With the continually rising prices of property at home, more and more people are turning to foreign climates for their first foot on the property ladder. There are various options for buying property abroad: for example you can buy-to-let, buy a holiday home where you spend a few months each year, or buy a place as your full time living option. Whichever you choose, you need to consider a number of factors before doing anything as some countries have specific stipulations with regards to buying properties.

Conducting a Thorough Search
There are literally thousands of properties for sale abroad and the number of countries that are opening their doors to British immigrants is growing each year. If you are considering buying property abroad then you probably already have an idea of the general area in which you wish to live and this will help when searching for your ideal property. Most people have a reasonably clear idea of what they want in a property before they begin searching. However once they see the range of properties available they start wanting everything and then things can get confusing! It helps to make a list of the essential features that your property abroad must have so that you can narrow the search down.

As the TV shows are always telling us, location is everything and once you have chosen a country, you then need to decide whether you want to live near the coast, in the countryside, close to big cities and tourist destinations, or in a quiet little village where life will be more sedate. When choosing a specific location you should check out the local facilities and make sure that the area has everything that you and your family will need. So for example you should research the public transport links, how close the restaurants, shops and entertainment districts are, especially if you are buying-to-let. If you are moving abroad full time, then you should try to find out what the local people are like and if they welcome foreigners to the area!

Find a Reputable Estate Agent
Some countries don't require their estate agents to be registered and some may not be experienced in selling houses to people from other countries. It is important that you work with a reputable and well established estate agent who is licensed to trade in their own country (where this is necessary). They will be able to sort out most of the legalities of the sale and they can also often recommend a good solicitor or lawyer to help with the required formalities. You should choose a lawyer who speaks very good English as well as their native language so that there are never any communication problems.

Many people skimp on this part of the buying process and try to cut out the 'middle man' in order to save money. However as mentioned above, some countries have specific stipulations with regards to buying property and if these aren't complied with you could find yourself with more problems than you bargained for. Moving to Spain for example, requires you to complete a Will in the native language which many people don't know about, and if you don't sign a property disclaimer you could find yourself burdened with the debts of the previous owners. Thus it is worth spending a few extra pounds on a good estate agent and lawyer.

Hidden Costs
A lot of people forge ahead and put in an offer on a property they've found without finding out about any additional costs. A good lawyer will be able to tell you about all the small charges that can easily mount up and which you may not have budgeted for. These will need to be considered before you do anything concrete. The taxes in some countries can be quite high too, and once you have made a formal offer it may be difficult to withdraw from the purchase. You should set up a bank account in the country of your choice to pay for all the likely charges and make sure that it is always funded as in many cases your lawyer will need access in order to pay bills as they arise.

Making an Offer on a Property
Once you have found the ideal property in the perfect location you will want to put in an offer. However unlike the UK where you can submit a verbal offer, many other countries require a formal written offer stating the price you are willing to pay, the deposit you itend to give, the date by which you can complete the transaction, and a full list of the items that you believe to be included in the sale. Once this offer is made and accepted by the vendors, you are often legally obliged to go through with the purchase and if you wish to back out, you may be liable for a number of charges. Thus it is vitally important that you only instruct your lawyer to make the offer when you are absolutely certain that you want to buy the property.

Conclusion
Buying property abroad is fast becoming a realistic option for many of us for holiday homes and buy-to-let properties. Thousands of British citizens are buying homes abroad each year and the information available on the internet is continually growing. Many people think about taking the do-it-yourself approach and saving a few pounds on the cost of a registered estate agent and a good lawyer. However some of these people later find themselves lumbered with additional charges they knew nothing about, and difficulities with the regulations connected to property buying. Buying any property can be complicated even in the UK where you may know the system well. Buying abroad should be treated with even more caution as you may not know the language, customs or potential pitfalls. This said, many people, once they have navigated through the legalities, will say that the effort was well worthwhile.



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02 May 2008
I have a 1 bedroom beautiful apartment in capital square, dubai, uae, that i want to sell as soon as possible. area is 1100 sq ft. it is on the seventh floor in tower b. i wan to sell it asap. .
WF10
01 May 2008
Two bed apartment in paralimni, sleeps 6. fully furnished including air con, washer, dishwasher, fridge freezer, microwave, tv/dvd and provision for satelite tv. one double bedroom and one twin room both with fitted wardrobes. fully tiled bathroom and shower, communal pool, onsi. .
£138,000
M33
29 April 2008
2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 93sqm + 28sqm of terraces. located in ideal area of manilva, very close to the duquesa port, with sea and mountain views. marble floors, fully equipped kitchen, covered and open terrace. in the princesa kristina development, offers community swimmin. .
27 April 2008
Two bedroom, one bathroom apartment with front terrace and sea views on secure complex in small spanish village. garage, swimming pool. lift. fully furnished with english sky tv and many extras plenty of bars, supermarkets, chemist, doctor, school, all within walking distance. .
£120,000
S21
24 April 2008
costa rica permanent resident (invester status) investments in costa rica are growing more fruitful, and north americans, britons, as well as europeans and asians, moving their investments, businesses, and families here are fueling this growth. whatever the reason per. .
£50,000
W2
23 April 2008
2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 75sqm with ample terrace, a/c, good qualities, well decorated and 2 minutes away from the sea. offers nice views of sea and gardens, in the little urbanization of vasari village, close to several golf courses and the duquesa port. price: 219. 000 eur. .
21 April 2008
Nice 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms apartment in 75sqm built and 10sqm terrace. with east orientation, offers open and lovely views of the sea and surroundings. close to the gibraltar airport, several golf courses and to the marina duquesa in manilva, in a peaceful development with . .
17 April 2008
We "skarz infrastructure"are one of the leading real estate solution firms working in delhi and gurgaon india for the last 10 years . we have a team of proffessionals working with us who provide our customers the complete real estate package which includes sale,purchase,renting,c. .
SW1Y
16 April 2008
Apartment with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with garden and terrace of 45sqm. fitted and furnished kitchen, private parking, a/c preinstallation, fitted wardrobes, double glazing. in resort with three golf courses, communal swimming pool, children playing area. ideal for vacation o. .
NW1
3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms apartment with 149 sq. meters plus 38 extra sq. meters of spacious terrace. ideal situation close to estepona port, with open views of the sea and the marina from its spectacular terrace. just 200 meters from the beach, in a quiet residential area. wal. .
N11
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