Property Abroad

It seems property investment is a British pastime in the Twenty First Century. We are among the biggest investors in property overseas, largely as a result of a perpetually booming property market at home and one of the most expensive currencies in the world. Canny investors have been ploughing their money overseas on and off for over thirty years and many people are seeing fantastic returns on early investments. Investment properties in Spain purchased twenty years ago are now close in price to their equivalents in the UK. This represents better comparative growth than in the UK, with the added bonus of owning a home in Spain - perfect for short, relaxing breaks. Properties to buy in Andorra closely mirror the pricing of Spain.

The other popular choice with British buyers in years gone by was investment property in France. Our closest neighbour on the continent offered great value if you were looking for a renovation project and these opportunities still exist. It is important to know exactly what you will be letting yourself in for as a renovation project can be very hard work and expensive. It is also very important to have a decent grasp of the French language before investing in the country, either gleaned through a language course or through executive coaching.

Property investors are now looking at countries which many Britons would have difficulty placing on a map. They are queuing up for properties to buy in Estonia. The country is not cheap, but the fresh air and great lifestyle make it an appealing place for investors. It is also relatively easy to reach, with the budget airlines. The countryside in Estonia is beautiful and unspoilt, feeling very Scandinavian in parts.

Since joining the European Union in 2004, Hungary has seen incredible changes as it finally shakes off the shackles of its difficult recent history. Capital has been flowing into the Central European country like never before and houses to buy in Hungary are selling at an incredible rate. Capital city Budapest is one of Europe's hottest destinations and many people are attracted by the prospect of owning a property in such a buzzing city. It is suspected by some people that the market for property in Hungary will soon resemble that for property in Bulgaria, which has been incredibly popular among investors in recent years.

As with all investments, it is worth remembering that the value of property can go down as well as up. It's really up to you to buy and sell at the right time.