Property funds: sell London, buy Germany

For fans of UK commercial property, the fun has just begun with the long-awaited launch of Reits. Yet German property is a far better investment. We pick two of the best funds.

The real-estate sector in the UK had a fabulous 2006, ending the year 46% higher than it started it. But as far as fans of commercial property funds are concerned, the fun has only just begun: the long-awaited launch of real estate investment trusts (Reits) on the London market is expected by a great many analysts to kick-start further rises.

We're not convinced. Reits have their attractions: ten of Britain's largest listed property firms have already converted to Reit status and as a result will now be exempt from capital gains and corporation tax, as long as they pay out 90% of their income to shareholders. But that doesn't mean now is the time to buy them.

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