Investing Fundamentals

Learn the basics on how to invest and purchase property abroad…

Why Real Estate Is The Greatest Global Asset Protection Tool

Featured, Investing Fundamentals / By
Why Real Estate Is The Greatest Global Asset Protection Tool

Plus: Options For Financing Abroad

I missed out on the Great Recession. In fact, since I moved abroad in 2001, those recession years actually produced my highest income.

My home in Punta del Este, Uruguay, jumped in value during the U.S. housing crash, as did our beach house in Brazil. My Brazilian reais jumped almost 39% against the U.S. dollar, and my Uruguayan peso-denominated CDs paid over 9%, while the pesos themselves also gained in value.

Meanwhile, during the depths of the recession, I bought a foreclosure condo in Arizona.

I don’t mean to give the impression that Brazil and Uruguay are better bets for investment than the United States. I don’t know if that’s true… or how long it will remain true if it is.

In fact, when the Brazilian market flattened unexpectedly a couple of years ago, that cheap condo in Arizona jumped almost 73% in value. So in this case, the Scottsdale market outperformed both Brazil and Uruguay.

I like to sound brilliant as much as the next guy. But, in all honesty, I’ll have to reluctantly admit that my good fortune was not a result of any special talent on my part.

In fact, I didn’t accurately predict any of those economic swings.

The reason I came though the recession as I did was because …

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Get The Most From Your Overseas Rental Property

Leave a Comment / Caribbean & Central America, Featured, Investing Fundamentals, Property Regions, Property Types / By
Plus: Make Sure You Don’t Retain A State Tax Burden Abroad

June 23, 2015
Medellín, Colombia

Dear Overseas Property Alert Reader,

You’ve been hearing a lot about rental returns lately. Over the past few years, it’s where property investors have been putting most of their attention. And along with this investment shift (from capital gains to income), you’ve also heard a lot of claims about returns… claims that may sound exaggerated.

In fact, good returns are achievable in quite a few markets. But the truth is that they don’t come easily. To make a respectable rental return, you’ll need more than your checkbook and a desire for money.

I’m currently renting three rental properties, and, over the years, I’ve found a few critical factors that make the difference between good rental returns and weak or nonexistent returns.

First, however, let’s take a look at why you should even bother trying to operate a rental in a foreign country.
Benefits Of Managing A Rental Abroad

Here are a few items that I find to be key advantages.

Your property abroad is a hard asset. Less than 10% of the money that exists is physical currency. The rest of the money supply is really just a concept—an idea—with no intrinsic value. It can disappear or diminish in value, and you’ve got nothing to show for it. On the other hand, hard assets always have …

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One Piece Of Sound Advice For The Property Buyer

Featured, Investing Fundamentals / By
One Piece Of Sound Advice For The Property Buyer
Plus: “What Is Lee Harrison Smokin’?”

I bought my first overseas property almost 14 years ago. Since then, properties have financed a good portion of my retirement. They also make up more than half of my income.

Perhaps more importantly, I’ve also been able to live in some fascinating and enjoyable places along the way.

I developed and honed my property-buying skills over those 14 years while spending literally tens of thousands of dollars in travel costs.

I worked with some great real estate agents…as well as some crooks and scammers. Most didn’t speak English.

Eventually, it worked. I’m good at this now.

While my means of getting there is not for the faint of heart, it’s definitely one approach you can take.

But let me to give you some sound advice. There’s a better way to go about it.

And it deserves very serious consideration for anyone who’s considering buying a property abroad or who wants to see what their options are, quickly and efficiently.

Join me at the Global Property Summit, March 18–20, 2015, in Panama City.

Let me spare you the sales pitch and get to the point. …

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