Money to invest and confused!

Myself and my boyfriend have €150k equity to invest. We intended to buy without a mortgage (or only a small mortgage) and with the long term goal of capital appreciation. Rental returns would be welcome but not necessary if long term appreciation prospects were good. As we are only 28 and 31 years of age we are taking a long term view of our investment, i.e 8 to 10 years but would like to be able to facilitate of equity release in the medium term. Lifestyle element, i.e. 1 to 2 weeks usage per annum would be a bonus.

We were drawn to France and initially at the French Leaseback scheme. Further investigations proved that the leaseback scheme offered poor value for money - over priced in secondary areas - but we are open to other investment options in France.

We are only starting out and a little confused by everything on offer. Anybody got any recommendations on which markets would most suit our long term objectives?

Have you considered Cape Verde

liamwoods said:

Have you considered Cape Verde

Click to expand...

Jeez Louise, you love banging that drum. Anyone might think you had a personal interest in the place.

The OP seems to be looking for somewhere closer to home where they'll take occaisional holidays themselves. I'd suggest taking your time. Spend the next year or so going to various places on holiday and finding somewhere you can get to know and like. Property markets the world over 'seem' to be slowing down. Don't blow your hard earned savings on the first fad location that some snake oil merchant sells you on at an expo.

This article is pretty much essential reading for someone in your position. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2761-2404475,00.htmlhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...404475,00.html

Also, having no mortgage whatsoever will be very tax inefficient for an investment property even if it does make the process of buying easier (maybe too easy?)

Howitzer -
you're link didnt work (at least on my computer)
could you post it again, I'd be interested in reading that article.

Im in a similar position to Elmay.
Why is buying without a mortgage tax inefficient? Is there a brief summary anywhere of all the financial issues that need considering? And how they vary from country to country.
Thanks

In Ireland you are allowed to deduct you mortgage interest as an expense against rental income. If you have no interest then rental income is taxed in full give or take the odd expense.

Read all the posts over the last few years on this site and then take into consideration that an enormous volume of posters have NOT invested abroad.

At the end of the day I'd agree with the previous poster about taking a few holidays abroad and deciding which country/market best suits your needs.