If you are thinking about buying property abroad, do you have a certain type of property that you are looking for? Or are you open to suggestions? Different people have different tastes, and of course, the property type you choose will be specific to your individual requirements. For example, if you are moving abroad for a year, or perhaps you will be living in the house for a short period of time each year, then a sprawling 5-bedroom luxury house might not be what you need. That said, if you are moving permanently abroad then you will most likely need and want more space than can be provided by an apartment.

Depending on where in the world you are planning on buying, you could expect to come across any of the following types of property:

• Houses
• Apartments
• Villas
• Townhouses
• Conversions
• Duplex (two-storey apartment)
• Condominium properties
• Special design housing

Not only is it important to buy a property that fits your budget, but also one which fits your lifestyle. If you are working from home the last thing you want is a small, cramped home. Likewise, if you are not going to be in the property a lot of the time then you won’t want the upkeep of a large home or garden. Have you considered potentially renting out your new property? This would be a good idea if it is to be a second or holiday home and sit unused for much of the time. Again, the type of property you invest in will dictate how much return you can make on it.

If you are looking to invest in a property abroad with the intention of making money then buying off-plan and living there for a couple of years before selling could bring in more money in the long run, however that takes time. If you want your investment to start making money straight away then a buy-to-let is an obvious choice. Properties near the sea, beaches and tourist destinations always sell for more than those in more rural, un-touristy areas, but of course, they will cost you more to buy in the first place.

If you are buying part of a future development, be aware of other buildings which will be part of that development, such as shopping centres, office blocks etc. These can benefit your purchase. However, other structural work such as road developments can hinder your purchase and mean you will get less money for it when renting it out.

France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, among other European countries, are very popular with Brits buying, moving and renting abroad, so represent good investment opportunities.

Start your hunt for a home abroad here…
If you’re searching for an overseas property, a good place to start is the Overseas Guides Company’s new property search facility. To start your search now visit http://www.emigrationguide.com/content/emigration-properties