What’s the crucial thing when making an investment? Simple! Protect your investment. Whether you’re buying stocks or putting money down on real estate? Whether you are buying property abroad or locally? Whether you are buying overseas property for investment or just looking to relocate? You need to recognize that there are risks. Heck, buying property abroad is like running a hurdle. You’re crossing hurdles like investment restriction laws, taxation, paperwork, exchange rate changes etc. Real estate investing comes at a risk, especially when you are going into relatively uncharted territories. You need to ask yourself some crucial questions.

1.     WHY AM I BUYING THE PROPERTY?

Any decision you take subsequently will depend on this to an extent. Are you buying just to relocate or as an investor. You need to make up your mind. Your choice of mortgage, your budget and the type of insurance you go for would depend on this.

It’s easy to say I’ll move into the property for some time, get a feel of the place for a while then I’ll sell out when the market is steamy. Seems like a good strategy but guess what? Your guess may be wrong? You may have to stay with a property you don’t like for years or just bear the big loss. Hence you need to make up your mind beforehand. Am I relocating or investing?

2.     HOW WILL I GET FINANCING?

Financing is a big deal when it comes to buying property abroad. You can’t just carry cash around, you need to select a reputable bank in your destination to deal with. If mortgages are available by the destination bank, you need to ascertain what types of mortgages are available and what contingencies. In a case where a deposit is required by your seller, make sure that an ‘opt out clause’ is signed to make sure your deposit will be returned in case the mortgage falls through.

3.     SHOULD I BUY A NEW BUILD PROPERTY?

If you are buying a new construction or an off-plan property, be sure to choose the developer carefully. Ask a lot of questions. Initially, focus these questions on the agent or company itself, not the properties. Ask about customer testimonials and check what is included in their service. Ask for details in writing. You might be tempted to make a deposit on an attractive new-build property right away. Cool down and think before you leap.

4.     WHAT ABOUT RENTAL YIELDS?

Property specialists caution against getting sucked in by claims of developers. ‘There is huge capital growth’, ‘rental yields are off the roof’ etc.  Always remember: with big returns come big risks.

Don't just think about the profit to be made. Put some effort into your calculations and note that interest rates change over time, also include the tax implications of renting out your property abroad.  You should consult a tax expert or lawyer.

5.     WHAT WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS?

Budget for extra costs to be between 8 - 10 % of the house value. This may often be far more in a few countries. Make sure you are, therefore, alert to the costs incurred for investing in a property in your selected country.

Whether you want to relocate abroad or create a global real estate investment portfolio, it's important to keep in mind that even the best strategies occasionally fall flat. You are going to therefore need an appropriate contingency plan and exit strategy, as this will lessen any inconvenience triggered and the prospect of financial loss. Hence, for those wanting to relocate, it is important to hold on to ties in your country of origin and ideally preserve a preexisting property for a predetermined time frame. Investors will also have to keep a keen eye on the global market and prevailing economic trends, as these factors may determine the necessity to sell or change strategy.

Your overseas property purchase doesn’t need to be stopped by financing. You can apply for a mortgage. However, getting mortgage for foreign property isn’t like getting a mortgage at home. This article considers some ways to tip the balance in your favor.

Why bank financing isn't always available for overseas property

When it is available and comes with no string attached, bank financing is the best option to buy foreign real estate. But alas, it’s not usually available. In many markets, it's hard to get loans as a foreign buyer. In Colombia for example, banks don't care if you're a legal resident, as long as you're a foreign buyer, you're not getting mortgage. It's easy to see why this is so. A foreign buyer isn't tied to the country; he can up and leave at any time, taking the bank's money with him. Banks wouldn't want to take this risk. Hence the hassles of getting mortgage for foreign property. This is one of the things stopping passionate investors from traversing foreign lands.

Resident and non-resident bank financing

So, let's say bank financing is available; it most likely would come in one of the following categorizations:

Ø  Resident financing: Except for countries like Colombia, most local banks would treat your loan application as they would treat that of a citizen if you're a legal resident. You'll have to prove credit worthiness just like any citizen and may not have to go through any other process or requirements. This is called resident financing.

Ø  Non-resident financing on the other hand is difficult to secure. Wherever it is available (countries like France, US, Mexico, Panama, The Dominican Republic, Portugal and New Zealand), it comes with a number of restrictions and requirements. Also, the rate you get may not be favorable, except in France, where it's possible for a non-resident with good credit to access a 20-year mortgage at a rate of just 2.25 percent.

Tips To Get Mortgage When Buying Foreign Property

So, here are some tips to help you secure mortgage when buying foreign real estate

1. Don't go it alone.

Even professional property investors get professional assistance when buying foreign property; this could be through experienced local agents or friends. They understand that investing overseas is a much different ball game. If you're in the UK, you can seek the help of an agent selling property overseas through the following bodies:

1. The Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) and
2. The National Association of Estate Agents International

2. Find a bank that has a presence in your country and the country in which you want to buy a property.

According to Glenn Carter, a Canadian investor who works for Condo Capital "The problem is a foreign credit score does not count for anything, it's just like having no credit score”. This means the interest rates you’ll be quoted will be that of someone with no credit. But a bank with presence in your home country will offer favorable rates. "The interest rate I was quoted from a US Bank was 9%, versus the 3% we got from a Canadian bank with branches in the US.” Carter says.

3. Get an Agreement in Principle

Before signing any contracts or paying deposit, get an Agreement in Principle. Learn more about Agreements in Principle. If you're planning on getting finance on the house, make sure this is explained in the contract, and seek an 'opt-out clause' if the loan is not agreed. This will ensure any first deposit paid is refunded.

This article offers practical steps on funding a foreign real estate purchase with equity funds.

Foreign real estate presents mouthwatering deals for investors with steep currency differences, especially in today's unstable financial markets; meaning you could have the upper negotiating edge in a neighboring country. The perk in currency strength is however not compensated for by the financial and legal aspects of sourcing funds for foreign real estate investing.

One financing approach which is gradually gaining traction is the use of equity funds. In this case, deploying liquidity of stocks and securities in foreign real estate capital.

There are four approaches you can take when planning to go this route:

1. Employ Equity REITs: Odds are you've heard about REITs and the huge tax rates at the individual investor level. A REIT is generally a stock that invests in real estate or real estate related securities, like mortgages. A mortgage REIT primarily lends cash to real estate buyers or acquires their existing mortgages. An equity REIT acquires, manages, builds, renovates and sells real estate, mostly commercial real estate.

If you don't want to be in the front line and would prefer to play it safe, REITs present a great way to achieve diversification via liquid investment in real estate. Many international REITs have sprung up over the years. So, investing in foreign real estate should be as simple as locating a good REIT that invests in your country of choice or simply using REIT ETFs. However, don't ignore the fact that REITs come with tax liabilities that can range from 15% to 35% of profit. This is compensated for in a way by tax exemption at the corporate level, as long as 90% of income is distributed to unitholders.

2. Self-directed IRA or Offshore IRA: As much as we wish to help you with country-specific information, you should know that real estate laws aren't invariably the same in any two countries. Hence the importance of having a local mortgage expert or real estate agent (read how to find the right local real estate agent) who can help you with local professional information.

For US residents, using funds from your retirement account or 401k is a great way to employ equity funds for foreign investing. The IRS doesn't restrict holding real estate with your IRA. However, according to an article on Supermoney.com, (https://www.supermoney.com/2017/04/finance-overseas-property/), you won't be able to live in the property until you reach retirement age. In any case, you will need to either set up a self-directed IRA, which allows you to invest in overseas real estate via a third party or broker. Alternatively, you can set up an offshore IRA as a way to gain more control, by taking your self-directed IRA offshore. In this case, you move your self-directed IRA into an offshore Limited Liability company. Setting up an offshore IRA can, however, be costly.

3. Stock Market Liquidity: You can employ liquidity on your stock market investment or securities, subject to tax, by selling your holdings. This presents you with cash to invest directly in foreign real estate.

4. HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): For home buyers in countries like the USA and Australia, a HELOC allows you to take a loan on an existing home by cashing on real estate equity.

Buying real estate with equity funds is completely legal and carries no extra charges or taxes. However, ensure you report financial proceedings to necessary financial authorities in your home country.

Also, if you're either buying overseas real estate for investment or personal use, reach out to a local real estate agent that can offer market-specific information about taxes for your destination country.