Expats living abroad will, at one time or another, have to go back to their mother countries either for the holidays, just to visit or due to indispensable reasons. No matter what happens and wherever in the world expats might live in, they will have to look back where they came from at some point in their lives. Sometimes, an expatriate might find himself or herself having to go back home because of something as serious as a death in the family. At times like these, it is always best if you have nothing else to worry about and your request to go back to your country for a period of time will not be hindered by legal reasons which you could have fixed at any one time. Do not wait until a serious reason impels you to go back home before you arrange your papers or else you would have to go through unnecessary hoops. 

Fulfill that American Dream: Buy an American House

Here are some tips and pointers to guide first-time house buyers in the USA. A lot of people move in and out of their rented apartments or boarding houses every single day, desperately looking or a better home. Others say that this is impractical and unrealistic. There might be some things to consider before you purchase your house in the United States, but you should think of it as an investment. What could be greater than owning a house which gives you a feeling of security and belonging?

Expatriates, thrilled at the concept of moving abroad and settling in their newly built homes, have no idea about the real conditions of their prospective houses. They might comfortably nest in their new house without knowing the defects that need attention. Unbeknownst to many, house buyers do not hold many rights on the purchase of a property. Contractors usually cheat by using cheaper sub-standard replacements for specified materials which could cause problems in the long run. Expats, most of all, would purchase the house without a single doubt and would not be notified of this fact until at a latter date when it is too late and they would have to spend more replacing the sub-standard materials. There is a way to prevent this from happening - have your new homes "snagged". 

While Japan has much to offer on the employment front, the property market has been shunned by foreign nationals and foreign investors due to the high cost of good quality property as well as the ever present risk of earth quakes.  While major earth quakes are world breaking news, there are a number of smaller quakes which go relatively unreported outside of the country.

As some of the better quality properties in areas such as Tokyo can cost upwards of $450,000 this, and the fact there are foreign ownership restrictions, has resulted in a limited foreign national property market until now. The recent boom in property prices and a relaxation of foreign ownership regulations (as well as an increased likelihood of obtaining a local mortgage) has started to attract foreign investors and Expats living in Japan .

The country has always been one of intrigue to many, swamped in history and a very clear culture which has evolved over thousands of years.  Together with neighbouring China, Japan has an economy which can stand head to head with any in the Western world.  The political environment can however be a little difficult to understand, with the authorities often making snap-shot decisions in the event of problems or concerns with the country - this uncertainty has effected both the economy and property markets over the years. 

Thailand is one of those countries which tends to be misunderstood, due in the main to a lack of real promotion by the authorities.  While there was a coup in 2006 and some confusion and concern after the operation, the situation seems to have calmed down.  The military generals are in contact with the likes of the US, with many people confident that “normal” life can soon be restored to the country.

For some time Thailand has been the most popular destination for tourists to the Far East, with many visitors returning to make the country their permanent base.  Many have been attracted by the relatively cheap property, low cost of living as well as the potential for the future.  The locals have always welcomed foreign visitors which has reflected well on the country as a whole.

The property market obviously suffered from the backlash of the 2006 coup, however for many this has offered the opportunity for Expats in Thailand to pick up some prime property at very good prices.  The country is highly dependent on exports and as yet there has been no real effect on trade with the outside world. 

South Africa is located at the Southern tip of the African continent, with surrounding countries including Namibia, Botswana Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland.  The country is the centre piece of the African continent, and while it has received more than its fair share of negative press over the last fifty years, the country has a lot more to offer than many believe.

The country is steeped in history and while the political background has not always been stable, it is now probably as stable as it has ever been.  Often referred to as one of the hotter countries of the world, Africa actually has a varied climate with extreme desert in the South, and sub-tropical pastures in the North.  

Once cast aside from the world trade environment, the country is very much on the up with trade growing and many people looking to relocate in this beautiful land.  While officially classed as a developing country, areas such as Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban are very much developed and the central hub of the country’s economy.  These are the areas which attract the most of the Expats living in South Africa, and while there is still much to do on the political and social front, headway is most definitely being made. 

As one of the states which makes up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is often assumed to be an oil rich state like neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the like.  It may surprise many to find that less than 3% of the state’s income is derived for oil revenues (indeed it is forecast that the countries oil reserves will run out within 20 years).  The state has however reinvented itself as a tourist attraction and service based economy.

The buildings of Dubai are some of the highest and most beautiful in the world, and the state prides itself on construction projects which seem to push back the boundaries of the construction world   Dubai also boasts the largest man made harbour in the world, which has helped to increase the amount of trade which moves through the area.

While there have been historical issues about humans rights and the standard of policing, these areas of society have very much improved of late,  However, it is essential that all foreign nationals respect the customs and laws of what is still predominately an Islamic state.  

This area of the world has become very popular with Expats living in Dubai and working for Western companies looking to set up branch offices in the area, or arrange trade paths.  It is seen as a useful door between the West and Middle East markets, which often have a volatile relationship. 

Located at the Southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is one of the original “tiger” economies which has certainly grown over the last few years.  Originally a fishing based country, successive governments have really put the country on the world trade map, with employment levels vastly improved (unemployment is now under 3%).

The country itself is now very dependent on the manufacturing sector, with raw materials imported, and goods produced for export.  Singapore has also diversified into areas such as electronics, petroleum refining, finance and biomedical sciences to offset the manufacturing based emphasis.  The economy grew by 8.3% in 2004, 6.4% in 2005 and 7.9% in 2006.

Singapore country is heavily dependant upon immigration to replenish a natural population which is falling in numbers year on year.  The steady flow of immigrants and Expats living in Singapore has also added to the demand for housing, in a country which only has a population of 4.5 million people.  

There have been many changes to Hong Kong over the last decade, with the 1997 agreement to transfer sovereignty of the colony to China the major event of late.  Currently classed as one of two “special administration regions”, Hong Kong has autonomy to create and change its own laws until 2047, although China is currently responsible for the protection of the colony and foreign affairs.

Initially there was concern about the hand over to China, but there have been no adverse events as yet.  The country is still thriving as one of the main financial centres of the Far East, with many viewing the country as a place where East meets West, and the various cultures cross over and mix.  It is perhaps one of the truest capitalist economies in the world, with low taxation and no government intervention.

The country has been an immigration target for many years and has a massive European contingent, with substantial Australians, Canadians and Japanese. Since the hand over to China, the country is also receiving a large number of Expats living in Hong Kong including some 45,000 Chinese nationals a year.

While not the biggest country in size, Hong Kong has one of the most influential economies in the Far East.  A very popular stopping place for Westerners, the country has also attracted a great many overseas offices for some of the major companies of the world.  Initial worries about the hand over seem over done, and in all honesty, why would China change the workings of a colony which works, and which has the potential to bring in much need trade and employment? 

The UK has much to offer with a multi-cultural society, a history which goes back thousands of years and some of the most beautiful countryside and tourist destinations you could ever hope to visit.  The Island has been involved in many conflicts, with the Romans and Vikings leaving their foot prints on UK society.

One of the top five economies of the world,  the general trend for the UK economy has been on an upward curve for many decades.  While historically the housing market has been very volatile, it has remained buoyant for some time,  and many residents see their house as a long term investment.  The culture of home ownership has also ensured that demand always seems to outstrip supply in the UK, a situation which has seen house prices rise substantially over the last few years, with some house prices increasing by over 30% over the last two years.  

The country has a net immigration policy which as well as ensuring that the UK population and economy continue to prosper, should also bring in a more potential home buyers - thereby keeping demand fairly high.  Cities such a London continue to attract the big movers and shakers, although areas such as the North of England, and Scotland attract masses of tourists who have perhaps not been able to experience such a long engrained history in their home country. 

While Cyprus has a history of conflict which resulted in the permanent UN Policed buffer zone down the centre of the island, the political and military tensions seem to have lowered since the conflict last flared again in the 1970s.  This new found calm has allowed both areas of the country to improve their offering to the world, foreign nationals, as well as their economies.

Viewed by many as the area where Christianity (in the North) meets the Muslims faith (in the South), there is much to see on this beautiful island.  The North has been slower to develop due in the main to the historic lack of direct transport networks from the country to mainland Europe.  This problem has been solved over the last few years with the building of new airports and direct flights introduced by some of the world’s major airlines.

A country which has long been regarded as a difficult area to enjoy, Cyprus is now beginning to promote its own national identify to the world, and while a little unconventional in set-up, the mystery and intrigue of the area are there for all to see. The Expat population in Cyprus is growing for all of these reasons.

Often cast as the poor cousin of neighbouring Australia, New Zealand has more to offer Expats than many would have you believe.  The country is renowned for its geographical isolation with Australia over 2000 km away, and New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga also substantial distances away form the country.  When you consider the obvious high than average cost of transport to and from the country, it is quite surprising that the authorities have been able to build a viable economy and a growing tourist trade.

The country has two main islands, the North and South islands, together with an array smaller islands close by.  The country itself is approximately the size Italy and Japan, although the terrain and landscape are obviously very different.  Both of the main islands have a mix of mountainous regions, evidence of volcanic activity and vast plains which support he countries important agricultural industry.  

New Zealand is also well know for its Maori ancestry, which dates back hundreds of years. It has become a major selling point for New Zealand with tourist flocking to sample the culture and beauty of this expanding country.  The New Zealand rugby team, the “all blacks”, have proved to be a very useful promotional tool for the country’s tourism industry.

New Zealand is well supported by an economy which is still growing, and while the country depends to a large extent on the export market, they have a vast array of international trading partners, thereby reducing their dependence on any one country or currency.  Unemployment is currently at an all time low. 

While the United States has always been a home ownership country, where occupier owned homes have always far outweighed rented property, the current level of home ownership (70%) is high by historic standards.  The country is currently going through the tail end of a housing boom that many believe is linked to the stock market which recently peaked at an all time high.

The country has a population of over 300 million, with masses of strong ethnic groups spread across various parts of the nation.  Even just a small swing in housing demand can have a massive impact on the market, as can a sharp cooling of interest.  While the long term trend for US housing is still on an upward curve, there are risks for Expats looking to move to the US .

The country itself has the largest economy in the world, and in effect controls what happens in the worldwide economy - thereby giving the US population massive power over their trading partners.  However, the country does depend on trade with South America and the Far East, and any slowdown in those regions can have a magnified effect on the economy. 

In line with the employment North / South divide, there is a definite difference in the two property markets.  The North has the more developed and higher paid employment opportunities, while historically the South has been the area for lower paid manufacturing employment.  As the country continues to leave behind the shadows of economical volatility of the last 40 years, the property market is now a different animal than back then.

While there has been a marked increase in house prices since the days of the 1970s when the country was experiencing net emigration, the market has been showing signs of slowing of late - in line with much of continental Europe. Today’s property market is almost unrecognisable from the 1970s when a volatile economic environment, and depressed economy added to the feeling of doom and gloom among many Italian residents.

Now one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, the domestic property market is heavily influenced by foreign nationals looking at relocating to the area, or taking out holiday homes.  As with a number of European destinations, the growth of the budget flight market has also widened the net for many foreign nationals looking at overseas property markets with a view to becoming Expats in Italy . 

The last few years have seen the Spanish property market experiencing something of a boom time, with both foreign and local buyers looking to snap up prime properties.  While Spain has a fully developed property market, there are massive regional variations which can often give the wrong impression to those not doing their homework. Expats wanting to live in Spain need to do their research.

The internet and a more professional approach to buying abroad has alerted many to the potential pitfalls of buying overseas property, resulting in foreign investors taking more time to evaluate and make offers.  This more conservative approach has led to a cooling of the market, together with the fact that other areas of Europe now offer potentially better value than Spain (after the recent boom years). 

There are few countries in Europe which have benefited as much as Portugal from the worldwide property boom.  The country has always been very popular with tourists, and very often seems to be a consideration for retired couples looking to relocate overseas.  This has resulted in not only substantial interest in the local property sector, but a massive redevelopment and building program which seems set to continue for some time yet.

As with so many of the sunnier climbs of Europe, Portugal seems to be very popular with the UK Expat population, whether looking to retire overseas, holiday or the younger generation looking to sample life overseas.  Golf courses, apartment blocks and villas seem to be springing up on a regular basis, firmly cementing the tourist trade as a major part of both the Portuguese economy and culture.

Like so many of the recent “hot spots” of Europe, Portugal did become a major target for the time-share scams and other illegal property operations.  The possibility of foreign investors looking elsewhere soon persuaded the Portuguese authorities to act, and all estate agents are now highly regulated and can only operate under licence.

The country continues to prosper and the long term signs are still very positive, although whether property prices can continue to increase at historic rates is another matter.  Average temperatures of 13C in the North and 18C in the South perhaps offer a strong reason for the popularity of the country! 

The Canadian property market is very different to your stereotypical European market, although on further investigation it seems to be a lot simpler.  Generally houses are more spacious with basements the norm - which can often double the floor space of your property.  Not generally seen as a first port of call for relocating your life, Canada really does have a lot to offer Expats wanting to live in Canada .

Beautiful and varied landscapes, together with a totally different way of life to many European countries, are some of the main attractions to foreign nationals.  The economy is heavily dependent on natural resources such as oil, gas and minerals and while obviously tied in the main to commodity prices, the economy has performed very well of late.

Canada is actually the second largest country in the world by land mass, and while not all of the land is fully populated (77% of the 32 million population live in towns or cities) it really is a country of discovery.  The close relationship with the USA offers a fair degree of safety to the overall economy, with additional trade relationships further strengthening the situation. 

Historically France has been a very popular location for second homes / holiday homes, with well over 70 million tourists a year.  While the majority of overseas or foreign national buyers purchasing property from France have been Expats from the UK , interest from other areas of Europe is starting to pick up.  The country itself is perfectly placed for easy access to many parts of Europe and the country offers a array of climates and landscapes to suit all.

The country has a very liberal property market with no restrictions on foreign ownership, although there are restrictions on the resale of certain types of property, e.g. Vineyards, etc (these should be checked with a French based solicitor who is in touch with local laws).  The process for actually buying a property is fairly straight forward, with buyer and seller agreeing a price, then a solicitor is appointed to take the deal forward.

A 10% deposit will be held in a secure account by the solicitor (notary) prior to various checks and paperwork being  completed.  If for some reason the buyer pulls out without good reasons then the 10% deposit will be lost. 

Australia is one of those unique countries whereby the vast majority of the population are housed in a relatively small part of the vast landscape which makes up the country.  This has therefore led to various short term swings in property prices, linked very closely to an economy which is dependant on commodity prices.  

While the government are looking at ways to smooth out the property market curve, it is proving difficult to avoid short term volatility.  However, as the economy grows it should become easier to control the property market, and in particular the various hot spots of Sydney, Melbourne - where most Expats moving to Australia wish to settle.

The country itself can be classified as a “new age” country which is really just finding its own feet after being under UK rule for so long.  The Australian population are renowned for their laid back approach to life, and enjoyment of various socialising events (very similar to the UK way of life).  This has helped to increase the profile of this beautiful country which has a mass of potential for the future, and a place where many see the chance to start a new life.