We're officially on hols, hence the lack of blogs for the past few weeks, but we couldn't let this one pass, it is really something you would not expect a paper as big as the Indo to get completely wrong.The Irish Independent ran an article last Saturday in which it claimed that Ireland's biggest overseas property agent, Larionovo, was to 'shut up shop'.
The pieces says: "Another announcement, which sent ripples across the industry this week, was news that Larionova, the biggest and most high profile of the Irish foreign property agents, is also to shut up shop, amid difficulties getting payment from developers."
This news came as somewhat of a surprise to us as we get press releases from Larionovo quite regularly and would be very surprised if we missed one, particularly one this big. We therefore contacted the company for clarification and Larionovo (not Larionova as quoted in the piece) is absolutely livid. It claims it is taking the Indo to court over it as it claims no such announcement was ever made and that Larionovo will not be closing its offices.
You'll find the article in question here. Oh dear indeed.
It is possible that the Indo got wind that Larionovo is returning deposits paid on property in India, added two and two together and got a couple of million. Larionovo claims it is not convinced that individuals can get their profits out of India as easily as it would like. It has therefore offered investors their money back, plus 20%, and is, instead, going to launch the project through a syndicated vehicle to enable the repatriation of funds.
Larionovo has been in the news for a variety of reasons recently as it is also the main Irish agent for Fadesa, one of Spain's largest builders, which filed for protection from its creditors last week. Larionovo claims that all its clients will be fine as the company ensured they all had bank guarantees, therefore the bank has already guaranteed that either the properties will get built or the purchasers will get all their money back.
Tough week just the same.
2 comments:
The following was published by the Irish Independent on July 22nd 2008:
" In our edition of July 19 an article headed “So you bought a house abroad and thought you were going to make a fortune. Oh dear...” we stated that Larionovo was to “shut up shop in Dublin”.
This statement is incorrect. References to “payment difficulties” are also untrue and incorrect. Larionovo is one of the biggest and best known overseas property companies in Ireland and we are happy to correct this error and make it known that Larionovo continues to trade successfully in Ireland. We wish to apologise to Larionovo for our error. "
We can't find this retraction online, but it is no doubt there somewhere.
That'll be a big 'Oops' from the Indo then, eh?
This comment Probably Wont get approved.
But to be Honest I wouldnt deal with Larionovo again. After taking our deposit along with around 350 other investers, Larionovo pulled out of the deal.
You then want to try and get your deposit back, The directors seem to be living in some fantasy land that people wont care about having to wait months for thier Money.
They have also been promising the refund week after week since July.
So enough is enough there is quite a group of us now that keep in touch and keep each other up to date on developements. We now have no choice but to go through a Solicitor, who has been following our lack of progress and agrres we have a very good case.
So Beware.
Post a Comment