Month: July 2010

Great Places For Holidays And Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate InvestmentsLeave a comment

Why Did I Do This In The First Place?

Admin

When my boss at the time came to me to explain that the U.S. publishing company where I’d been working for 13 years was interested in setting up a new base in Ireland and to ask if I’d be interested in making the move to open that office for him, I jumped at the chance. I was 34 years old, ready for a change, and eager for an adventure. I’d been covering this live, retire, and invest overseas beat for a long time, but I realized that that was not the same as living it. This was my chance to … Continue reading Why Did I Do This In The First Place?

Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate InvestmentsLeave a comment

The Noose Is Tightening — Here’s How You Slip Out

Admin

You know, of course, that you have to report any financial accounts you hold outside the United States with a value of more than US$10,000. Now, though, foreign financial institutions are required to report on the investment activities of U.S. citizens. It’s been increasingly difficult for some time for an American to open an international account abroad, and Switzerland recently has taken the position that it doesn’t want to do business with Americans, period. Not worth the hassle. Options for Americans to protect their assets abroad are going to continue to disappear. If you aren’t already holding a sizeable portion … Continue reading The Noose Is Tightening — Here’s How You Slip Out

Great Places For Holidays And InvestmentsLeave a comment

The Simple And Satisfying Pleasures Of French Country Life

Admin

“We recently visited an organic beef and lamb farm,” writes France Correspondent Lucy Culpepper from her home in the southwest of that country. “It was part of an annual, all-weekend event held across France. Farmers opened their doors (and their stables) to visitors to show off their animals, their cheese making, and their meat, wine, and vegetable production. “We visited the farm of Josie and Jean Pierre Pommiés, just outside the pretty village of Coarraze in the beautiful rolling countryside of the Haut Béarn. Jean Pierre is a classic shepherd; in early summer he drives his animals, on foot, up … Continue reading The Simple And Satisfying Pleasures Of French Country Life

Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Going Blue In Belize

Admin

Buying wholesale or otherwise getting into an opportunity early is one of the four ways I look to make money from global real estate. But buying wholesale isn’t as easy as it might seem. Research and timing are critical…and, in some cases, the real key is having the right contact. For example… Friend and fellow developer Phil Hahn is launching a new “green” project in Belize. Phil has partnered with a local friend to develop a riverfront community based on the cornerstone ideas of sustainability and longevity. Phil’s concept goes beyond the typical “green” development concepts. Yes, the community will … Continue reading Going Blue In Belize

Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments3 Comments

Here’s My Four-Pronged Approach To International Property Investing

Admin

Every successful investment consultant or experienced investor has a method to his success. An approach that fits no matter which market or situation you’re in. To make money in global real estate, I look for opportunities that fall into one of these four categories: 1. Buying Wholesale This is buying at a price below what the property would sell for to the general public, with the opportunity then to sell on (that is, to flip) to the general public at some key point in the future. This is where my worldwide network of property investing contacts really pays off. To … Continue reading Here’s My Four-Pronged Approach To International Property Investing

Advertising, Market DataLeave a comment

Marketwatch 2010

Admin

After months of persuasion, I’m delighted to report that resident global real estate investing expert Lief Simon has agreed, finally, to return to the role he filled for many years earlier in his career and to begin producing, again, a global property investment service. Lief has been making money buying, selling, flipping, and renting out real estate around the world for more than 17 years. He’s built an extensive portfolio of international property holdings and boasts an impressive track record of success. All this experience will be brought to bear in Lief’s new Global Property Investor’s Marketwatch, launch date imminent. … Continue reading Marketwatch 2010

Attitudes, InvestmentsLeave a comment

Caribbelgium–It’s Better On The French Side

Admin

“Caribbelgium is what this island ought to be called,” writes Correspondent Paul Lewis, continuing his New Year’s Caribbean cruising. “Half-French and half-Dutch, St. Martin or Sint Maarten has no internal frontiers, and its two linguistic communities mix freely, united by a common ability to speak English, run duty-free shops, and extract money from visiting cruise-ship passengers. “If only Belgium’s perpetually feuding French- and Dutch-speaking communities could make common cause like those of St. Martin or Sint Maarten. “Legend has it the island was discovered simultaneously by Dutch and French warships whose captains, with improbable good sense, decided not to fight … Continue reading Caribbelgium–It’s Better On The French Side

Investments1 Comment

Black Gold Brings Good Fortune To The Port Of Spain

Admin

“Trinidad has oil, a lot of oil,” writes Correspondent Paul Lewis, continuing his sunny island adventures. “And here in the capital of Port of Spain, it shows. “Downtown colonial buildings have been replaced by green glass skyscrapers, and the freeways are packed with black-windowed Mercedes and BMWs. The city is crowded and bustling. Many of its fine old buildings are being restored and repaired to celebrate the newfound good fortune. “At Woodford Square, the ornate Parliament building, known as Red House after it was inadvertently painted red on the eve of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, is now encased in matching … Continue reading Black Gold Brings Good Fortune To The Port Of Spain

Great Places For Holidays And Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate InvestmentsLeave a comment

Sand-Fringed, English-Speaking, And Seriously Tax-Advantaged

Admin

“Initially, I was attracted to Belize by its natural beauty and environment, including the opportunity it offers for scuba diving and water sports,” writes Correspondent from that country Ann Kuffner. “Thinking back to when this country first got my attention, I realize that, then, I wasn’t in a hurry. I had a lucrative career. I wasn’t thinking of making an international move. Instead, my husband and I invested in a vacation home on the island of Ambergris Caye. For eight years, we traveled to Belize yearly, to relax and to scuba dive. “I wanted to be sure before committing to … Continue reading Sand-Fringed, English-Speaking, And Seriously Tax-Advantaged

Attitudes, Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Most Frequently Asked (And Not So Crazy) Questions About Retiring Overseas

Admin

The following questions, which we receive regularly, are often preceded by, “I feel a little foolish asking, but I’m just not sure…” Don’t be shy. It never hurts to clarify. For example: 1. “If I move overseas, could I ever return home?” Yes, of course. Living overseas, even full-time, even as a legal resident of another country, affects your ability to spend time in your home country not at all. You’re still an American (or British or Australian, etc.) citizen, after all. You can come and go as you please. 2. Living overseas, would I lose my original citizenship? Again, … Continue reading Most Frequently Asked (And Not So Crazy) Questions About Retiring Overseas

Real Estate, Real Estate InvestmentsLeave a comment

How To Vet A Foreign Real Estate Buy

Admin

“Here are the key factors to keep in mind as you scout opportunities: The real estate agents you encounter may not be licensed, and they may have next-to-no relevant experience (maybe they were travel agents or mechanical engineers in previous lives…I’ve known real estate agents in emerging markets who were both those things as recently as two weeks before I made their acquaintance)… The real estate agent you decide to work with probably isn’t working for you. In emerging and unregulated markets (like the ones I direct you to regularly), the property agents don’t work for the buyer, and they … Continue reading How To Vet A Foreign Real Estate Buy

Attitudes, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments3 Comments

How To Filter The Best Real Estate Investment Opportunities Of 2010

Admin

“Falling markets over the past 18-plus months have created crisis buy opportunities,” writes resident global real estate investing expert Lief Simon, “for personal use and for investment. New Year 2010 is a year for action. I’ll present specific opportunities starting next week. “Meantime…invest in a piece of real estate in another country? How do you get started? “First, you ask yourself why you’re buying–for investment or for personal use. The answer may not be clear-cut. And the best case is when you find a piece of real estate that holds out the potential for an investment return (in the form … Continue reading How To Filter The Best Real Estate Investment Opportunities Of 2010