When compared with many UK property investments, a staggering variety of overseas properties is likely to better suit particularly the shorter term investment plan.  Potentially higher returns are now well known to be achieved on foreign shores: at best, property in the UK is currently offering approx. 8% p.a. growth, while cities such as Berlin will generate double these figures.

The trend for overseas property investment is now stronger than ever, with high returns of some 20% p.a. to be received in some emerging property investment locations such as exotic Brazil and Morocco.  Meanwhile, a growing and ready market is also now gathering steam for those property investors who have already bought overseas and are seeking buyers to snap up their off-plan contracts or re-sale properties.

The failing of UK pensions and stocks and shares as investment vehicles has boosted the growing trend for overseas bricks and mortar. Added to this, today's Northern Rock crisis highlights a global lending market crisis; US banks are tightening their purse strings over sub-prime lending which has been seriously shrinking liquidity for UK borrowers. 

In past years, overseas property investment has been largely reserved for wealthy buyers, purchasing investment properties or holiday homes abroad. But today the British economy is dictating a further shift from this trend towards overseas property investment from all walks of life. There has also been a significant increase also in the number of first time buyers who are obliged to buy more affordable property abroad initially, in a bid to take an otherwise unachievable first step onto the property ladder.

For many real estate investors, affordable holiday homes abroad are far more exciting and lucrative choices today than property investments in the UK. Overseas property investment information is now constantly posted on the internet, in the press and on television, catapulting the international property craze, and producing fantastic results in many a financial portfolio.

Resort properties near golf and beach facilities with long tourist seasons are firm favourites amongst property investors. Many over-hyped European destinations are featuring in today’s media but strict caution needs to be applied in areas where supply is clearly going to outweigh demand.

Carefully researched, affordable property in up-and-coming areas is proving to be a wise choice.  Remember that your ideal holiday destination may not necessarily give the best returns: cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin or Budapest are offering high capital appreciation and rental yields over the medium to long term, and you will normally find to suit most budgets.