Buying property abroad advice needed

[richardmancunian]

I am thinking about buying an old or newly built property abroad for investment and living in maybe 3 or 4 months of the year (I hate the winter in the UK) as part of an ex pat community which is not all OAP.

First thoughts are Costa Del Sol or maybe south Of France Or Canary Islands (hot all year round). I also want good value for money. Budget is flexible to suit small apartment to small house with pool.

I dont know the best place to start (Taylor Woodrow have a Spanish subsidiary company) and I dont have lots of spare time so I wont to use a reputable builder/ estate agent with reduced risk of things going wrong re land ownership, building rights etc.

Any tips from anybody re location, the research and buying process would be greatly appreciated.

[JCW]

The only one of the three locations you've mentioned that comes even close to 'hot all year round' is the Canary Islands, with the other two, despite their Mediterranean climate having a noticeable winter and spring period with corresponding weather.

Simplest way would be do some research online and physically visit the place to make sure you actually like it. New build properties in Spain have tanked in the last year, whilst older properties have faired better so if its a newer property you're after (lock and leave) then there are some deals to be had.