Posts Tagged ‘guide’

Searching for that dream home in Spain is a time effort mission, but without the time put into researching, you may end up with something that is less than satisfying. Researching the area you have set your heart on is the best step to make for finding that dream property. For those who have found their dream spot, searching for a house is the next step and to do this people will need to travel abroad.

One of the more popular destinations for expats is Costa de Almeria. This is situated between Costa Calida and Costa del Sol. One of the most beautifully scenic provinces, it is aptly known as ‘the garden of Spain’ of the Southern Mediterranean. Many have sought to find property in Costa Almeria, making it popular amongst retired folks and families.

Property in Costa Almeria has seen an increasing number of demands from people abroad, with tourism of the area rising. This has not only become the hot spot for people to live in but also a good prospect for investing. Many who buy a property here are likely to rent it for visitors of locals. In addition, this region offers consistently warm climate, the hottest in the Andalusia region and with the most sunshine period every year.

Recent has seen Costa Almeria become popular, prior to this it was one of the more isolated areas of Spain. It is also largely maintained in its original form. This is one of the quieter village areas and has not been converted into a tourist town. Much of its authentic features and fishing village has been preserved; giving it its own characteristic and making it stand out from any other tourist area.

Recent changes have included new infrastructure improvements, road improvement and new facilities that offer guests, tourists and potential buyers the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding area for its natural beauty and enjoy their stay with extra activities. With all of these changes, came a result in the impact of property prices. This raised the purchase price and increased tourism.

As further developments occur, property prices in Costa Almeria begin to rise. Currently the prices are at a steady rate and are affordable for first time buyers. However, some properties situated nearer to the coast are more popular and are more likely to be sold quickly. These properties tend to be more expensive and see a lot more tourism than any other part of the area.

Prices range between 68, 000 pounds for an apartment to 168, 000 pounds for a detached villa, therefore, there is more scope and opportunity for people to buy. The flipside is that Spain has a very different policy for new homebuyers to Britain, therefore, for those looking to buy in this area will need spend a reasonable length of time researching the property market, legal rules and regulations, and the Spanish real estate. If in doubt, seek professional advice and always stick to an independent solicitor.

All buyers looking to buy in Spain must be aware that before purchasing, you must apply for an NIE number, in person. This will take time to look into, so once you have received this number you can start making offers. Normally when purchasing a property in Spain a ten percent deposit is required from the buyer. Once this deposit has been the buyer should know that if they decide to pull out they would lose all of the deposit, however, if the seller pulls out they must then reimburse double the deposit amount. Therefore, you would receive twenty percent and not the original ten percent of your deposit.

Fees and taxes amount to around ten percent of the purchase. Transfer taxes prices can vary with resale and new build properties, usually resale and new builds charge at seven percent, only new builds charge an extra one percent on stamp duty. Spanish lawyers charge around one percent of the final purchase price and real estate agents can charge between two and fifteen percent.

Gone are the days of growing up in one place, buying a house, working and remaining there until old age. In our increasingly globalised world with technology, ease of travel and accessibility to different parts of the world, thousands of people daily pack up their old life and move to a country which before they could have only dreamed of. This phenomenon is most widely seen in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and thousands of people daily are taking the plunge and moving abroad. Different parts of the World have so many different things to offer, and it is easier than ever before to sell property, find an ideal location abroad and relocate!

You no longer have to be one of those people believing the grass is greener; you can now experience such a life altering move quite easily. There are numerous agencies in place to aid you, from estate agents to lifestyle advisors, even people to help you locate nearby schools for your children upon your move. It has been estimated that 3,000 Brits daily immigrate to different parts of the world. Many of these are permanent re- locations but with the availability of Travel visa’s and so on, many choose to do so for a year or two and get an experience of living abroad.

The European Union has proven to be one of the most popular places to move within, particularly Spain and France. As has Australia and New Zealand, with its Commonwealth roots.

Escaping the hum drum retrace of Britain, ridiculously long working weeks, high mortgage rates, this for many first- time buyers is an impossible task!

Europe is renound for its relaxed way of life, fantastic weather, history and culture, fantastic bargain properties, which no longer have to be rented as a holiday home for two weeks of a year- people are choosing this way of life permanently! There are amazing new ‘hot spot’ locations proving popular, from Bulgaria, to Malaga and beyond, each city and region with diverse options and price ranges- all in amazing locations with essential amenities and facilities, often of much better standard than your original home!

Your quality of life is easily improvable; the majority of places speak English as a second language so being daunted by a language barrier need not be an issue!

The International property market is becoming ever more fluid so living abroad is not the hassle that it previously was. Your options can be easily assessed on the internet and help is readily available to those of you who are unsure…. Do not be put off by the hassle you perceive in living abroad, seek the help available, assess all your options and start experiencing that fantastic change of culture and lifestyle which may have seemed a distant dream before!

Many people who decide to set up and move abroad do not fully research the areas where they plan to move to, to save your disappointment make sure you do research on the area.

The Mediterranean island of Crete is a favorite for Europeans who are looking for a second home, vacation spot or retirement haven. It has year round sunshine and beautiful scenery, and is currently undergoing a development boom. Crete has over 1,000 kilometers of coastline, is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean, and is important historically as the home of the Minoan Civilization and has many archaeological remains for visitors to see and explore.

Crete, approximately 160 kilometers south of the Greece mainland, has a population of nearly 650,000 residents, who mostly reside on the north coast of the island. A long mountain chain runs through the island, coming right to the sea along much of the southern coast, where there a number of smaller towns and beaches. The climate is temperate, with summers long and hot and winters mild. During the winter, snow falls in the mountains, and occasionally along the northern side of the island but rarely on the south.

The largest city on the island is Heraklion, with nearly 150,000 residents, followed by Chania, with 54,000 residents and Rethymno. Chania and Rethymno are the most popular destinations for tourists on the western part of the island. On the eastern half, Heraklion is the business and commerce capital of the island, with Agios Nikolaos and Sitia being popular tourist destinations.

In between Heraklion and Rethymno is the small town of Panormos, where a new home development is under construction. Panorma Seafront homes all have sea views, shared or private swimming pools and are located within 50 meters of the sea. Homes here begin at under ¬70,000 for a 1 bedroom property, while 3 bedroom houses can run over ¬200,000. This development is a fine example of the type of property available off-plan and nearly new on this idyllic island.

Chania is the major tourist destination on Crete. It has many resorts as well as the scenery and weather that Crete is known for. Chania has some of the best nightlife on the island, in the capital city of Chania Town and at resorts such as Platanias and Paleohora. The Golden Beach is within walking distance of downtown Chania and provides a sandy beach for those who want to stay in this lively city

The main airport for Crete is Heraklion International Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (HER), which serves many UK and European cities with daily, nonstop flights. The other international airport on Crete is Chania International Airport (CHQ), serving the western part of the island. A number of discount airlines fly to both airports, making it a reasonably priced destination. There are also ferries that travel to and from the Greek mainland, often taking an overnight for the trip.

For UK homeowners buying and selling property can often be a confusing process.  In many cases it can be a long drawn out arrangement that becomes a stressful time for all parties.  To simplify things the process of buying and selling property can be split into three stages.

Initial Agreement to Buy or Sell the Property

The conveyancing process starts after an agreement has been reached between the buyer and seller of the property.  Once the agreement has been reached the respective solicitors of both parties are informed that the transaction should begin.  The buyer’s solicitors and seller’s solicitors have different tasks to perform in the transaction.

The seller’s solicitors will obtain the title deeds and documents either from the seller or where appropriate from the seller’s mortgage company.  At the same time the buyer’s solicitors will carry out whatever searches are judged to be necessary for the property e.g. water and environmental searches. 

If the buyer plans to obtain a mortgage they will first need to make an application to a mortgage company and receive a written offer before the exchange of contracts can take place. 

Exchange of Contracts

Once all the initial steps have been completed a date is agreed for the exchange of contracts.   In cases where a person is completing both a purchase and sale of property the solicitor should ensure that the exchange of contracts on both transactions takes place simultaneously.   When the contracts are exchanged a deposit must usually be paid.  The completion date of the purchase is normally 2-4 weeks after the exchange of contracts.  The exact date is agreed between both parties via their solicitors.

In the time between exchanging contracts and the completion date the buyer’s solicitors will prepare the transfer of the property which must be approved by the solicitors of the seller before being signed by both parties.

Completion of the Sale

To complete the sale the buyer’s solicitors send the remaining balance of the purchase to the solicitors of the seller.  When this money has been transferred the key to the property can be released to the buyer.  Finally the buyer’s solicitors will send any stamp duty due to the Inland Revenue.  Once processed the solicitor can complete the purchase by registering the sale at the Land Registry.

As can be seen buying and selling property in the UK can be a long process.  However there have been recent moves to simplify and speed up the process.  The newly introduced Home Information Pack it is hoped will improve things by making information about the property available to the buyer earlier in the process reducing the chances of the sale breaking down at a late stage.

The Playa Flamenca area on the Costa Blanca is very densely populated which means there are always a large selection of properties available to buy. Most of these are resale properties and range from townhouses, apartments, villas and duplex models.

Most of the serious property investors avoid the area because there are always plenty of the same type of property available to buy at any one time. This means that it can take between 6-9 months for common types of properties such as townhouses to move.

The Playa Flamenca area is a good place for many people to buy and is an affordable way to get onto the Spanish property ladder. Sales at the moment are fairly static due to the amount of properties on the market though this does open up many opportunities for new home buyers or for those looking for a second home in the sun. Both these sets of buyers will be looking for bargains and there are plenty to be found at Playa Flamenca.

One of the main attractions to buying in the Playa Flamenca area apart from the affordable prices is the location. Playa Flamenca itself sits on both sides of the main N332 Costa Blanca coastal road. With most of the building work has taken place on the inland side of the road and the place to find good priced townhouses and duplex properties the beach side of the road is much more expensive.

Playa Flamenca has good road networks and two airports no more than a 40-minute drive away meansing you can take advantage of low cost flights with the many budget airlines. Playa Flamenca also has a good school that is in walking distance for all children. There are a wide range of supermarkets available making the area suitable for families.

Torrevieja is only 10-minutes away by car with Cartegena around 35-minutes. Shooping can be done at the Habaneras shopping centre near the huge Carrefour Hypermarket just off the N332.

For bargain shopping then look no further than the Playa Flamenca Saturday market. Here you will find hundreds of stalls selling local produce and crafts.

Entertainment is never far away at Playa Flamenca with the commercial centre home to over 100 bars and restaurants offering live nightly entertainment. Here you will also find more shops and a gymnasium and fitness class to keep you in shape.

On the inland side of Playa Flamenca the cost of a small townhouse can be found for as little as 125,000 euros with smaller apartments at only 110,000 euros. If you wanted larger property then duplexes can be found starting at 140,000 euros with villas coming in at 150,000 euros. These prices can fluctuate according to their location at Playa Flamenca. Properties located on luxury developments will always command higher prices. Buyers will always be prepared to pay more for secure gated communities with well maintained gardens and pool areas. If you are fortunate enough to have a sea view on the inland side of Playa Flamenca then this can also command higher prices.

The beachside properties are a sound investment because there is only so many properties that can be built in the limited space available. With a newly refurbished promenade and pleasant beach area with shops, post office and bars the beachside has become a little exclusive and the property prices will always mirror this.

For first time buyers, the retired and those on a smaller budget Playa Flamenca has much to offer. With so many properties on the market it pays to do some research first. Though the market is fairly slow at present as long as you buy quality in a popular location then you should see a return in your investment in the long term.

Buying property in Italy is a commonly discussed subject among the European investors, who rightly have substantial reasons to consider the location for overseas property investment purposes. Italy is a traditionally unique flavour, carefully preserved in a modernized shell. The land on one hand offers unmatched simplicity and the colours of culture and at the same time presents the crispest shades of development and definite growth. This distinctive blend, in combination with various economical factors, easily places Italy in a slot where investors wouldn’t think much before making a positive move.

Why Italy?

Before deciding on a particular region when buying property in Italy, this section elaborates upon the various lucrative factors, which places Italy as the preferred investment destination, especially for British investors. In fact the popularity is such, surveys are indicating that people facing severe implications of the credit crunch are contemplating emigration to Italy, among various other options. 

Italy is a European Union (EU) member and in comparison to other members, the prices are pretty competitive. For UK investors, it is an easily accessible land, with regular flights. Moreover, the Italian government is quite responsive towards tourism and thus making every possible effort to enhance the investment convenience.  On the economical front, investors can make optimum profits by buying property in Italy, as there are no capital gain taxes on profit from property. In fact Italy is the land symbolizing property tax reforms, with substantial VAT discounts in store. As an added feature, if the investor could acquire the country’s citizenship, the purchase costs can be considerably reduced.

Where in Italy?

There are a host of tempting locations and options in Italy, where as an investor, it would be a pleasure to buy property in Italy. Apulia is one such area. It is a part of the southern region and famous for its wine and olive oil production. Apulia, among other investment options, has the famous white property known as Trulli. The property has several domed roofs and presents an enticing landscape. In addition to this, with two coastlines surrounding the region, there are many properties in close proximity to the sea for selection.    

Tuscany is also a region which will shoot up the list of tempting property for sale in Italy. However, buying property in Italy in this region is rather expensive. As an alternate, Calabria could be checked. Calabria is the destination for the curious, and has as yet to be completely discovered. It is largely a mountainous region, with the most tantalizing hidden secrets to confer. In addition to this, the west coast of Italy presents Sardinia, the second largest island in Mediterranean Sea. The obvious fantasies, which would surround an island, accomplish their job beautifully to wrap Sardinia in an attractive package. The region is a natural mystery, with climatic extremes in store. These and additional aspects help Sardinia climb up the tourist and/or investors attractiveness ladder.

Another region, when buying property in Italy, that is popular with tourists and suitably apt for investment, is Le Marche. There are seaside resorts and beach properties for sale, and the region also brings along excellent cuisine and wine to complement. In addition the Italian investment basket also includes villas and mansions in the countryside.

The stated is just an encapsulation of what all is available under the ‘buying property in Italy’ heading, but there is definitely much more to find out. Therefore before finally deciding upon any particular location, do take a definite effort in exploring the enticing regional specialties and then decide on where you are going to buy property in Italy.

Gaylord is a Young Life volunteer and was very pleased and proud to show us what the camp offered. Although they have added on to what was originally there, we built most of the structures being used, so discussing the site’s history was inevitable. Some of their additions were enviable: a swimming pool, a swimming lagoon, and a ropes course. We were also able to see the townhouses and the remaining Rolls Royce garages.

Buying property in the UK can often be a complicated process.  Once a prospective buyer has identified the home they would like to buy they need to make an offer.  Making an offer can be the most challenging part of the house buying process. 

If an offer is made that is too low the chances are it will be rejected and there is the risk that the property will be lost to another buyer.  On the other hand making an offer that is too high runs the risk of paying more than the property is actually worth.  Fortunately with some research and planning the process can be made easier.

Before making a bid an interested buyer should do as much research as possible into why the property is being sold and how long it has been on the market.  If the property has been up for sale for a long period of time the owner may be more willing to accept a lower offer.  Similarly if the owner is desperate to secure a sale, they may for example have themselves had an offer on a property accepted they are likely to be more willing to negotiate on price.

When viewing a house it can be useful to find out how many other people have viewed the property.  This will give an idea on just how much competition there is from other interested buyers.  If there has been a lot of interest in the home then it is less likely that the owner will accept a low bid and so any offer made should take this into account.When buying and selling a home there are a number of ‘hidden’ costs.  Examples of these hidden costs include various legal fees, moving costs and the price of making essential repairs to the property.  All of these costs should be taken into account when setting a budget for how much a person can afford to pay for the property.  This budget will obviously need to be set before any offer to buy a property can be made. 

A further cost in property sales is stamp duty which is paid by the seller of the property and is set at a percentage of its selling value.  This percentage varies according to the value of the property and so it may be in the interest of a home seller to accept a reduced offer if it keeps them below a certain stamp duty threshold.

When the offer to buy the property is made it should usually be done so in writing.  Unless submitting a ‘best and final’ offer the amount of the bid should usually be set at slightly below the maximum amount that they would be willing to pay.  

Landlords Property Insurance covers damage to your property. Such insurance will cover the property you are letting for damage from events such as a fire or flood. It is therefore, important to get your building or property insured at the right time. So that you can claim for any damage and it covers you for your rebuilding costs. Such landlord’s insurance policy will not only pay for all of the work to repair the property but also pay you the rent that you are missing out on by not having tenants living in the property during this period of repair or refurbishment. It covers only structural damage to the building itself — and many landlord policies don’t even go that far if the damage is caused by a tenant.

Landlords Property Insurance – for your protection!

Landlord insurance protects your houses, flats, cottages and in some instances may be able to provide cover for non-standard construction buildings. Landlords Insurance offers various types of cover on line. Some have a comprehensive package, which includes combined insurance policies such as building and content insurance for landlords. Being a landlord, you can have your buildings and content insured separately or third party can share the insuring cost. As a third party, they have access to the landlord’s content scheme and they will pass on the savings to the landlord.

As a buy-to-let landlord, don’t you think it is essential to protect your investment by insuring your buildings and contents? While conventional home insurance may still cover you, there are additional risks involved when tenants are occupying a property, which means you may want to consider getting expert landlord’s insurance. A normal home insurance policy is not valid when you are taking an income from the property, that is, in case you have rented out your building or property. A residential landlord policy is what is required in such a circumstance.

Be it a house or property rented out which is furnished or semi – furnished, you will need landlord contents insurance. This includes your furnitures, fixtures, goods and more. On the other hand, if your building went up in flames, your landlord’s building coverage would include repairs, but only to the building, not to the possessions of tenants. Landlord’s policy has been developed to include excellent features such as a ‘contents only’ option and home emergency expenses. When you face any such emergency situations, you will be rightly protected, so don’t think twice on getting your insurance, reach out to experts on what are the options available.

Buying property in Cyprus has become very popular amongst British investors. The island offers almost year-round sunshine, good quality of life and some very cheap property deals. But before you rush out and take advantage of this sunshine island, there are a few things to consider before making a property investment.

Before you even open negotiations with an estate agent in Cyprus, you must check to ensure that they are fully licensed and insured. All estate agents are required by law to be licensed and the certificate must be displayed in the office. Legal estate agents are members of the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Association (CREAA).

Once you have found your property you will need to decide how you want to pay for it. You can either go for the straightforward option and buy with cash, you can re-mortgage your home if the property is a second home (but do remember that your home may be at risk if you do not keep up with payments) or you can finance your property with a mortgage from a Cypriot bank. A financial advisor experienced in buying property in Cyprus will be able to give you the best advice as to which option to choose.

Regardless of the cost of the property itself and how you finance it, there are additional costs that you will have to fund yourself. The reservation fee is paid to the estate agent or developer once you have agreed on the price and payment terms. Legal fees will also be a major expense (as with buying any property) and you will need to be prepared to pay around 0.75% of the purchase price to cover legal costs. There will also be stamp duty to pay on the contract price. Agency fees are paid by the vendor and you should not be asked to pay any additional fees to cover agency costs.

If you decide to buy a property in Cyprus through a mortgage, there are certain restrictions as to how much you can borrow. Cyprus residents can arrange up to 90% mortgages, although EU residents are required to provide a minimum deposit of 20% of the purchase price. All Cypriot banks charge arrangement fees of between 0.75-1% of the amount of the mortgage and most mortgages are based on a 10 year repayment term.

Once you have paid your reservation fee on a property it will immediately be withdrawn from sale. You now have up to 28 days to do all your searches and surveys and appoint a lawyer to carry out the legal checks and agree a contract. Your lawyer will normally prepare a contract of sale in English, but before signing do check that all the details are absolutely correct. Once the contract of sale has been signed it becomes a legally binding document and you have a further 28 days to complete the purchase.

Buying property in Cyprus is very similar to the system used in the UK, but it is essential that you appoint a lawyer familiar with Cypriot law and procedure. As long as you ensure that the process is followed to the letter and every detail is correct before making a final commitment, buying property in Cyprus is a worthwhile investment and there are still plenty of bargains to be had on this beautiful island.

If you’re a savvy real estate investor then you know that investing in Dallas real estate is a great way to make some money because the real estate market in Dallas is very good right now but if you’re not familiar with the Dallas are then how do you know what Dallas real estate to buy?

Talking to a Dallas real estate agent is crucial if you’re a real estate investor that wants to get some great deals buying Dallas real estate. A Dallas real estate agent will be able to help you find the best deals that are in the real estate market in Dallas.

As you already know location is crucial when you are picking properties to invest in and the best way to know what neighborhoods are hot right now or are on the edge of becoming hot property markets is to ask a Dallas real estate agent. If you haven’t already hired a Dallas real estate agent who is on the ground in Dallas and can snap up a great prospective piece of Dallas real estate before another agent grabs it you should hire a Dallas real estate agent today.

Explain your budget and your price range and you goals in terms of property investment and let an experienced Dallas real estate agent find you some amazing deals on Dallas real estate. Since Dallas is such an up and coming city the best way to find great deals on Dallas real estate is to find a neighborhood that isn’t a hotspot at the moment but shows the potential to become one and buy property in that neighborhood. Then when that neighborhood starts to take off you can make a killing reselling or renting that property. When you invest in Dallas real estate you should also think about investing in rental property.

Right now a lot of people are moving to Dallas to work in new jobs at new companies and they might not be sure that those positions are going to last or they might just be checking out the city to see if it’s a city that they want to live in so if you have invested in rental properties in Dallas you can make a lot of money renting to all the young professionals that are moving to Dallas for work. If you don’t live in Dallas you should hire a Dallas real estate agent or a rental management firm to manage your Dallas real estate holdings. It really makes a difference if you have someone on site who can handle any little problems that come up and can take care of the property maintenance and renting the property out and processing rental applications and doing background and credit checks and so on.

There are plenty of great Dallas real estate agencies and management agencies that can handle the day to day operation of your Dallas real estate holdings for you. It’s worth the money to hire professional Dallas real estate management instead of trying to manage your properties in Dallas from where you live.

Many people have the desire to invest in real estate as it can be a very lucrative venture but in order to be successful you should seek the help of a real estate investing guide. Successfully investing in real estate can build your credit rating, create cash flow, and eventually net you a lot of money. But the world of real estate investing is not one that should be entered into lightly as it takes a lot of knowledge to be able to profit from real estate investing. A good real estate investing guide will help you to succeed in your real estate investing ventures. Many people who jump in to the world of real estate investing end up failing, incurring debt, and ruining their credit, all because they did not arm themselves with the proper knowledge before they started. A real estate investing guide is a great way to learn about the business before you dive and will increase your chances of success.

There are many real estate investing guides available on the market today, and you can benefit from the knowledge and advice contained in most of them. A good real estate investing guide will include the risks and benefits of real estate investing and will give you information on how to minimize the risks increase your chances for success. A real estate investing guide that does not realistically portray the amount of time and work involved in real estate investing is probably not the best choice as the world of real estate can be extremely rewarding but not without a lot of work. The real estate investing guide you choose should also give you a good idea of what to expect throughout the process and what type of loss or gain you can expect from various situations.

You should also look for a real estate investing guide that is tailored to your individual investing needs. Simply buying your first home is an investment, and reading a real estate investment guide that is designed for homebuyers looking to purchase a primary residence will help you to select a home that will build you the most equity. It is easy to learn the basics of home buying from a real estate investing guide and you will gain the knowledge you need to build your credit and maximize the equity in your new home if you read one prior to buying.

There are also many other types of real estate investments, and all have unique risks and benefits and should be approached differently. It is important to pick a real estate investing guide that is written with your unique needs in mind so that you can learn about the specific investment type you are interested in. Flipping real estate is much different than investing in a duplex or apartment building, and buying land or an empty lot is different still. After you have decided which investment type you are looking to explore, you should then pick a real estate investing guide that will teach you about your specific type of investment. A good real estate investing guide will help you to understand everything you need to know about purchasing properties, working with tenants, making improvements and renovations, and determining the value of the property as well as estimating its future value.

Moving to the ‘Sunshine State’ of Florida or buying property there for rental is a dream for many people; the weather is almost tropical and there are miles of stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. Florida also boasts fantastic city life, with more attractions than anywhere else in the United States. It also offers convenient access to UK airports and the UK itself is a mere eight hours away.

As a result of the property slump in the US, property developers have been facing difficult market conditions in which to sell their properties. Many US citizens are choosing to hang on to any investment capital they may have or simply cannot release the equity with which to invest in property. Coupled with the dollar’s poor performance against the pound, the market is ripe for UK investors who wish to buy property in Florida at very reasonable prices.

Currently, there are no restrictions on UK citizens buying a house anywhere in US. However, there are restrictions as to how long a person can spend in the US. Thorough research into the residency laws and how they apply to your particular circumstances can pay dividends. Green cards and work visas are not always as straightforward to get hold of as you might first think, so it is worth checking out how likely you are to be granted one before even considering buying property in Florida.

Then there is the location to be taken into account. The Atlantic coast offers some of Florida’s most desirable and, consequently, expensive locations yet there are still some bargains to be found in the current economic climate. The Atlantic coast covers the areas of St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Florida Keys and Key West. Doing some research into the areas you are most interested in will allow you to become familiar with the local property markets and increase your awareness of where the best bargains are to be found.

Another key aspect to buying property in Florida is to familiarise yourself with the buying process, which is markedly different to the system used in the UK. Property in Florida is listed on a central database that is available to all estate agents, removing the need to visit individual agents. Estate agents (realtors) tend to work as the buyers or seller’s agent, so it is worth trying to find a realtor with experience of dealing with British purchases.

Once the price is agreed, the buyer usually makes a goodwill deposit before a formal offer is made in the form of a purchase contract. Once it has been signed, it is legally binding, although most contracts have a clause allowing either party to withdraw within specific circumstances. A 10% deposit is then paid into an escrow account. A title insurance company can then check public records and insure the property against any third party claims. Once this has taken place, the outstanding balance can be transferred into the escrow account and completion can be finalised.

This example has only dealt with a direct purchase. In the event that a mortgage is needed, more legality comes into play that can trip up anyone unfamiliar with the legal intricacies of US property law. It is often a better idea to hire the services of an overseas property specialist and use their experience and expertise to ensure the whole process runs as smoothly as possible.

While it is probably most famous for its vibrant nightlife and booming tourist industry, there is another side to the Costa del Sol that has been attracting investors and second-home buyers for many years. Behind the glitz and the glamour, the Costa del Sol also plays host to traditional little Spanish villages, secluded bays, tranquil and breathtaking scenery and classic, cobbled streets.

The Costa is one of the warmest parts of Spain, tempered by a cooling sea breeze. There are around 320 days of sunshine per year in this region with temperatures averaging at around 24?C in the off-peak months and rising into the thirties during the summer. The tourist industry has taken advantage of the longer strips of beach, but has had to overlook the smaller, more intimate bays that are known mainly to the locals. Further inland are the mountain villages (pueblos blancos) that are instantly associated with a more traditional Spain. Many property buyers are purchasing property here, either to integrate themselves into the local community or to own a secluded property that presents a real investment opportunity.

Buying property in the Costa del Sol offers its own set of variables, particularly in light of the deregulation of the real estate industry in 1999. Before you consider buying property in the Costa del Sol, there are a few aspects that are worth researching.

Since the deregulation laws were passed, hundreds of agencies have sprung up, with the majority of them being unlicensed. Thankfully, in 2003 the government passed legislation requiring all businesses to clearly display the registered name and address of the company. By looking at their websites, you will be able to see which agencies comply and which do not.  You will also be able to see which agencies are registered with the professional associations of GIPE and API. These authorities ensure their members adhere to strict codes of practice, offering protection to clients. If an agency doesn’t display its business address or is not affiliated to either GIPE or API, then continue searching.

It is also worth checking to see if an agent is a member of the Costa del Sol Property Index; members will have access to a central database of properties and other members in those areas. This means that they can find all the property in the Costa del Sol that match your requirements by simply making a quick call to the other independent licensed agencies. This saves you time and money, as you don’t have to see lots of different agents to access all the properties available.

Once you have found a property, you will then need the services of a Spanish lawyer. You need to find on before you sign any contracts. A Spanish lawyer will usually charge around 1% of the sale price of the property and handle the financial aspects of the purchase.

There are variations in the legal system that makes the Spanish system very different from that of the UK. In order to avoid pitfalls, you need to do as much research as possible. Alternatively it may be worth hiring the services of an overseas property specialist. Overseas property specialists will have experience and expertise in the property industry, as well as a pool of contacts and connections to help the purchase of your property in the Costa del Sol run as smoothly as possible.

Moving into your new property to rent can be very exciting. Listed here are a series of pointers and advice for new tenants who either have not rented before or are looking for some useful guidance. This article covers aspects of property rental including rent payments, how to deal with any problems that arise in your property, checking the content and inventory, landlord requirements and deposit issues.

If a problem arises in your flat whether it be a leak, a broken down washing machine or you are simply unsure of something to do with the tenancy you should contact your landlord or letting agent and report it. The quicker the problem is reported the sooner it can be resolved. No matter how small the issue is let the landlord or letting agent be aware of it.

Understanding the tenancy agreement is very important before signing. If you do not understand something on it be sure to ask your landlord or letting agent to explain it.

Record Your Rental Payments

It is very good practice to keep a clear record of all your rent payments, the date, amount and method of payment. The best, most widely used method of tenant rent payment is a standing order payment, set up through your bank. This allows the rent to be paid directly and there is a clear record of all payments in your bank statements. You should keep your bank statement stored in a secure place, in the order you received them as you may need to check them if a payment issue arose.

Respect the Property You Are Renting

You should respect the property you are renting and treat it as you would your own property for the duration of your tenancy. You should keep the property and its contents in good order so can be certain to get your full deposit back when you move out. If you have any concerns about the state of the property when you move in whether it be existing damage you want them to be aware of, or you feel the property is not equipped properly you should mention this to your landlord or letting agency. It is the landlords responsibility to keep the flat in good condition.

Tenancy Deposit

When you first move into the property you should receive an inventory for the contents and condition of the flat. You should check this against the property and report any missing items or damage that is present but not on the list. The best method of doing this is to write to the landlord or letting agent and keep a copy of the letter. This will help with any issues regarding the return of your deposit. The tenancy deposit is payable to cover any damage to the property or contents during the tenancy. It is normally one months rent value and is payable upfront at the same time as the first months rent. Any unreported damage that is recorded when you move out will be taken out of your deposit. You should except to receive your deposit back one month after your tenancy ends.

Property Sharing Advice

You should be very careful who you choose to share your property with. If you are all signing the same tenancy agreement this means you are all liable for the payment of the rent. If one person leaves you will still be required to pay the full rent for that month so it is important you only share a rented property with someone you can trust.

Living in the Property

You are entitled to live in the property in peace and without any interference from the landlord. He is not allowed to enter the property without your permission. By law the landlord is required to keep the exterior and structure of the property maintained and in good condition. This includes the installations of the gas, electricity, basins, sinks, baths, hot water and heating. If this is not done you may complain to your local environmental health department.

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