Belize

Although Costa Rica and Panama get all the publicity, Belize is renowned as one of the easiest countries in Central America for foreign buyers to purchase property. There are few restrictions on non-citizens owning land, no capital gains taxes and low property taxes. The country operates as a British Commonwealth, with English as the primary language, and the Belize currency is fixed to the U.S. dollar, 2:1, providing a measure of stability to the money market.

Canada

Anyone familiar with transactions in the United States won’t have any problem navigating the Canadian system. There are few restrictions on foreign ownership and the process is full of checks to protect both buyer and seller.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica earns its reputation as the easiest country to buy property in Central America. The political stability and volume of expats help keep surprises to a minimum, while there are ample bi-lingual resources.

The actual process is fairly similar to the United States, with a certified escritura (title) and plano (survey) required for most transactions. Title insurance is available. Agents don’t have to be licensed, but the Costa Rica Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and other groups are helping to bring standards and the NAR’s ethical code to the industry.

Dominican Republic

A new wave of large scale developments is changing the Dominican Republic landscape. A 1998 law removed most restrictions on foreign land ownership, sparking a wave of overseas investment.

Although unregulated, the process for buying and selling property is relatively simple, but contracting with an independent attorney is always a top priority. Extra care should be taken to verify titles and the validity of contracts.

Dubai

Until the last decade’s construction explosion, Dubai was not known as a friendly market for foreign investors. Only in recent years has the state relaxed restrictions and created an environment to fuel the Emirates’ unprecedented development. Foreigners are now permitted to own property, “subject to the approval of the Ruler,” with freehold ownership available in specified zones.

France

The French property system for international buyers is well-established and relatively straightforward, bolstered by a strong national organization of property agents, the Fédération Nationale de l'Immobilier (FNAIM). There are few surprises--foreigners have been buying property in France for centuries; the industry is accustomed to the quirks of international transactions.

The key to the process is the mandatory presence of a notary for all official business. No contracts should be signed or money exchanged without the notary present, providing a level of organization and oversight to any deal. In addition, buyers and sellers often hire their own notaries to represent their interests and help streamline the paperwork.

Mexico

In many ways, Mexico is no longer the Wild West. Title insurance is widely available; the property rights of foreigners are generally acknowledged and respected by government agencies. And the Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios (AMPI) is working with the National Association of Realtors to raise standards for property agents.

Panama

On many levels, Panama is a relatively easy country for international buyers. While Spanish is the native language, English is widely spoken and the dollar is the accepted currency for international deals. And thanks to the Canal, which is undergoing a massive expansion—as well as the country’s status as a favorite offshore tax haven--Panama will always attract an array of foreign investments.

Spain

Although horror stories abound, buying property in Spain is considered relatively easy. There are few restrictions on foreign ownership and a well-used system is in place to aid the process.

Nevertheless, the process is full of minefields, from unscrupulous agents and arcane local laws, to “black money” and ignored zoning regulations. In recent years, Spain made headlines when thousands of homes were declared illegal, after corruption investigations discovered they were built without the proper entitlements. Some homes were destroyed and thousands of others were left in limbo.

Thailand

Political turmoil remains the biggest challenge to buying in Thailand. Governments and policies change, adding a touch of uncertainty to the process. In recent years there has been movement to open the country up to more overseas investment, but that could change.