following on the other thread here about static caravans.

assuming you had a few quid. A little bolthole on the Med ?

personal opinion : no way, jose. too much taxes, local politics, responsibility, and the big no no is a lack of choice where you holiday each year. A hotel room with an idiot next-door ? is a temporary problem. A 'place in the sun' with a t0sser neighbour = a longterm problem.

I think you should Own a property to live in that property....hire a property for holidays.

what thoughts from all you Eagles ? or stories from those already on the sunny property ladder.

Edited by PalazioVecchio (01 Nov 2020 12.22pm)

Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford

Ages ago a friend of mine thought he'd bought a place in France, but whether it was down to dishonesty or incompetence, or both, he discovered that his money had gone but the property wasn't his. He spent years wrestling with the French lawyers but finally ran out of money. Very sadly he became an alcoholic and is now showing signs of dementia. I almost feel guilty about relating such a terrible tale, but it strengthened my resolve never to buy a property in another country.

Not as a holiday home it ties you down and you may get bored of it. If you were planning to live then a different kettle of fish.

A friend's parents have a holiday home in Spain which they love, however they are currently in England but will have to travel there to pay their taxes which can only be done in person at the town hall. Not sure what yesterday's announcement means for them. Taxes have to be paid before the end of the year I think.

Another friend has moved to a little Italian village and took over a derelict house. They have been welcomed by the locals because they used local workmen to renovate it and are learning Italian and take part in the village activities.

One more point

badger 11, you do not have to pay your taxes in person, you have a couple of ways, you can instuct your spanish lawyer to do it, you can get your spanish bank to do it, or i used a a company based in Norfolk, called Spanish Taxes, they were excellent, they charged £30 a year, and i paid in sterling direct to them, the IBI tax is also done in the same manner

There are a few problems buying overseas. Their laws on property are generally not the same, as in the UK. You really need to find a fluent English lawyer, so you can understand every element of property ownership, purchase and sale, what you are liable for.

The other problem, is the fluctuation of the currencies, which you have no control over.

Too much uncertaincy, renting is the safer option.

call me conservative, but my knowledge of Upper Norwood makes me reluctant to buy in Norbury/South Croydon/Anerley on account of not really having an intimate knowledge of the area.

the idea of investing tens of thousands of quid in a language & legal system you can never master....utter madness.

tons of brits bought nice big houses in Spain that then got torn down due to lack of proper planning permissions

Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford