Has your property abroad become a burden not a pleasure?

You may wish to trade up and turn your holiday home into a permanent home; or you are looking to live in another location; or it’s just an advantageous time to capitalise on a long-held asset to invest in euro zone, or perhaps a $ based currency country. You may wish to take the opportunity to repatriate funds back home to supplement lifestyle or retirement.

However, sometimes the decision can suddenly arise or be forced upon people through ill health or as consequence of impending divorce or dealing with probate/ inheritance. It can be a difficult and worrying time for individuals, partners, or families. A distant property that needs to be maintained is a complication that you or they may not know how to deal with.

Proving ownership – An English Will does not necessarily cover property overseas and inheritance legislation differs from country to country so an independent lawyer may be required to guide you through the process.

Fee’s and Agents – The right contacts in a good location can prove invaluable. Services vary and local knowledge can be critical in ensuring a smooth and successful sale but this can be hard to both find and manage from overseas.

Preparing property for sale – if you are unable to travel to the property you may need the services of of someone who can ‘stage’ the dwelling to ensure it is attractive to buyers.

Access – agents need to be able to show potential buyers the property and will need a keyholder point of contact.

Currency – repatriation of funds back to the UK (or indeed to other countries if family members reside else where) can prove costly if you don’t take advantage of effective transfer mechanisims.

In these circumstances it is important to work with a company who has experience of complex probate situations and overseas wills.

AIPP members, Properties Overseas, have been working with local hospices and charities here in the UK to help clients in distress who have properties in Spain and the Balearic Islands that they can no longer use or wish to dispose of, either on behalf of themselves or family members. They have an extensive professional network of associates that includes legal, tax and currency specialists. Benefits of using the combined professional services which Properties Overseas provides include:

Properties Overseas as a company offers a donation for any referrals received from any hospice or their staff to support their valuable work.

As a UK based professional international property adviser, they can arrange the valuation and full marketing of your property through their agency network & membership of AIPP. Contact them on the link above or at info@propertiesoverseas.co.uk or call +44 330 0011 1247

Our thanks to Properties Overseas for their help with this article 

For help in selling overseas properties outside of Spain please check the AIPP Member Directory