The Laymans Guide to Buying Property Abroad
When buying a property abroad there are some key considerations to factor into the calculation.
Whether looking to retire, use a foreign property as a holiday home or relocate permanently to another country some of these considerations will be common to all three usage scenarios.
It is not only the property itself but also the location that is extremely important in all cases. The mantra “location, location, location” is a well-used cliché for the simple reason that it is as true today as it has always been.
Whether you are spending the rest of your life in your newly acquired property or simply spending an amount of holiday time there the fact is you will be living in it. As such concerns include accessibility and transport, quality and availability of healthcare and the cost of living.
A property is a significant asset and should be thought of as such. There are multiple options that may be exercised. A holiday home can be used as a source of rental income in periods not occupied by the owners. As personal circumstances change there may be a desire to sell what was originally envisaged as a permanent home either to upgrade, relocate or for some other perfectly valid reason.
To rent or sell the property it must be appealing not only to the owner but to prospective interested parties. For this reason locations that are popular with investors or tourists are ideal to maximise the flexibility of the investment.
The popular Costa Blanca in Alicante province on the south eastern coast of Spain is one such region. The Costa Blanca includes towns such as Javea, ideally located on the edge of the Mediterranean with a mountain range to the west that produces it’s own micro-climate.
According to the World Health Organisation Javea is one of the healthiest places to live in the world, in part due to it’s climate which is protected from the winter winds by the mountain range and has plenty of fresh air, miles of glorious beaches and the sea breeze. Spain also has one of the best health care systems in the world. This adds appeal and importantly value to Javea’s properties resulting in it having a very vibrant property market. The number of luxury yachts visible in port during the summer months are further testimony to the towns desirability.
Spain has good transport links and the ability to move around both the region and the continent by air, sea and land is a draw for many. For those simply using Spanish properties as a holiday home the ability to easily and quickly return to their main home is another advantage.
The fact that the cost of living in Spain tends to be lower than the UK and many other European countries means from an ex-pat perspective money goes further than one may be accustomed to.
As a result of these and many other factors of both Spanish and Costa Blanca life Javea has a thriving ex-pat community comprised primarily of UK, German and Scandinavian nationals that integrate well with the local Spanish people. To cater to the rich and varied community Javea’s educational offerings include two international schools where education can be followed based on the British national curriculum leading to minimal disruption for families investing in a life on the Spanish coast.
