Everything you need to know about the role of the notaire in France
In the UK when you want to buy a property, you need a lawyer and an estate agent. In France, there’s a third party involved and they are called notaries.Read more...
Do you need to learn Greek to live in Cyprus?
Cyprus is one of Britain’s oldest allies in the Mediterranean and we love it for our shared history and culture, including driving on the left! But Cyprus is still very much its own country with a culture and language that far predates our own. So a move here isn’t just about warm weather and sea views, but about embracing Cyprus as a whole. But do you need to learn Greek to live in Cyprus? Our resident expat Helen Epaminonda gives her view.Read more...
Small cities see big rise in property prices
Property prices in New Zealand have been growing steadily in rural areas, while the bigger cities are going through more of a correction. Hastings and Whanganui remain firm favourites among buyers, with demand causing a leap of over 20% in prices. Meanwhile, in the South Island, Dunedin is also seeing a boost in house prices.Read more...
Building your own, part 3: finding a builder
Now that you’ve sourced the perfect plot of land and found the architect who is going to bring all your property daydreams to life, there is one final – rather essential – step: finding a builder. In Part three of our series, we’re looking at where to find a decent builder and the steps involved in getting your house built when you move to New Zealand.Read more...
Slow but steady growth in Irish property prices
The Irish property market has been a tale of two halves for some time now, with prices in Dublin shooting up during the tech boom, while the rest of the country saw more measured growth. Now, however, the two seem to be coming into step, with slow but steady growth reported nationwide. Could this be the perfect time for overseas buyers?Read more...
Finding a builder in Spain
Whether you’re having your home built from scratch or just need your patio repointed, finding a builder in Spain is easy. But where do you start, what will you pay and what are the local rules about building? For example, your neighbours won’t want their summer ruined while your extension goes up. In part 3 of our series on self-building in Spain, we’ve got to the business end of the process!Read more...
Spanish homes for watersports lovers
Spain attracts people from all over the world because of its wonderful climate and coastline. But it isn’t just for beaches that the country is so popular, it also offers every kind of water sports imaginable. From surfing to kayaking, diving to rafting and jet skiing you can indulge in your favourite sport or try a new one. It is not just at Spain’s beaches either, move a little inland where property prices are generally cheaper and you can still enjoy water sports.Read more...
Is your Florida home hurricane proof?
Weather in America is serious. Few countries in the world suffer as many catastrophic weather events, as last week’s tragic events in Florida and the Bahamas showed yet again. If you’re buying a property here, especially in Florida but not only here, you will need to hurricane proof your Florida home. The good news ias that it needn’t be expensive.Read more...
Why to move there and where to live in Seattle
Could you move to Seattle? With great jobs, glorious countryside and an outdoorsy lifestyle that unrivaled in the States, no wonder so many of the world’s go-getters are moving here. There’s no state income tax either! Read where and why you should consider moving to Seattle, in the US’s north-west.Read more...
From neglected shell to quirky seaside retreat – renovating a property in France, part one
When I moved to Normandy in 2017, I had little intention of embarking on a renovation project. Having left a stressful job behind, my aim was to kick back and relax for a while, before easing my way into paid employment. But when I set eyes on a neglected fisherman’s house for sale in one of the prettiest villages in France, I knew I had to have her. This is my story of how I gave this sad old lady with spectacular views a new lease of life.Read more...
The step-by-step route to your perfect overseas location
How do you find your perfect overseas location? If you’ve returned from your summer holidays feeling inspired to buy a home abroad, here’s where you start planning! At the Overseas Guides Company, we believe in doing things methodically. It’s the only way when you’ve got a project as big as buying a home abroad. Just break it down into convenient steps and you’ll soon be there.Read more...