Fidel Castro Is Dead... Now What?

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G'Day everyone,

I hope you had a great Thanks Giving weekend and are back to the grind.

For quite sometime now I've been super fascinated with buying property all over the world.

I own a waterfront lot in the the Bahamas. Check out my story here - How I Said "$#%@ It" & Retired In The Bahamas At 28 Years Old.

I've also purchase another 4 condos in Freeport and a lot with a hut on an island in Croatia. Next year, I'll be going to Japan to buy a condo there. As you can tell, I'm not a fan of the "American Dream" and would much rather live MY DREAM by being super mobile and seeing what the world has to offer.

I'd love to connect with anyone else on the forum that owns real estate in other parts of the world.

Belize, Egypt, Phillipines, South Africa and the Caribbean are just some places that come to mind.

Cuba is my favourite next hot spot and I've been heavily looking into Havana. It's a place that is stuck back in time and you can pretty much pick up a condo in the heart of Havana for between $5,000 - $10,000. Crazy cheap, right? There is a catch tho. Only Cubans can own and the market is not yet open to foreign investment.

So lets get the conversation started. I'd love to know what you bought or where your looking at buying?

Thanks so much for reading and I'm looking forward to your replies.

Patsy Waldron · Answer

@Engelo Rumora

I have not yet started looking for properties in South Africa, but have traveled there several times for both business and pleasure (but let's be honest- business IS pleasure in South Africa!). I also have family right outside Cape Town. I have road tripped around South Africa and really like the PE area (less developed and touristy than nearer Cape Town, so less expensive and more natural). When I am ready to buy, I figure I will take a trip there. Sorry I don't have more info right now!

Thanks for the tip RE: Bahamas. I will definitely look into it!

Doug Durgee · Answer

Look up Ziv Magen for info on Japan. I know there's also a lot of activity in South Korea as well. Both are vastly different systems REI-wise to the US though.

In Japan, the big thing seems to be buying rental properties that are 15+ years old as that's how long it takes for the homes to fully depreciate, meaning the buildings themselves are essentially worth nothing in terms of equity--purely cash flow investments.

More here: http://www.retirejapan.info/blog/buy-to-let-in-japan-1

Engelo Rumora · Answer

Awesome and no worries,

How safe is it?

What is a ball park price for a condo if you know?

Thanks much

Engelo Rumora · Answer

Thanks Doug,

I've known Ziv for quite a few years now.

Will be catching up with him in Japan next year.

Purchasing in other countries for me is more about having fun than anything else :)

The returns I get in Ohio can't be beaten anywhere else in the world IMO.

Thanks again and much success

Engelo Rumora · Answer

Awesome Patsy,

Thanks so much for your comment.

What do you know about South Africa and the Port Elizabeth area? Please send me some links to a property site for deals in the area. I suggest you look into the Bahamas. There are some amazingly cheap waterfront and cliff front lots to be had.

Building further inland and on stilts helps with water surges during a hurricane. The trades in the Bahamas are some of the best in the Caribbean so that is another thing to take into consideration when building from the ground up.

Thanks again and I'm looking forward to your reply

Patsy Waldron · Answer

My plan is to buy a beach house (may or may not be on the beach proper.... I don't really like the damage that the ocean can cause when cyclones/hurricanes/typhoons come through) somewhere in the Caribbean. Maybe Tahiti or Guadeloupe or Martinique, as I am a native French speaker from an island and would love to own and live part-time someplace that reminded me of home. Maybe Belize, which I hear has amazing deals and even more amazing views.

I would also love a little house/compound on the south eastern coast of South Africa (Port Elizabeth area).

I think integrated housing developments (housing + shopping + schools + entertainment all in one compound) in India- or anywhere in the developing world, for that matter- are a great investment. The exploding middle classes in these countries/cities have disposable income and want to buy a lifestyle. If you are able to navigate the cultural dimensions (boots on the ground are crucial), lots of money to be made.

That's the extent of my international aspirations.

Fidel Castro Is Dead... Now What?

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