International Real Estate Investment Advice for Boomers

As the Baby Boomer market, the largest buying power among any demographic relative to purchasing real estate, begin to retire many are buying International Real Estate in Mexico, the Caribbean, and especially Central America particularly in Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.  The U.S. dollar is still struggling to gain higher ground against other currencies (PBA, Post Bush Administration).  Inflation is on the rise thanks to the financial meltdowns on Wall Street, the U.S. Housing Market Crises, the sub prime lending crises, and record unemployment.  Let’s also add a 9 trillion dollar deficit pending on the shoulders of America.  Finally, healthcare's exorbitant costs from buying prescription medication to paying for health insurance are a few reasons for baby boomers to retire abroad.

However, it is not just the Baby Boomer generation that has their eyes fixated upon International Real Estate.  Many middle aged Americans are also looking into International Real Estate Investments so they can leverage the housing boom and capitalize on it in the exact same fashion Americans did with the U.S. housing boom between 2003 - 2006.  However, the major difference is that the mass society of the United States incurs debt while in Latin America it’s the complete opposite.  In essence, assets are purchased with cash.  Therefore, values of homes are not ‘cooked’ or inflated.  This fact alone carries the most weight for people investing into Latin America.  Why not?  It’s a safe means to park funds and reap much higher yields than 2 to 3.99 percent at your local bank.

A common point that all Americans have to analyze and assess upon mulling over International Real Estate is whom to trust when buying Real Estate abroad and where to find International Real Estate Investments.  What are the risks, rewards, quality of life, and how safe is it to purchase international real estate for retirement or as an investment.

Who do you trust when buying International Real Estate Investments?  Well, it all goes back to you research and as this article is published you can be rest assured that in just 1 year you will see more U.S. Realtors listing International Real Estate properties in their web sites.  That is a good place to start...with your local Realtor, however, it's really not the best place because the majority of the Realtors are too fixated upon their current listings. They have no time to diversify into the International Real Estate Investments market but most will simply throw up a web page saying they can guide you so where do you go?

By far the best suited place to look for International Real Estate Advice is the International Real Estate Advisory Board or IREAB.  Their website is located at www.IREAB.Org. They are an organization that comprises of top tier business executives who serve as International Real Estate Advisors.  Their services are all free to any retiree, or prospective international real estate home buyer (or investor).  Their toll free number is 866-805-6708.

The risks of buying anything means that the buyer should beware (Caveat Emptor) of the worst case scenario.  This is a universal law of consumer purchasing on any level and with buying any product or service.  However, Americans should invest in International Real Estate where the government is stable.  Costa Rica, in particular has been the key leader in developing the government to provide economic and political stability.  When buying International Real Estate as an American Investor, the risks become greater if you do not take the time to research all the facts about the various rules and laws about your real estate investment.  If you are not going to be visiting your investment property such as a land acquisition, you should review the squatting laws of the country where you will be buying your land.  Very common sense applications that are carbon copy to buying property in the United States will apply.

After you review the risks, weigh the rewards.  Fact: Real estate in Central America (particularly Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama) in both the luxury real estate market and in the condo market are all seeing sustainable growth correlated to large increases in property value and equity.  Many Americans think with property value increases comes property tax increases.  This is not true when looking at International Real Estate Investments.  The country of Ireland, for example, does not have or impose any property taxes on land or real estate purchased within Ireland. You have to simply do your research from country to country and see what the best fit is for you.

Investing is all about being at the right place at the right time, and all the indicators are pointing to Central America for retirement as well as for investments.  The stock chart for buying International Real Estate Investments is bullish with a clear and present indication of an upward trend.  In contrast, the American Real Estate and Luxury Real Estate market is trending downward with a large long term bearish trend.

Determining the quality of life takes only 1 or 2 vacations to determine if living abroad is for you, your spouse and your family.  The good news is that the majority of Central Americans are bi-lingual and speak fluent English so the language difference will have a presence but as you engage with people from Costa Rica or Panama or Nicaragua or Mexico you will quickly discover that the large majority of people can speak English!

As far as safety goes many of the countries mentioned within this article have many developments and luxury developments that provide private communities, but for the most part countries such as Panama and Costa Rica have extremely low crime rates.  These countries are NOT 3rd world countries; however they are in a transition phase between a 2nd world to 1st world country.  Foreigners are the driving force that encourages more capitalism in Latin America and economic growth.

For more information regarding international real estate for retirement or investing contact IREAB, International Real Estate Advisory Board at 866 805 6708 or visit them online at www.IREAB.Org.

Written by Kay Yabandith,  International Real Estate Investments Magazine | http://irei.tv