Why You Should Buy Now; Overseas Property For Sale in the Credit Crunch

It is possible to make money whatever the state of the economy. In fact, some of the most lucrative deals have been achieved in a struggling economy; the opportunities are always there if you have the requisite knowledge.It must also be a buyers market; as the property and financial markets slow down at home and abroad, more people are putting their properties on the market and the developers are offering their 'special' deals and discounts. If you are prepared to be brave in negotiations now may be the time for you.
It could also be the time to be bolder in you outlook on destinations. Have a closer look at the less obvious choices; Cape Verde instead of The Canary Islands, Morocco instead of Spain, Dubai instead of Florida; the Gambia instead of the Carribean. In some of the emerging markets around the world, the property market is stable and even growing. Getting in at the very bottom, buying land or off-plan, means less outlay at the start and a better return on your investment in the end.

Even with the old favourites it is worth looking further afield than the usual options; new build leaseback property in Corsica instead of the Gite in Provence, land with plans in the Caymen Islands instead of the villa in Barbados, a beach house in Belize instead of the apartment in Cancun. Of course land only, off plan and leaseback are all going to be long term projects, though investments can be realised before the property is built, or at the end of the guarenteed rental income period.

When you are feeling the pinch at home it is often cheaper to be living abroad. The cost of fuel, heating and eating can be considerably cheaper in Europe, and yu can minimise the effeect of the strong Euro by taking a Euro mortgage, taking advantage of the lower interest rate and avoiding the problems of fluctuation in the currency market.

Property values abroad still represent excellent value for money in comparison to the UK market, even with falling property prices. For a first time buyer overseas property may be the best way to get your feet on the property ladder.

Emerging Markets; get in at the beginning

Investment Property Sales in Emerging Markets

As an investment asset, overseas property is as popular as ever. If you are looking to invest in property for the future contact us for up-to-date market information. Finding suitable 'buy to let' property, holiday or retirement home or development opportunities in emerging property markets requires a service that recognises the need for attention to detail. Planning with your tax and investment advisers is a service which we will add value to your property decisions.

How do you make real money? Most investors answer that if you put your money into brilliant companies, brilliant sectors and brilliant countries, then hang on, you’ll end up rich. We disagree. When something is that good, most people know about it already and your purchasing price is going to reflect that, which will limit your returns even if things go as well as the market expects.

The key to wealth is to make investments “where outcome exceeds consensus expectations”. If the consensus is that something is a basketcase and it turns out instead to be merely mildly mad, or even a recovery candidate, “it’s a sure-fire way to garner riches”. The more widespread the pessimism about an asset class, the more the odds are stacked in favour of “the early and the brave”.

Britons looking to expand their portfolios in emerging overseas property markets have been advised that they could face lower returns if they wait and follow the crowd.

Off Plan International has said that individual investors face being crowded out of the market if they wait just one or two years after a market has become more well-known.

However, the firm acknowledged that it was usually better to look at the capital city of a country, adding that press coverage and word of mouth encouraged investors to move to particular places.

"My advice for people if they are looking to invest in small value, one or two properties, is to look at capital cities within a country. They are more expensive than other parts of the country but you are not going to lose," noted an Off Plan International spokesperson.

"If you are a smaller investor, in a place that's been a hot spot for a year or two, you need to be careful where you invest.

"In areas where there is a lot of investment going off, where there is a great choice of properties, it may not be the best place for an individual," the spokesperson concluded.

For foreign property investors or those resident outside the UK, we also provide special guidance on tax and management of property investments in the UK.

Time for investment is now whilst these markets are still not on the lips of every investor.
These emerging markets offer a one off opportunity to benefit from low prices that are set to rise as the interest and demand increases.

Overseas Property Developers

Property Marketing & Sales

At any given time, three general factors affect the sale of an overseas property:

The economic market conditions
The location of the property
The market competition - other property like yours competing for the same buyers

These three factors are in a constant state of flux. Interest rates rise and fall, neighbourhoods gain or lose desirability, and as properties are placed on the market, the pool of active buyers changes. No-one can control these factors and wait until all the conditions are perfect. However, they can be maximised to a seller's advantage.

When selling your properties we can offer you an advantage:
A targeted viewer
A captive audience
An opportunity to make multiple impressions
Preparation for market

Sellers' information packs: By ensuring that the legal issues are dealt with at the earliest stages we can help you avoid delay and expense later in the transaction.Our service ensures that all relevant due dilligence documentation is gathered in readiness for the eventual sale so as to meet the latest relevant legal requirements.
Valuations: In order to avoid the risks of undervaluing or overvaluing the property it is vital to have the views and expertise of property experts who can advise on local and national economic conditions and trends, as well as take account of special factors.
Property Marketing: We prepare a detailed set of particulars with measurements and select the best buyers for your property. Our expertise will ensure that the property is shown to the market in a way that attracts the right buyer prepared to agree to the terms you want
Property viewings & Negotiations: The assessment of suitable buyers for your property is the service of most value to those not used to selling property. We make the enquiries and checks that are vital to making a deal happen. By establishing relationships with potential buyers we are able to recommend those who may be able to meet your needs and to save time and cost which can be lost through abortive and fruitless negotiations.
Contracts & Exchange: Through the provision of the information pack much of the initial delay can be avoided and our ProgressTracker service means you can keep up to date on the progress of all related matters such as finance and chain related transact

Get the Right Advice

Who should own the property?

Getting this question of ownership wrong is probably both the most common and the most expensive mistake people make when buying property overseas. There are many people who could be made the legal owner of the property or, as the case may be, the shareholders in the company that owns the property. The best choice is, often, not obvious.

Getting this wrong can cost you tens of thousands of pounds/euro/dollars of totally unnecessary taxes, during your lifetime and on your death.Most local lawyers will be unable to help you make this decision as it involves an understanding of both the local AND your own legal, tax and inheritance systems.Investmment Property Sales can help with all of these issues.

What are the options?

There are many ways to purchase a foreign property as an investment. These include:

in your own name alone
in your name and in the name of your co-purchaser(s)
wholly or partly in your children's
names or in the name of somebody
whom you would like (eventually!) to inherit the property from you
in the name of a limited company,
whether English, 'local' or "off-shore"
via your SIPP/SSAS pension fund
via an investment fund (REIT, PUT etc)
via an investment club
via a trust