Buying property overseas is more popular than ever and new buying destinations are being unveiled all the time. But those in the market for foreign property should make sure they avoid what Adrian Taylor of Rowe Cohen Solicitors calls 'EU-topia'.
He says: ‘Too many people take the plunge with too little preparation. We have all seen horror stories on reality TV programmes featuring people who have simply upped sticks and turned up in a country without even speaking the language. It’s nothing short of insanity. The culture across all aspects of life, particularly the law, is very different. Things are not done the same way.’
Taylor says that people thinking of moving abroad or investing in property abroad should appoint a decent British-based lawyer before they do anything else -even before speaking to their bank manager.
They should also make sure that he or she is bilingual and experienced in the law of their chosen country.
‘If people do their homework and get good advice right at the outset,’ says Taylor, ‘they could save themselves a great deal of heartache, time and money further down the track.’