Anyone bought abroad?

Ajax

Finally...Life begins
Hubby and I are thinking of buying something abroad, can't decide on Spain or Cyprus. Probably an apartment of some kind that we can let out, but use as an investement for the future.:character00180:

Have looked at a few websites, and going to the overseas property exhibition this year, but just wondered if any of you have any advice to give if you have done or are thinking too?:character00255:
 
my neighbours bought an apartment in spain 3bed dunno how much it was sry. they go over 3-4 times a year and will always go if can get cheap flights, they love it just been able to go. they rent car from airport and can drive all around now with no problem. they went down the renting route but apt got wrecked and money was going astray and all sorts so they stopped renting it out and now just use it for themselves and any familly / friends wanting to go! make sure if you do decide to rent to get a good reputable company (sry spelling)

becky :)
 
We have bought a house in Portugal and hope to move over there full time at the end of March or so.

At first we looked at property exhibitions but prices were so expensive and the salesmen so pushy.

Have a look at Rightmove and click on the foreign property. That is where we found ours. Funnily enough we were not looking for Portugal but SW France at the time.

Pam
 
My parents have a place in spain, 2 bed house, cost them about €135,000. its really nice as well. I think they pay about €250 a year in service fees as well that covers all the pools & gardens etc. Another relative also has a place there.

Yet more relatives have places in Turkey & Bulgaria as well. Have to say though one of them bought into the 'Utopia' complex, cant remember what part of Turkey its in, but they paid top whack for it (well by Turkish property prices!) and the complex still hasnt been finished 2 or 3 years on. Apparently they couldnt sell all the lots so cant complete the shops bars pools etc until they do. That said, it is gradually getting better. One uncle has a house in Turkey that he is delighted with, but he is a builder & was able to sort a lot of it himself.

Personally, haven seen other peoples experience, I would not buy off plans. It costs a bit more to buy in an established area, but at least you know that the facilities are there. Be careful of getting pulled in at exhibitions though - my parents were going to buy a place off plans a few years ago in Turkey, paid about €5000 deposit but something didnt feel right & they backed out. Turned out the foundations never even got dug!!

I would say go with your gut feeling, pick somewhere that you KNOW you can get flights to easy enough. Turkey & Bulgaria have really cheap property, but I think some people are finding that the flights are really expensive & infrequent, so the holiday home isnt becoming quite the dream they wanted!!
 
Hi!

My parents own a house on mainland Spain (Denia, Costa Blanca) and have done for approx 20 years.... they chose mainland Spain because they had the option of being able to drive there.... it is a long way but as they are retired and go for a month at a time then driving isn't a problem.... also as it's like a home from home they like to take stuff from home and it's easier in the car than flying.... that said they do fly too.... they have occasionally rented it out to friends but they mainly use it themselves and me, my sis and bro and his family use it too....

If you were to rent then I would choose a reputable agency and have strict guidlines of what you expect..... if possible i would also arrange to actual visit an area you are interested in and have a good look around, speak to ex-pats who are living there about life, what's around etc.... try and go on a recommendation....My parents went on holiday for 2 weeks with a view to 'maybe' buying, found the house, like the location and therefore decided to buy..... it's a lovely house (2 beds) on a small complex with a pool.... in fact next door to my parents is up for sale.... wanna buy it.....lol;) If we could afford it I'd buy it like a shot.... alas we have a big mortgage here and couldn't stretch to there.:(

Someone we know bought in Bulgaria.... it's an up and coming holiday destination and alot cheaper than Spain.... Turkey is also alot cheaper I am told...

I do know you will need in Spain a Spainsh bank account, Spainsh lawyer etc

HTH.....
 
Hi

Bought in Orihuela Costa in early 2001, enjoyed my holidays so much now live here (5 1/2 years) and put plenty of weight on during that time - hence doing Slimming World diet again!. Will not put it back on this time - determined!

Anyway now run my own holiday rentals business so if your still thinking about buying and need any advise in this area for the Costa Blanca let me know.

Sue
 
We bought off plan in Fuerteventura a few years ago & it's worked out fine. We rent it out & have lovely neighbours who are the key holders & clean for us.

We have a spanish mortgage & therefore a spanish bank account, we have a euro bank account with Barclays as they don't charge an annual or monthly fee. They do charge to transfer the money to our spanish account, but so do others.

We knew we wanted to buy abroad & didn't want anywhere too busy, we had been to Fuerteventura before & liked it so decided to buy there & it has year round sun. We will eventually retire there.
 
ill probably buy a house in madeira and most probably the states too :)
maybe before marriage :)
 
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