA + ~20%FIRPTA + ~20%FIRPTA + ~20%~0%
Acquisition Cost~5% (resale)~3-5%~3-5%~3-5%~3-5%
Ownership ComplexityPersonal, minimalLLC + ITIN + CPALLC + ITIN + CPALLC + ITIN + CPAPersonal, simple
Gross Rent Yield4.0-4.5%~6.5%~6.3%6-8% (risk)
Total Return (est.)~6.5% p.a.4-6% p.a.~6-7% p.a.Negative to flat
Appreciation Outlook5-8%/yr3-5%/yr4-6%/yr3-5% (correcting)Flat to negative
InsuranceLow, stableVolatile, risingModerate, stableVolatile, risingNot standard
Natural Disaster RiskLowHail, foundationLow-moderateHail, foundationPolitical, infrastructure
Flight from Lebanon1.5 hours14 hours14+ hours14 hours0 hours
Market LiquiditySmaller marketDeep US marketDeep US marketDeep US marketVery low, cash-only
PM EcosystemMature (~10% fee)Stone Oak PM (7%)Multiple options (8%)AbundantNonexistent

10-Year Tax & Admin Burden

Assuming ~$400K equivalent property, moderate rent, 5% annual appreciation.

CostCyprus (10yr)Georgetown TX (10yr)Raleigh NC (10yr)Austin TXBeirut LB
Property Tax~EUR 3,000~$75,000-120,000~$32,000Over budgetEliminated —
systemic risk
Rental Income Tax~EUR 4,130~$0~$0
CGT on ~$200K gain~EUR 22,000~$33,000-44,000~$33,000-44,000
Admin (CPA/LLC/agent)~EUR 2,000~$25,000-30,000~$25,000-30,000
Total~EUR 31,000~$133,000-194,000~$90,000-106,000
Cyprus saves $60,000-75,000 vs Raleigh and $100,000-160,000 vs Georgetown over 10 years. Property tax is the single biggest differentiator: EUR 3,000 (Cyprus) vs $32,000 (NC) vs $75,000-120,000 (TX). This is not marginal — it's transformational for net returns.

Why Austin & Beirut Are Eliminated

Austin, TX — Over Budget

Median home price$525,000+
Budget ceiling$500,000 all-in
Property tax rate~2.0%
Austin proper exceeds the budget ceiling. Georgetown (30 min north) captures the same Austin metro growth at $307-400K with Samsung catalyst. Georgetown IS the Austin play.

Beirut, Lebanon — Systemic Risk

Banking systemCollapsed
PM ecosystemNonexistent
Property rightsUnreliable enforcement
AppreciationFlat to negative
Low entry prices (~$150-250K) but no functioning financial system, no reliable PM, and unclear path to appreciation. Currency devaluation destroyed 70-80% of value in USD terms since 2019. Fails on operations and systemic risk.

Bottom Line

For Henry's profile (French passport, Lebanon residence, investment income only), Larnaca is the structurally superior choice: simpler ownership, dramatically lower tax burden (~EUR 31K vs $90-194K over 10 years), strongest appreciation outlook (5-8%/yr), EU citizen rights, and 1.5-hour flight from Beirut.

Raleigh is the strongest US alternative — similar total return to Larnaca (~6.4% vs ~6.5%) with significantly lower property tax than Texas (0.85% vs 1.9%), though US ownership complexity (LLC/ITIN/CPA) and FIRPTA still apply. Needs full 7-pillar analysis to confirm.

Georgetown remains viable with highest gross rent yield (~6.5%) and Samsung catalyst, but Texas property tax drag reduces net returns to ~4.5%. Best as a second investment if capital allows.

Austin and Beirut are eliminated on hard constraints (budget and systemic risk respectively).