10 Core Principles of Real Estate Investment

John Howell 10th December 2018

John Howell’s investment principles – outlined below – have been simmering nicely for nearly 40 years. Many of them were deeply unpopular for many years. These days they are recognised as common sense.

Choosing Commercial Property

John Howell 13th September 2018

This guide covers… This guide deals with the special things that you will need to take into account when choosing commercial property. By commercial property, we mean things such as offices, shops, bars, restaurants and warehouses. It is best read in conjunction with our country specific guides to Choosing Commercial Property but we have produced this global version to deal …

Property and Rental Management for International Real Estate

John Howell 3rd August 2018

You’ve decided to invest in international property – or perhaps you’ve already bought it. Sensibly (at least in my view) you have chosen to buy real estate that will generate income, rather than relying solely on the turbulent game of capital gains.

A curved, Spanish building in Malaga, standing alone against a blue sky

Insuring Investment Property in a Foreign Country

John Howell 27th July 2018

If you have bought a property that is purely for investment, you should be aware that it comes with its own sets of risks. For that reason, insurance is generally more complicated and almost always more expensive.

A Spanish villa, the photo taken from a low angle, against a blue sky

Insuring a Holiday Home in a Foreign Country

John Howell 27th July 2018

Holiday home insurance may not be mandatory in many countries, but it is extremely important that you buy it. If you do not, you are leaving yourself open to thousands of dollars, euros or pounds in repair, loss of income or even litigation.

A port near marbella: white high-rises near the water

Property Investment in Spain

Manzanares International 27th July 2018

Many people made a lot of money out of investing in property in Spain. Unfortunately, those who invested just before the 2007 crash lost a lot of money. Is now the time to look again at investing in property (real estate) in Spain? What and where should you buy? How should you do it?

Rescuing Failed Property Developments in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

In the era from 2007 to 2010-ish, there were lots of failed developments in Spain. Whether you were a buyer in one of those developments or you are a fresh investor looking to profit from property development in Spain, it’s worth seeing if any of the disasters can be rescued.

Rescuing Failed Property Developments Abroad

John Howell 26th July 2018

This guide is about what happens when a property development goes wrong: when it fails before the homes are delivered to their buyers and the buyers risk losing a lot of money. These situations arise at various times in almost every country and, whilst the solutions vary a little depending upon the legal framework in the country concerned, the main principles apply worldwide.

International Property Development – the Worldwide Guide

John Howell 26th July 2018

This guide is an overview of the worldwide possibilities available to small and first-time property developers. It looks at the opportunities and challenges facing property developers working in a country that is not their own.

Man holding a magnifying glass to his face

Due Diligence for Foreign Property Buyers

John Howell 26th July 2018

I have a lot of experience with due diligence, having worked in international real estate law for well over 30 years. I know how important it is, and how badly a property deal can go wrong if it isn’t done properly.

Flats in Amsterdam with balconies painted blue

Investing in International Property

John Howell 26th July 2018

Real estate has long been a popular option for those wishing to invest their money. It is tangible, you can use it yourself and many of us have heard stories about people making their fortune through property investment.

Renting a Property in Spain

John Howell 26th July 2018

We all need somewhere to live. Find out the rules about renting a property in Spain – and how to do it. Whether it is a holiday home, a permanent residence or something that falls between the two, the Spanish system can give you some surprises!

Letting (Renting Out) Your Property in Spain

John Howell 26th July 2018

Whether you are a professional landlord or somebody who lets their home when they are not using it, there is quite a lot to learn about letting property in Spain. It can be very expensive if you get it wrong. This guide looks at the essentials.

Who Should Own Your House?

John Howell 26th July 2018

The issue of who should be the legal owner of any property you buy may not be an obvious one but not asking the question can be a big mistake. By putting the property in the most appropriate names you can save tens of thousands of whatever currency you use to measure your wealth.

Selling a Property (Real Estate) in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

Selling a property (real estate) in Spain is quite a simple process. Yet there are still things that can catch the unwary. This guide explains what they are and how to avoid them – as well as taking you through the process, step by step.

Property Development in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

A large part of the economy of Spain is based on construction and property development. In the past, it has proved very profitable. Is it still a great opportunity or is the market over-cooked? Should you get involved? If so, how – and how can you do so safely?

Fractional Ownership & Timeshare in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

Timeshare and fractional ownership are both concepts that strike fear in many people. In some cases, they should! In other cases, they can be a great way of sharing the use (and the cost) of a holiday home. What are they? How do they work? What are the dangers to look out for?

Buying Newly Built Property (Real Estate) in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

New property is very popular, especially with investors. What are the special things to look out for when buying a new – previously unoccupied – property in Spain? How do you guard against the risks?

Buying Off-Plan (unfinished) Property (Real Estate) in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

Many people like the idea of buying property before it has been completed. There are good reasons for doing so. But what about the risks? What are they and how can you control them? This guide looks at those issues.

Buying Commercial Property in Spain

Manzanares International 26th July 2018

There are two group of people who buy commercial property. Those who need it for their own use and those who like it as an investment vehicle. Both groups need to make sure they buy the right property.

Escritura Publica (Formal contract of sale)

Buying a Property (Real Estate) in Spain

Manzanares International 25th July 2018

Buying a home or other property (real estate) costs a lot of money and so is worrying. It is also something that that has been done, literally, millions of times and can be completely safe. How do you do it? How do you make it safe?

Fractional Ownership & Timeshare in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

There are many things that we use infrequently: a holiday home, a boat, a luxury car or a 4×4. Even expensive jewellery.
For some people, the thought of sharing the use of those things is something totally unacceptable. Read no further.

Others can see a compelling logic in sharing the use of expensive items:

Letting (Renting Out) Property in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

It’s possible to make a good profit by letting (renting out) a property in Turkey. Just make sure you’re aware of the issues. As always, we recommend seeking advice from your lawyer and accountant before going ahead with any big plans!

Renting a House in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

Many people coming to Turkey decide to rent a property here. There are several reasons. They may just prefer renting property. They may be sent to Turkey for a fairly short time in connection with their work and find that renting a property in Turkey is more cost-effective than buying. They may decide to rent for a year whilst they look for a property to buy. They may decide to put their cash into a business rather than into a property in which to live.

Selling a Property in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

The process of selling a property in Turkey is much more straightforward than the process of buying a property in Turkey. So much so that most Turks would simply choose an estate agent and then, with the agent, look after the rest themselves.

Property Development in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

Property development is the process of building new property: homes, hotels, factories etc. It can either be the development of land into buildings – in which case it can either be previously undeveloped land (green field sites) or land that has previously been used for some other purpose – or it can be the re-development of existing buildings

Building or Altering a House in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

To build or alter a house in Turkey, as in any country, there are various requirements that must be satisfied. Many people ignore these regulations, but we strongly recommend you are not one of them!

Mortgages for Foreigners in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

In the past, many foreign buyers of property in Turkey used to take a mortgage from a bank in Turkey to help with the cost of the purchase.
As you will see, the position has now become more complicated, but it is still possible to obtain mortgage finance in Turkey.

A shiny, modern bar with spirits lined up behind it

Buying Commercial Property in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

Buying commercial property can be a little more complicated than buying residential property.

Commercial property is, in essence, anything that is not residential or agricultural. The definition includes shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, car parks and the like.

Two tradesmen in the frame of a building under construction

Buying an Off-Plan Property in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

An off-plan property is a property that you agree to buy before it is fully constructed. You might be buying when no work at all has been done: when it is a mere concept or architect’s drawing. Alternatively, you could be buying when the building works are partly completed.

Buying a New Property in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

Many people prefer to buy and own new houses and other property. There are a number of reasons:

Buying a Property in Turkey

Başak Yıldız Orkun 11th June 2018

A property is always an expensive item, so you do not wish to risk losing your money. This is true whether the house in Turkey or elsewhere.

Four piles of coins next to a simple wooden model of a house

Investing in Property in Turkey

John Howell 11th June 2017

When you’re looking for property in Turkey, the first thing you need to know is what’s available: not the specific houses or apartments but the types of property commonly found. Just as important are the typical prices you will have to pay for any given type of property.

Buying a New Property on the Costa del Sol

John Howell 15th June 2016

For this see our Guide to Buying Off-Plan Property on the Costa del Sol. It describes, in particular, how to buy a new property in the area of Andalusia/Andalucía – which contains the Costa del Sol. See a map here. Please note that certain aspects of the law in Spain vary from one “autonomous community” (comunidad autónoma) to another. For …

Buying a Property in Bulgaria

Lyubov Jones 26th February 2016

Bulgarian property has long been a popular investment – but the law in Bulgaria can make the process confusing for foreigners. Here, two experts take you through the process of buying real estate in Bulgaria.

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