Owing real property abroad is convenient, practical and prestigious. In addition, such procurement is considered as a safe investment of free funds. However, not everyone is thinking about what should be taken into account when choosing the object.

First, we need to figure out why you're going to use real estate, for personal use or for profit. This will largely depend on the type of object, its location and price. More than half of the visitors buy apartments and homes for personal purposes: recreation, education of children, family reunion, peaceful retirement or residence permits. But many of those who acquire real property to generate income, for example, from rent.

Real property

If the main purpose of procurement is to use personal housing, attention should be paid to such aspects:

1. Location and infrastructure

One of the most important factors is the location of the facility. If the house is in a place with good transport, close to shops, hospitals, sights, beaches, parks, cafe and restaurants, it's almost always better to live than to live away from infrastructure.

If you're planning to use real estate for yourself, it's more of your own interest:

• What do you prefer, real estate in town or in rural areas? Inside or on the coast?
• Where are you more comfortable, far away from civilization or in a densely populated place?
• How close would you like to live?
• Do you like to come to the same place every year?

Owners often allow potential buyers to rent a house for a few days. It's the best way to see if you're comfortable with housing.

2. Additional costs and taxes

Find out more about local real estate taxes before you get a home.

In almost all European countries, a property tax of up to 3.5% of the estimated value is levied Real property♪

If you rent a house, you'll have to pay a rental income tax that reaches 20 to 40 per cent of the rent.

Additional purchase costs should be taken into account: real estate tax, stamp charges, intermediary fees and others. This will take another 5 to 10 per cent of the cost of the facility.