Real Estate in Flanders Is Still Dirt Cheap — Here's Why

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-10-01

### A Bold Claim That Demands Attention Gunther De Wilde doesn't mince words. "Real estate in Flanders is still dirt cheap," he says — and he's got the track record to back it up. With over 25 years in the game, years spent as an urban planner for the Flemish government, and more than 2,000 entrepreneurs trained through his program Experts in Real Estate, he's not just talking theory. He's lived it. And in this conversation, he breaks down exactly why he believes most people are missing the boat. ### What Separates Real Returns from Wishful Thinking Most investors calculate returns based on purchase price and rental income. That's a rookie mistake, according to De Wilde. Real returns factor in everything: financing costs, taxes, maintenance, vacancy rates, and — perhaps most importantly — your own time. > "Your bank file matters more than your interest rate. A strong dossier opens doors that a low rate alone never will." That's a counterintuitive point. We tend to obsess over getting the lowest possible interest rate. But De Wilde argues that lenders care more about the story you tell — your strategy, your numbers, your credibility. Get that right, and the rate becomes secondary. ### Using Real Estate as a Leverage Tool Here's where things get interesting. De Wilde doesn't just buy properties; he uses them as leverage to build wealth. Each property becomes collateral for the next deal. Each deal builds equity. It's a snowball effect — but only if you structure it correctly from day one. - **Find undervalued properties** before they hit the open market - **Negotiate off-market deals** where competition is minimal - **Select tenants carefully** to minimize turnover and headaches - **Flip strategically** when the numbers make sense - **Plan for succession and taxes** before your first purchase, not after That last point is crucial. Too many entrepreneurs think about tax implications after they've already signed the papers. By then, it's often too late to optimize. ### The $14,000 Deal That Changed Everything De Wilde's first real estate deal? He put in roughly $15,000 of his own capital (about €14,000 at the time) and walked away with over $54,000 in profit before taxes. That's a return most people would dream of. But here's the thing — it wasn't luck. It was preparation. He understood zoning laws, knew how to spot a property with potential, and structured the deal to minimize risk while maximizing upside. ### Why Urban Planning Knowledge Is Worth Thousands Not everyone has a background in urban planning. But understanding how municipalities work — what's allowed, what's restricted, what might change — can be the difference between a mediocre investment and an exceptional one. A single zoning decision can add or subtract tens of thousands of dollars from a property's value. De Wilde learned this firsthand working for the government. Now he teaches entrepreneurs how to think like planners, not just investors. ### The Bottom Line for Entrepreneurs If you're an entrepreneur looking to diversify beyond your business, real estate offers a powerful path. But it's not passive. It requires strategy, education, and a willingness to think long-term. The Flemish market, according to De Wilde, remains undervalued compared to other European regions. That's an opportunity — but only for those who know how to seize it. Want to learn more? De Wilde offers a workshop specifically for business owners called "Strategic Real Estate Investing for Entrepreneurs." It's focused on action, not theory. And if you're ready to take that step, you might just discover that the best time to start was yesterday. But today works too.