Situated in the very heart of Europe, Germany is a country steeped in culture and history, and widely regarded to be one of the EU's industrial and economic leaders. With a strong mix of Alpine scenery, ancient castles, and modern big cities there is something to suit all tastes. Germany's property market has long been regarded as weak, with little growth and little to no interest in investment from residents - so much so that statistics indicate only 42% of Germans own their own home, most preferring to rent, in comparison to 71% of Brits owning their own property. This does however leave the door open for the canny investor, with potential for strong rental returns, and now could be the time with a renewal of interest following the World Cup.