If you are looking for investments that are both sound and offer a great return, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better investment than foreign real estate in a prime location. The price of land will always increase and as we know, the surface of our planet is most definitely finite, while the global population is constantly growing (8 billion and counting).
Finding the right location
Of course, location is everything when buying real estate and one of the best countries to choose is Thailand, as the Land of Smiles has a very stable government and a thriving economy. There are luxury villas for sale in Samui, which is a premium tourist destination and the perfect place to acquire rental property. When looking to acquire real estate in a foreign country, you need the services of a locally based English-speaking lawyer, who will assure that everything is legal and above board.
Sound long-term investment
If you had purchased land in the south of Thailand a decade ago, you would be looking at a very healthy return that would out-perform most investments and land prices are expected to continue to rise. Aside from the capital investment, you can receive top dollar when renting out your Thai property; the high season runs from November through to March, plus you have 5-star rent-free accommodation when you wish to take a holiday. Of course, there are several ways to go about foreign real estate acquisition; buying or building are both attractive options that warrant further investigation.
Be fully compliant with local laws
Regardless of the country you choose to purchase real estate, it is critical that you are always compliant with local laws, which is why you need the services of a reliable local lawyer. Some countries have complex regulations that foreign investors must adhere to; take Thailand as an example; it is not legally permitted for a foreigner to own land, but a registered company can purchase real estate and you can be a major shareholder.
Paying taxes
Of course, your home country will be looking to tax you on your profits if you invest abroad and that’s why you need a good chartered accountant, who can ensure that capital gains tax is minimised; there are also off-shore options, which are worth investigating.
The many benefits of property management
Having an asset abroad demands that you have local property management, who can assist you in any ways; they can make sure the property is maintained and they can also source potential tenants and manage every aspect of the rental business, keeping you informed every step of the way. In the event your tenant requires assistance of any kind, the property management is at hand and can make sure that all is well. When the property is vacant, they have their security pay a daily visit on your behalf and that is usually enough to deter any thieves. Of course, if you are living in Thailand, you can oversee the property management yourself, which would save you some money.
Looking further afield for investment opportunities is the smart thing to do and you can’t beat real estate for many reasons.
