Buying property abroad can be a very rewarding prospect for many investors, although can initially appear very daunting. The two main reasons for buying property abroad are:

1. For investment purposes – to gain from increasing property values and rental income. 2. For personal use as a holiday home. Investors will still benefit from increasing property values, although rental income will be minimised the more that property is used personally.

For many buying property abroad, a mixture of both these factors may be of most interest. Many opportunities will offer "fully managed" investment properties, with a hotel or management agent maximising your rental income, plus an element of personal use. Once an investor has decided what they wish to gain from buying property abroad and the predicted level of personal use, other factors can be given due consideration.

Location is also a very important factor to many. For pure investment purposes, investors will be attracted to buying property abroad in countries which boast strong capital growth and rental income. Low purchase taxes and ongoing costs may become a more important factor than the location itself. However, buyers who are more interested in personal use will generally be driven by their chosen location and their personal choice of country/region to utilise their holiday home.

Even when location has been decided, the area within that country is an important factor to consider when buying property abroad. Many countries offer a selection of property and lifestyle choices, from beachfront living to city centre properties, ski resorts, etc.

When buying property abroad for investment purposes, an important point to consider is which market will offer the best return on investment. Investors may instantly assume that securing a beachfront property will generate great capital growth and rental yields. However, some beach resorts will only benefit from a 3 – 4 month per year "window" where there is demand from holidaymakers. Outside of this window local areas may almost shut down, with most bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. closing down for the off-peak season. In comparison to this, some ski resorts will benefit from great rental demand during the ski season, with many resorts also offering facilities to attract demand in the summer months, offering more of a year round rental demand and an increased rental return on your chosen property.

The most important factor to consider when buying property abroad is to ensure that you become familiar with your goals and ensure that buying property abroad will help you achieve this. Research is a very important factor to ensure that you are aware of all aspects involved when buying property abroad. A good Solicitor can offer invaluable advice and ensure that contracts and legalities are as they should be. The legal system in some countries is more complex than others. Property investment specialists can also advise as to the various worldwide investment options and should help assist you to find your ideal property.

When buying property abroad, even buyers who intend to use a property solely for rental can find over time that they wish to spend more personal time there. Buyers who purchase a holiday home can also find that they end up demanding greater rental than envisaged and less time for personal use.

To ensure that you can remain flexible with your future requirements, buying property abroad which will prove attractive both for rental and personal use should prove to be the best option.