Mathew (https://www.propertyinvesting.com/user/minvestigator) has curiously deleted his comment as soon as I queried him about his recommendation, (his finger must have slipped), and my own question, maybe because it was written as a reply to him, has also vanished. Mathew was recommending this company for overseas property finance – http://www.australianlendingcentre.com.au/. He mentioned that he did research on them and is happy to share his findings. I also did my own "research" (namely, a google search), and found the following – http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/12-19MR+Federal+Court+finds+loan+brokers+engaged+in+unconscionable+conduct?openDocument

I leave you savvy folk to draw your own conclusions about the company, the "research", and the researcher, just wanted to put this out there in case this recommendation turns up again. hope this post doesn't disappear again.

I'd venture that should be your goal anywhere in the world, at least for the next decade or so…if you're betting on capital gain, you're better off at the poker tables. No offense meant to you savvy US folk, some of you will make some nice bucks if you're quick on your toes, and some of you did, or are making some nice appreciation premiums as we speak- but a great many, if not the majority of new players out there, who tried to jump on the bandwagon whatever the cost, simply won't be.

I'll stick to the easily manageable cashflow properties for the next few years. Call me chicken, it works for me.

A quick online check seems to suggest that different provinces in Canada, as well as in Georgia, USA, for example, have slightly different rules and regulations regarding depreciation. My depreciation agent here in Australia, also, mentioned that capital gain laws seem to play a part as well (pre mid-1980s, for instance, cannot claim building depreciation, only internal fittings)…so I'm guessing (just guessing) there are at least some slight differences…it'd be interesting to find out more.

Living in close proximity to and running a resort is miles apart from purchasing and trying to profit on property from another country. I'm glad to hear your experience is positive, but at least for Fiji, I know of quite a few individuals who fared much worse than what you're describing, due diligence and all. Research is only good if the country and it's officials have a concrete policy that doesn't fluctuate with every wind of change. The countries you describe are far from it. While there's indeed great opportunity there, I hardly believe its a safe course of action for someone who doesn't live and breathe the local lore on a daily basis. Frontier markets are fine for those who know what they're getting into, but trying to sell them as established economical environments is bordering on deception. It's like me trying to promise my clients capital gain in Japan. I'd be a liar if I tried to claim that with any degree of certainty.

I could be completely wrong, of course.

Just out of interest- what sort of DD would protect you from corrupt officials who decide to take your property for their own, for instance? Or are you saying this never happens in the island nations?

You're referring to US properties, I assume? There are a few countries represented in "overseas deals", that's all I do Japan, I've noticed the uk, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Indonesia, new Zealand Singapore, china, hong-kong, India and Thailand also come up here, to name only a few…maybe be a bit more specific if you want more accurate answers…?

Not to defend the seminars one bit, as I'm actually quite averse to them- but the reason I switched over to RE was, in large part, to be able to spend more time at home. You just don't get that working in corporate IT project management. )

Personally, I found networking and attending RE or financial investment conferences around the globe gave me a hell of a lot more than any seminar ever could, in my experience. If you're going to spend 10k on your education, do it in the company of well-seasoned and well-travelled investors, fund managers and industry professionals from all ends of the spectrum, not crammed in a room with a bunch of other clueless being brainwashed in the one often dubious method and by the one self proclaimed guru.

Theres a huge amount of excellent industry events in Singapore, hong-kong, Thailand and Malaysia that'll cost you the same, if not less, offer FAR (far, far) more comprehensive, current and impartial information, and allow you to make far better contacts. (not to mention the food, sights and cultural experiences are miles apart).