18 What You Need To Consider When Buying Property Overseas

What You Need To Consider When Buying Property Overseas

While buying a property abroad is not something the average person is able to do, it can be a great investment opportunity or a way to have a holiday home. One in 10 Britons now own overseas property, so it is possible for some people to make that leap. Like buying a house anywhere, buying property overseas is a huge decision, so you need to take the time to properly research beforehand. Buying a property overseas is going to cost a fair bit of money, so it is important to be certain before you make the buying decision. So, if you want to buy a property abroad, then here is our guide on things you need to consider.

Create A Budget

The first thing you need to do before buying a property abroad is to create a budget. As mentioned in the introduction, buying a property abroad means you are going to have to part with your money, so you must establish a budget beforehand. Take the time to sort through your finances and work out what sort of mortgage you could reasonably afford. Additionally, you will need to work out how much you can actually put down as a deposit. Having a sensible budget in place can prevent you from making any poor financial decisions. Not only this, but once you have a budget in place, you can actually start properly looking at houses overseas and decide which ones you like best. Although making a budget is important, you should also give yourself some sort of leeway with your budget, so that if you do see a property slightly over your budget, you are willing to compromise.

How To Find The Right Property

Once you have established a budget, you will need to then think about how to go about finding the right property for you. Buying a property abroad is a little different from buying one in your home country, as you cannot easily visit a property in person. So, what you will need to do first is work out what area you want to buy a property in and then research local estate agents. Once you have a selection of estate agents, you can then start contacting them to get some more details of the properties they have to offer. Even if you are unable to view the property in person, thankfully many estate agents offer virtual or video tours so people can get a proper look at the property without having to travel miles. Going with a local estate agent will always be your best bet when buying property abroad, as they will have a better understanding of the local area and where all the best amenities are. This is important if you want to have the property as a second home or as an investment opportunity. 

Establish Your Intentions For The Property

When buying a property overseas, it is important that you establish your intentions for the property beforehand. Knowing your intentions will help you to make the right purchasing decision as you will likely want a different property based on what you want it for. So, for example, if you want to buy the property as a second home for you and your family, then you will want to find a place that suits all of your needs. You will want the property to feel homely and cosy, so perhaps you will be more willing to wait until the perfect property comes around. However, if you want to buy a property as an investment opportunity, for example, renting out, you will need to find a property that can fulfill those needs for you. With the rise of Airbnb, buying and letting out properties has become even more accessible, and many people are seeing the investment opportunity of having an Airbnb. If this is the case for you, then you will need to find a property that can house all your guests and keep them comfortable during their holiday. 

Embrace the Culture

Another important thing to consider when buying a property abroad is taking the time to embrace the culture. No matter your intentions regarding the property, it is likely that you will be spending a fair bit of time in a different county, so you must be willing to embrace the local culture. As a foreigner, you cannot expect to be accommodated the same way as in your home country, so make sure you keep an open mind and embrace what new things there are to offer. One huge cultural aspect of a different country is food, so that would be a good place to start. Research what the native dish is in the country and visit a local restaurant to get the most authentic experience.