I think its best suited as a holiday home myself but you are right on research. Much of the planet derives water from desalinisation eg Dubai is precisely the same. Maybe you haven't been to these spots during your wide travels picking up properties?
big difference between 'viewing' and 'picking up' I'm sorry to say
I actually do some work when i travel (just a little); and very seldon go lookin about for property!! far from it unfortunately.
seriously though, all I did was the low-level research on the place; economy, GDP, the cia site is always a good'un. The on-line local papers are always great for the inside story on what the LOCAL sentiment is.
And I wasn't 100% on it, so I left it be.
Remember that agents tell fibs
Anyone buying solely based on the glossy brochure is more than a bit niave.
I've no doubt is a nice place, but crucially for me, i'm looking to invest in medium/long term only. No speculation or flip-flopping.
Therefore, in my case its all about the rental market. And relating to CV, the papers talk of the rental market 'still to be identified'. Too risky for me.
the long-term issues may get resolved by the influx of money and tourism, and I naturally hope they do.
Would be interesting to hear the people who've bought there, what the convincing reasons were (and no, "Eddie Hobbs" is not a convincing reason!!).