Real Estate Articles

Trouble in Paradise--What to do When it All Goes Wrong on the Islands

International Living Postcards-- Saturday Edition

Saturday, June 9, 2007

I've just noticed a discrepancy on the title for the property I own on the Galapagos Islands. Nothing serious--my little piece of the islands is still within the 3% set aside for private ownership.

I noticed, though, that the title doesn't match up with the development plan. The lot described on the title is for a different lot--one adjacent to the one I own.

Three Ways to Net Real Estate Profits

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Dear International Living Reader,

A recent Money magazine article discussing the state of the U.S. real estate market quotes Robert Shiller as saying that, "from 1890 to 1990, the return on residential real estate was just about zero after inflation."

On the one hand, Shiller is right. If your great-great-grandfather left you a house as an investment property, it probably would be worth about the same today, adjusted for inflation, as what he paid for it (ignoring the potential for rental income along the way).

Five Reasons Never To Buy Real Estate In A Foreign Country

International Living Postcards-- Sunday Edition

Sunday, May 20, 2007
Paris, France

"This guy must be out of his mind," Bill declared, walking into my office with one of those glossy international property magazines open on a "Case Study" page.

"Look at this, Kathie," Bill continued, handing me the magazine. "This upholsterer from South Wales has bought a house on the island of St. Vincent…and two others in the Dominican Republic. He says these investments 'give him great peace of mind.'

My Approach to Due Diligence: Ready, Fire, Aim

International Living Postcards-- Saturday Edition

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Ready, fire, aim. That phrase used by entrepreneurs highlights my philosophy for doing due diligence. You must be ready to "pull the trigger" when a real estate opportunity (or any opportunity) presents itself. Prepare by educating yourself on the markets in which you are interested and learning the risks specific to that market…then watch the market for opportunities.

It's true that spending time analyzing a market is time well spent. But spend too much time researching and investigating and your opportunity will disappear. The best deals don't stay on the market long.

"Hey, Mister, Wanna Buy a Cheap Piece of Beach?"

International Living Postcards-- Saturday Edition

Saturday, April 28, 2007

You're walking down the street of a foreign city and you hear "Pssst…hey, mister, wanna buy a cheap Rolex?" The guy pulls you aside and goes through his sales pitch showing you a shiny watch. Even if you are in the market for a watch, you're not going to buy the "cheap Rolex" from this English-speaking guy on the street. You know the watch is fake or stolen.

You get back to your hotel and sit down in the bar for a drink. Another guy who speaks good English sits down next to you and starts up a conversation. "Are you in town for business or pleasure?" He says he knows of some property on the beach that's for sale at a cheap price. In fact…he's just had an appointment for tomorrow cancel, so he can take you to see the beach, if you like. Next thing you know, you've signed a contract and paid a deposit on a piece of real estate. You should have bought the "Rolex" instead.

The Ultimate Expat Real Estate Portfolio

International Living Postcards-- Saturday Edition

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Real estate is the key ingredient to an international lifestyle. As you work toward a "perpetual traveler" lifestyle, you need a base in the countries you plan to spend the most time.

You don't have to buy a half dozen homes around the world to enjoy the perpetual traveler's life…and you don't have to do it all at once. Kathleen and I started years ago. Although the plan has changed slightly over the years, we are well on our way to having homes in the locations in which we would like to regularly spend time once the kids are out of the house.

How to Make the Best International Real Estate Deals Find You

International Living Postcards-- Saturday Edition

Saturday, April 7, 2007

The best real estate deals never reach the real estate agent's window…or, in the case of the modern world, the agent's website. When shopping for a property in Europe, you can literally go window shopping. Real estate agents put in their windows the best-looking properties, to get passers-by to stop…and hopefully step into the office. These window properties are not the greatest deals; they are the properties that photograph best.

Are You an Investor or a Vacationer?

International Living Postcards-- Saturday Edition

Saturday, March 10, 2007

You've got a specific amount of capital you want to invest in international real estate…a budget you've determined based on your overall investment portfolio. Further, you've got your eye on a part of the world where you'd like to spend more time.

Back up.

Where you invest in real estate overseas and where you want to spend your personal time overseas needn't necessarily be the same place. In fact, I'd suggest that, most of the time, they shouldn't be in the same place--let your head run the numbers and your heart figure out where you spend summer vacation.