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Looking briefly at various countries

A further series of articles cover different countries in detail, however here we will just look at a listing with just a few points emphasized. As here we give just a snapshot, please do not take any of our criticisms as holding factors unless you have fully researched the situation yourself.

Europe

• Spain - very popular with British tourists, slick marketing to watch with some pressure selling. Areas with a lot of expats mean English communities exist. Welcoming population. Property can be bought quickly, and new builds are plentiful. Probably the easier holiday homes to rent out, due to many cheap flights. Diluted culture due to volume of tourism. Ability for developers to take your land, and hand you the bills for services to their new developments and other property to be compulsorily purchased for next to nothing, makes this an unsafe place to invest away from developments, or existing fully developed communities.
  • Canary islands (Spanish) as above, weather perhaps more predictable.
• France - many bargains to be had in many regions, 2nd most popular, near enough to go by train or ferry to many parts, so avoiding airports. Need to learn French really, often its promoted that English is spoken, but very little is, even in tourism areas few can carry on a conversation with you in English. Strong culture, arts and food traditions. Large numbers of properties that can be renovated and new build potential. Red tape, and some local officials have a lot of power, but not the same risks as developing in Spain. Beware that you may not be able to rent out holiday property in some areas if it is considered to compete with local hotels.
• Portugal - can be quite a bit more expensive, but some undiscovered areas still have bargains. Very pro British feeling. 3rd most popular place for British holiday homes. More up market and relaxed than Spain. Lots of golf complexes some owned 90% by Brits. Health service is considered by some not perhaps up to French and Spanish. Jan and Feb can be cold and wet. Attractive country to have a home in.
• Italy attractions are art, historic buildings, designer goods, attractive to poets, considered romantic. Further away, more difficult and expensive to get to, climate less predictable but less problems with anti social behaviour than Spain. Some say more red tape than anywhere else in Europe, corruption, more difficult to get repairs done, even the largest and most experienced developers have found it difficult to enter. Some areas property is very expensive and people unlikely to want to sell to you, councils unhelpful or obstructive therefore virtually impossible  to take on DIY developments, so use a local architect and get a fixed price, you will still need to learn to speak Italian fluently. In many ways it may be more varied than many other countries, some areas property is very cheap still, others it can be excessively expensive, some areas you may be welcome, some not. Few holiday developments aimed at people from outside the country. Some would say difficult and best avoided by most, but perhaps opportunities for the committed, as there is a shortage of rental property and high prices obtained in many areas from those desperate to go there, and lack of major developments.
• Greece hotter in summer than France, less built up than Spain, some parts can be cold in winter, and a jumper needed in quite a large area for much of the year. The alphabet as well as the language presents a challenge although perhaps more people are now learning to speak English in tourist areas. Property can be very cheap, but costs add 20%,  renovation costs can be high. In the future it is expected that property prices will rise rapidly.
  • Crete (Greece) island paradise with 320 days of sun a year. Cost of living similar to Cyprus. Property from £30k
• Turkey A mixture of eastern and western culture. 4 hours from the UK by air. It has a number of areas that large numbers of Brits tend to holiday in. There are restricted areas in which you can buy property, and the Turks are touchy over military instillations and who looks at them, although we would not think of them as a significant power or having anything of interest. Not a member of the EU or approved to join. Buying can be a legal minefield with dangers if you don't stick to the rules, so you need expert legal help to buy here. Some may suggest this is not a place to currently buy, but perhaps to look at in the future. Property from £22k.
• Cyprus English is very widely spoken. Politically split with Greek and Turkish parts. Was a British area at one time. Property purchase is still based on the English model, and pounds used similar to ours. A number of British military bases, road signs in English as well as Greek, they drive on the left and 80% of people settling there are now British. There is quite a lot of 2nd home development within the Greek section. Appears more English to many, warm all year, hotter in summer, and a very low cost of living makes it an attractive retirement location. Living cost probably half that of other major locations in Europe, so holidays, meals out etc are all very economic. Plenty of sports and activities. You cannot own more than one property there, so investment limitations, you are also not allowed to work there. Cheapest place to buy of the popular places, but joins the EU in 2004 so prices may go up then.  Probably currently best buy outside the UK and in Europe for most.
• Malta Another former British colony, where the main language is English. Reciprocal medical arrangements with the UK, low tax and cost of living. Politically stable with no crime or racial problems. With agreements and contracts in English, property purchase is straight forward. You have to get permission to rent out property but this is not a problem. You can only own one property per person. Prices are reasonable but not cheap.
• Gibraltar A British town hanging off the bottom of Spain. A self governing British colony of 30,000, tax and climatic haven. Mostly apartments being built now. Land is very limited so prices can be expected to go up. Britain's can buy property there. The population want to always remain British, Spain has a claim to it, and one UK PM looked like giving it away recently as a part of some deal, but can't without the approval of the people. Quite a lot of people who work there live in Spain.
• Croatia next to Italy, property is cheap at present (coastal properties £10k to £50k, cheaper inland) as marketing is not well organized. Most younger Croatians now speak English, but you will need to make a friend locally to guide you through things. A lot of the property is sold privately. Shortly to join the EU, then regulation, and prices are expected to increase. Crime rates are very low, and a very safe country to visit. They are keen to get a main tourism/building project going. Probably the place of the future in Europe and offering at present some of the best buys and investment potential.
• Bulgaria un-spoilt forests and rural landscapes unrivalled in Europe, but with a Mediterranean feel. You need to check the current and planned rules on property buying and take advice on how best to stay within them, which probably involves setting up a local company. Prices are currently low. A 2 bedroom farmhouse was available for £6.5k, a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom villa with sea views for £53k, and a 7 bedroom 4 bathroom villa, fully furnished with perfect sea views for £88k
• Romania wide range of activities. Loads of historic buildings, art and treasures to explore. Buying property in theory is straightforward. Prices are currently very low.
• Slovakia next to Poland and Hungary is now stable and joining the EU in 2004. Vast amounts of cheap property, even palaces and mansion houses being given away by the government (listed about £50k, but negotiable) to anyone with the will, finance and knowledge to restore them. Cost of living is very cheap. In the future it will be challenging other countries to market 2nd homes but now there are exceptional bargains.
• Hungary Property in Budapest at present reasonable for a major city, apartments from £56k, houses £140k but expected to go up. Joining the EU shortly. Currently easiest to own property through a local company. Property is easy to let, but some report they have not had pleasant experiences.
• Southern Ireland - good opportunities and stunning scenery. 
• Switzerland. Expensive.

North America

• USA introduction - speaks English, property purchase easy. In our view the best buy anywhere world wide at this time, for a number of reasons but security, low risk, strong pound, and ease of getting anything done are the top reasons, with low cost of eating, living, car rental and friendliness of the people next. Your stay is limited, you cannot retire there or work there without special documentation, which is difficult to get in theory, unless you are ultra wealthy, but there are some ways around this. There are no reciprocal health arrangements. There are very many attractive and good value places for property in the USA, we will be reporting many more over time. The club has both a property finding service (H3) and long term support arrangements to help people who want property in the USA. You do need to know what you are doing, and you cannot use a UK business model when considering property in the USA. With 50 states to select from the area covered is very many times the total size of Europe.
  • Florida (USA) most UK holiday property buyers getting USA property choose Florida. Over half of UK pensioners would like to move there. Florida is about the same size and England, Wales and half of Scotland combined. Sub tropical climate, means it is warm all the time, but subject to major storm damage. With a vast array of theme parks ideal for families with children of any age. Air fares can be high at some points of the year. Some say property without pools are difficult to let or sell. Homes are of a higher quality at the same price as in European resort areas, and an oversupply exists, so older homes depreciate, so not an investment market. With so many properties available, only peak school holidays can you guarantee letting. Running costs can be high. 'Snowbirds' retired people from colder northern states may rent for 3 months or so in the winter. Some areas have restrictions on renting at all. Bargains can be found that are only a few years old, but need searching out. New 3 Bedroom Villas from around £80k. Lowest priced property found by H3 was $5k. (New study shortly (Feb-March 2004) on Florida to define areas of better buys).
  • California (USA) On the west coast so flight times are longer, laid back, pleasant climate pity about the earthquakes. Wine areas north of San Francisco, film production/tourism  near LA where you can get a 3 Bed house from about £220k, so quite a bit more expensive than Florida.
  • Western New York state (USA) Property prices some of the lowest in the USA (some property under £10k), most of the advantages of Canada, and possibly many exceptional opportunities. Tourism and activities in both the USA and Canada is accessible - we are currently carrying out a major research exercise on this area, so watch for more details. - Initial reports from study suggest area selection is critical and use has to be thought about, but some fantastic bargains are available currently. Best recent bargain buy for a club member by H3 service was a   4 bedroom detached house + garage for under £5k. Commercial property is also a good buy in some areas.
  • Southern Texas Texas is a huge state, in itself approaching the size of the old Europe, before the recent additions. Much of it can be very hot, and the population is in pockets, with the largest areas around Dallas and Fort Worth. in the North of the state. The south of the state has a coastline, which brings the temperature down and makes it both a picturesque and pleasant location, not that different from some areas of Florida, but without the crowds, theme parks and with lower cost property. This is also the area some of the wealthiest have their holiday retreats, and in the future is likely to become better known. Currently it is possible to find property overlooking the coast, or even with its own beach at reasonable prices. Storm risks have to be appreciated, but as there is a lot of older property around is not clearly a major problem.
  • Other states - with 50 states to choose from, there is something for everyone, however not all areas make good buy to let or holiday let potential and clever buying can really pay dividends. Across the USA you will find some of the cheapest property anywhere, but also some of the most expensive, and every price in between, commercial property, blocks of apartments and individual homes. With the pound currently so strong we also get a discount.
• Canada Except for one province, completely English speaking. Hard 4 month winter, but cross country skiing opportunities, pleasant climate the rest of the year with summer temperatures in mid 80's. Crime rates in most areas is very low. Most properties and facilities are fully winterized so copes with climate. Golf is popular, scenery fantastic, and people friendly. New Study on an area that may prove the best buy planned for March or April 2003, after which the H3 service may add this to the American finding service.  
• Caribbean   30 plus islands. Major growth in hand in 2nd homes, with encouragement from the authorities there to share the most desirable tropical paradise on the planet. Large cultural mix, loads of activities as well as sun and clear water. Most of the people buying there at the present are retired or near retirement Americans, but anyone can buy either completed property or land and have something built. There is no restriction on renting out, and there is a good demand for rented property. Different rules and purchasing arrangements exist across the islands so you need to research them all. Many set up an offshore company to own the property, so when they come to sell they sell the company and avoid tax. Varied opportunities, some may be pricey, but important you visit several times, at different times of the year, when you would use your property.

Southern hemisphere

• South Africa - Not guaranteed to be politically stable, over 50% of all world conflict is in Africa. Most properties are in gated developments, luxurious and not expensive. Interest rates are low. The major attraction is the seasonal shift, our winter is their summer, being in the southern hemisphere. Popular as well with the British due to using the English language, but also a lot of French, German and Dutch buying at present. Sea too cold to swim in, need to take taxis everywhere for safety, and few feel safe enough to walk outside their development. Most places shut at 5pm. 12 hour expensive flights. Need to be very selective about area, and probably more for those who want to have very long breaks.
• Australia - Difficult to buy property there, except on 'integral tourist resorts' . Process can take over a year and cost thousands to be allowed to buy if you're lucky. Most viable for those retiring or very wealthy.
• New Zealand similar to Australia, some suggestions of bargains and other advantages, this is being investigated further.
• Brazil 

Other places

• Egypt  
• United Arab Emirates - Dubai.  Middle east's largest duty free shopping area. Many international companies have centres there. Properties from £50k, currently only 400 UK holiday homes there, but 75% of population is ex pats.
• Russia - dacha (summer residence) being offered as well as conventional homes.
• Singapore  
• Hong Kong 
• Thailand  
• Fiji  360 islands of which 180 are currently inhabited. 22 hour flight from UK but only 3 from Australia/New Zealand. Villas from £150k.
• Other areas of south or central America - some suggestions of good buys and reasons to look at these, but we don't have enough hard evidence yet to know the difference between hype, salesmen's optimism and reality. 

If you have experience of other places please let us know. We will extend this article as we have more information.

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