Buying Property Abroad Advice
Why We’re Buying Property Abroad
Published on 14 January 2008
In an incredibly witty blog entry by Penny Wise published on the LowTax.net website in early December, the writer comments that by about 2020 the UK will be inhabited by “Polish plumbers, Turkish bricklayers, Russian billionaires and Brazilian football players” because the rest of us will have all bought property abroad and expatriated!
I’m not sure if Penny Wise is completely correct in her findings, but then the most recent statistics do reveal that 3.8 million Brits and Irish already own overseas real estate – meaning that if you count each family as having an average of four members, 15 million of us can escape abroad if we want to already. So why are we all buying property abroad?
Reasons to Consider Buying Property Abroad
Published on 01 January 2008
With millions of British expatriates and retirees living abroad in countries all over the world, others often sit back and wonder exactly where the appeal lies in buying property abroad. The simple truth of the matter is that there are many reasons that Brits cite for buying property abroad. To each buyer, the motivations are strong and generally quite personal.
In this article we’ll explore why Brits choose to buy property abroad in abundance. The reasons range from economics to wanderlust. Let’s take a look at why so many choose to find their fortunes or even lead their lives abroad.
Buying Property Abroad 2007 Review
Published on 28 December 2007
As 2007 comes to a close, many investors interested in buying property abroad have found that market conditions made them a little squeamish this year about going through with the prospect. Others however, have reassessed the trends and found the time for buying was perfect. Whilst deal closing is actually down throughout Europe in the fourth quarter, according to the Wall Street Journal, the landscape is not completely bleak. There are areas that show some real potential in the coming year. Even some older markets that are a little down and out at present still offer opportunity if the right strategies are applied.
In this article we’ll explore some of the challenges buyers faced in 2007. We’ll also take a look ahead at the coming year and at the property hotspots for 2008 and where sluggish areas are likely to be.
Buying Property Abroad and Paying For It
Published on 23 December 2007
Buying property abroad offers an excellent and exciting investment potential that many Brits and others from around the world are tapping into. With major investment hotspots cropping up all over the world and stories of incredible returns abounding, many a would be buyer is likely to sit down and wonder just how an average person, without a huge bank account, might be able to buy into the growth potential.
In this article we’ll explore the possibilities for funding the dream of owning a holiday home abroad. Some expats and investors are drawn to very traditional methods for financing, but others have taken a more unique approach to the money issue. The reality of the matter is that financing does depend a lot on the country in question. Within some areas it is relatively easy to get financing from British lenders, including local banks and major lenders like Barclays. In other areas however, buyers might have to be a little more creative to ensure they have the cash on hand to pay for their purchases.
Buy to Let Property Abroad
Published on 16 December 2007
As the European Union continues to expand and buying property abroad becomes even easier for British citizens throughout the EU, buy-to-let as an investment strategy is starting to capture the attention of thousands. From Spain and Portugal to Bulgaria and beyond, the attraction of buying property abroad remains high. When buying property with an eye toward letting for financial returns is the plan, there are some things investors need to think about to help them boost their chances of earning a solid income.
If you’re considering buy to let abroad, read on. There are some excellent tips worth considering that can help increase chances of good returns. Keep in mind though that there are no guarantees when it comes to real estate. If crystal balls worked, we’d all be wealthy investors!
Property Investment Abroad and Factors to Consider
Published on 22 November 2007
Foreign property investment remains of very high interest to Brits as many buy second homes and purchase properties for flip-potential resale and rental income in countries all over the globe. With roughly 5.5 million Brits living abroad, according the BBC, the trend for relocation and international property investment remains strong and ever growing.
Buying property abroad does come with some potential pitfalls however, depending on the risks investors are willing to take. Whilst many of the most popular investment markets are considered safe bets, other regions are on slightly shakier ground. In this article we’ll take a look at property investment abroad and factors to consider which property investors might want to take into account before choosing a destination within which to purchase.
Buying Property Abroad Might Become More Affordable
Published on 15 November 2007If you’re considering buying property abroad in other European countries, now is a good time to start looking. With the global credit crunch putting the squeeze on anticipated European growth and sharp property price corrections already in place in some regions, buyers interested in bargains are likely to find them in the coming months and years.
The European Union is anticipating a slowdown in growth over the next year and warns that financial woes could hamper the housing markets in Europe, “thereby deepening and prolonging the ongoing corrections,” MSNBC reports. So, in other words buying property abroad might become more affordable…
Exercise Caution when Buying Property Abroad
Published on 27 October 2007
Investing in foreign markets is very appealing for Britons with money to spare. With stories of huge investment returns abounding and recent trends certainly supporting ‘property abroad’ as a viable investment option, more Britons are getting in on the act. Whether they invest to simply make money from holding a Property and gaining capital appreciation, or they’re looking for full-time or holiday homes, Britons have a legendary love affair with foreign property markets. Buying abroad however does come with its share of potential pitfalls. Savvy buyers know this and look out for problems along the way.
In this article, we will discuss why to exercise caution when buying property abroad and examine some of the potential problems with overseas investing and how to avoid them in many cases. Whilst there are no guarantees in life, there are things Britons can do to protect their investments.
Buying Property Abroad Tips
Published on 04 September 2007
One of the scariest things we at ShelterOffshore have ever read in recent days is that Britons spend far more time choosing their next holiday destination than choosing the property that they’re going to put an offer in on! The research comes courtesy of Abbey and it has inspired us to write what we now believe is an essential article – buying property abroad tips!
If you’re thinking of investing in a home overseas then don’t leave home - or put in an offer on a home for that matter - before you have read, understood and committed to memory (!) the following buying property abroad tips – after all, you’ll be spending statistically quite a bit more on a home overseas than a holiday overseas, therefore if follows that you should put statistically more time into your research process as well!
Downsize and Afford to Buy Property Abroad
Published on 02 August 2007
As seasoned expats the ShelterOffshore team have probably seen and heard it all when it comes to buying property abroad stories - and yet it never ceases to amaze us how many relatively cautious individuals risk their entire life’s savings and whole financial stability and security by selling up lock, stock and barrel at home before buying pretty much the first property they see abroad in their overseas country of choice.
If you don’t want to run such a huge risk and potentially leave yourself high and dry one day down the line if you decide living abroad isn’t for you, why not downsize and afford to buy property abroad whilst retaining a bolt hole and maintaining a foot on the property ladder ‘back home?’