“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

July 4, 2010July 1, 2010 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

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How To Vet A Foreign Real Estate Buy

July 4, 2010July 1, 2010 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

July 3, 2010July 1, 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

Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

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

July 3, 2010July 1, 2010 Admin

Putting your money into foreign real estate is becoming a more appealing strategy all the time. Thanks to a crazy piece of pork in the recently passed U.S. HIRE Act, currency controls in that country have been seriously tightened. 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 … Continue reading The Noose Is Tightening — Here’s How You Slip Out

Great Places For Holidays And Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments2 Comments

Retire Overseas Fundamentals

July 1, 2010 Admin

Lief and I have begun conversations with our first Live Overseas Personal Consulting clients, and I’m being reminded of the fundamentals. For example… Language This can seem an intimidating, even paralyzing hurdle. If you’ve never spoken a second language or even if you speak, say, a little Spanish but not enough to hold a business conversation or to negotiate a rental lease, you can worry how you’ll get things done, how you’ll keep from being taken advantage of, and how you’ll make friends. The concern can be greatest if you’re thinking of making a move on your own. I do … Continue reading Retire Overseas Fundamentals

Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Why These Expats Chose This Safe Haven

July 1, 2010 Admin

“Developed in the 1930s as a resort for wealthy Argentineans,” writes Uruguay Correspondent Sol Tuya, “Piriapolis has evolved into one of the world’s most affordable and appealing retirement havens, attracting expats from North America, Europe, and elsewhere throughout South America. “I include myself among them, and I can tell you that, here in this small city on Uruguay’s coast, we are enjoying peace and harmony and a quality of life that I think would be hard to match. “Every month, the Piriapolis English Speakers Club gathers by the sea for good conversation, good food, and a chance to network … Continue reading Why These Expats Chose This Safe Haven

Great Places For Holidays And Investments, Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Culture Shock In Reverse

July 1, 2010 Admin

A couple of months ago in Paris, I had lunch with another long-time American expat, whose children, like ours, have grown up outside the States. “We’re moving back,” he remarked that afternoon, “to Bethesda.” At first, I thought he was joking. After more than 13 years in France, he was opting now for Bethesda, Maryland? Then he explained. “Only for a couple of years, until our youngest son goes off to college. We feel like we need to do something to help his transition back to U.S. life. His older brothers have struggled with it so.” Then I understood. I’ve … Continue reading Culture Shock In Reverse

Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Building The Perfect Property Portfolio

July 1, 2010 Admin

The perfectly diversified international real estate investment portfolio might look something like this… A rental property in Europe that is leveraged (that is, carries a mortgage…remember that it’s possible to borrow for the purchase of real estate as a foreign buyer in many European countries) and that generates positive cash flow. Right now France, Italy, and Portugal probably make the most sense for this kind of investment. This is a long-haul play, and, thinking very long term, I like Paris. It’s the closest thing to a recession-proof rental market as you’ll find. Next, a rental property in a resort location. … Continue reading Building The Perfect Property Portfolio

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Here’s How Not To Let This Happen To You

July 1, 2010 Admin

Buying wholesale, path of progress, crisis investing, real productive assets…why bother with all these different real estate investment strategies? Why not just focus on one? Wouldn’t that be simpler? Yes, sure. It’s be more simple, but, over time, it’d also be far less effective. One of the fundamental advantages global real estate investing offers is diversification. You want to capitalize on that advantage every way you can. All those bubble investors in the United States who “controlled” millions of dollars worth of pre-construction condos found out the hard way what putting all your eggs in one basket can mean for … Continue reading Here’s How Not To Let This Happen To You

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

See Asia In 2010

July 1, 2010 Admin

“I grew up in the 1950s and 60s, and China was closed, full-stop closed, permanently closed,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst. “Mao’s Revolution had taken hold,” Paul continues. “One thing we knew for sure was that we’d never, ever get to travel in China. “Today I can still hear my older brother saying, with that grave, pontificating voice that 14-year-olds assume, that China, not Russia, looked to be the biggest danger in our future. Remember that, during the Cold War, Russia–actually the Soviet Union, but everyone called it Russia–was Enemy Number One. My brother figured China would be even worse … Continue reading See Asia In 2010

Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Once Crazy, Now Genius…Just Ask Brian

June 21, 2010June 19, 2010 Admin

In the month since my new “How To Retire Overseas” book was published, I’ve been interviewed by a dozen reporters and editors intending to review the book in their respective media. A common theme has emerged: Americans are ready to make a move. They want out. They’ve had it with health care “reform,” rising taxes, and an uncertain future. They want to find a way to hold on to the assets they’ve worked their whole lives to accumulate. More than any generation of retirees that has preceded them, they’re ready to take action to take control. They’re even ready to … Continue reading Once Crazy, Now Genius…Just Ask Brian