how do i find a german tax advisor.  Also, want a mortagge broker.  I
don't speak much german, so must speak / email good english.  Uk
resident looking to buy & rent out several german properties (berlin).
 Would probably prefer to do this through a uk company operating in
germany.

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Clarification of Question by pentacle-ga on 11 May 2006 02:57 PDT

"Would probably prefer to do this through a uk company operating in
germany" - after re-reading this, I mean that I suspect the best way
is to operate a UK limited company - either UK or German based
advisors are ok.

You are probably right about operating a UK company

- but my understanding is that Germany has significant tax breaks for
individuals investing in rental properties.

I'm not sure where to pick up an advisor, but I suspect that someone here does
- the English speaking bit is unlikely to be a problem
- I reckon I would tackle this through the lender
- since you imply that you want finance for this project, your first
port of call would be a bank

A quick search for Berliner and Landesbank pulled up this :
http://www.bankgesellschaft.de/bankgesellschaft_en/10_bgb/10_struktur/index.Inhalt.html

|We offer our services using several different brands and distribution
forms, from the branch, through telephone banking, to the internet.
From the investment and lending business through to consultancy on
insurance, home loan and payment services products, we provide an
extensive range of banking products. In the Asset Management Centres
of Berliner Sparkasse and the Advice Centres of Berliner Bank, we
cater for the investment and financing requirements of high net-worth
retail banking clients.|

Nothing like local knowledge - and local bankers tend to have that.

You might try one of the German banks that have a strong London
branch, like Deutsche or Dresdner. If you want to get the contact
direct, you might try the german foreign chamber of commerce, that
would be http://www.ahk-london.co.uk/

I agree, try to go straight to a German bank.  There are banks in
Germany that specialize in mortgage lending.  Mortgage brokers should
be superfluous for a serious investor  - and just an added expense.

The Berliner Bankgesellschaft mentioned by Frde (owned by the
City/State of Berlin) had all sorts of problems for immense amounts
from real estate lending, having to be bailed out by the government. 
It may be leery of new business in this sector.