Most of the off shore advertised properties I see (and not all of them of course) are in boom markets. In other words, markets that are doing so well that the prices are high and will go even higher.

Which spell out immediately the problem: PROPERTY SPECULATION.

I find it hard to understand that most people still do not see nor understand the difference between property speculating and property investing.

To put it in simple words, the overseas markets that are sold are in boom markets. In other words you rentals will NOT cover the bond.

This also means that you are exposing yourself to stronger currency shortfalls. In simple words you pay MORE for the pleasure of risking your money, when you could do it just as well at home with less risk if you are into taking risk in the first place.

I really don't understand why people are so blind to shortfalls and so blind to the fact that you make money when you BUY. That of course is not in boom markets.

You have to buy low enough to make the money when you buy, but you can't buy low if the market is a boom market = high.

Yes, of course if you are a multi-millionaire and you can buy outright and keep for as long as you wish and you don't really care if you lose it because these buys are speculations (in case the markets will not go further up in some boom areas) - then it is not a problem.

(Side note: all things being equal - which they never are - usually people with a lot of money know what they are doing, and yes, there are professional speculators in the market are making fortunes, but they are not the majority of the public that wants to invest in property and create wealth through this asset class).

I see these places are sold to hard working people with high salaries. A salary is a salary and a shortfall is a shortfall and it HAS to be sustained not to lose the property.

Most people still don't get the difference between speculation and investing and will pay a high price for it.

Many investors that did not understand the difference between property investing and property speculating are already paying a high price for it in South Africa for buying high and wanting to sell to the "last fool in line" (as they say on the stock market).

All you have to do is check the repo lists and auctions in execution to see the state of the affairs.

Now the market is depressed here in South Africa so we are looking to make the same mistakes overseas. How does that make sense?

Really, there is no rocket science here, it is simple maths and knowing how to calculate your property deals and the risk you are taking.

To all the people that want to invest overseas, I suggest they learn and learn and learn and learn as much as they can about property investing, then about the country they are about to invest and make sure they are making an educated decision and NOT follow one hot market after another to keep buying high and end up never seeing financial freedom.

There are so many deals right now in South Africa that can build a solid property investing portfolio that is hard to count anymore.

So, why risk your money in a territory you don't know enough about and a currency that may kill you financially?

These are just some points to think about when investing in property offshore.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - Buy Real Estate Offshore or Not

About the Author

Sean Wheller is a real estate agent, investor and the founder of the largest online property investing education website in South Africa that specializes in real estate training, and property investing courses and seminars.