How to Buy a Vacation Home Overseas

If you enjoy extended stays in foreign countries, why not buy a vacation home of your own overseas?

Things You'll Need

• Investment Advice
• Legal Counsellors
• Travel Guides
• Financial Calculator
• Travel Services

Instructions

1. Assess the cultural differences between your home country and the foreign location you're considering to determine if you would enjoy living in another country for several weeks or months each year.

2. "Test-drive" the culture and climate by renting a vacation home in the desired foreign location.

3. Research the legal aspects of purchasing and owning a vacation home overseas by contacting a real estate attorney in your desired location.

4. Tour and inspect properties for sale as thoroughly as if you were inspecting the condition of a primary residence.

5. Consult other owners of vacation homes in the area to find out about construction standards, quality of existing homes, rental rates, occupancy levels and other pertinent information.

6. Consider who will manage and maintain the property when you are not occupying your vacation home.

Tips & Warnings

• Thoroughly research the market and your options before purchasing a vacation home overseas.

• Legal procedures and contracts in foreign countries require the expertise of international lawyers.

• You'll have a difficult time finding a U.S.-based lender to finance a home overseas. Check with international lending divisions of large financial institutions to get more information.

• Make sure you have someone fluent in both the language spoken in the area in which you plan to buy and your native tongue translate documents and laws regarding the property.