A Home With a View of the Adriatic Sea: $186,000

Monday, April 14, 2008
Puglia, Italy

Read more about Italy in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

A long stretch of the deep turquoise waters of the Adriatic comes into sight almost as soon as you leave Bari airport, and the sandy beaches of the Ionian to the south are no more than 40 minutes’ drive away. For me, one of the best things about Italy’s “boot heel” province of Puglia is that you’re never far from the coast.

Invest in a Vineyard in Argentina

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Read more about investing in international real estate in International Living Postcards—Saturday Edition

Residential prices in Buenos Aires have been rising since 2003. Today, prices for apartments are at an all-time high, and I’d say it’d be foolish to think about buying one from a pure investment perspective. However, B.A. is a market unto itself...and a relatively small one in this vast country.

Look beyond it to Argentina’s interior. Productive land is the buy today. I find vineyards a good choice, with good profit potential. You won’t likely see your investment double in a year, but the values can be excellent.

“Hundreds of Miles of Virgin Beach…”

Friday, April 11, 2008

Read more about beachfront property in Brazil in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

All of my friends are getting to Brazil before me!

First, Laura Sheridan and Eimear O’Driscoll got to go. (You can see their reports on Taiba and Fortaleza if you missed them.) Now Ronan McMahon is there with IL’s editorial director, Len Galvin. I’m starting to feel like I’m missing the party.

I can’t complain too much, though. They’re sending back some excellent reports on the area around Fortaleza on Brazil’s northeastern coast.

Ranches and Beach Houses in Panama From $65,000

Thursday, April 10, 2008
Las Tablas, Panama

Read more about real estate in Panama in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

The bargain-beautiful Panama we’ve been writing about for years is alive and well…especially in Las Tablas, province of Los Santos. This little colonial town differs from hot retirement destinations like Panama City, Boquete, or Bocas del Toro. It’s in an area surrounded by farms and ranches, and that makes the climate, the landscapes, and the people unique.

Undiscovered Yucatán—Where You’ll Find Beachfront Homes for $65,000

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Read more about Mexico in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

My Yucatán is not the Yucatán of travel brochures and websites. It is not the Yucatán of rocky ruin-laden cliffs or palm trees drooping over turquoise Caribbean waters. There are no thumping seaside discos, no massive resorts with football-field-sized swimming pools and posh spas, no parasailing or jet-ski rental outfits. But go to any Internet search engine and type in “Yucatán” and those are the images you will find.

Your Own Waterfront Home in Uruguay for $32,000

Monday, April 7, 2008
Costa de Oro, Uruguay

Read more about Uruguay in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

The international property market has forgotten this section of Uruguayan coastline. The old seashore resorts situated between Montevideo and Piriápolis seems to have been frozen in time, as the crowds moved up the coast to the more chic resorts of Punta del Este and José Ignacio.

And the prices in these old resorts seem frozen in time as well…

The Tax Man Cometh…or Maybe Not

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Learn more about international real estate taxes in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

Nobody likes to think about taxes, and, if you’re like most people, you probably try to ignore them altogether until tax season rolls around each year.

That strategy can cost you big time, especially if you’re investing in real estate in multiple jurisdictions.

Invest in a vineyard in Argentina