Property Investment Abroad -- Beware of Guaranteed Rents

By:Don Suter

UK buy-to-let investors are being tempted by offers of guaranteed rents on property deals around the world, but how good are these deals in real terms and will there be any rental demand once the guaranteed period ends?

Worldwide opportunities

Investors are looking beyond the overcrowded UK market for untapped property hotspots in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and out to the Far East.

Deciding on the best foreign markets to invest in is a case of weighing up the potential for growth and rental income against the risks and costs.

For example prices of residential homes in Beijing rose by 20% in 2005 (according to the Beijing Municipal Construction Committee), however there are many issues regarding the transfer of funds out of China, a 5% tax on rental income and the possibility that the Chinese government could claim the land back.

Latvia on the other hand presents a lower risk to foreign investors, with membership of the EU and the ability to borrow up to 90% of the value of the property making it a more appealing choice.

However, this is not to say that an investor can simply buy any property in Latvia and expect to make easy rental returns. Like any foreign market, the risks are generally higher than buying in the home market.

Incentive to buy

To help encourage potential landlords to overseas markets, a number of investment companies are offering guaranteed rents for anything up to 5 years. Rental guarantees, it is argued, provide a reliable safety net for riskier markets, however many experts warn they are merely a marketing tool and advise investors to look very closely at the deal being offered.

Key issues

One of the biggest issues with guaranteed rentals is a lack of demand for the property once the period has finished. Guarantees are often used to market properties that otherwise would not sell and many investors are shocked by the resulting drop in income.

In addition to this, it is often the case that investors end up footing the rental bill themselves, when developers inflate the price of the property to cover the guaranteed rent. This can provide a further shock when the investor tries to sell the property and realises that it is not worth as much as they originally paid for it.

If you do opt for a guaranteed rental deal, make sure that it is properly underwritten by a bank. Otherwise you would be at risk of losing the guarantee if the developer were to go out of business.

Poor regulation means that it is also worth checking the small print for any hidden clauses that enable the developer to avoid paying the guaranteed rent and it is always a good idea to seek expert advice.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: buy-to-let, landlord, property investment, property investor, overseas, rental guarantee

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

UK property search - Search for homes to buy and rent, plus information on property investment, buy-to-let, mortgages, insurance and plenty more - www.ukpropertyportal.co.uk

Top Real Estate Articles
1). When Daddy Moves to an Apartment By : Kyle Thomas Haley Divorce is hard, there’s no question about it. Not only has your marriage ended but, most likely, your lifestyle is undergoing some drastic changes also. This is especially true if you are forced to leave the place that was home to you and your family. Depending on your particular situation, you may find that moving into an apartment is your only option.
2). Alternative Investments – Which Is the Best for Your Portfolio? By : Stephen Todd If you are looking at alternative investments the one we consider the best has an average gain of 920% over 20 years and has outperformed shares and property with less downside risk.
3). The Pitfalls of Selling Your Home Alone By : Andrew Webber Many homeowners think that selling home alone without the help of a Realtor will help simplify the process and will save them money in the end. The fact of the matter is that selling your home on your own isn't easy work. In fact, you may actually lose a substantial amount of money when you try to sell your home alone because you aren't well spoken in the language and business of real estate.
4). Flip That House Style Real Estate Investing By : David Neese I love those TV rehabbing shows like Flip That House. On the show people buy a house needing to be seriously updated and repaired. Usually the kitchen is heavily upgraded with new cabinets, cutting edge appliances, new countertops and more. The bathrooms are completely redone with new tile, tubs, showers, sinks and more. The living rooms and other areas usually have walls taken out to open up the floor plan and usually carpet is replaced with some type of hardwood flooring.
5). Where Real Estate Investing and Speculation Collide By : Bruce W. Ford Some uninformed folks would describe someone who rehabs distressed property as a "speculator" or even a "property speculator." Don't be fooled! There is a VAST CHASM of difference between rehabbing and property speculation. Let me explain. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of speculation where business is concerned is: "Engagement in risky business transactions on the _chance_ of quick or considerable profit.
6). How To Find A Real Estate Agent By : Steve Gillman It's easy to find a real estate agent. Just put a for sale sign in the yard and wait for the phone to ring. The question is, how do you find a GOOD real estate agent? You can start with newspaper. Pick up the Saturday or Sunday paper - whichever day they have all the homes for sale in your area. You can also collect a few real estate guides to look through.
7). Home Sales Continue to Drop In Southern California By : Andy Goldman Home sales are dropping in Southern California. For the fourth month in a row, home sales have continued top drop, according to data for March.
8). Relocating to Tampa Bay A Great Place to Call Home By : Kael Its no wonder that Florida’s Tampa Bay area has become such a popular choice for relocating adults and families to call home. The west coast of Florida has mile after mile of white, sandy beaches and magnificently, beautiful natural resources. These areas include the city of Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, as well as Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs and Oldsmar.
9). Real Estate Rentals - Selling For More By : Steve Gillman Selling real estate rentals isn't like selling houses. You can paint a house, and get a little more because it looks nice. Rental properties, especially larger ones, are different, because they're bought by investors, who look at income more than new paint. Raise the income, and you increase value to investors. Time to learn about capitalization rates.
10). New Hampshire Real Estate – Switzerland of America By : Raynor With soaring mountain ranges, New Hampshire is often called the Switzerland of America. Fortunately, New Hampshire real estate prices compare favorably to Switzerland. New Hampshire New Hampshire is a state with beautiful scenery that takes on the full effect of each season of the year. Spring and summer are tailor made for fishing, hiking and water sports along the state coastline.

New Real Estate Articles
1). Real Estate Agent Web Site; Clean, Simple and Effective By : Lanard Perry Great website designs focus on 3 basic values: simplicity, clarity, and speed. A site that is visually appealing, but at the same time downloads quickly and is easy to navigate is optimum.
2). Errors Made by Real Estate Investors By : Kris Koonar Some decisions need to be well thought out and considered. Real estate issues are no exception.
3). Why Real Estate By : Kris Koonar When you look at the lists of the wealthiest people in the world, most of the names there have one thing in common. They are all massive property owners.
4). Real Estate Lead Generators; Business Building Ideas Are All Around You By : Lanard Perry Real Estate Lead Generators abound, and everyday you are presented with opportunities to generate leads and earn commissions.
5). Custom Real Estate Web Design: Key To Increased Income By : Lanard Perry The Internet is a primary tool for effectively online, mainly because it has such a wide reach. Through Custom Real Estate Web Design you can market to millions of people as easily as you can several hundred thousand.
6). Tips for Successful Investing By : Kris Koonar One of the quickest paths to financial freedom and security is through the world of real estate investing. Millionaires and even billionaires have been made on the real estate market
7). Moving In Your New Home By : Jonathon Hardcastle Now that the paperwork belongs to the past and the movers have left leaving you alone to admire your new property, it is time to sit down and list all those things you will have to do before being able to relax on your couch or back yard and admire your new possession.
8). Costa Maya Real Estate Search - Trip Planning Guide By : Christine Harrell After all, the opportunity seems too good to be true with 57 miles of virtually uninhabited Caribbean coastline, property prices as low as $65,000 per lot, and a government funded project to boost tourism and property value.
9). Real Estate Marketing Reports; Instant Web Site Content By : Lanard Perry It can take months, and in some instances years to personally write enough web site copy to have an effective, lead generating web site. On the other hand, you can purchase volume content for pennies on the dollar and upload it to your web site in minutes. So, why settle for adding a page 1-2 times a week when you can add hundreds of pages whenever you want to.
10). Investing In Property In Mexico Means An Investment In Your Health By : Christine Harrell Many Americans who have purchased property in Mexico have discovered even greater wealth than that of their fast rising property values.