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.

In a seller's market, like the US, buyers must be prepared to do some ground work and move fast whenever they spot homes that offer what they are looking for. In a competitive market, a buyer with cash doesn't necessarily win these days. 2015 Realtytrac stats say that about a third of property buyers in the US are cash buyers. Cash might still have an advantage over mortgage but below are some more tips to create a winning offer.

Only a few sellers can reject an offer of cash but chances are you're not the only one bringing cash to the table. Hence you need other strategies when making a home offer:

1. Move fast.

Moving fast could help you win when making a home offer in a competitive market. If you’re dealing with a seller who doesn't have much time (who does?) and wants to sell fast, all you need to do is put your best foot forward and follow other steps in these article to seal the deal.

You can also offer to close quickly. A standard closing period is about 30 days. If you can close in three weeks instead, this could convince the seller to accept your offer even over one that offers more money.

2. Get a professional.

A proactive and knowledgeable agent will know what works in that community and will be able to create a winning offer fast.  A good agent will be the strongest weapon in your arsenal when in a competitive market. A knowledgeable agent will guide you through winning strategies in that competitive market that may seem crazy when you try them in a slower market.

3. Be human.

Display personality with your offer. One way to do this is by writing a letter to the seller that tells him the reason why you want to buy. Indicate a subtle feature you like about the house (which other buyers didn't notice). Other sellers will appear impersonal.

4. An earnest deposit

A substantial first deposit makes a major difference. A reasonable first deposit will be about 3% of the value of the house. A seller often takes this offer seriously and can feel positive you are focused on the stand by position this offer.

This may give you a winning edge. Submitting a pre-approval notice with the first deposit puts your offer before others by telling the owner you are serious.

5. Money talks.

Of course, the more money you can offer upfront, the better your chances. If you can afford a 30% or 40% down payment (or more), sellers will be tempted to accept your offer. And, in the long run, it will save you money on a mortgage, shortening the length of your loan and the interest you pay. You can also waive some contingencies, depending on what your agent approves.

These tips can put your offer on top of the pile. However, in a competitive market, beating the competition depends on your creativity. 

While some analysts believe Brexit has made the UK housing market porous. Others believe Brexit will pave way for a stronger housing market in coming years

The interaction between real estate and foreign policy is clear cut and this is more than proved by Brexit. As the March 2019 final Brexit negotiations approach, a precursor has been set, which might influence London's real estate market in coming years.

A recent report from international property firm, Knight Frank, puts London as the top favorite destination for global capital. This is due to the fact that London still presents liquidity and stability, factors attractive to investors.

Nick Braybrook, Knight Frank London's head of capital markets says ‘Despite the political turmoil surrounding the UK with Brexit, London is once again the most liquid real estate market in the world. It is more popular as a home for international investment than Paris Central, Manhattan, Munich, and Frankfurt combined,’.https://www.propertywire.com/news/global-news/londons-commercial-property-market-top-draw-international-buyers The influx of foreign investors particularly Asian buyers could be due to a weakened pound sterling, which has led to a slow growth in home prices.

According to an article by FT https://www.ft.com/content/87b1f284-1452-11e7-80f4-13e067d5072c "home prices have seen slow growth since the 2016 Brexit announcement. In May 2018, prices fell by 0.4% in London from an annual rate of 12% in 2016."

The pre-Brexit rise in home prices, which were growing at above 10 percent year over year before the EU referendum has given way to slower price growth. 2018 so far has seen a price growth of only 3% all over the UK. For millennials and London residents, the pre-Brexit rates had kept them on edge with staggering prices. Now the current fair price increases and a residential market that is more or less slow present better odds of landing favorable home deals.

Currently, London's economy is great. There is a low unemployment rate and inflation rates are down. Speculators, however, believe that the thriving economy will lead to higher interest rates soon. This means that first-time homebuyers would need to pay higher down payments on mortgages.

And even though foreign investment has decreased in most sectors, due to the uncertain climate surrounding BREXIT, real estate foreign activity is at its peak. Even the tax hikes introduced on foreign landlords, renting out their houses, hasn't diminished London's foreign real estate activity.

2019 will definitely be an interesting year for the UK's housing market, depending on the outcome of the final negotiations between the EU and the UK. However, an abrupt Brexit will do no one any good. Mark Carney, the governor of the bank of England has warned that a "disorderly" Brexit will lead to interest rate hikes which might greatly affect the property market.

According to FT, Theresa May’s government is actively seeking to avoid such a scenario. The prime minister has softened her position on Brexit in recent months and has agreed to a transition period that would maintain much of the status quo until at least 2021.

What changes do you think might take place before 2021? Leave your thought