A combination of cheap mortgages and plunging prices have triggered and are still triggering investments in foreign property. 5.4 million Britons consider buying a property abroad. But buying foreign property is not easy. Many of the British folks who bought Spanish properties before the financial crisis now contend with legal battles, touting to pull their foreign property down and that dream of foreign property ownership with it. Many of those who rushed into foreign property investing have sad stories to tell. The most important advice when making an international property investment is still to take your time, do careful research and get legal advice.

Buying property abroad, where currency value favors you is a lucrative arrangement. Currently, the Pound leads the Euro by 10%, so British property buyers looking to buy in Italy, Spain, Portugal etc. would have to pay 10% less on comparable properties. It might not be worth it if you consider travel costs and other expenses. Hence, apart from knowing legal and property rules in your destination country, you should also consider how much you're going to spend and if the expenses would justify itself.

Moreover, there could be scrupulous characters you have to deal with. In property buying, you have to let your head make the decisions. More so, when buying abroad. Let's explore the five common mistakes international property investors make and how they can be avoided.

MISTAKES INVESTORS MAKE WHEN MAKING INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY INVESTMENT

1.      Lack of information.

You can easily get burned when you are not aware of the nuances and trends of your chosen real estate market. It's not just enough to research and find out the particulars of making an investment in a specific country, be aware of the mistakes specific to foreign property investors in that country. If the eager Brits of the pre-recession had been well-informed, they wouldn't have fallen into legal traps.

2.      Planning on the move.

Don't buy a house, then put together a plan later. Have a plan before you buy. This is all the more important for investors. It is the most common mistake made by newbie investors. You might spot a good deal and be prompted to make an offer quick. Don't. Make sure you form a plan beforehand and get a property that fits your investment strategy. This will keep you focused.

3.      Trying to make money quickly. Real estate, unlike stocks, is usually a long term investment. If you think you'll make a load of profit on your property within a short time, you might be setting yourself up to be disappointed.

4.      Flying solo. Professional investors always have a team. The team usually comprises of real estate agent, an appraiser, an attorney and a lender. If you want to achieve success in overseas real estate investing, don't fly solo.

5.      Paying too much. Flying solo and inadequate research most times will lead to paying too much on a property. New investors abroad usually goof up by paying too much on the properties they buy. Making this mistake will leave you working with less if you plan on buying for investment.

As much as it is lucrative, buying a home abroad is risk bound. It is always important to exercise caution when making an overseas investment deal and learn the fundamentals.

Information is power, especially when it comes to real estate investing on foreign soil. You have to know the area, the schools around, transport, new developments planned and real estate laws that apply. Staying ahead therefore means you have to do considerable research. However you look at it, you’ll find that having a local realtor is still the best way to get important information you need. Here are five things a local real estate agent will help you with if you wish to buy a home abroad.

1.     Local pricing.

The important thing with buying or selling real estate is price. How do you assess the ‘fair’ value of a property in another location? You have to rely on data from comparable properties. The price of a similar property in the next town may be lower than the price in your current city, for example. Real estate agents have access to such data, given their access to the MLS and can help you determine if what you’re paying for a property is ‘fair’.

2.     Get pre-approved for mortgage.

Sellers give more preference to pre-approved buyers and you might be able to lock in a favorable rate with your bank. You need an agent’s help when getting pre-approved for mortgage. They have gone through the process many times before and can be of invaluable help.

3.     Help find catalysts.

One sign that an area is coming up and that will be desirable in the future is the development of new infrastructures. When you see new roads and built schools, it is a sign that the community is ready for growth. Investing in a growing community can be very profitable.(check how to spot a developing market). In addition, certain types of development, such as new shopping malls, can be extremely attractive to home buyers, and can also help keep the tax base low. Real estate agents have a general idea of ??what new projects are about to take off.

4.     Explore low-tax alternatives

If there are two cities side by side - one with high property taxes (or the progressive increase in property taxes) and the other with low property taxes - the one with the lowest taxes will usually be more in demand.

Real estate agents can help you determine which areas have the best and worst tax structures. Also look to see if a revaluation is set to take place in the near future as it may mean that property taxes are about to rise.

5.     Check school rankings.

Almost all states rank their schools for how well students in each district benefit from math and English tests. Sharp investors should look for schools that are moving up or are at the top of the list. These areas are often desirable for parents. Access to quality education is a great selling point for new home buyers. Agents have access to this information.

The bottom line: Doing your homework, getting free information and putting in the leg work alone might not do the job. A local real estate agent is an invaluable resource when looking to buy property abroad. 

3 SIMPLE TIPS TO FIND GREAT REAL ESTATE DEALS ANYWHERE

In a hot market like the one US is experiencing now, it’s hard to find great deals. Everything is overpriced; median real estate prices are up 160% since 1990, whereas incomes are up 90%, according to seekingalpha.com. Yet, there are great deals up for the taking and this applies with foreign properties also. However, you don’t want a property that will eventually turn out to be a money sinkhole. What should you look for while on the search for your next profitable real estate investment.

1.     Less Risky.

All real estate investments are risky. However some investments are more riskier. There are so many things that can go wrong with development of real estate, land, Tenant-in-Common (TIC) investments, private real estate funds and fixer uppers. These investments are high risk. You may not see a dime of the money you invest again. Before you put money down, it is necessary to do considerable due diligence, analyze, test, review reports etc., to avoid making risky real estate decisions.

2.     Fair cash-on-cash return.

Your stocks, bonds and other financial assets generate a rate of return of between 4% to 6%. Real estate shouldn’t be an exception. It is necessary to shoot for deals that give a fair cash-on –cash rate of return. This means that you need to buy cash flow positive properties and always pro-forma your deals. Check how pro-forma works in real estate investments

3.     Doesn’t take too much of your time.

If you have to travel every week to check out the status of your investment property, then it’s not worth the effort, money and time. These type of properties require considerable time and energy investment before they become smart investments: vacation rentals, low quality properties in bad areas, college rentals etc.

Here are four basic hints you also can use to find great real estate deals, regardless of whether you're searching for an investment property, a property for your business or just a home for your family.

1. Be the first. . . Or the last one.

In real estate, often the old adage is true: The early bird gets the worm.

Often, it is not the highest bid for a property that is accepted, it is simply the first. So, if you are looking to find great real estate deals, be quick about it! Obtain prior approval from a bank so you can jump to any property immediately, and let your real estate agent set you up with automatic email alerts notifying you of any new property coming to the market. So, do not delay - check it out quickly, and make an offer the same day if possible.

On the contrary, another way to find great deals is to look for properties that have been in the market for a long time. Such homeowners are often much more willing to sell for a discount because they are tired of clinging to that property. Many times, they have been making two mortgage payments for months (or years) and will entertain almost any offer.

2. Approach absentee owners in private.

Some of the best kinds of deals can be got from absentee owners, which simply means someone who owns a property but does not live there. They may be landlords (who hate their tenants) or homeowners who inherited their homes and simply do not know what to do with them. You can find these deals in a number of ways, such as:

Drive around, look for vacant homes, and use public records online to track the owner

Buying a list of public records using an aggregate list site such as ListSource.com

Calling mom-and-pop owners who are listing "for rent" properties on Properbuz. Let them know that you are not interested in renting, but would like to talk to them about the purchase.

3. Take a look at a large number of deals.

Finally, recognize that finding discounted prices is basically a "numbers game." You may have to kiss a great deal of frogs to get the prince!

Whether you want to buy an investment property, buy a home for yourself or buy real estate for another reason, keep in mind: You make your cash when you buy. If you wish to have immediate equity on your investment, which can help you build prosperity in the foreseeable future, or save in case there is an economical turndown, you must find great real estate deals.