Assetz said investors are missing a trick by focusing solely on holiday lets when buying overseas and more reliable returns with less work could be gained by investing in properties to let to the local market.
There is a common misconception that overseas property investment must mean holiday homes, with British investors competing over properties located close to airports, beaches and golf courses. Most of the rental income must be generated throughout the traditional holiday seasons when the properties are let to a series of holidaymakers for short periods.
While these properties could undoubtedly generate strong returns, especially in counties with a strong tourist industry such as France, the alternative route into overseas property investment through letting to local people is usually more reliable, is much more a hands-off investment and is often overlooked.
Local lets are usually less hassle for the investor, as one tenant will probably last for a year or two, perhaps longer, compared to holiday rentals which change every one to two weeks, often with long voids in low season and a high cost of ‘changeovers’.
Property in city centres such as Saint-Brieuc in Brittany, Montpellier in the Languedoc (France) or Limassol in Cyprus, is usually less expensive than in tourist hotspots, meaning investors can access better quality property at lower prices.
Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, commented: “Amateur investors in particular are driven by the desire to holiday in their overseas property once or twice a year, therefore focus on holiday destinations which they might ultimately choose to retire to. However, with the time taken to manage the holiday bookings and the hassle of arranging changeover/cleans between holiday let clients, it would make sense financially to consider separating the investment from any intentions for personal use and seek local let property.”
