What you should be considering when buying property often depends on the reason for investing in real estate. For instance certain factors such as the climate and many social aspects may not be top priority for those who are look for real estate as an investment opportunity. Instead yield and capital growth will be more important factors in determining whether a property is a worthwhile investment.

On the other hand a retiring or elderly couple will be looking for different things when buying property than an investor. For instance, elderly retiring couples will more than likely consider the demographic of the people that live in the area, the lifestyle, and the climate.

Though there are many factors that can be considered when buying a foreign property, I will highlight just a handful of them here:

Climate - If you have spent the winter in a cold city such as London you will know how important this can be. For this reason many people choose to live in countries of warmer climates such as Italy, Greece, and Spain.

Language - Many destinations around the globe are cropping up as ideal locations for property investment. One point that needs to be considered for many of these locations though is the language that is spoken. If the property is going to for pure investment purposes you may need to consider using someone to act on your behalf who can speak the language.

Investment potential - Identifying the short and long term potential for real estate in any location is important. This is to guard you as much as possible against any downturns in the property market.

Socio-political issues - The crime rate, attitude towards foreigners, and economic prosperity need to be considered for both investment and permanent living purposes. Is the location prosperous or is it on a downward trend?

You may also want to think about the general cost of living in an area, the environmental pollution, the quality of healthcare and schools, and taxation before deciding on whether to go ahead with the purchase of a property.

Should you need to find work if buying real estate for living purposes, you should also gauge the marketability of your job skills in the surrounding area.