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Buying Abroad
Most people have thought about buying a home abroad at one time or another. Whether it's a holiday home in the sun or a convenient work-base, you need to establish exactly what you want in a property, and what it can do for you. There are a few things to consider before you take the plunge...
Choosing the Right Property
Before you start looking at properties, consider fully why you are buying a second home. How long do you plan to spend at the property in a year? Will you rent it out for income when you are not using it? What about maintenance – you can employ a property management company to look after the upkeep and rental, or you could handle it yourself.
Location is crucial. Whereabouts do you want to buy and why? How easy is access to the area? Is there a nearby airport? Will you need to learn a new language to help you complete the sale comfortably?
Then there is the type of property. You could look for a condo, a house, possibly a time-share arrangement, although with these you need to be fully aware that you will not build up equity in the property. Established resorts usually have management that can look after the property during your absence, but you may want to invest in somewhere more off the beaten track. It's a good idea to try before you buy and rent in your chosen area before you buy. This way you can take a holiday and combine it with house-hunting.
Organising Your Finances
Make sure you figure out how you will pay for the property early on, as this will put you in a better position for negotiation. Will you be remortgaging or downsizing your UK home? Do you have savings you can dip into? Some banks offer mortgages on foreign purchases, which may be preferable to negotiating foreign financial systems.
Research, Research, Research
Check out your agent or developer as thoroughly as you would the property itself. Ask to see other properties they have built and check their reputation online in forums and discussion boards. Check also if they are a member of any trade associations as this will be some measure of credibility.
Independent Legal Advice
Always use an independent lawyer to carry out the conveyancing on your behalf. Some agents will try to recommend or suggest that you use their “in-house” lawyer, but it is always wiser to do it independently. It may be more hassle in the short-term, but you could save yourself money and future headaches by finding your own legal advice.
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Educational Websites
Standards Site, BBC History, PBS Online, Open Directory Project, Virtual Library,
Education Forum, History GCSE, Design & Technology, Learn History, Music Teacher Resource,
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Compton History, Universal Teacher, English Teaching, English Online, History Learning Site,
History on the Net, Black History, Greenfield History, School History, HistoryWorld, I Love History,
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