AMANDA Lamb of TV's A Place in the Sun knows her stuff when it comes to buying abroad. Here are her five top tips. Don't buy a home without them...
1 Location, location, location applies even more abroad. Just how hard or easy is it to get to?
You'll have trouble renting out a cottage up a mountain with an hour's trek to fetch a pint of Swiss Watch Replica milk.
2 Research local property prices from the internet, at property fairs and from magazines. So it wont be a shock that you can't pick up a French chateau for pounds 45,000 any more.
3 Watch out for noise problems. Visit at different types of the day. A sleepy town at siesta time may be an all-night party zone after dark. Even in the country you need to find out what time the cows come home!
4 Don't ever, ever use a lawyer recommended by the estate agent.
If the agent is dodgy you can bet the lawyer is in on it. Go for an English- speaking lawyer with local knowledge recommended by Brits who have bought in the area. Some UK solicitors specialise in buying abroad.
5 If you buy off-plan (easiest for newcomers) check the developer
has a banker's guarantee. That way if he runs off to Costa Rica with your deposit, the bank is Juicy Couture Charm Bracelet legally obliged to give you your money back.
The 4th series of A Place in the Sun, focusing on Europe, starts on Thursday March 16 on Channel Four at 8pm. Amanda's also in The Games starting on Friday, March 17.
