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Lighthouse Property Services

Buying property overseas

• Resist the temptation to buy a property to relive a great family holiday or to re-enact your honeymoon. By all means buy

 If you're thinking of buying a holiday home abroad here are five top tips to get you started:

• Decide from the outset why you want a property abroad – is it for use as a holiday home? Or as an investment to make money? Or do you plan to emigrate eventually?

• Don't rely on the Internet or word of mouth to choose your location – you have to see for yourself what the place is like so that you can pick up on the drawbacks as well the advantages. 

• Resist the temptation to buy a property to relive a great family holiday or to re-enact your honeymoon. By all means buy a place in your favourite resort but take off the rose-coloured spectacles first and do your research properly.

• Buying off plan (buying a property before it has been built) may be a cheaper option and will add to the investment value – but only if you're prepared to wait a year or 18 months for your property to be built.

• Remember that different countries have different laws, customs and regulations. Don't assume everything will be done the same way as it is in the UK – expect the unexpected and enjoy the learning curve.